Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-05-30, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019. Everyone was a winner last Thursday night as Central Huron’s Win This Space grand champion was crowned, but all five finalists came away with paid rent for one year. Crystal McMaster and her Mama & Me proposal was ultimately crowned the winner of the competition, while Joyce Ridder and Clinton Footcare & Wellness finished in the runner-up position. However, the big announcement of the night came when Central Huron Mayor and Huron County Warden Jim Ginn told all five finalists that enough sponsorship had been secured to pay one year’s rent for all of them. Community Improvement Co- ordinator Angela Smith said that awarding all five finalists was something she wanted to do right off the bat of the competition, but she had to convince Central Huron Council, which she eventually did. Tears were shed by the other three candidates, who were completely surprised by the announcement. This means that Tania Gregotski of Miniature Masterpieces, Tammy Hewitt of Dress to Impress and Melissa Livingstone of MyTy’s will all be offered one year of rent in Central Huron if they choose to go through with opening their business. McMaster will still have first pick of the empty storefronts, however, and Ridder will follow her. Ginn said it was a tough decision for the judges, but ultimately they came to their conclusion. The judges included Ginn, Councillor Alison Lobb, Jane Muegge, Bob Clark, Kaushik Patel and Fred Lobb. During the pitches, Hewitt was the first to present her idea for Dress to Impress. Her business model includes bridal gowns and dresses for all aspects of weddings, including those for mothers of the bride, bridesmaids, flower girls and even for those attending a wedding. She hopes that by encouraging local brides and wedding guests to shop local, it will stimulate Clinton’s economy in other ways as well. Ridder and Clinton Footcare & Wellness hope to encourage positive foot health among those in the village, pointing out that nearly half of her customers are men, so she would most certainly be serving all of the community. Her hope is to maintain a clean, bright work space, and move out of basements and coat rooms, all work spaces she’s had to utilize in the past. Gregotski said that Miniature Masterpieces has worked with local young people to create art that inspires and encourages them. She even brought many of her young artists on stage to share as well. One of the younger artists, Gregotski said, has said Gregotski is her hero and even dressed as her for school one day. Livingstone spoke about MyTy’s, named for her two children, saying she hopes it will be a store where people can buy books and meet, but ultimately it was McMaster and Mama & Me and her handmade jewelry that wowed the judges. Business consultant and Councillor Alison Lobb said that all of those who entered the competition were winners in the end, receiving business training and guidance to help make their dreams come true. While Huron County Director of Public Works Mike Hausser visited North Huron Township Council last week, several councillors wanted updates on local traffic concerns. During council’s May 21 meeting, Hausser was in attendance to talk about a pedestrian crossing in downtown Blyth, however some councillors were seeking information about other traffic situations in the area. Blyth ward Councillor Kevin Falconer asked for an update on the ongoing issues at the intersection of County Roads 4 and 25. “I’m always getting feedback about that corner,” Hausser said. “I do know it’s busy, and alignment is a challenge.” He said a report will look at options at the intersection and, regardless of whether it was traffic control measures or a roundabout, costs would be “substantial”. Falconer said that, as part of those conversations, he hoped incorporating pedestrian transport routes would be a priority for the county. Hausser said he understood, but, for the time being, the county was trying traffic-calming in the area. Efforts include including additional technological opportunities, on top of those already added, including “tension measures” like the flashing red light at the stop signs and the radar board just north of the intersection. Hausser said the latter has already proved valuable. “We have an idea how effective it is, and in this location, it was very effective,” he said. “It’s reduced speeding northbound somewhere near 20-30 per cent.” He said those results are higher than he’s seen in other locations. “After we removed the sign and reinstalled it, we saw the same pattern,” he said. “That seems to be a long-lasting change.” Councillor Chris Palmer also asked if traffic control options were being considered in Belgrave, saying he was concerned about speeding. Hausser said he didn’t receive as many comments in Belgrave as other locations, but said he would take the feedback under advisement. Finalists all win rent at CH Win This Space finale Your rent gets paid! Your rent gets paid! Central Huron Mayor and Huron County Warden Jim Ginn must have felt like Oprah Winfrey last week at the municipality’s Win This Space finale as he named the winner and runner-up, but then announced that enough sponsorship had been procured to pay a year’s rent for all five finalists. From left: Tammy Hewitt of Dress to Impress, runner-up Joyce Ridder of Clinton Footcare & Wellness, Community Improvement Co-ordinator Angela Smith and winner Crystal McMaster of Mama & Me just before the big announcement. (Shawn Loughlin photo) All a blur Téa Mutonji was one of many authors who made their way to Wingham and Bayfield for the Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story over the weekend. Her seminar, held on Saturday at the Wingham library that bears Munro’s name, focused on blurring the line between fiction and non-fiction. (Quinn Talbot photo) WHO’S LOOKING AT YOU? Put your business in front of the RIGHT eyes! The Citizen has special interest issues coming up. Call or email our marketing specialists today! 519-523-4792 ads@northhuron.on.ca Deadline June 28 Suppo r t Our Y o u t h Deadline July 19 Plowi n g Match S p e c i a l Deadline August 23 Schoo l B u s Safet y Graduation 2019 Deadline August 30 Elem e n t a r y Scho o l F a i r ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION OF DIRECTORS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019 ~ 7:00 PM LISTOWEL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT BUILDING BASEMENT MEETING ROOM 285 SARAH AVENUE NORTH, LISTOWEL, ONTARIO The Annual Meeting of the Listowel Memorial Hospital and Wingham and District Hospital will be held jointly for the purposes of receiving the financial reports and statements required by the Public Hospitals Act, for the Election of Directors, and for the transaction of other such things as may properly come before the meeting. Copies of the Annual Report/Financial Statements may be obtained at the Registration desk of both Hospitals effective June 5, 2019 and at the Annual Meeting. Memberships granting voting privileges may be purchased at the Registration desk of both hospitals for five dollars ($5.00) prior to five o’clock p.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2019. No membership sold after that time will entitle the purchaser to vote at the Annual Meeting. Listowel Memorial Hospital and Wingham and District Hospital By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Blyth traffic concerns persist