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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-02-09, Page 1Community Sports News Education Ark begins community project See page 2 Blyth Midgets move on after WOAA series win See page 7 Interest shown in organization of Christian school See page 10 Area drama students learn at Crossroads Fest. See page 23 The North Huron ltizen 9, 1994■1 600 GST included Thanks Huron Warden Allan J. Gibson, right, accepts a cheque for $1 million from Ontario Premier Bob Rae, while MPP Paul Klopp watches. The grant, which is part of the jobsOntario program, will go twoards the redevelopment of the former Huronview building. While addressing the capacity crowd, Premier Rae attributed his visit to Mr. Klopp's continued efforts in promoting Huron issues. Rae announces Huron grants Premier Bob Rae and Huron MPP Paul Klopp announced, Feb. 5 $1 million jobsOntario Community Action funding for the Huronview Redevelopment Project in Clinton. This project will redevelop an existing senior citizen's home into an expanded health and social services complex to serve a variety of community needs, creating 25 construction jobs and seven full- time positions. "jobsOntario Community Action helps communities take that very important first step to promote economic renewal and create jobs. It brings members of a community together and turns their resources and knowledge into action," said Premier Rae." This type of grass­ roots partnership with communities New dog catcher for Brussels Brussels councillors obviously liked what they heard when they talked to Bob Trick of Londes boro about being the village animal con­ trol officer, Monday night. Before the meeting was over they voted to terminate the services of their pre­ sent dog catcher. Council had invited Mr. Trick to make a presentation because they were dissatisfied with the current level of service from a company they felt was too far away. Mr. Trick already handles the same duties in Blyth and Clinton. "I believe half the job is commu­ nications," Mr. Trick said in a thor­ ough presentation of how he would handle the job. "If I can stop some­ thing from happening that's the way I like to do business. I try to be as visible as possible. I don't try to means jobs and new capabilities for communities like Clinton and thousands of Ontarians." The premier credited Mr. Klopp for his tenacity in bringing Huron issues to the premier's attention. To date, the Ontario government has helped create 2,400 jobs by providing more than $48 million in jobsOntario Community Action assistance to 360 communities throughout the province. These communities are also contributing $97 million, bringing total investment to $145 million. "jobsOntario Community Action is about government helping communities to help themselves," said Mr. Klopp. "This project will retain community services jobs and the businesses these workers sneak around." Mr. Trick said he has a very visi­ ble vehicle and "word travels fast" so that people who let their dogs run loose tend to think twice. On his regular patrols he travels 85 to 90 per cent of the streets in the village and looks down all the others, the patrols are at random during peak times, morning, noon, after school and after supper. "I try to keep people off guard. "I look for dogs, with or without tags. If I see an owner walking a dog without a tag, I talk to him and offer him the chance to buy a tag from me or from the clerk's office." If dogs wearing a tag are found running loose, he takes the dog to the owner and gives a warning. He explains what the charges are if a dog is found loose a second time. support locally. In particular, these 25 short-term jobs will make a vital contribution to Huron County's economy. The Huronview redevelopment will also help preserve the town's architectural heritage and provide a central focus for the county's social and health services." The premier also announced funding of $10,000 for the Huron Community Service Network to establish a community leadership program. "jobsOntario Community Action supports community development projects that create long-term economic opportunities for a community," said the Premier. "It helps communities to take control of their economic development future." This service encourages people to buy a dog tag, he says. If a dog is loose a second time, he tries to collect an "administra­ tion fee" before he leaves town. If necessary the dog will be impound­ ed after which not only will the administration fee be charged, but boarding fees will be added. Mr. Trick said he had already carried out a patrol of the village to get an idea of how much distance was involved. He travelled 12.8 kilometers of street and estimated an average patrol would take two hours, given time to stop and talk to dog owners. That brought the one part of the presentation the councillors were not so impressed with: the cost. Mr. Trick estimated the annual cost of Continued on page 6 Judge to sentence Falconer in March A Kitchener woman will be sen­ tenced March 29 in Goderich after being found guilty in court last week of having over 80 mg of alco­ hol in 100 mg of blood. Kathleen Falconer was charged in February 1993 with impaired driving causing death, following an accident in Grey Twp., which claimed the the life of a 27-year-old Brussels woman. Sherry Souch, her husband, Gary and son Mathew were on route to Listowel Hospital, Jan. 28, 1993 when their car collid­ ed with the car driven by Ms Fal­ coner. Mrs. Souch died shortly afterwards, on Feb. 2. Ms Falconer first appeared in Wingham's provincial court, March 10 where she asked to be tried by judge and jury. A preliminary hear­ ing was set for May 19 in Wing­ ham after which Ms Falconer was bonded over for trial. The trial began Monday, Jan. 31, at which time, Ms Falconer's attor­ ney stated that his client wished to be tried by judge alone. Testimony from both sides, including that of the accused, was heard for two County rejects It had been expected that the February session of Huron County Council would have been filled with tension with the announce­ ment of the candidate sites for the Huron County Landfill site but it all turned out to be anticlimactic when the latest list of sites was rejected before even being announced. Dr. Gary Davidson, director of planning and development, told county councillors Thursday that when the technical panel had exam­ ined the nine possible sites chosen under the latest set of criteria it was felt that all would probably fail the testing for geo-technical reasons. Dr. Davidson said the committee felt it was not wise to spend money testing doubtful sites and to put landowners through the stress involved. "We felt it was not good CHSS to be central tech, source After considerable discussion, the trustees of the HCBE decided at the Feb. 7 meeting, to proceed with the establishment of one centralized design and technology centre at Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton. In a report presented by Superin­ tendent of Program, Arnold Math­ ers, the Technology 21 centre at CHSS would be the source of tech­ nical studies for all Grade 7 and 8 students in the county. Allan Carter, trustee for Hensail and Tuckersmith said the decision to centralize was not a good one. "The students at the southern tip of the county would be spending up to four hours on the bus, including the time from home to school then to the design centre. The travel lime would cut into the teaching time and I believe the move to be very irresponsible." Other trustees, including Doug Garniss, representing Morris and Turn berry, said the plan was good because it would rejuvenate the days. In a phone interview following the trial, Crown Attorney Robert Morris explained that Justice McCart determined that while there was sufficient evidence, such as blood tests taken at the hospital, to show that Ms Falconer did have over 80 mg of alcohol in her blood he had reasonable doubt as to whether or not her ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired. Mr. Morris said that while over 80 can be proven through scientific evi­ dence, impaired is visual. As Ms Falconer was involved in a colli­ sion the symptoms she displayed could have been as a result of either the accident or the alcohol, thus the reasonable doubt. Mr. Morris said he is considering a recommendation for an appeal on the charge of impaired causing death, which is done through the Toronto Crown Law office. Sen­ tencing will proceed regardless. Mr. Morris said he will be request­ ing the maximum sentence of five years for Ms Falconer as there was a fatality. candidate sites to put the landowners in a position of concern when there wasn't much likelihood the sites would pass (the hydrogeological testing)." Instead the committee decided to open up the criteria to allow all classes of farmland to be eligible for the site. This class includes about 25,000 acres, Dr. Davidson said. "I think it's a wise decision," said Lionel Wilder, reeve of Hay Town­ ship and chairman of the Planning and Development committee. "Some of the sites that would have been drilled would have been a waste of time and money." It is hoped the next group of can­ didate sites will be announced early enough so that the drilling can be done in April, before the land is ready for seeding, Reeve Wilder said. stale programs now in place at the four locations. Trustee Norman Pickell of Goderich said the subjects suggest­ ed for the centre are "super and it is a great way to get the kids excited about design and technology. It is by far the best way to continue to make the program available to all Continued on page 6 Grant revives firehall dream Dreams of the possibility of a new fire hall for Brussels have been rekindled by the possibility of funding under the federal-provin­ cial infrastructure program. Clerk-Treasurer Donna White told council she's not sure the pro­ gram would cover the long-sought fire hall but if they thought it was a priority, she would seek clarifica­ tion. Councillors agreed that if the grant would apply, it might be an opportunity that won't come along Continued on page 6