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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-02-16, Page 1Government Sports Entertainment v How much did county councillors and reps spend in 1993? Blyth Midgets tie Tavistock in first game of OMHA playoffs Blyth Festival to launch its season playbill in true country style See page 6 See page 10 See page 19 Snow much fun This may be the coldest, snowiest winter we've experienced in some time, but a group in Blyth this past weekend were willing to make the best of it at the first annual Blyth Sno-Fest. There was a good turnout with several teams of hearty, warmly dressed individuals competed in several outdoor activities such as floor hockey, plank walk and blind volleyball. Here, some players find that returning a volley in deep snow is a little more challenging than the indoor game. Fortunately, the landing is softer. New licensing good says Sgt. Lester retires as Huronview admin. "As a parent, I feel my child will be safer with the restrictions and as an OPP officer, I believe the new guidelines are a step in the right direction." These are the sentiments of Wingham OPP Sergeant Greg King, with regards to the graduated licensing for new drivers, which will be implemented by the Min­ istry of Transportation, beginning April 1. The program consists of two lev­ els of "probationary" driving before full driving privileges are extended. Sgt. King says, "This will allow the driver more time to gain experi­ ence" before facing expressway or night driving conditions. "I believe it will help reduce accidents." "Some young people have com­ plained the restrictions on night driving may affect their ability to hold jobs ( the first level prohibits driving between 12 and 5 a.m.). However, keeping the new drivers alive is far more important," he says. A press release from the Ministry' says, "Graduated licensing is a key element in our government's plan to make Ontario's roads the safest in North America. It will go a long way to reducing traffic collisions and fatalities on our roads." The graduated licenses will be phased in from April 1 until June 6. and will cover Class G license for cars, vans and trucks and Class M licenses for motorcycles. Level One requirements for a Class G license are as follows: a . fully licensed driver, with at least four years' experience, must be the only person in the front passenger seat and that person cannot have a blood alcohol level of more than .5 percent; the driver must have a blood alcohol level of zero; must not drive between 12 and 5 a.m.; must not drive on high-speed expressways of series 400 high­ ways and must limit the number of back seat passengers to the number of seatbelts. Driver Education Instructor and teacher at F.E Madill in Wingham, Murray McLennan says the restric­ tion regarding driving on express­ ways concerns him. With the new guidelines, "Level One students arc not allowed on Continued on page 6 Director of Nursing at Huron­ view and Huronlea Donna Sur- geoner and County Planner Dr. Wayne Caldwell have been appointed as co-administrators for the county homes for the aged fol­ lowing the early retirement of Wayne Lester. Mr. Lester announced his inten­ tion to retire Feb. 1. County Clerk Administrator Jocelyn Murray said that the posi­ tion has been filled on an interim basis. The county, she says, has been looking at the administration Busted watermains keep Brussels employees busy The winter of 94 has brought more than above average snowfalls and long hours of snow removal for town workers. The extended peri­ ods of extremely cold temperatures have caused four watermain breaks in Brussels in the last month, the latest occurring on Feb. 14. Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Lori Pipe says, "Three out of every 21 pipes leading from the main to the houses is frozen. We have 18 pipes that probably won't be thawed until spring." "Ninety percent of those affected are off the county roads because the pavement has been scraped bare. This allows the frost deeper into the ground," she says. Most of the pipes affected along Turnberry Street became frozen over the past weekend. Both the municipal office and the Brussels Medical Dental Clinic is frozen but, "fortunately the dentist is on holidays for two weeks. 1 don't know how we would get water to them," Mrs. Pipe says. Others affected in the village are hooking a hose to a neighbour's outdoor tap to bring water into their home. Mrs. Pipe says the problem Blyth cuts hosp By Bonnie Gropp In an effort to cut costs, Blyth councillors voted at their Feb. 9 meeting that they would no longer have a village appointed represen­ tative to the Wingham and District Hospital Board. While councillors were strong in their praise for the efforts and dedi­ cation displayed by Noreen Gnay as the representative for Blyth and OPP report 2 minor accidents High snowbanks resulted in a minor fender bender in Blyth last week. Wingham OPP Sgt. Greg King said that village employee Bill Bromley, 50, was attempting to pull onto Gyspy Lane, but his view was obstructed by a snowbank. As he moved the 1986 village owned truck ahead it was struck by a south bound 1979 Ford driven by Bryan Bell of Blyth. There were no charges and no injuries as a result of the accident. Damage to the village truck was minor, while there was moderate damage done to the Bell vehicle, of the homes. It is a position that has been complicated by the fact that there are now two county homes instead of one. Ms Murray said that consultation with staff has begun, to hear their views on what type of administra­ tion would best serve the homes. Some of the questions centre on whether there needs to be two administrators or an assistant. Once the structure is agreed upon it will be taken to county council for its acceptance after which appli­ cations will be called. occurs in the last metre of the pipe before it joins with the main under the street. "The men are unable to reach past the curb to thaw out the last section." "Village workers, along with help from employees of B&G Electric, worked for 10 hours on Saturday and were able to free up only one line," she says. "The men are worn out. If they aren't removing snow they are try­ ing to thaw pipes. This winter has been a challenge to all and I think the men are looking forward to some time off." Blyth Clerk-Treasurer Helen Grubb says Blyth has had only two lines freeze and one has since been thawed. "Most of the problems occur with older home because the trenches for the lines were hand- dug and shallow. Lines are often placed along driveways, which is a very poor spot because of exposure when the drive is plowed," she says. Ms Grubb says they are not out of danger yet because a warming trend and then extremely cold nights will force the frost deeper into the ground. 'We still have a long way to go," she says. rep position East Wawanosh during the last few years, it was felt that her services were not essential. Discussion regarding the issue began when council was informed that East Wawanosh had passed a motion at its Jan. 12 meeting rec­ ommending that Mrs. Gnay receive $250 annually, plus $35 for extra meetings, with East Wawanosh Continued on page 3 Sgt. King said. A Belgrave woman was charged with failing to yield from a private drive following a minor accident in Belgrave Feb. 12. Sgt. King said that Karen Mof­ fatt, 38 of Jordan Drive, Belgrave was reversing her Dodge van onto Jordon from her driveway when she struck a 1985 Ford pickup, driven by James Bruce, 63, also of Belgrave. Mr. Bruce was travelling south on Jordan, Sgt. King said. Neither driver was injured. Dam­ age to Ms Moffatt's van was mini­ mal while Mr. Bruce's truck sustained minor damage.