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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-03-16, Page 1Feature I Sports | Entertainment Local businesses sponsor Easter colouring draw Blyth Midgets win first round robin to advance to tournament final Bill Usher headlines kids’ show at Blyth Hall See pages 8, 9 See page 10 See page 19 Blyth council gives grant to soccer kids By Bonnie Gropp Following a visit from a con­ cerned parent, Ply th councillors made a motion at the March 9 meeting to rectify an oversight. Bev Blair was present at the meeting to express her frustration over the fact that the Blyth Soccer League had not been considered when council made the decision to split the recreation grant money at the last council meeting. The $5,000 had been divided between the Memorial Hall, Lions, Minor Hockey, Minor Ball and Blyth Fig­ ure Skating Club. In a written presentation to coun­ cil Mrs. Blair noted that this is the seventh season for the club, which now involves 41 families and some 70 children. The fact that consider­ ation was not given to the club when the money was being divided, she said was an "insult and injus­ tice." Reeve Dave Lee said that he had met with Mrs. Blair earlier in the week with regards to her concerns and told her at the time that it had not been a "malicious act" on the part of council, but rather as the grant had been an unexpected sur­ prise, council and simply used the list from the pervious years. Ward, Klopp in Clinton to hear budget concerns By Don Jackson The Clinton Town Hall was filled with local health, labour, education and municipal leaders last Thursday as Minister Without Portfolio from the Ministry of Finance Brad Ward stopped on tour of such meetings to hear local concerns about the upcoming provincial budget. Ward opened the meeting, terms a pre-budget consultation, with a brief presentation, in which he outlined the province's priorities and their track record regarding job creation, preserving services, deficit control and economic growth. He stated, "Over the last three years, our government has created over 300,000 jobs," and cited an expenditure decline of 4.3 per cent last year. "It's the first time the deficit actually decreased." He said that if the government had "done nothing about the Snowmobile accident claims life Wingham OPP are investigating a snowmobile collision which claimed the life of an RR2, Blue­ vale man this past weekend. A press release from the OPP states that on March 11 at 7:10 p.m., Kevin Alexander Johnston, 30, struck a mailbox while driving a snowmobile east on Cone. 1/2 in Grey Twp. Mr. Johnston was taken by ambulance to Wmgham and Dis­ trict Hospital, then was later trans­ ferred to University Hospital, London, where he passed away at 3:30 p.m. on March 12, the release stales. While it was noted that there were many other groups that had not been considered council acknowledged that these groups, unlike the soccer league, have offi­ cial sponsors Councillor Eugene Cobum said, "I think if soccer had been men­ tioned it would have been consid­ ered. " Clerk-Treasurer Helen Grubb noted that the groups receiving grant money all rent facilities in in Blyth. The Memorial Hall grant is to offset the deficit. "I came here as a concerned par­ ent. I didn't come expecting any decision. I just wanted it publicly known how I felt. I'm a firm believ­ er if I'm thinking it I'm saying it, so I'm here," said Mrs. Blair. Councillor Bailey agreed that an official apology should be made for the oversight. Councillor Sparling agreed that with the league using facilities out­ side the village (they presently play at East Wawanosh school) council­ lors perhaps didn't know' everything about the club that they should know. After discussion a motion was passed that council authorize a one time grant for the soccer league from the Blyth recreation budget. deficit," it would be roughly $16.7 billion, but because of deficit control measures, the deficit this year is around $9.5 billion. Ward accused the federal government in the Mulroney Administration of systematic discrimination against Ontario. He said the province was hoping things would change with a new Liberal federal government, but that the province is still being short­ changed in comparison with other provinces. The federal share of welfare payments were used by Ward as an example to illustrate his point. "With a person in Clinton who gets welfare, for every dollar they get, 29 cents comes from Ottawa. The same dollar in Winnipeg or Montreal, 50 cents comes from Ottawa. After Ward's presentation, members of the audience were invited to come to the microphone and voice suggestions, concerns and questions about the upcoming provincial budget. Clinton Public Hospital Administrator Allan Halls said he is frustrated with the province's’ claims that it is encouraging job creation and cuts the public sector at the same time. "I find it somewhat frustrating when the question is how to create jobs and we're looking at a loss of 20-30 jobs in the hospitals (because of funding cuts)," he said. Huron County Medical Officer of Health Maarten Bokhout said he agrees with the province asking for input on the local level. "I certainly applaud the fact that these kinds of forums are being held on a regular basis." Dr. Bokhout went on to criticize the province for cutting funds on Continued on page 6 Family Resource Centre opens By Don Jackson Clinton Public School (CPS) was the site for the grand opening of an innovative new program for Huron County residents last week - the Family Resource Centre. Sally McNichol, director of the Clinton Community Childcare Centre and co-ordinator of the Family Resource Centre explained the services provided at the centre. "One of the services is the toy library. Parents can borrow toys much like a book library," she said. She said child care information will be made available to parents and she hopes to hold parenting workshops there which are presently being put on by the Huron County Health Unit, the Children's Aid Society and similar community service groups. The centre will also advise parents on Continued on page 6