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The Citizen, 1994-06-08, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1994. PAGE 7. County opposes same sex benefits The provincial NDP government and local NDP member Paul Klopp were blasted for their support of same sex benefits for gay and les­ bian couples with a motion approved 28-1 by Huron County Council Thursday. The motion was brought forward by Bob Hallam, reeve of West Wawanosh and supported by all members present except Pat Down, reeve of Usbome. Reeve Hallam was especially critical of Mr. Klopp for going along with his party instead of representing the feelings of the majority of his constituents in Huron. The motion calls for the govern­ ment to halt its attempt to institute the same rights for gay and homo­ sexual couples as arc now available for heterosexual couples, including rights to health plans and pensions of homosexual partners and the right to adopt children. Brussels may meet with CWA Up and running Sallianne Patch, extreme right, manager of The Ark, offers some advice to a group of interested parents and youths from Goderich and Vanastra. Representatives from both places are interested in starting a youth drop-in centre, similar to The Ark, in their communities. Town needs centre, says teen Continued from page 1 Clinton Milmine, a Vanastra-teen felt there was a real need for a cen­ tre in Vanastra. "Right now there is nothing for us. This would give us a place to go and I really think the kids would use it," he said. Jenny Tucker of Dungannon said The Ark was "cool" and thought it would be good to have such a place where she lived. "It's kind of boring right now, but if we had a place like The Ark then we would have a place to go and be with friends. Right now we're either at home or on the street." Sharon Keith of the Saltford-area said, "It's a good idea. I wish it had been done before," she said. Some of the concerns expressed by the teens were with regards to adult interference. "Parents expec­ tations are too high. They don't lis­ ten to what kids want," one youth said. Another worried that too many adults would watch them too close­ ly when they were at the centre. Mrs. Patch said that had been a problem in the beginning but over the year the volunteers and teens have become more comfortable with each other. As for the adults not giving the teens enough control over their centre, Mrs. Patch said that would be up to them. "Are the adults going to take it over? Sure, the adults might have to if you're not going to do it." She told the adults present that it is important to find out what the kids want. "It's their spot, their space. You help them find a way to take the risks safely." Several of the young people said they were worried that the centre might become a hangout for a rougher crowd, which would spoil it for others. One parent from Goderich suggested that as it is a larger community than Brussels the teens using a drop-in centre would not be as familiar to each other as the ones in Brussels are. Mrs. Patch said that the teens fre­ quent the facility in groups. "If their friends are here, they stay. If it's others they are more likely to just drop by." The problem of teens from out­ side communities coming in and starting problems has not really been an issue to this point, she said, adding that it had, however, been a concern. "The teens who worked with us in the beginning kept telling us it wouldn't be a problem and they have been right. I have found that the kids know better than we do about things like this. I listen to them, now." Rules had been made by the teens and were for the most part enforced by the teens. "The kids care about this place and don't want anything to happen." Volunteer Carol Thomton said, smiling, "If they caught me smok­ ing in here, they'd tell me to get out." One Goderich parent asked the Brussels youths present if they would do the same if the person smoking was a friend. Their response was a unanimous "Yes.". Mrs. Patch had prepared an infor­ mation package to help the groups get their centres started. The Stage 1 package, she said, should help them on the way to a solid founda­ tion with is a very important first step. Finally, she said if she has learned anything it is that "change is constant when dealing with a youth centre. What happens now may be consistent for a week, but never for three in a row. Brussels Village Council may meet later this month with officials from the Ontario Clean Water Agency to discuss the ongoing situ­ ation with the village sewage treat­ ment plant. The Agency wants Brussels to reconsider its decision to return money for an engineering study into building a new sludge storage tank at the sewage treatment plant. Councillors had felt that since they had an agreement to store sludge at a local farm they didn't need to build the tank at an estimated cost of more than $300,000. "That's almost as much as the cost of the sewer plant in the first place," argued Reeve Gordon Workman. We'll be 120 years and never see the end of (paying for) it." The Clean Water Agency has offered a grant to pay for 83 per cent of the engineering study. It wants Brussels to proceed with the study so the village will have the plans in place if it decides in the future to go ahead with the project. Officials also want the village to look at the alternative of upgrading aeration equipment at the plant so that additional space can be created for sludge storage as a backup for the rented tank. "It makes me wonder if they're ever going to leave you alone until you build it," said Donna White, clerk-treasurer. "Can't we ever say no and just send the money back?" asked Councillor Dave Hastings. "My impression is that (if you do) you can't ask for money again," Mrs. White said. She suggested the council might want to hold one more meeting with the officials before returning the money. A meeting may be set up later in June. Graduation Just Arrived! New Rutabaga Sweatshirts Adults Sizes - Medium, Large, X Large and XX Large Colours - Forest Green or Purple Cost - 21.99 each Available at Bell's Discount Centre Ltd. Queen St., Blyth 523-9735 Christina Roulston graduated on May 26, 1994 from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the French Teaching Specialization and Applied Studies - Co­ operative Program and on June 8 from Brock University with a Bachelor of Education. Christina is the daughter of Keith & Jill Roulston of R.R. #3, Blyth. 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