HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-01-18, Page 1Madill track team tops
Thick fog on Jan. 13 didn't slow the fleet feet or high stepping of the
F.E. Madill track team as they travelled to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton
for the Spectator Games.
Several local students contributed to the championship title earned by
Madill, as they racked up the most points through individual and team
efforts, outscoring more than 120 schools. This was the first time in the 10
year history of the meet that a school from outside the Metropolitan
Toronto-Hamilton area has captured the title.
Three graduates of Brussels Public School added to the tally by captur-
ing two gold and a silver medal.
Kara Pepper of RR5 Brussels, earned a silver as a member of the Midget
girls relay team, along with Denise Kikkert, Janet Lisle and Michelle
Freiburger, and also took eighth in the 300 meter race.
Cory Bragg of RR5 Brussels, was a member of the Midget boys relay
team, crossing the line first for the gold. His teammates were Matt Smith,
Mike Nolan and Greg Montgomery.
Cory also captured a gold in the long jump with a distance of 5,64
meters.
Adam Can of Brussels, added to the team total with an eighth place fin-
ish in the Junior boys long jump, with a distance of 5.37 meters.
Mild winter not
fun for everyone
A valiant effort falls short
Young Jesse Howitt of Hullett Central Public School got a few pointers from sister Lindsey, far
left, before trying for the basket, but his arms couldn't quite throw it high enough. With the
melting of their mounds of snow in recent days, the children were enjoying a springtime game
on the icy asphalt
Vol. 11 No.3 Wednesday, January 18, 1995
61e + 4e GST 650
The North Huron
itizen
Lawsuit worries council
News
County homes for aged
welcome administrator,
director of nursing
Beginning page 6
Sports
Blyth Bantams dominate
shootout contest at
Chesley tournament
See page 8
Feature
Snowmobile rules and
regulations help make
sport a safer one
See page 10
In an effort to inform the com-
munity as to the state of a claim
against the village by a former
employee, Reeve Mason Bailey
explained the situation at the Jan.
16 meeting.
"A claim has been filed with the
Ontario Court, General Division by
William Bromley," he said.
When the situation first arose,
"Mr. Bromley's lawyer sent the vil-
lage a letter requesting $30,000 in
compensation and reinstatement of
his position."
Council made a counter offer at
that time which was rejected by the
complainant, Reeve Bailey said.
"On Jan. 10, the village received
a revised claim which now stands
at $140,000. This amount will not
be covered by our insurance."
"This thing is starting to get out
of hand," said Councillor Doug
Scrimgeour. "We must try to deal
with the matter more directly." -
"We should talk to all persons
involved to try to settle the issue,"
he said.
A motion was made by Council-
lor Scrimgeour to inform the vil-
lage lawyer not to take any further
action unless contacted by council
and to request Mr. Bromley's
lawyer send all correspondence
directly to the village office. Thus far, the winter of 1995
could be remembered as one of the
strangest, with very mild tempera-
tures in December, the first snow
(to stay for any length of time)
arriving shortly before the new year
and hitting record highs in mid Jan-
uary.
"This winter has been abnormally
mild," says weather observer Boyd
Taylor of RR3 Walton.
"Through January, this area had a
minimum morning temperature as
low as -14 degrees Celsius and as
high as +13.5 degrees. Records
have been broken."'
Total snow for the month is 28
cm along with 18 mm of water. Mr.
Taylor says the rivers and streams
are well flushed out.
The change in weather patterns
may be due to the warming effect
of El Nino along the west coast of
the continent as well as the weather
systems over Florida, he says.
The relatively mild weather may
seem like the perfect winter, but for
those who depend on snow for club
activities or crop protection, this
may not be the ideal.
"There has been no severe dam-
age so far to the winter wheat
crops," says Crop Consultant for
OMAFRA, Alan McCallum, "but if
very cold temperatures arrive
before the water drains from the
fields, there will be crop losses."
If the water freezes over the crop,
winter kill will result from the lack
of oxygen.
Orchard crops are safe for the
time being, says Horticultural Con-
sultant with OMAFRA London,
John Gardiner.
"Fruit trees need several hundred
hours of temperatures near the
freezing mark to break out of dor-
mancy, which has not yet been
By Janice Becker
The battle between the old and
the new continued at the Monday
evening meeting of Blyth council
when the issue of pay equity was
brought before the members and
the citizens in attendance.
When the new council was
inaugurated in December, they
agreed to postpone talks on pay
equity until a discussion could be
scheduled with Susan Cox, a
facilitator for the plan and to
disband the committee comprised
of members from the previous
council who had been working. on
reached."
"However, damage could occur if
the temperatures were to take a
drastic dip to the -20 degrees
level," he says.
There is no particular concern at
this time and it is hoped the tem-
peratures will drop gradually' to
more seasonable ranges. The next
four to five weeks will tell the
story.
For those relying on the white
stuff for recreational activities, the
time for enjoyment could be short.
"Some snowmobilers are already
thinking the season is over," says
Rick Konarski of the B&W Trail-
blazers.
The long-term forecast is show-
ing another warm trend through
February so even when more snow
arrives it may not stay long.
A lot of people have been calling
around in a search for snow, but,
right now, the only snow to be
found is two hours north of North
Bay or in some areas of Quebec, he
says.
"We need at least five or six days
of snow before the trails will be in
good shape. Grooming can't start
until after four days, when the
snow has had a chance to settle and
compact," says Mr. Konarski.
As for the financial impact on the
club, the major fundraiser of the
year, a poker rally, has been post-
poned and Mr. Konarski says he
doubts whether it will ever take
place.
"Memberships for this season
have not been affected because
most were purchased by Dec. 1
when the trail permits were cheap-
er, but we may see a difference
next year. People may wait to see if
the snow will come earlier
enough."
the issue for several months.
These actions were taken despite
a letter sent to council by Edwin
Sormin, Review Officer for the Pay
Equity Commission, who suggest-
ed the village keep the existing
committee in place, as well as the
recommendation from the village
committee, said former councillor,
Eugene Coburn.
The correspondence from Mr.
Sormin stated that "Blyth had been
in contravention of the Pay Equity
Act since January 1990 and
requested council act on the matter
Continued on page 2
Blyth still battling