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The Citizen, 1996-03-20, Page 1Seepage 10 See page 13 The North. Huron itize Vol. 12 No. 12 Wednesday, March 20, 1996 610 + 40 GM-650 It takes two hands Little Alanna Uyl, daughter of Peter and Linda Uyl of Blyth, had both hands full as she tackled the important job of food tester at the Blyth Christian Reformed Church bazaar, held March 12 at the Blyth and District Community Centre. As well as the great selection of delicious food available, visitors could purchase craft and gift ideas or take a chance on a draw or two Sports Crusaders take series from Wiarton, prepare for battle with Ripley squad News Huron Business Development Corporation creates 199 jobs in 2 years Entertainment Blyth Festival prepares for 1996 with announcement of season See page 23 By Janice Becker "The board really had no choice," says Klaus Seeger of the Huron County Board of Health, referring to the decision of the board not to hire their own meat inspectors for the duration of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union strike. "With no vet support, no labora- tory support, no stamps and no lia- bility coverage, the county had no option, but to turn down the idea. There was no other choice." "We (the health unit) are very much in sympathy with those affected by meat inspectors and we would very much like to help, but under the circumstances, we can't," says Dr. J.K. McGregor, acting medical officer of health for Huron County. "The situation is such that the insurance carrier will not cover Huron county in performing the function (of meat inspection)." "The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs withdrew licenses for vet and lab support, so the Health Unit had no recourse but to not accept the obligation," says McGregor. With the Ontario Labour Rela- tions Board refusing to put meat inspectors back to work and Huron County Health Unit unable to hire their own inspectors, some munici- By Bonnie Gropp For Blyth council the time has come to take a stand and they're asking for all Huron municipalities to join in with them. At the March 18 meeting of council Reeve Mason Bailey made an impassioned statement to coun- cil regarding his opposition to the restructuring of the county and to the education tax. "I don't think there's any reason we should dismantle our communi- palities may look for other solu- tions. Though Turnberry Twp., in agreement with Leedham Veteri- nary Clinic, Wingham, had appointed William Sellers as a meat inspector for Green's Meat Market, Wingham, "all inspections have now ceased because the Health Unit did not grant approval," says Dorothy Kelly, clerk-treasurer for Turnberry Twp. "We just hope the (provincial government) settles this," she says. In response to the Labour Rela- tions Board refusal to declare meat inspectors an essential service, Huron MPP Helen Johns said she is deeply disappointed. "Rural communities like Huron have the most to lose as a result of the decision. The livelihood of farmers and independent operators and employees of small meat plants in rural Ontario is at stake. This is a blow to the economic stability of rural communities." Johns also stated a concern that the board's ruling may have "a neg- ative impact on public confidence in the safety of meat from provin- cially-inspected plants." The government was to go before the Labour Relations Board again this week in a further attempt to get meat inspectors back on the job. ty because someone else has mis- managed our country," Bailey said. "I would like to draw everyone's attention to the fact that they are suggesting less representation of the people. If you study history that's what happened in Germany prior to World War H." He added that if government moves away from the grassroots, Continued on page 3 Health Unit won't do meat inspection Blyth council takes stand Maple syrup crop tops By Janice Becker The tree-tapping of 1996 may be remembered "more like an old time maple syrup season," says Susanne Robinson, of Robinson's Maple Syrup, RR2, Auburn. "There has been a steady flow during the day and freezing up at night, so we have been able to get some sleep," she says. With approximately one third of the crop in, Robinson says, the quali- ty has been very good. "It has boiled down to light or very light." The sap at Doug and Lynn Smith Maple Syrup, RR3, Blyth, has just started to flow really well, but the quality looks good, says Lynn Smith. For Barb and Ray Storey, operators of Winthrop Maple Syrup, RR1, Seaforth, the boiling began last Thursday and has been running really good, says Barb Storey. "The weather is co-operating and the quality looks excellent. We are very pleased." Sales are also looking good for Winthrop Maple Syrup as Storey says most of what she has is sold or spoken for, with orders still to be filled. With a target of one litre of syrup per tap and the season usually end- ing by Easter, Storey says they should reach their goal.