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The Citizen, 1996-07-10, Page 4Photo by Bonnie Gropp Searching for the past Looking for 1972 issue By Bonnie Gropp Like a puzzle with never-ending pieces, the work on the Brussels history book continues. The inter- esting aspect of the past is that it is almost virtually impossible to uncover all of it. For every mystery answered another is discovered. The task has been a fascinating one. I have heard stories for the first times, and names long forgot- ten. In addition to the clippings and information brought to us by the residents, (to whom we are indebt- ed), one of the most helpful resources available to us has been past anniversary issues of the vil- lage. Recently we dug up the 1972 Centennial issue. Our enthusiasm, waned somewhat, however, after we discovered that it was a two- section feature and we were miss- ing the second part. If anyone has a copy of this com- memorative section that they would be willing to let us borrow we would be grateful. If you could drop it of at the office, we would do everything possible to return it once our work on the history book is finished. Regarding another piece of histo- ry, our digging has unearthed a mention regarding a cheese factory in the village, however we have not been able to find out any more. If someone knows anything that might fill in the blanks, please con- tact us. Also, we have had a few entries into the contest for memorable moments in Brussels history, but would like to see a lot more. We know that there are many people out there, whose experiences or thoughts of Brussels' past would be a real treat for others to hear. All you have to do to be eligible for a $100 prize is scribble down those memories in 25 words or less and drop them off at The Citizen. Letters THE EDITOR, Please print this letter, which we sent to the editor of The London Free Press. In response to the theatre review written by Ian Gillespie in your newspaper of June 28, 1996 re: Mabelle Mabel, which is currently playing at the Blyth Festival Theatre, as season ticket holders, we took the opportunity to see the production of Mabelle Mabel on July 4. Contrary to the review of your so-called critic, it was one of the best we have ever seen. The review of this presentation by other daily newspapers concurred with our opinion. While your review is only one person's opinion, the presentation in a newspaper as wide spread as The London Free Press will certainly have a negative impact and could affect the life of the theatre and community. It seems there are only negative thoughts in society today. LET'S GET POSITIVE. Yours truly, Bev Elliott Elaine Scrimgeour THE EDITOR, On behalf of CKNX Radio, I would like to thank Darren Richmond and all the members of the Blyth Lions Club on the excellent job they did in providing the steak BBQ for our Preview Night celebration of Barn Dance Live! at the Lions Park. Everything was extremely well organized and we moved a large number of people through in very short order. We received many compliments on the food, and the little extra touches such as flowers at the reception tables were greatly Continued on page 6 PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1996 C The North Huron itizen BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1995 P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Publisher, Keith Roulston BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. Editor, Bonnie Gropp NOM 1H0 NOG 1H0 Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 Advertising Manager, FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 Jeannette McNeil The Citizen Is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable In advance at' a rate of $27.00/year ($25.24 + $1.76 G.S.T.) In Canada; $62.00/year in U.S.A. and $75.00/year In other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 Time to shed light on county What is going on with the government of Huron County these days? At Thursday's county council session, a move to go into a private session to discuss a personnel matter was voted down in a recorded vote- by a close 32-29 margin (since a recorded vote is weighted with larger municipalities getting more than one vote, the margin might only have been the vote of one councillor from a larger centre). Since the personnel matters to be discussed in the closed session included the infamous "Huron County's Fast Facts", distributed widely to county politicians, county staff and the media, some councillors, including Warden Bill Clifford, wanted to give no credence to discussing charges made anonymously. One can certainly understand their reluctance: the bitchy, malicious tone of the Fast Facts makes one feel dirty just touching the paper. Still, the whole issue of the Fast Facts came up for discussion by county council because the Administration, Finance and Personnel Committee had already gone into closed session to discuss the issue. It took some dogged questioning by county councillors to find out that fact since the minutes of the committee meeting made it appear the closed meeting was over a legal matter relating to another issue. Why is it fine for the committee to discuss the issue and not the council? Perhaps the vote might have been slightly different if the nature of the motion to go into closed session had remained as it was originally stated. After originally saying he wanted the session to discuss the letters and council conduct, Reeve Bill Vanstone of Colborne, amended his motion to say he wanted to discuss a personnel matter and wanted the clerk-administrator present. When the motion was read out it said only that the session would discuss the anonymous letters. There seems to be a problem getting accurate minutes of meetings these days. After some councillors had angrily questioned why the Agriculture and Public Works had not advertised the position of the position of county engineer in June as instructed by county council in February, Warden Bill Clifford said the committee had discussed the issue and decided to hold off advertising until after the July 4 council session in case anyone wanted to propose an alternative action (such as offering the job full-time to the acting engineer). But again, there was no mention of the discussion in the minutes of the meeting. The committee didn't make any recommendation about extending the offer. The poor acting engineer was left in the embarrassing position of having her future discussed in open council because of the strange way the issue was handled. It didn't take the Fast Facts to know there is trouble in the county. Councillors feel they're being manipulated and kept in the dark. Staff feels demoralized, partly because of the constant turmoil from staff cuts caused by government cuts, partly from a never-ending reorganization process that leaves employees worried about the future. You don't even have to be close to the county offices to hear the talk: according to one reeve, Huron is the butt of jokes far beyond its boundaries. Councillors can try to ignore the problems if they wish, but that doesn't make them go away. Fast Facts or no Fast Facts, the county needs to examine its problems and change the way things are happening. — KR Blessed are the meek After years of fighting not to get handed provincial highways, Huron County is resigned to taking over Highways 83, 84 and 87 with hardly a whimper. Ontario's municipal leaders are trudging toward amalgamation even though most can't see any savings at the local level. Everybody says it's stupid, but nobody fights back. Under Bill 26 the provincial government of Mike Harris gave itself virtually dictatorial powers to make changes in this province whether they made common sense or not. Municipalities across the province show no will to fight, even a public relations battle. They're caving in, instituting in reforms they don't really believe in. For Harris, it may be a blessing to have such meek municipal leaders. Taxpayers might prefer to have someone willing to stand up for their best interests, no matter what the odds of winning. — KR E ditorial