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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-09-18, Page 1Nol. 12 No 37 Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1996 7G0 + 50 GST750 Beauty and the beast Twenty-one-month-old Shannon Vincent, daughter of Neil and Joan of RR3, Wingham, was doing her part to make sure her sibling's calf was looking its best for the competition at the Belgrave, Blyth, Brussels School Fair on Sept. 11. This year's event was blessed with glorious weather as the rain held off until late afternoon. Bob Richmond leads Terry's team News Results from the Belgrave, Blyth, Brussels fair Beginning page 6 News Threshers announce winners of contest See page 13 Church Trinity Anglican builds for the future See page 20 Entertainment Avon's 'Merchant' boasts strong performances See page 31 Health Unit serves notice in Brussels The North Huron itizen Amalgamation Issue plagues councils By Bonnie Gropp It's another victim of the times. On Wednesday, Sept. 11, notice was made that the Brussels branch of the Huron County Health Unit (HCHU), located in.the basement of the village's Medical/Dental Centre would be closed. Public Health Nurse Marguerite Thomas, who will be working from the Clinton headquarters, was the last employee at the office. She received notice of the change on Sept. 11. Secretary Kathy Work- man went to Clinton in July and Public Health Nurse Connie Kuc was transferred two weeks ago. Beth Wilck, acting director of HCHU, said the board did not make the decision to close the Brussels branch lightly. However, she said, measures are being made everywhere in answer to provincial budget restraints. The move to close, Wilck said, is also in response to the changing face of public health. Community health, said Wilck, has been organized into teams. Lifestyles, Communicable Dis- eases, Griawth and Development and Environment, With the respon- siblity delivering programs to the community. "We did this to help us deploy our-staff in a way that will continue to provide ser- vices effectively." Though she expressed an appre- ication that these changes won't necessarily meet everyone's needs, the programs offered by the health unit are being reviewed. "The feel- ing is that services can be main- tained in the communities without offices," she said. "We've been making decisions one by one. Goderich and Seaforth offices have been closed and things are going along fine." - These sentiments are small con- solation, however, for members of the Brussels Medical/Dental Centre Board, who met with health board representatives in January of this year regarding a rumour that the office might be closed. The meet- ing was held at the Brussels branch office. Ron Murray, chair of Huron's Health and Seniors Com- mittee, said then he was glad he'd had the opportunity to see the facil- ity firsthand and learn of the numerous programs offered there. Betty Graber of Brussels, a direc- tor on the centre board, said, "We requested at the time that we be involved in any discussions regard- ing the office and we came away with the thought that someone was actually listening." Since then Graber says, letters have been written to Ron Murray, chair of the health board and Dr. Gary Davidson of the Planning Department re-iterating the desire to be informed and the hope that there be an opportunity for input Continued on page 25 By Bonnie Gropp "I believe you should give some- thing back for the gifts you receive." This was the motivation for Bob Richmond to act as the Team Mem- ber for the 1996 Brussels Terry Fox Run on Sept. 22. "I was asked and I felt it was something it was my duty_to do. This event is for cancer research and if we didn't have that I guess I might not be here." Richmond discovered he had colon cancer in January 1991, a revelation that came as a complete surprise. He had not had any indi- cations that something might be wrong. "It was my doctor's idea that I be tested, due to a family his- tory of the disease. Thank goodness he did; someone was looking out for me." Obviously, though early detec- tion made the prognosis good, the announcement was quite a shock. "When 1 walked 'into the office to hear what the doctor had to say, I was standing. After the news I was laying on the floor." Richmond was told that he would have to undergo surgery immedi- ately. (From the time of his first visit, until the surgery was done, just two weeks elapsed.) "The doc- tor explained that the bowel is essentially like a bicycle tube. I fig- ure if a tire has a bad spot you Continued on page 2 Brussels council will host a meet- ing of area municipalities Sept. 25 to discuss amalgamation issues but some councillors doubt there will be any support for idea. Councillor Greg Wilson said he expected few people attending the meeting would agree with the idea of amalgamating municipalities as the province is urging. Reeve Gordon Workman said Municipal Affair Minister Al Leach, speaking to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario con- vention said he wasn't telling municipalities to amalgamate but he was cutting funding which may force municipalities to join together to supply services. Asked how much the provincial government provides to the opera- tions of Brussels, Clerk-Treasurer Donna White said the grants last year were $112,000. If there is_ an expected 20 per cent cut next year the village can probably survive, she said, but beyond that there would be problems. Reeve Workman wondered what the effect would be if education taxes were removed from property as is being urged in a tax rebellion started by Blyth. White suggested a complete cut in provincial funding wouldn't hurt if there was no edu- cation portion of the local tax. "If you gave me all the money we pay to the county and the school boards, I'd be laughing all the way to the bank, she said. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the upper meeting room of Brussels, Morris and Grey Commu- nity Centre. John Stewart, Blyth's Citizen The 1996 Blyth Citizen of the Year -is a man who his proponents say isalways there to help, with no job too large a challenge or the needs of a child too small. A life-long resident of the vil- lage, John Stewart is an active member of the community, being involved with minor sports for more than 25 years as an organizer, coach, manager, umpire and refer- ee, holding numerous posts with the Blyth Lions club over his 20 year membership and always on hand to volunteer where needed as an associate member of Blyth Legion. As well as his time spent with children through sports, Stewart taught as a supply teacher for some time and was chair of. Effective Speaking which involves youth. Stewart attended Blyth Public School, Central Huron Secondary School, Fanshawe College and Alt- house,- College. He is now the clerk- treasurer for the village. Stewart is married with three daughters.