HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-04-23, Page 1*Business Government BSpecial ■ News
Blyth man does
business for
businesses
See page 7
Huron Bruce
NDPs, Reform
meet
See page 8
Section helps you
get your car in
shape for spring
See page 13
Blyth Festival
prepares for
annual book sale
See page 31
CitizenTheNorthHuron High speed chase
ends in Clinton
Vol. 13 No 16 Wednesday, April 23,1997 7O« + 5«GSt750
Early Friday morning, April 18,
OPP officers spotted a vehicle
which had been reported as being
involved in an attempted break and
enter of Brian's Valu Mart in
Wingham. When officers tried to
stop the vehicle on Hwy. 4, the
driver failed to stop. A car chase
began, with speeds reaching
upwards of 160 km/hr.
Officers followed the suspect
vehicle into Clinton, at which time
the pursuit was abandoned out of
consideration for public safety.
However, the suspect vehicle lost
control and ran over a curb
flattening all four of its tires. The
four occupants then fled on foot.
Police apprehended a male
shortly after as he tried to steal
another vehicle in Clinton.
Found in the vehicle, which was
also determined to have been stolen
from a Brant Twp. residence, were
numerous items taken from a
break-in at the Belgrave Variety
Store earlier.
Charged with several counts of
break and enter, possession of
stolen property and possession of
housebreaking tools is 22-year-old
Robert Cornisch of no fixed
address. Cornisch appeared in
Goderich Court for a bail hearing,
Monday at 2 p.m.
The search continues for three
other suspects, all believed to be
from the London area. Anyone with
any information about these crimes
is requested to contact the Huron
County OPP Detachment at (519)
524-8314 or Crimestoppers at
1-800-265-1777.
Blyth freezes taxes
Cooling it
Brandon Blake, son of Bruce and Michelle, of RR2, Brussels, tackles the challenge
presented by a plate of spicy, steaming pasta, at St. John's Anglican Church's second
annual Spaghetti Supper. With spring taking its time to get here, and only the brave heating
up their barbecues for dinner, there was a fair, though consistent turnout to sample some
warm Mediterranean fare.
Country businesses open doors
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
People like to come to the coun
try.
The knowledge that there is
something for people from every
walk of life, whether urban or rural,
to enjoy in Huron County has
inspired some businesspeople in
the north-eastern portion to jointly
welcome guests.
The Maitland Group was formed
a few years ago to promote country
business and tourism. They orga
nized and distributed a flyer which
highlights events and tourist spots.
After a successful Christmas tour
last year, the group has planned a
Country Roads Spring Tour for
May. Bev Woodley, who owns The
Country Shop near Wroxeter, one
of the stops on the tour, said there
are 11 diverse places to visit.
"Our idea is to get people out to
see there is something in the coun
try", she said. Woodley adds that
the efforts of the Maitland Group
have already attracted a lot of atten
tion from city people, but ironical
ly, not the local folk. "We'd love
for them to come for the day and
see what's in their own backyard."
The one-day tour, set for Sunday,
May 4, beginning at 10 a.m. and
Continued on page 32
There will be no tax increase for
municipal purposes for Blyth resi
dents.
The budget passed, at the April 7
meeting, limiting expenditures at
$623,339, down $7,947 from the
previous year's budget.
Expenses were budgeted close to
the 1996 level, with a few excep
tions.
Council costs for mileage and
conventions were up last year to
$8,901 from the budgeted mark of
$4,000. Eight thousand dollars was
allowed for 1997 to accommodate
the increase in convention atten
dance, said Blyth Clerk-Treasurer
John Stewart.
With major building maintenance
and equipment improvements and
upgrades at the municipal office
completed in 1996, the budgeted
amount dropped from $16,000 to
$3,050. The actual spent on those
components was $12,176.
The budget for protection to per
sons and property remained rela
tively unchanged though the dollar
value used for fire costs in materi
als and services was only 40 per
cent of the allowed $41,500.
There were numerous changes in
the transportation services sector
with the total cost rising from an
actual in 1996 of $154,412 to an
estimated $243,000 for 1997. A
large portion of this increase is due
to the $115,500 set aside for road
projects such as the reconstruction
of Gypsy Lane. Money was cut
from village signs, drains, roads
administration, vehicle expense
repair and street lights. The esti
mate for road maintenance and sup
plies was reduced from $100,000 to
$31,000.
There was also a shift in costs for
environmental services in the vil
lage. The cost of recycling jumped
from the 1996 budget of $6,750 to
$12,279. An allowance of $12,750
was estimated for this year. The
cost for garbage collection and
pickup was reduced from $17,250
to $10,507 over 1996 so the 1997
budget was adjusted accordingly.
Several changes were also made
in the recreational, cultural and
health services sector. Recreation
materials and services which
jumped to $4,292 from the budget
ed $125 for 1996, is now set at
$2,250 for the year. Insurance costs
for recreation purposes, previously
calculated under administration,
were transferred to the budget line,
resulting in the higher total.
Memorial Hall materials and ser
vices, estimated at $10,000, real-
Continued on page 3
MNR/OMAFRA holds
official opening, Apr. 30
An official opening of the new
Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources and Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs venture will take place on
Wednesday, April 30, at Clinton
OMAFRA/OMNR Building, 100
Don Street, Clinton at 2 p.m.
Present for the day on behalf of
the Government of Ontario will be:
Michelle Noble, secretary,
Management Board of Cabinet and
deputy minister, Management
Board of Cabinet; Ken Knox,
deputy minister, Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs and Ron Vrancart, Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources.