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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-05-14, Page 1News I Sports_________I News Blyth CIBC branch has ribbon cutting ceremony See page 2 Blyth Soccer league’s 1997 season schedule gets underway See page 12 Hullett Central student finishes as runner-up in provincial speak-off See page 21 Johns promises to tap into progs. By Janice Becker Citizen staff "This budget could be good news for Huron County," said Huron MPP Helen Johns. In a phone interview following the provincial Conservative gov­ ernment's budget announcements, May 6, Johns said she will make every effort to "tap into" programs to help her riding. One component of Finance Min­ ister Ernie Eves’ budget outlined a $30 million, three-year investment into rural job strategies. "The agricultural community is getting larger yields and more out­ put, but they are shipping out the raw materials. I want to see "value- added" in Huron County," said Johns. This type of industry could be a substantial gain for Huron, she said, helping the producers reduce the cost of transportation by having shorter shipping distances as well as creating off-farm jobs in the agriculture sector. "I will be working with (Agricul­ ture Minister Noble Villeneuve) to find what works for Huron. The agriculture (sector) will be pleased." Johns said the amount of money Hospital agreement a cornerstone event By Margaret Stapleton Wingham Advance-Times In what is being termed "a cornerstone event", Wingham and District Hospital last week signed an affiliation agreement with the London Regional Cancer Centre (LRCC) to provide cancer treatment locally. Dr. Les Levine, Chief executive officer of the LRCC, described the affiliation as a cornerstone event as the Wingham-London signing is the first since the province announced changes to the way cancer services are provided in Ontario. "Those changes began in communities like this," said Levine, who noted that Wingham and London have enjoyed linkages Office open, Monday While it may feel like summer's a long time coming, this weekend is a sign of its arrival. As many celebrate the first long weekend of the warm season, the staff at The Citizen will be pretty much conducting business as usual. Office hours and deadlines in Blyth remain unchanged with the office open all day Monday. The office in Brussels will be closed, however, news and advertising at The Citizen will be pretty much conducting business as usual. Office day Monday. copy, submitted through the slot in the door before noon will be collect­ ed for the May 21 issue. Have a great Victoria Day! spent on agriculture will also rise from $400 million to $405 million. Particularly of interest for the people in the Blyth area and those who rely on the summer influx of theatre-goers, Johns said that although there was some discussion to reduce the financial commitment to the Ontario Arts Council, the funding level will be maintained. However, according to a report in The Globe and Mail last week, the minister of citizenship and culture said there will be cuts to the arts, but the amounts will not be known until his ministry's estimates are released on Wednesday. Blyth Festival Theater General Manager Karen Stewart said they have not yet received word on funding, but do expect something by the end of the week. There will be tax credits granted to the film and television industry to encourage the companies to work in Ontario, funds given for computer animation and special effects at colleges, as well as aid for first time Ontario authors and publishers, said Johns. The government has made a sub­ stantial commitment to health care, as there has been trouble funding it Continued on page 7 over several decades, oncologists (cancer specialists) visit the monthly cancer clinics held at Wingham hospital, thus eliminating the need for patients to make the trip to London for follow-up assessment. "But we found it's not enough to have follow-up clinics," Levine continued. "Patients wanted more. They wanted access to treatment in their own communities." Over the past several years, representatives of the LRCC had visited hospitals all over Southwestern Ontario with the result being an overhaul in the way service is provided. This (agreement) is a tribute to the leadership and foresight of (WDH Executive Director) Lloyd Koch, the staff and board and their willingness to meet the real needs Continued on page 7 Vol. 13 No 19 Wednesday, May 14,1997 roo5<GST 750 Cold canoeing In spite of the cold winds and frequent rains, the Blyth Scout troop took to the waters of Radford's pond, May 10, to test their canoeing skills. The young men and their leaders also braved the chilly May night to camp near the pond before the Saturday excursion. Practising their paddling skills are Robert Goodall, in back, and Markus Redmond. ‘Booze Days’ needs help Remember living in a dry town in a "dry" county? That would be say.. .40 years ago, right? Okay so - how dry was "dry"? How far was your favourite oasis, or, if you were a teetotaler (as for sure you were), how far was your neighbour's favourite oasis? The Blyth Festival urgently needs anecdotes, recollections, and most of all, photos of people's Booze Days in a Dry County - or their neighbour's! These memories and memorabilia could become part of the Festival's second show of the season opening June 26. Anyone who can help, should call the Festival at (519) 523-4345; fax 523-9804; write to Box 10, Blyth N0M 1H0; or e-mail blyth.festival@odyssey.on.ca. Anonymity is guaranteed if so requested.