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The Citizen, 1997-06-25, Page 1News_________I________Review________[ New beginnings Reflexologist sets up practice in office on Blyth’s main street Blyth Festival remount gets season off to spectacular start 2 Brussels Public School teachers prepare for new directions See page 16 See page 23 See page 24 Municipal reform up to local gov’t, says county council Rollover A single vehicle accident, Friday afternoon sent two to hospital with serious injuries. Lawrence White, 53, of Goderich, was driving a 1988 GMC pickup eastbound on County Road 25, 1.3 kilometres west of Hwy 4 when he lost control of the vehicle due to a heavy coughing spell brought on by a medical condition. His passenger, Tyler Dare, 7, of Century Heights, was extricated from the pickup by Blyth firefighters, who were on the scene quickly to provide medical assistance. Both victims were taken to Clinton Public Hospital by ambulance. Their condition was not known at press time. The vehicle was severely damaged. No charges are pending. If there is to be a next step in reforming municipal governments in Huron County it will be up to municipal councils. That was the conclusion from a county council strategic planning meeting held in Goderich Thursday night. While councillors considered various scenarios ranging from one government for all of Huron to six or seven municipalities (from the current 26), in the long run there was little appetite for changes at this time. They agreed to send out information to municipal council­ lors about what had been discussed at the meeting and ask them if they wanted a meeting of all councillors in the county to take discussions further. Councillors agreed they saw no pressing need to move ahead quick­ ly, particularly given the lack of information available from the provincial government about what the cost will be of downloaded ser­ vices like policing. “We're at an impasse until Jhe government gets off its butt and puts the cards on the table,” said Bill Mickle, reeve of Exeter and former president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. “If there is more information in September maybe then we can meet (with representatives of all municipal councils),” said Bill Weber, reeve of Stephen Twp. There had been controversy about the county holding the meet­ ing, since it had earlier rejected a county-led amalgamation mood and promised to include municipal councillors. “We held a meeting I felt was wrong,” said Mickle, speaking of the decision not to include municipal councillors who “had a right to be part of a discus­ sion on what is going to affect their municipalities”. Among the councils upset with the county’s meeting was the Town of Goderich which passed a motion at its June 16 meeting asking for no action by the county until it had met with all councils. Several Goderich councillors did attend the county’s meeting as observers, one indicating the town might call for intervention by a provincial com­ missioner if the county appeared likely to go ahead. A commissioner has already been called for in the North Lambton area by Gordon Minielly of the Town of Forest. In a letter to Minielly, (circulated at the meeting by Goderich) Al Leach wrote he saw any restructuring of the area “would necessarily include, at a minimum, half of both Huron and Lambton Counties and quite possi­ bly parts of Middlesex County as well.” Leach said he wouldn’t appoint a commission at this time but would consider one in 1998. That possibility lent some urgen­ cy for municipalities in the south­ ern part of the county where discussions have already taken place among a number of munici­ palities regarding possible amalga­ mations. But, one reeve said it was hard for some municipalities to get together when others aren’t. “Why would six municipalities accept only one representative on county council,” he wondered. Mason Bailey, reeve of Blyth, stressed the importance of all municipalities developing a com­ mon accord to keep any one munic­ ipality from calling in a commissioners. “It’s important we don’t try to impose our will on oth­ ers,” he said. Gopher control starts fire Blyth Lions Club plans Santa’s Ride By Janice Becker Citizen staff There will be teddy bears, toys and touring bikes in Blyth, June 28, when the Blyth Lions Club hosts their second annual Santa's Sum- Accident claims life There was tragedy on an East Wawanosh Twp. road, June 19, when a Ford van, driven by Willem Fidom, 67, of RR1, Belgrave, col­ lided with a stationary dump truck. The accident occurred at 9:55 a.m. on East Wawanosh Cone. 6, mer Ride. The motorcycle ride is held to benefit the Huron County Christ­ mas Bureau, says Lion Brian Gar­ net Beginning at Bainton's Old Mill in Blyth, at 2:30 p.m., the riders head out through the countryside just east of Sideroad 36/37. Fidom was taken to Wingham and District Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Fidom is survived by his wife, Anna Fidom, as well as four chil­ dren and 12 grandchildren. The investigation is continuing. towards Goderich, complete the full loop at St. Christopher's Beach before heading back to town, a ride which will take approximately one and a half hours. At the end, the riders, as well as anyone else wishing to contribute, is asked to donate toys, childrens' to teen's clothing, non-perishable food products and school supplies. "Cash is always welcome," adds Garnet. "We are hoping to build this ride into one of the motorcycle rides to attend. Blyth has a lot to offer with camping facilities, good restaurants and good support from the commu­ nity," he says. Door prizes, raffles and 50/50 Continued on page 24 Attempted rodent extermination led to the total loss of a bam and approximately an acre of beans when fire ravaged the building in West Wawanosh Twp., June 19. Lucknow and District Fire Department responded to the 4:30 p.m. call to the Randy Kerr proper­ ly on Lot 18, Cone. 2 of West Wawanosh. "By the time the department arrived the barn was fully Early holiday deadline at ‘Citizen’ Due to the Canada Day cele­ bration, July 1, there will be a change in deadlines at The North Huron Citizen. Advertisements and editorial copy must be in by Friday, June engulfed," said Fire Chief Peter Steer. While Kerr was trying to rid the area of gophers, using gasoline, the building caught fire, he said. The estimated damages of the barn, which was burned to the foundation, is estimated between $50,000 and $60,000, said Steer. No farm animals were housed in the bam, though a plow and culti­ vator were lost. 27 by 2 p.m. in Brussels or 4 p.m. in Blyth for publication in the July 2 edition of The Citizen. The office in Brussels will be closed June 30 and July 1. The Blyth office will be closed July 1.