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The Citizen, 1997-07-16, Page 1Education J_____Sports_____■_____Feature_____B Entertainment Area students named CHSS, SDHS scholars See page 7 Brussels lawn bowling greens site of tourney See page 10 Playwright not about to give up his dayjob See page 21 Stratford productions impress reviewers See page 22, 23 Social assistance cases in Huron at 5-year low By Janice Becker Citizen staff Huron County social assistance cases are at their lowest level in five years. "The number of social assistance cases are down 10 per cent from May to June, 502 to 448," said Huron County Administrator of Social Services John MacKinnon, "whether a result of an improved economy or the provincial govern­ ment's Ontario Works program." The decline may also be part of the normal spring and summer drop due to seasonal employment, MacKinnon said the Huron County numbers are at their lowest since 1992 when there were 587 cases. A high of 650 was seen the following year. Huron County numbers coincide with those recently reported by Janet Ecker, minister of community and social services, when the department released figures which indicated 4,218 fewer households (8,200 people) receiving welfare in June. "Since the Conservative govern­ ment took power two years ago, Ecker said the number of "people relying on social assistance has dropped 14.7 per cent." Though noting the affect of sea­ sonal employment, Ecker said, "the government's welfare reforms are continuing to make a difference." Province-wide, Ecker said 25,000 Japan Drum & Bugle Corps io play, eat, sleep in Brussels By Janice Becker Citizen staff A group of talented young people from the Far East will help Brussels kick off their 125th anniversary celebration, beginning July 28. The Drum and Bugle Corps from Yokohama, Japan, consisting of 45, 14 to 19-year-olds, will not only present a concert Monday evening, but will use BMG Community Centre as their rehearsal hall and accommodations before continuing their North American tour and championship title quest. The story of how a band from half-a-world-away came to be par­ ticipants in Brussels Homecoming is one which shows how small this world has truly become. The connection begins with David Phillips, owner of JJ's Fire­ side Cafe, just south of Wingham on Hwy 4. His son-in-law, John Meehan of San Francisco, is a com­ poser of drum and bugle corps music. With two CDs of his own, the Yokohama Corps contacted Meehan about being their musical consultant. When it was learned the band people have participate in the Ontario Works program in 25 com­ munities. Since November, Huron County has had 100 residents take part in the program to get social assistance recipients back to work. At present, there are 72 people actively involved in 27 different community projects, said MacKin­ non. "We have exceeded our target for community involvement (in the program)," he said, "but the long haul will tell the tale (of success)." Of the 100 participants, 13 have gone on to find full-time employ­ ment, two have moved out of the jurisdiction and three have gone into educational programs. Only two were terminated due to non- compliance. Involvement in the Works pro­ grams benefits the participants in many ways, said MacKinnon. "Not only do they learn skills such as data entry, but they get life skills and get back into the groove of going to work." Though Ecker has said the gov­ ernment's welfare reforms have tightened the criteria for eligibility, MacKinnon does not believe many in Huron County were affected by the changes. MacKinnon said less than 10 Huron County cases were terminat­ ed due to the reforms. However, he does admit they may have affected those applying for assistance since the changes were implemented. would be coming to Kitchener- Waterloo for a championship per­ formance, Aug. 1, discussions began about finding accommoda­ tions for the group in this area through Meehan's Wingham con­ nection. Phillips then spoke to Gerry Wheeler, a Homecoming commit­ tee member, about have the band stay in the community and be involved in the celebration. "We have to give a lot of credit to Gerry and the Brussels Optimists for helping to put this together," says Phillips. "This is the first lime for all of them in North America and Brussels is a very nice commu­ nity. The arena is a good place for them to stay." The group of students along with 20 adults, including cooks, teachers and instructors, will arrive in the village July 26 and stay approxi­ mately five days. From there, the corps will head to Grand Haven, Mich., and eventual­ ly to Orlando, Fla., for the world championships. The Yokohama Drum and Bugle Corps will perform at the BMG arena, Monday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation. CitizenThe North Huron Vol. 13 No. 27________Wednesday, July 16, 1997______Z°t‘*t_?sT750 Tip of the hand, touch of the fingers Lisa Glanville attempts to return a volley from an unidentified opponent during the Brussels Sports Fest, July 10. Five teams, consisting of about 12 members, from Brussels and area, took part in volleyball, baseball and horseshoes on a very warm and sultry summer Sunday afternoon. Many of the players took the opportunity to go swimming at the nearby BMG pool after the day of activities. Scream scares off intruder An elderly Brussels woman was rudely awakened, July 9, by an intruder in her home. The woman awoke at 2 a.m. when a male broke into the resi­ dence and entered her bedroom. When the suspect made rude comments, the woman screamed, causing the intruder to flee. The suspect is approximately 18- years-old, medium height, thin build and was wearing dark cloth­ ing and a dark hat during the home invasion. If you have information about this or any other crime call CRIME STOPPERS OF HURON COUN­ TY, 1-800-222-8477 and you could receive a reward of up to $1,000. Remember, crime doesn't pay, CRIME STOPPERS does.