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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-04-28, Page 1Volunteer I Sports News Organization recognizes BE~ jk contribution JF Lightning Midgets win OMHA title See page 7 See page 9 Local farmers, Master Breeders See page 15 CitizenTheNorthHuron Extra service costs cut Blyth surplus By Janice Becker Citizen staff There was tempered good news for Blyth council when the auditor reviewed the village statements for 1998 at the April 20 meeting. Council's surplus was down from the previous year yet they still fin­ ished 1998 with a $17,902 carry­ over. In running through some of the changes, Paul Seebach of Vodden, Bender and Seebach said payables were higher due to the fourth quar­ ter policing cost and street work on King Street was slightly higher. There was extra expense for the sewage plant because of $9,000 in capital costs. Sewage rates are set to only cover the fee of the Min­ Group of 3 moves on By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff It was a positive step forward when representatives of Wingham, Blyth and East Wawanosh met in Belgrave, April 22 to continue amalgamation talks. Though uneventful, the meeting, said spokesperson Judith Gaunt, went very well. "The nuts and bolts is to set up terms of references on how to organize," she said. While leaving the door open to other municipalities, the group is moving ahead in the hope of having a plan ready to file by Jan. 1, 2000. As they are dealing with many unknowns, Gaunt said that over the istry of the Environment, not capi­ tal costs. On the up side, council paid only $9,000 to the Memorial Hall board, the lowest in several years. The community centre was also able to pay down the loan for the natural gas upgrade. "Your arena runs pretty cheaply compared to others," said Seebach. The reserves increased from $182,000 to $198,000 because money was set aside for a fire board purchase. In summing up the village's finances, Seebach said, " I feel sorry for you. A few years ago the government gave you $250,000 to $300,000. Now you get approxi­ mately $150,000 and have to pay -for policing." next few weeks the three councils will be mapping out work plans so the committee can set time frames and have members take on certain areas to study. "Once we are done that, things will be going quite smoothly." One of the key points on the agenda, the question of whether or not a commissioner should be called in to assist, was tabled. It was agreed to try to make progress in the grouping that exists now. "The issue won't come up for dis­ cussion again until after the provin­ cial elections," said Gaunt. The committee also decided to rotate meetings, with the next being held on May 13 in Belgrave. Festival Box Office Over 400 register for local soccer open for business With well over 400 young ath­ letes registered, the soccer season in Blyth and Brussels is ready for kick-off. Total registration in Blyth was up 20 players from last year, says Herb VanAmcrsfoort, organizer. With 11 teams and coaches in place some practices have begun and games are set to start the week of May 10. Games arc 7:15 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs­ day. There may occasionally be two games on Monday with the Bantams squad playing some week­ end games. Coaches for this year are Mike Courtney, Hillie Chamney, Van Amcrsfoort, Dave Onn, Fred deBoer, Nancy Hakkcr, Lisa DeGans, Brenda and Alan Young, Steve and Debbie Cook, Chris Courtney, Bert and Mark Sjaarda and Phil Black. Brussels minor soccer has registered 234 players. There will be 17 teams. Twenty-two coaches have been assigned to the teams. The senior soccer club which starts registration expects about 50 participants. On Tuesday night, April 20 a coaches' meeting was held at Grey Central School. Eighteen coaches attended. Robin Dunbar outlined the role of the coach and highlighted coaching techniques. Pam McLellan, the chief referee, stressed the importance of fair play. Doug Shouldice of St. John Ambulance showed how medical emergencies could be handled. A number of the younger coaches who played soccer at Brussels are returning to coach. Kirk Baillie will coach one of the U-15 teams. Coaching the other U-15 teams is Mike Beretta who has played soccer in South America and the United States. Patricia Cummings, who is head coach of the Listowel High Schoofs junior girl's team is in her second year of coaching for Brussels. President Maxine Houston said that Brussels would host the junior soccer tournament in August. Work on the new field, which the club is building, is progressing, but it must be graded before the seeding can be done. The older field has been reseeded and both fields will be fertilized. More coaches are needed for the U-13 teams and several teams need an additional coach. A coaching clinic will be held on Friday evening May 28 at the Brussels school. Blyth Festival performance tickets went on sale to theatre patrons, Monday, April 19. The new toll free telephone line is in place for this season: 1-877-TO- BLYTH (877-862-5984). Fran Cook, box office manager, reports that sales to Blyth Festival members have been brisk. Festival members box office services began on April 6. "Members usually attend all of our shows, so the ticket sales for That Summer by David French, Dave Carley's Big Box and James W. Nichol's Every Dream are doing equally well." "Actor/writer Ted Johns clearly has as many Huron County fans eager to laugh at the foibles of the education system as they were at the foibles of modern farming and The Great School Crisis of '99 is destined to be a runaway hit." "What is exciting is that tickets for our final show in September, the spectacular that will turn the Blyth theatre into a barn at threshing time are already in demand. The Second Stage production, the comedy-thriller When the Reaper Calls by Peter Colley who wrote I'll Be Back Before Midnight has so far sold twice the number of seats than last year's Hot Flashes had by this time," said Cook. The Blyth Festival brochure with complete summer schedule and the visitors' Guide are now available at tourism centres and by calling the toll free box office number: 1-877- 862-5984 or 523-9300 locally. Box office staff will provide information for performance ticket packages that provide special savings throughout the season.