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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-08-25, Page 1Community Reviving A a family treasure See page 2 Millennium Feature Technology then,Creating now and ‘Death’ tomorrow star See page 11 See page 20 Bly th council ponders necessity of meeting By Janice Becker Citizen staff With the deadline to submit restructuring proposals just a week away, Bly th councillors discussed at the Aug. 17 session, the useful­ ness of a public meeting. Hearing that East Wawanosh was hoping to hold a meeting for its res­ idents, councillors agreed it would be good to give people an opportu­ nity to speak out, to hear what has been going on and learn about the direction being taken. Though agreeing the chance to express opinions was important. Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart said that at this point, no major changes could be made if council expected to meet the Sept. 1 deadline. Council gets update By Janice Becker Citizen staff Blyth Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart brought councillors up to speed on the PLJC restructuring at the Aug. 17 meeting. A meeting had been held recently, but few- questions had been answered so another was scheduled for Aug. 18 with a lawyer participat­ ing, he said. Stewart’s main concern was over the transfer of employees. He is unclear whether employees trans­ ferred to work on utility matters are still allowed to be involved with municipal work. He also advised council that if the utility is sold after November, 2000, 33 per cent of the sale price would go back to the province as a transfer tax. There is still a concern over some of the larger utilities in Huron and Perth Counties looking to either stand on their own or sell to Ontario Hydro. There are currently 12 utili­ ties in the two counties still looking at a joint venture. Any further reduc­ tion in the numbers could make it difficult for the utility to be efficient. Stewart said some larger utilities in the counties have given Duo returns to Blyth The comic escapades of Don Harron and his alter-ego Charlie Farquharson and the musical talent of Catherine McKinnon are return­ ing to the stage of Blyth Memorial Community Hall on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. A roast beef dinner pre­ pared by the Wingham and Area Seniors Day Centre will precede at 6 p.m. The couple last performed in Blyth in 1996 and returns as part of the Blyth Festival’s continuing 25th anniversary celebrations. One of Canada’s most extraordi­ nary talents, Harron’s entertainment career has included achievements as an actor, writer, broadcaster, comic, and producer. He has worked in revues and television, presides at conventions, has made a number of albums, is the author of several best­ "It would be more about giving information,” he said. Reeve Mason Bailey said he does not believe there is any political will to do anything different and that the municipality will go forward with what it has. Councillor Murray Nesbitt won­ dered what would happen if East Wawanosh had a large turnout at their meeting and the people were against the current proposal. Councillor Rob Lawne said the information had been published many times in the media and coun­ cil meetings were open for people to express their opinions. Council agreed to wait until after the next county council meeting to see what comes of restructuring talks there. consideration to buying smaller, neighbouring ones. In his personal opinion, Stewart said he would prefer this option or the joint venture rather than a sale to Ontario Hydro as the local cus­ tomers would still be looked after by local employees. Councillor Murray Nesbitt said the only reason to keep the wires company would be to keep the prof­ its in the community. (With the change in hydro servic­ es, the distribution of the power and the hardware used for that delivery will be separated into different com­ panies.) Stewart said a sale would bring the money into the community all at once where keeping the wires com­ pany would bring an income each year. After all his years involvement with PUC and Ontario Hydro, Reeve Mason Bailey said Blyth would be better off if the utility was sold to Ontario Hydro. "The rates are good and the serv­ ice is excellent.” Stewart suggested council give serious consideration to including their PUC preference in any amalga­ mation agreement. selling books, and had 18 seasons as a star on the long-running TV senes Hee Haw. He is currently the co- chair of the Canada co-ordinating committee for the International Year of Older Persons. McKinnon shines as a concert per­ former and is kept busy touring the country with her distinctive reper­ toire of east-coast folk music, her pure singing style and her genuine warmth for the people she enter­ tains. Reserved seating tickets ($25 advance) for the Blyth Festival’s presentation of Don Harron and Catherine McKinnon and for the roast beef dinner ($12) on Saturday, Oct. 23 can be obtained by calling the Box Office at 523-9300 local or 1-800-to-Blyth toll free. C itizenThe North Huron Vol. 15 No. 33 Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999 (700+ 5# GST) 750 Bunnies and babes Wynter Fotheringham, right, and a friend had a great time with her pet rabbits when her parents, Amy and Bill Fotheringham, hosted the 72nd Annual Huron County Plowing Match, Aug. 20, at their home in Tuckersmith Twp. Perfect summer weather prevailed, allowing local plowers the opportunity to add on a few more points to their totals in an effort to qualify for the International Plowing Match which comes to the Earl Becker farm at RR1, Dashwood, Sept. 21-25. Walton girl, runner-up in Furrow Queen contest By Marie Perrie The 1999 Huron County Plowing Match was held on Friday, Aug. 20 southeast of Clinton. The hosts were William and Amy Fotheringham. Sixty-seven plowers took part as well as four Queen of the Furrow contestants. A total of 124 lands were plowed. Class winners were: Class 2, Jason Hugill, Seaforth; Class 3, Paul Dodds, Seaforth; Class 4, Darrell Fried, Plattsville; Class 4A, Elmer Erb, Millbank; Class 5, Steven O’Rourke, Dublin; Class 5A, Greg Speller, Ailsa Craig; Class 6, Jason Hugill, Seaforth; Class 6A, Tyson Arts, Seaforth; Class 7, Brian Fried, Bright; Class 7A, Allan McNeil, Alvinston; Class 8, John Nunnikhoven, Cambridge; Class 8A, Les Darrington, Elora; Class 9, Graeme Dougherty, Caledonia; Class 9A, Ruth Darrington, Elora; Class 10, Howard Row Springfield; Class 10A, Andrew MacRobbie, Mount Forest; Class 11, Jeff McCowan. Other results were: Junior Champion Plowperson, Jason Hugill, Seaforth; Reserve, Steven O’Rourke, Dublin; Senior Champion Plowperson, Paul Dodds, Seaforth; Reserve, Brian McGavin, Walton. The Dodds’ Trophy for high visi­ tor’s score went to Brian Fried, Bright. The most original restored antique tractor was a 1934 Case C owned by Paul Hodgson, Ailsa Craig. The Edgar Howatt Special for the youngest Huron County plower was won by Bill Feeney, Dublin, who is 10. The Queen of the Furrow is Amanda Denys, daughter of Walter and Nancy of Kippen. The runner-up is Carali McCall, daughter of Murray and Sherry, of Walton. The horseshoe pitching results were: first, Jack and Lia Snell; sec­ ond, Percy James and George Brouwer; third, Russ Breeze and Max Brouwer; fourth, Keith Moffatt and Niel Edgar and Bill Coleman and Ralph Koopmans. Sorry, our mistake One of the Huron motocross par­ ticipants was inadvertantly omitted from the front page story of last week’s Citizen. Also competing in the Sth Walton TransCan Grand National race was Josh Jorritsma of Brussels.