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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-11-10, Page 1Community | Feature [ Milestone J Entertainment Walton Hall turns it around See page 7 Bl '0 Pages pay tribute to veterans See page 10,11 \ Majestic ' celebrates J L * 60 years See page 20 HR »Grand’s ‘Travels’ not for everyone , See page 23 Anger builds over Wingham’s policing demands Anger boiled up at the November meeting of Huron County council over demands the county pick up the costs of disbanding the Wingham Police Force. Wingham, through its lawyer John Skinner, claims the county is respon­ sible for the costs of severance pack­ ages and pension adjustments that will be part of disbanding the force, the only municipal force left in the county, so that a county-wide con­ tract with the OPP can be signed. Ironically, the issue stems from the county’s attempt to save the Wingham force. While the rest of the county was prepared to contract with the OPP last year. Wingham expressed its desire to maintain its own force. The county felt it had found a way of doing this by assum­ ing policing as a county function, then delegating the policing of Wingham back to the town — a process that had been done in one county. However, after a bylaw had been passed, officials in the solicitor gen­ eral's office refused to allow two police forces in one municipality. Now; since the county has assumed responsibility for policing. Wingham contends it has the legal responsibil­ ity to pay the disbanding costs. It has threatened to take the matter to court if the county doesn’t agree. “We’ve given the town ’what it wanted, now it could end up in the courts,” complained Bob Szusz, reeve of Hullett Twp. Adding pressure to the situation is the fact the approval of the North Huron amalgamation plan involving Wingham, East Wawanosh and Blyth may be in the balance, leaving three more municipalities without restruc­ turing plans as the deadline approaches. “Blackmail is the first word that comes to mind,” said Laurie Cox, reeve of Goderich Twp. “Last year I had plenty of calls from Wingham saying 'We want our police force'” fumed past Warden Jack Coleman, reeve of Stanley. He said he couldn't see how the county could approve the North Huron amalgamation plan with the policing issue unresolved. “That puts it back to seven municipalities that won't be amalgamated.” In an attempt to find a compro­ mise, the administration, finance and personnel committee had proposed an interest-free loan to Wingham to cover the costs of any settlement but Wingham turned down the plan. Even that county offer angered some councillors. “I don’t see why we should owe Wmgham one dollar.” said Jim Love, reeve of Hay. Rob Morley, reeve of Usborne Twp. and acting chair, said the com­ mittee felt the savings of a county­ wide OPP policing contract were so significant that it was worthwhile to offer the deal to Wingham. Wingham alone stands to save $129,000 in moving to a county-wide contract. The county estimates the costs of disbanding the force would be $50,000 at most. (An arbitration hearing in the case of the former Goderich police chief found he gained substantially by joining the OPP so he was awarded only his legal costs.) - Wingham feels the court case between the county and the town can be resolved in four to six weeks but Lynn Murray, county clerk-adminis­ trator, said it might take two years, given that all 25 municipalities would have to involved in the issue, not just the county. Cox suggested the county should just proceed with its policing con­ tract and charge the disbanding costs back to Wingham through an area­ rating manoeuvre. Even if Wingham went to court and won. in the mean­ time there would be $1.5 million in policing savings by going to the county-wide contract, he said. Murray said she hadn’t researched that possibility. The possible prob­ lem, she said, was that the county had been using the provisions of the Continued on page 6 Solemn occasion Led by piper Rick Elliott, members of the Blyth Legion Branch and its Ladies Auxiliary attend­ ed Londesboro United Church on Sunday morning for the special service to honour their vet­ erans. The last Legions’ Remembrance Day services of this century will be held Thursday at 10:45 a.m. in Blyth Memorial Hall and at 10:30 a.m. at the Brussels Legion. Shooting victim recovers in hospital Bureau open for giving On Nov. 5 at approximately 8:30 a.m. a Clinton man was taken to London Hospital after a shooting accident in Morris Twp. between Walton and Brussels. Ten men were out for the local deer hunt working an area where bush met an orchard and open field. Some of the group were attempting to force the deer to a location where fellow hunters were waiting to shoot. One member of the group saw two deer and fired two rounds in their direction. He then saw what he thought was another deer and fired a round which knocked it to the ground. Another member of the group went over to the area to check and made a terrifying discovery. Their comrade Dean McTaggart, 32, had been shot by one pellet in the right chest. The group moved him out to the road by ATV, then rushed him to the Seaforth Public Hospital. He was transferred to the hospital, Victoria South Campus in London. Doctors found he had I I/2 pints of blood in his lungs. They were able to stop the bleeding. A family member stated Monday that McTaggart is off the ventilator and was in stable condition. McTaggart is the grandson of Marie McTaggart of Brussels. His father. Dale grew up in the village. The Huron OPP are continuing the investigation. By Janice Becker Citizen staff One family can make a difference when it comes to a child's Christmas. Last year was a first-time experi­ ence for George and Ruth Townsend of Londesboro, but their generosity in giving was certainly appreciated. Townsend had ordered 30 winter jackets of varying sizes to give to customers for promotions. However, after a conversation with his wife, the couple decided the coats could be put to better use by donating them to the Huron County Children’s Aid Society Christmas Bureau campaign. “I am glad someone got to use them. It must be awful to be a little one heading out and being cold," said Townsend. When discussing plans for giving this year, Townsend asked CAS vol­ unteer June Johns where the greatest need is. It is often the children from six to 12 who need more clothes, she said, particularly jeans. Teen sizes L, XL and XXL are also needed. Those donating items should also be aware that money can be given to the Bureau and women then go pur­ chase goods most needed, from local retailers. With numerous drop-off points in Huron County, the needs are often different in different regions so items are moved to the area where they can do the most good. Recipients should know clothing can be exchanged if it does not fit. This year’s collection locations for clothing, toys, food and cash needed by the Bureau are Wingham Pentecostal Church on Lloyd Street, the Agriplex at the fairgrounds in Seaforth, sponsored by St. James Catholic Church, Ontario Street United Church in Clinton, St. George’s Anglican Church on North Street in Goderich and Exeter United Church on James Street. Goods will be received during the week of Dec. 6- IO from l() a.m. to 3 p.m. The Christmas Bureau phone lines will be open as of Nov. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Anyone requiring assistance is encouraged to call 519- 524-7356 or I -800-265-5198 for this confidential service.