HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-12-01, Page 1Education Sports J Millennium Entertainment
students
/ s learn signs
See page 3
Blyth Midgets get
to Silver Stick
final
See page 10
A look at
medicine
then, now
See page 11
OPP kicks-off The
RIDE campaign
The Huron OPP kicked off their
annual RIDE (Reduce Impaired
Driving Everywhere) campaign on
Monday.
During the festive season, said
Chief Superintendent A. Parkin of
the Western Region OPP headquar
ters,“We will be' targeting drivers
who insist on drinking and driving.
We will also be rewarding sober
drivers with Complimentary Bell
Quick-Change cards.”
Huron OPP Sr. Const. Don
Shropshall said last year officers in
the county checked 6,079 vehicles
resulting in nine impaired charges
and 10 12-hour license suspensions.
During the five weeks of the 1998
campaign there were 98 collisions,
seven of which were alcohol related.
The number of fatalities across the
region over the past year concerns
Parkin. Though down slightly from
the previous year, the numbers could
be reduced even more if motorists
would comply w'ith the rules of the
road, he said.
Last year, of the 160 fatalities in
Western Region, 63 of the persons
killed were not wearing seatbelts in
vehicles equipped with them. This
year of the 137 fatalities, 43 of the
persons killed were not wearing pro
vided seatbelt equipment. During a
recent fatal collision along the 401
corridor a driver was killed after
being ejected from the vehicle. His
teenage passenger who was wearing
a seatbelt received minor injuries
and survived the crash.
This year alone, 31 per cent of the
persons killed in traffic collisions
may have been saved had they been
wearing a seatbelt.
The set fine for not wearing a seat
belt is $105 and the addition of two
demerit points towards your driving
record.
Parkin wishes everyone a happy
and safe holiday season and encour
ages everyone to do their part in
making roads safer for everyone.
“Safe drivers save lives.”
Brussels hosts
Santa, Saturday
For the last Christmas of the 20th
century, Brussels is planning to take
a look through the past with this
year’s Santa Claus parade theme
“Travelling Through the Centuries”.
Santa comes to town, Saturday,
Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. There is no reg
istration for parade participants, but
they must be lined up at Brussels
Agromart at 2:45 p.m. for the 3 p.m.
judging.
The route then brings St. Nick and
friends south on Tumberry Street to
the Legion where he will visit with
children and hand out goodies.
Other plans for the village’s festive
season include the judging of the
best decorated home and business,
with winners to be announced before
Christmas.
The local merchants have pulled
together to once again sponsor the
Christmas basket draw. And on Dec.
23 at 7 p.m. the Brussels Optimists
will be offenng wagon rides.
Students
learn from
pros
See page 31
North Huron
ltizen
Snowball, snow forts and snow people
There was a lot of fun times to be had in school yards across the region as a covering of snow
Sunday night provided the perfect playground for children. Brent Drost and Lucas Frawley of
Hullett Central Public School worked very hard at creating the bottom ball for a snowman, but
decided trying to roll it up a hill would be more fun.
Transition committee hears public input at meeting
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Resignation, apprehension, opti
mism.
These were the sentiments
expressed at the public meeting held
on Nov. 24 in Seaforth to discuss the
proposed amalgamation of the Town
of Seaforth, Village of Brussels and
Twps. of Grey, McKillop and
Tuckersmith. Some 150 people were
present at the arena to learn more
about what the restructuring propos
al will mean.
Following the introduction of
council members, some background
and the presentation of reports. Chair
Graeme Craig opened the floor for
public comment.
A few questioned some of the sug
gestions presented. Bernie
MacLellan, councillor for
Tuckersmith Twp., felt that the deci
sion to have two representatives
from each ward (existing municipal
ity) was unfair due to the differences
in population.
Tuckersmith Reeve Bob Broadfoot
said that the decision for equal repre
sentation had been made because the
transition committee felt it was
appropriate for the first term.
Seaforth Mayor David Scott said the
issue will be re-examined by the new
council with representation eventu
ally being population based.
Asked by MacLellan for the
“hopeful go-ahead” date for imple
mentation, Scott said the plan will be
presented to the county in January
with the intention of being synchro
nized for implementation with the
next municipal election in
November, 2000 for start Jan. 1,
2001.
Former McKillop Clerk Marion
McClure questioned staffing asking
if, as the reports suggest, there will
be new positions added would the
existing staff all be hired or would
there be additional hiring. It had
been proposed that a transportation
co-ordinator and a recreation facili
ties supervisor could be hired.
Scott said he believed that the
existing staff would be given the
opportunity to apply for the positions
first. He also cautioned that none of
the recommendations in the reports
are “carved in stone.”
McClure also questioned the level
of administrative staffing. She said
she had contacted West Perth, which
restructured two years ago and
seems to be running smoothly. With
a population of 8,700 they have
reduced 8.5 staffers to six. “This
area will have 9,742 and you are
suggesting a staff of 10.”
Scott said that initially in the dis
cussions there had been concerns
expressed that this number was too
high. However, the committee has
another year to look at the issue.
The transportation report had indi
cated 13 full-time employees were
on staff, a number that was felt was
the minimum level. McClure said
that West Perth road department cur
rently has 11.
Grey Councillor Lyle Martin
asked if all the positions would be
opened to all the present employees.
Reeve Robin Dunbar said that there
had been concern for staff and an
attempt would be made to maintain
the staff' presently hired at this time.
“Job descriptions will have to be
drawn up. You’re trying to make a
new position.”
This comment raised some dis
agreement. “We never did say no
jobs are going to be lost,” said
McKillop Reeve Bill Siemon.
Martin agreed saying that posi
tions should not be created to accom
modate “leftover” staff.
McClure wondered where the sav
ings would be.
Scott said that some savings will
be obvious, like engineering and
insurance which can be tendered.
Also, he said, “there will be a reduc
tion in staff. But I believe in throw
ing five municipalities together there
will be a transition period.”
“I’ll be watching,” said McClure.
Dunbar look the opportunity to
remind the public that amalgamation
was not the choice of the municipal
ities. "The province said there would
be savings. We looked to see where,
but most small municipalities have
run a tight ship. We couldn’t see any.
The driving force is political. The
province wants it and we’re doing it
because we have to.”
“We hope there will be savings,
but you in McKillop and us in Grey
aren’t going to reduce the number of
roads. Maybe in 10 years there will
be but historically with amalgama
tion savings are negligible.”
Siemon said that he believes there
would be money saved in adminis
tration, the province continues to
download on municipalities con
stantly. “Every year there is more
and every year we still only have the
same number of taxpayers. Even if
we do get savings from restructur
ing, and believe me we all want it,
we're all taxpayers, with download
ing you’re not going to see it.”
“The province has a huge debt
they're going to pay,” said Dunbar.
“You're not going to see savings in
Huron.”
Continued on page 6