Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-01-07, Page 1 The North Huron itizen Vol, 14 No Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998 700 50 GS1750 A proud day It was an exciting and wonderful way to begin the new year as first time parents Laurie-anne and Richard Miller of Hullett Twp., welcomed their bundle of joy to the world, at Seaforth Community Hospital, Jan. 1. Hospitals welcome New Year's babies News Blyth council throws support behind restructuring option See page 3 Feature A brief retrospective of the previous year's highlights See page 6 Sports Brussels PeeWees win A championship at Howick tournament See page 8 Brussels employees get 2 % pay increase By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Brussels village staff received a vote of appreciation at the Jan. 5 meeting when council approved a two per cent increase in salary. While the original proposal was for office and road and PUC work- ers, it was decided to give the same raise to crossing guards and to the cleaning woman. Also getting an increase is the The OPP RIDE program _num- bers are in and drinking and driving related offenses appear to be rising slightly. With approximately 2,100 more vehicles stopped during, the Nov. 28 to Jan. 1 campaign, than last year's total of 6108, the OPP report showed a 500 per cent increase in the number of charges laid. However, Senior Constable John Marshall, community service offi- cer from the Goderich detachment said numbers can be deceptive. "You can begin a ride check and have the first person blow over," he said. "It can be a matter of timing." In 1996, 14 drinking-related charges were handed out while this year, officers issued 10, 12-hour suspensions, three administrative drivers' licence suspensions, thiee. By Janice Becker Citizen staff If a New Year's resolution was to make extra time to contribute to the overall well being of the local area, a good opportunity may be to look into the Huron Stewardship Coun- cil. Now in its second year, the group is seeking a ninth member for its panel, which works with a variety of partners promoting responsible stewardship through such activities as educational workshops on nutri- ent and woodlot management, sponsoring a science fair award, promoting tree planting and pro- ducing a newsletter. The ideal candidate would be "someone interested in working with people and groups towards a common goal" of improved local stewardship, said council member Steve Bowers. As the council deals with a broad spectrum of issues, members who have a wide variety of interests are sought, said Bowers. Though agri- culturally-based, anglers, hunters, naturalists, cottagers and resource management enthusiasts help create a good mix of interests. The minimum requirement from members is attendance at the eight yearly meetings, but can be increased to the amount of involve- ment desired by the member. There are numerous committees which set up workshops and guest PUC chair and commissioners. In presenting the proposal to council, Commissioner Henry Exel noted that, unlike councillors, who voted themselves an increase of $100 last year,. PUC remuneration had been frozen for some time. The chair will not be paid $1,950 per year, up from $1,725, while the commissioners will receive $1,650, up from $1,450. Council's remuneration remains the same with the reeve at $2,600 and councillors receiving $1,900. impaired, over 80 mgs. or refusal charges as well as 14 other related charges such as care and control. Even with the 10 suspensions, Marshall said it is just a warning to the drivers. No charges are involved. "The number of incidents is very small." The total numbers translate to only .23 per cent of the vehicles stopped in 1996 and .37 per cent of the vehicles in 1997. During the same time period, motor vehicle collisions were gen- erally down while fatalities remained level. Total collisions dropped from 124 to 107. Accidents in which personal injury 6ccurred remained at 18 though the number of persons Continued on page 2 speakers to educational opportuni- ties in the schools, said Bowers. The council received internation- al exposure when it was profiled as a viable approach to community- based environmental management in both a university course in South Africa and an international soil and water conference. Moving towards the 21st century, there is an increasing awareness of the need to become better stewards of natural resources so the ecosys- tem is not destroyed. Research in social psychology shows that initia- tives to promote behavioral change are most effective when they are carried out at the community level and involve direct contact and input from people in the community. The successes of the Huron Stewardship Council and others across the province are based on the expanding network of individu- als and organizations working together towards responsible stew- ardship. The council also seeks input from individuals or groups with sugges- tions for projects. Anyone interested in serving on the Huron Stewardship Council is asked to contact Bowers before Jan. 28. A package containing needed information and an application form will be mailed. A review committee will then select the new member from the applications received. It was a very busy beginning to 1998 as most local hospitals wel- comed the first baby of the new year within the first two days. New Year's baby honours for The Citizen coverage area goes to Lau- rie-anne and Richard Miller of RR2, Seaforth, in Hullett Twp. Wesley Richard Jolmathon Miller arrived at Seaforth Community Hospital, Jan. 1, at 10:40 p.m., weighing in at eight pounds, three ounces. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff It's about business. That was the feeling of Brussels councillors after reading 'a letter from the Huron County Health Unit at the Jan. 5 meeting regarding the Sunday opening of the LCBO branch. The letter signed by Marguerite Thomas, on behalf of the Substance Abuse Program and Meryl Thomas of the Huron Addiction Assessment The first child for the couple, he is also welcomed by grandparents Edith and John Belle and Janie and Wayne Miller. Clinton Public Hospital greeted the first born in Huron County, at 3:19 p.m. on Jan. 1. Rebekah Leanne Huber, the daughter of Nancy and Mike Huber of Clinton, weighed nine pounds, 12 ounces and measured 23.5 inch- es. Dillan Shawn was the earliest and Huron County Referral Pro. gram, stated, "We do not need another day for alcohol sales with all the associated problems." It also noted that "Huron County already reports almost twice as many legal offenses related to alco- hol use as the provincial average." The writers urged council to exercise the local option of choos- ing not to have Sunday sales. However, while council was sen- sitive to the concern, they felt that they had no right to stand in the arrival at Wingham and District Hospital, making his appearance at 9:45 a.m., Jan. 2. He was born to Carrie-Lynn Beninger of RR2, Teeswater. Mrs. Srah Kuepfer of RR1, Brun- ner, had the honour of the first child born at Listowel Memorial Hospital, Jan. 1 at 8:47 a.m. The boy has anot yet been named. As of Jan. 5, the first baby was yet to arrive at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich. way of commerce, and that ulti- mately it wouldn't help the situa- tion. "(Consumers) are going to get liquor from somewhere, if they want it," said Councillor Mary Stretton. Councillor Mike Thomas agreed noting that they didn't have to go far to do so. "The hotel is open on Sunday." Councillor Joe Seili said that the people he has discussed this with Continued on page 2 RIDE nabs drunk drivers Huron Stewardship Council seeks new member for panel Brussels council sticks to Liquor Store decision