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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-03-04, Page 1See page 10, 11 See page 15 The North Huron itizen Vol. 14 No. 9 Wednesday, March 4, 1998 70e + 50 GST 75(4 Sign of spring? It has been a February like no other and with the springlike temperatures of this past weekend, local sports enthusiasts took their game outdoors in Brussels. In a fast-paced game of road hockey on the tennis court, Grant Jarvis, left, Jamie Smith, centre and Brett Clarkson each try to take control. Student trustees, parents' opinions differ What happened to our winter? What happened to winter? While some may argue that El Nino's effects may not be so far-reaching as central North America, local weatherman Boyd Taylor of RR3, Walton has few doubts. "There's no question that something has caused this unseasonable winter." Taylor reports that throughout February the temperature was on average 5.5°C warmer than other years, with only trace amounts of snow recorded on six different occasions. "By trace, I mean what you see in the air, not something you can measure." Rainfall too was minimal with a total of 28 ml or just slightly over one inch for the month. "Making this," he said, "the warmest and driest February on record." Although sunshine was still scarce, there was still more of it in February than in December and January combined, Taylor said. "I told my grandchildren the other day to remember this winter. They may never see another like it." Sports Brussels Juveniles, Blyth Midgets receive WOAA trophies Farm Some pork producers less than pleased with idea of co-operative Entertainment Pianist, entertainer Frank Mills returns to Blyth stage See page 23 Brussels overspends audit report shows By Bonnie Gropp Citizen Staff The audit for Brussels is complete, but while the bank account looks good with a surplus of $33,650, the year actually ended in a deficit position. At the March 2 meeting Clerk- Treasurer Donna White informed councillors that the budget had been overspent by $18,000. The biggest problem had come in the area of public works. The An Ethel-area teen is recovering at home after sustaining serious injuries in a car crash last Thursday evening. Corey Campbell, 17, RR1, Ethel,was on Conc. 1, in Morris, just west of County Road 12 at 8:45 p.m., when his 1996 Mercury By Janice Becker Citizen staff It is all a matter of safety. Grey Twp. councillors discussed, at the March 2 meeting, the need to improve the location and size of stop signs in Ethel. Road Supervisor Dave Hastings said that although no serious acci- dent has happened yet, a change will help prevent one. Hastings was seeking council's permission to request the Huron County road department raise the height of the stop sign on Conc. budgetted figure had been for $16,050, while the actual costs were $24,614. "There had just been a couple of little things which had not been budgetted for that added up to a lot," she said. She suggested that council begin to budget more for maintenance in the future because the village equipment is aging and that will mean repair costs. The auditors will be at the next meeting of council to make a full presentation. Sable entered the north ditch where it struck a hydro pole and rolled over. OPP state that the hydro pole was severed off and the vehicle demolished. Campbell was taken by ambu- lance to Listowel Hospital and released Friday afternoon. No charges were laid. 7/8, in the village, next to the restaurant. With vehicles parking directly in front of the store, the stop sign is very difficult to see, particularly for those unaccustomed to the corner, said Reeve Robin Dunbar. Stating that this would be the first step in making the intersection safer, Hastings also mentioned that a stop sign on County Road 19, at the corner would help, as traffic from the west is difficult to see at times. Council authorized Hastings to seek improvement to the signage. By Michele Green Special to The Citizen Parents are fighting harder than student trustees to save an area school from closure as the Avon- Maitland District School Board looks for a location for its amalgamated administrative offices. Student Trustee Brent Cameron told trustees last Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Clinton that students transferred to larger schools as a result of school closures would have better course selection. After being transferred to a secondary school in Wingham, Cameron said he got a better program, which was worth the added time travelling to school. After checking with colleagues, Maureen Agar, of the Seaforth District Secondary School Parent Council, said students don't need extra courses to qualify for entrance to post secondary institutions. They can get the necessary skills in Seaforth, she said. She said the loss of Durham's high school was detrimental to the community. The new Avon-Maitland board is considering closing Scaforth District Secondary School or sharing the building with the student body. Student Trustee Holly Beth Mathers said Seaforth would not be in the same situation as Durham. Its school closed and nothing took its place, she said. In Seaforth, the students may leave, but the board employees would be in the building, having an economic impact on the community. "It's better to close and put something else there," she said. Mathers' school, Mitchell District High School, is no longer considered for closure to make room for the board's office. "It has been determined to be a growing community and it's not feasible to close the school," said Trustee Colleen Schenk. Trustee Atje Tuyten said she wouldn't support closing any schools to suit administration. "I don't believe that's the right approach," she said. TOO MANY SCHOOLS? However, the board has up to two additional secondary schools, said Superintendent Janet Baird- Jackson. Paul Carroll, director of education, said reducing the board's total number of buildings would reduce its costs. By using space in the schools which are already heated and maintained, the board could become more efficient, he said. The board would sell its two Stratford buildings to move into one of the schools. "It seems the two buildings in Stratford could be looked at as assets to the predecessor board (Perth)," said Trustee Wendy Anderson. "It bothers me that when there was a shortfall, it was assessed on the door of the Continued on page 6 Teen hurt in crash Safety at Ethel corner concerns road sup't.