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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-07-22, Page 1News Dignitaries on hand as Blyth celebrates being on-line page 19 See page 7 Government Entertainment Marion Boyd visits with local NDPs Avon production, prime viewing The North Huron itizen Wednesday, July 22 1998 Vol. 14 No. 29 + GST 750 With temperatures soaring once again, finding ways to beat the heat are important. For Drew Wood a cup of frozen yogurt did just the trick, during an afternoon outing with his family in downtown Blyth. As more hot, muggy temperatures were predicted in the forecast experts warn that even those who don't suffer from allergies or breathing problems need to take ft easy. The high humidity increases the air pollution index, making it the perfect excuse to sit back and relax. Blyth water level hits critical low See page 3 School board to move to Seaforth high school By Lee Ann Waterman Special to The Citizen Come fall, students and staff at Seaforth District High School (SDHS) are going to have some new neighbours, a new resource centre and the reassurance that their school will remain open, at least for the near future. The Avon Maitland District School Board has decided to relocate most departments and about 60 staff members currently working at the board offices in Stratford and Clinton to new quarters at SDHS by mid- November. The project, which will include a 5,000-square-foot addition, which will include a new library/resource centre/computer lab for the school, and renovations to another 7,000 square feet of the high school, is expected to cost just over $1 million. In June, the board decided to spend approximately $400,000 to renovate the lower level of SDHS and move the business, accounting, human resources, payroll and operations departments there. The subsequent sale of the board offices in Stratford in late June meant the board had to decide where to relocate the other offices as soon as possible. The new plats will see the director's office, administration support, additional support services and program and student services personnel move to SDHS as well. The only staff who will not be located.. in Seaforth are: the technology support team, which will remain at Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton; and maintenance staff, who will work out of Northwestern Secondary School in Stratford, as well as schools in Huron County. Janet Baird Jackson, superin- tendent of business and finance, told board members at their July 14 meeting that administration felt moving all the offices to Seaforth was the best alternative. "We believe-that this meets the needs of staff who have told us repeatedly they want to be in one location," said Baird Jackson, adding that the plan has the potential to reduce operation, infrastructure and staff costs. The proposal was not supported by all the trustees, however. Stratford Trustee Atje Tuyten said that the board had planned a two-year review to find a permanent site for the board offices and asked why a final decision was needed so quickly. "I'm uncomfortable with it because all of a sudden what I thought was going to be a temporary site is now a permanent site," she said. Acting Director of Education John Patterson replied that the unexpectedly quick sale of the two offices in Stratford necessitated action. The deals on the Britannia Street and Water Street offices are to close on Oct. 31 and Nov. 31, respectively. "The people in this building are going to be homeless," said Patterson. "We need a place for them to work and they can't all fit in the basement of Seaforth high school." Chair Abby Armstrong agreed that plans have had to change as the situation changed and commended administration for their work. "Our administration and our staff have done an excellent job," she said. "I have great confidence in the plan that was presented tonight." Wendy Anderson, the trustee for Perth East, said she also could not support the renovations of SDHS. "This is going to benefit 300 students in Seaforth rather than for example, (relocating the offices to) Mitchell, which I believe was the first choice, which would benefit 600 students," said Anderson. She also made it clear that, in her opinion, the offices should remain in Stratford. "Everyone could be accommodated for much less than $1 million ... in Stratford" she said. "The Avon Maitland board is not the former Perth board," replied West Perth, Perth South, St. Marys Trustee Leslie Wood, "and Stratford is not the ideal location." Anderson pressed the issue, saying that the proceeds from the sale of the two offices in Stratford should go towards renovations at Continued on page 7 OPP investigate armed robbery The OPP are currently investigating an attempted armed robbery involving a handgun that took place July 17 at approximately 9:15 p.m. at the Goderich Esso situated at 79 Victoria St., North, Goderich. The suspect is described as male, in his late teens or early 20's, 5'7" to 5'8" tall, thin to medium build, dark brown or black short hair and thin dark moustache. He was wearing blue jeans, running shoes, red and blue bulky pullover-type sweater with horizontal stripes on it, a black ball cap, a white t-shirt under the pullover sweater, and a pair of very dark large fishing style sunglasses. The suspect fled on foot after being scared off by approaching customers. Anyone with any information pertaining to this incident is asked to call the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. With the exceptionally hot, dry weather which has remained sta- tionary over much of the region for weeks, some local villages are struggling with water shortages. Blyth reached the crisis point last week when an urgent message went out urging residents to reduce water consumption to allow pumps time to catch up to demand. Residents were asked to restrict usage to only the necessities as a further decline in water levels would result in the declaration of a state of emergency. There was concern expressed that the water shortage could result in serious problems if a major fire occurred. With residents responding to the request to cease watering lawns, Blyth PUC was able to issue a release July 16 that the crisis had passed. However, having not yet recov- ered to full capacity, watering restrictions were left in place. The watering of lawns will. remain prohibited, but new grass, gardens and flower beds may be watered as follows: on the south side of Dinsley Street on odd days, such as July 23 and 25 and north of Dinsley Street on even days, July 22 and 24. These restrictions will remain in force until further notice. Though not as critical in Brus- sels, Clerk-Treasurer Donna White said restrictions have been in place in recent weeks in the village. Residents are being asked to refrain from watering lawns between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The concern in Brussels is also with regards to the availability of water for fire protection. White said the PUC is continuing to monitor the system and will con- sider bans if significant rainfall does not occur. People are being asked to use the water wisely.