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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-11-04, Page 1See page 6 Halloween mischief Christine Seili, 12, holds what's left of her tape player after vandals set fire to a Halloween decoration on the Brussels' family's porch. Christine and her father, Joe, had put together two stuffed 'dummies' dressed in coveralls. The tape player, which had been used to play scary Halloween music for earlier trick or treaters had been hidden behind one of them. The cost of the damage, which included the siding on the front of the house and a chair was estimated at $4,000. Brussels firefighters, who had patrolled Saturday night until 11:30 p.m. were called to the blaze at 2:15 a.m., after a neighbour alerted the family. Christine and a friend were asleep in the living room, right next to where the fire started. Foolhardy prank could have cost lives By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff It was a Halloween prank that might have been deadly. While two 12-year-old girls slept in the room on the other side of the wall, vandals set fire to Halloween decorations on the porch of the home owned by Joe and Deb Seili of Brussels. Deb said that at 2:15 a.m., the family was awakened by a neighbour, George Langlois, whose wife, Pat, had seen the glow through their window. Two leaf- stuffed 'dummies' dressed in coveralls were blazing. "The insulation behind the aluminum siding is all that stopped the fire and kept us from being barbecued alive," said Deb. "Our daughter Christine and a friend were sleeping right next to where the fire was." Deb said that had the fire spread any further it would have blocked the front exit. Another neighbour, Chris Hoelscher, also came to assist, while his wife called the fire department. "It could have been so much worse," said Deb. "We are very grateful to our neighbours." Damage is estimated at $4,000. Also that evening, windows were smashed in three vehicles. A 1994 Pontiac, had the rear window smashed out with a blunt object, while parked in a Turnberry Street driveway. The rear window was also smashed and a speaker damaged, again with a blunt object on a 1988 Ford Thunderbird, which was parked at an Ellen Street residence. The third vehicle, a 1986 Chev, which was left parked in a parking lot at the rear of a Turnberry Street apartment had the side window broken. Officers from the OPP are investigating all of the incidents. Lyol. 14 NO 43 Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998 700 + 50 GST750 Bag ties to be implemented Jan. 1 for Morris, Brussels residents See page 2 See page 9 Popularity of girls hockey on the rise Armstrong warns `Fight not over yet' By Janice Becker Citizen staff Though the battle is over, the war definitely has not been won. After the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) trustees passed a motion at the Oct. 27 meeting to delay approving a list of schools for closure, Chair Abby Armstrong said the phones, and fax have quieted down. However, Armstrong, along with Walton School Council Chair James Murray warn parents and supporters not to let down their guard. The fight is not over. While the motion asked the Min- istry of Education and Training (MET) to amend pupil loading for rural schools, taking into considera- tion large distances and low popu- lation density; to extend the closure deadline to September 2000 and to substitute a two-year moratorium on access to new pupil grants for boards not meeting the deadline for identifying schools for closure or consolidation, it was only a request. The board is proceeding with an accommodation review to look at all facilities within the board. Armstrong said a list for closure or conversion must be compiled by early 1999 to allow a two-month public consultation period prior to the settling of contractual agree- ments with teaching it:aft in late February or March. If schools are going to be closed, the board will have to adjust staffing, said Armstrong. As the board is legally bound to balance the budget, all adjustments must be in place for the 1999 school year, if the provincial gov- By Bonnie Gropp • Citizen staff Good neighbours in the past, and now perhaps to be-family in the future. Brussels and Grey Twp. councils at their Monday meetings each passed a motion that the two municipalities begin 'the process of amalgamation. While the motion specifies a restructuring of the two municipalities it also notes the option to make the move to a larger grouping should a scenario present itself. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff The last vestige of Jamestown's early history will soon be a thing of the past. Concerns over safety and fire risks prompted Grey Twp. council to agree to the purchase of the old General Store, which has sat for- lorn and abandoned from many ernment does not change the cur- rent funding model. In an effort to take the AMDSB's point directly to the ministry, Arm- strong, Atje Tuyten, member-at- large, adminstrative staff, Huron MPP Helen Johns and Perth MPP Bert Johnston met with MET Par- liamentary assistant Bruce Smith, Oct. 29 for a personal discussion. • Armstrong was very pleased with the way the meeting went, saying the AMDSB group was able to offer a very factual, not emotional presentation, with specific answers to specific questions. "Johnston spoke on our behalf," she said, which was very helpful. "It is now up to (the province). We left no stone unturned and we had a lot of support and help." Those very vocal supporters are also becoming known across the province as Armstrong has received calls from several Toronto school councils as well as some to the east, seeking input. Armstrong has declined to make presentations to these groups as she believes it is neither her place nor is she sufficiently informed about specifics in each case. Her greatest fear now is that peo- ple will stop working. "I want to try to make it very clear, it is not over. People need to stay involved. Fight for the kids." To keep lines of communication open as the situation evolves over the coming months, Armstrong said information is being sent to school council chairs as soon as it is com- piled to ensure that everyone has the same information. The board is also gathering input acquired by the chairs. The decision was reached after information concerning other pref- erences had come forward, particu- larly that of Morris Twp. which stated that it preferred a grouping with Wingham, East Wawanosh and Tumberry. "1 believe our feeling has always been that we don't want to go to a party when we're not invited," said Reeve Robin Dunbar. "So if Brus- sels is willing then we should move forward and get some plan in place." Reeve Ralph Watson agreed. "I Continued on page 12 years. Reeve Robin Dunbar said with the building up for tax sale council felt that it would end up with noth- ing happening again, so decided to proceed with the purchase from the public trustee. The building is set for demolition and now, council will be looking at a number of possibilites for the site and would welcome ideas from the public. Grey, Brussels vote to join Grey buys Jamestown eyesore