HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-11-18, Page 1See page 11 See page 15
The North Huron
itizen
(70r + 5¢ GST) 750 Vol. 15 No. 45 Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998
Marian Doucette and her Cobweb Witch puppet show entertained youngsters in Blyth Friday
night, while Mom and Dad took advantage of the many sales offered by Blyth merchants.
Last- weekend was busy in the village's dowtown beginning with a lighting cermony on
Friday night. A soup and sandwich supper was held at Memorial Hall, with donations for the
Christmas Bureau. There were also horsedrawn wagon rides that evening. Saturday was a
scavenger hunt and open houses. Sunday evening the Business Association ended their
seasonal promotion with a special Christmas show by Dave Hoy and his Honky Tonk Piano
at Blyth Memorial Hall. (Ashley Gropp photo)
Campaign to aid Christmas Bureau
Government
Public shares
views on excess
federal funds
Starting page 6
Sports
Madill Mustangs
York tournament
champs
See page 8
Feature News
47 readers respond
to 'Citizen' survey
ton had three. Brussels, Belgrave
and Wingham were named by two
and Wroxeter and Gorrie were each
noted once.
The Wroxeter respondent consid-
ers Brussels the centre of the com-
munity and has a sense of
community with Brussels, Grey
and Howick.
Londesboro had Blyth and Clin-
ton has the centre of the community
with an affinity to Blyth, Clinton,
Hullett and McKillop.
The two respondents from West
Wawanosh said Goderich and Luc-
know are the community's heart.
No comment was given regarding
the communities they share an
affinity with.
The McKillop survey indicated
Seaforth as the centre, with Lon-
desboro, Hullett, Seaforth and Wal-
ton as the communities they feel a
sense of community for.
One of the Clinton respondents
listed Brussels as the place they
consider the centre of their commu-
nity. The sense of community is
shared with Cranbrook, Ethel, Lis-
towel, Morris, Morris, Walton,
Auburn, Blyth, Hullett, Londes-
boro.
Hullett Twp. respondents say that
Clinton and Londesboro are their
community's centre. While an
affinity is felt for Blyth, Clinton,
Londesboro, McKillop, Seaforth.
All four East Wawanosh surveys
indicated Blyth as the centre of
_their community, with Blyth
(three), Hullett (two), Morris (two),
Auburn (two), Belgrave (two),
Brussels, Londesboro and West
Wawanosh as communities with
which they feel a common bond.
Two Cranbrook respondents list-
Continued on page 12
The results are in.
A total of 47 surveys were
received regarding municipal amal-
gamation, with representation
across the readership area.
Brussels had the most input with
11, while Morris Twp. was next
with nine. Seven Blyth residents
responded, while there were four
submissions from East Wawanosh
and four from Grey. Auburn, West
Wawanosh, Clinton and Cranbrook
brought in two, while one survey
was completed from each of Wrox-
eter, Londesboro, Hullett and
McKillop.
Of the 47, the question regarding
whether or not there should be
amalgamation was close with 24
agreeing and 19 opposed. A total of
five admitted that they had• not been
following the issue that closely,
while only eight of the 21 township
residents responding said they
would not like to see the township
split to accommodate any restruc-
turing.
Thirty-one respondents feel there
should be a referendum held, with
10 saying no.
What did they say about their
community? Brussels and Blyth
respondents all considered their vil-
lage the centre of their community.
The Brussels' surveys indicated a
sense of community with Cran-
brook (10), Ethel (nine), Grey
(nine), Morris (seven), Walton
(eight), Listowel (three), Blyth
(four), Belgrave, Blyth and Wing-
ham (one each).
The majority of Blyth residents
felt a sense of community with
Morris (six), while Hullett and
Londesboro each received five
votes. Auburn and East Wawanosh
were selected by four, while Wal-
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Pathologists determined that the
geese at Sparling's Pond in Blyth
were victims of lead poisoning. -
Deputy Conservation Officer
Rick Williams said that six samples
were sent to Guelph. In all the
pathologist found small shot on the
inside. As it is very unusual for this
to cause death in so high a number,
Williams said it is believed the
geese were grazing where someone
had been skeet shooting.
With the closest shooting range
located in Kippen, Williams is
uncertain where the geese may
have picked up the lead pellets. The
illness would have taken up to two
weeks to show up, he said.
As the poisons are absorbed into
the kidney and liver, rather than the
muscle, there would be no danger
of toxicity with human consump-
tion of the meat.
This year's Huron County
Christmas Bureau campaign is
getting a boost next week with the
arrival of local newspapers.
Inside will be a donation bag that
can be used to place items for the
Bureau which, last year served
1,170 children and their families
who needed help at Christmas.
The Bureau collects toys, clothes,
food that are distributed to families
for Christmas. Financial donations
are also received to buy items that
are in short supply after all the
donations have been sorted.
The donation bag effort is an
initiative developed by a
partnership of Seaforth business
and organizations and has been
sponsored by business and industry
across the county whose names
appear on the bags.
"I think it's a wonderful thing that
the Christmas Bureau is there to let
everyone have a Christmas with
gifts," said Ross Ribey of the
Seaforth Lions Club and Seaforth
Agriculture Society.
They worked with The Huron
Expositor to develop the plan that
will see the bags distributed in
newspapers across Huron County
on Nov. 25. They can be taken to
any drop-off location of the
Christmas Bureau as noted on the
bag or to the Seaforth Lions Club
Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 27.
A float is being provided by
North Street United Church, the
headquarters for the Seaforth office
of the Christmas Bureau, for people
to deposit their bags as the parade
goes by.
"We felt the Santa Claus parade
was an ideal time to collect these
gifts," said Ribey.
If anyone misses leaving the bag
on the float, it can be brought to the
Roundhouse at the Seaforth
Agriplex where Santa Claus visits
with children after the parade.
In addition,. bags will, be
collected at the Seaforth
Agricultural Society's toy and doll
show on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6.
"It's looking after people less
Continued on page 12
Geese died of lead poisoning
Tell us your holiday tradition
Christmas is a time of family, a time of tradition, a time of sharing.
This year in our annual "Season's Greetings" issue we would like to
include some personal anecdotes of our readers regarding this very special
occasion.
In 50 words or less tell us about your favourite family holiday tradition,
something that you and your loved ones have enjoyed, a memory that con-
tinues with each generation.
Submissions will be accepted at either of The Citizen offices until Dec. 9.
Drop them off, fax them to 523-9140 or 887-9021 or mail to Box 429,
Blyth, ON NOM 1H0. Make sure to include your name, address and tele-
phone number as the entries will be put together for a draw. One winner
will receive a gift package of two coupons for two Blyth Festival produc-
tions in the 1999 season.