HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-12-02, Page 1Former Brussels
resident
new Huron ag rep
See page 2
The North Huron
itizen
(700 + 5¢ GST) 750 Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998 Vol. 14 No. 47
In the spirit of giving
Brussels Beavers Andrew Lindsay, left and Sean Slater accept some canned goods from
a resident of the village during Saturday morning's food drive in Brussels.-Member of
Brussels Scouting went door to door for donations and will also be accepting donations
along this Saturday's Santa Claus Parade route. The items will be given to the Salvation
Army.
School bd. hosts public meeting
Wingham, Blyth
to share clerk
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Beginning Dec. 7, Blyth's Clerk-Treasurer John
Stewart will be assuming duties in Wingham's
municipal office on a shared basis.
In an interview last week following the
announcement, Stewart said that limited discussions
between members of both municipal councils had
begun after Byron Adams, Wingharn's clerk of 18
years stated his intention to retire.
Also, Stewart said, Tuckersmith and Seaforth had
John Stewart
entered into an agreement to share a clerk around
that time and Blyth council was receptive to a
similar proposal provided he was agreeable to it.
When discussions _became more serious between Wingham and Blyth,
Stewart spoke with the Seaforthauckersmith Clerk Jack McLaughlin.
"After his comments, I felt it could be done. There will be an awful lot of
work, but for the short-term I'm willing."
Stewart, who spent 3 1/2 years in Colbome before assuming the position
in Blyth 3 1/2 years ago, will be spending Mondays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays in Wingham and Tuesdays and Fridays in Blyth.
The biggest challenge for him, he said, will be working for a larger
municipality. "There is a big commitment of my time. There will be added
meetings which will take up more of my personal time. But I have discussed
this with my family and they believe it's something I should do."
While the municipalities will benefit financially from the shared services,
Stewart acknowledges that for him it is a sound career move . "I don't plan
on retiring any time soon. Knowing that some type of amalgamation is down
the road resulting in larger geographic areas this will give me the experience
in a larger municipality with people to whom I am not familiar."
Adding that he has always enjoyed a challenge, Stewart said he "feels
confident I can do the job" and is looking forward to meeting the people of
Wingham.
He notes, however, because of his affiliation with local sports
organizations, not everyone in Wingham is a stranger.
Also, Stewart said he is happy to be working with Wingham's
Administrative Assistant Kathy Adams with whom he took his AMCT
training. "She's dedicated and efficient, as is Julie Wheeler in Blyth. And I
must stress that without them I couldn't even have considered this. There is
going to obviously be an increased worktoad for them and I feel comfortable
knowing that they're there to deal with things when I'm not."
News Special
Insert features
4 pages
of Christmas carols
See page 14
Entertainment
`G. Doe' fun-
raiser for Blyth
Festival
See page 27
Blyth holds off on
restructuring choice
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
Blyth's restructuring decision has
been put on hold - temporarily.
Responses to a blunt question
posed by Blyth Reeve Mason Bai-
ley and hearing amalgamation
options at a restructuring meeting
held in Wingham Monday night,
prompted Blyth council to post-
pone its special session scheduled
for Dec. 1.
Council was hoping for some
restructuring direction from the
northern municipalities as the south
group, consisting of Clinton and
It will be jingle bells all the way
down Brussels main street this Sat-
urday as St. Nick makes his annual
visit.
The jolly old elf will once again
be riding in style as guest of honour
at this year's Santa Claus Parade,
which begins at 3:30 p.m.
The parade will begin at the
Hullett and Goderich Twps. had
asked Blyth to respond by Dec. 2
regarding inclusion in that group.
Adamant that a decision be made
about who wants to go together,
Bailey asked representatives from
each municipality present if they
would be interested in amalgamat-
ing with Blyth. Wingham, Brussels,
Hullett Twp. and East Wawanosh
Twp. responded positively. There
was an enthusiastic yes from-Grey
Twp. Deputy-Reeve Alvin McLel-
lan as well.
Morris Twp. Reeve Bert Elliott
said he could not respond on behalf
Continued on page 11
north edge of town on Cypress
Street, proceed south through
downtown, then circle back to The
Ark where children will have an
opportunity to visit Santa.
St. Nick will also be on hand Fri-
day night at the Brussels, Morris
and Grey recreation board party.
This year there is free skating fol-
lowed by a hot dog dinner.
Parents and community members
will be given another opportunity
to speak out about school spaces
when the Avon Maitland District
School Board presents its accom-
modation review today, Dec. 2.
The board will host a meeting at_
Mitchell District High School at
7:30 p.m. to present aon overview
of the review process, data collect-
ed this fall and options for consid-
eration by the board to address
situations. The presentation will be
made by Superintendent of Corpo-
rate and Information Technology
Janet Baird-Jackson.
Those in attendance will be given
the opportunity to provide input
and ask questions.
Board Chair Abby Armstrong,
Director of Education Lorne Rach-
lis along with trustees and senior
staff will be on hand to assist with
answers.
A report of the annual accommo-
dation review will be made at the
next regular board meeting, Dec. 8.
Santa comes to Brussels