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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-01-10, Page 4Joy ride Photo by Bonnie Gropp PAGE 4, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2001 Editorials Opinio Have fun safely So many of us grouch Abut Huron County's winters that it's nice to see some grownups who actually enjoy winter. It's sad, then, that the winter sport of snowmobiling turns out to be a tragedy so often. So far this winter there have been more than a dozen people killed in snowmobile accidents in Ontario, several of those occurring in western Ontario. Most of these deaths were preventable if operators had just followed the advice of experts and stayed on the groomed trails. Too often, however, these deaths occur when snowmobilers are doing things they're not supposed to do — like travel on roadways. There's a sad irony in that the same impulse that attracts people to snowmobiles can also lead operators into danger. The twin attractions of speed and freedom can be a deadly :.ombination when the sense of freedom means people don't want to stick to ,he trails and obey the law. Snowmobile clubs are doing everything they can, from maintaining trails to conducting education programs for young operators. In Huron we have one of the most extensive and well-kept trail systems in Ontario. There's plenty of opportunity for people to safely enjoy the sport. • If you or someone you love is a snowmobiler, remember that the enjoyment of the sport doesn't need to include foolish risks. Taking needless chances doesn't add to the thrill, only to the danger.— KR How much will 'efficiency' cost? It's early yet with only the first week of the new amalgamated municipalities in the history books, but looking at the work load municipal councillors are taking on, it's easy to wonder how long it will be before either their pay packets are increased or we have people quitting their posts because they can't afford to lose so much time from their regular jobs. The reduction in the number of councillors in the amalgamated municipalities creates a heavier workload for those who are left. First of all, councillors are handling much bigger budgets and therefore should be spending more time pouring over all aspects of local government. Councillors from rural areas need to do their homework on urban issues and vice versa. Most councils are now meeting at least twice a month where some sat once a month before. their There's a double-whammy effect for those who represent their municipalities at county council. Here the number of councillors is also down because of amalgamation but the work load continues to increase because of provincial downloading. Councillors now have ambulances and public housing to oversee on top of their usual responsibilities like highways and seniors' homes and libraries and welfare. It means longer meetings with fewer people to do the work. Last Thursday, for instance, county council extended their session into the afternoon and reserved Friday in ease all the work couldn't be done in one day. It's fine to say councillors are getting paid, and on an hourly basis they're getting fairly well paid. The problem is they're not getting paid well enough to make this their full income so they still have to carry. on a regular job. Would you want to be an employer who is regularly seeing your employee take time off for council business? If your boss is upset with you, how long are you likely to keep a non-essential job as a councillor? And how do we get the best people on councils if the work load is higher than the compensation? The issues will work themselves out in the coming years but don't be surprised if it hits you, the taxpayer, in the pocket. — KR Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rote of $28.00/year ($26.16 + $1.84 G.S.T.) In Canada $65.00/year in U.S.A. and $100/year in other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are 4D Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Publications Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 1374990 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM 1H0 PIOG 1H0 Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna 40. Member of the Ontario Press Council twidZZMI Looking Back Through the Years Jan. 11, 1950 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ryan Sr., of Brussels were the recipients of congratulations on the occasion of their 55th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated quietly at their home here on Saturday, Jan. 7. On Monday, Jan. 9, the United Church Young People's meeting was held in the church. The scripture was given by Jim Cardiff. The introduction of the five new members of the Brussels Lions Club was given. They were: Rev. A. Lane, George Bridge, Frank McGetrick, Ralph Pearson and Percy Holman. Lions Harvey Johnston, Gordon Hazelwood and Percy Holman were appointed to a special committee to meet in Clinton on Jan. 25, for the Crippled Children's Survey of Huron County. A 14-year-old East Wawanosh girl gave her life in an heroic attempt to save the life of a 10-year-old playmate. The boy broke through the ice of a willow swale east of Wingham trying to rescue a dog. His companion plunged into the frigid water to her armpits and lifted the boy high enough that he could grasp the overhanging branches of a small willow. He clung to this until being saved by a man on horseback. The girl's unconscious body was taken from the water and rushed to hospital. The gallant girl died shortly after. All boys interested in playing hockey were invited to the Brussels arena on the Friday of this week, if ice was available. The teams, sponsored by the Lions would be organized. At Brussels council it was decided that new flooring would be ordered for the main floor of the Hall. Jan. 8, 1986 Murray Cardiff, MP for Huron- Bruce and his wife Betty greeted guests at their annual New Year's Day Levee at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on Jan. 1. The Blyth Lions Club paid the second half of its $2,000 pledge to the Blyth and District Community Centre for the installation of the air conditioning, heat pumps and dehumidification units. Murray Lowe, youth education officer of the Brussels Legion presented prizes to Margaret Jarvis and Robyn Sommers, junior winners in the Legion's Remembrance Day poetry contest. Blyth Novice B hockey team won a tournament in Exeter on Jan. 6. Members of the team were: Tim Cowan, Marc Bricker, Marty Lawrence, Chris Lee, Brad Walsh, Aaron Sauve, Joe Fraser, coach Fred Lawrence, Mark Shepherd, Tim Lyons, Scott Arthur, David Boonstoppel, Wilfred Datema, Michael de Jong, and coach Chris Cowan. Chris Lee also won a trophy for most valuable goaltender in the tournament. Winners of the poster competition for the Brussels Legion's Remembrance Day contest were presented with their prizes by Murray Lowe, youth education officer. Winners were: Elizabeth Harris, Devon Sanderson, Brandi Sanderson, Tammy Rose and Gerald Devries. Jan. 11, 1995 Firefighters battled a huge barn fire on Conc. 10, Hullett Twp. Some of the surviving livestock were housed in an old section of the structure, constructed of cement block which did not collapse during the fire. Approximately half of the farrow to finish operation was lost to the blaze, between 1,100 and 1,200 animals. The Blyth and area Fire Department was called in to assist with the 6:30 a.m. fire on Jan. 9 . The cause of the fire was undetermined. There was lots of sunshine and- fluffy fresh snow to make the Families in Motion tobogganing party down Brussels Lions Park Hill — a real fun for all. The program was geared to getting families active and healthy. It was sponsored by Brussels Public School in co- operation with the Huron County Health Unit. The Blyth Service Centre, located on Queen Street had a new owner, Gerhard Rempel of Grand Bend took over the operation from Art Hunking and he said he was looking forward to serving the Blyth community.