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The Citizen, 2001-12-05, Page 27Unique talent People at Knox church, Cranbrook were treated to the music of the Paraguayan harp, played by Eduard Klassen at a music night on Sunday. (Vicky Bremner photo) Westario CEO cautions on door-to-door brokers By Margaret Stapleton Wingham Advance Times The president and chief executive officer of Westario Power told mem- bers of North Huron council at last week's committee-of-the-whole meeting that no one from Westario is going door-to-door attempting to "sign up" electricity customers. Guy Kluff issued a warning to homeowners who have had broker representatives at their door in antic- ipation of the electricity market opening up to competition, expected some time next year. Kluff said it is definitely a matter of "buyer beware". He suggested that homeowners ask for identifica- tion and .for what company the bro- kers are working. If homeowners do sign a contract, Kluff advised that they go over it carefully as they have only 10 days in which to cancel. As the lines distribution company, or LDC, there is no incentive ,for Westario to be out signing up cus- tomers, said Kluff. Customers may enter into a contract with a broker, or they may stay with Westario for their electricity needs. Kluff was accompanied by Bruce Machan of Wingham, former reeve of the town and vice-chairman of Westario. Since the company formed just over one year ago, on Nov. 1, 2000, a tremendous amount of work has gone into bringing the eight small, midwestern Ontario .utilities together into one separate entity. The hydro part of the former Wingham Public Utilities joined Westario last year and continues to operate a service centre out of the former PUC building on Water Street. • Kluff called the past year "chal- lenging and rewarding" for Westario. A new organizational YOU WON'T RELIEVE YOUR EYE P XAR MONSTERS, INC. FRI. - THURS. 7:30 PM NIGHTLY SAT. MAT. 1:30 PM tf SORRY - NO PASSES RE= A gift Certificate s All lsoavailable Arou nd at The House LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1400-255-3430 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO CI .-111r • PARK THEATRE -AV-:ow FRI. - THURS. DEC.07 - DEC. 13 CODESICH 524-7811 FRI. - THURS. 7:30 PM NIGHTLY SAT. & SUN. MAT. 1:30 PM FRIGHTENING SCENES SORRY-NO PASSES III AA AC IC 131.:C I Ni THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2001. PAGE 27. Blyth to get mini-museums structure has been created and implemented, with a consolidated administration at' Kincardine. A business plan has been approved and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the board have ratified a new, three-year con- tract. Westario will hold its first annual meeting in April, council heard. One of the biggest challenges of year ahead, Kluff said, is the elec- tricity market opening, slated for May. However, he cautioned it has been scheduled several times in the past and pushed back. In answer to a question from Councillor Archie MacGowan, Kluff said the province "has gone too far" down the deregulation road for it not to occur. But on a cautionary note, he added that much work still needs to be done to ensure that similar scenarios to Alberta and California -- where electricity prices skyrocketed after de-regulation -- do not happen here. But Ontario has a good supply of electricity, added Kluff, which puts it at an advantage, but that's not to say that prices won't "fluctuate". Answering a question from Councillor Murray Nesbitt about the advantages of an open market, the Westario CEO said "on the surface, the opening of the market is advan- tageous to customers and should mean lower prices". However, he added, it already has cost a lot of money. Councillor Arnold Taylor asked if any new groups have shown an interest in coming onboard with Westario. "There's still some interest," Kluff replied. However, the focus of the company over the next couple of, months will be getting its systems ready for the market opening. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor History will soon be in the making for Blyth. At the North Huron council meet- ing on Monday night, Keith Roulston, representing a committee of Blyth residents, spoke on a "Museum on the Street project" to be hopefully in place for the 125th anniversary of Blyth in 2002. Roulston explained that while many people come to Blyth to attend the theatre there is a dearth of things to keep them there. "We need more for people to do. Now they come to see a show, then they leave." Noting that the cost to run a muse- um is unrealistic for Blyth, yet acknowledging the village's rich his- By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor "You have to spend money to make money." This was the sentiment expressed by Jim Currie when he made a pres- entation to North Huron council at Monday night's meeting on behalf of the North Huron and District Museum board. Currie explained to council the board's intention to rebuild the "foundation and fundamentals" of the museum, to generate more traffic and bring in more revenue. However, in order to make this work, he sever- al times stressed the need for a part- time curator at the facility. "The key to the future of the muse- um is human resources," he said, reading a portion of the business plan submitted to council. Several levels of staffing are needed in order to move the facility to the next level. These include not just student and volunteer staff, but curatorial. Hiring a qualified part-time curator was a matter of urgency, which Currie said he could not overstate. The museum recently had the ben- efit of an interim curator, which has shown the board that a "part-time curator is vital to the future of the museum," said Currie. With a budget showing projected revenue in the amount of $36,750 with expenditures of $36,615, Currie admitted that the major cost is the curator position. However, the status quo, he said cannot be an option. "I think you'd all agree to that." The status quo for the museum is not just a lack of fully-qualified per- sonnel, but also a lack of space and access. Housed on the second story, in' 1,600 square feet of space, the col- lection has grown to such an extent over the 25 years that its potential as Tao war Amps NEVER AGAIN! the horrors of war. To see a listing of NEVER AGAIN( videos, visit our Web site at www.waramps.ca or order a pamphlet by calling 1-800-250-3030. Pk I • I P. CA,- ON $3.00 THURSDAYS Drop Into either of our &floc any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only 53.00 (paid in advance). That's $1.00 off regular rates The Citizen tory, the idea of a mini-museum took shape. The committee met for the first time in October and six sites were selected: The CPR Railway/water tower/Arch; flour milling; leather and woolen industry; military histo- ry; flax industry and the "Butter and Eggs" railway. The concept was taken to John Rutledge, a Goderich architect, who designed a display and bench kiosk. Back-to-back benches, under a Small roof are enclosed by end displays which will depict the history of each site. Roulston said the designs were bigger than originally anticipated, but are "such beautiful units" that the committee agreed they would work very well, specifically in areas a fine example of local history is not able to be realized. Also, there is only "modest storage" on the third floor. The collection Currie stated has "grossly outgrown" its current home. Crediting the work of the board, Currie said that they have been try- ing to implement changes which will enable them to apply for grant fund- ing under the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. They have a contact person, John Carter, and on June 26 sent a letter of intent. "We are working diligently towards that." Protecting the artifacts and restora- tion and stabilization of some that have already deteriorated is also in the works. Saying the work ahead is a 10 year project, Currie added, "A museum without people becomes just a place to put old stuff." It needs to become part of the "life of the community and as a board we are committed to direct our energies that way." He said that he hopes to have a public meeting with Carter in atten- dance in the not too distant future. "We have most of our ducks in a row and it's time to bring him on board." Councillor Murray Nesbitt compli- mented Currie and the board on their dedication before asking if the Ministry regulations insist that a curator be employed. Currie said that it is strongly recommended but does not specify the curator must be paid. "But we better have a curator that knows what they're doing." When Councillor Murray Scott asked if the board had hoped to hire someone now so they could get things going for the summer, Currie asked councillor an in-camera ses- sion to explain a "personal" situa- tion. When open council resumed, Currie's presentation was finished. like the Greenway Trail. He asked for council's permission and moral support as some sites would be on municipal property. He also asked if public donations to the project could be made to the munic- ipality, which would in turn give the money to the committee to make it tax exempt. To do so the committee would become an ad hoc committee of council. Councillors expressed enthusiasm for the project and voted to proceed. Reeve Doug Layton, referred briefly to an earlier presentation made by Jim Currie on behalf of the North Huron and District Museum board, saying to Roulston, that he saw "tremendous energy" in both presentations . Later in the meeting, council decided to have ,a closer look at the business plan before coming to any decision. WEDDINGS Performed - your location or our indoor or outdoor chapel (non-denominational) For brochure call: REV. CHRIS MORGAN ALL FAITHS PASTORAL CENTRE BENMILLER, 524-5724 CHRISTENINGS eattpatutatione, to Mae d. at Cowie, Bandon an debt 55tH Wedding annitteltaaftg Decentlie* 14 AHEM! Museum bd. requests curator hiring Happy 41st OH KNOWLEDGED ONE