The Citizen, 2002-07-24, Page 1
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"H ,IIR,1,1-1INC- CC AAPANY INC
Inside this week
Pn Auxiliary buys chair
6,* " for Huronlea
I First tree planted in
Pg. Memorial Garden
Locals among
Pg. G CHSS, SORB,
LDSS scholars
Pg
Area teen tears up
Motorplex track
Pilgrims playat Pg. 11 Brussels park
e Citizen
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County 1
Volume 18 No. 29
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
75 Cents (70c + 5c GST)
Closing
for
holidays
The time is nearing for Citizen
staff to take some time off and enjoy
summer.
The Blyth office will be closed
from Thursday, Aug. 1 to Monday.
Aug. 12. The Brussels office will
close Monday, July 29 at 2 p.m. and
will be open for business once again
on Aug. 12.
As there is one more issue to be
published before we leave for
summer holidays, it is recommended
that anyone wishing to advertise an
event anytime up to Aug. 13 may
wish to do so in the July 31 Citizen.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
In June, The Weather Network
promised a summer of more
"simmer than sizzle" for much of the
country.
To those sweltering as July turned
up the heat, that might seem a little
off the mark. However, it was also
noted that if there was to be any
sizzle it would be in "hot pockets of
warmer temperatures expected for
southern Ontario."
People are, of course, finding
ways to beat the heat. Abi Corbett,
head of the BMG recreation board's
pool committee said that facility has
been well used this summer,-
particularly over_the recent hot spell.
"I don't have the numbers or
whether attendance is up or down,
but we are definitely very busy."
For pool installers business too
has been hot. A spokesperson with
Blue Horizon in Goderich said the
heat and the humidity are a benefit to
them. "The more heat, the worse the
lake pollution is. Pollution is good
for (business )7'
While inground pools sales are
based on the previous year due to
preparation required for installing,
above ground pools have been
selling well this summer. "Actually, "In speaking with the Ontario
they are becoming hard to get." Clean Water Agency, consumption is
Cooling off indoors has become the same as every other year for this
increasingly popular as well. Verne type of weather," said Stewart. "We
Bridge of B&H Mechanical said that have discussed a restriction in place
sales and installations of air for August as a possibility if things
conditioning systems have made for continue, but well see."
a busy summer. "I would say sales Another problem with the hot, dry
have increased about 15 per cent this weather is health concerns. Public
year." Health Manager Pam Scharfe with
In addition to the heat, a lack of the Huron County Health Unit
rainfall throughout the area is taking explains that in a heat wave the body
the green out of lawns and putting a has to work harder to maintain a
burden on gardens. While normal temperature. Therefore
municipalities have not limited excessive heat can result in serious
consumption of water as yet, this health threats because the body is
may happen if things don't change. pushed beyond its limits.
Jack McLachlan, clerk- "Young children, the elderly,
administrator of Huron East said people in.poor health or overweight
while it is has been suggested to are most at risk," she said.
residents that they refrain from over- The health unit offers advice on
burdening the water supply, there is how to avoid heat-related illnesses.
no immediate concern. However, he • Never leave children or pets
noted consumption is high and > unattended in a vehicle.
should it continue it is possible that • Apply sunscreen (at least SPF
council will pass a bylaw restricting 15) and wear a wide-brimmed hat
usage. • Play and rest in shady, cool areas
In North Huron, clerk- • Dress in loose-fitting,
administrator John Stewart also said lightweight, light-coloured clothing
there is no problem with the water that will cover as much skin as
levels at this time. Last week, Blyth possible and allow sweat to
was operating on one well as testing evaporate
was being done on the second. Even • Where possible go to air-
then things were tine, he said. conditioned sites
• Drink lots of water and natural
fruit juices to avoid heat stress and
dehydration
• Be aware of surfaces and
materials such as asphalt and metal,
which may absorb heat and cause
burns to skin
• Avoid extreme temperature
changes
• Check on elderly friends,
neighbours and relatives to ensure
they are coping well during periods
of extreme heat.
When the heat is exacerbated by
humidity the air quality is affected
which can impact the breathing of
even healthy peoplz. Scharfe said,"
Children and people with heart and
respiratory problems are particularly
vulnerable."
The Ministry of the Environment
has developed a special program to
warn residents when levels of
ground-level ozone are present or
expected. When they are in excess of
80 parts per billion over a wide
geographic area, the Ministry
declares a smog alert.
On those days, children and
people with chronic heart and lung
conditions should remain indoors in
late afternoon and 'early evening, at
Which time smog levels are at their
highest.
By Stew Slater
Special to The Citizen
Several seconds drifted past
before an anguished-looking Meg
Westley eventually marked her
"yes" on a recorded-vote ballot in
favour of the Avon Maitland District
School Board's $131-million
balanced budget.
It was impossible to tell if she
really did make up her mind at the
last possible moment, or whether the
facial expressions were just meant
to show the public how much she
struggled .with the decision. But
sometime between late June and
mid-July, the Stratford trustee
definitely had a major change of
heart.
"I thought long and hard about the
practicality of (approving a deficit
budget) . . . and, the more I learned
about the repercussions to the kids.
the less willing I was," said Westley,
after a 5-4 vote Tuesday, July 16
ensured the board would join the
vast majority of its Ontario
counterparts in complying with the
Conservative government's decree
that consequences will follow for
boards which deliver deficits.
At that point, only boards in
OttaWa and Hamilton had taken all
steps toward approving deficits.
with Avon Maitland Business
Superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson
reporting to trustees that auditing
firm Rosen and Associates had
already. been contracted by the
government to "to review (the
Ottawa board's) deficit budget and
make suggestions of where cuts can
be made."
For nearly two years, Westley has
supported returning a deficit budget
— occasionally openly; more
frequently through statements which
hint at the concept — as a way of
pressuring the government to
revamp its educational funding
formula. Indeed, fellow Stratford
trustee Rod Brown, who said he was
"shocked" with Westley's reversal
following the July 16 vote, readily
admitted that he had always felt like
the -assistant captain" of the team
fighting for a deficit, with Westley
leading the charge.
"I've always thought that Meg
and I were on the same page," a
dejected Brown said. "And I believe
we still are on the same page when it
comes to what the government
needs to do to fix this situation."
He was disappointed with an
amendment to staff's balanced
budget recommendation, brought
forward by Westley after she alluded
to similar motions pasSed by boards
which had already approved
balanced budgets.
That amendment retained the
initial recommendation, but added a
lengthy set of qualifications that
Contilined on page 6
Close call
Blyth firefighters assisted at a single-vehicle crash which occurred just past Scott Line on
Blyth Road at approximately 3:30 p.m. July 17. An eastbound car, driven by Allan Gibbons,
left the roadway and crashed into a hydro pole before coming to rest in a bean field on the
north side of the road. Firefighters assist passenger Cody Fidom. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
School
board
passes
budget
A long, hot summer can be enjoyed
by some local businesses, retailers