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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-08-28, Page 1Life line Don Crawford took his place on the cot as dozens of people gathered at Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, Aug. 20 to make a donation to the Canadian Blood Services, Carol Estabrooks had the task of drawing Crawford's blood. (Janice Becker photo) Deputy-Reeve questions handling of legal bill inside this week Exchange student Pg. 6 sees Brazil Pg. 7 Pg. 8 Youth spends summer in Finland Area man gets Hall of Fame nod Plowing match /, Pg. results Innkeepers move Pg. 22 head office to Brussels storefront e Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 18 No. 33 Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002 75 Cents (70c + 5c GST) Brussels will hold Terry Fox Run By.BOnnie Gropp Citizen editor Brussels will be hosting a Terry Fox Run this year. At the end of the 2001 event, organizer Waneta Leishman was left feeling somewhat frustrated by the decreasing attendance. She asked for input from area residents as to whether or not they were interested in seeing the run continue and received only one call. Despite that, however, the bottom line has inspired Leishman to organize run for 2002. "1 maybe didn't get any feedback, but we brought in $5,000 last year. How can we ignore that? And if we don't do a run here, people aren't going to travel to Wingham to take part. They're just not." This year's event, to be held Sunday, Sept. 15, will begin at 10 a.m. Details regarding where registration would be had not been finalized by press time, however, it is hoped that it can be held at the arena. Pledge sheets will soon be available from the post office, the variety store, JR's, the liquor store and the Thrift Shop. They can also be downloaded from the Terry Fox Foundation website at www.terryfoxrun.org. West Nile found in Seaforth Clinton The Huron County Health Unit was notified Monday that two more crows have tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV). The crows were submitted for testing on Aug. 7 from the town of Goderich and on Aug. 8 from the town of Seaforth. The Huron County Health Unit will no longer collect crows found in Clinton. Goderich, or Seaforth, due to confirmed WNV activity within these areas. However, residents in these towns and other areas of Huron County are still asked to report any dead crows to the Health Unit by calling 482- 3416. These sightings will be recorded and may provide additional information on WNV activity within the County. These findings emphasize the need to take precautions against mosquitoes. "Avoiding mosquito bites and reducing areas of standing water where mosquitoes breed are steps all Huron County residents hold be taking," says Dr. Beth Henning, medical officer of health. "The risk of becoming seriously ill from WNV is very low," she adds, however. The majority of people who become infected, with the virus will have no symptoms at all or will experience a mild illness such as fever, headache, or body aches. People over the age of 50 years are most at risk and should seek immediate medical attention if they develop the following symptoms: - extreme swelling or infection at the site of the mosquito bite - stiff neck - severe headache - muscle weakness - sudden sensitivity to light - confusion West Nile Virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by -feeding on infected birds. The virus is not transmitted from person to person or from bird to person. For more information about West Nile Virus, contact the Health Unit at 519-482-3416 or check the website at www.srhip.on.ca/hch By David Blaney Special to The Citizen Echoes from Huron East's fight with the Avon Maitland Board of Education over school closures were heard in council on August 20. Deputy Mayor Bernie MacLellan had some pointed questions and comments over the way the matter was handled. The council at its July 30 meeting had approved the payment of legal bills for $8,947.79 beyond the amount originally budgeted by council for the school closure fight. Of this amount $7,500 was a court award to the board. MacLellan, who was not present at the meeting where the decision was approved, made it clear that he was unhappy with the manner in which the matter was resolved. Repeatedly using the words "due process" MacLellan closely questioned staff about the resolution and the steps taken by council during the legal battle over the Seaforth high school. He also indicated he would have liked to ask Mayor Lin Sterner some questions about council's actions but indicated that he wouldn't bring them up at this time as "the mayor (who was attending a conference) wasn't here to defend herself." He said he felt he had agreement from the council to canvass the ratepayers prior to the original $20,000 being spent. He went on to say, "Mr. Leach (the council lawyer) had said the $10,000 in the (citizens committee) fund was ample to cover the first stage in Toronto. When the fund was drained• council would pay and that would give us a short window of opportunity to go back to the ratepayers." Several councillors had expressed this very same conviction at the July 30 where the extra funds had been approved. Councillor Joe Seili explained to MacLellan, "I was under the same impression, but we never made it a motion." Clerk Jack McLachlan said that the matter had been presented to council as soon as possible. He indicated the approval of the extra funding was "treated as a special resolution because it was not budgeted for." McLachlan also pointed out that the bulk of the extra money was not for legal fees but rather for a court- mandated award to the school board. When MacLellan contended there was a possibility of further bills the clerk said he was under the impression they had received the final invoice and was unaware of any others. Although council eventually went on to its regular agenda MacLellan did not appear to be completely happy. His final comment about the matter was, "It left a bad taste in my mouth." Office open Mon. Logan man to be sentenced Oct. 21 on trespass charge With the arrival of Labour Day comes the unofficial end of summer. Not seeing anything to celebrate in that, the staff at The Citizen will be staying on the job. While the Brussels office will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, items for inclusion in the Sept. 4 newspaper can be slipped under the door for pickup at noon. The Blyth office will remain open. but deadlines for advertising and editorial copy must be submitted there as well by noon. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend. A Logan Twp: man was convicted of trespaSsing by night, at Provincial Court in Goderich, Aug. I9, after a May IS incident at an Ethel home. Bradley Priestap, 37, was charged after a woman living at the Grey Ward, Huron East home spotted a man in the victim's yard. The victim left the house and saw a person in the shadows who appeared to be watching the home. After begin confronted by the victim, the suspect gave a story of explanation and fled. Neighbours saw the male enter a vehicle and made note of the licence plate number. The same man was seen in the vicinity of the victim's home again later that night. The OPP were called. Priestap will be sentenced Oct. 21