HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-23, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2003.
Ross new District Commander
Achievement
Eric Ross, a long-time associate member of the Brussels Royal Canadian
Legion branch, was elected to the position of District Commander. (Bonnie Gropp
photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
For only the second time in
its 75-year history, the
Brussels Roya.' Canadian
Legion Branch #218 can
claim the District C
Commander as one of its own.
Eric Ross, of Brussels was
acclaimed to the position
recently, and will take over
his two-year term officially
May 14 at the close of the
provincial convention in
Hamilton.
Glenn Bridge of Brussels
held the title several years
ago.
Ross had served a term as
Deputy District Commander,
which he said made his
election to the next post
“pretty much a done deal. The
hard part is to get to the
deputy commander position.”
In this case four vied for the
job and after three ballots a
Flesherton man was selected.
The Ontario Legions are
divided into nine districts.
District C takes in 51 Legions
in the area from Exeter to
Toberrhorey to Meaford to the
Kitchener-Waterloo area. Its
membership is approximately
25,(XX).
As District Commander
Ross is part of the Ontario
Commands Administrative
Committee and a member of
the Provincial Executive
Council. He will oversee the
operation of the Legions in his
District and will work with
the four zone commanders.
He will be a spokesperson
on the Royal Canadian
Legion’s behalf and will
preside at District meetings.
As well, he is a member of the
Tri-District Hospital
Commitee overseeing the
veterans’ wish list of
Parkwood and Sunnybrook
Hospitals.
Ross said he estimates there
will be 100 meetings a year
for him to attend. Travelling
throughout the District on
Legion work he will cover
about 60,000 kms over the
term.
“I could not do this without
the support of Deb and my
family and the members of the
Brussels Legion.”
Ross also acknowledges his
employer Tolton Motors in
Bluevale. “They have allowed
me time off work and have
been very supportive of what
I’m doing.”
Ross’s path to command
began rather inauspiciously in
1978 when he joined the
Legion basically to participate
in the comradeship. He was
elected to its executive in
1983 and, he says, “has never
been off since until he went
on past the branch level.”
He served first as deputy
zone commander, then zone
commander before going to
the district level.
“Provincial is the next step
which I’m planning on taking,
but it’s a pretty contested
spot.”
His interest in pursuing
higher positions in the
organization came from his
association. “After I joined I
realized what good work the
Legions do.”
Ross, an associate member,
said he also was intrigued by
the veteran’s stories. “I have
enjoyed the times of sitting
and talking with them,
hearing their history. I think
my generation needs to
promote this, to keep their
stories alive and make the
next generation aware.”
Declining membership and
financial difficulties are the
challenges facing today’s
Legions, said Ross.
“Membership is a number one
priority. We have to stop the
decline because everything
else is around that. With a
solid membership the
financial situation could only
be helped.”
Financially, Ross said,
many Legions are struggling
to survive. “We could see a
time when they might have to
function as other
organizations do without
buildings.”
Ross also said he wants to
see Legions continue the
same role in the community
that they have always had, but
admits this could be difficult.
“The reality is it’s going to be
hard to continue the support
we have in the past.”
Ross sees community
awareness through increased
public relations as one step to
improving the problems.
On the plus side, the
District has two functions
during Ross’s term to
celebrate. This August in
Kitchener they are hosting the
Dominion track and field,
which will be attended by 450
young athletes from across
Canada. The week-long event
will also involve training
camps.
In 2005 the District is
hosting the provincial
convention in Cambridge.
“The Legion has always
done a lot without too much
fanfare. I was inspired by
what the Legion does. We
need to let more people
know.”
Restriction remains same
at Alexandra Marine
Continued from page 1
and General in Goderich
remain the same as reported
last week.
Though there have been no
cases in Huron County, the
health unit reminds residents
to stay vigilant with
preventative measures.
Anyone with a cough, sore
throat, fever, headache or
other flu-like symptoms
should not attend public
functions, including religious
services or family gatherings,
to help prevent the spread of
any respiratory illness.
The health unit
recommends staying at home
and getting plenty of bed rest.
Proper hand washing is the
single, most effective way to
prevent the spread of of these
illnesses, including SARS,
influenza and pneumonia.
Children and adults alike
should use the following tips
to ensure proper cleaning.
Hands should be wet with
warm running water Add soap
then rub hands together to
make a lather. This should be
done away from the running
water for at least 10 seconds,
being careful not to wash the
lather away. Wash the front
and back of the hands as well
as between the fingers and
under the nails. Rinse hands
well under warm water,
letting the water run back into
the sink, not down the arms.
Dry thoroughly with a clean
towel.
If there is no access to
warm running water an
alcohol-based rub can be
used.
Last weekend, Bob invited his friends
over to help lacquer his floors.
including pilot lights.
The vapours from
flammable solvents
can easily ignite
if they come into
contact with
or open flame.
They should only
be used in well
ventilated areas that
are free from all
ignition sources -
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