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The Citizen, 2003-06-25, Page 1The Citizen *__________________Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 19 No. 25_______________________________Wednesday, June 25, 2003 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) I NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC. | Inside this week Pa (J Family prepares to u become citizens Pa Q AMDSB holds ' budget meeting PenningPg. IS compel,ion al arsa p0 72 ‘Gigi’ unassuming *8* *3 entertainment Dp 24 County discusses ** ambulance station Crops get a boost By Janice Becker Citizen staff Though the consistent heat received across the region over the past few days has provided a boost to field crops, the struggle to overcome difficulties as a result of the wet spring continues. The early-planted com is looking good - on schedule.” said certified crop consultant David Townsend of Vanastra. However the late-planted com is still missing that 200 to 300 heat units picked up by the earlier crop. There is also some sidewall compaction in the com and the soil is tight and crusted due to the rain conditions, which is allowing in little air. This is resulting in some off- colour fields, he said. “The heat of late has really helped with greening the com fields. The leaves were small earlier,” said Townsend, “but the plants are growing into their roots. The more heat the better.” Farmers should be looking at weed control at this time and watching carefully as the plants could go quickly from four to six leaves. The soybean crop has seen good emergence with the consistent rain, but fields planted between June 8 and 12 are struggling to break through the compacted soil. Last week’s rain also tightened things up, Townsend added. The crop “is later than it should be but emergence is good generally.” While barley crops are struggling with tough, wet roots, wheat fields have been able to take advantage of the recent heat. The dry weather will also help prevent the movement of disease, said Townsend. Spraying should now be done and the harvest, which usually comes around the August holiday weekend, should be close to on schedule. The edible beans were generally planted in warm soil, however, there may be some difficulty breaking through after the last rain if another comes too soon. Summer has arrived! Summer arrived, both officially and weather-wise, this past weekend. Robert Cochrane, caught mid-flip, cooled off at the BMG pool on Friday when Brussels Public School classes took turns swimming. Tiffany Roetcisoender and Colleen Aitchison prefer the action on the edge instead. (Sarah Mann photo) Brussels library to get makeover By David Blaney Special to The Citizen It looks like the Brussels library will be getting a makeover in the near future. At its June 17 meeting Huron East council approved several items, which will make the library a more usable and comfortable space for the community. Council had previously allocated $10,000 to repair the heating system and complete some smaller repairs. John Forrest the public works co­ ordinator for the municipality reported to council that the original scheme to replace the oil-fired boiler with natural gas equipment would not correct a heat distribution problem. He said the library only has one thermostat and in order to heat the basement it was necessary to make the upstairs unbearably hot. He suggested that with the money approved it would be possible to re­ pipe the system to allow the basement and the upper level to be heated independently of each other. Forrest also noted that there was moisture moving through the east side basement wall and this was making the kitchen area extremely musty. He suggested that it would be necessary to dig out the foundation and install tile around the east, south and west sides and install an external McKillop taxes anger residents By David Blaney Special to The Citizen The June 17 meeting of Huron East council was more lively than usual as between 50 and 60 McKillop ratepayers showed up to express their unhappiness with their 2003 taxes. Spokesperson Ken Glanville claimed that McKillop residents had seen more than a 100 per cent sump and pump with outflow to the Orchard Street storm drain. The cost of these renovations would mean that the boiler could not be replaced with the funds allocated. Councillor Joe Seili said he would like to see the system converted to natural gas commenting that the oil tanks were more than 30 years old. “If they spring a leak it’s a time increase in taxes over the last 10 years. “We would like to know just where our money is going,” he said. Other residents echoed the comments suggesting that as their taxes had risen their services had declined. The phrase, “We need more bang for our buck,” was heard several times from various ratepayers. In 2003 McKillop residents have seen taxes rise nearly 15 per cent on Offices closed The Citizen offices will be closed on Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1. As that week’s issue of the paper must be at the printer on Monday, deadlines have been moved to this Friday. Any editorial or advertising copy meant for the July 2 paper must be in the Brussels office by 2 p.m. Friday, June 27 or 4 p.m. in Blyth. E. Ritter opening night speaker CBC Radio personality Erika Ritter is scheduled to be the speaker at the opening of Blyth Festival’s 29th season this Friday evening. Ms Ritter will speak during the annual gala dinner before the grand opening of Anne Chislett’s and David Archibald’s much-anticipated world premiere musical The Perilous Pirate’s Daughter. Ritter is a familiar voice on the CBC Radio airwaves. She currently hosts Ontario Morning, heard across Southern Ontario. As well, she is the voice of The Arts Report, heard every weekday on CBC Radio Two. In addition to her career at CBC Radio, Ritter has made a living through a combination of playwriting, radio drama, humorous essays and fiction. Her novel The Hidden Life of Humans has been reprinted numerous times, and is still selling briskly. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Blyth Festival Box Office at 523-9300 or 1-877-TO- BLYTH, or can be reserved online at www.blythfestivai.com bomb waiting to happen,” He went on to state, “I want to see this done and done right before the end of my term. On a motion by Seili, seconded by Councillor Greg Wilson, council approved spending the extra funds necessary to correct the problems noted by Forrest and install a natural gas heating system. vacant farmland with steep increases on working farms and buildings. According to treasurer Brad Knight many of these properties have seen increases of 40 per cent or more since amalgamation. The other rural wards have seen similar dramatic increases. In explaining the reason for the increase Huron East, Knight was able to offer little but cold comfort. Continued on page 6