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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-02-02, Page 1Community |Sports |Recognition | —Speaker says |y***J| Local Laker ; Brussels Ag. imagination keeps SE’„ Jfi PeeWees play in ■th Society presents LjKnt volunteers going PSEaW Blyth tonight IHJ' awards See page 6 See page 9 See page 18 Heading out With a few inches of snow on the ground, avid snowmobilers were enthused about finally get­ ting out into the wilds of Huron County and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather this past weekend. Riders gathered early Sunday morning in St. Helens to take part in a club fundrais­ ing rally. With more snow in the forecast for this week, there may be a few weeks of riding left this winter. Cuts challenge area Societies Snowmobile accident Brussels man in hospital with back injury By Janice Becker Citizen staff Though the impact will not be dev­ astating locally, agricultural and hor­ ticultural societies across the province may soon face an uncertain financial future. The provincial government is reducing annual exhibition transfer payments (grants) to the 234 agricul­ tural and 270 horticultural societies through changes at the Ministry.of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The grant program is expected to eventually disappear, said the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) in a press release. The Brussels Agricultural Society could lose between $600 and $700, said President Dorothy Cummings. She believes the loss will not have a great effect because of the excel­ lent community support and the fact that the society is in a "fairly healthy financial situation." “We are definitely not out of busi­ ness, but we will have to do more fundraising.” The Brussels’ group also has an advantage over more than half the other societies in the province as they do not own buildings or proper­ ty- With the proposed changes to Bill 66, the OAAS says some groups could “cease to exist because of the overwhelming financial burden” it required to pay commercial property taxes. Brussels has an additional safety net against paying taxes, says Cummings, as the society is a regis­ tered chanty. She says the Brussels society is prepared to support those groups that are impacted, saying they will stand as a unit. The OAAS is seeking alternatives to the elimination of grants such as an offer to oversee the distribution of grant money thereby saving adminis­ tration costs for the government. The organization is also asking the government to hold off any cuts until 2001 so that groups which host spring fairs have an opportunity to fundraise to replace lost grants. Cummings is unsure where the grants stand for this year as the soci­ eties have been told to fill out the forms. OAAS’s position will be discussed at the upcoming convention later this month. According to members of the Blyth Horticultural Society, it is unclear what the impact could be. Vice-president of the Blyth society Harvey Snell said government grants and village canvassing make up the largest portion of their funds, each totalling around $800 to $900. “To have the same money, more funds would have to be raised local­ ly through canvassing or member­ ship fees,” he said. Over the last few years, Snell said Blyth has been building up reserves, but that would disappear quickly if the grants are cut. Two snowmobilers have been taken to London hospital with back injuries after separate accidents on the same stretch of snowmobile trail in Goderich Twp. just off Wise Line, this past week. At approximately 4 p.m. Jan. 29 Bruce Fischer, 44, of Brussels was driving his Arctic Cat towards Clinton. He crested a hill and the machine flipped. Emergency personnel were taken to the scene with assistance from other snowmobilers and a man using a four-wheel drive vehicle. After Fischer was transported to the road an ambulance took him to Clinton Public Hospital. He was later transferred to London Police say people not getting message about driving drunk In spite of frequent education pro­ grams, media advertisements and tragic results, people are continuing to drive while impaired. In statistics gathered by the Huron County OPP, a 17 per cent increase in drinking and driving offences was indicated In 1998, 148 people were asked to submit to a breathalyzer with 128 charges laid. Those numbers rose to 179 samples and 150 charges in 1999. There were four drivers who Walton prepares to present plan to school board By Janice Becker Citizen staff The clock is ticking for Walton Public School and the three-mem­ ber viability study group is determined to keep that clock tick­ ing in the school halls for years to come. With the viability report due at the Avon Maitland District School Board office this Thursday, School Council Chair Dianne van Vliet says they feel pretty good about what they have (in the report). “It is a good proposal.” The mino/ity report pulled togeth­ with a serious back/spinal injury, police said. Three days before at 10:30 a.m. a London man was driving his 1998 Ski-Doo on the same section of trail, also heading east towards Clinton. According to police, Alberto Basyluk. 34, lost control after crest­ ing a hill and was thrown from the machine. He too sustained a back injury and was eventually transferred from Clinton Public Hospital to London hospital The OPP have notified area repre­ sentatives of the Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. Both collisions are under investi­ gation. refused to give a sample in 1998 and nine the following year. On a positive note, OPP Const. Dell Mercey said at a recent Community Policing meeting that teens appear to be using designated drivers more frequently. OPP urge motorists to remember that drinking and driving offences are enforced throughout the year, not just for two months. People are encouraged to chose a designated driver, phone family or friends for a ride home or use a taxi service. er by van Vliet, school council member Barb Durrell and communi­ ty representative Marie McGavin along with assistance from their resource person, Walton principal Alice McDowell, will be presented formally at the school board meeting Feb. 8. There have been a lot of hours and work put into the report and van Vliet says at this point, only a few finishing touches are required. van Vliet will have 15 minutes at the Feb. 8 meeting to present options for Walton Public School to be viable for the board and remain a part of the community.