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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-02-16, Page 1News Feature Community Ji Members of District Wk r ’ WI branches meet in ] Brussels "-1 —Paying tribute to local Scouting, Guiding groups Auburn Lions aid local fire victims See page 6 See page 11 See page 13 North Huron group hosts public meeting The North Huron group will be holding a public meeting in Belgrave this Thursday to discuss its restructuring proposal. Blyth and Wingham Clerk- Treasurer John Stewart told both councils that he had received infor­ mation from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing stat­ ing that since the proposal had not received county approval before Dec. 22, it was mandatory that both the county and the lower-tier munic­ ipalities hold a public meeting. The county meeting is set for March 2. Though the agenda had not been finalized. Stewart believed that each municipality would make a presen­ tation on various sections of the pro­ posal. The meeting will be held at the Belgrave Community Centre at 8 p.m. CitizenTheNorthHuron Brussels library gets Gates computer The Brussels library will be among three from Huron County to benefit from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. County librarian Beth Ross announced that Brussels. Wingham and Hensall libraries would receive two computers and a printer, pre- loaded with Microsoft software. The Brussels package is valued at $8,379. Hensall and Wingham will also receive internet connection hard­ ware with a total value of $11,722 for each branch. Citizenship. Culture and Recreation Minister Helen Johns said the $8.4 million grant from Gates will help put computers, inter­ net access and technical training in public libraries across the province. Microsoft Canada is donating $3.2 million worth of software to libraries receiving the grants. Kids share views on school closure By Janice Becker Citizen staff While parents worry about dislo­ cation and business owners express anger over the potential financial losses, the children of Walton Public School are looking at the possible closure of their school with a less worldly approach. For Joel Dalton, Laura Bowers, Nick Durrell and Chris Becker, there seems to be less concern about the actual building where they will receive their lessons and more about the environment in which those classes will be taught Grade 4 students Bowers and Dalton are already preparing to move to Seaforth Public School in September as is the normal course of events for seniors at Walton Public School. Both seem relatively relaxed about the move though Dalton is more enthusiastic about the possibility of relocating to the Seaforth high school facility. While Bowers wonders about the large size of the school, Dalton says, “I want to go to the high school. It has a real big gym. I am looking for­ ward to it.” Lack of gymnasium facilities at Walton Public School has been just one of the arguments used to under­ score the need for the Walton stu­ dents to attend a larger facility. Grade 3 pupil and Walton resident, Durrell says he would not like to see Walton school closed as many chil­ dren in the village use the play­ ground and equipment as a park. It is a place where they spend many afternoon and weekend hours. With two years left at Walton if it were to remain open, Becker’s main concern is that he be allowed to attend a school with his friends. Talk of boundary changes in conjunction with a closure could put some Morris and Grey Twp. students in Brussels, Blyth or Grey Central Public School. “It would be okay if I go with my friends,” says Becker. "The building doesn’t matter.” In chatting with the students, it seems apparent the major concern is a fear of the unknown, not an uncommon position for anyone fac­ ing change. Durrell is worried about dealing with older students, teachers he doesn’t know and the absence of gym equipment to which he has become accustomed. However, he did say he could make new friends and already knew a few of the chil­ dren. None of the children want longer bus rides. Some students now board the bus well before 8 a.m. The children think about the basics such as knowing where the classrooms and washrooms are located. Each said much of their concerns could be relieved by a tour of the new school, a chance to meet teach­ ers and new classmates and the knowledge that their established friendships would stay intact. The four students who took part in this interview were selected by Walton Public School Principal Alice McDowell with parental per­ mission. Shrouded in smoke When the Blyth and District Fire Department arrived at a house fire in Auburn last week, the home was totally engulfed in heavy black smoke, making fighting the blaze more difficult for the firefighters. Don and Erma Cartwright lost almost all their belongings in the fire. Family loses everything It was a devastating loss of cher­ ished momentoes for Don Cartwright and his wife Erma when their house went up in flames, Feb. 10. The Blyth and District Fire Department was called to the scene at 11 a.m. after a neighbour heard explosions coming from the Goderich Street home in Auburn. Having left the house about a half an hour prior to the call, Cartwright followed the firefighters to his home where they found it billowing heavy black smoke. Blyth Fire Chief Pau) Josling said it appears the fire began in a wood­ stove, in the connection between the stove and the chimney. Metal containers filled with black powder and aerosol cans exploding and lots of ammunition made the fire difficult to fight, said Josling. “It was a little dangerous going inside with the explosions. There was a pile of heat and heavy smoke in the house so it was hard to get in.” The firefighters stayed on the scene until 9 p.m. and other than some guns and ammunition, very lit­ tle was salvaged, he said. “The house was pretty well gutted and will have to come down.” Josling estimates the loss at between $150,000 and $160,000. The Auburn Lions Club is plan­ ning a benefit breakfast for the Cartwrights in March.