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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-05-24, Page 1Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 16 No. 21 Wednesday, May 24, 2000 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) Pg- 6 Pg- 7 Pg-18 Pg-19 Area track athletes off to WOSSA meet Huron Harvest Trail wins tourism award Blyth decides fate of village PUC Peter Colley back for Blyth Festival season Ruling raises issues for WPS families Seaforth has won another battle against the Avon Maitland District School Board in the fight to keep two town schools open. With cost-cutting measures, the AMDSB had slated Seaforth District High School (SDHS) and the public school for closure this June along with four others in the board, including Walton Public School. However, the SDHS Student Success Foundation’s challenge of the board’s decision resulted in a court heanng before three judges. The May 19 ruling on the case indicated the school board had not given “fair opportunity”, with regards to five reasons, said Charles Smith, spokesperson for the foundation. According to a media report, the ruling stated that the two Seaforth schools could not be closed by the board because the process had not been fair to Seaforth parents. The judges did not have the jurisdiction to decide if the board’s decisions had been right or wrong. Smith said the court decision puts the school board back at square one. “If they decide to proceed, they need to give us information, not just tor the small cluster of Seaforth schools, but for the whole system.” - As to why the foundation proceeded with the court case naming only the Seaforth schools, Smith said they had begun with that focus in 1998 when the high school was threatened with closure. “We felt there was an obligation to honour that commitment.” Smith admits that the court Continued on page 14 Senseless destruction Turnberry Twp. Reeve Brian McBurney checks the damage done to the Bluevale dam last week after vandals pounded support beams and flash boards with sledge hammers, destroying their usefulness. Sections five, six and seven of the flash boards can be seen to the left, just above the water level, while sections one through four have disappeared. The boards are used to maintain the height of water withheld by the dam. The previous water level is indicated by the dark line along the cement portion of the dam in the lower right corner. Graffiti spray-painted on the bridge can be seen to the left of McBurney. Vandals drain funds,water from dam By Janice Becker Citizen staff Though vandals have hit Bluevale many times before, the most recent incident may impact the community and those suspected of the crime in a new way. Dave Grummett, director of operations for the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, said last week’s destruction at the Bluevale dam could lead to a removal of flash boards which hold back the water creating a swimming and boating area above the dam. “It appears a sledge hammer was used on the main beams at the north end (which support the dam) as well as on the flash boards,” he said. A metal fiame used to winch up the flash boards during flood conditions was bent, preventing its use in recent days, added Turnberry Twp. Reeve Brian McBurney. “The authority doesn’t have the money or time to do the job twice,” said Grummett. “It is time consuming with a lot of manual labour (to replace the boards). It is quite a burden.” Because of this, much of the work completed at the Bluevale dam and park is done by volunteers. “It is frustrating to do the job over again when it is not necessary,” he said. The dollar cost for the work will be $2,000 to $2,500 for materials though time is the biggest factor, he added. At least three weeks turn-around time will be needed to repair the damage, said Grummett, as the pond will have to be slowly drawn down, the boards replaced and water refilled. “We will fix it this time, but not again,” he stated adamantly. “If they are damaged again, all the boards will be removed for the remainder of the season. We will put the money where it is appreciated. The buck’s got to stop somewhere.” MVCA and community representatives have spoken to the OPP and township in hopes of establishing a watch program for Bluevale. The problem was also discussed during a recent Community Policing Committee meeting. While Const Dell Mercey, community policing officer with the OPP, has said he will look into increased patrols through the area for a time, McBurney plans to raise the question of a community meeting at the next regular session of Turnberry Twp. council, June 6. McBurney hopes that with increased awareness and watchfulness by both the community and police the culprits will be deterred. Not only have vandals struck the dam, but residents have had to deal with repeated damage at the conservation area park with the picnic shelter roof smashed, tables destroyed, graffiti sprayed at various locations and broken street lights as well as personal property damaged. OPP report vandalism to the dam has closed it to all people due to the damage and safety concerns. It appears ATVs were used to enter the site, travelling from Schmidt's Mill to the dam. The OPP encourage anyone who has information regarding theses incidences to call Cnmestoppers at 1-8OO-222-8477. Cut up comes to Brussels, Saturday If sunny skies prevail visitors to Brussels community yard sale this Saturday could also see/a work in progress. Clerk-Treasurer Donna White said chainsaw sculptor Peter Mogensen of Mount Forest, will be in town that day early in the morning to begin work on the large tree stump to the south of the Anglican Church. As long as the weather's good, Mogensen should be at the job for most of the day. White said, and people are welcome to stop and watch.