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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-06-21, Page 1Volume 16 No. 25 Pg-3 Pg. 10 Pg. 11 Pg. 22 Pg-23 Area teachers retiring Walton secretary gets recognition Special section pays tribute to school with a heart Blyth Legion names new executive Blyth Festival season begins with ‘Anne’ Huronlea Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Wednesday, June 21, 2000 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) residents join the club Saying goodbye to a mascot Students from Grade 1 to 4 at Walton Public School gathered around their mascot, Gus, last Friday, as they prepared to say goodbye for the final time when the school closes permanently June 29. Emerson Mitchell's hound Gus had been visiting the school regularly for the last seven or eight years, wandering down Morris Twp. Cone. 9-10 (Walton Rd.) to see the children. For more on the school’s closing ceremonies this weekend, see inside. N. Huron plan may cost $990,000 Huronlea Home for the Aged was a place for celebration, June 16 when two residents were inducted into the province’s Three-Century Club. Held on the day Jessie Engel turned 104, she and 101-year-old Glenna Stephens received certificates from Huron-Bruce MPP Helens Johns in recognition of their longevity. Bom in Grey Twp., Engel said there was nothing special about turning 104. “I guess I was put on this earth for a purpose, but I still don’t know what that is.” Living on her home farm all her life until she moved to Huronlea about four years ago, Engel spends much of her time now reading and enjoying the warm weather. Stephens was bom in 1898 in Durham and moved to Brussels with her husband after World War II where he set up his doctor’s office. She raised five children and is the proud grandmother of 16 and great­ grandmother of 15. Belgrave weekend celebrates community spirit, family fun Community spirit and family fun will fill the streets in Belgrave this weekend as the millennium celebration gets underway. Running from June 23 to 25, Friday evening will begin with ladies’ and men’s ball games. Euchre players will be welcome to join in the games at the community centre. The millennium pub will be open and food available. A parade will start off the day’s activities at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. By Janice Becker Citizen staff Though the newly amalgamated township of North Huron could see annual savings of approximately $351,000, the process to achieve restructuring could cost more than $990,000. Blyth councillors reviewed a draft municipal restructuring funding (MRF) application Monday to be sent to the provincial government for ministerial approval by Thursday. The three municipalities involved in the North Huron discussions individually considered the draft earlier this week. If accepted by each council, it would then go to the transition board which was to have met Wednesday morning, for final approval. In outlining the costs to amalgamate the three municipalities, the most discussed issue by Blyth councillors was the suggestion to Other events will include horseshoes, children’s activities, toilet bowl races, local entertainers’ jam session, cake decorating and auction. There will be a beer garden and food booths. A beef barbecue and dance will close out the day. On Sunday, there will be an interdenominational church service in the arena at 11 a.m. John Cull will be the guest speaker. A mass choir will sing at the service. Guests are invited to picnic renovate the East Wawanosh facilities to accommodate the office. The Blyth and Wingham buildings have been ruled out so consideration was being given to a $310,000 renovation and temporary accommodation cost. Councillor Rob Lawrie was not convinced this would be the best option as there is another building in the municipality which would need less work. Though Reeve Mason Bailey suggested looking at the cost to build a one-storey brick veneer building before renovating an old two-storey home. Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart said new structures were not eligible for the potential 75 per cent funding through MRF. Councillor Jeff Howson said the door has not been closed on other options, but that the accommodation study had been done on East Wawanosh chambers because the others had been ruled out. The transition board estimated labour adjustment costs of $300,000, together afterwards. Drinks will be provided. The afternoon will see the 1969 midget hockey team play the Stone School team of ‘69 in a baseball game. It begins at 2 p.m. Tickets or entry forms for various activities can be obtained at Belgrave businesses or committee members. More information can be obtained by calling Murray Scott, 357-3778, Barb Black, 357-1092 or Betty Ross, 357-3895. including $250,000 for the disbandment of the Wingham police force and $50,000 for employee settlements. For the consolidation of information technology, communi­ cation systems, planning documents and bylaws and files, the transition board estimated $270,000. Others costs would arise from implementation studies, new signage and stationery, legal and audit fees, public communications and moving expenses. On the positive side, the board estimates annual savings at $350,943. With regards to general government, including council, staff reductions, audit fees, facility fees, insurance, computer services and administrative fees, the savings could be $150,526. The change in police services was estimated to create savings of $128,442 while the consolid­ ation of road equipment, materials and supplies could add another $55,853. Cost reductions found in the waste disposal sector could amount to Community prepares to say farewell to WPS Though it will be a celebration of the small school with a big heart, the closing ceremonies for Walton Public School, June 25. are sure to bring sadness when friends and families gather to mark the final chapter. The festivities will kick-off at 3 p.m. with social time, activities for the children and family baseball and soccer games. $16,122. Though Stewart pointed out this is a draft document, the board tried to ensure accuracy. While 75 per cent government funding is possible, Stewart said that doesn’t mean the municipality will receive that amount. In a related matter, Stewart said he attended a conference last week at which Minster of Municipal Affairs and Housing Tony Clement spoke. Clement told the gathering that although most municipalities had finished round one of restructuring, they would be given the tools, as of Jan. 1, 2001, to begin the second round. This substantiated councillors’ feelings about renovating a building for office purposes as further restructuring could leave the municipality with a building of insufficient size. Councillor Doug Scrimgeour agreed a smattering of small townships would not survive while Bailey stated council’s first proposal with three ward in all of Huron County had been a good plan. From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., guests will enjoy a beef on the bun supper. Entertainment and presentations will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. with fireworks beginning at dusk. With more than 500 already registered for the event, school secretary Jane Zwep asks that anyone planning on attending who has not registered, to phone the school as soon as possible.