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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-10-04, Page 1Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 16 No. 39 Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2000 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) Inside this week Cancer survivor tells his story Pg-7 Pg. 9 Walton hosts ATV drag races Saluting local firefighters for Fire Prevention Week New Optimist exec ready to begin term Straford Festival presents ‘Ernest’ Blooming Blyth wins 2nd place The tremendous effort made by the Blyth community to beautify their surroundings has culminate in a four-bloom, first runner-up win at the national Communities in Bloom competition held in Edmonton over the weekend. Represented by committee Chair Bev Elliott, member Nancy Snell and Blyth Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart, the community earned 841 points in the under 1,000 population category. Winner Birlle, MB, topped Blyth by just 15 points. Blyth also received an honourable # mention for tidiness. Snell said it was an amazing experience participating in the national event. The committee had an opportunity to meet representatives from Scotland, Great Britajn, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Slovenia and France. For general comments, the judges noted that the Lions Park is remarkable, the general aspect of the community is really great with good ambiance and the conservation and maintenance of the cemetery is really good. The tidiness of Blyth was noted as outstanding with the citizens obvious making a contribution. The judges said the compost site was well managed and the waste, management program is well established. ' The historic preservation of the theatre and CNR Station at The Old Mill were recognized. The flower boxes and baskets along the main street were beautiful, they said, and the turf and ground cover areas were well maintained. The one short fall was with the inventory, maintenance and planting program for trees and shrubs in the village. It was suggested business owners and the school put out shrubs. Family dining It was a picture perfect day on Sunday for the annual took advantage of the sunny, warm temperatures to dine Melville Presbyterian Church barbecue. Like many others alfresco. (Vicky Bremnerphoto) the Nichol family, Mom Kathy, Seth, Ethan and Dad Paul Blyth Minor Hockey gets big grant It is an amazing coup for Blyth Minor Hockey and the entire community, Joyce Bean, president of minor hockey announced on Monday that the organization is the recipient of a $10,000 U.S. grant from the National Hockey League’s ASSIST (Assist Skaters and Shooters in Succeeding Together) program, now in its fourth year. Steven Sparling, who wrote and assembled the many contributions for the application said, "It is extremely gratifying and everyone should be proud.” With letters and documentation included from Pam Chalmers, minor hockey treasurer; John Stewart, Dunbar feels reno costs too high The renovation contract has been let, but not all members of the Huron 'East transition board are pleased with the decision. When the board approved the $248,075 project Sept. 25, Grey Twp. Reeve and prospective Huron East mayoral candidate Robin Dunbar voted against the decision. “When the engineering costs are added in,” said Dunbar, “that puts the costs closer to $3()(),0()() and we haven’t looked at fire equipment yet.” ■ The board had recommended only $200,()()() for renovations. Blyth clerk-treasurer; Bob Szusz, Blyth and District Community Centre board chair; hockey mom, Fran Cook and Bean, Sparling said it showed the grant committee the sense of pnde with what has been done in Blyth for the past 50 years. “It validates the goodwill in this community.” “The broad support across the community which the application received, no doubt helped in securing the grant”, he added. Sparling gives much of the credit to Bean for the success of the application as she made sure the organization took advantage of everything available to the group, he said. Dunbar noted the renovations will consume 60 per cent of the restructuring grant money from the government. However, only 75 per cent of the price will be covered, leaving the rest to be picked up by taxpayers. Seaforth Clerk-Treasurer Jack McLachlan said other savings will be sought so the grant money will go farther and ratepayers will not have an extra burden on next year’s tax bill. Dunbar said a lower bid with just the basics, came in around $179,500, but add-ons such as a lift and Just one of 13 organizations from around the world which will share in the $100,000 grant for this year, Sparling said he was very pleased that Blyth received the highest amount possible. The monies will go towards reducing ice rental costs for the youngest players first, said Sparling, as both Blyth's and the ASSIST aim is to eliminate barriers for youngsters getting into the sport. “Ice rental is 52 per cent of our budget,” he said. While the funds could be used towards equipment purchases, Sparling said the players in Blyth take very good care of the equipment provided and any additional items windows pushed the price up. Though he and other board members voted against the contract, Dunbar said, “That’s the way democracy works.” He has also been responding to taxpayers asking about the high costs of the project. Brussels Reeve Ralph Watson agreed with Dunbar saying, “Seems like a lot of money when we don’t know how long we’re going to be there. It's a big chunk of the transition dollars.” “I’m not sure it was a wise decision.” which came to the organization in the 1999-2000 season dame through the creative means of those involved. Other communities which will receive grant money for specific programs this season include Cache Creek, BC; Fort Vermillion, AB; St. Thomas, ON; Viroqua, WI; Cortland, NY; Detroit, MI; Pittsburgh, PA; San Angelo, TX; Lada, Russia; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Levice, Slovakia and Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia. Information regarding the grants was sent to Blyth Minor Hockey through a WOAA information package. Anyone interested in an application for next season can call 1-888-NHL-AWARD or send an e- mail to assist@nhl.com. Citizen office open Mon. The Blyth office of The Citizen will be open on Thanksgiving Monday. The deadline for Wednesday newspaper is, however, moved ahead to noon. The Brussels office will be closed, however, editorial or advertising copy can be slipped under the door to be picked up at 12 p.m. that day.