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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-10-18, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2000. Officer states the facts regarding ATVs By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff ATVs have become a big problem in the area, according to Huron OPP Sr. Const. Don Shropshall. According to the officer, the detachment has been receiving a number of calls, particularly from the McKillop, Grey and Morris Twps. area, which includes Seaforth and Brussels. ‘'There has been a lot of use on the roads, plus complaints about tres­ passing and damage,” said Shropshall. “The primary point here is that they can’t be on the road.” This includes the gravel portion of a road and the ditch area from fence Sears collects hats for cancer victims The Sears outlets in Brussels and Blyth are saying Hats Off to Chemo. The program, which was officially launched in May, collects hats from organizations, clubs and individuals for distribution among children and adults undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. C. Regele area to fence area. In light of the number seen on the road regularly, this may come as a bit of a surprise. “In order for them to be on the road they have to meet certain standards. The tires are not meant for paved or gravelled areas; they can become overheated and blow up.” Also, Shropshall said, the ATV has to have license plates in order to be on the road. It should also be regis­ tered and insured. “I had one person tell me that they drive it out to the trail. When I told him he couldn’t do that, he had to trailer to the trail, he wasn't too happy.” Used off-road by the owner in his The goal was to see 20,000 hats distributed across Ontario to be fol­ lowed by a national campaign that will see more than 50,000 hats dis­ tributed across Canada next year. Hats Off to Chemo was founded in 1999 by Tammy Burton and Charlie Higgins in honour of a friend who wa diagnosed with cancer. Union Gas supported Hats Off by acting as a collection depot at its Kingston office. Earlier this month or her own field or on the farm, a helmet must be worn. If used on the road to travel from one farm or another, the ATV should have a slow-moving vehicle sign . ATVs cannot be driven on some­ one's property without the permis­ sion of the landowner. “Just because they don’t have a no trespassing sign up doesn’t mean you can ride on their land. You must get permission,” he said. As with any motorized vehicle there is an age stipulation to its use. “You can’t be under 12 years of age and drive it at all. If you are 16 you must have a driver’s licence to drive on the road.” While Blyth was not mentioned by Sears Canada joined the partnership. “Because Hats Off to Chemo doesn’t campaign for funds, we rely on the support of companies,” said Burton. “Partnering with them allows us to raise awareness of our charity.” As of Oct. 2 anyone interested in supporting the program can drop off hats at the local Sears catalogue out­ let. Cathy Stevenson the Sears agent in Brussels said the hats can be new or used. “We ask only that they are the officer the issue of ATVs did come up at a recent meeting of vil­ lage council when Councillor Doug Scrimgeour voiced his concerns regarding their use in the village. Scrimgeour suggested council should make it known they do not endorse ATVs running at large and said that he would take the concern to the next Community Policing Committee meeting. Shropshall said that the first step the police are taking is to try and education people. “We find that many are being told things by other people about the use of ATVs. We want to let them know the facts.” If this doesn’t alter things, the police will have to enforce the laws. clean.” The program received a boost with celebrity donations from Detroit Red Wing Dino Ciccarelli and the Tragically Hip’s Paul Langlois. Cancer centres and support groups that wish to contact Hats Off to Chemo can call 519-748-8684 or send an e-mail to hatsoff@orc.ca.More information is available at the charity’s web site at www.hatsoff-to-chemo.org. Fines can be laid under the Highway Traffic Act for anyone driving on the road or under the Off Roads Vehicles Act. They range from $125 to close to $$300 depending on the charge. Trespassing carries a fine of $80. Stating that “there is no doubt the people racing around the towns and villages are not doing the right thing,” Shropshall asks the public to contact police with their concerns and complaints. “If you know who the people are, supply a name. If not, by all means call so an officer can take a look and see what they can find out.” Give Someone a Second Chance. Discuss organ donation with your family. The Kidney Foundation of Canada ON $3.00 THURSDAYS Drop Into either of our offices any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only $3.00 (paid In advance). That’s $1.00 off regular rates The Citizen HCFA’s new president Charles Regele, RR1, Dublin was acclaimed as the new president of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture at the annual meeting in Varna, Thursday. Regele succeeds Pat Down of RR1, Hensall who held the post for two years. First vice-president is Neil Vincent of RR3, Wingham. There is a vacancy for second vice-president. Victor Roland, RR1, Gorrie was named regional director for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) for the Huron east region rep­ resenting Howick, Grey, Morris, McKillop and Turnberry. Evert Ridder, RR2, Clinton represents Huron west, including Ashfield, Goderich, Colbome, East and West Wawanosh and Hullett. Wayne Hamilton, RR1, Varna is the OFA director for Huron south. Local township directors to the county federation include Ian Scott, RR3, Blyth for East Wawanosh; Dave Lewington, RR2, Brussels, for Grey; Dave Linton, RR2, Blyth, from Morris and Will Stafford, RR1, Wroxeter, from Howick. There were no candidates for township director from West Wawanosh, Hullett, McKillop or Colborne. Come to our birthday party Believe it or not it's been 15 years since the first issue of The Citizen appeared on October 23, 1985. We're having a small celebration and hope you can come. Wednesday, October 25 1 - 4 p.m. Come and see our new Brussels Office at 541 Turnberry St. (next to Brussels Variety). Meet our staff. See how the paper is produced. Enjoy coffee, cake and doughnuts. Thursday, October 26 1 - 4 p.m. Come to our Blyth office and get a tour of our new computerized operation. Meet our staff; Enjoy coffee, cake and doughnuts. The Citizen “It’s My Paper”