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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-11-29, Page 1The Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 16 No. 47 Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) Inside this week Pg. 2 Pg 3 Pg. 6 Pg-15 Brussels honours its top citizens Blyth Lions give generously to arena Summary of election results from Huron-Bruce 4-pages of Christmas carols Blyth FestivalPg. Ji Singers perform Handel’s ‘Messiah’ RIDE begins With the holiday season fast approaching, the Ontario Provincial Police want to remind the public of the danger of mixing alcohol with driving. In a continuing effort to make Ontario highways safer, the OPP will continue to crackdown on impaired drivers this holiday season. From Nov. 29 to Jan. 2, the OPP will team up with other police agencies and organizations for the annual RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign in an effort to curb the death toll on Ontario roads-. As part of this year’s campaign, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) will once again distribute its familiar red ribbons to motorists to promote sober driving. In addition, Canada’s Safety Council has proclaimed “Reality Check ... Knowledge and Perception of Canada’s Impaired Driving Laws” as the theme for its annual Safe Driving Week - Dec. 1 - 7. These undertakings will complement the OPP’s festive season initiative with the common objective of promoting safe, sober driving. Last year, during the five-week RIDE festive season initiative which ran from Nov. 29 to Jan. 2 a total of 569,898 vehicles were stopped at roadside checkpoints. A total of 1,104, 12-hour licence suspensions were issued and 523 persons were charged with criminal code alcohol- related charges and 499 of the 90 day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspensions were also issued. In other words, for every 350 drivers stopped at a RIDE checkpoint, one driver was either charged with an impaired driving related charge or was issued a 12- hour licence suspension. During the same period, the OPP investigated fatal collisions in which 67 people were killed. “Almost 30 per cent of these fatal collisions were alcohol related,” said Sr. Const. Don Shropshall. “This is simply not acceptable and must stop.” “The OPP is asking everyone travelling this holiday season to take extra care in reaching their destination and to make this a safe and happy occasion for everyone. Slow down and don’t drink and drive !”\\ Extending his congratulations Alliance candidate Mark Beaven, right, arrived at celebration for returned Liberal MP Paul Steckle to offer his congratulations. The incumbent swept the Huron-Bruce riding winning almost as many votes as the rest of the combined candidates. (Advance-rimes photo) Steckle returned as MP By Margaret Stapleton Wingham Advance-Times On Monday night, Jean Chretien and his Liberals did what only a handful of Canadian political parties have done: won three, back-to-back majority governments. Here in Huron-Bruce, incumbent MPRaul Steckle won easily over his nearest rival, Mark Beaven of the Canadian Alliance. In fact. Liberals in Southwestern Ontario managed to hold off an Alliance push, sweeping the region. With 200 of 210 polls reporting, Steckle had secured 20,202 votes, according to Tuesday’s edition of The London Free Press. Beaven was second at 9,610; Ken Kelly of the Progressive Conservatives had 7,636; Christine Kemp of the New Democratic Party, 2,548; Dave Joslin of the Christian Heritage Party, 238 and Philip Holley of the Canadian Action Party, 220. While some rural Liberal candidates benefitted from “vote splitting” between the Alliance and Conservative candidates, Steckle was returned with almost as many votes as his four challengers combined. BACK TO BUSINESS An enthusiastic crowd greeted Steckle's arrival in the parish hall of Wingham’s Sacred Heart Church on Monday night for his victory celebration. Long-time Huron-Bruce MPP Murray Gaunt introduced Steckle, saying, “Welcome fo the 21st Century and a strong Liberal majority.” Political veteran Gaunt called it a “unique” campaign that turned nasty at times. However, he congratulated Steckle on running a superb campaign in which he garnered over one-half of the votes cast. “This has been one great day and one great night," Steckle told supporters. After thanking his campaign workers and supportive office staff, Steckle said, “Now we have a majority government, with five official parties and for that I'm glad.” He said he is glad that Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark won his seat in Calgary Centre, adding Clark had run a good campaign. In explaining the reason for the Liberals’ strong majority — 173 of parliament’s 301 seats, compared to 155 in 1997 -- Steckle said he believes Canadians feel they have been given good government by the Liberals. In 1993 when the party took power, he said, the country was facing a huge deficit, $42 billion, and was in fact near bankruptcy. Today, he added, there is a surplus, with money to be applied to debt reduction and social spending. He attributed his own massive win to providing effective representation for his constituents, even if it means bucking party policy on issues such as gun control. Steckle admitted that he was among those who thought the election call had come too early, but conceded Monday night that it may have been “the right time”. Late last week, Steckle was widely reported as saying Chretien was the wrong man to lead the country to the polls, preferring instead finance minister and supposed Liberal heir apparent Paul Martin. But he made no mention of Martin during his speech on Monday night. Looking ahead to the next parliament, Steckle said he believes agriculture requires immediate attention. He also said paying down Continued on page 6 Howson Nil deputy­ reeve The Blyth Ward will have strong representation at the county level after newly-elected Councillor Jeff Howson was appointed deputy­ reeve of North Huron. The announcement was made at the Nov. 23 session of Blyth council. Howson was nominated by East Wawanosh councillor Murray Scott, who was also nominated by withdrew. As one of two North Huron representatives to county council, Howson said that he is excited by the opportunity. “When I hear there are only six or seven of the previous county councillors returning, I believe it is going to be challenging.” Howson also noted that the experience would be a learning one. “You deal with a broader scope of issues and must take in the whole area in decision making.” “It will be a challenge. I’m sure.” Santa makes local stops Santa is busy in the area this weekend with stops at Blyth and Brussels. Friday night at 7 p.m. Old St. Nick will be the guest of honour for the Blyth Christmas Parade, which begins at 7 p.m. The route begins at AJ’s on London Road, north of the village and travels straight through downtown to Wellington Street, where it wends it way west to the arena. There children will have the opportunity to give their letters to Santa before enjoying some free family skating. Along the parade route, volunteers will be collecting donations for the food bank. The parade isn't the first item on the agenda in Blyth, however A chili cook-off, featuring the recipes of local business owners begins at 5:30 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m. Organizer Sydney Anderson of the Blyth Festival said she expects 10 different chilis to be in the cook-off. It only costs a toonie to try taste of all the different flavours. With that toonie you get a spoon, serving cup, judging ballot and a pass to the different chili stations. Saturday afternoon, Santa arrives in Brussels for a 1 p.m. parade. The route begins at Brussels Agromart at the extreme north end of Tumberry Street and travels down to the Legion where Santa will meet with children. The first of the Brussels Basket Draws, sponsored by the local businesses, will be done that day as well. Other draws are to be held Dec. 9, 16 and 23. Another upcoming Christmas event scheduled in Brussels will be the Optimist Santa Hay Ride, Dec. 23. Rides begin at the gazebo, downtown, at 7 p.m.. Refreshments will follow at Eclectiques, 441 Tumberry St., next to the gazebo.