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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-05-18, Page 1wEi..p.oprO.o ESTABIJSIILD "r < *? ;,;,4•• NE-I LNORTH HURON PUBUSHING COMPANY INC. I Inside this week Ponytails for cancer Cancer survivors Roba Lobb and Tracy Thompson count 127 ponytails on the head of Julia Tyler, who won the contest for the most ponytails. On May 8 Blyth Public School wore ponytails to raise money for cancer. (Carol Burns photo) Campvention group visits e Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 22 No. 20 Thursday, May 18, 2006 $1 (93c + 7c GST) Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 9 CHSS project growing Local does well at Huron-Perth meet Girls plays on national team Di, 0 CHSS hosts IS' 11 annual cabaret Pg. Water woes may r g. Liu worsen in Belgrave Vandals hit park pavilion By Carol Burns Citizen staff The Blyth Lions Park pavilion was vandalized between May 9 and May II. Tables were -broken, overturned, and organized into a ramp over the south side of the pavilion. Kindling had been made from some of the broken pieces, and it appears that there were attempts to start a fire in - the northwest corner of the pavilion. "At first I was angry, then I began worrying about health and safety issues," Brenda McDonald, Lions' president said. "I could see a broken back or limb." In discussing the attempts to start a fire, McDonald said that she was concerned that if the tables had begun burning, the person could have panicked and been burned. "Some of us were discouraged at our meeting on Thursday," McDonald continued, "We had been in Tuesd evening and cleaned up the pavi on. It was sad to see the mess." Vandalism is not new to Lions Park. Last year the Lions had to remove the awnings because they had been cut with a jack-knife. McDonald indicated that the awnings are due to be replaced this year. "We want the park to he used by everyone." McDonald said. "During the Festival season I have often. seen people come here to have lunch. In discussing the presence of the Campvention 2006 workgroup at the Blyth campground, McDonald said "Campvention 2006 is in town this weekend. It is sad to have the pavilion like this." The Lions club uses money raised during community activities, particularly the Thresher's Reunion to maintain the park. McDonald requested that anyone concerned about activity in the park contact the OPP or phone her at 523-9404. By Carol Burns Citizen staff Blyth Community Centre was filled with activity Friday evening as the workgroups for July's Campvention 2006 settled in for a weekend of work and fellow- ship. The Campvention 2006 campers are Family Campers and RVers. The organization began,46 years ago. and is divided into seven regions. Every year a different region gets to host that year's Campvention. Last year in West Virginia, more than 637 campsites were filled. - Arena manager Dave Cook said that 59 campsites were iled this weekend. Jim Stobbart, Ontario director of the organization is impressed by the people of Blyth as well as by the campgrounds. "The people of .Blyth are super- friendly," he said. "It is a real tribute to the town that they give us anything we can reasonably ask for. "We are coming to Blyth because we had come to the campgrounds here for some of our chapter meetings. We always found the people friendly. .Several years ago, when we realized that we would be hosting Campvention this year, we talked with John Stewart (then North Huron's clerk administrator) about the possibility of coming here. John asked if they could make a bid" Stobbart is . impressed by the improvements that the municipality has made to the campgrounds. "It is now the best campground in all of Ontario, and we are spreading the word to other campers about the quality of the facility here." Stobbart said that at this point with 575. reservations, arrange- ments are ahead of target and that he expects Campvention will be filling the campgrounds 830 sites. "Everyone that comes will be spending money here. We all need fuel to get home," Stobbart continued. Appreciation was expressed that the grocery store is willing to stay open later in the evening to meet the needs of the campers. Campers were seen in shops, in the grocery store and on the main street during the weekend. In discussing the work she had done to introduce the Blyth area to the organization members, Noreen Smith of Guelph said -that a magazine goes out 10 times a year. "I began last year describing the Blyth area in general. Then every issue, I discussed a different aspect of the area. I did one issue on the Lake Huron parks, one on the towns around Blyth, and I have discussed different attractions, including the Blyth Festival." "In another issue described the four tours we have planned to different parts of the area." The first long weekend of the warm season is here. While families are enjoying the extra time off, for most of the staff at The Citizen it will be business as Both Stobbart and Smith emphasized that this will be a very different experience from most Campventions. _Usually they go to industrialized areas. Stobbart noted that the campers are big eaters, and he is really grateful that the different church groups are providing dinners each night. usual. The Blyth office will be open on Monday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deadline for advertising and editorial submissions, however, will be moved ahead to noon. Emergency problems still exist By Carol Burns Citizen staff Co-ordination. of . fire and ambulance services responses to medical emergencies continues to be unresolved. During the May 2 Huron East council meeting, fire chief Marty Bedard explained that one significant difficulty is the definition of when the land ambulance service is overwhelmed and should be calling on the fire department for assistance. In discussing the document's definition of overwhelmed, Bedard said "(The ambulance service would) call the fire department if it couldn't respond within 17 minutes." Bedard went on to point out that the difficulty with this definition is that because of the different distances between ambulance and fire department locations, much of the time the anticipated response time is greater than 17 minutes for the ambulance service. Often the firetruck and ambulance arrive at almost the same-time. This not only increases the cost of providing emergency assistance, but decreases the fire. truck's ability to respond effectively to fires. Councillor David Blaney, Brussels, asked if under the current situation the fire department gets called out according to the ambulance's definitions. Bedard said that what the fire departments would like is for the ambulance service to assess the situation at the scene before calling • on the fire department. • Bedard stated "We (the fire department) monitor our own response time. Our goal is to be at the scene within 10 minutes 90 per cent of the time." He indicated that usually the departments can meet that goal: Bedard assured council that the fire departments expect to be called out when a car rollS over, or when someone is trapped and the expertise of the fire department is required, but it is frustrating to be called out simply for lift assistance. In response to a question about what happens when the fire department gets to the scene before the ambulance, Bedard responded, "Blyth is the only department in the county that is identified as a first response department. When we respond to a scene, we only do the work for which we are qualified." Bedard assured council that both departments are working to find the way to best provide residents with emergency services. The Brussels office will be closed, but items can be put under the door before pickup at noon. Have a safe Victoria Day week- end. "Every day campers will purchase tickets to that night's dinner. The church groups will make a profit, and the Campvention members will eat well." Smith and Stobbart welcome Blyth Festival's special rates to Campvention members special for the performanees being held during their stay. Smith added that one of her goals is to help Blyth residents get to know about the people at Campvention. She is working on making contacts with the media, and there will be daily releases — available. "We are so impressed with Blyth and the warmth of the people that we are calling Sunday July 9 Blyth Day, and will be opening the campground to Blyth citizens." "We are also looking forward to the band tattoo that is scheduled for Sunday afternoon on the grounds," Stobbart said, "We just cannot say enough good things about Blyth." Blyth office open Monday