The Citizen, 2005-06-09, Page 24Different approaches
On June 4, 43 sidewalk artists registered tor the annual chalk drawing
contest in Blyth. Participants ranged in age from three to 46. All of the
children received a bubblegum, pop and a small prize donated by the Blyth
and Area Business Association. Participants had their picture taken with their
drawing and will receive a copy of the photo. It was a wonderfully festive time
on the main street. Heather Riley approaches her work of art from all angles.
(Vicky Bremner photo)
County closes London Road rest area
Closed
cutting and the maintenance as long
as the county placed a portable toilet
on the site from before the Victoria
Day weekend in May until after
the Thanksgiving weekend in
October.
Don Pletch, county engineer, said
since the province downloaded
highways to the county, they've had
an agreement with the lower-tier
governments to maintain the rest
areas.
“It wasn't a major expense, and it
was something we never really
budgeted for.” he said.
“We had to decide was it
something the roads department
wanted,” he said. “We had to really
take a look at who was using the
facility.”
Campbell said that in 2004. North
Huron had a difficult time getting
any commitment from the county
regarding the rest stop.
It wasn’t until after the Canada
Day weekend that a portable toilet
was installed at the site and it was
removed shortly after the Labour
Day weekend.
Campbell said because of the
animal and human feces located
throughout the site, the person
contracted to cut the grass said they
no longer would.
He added that this year, the county
decided not to put a portable toilet at
the location.
Pletch said it came down to a
matter a funding.
“When we really look at who was
using the facility, we decided it was
something we really didn’t need,” he
said. “The money could be well
spent somewhere else.”
Pletch said the rest area was not lit
at night and people seemed to be
using it to get rid of their garbage.
He indicated the barricades were
put up to keep people from throwing
their garbage in there.
Campbell and Pletch both agreed
that there are well maintained parks
in Blyth and Wingham that have rest
room facilities.
The rest stop located north of Blyth on London Road has
been closed and barricades have been placed at each of
the accesses. (Jim Brown photo)
By Jim Brown
Citizen staff
The small rest area located along
London Road, just north of Blyth,
has been closed, with barricades
placed in entrance accesses.
Ralph Campbell. North Huron
director of public works, said the
municipality had a deal with the
county in previous years. North
Huron would look after the grass
Act of vandalism
results in $7,000
damage to SUV
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
A Wingham couple had a costly
visit through Blyth last week thanks
to some foolish people.
Patty Knox, said she and her
husband Dennis were heading north
on London Rd. at 3:10 a.m. when
they noticed something in the centre
of their lane. With a car coming in
the other direction they were unable
to avoid what turned out to be a
dark-coloured lawn ornament.
Standing upright, the cement frog
tore through the underside of their
SUV causing over $7,000 damage.
“The hole was the size of a fist.” said
Knox.
While the damage is frustrating,
Knox said what concerns her most is
what could have been. “Had it been
a higher vehicle there might have
been damage, such as a brake line,
that would not have been noticed
until later. Also what if it had been
an ambulance with someone gravely
ill on board. This is just senseless.”
The Knoxes did contact police.
Anyone with information should
contact the Huron detachment of the
OPP or Crime Stoppers.
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C)l
TO THE MEMBERS OF HEARTLAND COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
Gary Jewitt. Chair of the-Board is pleased to announce that Heartland Community Credit
Union has entered into formal discussions to pursue a merger with Woodslee Credit Union.
They service a similar marketplace in the Essex County region and have similarities to
Heartland in their history, rural and small urban focus, and commitment to communities.
Woodslee has assets of $300 million with a membership over 20,000. The combined Credit
Union would serve over 30,000 members with assets under administration of $470 million.
Dennis Wipp, the current President & Chief Executive Officer of Woodslee will continue in this
position with the new entity until his planned retirement in 2007. Jim Lynn, the current Chief
Executive Officer of Heartland, will assume the position of Executive Vice-President & Chief
Operating Officer. The Boards of Woodslee and Heartland are grateful to have two such strong,
experienced and well-respected executives to ensure the success of the new credit union.
This is an excellent strategic fit for our Credit Union as it will further strengthen long term via
bility and allow for increased services in the respective regions of both Credit Unions. The
Board and Management Team recognize that in order to expand and grow, to provide the best
products and services to members, to enhance career opportunities for employees, and to
increase support and involvement within the community, a merger with Woodslee Credit Union
is another step towards ensuring that future. Both Credit Unions play a major role within their
respective communities and by joining these two entities we increase our reach within the
region and throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Subject to full due diligence and business case analysis, a merger agreement is anticipated to
be official by December 31,2005. Prior to that, there will be several steps that will be taken to
ensure open communication with all members.
The Board and Staff are excited and proud about this announcement as we believe it supports
a vision of providing exceptional expanded services to our communities in a rapidly changing
marketplace. Members want access to an ever increasing array of competitively priced prod
ucts and services. This merger will help to ensure you have the access you deserve. We invite
you to continue with us in our journey towards a future based on traditional values of “People
before Profits" while expanding services and expertise to serve you even better!
For more information, please contact:
Jim Lynn, Chief Executive Officer
(519) 482 3466 ext 242
e-mail: jlynn@heartlandcommunitycu.on.ca
or
Gary Jewitt, Chair of the Board
(519) 482 3231