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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-06-16, Page 1Volume 21 No. 24 The Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, June 16, 2005 NH | NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC. | Inside this week p 2 B|yth Scouts"g* J present award p n Results of weekend* g* * motocross Do 1 2 More Photos from Grey CPS day Pg. 19 Pg-23 Veteran remembers Normandy Company members nominated Doors Open for first time in Brussels The first of two Doors Open Brussels is being held this Sunday in the village, in .conjunction with Fathers Day. The firefighters are also holding their annual Fathers Day break­ fast. A colour brochure produced by the Ontario Heritage Foundation for all Doors Open Ontario events will be available. The brochure has 10 Brussels landmarks, including Logan’s Mill, the public library, the railway station, the Graham Block and more will be available during the day. A brochure, compiled by the Huron East Economic Development Committee, will also be available at no charge during the day. The brochure highlights 26 sites to visit or see. It provides a brief history of Brussels and some of its outlying villages such as Walton and Cranbrook. Some of the sites are the fire hall, Melville Presbyterian Church, Oldfield Hardware store and the Leckie Hoy House, as well as others. Some of the sites mentioned in the brochure may be open on Sunday. A second Doors Open Brussels will take place Aug. 20. Huron East business growth and economic development officer Ralph Laviolette said they are looking for a large turnout of local people and visitors. The firefighters breakfast attracts over 800 people. At the Goderich-Blyth Doors Open event three weeks ago, approximately 3,500 visitors attended. An opening snip It was a great day at Grey Central on Saturday as the school parent council held its annual fun day in conjunction with the opening of the new river observation dock. Taking part in the official ribbon cutting were from left: student Joland Smith, parent Marie Blake, student Stephanie Zaba, Avon Maitland superintendent of schools Mane Parsons, former Grey principal Alice McDowell and school secretary Jennifer Cochrane. (Vicky Bremner photo) GCPS opens observation dock It was a momentous day at Grey Central Public School on Saturday as staff, students, parents and other community members gathered to celebrate the opening of the river observation dock. Principal Rob Snell welcomed everyone remarking on the dedication of a group of parent and school volunteers, and the donations of generous sponsors that helped to bring this project to fruition. “Our purpose today is to recognize and thank those whose contributions, financial or through hard work and dedication, have made this learning tool a reality.” Snell also noted that the school would soon be celebrating its 40th anniversary. “And we must credit former leaders in the school for their foresight and wisdom in carrying on the development of the learning Council discusses ways to spend grant By Jim Brown Citizen staff Fire Chief and Chief Emergency Measures Co-ordinator Marty Bedard recommended that Huron East council use the fire services grant to support two proposed projects as was recommended by the Huron County fire chiefs. The remainder of the $50,000 funding will be split among the three fire departments - Seaforth, Brussels and Grey - within the municipality, based on the number of firefighters at each station. Each station will use the money for grounds I hope you have toured today.” Special guests introduced were Avon Maitland District School Board superintendent of schools Marie Parsons, Huron East mayor Joe Seili, Grey ward councillor Alvin McLellan, former principals Paul Statia, Cheryl Peach and Alice McDowell, former teachers David Perrie, Michael Park and Marilyn Elgie, former student Francis Deitner, Esther Buck of the Mailland Valley Conservation Authority and Cathy MacDonald of the ELOA. Recognition was given to the donors: Fred and Shelley Groenstege of Ag-Co, AMDSB director Geoff Williams, Ideal Supply, Lynda McGregor of the Foundation for Enriching Education Perth, Huron, the students of Grey training, fire prevention, public education or equipment over and above what has already been budgeted. The proposed projects from the fire chiefs are a flashover unit to be placed at the Emergency Services Training Centre located in Blyth and a fire safety trailer. Bedard reported the high end of the flashover unit is about $60,000, with each municipality paying approximately 18 per cent. Huron East’s share would be $9,000. He stated this is not a firm price, but it will not be any higher. He noted that all participating Central and the school advisory council chairpersons Marie Blake and Dianne Diehl. Liz and Armand Roth were recognized for their many hours of work and donation of materials. Allen and Lynn Fretz created and donated the stand for the plaque. Barb Terpstra was described as the “heart and soul of the environmental committee”. School secretary Jennifer Cochrane is “a tireless worker and leading supporter in the school.” Credit was given to custodians Shirley and Alan Baker as well. Unveiling the plaque were Stephanie Zaba, Jolanda Smith, Liz Roth and Barb Terpstra. The ribbon was cut by Parsons, McDowell, Zaba, Smith, Blake and Jennifer Cochrane. municipalities would be able to use the unit free of charge. He added that in the past, the fire departments were going to Cambridge at a cost of $ 125 per person. The cost of the fire safety trailer will be shared by, all Huron County fire departments and will be used for fire prevention at schools, open houses, fall fairs and more. According to Bedard, the cost of the unit is approximately $30,000 or about 10 per cent per municipality. The Huron East share would be $5,000. Blyth fire chief Paul Josling Continued on page 6 AMDSB, ETFO reach tentative deal By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Six and a half hours after the passage of a provincial deadline, after nearly 24 hours of consecutive negotiations, the Avon Maitland District School Board reached a tentative deal with its elementary teachers on Thursday, June 9. At 6:30 a.m., officials from the board and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) came to terms on a four-year collective agreement, ending a nine-day work- to-rule campaign which threatened to cancel or curtail end-of-school extra-curricular activities. The Avon Maitland board had been one of nine school boards not able to reach a deal by an initial June 1 deadline established by the province, and one of just four which failed to come to terms by a subsequently-extended deadline of June 8. All four, however, signed tentative deals within the day on June 9, and were granted leeway by provincial education minister Gerard Kennedy. Kennedy had threatened to withhold extra funding for specialized teachers if boards were unable to Continued on page 24 Nurse chosen Citizen of The Year Someone who cares far beyond what’s required in her work was the choice of this year’s committee for the Brussels and Area Citizen of the Year. The nominators of Clara Blake, who has been a community nurse for 14 years, spoke of her kindness and dedication. “... care of the public is her first priority,” said one. “No day is too long or the driving too difficult to stop her smile or pleasant manner. The patients and doctors consider her a jewell.’’ “She puts a lot more into her work than what her job requires.” Blake and her husband Bob live on a farm just north of Walton. As a member of the community and as a mother and wife, she is one of the quiet workers who makes an impression in the lives she touches. “Besides being a good farm wife, she works tirelessly as a community nurse. She is well thought of by all.” The Citizen of the Year award is sponsored by The Citizen to someone selected by a committee from nominations submitted by residents. Blake’s award will be presented at a later date.