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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-20, Page 2EXETER - The Huron County Christmas Bureau will get a boost next week (Nov. 27) as community newspapers across the county take part in the Christmas bag program for the fifth year. In next week’s Times- Advocate, subscribers will find a brown paper bag sponsored by this newspa- per and several businesses and industries. Printed on the bag, along with sponsor information, are details of where each of the county bureaus are located and times gifts and food can be dropped off. It also provides informa- tion for people who may need help this Christmas on how to reach the bureau and register. Each year, the bureau collects food and gifts that assist more than 1,000 children and their families across the county. “We can’t say enough about this program because it’s of tremendous help to the Christmas Bureau,” says Joan Van den Broer, community relations officer for the Huron County Children’s Aid. “Even if people don’t use the bags, they’re a big reminder to donate to the Christmas Bureau and people do need to be reminded,” she says. Spearheaded by the Seaforth Huron Expositor, the Seaforth Lions Club and the Seaforth Agricultural Society, news- papers across the county joined forces to promote the use of the bags. Van den Broer antici- pates an increase in the need for the Christmas Bureau this year. “Things are getting more expensive and there’s been no relief from gov- ernment for families. The number of children in poverty is holding and growing. It’s quite dis- graceful, really,” she says. She adds that while it’s not as visible in rural areas, poverty exists in Huron County as much as it does in Toronto. “It’s not as concentrated locally so people think it’s not here but it is,” she says. Always of particular need are items for teenagers, often over- looked by people who enjoy picking out chil- dren’s toys when thinking of donating to the bureau. Van den Broer suggests that cash donations allow bureau shoppers to buy for teenagers. She also suggests taking children and teens, who are more likely to know what others their age want as Christmas gifts, when shopping for the bureau. “Shopping for the bureau will become part of your family’s Christmas tradition forever and your kids will grow up to be altruistic. We did that with our children and it really works,” she says. Van den Broer says the need is so broad that even small gifts are welcome. “If you can’t give a lot, give a bit. We always need new socks and under- wear,” she says. This year, Christmas bureaus are located at Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle in Exeter, Bethel Bible Church in Seaforth, Wesley-Willis United Church in Clinton, North Street United Church in Goderich and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Wingham. • stores should be at a traffic-lit corner on a major artery; • stores should be 14,000 to 16,500 sq. ft.; • parking for a minimum of 70 vehicles, and; • easy access for trans- port truck receiving. In choosing a site, Davis said the site at highways 4 and 83 is the only ade- quate site. He said the for- mer Canadian Tire loca- tion on Main Street and the old valu-mart building aren’t suitable. “Locating downtown is simply not an option,” Davis said, adding Shoppers feels moving to Westerhout’s property is the best for Shoppers and the community. Another concern was expressed in a letter from property owner Susan Wilson, whose parents Joe and Mary Thompson live in a house beside and north of the Westerhout property. Wilson request- ed a planting or buffer strip between the proper- ties, adequate drainage of surface water, and direc- tional lighting. Davis said he has talked to Wilson and fencing and landscap- ing will be installed and the drainage dealt with. When it came time for the public and council to voice their concerns, traf- fic was the big issue. Residents were worried about the impact to Orchard Street and the increase of traffic and accidents in the area. It was pointed out by a member of the public that sometimes traffic on Main Street is backed up to Exeter Chrysler. Councillors Drew Robertson, Joe Hogan, Pete Armstrong and Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin also expressed concern about increased traffic at the intersection. Davis said a traffic analysis will be done. He added the new Shoppers won’t increase traffic at all, it will simply mean more cars will be turning into the Shoppers. “It’s not benefi- cial for us to frus- trate our cus- tomers,” Davis said. “We’ll do everything we can to deal with (traffic).” Mayor Rob Morley said traffic will have to be dealt with in the development agreement. Morley added there is a possibility Main Street will be expanded into four lanes at the north end of town. Davis also assured coun- cil the public stormwater management will be dealt with. One member of the audi- ence who recently moved from Sault Ste. Marie said a new Shoppers was recently built in that city with similar concerns as the proposed Exeter Shoppers. He said it was a success and the company dealt with the issues, leav- ing the residents happy. Davis said he views the concerns as “challenges” and he and Shoppers Drug Mart will meet them and return to council. Another public meeting will be held when Shoppers has addressed the issues. Armstrong said the entrance to the lot is a big issue and Robertson added, “there are a lot of loose ends that need to be cleaned up (in the propos- al).” 2 Exeter Times–Advocate2 Wednesday, November 20, 2002Exeter Times–Advocate Regional wrap up C.O.P.Corner (Community Oriented Policing) IS IT LEGAL FOR DELIVERY TRUCKS TO DOUBLE PARK ON EXETER MAIN ST. ? Huron OPP says no! It is illegal for drivers to park anywhere but in an available parking space. Otherwise they are double parked. If you come up behind a parked vehicle on a main road, the OPP suggest treating it like a broken down vehicle and carefully pass- ing when it is safe to do so. I F YOU WANT A QUESTION ANSWERED, LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR JOANNE MORGAN AT 234-6605 OR E -MAIL SFORSTER@SOUTHHURON.COM. JOANNE MORGAN C.O.P. CORNER Fire cadets proposed NORTH MIDDLESEX – The North Middlesex fire committee will consider a fire cadets program. The Parkhill Gazette reports participants age 16-18 would get the same rigourous fire-fighting training as adults. Auxiliary firefighters can control crowds and man the fire department radios but not fight fires. Items missing THORNDALE – The Thorndale Women’s Institute replaced four steam kettles, some pans and a sign reminding people not to remove anything from their kitchen. The St. Marys Journal Argus reports the previous sign had also been removed. Eisler retires SEAFORTH – Lloyd Eisler and Isabelle Brasseur performed to sell-out crowds Nov. 9 in the Seaforth arena for the last time in Eisler’s home town before retirement. The Huron Expositor reports Eisler thanked the town for its sup- port at the Seaforth Figure Skating Club Carnival ‘Our Super Heroes’. Eating disorder help CLINTON – The Huron-Grey-Bruce Outreach Eating Disorder Program was launched out of the Clinton Community Psychiatric Service office. According to the Clinton News-Record, the program targets 12 to 18-year-olds with anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Femicide reality GODERICH – The Huron and Perth Domestic Abuse Review Team (DART) held open house Nov. 8 in the Goderich Art Gallery. The Goderich Signal- Star reports November is ‘Violence Against Women Prevention Month’ but the Goderich women’s shelter has been run- ning at over-capacity since April.Christmas- time is when abused women see the differ- ence between ideal- ized families and reali- ty. CORRECTION NOTICE We wish to draw your attention to the following in our current ‘Canadian Tire’ flyer. Page 21 - Item 3 - Blood Pressure Monitor, 43-9320- 2 Copy reads: Reg. 99.99. Sale 79.99. Save 20%. Should read: Reg. 129.99. Sale 103.99. Save 20%. We sincerely regret any inconvenience we may have caused you. Cnote D347/02 - All zones Office / Home Office Good Selection JERRY MATHERS LTD. 92 Main St. S. EXETER 235-1840 Printer Cartridges & Supplies CHAIRS • CHAIRS Council expresses concern with new Shoppers Drug Mart Continued from front page ance coverage. Stephen Township and Exeter fire departments responded to the blaze. Morgan said over 20 firefight- ers were on the scene for nearly four hours. Neighbour Catherine Weber told the Times-Advocate donation boxes for monetary contributions to the fami- ly are set up at Holtzmann’s IGA in Exeter, Jem Variety in Crediton, Food Town in Huron Park, Metzger Meats in Hensall and Seyler’s Food Land in Zurich. Fire destroys home Look for Christmas Bureau bags in next week’s edition “Locating downtown is simply not an option,” JACK DAVIS, LONDON CONSULTANT REPRESENTING WESTERHOUT AND SHOPPERS DRUG MART, Continued from front page