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The Huron Expositor, 1996-08-07, Page 1Rabies Ministry of Natural Resources prepares for raccoon bait drop. See page 3 Hibbert Celebrates Photos of the weekend's 150th festivities are featured on two pages. See pages 6 & 7 Theatre CANADIAN TNgAAAA Blyth's final play openCompany sets and Young BLYTII to perform. See page 13 1 V A L Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 — Seaforth, Ontario By September 1997 Huron and Perth health units to merge BY MICHELE GREENE SSP News Staff Public health services in Huron and Perth counties will be managed by one health unit by September 1997. On Friday, the Perth Disrict Health Unit and the Huron County Health Unit announced they will merge their services. A merger steer- ing committee will be estab- lished to determine its struc- ture. "Our boards decided to ini- tiate a merger in Perth and Huron. This will achieve sav- ings, integrate services and guarantee the continuation of health services," said Katherine Rae, chairperson of the Perth District Health Unit and StriEtford city.councillor: Ron Murray, chairperson of the Huron County Health Unit, said services will con- tinue to be offered out of the existing Clinton and Stratford offices. Savings are expected from the elimination of one board, reducing senior administra- tion and by sharing services of specialized personnel, such as an epidemelogist. Also, alarger health unit is expected to increase its buying power. The merger will help the two health units deal with the expect 15 per cent cuts in government funding, said Rae. The merging of Huron and Perth was a natural decision, according to the two chairs. "The natural place for Huron has always been with Perth. We already do partner- ships with Perth." said Murray. The Huron County Health Unit was discussing merger with thc Lambton County Health Unit. The Perth District Health Unit was also considering amalgamation with the Oxford County Health Unit. Employees were informed of the decision on Friday morning. Murray said the health units intend on addressing the change with staff in a fair and open man- ner. Murray pre-trial Pre-trial motions on sec- ond-degree murder charges against 46 -year-old Steve Murray of Goderich arc scheduled to begin Jan. 20. This was decided in court at Goderich Friday. Murray remains in jail for breaking hail His daughter Mistic disap- peared on May 31, 1995. Plane goes down The pilot and one of six passengers, all skydivers, were treated and released at Exeter hospital Sunday after their plane left the runway on takeoff at Grand Bend and descended into a nearby cornfield. The incident took place at approximately 4:15 p.m. The Transportation Board of Canada, together with the Ontario Provincial Police, arc investigating to determine thc cause. ,1 August 7, 1996 — 75 Cents Plus GST PHOTO BY MICHELE GREENE WEEKEND A SUCCESS - Hibbert Township celebrated its sesquicentennial on the Civic Holiday long weekend. Most of the weekend's events took place in Dulbin, including the parade which started at 11 a.m. Over 170 entries were a part of the parade which lasted almost two hours. People started. arriving for the parade by 9 a.m. and the streets were Tined with Iawnchairs by 10:30 a.m. Everyone was excited about it, including these children. Hibbert Township's Sesquicentennial Over 2,000 celebrate in Dublin BY MICHELE GREENE & DAVID SCOTT "If we could make make a new friend or bring hack some memories, it was all worth it," said Andy MacLean, co -chairperson of the Hibbert Sesquicentennial Committee. The Huron Expositor part of employee buyout of Toronto Sun The Huron Expositor was, sold for the second time in eight months on Friday. On December 1, 1995, Scaforth's weekly newspaper since 1860 was sold to Bowes Publishers, in London. The weekly newpaper publisher is owned by the Toronto Sun Publishing Corp. which is a part of the Rogers Communications Inc. con- glomerate. Last Friday. employees of the Toronto Sun Publishing Corp. struck a tentative deal with Rogers to buy the company. The management -led group offered the highest bid for the publish- ing company. which includes 10 daily newspapers, The Financial Post, Bowes Publishers and 10 specialty maga- zines. Rogers sold the publishing division to pay down its dcht. "This is great news for Bowes Publishing and our success- ful hid.will allow us to he in control of our destiny," said W.R. Dempsey, CEO of Bowes Publishers. The price to he offered is $16 per share. The offer is sup- ported by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and CiBC Wood Gundy Capital. The deal is tentative but is expected he sealed unless someone offers $16.50 or more a share prior to Nov. 8. "Wc arc delighted the management and employees of The Sun arc part of thc successful bid. They have built this com- pany over 25 years and it is fitting they now have the opportu- nity to continue on as owner -operators," said Ted Rogers, president and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc. On June 7, Paul Godfrey, Sun CEO announced the 12 - member management committee was launching a bid to buy the company on behalf of the employees. "it's been a long, uphill climb with a lot of rough spots along the way but the view from the top looks awfully good right about now," he -said Friday. Other newpapers of thc former Signal -Star Publishing group also affected by the sale include The Huron Expositor, The Mitchell Advocate, The Clinton News -Record, Goderich Signal -Star, Lakeshore Advance in Zurich, Lucknow Sentinel, Walkerton Herald -Times, Kincardine News, Shoreline News in Port Elgin, Focus and Bruce Journal. Over 2,000 people took part in Hibbert's Sesquicentennial celebrations over the Civic Holiday weekend. By Sunday afternoon, it was obvious new friendships had been made, old friendships had been rekindled and a lot of memo- ries came back. "Just like Kevin Costner said in the movie Field of Dreams, 'if you build it, they will come.' You came and for that we are eternally grate- ful," said Bob Harris, Homecoming committee co- chairpersgp. He said 500 people were expected on Friday night for the talent show, opening cere- mony and dance but 700 peo- ple actually came. The crowd was entertained with over two hours of talent from singers, dancers ad musicians. During the opening cere- monies, several local politi- cians wished Hibbert a Happy 150th birthday, including: Perth -Wellington -Waterloo MP John Richardson, Perth County Warden and Logan Reeve John Van Bakel, Fullarton Reeve Don Hocking, McKillop Reeve Ron Murray, Usbourne Reeve Pat Down, Tuckersmith Reeve Bill Carnochan, Seaforth Mayor Irwin Johnston and Mitchell Mayor Hugh McCaughey, a native of Hibbert. Hibbert Reeve Walter McKenzie welcomed the crowd to the beginning of a weekend everyone will remember. He also asked the crowd to remember those who went before them and settled Hibbert Township. Winners of the beard -grow- ing contest were announced Friday night. Gordon Colquhon had the bushiest beard as well as the longest.. "It shows we are burying one. Bob Hamilton's beard old prejudices. It's great to was the whitest and Ivan see us get together," he said. Norris had the blackest beard. Harris said Hibbert's early Gary Elston's beard was the settlers would have been most colorful and the best proud of how the whole town - trimmed beard belonged to ship came together. Frank Louwagie. The most "The pioneer settlers had to unique beard was worn by rely on help from their neigh- bors and that's what we pro- vided over the last two years," he said. During the two years of planning, Harris said Hibbert residents carne to know each other better. "Thc good friends you made become like brothers and sisters," he said. The Sesquicentennial coni= mittee presented Hibbert Reeve Walter McKenzie with an oak tree in honour of the 150th anniversary. It will be planted by thc flagpole at the the Dublin Community Centre along with a plaque. "I thought it would be fit- ting to have a celebration in honor of Hibbert's sesquicen- tennial. Council wanted it to he community driven. The community has done a super job," said McKenzie, at Sunday's closing ceremonies. He said nothing is certain in this current climate of change with amalgamation in the air. But he assured the crowd dur- ing the closing ceremonies, "There will always be a Hibbert." Ross Schoonderwoerd, who shaved 'Hibbert' under his chin. Out of all the competi- tors, the judges felt Ivan Norris' beard suited him the best. A dance to local bands ended Friday night's events. People started pouring into Dublin by 9 a.m. Saturday to watch the "largest parade Dublin has even seen," said McKenzie. Beginning at. 11 a.m., the two hour parade included about 170 entries. Displays in St. Patrick's School, Dublin, and an out- door display attracted specta- tors. The volleyball tourna- mcnt involved 14 teams. Dave Kelis, of Mitchell, won the signature quilt. Bob Carbert, native to Hibbert and a retired farm broadcaster, drew the winner's name. The committee planned to feed 1,000 people at the beef barbecue on Saturday but 1,700 hungry people got in line. MacLean said he got his pancake breakfast on Sunday at 3 p.m. Although 500 peo- ple were expected for break- fast,there were 1,000 people who showed up. John Schoondcrwoerd, co - chairperson of the Sesquicentennial committee, said thc weekend went beyond expectations. it was rewarding for Schoonderwoerd to sec the people of Hibbert come together especially at the interdenominational church service on Sunday moming. Although the Sesquicentennial celebration weekend ended on Sunday afternoon, MacLean said the celebrations are not over. "The special events com- mittee started off the year with a New Year's Dancc. They are going to wrap it up with another New Year's dance. The enthusiasm in this little township is unreal" he said.