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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1997-10-15, Page 2Pet Show Results from Fall Fair See page 16 Sports High school tennis team comes up big. See page 15 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 - Seaforth, Ontario r Briefly New gavel The strange case of the mayor's missing gavel took a twist for the better just before things got underway at last Tuesday night's regu- lar meeting of Seaforth Council: The rock Mayor Johnston had to use to get council going last month was aban- doned. At first they thought it was a joke. The old wooden gavel, with the thing you bang it on, just wasn't where it always was when the mayor went to use it at a council meeting a couple of months ago. Everybody has since looked high and low. in the desks and under, but no go... and no gavel! No terrorist group has made contact or yet claimed responsibility. (I don't have it.) So Seaforth ,Works Superintendent John Forrest has taken the bull by the horns and on his own initiative fashioned a new one, with a little plaque and everything. It's nice. Looks all official. The rock went back to being a paperweight Tuesday night. No negligence When it met Tuesday night, Seaforth Council "referred to the town's lia- bility insurer" claims from a storm late last February. According to the agenda, this was recommended in a "letter from Crawford-THG, International Loss Adjusters stating that following their investigation they find no evidence of negligence on the part of the OCWA (Ontario Clean Water Agency) or its employees regarding sewage/storm water back-up in thc Town of Seaforth following thc storm on Feb. 21, 1997." Foodbank remains At last Tuesday night's meeting, Seaforth Council extended its rental agree- ment with the Seaforth and District Foodbank at Town Hall until'Dec. 31, 1998. Promotes well-being The Chair of the Huron - Perth District Health Council, Deb Campbell, and health planner Kelly,Gillis presented the "DHC's health promotion plan to council last Tuesday night. It promotes "well-being." Council endorsed it. October 15, 1997 -- $1.00 includes GST Giant Kippen pumpkin a winner BY CALE COWAN SSP News Staff He wasn't first, but it's obvious Grant McGregor of Kippen is still pretty happy with his pumpkin. "Everybody likes to be No. I, but it's not bad at all being second," said McGregor, referring to his recent sec- ond -place ranking at the Port Elgin Pumpkinfest. His enormous vegetable weighed in at 785 -and -a -half pounds, just over 16 pounds off the winning mark set by Wendy Veens of Arkona, who grew hers to 802 pounds. Sure there was some finan- cial reward in it for Veens, but as McGregor said before he headed up the coast, he wasn't in it for the money. Speaking from his Kippen- area patch — graciously pro- vided.by Wayne and Pat McBride - just before load- ing his pumpkin Oct. 3, McGregor talked proudly of his pumpkin. "I'm happy. They don't come along like that too often," he said of his pale orange monster. "Usually they split." It's just the third year grow- ing the big boys for McGregor, but he's learned quickly. He's picked up some of the tricks of the trade, but going in, he knew the compe- tition from Arkona would be stiff. "They grow some big. pumpkins down there. But I think mine is just as good," he said. Looking back, his words couldn't have been. more prophetic. McGregor was leading the competition when ' weighing began Oct. 11, but the Vicens pumpkin came in late for the dramatic finish. The pumpkin began its life in the McGregor's Hensall home, the product of a cross between two hefty parents — a 946 -pounder and whopping I,006 -pounder. He picked up the seed for the 946 -pound mother after joining. thc Greater Pumpkin Confederation. Rac BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff There is a race for mayor in Seaforth, but all othgr candi- dates for the town's next council have been acclaimed before the municipal elec- tions across Ontario in early November. Nominations closed Friday at 5 p.m.. Candidates who might wish to withdraw had until 5 p.m. Tuesday to do jo, after this paper went to PHOTO BY CALE COWAN BIG PUMPKIN - Grant McGregor of Kippen is pictured here with his 785 -and -a -half pound pumpkin which captured second place at Port Elgin's recent Pumpkinfest. That's where genetics came into play as McGregor han- dled the cross-pollination himself. "It seems to be a pretty good cross because it didn't split," he reasoned. "But there's no guarantee of any- thing." Even though his pumpkin grew nicely, it may, have turned out to be nothing more than a nice jack -o -lantern. press. Incumbent Irwin Johnston is seeking a second term as Seaforth's mayor. A new- comer to municipal politics, .David Scott, a playwright and the editor of The. Huron Expositor, is also running for mayor. Current Reeve Bill Bennett did not put his name in the ring after almost a quarter- century on town council. Coun. Brian Ferguson has been acelaaimed as Seaforth's new reeve, as has incumbent But once that growth spurt hits during the humid days of August -- if you can avoid the dreaded split — you know if you've got a con- tender. But while McGregor scien- tifically applies all the right manure and nutrients and protects his pumpkin from the elements, he admits there is one other thing that's need- ed in generous amounts. The next council will be made up of three incumbents - Couns. John Ball, Michael Hak and Heather Robinet and newcomer Lin Steffler,, who nevertheless is well known in political circles locally and is currently a member of Seaforth's Police Services Board. Incumbents Joe Steffler and Jim Sills have been acclaimed to the Seaforth Public Utility Commission. There are two candidates - "You need a lot of luck." he confessed. Beyond that. he said start- ing with good seeds (he obvi- ously had that) and preparing your ground (he was hoeing every day). will up your chances and diminish the luck factor. Soil testing and rich fertiliz- er are key elements it the mixture as well, combined Race on for mayore ofbeined Bob Allen and Abby Armstrong - for the one pub- lic board of education trustee position that will represent Seaforth, Clinton, Bayfield., Blyth, Tuckersmith, Hufiett, McKillop and Stanley. Vince Mclnnes has been acclaimed as the trustee for the Huron -Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board representing Seaforth, McKillop, Perth East, North Perth, Grey, Brussels and Howick. CONTiNI i1P nn nano 14 First time in Ontario Seaforth picked for pilot project for business • expansion Seaforth has been picked as a pilot project for a busi- ness expansion and reten- tion program in which OMAFRA will provide its services free. Jane Muegge of the Clinton office of the provin- cial agriculture ministry said "this was the first time this has taken place in Ontario," according to minutes of the Seaforth community action committee's Oct. 2 meeting. Brock Vodden from Blyth, who "has experience with general management con- sulting and productivity improvement for compa- nies, among other things" attended. Muegge explained "OMAFRA staff have been studying small communities in the U.S. as a model" and "is offering a training course for two committee members in Guelph, Nov. 4 to 6. "OMAFRA is willing to provide Seaforth with their time, money, training staff assistance and help in creat- ing the evaluation tools." According to minutes of the meeting, "Joe Steffler asked what the project would cost, noting the infor- mation indicates it could cost $15,000" before "Muegge explained that OMAFRA will provide their service free" and, Seaforth administrator Jim Crocker said that "the town has a budget for economic devel- opment now, and they would have to continue to have one in the future. The committee last met before the Huron County Road Superintendents' Trade Show in June, and produced some brochures And an information booth that "received lots of posi- tive comments." At this more recent meet- ing it established a loose organization for this busi- ness retention and expan- sion committee, as follows: Chair of the leadership team, Joe Steffler; media co-ordinator/team, Gwen Devereaux, Liz Cardno, Mike Hak; business resources co-ordinator/ team, Luke Janmaat, Marlen Vincent, Ken Campbell; and milestone meeting co-ordi- nator/team, Cathy Garrick, Jim Crocker and John Hunt. Council approved the memorandum of under- standing at last Tuesday night's meeting. SIMPLY THE BEST...C,dRLSON WAGONLIT ELLISON TRAVEL JUNE BALL LAURIE RUSSELL KRISTYN DARLING BONNIE SiTTER SARAH DARLING JULIE CAMPBELL Visit Our website at www.ettravel.com •Click on Travgl Library