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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2003-12-10, Page 66 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR. DECEMBER /0, 2003 When It Comes To Protecting Your Assets.... Tum to the Professionals at GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS INC. - ALLAN CARTER Specializing in • Farm — Commercial — Auto -- Property 5 MAIN STREET, SOUTH SEAFORTH, ON (519)627-2500 ift �o e,► Mo+tw,10 F.a r 8:an.m • a ao am - OR br .apoa+nwlr it needed "ideated IN t!e 's 'mutt °j lievetsa &west M 4 LBERT STREET :NITRE CLINIC Denture Specialist Dean R. McTaggart D.D. Complete and Partial Dentures Denture Repairs Relines - Additions 482-1195 50 ALBERT STREET CLINTON News Mitchell hopes to help municipalities as she begins new role as local MPP By Jennifer Hubbard Goderich Signal -Star Staff Huron County residents chose change on Oct. 2 and recently -elected Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell said that's exactly what they're going to get. "There ' s definitely no shortage of issues. It's all about working our way through them. Yes, it can be mind boggling, but we have to deal with those issues in a systematic way because there are limited resources," Mitchell said Friday from her Goderich constituency office. "That's not an excuse, it's a reality of a $5.6 billion deficit. We have to be efficient because we have to move forward." Just two months after she defeated Conservative incumbent Helen Johns by over 3,000 votes, Mitchell is facing a schedule full of events and assignments. Swom into the new Liberal government Oct. 27, Mitchell was appointed as parliamentary assistant to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steve Peters. She is also a member of the Health and Social Services Committee. Just two days after she was elected, Mitchell attended her first public event as Huron - Bruce's MPP, Port Elgin Pumpkin Fest's pumpkin seed spitting contest. Throughout the holiday season she will be participating in a total of seven Santa Claus parades and attending numerous dinners. "I'm out there, but there's only one of me in this huge riding. I can be out at 100 events, but not everyone will see me," she said. "But I am really trying to be accountable to my constituents, because that's what it's all about." In addition to her duties in the riding and as Peters' assistant, Mitchell will be travelling throughout the province as part of a study into renewable energy sources. "I will be busy, but I've always been busy," she explained. "I like having 100 things on the go at once. That's when I'm happiest — so right now, I'm very happy." Mitchell attended her first caucus meeting Nov. 24, enjoying the "verbal play" between MPPs during question period. "It's certainly a lot different than what I'm used to," she commented. "I believe our democracy is the best in the world, but it certainly can be Carol M itchell Be/I Wvr/d llt'i•i'('hristttlati from Bell! I! \\,)rl(1 tiltirr 11 yo uu Belleville Quince Mall (613) 968-8048 Owen Sound Heritage Place Mall (519)571.8221 Midland Mounlainview Mall (705)527-6424 Goderich Suncoast Mall (5t9) 440-0425 Ufg (1(' (if( LEATHER ; '::''C. LET OUR ABUNDANT STAFF HELP YOU WRAP UP CHRISTMAS! • THURSDAY. DEC&✓1BER 18...9-9 r+EEPSKIN SL'.FFEPS • LEATHEP !. .:C:• :':, • '.E:.EIIER'r • LEATHER PURSES & LUGGAGE • LINGERIE • CRYSTAL TOMMv & P'\ PTS:'WE:..O • ROD' ,r',TION5 • CANDLES *-SWITCHPLATES • AND SO MUCH MORE! 1 Mile South of Blyth on Highway 4 519-523-4595 The flu shot. It's free. Now, it's easier. This year, many employers are offering workplace clinics to make it easier for you to get your free flu shot. As well, many local pharmacies are h9lding clinics so you can get the shot when you shop. We have all seen how serious infedious diseases can be. Getting your. free flu shot is a good way to protect yourself, protect your family and protect the people you work with. You can also see your doctor or call for a clinic near you. 1 -866 -FLU -'N -YOU TTY 1-800-387-5559 www.health.gov on.ca messy. I'm a true parliamentarian and I think it's exciting." Mitchell added she is also excited about working with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. "Dalton is first and foremost a family man. He is raising four children and is a committed hard worker," she commented. "He is determined to leave Ontario a better place." One project Mitchell is looking forward to, tackling is an infrastructure review that could create one -point access for municipalities when it comes to applying for provincial • and federal funding. "Municipalities spend their lives chasing a buck. Those dollars are important to our communities and we want to make sure we get our fair share," she said. "And if we can get that money any easier, it's a very positive change." Mitchell has taken over the lease on Johns' Goderich constituency office at 50 South St. in Goderich until the end of the year. In January she'll be moving out of Goderich to open offices in Clinton and Kincardine. "From Bruce nuclear to the farming industry, the riding is very diverse, and that's a strength," she said. "We want to bring our staff to the people, rather than have people come to us, but since Bruce hasn't had a constituency office for such a long time, it'll take a little bit to get a schedule set up and find out what works." Mitchell recently hired Colborne Township resident Laura Herman as her legislative assistant, but is still looking for an executive assistant. However, the process may take a little longer than initially expected because she's hoping to hire someone from the riding. "Part of our role in Toronto is to deal with constituency needs within the riding, so staff members need to have a knowledge of the riding. We need someone that knows where Dungannon is," she said. "We have a lot of geography and it's important that the Toronto staff understand where the constituents are coming from." In time, Mitchell said she's hoping to set up a schedule so constituents will know where and when to find her, but right now she's still getting accustomed to life as MPP. "Our whole family is still adjusting, even my dog and cat," she laughed. "I got home last night just before 12 o'clock and the dog and cat were right on top of me." And when it comes to the remainder of her term as MPP, Mitchell's goals are simple. "In my mind the role of an MPP is to represent and strengthen the riding of Huron -Bruce. I'm here to serve the people of Huron and Bruce Counties and do everything I can to help." Seaforth Library offers Internet training By Sara Campbell Expositor Staff Need help with an email account or having difficulties searching the internet? Mary Katherine Whelan is offering free internet training at the Seaforth Library through the Community Access Program (CAP). "Anyone having trouble not finding what they want or are getting blocked or just having difficulties I can try to help," said Whelan. The 17 -year-old, daughter of Jim and Maria, of Seaforth, said she learned about the trainer position ,when her mother brought home a flyer from the library. She said she went for an interview and within a week started her job. "I love working with computers so I thought why not give it a try," she said. Jane Hundey, acting branch supervisor, said there was an increasing demand for internet training in Huron County. "She's (Whelan) doing an excellent job and we're getting great feedback from people," said Hundey. Hundey said CAP is funded through Industry Canada which provides affordable access to the internet in schools, community centres and libraries, including the Huron County branches. Whelan said the people who come to her for help am adults or seniors and return for help regularly. She said most of those people don't or do have an email account and want to learn how to better use it, or those who want to find how to better search the internet. Ma Ty therine elan Ka Wh When Whelan is not helping someone, she can be seen cleaning the hard drives of the library computers or designing a web page for the Huron County Road Watch program. "All the people who were hired to be trainers all have different interest and were given a different position to do. With my knowledge of website design I am preparing this site," she said. She added .that she hopes to have the site completed before the end of job term but it will have to be approved by her supervisor and may have public accessible until a later date. "I'm really enjoying my work. I hope to learn more here than I already know to help me be more' confident when I enter my second semester," she said. "And, helping other people is always a good feeling." Although Whelan said she does enjoy working with computers she is planning to attend university next fall for visual arts. • "Knowing computers will always be an necessity, to everyone, and will always be learning. ScI I'm glad to be here and be able to learn more," she said. Whelan is available at the library Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5 - 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 -2 p.m.