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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-01-14, Page 1HP Black CARTR1 y$39 #51629AC ETE ER C ain St., Seafo 027-1681 Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 $1.25 includes GST Tony Arts CFP, CLU, CH F. C. Chartered Financial Consultant Please call for your no of ligation consultation today! 0 kithroilesd 1 Man Ieim 15 Main St. Seaforth f 527-0794 In brief Huron OPP warn they're starting to lay charges in snow - related offences With 24 Huron County drivers charged last week for failing to obey road closure signs, Huron OPP are giving warning that they will be laying charges in snow -related offences. "Last week, when roads were closed in the area, several people continued to drive on those roads, coming close to the loss of life and injury of others," said Huro/j( OPP Sr. Const. Don Shropshall in a recent press release. He said the 24 drivers caught driving on closed highways received $110 fines and three demerit points on their driver's licences. Shropshall said police are also receiving complaints from the Huron County roads department about people throughout the county emptying snow from their driveways into the roadways and people parking on roadways and interfering with snowplowing. He said depositing ice or snow on a roadway is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act and can cause dangerous icy sections on the road. "If your snow clearing operations cause or contribute towards a crash, you may be held personally liable for your actions.," he said in a press release. Fines of $20 to $100 can also be charged under the Highway Traffic Act to those parking on the roadway and interfering with the clearing of that road. Shropshall said that while no one has yet been charged with blocking the roadways or clearing snow onto the roadways, police may start laying charges throughout Huron. By Susan Hundertmark Main Street apartment has fire... Page a I • Seaforth voleyball Wing strong filer 15 yecrs... pipe 11 Year in Review, 2003... page II, 5and 6 Seaforth trust resists change to agreement By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor While. the Seaforth community development trust has agreed to Huron East council's requests for monthly minutes, quarterly financial statements, an audit by the municipal auditor and a public meeting for Seaforth taxpayers in the spring, it is resisting any changes to the actual trust agreement. "They can't amend the trust agreement. It's not legal," said Seaforth Coun. Lou Maloney during last Thursday's meeting of the trust, the first since November's municipal election, which included an invitation to the Huron Expositor. A draft amendment to the'bylaw Huron East council passed almost two years ago to create the Seaforth trust was discussed both at Huron East council last Tuesday and at the trust's meeting last Thursday. Huron East Mayor Joe Seili attended Thursday's meeting with the newly -formed trust, which'includes Seaforth's councillors, former members Alf Ross, Jim Sills and Doug Elliott along with new members Maureen Agar and Dave Preszcator. Both Seaforth councillors told Seili at the trust meeting that they did not want council to vote on the draft amendment at council's next meeting Jan. 20 because they were told by the trust's lawyer Fred Leitch that council Seo SEAFORTH, Page 2 Steckle, Ur call emergency BSE Commons debate By Matt Shame Goderich Signal -Star Editor Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle and Lambton-Kent- Middlesex MP Rose -Marie Ur last week called for an emergency Commons debate on the BSE crisis after DNA tests confirmed the U.S. case of mad cow originated in Canada. "The farming community is hurting very, very, very deeply today because of this beef issue," Steckle said. "We need to give some sort of encouragement or at least some confidence in the farm community that the government in Canada hears and knows what's going on in this issue." Steckle said the all -party emergency debate surrounding BSE would assist farmers and related industries by providing consumers with accurate and up-to-date information on this subject. "This is not a political issue in thc sense that it's a Liberal or Conservative issue," Steckle said. "This is an issue that confounds all of us arid we're all involved in this. I think we would be remised if we as government members did not put forward the request to the speaker for such a debate." See POLITICAL, Page 9 Sara Campbell photo It's downhill from here Melissa Whaling along with Josh and Sam Butt, all of Seaforth, found a hill made by the snow plowed behind the Seaforth legion for some tobogganing fun Wednesday during one of two snow days last week. Winter weather closes local schools Tuesday, Wednesday Most schools in Huron and Perth Counties were closed last Tuesday and Wednesday. but Perth was hit harder by the winter storm, said Steve Howe, director of communications for the Avon Maitland District School Board. While every school in Pcrth County was closed, Howe said out of the ) elementary school in Huron County only two in Godcrich remained open but with no buses. Goderich District Collegiate Institute South and Huron District High School in Exctcr also remained open with no buses. "When making thc decision of whcthcr or not to close schools, which is made by thc principals and bus lines, it is based on weather patterns, road conditions and safety of the students," said Howe. "The decisions are always going to be questioned by parents but our priority is the students' safety." Seaforth Public School principal Kim Black said that teachers should have no trouble catching up on thc work that was missed during last week's two snow days. "Snow days arc never really desirable but we do have to have them to ensure the safety of thc students and the staff," she agreed. Larry Langan. education director of the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board, said only a few town schools remained open but all buses were cancelled during thc winter blast last Tuesday and Wednesday. "Missing so many days of school is a concern but when it comes to snow days, the safety of thc students comes first." he said. Seaforth skateboard park proposed, new hospital alliance has first meeting in 2003 July 2, 2003 Marg Cressman, of Seaforth, had just dropped off to sleep around 1 a.m. on a hot summer night last Thursday when a huge crash shook her Centre Street house. A Huron OPP police report said the driver of the truck, who left the scene and has not been identified yet, had been seen racing another truck down Main Street N. and lost control of the truck before crashing into Cressman's house. Seaforth parents John and Susie Ryan are hoping to give local skateboarders, bikers and roller bladers a place of their own. The Ryans are spearheading new efforts to create an all -wheels park in Seaforth. As their first step, the couple submitted a letter to Huron East council Huron East council is Considering hiring a consultant to give it a "report card" measuring its first term of office as an amalgamated community. Consultant Hugh Thomas was hired by Huron County council to do a similar report a few years ago. Huron and Perth Counties are one step closer to establishing a local branch of the Autism Society of Ontario (ASO). More than a dozen supporters, mostly parents, attended an information meeting last week, generating enough support to make a Huron - Perth ASO chapter. worthwhile. July 9, 2003 At the urging of Sun -North president Dan Lampert, thc Seaforth Cooperative Children's Centre is again hoping to erect a new building at its new location on the grounds of the former Seaforth District High. School. While approving testing of Year In Review, 2003 the existing well at Welsh Street that could begin a $1.7 million upgrade of the Seaforth water system, Huron East council also agreed to approach thc province for financial assistance. The Huron -Perth Hospital Alliance had its first official board meeting last week after all four hospitals in Seaforth, St. Marys, Clinton and Stratford changed its bylaws to form one board at each of its annual meetings in June. Seaforth's Boyd Devereaux was married to Leah Coebel at St. Mark's Church in . Kitchener on Saturday during what his mom Lorraine called "a magical day." July 9, 2003 Central Huron council voted against the proposed 100 per cent smoking ban, ,sending the failed motion hack to Huron County council. Council eventually passed a motion that recommended exemptions for longterm care and psychiatric facilities. A week after Wes Vick, 22. of Dublin, was paralysed from the waist down after a dirt bike accident on July 6. - the community has initiated three fundraising events for the Vick family. The opposition Liberals are accusing the Ontario government of silencing a report that details the costs for farmers to comply with new nutrient management legislations. Helen Johns, Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, said that report - the George Morris Centre study - is no longer valid because regulations have been changed following consultation. Members of the congregation of First Lutheran Church worked together to create the 400 - hale maze for the church's week-long vacation Bible school. July 23, 2003 While it's been close to 18 months since Huron East passed a motion forming the Seaforth community development trust to administer thc $1.4 million from the sale of thc Seaforth PUC, council is still waiting for thc trust's annual financial report for the year 2002. Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle expressed frustration and outrage that beef trade between Canada and the United States has not yet resumed. Last month Japan became- the latest country to enter the debate when they asked the U.S. and 25 other countries to certify that Ito imported beef could be traced to countries where mad cow disease has been found — including Canada. t1;N SAMI,-UX P