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Huron Expositor, 2004-08-25, Page 6OFIr II -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Aug. 25, 2004 News Seaforth paralegal opens own Clinton office By Hilary Long student reporter Paralegal Liz Mason has finally opened her own practice after five years in the making. Mason, of Seaforth, said that her office in Clinton, which opened on July 5, has been in planning for a number of years. She said that she started her journey by working at a credit bureau in Stratford in collections. From there she went to Westervelt College in London in 2000. She graduated in 2001 from the paralegal program. After school she started working for the late Beecher Menzies, until he retired in 2003 after 48 years of service. Mason, whose service is located above Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell's office. worked at Menzies as an office administrator and assistant paralegal. She said the building was a law office prior to Menzies. "The building is rich in history," she said adding she wanted to continue the legal heritage. Mason stressed that a paralegal is not a lawyer and she cannot and will not provide legal advice. ,11ason and Associates, the name of Mason's practice, will focus on uncontested divorces. simple wills and power of attorney, small claims and debt recovery, landlord/tenant matters. "Right now it is just Hie," she said. adding that in future she may be looking to hire. She said her associates are located in London and Stratford, to cover counties surrounding Huron County. ";My main focus is to cover Huron County.'' Mason said she wanted to start her own practice because law is an area that she enjoys. She said she has support from lawyers in the area. She said they have set up a network for referrals and professional hacking. Mason said, she can't deal with a case. she is able to refer the When It Comes To Protecting Your Assets.... Turn to the Professionals at GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS INC. 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"Paralegals are facing government legislation in regards to our licensing," she said, adding the eligibility requirements are basically to protect the public. "The client knows the. paralegal is qualified to represent them." Mason said she had to go through the Huron Resources Development Centre for funding to he able to start own office. "It is a unique business, there is only one other paralegal in the area," she said, adding the office is in Seaforth. She said paralegals try to settle out of court but can go to small courts or administrative tribunals. Mason said most of the cases she sees are divorce and family support. "It is probably because going to a lawyer to have it done is expensive." Paralegal Liz Mason College in London. She said she will keep everything cost effective for clients. "1 can be competitive Liz Mason photo has opened her own practice after five years in the making after going to Westervelt that way," she said. For more information on the services provided by Mason and Associates contact Liz Mason at 482- 1695. Local tradespeople pool resources for custom home contracting business By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff Four local tradesmen are hoping that people looking for a contractor look no further than Roxboro Creek when they decide to build a home. Roxboro Creek Custom Homes Inc. is the combined LAWN QUESTIONS? Orgonic Programs 41114) Available „wapiti') WeadMill 524-2424 -Trust the Professionals - McTaggart Wettlaufer INSURANCE BROKERS INC. AUTO • HOME • FARM • TRAVEL COMMERCIAL • LIFE INSURANCE BROKERS Paul Wettlaufer Amy Siemon Suzanne Zehr Bill Siemon Ken Hutchison 68 Ontario Rd. 348-9150 Mitchell 1-800-561-0183 effort of landscaper Paul VanderMolen. carpenter Rein Vanden Heuvel, drywaller Mark Melady and bricklayer Bob Henderson. "The idea was inspired from the fact there was no contractor (in town). Everybody in Seaforth that wanted a contractor had to call away to get a contractor," said VanderMolen who came up with the idea for the business. "There was no builder here in town that would do the whole house," said Melady. When the contractor was called in. according to VanderMolen. they brought out-of-town sub -tradespeople with then. "So my idea was if the four of us went together and started a contracting business, then we could ensure we utilized all the other local trades as well," said VanderMolen. As well as their duties with Roxboro Creek, the four tradespeople will also still be running their own businesses. "That's the beautiful thing about it. We all do this anyway. We're just doing this in a coordinated fashion," said VanderMolen. During construction. the members of Roxboro Creek meet each week with the homeowners to discussion the progress of construction. "What we found working at our own businesses was homeowners like to deal with one company instead of this :guy, this guy and this guy," said Melady. The four tradespeople also brainstorm together for design ideas on the custom built houses. They also created build houses, helping to find a buyer. "I think when you bring four heads together, you get a lot of great ideas on the design of the house," said Melady. Currently. Roxboro Creek is involved with three projects including building two houses at the west end of James Street. Coats for Kids looks for volunteer support for upcoming clothing drive By Jason Middleton • Expositor Staff While the Red Cross's "Coats for Kids" campaign does not begin for an other few weeks, organizers. arc still looking to collect a few more volunteers.. Coats for Kids organizer Sumner Papplc said she looking for help with collecting coats, donations and help distributing thc coats. "I'm still looking for some help with collection. I'm trying to make it as easy h)r people to get involved as possible," said Papplc. Volunteers would work anywhere from one to two hours per week collecting donated items from collection centres and dropping them off On September 4 all public places and workplaces In Huron County will be Srnoke-Free. Sinew information kits are available at the Huron County Health Unit, Municipal Offices and at ,?WW huroncounty. ca Or questions or concerns, call 482-3377 �tting Health First f�rr/rNdl iNaec� SMNe �Il�w #2� 2� For more information and resources on quitting smoking, call the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416 or 1-877-837.6143 if long distance. •-. 4.. talfAmdtkiireawe at the distribution centres. t Coats for Kids will be collecting winter coats and other outdoor apparel for children and adults. In Seaforth. collection centres include the Seaforth Sewing Centre. Sumthing Special, Stedmans, Egmondville Country Market, Seaforth Manor and various churches throughout thc area. In previous years, the Coats for Kids' campaign collected between 750 to 1,000 coats for children and adults in Huron County. Distribution centres. in the past, have been located in Godcrich and Clinton, but Papple hopes that by having six centres this year they can reach more people. "Hopefully we can reach a lot more people. A lot of times they might not have transportation from one town to another," said Papple. On Oct. 15 to 17, there will be distribution centres set up in Gtxlerich, Clinton, Seaforth, Exeter. Wingham and Brussels. In Seaforth, Bethel Bible Church will be distributing the coats on Oct. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m., Oct. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. and Oct. 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. "Anyone who feels they need thc service can come in and pick something up," said Papple. The Canadian Red Cross is also looking for volunteers to help sort and set up during the week of Oct. 12 to 15 and with distributing items at each of the sites Oct. 15 to 17. For more information about volunteering contact Suminer Papple at 522-0874 or email her at typappleetcc.on.ca.