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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-10-06, Page 3THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Oct. d, 20043 Three local girls facing off in semi-finals of Huron County Idol contest Thursday By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff Three local girls are facing off in this weeks semi-final competition at Huron County Idol happening Thursday night at Hurley's Celtic Inn in Seaforth, Although they might be young, these girls could have the chance to win next weeks grand prize — $1,500 in recording time, and an opportunity to showcase musical talent. Ever since she was two, Laura Elligsen, 15, of RR 4 Walton, has been singing and dancing. "My mom gave me that little push and it kind of grew on me," said Elligsen, who has performed in various productions at Grand Bend's Huron Country Playhouse. Viten she performed during the second week of the eight week competition, it was the first time the 15 -year-old had been in a,bar and said that it was surprising how many people were there. "I didn't realize it would be so packed," she said. "It's not always full attention on the performer so you kind of have to get that attention yourself." For 17 -year-old Sarah Christie, of Staffa, it was also the first time for her performing in a bar. "It was my first time competing and even singing in one. It was quite neat," said Christie. Elligsen, who preformed the Dixie Chicks' song, Let'Er Rip, and I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack, said that she got the audience into her performance by inviting them to clap along. Elligsen explained that being in a bar is, "not her favourite kind of thing but it's neat because it puts you to the test and sees what kind of performer you are." "I just kept thinking about the audience and that they were enjoying the entertainment and hoping that they were having a good time," said Elligsen. Jason Middleton photo Laura Elligsen, Sarah Christie and Tammy Elliott are three local girls who are competing Thursday night in the semi-finals of the Huron County Idol competition at Hurleys Celtic Inn in Seaforth. In November, Elligsen will be playing Wendy's daughter in a musical version of Peter Pan at Kitchener's Centre in the Square. "1 hope to do Broadway, opera and every kind of music," said Elligsen. Elliott said that she had people coming to Archie's Service Station where she works and asked if she was going to try out for Huron County Idol. So, after much persuasion, Elliott sang during the fifth week of the competition and won. Before she went on, Elliott said she had some "healthy nerves" and was looking forward to facing the audience. "In (formal) competition it's not as fun because the audience is so prim and proper. They don't say anything," said Elliott. "I love when you can get the audience going and pump it up." Christie said that it felt good performing in front of the crowd when she qualified, last Thursday. "It was just good being up there' with a live audience. Usually you only "see that on TV," said Christie, who performed the Rankin Family's You Feel the Same Way Too and Leaving on a Jetplane. The first song that both Huron County Idol semi-finalists, Tammy Elliott, 21, of Slabtown, and Sarah Christie, 17, of Staffa, learned to sing was Ladybug Ladybug. "I just do it for fun," said Elliott, who doesn't want to become a professional musician, but has performed numerous times at Kiwanis Music Festivals. Recently, Elliott has been performing at weddings, special functions and at churches. Elliott explained that during her performance of Poor Me, by Trick Pony and Trisha Yearwood's How Do I Live people were clapping along and dancing. "People were dancing while I was singing. That was a little weird," said Elliott. Backhoe purchase causes council disagreement Huron East council put it to a recorded vote Sept. 22 about whether or not to buy a new backhoe. Public Works Coordinator John Forrest asked council in early September if he could tender to replace a backhoe but was told by Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler that a wheel loader was more appropriate. "I've always been told by council to listen to what the men are telling me and they are telling me that we need a new backhoe not a wheel loader ," Forrest told council in a report Forrest said town employees use a backhoe for tree removal, ditching around culverts, road construction and pulling road graders out of ditches in the wintertime. "A backhoe is a multi -use machine and it's just something we use continuously," he said. Steffler continued to disagree that a backhoe was necessary. "It's a little like a kid that's never ate ice cream so he doesn't like it. If you never had one or used it, you don't know. An articulated loader will bury a backhoe moving snow," said Steffler. In a 7-5 recorded vote, vtoing in favour of tendering for a backhoe were Deputy - Mayor Bernie MacLellan, Grey Coun. Mark Beaven, McKillop Coun. Ferg Kelly, Tuckersmith Coun. Bill DeJong, Seaforth Coun. Lou Maloney, McKillop Coun. Sharon McClure and Brussels Coun. David Blaney. Voting against the motion were Mayor Joe Seili, Brussels Coun. Frank Stretton, Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler, Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath and Grey Coun. Alvin McLellan. Better Health Care for Canadians: A 10 -year plan Working together, the Prime Minister, Premiers and Territorial leaders have signed a 10 -year plan, supported by $41 billion in new federal funding, that will lead to better health care for Canadians. Better Health Care if Reduce waiting times • Improve access so that Canadians don't wait as long for key tests, treatments and surgeries if More Doctors, Nurses and other Health Professionals •Plans to train and hire more health professionals while also developing faster accreditation for foreign -trained health professionals Gia Expand home care •Provide better support for people -being cared for or recovering at home Improve access to family and community care • Increase 24/7 access to doctors, nurses and other health professionals G1 Better Access to Needed Medicines •A commitment to manage drug costs and ensure that no family is forced to choose between needed medicines and financial ruin rif Improved Aboriginal Health •New investments and better planning to close the gap between Aboriginals and other Canadians in terms of health Shorter Waiting Times The federal, provincial and territorial governments have committed to report clearly on the progress we are making in health care and, for the first time will report on progress in reducing waiting times. G3 Comparable indicators ... so we can measure • Federal, provincial and territorial governments will use comparable information to report their progress in improving access to doctors, and to diagnostic and treatment procedures if Benchmarks .., so we know what we are striving for • Federal, provincial and territorial governments will set medically acceptable waiting times — based on advice from medical experts — starting with cancer, heart disease, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement, and sight restoration Gia Targets ... to drive change • Provincial and territorial governments will set their own targets and report annually to citizens on progress in reducing waiting times Canadians will see for themselves where their health care money is going and how it is making a difference. To obtain a copy of "The 2004 Health Care 10 -Year Action Plan at a Glance", call 1 800 0 -Canada (1'800 622-6232) or, to see it on the web, click www.canada.gc.ca/healthplan. MEM I + 1 Government Gouvernement of Canada du Canada Canada