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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2005-01-19, Page 5Jason Middelton photo Babysitting course Katie Ryan, 12, of St. Columban and Emma Payne, 11, of Monkton, practise infant chest compressions on a baby doll as part of a St. John Ambulance babysitting course held recently at St. James School in Seaforth. The six -hour course attracted 15 area students who learned basic first aid, home safety tips and child care to prepare for babysitting jobs. Downtown revitalization topic at economic development meetings By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor In a fourth attempt to build interest in a strategic plan for Huron East, economic development officer Ralph Laviolette held two meetings at the Seaforth Golf Club last Monday. Downtown revitalization was the topic at both an afternoon meeting, which attracted about a dozen community members and an evening Chamber of Commerce meeting, which attracted about 30 business owners in Huron East. "Creating a strategic plan is not going to happen fast. I'm trying to get some awareness built over a period of time," said Laviolette after the afternoon meeting. The Seaforth meeting followed strategic planning meetings in Molesworth, Ethel, Vanastra and Brucefield. Laviolette presented a power point presentation on both the need for strategic planning and downtown revitalization in Huron East. "Where can we begin to build our future?" he asked the community members present. "What is it we consider ourselves unique about? Why should you come to us instead of to someone else?" he said. Laviolette listed Huron East's strengths as the lowest taxes in Huron County, a low cost of living and cost of doing business, a strong economy and strong informal networks, an active manufacturing and agricultural sector, an active business group in both, Seaforth and Brussels, a viable clinic and hospital and three industrial parks. Seaforth Coun. Lou Maloney asked if Huron East should look at offering more parking spots or campsites for recreational vehicles (RVs). "It's filled up a good bit of the summer and I thought we should look at expanding it," he said of campsites at the Seaforth Agriplex. Laviolette agreed enthusiastically. "We should absolutely look at other locations. We have about six bedrooms in the bed and breakfasts in town but otherwise there aren't that many places to stay overnight," he said. He said a strategic plan should include ideas about safe residential neighbourhoods, vibrant downtown cores, active business segments, ready industrial and commercial land, engaged youth, active seniors and health and community facilities. So far, he's received ideas for public clean-up, enhanced signage, more agri-business, an improved sense of community, a preserved heritage, more doctors, a technical training centre, hospital expansion and fine dining hospital. Maloney supported a community clean-up day one Huron Crime Stoppers' program getting more calls, greater awareness By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff While Crime Stoppers' month is recognized around the world every January, Crime Stoppers of Huron County is celebrating a very successful 2004. According to Crime Stoppers of Huron County chair Lisa Campbell, last year the organization was "hugely successful" in the area. "Our calls are up, which means people are becoming more aware of Crime Stoppers and are more willing to call in," Campbell said. Because of tips given last year, $87,000 worth of stolen property was recovered and $348,000 in drugs seized — a total of $435,000. Crime Stoppers of Huron County cleared 104 cases, which resulted in 11 arrests. Last year, Crime Stoppers of Huron County rewarded a total of $3,500 to tipsters. Calls received by Crime Stoppers, Campbell said, range from drugs, to reports of people driving without seat belts and insurance. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit program relying on cooperation between the police, news media and members of the community. "With Crime Stoppers you really don't have to get involved other than making one phone call," said Campbell. "It's your choice if you want to make a follow-up phone call to collect reward money if we solve the crime." Crime Stoppers encourages people to call with information to solve any crimes already committed, those about to occur or the whereabouts of wanted persons. "Crime Stoppers is designed to give people a safe way to call in without feeling any risk to themselves as a caller," she said. Campbell explained that any tips phoned into Crime Stoppers will be investigated by the OPP. • "People think that if they're calling something in to the OPP that they're ratting someone out," said Campbell. "That's not the case; they're being a conscious citizen." If you have any information on any crime contact Crime Stoppers at 1 -800 -222 -TIPS (8477). day a year. "We should adopt the roads and get them cleaned up," he said. Laviolette agreed that many lots in the municipality could benefit from a clean-up. "Many of the lots on our main routes have broken- down cars and abandoned buildings," he said. Paul Vander Molen said Huron East should begin to participate in the Canada Blooms program to improve the municipality's appearance. "We're one of the only communities that hasn't picked up on Canada Blooms. There are programs in place already - we don't have to rethink it," he said. Laviolette also walked participants through the results of several studies that have been completed on downtown revitalization both in Canada and the U.S. He quoted Vancouver marketing expert Roy Prevost's presentation in Huron County last year, saying that customer loyalty, self-knowledge and shameless self -promotion were ways to combat the "big box" competition. MASSAGE THERAPIST and REIKI PRACTITIONER Becky Campbell 527-2058 137 Market St. Seaforth • Evening Appointments • "Sixty-eight per cent of customers switch stores because of shopkeepers' indifference," he said. He added that while big box stores advertise their sale prices, their regular prices are not much different from the prices offered at small town downtown stores. "Nobody challenges that," he said. Laviolette said a Heritage Canada manual on Marketing Main Street recommended promoting the differences between a downtown and a mall. "We have a historic Main Street but very little of our advertising says that," pointed out Laviolette. He added that expert marketing advice might be necessary in Huron East, pointing out that while a shoe store is something the community wants, a population of 7,500 is necessary to support one shoe store. "If our shoe store left because it wasn't economically feasible for it to stay, I'm not sure it's real for us to keep trying to get another one. We need to know our markets better," he said. H. REID ALLEN FURNITURE RESTORATION & REFINISHING SEAFORTH 527-2717 THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Jan. 19. 2005-5 SEAFORTH INSURANCE ib BROKER LTD. 527-1610 lir • Home • Commercial 'Auto • Farm • Out of Province Travel Insurance 41 Main St. S. Seaforth Ken Canino, Joanne Williamson, Christa O'Neil and Barb Wan Suffering from a sore back, joints or muscles? No Family doctor? Time to try Physiotherapy Call for an assessment 527-1551 Located at the Seaforth Medical Centre Physician referrals not required • IRWIN PIIY7IOTIiERAPY Most Services covered by WSIB, Auto Insurance or Extended Health Benefits. You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr. Michael Atkins Parish Office 527-1522 Sunday, January 23 Sunday Worship — 9:30 a.m. Mondays — Prayer Group at 7 p.m. Growers Group at 7:30 p.m. Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Egmondville United Church Sunday, January 23 10 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship Steve Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister in Training EVERYONE WELCOME BEREAN COVENANT CHURCH A BRANCH OF GRACE TRINITY COMMUNITY CHURCH Orange Hall, Seaforth 527-2682 4 pm Worship Service Pastoral Team: Pastor Bob Penhearow Pastor Ron Matthews Pastor Royal Hamel First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday, Jan. 23 - 11:15 a.m. Service Sunday School and Nursery Provided Sunday, February 6: Luncheon & Annual Meeting Every Canadian loves a challenge, right? On average, each Canadian produces five tonnes of greenhouse gases a year. Driving, heating and cooling our homes, using appliances... almost anything we do that uses fossil fuels for energy also creates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. And these emissions are causing our climate to change. Take the One -Tonne Challenge — reduce your energy use and your GHG emissions by 20%, or one tonne. You'll save money, and help to protect our climate and our air quality. Get your Guide to the One -Tonne Challenge. Visit climatechange.gc.ca or call 1 800 0 -Canada (1 800 622-6232), -FIT 1800 465-7735. One Tonne Challenge Take action on climate change 1*1 Government of Canada Gouvernement du Canada CaI1auri