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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2005-01-26, Page 66 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Jan. 26, 2005 Brussels library needs renovations, council told By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Because Brussels Public Library is not accessible to wheelchairs and not large enough to meet Huron County Library Board standards, Huron East FIRST RIDE by Craig Nicholson (02004 by Craig Nicholson. All rights reserved.) As with any new activity, getting started in snowmobiling may seem intimidating. Perhaps the most basic question is: "Will I like it?" — and the only way to find out is by trying it yourself. Probably the best way for a total novice is to book a guided snowmobile package at one of Ontario's many resorts and hotels. This way, you get a great place to stay, amenities of your choice and helpful staff to guide you through your first experience. You also have control over how long to go, and if, by some remote fluke, you don't like it, you can fall back on the other resort facilities for a good time. A less expensive alternative is to ask a snowmobiler friend to take you out. While the companionship may be agreeable, this approach can be underwhelming if you end up riding for longer or faster than comfortable or on an older sled that's seen better days. Don't just jump on a sled and ride off without orientation training. Your guide should walk you around the sled and show you the controls and how everything works. You need to talk about what to expect, trail etiquette, hand signals and what to do if you are having a problem or discomfort. You should arrange frequent breaks so that you'll never have to ride for too long if something needs attention or fixing. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if my guide has rear view mirrors so he/she can keep any eye on me. Each of us has only one first ride; so above all, don't allow yourself to be pushed beyond what's comfortable for you. Whatever your choice for that first ride, break it into two parts, with the fust under two hours. You can always go back for more, but once you're far gone, there's not much alterna- tive but to ride all the way back, regardless of what your con- dition may be or how long it takes. So plan to return to your starting point at the end of the first part. That way, you can finish up if you want, dress more warmly, have your sled fine-tuned or grab a bite to eat for an even more enjoyable second half. You'll also be more confi- dent the next time around. Before any ride, remember to eat well so your body has the fuel to stay warm. Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water and dress warmly in outwear made for specially snowmobil- ing. Many first -timers have suffered from cold through a ride because they tried to get away with regular outdoor or even ski clothing. Wear lots of warm layers and get a sled with working hand and thumb warmers. Before riding you also need to know the law. To snowmo- bile legally in Ontario, you must have a valid driver's license (or from age 12 and over, a Motorized Snow Vehicle Permit), proof of snowmobile ownership and registration, proof of insurance, be wearing a helmet and have a snowmobile trail permit. To find out more about permits, trails, clubs and volunteers, click on www.ofsc,on.ca. To discover opportunities for your first ride, check out www.ontariotravel.net/snowmobile. USE TRAIL AT YOUR OWN RISK • YOU must know and obey the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act (Ont.) • YOU must use caution at all limes • Emergency and cell phone service (ea Fray not be available *YAMAHA n�ERE S how NG Jo r1 BOMBARDIER' ATV 1 1/4 Miles North of Seatorth 527-0120 'C POLARIS' The way SNOWMOBILES ACCESSORIES SALES & SERVICE POOLS & SPORTS 234 Main St., Seatorth 527-0104 Your ARC1'lC CATS Sledquarters Snowmobiles & ATV's Sales & Service Parts & Accessories ARCTIC CAT SMIEOLSRFA8S10N' lit.. I/1ULK 7 'N. MIK( KRIS TIRE ;11 1 � 11TIWI • @RODHAW � 345.2248 PERTH COUNTY UNE 44 SNOWMOBILE COUNTRY RF OF THE WEEK • "YOUR RENOVATION AND HOME SPECIALISTS!" council has been asked to renovate the building. "The Brussels library has serious problems. It's a serious challenge for you," Huron County librarian Beth Ross told council at its Jan. 18 meeting. While Brussels library is currently 1,275 sq. ft., Ross said it should be at least 2,200 sq. ft. since the provincial standard is 2,500 sq. ft. As a 100 -year-old Carnegie library, the Brussels library also has an "imposing staircase" that is a barrier to wheelchairs, strollers and seniors with health problems, said Ross. "The library board sent me out here to rattle your chain a bit," she said adding that the county library board would also like to know by the end of 2005 what Huron East's plans are regarding the Brussels library. Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan questioned whether it would be a better idea to build a new library in Brussels than to renovate the existing one. But, Brussels Coun. David Blaney responded that he still thought renovating the existing library would be cheaper. "I intend to do my best to hang onto the library," he said. Ross argued that while keeping the library downtown would draw shoppers to the area, keeping the existing building and being able to meet all the standards would be "an expensive option." "Goderich town council placed a high value on renovating the existing building but Exeter decided to build a new building," she said. Ross also offered that the Trillium Foundation is opening up its grants to public libraries and that she'd heard projects that involved accessibility might have the best chance at being funded. "Brussels library would meet that component and I can't think of a more worthy cause than that building," she said. "If council decided to do a capital project, I would be happy to work with you on that," added Ross. Grey Coun. Mark Beaven added that vacating the Carnegie library would "create a big hole in the downtown." Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler said the Trillium Foundation is more likely to fund a renovation than a new building. McKillop Coun. Sharon McClure asked if Brussels library's bottom level could be used since only the top level is currently used. "It would need some renovations but it's underutilized space," responded Blaney. Ross said the library would have to add a second staff member to its current one- person staff if a second floor were in use.. While no numbers were discussed, councillors questioned,whether a major capital project was in the budget for Huron East this year. McClure said Huron East is "having major problems getting their water system up and running this year." "Drinking water is big news right now and it's going to cost big bucks," she told Ross. Responding that "none of this is news to you," Ross suggested that the library board is only looking for a facility restructuring plan by Dec. 31. "I'm willing to look at options but I'm not willing to sign a blank cheque," said Beaven. "The price may be that we can't afford it. But, I'm not suggesting we close the Brussels library." District Health Councils being dismantled by province By Marc Hulet Mitchell Advocate Staff The Ontario government's decision to dismantle the 16.District Health Councils - including the Grey Bruce Huron Perth DHC located in Mitchell - will leave six local staff members without jobs, according to executive director Jim Whaley. "It's been a sad week for us," he said, adding that another three jobs would be lost at their satellite office in Owen Sound. The DHCs have acted as the planning department for the health care system for the past 30 years and the local office has been located in Mitchell_ (on St. George Street) for seven years. Whaley said they knew that the DHCs were scheduled to be absorbed into the new Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) eventually, but they did not expect things to happen so quickly. "What caught people off guard is how aggressively this is being wound down," he said of the Jan. 17 announcement. "We were all served notice that we will be terminated on March 31." Julia Lobsinger, chair of the Grey Bruce Huron Perth DHC also expressed concern for how aggressive the timeline is for closing the DHCs. NDP Health Critic Shelley Martel called the government's decision flawed, premature and irresponsible. "It is premature for the government to terminate DHCs so quickly when the role and mandate of the 14 new LHINs is unclear and uncertain," Martel said in a press release. "This government is charging ahead without much consultation and regard for the expertise and experience of DHCs - the well -organized health planning bodies that have had a role and mandate in Ontario for over 30 years." Whaley also said, when plans for the LHINs first surfaced last summer, that there would be Opportunities for staff of the DHCs at the LHINs. "I think we all assumed that opportunities in the new organization would be identified, but that hasn't happened," he said. Martel said the ambiguity of the LHIN model and the hiring of new staff could lead to negative consequences for the people of Ontario, such as the competitive bidding process in home care. The idea of the LHINs is to bring the planning and funding for the health care system together under one roof. Whaley said the theory is good, but "the proof is in the pudding." HILDEBRAND PAINT and PAPER M1,onre 1.�..A "Your Benjamin Moore Dealer" "Interior and Exterior Decorators" Wall Cover,nss. S"24: 9 Meat St Sssf ? 527-1880 SERVICE QUALITY PRICE SeServingAll Your 10 Electrical N.eds1 • Guaranteed QuYRy Workmanstiv • Ft4 y Ucensed • Reasonable Rates • 24 Hour Service • Free EStMxtes rWaertW • krtolOsy - Cam+eWl - Orb* sway Garth ah•.•t tort std.. Omni w •.r \?RaAo nenu•t�� CORNER LOT CONTEMPORARY Plan H1-3-587 MAIN FLOOR PLAN 1416 SO. FT. (131.6 M2) WIDTH 40' - 0" (12.2M) QEPTH 58' - 0" (17.7M) %MS WASTER SUATE tsr. ue 4 . !.rn f ar"cxCIASPIRD n ?ICK OW IP MICR GREAT POW! .ro..ra r` 0 S IQ NWA A formal dining room takes center stage in this three-bedroom rancher which also boasts a cheerful great room for casual entertaining.The plan concentrates the main living areas to one side, making it well- suited to a corner lot. The front entry is tucked behind the hayed dining room. For a more privacy, the walkway leading to the front door could be enclosed to create a small courtyard.The foyer leads directly into the kitchen and great room where a gas fireplace adds warmth on cooler evenings.The kitchen itself is well planned. with good cupboard space and an angled work area. Home of the Week Plans See Our Web Page Order Form on: http://wincienish.com And Email Your Order To: homeplans@)enish.com Or Mail To: HOME PLAN OF THE WEEK, c/o TheSeaforth Huron Expositor, 336 Columbia Street, New Westminster, B.C. V3L 1A6 CALL:1 888-458-9235 101 Huron Concrete Supply Ltd. Serving dor area cilli Qualify concrete sfnctr 1556 *Ready Mt Concrete *Precast drone S1ksRer *Crane Rectal ooderlcb 524-7361 1-800-286-9199 524-15 i0 NDN Fine Furniture • Maytag Appliance* • Mac Ox'erifiltF BOX FURNITURE Main St. Seiferth 527.OSM/ (G -RAY INSURANC\ BROKERS INC. PENNY OVERBOE,ardur APVO.mENTS AT YOUR CONVENIENCE (519)527-2500 V 9.is CARPENTRY 527-1538 AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATIONS Mike 13oven • l Blyth 1 6LUEWATER� INTERIORS INC. Pur Palma Waospor. Lomat. Cantors dams Torten V••It Fsoon% Lanham %wog Hndaood FborFp corrrrac Taocarpets um Apra Aug, Chart Out Our r-- 1.0 r %arty KAROEAN FLOORING —Pros Eatlmatoo-- 53 Melo St 3.. Seaforth (519) 527.172! S77.260.162ti� nr _�.._a11 r -• ars-A-:... mum KITCHEN CABINETS BUILD q �S wan -- 522-0214-- 4-H Chinchilla club holds first meeting with seven members 1-11 Ni.‘‘,. The first meeting of the 4-H Chinchilla Club was held on Jan. 8, at the home of Barb and Ray Storey, our 4-H leaders. We have seven people in our 4-H Club this year. We started the meeting off with the 4-H pledge and introduced ourselves. We then had our elections for President Tanner Merner, Vice - President, Greg Murray, Secretary Ian Murray, Treasurer Will Fleming and Press Reporter Jessie Leeming. At the next meeting we will each be getting two chinchillas to take home. We will need to bring two containers, one for their sand and one for their food. Our next meeting was held on Jan. 22. Jessie Leeming, Press Reporter