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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-07-12, Page 3egional wrap up Union Gas extending services WINGHAM - Union Gas will extend its natural gas service to Wingham and surrounding com- munities including Blyth, Brus- sels, Teeswater, Londesboro and Belgrave, reported the North Huron Citizen. The project was approved by the Ontario Energy Board on June 20 and is expected to be completed as far as Brussels by October. Construction on the $11.8 million expansion project, which will provide approximate- ly 3,000 homes and 500 area businesses with access to natural gas, is already underway. Health Council formation timely CLINTON - The formation of the Huron -Perth District Health Council is very timely, with im- pending cuts in health services funding, reported the Clinton News -Record. The council conducts planning for all health services in the dis- trict, including emergency care, acute care, community-based services, addiction services and psychiatric services. The coun- cil advises the Minister of Health and therefore is able to represent the community at an upper level of government. Half of the council's 20 volun- teers appointed by the province, eight health care providers _in- cluding eight health care consu- mers and four local politicians, drawn from Huron and half from Perth. Missing girl had 'no reason to run away' GODERICH - A Goderich girl missing for five weeks had 'no reason to run away', reported the Goderich Signal -Star. Mistie Nicole Murray, 16, dis- appeared from Goderich on May 31. The last time she was re- ported to have been seen was at approximately 4 p.m. outside of Goderich District Collegiate In- stitute, according to the Signal - Star. Murray disappeared with- out any of her personal belong- ings and her family strongly be- lieves that she is not a runaway. Over 11,000 Child Find pos- ters with Mistic's picture on them have been circulated across the country. Canada Cus- toms offices have received these posters as have all youth shelters in Toronto, provincial parks and police departments. Anyone with information may call Child Find Ontario at 1-800- 387-7962. Hospital to become smoke-free SEAFORTH - The Seaforth Community Hospital Board of Directors voted in favor of a smoke-free environment, effec- tive August 1, reported the Hu- ron Expositor. The board made its decision when it was informed it would cost approximately S6,000 to make the necessary upgrades to the single smoking room in or- der to meet new air ventilation requirements. The tighter guide- lines will come into effect Jan., 1, 1996. The board members were in- formed that the smoking room was used primarily by staff members. • &and Bend fundraiser paves the way for Jesse's Journey Chris Skalkos T -A staff GRAND BEND - When Grand Bend Councilor, Barb Wheeldon recognizes a good cause she goes for it. And so does the community she represents. Wheeldon is spearheading the fundraising drive and welcoming campaign for Jesse Davidson and his father John. Jesse Davidson, 15, has Douchenne Muscular Dys- trophy, a genetic disorder unique to male children. Jesse's muscle cells do not replicate themselves normal- ly and the loss of muscle strength *hich became ev- ident around the age of five is pro- . gressive. Few DMD youths reach their third decade. To raise money for gene and cell therapy and to promote awareness of DMD itself, John Davidson is pushing Jesse in his wheeicil"ir across Ontario. Dubbed 'Jesse's Journey', their trek began on May 20 of this year and John and a car- avan of volunteers began their push across Ontario in a meandering trail from the Manitoba border to Wind- sor, winding up in Ottawa at the Quebec border in an estimated 120 days. They are scheduled to arrive in Grand Bend August 4 and Wheel - don and her volunteer committee has planned a very special wel- coming party for for Jesse. The Exeter and Grand Bend OPP will escort Jesse into the village from Highway 83 and 21. The Grand Bend Fire Department will be offering Jesse a break from his wheelchair by giving him a lift in a miniature fire truck. Two clowns will be handing out 244 red balloons and a group of physically challenged children from the Grand Bend Order of Al- hambra will join Jesse for his march into the village where a civil ceremony will be held at the pa- vilion. The mayor and other dig- nitaries will be on hand and ap- proximately 50 students from Grand Bend Public School will sing "A Hero in Every Heart", a song written for Jesse by Glen Ben- i nett of London. Jesse's grandmother, Doris Sifton lives in Grand Bend and was amazed by the outpouring of com- munity support for Jesse's cause. "I was surprised to hear that they wanted to go out to meet him and walk with him and I think it's ab- solutely wonderful," said Sifton. "Small communities seem to mold together for things like this and you don't find that in big [cities]," she said. Sifton said Jess, nd his father don't know about e reception Grand Bend has in ...,re for them but she's looking forward to telling him about it. Councilor Wheeldon said when she first heard about Jesse's under- taking she quickly volunteered to organize a welcoming committee on behalf of village council and set • a $5,000 fundraising goal to con- tribute to the cause. "I don't get involved in anything that I don't think is a worthy cause. I know I'm pretty busy but when something like this comes along I like to see it go," she said. According to Wheeldon, the Vil- lage of Grand Bend was the first com- munity to respond to Jesse's organizers of- fering their support. "We were the first to call wanting to get involved and now that the momentum has picked up there are more and more villages wanting to jump on the welcome wagon," she added. So far Wheeldon and her assist- ant, Lynda Rapley have raised $1,800 and they have planned a family baseball challenge and steak barbecue fundraiser on Saturday, July 15. There will be a baseball game between the parents and the "It would be wonderful to have Exeter and the surrounding communities get involved, to join us in welcoming Jesse to Grand Bend." children, face painting and a dunk tank for everyone to enjoy, all for the cost of one loonie. Tickets for the steak barbecue are $15 and kids under 12 receive hot dogs and soft drinks at no charge compliments of Wright's IGA in Grand Bend. Wheeldon said she is being sup- ported by a large number .of vol- unteers and it makes her feel good to see the community respond so quickly and with such enthusiasm. "This is where you see the true worth of the community and the people that live in it. That's what makes us good citizens. When it comes down to the crunch you can count on the people in Grand Bend to come out and volunteer," she said. However, Wheeldon emphasized that other towns and villages in Hu- ron County are welcome to join Grand Bend in their fundraising ef- forts. "It would be wonderful to have Exeter and the surrounding com- munities get involved, to join us in welcoming Jesse to Grand Bend." Donations for 'Jesse's Journey' are being accepted at the Grand Bend Village Office and donations over $15 are eligible for tax re- ceipts. All proceeds. will go towards the Foundation for Gene and Cell Ther- apy. Jesse Davidson and his father John are shown in the photo above. Courtesy photo Grand Bend Council pays 18 percent for shoreline erosion control project GRAND BEND - The Village of Grand Bend will be participating with the Ausable-Bayfield Con- servation Authority in a shoreline erosion control project known as "Area NI". Helen Desjardine, a resident of Grand Bend, has been complaining to Village councillors that the prop- erty behind her house is being erod- ed by the Ausable River. According to Desjardine, when she built her house in 1971 there was 25 feet of land from the back, of her house to the end of the prop- erty. Now there is barely six feet left and the river is threatening the foundation of her house. Desjardine said she has been writing letters to Grand Bend council pressing them to do something about her land ero- sion problem for the last ten years. "The last time I was at a council meeting I said 'If you don't do something soon I won't have a house left and rve already paid tax- es," said Desjardine in a telephone interview from her home. Paul Turnbull, municipal office administrator said the village sym- pathized with Desjardine but couldn't do anything to help until the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority approved an erosion con- trol project. "We've acknowledged the prob- lem all along but Ausable-Bayfield didn't get approval until last year. It's just taken that long to put it to- gether," said Turnbull. "Really, the Village has been waiting for Aus- able to obtain their approval." The Ausable-Bayfield Conserva- tion Authority will put up a re- taining wall to protect the damaged portion of property at a cost of $54,455. The Village will pay $10,265 while Desjardine will pay tha remaining $44,190. Turnbull said the Village's 18 percent will come from an erosion control budget they created this year. "We weren't sure which project we would use it on but now we know," said Turnbull. Desjardine will pay a lump sum of $24,00 and the rest will be amortized over a ten year period. "The house is worth more than the retaining walls, taking that into consideration I guess this is a good project," said Desjardine. Although it has taken a long time and at a considerable cost, Des- jardine said she is happy that the work is finally being done. "It's been in the books for ten years now but I just signed the pa- pers over a week ago so I think it's a go this time." Times -Advocate, July 12, 1995 Page 3 Hire a student Taralyn Koebel is looking to gain work experience Finding your first summer job is not always an easy task. Just ask Taralyn Koebel. Taralyn is an Exeter resident and is this week's "Stu- dent of the Week": at the Canada Employment Centre for Students. She is looking forward to entering grade 8 at Exeter Public School this fall, where Phys. Ed, and French are her favorite classes. But the summer has just begun and for the time being she is hoping to find some work. Any parent knows that it is not always easy to keep kids occupied during the summer months. By helping her mom out with babysitting at home, Taralyn has learned what it takes to work well with kids and to keep them busy. As well as being an avid reader, she is an active person who, in her spare time, enjoys taking part in sports like rollerblading, biking and playing baseball. On top of her at-home experience, she has completed a babysitting course and has her Babysitting Certificate. She is keen to put her new found skills to work. • Taralyn is out of school for the summer, and would gladly begin working anytime. Al- though she has the making of a great babysit- ter, she is also available to pick fruits and vegetables, or to provide help around the house by doing odd jobs. She is an enthusias- tic person who would welcome the opportuni- ty to gain some valuable work experience. If you think you have a job for Taralyn, or for any other students, please contact the Canada Employment Centre for Students in Clinton, open Monday to Friday from 8:30. to 4:30. If you are a student looking for work, stop by the Student Employ- ment Centre at South Huron DHS and fill out a registration card. The centre is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 8:30 to 4:30. Jenny Wareham is the Student Employment Officer for Canada Employment Centre for Students, Exeter MI Letters to the ed• t Dump issue at council "We would like to suggest that you write to your member of council.." Dear Editor: Three persons from the CC▪ A▪ A requested time to speak at this July 6, meeting of Huron County council in regards to the proposed A3 dump issue, on how most people of Huron, Bruce, and other Onta- rio communities feel about dump sites and the problems associated with dumps. The issues we spoke about ranged from alternatives to pollutants and problems associated with Leachate etc. Council was also asked not to rubber stamp any motions made in regards to the waste man- agement master master plan until they had time to review the infor- mation that we supplied. But this did not happen and the study to complete stage 2D workplan may continue. This study includes a serious amount of tax payers money prior to the proposed site being either accepted or rejected. I have asked the project co-ordinator on several occasions for the latest bore hole results but have yet to see them to date. Included in the study is transfer stations, ea. level studies, agricul- ture assessment, heritage, biological, design, operation economic impacts, surface water etc. etc. Council member Mickle from Exeter spoke his mind and told Warden Bruce Machan and the counsellors present that we must be more accountable to the ratepayers of Hu- ron and suggested that they follow the lead of the newly elected PC party by cutting down, not only at county level but also at the mu- nicipal level. Mickle also suggested that more time be spent discuss- ing issues presented to council. This sparked a wave of applause from the visiting persons. After Mickle spoke his mind there where a number of other councillors who spoke of which most where in fa- vor of his remarks. This brought more applause. The people of not only Huron, Bruce, and Ontario, have the sup- port of various Huron County council members and should be con- gratulated for speaking up for the people they represent rather than just being in attendance. We would like to suggest that you write to your member of coun- cil and give them the support he or she must have on your feelings on this very important issue of dump sites in Huron or your commu- nity. If you require home information in respect to the problems of buried trash, or have had problems you feel our associated with proximity to a dump site please call 395-3520 or 529-3307 or Fax 395-3520. As we are operating from mostly out of pocket expens- es, we would appreciate any donations to cover expenses be direct- ed to Chris Hackett, CCAA secretary treasurer at RR3 Lucknow, phone 519-529-7434. Yours truly Richard Payne RR 3, Lucknow "WE HAVE ITAit GREAT CASU&', • For Outtkit41 • Pools • Areas • Su PURr1 WICKER. crux Dl.11wrfren, Quality a lasting mpresslo C1.41.11 P 1'C nebular Resin Mr116Rrf Ihr ulrlma,r in flrgw' u'urlaar 1I fl 1 HEAD OFFICE: GRAND BEND Hwy. 83 E. (2 miles from the water plant) HOURS: Mon. • Frl. 8:30 - 5:00. Sat.10:00 - 5:00 238-2110