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The Times Advocate, 2004-08-04, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, August 4, 2004 Regional wrap up Highway 8 gets a facelift SEAFORTH — The stretch of Highway 8 between Seaforth and Clinton is getting a facelift and for the next four months the road will be under construction. The Huron Expositor reported starting some- time this month sections of the 12 km stretch of highway will be repaved and repaired. New medical clinic GODERICH — "It's a glorious day to mark history," Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt said during the official sod turning of Goderich's new medical clinic July 22. The Goderich Signal - Star reported the sod turning overlooking the site of the future medical clinic on Cambria Road, across from Alexandra Marine and General Hospital's emergency entrance, adjacent to the ambulance station, saw about 100 people battle the extreme heat to wit- ness the landmark achievement. Blth Festival B YTH — During the July 22 matinee show at the Blyth Festival, the audience, along with festival employees, were the first to hear some exciting news announced by the Ontario Minister of Culture, Madeleine Meilleur. The Citizen reported before the afternoon performance of Anne Lederman's `Spirit of the Narrows' started, Meilleur announced the Blyth Festival will receive a $14,239 con- tribution through the Cultural Tourism Marketing Fund to help bring new audiences to the festival. Local activist CLINTON — Elma Plant admits she's not surprised by a United Nations report indicat- ing a record high global rise in the number of new HIV infections last year. The Clinton News - Record reported given the worldwide compla- cency about the dis- ease, the education co- ordinator with the Clinton -based Huron County HIV/AIDS Network said she's sur- prised it's not higher. According to the UN report, the number of people living with the AIDS virus has risen in every region of the world. Last year, five million people became infected. Almost 39 mil- lion people worldwide are living with the dis- ease. Tearing down a barn A group of Mennonites from Kinloss Township tear down a barn owned by Frank Kints July 29. (photo/Mary Simmons) POLICE BRIEFS Man injured HURON PARK — On July 31 at approxi- mately 10:45 p.m. a couple was sitting outside a residence on Wellington Crescent in Huron Park when a vehicle drove by several times with a male yelling threats of physical violence. According to police, the male returned to the residence on foot a short time later and proceeded to argue over another incident police were investigating. The man allegedly turned violent, threw the other man to the ground and repeatedly assaulted him. Others attempted to inter- vene and finally were able to get the man to leave. The victim required medical attention and was taken to South Huron Hospital where he was admitted for several injuries, mostly in the facial area. Later that night Huron OPP arrested a 22 -year-old South Huron man, charging him with assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats. $8,700 worth of property stolen SOUTH HURON — Huron OPP contin- ues to investigate a theft from a vehicle that occurred sometime through the night of July 17. The theft occurred when a visiting person from Toronto left some items inside a gray 1996 Ford Contour on Lake Shore Drive near Oakwood Park just north of Grand Bend. Stolen from the car was a brief case containing the vic- tim's Canadian Passport, an airplane ticket to China valued at $6,000, a black Dell Note Book laptop computer $2,300 and a Palm 5 Pilot $400. If you can help in solving this crime call the Huron OPP Exeter office or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) Dealership attacked by thieves EXETER — Huron OPP is investigating a break-in at Huron Motor Products at the south end of Exeter on London Road in South Huron. The break-in took place sometime through the night of July 29 and was found by staff at 5:45 a.m. The culprits at first attempted to steal the tires and rims of a 2004 Chev pickup truck parked in the lot, but were not suc- cessful. The thieves then turned their attention to the two buildings on the property. Both buildings were forced open and the offices were ransacked. Office cabinets and desks were attacked and an unknown amount of cash was stolen. The next item thieves went after was a safe inside that was also forced open, but since there was nothing of value in the safe, nothing was reported missing. In one of the buildings a gray 2003 Chevrolet Silverado truck was parked and the thieves stole the truck to haul away a Honda generator stored inside. The truck was later found on Simcoe Street in Exeter without the generator. Huron OPP is continuing their investiga- tion into this break-in and anyone who can help in solving the case is asked to contact the Huron OPP at the Exeter office or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1- 800-222-8477(TIPS). Bluewater to tender for more services By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — The Municipality of Bluewater will be ten- dering out for more of the services it receives in the future. The issue was decided at a meeting Friday which was carried over from the council meeting Monday night. The issue of tendering out services was raised by Coun. Josh McClinchey who wondered whether Bluewater was getting the best value for its money with the majority of work going to B.M Ross. McClinchey said if he knew he was getting the best price from B.M. Ross as from anyone else he'd be happy. Clerk -Administrator Janisse Zimmerman said the rea- son why contracts aren't tendered out is because they are carry -ons but when the municipality has specific work it tenders for it. McClinchey said that sometimes an outside opinion would be an accurate opinion of someone else's work. Coun. Bill MacDougall said that what they were touch- ing on was how Bluewater receives services. Zimmerman said the municipality had tendered out for auditor in 2000 and with it being a five year contract would be going out again soon. "If we're coming up with projects that are separate we can certainly tender. We agree we want the best price and if possible we'll get out there," said Zimmerman. Deputy Mayor Paul Klopp said it may send a sign to B.M. Ross if the Municipality started sending out more work. McClinchey added, "in a way we've created a monop- oly." Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson agreed it would be a good idea to tender more often saying it would sharpen B.M. Ross up. "They need the prod because we're tired of waiting." A motion was passed saying the municipality would tender for professional services as much as possible. Other business Council received a report from Zimmerman in response to a request from the Hensall Community Development Action Committee (HCDAC). The group wishes to operate a farmers market on the paved property beside the tracks owned by the Goderich-Exeter Railway and leased by Bluewater. Zimmerman said public works manager Ross Fisher contacted the company who said they had no objection but would need to see the insurance of the Hensall group. Bluewater's insurance company said municipality insurance coverage could be extended to HCDAC if it is a committee of council. Zimmerman said this would require a by-law appoint- ing HCDAC as such with the municipality having control of any bank account and approval of an annual budget. HCDAC would be contacted for their response accord- ing to Zimmerman. Varna sesquicentennial VARNA — Crowds didn't let some initial cloudy skies deter them over the long weekend as they cele- brated the 150th anniver- sary of Varna. After registration took place Friday night, events kicked off with a garden party and celebrity ball game. The celebrations and events continued Saturday and Sunday with an old fashioned breakfast, antique car and tractor shows,a scavenger hunt and travelling golf with holes set up at homes throughout the town. An all -ages BX 93 Video Dance Saturday night at the Bayfield arena was packed with over 600 in attendance. Sunday featured a quilt show and a school reunion, as well as craft stations and old fashioned games for children. The celebration was wrapped up with a fish fry at the Stanley com- plex. Shari Evans gets some face painting done by Lynn Halonen Sunday in Varna as part of the 150th celebra- tions. (photo/PatBolen)