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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-12-29, Page 11 (519)235-1115 www.hurontractor.com A 1(x)i:s EXETER R.`D' HAWKS vs LAMBETH FRI. JAN.7 8:30 p.m. South Huron Rec Centre Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, December 29, 2004 1.25 (includes GST) Wally Pfaff was one of the Exeter residents dig- ging out Dec. 23 while (above) Sarah Hayes needed some help to get to work from Tiffany Hayes, Shelly Webster, Mitchell Webster, Buddy Webster, Robert Knowls and Wendy Gregier. (photos/Pat Bolen) TheTA takes a look at 2004 . .. and beyond EXETER — It's time once again for the Times - Advocate to say goodbye to one year and hello to a new one. This week's issue of the Times -Advocate features a review of the noteworthy stories and pho- tos of the last year. And with our annu- al Horizons survey, prominent area residents have provided comments on what they think 2005 will bring. Some items of note during the year included: • Of no surprise, health care dominated the news both national- ly and locally in 2004, as rural areas continue to struggle with a lack of doc- tors. In Exeter, longtime local Dr. Bill ' Steciuk retired in June and, while Dr. Helen Frye had committed to taking , over Steciuk's practice, the agreement � isodidn't work out and it was announced in August she would not be returning to • for new doctors, and also expanded hours of its existing local doctors as well as at the new walk-in clinic (which officially opened in January). In Grand Bend, after more than six years of efforts, the new 15,000 sq. ft. Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre officially opened in June, at a price tag of nearly $3 million. In other health news, Dashwood's Dr. Ming G Lam took a leave of absence for a few months, closing her practice before returning in October. • Paul Steckle continued his suc- Good 20 bye 04 Exeter. In reaction, South Huron Hospital continued its search cessful run as the local Minister of »' Parliament. Steckle easily defeated his closest contender, Conservative Barb • Fisher, in the June federal election, as the • Liberals saw their majority government shrink to a minority. • It was a year of grand openings, as the new and sometimes -controversial Bluewater community centre opened in Zurich. • On the amalgamation front, things weren't all well hi the Municipality of Bluewater, where Hensall's Concerned Citizens group has held public meetings on their desire to separate from the rest of the municipali- ty. • Over in Zurich, there was reaction last winter when the Bank of Montreal decided to close down its branch in that village. A group formed to ensure financial ser- vices were offered in Zurich. *Also in Zurich, a march was held in April to raise awareness about violence. The march was inspired by Kim Gingerich, who was brutally attacked with a sword by Andrew Bannister Jan. 6, 2003. • In South Huron, the municipality made news throughout the year as it looked for ways to deal with the increasing costs of operating a water system. New increased rates were announced in December. • Exeter also saw a visit by a Hollywood celebrity, as actor Kurt Russell flew into the area to pick up his new airplane, which was undergoing work at Goderich Aircraft in Huron Park. Continue reading this week's Times -Advocate for all the major headlines of the past year. The T -A wishes its readers all the best in the new year. ine Furniture & Window Fashions 467 MAIN ST. EXETER 235-0173