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The Times Advocate, 2006-08-30, Page 22 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, August 30, 2006 Johnston seeking deputy mayor role By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF BAYFIELD — Bayfield councillor and former Huron County Warden Dave Johnston is seeking election this fall as deputy mayor of the Municipality of Bluewater. After being elected as Bayfield's councillor last year in a byelection, Johnston said he feels he has the quali- ties to provide leadership for the municipality as well as at the county level. As well as warden, Johnston served as reeve of Bayfield for 10 years after moving to the village in 1975. Johnston grew up in Toronto, served five years in the Royal Canadian Navy and 15 years as a police officer. He is married with four sons. Johnston said the municipality is diverse with a mix of agriculture, industrial and residential and needs to have a vision of growth for the next 10 to 20 years. With the cost of municipal govern- ment going up, Johnston said Bluewater needs growth and the infra- structure has to be in place for devel- opers when they come to the area. Although he feels amalgamation is going well, Johnston said he is sur- prised it has taken six years for it to happen. "We're in this marriage," says Johnston who added the four-year term didn't make a difference to him and feels it may make it easier for council to complete projects it starts. "I hope it doesn't discourage good people from running." One of the priorities for Johnston is supporting the municipal agricultural base. Johnston said it is difficult for farm- ers to compete with subsidies given to American farmers and that municipal politicians can lobby upper levels of government. Tourism can also be improved, said Johnston by providing safe swimming and by demanding answers from agen- cies such as the Huron County Health Unit and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). While legislation is in place to protect beaches, Johnston said it needs to be enforced as well as government provid- ing help to farmers to enable them to comply with environmental legislation. Referring to a recent manure spill in St. Joseph, Johnston said the MOE shouldn't have to rely on private citi- zens to clean up spills. "It almost makes me believe they did- n't have a plan," said Johnston. "Our most precious resource is water. We can't take it for granted." Bayfield Coun. Dave Johnston has announced he is running for the posi- tion of Bluewater's deputy mayor in this fall's municipal election. (photo/sub- mitted) REGIONAL WRAP UP Crow tests positive GODERICH — A crow found dead recently in the Goderich area was carrying the West Nile Virus, according to the Goderich Signal -Star. A total of 20 birds have been submitted for testing to date by the Huron County Health Unit. This is the first bird that has tested positive for the virus this year. Last July a bird was found positive in the Exeter area. The Public Health Agency of Canada says 127 positive birds have been reported by the health units in Ontario. Human cases of the West Nile Virus have previously been reported mainly in August and September. Public health manager Laura Farrell says it's important for the public to continue protecting themselves from mosquitoes. "The mosquitoes most likely to bite you are the ones breeding in your own backyard," says Farrell. "Cleaning up standing water is the most important way to reduce mos- quitoes and control the spread of West Nile Virus," Farrell adds. G.I.C.'s 450% i1r Gaiser "11 Kneale BrokerIns. EXETER - 235-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 Business Directory REPAIRS Sewing Machine REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES Free estimates 90 day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 Avon SCHOOL Maitland 'docking to Potential Within All ofaar Learn... Fairness Honesty Empathy Respect Integrity Courage Optimism Compassion Perseverance Responsibility Cultivating Characte� It's Back to School September 5 School Year Calendar 2006 - 2007 School Holidays Thanksgiving - October 9, 2006 Christmas Break - December 25, 2006 - January 5, 2007 March Break - March 9 - 16, 2007 Good Friday - April 6, 2007 Easter Monday - April 9, 2007 Victoria Day - May 21, 2007 Last Day of Classes June 28, 2007 - Elementary Schools June 21, 2007 - Secondary Schools Professional Activity Days (P.A. Days) September 29, 2006, November 1, 2006, December 8, 2006, February 1, 2007, April 23, 2007, June 29, 2007 Secondary Exam Days January 25 — January 31, 2007 June 21 — 28, 2007 Clip & Sc e Kindergarten Children are eligible to attend school if they are 4 years of age by December 31, 2006. Parents wishing to register their child(ren) in junior or senior kindergarten should contact their local school for information. Kindergarten registration for the 2007 - 2008 school year will be held November 2 - 30, 2006. Our Mission: To unlock the potential within all of our learners For more information please contact us at: Geoff Williams Td: 1-800-592-5437 Meg Westley Director of Education e-mail: info@fc.amdsb.ca web: www.yourschools.ca Chair .1 LHIN meeting in Exeter Continued from front page meeting and said "the idea is good and they have a group of people who are very enthusi- astic. It covers a very long broad scope of area and it does make sense to have every- body equal." But Armstrong added one point raised in the discussion groups, was it would be valu- able for different areas to specialize in cer- tain areas so they are not closed. "Sometimes it still has to make you leery if they find you have a little too much down here, we're going to, you know, move it up a little closer." Armstrong added it has been stressed that the funding won't be changed, "but they could shuffle it around...I'm still leery of them a little bit. "It was a very good discussion," said Armstrong. "Everybody broke into their groups, (and) everybody had different ideas." Something Armstrong said he would like to see from the meeting is the overall report. "It would be good to see and have it document- ed what came out of it." While the groups did give a report on their findings after rejoining the meeting, Fydenchuk running Continued from front page dents of the two villages and council needs to show heart. While it was revealed at the last coun- cil meeting that it is too late to have a referendum concerning the project on this November's election ballots, Fydenchuk said the issue should be on the ballot. He also questions if the numbers released by the municipality about the project's costs are accu- rate. "Do we know all the costs yet?" Fydenchuk is also con- cerned about housing for seniors. He said Exeter needs more growth, but it has to be affordable for seniors on pensions. "That's a big part of our community," he says. Fydenchuk would also like to see the municipali- ty take an active role in preventative medicine programs such as recre- ation. Also, South Huron needs to make sure politi- cians in Ottawa and Queen's Park are aware of us. "Why is Queen's Park a mystery to us? Why is Ottawa a mystery to us?" Fydenchuk says the con- troversy over Huron Park's privatization put South Huron on the map and politicians such as Premier Dalton McGuinty and Conservative leader John Tory are now aware of the area. Fydenchuk says he is proud of the work he has done on the South Huron Citizens' Association and he'll continue being involved in the communi- ty even if he's not suc- cessful in his council bid. Fydenchuk encourages South Huron residents to vote, adding Canadians have died to provide the rest of us the right to vote and express our opinions. HURON COUNTY HOUSING NEEDS & STRATEGIES When: Wed., Sept. 13, 2006 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration at 12:30 p.m. Where: Legion Hall 56 Kingston Street, Goderich The County of Huron invites all members of the public to attend a forum to learn about the findings of a recent study of housing needs in Huron County. Participants will be asked for their input on what can be done to help meet these needs. Please call Melissa Hamer at Housing Services 519-482-8505 or 1-888-371-5718 ext. #241 to confirm your attendance. Light refreshments will be served. Armstrong said it was brief. "Maybe when they took home these eight big sheets of paper, and put it down all inclusive, maybe it would be a really good overview of what was there." IT'S JUST PLAIN SMART. 3.40% ON YOUR CASH. 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