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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-12-06, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Bluewater council sworn in By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARVA — Bluewater council officially started its four-year term with members of the council sworn in on Monday. Making up the new council are Mayor Bill Dowson, Deputy Mayor Dave Johnston, council- lor -at -large Jim Ferguson and council- lors George Irvin, John Becker, Marg Deichert, Pete Walden, Bill MacDougall, Tyler Hessel and Kay Wise. Following the declara- tion of office by mem- bers of the council, Dowson was presented with the Chain of Office by clerk -administrator Janisse Zimmerman. A blessing and prayer for the council was then given by Rev. Aim Kruger from St. Peters Lutheran Church in Zurich. In his inaugural address, Dowson said he and Deichert are the New council — Bluewater council officially started its new term Monday with the new members sworn in. In front from left are Deputy Mayor Dave Johnston, Mayor Bill Dowson, clerk -administrator Janisse Zimmerman and councillor -at -large Jim Fergusson. In back are councillors George Irvin, John Becker, Marg Deichert, Pete Walden, Bill MacDougall,Tyler Hessel and Kay Wise. (photo/Pat Bolen) only members of the council that came through amalgamation. "We put together a package six years ago and it has worked well," said Dowson. "We are light years ahead of a lot of municipalities." Dowson thanked the councillors no longer serving, including Bill Martin who retired due to health concerns and Rod Parker, who was defeated in the last election. Dowson also thanked former deputy mayor Paul Klopp for his ser- vice, saying "he is one of the most sincere and dedicated people I've ever sat with." Dowson added Bluewater is a great municipality and it can be the best in the coun- ty. "We really put six communities together. The challenges are six fold and they have been handled well." Speeding crusiers a focus of meeting By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN BIDDULPH — Council held one delegation Nov. 30. Lucan Biddulph Inspector John Stephens presented the Middlesex OPP January to June 2006 report, focusing on Lucan Biddulph sta- tistics for that time period. "It's been a very busy year," says Stephens," speaking mainly of the Bandidos project Octagon and Caledonia which occupied several province -wide detachments throughout the past few months. The Lucan Biddulph police report is as follows: • Zero robberies and arsons, although Stephens will review this number since the Lucan Bank of Montreal was broken into. Robberies and arsons remain the same as last year; • Seventeen alarms, "most alarms are false," according to Stephens. Alarm comparisons are down from 29 calls last year; • 60 traffic complaints which have increased from 47 in 2005. Stephens says speeders are particularly evident in the Lucan com- munity and he is "surprised at how fast people go." McLaughlin also said drivers ploughing through stop signs are a huge factor. • Seventeen mischiefs which have decreased from 23 calls; • Zero impaired drivers. In 2005 there were five impaired drivers; • Twelve break and enters, the same as last year; • Five assaults. Assaults have declined by two from 2005; • Seventeen thefts, a decrease from last year's 19; • Three drug reports. They have declined by one from 2005. The estimated cost for the OPP during that time period was $478,518. In 2005 the estimated cost was $471,368. Speeding crusiers Coun. Hodgins spoke to Stephens regarding a concern he has about police vehicles speeding in and out of town and in Lucan. Hodgins mentioned a specific instance, a collision which occurred Oct. 24 involving a police van and two other vehicles. Hodgins said he witnessed a couple of marked police vehicles speeding to the scene several minutes after the collision occurred and couldn't understand what the reasoning was since other police vehicles were already on scene. "What is your policy?," asked Hodgins. "How many (police officers) need to be on scene before others (police offi- cers) slow down?" "I've seen these inci- dents happen often," says Hodgins. Stephens says there is a policy that when an officer arrives on scene to an accident or other issue, they must radio other officers explaining what the situation is. Stephens said if his police officers do exceed the speed limit, they must justify it. Hodgins says it is all about public perception and the public often does not know the circumstances. Stephens says the public can call the Lucan Biddulph detachment if they wit- ness a speeding cruiser. Stephens says if there is any wrong doing, "I will hold my officers account- able." Arena hosting World Junior Hockey Championship games The Lucan Memorial Community Centre is hosting several games for the Minor Hockey under 17 World Junior Hockey Championship. The arena is scheduled to host games Dec. 28 at 7 p.m., Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Jan. 3 for a round robin play off game at 11 a.m. The Annual Lucan Christmas Craft Show attendance was down in compari- son to 2005. About 2,621 people came out for the weekend event in November, 460 people less than last year. Arena The Lucan Memorial Community Centre is hosting several games for the Minor Hockey under 17 World Junior Hockey Championship. The arena is scheduled to host games Dec. 28 at 7 p.m., Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Jan. 3 for a round robin play off game at I I a.m. manager Ken Needham says although attendance was lower the "vendors were pleased and overall it was a pretty successful and still pretty profitable" event. Needham says for the 2007 craft show, the arena will raise vendor rates and possibly cut down on their radio advertising. Family HealthTeam application The application for a Family Health Team in Lucan Biddulph should be com- pleted by the middle of December, according to Lucan Biddulph deputy clerk Lisa Deboer. Lucan, statistically speaking should have three doctors but only have 1.1 doctors in the area. Junior Firemen Program Coun. Hodgins told council that the fire budget is in "pretty good shape." Biddulph-Blanshard fire chief John Damen is considering forming a Junior Firemen Program for youth 12 to 16 years old. Coon. Hodgins told council that Damen says there are not enough activities available for youths that age. The program, probably on Saturday mornings would involve firefighter events, videos and other activities, but the youths would not be allowed to attend fires. Damen wants at least six youths to partipate to make the program worth while. The program could also benefit high school students needing community service hours. Loyens update raises several concerns The proposed Loyens subdivision, con- sisting of 72 building lots across 16 acres for single unit residential purposes in Lucan at the north end of town was discussed again recently. Several issues were mentioned, Lucan Biddulph plan- ner Ted Halwa says the main issue with the subdivision is emergency access between a couple of the streets. Other concerns raised were the turnaround at the end of Walnut Street, the stormwa- ter management pond, the Benn Drain dedication, the depth of the south lots on Walnut and the pumping station buffer/fencing. No decisons were made. Further dis- cussion will be brought to a future meet- ing. REGIONAL WRAP UP Women Today campaign HURON — Women Today of Huron (WTH) launched a cam- paign recently, encouraging the community to become more aware of recognizing the signs of abuse against women and taking action. The WTH are joined by the Huron Assessment Risk Reduction Team (HARRT), the Women's Shelter of Huron and the OPP, reports the Goderich Signal -Star. Over 30 community members and women's rights advocates helped launch the campaign. "This campaign sponsored by the Ontario Women's Directorate aims to raise awareness of woman abuse in our community," says WTH executive director Pam Hanington. For more information on the campaign contact the WTH at 519-524-6767 or visit www.neigh- boursfriendsandfamilies. on. ca Truscott verdict expected by July TORONTO — At the recent annual general meeting for the Association in the Defence of the Wrongfully Convicted (AIDWYC), Steven Truscott's defence -team lawyer Phil Campbell reported the Ontario Court of Appeal would likely render its decision by July 2007 on Truscott's 1959 murder conviction. According to the Clinton News - Record, Campbell said he recently completed a 900 -page factum for the Ontario Court of Appeal's five - member panel. "I've worked on nothing else for six weeks," says Campbell. "I've thought about this case, day hi and day out," Campbell adds. Three weeks of oral arguments designed to demonstrate Truscott's innocence are next. The presentation scheduled to begin Jan. 29 at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, in front of the panel, sets out to prove Truscott did not rape and murder 12 -year-old Lynne Harper June 9, 1959. G.1.C.'s 430% g1J Gaiser Knealek -- EXETER IM 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