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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-01-16, Page 1TIMES ADVOCATE Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, January 16, 2008 $1.25 (includes GST) HURON TRACTOR EXETER 519-235-1115 0 www.hurontractor.com JOHN DEERE WHAT'S INSIDE Taking the challenge Carol Coleman takes part in weight -loss challenge PAGE 20 Quilt winner Hospital Auxiliary holds annual quilt draw PAGE 27 INDEX Editorial 4 Sports 14 Announcements 18 Classifieds 21 TIMES -ADVOCATE 424 MAIN ST. Box 850 EXETER, ONTARIO NOM 1S6 TEL: 519-235-1331 FAX: 519-235-0766 WWW.SOUTHHURON.COM EXETER HAWKS vs LAMBETH FRI., JAN. 18 8:30 P.M. SH REC CENTRE vs CENTRAL ELGIN SUN., JAN. 20 2:00 P.M. SH REC CENTRE Car raffle cheques — The Lucan Lions Club donated $12,000 to the Sunshine Foundation Dreams for Kids Jan. 7 at its meeting.The money is funded through the Lucan Lions Club annual car raffle.Above left is Lucan Lions Club mem- ber and Car Committee director Don McFa11s giving a cheque to Sunshine Foundation manager of chapters, volun- teers and third party events Tracey Jones. For additional photo, see page 2. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout) WMULTI -COMPANY kt■HOMEOWNERS QUOTES Gaiser Kneale Insurance Brokers 519-235-2420 1-888-235-2420 Serving Exeter, Grand Bend, Clinton South Huron hopes for CanGro buyer By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — The closing of CanGro Foods in Exeter is "a done deal" accord- ing to South Huron Mayor Ken Oke, but Oke said he is hoping another buyer, possibly outside the processing industry can be found for the property. It was announced Jan. 8 by CanGro that the plant, which produces fruit and vegetables in cans and jars under the Aylmer, Del Monte and Ideal names, will be sold or cease operations, along with one in St. Davids in the Niagara region by March 31. CanGro was created two years ago when two American private equity firms took over five Canadian brands from Kraft Canada. The plant opened in 1906 and employs 129 hourly rated workers and 17 salaried employees. CanGro vice-president of operations David Hoyles said, "CanGro will now shift to outsourcing its canned vegetable and fruit requirements." The company did not give a reason for outsourcing its canned food needs, nor did it identify who its future producers would be. Oke said the closing is "certainly bad news" but the town has to make the best of it. Oke added he will be included in talks that the Huron County plan- ning department will have in trying to find a buyer and that the Huron Business Development Corporation is also involved. "There will be a ripple effect all the way down," said Oke who added there have been rumours of the closing for five years as the number of employees at the plant kept getting smaller. See CLOSURE page 2 Big Brothers Big Sisters suspend services By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Due to a lack of funds, Big Brothers Big Sisters South Huron (BBB- SSH) has temporarily sus- pended its services, laying off its two staffers. The board of directors made the announcement Monday after reaching the decision last week, vice-presi- dent Kate Monk told the Times -Advocate. The board is asking for donations from the public so Big Brothers Big Sisters can resume operations and bring back its staff, which consists of a full-time case worker and a part-time executive director. "We need donations imme- diately," said president Drew Robertson. "Until we raise money, services to area fami- lies and matches are essen- tially suspended. "It's very disappointing it's come to this," Monk said, explaining the funding crisis came to a head following the BBBSSH's fall fundraiser, which wasn't as successful as the board hoped. For several years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has "been close to a break-even point," a press release stated. The agency receives no gov- ernment funding and relies on fundraisers, the Huron United Way and donations from businesses, services clubs and individuals. The agency's single largest fundraiser, its annual Bowl for Kids event, will go ahead in March with hopes to raise more than $25,000. See AGENCY page 2 Teen's body found CREDITON — A search for 17 -year-old Ryan VanValkengoed of Crediton ended in tragedy Monday when his body was found in the Ausable River south of the Crediton Road bridge. The Grade 12 South Huron District High School student had gone missing Friday night after attend- ing a party at a nearby friend's house, normally a 10 -minute walk from VanValkengoed's Crediton house. An OPP search took place over the weekend, with �' 7 the search intensifying Monday morning. OPP offi- cers, the OPP Emergency Response Team, Canine Units and Underwater Search and Rescue teams searched the area around Crediton, amid fears VanValkengoed may have fallen into the Ausable River on his walk home. VanValkengoed's body was finally found Monday at about 12:30 p.m. The cause of death was yet to be determined as of Monday evening, although police did not suspect foul play. OPP Const. Joanna Van Mierlo told the Times -Advocate a post- mortem on VanValkengoed would probably be done Tuesday. She said all indications she had of the 17 year old was that he was "a good kid" and it was out of character for him not to return home Friday night. Van Mierlo described searchers as hopeful yet anxious over the week- end. Ryan VanValkengoed See SEARCH page 2 • N O PST on Carpet, vinyl & N� GST Ceramic tile on regular priced merchandise) Offer expires Jan. 26/08 INNOVATIVE r4. 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