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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-01-30, Page 22 Times -Advocate Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Fire chief makes annual report By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — South Huron fire chief John Morgan reported to council recently that fire calls in 2007 were similar in number to 2006. Both years, Morgan report- ed in his annual fire report Jan. 21, are about 20 calls over the average. In 2007, South Huron's three stations — Exeter, Dashwood and Huron Park — responded to 122 calls in total, two more than in 2006. The Exeter station responded to 64 calls, Huron Park to 39 and Dashwood to 19. Fifty-eight of the calls were fire related — 14 in residences, three in farm buildings, seven vehicle fires, one industrial, nine grass/field fires, six dump- ster fires, two responses to a controlled burn, 12 assists to other stations and four "oth- ers." The department continues to deal with false alarms, Morgan reported, with 36 calls last year, up 14 over the previous year. The department also responded to 19 motor vehi- cle collisions, six of which needed one or more occu- pants extricated. In such cases, Morgan said the department bills the owner the standard Ministry of Ontario rate of $350 per hour per truck to cover expenses. Morgan noted there were "an unprecedented number of grass and field fires" throughout the region last summer. There were only nine in South Huron, but a county- wide fire ban was put in effect Aug. 2 due to the extremely dry conditions. Morgan also updated coun- cil on repair costs of about $8,000 on the Dashwood tanker, which included about $7,000 for a new GMC engine and about $1,000 for repairs to the clutch. Other council notes: Seniors' report Jim Bearss of the South Huron Seniors Group also presented his annual report to council, updating council- lors on local activities for seniors. Bearss noted the success of his weekly columns in the Times -Advocate, his appear- ances on ETM Television and advances in seniors' housing in the area, including the 49 - unit apartment building being built in Exeter beside the fire hall. Council thanked Bearss for his efforts. "You're a real asset to this community," Mayor Ken Oke said. Decision deferred On a recommendation from planner Claire Dodds, coun- cil deferred a decision on a zoning bylaw for 36.126 acres of vacant land at the north end of Exeter adjacent to the ambulance station and a migrant labour housing building. Mike Veri has applied to rezone 2.16 acres of the land from Developmental to General Industrial — Special Provisions to permit the property to be used for a contractor's yard. There is also a severance application along with the rezoning request. Dodds said she has no details on what type of con- tractor's yard is proposed. She recommended deferral of a decision for several rea- sons, including noise con- cerns due to the proximity of the migrant labour housing near the property in ques- tion. A feasibility analysis demonstrating the proposal complies with Ministry of Environment guidelines needs to be submitted to South Huron and Huron County. Fencing and planting will also be needed on the prop- erty, Dodds said. Planning assistant Trista Russell said a neighbouring property owner has expressed concerns about dust from the property and its impact on neighbouring businesses. The manager of the Huron County EMS Department has no objection to the proposal, but asked to see a site plan. Pierre Chauvin of MHBC planning, acting on the applicant's behalf, said he would return with more information to address con- cerns about the proposal. Oddfellows, Rebekahs offer support 1 Hi LXE'1 Elt RLjKA S 338 1 fat& L/w(aa&1 0etL1720o7 et.17 5,000 /60 DOLLARS ODDFELLOWS & REBEKAHS Hospital donation —The Oddfellows and Rebekahs recently made a $5,000 donation to South Huron Hospital's $1.6 million fundraising campaign. From left are Bob Gehan and Barb Fleet of the Campaign Team, Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Oddfellows Bob Coates and Noble Grand ofThe Pride of Huron Rebekah Lodge Helen Coates. South Huron Hospital Capital Campaign recognizes the following generous donations: Leader • The MacLean Family — Home Hardware, The Source, Source for Sports — Exeter Builder • Masonic Lodge of Exeter Friend • The Ivey family — Cam, Randi and Adam — Grand Bend Supporter • London X -Ray Associates — Southwestern Ontario • John and Kathy Hayter and family — John Hayter Painting — South Huron • Murray and Ann Johns — Exeter • Harry, Ann and Eloise Klungel — Exeter Contributor • Ms. Kyle MacDonald — Exeter • William and Marilyn Rader — Exeter • Murray and Beatrice Dawson — Exeter • Joe and Ruth Hogan — Exeter • Don and Shirley Mousseau — Bluewater • Catherine Elston — Exeter *Albert and Didi Van Dyken — Bluewater — Exeter • William and Doris Weigand and family — Exeter • June Stewart — Exeter • Michael and Cynthia Elford — Exeter Provider • Sandra Schroeder — Exeter • Allan Keys — Exeter • Philip and Chris Turner — Exeter • Don and Rollande Hornbrook — Exeter • Art and Betty Clarke — Exeter • Susan MacGregor - Exeter Emergency funding helps Big Brothers to reopen EXETER — Emergency funding from the Huron United Way has enabled Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron (BBB- SSH) to re -hire its caseworker on a part-time basis. This allows existing matches between chil- dren and Big Brothers and Big Sisters to continue. "This is good news for the families we serve," said BBBSSH presi- dent Drew Robertson. "Without this funding, the matches would be suspended." The Huron United Way has been a long-term funder of BBBSSH and feels this investment in keeping the matches supported is vital in this time of crisis. The agency launched a special community campaign Jan. 7 and has already received more than $3,000 in donations from the com- munity in addition to the United Way funding. "We're thankful for the quick response from the community but we still have a long way to go towards our $75,000 goal," Robertson said. In 2007, donations to the agency decreased while the demand for services greatly increased. The agency is funded solely by the Huron United Way, fundraising events and community donations Donation -A couple of weeks after announcing it was suspending services due to a lack of funding, emergency funding from the Huron United Way has allowed the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron (BBBSSH) to reopen their doors and re -hire their case worker on a part-time basis.Above, BBBSSH received a $2,500 boost recently from Jennison Construction of Grand Bend.Above, Big Brothers president Drew Robertson, left, receives the cheque from Bill Jennison. (photo submitted) from individuals, families, business- es, and organizations. The agency is planning for the annual Bowl for Kids' Sake which takes place March 1 and 2 at Town and Country Bowling Lanes in Zurich and March 30 at Lucan Lanes. Pledge sheets are available at local banks and on the agency's website at www.shbbbs.on.ca This is the agency's major fundraiser and has a goal of $20,000. The event is separate from the special campaign. Anyone wanting more informa- tion on making donations or on the agency itself can call 235-3307. Donations of any size are appreci- ated and can be mailed to BBBSSH, Box 113, Exeter, Ont., NOM 1S0. Cheques should be addressed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron. • REGIONAL WRAP UP • Goderich Winterfest weekend GODERICH — The Children's Theatre group is hosting its Winterfest performance this weekend, reports the Goderich Signal -Star. Two plays are filling the bill, featuring "Dodge," a story surrounding a lazy forest elf who shirks her leaf -painting duties. "Dodge," written by American children's author Ed Shockley, is supporting the MacKay Centre. Also shown is "Wishes," by former Goderich writer Brenda Baltensperger. It's a story about a Saskatchewan boy who is granted three wishes. The theatre group, made up of children from Huron County, is under the direction of Goderich Little Theatre veteran Jennifer Black. The plays are performed Saturday and Sunday at the MacKay Centre on North Street. Suspected marijuana makes students ill PETROLIA — Lambton OPP are warning that anyone planning to use illicit drugs, should realize that not only is it against the law, it may not be what you think it is. This was the case after two students who smoked what they thought to be a marijuana joint, bought from a fellow student, suffered damaging side effects. Shortly after ingesting the dope Jan. 17, a 16 year old became violently ill while in class. A short time later, a second student, a 17 year old, developed symptoms and became ill. Investigation showed another student at the school is alleged to have sold the joint to the victims. Both victims were taken to the hospital in Petrolia where they were treated. One was kept for observation overnight. The ingredients in the drug that are ingested could cause you to become violently ill or even cause death, police say. Police are continuing its investigation. The school is also taking appropriate action against the students involved.