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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-06-18, Page 22 Times–Advocate Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Highest Mason medal presented in Exeter at ceremony By Pat Bolen TIMES-ADOCATE EXETER — "I will continue to strive to be a contributing member of the community." Those were the words of Wilmar Wein of Exeter, who was honoured June 9 by Lebanon Forest Lodge in Exeter with the highest decoration it can bestow and one never given before in Exeter. Wein was presented with the William Mercer Wilson medal, which since its inception in 1944 by the Masons has been awarded only around 400 times. The medal was named in memory of the first Grand Master of the lodge. As well as his fellow lodge mem- bers, the ceremony was attended by Wein's family and several lodge dig- nitaries including Ontario Grand Master Allan Petrisor, Immediate Past Grand Master Gary Atkinson and Deputy Grand Master Raymond Daniels. In his remarks to the audience, Petrisor said "We come to pay trib- ute to a mild mannered, softspoken man who represents the craft well and looks for no publicity." Wein, who was born in 1926, went to school in Crediton and attended Exeter High School. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1944 and was discharged in 1946. He joined the lodge Jan. 8, 1951 and has remained a member ever since. Petrisor said Wein has never missed a meeting in 57 years and has also served the community in many different ways including being Stephen Township clerk for six years as well as councillor for another six; police village trustee, taking care of fire alarms; coaching hockey; bell ringer at the United Church of Crediton and secretary of the Stephen Township Sesquicentennial in 1992. Wein is a past treasurer of Lebanon Forest Lodge and a past chairperson of the Masonic Hall Corporation. He also volunteers his time at blood donor clinics, belongs to the Royal Arch Masons and is an ambassador of the Blue Water Shrine Club. At the ceremony, South Huron District lodges also made a dona- tion of a cheque for $6,800 to the Grand Master's charity of prostate research. Petrisor added that Wein has had a tremendous involvement in the community, lodge and family and typifies the medal. "The world would be better served with more such people," said Petrisor. Highest honour — Exeter Forest Lodge awarded the highest decoration the organization can present,(and one never before awarded in Exeter) June 9 when he received the William Mercer Wilson Medal. Pictured with Wein are from left, Exeter Immediate Past Master Mike Brintnell, Louise Wein, Immediate Past Grand Master Gary Atkinson and Ontario Grand Master Allan Petrisor. (photos/Pat Bolen) member Wilmar Wein (front left) was Bluewater passes road closure policy By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — The Municipality of Bluewater has a new road closure policy for special events after a report to council Monday night from public works manager John Graham. Graham said in his report that the policy would incorporate into one manual the policies for events on municipal property, streets and roadways as well as the services provided by the municipality. REGIONAL WRAP UP Boundary discussed GODERICH — Central Huron and Goderich town council have agreed to discuss their boundary dis- pute, says the Goderich Signal Star. The agreement was reached at a meeting June 9 between Central Huron and Goderich council to avoid a looming Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing. Central Huron chief administrative officer Richard Harding said "everyone loses" if the dis- pute goes to an OMB hearing. E -waste charges SEAFORTH — New charges for electronic waste at the Mid -Huron Landfill will mean more garbage left behind at the curb, says the Huron Expositor. The charges, which began April 1 cover items such as computers, printers and televisions. Huron East Deputy Mayor Bernie MacLennan said the charges are another attempt to prolong the life of the landfill site. Seaforth garbage collector Sandy Lamont said, "They're getting pretty stringent up there and I'm not going to be able to pick it up." Medical students visit CLINTON — University of Western Ontario med- ical students Rita French and Gina Schroeder had a busy week in Clinton recently, says the Clinton News Record. The students were taking part in Discovery Week, which introduces medical students to rural practice. One of the largest differences Schroeder noticed was the role of the family doctor. "In a smaller centre, the family doctor does a lot more," she said. Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson noted that the poli- cy will require event planners to apply for road closures eight weeks in advance and asked if it was too far ahead to require of organizers. Dowson asked if it is normal in other municipali- ties for as much notice to be required. Graham replied that it is standard in some and added "it's a guideline." "We need some room for things to happen," said Dowson. Coun.John Becker noted that the Zurich Fair Parade lines up on side streets in Zurich but does- n't shut down the street and asked if it will require a road closure permit. Chief administrative officer (CAO) Lori Wolfe said if the street wasn't shut down, a permit wouldn't be required. Coun. Tyler Hessel said he was in favour of the policy and Coun. Kay Wise agreed, saying that once people realize what is expected, there won't be any problems. Dowson noted it is parade and fair season now and there isn't much time for permits to be processed. Wolfe said the municipality will work with appli- cants to make sure all get done. The motion was then passed. In other business, a request from a Bayfield resi- dent for water services to be hooked up to seven lots he would like to develop at the south end of Tuyll Street was turned down by council. Hessel said agreeing to the request "would open a floodgate, we have to hold tight." Dowson agreed, saying it is opening the door to a lot. Deputy Mayor Dave Johnston agreed, saying it shouldn't be done piecemeal. Hessel added council is working to get the main water line into Bayfield. ATV meeting Where to let ATVs drive in Bluewater will be discussed at a public meeting June 23 in Varna that will see representatives from several differ- ent groups speaking. Dowson said he is hoping to get a cross section of opinions at the meeting which starts at 7 p.m. Sign bylaw A public meeting will be held regarding a munic- ipal -wide bylaw July 21 after a report to council by Wolfe. The CAO said sign bylaws are difficult to enforce and frequently challenged with different issues at stake. A motion was passed directing staff to prepare a draft consolidated bylaw that will be brought to council at a July 7 meeting in advance of the July 21 meeting. Damage to trail kiosk Continued from front page Huron District High School Reunion and built by high school students. It was to be repaired Monday afternoon. "It's quite sad to me," Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority stewardship and conservation lands supervi- sor Kate Monk said Monday morning. Monk said the damage to the kiosk was the third recent vandalism on the trail, following a broken sign at the MacNaughton kiosk a few weeks ago and graffiti being placed on benches. The South Huron Reunion kiosk was cut cleanly off its four posts. Wide track marks from a vehicle can be seen in the long grass at the scene. "I'm disappointed in the vandalism," Monk said. Vandals strike —The above photo shows where cut marks were made to remove a kiosk at the MacNaughton Trail from its support posts.The vandal- ized kiosk was to be repaired Monday. (photo/Scott Nixon) Association hosts event By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN BIDDULPH — The Biddulph Blanshard Firemen's Association held a fundraising event last Saturday, reported Lucan Biddulph Coun. Alex Westman at Monday night's meeting. "The crowd was solid," says Westman. Originally about 300 people were expected to attend. The event, a gathering for the community held at the Granton Firehall will support funds for "not-for-profit initiatives in the surrounding community, as well as towards purchases of equipment for the Biddulph Blanshard Fire Department," according to Biddulph Blanshard Firemen's Association treasurer Moray Watson.