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The Times Advocate, 2008-07-16, Page 1MES ADVOCATE Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, July 16, 2008 $ x.25 (includes GST) HURON TRACTOR EXETER 519-235-1115 0 WHwww.hurontractor.com JOHN DEERE AT'S INSIDE Professional tips Canadian Olympian works with young ball players PAGE 12 Art Show and Sale More than 50 artistic exhibits in Hensall PAGE 15 INDEX Editorial 4 Sports 10 Announcements 18 Classifieds 21 TIMES ADVOCATE 424 MAIN ST. Box 850 EXETER, ONTARIO NOM 156 TEL: 519-235-1331 FAX: 519-235-0766 WWW.SOUTHHURON.COM Trac 11`aline GTaphi Inc w.vn ORDERING 519.237.3838 A Printing Company ■ ■ ■ www.track2l.ca (AV WATERCRAFT INSURANCE QUOTES Gaiser Kneale 519-235-2420 Insurance 1-888-235-2420 Brokers Serving Exeter, Grand Bend, Clintarrse~. Stephane Dion makes stop in Exeter By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — The most popular words used last Friday during federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion's stop in Exeter were "green" and "the environment." Dion stopped at MacNaughton Park Friday afternoon to meet with local Liberal supporters and to speak with area politicians. It was obvious from his talk that his pri- ority this summer is telling the public about his party's Green Shift plan, a proposal that would see a Liberal government increase taxes on pollution, greenhouses gases and waste and decrease personal and business taxes. Dion's main message last Friday was of the environ- ment and his belief that Canada needs to be a world leader concerning environmental issues. He said the Green Shift plan will help middle and low-income fami- lies; on the other hand, those who pollute more will pay more, he said. Dion also spoke of the importance of a strong rural and farm sector. He said with fuel and transportation costs increasing, local food producers will become more com- petitive. He explained that the demand for fossil fuels is exceed- ing supply and Canada needs to adapt in order to become an environmental example for countries such as India and China. Canada needs to become more energy efficient, Dion said, adding that there is a lot of expertise in that area in Huron -Bruce, particularly with wind power. He said the more he talks about the environ- ment, the more people approach him with innovative ideas about environmental issues. Speaking to reporters, Dion said only the Liberal envi- ronmental plan includes tax cuts. And referring to the owner of Green Shift who wants to sue the Liberals for using her company's name, Dion said it's unfortunate she wants to sue, but said the government is not a busi- ness and is not trying to compete with her. Dion said Prime Minister Stephen Harper's environ- mental plan is "weak" and called Harper's performance at the Group of Eight summit in Japan last week "appalling." Turning towards the possibility of an election, Dion said Canadians don't want an election in the summer, but said there may be action in the fall. He said the next election will have impacts on not just the next four years, but for the next 40 years in Canada. Referring to NDP leader Jack Layton, Dion said Layton's job is to "protest," while Dion's job is to "replace" Harper. He said he'll be using the summer to work hard explaining his Green Shift plan to Canadians. Dion also spent some time with local politicians. South Huron Mayor Ken Oke said Dion told politicians he would make clean water a priority. Oke said he told Dion that municipalities need stable funding so they can plan for the future. He also said the government needs to stop pitting neighbouring municipalities against each other by giving larger grants to some than to others. Oke explained South Huron's Lake Huron water line project to Dion and Dion responded that he wants to help, but he first has to be elected. Talking shop — Federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion, above right, brought his environmental plan to Exeter last Friday, making a stop at MacNaughton Park. Above he speaks to local politicians including Huron -Bruce Liberal candidate Greg McClinchey, left, and South Huron Mayor Ken Oke. (photos/Scott Nixon) A gift for the leader —At left, keeping with the green theme of the day, and marking Dion's visit to a rural riding, McClinchey presents Dion with a John Deere toy tractor. Municipality of Bluewater gets "nuts and bolts" road report By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — The Municipality of Bluewater received a "nuts and bolts" report on its roads July 7 from Andrew Ross of B.M. Ross. Ross said the report was to have been delivered in 2007 but staff changes in the municipality delayed it until this year. The report is a "to do list of roads with costs," said Ross, and a technical tool for the next five years although council can override the report if it needs to. Ross said the report is based on a Ministry of Roads and Transportation format developed in the 1980s for lower tier municipalities. He said the report covers all 61 bridges in Bluewater and 416 road sections, with a rating of 10 meaning perfect and one meaning terrible. A rating of five, said Ross, means a road is obligated to be scheduled for repair. Ross told council that the report identified 22 bridges in Bluewater as having needs but there is only one with a load limit, and added "that's pretty good." General manager of corporate services Terri Brandon said the report will help with capital plans and Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson added it will be a benefit to the municipality. Compost pile A compost pile behind the Bluewater Community Centre in Zurich may be closed after it was reported that garbage is being dumped at the site. General manager of public services John Graham said everything is being done to solve the problem. Dowson said the municipality needs help from the public and if the privilege isn't respected the public will pay the price as in Central Huron, which is consid- ering closing its free composting site. ATVs After holding a meeting on ATVs June 23, Bluewater will revisit the issue in August to have a solution for next season, said Dowson. Coun. BM MacDougall said the meeting didn't pro- vide clarification about whether ATVs can travel on beaches. Dowson said if ATVs are allowed on roads they may not be on beaches.