The Citizen, 2015-09-10, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015. PAGE 9.
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the centre’s needs, including
software that will enable online
registration and payment, a business
consultant who would then prepare a
formal business plan and an
investment in specialized equipment
that will help the centre offer more
diverse programs.
Several self-contained breathing
apparatus to be provided to those
training at the centre, would account
for nearly one third of the funding at
a proposed $84,000.
With changing regulations
regarding the training of firefighters,
Sparling told councillors in January
that the number of graduated
firefighters in Ontario has dropped
significantly, showing that there is a
need in the sector.
The centre, he said, also aims to be
the first in Ontario to offer National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
industrial fire brigade training. He
also said that after several meetings
and a tour of the facilities, the
Ontario Fire Academy (OFA) would
like to create a Huron County
campus at the ESTC.
Sparling says he also hopes to re-
ignite the marine emergency training
program that had once been offered
in Ontario, but was shut down due to
environmental concerns.
Despite turning down the funding,
the board said that the centre has
potential that could be harnessed.
“It is the board’s opinion that the
facilities in Blyth, along with
programs properly implemented
could offer tremendous
opportunities for both the centre and
the community,” VanderLoo wrote in
the letter. “It is clear that there are
numerous organizations, and
industries looking for emergency
training facilities and services which
offer programs enabling the various
industries to become compliant with
the training they require.
“Properly structured, organized
and managed, along with adequate
working capital, it is the board’s
opinion that the ESTC in Blyth can
provide many of the emergency
training programs required by
various organizations and industries
today.”
In an interview with The Citizen,
Sparling says that in the months
since the request was made, the
ESTC has made progress towards
many of the projects first mentioned
in January’s funding request.
“Most of them are coming to
fruition through other efforts,”
Sparling said, while adding that
county funding would certainly
speed up the process and allow for
further marketing opportunities.
VanderLoo said that the board
would be more than happy to assist
the ESTC in any “restructuring and
organization” if North Huron were
to make that request.
On Sept. 10, William and Joan
Rodger will celebrate their 60th
wedding anniversary, marking
decades of a happy marriage.
It was on Sept. 10, 1955 that Joan
Chapman, daughter of Les and Kitty
of Goderich, and William, son of
Emerson and Phyllis of RR2,
Auburn, tied the knot. The wedding
was held at Goderich’s Knox
Presbyterian Church and was
presided over by Rev. MacMillian.
Attending to Joan was her sister
Louise, while William Helesic stood
up on William’s side of the wedding.
With William enrolled as a
member of the Canadian Armed
Forces, the couple had to follow his
station assignments and
honeymooned in Europe. William
was stationed in Germany and the
couple spent 1956 and 1957 there.
William then became a member of
the Royal Canadian Air Force and
lived in Vancouver for two years
before moving to Ottawa for another
two years before settling on a farm
on RR1, Auburn.
Once in Huron County, Joan spent
her career as a cashier at a grocery
store in Goderich.
William and Joan had six children:
Warren, David, Victoria, Norman
(deceased), Neil and Sheila and have
seven grandchildren: Matthew,
Michelle, Lisa, Michelle, Connor,
Colton and Michael.
Over the years, William has had
many community interests. He has
been a member of the Blyth Branch
of the Royal Canadian Legion for 53
years, while he also spent 10 years as
a coach in local minor hockey and
four years as the manager of Auburn
Midget baseball.
Over the course of their lives,
William and Joan have visited eight
countries in Europe. They have now
resided at their home farm on RR1,
Auburn for over 50 years, where
they still live today.
Local couple marks
60th anniversary
Board suggests ESTC restructuring: VanderLoo
Some lazy time in the river
With the recent heat wave that has made its way across southwestern Ontario, residents were
out to find any way to stay cool they could, including making use of local lakes and rivers – not
to mention the fact that students were out trying to make the most out of the final days of
summer. Last week, this group was in Auburn tubing down the river taking advantage of one
of the many sunny days that has graced Huron County as of late. From left: Brianne Regier of
Zurich, Hannah Gilbert, Gracie Gilbert, Conner Gilbert and Alister Gilbert, all of Bayfield. (Mark
Royall photo)
A real milestone
William and Joan Rodger from RR1, Auburn will celebrate
their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 10, marking 60
years of wedded bliss. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Belgrave Co-op
1 Queen St., Belgrave
519-357-2711Huron Bay
CO-OPERATIVE INC.
Now with
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No rain checks ~ all sales final!
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former
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Belgrave
former
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Auburn Co-op
County Road #25, Auburn
519-526-7262
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September 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th
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REPRINTS
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taken by Citizen
photographers are
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ALL ARE IN COLOUR
4x6 - $4.00
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Phone to order ~
519-523-4792
or 519-887-9114