The Citizen, 2010-01-07, Page 20Mild weather caused windstorms
that left over 250,000 Ontarians
without power in the last days of
December, 2008. On New Year’s
Eve and into January, 2009, over
30,000 homes were still without
power.
Many local merchants reported
holiday sales around what they had
expected, without any major
fluctuations, despite the sharp
downturn in the economy as 2009
began.
Huron County’s draft budget
showed a tax increase of just 0.96
per cent. Warden Ken Oke said the
budgeting process had been a
difficult one, but that the global
economic crisis called for an
extreme response.
Nearly 400 bicycles were
collected throughout Huron County
through Blyth area’s Jack and Sylvia
Nonkes to send to Africa.
After rumblings through the
community, suspicions were
confirmed when Wescast Industries
officially closed one of its two
Wingham plants, cutting over 140
jobs.
The third meeting of the
Accommodation Review Committee
(ARC) charged with the futures of
Blyth, Hullett Central and East
Wawanosh Public School’s yielded
the first “Super School” proposal.
Walton-area student Jacob
McGavin was chosen from 117
nominees as one of the Ontario
Community Newspaper
Association’s 12 Ontario Junior
Citizens of the year, eventually
receiving his award in Toronto in
March.
Schools involved in the North
Huron accommodation review held
open houses with Blyth Public
School receiving the most visitors
through its doors, totalling over 50
people.
North Huron held its first Luge-A-
Thon, raising $1,000 and 14 loaded
grocery carts for the local food
share.
Huron East treasurer Brad Knighturged council to take a closer look atthe Brussels Cemetery, which was
carrying a debt of over $70,000.
North Huron began its search for a
new fire chief after deciding to
restructure the fire service
throughout the township.
Alison Lobb was named the new
chair of the Maitland Valley
Conservation Authority, taking over
for Morris-Turnberry councillor
Mark Beaven.
Despite the enthusiasm of
Accommodation Review Committee
members, Avon Maitland District
School Board trustees reminded that
the “Super School” idea, was just
that: an idea.
Later in the month, however, the
ARC made its final recommendation
to the members of the board.
Morris-Turnberry went to the
Huron County Roads Department to
ask for a drop in the speed limit
through Belgrave from 60 km per
hour down to 50 km per hour.
Huron County purchased a new
community notification system
called Prism 911, launching in
Goderich and asking the community
for its help and contact information
to help make the system a success.
Morris-Turnberry discussed
upcoming changes to its fire
coverage to approximately 40
residents at a public meeting and
were met with criticism.
Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell
called the new provincial budget a
great opportunity for people in her
riding, saying that 93 per cent of
Ontarians would see a tax cut.
The school schedule for Huron
and Perth Counties was made
official, sending students back to
school before Labour Day in 2009.
The Brussels Legion Pipe Band
received a Trillium Grant for new
uniforms, while the Brussels
Optimist Club donated to several
groups, including Brussels and Grey
Central Public Schools.
The new water system in Belgrave
was reported as “working well” by
officials reporting to Morris-
Turnberry councillors.
Three area fires broke out all due
to extremely dry conditions
PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010.
Provincial honours
Jacob McGavin was named one of 12 Ontario Junior
Citizens of the Year in March. He was honoured at Queen’s
Park at the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s
annual awards ceremony. Jacob’s family, from left: Jeff,
Shannon, Teegan, Jacob, and Mackenzie. (File photo)
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The Citizen
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519-887-9114
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A retrospectiveRemembering the news and newsmakers of 2009High winds bring
power outages
January
February
March
April
Continued on page 21