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The Citizen, 1988-07-13, Page 9New Huronview $10 million new facility planned See page 5 Biyth gets tourist booth Students man booth See page 3 Theatre review Lucien promotes nation unity See page 23 2 men charged after fire guts Brussels Legion Two former Brussels residents have been arrested in connection with an early-morning fire at the Brussels Legion last Wednesday and will appear in Wingham District Court on J uly 27 to face charges arising from the incident. Investigating officer Constable Al Hunterofthe Wingham Detach­ ment of the Ontario Provincial Police said that Leonard Gordon Cowie, 22, of Wingham and Robert Martin Killick, also 22, of no fixed address, have been jointly charged with one count of break, enter and theft and one count of arson as the result of a police investigation into the matter. Constable Hunter said that Mr. Cowie was arrested at 9 a.m. VOL. 4 NO. 28 WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1988.45 CENTS Wednesday, only hours after the fire broke out, while Mr. Killick was arrested onThursday. Both men have been released on their own recognizance pending their court appearance. Police have also recovered a quantity of liquor, cigarettes and snackfoods which were apparently taken from the Legion bar prior to the outbreak of the fire, which they say appears to have been started when the drapes in the Legion lounge were set alight with a cigarette lighter. Estimates of damage to the 23-_vear-old building have not been determined, but range from $150,000 to $200,000. Kathy Burkholder, secretary and past-president of the Brussels Legion, saidthatpolice were called shortly after the Brussels Volun­ teer Fire Department was called at about 2:20 a.m. Legion members suspected a break-in right from the - „ Continued on Page 6 County studies move to Huronview Huron County will conduct a feasibility study to determine if it should move county office from Goderich tothe present Huronview building south of Clinton. The motion to study the possible move was approved in a recorded vote of 27-4 with three of the votes against coming from Goderich representatives. “What is the rationale of even thinking about this? ’ ’ Goderich Deputy Reeve John Doherty ask­ ed. Goderich, he pointed out, had always been the headquarters of county government in Huron and a move would be a step backward. Marie Hicknell, Reeve of McKil- lop and acting chairman for the presentation of the executive report to county council pointed out that the overcrowding in the present courthouse plus the pro­ posal for building a new Huron- viewandwhattodowiththeold buildingall hastobe looked at. The move is just being investigated, she said. It is not cut and dried. The proposal grows out of a study on the future of Huronview which recommended building a new seniors facility on the county- owned 110 acre site at Clinton with possible satellite homes in the north and south part of the county. (See page 5) It would leave the county with the large present Huronview building which would cost too much to renovate to modern standards for seniors care but is in too good shape for many people to consider demolishing it. This comes at a time when concern over overcrowding at the Court House is mounting. On June 30 a public inspections panel looking into various public build­ ings around the county criticized the overcrowding at the court house and called for a third party consulting firm to plan for renova- Continued on Page 7 Brussels shopping for a new councillor Looking haggard and exhausted after several hours fighting a blaze at the Brussels Legion early last Wednesday morning, Brussels Volunteer Fireman Jim Oldfield [left] prepares to don a breathing apparatus before entering the smoke-filled basement of the building. Fire Chief Howard Bernard [centre] and fireman Jack Overholt stand by to assist in the dangerous operation. Police have charged two former Brussels residents with arson in connection with the incident which virtually destroyed the 23-year-old building. Brussels is shopping for another newcouncillorafterachange in the Municipal Elections Act meant a local councillor can’t finish out her term. Councillor Elizabeth Graber submitted her resignation at the July 5 meeting of council because she is no longer qualified to sit on council after Bill 106 was given Royal Assent June 8. The bill says that those who are not qualified voters in the municipality can no longer sit on council. Mrs. Graber, who lives just outside the boundary of the village in Morris township, was no longer a qualified voter in Brussels after the business she and her husband owned in the village closed. She had intended to complete her term of office this fall and not seek re-election. Under the provision of the old bill this was allowed. But when the new bill was proclaimed she was no longer qualfied to sit on council and had to resign. Hugh Hanlv, clerk-treasurer, discovered the change in the law when he went to a meeting of the Association of Municipal Clerk-Treasurers of Ontario. Councillors made it plain they were not happy with the turn of events. “You’ve gone on this far, why would they change (the rules) in midstream,’’ Reeve Gordon Workman said to Councillor Gra­ ber. “I don’t like it.’’ “They definitely should have left it to the end of the term,’’ Councillor Malcolm Jacobs said. Mr. Hanly said that council could ignore the change but it could leave the legality of all council decision from now until the November election in question. Council approved a motion to accept the resignation with regret and declare the seat vacant. Applications to fill the seat will be received until 5 p.m. July 25 with the successor to be chosen at a special council meeting at 7 p.m. thesameday. “We’ve got this (the procedure for replacing council­ lors) down pat, ’’ Mr. Hanly joked as he told council the steps that would have to be followed to fill the vacancy. In the current three year term Brussels has now had to replace three councillors and one reeve.