The Lucknow Sentinel, 1994-12-21, Page 1PUBLISHED IN
LUCKNOW, ONTARIO
Wednesday,
December 21, 1994
550
G S T Included
1,0
Elliott Miller was Joseph.and Kelsie Beasley
,f was Mary during the Kindergarten's musical
16, presentation of the Nativity Story at
Brookside Public School's concert last week.
(Marg Burkhart photo)
Eagleson is .new warden in Bruce
by Debbie Davidson
Tara Reeve Paul Eagleson is
Bruce County's new Warden.
Eagleson beat out. Saugcen
Township Reeve Harry Thede at an
election on Monday night, Dec. 12.
Two other reeves, Stuart Reavic
of Lucknow and Murray Thompson
of Huron Township, wcrc
nominated for the position, but
declined.
In his acceptance speech,
Eagleson said county council will
have to make some important "team
decisions" in the coming year.
He said he wants lots of public
input on rural numbering for the
911 system which is expected. to be
in place by 1996. Last year council
voted to implement the system and
"I'm looking forward to that work."
Important decisions will also have
to be Made on the county's ongoing
waste fnanagenient plan and official
plan, he added.
In the are of economic develop-
ment, Eagleson said, the county
"needs to look at the tourism
budget" because more promotion is
needed.
Bruce County also has a great
opportunity for retraining its people,
he said, adding that "it's a major
boost" to have the county chosen as
a pilot project for jobLinks Ontario.
Fourth Term As Reeve
Eagleson, acclaimed to his fourth
term as reeve, was nominated for
the County Warden position twice
before but declined. He said he's
thefirst urban reeve to hold the
position since 1981.
The 40 -year-old reeve and his
wife Jennifer operate two busines-
ses, a funeral home and furniture
store, in Tara. They have two sons,
Phillip and Peter.
Also attending the election were
his parents and two brothcrs, Frank
and John.
In an interview following the'
election, Eagleson said he believes
the county has to be in the nursing
home.business. However, the coun-
ty is in a two -facility, 260 -bed
situation, and Eagleson would like
a study to determine the extent the
county should be in the busincss.
Having been in small' business for
15 years, .and going through some
tough times, Eagleson said his'
experience should help him as
Bruce County "is big, big
business."
With 15 of council's 31 reeves
being newcomer -s, Eagleson said
he's "going to encourage early,
participation with our new mein
bcrs "
Welfare caseloads up slightly
by Tracey Doer .
The welfare caseload in Bruce
County was up slightly from Oc-
tober to November. but Social Ser-
vice Commission, Dick Vcrrips,
said that's quite common at . this
time of year.
In October of 1994 there were
1,024 people drawing assistance
from welfare, while in November
that number increased to 1,044.
The reason is simple. There are
fewer jobs in the winter months.
Vcrrips said the caseload follows a
usual trend where it will continue to
increase, gradually, until March.
After March, the caseload will
begin to drop until September when
it will incline again.
"There's Tess employment in the
winter. It's a Bruce County
tradition that there's more
employment in the summer," said
.Vcrrips.
Vcrrips said there wcrc fewer
people' on welfare this November
than in 1993 whcn 1,230 people
were drawing assistance, He said
.you can always expect the caseload
to increase to its highest point in
December and January but last year
it didn't .quite follow the pattern
that Vcrrips had predicted.
"Iknow it goes up in December
and January but not as quickly (as
it did a few years ago). It's a good
economic sign." •
About three years ago. Vcrrips
said the lowest caseloadin the
summer was only half of the
highest caseload in the winter.
•see Percentage, page 2
London firm will build
Phase II of project
The tender for Phase 1I of the
arena has been awarded to Nor-
ton' Builders of London, an as-
sociate of Spriet & Associates,
an engineering and architectural
firm.
Barry Johnston,, chair of the
building committee, said the
tender was for $1,704,396,
which includes GST and PST of
around $150,000 which will be
rebated.
$1.324 million has been ear-
marked for the project from
jobsOntario,, the lour co-
operating municipalities and
local service clubs.
Johnston said the contractor
hopes to start on the project by
Jan. 15.
A more detailed report will
follow ' in January. when the
Sentinel will take an in-depth
look at the project and what all
is involved. By that time the
finance and fund-raising commit-
tees should be in place as well.
Special greeting issue
and stories this week
Along with this week's Sen-
tinel, you will find our special
Christmas greeting issue in
which arca businesses send their
greetings to you for a joyous and
safe Chrisunas.
Within that special section and
also in the regular issue, you
will find submissions from the
arca ministers, a special story by
a Kinloss gent, and stories and
recipes penned by students from
the four arca schools. Take time
during this. busy season to put
your feet up and enjoy this
week's Sentinel. We hope you
enjoy reading them as much as
'we did. By the way, if you're
looking for a recipe to stuff your
turkey or goose with, check
those out before you put your
bird in the oven.
Last issue for 1994
This is the last issuc of the
Sentinel for 1994. The staff will
enjoy ni little time off once this
issue is put to bed and prior to
gearing up for 1995.
The office will close at 4:30
p.m. on Friday and re -open at
8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29.
Advertising deadline for the
Jan. 4 issue ,is 3 p.m. on Friday,
Dec. 30. Editorial deadline is 2
p.m. Jan. 2.
May the time you spend with
your families and friends be
joyous as we celebrate
Christmas. Have a safe and
happy holiday.
These Grade 1 students, Alexandria Van der Lei, Ashley Palmer
and Kristina Wynja were part of the choir that presented many
hymns during the Lucknow and District Christian School's
concert Guide Me to the Perfect Light. (Pat Livingston photo)