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The Citizen, 1991-01-09, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991. A Year in Review His mail won’t go through After 32 years sorting and delivering the mail to rural routes in Blyth, Harvey Garniss retired in March. A modern medical miracle saved the hand of Brussels resident Fred Stephenson after it was severed in an accident. Mr. Stephenson, who was employed with Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) was using a hydraulic wood splitter at Falls Reserve Conservation Area when the accident occurred. He was taken to University Hospital in London where micro-surgery was performed to reconnect nerves and tendons. The decade’s first baby at Clin­ ton Public Hospital was an early surprise for his parents Jim and Crystal Taylor of RR 1, Auburn. Andrew Boyd (Drew) wasn’t expec­ ted until February 2, but arrived January 1 at 10:44 p.m. Drew weighed six pounds, four and a half ounces. Neil Thompson has taken over the position of manager at Brussels Canadian Imperial Bank of Com­ merce branch. The Thompson family moved to the village from Goderich. Blyth councillors have decided the village will become a member of the Goderich and District Cham­ ber of Commerce. Chair of the Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) Joan Van den Broeck referred to the plans for the education system in the next decade as a “blueprint for change’’ in her inaugural address; one that will affect every teacher and child. The decade, she said, would see an accelerated rate of change and uncertainty and for the board and educators a sense of helplessness. Blyth Council and George Rad­ ford Construction battled over cost overrun of the “Radford” ball diamond renovation. The issue arose over an increase in the costs of construction. Thieves absconded with over $20,000 of merchandise from the Old Mill in Blyth after breaking in during the night of January 23. Over 70 ladies’ leather jackets were taken. Elva Bolger received the Brus­ sels Agricultural Society’s Service Award at the annual banquet. Bulls player Marty Rutledge was the recipient of the trophy for leading league scorer and for the Most Valuable Player at the league banquet in Goderich. Marty finish­ ed the regular season with 90 points including a league-leading 55 goals. Former Brussels Stockyards owner Klaus Henschel was sen­ tenced to 18 months for his elaborate theft of $790,000. Mr. Henschel admitted in court that he had devised a plan to raise cash, move to West Germany and aban­ don the business which had not been generating the profit he had anticipated. Blyth Festival has announced a seat sale to help fund the new padded seats that replaced the old wooden ones later in the year. The seats were removed from Memorial Hall and taken to Toronto for refurbishing and repadding. Kevin Wheeler, son of George and Shirley Wheeler of RR 5, Brussels, and his skating partner Michelle Menzies, won fourth place overall and an award for the most outstanding program at the Canadian Figure Skating Cham­ pionships in Sudbury. Hullett Reeve, Tom Cunning­ ham, was in the middle of the “English-only” debate, when he attended the Rural Ontario Muni­ cipal Association convention in Toronto. As second vice-chairman of the association at the time, Mr. Cunningham chaired the resolution session. James Roy, founder and past Artistic Director of Blyth Festival, made his debut as a producer for the play La Sagouine, at the Grand Theatre in London. Blyth Atoms captured the WOAA “E” championship in a two-game sweep against Wallace. Blyth Council has decided to hold two monthly meetings after a motion put forth by councillor Dave Lee. Mr. Lee felt that in the past too many special meetings had been held to deal with extra issues and the public was not informed. Toastmasters have formed a new club in Brussels. Allan Dettweiler was chosen president, with Robin Dunbar as secretary and Don Procter as treasurer. Rehearsals began for the touring company of “Mail Order Bride” by Robert Clinton in Blyth Festival Garage. The play toured exten­ sively in Alberta and British Col­ umbia. After 22 years Don Pullen an­ nounced his retirement as Huron County Agricultural Representa­ tive. Bruce McCall was re-elected for a third term as chairman of MVCA. Raymond Verburg of RR 1, Auburn and John Bos of Brussels left for the Dominican Republic as volunteer construction workers on a two-week mission to build church­ es. Both members of Blyth Chris­ tian Reformed Church left with their own tools, their self-paid tickets and extra clothing and supplies to donate. HCBE is launching a new pro­ gram to educate students on drug awareness. The anti-drug strategy will begin in the early grades and will help students gain knowledge about drugs and how to use this knowledge. After three years producing gift­ ware packaging Grey Owl Enter­ prises in Brussels announced its closing. George Radford Construc­ tion in Blyth laid off its entire work force of 10 men due to the cancellation of three major con­ struction contracts. A University of Waterloo study says that Blyth Festival activities pump nearly half a million dollars into the community each summer. The study showed the average visitor to the theatre spends $11.96 on items other than theatre tickets. It estimated that about $90,000 was spent directly by the Festival to purchase goods and services. Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association presented its ambitious plan to Blyth Council for the improvement of the fair­ grounds. Grey and McKillop Town­ ships are requesting the Ministry of the Environment pass legislation banning non-refillable bottles. Bur­ ied under a deluge of glass at the landfill site both councils feel the problem could be addressed best by starting at the top. Actress and Brussels resident Donna Faron directed the students of Mitchell District High School in their production of “Guys and Dolls”. Blyth Novices captured the WOAA “E” championship by de­ feating Clifford in three straight games. The Huronview North project at the south edge of Brussels and a new Huronview committee resi­ dence at Clinton took one giant step closer to reality when County Council gave final approval to the details proposal and functional program study. The Brussels Crusaders downed Kincardine 9-6 and brought home the “A” division title. George Underwood was elected President of the Farm Safety Association at its meeting in Toronto. The “Le­ gend of the Dumbells” appeared on Blyth Festival stage. A capacity crowd attended the 10th annual Songfest at Londes- boro United Church. Blyth student Jodee Medd won the Huron County Science Fair in Clinton and went on to the Canada Science Fair in Windsor. Brussels hosted a two- day Homecraft Symposium at the Community Centre. Mike Alexan­ der was appointed as East Wawa- nosh’s representative to the Wing­ ham Recreation Board. Lorna Fraser of Blyth sustained a broken shoulder and pelvis after being struck by a car while crossing Queen St. The county’s municipal officers gathered in Brussels for the annual meeting where they were briefed on the implications of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Philip Street had the winning design for the Blyth Ruta­ baga Festival logo. Hullett Council has decided there will be no new hall for the township in the face of overwhelming rejection from the ratepayers. The Crusaders took the WOAA championship from Dray- Eyes on his work Teams from villageand township councils participated in competitive events at Maitland Valley Conservation Author­ ity's annual “Maple Madness” at Maple Keys Sugar Bush in March. ton. Paul Josling is named the new building inspector for Blyth. Local municipalities are angered over Environment Minister Jim Bradley’s decision to relax the regulations on returnable bottles. MVCA has appointed Ken (Huck) Westman as the new General Manager. Local students have planted trees to commemorate Earth Day. A former Walton man, John Morley Shepherd, has been sen­ tenced to four months in jail after being convicted of assaulting a neighbour with a chain-saw. HCBE trustees rejected administration’s proposed budget as it means a 22 per cent increase. After a marathon session HCBE approved a 13.4 per cent education tax increase leaving them with a “bare bones” budget. Brussels council increases the local tax by 5.4 per cent. Blyth Women's Institute celebrated its 80th anni­ versary. Morris township ratepayers are hit with a fairly substantial increase of 11.3 per cent after council approved its 1990 budget. Grey taxes increased by 8.5 per cent. Brussels council has passed a new amusement by-law regulating coin operated video and arcade games in places accessible to minors. Theodore Kumm, 63, of Brussels and his son-in-law Lome McTeer of Chepstow drowned in a boating accident near Kincardine on May 21. The two were taking part in a fishing derby.