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The Citizen, 1994-09-07, Page 1Government ■______Sports______■_____Special_____M Entertainment County calls cease-fire in planning debate See page 6 Young area hockey players work out at dryland training See page 10 24 page issue highlights sights, sounds of Reunion See inside Alice Through the Looking Glass takes you back in time See page 19 Blyth businesses plan party to show off new look Vol. 10 No.35 Wednesday, September 7, 1994 6Q0gstincluded By Bonnie Gropp Everyone likes to show off a new look and Blyth is no exception. With the Hwy 4 reconstruction nearing completion and the new decorative lights soon to be installed, the village is planning a celebration. Don Scrimgeour and Carol Irwin of the Blyth Business Association attended the Aug. 31 meeting of council to discuss plans for the event. On Friday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. people are invited to assemble at the Christian Reformed Church. For approximately half an hour there will be entertainment by buskers, then the teddy bear parade will begin down the street to the post office. "We want to encourage everyone to participate,"said Mr. Scrimgeour, noting that every child in the parade will receive a loony. "I'd like to see a hundred people marching down the street." Marchers must be in night time attire and carrying their favourite stuffed animal. Following the official lighting of the new lights, there will be a social gathering in the Memorial Hall courtyard. Mr. Scrimgeour said, "We want­ ed to have some fanfare with the lighting, rather than just flipping a switch one night and they're on. We feel it's going to make a significant difference and feel want people to take part in the excitement." "I think the changes are going to make Blyth a prettier place. We all look at first impressions and when people see a healthy, vibrant main street that first impression should be a good one and a lasting one." County won’t use grant to help Union Gas proj. Are you OK, Mom? As little Lindsay Wood and Mom Pam rush through the raindrops Tuesday morning, on their way to Lindsay's first day in kindergarten at Brussels Public School, she seems to be checking to make sure Mom isn't too sad to see her go. Four area schools will be welcoming students to junior kindergarten this fall as well as the returning pupils. The new classes have increased total enrolment though the rest of the school populations have remained fairly stable. Many changes at Walton PS Huron County has no business supporting the use of tax money to help private companies, county councillors decided at their Sept. 1 meeting. Councillors upheld a motion of the Planning and Development Committee not to support the request of Union Gas that the county make a jobsOntario grant application on behalf of the compa­ ny. Union Gas is contemplating an expansion of its pipeline north from Clinton to serve Blyth, Brussels and Wingham. Some councillors felt the county should have at least listened to a presentation from the company before denying the request. "The county should keep all avenues open," Leona Armstrong, reeve of Grey Township told council in ask­ ing the committee motion be deferred. "The Planning Committee should be open to all," argued Bob Hal­ lam, reeve of West Wawanosh. "It shouldn’t be against (Union Gas) Just because it's a big company. I think we should be open to listen to all sides. I'd like to ask what the municipalities that have gas would feel like if they lost it." But Brian McBurney, reeve of Tumberry, said he didn't feel the county should be involved in subsi­ dizing private enterprise. And Jack Coleman, deputy-reeve of Stanley Township, pointed out the county would be supporting one company while competitors in the fuel oil and propane business wouldn't have any taxpayer support. Norm Fairies, reeve of Howick Township, said that Union Gas had the natural gas franchise for Huron County so it was not as if they were in competition with other compa­ nies. "If they don't do it (expand to serve the northern part of the coun­ ty), no one will. I suggest we have a meeting to get more information." Dr. Gary Davidson, director of planning, told council that a meet­ ing has been set up today (Sept. 7) at the Howick Township municipal office at 3 p.m. between Union Gas and the member municipalities of the North Huron Development Area. He said the company has already applied for environmental approval for expansion of the pipeline north from Clinton. A motion to defer a vote on sup­ porting Union Gas' request until after the Sept. 7 meeting was defeated. Councillors then approved the Planning and Devel­ opment Committee's decision not to make the grant application. The school year has begun again and as children greet their friends and youngsters enter a junior kindergarten class for the first lime, some local school staffs will be welcoming new members. One of the schools with the biggest change is Walton Public School. Il is no longer considered a primary school because the Grade 3 students will remain for another year for Grade 4 instead of travel­ ling to Seaforth PS. "The school's population will rise to approximately 105 this year," says Secretary June Johns. Walton PS staff will be welcom­ ing a new kindergarten teacher, Brenda Vivian, to the school. Mrs. Vivian comes to Walton from Seaforth PS. Helen Crocker has been promot­ ed from a Grade 7/8 teacher al Vic­ toria PS in Goderich to vice- principal al Walton. East Wawanosh PS. will have the services of a new teacher assistant. Kathy Young will be working with the junior kindergarten class and the Grade 1 class, on alternate days. The custodial staff has also added a member, Fay Weber. Morag Watt arrives at Blyth PS as the new secretary, replacing Rena Kolkman who has transferred to Hullett Central PS. Ms Watt comes from the Huron County Board of Education office in Clinton. Grey Central PS has two new teachers on staff. Continued on page 7 We need your help The Citizen is seeking correspondents for Brussels, Blyth and Cran- brook, as well as someone as a fill-in for Walton. If you are interested in your community, enjoy meeting and talking to people and can spare an extra hour or so each week, let us know. Writing ability is an asset, but not a necessity. Contact The Citizen editor, Bonnie Gropp at 523-4792, if you'd like to help spread the news about the happenings in your area.