The Citizen, 1996-05-29, Page 1Over and up
Motocross racing fever continues to rise in Huron County. While Walton has been the site of
a national championship for many years now, the picturesque countryside around Auburn,
was revving with activity this past Sunday, as the top provincial pro and amateur
motocrossers battled it out for the Ontario title. The East Wawanosh track is a demanding
natural terrain course
Community
Max Oldfield gets
recognition for 50 years of
doing business
See page 2
Safety
Blyth Optimists, OPP join
forces to teach bike safety
to children
See page 3
Feature
Father, son talk about
provincial trek to raise
funds for genetic research
OPP look into
weekend thefts
The North Huron
itizen
Huron cleans up at Science Fair
Thieves were on the prowl this
past weekend with officers from
the Wingham OPP investigating
several break-ins and robberies
throughout the area.
A theft of a 1988 Suzuki 200 cc
dirt bike and two Motorola portable
hand-held radios, from an unlocked
driveshed in Grey Twp. was dis-
covered Sunday night and reported
to police. According to a report
from the OPP it is believed that the
theft occurred at the Lot 11, Conc.
9 property of Murray Fischer some-
time during the evening of May 24-
25. The bike was white with a
custom painted front fender depict-
ing blue flames and the words
"True Blue". The radios were grey.
Police are looking into an auto
By Janice Becker
Government plans to reduce
staffing at several ministries has
taken the Clinton Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture, Food and Rural'
Affairs office as its latest victim.
After a Meeting last week, it was
determined that four positions were
surplus, says newly appointed Field
Services Manager Dan Carlow.
"The staff was notified and they
The campaign against education
taxes attached to property tax,
begun by Blyth council, has moved
to the next phase when a meeting
was held with Huron MPP Helen
Johns to detail the results to date.
In a report brought to the May 21
meeting of council, Clerk-Treasurer
John Stewart said, "Johns says the
government is receptive to change.
Tax reform is a priority and not just
education taxes off property taxes."
However, Stewart indicated that
Johns, along with her party,
believes the Jan. 1 deadline is too
soon.
Options were outlined for the
next step by council. Johns suggest-
ed a meeting with the Minister of
Fiance or the Minister of Education
in Toronto, meeting with represen-
tatives of the ministries in Blyth or
a petition sent to the minister.
She also said she could question
the minister during Question Period
in the legislature or request permis-
sion to appear before a provincial
committee being set up to hear con-
cerns regarding tax reform.
Council agreed that the best
option would be for Stewart to con-
tact Johns regarding a meeting with
Minister of Education John Snobe-
theft which occurred during the
evening of May 23-24. Police say a
1983 Pontiac Parisienne, stolen
from the lot at Brussels Auto Sales,
was recovered May 24 at a Seaforth
parking lot.
On May 26 between 2:30 and 9
a.m., the pop machines at Scrim-
gours Food Market, Blyth were
broken into. One machine appears
to have been entered with a key,
police say. Coins, with an approxi-
mate value of $100 were lifted
from the coin box. The padlock on
the second machine was cut, but
the thieves failed to gain entry.
Polcie are asking anyone with
any information regarding these
cases to contact the Wingham OPP
at 357-1331 or Crimestoppers.
are pursuing several options avail-
able to them," he says.
"There are many talented people
affected and we hope to find places
for them as best we can."
Carlow says it is too early to dis-
cuss details such as positions lost
or people involved as many options
are being considered.
"Things should be worked out
over the next few weeks."
len, as soon as possible.
It was hoped the meeting could
be arranged before the spring ses-
sion of the legislature recesses at
the end of June.
Reeve Mason Bailey and Stewart
will also contact all the supporting
councils to consolidate the posi-
tions.
Each municipality will be asked
to return a letter of support con-
cerning the cessation of education
tax collection, to Blyth, which will
then be forwarded to Snobelen.
"The response to date from sup-
porting councils has far exceeded
my expectations," says Reeve Bai-
ley. He reiterated his confidence in
convincing the government of the
importance of the matter and that
he believes the present government
will respond favourably.
The campaign has drawn full
support from 185 municipalities
and support in principle from an
additional 45.
This support indicates a large
population, says Councillor Doug
Scrimgeour.
Reeve Bailey added 4hat larger
communities such as London,
Metro Toronto and Kingston are'
showing considerable interest.
Once again, the quality and
enthusiasm of Huron County public
education students has been
rewarded.
David Lisle and Duane Schiestel,
both Grade 7 students at Wingham
Public School, earned silver medals
at the Canada-Wide Science Fair,
held in North Bay, recently. Lisle's
project, "Waste Not, Want Not",
earned the second place finish in
the life sciences category for the
junior division, while Schiestel's
"Candles-How Long Will They
Burn", captured second in the
junior division physical science
class.
Howick Central Public School,
represented by David Newton with
"Natural Water Filtration", made a
very respectable showing as well.
This is the second year in a row
in which Huron County students
walked away with multiple awards,
last year bringing home one silver
and two bronze.
This accomplishment is quite
impressive, says Superintendent of
Schools, Gino Giannandrea. "There
were 423 projects, representing 109
regions from across Canada.
Approximately 40 gold and silver
medals were awarded with Huron
County bringing home two."
Preparations are already under-
way for next year's fair, hosted by
Regina, Saskatchewan. The com-
mittee is seeking sponsors to offset
the cost of sending local students to
the very prestigious event.
Anyone interested in being a
sponsor may contact Giannandrea
at 482-3496.
Vol. 12 No. 22
Wednesday, May 29, 1996
700 + 50 GST 750
OMAFRA hit
with layoffs
Blyth campaign
ready for phase 2