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The Citizen, 1999-07-07, Page 1Sports Special Entertainment Man teaches | "'TTS 8-page pull-out section Play a lighter T skills to moto- | ~ '~F|honours the area’s 1999 look at a serious " cross riders 11 ■.Grade 8 graduates subject See page 9 See page 13 See page 31 CitizenTheNorthHuron Farmer’s tip leads to marijuana patch Vol. 15 No. 27 Wednesday, July 7,1999 (70*4-5$ GST) 750 Taking a dip With very hot, hazy and humid days of summer upon us, Blyth children found refuge at the wading pool at Lions Park last Friday. With the older ones playing, jumping and splashing young Patrick Wood chose to stay a little closer to the water’s edge. A local farmer from Howick Twp. on Concession C reported a suspi­ cious vehicle hanging around on June 30 around 7:15 p.m. Officers attended and checked the area looking for the vehicle. The farmer advised the vehicle was seen coming out of an area near a corn field. The property was checked and a number of com plants were found pulled out of the field. Further checking showed a number of marijuana plants had been planted in the area of the pulled corn. Fourteen marijuana plants were seized. Sr. Const. Don Shropshall said the Huron OPP detachment would like to thank the concerned farmer for his help in disposing of the marijuana plants and again remind all farmers in the Huron County area if they come across the plants to call police immediately. Also, if any vehicles or persons are seen to be hanging in any areas notify the detachment. Crops doing fine By Janice Becker Citizen staff With the sun beating down and high humidity which has brought intermit­ tent rainfall, this year’s crops appear to be doing very well and many are far ahead of schedule. “We have had a lot of timely rains, but this is going to have to continue through to harvest,” said Brian Hall, soil and crop advisor for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs office in Clinton. With moisture reserves low after last summer’s drought, continued rainfall is needed to sustain the good start to the crop season. The wheat is looking good, said Hall, but there are more reports than nor­ mal about wheat going flat. “Some fields are as much as two weeks early. Harvest could start next week.” The second cutting of hay has also started after an excellent first crop. ‘The com is extremely advanced. It has shown excellent growth and has responded to the heat and moisture. Some fields could be tasseling in two weeks,” said Hall. ‘There was extremely good emergence this year and there are some real­ ly good stands.” Though the soybean crop is looking good, Hall said there is increased weed pressure. Early varieties are beginning to flower. The edible beans are also looking good. While the crops are generally doing very well so are the insects, said Hall. “With two good winters for the insects, they are creating more pressure on the crops and their presense is three weeks ahead.” Local weather observer Boyd Taylor said temperatures remained above normal through June. Rainfall for the month totalled 82.5 millimetres. Historic building may fall Blyth stands firm on 2-tier By Janice Becker Citizen staff With the proposition for a single­ tier option again being discussed by some Huron County councillors, Blyth councillors re-affirmed their position for amalgamation at the July 5 session. In response to a letter from the Wingham and Area Chamber of Commerce seeking support to keep the single-tier option available, Councillor Doug Scrimgeour rec­ ommended a letter be sent stating council’s position. “We are working on two-tier and until that option is finished, we will not look at single-tier.” Noting the difficulty in achieving his goal. Councillor Murray Nesbitt said he would like to have the one and two-tier systems explained well. “It seems many people don't under­ stand what they really mean.” While Reeve Mason Bailey said the options have been explained at three all-council meetings over the past years, Councillor Jeff Howson said he believed it is the public who needs the explanation. “They don’t understand the conse­ quences of single-tier,” he said. In recent weeks there has been a resurgence of interest in single-tier from sectors of the public. Bailey said in his talks with some of these groups they were not in favour of a corporate takeover. Bailey sees that as the likely route to one-tier. Scrimgeour reiterated that bring­ ing up single-tier again is getting everyone off course. “We voted for two-tier. At this point, we are work­ ing on two-tier. This is a derail­ ment.” Council also briefly discussed a proposal which has been bandied about lately; the county split into three wards, each with their own “single-tier” government. There could be a weak county structure. Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart also clarified a point which has been causing much concern recently. A section of Bill 26 which governs amalgamation policy states that a group of 75 ratepayers may call in a commissioner to settle the matter. However, Stewart stated that this provision is only for unorganized areas in northern Ontario. It does not apply to municipalities in southern Ontario. All amalgamations of organized municipalities are to be approved by triple majority. As council agreed to re-affirm their position supporting two-tier government, Bailey said the amalga­ mation meeting scheduled for Thursday, in Blyth, should be very Continued on page 3 The fate of a downtown Brussels landmark will be decided next month. Brussels village council deferred a decision on whether to approve a demolition permit for the south portion of the Smith Block, now owned by Robert Hesse. Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Lori Pipe told council Monday night, that Hesse had said the building required too much work to restore and also believed that he would not be able to find a buyer. She said that as the building has historical value, Clerk- Treasurer Donna White had expressed some concerns about tear­ ing it down. Reeve Ralph Watson noted that because the building has historical significance it would take a motion of council to approve a demolition permit. Councillor Mary Stretton noted that if people interested in the build­ ing had said it would be too costly to Continued on page 2 Vandals target trail The hot weather must have made mischief makers restless over the past week. In Blyth, vandals once again tar­ geted the Greenway Trail. Rocks were removed from around the but­ terfly garden and thrown in damag­ ing some plants. Several were also strewn around the perimeter. Someone had attempted to push a picnic table into the river, but stopped when it jammed between the trees. Signs along the fitness trail were pulled out as well. On Monday morning it was dis­ covered that a flower box had been dumped onto the road, destroying all the flowers. The damage estimate is $50. The volunteer hours, however, cannot be measured. Brussels also experienced some vandalism at the ball park and on the main street. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800- 222-8477.