The Citizen, 1998-06-03, Page 1.Blyth encourages
residents to dress up for
beautification contest
See page 3
Tigers on a tear with 2
big season-opening
victories against Zurich
See page 8
California Cuties
make stop in
Brussels
See page 24
itize
The North Huron
West Wawanosh couple
11 beats township in court
Vol. 14 Na 22 Wednesday, June 3, 1998
70e + Se GST 750
Clean up
Sunday Waolit a day of rest for many in the area after high winds and thunderstorms
knocked down trees early that morning. Stephen Webster of RR2, Blyth, cleared some
fallen trees from lanes and fields, while his dairy herd makes room. The storm cut a large
swath through south-western Ontario. While power was out briefly in most areas, in Blyth it
took 13 hours to restore. For more storm photos see page 6.
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
The complainants who took their
municipal government to court over
road maintenance have won.
Peter and Bev Grierson of West
Wawanosh Twp., who began the
legal battle in 1995, were awarded
damages in the amount of $21,384
plus interest. The fight was over
maintenance for the sideroad north
of Conc. 6, between Lots 21 and
22, which provides access to their
property.
The judge ruled that the sideroad
to Griersons' property line is an
open public highway, assumed by
the township, thereby making the
township responsible for mainte-
nance.
"We are very pleased with the
decision," said Bev Grierson in a
phone interview last week. "This
road has been a problem for six
years. It has caused inconvenience
and expense."
For the next two and a half years,
Brussels will be policed by Wing-
ham officers.
The decision was approved by
Brussels councillors at a special
meeting, May 26.
After receiving both verbal and
written input from residents, coun-
cil agreed to enlist the police ser-
vices of the Wingham force until
the end of 2000 or the end of the
current term of government, said
Brussels Clerk-Treasurer Donna
White.
The sideroad, which had only
been used by farmers to access
their land prior to Griersons' pur-
chase of 190 acres in 1990, runs
approximately one mile into the
concession, said West Wawanosh
Reeve Doug Miller.
"The township had always con-
sidered the sideroad unassumed and
therefore'they were not responsible
for maintenance."
Much of the distance is through
open country though the last por-
tion is through swamp, making it
very difficult to work through, said
Miller. "That is part of the prob-
lem."
The poor condition of the road
has caused problems for the Grier-
sons since they built their home in
1991, having to use an argo, an
eight-wheel, tracked vehicle, to
negotiate the distance from first
snowfall to late spring when the
Continued on page 24
According to Councillor Greg
Wilson, he and Councillor Mary
Stretton expressed support for the
OPP providing policing for the vil-
lage.
The agreement, to take effective
Oct. 1, is still contingent on accep-
tance of all other North Huron
municipalities including Blyth and
the Townships of Howick, Morris,
Grey.
Howick Twp. is the only munici-
pality yet to announce their inten-
tions.
Brussels says no to OPP
Hydro doesn't answer Blyth's call Brussels names citizen
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
When a power outage struck the
area Sunday morning, Blyth PUC
Foreman Bill Bromley spent more
than an hour and half trying to con-
tact Ontario Hydro.
The first call was attempted
before noon, said Blyth Clerk-Trea-
surer John Stewart, but efforts to
get through on the emergency line
to Markham were met with a busy
signal or one ring then silence.
After numerous tries, as well as
calls to the Clinton Hydro office
and to friends who work for Hydro,
Bromley decided to drive to Clin-
ton to see if there was anyone in the
office so he could tell them Blyth
was still down, said Stewart.
However, before he left, pumps
had to be installed for the water
system in case of an emergency.
Bromley made contact with
Ontario Hydro around 2 p.m., said
Stewart.
Once there, Bromley was told all
the crews were already out, with
several in the Holmesville area.
Stewart didn't know if earlier con-
tact would have resulted in quicker
service for Blyth.
With the power out from 8 a.m.
to 6:05 p.m., Stewart said there is a
After several very difficult years
of budget cuts and amalgamation,
the director of education for the
Avon Maitland District School
Board will be leaving.
Paul Carroll, who had served as
the director of education for the
former Huron County Board of
Education since 1993, recently
announced his retirement, effective
June 26.
Involved in education since he
began teaching at Victoria Public
School, Goderich, in 1967, Carroll
moved into the position of vice-
principal at Seaforth Public School
six years later. He was appointed
principal in 1977.
In 1984, he took his expertise to
review already in progress to deter-
mine why Ontario Hydro could not
be reached at the emergency num-
ber.
"The PUC will be reviewing
Continued on page 11
the education centre to fill the role
of superintendent of education.
Through the following nine years,
he held the portfolios of special
education and business and opera-
tions.
In a release from the board
office, Chair Abby Armstrong said
Carroll's dedication to accomplish-
ments on behalf of the Huron pub-
lic education system for 30 years
and the Avon Maitland District
School board since amalgamation
have been extraordinary.
"Carroll was active in local,
provincial and national organiza-
tions and committees, all with the
goal of improving the education
system for the benefit of students."
Few do not recognize the name.
This year's Brussels and area Citizen of the Year is a
community leader, well-known businessperson and
infamous storyteller.
In honouring Neil McGavin, RR4, Walton, the
committee agreed that his involvement with, and for, the
community exemplified the phrase "outstanding citizen".
Educated at the University of Guelph, McGavin joined
his family's farm and agricultural business in Walton in
1957. He and his wife, Marie, reside at the family
homestead, where they raised four children. They instilled
in their offspring the love of rural life and a dedication to organizations such
as 4-H.
In addition to earning a reputation as a gifted and entertaining speaker,
McGavin volunteers through his association with the local Lions Cub.
He has been actively involved with the Ontario Plowmen's Association,
serving as director, and helped to bring the 1999 International Plowing
Match to Huron. In 1996 the McGavins hosted the Huron Plowing Match.
While the respect of community and neighbours is welcome, there is no
greater praise than when it comes from one's own family. In their
nomination, son Jeff and his wife, Shannon McGavin described Neil as
"being there for others."
Neil is always ready to extend help to friends and neighbours, Jeff and
Shannon said, yet they feel his "greatest attribute is his ability to lift people's
spirits by helping them to see the lighter side of life regardless of the
situation."
"Neil McGavin is an outstanding citizen and we believe he should be
publicly honoured for his dedication and hard work."
Paul Carroll retires