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The Citizen, 2002-11-13, Page 1In memory As grey skies hung overhead and a persistent autumn drizzle fell, people stood at the Brussels cenotaph on Monday morning for the annual Remembrance Day service. Comrade Linda Bird salutes after laying one of the wreaths placed in honour of the fallen. Members of the Legion, Ladies Auxiliary, Cadets, pipe band, Beavers and Guiding were also present for the service. (Bonnie Gropp photo) Eating disorders program here Citizen Volume 18 No. 44 Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 75 Cents (70c + 5c GST) NORTH HURON PUBUSHING COMPANY INC. Inside this week Da -7 County puts hiring &• team in place DART kicks off P 0 g. campaign .1 PeeWee Girls play Pg. iu home opener Pg. Oceanographer i1 visits school _11 Blyth lights up for Pg. IL season Smoking bylaw to get public airing By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher After meetings with bar, restaurant and bingo hall managers that brought generally negative reaction, Huron County's proposed anti-smoking bylaw goes before the public starting Thursday night in Wingham. Craig Metzger, Huron County Health Unit manager. told county council's Nov. 7 meeting that "some very strong issues came forward" at meetings with stakeholders. The reaction was mostly negative. Metzger said he's hoping to find more support from the general public when consultationS begin at the Wescast Complex in Wingham Thursday. Other meetings will be held at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Clinton . on Nov. 14 and Nov. 26 at the South Ehiron Recreation Centre in Exeter. All meetings are at 8:30 p.m. The bylaw proposes to ban smoking in all workplaces and indoor public places, including arenas, bars, restaurants, bingo halls and bowling alleys. 'Blucwater Councillor Paul Klopp asked Metzger how closely the proposed. bylaw mirrored those in surrounding counties. Metzger said the layout of the bylaw is similar to that of Bruce County before the council there wrote in exemptions for things such as seniors homes. "It starts one step stronger than the surrounding counties," he said. "It's a starting point. We'll see what the public has to say." By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor :Most people are familiar with the words anorexia . and bulimia. Most people understand they are eating disorders. What many people may not be aware of is that these serious mental health problems often begin for people in adolescence. A provincial eating disorder network recognized that there were no services in place in Huron, Grey and Bruce Counties to help young people suffering from eating disorders. According to Anita Taylor, a social worker, people often had to travel to Toronto to seek treatment, education or support. Now, an initiative has • been developed in conjunction with the London Health Science - Centre outreach team, to establish the Huron Grey Bruce outreach eating disOrders program. Taylor and Nichola Green, social workers employed with Alexandra Marine and General Hospital are proving links to London for those who need in-patient and day treatment programs. For those closer to home there are screening, education and treatment groups geared to .young people between the ages of 12 and 18 being offered on a rotating basis among the three counties. • • "It's a wonderful opportunity to have this service, this close to home," said Taylor. Also, an • eating disorders information night is being held on Nov. 21 from 6:30-8p.m. at the Wingham and Area Adult Day Centre. "This is designed for parents who may have concerns about their . child," said Taylor. With anorexia an individual will -have a dangerously low body weight and . will follow extremely strict diets. A. bulimic often has a normal weight, but binges and purges to control it. A combination of things is believed to be a factor in the development of an eating disorder. These include temperament, a desire to please others, and the influence of society. Some common signs may be excessive concern about weight, shape and calories; unusual eating habits; guilt or shame about eating; frequent weight fluctuations; excessive exercise; feeling fat when not overweight; irregular menstruation and depression. Any parents who are worried because many of these signs apply to their child, should attend the information session. The presentation will explain what services are available and how they can be accessed. The night is not just for parents whose children have admitted they have an eating disorder. "The support is also there for parents independent of the child accessing our services." said Taylor. Anyone wishing more information can contact Taylor or Green at 482- 3961. ext. 225. The Clinton Community Psychiatric Service is located at 56 Mary St., Clinton. Business hurt by hydro hikes By Janice Becker Citizen staff After months of suffering from skyrocketing electricity costs, consumers may soon see some relief from bills that have increased by 30 to several hundred per cent. Premier Ernie Eves announced Monday that rebate cheques should be arriving by the end of the year and the cost per kilowatt hour will be capped at 4.3 cents, effective Dec. and remain until at least 2006, according to a CTV report. Though the report _states that "prices have surged to 5.66 cents per kilowatt hour" since deregulation occurred in May. many rural residents have seen that rate jump into the eight and nine cent range. The rebate plan, which still must be approved by the provincial legislature, will not be introduced until next Monday at the earliest, as the government is currently on a break. While homeowners had been hit by soaring hydro bills resulting from the privatization of Ontario Hydro. the impact of higher electricity bills would have eventually filtered down to the consumer in other ways as businesses dependent on the power source also saw bills balloon. Roger Swance, assistant manger at Cook's in Walton said the bills had "gone way up". "We've had to pay it, that's all we could do. Eventually. it (would) get passed on to (consumers) because we can't swallow it all," he said. There is little the industry could do to cut costs in that area either, he said, except not turn on high demand machines,'but that has been going on for some time. He also noted that the small elevator operators are really feeling the crunch with some realizing quadrupled energy costs. "There are a lot for sale." he said. "There were even before hydro. This is a tight market with fluctuating prices. There is little room." Don Scrimgeour of Scrimgeour's Food Town in Blyth agrees that there could be some business casualties if costs are not stabilized. "(Hydro prices) are certainly affecting us," he said. "The bill used to be between $2,400 and $2,700 per month. Now it is $3,600." While Scriingeour was hoping for some relief after six months of higher bills, he said, the prices have made doing business difficult. "How do you recoup those costs'? It is making it very tight." His parent company is working on behalf of store owners to get costs in line, he added. The Ontario Fcoeration of Agriculture has also begin working on behalf of tanners :Ind rural residents to find a solution to soaring electricity bills Charles Regele. past president of Continued on page 6