The Citizen, 2002-11-20, Page 1Showing off new digs
Sgt. Brad Sadler demonstrated an OPP computer program for Huron East Mayor Lin Steffler
when she attended the open house for the new Community Policing office in Brussels last
Thursday. (Janice Becker photo)
Bureau prepares for season
DRTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC I
Inside this week
pn 7 Last remnant of old
business torn down
0 Blyth PeeWees win Pg. 0 two
„ School board
Pg. 1z approves no pay
increases
F g. 21 Belgrave hosts
special Night
Pg. 'Nutcracker ' comes
to Blyth
e Citizen
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Volume 18 No. 45 Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002 75 Cents (70c + 5c GST)
Smoking
bylaw
a hot
issue
By Mark Nonkes
Winghain Advance-Times
Stakeholders and citizens debated
the proposed county-wide no
smoking ban in all public and work
places Thursday evening.
Health unit staff, Huron County
and municipal councillors listened to
concerns and support for the ban
during an hour and a half long
meeting at the Knights of Columbus
Hall Nov. 14.
"I want to emphasize that it is a
draft at this point," Huron County
Health Unit representative Craig
Metzger told the room of more than
40 people.
The meeting took inquiries and
comments from representatives of a
number of different groups including
the Wingham branch of the Royal
Canadian Legion, medical staff, bar
and restaurant owners, Canadian
Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke
Foundation, retirement homes and
private citizens.
"A lot of physicians consider
parents smoking a form of child
abuse," said Dr. Shawn Marshall
representing physicians of the
Wingham and District Hospital.
Others worried about the impact
the bylaw would have on business.
"We are going to have a lot of
empty places in town," said Hans
Mayer of the Log-Inn Pub and Grill.
"I'm not really convinced it's in
the best interest of all groups," said
Al Harrison of the Royal Canadian
Legion, Wingham branch.
Presentation
Using a poll :of Huron County
residents. Penny Nelligari of the
health unit said businesses would not
fail because of the ban.
In a survey of 501 .Huron County
residents in August 81.1 per cent
Nuppori a smoking ban in
workplaces. 78.2 per cent in indoor
Continued on page 6
With the holiday season
approaching and families with
financial difficulties often struggling
to put gifts under the tree and a
traditional meal on the table, the
Huron County Christmas Bureau is
once again undertaking a campaign
to help everyone in the county have
a merry Christmas.
Volunteers have been hard at work
since July, preparing to meet the
needs of approximately 1,000
children in the county.
With such a large number needing
support, help from corporate and
individual financial donations and
gifts of food, new clothes and toys is
essential for success.
Always of particular need are
items for teenagers, often
overlooked by people who enjoy
picking out children's toys
when thinking of donating to the
Bureau.
Joan Van den Broeck, community
relations officer for the Huron
County Children's Aid, suggest that
cash donations allow Bureau
shoppers to buy for teenagers.
She also suggests 'taking children
and teens, who are more likely to
know what others their age want as
Christmas gifts, when shopping for
the Bureau.
"Shopping for the Bureau will
become part of your family's
Christmas tradition forever and your
kids will grow up to be altruistic. We
did that with our children and it
really works." she says.
Van den Broeck says the needs are
so broad that even small gifts are
welcome.
"If you can't give a lot, give a bit.
We always need new socks and
underwear," she says.
Residents are asked to buy a gift
for a disadvantaged child, donate to
the Bureau instead of holding a gift
exchange at the office or gather
contributions for roll call at an
organization meeting:
The Bureau will also get a boost
next week (Nov. 27) as community
newspapers across the county take
part in the Christmas bag program
for the fifth year.
In next week's Citizen, subscribers
will find a brown paper bag
sponsored by this newspaper and
several businesses and indus-
tries.
Printed on the bag, along with
sponsor information, are details of
where each of the county bureaus
are located and times gifts and food
can be dropped off.
It also provides information for
people who may need help this
Christmas on how to reach the
bureau and register.
"We can't say enough about this
program because it's of tremendous
help to the Christmas Bureau," says
Van den Broeck.
"Even if people don't use the bags,
they're a big reminder to donate to
the Christmas Bureau and people do
need to be reminded," she says.
Spearheaded by The Huron
Expositor, the Seaforth Lions Club
and the Seaforth Agricultural.
Society, newspapers across the
county joined forces to promote the
use of the bags.
Van den Broeck anticipates an
increase in the need for the
Christmas Bureau this year.
"Things are getting more
expensive and there's been no relief
from government for families. The
number of children in poverty is
holding and growing. It's quite
disgraceful, really," she says.
She adds that while it's not as
visible in rural areas, poverty exists
in Huron County as much as it does
in Toronto.
"It's not as concentrated locally so
people think it's not here but it is,"
she says.
The following churches will be
receiving donations from 10 a.m. to
3 p.m., Dec. 9 through 13: Wesley-
Willis United Church, Clinton;
Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle;
North Street United Church,
Goderich; Bethel Bible Church,
Seaforth and Sacred Heart Roman
Catholic Church, Wingham.
Also, residents can drop off
donated items at Blyth Memorial
Hall during that week. Linda
McGregor will then ensure that the
items are forwarded to the Christmas
Bureau organizers.
Recipients of goods from the
Christmas Bureau do not need a
connection with the Children's Aid
Society. They only need to be Huron
County residents and registered by a
custodial parent.
Complete confidentiality will be
maintained when making an
appointment ,to receive gifts and/or
food.
Appointments can be arranged by
calling 524-7356 or 1-800-265-5198
from Nov. 13 to Dec. 10.
Brussels
opens
cop
office
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
With the opening of a new
community policing office in
Brussels, OPP serving Huron East
have not only gained a greater
presence in the north section of the
municipality, but a convenient work
space for the officers.
Huron East Councillor Dick
Burgess, chair of the Police Services
Board, said the office, located at the
rear of the medical-dental centre.
was established in consultation with
OPP Sergeant Brad Sadler as well as
members of the centre board.
_Sgt. Sadler had worked with
Huron East through the Police
Services Board while Huron East
Councillor Graeme MacDonald is
one of the founding members of the
medical-dental centre.
Though another location in
Brussels had been considered for the
move from the library basement, it
was determined the medical-dental
centre was more appropriate, said
Burgess.
"The offices are very welcoming,"
he said.
Brussels Councillor Greg Wilson
agreed that the new office will not
only increase the utilization of the
medical-dental centre, but improve
OPP visibility in the village.
The portion used for the
Community Policing offices
encompasses four rooms, with desks
and chairs installed. One office is
outfitted with connections for
computer equipment and a phone
line so officers can file their reports
on-line. .
Previously, officers in the northern
area would have to go to Wingham
to file their reports, taking them out
of the municipality, said Sgt. Sadler.
By working in Brussels, their
presence in the municipality is
maintained.
"The driving force (behind getting
this office) was to have something
between Wingham and Seaforth,"
Sgt. Sadler said. _
He also said there will be a big
benefit having the office in the
winter as extra miles will not have to
be driven.
Though there will not be set office
hours, Sgt Sadler expects an officer
to stop at the Brussels location at
least once during a 24-hour period.
Burgess also noted that the
computer linkage could make the
office of interest to officers from
other regions passing through
Brussels, which would result in an
additiOnal presence.
Inspector Gary Martin, on hand for
the open house last Thursday, was
also pleased with the
accommodations. noting that the
availability of space could be used if
a major incident were to occur in the
area.
"If something were to . happen
within a half an hour of here. extra
staff and officers could be brought
into this office." he said.
•