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The Citizen, 2003-01-15, Page 1Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 19 No. 2 Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) NH | NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC. | Inside this week Pg. 7 Huron lake levels declining Australian student visits Planner expects Pg. 11 delay in NMP Act regulations p | w Local named to■ * g’ t / Ontario team Health board gears Pg, 20 UP f°r West Nile* Virus County appoints new CAO By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher Goderich-native Larry Adams has been named chief administrative officer (CAO) of the County of Huron, filling the position vacant since the sudden departure of Lynn Murray last .April. Approval of the hiring of Adams, currently CAO of the Town of Minto, was made at the Jan. 9 meeting of county council. He began his career with the Town of Palmerston before municipal amalgamation. He characterized his management style as “open-door” and “staff-oriented” and promised to build trust and integrity in the county administration. David Carey, who has served as acting CAO. will return to his post as treasurer and deputy-clerk effective Feb. 3. Improvising Winter made a comeback this past week with flurries and heavy winds causing blowing and drifting snow over the course of several days. But die-hard Snowbelt folk can make fun out of even the worst of winter. After Dad finished a morning's worth of shovelling, a bundled-up Sydney Durnin enjoyed a tour around the yard on a readily-available sled. (Vicky Bremner photo) ATVers seek railbed usage Bv David Blaney Special to The Citizen A delegation of ATV enthusiasts attended Huron East’s first council meeting of 2003 on Jan 7. Their trip to council was part of a three- year attempt to have the former CPR rail bed in Grey ward declared an official ATV trail by the provincial government. Brian Bradbury of the Perth and District ATV Club made a presentation detailing the history behind the proposal and the reasons he supported idea. While admitting that, “there are a lot of negatives out there,” about the sport Bradbury suggested that if it was regulated in the same manner as snowmobiles these could be overcome. He said. “As an avid ATVer 1 would rather see people ride on the rail bed, as a proper trail, than the roads.” John Broderick, president of the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicle Clubs was also present and provided council with some facts concerning the growth and economic impact of ATVs. He said there were 180.000 registered ATVs in the province and probably as many as 300,000 in total in Ontario. The sport has almost reached the size of snowmobilmg and Broderick suggested, "when you consider the length of the season it doesn’t take much to expect the same (economic) spin-offs as snowmobiles.” Several councillors expressed concerns about the attitude of the landowners adjoining the proposed trail. Both presenters indicated that Continued on page 16 May be hope yet for snowmobilers By Janice Becker Citizen staff Snowy blustery conditions have swept through the region since last Friday, bringing white-outs and slippery roads. Though many school children were pleased with the snow day Monday, the wintry conditions have not yet resulted in improvements to the local snowmobile trails which have remained closed this season. “We need at least six inches of snow to get the groomers back out on the trails,” said Bruce Howson of the Blyth Sno-Travellers. The club had done work at the end of last year to level the trails, but Howson said there is just not enough snow to create a base. “The plowed fields are the worst. The bush (areas) are fine. If we got some snow, the trails would be ready to go in one to two days,” he said. Terry Hoy, trail co-ordinator lor the Wingham and District Snowmobile Club agrees. “We need a couple of days of just snowfall without these winds. The open fields are being blown bare.” Hoy said the Wingham trails which connect to the Blyth and Brussels trails are bare, as are many in the Wroxeter and Belmore area because of the open fields. “The Wingham to Teeswater trails are not as bad because there is more bush,” he said. However, all trails remain closed. Hoy said he would like to see as much as a foot of snow on the trails so the groomers don’t damage any fields. This would also allow snowmobiles to get on the trails and pack down the base. “It is frustrating right now because a lot of work went into the trails last fall with repairing bridges and culverts and now we sit and wait,” he said. Jim Bauer of the B&W Trailblazers said the Brussels/Walton trails are not open, but the trail east of Mitchell in Ellice Twp. had the groomers on them on Sunday. “The ground is frozen so the snow is not sticking to it. We need to get the snow to stay on the trails.” He too, said the snow in wooded areas is great, but open fields are a problem. Though the snow has not made riding in this area possible, Bauer of B&K Tire and Battery in Brodhagen said the season has been “decent” for equipment sales. “People have been pretty optimistic and we have sold a lot of new units. However, everything depends on the trails. We need to get the trails-open, the (riders) on them and the guys happy,” he said. Hoy, of Lynn Hoy Enterprises, Wingham, said the snows late last week brought in a lol of people who were preparing to gel their machines in running condition. “At this point, it is a big waiting game,” he said. Bauer said their clientele from across the province is still bringing in machines for maintenance, then heading north. “They’ve got the investment so they want to use them,” said Bauer. As of Monday afternoon, many trails to the north were open for limited use. Trails through Kenora and the Nipigon region were open, limited or closed while areas to the east ot there as well as in the New Liskeard region were open or limited. Areas listing the trails as limited include Meaford, Thornbury, Mount Forest and Conn, Owen Sound east and west, Sauble Beach. Southampton-Port Elgin. Wiarton, Mar, Hepworth and Shallow Lake, Hillsburgh. Holland Landing, Orangeville, Port Perry. Barrie. Collingwood. Creemore, Feversham. Lake Dalrymple, Orillia. Wasaga, the Kingston district and most trails in the Peterborough region. Listed as open include Midland, Innisfil and Durham, on a limited basis. All trails are being posted with Use at Own Risk signs. While snowmobilers and business owners wait for a sizeable accumulation of the white stuff in this region, reports from The Weather Network predicted five to 10 centimetres (two to four inches) by Tuesday afternoon for Goderich and surrounding area with continuing tlurries throughout the week and an increased possibility ol precipitation by Friday and Saturday. Environment Canada predicts below average snowfall through February and near normal temperatures for southwestern Ontario.