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The Citizen, 2003-05-07, Page 1The Citizen i_____________________Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 19 No. 18 Wednesday, May 7, 2003 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) NH | NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC, J Inside this week Pg. 2 Pg-3 Pg-17 Pg-19 Pe.24 Local educator honoured CHSS student gets recognition Auburn Lion vice-governor Disney friend visits Walton Little School Huron East passes budget MVCA wins appeal By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor The court of appeal released its decision last week to allow the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority’s appeal and ordered a new trial in the matter of a manure storage tank built for Cranbrook Swine. According to Phil Beard, general rpanager. MVCA’s solicitor is in the process of setting a date for a new trial. The issue arose in August of 1999, when Cranbrook Swine and Landmark Builders began construction on a manure storage holding tank in a swamp. The property is located in Morris Twp. between Belgrave and Brussels. “We found out about it from our tree inspectors, because they were removing trees to build the tank.” A permit to build was needed, and was received from the township. Beard said the Authority’s concern over the location for the tank, which when completed would be 160’ across and 12’ high, is that this swamp has springs which drain into the river. The township issued a stop work order and MVCA pressed charges. Beard explains that the first judge threw out the charge because he didn’t feel that the tank was in a swamp. “He said the swamp was around it, but not under the tank so dismissed the charge.” MVCA’s next move was to appeal to the county court, which they did in 2001. “Judge Hunter felt that the other judge had erred in thinking it wasn’t a swamp, but because the builder did have a permit he couldn’t be charged.” MCVA appealed to the court of appeal Dec. 11, 2002. April 28, two of three judges agreed that while Cranbrook Swine did have a permit they also had the responsibility to determine if other permits are required, said Beard. He added that the Authority also has a letter from the county planning department stating that the construction is in violation of the township’s zoning bylaw. Thumbs up Students at Blyth Public School arrived at school last week to see teacher, Jeff Gole, with blue and green hair. Students had been raising money for new sports uniforms, wanting to reach their goal of $3,000. Gole told students he would dye his hair in the school colours if they exceeded their goal, which they did, raising $4,200. Gole had his hair dyed by Judy Gleave at Chauncey’s Hairstyling in Blyth. (Sarah Mann photo) 600 students attend Grey day By Sarah Mann Student writer Play safe. That was the message over 600 students and interested community took home with them after attending Grey Central Public School’s farm safety day at the BMG arena on Thursday. The day began with a presentation by the War Amps,. including guest speaker, Rob Larman,the director of the War Amps playsafe/drivesafe program. Larman travels all over Canada spreading this message, saying he grew tired of meeting kids who lost their limbs in accidents which could have been prevented. Larman lost his leg at the age of 14 when he jumped on a moving freight train because he was dared. He told his friends they were crazy but they called him a chicken so he did it. “At first 1 thought it was pretty fun but then the train started to pick up speed and I got scared and decided to jump off.” When Larman’s feet hit the ground, he lost his balance and was pulled under the train. He spent three months in the hospital and six weeks learning how to walk again because his leg was cut off above the knee. Now, Larman says, “every step I take isn’t comfortable. I can run, but not the same way. I can still ride a bike, but not as fast as I used to.” Larman stressed that amputees can do anything that kids with limbs can do, only amputees have to do it differently. Larman also showed a video called Spot the Danger, which uses a kids-to-kids approach and features 14 child amputees who lost their limbs in accidents that happened on farms and in cities. Joshua was six years old at the time of his accident. He was at a cottage and went for a boat ride with his family. He was kneeling up at the front of the boat when it hit a big wave and threw him over. He was pulled under the boat and the propeller cut up his leg. Joshua was rushed to Owen Sound hospital, then airlifted to Sick Kids’ Hospital in Toronto. He stayed there for 29 days and went through 50 hours of surgery as doctors had to amputate his leg just below the knee. Although each child’s story was different, the same message ran throughout - be aware of the dangers around you and play safe. While the message was directed at the children, Larman also stressed the importance of parents understanding and following safety rules. Larman told the children, “Make sure you wear your seatbelt and make sure your parents do too.” The video also suggests parents and kids should go on a safety walk to recognize potential hazards around their neighbourhood or farm saying that to avoid danger, children must first learn to recognize it. Presentations in the morning were also given by the Ontario Farm Safety Association on how to properly start and stop a tractor and how to safely drive farm equipment on the road. The OPP also gave a police dog demonstration and told the children what they should do if they get lost. Mark Grandston, an OPP officer in Huron County, is also on the Emergency Response Team which is responsible for search and rescue missions, drug busts, looking for lost or missing persons, as well as policing protests. Grandston brought with him the different uniforms he wears for each job and told the children what to do should they ever become lost. “We’ve adopted the hug-a-tree program. You don’t actually have to stand there and hug the tree but stop and sit down or stay in one spot. If you keep moving, it makes it harder Continued on page 8 AMDSB revisits Seaforth school boundaries By Janice Becker Citizen staff With the realignment of the Seaforth. Public School catchment area now three years old, the Avon Maitland District School Board is once again being asked to consider changes. Families with children attending that school, but living in the southeast comer of Morris, south­ west comer of Grey or a small area west of Egmondville are being given the opportunity to speak out at a public meeting to discuss the altering of boundaries. In Morris (an area bounded by Moncrieff Rd., Brussels Line, Blyth Rd. and Clyde Linejand Grey (Moncrieff Rd., Brussels Line, Blyth Rd. and McNabb Line), families were given the choice of sending their children to Blyth Public School or Grey Central Public School respectively when Walton Public School closed in 2000. If Walton had not closed, the students would have attended Seaforth beginning in Grade 5. At that time, a few families chose to border cross and attend the alternate schools. Steve Howe, manager of communications for the school board, said more families have been crossing the borders in the past three years and there have been requests to revisit the issue. To that end, approximately 11 families in the three catchment areas were sent letters last week informing them of a public meeting to receive input. “This is just in the study phase,” said Howe. “The public meeting is to see how families feel about the change.” Howe said no children will be displaced and the right to finish elementary school in Seaforth, for those already attending, will be grandfathered in. “This is just a matter of housekeeping to clean up a situation which has developed over the past few years.” he said. “Families may be better served if the adjustment is made.” Once input is received from the families, a proposal will be taken to the board based on those recommendations. The public meeting will be held in the library of the education centre, in Seaforth. May 12 at 7 ' , p.m. All those affected are invited to attend.