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The Citizen, 2003-06-18, Page 1Volume 19 No. 24 NH I NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC? Inside this week Pg-6 Pg-9 Pg. 12 It’s hats off for local senior Local darter does well at nationals Legion, Auxiliary elect executives Area farm hosts soil and crop day Manufacturing group tours Wescast N. Huron Wheels Away to talk By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor With clear understanding noted from the Ministry of Fjnajice, North Huron council and Wheels Away agreed at the June 16 meeting of council to start afresh. The issue arose some time ago over Wheels Away’s conviction that money in the township’s Community Re-investment Fund was earmarked specifically for them. Clerk-administrator John Stewart, however, has stated time and again that the CRF monies, which comes from the province to offset downloaded services, was unconditional. After some debate and confrontation, one compromise has been reached with North Huron offering $10,000 for a capital reserve towards the purchase of an automobile in the future with another $4,000 budgeted for the per capita costs. This however, would not help with operating costs, said Bev Woodley representing a Wheels Away delegation present for the meeting. She explained that the Ministry had suggested North Huron look for a new host municipality. Morris-Turnberry agreed to do this and as such the Ministry’s office explained in a letter to council the $26,000 from the CRF suggested for special transit would be taken from North Huron and given to Morris- Turnberry. Director of finance/treasurer Donna White said she and Stewart had spoken to the office of the minister and re-iterated that the funding is unconditional. “Its use is toally a municipal decision,” she said. She also noted that the minister Continued on page 7 Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Wednesday, June 18, 2003 Seaforth By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen The boundaries surrounding the catchment area of Seaforth Public School have been shifted southward, to reflect ongoing requests from families in the area to allow their children to cross existing dividing lines. The approval was granted through a unanimous trustee vote, at a regular board meeting Tuesday, June 10. The issue was also .explored at a special public meeting. May 12 in Seaforth, which was attended by Huron East/Centrai trustee Charlie Smith and Northeast Huron counterpart Colleen Schenk. “The (public) meeting was very uncontentious, for a change,” explained Schenk at the June 10 meeting, referring to past public meetings surrounding the closure of such schools as Walton Public School and Seaforth District High School. Affected schools under the boundary change, to come into effect Sept. 1, 2003, are Blyth Public School, Grey Central Public School in Ethel, Seaforth Public School, and Huron Centennial Public School at RR 1, Brucefield. “The only questions that arose were around the grandfathering (of families who currently don’t fit into the proposed changes),” Schenk explained, “and we answered all of those questions to the satisfaction of those in attendance.” Under the “grandfathering” agreement, students who chose to cross the border and attend Brussels Public School at the time of Walton Public School’s closure in 2000, will be allowed to continue that practice. And those who follow current boundaries and attend Seaforth Public School from the area surrounding Walton will remain at the school. Otherwise, the boundary for the Seaforth facility is essentially being shifted southward, allowing for to- the-driveway bussing for families which presently must transport their children to the school of their choice or to central pick-up zones. In the south, Seaforth Public School’s catchment area will be expanded west from the Egmondville town limits to include parts of Cone. 2 and 3 of Tuckersmith Ward. According to a report delivered to trustees at the June 10 meeting, this is presently part of the Huron Centennial catchment area, yet no students residing within the area actually attend the RR 1, Brucefield facility. All are currently crossing the border into Seaforth. In the north, students from the entire village of Walton will continue to attend Seaforth. The areas surrounding Walton, however, will be divided according to the ward in which students reside. Those in McKillop will attend Seaforth, those in Grey will attend Grey Central, and those in Morris will attend Blyth. “A number of families are already cross-bordering into Grey and Blyth,” explained education superintendent Bill Gerth, author of the report. “What we’ve simply done is follow the requests of the families.” 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) PS boundaries shift south Enterprising youth Tyler Elligsen of McKillop is just one of six Huron County youths who qualified for a government start-up grant for a summer business. Elligsen will be selling and installing Canadian flags. (Janice Becker photo) Youth hopes venture flies high By Janice Becker Citizen staff With a little inspiration, a suggestion from a friend and government support, Tyler Elligsen of McKillop will be running his own business this summer. The Grade 11 student earned sponsorship after competing in the 2003 Summer Company program supported by the Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation. Elligsen will be operating Flying High Flags, after being named one of 250 provincial recipients of the $1,500 start-up grant. “A friend told me about the meeting (to learn about the program),” said Elligsen, when asked how he first became involved in the process. “I hadn’t even heard about it.” However, his inspiration for the flag business derived from a trip south in March. “I saw lots of flags. (The Americans) show their patriotism, but it’s not like that here. Canada needs more flags,” he said. That was the seed for his idea. After submitting a three to four- page business plan, detailing sales, and expense estimates, along with a letter of recommendation and program application, Elligsen had to go through an interview and then wait for the ministry to decide if and how much of a grant he would receive. For these steps, Elligsen said he not only got help from his mother, but Alison Lobb of the Huron Business Development Corporation (HBDC). HBDC will continue to help Elligsen succeed this summer as he participates in various training sessions. These include designing an effective record-keeping system, dealing with a challenging customer and time management-taking charge of your life. The workshops are also open to the public. Elligsen is very excited about getting started with his business and has already taken several steps in learning about being an entrepreneur. He had learned about shopping for the best prices and estimating inventory levels. He will also employ a friend to help in the installation of the flag poles which will also be part of his service. Not only will he sell large 36-inch by 72-inch flags, but 27 by 54-inch, small house flags, car antenna flags and even flag key chains. He will replace a worn flag or install a 21 or 24-foot pole for a new addition to the property. And his advertising plan is already in motion. Aside from talking to friends and relatives, Elligsen has created a website for Flying High Flags at www.geocities.com/flying_high_fla gs. He can also be reached at 345- 2201. The home computer has been used to create business cards and brochures advertising his products and services and he already has some installations booked, once exams are completed. He plans to attend the Seaforth firefighters breakfast on July 1 to promote his business and is looking for other locations where he can boost Canadian patriotism. “I think running my own business will be cool,” he said. However, he added, “I have to set my own standards. There is no one to tell me. I have to motivate myself, and keep my own hours. If I want profit, I have to go out and earn it.” The Summer Company program’s aim is to support young people in entrepreneurial endeavours and equip them with the tools they need to succeed. Of the 250 awards granted, Huron County applicants took six including Elligsen, Michael Gingerich of Goderich, Lee Gulliver of Wroxeter, Mike Jeffray of Wroxeter, Brent Schneider of Mitchell and Tyler VanderMolen of Seaforth. Start-up costs of up to $1,500 are granted with the students eligible for an additional $1,500 at the completion of the program requirements.