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The Citizen, 2003-07-16, Page 1The Citizen | -____________- Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 19 No. 28 Wednesday, July 16, 2003 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) Local beaches, dams polluted The medical officer of health advised of the following update, Monday on area beaches that were sampled during the period July 7-11. The following beaches are posted with a red sign at this time, indicating polluted waters. The area is not recommended for swimming. They are: Lake Huron shoreline; Goderich (St. Christopher’s Beach); Hay Twp. Park. St. Joseph’s Beach and inland swimming areas; Bluevale Dam; Brussels Dam; Gorrie Dam; Wingham Dam; and Wroxeter Dam. Blue signs have been permanently placed at all 15 public beaches sampled along the shoreline of Lake Huron and at eight inland swimming areas. Blue signs indicate polluted waters for up to three days following heavy rainfall. Swimmers are reminded not to swim in polluted water as high levels of bacteria can increase the risk of developing ear, nose, throat and stomach infections and skin rashes. High wave action can also stir up the sand which may contain high levels of bacteria. “If you can’t see your feet - don’t swim in the water” and if the beach shoreline is posted do not swim in the nearby river or creek as an alternate - assume that water is polluted as well,” says Pamela Scharfe, public health manager. Weekly sampling will continue until Labour Day weekend and updates will follow when required. For beach water results, please call the Huron County Health Unit’s Beach Water Quality Hotline at 519- 4X2-5119 ext. 501 or check the website at http://www.huroncounty.ca and click on Huron County Health Unit. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Good dog This golden retriever made it successfully over the jump on the agility course at the 21st annual Bluewater Kennel Club Dog Show and Obedience Trials at the Blyth fairgrounds and Threshers campgrounds. Participants came from all over Canada, as well as New York, Ohio, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. (Sarah Mann photo) Everything in place for Saturday’s Tigers challenge The John W. Lowe Memorial Fastball Challenge is set to go Saturday night between the 1997 and the current Brussels Tigers with all proceeds going to the Skylar Lowe Trust Fund. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at the Brussels Ball Park. “We have had terrific response from the community with several local businesses and individuals Art in the Park, Saturday By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor Art in the Park, one of the Saturday Celebrations planned to enhance the excitement of the Blyth Festival season, will be held July 19 from noon until 5 p.m. in the Memorial Hall courtyard. Four artists will be showing their work at the sale. Paul Carroll of Goderich is a watercolourist whose making donations of items to the raffle table,” said Doug Shaw, event volunteer. “Others have helped with advertising and promotion, the umpires and scorekeepers have donated their time as well as the rec department in the park rental. Let’s hope there is no rain.” “John’s favourite team was the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. They have generously donated to the raffle work often reflects his keen interest in marine heritage. Bill Smith of Waterloo, also does watercolours painting primarily landscapes. He first began painting about 30 years ago as a hobby, but has in recent years begun selling his work. Joyce Morgan of Wingham paints, “everything from barns to flowers.” When she first began painting, Morgan said her medium was oils, but for the past 12-13 years she too an autographed Daniel Alfredsson baseball cap, very cool”, added Shaw. “It should be an interesting matchup between the two teams,” said Doug McArter, coach of the current edition of the Tigers as well as the 1997 squad. “We are a young team and are getting stronger with every game. It should be very competitive and entertaining for the fans.” does watercolours. Gordon Shobbrook of Londesborough specializes in intarsia woodcraft. This involves using different kinds of wood to create a wall hanging. He has been doing this craft for about seven years. Boven said the event is something the committee hopes will grow. “It has the potential to become something quite large, we believe.” Nasty pest seems to enjoy life in Brussels By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor Living in Brussels can be attractive. Or at least it would seem so to mosquitoes. You don’t have to spend a lot of time in the village to notice that the mosquito population is thriving. Many of the rules of the Huron County Health Unit in avoiding mosquito bites, such as staying inside in the early morning and evening hours, aren't relevant as residents find themselves feeling the sting, morning, noon and night. Huron East’s public works co­ ordinator John Forrest said that while he has received a few calls of complaint from Brussels residents, he can vouch firsthand for their accuracy. “I was only there for a brief time the other morning and there are definitely more mosquitoes there.” Forrest, who sits on the health unit’s West Nile Virus advisory committee said that dipping of watersources will begin in the county’s five urban centres. Goderich, Seaforth, Clinton, Exeter and Wingham, for the purpose of identifying which type of mosquitoes exist in H,uron. Only two species of mosquitoes carry WNV and they historically prefer more populated areas. Two Huron East staff members will begin training this Wednesday. Because of the complaints, Forrest said they will also spend time in Brussels attempting to identify why mosquitoes are so prolific there. “We know they like grass, but the lawns in the area are generally well- maintained.” Forrest said people have also blamed the dam as the source of the problem. However, he said, mosquitoes do not breed in running water. It is hoped that the research may begin next week, though, unless there are any signs of these being WNV mosquitoes, there is little can be done. Spraying is unlikely due to environmental impacts. However, said Forrest, “if we can find the reason, there may be something we can do to solve it.” Whatever the result, it is unlikely to help this summer. Once the larvae are collected they take several days to hatch. Only then can the species be determined. By then, according to experts, the peak of the insect’s season, which apparently is done by late August, is nearing its end.