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The Citizen, 2000-02-23, Page 1Sports_____■______News [______News______■______News Blyth Midgets capture another WOAA title See page 11 Hullett Twp. athlete top defenseman See page 12 Former Blyth folk have fat cat See page 23 Optimists help make child’s wish come true See page 24 Vol. 16 No. 8 Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 ?oe <• scgst 750 Accident claims life of Brussels woman Above and below The old railway line in Blyth is a picturesque setting which provides a unique experience for snowmobilers as they can travel the trails on or below the arch. Groomers, Roy Hardy of Auburn, above, and Wayne Dunn of Bayfield, have been busy with the fresh snowfall this month getting the North Huron Trail Grooming Association’s area ready for smooth riding. This is the second year of operation for the two groomers, one of which came from Bombardier and _____the other from Wallace Twp,______________________________________________________ Board decides on closures Decisions made at last evening’s (Tuesday) Avon Maitland District School Board meeting could result in the closure of six schools and the relocation of hundreds of students. In a press release issued by the board last Friday, recommendations to go before the trustees included the closure of Walton Public School, Seaforth Public School, Seaforth District High School, Vanastra Community School, McCurdy Public School and Falstaff Public School, effective June 30. With each potential closure, there would be boundary changes for neighbouring schools. The disperse- ment of Seaforth High School stu­ dents to Mitchell, South Huron, Central Huron or F.E. Madill would leave that building for the use of Seaforth and Walton elementary stu­ dents. All Walton pupils in McKillop Twp. would go to Seaforth in September as would those in the hamlet of Walton, Grey Twp. Lots l - 14, Cone. 15-16, Lots 1-15, Cone. 16-17 north and south and Lots 1-15, Cone. 18, north and south. Morris Twp. residents on Lots 16- 30, Cone. 8 south. Lots 16-30, Cone 9 north and south and Lots 16-30, Cone. 10 north and south and Hullett Twp. Lot 1, Cone. 14 would also be part of the Seaforth Public School catchment area. Elementary students in Grey Twp, will be given an opportunity to apply to attend Grey Central Public School while Morris Twp. and Walton pupils can apply to go to Blyth Public School. This option is being offered only to students already in school and will only be possible this September. Children not yet in school will go to Seaforth Public School at the appropriate time, said Director of Education Lome Rachlis. If the closure is approved by the board, the deadline for application is March 8. These internal border crossings are exceptions provided only in these cases. Bussing will be provided in the overlapping areas for the students who wish to attend another facility. Seaforth Public School catchment Continued on page 7 A Brussels resident is dead and another is in hospital in Toronto fol­ lowing an accident near Wawa on Feb. 19. OPP said a tractor-trailer collided with a pick-up towing a utility trail­ er on Hwy. 17. Two passengers in the truck Beth McCauley, 50 and Thomas Brown of South Wales, NY were killed. The driver, John Munn, 40 of Hensall and a third passenger People question haste for restructuring plan By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Some 45 people, primarily from Blyth and East Wawanosh attended a public meeting in Belgrave on Thursday to review and discuss the North Huron municipal restructuring proposal for East Wawanosh, Blyth and Wingham. Prior to opening the floor to ques­ tions restructuring board members made presentations. Murray Scott, an East Wawanosh councillor, pro­ vided a brief history on the five years which have been spent work­ ing on restructuring. He noted, too that the group does not believe this is the end of things. “Restructuring is not (finished) in Huron County or in Ontario,” he said. Judith Gaunt, also from East Wawanosh, who co-ordinated the plan, gave a broad outline of the pro­ posal. Wingham Councillor Archie MacGowan spoke on the policing issue involving the Wingham Police and the Ontario Provincial Police. A ratepayer asked why, if Blyth and East Wawanosh are amalgamating with Wingham, they wouldn't have the municipality policed by the Wingham force. MacGowan explained that the county was now responsible for policing and believe a single con­ tract with the OPP would be less costly. As the province would not allow a hybrid force it meant the Wingham police would have to dis­ band. Blyth Councillor Jeff Howson spoke on the PUC, saying it is presently going through restructur­ ing similar to that of the municipali­ ties. He explained that Blyth PUC was looking at two options. One is to become a line distribution company or a joint venture, the other is to sell. Generally those in attendance seemed perplexed by the whole idea. The question of why the municipali­ McGavin heads OPA Neil McGavin of the Walton area, was named as the new president of the Ontario Plowmen's Association. McGavin was elected at the con­ Bruce Clark, 50 of Brussels were taken by air ambulance to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. The driver of the tractor-trailer Harinder Brar, 40, and his passenger, 24-year-old Jaswinder Brar, both of Surrey, BC, were treated and released from Lady Dunn Hospital in Wawa. The police are continuing their investigation into the accident. ties were going through this process was asked over and over throughout the question period. Niel Edgar asked why the group was rushing into this. Committee members took turns trying to explain. Scott said the province was pushing for restructur­ ing, that it was inevitable and that local councillors did not want to wait until they were forced into a decision of the province's choosing. Also, committee members noted it appeared there would be savings with amalgamation, which would be even greater if the group was larger. Believing this to be just the first round in amalgamations, the consen­ sus was that there would be more restructuring in the future. Jerry Jaretzke questioned why Morris and Turnberry weren’t involved in this North Huron group. Scott explained that the two had been involved at various times throughout the history of restructur­ ing talks. However, he said, the group had not seemed to be compatible. There were issues upon which agreements could not be reached, slowing the progress. There was also a comment regard­ ing public input and why there had not been more public meetings. It was noted that all the committee meetings were open to the public and individuals could either attend personally or make a written submis­ sion. In encouraging people to remain positive, Blyth Reeve Mason Bailey referred to the plan as not the best solution, but the least worst. In an interview after the meeting, Blyth and Wingham Clerk-Treasurer John Stewart said he believed that while people felt the restructuring may be inevitable they didn't neces­ sarily see it as beneficial. “I think they have taken a wait-and-see atti­ tude. They’re not blaming the com­ mittee, but are unsure if the process, across the entire province, is the right way to go.” vention held this past weekend in Guelph at the university. The 2000 International Plowing Match will be held this year in Elora from Sept. 19-23.