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The Citizen, 2000-05-03, Page 1Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 16 No. 18 Wednesday, May 3, 2000 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) Inside this week Pg. 6 Pg-18 Pg-18 Pg-19 Pg-20 Walton man rids home, property of pesky animals Grand’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ praiseworthy Database improves Box Office service Madill students prepare for ‘Fame’ Seaforth high school gets security cameras ‘Citizen’ facelift reflects change The Citizen celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2000 and to mark the occasion the newspaper has been given a new look. The facelift is the second in the newspaper’s history and reflects the changing technology of the newspaper business, said Publisher Keith Roulston. The changes are part of a move toward putting the newspaper together entirely on computers. Currently some pages of the newspaper are created on computer screens and printed off on one sheet of paper but in the coming months all pages will be composed that way. It’s the third revolution in technology since The Citizen was founded as a community-owned newspaper in 1985, Roulston said. Back then the newspaper was composed on a computerized phototypesetter then “pasted up” by hand. In 1991 the photo-typesetters were replaced by computers and a laserjet printer but the paper was still “pasted up”. Last year The Citizen changed to a new generation of computers, faster and higher capacity, which allow photographs and advertising logos to be scanned into the computer and the entire page created on the computer screen .— a process called pagination. “We’ve been doing pagination with our farm publication. The Rural Voice for some time,” Roulston said. “Now we’re preparing to switch The Citizen over as well.” The Citizen will celebrate its 15th anniversary in October with events including an open house to allow readers to see how newspapers are now created. Sunshine and healthy hearts The children of Blyth Public School enjoyed a beautiful warm, sunny afternoon April 28 as they participated in the Jump Rope for Heart campaign. Doing tricks, learning new skills and just having fun were all part of the day’s events as they raised funds. Brandilyn Bearss takes a turn at double-dutch while Courtney Bakker (facing) and Jessica Aldrich handle the ropes. Lions Park gets spruce-up By Janice Becker Citizen staff Blyth’s Lions Park is getting a face- lift, a sprucing up and some new attractions. After more than 10 years since any major work was undertaken at the park, the organization plans to spend $15,000 to $20,000 to make improvements to the park, Lions Club President Brent Scrimgeour said. Begun last Sunday, the major renovation will include several new features. The northwest corner nearest the arena will have an angled flowerbed which will incorporate the Lions Club logo, said Scrimgeour. The driveway to the parking lot will be flanked by two walls and a gateway. It is hoped a logo and Lions Club creeds will be carved in the walls. The children of the village will be happy to find new playground equipment. Though the playground equipment is a major expense, Scrimgeour said the club has been able to take advantage of slashed prices, getting a set for approximately $6,000. The pool will also be refinished and there is consideration being given to a new backstop at the small ball diamond. To make artistic use of tree stumps, Scrimgeour said a professional carver has been contacted about creating two sculptures in the park during the club’s Santa Summer Ride festivities in mid- June. The club decided this year was the perfect time to tackle the project with Blyth entering the national Communities in Bloom competition which will be judged July 31. “Looking at the results from last year’s (contest), the park was one of the village’s weak points,” said Scrimgeour. Aside from the work on the park, the club has several other plans for the summer. On the weekend of May 27, the club will hold a charity barbecue to raise funds for the Sunshine Foundation. Patrons of the lunchtime barbecue at the Knechtel store may also be treated to a jam session by musicians in town for another event, said Scrimgeour. As another fundraiser the Lions will be hosting its first annual horseshoe tournament June 3, along with a pork barbecue and elimination draw. Blyth ponders PUC By Janice Becker Citizen staff In just under two weeks, Blyth councillors will decide the future of the village’s public utility. For years, PUC commissioners and then councillors have tried to decide how to amalgamate the numerous small utilities, including joint ventures, partial sales and complete sales. With the deadline looming, council agreed at the May 1 session that a decision was needed soon. The meeting had begun with a closed session with a Hydro One (Ontario Hydro) representative discussing financial terms. Talks with PUC commissioners in open session detailed some of the concerns which need to be addressed before a final decision can be made. Commissioner Tom Cronin’s major worry was where service would come from if the PUC was sold to a distant utility such as Niagara Power, Collingwood or Windsor, just some of the Continued on page 14 Brussels to do up the town By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff If things go as planned someone will soon be painting the town in Brussels. At the May meeting of council on Monday night, Clerk-Treasurer Donna White explained that a local artist had been approached about painting a mural which would be mounted on the wall of the variety store. Reeve Ralph Watson made a point that the mural should contrast in colour from the wall so it stand out. White said the committee is looking at ideas as to what to put on the mural. An original plan of painting four separate murals which could be also mounted together was turned down at a recent business meeting in favour of a single mural. “Hopefully now we can get moving on this as soon as the artist says she will do it,” said White: “It’s a little less complicated now that we’re not trying to match several pieces.” Another project has been the carving of some of the tree stumps in town. Through donations and a contribution from the reeve one will soon be done. When White told council that they had $500 towards the project, Watson committed to the remainder of the cost.