The Citizen, 2006-11-30, Page 1Here's the list
Ryan Jacklin, four, delivered his Christmas wish list personally as Santa visited with
youngsters following the annual parade in Brussels on Saturday evening. After the parade,
there was skating and refreshments at the arena. (Vicky Bremner photo)
RIDE program begins Nov. 29
Inside this week
Lakers play Windsor Pg. 8 Spitfires
pg
-7 Photo memories of
• annual parade
Pg 28 Help preserve war
history memories
e Citizen
Volume 22 No. 47
Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006
$1.25 ($1.18 + 7c GST)
18
Valuing nature and
16. land
Guiding groups Pg. 26 welcome new
members
It's been
a weird
year
weather-
wise
No one would argue that when it
came to the weather 2006 has been
an interesting year.
Boyd Taylor, a local weather
watcher for Environment Canada
said, "It has been a year of,
extremes. After an early start
to spring, a very dry and
windy growing season, we faced a
wet fall and lack of sunshine. That
has been the biggest thing of note, no
sun."
Taylor said that during one of the
dreariest falls on record, the area
received a dousing of 106 mm of
rainfall in September, 190 mm in
October and thus far in November 58
mm.
June had only 32 mm of
precipitation.
The unseasonable warmth of last
year has been a big help for farmers
trying to get their crops in. The
temperatures which ran into double
digits are "unheard of for this time
of year Taylor said. "Will we pay for
it? I wouldn't want to say. It just
seems to be that we are in a year of
extremes."
The " mild weather has also
confused nature. "I did notice our
forsythia coming out in bloom.
That's isn't good, because it messes
things up for next spring."
As for what's ahead, a mild winter
wouldn't surprise him, Taylor said,
but it will come with its share of
precipitation.
"Whether it's rain or snow, one
way or another we will get our
moisture."
The holiday season is almost here
and the Ontario Provincial Police
wants to remind the motoring public
of the danger of mixing alcohol with
driving.
From Nov. 29 to Jan. 2 the OPP
will team up with police services
across the province for the annual
Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired
Driving Everywhere) campaign.
Impaired driving remains the
leading criminal cause of death in
Canada.
OPP officers will be out in an
effort to remove the threat of the
impaired driver and reduce the death
Last Friday residents of Huron
East came out in great numbers to
exchange their fights for these LED
lights, and days after they obtained
them, they are being warned against
using them.
A safety concern has sparked a
recall of all seasonal LED light
strings by Hydro One that_ were
donated to communities around
Ontario.
A product safety alert was put
mit by the Electric Safety Authority
(ESA) and CSA International
following a report of concern in
regards to the GREENLITE pro-
duct. •
Huron East clerk-administrator
toll on Ontario roads.
Last year, during the five-week
OPP initiative, officers stopped
576,875 vehicles at roadside
checkpoints, 278 persons were
charged with criminal code alcohol-
related offences and a total of 671
12-hour licence suspensions were
issued.
Officers also issued 270 of the 90-
day Administrative Drivers' Licence
suspensions.
For every 608 vehicles checked at
the RIDE locations, one driver was
either charged with an impaired
driving-related charge or was issued
Jack McLachlan said that Huron
East had 25 boxes with 12 to a
box and all were given out last
Friday.
The lights were given in exchange
for two strings of incandescent lights
each.
The lights in question are the same
brand of lights that were donated as
part of local seasonal light exchange
programs in Huron East, Sudbury,
Owen Sound and Dryden. •
The ESA says that there have been
no reports of injuries or property
damage involving these lights, but is
calling them back due to possible
safety concerns and, they are
warning people not to use them.
a 12-hour licence suspension.
Unfortunately during the
campaign last year, officers
investigated 37 fatal collisions in
which 45 people lost their lives.
Three of these deaths were alcohol
related.
Commissioner Julian Fantino said,
"Traffic Safety initiatives are the
core function and responsibility of
every OPP officer, every day, all the
time."
OPP officers will be doing their
part to remove impaired drivers from
the roadways. Please do yours by not
drinking and driving.
S
McLachlan is trying to contact
Hydro One to try and make this
process easier. He would like to have
Hydro One mail him all of the gift
cards so the exchange will be easier
and follow the same principles of the
first light exchange night.
Hydro One is saying that if people
have obtained these lights that they
should call 1-800-851-0064 and
provide their name and address.
People who da this will receive a
postage-paid mailing label to return
the lights in exchange for a gift card
of equal or greater value.
For more information, call
1-877-506-7584 or visit the website
at www.hydroonenetworks.com.
Br. 218
turns
75
It was a big night for members of
Brussels Legion as they celebrated
Branch 218's. 75th anniversary on
Saturday night. Among the guests
present were several past presidents.
Brussels Legion. Branch
organized on Avg. 31, 1931 and
received its charter Nov. 2.
After the Branch was formed
meetings were held in members'
homes and in the town hall. By the
Second World War, membership had
deceased to 13. However, the
Branch held together until the
younger members returned home.
The first president was Fred
Burchell in 1931. He was followed
by William Stiles in 033, Ross
Knight in 1938 and Joe Kelly in
1940.
A very special guest was present
for the anniversary event. Jack Frost
of Port Elgin is the Dominion
president of the Royal Canadian
Legion.
A life member of the Port Elgin
Branch, Frost is the second
associate member to serve as
Dominion president. He joined the
Legion 30 years ago and while
rising throughthe ranks became
Ontario Conimand president in
1999.
His service at the national level
includes chairmanship of the poppy
and remembrance and sports
committees as well as participation
on the Royal Commonwealth Ex-
Services League and veterans,
service and-seniors committees.
Other highlights of the evening
included the presentation of
Meritorious Service Medals to Ross
and Marg Bennett of Walton. Since
becoming a life member' Mrs.
Bennett has been chairman of ways
and means, child video assistant,
assistant to bi-weekly euchre parties
and registration chairman for the
Zone convention.
At present she works with the
veterans at Parkwood Hospital in
London. She is involved with the
yearly craft sale, is active in the
poppy campaign and audits the,
poppy books.
Mr. Bennett is also a life member.
He has held a number of
chairmanships and served on the
executive as president and vice-
president. He has been an active
member of the Legion pipe band
and has worked on behalf of the.
Legion in a variety of ways.
Over the years, he attended
conventions at every level and
participated with initiation and
installation services at the Branch.
Recognition was also given to the
past presidents in attendance. They
were: Gordon Workman, 1953;
Bennett, 1957, 1958, 1990, 1991;
Glenn Bridge, 1978, 1979, 1980,
2001; Kathy Burkholder, 1987,
1988; Eugene Janes, 1989; Al
Nichol, 1992, 1993, 1994; Eric
Ross, 1995, 1996; Rick McDonald,
1997. 1998, 2002, 2003; Linda Bird,
1999, 2000; Norm Dobson, 2004,
2005; Jo-Ann McDonald, 2006.
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Lights out for LED strip