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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-12-11, Page 1GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, DECEIVWR 4,145 Warden follows in family footsteps Leona Armstrong is fir By Stephanie Levesque The groundbreaking of the Huron Coun- ty museum, renovations to Huronview, hydro lines and open meetings will be dealt with by the county's first female warden. Leona Armstrong, 51, the reeve of Grey Township was named Huron County Warden at the inaugural meeting of the 1986 council. She sought the same position last year along with four men, but came in third in a race between Bob Bell of Tuckersmith and the successful warden, Paul Steckle. "I must say that the pressures are not so great today as they were a year ago," said the new warden. There were no contenders for the posi- tion this year when Mrs. Armstrong an- nounced her intentions to seek the seat that was once held by her father,Harvey Johnston of Morris Township. "1986 is going to be a challenging and ex- citing year for all of us. The new Huron County museum will get underway in 1986. It is anticipated that an architect will be hired early in the year and that we will be in a position to break ground for Phase one sometime in late summer. When all the phases of the museum are completed we will be proud that we had a part in making it a reality,"she said. She also noted the importance of the' pro- posed renovations to the county's home for the aged, Huronview. "Our elderly deserve the best and that means the right to live in the most comfor- table and enjoyable surroundings possible. I take a personal interest in Huronview as I have spent many a night there when dad was administrator...The province has recommended for approval $716,000 for this project. Hopefully we can work together to come up with the funds to match this grant without over taxing our people,"said the first female warden for Huron. She also sees Ontario Hydro's plans for a transmission corridor through the county as an imporetant issue that has to be dealt with in the corning year.. • "We must work together to make sure that the routes taken will have the least impact if any, on our county,"said Warden Armstrong. On the questrion of agriculture in general, Warden Armstrong said the coun- ty will have to encourage both federal and provincial governments to assist the farmers. The warden's husband, Jim, a high school teacher at Mitchell District High school said he would stand in the background and help his wife as much as he could. "It feels great," he said in answer to the question how it feels to be Huron's first man. 60 CENTS PER COPY man warden Grey Township Reeve Leona Armstrong is sworn in to the office of Huron County warden while Judge F.G. Carter looks on. Armstrong is the first woman warden in the 140 year history of the county. (photo by Dave Sykes) "It's quite an honor. I'll just go along and help when I can. So far I've let her do her job and she has done very well," said Mr. Armstrong. Many accolades were brought to the warden, most recognizing the fact that with a 140 year history, Huron has just named its first female warden. "It's the first time I've kissed a warden of Huron County," quipped MP Murray Cardiff who jokingly added,"No offense Paul." For her part, the new warden com- mented that she isn'' an eloquent speaker like past warden Steckle, nor does she have the smile of former warden Tom Cun- Christmas chums The veterans from Westmister Hospital in London came to the Goderich Legion last Wednesday night for the day. The veterans were entertained with songs and they were given a meal. Santa Claus even dropped ha for a visit. This gentleman got a hug and a kiss on the cheek from old Saint Nick. ( photo by Todd Mowatt ) ningham or the wit of another past warden Grant Stirling. However, she said she would do her best to represent the county. Judge F. G. Carter swore in the new warden and dispensed some words of ad- vice. "Be a woman, not a man, you have your own qualities," said the judge. Members of the new warden's family, in- cluding her mother Lyla and two sisters who carne from Truro,N.S. just for the in- auguration congratulated their daughter and sister after the ceremony.Her im- mediate family was also present. There was husband Jim and their four children, Robert, Bruce. Brian and LeeAnn. _ssfrc._ .- Warden Armstrong first started in municipal politics in November of 1974. She was then deputy reeve for three years beforbeing named reeve in 1981 when then Reeve Roy Williamson resigned in mid-term. The full-time community worker in a horticulture group, her church and women's institute has also served as chairman of the county's planning and development department. The new warden was presented with a county warden's pin, a key to the county, and a dozen roses. The committees for the coming year are to be named at a meeting of county council on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Bureau helps families who have financial troubles at Christmas Shortly after she was separated from her husband 13 and a half years ago, Karen ( not her real name) began to receive Mother's Allowance to support herself and her eight children. But, when someone submitted her name to the Huron County Christmas Bureau, Karen felt guilty initially about accepting help. "At first I felt I didn't want charity and I wanted to be independent but now I accept help. It's hard everyday just coping but what else are you going to do' The bureau is a necessity for someone who doesn't have much coming in," she says. Though she says she tried to work, she found looking after her children by herself and w, king outside the home to be too Much. Skt says she's been in and out of the hospital with problems with her nerves. And, her ex-husband has refused to pay any child support payments since he left. There was also the time when she depended too much on alcohol and spent time in hospital because of alcohol abuse. But, after finding Alcoholics Anonymous, Karen's been sober for the past three years. Each time in the hospital, Karen had to depend on Family and Children's Services to plate her children in foster homes because no help was available from her family. "With the stress, pressure and feeling that I'm alone, all the walls come tumbling in on me. Everybody tells me to get married again, but that's easier said than done. My kids come before anyone else," she says. Christmases have been especially stressful times. Karen remembers when it was very difficult to save the money necessary to buy Christmas groceries, present., and a turkey. The Christmas Bureau, however, provides enough for Christmas so that Karen can afford to buy one gond present each for her children. "It's been Hell on earth and not an easy grind but I'm glad we do have these lovely people to help out. They've been very helpful at the Christmas Bureau. They've been just super with me," she says. Karen's family is one of 300 families helped out every year by the Christmas Bureau coordinated by Huron County's Family awl Children's Services. Local bureaus are set up in each of the county's five towns to collect new toys and clothes, canned goods and money which are distributed to those referred to the service. "We do everything we can to preserve the dignity of the people using the service. We like to think of it as alternative shopping for people who can use help at Christmas," says Suzy Symes, volunteer coordinator with the bureau. All types of families use the bureau including both single parent and two parent families, families on social assistance and working families and large and small families. "The people we have the hardest time locating are those working for minimum wage who could use some help during this season," says Peggy Rivers, who is in charge of volunteer services for Family and Children's Services. Families are given a confidential appointment with the bureau in their area and assisted in choosing one toy and one item of clothing per child. Canned goods and financial help are also given if needed. A network of volunteer knitters make mittens throughout the year to provide two pairs of mitts for each child. The knitters, who have wool provided by the bureau, sometimes donate toques and sweaters as well. More than 100 people across the county are involved in the bureau as volunteers. "People are really very generous. They go all out at Christmas," says Symes. Sometimes, families who have used the service during hard times, make a donation during following years when they're able. "There shouldn't be the stigma to needing help at Christmas because it's a time of giving," she says. If you know a family who could use the service this Christmas, contact Suzy Symes at Family and Children's Services, 524-7356. The date for the first Public meeting to discuss the proposed annexation or a parcel of land in Goderich Townshi by the town of Goderich. will be set at the next council, meeting on Dee. 16,.council decid- edat its Dec, 9 meeting. ' "We ought to have at least one or two public meetings on the topic since we haven't had any public input into it at all. The first public meeting doesn't do anything but bring the issue to the people's attention," said Coun. Glen Carey, Clerk -Administrator Larry McCabe said a public meeting is usually held but is not required under format laid down by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Hous- ing. An advertisementhas been placed in the Signal Star for comments from in- dividuals concerning the annexation with a deadline of Dec. 12. "We've been following the municipal boundaries act step by step," said Mayor Eileen Palmer. Approval received for erosion project Approval for the Goderich bluffs stabilization project has been received from the Ministry of Natural Resources under the Public Lands Acts and the Ministry of Environment, Goderich coun- cil learned in a letter from Ian Deslauriers, of the Maitland Valley Con- servation Authority. "The way is now clear for the safe place- ment of sand, gravel and rock by your con- tractor at the proposed site. This fill is urgently needed for shoreline erosion con- trol," he said in his letter. Sand and rock material will be obtained from Public Works Canada through the dredging of the Goderich harbor to be used in the stabilization project. Controlling erosion on the bluffs and at the base of the bluffs will involve building a groyne (breakwall) and using land fill at the base of the slope. Champion faces layoff Champion Road Machinery vice presi- dent, Mike Sully, announced Tuesday the layoff of 40 production employees at the Goderich plant effective Monday, Dec. 16. The layoff affects employees involved m the maufacture of export components. A recall of the employees is anticipated in January. The Champion plant in Goderich will close for Christmas vacation Dec. 23 and production will resume Jan. 2. Clarification A reference to Canadian Tire in a police report carried in last week's Signal -Star should be clarified. The comment by Chief Pat King implied that some people with a weak car battery will get a battery by stealing it, rather than purchasing a bat- tery at Canadian Tire or any other store which sells car batteries. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR Red. Schoolhouse Goderich Children's . Little Theatre presented two plays Foxy Grandma and the Little Red Schoolhouse at The Livery on Saturday. See the picture spr ad on the m front page of today's comunit�tion. Promotion DLy Goderich figure skaters have passed tests and were promoted at the monthly promotion day. See the results on the front page of today's sports section. VIP program Students at Victoria Public School are involved in a program called Values, In- fluences and Peers (VIP) which deals with coping and knowing what to do in certain situations. Susan Hundertmark attended a session last week and talked with the children who say the program teaches them to make their own decisions.