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The Times Advocate, 2004-07-14, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, July 14, 2004 Regional wrap up Backyard surprise SEA -FORTH — If you were down south in a place like Florida or Mexico, it would not be strange to look out your kitchen window and see an iguana, but in Seaforth it's a strange occurrence. The Huron Expositor reported when Maj. Frank Golding and his wife looked out their Market Street kitchen window June 30, they were surprised to see a three-foot iguana on their back lawn. The iguana is being held at the Clinton Veterinary Services and will become the proper- ty of the municipality of Huron East if the owner does not claim it. Nantucket Clipper GO ICH — Better late than never. The Goderich Signal - Star reported despite a delayed arrival, area residents lined the pier and north harbour July 4 to welcome passengers of the Nantucket Clipper — the first cruise ship to ever dock in Goderich. Cheers and applause erupted along the shore and on board the ship as the Nantucket Clipper entered the harbour accompanied by a tug- boat filled with local dig- nitaries and volunteers. NHL pick BLYT A big sur- prise was waiting in Blyth for local hockey hero Justin Peters who returned home July 4 after being drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Citizen reported about 250 people gath- ered at the Lions Park in Blyth to show their undying support for Peters, who spent a week near Myrtle Beach with his family after receiving the thrilling news of being drafted. The surprised goalie said he had no idea the community was having a celebration in his honour. SH helps with OPP bullying program By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — The Municipality of South Huron has been credited with helping the OPP launch a provincewide educational program on bullying. Huron OPP operations manager Shawn Johnson spoke at council's Monday night meeting and discussed a new initiative to stop bullying in schools. The new program involves a CD video, which will be distributed to schools in Ontario in the OPP's jurisdiction. Through educational facts, games and interac- tive activities, students and teachers will learn how to deal with bullying. South Huron Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin, also a member of South Huron's police services board, said South Huron got involved with the project when the OPP's former bullying pro- gram ran out of funding. In that program, a police officer would travel to schools with a puppet named "Oppie" to talk about bullying. Urlin said the program was a good one and the municipality partnered with the OPP to get two government grants — one for $13,000 for bikes and night-time vision goggles the police can use for enforcement, and one for $30,000, which paid for the production of the bullying video CD. Johnson said the OPP wants to be proactive in the fight against bullying, so they are start- ing with young children. He said there is sig- nificant concern in communities about bully- ing in schools. On the video, students are taught what to do when they experience bullying and to not be a victim of bullying. Students are also told that telling on a bully is not the same thing as "tat- tling." Johnson said a survey in a Grade 1 class he spoke to showed 28 of 30 students had experi- enced bullying. Computer problems prevented Johnson from presenting the program to council Monday night, but he left two CDs for the municipality to view. The municipality is mentioned in the credits at the end of the video as a partner in the project. Urlin said one way to curtail bullying is to start with children when they are young. "I think it'll work," he said of the program. Other council notes: Supporting London South Huron decided to draft a letter in sup- port of the City of London's bid to be the home of the new Shriners children's hospital. The city, which was thought to have been a shoo- in to be awarded the hospital, now faces com- petition from Montreal and Ottawa. Dead chicken update Bravery citation awarded Continued from front page proud of his accomplishments. year-old male jump down. "I'm very proud and so is When the ladder was found, everyone else," said Pfaffs mom Pfaff climbed up, helped the two Sherry, who lives in Centralia men down from the roof and with Pfaff's dad Kevin. gave them first aid. They suf- "Dean didn't think it was any- fered substantial burns to their thing too spectacular, but we feet and hands. do," she said. Despite his citation, Pfaff says Pfaff worked in Parry Sound he was just doing his job and and Kingsville before joining the anyone would have done the Tecumseh force. Spending most same thing. of his childhood in Huron Park, "As far as I'm concerned, it Pfaff attended Stephen Central was no big deal," he says, and South Huron District High adding he was surprised to School. receive the citation. He received his Citation for While Pfaff remains humble Bravery May 12 at the Lakeside about his actions and his bray- Pavilion in Kingsville. ery citation, his relatives remain The municipality is working to see that Andy Van Altena of Dashwood is reimbursed for the June 20 slaughter of his 100 chickens and 10 turkeys. The value was estimated at $1,400 for the chickens and $60 apiece for the turkeys. The culprits were apparently dogs whose owner lives in Bluewater. Clerk Sandra Strang said she has been in contact with Bluewater and the OPP about having the dog owner pay for damages. Building report Building and development manager Robert Pattison presented his monthly building report for June. Twelve building reports were issued at a work value of $782,864. Permit fees were $5,698.58. So far in 2004, 54 building permits have been issued at a value of $2,761,784, and permit fees of $20,746.15. Five demolition permits have been issued. Pattison said he also had to issue two "stop work" orders recently due to non-compliance. Pattison will also look into a property next to the South Huron Hospital parking lot whose lawn has become overgrown and full of weeds. Coun. George Robertson said he has received complaints about the property and it "hasn't been touched all summer." SH rejects bids By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — South Huron has rejected four bids for the sale of the former PUC building on Main Street. Bids for the building ranged between $126,000 and $150,000, something the Exeter Community Development Fund committee deemed too low. Coun. Pete Armstrong, also a member of the fund com- mittee, said at Monday's coun- cil meeting the committee decided not to accept the ten- ders and would be "looking at alternatives." He later said the committee, formed to handle the money from the sale of Exeter Hydro, wouldn't sell the property at a price as low as what the bids offered. While he said the commit- tee's first priority is still to sell the building, the committee will consider renting out the building for retail, commercial and apartment space. Council had the option of ignoring the committee's wishes and accepting one of the bids anyway, but decided to agree with the committee. Children of Chernobyl return to Huron Continued from front page Liuba another member of the family, which includes Carla, her husband Dave and their three children. Carla and her daughter Hilary visited Liuba's family in Belarus in May, and the families exchange cards and letters throughout the year. Carla said the visits to Canada are good for the Belarussians' health and helps them build up their immune systems. Also, they get to see a new country and make new friends. Liuba suffers from stomach problems and spends about six weeks a year in a sanatorium in Belarus receiving tests and treatment. When she visits Canada, her colour improves and she feels bet- ter. "The benefits are very visible," Dave says. Liuba says she enjoys her visits and hopes they continue. Dave said hosting Liuba has been "a great experience for our family," and has shown his family how much Canadians take things for granted. Dianne Waun of Exeter, who helped found the group in 1998, points out there are many service clubs, churches and individuals who help with the fundraising of the program. Examples include Tony Hewitt of Grand Bend, who heard about the program and decided to help out the children by giving each of them $20 U.S. and a picture dic- tionary. Mary Lou Becker of Huron Park also makes a cake every year for the group's annual get together. Waun said the Exeter Lions are the group's most loyal and generous benefactor and donate money every year. "Many kids have benefitted, that's for sure," Waun said of the program. Also, the upcoming Claude Haggerty Show will raise money for both the Children of Chernobyl and the Exeter Centennial Soccer Club. Tickets for Haggerty's July 24 show at South Huron Rec Centre can be bought at the Royal Bank in Exeter or by calling Waun at 235-1902 or Karen Brand (Centennial Soccer Club) at 235-2427. Haggerty will also be bringing one of his big cats for a stop at Hansen's Your Independent Grocer Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. SUMMER SPECIALS EXETER AUTO SERVICE 4"PECIALs COOLANT FLUSH INJECTOR CLEAN TRANSMISSION SERVICE A/C CHECK (WITH FREE DEODORIZE, $10 OFF WITH THIS AD EXPIRES 7/24/04 rad AMERICAN AMERICAN EXPRESS 100 Thames Rd. E. 235-0160 Glenn Edward Enterprises Inc. 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