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The Times Advocate, 2005-03-02, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, March 2, 2005 Regional wrap up Lot donated CLINTON — The Municipality of Central Huron is ready to help a local group trying to start an affiliate chapter of Habitat for Humanity, according to the Clinton -News Record. Central Huron coun- cil is looking at offer- ing the group a lot alongside Highway 8. The lot will be sold to Habitat for Humanity for $1. It will remain the possession of the municipality if the group is not granted affiliate status. Farm taxes delayed Seaforth — Huron East council is delay- ing all farmland taxes until September to give farmers cash to do spring planting, according to the Huron Expositor. The decision was made by council at its Feb. 15 meeting and will leave an estimat- ed $836,940 in the local farm economy until the fall. Mayor Joe Seili said the council had been looking for ways to support the farm economy, and came up with the idea to delay the taxes, although it will cost the municipality $19,000 in lost invest- ment income. Dryden corning GODERICH— Hockey legend, bestselling author and Minister of Social Development Ken Dryden will be coming to Goderich in March, according to the Goderich Signal - Star. The Goderich Lions Club announced Dryden will be in town for the Young Canada Week (YCW) peewee hockey tour- nament. Lions president Les McKnight said,"I'm really surprised we got him because he's so busy." Dryden will be visit- ing Goderich to help kick off YCW, the Goderich Lions Club's 56 -year-old peewee hockey tournament. He is expected to present an award at the opening ceremony along with Bruce Potter, chairperson of the Management Board, Recreation Services. Easter Seals "lifts" Brooke's spirits up high Fourteen year-old Brooke Bell tests out her new lift with the help of her mom Roxane. (photo/Stephanie Mandziuk) By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Brooke Bell has a glowing smile and it just became bigger thanks to the Easter Seal Society. The agency has paid two thirds of the cost for a lift in her family's garage. Now Brooke, and her wheelchair, can easily be transported from ground level to the main floor. The 14 -year-old Exeter native was born with hydrocephalus, a condi- tion causing a blockage in the brain, which prevents cerebral fluid from drain- ing. In February Brooke had surgery to have the shunt replaced in her head because the previ- ous one had broken. The spirited youngster is recovering well. Brooke also has cere- bral palsy and epilepsy, caused by hydrocephalus. She has virtually no mobility in all four limbs, something medical experts refer to as quadrepelia. Brooke is unable to speak but understands what others say and is quick to respond to verbal cues. When she wants your attention, she has no problems making sounds. Kids like Brooke can get some financial support from the Easter Seal Society. The agency has picked up two thirds of the cost for her $3,000 lift. As Brooke continues to grow, new equipment is needed. The next big purchase will be a wheel- chair at a cost of about $8,000. With the help of Easter Seals, Brooke's mom Roxane says: "It's good to know that I am going to be able to some- how, someway get the equipment we need or get the help to purchase the equipment we need." Across Huron County, the Easter Seal Society helps 52 kids from birth, right up to the age of 19. The charitable agency provides funds for mobili- ty equipment and com- munication devices. It also sends special needs kids to camp (like Woodeden in London) and provides funding for research and advocacy. The Huron County District Council is rela- tively new and just received its official char- ter in November 2004. This means the local council is officially recog- nized by the Easter Seal Society and has voting privileges at the provin- cial level. It also means the local chapter is the official body, acting as the Easter Seals fundraiser in Huron County. Jennie Christian, district manager for Huron County, says: "We are here and we are dedicat- ed to helping all of the Easter Seals kids of Huron County through the fundraising activities that take place. Easter Seals depends on the sup- port of volunteers to be successful." Christian says money is raised through local events. Snowarama, a day spent on snowmobile trails, takes place in February. Penny Power, a penny collection in local schools, is ongoing. Students, teachers and school coun- cils are encouraged to get involved. The Paper Egg cam- paign happens just before Easter. You can purchase a paper egg at stores and businesses across Huron County. The Easter Seals Telethon happens once a year. There's also a new event for the charity in Huron County, the BX93 Video Dance Party. It's scheduled for Nov. 12, 2005 at the South Huron Rec Centre. "When we raise money locally, it stays locally. Money raised in Huron County stays here," says Christian and kids like Brooke get the support they need. If you would like more information about becom- ing an Easter Seals volun- teer in Huron County you're invited to contact Jennie Christian at 1-888- 278-7797 or 432-9669, ext. 225. Bluewater engineering motion defeated By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — Monday night in Varna, Bluewater Clerk Administrator Janisse Zimmerman brought a report to coun- cil on the possibility of local developers using B.M. Ross as their engi- neer. The developers would prefer to use B.M. Ross since it would be cheaper because the company has the majority of informa- tion on the area in their files. Zimmerman said presently local developers aren't allowed to use B.M. Ross since it is the engi- neer of the municipality. She said the present system requires a devel- oper to design the subdi- vision. The design is then reviewed by the Bluewater engineer who then drafts the develop- ment agreement agree- ment which is reviewed by the developer's engi- neer and lawyer. She explained the devel- oper's engineer designs the lot grading/drainage/storm water management plan and the municipality then has its engineer review it. The process means developers pay almost double the engineering fees since they pay all of the professional fees for the muncipality. Zimmerman said she felt the municipality and the local developers could use the same engineer as long as the developer signed an agreement that they understood that by using B.M. Ross, they Optimist Oratorical contest The Kirkton-Woodham Optimist Oratorical contest was held at the Kirkton- Woodham Community Centre Feb. 14. From left are convener Murray Switzer, Kevin Fluttert (second), Brett Warwick, Neil Thomson, Evelyn Johns and Kaitlyn Simpson (first). (photo/submitted) understand they were using Bluewater's engi- neer. They would understand B.M. Ross would first con- sult with Bluewater in their dealings with the developer. Zimmerman said B.M. Ross would also have to agree to deal with the developer. Coun. Joshua McClinchey said he didn't see the need to push in the direction of using the same engineer and noted that council had voted to contract out work instead of always using B.M Ross. "If we don't give anoth- er company the chance to bid, how do we know B.M. Ross is cheaper.? Coun. Jim Fergusson agreed, asking how the same engineer could sit on both sides of the fence, "It doesn't seem right," said Fergusson. After further discussion the motion failed to pass. Public works Public works manager Ross Fischer reported that due to extra costs on the Bluewater drain of $69,455, he recommend- ed taking $45,874.46 out of the Hay Road construc- tion reserve and the rest of $22,570.54 to come out of the Hay working Funds reserve. The motion was approved. Fischer also reported that due to extra work demanded by the MTO to complete Dinsley Terrace, he recommended taking $13,950 out of the Stanley reserves. Coun. McClinchey asked if there was any way to oppose the MTO on the extra work, saying it was frustrating for the engi- neers who approved the work to be overruled by the MTO. Fisher agreed, but said there was nothing that could be done against the MTO. The motion approving the extra funds was passed. Smart Serve classes promote responsibility Continued from front page signed up for the Feb. 22 course. She has already landed a summer job but believes her Smart Serve certification will come in handy in the fall. Erb will be attending university and may try to secure a part- time job in the hospitality industry. For information on the next Smart Serve course call the South Huron Rec Centre at 235-2833. You can also check out two Web sites: www. smartserve. ca and www. agco. on. ca.