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Clinton News Record, 2015-11-04, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Healthy Kids Community Challenges launches in Huron County Laura Broadley Clinton News Record The challenge is on. Huron County is one of 45 communities across Ontario chosen to take partin the Healthy Kids Community Challenge. The idea is to combine community efforts to promote childhood health through healthy eating and physical activity. Participa- tion from different sectors will help develop programs, policies and initiatives that enable healthy living for children. "It's community -driven. What that means is that we're going to get communities involved and leading," Bonnie Baynham, project manager for the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, said. Groups will be joining forces to help make Huron County a place where physical activity and healthy eating are accessi- ble for children. The county has two commu- nity champions, Bluewater Mayor, Tyler Hessel and Goder- ich councillor Michele Henson. Both Hessel and Henson will be the "voice" of the initiative. "This is really about engag- ing communities to finding ways to integrate programs and ideas in existing places," Henson said. Almost 30 per cent of Ontario children and youth are overweight or obese and only 14 per cent of children ages five to 11 meet the Cana- dian Physical Activity Guide- lines, according to Statistics Canada. "We know the sooner we teach our children about healthy lifestyles the better chance they have for health outcomes down the road," Baynham said. It's not just about the chil- dren, Baynham said. The pro- gram will also target families, parents and grandparents. The Health Unit is asking community members to par- ticipate by attending meet- ings, suggesting new initia- tives the community needs or additions to existing programs and to participate in focus groups. "Let's get moving. Let's get moving in Huron," Baynham said. For more information go to www.huronhealthunit.ca/ healthykids or contact Bayn- ham at 519-482-3416. HEALTHY KIDS Laura Broadley Clinton News Record The Healthy Kids Community Challenge launched in Huron County on Oct. 29. Pictured here, from left to right, Bonnie Baynham, Dr. Janice Owen, Michele Hansen, Laura Dekroon and Barb Leavitt. Council considers capital projects Central Huron still a viable option for nuclear waste site Laura Broadley to host the nuclear waste The N W M 0 a l s o Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Four capital projects were proposed to Central Huron council on Oct. 27 to be approved before the final- ized 2016 budget. The early approval allows for early quoting and better pricing, which the municipality has done in the past. The total proposed pre - approval estimate is 47.3 per cent of the total proposed 2016 capital budget of $3,222,263. The utilities department is requesting approval of a new pick-up truck for staff to use during their regular duties for the department. The cost would be $25,798. An extension to the bridge box of Fish and Game Line was also proposed at the meeting, with a total esti- mated cost of $155,000, which includes engineering and financing from the fed- eral gas tax. The biggest portion of the pre -approval request came in the form of roads projects in the municipality. John Street, from Hill to North Streets, was rated six out of 10 for surface condi- tion and also rated poor for drainage. Among the reasons listed were no curbs or continuous sidewalks, sewer deterioration and watermain needs upgrading. The estimated cost is $1,175,409. The last project proposed was the Kitchigami Sideroad and Subdivision paving. The road requires a top coat over the deteriorating base coat extending its life another 15 years. It was proposed that the estimated cost of the project ($168,750) be financed using the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund at $135,673 with the rest financed through taxation. Clinton News Record site. Central Huron is still on the Nuclear Waste Manage Organization's radar. On Oct. 29 the NWMO announced that it had com- pleted the first phase of the preliminary assessment for the municipality. Michael Krizanc, manager of communications for NWMO, said the organiza- tion has carried out assess- ments based on information that was already accessible like land surveys. Through these assessments it was determined that the munici- pality still has the potential OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Clinton News Record are as follows Mondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm Clinton /News Record 53 Albert St., Clinton, ON PH: 519-482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com The geology of the region and whether it has water at the level the repository would go are just some of the factors considered, Krizanc said. Further study of the municipality will take place over five years. Krizanc said the research will become more intense as the process moves forward. This will include consultations with community members through a committee of council and consultation with surround communities as well as First Nations and Metis. announced it would be pro- viding Central Huron with $400,000 towards a commu- nity wellbeing reserve fund. The money is from the NWMO and Krizanc noted the organization is not funded through taxpayers but through stakeholders in the nuclear waste industry. He also said that neither the NWMO nor the municipality knew these funds would be distributed when the process started. The NWMO hopes that the money is used for community wellbeing but said Central Huron is free to decide where the money goes. Well, Well, Well... Are you a HEALTH & WELLNESS PROFESSIONAL? Want to increase your business? CALL YOUR SALES REP TODAY Dawn Johnston Clinton News Record 519-482-3443 Nancy DeGans Seaforth Huron Expositor 519-527-0240 We are working on a SPECIAL FEATURE for Health & Wellness Professionals