The Citizen - March 31, 2022

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Thursday, March 31, 2022

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Volume 38 No. 13

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0

Cents up in finals

The last days Despite a blast of winter weather over the weekend, the local hockey season is soon coming to a close, with playoffs running throughout the county and series coming to an end. Above, the Huron U18 C Heat were in action on Sunday afternoon at the Central Huron

Community Complex in a playoff series against the Tillsonburg Lightning. The teams found themselves too evenly matched that day, however, and there was no winner as the teams played to a 3-3 draw. The teams play each other again on April 2-3 in Tillsonburg. (John Stephenson photo)

The Seaforth Centenaires have come out of the gate flying in the Western Ontario Athletic Association (WOAA) Senior A.A. Final against the Clinton Radars, winning the first three games and leaving the Radars sitting on the brink of elimination.

The Centenaires won both games played over the weekend as part of the best-of-seven series, downing the Radars by a score of 4-1 on Friday night in Clinton and then again by a score of 5-1 on Saturday night at the Seaforth and District Community Centre.

The Radars now face a situation in which they must win the next game or lose the series, after suffering a 1-0 loss in the first game of the series, held on March 19 in Seaforth.

Game four of the series is scheduled Friday, April 1 at 8:30 p.m. at the Central Huron Community Complex. If necessary, game five is set for the next day, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Seaforth and District Community Centre with games six and seven, if necessary, scheduled for April 8 in Clinton and April 9 in Seaforth, respectively.

This came after the Centenaires finished in second place in the regular season with a record of 10 wins and three losses in the regular season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Radars finished in sixth place in the division with a record of eight wins and five losses before play halted in late 2021.

Official Plan review continues in North Huron

By Denny Scott The Citizen North Huron Township residents may be receiving notices from the municipality that there may be changes to their lands as a result of the official plan review the township is undertaking.

North Huron Council took the next step in its official plan fiveyear review last Wednesday when it went through examples of some of the changes with Huron County Manager of Planning Denise Van Amersfoort and planner Hanna Holman during a special meeting of council.

Van Amersfoort explained that many of the changes are cleaning up previous designations that have either changed over the years or are artifacts from previous imaging, which wasn’t in as high resolution as it is now.

She pointed out examples where photos taken in the 1960s or 1970s had led to natural environment spaces being bigger or smaller than anticipated due to low-resolution or

grainy images making shadows appear as part of natural environment features.

Van Amersfoort also explained to council how properties would be better identified through changes to the official plan, pointing out that natural environment and hazard designations were being changed to better represent what is on a property.

Council spent over three hours discussing the plan and changes, covering a myriad of issues, with any unresolved issues to be directed to Holman and Van Amersfoort for further clarification.

NOTIFICATIONS While council did have questions about specific properties and about the process going forward, one of the most controversial topics was how notification of the changes should be handled.

The issue was first broached by Reeve Bernie Bailey who said council is constantly hearing about how people “don’t get the message” when correspondence is sent out through regular mail and asked if

the planning department could send the changes out by registered mail.

“That way, three years later, we can go back and say you were sent a registered letter,” he said. “It would end a lot of discussions and hurt feelings.”

North Huron Clerk Carson Lamb said council could consider sending out the letters, but it would lead to a cost increase as the minimum number of letters to be sent out would be around 500.

Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip agreed, saying that a regular letter

would cost $1 to send, but registered letters cost between $5 and $7 each.

Van Amersfoort said her suggestion was to send a letter to everyone in the municipality to advise them that the five-year review is underway and to send a second letter detailing changes to property owners who would be directly impacted by changes.

“We would send an additional letter [to] those with significant property changes,” she said. “[The letter would] explain proposed

changes and include a colour map with the changes highlighted so they can see.”

Van Amersfoort said some of those secondary letters could be avoided if council wished, but only in the case where changes were so miniscule they wouldn’t show up on aerial photography.

Seip said he understood that, saying he didn’t know if there would be value in sending those letters. Van Amersfoort further explained that it took staff time to Continued on page 19

Local ‘Sunshine List’ grows

By Denny Scott The Citizen The Province of Ontario released its public sector salary disclosure document last week, dubbed the “Sunshine List”, which includes all public sector employees who made more than $100,000 in 2021.

As in previous years, the top earners for the province are from

Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

The top earner in the province is President and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Hartwick, who made $1,628,246 in 2021, up from $1,228,517 in 2020 when he held the same position. That increase of nearly $400,000 comes on the heels of an increase of nearly $300,000 between 2019 and 2020 when he was second on the disclosure list

with a salary of $929,763.51.

Following Hartwick are OPG Chief Strategy Officer Dominique Miniere ($1,523,518.84, up from $1,131,767.04) and Chief Operations Officer and Chief Nuclear Officer Sean Granville ($1,064,429.42, up from $901,606.32).

There are more than 244,000 total Continued on page 10

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Council gives $70,000 in relief to Columbus board

By Denny Scott The Citizen

North Huron Township Council is providing nearly $70,000 in relief to the Columbus Centre board after the organization wasn’t able to pay its obligations to the township in full over the past two years.

North Huron Council, at the suggestion of Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip, waived sums the group owed North Huron for the use of the Columbus Centre in the North Huron Wescast Community Complex from 2020 ($8,113.63) and 2021 ($32,939.50) and agreed to provide $14,000 in relief per year for 2022 and 2023. The Columbus Centre board will still have to pay $15,000 per year as an ongoing contribution to the township for the North Huron Wescast Community Complex and the board’s share of the utilities.

The $41,053.13 in back contributions will be covered by what Director of Finance Darcy Chapman called a “six-figure” surplus from 2021 that he said is yet to be finalized. The relief in 2022 will be paid for out of the township’s recreation budget, specifically from funds earmarked for COVID-19 expenses that council felt wouldn’t be realized due to the lifting of restrictions.

Council directed staff to budget around the $14,000 shortfall when preparing the 2023 operating budget later this year.

Seip explained, early in the discussion, that there had been some confusion about the situation when council initially discussed the issue in February. He said, after meeting with the Columbus Centre board, that the issue was complicated when it was discussed last year with the possibility of council moving its chambers. He said the group was looking for a “reset” on its debt and, taking into consideration how the community at large, other groups and local schools benefit, he felt erasing the group’s existing debt and easing its future debt is the best path.

He said council could cover the debt with working reserves, however, staff later informed Seip that the working reserves are earmarked for specific projects and budgets and can’t be freely used by council.

Seip believed, however, that the decision could be made without impacting taxpayers.

Despite Seip’s desire, council eventually decided on the above solution, which will see the relief

provided in 2023 directly impact the budget.

While council voted in favour of the motion to provide the relief, Councillor Kevin Falconer reiterated that he was staunchly against the move, despite wanting to help the organization out.

While he agreed with the importance of the group, he said that, regardless of the terminology, the Columbus Centre is leasing property from the township and it’s not fair to subsidize it, especially given that several stores in Blyth are moving due to rising rent costs.

Falconer said it wasn’t fair that the township has been charging those businesses taxes and is now going to give it to another organization to pay debt or obligations.

Falconer also pointed out that other charitable organizations have been finding ways to raise money despite the pandemic, which he didn’t feel the Columbus Centre board had done. He went on to say this could be indicative of the organization not being able to continue on, citing a decline in its volunteer base, as well as overall funding available through the community.

He said council shouldn’t, in that case, “take a leap of faith” and pay the group’s outstanding debt.

Falconer also took exception to the fact that, as a private organization, the Knights of Columbus have sold $105 billion in insurance policies and have $24 billion in assets “just in Ontario.”

“They gave $1.5 billion to charity, “ he said, saying they should have helped their own organization.

Falconer also compared the Columbus Centre to the upper hall of the Blyth and District Community Centre, saying that, if council is subsidizing costs, he could likely find someone to “use that space for free.”

Finally, Falconer said he didn’t feel comfortable giving away tax dollars to a private organization without the public having their say on the matter.

Councillor Chris Palmer refuted Falconer’s claims, saying that the Columbus Centre board isn’t like a private business or other community group because they are “partners” with North Huron in the North Huron Wescast Complex.

Reeve Bernie Bailey compared the Columbus Centre board to the Blyth Festival, saying that North Huron gave $500,000 to the Blyth Arts and Culture Initiative 14/19 to upgrade Blyth Memorial Hall (a

municipal building) several years ago.

“We give everybody help, that’s our job,” Bailey said. “If we’re good business people, we can finance it and will see a payback from it down the road.”

Falconer took exception to Bailey’s comparison of the organization to the Blyth Festival, saying that anyone can be a member of the Festival or on its board and go to meetings, however that’s not the case with the Knights of Columbus. Falconer said he couldn’t join the group due its membership rules and that women can’t join either.

While staff previously sought to differentiate between the Columbus Centre board and the Knights of Columbus, the letter that was penned to council by the board requesting relief noted that “The Knights of Columbus have paid the Township approximately $900,000 in rent and pledges over the past 20 years.”

Bailey defended his analogy, saying that the Festival’s board meetings were private. (The Citizen has been told by the Festival that their meetings are considered public.)

Falconer reiterated he wanted the Columbus Centre board to succeed, but said council was bending the rules, not only in supporting the board, but in changing the budget so soon after it had been passed without a budget approval process.

Seip said it made financial sense to help out because if the group didn’t exist, council would see “more than $60,000 a year” in funding requests from schools, churches and charitable organizations that benefit from the Columbus Centre.

He also said council doesn’t “have to worry about treating other people the same, because every person’s situation” is different.

Despite Falconer’s contestations, and his wish to not make a decision for the next session of council, his fellow council members voted in favour of wiping the existing debt and providing relief to the Columbus Centre board against its obligations for the next two years.

Staff will also be bringing an amended agreement between the township and the board to council at a later meeting for consideration as council members said the $29,000 may not be an accurate dollar amount given recent information about utilities being made available.

Specifically, with the ice out of the

arena, utility costs were lower than anticipated, leading councillors to

wonder if overpaying.

the

board

Superb skater Henley Terpstra, centre, was named the Can Skate Level 1-2 skater of the year at the Brussels Skating Club’s annual showcase earlier this month. Presenting the trophy are coaches Julia Jacobs, left, and Madison Koch. (Photo submitted)

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The big show The 2021/2022 Brussels Skating Club Kid Skate and Can Skate groups recently held their year-end showcase at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. The event also featured a number of awards being handed out. (Photo submitted)

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 3.

Practical jokes, pranks and hoaxes Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster It’s that time of year again when playing a trick on someone is perfectly acceptable. There is no agreement about the true origins of “April Fool’s Day”. Whatever the reason may be for its inception, it has evolved into a day for a little fun and high jinks. Of course, playing practical jokes is not limited to one day of the year. As we look back at newspapers and books from our local area, we find some dandy tricks and jokes from the past.

Given time on one’s hands, a nimble mind and the perfect opportunity, the stage is set. But where is the line drawn between a joke, a prank and a hoax? Take the

scenario presented in the 1992 East Wawanosh history book Wilderness to Wawanosh. A farmer had an exceptional flock of 10 laying hens.

Each day, without fail, these prized pullets produced 10 eggs and the owner took great pride in that fact by announcing their prowess to his community. But his hens did even better. They began to lay 11 eggs a day, without fail. The farmer kept a close eye on them, hoping to find which hen was laying two eggs a day. If he could incubate those eggs, he just might be able to raise a superior chicken. One day, he found Harry Cook entering the coop with an egg in hand. The jig was up.

No super hen, but rather a practical

joker having some fun at his friend’s expense. In this instance, no one was hurt, other than a little bit of pride.

Leon Cantelon, in the Wingham Advance-Times of 1954, looked back to his high school days when he and his friends rigged up an alarm clock with wires to ring at inappropriate times during their rotary classes. This caused small disruptions in class time and general amusement for the students until one teacher caught on and ended the interruptions.

From the pages of the Brussels Post in July of 1886, comes the tale of a visitor to the village who had imbibed too much of the “Scott

Act”, a euphemism for being drunk.

Some local lads undertook to remove one of his high sulky wheels, replacing it with a much lower buggy wheel. The lop-sided appearance of the vehicle was not noticed for a couple of days, after which, the gent returned to Brussels using some very forceful language.

It took some planning for one caper that comes from the pages of A Harvest of Memories, the MorrisTurnberry history book of 2012.

Late in the 1890s, Washington “Wash” Wilkinson saved a jar of blood from the time when his neighbour had butchered a pig. At a wood cutting bee that winter, workers found signs of a scuffle and drops of blood leading towards the river. Two sets of footprints led to a hole in the ice but only one set was found going away from it. There were conjectures about what had occurred. Had a murder been committed? When the workers decided to go to Clinton to get the police, Wash confessed his deed and the mystery of the “murder” at Bodmin was solved.

The term ‘prank’ brings with it a less innocent connotation. Instances of triggering fire alarms or setting actual fires to see the reaction of fire departments are taken very seriously and in the past have resulted in criminal charges as noted in several local publications over the years. The guise of Halloween or substance abuse seems to have fueled some of the senseless pranks in the area. A perpetual prank seems to be the unsolved mystery of crop circles.

Much time must have been spent figuring out how to imply that an unidentified flying object had visited the vicinity.

In 1868, on a farm near Dungannon, a couple of men were digging a well searching for water.

All that the men could find was dry sand. One night, after they left, two village mischief makers decided to have some fun. They poured a barrelful of coal oil into the hole thus “salting” the well to make it appear that oil was present. Imagine the surprise and delight the next morning when the diggers returned to find that they had struck it rich with an oil well.

The word quickly spread and the village boomed, taverns were crowded, stores did thriving business and a company to extract the oil was created. The company sold shares, built a derrick and engine house and ordered machinery. The pranksters even bought shares themselves, but, realizing that things had gone too far, they somehow passed word to the promoters without being identified.

The great oil boom in Dungannon was no more but many folks had been affected adversely. Perhaps it was not so much of a joke after all.

One of the more amusing largescale April Fool’s pranks was carried out by Burger King in 1998.

A full-page advertisement was published in USA Today, touting the “Left-Handed Whopper” that was specially designed for the millions of left-handed patrons. Condiments were to be rotated 180 degrees to redistribute the weight of the burger. Thousands of customers visited their local outlets looking for the left-handed burger, ironically called a “Whopper”. On April 2, the company confessed that the special Whopper was a hoax.

May all the tricks and pranks played be of a kind nature with folks having fun and no one being harmed as a result.

With appreciation to the Digitized Newspapers of Huron County Library and Museum.

The evidence of Gospel salvation (Charles H. Spurgeon) “Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling.” 2 Timothy 1:9 Gospel salvation is accompanied by a holy calling. Those whom the Saviour saved upon the cross—are in due time effectually called by the power of the Holy Spirit unto holiness. They leave their sins; they endeavor to be like Christ; they choose holiness, from the compulsion of a new nature and new affection, which lead them to rejoice in holiness—just as naturally as aforetime they delighted in sin.

God neither chose them nor called them because they were holy—but He called them that they would be holy This holiness is evidenced by the graces produced by His workmanship in them. The graces which we see in a believer are as much the work of God—as the atonement itself.

On the scene Fighting a driving rain before a few days of snow, Brussels members of the Huron East Fire Department responded to a house fire on Alexander Street in Brussels in the early afternoon on Saturday, March 26. Crews were on the scene for a number of hours until the blaze was extinguished and under control. (John Stephenson photo)

Unemployment rate unchanged in region In February, the unemployment rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula economic region remained unchanged at 4.6 per cent, the second lowest in Ontario.

Similarly, the provincial unemployment rate remained the same as last month at 6.1 per cent, both unadjusted for seasonality.

Overall net employment in the region increased by 700, with fulltime losses (-500) and part-time gains (+1,200).

The number of goods-producing sector employees increased by a net of 700. The main driving force came from gains in agriculture (+700) and construction (+900) even though manufacturing experienced another month of losses (-1,200).

Employment in the servicesproducing sector remained unchanged. However, health care and social assistance continued experiencing losses (-2,000). The gains in wholesale and retail trade (+1,600) and other sectors exactly offset the losses, which resulted in zero net gains.

“We continue to develop ways to help job seekers gain the skills employers need to fill vacancies locally,” says Gemma MendezSmith, Executive Director of the Four-County Labour Market Planning Board.

Current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region have increased overtime since the pandemic and can be found at www.connect2JOBS.ca.

Such is the evidence of Gospel salvation—a holy life.

A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-492-1359

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Editorials & Opinions

Founding Publisher: Keith Roulston Publisher & President: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld

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The divide deepens Another urban-rural divide is playing out, this time in the Thames Valley District School Board. An ad hoc committee of the board, the Rural Education Task Force, formed in June of 2019 to consult with stakeholders and develop recommendations for a rural education strategy prepared a draft report and presented it to the board on March 22, which turned out to be the same meeting at which the board voted to dissolve the committee. The board administration has expressed concerns that the report is flawed and overstepping, while the committee members claim that the staff is trying to “bury the report” as it advocates for an improved funding formula and questions the necessity of closing rural schools.

What is clear is that with the centralization of school boards, the decisions are made in urban centres, and even though school boards and administrators acknowledge the need for a rural strategy, there seems to be a reluctance to admit that the rural strategy might not be the same as the urban strategy, and may be challenging to implement.

Surely, with improvements in technology and infrastructure, we should be able to deliver a comprehensive education to 300 students in a small village just as we can to 500 to 1,000 in an urban school. And with remote work allowing families to leave the cities and work from smalltown Ontario, those children should be able to skip the bus trip. – DS

Together... forever The “supply and confidence” agreement between the federal Liberal and New Democratic Parties is sure to serve as a political Rorschach test. What you see tells you more about your views than what the deal is likely to accomplish or, based on your views, not accomplish.

Conservatives like Candice Bergen (“backdoor socialism”) and Pierre Poilievre (an “attack on our freedom”) and Patrick Brown (a “subversion of our democracy”) will see a shady deal with the devil from which the country will never recover, while those on the left will maybe look forward to the possibility of tangible decisions being made, rather than languishing in minority government purgatory.

What it actually means for the country remains to be seen and, with it in place until 2025, there should be plenty of time to build a case one way or the other. One thing is for sure, it shows that NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is putting the potential for a better life for Canadians ahead of one for his political career. Whether you agree with Singh’s politics or not, there are few political ships foundering more drastically than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s, and forming an alliance with Trudeau holds little potential in regards to résumé building for Singh.

“I want to go into it with the spirit of hopeful optimism, but I will remain critical and we’re going to remain an opposition party,” Singh has said. “We are going to remain forceful in getting help to people and making sure that this agreement is followed through.” Those on the left can hope this is true, while those on the right would say that Singh and his party have never served as “critical” or “forceful” with Trudeau.

The future of this deal is unwritten, but, with the divided nature of the country, it’s sure to polarize, regardless of its success. – SL

Ch-ch-changes While everyone is entitled to change their mind (and moreover, required to do so for growth as an individual), it’s always hard to tell if a politician is changing their mind for the better when they make decisions in an election year. While it could be that a politician has had an awakening and decided they need to do better or think more environmentally, it’s equally likely a politician may only be appeasing the masses to try and make sure they have a job after the votes are tallied.

That’s why it’s difficult to tell if Ontario Premier Doug Ford has finally realized that electric and hybrid vehicles are the future we need, or if he’s just trying to entice an environmentally-minded voter (or several thousand) from the more left-leaning parties.

Ford has a tumultuous history with green initiatives, starting in 2018, not long after he had been elected. The month after he assumed office in 2018, he canceled the rebate program for electric vehicles (and hydrogen-powered vehicles). Six months later, he had electric vehicle chargers removed from transit lots. Ten months after that, he spent $231 million to cancel green energy projects.

Three years later, however, Ford has turned over a new leaf, pun intended, and decided the provincial government needs to invest in automobile manufacturing - specifically hybrid and electric cars.

Thanks to rising prices, anyone with two brain cells to rub together now recognizes that, even if global warming is the most well-executed hoax on the planet (it’s not), traditional combustion automobiles aren’t the future. However, it remains to be seen if Ford’s realized that alongside the rest of the cash-strapped Ontarians or if he’s just playing up that sentiment to score voters. It’s just hard to trust anything a politician says or does that’s outside their established character when, in a few days or weeks, he will be reminding us that it’s time to vote. – JDS

Looking Back Through the Years April 1, 1965 Huron MP Elston Cardiff was now a member of the exclusive 25year club at the House of Commons showing a “proven ability to win elections and hold a Commons seat continuously for a quarter-century.”

The Walton Women’s Institute installed its new slate of officers for the year, with Mrs. Roy Williamson taking over for Mrs. Kenneth McDonald as president.

Brussels welcomed over 300 hockey fans to the village for its annual all-ages tournament. In the finals, Brussels beat Blyth in the Bantam division by a score of 6-3.

April 2, 1975 For the fourth year in a row, a team from Brussels captured the Blyth Lions Club Novice Tournament championship. Captain Kevin McArter was pictured on the front page of The Blyth Standard accepting the tournament trophy.

The Blyth Swinging Seniors stated their intention to protest the recent “Mustard report”, which recommended the restructuring of healthcare in Huron County. The group said it was happy with the way things were.

Mrs. Arnold Cook of Westfield was the special guest at the March meeting of the Walkerburn Club.

Cook showed off some of her oil paintings and explained her process to the group.

April 2, 1997 Despite nearly $1 million in cuts from the provincial government, Huron County Council put forward a budget that would result in no tax increase for the county portion of 1997 property taxes. Aiding the county in its decision was an additional $60,000 through an increase in assessment and a further $44,000 in efficiencies for the

management of the homes for the aged.

In May, the Wingham and District Hospital would be consolidating its inpatient beds onto one floor for both chronic and active patients. As a result, six nurses would be cut from the staff.

Jean Charest, the leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party, during a town hall-style meeting in Goderich, promised to create new jobs through tax cuts, the elimination of interprovincial tariffs and an improved education system, among other things.

Charest visited Goderich as part of a tour of southwestern Ontario that took him through Toronto, Guelph, London and Brampton, in addition to the Goderich stop.

Several members of the Brussels Bulls were honoured with awards at the team’s year-end banquet. There, Josh Alexander was named the team’s most valuable player for the season, while Gary Staples was the team’s top rookie.

March 29, 2012 The Brussels Agricultural Society and the Municipality of Huron East had partnered up and received a Trillium Grant to establish a new farmers’ market for Brussels.

The grant awarded the society $22,400 over three years to host the market, which organizers said would officially open to the public in May. Huron East Economic Development Officer Jan Hawley said the market would be hosted in the McCutcheon Motors parking lot, across Turnberry Street from the post office.

In addition to aiding in the creation of the market, the grant received by the society would also make it possible for the market to

hire a manager, who would be working with the volunteer board to run the market.

The Belgrave School Fair would continue in 2012 without missing a year thanks to the creation of a new school fair committee. Steve Hallahan would be the first president of the committee, with Margaret Vincent serving as the first vice-president.

Jane Zwep was able to do something as a member of the Cranbrook Dart Club that had never before happened in the club’s 10year history: she threw for a perfect score.

Morris-Turnberry Council made the decision to make one more proposal to North Huron Council in order to resolve long-standing fire coverage issues between the two neighbouring municipalities.

Morris-Turnberry Councillor Jamie Heffer said he felt council needed to give it one more shot with North Huron, despite the fact that he had faced very little resistance to the creation of a new fire department when talking to residents out on the street.

After receiving a letter of concern regarding a closed meeting of Huron East Council, Mayor Bernie MacLellan said he would initiate an investigation by the province’s Ombudsman on his own council to prove nothing wrong had been done. The concerns came from Huron East Against Turbines (HEAT). The group alleged that correspondence was handled incorrectly in the closed-to-thepublic session.

Maurice Hallahan, a long-time East Wawanosh councillor and Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association volunteer, passed away on March 22 at the age of 81.

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 5.

Other Views

Free dental care – at long last

L

ast week, the federal Liberal government announced it had reached an agreement with the NDP that would, among other things, give free dental care to lower income people in Canada. Hmm, only 70-plus years after my home community.

When I was growing up near Lucknow, one of the services we took for granted was a yearly check-up for all school children with the local dentist. I’m not sure how it started, but I’m guessing that local trustees wanted kids with healthy mouths and wanted to keep a dentist in the community, so they came up with a plan to send every child attending the Lucknow Public School to see the local dentist, Dr. Little, once each year. It wasn’t just us. I recall students from some of the one-room schools close to town who also had the arrangement.

As a child, I must say I didn’t have fond memories of the routine visits. We would walk down from the local school, two at a time, to the dentist’s office. The unluckier of the two students was the one who had to sit in the waiting room while the first student went through an examination, tooth cleaning or whatever else had to be done, imagining the worst from every sound that made its way to the waiting room.

It was years later when I came to appreciate this local service. Long after I left the Lucknow community, I met others who had not had this childhood care of their teeth and many paid the price later in life.

The double good sense of those school trustees became evident. On one hand, Lucknow had a dentist. Blyth, for instance, has never had a dentist in the 50 years I’ve lived here.

On the other hand, we children had good dental care, despite the fact many of our

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk families were short on money and might not have spent hard-earned cash on taking their kids to the dentist if not for our trustees’ foresight.

The same problems exist today, according to statistics that came to light with the recent announcement. Apparently about 17 per cent of the population (about 6.5 million Canadians) don’t have proper dental care and say they can’t afford it. The new plan will target people with a family income of less than $90,000, starting first with children under 12 and spreading eventually to the whole population by 2025.

It won’t be cheap, of course. An analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Officer in 2020 estimated the cost of a similar program at $1.3 billion over the year following the plan’s announcement, and $4.3 billion during the first year of the plan’s operation. The program would then cost about $1.5 billion annually until 2025.

On the other hand, the provinces are already being hit with many extra costs because of dental issues. It has been estimated that Canadian seniors without dental coverage often turn to hospital emergency rooms when experiencing dental issues, turning them, in many cases, into dentists for those needing help with issues in their mouths.

Then there’s the big flaw in this proposal, of

course, and that’s that we already have a shortage of dental professionals in rural and small-town communities and finding enough dentists, etc. to meet the needs of those of us who live in rural areas may be a challenge.

And then there’s the issue of how much this will cost. Our community’s dentist had a tiny office and lived inexpensively. Currently, there are some dentists, at least, who seem to think a dental degree should earn them a lifestyle superior to that of their neighbours. And in a way they’ve earned it, by swallowing the cost of spending eight years in university and dental school. We need to open this procedure to make it affordable to more potential dentists.

But let’s be honest and not make it like the medical plan under which the federal government promised to support the provinces, but later pulled back to pay less. The federal government of the 1960s promised to pick up a certain share of medical costs, but by the time Paul Martin was finance minister, and the federal government found itself in financial difficulty, the federal share of medical costs was cut way back and the provinces had to pay a larger proportion of a cost that was already swelling because of increased services.

And then, of course, there are government priorities. The Ontario government, with a provincial election just months away, has been seeking to win votes by cutting costs, such as eliminating the fee for licence stickers for our cars. Such governments don’t like funding new expenses like dental funds, so those battles with the feds haven’t yet bubbled up.

Still, most Canadians praise our government-paid medical system, particularly when they compare it to their American neighbours’. Most will likely be glad to see it expanded to cover dental health.

Apples to apples or apples to bananas?

I

’ve never been a great public speaker. It’s not stagefright or anything like that. I’ve done stuff in public that, I’m told, many people would have a problem tackling. I just have a bad habit of going off the cuff when I’m speaking in front of a crowd (or in a radio booth) and it’s easy to get mixed up then.

That’s why, whenever I have to speak in front of a crowd, whether it’s visiting a class, teaching photography seminars or just getting ready to kiss a pig for a fundraiser, I make notes, I practise my speech and I stick to the message.

Why do I do that? Because, after being on the other side of off-the-cuff speakers, I know how frustrating it can be when someone passes on confusing, or worse, misleading information.

Last week’s North Huron Township Council meeting provided a perfect example of how issues can be confused when people go “off the cuff” (at least I’m assuming that’s the case and there wasn’t an attempt to provide false information).

During a debate regarding the Columbus Centre board, which operates the Columbus Centre in the North Huron Wescast Community Complex, both Reeve Bernie Bailey and Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip provided some remarks that were, at best, confusing and, at worst, misleading to their fellow council members and the public.

Again, I don’t think there was any malice or ill intent here, but the truth is often one of the first casualties of making off-the-cuff remarks.

At the end of the discussion, North Huron Township Council decided to provide approximately $70,000 in relief to the board by waiving existing debt the group owes in utility costs and annual contributions and cutting the group’s $29,000 annual contribution to $15,000 for the next two years.

I’m not going to come down on either side

Denny Scott Denny’s Den of the debate - that’s not the point here.

The point is that the situation was made confusing by comments that painted it in a different light.

First, we’ll start with the fact that both myself and other media had trouble understanding Seip’s motion in regards to giving the board the relief it needed.

Seip made a motion to wipe out the existing debt and give the board relief over the next two years by cutting the agreed-upon contribution to the centre and its utility bills nearly in half. However, in describing his motion, it sounded like he wanted to give them two free years to recover their funding lost to COVID-19. While I was fortunate enough to be able to take time and work through the motion (with the help of North Huron staff), other media outlets published a little earlier, which led to some confusion.

I’m not knocking Seip here. Politicians shouldn’t be measured by how good their public speaking is, but by the wisdom and will they demonstrate to best represent their voters, and great public speakers aren’t always the people you want running a municipality, a province or a country. There is, however, something to be said for using clear and concise language.

I know that can be one of my weaknesses (alongside talking way too fast when I’m in front of a group), so having a presentation or notes helps me from getting into an undesirable situation.

Bailey also fell afoul of a problem that good

preparation could have avoided: citing halftruths (again, I don’t think this was intentional, but it did happen).

Councillor Kevin Falconer started comparing the Columbus Centre and its board to any other organization that rents space in a building, however Bailey felt that wasn’t an apt comparison, saying it was more similar to the Blyth Festival.

First things first, I will say I disagree with that. I’d say the board is more like the Blyth Lions Club, which recently decided to walk away from a space near the Blyth campground when it became difficult to afford the necessary expenses.

Falconer also disagreed, however, he had different reasons: he felt that an organization like the Knights of Columbus, which has strict rules about membership (practising Catholic males over 18 only, according to their website) wasn’t a fair comparison to an open-to-thepublic group like the Festival. Bailey’s response was that he believed the public can’t attend the Festival’s board meetings, which is untrue. The Blyth Festival’s board meetings are completely open to the public.

Like I said, Bailey “thought” what he thought, but without knowing, it’s a dangerous thing to say.

Off the cuff remarks can be damaging not only to a speaker’s argument, but to the discussion in general, which is why we need people to stick to those four words Dragnet’s Joe Friday never actually said: “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Final Thought In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.

– Margaret Thatcher

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

How did we get here?

E

veryone comes from somewhere. We all have our very own origin story that dates back to our parents and our childhood. Most of them are likely pretty boring - at least to the majority of the world but the people who get mixed up in events that change the world can have interesting ones.

For anyone who’s seen the 2010 film about Facebook, The Social Network, you know that it posits, essentially, that Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook because he got dumped one night. So, on Jan. 6, 2020, when supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol after consuming years of misinformation on Facebook (and using the social network to communicate and mobilize), a number of critics took a mountain of liberties with how something like that could happen, saying that American democracy was being challenged all because a kid got dumped back in 2003 when he was a student at Harvard University.

As I said, a bit of a jump to conclusions there, but not an idea without merit.

With Facebook being the amorphous blob it is, it would be easy to trace several things back to that monumental alleged dumping: vaccine misinformation, a seismic shift in the world of traditional media, how we communicate with each other, online bullying... the list goes on.

Staying on Trump, a lot of people point to jokes told by Barack Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner as the exact moment Trump decided to run for president.

You can see it in his face that Trump is not impressed with what’s being said (or how the room is reacting). Is it possible that a few of Obama’s knee-slappers gave us Trump?

Since we may be on the precipice of World War III, one of these such incidents can be traced back to World War II. Adolf Hitler (who I hesitate to bring up, as apparently I can’t mention him these days without garnering a few “well, actually...” letters), was twice rejected from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. Many have half-jokingly said that, had Hitler gotten into art school, maybe he would have chosen painting over genocide.

I have my own World War III theory along these lines when it comes to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his love of hockey. There’s a famous video showing Putin trying in vain to put a hockey helmet on his head backwards.

Fast-forward a few years, and Putin has apparently gotten a bit better. He’s a hockey lover who will lace up his skates from time to time (and put on his helmet the right way).

But, maybe he spends too much time dictating and not enough on drills, because he still looks a little shaky, despite not facing much in the way of real defence. (As you can imagine, no one is really putting the body to Putin.)

In 2019, Putin’s team claimed victory in the annual Night Hockey League gala match by the football-like score of 13-9. His team flew to victory on the wings of Putin’s two-andtwo-third hat tricks. (Eight goals - that’s right, he put up a snowman.) The performance has been ridiculed on the world stage, up to and including a slip-and-fall by Putin as he skated around after the game waving to fans.

Nobody wants to be bad at something, especially in front of thousands of people, so maybe, just maybe, Putin’s insecurity about his on-ice performance is what got us here. He loves hockey so much and all he ever wanted was to be good at it, so, maybe if he can’t be good at hockey, he doesn’t want anyone else to be good at it (or to be alive, frankly, for that matter) either.

Learning how we got here is always fun.

Maybe not always true, but always fun.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Columnist looks into home history A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231

Kitchen crafts Emily, right, and Sophia Burkholder do some kitchen crafts at the Brussels United Church under the watchful eye of Student Minister Alex Jebson. (John Stephenson photo)

Looking to Brussels’ past The Citizen wants to help former businesses and families preserve their legacies for generations to come with the Brussels 150th Anniversary special edition this July, coinciding with the homecoming celebration.

You can send us your story and pictures, and we will do

the rest, crafting a custom-made advertisement for you to be included in the special section.

These inserts come with special pricing for Brussels-based families or former businesses to tell their stories, with a quarter-page insert priced at $187.50 plus HST and a half-page priced at $375 plus HST.

The Citizen ran a similar program in 2017 for Blyth’s anniversary celebration with great success.

The deadline for submissions is July 15. They can be e-mailed to info@northhuron.on.ca or sent by mail to The Citizen at PO Box 429, Blyth, Ontario, N0M 1H0.

I guess we’re not done with winter yet. The drifts of the white stuff outside the window today show me that loud and clear. Oh well, another day of dreaming of what’s to come. Oh yes, I live in hope.

On the dreaming bit, I ponder the day that the COVID-19 virus is no more bothersome than the usual seasonal cold or flu type. For now that’s not the case. People feel liberated with the Ontario government’s mask suggestion and our high rate of vaccines in arms.

Indicators from many fronts show the virus remains strong. We share the air. Unless you are a hermit, your oxygen intake comes from combined community input. Please wear your mask. A mask is an important form of protection when you’re outside your home. Keep hanging with the vaccinated when possible, and keep your mask over your mouth and nose when you breathe community air.

The Callander Nursing Home was a big employer in Brussels starting in the 1950s until it became MacGowan Nursing Homes Ltd. and moved the business to Wingham in 1991. Deb Trollope Ross was one of the longest tenured

workers there. Deb and I have been reviewing nursing home life as we sorted pictures from those years past. Bus trips, picnics, music, staff of the day, Santa Claus, school kids, church ladies, all there for the residents’ enjoyment. Remembering names was the most taxing part of the afternoon. Since we too are aging, we had good discussions and a few, well a lot, of suggestions on how geriatric care could and really should happen.

Increasingly efficient home care is the only place to start. Better wages for staff would ensure steady welcome and happy clients. There comes a time that a long-term bed is needed but, if there was another realistic, dependable service at home, clients, family and government costs would all be the winners.

Again I dream.

School terms for the postsecondary set are fast coming to an end. These past two years have taught this crew adaptability, organization and patience as their learning methods change frequently. What have you gained from your time during the COVID19 pandemic?

Take care. Be safe. Get your mask on.

Bye now, Betty G.W.

At the Branch

White wins weekly ‘Ace’ draw, prize grows

By Jo-Ann McDonald The week at the Brussels Legion Branch should have started with the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, but because too many members were going to be absent, the meeting was postponed until the next week.

The upstairs auditorium floor is now completed. Deb Ross and friends did a great job of refinishing the floor and it looks beautiful.

The Friday night crowd had a great time at the Branch. There was homemade pizza available for the pub grub. It was a great evening and a busy one, with more than 24 pizzas ordered. Then the Catch the Ace draw was conducted by team Deb Ross, Nanci Ducharme and Kathy Burkholder. The lucky weekly winner was Randy White, winning $179. He chose envelope number four and the five of spades was revealed. The estimated jackpot for next week is around $875. Get your tickets at McDonald Lumber, Brussels Pharmacy, Brussels Variety or the Legion.

The evening continued on with the always popular Stubby D on hand for karaoke. There was a great crew on hand to “voice” their talents. It was a great night at the Legion.

It was announced during the Ace draw that an Easter turkey dinner is being planned. Why slave in the kitchen with the family coming home when you can order your delicious meals from the Legion?

Let us do the cooking! It will be a drive-by format, the same as the turkey dinner before Christmas.

Delivery in-town for seniors will also be available.

It’s time to blow the dust off your darts and come out to the Legion for Thursday night darts. Just for the month of April, come out and have some fun. Names are placed in a hat, so it’s a blind draw, to create the teams. You must be 19 years plus and it costs a toonie to play.

The action starts at 7:30 p.m.

The Branch is looking for new members. There are very few conditions except to be a Canadian

citizen. Come out and join a great bunch of folks who believe in supporting those who fought for our country, to perpetrate the service of remembrance, who support our community and youth. Become a member and choose your amount of involvement. Go on a committee, help with luncheons, or just drop in to support the Branch any day or the special events hosted by the Branch. Drop in and talk to Sandra and pick up an application.

I am working on the submissions for the Military Service Recognition Book. If you have a loved one who served and you wish to have them recognized and included, please call the Branch or myself at 519-887-6570 and find out more. I need a picture, in

uniform if possible, attestation and discharge papers if available and a short story that includes any medals or awards, events or injuries and what they did upon return to civilian life. There have been eight books published for Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion with approximately 800 entries in each. This will be book number nine. Brussels had 42 submissions in book eight and hope to have numerous submissions again. The Branch also has memorial books and the information is added to the Branch books. Please contact myself or leave your name and number at the Branch at 519-887-6562 and you will be contacted. The information is required by the end of April.

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Randy White $179 Envelope #4 found the 5 of spades Estimated jackpot for April 1 is $875

Brussels Legion 218

Brussels Legion 218

Every Thursday night in April is DART NIGHT

Drive by

Names are placed in a hat (Blind Draw) to create the teams.

So dust off those darts and come out and have some fun.

Must be 19 years+ and costs only a toonie to play Fun begins at 7:30 pm

Easter Turkey Dinner with Pie!

Adults $25

Sunday, April 17 4:30 - 6:30 Call Deb at 531-1125 or email the Legion at legion218@ezlink.ca to book your pick-up time

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS Follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter

The Brussels Optimist Club is excited for their upcoming sold out dinner and auction April 9, 2022 Anyone wishing to donate an auction item please call Jason Crawford 519-891-1114

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 7.

Repository used book sale to move to Lions Park feature other local businesses that also specialize in previously loved items. Pick A Posie, a local vintage clothing store and costume company, is the brainchild of designer Jennifer TriemstraJohnston and will be hosting its grand reopening in its new space at 345 Queen Street, just across the street from the book sale and vendor tents. Finds and Consigns is located at 428 Queen Street across from the Memorial Hall and is an eclectic shop where you’ll find a nostalgic mix of vintage, antique and new items. Pianovations has become renowned for its meticulous restoration of beautiful pianos, while also carrying the area’s best inventory of new musical instruments and accessories. It is newly relocated to Londesborough, but will be returning to join Vintage in the Village for the weekend.

For more information, follow the

Back at it After hosting a pared-down version of the annual used book sale in Blyth in 2020, the Blyth Repository of History is pulling out all the stops and moving the sale to the Blyth Lions Park. The group started its sale after the Blyth Festival stopped hosting its annual sale as a way to keep avid readers coming to the community and as a means of raising money for the volunteer history organization. (File photo) Blyth has a long tradition of used book sales, with the first taking place more than 40 years ago as a fundraiser for the Blyth Festival theatre. Over the years, the first weekend in June has become a mecca for bibliophiles to stock up on their favourite summer reads or to find a long-sought-after edition of a classic. Most recently, the Blyth Repository of History has picked up the torch to continue this village tradition.

The Blyth Repository of History began as the collection of Brock and Janis Vodden, historians and genealogists who became the keepers of the unofficial archives and museum for the area. After Janis passed, Brock sought a group

of like-minded community members to take over the collection and continue to make it available for research and study. A committee was struck and the collection moved to a wing of the local newspaper office.

The Repository held a scaleddown and outdoor version of the sale in 2020 when the pandemic forced the closure of most indoor events. In 2021, with uncertainty continuing, the committee decided to postpone one more year. Now, with restrictions easing, the group is planning for the event to come back bigger and better than ever.

Without hosting a full sale over the past two years, in addition to the continued generosity of the public,

the Repository’s storage space is now filled to capacity. The committee is asking anyone with donations to please hold them until May 31 and June 1, when they can accept donations right at the Lions Park.

To make planning more flexible, the event will be held in a tent on the grounds of the Blyth Lions Park on June 2-5, and other vendors who specialize in vintage, antique and collectible items will be invited to set up. Any vendors looking for more information on setting up a tent or an application are asked to contact Citizen Publisher Deb Sholdice at deb@northhuron.on.ca or call 519-523-4792.

“Vintage in the Village” will

Blyth Repository of History on Facebook.

NEWS FROM BLYTH

Brooks, Lahey win euchre From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Sympathy is extended to Lavern and Joan Clark and family in the death of Lavern’s mother, who passed away in Ridgetown on March 25. She was 93.

Happy birthday to Carla Pawitch, who celebrates April 3; John Stadelmann and Stephen Caldwell, April 5 and Brenda Cook, April 7.

Hope you have an enjoyable day.

Mother Nature is not going to let us forget about winter just yet. The winter storm that we had earlier this week is reminiscent of January,

rather than the end of March. The temperature is much like what would have been back in January or February with -10°C. Although the sun was trying to shine on Monday, the winds made it feel cold. Spring came last week, but winter has returned this week.

The March 21 euchre winners were: first, Brenda Brooks, 70 and Carol Lahey, 76; second, Virginia Caesar, 68 and David Caesar, 71; lone hands, Edna McLellan, three and Mac Brooks, four and share the wealth, Audrey Boonstoppel and David Caesar.

Stay safe and have a good week.

Give someone a call to let them know you are thinking of them.

Let us Wash Your Drapes Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687

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SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles?

Then you’ll love sudoku. This mindbending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Last effort The Blyth Brussels U13 Local League Crusaders took to the ice in their last game of the season on March 19 against the Goderich Sailors. The Sailors were able to edge out the Crusaders 3-2 by the time of the final buzzer. According to the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association website, the team had a good season, posting a record of 10 wins and seven losses. (John Stephenson photo)

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Sports Ironmen drop first three games to Hanover Barons

By Denny Scott The Citizen After last weekend, the Wingham Ironmen sat on the brink of elimination at the hands of the firstplace Hanover Barons, having lost a pair of games to add to last week’s game one loss in the bestof-seven semifinal series.

In the semifinal round of the Provincial Junior Hockey League North Pollock Division playoffs, the Barons have handed the Ironmen three close losses in the first three games of the series. On Tuesday, March 22, the Barons posted a 2-1 win at home, followed by a 3-1 road win on Friday and a 2-1 home win on Saturday. The next and potentially last game of the series was set for March 30 in Wingham, however a score was unavailable as of press time.

Subsequent games are scheduled for April 1 in Hanover, April 2 in Wingham and April 3 in Hanover if necessary.

The Ironmen entered the series on a strong note, having posted two back-to-back wins to close out the quarterfinal series against the Kincardine Bulldogs. However, the team couldn’t find its footing in the first three games of the semifinals.

HANOVER 2 WINGHAM 1 On Saturday, March 26, the Hanover Barons posted a 2-1 overtime win against the Ironmen, partly thanks to outshooting Wingham 36-25.

Wingham’s lone goal was scored

by Evan Visser in the first period and assisted by Kyle Stanbury, while Hanover’s tying goal, also in the first period, was scored by Ryan Goetz and assisted by Samson Walsom. Owen Torrie got the game-winning goal in overtime for the Barons, assisted by Dean Sealey, after neither team could find the back of the net through the second and third period.

Riley McCabe earned the win for the Barons, stopping 24 of 25 Continued on page 9

Good effort The fifth-seeded Wingham Ironmen aren’t faring well against the first-place Hanover Barons in the semifinals of the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s North Pollock Division playoffs, however they aren’t making it easy on the Barons. The Ironmen are down three games to none, but each game has been close. (John Stephenson photo)

Look forward to signs of spring

Pamela Travers wrote, “Magical things happen every day, if we allow it. Think of daylight, of the stars at night, a flower. A dandelion is a miracle.”

Ordinary, everyday things are, in and of themselves, miracles. Just try to remember that in about six weeks when dandelions are in abundance on the lawns and roadways. That is if Old Man Winter ever releases his hold on us. March began rather lamblike but was roaring like a lion last weekend.

The Londesborough United Church Women held their World Day of Prayer service on their regular meeting night of March 21.

The service for 2022 was written by Christian women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland to connect women around the world in the same service.

Joan Goodall, Joan Howatt and Margaret Wright conducted the program. Christ said “I know the plans I have for you.” The service was an affirmation of hope as the world waits for His plans and promises to be fulfilled. During the service, seven candles were lit to signify the light of Christ in the dark times of life.

A taste of the Isles, scones, jam and clotted cream, was served by Kittie MacGregor, Joan Whyte, Helen Lobb and Lena Nesbitt. This delicious lunch was enjoyed by all.

President Catherine Allen then

conducted a business meeting. It had been several months since the group was together and many items were discussed and clarified.

Upcoming activities were noted, and suggestions were made for a summer activity, Earth Day and a parade.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the United Church Women. The ladies talked about how the Londesborough group might mark this anniversary. Stay tuned. The ladies will meet next on Monday, April 18.

Sunday morning worship for March 27 was cancelled due to inclement weather. However, Licensed Lay Worship Leader Sue Barnett sent her message to everyone on social media. The Lenten challenge for this week is to share one’s faith openly with family, friends, even strangers. Her reflection for that Sunday was based on the well-known story of the prodigal son. Her supporting scriptures were 2 Cor. 5: 16-21 and Luke 15: 1-3 and 11 - 32.

Prodigal means to be wasteful. In the story, the son took all his wealth and went to a faraway country where he lost it. What he really lost were the values of life he had been taught since birth, wasting his money and his life.

That faraway country may also be thought of in terms of a state of mind, a poor moral situation, feelings of selfishness and materialism, apathy and resignation, any situation in which one might lose his values and self worth. But, Sue noted, by admitting to God we are prodigal, he will show us the way back/home.

Since rain is in the forecast and that is what April is known for, let’s talk water. Specifically waste water.

With Omicron being a variant which has minor symptoms, for the

most part, the health professionals have stopped reporting daily cases, just hospitalizations. And, besides, a lot of cases are being identified by home test kits and never reported to the health department. Hard to know just how society is doing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scientists have, however, found a way to track the ebb and flow of virus (sorry, I couldn’t resist using that phrase). They are collecting and analyzing wastewater. In other words, the toilet water of the nation tells scientists what direction COVID-19 is flowing (again!).

Recent data shows the number of cases is rising and cases are not being reported.

From this surveillance evidence, health organizations and governments can be prepared to return to the protocols of prevention/protection again.

That knowledge begs the question again: to mask or not to mask. Stay well.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 9.

Sports Ironmen facing elimination against Hanover Barons

Uphill battle The Wingham Ironmen faced off against the Hanover Barons on Wednesday night in what might have been their final game of the playoffs. The Ironmen were facing elimination after the Barons had captured the first three games last week. A score for Wednesday night’s game was unavailable as of press time. (John Stephenson photo) Continued from page 8 shots while Devon Carson was in net for the Ironmen, stopping 34 of 36 shots.

Each team served 20 penalty minutes over 10 infractions.

Hanover’s Walsom took the first trip to the penalty box 30 seconds into the game with a two-minute roughing minor.

Wingham’s Jonah Burley was assessed back-to-back two-minute penalties for high sticking and cross checking.

Hanover’s Ryan Colquhoun was assessed a two-minute roughing penalty, followed by Wingham’s

Josh Pham serving a two-minute holding penalty. Pham’s teammates Dawson Fahrer and David Kozak then served two-minute cross checking and tripping penalties, respectively. Hanover’s Walsom took a second penalty late in the first for interference (two minutes) followed by Wingham’s Fahrer being assessed a two-minute slashing penalty as the period ended.

The second period saw Hanover take four back-to-back penalties including Dean Seley (two minutes for interference), Torrie (two minutes for slashing), Jonah White

(two minutes for high sticking) and Bryan Richardson (two minutes for tripping).

Hanover’s Drayton Howell served the first penalty of the third period with a two-minute tripping call. An incident at the 9:27 mark in the period saw two Wingham players, Kozak and Visser, penalized two minutes each for roughing and interference, respectively, and Hanover’s Richmond penalized for roughing (two minutes).

The overtime period saw Wingham’s Dana Smith take a twominute holding penalty two minutes into the extra time. Hanover’s

Byran Richardson then served a two-minute tripping penalty, as did Wingham’s Ben Wyatt.

HANOVER 3 - WINGHAM 1 Despite being outshot 22-21, the Barons were able to post a 3-1 victory over the Wingham Ironmen on March 25.

Hanover’s Walsom opened the scoring for the game with a firstperiod marker assisted by Colquhoun and Kyle Detweiler.

Wingham’s Fahrer marked the Ironmen’s only goal of the game several minutes later. The power play effort was assisted by Stanbury and Coleson Fischer.

The Barons would score two unanswered goals in the second period to secure the win. The first marker was scored by Colquhoun and assisted by Dylan Richardson and Bryan Richardson.

Bryan Richardson then got the insurance goal assisted by Colquhoun. There was no scoring in the third period.

McCabe earned the win for the Barons, stopping 21 of 22 shots, while Carson was in net for the Ironmen, stopping 18 of 21 shots.

The Barons served 10 penalty minutes over five infractions while the Ironmen served eight minutes over four.

Goetz, of the Barons, had the only penalty in the first period with a two-minute tripping call. Hanover players then served three back-toback penalties, the only ones called in the second period, including Tyson Lina (two minutes for slashing), Trent Verbeek (two minutes for cross checking) and Chris Ferri (two minutes for hooking).

Hanover’s last penalty of the game was the first of the third period as Sealey served a twominute cross checking penalty.

Wingham then had four back-toback two-minute penalties called against Chris Adyls (slashing), Stanbury (boarding) Pham (slashing) and Stanbury again (roughing).

HANOVER 2 - WINGHAM 1 After a scoreless first period, the Barons were able to score two goals to secure a win over Wingham despite the Ironmen having a lategame surge on March 22.

The Ironmen outshot the Barons 35-34, but couldn’t find the net until the last minute of play.

Hanover’s first goal was scored late in the second period by Torrie, assisted by Ferri.

With less than five minutes left in the third, the Barons struck again with Colquhoun scoring a marker assisted by Dylan Richardson and Drayton Howell.

At exactly the 19-minute mark, Burley scored for Wingham, assisted by Visser and Fischer.

McCabe earned the win for the Barons, stopping 34 of 35 shots, while Carson was in net for the Ironmen, stopping 32 of 34 shots.

The Ironmen served 12 penalty minutes over six calls, while the Barons served 14 over seven.

Hanover’s Colquhoun served a two-minute tripping penalty in the first period. Wingham’s Fahrer and Hanover’s Verbeek then served coincidental interference penalties followed by Wingham’s Payten Wheeler taking a two-minute slashing penalty.

The third period saw Dylan Richardson of Hanover called for interference (two minutes) followed

by Wingham’s Visser (slashing, two minutes), Tanner Reid (cross checking, two minutes) and Wheeler (slashing, two minutes).

The final penalty of the period went to Hanover’s Bryan Richardson for cross checking (two minutes).

Hanover’s White took the first penalty of the third period with a two-minute high sticking call.

Teammate Goetz then served a twominute slashing penalty.

Wingham’s Pham and Hanover’s Walsom were then called for cross checking and unsportsmanlike conduct, respectively, after an incident just past the 18-minute mark of the first period.

Youth Winter Sports Pages Coaches and parents ~ we need your team’s picture and players’ names 1. Please submit team photo A.S.A.P. 2. Please include players’ and coaches’ names for under the photo.

Deadline April 1

Crashing the net The South Huron Sabres rattled the Huron Heat U13 BB team over the weekend, claiming a 5-3 win in Clinton.

(John Stephenson photo)

Please help us get ALL the Winter Sports teams published.

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405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Local school boards see ‘list’ entrants increase Continued from page 1 entries on the list, up nearly 20 per cent from the 2020 list which included 205,000 entries, with the province saying that 92 per cent of the new entries on the list are tied to education salaries.

Locally, a number of organizations have seen increases, with local school boards seeing drastic increases in the number of staff members included in the list.

The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board more than doubled its entries on the disclosure between 2020 and 2021, increasing from 87 to 194. This increase

followed nearly a 10 per cent increase between 2019 and 2020.

The board’s top three earners include Director of Education Christopher Roehrig ($190,594.04) and Superintendent of Education Tara Boreham and Superintendent of Business Mary Ellen Ducharme, who both earned $149,656 in 2020.

The Avon Maitland District School Board more than tripled the number of inclusions on the disclosure list from 2020 to 2021.

After dropping from 225 in 2019 to 199 in 2020, the school board now has 622 inclusions on the list. The top three earners for the board are

Peak power skaters The Brussels Skating Club recently held its year-end celebration including awards being handed out to its members. Among those recognized were top senior power skater Wade Baillie and top junior power skater Mackenzie Gingerich. Above, Baillie receives his reward from, left, coach Julia Jacobs and Michelle Blake. Below, Gingerich is awarded. (Photos submitted)

Director Lisa Walsh ($285,954.94, up from $225,272.64 in 2020) and superintendents Jane Morris ($169,040. 93) and Paul Langis ($165,978.59).

The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance saw a drop in numbers on the list from 161 in the 2020 disclosure to 111 in the 2021 disclosure. This was after a 250 per cent increase between 2019 and 2020, when it increased from 64.

Previously, the list has contained 66 employees from the organization in 2018, 44 in 2017 and 36 in 2016.

Associate Pathologists Barry Sawka and Sharyn Smith were the top two earners for the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance with $325,040.17 each in salary plus benefits. President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Williams is the third-highest earner in the organization with $309,601.71 in salary.

With an even 50 people on the disclosure, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) more than doubled the number of people making $100,000 or more between 2021 and 2020. In 2020, there were 21 entries on the list.

Dr. Miriam Klassen topped the list for HPPH. Dr. Klassen earned $427,366.42 last year, an increase of $39,429.59, or just shy of 10 per cent, over her 2020 salary of $387,936.83.

Directors Tanya Sangster and Barb Leavitt rounded out the top three for the organization with earnings of $190,418.34 and $179,988.37 respectively.

With 21 people on the disclosure, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich has two more entries for 2021 than its 19 in 2020.

That number is up from 12 in both 2019 and 2018.

The highest earner for the organization is President and Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Trieu, who earned $181,233 in salary over the year, an increase of more than $50,000 from when he was Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as Vice-President of Corporate Services and Chief Information Officer for the hospital in 2020 and earned $129,657.47.

Registered Nurse Rhonda Hodges was the second-highest earner for the Goderich hospital on the disclosure with a salary of $126,340.50 followed by Nurse Manager Medical/Surgery, Intensive Care Unit and Obstetrics Donna Phillips-Grande, who earned $116,014.71.

The Wingham and District Hospital’s numbers on the disclosure list dropped from 13 to 10 in 2021, however it remains higher than the seven that made the list in 2019.

Vice-President of Patient Services Kelly Finlayson topped the list for the hospital in 2021, earning $148,345.57, followed by Vice-President of Finance and Information Services Barbara Major-McEwan, who earned $136,506.48. Registered Nurse Madelaine Deitner rounded out the top three with $127,435.66.

The Listowel Memorial Hospital, which shares some staff with the Wingham hospital through the Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance, had 15 entries on the list, down from 22 in 2020 and just higher than the 13 in both 2019 and 2018. The top three earners were Chief Executive Officer Karl Ellis at $199,904.25, Vice-President of Diagnostic and Support Services Sandra Albrecht at $125,558.26 and Vice-President of Clinical Services and Quality

Justine Leslie at $116,411.28.

The Clinton Family Health Team has had three people on the list for the last three disclosure years.

Nurse Practitioners Jennifer Blackhall and Pamela Van Dyke were the top two earners for the organization with salaries of $142,429.53 and $141,848.63 respectively. They are followed by Executive Director Kimberly Van Wyk, who earned $107,115.42.

The North Huron Family Health Team’s inclusions on the list increased from two to three between 2020 and 2021. Nurse Practitioners Daniel Goodman and Brittany Jantzi were the organization’s top earners with salaries of $110,000.15 and $102,516.86 respectively. cer Canreness a w A

Deadline April 1

Pharmacist James Brown, who was the highest earner for the team in 2020, was the third-highest earner last year with a salary of $102,131.13.

The Bluewater Area Family Health Team has four inclusions on the disclosure list. The top three include Dr. Josephson Deborah and Dr. Farahnaz Farzadfar, who each earned $264,068.82, and Executive Director Paula Kroll ($114,837.96).

Executive Director John Robertson continues to be the sole individual on the disclosure for the Canadian Mental Health Association - Huron-Perth Branch with a salary in 2021 of $113,734.22. The Canadian Mental Health Association - Huron-Perth Continued on page 11 ter Win rts Spo

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 11.

M-T stays online

By Denny Scott The Citizen

No foolin’ After claiming three straight victories against the Clinton Radars, the Seaforth Centenaires are in a solid position to win both their best-of-seven playoff series and the WOAA Senior AA championship on April 1 when they travel to Clinton for game four of the series. (John Stephenson photo)

Morris-Turnberry Council will continue meeting through virtual means until COVID-19 physical distancing recommendations have been lifted.

During council’s March 1 meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Hallam said that, with the lifting of many restrictions by the province, the municipality’s operations were nearly back to normal, though staff were still adhering to contact tracing, improved cleaning regiments and other requirements.

He also said that, as council chambers don’t provide enough space for distancing between council members and staff without closing it to the general public, council would need to continue to meet online.

Hallam also briefed council on Bluevale Hall, the municipality’s only other open-to-the-public facility, saying the volunteer board that manages it was scheduled to meet shortly after council’s meeting to set a reopening plan in place.

Deputy-Mayor Sharen Zinn asked if the fact that it was closed was due to municipal rulings or up to the volunteer board, to which Hallam said it was up to the board to decide when the centre would reopen after provincial regulations allow it.

“The requirements would fall to [the volunteers] in terms of making sure regulations are being followed,” he said. “We can help guide them through the regulations.”

Council took no action as a result of the report or discussion.

Municipal ‘sunshine’ numbers remain close to 2020 Continued from page 10 Branch ceased to be earlier this year, replaced by Resilience Huron Perth Mental Health Services after the parent organization cut ties with the Stratford-based branch effective in January.

The South Huron Hospital Association had one additional entry on the list in 2021, up from seven in the previous year. The organization’s top three earners are Chief Financial Officer Darlene Borland ($126,641.42) and Registered Nurses Dinette Stephens ($120,146) and Barbara Oud ($118,730.33).

The Township of North Huron has four individuals on the list, the same as 2020 and the same since the township shuttered its independent police service. The organization’s top three earners are Chief Administrative Officer Dwayne Evans ($140,748 up from $132,054.52 in the previous year), Director of Finance Donna White ($111,381.19) and Director of Recreation Vicky Luttenberger ($104,169).

Chief Administrative Officer Mark Becker continues to be the Township of Ashfield-ColborneWawanosh’s only entry on the list.

Becker’s salary in 2021 was $146,727.15, up from $122,664.73 in 2020.

After increasing from one inclusion in the disclosure list to two last year, the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry gained one more inclusion this year for a total of three. The three entries, in order of salary earned, are Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk Trevor Hallam ($111,444.05), Chief Building Official/Drainage Superintendent Kirk Livingston ($108,559.98) and Michael Alcock ($101,292.37).

The Township of Huron East, for the second year in a row, has two inclusions on the disclosure: Treasurer Paula Michiels ($108,483.34) and Fire Chief Martin Bedard ($101,492.34). It is worth noting that outgoing Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight was on the 2020 list with a salary of $134,028.52, however his replacement, Brad McRoberts, took over halfway through 2021.

The Township of Howick remained off the list for 2021 after last being on it in 2018.

The Town of Goderich has three entries on the list, a drop from five on the 2020 disclosure. The 2021 disclosure includes Chief

Administrative Officer Janice Hallahan ($161,230.30), Treasurer Deanna Hastie ($131,851.30) and Director of Operations Sean Thomas ($114,902.41).

The Municipality of Central Huron, after dropping from two to one on the 2020 disclosure, is once again at two entries for the 2021 disclosure, including Chief Administrative Officer Steven Doherty ($124,453.70) and Compliance Officer/Utilities Foreman Craig Snell ($107,754.93).

After increasing its presence on the disclosure by one position for the past two years, the Municipality of South Huron remained at five inclusions for 2021. The top three earners include Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Best ($186,428.58), General Manager of Infrastructure/Development Services Donald Giberson ($123,658.76) and General Manager of Financial Services/Treasurer Sandy Becker ($123,476.85).

The Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society increased its presence on the disclosure by nearly 20 per cent with 16 entries for 2021, up from 13

in 2020. Leading the way were Executive Director Shaun Jolliffe ($176,140.90), Director of Corporate Services Doug Woodburn ($139,378.93) and Senior Legal Counsel Barbara Tuer ($126,408.21).

The Wingham and District branch of Community Living increased its presence on the list from one inclusion to two: Executive Director Debbie Hopper ($129,643.93) and Program Manager Lou Anne Louther ($103,423.16).

Huron County, according to the provincial disclosure, has 54 individuals on the list, up five from the 2020 disclosure, which itself marked an increase of 10 from the previous year after an increase of nine the year before that. The top earners for the county were Chief Administrative Officer Meighan Wark ($189,248.09), Director of Planning and Development Sandra Weber ($145,786.55) and Director of Operations Steven Lund and Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services Michael Blumhagen, who each earned $145,786.54.

The full list of Huron County employees on the “Sunshine List”

was featured in the March 24 issue of The Citizen.

Avian artistry Local photographer Liz Allan shared this image with The Citizen. You can do the same and see your photos in print by sending them to reporter@northhuron.on.ca (Photo courtesy of Liz Allan of the Maitland Valley Camera Club)

Enjoy your home time!

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PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

First store at 414 Queen St. (presently Orr Insurance) Around 1867 John McKinnon was building a store here when a typhoid epidemic broke out. He died and building became a quarantine hospital.

Present building erected circa 1900.

Read more in the Blyth Repository of History.

405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

#ThrowbackThursday The Citizen, March 19, 1997

The Citizen, March 19, 1997

Thanks for your help! You chose these photos with your Likes, Loves and Laughs on Facebook. Watch for The Citizen’s #ThrowbackThursday posts to help pick --next month’s #ThrowbackThursday page!

Devon Henry 84772 McDonald Line • Box 616 • Brussels

devonjhenry@hotmail.com 519-505-2473

The Citizen, March 12, 1997

The Citizen, March 8, 2012

Leadership in energy and environmental design

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 13.

519-523-4311

www.ruralvoice.ca

Agriculture

BLYTH 519-523-4244

www.hurontractor.com

Brussels Livestock report

Fed steers, heifers sell steadily at market Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending March 25 were 1,905 cattle and 561 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold fully steady. Choice steers and heifers sold $168 to $176. Second-cut cattle sold $162 to $167. Aged and medium-fed steers and heifers sold $152 to $168. Holstein steers and heifers sold $95 to $135. Bulls sold $116 to $137.50 with sales to $144. Cows sold steady.

On Thursday, good holstein and beef veal sold fully steady. Heavy holstein sold under pressure.

Lambs, sheep and goats all sold steady.

On Friday, calves sold steady.

Yearlings sold easier.

Connell Farms of Palmerston, consigned 10 head. One gold heifer weighed 1,595 lbs. and sold for a price of $175.

K/C McAlpine of Ailsa Craig, consigned six head. One limousin steer weighed 1,615 lbs. and sold for a price of $176.

There were 275 cows on offer.

Beef sold $97 to $124.25 with sales to $124.50; good holstein cows, $85 to $109.50 with sales to $115; medium holstein cows, $75 to $88.

Bulls sold $116 to $137.50 with sales to $144.

There were 160 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $160 to $197; good holsteins, $150 to $167; SL heavy holsteins, $145 to $156; heavy holsteins, $120 to $139; medium holsteins, $125 to $149.

Reuben S. Martin of Wallenstein, consigned four head. One crossbred steer weighed 965 lbs. and sold for a price of $197.

Sue Gethke of Bornholm, consigned four head. One holstein steer weighed 665 lbs. and sold for a price of $167.

Paul Pennington of Mildmay, consigned seven head. One holstein steer weighed 730 lbs. and sold for a price of $167.

Lambs 50 - 64 lbs. sold $434 to $455; 65 - 79 lbs., $418 to $428; 80 - 94 lbs., $369 to $378; 95 - 109 lbs., $357 to $362.50; 110 lbs. and over, $258 to $307.50.

Sheep sold $85 to $275.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $400; nannies, $85 to $200; kids: dairy, $350 to $486; meat, $450 to $520.

Heffer Farms of Wingham, consigned 20 head. Fourteen lambs averaged 63 lbs. and sold for an average price of $437.

Steve Delorme of PlymptonWyoming, consigned 20 head. Five kid goats averaged 53 lbs. and sold for an average price of $520.

Top quality stocker steers 400 499 lbs. sold $211 to $249; 500 599 lbs., $240 to $254; 600 - 699 lbs., $217.25 to $229; 700 - 799 lbs., $208 to $219.25; 800 - 899 lbs., $187 to $200; 900 - 999 lbs., $174 to $197; 1,000 lbs. and over, $162 to $177.75.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs. sold $189 to $216; 500 599 lbs., $195 to $214; 600 - 699 lbs., $183 to $195; 700 - 799 lbs., $181 to $189.75; 800 - 899 lbs.,

$162 to $189.75; 900 lbs. and over, $164.50 to $181.25.

Anna Anever of Williamsford, consigned 52 head. Ten limousin heifers averaged 594 lbs. and sold for an average price of $205.

Allan Aitchison of New Liskeard, consigned 73 head. Twenty charolais heifers averaged 748 lbs. and sold for an average price of $189.75. Nine black steers averaged 731 lbs. and sold for an average price of $219.25.

Joedy Aitchison of New Liskeard, consigned 11 head. Eight charolais heifers averaged 732 lbs. and sold for an average price of $189.50.

Ben Snyder of Beachburg, consigned 51 head. Seventeen charolais steers averaged 835 lbs. and sold for an average of $200.

Local federations fostering political communication

By Paul Vickers, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Whether it be direct or indirect, the entire population has a connection to agriculture and the ongoing challenges within the industry. Rural or urban, we all rely on food, fibre and fuel to sustain our everyday lives. Therefore, it is imperative that the population beyond the agricultural echo chamber become aware of the ongoing issues. Bringing both triumphs and challenges to the forefront of municipal, provincial and federal levels of government, has the power to influence decision making in the future and make us a bigger part of the conversation.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is proud of the effort made by local and county federations to facilitate politicians’ meetings within their regions. Last week, the Grey County Federation of Agriculture (GCFA) and Bruce County Federation of Agriculture (BCFA) teamed up to host an open meeting, sharing the impact of agriculture in this region and some

of the ongoing challenges faced in Grey and Bruce Counties.

Municipal representatives, MPs and MPPs were invited to the table to join the conversation. Local commodity groups, conservation authority representatives and supporting stakeholders, such as Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) were also in attendance. A tradition 14 years in the running, this year’s event attracted nearly 50 participants.

Enhancing communication between the agricultural industry and all levels of government creates a better understanding of issues creating barriers in rural communities and for farming families. Events like these facilitate a unique opportunity to join many players in proactive discussions with an agricultural lens. Given the smaller proportion of rural population, it makes it that much more important for our rural communities to amplify their voice in the presence of politicians and policymakers.

In all my years of involvement in agriculture, food and farming have

never been as prominent in the government’s dialogue as they are today. Sessions like these are a valuable opportunity to reiterate the impact of agriculture and advocate for the support we need to overcome current and future barriers in our industry.

Topics on the agenda included drainage, land use, a scope of agriculture in Grey and Bruce as well as local commodity group updates, understanding that although these issues were mentioned in the context of this specific region, similar impacts are being felt across many rural jurisdictions. There was excellent engagement from all stakeholder groups that were present, and Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, facilitated a powerful connection between the rural voice and political participants. This allowed the illustration of connections between global issues, including the invasion of Ukraine, and the impacts on food supply, including local food production and security.

Hess to headline Knox service PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

On Wednesday, March 23, the hydro in Belgrave was off for three-and-a-half hours due to part of a tree falling on the hydro line.

Twelve people enjoyed coffee, snacks and fellowship on March 23 at the Community Centre.

On Sunday, March 27 there was no church service at Knox United Church in Belgrave due to inclement weather.

Communion will be held on Sunday, April 3 at Knox United

Church with Jim Hess being the guest speaker. Everyone is welcome.

On Monday, March 28, due to flurries and snow squalls, the buses were cancelled and many of the schools were closed due to a weather advisory.

It was getting to be more like spring last week with spring flowers appearing and the robins all back. It was great to see that our snow had all disappeared. Then we were back to winter weather on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with local snow squalls. By Thursday our temperatures are supposed to reach 18°C with a warm rain.

Hopefully the snow disappears again and we get spring.

Some of us have started spring cleaning, doing sudoku, crosswords, puzzles, quilting, sewing or sorting through old pictures. Curling is coming to an end and golfing will start shortly

There was a notable engagement under the topic of land use planning; one of the OFA’s top priorities. Agricultural land is a finite resource, making up less than five per cent of Ontario’s land base.

With a rapidly growing population, it is understandable that elected officials focus on housing needs and expanding urban boundaries.

However, it is important that the value of preserving farmland is considered. The OFA’s “Home Grown” campaign is promoting the critical importance of protecting farmland, and the video played during the meeting reiterated that message in the hopes that future discussions on urban boundary changes will take this valuable resource into account.

We would like to acknowledge the other counties and regions across the province that hosted similar meetings, including Huron, Perth, Hastings, Lennox and Addington, Waterloo, Prince Edward and Northumberland.

Similar events are already in the works, and the OFA encourages other counties, especially those close to urban centres, to continue engaging with all levels of

government to advocate for their regions. These meetings are an effective and efficient way to cultivate relationships and conversations among key leaders and decision-makers. It has been a valuable opportunity to share our sector’s challenges, successes and contributions as we work to strengthen global food security and our province’s supply chain.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 10:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS

9:00 a.m. Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep

FRIDAYS

10:00 a.m. Stockers Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca

Call us 519-887-6461

after that if the weatherman cooperates.

News Media Canada is a passion ssionate ad dvocate for the news industry. We support our mem mber m publications in their pursuit of quality jo ournalism nalism.

We believe that when society has facts they can trust, better decisions will be made.

NEWS FROM BELGRAVE

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PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Classified Advertisements – RATES – 20 words or less only $7.00 + HST. Additional words 20¢ each + HST.

DEADLINE 4 p.m. Monday Phone 519-523-4792 e-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca

Articles for sale READY MADE EASTER BASKETS! Varieties perfect for grandparents, adults and children! For more information call 519-835-0099.

Maitside Orchards, 23 Orchard Lane, Brussels.

12-4p -------------------------------------------GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 10 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-656-2057, 519441-2085.

01-50p -------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 – $5.00, 5x7 – $6.00, 8x10 – $10.00. Phone to order 519523-4792 or 519-887-9114. tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Co-op, Auburn Esso, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Dean’s Valu-Mart in Wingham, Wingham Mini Mart, Seaforth Foodland, GT Mini Mart in Seaforth, Fincher’s in Goderich, Goderich Victoria St. Shell and The Citizen Blyth.

Births

Card of thanks Help wanted Help wanted Services CAMPBELL. We the families of Isobel Campbell wish to thank family, friends and neighbours for their support during the passing of Mom. Your thoughtfulness of food, visits, cards, flowers and donations will always be cherished. We would like to thank ALL of the staff of Braemar Nursing Home as you provided Mom a very caring and loving environment during her stay.

You went above and beyond in caring for Mom and us through a difficult time. A big thank you to Dr. Mark Moores for your time spent with Mom. We would also like to send Dayna and staff at McBurney’s Funeral Home a huge thank you for their professionalism during this difficult time. – Ron and Judy, Wayne and Wendy, Marilyn and Gerry, Carolyn, Murray, Dianne and Doug, Brian and Jen and Gayle and Ron. 13-1

In memoriam CRAIG. In loving memory of Don Craig who passed away 15 years ago on March 31, 2007.

Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us everyday, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and ever dear.

Your memory is our keepsake, With which we will never part, God has you in His keeping, We have you in our hearts.

– Always lovingly remembered by Marilyn and Dave Craig, Deb, Fred, Jon and Quinton Hakkers, Doug, Jamie Craig and Heidi, Kyle and Austin Martin.

13-1 -------------------------------------------JOHNSTON, Ken. In memory of Ken, who passed away March 31, 2018.

Though your smile is gone forever, And your hand we cannot touch, We still have many memories, Of the one we loved so much.

– Love, Bessie and family. 13-1p

Help wanted CALDWELL. Eric and Haylee Caldwell of Hensall are proud to announce the arrival of their daughter Maiya Kara-Lynne Caldwell on March 27, 2022. She is adored by big brothers Mason, Bentley, and Lane. Maiya was born at home under the care of Huron Midwives, weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz.

Paternal grandparents are Stephen and Joan Caldwell of Blyth.

Maternal grandparents are Dean and Karen Lawrie of Bayfield.

13-1p

Coming events SPRING TAKE-OUT LUNCH, Tuesday, April 5, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Trinity Anglican Church, Blyth. Hot turkey on a bun, vegetables, coleslaw, dessert, $10. Ordering Deadline: Monday, April 4.

13-1

LOOKING FOR A PERSON TO DO repairs on house. 502-701-0046.

Stephen Webster.

13-1p -------------------------------------------BACHERT MEATS INC. – FARM worker, hogs, no experience needed, fast-paced environment, physically demanding, $15 per hour. Email résumé to bachertmeatshiring@ gmail.com 12-3 -------------------------------------------NOW HIRING – MEAT MANAGER for Brussels Foodland. Full-time hours with benefits. Apply in store with résumé or email fld6746brussels@sobeys.com 11-2 --------------------------------------------

Freeze King (Seaforth) is looking to hire a

Daytime Cook Monday - Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm evenings and weekends if needed Available to start first week of April Email Nikki at nicoledmcintosh@gmail.com or call 226-222-0137

Kraemer Concrete Ltd. is looking to hire full- and/or part-time Ready Mix Drivers for their plants in Brussels and Brunner, Ontario.

A valid DZ driver’s licence required AZ licence would be considered an asset.

We offer competitive wages and benefit package.

Send résumé by fax, email or in person: Fax: 519-595-4903 Email: kraemercl@cyg.net Plant 1 – 5595 Rd. 130, RR 1, Brunner, ON N0K 1C0 Plant 2 – 220 Industrial Drive, Brussels, ON N0G 1H0

Municipality of Huron East Employment Opportunity FINANCE MANAGER-TREASURER The Municipality of Huron East is a progressive and growing municipality of approximately 10,000 residents. Located in beautiful Huron County, Huron East is a blend of vibrant urban areas, rural communities, and productive farm land. Located 30 minutes west of Stratford and one hour north of London, Huron East provides an impressive level of services and opportunities for our residents.

The Municipality of Huron East is seeking a motivated and dedicated individual for the position of Finance Manager-Treasurer. This position is a key member of the Senior Management Team, responsible for performing all statutory duties of the Treasurer in accordance with the Municipal Act and other legislation. Additional responsibilities also include overall planning, development and financial management of the municipality’s financial systems and fiscal strategies, leadership, direction and vision to staff and contract service providers, budgeting, property tax, accounting, asset management, payroll and procurement. As a strategic leader, the Director provides professional guidance to Council on all financial matters, ensuring fiscal accountability, sustainability and security, informing responsible decision making and facilitating implementation of Council direction.

The ideal applicant should possess a Bachelor Degree in Commerce, Business, Finance, Accounting or equivalent, hold a CPA (CA, CGA or CMA) accounting designation, have three to five years of progressive management experience, preferably in a municipal environment, and thorough knowledge of the Municipal Act and other relevant legislation and superior communication skills.

Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and résumé by no later than 4:00 pm on April 22, 2022 to Mr. Brad McRoberts, MPA, P. Eng., Municipality of Huron East, Box 610, Seaforth, Ontario, N0K 1W0 or by e-mail to cao@huroneast.com.

The salary range for this position is $98,425 to $114,100 per year and the Municipality of Huron East offers an excellent benefits package.

A complete job description is available by visiting the Huron East website https://www.huroneast.com/en/town-hall/employment-andvolunteering.aspx.

We thank all who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Tenders

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CLOSING DATE APRIL 6 AT NOON Call Abi at 519-887-6621 or email: bmgcc@huroneast.com

INCOME TAX PREPARATION – farm, business, personal. Stephen Thompson, 519-482-3244. 07-10b

Wanted WANTED - OLDER MODEL wooden forage wagon with metal roof. Dion or other makes and models. Phone Tim Butson 519-8710989.

11-4

CitizenTo-Citizen

FREE “SWAP SHOP” ad

“One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

Let us help you turn that junk into $$ • Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less. Price must be included in your ad.Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster!

• The Citizen reserves the right to limit the number of items or ads per person.

Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca FOR SALE - Vingt calf puller, alternate pull complete with ropes and instructions, used four times, $390; tractor upright wood splitter, 4" cylinder, 3 pt. hitch, 21" length, $750; inversion table, like new, $400. 519-357-3117.

13-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE - 4'x7' tilt utility trailer, new rims, tires, lights, jack stand, $500 or best offer or may trade for what you have; small gas-powered garden cultivator by Ryobi, $100 or best offer. 519482-9645.

13-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE - Bluebird houses, $15; wooden BBQ cleaners, proceeds for Prostate Cancer research. 519-887-9550.

---------------------------------------FOR SALE - 4 Avalanche X-Treme winter tires - 225/55/17 - off a Subaru Forester - freshly painted rims, 5/100 mm bolt pattern - $125. Call 519-4825243.

12-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE - house cat - kitten, 6 months old, litter box trained, friendly. Call for details, mornings, Harriston 519-3382688.

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All word ads in The Citizen classifieds are put on our webpage at www.huroncitizen.ca

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 15.

Keep mailboxes clear PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

Full house The Seaforth Centenaires have their perennial rivals, the Clinton Radars, on the ropes after the first three games of the WOAA Senior AA finals. The Cents put up three wins in the best-of-seven series against the Radars and will be looking to capture game four in Clinton this weekend. Above, a full house cheered for the Centenaires in Seaforth on Saturday. (John Stephenson photo)

NH approves new radio system

By Denny Scott The Citizen North Huron Township will partner with Morris-Turnberry to put up new radio system components to be used by the Fire Department of North Huron and local public works employees.

The project will replace the “dated” radio communication system, as Fire Chief Marty Bedard called it, which has “dead spots” and “weak zones”. In his report to council, Bedard explained that was due to the radio system requiring two antennas, one in Wingham and one near Blyth, as there wasn’t one spot in the municipality high enough to provide full coverage.

The two-site system causes

issues, Bedard said, in which firefighters have to choose one radio band or another to communicate, depending on which tower they’re geographically linked to based on their location. That means that, through the radio system, the two bands make communicating between the channels impossible.

“Unfortunately, channel selection errors do occur, resulting in lost communications, which jeopardizes firefighter safety,” he said.

Bedard said the two systems are also not able to be monitored, which means failures can go unnoticed until the radio system is needed.

Morris-Turnberry staff expressed interest in joining in the upgrade, Bedard said, however North

Huron’s public works department did not due to funding issues.

The new system would cost $166,959.25 for North Huron to pursue alone, or cost each municipality $103,194.76 if they worked together, Bedard reported.

The system would use a single band, but still have two antennas, and solve many of the issues he described above.

“This is the latest equipment built on both analog and digital standards,” Bedard said. “These are open standards and, therefore, FDNH can use equipment made by virtually any manufacturer. All existing FDNH portable radios and mobile radios will function on the new system [and as such] there is no need to upgrade or purchase new Continued on page 19

We enjoyed a pretty good week for weather and then the weekend hit and Saturday night and Sunday were not nice. Monday morning dawned and the schools were closed and the buses were cancelled. I thought we were past that, but apparently not. Spring is around the corner and it will bring the end to snowy, blowy weather. It sure was nice to have clear, dry roads to drive on. We will just look forward to it hopefully in the near future.

Congratulations to Dean and Lori Bentley on the arrival of a granddaughter. Proud parents are Jessica and Josh Wesselink and they have welcomed Janissa to their family. Dave and Joyce Wesselink of Blyth are very happy to welcome the little beautiful little girl. Greatgrandma Bev Bentley could hardly contain her happiness when telling me about the arrival of the little bundle of joy. Congratulations to all.

Congratulations to the folks of RR 5, Brussels, RR1, Ethel and Ethel as they have a new permanent mail carrier. The young man’s name is Brett and he is happy to be in our area. Of course, learning a new route takes a little while, so be patient if your mail is a little later or maybe you receive the odd letter in the wrong box. We are all human and can make mistakes. You all had to put up with my learning the route back in January, so have some more patience now with Brett. It would be very helpful for him, if the next nice day, you make sure you have your 911 number on your box.

Names are also nice but the 911 number is very helpful. Sometimes the blue 911 signs are turned, damaged or are missing, so having the number on your box is ideal.

The winter is hard on mailboxes, or at least snowplows are. If your mailbox needs to be replaced

JOSE ALFREDO ARIZA-GUDIEL Jose Alfredo Ariza-Gudiel, tragically passed away after a car accident on Friday, March 18, 2022.

He was in his 32nd year.

Jose was the loving husband of Katrina Ariza-Gudiel (née McIntyre) of Ethel for six years and the proud father of Cielo, four and Prim, two. Jose was the son of Donaldo Ariza and Nora Gudiel and the loving brother of Jhoselin and

employee of the Los family of Molesworth.

Working on a dairy farm was where Jose met his loving wife Katrina. They have always shared the same passion for animals, farming and hard work. They welcomed their oldest daughter Cielo in 2018. Jose was so proud and excited to become a father.

They then welcomed a second daughter, Prim, in 2020 and their family was complete. Jose always referred to the girls as his princesses and loved taking them out for a walk, on his bike and to the farms he worked at to show them the cows and baby calves. He took great interest in and enjoyed spending time on his brother-inlaw’s beef farm, where he would take every opportunity to look at the cattle and take pictures with his girls.

He was also passionate about his home of Guatemala and will be remembered for his infectious smile, joyful giggle and his love for

NEWS FROM WALTON

Wingham Memorials Distinctive memorials of lasting satisfaction produced by us to your specifications.

Obituaries Ludwin Ariza, his half brother Reyes and his half sisters Mariana and Esmeralda, all of Guatemala.

Jose was the son-in-law of Stirling and Jackie McIntyre, Belgrave and the brother-in-law of Kayleigh and Ian Pearson, Ethel and Alex and Katie McIntyre, Dungannon. He was the loving grandson of grandparents in Guatamala and the loving uncle of Rose and May Pearson, Thomas McIntyre and Zaid Ariza.

Jose grew up in the small town of Jutiapa, Guatemala. He came to Ontario in January 2011, to further his experience and knowledge working in the dairy industry. He had a great passion for cow health and was always looking to improve his knowledge where he could. Jose was hard working and passionate about every job he undertook throughout his career and always went to work with a big smile on his face ready to start the day no matter how early. He was a proud

because it is damaged, please consider putting up a larger box. It is much easier to get all the mail in and leaves room for the weekly flyer delivery to fit as well. I will still be filling in once and awhile so you will see me again.

Celebrating birthdays this past week were Wyatt Dale, Ashley Hoegy, Ken Dalton, Dalton Hamilton, Janet Bachert, Andrea Gingerich, Becky Laverty Chadwick, Dave Soonteins, Barb Watts, Judy Shortreed, Weston Murray, Connor den Dekker, Nicole Williamson Murray, John Baan, Brandy Leslie and Jack McLachlan.

Happy birthday to all.

Spanish music.

A come-and-go celebration of Jose’s life was held on Sunday, March 27 at the Ethel Community Hall.

Cards of sympathy and donations for a trust fund for Jose’s children can be sent to Box 340, Brussels.

(Please make cheques payable to Katrina Ariza-Gudiel).

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca

Owned and operated by Mac and Donna Anderson Assisted by Mandy & Kaitlyn

519-357-1910 E-mail: andgranite@bellnet.ca After hours appointments available 89 North Street W., Wingham www.winghammemorials.com

Remembering your loved one Honour your loved one by placing their obituary in

The Citizen.

This is a free service provided by The Citizen. We encourage you to share the story of your loved one in a special remembrance of their life.

Cards of thanks can be placed in our classified section, starting at just $7.00.

PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Hygge tourism initiative wins national award Huron County Economic Development’s tourism and marketing team has won the 2021 Marketing Canada Award from the Economic Developer’s Association of Canada (EDAC) for the 2021 Huron Hygge program.

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish concept that encompasses feelings of cozy contentment and well being through the enjoyment of the simple things in life. The County of Huron’s Economic Development Department leveraged this concept as a winter marketing campaign to support the local tourism sector through the first winter of the pandemic.

Huron Hygge activities in 2021 were specifically developed to engage residents and support local

business during a time of strict pandemic restrictions. Virtual and safely-distanced activities encouraged interpersonal and community connections, as well as support for Huron’s local economy.

In winter, 2021, the Huron community was cooking with locally sourced ingredients, enjoying take-out paired with virtual concerts and social activities designed to be enjoyed from home.

They were creating art and making crafts, rejuvenating with wellness programs, and so much more.

“Congratulations to Economic Development’s tourism and marketing team for this welldeserved recognition,” said Huron County Warden Glen McNeil. “The creativity and innovation shown in

response to the pandemic has been nothing short of outstanding. The Huron Hygge program is a jewel in the County’s portfolio that I’m deeply proud of, and I’m sure residents and businesses will be enjoying the hygge lifestyle for years to come!”

The Marketing Canada Awards’ judging panel is made up of a diverse group of individuals with marketing and promotion expertise.

Judges evaluate submissions based on creativity and uniqueness of the approach, effectiveness in achieving objectives, userfriendliness, ease of extracting information and completeness and consistency of approach.

Huron Hygge has returned this year. Some of the new Huron

Hygge activities that residents can enjoy today include: Bird Bingo and other outdoor recreational activities hosted by the Huron County Library; Explore the world from home with international flavours found at local restaurants; Discover the perfect wine pairing or craft brew with one of Huron’s many beverage producers; Relax and rejuvenate with a spa treatment, yoga class, or wellness activity; Enjoy the outdoors in one of Huron’s outdoor ice rinks, or borrow some snowshoes and get hiking on a local trail; Huron Hygge Boxes will again be available for purchase, stocked with cozy items from local businesses; Fun and engaging Family Day activities and more.

To learn more about Huron Hygge 2022, visit the county’s tourism website online at OntariosWestCoast.ca/HuronHygge or follow Ontario’s West Coast on Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome Your New Arrival in

The Citizen

Call or email to book your ad today 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

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Sweeping roof lines, a dramatic arched transom entry and a smooth stucco exterior contribute to the sophisticated appeal of this compact, open-plan home.

Inside the covered entrance, the large foyer presents a view of the great room with its appealing corner fireplace – just part of an exceptional family area that has all the elements necessary for today’s casual lifestyle.

An oversized sun deck, accessed from the family room, adds outdoor living space. This deck is partly covered by the roofline above, a bonus on rainy days.

The dining area is designed for formal or informal gatherings. It has a convenient buffet space and natural light will flood in through a wall of windows.

In the kitchen area, a central island holds a double sink as well as the dishwasher. The raised eating bar along one side of the island makes an ideal place to sit for a quick breakfast or mid-morning coffee.

A pass-through between the kitchen and the laundry room is large enough to accommodate a second fridge or a freezer.

The laundry room leads to the double garage, providing a convenient route for unloading groceries from the car.

The master bedroom suite is privately located at the rear of the house and has a door that opens to the sun deck. A large walk-in closet holds his and hers clothes while a five-piece bathroom creates a home-spa experience.

The sky lit hallway in the sleeping wing also leads to a three-piece bathroom shared by the two secondary bedrooms.

High ceilings add to the airy, relaxed interior of this innovative design.

The home measures 52 feet, 6 inches wide and 52 feet deep, for a total of 1,485 square feet of living space, plus an unfinished basement.

Plans for design 1-3-549B are available for $775(set of 5), $835(set of 8) and $883 for a super set of 10. B.C. residents add 7% Prov. Sales Tax. Also add $35.00 for Priority courier charges within B.C. or $65.00 outside of B.C. Please add 5% G.S.T. or 13% H.S.T. (where applicable) to both the plan price and postage charges.

Our NEW 51ST ANNIVERSARY Edition of the Home Plan Catalogue containing over 400 plans is available for $16.50 (includes taxes, postage and handling). Make all cheques and money orders payable to "JENISH HOUSE DESIGN LTD" and mail to: JENISH HOUSE DESIGN LTD. c/o The Blyth/Brussels Citizen, #201- 1658 Commerce Ave Kelowna, BC V1X 8A9 OR SEE OUR WEB PAGE ORDER FORM ON: www.jenish.com AND E-MAIL YOUR ORDER TO: homeplans@jenish.com

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 17.

From the Minister’s Study

Mutuality, respect, consideration go a long way

By Pastor Ernest Dow, Huron Chapel EMC, Auburn Comedians are used to dealing with punch lines – that’s their stock-in-trade. But Chris Rock was not ready for the slap in the face he received from Will Smith at this past weekend’s Academy Awards.

Or was he? Was the whole thing planned? We are talking about Hollywood, after all. But it certainly appeared realistic.

The altercation sprang from Rock alluding to Will Smith’s wife Jada’s shorn head; (she suffers from alopecia, a condition which can result in hair falling out). Rock’s attempted humour referenced a movie G.I. Jane in which the heroine also sported a bald appearance. But making fun of someone who suffers from a medical condition is shameful behaviour, akin to a trickster putting a stumbling block in front of a blind person. Jada’s husband had reason to be upset, yet that does not excuse the apparent violence he exercised, amplified by the fact it occurred in front of so many viewers watching the event.

It is a sad fact that domestic abuse is so common today. In Canada in 2019, of the 107,810 people aged 15 and over who experienced intimate partner violence, 79 per cent were women. Men sometimes have communication skills that are inferior to women’s, so too often when upset, they may find themselves resorting to striking out physically against their partners to express their anger. We are used to seeing violence in various Hollywood films, but it’s shocking to see Smith strike Rock in a reallife setting; and such a regrettable action by a popular celebrity might reinforce abusers in their tendency to use violence towards their spouse.

The apostle Peter counselled husbands to treat their wives with utmost respect and consideration.

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1Peter 1:7) Why have this attitude?

Obviously it’s the right thing to do.

Without it, our prayers would be hindered. God is watching all we do! Our believing wife is His daughter through faith, so that places God in a position analogous to that of a protective father-in-law.

If we want Him to hear our prayers, we will treat our wives properly.

Jesus, in the New Testament, offers assurance that if two Christ followers agree about what they pray for, their prayers will be heard.

(Matt. 18:19) Our wife will be more inclined to support our prayers and be willing to pray with us if we’re dealing with her in a loving way.

Peter says our wives are “heirs with you of the gracious gift of life...” It’s one big composite Greek word, ‘fellow-heir’ or ‘co-heir’, that hints at mutuality, equal footing, her being a sister in the faith. It harks back to Peter’s first chapter where God has given us new birth into a living hope: “...And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade— kept in heaven for you...” (1Peter 1:4) Husbands, your wife’s faith will result in “praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1:7) – can you begin to imagine how splendid she will be in her eventual glory?

Peter tells husbands “be considerate as you live with your wives...” Men, do you have a mental “box” for that? Is it automatic to consider her needs, her preferences? Can you put yourself in her shoes for a minute? The Greek phrase is literally “according to knowledge”. Have you read any good marriage books lately? Yeah, I know, you’d rather read your technical manual or scroll through social media. But study your wife from time to time. What makes her tick? Do you know her favourite things? How she likes her back rubbed? What her keenest interests and pursuits are? Her long-term goals that give her hope?

Peter exhorts husbands, “Treat

them with respect as the weaker partner...” Emphasis is on the ‘respect’ not the “weaker” bit. Yes, it’s a fact of life that the Olympics and professional sports have separate categories for men and women for a reason. But as NIV Study Bible commentary puts it, “Not a reference to moral stamina, strength of character or mental capacity, but most likely to sheer physical strength.” Us guys can tolerate a bit of roughhousing – boys are often seen jostling each other, and into contact sports – perhaps like a rough clay flowerpot will withstand a tipping over or a fall from a short height. Whereas the fine antique teapot could be termed a “weaker vessel” but is actually far more valuable, it warrants being handled with particular care. The key phrase is “treat them with respect”; “paying honour to the woman” (New Revised Standard Version); “treat your wife with understanding as you live together.” (New Living Translation) Marriages are a work-in-progress.

There will always be things we

Getting Married?

Announce your upcoming wedding in

The Citizen Call or email to book your ad today 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Join Us In Person Sundays at 10:00 am Masks required

250 Princess St., Brussels • 519­887­6388 • Pastor Ken Gazley

MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Indoor Worship 11:00 am every Sunday As per HPPH Unit requirements, masks are mandatory to be worn during worship services and social distancing practiced. In addition, all other meetings held in Melville require proof of double vaccination.

Evangelical Missionary Church

Sunday April 3, 10:30 a.m.

5TH Sunday in Lent Pastor Ernest Dow, “Heart Condition: The Secret for Being a Blessing” (1Pet 3:8-16)

Brussels Soup and More 2 is cancelled until further notice.

519-357-5273

Blyth United Church Join us for worship in person at 11 am or online later Global Covid Vaccine Project continues Send/give donations to Church treasurer

Sunday School & Nursery care during Worship

In-person and online! live.huronchapel.com 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com

Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches blythunited@tcc.on.ca ~ 519-523-4224

don’t agree with about each other, and there will always be more to learn about our spouse. But mutuality, consideration and respect will go a long way towards developing an intimate caring relationship that is rich and mutually rewarding... and avoid any cause for physical abuse, such as Will Smith perpetrated on that event’s host.

You might be surprised to find out that such a revered and admired Christian as Billy Graham did not have a marriage that was absolutely unruffled. In his autobiography Just as I Am, Billy Graham wrote: “Ruth and I don't have a perfect marriage, but we have a great one. How can I

say two things that seem so contradictory? In a perfect marriage, everything is always the finest and best imaginable; like a Greek statue, the proportions are exact and the finish is unblemished.

Who knows any human beings like that? For a married couple to expect perfection in each other is unrealistic. The unblemished ideal exists only in happily-ever-after fairy tales. Ruth likes to say, ‘If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary.’ The sooner we accept that as a fact of life, the better we will be able to adjust to each other and enjoy togetherness.

‘Happily incompatible’ is a good adjustment.”

The Regional Ministry of Hope Churches are now open for in-person worship.

Weekly service live-streamed at 10:30 a.m. on our facebook page or on youtube @St. Paul’s-Trinity Anglican Church Wingham.

Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope

Trinity

St. John’s

BLYTH 9:00 AM

BRUSSELS 12 NOON

St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM 10:30 AM

COME WORSHIP WITH US!

BRUSSELS

United Church WELCOME to Worship April 3 5TH Sunday of Lent, at 9:30 am Masks and social distancing encouraged

Also on YouTube Sunday afternoon Lent Devotional Service Fridays at 10:30 am Contact Alex for Zoom link Global Covid Vaccine project continues Send or give donation to Church Treasurer

Contact Alex at minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com Website: brusselsandblythuc.ca P.O. Box 359, Brussels ~ 519-887-6259

Join us for our 10:00 am and 7:30 pm services Services are live-streamed and can be found by searching “Blyth Christian Reformed Church”

BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH

OUR CHURCHES HAVE RE-OPENED. WELCOME BACK.

Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday ~ 6:00 p.m.

17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday ~ 9:00 a.m.

220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday ~ 11:00 a.m.

1025 Wallace Avenue N. Facebook: Search for St. Joseph/Sacred Heart/St. Ambrose Live Sunday Mass, Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Spring market to raise funds for animal rescue With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, local organizations are able to once again host events and the Brussels Four Winds Barn has scheduled two events over the next couple months.

On Saturday, April 9, the barn will be hosting a spring market, General Manager Kaitlyn Pipe said, with the goal of helping the Lucknow Adopt-A-Pet pet rescue organization.

Pipe said she is aiming to create more annual events that people can look forward to, and, after the success of the annual Christmas market, a spring market just made sense.

“It would be good to have one before Easter,” she said in an interview to The Citizen. “It will allow people to shop locally.”

The market allows people to support local makers, Pipe said, instead of shopping online or going out of town for gifts for Easter.

Pipe said she is looking for new vendors at the market, and already

has artisans who make homemade doughnuts, candy, jewellry, personalized blankets and stuffed animals and candles and bath bombs.

“We’ve got a little bit of everything,” she said. “We’re hoping people can shop for Easter presents for children and Mother’s Day presents as well.”

So far, the reaction for the market has been great, with a waiting list being established for vendor spaces.

“We’ve had 70 people apply for 42 spaces,” she said. “You can see that businesses want to get back out into the community after the pandemic so they can show people what they have.”

While the Christmas market featured a charity photo opportunity with Santa, the Easter market will feature a charity photo shoot with live chicks with the funds going to the Adopt-a-Pet rescue service out of Lucknow.

While the scheduled spots for the

photos have already filled up, Pipe said if people show up the day of they may be able to be squeezed in.

The sitting fee is $25 and includes three photos.

Craft bags will also be available for the first 100 children at the market, Pipe said. She did the same for the Christmas market and said it was well received and something she enjoyed doing.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the main floor of the barn being used for the market and the lower space for photos.

On May 7, the barn will be hosting a “Celebrating Women” event, Pipe said, which will focus on helping women to practise selfcare.

“A lot of people have realized, through the pandemic, that self-care and mental health is something we need to look at and work towards,” she said. “That’s where the idea of the event came from.”

After speaking with a local decor professional, Pipe said the vision

for the event came into being, which includes not only celebrating women but recognizing the need for women to practise self care.

“Women spend a lot of time taking care of their children, their households, their partners and their jobs, and we take care of ourselves last,” she said. “We need to take time to learn about the resources in our area to help us take care of ourselves.”

The event will feature rotating workshops through eight vendors covering everything from aromatherapy to nutrition, Pipe said.

She said the entire event is about reminding women of the importance of taking care of themselves so they can take care of others, likening it to the emergency measures on aircraft.

“The whole story is like the oxygen masks on planes,” she said.

“You have to take care of yourself first, before you can take care of others.”

Tickets are still available through contacting the barn, she said, and will also be sold at the Spring market and cost $45 per adult while tickets for accompanied children will cost $5 each.

“We know everyone doesn’t have access to childcare, so there will be a children’s corner with educational toys and volunteers to help out and play with the children,” she said.

“Snacks and drinks will be provided for them, and they can take part in a special card-making station for Mother’s Day.”

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022. PAGE 19.

Falconer against deal

On their heels The Wingham Ironmen had a tough road ahead of them Wendesday evening when they faced off against the Hanover Barons. While a score wasn’t available at press time, the Ironmen were down three games to none in the best-of-seven series. (John Stephenson photo)

Continued from page 15 radios to move to this platform.”

While other council members were keen to pursue the project due to cost savings that were realized by working with Morris-Turnberry, Councillor Kevin Falconer was dead set against the plan, saying if Morris-Turnberry didn’t want to work with North Huron on other projects, North Huron should tackle this one on its own.

He said, if Morris-Turnberry wouldn’t work with North Huron on other agreements, then North Huron Council should have “absolutely no correspondence on other agreements”.

“This is a fire radio system, and they want to use it for [public works],” he said. “If we can’t have a system on our own, we shouldn’t partner with someone who doesn’t want to talk to us.”

Fire Chief Marty Bedard said that neither council was relying on the other, as the upgrades would be used for individual systems.

Councillor Chris Palmer, however, felt it was “silly” to divide the projects.

“If we can have an agreement with them or anyone… it would be stupid not to,” he said. “They’re sharing the cost.”

Palmer’s only concern was the fact that North Huron hadn’t received a grant for the project, while Morris-Turnberry had.

Bedard said he wasn’t sure why, but was told the grant program

wouldn’t apply to the project.

“We found out they did receive a grant, and [North Huron] did apply, but it was rejected,” he said. “I don’t know what the reasoning was.”

Falconer asked, since this was a fire department project, if other municipalities that contribute to the Fire Department of North Huron would be contributing. Bedard said they would, through the fire department’s reserves, into which those municipalities had paid.

Palmer, while in favour of partnering on the project, asked if it was really necessary at all, asking Bedard if he “bet his career” on the necessity of it.

Reeve Bernie Bailey said the project was absolutely necessary because “dead spots” were a concern.

“We don’t know where an accident or fire will happen,” he said, adding the project will help to ensure the safety of firefighters, which is a high priority.

Falconer made a motion to have North Huron pursue the system on its own, however Bedard said council hadn’t approved that in its 2022 budget limits. No seconder was found for the motion.

Despite Falconer’s concerns, which were echoed by Bailey, council agreed to move forward with the project, with Bailey saying that, despite Morris-Turnberry not “playing fair” for the past three years, the safety of FDNH firefighters had to come first.

Minor urban changes proposed in five-year review Continued from page 1 answer questions from people who had proposed changes but couldn’t see them on the maps.

Other council members, starting with Councillor Paul Heffer, however, wanted every single change documented for landowners.

“You may call the changes ‘minor’, but a half-an-acre difference when they go to sell the farm [isn’t minor],” he said. “There are dollars involved [and] a sale that could happen.”

Van Amersfoort said any change like that would be “significant” and she was referring to situations where, for example, shadows would result in a sliver of land being changed to natural environment, but then another sliver of land was changed to agricultural for no net change.

Councillor Chris Palmer, however, said that any change is worth noting and shouldn’t be “diminished”.

“Send the letter, “ he said. “Let people worry about it if they want.”

After more discussion on the issue, council decided to send letters to all impacted landowners.

FLOOD PLAIN Another change that will be implemented will be that farmland that is in the floodplain will now be identified as agricultural land with a flooding overlay on it.

Van Amersfoort said the reason behind the change is that land can still be productively used for agricultural purposes, but shouldn’t be considered for building space.

Councillor Anita van Hittersum asked how that would impact taxation, saying that taxes don’t differentiate between a hazard or natural environment, however Van Amersfoort noted that taxation is based on use, not on land designation.

URBAN CHANGES While the majority of the

impacted lands are agricultural, there are a number of proposed changes to urban settlement areas as well, such as flood hazard mapping changing along the Maitland River through Wingham, errors being fixed in Blyth and planning ahead for future uses.

Van Amersfoort suggested that a parcel of land west of the Blyth campground, which is classified as community facility, could be changed to residential if it were able to be accessed by County Road 25. She said she wasn’t sure why the land, which is currently used for agriculture, was designated as community facility, but there could be other uses for it.

She also pointed to the fact that the only available industrial land in Blyth is only accessible by Dinsley Street. The property, which is between Dinsley Street and County Road 25 at the eastern border of the village, can’t be accessed from County Road 25 as the southernmost land it lines up with is actually in Morris-Turnberry for some reason. She said industrial traffic coming on to Dinsley Street could present complications, as it would need to either travel through the community, or head east and circle around to County Road 25.

Further complicating the issue is the fact that the lands abut on the land known as the Jackson farm, she said, which is one of the largest, developable pieces of land registered as residential in the community.

Bailey asked if the land could be turned residential, however, Van Amersfoort said there is no other industrial land that’s developable in the community.

Seip said having residential is key right now, but council shouldn’t ignore other uses.

Van Amersfoort agreed, saying council should “put blinders on to anything but residential.”

Van Amersfoort also spoke to

industrial land in Wingham, saying there is land available on both the Morris-Turnberry and North Huron sides of the municipal border, but that it’s owned privately. She said council could engage the property owners to see if they want to sell and have the land developed or, failing that, look at the creation of a municipally-owned industrial park elsewhere.

She compared the situation to Goderich where the town had created Parson’s Court, an industrial area that was serviced and ready for industrial development.

“It’s a better use of infrastructure, which is already in the ground, than trying to start somewhere else,” she said.

RESIDENTIAL GROWTH Van Amersfoort also spoke to the changes that would come as a result of previous discussions with council, specifically rules that would allow additional residential units on AG1 and AG4 agricultural lands and intensification of residential development in settlement areas.

She explained that, under the new agricultural rules, additional residential dwellings could be built on AG1 and AG4 properties, with the latter needing to be more closely clustered than the former.

She also said she anticipated seeing fewer and fewer applications for garden suites thanks to the additional residential structures being allowed.

She also spoke to how policies are shifting towards residential intensification and infill opportunities that will allow for a mix of residential uses within existing neighbourhoods.

She said the department is building trust right now through projects that prove higher density can be done well and “very gently”.

“Density can be anything from semi-detached homes to fourplexes,

townhouses or apartment buildings,” she said.

Palmer questioned intensification and “affordable” houses, saying that he didn’t like the target of 30 per cent of new development being higher intensity.

“You can’t tell us in Wingham we have to have 30 per cent [higher density development] for all new residential development,” he said.

“You can’t do that. You can suggest it, but it all depends on the developer. It’s his or her money.

They have to make money, and do what works for them. I can’t accept [the target].”

Bailey and Lamb addressed that issue saying that, with wordingspecific issues like that, it might be better to address it after the meeting. He said the review being undertaken at the special meeting was to provide “overall policy” direction to the planners and staff.

Palmer then went on to say he didn’t understand why the term “character” was being taken out of policies in regards to residential development.

“Now it says context,” he said.

“That doesn’t make sense as it was used.”

Van Amersfoort explained that the “context” of the neighbourhood was easier to identify than character, which can be subjective and has been misused as of late.

She said by focusing on the context of a neighbourhood, it makes it easier to create a framework for design which can ease a lot of angst that neighbours of new developments may have.

She pointed to a Residential Intensification Guide developed by Huron County to be used across the Continued on page 20

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022.

Nationals the experience of a lifetime for Stevenson

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

National experience Walton’s Allison Stevenson, seen above hoisting the McCaw Cup as a member of the Ontario women’s university hockey champion Brock University Badgers, can now add national championship experience to her resume after last weekend. The team would lose its two games, but Stevenson says the experience was amazing and she hopes to build upon it. (Courtesy photo)

While the Brock University Badgers women’s hockey team may not have had the tournament they would have liked, failing to find the back of the net in both of their games, Walton’s Allison Stevenson says being part of the U Sports Women’s Hockey Championship was the experience of a lifetime.

Brock lost to the University of Saskatchewan on Friday, March 25 by a score of 4-0 and then again on Saturday, March 26 in their consolation game against the University of Prince Edward Island by a score of 2-0.

After returning to Ontario late on Monday from Prince Edward Island, Stevenson spoke with The Citizen on Tuesday morning, calling the experience “amazing to be a part of”, especially as a firstyear player. To be part of a historymaking season for the program that engaged past members of the team, she said, really makes her want to continue to build that foundation for future generations of players as they had done for her team.

Stevenson said the level of competition at the tournament was high and every team deserved to be there, though she thought it was similar to what her team faced in Ontario over the course of the regular season. Many of the tournament’s games were close, she said, and could have gone either way.

Concordia University would go on to win the 2022 U Sports Women’s Hockey Championship, defeating the University of Nipissing Lakers in the gold medal game to earn the school’s first Golden Path Trophy since 1999.

The Stingers shut out the Lakers by a score of 4-0 in the final game of the tournament.

The Brock University Badgers had defeated the Lakers in the Ontario championship when both teams punched their tickets for the national championship.

The University of Saskatchewan beat the University of New Brunswick in the bronze medal game by a score of 2-0.

This came after the University of Saskatchewan team lost to Concordia in the semifinal round by

Open houses set Continued from page 19 county and said it provided a comprehensive list of often-heard concerns, as well as ways to mitigate those problems.

Palmer, however, wasn’t convinced, saying that the guide was for the site plan, which is handled after the neighbours of developments have a chance to air their concerns.

“You’re saying intensification has the right,” he said. “If you’ve got an empty lot, surrounded by houses and someone wants to put a big development there, you’re saying it has the right.”

Bailey interrupted Palmer, saying this wasn’t a North Huron issue, but a decision that was made by Huron County several years ago.

Van Amersfoort said she understood Palmer’s concerns, but said that intensification is the way to go for a number of reasons, including making use of existing inground infrastructure and protecting farmland.

“If we don’t grow up, we have to grow out,” she said, saying the cost of growing out is acres and acres of farmland being turned into residential properties.

“Intensification is strongly supported by the Provincial Policy Statement and Huron County.”

She said the planning department has taken a strong stance on the issue, but has developed tools to bring accountability into the process.”

PALMER WANTS FURTHER REVIEW After the presentation, Palmer said the gravity of the document necessitated council taking a deeper dive on the material.

“We should go through this, page by page,” he said of the 124-page document. “We need more questions. If we don’t question the document, at some point, it’s just a rubber stamp. We can't do that. This is too important. Our future is on this document for everything we do.

Just to say we read it at home isn’t enough.”

Bailey, however, felt council was doing its due diligence on the matter, saying councillors had discussed the issue for over three

hours that day, and that he had spent 30 hours over the past few months working on it.

“A lot of answers can be had if you read the document,” he said.

“This is not something dreamed up overnight. We’ve always had an official plan, this is just the changes. It’s based on the law of the land, including provincial, federal and [our own laws].”

Bailey said both North Huron and Huron County staff had gone over the document thoroughly and it wasn’t something that popped up “out of the blue”.

“We have gone over it,” he said, adding there will be more consultation through public meetings, which are set for midApril.

Falconer agreed with Bailey, saying the review had been an educational process for council. He said he understands Palmer’s concerns as an agricultural landowner, but that council doesn’t have the ultimate authority with this issue, saying it’s up to members of the public to handle their own property changes.

Seip said council has had the document for two weeks and will have it for another month, which will provide plenty of time for council members to digest it properly. Palmer, however, wasn’t convinced and questioned whether the planners would listen to all the issues brought forward by ratepayers.

“We need to have confidence that [the planners] will listen,” he said “We’re trusting that you’ll be listening.”

Van Amersfoort said that, as registered professional planners in Ontario, they are ethically-bound to value all public consultation and consider how comments made can influence the direction of decisionmaking. “We are mandated to do that,” she said.

Council received the report and directed staff to provide notice to landowners with mapping changes, send letters to landowners with urban or adjacent lands of interest and schedule open houses for the week of April 18 in Blyth and Wingham.

a score of 2-0. Nipissing beat the University of New Brunswick in the other semifinal game by a score of 4-0.

The University of New Brunswick beat McGill in the first quarterfinal game of the tournament by a score of 5-4 in a shootout, while the University of British Columbia fell to the University of Nipissing Lakers by a score of 1-0.

The University of Saskatchewan then beat Brock the following day by a score of 4-0, while Concordia beat the University of Prince Edward Island in the final quarterfinal match-up by a touchdown, 7-0.

While Brock lost its consolation game against the University of Prince Edward Island by a score of 2-0, the University of British Columbia beat McGill by a score of 4-0.

With the season now behind her, Stevenson says she hopes to continue building on her hockey career with the team, saying she’ll play for them “as long as they’ll have me” and that she’s already looking ahead to the 2022/2023 season.

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The Citizen

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