The Citizen - May 28, 2020

INSIDE THIS WEEK:

MARKET - Pg. 6

LIONS - Pg. 7

Organizers hopeful Brussels Farmers’ Market will return

Blyth Lions cancel 75th anniversary celebration

COUNTY - Pg. 13

Debate continues on county office location

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Volume 36 No. 22

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Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Klassen urges locals to stay the course

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Everything’s under control The Walton Raceway, under direction from the provincial government, was allowed to open its gates to the general public last week and organizers made the best of it, hosting open motocross practices on Friday and Saturday and a mud bog on Sunday. (John Stephenson photo)

Central Huron passes budget

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Central Huron Council passed its 2020 budget at its May 19 meeting, including a 5.35 per cent decrease to the municipal tax rate and no increase to the municipality’s cash requirements over the 2019 budget.

This year’s budget requires just over $7.4 million from the municipality, the same amount required in last year’s budget. In numerous budget meetings over the past few months, councillors made it clear they didn’t want to increase the budget at all to ease the tax burden on ratepayers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The municipality’s tax rate is now the lowest it’s been since 2015.

For Central Huron purposes, the taxes on $100,000 of residential property assessment is $627.30, representing a $35.46 decrease from the previous year. When grouped with Huron County and school board tax levies, the overall tax rate decrease is 3.93 per cent, equating to a reduction of just over $50 per

$100,000 of residential assessment.

It represents total taxes of $1,237.32 per year per $100,000 of residential assessment, down from $1,287.99 in 2019.

Council was able to decrease its tax rate even in a year with substantial capital requirements, including an estimated purchase cost of $5.5 million for the former Bluewater Youth Centre property. At the meeting, which was held virtually, Chief Administrative Officer Steve Doherty noted that a final sale price has not yet been reached, so that figure is still municipal staff’s best estimate at a price for the property.

Furthermore, council plans to spend nearly $2.1 million on bridge, culvert and road work, another $2.469 million on street reconstruction and nearly $1.3 million on machinery and equipment.

In 2020, Central Huron will collect nearly $15.3 million in taxes from its residents. The municipality will keep nearly half, accounting for $7.4 million, while Huron County will receive just over 35 per cent,

$5.397 million, and the school boards will have raised 16.2 per cent, or just under $2.5 million.

Council passed the budget with little conversation.

After over two weeks without a new case of COVID-19 in Huron and Perth Counties, two new cases have been confirmed by Huron Perth Public Health.

Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth Public Health, spoke to members of the media on Monday, saying the region has now reached a total of 51 cases. This comes after a new case was confirmed in a patient at the Maitland Manor long-term care facility in Goderich and a male in North Perth tested positive for the virus over the weekend.

Despite the single case in a Maitland Manor patient, no one else has tested positive for COVID-19 at the home, according to Klassen. As for the North Perth man, Klassen said he is home and self-isolating.

She couldn’t specify any individual statistics on the man, only that he is not in a long-term care home.

Klassen used these two new cases to demonstrate that Huron and Perth Counties are far from being out of the woods just yet in regards to the pandemic. For those reasons, she said, residents need to remain vigilant and continue physical distancing, washing their hands, refraining from touching their faces and staying home if they are sick.

She also advised residents to wear masks if physical distancing isn’t possible.

While Klassen acknowledged that some of the scenes coming out of Toronto, specifically in Trinity Bellwoods Park in the west end of the city, were troublesome, she said she hasn’t heard of similarly concerning images in the area.

In speaking with some people who live in Huron and Perth Counties’ cottage country, Klassen said she

was told that most were respecting physical distancing and not congregating in large groups. She said she didn’t patrol the region on her own, but that what she was hearing was encouraging.

Province-wide, Klassen says she’s not surprised to see virus case numbers on the rise with the expansion of testing. However, she said it will be interesting to see what happens in the next week or two after even more of the province opened to the public, including the Trinity Bellwoods gathering.

She reminded residents of Huron and Perth Counties that gatherings of more than five people are still prohibited by the provincial government. However, there haven’t been many reports of such gatherings in the area, which she says is positive and she thanks residents for listening to the government’s instructions.

As of Monday, over 2,800 people had been tested in Huron and Perth Counties, 2,643 of which had come back negative. There are a total of 51 confirmed positive cases, with only two of those remaining active, and 128 test results pending.

There have been five COVID-19 deaths in Huron and Perth Counties.

Twenty-five of the region’s 51 cases have been in Stratford, followed by four in North Perth, three in Perth East, two in Perth South, two in West Perth and two in St. Marys. In Huron, there have been three cases in South Huron and three in Bluewater. Central Huron and Goderich have seen two cases each, while Huron East, Morris-Turnberry and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh each had one case. To date, there have still been no cases in North Huron or Howick.

For more information or for an upto-date chart of infections in the two counties, visit hpph.ca.

Brussels Fall Fair cancelled

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen This year’s Brussels Fall Fair and its associated events, like the Ambassador competition and ladies’ night fundraiser, have all been cancelled for 2020.

The Brussels Agricultural Society issued a statement on the cancellation on May 22 after discussing the issue by way of a Zoom meeting the previous day.

Society President Zoellyn Onn said, in an interview with The Citizen, that despite optimism that some form of the fair could move ahead this year, there just wasn’t a way to move forward physically amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Onn said she and other members of the society looked to the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) for guidance and through reviewing the recommended best practices in hosting an event like a fall fair, it became clear there would be no way to host the Brussels Fall Fair in the era of COVID-19.

“Due to COVID-19 pandemic uncertainty, the Brussels Agricultural Society has made the difficult decision to cancel the 159th edition of the Brussels Fall Fair, scheduled to take place Sept. 15-16, 2020 at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre,” said a press release issued by the society.

“Many factors were taken into consideration by the society’s

general membership when making the agonizing decision, most importantly the desire to ensure the safety of fair visitors, exhibitors, vendors, community groups, entertainers, sponsors and volunteers.

“The fair will return with vigor Sept. 14-15, 2021, with the theme ‘Twist and Sprout.’”

The release also states that current ambassadors – Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador Sean Mitchell, Junior Ambassador James Speer and Little Ambassador Rowan Gaspric – have all agreed to remain in their positions until 2021.

The annual ladies’ night fundraiser, scheduled for November, has also been cancelled for the year.

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 3.

County staff list lack of direction as a problem

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen After commissioning a service review with consulting firm KPMG, Huron County received its first interim report at its May 20 meeting.

Bruce Peever of KPMG spoke to the report at the meeting, which was held remotely. He told council that there are two aspects to the report. First, KPMG spoke to staff and worked to identify issues of concern in the county as an employer. The second half of the report compared the county

to several neighbouring counties.

Peever told council that the review, which was commissioned late last year, would analyze current services and delivery approaches, the performance of peer municipalities in Ontario, public works facilities and associated winter services, organizational structure for aligning the corporate services with front-line delivery and new opportunities or directions for the purpose of improving services and reducing costs.

KPMG is currently in the second phase of the five-phase project. The

first phase was a kick-off with the project team and the creation of a project charter and schedule. The second phase is the environmental scan, which includes a documentation review, stakeholder engagement, an online survey, benchmarking and the presentation of the interim report to council and the steering committee.

As part of the engagement process, KPMG interviewed the senior management team and management from over a dozen county departments, as well as longtenured staff and management from

Cheering him on Don ‘Smiley’ Hamilton, centre, is fighting cancer and he got a boost over the weekend as a parade of nearly 150 vehicles and entries went by his house in Brussels to deliver “Smiles for Smiley”. (John Stephenson photo)

11 departments and recently-hired staff and management from 10 departments. The firm also held two focus groups to aid in its research.

Peever said his findings showed a lack of direction for the staff as well as a lack of correlation between county-wide strategy and some of the day-to-day operations, but that communication throughout the county is generally strong. He eased councillors’ minds, saying that’s not unique and is a frequent concern throughout organizations with which KPMG has worked.

“Participants noted that the county does not currently have a formalized delivery model. Rather, a fractured approach is used in part to the operational isolation of departments and services spread across the county,” the report stated.

Participants indicated that there is a need to review and streamline both decision-making and business processes; however, resource constraints have made this process difficult as supervisors and staff have minimal time to devote to process improvement, in addition to their core functions.”

Peever told council that staff felt “pulled in many directions” depending on who was giving orders.

As for the isolation of staff, Peever said it could be due to departments being stationed at locations throughout the county. However, as Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Mayor Glen McNeil pointed out, the report also states that staff members were becoming more comfortable working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so those two statements seemed to contradict one another.

In addition, with nine lower-tier municipalities, Peever said the priorities of the county will often deviate from those of the

municipalities, making work more complicated for some departments.

Peever said concerns about a silo approach within Huron County could be attributed to a lack of one physical space for employees, which can help with workflow and promote collaboration. (At the same meeting, council discussed the possibility of building a new county office in Goderich, Clinton or Blyth, but the decision was deferred pending a staff report regarding the need for the space in light of staff working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.)

He said staff members who were interviewed became really engaged when discussing the county’s current information technology (IT) status, with many employees wishing for more advanced and universal technology across the county. This, again, Peever said, is not uncommon with many staff members wishing for better and more cohesive technology. He said several employees were also asking for remote access to the county system to clear the path to work from home.

“Frustration was expressed at the largely manual nature of some county processes.... Several staff remarked that Laserfiche will potentially lighten the burden of manual documentation and processes, but staff are skeptical that the program will be used to its potential due to constraints on staff time needed for a fulsome implementation and training,” the KPMG report stated. “It was noted that multiple departments manage their own IT budgets. Centralizing IT budgets within IT may save redundant administrative time and mitigate some cyber risks related to outdated hardware and software.”

Staff members interviewed also expressed concern with the lack of Continued on page 19

Obituaries WILLIAM “PAUL” ELGIE After suffering a severe stroke William Paul Elgie passed peacefully away in the serene surroundings of Huron Residential Hospice. He was born in Fort William, the youngest son of Wallace Roy and Hazel Irene (Dawes) Elgie. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers, Stewart, Ken (Dorothy), Rae, sister-in-law Jane (Doug), and nieces Gail and Jill.

Many activities that Paul participated in as a youngster became lifelong passions. His boyhood learning of piano basics developed into Paul writing and producing his own music with the flourish of his signature style. A love of drama was evident throughout Paul’s life. As a young thespian, Paul performed in Purple Patches (UWO) and spent a summer performing at

Pasadena Playhouse in California.

The love of the written and spoken word led Paul into the teaching profession specializing to a Master’s level in English and drama. Paul taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Lynn, Ontario, and also the communities of Ottawa, Espanola, Peterborough, Brooks, Alberta and Wingham.

Throughout his life, Paul used his honed talents in his CKNX radio broadcast, Theatrical Experiences; writing a script and performing in a play for Huron County’s sesquicentennial; authoring and publishing two books and several short articles.

Working with horses and participating in Canada’s Armed Forces were foundational in Paul’s family. His first pony was Dolly. In his teens, Paul participated in equestrian riding on Starlight, a champion-winning horse. While studying at Western, Paul joined the University Reserves Training Program (Air Force). He learned to fly in Harvard aircraft and loved aerobatics! After retirement, Paul returned to these early passions, this time raising standardbred horses and piloting two-seater planes.

Lastly, Paul had a deep love for God, His creation, and people. Paul was a lifelong learner, exploring God’s creation through travel, and seeking to live out the “LGS” formula of Loving, Giving, and Serving. He participated in his

community with lay pastoring throughout Huron County; acting as counsellor for Turnberry and Goderich; sitting as a local and provincial board member for the Children’s Aid Society and Ontario Library Board; and with membership in the Masons, Optimists, and Rotary Clubs. Paul was a life-long member of the Legion and a proud alumni of Ridley College, Western University and University of Toronto.

As a blended family, Paul will be greatly missed by wife Marilyn (Matthews) of 43 years, daughters and their families, Elizabeth (Dan, Morgan and Johnny, Victoria and Andre), Paula, Krista (Jachym, Emma and Henrique, Sasha), and Becky (Todd, Micaela, Ben, Talia).

He will also be remembered by brother-in-law Ron (Helen), several nieces and nephews, and many good friends. Paul had unwavering love and devotion to his family and friends. He was loved deeply in return.

A small graveside service was held on Thursday, May 21 for immediate family only.

Arrangements were made by McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham. A celebration of life for the wider community will be held at a later date. In the meantime, online condolences with McBurney’s or donations to Lakeshore United Church, (Goderich), Huron Residential Hospice, or a charity of

one’s choice would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com

For more obituaries, see page 17.

His secret power and influence (J.C. Philpot, “The New Covenant & the Blood of Sprinkling”) “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” John 6:44 “I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself.” Jeremiah 31:3 None can really come to Jesus by faith, unless this drawing power is put forth.

The Holy Spirit—that gracious and blessed Teacher, acts upon the soul by His secret power and influence, puts ‘cords of love’ and ‘bands of mercy’ around the heart, and by the attractive influence that He puts forth, draws the soul to Jesus’ feet; and in due time reveals Him as the chief among ten thousand and the altogether lovely one.

As the Spirit reveals and manifests these precious things of Christ to the soul, He raises up a living faith whereby Jesus is sought unto, looked unto, laid hold of, and is brought into the heart with a divine power, there to be enshrined in its warmest and tenderest affections.

All through its Christian pilgrimage, this blessed Spirit goes on to deepen His work in the soul, and to discover more and more of the suitability, beauty, and blessedness of the Lord Jesus, as He draws the soul more and more unto Him. There is no maintaining of the light, life, and power of God in our souls, except as we are daily coming unto Jesus as the living stone, and continually living upon Him as the bread of life.

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

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

Editorials & Opinions

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

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She said, he wrote The era of reporting surrounding the #metoo movement is more complicated than one can imagine, as the media storm around Ronan Farrow’s book Catch and Kill demonstrates.

Ronan Farrow is an investigative reporter for The New Yorker who shared the Pulitzer Prize for several articles in 2017 that helped uncover allegations of sexual abuse against film producer Harvey Weinstein. He has become widely known as a champion of the #metoo movement and subsequently published a book on the challenges that he faced in bringing the story to light.

The New York Times was the first out of the gate with an op-ed piece criticizing Farrow’s propensity to dramatize his pieces for effect and taking issue with his fact-checking, or lack thereof. Since then, additional media outlets have weighed in. No one has accused Farrow of fabricating any of the details but, in a rush to get the story out, it appears that he failed to corroborate the accusers’ stories. And Farrow is not entirely at fault. A young and perhaps overly enthusiastic reporter should have been able to rely on an editor to guide him and insist on the corroboration required to eliminate the “she said, he said” nature of this kind of story.

In cases of sexual abuse and misconduct, where the victim and the accused both have lives in the balance, it is absolutely imperative that the accusations are thoroughly investigated before given to the public. In a time where social media looks for quantity over quality, you can’t go back once an allegation has been brought forward. Future victims deserve to be believed, and no one should lose their world to a false accusation. – DS

Light? Or more tunnel?

As the provincial government works to open Ontario in phases, keeping a watchful eye after each implementation, there’s been plenty of talk of a dreaded second wave of COVID-19. How can we be so sure we’ve even reached the end of the first, when we could be simply getting bored with quarantine.

While Huron and Perth Counties have seen tremendous success in containing cases – adding just two cases in Huron this past week after two straight weeks of no new confirmed cases, dropping its total of active cases to zero – the province continues to struggle. After seeing a downward trend, which initiated the re-opening, cases have spiked, jumping up over 400 for daily reported cases along with dozens of deaths. In the United States, President Donald Trump is Tweeting to “REOPEN OUR COUNTRY!” but the U.S. is still home to over 30 per cent of the world’s confirmed cases while it approaches 100,000 deaths.

We can’t fear a second wave until the first has run its course.

Whether we’re moving too quickly here in Ontario and putting the economy first, in true Trumpian fashion, remains to be seen, but what is clear is that we’re far from being out of the woods and if we don’t act with caution and listen to the direction of those more intelligent than we are, the small bit of progress we’ve made will disappear in a matter of days. We’re now waiting to see if there’s a flood of cases stemming from the over 10,000 people at Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park on the weekend, flouting physical distancing and the pandemic itself.

Together we’ve all done a good job, but it’s not done yet and the battle against COVID-19 is far from over. In order to avoid looking like former U.S. President George W. Bush on an aircraft carrier in 2003, giving a speech in front of a banner declaring “Mission Accomplished” on a conflict that is still ongoing today, we need to remain vigilant, take the advice we’re receiving seriously and be aware of how far we’ve come, in addition to how far we still need to go. – SL

A growing concern Some scary facts being brought to light regarding exploited children south of the border should serve as a reminder that now, more than ever, it’s important to monitor what your children are doing on the internet.

Last week, the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States reported a four-fold increase in tips of online predation in April compared to the same month last year. March had twice the number of tips.

Children are spending more time than ever before in front of screens for both recreation and educational purposes, meaning they are more at risk of running into someone looking to use or abuse them for their own nefarious purposes. Now is not the time to be lax in policing what our children are doing online. Even if they are sitting in a classroom through some kind of meeting software, be sure to keep an eye and an ear out for any kind of interactions that seem less than on the level.

For more information on how to avoid and deal with problems related to children online, visit cybertip.ca, Canada’s national tipline for cases of online sexual exploitation of children. – JDS

Looking Back Through the Years May 30, 1963 Brussels-area youths Bill King, David Stephenson and Laurie Campbell had all been featured on CKNX’s Romper Room recently.

The Brussels Guides, under the leadership of Elizabeth Sholdice and Katharine Achilles, won the trophy for the highest points in inspection of uniforms and percentage in attendance at the South Huron District Girl Guide Field Day held in Brussels. The day was a busy one with Guide companies attending from Bayfield, Centralia, Clinton, Clinton RCAF, Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth and Hensall.

The Brussels Hi-T group decided not to hold its regular dance in June due to the poor attendance of other recent events and looming exams that would pull students away.

The group also held its election of officers at its May 24 meeting, naming John Watson president, Joe Watson treasurer and Mary Watson secretary.

June 2, 1971 Reconstruction of 6.6 miles of the Base Line Road from Auburn to Summerhill was scheduled to take place in the coming summer months as part of a development road project. Charles MacNaughton made the announcement at Huron County Council’s meeting in late May. A large and appreciative crowd took in a variety concert held at Blyth Public School. The show included piano solos by Marilyn Wightman, Murray Wightman, Alice Beecroft, Mary Schwartzentruber, Clara Wasson, Jean Caldwell, Susan Street and Murray McNall and vocal solos from Alice Beecroft, Florence Hessels, Gail Traviss, Marjorie Procter, Susan Street and Betty Snell.

The Blyth Intermediate baseball

team was poised to begin its season with a game on the road against Fullarton on June 3. The season was then scheduled to continue through the end of July, finishing up the regular season on July 22 on the road against Brodhagen.

June 2, 1999 Dalton McGuinty, leader of the provincial Liberal Party, visited Huron-Bruce on the campaign trail.

Not only did McGuinty visit the farm of James and Brenda McIntosh and take time to support local Liberal candidate Ross Lamont, but he also took the opportunity to take a shot at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, calling it “a former shadow of itself”, citing funding cuts to the ministry by Premier Mike Harris.

The 1999 International Plowing Match, set to be held in Huron County, would be the first to usher in a shuttle service around the site.

The 12-stop route would be available for anyone who felt travelling the entire site on foot would be too difficult.

Norma Daer was the first resident to jump into the Blyth Communities in Bloom competition. An avid gardener for a number of years, Daer planted her garden with spectacular colours and a wide variety of flower choices.

The Brussels Tigers opened their 2019 Huron County Fastball League season with a 3-2 victory over the Walton Brewers. The Tigers triumphed at home, despite Walton jumping out to an early lead.

May 23, 2019 Brian Radford, a 62-year-old Londesborough man, perished in a house fire that began late on May 17 and raged into the early morning hours of May 18. It was reported that the home’s wood stove

was to blame for the house fire.

Thirty-four of the Avon-Maitland District School Board’s most junior teachers were handed redundancy notices, meaning they might not have permanent positions for the 2019/2020 school year.

While Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Education Lisa Thompson said the redundancy notices were business as usual in the cycle of the school year, Kent Cleland, Avon-Maitland Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario President, disagreed.

Cleland staged a demonstration and small press conference in front of Thompson’s Blyth office, after seeking an audience with her for 10 months, speaking to the notices and posting 34 pink slips on Thompson’s office window.

The Brussels Farmers’ Market had another successful season opener, bringing out more vendors than it had in the previous year, according to outgoing Four Winds Barn General Manager Kathy Stephenson.

Ramin Ghiasi, an Iranian-born pharmacist who came to Canada to own his own pharmacy, working first in Toronto then in the Maritimes, was set to open a new pharmacy in Blyth, bringing his whole family to Huron County.

Volunteers at the Van Egmond House near Seaforth held a special Victoria Day celebration to mark what would have been Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday. There were actors in special Victorian-era costumes and several routines carried out to make the day special.

With Kathy Stephenson leaving the Four Winds Barn, Kaitlyn Pipe stepped in to take on the role of general manager at the location.

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 5.

Other Views We’re isolated, but we’re not alone

T

here’s always a reward for the notinexpensive hobby of feeding birds, but perhaps the reward is never as rich as it is at this time of the year – particularly in a time of physical distancing because of the pandemic.

Right now, our days at the end of our 900foot laneway are brightened by a dawn-to-dusk flurry of colour outside the big windows of our family room/sunroom. We have birds of so many vivid colours that you might think we lived in the tropics.

There is some colour even in winter, of course, as blue jays and cardinals add life to leaden skies, but this time of year the palette of colours is expanded exponentially.

First come the goldfinches. It wasn’t until we started feeding birds that I came to realize that goldfinches are year-round residents. It’s just that they trade their bright yellow for dull grey in winter. An early sign of spring, preceding the return of the robins, comes when their grey coats begin to show a yellow tinge, and soon they’re sunnily yellow again with their little black caps.

Adding variety, next comes the rose breasted grosbeak, its bib of bright red enlivening the stark black and white of its body.

Once we see the grosbeaks, we’re on watch for the jewel of the spring, the indigo buntings.

About the same size as a goldfinch, they bear many similarities except that the bright yellow is replaced by vivid blue, particularly in the sunlight. The first time they showed up years ago, I was so stunned by their colour I had to go searching in my bird book to identify them.

They’re shy birds, and they only seem to show up at the feeder for a few weeks, so we enjoy them while we can. They’re a little like spring flowers – you wait so long through the

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk dreary winter for them to arrive, then before you know it they’re gone for another year.

We knew we had Baltimore orioles for years – we used to see their hanging nest high up in an elm tree, though now they have sadly departed. They didn’t come around the house, though, until we bought a sugar-water feeder.

Now we get to enjoy their bright orange and black as they land in nearby trees and hop to the feeder.

It’s much the same for the fascinating rubythroated hummingbirds with their iridescent green back. For something so tiny, they’re fearless and with their feeder right outside the kitchen window, we get to see them close up.

Normally the blue jays stay farther from the house this time of the year, probably because we stop putting out their favourite (and expensive) seeds, but this year they’ve built a nest in a cedar near the house so we see them up close.

A lesson in persistence is offered by a pair of phoebes who are determined to build a nest on the tiny ledge right above the porch door.

They try to outsmart the equally determined humans. So far the humans have prevailed.

A walk down the lane to get the mail is usually accompanied by a flight of robins that flit from tree to tree ahead of me. They’re accompanied by the unique, high-pitched squelch of red-winged black birds, flashing their red and yellow shoulder flashes.

A few moments ago, as I was writing this, an impressive flurry occurred outside the window. Just off the edge of our property stands an old silo, the only remnant of the barn that was once the centre of the farm’s activities. Perhaps because it offers a strong, high perch, the silo attracts turkey vultures.

Many people find these birds repulsive, but watching a huge vulture wheeling gracefully in the sky, casting cloud-like shadows as they pass over, is spectacular.

Earlier this afternoon, while working outside, I apparently startled a wild turkey and was impressed anew at the speed with which these massive birds can explode into flight.

Birds aren’t alone in entertaining us in our isolation. You can’t help but laugh at the antics of chipmunks, particularly as they literally high-tail it across the yard seeking safety from airborne predators. We have skirmishes between black and red squirrels, the smaller red variety improbably seeming to be the aggressors most often. The same red squirrels made us chuckle earlier in the spring when they harvested cones from the spruce trees and carried them to their hiding place by grasping one end in their teeth, looking like a little man with a huge cigar.

One recent morning I awoke early and wandered into the back room and was amazed to see, a mere 10 feet from the window, a curious but cautious yearling deer, always on the lookout for danger.

Life is hard on the other side of the glass.

Inside, we’ve become so accustomed to our ability to control nature that we’re shocked when something like COVID-19 makes us vulnerable. Out there, in nature, birds and animal face the possibility of death every day but go on living life while they can. We can learn from that.

Now’s the time to make a difference

O

h boy, that was a hot weekend for May, wasn’t it? It got to the point that, at the Scott household, we actually turned on the air conditioner to let Mary Jane get some sleep because having the windows open was just heating up the house when her bedtime rolled around.

It got me thinking, on Sunday night, as I sat on the front deck with my wife, about just how hot things are likely going to get this summer, or maybe, how hot they won’t get.

If you’ve spent any time at all on the internet in the past few months, you’ve likely seen all the posts showing how wildlife has found new confidence in strolling around thanks to the lack of people due to quarantine. Either that, or you’ve seen the posts showing how clean the water and air are getting around major cities thanks to the drastic reduction in environment-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. And if you haven’t seen those, you’ve likely seen the jokes based on them.

You know, the ones about Godzilla finally being able to breath in Japan thanks to the lack of air traffic or the Universal Films logo finally being visible in the sky thanks to the lack of pollution.

It got me wondering, when the second wave of COVID-19 cases strike (and it will, the only question is, has the province made it worse by pushing ahead to open the economy too soon?) and we’re all stuck at home again for an indeterminate amount of time, might we actually see a reduction in the incredibly hot weather to which we’ve been accustomed?

Global warming is a fact and if you’re going to write in disputing it, do me a favour and save us both the time. You won’t change my mind. However, as much as global warming is a fact and we’re constantly being told how close we are to doing irreversible damage, I have to wonder what kind of recovery was made during those early days of the national

Denny Scott Denny’s Den pandemic lockdown when there was next to no one on the road or in the sky.

Now may be the time to consider how we can change the way we’re living our lives to help not only the world, but ourselves. I can guarantee you, for example, things are likely going to change at The Citizen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, even after a vaccine becomes available. There will be a “new normal” when all this is done.

For years I’ve held to this idea that the best way to do an interview is face-to-face.

Whether that’s at a coffee shop, visiting someone’s home or having someone into the office but the pandemic has taught me that maybe I was wrong.

Sure, face-to-face interviews are still best in my mind, but maybe they aren’t always necessary, and the benefits to phone interviews are three-fold as far as I’m concerned.

First, it prevents diseases like COVID-19 being spread from person to person, even when people are asymptomatic. Secondly, it saves money for The Citizen and for myself and lastly it saves greenhouse gas emissions from being pumped into the air, even if it is the relatively low amount my little car puts out.

The barrier to disease spreading is obvious, as are the greenhouse gases, but for those of you who don’t know, employees at The Citizen get paid mileage, on top of being paid for when they are on the road for work. If I could limit that (and limit the wear and tear on my

car) by doing more phone interviews, it saves money all around.

We’ve also really opened up the door to readers sending us photos when possible to try and limit the amount of time (and exposure) our editorial team spends outside of the office.

The changes don’t even have to be limited to things that are better for the environment: some experts are saying now is the time to implement changes like a four-day-work week as a way to help the country ease back into economic stability.

Associate Professor John Trougakos at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, for example, says countries should to consider changing things not just for the near future but “to make them better in the long run”.

He says four-day work weeks could be beneficial to employees and employers, a sentiment echoed by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who proposed it as a way to help her country reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Change doesn’t have to be so far-reaching, though, it can start at home.

Take, for example, the number of people taking to growing home gardens not only for something to do during the pandemic but also to help save on grocery bills. We’ve planted some lettuce at our house, for example, to feed my need for salad (or my begrudging desire to live healthily, anyway) and, thanks to a generous co-worker, we’ll be planting some tomatoes as well.

With people re-inventing the way they live and work during the pandemic, now is the time to try new things to make the world, both your world and the world-at-large, a better place.

Question why things are the way they are, find new solutions and remember, “Because that’s how it’s always been done” is a poor answer for any question.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

The bright side of life

F

orcing myself to write another column about the positives in life might feel a bit like a parent forcing a child to begrudgingly apologize – dragging heels, crossed arms and a hanging head – but I figure it’s only right to offer the other side of last week’s argument, in which I aired grievances.

In the April 2 issue of The Citizen, I wrote a column under the heading, “The bright side of life” and it was already the second time I’d used that headline in 2020, writing about the bright side of life on Jan. 16, 2020. If I had known where things were going in the coming months, I would have shut my mouth about how good things are these days.

But, here we are. We’re still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and I’m completing a holy trinity of columns under the same heading; looking on the bright side of life after having a moan in last week’s issue. I suppose I might as well go with point form again: • First, I’d be silly not to start with the fact that our world is opening back up. Fears remain, of course, with the potential for a second wave of COVID-19, changing consumer habits as a result of the virus and other economic hardships, but it sure is nice to see merchants back in their stores and people on the main streets again.

• As I write this, Huron and Perth Counties sat in their second straight week of having no new reported COVID-19 cases, though two new cases were discovered by Monday. In addition, all of the two counties’ past cases have been resolved, meaning Huron and Perth Counties have been sitting with no active cases of the virus. I acknowledge that we’re just one visitor away from that changing, but I think we should be proud.

• I think we’ve had enough time to collect data that can make us happy and proud of the people who surround us. Yes, there have been scattered protests by Canada’s uneducated and misinformed and some of our neighbours to the south have been truly disappointing, but I think our pandemic time, though ongoing, has shown us the good in our neighbours. I’ve heard many positive stories. Whether it’s donations, helping one another or making equipment to protect essential workers, in many ways this has brought out the best in us.

• A lot of the supply chain problems that have been facing the world have begun to correct themselves, especially in Huron County. You’d think nothing now of going into one of our local markets and picking up everything on your list, including the elusive toilet paper, hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes. And while the world may be facing a meat shortage due to processing plant closures related to the pandemic, locals are stepping up, not only to provide meat to hungry residents, but to help local producers make some money.

• Sure, we may miss our neighbours, friends and far-flung relatives, however, I believe this time has given us an opportunity to connect with those closest to us. Whether it’s a couple, parents and their children or a close-knit group of friends in a long-term care home, I feel this time together has stopped us from looking past what (or who) is right in front of us and instead, value our closest and dearest.

• While we’re missing sharing the imminent arrival of Little Baby Loughlin (LBL) with family members and friends, who all want to touch a stomach and feel a kick, things are progressing well and LBL remains healthy.

Few things are more worthy of celebration.

Things are concerning and they may not be back to normal for a while, but if we look hard enough, there are bright spots to find.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

Modified Brussels Farmers’ Market starting soon

A scene from the past The Brussels Farmers’ Market will be going ahead this year, however for the time being, it will be significantly different than it has been in previous years. (File photo)

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Kaitlyn Pipe, the organizer of the Brussels Farmers’ Market at the Four Winds Barn, hopes to have a

pandemic-compliant version of the annual weekly market starting as early as June 5.

However, the weekly market will be significantly different than in previous years, thanks to the rules

that need to be followed by visitors and vendors alike to keep everyone safe.

The most notable change, Pipe said, will be that the market will be an open-air only event taking place

on the cement pad on the north side of the barn. In addition, only food produced by the vendors themselves, will be allowed at the market.

“There are rules and procedures that everyone will have to follow,” she said on Monday in an interview with The Citizen.

She hopes, with the opening of stores, the market will be able to start utilizing its indoor space and bring in vendors with other kinds of products, however, people selling goods and not food may run into some complications.

As of right now, Pipe said, people can’t touch the products they are buying. The market will be set up in such a way that each vendor will have an empty table in front of them for dealing with customers and their goods displayed on a table behind them. There will also be a dictated path for visitors to follow. They will have to come into the market through a dedicated entrance, leave via a dedicated exit and not move forward in line until the person in front of them moves.

Visitors will have to sanitize their hands when they enter and exit the market and vendors will have to sanitize their hands and tables after each interaction, Pipe said.

“Everyone will have to follow these rules or else they won’t be able to be at the market,” she said.

Provided all the necessary vendors are available, Pipe said, the market

will open on June 5. However, if there are any delays due to the short timeline, she said it may be pushed to June 12.

“Currently we have six to seven vendors and we’re not able to look for more,” she said. “The tables all have to be six feet apart and, with the flow that needs to be maintained, we can’t have too many more vendors.”

The site will likely be inspected by the Huron Perth Public Health organization, Pipe said, if the experiences of her counterparts at the Stratford Farmers’ Market are any indication.

While there are a lot of hoops to jump through to make the market happen, Pipe said the overwhelming majority of communications she has had have been with people looking for the market to start up, both vendors and visitors alike.

“We wouldn’t be looking at this if it weren’t what people asked for,” she said. “We were definitely encouraged to look into it and we’re following what people have been asking for.

“As long as the vendors follow the rules that are set out for everyone’s safety, we’ll be able to keep going,” she said.

The market season will be shortened, Pipe said, and will not extend past its typical Thanksgiving closing date.

For more information, visit the Brussels Farmers’ Market or the Four Winds Barn on Facebook.

Hamilton honoured with parade of friends, family A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 As we remain in our isolated spots for these many days, one can get a little down and discouraged with the news that circulates. So an encouraging event happened in Brussels on Saturday morning.

Don Hamilton was entertained with a parade of mostly trucks past his house, friends letting him know that they consider him a

good friend. Semi-trailers, cattle trailers, half tons, feed trucks and tow trucks joined with family cars and trucks to tell Donnie they were thinking of him. Flowers and cards, balloons, smiles and greetings were shared and everyone went away feeling so much better. There is nothing like a friend to give you a boost and Don’s friends in the neighbourhood, the livestock and trucking industry wanted him to know, in no uncertain terms, that he is that friend.

Limited physical contact makes words and pictures so much more precious, so faces of grandchildren and one of Hillary McDonald, our student minister from 2017 gave me a big smile this week. Hillary is part of the miracle of life right now. A new baby is to arrive in June, so a

picture of a large baby bump was wonderful to see, she looks great.

Greetings to our community from Hillary in Calgary, she thinks of us often.

When people spend a large part of their lives in community, they are missed. Lloyd Glanville, known as the Maitland Valley guy for years, died this month and his ready smile will be missed by Mable and his girls Sharon, Lisa and Teresa, as well as our community.

Neil Schade died this month as well. He settled here from College Corners, Perth County several years ago when he and Joyce adjusted to life in Brussels. After Joyce’s death, he married Ruth Sauve and they thoroughly enjoyed their leisure years in our area. The children from their blended families miss them.

Bob Kellington enjoyed fun, hard work and a good laugh. If Bob were going for surprise this week, he did that big time. The sudden death of Bob leaves spaces in many lives, beginning with wife, Marguerite.

Bob enjoyed the outdoors, so a large garden was part of his leisure spent with Marguerite. Their products were shared with many, in many forms. Village gardens and lawns were another spot where Bob will be missed, as folks knew the work would be done well and on time. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Lions Club and the United Church all benefited from Bob’s time and effort over the years. Bye Bob, we’ll miss you.

So as we feel sad about the deaths of Lloyd, Neil and Bob, we are reminded we are an Easter people

believing in new life and growth.

Celebrate the part they played in your life and pass the good parts along, especially in this restrictive time that we are in.

Keep calm. Be kind. Smile. Be safe and for heaven’s sake wash your hands.

Bye now, Betty G.W.

At the Branch

Branch members mourn comrades’ passing

By Jo-Ann McDonald Sadness has hit the Brussels Legion Branch membership with the passing of Comrade Lloyd Glanville. He was a regular attendee of the Branch and had his “chair” that most knew enough not to sit in.

He will be missed by his wife Mabel and children Sharon, Teresa and Lisa and their families.

Lloyd was a member for 22 years, but was a great supporter of the Branch for 40 years. He was a great help with whatever was asked of him. He could be found thawing fish, cooking fish, peeling potatoes or carrots, or whatever was asked. If the Branch needed something suddenly, Lloyd would leave his chair and go home and return with whatever was needed.

Lloyd loved his draft beer, the sometimes lively or heated conversations around the table, playing euchre or crib at the Branch and at zone and provincial levels.

Lloyd will be missed by many and our condolences to the Glanville family.

Members of the Branch can keep up with what’s happening during these abnormal times by e-mail if they wish. They will be notified about meetings, members passing, upcoming events, new members joining and special occasion events.

Just e-mail the Branch at legion218@ezlink and Sandra will put you on the list to be notified of any news at the Branch.

The Branch is still closed as per the government orders. We hope that that will soon change, but it doesn’t look like it will be before the end of June. We will keep you posted along with members on the e-mail list, you will be the first to know!

Sadness has struck the Branch again with the passing of Comrade Bob Kellington. Bob was a five-year member of the Branch and always had a smile on his face. He was part of the euchre committee, taking his turn to run the Saturday afternoon

euchres at the Branch. He was great with the people with his welcoming smile and they all enjoyed meeting with him. Diligent with the job at hand, everything was expertly calculated and readied for the end of

the games. He always had time for a nice chat when the work was done and everyone appreciated his thoughts and suggestions. Our sympathies are extended to Marguerite and the families.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

The

is cancelled for 2020 We would like to thank all our sponsors and participants for their support over the last six years.

We look forward to getting together next year.

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 7.

Lions’ anniversary, golf tournament moved to 2021

Postponed Blyth Lions Ryan Lee, left, and Jim Johnston manned the barbecue during the club’s 70th anniversary five years ago. The 75th anniversary, along with other club events, has been postponed to next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Like so many other events slated for this year, the Blyth Lions Club’s 75th anniversary and the first annual Charlie Shaw Memorial Golf Tournament, both scheduled for July, have been moved to 2021.

The club made the announcement last week, making for a rather empty calendar year for the club, according to long-time Lions Club member John Stewart. He said, in an interview with The Citizen, that the COVID-19 pandemic has cost the club between $18,000 and $20,000 this year, all of which would have been reinvested into the community

through donations and programming.

Stewart said though the club hasn’t been meeting, some of the core members had been discussing the club’s plans for the year, taking it month by month. As events were wiped out in April, May and June, Stewart knew the club’s July would soon be next, with its 75th anniversary celebration slated for July 11 and the Charlie Shaw tournament set for July 24.

The new dates for both events have yet to be set, though the club still hopes to hold the events in July of next year, but Stewart said it’s more than new dates for the events that will have to be discussed by the club.

Although golf clubs have been allowed to reopen in Ontario, Stewart said the main issue was that the club would not be allowed to use the banquet hall, with the dinner being a large component of the planned tournament.

As for the anniversary, Stewart said it would be reminiscent of the club’s 70th anniversary five years ago. It was a public event to thank the community for its support over the years. Though there would be a

Warm weather leads to flowers From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Back to normal Local food truck Cherrey’s Dog House, run by Blyth’s Sarah Cherrey, was back in its regular digs at the corner of Queen and Drummond Streets last week. Cherrey had to wait until COVID-19 restrictions were addressed before she could open up for the year with new physical distancing guidelines. (Denny Scott photo)

Happy birthday to Niel Edgar, Wingham who celebrates May 29 and Matt Townsend, June 2.

Happy anniversary to Jeff and Michelle Nesbitt, who celebrate May 30; Ken and Diane Siertsema, May 31 and Bodie and Ollie Craig, (who will celebrate their 59th), June 3.

Another week has gone by and the restrictions have been lessened a little for some things. Hope everyone is safe and healthy.

Mother Nature is even co-operating this week with warm weather. It is surprising what a little warmth will do to the trees. The flowering trees are at their best and the trees are starting to show green. Now that the warm weather is here we can get outside and get caught up on the yard work.

If we all do our part, this pandemic will soon be over and we can get back to as normal as possible. Keep safe and healthy everyone.

small number of presentations, there would be a barbecue and the pool would be open for members of the community.

Not only has the club lost an anticipated $18,000 to $20,000 through cancellations this year, but Stewart said that many of the club’s most successful events rely on bringing large groups of people together, often for meals. When asked what the future holds, Stewart said he doesn’t know, but it’s entirely possible the club will have to rethink how it can make money moving forward if it wants to continue serving its community.

“I do have some concerns,” Stewart said. “The majority of our events involve a large number of people. We don’t know what the future looks like, but we may have to come up with some ideas to raise money without bringing large groups of people together.”

Stewart said he wasn’t worried and he knows the club and its members will come up with ideas to raise money to help the community, it will just take some outside-of-thebox thinking.

As for the coming weeks and months, the club is considering substituting its annual Seed Sowers steak barbecue with a take-out smoked pork chop barbecue dinner, knowing that preparing steak for take-out might get a bit complicated.

Additionally, Stewart said club representatives have been in touch with members of the Brussels Legion to host a take-out fish fry in September.

Last year, the Lions Club, in partnership with the Brussels Legion, took over the fish fry at the annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association after the Bluewater Shriners Club had hosted it for years. Stewart said

the club had a lot of take-out orders last year, so it could be a simple conversion to still hold that meal in September, though the reunion won’t be happening.

While all of the events the Lions Club was scheduled to host have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, the next step for the club could be the reopening of Blyth Lions Park once it’s given the goahead from the provincial government.

Stewart said the club has enough money in the bank to run the park for the summer, but beyond that, the club would have to raise more money after all the cancellations.

NEWS FROM BLYTH Broken Washer?

Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687

DONATION FUND The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce their annual Central Huron Donation Fund. The Municipality will again set aside funds to assist and promote community-based non-profit organizations. Funding is also available for national and international non-profit organizations whose programs demonstrate a direct benefit for the residents of our municipality.

To Qualify Organizations must be non-profit. Proposed programs or events must clearly demonstrate a direct social or economic benefit for residents of Central Huron. Successful organizations will be required to submit a post project report identifying the use of the funds.

Application Applications for funding should include:  Description of program or event  Date of program or event  Organization budget for proposed program or event  Targeted resident group, if appropriate  Supporting information including statistics for previous similar projects  Amount of funding requested, specifying whether a cash or inkind donation is required.

If your organization has questions or comments they should be directed to the Municipal office at 519-482-3997 or email: info@centralhuron.com.

Applications clearly marked Central Huron Donation Fund are to be received by the undersigned no later than 4:30 p.m. June 19, 2020: Steve Doherty, CAO Municipality of Central Huron P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 info@centralhuron.com

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

County to work with lower tiers on vehicle chargers

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County is moving forward with a plan to install 20 electric vehicle chargers throughout the county after five of the county’s nine lower-tier municipalities expressed interest.

Lily Morrow, the county’s climate change and energy specialist, spoke to the issue and application at Huron County Council’s May 20 meeting, which was held virtually. At the meeting, she detailed the progress being made in the zero-emission vehicle infrastructure program, which is rolled out through Natural

Resources Canada. The second round of applications, focused on chargers at workplaces, multi-unit residential buildings and fleet vehicles, is due June 11.

To be eligible for the program, the county must install a minimum of 20 chargers throughout the county. To date, Goderich, Huron East, South Huron, North Huron and MorrisTurnberry all expressed interest in hosting a portion of the chargers.

Morrow said she is currently exploring installation options with a company called ChargerCrew, an organization that is working with the federal government on the project.

The company has plenty of

experience installing and operating chargers across the country.

ChargerCrew, Morrow said, provides the capital for a completely turnkey installation, including ongoing maintenance and operation for a decade. The company recovers its costs through a user-pay system for vehicle charging at five cents per minute, which is the going rate for an electrical vehicle charge. Morrow also said the company expects added revenue by the growth in electric vehicle usage over the next 10 years.

With those variables in play, Morrow said that if there is a loss on the project, it will be absorbed by ChargerCrew under the proposed

model, rather than the county.

The county and participating lower-tier municipalities would have to provide locations for the chargers and when the funding decisions are made in August or September, the county will decide whether to proceed if it is successful in winning funding from the government.

Morrow said that if the county is successful, the chargers would be installed in the spring of 2021 and ChargerCrew would continue to own and operate the chargers until 2030, at which time the county could have the chargers removed at no cost, or they could assume ownership of them for $1 each, allowing the county to continue to operate the

chargers and collect revenue from drivers.

Some councillors, however, were concerned with the choice to partner with ChargerCrew when Sun Country Highway Ltd., a company near Clinton, is producing chargers in the community.

Morrow said she was aware of the company, but that Sun Country wouldn’t be able to offer the zerocost option of ChargerCrew.

Council approved Morrow’s recommendation, moving ahead with the application, using ChargerCrew to install and operate the chargers if the county is successful in obtaining funding from the federal government.

Municipality of Morris-Turnberry PUBLIC NOTICE OF PESTICIDE USE Municipality of Morris-Turnberry The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry intends to control noxious weeds along the following Municipal roadsides where noxious weeds have been identified.

The Following Morris-Turnberry Roadsides

Guiding out The Walton Raceway was able to open up over the weekend for both practice runs on the motocross track and for a mud bog event that saw drivers hope they could make it through the deep, dark bogs on the property. (John Stephenson photo)

Making your mask your own PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO

By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296

Let’s talk masks this week. The top medical persons, Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have all suggested/recommended that everyone wear a mask when leaving the isolation of their homes, especially if physical distancing is expected to be a problem.

It has been suggested that the wearing of a mask will become a gesture of politeness. We have been

told that a mask will protect others from contracting the virus from us. It apparently does little to protect us from being infected by another person carrying the virus. But any protection is better than none. I was distressed to hear that the numbers took an uptick last week.

Now there are varying kinds of masks to choose from for those of us not on the front lines of service. So, why not choose a mask that is you?

While I have worked on scores of masks in the last few weeks I have had a good chance to consider how one might choose a personal mask. I think a mask should say something about you - your profession, your hobby, your personality, etc.

Wearing one needs to be comfortable but why not fun, too?

Perhaps you might choose a mask that will bring a smile to everyone

you meet. Let’s have a little fun during this stressful time.

I’ll be watching for what kind of mask you will be sporting in the days ahead.

Each week recently I have had the opportunity to do a little outreach for Londesborough United Church. Last week on our travels, a feeling of freedom was almost palpable in the air. Thursday was a warm and sunny day and everywhere we travelled people of all ages were out in their yards, gardening, sitting on porches, visiting, walking their dogs, feeling optimistic that this pandemic will be beaten.

These are the things that will remain the same as the world starts to open up again. But just as the disciples realized they needed to remain in their faith and call on God for courage and guidance going forward following the events of Easter we, too, will need to look to our faith in the ‘new normal’ world.

Cardiff Road - London Road to Brussels Line Stone School Road – London Road to Clegg Line Browntown Road – Clegg Line to Brussels Line Jamestown Road – London Road to Brussels Line Morris-Turnberry Road – Bluevale to Ramsay Line C Line Road – Harriston Road to McDonald Line Gough Road – Brussels Line to McDonald Line Clegg Line – Brandon Road to Jamestown Road Higgins Line – North of Cardiff Road Abraham Line – North of Jamestown Road Quarter Line – Cardiff Road to Browntown Road Wheeler Line – Jamestown Road to Morris-Turnberry Road Mair Line – Brandon Road to Cardiff Road Ramsay Line – Browntown Road to C Line Road Keiffer Line – C Line Road to Harriston Road McDonald Line – Amberley Road to Brussels Line The following locations for Wild Chervil (multi year program): Brandon Road – London Road to Clyde Line Clyde Line – Moncrieff Road to Brandon Road Moncrief Road – Clyde Line to Martin Line Martin Line – Moncrieff Road to Morris Road Walton Road – London Road to Brussels Line All locations where herbicides will be applied are in rural areas along a highway in which the public has general right of access but the application does not include any area intended for pedestrian access nor areas where the public is invited to stop such as rest areas or picnic areas.

Noxious weeds identified along the right-of-way locations noted above will be sprayed using the herbicides: • ClearView Herbicide Group 2&4 Herbicide containing the active ingredients: Aminopyralid, present as potassium salt and Metsulfuron - methyl Registration No. 29752 under the Pest Control Products Act • Hasten NT Ultra Spray Adjuvant containing Methyl and ethyl oleate (esterified vegetable oil) Registration No. 31760 under the Pest Control Products Act. • Where wild Chervil is found - Truvist Herbicide containing Chlorsulfuron and Aminocylopyrachlor Registration No: 30920 under the Pest Control Products Act Anyone not wishing to have the roadside adjacent to their property treated for noxious weeds should contact Mike Alcock at Municipality of Morris-Turnberry 519-887-6137 ext. 227.

Note: It is the responsibility of the property owner requesting no spray to contact the above each calendar year prior to the application of weed spray. Property owners requesting no spray will be responsible for all noxious weeds on the road allowance adjacent to their property.

Commencing June 4, 2020 weather permitting and ending approximately July 7, 2020.

For information call: (Collect Calls Accepted)

A promise of spring Maitland Valley Camera Club member Liz Allan found this robin’s egg during her recent travels, a sure sign of spring to come. (Photo courtesy of Liz Allan of the Maitland Valley Camera Club)

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

Mike Alcock Municipality of Morris-Turnberry Public Works Department 1-519-887-6137 ext. 227

or

Steve Ford Green Stream 1-905-510-1229

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 9.

Armouries demolition held up by pandemic measures

By Denny Scott The Citizen A lack of public interest in purchasing the Wingham Armouries, a heritage-designated building that housed the now-disbanded Wingham Police Service, leaves North Huron Township council with some decisions to make about the property.

Council had previously put the building up for sale, either with or without the heritage designation,

and, according to Director of Public Works Sean McGhee, no suitable offers or expressions of interest were made.

During council’s May 19 meeting, McGhee said, due to an absence of interest, he was proceeding with the removal of the heritage designation to allow the municipality to decide a future for the property without any complications.

However, due to the provincial government’s “hard stop” on any appeal periods, the removal of the

designation is currently in limbo, McGhee said.

“Once the ‘hard stop’ has been removed, we will move forward,” he said. “We will go forward with steps to demolish the building, but we can’t go ahead until the heritage designation is removed.”

McGhee said one of the big problems with the project is that, in the past, the power for the town hall was routed through the structure in question, as well as the automatic transfer switch that controls standby

power for both buildings. He said it would cost approximately $27,000 to have the situation remedied.

The money for the project is in the budget, but, until the designation situation moves forward, McGhee said the project can’t go ahead.

While managing the power system is in the municipality’s budget, McGhee said, the demolition of the structure isn’t. Between the demolition, paving and electrical work, he estimates the project will cost between $80,000 to $90,000 to leave the municipality with a paved lot.

Councillor Paul Heffer was in favour of moving ahead with the project immediately.

“It’s $60,000 for demolition this year, but it could go up next year with inflation,” he said. “If the heritage designation and [electrical] can be worked out, would it not be better to do the demolition this year?”

Heffer went on to say that it costs the municipality $8,200 “to have the doors open to the building” so to defer the issue will cost the municipality $10,000 this year.

“That would go a long way for making a decision,” he said, adding that plans for the property can be advanced.

Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip, however, felt there were further issues to discuss concerning the property.

“Senior management and council need to determine if expansion to the existing town hall is needed, or ask what the public thinks would be a good utilization of that space,” he said. “We haven’t had lots of public consultation regarding utilization of that space.”

He said he would like to see further discussion about the property before any consideration is given to what occurs after demolition.

“The decision to dismantle the structure is the right decision based on where we are today,” he said.

“We shouldn’t assume it’s going to be a parking lot.”

Reeve Bernie Bailey agreed, saying council should have an “open and lengthy debate” about the future of the property.

Council received McGhee’s report on the issue.

Corporation of the Listowel Memorial Hospital and Corporation of the Wingham and District Hospital

Personalized parade Brussels’ Don “Smiley” Hamilton had a personal parade with nearly 150 entries over the weekend to encourage him through his battle against cancer. While many were of the multiwheeled variety due to Hamilton’s extensive career in the trucking industry, others opted for a more traditional approach. (John Stephenson photo)

NH supports vehicle chargers

By Denny Scott The Citizen With the added request from councillors of changing the municipality’s existing electric vehicle charger in Wingham, North Huron Township Council has agreed to work with Huron County Council to pursue the installation of discounted electric vehicle chargers across the county.

During North Huron Council’s May 19 meeting, Director of Public Works Sean McGhee said council had set the goal of adding more electric vehicle charging stations in the township on a cost-recovery basis, adding to the free charger on Josephine Street in Wingham, however that goal wasn’t set to be tackled until 2021 or 2022.

On March 3, however, council was notified there was interest in a joint upper-tier effort with the county to install at least 20 charging stations across the area through the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), which provides 50 per cent of the cost of the units.

“The interest was very, very high amongst the lower-tier municipalities,” McGhee said.

“There are some challenges, however. One is that the application deadline [is] extremely tight with a submission due by June 11.”

As a result, he said the county asked for non-binding expressions of interest from the municipalities and North Huron agreed.

Now, he said, staff is considering locations for the charging stations after North Huron submitted an

expression of interest for two to four stations.

“One of the stipulations is that the unit must be accessible to [municipal] staff,” he said. “We couldn’t just put it around the community as a whole.”

McGhee said, with that in mind, two options were suggested by staff: the parking space beside the township office and library in Wingham and at the Blyth and District Community Centre.

“Those were the two we submitted,” he said.

Shortly after that submission was made, McGhee said another initiative had become available through ChargerCrew, a company that will install, maintain and reap the benefits of the chargers at no cost to the municipality.

McGhee said ChargerCrew had proposed working with the county and submitting the application on its behalf.

“If approved, they would cover the entire cost [of the chargers],” McGhee said. “They would use our property [and] the idea is they make money off the charger.”

ChargerCrew will require the municipality to sign a 10-year lease agreement for the property to be used and the municipality will need to keep the chargers accessible throughout the year.

“That’s where our obligation ends,” McGhee said. “They operate the chargers and our energy costs are reimbursed. It’s a net-zero cost to the municipality.”

ChargerCrew uses a per-minute fee to use, on top of the electricity cost, McGhee said.

He said, based on existing technologies and the proposed Continued on page 11

DUE TO THE COVID- 19 EMERGENCY ORDER REGULATIONS LIMITING GATHERINGS TO NO MORE THAN 5 PEOPLE, THE ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION OF DIRECTORS WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020 7:00 pm VIA TELECONFERENCE MEMBERS PLEASE CONTACT 519-291-3120 Ext 6241 OR 519-357-3210 Ext 6241 FOR TELECONFERENCE DETAILS

BY JUNE 8, 2020 The Annual Meetings of the Listowel Memorial Hospital and Wingham and District Hospital will be held jointly for the purposes of receiving the financial reports and statements required by the Public Hospitals Act, for the election of Directors, and for the transaction of other such things as may properly come before the meeting.

Copies of the Annual Report/Financial Statements may be obtained at the emergency department entrance of both Hospitals effective June 3, 2020. Memberships granting voting privileges must have been purchased prior to five o’clock p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2020 in order to vote at the June 10, 2020 Annual Meeting.

PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

Walton, Brussels communities mourn several losses PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

The village of Brussels lost three good men over the last two weeks.

The well-known citizen, “Mr. Lanc”, or Neil Schade passed away at Huronlea Home for the Aged. Neil will be missed by his children Carol, Donald and Kent and their families and by the extended Sauve families.

Neil was a farmer in Wallace Township before moving to Brussels. He loved to visit with one and all and he loved his convertible and his scooter, and in later years, to go to the coffee shop. He loved to talk about the Lancaster airplane. He was a proud member of a crew that flew the Lancaster during the war.

He was a life member of the Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. He avidly followed the journey of the Lancaster plane that flew to England, had its engine replaced and then made the journey home to Hamilton.

We can confirm that the Lancaster is a magnificent sight as we have seen it many times doing the flyover for the Hamilton Tiger Cats field before a football game. Neil was a great historian, had a wonderful memory, loved to visit and will be missed by his many friends and coffee buddies. Our condolences to the Schade/Sauve families.

We extend our sympathies to the Glanville family on the passing of Lloyd Glanville. Lloyd will be missed by his wife Mabel of 59 years and his children Sharon, Teresa and Lisa and their families.

He will be mourned by his siblings including Lorne, Ken, Art, Eileen, Marjorie, Marlene, Alex, Roy and Les. Lloyd worked for the Maitland Conservation Authority for many years from planting to pruning to cutting trees. He was in charge of checking the logs at the Brussels Dam, making sure they were in place.

Lloyd was a supporter of the Brussels Legion for 40 years and helped whenever he could. He loved to go hunting or fishing with his brothers up north or going to Manitoulin to visit and fish with Uncle Les. He was an extra man on the farm for his brothers after retiring and loved to drive the trucks during harvest. Lloyd will be remembered in many ways, including his sometimes gruff demeanor, his humour, his smile, his “always right” attitude, his fits of sneezing, his knowing everyone and making friends and his pride for his children. Our condolences to the Glanville families.

Congratulations to first-time grandparents Mike and Tanya Merner. A new grandson has joined the family. Proud parents are Lexi Merner and Jared Smith and baby boy, Koen Michael is home and doing well.

Excited greatgrandparents are Nona and Papa Eckert who can’t wait to see and hold the little guy.

A new change for Grey and McKillop Townships starting on May 29 will be wheelie bins. They were delivered to the residents of the townships during the last couple of weeks and their inaugural pick-up date is May 29. The bins were delivered to the ends of your laneway on the side of the road

where they need to be placed for pick-up. One of the bins is for recycling materials. The recyclable items are to be placed loosely in the bin for ease of sorting by the company. Plastic bags and shredded paper can be bagged. Check your new information sheets for acceptable items.

The second bin is for garbage.

Trash may be bagged and placed in the bin. No bag tags required. When setting out the full or nearly full bins, follow the instructions. Wheels and handles away from the road, lid opening towards the road and three feet from other objects and each other. Most importantly, do not block roadways, mail boxes or pedestrian traffic. The arm can reach up to 12 feet to retrieve the bins.

Follow the new changes and put

your bins out bi-weekly starting May 29.

The village was shocked with the sudden passing of Bob Kellington.

Our sympathies are extended to his wife Marguerite and his children Kimberly and Thomas and stepchildren Vicki and Michael and their families. He will also be missed by his siblings Larry, Murray, Brian and Kevin and their families. Bob was a wonderful guy and was liked by all who met him. He always had a smile and was well known as the town handyman for grass cutting and gardening. He was a community person through and through. He belonged to the Brussels United Church and was a regular member of the choir with his beautiful singing voice. He loved to sing for his wife, or funerals and special occasions. He

loved to garden and share his bounty with friends, family and those in need.

Bob gave to the community by being a member of the Brussels Lions Club and was its serving president. He loved to help the Brussels Leo Club with their fundraising and he had a passion for the Canadian Food Grains Bank, hosting a meal fundraiser for the last few years. Bob was a well-liked, well-loved man with a heart of gold.

Our condolences to all.

Everyone is anxious to know when they can get their hair cut, curled, coloured and permed. Personnel services that are one-on-one, are not high on the government phases opening up. We all have to be safe about this and we are all in the same Continued on page 11

NEWS FROM WALTON

at

the edge of walton

red spotted newt

top: a red eft (terrestrial stage of the red spotted Scientific Name: Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens newt), left: adult red size:Up to 14cm - that’s about the length of an iPhone! spotted newt size:

Distribution: In Ontario, throughout the Southern & Central regions habitat:Adult newts are generally found in slow-moving water in a habitat: variety of ponds and lakes, and along quiet stretches of streams and swamps. The terrestrial red eft is found in the surrounding damp woodlands, usually under logs or bark on the forest floor, and seldom enters water.

Characteristics: Red-spotted newt adults and efts have two rows of

fun facts about red spotted newts:

dark-ringed, orange-red spots. Efts have bright orange or brownish bodies and are seen more often than the greenish yellow aquatic adults. The skin of efts is rough, rather than smooth like that of other salamanders. When they emerge from the egg, the larvae have a gold tinge and a black stripe through the eye.

1. They are also called Eastern Newts! 2.Newts are actually a type of salamander. Newts have three metamorphoses throughout their life, an aquatic larva, a terrestrial juvenile stage called an eft, and an adult stage. 3.Red-spotted newts breed in spring with the females lay 200 to 400 eggs, individually, on leaves and plants underwater. 4.By the end of the summer, the larvae will transform into efts and move to land! They will return to the water in two to three more years. 5.Red Spotted Newts can live up to 10 years and contain toxins in their skin that make them poisonous to most predators but garter snakes! 6.Both adults and efts spend the winter on land, adults beneath logs or rocks and efts in leaf litter on the forest floor. In some populations, adults remain in the water over the winter. 7. Newts have the ability to regenerate limbs, eyes, spinal cords, hearts, intestines, and upper and lower jaws! red spotted newts at the edge of walton: Out of all of the ponds on our property, three of them are home to a large population of red spotted newts!

We can usually find them close to the shore, hidden in the tall grasses and aquatic plants that provide shade and shelter. If we’re going to handle a newt, we make sure our hands are clean from bug spray and sunscreen - since they absorb water, oxygen and nutrients to their skin we don’t want to make them sick!

Materials: 2- craft (popsicle) sticks craft glue 2-orange pipe cleaners black marker 2 -wiggly eyes scissors

Let’s make a red spotted newt craft!

1. Colour your popsicle sticks a reddish orange colour 6. Glue the other popsicle stick to the other 2. Glue on the wiggly eyes side of the legs and tail.

3. Cut and fold four legs out of pipe cleaner (just do your best!) 7. Use your maker to draw the spots!

4. Wrap the pipe cleaner “tail” around a pencil to make a spiral 8.. Take a picture and email it to Harper: 5. Glue the legs and tails onto the bottom of your popsicle stick. harper@edgeofwalton.ca The edge of walton is a registered non-profit organization and is located at 42932 walton road in walton, ontario

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 11.

‘Free’ vehicle charger to be changed or removed Continued from page 9 Level 2 chargers being offered, it would take 700 hours per year of use to pay off the units.

“Usage is not that high now,” he said. “The hope is there will be that level in the future.”

The Level 2 chargers aren’t

typically used to completely charge a vehicle, McGhee said, instead being used to add between 30 and 40 kilometres of range over several hours. Level 3 chargers, which are far more expensive and require significant infrastructure investment, McGhee said, offer the full charge option in a matter of 25 to 30 minutes.

The Level 2 models, he said, cost $10,500, while the Level 3 models cost 10 times that. The models being considered are dual-pedestal chargers, meaning each can charge two vehicles at once.

Council had three options: support the county by choosing to take on the responsibility and benefits of owning the chargers themselves, support the county by choosing to work with ChargerCrew or walk away from the program entirely and revisit the installation of electric vehicle chargers at a later date.

McGhee said it would make sense, if council wanted to pursue the chargers, to work with ChargerCrew because the municipality isn’t in the business of selling electricity.

“We could support a partnership,” he said. “We basically get the

chargers at no cost, and no obligation outside of the 10-year lease.”

He said, after the lease is up, the municipality can have ChargerCrew uninstall them or opt to buy them for $1 and take over the running of the program, as well as any profit to be made.

After discussing the issue with other municipal representatives in the county, McGhee said he was getting the sense there is interest in going with ChargerCrew.

Councillor Kevin Falconer said he would feel better about the program if it were tied to having electric vehicles used for municipal fleets for short-distance travel. McGhee said some municipal employees have personal electric vehicles in the county, but that’s the limit of electrical vehicles being used by municipalities in the area.

While council supported going with ChargerCrew, Councillors Chris Palmer and Paul Heffer said, as part of the move, the free-to-use charger in front of the former museum building needs to be removed as part of the plan.

“If we go with the free [to use]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Citizen will be available for free online for those who aren’t able to safely get their copies. Visit huroncitizen.ca.

from the Rural Reading Room

Re-opened Aside from a mud bog event, the Walton Raceway was also able to offer some practice time for motocross riders of all ages over the weekend. The site re-opened after having to close earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing riders like Riley Gauld from Innisfil to get some time on the course. (John Stephenson photo)

AMAZING COWS Udder absurdity for children of all ages up to a hundred and moo. This book has stories, poems, jokes, comics and more. $16.95

Parade features ‘huge cavalcade’ Continued from page 10 boat. Long hair, grey roots, hairy necks, yes, we are all the same.

Some folks have taken to cutting their own or their husband’s hair and have had quite a laugh. One lady told me she used the dog clippers to do her husband’s hair. Many have been cutting their bangs to get by.

Many of the hairdressers are getting calls pleading to cut hair, but understand, we just can’t. Fines are substantial if reported and it is for everyone’s safety that we do not.

Let’s hope this is soon over. There will be many conditions once we reopen, so we will all have to be patient and see how things will go.

Enjoy the nice weather for now!

Robert and Jackie Glanville are happy grandparents for the second time. Son Edward and wife Jessica have welcomed a baby boy named Jonah. He will also be welcomed by his other grandparents Larry and Lynn McClure when the COVID-19 allows for visiting.

Greatgrandparents are Lorne and Bonnie Glanville of Walton.

There was a very large turnout for a truck parade on Saturday for Don “Smiley” Hamilton. The huge number of large, medium and small trucks gathered at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre

units, then we better deal with the one across the road [from the municipal hall],” he said. “We can’t have some for cost and one for free.

Even if it’s a slower charger, it’s free.”

Heffer agreed, saying he wanted the existing charger “ripped out” as soon as possible, though Palmer said he would be okay with it being replaced with a similar model to the other two being considered.

The final motions council approved were to direct staff to deal with the current charger so it’s either refurbished or replaced and to support the ChargerCrew application.

before making the trip past Smiley’s home to help cheer him on in his battle of failing health. The family physical-distanced while the huge cavalcade of vehicles passed their home, honking horns, waving and giving words of encouragement.

Thanks to all who attended.

Our family celebrated another birthday on the weekend. Our happy little grandson Owen turned six years old and our drive-by and short physical distancing was at the cottage. The family has been there since COVID-19 and school was suspended in March. Owen is such a little character. When asked what he wanted grandma to put on his birthday cake, he replied, “I want my family” on the cake. So grandma went to work and found pictures of his family and created his cake for him. Happy birthday to Owen!

Celebrating birthdays this past week includes Darrell Dalton, Mary Pennington, Owen Jarosz, Teegan McGavin, Kaleb Wilt, Rosemary Baarda, Sharon Dalton, Scott McDonald, David Perrie, Rachel Grosvenor, Deanna Searle, Miles Linton, John McNichol, Rod Fritz, Ann Bosman, Thea Rijkhoff, Nate McDonald and Marissa Curreri.

Happy birthday to all.

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MAKING MAPLE SYRUP One of over 200 titles of Storey’s Country Wisdom Bulletin, this 32 page bulletin explains the basic process of making maple syrup. From choosing the right trees and containers to the collecting and boiling of the syrup. $5.95

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AMAZING COWS MAKING HOMEMADE WINE SHEEP, GOATS, CATTLE AND PIGS PARKING THE MOOSE MAKING MAPLE SYRUP STARTING SEEDS INDOORS Prices subject to change with increases in wholesale prices, postage, taxes, etc. Please refer to current issue for correct figures.

Incorrect payment will delay delivery.

$16.95 $5.95 $37.95 $29.95 $5.95 $5.95 Total for Books Shipping & Handling $9.00 Add 5% GST on subtotal Order Total

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The Citizen

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PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

519-523-4311

www.ruralvoice.ca

Agriculture

BLYTH 519-523-4244

www.hurontractor.com

Brussels Livestock report

Fed steers, heifers sell higher at sale Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending May 22 were 1,950 cattle and 791 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday quality fed steers and heifers sold on a demand at prices $3 to $5 higher. Choice steers and

heifers sold $148 to $156 with sales to $169. Second cut steers and heifers sold $142 to $147. Cows sold on a strong active trade at higher prices. On Thursday veal sold steady. Lambs sold barely steady.

Sheep sold steady. Goats sold

slightly lower. On Friday calves and yearlings sold on a strong active trade with prices $5 to $10 higher.

Southlore Farms of Palmerston, consigned 12 head. One parth heifer weighed 1,330 lbs. and sold for a price of $166.

Capital projects delayed in NH

By Denny Scott The Citizen

During its May 19 regular council session, North Huron Township Council was told that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the municipality wasn’t faring poorly for the first third of the year.

Director of Finance Donna White presented a year-to-date review of operations in the municipality, though the report was somewhat delayed, she said.

Normally the reports are presented quarterly, however, with the budget not being passed until last month, White wasn’t able to generate a report until now, one-third of the way through the year. She said the next report would be prepared for June, bringing the municipality’s reports back to a regular schedule.

As far as the report itself, White said the municipality was faring well, all things considered.

“Nothing looks too out of whack except [for many of] the capital projects for 2020 [which] are on hold,” she said. “Council can decide whether we proceed with projects or cancel them for the year [once the COVID-19 situation clears up].”

White said there will be some financial hardships, pointing to the fact that the township had closed facilities to the public, but still paid staff who had been laid off. Beyond that, however, she said there were “minimal expenses related to COVID-19”, but said that would change.

“Next month, we will see those numbers going up,” she said. “Other than that, there’s nothing out of the ordinary for today’s situation. We

will monitor COVID-19 expenses as we move forward.”

In her report, White explained that 29.83 per cent of the expected wages and benefits had been paid out by the time she made her report, meaning those costs are down slightly from the 33.3 per cent of the year that had passed. Electrical costs followed the same path which, due to the closure of facilities, were at 18.49 per cent of the total estimated budget.

Numerous projects are being funded from grants and reserves, she explained, so those funds will be available when the projects are eventually pursued and they won’t impact the budget going forward.

Her report also included a more detailed breakdown of the total COVID-19-related expenses the municipality has encountered which, as of April 30, 2020, was $649.83 for miscellaneous expenses.

“However, it is important to note that invoices are just starting to be received,” she said.

A full accounting of the municipality’s year-to-date spending is available on its website at northhuron.ca.

Harness racing returns May 31

Spring is here Matt McNichol of RR4, Brussels is seen here inspecting one of his new Rideau Arcott lambs that served as new arrivals at the McNichol farm. The lamb above, one of a pair of twins, arrived with a two-toned wool coat, while its twin sported the traditional white coat. (Photo submitted)

After a three-week postponement, Clinton Raceway is making preparations to see the return of harness racing to the Huron County oval. Following the best practices and minimum standards set out by Ontario Racing and the Government of Ontario, Clinton Raceway will be conducting qualifiers on Sunday, May 31 and Sunday, June 7 with the season set to officially begin Sunday, June 14 with a post time of 1:30 p.m.

Training will be offered Tuesday, May 26, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Interested parties are asked to call the race office Monday morning at 8 a.m. to reserve space.

While racing will return, it will be without spectators on the grounds.

This measure will be in place to keep fans safe, in hopes of continuing to flatten the curve of COVID-19.

Clinton Raceway will be live streaming its weekly race card through their website via Facebook and wagering will be available through HPIbet.com.

Additional information regarding protocols and detailed updates will be posted on the Clinton Raceway Website, as it becomes available.

All qualifiers and races are subject to Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario approval and are subject to change.

As information and details are released information will be posted at www.clintonraceway.com

Art Bos of Blyth, consigned four head. One pied steer weighed 1,385 lbs. and sold for a price of $169.

There were 250 cows on offer.

Beef sold $80 to $104 with sales to $109; D1 and D2, $78 to $88; D3, $68 to $77.

William Pentland of Goderich, consigned four cows. One charolais cow weighed 1,625 lbs. and sold for a price of $104.50.

There were 12 bulls selling $100.50 to $125.50. G & E Stewart of Ripley, consigned two bulls.

One charolais bull weighed 2,040 lbs. and sold for a price of $125.50.

There were 160 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $135 to $169; good holsteins, $117 to $127; SL heavy holsteins, $110 to $118; heavy holsteins, $110 to $118.

Royaldawn Farms of Mitchell, consigned five head. One holstein heifer weighed 790 lbs. and sold for a price of $127. Jim Maw of Forest, consigned three head. One charolais steer weighed 830 lbs. and sold for a price of $169.

Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $340 to $360; 50 - 64 lbs., $323 to $335; 65 - 79 lbs., $263 to $320; 80 - 94 lbs., $259.50 to $276; 95 - 109 lbs., $260.25 to $272; 110 lbs. and over, $185 to $238.

Sheep sold $110 to $230.

Goats: Billies sold $150 to $350; nannies, $100 to $200; kids: meat, $350 to $500; dairy, $230 to $350.

Ian Croft of Blyth, consigned three kids. One boer kid weighed 59 lbs. and sold for a price of $500. Mike Masse of Zurich, consigned 25 head.

Twelve lambs weighed 62 lbs. and sold for a price of $333.

Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $255 to $285; 400 - 499

lbs., $252 to $270; 500 - 599 lbs., $256 to $269; 600 - 699 lbs., $236 to $249; 700 - 799 lbs., $213 to $224; 800 - 899 lbs., $203.50 to $212; 900 - 999 lbs., $187 to $193; 1,000 lbs. and over, $169.50 to $183.50.

Top quality stocker heifers, 300 399 lbs. sold $190 to $205; 400 - 499 lbs., $205 to $219; 500 - 599 lbs. $202.50 to $225; 600 - 699 lbs., $201 to $212; 700 - 799 lbs., $187 to $198.50; 800 - 899 lbs., $180.50 to $187; 900 lbs. and over, $171 to $176.50.

Chris Glavin of Ailsa Craig, consigned 15 head. Eight black steers averaged 818 lbs. and sold for a price of $211.25. Stewart Farms of Douglas, consigned 78 head. Eight gold steers averaged 779 lbs. and sold for $212.25. Craig Simpson, consigned 15 charolais heifers that averaged 980 lbs. and sold for a price of $175.

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Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows

THURSDAYS

8:00 a.m. Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep

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

Call us 519-887-6461

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 13.

County office location debate stalls, need questioned

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Debate over the location of a new Huron County administration office, which could cost the county tens of millions of dollars, has taken a backseat to debate as to whether the structure should be built at all.

Huron County Council discussed the issue at its May 20 meeting, which was held virtually, with some councillors feeling that a report in their agenda package might have been putting the cart before the horse.

Technical Services Manager Jeff Kerslake presented his report to council, evaluating sites in Clinton, Goderich and Blyth as the home for a new county administrative building that would house all of the county’s departments. This approach differs from the county’s current infrastructure, which houses multiple departments individually in

locations across all of Huron County.

Last year, council had zeroed in on a location in Goderich, the home of the former Victoria Public School with architect’s drawings presented at a public meeting. However, several councillors spoke up, bucking the assumption that the building should be constructed in Goderich. North Huron Reeve Bernie Bailey was the most vocal advocate for consideration for a new site, suggesting something more central to the county, like Clinton or Blyth.

The locations up for debate now are in northern Clinton, near Base Line, in southern Blyth, actually in Central Huron near Tim Hortons and the former Victoria School property in Goderich.

Kerslake evaluated the three sites based on seven criteria: the current zoning meeting requirements, services available on-site (water, sewer, gas, etc.), IT (information

technology) services available (fibre optic), walkability, public transit, easy access for staff and easy access for the public.

Goderich passed in all sectors with the exception of public transit, which isn’t available anywhere in Huron County. The Clinton site passed in IT services, walkability, easy access for staff and easy access for the public. Blyth, however, passed in IT services, easy access for staff and easy access for the public, losing out to Clinton due to a perceived lack of walkability.

Also in Kerslake’s report, he said both the Clinton and Blyth sites are privately owned, while the Goderich site is owned by the Town of Goderich. He could not confirm the cost of the land for any of the three sites at the time of presenting his report. Bailey, however, was the first to speak against the report, saying the Blyth site was being held to irrelevant standards.

He first attacked the need for walkability, opining that no councillors would walk to meetings when they were held in Goderich.

He also criticized the report for stating that services weren’t available at the Blyth site. North Huron worked with Central Huron, he said, to run services from one municipality to another for both the Tim Hortons and Ultramar development and Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company, so services would be available.

He also said that the cost of the land would not be an issue. Bailey told councillors that he’d spoken with Steven Sparling, CEO of Cowbell Brewing and owner of the land in question, who said he would offer the land for free in the event of a county office development. That cost, he said, is known with the Sparling family being willing to donate the land to the county.

He also criticized the proposed

Goderich location, saying the county would be “boxed in” at the former Victoria School location, limiting its expansion potential.

Chief Administrative Officer Meighan Wark said she had advised her staff to present the facts as best they could, however, she acknowledged that at the end of the day, councillors will view the new office location as a political decision.

The location of the new office was less concerning to AshfieldColborne-Wawanosh Deputy-Mayor Roger Watt than the question of whether the county should even spend millions of dollars on a building at a time when so many employees and councillors are proving they’re able to work remotely.

He cited former Huron County councillor Jim Donnelly who said the county should focus less on Continued on page 20

DREAM HOME OF THE MONTH

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PLAN NUMBER 2-3-785 PERFECT FOR A GROWING FAMILY The plans for this three-bedroom home include a future two-bedroom suite on the basement floor.

Entry is through a covered porch. The front door, flanked by mullioned windows, opens into a large foyer with a coat closet to the left and a handy built-in bench to the right.

Directly ahead is the L-shaped staircase to the upper floor. A storage space is tucked under the stairs, and upstairs, a railed area in the stairwell is open to the floor below.

The great-room complex is located at the back of the home. The great room’s gas fireplace is tucked into a niche. It will warm the adjoining dining area, as well as the kitchen.

A doorway to the covered deck will make this spot idea for outdoor grilling.

The dining area has a large window, and is separated from the kitchen by a work island fitted with a double sink and a dishwasher.

The kitchen’s L-shaped counter configuration will save steps for the cook. A double-doored pantry will provide extra storage space.

The master suite, with a bay window that looks out to the front garden, includes a roomy walk-in closet. The ensuite has double basins and a shower stall, as well as a soaker tub with its own window.

Bedroom No. 2 is adjacent to a four-piece bathroom with double sinks, and has an extra-wide window sill.

The linen closet is nearby.

The third bedroom, near the kitchen, looks out to the side garden. Across the corridor is the laundry room, with a built-in bench, and nearby is a closet for cleaning tools.

Ceilings reach nine feet throughout the main floor.

Exterior finishes include stucco and horizontal siding. Brick-based wooden pilasters flank the entry, and a decorative garage door provides contrast.

This home measures 31 feet wide and 65 feet, six inches deep, for a total of 1,572 square feet on the main floor, not including the basement suite.

Plans for design 2-3-785 are available for $835 (set of 5), $900(set of 8) and $952 for a super set of 10. Also add $35.00 for Priority charges within B.C. or $60.00 outside of B.C. Please add H.S.T., PST, OR G.S.T (where applicable) to both the plan price and Priority charges.

Our 52ND Edition of the Home Plan Catalogue containing over 300 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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This Space Could Be Yours Single ads $40 + HST per month Double ads $78 + HST per month Call 519-523-4792

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

From the Minister’s Study

Being shepherded through a pandemic: Todd

By Rev. JoAnn Todd Trinity and St. John’s Anglican Churches, Blyth, Brussels The 23rd Psalm, one well known to you, is something I bet some of you could recite by memory. I suspect the psalm writer had gone through a very deep and painful time, and in writing these beautiful six verses, was reflecting on how God had been with him during his time of misfortune. This is one of those scriptures that brings comfort to many at times of distress, which is why it’s a favourite to use at funerals.

I thought this psalm to be particularly poignant and appropriate in this time of uncertainty for all of us, and for some, it’s a time of real anxiety. I’m not sure if this is the darkest valley you have ever gone through, or if COVID-19 is the worst evil, but it’s a scary time! Fear of the unknown causes anxiety, even panic, as all the over-buying was a testament to, as the still-empty shelves in the grocery store have proven. We desperately want something to hang on to; for some its toilet paper and snack foods! This psalm shows us a different way. Let’s go through it together.

• The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want: A shepherd’s role is to be fully responsible for the care of the sheep in the flock; ensuring there is enough food, good clean water, safety from predators and, of course, taking care of the animals when they’re in need. Good shepherds know the needs of their flocks; they plan for them ahead of time, and provide for the sheep as is necessary.

Living on a sheep farm and having hung around with a lot of shepherds over the last four decades, I truly know that committed shepherds provide well for their sheep. They really care about the sheep’s welfare, because they truly love their animals; although I doubt many of them would put it that way if you asked them! If people will do that for their sheep, how much more will the Lord our Shepherd, our Creator, care for us and provide for us, and for all our needs?

• He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul: Remember, this was written centuries ago, in the Middle East with dry and arid lands. The shepherd had to find places where there were plants for the sheep to graze upon and water to drink in an often parched landscape. Pastures were huge range lands; sheep and shepherds had to travel great

distances to get barely enough food.

So for sheep to be able to lie down in green pastures means there are so many high quality grasses around that the flock is readily able to eat its fill and then have time to rest, rather than constantly searching for another dry blade of grass to fill their empty bellies. And this shepherd’s sheep do not thirst, this shepherd knows where there is an ample supply of water for the sheep, and still waters run deep.

The Lord provides fully for our needs, so we have time to rest, a time for restoration of our souls, when and if we take that time to rest in the Lord! Take time to drink from the deep well that the Lord provides, as the Lord cares and provides for our souls, as well as our bodies.

What does it mean for our souls to be restored? It means healing from the hurt, the anxiety, the burdens we carry, the things that can overwhelm us. Remember that old hymn? Take It to the Lord in Prayer, and we will be strengthened to cope with the burden, and a burden’s weight is so much lighter when it’s shared.

• He leads me in the right path, for his name’s sake: The Lord will never lead us astray, for God is, well, God, our Creator, our FatherMother, quite simply cannot do otherwise. If you feel you have been led into a path that doesn’t feel right, you can bet it’s not the Lord leading you that way!

• Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me: There are times in our lives when we do feel evil is close or lurking, a bit like this Coronavirus seems to be lurking upon us right now. And there are

times in everyone’s life when we are in places of darkness, when we are frightened, or depressed. This is a good reminder that we do not need to travel the darkness alone. Valleys of darkness are a reality. The good news is that the Lord walks with us.

• Your rod and your staff – they comfort me: You know what the shepherd’s staff looks like, it has a hook on the end to catch a sheep if they became stuck in a crag or caught in a bush. The rod was a large stick or club to deal with any predators. As the shepherd was prepared to save and protect his flock, so we can be comforted, and do not need to fear because God will protect us.

• You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows: In the midst of the evil, the trouble, whatever enemy is overcoming you, God provides. The table and provisions for that table are presented for us, in the middle of the attack, God is there, giving us what we need, and in our time of need.

Our heads are anointed—a biblical gesture of hospitable welcome— God wants us to come and avail ourselves of the things he provides for us at our time of need. God provides so abundantly, that we can’t hold onto it all! God is not miserly in giving us God’s grace, only doling out just enough, but gives more than enough! God’s grace is more than we can ever need, ask for or imagine!

• Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: There truly is no other way to look at this, a life with God is a life of goodness and unfailing love.

BRUSSELS

United Church Until we are able to gather for worship take the opportunity to join “Forest Hill United Church” on YouTube this Sunday.

As we live in these very unusual times may your faith sustain you, obvious joy surround you and hope radiate all around you.

Blyth United Church Due to the COVID-19 Virus the church building is closed.

Please join Rev. Gary Clark on YouTube “Forest Hill United Church Kitchener” for the Sunday Service

Evangelical Missionary Church

Services LIVESTREAMED each Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Pentecost Sunday May 31 Pastor Ernest Dow, “Direct Deposit: The Holy Spirit’s Witness, Work, & Wisdom” (Jn. 15:26f, 16:5ff) (building closed due to COVID; check out our midweek virtual LifeGroups!) ** Let us know how we can be praying for you / practical needs **

huronchapel.com huronchapelkids.com huronchapelyouth.com 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131

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

Church Services are cancelled until further notice Video sermons available on YouTube by searching “Blyth Christian Reformed Church”

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

So, let’s do a quick recap: We have a God that cares for us like a beloved shepherd, who leads us to places where all our needs can be met, allowing us time to rest in God’s presence to refresh and restore our souls, so we get the necessary strength to cope with the dark times in our lives. No matter what evil may come upon us, whatever darkness tries to overcome us, we need not fear, because God is with us, God will protect us. And in the middle of the trials, the anguish, the anxiety – whatever the evil that seems to overcome us, God will provide all that we need and more to deal with it, in fact more than we will need. God’s grace is an abundance that we simply cannot contain. And so, the psalmist

concludes, that the best thing to do is, “to dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long”. The best way to live our complex, convoluted challenging lives is with God, so close to us, that it’s like we’re living together.

Let us pray. God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope; in their darkness, be their light. Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake.

Amen.

The Regional Ministry of Hope See our Facebook page 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for a live broadcast of our service.

All Anglican Churches are closed for public worship until further notice.

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

Trinity

St. John’s

BLYTH

BRUSSELS

9:00 am

12 noon

St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM

COME WORSHIP WITH US!

10:30 am

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship HOPE that has its foundation in GOD will not crumble under the pressures of life. (Hebrews 10: 23) BMF Mission = our church exists to GROW in the teachings of Jesus to LIVE by His example, and to CONNECT people to Him

HOPE

Worship Service: 10:00 am Coffee Time: 11:15 am Sunday School, all ages - 11:30 am

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

MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Search on YouTube for "St. Andrew's and Melville Sermon" for a new virtual worship every Sunday morning.

Stay safe and healthy!

Brussels Soup and More 2 is cancelled until further notice.

519-357-5273

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH

OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE

CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

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.

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 15.

Classified Advertisements – RATES – 20 words or less only $7.00 + HST. Additional words 20¢ each + HST. 50¢ will be deducted if ad is paid in advance

DEADLINE 2 p.m. Monday in Brussels 4 p.m. Monday in Blyth Phone 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 e-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca

Articles for sale GIO SCOOTER. PURCHASED new November 2018. Only used a few months. Goes 15 km./hr., will go 50 kms. on a full charge. 519-3578806.

21-2p -------------------------------------------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 online for free while we are under orders for physical distances. Stay safe!

Citizen-ToCitizen

“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.

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.

Card of thanks Help wanted RINTOUL/SMUCK. We have lost such an important person in all our lives. Deb, if you could only see all the messages, cards, phone calls, donations in your memory, flowers and food brought to our homes, you would know you touched a lot of people. Every function, you were the fun and entertainment. Deb, you have done so much in your short life.

We trailed you to fairs in a cattle truck since you were born, public speaking, story writing, jokes, 4-H and as you grew up all you girls showed many cattle for other people, Jr. Hereford Princess for Ontario, won many cattle showmanships which took you to Calgary for Ontario Charolais Assoc. Public speaking took you to Western Canada and coming home a winner at 10 years old. Deb, you were a proud employee for 28 years of Hyndman Transport until bankruptcy in December which sent you downhill, saying you were worthless. Bless you now as you and your dad are together with angels all around you. Thanks to all who were a part of Deb’s life. Laura and Amanda, you were special as well as Vicky at work, doctors and councillors who were a part of her life to cope. Dayna and Doug at McBurney Funeral Home and Sean Eaton you were a rock for us trying to deal with COVID-19. Thanks to Rev. Jeff Hawkins for your kind words, pallbearers who carried her to her final resting place beside her dad. John, you have been a rock through these last few years as well as Garet and Ryan. Just all remember we only have one life to live and make the best of it. Deb, we miss you so much but know you are not struggling to live it now. R.I.P. Mental illness is horrible. – Love, Lila and family.

22-1

Help wanted

Help wanted

LOOKING FOR LANDSCAPE/ gardening help. Contact 519-5234323.

22-1 --------------------------------------------

KSE INC. Kurtis Smith Excavating Inc.

is currently looking to fill positions for

Crew Foremen Pipe Layers & Labourers for sewer and watermain installations.

Experience in pipe work & road reconstruction is an asset.

Also Equipment Operators Excavator, Dozer, Compact Track Loader, Dump Trucks and Mini Excavator Experience preferred but will train the right person.

AZ licence an asset but not required.

Must have own transportation to our shop in Brussels. Students welcome to apply.

WE OFFER COMPETITIVE WAGES, BENEFITS AND GROUP RRSP PLAN. PLEASE SUBMIT RÉSUMÉ by fax 519-887-8856 or email to ksexc@hotmail.com or call the office 519-887-8855 and ask for Kurtis.

The Corporation of the County of Huron Homes for the Aged Department Is currently accepting applications for:

A Food Service Worker Position at Huronlea See www.huroncounty.ca for more information regarding qualifications and the application process. Please forward letter of application and resume in one PDF document by 4:30pm, Friday, May 29, 2020.

The County of Huron is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. Information is collected solely for the purpose of job selection under the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Coming events THE WINGHAM COLUMBUS Centre would like to invite you to the next Famous Fish Fry – Take-out Style! on Friday, May 29 from noon to 7 p.m. Take-out $16 – Your choice of grilled or battered white fish or chicken fingers, baked potatoes or fries and a dinner roll. Add a salad for $1.50 and/or a tart for $2, all taxes are included. Orders must be made in advance, payment by credit card or e-transfer to wc1@bellnet.ca Pick-up times will be scheduled and all doors will be propped open and meals with names on them in the foyer. Please call 519-357-1270. If no answer please leave a message and we will call back.

21-2

Call 519-523-4792 or email:info@northhuron.on.ca

Personals

WANTED – old large cattle water troughs for vegetable gardens. 519-887-9137.

22-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – custom made wheelchair, $650; Wilson golf shoes, men’s size 9 1/2, $20; oak door, 32"x80", $20. 519-8879417.

20-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – Five Playboy magazines, $5 for all; copy of Globe & Mail 1939, $40 or best offer. 519-357-9467.

20-3

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING AN unplanned pregnancy? Are you a young parent? Do you feel overwhelmed and have questions?

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PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

At your service...

Cheryl Peach M.Ed., B.Ed This issue will explore some of the services that ecosystems provide us, and why it’s important to protect these benefits.

To begin, an ecosystem is a community of animals and plants interacting with one another and with their physical environment.

Ecosystems include physical and chemical components, such as soils, water and nutrients that support the organisms living within them. These organisms may range from large animals and plants to microscopic bacteria. Ecosystems include the interactions among all organisms in a given habitat.

People are part of ecosystems. Our health and well-being depends upon the services provided by our local ecosystems and everything that makes them up: organisms, soil, water and nutrients. Along Lake Huron, some of our coastal

ecosystems include wetlands, bluffs, dune grasslands, alvars and woodlands.

Ecosystems provide “services” (or assets) that: • moderate weather extremes and their impacts • disperse seeds • help reduce drought and floods • protect people from the sun’ s harmful ultraviolet rays • cycle and move nutrients • protect stream and river channels and coastal shores from erosion • detoxify and decompose wastes • control agricultural pests • maintain biodiversity • generate and preserve soils and renew their fertility • contribute to climate stability • purify the air and water • regulate disease carrying organisms • pollinate crops and natural

vegetation • provide cultural services through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, education and aesthetic experiences.

These services are extensive and diverse… affecting the quality of our land, water, food and health.

Many human activities can disrupt, impair or re-engineer ecosystems (liabilities) including: • runoff of pesticides, fertilizers, and animal wastes • pollution of land, water, and air resources • introduction of non-native, invasive species • over-harvesting of fisheries and damage to fish habitat • destruction of wetlands, woodlands, dune grasslands, etc.

• erosion of soils • tree loss • urbanization.

The value of ecosystem services rarely makes it into the decisionmaking process of how we use and manage our land and water. As a consequence, we continue to lose natural assets while increasing ecosystem liabilities. The estimated value of biodiversity in the Great Lakes region is $70 billion per year (includes only the values of nutrient cycling, flood control, climate control, soil productivity, forest health, genetic vigour, pollination and natural pest control - does not include values like water and air quality or cultural services).

Among the greatest threats to southern Ontario’s natural assets currently are runoff from built-up areas, agriculture and sewage plants; non-native, invasive species; soil erosion and sedimentation, and loss of wetlands and riparian (including coastal) habitat to development. Just like we have learned from COVID19 preparations, the continued cost of doing nothing could be staggering.

Consider the single issue of nonnative, invasive species. It has been estimated that the 15 most recent introductions of these invaders

(including Zebra Mussels, Quagga Mussels, Asian Carp, Round Gobies, Common Reed, Etc.) could cost over $100 billion U.S. by 2050 in terms of damage to ecosystems and cost to control the invasive species).

Soil erosion and sedimentation (you’ll notice this when rivers and streams, or the nearshore waters of the lake, turn a murky brown colour) can be indicative of another ecosystem cost. Sediment causes various impacts to water resources and to water users. Accelerated reservoir siltation reduces the useful life of reservoirs. Sediment can clog roadside ditches, block navigation channels, and increase dredging costs. By raising stream beds and burying stream-side wetlands, sediment increases the probability and severity of floods. Suspended sediment can increase the cost of water treatment for municipal water uses. Sediment can also destroy or degrade aquatic wildlife habitat, reducing diversity and damaging commercial and recreational fisheries. And because the nutrient phosphorous attaches itself to soil particles, soil erosion can mobilize Continued on page 19

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 17.

Obituaries ROBERTA MARIE SARACHMAN (née Andrews) February 2, 1947 - May 22, 2020 It is with great sadness that we announce that Roberta Marie Sarachman of Blyth passed away at Huronlea Home for the Aged, Brussels on May 22, 2020 from the complications of dementia.

Due to the COVID-19 limitations, only her husband Greg could be at her bedside, while her children David, Jonathan and Amanda, held vigil outside her window. While she was unable to have her children by her side, she was surrounded by love, music, light and the compassionate hand of her husband.

Roberta was the beloved wife of 51 years to Greg Sarachman of Blyth, and the cherished mother of David, Jonathan Sarachman (Sally), Kitchener and Amanda Hostler (Andrew), Cambridge. She was the much-loved Baba to her grandchildren, Sophie and Liam Hostler.

Roberta was sister to surviving brother William Andrews (Donna), and sister-in-law Mary Andrews; sister-in-law to Roseann Moyer (Lorne), Joanne Kelch (Dwayne) and Allan Sarachman (Sheree); fondly remembered as “Auntie Robbie” by her nieces and nephews, as well as members of her extended family, and the lifelong friends who were treated as family. As a family member shared recently, “how do you put over 50 years of sisterhood into so few sentences?”

Roberta was predeceased by her parents, Orest and Minnie Andrews, of Lively, her youngest brother Terry, nephew Dana Andrews, and in-laws, John and Elaine Sarachman.

Roberta was a graduate of Marymount College and Laurentian University in Sudbury, where she met the love of her life, Greg. They were married in Lively on Sept. 6, 1969.

Roberta’s life journey has been a most interesting one – both figuratively and literally.

Throughout their marriage and careers, Roberta and Greg relocated from Sudbury to Thunder Bay, Toronto, Meadowvale, Erin Mills, Oakville, Holland Landing, Cambridge, and finally Blyth, where along the way they made the many friendships that Roberta held so very dear.

During her work career she wore many hats, ambitious and striving for knowledge. Roberta was secretary to the Canadian Federation of University Women, the first female advertising executive of The Sudbury Star newspaper, executive assistant to the vice-president of Lakehead University, and an allergy technician in a clinical environment.

She had that same passion in her career as a mom. Roberta was active with the Oakville Figure Skating Club, East Gwillimbury Figure Skating Club, and on the Board of Directors for the Preston Figure

Skating Club, as well as set designer for its major ice shows, where she was able to demonstrate her artistic flair and talent. She spent many hours at the arenas supporting her children enthusiastically.

Arriving in Blyth, many years later, she continued her community participation in becoming the last president of St. Michael’s Catholic Women’s League – prior to the church closure. Roberta was known for her volunteerism, and avid community participation representing St. Michael’s parish.

She was also fiercely proud of her Ukrainian heritage and immersed herself in its traditions and celebrations.

Roberta is fondly remembered as an amazing mom, who made every birthday, holiday and family dinner a special event. She was a natural mom, patient, kind, understanding and always there for her children.

She provided a landscape that allowed her children to explore who they were and discover the things in this world that brought them joy, even if she herself did not understand those things. She wasn’t just a parent, she was a best friend and a confidante and we will miss her every day of our lives.

Friends and relatives alike remember Roberta for her genuine personality, her sincerity and kindness, her fondness and respect for others, her sense humour and quick wit, as well as her sense of style (both culinary and artistically), her visualization ability and her skill as a consummate shopper.

She was very proud of being a Baba to her two grandchildren, Sophie and Liam who wanted all to know just how incredibly nice she was and that they loved her dearly.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Huronlea for their compassion and care during this very difficult and challenging time.

Due to the COVID-19 limitations, a private family gathering has already taken place at Falconer Funeral Home, Clinton on May 25, with cremation to follow. A memorial gathering at a safe time in the future is still to be determined.

Roberta will be sadly missed by all who ever knew her. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, plant some Forget-Me-Nots, which seem to abound in Blyth, in your garden, in memory of Roberta, or make a donation in her name to the Alzheimer Society of Canada (www.alzheimer.ca).

Vanderlinden and her loving son the late Kenneth Noble. Edith was the precious grandmother of Kelly Vanderlinden and the late David Vanderlinden.

Edith was a true country girl at heart. A farmer all her life, she was petite in stature yet a strong and determined woman who worked alongside the men in the fields and would then prepare delicious meals that included the best homemade biscuits and pies. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid quilter creating beautiful stitchwork and was talented in other crafts. Edith enjoyed peaceful, simple country living.

“Dear sweet beautiful Edith, you were so kind, loving, caring and gentle. You will forever be loved and cherished.”

A private, family graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Cards of sympathy may be sent to Box 186, Gorrie, N0G 1X0.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca

ROBERT “BOB” KELLINGTON Robert (Bob) Kellington of Brussels, born June 22, 1950, passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, May 22, 2020 in Kitchener.

He was in his 70th year.

Bob was the beloved husband of Marguerite Thomas and loving dad of Kimberley and John Sherwood, Grassy Plains, British Columbia and Thomas and Angela Kellington, Mitchell; step-daughter Vicki and Marc Martel, Oshawa and step-son Michael and Marilyn Benninger, Burlington. Bob was the grandfather of Austin, Alexandrea, and Chance Kellington and David Sherwood. He was the special “GranBob” to Nicole and Joseph Martel.

Bob will be sadly missed by brothers Larry and his wife Bonnie,

STRATFORD MEMORIALS Creating Memories in Stone for Over 95 years

Springfield; Murray and his wife Stephanie, Brussels; Brian and his wife Jan, Norwich and Kevin and his wife Rose, Brussels and brother-inlaw Don Jacklin, Brussels. Bob will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

Bob was predeceased by his first wife, Nadine Dennis (2012), sister Joyce Jacklin (2014), mother Gertrude (2016), father William (Bill) (2017) and grandsons James (1996) and Logan (2005).

Bob was known as a very sweet man, “an absolute gem”, who was always friendly and cared deeply about others. Bob was very active in the community of Stratford where he worked at Hendrickson’s and for Ontario Drive and Gear. In his earlier years, he travelled with his late wife to perform missionary work in Haiti.

When he moved back to Brussels to care for his elderly parents in 2012, his generosity continued, doing many kindnesses for others, including sharing his special toaster tongs and jar openers. Bob had a beautiful singing voice, serenading Marguerite on their wedding day and singing for funerals and special occasions. He was an active member of the United Church and choir, the Royal Canadian Legion, President of the Brussels Lions Club, caretaker of the Brussels Medical Centre and Brussels United Church, huge supporter of the Canadian Food Grains Bank, involved in the Brussels Leo Club fundraising, and more.

In 2016, Bob was honoured by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson as one of the previous year’s Remarkable Citizens of HuronBruce. Thompson performed the reading at Bob’s service.

In recent years, he did gardening and yard work for others and he absolutely loved gardening in the backyard. With Marguerite, he fully

For another of this week’s obituaries, see page 3

enjoyed sharing the bounty of the harvest of fruits, vegetables and herbs. He claimed that he tolerated, but did not love, Billie the Cat, whom he fed, talked to and gave treats to daily.

Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service was held on Thursday, May 28. Pastor Sandra Cable officiated. Family and friends are invited to participate in a drive-by visitation on Thursday, May 28 in front of Riverside Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. Please respect the funeral home’s policies during this time by not leaving your vehicle and following the visitation route, which is as follows: east on Dunedin Drive turning right on Burgess Street, turning right onto Alfred Street and following to the right up Albert Street in front of the funeral home. The procedures set out by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario will be strictly enforced during this time.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Brussels United Church and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank would be greatly appreciated.

Cards of sympathy may be sent to Box 214, Brussels N0G 1H0.

Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca

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

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FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce their annual Central Huron Façade Grant Program. The Program includes façade improvements for properties in Central Huron that are assessed as Commercial for taxation purposes. The Municipality has set aside funds to assist property owners in the expansion or improvement of the building façade or signage.

The proposed façade improvement must meet the specific property criteria outlined in the “Façade Improvement Concept” and enhance the “cosmetic” appeal of the structure from a streetscape viewpoint.

Deadline Applications must be received by the undersigned by 4:30 p.m.

Friday, June 19th, 2020. Questions or comments may be directed to the Municipal office at 519-482-3997.

EDITH JEAN (née ADAMS) NOBLE Edith Jean Noble, (Toots) of Gorrie passed away peacefully in her home on May 21, 2020. She was 98. She was the only sister of her five late brothers, Harry, Jim, Allan, Gordon and Dewitt Adams.

Edith was the loving wife of the late George Noble and proud mother of Don Noble, the late Lois

We are now open but by appointment only and following government recommended protocols to ensure the safety of all visitors and our staff. Please call or email us to set up an appointment.

519-524-8457 email: mfalconer@stratfordmemorials.com

Goderich/Clinton Michael Falconer Memorial Counsellor www.stratfordmemorials.com

“Central Huron Façade Grant Program” Attention: Steve Doherty, CAO Municipality of Central Huron P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 info@centralhuron.com Fax: (519) 482-9183 The Municipality reserves the right to fund projects as deemed appropriate. www.centralhuron.

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

Snell’s Food Market 1947 10 oz. Maxwell House Coffee......$1.69 Red Sockeye Salmon.......................59¢ Corn Syrup.......................................39¢ Catsup. .............................................19¢ Cherry Pie Filling 19 oz ..................49¢ Read about this in the Blyth Repository of History 405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

#ThrowbackThursday

Leadership in energy and environmental design

Devon Henry 84772 McDonald Line • Box 616 • Brussels

devonjhenry@hotmail.com 519-505-2473

blythrepositoryofhistory.ca

The Citizen, May 26, 1999

The Citizen, May 6, 2010

The Citizen, May 12, 1999

The Citizen, May 5, 1999

For more blasts from the past, visit The Citizen on Facebook for entire albums of #ThrowbackThursday photos.

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020. PAGE 19.

County’s debt-per-household lower than others Continued from page 3 succession planning and the passing down of information. Peever acknowledged this should be a concern for the county with statistics showing that nearly 28 per cent of the county’s entire staff will be eligible for retirement by 2025.

For the second half of the review, Peever noted that the county has lagged behind its fellow counties – Bruce, Grey, Lanark, Middlesex and Renfrew Counties were used as comparators – in municipal levy dollars and, therefore, annual municipal levy increases.

In regards to municipal debt per household, Huron County was below most of its comparators with $612 of debt per household, under the average of $743, but slightly higher than Lanark at $591 and just below Renfrew at $617. That comes as a result of the county’s reserves being far higher than those of its comparators, nearly double the average.

Huron County has $1,802 in discretionary reserves per household compared to the average of $997 and well ahead of Middlesex County, the next highest, at $1,121. This was

partly due to a significant jump from 2017 to 2018 when the county’s reserves grew from $46.27 million in 2017 to over $51 million in 2018.

The county’s staffing complement remains below most of its comparators at 396 full-time and 319 part-time employees, under both averages of 418 full-time and 325 part-time employees. However, with Middlesex County, including the City of London, at 619 full-time employees, that figure skews the average significantly.

Middlesex has 22 full-time staff

members per 1,000 households, compared to Huron County’s 14, the second-highest. The average is 11.7 with Bruce, Grey, Lanark and Renfrew Counties all coming in below the average.

In the human resources department, however, the county only has five full-time equivalent staff members, under the average of 7.51 and well under Bruce County and its 12 full-time equivalent staff in human resources.

Peever said the county should address the disparity between the number of human resource staff members compared to the number of staff members employed by the county.

Huron County, however, was tied for the lowest position when it came to the cost of governance per council member at $32,000 per councillor.

This was below the average of $47,700 and well below the leader, Bruce County, which paid nearly $82,000 per councillor.

However, regarding council size, Huron County was tied for the lead

with Lanark County at 0.5 councillors per 1,000 households.

Bruce County, the leader in cost of governance, was tied for the lowest with 0.2 councillors per 1,000 households with Renfrew County.

Overall, Peever said the report, at this stage, has found the county to be strong financially with an aboveaverage reserve level and a relatively low debt per household. He said it provides the county with great flexibility when considering financial options for future capital projects and large expenditures.

That freedom, he said, will be important when the county starts to reinvest in its capital infrastructure.

Moving forward, Peever said KPMG is currently in the midst of phase three of the review, which is a review of public works and winter services and will soon be moving on to the corporate and front-line alignment, although that phase has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acknowledge what ecosystems provide Wearing the event Is it really a mud bog at the Walton Raceway, like the one held over the weekend when the site was able to re-open, if you aren’t covered head-to-toe in mud? It was business as usual at the raceway over the weekend, which was allowed to open May 19. (John Stephenson photo)

Letter to the Editor Laporte clarifies state of group THE EDITOR, I would like to respond to an article from the April 30 edition of The Citizen. I would like to clarify some of the points in the article.

Contrary to the article, the “citizens group” did not dissolve.

Local citizens continue to provide services to the village in a number of capacities. The poop bags are replenished regularly and the garbage taken out. Last fall, the grass in the gate area was dug out, and replaced with sand and patio stones. This was done to make it easier to shovel in the winter (also by volunteers). This will be extended this spring. Trimming and maintenance of the flowers at the hall are done by volunteers, and another makes a walking trail around the property for all to use and enjoy. The basketball court was improved last year, and the standards painted.

The dog park is not “in disrepair”.

The municipalities had repaired the laneway in 2016, and created a parking area. The area around the dog park is traditionally quite wet, so this was very welcome at that time. However, people have driven past the parking area right up to the gates, even in wet conditions, creating deep ruts. When the ruts got too deep, they drove around the trees that were planted in the park.

These ruts required machinery to repair, which we would not have done without approval from Central Huron.

Steve Duizer (Central Huron Facilities Manager) and I discussed a range of options, which included blocks to prevent driving past the parking area, or extending

the laneway closer to the gate. It was less of a question about cost, and more about the responsibility for accessibility to a municipal facility.

It was always agreed upon that the municipality would cut the grass, just as the grass is cut for the ball diamond and playground. The grass in the dog park does not need to be cut as often. This is weather dependent, but approximately 10 – 12 times per year. In years past, it was done by a contractor with a tractor, who also did the vacant land beside the park and the ball diamond. Volunteers occasionally cut it when it got a little high in the dog park, but the surrounding area didn’t need it. That area would require occasional cutting whether there was a dog park there or not.

I appreciate the fiscal challenges that our local municipalities face.

While some of these challenges were present before, COVID-19 has certainly caused an unprecedented economic situation for many. Would our group have proposed a dog park project during a pandemic? Probably not. Tough decisions must be made and North Huron Councillor Paul Heffer is right to point out broader priorities and fiscal responsibilities.

Councillor Heffer expressed concern about similar requests from other towns and villages. Those proposals, if brought forward by their residents, should be evaluated on their own merits if and when that happens.

There are challenges with sharing costs for any service between municipalities. To overcome these challenges, there must be transparency in the details of the

shared costs, and accountability for services provided. I agree with North Huron Reeve Bernie Bailey that there are bigger discussions to be had among the three municipalities. I trust that the elected officials from all the municipalities can work together to come to an agreement on all the shared services.

Perhaps it was not intentional to imply that the residents had given up their efforts to maintain the common areas of the entire park area, but we did take it personally. The residents of Auburn have demonstrated their commitment to improving this village and making it an amazing place to live. Yes, we do rely on some shared finances from the municipalities, but we have demonstrated our willingness to do our part.

Jacqui Empson-Laporte, Auburn.

Correction In the May 14 issue of The Citizen, North Huron staff presented information about the Auburn dog park and a community group associated with the park, saying the group had dissolved. The Citizen failed to attribute this statement to North Huron staff and it has proven to be inaccurate.

The group behind the Auburn dog park has not dissolved and is still working for the betterment of the park and various other projects throughout the community.

The Citizen apologizes for any confusion.

Continued from page 16 phosphorous, making that nutrient available to plants like algae to grow in rivers and the lake. You can see where each of these issues related to soil erosion have costs associated with them.

Soil erosion is a symptom of ecosystem degradation and loss of biodiversity.

It’s time to acknowledge the services that ecosystems provide and work to protect our assets.

Maintaining, restoring and enhancing our natural areas should be viewed as effective cost-saving measures. Investing locally in community-based programs to implement land and water stewardship is something that governments at all levels should be doing with renewed vigour. *** Green Tip When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that waste and bacteria into our creeks, rivers and ultimately Lake Huron. So what should you do? Simple. Dispose of pet waste properly. Then that little surprise gets treated like it should.

Clean water makes Great Lakes! [original article was authored by Geoff Peach March 2010, and has been updated by Cheryl Peach

and Coastal Centre Staff - Samantha Ventura]

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020.

Rural Response continues work

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Sign of the times Four organizations recently came together to replace the electronic sign in the north end of Brussels. The Brussels Lions Club, Brussels Optimist Club, Brussels Pharmacy and, above, the Brussels Legion, all donated funds to replace the sign. Brussels Community Development Trust Chair Kathy Sebastian, left, accepted a $1,000 cheque from Legion President Jamie Mitchell from the Branch’s Catch the Ace profits. (Photo submitted)

Location decision deferred Continued from page 13 bricks and mortar and more on technological infrastructure in the coming years, especially at the costs being presented.

He also said that while council had directed staff to continue its research into a new building, no official decision had been made regarding the construction of a new office building. Before a location is chosen, he said, councillors should decide whether they want to build a new structure.

Councillor Paul Klopp agreed and put forward a motion to table the discussion on a location until council made a decision on whether the building should go ahead, which council passed.

Council directed Wark to return to a future meeting with a report on moving forward with a new building.

Local Coverage Where You Work, Play & Live

As the COVID-19 pandemic remains strong in Ontario, many resources have remained available to those in need, despite the virus control measures, including Rural Response for Healthy Children.

Executive Director Selena Hazlitt, in an interview with The Citizen, said she and her fellow employees have been working from home since mid-March, in the very early stages of the pandemic in Canada. With so much of the organization’s work to help children in need being done in the community, their daily mandate changed significantly as a result of the pandemic. Instead of reaching out to children at schools and community facilities, employees began reaching out by phone to families on the organization’s case files.

Once staff members settled into working remotely, Hazlitt said the staff began a cycle of between seven to 10 days calling all of the families on the organization’s roster.

The process began with about 250 families, according to Hazlitt, which was eventually reduced to about 80

“regulars� with whom they continued to check as the weeks went on. Staff members would check in with the children, ensure they were healthy and ask if there was anything they needed and continued to follow up.

Hazlett said that, in her conversations with families, there was a lot of uncertainty and anxiety regarding how long the pandemic was expected to last. People were anxious to see family and friends and were unsure of how to continue on with schooling and work from home.

However, as the pandemic has persisted, Hazlitt said she and her employees were hearing more and more from people who were concerned about their mental health or the mental health of their loved ones.

If people are having trouble, Rural Response for Healthy Children works as a reference agency, connecting residents in need to organizations that may be able to help them.

While food banks have been assisting local residents, for example, Hazlitt said they’re unable to provide a steady supply of diapers

or personal hygiene products for families or even cellular phones with prepaid minutes, which can sometimes be a family’s only gateway to the outside world, so the organization has been connecting those families in need with agencies providing vouchers for those items.

Internally, Hazlitt has been encouraging staff members to ensure they’re taken care of and in a good state of mind as well. Life is hard for everyone right now, she said, so being gentle to one another should be a priority.

Staff members have been keeping up with one another through Zoom meetings, Hazlitt said, much like other local organizations.

As for the future, Hazlitt said it’s difficult to predict, because no one knows what the world will look like once COVID-19 is just a memory.

She says the organization will continue to provide services for students through the local schools.

Whether it happens in a traditional classroom setting or virtually, she hopes Rural Response for Healthy Children can continue to be there for local children in need.

For more information, visit rrhc.on.ca.

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