The Citizen - Sept. 23, 2021

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Thursday, September 23, 2021

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Volume 37 No. 38

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0

Lobb in for fifth MP term

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Action at the plate There was plenty of Huron County Fastball League action last week as the semi-finals of the league’s yearend tournament wrapped up. Both the Belmore Stingers, shown in red above, and the Brussels Tigers, not shown, were able to sweep their best-of-three series to earn their spots in the final tournament. The

Stingers downed the Walton Brewers in two games, requiring extra innings to secure the final 8-4 win while the Tigers blanked the Fullarton A’s in both of their matches. The TigersStingers series started last night, Wednesday, Sept. 22, in Brussels with a game in Belmore on Sunday and a final match, if necessary, scheduled for Monday night. (John Stephenson photo)

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb has won a fifth consecutive term after Monday’s federal election, taking more votes than all other candidates combined according to preliminary results.

National media organizations declared Lobb the winner after 10 p.m. on Monday with only approximately 10 per cent of the polling stations reporting in HuronBruce, however the prediction proved correct as preliminary results showed Lobb claiming 51.4 per cent of the vote with 271 of 272 polls reporting. As of Tuesday morning, Lobb captured 30,373 votes with his closest rival, Liberal candidate James Rice, capturing 15,118, or 25.6 per cent of the vote.

Jan Johnstone captured 8,718 votes, or 14.7 per cent of votes cast.

Jack Stecho, representing the People’s Party of Canada, won 4,392 votes, or 7.4 per cent of total votes, while independent Justin L. Smith swayed 0.9 per cent of Huron and Bruce voters, or 509 votes.

Lobb’s win marks a small increase over the 2019 results in Continued on page 2

H. East moves ahead with scaled-down renovations

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron East Council has voted to move ahead with the scaled-down renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, despite a sharp rise in costs.

Council held a special meeting at the centre on Sept. 15 to discuss the issue. It was first raised at council’s Sept. 7 meeting, when councillors suggested that meeting online via Zoom, during stormy conditions that threatened power outages, was not the proper forum for such an important discussion.

In a recorded vote, all 10 councillors voted in favour of moving ahead with the renovation and expansion, while DeputyMayor Bob Fisher voted against it.

To begin the special meeting, Huron East Chief Administrative Officer Brad McRoberts laid out the facts about the project and the funding application, which were reported in last week’s issue of The Citizen. His presentation detailed the project’s rising costs, a recommendation that Huron East

and Morris-Turnberry (and community fundraising) bump up their contribution to one-third of the total project cost, and a list of recommended changes to the project that would lower its total cost.

Announced in March, the original project was due to cost a total of $4,788,000.

The federal government would pay 40 per cent of the cost at $1,915,200, while the provincial government would cover approximately 33.3 per cent at $1,595,840. The municipal portion was set to cost approximately $1,276,960 (26.7 per cent) with Morris-Turnberry and Huron East covering half ($127,680 for MorrisTurnberry and $510,800 for Huron East) and the other half ($638,480) to be raised through community fundraising.

McRoberts then suggested raising the municipal contribution (including community fundraising) to one-third of the total project cost to meet the intent of the funding application. This would raise Morris-Turnberry’s contribution to $159,600, Huron East’s to $638,400 and community fundraising to

$798,000, which would support a total project cost of just over $5.1 million.

However, as a result of pandemicrelated supply chain disruptions, including rising material and labour costs, the total cost of the project rose by $3.25 million since it was last costed out.

McRoberts said the project would cost $8,727,481, which would be lowered to $7,997,000 when the HST rebate is factored in. However,

a 4.5 per cent assumption for engineering fees would bring the project cost back up to $8,357,000, over budget by $3.25 million.

As a result of the sharp rise in project cost, the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre Building Committee made over a dozen recommendations, removing or reducing several minor aspects of the project.

Those recommendations, in addition to a

reassessment of the cost to replace the building’s roof, resulted in a projected cost reduction of just under $1.1 million, leaving a shortfall of $2,153,600.

The committee also recommended increasing its contribution, through community fundraising, from $798,000 to $1.4 million. This figure is supported by the Campaign Coaches research that was done when the renovation Continued on page 20

Last call for Citizen nominations This is the last call for nominations for this year’s Citizen of the Year Awards, with nominations set to close on Sept.

30. Very few nominations have been filed up to this point, so the more names submitted, the better.

You can nominate someone from the communities of Blyth, Brussels or any of their surrounding communities using the nomination form found on page 2 of this issue or by e-mailing Editor Shawn Loughlin at editor@northhuron.on.ca. Please

include your nominee’s name and brief comments as to why that person should be the Citizen of the Year, as well as your own name and contact information.

The Citizen has been handing out the awards, which celebrate volunteerism and community spirit, since 1985, the year The Citizen was founded. The reigning Citizen of the Year winners are Annie Sparling for the Blyth area and the late Bob Kellington for the Brussels area, who was recognized posthumously.

The Citizen encourages residents and readers to nominate someone who has made a difference in their community and with this year going as it has, there are plenty of people who have stepped up and helped their neighbours and friends.

The annual Citizen of the Year Award winners are chosen from among reader nominations. Readers nominate residents who make a difference in their communities.

Those nominations are then considered by a panel of past Continued on page 2

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021.

Lobb says housing, broadband key for area

A team effort Shortly after his win was announced, Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb, centre, set about thanking the people that helped him run the campaign that resulted in his fifth consecutive term in federal office. Lobb’s election night headquarters was at the Goderich Sunset Golf Course. (Denny Scott photo) Continued from page 1 which he captured 48.7 per cent of the vote.

Preliminary results on Tuesday morning also show that the percentage of Huron and Bruce voters who went to the poll, which was over 70 per cent in the 2019 election, had dropped to 67.19 with one poll yet to report.

Shortly after Lobb was declared the winner by national media outlets, several reported the Liberal

Party of Canada would retain its position as Canada’s leading party.

Not long after that, however, those same outlets declared it would be another minority government.

Preliminary results on Tuesday morning show that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s gambit of calling an early election in his second term would pay small dividends with the Liberals gaining only one seat while the Bloc Quebecois gained two and the NDP gained one. Those

Award nominations closing Continued from page 1 Citizen of the Year Award winners, who then choose the year’s winner.

North Huron Publishing Inc. and The Citizen are proud to present this award annually, celebrating volunteerism and community commitment in the Blyth and Brussels communities.

Past winners of the award in the Brussels area are: Cal Krauter, 1985; Wayne Lowe, 1986; Jack Bryans, 1987; Ida Evans, 1989; Bessie Johnston, 1990; Betty Graber, 1991; George Langlois, 1992; Howard Bernard, 1993; Joanne King, 1994; Frank Thompson, 1995; Audrey Cardiff, 1996; Leona Armstrong, 1997; Neil McGavin, 1998; Beth Earl, 1999; Lyle and Alice Brothers, 2000; Nelva and Spence Scott, 2001; JoAnn McDonald, 2002; Kathy Bridge, 2003; Jeff and Cathy Cardiff, 2004; Clara Blake, 2005; Phyllis Mitchell, 2006; Doug McArter, 2007; Nora Stephenson and Fran Bremner, 2008; Rene Richmond, 2009; Jim Prior, 2010; Cathrine Campbell, 2011; Jim and Lois Lee, 2012; Yvonne Knight, 2013; Dave Stephenson, 2014; Sandra Cable, 2015; Jean Davidson, 2016; Elaine Armstrong, 2017, Doug Sholdice, 2018, Mary Douma in 2019 and Bob Kellington, posthumously in 2020.

Past winners of the award in the Blyth area are: Evalena Webster, 1985; Frank and Cenetta Bainton, 1986; Winona McDougall, 1987; Margaret Whyte, 1989; Simon Hallahan, 1990; Dr. Richard Street, 1991; Bill and Maxine Seers, 1992; Margaret Caldwell, 1993; Helen Gowing, 1994; Don Scrimgeour, 1995; John Stewart, 1996; Janet Amos, 1997; Betty Battye, 1998; Robb Finch, Dave Cook, Brent Scrimgeour and Doug Walker, 1999; Murray Siertsema, 2000; Charlie Shaw, 2001; Lavern Clark, 2002; Bev Blair and Thelma Johnston, 2003; Steven Sparling, 2004; Don “Barney” Stewart, 2005; Lois van Vliet, 2006; Janice Henry, 2007; Joe Hallahan, 2008; Brock

and Janis Vodden, 2009; Jean Nethery, 2010; Kay Hesselwood, 2011; Steve Howson, 2012; Barbara Bosman, 2013; Marian Hallahan, 2014; Nellie Mason, 2015; Ernie Phillips, 2016; Ric McBurney, 2017, Carl Nesbitt, 2018, Jane Smyth in 2019 and Annie Sparling in 2020.

four seats, according to early predictions, were lost by the Conservatives (two), the Green Party (one) and one “other” representative.

The Liberals, according to preliminary results, fell 12 seats short of the 170 needed for a majority government with the Conservatives holding on to 119 seats. The Bloc Quebecois have 34 seats while the NDP have 25. Two seats were either being led by or were already declared for “other” candidates.

Please note that, as of press time, the Liberals were leading in 12 contested ridings, the Conservatives in three, the Bloc Quebecois in two and the NDP in one.

While the Liberals did earn more seats than any other party, the percentage of votes won by the parties tells a very different story.

The Conservative party of Canada,

in preliminary results on Tuesday morning, had captured 34 per cent of the vote share, leading the country. The Liberals captured 32.2 per cent of the vote share. While the Bloc Quebecois won 32 seats, eight more than the NDP, the NDP captured 17.7 per cent of the vote share, more than double that of the Bloc at 7.7 per cent. The Green Party captured 2.3 per cent of the vote share while the People’s Party of Canada captured 5.1, however the People’s Party won no ridings.

Other candidates and parties captured 0.9 per cent of the vote share.

Lobb, at a special event at the Goderich Sunset Golf Club just north of Goderich, told reporters that he had definitive goals for his fifth term in office. He said issues and representation in rural Ontario hadn’t changed with the election and the situations of Monday would be the same as those on Tuesday, explaining there needs to be a focus on infrastructure funding for rural Ontario and a focus on getting broadband internet access to all residents.

He said he takes his work seriously and looks forward to representing all the constituents of Huron and Bruce Counties, regardless of whether or not they voted for him.

As far as what the country needs, he said getting citizens back to work was key, with the goal being to get one million people back to work. Labour shortages are hitting the area across the board and he said the federal government needs to incentivize businesses to get jobs filled and provide safe working conditions.

Lobb also said that, with the Delta variant of COVID-19 and the fourth wave of the pandemic, it was

HURON-BRUCE MP BEN LOBB clear that both case numbers and hospitalization statistics need to be kept low as the government needs people working to get out of the deficit the pandemic has caused.

Housing will also be an important issue, he said, and that’s definitely a new reality compared to a decade ago. Homes of every kind are needed, he said, from homes for new families to smaller spaces for retirees to downsize in to affordable spaces for recent graduates to live and work in the community.

“That’s a major crisis here,” he said. “We need affordable housing.”

Lobb also commented on the election being called during the pandemic, saying it was opportunistic and risky, and that Trudeau wouldn’t get the majority he was aiming for.

Later in the evening Lobb thanked his campaign team as well as everyone who supported him.

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson was also at the event and congratulated Lobb on his win.

36th Annual Citizen of the Year Award Nominations Open Pictured from left, Citizen editor, Shawn Loughlin presenting Annie Sparling, 2020 Citizen of the Year award recipient.

There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community.

This is your opportunity to show your appreciation for all they do.

Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the form and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and they didn't win, we encourage you to submit again.

Emailed submissions can be sent to Shawn Loughlin at editor@northhuron.on.ca I nominate ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ as Citizen of the year for

q

Blyth & area

q

Brussels & area

I feel she/he deserves this award because ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nomination Deadline September 30, 2021.

Name and phone number of nominator Fax: 519-523-9140 Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or Box 152 Brussels, ON N0G 1H0

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021. PAGE 3.

Local schools welcome new staff, exciting changes

Forward thinking While there are a number of changes in the faculty at North Woods Elementary School, as well as some new playground equipment, one of the most exciting changes, according to Principal Cathy Goetz, not shown, is the introduction of some new classroom equipment that teaches coding, including the Ozobots, which are being experimented with by Grade 4/5 students Ayda Smith, left, and Nate Bailey. (Photo submitted)

By Denny Scott The Citizen Local schools are welcoming returning and new students and staff while trying to balance COVID-19 protocols.

Hullett Central Public School in Londesborough is welcoming a few new staff members this year according to Principal Dree Park.

He highlighted Kendra Rhynard, who is teaching in the Grade 2/3 classroom as well as Robyn Pedlar, who is covering for Mrs. Gilroy in Grade 6/7,who is on a temporary leave. Park said the staff and students look forward to welcoming Mrs. Gilroy back later this year.

Also joining the staff at the school is Miss Desjardins, an educational assistant who will be working with some of the school’s primary students.

As far as enrollment, the school welcomed more students this year

than last, Park said, with more expected to join in the coming months.

While the school closed out the previous school year with 250 students, there are currently 262 enrolled, he said, with more set to come. Park also added that there are approximately 20 new students between the Junior and Senior Kindergarten classes.

Park said that both staff and students are settling into their routines at the school, including social and educational routines, and also the new health and safety protocols with students from Grade 1 to 8 masking up, as well as a number of students in the Kindergarten classes.

Students are separated into classroom cohorts for the entirety of their day, he said, including when at recess, and there has been minimal feedback on the situation, he said.

“People are used to how it is for now, and we do our best,” he said.

“Hopefully, we can put in a consistent year in a face-to-face environment. Parents, staff and the community know that having students in class is best, and we’re doing everything we can to make that possible.”

Maitland River Elementary School in Wingham has welcomed several new staff members and will be welcoming one more in the coming months according to Principal Angela Cowley.

“We have a new vice-principal, and her name is Janet Goddard,” she said in an e-mail to The Citizen.

“This is her first vice-principal assignment. She lives in Goderich and comes from the elementary portion of [Goderich District Collegiate Institute].”

The school also welcomes Courtney Galbraith, who is covering Susan Jamieson’s

responsibilities as she is on leave until February. The school also has a new TRA in Tina Pruden. Cowley also said she will shortly be filling an unexpected opening in a Grade 3 classroom.

The school has fewer students this year, Cowley said, with 440 enrolled including five in remote learning. She said the Junior Kindergarten numbers are lower than previous years as well, with 15 less than usual.

Cowley said the school year has started exceptionally well, with a much less stressful start-up compared to last year. “[That’s] because we know the protocols well,” she said. “They have become routine to us.”

This year, the school has approved the sharing of playground equipment between students, provided the surfaces are sanitized first.

“This has meant that setting up the playground is a bit easier, but students do still play with one cohort or class and in one of the designated areas,” she said. “We have a schedule that has classes rotating through the play areas.”

She said the schedule allows students to anticipate and look forward to the play areas they will be involved with.

North Woods Elementary School near Ethel welcomed three new staff members this year according to Principal Cathy Goetz: Carly Smith who will be teaching French and providing prep assistance through December, covering for Mrs. Drummond; Emma VanVeen, a new teacher, and Cindy Jarvis who has taken over for long-time secretary Jennifer Cochrane who retired last year.

This year’s enrollment at the school is similar to previous years, Goetz said, with 145 students and 14 new Junior Kindergarten students.

She said the new COVID-19 regulations have gone very smoothly and that students are happy to be back at school and are doing their part to keep up with the protocols including wearing masks and following hand hygiene.

“To them, it’s become second nature,” she said. “We didn’t have to teach them all over again.”

She said building mental stamina is one of the goals for the school this year, as being back in the classroom may be difficult for some students. She said the school is using special resources from the local school board and the province to help with that goal.

“We’re talking about valuing ourselves, valuing each other and honouring the feelings we have, as

well as addressing confidence and self-worth,” she said.

The school is also working closely with transportation provider Newry Coach to find full-time bus drivers, as the school started this year short one driver. Goetz said that supply drivers have been filling in and one day of regular school bus pick-ups had been missed as a result.

The school also invested in new playground equipment thanks to an outdoor education grant from the board, and also brought in new technology in the form of LEGO Robotic Kits and Ozobots, which teach coding. The units were purchased last year, but weren’t in use until this year.

Goetz also said the gardens at the front of the school were revitalized over the summer thanks to volunteers who put a lot of effort into beautifying the space.

Huron Christian School has a number of new staff members for students to meet this year including Mr. Huizenga, the school’s new principal.

According to Huizenga, other new faculty members include Mr. Warner teaching Grade 4 and band; Mr. deSchiffert teaching Grade 7; Mrs. Huizenga in Student Services and Mrs. Van Oenen teaching Junior and Senior Kindergarten.

Huizenga said there are 177 students at the school this year, up from 167 last year, including 23 new Kindergarten students.

Staff and students are doing their best to follow the COVID-19 guidelines, Huizenga said, and he appreciates the work of so many people to keep the communities healthy and safe.

Part of that is the opening of a new outdoor classroom/exploratory garden at the school, he said.

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 ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114

If you saw Christ standing beside you all the time (J.C. Miller, “Intimate Letters on Personal Problems”) Scripture says of Moses, that “he endured as seeing Him who is invisible!” Hebrews 11:27. That is, Moses always remembered that God was right beside him, his friend to help him — and this made him strong. He did not actually see God — but it was as if he saw Him. That is, he realized the divine presence in all of his life.

If you saw Christ standing beside you all the time — it would not be hard for you to keep sweet, to keep control of temper and speech. Well, Christ IS beside you — just as really as He was beside Mary when she sat at His feet in Bethany, or beside Peter and the other disciples as they walked together over the hills of Judea and Galilee. What you need, is to realize this fact. We know that Jesus is present with us all the time, at every moment, by day or by night. He is closer than any human friend can be to us.

Indeed, we are to practice His presence — that is, we are to live all the time, as if we actually saw Him!

Pig pro Anna Fear took some time from preparing her pig for the Central Huron 4-H Swine Club show at the Seaforth Fall Fair on the weekend to talk about the animal with Mary Jane Scott. (Denny Scott photo)

You must remember that Christ is always beside you, not only to see you — but to help you, as your truest and best Friend!

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

PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021.

Editorials & Opinions

Founding Publisher: Keith Roulston Publisher & President: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld • Heather Fraser The Citizen is published 51 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $40.00/year ($38.10 + $1.90 G.S.T.) in Canada; $190.00/year in U.S.A. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited.

Advertising Deadlines: Mon. 2 p.m. - Brussels; Mon. 4 p.m. - Blyth.

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The Citizen P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. N0M 1H0 N0G 1H0 Ph. 519-523-4792 Phone Fax 519-523-9140 519-887-9114 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.huroncitizen.ca Member CCNA

Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright

Aw snap...

After 36 days and $600 million spent on an election, Canadians woke up Tuesday to essentially the same government as was dissolved on August 15, leaving a nation to wonder what exactly was accomplished with this snap election. Trudeau was seeking a majority government but the voters hadn’t changed their minds. Even as polls showed Trudeau’s popularity waning throughout the campaign, in the end no one wanted to rock the boat while the country is battling an unprecedented pandemic. In fact, Maxime Bernier's People's Party Of Canada, which touted the "no more lockdowns" agenda to appeal to the unvaccinated, gained no seats in the election, not even Bernier's own.

The Liberals had hoped to capitalize on the positive feedback from their handling of the pandemic through massive spending to support individuals and businesses and the push to achieve high vaccination rates.

They failed to recognize that the public would prefer not to go to the polls during yet another wave of the virus, driven by the highly contagious Delta variant. A lackluster campaign by all parties failed to ignite any excitement, so it seems that there was a lot of money and time spent with absolutely nothing to show for it. – DS

Don’t think twice, it’s all right North Huron Council’s decision to not even ask Huron County to review infrastructure names for potentially racist or offensive references has established council as Dumb and Dumber’s Lloyd Christmas, plugging his ears and singing while his pal Harry Dunne assures Lloyd that he cannot triple-stamp a double-stamp.

The request originated with the Blyth Festival, whose General Manager Rachael King suggested the potential renaming of Gypsy Lane to the Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA), citing the racist nature of the term. It then evolved into a potential infrastructure name review, which eventually made its way to North Huron Council at its Sept. 13 meeting. Locally, the issue became known as the “Battle for Gypsy Lane” when, in fact, the BIA was suggesting prudence and due diligence on an issue that is, in North America, becoming prevalent as legacies are being re-evaluated and figures are being, literally, toppled from their pedestals. The BIA request provided an opportunity for council to get out in front of potential issues with the foresight that has so eluded council in recent years. It was no surprise then to see council turn it down, opting for blissful ignorance rather than inclusion.

After a robust, fulsome discussion, perhaps council may have decided to stick with the racist Gypsy Lane and other potentially problematic references. Perhaps not. But, to not even entertain a review, when many clearly see a problem, feels like councillors are burying their heads in the sand at best and, at worst, accepting borderline racism as unavoidable in their communities. Reeve Bernie Bailey and Councillor Anita van Hittersum at least wanted more information, in an effort to make an informed decision. The rest, however, chose to plug their ears and sing.

More information, education and perspective should always be welcome, especially as an elected representative. – SL

Giving them what they want Last week the Alberta provincial government came out with steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a collapse of the province's healthcare system. The measures, however, weren’t enough for Calgary City Council and Mayor Naheed Nenshi who decided they would start looking into solving the problem themselves.

Nenshi said the city could consider partnering with local pharmacies to create more mobile vaccination opportunities, saying that Alberta Health Services have abandoned targeted vaccination efforts, with the exception of a single bus for all the province.

While it’s wonderful to see a mayor stepping forward with that kind of initiative on behalf of his ratepayers, it’s playing into the hands of leaders like Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and even Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford who have, according to experts and leaks, eyed changes to healthcare systems. By putting funds towards healthcare initiatives, Nenshi may unintentionally be laying the groundwork for Kenney to say that, if a city can provide its own healthcare initiatives, maybe the province doesn’t need to be earmarking so much capital for the province’s healthcare system.

Local politicians have correctly made the same comment when asked to contribute to local healthcare initiatives. While they are in favour of supporting the community, they aren’t in favour of municipal dollars going towards what should be provincially-funded healthcare.

Every week The Citizen takes a look back at what was news in previous decades and provincial downloading seems to be a constant issue, so giving any opportunity for a provincial government to consider cutting back capital, like showing a city funding healthcare initiatives, could be a step in the wrong direction. – JDS

Looking Back Through the Years September 24, 1964 Duff’s United Church in Walton marked its 99th anniversary with a special ceremony at the church.

Rev. W.J. ten Hoopen of North Street United Church in Goderich was the guest minister for the day.

The Brussels ladies baseball team won the first game of its series to decide the Western Ontario Athletic Association championship.

The locals beat Hanover by a score of 3-2 in a well-played game, though some Brussels errors allowed the two Hanover runners to cross the plate.

September 25, 1974 Members of the Auburn Recreational Committee committed to raising $1,500 in the coming weeks to provide recreational opportunities for youth of the village of all ages. The proposed site was the six acres surrounding the Auburn Community Memorial Hall, which was owned by the Auburn Athletic Association.

The plan was to have the site landscaped in order to include a play area with swings, sandboxes, a soccer field, a baseball diamond, horseshoe courts and a picnic area with barbecues.

Huron County Engineer Jim Britnell had a gloomy prediction for Huron County Council, telling members that the county was having “considerable difficulty” obtaining materials that the roads department would use on a day-today basis, which was bound to drive up costs. In addition, he said that vandalism and sign stealing was becoming widespread, which was also costing the county.

September 25, 1996 Blyth Public School, alongside six other Huron County elementary schools and one high school, had

been awarded a special Director’s School of the Year Award for 1995/1996. Though Blyth was one of the handful that was honoured, Director of Education Paul Carroll said that if he was to choose one of the schools that were honoured, he said Blyth would be at the top of the list.

Just over 70 people took part in the Brussels Terry Fox Run, braving rainy weather for a good cause. The group raised over $4,200 for the Terry Fox Foundation, which represented an increase over the previous year.

Topping the year’s fundraising list was Bob Richmond, who was the local run’s Terry’s Team Member. He raised $500.

The Brussels Tigers edged out the Lieury Jets by a score of 3-2 to win the 1996 Huron County Fastball League championship.

This was the second league title in a row for the Tigers, who went undefeated with a record of 23-0-1 against league opponents for the season.

Charlene Townsend of RR4, Seaforth, representing Huron County, was named the runner-up at the International Plowing Match’s Queen of the Furrow competition.

She also won the title of Miss Congeniality and was named Miss Friendship by her competitors.

September 22, 2011 After Councillor Brian Barnim raised the issue, Central Huron Council opted to change the terminology for its heads of council to mayor and deputy-mayor, dropping the long-used reeve and deputy-reeve.

Barnim said he found that when he was speaking to residents during the last municipal election, many didn’t quite understand the title of

reeve, whereas they were much more familiar with the concept of a mayor.

After consulting with municipal staff, council made the decision, officially changing the titles.

The Walton Brewers claimed the title of the best fastball team in Huron County, topping the Huron County Fastball League’s year-end tournament, with a win over the Exeter Braves in the championship game, which was played in Brussels.

In the double-elimination tournament format, the Brewers lost the first championship game against the Braves by a score of 85, but then bounced back to win the final game by a score of 9-3, after both teams had suffered a loss in the tournament.

Walton native Brandon McGavin claimed first place at the Canadian Plowing Match, which was held in Owen Sound. McGavin had placed second in the tournament the previous year, after winning it for Ontario two years earlier.

Several local golfers were part of a team that won the annual Western Ontario Athletic Association golf tournament, which was held at Goderich Sunset Golf Club with over 100 golfers competing.

The team included Blyth residents like Ken Stewart, Barney Stewart, who played alongside Bill Brown for the tournament, a scout for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. The locals shot 15 under par to claim victory.

The Avon Maitland District School Board announced a new accommodation review for Colborne Central and Holmesville Public Schools, with Brookside and Clinton Public Schools being left out of the review.

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021. PAGE 5.

Other Views

‘Good old days’ = a bad memory

P

art of the reason the “old days” seem so golden is that time is a wonderful anesthesia.

I was thinking about that the recently when I heard that a parole board had recommended that Sirhan Sirhan, who had assassinated Robert F. Kennedy, should be released from prison. A column by Lawrence Martin in The Globe and Mail also helped bring back the grim reality of the 1960s, a time often celebrated these days as rosy days of peace, love and rock ’n’ roll.

Watching what’s happening in the U.S. today, there’s a sense of unreality – that what we’re seeing can’t really be true. It’s a sensation that people my age have experienced before – in 1968.

Few alive today remember those turbulent times. Successive U.S. governments had attached huge importance to defeating the Communists of North Vietnam who were trying to reunite their country. In 1968 the U.S. sent more than a half-million military personnel to Vietnam, many of them conscripted whether they wanted to go or not.

The Black Lives Matter demonstrations of last year pale beside the racial turmoil of the 1960s. At the beginning of that decade it was still hard to vote in most southern states if you were Black. There were separate washrooms, and separate (and usually inferior) schools. In 1960, when four African American college students sat down at a lunch counter at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina, they were refused service. It began years of efforts to get more rights to Blacks.

Still, many southern jurisdictions used phony excuses to deny the right to vote to Blacks, the most infamous being asking Blacks registering to vote how many jelly beans were

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk in a jar as proof of their literacy. The climax of the effort to register Black voters took place when Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and other civil rights leaders, took part in a 54-mile march of 600 supporters from Selma, Alabama to the state capital at Montgomery in 1965.

When the marchers were viciously attacked by state troopers, scenes of that violence on their television screens convinced many Americans to support the civil rights movement.

Ironically, it was Lyndon B. Johnson, a President from the southern state of Texas, who passed the Civil Rights Act which overturned many southern states’ segregation efforts. Johnson had succeeded John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated in 1963.

But Johnson went along with army leaders who wanted more troops in Vietnam. That led Robert F. Kennedy (“Bobby”), who had been Attorney General in his brother’s cabinet, to declare he would run against a sitting Democratic President for the Democratic Party’s nomination.

The spring of 1968 climaxed a time of continuing shocks. On April 4, King was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee. With his death, new fears arose. King had always advocated non-violence but other Black leaders were impatient with this approach.

Would there be more violence?

Things didn’t look hopeful when

disturbances broke out in more than 100 U.S. cities immediately following King’s murder.

For those of us in southwestern Ontario, the most shocking was the riot in Detroit where whole sections of the downtown were set afire.

The flames could be seen in Windsor.

Meanwhile Kennedy gained support to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee (seeing his situation, Johnson had already said he would retire). On June 5, 1968 Kennedy won the California primary, pretty much sealing the nomination. After the celebration he was shot by Sirhan as he exited through Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel’s kitchen.

As Martin writes, more lives were lost than Kennedy’s that night. He had pledged to bring U.S. troops home from Vietnam. With Kennedy’s death, Richard Nixon won the presidency for the Republicans and continued the war, and thousands more Americans died (and many thousands of Vietnamese). Bitter divisions between pro-war and anti-war factions continued to divide Americans for years.

So, chilling as the current state of affairs south of the border is, a little perspective shows that there have been terrible divisions before. New restrictions imposed to make it harder to vote in some states, for instance, pale by comparison to the days of segregation.

Still, we like to think we have progressed, but often find out we haven’t. When Nixon’s election workers broke into the Democratic campaign offices leading up to the 1972 election, he dodged impeachment by resigning.

Republicans as well as Democrats were ready to punish him. Would that today’s Republicans were as ready to reject former President Donald Trump’s efforts to deny and overturn his 2020 election loss.

So we’re not allowed to make requests?

N

orth Huron Township’s Sept. 13 council meeting left me shocked and in utter disbelief as people were so racially insensitive in the handling of the Blyth Business Improvement Area’s (BIA) request to review infrastructure naming. The request was spurred by the existence of Gypsy Lane, and council’s inaction (and the remarks from the public) frustrated me to the point that I thought I’d have to write three columns on it.

First, I’d write about the horrible way some residents of Blyth treated a young woman who had the guts to stand up and explain why the street name, which includes a racial slur, is inappropriate. I mean, honestly, after being told that the racial slur for the Romani people was used by Nazi concentration camp guards, I couldn’t believe that residents of Blyth would repeat it so often, or question if council had ever met a Romani individual (which they had, in fact, just minutes earlier). The people who brought those arguments, showing the epitome of white privilege, should be ashamed of themselves.

Second, I’d write about how disappointed I am in council for not taking any action, despite Reeve Bernie Bailey and Councillor Anita Van Hittersum trying to push the issue forward.

Passing the buck to Huron County Council would’ve at least shown some kind of movement, but the majority of council members wouldn’t even address the fact, which speaks volumes to their character.

However, in doing some research of my own (you know, actual research, not just finding some historical website from south of the border that says Gypsy is an acceptable term, and then not providing any of the links to said website) I discovered one simple thing: I don’t need to write those columns.

Why? Well, because in 1971, at the first World Romani Congress, the group voted to reject any externally-applied label for the Romani people, especially Gypsy, because of

Denny Scott Denny’s Den its negative connotation and stereotypical application. Also, Ian Hancock says the term is not only pejorative, but also flawed because it’s based on the thinking that his ancestors looked like Egyptians. Hancock’s view is important because, aside from being one of the foremost Romani academics in the world, he was also the only Romani on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and the official ambassador to the United Nations and UNICEF for the world’s 15 million Romanies.

So, I don’t really need to write full columns on that because here’s the takeaway: there’s no grey area. Either you agree that it’s a racist term that should be changed or you are a racist and should be changing yourself. That’s not an argument I need to win, history will see to it.

So what did I land on? Well, it was Councillor Kevin Falconer’s comment that the BIA was stepping outside its purview by making the request.

Let’s be clear here: the BIA didn’t ask that the street name be changed. Its executive requested that council review all infrastructure for problematic names, nothing more.

Falconer even voted in favour of the BIA’s request during a BIA meeting.

While members of the BIA did say they wanted to see the name changed (a completely reasonable goal), the eventual motion from the BIA was to request a review of infrastructure names, which is why no one on Gypsy Lane had been contacted: nothing had happened yet.

Despite Falconer’s protests to the contrary, it’s completely within the right of the BIA to

make a request of council. It’s completely within the rights of every single ratepayer to make those kinds of requests. Just because the BIA is a committee of council doesn’t mean its members lose the right to make requests of council.

Beyond that, the third “purpose” of the BIA, laid out in its constitution that was adopted by council, is to advocate on behalf of the interests of the BIA. Given that the BIA’s executive decided this was of interest to the organization, the executive had every right to make the request.

Had the BIA tried to go around council to implement its own desires, the group would have been overstepping its boundaries.

However, since all the BIA did was ask a question, its members haven’t done a thing wrong. As far as I’m concerned, Falconer (and by extension, North Huron Council, since apparently staff are going to advise the BIA on its rights) are overstepping their purview in telling ratepayers what they can and can’t request of their elected officials.

Even if the BIA’s executive members had demanded the change, they still would have been within their rights to do so. The BIA’s mandate is to promote economic growth within the community and the entire reason behind this request is that BIA executive members are concerned that having a racist street name could be a ticking time bomb that would reflect poorly on the community. They were concerned that it could taint the community and, thus, have a negative commercial impact, which would be completely against the goals of the BIA. Before council dedicates staff time to fixing a problem that isn’t there, it should review what was actually asked by the BIA - to review infrastructure names for potential problems and instead have staff look to solve the problem of having a racist street name before it becomes more than a local issue.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

The issues of the day

A

fter years as the MPP for Huron-Bruce in Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal provincial government, Carol Mitchell lost her seat in 2011 to Conservative Lisa Thompson. I recently came upon my reporting from that election and, when the candidates all met in Holmesville to debate the issues of the day, it was industrial wind turbines that dominated the discussion.

While I’ll be careful to not offend any of the folks who really got worked up over the wind turbine issue - brought about by the Liberal Government’s Green Energy Act - at the time, it is an issue that has faded from the forefront.

It got me thinking about issues that have taken centre stage, catching fire just before an election, whether it be federal, provincial or even municipal, that dominated discussion at the time, influencing voters and changing minds at the polls, only to matter very little after the votes had been cast. Sometimes these issues are manufactured, other times they are legitimate, but it’s always fascinated me that something can be so important one day, only to be jettisoned the next - kind of like a Christmas tree: the centre of attention on one day, sitting out on the curb the next.

The first one that comes to mind over the course of the last 15 years with The Citizen is the debate over whether to allow Muslim women to wear a niqab while they took the oath of citizenship in order to become Canadian citizens.

This became an issue in 2011, when the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism at the time, Jason Kenney (yes, that Jason Kenney) banned the wearing of the niqab during the ceremony. Just a few months later, the Federal Court of Canada found Kenney’s ban to be unlawful and, eventually, Zunera Ishaq, the Mississauga resident at the centre of the issue and the ensuing court challenge, became a Canadian citizen. The 29-year-old woman took the oath while wearing her niqab and officially became a Canadian citizen in 2015.

The incident caused a “political firestorm” and, yes, it was even mentioned at an allcandidates meeting in Huron County.

I remember finding it odd that such a small, isolated issue could so dominate discussion on the federal stage, but that’s what happens during elections. Issues arise and, if they ignite a voter base on either side of the aisle, they’re used to help and harm candidates.

At the time, I thought we’d be talking about healthcare, taxes, infrastructure, the future of the country or any of the other dozens of issues that impact us all on a day-to-day basis, but candidates were talking about whether a woman could wear a niqab during her oath of citizenship ceremony.

In the 2018 provincial election, the proposed Liberal reformation of sexual education in the province really got people talking. Some found it progressive, others found it lewd, but it dominated discussion at the debates.

Also in the 2011 federal election, the long gun registry became politicized, with the Conservatives promising to scrap it, if elected.

It was James Carville, a strategist for Bill Clinton in 1992, who said that election was about “the economy, stupid” as part of what many have called one of the best campaigns ever run. And while it may seem overly reductive, the economy and its overall health is something that affects us all. The same can’t necessarily be said for someone’s attire during an oath of citizenship ceremony or any of the many issues that have affected our elections in an outsized way over the years.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021.

Fall Fair Parade had ‘plenty of fun and laughs’ A NOTE FROM BETTY

By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231

Making it work The Brussels Agricultural Society’s Brussels Fall Fair committee had their work cut out for them this year trying to make the event happen in one form or another. By all reports, however, the parade, which was held over the weekend, and the photo competition were both well attended and well received by the community. The parade brought out everything from antique vehicles to welded menageries and included a lot of people having a great time both seeing the event and being seen on the floats. (John Stephenson photo)

Celebration is the word on my mind as I get ready to do the “newspaper thing” for this week.

Baptism, weather, children, parades and friends are a few of the words that rattle around as I review life here.

The big event of the past week was the Agricultural Society’s endeavour to celebrate our agriculture heritage while coping with COVID-19 and the variants.

A fun parade coordinated by John Lowe and MaryAnn Thompson was held on this past beautiful sunny Sunday. You could not be sure who had the most fun that afternoon, the many participants or those watching. There was plenty of fun and laughs for all to share. An army of volunteers prepared a great meal, with Jeff and Cathy Cardiff looking after the major details. I’m sure President Zoellyn is looking forward to being the Past President after her two very trying COVID years. So the day was a good one on many fronts, reminding us once again the celebration of the good folks we call ours.

Logan had a great celebration as well on Sunday at the United Church. Parents LeeAnn and Craig Ellis were relieved that his sweet personality was on display all through the service. As Alex Jebson used words and water to bless and welcome Logan to the United Church family, it’s probably a good thing that he doesn’t talk yet. With

each drop of water applied, his face told his story. He was not impressed. His sweet personality won and the MacDonald and Ellis families were so proud to celebrate his baptism.

Gatherings of family and friends are always a joy, well most of the time. Ralph will have hit 80 birthdays by the time you read this.

So grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and friends were an important part of our past week as each year is to be celebrated and the bigger the number, there’s more to celebrate.

The last thing to celebrate – the federal election is over. To vote is a right we so often take for granted and we need to stop and view it as a privilege. In many parts of the world, democracy is not there, bullets are dodged to take part in this dangerous activity. I really do hope you marked your ‘X’.

Be safe and be kind.

Bye now, Betty G.W.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

At the Branch

Lions Club holds first in-person meeting

By Jo-Ann McDonald Last week at the Brussels Legion Branch, started with the Brussels

Lions Club holding its first inperson meeting in a very long time.

The group of almost 30 enjoyed a

Serving the community After the successful Brussels Fall Fair parade held on Sunday, the Brussels Agricultural Society held a drivethrough barbecue dinner and, thanks to volunteers like John Lowe, above, served a reported 700 diners. (John Stephenson photo)

roast beef dinner before moving into the extensive business portion of the meeting. Working for the Branch on Monday evening were Nanci Ducharme, Judy Lee, Judy Emmrich and Jo-Ann McDonald.

Friday night was the Catch the Ace draw with Jo-Ann, Nanci and Deb running the draw. The weekly winner was Annette Lewington winning $207. She chose envelope number 19 and the ace of hearts was revealed. The estimated jackpot for next week is $2,300.

There was beef on a bun available for a light meal. Next week is wing night with Jelly Bean Blue playing for entertainment.

Saturday was a busy day around the Branch because of the grand opening of our new neighbours Finish Line Restoration. The Branch opened for refreshments and had beef on a bun available.

There was a great crowd on hand for the show and the Branch was happy to help with the celebration.

Thanks to Comrades Deb Ross, Lisa Glanville, Mabel Glanville, Nanci Ducharme and Jo-Ann McDonald.

For more photos from the Brussels Fall Fair Parade, visit huroncitizen.ca.

Don’t forget to drop in and pay your dues. You can also send a cheque or e-Transfer.

Call the Branch and find out the details. Get your name into a draw to win your 2023 dues. You have three chances. One each in September, October and November. Pay today and save some money.

Property owners are reminded that the due date for the third installment of property taxes and utilities is

September 30, 2021 P. Michiels Finance Manager-Treasurer

Brussels Legion 218 Wing Night September 24

Entertainment by Jelly Bean Blue Playing after the Ace draw

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Annette Lewington $207 Envelope #19 found the Ace of Hearts Estimated jackpot for September 24 is $2,300

Brussels Legion 218 Fish Fry Saturday, October 2 Fish and all the fixin’s Adults $15.00 Child $8.00 Preschool free Reserve your spot at 519-531-1125 or email Branch at legion218@ezlink.ca

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021. PAGE 7.

Finch family holds hockey sale, benefits BBMHA

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Helping out Robb Finch, left, and his family cleared out their large collection of used hockey equipment earlier this month. While the Finches have served as a ‘depot’ for used hockey equipment, Finch wanted to clear out some of his stock and raised $617 for the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association by selling equipment for donations. Above, Finch hands the cash from the event to Leisa Albers of the association. (Photo submitted)

Last weekend, the Finch family of Blyth held a used equipment yard sale which raised money for the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association.

Debb Finch told The Citizen that, over the years, her husband Robb has collected used hockey equipment wherever he could and that the family’s home soon became a “depot” for families that needed to find equipment.

“Hockey equipment can be very expensive, and by having this borrow/return option, many players return year after year,” she said.

“Knowing that Robb collected used equipment, families also dropped off items as their kids grew or no longer played.”

She said the family stored the equipment on the second floor of the family’s garage and, wanting to reclaim the space, Robb decided to host the sale, which brought in $617 in donations for the association.

“Over 40 pairs of skates were sold, along with helmets, protective equipment, socks and practice jerseys,” she said, adding there 20 pairs of skates left over, alongside three large hockey bags of equipment. “We are currently

looking for a First Nations community to donate the remaining items to.”

She said the family also has the “vintage” Blyth Bulldogs and Brussels Bulls jerseys that predate the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association amalgamation. She says the family will be hanging on to them for now, but plan on selling them to raise money for the association at some point as well.

suggested withdrawing funds from the department’s operational reserve. He also suggested advising the partners in the fire department, Morris-Turnberry, Central Huron

and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, of the change.

Council approved the new policies and procedures document bylaw.

NEWS FROM BLYTH

Firefighters get vacation pay through new policy

By Denny Scott The Citizen

North Huron Township Council approved a new human resources policies and procedures bylaw during its Sept. 13 meeting which will, among other things, see firefighters receive vacation pay.

During the meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Dwayne Evans explained that the current document had been in effect for more than a decade, having originally been approved in 2009.

While the document is 12 years old, Evans said minor amendments had been made in that time, however a review and update of the document were long overdue.

The new bylaw, prepared by local

consulting firm Ward and Uptigrove, includes a number of changes, according to Evans, including the following: Revised language to meet provincial requirements Creation of employee classifications to determine compensation packages The elimination of shared services policy to ensure fair treatment for staff Reorganization and combination of policies Removal of policies that were in violation of provincial legislation Changing vacation entitlements so staff can utilize them earlier in their careers, but with reduced maximum vacation time later in their careers

A revised vacation policy that makes firefighters entitled to vacation pay.

The new policy took effect retroactively on Sept. 1, after it was approved by council, with a 12month transition and grace period to allow necessary changes to occur over time.

In his report, Evans said the legal opinion provided stated that firefighters should be given two years of retroactive vacation pay starting Sept. 1, 2019, which will cost the municipality approximately $22,000. While staff initially felt the new expense could be absorbed in the 2021 Fire Department of North Huron budget, unexpected vehicle maintenance expenses prevented that. As a result, Evans

UCW making pies From Marilyn’s Desk

By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Happy birthday to Kelly MacDonald who celebrates Sept.

21; Randy Fraser and Hunter MacDonald, Sept. 22; Jeff Norgate, Sept. 23; and Elaine Chamney on Sept. 27. Happy birthday everyone, hope you have a good day.

Yesterday my son and I travelled to Froomfield, which is between Sarnia and Corunna. What a beautiful day for a trip. We, along with others who were on motor bikes, pedal bikes, in cars, some people walking and others in boats

on the St. Clair river, were enjoying Mother Nature in all her glory. As we travelled we noticed the trees have lost their vibrant green colour and are starting to turn colour.

Blyth United Church has resumed its Church services at 11 a.m. The service will be held outside, weather permitting, in the parking lot, otherwise it will be held inside.

For the outdoor service please bring along your lawn chair Don’t forget the Blyth United drive-through lunch and supper on Sept. 23. The UCW is also starting to make turkey pies starting Oct. 6.

Call Donna Moore at 519-523-9855 to place your order.

Broken Dryer?

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

CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON

TAXES DUE

Preaching to the choir Late last month, local photographer Tyler Jutzi spotted the above gannets while in Quebec. He snapped a shot of one of them preaching to the rest and shared it with The Citizen and you can do the same. E-mail your photos to reporter@northhuron.on.ca to see them in print. (Photo submitted)

The third 2021 tax installment for the Township of North Huron is due on Monday, September 27, 2021. Interest at 1 1/4% per month will be charged on unpaid accounts as of September 28, 2021 and the first day of each month thereafter.

NOTE: Persons who have acquired properties and have not received a tax bill should contact the Municipal Office. Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve a taxpayer from responsibility for payment of taxes, nor from penalty for late payment.

Please contact the Treasury Department in regards to the various payment options available. Pre-authorized payment sign-up forms are available at www.northhuron.ca or at the Town Hall.

Donna White Director of Finance Township of North Huron

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021.

Tigers, Stingers to vie for championship again

By Denny Scott The Citizen

The stage is set for the Huron County Fastball League’s 2021 championship with the Belmore Stingers and the Brussels Tigers vying for the trophy.

The championship started last night, Wednesday, Sept.22, with the Tigers hosting the Stingers, however a score was unavailable as of press time. The squads will face off in a best-of-three series with the next games scheduled for Sunday evening and Monday night, if necessary.

Both the Tigers and the Stingers swept their respective three-game semi-final series with the Stingers downing the Walton Brewers 4-2 on Sept. 15 and then, in extra innings, posting an 8-4 win over the Brewers. The Tigers downed the Fullarton A’s 7-0 in five innings on Sept. 15 before posting a 9-0 win over Fullarton, again in five innings, on Sept. 17.

The series marks a rematch of the 2019 championship, the last hosted due to COVID-19, where the Tigers claimed the trophy over the Stingers.

Leaning in for the bunt The Brussels Tigers were able to secure two convincing wins over the Fullarton A’s last week to secure their berth in the Huron County Fastball League year-end tournament finals against the Belmore Stingers. The Stingers swept their own series against the Walton Brewers, however the second win required extra innings. (John Stephenson photo)

US politics influencing Canada

Ordinarily in this column I refrain from expressing personal opinions as this is called ‘The News from Londesborough’ not the news from Brenda. But, as I sit down to write this, I am somewhat incensed. I try not to get into politics in this space except to encourage everyone to go to the polls and vote. That is the proper way to make your feelings known.

However, I was not in favour of the call for an election at this point in Trudeau’s term but Justin didn’t consult with me or you I don’t expect. Given the short time since the last federal election, the pandemic and the cost, I and many folk would have preferred to wait.

But go to the polls and exercise your right as a Canadian to do so.

Moreover I have been upset with the rallies, protests, name-calling and gravel throwing that has been rampant throughout this campaign.

This is Canada, not the United States. Even with a closed border it seems the American ideas/ways have somehow crossed the line – in more ways than one. Perhaps the isolation of the pandemic has created some of this behaviour. I hope it is not something future campaigns will experience or I shall be ashamed to be Canadian. Is this the way we want to be seen by the rest of the world?

Everyone has a right to their own opinion and to express that – another Canadian privilege. The countryside gets ‘decorated’, short term, with party signs as though we need another reminder of who to

vote for. But those signs are not offensive. Other forms of the media, radio, TV and print must be grateful to have something other than the pandemic to talk about.

But one sign this morning, Sunday, in the village along the highway, offended me. Freedom of speech is one thing but let's be tasteful about expressing it. This is not the Huron County or even the Canadian way. In my opinion.

I noticed municipal personnel have been busy already hanging the Remembrance Day banners. It gives us more time this fall to further appreciate the sacrifices those people made for us. Because of them we have the freedom to vote and freedom of speech.

We actually made it out of Huron County last week on two separate errands and remarked that there is still very little colour in the scenery.

The countryside still looks green and lush, even the grass. Apparently leaves farther north have started to turn. The weather prognosticators are talking about a warm fall and the trees are testament to that. But winter is likely to arrive in early December. So get out and enjoy the next few weeks. Winter will shut us all in again soon enough.

The still green scenery was evident from the Ball’s Chapel last Sunday. Ordinarily the panoramic view from that little church is a treat of autumn colours for this annual service between Knox in Auburn and Londesborough United. One doesn’t need to travel far to revel in that kind of scenery.

Even this little chapel made modern changes for this year's service. Barb Bosman brought along her keyboard to play for the music and Marg Bakker used a computer to run the powerpoint for the order of service and hymns. Both were made possible with a generator.

Bosman played keyboard and Marsha Szusz played her violin and brought lovely old tunes to that unique space in preludes, postludes

and a special number during the service. Auburn and Darryl Ball did a reassuring job of seating everyone in accordance with health protocols. It would have been sad to have missed this service again this September otherwise.

On another note, the board of this chapel have been very busy in the past months redecorating the space – refinishing the plank floor and painting the pews and wainscotting.

It continues to be a gem of a setting.

Rev. Jan Aylward brought along her trusty flashlight to reinforce her message that God gave the world the light of creation, knowledge and relationships. That light is proof of His love and presence in the world.

As Jan remarked, we are proof that God's light still shines. She encouraged all to go forth and do just that.

I received a note from Hullett Central to say that everyone in those halls are pleased to be back together. They are remaining respectful of the protocols that will keep their environment safe and healthy. Enrolment is 262 pupils this year, up 10 from the previous year.

NEWS FROM LONDESBORO

If the Tigers win, it will mark the fourth consecutive championship, and the fifth championship in six years for the Brussels squad.

Watch next week’s issue of The Citizen for results from the championship.

Celebrating A Special Occasion?

Advertise it in

The Citizen Call or email to book your ad today! **Buck & Doe **Anniversary **Wedding **New Baby **Graduation **Birthday

The Citizen 519-523-4792 info@northhuron.on.ca

THE BELGRAVE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD Invites you to their

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

At the Belgrave Community Centre 7 p.m.

At the meeting, members will have the opportunity to: • find out about BCCB’s operations and finances • ask questions about the operations and finances of BCCB • speak about any items on the agenda • vote on any resolutions proposed • accept the minutes of the last annual general meeting • accept the annual financial statements Also the Presentation of the Jim McGee Community Volunteer Award will take place at the Annual General Meeting.

COVID-19 protocols will be in place, attendees will be asked to wear a mask.

Please contact Jonathan VanCamp - President 519-357-8259

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SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles?

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

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

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021. PAGE 9.

Pullen, fall fair honoured at weekend event

Better late than never The Seaforth Agricultural Society was supposed to mark its 175th Fall Fair last year, however COVID-19 regulations and concerns led to the event being cancelled. The planning committee decided to roll with that idea and called this year’s event ‘A Celebration of Rural Life - Take Two’. Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, centre, honoured the fair and the committee with a plaque marking its longevity on Saturday.

(Denny Scott photo)

By Denny Scott The Citizen

The Seaforth Fall Fair and accompanying 4-H shows marked a

number of anniversaries over the weekend, welcoming dignitaries to honour achievements made by both the group and individuals.

The fair itself was marking its

Milestone Florence Pullen, centre, was honoured for her contributions to local 4-H initiatives over the past 41 years. She was recognized during the 4-H shows at the Seaforth Fall Fair on Saturday. From left: Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Huron County Warden Glen McNeil, Pullen, Huron County 4-H Leaders Association President Curtis McNeil and Association Past-President and Association Representative Darrel Bergsma. (Denny Scott photo)

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175th iteration, a milestone that was to occur last year but didn’t due to COVID-19, while Florence Pullen was recognized for 41 years as a volunteer with local 4-H clubs.

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson was on hand for both achievements, congratulating the fall fair committee for reaching such a significant milestone and crediting Pullen, as well as other volunteers, with the ongoing success of 4-H clubs in Huron County.

Pullen was recognized during a break in the 4-H program held at the Seaforth Agri-plex on Saturday morning, with Huron County 4-H Leaders’ Association president Curtis McNeil addressing Pullen’s extensive record first. He said he wanted to thank her not only for her time as a leader, but also for being a “flag bearer” for Huron County and always being ready to volunteer for the organization.

Thompson also spoke to Pullen’s record, saying that there are generations of former 4-H members working in Ontario’s agricultural fields, like herself, thanks in no small part due to the efforts of Pullen and her husband Don. For her part, Pullen was surprised by the announcement, saying she thought she was at the fair to just take in the 4-H show. She thanked everyone for their kind words, before saying that 40 years had gone by fast and she had enjoyed every minute of it. She also said that working with the 4-H club members kept her feeling young.

Shortly after that presentation, the Seaforth Fall Fair committee was recognized for their part in the

efforts that have made the fair a success for 176 years and 175 fairs.

Crystal Whyte, chair of the committee said the group went ahead with this year’s fair with a theme of “A Celebration of Rural Life - Take Two” after the fair couldn’t go ahead last year.

“Things have gone very, very well,” she said, admitting it was difficult planning for such an event during the uncertainty of COVID19. “There were a lot of different protocols to follow, but the committee was able to plan for the event for two years.”

She said the fair saw a great response from Seaforth, its surrounding communities and the volunteers that made it happen.

Thompson honoured the group, saying what an important part of the community fall fairs were.

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021.

Historic plaque placed to mark CFB Clinton history

Unveiling The Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Association, alongside other stakeholders, unveiled a historical plaque at the former Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Clinton, Vanastra, during a special event on Sunday. The plaque details the history of the site from its inception as a Royal Air Force training base in 1941 to its closure in 1971.

Representing the association in the unveiling are, from left, Chief Warrant Officer Gilles Philibert, Major-General John Leech (Retired), and Colonel Eric Charron alongside Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan. (Denny Scott photo)

By Denny Scott The Citizen After years of planning and a oneyear delay due to COVID-19, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Clinton was honoured on the weekend with a historical plaque, marking the site’s importance in the military history of the country.

The event, which came together thanks to the efforts of the Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Vimy Officers’ Mess at CFB Kingston, Veterans Affairs Canada, the late

Jan Hawley and current and past Huron East Council and staff, saw a plaque placed in front of the Vanastra Recreation Centre on Sunday. The plaque details a brief history of the base and its importance to the community. The site, among other things, was home to the base church.

The event started with a parade including colour parties from local Legion branches and the pipe bands from the Clinton and Brussels branches of the Legion.

Lieutenant Colonel Tony Charters (Retired) of the association emceed

Look way up While an official flyby from the Canadian Forces wasn’t possible due to COVID-19 requirements, the Canadian Harvard Association was able to attend the unveiling of a historical plaque honouring the history of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Clinton Sunday. (Denny Scott photo)

the event, welcoming a number of special guest speakers as well as Royal Canadian Legion members from a number of local branches, and the community at large.

He said that the genesis of the event could be traced back to Brigadier-General Kevin O’Keefe (Retired), who suggested something be erected to mark the importance of CFB Clinton.

“Clinton is the home of RADAR,” Charters said. “We should have something here.”

He said that O’Keefe worked with Hawley to secure funding and have the plaque produced and, while it was unveiled over the weekend, it was actually dated last year as that was when the event was originally slated to take place.

After Hawley’s passing last year, Charters said, now-retired Huron East Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight, alongside council and other staff, worked to bring the plaque to fruition.

Charters explained that Sunday marked not only the special event in Clinton, but also the Battle of Britain Day, marking the 81st anniversary of a decisive victory of the Royal Air Force over the German Luftwaffe.

Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan was the first dignitary welcomed to speak at the announcement, and took his time to explain how much Hawley loved

Vanastra, and how hard she worked to help show what made the community, which was built on the former CFB Clinton, special. He made a point of thanking the local Lions Club for the donation of a bench in Hawley’s honour.

Next, the President of the Communications and Electronics Association, Major General John Leech (Retired) spoke, detailing the history of the base, from its creation as a Royal Air Force training station in 1941 to becoming part of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 and finally its closure in 1971 as part of the unification of the armed services. He also detailed the work of the association and its over 7,500 members, highlighting the historic efforts the group maintains.

He thanked all the individuals and organizations involved, saying the plaque marks a major part of the association and the country’s history, honouring all those who trained and worked at the base.

Next, Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command District C Commander Eric Ross spoke, detailing his own family history with the base, as his uncle had trained there. He also noted that the 50th anniversary of the closing of the base was only one milestone being observed this year, including the 100th anniversary of the poppy Continued on page 11

M-T won’t change office hours

By Denny Scott The Citizen Morris-Turnberry Council has decided to maintain its current office hours instead of standardizing them throughout the year as suggested by staff.

During council’s Sept. 7 meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Hallam said the current system, which has the office open from September to June from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday to Thursday and 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday then switch for July and August to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, is complicated and didn’t compare to other municipalities. Hallam pointed out that every neighbouring municipality has standard, yearround office hours.

Simplifying the office hours with one set schedule throughout the year would “simplify scheduling requirements, provide more predictability in the operation hours of the office and bring the hours of the office in line with municipal offices in the area,” Hallam said.

“Staff recommend changing the hours of the office to 8:30 [a.m.] to 4:30 [p.m.] Monday to Friday year round,” he said in his report.

Councillor Jim Nelemans asked if there would be any expense associated with it, and Hallam said no, it would just mean staff’s schedules may change. He also pointed out that this could have a beneficial impact on staff morale as, currently, staff members may not be able to leave at 5 p.m. as some work may need to be completed after the doors are closed.

Deputy-Reeve Sharen Zinn said that reducing the hours could have a negative impact on ratepayers, saying some people already have a difficult time getting into the office during regular business hours. She specifically pointed to the

construction industry, where, she said, people regularly work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hallam said staff have before and will likely continue to make themselves available after hours for those who can’t come in during the day, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Mayor Jamie Heffer said hearing that made him comfortable with the change.

Councillor Kevin Freiburger moved to go ahead with the rescheduling, and both he and Heffer voted in favour of it. Zinn, Nelemans and Councillor Jamie McCallum, however, voted against it, defeating the motion. No further action was taken as a result of the report and staff recommendation.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021. PAGE 11.

Brigadier General looks back on time at base base was instrumental, he said, in the organizations that followed through to modernity.

After Charron gave a preview of the inscription of the plaque, which was still under cover, two Harvard aircraft, from the Canadian Harvard Association, did a flyby of the site, passing over three times. The plaque was then unveiled and the assembled speakers and dignitaries took a tour of the former air base.

The inscription on the plaque, which is in both English and French, reads as follows: Royal Canadian Air Force Station Clinton The RCAF took over Station Clinton from the Royal Air Force in 1943 and created No. 5 Radio School to train officers, technicians and operators on Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) systems.

Over 7,000 Canadian and Allied service personnel passed through the school during [World War 2]. In 1945, Station Clinton became home to No. 1 Radar and Communications School and remained the primary radar and communications training site until it closed in 1971.

This plaque is dedicated to the military members and civilian employees who served and trained at this site. It also serves as a reminder of the friendship that existed between the station and the local communities.

Dedicated by the Canadian Forces Communication and Electronics Association and the Vimy Officers’ Mess, CFB Kingston with the support of the Municipality of Huron East on 02 May 2020.

Leading the way Lieutenant Colonel Tony Charters (Retired) of the Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Association emceed a special event at the former Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Clinton in Vanastra on Sunday. The event unveiled a plaque detailing the history of the site and its importance in both World War II and in the development of RADAR technologies. (Denny Scott photo) Continued from page 10 being used to honour fallen soldiers.

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb spoke next, saying that, with the colour parties and pipe bands, it felt like being taken back in time to when parades would have been a regular occurrence at the base.

He thanked the veterans, the Legions and Huron East for hosting the event and honouring the history of the community.

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson also noted the importance of the history being honoured that day, saying that both it and the service that those trained at the base provided matters. She said the plaque was a page in local history.

“We need to remember those who served,” she said. “But we also need to remember the communities that served those men and women.”

Thompson also credited Hawley for the work she did in the community.

The keynote speaker for the event was Brigadier General Michel Charron (Retired), who had spent some time at the base during his military career.

He said he was honored to be at the event and felt the historic trail that Huron East created through the former CFB showed the solid relationship of the base and the surrounding communities.

Charron explained the plaque

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marked a milestone in the history of the RCAF, but at first spoke more to the history of the people at the base than the base itself.

He came to the base near the end of its life cycle, and remembers that the base offered great living quarters, but that many of his friends were newly married and lived off the base, and that the communities respected them.

Charron spoke to the realities of life on the base, as well as giving an

overview of how the base came to be there and how important it was to the World War II effort.

He said it was impressive how the tiny village of Clinton, with a population of 2,000, turned out over 7,000 graduates from both the United States and Canada in four years, and impressed its students from the United States so much that the base style was adopted south of the border.

The work of the graduates of the

Keynote Brigadier General Michel Charron (Retired) was the keynote speaker at a special event at the former Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Clinton on the weekend.

Charron trained at the site during his career. (Denny Scott photo)

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Car show marks grand opening of Brussels business

Taking it all in Brussels main street was lined with vehicles of all makes, models and vintages on Saturday as part of a grand opening celebration the likes of which the community hadn’t seen in recent memory. Kimberley Miller and Christopher Caskanette, owners of Finish Line Restoration, marked their opening with the show, which they say may become an annual event. (John Stephenson photo)

Kimberley Miller and Christopher Caskanette, the owners of Finish Line Restoration, a new main-street business in Brussels, set a high standard for grand openings in the community going forward.

The couple marked the start of their new business venture with a car show that saw vehicles parked up and down Brussels’ main street, bringing numerous visitors to the community’s commercial core to take in the event.

The official opening of the business, which provides complete paint work, restoration and any sort of refinishing, according to Miller, was Monday of this week.

Previously, Miller worked as a technical representative for a paint company, but decided she didn’t enjoy the corporate lifestyle and wanted to focus on restoring old

vehicles and doing custom paint jobs, so she sold her house in Bright, a small community near New Hamburg, and moved in with Caskanette and opened up her new business.

She said she’s happy to work on cars, but can do boats, ATVs, small planes or whatever people bring her.

She’s also excited to be a part of the community, saying she loves Brussels because, since she came to Ontario from Newfoundland, she hasn’t really felt at home, but feels fantastic about Brussels. She said those feelings were only increased when she took part in the Brussels Fall Fair Parade that was held on Sunday.

The car show went well, she said, and the turnout was incredible.

Miller and Caskanette plan on making it an annual event going

2021 response targets to stay

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County Council has opted to keep its 2022 land ambulance response time performance plan targets at the same level as last year, on the recommendation of Emergency Services Chief Jeff Horseman.

Horseman spoke to the issue at council’s Sept. 15 meeting, which was held virtually via Zoom. He said that, while the Huron County Emergency Services Department saw an overall decrease in the percentage for meeting mandated response times in the first half of 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in those figures.

“The response time results for January, 2021 to June 30, 2021 indicate an overall decrease in the percentages for meeting the mandated response times, however, it should be noted that the 2020 results were during the COVID-19 peak, in which the overall call volumes were decreased as much as 28 per cent over the same period of time in 2019,” Horseman said in his report to council. “As we proceed further into 2021, the call volumes start to normalize with the Stage 3 reopening of Ontario, it is expected that the overall call volume will show an increase consistent with the projected estimates noted in the 2019 deployment review. This type of increase will start to impose a negative result within our response time performance.”

There are six levels of response time expectations, beginning with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The response time standard is under six minutes and the county’s approved response time percentile is 40 per cent. The ambulance hit that response time target 13 per cent of the time in the year-to-date figures for 2021, despite being rather consistent from 2017 to 2020 (46 per cent in 2017, 31 per cent in 2018, 29 per cent in 2019 and 36 per cent in 2020).

For Level 1, the standard is under eight minutes and the county’s approved percentile was also 40 per cent. Level 1 is labelled “Resuscitation” and indicates “conditions that are threats to life of limb (or imminent risk of deterioration) requiring immediate aggressive interventions. Cardiac arrest/major trauma/severe respiratory distress.”

In his year-to-date figures for 2021, Horseman said the department was meeting that figure on the nose with 40 per cent, after years of exceeding it (49 per cent in 2017, 44 per cent in 2018, 46 per cent in 2019 and 55 per cent in 2020).

For Level 2, labelled “Emergent”, the response time standard is under 17 minutes and the county’s approved percentile is 65 per cent.

Level 2 indicates a situation in which there is a potential threat to life, limb or function, requiring rapid medical intervention or controlled acts, including head injury, severe trauma and chest pain.

Horseman said that county paramedics achieved the approved percentile for response time in 91 per cent of these calls in the first half of 2021, which is consistent with performance in the last four years (92 per cent in 2017, 91 per cent in 2018, 88 per cent in 2019 and 90 per cent in 2020).

The response time standard for Level 3 calls is also under 17 minutes and the county’s approved percentile is 50 per cent. These are calls that are labelled as “Urgent” and that could potentially progress to a serious situation, requiring emergency intervention. These calls, Horseman said in his report, may be associated with significant discomfort or affect someone’s ability to function at work or the activities associated with daily living.

The county was again consistent with past performances on these calls, achieving the approved response time percentile in 87 per cent of calls, compared to 89 per cent in 2017, 90 per cent in 2018, 89 per cent in 2019 and 88 per cent in 2020.

For Levels 4 and 5, which are labelled “Less Urgent” and “NonUrgent”, the response time standard is under 30 minutes and the county’s approved response time percentile is 65 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively. Horseman said the county hit these response time targets 100 per cent of the time in both cases, which is consistent with performance over the course of the past four years.

County paramedics responded to Level 4 calls in under 30 minutes in 99 per cent of calls in 2017, 2019 and 2020, hitting 100 per cent in 2018. In Level 5 calls, the county

has responded to 100 per cent of the calls in under 30 minutes in every situation from 2017 to 2020.

For reference, Horseman listed the number of calls under each response time level for 2020. He said there were 22 calls for a sudden cardiac arrest, followed by 47 Level 1 calls, 833 Level 2 calls, 2,395 Level 3 calls, 510 Level 4 calls and 113 Level 5 calls.

Horseman told council that the goal of the department’s performance plan is to provide response time standards where medical evidence exists to support the establishment of a target response time, provide reporting that matches the needs of the patient to the performance of the municipality in meeting those needs, provide reporting that is accountable, transparent and comparable between municipalities and to provide municipalities with flexibility in the establishment of response time measures for different patient acuities to achieve greater efficiency in the deployment of current paramedic resources.

Horseman noted in his report that the county has not met the sudden cardiac arrest target for the third year in a row in 2020.

“A review of our 2020 data for the SCA and [Level 1] calls that did not meet the response time targets indicates that the reason for not meeting our response times was due to the travel distance to the call for service. If the call for service is outside the community in which the ambulance is stationed, the possibility of making the response time for SCA and [Level 1] calls is greatly reduced,” Horseman said in his report.

Horseman told councillors this was simply the reality for a geographic area the size of Huron County that paramedics wouldn’t be able to meet short response times without an ambulance stationed every few rural blocks. This was also tied into the recent Operational Research in Health Limited (ORH) study that was completed for the county, suggesting optimal locations for ambulance stations and a prediction of future calls to ensure the best chance of meeting response time targets.

Council approved Horseman’s recommendation to retain the same response time targets for 2022 with no discussion.

New business Finish Line Restoration, owned by Kimberley Miller and Christopher Caskanette, opened on Brussels main street earlier this week after a hosting a car show on the weekend. (John Stephenson photo)

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Brussels Livestock report

Fed steers, heifers hit $3 to $5 higher Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Sept.

16 were 1,773 cattle and 784 lambs and goats.

On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold actively with prices $3 to $5 higher. Choice steers and heifers sold $157 to $166 with sales

to $167. Second-cut cattle sold $150 to $156. Aged and mediumfed steers and heifers sold $135 to $145. Cows sold steady.

On Thursday, veal sold actively at higher prices. Lambs, sheep and goats all sold steady.

On Friday, calves and yearlings

sold on a strong active trade steady to last week’s high market.

L&A Black of Proton Station, consigned 12 head. Two black steers averaged 1,500 lbs. and sold for an average price of $167.

Nathan Becker of Ayton, consigned four head. One red steer

The big show The Seaforth Fall Fair was held over the weekend including a number of 4-H shows which saw members showing off the animals they have raised through their clubs this year. (Denny Scott photo)

Charges for passing buses laid Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind all drivers to once again think about school bus safety now that the school year has begun. It has been a while since drivers may have encountered school buses on the roads but the laws have not changed and it is time all drivers start paying attention and stop for all stopped school buses on the roads.

Police say that, just two weeks into the school year, Huron County OPP have already received several complaints about drivers failing to stop for stopped school buses. On Monday, Sept. 13, Huron OPP officers charged a 77-year-old driver with Failing to Stop for a Stopped School Bus on Morris Road. In addition, a 24-year-old driver was charged when she failed to stop for a stopped school bus on Huron Road. In both instances, young children were preparing to load onto the bus when the vehicles passed by at highway speeds.

“The law is very clear, if the school bus is stopped and the stop arm is activated and the overhead red lights are flashing, you must come to a stop. Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” Huron County OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Jason Younan said. “The law is in place to keep our children safe. If you decide to pass a stopped school

bus you may not only be facing charges, you may have to live with the fact you ran over a child.”

The OPP reminds drivers of the rules about stopping for school buses: When driving on a road without a median: • Drivers travelling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing and/or stop arm activated • When you approach the bus from the front, stop at a safe distance to let children get on or off the bus and cross the road • Don’t move forward until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is no longer activated or the bus begins to move.

When driving on a road with a median: • Traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop.

Police say vehicle owners need to be aware that if the driver can’t be identified, the owner can be charged for the offence, provided the licence plate number is obtained by a witness.

If convicted, the driver/owner can be fined from $400 up to $2,000 for a first offence and, for subsequent convictions, may be fined between $1,000 and $4,000, receive imprisonment, or both. The penalty

section also levies six demerit points to a driver’s licence and possible jail time of up to six months.

The OPP reports that the law is in place to protect our children.

Passing a stopped school bus is not only against the law, it’s a potential lethal decision.

The Huron County OPP encourages all parents and caregivers to talk to their children about the importance of being safe when going to and from school, whether they’re on foot, bicycle or taking a school bus.

If you see a driver who fails to stop for a stopped school bus, try to obtain the vehicle licence plate number and a description of the driver and then call Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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weighed 1,345 lbs. and sold for a price of $167.

There were 225 cows on offer.

Beef sold $84.50 to $115 with sales to $118; good holstein cows, $80 to $100 with sales to $101; medium holstein cows, $75 to $90; plain cows, $65 to $75.

There were 150 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $160 to $200 with sales to $206; good holsteins, $125 to $142; SL heavy holsteins, $120 to $138; heavy holsteins, $110 to $122; medium holsteins, $110 to $122.

Sidney Bauman of Wallenstein, consigned three head. One black steer weighed 855 lbs. and sold for a price of $206.

Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $308.75 to $320; 50 - 64 lbs., $283.50 to $319; 65 - 79 lbs., $270.75 to $296; 80 - 94 lbs., $225 to $248; 95 - 109 lbs., $220 to $229; 110 lbs. and over, $209 to $229.

Sheep sold $100 to $250.

Goats: billies sold $150 to $400; nannies, $100 to $275; kids: meat, $275 to $355; dairy, $200 to $290.

Barry Parsons of Kirkton, consigned 32 head. Eight lambs averaged 63 lbs. and sold for an average price of $319.

Ian Croft of Blyth, consigned four head. Three kid goats averaged 51 lbs. and sold for an average price of $345.

Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $234.75 to $257; 400 499 lbs., $258.50 to $279; 500 - 599 lbs., $226 to $245; 600 - 699 lbs., $212 to $236; 700 - 799 lbs., $211 to $226.75; 800 - 899 lbs., $201.75 to $217; 900 - 999 lbs., $197 to $207.50; 1,000 lbs. and over, $173.75 to $196.

Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs. sold $201.50 to $237.50; 500 - 599 lbs., $202 to $208; 600 699 lbs., $185.50 to $221; 700 - 799 lbs., $187 to $195.25; 800 - 899 lbs., $168 to $181.50; 900 lbs. and over, $168.50 to $186.

Onias N. Martin of Teeswater, consigned 27 head. Nine charolais heifers averaged 951 lbs. and sold for an average price of $184.75.

Amos Martin of Douglas, consigned 30 head. Ten charolais heifers averaged 904 lbs. and sold for an average price of $179.25.

Grey 9 Tarps of Dundalk, consigned 20 head. Nine charolais steers averaged 1,002 lbs. and sold for an average price of $196.

Gary Stein of Teeswater, consigned 10 head. Five gold steers averaged 905 lbs. and sold for an average price of $207.50.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Issued: September 16, 2021 Seaforth, Ontario. Effective September 22, 2021 the Municipality of Huron East will be requiring Proof of Vaccination at all of its indoor recreational facilities. Patrons will be required to provide valid government identification and Proof of Vaccination in accordance with Ontario Regulation 645/21.

Under Ontario Regulation 645/21 each facility is required to obtain valid Proof of Vaccination from all patrons prior to admittance, save and except the following: • Children under 12 years of age (Proof of Age may be requested and, if requested, must be provided to gain entry); • Youth under 18 years of age who are actively participating in the organized sport or activity which is currently or immediately occurring at the facility; or • Persons with Proof of Medical Reason for Not Being Vaccinated: Proof must be provided with government identification and must: o Name the person in the written documentation which matches the identification provided; o Provide name and contact information of the physician or registered nurse in the extended class; o Include a logo or letterhead identifying the physician or registered nurse in the extended class; o Include a statement that there is a medical reason for the individual’s exemption from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19; and o Provide any effective time period for the medical reason that must include the date the patron is seeking access to the facility.

For further details and guidance regarding Ontario Regulation 645/21 please see Proof of Vaccination Guidance of Businesses and Organization under the Reopening Ontario Act on the Ontario Ministry of Health website.

For further inquiries or questions, please contact: Mr. Brad McRoberts, MPA, P. Eng. CAO/Clerk Municipality of Huron East, 72 Main Street, PO Box 610 Seaforth, On N0K 1W0 (519) 527-0160 Ext 29

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For tender forms & other particulars contact: Devereaux Murray Professional Corporation 77 Main St. South, Seaforth, Ontario N0K 1W0 Phone: (519) 527-0850 x 234 Email: tsmith@devereauxmurray.ca Tenders to be submitted by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted

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Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca FOR SALE - dark cherry colour desk, (57.5"Lx25"Wx30"H), two drawers, side cabinet and sliding keyboard tray, $25. Text 519-4402495 for picture, pickup near Clinton.

38-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - chain link fence, approx. 100', $75; 16 foot heavy logging chain, $40; quantity of stove/duct pipe, $5; heavy glass for shelves, various sizes, $3 to $10; new interior door 32"Wx80"H, $40; two brown screen doors, 33"x80", $15 each. 519-523-4711.

38-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - chimney brush with three extensions, $25. Phone 519357-1722.

38-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Stihl 170 chainsaw with 14" bar, in good condition, $140. 519-357-9694.

38-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Dominion pump organ for sale, best offer. Contact aproc668@gmail.com 38-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - four furry animal Halloween costumes: toddler size, $2 each; box of crib sheets and blankets, $1 each or make an offer on the box; girl’s clothing, 9-12-1824 months and 2T, $1 each.

Proceeds to Wingham Hospital Auxiliary, 519-357-2768.

37-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - two sets dirt bike Thor chest/arm protectors, size S/M; 2 pair shin guards. Phone 519357-2768.

37-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - china cups and saucers; cotton dishcloths, $2; scrubbies, $1; and lap afghans, $7.

519-523-9274.

37-3 ------------------------------------------

FOR SALE - black walnut lumber, well dried, various lengths, widths and thickness for $7 a board foot.

Call after 6 p.m. 519-523-4485.

37-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Pioneer stereo set, 2deck tape player; record turntable; radio; 5 CD player; two Marsland wooden speakers; 32x80 oak door.

Best offer. Phone 519-887-9417.

37-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - 48" Haier colour TV, works great, $200; Singer sewing machine in cabinet with matching stool, $100; 2 separate newspapers - The Brussels Post Wed., Sept. 30, 1953 and The Toronto Magazine Sunday Sun, Sept. 16, 1973, $20; Sony surround sound 180W speaker system including two large speakers, two small speakers and one sub woofer, $125. Call 519357-8182, Wingham pick up. 37-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Elvis lovers: vintagetype folding lawn chair, pink and black cord, with intertwined words: Elvis, Love Me Tender, a guitar, musical notes, original protective covering on arms, $50. Can email pic. 519-528-2284.

37-3 -----------------------------------------FOR SALE - Health Rider H20X exercise bike, excellent condition, asking $350; collection of Cobble Hill and Kim Nolan 1,000-piece puzzles, $7 each; assortment of cook books. Phone 519-606-4849, Clinton.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021. PAGE 15.

County approves pursing expanded fire hall

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County Council is allowing Huron East Council to proceed with conceptual site plans for the expansion of the Brussels Fire Hall to include paramedic vehicle bays and crew quarters.

Chief of Emergency Services Jeff Horseman spoke to the issue at Huron County Council’s Sept. 15 meeting. It dates back to late 2020 and Horseman said his department was delayed in completing a report and recommendation, for which he apologized.

The issue came about as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and paramedics stationed in an ambulance outside of Huronlea Home for the Aged no longer being

able to access the building as a result of the pandemic. Several long-term solutions for a permanent paramedic posting in Brussels had already been discussed in a report from Operational Research in Health Limited (ORH) and Horseman said the pandemic simply expedited those conversations.

In 2020, he said he had explored two options with Huron East: building a new, stand-alone paramedic base on the Brussels Fire Hall property or to build an addition onto the existing Brussels Fire Hall.

Several other options, such as eliminating an ambulance presence in Brussels, were also presented at the time, but rejected by council.

“Building a stand-alone paramedic base on the current

Big smiles The Brussels Fall Fair parade on Sunday was one of the few events that could be held this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Fun was had by those taking in the fair and those taking part. (John Stephenson photo)

Brussels Fire Hall property, although possible, would cause some logistical hurdles and added costs, such as severance of a portion of the property and the county footing the construction costs and future building maintenance,” Horseman said in his report.

“However, building an addition to the fire hall would allow for a joint venture with the municipality. The Municipality of Huron East could build the addition, maintain ownership of their building, build another addition for the fire services, if required, and negotiate a long-term lease with the county for use of the paramedic space, which would include a capital payback portion for construction costs.”

Horseman said he went on to meet with Huron East staff and the construction of an addition quickly emerged as the preferred option.

Huron East staff proposed to build the addition onto the southeast portion of the current fire hall, also adding one-and-a-half bays for fire services.

“Paramedic services would then have a crew area located between the new fire apparatus bay and the southeast wall. To the north of the paramedic crew area, there would be two drive-through paramedic vehicle bays,” Horseman said in his report. “The ability to have two paramedic vehicle bays in Brussels will allow for the on-duty vehicle and one spare vehicle to be housed in Brussels. Housing a spare vehicle in Brussels will help with the spare vehicle storage issues identified in the ORH consultant report and will help limit the vehicle space needed for the Seaforth base in the future.”

Horseman says the proposed paramedic crew area will include an office, medical supply storage room, training and meeting room, crew kitchen and living room, washrooms and a locker area.

Huron East Council has approved moving to the next phase of the project, Horseman said, which would be to obtain formal

Obituaries Paul was predeceased by his parents Stuart and Ivy (Campbell) Cloakey.

A private family service was held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Interment was in Brandon Cemetery, Belgrave.

Memorial donations to Listowel

STRATFORD MEMORIALS Creating Memories in Stone for Over 95 years

PAUL KENNETH CLOAKEY Paul Kenneth Cloakey of Monkton passed away at Listowel Memorial Hospital on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. He was in his 65th year.

Paul was the husband of Shawna Coughlin; the father of Jonathan and Angela Cloakey, Guelph and Pamela and Joseph Buonaiuto, Hamilton and the grandfather of Shaymus and Everett.

He was the brother of Doug and Joan Cloakey, Morris Township; Alex and Jean Cloakey, Kincardine; Sharon and Barry Bondi, Belgrave and Sandra and Pete Brommer, Clinton.

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

Memorial Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca

conceptual site plans. Once the plans are designed, he said, he will be able to better estimate potential construction costs.

Council approved Horseman’s recommendation, allowing Huron East to proceed to the next phase of the project.

Cottrills compete PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE

By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188

Jim Hess was the guest speaker at Belgrave Knox United Church on Sunday, Sept. 19. The guest speaker for Sunday, Sept. 26 is Ben Procter.

Everyone is welcome.

Birthday greetings are extended to Marion Simpson on her 90th birthday on Sept. 20.

Shawn and Katie Cottrill (Team Cottrill) travelled to Quebec City this past weekend to compete in the Goldline DM Express Mixed Doubles curling tournament. It was their first competition in 18 months.

They went through the three-game round robin undefeated to qualify for the playoffs.

In a hard-fought battle, they lost to a Quebec team in the quarterfinal to bring their run to an end.

Congratulations Shawn and Katie and good luck in your future tournaments this year.

Follow The Citizen on Facebook, Twitter or through our website at huroncitizen.ca

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

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

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PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021.

Complaints from detour anticipated

By Denny Scott The Citizen

Blink and you’ll miss it The Belmore Stingers downed the Walton Brewers in the semi-final of the Huron County Fastball League year-end tournament. The Stingers will now face off against the Brussels Tigers in the championship. (John Stephenson photo)

Looking back on businesses PEOPLE AROUND WALTON

By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

The good weather has the farmers hard at it. There are many at the white bean harvest and once that field is finished, many will move into planting wheat. Some farmers have started soybean harvest and the same scenario will follow that harvest. Beef farmers are doing corn silage to pack into the pit silos for use this winter. The busy season is upon the farmers.

The Brussels Agricultural Society had a Fall Fair parade on Sunday afternoon and as usual, it was a very good parade. There were lots of floats and decorated vehicles, the scooter brigade was out and the Homecoming committee was there to remind everyone about the party next year.

When the parade was over, I strolled the main street to look at the picture boards with the photo entries for the fair. Hopefully they will be in the windows for a while, so everyone gets a chance to see them. There were some great photos!

Next was the drive-thru roast beef dinner at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. Jeff and Cathy Cardiff with lots of helpers put on a wonderful meal for the fundraiser for the Fair Board.

It is never too early to start thinking about what to do this winter if we are able. Hockey registration was held and I know the pickleball fans are waiting to get going full time. The Brussels Curling Club looks forward to seeing old and new friends coming out to curl if able. Our lives have been so changed with the pandemic and everything is premised by COVID protocols. Hockey will start in October and curling in November so think about what to do this winter.

We were able to have all our family gather on Sunday for the

occasion of the baptism of our grandson Logan. The baptism was held outside at Brussels United Church on Sunday morning. Logan is the son of LeeAnn and Craig Ellis. The family then gathered at our home for lunch and a visit. It was a beautiful day to play outside for the kids.

Our get-well wishes go out to Stephen Bernard. He had an accident and suffered a broken leg and will be laid up for awhile.

We also send get-well wishes to Olivia McHardy who also had an accident and suffered a broken wrist and fingers. She has rods in her wrist and will be awhile healing, so we hope time flies for her.

My visit with Helen Brenie last week got me to thinking how the village of Walton has changed in 45 years since my arrival. The village was “alive” with businesses. There was HN Stayrite Dairy Supply (Haverman and Nelemans) which became Boumatic – Rob McIntosh is no longer in business, but offers winter storage; LH Irrigation is now Walton Equipment Rentals; Ryan Trucking is still operating with added Ryan Truck Repair; Ryan Drying is now Millstone; Humphries Store is gone; Walton Feed Mill is gone, replaced with RTM North; the Walton Inn is closed at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic; Carters Welding Shop is now gone; Kirkby Drainage is now moved out of town and is KMM; James Dale Milk Trucking is still operating; Dick Marks Garage with gas pumps is now gone; Shortreed Electric and Pole is now retired; McGavin Farm Equipment now joined with Robert’s Farm Equipment and the Walton Public School is now Walton Little School and Barmy Tech. During the last 40 years there has been many other businesses come and go including an ice cream store, a variety store, a submarine and pizza shop, an auto repair garage, an autobody shop, another variety store with postal outlet, a treasure chest store, a reflexology shop, a library and the railway tracks were taken up. I could name almost all the folks who lived in Walton back then and now there are many folks we do not know or haven’t met. Yes the village has

NEWS FROM WALTON changed but it is always fun to remember how it used to be.

Celebrating birthdays this past week were Brooke Leslie Ribey, Indre McCall MacBain, Matthew Ryan, Emma Strome, Brittany Holmes, Eli Csöff , Heather Kelso, Bruce Whitmore, Chrissy Warwick, Mike Boven, Lucas Godkin, Sean Kirkby and Tim Nolan. Happy birthday to all!

Morris-Turnberry Director of Public Works Mike Alcock is anticipating a number of complaints regarding ongoing construction on County Road 4.

During Morris-Turnberry Council’s Sept. 7 meeting, Alcock explained the thoroughfare is currently closed from Stone School Road to Reid Road as culverts are being replaced, and that he had already received complaints about the detour, which he says has vehicles travelling 20 kilometres out of their way to travel north on County Road 4.

The planned detour, he said, takes traffic west on Belgrave Road, north on Donnybrook Line and then east on County Road 86.

Council took no action as a result of the report. *** While he had no written report, Alcock said the intense storm that hit southwestern Ontario on Sept. 7 had caused some damage throughout the municipality.

“There was a major storm that passed through the area today,” he said during council’s Sept. 7 meeting. “We seemed to make out well, but there were some areas that were hit.”

He said the worst of the damage in Morris-Turnberry was in the Glenannon and Holmes Roads area, and that those two roads remained closed due to downed trees and hydro lines for some time. *** A chemical spill that happened on C Line, a corduroy-style road that lies on the surrounding marshland, has been completely cleaned up according to Alcock.

“Clean up in the swampy area adjacent to C Line Road is now complete and the restoration will

commence in the coming weeks,” he reported to council on Sept. 7.

“Public works staff met with the contractor and consultant to discuss the rehabilitation that will take place.”

He said the road is supported by surrounding vegetation, specifically in the area where it was removed due to the spill. As a result, he said the road should be put back in its original location so as to not move in the swamp. *** The abutments for the new Smuck Bridge being installed on Abraham Line have been completed and the footing for the pier is complete as well, according to Alcock.

The bridge is expected to be completed by 2022, with the structure beams installed later this year. *** The Morris-Turnberry municipal office is officially open to the public after council directed staff to start accepting walk-in appointments last month.

The office opened on Sept. 7 and there were no complications according to Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Hallam, who spoke to the issue as part of a COVID-19 report at a council meeting that same day.

As part of that same report, Hallam suggested eliminating regular COVID-19 reports, which he provided once per meeting, since the building was now open to the public. He said he would bring any further reports when necessary.

Council agreed with the recommendation.

Hallam also reported that the Bluevale Hall remains closed to the public, however, it was to be used as a polling location for the federal election. He said Elections Canada assumed all responsibility for using the space.

Good Employees are hard to find

Corrections The front page of the Sept. 16 issue of The Citizen contained an inaccurate headline.

The headline read, “[North Huron Council] takes no action on street renaming request”, above the story regarding the controversial “Gypsy Lane” street name in Blyth.

However, no direct renaming request was made at the meeting.

The request that came from the Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) was to review infrastructure names throughout the municipality and not to specifically rename Gypsy Lane.

In the same story an individual was misidentified. The story refered to Frances Horvath by the pronoun she, however Horvath identifies as a they/them. Horvath was also identified as currently working in Blyth, however she no longer works in the village.

The Citizen apologizes for the errors.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021. PAGE 17.

COVID-19 cases, deaths climb in Huron, Perth

By Denny Scott The Citizen

With another active outbreak underway and 35 new COVID-19 cases reported by Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) over the past week, the COVID-19 virus continues to circulate in the area.

HPPH reported, last week, that an outbreak had been declared at Blue Water Rest Home in Bluewater after a resident and staff member tested positive for COVID-19. The outbreak was declared on Sept. 17 and is the second outbreak to be declared at the site.

Knollcrest Lodge is now in its fifth week of its fifth outbreak, with one additional staff member testing positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to seven residents and six staff members.

HPPH reported two new COVID19-related fatalities in Huron and Perth Counties as well, bringing the cumulative total for the area to 65.

Four individuals in Huron and Perth Counties are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19, bringing the cumulative number of hospitalizations to 93.

The cumulative case count for the counties is now at 2,122 with new cases in most of the municipalities across Huron and Perth.

In Huron County, HPPH reported four new cases in Huron East, bringing its cumulative total to 156.

South Huron, Central Huron and

Evangelical Missionary Church

Sunday Sept. 26, 10:30 am

Ben Price - North Huron YFC/Youth Unlimited: “God’s Movements in the Good, Bad, and Ugly” (1 Kings 17/18/19) Sunday School during the Worship Service

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

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Bluewater each reported two new cases, for cumulative totals of 165, 92 and 57, respectively. HPPH reported one new case each in North Huron and Morris-Turnberry for cumulative totals of 86 and 72, respectively.

Howick (50 cumulative cases) and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (39) remained at their case counts from the previous week.

In Perth County, HPPH reported 10 new cases in Perth East, bringing its cumulative total to 203. Seven new cases were attributed to Stratford for a cumulative total of 512 while Five new cases were attributed to North Perth for a cumulative total of 473.

West Perth (77 cumulative cases), Perth South (55) and St. Marys (53) remained at their cumulative case counts from last week.

HPPH reports 34 active cases across Huron and Perth Counties, three more than last Monday. In Huron County, there are three active cases in Huron East, two in Bluewater and one each in MorrisTurnberry and South Huron. In Perth County, HPPH is reporting 11 active cases in Perth East, eight in Stratford, six in North Perth and two in West Perth.

According to HPPH, householdand outbreak-linked exposures are the most likely viral vectors in the two counties, with 29.6 and 25 per cent of cases being linked to those exposures, respectively. Close contact exposure is responsible for 19.7 per cent while travel is responsible for 1.1 per cent.

Unknown vectors are responsible for one in four cases at 25 per cent.

There are currently 170 individuals under isolation orders according to HPPH, for a cumulative total of 6,281 since the pandemic started.

Vaccination numbers continue to increase slowly across the two counties with less than one per cent increases in both partially- and fully-vaccinated individuals.

Across Huron and Perth Counties, HPPH reports 105,495 individuals have at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, or 82.5 per cent of the eligible population, up from 81.8 per cent last week. There are currently 97,966 fully-vaccinated individuals, or 76.6 per cent of the eligible population, up from 75.7 last week.

Demographic increases are as follows:

BRUSSELS

United Church Brussels & Blyth Churches welcome you to outdoor Worship, September 26 at Camp Menesetung ~ 11:00 am (82190 Church Camp Rd., Goderich) Bring lawn chair, mask and dress for the weather. Light lunch supplied.

Need a ride? Call 519-887-6867

info@northhuron.on.ca To Place Your Classified Ad

The Citizen

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

Weekly service live-streamed at 10.30 a.m. on our facebook page or on youtube @St. Paul’s-Trinity Anglican Church Wingham.

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

Trinity

St. John’s

BLYTH 9:00 AM

BRUSSELS 12 NOON

St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM 10:30 AM

COME WORSHIP WITH US! Welcome Back!

We are open with limited capacity Join us for our 10:00 am and 7:30 pm services.

Video services can also be found by searching on YouTube “Blyth Christian Reformed Church”

BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

Brussels Mennonite Fellowship

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

We’re Back!!!

Worshipping Jesus Together All Are Welcome

Sunday, September 26 Sundays @ 10 am ­­ Face masks & social distancing in effect

at 10 a.m.

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

**Please note cancelled at the BMG Community Centre**

MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Childcare provided for children aged 0 to 4 during the sermon

Worship and Prayer Time Loving Fellowship Expository Preaching

Face masks and social distancing in effect For additional details please visit: brusselscommunitybiblechapel.com

BRUSSELS Indoor Worship Sundays at 11:00 am All are welcome!

Virtual worship found on YouTube Search for “St. Andrew’s and Melville Sermon” Or subscribe to “Rev. Charmila”

519-357-5273

CALL 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114

• 12-17: 5,910 (62.5) to 6,097 (64.5) • 18-24: 6,703 (57.5) to 6,854 (58.8) • 25-29: 5,252 (56.6) to 5,416 (58.3) • 30-39: 10,721 (60.7) to 10,976 (62.2) • 40-49: 11,410 (71) to 11,570 (72) • 50-59: 15,396 (79.2) to 15,498 (79.7) • 60-69: 19,310 (89.7) to 19,391 (90.1) • 70-79: 14,085 (97.3) to 14,114 (97.5) • 80+: 8,037 (97.2) to 8,050 (97.4) For more information, visit hpph.ca.

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

Brussels Soup and More 2 is cancelled until further notice.

Turn those unwanted items into quick cash with a single phone call or email.

• 12-17: 7,724 (76.4 per cent of eligible recipients) to 7,379 (78.1) • 18-24: 7,809 (67.0) to 7,944 (68.1) • 25-29: 6,170 (66.4) to 6,267 (67.5) • 30-39: 12,133 (68.7) to 12,348 (69.9) • 40-49: 12,464 (77.6) to 12,596 (78.4) • 50-59: 16,391 (84.3) to 16,483 (84.7) • 60-69: 20,031 (93.1) to 20,066 (93.2) • 70-79: 14,346 (99.1) to 14,368 (99.2) • 80+: 8,039 (97.2) to 8,044 (97.3) Fully-vaccinated statistics are as follows:

Blyth United Church Sunday, September 26th ~ 11:00 am Joint service with Brussels United Church at Camp Menesetung Bring lawn chair, mask, beverage and dress for the weather. Light lunch provided.

Please wear the colour orange in remembrance of victims of the residential school system.

Outreach project is food collection for the North Huron Food Share.

Items can be dropped off Wednesday mornings, Thursday afternoons or brought to church on Sunday.

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9) Contact Alex at: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com

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

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH

OUR CHURCHES HAVE RE-OPENED. WELCOME BACK. Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday ~ 6:00 p.m.

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

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

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

PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021.

ER adjusts hours

In the spirit The Brussels Leo Club was among the many groups, families, businesses and individuals that took part in the Brussels Fall Fair parade over the weekend. (John Stephenson photo)

The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) – Clinton Public Hospital Emergency Department continues to experience nursing staff shortages and to operate with reduced hours. Supporting the need to ensure the department can close daily at 8 p.m., a change in last patient registration time is required.

Effective Thursday, Sept. 16, the Emergency Department will accept patients registering for an assessment between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day. After 6 p.m., patients seeking emergency services can access one of the other area hospitals providing 24-hour Emergency Department coverage which include: • Seaforth: HPHA – Seaforth Community Hospital • Goderich: Alexandra Marine and General Hospital • Exeter: South Huron Hospital • Wingham: LWHA – Wingham and District Hospital.

“While the Emergency Department will continue to

operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, due to the amount of time it may take for a patient to be assessed and treated, we will only be registering patients until 6 p.m.,” says Andrew Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We must operate within the reduced hours ensuring the department closes at 8 p.m. in order to reduce regularly occurring after-hours work, improve the quality of life of our staff and support recruitment and retention efforts.”

Nursing shortages are widespread across Ontario, including Huron and Perth Counties, and resulted in the Emergency Department being closed for one day in August. The HPHA is committed to providing Clinton Public Hospital Emergency Department access when safe to do so.

“When we do not have staff to safely provide quality patient care, a closure, like the one that occurred on August 1st could happen again,” adds Williams.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021. PAGE 19.

Entertainment & Leisure

Horak’s ‘Thomson’ needs to be experienced

The experience Bruce Horak opened Assassinating Thomson at the Blyth Festival last week and the unique show blends Horak’s own experiences with those of prolific Canadian painter Tom Thomson. (Terry Manzo photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Bruce Horak’s Assassinating Thomson is unlike any theatre experience I’ve had before.

Secretly, I wondered if this would be the case when we here at The Citizen began writing stories about it and we weren’t even 100 per cent sure what to expect. Reporter Denny Scott and I likened it to Jane Miller’s These Are The Songs I Sing When I’m Sad, which was produced in the Blyth Festival’s Phillips Studio in 2018. An intimate, interactive performance that was part roundtable discussion and part stunning musical performance, it was difficult to explain that show to people. As cliché as it sounds, you had to attend it to believe it.

Assassinating Thomson is very similar. Being so unique, it’s hard to compare it to anything, which then makes it hard to describe to a friend in a relatable way. You just have to

urge them to trust you and go see the show.

The show received a welcome boost just days before its run started when it was announced that Horak had been cast to play Hemmer in the new Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, being drafted into one of the most storied science-fiction franchises of all time.

Assassinating Thomson, however, is anything but new. Horak premiered the show on the Fringe Festival circuit nearly 10 years ago and has staged it many times since.

It interweaves Horak’s life story as a visually-impaired actor and painter with that of trailblazing Canadian painter Tom Thomson, the unofficial eighth member of the famed Group of Seven, all while Horak paints a portrait of the night’s audience, live on stage.

At just 18 months old, Horak was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. As a result, he lost one eye and his vision in the other was reduced to

just nine per cent. During the show, he invites members of the audience to see the world as he sees it, by covering up one eye and looking with the other through a pinhole, made with the other hand.

Despite this challenge, Horak pursued life as an actor and as an artist. He says his world began opening up when he started painting portraits. This is where the show begins, as Horak welcomes the audience to a portrait sitting. He stands at the ready by his easel and begins telling a story to pass the time. It begins with Thomson, but then expands to include Horak’s life. It’s funny, heartbreaking and inspiring, all at the same time, while Thomson’s story is full of mystery, intrigue and possibilities.

Much has been written about the

mysterious circumstances surrounding Thomson’s 1917 death.

Originally labelled an accident in Algonquin Park’s Canoe Lake, which is famed as the inspiration behind many of Thomson’s paintings, there are many who think Thomson was murdered.

When he speaks about Thomson, Horak weaves between ardent fan and conspiracy theorist, laying out the facts as he knows them. When Horak speaks about himself, there are tender moments and funny moments that all paint a portrait (pardon the pun) of a man who was born to be an artist, regardless of whether health circumstances worked to prevent it.

Despite his limited vision, Horak is comfortable, casual and clearly at home on stage. This is no doubt in part thanks to the working relationship between Horak and director Ryan Gladstone, who has been at the helm of the production since its 2013 premiere. It’s very easy to forget just how limited Horak’s vision is as he makes his way around the stage, addressing the audience and tending to his portrait.

Assassinating Thomson is a truly unique show that feels at home on the Blyth Festival’s Harvest Stage.

It’s about as Canadian as theatre gets. It begins with a quick blast of music from The Tragically Hip and what follows includes many

references to nature, canoes, arguments that escalate to raisedvoice arguments (not necessarily major injury or death) and the country we all love. Watching Horak perform under a starry Huron County sky as crickets chirp and wind rolls through the trees, it feels like the way Assassinating Thomson was meant to be seen.

At the end of each show, Horak will sell the night’s painting, via live auction, with the money going to a local charity. For the Blyth Festival shows, the auctions will benefit the Almost Famous Players.

Four shows remain in the Blyth Festival’s run of Assassinating Thomson, with productions scheduled for Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.

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Honouring Local Royal Canadian Legion Branches were represented at a special historical plaque unveiling for CFB Clinton in Vanastra on Sunday, including the Brussels and Clinton Pipes and Drum bands. (Denny Scott photo)

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PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021.

Council shouldn’t ‘nickel-and-dime’ project; MacLellan Continued from page 1 was first proposed.

That would leave Huron East and Morris-Turnberry to pay for the rest of the project, which would mean a total contribution of $469,900 for Morris-Turnberry and $1,889,700 for Huron East, based on the municipalities’ cost-sharing agreement with the centre, which dictates that Huron East pays 80 per cent of any municipal costs, leaving the remaining 20 per cent to be paid

by Morris-Turnberry.

In order to pay for Huron East’s portion, McRoberts proposed a 20year debenture with an annual payment of approximately $80,000 based on the current interest rate of 2.45 per cent.

With the debenture payment representing a 1.5 per cent increase to the municipal levy in 2022, McRoberts recommended that the debenture payment be funded through an annual capital levy of 2.1 per cent. He noted that this was a recommendation in the municipality’s asset management plan, which was approved before his time in September of 2018.

“By establishing this capital levy on an annual basis, it will provide funding for capital assets in general in 2022 and each year thereafter. If the project were substantially completed by the end of 2022, then the municipal portion of the project funding would be debentured in 2023, with a portion of the 2.1 per cent capital levy being allocated to

the debenture payment,” McRoberts noted in his report to council.

This capital levy would provide funding for capital infrastructure throughout the entire municipality when needed. (It was incorrectly reported in last week’s issue of The Citizen that the levy would only be for the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, rather than all of Huron East.)

In his report, McRoberts did recommend, however, that once the debenture is complete, which is estimated to be in 2042, the amount should continue to be set aside for the centre and placed in a reserve fund for future capital needs.

Mayor Bernie MacLellan began the conversation, saying he was in favour of moving ahead with the renovation and expansion of the centre and that he felt council should incorporate as much of the original project as possible, despite the rising costs. He said council has invested significantly in Brussels and it would be unfortunate to “nickel-and-dime” such an important project, which would undermine that previous investment.

Fisher said he wasn’t in favour of spending so much on the centre. He said that, in 2010, council contributed $400,000 to a renovation project at the Seaforth and District Community Centre.

Adjusted for inflation, he felt that investment in 2021 dollars would

be just over $600,000 and he didn’t feel the municipality should be spending any more than that on a project at the Brussels centre.

Fisher also questioned the investment into the centre when it has struggled to fill its ice times and a new gymnasium when several in Seaforth had failed. MacLellan, however, felt debate about usage of the centre was too little too late, saying that council decided to move ahead with the project months ago and it was too late to revisit that decision. He said council was at the “11th hour” and needed to make a decision about the project, let alone reaching back to a debate that had already been put to rest.

In regards to the capital levy, McRoberts said he had planned to “hit council hard” with that concept when 2022 budget deliberations began. He said the municipality needs to be more prepared to pay for its capital infrastructure and the proposed levy would go a long way toward doing that.

He also suggested that the future for municipalities is being selfsufficient because, with rising debt loads at both the federal and

provincial levels, he felt upper-tier funding would continue to be reduced as the years go on. In addition, McRoberts said he felt like the public would support a capital levy, knowing that capital infrastructure they know and love will be taken care of for years to come.

Several councillors were concerned with how MorrisTurnberry Council would react if Huron East approved the project, with that municipality’s contribution rising dramatically as a result of the new project cost.

McRoberts said he has been speaking with Morris-Turnberry Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Hallam and he was aware of the situation. He added that, because of the nature of the agreement, he felt there was a certain obligation borne by MorrisTurnberry, though that certainly didn’t mean that council didn’t have a choice in the matter.

He said he is planning on making a presentation for Morris-Turnberry Council to bring members up to speed on the current state of the project and what the municipality

Books for Fall reading

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THE BEAUTY AND BOUNTY OF HURON COUNTY BREAD MAKING SCARECROWS PRESERVING ANSWER BOOK BUILD YOUR SPACE LOVING IT LOCAL

The Terry Fox Run was held in Brussels on Sunday and saw community members out pounding the pavement to honour the Canadian hero. Above, Marlene Fischer joined Jenna Baker in walking while Quinn and Troy Baker enjoyed the ride. (John Stephenson photo)

Prices subject to change with increases in wholesale prices, postage, taxes, etc. Please refer to current issue for correct figures.

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SCARECROWS Whether for practical purposes or for decoration, this book gives plenty of ideas on how to make a scarecrow, and how to be creative in giving it charm and personality. More than 100 large pages, colourfully illustrated. $25.95

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The Citizen

Total

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For Terry

would owe if it were to go ahead.

MacLellan said that for a very long time, Huron East had prided itself on having some of the lowest tax rates in the county, while not leaving enough money to pay for its infrastructure. He said that previous Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight treated the municipality’s money with the care of his own, and council was grateful, but that it was time for council to “step up our game” when it came to spending for the good of the municipality.

Councillors Alvin McLellan, John Lowe and Dianne Diehl agreed, saying the committee had done a lot of good work in bringing the project to where it is.

Fisher continued his opposition, saying he didn’t feel that Huron East should commit to paying any more than $700,000 for its portion of the project.

Council disagreed, however, voting 10-1 in favour of the project, with Fisher being the lone vote against it. The project will now go ahead as recommended by the committee, which omitted or reduced a number of smaller aspects of the project.

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