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• Editorials • Ontario Queen • Obituaries • Flashback
The
THIS WEEK
Citizen
Huron County’s most trusted independent news source
Friday, September 30, 2022
$1.50 GST included
Volume 38 No. 39
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0
100th Elementary School Fair shines upon return By Denny Scott The Citizen
Feel the heat The Elementary School Fair returned last week with its 100th event, a milestone the organizers have been trying to hold for several years, but were stymied due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, however, not even a sudden downpour could dampen the enthusiasm of the
event, which welcomed students from a number of schools to Belgrave, making for the highest student attendance in recent memory. Above, Jenna McDonald of the Fire Department of North Huron was one of many who entertained the children and taught them a thing or two. (Denny Scott photo)
Despite some inclement weather, the 100th Elementary School Fair in Belgrave went well, according to organizing board President Margaret Vincent. Just as the parade for the annual event was set to start on Sept. 21, the skies opened and significant rainfall hit the community, forcing the cancellation of the parade and moving the opening ceremonies inside the Belgrave Community Centre instead of the nearby baseball diamond. Regardless of the weather, however, Vincent said the event was a success. “I think things went really well,” she said. “The strong community and student turnout, in spite of the weather, proved that. The one joke I made, when we sent the order for the weather, was we must have said 1 p.m. for the sunshine instead of 11 a.m.” That strong community turnout included representatives from more schools than in recent memory she said, including Brookside Public, Hullett Central Public, F.E. Madill, Maitland River Elementary and Sacred Heart Wingham schools, as well as Cornerstone Schoolhouse from Clinton. She said the games, activities and displays went over well with lots of smiles and laughing, especially around the livestock shows. “Having to move the opening ceremonies indoors really animated the children throughout the rest of the day,” she said. “When they got outside, they were excited to make memories and take advantage of the hands-on opportunities for the students.” The weather, however, did take its toll, she said, with a few elements of the show either being moved, like the outdoor lunch Continued on page 8
Mayoral, Grey candidates spar ahead of election By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen In the Grey Ward of Huron East, the only ward with a councillor race for this October’s municipal election, the candidates gathered at the Ethel Hall on Monday night to debate the issues and share their platforms with voters. Chaired by local school board trustee and farmer Amy Cronin, the meeting brought together incumbent Mayor Bernie MacLellan and challenger Nancy Craig, incumbent Councillors Alvin McLellan and Dianne Diehl with challenger Curtis McKinnon and Deborah Logue and Dennis Valenta, who are both running to be the area’s trustee on the Avon
Maitland District School Board. McLellan began, saying he and his wife Pam have lived just outside of Ethel for over 40 years, with him serving as a councillor for over 15 years. He added that he still feels he has more to give back to his community and that he enjoys the work of helping people and getting them the information they need. He also pointed to a number of accomplishments within the current term of council, including the new Brussels subdivision and the renovation and expansion of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. Looking ahead, McLellan said he wanted to look into traffic calming for the municipality’s small communities, saying he has heard
repeatedly about speed concerns in these areas. He also voiced his support for the current structure of Huron East Council, including its ward system, saying that he, as a Grey Ward Councillor, is able to bring the concerns of his local residents to the council table to ensure they are heard and handled. McKinnon spoke next, saying he has made a hobby out of seeking more information on just about anything and reading anything he can get his hands on. Not just curious about everything, McKinnon said he often plays the role of devil’s advocate in order to view an issue from all sides before making up his mind. He’s lived in the Grey Ward
almost his whole life, moving to the area when he was just one year old and only leaving when he pursued post-secondary education in London for several years. He also outlined his extensive volunteer work in the community, assisting at the local baseball diamond, with the Ethel Community Christmas and as a member of the Atwood Lions Club, in addition to his volunteer work in London while a student at Fanshawe College and Nipissing University. Incumbent Councillor Dianne Diehl said she has continued learning more about being a councillor since she was first elected in 2010, chairing and serving on several committees
along the way. She said her approach to municipal representation is to be fiscally responsible while not compromising the health and vitality of the community, saying Huron East has faced many changes and challenges in recent years. She added that she’d like to see the development of more housing in the community in the coming years, including affordable options. She also hopes to see more employment opportunities and to get Huron East’s economic development services back up and running again after the untimely death of former Economic Development Officer Jan Hawley. The incumbent mayor was the Continued on page 2