Mark Cassidy, economic development co-ordinator for the Municipality of Bluewater.

HEATHER BOA Bullet News VARNA – Family farming operations that produce specialty products along with restaurants and retail outlets that celebrate local food have potential to become a bigger part of the economy in the Municipality of Bluewater, according to a recent survey.

There are 250 farms over 90,000 acres of farmland in this municipality that borders the southern shoreline of Lake Huron in Huron County. More than 50 per cent of those farms have less than 50 acres. Of those farms surveyed, more than half had less than four employees and the majority marketed their products locally.

“This is the type of farm business the municipality can influence. We can put some things in place that are locally controlled that we can have an influence on,” said Mark Cassidy, who is the municipality’s economic development co-ordinator, when the survey results were unveiled at a public meeting recently.

“We’ll leave the bigger issues to the province and the federal government,” he said.

Cassidy also said family farms are an essential part of rural communities and need to be preserved. The decline in labour-intensive family farms has caused, in part, the closure of schools, banks, gas stations and other businesses in rural communities.

The 25 farms and businesses that took part in 90-minute interviews by the municipality’s economic development department said they expect to grow 10 per cent in the next year and keep growing in the years after that but see a few roadblocks, including limited availability of small parcels of land, red tape in government regulations, poor marketing, and lack of skilled labour in a municipality that has experienced an out-migration of working age people in recent years.

Paul Klopp, councillor for the Municipality of Bluewater.

The results of the survey give the municipality’s economic development department a gauge of local value-added agricultural business – like farms that sell heirloom vegetables or pork high in Omega 3, and offer sugar bush tours or restaurants that feature local products on their menus – and what can be done by the municipality and the province to help them grow, said Paul Klopp, who is a councillor in Bluewater and a member of the steering committee established to undertake the survey.

The steering committee developed five action items that will be implemented before the end of 2014 to help foster value-added agriculture in Bluewater.

They include: support marketing of local food in Bluewater; strengthen the value chain for value-added farm products and services; increase participation in regional culinary tourism event and activities; connect Bluewater businesses to information and supports for regulatory navigation, access to capital, marketing and training; and implement a business and product improvement survey.

“Most of the actions that have been rising through this process come onto my plate, with your help,” Cassidy said. Many of the actions involve partnerships with the Huron Economic Development Committee, Huron Business Development Corporation, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and agricultural organizations.

For more information, please read the full document.

BLUEWATER - Huron OPP officers are investigating a break, enter and theft to an unoccupied residence located on York Crescent in Hensall.

On March 14, 2013 at approximately 9 p.m., officers responded to the premise after receiving Bell telephone information of unknown trouble with the phone line.  Upon arrival, officers located a smashed out basement window.  Further investigation revealed the main water line from the water heater had also been damaged causing extensive flooding throughout the basement.  Officers then detected a carbon monoxide leak within the residence.

Hensall Fire Department personnel attended the scene to safely shut off the leak and ventilate the residence. Two OPP members were treated and released from South Huron Hospital as a precaution for carbon monoxide exposure.

Approximately $2,500 in property was stolen and the flooding caused an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 in damage to the residence.  Among the stolen items include:  15 bottles of alcohol, 2 cartons of Player’s Light cigarettes, 8 gift baskets containing alcohol and a men’s gold necklace.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

BBQ STOLEN FROM BACKYARD

SOUTH HURON - Huron OPP officers are investigating the theft of a stainless steel barbecue and attached cover stolen from the backyard of a Sanders Street West residence.  This theft took place sometime between March 11 and March 15, 2013.

The value of the BBQ is estimated at $500.  The owner was unable to provide further details on the BBQ.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

GENERATORS STOLEN FROM GARAGE

GODERICH - Huron OPP officers are investigating a break, enter and theft that occurred at a detached garage located at St. David Street.  Suspects gained entry by prying open the man door.  Once inside, they stole an older model red 1,000-watt Honda gas powered generator and heavier duty red 6,500-watt Honda gas generator.  The generators are valued at $550.

This crime took place sometime between March 3, 2013 and March 15, 2013.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

CHEVY PICKUP STOLEN

BLUEWATER - Huron County OPP officers were dispatched to a farm property located on Bannockburn Line after the property owner discovered a burnt out vehicle.  Just after 2:30 p.m. on March 17, 2013 officers arrived and located the burnt out pickup truck approximately 150 feet off the roadway.

Officers confirmed the Chevrolet S10 pickup had been stolen earlier in the week from a residence located on Winnipeg Road in Vanastra.  The fire caused extensive damage to the vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

PUDDLE JUMPER GOES FOR A SWIM

HURON EAST - A man, 46, went for an unexpected swim in the chilly Maitland River this past Saturday.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on March 16, 2013 Huron County OPP officers and Huron County paramedics were dispatched to attend the banks of the Maitland River located in Brussels at McCutcheon Drive.  Police learned a snowmobiler attempted to catch up with his fellow snowmobile friends by taking a dangerous shortcut across the Maitland River.  The driver attempted to “puddle jump” a section of open water about 50 metres wide.  His 2011 Yamaha RX1 snowmobile made it half way across the water when it began to take on water and sank.  The driver managed to swim back to shore; he was not injured.  The snow machine was to be recovered today.

The Elora man was charged with careless driving.

ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH – Two snowmobilers were sent to hospital after crashing into a tree south of Lucknow late Saturday night, Huron County OPP report.

Just after 11:30 p.m. Huron OPP officers, Lucknow Fire Department and Huron County paramedics were dispatched to a single snowmobile collision involving two injured people.

Emergency personnel found the injured pair near a snowmobile trail north of Hawkins Road and west of Lucknow Line. Preliminary investigation revealed a Polaris snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree.

The driver, Johnathan Caldwell, 23, of Goderich, was transported by air ambulance to London Health Sciences Centre in London with non-life threatening injuries. He remains in hospital this afternoon, listed in fair condition, which means his vital signs are stable and he is conscious, although he may uncomfortable.

The passenger, Terry Riddiough, 29, from R.R.7 Lucknow was transported to Alexandra & Marine General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

SPEEDER’S VEHICLE IMPOUNDED

ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH – On March 10, 2013 at approximately 6:35 p.m., a Huron County OPP officer conducting RADAR patrol on Amberley Road near Donnybrook Line observed a grey Oldsmobile sedan speeding along at a high rate of speed.

The officer locked the vehicle speed at 147 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone.

A 23-year-old man from Waterloo has been charged with racing a motor vehicle as a result of speeding at least 50 km/h over the limit. He has a court appearance scheduled for Provincial Offences Act Court - Goderich on May 7, 2013.  His driver’s licence has been suspended for seven days and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

DRIVER CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF DRUGS

HURON EAST – A RIDE program located on Turnberry Street at Raymond Court in Brussels yielded a criminal charge on Saturday night.

Just before 9 p.m. a green Chevrolet Blazer entered the RIDE checkpoint.  The driver produced a quantity of an illegal drug when was questioned by the officer at the checkpoint.

A South Huron man, 46, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance.  He is scheduled to appear at Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich on April 22, 2013.

VANDAL DAMAGES CRUISER

BLUEWATER - A Huron OPP cruiser was the target of a mischief this past weekend.

While OPP officers were completing foot patrols inside the Hensall arena somebody was outside tearing both antennas off the rear of the cruiser.  This crime took place between 12:30 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. on March 9.

No witnesses have come forward to assist police in the investigation.

CHEVY PICKUP STOLEN

HURON EAST - Huron County OPP officers are investigating the theft of a blue 2001 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck stolen from Winnipeg Road in Vanastra.

The owner reported his truck was stolen from his laneway sometime between 8:30 p.m. on March 9, 2013 and 9:30 a.m. on March 10, 2013.   Inscribed in the back window is ” I love my mommy” with a picture of a heart.

The truck was unlocked and the keys were left in the ignition.

BREAK & ENTER TO SHED

BLUEWATER - Huron OPP officers are investigating a break, enter and theft to a small garden shed located on Richmond Street North in Bluewater.  The suspect entered through an insecure window and left with a chainsaw and a ratchet set.

The chainsaw is an orange and white Stihl model MS230 with an orange case valued at $425.  The ratchet set is valued at $100.

Police believe this crime took place between 7 p.m. on March 7, 2013 and 6:45 a.m. on March 8, 2013.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

BLUEWATER – A step-by-step description of how heritage properties are designated will be the topic of the second annual Heritage Conservation Workshop on April 12.

Bert Duclos, who is a heritage outreach consultant from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, will outline the roles of municipalities, heritage committees and property owners in the designation process.

The Bluewater Heritage Committee and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will host Huron Heritage Training Workshop: The Designation Process on Friday, April 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Bayfield Town Hall, 11 The Square. The workshop is designed for municipal staff and leaders, municipal heritage committee members and property owners.

The event is free but space is limited. To register, please fill out the registration form.

The preservation of properties that have cultural or heritage significance is a responsibility of municipal government, outlined in the Ontario Heritage Act. Heritage committees are often a blend of council and community representation, and report to local councils.

Burkhard Metzger, who is the new director representing the Municipality of Central Huron, Dave Frayne, who is the returning chairman representing the Municipality of South Huron and Perth South; and Mike Tam, new vice-chair representing the Municipality of West Perth took part in the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority’s annual general meeting recent.

The board of directors of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) re-elected Dave Frayne as chair at the Feb. 21 annual meeting and the board elected Mike Tam as vice-chair. Frayne, a councillor with the Municipality of South Huron, represents South Huron and Perth South on the board of the local conservation organization. Tam is a councillor with the Municipality of West Perth and represents that municipality on the board.

The conservation authority also welcomed Burkhard Metzger to the board as the new representative for the Municipality of Central Huron.

Ausable Bayfield Conservation works closely with landowners and residents in the watershed to protect soil, water, and living things by creating awareness and taking positive action together. The local agency is unveiling the new Watershed Report Card, which is released every five years, at the annual Conservation Awards evening on Thursday, March 21. For more information, phone the office at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or visit abca.on.ca for information.

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is an independent, corporate body established under Ontario’s Conservation Authorities Act. Local municipalities identified the need for such an organization in 1946 to deal with serious problems of flooding, soil erosion, water supply, and water quality. Twelve member municipalities appoint the members of the local board of directors that governs ABCA.

This local conservation agency is the first of 36 conservation authorities formed across Ontario. Ausable Bayfield Conservation’s area encompasses the drainage basins of the Ausable River, Bayfield River, Parkhill Creek, and the gullies that drain directly to Lake Huron, from an area north of Bayfield to an area south of Grand Bend. The 2,440-square-kilometre area of jurisdiction is largely rural with a population of about 45,000. A group of 34 community members met over a 12-month period to create a Conservation Strategy to guide the organization and blaze the trail for a mission and vision for the work in the watershed. Its mission is to protect, improve, conserve, and restore the watershed in partnership with the community and its vision is for healthy watersheds where our needs and the needs of the natural environment are in balance.

Members of the organizing committee, Larry Wein of the Exeter Lions Club and community volunteer Janet Clarke, presented Louise Rether-Kopp with her prize at Morrison Dam Conservation Area east of Exeter on Thursday, Feb. 28.

The Conservation Dinner committee has announced that Louise Rether-Kopp is the winner of the early bird prize, which was drawn on Feb. 25.

The Exeter long-time patron of the Conservation Dinner wins a limited-edition print by popular artist Elisabeth Tonner-Keats. The work of art is called Midday Pause and the framed print is number 168 of 475.

The Conservation Dinner is organized each year by the Exeter Lions Club, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, and other community members on the dinner committee. The support of businesses, donors, patrons, volunteers, and artists has helped the annual event raise more than $650,000 for local projects in the event’s history which spans almost two and a half decades. The Conservation Dinner supports accessible trails for environmental health and human health, conservation education and recreation opportunities for young people and the young-at-heart, and commemorative woods that improve forest conditions and remember loved ones, among other important local conservation work that could not happen without this kind of public generosity.

The 24th Annual Conservation Dinner takes place Thursday, April 18 at South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter.

To purchase a ticket, or to donate, phone 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or visit online. Tickets are $60 each, with a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes for $30. The volunteer committee welcomes donations of financial support, art, sports and entertainment memorabilia, crafts and furniture, travel packages, jewelry, and other items.

This year’s event should be very special indeed with Canadian theatre icon Peter Smith, interim artistic director of the Blyth Festival, as the special guest for 2013 and with Goderich artist Madeleine Roske, an acclaimed painter who has five works in the permanent collection of the Huron County Art Bank, creating this year’s feature piece. The gala event also features the dinner, a lively live auction, silent auction, special raffles, general raffles, a ticket for a wine tasting, great fellowship, and much more. Items available for bidding that evening include fine original art, carvings, sports and entertainment memorabilia, jewelry, travel packages, one-of-a-kind items, and much more.

BLUEWATER - Huron OPP officers are investigating a break, enter and theft at an Airport Line residence. The property owner returned home after a vacation to find someone had forced entry into the front porch.  Those responsible also tried to get into the residence however were unsuccessful.  The thieves stole an older model white Kenmore dishwasher, a large black wire dog crate, a large red dog bed and three foot by three foot water colour painting of a country scene setting. 

The owner reported this crime took place sometime between the end of August 2012 and February 26, 2013.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

LAPTOP STOLEN FROM RESIDENCE

HURON EAST – Huron County OPP officers are investigating the theft of an Acer laptop computer stolen from a Jarvis Street North residence in Huron East.  Police believe the theft took place sometime between 10 p.m. on March 1, 2013 and 3 a.m. on March 2, 2013.

The homeowner returned home and found the front door to his residence left open. Upon checking the residence the laptop was noticed missing.  The grey Acer laptop is valued at approximately $500.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

GENERATOR STOLEN FROM SNOWMOBILE SHACK

ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH – Huron OPP officers are investigating a break, enter and theft at a snowmobile shack located on Glen’s Hill Road.

Those responsible cut the padlock off the door and once inside they stole a red and black Honda gas powered generator with a white gas tank.  The generator is valued at $1,500.

This crime took place sometime between February 1, 2013 and March 1, 2013.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

DRIVER CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED AND OVER 80

BLUEWATER - A 66-year-old female driver has been arrested and charged by Huron OPP following a RIDE checkpoint stop.

On March 1, 2013 at approximately 9:40 p.m. a black Ford Explorer entered the RIDE checkpoint that was situated at the intersection of Parr Line and Mill Road.  Officers detected the driver had been drinking alcohol; further investigation revealed she was displaying signs of impairment by alcohol.  The driver was arrested for impaired driving and was transported to the Huron OPP detachment for breath tests. She provided two samples of her breath; both were over the legal limit.

As a result, the Bluewater woman has been charged with impaired driving and driving a motor vehicle with over 80 milligrams of alcohol.  She has a court appearance scheduled for April 8, 2013 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.  She received an automatic 90-day driver’s licence suspension and her motor vehicle has been impounded for seven days.

BLUEWATER – A 36-year-old woman from South Huron is charged with careless driving after a two-car collision last week.

 On Feb. 7, 2013 at 5:25 p.m. Huron OPP officers, Huron County paramedics and Hensall fire fighters arrived at the crash scene on London Road just north of Rodgerville Road to find a black Subaru Forester engulfed in flames in the north lane and a silver Toyota Sienna in the west ditch.

Both vehicles sustained significant damage.

Officers learned the Subaru was travelling south on London Road when it crossed the center line. The driver of the Toyota attempted to avoid the Subaru however both vehicles collided.

A 36-year-old female from Huron East who was a passenger in the Toyota Sienna was transported to Victoria Hospital in London with non-life threatening injuries.  The male driver, 39, was uninjured.

The driver of the Subaru, who is charged with careless driving, was uninjured.

DRIVER GETS THREE-DAY SUSPENSION

CENTRAL HURON – On Feb. 8, 2013 at approximately 8:15 p.m., Huron OPP stopped a Chevrolet Silverado that had entered a RIDE checkpoint at London Road and Londesborough Road.

Upon speaking with the male driver, officers noted he had been drinking alcohol.  A roadside test was completed and the driver registered a warn range reading.  The driver, a 69-year-old maN from Central Huron has lost his driving privileges for three days.  

SNOWMOBILE DRIVER FACING SEVERAL CHARGES

CENTRAL HURON - Police stopped and charged a 17-year-old male snowmobile driver from Central Huron with three offences on Feb. 10, 2013. A green Polaris was stopped on London Road near Vanastra Road at 1:10 p.m. Officers requested a driver’s licence, ownership and proof of insurance from the owner.

A driver’s licence check revealed he was a suspended driver.  Further, he was unable to provide an ownership and certificate of insurance for the snowmobile.  As a result he will have to answer the charges at a court date set for April 2, 2013 at the Ontario Youth Justice Court – Goderich.

SNOWMOBILE WINDSHIELD STOLEN

NORTH HURON - A Huron OPP officer recently received a theft report of a snowmobile windshield.

The victim reported he had his 2013 Ski-Doo XRS snowmobile parked at a restaurant located on Queen Street in Blyth.  He left his sled unattended between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2013.  When he returned to his machine, he noticed the windshield had been removed from the snowmobile.  On the windshield was a 2013 OFSC trail permit.

The value of the windshield and the trail permit is approximately $350.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314.

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.

Paul Sherban, who is site supervisor of the Mid-Huron Landfill Site, stands by the piles of shingles and wood from the Goderich and area tornado in this 2011 file photo.

HEATHER BOA Bullet News GODERICH – It will cost three dollars a tonne more to haul garbage to the Mid-Huron Landfill Site starting April 1, after a decision by its board Wednesday.

The fee will jump from $82 to $85 per tonne, making it the second fee increase since 2006. In 2006, the fee increased five dollars a tonne, from $75 to $80. Then in 2010, it nudged up to $82 a tonne.

Folks headed to the landfill site with a load of garbage in the back of a pickup truck will continue to pay $10, which is the charge for a load of 100 kg or less.

During its board meeting, members from the municipalities who are partners in the landfill site debated the fee increase, as they considered how much of an increase would be required to ensure a yearly surplus could be tucked away into a reserve to help pay for the costs associated with closing the landfill site, which is anticipated to occur in 2017, and maintaining it for another 50 years.

“It’s always confusing how much to put away in reserve. You probably can’t put enough away,” said Larry McCabe, who is the board’s secretary.  The board’s 2011 financial statement estimated it will cost nearly $14 million to close the site and maintain it for half a century. Closure costs include adding a cover of vegetation and building facilities for drainage control features, and leachate, water quality and gas recovery monitoring. After the site is closed, the board will continue to monitor the site.

At the end of 2011, the board had about $5.6 million in reserve funds – much like a savings account – to pay for these expenses. At that time, the actuary’s estimate adjusted interest earned on money set aside by each of the six partner municipalities in the landfill from 2.5 per cent to 1 per cent. For the Town of Goderich, its share of costs to close the landfill site jumped from about $1.89 million in 2010 to approximately $3.96 million.

“I’d rather be proactive instead of going back and asking the partners sitting around the table for more money one more time,” said Tyler Hessel, who is a councillor in the Municipality of Bluewater. He suggested a $3 increase in 2013, followed by a $1.50 yearly until the site closes.

Hessel also predicted a drop in tonnage to the landfill site in coming years, as a result of a move by the public to recycle more materials and reduce waste.

In 2012, the board projected a $110,000 deficit in its budget but a dry year resulted in lower than anticipated costs to haul leachate to Goderich for processing along with less snow removal and the board now expects a surplus of about $60,000, which will be put into reserve to help cover the closure costs.

Jim Anderson, a hauler from Auburn who owns Bin There, told the board $85 per tonne was a reasonable fee.

Participating municipalities in the landfill site board include: Town of Goderich, townships of Huron-Kinloss and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, and the municipalities of Central Huron, Bluewater and Huron East.