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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-10-18, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012. Subscribe to The Citizen and have a monthly chance to WIN A PIZZA 422 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4303 Once a month we will draw a name of someone who has renewed their subscription or bought a new subscription toThe Citizen to win a GIFT CERTIFICATEfor a LARGE 4-ITEM PIZZA from Continued from page 2 development. He said money is being made available directly to businesses for creating jobs, as opposed to money going to municipalities for community development. North Huron’s Neil Vincent said that so much of what the county wants to do with economic development is tied to the Provincial Policy Statement and that’s where the changes need to occur first. “Planners are spending way too much time telling us why we can’t do something instead of telling us why we could maybe do some things,” Vincent said about the impact of the Provincial Policy Statement. Huron East’s Joe Steffler said that Huron County needed to focus on trade shows across the country in an attempt to attract businesses to Huron County, but he was warned quickly to not ignore businesses already operating in Huron County. Howick’s Art Versteeg said it was important to not lose focus on the positive things Huron County has going for it, like a low unemployment rate and organizations like the Huron Manufacturing Association, which had made a presentation to council earlier in the meeting. “A lot is happening here in Huron County,” Versteeg said. Warden Bernie MacLellan said that while he didn’t want to focus on the Provincial Policy Statement, it was tough not to because the county always seems to be fighting the province on planning issues. Bluewater’s Tyler Hessel said that one of the main issues that needs to be tackled with Huron County businesses is the cost of living in Huron County and the corresponding wages. Hessel, who is involved with food banks across the county, reiterated that usage is very high at the moment and that county businesses need to pay enough to keep employees afloat. “Minimum wage doesn’t cut it,” Hessel said. Central Huron’s Jim Ginn said that if the county had a full-time grant person, perhaps that would be beneficial. There is a lot of money being offered by several different arms of the government, he said, and if Huron County could capitalize on it, that could be an area where inroads could be made. Goderich’s Deb Shewfelt said the area needs entrepreneurs and small start-ups can grow into large industries. “Organizations like the Huron Manufacturing Association are your best bet,” Shewfelt said. “When Volvo [then Champion] came here they had 10 people. We need entrepreneurs.” He also pointed to agriculture, saying that a concept such as a local food hub could help unite local farmers and create a market for their products in their own community. “We need to let [farmers] do their thing,” Shewfelt said. He said the partnership between the county and local farmers could begin with farm organizations such as the Huron County Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Huron County Economic Development Officer Mike Pullen was then asked to bring a report back to council on the future of economic development in the county and what could be done by council going forward. ALIA TANJAYN Located at Lucknow Travel 603 Campbell St., Lucknow 519-528-2388 or 1-877-582-5669 Mon - Fri 9:30-5 Sat 9:00-12 Ladies Fashion (on all summer clothing) 30% OFFALIA NT AN J AY Ladies F a s h i o n BUY 1 REGULAR PRICED ITEM GET 2ND ITEM 1/2 OFF Clearance Items, Jewellery and Sunglasses included in sale Area residents saddened by multiple recent losses A wild, windy and wet weekend was not really enjoyed by all, but it was a true taste of fall and what may lie ahead. Positive thoughts are that it was not snow and we didn’t have to shovel it. Rick and I were in Tobermory on the weekend and on the way home on Sunday, we passed fields of water. Our rain gauge registered only an inch, but otherareas had much, much more.Our village and town have beensaddened many times over the pastweek. Our condolences are given to Tammy and Duane Smith and their family on the passing of Tammy’s mother, Ruby Smith of Monkton. Our sympathies are extended to the rest of the Smith family, Ed, Steve and William and their families. A longtime resident of Ethel, who had retired to Listowel a few years ago, passed away last week. Our condolences to the family of the late Jim Struthers. Our sympathies to Marjorie, Bruce and Ruth and their families. Jim was an avid ball enthusiast and we enjoyed many conversations with Jim about the days when the “boys” were younger and played ball. He loved to talk andvisit with his many friends. Oursympathies to all.The village of Brussels is in shockwith the sudden passing of John Pennington. Our sympathies are extended to Bonnie and children Mark and Lisa and their families. He was a well respected businessman and spent time in almost every home in Brussels in his over 40 years of business. John was a quiet and soft- spoken man. He came whenever he was called for a furnace emergency and we had a comical banter between us. John was a dedicated firefighter for the Brussels Fire Department for many years and he will be missed by all. Our condolences to his family, extended family and friends. The village of Walton lost a lifetoo young on the weekend. Oursympathies are extended to theShortreed family on the suddenpassing of Jason Shortreed. He leaves behind his mother Valerie, brothers Matthew and Bradley and sister Krista and their families. Jason was born with Spina bifida in September 1978. He spent his short lifetime in a wheelchair, but was active and enjoyed fishing expeditions, broomball games and going to baseball games and cheering on the Walton teams. He has spent the last couple of years as a resident of Huronlea where he was a popular resident with all. Jason loved to visit and socialize with his family and friends. Our sympathies to the Shortreed and Rose family and friends.Celebrating birthdays this pastweek include Cheryl Ryan, GregDucharme, Kathy Huether, StefanNichol, John Lowe, Brian Love, Jim McDonald, Maxine Marks, Owen Taylor, Randy Fraser, Sarah Grobbink, Jessica Kelso and Mary Helen McLachlan. Happy Birthday to all. By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570 PEOPLE AROUNDWALTON NEWS FROM WALTON Board gets access to new digital library All teachers in the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) now have access to a new library. The Digital Human Library, an online resource created by Leigh Cassell, a Stephen Central School teacher, gives teachers access to hundreds of experts. The website, digitalhumanlibrary.com, was launched two weeks ago and AMDSB trustees were given a tour of the site at their Sept. 25 meeting. Cassell explained that through the use of video conferencing teachers can connect their students with experts in any number of fields as well as other students and classrooms from around the world. Students can also go on over 300 different virtual tours through museums, national parks and zoos. Cassell said the Digital Human Library takes students across the country and around the world without leaving the classroom. It allow students to see places they may never normally get to go, see things they may not otherwise see and meet and talk to other students on the other side of the world. The process started about a year ago when Cassell started video conferencing with students in California. From there her students talked with children in 12 different countries and following that connected with the North Carolina Zoo. “It was then I realized the possibilities were endless and it was those possibilities that led me to create the Digital Human Library,” said Cassell. “The Digital Human Library is a free web-based library of members and organizations from local and global communities who have agreed to share their expertise, knowledge, skills and experiences while connecting with teachers and students in their classrooms using free video conferencing software.” Once registered for the library, teachers can search for members like they would search for books in a library, said Cassell. The members, or “experts”, can then be “signed out” to collaborate with classroom teachers on an activity, lesson, or presentation, based on grade- specific curriculum expectations outlined by the classroom teacher, that will then be shared with the students at an agreed upon time using Skype. The site also includes over 300 different virtual tours of cities, art exhibits, zoos, museums, parks and more. There are tips for teachers on how best to use the site and introduce the guest, as well as tips for the members on how best to engage students. Cassell said, “Even as much as we are expected to be, we as teachers, cannot be experts in everything. It is time to revive the guest speaker and get people into our schools.” “What limits those experiences comes down to dollars, it costs a lot of money to have a guest speaker come into the school and it is labour intensive to find those people,” she said, adding, “Using video conferencing software, Skype for example, is free for teachers to access.” Cassell said, “Bringing experts into the classroom enhances the learning experience, it creates variety and the students love the opportunity to meet someone new. They are far more engaged, to learn about box turtles from the field research at the zoo is far more meaningful to them.” “I wanted to bring the community back into the school, not just my community in my school, but all communities. Being global learners, that is our kids live now, it is the language they speak and understand and they want to connect,” she said. Cassell said she would like to see the site grow exponentially. “The Eco-education Students at North Woods Elementary School had a visit from the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority’s Wawanosh Conservation Centre representative Erin Dolmage on Tuesday. Students learned about ecosystems in a very hands on way. Shown getting ready to catch some bugs are, in front, Kyla Campbell, left, and Abby Strome. In the middle are Julia Vandermeer, left, and Jessica Clark followed by Alaina Poland, left, and Jaime Newell. Bringing up the rear are, from left, Colin Barbour, Mrs. Hammermueller, Brandon Subject, Nathan Befurt and Seth Snyder. (Denny Scott Photo) By Hilary Long Special to The Citizen Continued on page 30 po di ho pr E D ca co an Provincial statement ties planners’ hands