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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2010-05-20, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010. PAGE 7. Belgrave Kinsmen And Community Centre Board present Belgrave Arena Grand Re-Opening Saturday, May 22 Belgrave Dancing 9 -1 Enjoy the Famous Belgrave Kinsmen BBQ 5-7 pm Tickets: Adults $12. for BBQ, $12.00 for dance or $20.00 for both Under 12, $8 each or $15.00 for both Available from any Kinsmen Member, Belgrave Variety and Belgrave Co-op or call 519-523-4778 www.riverjunctionband.com 44229 Amberley Road ~ west of Molesworth 519-291-4643 OPENING FRIDAY, MAY 21 Monday - Thursday & Saturday 9 am - 6 pm Friday 9 am - 9 pm Sunday 10 am - 5 pm • Windows & doors • Fresh fruits & vegetables • Local food products • Hot coffee & fresh sandwiches • Baked goods • Liquidation items • Pet supplies Letter to the Editor NEWS FROM WALTON The weather continues to be a source of frustration for the farmers of the area. The ground was dry, but cold. Not great for seed germination. A little rain was needed, because there wasn’t much moisture in the ground and so we have rain. Lots of rain in some places. Then we have wind. Spraying needs to be done, but not in the neighbour’s fields. The windreally dried up in the ground afterthe rain, but it still isn’t very warm.The wonderful weather we enjoyedback in April, needs to return for thespring planting. Soybeans arewaiting.Belated congratulations to Steveand Marni Knight on beinggrandparents for the first time. Shane and Stefanie Dingman are the proud parents of a son, which they are calling Jack. Congrats to all. Congratulations to our future son- in-law Adam Jarosz, who celebrated his 30th birthday with a surprise party. Our daughter Kelly arranged and surprised Adam with the party on Saturday evening with 28 family and friends. Everyone was hiding in the newly-finished backyard when he arrived home from work onSaturday. We enjoyed a barbecuesupper and a chance to get to visitwith Adam’s extended family.Happy Birthday Adam.Howard and Audrey Hackwell hadcompany on the weekend. Dean andKelly Hackwell of Cambridge spentthe day with the Hackwell’s catchingup on news and a few odd jobs for the folks. Our wishes for a speedy and full recovery go out to young Monica McNichol who has been in hospital. She has had her appendix out. The Grade 8 students of Seaforth Public School were away last week to Camp Celtic near Wiarton for four days. They report having goodweather, better than ours with just abit of rain on Thursday. Coolweather but just dress warm. Thekids report having a great time.Some of the area kids included ColeGlanville, Shawna Gagnier, EdwardGlanville, Austin McClure andRebecca Holthuysen.Celebrating birthdays this past week were Jeff Grobbink, Lynn Love, Jennifer McClure, Cathy Melady, Joyce Williamson, Jason Pennington, June Vietch, Ryan Butler, Leanne Armstrong, Luann Bennett, Phil Blake, Dwayne Pryce, Ron Strome, Wendy Glauser, Gerald Ryan and Valerie Shortreed. Happy birthday to all. THE EDITOR, Some time ago, I sent a letter to North Huron Council commenting on my concern over the imminent closure of Blyth Public School and the resulting economic fallout of that decision on the village of Blyth. I realized it was futile, since I considered the decision related to the closure a ‘fait a complet’ given the manner in which the stakeholders were “handled” in the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) meeting held in Blyth. You’re probably aware that the ARC used to be referred to as the School Closure Committee, but was changed by the Ministry of Education because of the negative connotation. Regardless, a wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf. The decision to close Blyth Public School had been made long before the meeting and the Avon Maitland District School Board was merely following the protocol as dictated by the Ministry’s outline in their directives (Ministry of Education, Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines, October 31, 2006), but with less respect to the economic impact on the community, its citizens and its taxpayers, than there should have been. Apparently, the economic vitality is not a concern to the Avon Maitland District School Board – only that we will continue to pay taxes to support schools which they decide are viable. While we cannot impact the Board’s autonomy to close schools (that’s been ceded to them by the Ministry of Education), I do challenge their right to singularly determine the economic viability of a community by virtue of a school closure decision. This decision, by the way, now rests with the North Huron Council to determine whether a new school in Wingham is a go this coming week; again a predictable outcome. I also can’t help but think that this school is going to cost the taxpayers more money than what is being discussed behind closed doors (since open information sharing has not been transparent) and that we will all be paying more for a school which the province cannot afford (remember we’re already in a $24 billion deficit, according to the latest figures), and “on the hook” for additional infrastructure costs which the municipality can ill afford, which means higher costs to us the taxpayer. I don’t know where public opinion is right now, but if we aren’t really fed up by now, we’ve got to be pretty close, as a community and as taxpayers. I cannot help but think that letters to the editor are a lot like writing chalk graffiti on the sidewalk, just before a rainfall. It’s easily washed away and forgotten. Unfortunately, the aftermath of this decision, both personal and economics, will be with us for a long time to come. Greg Sarachman, Blyth. Opinions lost in ARC process By Margaret E. McMahon The members of Walton Women’s Institute went back to school for an afternoon for their education meeting. They were welcomed to Howick Public School by Principal Shelly Blackmore who noted the students were anxious to have the members visit their classrooms to display how the Smart Boards work. She said that at least 98 per cent of the student body has a computer at home and a lot have access to the internet. Many of the students in the senior grades wear a Smart bracelet in which they are able to store a lot of information. Walton members saw the younger Ph. 519-482-3020 RR #1 Bayfield Fax 519-482-1496 Spring Hours:8 am - 8 pm daily; Sat. 9 am - 6 pm; Sun. 9 am - 5 pm Summer Hours:Mon.-Sat. 9 am - 6 pm; Sun. 9 am - 5 pm Check out our website for updates on seminars & specials at www.te-emfarm.ca CC OO MM EE OO UU TT TT OO TT HH EE PP LL AA CC EE WW HH EE RR EE GG AA RR DD EE NN EE RR SS MM EE EE TT One-stop plant shopping all grown on site! Make an appointment with Emma on Mondays & Wednesdays 5-8 pm and pot up your containers includes: • gorgeous geraniums • healthy herbs • beautiful hanging baskets • distinctive annuals • and much, much more Now Ready Rhubarb, asparagus & Ted’s Tasty Tomatoes Te-Em FarmTe-Em Farm By Jo-AnnMcDonaldCall 887-6570PEOPLE AROUNDWALTON Continued from page 1 other schools to make use of their environmental learning grounds, very few do, choosing instead to use the educational facilities at the nearby conservation authority,” writes Versteeg in the response. “This is one of the considerations that (trustees) will need to factor into our decision.” ARC decision looming Back to school for Walton WI Continued on page 20