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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-06-10, Page 1CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, June 10, 2010 Volume 26 No. 23TORCHRUN- Pg. 15OPP Torch Run forSpecial Olympics coming CONVOCATION - Pg. 10 Local girl honoured atUniversity of GuelphSPORTS- Pg. 8Local students compete inregional track and fieldPublications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 PAP Registration No. 09244 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0INSIDE THIS WEEK: Amidst a backdrop of uncertainty about whether the Avon Maitland District School Board will qualify for funding for new construction, the claims and counter-claims continued on Tuesday, June 1, as supporters of several North Perth and Huron East elementary schools appealed to trustees. A special meeting meant only for public delegations about the two ongoing accommodation review processes – Huron East/North Perth (HENP) and Bluewater/South Huron – featured three presentations in support of Grey Central Public School in Ethel, four supporting Brussels Public School, one highlighting the merits of Wallace Public School in Gowanstown, and one in support of Listowel Central Public School. A staff report, released in April following a months-long consultation with a community- based Accommodation Review Committee (ARC), recommended maintaining only Brussels out of that group. It would be switched to a Kindergarten-to-Grade 6 facility, taking in students from Grey Central. Grade 7 and 8 students would either be accommodated at the to-be-constructed senior elementary wing of F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham, or at Elma Township Public School in Newry. Funding would be sought, meanwhile, for a K-8 school in North Perth, taking in students from both Wallace and Listowel Central. First on the June 1 agenda was Huron East Deputy-Mayor Bernie MacLellan, who served on the board-mandated ARC. “(Huron East council) said before the process began that we would like to see a school remain in the Huron East community,” he said. “Well, in this recommendation, we didn’t quite get a school but, apparently, they’re going to give us three- quarters of a school with a K-6 (in Brussels).” MacLellan offered several arguments to support one of the other in a list of possible scenarios brought forward by the ARC: closing only Wallace and distributing students to Grey Central, Listowel Eastdale and Howick Central Public School near Gorrie. “All the other schools would benefit from this option,” he suggested, due to decreased empty pupil spaces. Wallace parent Jeff Hamilton, however, pointed to contradictory evidence, noting the Gowanstown school “offers relatively low maintenance costs over 10 years compared to other schools in this review.” He warned that asking students Grey Central Public School’s Environmental Learning Grounds, already a much-talked-about factor in the pending decision about future student accommodations in Huron East and North Perth, were again a topic of discussion at a meeting of the Avon Maitland District School Board on Tuesday, June 1. Administrative staff recommends the closure of Grey Central, with students moving to either Brussels or Newry. Opponents of the plan have repeatedly trumpeted the value of the Environmental Learning Grounds, an extensive area adjacent to the school featuring green space, natural areas, hiking trails and an outdoor amphitheatre. They argue the board should enhance its program support for the property, turning it into an outdoor education facility that would attract class trips from across Huron-Perth and beyond. The nearby Wawanosh Nature Centre, operated by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), has been cited as an already-existing facility that fulfills that role. But at the June 1 school board meeting, organized specifically to hear public delegations about the board’s two ongoing accommodation review processes, Armand Roth told trustees they “could be on the threshold of making a terrible decision” by closing Grey Central. “As parents, we are deeply concerned about the solvency of the conservation authorities,” he said. “What happens if the Maitland Valley or Upper Thames authorities close down their facilities? We are left with nothing.” Roth provided trustees with information about outdoor education centres in four neighbouring jurisdictions, owned and operated by school boards. “These boards also have access to other providers but feel very strongly that the operation of their own programs is cost-effective and very important,” he said. At the June 1 meeting, trustees also heard from several supporters of Brussels Public School – which has been mentioned for possible closure in a number of alternative proposals brought forward since the release of the staff recommendation. Two of those presenters revealed their experiences during a recent walk- through of the Environmental Learning Grounds. Dawn Hastings called it “a great area with limited program support,” while Krista Nesbit cited exposed nails and rotting boards in the amphitheatre and on walkway bridges, as well as the absence of barriers around patches of poison ivy. She urged trustees to consider the MVCA services, saying “a field trip to Wawanosh is an exciting excursion for students.” Interviewed after the meeting, top Avon Maitland administrator Chuck Reid agreed there are board-operated Brent Scrimgeour, organizer for the Fourth Annual Ainsleigh Bontaine Memorial Golf Tournament, says he isn’t raising money for a London Hospital, but for people in his community. The golf tournament, which will be held at Woodland Links on Highway 8 just west of Clinton on June 27, serves as a fundraiser for the Children’s Health Foundation, which is in the London Health Science’s Centre. “The Children’s Health Foundation doesn’t serve just London,” he said. “People need to be aware of the facilities we basically have in our backyard.” Scrimgeour said that last year alone, 55 per cent of the foundation’s patients were from outside of the London area. He also said that raising funds for local hospitals is important, but that the foundation is local as well. “Local hospitals are good, but the specialized service that the Children’s Health Foundation can provide is important,” he said. The tournament has brought in more than $60,000 over the past three years for the Children’s Health Foundation. While the tournament is currently sold out, Scrimgeour said that there are plenty of opportunities to become involved, including the silent and live auctions and dinner held at the Woodlands. “The event isn’t just the tournament,” he said. “You can come out for the roast beef dinner, which is $25 a ticket, or you can come and browse the silent and live auctions.” Sponsorship spots are still available and items are still being welcomed for the silent auction by contacting Scrimgeour at 519-523- 4551. Confirmed celebrity guests at the event this year include Carolina Hurricanes goaltender and Blyth Merits of Learning Grounds debated at meeting Memorial Tournament sold out Delegations make their school’s case Deal donations The Belgrave Women’s Institute (WI) sold its hall in Belgrave and graciously donated funds to Knox Presbyterian Church, the Belgrave Community Centre and the Belgrave Kinsmen. Each organization received $5,000. Pictured is, from left, Darryl Marks, President of the Belgrave Kinsmen; Dorothy Coultes, Secretary of the WI; Gord Folkard, head of the Property committee for Knox Presbyterian Church in Belgrave; Nancy Jardin, Past president of the Belgrave WI,and Paul Gowing, President of the Belgrave Community Centre board. (Denny Scott photo) By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Continued on page 20 Continued on page 20 Continued on page 20 By Denny Scott The Citizen