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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-06-10, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010.Continued from page 1from the northeastern corner of the Wallace attendance area to travel to other schools – other than within Listowel – “will likely cause a rush of applications” for border crossing. Listowel Eastdale parent council representative Heather Brewer, meanwhile, accused the board of “misrepresentation of the actual objectives of (the HENP) ARC” when it was launched in September, 2009. She said there was a perception, at the time, that the goal was to address problems of excess capacity in Huron East, and that Wallace and the Listowel schools were added part-way through the process “as part of the pie- in-the-sky, five-for-two proposal.” She criticized administrators for their slow turn-around obtaining full knowledge about the extent of damage to Wallace Public School’s roof, as well as for warning the public about possible high-cost repairs even though it was eventually determined the repairs will cost only about $25,000. Most significantly, though, Brewer questioned the board’s plan, pending financial support from the Ministry of Education, to build a new school “at a site in North Perth to be determined.” She noted property matters must, by law, be discussed behind closed doors, thereby eliminating the opportunity for public input. “We can not ignore . . . the lack of opportunity to participate in the future consolidation plan,” she concluded. Ever since the release of the staff recommendation, however, the most significant back-and-fortharguments between school supporters have been on behalf of Brussels and Grey Central. And that trend continued on June 1. Having been challenged by a trustee in early May to bring forward their opinion in response to several delegations from Grey Central, Brussels supporters responded. Dawn Hastings and Krista Nesbit both countered particular arguments brought forward in previous meetings, noting that parts of the much-talked-about Environmental Learning Grounds at Grey Central are actually in poor repair, and that the drop-off area at Brussels is actually very safe. Nesbit added that, during community events when attendance outstrips the capacity of Grey Central’s parking lot, it can be dangerous walking along the adjacent 80-km speed limit roadway to get to and from the school – especially after dark. Charlie Hoy, meanwhile, attempted to counter suggestions, including those made by trustees, that out-of-the-way schools can adequately serve nearby towns and villages – as would be the case if Grey Central remained open and Brussels closed. He argued Brussels – with its in-town school – compares favourably in economic development studies versus villages like Gorrie, Fordwich, Wroxeter or Monkton. “It is not clear these (rural) schools serve the (nearby) communities well,” Hoy argued. It’s clear, however, that opposition to the closure of Grey Centralremains strong. In her delegation, Pam Martin gave an hour-by-hour description of a possible future day, with her four children scattered between schools in Brussels, Newry and Listowel. “I guess my husband and I will have to decide again which child is more important and gets their way,” she predicted. Martin also raised the possibility of multiple border-crossing applications; particularly, she suggested if Grades 7 and 8 students are being picked up at the end of the laneway to attend Elma Township Public School, it will be logical to remove younger siblings from Brussels and put them on the same bus to Newry. At one point in the meeting, there were even muted murmurs of dissent. That came when Hastings suggested the “socio-economic impacts” of closing Brussels would be greater than if Grey Central closes. Hastings, though, can also be credited as the only person to attempt to put a positive spin on the possibility of losing one school and having its students absorbed by another. In her delegation, she assured Grey Central supporters of positive fundraising returns, noting Brussels-area residents “will buy tickets to almost anything where a meal is involved.” She then concluded by stating that “it is our preference that both schools remain open, but if Brussels is chosen . . . we will do everything we can to make all students and parents feel welcome.” Continued from page 2 The Blyth and Brussels Libraries will hold their events at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively, on Tuesdays from June 28 to August 27. Each week will have a sub-theme, according to Van Miltenburg and Mathonia, like the first week’s introductory theme: Welcome to the Jungle. “They’re all really fun books that the kids will love,” Van Miltenburg said. Each library sets its own practices for the event, so Brussels will be free, while Blyth, one of the busiest centres for the program according to Mathonia, will charge $1 per child per session. The children will help read a book to the group at each event, then sing songs, play games and make crafts. Crafts include rainmakers, Chia Pets and mobiles made out of CDs. The club requires pre-registration, which is open now at libraries across the county. “We want kids to come in and get interested in what we have,” she said. “We have movies, video games like the [Nintendo Wii console] and computers. We want to get kids really excited about knowledge, and do so at a young age.” The program is open to children aged four through 12 and is sponsored by TD Canada Trust, Service Canada, the Toronto Public Library and Young Canada Works. For more information contact the Brussels Library at 519-887-6448 or the Blyth Library at 519-523- 4400. Continued from page 1 native Justin Peters, Happy Baker Erin Bolger, Colorado Avalanche centre and Varna native Ryan O’Reilly, Brett Carson of the Carolina Hurricanes, Bryan Rodney and Mike Murphy of the Albany River Rats, James Neal of the Dallas Stars, Belleville Bulls goaltender Anthony Peters, hockey scouts Bill Brown and Jerry Doran of the Windsor Spitfires and scout Jerry Uniac of the London Knights. Scrimgeour, says the best time to catch the famous fundraisers is between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Held in honour of Scrimgeour’s niece Ainsleigh, the tournament is held to raise awareness of what services the foundation does have. Ainsleigh died in a drowning incident in 2006. For more information, visit www.golfforainsleigh.webs.com/ Continued from page 1 outdoor learning centres in adjoining jurisdictions. But he said “direct funding from the (Education) Ministry is not there. That means boards that are choosing to maintain those centres are taking those funds from classroom resources.” “That’s an informed decision that (trustees and administrators in those boards) choose to pursue.” Reid added that the Avon Maitland board “supports environmental education. It’s a question of where are you going to put limited resources?” Tournament on the way Discussion continues Hop aboard While this young lady isn’t old enough for school just yet, Hullett Central Public School did its part to help prepare her and others on May 27, holding a bus safety seminar for future kindergarten students and their parents that involved a quick trip on an actual school bus. (Aislinn Bremner photo) Back and forth betweenBrussels and Grey goes on Meat mincer Merle Hoegy cuts and serves meat during the Brussels Lions Club annual Elimination Draw. (Denny Scott photo) History Book looks for name and cover Summer literacy The Morris-Turnberry History Book needs a name and/or cover art. The book will be published in the summer of 2011. The History Book Committee wants suggestions from the citizens of the area, young and old, for a good name and cover for the history book. The two-volume book will document the heritage of Morris and Turnberry Townships from the beginning c.1857 to 2010. The project will be two books big, with approximately 1,200 pages of information, stories and photographs of the people who have lived in these two townships. The book will include a list of the property owners for every lot in Morris and Turnberry from the 1850s to the present as well as family histories submitted by area families, stories about the schools, churches, events, politics, agricultural practices, industries and more. To enter the contest to name the book, contestants should send in their suggestion via e-mail at: morris@scsinternet.com or by mail to: Morris-Turnberry History Book Contest, c/o Township of Morris- Turnberry, RR 4, 41342 Morris Road, Brussels, ON N0G 1H0. All entries must include the entrant’s name, address and phone number. The person with the prize-winning entry will receive $50 in cash and a set of history books. The deadline is June 30. The committee is still accepting submissions for inclusion in the history book, and will be until the end of September. Family stories can be dropped off at the township office or e-mailed to co-editor Jodi Jerome at jjerome@hurontel.on.ca The manuscript is due to the printers in December with a launch of the book scheduled for summer of 2011. Starting in the fall, the books can be pre-ordered from the Morris- Turnberry municipal office.