HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-10-11, Page 8A Brussels-area woman has taken
on the position of manager for the
North Huron Children’s Services in
Wingham.
Val Watson is no stranger to pre-
school education. She began her
career at the Wingham site, under the
mentorship of Jane Lane, who
retired as manager after 35 years.
She worked at what was then the
Wingham Children Centre for 17
years, first in the toy lending library,
then as a pre-school teacher and
finally as a resource consultant
working with special needs children.
In 2003 she accepted a position
with the county to help develop the
new home child care program.
Twenty-five home day cares were
approved for licensing by the
Ministry of Children and Youth.
“That was exciting,” said Watson.
“This was a new service for the
county. These home day cares are a
complement to our centres in the
county, offering child care on nights
and weekends.”
Innovation is a part of the North
Huron program as well. “We are a
package now,” sayd Watson. “Not
just a day care.”
Children’s Services encompass the
day care centre for infants to three-
year-olds as well as being a satellite
service for Ontario Early Years. The
before and after school program for
older children is offered at Wingham
Public School. And Best Start, also
off-site from the William Street
facility at Sacred Heart School, is a
program for junior and senior
kindergartens when they are not
attending school
“The reason for in-school facility
is so kids get into the school routine
earlier. It mirrors what would be
happening in a typical kindergarten,”
said Watson.
Coming to the North Huron centre
will give Watson the experience she
needs to continue to grow in her
field. “There are budgets and staff
concerns.”
However, she is also devoted to
ensuring that every child has the
opportunity for early learning.
According to Watson a test called
EDI was done to see how well-
prepared children are for school. It
was determined that the northern
area of the county, particularly
remote rural sections, needs more
programs to get kids ready for
school.
“There is a lot of push to develop
early years programs and also a push
for literacy and school readiness.”
The facilities at North Huron were
also an enticement. “They are well
cared for. There is nice equipment.
Money, time and effort have been
put in here and it’s nice to come into
a building like this.”
The move to North Huron has also
had its personal benefit as her four
children, Lindsay, 17; Andrew, 15;
Zachary, 13 and Nathan, 12, attend
F.E. Madill Secondary School. And
with her husband, Mike, working
nearby, “I won’t have to worry about
winter driving.”
“It is just really nice to be
back.”
PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2007.
Welcome
Surrounded by some of her young friends at the North Huron Children’s Centre is the new
manager Val Watson of Brussels. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
A new service is being offered tomunicipalities, residents andbusinesses of Huron through the
county’s website.
Director of planning Scott Tousaw
told county council at the Oct. 3
meeting that the geographical
information system is now on the
Huron website.
“It’s a very useful tool,” said
Tousaw.
The WebGIS is an internet-based
view and query mapping system that
displays spatial information about
different features within Huron.
County and lower-tier municipal
employees will have a username and
password to login to the system.
“They will be able to search data,
create and export maps, view aerial
photos, write on maps and create
circulation lists for planning
applications,” said Tousaw. Lower tier municipalities can viewtheir municipality and its neighboursin Huron. “We do not have data forabutting counties.”The public can see limited county
data, due to sensitivity and licensing
issues. They will not be able to
accesss information such as property
ownership.
In her report, GIS specialist Karri
Sonke said the the launch has been
highly anticipated throughout Huron
County.
Orientation sessions would be
held with county staff, municipal
officials and representatives from
companies that work closely with
the county, such as Maitland Valley
Conservation Authority.
Sonke said, “There are many
enhancements planned for WebGIS
and this is only our starting point.
More data and capability will be
added as time goes by.”
Brussels woman new manager
of NH Children’s Services
Huron OPP officers were busy this
Thanksgiving weekend with
Operation Impact 2007 in an attempt
to keep the roadways safe for all
holiday motorists.
Officers conducted numerous
RIDE programs throughout the
county. In West Region there were
44 drinking and driving charges -
one of which came from Huron
County. Of the 32 12 hour
suspensions handed out in West
Region, three came from Huron
County.
There were nearly 1,000 speeding
charges laid in the Region, 130
occupant restraint charges and 27
careless driving charges. One of the
careless driving charges also came
from Huron County.
Overall the county did fairly well,
said Const. Joanna Van Mierlo.
“Unfortunately one death did occur
on Oct. 8 wherein a lack of seatbelt
use was determined to be a
factor.”
WALTON 519-887-8429
Come see us for all your
hunting and safety gear needs
New merchandise arriving in store
NO GST Sale
from October 11 ~ 21
ATTENTION
ALL ATOM & PEEWEE
HOCKEY PLAYERS
Wingham Minor Hockey is hosting a
on October 20, 2007
at N.H.W.C.C., Wingham
9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Cost $60.00 ~ Meal Available
Contact Chris Michie 523-4778
www.winghamhockey.com
Wingham Minor Hockey
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Huron drivers do ‘fairly well’
in Operation Impact campaign
GIS on county websiteBy Bonnie GroppThe Citizen
In North Metro League action this
Thanksgiving weekend, the Saugeen
Maitland Lightning AA Midgets and
the Stratford Aces battled to a 2-2
tie.
The goalscorers for the Lightning
were Tammy Freiburger of
Wingham and Kathryn Roy of
Owen Sound.
The girls will be in action this
upcoming weekend in the Toronto
Aero’s hockey tournament.
Lightning
ties
Stratford