Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-02-28, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2S, 1990. Discussion still leaves Hullett hall issue up in air Continued from page 1 payer, questioned how receptive the school would be in letting town groups use the auditorium during weekly daylight hours. Ron Jewitt replied that the school could work around daytime events but they would like to see them stay down to about once a month. He also indicated that if there was a special meeting room, this room would be more suitable and available for daytime functions. Other concerns were raised about smoking and liquor due to HCBE laws which don’t allow Principal transfers go before arbitrator smoking or drinking in the schools. Bert Greidanus, Hullett taxpayer wondered if a facility on the school would be allowed to have smoking and drinking for such events as buck and does, dances and other social events. Reeve Cunningham said, “We could make an agree­ ment where permits could be arranged.” John Jewitt reminded the crowd that “there would be a shared agreement and the school board would not be making all the rules. There would have to be co-operation.” But Kitty McGregor, Hullett taxpayer, said “I don’t know if I like the idea of putting booze in the school because kids will be in there.” However Lawrence Plaetzer, Hullett taxpayer, said he thought the addition on the school would be “the right way to go” and Bob Trick agreed that the school seem­ ed to be the only feasible option for Londesboro to get an new facility. But in the end, the issue was unresolved as were the other options ratepayers and council discussed. In tune with the results of the study, many people at the meeting were interested in the changes and costs that would be required to renovate the existing hall located in town on County Road 15. “We are concerned about how much money should be spent renovating the hall,” said Reeve Cunningham after telling the crowd that com­ plete renovations may cost over* $120,000. This sum was calculated by an engineer who did a brief inspection job of the hall and listed what was needed to update the structure to current standards. His estimation included $5,000 to up­ grade the roof and ceiling, $25,000 to insulate the walls, $12,000 for new windows, $23,000 for a revised heating system, $20,000 for an updated kitchen, $10,000 for im­ proved washrooms, $10,000 for an upgraded electrical system, $5,000 for drainage an a contingency allowance of $10,000 for other additional or unanticipated work. The good news was that the building is structurally sound. Council wasn’t pushing the idea of renovating the old building, probably because they lose money on it every year. Last year, the hall made $2,340 but its expenses were $4,379. “What bothers us is that the hall isn’t being used and it is costing us to keep it up,” said Reeve Cunningham. Larry Plaetzer, Hullett taxpayer, asked if the hall would have to be renovated right away and Reeve Cunningham told him that they weren’t being pushed to do the renovations, yet. But he suggested that if taxpayers want the hall renovated they should be done soon. “We are concerned that if there is a tragedy, how would that affect us if we knew there were problems with the hall and we didn’t do anything about it?” Don McGregor suggested build­ ing a new hall on the same site as the present one but the idea didn’t meet with approval from others who felt if there was to be a new hall, it should be built on the Miller property - a site Hullett council has already put a $500 down payment on “in case you people decide to choose the option of building a new hall,” said Reeve Cunningham. Some people com­ mented that the parking at the present hall is a real problem but the Miller property, which is about the size of a block, would have a sizeable parking lot. As well, Hullett township has the money to build a new hall. Hullett council has set up a special reserve fund for the hall of $45,000 and has over $300,000 in reserves. More­ over, the Miller property comes with a price tag of only $20,000. “It’s a very reasonable price,” said Reeve Cunningham. But in the end, after everyone had had their say, no conclusions or decision had been reached and Reeve Cunningham told the dis­ persing crowd “we’re not in a hurry to make a decision and we’re going to take all the comments and go over them at our next meeting.” While the debate that raged over the transfer of three Huron County high school principals by the Board of Education last year may have died down the fight is still not over. On May 23, principals Joe Wooden, Bruce Shaw and Herb Murphy, will have their day in court in Windsor when an arbitra­ tion board on the authority of the Labour Relations Act will hear a grievance concerning their trans­ fers. Mr. Wooden was transferred from Clinton to Exeter while Mr. Shaw was transferred from Exeter to Goderich. Both transfers had been loudly protested by students to the board. Mr. Murphy was transferred from Goderich to Wing­ ham. The principals will be represent­ ed at the hearing by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Feder­ ation (OSSTF) executive assis­ tant, Jim Whitehead. According to Mr. Whitehead his role at the hearings will be to prove either that the management had no right to transfer the principals or that the board acted wrongly. It will be his responsibility to show that the decisions were made arbitrar­ ily, discriminatorily and were done in bad faith. “Even if you are the boss you don’t have the right to bully me,” he clarified. Serving on the arbitration board are an OSSTF representative, an unidentified nominee from the Huron County Board of Education management, and a labour rela­ tions arbitrator. The Labour Relations Act states that the decision reached by the arbitration board must become public record and if the ruling is in favour of the principals they could be permitted to return to their former schools, receive travel allowance, or get financial compen­ sation. Blyth 4H club elects officers On Valentine’s Day 1990, the first meeting of the Blyth 4-H club “Your Best Foot Forward’’ began at 7:30 p.m. The meeting started off with the 4-H pledge and went on to elect the club executive which is as follows: president, Glenda Carter; vice- president, Susan Carter; press reporter, Barb Lamble and secre­ tary-treasurer, Marie Cronyn. The leader, Yvonne Cronyn, then proceeded to tell about this etiquette club. Some topics were: the proper way to answer a telephone call, family consideration and good table manners. The meeting was closed with the 4-H motto: “Learn to do by doing’’. And we invite you to give us yours. Over the years Ontario’s appetite for electricity has been steadily growing. Within the next ten years, we face the very real possibility that demand may outstrip our available supply Ontario Hydro would like to share its thoughts on tomorrows electricity needs That’s why Ontario Hydro has introduced “Providing The Balance of Power" a proposal that looks at how we can make the best possible use of all our existing resources, examines the possibilities of purchasing electricity from our neighbours, discusses the 52 page book that explains the proposal Your feedback is an important part of the process in meeting tomorrow's energy needs 1-800-263-9000 and views on the future and record your suggestions You will receive a questionnaire which can be filled out at the Informa­ tion Centre, or. if you d prefer, mailed from home later on And you'll also receive a copy of a comprehensive We need we need your feedback. Staff at the Information Centre are there, not only to explain the proposal, but more importandy to listen to your ideas Thursday March 1 Friday March 2 Goderich & District Memorial Centre 180 MacDonald Street Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. / tories and in the office is essential It sets out the issues that will affect all our energy futures in the years ahead. You’re invited to discuss Providing the Balance of Power at the Ontario Hydro Information Centre.