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The Citizen, 1987-09-23, Page 23On Monday night, long-time Brussels Volunteer Fireman Jack McWhirter, centre, was pleasantly surprised when he was presented with a plaque from the village in recognition of his 35 years of service to his community. Councillor Neil MacDonald, left, and Brussels Fire Chief Howard Bernard made the presentation. Mr. McWhirter claims he will be retiring later this year, but Chief Bernard says “Don’t believe a word of it. He’ll be with us for a long time yet.” Brussels school wants band THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1987. PAGE 23. It pays to go to school under new program The staff at Brussels Public School is seeking parental and community support in a bid to make instrumental music an inte­ gral part of the Grades 6, 7 and 8 curriculum this year, starting as early as next month if all goes as planned. A meeting has been called to take place at the school at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September24, to an­ swer any questions that parents or community groups may have concerning the program and its delivery, which is largely due to a teacher new to the Brussels School this year. Phil Parsons of Gowanstown, who has just been transferred to Hullett council advertises for snow removal tenders Hullett Township council has instructed its road superintendent to advertise for snow removal tenders for the north west part of the township, with tenders to be in by 5 p.m. on October 5. At the regular meeting on September 1, Clerk Harry Lear was also instructed to prepare a draft by-law for the Emergency Plan for the township, making the neces­ sarychangesand appointments, to bring back to a future meeting for further discussion. Mr. Lear was also asked to contact Canadian Pacific Railways to notify it of the township’s concern regarding rehabilitation of the rail bed in the event that the Wingham Fire Department won't hire chief full-time The Wingham and Area Fire Board has decided that it is unable to offer Chief Harley Gaunt a full-time position, but will provide him with extra help if it is needed. The decision was announced at a fire board meeting September 9, following an hour-long in camera session despite a request by Wingham representative Ron Bee­ croft that the matter be discussed in open session. Board chairman Jim Taylor, East Wawanosh representative, announced the decision when the open meeting resumed, saying the Brussels after teaching for 15 years at Howick Central School, is the driving force behind the bid for the instrumental music course, the same program he implemented at Howick Central Public School in 1983 and which still continues there with a great deal of success. Hullett Central and Holmesville Public School are the only other elementary schools in the county to have an instrumental music pro­ gram in place, which of course depends on having a teacher on staff capable of implementing it. The school hopes that a large percentage of students in the three upper grades will choose to become involved in the program, railway closes the line. Council noted that it has no objection to Grandview Lunch just south of Blyth hooking up with the village for water and sewage at no expense to the township, and instructed the clerk to prepare the necessary by-law. Council has no objection to severance application B57/87, as long as the barn is demolished on the property. It also has no objection to the proposed reduc­ tion in membership for the Aus- able-Bayfield Conservation Au­ thority. The next meeting of Hullett Council was called for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22. board felt it could not afford a full-time position. “We have tried to come up with some solutions so that Harley can stay on as chief, because he’s been doing a good job,’’ Mr. Taylor said. Earlier this year the Wingham Public Utilities Commission, Mr. Gaunt’s employer, had stipulated that he could have no more time off work to perform duties such as inspections or fire safety drills. The board formed an ad hoc committee to study the matter and report back to the PUC. and that the parents will be willing to provide both moral support and financial aid, which is expected to come to about $5 per month per student using a musical instru­ ment. As well, Mr. Parsons hopes that local community organizations will recognize the ultimate cultural and educational value of the program, and will consider assisting with the financial burden it imposes. Mr. Parsons estimates that the cost of purchasing enough instru- mentsforthe students involved will amount to some $10,000 to $12,000 a hefty burden for the school if it is to be paid back to the supplier atthe proposed instru­ ment rental fee of only $5 per month for the maximum 55 or 60 students who may be involved. “We are looking at some long-term support from the com- munityforthisprogram, ifitistobe successful, and if we are going to be able to keep the fees to parents ata minimum,’’ Mr. Parsons said. The Huron County Board of Education is fully supportive of new program development at any school, but is unable to provide extra funding for programs at individual schools, according to Mr. Parsons. If the music program becomes a reality at Brussels Public School, senior students would have the opportunity to select instruments such as the trumpet, trombone, baritone, flute, clarinet or saxa- phone to learn to play. None of these instruments requires much obvious musical talentto learn, but does require a personal commit­ ment toward responsible effort and attitude on the part of each student, who would receive musi­ cal instruction at three classes per week, as well as having the instrument available for practice at home. Mr. Parsons says that he anticipates that the Brussels School Band will be available to entertain at public events and institutions such as nursing homes by early Spring. He also feels that having early training in musical instruments will be an advantage to students who go on to become involved in the extensive musical program at F.E. Madill Secondary School, or at any other secondary school. Huron County’s top educator says that a new program which offers to pay school dropouts to return to the classroom may have a significant impact on the county. “It could have a negative effect,’’ said Bob Allen, Huron’s director of education. “It’s a program which administrators will follow with a great deal of interest.’’ The program offers some unem- ployedyoungpeopleachance to go back to school for halfadayand work for the other half. Qualified unemployed youths who enter the program will receive $100 a week while attending school, as well as the minimum wage for part-time hours worked. Participants must work 16-20 hours a week, and attend school to earn at least three high school credits. Recently announced as an ex­ pansion of the Ontario Ministry of Skills Development’s “Futures’’ program which began nearly two years ago to help unemployed youth gain skills upgrading, train­ ing and work experience, the new option will offer a second chance to unemployed young people who want to go back to school. Starting October 1, it will be available to youths who have less thanaGrade 12education, have been out of school for at least one Sherri Bachert weds Sherri Lynette Bachert and Philip James McKinley were married, Saturday, August 1,1987 at the Clinton Town Hall Auditor­ ium by Mr. Samuel Maze of St. Lucia, West Indies. It was the first wedding ceremony performed at the Auditorium. The bride is the daughter of Keith and Janet Bachert of Walton and the groom is the son of George and Queenie McKinley of Dungannon, Northern Ireland. Maid of honour was Sonja Leivo of Sarnia, friend of the bride and bridesmaids were Tammy Driscoll of Walton, friend of the bride and Sheila Bachert, sister of the bride. Mr. and Mrs. Philip McKinley year, and have been unemployed for at least 12 consecu tive weeks or have accumulated a total of 16 jobless weeks in the past year. Local school boards will be closely involved in implementing the new Futures option, although nodetails have yet been released as to what agency will be involved in finding part-time work for kids who wish to take advantage of the program. Greg Sorbara, Minister of Skills Development, says that nearly 45 per cent of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in Ontario’s full-time workforce do not have a high school diploma. “Lack of formal and basic education plays a large role in the problems of these employment- disadvantaged youths.’’ he said. “It affects their job stability and advancement.’’ Mr. Sorbara emphasized that youths who choose the new program must be well-motivated and prepared to work hard. “It will be a challenge for them, there is no doubt. But the reward is progress toward a high school diploma, so critical for secure employment in today’s society.’’ The program is expected to attract nearly 7,000 participants during thecomingyear. It is the first time such a program has ever been offered in Canada. Junior bridesmaid was Shirlee Bachert, sister of the bride. Bestman was Dr. Andrew Mc­ Kinley of Northern Ireland, broth­ er of the groom and guests were ushered by Timothy McKinley of Northern Ireland, brother of the groom, as well as Marvin and Michael Bachert, brothers of the bride. Honoured guests were present from Northern Ireland, Brazil, St. Lucia, Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Welland. Following a dinner and reception at the Seaforth and District Community Centres, the couple honeymooned in Florida. They will reside at RR 1, Beamsville, Ontario.