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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-09-15, Page 3Lueknow Sentinel, Wednesday, September 15, 1993 - Page 3 Shannon McNeil.. is Huron's first Milk Messenger by David Scott A "twenty-one-year-old business studies graduate will represent Huron County as its first Milk Messenger. Shannon McNeil was appointed the Milk Messenger for Huron County at a banquet and dance held by the Huron County Milk Pro- ducers at the Brussels Community Centre Friday, Sept. 10. The Milk Messenger is a part of the new Milk Marketing Board's Dairy Educator Program. The coordinator of the program, Brenda Bridge felt the name "Milk Messen- ger" (rather than Dairy Educator) would appeal more to the many school children that are visited every year by the representative of the dairy industry. But Brenda, a former Dairy Princess from 1980, prefers the old title. Shannon takes over for Amy Terpstra, the last Dairy Princess for Huron County. Shannon, of R.R,6, Goderich is a Shannon McNeil, left, is the 1993-94 Huron County MIIk Mes- senger. She is shown receiving flowers from last year's Huron County Dairy Princess, during the banquet and dance at the Brussels Community Centre, last Friday. (David Scott photo) Director says board is between rock and hard place business graduate from Mohawk College. As for her new role as Huron County Milk Messenger, she's "excited and eager to get started." The part-time position includes approximately 45 events promoting the dairy industry. Being interested in public rela- tions and- marketing; Shannon will have a chance • to experience elements of both in her new rale. She attributes some of her success to , her father, Bob McNeil. "He really supported me." As far as the new Milk Messen- ger title, Shannon agrees it should have been changed (from Dairy by Don Jackson members are exempt from the Social Contract (becausethey fall Huron County Board of under the $30,000 mark outlined Education Director" Paul Carroll as exempt by the provincial said that " the inability of the government), so three or four provincial government, teachers' people will take the full burden of groups and employee groups to the Fail Safe measures (for act on an agreement in the Social CUPE)," Carroll explained. Contract has put the board bet- The Fail Safe measures include ween a rock and a hard place. a three-year salary freeze (June "A serious error was made when 14, 1993 - March 31, 1996), no the government and the employee salary, wage, COLA (Cost Of groups and the teachers groups Living Adjustments) or merit signed an agreement that did not increases, 12 days Of unpaid leave have a deadline and it could and powers" to employers precipitate into a financial recover this expendittuy reductions "- disaster," he said. by implementing faij,,Safe r The board is in a' position of measures and additional measures reduced income without reduced if necessary. The measures were expenditures until legislation is initiated by the provincial passed to legalize the cuts that government to insure that public will be necessary to make up the sector employees who didn't come shortfall the Social Contract re- up with their own plans for reduc- quires. "The grants started to be tions . would still make up their reduced in July and the original share of Social Contract reduc target, to be reached by the end of tions. December was over ' $900,000 Carroll said he's been impressed ($993,440). The grants have been by the reactions of some reduced, so that -our income has employees and their willingness to been reduced, but the legislation help "the board achieve its reduc- has not let allowed us to reduce. tion goals. "Despite all the furor our expenditures," said Carroll. about the Social . Contract, we have had a dozen employees come forth and offer to take additional time off to help the board." Carroll said the board has . But, • even with some local co - `m prepared its strategy for dealing operation, Carroll is still worried with the Social Contract and only about the provincial negotiations. needs the green light from the "As every day goes by, I worry province to beginimplementing more about , it. If any one of the tpe expenditure cuts. "We could " partners chooses to delay, the tie things up as early as next week financial' situation of our board if we were allowed to do so," he and other boards is in jeopardy," stated. • he said, adding that relations He said that on the local level, between the provinces, the boards the Social Contract has been dealt and the employee groups are less with through the co-operation of than perfect. "There's a tremen- all the education staff and several dous amount of suspicion and meetings to reach the tough paranoia and it doesn't help the decisions required. situation.". All but one employee group have shown a willingness to work out the contract. The boycott group, is the members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) who are employed by the board. These employees are secretaries and those employed at the Learning Resource Center. "Mott CUPE "We're in a . situation where ywe may be facing a huge deficit situation." Princess), but adds that she prefers the old name: Aside from visiting Huron County schools, the Milk Messenger attends Women's Institute meetings; 4-11 Clubs, Milk Committee meetings, various promotions and workshops. "We're fortunate to have a pro- gram. The beef industry doesn't have a prdgram. The corn industry doesn't have a program. We've built up a reputation," said Brenda Bridge, who's been coordinating the Dairy Educator (Dairy Princess) program for six years. "It's import- ant to educate the youth, It's not true that because we're in a rural area you don't have to teach children about dairy." Referring to the Milk Messenger, she says "they come a long way in a year.. They learn public speaking, • and make presentations to everyone from age three to one hundred and three." Sixty-three different businesses from Huron County, including 11 Seaforth businesses, made donations to the 1993-94 Dairy Educator Program. Huron -Bruce MP Murray Cardiff and Huron MPP Paul Klopp were both on hand to present contestants and the winner with gifts. IFAS VEGAS SALE DAYS in WALKERTON Thurs., Fri., Sat., September l6th, l7th & 18th 13"14-l'burt'ard; Spin The Wheebr Rtrtt-rk-Bi _ Watch Your Luck Let. You Save! Get Away to Las Vegas in Walkert Shop Walkerton and Catch .The .Excite ent! • ANDREW'S PLACE IINISE:X iEAIRSTYLIN(; • BROWN'S GUARDIAN PHARMACY & THE GIFT CORNER • BUD'S SOUND BOIJTIQIIE • CARMAN CAMERA • CARTWRIGHT'S SHOE STORE • CANED INTERIORS ETD. • DISTINCTIVE FABRICS • GRANT'S TV • • GYRE & GIMBLE • HAIR BIZZ • HART'S "K" FOOD MARKET 0-11.4‘.2, • •• HIS 'N' HERS . • HOBLEY IDA PHARMACY & FRAGRANCE BAR • HOLST OFFICE SUPPLIES • KENNY'S FLOWERS ,• KISSES LADIES FASEII()NS & MATERNITY • MOHAN MEN'S WEAR •' P.J,'s KIDSTUFF • SIDE STREET STYLING • SOPHISTICATED LADY ,. • STEDMANS • STEWART'S VALU:MART • • THE FABRIC SHOPPE • WALKERTON APPLIANCES & HOME FURNISHINGS • WALKERTON ELECTRONICS • WEILER'S CLEANING SERVICE • WRIGHT'S IGA