HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-02-14, Page 1The , North Huron
e bLoL 21 No 6 Wediesday, Feb ,1996 el 4 GST 650
A bad start
Monday morning's slippery roads made driving treacherous throughout the area. Two men
were taken to hospital following this accident at 8 a.m. on County Road 12 just 2 1/2 miles
south of Brussels. Firefighters from Grey Twp. were called to assist at the scene.
2 injured in morning crash
News
Former Brussels woman
shares rink with
Olympian
See page 2
Sports
Crusaders take
1 game lead in best of
seven playoff series
See page 11
Huron students host
first-ever trustee
conference
See page 23
Grey community
pleads for future
of library branch
Two men were taken to hospital
following an accident on County
Road 12, just south of Brussels at 8
a.m., Monday morning.
Wingham OPP say that a south-
bound car driven by Donald Far-
nell, 72, of Wingham, lost control
on the icy road surface and struck a
northbound vehicle driven by Elson
Smith, 55 of Seaforth.
Farnell was taken by ambulance
to Wingham hospital, then later
transferred to Victoria Hospital in
London. As of press time his condi-
tion was listed as critical.
Smith was transported to
Seaforth Hospital by ambulance.
He is reported to be in stable condi-
tion.
Both cars sustained severe dam-
age.
The accident is still under inves-
tigation.
By Janice Becker
Will the six Branch 3 libraries
designated for closure by Huron
County council on Jan. 5 ever cease
operation? The fight has only just
begun.
When county council approved
the cost-savings, small libraries in
Auburn, Bluevale, Centralia, Cran-
brook, Gorrie and Walton were
given warning of the forced mea-
sures to reduce costs and avoid a
county tax increase. However,
some councils and residents are
beginning to fight back.
Council took the initiative in
Tumberry, flatly saying the library
would not close.
Turnberry Reeve Brian McBur-
ney said, "Our librarian has already
been notified the library will stay
open."
When asked about a reaction
from the county, McBumey says,
"They have no choice (but to
accept it)."
In Grey Twp., it is the residents
of the small community of Cran-
brook and neighbouring area who
are banding together to support
their local resource facility.
In meeting with Grey Twp. coun-
cil on Feb. 5, John Saxon of RR3,
Brussels, presented councillors
with an 80-name petition against
the closure of Cranbrook library.
Saxon told councillors residents
feared the closure would mean
never having the service again.
"Many young families have
recently moved into the hamlet,
with children of preschool or
school-age. Some are home-school-
ing and look to the library as a use-
ful resource," says Saxon.
He also suggested the library
hours be reduced from five to two
and make use of volunteers to run
the facility.
hi backing the county's planned
closure, councils reasons were stat-
ed to be: management of a tighten-
ing budget for libraries, changing
public need for small libraries and
the better service to the public by
libraries which could provide a
wider range of service.
Reeve Leona Armstrong (a mem-
ber of the county library board)
said she would take the suggestion
regarding two hours of operation,
to the board. Council would also
support the idea of a volunteer
group if that course was take, she
said.
"Turnberry council (in reference
to Bluevale library) is the only
council we have heard from that is
definitely not supporting the rec-
ommendation for closure of their
library," says Beth Ross, chief
librarian for Huron County.
Stephen Twp. council has said
they support the principle of clo-
sures, but will not agree to shut
down Centralia, the most heavily
used of the Branch 3 libraries slated
for closure, unless all others also
close, says Ross.
Verbal consent has been received
from the McKillop Twp. clerk
regarding Walton, says Ross, but
nothing is in writing.
The planned closures were set for
Feb. 11, but have been postponed
due to the political process which
must take place to agree upon the
action.
Decisions have not yet been
made with regards to Auburn,
Cranbrook or Gorrie facilities
Reeves who voted against the
closure of Branch 3 libraries at
county council were Mason Bailey,
Blyth; Tom Cunningham, Hullett;
McBumey, Turnberry and Norm
Fairies, Howick.
Students video-conference with education minister
By Janice Becker
"It is an extraordinary opportuni-
ty to be able to speak with (the stu-
dents) and to acknowledge the
Huron County Board's leadership
in the field of student trustees," said
Minister of Education John Snobe-
len as he spoke, via video-confer-
encing, to a packed seminar room
during the recent student trustee
conference at Central Huron Sec-
ondary School.
Snobelen was one of the high-
lights of the two-day student con-
ference organized by Huron County
students for Feb. 9 and 10, to bring
together student trustees from
across the province.
In addressing the students, Sno-
belen applauded Huron County for
being one of the most technologi-
cally-advanced boards in the
province, enabling them to reflect
the neftds of the community.
"The education system and I need
your voice," said Snobelen. "Edu-
cation reform is essential for the
next generation to allow them to
fmd quality jobs in a global world.
The education system must prepare
students for the future."
"The province will not settle for a
'second best' system. We want all
the opportunities to be ready to
meet the challenges. We want
affordability, accountability and
quality."
In outlining some of the reforms
the Progressive Conservative gov-
ernment is looking at to change the
education system, Snobelen said
they have a proactive stance on
schools forming partnerships with
community organizations and busi-
nesses and the implementation of
school councils.
Training of staff is now taking
place to learn how to best co-ordi-
nate the function of the school
council with student input and
school staff, he says.
Another key to improved effi-
ciency of delivery of education is
technology. Technology is exciting,
he says, and video-conferencing
along with computefs will allow
more equitable access to informa-
tion.
With the updating of technology
on all schools, the gap will be
closed between children exposed to
computers at home and those who
are not, says Snobelen.
In terms of secondary education,
Snobelen, says the government is
working to make it more relevant to
the student, to consider the 70 per
cent of the student body that does
not plan to continue their education
in college or university.
To meet these needs, there will
be improved career guidance, co-op
and work-training programs, he
says.
With the elimination of OAC
(Grade 13) for those entering sec-
ondary school in 1997, "graduation
requirements will be brought in line
with the rest of the country and
world."
An external advisory committee
will be dealing with changes to the
system, including core curriculum,
standardized report cards and cut-
ting immense duplication of ser-
Wingham OPP and the District
Crime Unit, arrested a Teeswater
man, following the execution of a
search warrant at a private resi-
dence in Teeswater on Thursday,
Feb. 8.
Michael Andrew Lattimer, 23, of
14 Marcy St. is charged with
numerous firearms offenses, pos-
session of stolen property, break-
enter and theft, threatening and
cultivation of marijuana.
The arrest was the culmination of
a three-month investigation into
vices, says Snobelen.
"This will lead to better account-
ability and an education system that
better meets the needs of the stu-
dents. Ontario will be a place of
opportunities and possibilities for
your future."
break and enters and weapons
offenses. During the search police
found a sawed off shotgun, a hand-
gun, several rifles and a large quan-
tity of stolen property, which
includes chain saws and power
tools stolen Jan. 29 from McDon-
ald Home Hardware, Brussels, as
well as an indoor marijuana culti-
vation operation.
Lattimer appeared in Goderich
court last Friday morning. He was
remanded for a bail hearing on
Monday.
Police make arrest