Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-03-06, Page 1itizen The North Huron Vol. 21 No 10 Wednesday, March 6, 1996 610 +40 GST 650 Education How Madill's using new technology focus of third offering in series See page 8 Farm Farm Safety Association kicks off annual Farm Safety campaign See page 18 News Auburn pastor returns from mission in Dominican Republic See page 29 S. Hallahan dies, area loses leader By Janice Becker The difficulties with which the Huron County Board of Education must deal with is not limited to finance reform, but also board amalgamation. After reviewing the report from the Ontario School Board Reduc- tion Task Force, Sweeney Report, several draft recommendations were brought before the trustees at the March 4 meeting. In prefacing his comments, Director of Education Paul Carroll said the board must change the way they do all their business, in co-operation with all the partner groups. "There needs to be a more equi- table distribution of finances and a reduction in the disparity of spend- ing between boards," he said. In a general commentary from the committee studying the report there was agreement that education would operate better under a single, united school system with one gov- erning authority. The 'community education authority' would have elected rep- resentation from the public, Roman Catholic and French language sec- tors. "This is the only sensible approach to achieve savings and greater efficiency," said the corn- A Brussels business was target- ted by truck thieves on Saturday. A report from the Wingham OPP states that at approximately la.m. unknown persons stole a 1993 Ford pickup from behind Oldfield's Hardware store, where it was parked. The truck was later recovered on mince. Regarding specific recommenda- tions from the Sweeney Report, trustee for Morris and Turnberry Twps., Doug Garniss supported the committee's continued appeals for education finance reform. "We cannot emphasize enough the need for reform." A new staffing formula was seen Continued on page 22 Sideroad 25 in Morris Twp. It had been driven into a tree and was demolished Investigating Officer Const. Lin- coln Dinning is asking anyone with information to contact him at the Wingham detachment, 357-1331 or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-265- 1777. SIMON PETER HALLAHAN A respected community leader, Simon Peter Hallahan of Blyth, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 1996, at his home. He was 96. Mr. Hallahan was born the eldest of seven children, on March 10, 1899, to third generation farmers William Patrick and Elizabeth (Hayden) Hallahan. In 1925, Mr. Hallahan married Irene Kirby and farmed full-time. The couple had a son Maurice in 1930 and adopted a daughter Rose Marie (Sackrider), born in 1947. Their Holstein herd was begun in 1940 with purebreds then later fin- ished with registered Holsteins. Maurice Hallahan joined his father in 1956 creating the family partnership Simon P. Hallahan and Son. Irene Hallahan passed away in 1958. Mr. Hallahan and his second wife, Ann Cummings Kelly, whom he married in 1959, moved to Lot 41, Conc. 5 East Wawanosh.Twp. She passed away in 1961. Mr. Hallahan was deeply involved in community and farm organizations. He -was the co- founder of the Blyth Farmers Co- op in 1945, joined the Blyth Agricultural Society in 1946 and was a member of the East Wawanosh Federation of Agricul- ture from 1941 to 1975. In spite of 50 per cent reduction in provincial grant, the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) has passed a balanced budget for 1996. The MVCA's board of directors approved a budget for $1,003,456 at their February meeting. Under the budget, there is no increase in-the general levy to municipalities. A staff restructuring plan was announced as part of the budget. Under the plan, the MVCA had reduced its administration, resulting in significant savings. The positions of general manager and secretary-treasurer, both recently He also co-founded the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Asso- ciation in 1962. Mr. Hallahan served on East Wawanosh Twp. council from 1958 to 1960, 1965 to 1974, and from 1975 to 1980 as reeve. He was an active member of the Huron County Plowmen's Associa- tion, Huron County Milk Produc- ers, Huron County Pork Producers, St. Michael's Cemetery board, Knights of Columbus, Blyth Fire • ,Area board and Huron County Hol- stein Association. Mr. Hallahan was a 4-H leader for more than 50 years. He received the Blyth Citizen of the Year award in 1990 and the Bicentennial Cer- tificate of Merit from the province in 1984. Left to mourn his passing is his wife, the former Beatrice Mugford, whom he married in 1962. He was the loving father of Mau- rice and Mary of Blyth, Rose Marie Dumais of Kitchener, one step- daughter and four step-sons, the dear grandfather of eight grandchil- dren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brothers Dennis, William, John and Daniel, sisters Ann Steffler and Mary Ellen and one grandson, Peter. He will be sadly missed by many nieces and nephews. Mr. Hallahan rested at the Beat- tie-Falconer Funeral Home, Blyth. Prayers were held Thursday evening, followed by the Knights of Columbus prayer service. Fathers Mark Poulin and John Pluta officiated at the funeral mass, March 1. Pallbearers were Ray, James E., Dennis, Tom and Jim Hallahan and Clem Steffler. An honour guard of the Blessed Brother Andre Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus also attended. Carrying the floral tributes were Joseph Hallahan, Paul Dumais, Pat Hallahan and Kevin Scrimgeour. A spring interment will take place at St. Michael's Cemetery, Morris Twp. vacated, are being reassigned to existing MVCA staff. Paul Weitendorf is now serving as general manager/secretary treasurer on an acting basis. Two other staff that left the MVCA in December will not be replaced. "These, changes will allow the MVCA to maximize the delivery of services and minimize costs in 1996," said Ivan Suggitt, MVCA chairman. "This is a first step in a plan to absorb the loss of provincial grants that will take place this year and in 1997." In their November economic Continued on page 22 Swamped in letters The senior students at Blyth Public School had their hands and desks full as they took on the daunting task of stuffing and addressing more than 1,100 invitations to the Blyth School Reunion. Former staff, students and families of Blyth graduates should be receiving the information soon. Doing their best to avoid writers cramp, Sabine Schroeker, left, and Kim Denomme do their part by addressing envelopes. Amalgamation HCBE topic OPP seek truck thieves MVCA balances its 1996 budget