Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-03-06, Page 8WEST WAWANOSH MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY CO "Vighbour helping Vighbour Since 1879" YOUR LOCAL AGENTS Frank Foran, Lucknow 528-3824 Lyons & Mulhern, Goderich 524-2664 Donald R. Simpson, Ripley 395-5362 Delmar Sproul, Auburn 529-7273 Clinton 482-3434 Chapmalr9yaham & Assoc. Owen Sound 376-1774 Miller Insurance Kincardine 396-3465 Georgian Bay Insurance Brokers Owen Sound 376-4049 P.A. Roy Insurance Broker Inc. Clinton 482-9357 Banter, MacEwan, Feagan Insurance Goderich 524-8376 Kenneth MacLean, Paisley 368-7537 McMaster Siemon Insurance Brokers Inc., Mitchell 348-9150 John Nixon, Brussels 887-9417 Chapman Graham Insurance Walkerton 881-0611 Orr Insurance Brokers Stratford 271-4340 City Insurance Offices Sarnia 383-0044 "INSURANCE FOR FARM, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND AUTO" -HEALTH ON THE HILL PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, .1996 The current generation of youth, educated and encouraged to use technology, will be the ones to experience the advantages (and possibly some disadvantages) of the computer age. The ever-evolving relationship between fast-paced technology and the public school system will be explored in a series of articles The third in the series deals with the use of technology for the deliverance of secondary school course material. By Janice Becker Not only is technology affording the children of today the opportunity to surf the net, scanning university libraries for valuable information and learning from other countries and cultures, it is allowing youth to cultivate a sense of themselves and reach for new heights in personal development. F.E. Madill Secondary School, Wingham, will be offering a pilot project to students in positions of responsibility, a distance education course in human relations. Madill Principal Wayne Tessier says the course is aimed at youth in leadership roles, such as student trustees and members of student advisory councils. With a limited number of students at each secondary school facility enrolling in the course, it would not be cost effective to have a teacher and class at each site. The course material, related to leadership and responsibility, will come to the students via the hi- tech highway. The basic information will be on CD-ROM, with assignments faxed or e-mailed to the various participants. An as-yet undetermined number of video-conferences will take place between the teacher of the course and the students enrolled. "It is a real-time conversation," says Tessier. "It is as good as being there. " Teachers are able to respond immediately to the questions while seeing the face and reaction of the students. Though there will not be the day to day contact with the course instructor, each student will be assigned a mentor at their school to help guide them through course work. Being able to offer a specialized course to a few students at various locations, uses board of education funds more efficiently, says Tessier. There is not the cost of staff nor the cost for one teacher to travel to several locations. By incorporating the intemet into the Human Relations studies, students are able to access professionals in the field, to talk with people in leadership roles on a more personal level. It is also very time effective for the professionals, allowing them to interact with youth without having many hours of their work day consumed by travel. An apt example of such an instance is the recent student trustees conference held at Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton. Secondary students from across Southern Ontario gathered for a weekend of seminars, discussions and policy meetings. Minister of Education John Snobelen was able to speak to the gathering as well as answer their questions, via video-conferencing, while seated in a Montreal office. Though the hi-tech course for Huron County secondary schools is still under development, Tessier says it is an opportunity for staff and students alike to use the technology in new ways, to expand the learning experience for the children. "Why have a computer to do the same old things." ***** Letter to the editor Continued from page 5 the role of government in people's lives and will put decision-making back where it belongs — in the hands of individuals and their families. A continuing power of attorney for property is a legal document in which a person gives someone else the legal authority to make decisions about their finances if they become unable to make those decisions themselves. Although a power of attorney may become effective the moment it is signed, it is called continuing because it can be used after the person who gave it is no longer mentally capable. A power of attorney for personal care is a legal document in which one person gives another person the authority to make personal care decisions on their behalf if they become mentally incapable. It only becomes effective when the person becomes mentally incapable. You do not need a lawyer to complete a valid power of attorney. Prior to this government's action, if a person became incapable of acting on his or her own behalf and did not have a Continuing Power of Attorney, then the government could step in and take charge of the person's affairs. This could happen even though the incapable person had relatives who could make decisions on the person's behalf. All that will change. Our amendments call for a reasonable inquiry to be made into whether there is an existing Continuing Power of Attorney. That means a valid Continuing Power of Attorney will now take precedence over any government action. Our bill also makes it clear that the government will only assume control over a person's affairs as a last resort, when people have no one else to make decisions on their behalf. In cases where the government has assumed the role of decision-maker, it will also now be easier for family members who come forward to replace the government. ' However, where a person has not planned ahead, there are two ways that families can apply to become guardians: one is through the process of statutory guardianship, which is a non-court application. The second is that a person can always apply to court to be appointed as a guardian. The legislation also broadens the category of family members who can qualify to be a substitute decision-maker and no longer makes the requirement to post a bond mandatory. The result is that it will now be easier for family members or trusted friends to come forward and act on behalf of their loved ones. Any existing powers of attorney will not be affected by the changes. Amendments were needed because the current laws protecting the rights of incapable people are too complicated and confusing in order to be practical. The changes will reduce complexity anthsestore the balance between people's right to control their own life and the need for the protection of mentally incapable individuals. These amendments respond to concerns heard in my tour over the last four weeks, and concerns the Ministries had heard since the implementation of the bill. People were concerned and confused about the previous legis- lation. We have listened and now we are taking action. Helen Johns, M.P.P. Huron. 0 bituaries RALPH G. WAREHAM A former vice-principal of F.E. Madill Secondary School and prin- cipal of Seaforth District High School, Ralph G. Wareham of Exeter, passed away suddenly at South Huron Hospital, Exeter on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 1996. He was 52. Mr. Wareham had taught sec- ondary school throughout Huron County for 25 years. He was cur- rently employed as the superinten- dent of schools for the Huron County Board of Education. He was the beloved husband of the former Joanne Webb and dear son of Cicely (Case) Wareham and the late Rev. John Wareham, who passed away in 1993. He was the loved father of Jeff and Kim of Dartmouth, N.S., Suzanne and her friend Jonathon Hansen, Jenny and Lisa all of London. He was the dear brother and brother-in-law of Bob and Nicole Wareham, Palmerston; Derek and Sandra Wareham, Brockville; Janis and Bill Crago, Pembroke; Doug and Dianne Webb, Trenton; Dennis and Sandra Webb, Cambridge; Mike and Nancy Webb; Kanata; Dr. Eric Ire- land and Dr. Julie Webb, Toronto and Lori Craigmile, London. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Visitation was at the Hopper Hockey Funeral Home, Exeter. The complete funeral service was held at the Exeter United Church on March 2. Interment will be at Exeter Cemetery. Donations the the Ontario Heart ad Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. MARION KIRBY, Marion Kirby of Fordwich passed away peacefully at Stratford .General Hospital on Sunday, Feb. 25,4996. She was 82. Marion was the beloved wife of the late Harold Kirby. She was the dear mother of Betty and her hus- band Duncombe Ball of Thornhill and Stewart and Betty Pattison of Willowdale. She was the loved sis- ter of Hector Browne of Fordwich and the treasured 'nan' of seven grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren. Besides her husband, marion was predeceased by her brother Tom and Peter and her sister Joan. She rested at the Betts Visitation Centre from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Funeral ser- vices were conducted by Rev. Brad Beale at Trinity Anglican Church, Fordwich on Wednesday afternoon. Pallbearers were Doug and Ian Browne, Gord Pattison, Ken Patti- son, Stephen and Michael Ball. Spring interment will be at the Gorrie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Memorial Fund of the Trinity Anglican Church, Fordwich would be appreciated. A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL CONGRATULATIONS to Mary DeJong, winner of the Ceramic Cherub Wreath in the Junior Volunteer Fundraiser Draw. A special thank you to all who so generously supported the pro- ject. "VOICES AND CHOICES" Come and enjoy a mini workshop for females for all ages to be presented by Jane Hoy, Director Rural Response for Healthy Children. Mark your calendar now for Thursday, March 7, 1996 at 2:00 p.m. in Conf.. Rm. 2. For further information and to pre-register, please contact Grace Dolmage at the Hospital 527-1650 Ext. 219. We look forward to you joining us for this enlightening presentation. SEAFORTH PERINATAL INFORMATION SESSION will be held next Thursday, March 21st at the hospital at 7:30 p.m. in Conference Room 2. Topic: Pain Control in Labour & Delivery with Dr. Heather Percival speaking on Analgesia and Physiotherapy explaining use of T.E.N.S. All expectant•parents welcome to attend. Free admission. For further information, please contact Dr. Carolin Shepherd, Seaforth Medical Clinic or Seaforth Community Hospital. HEART to HEART eight week Cardiac Rehabilitation Information Sessions are planned for Spring '96 at Seaforth Community Hospital. For further information and to pre-register, please contact Valerie Poisson at 527-0320 as soon as possible