Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-09-24, Page 1News [_____Sports_____S Church ■ Entertainment Complete list of Brussels Fall Fair winners Beginning page 6 Junior C hockey season gets underway See page 13 Mennonite Fellowship welcomes pastor See page 18 Avon’s ‘Filumena’ high-energy entertainment See page 27 Area educators remain anxious Vol. 13 No. 37 Wednesday, Sept. 24,1997 70$ + 56 GST 750 Though the weather didn't really co-operate, attendees to the Brussels Fall Fair last week still found ways to entertain and be entertained. The arena, where the displays were, filled from time to time as people sought refuge from the downpours. There was plenty happening inside, as this little one discovered when she entered the room and found herself confronted by a very colourful character. This clown was keeping youngsters amused, or in this case, bemused might be a better word, tirelessly creating balloon animals. Fair weather all wet Even rainy weather could not keep fair-goers home Sept. 17 when Brussels hosted the 136th annual fall fair. The rain didn't seem to be a deterrent this year because the tem­ perature was warm, said Dorothy Cummings, fair board president. "Il was a good fair and it was quite a success." "Attendance was good and even the midway operators said they did well," she said. "People had a good time and were telling me they real­ ly enjoyed it." The beef club's competition got caught in a downpour, but they per­ sisted and finished the event, she said. As for the exhibits, Cummings said the junior division was down but the rest, including the baking division and flowers were "up to par." Though some announcements coming from Queen's Park regard­ ing education reform are positive, those in the sector remain anxious about the future. Education Minister John Snobe- len announced Friday that the teacher's right to strike during restructuring would not be limited, principals and vice-principals would remain the bargaining unit and teachers' federations would exclusively bargain for teachers. The government apparently has backed away from establishing a labour relations transition commis­ sion and a dispute resolution com­ mission, according to an Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Associ­ ation press release. "All these issues are very impor­ tant," said Paul Dyck, president of the Ontario Public School Teach­ ers' Federation for Huron County. Tempering the good news, Dyck said, "It had been threatened that these rights would be taken away. They are things we have always had. We were told we could keep them." By giving up on these issues, Dyck said the government did not save any money. They were "power" issues. Another concern is legislation proposed by the government could give them control over such areas as class size, preparation time for teachers and teacher-to-student ratios. Ontario English Catholic Teach­ ers' Association President Marshall Jarvis said the government's failure to state their position on such mat­ ters may be an indication of their plan to interfere with the scope of bargaining. Though having not yet seen the proposed legislation, Dyck said he believes it will be a shopping list to remove the $1 billion in education cuts. Dyck said he suspects the gov- Blyth CIBC hours change By Janice Becker Citizen staff Banking hours are once again changing in Blyth. When the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce announced that no tellers will be available for regu­ lar banking services Wednesdays, beginning Nov. 5, concern quickly arose about the future of the branch. "This is by no means the first step (towards closure of the bank)," said CIBC Manager Andrew Dar­ ling. "CIBC strongly believes in rural Ontario." He pointed out that they are con­ solidating their services in rural Ontario as opposed to pulling out as other banks have done. "This is a branch and district ini­ imment is looking for a "one size "its all" approach. Joan Van den Broeck, Huron County Board of Education trustee for Goderich and Colborne Twp. and the HCBE representative on the Ontario Public School Boards' Association, said she is very con­ cerned about the result of education restructuring. "The system contin­ ues to evolve but I don't know if anyone knows what the end prod­ uct will be. Van den Broeck echoed the con­ cerns expressed by OPSBA Presi­ dent Lynn Peterson who stated in a press release, that although the association appreciates the Educa­ tion Minster's announcement regarding education reform legisla­ tion, they "remain extremely anx­ ious that the most contentious issue of removing $1 billion from the system remains completely unan­ swered." "How on earth does the govern­ ment intend to provide students with the highest quality of educa­ tion in Canada with shrinking bud­ gets, unhappy teachers and growing expectations?" questioned Peterson. Van den Broeck wondered where the government will take out that $1 billion? "They have very little wiggle room (in reference to cur­ rent school budgets)." Peterson added that Friday's announcement concerning Bill 136 and the removal of the right to strike during restructuring, was "merely to solve a potential crisis provoked by the government them­ selves. Parents should not be fooled into believing the announcement guarantees a stable environment for high-quality learning." The OPSBA has consistently spoken out about education spend­ ing cuts, said Peterson, remarking that a further $1 billion reduction to a system which has already sus­ tained a $600 million cut, "will Continued on page 28 tiative to allow the staff to be more efficient with the time allotted." The reason behind no teller ser­ vice on Wednesdays is to improve the efficiency of the bank, said Darling. There will be no loss in staff, but a better use of their time. Wednesday was chosen as the day when sales assistance services will be the focus because it is the quietest day. "It is just the way of business in Blyth with many of the stores closed that day," he said. The branch will still be open for those wishing to make appoint­ ments for services such as invest­ ment and retirement planning, loans and mortgages. "We want to work closely with the customers and maintain strong customer service," said Darling.