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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-06-30, Page 18* PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1999. New work The student art exhibit, featuring the selected work of Avon Maitland secondary students, opened last week at Blyth Memorial Hall. (Ashley Gropp photo) Avon Maitland board approves tight budget By Susan Hundertmark Special to The Citizen The Avon Maitland District School Board June 22 approved a “very tight” 1999/2000 budget of $127,501,762 with revenues of $126,741,862 from the Ministry of Education and Training and miscellaneous revenue of $759,900. “It is tight,” said Finance Superintendent Janet Baifld- Jackson. “We built it from the ground up checking and rechecking. We still have to be careful. We continue to have to be frugal.” And, immediately after passing the budget, trustees passed a motion to ask the Ontario Public Schools Boards Association (OPSBA) to lobby the provincial government on behalf of the Avon Maitland board for inclusion in the rural and remote school boards grant. The Avon Maitland board was eligible for a $700,000 rural and remote grant, designed to give extra revenue to boards who must pay extra transportation costs to receive supplies, when it applied last year using Toronto as the closest urban centre in its calculations but were denied the funds when the ministry used London in its calculations. During the recent review of the Avon Maitland board by the Education Improvement Commis­ sion (EIC), its co-chair Dave Cooke told trustees he believed boards that are spread out geographically, such as the Avon Maitland, should receive special consideration, said Education Director Lome Rachlis. School board looks By Susan Hundertmark Special to The Citizen Whether or not the board should allow a private company to solicit student accident insurance through the schools was questioned at the June 22 meeting by trustee Abby Armstrong. “I don’t think we should be doing this. There’s no financial benefit to the board and sending this material home implies the board thinks it's necessary. At the very least we should be letting a local insurance agent benefit from this,” she said. Trustee Maggie Laprade responded that her family has always benetitted from the student Unfortunately, he s not the one to decide,” he added. Trustee Atje Tuyten asked how the board would continue to improve programs with such a tight budget. “How can you be a progressive educator if the funds are regressive?” she asked. And, trustee Maggie Laprade told the board that at several schools in her area, school councils are upset that principals are asking them to fundraise for textbooks. Rachlis said that in some schools students are sharing texts and parents are fundraising to allow each student to have his or her own copy to take home. “It’s not widespread but it is happening,” he said. Baird-Jackson added that many teachers are paying for classroom supplies out of their own pockets. Trustee Abby Armstrong noted that the budget does not include any money set aside for reserves, adding, “Any one of 100,000 things could happen that we might need reserves for.” Baird-Jackson answered that there were no surpluses anywhere to create a reserve fund this year but that one should be set up in the future to pay for retirement gratuities. Renovations planned in the 1999- 2000 budget include the Tech renewal project at Northwestern Secondary School, fire safety renovations at F.E. Madill, phase two of a library resource centre at Elma Public School and the addition of a junior kindergarten room at Howick Central Public School. at insurance accident insurance offered through the schools. “Not everyone has private coverage or access to group insurance,” she said. Trustee Bob Allan said he’d also be reluctant to discontinue offering the accident insurance through the schools since he’s seen many parents benefit from it over the years. Education Director Lome Rachlis said the accident insurance is a traditional service provided to parents but that the board does not have to continue it. However, the board voted to approve Seaboard Life Insurance as the carrier for student accident insurance until 2002. FRANK THOMPSON Frank Thompson of Brussels passed away at Clinton Public Hospital on Wednesday, June 23, 1999. He was in his 62nd year. Born in Seaforth on March 3, 1938, Frank was the only child of the late Norman and Isabel Thompson. ‘ Brussels Citizen of the Year in 1995, Frank was present on the main street of Brussels for 47 years and a business owner for 30. Many will remember Frank at Thompson’s Meat Market at the comer with his treat for each child who walked through the front door. He would always be there to lend a helping hand to the community, whether it be a donation for fundraising or helping someone in need. He would serve and help a lot of people without saying a word. Following his retirement from business, Frank enjoyed his time at home with Lois gardening and helping Paul in his business. He was a loving grandfather to Lauren, always there with different treats in his pockets. Many will remember Frank cruising the streets of Brussels either in his truck or on his bicycle shouting out “Hello” or a great big wave, always with a smile on his face to anyone who crossed his path. Frank will be fondly and always remembered by his family and to all those who were fortunate to have known him. Frank will be sadly missed by his beloved wife Lois, his son Paul Thompson and his wife Susan of Wroxeter, and his granddaughter Lauren. He was the dear brother-in- law to Olive Jermyn and her husband Mel and Evelyn Gibb and her husband Dave. Frank was also loved by his many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Friends were received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at the Schimanski Family Funeral Home, Brussels, where the funeral service was conducted on Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Christine Johnson of Brussels United Church officiating. Pallbearers were Murray Lowe, Fred Stephenson, Malcolm Jacobs, Stan Marks, Wayne Riley and Forrest Whittard. Interment was in Brussels Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario or to Project Uplift of Brussels United Church. HURON SUPERIOR MEMORIALS ESTABLISHED OVER 70 YEARS Serving Blyth and all of Huron County MICHAEL FALCONER Beattie-Falconer Funeral Homes & Tasker Chapel 153 HIGH STREET, CLINTON Bus.: 482-9441 Res.: 482-3664 Evening appointments available KATHERINE MARY KUCHMISTRZ Mrs. Katherine Mary (Gala) Kuchmistrz of Blyth, passed away in Clinton on June 22, 1999 in her 73rd year. She was the beloved wife of the late Kasimir Stanley Kuchmistrz, who predeceased her in 1986. She was the dear mother of Margaret Katherine and her husband Vernon Schaeffer of Waterloo, and John Patrick Kuchmistrz of Vancouver, B.C. She was the dear sister of Anna Gala and Stanley Gala, both of Poland and will be remembered by nieces and nephews in Poland and by special friends Kay Konarski and Azetta and Jim Gibbons and family of Blyth. Mrs. Kuchmistrz was predeceased by two brothers Peter and Joseph Gala and by special friend Melda McElroy. Mrs. Kuchmistrz was born in Poland on May 2, 1927. Katherine was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Blyth, the Catholic Women’s League and she supported the Missionaries in Africa. Katherine enjoyed playing cards with her friends and neighbours, gardening and her love of roses. She was a devoted mother and friend. Visitation was held on Friday, June 25, 1999 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at the Beattie-Falconer Funeral Homes Ltd., “Tasker Chapel” Blyth. The funeral service was held on Saturday, June 26 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Blyth. Interment was in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Morris Twp. Rev. Dino Salvador and Rev. John Pluta officiated. Parish prayers were held at the funeral home Friday at 3:30 p.m. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. ELIZABETH THUELL Elizabeth Thuell of Toronto and formerly of Brussels passed away at her residence on Saturday, June 26, 1999. She was in her 91st year. Born in Cranbrook on May 6, 1909, Mrs. Thuell was the daughter of the late John and Eadie Fischer, the beloved wife of the late Roy Thuell and the mother of the late Betty Pearce. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Gayle Gideon and her husband George of Toronto, Martin Pearce and his wife Anne of Graduation Margaret Ann Gordon graduated June 12, 1999 from Lambton College, Sarnia on the Dean's Honour List from the Three Year, Child and Youth Worker program. Margie is presently employed by Saint Francis Advocate, Petrolia. Don't Ever Stop Dreaming Your Dreams! Congratulations from Mom & Dad. Windsor, Suzanne Witham of Oakville, and Georgia Belanger of Toronto. She was the dear sister of Jack Fischer, Charlie Fischer, Velma Elliott, Bill Fischer and Ken Fischer. Mrs. Thuell was also loved by her nine great-grandchildren John, Danielle, Sommer, Shane, Kelly, Mike, Mark, Jennifer, and Jason. She was predeceased by her brothers Wilfrid and George. Friends were received by the family one hour prior to the 4 p.m. funeral at St. John’s Anglican Church, Brussels on Monday, June 28, 1999. Rev. Nancy Beale officiated. Interment was in Brussels Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Schimanski Family Funeral Home, Brussels was entrusted with the arrangements. |Complled by Margaret McMahon Phone 887-9250 | 100 at Smith reunion Vem Willoughby and family host­ ed the annual Smith reunion on June 19 at the home of Harry and Grace Smith of Ethel. Approximately 100 attended. A beautiful day was enjoyed by all. Euchre was held at the Ethel Hall on June 14 hosted by Bob and Isabelle Bremner. There were 17 tables in play. Winners were: 50/50, Adrian Verstoep; high lady, Helen Dobson; high man, Bob Bateman; low lady, Donna Moore; low man, Neil Hatt; most lone hands, lady, Eluned McNair, Lois McLean and Grace Stewart; lone hands, man, Margaret Peebles; lucky tally card, Alice Shearer, Eileen Mann, Edna McLellan, Kenneth Crawford, Isabelle Craig, Jim Smith, Eva Harrison, Jean Schneider, Violet Smith, Florence Broughton, Rita Vollmer, Jim McGillawee. Qvaduatio-n EVELYN CALDWELL Leslie, Ian, Kristy, Timothy and Mark Caldwell are pleased to announce the graduation of their wife and mother Evelyn Caldwell, who graduated with Honours on June 23, 1999 from Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology in the Personal Support Worker Program. Evelyn is the daughter of John Norman, R.R. #3 Wingham and Elda Norman of Braemar Nursing Home and daughter-in-law of Ralph and Gladys Caldwell, R.R. #3 Blyth. Evelyn is currently employed with Town & Country Support Services and Saint Elizabeth Health Services. Congratulations Evelyn, you deserve it!!!