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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-09-18, Page 1"Isk' • ' ///' *.e , Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002 Walking for a cause Walkers, and bikers, bladers and runners too, hit the road in Brussels on Sunday to help raise funds for cancer research during the annual Terry Fox Run. With 69 participants the numbers were up over last year according to organizers. (Vicky Bremner photo) Gerth clarifies SDHS usage NORTH HURON PUBUSHING COMPANY INC I Inside this week 2002 Ambassador Pg. chosen n .7 Results of Beigrave ‘,. • / fair begin . pa Stewardship group 14 1.7 hosts tour Grey CPS Pg, 14 celebrates outdoor learning centre Pg. 24 County gets info on smoking bylaw r e Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 18 No. 36 Committee names top Citizen A "real volunteer", who is "everywhere", was the choice of this year's Brussels and Area Citizen of Year selection committee. Those nominating Jo-Ann McDonald of Walton listed endless volunteer activities as well as a dedication to family and friends as the reason she was deserving of the award. "She does so much in the community to help others," said one, while another described McDonald as "a very willing, ambitious person who is a great asset to our community." McDonald has given of her time to many organizations and events including the Brussels. Legion. Duff's United Church . and its Sunday school, Brussels Agricultural Society, the Grey Twp. Heart and Stroke campaign, the BM G Catering Group, minor hockey, Brussels curling, Walton Hall board and Walton and Area Sports Club. She has coached children's baseball and is a member of a Walton _ slopitch team. McDonald was convenor of Tri- County baseball from 1997-2001. As well, she helps with the motocross, works as a hairdresser and delivers mail, occasionally helping out with a second route. Also, after church or at the local restaurant, she gathers all the latest information from residents for her weekly correspondent's column in The Citizen. - McDonald's nominators speak of her kindness and thoughtfulness. "She helps elderly people paint and paper. She also makes birthday cakes." Another noted, "Jo-Ann is a busy, devoted mother to three children ... getting them involved in all aspects of community life as well." "Of all the volunteer work she does, she will always help when she is needed." "She is a person who makes a community." McDonald will he presented .in the near future, with her award, which is sponsored each year by The ritizen. By Stew Slater Special to The-Citizen Clinton's Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) has become home to about 84 per cent of the students who would have attended Seaforth District High School (SDHS), had it not closed its doors effective this September. CHSS was the intended "receiving school" according to the Avon Maitland District School Board's closure plan. Part of the .building which housed SDHS remains in use, as it did prior to closure, as the board's administrative offices. Much of the rest • of the former school, meanwhile, sits unused, except for some community-based activities held under short-term rental agreements, and some school hoard utilization. According to Education Superintendent Bill Gerth, that's in keeping with the board's .plan. He told trustees about use of the recently-closed school at a regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 10. Gerth said he felt there was "a need to reassure" the Seaforth and area community that the building wasn't being used to accommodate expansion of the previously-existing administrative facilities. School board utilization has been confined to once-per-week classroom sessions for teachers involved in the board's early language programs, and as a coordination space for the "technology consultant" who was hired to partially replace the now- eliminated Tech 21 program. The gymnasium, cafeteria and library have been used for staff development events, and Gerth said areas of the former school have allowed the board to address a shortage of meeting space in the administrative offices. Community groups continue to use parts of the facility under short- term agreements, as they did prior to the school's closure. But Gerth says longer-term rental agreements will not be approved. "Certainly, the facility is available for day-to-day rental commitments, but. . . we are still interested in exploring the possibility of relocating Seaforth Public School to this facility." he explained. The relocation of the elementary school was included in the hoard's original closure plan, but was dropped close to the time trustees approved. the plan in February. 2002. CHSS was to receive all students who would have attended SDHS. though board officials have admitted some enrolment may have been lost after a well-publicized campaign to have students register at Catholic high schools in Stratford or Clinton. Others have registered in different Avon Maitland high schools. • Superintendent Marjatta Longston told trustees that "some" former SDHS students now attend Mitchell District High School. Special Education Superintendent Marie Parsons, meanwhile, noted that, of the three SDHS students whose disabilities are severe enough to require placement by the board, none went to CHSS. Instead, two now attend South Huron District Secondary School in Exeter and one is enrolled at F. E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. According to Gerth, the projected drop in enrolment within the board. between this year and last year, was not as large as projected. He told trustees that opening-day elementary enrolment was 13.044. which is 143 above projection. Last year, there were 13,125 elementary students. Opening-day secondary enrolment, at 7,239 students, was approximately equal to the number projected. and down from a total of. 7,611 last year. 75 Cents (70c + 5c GST) Brussels Terry Fox Run • raises $4,500 For a small community Brussels has done it again. Waneta Leishman, who, with her husband, Allan, organizes the annual Terry Fox Run said this year's total exceeded that ul 2001. A total of $4,499.81 was raised, with $600.81 of that due to roadside donations . collected by volunteers Carol Thornton and Joan Jacobs. Participants were also up from last year with 69 registering to run, walk, bike or blade to raise money for cancer research. Leishman also acknowledges the contributions of local businesses which supported the effort through various donations. Overall, she was very pleased with the outcome. "The people of Brussels should be very proud of themselves." she said. wry summer brings early harvest By Janice Becker Citizen staff Though there has been spotty precipitation across the region in recent weeks, the summer of 2002 has been an extremely dry year. Because of this, farmers are harvesting early and finding some surprises in the field, said Brian Hall, crop specialist with OMAF. "The edible beans are being harvested now and the yields are average where there was rain in "August," he said. "However, the yields are very Uneven and the beans are very dry. Yields have ranged between 1,400 and 1,800 lbs." The excessive dryness is causing problems for the farmers because the crop is more susceptible to damage. Canners, recipients of most edible beans, do not like damaged beans because it results in a poor canned product. The soybeans have turned quickly. said Hall, with premature dropping of leaves. "The. crop is quite far along in the south." Corn :for silage 'is also being harvested and farmers are being surprised by the low moisture content. often just 50 to 55 per cent. Thus far. yields have been verage. said Hall. The third cutting of forages has a good quality. but the yields are down.