The Citizen, 2004-06-17, Page 1e Citizen
MIIIIIIIII=MlrsI91yijg the communitical BI th l Brussels. and northern Hu(onCoL_____
Volume 20 No. 24 Thursday, June 17, 2004
$1 (93c + 7c GST)
NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC
Inside this week
Pg. 2
Pg. 3
Pg. 6
Pg. 23
P
1/, Donations made to g. L't EST
Citizens
selected
It was a difficult decision for
committee members this year as they
picked their top citizens for Brussels
and Blyth area from a number of
worthy nominees.
The two choices for Citizen of the
Year are Steven Sparling and Jeff and
Cathy Cardiff.
Sparling's nominators noted that
over many years be has been the
driving force on various committees.
including the one to improve the
arena and community centre. "He
spent countless hours working on the
Heart and Soul committee both
visibly and behind the scenes."
Sparling, along with his family has
helped to make possible a new soccer
field and is currently working on the
Blyth Idea Group. "He is directing his
energies into promoting the village of
Blyth and trying to attract people,
businesses and interests groups."
"We are lucky to have young
people interested and able to assume
these leadership responsibilities."
The Cardiffs were applauded by
several nominators for their many
community efforts. "They work very
hard for the community."
"When BSE struck the livestock
industry, Jeff and his wife Cathy
organized a beef dinner ... for
hundreds of people."
Both are active with the
Agricultural Society, having served in
executive positions and Jeff is also
involved in the curling club.
He is on the session and is a trustee
at Melville Presbyterian Church.
They organize fundraising events for
the church and do many catering jobs
with proceeds being invested into
Melville.
"I have worked with Jeff on
different projects and feel that he
demonstrates the qualities which
exemplify a good citizen." said one
nominator.
Both are known for their positive
personalities. "Everyone enjoys
(Jeff's) sense of humour. Jeff and
Cathy are such willing community
workers and are always smiling. You
just can't help but smile back."
The presentation of the awards will
be made in the near future.
By Stew Slater way to replacing and upgrading all
of the shops in our high schools," Special to The Citizen McGregor told reporters, following
Thanks to the promise of more his presentation.
stable funding from the provincial That doesn't mean, however, that
government, a new level of there's clear sailing ahead for
confidence has developed among technical education in Huron and
people hoping to improve the Perth Counties.
technical education opportunities "The problems will still be 'is
within the. Avon Maitland District there enough funding' and making
School Board. that funding work," McGregor told
Business education coordinator reporters. "There will also be the
Glenn McGregor estimated a figure problem of making the partnerships
of $250,000 as the level of funding in the community and with
the board might expect in 2004-05 businesses, that will help keep the
under the recently enhanced programs strong."
Technical Education Renewal A TERI steering committee has
Initiative (TERI). McGregor been established at the board, and it
provided trustees with an update on aims to create five-year plans for the
the board's TERI funding at a technical programs at each high
regular meeting Tuesday, June 8. school.
That presentation stood in stark McGregor told trustees the
contrast to an earlier update; "on steering committee will most likely
April 27, trustees were told the direct the board's three most well-
board's previous annual TERI equipped and well-attended
funding of $112,000 left a large technical programs -- at Stratford's
shortfall which would have to be Northwestern Secondary School,
covered by taking money from other Listowel District Secondary School
areas of expenditure. and Wingham's F.E. Madill
If the $250,000 estimate turns out Secondary School -- to specialize in
to be true; McGregor told trustees as many disciplines as pos-
they can breathe a little easier. sible.
"If they continue this over the next At the other sites, administrators
four years . . . we'll be well on our will be advised to specialize in areas
in which community partnerships
can be established, thereby streng-
thening the 'disciplines which are
available at each site.
"If the program's already running
and it's successful, we're not going
to ask them to stop," McGregor said.
But other programs may be looked
at for replacement by something
more appropriate to the area.
He gave one example, suggesting
Goderich District Collegiate
Institute might provide a specialized
food services program, to capitalize
on the availability of experts in the
tourism trades. This, in turn, might
inspire more students to graduate
from high school and enter those
trades.
McGregor notes many employers
in Huron and Perth have difficulty
finding skilled workers, and the
school board should do more to help
fill those job vacancies.
"We have such a disjointed view
of education being colleges and
universities," the business education
coordinator said, adding half of the
Avon Maitland board's high school
students choose not to attend post-
secondary institutions.
"As educators, we haven't talked
enough about other modes of
education."
Festival
kicks off
30th
season
John Neville, former artistic
director of Stratford Festival is the
guest speaker at the B lyth Festival's
season opening gala dinner on June
18.
Artistic Director Eric Coates said
he is "extremely pleased that John is
joining patrons for the opening
night festivities. Not only is he one
of the great actors of our time, but
he also has a long history of running
some of Canada's major theatre
companies."
As a young actor Coates secured
his first professional engagement
with the Stratford Festival during
Neville's inaugural year at the helm.
"As role models go, I couldn't have
done any better. He was generous of
heart and entirely committed to
supporting the. young artists who
formed the core of his company —
Colm Feore, Goldie Semple, Lucy
Peacock and Geraint Wyn Davies.
to name a few. I stayed with the
Stratford Festival for his entire four-
year term and learned that his
reputation as a great man of the
theatre was well earned."
Born in England, Neville
emigrated to Canada in 1972. With
an aristocratic, elegant stage
presence and flexible, resonant
voice, he-is one .of the pre-eminent
stage actors of his generation and,
as a perfornier, director and artistic
director, has revived and
invigorated theatres both in his
native England and in Canada
(Citadel Theatre, Edmonton, 1973-
1978; Neptune Theatre, Halifax;
1978-1983, Stratford Festival 1986-
1989).
Terry Gilliam cast him when he
was in his early 60s, in the title role
of The Adventures of Baron
Munchausen. Although the film was
not a commercial hit, his fine
performance led to an explosion in
his film and television career. A new
generation has come to know him
from his recurring role in the hit
television series The X Files and
later the feature film The X Files,
where he played a mysterious
character know only as The Well-
Manicured Man. This flurry of
activity in his career continues into
2004.
Coates also said it is fitting that
The Outdoor Donnellys will launch
the 30th anniversary season.
"While Blyth Festival has
enjoyed tremendous support from a
large corps of volunteers over the
years, The Outdoor Donnellys
positions the entire community
front and centre in what Robert
Reid from The K-W Record called
a magnificent achievement. We feel
fortunate to open our 30th
anniversary season by connecting
incredible artistic talent with our
deep community roots. The Blyth
Continued on page 22
Solemn occasion
The rain held off on Sunday for the annual Decoration service at Blyth Union Cemetery.
Members of the Legion and its Auxiliary were piped in by Dean Elliott prior to the service which
was led by Pastor Les Cook. (Vicky Bremner photo)
TERI funds bring optimism
Team gets new
uniforms
Girl wins first at
OFSSA
All-candidates
debate
`Guys and Dolls' a
a good bet