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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-07-06, Page 1Total loss Blyth firefighters were called to a house fire at 12:15 a.m. July 4 in Hullett Twp. on London Road just east of Blyth. The home was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived. The Seaforth department responded with the tanker. Resident David George wasn't home at the time. Fire chief Paul Josling had no estimate of damage at press time, but the house was completely destroyed. Firefighters were on the scene until morning because of flare-ups. The fire marshal has been called in to determine the cause of the blaze. (Dianne Josling photo) Campvention 2006 arrives Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Knights donate to activity park Lightning, Thunder compete Issue celebrates Pg. 11 Grey's history " a Hullett school wins P6. J Earth Day contest P 1.7 Hughson great as g. 'Stompin' Tom' The Citizen .‘vi'04,for-rO '." ESTAMMED 1877 f.1 Serving.the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 22 No. 27 Thursday, July 6, 2006 $1 (94c + 6c GST) NEI I NORTH HURON PUBUSHING COMPANY INC. Inside this week Class-size tracker on-line By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen For the first time since pledging to institute a 20-student limit on classroom size between kindergarten to Grade 3, the provincial Education ministry has made data available to the public tracking progress towards that goal. . With the on-line publication of what's being called a "class-size tracker," the ministry website (www.edta.gov.on.ca) chronicles average per-board and per-school primary class sizes since 2003-04. The website states "all boards are expected to meet the target of 20 or fewer students in 90 per cent of primary classes by 2007-08." That's not much more than a year from now. And although both the Avon Maitland District School Board and the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board have made significant progress towards that goal over the past three years, recent 2006-07 budget preparation comments reveal contrasting outlooks, for the future, between the two coterminous boards. At their budget meeting Tuesday, June 27, Huron-Perth trustees were told the board almost met its 2006- 07 targets in 2005-06 — and the online tracker shows 72 per cent of the board's primary classes contained 20 or fewer students as of last October. "It's not going to take us much to get down to the government's target," reassured business superintendent Gerry Thuss. Trustees of the Avon Maitland board — which, as of last October, sat at 64 per cent of primary classrooms at 20 students or fewer — heard a different outlook, however. "The primary class size initiative does not appear to be being funded at a level that enables us to meet this year's targets (and next year's) without finding some of the necessary money elsewhere," states Continued-on page 2 Boards approve budgets By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Although reserve funds were drawn down in both cases to fund expenditures, both the Huron-Perth Catholic and Avon Maitland school boards approved balanced 2006-07 budgets on Tuesday, June 27. "The working fund reserve was used up, and that's a concern for the board long-term," noted Huron-Perth management superintendent Gerry Thuss in an interview. "It's something that, over the next year as we talk together about the future of the board, we'll be looking at building up again if possible." Projected 2006-07 expenditures for the Huron-Perth board total almost $49.5 million, up by $4.8 million from the previous year's final estimates. Taking into account increased costs in some areas — particularly fuel and salary-related areas — that still translates into cuts in non-classroom sectors, and very little new programming. "We've had to curtail some of the initiatives we might have started in the past," Thuss told trustees at the June 27 meeting. In a subsequent interview, he mentioned initiatives in early literacy in this category. "Plus, we've really had to take a look at all areas of expenditure to make sure we're operating as efficiently as possible." Avon Maitland trustees heard a similar story from business superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson — remarkably similar, in fact, when it came to cuts in non-classroom areas and dashing hopes of introducing new literacy programming. "We have a significant gap between anticipated revenues and planned expenditures," states a memorandum from staff to the Avon Maitland finance committee, which was included in the information package for the board's June 27 regular meeting. A recommendation was brought forward from that committee to accept 2006-07 expenditures of $155.8 million, up from $156.2 million the previous year. Balance was accomplished through the draw- down of a $584,608 retirement gratuity reserve fund. Not surprisingly, busing costs remain a sore point for both boards, as they continue to await revisions to the province's approach to transportation funding. And the similarities between the situations for the two boards don't end there. Administrators across the province were challenged this year by extremely late-breaking announcements of the magnitude of each board's "Foundation Grant." To further complicate the process, there were also changes in how certain funds were delivered; of particular importance to both Huron- Continued on page 2 Campvention 2006 is near. A community of several hundred families will move into the Myth campgrounds beginning July 7. Who are these people planning on taking up residence in the village for more than a week? Family Campers and RVers is an organization committeed to better camping. Its members are'families who travel all over the continent, singly and/or in charter groups. To reach Blyth, they will have travelled in total and approximate 1,600,000 miles from 30 states and three Canadian provinces. Planning for this 46th annual Campvention began two years ago. Contact was made with a few communities to find the best venue. After meeting with then clerk- administor of North Huron John Stewart, then subsequent visits to the area, Blyth was chosen. Organizers liked the facilities, but found that people to be the biggest selling point. "They were so hospitable," they said. "Family Campers and RVers is a people organization and people in this town were number one." The host of this year's event is Region 7 which takes in all the Canadian provinces. Many committees involving hundreds of people from Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec spent the past two years pulling Campvention together. Besides fun and fellowship there is business to attend to. Throughout their time here, the members will be involved in numerous programs, including disaster awareness training. Terry and Faye Swanburg, disaster awareness training chairmen have planned three seminars: severe weather with an Environment Canada veteran meterologist, firefighting with Blyth fire chief Paul Josling and a video presentaiton of psychological effects of disaster. Conservation and wildlife are also of importance. There will be conservation displays from Ontario and conservation authorities in the conservation building. Campers will enjoy entertainment each evening as well as a number of activities throughout the day. While Campvention is generally only open to registered members, publicity chairperson Noreen Smith said, "Our committee wanted the citizens to have an opportunity to visit so planned an open house for the afternoon of Sunday, July 9." From 1-3 p.m. residents have been invited to tour the grounds. That evening the entertainment is courtesy of Blyth. Thursday, July 13 there will be a parade by the campers through the town. "These are usually great parades," said Smith. "It is in effect our way of saying thank you to our host community." The community has also planned some events within Blyth to be enjoyed by the visitors. On July 8, from 9 to 12 a.m., Blyth Horticultural Society, in conjunction with the Communities in Bloom committee is providing a guided tour of local gardens. The cost will be $5 and refreshments and transportation are included. On Wednesday July 12 at 5 p.m. Jan and Brock Vodden will give a historical walking tour. The Blyth Festival box office on Queen Street is taking reservations (519-523- 9300) Cost is $5.