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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-09-07, Page 6Get -Your Message AROUND THE WORLD IMMEDIATELY If you have important papers that need to go somewhere FAST ... use THE CITIZEN'S FAX MACHINE! Our Fax machine can contact any other Fax machine, in the world, instantly. We offer this service for a cost of $4.00 per printed sheet for the first one and $1.00 per additional sheet. (And the long distance charges are free in North America) Our Fax Number, is also your number, so use it to receive your messages at $1.00 per sheet. HERE ARE OUR FAX NUMBERS... BLYTH 523-9140 BRUSSELS 887-9021 WE CAN RECEIVE 24 HRS. PER DAY! You make us what we are—strong. You, your neighbours, your community all with a common goal. Excellent service, fair prices and a commitment to you for 135 years and counting. Call Us Today. South Easthope Mutual Insurance 1-800-263-9987 www.seins.on.ca Farm & Urban Property • Auto Insurance Working Together For Insurance That Works. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2006. Pupatello takes test drive at St. Anne's Official visit Education Minister Sandra Pupatello came out to St. Anne's Catholic . Secondary School in Clinton, Friday morning, to unveil the Ministry of Education's Specialist High Skills Majors Initiative. Clockwise, from left are: student, Matt Van Oesch, Pupatello (MP Windsor West), student Kyle DeCourt and Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell. (Clinton News Record photo) By Cheryl Heath Clinton News-Record Ontario's Minister of Education took a test drive with a student as the instructor Friday at St. Anne's Catholic Secondary School in Clinton. Education Minister Sandra Pupatello took the steering column of the tractor to highlight a recently Unveiled provincial government initiative that will see new certificate programs offered through 26 boards of education, provincewide. That initiative includes an agriculture-focused program at St. Anne's school. During a nearly hour-long press conference which drew local dignitaries, program partners, business leaders and school board officials, Pupatello marked the official launch of the program, known as the Specialist High Skills Majors, alongside two St. Anne's students planning to enroll in the courses this fall. "We need to mold our agenda to fit the needs of the student," says Pupatello, who. was sporting jeans and a jean jacket as requested - by event organizers so she could take the tractor for a spin. Pupatello says the program is being offered as part of the Liberal government's strategy to ensure 85 per cent of students have high school with a diploma since that figure had dropped to 68 per cent under the Progressive Conservative government's stringent curriculum. Pupatello says many community partners, including the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OHAP), Fanshawe College, and numerous agriculture businesses are making the program possible. Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell says the agriculture- focused courses are welcome additions to the curriculum as youth must be drawn into the industry to ensure there are "enough people to work the land and produce high quality, safe food." "Programs like this are really the stepping stones to make change," she says. "We must maintain a very strong agricultural base and give it to the tools it needs to move forward." Mitchell also thanked business leaders and the community for rallying behind the initiative. St. Anne's student Matt Van Osch, who was introduced by Pupatello as a youth with plans to become a fourth- generation farmer, lauds the program. "I know it's exactly what I was looking for," he says, noting he is "hopeful" that he will one day be able to operate his family's 200-acre dairy farm — though he notes changes in the industry mean that is "becoming harder to do." "I really appreciate the board bringing it to Huron County and St. Anne's," he adds. St. Anne's student Kyle DeCourt, who also plans a career in the ag business, says the new courses are a welcome addition to the curriculum, and will help build a foundation for his future career. Larry Langan, director of education for the Huron-Perth Catholic District school board, thanked both the minister and the youth. "I'm so proud of our students," he says. The Huron Perth Catholic District school board is piloting a primary industry major that is focused on the agriculture sector with an emphasis on equipment. The ministry notes the program is packaged with co-op placements to lead students to agricultural careers, apprenticeships or college tech programs. This major is being supported by partnerships with Stratford Home Builders, Huron Tractor, Stratford Farm Equipment, Hyde Brothers Equipment, Great Lakes New Holland, Fawcett Tractor and Fanshawe College: Other majors for pilot projects include tourism and hospitality, construction, primary industries, manufacturing and arts and culture. Letter to the editor THE EDITOR, As a sister to Patty Van der Meer and an aunt to Ian I feel I should respond to,the article and to the community of Brussels as a whole. I was in Brussels this past weekend to visit and I read the article about Patty and Ian. After asking Patty why she wanted such an article written she said that some members of the community have made comments that her calling the fire department was wasting their time and was not necessary. I am appalled and infuriated that Patty should have to inform the community of Brussels as to what is happening to her son that causes the fire department to come to her house three or four times a week. People that have made these. comments clearly do not know the situation and have made no attempt to find out the reason as to why they are being called. I always thought that one of the benefits to a small community was the support one could receive when they are in need. Instead of making such comments and participating in the gossip that surrounds Ian and his family why not support them and their current struggle? Kudos to the fire department and the. members of the community who have supported Patty and her family at this time, I know it is truly appreciated. Katie Harrison