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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-11-02, Page 1[NORTH HpRON PUBUSHING COMPANY INC Inside this week Pg. 6 Pg. 7 Pg. 8 Pg. 16 Pg. 23 Grey residents meet their candidates Brussels candidates discuss issues Broomball season underway Emergency personnel train in Blyth NH staff receive recognition The Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 22 No. 43 Funding good but not enough say trustees By Stew Slater Special to TheCitizen Trustees .of the Avon Maitland District School Board had two distinct reactions to news the provincial government will provide funding for a retroactive pay increase dating back to Sept. 1, 2005: surprise that any money was made available; and anger that it wasn't as much as some hoped. "We were promised (an increase from the $5,000 annual honorarium) two-and-a-half years ago," claimed Perth East representative Tina Traschel, at a regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 24. "If (the government) had done it then, it would not even have had to be retroactive." In September, the nine-member board approved an approximate two-fold increase in trustee remuneration going forward from the Nov. 13 municipal election -- the maximum allowed under an Education ministry memorandum (the limit was much higher in some areas, including about $25,000 annually in Toronto). This was done after word the funding for that increase would be made available by the government. At the time, the government also gave the go-ahead for boards to award themselves retroactive pay raises dating back to September, 2005. But no funding for that was made available immediately. More recently, funding was announced, but only for a portion of the retroactive pay. For the Avon Maitland board, that translates into $2,725 per trustee, as opposed to the Continued on page 6 By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff It was a difficult decision to make, but Huron County Federation of Agriculture president Stephen Thompson said it was the only lever that farmers have left. The HCFA board has passed a motion recommending to its members that they do not allow their lands to be used by snowmobiles until government enacts a fully- funded risk management plan. "We hope the action is only temporary," said Thompson. "I have said that if we get a plan I will be the first to show up and stake trails anyplace, anywhere." That the decision may not make them any friends is something Thompson is only too well aware of. "No difficult decision is made without that. But we had a full quorum and made the decision with the knowlege of the full risks. We feel we have no choice. It's a matter of economic survival." Farmers have the right to go along with the Federation's decision or not. Should they choose to do so, the clubs will do what they can to re- route trails where possible. The local recommendation goes against one made by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. On Oct. 18, the OFA made a "clear and unequivo'Cal decision to support its ongoing partnership with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC)" by asking its members to continue to alloW local OFSC clubs to build trails on their property this winter. However, in a press release, OFSC noted that some exceptions may occur and if so they asked the local clubs to respect the individual Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006 choices. The Huron Federation feels that the impact on recreation and economy by shutting down trails will spur government action. Local business owners, however, think that it's not being directed where it should. Barry Vincent, a snowmobile dealer, said he does support the farmers, but thinks that the resolution isn't going to affect urban people, just the locals. "Snowmobilers from outside here, will just go elsewhere. This area is going to lose out." The OFSC statements underlines this fact. "Our riders reside predominantly in rural and small town, not in the major urban centres, so trail closures have the most impact here, not in downtown Toronto." The release also comments on the economic hurt. "Snowmobile trails benefit the communities in which they are built, not the OFSC or the government. Our snowmbile trails provide local residents with outdoor recreational activity that they would not otherwise enjoy." "These trails help our community members that own the local gas stations, run the neighbourhood restaurants and operate the community motel, to make ends meet through the traditionally slow winter months. If these services go away because they no longer have a viable year round business it will severely hurt everyone that has come to rely on them in our community." Jason Rutledge, one of the owners of the Blyth Inn knows what they mean. While he too is sympathetic to the agricultural community's struggles, he notes that every small, rural business has them. "As I look at it, why don't I get help? I struggle too. It's getting to the point where I can't help thinking I know they aren't getting the money they need, but neither am I. Everybody is hurting." And this move will impact his business even more, he said. "This will be huge. "This action takes money out of the community. This could mean a loss of thousands of dollars in the slow time." While Rutledge recognizes that it is this kind of frustration the HCFA directors hope will make the government listen, he doesn't think that will be the case. "I don't think the voice of the restaurant industry, or those of gas stations is going to do a thing. And if I go out of business in the meantime, it won't have solved anything." If the trails that go through Blyth are closed this year, Rutledge said he may have to lay off employees. Bruce Howson of the Blyth Snow Travellers hopes that isn't going to be an issue. "I haven't spoken to any of our landowners and I won't know for another two or three weeks, but I would suspect 98 per cent will say yes we can use the land." "It was farmers that started this industry and a lot are snowmobilers." Thompson agrees that the entire Federation may not be on board with the decision. "Snowmobilers are farmers. Even in our community opinions are all over the wall. But our board represents 2,000 farmers and as president I do my best to implement resoutions as passed." "We got absolutely nowhere being polite." $1.25 (1.18c + 7c GST) e worries trustees By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Ontario's provincial government is one step away from approving one change to the Education Act that some representatives of the Avon Maitland District School Board believe may be .biased against rural areas, and there's concern a related — and equally discriminating — change may follow on its heels. Bill 52, an amendment to the legislation governing education, recently passed Second Reading at Queen's Park. It increases from 16 to 18 the compulsory age to which Ontario citizens must attend school — unless they've already graduated from high school. "And the teeth they're going to put into the legislation is they're going to tie it to the driver's licence," explained Avon Maitland education superintendent Ted Doherty, following a regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 24. At the meeting, Doherty briefed trustees about the proposed legislation, suggesting the topic may come up for more intense discussion in the coming months, prior to Final Reading. He cautioned that his main concern is that Bill 52 will eliminate all options for rural young people who simply can't fit into any of the school options available in their immediate area — which, in many cases, are more limited in rural areas. Without a driver's licence, they may be unable to get to programs in other areas, or unable to pursue work. Huron County parent Cathy Cove, who serves on Avon Maitland's Accessibility Working Group and founded Parent Network Ontario, was even more critical after being asked to submit her comments to the government about the proposed amendment. "This bill is not only flawed but archaic, given what amounts to strong-arm tactics in dealing with a minority of students who have become disenchanted with what the education system has to offer," Cove wrote. She wonders about "the system's responsibility for capturing, motivating and maintaining the interest of students who don't fit the one-size-fits-all mold of education we still cling to in Ontario, despite efforts toward 'equivalent' learning." She also warns there may be consequences for both teachers and other students if teenagers become angry in reaction to basically being forced to attend school against their will. Also at the Oct. 24 meeting, Doherty responded to questioning from North Huron trustee Colleen Continued on page 6 A meeting of evil A conversation began between a goblin, a pirate and a skeleton last Saturday night at the Belgrave Community Centre at the kids Halloween dance. The adults had their time to party after the kids went to bed, from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., but the kids made the most of their time. They danced, they had swordfights and there were prizes given for the best costumes. (Shawn Loughlin photo) HFCA votes to close trails