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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-03-31, Page 1Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County $1 (93c + 7c GST)Volume 21 No. 13 Thursday, March 31, 2005 NH | NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC? Inside this week Pg. 7 Auburn gets new correspondent Pg-8 Southwestern Girls teams play in Blyth Pg-9 Ironmen Western champs Pg-12 Soil and crop day held in Blyth Pg-23 Festival holds 3x3 miniature sale Work to rule impact low for students For safety’s sake By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Though a contract has yet to be reached between the Avon Maitland District School Board and its elementary teachers, the board’s top human resources official says an ongoing work-to-rule campaign has ' had minimal effects on students. “There’s a small impact in terms of teachers not attending staff meetings, bat no impact on students,” said Avon Maitland superintendent Jim Sheppard last week. “I think the teachers are handling it very well.” In the London-based Thames Valley District School Board, the distribution of report cards was recently delayed because of a similar labour action - a campaign which has seen Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) locals in all but two of the province’s English public school boards on work-to-rule throughout much of March. But according to Sheppard, that delay was caused by the Thames Valley local’s refusal to allow teachers' to print the report cards; in the Avon Maitland board, printing is the responsibility of educational assistants, who aren’t represented by ETFO. “Our teachers have done the report cards; they’re all written and being sent out,” Sheppard explained. Provincial ETFO stewards were expected to meet with local representatives around the end of March, and Sheppard suggested that could potentially lead to some further escalation of labour action. But he expressed confidence the local relationship remains strong, adding the two sides have continued to meet regularly. “We’ve agreed on a number of issues and signed off on them,” the human resources superintendent said. “1 think it’s a sign that we are making some progress.” Huron County fire chiefs gathered in Clinton on Thursday for the pleasant news of provincial training and equipment funding to the departments. From left: John Morgan, South Huron; Marty Bedard, Huron East; Paul Josling, Blyth; MPP Carol Mitchell; Steve Cooke, Central Huron; Central Huron reeve Bert Dykstra and Harley Gaunt, Wingham. (Bonnie Gropp photo) Firedepartments get provincial boost By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor There were some happy fire chiefs in Clinton on Thursday as Huron- Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell announced funding to municipal fire departments for training and equipment. “I am absolutely delighted to be here to announce this today,” said Mitchell, who as a municipal politican served eight years on the fire board. “It is something that is near and dear to my heart. 1 know this will be put to great use.” Of the $30 million one-time Ontario fire service training grant, 41 per cent has been given to rural Campvention group plans to visit Blyth May 14-15 An advance party of about 75 campers will visit Blyth May 14-15 to begin preparations for Campvention 2006. John Stewart, North Huron chief administrative officer, told members of the Blyth Business Association attending the spring meeting March 22 the group will do a walk-through in preparation for the main event which will bring 1,000 campers to Blyth in early July, 2006. Already preparations are underway to service 300 more campsites with water and electricity as needed for the event, Stewart said. In addition, because the power requirements for the campers are greater than those in the past, electrical capacity must be communities said Mitchell. “Small and rural municipalities face the greatest need for training and tools to help do their job and to minimize the risk of harm to the firefighters.” North Huron and South Huron will receive $70,000 while Huron East, Central Huron, Bluewater and Goderich will receive $50,000. The grant money is unconditional. “Since 1983 fire services have not received any (provincial) funding. The skills required by our volunteers firefighters have changed a lot. This funding is a recognition of our absolute commitment to training and safety.” Ontario fire marshall Bernard Moyle has developed a training plan increased to 30 amps. “We hope to have this ready in time for the Thresher’s Reunion (this September),” Stewart said. Stewart said that although there will be considerable expense in making the improvements, North Huron council looks at it as an investment for the future and hopes to attract many more visitors to the campsite. In 2006, the campers will start arriving just as the exhibitors from the Bluewater Kennel Club show are leaving, Stewart said. Some will stay eight-10 days though most will be in Blyth for five days. “We’re trying to put together a list of things they could do in Blyth and area,” Stewart said, though it will be in co-operation with provincial fire co-ordinators to ensure that training opportunities are made available to fire departments. “Our Minister (Community Safety and Correctional Services) Monte Kwinter, congratulates the fire marshall on developing this plan and in working with the government.” John Morgan, Huron’s co­ ordinator and chief of of South Huron’s fire department said the money will open a lot of regional training for firefighters, making it more accessible. It will also, mean more training in Blyth at the Emergency Services Training Centre there. up to organizers themselves what they want to take part in. It’s important to make the Blyth stay as inviting as possible because the bulk of those attending Campventions are from the U.S. and some are still leery about crossing the border since Sept. 11, 2001, Stewart said. Information packages will be sent out to all members but it won’t be known for some time just how many will actually be coming. Meanwhile the eighth Annual Jamboree Campout Weekend this May is expected to be even bigger than normal with about 500 campers taking part, Gord-Baxter, treasurer of the Barn Dance Society told the meeting. “Blyth should be congratulated on its foresight,” said Central Huron chief Steve Cook. The grant falls in line with the goal of the centre, he added, and noted that comments he heard at the firefighters’ convention indicated many felt the Blyth centre was larger and better equipped than the one in Gravenhurst. Central Huron reeve Bert Dykstra said he knew the how appreciated the funds were by the departments. “There is a lot of self-sacrific on the part of the volunteers and this is a way to show them it’s noticed.” Also, with new firefighters coming on board all the time the training money he was certain, “will be well used.” In Bruce County Kincardine will receive $70,000; Huron-Kinloss, $50,000; South Burce, $50,000; Saugeen Shores, $70,000; Brockton, $50,000 and Arran-Elderslie, $50,000. <uo 4pril 3 The time is here to spring ahead. On Saturday before going to bed remember to turn your clocks forward one hour or be late for church. Daylight Saving Time returns at 2 a.m. April 3.