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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-04-21, Page 6PAGE 6.THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2005. Schenk expresses frustration with provincial funding By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Campvention group Members of the facilities and grounds committee of the Campvention group were in the village on April 9 to get a first-hand look at some of the facilities. From left in the back row are: Dan Cousins, North Huron director of facilities and recreation; Marilyn Williamson and Roy Williamson; front row: Karen Ellison; Linda Deline; Ralph Deline and Wayne Ellison. (Jim Brown photo) Frustration about funding for special education bubbled to the surface at the Avon Maitland District School Board on Tuesday, April 12, with Northeast Huron representative Colleen Schenk leading the way. “I’m tired of being nice. I’m tired of being kicked . . . I’m just totally disgusted,” the veteran trustee and former board chair said, following a report about the provincial government’s recent analysis of how it would distribute what it referred to as “repatriated” funds — money held back from certain boards if they had spent their Special Education reserves while the ruling Liberals were in the process of changing their Special Education funding regime in 2004. “The estimate of the amount that the Avon Maitland District School Board was forced to contribute to this (repatriation) fund was $619,566, in spite of the fact that the board had budgeted for the use of this money during the 2004-05 school year,” states a report from staff, delivered at the April 12 meeting. Since August, trustees have lobbied the government on the issue, including sending letters to education ministry staff and raising repatriation questions when minister Gerard Kennedy visited Stratford earlier this year. They remained hopeful the money would eventually come back to the board, through what the government referred to as the Effectiveness and Equity Fund (EEF). However, according to superintendent Marie Parsons, a March 31 announcement about the EEF fell well short of the board’s hopes. Government calculations show the board should receive as little as $194,000, plus approximately $17,000 for each Special Education student who wasn’t with the board prior to the change but moved into the board before it took effect. In all, it could amount to about $350,000. Chair Meg Westley, in accepting a motion from Schenk that another letter be sent to the government regarding the issue, referred to the EEF as “the inequity fund”. And South Huron trustee Randy Wagler complained the EEF was promoted as a two-year measure, but the announcement only explained funding for the current fiscal year. “We’re coming up to the budget cycle and we’re going to be in the same position for next year,” Wagler said. Seaforth, Goderich among first family health teams Two Huron County family health teams are among the first 52 family health teams and three community family health teams approved by the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care. Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron Bruce announced that the Huron County Family Team in Seaforth and the Maitland Valley Health Team in Goderich have been created. Family Health Teams (FHT) include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals working together to provide comprehensive care day and night, seven days a week. This includes access by phone Drain tender Morris-Turnberry council accepted the tender from Marquardt Farm Drainage Ltd. for the Hanna Municipal Drain 2005. The total price cost of the project will be $100,834.66. At its regular April 5 meeting, council requested that B. M. Ross and Associates Ltd. proceed with further investigation of the Clarke bridge and report back to council so an informed decision can be made in regard to making repairs totalling $35,400. Council also told B. M. Ross and Associates to obtain quotes for the Blind Line bridge repairs. *** The 2005 budget was reviewed, with an additional $100,000 added for improvement to the roads. Public works co-ordinator to a registered nurse. “A Family Health Team is exactly what our community needs,” said Mitchell. “These new teams will ensure that more people will receive the health care they need closer to home.” The FHTs approved by the government, serve more than 1.1 million patients in 55 communities across Ontario. The government is creating 150 FHTs over the next three years. It is hoped that working to help people stay healthy - and ensuring problems are diagnosed early and treated appropriately - FHTs will deliver care where it’s needed most and help take some of the pressure off of hospitals. awarded Barry O’Krafka explained to council what work was to be carried out. Six ratepayers were in attendance with some opin­ ions on where the additional money should be spent. The budget was then approved in the amount of $7,370,665.12. The budget for this year is a 2.89 per cent increase over the 2004 budget.*** Council received five drainage requests. They were for the Michie drain at Lot 7 of Cone. 6 in the Morris ward, the William Ross drain at Lots 4,5 of Cone. 2 in the Turnberry ward, the Monoway drain at Lot 4 of Cone. 5 in the Morris ward, the Blyth Creek drain and the Underwood-Hastings drain. “We’re changing the way health care is delivered in Ontario by making it more responsive to the needs of the community,” said Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman. “More patients will have access to a family doctor and health team of their own to help keep them healthy and treat them when they get sick.” r Notice to Farmers ■ ■ Agriculture and Agriculture et ■ ■ Agri-Food Canada Agroalimentaire Canada The program includes two components: Canada On March 29, the federal government announced the Farm Income Payment Program, which will deliver $1 billion in assistance to Canadian farmers. A general payment of $841.5 million. Producers of all commodities, with the exception of supply managed commodities, are eligible for this payment. • A direct payment of $155 million to producers of cattle and other eligible ruminants including bison, elk, deer, goats and sheep. If you received a payment under the Transitional Industry Support Program (TISP) in 2004, you do not need to apply. Payments will be sent to you automatically. If you did not receive a payment under the TISP program in 2004, you can apply now. Applications are now available on the Farm Income Payment Web site at www.agr.gc.ca/fip or by calling toll free at 1-866-367-8506. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2005.