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The Citizen, 2005-09-22, Page 1Serving the communitids of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 21 No. 37 Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005 $1 (93c + 7c GST) Local second in talent search Kirby Cook 12, of Blyth placed second at the Youth Talent Search Ontario competition held at the Western Fair on Sunday. Sept'. 4 8. Cook, a student at Blyth Public School said if was a great experience but* he could feel his nerves kicking in before he went on stage. “I was really ner­ vous before I went on.” Cook said but with support from his family and KIRBY COOK Wins at Western Fair friends and help from his teachers, he was able to do well and have fun. “He knows the best award is when he does a good job.” his mother. Fran Cook said. As a first runner up. Cook brought /home an award and a cash prize of '$100. He had a long haul before appearing at the Western Fair. He earned his spot to compete by winning at the Clinton Spring Fair. This put him in the semi-finals against 68 competitors. He finished in the top 15 to advance. He chose the romantic ballad Unchained Melody because, “my mom wanted me to sing it and eventually 1 started to like it... a little.” he said. The song brings back memories of his grandmother who recently passed away. She always loved to hear him sing, he said. “1 like singing because I can express how I feel." Cook hopes to keep singing and perhaps represent Blyth on Canadian Idol some day. He counts Kalan Porter as being a favourite but listens to all kinds of music. “I don’t really have just one favourite,” he said. With his enthusiasm and talent, it wouldn't be surprising if Cook has his own fan club soon. Habitat looks for next build in N. Huron By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor North Huron may have the next Habitat for Humanity house in Huron. John and Colleen Schenk, directors with Habitat for Humanity Huron County, attended the Monday night meeting of North Huron council to give a progress report on the first home being built in Clinton. However, they also stated that the hope is to build two next year and have expressed a desire for one of these to be in North Huron. “We have ambitious goals in Huron,” said Schenk. “They say every nine Habitat home buys the 10th. We hope to be in that position and have been pleased by the enthusiastic support this organization as had.” The Schenks asked council to consider partnering in some manner, a comment that prompted reeve Doug Layton to ask they be more specific. “What are you asking from this council?” Schenk said that the partnership can be whatever the township feels it can contribute. He stated that some Habitat communities, such as Central Huron for the first Huron build in Clinton, have donated the lots, while others waive the costs of servicing. “Obviously if you could donate a lol we’d be ecstatic, but we know that’s not always possible.” Stressing that Habitat for Humanity offers the working poor, “a hand up not a handout,” Colleen Schenk spoke of how a home in the community benefits not just the new homeowner but the municipality in which it’s built. A lot, it seems, may not be possible. “We don’t have a lot of lots left,” said councillor Archie MacGowan. “We might a& well be up front about that. But 1 certainly think we can find ways to assist.” In a discussion later in the meeting, MacGowan said he was “not against looking at some type of donation” to the cause. “1 think we should support it any way we can with in-kind things such as service hook-ups.” Clerk-administrator John Stewart was instructed to check and see if there were any available lots left owned by the township. If not council would proceed with other contributions. For Terry Runners, walkers, joggers, bladers and cyclists took to the road under sunny skies Sunday morning in Brussels as participants in the annual Terry Fox Run. Leading the way was piper Marianne Bone, followed by those wearing placards to signify who they were walking for. This year marked the 25th anniversary of Fox’s valiant effort to cross Canada and raise funds for cancer research. The Terry Team Member this year was Brussels-area resident Dave Bowles. A total of $8371.50 was raised by 125 participants with a special $1,000 donation made by the Brussels men’s town league slo-pitch. Last year $8,510.60 was raised with 74 participants. The event was organized by the Brussels Lions and Optimists Clubs and hot dogs and refreshments were donated by Brussels Foodland. Blake’s Orchard donated apples for the participants. (Photo submitted) 50% increase in teacher hirings By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen In the staff rooms of the Avon Maitland District School Board this September, there is a 50 per cent increase in the number of new faces compared to a year ago. So-called “new hires” have increased from 42 last September to 64 this year, due largely to injections of provincial government money for implementing two goals — decreasing class sizes from kindergarten to Grade 3, and increasing the level of preparation time that eventually convinced elementary teachers to end their work-to-rule last spring. Human resources superintendent Jim Sheppard, in delivering a report during a board meeting Tuesday, Sept. 13, noted not all the new hires stepped into full-time positions. And when asked by a trustee about what seemed like a large number of new teachers, he was non-committal about comparing it with past years. “September’s normally a very busy month for new hires,” was all he would say. The numbers, however, do show the increase in the total number of new teachers, compared to a year ago. And Sheppard was willing to identify the two dominant provincial funding factors, as well as the less dominant “Student Success” initiative, which aims to keep secondary pupils in school when they’re at risk of dropping out. Last June, negotiators for the education ministry and unions representing teachers hammered out a deal aimed at averting possible strikes, and ending extended work- to-rule campaigns. A major part of that deal was establishing provincial standards for preparation time. Boards were challenged to negotiate collective agreements that met those preparation standards, and were provided funding to do so. Meanwhile, there has been ongoing funding to assist boards in ensuring the average Primary classroom size is 20 students or less. An initial goal to have every Primary classroom at 20 or less proved too lofty, but boards are still expected to have 90 per cent of their kindergarten to Grade 3 students fit that standard by 2008. Although these initiatives may not have an effect in some small schools, on a board-wide basis they both increase the total requirement for teachers. According to Sheppard, even in areas where declining enrolment remains a reality, this has been generally offset this year when it comes to teaching staff. Likewise, there has been increased requirements for maintaining classroom space. “We have added three full-time- equivalent (custodial staff) this year," reported business superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson. “The government has made, and continues to make a significant investment in reducing the average primary class size, and we certainly appreciate their effort in that regard.” Sheppard said.