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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-03-15, Page 8S -TIME HURON RXPOs1Y'OI!, Mir *96 Lifestyle Huron education spending flatlined BY AMY NEILANDS The Huron County Board of Education has confirmed that esti- mated spending for 1995 has been "flatlined" at 1994 spending levels. In 1994, the Huron board faced the largest reduction ever experi- enced by a local board of $4 mil- lion. "Considerable action was taken to reduce spending levels," said Direc- tor of Education Paul Carroll at the March 6 Board meeting. With an estimated equivalent budget to last year of $62 million, the only adjustments to be made for 1995 spending levels will come from the implementation of the Junior Kindergarten progrikm and the mandatory increases In the Canada Pension Plan and Unem- ployment Insurance as well as a one-time payment inquired under the Social Contract Act. Although expenditures from the board have not changed, the 1995 Ontario Grant Regulations will add about $1 million to the property tax requirement. "And that's just the beginning," said Carroll. Also, "the impact of further adjustments in the provincially - determined values of property assessment for education tax pur- poses will automatically increase the mill rate," it stated in a recent press release from the Huron Board. Also, the shift of commercial assessment from the public board to the Catholic board will have an impact on public school supporters. With these provincially -imposed changes, an overall mill rate increase of six to seven per cent may result. "The Huron County Board of Education hasn't done anything. Not a nickel is your responsibility or doing," Carroll said addressing the board's trustees. The Huron Board has a history of the lowest cost per pupil in the province, according to Carroll. Their over -ceiling spending is a fraction of that of urban centres in Ontario and their tax rates are well below the Ontario average, he said. "There's no room left to manoeuvre." Even though the board has control over its overall expenditures, the mill rate is still going up, said Carroll. "There's nothing you can do about it." "I think we'll get through this year easily," he said adding "It isn't the 16 trustees who have created this problem. I just plead that you keep looking ahead (to 1996)." Medical officer for two counties considered After more than seven years in the position, Dr. Maarten Bokhout announced last Monday he would be resigning as the county's Medical Officer of Health. Dr. Bokhout, last Tuesday, stated that he announced his resignation during the Board of Health meeting, and it was agreed that his last day in the position would be May 31. Stating that he felt it was "time to move along", Dr. Bokhout added that he plans to go back to his medical practice in Clinton. While he kept up his practice as a General Practitioner during his time as Medical 'Officer of Health, which started in Septem- ber of 1987, he noted he was spending 15 to 20 hours a week on his practice, and an additional 45 to 50 hours a week in his county position. "I think I accomplished more or less what I set out to do," he said of his experience with the Huron County Health Unit, but added that he has one regret, and that was that he did not achieve as much as he would have liked in the battle against tobacco usage. He added the hope, how- ever, that the battle will continue after he leaves the post. With his departure at this time, Dr. Bokhout said the Board of Health can review its options as to filling the position, as he feels "major funding issues are r , 11, DR. MAARTEN BOKHOUT ...outgoing Medical Officer of Health. coming next year." He added that the board can review options such as, for example, setting up a sharing arrangement with the Perth board, and options will be easier to pursue if he is not sitting in the chair. According to health board chair Bill Clifford, the board will be studying their alternatives in replacing Dr. Bokhout. "We want to weigh all other possibil- ities of how to best handle his replacement. And I say that based on the government down- sizing and cutbacks. It's going to make it more than difficult to give the same delivery of ser- vices that we have in the past without the support of the prov- ept. , Ve're alright TIM CuMMIva PHOTO HAVING A BALL! - Adam Pearson, 16, of Warkworth was visiting his uncle in Seaforth, Randy Rightmyer, on Monday and enjoyed a game of catch with a football. Here he makes a catch while basking in the warm spring-like weather. Residents enjoy piano The members of the Queensway Nursing Home Volunteer Auxiliary gathered together on Monday mom- ing to discuss upcoming events for the month of March. Also for the entire month, the Hensall Legion Ladies Auxiliary is sponsoring our Monday aftemoon bingos. On Tuesday afternoon we had a special guest to help out with church service. Ms. Sharon Wurm of Hensall provided a wonderful message about trust. Early Thursday morning some residents gathered for a Breakfast Club. They enjoyed a hearty meal of bacon, eggs, toast, juicd and coffee. Later m the day, some of our bakers gathered for Baking Club. They made two pans of rice J Queensway 1 1 krispie squares for snack later in the evening. Friday afternoon the vol- unteers rounded everyone up for an old time sing song. A special thank you to Joyce Pepper for providing musical accompaniment on the piano. Upcoming events: March 17 - 2 p.m. - St. Patrick's Day Party with Gladys Van Egmond; March 20 - 2 p.m. - Lggion Aw diary, Bingo; March 21 - 2 p.m. - Emmanual Baptist Youth Gnat visiting.. for 1995 and I'm not so sure where we're going to be from that point on." No matter what options the board chooses to follow, the county will have to have a Medi- cal Officer of Health, as it is legislated in the Health Protec- tion and Promotion Act. "But we are one of the smaller boards of health in the province. One of the avenues that we would be remiss if we didn't look at is whether there is any possibility of us sharing the services of a medical officer of health," said Clifford. "Huron is now part of a dis- trict health counci1...and already there is some sharing of ideas and so on," Clifford continued. "I think that we have to look at the alternatives that are available to us. There is no question there has to be a medical officer of health." A special meeting of the health board will be called to discuss how the vacated position will be filled. Streams pose hazards The Maitland Valley Conserva- tion Authority (MVCA) would like to remind everyone about the hazards posed by streams, rivers and drains as warmer weather approaches. Parents are urged to warn their children of the dangers of playing along frozen or flooded watercourses. Even being near a river is dangerous at this time of year. Snow drifts overhanging the river can collapse. River banks are wet and slippery. Warm temperatures make the ice remaining on streams and rivers unsafe for walking, skating, or March is nutri- tion month The Heart and Stroke Foundation celebrates March, Nutrition Month, by ..announcing.i.tgat it}lcslit' lakttist cookbook, Simply, •:1 IoMlSrnaatt- Cooking, by Bonnie Stern, has sold more than 100,000 copies in only six months. "By matching a cooking authority and trained chef, like Bonnie Stern, with nutritionist Denise Beatty, we chose two experts who are in tune with emerging food and nutritional trends," says Carol Dombrow, Director of Health Promotion, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. A survey of Canadian consupters showed that 79 per cent of cooking low-fat and 76 per cent are cooking low calorie (Statistics Canada, 1991). "When I first started offering low-fat cooking classes in 1978, they weren't well attended," says cookbook author Bonnie Stern. "But times and attitudes have changed. People are now more concerned with buying the best quality ingredients and cooking them properly to bring out the most flavour." During her cross -Canada tour, Stern found more restaurant chefs integrating low-fat cooking, into their repertoire and chef training colleges including low-fat cooking programs into their curriculum. "There are people who still think that low fat food is second class," says Stern, "however, when cliefs start to get involved, low-fat cooking becomes something that is wonderful and delicious." To eat HeartSmart, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario suggests the following: • Eat less fat • Eat foods rich in fibre: grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes • Fill three-quarters of your plate with grains and vegetables • Have your protein portion about the size of deck of cards (3-4 oz.) • Choose low-fat dairy products, 2 per cent or less • Cook at home! This will give you control over your fat and salt intake. The Heart and Stroke Foundation is a community-based volunteer organization whose mission is to reduce the risk of premature death and disability from heart disease and stroke by raising funds for research and education. Whelan to speak in Perth County The Honourable Eugene Whelan will be the guest speaker at the annual Stratford Club Rural Urban Night. The event will be held on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Community Centre in Stratford. Tickets are available at the Perth OMAFRA office and from members of the Rotary Club. snowmobiling. Melting snow leads to high water levels and fast -flowing water. Even small drains and creeks can become deep and dangerous. The low temperature of the water increases the risk. At this time of year it is between one and three degrees Celsius (34 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit). In water this cold, hypothermia can occur in just a few minutes. - To help make for a safer springtime the MVCA suggests everyone stay away from water- courses both large and small. sas Naefling Chartered Accountant Bas Haetling, C.A., P. Ag. 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