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Huron Expositor, 2007-12-05, Page 5Opinion The Huron Expositor • December 5, 2007 Page 5 Deciding future of schools a daunting mandate To the Editor, I had an odd memory come back to me last week. In my mind's eye I was in the old munici- pal building in Atwood, watching scores of farm families proofread portions of a 500 -page manu- script I had prepared about the histories of the farms and families of Elma lbwnship. They were there to read the parts of the draft that applied to them, and make sure I had the details right. And they did. It was a wonderful afternoon, complete with tea and Christmas cookies, as the community members explained to me how I could make the stories better, and corrected a few errant details that were dangerously close to becoming histor- ical facts. The situation ation that sparked the recollection was a joint meeting of three newly established accommodation -review committees. Accommodation reviews are done when schools in a community are flagged as having significant issues with either their physical plant or their enrollment, or even sometimes both. A review is required before major changes can be made, and accordingly school, community and municipal representatives from Goderich, Mitchell and St. Marys were at the Education Centre to be briefed on the methodology of the review. As they analyzed the process, the decisions trustees had already made and the information provided, my thoughts went back to that day in Atwood. I remembered how important the input of others is when making sure details are right before moving to the next phase of a project. Nevertheless, both situations were a bit unnerving. Scrutiny is designedto find errors, and also differences of opinion, even if it also means a better final product. At the end of the review, trustees will be mak- ing a decision based both on the report that comes from the community, and an additional report that staff will make, bas-e'd on the com- munity report. The reports will be framed with- in the context of the value of schools to the stu- dent, the school, the system and the community. After the reports are submitted, there will be a two-month interval where delegations can also make presentations to the board. Then, armed with all that information, and with what we trust is the wisdom of Solomon, trustees will decide on the future. In many ways, education is always about the future. As a board, we are accountable to par- ents, and the community as well as the provin- cial government, not to mention our own con- sciences for helping our kids unlock their poten- tial in order that they can use that potential for the rest of their lives. It's a daunting mandate, and many factors play into it, not the least of which is happening right now as the future of actual school build- ings is being considered. It's a heart -wrenching issue for communities involved, especially when mixed with the See SCHOOL, Page 11 Seaforth prankster sent to jail after ewe slaughtered and skin left behind in 1882 December 1, 1882 A well-known Seaforth area char- acter was sent to Goderich jail for practising dishonest pranks on his neighbours. He recently entered the sheep fold of John Kerr, select- ed one of his best ewes and slaugh- tered it, left the skin behind and carried off the carcass. Mr. Kerr and several of his neighbours have for some time been missing num- bers of their poultry and it is now supposed the hens went the same direction as the mutton. Mr. Clarke of Seaforth now has in his henery over 350 birds, some of them being from the best strains in America. He has 14 different breeds and is continually receiving orders from all parts of Ontario for birds. Water in many places is very scarce. If the winter now sets in, many farmers will be badly off for water for their stock. Wells that have not been known to fail for years, are now quite dry and use- less. The roof of the driving shed at the Queen's Hotel fell in with a crash last week. Michael Heffernan of the Huron Road had a valuable team of horses standing in the shed. Fortunately they were close to the end wall and were protected from falling boards. If the present hard 'weather con- tinues, the rinks will be put in working order at once, and curling and skating will be the order of the day. December 13, 1907 A bylaw was passed by Seaforth council, assuming the scavenging of the town and assessing the proper- ty therefore. The bylaw provides that all dry earth closets to be emp- tied once a month and all water closets and cesspools be disinfected at least once a month and emptied at least once a year. For this ser- vice, a tax of one dollar is levied on each residence, store and office in town. John Day was appointed offi- cial scavenger and is to receive $600 per year. Engineer Rogers has been in the Walton vicinity for some days try- ing' to provide ways and means by which the surplus water of the vil- lage can be carried down to Lake Huron. Since the recent heavy rains, many cellars have been flooded. The fifth annual fat stock show at the Union -Stockyards, Toronto Junction was held recently. James Shea, Dublin, came third for 16 export steers; John O'Keefe, Seaforth, third for 18 butcher steers, second for three year old fat heifer and first for give away. December 9, 1932 In magistrate's court recently, F.W. Leisemer, who recently opened a butcher shop in Egmondville, pleaded not guilty to a charge of peddling in Seaforth. The charge is the first laid since the new bylaw relating to hawkers and peddlars came into force. The case was adjourned to a later date. Alleged to have smashed into a buggy containing Mr. and Mrs. Peter Deichert, George Gray of Mitchell has been arrested and will appear befgre the Seaforth Magistrate charged with criminal negligence. The occupants of the buggy, who had been visiting Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrand, were thrown out but not seriously injured. The buggy was demolished. The Expositor has received a let- ter from little Doris Venus, which speaks for itself. It said, "As I lost all my dolls in our fire and Dad is out of work and cannot get me one, I would very much like to win one of these in the Rexall Contest. I thought maybe after reading this, those would would have votes to Christmas, and any votes would be very much appreciated. Thanking anyone who would help me, I. remain as ever, Doris Venus." December 27, 1957 Seaforth Farmers Co-operative has added to the services it pro- vides the farming community with new bulk handling facilities for grain. The new installation located at the east end of the mill permits dumping truckload lots in a matter of minutes and avoids bagging and handling. Christmas shopping came to a cli- max in Seaforth on Friday after- noon when 1,600 children and their parents crowded Main street to welcome Santa Claus during his annual visit. Santa arrived on the firetruck, having to abandon his usual mode of travel when the weatherman failed to co-operate and poured several inches of rain onto the area. Seals and diplomas were present- ed to 53 Sunday School scholars at the Northside United Church dur- ing the annual White Gift service. Seaforth Gun club held its organi- zation meeting, naming Joe Night president. Named secretary trea- surer was Keith Sharp and range officers are Verdun Rau, Bob Snell and Bill Robertson. December -8, 1982 Painting is being completed, floors are being swept, but more importantly, the ice will be in the new Seaforth and district commu- nity centre by this Saturday! The Beavers - NHL Oldtimers hockey game slated for Sunday, will be played to a full "house" as 750 spec- tators will cheer for the first time since the former arena was con- demned in 1981. A new bridge was named by Tuckersmith Township council Tuesday as its top priority in road construction this year. Asked by the Stratford area office of the Ministry of Transportation to make its needs known early, council agreed that the Roman Line bridge on concession road four should be replaced.