Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-11-12, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, November 12, 1986 Start on first phase for $2.4 million unknown C�ua#y and provinee share museum eosts Officials connected with the propos- ed $3.5 million expansion and renova- tions project to the Huron County `Pioneer Museum are breathim a sigh of relief after government officials ac- cepted a new funding formula for the museum project to be completed in tion under the provincial Ministry of Project. The new funding formula, passed by Huron County Council at its meeting on November 6, calls for the BEAVERS LAY WREATHS — Exeter Cubs Simon Dinney and Christopher Jongkind laid wreaths at Sunday's Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph. T -A photo School at Vanastra escapes a VanastraPublicSchool can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that the Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) will not be conducting school accommodation reviews this year. Vanastra Public School, along with Hensall Public School were threaten- ed with closure in 1984 when the HCBE studied the declining enrol- ment of the schools. The HCBE, at its November meeting, reported that school enrolments have increased throughout the system in both the elementary and secondary panels. A breakdown of figures for Vanastra Public School show that while enrolment numbers are still running at minimum levels, there is a slight increase in the student population. A five year enrollment chart for the schools shows that in 1981-1982 there were 101 pupils; 1982-1983, 108 pupils; 1983-1984, 92 pupils; 1985-1986, '83 pupils; 1986-1987, 86 pupils. Projected enrolment for the next four years anticipates a climb in the numbers, reaching 94 students by 1990. A survey of classroom numbers for the 1986 school year shows that five pupils are in kindergarten; 14 in Grade 1; 13 in Grade 2; six in Grade 3; 14 in Grade 4; 14 in Grade 5 and eight in Grade 6; 12 in Grade 7. The HCBE has determined that Vanastra Public School is still operating at less than the minimum effective enrolment. The actual enrol- ment of 86 pupils, as of September 30, is below the 98 pupil rate. Two high schools, Central Iluron Secondary School (CRSS) in Clinton and F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham have also been closely ex- amined by the board because of enrol - review ment problems in past years. A maximum effective enrolment of 1,416 students has been set for CHSS, with a minimum enrolment figure of 849. This year, there are only 832 students at CHSS. However, this figure has increased over the previous year when enrolment figures totalled 806 at the end of September. The increase in enrolment at CHSS this year is the first in a five year survey. The previous enrolment chart read: 1981-1982, . 869' students; 1982-1983, 844 students; 1984-1985, 864 students; 1985-1986, 806 students: 1906-1987,832. • Projected enrolment at CHSS over the next five years anticipates a fur- ther decrease in numbers, reaching an estimated 665 students by 1991. This year a breakdown of classroom numbers shows: Grade 9, 187 students; Grade 10, 192; Grade 11, 178; Grade 12, 229; Grade 13, 46. Projected enrolment statistics at F.E. Madill in Wingham also indicate further declining enrolments, from the figure of 1,015 in 1981-1982 to a low of 833 students by 1991. While enrolment figures at F.E. Madill saw a slight increase this year, from 938 last year to 942 in 1986, the school is still operating below minimum enrolment levels, falling short of the 960 minimum effective enrolment rate. The HCBE accommodation review committee recently studied school enrolment figures for all schools in the system and paid particular atten- tion to Vanastra, CHS8 and F.E. Madill. However. in light that enrolment figures at these three schools have risen over the past year, it was recommended that no further review action take place during the 1986-1987 term. two distinct phases, with the County Citizenship and Culture (MCC) was and the provincial government each also placed in jeopardy. The provin- contributing 50 percent of the $2.4 cial ministry refused to approve the million'cost for first phase construe- one-third funding proposal by the tion. The second phase will be com- county after learning of the federal pleted as money becomes available. government announcement. The original funding plan, adopted ; , Johnston said the committee last year by Huron County Council; ' ',recently met with Mrs. Marty Brent, had the county, provincial and federal the manager of the Museum section governments each contributing one- of the MCC, to discuss an amendment third to the project which was slated to the application which would allow to go ahead in one phase. the county to stay as a top priority for Museum Committee Chairman provincial funding. She recommend - Dave Johnston said the project was ed to the committee that the project put in jeopardy last week after the and the application be made up of two County's $1 million grant application phases. through the Federal government's "She (Marty Brent) gave us every Cultural Initiatives Program (CIP) assurance that the county museum was declined. project would be top priority and that In turn, the County's grant applica- our application would net have to be re -submitted but only re -worked," said Johnston in explaining the situa• Board okay tion to council. Under the new formula, the first • phase would include all new construc- tion while the second phase would in- clude renovations to the old museum building and the finishing touches to the total project, such as landscaping, etc. Johnston also said that after the new funding formula was worked out, the proposal was put before the two local MPP's in this area (Jack Rid- dell and Murray Elston) to seek their support. capital work Nine new roofs, two new boiler - systems, and projected extensive repairs to one high school make up the list of capital expenditures forecast by the Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) . The list carries a price tag of $2,767,760. The itemized list and cost estimates will assist the HCBE when it deter- mines how to spend the 1987 budget for building renovations. The list was • presented by the management com- mittee to the HCBE at the November meeting. Categorized in order of im- portance, the elementary panel reads: Huron Centennial Public School, roof replacement, 42,000 square feet, $237,600; Zurich Public School, boiler replacement, $33,500; Turnberry Central Public School, roof replacement, 7,616 square feet, $45,696; Brookside Public School, roof replacement, 27,169 square feet, $149,429; Seaforth Public School, boiler, $26,000; Holmesville Public School, roof, 18,000 square feet, $93,800; Hullett Central Public School, roof, 20,375 square feet, $112,062; Stephen Central Public School, roof, 21,647 sqare feet, $119,058. For secondary school repairs the items, listed in priority, are: F. E. Madill, roof, 68,180 square feet, $330,900; Central Huron Secondary School, roof, 40,828 square feet, $204,140; Goderich District Collegiate Institute, roof, 33,15 square feet, $165,575. - The most significant figure, costwise, but the least crucial in priority comes at the end of the list,' for Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton, the estimated expenditure of $1,250,000 for renovations to the building. - HCBWtrustee Tony McQuail said that the figure has been established as the cost of the renovation of an older section of the school that is not in use. He noted tha tthe figure was includ- ed to make the ministry of education aware that there could be significant expenses incurred with the school facility. It was further noted that alternative uses for the school are being investigated. HYDRO RATE UP Following review of the Ontario Energy Board's report on 1987 rates, Ontario Hydro's Board of Directors has approved an average rate in- crease of 5.5 per cent, effective January 1. The increase is lower than the 5.9 per cent rise recommended by the Ohtario Energy Board, and higher than the 4.9 per cent increase propos- ed by Hydro earlier this year. The new rate reflects changes in Hydro's financial outlook since the original proposal, said Dane MacCar- thy, Vice -President of Marketing. YOUTH GROUPS PARTICIPATE — Included in the wreath laying ceremonies at the Exeter Cenotaph Remembrance Day service Sunday morning were a number of youth groups. Above, Comrade Eldon Heywo4 hands out wreaths to Cadet Allen Cottel , Ian McLean, Rochelle Geoffrey, Jeff Stasik and Michael/VlcConnell. T -A photo Appreciation banquet Continued from front page district A-15 for 1983-84 to represent the 45 Lions Clubs, 18 Lioness and two Leos in the district. Following that. he was named chairman of the governor's council multiple district A which lakes in two provinces and Labrador as well as to French owned islands in the St. Lawrence That group represents 760 I.ions clubs. 200 Lioness and has 24,000 Lions In a brief response to the award, Stephens said he and his wife, Liz, consider it an honor to represent Ex- eter and the local Lions wherever they go and paid special tribute.to the assistance prc.vided him by the local club and in particular. Glen Kells. Roy Lamport. a member of the cemetery staff for the past 14 years, was given a plaque to mark his retire- . ment by board chairman Reg McDonald. The latter noted that one reason for the community having such a fine cemetery is the dedication shown by Lamport. In his welcome, Mickle explained that the annual banquet is an oppor- tunity to thank the people who volunteer their time on behalf of the community. "It's that community spirit which makes our community so great," he noted. In his letter, Shaw extended con- gratulations to the committee members and department heads "for the excelletil service you've provided this year". He said it makes the job of councillors much easier and ex- pressed regret he could not attend "because I believe these occasions are important". Members of council assisted Mickle and Deputy -Reeve Lossy Faller in in- troducing the various committees and those who were honored with special awards. The ebening concluded with the New Iluronia Choir entertaining. Usborne costs bit over budget The Usborne Township Council acc- peted the balance sheet -budget report as presented by Road Superintendent John Batten at their October 21 coun- cil meeting. The council was advised that due to unforeseen expenses the road department will likely be in a deficit position at year end. In other business matters, council: Accepted the revenue fund budget report as presented by Acting Clerk - Treasurer Sandra Strang. Agreed that a letter be sent to Hib- bert Township asking if they would accept a share of the costs as prorated by acreage on the Ausable River drain. Approved the purchase of a Remembrance Day wreath for $25.00 and that Margaret Hern lay this wreath and attend the Remembrance Day banquet for the Royal Canadian Legion in Exeter. Instructed Sandra Strang to for- ward complaints received on the Moir and Reynolds Municipal Drains to the drainage superintendent. Agreed to participate in the South Huron District High - School Cooperative Education Program for the term from January 1 to March 1. Ten handed parking tags Only one collision was reported by the Exeter police department this week, it occurring on Wednesday. Vehicles driven by Eldon Heywood and John Gray, both of Exeter, collid- ed on Main St. when the former made a left turn in front of the northbound Gray vehicle. Damage was set at $300. During the week, the local officers issued 10 parking tickets, laid four charges under the Criminal Code, four under the Highway Traffic Act and three under the Liquor Licence Act. Crash, fire investigated Only one collision and a car fire were investigated by the Exeter OPP this week, following a rash of serious accidents,the previous week. The lone collision occurred on Tues- day when vehicles driven by Norman Lynn, Kitchener, and Pearl Miller, Dashwood, collided on Highway 83 east of Huron Road 2. Damage to the two vehicles was estimated at $1,000. On Saturday, a vehicle driven by Robert Wain, RR 2 Goderich, caught fire under the dash on Highway 84 just west of Hay concession 4-5. The fire damaged the dash, roof, seat and windshield before being extinguished. Damage was listed at $800. During the past week, the local detachment officers laid 49 charges under the Highway Traffic Act, 12 under the Criminal Code, one under the arcdtic Control Act and two peo- ple were charged for not having pro- of of insurance for the vehicles they were operating. Three drivers were charged with drinking and driving offences and three others were charged with of- fences under the Liquor Licence Act. cananiar. fIco Gift Parade Page 2 - ut Odoor light set, Item NO. x'51-2545-0 copy reads; Multicoloured bulbs twinkle. This is incorrect. The bulbs do not twinkle. Page 12 - 2 speed furnace motors - Item No. 56-4510X copy reads: 2 speeds. This is incorrect. Should read single speed. Page 1S: Gas line An- tifreeze item No. 38-2322-4. Product packaging may not be exactly as shown. Product contains 909 ml. not 1 litre as stated. "Both Riddell and Elstdh support fully the Huron County Museum and said they would do anything possible to assist us with funding from the pro- vince", said Johnston, the reeve of Bayfield. The Museum Committee also travelled to Ottawa to find out if the funding change would put federal fun- ding in doubt for the project. Johnston said the director of the federal CIP said the revised county funding ap- plication still meets the requirements for the program. "MP Murray Cardiff is also in full support of the project and has also said he will do everything possible at the federal level. "We haven't jeopardized the pro- ject and, from all signals, all the federal and provincial ministries are fully in favor of the project," Johnston concluded. Museum Project Director Claus Breede said county officials were worried the CIP would view the pro- ject as two distinct projects which would sizeably reduced the county's grant prospects. He said under the CIP program, it will fund up to one-third of any ma- jor capital project. 1f the second phase of the museum project was viewed as a separate project, the county would have been eligible for only one-third of their $1 million grant request. "We would have been cutting our own throats," said Breede. However, Breede said the CIP of- ficials still see the museum project as a $3.5 million venture. But, because of their small $8 million yearly budget which is spent across Canada, the county may not receive a CIP grant until 1988. Breede says he expects to have an answer regarding the provincial fun- ding for the project within the next four to six weeks. If a guaranteed commitment is made by the province, tenders will be called to begin construction. As for the federal government's grant refusal for the project this year, Breede said the county will not need to proceed with the second phase renovations until 1989. He expects the first phase of the project to be com- pleted by that time. CWL CRAFTS— Showing some of the craft articles available at Tues- day's Mount Carmel CWL bazaar are Theresa Larkin, Barb McCann and Mary Hogan. T -A photo Rec board head critical of council South Huron rec centre board chairman Jim Workman expressed concern recently that members of Ex- eter council fail to follow proper pro- cedures in communicating with the board or employees. He aimed his criticism primarily at .• Reeve Bill Mickle for "overstepping his boundaries" when dealing with matters concerning the board. At council's initial October meeting, Mickle publicly cited his concern over the board's financial picture and at that time requested an up-to-date report of the board's finan- cial situation. Workman. in a letter to 'Mayor Bruce Shaw and the executive com- mittee, explained there are policies and procedures for council members corresponding with the board or staff. "What is the point of my fellow members and I spending hours set- ting up channels of communication when individual council members try to reap political benefit through the local press?" Workman asked. Ile went on to suggest that if coun- cil members are concerned about the operation of the rec centre. they should contact the chairperson or the board directly: After noting that the board members and staff try 10 ensure that ratepayers get the most benefit out of the facilities that they have paid for, • the chairman urged that council members "in lutur=c refrain from making premature speculation about our operation before gathering all facts." •The hoard's financial situation was disc�ltssed al last week's council ses- sion.when facilities manager faro Stewardson was in attendance. A letter was also on hand from Tom Tomes, the board's finance commit- tee chairman, noting that the cash flow situation is usually a problem at this time of year and that has been burdened further in 19116 because the provincial government has delayed payment on $11,600 in grants due to the board. • Tomes said the finance committee anticipates being over budget due to lower revenues than anticipated and extensive repairs to the rool and building at a cost ol approximately $1(I,(NN). The board attempted to handle these repairs within the operating budget, but the finance commit lee has recommended using some ol the reserve funds for that purpose. The committee also recommended to council that insurance be tendered in 1987 in an attempt to get a more competitive price which would result in savings to all departments. insurance costs for the board this year were about $2.000 higher Than anticipated. ANSTETT FEATURE VALUE d4 AAP §t4. DIAMOND SHOULDER STONE RING Diamond size .21 ct., surrounded by two .02 ct. shoulder size diamonds. all set in 14 kt. white gold. REPLACEMENT COST '950.00 Styles vary from store to store - Limited quantities at this price MEMBER AMERICA 5625. ANSTETT JE_WE LI 8 Albert SI CLINTON 284 Main Si EXETER 26 Main St S SEAFORTH 135 Queen St East ST. MARYS 203 Durham St E WALKERTON J 2 The Square GODERICH AA OEM SOCIETY