Times-Advocate, 1986-12-17, Page 5Cunningham blasts news media
over library board coverage
Huron County Library Board Chair-
man Tom Cunningham blasted the
news media for recent coverage of
board matters, especially regarding
the. status of Chief Librarian Bill
Partridge, at the Coupty Council
meeting on December 4.
In a statement read during the
Library Board report, Cunningham
said he and the members of his fami-
ly have had a difficult few months,
because of the press reports surroun-
ding the resignation of Partridge and
his handling of the situation.
"It has been a complex problem
which has been made worse b
reports having been written before
having the facts, before having the
other side," said Cunningham, the
reeve of Hullet Township.
Cunningham was referring to,
although he did not state implicitly in
his statement, a series of columns
written in FOCUS newsmagazine con-
demning the library board chairman
and the county administration for
their handling of Partridge's situation
in September of this year.
In defence of the county ad-
ministration, Cunningham lashed out
against statements in the press that
undue pressure had been placed on
FAMILY BOWLING — Audrey Watt of the Lucan Bowling Lanes is
shown here with minor bowler winners in a recent family competi-
tion. From the left are Steve Cobleigh, Tommy Graham, Scott Smith
and Tyler Graham. T -A photo
•
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our sincere pleasure. Our
grateful thanks to you all ...
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the committee or on Partridge.
"I have never once seen the ad-
ministration do anything that was not
first instructed by council. They eat,
sleep and breathe county," he said.
Cunningham said he is unconcern-
ed with the alleged personal attacks
on him by the media, as he said he
understands the nature 44 being a
public official.
"As for the personal attacks, I am
elected by the people and whatever is
said about me I understand. I will
continue to work in the best interests
of the county but, I will not be in-
timidated. I will continue to do what
is proper. All we as councillors can
expect is fair press,, he said.
Cunningham said the board had
tried to handle the personnel problem
"most discreetly" and out of the
public eye, but press reports have
made it hard to deal with the pro-
blem. He said the county solicitor,
Mr. Murphy, told the library board
not to discuss the matter in public un-
til it is resolved.
He also said he wished to dispel
rumours in the county that the library
was a ,low priority in the county. He
quoted some figures from the last 10
years that point to the contrary.
According to (Cunningham, in 1975,
the total library budget was $167,000
compared to $607,000 in 1985 which
represents a jump of 263 percent over
the 10 year period. Of the totals, only
$109,000 was set aside by the province
in the 1976 budget, which rose to
$177,000 in 1985. The overall provincial
share in the county library budget is
62 percent.
In the same 10 year period, the pro-
vincial share in the county's Board of
Health went up 298 percent while the
county share went up only 33 percent.
Librarian's status
still unknown
No announcement was made at the
Huron County council meeting on
December4 regarding the status
of Chief Librarian Bill Partridge.
During the reading of the Library
Board report, library Board Chair-
man Tom Cunningham requested
council to go into a closed session. No
recommendation was announced
after the closed session.
In September, Partridge, the chief
librarian for the county for the past
14 years, said he was prepared to
resign from the position over two let-
ters written by six Huron County
Library staff which made allegations
of mismanagement within the library
system.
Since that time, 116' statement
regarding the resignation has beets
issued by the Library Board
chairman.
New family
in Shipka
By MRS. HUGH MORENZ
Sid. Eleanor and Glenn Durie mov-
ed from this area Wednesday to their
new home they recently built. in the
Van Dongen subdivision south of
Grand Bend. The Duries have lived
here for the past 13 years, having pur-
chased the farm home that used to
belong to the Lamport family.
We world like to express a warm
welcome to the newcomers to our
community, who moved into the
home vacated by Duries , Murray
and Debra Obre, and their four
children of Exeter, who moved in
Friday.
Those from this area attending the
all denominations Christmas
Ecumenical, held Tuesday at Grand
Bend United Church were, Hazel
Scott. Iva Lagerwerf, Annie Walper,
Violet Brown, Dorothy Fenner, Mabel
Fraser, Leota Snyder, Lucille Vincent
and Annie Morenz.
-Guest speaker was Mrs. Stan Des-
jardine, fromthurch of God, who has
spent eight years as a missionary in
Tanzania. She demonstrated to us the
national African dress, and utensils a
housewife would use in daily work in
Africa.
The fellowship, Christmas carol
singing and delicious lunch
refreshments made an enjoyable
evening.
Madeline Swveitzer, accompanied
by her sister-in-law, Evelyn Brenner,
of Grand Bend, went with the Ellison
tour bus from Dashwood. Iasi
Wednesday, to the Geritol Follies at
Hamilton Place, and home by.way of
the Simcoe lights.
Vera and Ervin Latta of Point
• Clark, (both former residents of this
area ) attended the funeral, Saturday
of Willis Ilotson and then visited
Vera's sister and brother-in-law,
Lorne and Loreen Devine, at Grand
Bend.
Hugh and I were on the bus trip last
Thursday with Grand Bend and area
folks to the matinee performance of
the Geritol Follies, at Hamilton
Place, in Hamilton and then home by
way of the Simcoe Christmas lights.
The Follies were a delightful program -
of music, singing, dancing, skits and
duets. The costumes, music. lighting
and humor made it an afternoon to
remember.
Our lunch break was in a service
centre and supper at St. James
united ('hurch in Simcoe. We travell-
ed down by way of Tavistock,. Kit-
chener and Guelph, and when leaving
Simcoe, home by way of Delhi.
Tillsonburg and London. Our driver.
Harold Patterson, of McNaughton
tours on a Charterway bus, toured us
around the lights in Victoria Park.
London. Nola Love was our capable
happy hostess on this trip.
Times -Advocate, December 17, 1986
Page 5
i1
COME CELEBRATE JESUS — Narrators Shirley Perry and Allan Donan are shown with the junior choir
at the Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle Come Celebrate Jesus musical on the weekend. T -A photo
Change duties of senior staff
The South Huron ltec Centre board
this week approved a change in the
responsibilities to be undertaken by
two senior staff members.
Acting on a recommendation stem-
ming from discussions during perfor-
mance reviews, the board agreed that
rec director Lynne Farquhar would
be put in charge of all bookings,
scheduling and fee collectirvg as
related to the rental of facilities as of
January 1.
Chairman Jim Workman said that
during discussion with Farquhar and
facilities manager Cam Stewardson
this fall, it seemed more logical that
the former beincharge of all rentals,
including ice time use.
The job descriptions of the two will
be changed to reflect the new policy
approved at Thursday's board
meeting.
At the November meeting, mem-
bers had directed that Stewardson
meet with the ice groups in January
or February to try and work out
suitable times for next season. This
responsbility will now be undertaken
by the rec director.
The board also approved sugges-
tions from the facilities committee for
an agreement to be drawn up between
Exeter council and Wayne and Deb
Oke for use of the rec centre parking
lot in conjunction with a swimming
pool they plan for their new home on
Andrew St.
The committee recommended that
the couple assume all legal expenses
regarding the agreement and that
they have proper liability insurance
to cover the use of the parking lot.
The board recommended that no
fee be charged to the couple and that
no spaces will be specifically set aside
for pool users.
In addition, snow removal would be
tried out in the usual fashion on the
parking dot and removing it from the
lanewayleading to the couple's pro-
perty would be their responsibility.
In other business, the board:
Learned that profit from the
December 6 Christmas party staged
by the board would'be approximate-
. ly $1,900.
Approved hiring of winter program
staff as follows: Laura Overholt,
Trim -A -Size; Deb Oke, Kindergym:
Deb Campbell, microwave cooking
Catharina Balch and Ann Mac-
Dougall. Morning Break; Ron Tyn-
dall, Karate. All will be paid $17 per
hour except Tyndall, who receives 75
percent of the registration from
participants.
Discussed various methods of
designated drivers for drinking func-
tions held at the rec centre.
Gave permission for the washroom
committee to spend $3,200 on
materials before the end of Januar!,
so grant monies will not be placed in
jeopardy.
Approved attendance of the rec
director at the O.R.S. conference in
Ottawa.
With all good thoughts for a holiday of sheer joy and
unbounding love. To all our customers we say "Thank You"!
By SHIRLEY COOPER
The annual Elimville Sunday
School Christmas concert was held
Friday evening with a good crowd in
'attendance..
The primary class welcomed
everyone. The kindergarten class
sang several songs including
"Sunbeam" and "A Little Christmas
Tree".
• J.J. Miners played a piano solo.
Mrs. Sharon Lynn read the story
"The Legend of the Manger" with the
little children sitting around her and
the rest of the members of the Sunday
School acting out the story.
Brian Pym was the master of
_ceremonies for the evening. Everyone
joined in singing "Here Comes Santa
Claus" and Santa arrived. Each child
was called up to receive their gift and
a chance to sit on Santa's knee and
have a visit with him.
The congregation is asked to join
the Sunday School members in
celebrating Jesus' birthday after
church, Sunday.
Warmest
wishes for a
bright and
beautiful
Christmas
Season.
Management and Staff
/Lea ValumMart
Exeter 233-0262
Merry Christmas from Mary, Mari,
Brigitte and Peggy
dITfl!J
"Looking Young and Stylish"
360 Main 31.. Exeter 235-0442
With deepest appreciation
for your friendship and
good will in the past, thanks
and Merry Christmas.
From Norm, Barb, Randy,°Janet & Iva
MARTEN'S
Carpet £ Drapery (Formerly Whitings)
Also
Whitings AuctionService
Service
63 Main St. 233-1964
C
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