HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-01-06, Page 3wrap
Interest-free
Inane a hit
GODERICH - Thanks to the
Goderich Community Credit
Union, Goderich merchants re-
ceived a bit of a boost this year.
According to the Goderich
Signal.Star, the credit union has
been offering interest-free loans
up to $1,500 to clients and non -
clients who open an account
with a minimum $15 deposit.
What's the catch? There really
isn't one except the money must
be spent in the:tewntof-Gode-
rich.
Fire
destrzys
Staffa tome
STAFFA - A Staffa family
lost everything when their 85 -
year -old home burned to the
ground in an overnight fire last
Monday.
According to the Huron Ex-
positor, the fire caused $50,000
damage to the small wooden
frame house, which was heated
by a -wood stove and two small
heaters.
Noone was home at the time
and a.cause has not yet been.de-
.tennined.
School
explosion
in ures-two
NITCHEL.I - An .industrial
accident at Mitchell District
High School sent two people:to
hospital December 21, while
they were 'helping to clears .up
following the recent anon fire
there.
According to the Mitchell Ad-
vocate, two men, both of Strath
E,c-1st '92 d1■ usIvei
By Ray Lewis
T -A Staff
EXETER - With -the arrival of
1993 comes a -host ofanisw IMl-
tenges for the Huron Coallelliellid
of Education (RCM). Junior Kin-
dergarten (JK), zero percent in-
creases and desu amifg were all
subjects debated throughout 1992.
and will continue to be scrudnb d
well into the new year.
For school board trustee Bob
Heywood, December brought to an
end his first year as Stephen Town-
ship's represenuutive. While he
looks forward to ushering in the
anew year, he is well aware of the
ii!l9scal challenges that lay ahead,
saihdthe responsibility he will carry.
"I'm interested in seeing some re-
straint come into the system," -ad-
mitted Heywood. "I have some
:concern with programs in the
schools, but probably my biggest
concern is taxation."
Heywood agrees his lifestyle.def-
initely changed over the year.in or-
der to adapt to the rigors of board
life. With three children in school,
sand having gone through the sys-
usorrn himself, he was interested in
nerving and in education. But dur-
-tieg his fust year he got more than
the bargained for as the HCBE
:faced its toughest fiscal challenges
in history.
"I estimate I was called to Clin-
_aon or elsewhere.about 50-55atimes
never the last 12 months," said Hey-
jwrrood. "Especially during the.bud-
iy process."
He served on the Staff Improve-
nsannt Committee, which was set up
,*yatustees and teachers to adminis-
er funds within the collective
mgreement as well es the Education
`Committee whose mandate it is to
.study curriculum.
In addition, Heywood was in-
etaked in CUPE negotiations be-
etsraen;the HCBE and its teachers.
:So far only die seccsndary teachers
.have ratified .although .he expects
:the others to follow very soon.
"I'havexeally enjoyed it because
I think we .have a great board oro
tes.''b1Mmme I•sitttvem ties
masird yes on an alM1lhteiills■ey
aided, including our ownn."
"I have seen a pile bP 1e in
:livable in south Huron tonere. The
province says we have no money,
so the burden falls on the people.
'illut you can't justify -an increase to
•utltose people. We have to bite the
ehullet."
Aisne. Bat'sOtey loam more programs
alrti e. 'They want JK 9mple-
e ttyd =which I believe will cost
BtlulOnds of dollars across the sys-
tem. -Administration tells us it's a
crfOtterIalker because of the grant
Vie. But if that is true, then
y"i*s Peel and other counties
)Lg IK because they can't af-
'tlluto-run it anymore. It doesn't
"I have some concern with powwow in
schools, but probably my biggest concern
is taxation"
As far as JK is concerned, Hey-
wood sides with most of the HCBE
that the program is not a necessity
in the county, and is also not feasi-
ble.
"We have a provincial govern-
ment who says they don't have
much money for us. They might
have 1 percent, 2 percent or 0 per -
make sense."
Surprisingly, Heywood said he
has yet to meet even a parent of a
JK -aged child who feels the pro-
gram is necessary here.
"Most agree it is.a Toronto prob-
lem, and while we sympathize with
Toronto, they have to realize that
their problems are not necessarily
1111111. 41We-+i11111ti -ittany sci.00ls
411101Intened the I anything
-44=4;iit.d. 'But let's be honest,
it."
Heywood alsoquestions the gov-
ernment's proposal to increase tran-
sition payments to the boards,
when at the same time, they are
planning a 12 percent increase in
hydro, which is a big ticket item in
the school system.
"When you've got 30-35 schools
operating, that's a lot of money."
Surprisingly, Heywood said itis
phone has remained relatively quiet
throughout his first year in office.
However, fie has received comment
from many who are concerned with
the transition years and destream-
stg.
"I think it's been a tilde blown
out of proportion," said Heywood.
"I think it's a good idea if kids
aren't streamed until grade 10, but
there is some talk of destreaming in
w cork with," avid Heywood. "But I bion.
soy, tpio ref Rest W"> :xe.b n.a li n.a&far asa+e-.ems. oiswoomewoompoi
Sob -Heywood reflects upon his first year as a trustee for' the -Huron County Board of Educe -
smoke. and water damage ex-
perts hired to clean up the
school after :lite fue December
11.
The duo was rushed to Strat-
ford General Hospital after an
explosion occurred while they
were "fogging" a classroom.
Fogging is a process which in-
volves using a product called
Unsmoke which removes the
smell of smoke in the building.
When- it is released; from its
container it becomes a fog and
at the time it was being blown
into a tunnel beneath the class-
room where the explosion took
place.
According to Mitchell princi-
pal Terry Boyce. the windows in
the ..classroom were broken and
the frames were pushed outward
almost four feet near the ceiling.
Derange to the classroom
didn't add to the original fire
tisane ge, as plans to replace the
ceiling and floor of the room
were. flirted y. set.
One of the workers was treat-
ed and released while the second
was kept until December 24 and
released.
Stratford
boasts New
Year's
trirpeets
STRATFORI) - Southwestern
Ontario's New Year's baby is ,
Gray Markley of Stratford, al-
though he had to fight off a stiff
challenge from two other com-
petitors, within his own family.
Gray was born at 12:03 a.ns. at
St. Joseph's hospital in London,
but his brother Peter was close
behind arriving at 124 a.m.;
one minute ahead of sister Oliv-
ia.
The triplets were born to Caro-
line and Craig Merkley of,siltat-
fore two weeks aliead of sched-
ule.
That wasn't the only surmise
for the couple that evening, be-
cause they had :men g
three boys.
Gray wed in at leer
pounds, elevattt ounces, Peter at
five pounds, 10 ounces aid
J 1ivia at three pounds, ono -half
ounce.
The triplets were born by cae-
sarean section and are the Merk-
ley's first children.
•
A
Why a1ttordi b/ X71 staff?
EXETER - Councillor Robert
Drummond suggested .to council
alttonday evening that perhaps some
ttlown employees and volunteers
'nacre not getting .the recognition
Whey deserved.
...Drummond said he first became
Maim of the problem when he
•earned four fire department retired
and were not honoured at the
town's annual appreciation banquet
in,November.
Drummond said he then realized
quite a number of town employees
have many years of services and
have not been officially recognized
for long service.
"Obviously, no one nsaiepi it
.to our.atiention ,m
im r Bruce Shah
ae fire .dt'ApiE-
ranent retirees.
Shaw said service awards to so1-
Atnteers had been given in the past.
"We've got to be told about it
somehow," said the mayor.
On the subject of employee ser -
Would have been Vl9r year
Council des
against MOW ale
increase for 1993
EXETER - Acting on advice provided by the Exeter PUC, town
council agreed not to increase sewage or water utility rates this year,
but would absorb additional costs imposed by the province.
Council had considered raising the sewage rate to allow for an in-
crease of $12,000 in sampling tests from the Ministry of the Envi-
ronment.
A Icuer from PUC manager Hugh Davis expressed surprise that
council had discussed sewage rale increases before consulting the
P.UC, but noted that a.ihrec percent increase would be adequate to
cover new sampling costs.
Davis also advised that a slight increase in the water tate would al-
low the sewage surcbarge to remain at 120 percent of the water rate.
However, mayor Bruce Shaw told council that the PUC were also
of the opinion the extra costs could be absorbed, with a reduction in
reserve fund revenues.
Reeve Bill Mickle called any increase in utility rates an "indirect
tax" in a year when the town is trying to hold taxes down.
Councillor Robert Drummond noted his two-month utility bill
asked for rates of S24.20 for water. and $29:04 for sewage. Council-
lor Torn Humphreys pointed out a three percent sewage increase was
less than six dollars a year and "not a big deal". Mickle disagreed.
"To be honest with you it's six dollars on top of everything else. It
is a big deal" argued Mickle.
Councillor Ben Hoogenboorn favoured absorbing the ex:reased
sewage testing costs from the ministry.
"You can't keep doing that all the time," commented Humphreys.
Drummond also argued that the $12,000 had to come off sane -
where else.
Mickle then argued the surcharge was meant only for increasing
expansion capital, not rppstsof the system.
Finally, council agreed alp' t4400genboxrrn's motion to absorb
the extra costs, and.holdallIketility rates at 1992 levels.
"lea just wondering if my budget win Stay .at a zero percent in-
crease, because it can't," said works superintendent Glenn Kells.
Drummond said the deferral of casts could only go so tar, until
they lutifto be paid` lace r.
"You have to pay the piper sometime," agreed Humphreys.
vice awards, Shaw said the issue
had been discussed in the past, but
nothing was done about ie
Councillor Ben Hoogenboorn
Aelod police constable George Rob-
inson has been on the police force
:dor over 25 years. but has received
:mo recognition.
"That's a said point," agreed
'Shaw.
"But there's no policy," said Hoo-
ganboone
"Thefe's no policy," echoed
Police report
quiet holiday
%:season
"EXETER - Police are se1-
tance from anyone with infra
about a break-in *Age aggueol
Saturday, shortly befie=4;.
Ken Easterbrook's
proximately Ihrecaid11111111111110111111b
of Exeter, waslot-
sons unknown. emu
piece of wood was used W
the patio door, Sesigehmemilip-
twists noticed the bilkoalilailles
and contacted police. Nothing was.
reported stolen. Anyone with War
mation about this incident is 40
to call Crime Stoppers at .1ji)80-
265-1777.
Despite the inclement wig*
over the holidays, few ace**
were reported. On 'ihursday. a
for trailer turning into a driveway an
Highway 21 was struck on the side .
by a vehicle driven by Sermalyaa
McPherson of Thunder Bay. Nei-
ther McPherson nor David Wilson.
driver of the tractor trailer, were in-
jured. Damage was minor.
Over the past week slick and icy
road surfaces caused some vehicles
o.slicie off the rood witif light dam-
.incurred. in geneltl.,police re.. -
.Awl a relatively gttiet„eaw yes
,,seasu n with few inO dense•
Shaw.
Clerk Liz Bell did note that town
police officers receive financial bo-
nuses increasing with years of ser-
vice.
Councillor Tom Humphreys said
many companies provide dinners or
gifts to employees every five years.
"Companies often do, public ser-
vice bodies do not," commented
Shaw.
1O1ind I will oppose that." '
Heywood believes that in this day
irtd age by grade 10 students have
to know where they're going to go,
what their output is and what their
level of achievement is going to be.
The program also calls for en in-
tegration of some subjects, which
many teachers feel is a Very prema-
ture move and one they refuse to
accept.
"The government has jumped the
gun because they're telling the
boards to have it in place by Sep-
tember 1993, but they don't even
have the curriculum drawn up."
As far as 1993 is concerned,
Heywood would like to see more
evaluation of staff, especially
teachers because they have the
biggest influence on our children.
He feels the major problem for
'93 will be economics; coping with
less money from the province and
less ability for the people of Huron
to pay higher taxes. With welfare
roles rising, factories closing, more
people on unemployment, instances
of unpaid taxes in some communi-
ties up 40 percent, the county's tax
base is diminishing. •
"That will be the toughest point.
Weil be looking at JK and it's hard
to say no because then the govern-'
ment cuts your funding."
Aside from the challenges, Hey-
wood has only one request for the
new year.
"It would be nice to hear more in-
put from the people. They still
have as much of a voice as ever,
but theyseem to exercise it less."
Education
Board
elects new
executive
The executive of the Huron
County Board of Education is set
to begin the new year with two
new faces.
Roxanne Brown, who represents
'the Town of Clinton, *.ill be re-
placing"Liliane Nolan as chairman
of the Personnel Committee.
Carter, representative of Tucker -
smith Township and Village of
Hensel!, will become chairman of
the Management Committee, re-
placing Rick Rompf.
Bea Dawson (Hay and Usborne
Townships and Village of Zurich)
will return as chairman of . the
board for her second term.
In addition Graeme Craig (Town
of Seaforth ►IcKillop Town-
ship) was unelected as vice-
chairman, and Normal Picket
(Town of Goderich) as chairman of
the Education Committee.
".,
About
RASP.iliEnitelMIT OPIUM'
ar/
litlialitIod by: Paul Hanna
Co-operative Trust Co. Canada
At: Clinton Community Credit Union
Clinton Branch - 48 Ontario St.
Date: Thursday January 14, 1993
startingst 7:30 p.m.
AWARIVINE MUM.
t:AMMw Cr�rrMtf�
COMPIT'lNMON
21100009