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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1993-03-03, Page 5IAL THE NTWS___ _ Times -Advocate, March 3, 1993 P toe`S More aware of their rights. more demanding Teentgers am lot vabmirlissa Wan / was a moi` Continued from front page There are also situations in which parents have turned their children out, forcing them onto the welfare rolls. MacKinnon said an attitude he has seen is to "let the government pay for it". Tough economic times for some county families have led to conflicts over money in the home and consequently has put some teens out on their own. "It's been tough on some families," he said. But of those 600 people receiving welfare in Huron, about 60 are of high school age and are living on their MPP aware of parents' concerns, But says teen problem not epidemic CLINTON - MPP Paul Klopp says he is aware of the concerns parents have that their children are leaving home to collect welfare, but he downplayed the idea that it . is reaching epidemic proportions. According to statistics provided to his office, kiopp said there are only 25 or so 16 and 17 year olds in Huron on -the welfare rolls. "Twenty-five, it's serious. In a perfect world I wouldn't want to see anyone on welfare," said Klopp, but said Huron County still has one of the lowest welfare rates in the province by percentage of Population. Klopp said it isn't as easy as just demanding money from Social Services. The agency has a board to check out if applicants are only interested in "milking the system or not". Jocelyn DeBoer at Klopp's con- stituency office agreed. "Just because a 16 or 17 year old doesn't like their Saturday night curfew, that's not grounds for re- ceiving welfare," she said. nwn by choice. "It's happening throughout the county," said li+YbK- innon, pointing out that even though basic well** is only $311 a month, with possible supplements for shel- ter, many teenagers see that as an attraction. If a few share an apartment, the money goes farther. "Teenagers are a lot wiser than when I was a child," said MacKinnon. "They're more aware of their rights, what's available, and they're more demanding." Although welfare teens over 18 are required to attend school, even if they drop out, they can apply the next Kids on welfare Special report by Adrian Harte Times Advocate editor day as an unemployed -eon. He said he receives many calls of concern or com- plaint from politicians, and parents. Several years ago, he recalls an A -student girl who left her strictly relig- ious home to go on welfare on her own. Within a year she was failing school and was pregnant. MacKinnon said her parents called his office and said "it's the county's fault for paying her welfare." But if the system seems to accessible now, MacKin- non said there are proposals on the books to open it up even m' re. Some in government are suggesting any- one unemployed over '18, living with their parents, re- gardless of family income, could qualify for welfare. "This boggles my mind in that how many 18 and 19 year olds are living at home and still going to high school?" wonders MacKinnon, who also said he can't see how the taxpayers can afford such a system. "It seems to me we're getting away from the fami- ly...and family obligation," said MacKinnon. "What was a family obligation is now a taxpayer obligation." 'Morels lino easy fix' A vice-principal says milking the system is a way of life for some disillusioned teenagers EXETER - Although he isn't privy to the exact numbers, the vice-principal at South Huron Dis- trict High School estimates there arc about a half dozen students at the school living on their own and recei vine welfare. "It seems to us from this end it's pretty easy to get," said Keith Al- len, noting that students seem to be aware how they can work the sys- tem to get social assistance to leave home. Allen said some students seem to use it as a "pry" with their parents to gain privileges. "If you don't let me stay out all night, I'll go on welfare," is what Allen said some parents are being threatened with these days. The vice-principal said he is very aware of how quickly those teenag- ers become tangled up with crime. Welfare may be a way to keep them out of jail. "The bottom line is whether you want to pay 560,000 [a year} to keep them in jail, or 515,000 to keep them on welfare," said Allen, who adds a shortage of unskilled la- bour jobs does not help to break the welfare cycle. "That kind of kid doesn't have much future. We can't be too hard on them for milking the system," said Allen. "There's no easy fix." Another problem the system has to deal with has arisen in the past 401.11000**0010* • ah - Dreams of "Oliver" hell R; : 3:. z. �: .: :: •..�'::: •: }:•: •�.�: •l� •,L. ISNOINIElikft • Poaching goes against our nature! ifft VIP Canadian Wildlife Federation For more information, call 1-800-563-9453 INVESTMENTS Isi OIC/RSP 1 Yr. - 6.25% 3 Yr. • 7.125% 5 Yr. • 7,75% Segregated Funds 1.YR. - 11.07% 2YR.-11.48% I' Gainer-Kneale 235-2420, 238-8484 • IC rater subject to change. Short Irian rats available. Segregated fund rats reflect actual past performance Future returns will vary. 'INCOME TAX RETURNS EFILE Revenue Canada Authorized Agent HOMUTH, TAYLOR, PIN ER & McNEILLY Chartered Accountants 71 Main Street N., Exeter, Ontario //NOM 1S3 (319.235.0101 1 Heywood and Lobb Auction Calendar Sat., Mandl 27 at 10 a.m. at South Huron Rec centre, Exeter - consignments from local estate plus additions. Sat., April 23 at 11 a.m. - Farm and estate action on location at RR 112 Staffs, at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Brintnell who have rented their land. Also included in this well kept offering are the tractors and equipment from the estate of the late Mr. Jim Taylor. Sat., April 10 at 11 a.m. on lo- cation at the Tuckersmith Twp. farm of Ray and Marg Consitt who are retiring from farming. In- cluded in this offering are 7 trac- tors, combine, misc. farm equip- ment, 39 Llmosin heifer calves, etc. Sat., April 17 at 10 a.m. on lo- cation approx. 1/2 mile ,west of Holmesville on County Rd. 18 for Mr. Bob Smith incl. tractors, misc. farm equipment, hand and shop tools etc. For more information on these fine auctions or to book your spring sale contact the auction - eels. Bob Heywood, 236.0874 Exeter Bart I.ebb, Clinton 4824377 decade. Many students, some of them supported by social assis- tance, are taking six or seven years to complete a general level high school diploma, taking maybe only two or three credits a year and spending the rest of the time in the cafeteria or hanging around down- town. "There's no hurry because there's nothing out there for them," said Allen, adding some possible solu- tions include the charging of tuition fees after the fifth year of high school. Although the "problem" students are only a small percentage of the school's population, Allen said he spends most of his time with them. "Some of them figure it out, get their lives turned around...some don't." Allen speaks of a "new economy" in which the anger, frustration, and disillusionment of youth will con- tinue. "We have to do a better job of preparing kids to do the skilled jobs that are out there," he said. But as for situations in home and school with troubled teens, he said the answers are harder to find. Al- len said children as young as 14 are seeing themselves in adult roles and demanding adult right. How- ever, parents don't see them as ready to address issues Iike sexuali- ty or relationships until they arc 18 or so. "Giving them welfare is probably the easiest way out of the problem, but I don't see it as a solution," he said. Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications are Welcomed DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS Jade Harrigan RR 3 Lucan 227-4305 Larry Gardiner, RR2, Statfa 345-2678 Uoyd Morrison, RRt St. Marys 229-8277 Lome Feeney, tritchell 348-8853 Jade Hodgen, RRt, Kirkton 229-6152 Joseph Chane, RR5 Mitchell 318.9705 AGENTS Ross Hodgwt, E xeter 235-3250 John Moore, Dublin 345-2512 Joseph Uniac, Machell 348-9012 Head Office, Exeter 235-0350 A rehrnd from surplus was de- clared for all policy holders who qualify, are on record and in good standing as at Decem- ber 31, 1992. 131) IU 1SS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 1 Ki me, Mills, Dunlop. Cl,arteu d Accountants Daniel B. Daum, B.A., M.Acc., C.A. 412 Main St., P.O. Box 2405 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-3235 John A.M. Norris CHAR I ERED ACCOUNTANT 497 Main Street South, Exeter, Ontario NOM ISI Tel: (619) 235-3240 Fax: (519) 235-3246 AUCTIONEERS FILSON & ROBSON The Expariestood Aaotloaaars that Guarantee You Mor. $S Considering A Sale or Need en Appraisal 8880833 888-1987 Call Collect Supplying you with 38 years EH'icignt• Servioe • Mobile Office • Immediate Payment 3 Auctioneers K Is our eiessurs 10 Sava 11:41 AUC 1 IONEER NORM WHITING LICENSEE) AUCTIONEER & APPRAISER Prompt Courteous EffIct.nt ANY TYPE, ANY SIZE ANYWHERE We Ova compete sale service PROAT BY EXPERIVICE Phone Collect 235-1931, Exeter Bob Heywood Licensed Auctioneer Specializing in household and estate auctions Reasonable rotes Bob 235.0874 Lawoo* .,5 -1278 REPAIRS "$.w Ropailes to oil makes Fro* estimates 90 Day Warranty Exporl.ncad since 1952 Sow a Savo 14 venni . t., taboret Closed Monday /hula 21 1x50 1