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Times Advocate, 1993-04-28, Page 1y111�1A1retitU!l�solith 1 f�llo:-riewaidillhaart :mimes IS d;40. COUNTRY rLOWtRS Serve -.,,, tion ••• ir+:, h;ertr Nlittrtis‘:;'•. e t Amita • ea:`o�zwiiisftwkoa' .. import no iinjunes :h acents EXETER - Town police say traf- fic act charges are pending. after a .two -car collision on Sanders St. EastiastTuesday . Police teport.that cars:driven by Jennifer;McNutt.: ofJaf_Township, and Niel .Lockhart of 33ensall col- lided on:the street. Damage to the vehicles is described as moderate bypcdice, and no injuries resulted. :Od'Thursday, police were called to investigate another two-car..to11i- sion on Main SLVear#1iaseadeeSt. in vtwhictrzerrainelOrillidie Woods of Grarel•daend and • +d Westlake of 11R1' Hay collided. Again, moderate,damages were list- ed and no injuries reported. On Sunday, police say :they : ar- rested a motorist in Exeter for im- paired driving. Optimists pE.tl with Home Show EXETER - Although attendance for the weekend's Optimist Home and Garden Show was a little lower than last year. organizers are still .callit& the event a success. "It was down a little bit," said event co-ordinator Peter Hrudka, but said he didn't think the decline was the result of Saturday's poor weather. In face wet weather in the past has proved a boon for the an- nual show. Hrudka said the club could attrib- ute the decline to this year's later date, as a result of a late Easter. and the fact that it came after other home shows in the region, and on the same weekend as Ilderton's show. "We may have had a little more competition," said Hrudka. "And people may have already been to a couple." Irl all, official estimates place at- tendance at over 3,300, only about 12 or 14 percent less than 1992. `That's not a terrible drop," stated club treasurer Brian Taylor. "l,t's- still pretty good for the exhibitors." Those visitors go the chance to see the booths of 108 exhibitors, all full of interesting new ideas for home improvement. The club will not suffer any drop in revenues, however. An increase in the entry fee to $3 will more than compensate for any variation in at- tendance, said Hrudka. • The Optimists have also collected questionnaires from visitors to pro- vide some feedback on the show it- self. The club will be analysing the responses in coming weeks to de- termine how the event can be im- proved in coming years, and if it needs more diversifications among the exhibits. The 1994 Optimist Home and Garden Show is being planned for April 9, which puts it back into its regular spot on the calprld likely back on track ftir;11111111110010. All jobs to be lost by next May 4.1 t‘ • mfrer,r-solar. Ap' Geiser 1Cnealc 'lnMostnfents MVPs Ai Cle'5 __ J 'eke Funds 2'.16-i42o Cadvallia `'+.fie~ mitcui. By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff HURON PARK - A shock wave rippled through Cen- tralia College Friday morning as staff and students learned the college would be closing May 1, 1994. The closure is part of cost cutting measures announced by the Ontario government to reduce a $17 billion dollar deficit. "This was the biggest sur- prise I think I've ever bad," said college director Kathy Biondi. "We had no indica- tion." Biondi was notified late Thursday afternoon that the Albors would close for the col- lege as well as for continuing *ducation programs, the re- search centre and veterinary services. She couldn't speculate on whether the college would open again at any time. "All I've been told is we are leav- ing May 1, 1994." The closure of Centralia and New •Liskeard colleges will save the provincial gov- ernment an estimated $5.7 million in 1993-1994. Approximately 85 full and watt -time staff and more than Although glad to be finished with classes aisd.t sans, Jason Zondervan (left), Jennifer Ricker, Denise Harmer, Harold Cress, Tony Beggs, and Todd Cowan, students of Centralia' College of Agricultural Technology were stunned by Friday's news that their school would be gone by this time next year. At right, college director Kathryn Biondi was fielding many calls from staff members concewsed about tosipgtheiL;lobs. graduate of Centralis himseff MPP says province his too many agriculture colleges, and too few students CLINTON- "It's not a fine day." That was the response .of Paul Klopp, MPP for Huron and parliamentary assistant to Agriculture Minister Elmer Buchanan, regarding the announced closing of Centralia College Friday. As a graduate of the college in 1977, Klopp said he is personally saddened by the decision to close the college, "but tough measures had to be taken to battle an out -of -control deficit. "We are trying. to spend smarter," Klopp said. "From a business point of view the college was not very efficient." The capacity of Centralia is 400 students, but only 174 are enrolled. All of Ontario's agriculture colleges are experi- encing low enrolment figures. The only exception is the program at the University of Guelph with a 400 -student capacity and 378 studeats enrolled. New Liskeard, which is also closing, has a 150 - student capacity and 94 students; Ridgetown, 400 - student capacity with 161; Kemptviie, 400 -student capacity with 182; and Alfred, 200 -student capacity with 118 enrolled. "There is too much waste having colleges half empty," Klapp said. Students who were accepted into any of the three -programs offered at Centralia can be accommodated :at the other agriculture colleges. "The spaces arc available so there is no problem with getting into 'Another program," Klopp said. The decision to close Centralia and New Lis- ;ikoard, he said, was based on a number of factors in - 'eluding: location, capital expenditures needed in the future. and present enrolment capacities. Klopp said his government is trying to strike a balance and this meant making tough decisions on what to trim and cut. "If this had been an easy process, the previous government would have done it." 170 students enrolled in Agri culture Business Manage- ment, Food Services Manage- ment and Animal Health Technician programs at Cen- tralia will be affected. Although shocked by the closure, Biondi said she Mould understand the reason- 4ng. "The agricultural sector is experiencing a lot of diffi- taulties; and there are less ple selecting agriculture r a career. That impacts on -lenrolment." "This was the 'biggest surprise think I've ever had." The peak years for agricul- luae colleges, she said, were during 1981-82 when. Cen- araliahad upwards of 350 stu- �fliS. 'But nunttlers 'have been de- ,ulining since then. "That was the tops any of the colleges were able :to experience in terms of --attendance." The noxi few days, Biondi said, will be spent assessing the news. 'There are a lot of plans to 'lite made and details to be worked out." Students,applied to the college for next year, will be . directed to other agriculture colleges over the next few months. Biondi urges .the students to contact Centralia College to verify details. . erci�lir is gird dwn 111. SON .?ARK • DelatilliglOd :W:•:#rove the ,provincial .;pt sani- tecatlias triode *gown mislake in choosing Genitalia Collage ss .a target of its budgetaut.. a commit- .:4ee: is .forming :to ,get their mes- •T e:.Friendc of Centralia cote - Made, l tiC ff members :1 oollpgc.i pi ring a pub - 4000010, auext Morpley. evening ::at:A imnoin.the Union earlcftec- reation<.pptre to !get across ,tic tne4shge.the,govleniiient may be losing• more Alien it is,gaining in eisseiitg.,S,yerir old college. "!ile'+hlfel:aa:Iot:of outpouring .tlafelopport-for she•eollege," said Aloe • Dees Wit►.;�i :veterinarian aNld iasiruator ; CAT, who .Mail .trnarty of the ge's cli- • • erne sare frustration at th decision. Bach said the college,laborato- ry .alone provides sotisiderablc support for the local agricultural industry. Centralia .also offers cuntiouing education courses and lig facilities have become part of many local events. "(There .,arel just so mrviy things this college is involved in above.and beyond diploma edu- cation." said Bach. In addition to welcoming mem- bets.;pf4e..siOneral;pttblicto at- tertd to iillitl laid .rhvita- Was +;' sent to ,gov•.:racludulg the .Min + ioultuw,�hc Deputy '. (Quant peYU- d ttY, 04104dAyspreitqW.Paul is :; Iliaiq,140 Ba believe so. ch 4Ioesn't "You aavettAmptvotiph govsrn- Anat." .he Mid, lig :the .att- svuocernieat to V+40$1, the oollego.a "jiolitieal :decisiean", ,aad not we ;.owed on a 1:rueeoeouneof:Jihe.iq W 1tUQrh'8 eitlite• ''` t6y'Ye: teeet+wd pWAli . OG- ciltions before when :Y. ;,[mind out ail the fates." Witch. with%he will come .:gist C y evening. "The evilest ,ispart of Abe t:uai- Rfunity.: he Watt ibuitY:is.Ran;Af ,Vs." he v0094404. fiie from agriculture. groups and politicians EXETER - Reaction to the mini- budget announced by the provincial government on Friday has been less than favourable. The Ontario Federation of Agri- -culture and a number of local politi- cians see the cuts to Centralia Col- lege and adjacent facilities as a betrayal to the county. "The OFA sees this as an attack on research, education and the es- tablishment of future generations of fanners," said OFA president Rog- er George when referring to budget cuts. Area politicians expressed con- cerns that the closures may mean the loss of agricultural expertise needed in this region. "Huron County is one of the larg- est farm producers in the province and the facilities at Huron Park were used quite extensively," said Stephen To?liship reeve and county warden Tom Tones. Tones also said he wondered how the government can justify closing the college when they will probably haves.° spend millions of dollars to upgrade facilities at the remaining colleges. "As a ratepayer, 1 think they have mismanaged our money," he said. Exeter mayor Bruce Shaw said he supports the provincial govern- ment's decision to make cuts, but felt the cuts being made would hurt small municipalities and not really save money. "They are just nickel and diming us instead of doing major restruc- turing in the way we are governed," said Shaw. How badly the closures will af- fect nearby regions is unclear. Lo- cal politicians agree it will take a few days to team the specifics of the mini -budget. But, Bill Mickle, reeve of Exeter has no doubt the re- gion will be negatively affected. "There's no question that there will be an economic impact. You don't lose a major centre, like a col- lege and have no impact." He Said them was also a loss of trust towards the provincial govern- ment. mini very upset they made these statements without any concrete ex- planation of what it means to indi- vidual municipalities." Loss of college lab a blow to IcaIfatrness HURON PARK - The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, a peighbour of Ceatralia College, was cxitified by the provincial goverrunent on Fri- day that it would be closing as well. Dr. Gaylan Josephson, who has headed the lab for the past 17 years said "Shock is the best way to dc - scribe the news." The lab provides service 10 vete- rinarians and livestock prothors.in the region. He said the laboratory in Huron -Park has identified diseases in pro- • lucers' stock here before they ap- ,peared in livestock at any other plaet in Ontario. "I think its a real loss to the live - :stock producer. A farmer will weigh the value of his losses or exi- stential losses in the time it takes to bring an animal to a lab in Kempt- villc or Guelph. "He may think twice about mak- ing the trip." Josephson was told outdated fa- cilities and safety concerns were factors in the decision to close the lab. He agues. but said they had been pushing the government for new facilities since 1976. In the past 10 years some upgrad- ,ing has been done and Josephson fuels that has made tie lab better. Josephson is not optimistic jobs for himself and the 11 staff will be found with ease. "With the number of employees being laid off within the next year or two... 1 think the chances are very slue staff will get positions elsewhere," he said. Inside 111801rueks Hensel) composting proves itself page 3 Pilot .project Learning about small business page 5 On stage High school show in rehearsal page 8 • Expansion Shamrock League may grow Second front Barn fire -BOO pigs die in blaze : i page 30 ea:`o�zwiiisftwkoa' .. import no iinjunes :h acents EXETER - Town police say traf- fic act charges are pending. after a .two -car collision on Sanders St. EastiastTuesday . Police teport.that cars:driven by Jennifer;McNutt.: ofJaf_Township, and Niel .Lockhart of 33ensall col- lided on:the street. Damage to the vehicles is described as moderate bypcdice, and no injuries resulted. :Od'Thursday, police were called to investigate another two-car..to11i- sion on Main SLVear#1iaseadeeSt. in vtwhictrzerrainelOrillidie Woods of Grarel•daend and • +d Westlake of 11R1' Hay collided. Again, moderate,damages were list- ed and no injuries reported. On Sunday, police say :they : ar- rested a motorist in Exeter for im- paired driving. Optimists pE.tl with Home Show EXETER - Although attendance for the weekend's Optimist Home and Garden Show was a little lower than last year. organizers are still .callit& the event a success. "It was down a little bit," said event co-ordinator Peter Hrudka, but said he didn't think the decline was the result of Saturday's poor weather. In face wet weather in the past has proved a boon for the an- nual show. Hrudka said the club could attrib- ute the decline to this year's later date, as a result of a late Easter. and the fact that it came after other home shows in the region, and on the same weekend as Ilderton's show. "We may have had a little more competition," said Hrudka. "And people may have already been to a couple." Irl all, official estimates place at- tendance at over 3,300, only about 12 or 14 percent less than 1992. `That's not a terrible drop," stated club treasurer Brian Taylor. "l,t's- still pretty good for the exhibitors." Those visitors go the chance to see the booths of 108 exhibitors, all full of interesting new ideas for home improvement. The club will not suffer any drop in revenues, however. An increase in the entry fee to $3 will more than compensate for any variation in at- tendance, said Hrudka. • The Optimists have also collected questionnaires from visitors to pro- vide some feedback on the show it- self. The club will be analysing the responses in coming weeks to de- termine how the event can be im- proved in coming years, and if it needs more diversifications among the exhibits. The 1994 Optimist Home and Garden Show is being planned for April 9, which puts it back into its regular spot on the calprld likely back on track ftir;11111111110010. All jobs to be lost by next May 4.1 t‘ • mfrer,r-solar. Ap' Geiser 1Cnealc 'lnMostnfents MVPs Ai Cle'5 __ J 'eke Funds 2'.16-i42o Cadvallia `'+.fie~ mitcui. By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff HURON PARK - A shock wave rippled through Cen- tralia College Friday morning as staff and students learned the college would be closing May 1, 1994. The closure is part of cost cutting measures announced by the Ontario government to reduce a $17 billion dollar deficit. "This was the biggest sur- prise I think I've ever bad," said college director Kathy Biondi. "We had no indica- tion." Biondi was notified late Thursday afternoon that the Albors would close for the col- lege as well as for continuing *ducation programs, the re- search centre and veterinary services. She couldn't speculate on whether the college would open again at any time. "All I've been told is we are leav- ing May 1, 1994." The closure of Centralia and New •Liskeard colleges will save the provincial gov- ernment an estimated $5.7 million in 1993-1994. Approximately 85 full and watt -time staff and more than Although glad to be finished with classes aisd.t sans, Jason Zondervan (left), Jennifer Ricker, Denise Harmer, Harold Cress, Tony Beggs, and Todd Cowan, students of Centralia' College of Agricultural Technology were stunned by Friday's news that their school would be gone by this time next year. At right, college director Kathryn Biondi was fielding many calls from staff members concewsed about tosipgtheiL;lobs. graduate of Centralis himseff MPP says province his too many agriculture colleges, and too few students CLINTON- "It's not a fine day." That was the response .of Paul Klopp, MPP for Huron and parliamentary assistant to Agriculture Minister Elmer Buchanan, regarding the announced closing of Centralia College Friday. As a graduate of the college in 1977, Klopp said he is personally saddened by the decision to close the college, "but tough measures had to be taken to battle an out -of -control deficit. "We are trying. to spend smarter," Klopp said. "From a business point of view the college was not very efficient." The capacity of Centralia is 400 students, but only 174 are enrolled. All of Ontario's agriculture colleges are experi- encing low enrolment figures. The only exception is the program at the University of Guelph with a 400 -student capacity and 378 studeats enrolled. New Liskeard, which is also closing, has a 150 - student capacity and 94 students; Ridgetown, 400 - student capacity with 161; Kemptviie, 400 -student capacity with 182; and Alfred, 200 -student capacity with 118 enrolled. "There is too much waste having colleges half empty," Klapp said. Students who were accepted into any of the three -programs offered at Centralia can be accommodated :at the other agriculture colleges. "The spaces arc available so there is no problem with getting into 'Another program," Klopp said. The decision to close Centralia and New Lis- ;ikoard, he said, was based on a number of factors in - 'eluding: location, capital expenditures needed in the future. and present enrolment capacities. Klopp said his government is trying to strike a balance and this meant making tough decisions on what to trim and cut. "If this had been an easy process, the previous government would have done it." 170 students enrolled in Agri culture Business Manage- ment, Food Services Manage- ment and Animal Health Technician programs at Cen- tralia will be affected. Although shocked by the closure, Biondi said she Mould understand the reason- 4ng. "The agricultural sector is experiencing a lot of diffi- taulties; and there are less ple selecting agriculture r a career. That impacts on -lenrolment." "This was the 'biggest surprise think I've ever had." The peak years for agricul- luae colleges, she said, were during 1981-82 when. Cen- araliahad upwards of 350 stu- �fliS. 'But nunttlers 'have been de- ,ulining since then. "That was the tops any of the colleges were able :to experience in terms of --attendance." The noxi few days, Biondi said, will be spent assessing the news. 'There are a lot of plans to 'lite made and details to be worked out." Students,applied to the college for next year, will be . directed to other agriculture colleges over the next few months. Biondi urges .the students to contact Centralia College to verify details. . erci�lir is gird dwn 111. SON .?ARK • DelatilliglOd :W:•:#rove the ,provincial .;pt sani- tecatlias triode *gown mislake in choosing Genitalia Collage ss .a target of its budgetaut.. a commit- .:4ee: is .forming :to ,get their mes- •T e:.Friendc of Centralia cote - Made, l tiC ff members :1 oollpgc.i pi ring a pub - 4000010, auext Morpley. evening ::at:A imnoin.the Union earlcftec- reation<.pptre to !get across ,tic tne4shge.the,govleniiient may be losing• more Alien it is,gaining in eisseiitg.,S,yerir old college. "!ile'+hlfel:aa:Iot:of outpouring .tlafelopport-for she•eollege," said Aloe • Dees Wit►.;�i :veterinarian aNld iasiruator ; CAT, who .Mail .trnarty of the ge's cli- • • erne sare frustration at th decision. Bach said the college,laborato- ry .alone provides sotisiderablc support for the local agricultural industry. Centralia .also offers cuntiouing education courses and lig facilities have become part of many local events. "(There .,arel just so mrviy things this college is involved in above.and beyond diploma edu- cation." said Bach. In addition to welcoming mem- bets.;pf4e..siOneral;pttblicto at- tertd to iillitl laid .rhvita- Was +;' sent to ,gov•.:racludulg the .Min + ioultuw,�hc Deputy '. (Quant peYU- d ttY, 04104dAyspreitqW.Paul is :; Iliaiq,140 Ba believe so. ch 4Ioesn't "You aavettAmptvotiph govsrn- Anat." .he Mid, lig :the .att- svuocernieat to V+40$1, the oollego.a "jiolitieal :decisiean", ,aad not we ;.owed on a 1:rueeoeouneof:Jihe.iq W 1tUQrh'8 eitlite• ''` t6y'Ye: teeet+wd pWAli . OG- ciltions before when :Y. ;,[mind out ail the fates." Witch. with%he will come .:gist C y evening. "The evilest ,ispart of Abe t:uai- Rfunity.: he Watt ibuitY:is.Ran;Af ,Vs." he v0094404. fiie from agriculture. groups and politicians EXETER - Reaction to the mini- budget announced by the provincial government on Friday has been less than favourable. The Ontario Federation of Agri- -culture and a number of local politi- cians see the cuts to Centralia Col- lege and adjacent facilities as a betrayal to the county. "The OFA sees this as an attack on research, education and the es- tablishment of future generations of fanners," said OFA president Rog- er George when referring to budget cuts. Area politicians expressed con- cerns that the closures may mean the loss of agricultural expertise needed in this region. "Huron County is one of the larg- est farm producers in the province and the facilities at Huron Park were used quite extensively," said Stephen To?liship reeve and county warden Tom Tones. Tones also said he wondered how the government can justify closing the college when they will probably haves.° spend millions of dollars to upgrade facilities at the remaining colleges. "As a ratepayer, 1 think they have mismanaged our money," he said. Exeter mayor Bruce Shaw said he supports the provincial govern- ment's decision to make cuts, but felt the cuts being made would hurt small municipalities and not really save money. "They are just nickel and diming us instead of doing major restruc- turing in the way we are governed," said Shaw. How badly the closures will af- fect nearby regions is unclear. Lo- cal politicians agree it will take a few days to team the specifics of the mini -budget. But, Bill Mickle, reeve of Exeter has no doubt the re- gion will be negatively affected. "There's no question that there will be an economic impact. You don't lose a major centre, like a col- lege and have no impact." He Said them was also a loss of trust towards the provincial govern- ment. mini very upset they made these statements without any concrete ex- planation of what it means to indi- vidual municipalities." Loss of college lab a blow to IcaIfatrness HURON PARK - The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, a peighbour of Ceatralia College, was cxitified by the provincial goverrunent on Fri- day that it would be closing as well. Dr. Gaylan Josephson, who has headed the lab for the past 17 years said "Shock is the best way to dc - scribe the news." The lab provides service 10 vete- rinarians and livestock prothors.in the region. He said the laboratory in Huron -Park has identified diseases in pro- • lucers' stock here before they ap- ,peared in livestock at any other plaet in Ontario. "I think its a real loss to the live - :stock producer. A farmer will weigh the value of his losses or exi- stential losses in the time it takes to bring an animal to a lab in Kempt- villc or Guelph. "He may think twice about mak- ing the trip." Josephson was told outdated fa- cilities and safety concerns were factors in the decision to close the lab. He agues. but said they had been pushing the government for new facilities since 1976. In the past 10 years some upgrad- ,ing has been done and Josephson fuels that has made tie lab better. Josephson is not optimistic jobs for himself and the 11 staff will be found with ease. "With the number of employees being laid off within the next year or two... 1 think the chances are very slue staff will get positions elsewhere," he said.