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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-10-06, Page 281 Prior to a recorded vote there was much discussion on the issue as trustees voiced their concerns about the program. "I've been speaking out against it from the beginning and I'm not go- ing to stop today," said trustee Nor- man Pickell. He said he doesn't understand why the government requires the board to implement this program during a time of cutbacks. "What I'm hearing from people in my area is they don't want Junior Kindergarten," Pickell said. This comment was supported by 1 many' trustees. "We have to implement this," said trustee Doug Garniss. But, he said, they should study the program -carefully to see what direction the program will take. Gamiss made a motion to wait and not take any action until Sep- tember, but it was defeated in a vote. The January start date was impor- tant to many trustees because a 53,000 provincial grant for equip- ment would be lost if they delayed the start date. Trustee Bob Heywood said he would reluctantly vote in favor 01 the program because you can't defy the taw. "1 don't like being railroaded into taking a course of action," said trus- tee Bob Burton. "But if we don't give parents and students the same opportunities as other boards [separate schools] we will loose the students." As discussion continued, educa- tion director Paul Carroll pointed out that this issue has been contro- versial for all boards. "The information is very complex and that makes for misinforma- tion," he said. "Financially, not having Junior Kindergarten is a disservice to the Huron County taxpayer," Carroll said. We are paying for this any- way through provincial taxes." He also said the issue of equity of access was missing from the de- bate. That means the Huron board should be offering access to pro- grams already offered by manyoth- er boards. He recommended that board members not defy the law. "We are going to put people out of work," Pickell said referring to day care workers who, in an earlier meeting, voiced their concerns with the program. But Carroll said although day care operators will experience short term hardship, the board and agen- cies are exploring possible joint ventures using space and staff. In Exeter, he said, they are look- ing at using church space rather than building onto the school. Carroll said the board would be talking with elementary principals today to discuss the issue. Information on space, staff train- ing, and eligibility of students to participate would be dealt with throughout the year. During a recorded vote 11 trus- tees voted for the recommendation. that the board proceed with Junior Kindergarten commencing on Janu- ary 1, 1994 and five voted against the recommendation. Voting yes to the recommenda- tion were: Roxanne Brown, . Bob Burton, Allan Carter, Jim Chap- man, Graeme Craig, Doug Garniss, Bob Heywood, John Jewitt, Don McDonald, Rick Rompf and Bea Dawson. Voting no were: Della Baumgart- en, Viki Culbert, Liliane Nolan, Norman Pickell, and Joan Van Den Broeck. Although it is mandatory for due board to offer Junior Kindergariit it is not compulsory that students attend. 1 X01! WONT FIND VALUES EXCELLENT SELECTION - RINTASTIC SAVINGS MiltrieT FLOOR MODEL taw. L t Very rarely will you find top quality furniture at pric- es like these, but we have to make room for our new stock. We've drastically re- duced the prices on sofas, chairs, sofa -beds, dining room sets, bedroom suites... everything! These floor models and discontin- ued stock must be cleared out. Most are one of a kind, so hurry. 20'to 50 %off Fine Furniture, Flooring and Window Fashions 411,7 Main St., Exeter 235- I,73 Page 28 Times -Advocate, October 6,1993 Huron junior kindergarten on its way for January 'By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff CLINTON - Although details are not finalized junior kindergarten will be coming to parts of Huron County in January, it was decided by the Huron Board of Education on Monday. The program will be phased in over a three year period and part- nerships with local day care and nursery operators will be investigat- ed. That doesn't mean the board sup- ports the program which is required under law. Counterfelt bill results in charges EXETER - A counterfeit $50 bill has led to charges by the Exeter OPP after it was passed at a local gas station. Police say the counterfeit bill was tendered at Kyle's Shell in Hensall last Tuesday. Suspects were identi- fied to police and an arrest was made, leading to charges The OPP are also seeking the owner of an orange 1971 Suzuki trail bike that was found south of limn Park last tweek. Anyone %Stith ilk of.ihis bike is tasked to cotttactlhe OPP. A theft _ of two.tap and die gets from a.Stephen-Townshipsa age is also under investigation by police. The OPP say the tools were taken from lot 5 of the north boundary road on Friday. Thieves smashed out the side windows of a vehicle parked at the Hensall Arena on Friday to steal a cassette stereo and equalizer valued at 5300. The investigation is con- tinuing. The OPP are also seeking public help with tracking down someone riding an unregisteredtrailbike in the Crediton area. Several com- plaints have been made about the rider to police, but identification has not yet been confirmed. Police seize narcotic EXETER - Town Police seized a smalliunount of narcotic and have charged a London man after an ear- ly -morning vehicle check. Patrolling officers, concerned about recent late-night break-ins at local stores, have been making rou- tine checks of cars passing through town. Early Friday morning, a car stopped on Main Street was found to contain a small amount of a nar- cotic. Police describe the seized :item as a five gram vial of hashish 3oi1. The Exeter OPP was called to as- sist with the arrest of two people with possession of a narcotic. The town police charged one, the OPP ,charged the other. Impaired driving among --criminal court cases heard In Criminal court last Tuesday a number of cases were heard in- cluding three involving impaired driving • Donald Dale of Strat- ford pleaded . guilty to a charge of being in care of a motor vehicle while having a blood level ex- ceeding 80 mg per 100 ml. The court that on Mar. 27, the Exeter OPP were notified of a vehicle being in a ditch in Us - borne Township. The accused was behind the wheel and -the keys were in the ignition. He showed signs of impairment with bloodshot eyes and breath smelling of alcohol. Two breath samples taken at the police station with readings of 150 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Dale was fmed 14 days in jail with a 12 month driving prohibi- tion. Peter Damsma, of RR 2 Zurich and James Cockwill, of RR 2 Lu - can pleaded guilty in separate incidents of operating a motor vehi- cle with a blood alcohol level exceeding 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. In the first case. the court heard that on April 11. police observed a vehicle speeding eastbound on hightairy 84 and Concession 15. When the vehicle was stopped the accused showed signs of impair- ment. Two breath samples were taken. Damsma was fined 21 days in jail and a three year driving prohi- bition. The second incident occurred on May 9 when police observed a vehicle speeding eastbound on county road 5. The court was told when the vehicle was stopped, Cockwill showed signs of impair- ment with slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and he was unsteady on his feet. Cockwill was fined $750 with 90 days to pay and given a 12 month driving prohibition. Assault Patrick Collins. of RR1 Grand Bend, pleaded guilty to an Aug. 14 assault charge. The court heard that a pushing match occurred during a party of employees with the Huron County Playhouse& and a man was as- saulted. Collins was fined $400 with 90 days to pay. Narcotics James Hildebrand of Goderich pleaded guilty to possessing nar- cotics in an Aug. 15 incident. The court heard that police observed a vehicle parked in Hay Township at the Water works road. The accused was in the car and was smoking a marijuana cigarette. There was approximately 2 'grams worth $10. Hildebrand was fined $100 with 90 days to pay. No consent A charge of driving a motor vehicle without consent from the owner was also heard. The incident involved Santy Vannavong of Cambridge. The court heard that on Mar. 9, the accused arrived at his sister's home. She and her husband were at work and the ac- cused took their van. The court heard that the van slipped off the road sustained damages up to $8,277. V avong was given 12 months probation. Disqualified A guilty plea was entered by Bryan Godkin of McKillop Town- ship for operating a.vehicle while disqualified. The court heard that on Feb. 21 a vehicle was observed by Exeter police speeding. The officer found that the driver was disqualified for a previous charge. Godkin was Cited 45 days in jail to be served on weekends. Alec Maltezo, of Hensel', pleaded guilty to a July 31 charge of driving a motor vehicle under suspension. The court heard that the accused was observed by an OPP officer driving in Zurich. The officer recognized Maltezo and knew he was under suspension. Maltezo was fined 60 days in jail.