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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-02-09, Page 3IN THFJ\IEWS Times -Advocate, February 9, 1994 Page 3 Cutting edge technology in works for education By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff CLINTON - The day is coming very soon when students won't have to worry about missing time from school because of a snow- storm. Interactive technology will see tq, it that the classroom is brought to students. On a smaller scale, that's exactly what the Huron County Board of Several thefts reported to police EXETER - The Exeter OPP are investigating several thefts this past week. Last Wednesday a cellular tele- phone was stolen from an unlocked pickup truck parked at a Senior Street address in Exeter. The tele- phone is described as a black, Moto- rola softpack portable. The same day, a Panasonic AM/ FM cassette player was stolen from an unlocked car at an apartment building on Carling Street in Exeter. On Friday, a yellow 24" l5 -speed bicycle was stolen from outside the Exeter Legion. Also Friday, police recovered a stolen snowmobile on Highway 23 in Kirkton. The snowmobile had been taken from a London residence in March 1993, nearly a year ago. A Blanshard Township resident has been charged with possession of stolen property. On Sunday, police were called to investigate a break and enter at Bumstead Fuels on Highway 4 west of Crediton. The thieves left with a quantity of lottery tickets and cash, say police. Fire destroys Usborne barn ELIMVILLE - Last Wednesday evening a barn owned by David Harrigan on Concession 7 of Us - borne Township, south of Elimville caught fire and was levelled. Exeter firefighter John Morgan said the efforts of the volunteer fire- fighters could not prevent the build- ing from being completely de- stroyed, taking with it 20 or more cattle. However, more than 60 livestock animals were saved from the blaze, which is still under investigation to determine its cause. Education is investigating. Board administration is looking to form partnerships with business and government to bring technolo- gy called PictureTel to the County, said board superintendent Janet Baird -Jackson. PictureTel would eventually al- low students to sit in on class in- struction that is taking place in oth- er cities without leaving their class. The speaker would be seen through a large television monitor similar to interactive television except the process would be taking place us- ing pholte lines rather than satel- lites. Training sessions, guest speakers and specialty seminars could all be accessible to rural students without having to move people or worry about the weather, Baird -Jackson said. "The possibilities for this technol- ogy are endless," said trustee Rick Rompf after a video presentation explaining the technology. "Students would benefit with course selection," said superinten- dent Chuck Rowland. He said in the past the board . has been criti- cized because some OAC courses couldn't he offered due to lack of space or students. With this new form of distance education, students could be hooked up with classes at other schools. But before all this becomes a re- ality for students, the board is tar- geting other groups to share the cost and use of the service. "The initial hook up is the big challenge," said board director Paul Carrol l . With funding through Canada Employment and the Huron Indus- trial Training Advisory Committee, the board is looking to delivery such a program to other organiza- tions such as Conestoga College. Ideally, the board would like be able to offer the space while the other groups provide the funding. And while some trustees were concerned about the cost of the pro- gram, .Rowland assured them ad- ministration would be cautious in its spending. "We know we have to be practi- Premier Bob Rae, with Huron MPP Paul Klopp at left, an- nounced that $1 million will be allocated to renovating the old Huronview building into a centre that will house several health care agencies and the Huron County Library. Health care centre to emerge from old seniors home "Continued from front page. County staff for their work on the proposal. "We hope to invite you back for the opening sometime next year," Gibson told the premier. When asked later about the long- term aspects of the project, aside from the 25 -person years of em- ployment for the local construction industry. Rae said the emphasis is on the long-term transformation of the health care system. He said the project is mainly to create local services that will be of importance to seniors in their homes - a shift that is taking place all across the province. "Huron County can be a real leader in doing this thing better than anyone," said Rae, adding that with Huron's 15-16 percent popula- tion of seniors, this will be a good place to test those waters. "So that's really the long-term benefit to this sort of investment." ABCA elected Benner LUCAN - At its annual meeting on January 20, the ABCA elected Bob Benner of Lucan (representing Lucan and Biddulph) as its chair- man for 1994. Benner defeated Vice -Chairman Dave McClure of Stephen Township on the second ballot. The two candidates were tied after the first vote. McClure represents Stephen and Grand Bend. Harold Switzer of Blanshard Township (representing Blanshard, Usborne and Exeter since mid- 1991) was acclaimed Vice - Chairman by the Board. Benner has been on the ABCA Board since 1992. In his speech, Benner said that this is a critical time for the Authority in light of the economic and political situation in the province. Joe Gibson of Hullett Township resigned from the chairman's posi- tion after two years of service. Tom Prout presented Gibson with a gav- el handcrafted by Ted Jones, a for- Lucan planning projects for infrastructure funds LUCAN - Reeve Tom McLaugh- lin told fellow councillors at the regular February 1 meeting that he was pleased with the village's grant to be received under the province's infrastructure program aimed at in- creasing employment. Last week MPP Irene Matheys- sen announced that Lucan would benefit by the tune of $828,898. The village will be required to pro- vide one-third of that amount. McLaughlin said, "We did very well on the grant money and re- ceived the second largest amount in the county. i believe it was based on population and the number of public works projects we have completed in the last few years." He added, "We must spend this grant money over a three year peri- od with a minimum of 35 percent the first year and 50 -percent the fol- lowing year. One of the projects to be consid- ered would be to clear up the infil- yation water problem in a large number of basements in the village. Others include a different library facility and reconstruction of Prin- cess street. McLaughlin said Princess street could be included in this program as it is not part of the present five- year program for the works depart= ment. The reeve concluded on this sub- ject. "it will be a challenge to -spend this kind of money without putting taxes up. The projects we choose must be labour intensive" and clerk Ron Reymer agreed saying, "They must create employment." Clerk Reymer and works superin- tendent Doug Johnston will be asked by council to consider the projects that could be eligible and come up with suggestions. Councillor Reg Crawford said this was a good. time of the year to get going on construction or recon- struction projects, "as tendering prices should be good and a lot of people are looking for work." In the battle to keep taxes down, McLaughlin referred to the recently published village newsletter. It says, "The general budgeting pro- cess has just barely begun for 1994, but your council is firmly commit- ted to keep any village tax - ncrease to a bare minimum. In fact we hope to repeat last year's zero increase. Unfortunately, we have no control over educational levies and only minimal influence on county taxes. Provincial Social Contract" provi- sions continue to put pressure on local g6vernments and federal gov- ernment policies are not yet clear but it is expected that new policies will have some impact at the local level." Still on the budget process, a note from Lucan Hydro says. "Ontario Hydro has kept its rates at the 1993 levels, so Lucan Hydro is pleased to announce that electrical rates will be unchanged in 1994. It is On- tario Hydro's plans to keep future rate increases at or below the level of inflation. Over 81 percent of the revenue generated from hydro sales in Lucan goes directly to Ontario Hydro for power purchases." Clerk Reymer reported that he had received verbal approval from Canadian National Railways to al- low the village to purchase the right-of-way along the abandoned lines through Lucan on behalf of adjacent landowners. These inter- ested owners have already made down payments of 10 percerft to the village to be used in the purchase. mer ABCA employee. In his report, Gibson emphasized that in times of recession, society does not need ad- ditional agencies or commissions to deliver programs. "Governments - municipal, pro- vincial and federal - need to maxi- mize on existing agencies for the economic, efficient delivery of pro- grams. Conservation Authorities are the only local community based agency with watersheds as their area of jurisdiction. Program deliv- ery and program issues can be dealt with locally, by local representa- tives who understand local con- cerns," said Gibson. "The importance and ability of conservation authorities as efficient and effective local delivery agen- cies has been overlooked far too long. It's time for municipalities to etrenntk "n their Plot,.. shi with the conservation authorities as the basis of cooperative, efficient and effective delivery of tomorrow's environmental programs," Gibson said. cal with finances and I think past practices show that," be said. Carroll said it is necessary for the board to take an entrepreneurial ap- proach to education. "We need to sell our services to the community," he said. Baird -Jackson and Rowland said an agreement with business groups and government agencies is cur- rently being negotiated. And when a deal is firm they will report the specific details of cost and equip- ment to the board for consideration. 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