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Times Advocate, 1996-11-13, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, November 13, 1996 I]\LTHE NEWS Public forum addresses secondary school reform Many attended the meeting that discussed impact on stu- dents and issues of governance. EXETER - A public forum discussing secondary school reform drew more than 100 participants last Wednesday night. This session was one in a series of five such meetings across- the county. Par- ticipants included school staff, students, parents, lo- cal trustees and members of the School Advisory Council. The meeting's goal was to raise public awareness of the issues facing Huron Public Education. Secondary reform The Ministry of Education has re- leased a discussion paper on sec- ondary reform that includes a sec- tion for responses to be sent to the ministry. Meeting attendants were informed the proposed changes to the sec- ondary system will begin to affect students currently in grade 7 who will complete high school in four years. Grade 8 children will still be taking the five-year program and will graduate the same year as those a year younger. In anticipation of the changes, the Huron board has made adjustments to modify the grade 7 program. Some of those participating in the meeting fear the government is concerned primarily with cost cutting rather than better education. When the high school program is reduced to four years, classroom hour time will drop from 110 hour courses to 90 hour courses. Although some believe course content will drop due to this cut, the prov- ince supports streamlining the program." The Royal Commission on Learning said that no measurable benefits are gained from the fifth year of high school. It's not a matter of money...Ontario students don't outperform students in other prov- inces," states the ministry literature. Although Huron MPP Helen Johns was invited to attend the forum, she did not. Education Governance Stephen Township Trustee Bob Heywood told meeting participants there is much speculation about changes to education governance. Possible scenarios include amalgamation with Perth County, following the British model and bu- reaucratic operation. "We know very little about what's going to happen. We believe we are going to see some type of amalgama- tion," said Heywood. Although the Huron board is a tech- nological education leader, the teach- ers are the lowest paid group in the province. A major fear in the es- tablishment of bureaucratic govern- ance is the loss of a local voice. "Whenever a government replaces elected positions with appointments, it does not take a cynic to realize the doors have swung open for abuse," said Heywood. The public is urged to address concerns about school reform and education governance to the lo- cal MPP and the ministry as well as participate in discussions with other Huron County residents. More information about secondary school reform can be found on the board's homepage on the World Wide Web. November 30 is the deadline for responses to the booklet, "Excellence in Education: High School Reform - A discussion paper." "We know very little about what's going to happen. We believe we are going to see some type of amalgamation." Commute struggles with recreation cost By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter ZURICH - Much of Thursday night's Municipal Reform Com- mittee mipg centered around de-. tail4.4is4Aon on the challen ' oferjetqreation �Ifars. F �r Bayfield, Hay, Hensall, Stanley, Tuckersmith and Zurich presented varied summaries on details such as recreation use and fihancial stand- ings of their facilities. After it was noted operating def- icits total an estimated $150,000 between all six municipalities, rec- reation was identified as an area "to investigate possible savings." "We're all losing money with recreation," noted Hensall Coun- cillor Dick Packham. Committee suggestions included closing facilities, increasing user fees, decreasing facility staff hours, making use of volunteers, pur- chasing supplies centrally and at- tracting customers from outside the area. * "I think we have to be more ag- gressive with the marketing of the arena," added Hensall Clerk Treas- urer Luanne Phair. It was also suggested recreational ac 'ties besides sport;:, be con - streets," point- • ou Zu- rich Reeve Dwayne La- Porte, "you've got to give them something to do." Concerning fire ser- vices, the group ex- changed its initial 10 - mile fire hall radius suggestion to seven and a half. It was mentioned every fire hall, with the exception of Hensall, would have to close if the 10 -mile radius option were im- plemented. For transportation, the committee suggested contracting out work such as grass cutting and winter road maintenance, sharing equip- ment and services, lowering service in some municipalities, resisting lethe "We' losing with reatio capital purchases and including road superintendents in further dis- cussions. Regarding environmental ser- vices, the committee suggested es- tablishing a standardized level of ice and delivery. Some felt pal tips% fees, bag {;g fees. anJ'waste collection pro', viders should be made consistent. As for sewer and water, savings may be dis- covered through amal- gamating or sharing op- erational service of the sewer and water distribution sys- tems, with user rates offsetting the expenditures. Also, municipalities in the group made it clear they "are not inter- ested in being involved with any other groups in regard to re- structuring." A full council meeting will be held on Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Brucefield United Church. re all money rec- n." 4 ,01.- r� Exeter Business Association views concept drawing dor parkette The multi -functional park will be designed to accomodate outdoor concerts and festivals By Cbris 3kalkos T -A Reporter EXETER - As the Exeter Busi- ness Association and Exeter Town Council wait for a closing date on purchasing the former municipal building on Main street, EBA mem- bers viewed a concept drawing last Tuesday night of a parkette in- tended to.take it's place. Almost one year ago, Exeter Council and the EBA agreed to en- ter into a partnership to purchase the property at 406 Main Street from the federal government. Council and the EBA plan to tear down the vacant municipal building and construct a multi -functional green space on the site that could accommodate concerts and choirs and act as a focal point for outdoor festivals. Until the deal is closed, EBA members are looking at a concept drawing designed to turn the prop- erty into a park presented by Cam Steckle, owner of Cobble Design Inc. in Zurich, along with land- scape designer Mike Needles, who attended the meeting. Drafted according to specifica- tions outlined by the EBA, the drawing depicts an open style band stand in the centre of a cobblestone walkway between two separate lawns that back into a row of hedg- es. The design allows room for park benches situated along the in- side perimeter of the lawns and will be illuminated by globe lighting. John Wuerth, EBA Beatification Committee Chairperson, said the drawing was only a first draft of what the parkette may look like, ex- plaining it would act as a spring- board for additional ideas and con- structive input. "It's more like a discussion paper than a final copy. We want to share some ideas and concerns before we send it back to the drawing board," said Wuerth. Some concerns regarding the de- sign did arise during the meeting by Exeter Lions Club Park Committee chairperson John Stephens, who was sitting in as a technical advis- or. The original idea called for the front end of the park to protrude past the sidewalk onto Main Street to make the park visible; however. Stephens said it would interrupt water flow during a rain storm and two catch basins would have to be built on either side to help drain the street. It could also pose as a hazard to motorists or snow -clearing ve- hicles during the winter. Stephens added that more parking could be accommodated at the east end of the park if the layout was altered. EBA member Bill Bengough asked if the two buildings on either side of the park would create a problem with sound during musical performances. Wuerth said he is consulting South Huron District High School music teacher Bob Robilliard about utilizing portable acoustic blocks during concerts. "These are the types of questions and ideas we need 16 generate to make this work," said Wuerth. The property is appraised at $45,000 and the demolition of the existing building is estimated to cost $6,000. Wuerth said it was too early to put a figure on what the finished project could cost, but he emphasized taxpayers are not foot- ing the bill. The EBA is committing $30,000 towards the purchase of the prop- erty and' the demolition of the ex- isting building, but funding for the park aesthetics would have to come from other partners. The Lions Club have expressed their interest, but Stephens, speak- ing on behalf of the club, said they have exhausted their parks budget on the last phase of the MacNaugh- ton park project and landscaping surrounding the public pool. "We think this is a tremendous project and I'm glad to see the EBA and the town cooperating on it but for us it's a question of mon- ey," said Stephens adding the Lions Club may reconsider after they draft their new budget next Sep- tember. Wuerth said he is confident other partners or interested parties will come forward in time but for now the EBA is concentrating on clos- ing the deal to secure the property. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••• LEJSHMAN INDUSTRIES Toy Warehouse Importer Marketing, ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES Porcelain Dolls * Toys * Musical Greeting Cards * Crafts * Party Supplies * Games * Novelties Hwy. 21 Open to the public Thurs. - Sun. 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