The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1997-05-07, Page 1SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83 Exeter 235-0262 kf Decorative Clay Bell Printers - $9.99 Serving Exeter and lima since 1873 r▪ SUBSCRIBE!, ▪ It you aren't subscribing to The' I Times-Advocate, you're missing out. m Use the coupon below and subscribe today' 1 Name: 1 Address _ City -- 1 Prov I Postal Code SUBSCRIPTION RATES: ONTARIO ' 1 1 year $3'_ . 2 45 GST•2 year 563.4 41 GST OUTSIDE ONTARIO I I year 563 • 4 41 GST•2 year 5119 • 6 33 GST OUTSIDE CANADA 5102 00 1 USE YOUR CREDIT CARD DDDDODDU 1 ODUDODUO Card No. I Expiry Date 0 Visa LJ Master Card v Cheque enclosed Return to: TIMES ADVOCATE L424 Main St. Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S6 ■ 1 1 Inside Central Hotel demolished See page 2 Excellence in Education See page 2 In the News Career options See Crossroads Second front Five charged in connection with co-op break-in STEPHEN TOWNSHIP - • Four men and one young offender were charged in connection with a hrcak. enter and theft that occurred at the Hensall District Co -up in the . early morning hours (*April 27. • Police report members oi' the -Ex- eter OPP detachment were called to a.' estimated 2:50 a.nh. alarm at •the co-op. located two kilometers south Of Exeter. just west of Highway 4 al. . Upon arri%al. police arrested one male attempting • to 'lee- in a v:m. Four other males fled on lioot and were Tracked down by a- K-9 unit and two • Emergency Response Tearii inemhcrs. The remaining suspects were arrested in a field, east of Highway 4, approximately two -kilometers south uI-.Excier. , The suspects had broken into two office buildings and removed prop- erty from. the outbuildings and gas- oline from a company truck. Charged with hrcak, enter and theli, possession of a narcotic and breach of probation arc: Chris MacDonald. 18, oI 494 William .St., Exeter. Tyler Flynn. 18 of Goderich, Leo Courtney. •19., of Godcrich, Douglas Hansen... 18. of Goderich and one young offender. Police also report a replica hand- gun was also seized Irom one of the males. arrested. The Exeter Optimists held their annual Walkathon for Children's Hospital of Western Ontario on Sunday. Previously known as the Stephanie -Lynn Skinner Memorial Walkathon 'organized by Audrey and Steve Skinner, a number of -people showed up to walk, bicycle or rollerblade frdm'the South Huron Recreation Centre to the Morrison Dam. The event raised more than $5,000 in• sponsorships and pledge's. From left, Exeter Optimist president Bill Dinney, far right is Lt. Governer Alex Irving of the Hensall Optimists, forefront and centre is Jenna'Lindlau from Woodstock, her sister Amber and her mother Linda. Jenna is the 1997 Miracle Child/Ambassador for Children's Hospital which specializes in programs that care for children in the ar- eas of caneer treatment, head injuries, diabetes, transplantations and kidney disease. -The honor was passed on from last Year's Mir,.acle child fan Sanders. , Will amalgamation mean savings? Some members of the public believe amalgamating six Huron County municipalities will not generate considerable savings By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter BRUCEFIELD - At its first pub- lic meeting on April 23. the Mu nicipal Reform Committee .' disc covered. many members of the public question a potential amaly gamation of Zurich. Hensall and Bayfield with townships of Hay, Tuckcrsrnith. and Stanley. At the committees second public meeting, held last Wednesday night at Bruee icld United Church. ;participants focused on a major point made at the first meeting: Would savings from amalgamation he worthwhile? According to the committee's consultant. '(',Tenn Tunnock, net savings from restructuring. based • • on 1995 figures. would range from - $307,391 to $550,198 for the mu- nicipalities. - "The savings arc not that great when all is said -and done." pointed out one meeting participant. Continued on page 2 Johns meets with school councils The Huron MPP spoke to SACs about their future role By Heather Mir T -A Reporter CLINTON - Members of Huron County Schoi►I Advisory -Councils (SACs) attended a • meeting with MPP Helen Johns Thursday night at Central Huron Secondary School to ask questions about the role of SACs. Kathy Hayter, chair of South Huron District High School's SAC, spoke to a small group of parents about the council's role in laic Exet- er secondary school. Shc said although it is difficult to recruit parents to serve on thc ad- visory body, a "small hut mighty group" ex- ists. The SHDHS SAC has been involved with fundraising for an illuminated sign that advertises •upcoming events. It has also played a role in dealing with issues such as the smoking area and school calendar as well as student of the month. . Each SAC chair who spoke touched on the importance of parents taking an active role in their children's education. Bob Pike, of F.E. Madill Secondary School,.focuscd on encour- aging excellence in extra -curricular activities through fundraising. He also discussed how parental involvement can help shape school policy and reflect family values. F.E. Madill's SAC has been involved with issues including discipline. dress code, timetables, school dances and bussing. Whcn asked•what thc Harris govcrment's.in- tention is regarding SACs, Johns responded the province is heavily supporting the concept and believes the school system can he im- proved through parental involvement:- Queen's nvolvement:Queen's Park is working on establishing regu- lations regarding-SACs and Johns said she'll take hack to caucus -information about what is- nceded, what works and what doesn't work. • She highlighted initiatives the province has taken to reform the education' system in an ef- fort to ensure money is allocated to thc class- room. She believes students require up-to- date materials and computers in order to com- pete in a global market. The new funding model, expected to be re- leased soon, is especial to tiring more equity to the system, and will benefit Huron County. There is now a funding gap,of nearly $4,500 per student between Huron and Metro To- ronto. "I can't live with a $4,500 difference," said Johns. "We have to have equity." The province intends to establish a base rate every child in Ontario will receive. Added will be special rates for special needs, English as a second language and transportation costs. Elkins such as school board amalgamation arc also intended to direct spending to the cl:usruom. A local Education Improvement Commission will soon be established and par - ants are encouraged to direct their suggestions through this body. Johns addressed questions regarding out- sourcing of non -leaching roles included in Bill 104 legislation. "It's not thc goal of the government to conic in and totally privatize everything in - the school -system." she said adding, she believe there is a role for guidance departments in the future. Regarding de -streaming, Johns said Ihcrc is a need to maintain different levels of chal- lenge, adding it keeps studchts interested in education for as long as possible and im- proves their chances in a competitive work- place. "The level in the classroom has diminished,"- she iminished,"she said. "Some kids should just be held back." She pointed out standardized testing will help mobilize parents who will be able to compare their children's success with that of . thc entire province. To improve English stan- dards, Johns believes it is important for par- ents to read to their children and notice if they are falling behind. • In response to some question she couldn't answer at thc meeting, Johns asked parents to contact her at her Exeter office and to exl.ect written replies. SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83 Exeter 235-0262 P.C. Blackeartb Top Soil 1t) $1.59 Council hears other side of pitbull controversy Three local residents presented their case to council before it makes a decision regarding a ban EXETER Exeter Council met the faces on the other side of the pitbull controversy at its regular meeting Monday night. Council re- ceivcd a petition last week from -several citizenswho want pitbulls to be banned from Exeter because' of theirviciousnature. This week, three individuals, all owners of pit - bulls, appeared before council to urge that no action be taken against their dogs. Don Dc Boer presented statistics of dogs which have bitten people. "Any dog will bite under the right conditions," stated De Boer, adding "I have purchased a secure chain and a muzzle for my dog, but he has been with kids for all of his life (two years). I don't let him out when kids arc coming from or go- ing to school - some kids just pro- voke him. Most dog- bites arc from Gennan Shepherds, Rotwcil- crs. Pitbulls love attention and love to he loved. They, by nature, will not hurt others. I think you should give us a chance and see what hap- pens." iMpp9c4ien Hoogenboom replied, "There are municipalities which have outlawed that particular breed . of dog. A large number of your neighbors have signed that peti- tion." .. De Boer countered, "If they knew who owned the dog, half of therm would take their names off thc- list." Mike Budny, another owner and professional dog trainer, added, "Pitbulls can be dangerous and they should be restricted to people over 25 years of age and who arc not first-time dog owners. One guy, who is scum, had his daughter's face ripped oIT in Godcrich. It's not the Jog; it's the owner. All large dogs can be dangerous. Owners who have a blatant disregard 1'or • their neighbors arc at fault, not the animals. it's time we started coin- ing orning down on had owners. It is not a pithull prohlcm; it is a dog -owner problem. I would Iikc to sec re- strictions on people who can own pitbulls." • Michelle Dc Boer commented, "i'm German and I think the situa• - tion is the same as blaming all Ger- mans for what Hitler did to the Jews and others." Councillor Robert Drummond added, "Pitbulls, as a breed, have a reputation of being unpredictable. You don't hear of a pithull being used as a guard dog and attacking the criminal clement; they're usual= ly attacking the family children or neighbors. In fact 39 per cent of fa- tal dog bites in the U.S.. were by pitbulls." • Budny concluded the owners' case: "All breeds arc unpredictable and can be provoked. They must al- . ways be respected and treated as animals, not humans." Council will decide at a later date its powers and the options open to it regarding the matter of a pithull bylaw. K E NWO 0 D A.,(9(9(6 (ersviR /14.121101114) 1311LSOWCHUIT WE NEED ROOM IN OUR DISPLAY BOARD FOR 1991 STOCK! • FREE INSTALLATION ON `96 DISPLAY STOCK! (PARTS EXTRA) • KDC-3005 CD Deck 120 watt ...$349 • KRC-302 Tape Deck w/CD control 140 watt ...$269 • KDC-0504 10 disc shuttle ...$399 SUPPLY EXTREMELY LIMITED AND THE SOUND IS JUST AS EXTREME! Sp ECIALISTS 63 Main St. Exeter • 235-0003 See us at our store for full selection