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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-04-29, Page 26Pagtfl2 Times -Advocate, April 29, 1998 Kids a priority for government "Spending for the Avon -Maitland District School Board will increase." Dear Editor: i would like to respond to the questions posed in a recent letter to the editor from Mr. Paul Dyck, President, Teachers Union of Huron. Question #I: Are the best interests of the students being met? Question #2: Has the government put kids first'? The answer to each of these is a resounding Yes! 1 give the following reasons to support my answer. Spending for the Avon -Maitland District School Board will increase. The Board has received more dollars for classroom expenditures and non -class- room expenditures. In 1997 the Board received: Classroom $77,728,097 Non -classroom , $43,184,375 Total Operating . $120,912,472 In 1998 the Board will receive: Classroom $79,533,435 Non -classroom $45,063,506 Total operating $124,596,941 A total increase of three per cent. Classroom expenditures include such things as: classroom teacher, teacher assistants, textbooks, sup- plies, computers, library and guidance. Non -class- room expenditures include light, heating and mainte- nance and board administration. - These numbers will remain stable if the enroll- ment level at the Board remains stable. If the enroll- ment level increases The Board will sec an increase in dollars, if enrollment declines as forecasted by the Board -the amount of dollars will decrease. Hence, with a projected decrease in enrolment for 2000/01 the Board will have less dollars, due to a decrease in enrollment. it is in the hest interest of the Board to ensure that LETTER TO EDITOR • the public is cognizant of the merits of public educa- tion because this Board needs to ensure enrolment levels remain stable or increase. Students at the Board will receive the same dollars on their education as the students in Timmins, Toronto and Windsor for the first time in the history of publicly funded education. This is very good news for the students in Huron, because they have traditionally received less dollars for their education. Fair Funding is something that the students, parents, and teachers in Huron County asked this government fbr, through a petition campaign. The government listened to those requests and responded as previous governments had failed to do. This government has always placed students first by ensuring that they have the resources needed to excel in an ever-changing world. Quality education and placing students first have always been the num- ber one priority of this government. I believe our policies reveal this commitment. Policies such as: • Standardized report cards • Introduction of comprehensive testing •$50 million for textbooks • New, rigorous and demanding curriculum • Fair funding model •Average class sizes at secondary and elementary levels have been determined • Teaching days are being increased • Secondary teachers will spend more time teach- ing in the classroom • Annual reports from the Board to the taxpayers on education spending • • School councils are being established in every , school to increase parent involvement. By working together, we will improve cla§room education and put Ontario's students at the head of the class - where they deserve to be. Are the best interests of the students being met? •, Has the government put kids first'? Yes! Yours truly, Helen Johns, M4'P Huron LETTER TO EDITOR Reader embarrassed "Meet the neighbors" was an ex- tremely well written letter. , . Dear Editor: I read with interest the "letters to the editor" that are regularly printed. This week's was unsurpassed. I was most interested in "meet the neighbors"; fol- lowed by "peace through prayer" just below. (As an aside, one might suggest that W. Schwindt should have a short conversation with D. Chapman... in hindsight she should have talked to Chapman before she'wrote her lovely letter). "Meet the neighbors" was an extremely well writ- ten letter (except for the content and where the'writ- er suggested that someone was desecrating Me eround (holy ground??) Holy Cow!! On her way to . church she says; full of prayer and good thoughts: I was most embarrassed for the people of whom she wrote. Critical, judgement, "better than'thou" at-' titude?;? Was the writer every young? Without sin or fault?? A Christian, it's obYious, because it's usual- ly those that have a most difficult time to deal with the world and love their neighbors as themselves. , As well, I feel that the Times Advocate should never have printed such a tirade oh another reader (I am certain this will be most helpful with the rela- tionship of the Schwindt's and these `'obnoxious people".) , The more I think about this article, the more I may agree, that "peace through prayer" is a better - solution. ' 1 On my way to church next Sunday, NOT. Yours very truly, J. Wilson Thompson RR 1, Centralia, Ont. Huntington Society commemorates 25 years CAMBRIDGE - The Huntington Society of Canada, the only Cana- dian health charity dedicated to the fight against Huntington disease, is marking the 25th anniversary in 1998. This year, the many volun- teers of the Society, located in cit- ies across Canada, will celebrate the achievements of this national organization in its first quarter cen- tury. Huntington disease (HD) is a he- reditary disorder which touches the life of one in 1,000 Canadians. It has devastating effects on both body and mind. Symptoms, which usually first appear between the ages of 30 and 45, can include in- voluntary jerking movements, slurred speech, unsteady gait and cognitive difficulties. As of yet, there is' no cure for Huntington dis- ease. ;The Huntington Society is work- ing to change- that, however. Rod Mqrrision, the Society's national Executive Director, says, "One of 'the ways we're marking this mile- stone anniversary is with the launch of a bold new research program. Scientists have come so far in their knowledge of Huntington's since ,the discovery' of the HD gene in 1993, that a treatment or cure can't be far away. Our new research pro- gram will capitalize on our current ' knowledge and allow us to explore new avenues, too." 'That is good news for the many HD'families in Canada. Elaine Taylor, whose mother died with Huntington's said, "I watched my mother slowly slip away from me as this terrible disease robbed her of movement, speech and then life. I am at risk for HD, and I don't want my children to go through what I did with my mother." 'MS. Taylor is glad, like so many Huntington's family members, to have the help offered through the Society's services for HD families,, the knowledge offered through its educational materials and the hope that research will uncovier ' new treatments and, ultimately, a cure. . For more information about Huntington disease and the work of ' the Huntingon Society of Canada, edit toll free 1-800-998-7398'. Grand Central Hotel rfence a step closer to reality A fence to hide the ugly vacant Grand Centra/ Hotel'lot could be erected by the Lucan and Area Business Association in less than three weeks By Craig Bradford , T -A Reporter LUCAN - What has become known as Lucan's Main St. eyesore could be hidden from view in about three weeks. Lucan and Arca Business As- sociation's proposed six foot high by 64 feet wide fence along the sidewalk to hide the former Grand Central Hotel lot only needs the ap- proval of the landowner before work can start. The lot has becoine over grown with weeds and attracts wind-blown garbage. Village administrator Ron Reym- er said the _ land owner, who has proven difficult to deal with, will be given two weeks to respond to the BA's request that has been for-' warded through Oliver and As- sociates realtor James Moulton. Council decided to go ahead with the BA -funded project after asking , for advice from village solicitor Andrew Wright of London's Sis- kind, Cromarty, Ivey and Dowler. Wright said the proposal satisfies legal standards that call for the vil- lage to leave some reasonable ac- cess to the lot from the street. if the landowner's response is fa- vorable, or if he doesn't reply at all, the BA will be directed to go ahead with the project which it is taking on at no expense to the village. If the landowner opposes the project, council will shelve the idea because Wright advises the possible litigation the landowner could launch would be worth more than the fence. in fact, the property looked so bad last week that little Joshua Mo- lenkamp, 5, and his mom Debbie, pulled dead weeds and picked up garbage including old newspapers, brick and even glass for three hours on the property on Friday. Joshua, who lives on Alice St., decided to do something about the eyesore he walks by almost every- day "because it was really dis- gusting." He feels other youngsters should also take responsibility for their vil- lage by cleaning up when they can. He hopes the empty lot will be re- developed into a park with swing sets and a teeter -toter sonic day. Other items of note from last week's council meeting: Water woes Lucan council, a'S well as the oth- er municipal councils along the On- tario Clean Water Agency's Lake Huron water pipeline, are still mull- ing over the terms and conditions of the transfer of the pipeline. Some concerns mapped out by Middlesex County's solicitor, Da- vid Woodward of London's Lerner and Associates: •The draft transfer order doesn't say whether any OCWA property or liabilities will change hands; •When and why the municipal- ities can go to the Ontario Mu- nicipal Board to resolve any dis- putes needs to be made i more clearer; •Woodward calls London's "in- fluence" in the transfer terms "overwhelming" (London accounts for over 95 per cent of the pipe- line's water use, the city will as- sume the almost $60 million pipe- line debt and will take care of thc pipeline's administration); •The powers of the joint board's chairperson and vice -chair must be better explained. In addition, Lon- don holds both those positions; •If voting as a block, London reps can out -vote all other municipal- ities. Perhaps ,the biggest concern of municipalities like Lucan is what if' London decides to cut down on its use of the Lake Huron pipeline in favor of the Lake Erie pipeline that runs from, east of Port Stanley through central Elgin to St. Thomas. Lucan Reeve Robert Benner called this scenario "the alarming thing about the agreement." If London started using more wa- ter from Lake Erie, it would mean dramatic water cost increases for the smaller municipalities who de- pend on the Lake Huron pipeline for their water. Reymer tried to ease council's worries somewhat by saying Lake Huron water is cheaper than that of "I think we were overly fair with them." its sister lake to the south. Swallowed whole Benner shared what was dis- cussed at the April 8 Northwest Middlesex Restructuring Com-' mince meeting at Ailsa Craig coun- cil chambers. The committee, made up of the reeves/mayors of Bid- dulph, Lucan, Ailsa Craig, Parkhill, McGillivray, East land West Wil- liams, meet regularly to discuss the status of` restructuring initiatives in Middlesex County. Much speculatioln surrounds what will be contained in the Thomson Report due to be released sodn. - Bill Thomson is Middlesex County's facilitator who has been studying possible municipal amal- gamations. "A lot of us are depending on what Mr. Thomson comes up with," Benner said. Ttic 'London effect' is one of the major concerns. Benner said he and the other committee members are worried London will swallow Mid- dlesex and will take over many of the services maintained by smaller municipalities similar to what hap- pened in the Chatham -Kent and Hamilton -Wentworth mergers. Another com- mittee Council ap- pointed Benner and Deputy Reeve Harry Wraith to sit on a Biddulph/Lucan joint committee that will meet when required to discuss items of mutual interest. Biddulph's two reps are Reeve Earl French and Deputy Reeve Paul Wallis. Biddulph was prompted to re- quest the new committee be formed over concerns it has on the sewage charges Lucan will levy Biddulph residents that hook up to the village sewage system. Other items of mutual interest could include boundary roads and drains the two municipalities share. Wraith was "surprised (Biddulph councillors) don't like the sewer charges. "I think we were overly fair with them," he added: Before the new committee was founded, the full Biddulph and Lu - "If we wen a county (policing quote we stand to can councils met once a year to hammer out mutual concerns. Lucan councillor Pcrry Caskan- ette was the sole village rep who voiced opposition to forming the joint committee because h said opinions from every councillor from both municipalities , can be heard at the once a year full coun- cils meeting. OPP time The London OPP is holding a consultation meeting at the Bid- dulph municipal office today from noon -8 p.m. to get -input from the public on policing services in Mid- dlesex County. Anyone wanting more information on what pro- tection services •they offer, Mid- dlesex County -wide, .servicing or any other related matter is invited to drop in. Lucan council is meet- ing privately with OPP reps be- tween 7 p.m. -8 p.m. While some Middlesex • mu- nicipalities could benefit through county -wide OPP service, Rcymer said that's not the case for Lucan. "if we went with a county -wide (policing cost) quote we would stand to lose," he said, meaning Lu- canites would probably pay more than the current $195:50 per household' Lucan- only quote based on the province's $139,000 per year policing cost for Lucan. Tree hugger§ beware Some of those big old trees on the west side of Beech St. may be a memory soon. Wraith wants the public works staff to pre- pare for road reconstruction on the street by cutting down trees that have been identified as a hinder- ancc to work. Put your money where your bloom is Wraith challenged other coun- cillors and village staff to a contest for his Communities In Bloom in- itiative to beautify Lucan. He's getting councillors and staff to put up S10 in a competition to see who comes up with the neatest blooming project in their yards. The contest will be judged by an impartial party and prizes will. be given to the winners. t with -wide cost) would lose." 1 Happy anniversary. The Exeter United Church Women cel- ebrated their 36th anniversary on Sunday, which included an appearance and speech by Exeter native Janet Ecker Nelson, right, Ontario's Minister of Community and Social Services. Pictured with Ecker are, from left, Exeter United Church Women second vice-president Shirley Dawe, first vice-president Doris Denham and president Eleanor Clark. Light court docket EXETER - Judge R.E. Hunter presided over the brief session of Pro- vincial Criminal Court in Exeter on Thursday. Dennis Gionet, 20, of 122 King Street, Apartment 1. Hensall was sentenced to 45 days in jail for possessing a narcotic. Police searched his residence on March 28, 1997 and found a small amount of marijuana residue, cigar. ette and related paraphernalia. It was Gionet's third conviction. Stephen A. Hart, 36, of St. Marys plead- ed guilty to operating a motor vehicle with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. On February 15 the OPP followed Hart's vehicle along several streets in Exeter. The officer noticed an odor of alcohol on his breath and breathalyzer readings were 140 and 150 mg. Judge Hunter fined Hart $1,500 plus a $5 surcharge and suspended his driver's license for 12 months: - Joseph McLeod, 36, of R. R. 8 Parkhill pleaded pleaded guilty to op- erating a motor vehicle with an excess blood-alcohol level. On March 3, an OPP officer discovered McLeod's vehicle parked on the side of Conc. 2 -in Hay Township with the engine running and the • right signal light on. - , The officer observed McLeod had slurred speech, a red face, poor motor ability skills and an odor of alcohol. He'admitted to drinking al- cohol. Breathalyzer readings were 160 and 150 mg. McLeod was fined $750 plus a $5 surcharge and was prohibited from driving for 12 months. , Jason Scott, 26, of R.R. 3 Ailsa Craig, also pleaded guilty to an over - 80 charge: On Jan. 11 at 3:15 a.m., the OPP stopped Scott's vehicle. The officer detected ,an odor of alcohol and his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. Alcohol readings were 170 and 170 mg. ' He was fined $755 and his driver's license was suspended for three months. During this time, Scott is permitted operate farm equipment. Chris McClinchy, 20, of London, pleaded guilty to breaking a curfew imposed by the court. On Dec. 18, 1997, at I 1:40 p.m. McClinchy was found in a vehicle police stopped for another purpose. His curfew pro- hilbited him from being at large between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. McClinchy is already in jail' on another conviction will serve 30 days on this charge. Paula Lavery, 24, of London, was sentenced on several charges of possessing stolen property based on a March 20 arrest. She received a 12 month concurrent sentence conditiontil upon the directions of her probation. Teen charged in pickup theft HURON PARK - A I4 -year-old male from Huron Park is facing several charges including vehicle theft and dangerous driving in connection with a stolen pickup truck from Centralia College on April 24. Shulist said the accused obtained the keys and drove off in the pickup on Friday morning. He drove around the area and damaged the truck by striking a small pine tree and sideswiping a wooden fence. Shulist said the youth then returned the truck to Centralia College. The youth was released on a bail recognizance and will appear in, Godcrich court on May 14. • Stolen car from Huron Park found LONDON - An '86 4 -door Pontiac 6000 stolen from an Algonquin Dr. yard in Huron Park on Friday was' later found by London Police at 9 a.m. on Saturday on Little Grey St. in London Shulist said the son of the owner of the car parked thc car on the yard at about 10 p.m. Friday. He discovered that the car had been taken 'when he returned from a wedding reception at about 1:30 a.m. Shulist said there arc no suspects at this time and the front left quarter panel, the driver's door lock and the steering column on the car are damaged. Nabisco break-in EXETER - Thieves nabbed cash 'and coins after the Nabisco plant in Exeter was broken into Friday night, Shulist said. ' The thieves stole money from the cafeteria float, smashed a vending machine and stole some coins. Desk drawers in three offices were also ransacked. Shulist said no obvious point of entry was discovered. The investigation continues. Dirt bikes stolen . BIDDULPH TWP. - Two dirt bikes worth $3,800 were discovered stolen -from a shcd on Course)/ Line in Biddulph Township on April 22. Shulist described the bikes as '91 and '86 Hondas and said the theft occurred sometime around 4 a.m. Reel Time Video mischief EXETER - A hydro meter had its wires cut at Reel Time Video over the weekend, Shulist said. About $300 damage was done. Bicycle found in Stephen STEPHEN TWP. - If your bicycle was recently stolen, the London OPP may have some welcome news for you. OPP discovered a bike in a Stephen Township Conc. 4 Janeway on Friday. if you are missing your bike, call the Exeter OPP at 235-1300, ask for incident #117598-9 and give a description of the bike.