HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1984-03-14, Page 1OUALITY
FUR ITYRE
WHY
PAY
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Whitings
Phone 235-1964
Huron aboard calls for report on French immersion
The education and person-
nel committees of the Huron
County Board of Education
will be bringing a report on
French Immersion to the'
April meeting of the board.
At its March 5 meeting, the
board received a request to
set up a French Immersion
piolot project from a group of
Goderich and area parents
calling themselves the com-
mittee for learning
opportunities.
There were over 30 parents
in attendance at the board
meeting.
Representatives of this
committee, Mark Scully of
Goderich and Paul Putty of
Lucknow made a 35 -minute
presentation to the board
outlining what French Im-
mersion is and; how they
would like to see t operated
FARM PRINCESS — The 1984 Western Fair Farm Show
Princess is Florence Ryan of Mount Carmel. She was
representing the South Huron Junior Farmers.
Area farm princess
-The 1984 Western.Fair
Farm Show was a hugsuc-
cess with one of the largest
crowds in its 47 year history
and a Mount Cannel area girl
was a big part of it. •
On the first day of the show
Tuesday, 20 year-old Florence
Ryan of Mount Carmel was
named -Farm Show Princess
defeating 13 other young
ladies.
Florence is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ryan
Jr. and was sponsored by the
South Huron Junior Farmers
She is a parttime secretary
with the Exeter branch of the
Canadian imperial Bank of
Commerce.
The new Princess was
crowned by last year's winner
Janet O'Neil. RR 4.
Thornda le.
The princess candidates
were judged on an essay.
general poise. an interview.
quiz and impromptu speech.
The essay was based on in-
formation and activities of the
sponsoring group, which `in
this instance was the South
Huron Junior Farmers who
are well known for their com-
munity minded activities.
in the impromptu speech,
Florence Ryan was asked to
talk about Do you -believe in
plowing matches?
Western Fair Association
president laugh Mitchell and
all exhibitors appeared to be
well pleased with the large
crowds.which were in atten-
dance, especially on the final
day Friday for a computer
seminar.
About her winning Florence
told the T -A "I was very hap-
py to he chosen. I met and
talked to a lot of wonderful
people and learned a lot of the
feelings of the farm
community."
Principal changes
in south Huron
Several Huron ('ounty
elementary- school principals
and vice -principals will he
shuffled around to new
schools this summer.
, A press release issued by
the Huron County Board of
Education recently stales,
"In addressing thequestion of
transfers. consideration was
given to the needs of the
schools and the experience
and abilities of principals."
Arnold Mathers of Huron
Centennial Public School in
Brucefield will be transferred
to J.A.U. McCurdy Public
• School in Huron Park. John
Siertsema of J.A.D. McCurdy
Public School will go to Huron
Centennial. Mathers will also
be principal of Huron Hope
School.
John Kane of Victoria
Public School in Goderich will
go to Holmesville Public
School while Ronald McKay.
of Holmesville will become
principal of Clinton Public
School.
Clinton Public School prin-
cipal Allan Taylor will go to
Osborne Central School. The
Usborne Central principal.
William Linfield goes to Vic-
toria Public School.
Eleanor Scott. principal al
Iluron Hope school. for the
trainable mentally handicap-
ped will become vice-
principal at Victoria Public
Schooi. i, ictoria's current
vice-principal F'1 oyd I lerman
has yet to be assigned a
position
in Huron County. to set up an early total French
But some trustees question- Immersion program. They
ed establishing a new pro- would like to see a
gram when the board is in the kindergarten and Grade 1
process of reviewing accom- French Immersion program
modation levels at three start this September.
elementary schools. Statistics they gathered at
"I have a problem in my a public meeting in February
own mind in deciding to add show 23 children could be
a program when we have to enrolled in such a program at
go to Hensalland watch them the kindergarten level and 27
justify keeping their school children for Grade 1.
open," said Trustee John The majority of these
Jewitt of Londesboro. children would come from
Trustee Joan Van den Goderich, but interest has
Broeck of Saltford had also been expressed by
similar concerns. She said parents of children in Blyth,
there are four schools in ad Holmesville and the
dition to the three already townships of Colborne and
under review that are within Nutlet.
a range of six students of Scully said that while the
coming under a similar time between now and
review. September is short, other
Mrs. Van den Broeck also school boards have set up
said that inpreparing the French Immersion in that
budget this year, the board's length of time.
various committees were told
not to add new programs
unless they deleted costs in
other areas.
"If we work on that
premise, what are we
prepared to give up?" she
asked noting the only areas
were there could be cuts in-
clude summer school, the
county science fair and
transportation.
"Are we prepared to do
that?" she asked.
Trustee Murray Mulvey,
RR 1 Clifford responded by
saying he had enough faith in
administration to come up
with a report which indicated
the pros and cons of a pilot
project in Huron County.
The parents from Goderich
and area are asking the board
They're in
the mail
The Easter Seals are in the
mail.
Bill Carson, - fund co-
ordinator for the Exeter Lions
Club, sponsors of the Annual
campaign in this area' had
club members stuffing
thousands of envelopes
Thursday night.
The Easter Seal Society has
been serving families in the
Exeter area for almost 60
years. The number of cases
and types of disabilities have
varied over the.years.
Easter Seal spokesperson
Sonia Jackson said six
families in the Exeter area
received direct benefit in 1984.
The disabilities include:
cerebral palsy, spina bifida,
ataxia (difficulty with
-balance), muscular atrophy
and cleft palate.
The Lions through Easter
Seals have supported
families, by -their financial
help with support devices,
home accessibility, com-
munication aides, parental
relief and camping holidays.
Three children in the area
attended Woodeden Camp
last summer. Woodeden runs
for the summer months serv-
ing -60 youngsters with a
variety of disabilities. in each
of the four two-week camping
periods.
Twq area
accidents
Officers of the Exeter
detachment of the Ontario
Provincial Police in-
vestigated only two motor
vehicle accidents this week.
Saturday. a vehicle driven
by Timothy flamather, Hen -
sail struck a sign and
fence on highway 4, just
north of the Hensall village
limits. Damages were set at
$3,200.
Wednesday on private pro-
perty at RR 1 Hensall a vehi-
cle driven by Paul Jeffrey
struck a parked vehicle own-
ed by his brother Shawn.
Damage was listed at $500.
PREPARING SEAL ENVELOPES This year's Easter Seals are in the mail thanks
to the Exeter Lions. Shown preparing the envelopes Thursday are Lions Clarence
McDowell, Doug Jamieson and Esmoil Merani. T -A photo
The group of parents also
indicated that the Ministry of
Education funds about 75 per-
cent of the provincial average
per pupil cost of $211.
A report by Bob McCall,
superintendent of program,
estimates the cost of im-
plementing a French Immer-
sion program in one school
area at $3,843.94.
He arrives at this figure by
estimating is would cost
$6,200 for such things as ac-
commodation, equipment and
supplies and other material
for bath kindergarten and
Grade 1.
From that total cost of
$12,400, McCall subtracted
Ministry of Education grants
based on 25 pupils in each of
the two initial grades of
$8,556.06 which would leave a
bajance of $3,843.04.
Exeter trustee Clarence
�h�Fw y
McDonald asked why the cost fects" of French Immersion.
of teachers was not included The overriding theme of the
in the estimate? excerpts were negative
The superintendent replied towards French lmmei ion.
that teaching costs were not "The main concern for all
included because the French should be to achieve the best
Immersion students would education available for our
need a teacher even if they . children. To rush into a pro -
were in a regular classroom. gram that Qpviously has rais-
Direcior of Education Bob ed several serious concerns in
Allan added that theoretical- schoolboards that have
ly there are no teacher costs. already established the pro -
but in reality there probably gram would be improper. The
would be. school board (H,uron) shout
The board also acknowledg- study and make public their
ed that they had received let- findings on these and other
ters from two citizens with concerns and assess the.sup-
concerns for setting up a port of the Huron County
French Immersion program. residents when they have
Allan read aloud the letters received all the facts," states
from D.C. Scott and Doug Scott's letter.
Harrison both of Goderich. But Scully had the same
Scott's letter took excerpts CEA study and head the sum -
from a recent Canadian mary which said in general,
Education Association (CEA) ' administrators involved in
study on the "Issues and Ef- Please turn to page 3,
niA
vi
SUNSHINERS IN MEAT DEPARTMENT — Students of
the Sunshine Kids nursery school visited Zehr's food
mar Wednesday morning. Above, meat manager
Red Ro inson shown Jenny Mercer and Jason Wilson
how hamburger is packaged,
Ames
VOC
Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873
One Hundred and Eleventh Year
EXETER, ONTARIO, March 14, 1984
PANCAKEFLIPPERS --- Irene
flipping abilities at Tuesday's
Harness and Rev. Jim Sutton display their pancake
supper at Trivttt Anglican Church. T -A photo
Rec Centre board gets
report on 1983 activities
South Huron recreation and
community centre board
members and staff met with
provincial ministry consul-
tant Melanie McLaughlin at
their regular meeting on
March 8 with all members but
Tom Tomet present. -
For the past year, Ms.
McLaughlin has been
assisting with the compilation
of -a written policy for use of
the facilities. Board and staff
job descriptions and organiza-
tion charts are being drawn
up, by-laws reviewed, and a
complaint -handling policy is.
being established.
The annual report covering
activities for 1913 was submit- -
ted. Dave Atthill was hired for
a 12 -month period under the
federal careers access pro-
gram. The position will be re-
evaluated at the end of the
year. '
During 1983 the Rec Centre
received grants totalling -ap-
proximately $12,000 and
assisted other groups in ob-
taining funding. Recreation
director Lynne Farquhar
hopes service clubs will be en-
couraged to help with funding
of future capital` expen-
ditures. Proposals- include a
pool thermal hlanket, cash
register and microwave in the
concession area, water
descaling equipment, arena
heaters and an ice surfacer.
A range of new programs
introduced in 1983 including
needlepoint, crocheting and-
macrame, cake decorating
and chocolate molding,
ballroom dancing,
photography, golf and tennis
lessons and a wide variety of
sports were well received.
Shuffleboard, suggested by
some Exeter gentlemen, was
one of the most popular. More
than 100 enrolled, and the
Courts are in use three times
a week, with 40 players at a
time. Carrying on during the
summer is now under
consideration.
The classes in calligraphy
and dough art which began in
January are going well.
The Dancefit exercising has
retained its popularity over
the last few years, and still at-
tracts 15 to 20 to each class.
Plans for 1984 include set-
ting up coaching clinics at
levels 1 and iI in theory,
depending on the need;
reorganization of an active
tennis club: brochures to
advertise and promote
available facilities and pro-
grams and usage of the hall
for seminars, business
meetings, etc. and continuing
to offer -a wide variety of pro-
grams conducive to all
interests.
Stephen accepts
gravel tenders
• At Tuesday's regular
meeting, Stephen township
council accepted tenders for
the annual gravel contract
and for a reconstruction
contract.
.Jennison Construction of
Grand Bend presented the
lowest bid of.$3.38 per cubic
yard for a regular A gravel
contract. There were three
other bidders.
On the reconstruction pro-
gram for Concession 2-3 road
from Lot 21 to highway 83.
McCann Redi-Mix will supp-
ly clay and A gravel for $1:19
and $4.55 per cubic yard.
respectively. Dave Siddall
was low bidder on the B
gravel contract at $2.04 per
More talks
on Bell strike
The results of. a meeting
Friday between officials of
the Bell Aerospace plant at
Grand Bend and their
workers. members of the
United Auto Workers is ex-
pected to be announced Mon-
day, March 19.
Tony Jones of Iluron Park.
spokesman for the 79
employees who have been on
strike since February 14 said
Monday dight his group made
a final proposal at F'riday's
meeting and he expected to
hear the company's rep'; ,
Monday.
Jones added. "We offered a
few concessions including
some changes in our wage
structure. In addition 1 feel a
few things were agreed upon
verbally.
Talks Friday were carried
out by a mediator between
Bell Aerospace president Ted
Bartlett and UAW interna-
tional represtentative Bert
Rovers of London.
cubicyard.
Councillors Ken McCann
and Ruth Miller were named
to the court of revision to be
held March 20 on the Ryan
municipal drain.
The resignation of Wayne
Ratz from the township
recreation committee was ac-
cepted. Ile will be replaced by
Ian Russell of Huron Park.
Jim Drake is a temporary
replacement for John O'Neill
who is sick.
Approval was given to
Lynne Farquhar to apply for
a grant for the summer
playground program at
Iluron Park.
Application is being•made
for the employment of three
persons at the Iluron Park
pool this summer under the
Experience '84 program.
Clerk Wilmar Wein has
been instructed to write a let-
ter to Donald Darling of
Mount Carmel, owner of
Country Corners to clean up
his yard and keep equipment
off the road allowance.
Carl Rood, Jim Hoffman
and Leroy Keys of the Pinery
cemetery committee attend-
ed the council meeting to
review 1983 operations and
present a new budget for the
coming year. Council approv-
ed a grant of $1.000 for 1984.
Council agreed to pay their
share of paving at the Grand
Bend fire hall only in front of
fhe doors and their share of
expenses for fire chief Mex
Ifamiltonto attend a conven-
tion in Windsor.
Council rescinded a bylaw
'concerning operation of the
Dashwood Medical Centre.
That organization has now
been incorporated.
Council members and clerk
Wilmar Wein will be atten-
ding the March 29 meeting of
Iluron County council with
similar representatives from
ilay township.
i "k 'fir
Price Per Copy 50 Cents
Busy week for police,
check .thefts, prowlers
Officers of the Exeter town
police department faced a
busy week investigating a
wide variety of occurrences.
Monday, a 1980 Ford pickup
truck owned by Frayne Leas-
ing was stolen from theCaven
Presbyterian Church. The
vehicle was later recovered in
a damaged condition near
Dublin.
Police continue to receive
complaints of a young male
prowler in the Gidley and
Senior . Street areas.
Residents are urged to call
police whenever they see or
hear of any suspicious
persons.
Friday, police received a
report of a breakin at Exeter
Furniture Ltd. They found
evidence of two intruders at
the scene wherea safe was at-
tacked and other .damage
caused. A small Phillips dic-
tating machine was stolen
during the breakin.
Police feel they have found
a relationship between this
breakin and other occur-
rences in the area: Two
suspects have been question-
ed and police hope to make
arrests soon.
A resident on Carling street
has reported his vehicle
headlights being hit by a
pellet gun.
Theft of gas from a truck
parked at Smith -Peat Roofing
has been reported. Also at the
scene was an abandoned vehi-
cle which had been invovled
in an area hit and run inci-
dent. This occurrence is
under investigation by the
Exeter OPP.
Investigation,continues in-
to three shoplifting incidents.
Police have arrested two
juvenile shoplifters who were
observed by undercover
security personnel.
Two pairs of men's.gloves,
leather and suede were found
by a local citizen on Main
street. They may be claimed
at the town police office.
Police investigations of in-
cidents of the issuing of NSF
cheques and of child abuse
continue. The latter investiga-
tion is in conjunction with
Family and Children's
Services.
Also this week, police
responded to two early mor-
ning burglar alarm calls, con-
ducted property checks, put
in 15 hours of court time and
conducted spot checks for
drinking drivers.
The investigation of the
deaths of Mr. and Mrs.
Gerald B nilton is reaching a
conclusion indicating the
deaths of the Exeter couple
results from the inhalation of
carbon monoxide. Technical
examination of the chimney
should determine if it was the
cause of carbon monoxide
buildup in the Andrew street
residence.
Constable George Robert-
son listed damages at $600
when a vehicle driven by
David Bell, Exeter slid on
ice and ran into a parked
vehicle owned by Don Camp-
bell, Exeter on the parking lot
Exeter Inn.
turday, three vehicles
were nyolved in an accident
in front - of 249 Main Street
south. A car driven by Janet
Simons, Bayfield was pro-
ceeding south on Main street
when the driver fell asleep
and struck two parked'
vehicles owned .by
O`Rourke. Goderich and
James Foster, Huron Park.
Constable Roberston set
damages at $1.800.
Huron school rolls
expect 159 decrease
Enrolment at Huron Coun-
ty elementary and secondary
schools for this September is
expected to be down by 159
students which will- result in
10.9 fewer teaching positions.
The Huron County Board of
Education approved a 1984-85
teaching staff of 588 both full
time and part time teachers
at its March 5 meeting. There
are presently 598.9 teaching
positions in Huron's elemen-
tary and secondary schools
and schools for the trainable
mentally retarded.
Peter Gryseels, superinten-
dent of personnel, said the
reduction of 5.8 teaching.posi-
tions at the elementary level
is expected to be handled
• through natural attrition. This
means that enough teachers
may retire or leave the. Huron
County schoohsystem to go to
another board to make it un-
necessary to let any teachers
go.
There are presently 330.8
elementary school teaching
positions.
Gryseels said it is hoped
that a similar situation will
happen at the secendary level
where 7.3 teaching 'positions
will be eliminated for this
September.
if not, the superintendent
said some teachers with tem -
Please turn to page 3
BOYS WORKING OUT -- A small -number of boys took part in this winter's gym-
nastic classes and received their diplomas at TIM Saturdaymornjng'. Above, gym-
nastics director Lauren Love hetes Jeremy Westlake, Byn Guenther and Sean Finch
T -A photo
through their paces. -
At tennis courts
Startfu1fld car.
The long awaited Stall
tion of lighting for tI%abExete
tennis courts moveU a step
closer to reality this week
with the announcement of a,
recreation fund raising eff
of the Exeter Lion nd
Lioness clubs.
Lions spokesmanhU
Ellison said the lights will cdst
approximately $10,000. Most
of the money will have to be
raised locally although some
governme b ing is
available. �.
Ellison stated t is project
could be the beginning of a
long-term commitment of
. .
the two clams to improving focused around the popular
` recreation in the community. \Peanut Stomp. Other added
Z., He quickly dispelled any attractions this year will,be''a
rumors the clubs will be try- large slow pitch tobrnameM
irfg to'raise money for an in- involving both ladies' and
door pool. mens teams.
•
"Our projects ►at present--- Comma
will be smaller >rnd will be «s nave oeen
formed
designed to benefit specific beijrg set 'to ere and make this htohiss
groups or spent ,,where there _weekend one of the highlights
is an obvious need;" /he othe summer. Ellison sug-
stated. The concept of an in- f le c•ycle the date
door pool will be looked at for on the calend
future consideration. tended a specs
'he rime fund raiser this people who live a 'ay from
year ill be a home coming Exeter to come home for the
wee June 9, 10 and 11 ' weekend.
now. Ile ex-
itation to -If:
1
e
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