No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-02-15, Page 3Board takes, a stand for autonomy The Huron Board of Education will not support amalgamation By Heather Vincent T -A staff CLINTON - The Huron Board of Education passed a motion last Tuesday to support the general principles stated in the Royal Com- mission on Learning Report re- leased by Dave Cooke January 26. The recommendations of the report do not include a proposal for amal- gamation of school boards. The Executive Committee re- ported that "On the basis •of dem- onstrated cost -efficiencies, and the long history of cooperative efforts atnongst the Huron, Perth and Hu- ron -Perth Boards in respect of cur- rent 'tri -board initiative', the com- mittee fails to sec the merit in school board amalgamation." This stand goes against Minister of Education Dave Cooke's efforts to amalgamate county school boards. Cooke has repeatedly promised to reduce the number of Grand Bend to buy fog horn from Coast -Guard GRAND BEND - At the end of the pier in Grand Bend is an instru- ment of safety that few, other than boaters realize is there. In the past, the Canadian Coast Guard has always taken care of the fog horn which alerts boaters of where the pier is in heavy fog. However, the Coast Guard has de- cided to get out of the fog horn business and the village is buying the horn. "It's not a matter of buying, it's transferring. Administration of Government Services have to go through a process," said Grand Bend administrator Paul Turnbull. He said the utility bill is about $ 150 per year and maintenance can be done locally. The fog horn will be in operation from April I to Sep- tember 30. "We specify the time of year we'll operate it and they put that in the notice to mariners," said Turn- bull. Grand Bend youth centre would be user -pay, council told GRAND BEND - While the youth centre in Grand Bend is be- ginning to take form, the chairman of the local Community Policing Committee is pleased with the progress of his group. Last - Tuesday afternoon, Bob Sharen came to council to give an update on the program which has already attracted nearly a dozen youths. "The kids need a place to hang out that is safe," said Sharon of pro- viding a youth centre. The proposed centre on Main Street, will be a multi purpose facil- ity and may be used by several community groups. Sharen said the youth, who will have their own governing body, will pay a fcc for its use. "If you give it to them, it isn't worth anythidg,'"said Sharcn Investment 1Yr. -8.00% 3 Yr. - 8.375% 5 yr. - 8.7596 Segregatedl( l LT7 Funds irip s. 2 YR. - 9.7496 i i. tee, 3 YR. 6,0496 bass . 4 YR. - 9.5096 -41g . Gasser-Kneale 235.2420,238-8484 • (i1C rate.° .subject In change. Sherr term rates available. Segregated lg'egatedtannd rates reflect actual p r d FsI$" rearms will vary. school boards in Ontario to pare down costs. Said Doug Garniss, trustee for the Townships of Morris and Turn - berry, "This is an important posi- tion to be taken." The trustees agreed that the 167 recommendations of the report should be divided and studied by committees to ensure a good under- standing of the issues and prepare for action. In a draft of a letter to Cooke from Roxanne Brown, chair of the board, it was stated that the board will continue to explore Qther cost cutting options. "We can provide evidence of cost efficiencies and permanent long-term cost re- ductions. We continue to explore various collaborative initiatives to exercise a working commitment for new ways of doing business during severe financial constraint," said Brown. !7V TF -IF WEWS Times-Adrbcate, February 15, 1995 Pags 3 Zurich staff get wage hike Council granted two percent increases to department heads ZURICH - Four village employees will he getting two percent pay increases, decided Zu- rich council Thursday evening. After a closed -session meeting before coun- cil Thursday, a motion arose to grant two per- cent pay increases to the village's clerk - treasurer, works manager, arena manager, and hydro manager. These pay increases are not affected by the provin ment than $ haveA e's Social Contract because the agree- empted public employees earning less 0,000 a year. Zurich found it did not y employees the Contract applied to, cond in camera session followed the meeting, after which council agreed to pay clerk -treasurer Mapreen Simmons $35 for each evening meeting..sgo-attonds... Council also voted to decline arena manager Jim Ram- er's request for over $7,000 he said was owed ro him for overtime in 1994. Instead, council asked that time sheets be regularly presented to the recreation centre board for approval. Council also declined a request for a merit pay increase from works manager Dennis Re- gier, but agreed it would be reconsidered when council reviews all village staff salaries and job descriptions later this year. New signs sought for Zurich entrances ZURICH - The Zurich Chamber oTommerce is concerned that it is not putting its best foot forward in welcoming people to town. Councillor Brad Clausius told Council Thursday evening that the Chamber is interested inseeing the village's welcome signs at the east and west ends of Zurich replaced. Although the signs were painted a couple of years ago, Clausius said they are now flaking, the decals peeling away, and the wood de- caying. "The wood is rotted, you could put a pencil right through it," said Clausius. The signs were originally a joint venture, funded by the village, the Bean' Festival Committee, the Op- timists, the Lions Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. Clausius said the cost of new ones will he about $ I.60(1. "We're just looking at these two, these are the worst ones," he said. "Either that, or let them de- teriorate," he said. When Clausius said the planters that accompany the signs will be re- placed as well, councillor Barb Jef- frey suggested the plants be chosen to match the signs with a bit more care than in the past. "Pink petunias with orange let- ters, what an eyesore," commented Jeffrey. Osborne council costs $21,559 EXETER - Usborne Township ratepayers paid a total of $21,559.58 in councillor stipends and expenses id 1994. A total of $15,880 was paid to the six members who sat on council during the year, and another 5$,679.58 was paid to reimburse their expenses for attending meetings and conferences. Don Richardson, Ushorne's member at the South Huron Rec- reation Centre Board was paid $566.40 for the meetings, $480 insal- ary, and $86.40 in expenses. Council Member Salary Expenses Total Pat Down $3,120 $1,312.85 $4,432.85 Margaret Hern $3,110 $ 629.40 $3,739.40 Robert Morley $3,100 $ 932.57 $4,032.57 Brian Hardeman $3,180 $1,302.72 $4,482.72 Ken Oke $3,370 $1,159.99 $4,529.99 John Denotter $ 342.05 $ 342.05 ONLY ONE MINIVAN STORE CAN OFFER CARGUIDE'S "BEST BUY OF THE YEARS" 1995 GET THIS OFFER ON CANADA'S #1 SELLING MINIVAN ONLY DURING "CUSTOMER VALUE DAYS:' 24T Package includes: • Standard front dual air bags • Standard side impact beams • Air coiiditiooniing • Automatic transmission • 3.0LV6engine $11 7; Including $750 tactory rebate • 7 passenger seating • Front wheel drive • Roes rack • AIA/FM stereo • Power Wlgate release THE ORIGINAL MINIVAN STORE. SEE YOUR LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER. • 0(:!HMI .ER FM STAR =via • bice iwides SISO loopy lobose essgnd to kir ad ro chary 1 poss." sumi n (M d alsr lodery istraat lbior. ertbdes 6St Pace admits hesdw 5810, kens+. m om& opera and Pens. timed tin 014e, °boli msp sill lex loss. Osier air MI be recesses.. So Delhi le dogs. t 1995 (. M. Atage e •