Times-Advocate, 1996-02-14, Page 3Times -Advocate, February 14, 1996 Page 3
Volunteersd
:nee ed for porents
EXETER -Having someone to "There's not much preparation on them to be a good listener and non -
being a parent," she said. "Pa- judgmental," said Rowe.
renting itself is just a tough job." Although she described the sys-
Two parent support counsellors tem's mandate as having "people in
were hired in July to conduct the community supporting parents
match -ups, mentor training and par- in the community," Rowe stressed
ent education as well as organize
and promote the program.
The federally funded network,
which offers parents individual
support, is similar to Big Brothers
and Big Sisters, Brighter Futures
and Cradle Link organizations.
Chosen as part of a national two-
year evaluation, the parent mentor
operation is "watching for trends
and needs," explained Jane Hoy,
coordinator of Rural Response. "If
• we have enough space, we would
open...up (training) to volunteers in
other organizations."
Group volunteering and parent
conferences may be included in the
program's future and organizers are
open to other ideas.
"There will always be ongoing
support for volunteers," said Hoy,
adding they are offered on-going
talk to is often all you need to 8et
through a tough day with the kids,"
reads a flyer promoting a parent
support network geared to parents
with children up to the age of six.
The Canada -wide community ac-
tion program was introduced to Hu-
ron County in May under the ad-
ministration of Rural Response for
Healthy Children. Now at its
matching stage, the system needs
experienced parents to befriend
families with small children.
So far, the biggest shortage of
parent volunteers is in Exeter. Al-
though 10 families in the area have
expressed interest in gaining a men-
tor, only one volunteer has signed
up.
"The concentration of referrals
(seems) to be coming from the Ex-
eter area," said Parent Support
Counsellor Shelley Rowe.
Huron County has a total of 20 to
25 participating families and 10 to
12 parent support volunteers. To
date, added Rowe, participating
families predominantly include sin- training workshops and are re-
gle, young mothers with infants and quired to be screened through a po-
toddlers. A few generations ago, lice check, interview and refer -
she pointed out, family support for ences.
parenting was more accessible than Although parent mentors are not
it is today. viewed as counsellors, "we expect
it Is nbt to be used as a child care
alternative. "It's really to offer sup-
port and education....A lot of times
I think it's just having that person
there."
Shelley Rowe, at left, is the parent support counsellor for
South Huron and Jodi Jerome is counsellor for the northern
part of the county. The two will be involved in the organiza-
tion,
rganizestion, training program, match -ups and promotion of a new
parent support network administered by Rural Response for
Healthy Children.
Winter Carnival a success
despite .bizarre weather
Chris Skalkos T -A staff
GRAND BEND - Sunday marked the final day of
the 1996 Grand Bend Winter Carnival.
Although this year's carnival boasted over 30 ac-
tivities and events to commemorate its 10th an-
niversary, what will most likely be remembered is
the bizarre weather organizers had to deal with dur-
ing the 10 days.
"It was certainly a mixed bag of every-
thing," said carnival chairperson John
Musser.
The carnival kicked off Feb. 2 while the
region was in the clutches of a severe
deep freeze. Temperatures plummeted to - o
'
23 degrees celsius and the wind chill factor tic
made it feel colder.
But there was no snow.
As thlr+ week progressed temtures
inviting'periods of rain. On Saturday ternperatures
reached a balmy +10 degrees above zero making
February feel more like spring.
It didn't last long. The final day was hit with high
winds and blowing snow as the temperature re-
turned to below freezing.
The lack of snow seemed to take the "winter" out
of the carnival and the warm temperatures melted
ice and snow sculptures carved by local residents
along with an international team of snow sculptors.
Local volunteers labored for hours maintaining
the outdoor skating rink on the old river bed and
had the ice surface at its best, only to watch it turn
into a large puddle just a few days before a sched-
uled children's skating party.
Yet, the carnival went on and only two outdoor
events were cancelled. The children attended the
skating party and turned it into an outdoor party,
enjoying hot chocolate and hot dogs.
Snow sculptors used their resourcefulness
and creativity to carve out animated crea-
tures from blocks of soft snow, the touch
football teams played in the severe cold
and bragged it still wasn't cold enough,
and the warm temperature on Saturday
coaxed a large number of people out-
doors to watch the winter carnival parade.
The residents of Grand tient! ,would not bq,
• denied winter v
_ � � fl4�,� Rif.�ltc .�
300 resits acid business owners Who,>rolunteetecl.,.,
countless hours organizing the events never gave
up.
Musser said the carnival depended on the many
volunteers who sacrificed their time and were un-
able to enjoy some of the events because they were
working behind the scenes to make it all possible.
"When you organize 30 events it's essential you
have volunteers and the people in Grand Bend are
like that, they like to volunteer and get involved,"
said Musser. "It was rewarding to get that kind of
response from the public."
a
Johns meets with area PUC
members to discuss agenda
Commissions concerned Bill 26 will lead to municipal control over utilities
Heather Mir T -A staff
EXETER - Arca Public Utility
Commissions held a meeting at the
Firehall Friday to discuss the prov-
ince's agenda regarding to mu-
nicipal utilities.
Don Symons, chair of the Clinton
PUC, initiated the meeting with
Huron MPP Helen
Johns, which also
included Wingham,
Hensall, Zurich,
Clinton, Grand
Bend, Seaforth,
Goderich and Brus-
sels PUC members.
Issues such as
privatization of On-
tario Hydro and
municipal reitructuring under Bill
26 have led to concern among local
PUCs about the level of reliability
and accountability for the custom-
er.
"There should be an arms -length
relationship between the electrical
utility and the municipal govern-
ments," Symons stated in a sum-
mary of concerns. "No tax dollars
should be used to fund operations.
Revenues from these should be
used exclusively to provide service
to the consumer."
While PUC members stressed
they are not opposed to change,
most agreed municipalities have
not communicated with the utilities
and would be advised to draw from
the experience of well-managed,
financially sound commissions. It
was Mao felt municipal amalgama-
tion was being pushed by the prov-
'1 b
comm •
op
wa
syste
mun
ince without direction.
"I believe the commission can
operate the water/sewer system
better than the municipality," said
one audience member, adding,
"Many municipal councillors do
not understand what is involved
with utilities."
elieve the
Ission can
erate the
ter/sewer
m better
than the
icipality."
Concern was ex-
pressed that mu-
nicipal man-
agement of
waterways could
lead to a gradual
deterioration of the
system. Tax rev-
enue, utility mem-
bers fear, could be
diverted away
from of the utility
to fund other projects.
"I don't think anyone wants their
water quality to suffer," responded
Johns adding, "There's only one
taxpayer and that taxpayer is
maxed out."
Exeter Mayor Ben Hoogenboom
attended the meeting wearing two
hats; one as a municipal repre-
sentative and another as a member
of the utility commission. He also
emphasized the importance of di-
alogue between council and the
utility but said during amalgama-
tion discussions everything is on
the table including the PUC and
Fire Boards.
"1 think there are ways to deliver
services better by working together
and avoiding duplication," said
Hoogenboom who later ad if
amalgamation between Exeter,
Grand Bend, Stephen and ; Usborne
Townships were to take piaci, "We
can only have one commission."
Johns agreed to fax each PUC
representative an evaluation of
Section M of Bill 26 that deals with
commissions. Once members are
more informed they are invited to
ask Johns specific questions.
"I think everybody has to be in-
volved, as well as the people who
live in the community," said Johns,
"It's when people aren't talking is
where the problems start."
Icy roads
contribute to
single vehicle
accident
EXETER - A motor vehicle colli-
sion occurred on Highway 83, ap-
proximately 1 kilometer east of
Usborne Road 4-5 on Saturday, re-
ported Exetgr OPP.
A 1993 Pontiac Trans Am, driven
by John Graham of St. Marys, lost
control travelling west -bound after
passing an east -bound snowplow.
The vehicle crossed the highway,
skidded on the icy road surface
and entered the south ditch where it
rolled over and landed on the pas -
!tenger side.
Alt five occupants (tithe vehicle
were treated for minor injuries and
later released from hospital, No
charges were laid.
Have a news tip?
Call the Times -Advocate
235-1331
WE HAVE MOVED!
THE HURON
COUNIYHEALTH UNIT
Home Care Program
Information and Placement
Coordination Service
and Huron Addiction Assessment
and Referral Centre
are now located at the
Huron County Health & library Complex
RR #5 Clinton
(Behind the Huromvew Home for the Aged)
Telephone numbers remain the same:
Monte Care Program: (519) 482.3411
Information and Placement: (519) 482-5666
'MARC: (519) 482.1767
The Dashwood Firemen's Association wishes to thank the following
contributors for their touch valued donations towards the purchase of our
personnel and equipment van. As we are still short of our goal, further
contributions will be appreciated do PO. Box 106, Dashwood, -ON NOM 1NO
Contributors as of January 1, 1998
ecker Farm Equipment
Casual Industries Inc.
Dave Moore Fuels Ltd.
Dou & Nancy's General Store
Turkey Products Inc.
H T. Harry & Sons Ltd.
Market Farm Equipment Ltd.
M & R Disposal Service
Norman Fischer Plumbing &
Electric
Oakwood Inn & Golf Club
010 ClqW
Dashwood Friedsburg
Dashwood Women's Institute
Exeter Legion
Exeter Lions Club
Exeter Lioness Club
Grand Bend Legion
Donald and Elizabeth
Baker, Edith
Baker, Glen and Arnetta
Boogemans, Robert & Bernice
Boyle, Hugh
Chandler, Bill & Rita
Dietrich,
Hoard & Elaine
Die
Dietrich, Steve & Josephine
Fee, Mary
Genttner, Alma
Gilroy Doreen
Guenther, Rose & Pauline
Hayter, Jayne
Hoffman, Jim & Donn
Hoffman, T. Harry & Maud
Hoffman, Robert
Keller, Frieda
Lam, Dr. Y.M.
Mahoney, Bill
Maier, Howard & Muriel
Marshall, Fred & Donna
Martyn, George E.
Merner, Ron and Ruth Ann
Ogletree, Frances
Patterson, Harold & Donna
Pickering, Rosa and Evelyn
Rader Glen and Marilyn
Rats, Donald L.
Rats, Ervin and Nola
Regier, Gerald& Ursula
Regier, Pat & Evelyn
Reid, Murray & Anne
Restemayer, Leeland & Donna
Riddell, Jack and Anita
Rumball, Garry and Shirley
Salmon, Hubert
Trethewey, Richard and Elva
Van Raay, Martin and Theresa
Weigand, Martha and Eben
Whaling, Len and Donna
MEETING NOTICE
EXETER. - GRAND BEND
STEPHEN - USBORNE
AMALGAMATION
COMMITTEE
The Council representatives of the above municipal-
ities are meeting on an ongoing basis to determine
the feasibility of amalgamating the four municipali-
ties into a single municipal corporation. These
meetings are open to the public. Any group or indi-
vidual that would like to make a presentation to the
committee, should contact Larry Brown Committee
Coordinator at 234-6331. The next Amalgamation
Committee meeting is:
Thursday, February 15 - 7:30 p.m.
at Grand Bend Council Chambers.
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