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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-02-28, Page 2Page x Times -Advocate, February 28, 19% Video promotes Huron tourism CLINTON - A new . video ti- tled Huron County - Ontario's West Coast, was produced by a couple who own a computer training business in Clinton, re- ported the Huron Expositor. George Morfopoulos and his wife Pat, who own the Comput- er Training Academy, produced the video that features activities, attractions and shops of Huron County. Seaforth youth participate in famine SEAFORTH - Participants from the Seaforth District Youth Group and the Bethel Bible Church joined youths across On- tario in World Vision Canada's 30 -hour Famine to help end pov- erty and suffering. According to the Huron Ex- positor, the youths went without food for 30 hours on Feb. 23 and 24 while raising money to sup- port relief and development pro- jects to help needy kids as well as agricultural and AIDS aware- ness -programs. Groups were encouraged to plan' educational activities and discussion around causes of hun- ger and poverty. Last year 100,000 Canadians raised $1.87 million in the event. Library and health complex opens CLINTON - The grand open- ing of the Huron County Health/ Library Complex was held Fri- day, reported the Clinton News Record. The new complex, housed in the old Huronview building just south of Clinton, will be the home for the Huron County Health Unit, Huron County Li- brary headquarters, Home Care, Huron Addiction Assessment Referral Centre, Placement Co- ordination Services and sexual health education. Following a special ceremony, a guided tour took visitors through the building. Small libraries remain open HURON COUNTY - Despite county orders, some of the area's small libraries are remain- ing open, reported the Clinton News Record. In Januar,, libraries in Au- burn, Bluevale, Centralia, Cran- brook, Corrie and Walton were told to close by the end of March. Township governments decid- ed to keep their libraries open, forcing the county to re-examine its options for each library. According to Leona Arm- strong, chair of the county's so- cial and cultural services com- mittee, Harron has received proposals from township gov- ernmekets regarding alternatives to closing the branches. If the libraries remain open, the savinp will have to be made someplace else," county librari- an Beth Ross told the Record. Ross added the GatraW li- brary it expected to remain open sines Stephen Towietk to close it before' other • itlrg participants question PACS m Continued flttnet nkat page portance of -the park's infra. structure. adding .PACS is already working on issues involving Sew- age, water treatment hail land. A woman concerned about po- tential development of the sub- division's common green areas asked Brother James if he would be willing to state in writing that his intentions do not involve such plans. When he paused, a man replied, "You have speculation on further development." Brother James replied he intends to keep the, park's green space. "status quo." Despite his comments, people ex- pressed doubts about the need for PACS. "I've been here 24 years," said another woman. Every two years there's talk of selling the hous- es...I'm really not sure if there is a need for another group and I think that's what a lot of people are won- dering." In response, many in theaudi- ence cheered. "There are some people out there who like to help other people - no strings attached," said Brother James to the applause of others in the room. "(Steele Semper) is not a de- velopment company," he ex- plained. "(We) have been working with the government for quite some time...We've had a lot of coop- eration from the county, a lot of cooperation from Stephen Town- ship." • Pierson added PACS is also deal- ing with the government, which, he said, does not have a policy in place regarding Huron Park res- idences. "When the government decides to do this thing, and I expect they will," he warned, "they won't come and ask you what you want to &T."- it o."a telephone interview he later clarified PACS is not seeking gov- ernment funding. "PACS has no money," said Bro- deur at the meeting. "We're a vol- unteer organization." Brother James admitted. Steele Semper donates funds to PACS. When a man asked, "It's your money really that is sponsoring PACS now," he re- plied, "yes," re- ferring to the funds of his company. "Steele Semper has investments," he said days after the meeting. Audience par- ticipants had many other issues on their minds. - "We've talked amongst our- selves," said one woman, adding she wasn't aware of anyone in the park who had been surveyed by PACS as its organizers had in- dicated. "We intend to do at least 50 per cent of the community over the next two months...We have a long ways to go with that process," re- plied Pierson, who refers to the one-on-one questionnaire as a "community consultation." The organization's aim is to speak to everyone in the sub- division on an individual basis. "The reason we're here is to as- sist the people," said Brother James. "I'm a missionary." "That's very hard to swallow." replied a woman. At that point a man who iden- litied himself only art a Crediton teacher, told PACS organizers he always asks his students for proof intheir rresentations. Brother James replied he has mis- sionary experience working with Third World countries in marketing and inventory control. He admitted he has not yet graduated from The DeVry Institute of Technology, adding he completed bothhisMas- ter of Theo- logical Studies and Master of Divinity from the Ontario Theological Seminary in To- ronto, which is affiliated with the Ontario Bible College. Both in- stitutions are ev- angelical. He claims the seminary is a branch;of the ATS (Associated Theological Seminaries of North America) and that its credits are equal to that of university credits. Explaining he has one semester to finish at DeVry in order to ob- _tain his Bachelor of Science, he said he must complete it outside of Ontario since the province grants diplomas rather than degrees from such private institutions. He has also applied for his Doc- torate in Ministry and hopes his proposed Huron Park project will present material he may use in ob- taining this degree. At the meeting he held up one of his Master degrees for the audience to see. A few people expressed con- cern about the future of the park once he has completed his doc- "I've been here 24 years. Every two years there's talk of selling the houses...I'm really not stire jf there is a need for another group and I think that's what a lot of people are won- dering." Big Brothers/Big Sisters host annual bowlathon Chris Skalkos T -A staff ZURICH - The South Huron Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization held their 16th annual "Bowl for Millions" bowlathon at the Town and Coun- try Bowling Lanes in Zurich on Sunday. The organization is a voluntary service group that provides compan- ionship for boys and girls who live in single parent homes. Ron Anderson, president of the organization said the event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for'the South Huron chapter with money ping to- wards administration costs as well as special events and outings for the "bigs and littles." Dubbed a "celebrity bowlathon," community groups, area politicians and the local media collected sponsorships for the event which is estimat- ed to raise between $6,500 and S7,000. Among the participants were Bill Weber, Reeve of Stephen Township, Cecil Pepper, Reeve of Hensel), Jim Love, Deputy Reeve of Hay and Angela Reid, representing Helen John's office in Exeter. A long-time supporter, the Stephen Township Fire Department was in attendance and a highly motivated staff team from Murphy's Pub and Eat- ery in Exeter participated bringing with them $1,600 in sponsorships. Anderson said the money raised on Sunday stays within the South Hu- ron chapter and will go directly to helping the organization find matches between bigs and Tittles. There are currently 14 children on the wafting list with more boys than girls waiting for a companion." For some reason it is more difficult to get men to volunteer," said An- derson emphasizing the four hour per week commitment they ask from their volunteers is very flexible. George Finch, from Exeter has been a big brother for seven years and says it has been a rewarding experience. "It's very gratifying watching my little brother grow from a young boy into a mature young man," said Finch. His little brother Jeff said he has appreciated the companionship Finch has given him over the years adding he has been a positive influence. "I really appreciate the time my big brother spends with me, and some day I'm going to be,a big brother too," he said. yb� for a came. Ani Reid helps hair sister her bowling rat the SOuth HtH vn B Blah ell/ Big Slaters 16th annual Btawiat iori htlikl - at the town and .1 Country bowling lanes M Zurich on St lay. torahs. "PACS will go on because it be- longs to the people in the com- munity," he assured. "I will not By away. I am here to stay." One reason he' lives in Huron Park, he indicated, is because it brings back memories of living in. similar communities • as a child while his father was in the air force. "If you want happy memories," replied someone in the audience, "leave our houses alone. Buy your- self a photo album." - "I suggest you leave us alone," echoed a man. "I suggest you tell the govern- ment that," replied Brodeur. The teacher proceeded to ques- tion the degrees of the other PACS organizers. Pierson, who is a con- aettbnt in health care and social s:r- vices with Southtown Consulting in Toronto, has his Doctorate in Psy- chology while Belford, a chartered -accountant, is heading the financial aspect of the agency. Brodeur, a retired University of Toronto professor who has worked with rental housing, was noted to have his PhD in Philosophy and Psychology. He admitted he sees Huron Parkas a place to retire, and indicated his involvement as chair- man with PACS will be short-lived due to travel and writing plans. The meeting ended with Brodeur stating the group would be glad to speak with individuals or small groups. "I don't think we need these peo- ple," said Huron Park Housing As- sociation Member Bill Bradley fol- lowing the gathering. "We're going to form our own organization." "Why are they pushing us if they don't know something?" added as- sociation Secretary Alma Griffith. "That was not an indication of what the people think," said Broth- er James of the evening's dis- cussion, adding the housing as• sociation should avoid interfering with those interested in PACS. When asked for his impression of the meeting Brodeur responded, "It went very much the way I thought it would... these people are...apprehensi ve...S keptic ism is natural and healthy." Some audience members were in- timidated by the housing associa- tion and afraid to speak up, he add- ed. "We have to prove ourselves to them." He hopes to have the opportunity to follow up the meeting with a PACS newsletter. Although Housing Association Vice President Jim Parker was not able to attend the gathering, after speaking to association members the following morning, he was con- vinced PACS didn't appear to have much support within the group, partly due to concern about the af- filiation between PACS and Steele Semper. At the meeting some peo- ple expressed confusion between the two organizations. "Whom is funding for whom?" inquired Parker, adding Brother James' "information on the park is incomplete as to how people really feel...They're going to want con- crete answers to concrete ques- tions...PACS is too vague...They seem to dwell on the purchase of the houses...1 think if you're going to create such a stir in peoples' lives, they should know how...We need someconcreteevidence as to what their plans really are." - Council appoints dogtag salesperson BIDDULPH TOWNSHIP - Council accepted a committee recommendation to appoint Patricia Campbell as a dog tag salesperson for 1996 at a commission of $2.90 per tag and S5 per kennel li- cence. In other business, council accepted the proposed= insurance package for 1996-97 presented -I/ Pr Cowtth CoMpafy '-Limited; as amended in t1 amount of S18,985. Taylor Drainage Works Council set a date of March 19 to open tenders for the construction of the Taylor Drainage Works. In- terested property owners attended the Feb. 20 meet- ing and one expressed dissatisfaction with the pro- posed road crossing onto his property. Armin Krusper, of Spriet Associates said he would note. the requested change and it would be addressed at the time of construction by angling the crossing slightly. A meeting will be held on March 19 at 8 p.m. to hold the Court of Revision on the drain works. The grant structure for this program has not been guaranteed for1996. ';'Amalgamation Deputy Reeve Steffens suggested two items to add to the agenda for the meeting between Lucan and Biddulph including pumping sewage from Granton and the Community Centre Budget. He felt the township should be in a position to agree to study amalgamation with Lucan but should not be in- volved in any larger proposals. A telephone survey is being conducted by Mid- dlesex County to evaluate the possibility of a single tier government in the county. Teachers march in Hamilton GODERICH - Five busloads of Huron County Educators attended the Hamilton Days of Protest Satur- day February 24. John Clarke, District Federa- tion Officer of District 45 OSSTF said, "'The Secondary School teachers of Huron County joined with their Huron County col- leagues in Elementary Schools, Separate Schools, CUPE, and OPSEU to protest gov- ernment cutback tactics being used by the Mike Harris gov- ernment We intend to deliver the " We in de messag 50,000 priv wo. message, with 50,000 other private and public sector workers, to Mike Harris and Huron MPP Helen Johns who will be at- tending a Conservative Convention in Hamil- ton." Teachers left Seaforth District High School at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Saturday February 24. Huron County Teachers marched in Hamilton to protect the classrooms, program and extra curricular activiti1s of the students. The Hamilton Days of Protest is tend to liver the e, with other vate and sector 'kers..." the second in a series of escalating protest that private and public sec- tor workers will be participating in across the province to protest the handling of labor by the Harris gov- ernment. OSSTF, founded in 1919, has 50,000 members across Ontario and 250 members in Huron County. Its membership includes public sec- ondary teachers, occasional teach- ers, continuing education teachers, secretaries, psychologists, social workers, speech-language patholo- gists, custodians, attendance coun- sellors and other educational work- ers. ileefikerti starred the first atike ever by ensu o)ees Mondery at 12:01 , a.m. A local public sector picket line Ionised OPP oakio where workers received honks of support *on) patsairw *Ivens. pictured ars Carol Chapmen, Greig Hanson, local 121 *Went, Karen Mattuocl, picket captain and Paul Warr.