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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-12-15, Page 214 1, • Oth Clinton, Ontario ss, Thursday, December 15, 1977 Second Section 112th Year No. SO Homebound centre big success fo By Elaine Townshend A 'year ago, the Huron Outreach Program conceived the idea of a county -wide Day Care Centre for the homebound; that is, persons con- fined to the home because of age or disability. Such projects had been successful in several cities, but Huron was the first rural area to attempt it. In April 1977, a steering com- mittee was formed, and Chester Archibald, administrator of illuronview, on behalf of its board of irectors, offered the use of the Huronview facilities. • Funding was obtained through •a federal government grant and a New Horizons grant. r • In October, the Huron County Day Care Centre opened under co- ordinator Ann St. Jean of Auburn and her assistants, Rosemary Arm- strong and Karen Scruton, both of Minton. 0 In the intervening two months, 30 volunteers have given 270 hours. of their time, and recently the centre sponsored a volunteer workshop to discuss their roles and their rights. For instance, Jean Baker of Clinton and Winnie Mason of Auburn come every day, and Jean ex- plains, "It gets me out of the house; gives me other thoughts. I feel that I getmuch more out of it than what , give." Twenty-six homebound persons have taken part in the Day Care Centre thus far. They come from as far away as_ Brussels, Walton and Ethel. Some visit one day a week; others referred to Ann .St. Jean by agencies, doctors, families, anc' friends, and she visited each ap- plicant to ensure his or her eligibility before accepting them., Each par- ticipant pays $2 a day, which in- cludes transportation, a hot meal and the use of Huronview facilities, such as the exercise room and craft room, the auditorium, hairdressing personnel and general health care. The centre has its own kitchen, sitting room, den, office and bedroom for anyone requiring a rest during the day. It is open three days a week, but the staff hopes to expand to five days a week in the spring. An average of eight people attend each day, and one volunteer is needed for two participants.' "People come first," says assistant co-ordinator Rosemary Armstrong. "If someone needs something, the paper work, can wait." Activities include shuffleboard, cards, crafts, exercises and discussion groups. On Tuesday afternoon, Holly Manske, an art instructor from Brucefield, conducts a "painting for f&. n" class; and on Thursday, John Talbot, a Seaforth volunteer, teaches woodworking. A touch with the brush Painting for fun is one of the many activities carried out at of Huronview watches art instructor Holly Manske of the successful County Day Care Centre for the Homebound, Brucefield show volunteer Winnie Mason of Auburn how to •Yh1 operates out of Huronview. Here Betty Scratch, left, paint.(photo by Elaine Townshend) Board prepares for no candidates The Huron County Board of Education considered what may happen if no trustee wanted to chair the board itself or board committees in 1978 and established a policy at its Monday meeting that would eliminate that problem before it occurred. Director of education John Cochrane told the board that there is no board by-law outlining the procedure to be followed if no can- idate stands for election in a new year to any of the board offices. Cochrane said the board seems to operate on the assumption that at least one, and hopefully several, trustees will seek a chairmanship and that the situation would never occur. He in- dicated that the possibility was remote 4 when the board had only to elect a chairman ' and vice-chairman but that the possibility becomes greater when six positions are to be filled. Board chairman Herb Turkheim suggested to the board that any year that situation arises the outgoing advisory committee or executive committee of the board be given the power to appoint trustees to chairmanships. Separate school trustee Eugene Frayne reminded the 'board that ih a non -election year that situation would be fine but pointed out that in an election year there would be no guarantee that members of the executive committee would seek re-election of that they would be re-elected by voters. "The executive committee wouldn't be able to make appointments until January and. there is a possibility of trustees not returning to the board," said Frayne. Turkheim said that if the matter was "referred" to the executive committee it would alleviate the situation of trustees not returning to the board. He said that if trustees failed to secure a seat on the board the new executive committee established at the board's inaugural meeting would be given the respon- sibility to appoint people to chair- manships if no trustee new or returning, volunteered for the position. Colborne-Goderich township trustee Shirley Hazlitt said it would be a "sorry day for the Huron County Board of Education when not enough people on. the board were interested enough in education to serve as a committee chairman." Turkheim reminded the board that no one is saying that there is not enough interest from trustees to serve. He said what is being pointed out is that if .the situation arises in any year, the board has no policy to handle it. Later in the agenda board memberQ were given an oliportunity to announce intentions to seek chairmanships for the coming year. Board policy is such that at the last meeting of the year trustees are given an opportunity to declare can- didacy for board offices for the coming year. The election of the officers takes place ata the board's inaugural meeting in the next year and before those elections the trustees are given a second opportunity to declare candidacy. R.J. Elliott, of Blyth, indicated he plans to seek,the position of board chairman, Aldlt Corrigan, of Wingham, will seek the post of vice-chairman. Jack Alexander, of Wingham, and John Henderson, of Seaforth, will seek chairmanship of the fiscal and property policy committee. Colborne-Goderich township trustee Shirley Hazlitt plans to be candidate for the instrudtional staff and personnel policy committee. Dorothy Wallace of Goderich, is williing to chair the school hrografn policy committee and no trustee indicated a desire to chair the 'student policy committee. inaugural meeting January 3, 1978 at 2:00 p.m. for trustees to announce in- tentions to seek office. The board's first business meeting of the new year will be January 9, 1978 at 1 :00 p.m, Huronview residents and Day Care participants are welcome to take part in each others' programs. For example, many Day 'Care people enjoy the Old Time Music provided by Huronview on Monday, while several Huronvie'w residents join the "painting for fun" class on Tuesday. The.purpose of the centre is to give people more meaning to their lives. It helps senior citizens to stay in their own homes longer by giving them something to do and a chance to be with other people. Thus it combats loneliness and boredom which can lead to illness,, Similarly, it helps stroke patients, who previously lived very active lives, to adjust and encourages them to get back into the" community. The centre has already reached many people, but Ann St. Jean knows there are many more to be contacted. • She has used the local media to make people aware of the centre, and she is willing to speak to an organization wanting to know more about it. Huron Rosemary Armstrong credits This goes in here A ►n's enthusiasm • as one of the - reasons for the success of the Day There are many activities for the seniors at the day care centre. Here Charlotte Care Centre, but Ann is quick to Fewster of Goderich is making Christmas decorations with the help of staff point out that the centre could not member Karen Scruton of Clinton.(photo by Elaine Townshend) serve the homebound in Huron County without the dedication of all the staff and volunteers. Just a friendly chat The new day care Centre for senior citizens has allowed many older incapacitated persons to get out and enjoy company and have some fun. Here Norman Dupee of �n Goderich Township Clinton chats with convivial staff member Rosemary Armstrong of Clinton.(photo by Elaine Townshend) Drain loans, permits approved Goderich Township Council met in regular session on Monday, December 5. Council approved a tile drain loan application from Laurence Vanden Heuvel for $14,800 and one from R.E. Thompson for $7,100. Land severances requested by J.C. Hindmarsh for pt. lot -10, concession one and for pt. lot 15, concession 1 were approved by council as per questionnaires. Building permits were issued by counclt• to Joseph Jankowski to demolish a back kitchen and build a house addition; to Frank Johnston to demolish a house porch and build a house porch; to Fred Brall to demolish a storage shed and build a steel storage; to G. Vanderhaar to build a hog barn addition; to John Rodges for a steel granary and to John Bakker to demolish a steel granary. Council instructed the clerk to revise the mobile home by- law, to supply L. Vanden Heuvel with information regarding the Official Plan and to investigate spot zoning for pt. lot 36, concession 3. Council instructed the Reeve to contact Earl Schilbe regarding a building permit. A by-law to e§tablish a tile• drain debenture of $16,000 on three owners was given three readings and passed by council. - The Road Superintendent reported to council two bridges requiring immediate , replacement. One bridge is located between lots 35 and 36, concession 13 and the other is -1 Gated between lots 20 and 21, concession 16. Preliminary tests and evaluations will determine the type of bridge, the value and priority. Council moved that several accounts be paid and that three persons presenting wolf pelts be paid $ for each wolf shot in the Township. Several tax cancellations were recorded at the council meeting due to fires demolitions, etc. Council adjourned and will meet December 19 at 1 p.m.