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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-04-08, Page 1GODERIC!-1, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1987 Fortunately; this scene isnot a real one. Goderich District Col- ' legiate Institute 'students are viewing a simulated impaired driv- ing accident, ..staged Tuesday as. part of the kick .orf for the ck acciden BY PATRICK RAFTIS ' Goderich District Collegiate Institute stude)rts were.provided with some food for thought during their .lunch hour on Tues- day; Aprif 7. Students leaving the school via the front door walked head-on into a simulation of a scene that has become all too familiar on Ontario highways. A mock accident, com- plete with a mangled vehicle, "injury vic- tims" and shocked onlookers, was staged'. by organizers as a dramatic kick-off to the school's first ever Students Against Driv- ing Drunk r SAi.)I)) program. • Although a number of GDCI students .have been preparing the kick-off for weeks, the event was kept secret from the bulk of the student population in order to preserve the element of surprise. "We didn't want anyone to know there " was a SA1.)I) program . operating in the school until we were ready," said Becki ;Martin; one of three principal student organizers of the group. We wanted to start it off with a bang," added SAI)i) Chairperson 'I'amrnie Allen. The students heard about the SAUD pro- gram through other` high schools and with the encouragement of GDCI drama teacher. Phillip MacMillan, set about gathering information and setting one up in town. They feel the need for a program like SAIM) is an urgent one. There's been quite a few accidents late- ly," nnotet1 Carolyn Cox, another GDCI stu- dent on the SAi)D organizational ,committee. -1 think it's probably. pretty serious," agreed Martin. On a more positive note, Allen said she believes the number of students drinking and driving is on the decline, partly due to public awarness and change of attitude. "i don't .think it's as had as it was 20 years ago. That seemed to be the thing to (10 for the previous generation - getting school's new Students Against Driving iIrunk (SAD) program. Local police and ambulance attendents volunteered their services to help add realism 'to the scene. (photo by Patrick Raftis) icks off SA 1b drunk and driving around," she said. Impaired driving is not just a student problem, and the organizers realize that. "The problem does go beyond the walls of GDCI," said Allen, adding the group will aim to increase community awarnes5 of the problem.. One method of spreading the program's message throughout the community. will he the distribution of SADD's "Contracts' for Life" -- agreements ,between young people and their parents "not to drink and drive. The contracts, which were handed out to students passing by the display Tuesday. call for students to call their parents, 1 or vice versa when they've been drinking and neeil a ride horne.Both par- ties consent to a "no questions asked," at the time of the incident clause,. and agree instead to discuss the matter later. The localSADD chapter also plans to ar- range for various groups to discuss drink- ing and driving with students and set up "peer counselling" sessions among their age group. • Cox, Allen and Martin , all agree the availability of a good variety of activities for young people would go along way toward combatting the baredoan that can lead to drinking and driving. "A lot of people, if they don't have anything to do, wi4 just go on a gravel run," said Martin. Toward this end,; the group announced their support fo'r tie idea of an Aquatic Recreation Complex, which was recently proposed as part of the Master Plan for Recreation in Goderich. However, they realize that adults can't • be expected to come up with the solutions to all the problems :of youth. "It's the responsiblity of the kids to get the programs going.' The programs are there already," noted Allen. Organizers stressed that SAUD is a student -powered program, that can only succeed with the participation of youth. "We're not condemning and we're not condoning. We're ..not against drinking, we're against drinking and driving," Cox emphasized. The kick-off was followed with an ,.assembly Tuesday afternoon, featuring '21 -year-old former model ,,Wendy Crawford, who's promising career' was halted when an accident involving an im- paired driver left her paralyzed a few years ago. Goderich police and the local ambulance' service co-operated in making the kick-off display more realistic. Polite and am- bulance attendents ,arrived on the scene shortly after the display began, at 11:40 a.m. and demonstrated how they handle such incidents. 60 CENTS PER COPY Newfoundland doctor ffered vact .county MOH p�sition The Huron County Board of Health has offered a Newfoundland doctor the posi- tion of Medical Officer of Health, county council learned at its regular meeting last Tuesday. The news was included in a report, presented to council by Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling, health board chairnm)an. The board, at its March 18 meeting, made a decision to offer the position to Dr. Maarten Bokhout, effecxtive Spetember 1, 1987 or sooner, should an earlier starting date be negotiated. Starting sarary offered is $70,209 With regular employee benefits. Moving expenses to a maximum of $12,000 will also be paid by the board, ac- cording to the terms of the offer. • the search for a full-time Medical Of- ficer of Health has been underway since the resignation of Dr. Harry Cieslar. Dr. James-McGregor•of Wingham has been ac- ting medical officer of health since that time. During presentation of his report, Mr. Stirling .said at least five health units across Ontario are currently searching for a medical officer of health with little success. R Dr. McGregor, in his remarks to council, Dr. Bokhout as a ."bright young man who would be an asset to the community." The acting MOH also recommended that the county hire the Newfoundland doctor. Warden Brian 'McBurney, Turnberry Township reeve, answering reporters; questions outside the meeting said the salary offer is at the top of Huron County's five-year grid because that is probably what it will take for Dr. Bokhout to'come here since his present salary in New- foundland is close to that figure. Should Dr. Bokhout accept the offer, his 'appointment will be based on a "mutually satisfactory" five-year renewable con- tract, the board of health report states. Premier includes Goderich on trip Ontario Premier David Peterson will meet business and municipal leaders and tour an internationally successful industry during a visit to Huron County on April 16. In announcing the visit, Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell said it will provide an ex- cellent opportunity for county residents to meet with the premier. The premier will also speak at a luncheon hosted by the Seaforth Business Improve- ment Association (BIA ). Tickets can be at- tained from Tom Lemon of the BIA. He can be reached at 527-0160. . In addition Mr. Peterson will help . celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cham- pion Road Machinery in Goderich and meet with local mayors and reeves in Clinton. "This visit will allow David Peterson to tour Champion Road Machinery, one of the counties most innovative and successful businesses, which is showing the way for the future of rural Ontario,'; Mr. Riddell said. "At'the same time, it will give him the op- portunity. to meet many people in the county." County taxpayers face 9.7 per scent education like By Shelley McPhee Heist Huron County taxpayers will face a 6.9 per cent hike in their contributions to the public education system in 1987. • The Huron County Board of Education 1HCF3E 1, at a special meeting in Clinton on March 30, approved its 1987 budget of $44.5 -million, an increase of about 9.7' per cent over last year's budget of $40.8 -million. To elementary based taxpayers with the average assessment of $3,110, the budget will mean that they will pay $284.85 for education in 1987, up from the 1986 figure of $261.46. In the secondary panel the average taxpayer will contribute $205.68 this year, as compared to $197.33 in 1986. The school board will be going to the municipalities in Huron. County for more than $14 -million in 1987. At the elementary level, Hurpn municipalities will be asked to contribute over $a -million, and the secon- dary school levy will be $5.9 -million. in total the 1987 budget for the Huron County Board of Education adds up to $44,562,745 and includes special projects that will total more than $424,000. Trustees at the two -and -a -half hour special board meeting dealt with the basic budget, then considered 21 special project proposals that were approved 'in short order. The most expensive and top priority item on the special project list will see a $105,000 expenditure from the elementary panel in 1987 to pay f heating pia This propos e replacement costs of the Vanastra Public School. epresents phase one of a six year plan to renovate the Vanastra Public School facility. The initial work will see hot water boiler system replaced with a natural gas heating service. No government 1 grants are available for the work. Over the next five years, board trustees will he looking at future special project ex- penditure proposals for Vanastra Public School, each estimated to run in the range of $50,000. Future renovation work will see the replacement of windows and doors, new flooring the lighting and ,upgrading of the fire alarm system. In stressing the importance of the heating system replacement, trustee Tony McQuail noted that the present system is "burnt nut." He further suggested, "Updating the heating system will mean a long ' term payback in energy savings over the next 20 years." Another major expenditure this year will see the replacement of the 'roof on the 1971 wing of the Seaforth Public School, for a price of $40,000. This cost will be borne by the elementary panel. The proposal for this project noted that the serious deterioration of the 14,500 square roof area has meant short term repairs ex- ceeding $5,000 in 1986. The perennial leak problems are directly above the school library and the primary wing. Wet carpeting takes more than a week to dry and the potential for serious book damage has been cited. This project is not eligible for ministry of education funding but is seen by the board as a major priority in 1987. Separate school board adopts . et The Huron -Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board adopted its 1907 budget at a special meeting held in Dublin on April 8. Ronald .Murray, finance chairman saki the board Will spend $13,788,075 this year, about $U. ,,255,926 for elementaryschools and $2,412,140 for the secondary ti on). With the extension of Catholic education to Grade 10 and French immersion tt Oracle 4, enrolment will increase this September by about 220 students. There will be a cop. responding increase in teachlsig staff of 11 hirers to handle this incase. A. major for the board this year is $'t�ii ,8, for salaries and benefits for the melt 200' hoard staff members, including lf8t teachers, noted Mr. Murray. Re said other major expenses include $$,057,185 fair plant operation and, maintenance, $1,190,925 for capital acldi;• tens and repairs to building and $1,20055 for school bus transportation. The bdget also includes an expenditure of $1121,.950 fpr additional educational com- puters, malting a total investment in dud area of $1 million. A taxpayer with an assessment of WOG will pay an average of $4i' .4ii in education tales for both elementary and € econdary schools In iN•17, an increase of $38,85 over that paid last year, noted dads Lane,. S rintendent of Business. and Finance._ l?nMr. Murray stated the defied of PA ' incurred its Ili remains but sortie reduction of the amount is erred through the rates set this year. The exact amend will net 'be known until later in the year, he saki, when final cow arre-eslablEis oo eertahtreapttal projects, Attention will also be given to the rrnoval of unused fuel tanks at six schools - Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton, Goderich District Collegiate Institute, South Huron District High School in Exeter, Seaforth District High School, Exeter Public School and McCurdy Public School. Costing $50,000 in total, this project is recommended in response to changes in the Environmental Assessment Act which re- quire the removal of unused fuel tanks formerly required for oil supply to school heating, plants. Negotiations are continuing with officials from the Ministry of the En- vironment to minimize costs to the HCBE. ..Some $56,700 will be allocated in 1987 to establish new technological atudies pro- grams in three secondary schools. At Central H`hron Secondary School ( CHSS) in Clinton $30,000 will go towards the re -development of the existing Family Studies facility to incorporate multi-year programming into the technological studies program at CHSS. This project reflects a re"ognition of the importance of food ser- vices in employment opportunities for graduates of such programs. A large number of students have expressed an in- terest in the proposed program. The $30,000 cost of this program will be of- fset by revenues accumulated from the sale of the machine shop and technological equipment from CHSS in 1984 ($36,890) and through funds from the sale of Part Lot 70, a portion of residential property formerly part of the CHSS athfetie field ($13,600). At Seaforth District High School, $21,700 will go towards the development of a multi - shop teenie l.,_f aF.+Ii.try rThia-. wil•1. - accom- modate students at all levels of difficulty Turn to page 3. Vandals paint the town blue Vandals, armed with blue spray paint cans, caused an estimated $1,500 damage to vehicles and buildings in various parts of the east side of Goderich early Sunday morning, reports Goderich Police Chief Patrick King. Police received a call at 4:32 a.m., noti- fying them that "two reale youths in black leather jackets," were seen spraying paint ori vehicles and property. Officers dispat- ched to the scene were unable to catch the culprits, King said. Nine cars, two tractor trailers, several busses, a shed and two buildings were sprayed during the incidents. King said the damage figures would have been higher, had it not rained that night, diluting the paint. '•In some cases, they were able to wash it off," he said. Goderich Police are investigating. and request anyone with information which may help identify the culprits contact them. Violence is -topic of a meeting Provincially, April 13 to 17 has been - designated Loc.al Government Week with the 1987 theme being, "It's right where you live". The purpose of the program is .to re- mind everyone that local government has a direct influence on the 'quality of one's community and the quality of life ex- perienced by its' residents. Mayor Eileen J. Palmer and Gocitr'ich •Town Council, invite the general public to attend. the Council Meeting, April •13 and participate in a Municipal Bus Tour Pro- gram April 14. The Council Meeting will start at 7:30 p.m., April 13, in the Town Hall, council chambers, 57 West Street, 2nd Floor. ,Bus Tours will depart at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the Town Hall, stops will include the Airport, Pollution Control Plant, Town _Hall, Police and Fire Stations. The •tour will also pass other municipal .facilities' with commentary being provided by a guide. Tours will last approximately two hours. There i's no charge. For thosenot wishing to participate in a complete'bus tout., the opportunity will be available to drop in at all of these municipal facilities, except the Pollution' Control Plant, from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon and 1 p.m. -4 p.m. Those planning to go on the bus tour, and for further information, phone: 524-6600. Government eek. touring planned Communicating to the public their I-04 and responsibilities surrounding violence within the family and informing them of • the present program of initiatives within the legal system with respect to. family violence are the purposes Of, an upcoming public meeting to be held in Goderich. , The meeting, sponsored by the Ontario Women's Directorite through the Survival Through Friendship House located in Goderich, willbe held May 12 at 8 p:m. at Goderich District Collegiate Institute. Similiar public meetings will be held in Clinton, Exeter, Wingham. The program will also be presented at the five county high.schools. • The meetings will feature a panel of guest speakers from various.agencies that deal with family violence. At the Goderich forum, representatives of the Goderich OPP, Family and Children's Services, the Huron -Perth Centre for Children and Y'th, and the Crown Attorney will be sf'eaking, Each of the speakers will discuss how their particular agency deals with family violence. Following their presentation, there will be a question and, answer period. Everyone is encouraged to attend t`he meeting on May 12 to learn abput•famil,y violence and what is being 'done to fight it. i--1 `_ S 6NAL .S"TAF-1 Scots ,entertain The talents Bf six Scottish perforrners were highlighted in this year's presenta- tion of A Breath of Scotland, sponsored by the Goderich Lioness Club. The variety show, held at GDCI last Thursday and Fri- day evenings, included Scottish ,songs; dance, music and comedy. For piittures, see inside this section. Restored airplane After 10 years, Bili Coulter and DorRoss can say it is finally over. It has taken the two men 10 years to completely restore a. 1942 Tiger Moth 'airplane, one of only 11 sluch planes left in North America: , For story a cTpic'Tures, see the iia page of ` the Community section.