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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-04-24, Page 1eric 137 YEAR -17 .r meT A. PQUNIa CUtyrnntuNrTv 1 ,li1w tpAPERi 1,P4 t4 NAUA (t".,ir0elatiOnf�^alaan5500.4boq)0,C,�!,�A. Better NWepsperCompetitlpp'19$4 GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24,19$5 50 CENTS PER COPY Block Parent program reeve A child is walking home from a friend's when a vehicle pulls up and a voice from within politely offers to drive the childthe rest of the way home. - Despite polite objections on the part of the child, the driver becomes more insist ;. tent and eventually opens the door in an at- tempt to drag the child into the car. The child has the presence of mind to run and seek help at a home on the block displaying a Block Parent sign in the win- dow. While the scenario is contrived and serves as the lead in a movie that explains the Block Parent program, it is a situation, nonetheless, that could happen anywhere, anytime. What would your child do in the same situation? Are you and your children familiar with the Block Parent Program, and more im- portantly, would your child know where to find a Block Parent home on his or her routes to and from school and friends' homes? While children in most Canadian cities have grown up in Block Parent com- munities, the concept is relatively new to this area. A Block Parent program was in- itiated in Goderich several years ago but was allowed to lapse to the point where the network of homes dwindled. But the network has been rebuilt to in- clude 73 homes within the town limits and under chairman Joy McKee,- efforts have been renewed to revive the program. The group has divided the town into six areas and the committee hopes it can en- courage the growth of the program to the point where each block has two Block ,parents. "We hope to have six aiea reps who will make sure that signs are used and displayed properly," McKee said. "We will monitor a problem area arid establish a more elaborate telephone system." Children are learning about the -Block Parent Program in school McKee explain - in town Five year-old Lisa Leaman and her friends Dan Dodds, 2, and his four year-old sister, Trisha, examine the signs used in the Block Parent program in Goderich. Program co-ordinator, Joy McKee, explained the use of the signs to the children at a special informa- ed adding that informational brochures with respect to the program are dispatch- ed with Welcome Wagon personnel. • Basically, the program asks that people let their home act as safe refuge for children and adults in need of help. A movie on the program explains that Block tion meeting held Friday. While the Block Parent program is not new to Goderich, the organizing committee is making renewed ef- forts to expand the network of 73 homes in the town of Goderich. (photo by Dave Sykes) Parents are "sate strangers you can count on." They are people willing to help, regardless of the situation. The local Block Parent organization is hoping to attract several new block parents to the program to expand its net- work of homes in Goderich. Hundreds of thousands of people in tOu Canadian communities are involved in the Block Parent program. The Block Parent program in Goderich is looking to expand and anyone interested in finding out more about the benefits of the program can contact Joy McKee at 524-6983. Education taxes to increase by $20 this year. BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE By Stephanie Levesque Education taxes in Huron County are 'up about $20 over last year on an average assessment of $3,110. The Huron County Board of Education, at a special meeting on April 22, approVed its 1985 budget of $38.5 million, an increase of about 4.9 per cent over last year's, budget of $36.6 million. This means that on a tax bill for an average assessment of $3,110, the taxpayer will pay $241.21 for elementary school edtcation and $196.17 for secondary educa- tion. This is a combined total of $437.38. The school board will be going to the municipalities in Huron County for $12.9 million, a 5.6 per cent increase over last year's municipal levy of $12.2 million. The 3' 2 hour budget session was called the best meeting ever by board chairman Eugene Frayne. There was more discussion tonight ... all good discussion," said Mr. Frayne. Auburn correspondent cies in London hospital A rural newspaper correspondent for over 25 years and a woman whose name was synonymous with the village of Auburn, Eleanor Bradnock,died of cancer in Victoria Hospital, London on Friday, April 19. She was in her 71st year. L One eke ,984-Ont;a r`ans honored for their service to their respective communities with Bicentennial medals in December 1984, she epitomized the community- ]iiinded citizen. Born on a farm just outside the village of Auburn in 1915, she chose to live in and serve the only community she knew and o' eer In a wouldn't live anywhere else adding that "everybody in the community cares about one another." While Eleanor was involved in countless notable organizations, clubs, service and church groups, she will be fondly remembered by people in the Goderich, Clinton, Blyth and Auburn area as one of the finest community newspaper rural cor- respondents. For over 25 years she diligently compiled, covered and wrote about the newsworthy events in the Auburn area. Her involvement in community groups and affairs was also impressive. One of the first members of a county 4-H group she later became both a 4-H and CGIT group leader. Her involvement with women's groups was also unprecedented. She served as president of the Huron Presbyterian Women's Missionary Society and was later extended the honour of life membership in the Society. A member of the Women's Institute of Ontario for over 50 years, she was twice elected president of the Auburn WI, was president of the London convention area of WI for two years; served on the board of directors of the Federated Women's In- stitute of Ontario and was a member of the Federated Women's Institute of Canada. A trustee of the village of Auburn, she was active in the Horticultural Society. was .a charter member of the Historical Society and was instrumental in forming the relationship with Auburn, Michigan. Eleanor Bradnock She was predeceased by her husband , Wesley, who was the village barber for many years. She is survived by two foster children; George Collins of Auburn and Sheron Stadelman of Blyth; two sisters; Dorothy, ( Mrs Hugh Bennett) of Port Albert and Beryl (Mrs. Harold Nicholson of Seaforth and four grandchilren. Funeral service was held Monday at the Tasker Funeral Home, Blyth and inter- ment followed in Ball's Cemetery. rt A Mr. Frayne said even though the board 'did approve all the projects presented, tax- payers can feel justified in the budget brought down. The elementary portion of the budget totals $21 million. Director of Education Bob Allan said that for the first time, costs for the trainable mentally retarded and developmentally. handicapped students are included in this section of the budget. In previous years, these costs have been in- cluded in the secondary school portion of the budget. The secondary school portion of the budget is estimated at $17.8 million. Several special projects are included in the budget, with the major one being to in- clude $105,000 in the elementary portion of the budget to purchase and upgrade Vanastra Public School. "It's been a year since the accommoda- tion review committee report and we haven't done anything. How long are we go- ing to wait. We're not going to let it pass," said trustee Frank Falconer. The total cost of the Vanastra Public School project, that is to purchase and up- date the building now owned by Conestoga College is $525,000. It is hoped the Ministry of Education will give a grant of $420,000 for the-reierainder c: the project. Mr. {Alan -see d he wouldaprobably know within a few days or weeks what the ministry's commitment will be. It was a 7 to 6 -recorded vote that saw the school board approve including the $105,000 in its budget. The money will be part of the $402 803 set aside in the bud -et for ca.ital repair projects. Other special projects approved at the special meeting include: - Spending $4,430 for six metal storage sheds at public schools across the county; - A total of $45,000 to purchase musical in- struments at Lentral Anil VII -secondary school in Clinton, F.E. Madill secondary school in Winghatn and South Huron District High School in Exeter. Each school gets $15;000; An energy monitoring system for Seaforth ppblic School which will cost about $9,270; _ - A landscaping concept for each school to cost a total of about $8,000. Students from co- operative programs at community colleges could develop -the plans. The board turned down a proposal for an additional $36,530 for computer subjects. The 1985 budget already includes $75,000 to buy theeeducational computer known as the Icon as well as other hardware. Also, a pro- posal to extend family studies and industrial arts • to all areas of the county was turned down. The only other -special project turned down at the budget meeting was a proposal to increase school secretaries to full time. This would have meant an additional cost of $36,000 to set this up in nine schools. The total cost of both business and general administration is $909,045. The largest single cost is for teachers' salaries and school supplies. At the elemen- tary level, it is expected to cost $12.1 million and $11.2 million at the secondary level. - Tr-ansp©c tion --is the -aced -largest cost, This is expected to cost $1.6 million at the secondary level and $1.9 million at the elementary level. - -Plant-eper-ation--ani ='r i nap--is-the- next largest expense item. At theelemen- tary level, $1.5 million has been set in the budget for this, while $1.6 million has been -n-the seeonda-ry=seheel-budget. The province of Ontario will pay the largest share of the budget, $23.9 million. Mr. Allan noted this province's share is go- ing down all the time which means the local taxpayer has to continually pick up the larger share. .. Burglar arrested at crime scene +he Goderich Police Force made an ar- rest when they were called to investigate a break-in in progress at a home on Huron Road, just after 3 a.m. on April 22. Goderich Police Chief Patick King said police received a call from a woman who reported a break-in at her home and said the intruder was still on the premisis. A cruiser was dispatched and police arrested -a male person at the scene. The burglar had not had a chance to take - anything - from the house. Police did identify the suspect, but cha rges are pending. Police also investigated ' a break and enter at Victoria School, on the night of Apr. 21-22. Someone broke a window and entered the school. A cassette recorder, which was later recovered in damaged condition, was taken from the school. A number of thefts from vehicles took place over the weekend and Chief King has issued a warning to motorists to keep their cars locked, even when on private proper- ty. He also advised anyone wishing to have identification marks engraved on their personal property to contact the local police. The police department has engrav- ing equipment which it will loan out for this purpose. Town receives computer grant Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Dennis Timbrell today announced that the Town of Goderich will receive a provincial grant of $20,190 under the Municipal Action 85 program. Mr. Timbrell said the funds will be used to install a computerized accounting system. He said the new system will result in im- proved financial planning and budget con- trol. Municipal Action '85 is a major three- year- ministry program supporting municipal initiatives that develop management systems, administrative tools ac'l staff skills. . Turn clocks ahead one hour Saturday Ah yes, finally. The days are growing considerably waiver and appreciably longer, holding promise of languid days of summer. Siring officially arrived March 21 but the weather has been somewhat out of step with the seasonal calendar until recently. But the fact that the days are growing. warmer and longer, at least serves to in- dicate thiit Daylight Saving Time is near. Officially, DST arrives Sunday, April 28 at 2 a.m. Readers are therefore reminded to turn their clocks ahead one hour before retiring to bed Saturday evening or Sun- day morning. The semi-annual clock adjustment means that daylight -will be extended to 8.30or 9 p.m. Little Theatre purchases The Livery After years of performing in MacKay Hall and then renting the Livery, Goderich. Little Theatre.has an opportunity to have a home of its own with the purchase of the Livery. The purchase provides Goderich Little Theatre with proper facilities to mount its productions and much-needed storage spacefor costumes, scenery and equip- ment. The group hopes to offer more entertain- ment to the public by way of children's theatre, music, workshops in the arts, plays and concerts featuring local talent and professional performances in addition to the group's winter season of three plays. Goderich Little Theatre will now launch a fund-raising campaign to support the project. Donations are tax deductible and information on the project is available form Betty Etue. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR 3,r 9w 14 . q rc y �Y a s Talent Show A variety of talented young performers strutted their stuff at the Goderich Lioness Club's children's talent show, held Satur- day at the MacKay Centre. Photos iii this section. Soccer openers Soccer season is off and running, as the GDCI Senior and Junior Vikings both kick- ed off their season with home victories over the F. E. Madill, Mustangs last week. Photos and Details in Recreation. Theatre review "Thank God It's Friday" is the name of the latest Theatre Cirlce production, which recently completed a three -night run at the Festival Hall in Blyth. Signal -Star reporter Susan Hundertmark has was on hand and her review is included in the Recrption section. onie and Garden The annual Spring Home and Garden edition .is included as art insert In this week's iglaa1-Star. It's loaded with valuable information for the homeowners and greenthumbers.