HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-05-02, Page 5a_`•�e•S .1`:��.�\5. �tiamast' �•+-'a♦\•, �,..'r, r.. y�,.hn�e.a\.♦ `. s♦'��:�a`�.�, a�4�'•��.•'t♦'���,�ama ^�� •
JACK'S JOTTINGS
by Huron MPP Jack Riddell, Agriculture and Food Minister
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The second session of the 34th Kindergarten programs.
Provincial Parliament opened with Streaming in Grade 9 will be
the speech from the throne empha- eliminated to allow students more
sizing the Ontario government's time to discover their full academic
commitment to the social reform potential. Grades 11 and 12 will be
agenda first charted in 1985. designated as years of specializa-
Read by Lieutenant Governor tion. Core curriculums and assess -
Lincoln Alexander, the 11 -page text ments at all stages of the education
— the most concise throne speech process will ensure that students
in recent memory — set the pace are provided with an effective
for the active legislative session springboard to career opportuni-
ahead by focusing on six key priori- ties.
ties: the
economy, education, social
The
opportunities Ontario's
assistance reform, safe and secure future can provide must be accessi-
communities, health and environ- ble to all its people. Yet, in the
mental protection, midst of great wealth, the number
Ontario continues to enjoy a of Ontarians requiring
social sssi
-
dynamic and flourishing economy tance continues to grow despite a
that has outpaced the industrial- 60 per cent increase in benefits
ized world by adding 800,000 jobs since 1984-85. Poverty continues to
and growing by over 40 per cent sap the initiative of one of our
since 1982. greatest resources, children.
In order to sustain this dynamic To counter this tremendous loss
momentum, the Ontario govern- of individual potential, the Ontario
ment will aggressively pursue new government is committed to assist -
markets for our goods and services. ing individuals to bridge the gap
By providing support to Ontario- between dependence and self-suffi-
based companies as they compete ciency. Transforming welfare
globally, this government will fos- cheques into pay cheques must be a
ter an entrepreneurial culture shared responsibility between all
which rewards businesses that levels of government.
strengthen the competitive position The Ontario government will
of our economy and labor force. take the lead by providing increas-
To guarantee that our workers ing shelter support and child bene -
will have the necessary skills fit payments, removing disincen-
required to drive Ontario's econo- tives to work, and expanding
my into the 21st century, this gov- employment counselling, referral,
ernment's primary emphasis will basic training and job preparation
bebn improving education, train- programs.
ing and adjustment programs. Protecting the quality of life
A relevant education system is throughout Ontario's many com-
the key to realizing both the eco- munities is a priority of this gov-
nomic potential of our province ernment. Our safety and security
and the individual potential of its runs the risk of compromise
citizens. The scope of our commit- through drug and alcohol abuse,
ment to quality education extends racial tension, and incidents of vio-
from junior Kindergarten through lence.
to Grade 12. To ensure that Ontario remains
In keeping with the Ontario gov- the preferred home for its citizens,
ernment's belief that children have the government will introduce a
the capacity to benefit from educa- comprehensive anti-drug strategy
tion at an early age, all school focusing on education, prevention
boards will offer half-day kinder- and treatment. This government
garten for five -year-olds. Funding will also provide direction and sup -
will also be provided to those port to police in their efforts to
school boards that have the class- improve race relations with the
room space to offer full-day senior diverse communities they serve.
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Access to quality health care
regardless of ability to pay remains
the cornerstone of this govern-
ment's commitment to the well-
being of Ontario's 1eople. The Pre-
mier's Council on Health Strategy
established in 1987 has identified
several health goals which together
define a broader vision of health for
Ontario. Good health depends
upon a safe environment and relies
more on diseaseP revention and
community-based care and less on
institutionalization.
Recognizing the contribution that
a clean environment affords in the
pursuit of good health, the govern-
ment will continue to demonstrate
leadership in environmental protec-
tion. We will encourage everyone to
participate in the 4Rs: reducing,
reusing, recycling and recovering
waste. Specific measures will be
introduced to reduce automobile
fuel vapors and automobile -pro-
duced acid rain emissions. A new
lottery fund — "Cleantario" —will
help finance our ongoing effort to
protect our air, water and food.
The exciting and demanding
challenges that lie waiting for
Ontario in the 21st century will be
met within the framework of a
dynamic economy and a skilled
labor force supported by a citizenry
that has enjoyed the benefits of a
clean environment, healthy lifestyle
and quality education from its for-
mative years onward.
Kincardine firm
gets hospital
paving contract
A Kincardine firm has been
awarded the contract to pave the
rear parking lot of the Wingham
and District Hospital.
At the regular April meeting of
the hospital's board of governors,
property committee chairman Ross
Davies said the $12,015 tender of
Cottrill Paving and Materials was
the lowest of three submitted for
the project.
The Wingham Advance -Times, May 2, 1989 - Page 5A
Editorial lacks respect
for democracy, writer says
Dear Editor:
As a res' t of Eat Wawanosh,
I was amused to read the editorial
"Why the rush" in the April 18
issue of The Advance -Times. There
seemed to be a shortage of letters to
the editor, so I would hope h9 is
just trying to be the devil's advo-
cate.
I am not going into the rights or
wrongs of making a purchase as I
feel the board has tried to provide
the best equipment possible to the
fire fighters. The point 1 find com-
pletely distasteful in the editorial is
the lack of respect for democracy.
There was a vote and it passed by
majority.
The point Howick supported the
purchase to get better equipment to
the No. 2 Station in Gorrie is fine,
but why is it irresponsible for East
Wawanosh and Morris to support
Howick's request?
As a former board member for
eight years, I feel that an area fire
board is obligated to do what is
best for the whole arca, not just
their own municipality.
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It has taken since the early 1950s
to develop a department that could
come up with a costing formula
that could be fair and representa-
tive to all participants. In this, there
is an hourly fee for service set
annually, and then the rest of the
costs are billed on the basis of prop-
erty assessment covered.
We did not see any editorials.
before this talking k about
how
East
Wawanosh and Morris were paying
more than their just share of 19 per
cent and 18 per cent respectively for
the same seven per cent and 11 per
cent of assessment covered.
Using your theory of "he who
pays has the power" makes me
glad I drive a full-size pickup and
intermediate -size car that pay more
for licence, etc., so I have more right
to drive down the road than a
smaller car.
Thank you to all the present and
former board members that I
worked with for that "arca co-oper-
ation" that accomplished much.
Sincerely
Neil Vincent
UPDATE ON HERITAGE
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There is a glimpse of Wingham
which gives pleasure every morn-
ing when the window blind is
raised.
The pleasant roof lines of our
main street, when viewed over the
tree tops in the early dawn,, take
one back to another, more graceful
age. How many buildings can you
identify from times past, alive with
memories of who we were when?
More and more, communities
across Ontario are demonstrating a
desire to protect and conserve the
buildings of our heritage.
Since the enactment of the
Ontario Heritage Act in 1974, many
Local Architectural Conservation
Advisory Committees (LACAC)
have been established, and individ-
ual properties have been designat-
ed as Heritage Buildings.
This reflects the tremendous
importance that communities
across the province place an their
historic buildings and districts.
Designated property grants
assist property owners in the con-
servation of properties designated
under ,the Ontario Heritage Act.
This grant program is adminis-
tered by municipalities and pro-
vides funding to a maximum of
$3,000 per property per year. In
Southern Ontario, grants are
matched on a 50-50 basis by the
property owner.
Wingham has a volunteer
LACAC, a group of townspeople
interested in the conservation of
our older, unique buildings, both
business and residential.
If you wish to find out more
about the grants available for con-
serving your home or building,
we'd like to hear from you.
Your local LACAC has a mailbox
at the Wingham Town Hall.
Meetings are held monthly and
are open to the public.
WPS thanks
community for
its generosity
Dear Editor:
On Wednesday, April 19, 1989,
Wingham Public School held its
annual Spring Concert involving
Primary -Junior children — from
Kindergarten to Grade 5.
At that time, donations were
made to the Colleen Robertson
Memorial Fund and the Don Young
Fire Fund.
The generosity of the citizens of
Wingham was overwhelming. In
excess of $350 was raised between
the two funds.
The staff and students and fami-
lies involved express their thanks.
Yours truly
Bevan Lindsay
Vice-principal
County system must reflect 90's reality, Eakins says
Residents of Ontario's 26 coun-
ties are being called on to take an
active part in strengthening and
updating the 140 -year-old system
of county government in the
province.
Municipal Affairs Minister John
Eakins issued this invitation after
he and Ontario's county wardens
received the report of the consulta-
tion committee on county govern-
ment.
"The county system has served
Ontario well, and I am committed
to ensuring that it continues to do
so," Mr. Eakins said. "But to do so
effectively, it must reflect the reali-
ties of the 1990s which continue to
show a marked change from the
nature of the province in the
1840s."
Mr. Eakins said the committee's
report suggests that a strong county.
government would have the tools
to cope with complex, controversial
issues such as waste management,
economic development and
planning.
"It further suggests that, unfortu-
nately, in some counties, the exist-
ing legislation does not facilitate an
adequate response to these con-
cerns," he added.
The report is the culimination of
the work of two provincially -
appointed committees — the advi-
sory committee on county govern-
ment and its successor, the
consultation committee on county
government.
Mr. Eakins said the two commit-
tees had found that while substan-
tial alterations have been made to
the structure and functions of other
local governments in Ontario, the
county, system ,remains much the
same today as when it was intro-
duced through the Baldwin Act,
He said it is obvious that a num-
ber of changesare required to bring
the government system into line
with the realities of today.
"These committees went to a
great deal of effort to solicit the
opinions of all interested parties
within the county government sys-
tem," he said. "I am now urging all
of those who have shown their
interest in the past, as well as any-
one else who now cares to partici-
pate, to make their views known to
me."
To ensure as many as possible
have an opportunity to do so, Mr.
Eakins said he will wait until mid-
July before taking any action.
He pointed out that in meetings
held in all 26 counties, input was
received from _r'epsesentatives of
county councils, the councils of ,
local municipalities and interested
individuals and associations.
Among its recommendations, the
report suggests ways to:
—Strengthen local municipalities
within counties.
—Improve the way local munici-
palities are represented on county
council.
—Ensure that services are being
delivered by the most appropriate
level of local government.
In Huron County, at least one of
the committee's recommendations
is already in effect — a county -wide
property wide property tax
reassessment, while some others
would result in structural changes
in county council, such as:
—Restricting the maximum size
of county councils to 20 members.
—Representation be based on the
principle of representation by pop-
nulation.
—Heads of all local municipali-
ties, including the mayors of towns,
be required to sit on county council.
At present, reeves of the county's
five towns are the official county
council representatives for their
municipalities.
The nine Ml'l''s who made up the
consultation committee are: the
chairman, Charlie Tatham, Oxford;
John Cleary, Cornwall; Mike
Deitsch, St. Catharines -Brock; Joan
Fawcett, Northumberland; Ron
Lipsett, Grey; Keith MacDonald,
Prince Edward -Lennox; Jean Poiri-
er, Prescott and Russell; Mike Ray,
Windsor-Walkerville; David Smith,
Lambton.
Peterborough MPP Peter Adams
also contributed to the writing of
the report. •