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The Wingham Advance Times, 1995-12-20, Page 1L If you're not subscribing to Ttie Wingham Advance -Times, you,'re missing out. Use this coupon below and subscribe today! Name: Address: City: Prov.: Postal Code: Subscription rates Canada within 40 miles (65km) ad- dressed to non letter carrier address- es $27 plus $1.89 GST. Outside 40 miles (65km) or any letter carrier address $40 plus $2.80 GST. Ouside Canada $80 plus $5.60 GST USE YOUR CREDIT CARD Card No. ❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑ ❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑ Expi Date• Visa Li Master Card ❑ Cheque enclosed ❑ Return To: WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES P.O. Box 390, 5 Diagonal Road Wingham, Ontario, NOG 2W0 J Old Man Winter has made a huge impact on municipal budgets al- ready this season. Page 3 "0-4 1 Christmas Greetings and Letters to Santa are gathered in our special festive section. Section Two ebt • Madill Mustangs take two games from CHSS in Boys Basketball action. Page 8 Festival honored with award The Blyth Festival has been chosen one of three Ontario arts organizations to receive the pre- stigious new Lieutenant - Governor's Awards for the Arts. This unique awards program was established by Ontario's Lieutenant -Governor Henry Jackman, to encourage and re- ward the efforts of those Ontario arts organizations which have built exceptional private sector and community support. The Festival has long been re- garded for its outstanding con- tribution to new play develop- ment in Canada. • Professional, non-profit, char- itable arts organizations across Ontario were invited to apply for three $25,000 awards, but Mr. Jackman in his announc- ment said, "I was so impressed by the calibre of the applicants, I decided to give an additional $60,000 this year through the Henry N.R. Jackman Founda- tion." The Blyth Fesitval has devel- oped strong -private support in the Village of Blyth, in the neighboring region, and across the country. In a 1992 fund- raising effort, Canadian celebri- ties successfully challenged more than 18,000 supporters to match their contributions in a special Benefactor's Campaign. In 1993, through its deep-rooted ties to the community, the Festi- val raised funds by appealing for personal loans from long- time supporters. Since 1994, the Festival• has developed other sources of revenue through ini- tiatives such as rental of theatre facilities. Volunteers play a major role in the festival's community in- volvement, spearheading such initiatives as the Student Drama Workshops and the Teen Drarna Festival. Since 1994, the Blyth Festival has seen a 25 per cent 'rise in its volunteer base. News Editorial Letters Sports Obituraries T.V. Guide Classifieds Crossword Horoscopes Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 15 Page 16 A LOOK AT.. m Preserving unity... Canadi- ans need to seek ways to broaden their perspective. Page 5 The Wingham Advance -Times is a member of a family of community newspapers providing news, advertising and information leadership IIP 75 Santa Comes to Town Madill Production...The jolly old elf, Santa Claus, was on hand last Saturday when the F. E. Madill Drama Guild presented its "Children's Christmas Story Theatre". Elves Te- resa Smith and Jill Walden assisted Santa as he greeted children. Accepting a candy cane from St. Nick is Olivia McKague, daughter of Murray and Shirley McKague of RR 2, Wingham. 441. Shoppers not spending as much this season By MARGARET STAPLETON The Advance -Times Some Wingham merchants are reporting a ho -ho -ho-hum Christ- mas shopping season this year. While stormy weather may play a slight role in keeping shoppers at home, a weak economy is being blamed for much of the downturn. The word this Christmas season appears to be "cautious" as consu- mers are reluctant to part with hard- earned money in uncertain econom- ic times. This trend is common not just to Wingham, but according to media reports, is hitting city stores as well. Another thing local merchants must fight is the trend toward peo- ple doing their .shopping out of town, particularly with- the opening of new Zehrs "superstores" at Lis- towel and Goderich and a Wal -mart at Goderich. Brian Roes of Brian's valu-mart in Wingham speaks with some frus- tration about the trend toward local residents going to the "superstores" to •shop. However, he does invite people to visit the superstores and "check them out". He said he is confident that the prices in his store will compare favorably to those in the superstores. Ed Centre and J.K. on chopping block Trustees passed recommendations to meet cost reduction target By HEATHER MIR Special to the Advance -Times CLINTON - Despite concern some of the rec- ommendations proposed by the Director's Ac- tion Report"will compromise quality of educa- tion, trustees carried motions to meet a cost reduction target of a minimum of $3 million for each of the next two fiscal years (1996 and 1997). The measures for meeting this target in- clude recommendations' to appeal to the Minister of Education for special consideration, adopt a cost management model and to devise a plan to re- duce the size of senior administration by one ac- ademic supervisory of- ficer position. This re- duction will be enacted by attrition or reassignment where possible. Trustees Norm Pickell and Joan' Van den Broeck voiced concern this action will stretch an already tight administration too far. Van den Broeck said administration, already deal- ing with the complexity of delivering educa- tion services and funding cutbacks, should not be overloaded. "I see it as shooting ourselves in the foot do- ing this. We are already lean," said Pickell. Trustee Doug Garniss said although he un- derstands concerns of members, he feels the board is faced with little choice. "At this point in time I don't think we have any choice but to follow through and devise a plan." Other recommendations accepted by the board include encouraging 'revenue generation from alternate sources through entrepreneurial activity, prep- aration of an impact study to analyze the financial effect on the local ratepayer of the re- moval of the junior kindergart- en program and listing the Ed- ucation Centre from sale, rental or lease, subject to review by the Management Committee. The HCBE also carried a rec- ommendation to establish an early retirement incentive program in an effort to avoid mandatory layoffs for staff in the coming year. The report gave Huron Board of Education trustees the background for the next steps in preparation 6f 1996 budget estimates. Ac- cording to Director Paul Carroll, last week's mini -budget announcements appear to confirm an estimated $3 million transfer payment re - "It's quite a nightmare we're about to embark one At least the government has had the courage to make the decisions." duction for 1996. This reduction does not in- clude the impact of measures already in progress that will raise local property tax re- quirements to support the cost of education in Huron County for the public education sys- tem. Combining the impact of the assessment equalization factor adjustment of 22.7 per cent to be phased in over a five year period and the continuation of the current general legislative grants funding system, the mill rate has the po- tential to rise by an estimated 10 per cent. The action report indicates although it is not know yet how transfer payments will be with- drawn, Carroll believes there is every in- dication assessment -poor boards with higher - than -average ministry grants will be more ad- versely affect. "We should, yet again, appeal for special relief. We are at the bottom of the heap in respect of spending on a per public ba- sis," stated Carroll's report. Earlier in the week Carroll told the T -A the economic statement will mean a challenging year for the board. "It's quite a nightmare we're about to em- bark on. At least the government has had the courage to make the decisions," said Carroll. A special board meeting had been called for Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. to explore alternatives and decisions required for immediate action to en- act cost savings. Roes, who • came to Wingham early in September with his wife Sally, said the Christmas shopping season so far has been less than he had expected. However, with sever- al days left before the holiday, he is hopeful it may turn around. Murray Stainton of Stainton Hardware in Wingham also is no- ticing a slower than usual Christ- mas shopping season. He too is blaming a downturn in the econo- my, adding that people are being very cautious about their purchases. The trend. is reflective of one which Home Hardware stores 'all across Canada, with a few excep- tions, are reporting, says Stainton. Nancy Gillis of KG Electronics in Wingham says she is disappoint- ed with,sales this Christmas season. However, s notes, the repair side of -the business has• shown tremen- dous growth as people opt to repair old televisions and stereos rather than buy new ones. Please see ECONOMY/3 Board recommends closing six libraries The Huron County Library Board will be facing a 40 per cent cut in provincial grants over the next two years. In an effort to address the reduc- tion in grants, the board has recom- mended that six small branches, in- cluding libraries in Bluevale and Gorrie, be closed. Also closing will be libraries in Auburn, Walton, Cranbrook, and Centralia. . Huron County librarian Beth Koss said that the board will only realize a saving of about $23,000 when the recommendation is car- ried out. The library board's rec- ommendation will go to county and municipal level councils for ap- proval, which could take a couple of months. She said -that- two of six libraries being closed, Bluevale and Walton, were recommended to be closed a couple of years ago due to declin- ing use by the community. Ross said that Gorrie will be closed be- cause of duplication of service, with library branches in Fordwich and Wingham. "The others were dosed due to financial reasons," said Ross. Please see LIBRARY/2 Wishing You A Safe & Happy Holiday Season from all of us at the Brew house, We would like to remind you ... Please, don't drink and drive. 14 North Street, Whigho ai 519 357 9976