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The Times Advocate, 2004-06-16, Page 3434 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, June 16, 2004 Western Day Owen Leblanc jumps towards the finish line in the sack race during Lucan Public School's Western Day Monday. (photo/Mary Simmons) Funding stability comes to AMDSB tech programs By Stew Slater SPI?CIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — Thanks to the promise of more stable funding from the provin- cial government, a new level of confi- dence has developed among people hop- ing to improve the technical education opportunities within the Avon Maitland District School Board. Business education co-ordinator Glenn McGregor estimated a figure of $250,000 as the level of funding the board might expect in 2004-05 under the recently enhanced Technical Education Renewal Initiative (TERI). McGregor provided trustees with an update on the board's TERI funding at a regular meeting June 8. That presenta- tion stood in stark contrast to an earlier update; on April 27, trustees were told the board's previous annual TERI fund- ing of $112,000 left a large shortfall which would have to be covered by tak- ing money from other areas of expendi- ture. If the $250,000 estimate turns out to be true, McGregor told trustees they can breathe a little easier. "If they continue this over the next four years ... we'll be well on our way to replacing and upgrading all of the shops in our high schools," McGregor told reporters after his presentation. But that doesn't mean there's clear sailing ahead for technical education in Huron and Perth counties. McGregor told reporters there will still be a problem of whether or not there is enough funding and making sure the funding works. "There will also be the problem of making the partnerships in the commu- nity and with businesses, that will help keep the programs strong," he said. A TERI steering committee has been established at the board, and it aims to create five-year plans for the technical programs at each high school. McGregor told trustees the steering committee will most likely direct the board's three most well-equipped and well -attended technical programs — at Stratford's Northwestern Secondary School, Listowel District Secondary School and Wingham's F.E. Madill Secondary School — to specialize in as many disciplines as possible. At the other sites, administrators will be advised to specialize in areas in which community partnerships can be established, thereby strengthening the disciplines available at each site. "If the programs already running and it's successful, we're not going to ask them to stop," McGregor said. But other programs may be looked at for replace- ment by something more appropriate to the area. He gave one example, suggesting Goderich District Collegiate Institute might provide a specialised food services program to capitalize on the availability of experts in the tourism trades. This, in turn, might inspire more students to graduate from high school and enter those trades. McGregor notes many employers in Huron and Perth have difficulty finding skilled workers, and the school board should do more to help fill those job vacancies. "We have such a disjointed view of education being colleges and universi- ties," the business education co-ordina- tor said, adding half the Avon Maitland board's high school students choose not to attend post -secondary institutions. "As County looks at getting rid of portable toilets By Pauline Kerr SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE GODERICH — If nature calls, people travelling in Huron County will not have to go to a fast food restaurant to answer — at least this summer. The matter of whether to discontinue installing portable toilets at rest stops throughout the county was deferred to the 2005 budget. "We'll get through the summer, and see where we're going from there," said Huron County Warden Bill Dowson dur- ing the June 3 meeting of county coun- cil. The matter had been discussed by the agriculture, public works and seniors committee before being brought before the committee of the whole and subse- quently council. There was a lengthy discussion about the three rest stops in the county and the need for the toilets. $50,000 was cut from roadside maintenance in the bud- get process. Coun. Ellen Connelly of Goderich told the committee of the whole that she understood there is an agreement between the county and municipalities — the county provides the toilets and the municipalities maintain the grounds. It was suggested the county not install the portable toilets this summer and see if the need for them arises. Some coun- cillors felt the rest stops are used often by tourists and the general public. The suggestion was made that the county look into sponsorship for the portable toilets. Other county notes: "Totally disgusting" Huron County Warden Bill Dowson was invited by MPP Carol Mitchell to attend the announcement of the provin- cial budget in Toronto. Dowson reported to council June 3 that he found the behaviour of the MPPs "totally disgusting". He went on to say school children behave better. He added the county wardens will send a letter criticizing "how the MPPs presented themselves". Coun. David Urlin of South Huron, a former county warden, agreed with Dowson's view of what happens at Queen's Park. From what he sees on television broadcasts, "When people get to Toronto they act like idiots." Redundant A decision to deny an application for an Official Plan Amendment in the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry was a bit redundant, apparently. The purpose of the amendment would have been to permit an existing storage structure to be converted to a banquet and catering facility. A public meeting on the application was held in November. The municipality recommended the application be denied. Coun. Dorothy Kelly, mayor of Morris- Turnberry, informed county council the property is now for sale. Honoured Two paramedics who were to be pre- sented with Life Saver Awards at the June 3 meeting of Huron County council got called away before the awards could be given to them. The awards were to have been pre- sented by Warden Bill Dowson, CAO Larry Adams and land ambulance man- ager David Lew. The paramedics, Doug Allinson and Don Periam, performed a successful field resuscitation Sept. 25, 2003. Flooring Huron County council will have to replace and repair flooring at two long- term care facilities, Huronlea and Huronview. Barb Springall, administrator, report- ed to council's agriculture, public works and seniors committee, that the flooring replacement work at Huronview will be replaced at a cost of $53,580. The money will come from the Homes Reserve, and was not in this year's bud- get. Other items for the long-term care facilities were listed in the budget. The flooring at Huronlea will also have to be repaired, possibly because of on- site drainage problems and lack of vapour barriers. The work is being done to bring the facilities up to government standard. Standard 02.09 states, "Flooring shall be composed of a smooth, tight, impervi- ous, non -slippery material that is main- tained free of cracks, breaks and open seams." B. M. Ross and Associates will be investigating drainage problems at Huronview. Cost of the study was included in the 2004 budget. The company was originally involved in the construction of the homes. The matter led to a decision by council on how to streamline council's discus- sion of such matters. Financial items in the committee's report to council will in future indicate whether the expenditure is in the budget or not. Assistance needed to combat illegal marijuana growers The OPP is asking farmers throughout Ontario to assist them in the apprehen- sion and detection of illegal, outdoor marijuana growing operations. The illegal marihuana will be ready to harvest by late August or early September. The OPP are asking farmers in rural Ontario to report any suspicious activi- ties they may see around the farm. There are several areas where the growers will plant their seedlings during the spring months. One common tech- nique is uprooting a corn plant and replacing it with a marijuana seedling. This process is continued along a row of corn, planting the marijuana every 5-10 feet. They may also remove an entire plot of corn and replace it with the seedlings. The corn gives the marijuana plant excellent cover and makes detec- tion very difficult. Other areas where plants have been located are along fences, creek beds, around cedar frees, along edges of bush, swampy areas and isolated areas where there is little traffic. The marijuana plant can grow to a height of 6 feet, requires a moist envi- ronment and is usually planted on the south side of the field. Once the seedlings are planted they require main- tenance and water on a regular basis. This is the time when the illegal growers will frequently trespass on the farm property. Once the plants are stable the offender may not return until they are harvested. Sr. Const. Don Shropshall of the Huron OPP detachment recommends that, "at no point should the farmer approach the individual. Our main concern is the pub- lic's safety — then the marijuana." If something is noticed call the police or call Crime Stopper at 1-800-222- 8477(TIPS). What to look for: • Footprints along the edges of your crops; • Vehicles parked unattended in the morning and evening hours; • Discarded seed trays, fertilizer bags; • Hidden maintenance tools such as shovels and water cans.