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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-12-01, Page 66 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, December 1, 2004 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 I remember the joys I remember the pain, And I'm loving and living life over again. I think of the years...all too few, gone too fast, And accept the stark fact that nothing can last. So open your eyes, nurses, open and see, Not a crabby old woman; look closer...see ME!! Reading Material: OMAF Fact Sheet: What rural neighbours can expect from large livestock operations. Common Sense Nutrition for Seniors, Nutrient Management Information, Federal and Provincial Government Guides Guides to Programs and Services. Information is in the foyer at the municipal office, Exeter. Farmers are wel- come to come to the municipal office to check out vari- ous topics in the display racks. If the information you require isn't there, please let me know and I'll get it for you. Last Senior Perspective Column until January 2005: I will be starting to make plans for our 3rd Annual Adults Trade Fair and Information Expo to be held Wednesday, June 5, 2005. Mark your new calendar for that date. On behalf of the South Huron Seniors Group, Donna Clarke, Ann Wernham, my valued volunteers and myself, we wish everyone young and old Happy Healthy Holidays, and will be in touch with you again next year. Thanks to volunteers Dear Editor: Dec. 5 is National Volunteer Day in Canada. Big Brothers Big Sisters South Huron would like to celebrate by sending out a big thanks to all the unsung heroes in our community. To those who give, and don't expect anything in return, to those who make the programs and services for our youth successful, to those who make a positive differ- ence to the children of South Huron. The value of these individuals could never be repaid in dollars. Big Brothers Big Sisters South Huron has many volunteers throughout the year, who help us with the work we do. We would like to say thank you to all our volunteers, in particular the following: Heather Alcock Shirley Andraza Barb Bloch -Gower Laura Bowers Gord Britton Lot Chansamone Dan Ducharme Lisa Frayne Dwayne Laporte Bob Laye Kim MacLachlan Laurie MacKenchnie Katherine Miller Elena Nirta Ashley Overholt Jennifer Poortinga Mike Pregent Drew Robertson Todd Robinson Pam Seeback Joanne Verbeke Brent Yearly Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your great work. Keep it up, you are making the positive dif- ference to the children, sharing the magic and chang- ing the world. THE BOARD AND STAFF Big Brothers Big Sisters South Huron Canadian Challenge a unique opportunity Dear E tor: Set aside the criticism and controversy surrounding the nominations, criteria and voting practices in the CBC's Greatest Canadian Challenge. Instead, focus on the accomplishments of all these nominees and those many who "missed the cut." Surely this exercise has given us Canadians a great opportunity to examine ourselves as individuals, to further establish our identi- ty as a nation, to recognize our diversity, to applaud so many great Canadians and instil an even deeper national pride. Well done, CBC! DREW ROBERTSON, Crediton CKNX farm editor should be reinstated Dear Editor: The following is adapted from the cover letter of a petition that is being circulated. We, the listeners, do not wish to be involved in CKNX office politics, but we will miss all of the voices, on their radio station, that we have become familiar with. In particular, we feel they have made a mistake by dis- missing John Beardsley, their (and our) farm editor. We see his dismissal as a direct insult to farmers. CKNX is at the centre of the biggest agricultural com- munity in the province. News relating to agriculture is very important to us. CKNX, through John Beardsley, has become one of the best sources for that information. Our appreciation was expressed at the recent Huron Federation of Agriculture annual meeting, held in Brussels, when approximately 300 people applauded when Wendy Holm made the comment that we were for- tunate to have John Beardsley and the support of CKNX informing us of agricultural issues. Farm market bul- letins are not enough. We need to know what's going on, who's making what move in the agricultural industry. John Beardsley, for the past few years, has done an excellent job for us. He developed an ability for getting to the heart of issues, and with his agricultural back- ground, understands what we need to know. He has become involved in the agricultural community, cover- ing everything from local 4-H to national issues like BSE. He has been available to attend meetings and interviews and has been a strong supporter of agriculture. Last month, he was the silver recipient of the Tom Leach Award for best radio news reporting. He cannot be replaced by generic agriculture reports off the `wire' or printed market reports. Farmers make up a huge portion of the CKNX listen- ing audience and farmers also support the businesses that advertise on the CKNX radio station. Without the agricultural reporting that John Beardsley provided for us, we have little reason to listen to CKNX. If we are not listening, businesses have no reason to advertise. If there are no paid advertisements.... We would like CKNX to reconsider their decision and reinstate our farm editor, John Beardsley. Concerned listeners, BETHANEE JENSEN, ALLAN AND MARG CUNNINGHAM, NEIL AND JOAN VINCENT MPs should hang their heads in shame Dear Editor: As predicted, MPs have given themselves a raise through the back door. How can these troughfeeders justify this raise? For the last few weeks we have been hearing about Canadians infected with HepC from contaminated blood losing their life savings, going bankrupt and dying. Where was this caring compassionate govern- ment when these people were `overloaded?' Where does the average Canadian turn to for help with bal- looning utilities costs, drug costs, food costs and every- thing else that is increasing in price? We do not have the luxuries that these MPs do — we cannot just give our pay a `boost.' The spin given to justify this raise is sickening, and a slap in the face to every Canadian try- ing to make ends meet. They should hang their heads in shame. REBECCA GINGRICH, Princeton. Panther Profile EXETER — Last week the buyout for the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox campaign was held. Everyone who donated to the Shoebox campaign or the Huron County Christmas Bureau got a green slip and was allowed to see our boys hockey team play in a mini tournament against Central Huron. The prefects did an amazing job of cheering the boys on, and we won the game 5-3. Chocolate sales will be starting next week, on Dec. 6. It is mandatory for all students to sell $20 worth of choco- late. Prizes will be given to students who sell more than their $20 worth. This week is the Post -Secondary Planning for Grade 11 students. Our Premier Nick Anstett will be speaking, and sessions will be on apprentice- ship, college, employer expectations, entrepreneurs, university and financial planning for post -secondary education. Just a reminder to last year's grads that they can pick up their diplomas and yearbooks in the office. Coming events: Wed., Dec. 1: • Junior and senior boys basketball at 2 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. at South Huron Thurs., Dec. 2: • Apprenticeship presentation at 12:50 p.m. in Room 118 • University of Waterloo presentation at 12:50 p.m. Fri. Dec. 3: • PD Day • Senior boys basketball tournament, large gym, 3 - 10 p.m. Sat., Dec. 4: • Senior boys basketball tournament all day, large gYm Mon., Dec. 6: • Chocolate sales start Tues., Dec. 7: • Gr. 8 Student Success program, all day AMANDA ZEHR PANTHER PROFILE Wed., Dec. 8: • Ms. Walper's Philosophy class to Western, all day • Blood Donor Clinic in the small gym • The Music Department's annual Christmas concert, with lots of traditional Christmas tunes! Donations go toward the Huron County Christmas Bureau. Education Matters Randy Wagler,Trustee, Huron Area 4 - South AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD It's time we took pride in the achievement of our students. It's not very often that we take the time to celebrate the many good things that are happening in our schools. We forget sometimes that our children are being educated successfully, and eventually become productive members of society. Recently, two especially good news items have been publicized about the Avon Maitland District School Board. This is the time of year when the government's standardized testing results are released, and our students have done exceptionally well. For example, our Grade 3 and Grade 6 students are now very close to, or above, the provincial average in achievement for reading, writing and mathematics. Over the past six years, since the testing has begun, our stu- dents have shown improvements that have outstripped the pace of improve- ments shown by the rest of the province. In addition, our Grade 9 math results are among the top in the province, which they have been since the tests began three years ago. These results, however don't tell the full story. They don't tell us how individual students are doing, nor do they recognize those students who are "below the provincial standard" and yet have made improve- ments. Some of these students may achieve their full potential and yet not be recognized for doing their very best. We need to ensure that these students are recog- nized for their achievement as much as the children who achieve "at or above the provincial standard." In addition, we must not use these results to pit one school against another as being better, simply because of the achievement in these standardized tests. There are many factors that affect the test results such as the ability of the students and the support structures in place. Also, when schools have small numbers of stu- dents like many of our schools do, the results cannot be accurately compared. What we can do as a board, however is to learn lessons from the good results we are achieving. Teachers from different schools are sharing ideas that work at improv- ing student achievement, so that other teachers can incorporate best practices, in their own classrooms. We can also use the test results to help us understand the effect that special programs have on the achievement of our students. One such special program is Team Read, whose goal is to improve literacy in Grades 1-6. Our students are making great improvements, thanks to their hard work, and the dedication of teachers, par- ents and the community who encourage them to do their very best. Let's continue to strive for excellence, but let's also take the time to celebrate the good things that are happening in our schools. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at 235-4445, or e-mail me at rwagler@fc. amdsb. ca. RANDY WAGLER EDUCATION MATTERS FARM BRIEF Mature Animal Abattoir Fund The deadline for stage three of the Mature Animal Abattoir Fund has been extended to Dec. 10. The fund is intended to increase the rate of slaughter of Ontario cull animals, increase long- term cull kill capacity in Ontario, increase the demand for Ontario culls and access new markets or replace markets for meat from culls. The fund will provide grants to Ontario abattoirs for eligible projects that help to achieve these goals. Stage three has been expanded to include pro- jects that may also benefit other segments of the ruminant livestock industry impacted by trade restrictions, and provide opportunities for local slaughter capacity in under -serviced areas. Successful applicants will be required to enter into a contract to provide information on the livestock they process, assist with the implementation of programs for BSE testing and surveillance and to repay a portion of the grant, over time, into an industry development fund. Guidelines and application forms are available at http://www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/english/policy/bser p/index.html.