HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-06-28, Page 1010
Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Boards scramble to finish budgets
By Stew Slater
SPECIAL TO THE
TIMES -ADVOCATE
DUBLIN — After the
recent announcement of
an overall $600 million
boost in the amount
granted to school
boards by the provincial
government compared
to last year, administra-
tors of the Huron -Perth
Catholic and Avon
Maitland District School
Boards are now scram-
bling to finalize their
2006-07 budgets before
the summer break.
"We don't really know
what all the implications
(of the funding boost)
are until we plug the
numbers into the
(Education) Ministry's
formula, which we've
begun doing this week,"
explained Avon
Maitland education
director Geoff Williams.
"As we plug those num-
bers in, we'll get more
and more of the pic-
ture."
Trustees from both
boards were expected to
be presented with bud-
gets during meetings
June 27. And, especially
given the funding boost,
few surprises or tough
decisions are expected.
"We think we'll be
able to maintain the sta-
tus quo," Williams said.
"We don't think we'll be
able to add some of the
things people might like
us to add, but you won't
see any major elements
of the budget eliminat-
ed."
His counterpart at the
Catholic board, Larry
Langan, meanwhile,
predicted "a balanced
budget that won't have
a dramatic effect on our
school system."
At their regular meet-
ing June 19 (the June
27 meeting was
arranged solely for bud-
get approval), Huron -
Perth trustees
expressed displeasure
with the province's tim-
ing for announcing the
size of the 2006-07 edu-
cation grants.
"For administration,
it's very difficult," said
Stratford representative
Ron Marcy. "We used to
get (information about)
the grants in March."
This year, information
was provided in mid-
June, late on a Friday
afternoon.
Business superinten-
dent Gerry Thuss
agreed it's problematic.
"Essentially, now it's too
late. Staffing decisions
have been made for
next year already. If
there are any surprises
during the budgeting
process, it's too late,
really, to react."
Thuss tempered his
criticism of the govern-
ment, however, by
praising what he called
"a philosophical
change" in the way the
ruling Liberals have
begun delivering educa-
tion funding. "At the
end of the day, they've
worked hard to get dol-
lars into the education
system that, probably a
month ago, weren't
there," he said.
A news release from
the Coalition for Small
Schools, which has lob-
bied hard to promote
policies that don't dis-
criminate against small
and rural facilities,
described it as "a strate-
gy to shift thinking and
institute a school-based
funding formula."
It's a work in
progress, according to
Williams, who says
small schools with
declining enrolment will
still be forced to look to
the future with caution.
"As long as your funding
is tied to your number
of students ... you're
always going to have
declining revenues," he
said.
He also noted trans-
portation and Special
Education funding dis-
parities have not yet
been addressed to the
satisfaction of some
rural school boards.
Overall provincial edu-
cation funding for 2006-
07 is $17.5 billion, with
$153 million going to
the Avon Maitland
board and $44.3 million
going to the Huron -
Perth Catholic board.
Express split games
EXETER — The Express played
two games on the weekend
defeating Strathroy 5-4 on
Friday and losing 7-1 at
Tillsonburg, said team
spokesman Joe Fulop.
In both cases manager Doug
Fairbairn was limited with only
nine players available on Friday
and 10 on Sunday.
Friday saw the return of Derek
Masse who threw six strong
innings and held Strathroy to one
earned run, striking out eight
batters and allowing six hits.
Strathroy took an early lead in
the first on two solid hits but the
Express responded with two runs
in the bottom of the first.
Aaron Patterson reached first
on an error and stole second
before two walks to Justin
Hayter and Dan Masse plus a
sacrifice fly by Bobby Grant and
two Strathroy errors led to the
runs.
Masse tired in the sixth allow-
ing two unearned runs on two
hits.
Paul Elston, who had been
playing the outfield all game,
came on to pitch the final three
innings.
Strathroy scored one unearned
run in the seventh to take a 4-2
lead.
The Express roared back with
a two -run rally in the seventh to
tie the game. Patterson singled,
stole second and scored as
Lonnie Hawke and Grant had
solid hits.
The game was tied until the
bottom of the ninth when consec-
utive walks to Derek Masse,
Patterson and an intentional
walk to Hayter loaded the bases
with one out.
Grant stroked a game winning
single to win the game while
Elston was the winning pitcher.
The humid weather, a shortage
of players, the fact the game was
started only 12 hours after a
Friday win and a strong defen-
sive effort by Tillsonburg ended
any thoughts the Express had of
a weekend sweep, said Fulop.
Marty Merner tried to stem the
tide but Tillsonburg rolled up a
6-0 lead by the fifth inning
Merner allowed 10 hits and
four earned runs. Nate Burns
relieved for the last four innings
giving up one run on three hits.
Both pitchers were hurting and
could have used a few more days
of rest between starts but that
option was not available.
The Express had nine hits dur-
ing the game but came up with
their only run in the sixth as
Hawke, Vic Oliveira and Cory
Burtch each singled.
The other six hits were well
scattered throughout the game.
Contributons came from
Oliviera, Burtch, Hawke,
Patterson, Scott Smith and Dan
Masse.
The team seemed to lack spark
due to the reasons given previ-
ously plus the concern about the
whereabouts of players who
can't seem to make games
whether they are on the week-
end or weekdays said Fulop.
The Express played Lakeside in
Exeter Tuesday night with the
team record at five wins and four
losses which places them fourth
in the league.
Be sure to celebrate Canada on July 1
By Kaitie Jinks
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
Canada Day is just around the corner,
and there are many events and opportu-
nities to celebrate your country within the
area.
Exeter area:
There are events happening from dawn
until dusk and there is something for
everyone.
• 8-11 a.m. — The Exeter
Legion Ladies Auxiliary is host-
ing a breakfast at the Ag
Building. $6.00 for adults,
Society. The dinner is at the South Huron
Rec Centre and for adults the cost is $12,
$6 for children six -12, and children five
and under eat for free. There are only 400
tickets, so get them in advance at the Rec
Centre or Contact Wayne at 519-263-
2800.
• 7:30 p.m. — After you have eaten
enjoy a local band, River Junction, for
some live entertainment.
• Dusk — Admission by donation to see
the Canada Day Fireworks
I Display. They will be shooting up
into the sky from the ball dia-
mond. Raindate: Sun., July 2.
$2.50 for children 12 and
under, and $20.00 per
family 111111 ��'��'
• 9 a.m. -4:30 p.m. — The Classic Car
Show will be going on with the proceeds
going to Huron Perth Christmas Bureau.
Contact Sue 519-235-0160 ext. 228
• 10 a.m. — There is a Bike Decorating
Contest sponsored by the Exeter Lioness.
This contest is for children 12 and under
and it is at the South Huron Rec Centre.
• 11 a.m. -1 p.m. — Check out the Ag
Building for games, face painting and
clowns at the Child's Fair.
• 11 a.m. -12 p.m. — There is a demon-
stration put on by the South Huron Fire
Department. The demonstration will take
place at the west side of the Ag building.
• 11 a.m. — The Exeter Lions
Chipwagon will be on location to serve
those of age of majority alcohol.
• 1-2 p.m. — Enjoy Dancepiration,
instructed by Lisa Arnold at the Ag
Building.
• 2-4 p.m. — Head on down to the South
Huron Swimming Pool to cool off for a
free swim.
• 2-5 p.m. — Enjoy Douger the DJ at the
Ag Building.
• 3-4:30 p.m. — Performance by Ricky
Majic, starring Ricardo Leon.
• 5-7 p.m. — If your stomach is growl-
ing, attend the roast beef dinner spon-
sored by the South Huron Agricultural
NADAFor themCanadaa informationDay cele -
For about Day
brations in Exeter contact
Nancy Rader at 237-3412.
Lucan area:
Lucan also has several events in cele-
bration of Canada Day, and they are all at
the Lucan Community Centre unless oth-
erwise stated.
• 10-10:45 a.m. — Sit back and enjoy a
parade down main street.
• 10:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m. — Lucan
Optimist is hosting a Bicycle Rodeo.
• 11:45 a.m. -1:00 p.m. — Free barbe-
cue.
• 1-1:30 p.m. — Check out the flag rais-
ing and cake cutting.
• 1-4 p.m. — Free admittance into the
Donnelly Museum on 192 Frank Street.
• 1-4 p.m. — Free Swim at the Lucan
Pool.
• 1:30-5:30 p.m. — There is an Outdoor
Concert and Beer Tent with Moonshine
Riders.
• 1:30-2:30 p.m. — Games for children.
• 2-4 p.m. — Check out the Jack Russell
Terrier Races.
• 2 p.m. -1 a.m. — Meat Draws and
Horse Races at the Lucan Legion.
On Sunday there will be Fun Horseshoes
from 1-6 p.m.
Grand Bend area:
Be sure to check out the best fireworks
in the area at dusk.
`Cotton Patch Gospel' lifts spirits
By Deb Lord
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
GRAND BEND — The beloved parables are
relived with laughs, tears, music and poignant
acting at Huron Country Playhouse's rendition
of "Cotton Patch Gospel".
Based on the book "The Cotton Patch
Version of Matthew and John" by Clarence
Jordan, "Cotton Patch Gospel" kept the audi-
ence entertained and in awe with the fun -
filled antics of all the actors.
Set in the southern United States, this con-
temporary retelling of the Gospel of Matthew
allowed the rapt audience to travel through
the life of Christ, as it might have happened
had he been born in Gainesville, Georgia.
Actor Mike Nadajewski played the lead role
of Matthew, the narrator. Nadajewski's facial
expressions masterly enthralled the crowd to
believe his 20 different characters including
Jesus, Simon, Peter, Herod, Pilot, an array of
politicians, angels and even televangelists.
Nadajewski's perfected acting talent, com-
bined with his moving musical spectrum of
human emotion, took the crowd on a narrated
journey throughout the whole evening.
With Nadajewski the production stars a
four -piece band comprised of Duncan
Cameron (fiddle), Bobby Prochaska (bass),
Mark Stewartson (banjo) and Darmy Williams
(guitar). This group of highly talented musi-
cians offered comic relief and expertly struck
all the right chords.
Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton
Entertainment, directed the production.
Being a loyal Harry Chapin fan made the
evening perfect as the play featured the final
and perhaps best work of one of the world's
greatest songwriters.
This show is a must see for all ages.
The result is a bold, uplifting performance
guaranteed to offer the audience a hands
clappin' and feet stompin' experience.
"Cotton Patch Gospel" is bringing toe -tapping entertainment to Huron Country Playhouse
in Grand Bend until Saturday. Above from left, Mark Stewartson, Duncan Cameron, Mike
Nadajewski, Bobby Prochaska and Danny Williams retell the "The Greatest Story Ever
Told" to a full house. (photo/submitted)