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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-10-18, Page 27Wednesday, October 18, 2006 TIMES -ADVOCATE 25 Trustees opt for raises By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — After much discus- sion at their meeting Sept. 26 about boosting their own remuneration for the past year, trustees of the Avon Maitland District School Board went against the recommendation of a committee of community members. Instead, they followed the trend already set by other Ontario school boards and accepted a retroactive raise, pending the provision of fund- ing from the Education Ministry. If funding is made available, they'll receive an extra $5,450 each, over and above the $5,000 annual hono- raria which had been in place provincewide since 1999. As had been the case the previous evening at a meeting of the Huron - Perth Catholic District School Board, it appeared as if Avon Maitland trustees might cruise through a set of five remuneration -themed resolutions — newly required by the provincial government under an amendment to the Education Act — in a few min- utes. The amendment aims to follow through on the ruling Liberals' promise to adequately recognize the contribution of trustees. It provides a formula — including a base amount, an enrolment factor and a distance - to -meetings factor — which gives rise to a different maximum remunera- tion level for each school board. It also requires boards to run the for- mula and relevant information past a "citizens advisory committee" for input. Sept. 25, the Catholic board methodically followed through on all five recommendations from its advi- sory committee, including remunera- tion for trustees in the Nov. 13 munic- ipal election, remuneration for board chairperson and vice -chairperson, per -meeting rate for attending Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meetings and ele- vated retroactive 2005-06 pay for already -serving trustees. The only stipulation was that the retroactive pay be made available only if the Education Ministry provided the funding, and it's not to be taken out of board coffers. On Sept. 26, initial discussion at the Avon Maitland meeting proceeded in similar fashion, and there were unan- imous votes in favour of the first three resolutions. After the Nov. 12 munici- pal election — and in keeping with the recommendations from their Citizen's Advisory Committee — Avon Maitland trustees will now receive $9,352, with an additional $5,888 if they serve as chairperson and an additional $2,944 if they serve as vice -chairperson. "We have certainly said for a very long time that we are paid a minus- cule amount for a very responsible job," said chairperson Meg Westley in supporting the resolutions. Stratford trustee Doug Pratley noted the provincial government is commit- ted to providing funding for increased remuneration for future trustees. "It strikes me that if we don't (accept the maximum) amount, tax money from Huron and Perth counties will be used elsewhere, perhaps to pay for trustees in downtown Toronto." It was then, however, that the rec- ommendations of the Citizen's Advisory Committee came under scrutiny. "We could have a situation where a community member sitting on SEAC would not be getting paid, and they'd be making the exact same contribu- tion as a trustee, who's getting paid $50 to attend," Pratley said in reac- tion to the advisory committee's rec- ommendation to accept the province's per -meeting rate. (Only two commit- tees qualify for per -meeting amounts under the Education Act amendment: SEAC, and a committee dealing with extraordinary disciplinary measures.) "That's absolutely foolish." Other trustees agreed, and the board unanimously approved $0 in per -meeting pay for future trustees. The majority of the discussion, how- ever, was devoted to retroactive pay. In the case of the Catholic board, the advisory committee recommended current trustees accept the retroac- tive raise for 2005-06. But the Avon Maitland committee recommended otherwise, to the discomfort of trustees. Correction EXETER —Last week's edition of the Times -Advocate had an incorrect spelling of Bluewater coun. Marg Deichert's name. The T -A regrets the error. "Danger Zones" teaches safety EXETER — Wacko Weasel and Pud Possum were two dangerous characters enter- taining the 1st Exeter Cubs on their camping trip to Pinery Provincial Park Sept. 30. They are the first group of youngsters to try out a new game supplied by the South Huron Block Parent commit- tee in a bid to reinforce its safety awareness campaign among local children. Called "Danger Zones," the board game includes `Quick Wit' badges and "Danger Zone" cards as well as ques- tion and answer cards cover- ing a variety of tricky and potentially dangerous situa- tions. Players' progress in locking up Wacko Weasel and his sidekick Pud Possum depends on their safety awareness. The Cubs made good use of the game during their some- what rainy stay under can- vas. Those who played it felt they had "learned a lot." Block Parent committee chairperson Nancy Jane Finch said, "The Block Parent program is all about making our community safer for our children. This game helps them recognize poten- tial dangers and makes them think of appropriate respons- es — whilst having fun at the same time. "It complements our pre- sentations in local schools during Block Parent Week Oct. 22-28." Community groups and schools are encouraged to borrow the game, aimed at the seven to 10 age group, throughout the year. Anyone wishing to try it can contact Tricia Howe at 235-2492. Educational game — Exeter Cubs are learning safety with a game called "Danger Zones," which shows children potential dangers and teaches them to develop appropriate responses. The game is supplied by the South Huron Block Parent com- mittee, which will be visiting schools during Block Parent week next week. From left are Adrian Timmermans, Lukash Pach, vice -chairperson of the South Huron Block Parents Tracy Hartman and Evan Foran. (photo/submitted) Library fines — Exeter Library Branch manager Jane Hundey (right) and library patron Ethel Cushman stand in front of items donated at the Exeter Library for the Food for Fines event. As part of the Celebrating Ontario Public LibraryWeek, from Oct. I6-22 library patrons can have their fines waived by bringing in a non-perishable food item. (photo/Pat Bolen) Elect Possessing a sbong sense of integrity, mutual rasped and openness to new ideas, I believe I have the ability to best represent the ideas and concerns of all South Huron residents as their DEPUTY MAYOR. DREW ROBERTSON DEPUTY MAYOR VOTE FOR KEN OKE MAYOR OF SOUTH HURON EXPERIENCE: • Six years Municipality of South Huron as councillor • Nine years Usborne Township Council • Nine years on Community - Oriented Policing Committee • Six years on Exeter and Area Fire Board • Nine years on South Huron Recreation Board • Antique and Historical Committee for 1999 IPM • History Book committee for Usborne Township • South Huron Health and Safety Committee • The Exeter Flood Control Committee • The Kirkton-Woodham Recreation Board • Director of the South Huron Chamber of Commerce • Three years as a Huron County Councillor • Two years Health and Planning Committee • Health, Ambulance & Social `ervices Committee • New Rural Economy - A Federal Program Studying Rural Communities • Source Water Protection Planning Committee • Standing Shoreline Committee • ABCA 60th Anniversary Committee • Local Church Boards and Committees • Secretary -Treasurer of Middlesex Public Works Association • Vice Chair of the Fair Funding For Rural Communities in Ontario BACKGROUND: • Strong family ties in Osborne area • Raised on and continues to live and farm family farm with wife Susan • Retired from The Middlesex County Road Department with 35 years I have served my community in the past and I am committed to serve all of the people of South Huron in the future as your Mayor VOTE FOR ME AND WORK WITH ME! /