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The Times Advocate, 2005-12-07, Page 13Wednesday, December 7, 2005 Exeter Times—Advocate 13 McLaughlin finishes term as warden By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — Mayor of Lucan Biddulph Tom McLaughlin completed his one-year term as Warden for Middlesex County on Thursday. "It was a very good year," s a y s McLaughlin. "A great learning expe- rience," he adds. McLaughlin spent the year representing Middlesex County at vari- ous events. Everything from meet- ings to social outings. McLaughlin spent about three or four days a week on average working as warden but is happy to have done so. He says it wasn't too stressful and it was fairly easy dealing with every- one's expectations of him as warden. "I don't think I had any con- flicts to deal with. I don't think I turned down anyone as far as appearances," he explains. During McLaughlin's term as war- den he is very happy with what has been started and what has been accomplished. "We had the launch of the Middlesex Map, we paved about 40 kilometers of road, there's a new library facility being built Tom Mc Laughlin in Strathroy-Caradoc and a new nursing home facili- ty for Strathroy's Strathmere Lodge is almost ready." Those are just a few achievements during the one-year term. The new warden for Middlesex County is Deputy Mayor of Strathroy Caradoc Joanne Vanderheyden who is the first woman ever to take this position in the 157 years it has been around. McLaughlin believes Vanderheyden will do a great job and says the gen- der is a non -issue. He even offers some advice although he is sure she already knows what he has to say. "Just get as involved as you can and learn as much as you can. It is a great opportunity," says McLaughlin. Local schools on closure list By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — Facing declining enrolment, a consultant's report has recommended the Thames Valley District School Board close nearly a third of its schools. Local elementary schools Biddulph Central and McGillivray Central found themselves on a list of schools that could be closed over the next 15 years. In the report, presented to the board at a special meeting Nov. 29, both Biddulph and McGillivray are recommended for closure in the first phase, to take place 2008-09. The consultant, CN Watson, recommends the board close nine high schools and 52 ele- mentary schools. Twenty new schools would be built and dozens of others would undergo renovations. Ontario Education Minister Gerard Kennedy criticized the report last week. While there has been anger and shock expressed by some across the board, Biddulph principal Patti Baker isn't pushing the panic button. "At this point it's all in the preliminary stages," she says, "so I like to really digest it and really think about what this means." Baker said board enrolment will decline for the next decade and there are issues the board needs to deal with. Noting the size of the board (it's the third largest in the province), Baker said it will take time to make decisions based on the report. "I believe the board will eventually make the right decision," she said. "I think it's baby steps at this point and I wouldn't jump to too many conclusions." Speaking to the Times -Advocate last Thursday, Baker said she had heard no reac- tion from parents or students about the report. "Our parents are very educated and they're very informed and I think they really like to get a good sense of what it means before they get themselves too concerned about too many issues." One of the scenarios proposed that would affect local schools, Baker said, would see Biddulph and McGillivray close and amalga- mate with Lucan Public School onto a new site in Lucan, creating a JK to Grade 8 school with a new name. Chairperson of Biddulph's parent advisory council Amanda O'Neil said she wasn't sur- prised at Biddulph's inclusion on the closure list, but wanted more information before com- menting. "School populations are getting smaller, so something has to be done," she said. "We'll just wait and see." ririri� � - ri ABCA sees proposed budget for 2006 EXETER — The 2006 pro- posed budget was unveiled to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) board members Dec. 1 during an information ses- sion meeting. The budget was discussed but no decisions were made to the draft. The proposed budget is separated into different cate- gories. There is an increase of 3.3 per cent to the general levy which is paid by the member municipalities. The board members will vote Dec. 15 on the proposed budget. If the draft is approved by the members it is sent to the different municipalities. The ABCA board members will make a final decision on the budget in the new year. The ABCA unveiled their logo and announced the slo- gan for the 2006 celebration of 60 years of local and provincial conservation today. More details will follow in next week's edition of the Times -Advocate. Renovations under way at post office EXETER — Customers of the Canada Post facility in Exeter will notice some changes over the coming weeks. Renovations began this past weekend on the revamping of the postal box lobby which will see it reduced in size by about 50 per cent. "Since Community Mailbox ser- vice was introduced in the town over 12 years ago about half the boxes haven't been used," said lead hand Pam DeJong. Customers will notice little change. Postal box numbers will remain the same, but the box may be in a different location. Space freed -up by the smaller postal box lobby will allow for the expansion of the retail area by about two metres. "We'll have more space to dis- play the products and services which Canada Post currently offers," said DeJong. The counter area will be revamped, including new coun- ters, paint and an additional com- puter terminal. Additional space will also be freed up for the work area behind the retail and postal box areas. "It seems somewhat fitting that as we near the end of 150 years of postal service in Exeter that the building is upgraded," she added. Renovations are expected to be completed by Dec. 19. This is the first major renova- tion to the Sanders Street build- ing, which was opened in April 1973. Nine employees work in the building. v COUNTY OF HURON CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, SCHEDULE B BRIDGE REHABILITATIONS 2ND MANDATORY PUBLIC CONTACT - PHASE 2 NOTICE OF COMPLETION To resolve the deterioration of a number of bridges, the County of Huron is proposing to undertake repairs to the following bridge: 1) Crediton Bridge, Ausable River, County Road 10, 2 km east of Parr Line, Municipality of South Huron, Geographic Township of Stephen, Concession V, Lot 27 This work is planned to be completed by late 2006. The project is being planned under Schedule B of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. Subject to comments received as a result of this Notice, and the receipt of necessary approvals, the County of Huron intends to proceed with the design and construction of these projects. The project plans and other information are available at the Goderich Public Library, 52 Montreal Street, Goderich, ON N7A 2G4. Interested persons should provide written comment to the County on the proposal within 30 calendar days from the date of this Notice. Comment should be directed care of Mr. Scott Davis, Totten Sims Hubicki Associates, 72 Victoria St. S. #202, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4Y9. If concerns arise regarding this project, which cannot be resolved in discussion with the County, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act, which addresses individual environmental assessments. Requests must be received by the Minister at the address below within 30 calendar days of this Notice. A copy of the request must also be sent to the County Engineer care of the above noted address. If there is no request received by January 12, 2006, the bridge repairs will proceed to design and construction as presented in the planning documentation. 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