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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-02-01, Page 3Wednesday, February 1, 2006 Exeter Times–Advocate 3 Volunteer Diane Waun was reading to Heather Moore,Alandrea Skinner,Alyssa Parent and Sarah Paget as part of Family Literacy night at the Exeter library branch Jan. 26.AIso reading as part of the event was former librarian and volunteer Helen Hodgins. (photo/Pat Bolen) Board strikes deal with Fanshawe By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE T -A BRUSSELS — According to superintendent Dan Parr, it's difficult for boards like the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board to establish beneficial arrangements with post -secondary education institutions because there are none with a significant pres- ence in the area. That's one reason he's excited about a new program connected to the board's ver- sion of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). "We hope it grows," said Parr after a presentation by Huron -Perth OYAP project leader Tim Martens at a board meeting Jan. 23. Martens recently negotiated what's called an "articulation agreement" with London- based Fanshawe College, enabling students in five spe- cialized Huron -Perth OYAP programs to gain preferential access to Fanshawe courses and possibly get a one-year jump-start on what might normally be two-year appren- ticeships. It will also move the school board to the top of the list if and when the community col- lege receives donations of new equipment and needs to dispose of existing equipment. Martens admitted he went into negotiations hoping to secure guaranteed access to courses instead of preferen- tial access. "I was maybe asking for more than what was attain- able in a short time," he told trustees. "At this point, I think this is a very positive step forward," he said. The five specialized pro- grams are Agricultural Equipment, Plumbing, Electrician, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air condition- ing) and Gas and Pipe Fitter. Students at either Huron - Perth secondary school — St. Mike's in Stratford or St. Anne's in Clinton — will spend their semester doing in -school work, and the sec- ond semester in a co-op work placement. At the conclusion of the course, they may take an exam which, if they pass, could qualify them to progress straight into the sec- ond year of a two-year apprenticeship. According to Parr, Fanshawe benefits from the agreement's usefulness as a recruitment tool. He says enrolment has traditionally been low in some skilled trades programs at all com- munity colleges, despite ongo- ing provincial government efforts to build awareness. Farm severances decision looming By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — At Lucan Biddulph council Jan. 26 community planner Ted Halwa spoke to council about an upcoming deci- sion on farm severances. Halwa and council studied several slides regarding dif- ferent farm sev- erance possibili- ties. Some scenar- ios shown included main- taining the shed with the barn, keeping the shed but getting rid of the lot, removing and demolishing the shed, and hav- ing a small live- stock barn decomissioned and converting it to a work- shop. After a long debate on what council should do about farm severance possi- Ma �WEL4 1111(11 CIlJ T@M FABRICATION STAINLESS * ALUMINIUM * TIN * WROUGHT IRON NOW OPEN Nojob too BIG' Nojob too small Custom Fabrication & Repairs Specializing in Stainless Steel & Aluminum • Licensed Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) • 20 years welding experience 125 King St. Hensall (519) 262-3737 bilities it was decided a more in depth draft proposal is needed before a decision is made. Poor attendance at Lucan NewYear's By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — The New Year's Eve celebration held at the Lucan Arena was unsuccessful. Only 77 people attended the event. Arena manager Ken Needham explained to Lucan Biddulph coun- cil Jan. 26 that there was a profit loss of $3,763.35 but since two events held at the arena prior to the New Year's celebration were suc- cessful, the actual profit loss totalled $831. Council debated with Needham about whether or not to continue holding annual events for fundrais- ing purposes at the arena. Since both the St. Patrick's Day celebration and the Pork and Roast Beef Dinner had a good turn out most agreed it would not be benefi- cial to cancel those events. Needham will continue to look into what can be done differently if a New Year's celebration is held for 2007. Other Lucan news: Needham is hoping to make improvements of the main hall floor in the Lucan Arena. There has not been a decision made on who will re -do the floor, or to what extent, but replacing the floor completely will cost about $25,000. Lisa deBoer was sworn in as deputy clerk of Lucan Biddulph at council Jan. 26. The water and sewage prelimi- nary budget for Lucan and Granton was also discussed and will not increase this year. Kevin Lovell, a resident on Granton Line dis- cussed a severance issue of his property at council. The Lucan Biddulph Business Association (LBBA) executive recently discussed how the LBBA have evolved into the Lucan Biddulph Economic Development Committee. They also discussed the Middlesex County Mainstreet Program. Both groups are responsible for improving the local business envi- ronment. The LBBA also plans and hosts the Lucan Community Christmas Celebration. The Ausable Centre in Lucan wants to run and manage the event as a fundraiser. There was a motion passed with unanimous consent that the LBBA will finish its not-for-profit tax fil- ings and legal matters in the next two months. Money remaining will transfer into the Economic Development Committee with some donated to the Ausable Centre for the 2006 Christmas party. A project designed to promote the Township of Lucan Biddulph as a viable bedroom community for the City of London, stimulating new res- idential growth, is being considered by the Lucan Biddulph Economic Development Committee. The design advanced students at Fanshawe College are marketing a plan for Lucan Biddulph through a contest for school implementing a marketing program assisting resi- dential developers in attracting new home buyers to the Lucan commu- nity. Lucan Biddulph council recently discussed planting more trees throughout the Lucan Biddulph area, particularly in Granton at the sewage plant. It is undetermined which types of trees will be planted but council speculates about 10 should be enough. The trees will be planted partly in commemoration of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority's 60th anniversary. A possible pitch -in day in Lucan where a group would clean up garbage throughout the community was talked about. The Scouting and Guides groups are interested in partici- pating sometime in the spring. The Lucan District Lions Club is requesting the Township of Lucan Biddulph pay the municipal taxes on the property which will be the site of the new heritage museum, until the deed of the property can be transferred to the Township of Lucan Biddulph. The new heritage museum site soil samples are clean. There were no gas or oil finds. The museum is expected to cost about $600,000 and will have a 70 - foot frontage. A project designed to promote the Township of Lucan Biddulph as a viable bedroom community for the City of London, stimulating new residential growth, is being considered by the Lucan Biddulph Economic Development Committee. 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