The Times Advocate, 2006-03-15, Page 21111016il. C J
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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
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Clifford the big red dog made several girls and boys happy March 7 with a visit to the
Hensall Library.About 25 children got to meet Clifford.The event was part of the Early
Years Centre at the Hensall Library. From left, sisters two-year-old Olivia and four-year-old
Madison Morley meet Clifford for the first time. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout)
Petition to save
McGillivray Central
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
MCGILLIVRAY — Several members of the McGillivray community
packed the gym at McGillivray Central School March 8 to discuss the pos-
sible closure of the elementary school.
After the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) announced at an
annual capital plan meeting recently McGillivray is still on the closure list,
School Council sent out several letters urging the community to speak up
on this issue.
The meeting began with a brief outline from co -chairperson of School
Council Doug Richards.
Richards says not much is known right now about the fate of the school,
but the community must get the ball rolling.
"Once it closes, it won't open again," said Richards.
"We have a perfectly good facility," he added.
There are 21 schools which could face closure in the near future includ-
ing two more local schools, Biddulph Central and Lucan Public, although
a new school is proposed for Lucan.
Richards also went into detail explaining the controversial C.N. Watson
Report which suggested in November to close nine high schools and 52
elementary schools.
As far as where the McGillivray students would go if the school closes,
which it could at the end of the next school year, is yet to be determined.
Richards said some kids would go to the new school in Lucan and some
would be pushed Parkhill way.
Reasons for the possible closure at McGillivray include the current
enrolment and declining enrolment.
Only 158 students go to McGillivray this year. Next year the enrolment is
expected to drop to 149.
McGillivray will also lose a teacher in September.
Several representatives from different groups expressed their concerns
about closing McGillivray Central.
See McGILLIVRAY page 2
Fires rip through two local businesses
Local firefighters found themselves up against strong winds late Monday night and early
Tuesday morning as two fires tore through local businesses.At left, Bergie's Derby Dip
Drive -In was gutted when a fire broke out late Monday night.The cause of the fire was
unknown as the Times -Advocate was going to press Tuesday morning.Above, a fire
destroyed a shed and pieces of equipment at Hayter'sTurkey Farms in Dashwood early
Tuesday morning. Firefighters from Dashwood, Exeter and Grand Bend battled high winds
blowing sparks from a straw storage shed threatening nearby buildings.The office of the
Ontario Fire Marshall is investigating. Damage was estimated at $ I million.There were no
injuries or loss of livestock. More details will follow in next week's Times -Advocate. (left
photo/Scott Nixon; above photo/Pat Bolen)