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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-04-26, Page 32Wednesday, April 26, 2006 Exeter Times—Advocate 31 CLASSIFIET' CLASSIFIES South Huron District High School held its annual Cabaret on the weekend, with performances Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Playing a variety of styles were the Senior, Red Jazz and Black Jazz bands and the Choir. Above from left are Michelle Muller, Justine Clarke and Krystal Brideau, while below from left are Melissa Melick, Molly Hunter and Krystal Brideau. (photos/Scott Nixon) Board's expense quotes more accurate By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — The Avon Maitland District School Board spent almost $75,000 more than expected while repaving around elementary schools in Hensall, Seaforth and R.R. 1 Brucefield, almost $50,000 more than expected while roofing at Clinton Public School, and almost $44,000 more than expected while renovating the former King Lear Public School in Stratford. But contractors also came in under the original tendered price by about $44,000 for roofing and $60,000 for technical education facilities at South Huron District High School in Exeter, by about $35,000 for upgrading windows at Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton, and by about $44,000 for roofing North Easthope Public School at R.R. 1 Stratford. And for the fiscal year 2004-05, actual prices paid by the board for tendered projects were, overall, 4.48 per cent less than the original prices given. And that's an improvement over last year, noted South Huron trustee Randy Wagler after hearing a staff report about the comparison at a regular meeting March 28. Business superintendent Janet Baird -Jackson explained various reasons why the final cost of a pro- ject might change, including fluctua- tions in material costs between the time a tender is awarded and the work takes place, problems in orga- nizing when different contractors can be on site in accordance with Ministry of Labour regulations, and decisions to change the "scope" of the job after preliminary work reveals unexpected troubles. "The problem with Clinton Public School was that, when we got on to the job we found there was water penetration in places where it hadn't been noticed before," Baird -Jackson said. She noted a trade-off would have been to employ more expen- sive diagnostic measures before any work was undertaken, but in most cases — where deep water penetra- tion appears not to have occurred — this added expense would be unnec- essary. With the three -site paving project, meanwhile, a decision was made after the tender had been awarded to expand parking for those in wheelchairs. "There were also ground drainage problems at the Huron Centennial (near Brucefield) site which were discovered when the existing asphalt was removed," explains the staff report. According to Baird -Jackson, efforts have been made by the board to more accurately define its projects before going to tender, as well as put more emphasis on a contractor's reputation and track record. "It has slowed up our design some- what but we believe our decisions have improved," she said. At the March 28 meeting, two new multi -site tenders were awarded after trustee votes: lighting upgrades at elementary schools in Brussels, Atwood, Gorrie, Listowel and Gowanstown; and a similar project at elementary schools in St. Pauls, Milverton, North Easthope, Shakespeare and St. Marys. JMR Electric was awarded the contract in the north, at a price of $238,300, while Culliton Brothers Electric filed the successful bid in the south, at $276,500. Perth East trustee Tina Traschel cast the sole dissenting vote in each case. Her concern is the possible restrictions which may come into force for money from the provincial government's "Good Places to Learn" grant, which will fund both projects. There have been sugges- tions the money shouldn't be used on schools expected to close within the next 10 years, and Traschel argued the board can not guarantee continued operation of each school for that long. Education director Geoff Williams, however, countered that he's willing to take the risk of having the money taken back by the government sev- eral years from now if it means pro- viding a better learning environment in the short term. CLASSIFIED Sun writer at Exeter Public By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — "Anyone can write, you just have to do the hard work," was the message Exeter Public School students heard from Toronto Sun colum- nist Mike Ulmer last Friday. Ulmer, who has also written several books, gave the students tips on the writing process as well as answering questions on the recent firing of Toronto Maple Leaf coach Pat Quinn. Ulmer said Quinn was too set in his ways to listen to general manager John Ferguson, who wanted Quinn to do what he was told. The author said "while nothing is better than writing and being good at it," the process can be dif- ficult. According to Ulmer, after writing "perfect books," and sending them to his editor, they come back covered with post -it notes He added "you need the editor. They see things I can't see...it's agony, there comes a time you want to give the money back." Ulmer said one of the crucial things about writ- ing is the "nut" paragraph. "It tells them what it's about...you tell them what you're going to tell them; then tell them; then tell them what you told them." Writing, according to Ulmer "is an attempt to make you feel the way I want you to feel...nothing in books is an accident. It brings you to my way of thinking." He added "books can make political statements and let you get your point of view out." Toronto Sun columnist Mike Ulmer spoke to Exeter Public students last Friday. (photo/Pat Bolen) AUCTION LARGE AUCTION SALE to be held at Seaforth Fair Grounds Agri Plex Building for the Estate of Archie Mosses of Blyth and Estate of Lillian Penhale of Bayfield. SAT. APRIL 29 AT NOON Seniors 4 wheel scooter (2003), 2 good riding lawnmowers, antique furniture, appliances, 2 horse home tops w/brass bells, garden tools, dishes, glassware, washstands, blaket boxes, trunks, bonnet chest etc. AUCTIONEER: Richard and Ben Lobb 1-519-482-7898 Clinton www.lobbauction.on.ca Auctioneer Bob Heywood 235-0874 p��ioAR www.bobheywoodauctions.com WED., MAY 3 AT 4:30 P.M. AT THE SOUTH HURON REC CENTRE, EXETER We have been favoured to disperse a large offering of antiques, collectibles, desirable china & glass collection, furnishings & misc. items from the Zurich home of Mrs. Lylyan Greb along with additions from a London home. PARTIAL LISTING includes 3 pc. antique bedroom suite; beau- tiful bonnet chest & a primitive jam cupboard; early pine grand- fathers clock; Duncan Phyfe drop leaf table with 4 chairs; Kroehler maple table & 4 chairs; lovely corner maple china cabi- net; parlour & occasional tables; fernery, blanket box, treadle sewing machine; antique sofa sets & 1930's cupboard; old tables, an excellent offering of china & collectible smalls includ- ing 4 pickle oruets (1 -cranberry); Royal Doulton & Hummel fig- urines; approx 50 pcs of green depression "Princess" incl 6 set- tings - dinnerware, several oil lamps; whale oil & betty lamps; cocoa set; dinnerware sets; china incl. flo blue; Royal Nippon, elite limoge; Royal Austria, Germany; hat pins & holder; sugar shakers; cornflower & pinwheel crystal; white Orchid flatware; several postcard albums; Peguenat mantel clock; 2 reverse paintings; hanging lamps; antique tin toys & doll; old framed prints, bells; several crocks incl 6 gallon Brantford churn; RR lanterns; pail yoke; wooden primitives, quilts; jewellery, old tins & lamps & much more. Don't miss this excellent collectors sale.