The Times Advocate, 2007-12-19, Page 15Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Times–Advocate
15
CAP at Hensall Library
Educational training — The Hensall Library is offering free Internet
and computer training to the public a Community Access Program
(CAP), every Thursday night after 4 p.m. until March.Above are CAP
instructor Stacie Van Miltenburg and CAP students Wyatt Cross and
Noah Pratt of Hensall. For more information or to set up an appoint-
ment contactVan Miltenburg at svanmiltenburg@huroncounty.ca or the
Hensall Library at 262-2445. (photo/NinaVan Lieshout)
Westley wins top spot
By Stew Slater
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE
SEAFORTH — With potentially -
controversial public consultation
processes recently undertaken in
three separate communities, vet-
eran trustee Meg Westley felt
compelled to seek a return to the
top spot with the Avon Maitland
District School Board.
And her fellow trustees obvious-
ly believe she's the right person
for the job.
The Stratford resident defeated
one -term incumbent Jenny
Versteeg of RR 2 Gorrie at the
board's 2007-08 inaugural meet-
ing Dec. 11, returning to a post
she held for four consecutive years
beginning in 2002-03. Versteeg,
who took over the chairperson's
role a year ago, was subsequently
acclaimed vice -chairperson after
Stratford's Doug Pratley and
South Huron's Randy Wagler
declined to let their names stand
for nomination.
Addressing trustees at the con-
clusion of the meeting, Westley
stressed she's "not disappointed"
with Versteeg's leadership over
the past 12 months. Indeed, she
credited the North Perth represen-
tative for bringing to fruition an
examination of board governance
first initiated while Westley was
still chairperson.
"We should really be thanking
you for all of the work you have
done over the past year," she told
the outgoing chairperson — the
only one of the board's nine
trustees who actually faced oppo-
sition in the 2006 municipal elec-
tion. "I think, as a board, we really
do function a lot better because of
that."
But, in contrast to the comments
she made a year ago after declin-
ing to let her name stand for the
chairperson's position — com-
ments about the value of bringing
new ideas to the table — Westley
suggested the board now needs an
experienced leader.
In particular, pupil accommoda-
tion reviews are under way in
Goderich and Mitchell, with com-
munity-based committees consid-
ering such possibilities as combin-
ing two elementary schools into
one, and relocating Grades 7 and
8 students into secondary school
settings.
In St. Marys, meanwhile, two
elementary schools have been
declared `Prohibitive to Repair,'
and another community-based
committee is seeking input about
where and in what form to build a
replacement facility.
"I believe this coming year is
probably going to be the most
challenging year of not only this
board, but also the previous
board," Westley said.
The second -longest -serving
Avon Maitland trustee, she
believes the considerable experi-
ence she has built up since 2000
— particularly through more than
one pupil accommodation review
— leaves her well-placed to lead
the board through these decisions.
Westley cautioned her counter-
parts that accommodation reviews
tend to inspire division at the
board level.
"We may, very well, for the first
time disagree violently on some
things," she said. "In the past, it
has been a bit rare on accommo-
dation reviews for all trustees to
see things the same way."
She pointed to plans to celebrate
10 years since the amalgamation
of the former Perth County and
Huron County boards of educa-
tion, reminding trustees that the
days are long gone when there
were whispers about this county
or that county getting preferential
treatment. She described the Avon
Maitland board as a model across
the province for post -amalgama-
tion education harmony.
"Remember how well we can get
along, and don't take it personally
if you lose the (accommodation
review) vote," she advised.
"I have faith, because of the solid
ground we've been building, that
we'll pull through."
POLICE BRIEFS
Drug charges in South Huron
SOUTH HURON — Huron OPP officers were called to the COPE program
at South Huron District High School in South Huron Dec. 6. Two students
enrolled in the COPE program had been found in possession of suspected
cannabis marijuana. A 19 -year-old woman of South Huron was arrested
and charged with Trafficking Schedule II — Cannabis Marijuana and
Possession Schedule II — Cannabis Marijuana. She will appear in Exeter
Court Jan. 24 to answer to her charges. A second male party will be sum-
moned for court at a later date.
Heartland Credit Union Welcomes
John McNeilly, Community Solutions Leader
It is with great pleasure that Heartland Credit Union, a division of
United Communities Credit Union Limited, announces that John
McNeilly will join our team of advisors effective January 2, 2008
as Community Solutions Leader.
A chartered accountant in Exeter for thirty-two years, John has recently retired
from his accounting practice where he focused primarily on taxation, business
succession and estate planning. John and his wife have been married for over
thirty-three years and they have two children who have blessed them with two
grandsons.
At Heartland Credit Union, John's two primary roles will include developing
strategic alliances and relationships with local business and professional service
organizations; and providing new educational programs and seminars to our
members, their families and businesses to help them reach their financial goals
and dreams.
John's demonstrated dedication and commitment to providing excellent personalized
service to his clients reflects the vision and values embraced by Heartland Credit
Union. We strive to be a good neighbour, a good employer and a leader in the
communities we serve.
United Communities Credit Union is the tenth largest credit union in Ontario with
over $570 million in assets under administration and serving 33,000 members with
184 employees and 10 branches located throughout Southwestern Ontario. For
more information, visit www.heartlandcommunitycu.on.ca.
HEARTLAN D
CREDIT UNION
a division of UNITED COMMUNITIES CREDIT UNION LIMITED
Amherstburg 1 Belle River 1 Clinton 1 Essex 1 Exeter I Harrow
Kingsville 1 Leamington 1 Listowel 1 Woodslee
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