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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-05-21, Page 22 Times -Advocate Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Serving up breakfast Long weekend tradition —The annual Dashwood Firemen's Breakfast was held over the long weekend as about 600 people were served at the fire hall.Above from left getting the pancakes ready are Dashwood firefighters Jamie Hoffman,Aaron Datars and Jeremy Becker.The breakfast was held in conjunction with the town yard sale. (photo/Scott Nixon) Board deals with 'Best Start' issues By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE ST. MARYS — There may be a commitment from Ontario's provincial govern- ment to begin phasing in full- day, every -day programming for Kindergarten -aged chil- dren in 2010. And local administrators of the Best Start early learning program may have secured relatively stable support for the Huron and Perth County childcare providers that began offering it when the former federal Liberal gov- ernment provided start-up funding. But when it comes to plan- ning for either Best Start or every -day Kindergarten in new school construction, school boards must either ignore the programs or walk on thin ice. "We're trying to factor in Best Start spaces into pro- posals where we can," explained Avon Maitland District School Board educa- tion director Geoff Williams after a regular board meet- ing in St. Marys May 13. Within the next month, it's expected trustees will vote on a proposal for a new elementary school adja- cent to the town's newly - expanded Pyramid Recreation Centre. The problem is that Best Start funding does not flow through the Education Ministry, which has provided $4 8 million under its "pro- hibitive to repair" program to replace the town's two aging elementary facilities. A Best Start program cur- rently operates out of one of those existing schools, but the funding for creating the specialized spaces necessary for pre-school aged children originally flowed through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. In the case of Perth County sites, it's administered by the City of Stratford's social services department. Education Ministry -level calculations for prohibitive to repair funding, meanwhile, don't include the increased costs for creating specialized Best Start spaces. At the May 13 meeting, relocated to the Pyramid Centre so trustees could hear from members of the public about the St. Marys proposal, three out of five speakers called on board staff to refine its plan to include Best Start. "Many parents rely on this program for their four and five year olds," said parent Sandy Shackleton. "The ministry has under- funded this project and we look to the board to appeal to the Ministry" to increase the money it will make available. Likewise, more than one speaker called on the board to include space for all -day, every -day Kindergarten in its construction plans. And again, administrators face a dilemma. According to education director Geoff Williams, the commitment made last year by the provincial government states only that everyday programming will be phased in starting in 2010. Currently, he added, "the Education Ministry is not willing to flow funding based on this commitment." That's because there's no timetable for full implemen- tation, and there's no com- mitment to place the pro- grams in schools as opposed to daycare centres or other facilities. Funding announced for low-income renters HURON — The province announced last week it is allocating $69,839 to the local rent banks in Huron -Bruce to help low-income renters. Huron County will receive $58,146, while Bruce will receive $11,693. The Rent Bank Program enables a tenant facing eviction for non-pay- ment of rent to apply to the local rent bank to receive financial assis- tance. If a tenant's application is approved, the outstanding rent is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant. Tenants can apply for financial assistance from a rent bank no more than once in two years, and receive maximum assistance for two months' rental arrears. "This new funding ensures the rent banks in Huron -Bruce will con- tinue to help low-income tenants avoid eviction due to a missed rent payment," Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell said last week. "Short-term arrears is the most common reason tenants with lower incomes lose their homes and are forced into shelters," said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Jim Watson. "Our rent bank program has proven to be a great success in helping tenants to remain in their homes." EASY LIFT DOORS LTD. HIRING PERMANENT FULL TIME "FIELD DOOR INSTALLERS" We provide training, company benefits plan, safety equipment, power tools and a team orientated work environment. Please respond in person to: 515 James St. S., St. Marys, ON Education director hired Continued from front page Board chairperson Meg Westley, while introducing the man trustees chose from a shortlist brought for- ward by an education -centred human relations consulting firm, highlighted Reid's past accomplish- ments in student success. "He achieved a great deal in the Hamilton Wentworth board in terms of student achievement," Westley said. However, the fact Reid was intro- duced in a meeting held outside the board's Seaforth headquarters — in St. Marys, where trustees face one of three upcoming major accommodation decisions — points to what will certainly be more imminent challenges faced by the incoming education director. As a largely rural and small-town board, the Avon Maitland board is at the forefront of a province -wide struggle with declining enrolment in non -growth areas. Responding to media questions, Reid noted he has past experiences in rural settings, having spent a significant portion of his career as a teacher and principal in the for- mer Brant County school board. He also praised his new employer for its "very rich relationships" within its communities — some- thing he says will ease his job navi- gating the board through potential future accommodation reviews. REGIONAL WRAP UP • County planning GODERICH — The Huron County Museum is hosting a public meeting on the county's five year Official Plan today (Wednesday), according to the Goderich Signal Star. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will give the county the chance to find out what the public feels is important for a balanced com- munity. Building christened CLINTON — The official opening of the renovated Clinton Medical Building was held May 9, reported the Clinton News Record. The building is the home of the Clinton Family Health Team. Renovations to the building cost between $450,000 and $500,000. The Ontario Ministry of Health provided $100,000 and the rest came from the former Clinton Hospital Board and former share- holders in the medical building. Huron East budget SEAFORTH — A five per cent Huron East budget raise will mean a $47 increase for ratepayers on a $125,000 house, according to the Huron Expositor. Huron East council passed the $15,158,571 budget April 15 although councillors didn't receive a breakdown of the education and county portion of the tax until May 6 when the county budget was passed. 0 • r- • REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS from Huron County Artists for 9TH ANNUAL HURON COUNTY ART SHOW & SALE JULY 12TH - SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2008 at Huron County Museum, 110 North Street, Goderich website: www.huroncounty.ca/museum Deadline for submissions: 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2008 Please phone 524-2686 ext. 205 for information and regulations • SEPT. 1 n- Eu, 2(]0i INTERNATIQNAL PLOWIN(; 1.3A'I'C I -I 2(108 CALLING ALL EXHIBITORS! Are you looking for information on a booth at the IPM in 2008? Are you looking to become an exhibitor or food vendor at the IPM in 2008? Please contact: Melissa Nichols, Chair, Concession and Exhibits 519-392-8002 or snichols@wightman.ca Nicole Wise, Committee Member, Food Concessions 519-367-2683 or harleyspub@hotmail.com IPM Headquarters 1 -877 -IPM -2008 Linda-anne Landcaster or Bob Leger 519-392-6556 or ipm2008@wightman.ca