HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1985-12-04, Page 3TO THE EDITOR
Compensation is hard to get
My wife recently had to have a back
operation for a slipped disc that was caused
while she was working part time for her
brother helping to build a new pig barn., '
Now, granted, she shouldn't have been
doing as heavy a work as she was but some
people will not say no and try to do almost
anything and not complain. The problem
being, we find out that in order to be able to
receive any compensation from the Work-
men's Compensation board you must become
what i would call a "Complainer", at least in
the eyes of your employer, in order to protect
yourself by reporting to your employer almost
any minor accident, however insignificant at
the time.
The work performed which led t„ back
problems was performed in the end of May,
but my wife, although feeling numbness in
her leg by June 6 did not go to the
chiropractor until the middle of July. After
several visits and no improvement she went
to our physician and 'tient 17 times for
therapy at•the hospital,. continually getting
worse and living on pain killer pills. Finally on
November 14 she managed to get in to see an
orthopedic surgeon who advised her of her
problem of a slipped disc and booked her into
the hospital to get an injection to dissolve the
slipped disc.
Now on November 28 we get a letter from
the compensation board (dated Nov. 201
saying the claim was denied. All we wanted
was to have them pay for the hospital bills and
drugs for a legitimate claim.
I now advise any employer and employee to
beware because as that old saying goes "If
you don't look after yourself, no one else
will,"
Robert Litt
Seaforth, Ontario
Photos wanted
We are putting pictures of the principals
of Ripley Huron Central School. We have got
three, but now we are looking for a James
Scott, who was principal for three years,
roughly 1966 to 1969.
I heard he was in the Barrie area, but that
was in 1975. Everyone thinks he came from
the Seaforth area.
So if anyone hashis new address all we
want is a recent picture to put in the hall.
Please reply. (i am a volunteer mother).
Thank you
Mrs. Darlene Hanniman
• Box 283,
Ripley, Ont.
NOG 2R0
Salary increases put off
Yearly salary increases ranging from four
to nine per cent for Huron County's nine
department heads has been deferred to the
new 1986 county council.
The county's executive committee brought
in a recommendation at council's November
; 8 meeting to set the department heads'
-cdaries for the next three years.
County councillors argued against both the
high percentage increases and the fact they
would. be imposing these salary increasers• on
the incoming council. There was some
question whether the council could approve
these salaries because it involves money to be
paid by another council. Usually these
''quire Ontario Municipal Board approval.
However. Warden Paul Steckle, after
stepping down from the warden's chair to
enable him to participate in debate, said a
legal opinion had been sought. He said the
legal opinion stated it is okay for county
council to provide these salary increases.
"We don't have that lame duck period as
rto local councils," said county administrator
(till Hanle.
The warden said the salary figures reached
will cover the next three years. in negotia-
tions, the executive committee tried to adjust
salaries to the average salaries of the
department heads' peers in surrounding
counties The warden added that the
department heads' salaries have fallen in
companion over the years.
Past warden Tom Cunningham said he
recognized the problem, had been on the
negotiating committee last year. These
ei mmttees are made up by the warden.
county administrator and the various commit-
tee chairmen
However he doesn't think this council
should he imposing increases on the new
council.
"i don't want incoming reeves to say we
nxade a stupid mistake," said Hullett Reeve
Cunningham who will be returning to council.
He did say, however, that some of the
increases are merited.
Not everyone agreed.
"This is not fair to ratepayers - farmers,"
said Hay Deputy Reeve Tony Bedard asking
from where the money for the increases
would come.
Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney said he
has nothing against noting they are "good
people."
"I don't think the time is right for these
increases.... people in the county can't afford
it," said Reeve McBurney.
Hay Reeve Lionel Wilder took a different
tact: He said he isn't opposed to the salary
increases but the idea needs more, discussion.
it will probably be January before the
salaries are considered again as the Decem-
ber meeting is used for the naming of the
warden and forming committees.
The present salaries of the department
heads are listed below followed by what the
proposal would bring their salaries to in three
years: medical officer of health, $57,512 to
$70,694: Huronview administrator, $37,544
to $47,892; social services administrator.
$32,334 to $40,820; clerk -treasurer admini-
strator, $51,974 to $61,542; county engineer,
$48,074 to $57,642; deputy clerk -treasurer,
$44,460 to $53,430: planning director,
$45,188 to $55,224; county clerk, $34,866 to
$40,950; and museum director, $34,060 to
$38.298.
Trustees seek a better deal
Trustees for the Huron County board of
education are going after a better insurance
deal
After some confusion following a presenta-
t ion by an agent from the insurance company
the hoard deals with. trustees agreed to turn
the problem back to its management
committee.
David Reed of Frank Cowan insurance
Company, Princeton told the trustees of the
doom and gloom facing the insurance
Continued on page A8
NEWS AND FEATURES
—THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 4, 1985 — A3
t
GHRIS7MAS GIANT — Town of Seaforth employees tackled a big
lob Vast Wednesday. November 27, when they were charged with
placing the town's Christmas tree outside the Seaforth Town Hall.
The giant, over 30 feet tall evergreen tree was donated to the ,own
by Don Muir, of Seaforth. Raft Is photo
Students feel VIP a very interesting
BY P1TRI('K R•1FTiS
it is a rare thing for students at the
elementary school level to express a great
deal of enthusiasm when it comes to a
particular subject or class That is one of the
things which makes Values, influences and
Peers ,ViPt, a pilot program sponsored
jointly by the Ministry of Education and the
Ministry of the Solicitor -General, so unique.
The children love it
Students at Huron Centennial School, in
Bnucefield, one of three Huron County
schools where the program is being tested
have nothing but rave reviews for the
fledgling course
" VIP is one of the keenest subjects there is.
i have learned a lot of interesting things. like
you don't always have to go along with your
Inends if they are doing something wrong if
they won't be your friend because of it, they
in' not scry good friends Are they"" said
Sandra Steckle
W e are taarnm_ both ;;tries i,f everythm
instead•nf just the good sides We learned
about friends, and kind of how to get friends
Not by using put downs. We mainly learned
how we make decisions and how to make
them right," said Kraig Gingerich.
The comments of these two Huron
Centennial Grade 6 students are typical of the
reaction most of the students are giving to the
program. Huron Centennial teacher David
Kemp said the program was introduced at the
Grade 6 level because the students are
reaching the age when they will soon have to
begin making value judgements. At the same
time, he said, students in this age group have
usually not yet been confronted with
decisions about such things as drugs and
alcohol abuse, and so, can be frank about
them
"These kids are open in their discussions.
They're frank As pre -adolescents. they are
able to discuss these things without guilt. or
feeling they have to cover something up,"
said Mr Kmmn
VIP PROGRAM — Consiaoie John Marshall. of the Ontario Provincial Ponce instructs a
Grade 6 class at Huron Centennial School, Brucefield, In a new program called Very
important People talking about Values, Influences and Peers. The program helps young
children come to grips with the many value judgements they will be expected to make in
society Rains photo
The course is currently nt I e,ed in schools in
Godench and Exeter areas and the Huron
County Hoard of Education plans to have it in
all their public schools by September, 1986 it
was first introduced in test schools in Ontario
three years ago and has proven highly
successful in helping young children estab-
lish their values and priorities, said John
Marshall. an OP'P officer who acts as course
instructor. in conjunction with regular school
teachers
"What we try to do is establish what values
they have in life at present and relate that to
the standards that are present in society
today," said Officer Marshall
At first glance, the topics covered might
seem like weighty matters for 11 -year-old
children to ponder Values and standards.
creating impressions, belittling others, peer
pressure, decision making authority and
authnnty figures. being truthful. the dangers
of drugs. vandalism and d"struc•Uve hehav
inr, shoplifting and stealing. youth and the
law and friends and friendships. are topics
listed in the i -nurse outline inr VI ' The idea
of VIPhnwrver, is not to frighten the children
with overwhelming responsibilities, hut to
instill a sense of awareness about these
matters
w'e want to get kids thinking about these
things beton, they get to the age where they
have to deal with them. ' said Officer
Marshall
"i)eveloping interpersonal skills for gond
interpersonal relations. with a focus on
decision making," is the hasu' aim of the
program. said Mr Kemp • Until recently.
there has been a gap an the education
system or rather. a need has developed.'
for education on these suhrcts. he added
The program does not infringe nn moral
education usually left up to parents because it
is "presented in a non judgmental situa•
tion." said Mr Kemp "Children are
encouraged to make their cion decision on the
rightness or wrongness of things and reason
it out for themselves," he ,added
The course matrnal is presented in a
variety of ways, with the emphasis on
discussion and student involvement
• A Int of it is participation by students We
give them little skits and plays to emphatic
most of these topics.'' said i ifficer Marshall
Films. poster making sessions and lots of
open. honest dialogue are other elements of
the program
Anothernovel feature of ViP. is a complete
ahsrnce of ,inr marking system and the
instructors are careful not to discourage
students by penah?ing them forgiving wrong
ansa c'ts
.'tt r try to gave them positive teedhack for
their initiators said 11r Kemp "In the
group discussions the students don't feel
anyauthnnty pressure in this class \V r" leave
discussions open-ended and we're willing to
accept whit they offer
'Simulating real lite stressful situations is
nnr method Vil' instructors empto. to get
their message across In one exercise.
students learn In handle peer pressure and
teasing by hurling verbal barbs al the
instructors The instructors try to formulate
effective replies to these comments, to
demonstrate methods of dealing with criti-
cism
In this way. "a person who's constantly
being belittled by others can stand up for
himself and know how to answer to this
problem." said Officer Marshall
VIP is a novel approach to teaching
sensitive material and so far, it has been
well -accepted by parents. students and
teachers alike
"We sent letters (explaining the programa
at the first of the year and we've had good
program
parent support," said Mr. Kemp The
program will be expanded after Christmas to
the Hensel( Public School and may soon he
broadened to include Grade 5 students as
well, said Mr Kemp.
Still, the best gauge of the program's
effectiveness are the comments of the
students in Mr. Kemp's Grade 6 classes.
In ViP I have learned a lot about myself
and realize how other people feel. We have
learned many interesting things, such as the
dangers of drugs and peer pressure I really
enjoy VIP," said Leanne Charters
"i believe this course should be taken to
other schools in Ontario," said Erin Lobb
"I think that this class has taught everyone
something important," adds Nancy Lefaive
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
If you're organizing a non-profit event of interest to other Seaforth area residents.
phone the recreation office at 527-0882 or the Expositor at 527-0240 or meal the
information to Community Calendar, 'The Huron Expositor, Box 89, Seaforth,
Ontario NOK 1 WO well In advance of the scheduled date.
Space for the Community Calendar Is donated by The Huron Expositor.
Wednesday, December 4
1.3 p.m. Parents and Tots Skating
1:30-4 p.m. Senior Shuffleboard
4:30.5:30 p m. Ringette Practice
5:30.6.30 p.m Midget Practice
6'30-7:30 p.m Minor Bmomball
7:30.8:30 p.m. C'entenaires Practice
8'45 p m. Ladies Broombalt
Thursday, December 5
6 p m Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner
at Legion
415.5:15 p.m Ringette Practice
5:15-6:15 Bantam Practice
6 30-7:30 p m Minor Broomhall
7•:10 p m Mens Broomhall
Friday, December 6
4 5 Sr Houseleague Practice
5-6 .1r Houseleague Practice
6-7 Pee Wee Practice
7.8 Atom Practice
8.30 p m ('entenaires vs Clinton
Saturday, December 7
7 30 a m Oilers vs Canadians
R
to a m North Stars N'S Bnnns
9 3n a m Whalers vs Penguins
10 sit a m Leafs vs .lets
I t :tri a m Flyers vs Flames
12 30 1 30 Ringette Practice
Saturday cont'd
1:30-3 Public Skating
1:30-2:30 Story Hour at Library'
3.4 Mites
4-5 Novice vs Huron Park
5-6:30 Atom vs Palmerston
6:30-8:00 Open ice Time Available
Sunday, December 8
1.30-3 p.m. Public Skating
3-4:30 p m. St. Columban Church
5-6 p.m. Petites Ringette Game
6.7 p m Belles Ringette Game
7.00 p.m. Rangers vs Flyers
8:30 p m. Canadians vs Hawks
Monday, December 9
4 :1(1.6 30 p m. Figure Skating
Tuesday, December 10
5:30.6 30 p.m. Novice Practice
610-R .p.m Midgets vs Clinton
8:15 • 10 p.m. Bantams vs Palmerston
6.30 p.m Seaforth Women's Institute
Family Potluck Supper and Christmas
Meeting at the Orange Hail.
6:30 p.m. Hospital Auxiliary Potluck
Supper and Christmas Meeting will be
held in the board mom in the hospital.
Please bring own cutlery and dishes. Also
gift for Family and Children's Christmas
Bureau.
Do you have a meeting, game or special event planned for the near future? If so let
us know so we can inform the public. It's difficult to find out what's happening
unless you're willing to keep us informed. The community calendar is an eight-day
timetable of non-profit cn.ents going on in the community. Let's keep each other on
top of things.