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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1984-03-21, Page 17SECOND SECTION Serving the communities and areas et Brussels. Dublin, Hensel' and Walton 1," • .; ..CV• • SEAFORTH, ONTARIOOO Seciforth girl accepted, Persistence paid off for Elizabeth De Jong of Seaforth. On her third try, she was accepted to be a participant in the national Katimavik program. The 19 -year-old, grade 13 graduate of the Seaforth District High School left on the first leg of her trip. travelling to British Columbia on Tuesday, Mar. 20, "1 first applied for the program about a year ago because Katimavik sounded like fun and it's a good way to see the country," said Elizabeth. Having applied twice, and turned down twice, she was placed , on standby on her third application. "1 didn't know I was accepted until 1 received my train and flight tickets in the mail on Saturday. (Mar. 10). I was hoping to .go to B.C. and that's my first stop. I'm also going to Saskatchewan and then to Quebec. I can speak a little French, but'would like to speak more." Katimavik is a nine-month long program. Participants spend three months in a chosen location before they are transferred. Assist- ing in community projects, such as school, muncipality or national resciurces, partici- pants receive $1 per day pocket money and a $1,000 honorarium if they complete the program. "I can't say I'm in it for the mbney," said Elizabeth. "If I wanted money, I'd get a job. I have applied to colleges •and university. When I let back, 1 hope ,toget into the Ontario College of Arts in'. Toronto." WHAT IS KATIMAYIK Over 7,600 Canadian young people from 17-21 year of age, have 'completed the Katimavik program which was organized in 1977. It's administered by a min -profit corporation funded by the secretary of state, Katimavik, which means "meeting place" in lauit.was designed to offer young people the opportunity to cotribine volun- teer service ead travelling experience. Four objectives oftheprogranrme to assist in the development Of young Canadians and in so doing, serve Canadian,communities; stimu-, late environmental awareness; and provide participants with a greater, understanding of their country. "I'm looking forward to the experience. nning to make il through the nine month and byrleing so, it Will look &id dfl my resumes, 'said Elizabeth. The first from Seaftirth to participate in the ' progranii Elizatieth Warned about Katimavilt wheat- her family billeted two Katimavik perricipants who were based in Seaforth. "Mytttlittla Georgetown sent me an article abaft Katimavik and When 1 learned I was accepted, "called the Seaforth Katimavik house to get an idea of What to expect." . . . Elizabeth feinted that her time would be divided 7S per cent to physical labor and 25 per centsocial time'. Her clothing needs for nine months fill a knap sack and- backpack. Participants in the program do their own •housework, laundry and cooking, including baking bread. I had to buy a backpack, sleeping bag and steel toe work boots which are mandatory," she said. lOUR HIGH SCHOOIS Regional recruitment officer for the Kitchener -Waterloo and London. Katimavik area, Patricia Bell recently spoke to the Man and Society 'class at the Seaforth District High School. • Up until. 1984, Katimavik only had 1,700 annual pariiciPants. 'This was expanded to 5,000. 'Three times as many, or more than 1500 Young people in Ontario now can 'ilit • ',. • , . e . ' • • . -i , qtfelpate,• said, Ms. Bell. 4it'p-a co;e4 Program, 50 per cent male elerer iintraifillyttneyeknesixnwotha-aacPcPelYiteadre,; ,... r.,40,e. put on a waiting list. Chances. of • . 'log accepted ..are pretty good. But - if,.:: Orimone is turned down, they. can re- - • • ,, . Ir''sheliereemitment officer spoke to students said. ? ' ittigitre them an idea -of what Katinutvik is all • about, "Some of the students were a bit; fi young for for .the program. We; usually get .. • - ptere..studeatslrem grades 12 and .13. , ,.•.: i:•`.'• "All the participants' expenses are paid I for, even the- shampoo. 'Katimavik is egreat ) - • chance to see the .country and at the same :' lime also looks good en job teatimes," said ,.: imMs.e.aiteisli.be!n't cost: anything. The esperi- t . "The workinvolved isn't,always exciting, ltut that's life. We get a mixture of 'nib ,XPeriences. life program is setup so that .':schools ef , „ tticipantS go- to three 'different areas • 't .,.ri da. The type of work can vary from..., • t-1.1 . ilcling, clearing ski' trails, working ..iri, . .: iiiehOols •or old age homes. c, .1:140"Perstelpaiantatmsobye.cAnontor be- iincithosee.connuneyunity,;AriS, work in, a close relationship develops: ._ .r test year thore were 97 work projects in Ottfatio, including Seaforth, Clinton, Exe- .: , ter and Goderich. "About 75 per cent of those who complete. the program return to school.'1 felt I really 'Warded to. go back to school when I was a .. ' perticipant," said Ms. BeiV"It gave me a real appetite for school." HOME FOR CHRISTMAS ' .. Elizabeth De Jong hopes be home for Christmas. "Some things. that I tithik I will Miss ' ,are oranges and books. But I'm planning to take along my sketch pad: As for .11tokeeSs.lper day, I'm sure can live off that. . 1 • 'let More than [ever getforallowance," she , i Information concerning Katimavik is available at. the high - school,. - Anyone interefited, can contact Jelin' Murray, the Seaforth group leader of Katimavik. "We've had a great response from Huron .County about the Katimavik program," said Ms. 'Bell. • • BAKE OWN BREAD—Young Canadians who participate In the national Katimavik program are supplied with all their needs for" the nine month Katimavik program But /participants must do their own laundry, house cleaning, cooking, including baking bread. Two participants who are staying In Seaforth were designated to do the cooking for one week of their three month stay In town. The Iwo girls are shown baking brown bread. (Wassink photo) HPRCSS studies computers Since computers are a part of life. much like television. the Huron -Perth Separate School Board is working on guidelines for computer literacy studies. Acting director of education. John Mc- Cauley. reported to the board at its Mar. 12 meeting that there is an ad hoc computer assisted learning committee made up of teachers and administration that has been working on these guidelines. However. the committee needs to expand. said Mr. McCauley. to include a trustee who would report to the board as it is expected the committee will present proposals for the boards annual budget. Trustee Vincent McInnes of RR4. Wing - ham was named to the committee. This year the board approved about 530.000 in its annual budget for the purchase of computers and extras such as printers and Mr. McCauley said he would like to see one tape recorders. computer for every 25 students in the It was just over p year ago that the separate Huron -Perth separate school system, but that school board purchased over 20 computers to will take some erne. enable each school in the two counties to have at least one computer. Besides making recommendations on computer purchases. the broad purpose of the committee is to develop and implement computer literacy programs. Mr. McCauley said some members of the committee are able to write computer programs and these could be used in the school system. He said 90 per cent of the computers in the schools are Commodore PET 40-32 models and problems could arise if individual schools purchased computers that are not compatible with this model. A suggestion that only extras. such as a printer, be 'purchased through school funds or fundraising is currently being discussed. Separate school board's budget is up 5.68% The lowest percentage budget increase in at least seven years was approved by the Huron -Perth Separate School Board at a special meeting March 5. The board's 1984 budget increased by 5.68 per cent from $7.870.018 last year. to S8.317,294. Separate school taxpayers in the two counties will share in paying the local taxation of S1,663. I 75. The rest of the budget will be funded by the Ministry of Education. "It goes without saving that the chairman is pleased," said board chairman Ron Murray of RR I Dublin. "It's the lowest increase we've had since I've been on the board. I've been here seven years." The average mill rate increase for 1984 is 4.58 per cent. Seaforth will realize a four per ce.nt increase. Ron Marcy of Stratford, finance committee chairman said one mill raises 525,386 which is up from last year because separate school assessment is tip by almost 51 million. "The more assessment you have, means lower mill rates,- said Mr. Marcy. "This gain in assessment has been fairly constant since the formation of county boards. In 1970 the assessment for this board was approximately 512,000,000 and for 1984 it is expected to be 525,38.5.967 which shows A growth of 513.4 million over 14 years. This proves that the 'support for the Catholic schools continues to incrdase in the counties • of Huron and Perth," said tfle tinance chairman. The separate school budget includes a 103 per cent increase in Unemployment insur- ance rates, a 14.3 per cent increase in workmen's compensation as well as in- creased premiums for group life insurance. the board's extended health plan and dental insurance. Mr. Marcy said that in 19,5 the province paid an average of 61.3 per cent of school boards' budgets but in 1983 paid only 48.8 per cent. Also, less of the entire provincial budget is going towards education. In 1977.78. 18.1 per cent of the provincial budget was spent on education and in 1983-84 it was only 13.9 per cent. Salaries account for the largest portion of the separate school board's 1984 budget. This year 55.398,822 will be paid in salaries compared to 55,029,530 in 1983. Transportation costs are down this year. from 5954.850 last year to 5909.237 for 1984. Mr. Marcy said two school buses were purchased last year whereas in 1984 only a $12,500 special education van will be purchased. Plant operation and maintenance is expect- ed to cost 51,114,664 this year compared to 51,045,235 last year. The budget also includes $176,000 for roof repairs to several schools, but Mr. Marcy said the roofs won't be repaired unless the Ministry of Education approves fending. O LONDESBORO 1..,-Hullettoclo residents feel that agriculture is the est priority land use, according to restdte Boit th a summary meeting of e municipality's proposed secondary plan. The meeting was held to summarize the issues of agriculture, natural environment, urban and extractive resources on the township's proposed land use guidelines. Those attending were allowed input into the proposal through a 19 -question survey given at the meeting. Wayne Caldwell from the Huron County Planning Department said the overall response to five public meetings held to discuss the plan was excellent. An average of between 45 and 50 people attended each meeting. The planning department will be working on the preparation of a draft plan, which will be reviewed by the township council over the next several months. In the fall, the public will be invited to attend a meeting to view and comment on the preliminary secondary plan. The opinions arising out of the past five workshops will be the major input into the secondary plan. teverancelkoefetrririiterit.: 4sens and daughters In agri was a split issue. On the questionnaire, 14 out of the 28 people surveyed agreed that severances for that purpose should not be allowed. Twelve persons said they should be allowed and two people were undecided on the issue. On the question whether surplus residences should stay- vdth the original farms and not be severed,_16 people were opposed. Eight people agreed and four were undecided. The strongest consensus came on the question of allowing viable agricultural operations of any size to operate Twenty- two people agreed that they should be allowed to operate and 15 of those people strongly agreed. Two disagreed and two were undecided. Mobile home placement A Allowing mobile homes as a part of a farm unit received 23 votes of support. Only three people opposed them on that basis and two were undecided. However, the question of mobile homes (single wide) locating in mobile home parks ift the hamlet, brought about only.16 supporters. Four disagreed • ,,„ A KAYIMAVIKER—ElIzabeth DeJOng of Seaforth was finally accepted after her third application as a katlrnavik participant. Elizabeth left for British Columbia pn Tuesday. She will spend three Months In •• . • 10 B.O. before moving io Saskatchewan and Quebec for the last six 'months as a Katimaviker. Elizabeth had her backpack packed and sleeping bag ready when she was interviewed last Thursday. for Hullett •L. 6;itoliiiiliggiii'Aitcr41-.Sfrat4Viteple4vereitilupportriCtliephul•-. and eightlieriple Caere undecided- ,,wetland areas 10 'agree rind Growth restrictions Mrger. Four disagreed and eight were Nineteen people agreed that non-farin undecided. development should be urged to locate in the hamlete. Seven peeple disagreed and two Marginal farmland Eighteen people agreed that marginal were tuidecided. Twenty-six people said P'1 of the farm residential growth should be allowed in the farmland should stay as a pa hamlets. Two people were undecided. These unit. Seven disagreed andthreewere have residential areas set up •on prime undecided. Twenty-one residents agreed that local figures indicate the residents do not wish to agricultural land. residents should be notified (plan In the area of commercial development, amendment and rezoning) before a new 24 persons felt that it should be allowed to commercial gfavel pit Is established. Three the hamlets. Two people were undecided disagreed and four were tuniecided. Twenty-four residents agreed that Twenty-one residents felt the plan should agricultural commercial uses should be maintain river valleys as a natural , allowed in the agricultural areas (although environment area. Four people disagreed directed towards marginal farinland). and three were pndecided. The residents were in favor of being Twenty-one residents agreed that notified (rezoning) before a new intensive recreational development is .not commercial use is established in the compatible with. agriculture. Three disagreed and four were undecided. Conclusion Mr. Trick asked Mr. Knox and Mr." Caldwell what the public could do if they did not agree with the plan that is to be presented in the fall. "You could object at the public meeting or arn1ets. Buffer zones Sixteen people supported the ides of a buffer zone between residential and farming uses. Eight people disagreed and four were undecided. Tide protection of specified areas in the township received a mixed reaction on the in writing. Council may be able to alleviate survey. Twenty people agreed that the your concerns or you may, carry your secondary plan should protect woodlots. objections to the Ontario Municipal Board," Two disagreed and six were undecided. Mr. Caldwell said. HOLIDAY HAPPENING§—•Creating hits COmmunity Centres. Eight-year-old Karen out of construction paperwas the-pro)ect lett Nigitworked on a second hat es she wore the Priday'at the new propitin for lilde during firer antrdennifer Caroro, 9, dee:Witted her Niardh 'Break fit the Seefortft and bleitirif het wIthspericles, (Hutidertnittrit otioto) • , 6 • •••