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The Huron Expositor, 1988-11-30, Page 1Hensel! - A8 Obituaries - A9 Sports - A10-13 Weddings - A17 Dublin - All Walton - All Hensall A20 � �a�'��"'� ' die a+.. � o w ��� mother 'sot . See page A4. as Huronview threats a misunderstanding. See page A6. Aromas swe e t Christmas.. See page A19. uroi sitor Serving the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensall and Walton Se-.fo h, Ontario HURON EXPOSITOR, WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 30, 19 8 50 cents a copy 400 elementary teachers take message to the board chambers the Huron teachers Board of Education office on Monday night, in an un- precedented action to try and get negotia- tions between the HCBE and its elementary teachers back underway. Spokesmen for ,; teachers had informed the board that "as of teachers would he atbnie ing the meeting to show their support for the negotiating team. But the board's trustees arrived at the office in Clinton to find five buses parked in front of the building, and almost UM per cent of the 394 elementary teachers in the Huron Coun- ty system filing into the board room. The last collective agreement between the board and the teachers expired on August 31, 1388. The parties made some progress in negotiations earlier in the year, but have been unable to resolve issues such as preparation time, staffing, salary and benefits. There have been no meetings since September 22_ Once the mass of teachers had been assembled in the Board's chambers, they were asked to clear the room while the board held a private session The private session had not been indicated in the meeting's agenda. While teachers waited in the hall outside the boardroom, Phil Parsons, spokesman for the Ontario Public School Teacher's Federation in Huron, said in an interview that the purpose of the teacher's visit had nothing to do with debating issues surroun- ding negotiations. He explained the purpose was to get the board back to the negotiating table. Three speakers representing the teachers had been selected to address the board, and read a prepared statement. Once the board reconvened in public ses- sion and the teachers once again found stan- ding room in the boardroom, board Chair- man John Jewitt read the board's policy concerning delegations, and there were areas where the teacher's delegation was in conflict with the policy. They had failed to produce a copy of their presentation to the board one week before the meeting, and they had not announced their intention to at- tend the meeting one week before it took place. The policy allows for the board to hear an unannounced delegation if two-thirds of the Christmas parade to be drop off depot for needy ALMOST 401) ELEMENTARY TEACHERS from the Huron County system were bused to the board office in Clinton where they hoped to address the Huron County Board of Education. and get negotiations between the board and teachers moving again. . There has not been a meeting between the parties since September, and there has been no collective agreement since August. The board ruled that statements to be made by the teachers were out of order and were related to negotiations which the board was not prepared to discuss at a public meeting. Teachers left the board room without reading their statement. but outside the building the statement was read over a loudspeaker Corbett photo. , members present agree. Tony McQuail for- warded a motion that the board hear the teacher's statement providing it did not touch on matters under negotiation, and that they select one speaker in accordance with the board's policy concerning unan- nounced delegations. The motion was passed by two-thirds of the board and Dixie Lee Arbuckle, chair- man of the economic policy committee, took the podium. Ms. Arbuckle had barely started her speech when Mr. Jewitt ruled that she was out of order. and her statement dealt with negotiations. The statement began: "For the first time in the history of Huron county, the elementary teachers have found it necessary to appear at a board meeting to express their concerns." Mr. Jewitt offered to give the teacher's spokesman a second chance, but added the board felt strongly that matters relating to negotiations are not appropriate in a public meeting. The teachers were not to state their positiorL The teachers asked that they be able to read the last two paragraphs of their state- ment, which they felt did not deal with negotiations. The paper was passed through many hands to the front of the room and the chairman, Mr. Jewitt, read the statement and said it obviously dealt with negotiations and was not appropriate in a public setting. The teachers retired from the chambers, but before entering their buses for the ride home, gathered outside the board office and read their statement over loudspeakers_ The last two paragraphs, which were not permitted to be heard by the board, read: "'The teachers are here tonight to state emphatically that they support their negotiating team in its efforts to achieve a fair and reasonable negotiated settlement We request that the Board join us in ap- proaching the Education Relations Commis- sion regarding the immediate appointment of a mediator. We believe that with mineral goodwill and a spirit of compromise on both sides, a settlement can be reached before the festive season truly begins." The irony of the last paragraph drew laughter from the assembly of teachers: "Chair J in. we thank you for the oppor- tenity to rr oke this statement to the Huron County Board of Education_ We extend to all the retiring trustees our best wishes, and look forward to a productive working rela- tionship with the new board." Gino Giannandrea said in a later inter- ' view he had offered to meet with the teacher's negotiators in an informal meeting to find common ground and "to do everything we could to get a settlement" The teachers responded that their con- stituion doesn't allow for such a meeting. Mr. Giannandrea says it is still a standing offer. Retiring trustee John Elliot denounced the action by the teachers, calling it an at- tempt to intimidate the new board members and a bad negotiations practice. John Jewitt explained his reasons for not letting the spokesman from the teachers speak. "The board does not wish to negotiate in public, and I felt they were getting into the areas of negotiation_ We have a committee to deal with negotiations." He added that he thought the board supported his decisions_ Mr. Jewitt said the municipal elections will affect negotiations in that new board members will have to made aware of the issues and the details surrounding the issues. However, Mr. Jewitt said he doesn't see the sides as far apart, and believes an agreement could be negotiated quickly. As for the teacher's massive delegation and it's effect on the negotiations: "I would be surprised if something like that did have an impact," said Mr. Jewitt. "I believe they achieved what they came to achieve -media attention." Seaforth residents are reminded that this year's Santa Claus parade will also act as a collection depot for the needy. In keep- ing with the spirit of Christmas - the spirit of giving - those intending to view the parade are being asked to bring a canned good, or two, with them. A number of volunteers will collect the goods, and place them in tractor -drawn trailers in the parade line-up. All goods will be sorted and then dispersed in time for Christmas to the needy families in the Seaforth area. Anyone missed by the pick up, or who, in the rush of the occasion, forgets to bring their donation with them, can drop it off at Mac's Milk, Bob's Barber Shop or the Meat Market DON'T TELL MRS- CLAUS - Santa was one of the visitors at Maplewood Manor's open house this weekend and he is seen here with residents Gertrude Taylor and Anne Henderson. and Jennifer Binnendyk the daughter of of a Maplewood staff member. Crafts made by residents and local people were on sale at the manor, and tea and entertainment was provided. The prodeeds from the fund raiser go into the residents' fund and go toward tours and trips for the residents. Corbett photo. Santa Claus is coming to town The jolliest of elves will be at the Town Hall Friday night, following his participa- tion in this year's Santa Claus parade. Parents are encouraged to bring their children out to meet St. Nick on this occasion. The parade itself, promises to be bigger and better than ever, with approximately 75 entries attempting to "Lite up the Town". The line-up of floats will begin at 6 p.m. along Chalk and East William Streets. Floats will be judged in accordance to the following categories: most humorous; most old fashioned: most fantasy; best Bethlehem; best commercial; best family; best organization: most outstanding and best marching and best performing band. H PC RCSS B seeks abortion judgement call Tropines will beaFarded o the winners Judging of the costurmed waIIkung BY LOURDES RICHARD The issue of abortion is a clartiuversial one and it affects all of us. With that in mind at Monday night's meeting administration and trustees of the Huron -Perth Roman Catholic separate schhooi board sought a knowledgable (pinion on how to answer students' questions about the controversy. Dennis Mackey, a religions educa- tion/family life co-ordinator with the school system told the board that before children talk about what abortion is they need to understand that it is a "moral issue." He said the family life program which teaches children the theological foundation of their being tries to lead them into that moral understanding. He elaborated that the whole theology behind the program emphasises that is it God's nature to love and since we are created hr God's image is too should be our nature to love. The intent of the teaching concepts related to abortion in the Roman Catholic school curriculum attempts to counteract the kind of thinking that is heard so often sun i uurcding the abortion issue, Mackey said. For example, regarding fertility the Catholic system teaches that it is "a bless- ing from God" Mackey said this teaching counteracts the thinking of people who see Fertility as a "curse." The system also teaches students to have "a sense of awe and respect for new life from the moment of conception, to develop an appreciation for the virtue of chastity, and to see their own sexuality as a God- given gift that needs to be treated with dignity and respect" "Present day society doesn't always agree with these teachings," Mackey acknowledged "Abortion is just the tip of the iceberg of complex social relations in how people relate to each other," he said. Teaching about the morality of abortion is a process that begins in the primary grades, said Mackey. He explained that in the system's religious program grades one to three, explore their sense of "belonging" to God, Jesus and the Church. Grades four to five explore their sense of 'responding" to Jesus, the Church, and other people. At the intermediate Grade seven and eight level students delve into "believing" in God and by high school they partake in a synthesis of faith -response which involves living out their faith in the midst of today's challenges. Mackey told the board that "a detailed Hildebrand retain Mayor -elect Hazel Hildebrand has retain- ed her seat on council, despite a recount undertaken Tuesday morning. The recount was requested by Bob Dinsmore atter he was edged out of the posi- tion by a narrow six votes in the November 14 municipal election. The recount was conducted in the Town Council r`r . o r z Tuesday morning by lien discussion of abortion does not take place as part of the curriculum until Grade eight and then again in Grade 11." He added, though, that if the topic arose in the earlier grades the teacher would address it.. By the time students in the Huron -Perth Roman Catholic separate school system are at the Grade 8 they are expected to: • know what abortion is, • know the Church's teaching on abortion, • know that as Catholics they are to abide by the Church's teaching an abortion, and • apprecaite the special gift of life each per- son has. Mackey said in addition to the above students at the Grade 11 level are expected to: • be aware of the compe ity of the issues and the conflict of values that is present m the discussion of abortion, and • develop a resolve to protect and preserve aII human life. Mackey gave examples of some of the questions put to students as part of the s mayoral seat Canino, assisted by .darilyn Chesney. The end result, after three hours counting the ballots, was an increase of one in the number- of votes recorded in favor of Mrs. Hildebrand (from 558 to 559) and a decrease of two recorded for Mr. Dinsmore (from 552 to 550). Mrs. Hildebrand and commit will be scum info office on December 6. ticipants will take place in the gym of the Seaforth and District High School at 6:30 pm_ and categories will include: best Bethlehem; best North Pole, best Winter Wonderland; best Toyland; best Seaforthh: most humorous and most playful. All prizes and trophies will be presented to the winners in the high school gymnasium following the parade, when all participants are invited to return for refreshments. At that time a video of the parade will be shown on an eight -foot screen. Children are encouraged to bring their let- ters to Santa Claus with them to the parade, where they will be collected by members of the Seaforth Lions Club. Lions club members will be stationned along the parade route, and will be identifiable by the red postal bags they will be carrying. All let- ters to Santa should contain the child's name and address, and should be addressed to: Santa Claus, c/o North Pole. HOB OHO. A system has also been established which would allow seniors, or anyone unable to brave the weather, to watch the parade from the warmth and comfort of their car. Cars must be pre -approved for access to the Main Street during the parade, and must bear a special windshield sticker. Contact Ross Ribey for the sticker. Other spectators are encouraged to make use of the four portable stands that will be located on Main Street Everyone is remind- ed to dress warmly. The actual parade time is 7 p.m. SANTA CLAUS PARADE 7:00 P.M. DUKE ST. ARENA To s To 0 Z rA VICTORIA PARK TOPNOTCH 1111111111111111 11111111111111111 4