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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-02-19, Page 1Births /A8 Brussels IA5 Classified /Al2t'13 Dublin /A15 Entertainment (A16 Family /A8, 9 Farm /A10, 11 INDEX Onsall /A4 ^tegion /A16 ituaries IA9 prt$IA6, 7 Alton /A14 1Weddinp IA8 t e page .Alp Bears maul Redmen in basketball semi-finals. See page A7 eak n acted by Seaforth Lein u Serving the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensel) and Walton gee page 416 Huron xpositor SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1986 — 16 PAGES 1 FACES IN THE CROWD — Seaforth District High School students wore their school colors proudly, even to the point of painting them on their faces. during the Huron -Perth Senior Boys quarter -final basketball game, here last Thursday. The Seaforth team defeated the Clinton Redmen 72-38, to advance to the semi-finals against Goderich. Raft is photo Sander purchase in public works budget Seaforth council agreed to give considera- tion to the purchase of a sander in the 1986 Public Works capital budget, subject to written confirmation of a quotation from London Machinery in the amount of 53,746.07. That price was the lowest received when a request went out after it was learned the present sander (two yard capacity with hydraulic controls), was in need of repairs estimated at 51,200 for parts only. The present sander cost 53,559 in 1981. RENEW (EASE Seaforth council passed a by-law last week authorizing a lease agreement with Wayne and Harold Smith Construction and the town of Seaforth. The construction company owns the building which serves as the public works shed. The lease contains an irrevocable option to renew the lease for a period of three years, commencing May 1, 1986 and terminating April 30, 1989. HOLD GAM Based on a recommendation by its Recreation and Parks committee the town of Seaforth has agreed to host the 1987 Senior Games. R has also agreed to put $5,000 aside in 1987 for holding these regional games. PLAY BALL Town council approved the cost for work on the dugouts and storage area at the ball diamonds located at the high school. That approval came following a recom- mendation by the Recreation and Parks Committee, so work could be started before the end of February. The recreation budget would not have been approved by then. The estimated cost for the work is $5,410 with $3,000 going for material costs, 11,410 for the cost to build, and 51,000 for miscellaneous supplies. Conestoga students, Stipends $33,000 COUNCIL BRIEFS under the direction of Walter Armes, will do a portion of the work. TEVDEBB AWARDED At its meeting last week council decided Rowe Fuels 9ffered the lowest prices and has been awarded the town's gas tender for another three years. Rowe Fuels promised the town furnace oil at 32.4 cents per litre, regular gas at 49.2 cents per litre and diesel fuel at 47.6 cents per litre. Tenders were also received from the Co-op and Petro -Canada. HOSPITAL TAX Council passed a by-law last week to tax the Seaforth Community Hospital. According to the Municipal Act which names a Kase rate 0( 550 per bed, the Seaforth Community Hospital will be taxed 52,200 for 1986. EXEMPTION GRANTED Scott Poultry Farms Limited, Mary Marg- aret Murray, John Rivers, the Seaforth Community Hospital and Ewart Wilson have been granted exemption on their particular parcels of lands. That exemption came after council last week passed a by-law to exempt ands held and used as farm lands only, in bldcks of not less than five acres by one person. OTHER BUSINESS in other business the town of Seaforth has granted permission to the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society to sell daffodils to the public on Saturday, April 5 and permission has been granted to the town office for the purchase of two calculators at a total cost of 5566. 50 cents a copy Town insurance up 85 per cent The Town of Seaforth learned recently it will experience an 85 per cent increase in its 1986 insurance rates. Bob Cowan, of Frank Cowan Company Limited, which deals in municipal and school insurance, told council the liability explosion is real and shows no sign of letting up. Apologizing for his "natural bias" Mr. Cowan identified with council's reaction to the large increase, saying he too would be tempted not to "throw one red nickel in the pile until legislation concerning liability insurance changed." But, he added, ,khat won't happen In the near future. "It looks like your initial money is being sucked out the door," he said. "But until the provincial government makes some investigation there won't be any sanity restored. I don't think an investigation is going to happen," he said. Despite beliefs to the contrary the "liability explosion" is not the only reason behind the increase in insurance costs. The increase itself is merely a reflection of the inflationary trend in society. There's definitely been an increased concern over liability, but that's not the only reason forthe increase," said town clerk, Jim Crocker. "Before the insurance companies were offering discounts of sorts, and now can no longer offer them. In reality we're now just paying what we should've been paying 'previously." Insurance agent Ken Cardno said in fact thetown of Seaforth is paying no more this year than it did for insurance three years ago. There has ben a 66 per cent increase in the coverages for municipal liability insurance, but there has also been an increase in property of every description. For example, the value of town equipment has risen from $2,986,300 last year to $3,108,200 this year. To counter the increase . in rates the Seaforth council has asked Frank Cowan Company Limited to provide further informa- tion and rates based on increased deductibles for the town, in the various areas of coverage. Increased deductibles are one of the only recourses a small town has to cut back on insurance costs. In the past the town has rarefy had reason to make a claim, so increased deductibles could be a money -sav- ing venture. PUC premiums see 34 per cent rate hike The Seaforth Public Utilities Commission else," he said. (PUC), has agreed to purchase insurance HYDRO ON WATCH, coverage-nfrauft'Frank Cowan insuranoe-,-4--Also•at-thevFtiebrumy'•'f2^•nfeettng,this" Company, despite a premium increase of 34 commission agreed to participate in a per cent over the price of coverage with the crime -prevention program of Ontario Hydro, same firm last year. called Hydro on Watch. The commission's 1986 premiums will The program is a pilot project of Ontario increase to 56,400, from $4,788 in 1985. Hydro, based upon a similar program The commission also agreed to purchase initiated by Union Gas Co. It involves additional environmental protection cover- requesting workers in radio -equipped vehi- age for an extra premium of 5200, bringing des, such as the PUC workers use, to report any suspicious behavior to police. Mr. Phillips also explained the program does not involve any publicizing of the policy at schools or other institutions and that the idea is not for people to approach Hydro or PUC workers to report occurrences. "They don't want you to get involved, just to report anything suspicious," said Mr. Phillips. "Anyone should do that anyway." com- mented Chairman Sills. M A iNTA IN [IGLUS The commission agreed to a request from Hibbert Township Council, to assume main- tenance duties on the street lights in St. Columban. ' Mr. Phillips reported these duties would not involve a great deal of extra work. ' "if we're making a run to Dublin, we just stop and turn on the lights and check them," he said. People wishing to report problems with the lights, should contact the Hibbert Township office and not call the commission directly. Mr. Phillips noted. the total 1986 premium to 16.602. Ken Cardno. of Seaforth Insurance Agency explained to the commission the pollution clause in • their former policy has been dropped. making theurchase of the environment insurance advisable. Mayor Alf Ross noted the 34 per cent increase was much lower than the increase faced by many municipal bodies, including the Town of Seaforth, which will pay an increase of 85 per cent on their 1986 insurance premiums. "it's not this increase I'm concerned about. rm more worried about next year," said Mayor Ross. PUC Chairman Jim Sills agreed with the Mayor, that this year's increase could be an indicator of even higher premiums in the future. "This could be a test year, for the (insurance) companies," said Mr. Sills. Mr. Ross also noted the environmental protection package was a reassuring clause to include in the policy. "it's not a bad sleeping pill, if nothing Two teachers, one job at local school A total of $27,465.54 was paid out to members of council during the 1985 year and a further 56,030.80 to members of various committees. A statement of remuneration and expenses released at the February 11 meeting of Seaforth Town Council showed in the case of council 524,680 was actual stipend while 51,130.09 was paid out for mileage and meals, 5770 for conference registration and 5885.45 for lodging. Mayor Alf Ross received the highest payment for services in the amount of 56,947.46, while Councillor Hazel Hilde- brand was second at 54,442.80. Reeve Bill Campbell received 53,110.58 over the year, Councillor Henry Mero $2,539.70, Councillor Bill Martin $2,470, Councillor Carolanne Doig 52,260, Deputy -Reeve Bill Bennett 51,945, Councillor Wayne Fills $1,930 and CouncillorPaul Ross $1,660. 5160 was paid to Councillor Irwin Johnston, who resigned early in the year. A further $580 waspaid out to members of the planninz board, 5500 to the Committee of of the c rrereea on board'and 5660 to members of the Local Advisory Committee on Ar+dritectural Conservation «ACAC). Grade 4 students at Seaforth Public School share a unique experience across Huron County and Ihat is the experience of sharing two teachers "The students get a fresh body every afternoon and morning," says Carol Hoel- scher who teaches the class in the morning. Marilyn Thomas. the other half of the job sharing says its ideal for her because she can continue to teach and yet be with her small children at home during the morning. The two have been job sharing for over a year. Carol in the morning and Marilyn in the afternoon, when she points out, her small children are sleeping. The time arrangement works well for Carol too. She has teenagers, and they know. she adds with a grin. that mom will be home when they get home after school. It was Marilyn's initiative that got the idea going. Her youngest child was a year old and her first born was three (they are now two and four respectively) and she wanted to spend more time with them. A colleague suggested job sharing and Marilyn's first task was to Find someone willing to share her job. By coincidence, Carol was also teaching at Seaforth public school at the time. She was filling in on a maternity leave for another teacher. That time was drawing to a close and Carol wanted to stay on teaching. From the beginning of January to June of last year, the pair taught a split grade. Both note that split grades aren't ideal for job sharing. However, since September, when they have been teaching Grade 4, their sharing has run smoothly. "rye never heard a complaint," said Carol of parent's comments. In fact there has been a benefit. The parents, during parent -teacher interviews have two people to discuss their concerns With. Reel eat car carer tifof k QU[Lllly 1 yt it LIe s tach card 1' 10 e,done 0)111 cc(l.Checked A 6� (lad rte 'checks ;' t. alar Ali earc(s ina4 conrtpie (i . HALF THE DUTY — Marilyn Thomas and Carol Hoelscher have shared a teaching job at the Seaforth Public School for more than a year. They like the arrangement. The teachers themselves enjoy the compar- ing of notes. There is a communication book that sits on the teachers desk and after every morning or afternoon, comments are written in. And if that isn't eneugh Communication for the two teachers, theyusuallygo for lunch together on P4iday.. Carol says that helps keep the two teachers up to date, especially if there are any problems in the classroom. The pair say they have similar teaching styles. "We seem to eitpect the same things from the children," says Marilyn. Carol adds once the students found out the teachers were comparing notes, there was Tess tactics. She explains at first some students tried to get around the teachers. The children also have daily journals which they f ll in after every half day. This is another way the two can keep in touch with the students. Carol is responsible for spelling. math and reading, what are known as core subjects. Marilyn teaches soda] studies, science, art and health. For the benefit of other teachers. they point out both are in the school four hours, with Marilyn having more yard duty and less subject preparation time than Carol. The Huron County board of education recently formalized a plan for job sharing which limits the experience to two years. Both Carol and Marilyn realize it could be difficult for them to receive approval to job share another school year because that would have them in the program for 2.5 years. But they have applied. The Wei stress any teachers considering job sharing have to be compatible. While these two didn't know each other that well when they started they were familiar with one another's work. Marilyn had taught Carol's son which added to the familiarization. Both say they wouldn't want a third party to pick the pairs for job sharing. Rather, the two should be able to make a mutual decision. - Carol points out the job sharing experience would be beneficial to any student coming out of university and is not limited to women. They know of some male colleagues who are interested in the set up. "I get to do all the things I want to," said Carol of the experience. "We like it," summed up the responses.