HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1983-03-30, Page 1YW
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SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1983 - 20 PAGES
Huron high school
teacherjobs decline
The number of secondary school teaching
positions in Huron County will decline for the
t983-84 school year, but by how many
depends on the Board of Education's budget
deliberations:
The Huron County Board of Education, at
its March meeting, approved 239 secondary
school teaching positions which includes 6.5
special education positions. The total for the
coming school year represents a decline from
the present 243.7 teaching positions in Huron
secondary schools.
The board learned the total for the coming
'schoolear may increase if the cost of two
aoatttorlyat teachers. one tor student services
and the other for Central Huron Secondary
School in Clinton. are ' approved .during
budget deliberations. If approved, the total
teaching positions for secondary schools
would be 241.
There will be a few teaching positions
eliminated this coming year as 2.16 teaching
positions were ondjemporary basis last year
td enable students to finish programs in
Spanish and Any surplus teachers are
expected to betaken care of through attrition.
Huron Board of Education
4' wants to improve its
communication with public
Various techniques for
improving communication
both with staff and the
general public have been
approved by the Huron
County Board of Education.
The board approved eight,
recommendations from its
executive committee at its
March 14 meeting. •
The recommendations fol-
low a commitment made by
board chairman Dorothy Wal-
lace to improve communica-
tion with the two sectors.
Articles and a question and
answer column about educa-
tion in Huron County will be
published in Focus. a Signal -
Star Publishing Co,. Ltd.,
publication. Individual
schools will publish school
newsletters for distribution
and have "school news"
columns in local newspapers.
These formats, it is hoped,
will improve communication
with the general public.
Internal communications
will be encouraged by invit-
ing the chairmen of various
principals' committees to at-
tend meetings of similar
board committees. Principals
and teachers will also. be
invited to make presentations
to various board committees
where it would assist the
board in making a decision.
Annual one -day seminars
will also be held with board
members, executive admini-
strators and principals on a
current topic about education
and every three years (follow-
ing an election) a three-day
workshop will be held for
trustees, administration and
principals where common
concerns and problems will
be discussed in-depth.
Break-in; damaged cars,
crash are investigated
Police report an early morning break -
enter and theft at the Seaforth branch of the
Royal Canadian Legion. on' Saturday, March
19.
According to police chief. Hal Claus, entry
was gained by smashing the glass in the north
door of the -building. An estimated $800 in
, liquor was taken from a liquor storage area in
the building.
Police are continuing their investigation.
Seaforth police are alarmed over the
increase in the number of damage incidents
involving vehicles in the parking lot of the
Queen's Hotel on weekends. According to
chief Claus, a -Dumber of incidents have
happened over the past several months. He
reports that the latest incident involved a
vehicle owned by Sunoco station co-owner
Larry Dolmage. in which the roof of his car
was slashed by a sharp instrument causing an
estimated $500 damage, during the night of
Thursday, March 17.
Police caution that charges. -will be laid
against any person in connection with acts of
wilful damage in the parking lot.
Seaforth police also warn that they will
charge any person caught in connection with
a series of hub cap thefts. They hope that
local residents will take advantage of an
engraver which can be borrowed from the
town police to 'engrave such items. Chief
Claus says it is difficult to trace stolen items
that are not marked,
Goderich OPP are investigating an esti-
mated 55000 damage done to the Freeze King
building on the outskirts of town early
Sunday, March 27.
Police speculate that the facility, ovVTied by
Ron Riley of RR2 Seaforth, was apparently
run into by a car or truck.
That investigation is continuing.
WHICH BUNNY FOR EASTER—Heather McGavin, 11, holds two of the bunnies she and
her brother Jeff, 15, have raised. The two havehaS5 rabbits and.are learning to manage lime
and Money. _ . (Wassink photo)
Local stores get.
*.chance
Retiring coroner, Dr. Paul Brady
It's not a happy job. But it's a
necessary one. says retiring Coroner, Dr.
Paul Brady. who quotes the profession's
motto "we speak for the dead to protect the
living.
As coroner for 16 years in Huron and
Merchants in Huron County will be able
to place their names on a central registry of
merchandise suppliers for schools fundrais-
ing projects. -
At its March 14 meeting. the Huron County
Board of Education approved the amendment
to its fund-raising policy after several
merchants complained about unfair competi-
tion.
The central registry was a recommendation
from the executive committee after it had
discussed the complaints. The committee
Walton pair in
bunny business
Easter will arrive this weekend. Many
people will celebrate by attending church
services. remembering the crucifixion and
resurrection and enjoying a hearty Easter
dinner.
The very young, although they realize the
importance of the Christian Easter, also
celebrate another way. Yes, this is the
weekend the Easter bunny visits the kids,
handing out Easter baskets. chocolates and
of course, Easter eggs.
If you are looking for a gift that lasts
longer for the young ones. Jeff and Heather
McGavin have just the solution. The
twosome, aged 15 and 11 respectively,
children of Neil and Marie McGavin of RR4,
Walton, have for sale, real, live Easter
bunnies!
Jeff says "they are the perfect size for
Easter and are soft, cuddly and cute." The
pair advertised their Easter bunnies in an
Expositor classified.
Heather and Jeff entered the rabbit
business in a round -about way. Two years
ago they had a pet rabbit 'named Daisy.
Rabbits were only a hobby then. They now
have 55 rabbits, including fie does and one
buck. Jeff explained the does average eight
litters a year with a litter size of
approximately' nine or 10. "This works out
to approximately 400 rabbits a year. We
have sold about 200."
Since selling their last "bunch", Jeff
says he is now making a profit. Amazingly,
the business was entirely financed by the
brother and sister. Their father, Neil
assisted only by providing short term loans
for feed and supplies. The loans have since
been repaid.
"1 had to buy cages and build a room in
the shed. Everything I buy is, paid using
profits from rabbit sales. 1 sold my 'last
bunch of 18 rabbits for $82.80. or 90 cents
per pound. Any profits are used for feed.
hay, and 1 hope to buy my own wheelbar-
Heather noted a heater was purchased for
the cold winter days. ' "Dad couldn't
understand why we bought it. but it really
paid off."
IT WAS SAD
, Thinking back to when they sold'^their
first meat -type rabbits, Heather admitted,'
"it was pretty sad to see them go, but now
at school sales
concluded that students should be allowed to
have fund-raising projects. '
"The Committee felt the pupils receive a
rewarding experience," said vice-chairman
Eugene Frayne.
Besides the central registry, principals will
be requested to give merchants the opportun-
ity to quote prices for the supply of
merchandise forTany project.
On the same theme, the Board received a
letter from the Clinton Business Improve-
ment Area (BIA) indicating it had no
objections to merchandise being sold if the
proceeds are for charity, educational trips or
to enhance the character of the students.
"There is strong objection, however, to
goods being sold to pay for equipment for the
schools as members feel we all pay very high
taxes to pay for any equipment the board
feels necessary," stated the letter.
Trustee Tony McQuail said he'd have
thought the BIA would have approved of the
students' proceeds going towards equipment
to reduce the impact on the board budget.
we're getting used to it." Jeff said he was
also a bit dejected when lie knew the rabbits
would be used for human consumption.
"It's okay, as long as the money comes in.
We have favourites in every bunch. bet all
our rabbits are' pretty well equal."
Heather interjected, "there are two that
don't really like us." Jeff explairfed.
"they're just protective because of their
babies."
Feeding and cleaning the rabbits is Jeff's
responsibility. Heather helps out on occa-
sion with choring but her main job is looking
after the books. "We keep good records,"
says Jeff. "Our expenses and sales are
listed and we know whether we mak, or
lose money."
Hoping to save rabbit money for future
schooling, Jeff says the experience is
challenging. The rabbits also offer "inex-
pensive entertainment. 1 take my own
pictures of the rabbits."
' At times it has been frustrating. Jeff
doesn't mind getting up at 7:00 a.m. to do
his chores before school and looks forward
to spending time with the rabbits at night
instead of watching. television. "1 get
scratched the odd time and sometimes a doe
doesn't get bred so one month is lost."
Heather added that a certain amount of
feed is lost when market rabbits scratch and
dig, 'upsetting trays in search of their
-favourite delicacy, rabbit pellets.
THE DOG ATE THEM
There was also the time when some
rabbits broke out of their cage and
disappeared. The family dog was seen with
.black fur in his mouth and Jeff realized what
had happened to the rabbits. "1 almost felt
like killing that dog." Heather said, "we
don't use that cage any more."
Jeff says he would sooner sell Easter
bunnies as pets than market rabbits. "If •
somebody buys an Easter bunny, the water
should be kept clean and the bunny kept in a
warm location. Feed should consist of
mixed grain, corn and rabbit pellets. They
need a lot of protein, so they should be fed
first cut hay. '
The selling price for an Easter bunny' is`
82.50. The cost of feeding the bdnny is
approximately 11 cents per day, or $40 a
year. says Jeff. "But ydtt"get all that back
from the little ones,"
As for enjoying a bowl of rabbit stew or
just plain rabbit, Jeff says he Was never
tasted rabbit. "I don't have the stomach for
it. Mom and dad say it tastes like chicken."
Heather says she never plans "on having
rabbit casserole."
Mrs. McGavin is certain the rabbit
business has . taught Heather and Jeff a
good sense of responsibility. "It's their
thing, their time, and their money. They
have to look after their own money and now
realize where money comes from. It has also
taught Jeff to shop around for fled and
supplies. It's a great learning experience."
Since they first 'started their bu`stness,
Jeff said he has made 5301. Expenses total
8250. "The rabbits are now starting to pay
off and that's all we care."
"Needless" accidents appall retiring. oroner
Perth. its been his job to investigate any
unexpected death in the area. It's a job he's
shared with several other coroners: while he
handled the immediate Seaforth area. at
times he's been called further afield.
"We investigate to try' and forestall
further tragedy," says Dr. Brady. espe-
cially in cases like fatal automobile
accidents. And while investigating surviv-
ors. witnesses and family members can be
difficult. the coroner's report attempts to
answer what happened and why.
In Ontario it s also mandatory that a
corner investigate any death in a nursing
home. That's part of what Dr. Brady calls
the coroner's "watchdog function" and he
adds while it's probably needed in big
cities. the care in this area's nursing homes
is "very good."
We rarely see an inquest into unexpected
death here. the retired coroner says. only in
the case of a death in jail or a mine accident.
An inquest under those circumstances is
required 'in Ontario.
DISTRESSING
Investigating unexpected death is tough.
Dr. Brady, who is 70. says. because "it's a
distressing time, People are upset, often
hostile. They can't understand why it
happened. You have to be patient and not
try to bully people."
While he s never had to deal with a
murder in 16 years on the job, Dr. Brady
handled two or three suicides. "You try and
find out why. There's always an autopsy.
Most often the person was depressed.' In
one of his worst accident cases, two young
people in the back of a car were killed, while
two in the front lived, following a crash on a
road curve. "The jury recommended the
curve be eliminated and it was. The
engineers have been very good. acting
on jury recommendations."
An inquest is held only if its felt a
reasonable jury recommendation can re-
sult.
What's especially upsetting to a coroner,
says Dr. Brady, is that "most of the deaths
are needless." Especially, in his opinion.
snowmobile deaths. "They've plowed into a
parked car or one across the road without
stopping. It's just carelessness."
SAFETY FIRST
Of course the Seaforth family physician is
well-known as a snowmobile safety cru-
sader. Years ago he criticized the practice of
holding snowmobile races for "seven and
eight -year-olds". He defended his position
on a CFPL-TV program. When an advocate
said it's good to get children out and teach
them_ how to operate the machines properly,
Dr. Brady countered with: "it's a lethal
machine and we see enough accidents with
adults."
While he was alarmed as the rest of us at
the recently released statistics showing a
higher than average incidence of accident
deaths in Huron, he was surprised too. In 16
years he says the number of coroner's
investigations has stayed fairly steady, 12 to
15 a year• with an average of about one
inquest per year. -
at lack of change is not so true in the being an intelligent human being," the
oral practice of medicine in a small town physician says, and he docs not agree that
like Seaforth, Dr. Brady, "just semi -re- 'heroic measures" should be used to save
tired" with an office at Seaforth Medical- his life.
Clinic, says while there's "no great change Calling a visit to the large institution for
in the types of cases we see. there's great severely retarded adults in Orillia when he
change in the treatment." He began was a medical student "the most depress -
practice here May 1, 1940. ing day of my life", Dr. Brady says there's
"Years ago, 1 felt 1 could operate on a no simple solution.
case as well as (a doctor in) London could." "Where are you going to draw the line?
Now, most surgery and critically ill patients Out of their misery? The Nazis said they
are referred to London hospitals where wanted to put Jews out of their misery."
newer technology is available. "It's not fair LIFE AND DEATH
to the patients to retain them in the smaller Sometimes in the case of a severely ill,
hospitals," he says, adding that procedures elderly patient "families say 'do everything
like appendix or gallbladder operations you can, even for a day,' ", but Dr. Brady
"can be done here as well as in London." says, "1 usually advise. let's not adopt
PACEMAKERS heroic measures." These life and death
The change in treatment for those who decisions are faced by every doctor. he
have heart attacks is an example of the adds.
trend. While 40 years ago, "we gave them What prevention ideas does the coroner
pills and told them to take care of who has investigated most of the area's
themselves", now bypass operations and fatal accidents have? "First of all. don't
pacemakers are routine. "1 don't know how drink and drive," he says,
many people in Seaforth are walking around Dr. Brady is a firm believer in using
with pacemakers." seatbelts. "They save a lot of lives....l've
Is that change hard for a small town seen several accidents where 1 know
doctor to take? No. says Dr. Brady, "it's patients would have been seriously injured
been gradual and h doesn't pay to be without seatbelts. Not so much on high
pig-headed." speeds...a head-on crash on 401 ...but little
While he agrees that medical ethics cases accidents around town."
are very tough, Dr.. Brady says the Of course, the doctor says, someone
intervention of the national association for always knows someone who was saved by
the mentally retarded in the Dawson case in not wearing a seatbelt. but he wagers "for
British Columbia made him "furious." every one of those there are 10 of the
"There's no possibility of that little boy others." -•
Farm accidents in this rural arca arc also
something the coroner feels we should be
concerned about. Somctimes'equipment is
moved when there are kids around, or small
children arc allowed to drive tractors.
Because farms arc also homes, and not
thought of as big industries, the retiring
coroner says "we don't realize the potential
danger."
Regional coroner. R.D. MacKinlay, says
the province appreciates Dr. Brady's
service as coroner and hopes he'll continue
his interest and support of the coroner
system in Ontario, Dr. Brady's replacement
hasn't been named yet but Dr. R.W,
Flowers in Clinton will be filling in. Dr.
MacKinlay receives Dr. Brady's reports,
and police and fire reports on unexpected
deaths in the region. Those are kept on file
for the whole province in the forensic
sciences building in Toronto.
Dr. Brady, who says what he has liked
about the job is "there's a certain amount of
detective work,.,observation and deduction
is challenging ", will almost certainly keep
his interest. An annual three day course.
with top forensic people from all over the
world, is Field in Toronto for the province's
coroners, Challenging cases are reviewed
and Dr. Brady says he managed to get there
almost every year. "1 don't imagine
anybody would object if 1 sat in again
sometime." he says with a twinkle in his
eve.
They won't remove
foam insulation /A3
Area theatres
announce summer plays /A8,
Two new Brussels
businesses /A7
Dublin Diamonds have
special program /A4, 5
Seaforth 'skaters
win /410
Orad*K
Births /A15
Brussels news /A6, 7
Classified /A16, 17
Dublin news 1A4, 5
Entertainment /A8, 9
Family /A15
Farm /A14
Henson news /A13
Kids /412
Obituaries /A3
People /A8
Roulston /A2
Smiley /A2
Something to Say /A2
Sports /A10, 11
Welton /A19
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