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Huron Expositor, 2014-12-17, Page 3Wednesday, December 17,2014 • Huron Expositor 3 Letters to Santa from Ontario elementary teachers votein favour of strike action ahead of bargaining St. Patrick's, Dublin From Mrs. Scott's Grade 2 class Dear Santa, Hello, how are you doing? I've been a good boy this year and for Christmas I want a turtle. Thanks Santa, you're the best! Love Charlie Dear Santa, Hi, my name is Wendy. I've been a good girl. I want an iPod for Christ- mas. Thanks for the present. Love Wendy. Dear Santa Claus How are you doing? I had times when I was good and sometimes bad. I would really like rock star stuff. Thanks for the present Santa! Love Alexa B Dear Santa Hello and how are you doing today? I've been a good this evening. What I want for Christmas is a Santa stuff and that I don't want for Christmas is a lump of coal. Love Avery Dear Santa Hello my name is Tyler. I think I've been naughty but I'm going to be good. I wanted an iPod to play Math Prodigy. You're the best Santa. Love, Tyler Dear Santa, Hello are you doing today? I bet your elves are making the toys right now. I've been a good boy this year. Tell your elves to make a movie called HOW TO TAME A DRAGON TWO. Thanks Santa. You're the best. Love, Hayden. Dear Santa, Hello and how are you? I bet the reindeer are pumped up for Christmas. I've been trying to be good. Could you bring me an air hockey table? Thanks Santa, you're the best. Love, Jack V Christina Blizzard QMI Agency The Elementary Teach- ers' Federation of Ontario has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, according to a statement on its website. The union representing public elementary teachers across the province announced last week its members voted 95% in favour of strike action in November. ETFO president Sam Hammond called the strike vote "historic?' "It was an historic moment for ETFO as mem- bers voted online over a six- day period to strongly sup- port their team at the central table," Hammond said in his statement. "Going into bargaining, our members have sent a powerful message that they will not stand for a repeat of Ilr440 HEART&' MAKE STROKE HEALTH FOUNDATION LAST C A ASSESS YOUR RISK. NOTIFICATION Habitat Regulations for Protecting Species at Risk Ontario is fortunate to have a wide variety of plants and animals. Over 200 of these species, however, are currently 'at risk'. One of the key threats to their survival is habitat loss. Under the Endangered Species Act, 2007, the Government of Ontario has passed habitat regulations for Eastern Sand Darter, Hine's Emerald, Hungerford's Crawling Water Beetle, Pitcher's Thistle, and Wavy -rayed Lampmussel. These provisions will help protect and recover these plants and animals. The regulations come into force on January 1, 2015. Want to know more about habitat regulations or the Endangered Species Act? Information on the regulations is available on the Environmental Registry of the Environmental Bill of Rights website at ontario.ca/ebr (Registry #012-1549) and on the Species at Risk website at ontario.ca/speciesatrisk. For alternative formats of this information, please e-mail sar.habitat@ontario.ca or call toll-free at 1-800-667-1940. Renseignements en francais • 1 800 667-1940 Ontario the last round of bargaining involving contract strips and unconstitutional legis- lation removing our bar- gaining rights," he said. Negotiations are slated to commence in January 2015. Among the bargaining goals outlined on the web- site are improved teacher pay, improved class sizes and limits on teacher workload. They're also asking for improved sick leave, better pregnancy and parental leave entitlements, and improved health and safety benefits. Hammond was not avail- able for comment Wednesday. Teachers make between about $47,000 to a maxi- mum of about $88,000. A recent special report by auditor general Bonnie Lysyk concluded that the decision by Premier Kath- leen Wynne to reopen teacher and school staff contracts in 2013 cost $468 million. Wynne's deal added extra sick days, and $268 million in costs on top of $200 mil- lion in improved benefits already added by McGuinty to settle down an angry education sector in the wake of his controversial Bill 115. However, the auditor said taxpayers are still farther ahead than they would have been had the provin- cial government not ended a teacher sick day "gratuity" plan that allowed them to cash out up to 200 unused sick days for a maximum of $47,000 on retirement. Lysyk said the Liberal government's projection that eliminating the sick day banks and other bene- fits would save taxpayers approximately $2 billion over two years was reasonable. SEAFORTH OPTIMIST CLUB THANK YOU On Saturday, December 6, 2014, over 300 people joined the Seaforth Optimist Club, at their annual Breakfast with Santa Event, held at the Seaforth Community Centre. A big thank is extended to everyone who took part in, and helped to run this yearly event - your support and efforts are truly appreciated. A big shout out goes to Santa who took time out of his busy schedule to join us. Our silent auction was a huge success once again and we want to thank all those who donated items: Tulips Dental New Orleans Pizza Anna's Dress Shoppe Seaforth Car Wash, Sharon Medd UPI Energy LP TD Bank Pizza Train Meridian Flower Magic CIBC Total Image 11 Seaforth Community Centre Sally's Closet McGlynn Family Funeral Home Primitive Creek Devereaux Murray Sanderson Optometry Sills Home Hardware Culligan Real Estate, Seaforth Seaforth Insurance Napa Auto Parts, Seaforth Automotive & Industrial Supply Seaforth Optimist Timber's Outfitters Optimal Health, Kim Blok Delta Power Seaforth Jewellers Pete's Paper Clip Box Furniture and Floor Coverings Smith's The Law Office Blooms N Rooms Blyth Festival Theatre Seaforth Optimist Members Huron County Egg Farmers The Optimist mandate is "to bring out the best in kids" and with the over- whelming support of our surrounding communities, the Seaforth Optimist Club can continue to do just that. Wishing you the very best this holiday season has to offer - Merry Christmas everyone!