The Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-09-15, Page 3Lueknow Sentinel, Wednesday, September 15, 1993 - Page 3
Shannon McNeil.. is Huron's first Milk Messenger
by David Scott
A "twenty-one-year-old business
studies graduate will represent
Huron County as its first Milk
Messenger.
Shannon McNeil was appointed
the Milk Messenger for Huron
County at a banquet and dance held
by the Huron County Milk Pro-
ducers at the Brussels Community
Centre Friday, Sept. 10.
The Milk Messenger is a part of
the new Milk Marketing Board's
Dairy Educator Program. The
coordinator of the program, Brenda
Bridge felt the name "Milk Messen-
ger" (rather than Dairy Educator)
would appeal more to the many
school children that are visited
every year by the representative of
the dairy industry. But Brenda, a
former Dairy Princess from 1980,
prefers the old title.
Shannon takes over for Amy
Terpstra, the last Dairy Princess for
Huron County.
Shannon, of R.R,6, Goderich is a
Shannon McNeil, left, is the 1993-94 Huron County MIIk Mes-
senger. She is shown receiving flowers from last year's Huron
County Dairy Princess, during the banquet and dance at the
Brussels Community Centre, last Friday. (David Scott photo)
Director says board is
between rock and hard place
business graduate from Mohawk
College. As for her new role as
Huron County Milk Messenger,
she's "excited and eager to get
started." The part-time position
includes approximately 45 events
promoting the dairy industry.
Being interested in public rela-
tions and- marketing; Shannon will
have a chance • to experience
elements of both in her new rale.
She attributes some of her success
to , her father, Bob McNeil. "He
really supported me."
As far as the new Milk Messen-
ger title, Shannon agrees it should
have been changed (from Dairy
by Don Jackson members are exempt from the
Social Contract (becausethey fall
Huron County Board of under the $30,000 mark outlined
Education Director" Paul Carroll as exempt by the provincial
said that " the inability of the government), so three or four
provincial government, teachers' people will take the full burden of
groups and employee groups to the Fail Safe measures (for
act on an agreement in the Social CUPE)," Carroll explained.
Contract has put the board bet- The Fail Safe measures include
ween a rock and a hard place. a three-year salary freeze (June
"A serious error was made when 14, 1993 - March 31, 1996), no
the government and the employee salary, wage, COLA (Cost Of
groups and the teachers groups Living Adjustments) or merit
signed an agreement that did not increases, 12 days Of unpaid leave
have a deadline and it could and powers" to employers
precipitate into a financial recover this expendittuy reductions "-
disaster," he said. by implementing faij,,Safe
r The board is in a' position of measures and additional measures
reduced income without reduced if necessary. The measures were
expenditures until legislation is initiated by the provincial
passed to legalize the cuts that government to insure that public
will be necessary to make up the sector employees who didn't come
shortfall the Social Contract re- up with their own plans for reduc-
quires. "The grants started to be tions . would still make up their
reduced in July and the original share of Social Contract reduc
target, to be reached by the end of tions.
December was over ' $900,000 Carroll said he's been impressed
($993,440). The grants have been by the reactions of some
reduced, so that -our income has employees and their willingness to
been reduced, but the legislation help "the board achieve its reduc-
has not let allowed us to reduce. tion goals. "Despite all the furor
our expenditures," said Carroll. about the Social . Contract, we
have had a dozen employees come
forth and offer to take additional
time off to help the board."
Carroll said the board has . But, • even with some local co -
`m prepared its strategy for dealing operation, Carroll is still worried
with the Social Contract and only about the provincial negotiations.
needs the green light from the "As every day goes by, I worry
province to beginimplementing more about , it. If any one of the
tpe expenditure cuts. "We could " partners chooses to delay, the
tie things up as early as next week financial' situation of our board
if we were allowed to do so," he and other boards is in jeopardy,"
stated. • he said, adding that relations
He said that on the local level, between the provinces, the boards
the Social Contract has been dealt and the employee groups are less
with through the co-operation of than perfect. "There's a tremen-
all the education staff and several dous amount of suspicion and
meetings to reach the tough paranoia and it doesn't help the
decisions required. situation.".
All but one employee group
have shown a willingness to work
out the contract. The boycott
group, is the members of the
Canadian Union of Public
Employees (CUPE) who are
employed by the board. These
employees are secretaries and
those employed at the Learning
Resource Center. "Mott CUPE
"We're in a . situation where ywe
may be facing a huge deficit
situation."
Princess), but adds that she prefers
the old name:
Aside from visiting Huron County
schools, the Milk Messenger attends
Women's Institute meetings; 4-11
Clubs, Milk Committee meetings,
various promotions and workshops.
"We're fortunate to have a pro-
gram. The beef industry doesn't
have a prdgram. The corn industry
doesn't have a program. We've
built up a reputation," said Brenda
Bridge, who's been coordinating the
Dairy Educator (Dairy Princess)
program for six years. "It's import-
ant to educate the youth, It's not
true that because we're in a rural
area you don't have to teach
children about dairy."
Referring to the Milk Messenger,
she says "they come a long way in
a year.. They learn public speaking,
•
and make presentations to everyone
from age three to one hundred and
three."
Sixty-three different businesses
from Huron County, including 11
Seaforth businesses, made donations
to the 1993-94 Dairy Educator
Program.
Huron -Bruce MP Murray Cardiff
and Huron MPP Paul Klopp were
both on hand to present contestants
and the winner with gifts.
IFAS VEGAS SALE DAYS
in WALKERTON
Thurs., Fri., Sat., September l6th, l7th & 18th
13"14-l'burt'ard; Spin The Wheebr Rtrtt-rk-Bi _
Watch Your Luck Let. You Save!
Get Away to Las Vegas in Walkert
Shop Walkerton and Catch .The .Excite ent!
• ANDREW'S PLACE IINISE:X iEAIRSTYLIN(;
• BROWN'S GUARDIAN PHARMACY &
THE GIFT CORNER
• BUD'S SOUND BOIJTIQIIE
• CARMAN CAMERA
• CARTWRIGHT'S SHOE STORE
• CANED INTERIORS ETD.
• DISTINCTIVE FABRICS
• GRANT'S TV •
• GYRE & GIMBLE
• HAIR BIZZ
• HART'S "K" FOOD MARKET
0-11.4‘.2,
•
•• HIS 'N' HERS .
• HOBLEY IDA PHARMACY & FRAGRANCE BAR
• HOLST OFFICE SUPPLIES
• KENNY'S FLOWERS
,• KISSES LADIES FASEII()NS & MATERNITY
• MOHAN MEN'S WEAR
•' P.J,'s KIDSTUFF
• SIDE STREET STYLING
• SOPHISTICATED LADY ,.
• STEDMANS
• STEWART'S VALU:MART •
• THE FABRIC SHOPPE
• WALKERTON APPLIANCES &
HOME FURNISHINGS
• WALKERTON ELECTRONICS
• WEILER'S CLEANING SERVICE
• WRIGHT'S IGA