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The Citizen, 1991-01-09, Page 11990 in review The news in review See page 12 Bulls in second Slump shows signs of ending See page 16 Almost! Blyth PeeWees get to Silver Stick final See page 16 Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. VOL. 7 NO. 01 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991.60 CENTS [56c + 4c G.S.T.] GST costs Bd. of Ed. $1 million As is the case with other busi­ nesses GST is going to have a huge impact on the running of the county school board. This was the sentiment express­ ed by Bob Allan, Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer of the Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) at the trustees meeting in Clinton on Monday. “This goes beyond the dollars and cents figure,’’ Mr. Allan said. “There is going to be a huge impact on the administrative work that is difficult to quantify, but will be quite substantial in terms of hours.’’ The seven per cent GST will be paid on general supplies, staff travel, capital items, plant opera­ tion and transportation less insur­ ance, which will then be rebated for 68 per cent of the cost. st. In what Mr. Allan described as a rough estimate the total GST impact on the board was establish­ ed at $263,532. An effort was made to factor in the government’s stated inflation factor of 1.25 per cent. This amount came to $696,091. Also added on was $65,883 for Ontario sales tax adjustment. The estimated total comes to close to $1,000,000. Mr. Allan did say that this was a “very preliminary run” done by the board’s accounting department several months ago and some details are more specific now. The greatest financial impact is going to be on school supplies, Mr. Allan noted. Wingham OPP stop 923 in RIDE checks Wingham OPP reported that 923 cas were checked during the festive season’s RIDE program throughout the area. Of those checked there were 15 ALERT tests given, resulting in five 12 hour suspensions, 13 liquor violation charges and three people charged over the legal limit. During the last week of Decem­ ber OPP stopped 223 cars and gave five ALERT tests. There was one 12 hour suspension issued, one driver charged with over 80 milligrans and one liquor violation, police say. Also, a spokesperson from the detachment said they were pleased to report there have been no accidents in the district in the new year. HTzz/er architecture Though Tuesday’s temperatures were frigid, the sunny skies made it a perfect day for youngsters to play outdoors. It doesn’t take long after the first snowfall for budding architects to build their forts and Matthew Elliott of Brussels had a good time playing on his outside the school. No business as usual in education “No, it can’t be business as usual in the 90’s.” In her inaugural address to the trustees of Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) Chair Joan Van den Broeck implor­ ed the board to ask themselves if they are really able to address the economic, cultural, social and en­ vironmental issues that will impact on students in the coming century. “Is this a realistic agenda for educators alone? Are Boards of Education as they are now struc­ tured, administered and financed, able to deliver this social contract? I think not.” Mrs. Van den Broeck noted the decline of middle income families and said these statistics bode ill for the future. “In a global economy we can not compete against 50 cents an hour labour costs. How then are we preparing our students to compete in the global market­ place where only a highly skilled work force will be required?” she asked. With the fragmented boards now within the provinces - there are French boards in addition to separ­ ate boards - Mrs. Van den Broeck said that often the agendas have been at cross purposes and the political will to take action on previous reports on education fin­ ance and reform has been dulled. “Comprehensive change cannot happen in an environment of competitive self-interest,” Mrs. Van den Broeck said. “It is timely for public boards to show leader­ ship in directing the government to develop and legislate new partner­ ships for education.” She made mention to a recent report from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association which, she said, shows its willingness to consider this partnership. The re­ port stated that “finance and goverance are directly related to the kind of education that is provided in communities. In re­ viewing finance, one also is ex­ amining the role of school trustees Continued on page 22 Huronview tenders could be called in March If all proceeds on schedule, tenders for the new Huronview North project at Brussels could be called in March, the Huronview Committee of Management was told at its Dec. 19 meeting. Project architect Gail Lamb met with the committe at its December meeting to review the most recent drawings for Huronview North and the new central Huronview location at Clinton. Final drawings will go to the Ministry by mid-January, she said with approval from the Mini­ stry expected by March. That would allow tenders to be called immediately. Construction could be started in April or May.