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The Citizen, 1991-02-13, Page 1Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. VOL. 7 NO. 06 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1991.60 CENTS [56c + 4c G.S.T.] Wheeler Menzies finish fourth Despite recent surgery on his left leg. Kevin Wheeler of RR 5, Brussels and his skating partner Michelle Menzies put in another impressive performance in the Senior Pairs competition at the Nationals in Saskatoon last week­ end. with a fourth place finish. It took doctors at North York Hospital in Toronto four and a half hours to remove a benign tumour from Mr. Wheeler’s leg December 22. “They thought it would be a cyst, that would require only about a two inch incision,’’ said Mr. Wheeler’s mother, Shirley. How­ ever, the tumour had wound itself around the muscles of Mr. Wheel­ er's leg and it took an incision from his ankle to his thigh to remove it. Doctors advised him not to skate for a year, but Mrs. Wheeler says he was determined to compete. “I was on the edge of the seat, praying that nothing would happen to his leg while he had Michelle in the air, possibly injuring her,” Mrs. Wheeler said. The only thing that happened, however, was a clean performance by the pair, the only ones in the competition to accomplish that. “We were really proud of what they did,” said Mrs. Wheeler. “They made no mis­ takes.” Also competing were Peter Mac­ Donald of RR 3, Brussels and his partner Suzanne Killing. The pair Continued on Page 7 Men charged with Brussels robbery Wingham OPP have charged two men in connection with the break- in and attempted break-in of Brus­ sels Variety and the Diesel Car Diner during the evening • of December 12, 1990. A spokesperson from the OPP said the suspects were apprehend­ ed after cashing in the winning lottery tickets they had stolen from the variety store. According to the spokesperson, the thieves had used their real names, which led the police straight to their door. A search warrant was issued for one of the -men's residences, where spme of the stolen items were discovered, the spokesperson said. Gregory Smith of RR 5, Seaforth and Barry Cronin of Mitchell have been charged. They will appear in the Wingham court on February 27. Special message Cupid s arrow can strike even the young when Valentine’s Day approaches. Robin Mason, a Grade 2 student at Blyth Public School looks absolutely delighted to be getting a special Valentine from her classmate and friend, Craig Saunders. Bd. of Ed. takes another look at JK Following a recommendation from the Management Committee at the February meeting of the Huron County Board of Education (HCBE), trustees voted in favour of sending the issue of long-term planning for Junior Kindergarten (JK) back to the board’s executive committee. When the Liberal government established the guidelines for JK, aimed at three and four-year-olds, many of the board members had strongly opposed the idea. John Jewitt, trustee for Blyth and Hul- lett has been vehement in ’ his arguments against JK in Huron. “When the Liberal government was making this proposal the board said no. Now the NDP are in and are saying that they are going ahead with JK and the board is saying we’d better take another look. It is the cost of setting up this program and only the cost that has me concerned,” he said. Mr. Jewitt stated that while he could see many problems with JK there are good things about it too. “If every child was in an ideal situation JK wouldn't be needed, but there are cases where children are not getting the stimulation needed and JK would benefit them. It is not a perfect world, but having said that we need to look at the costs.” Costs to the board would be significant, Mr. Jewitt said. Extra space in the already overcrowded schools would be needed to accom­ modate the influx of young stu­ dents. This would mean building additions or purchasing protables. Salaries would be paid to the additional teachers who would be hired. “The Ministry helps with the start up of these programs but then they leave you with what you’ve got,” said Mr. Jewitt. In Huron County, presently, what people have isn’t enough. The board has asked the executive committee to consider the facility and equipment planning that would be required to implement JK. They are concerned as well that the absence of this planning may create an additional burden on the county ratepayers. “I’m scared of the costs,” said Mr. Jewitt. “It’s something we don’t need here and we can’t justify it. At budget time the board is going to be left shaking their heads and wringing their hands trying to come up with the money.” “As a board we can meet the Ministry requirements by starting one program which was suggested when this issue first came up. Many trustees didn’t want to go that way, however, as they didn’t feel any one area should get priority. If we have to have it, it should be equally accessible to all families in the county. That’s only fair,” he said. The attendance in JK is volun­ tary, Mr. Jewitt says, but many will not realize that and will feel obligated their child attend. “The pressure is on the parents to give their child what others have. No one will want other children getting an unfair head start. As this matter is considered by the board it is looking as well for public rnput. “We need to know how the taxpayers feel,” he said. The committee has suggested that school newsletters be distri­ buted for public comments.