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The Citizen, 1994-09-14, Page 1Photo Feature ■ News ■ Government ■ Community 2 pages of photo memories of 33rd Reunion See page 6, 7 Brussels woman gives time, energy to Terry Fox vision See page 8 County councillors plan strategy at Benmiller meeting Craft show aids Third World people See page 27 HCBE studies council report With the beginning of a new school year, the Huron County Board of Education studied a report on the establishment of parents council in Ontario schools, for the Sept. 6 meeting. Director of Education Paul Car­ roll says, "It is time for boards to review the roles and expectation of parents in the public school sys­ tem." "The parents want a formal description of their role on advisory groups," he says. The report says that many juris­ dictions in Ontario have a policy which limits the parental involve­ ment to an" advisory role while authority and responsibility for major decisions are left to the administration." "The summary of the research findings has outlined some trouble­ some areas (for parent involve­ ment) and as the roles change (those in the education field) must decide what is the appropriate role for parents," says Mr. Carroll. The report suggests parent coun­ cils should have an advisory role in the hiring and performance reviews of teachers, principals and other school staff and in the approval process for school and school board budgets. Mr. Carroll acknowledged that many of these issues will be contro­ versial. Norm Pickell, trustee for Goderich, says," I am concerned about the recommendation for the councils to be involved in the hir­ ing of teachers. Even we don't get involved in that process." Mr. Pickell says, "The board doesn't need legislation to allow parental involvement. We shouldn't be using the money for schools to help fund these councils. The board has to be able to maintain consistent courses across all the schools in the board. " "The board may have to change its mandate with the wide accep­ tance of the councils," says Mr. Carroll. "At present, there is a great upheaval in the responsibilities of principals, teachers, system admin­ istrators and municipal jurisdic­ tions." "We must redefine the decision­ making balance and establish a positive relationship with parents and the taxpaying public," he says. Mr. Carroll says, "Recommenda­ tions with regards to the report will to be dealt with until after the Royal Commission on education which is expected by the end of the school year." "Thus far, there has been general support by government, teachers' federations, secondary teachers and other involved groups, to develop working papers to deal with three or four of the recommendations," he says. Brussels will seek Clean Water grant Brussels councillors somewhat reluctantly agreed, at their Sept. 6 meeting, to apply to the Ontario Clean Water Agency for a grant to increase the storage capacity at the village sewage plant. After hearing the options from Steve Bums, an engineer from B. M. Ross and Associates, and learn­ ing that an application for 70 per cent funding must be submitted by Oct. 1, councillors agreed to make the application. Mr. Burns told them they could always turn down the grant if they wished. The grant would pay for a modi­ fication of the current plant that would turn one of the two aeration tanks at the plant into a sludge­ holding tank. This would have the additional benefit of replacing some of the equipment which will be reaching its life expectancy in the next few years. Two aerators would be replaced, pumps installed and a wall put down the centre of the tank to divide it in two. The cost would be $160,000 to $170,000. An estimat­ ed $35,000 worth of aeration equip­ ment would have needed to be Continued on page 2 H. Gowing, Blyth’s Citizen of the Year A woman who has dedicated her­ self to volunteer work over the past many years has been named the Citizen of the Year for Bly th and area. Helen Gowing, "has an exem­ plary history as a model volunteer", one of her nominators stated. The long-time resident was praised as a community citizen. "She is a very wise person, a lover and respecter of people. She is what every com­ munity needs and deserves." For many years Mrs. Gowing was the owner, along with ehr sis­ ter Evelyn Turvey, of The Needle­ craft Shop and served as chairperson of the Merchants' Association. She was a member of Blyth council and for the past 20 years has been a volunteer on the board of directors of Blyth Festival. Mrs. Gowing is married to Nor­ man Gowing. They have four daughters. Man finds pot Glenn Coultes of RR5, Brussels phoned Wingham OPP, Sept. 7 to report suspected marijuana plants growing in his com field. Police found 150 plants from six to 18 inches in height. Street value at the time of seizure was $2,000. The plants were pulled and destroyed and it is unknown at this time who the owner is. HuronCitizenTheNorth Vol. 10 No.36 Wednesday, September 14,1994 600 GST included On parade On each of the three days of the Thresher Reunion, the steam engines, antiques tractors and cars assembled for a parade in front of Stage 3. This is a 1905 Case. 16,000 attend Reunion With an increase in attendance of 15 per cent over the best year, most would consider the 33rd Annual Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion and Hobby Show a resounding suc­ cess. Thresher Association Secretary Marion Hallahan says, "Approxi­ mately 16,000 people went through the gates over the three days of the event." "Everyone that I have spoken to has said they had a super weekend, the weather was great and the atmosphere was very friendly," she says. "Visitors to the event were very impressed with the shuttle bus ser­ vice from the parking lot on Cty. Rd. 25 and the people movers which transported guests around the grounds." Mrs. Hallahan says, "I heard sev­ eral comments about all the work that had been done on the grounds and the increase in space available to the campers." With the increase in the size of the grounds available for the show, Mrs. Hallahan "The events could be more spread out, in their own space, with no crowding. Peo­ ple liked to have the exhibits spread out." Besides the increase in atten­ dance, there was a rise in the num­ ber of campers as well, up 161 trailers over last year's total. There were increases in most of the divisions on display. The flea market had 14 vendors and there were 225 antique tractors present for viewing. The steam engine class was down slightly due to safety regulations for the machines. A new class this year, the antique trucks had only three entrants, but Mrs. Hallahan says, "This is good for the first year." "There was music being played in five separate areas on Friday and each section was packed," she says. The Saturday evening dance, with music by the Joe Tiffin Orchestra was sold out. The meals served by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary on Saturday and the Lions Club on Sunday were sold out. "I think the restaurants in town must have done fairly well because I saw line-ups at the various estab­ lishments," says Mrs. Hallahan. The pancake breakfast put on by the Blyth Fire Department served 1,350 people over the two morn­ ings. Approximately 180 dozen cobs of com were served up at the event which was held each of the three evenings. Mrs. Hallahan sums up the week­ end by saying, "I believe everyone had a good time." Appreciation night for Cardiff Thirteen years of dedicated service to the constituents of Huron-Bruce will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 27, as friends of Murray and Betty Cardiff gather for an appreciation night. The non-partisan event will be held in the Brussels-Morris-Grey Community Centre, beginning at 6 p.m., with dinner to follow. Several of Mr. Cardiff s confreres will be in attendance, including former Minister Perrin Beatty. A narrated slide pictorial will highlight the retired Member of Parliament's years of service, and everyone is invited to share in the celebration of a true friend to the constituents of Huron-Bruce. If you are interested in attending this appreciation night, tickets can be obtained from local municipal chairpeople, or by phoning 524- 4969.