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The Citizen, 1994-09-14, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14,1994. Statement says county should create farm jobs Huron County’s policies should strive to ensure the county remains a leader in agriculture but should also strive to provide more off-farm employment possibilities, a county vision statement on agriculture says. The statement was presented for discussion at the Huron County council strategic planning day held in Benmiller on Friday. In presenting the 30-page docu­ ment, Dr. Gary Davidson, director of planning, pointed out that Huron is ranked number one in Ontario in the number of farms, total gross farm receipts, total expenses and acres in crops. Still, he said, the increase in efficiency on farms means agriculture is providing fewer direct jobs. The agricultural employment story is the same as that for industry, he said, with greater efficiencies wiping out jobs. Most of the jobs created in the past few years have been in the service area, particularly tourism. The county should strive to cre­ ate more agriculture-related jobs, however, Dr. Davidson said. Although Huron is a leader in agri­ culture there is little research and development done here and with the closure of Centralia College the situation became worse. In addi­ tion, most processing of farm prod­ ucts is done elsewhere. "We ship a lot of product and service out of Huron that we should do here," he said. Part of the county’s strategy should be to encourage value-added industries to stay in Huron. Under the county's proposed two- part strategy the county would also encourage the establishment of other industries, particularly service industries. "These off-farm employment opportunities are essential since a large number of farmers require off-farm employ­ ment in order to remain on the farm," the document says. Not all councillors present agreed with the remarks on off-farm jobs. "I don't think you are encouraging agriculture by encouraging off- farm jobs," said Pat Down, reeve of Usbome. But Dr. Davidson said that new research shows that many farmers who accept off-farm jobs aren't doing it only for survival, but because they like the challenge of doing different things than they do in their farm work. "At one time the feeling was that people worked off farm only if they couldn't make a living off the farm," but that has changed, he said. HuIIett Reeve Tom Cunningham hoped the policy would go to farm groups like the Christian Farmers Federation and Ontario Federation of Agriculture for input. Dr. David­ son said it would. Warden Allan Gibson, reeve of Ashfield, said he didn't think the direction of the document would improve agriculture. "There is nothing here to encourage the idea that there should be a profit for farming 200-300 acres." In fact the notion of farming has changed. When he started farming Farm Credit Corporation wouldn't loan money to a farmer who had an off- farm job. "Now they want you to have an off-farm job. Councillors suggest move to evening meetings With more and more people hav­ ing day-jobs it's lime for Huron County council to look at holding more meetings in the evening, some councillors told the strategic planning session of county council in Benmiller, Friday. Bill Camochan, reeve of Tucker­ smith brought the subject up when he suggested the strategic planning sessions should be held on evenings or weekends so people didn't have to ask for time off work. He got support from several other councillors who felt the cur­ rent situation of daytime meetings discouraged participation of some people. "People can't take time off from work," said Robert Fisher, reeve of Zurich. "Right now we've got a closed shop." "In HuIIett Township we had to move to evening meetings because so many people work," said Reeve Tom Cunningham. "We can't hide our heads in the sand. I'd hate to see county council at night but maybe committee meetings could be in the evenings." Some other councillors weren't so sure about the change. The sub­ ject will be dealt with further by the strategic planning committee. County plans orientation for new councillors In an effort to make more coun­ cillors aware more quickly of the full scope of their job new council­ lor orientation sessions will be planned for new councillors this fall, according to a plan unveiled at the strategic planning session of Huron County council in Benmiller Friday. A bus tour of all county facilities including Huronview/Huronlea, the assessment office, the court house, selected libraries, the museum, some county roads and some coun­ ty forests, has been planned for December. "Unless you've been here for a long time, you don't get around to all committees," explained Lyn Murray, county clerk-administrator. "Committees do the work but coun­ cillors have to know what is going on to vote intelligently at county council." After the bus tour a second ses­ sion is planned to deal with sub­ jects such as the role of a councillors, the strategic direction of the county and operations of committees and departments. HCBE briefs CHSS principal,new prog, superintendent Ralph Wareham, past principal for Central Huron High School assumed his place at the Sept. 6 meeting of HCBE, as the superin­ tendent of program. ***** Clinton Public School requested permission to change the name of the facility to Clinton Community School. Mr. Carroll stated that the name change is an indication of the school's intention to move towards more community based programs available at the school. Trustee for Hay and Usbome Twps. and Zurich, Bea Dawson suggested a name of Clinton Com­ munity Public School to maintain the public name and eliminate the possible confusion with Clinton Christian School (both schools could be known as CCH). The board agreed to return the recommendations to the school. ***** The board accepted the fuel ten­ der for all board schools, except F.E. Madill, from Core Fuels of Stratford. The tender price was 21.38 cents per litre. Hensall Co-op will supply the fuel to F.E. Madill at a cost of 21.25 cents per litre. ***** Tenders were accepted for sever­ al projects. VeeRex Inc. of Listowel earned the tender for renovations to the Tech Wing at Central Huron Sec­ ondary School, at a cost of $64,011 minus a $2,700 credit for using cupboards from McCurdy PS. VeeRex will also replace win­ dows and do alterations at F.E. Madill, for a cost of $90,767 and $48,000 respectively. The fire safety and corridor upgrades at Goderich District Col­ legiate Institute will be done by Smith Construction of Seaforth at a cost of $146,260 plus a separate price of $11,445. Smith Construction will also do renovations to Victoria PS for $68,400 plus a separate price of $18,400. This will be funded by the junior kindergarten capital alloca­ tion. Alterations will be completed at Huron Centennial PS, by Logan Contracting Ltd., Stratford, for the price of $133,647. Alterations at McCurdy PS will be done by Douglas R. Bender Contracting Ltd., Stratford, for the amount of $84,000. Kindergarten alterations at Seaforth PS will be completed by G.dL. Construction, Dashwood, in the amount of $116,939. This pro­ ject is funded through the junior kindergarten capital allocation. Vanastra Community School will be renovated by G.dL. Construc­ tion, at a cost of $10,598 minus a credit of $10,389 for deleting some work in Room 110. ***** Renovation projects have been completed, or are nearing comple­ tion at several area schools, includ­ ing: washroom painting and re­ decorating and development plans for an additional room to facilitate JK at Blyth PS; plans for JK/SK, library and administration renova­ tions at Brussels PS; millwork for the library at HuIIett CPS and portables in place at Walton PS for the Grade 4 class. Upgrades and renovations are completed or nearing completion at the area secondary schools as well. ***** Superintendent of Schools Chuck Rowland presented a pamphlet cre­ ated through a series of meeting, which outlines the strategic priori­ ties for the school board. The draft statement will be reviewed and amended by staff, students, principals and communi- ty/parent groups. The finished report should be completed by Nov. 1. ***** An international college will become the newest tenant at Huron Industrial Park in Centralia, in co­ operation with Ontario Develop- ' ment Corporation and Centralia International College. The college will create 40 jobs. ***** The list of expenditures was dis­ cussed by trustees, with most cate­ gories on target for the completion of the second third of the fiscal year. ***** Mr. Rowland received word from Human Resources Development Canada regarding several projects they are committed to for the pre­ sent fiscal year. The programs included: a renewal of Pace pro­ jects, providing employability skills to workers about to finish construction jobs and funding a counselor at Survival Through Friendship shelter. ***** Superintendent of Personnel Gino Giannandrea distributed a booklet to the trustees which con­ cerns the accountability and evalua­ tion practices and initiatives of the board. The booklet has been distributed Over 50 exhfcitors offerings savings & selection In computers, software, games, peripherals. Also computer clubs Sun., Sept. 18 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ONTARII OMPUTI 51 ER FAIR F Ilderton Community Centre (from Hwy. 4. IS km N. of London; go west on County Re. 16) Admission $5 for adults Children 10 & under free For more info call I-8OO-465-8286 Sponsored by COMPUTER Literate to the schools and principals and are available to the'community there or through trustees. ’ • ***** Mr. Carroll announced the begin­ ning of junior kindergarten at Wingham PS as soon as the pro­ gram can be put in place. "There was a lower than expected enrolment in kindergarten so there will be room to accommodate the students. Hopefully, it will be in place by the end of September," he says. ***** Board Chair Graeme Craig and Paul Carroll met with Dave Cooke, Minister of Education during the NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF MORRIS TOWNSHIP The second instalment of the 1994 property taxes is due Thursday, September 15,1994. Nancy Michie Clerk-Treasurer Wfteels We Can Specialized Personal Transit summer. Mr. Craig says, the meet­ ing went very well and Mr. Cooke made a commitment to re-examine the assessment equalization factors, especially as they relate to rural boards." The assessment factor figures into the rate of education taxation based on property value. ***** GRADUATION Krista Hastings the daughter of Karen and Dave Hastings of Brussels graduated from Fanshawe College, London in the Office Administration program. She is currently working at Summit Food Distributors In London In the office as a filing clerk. Congratulations Krista - Love your family.