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Huron Expositor, 2001-09-05, Page 5News Scott Hilgendorff photo A blast at Vacation Bible School Students and staff at Bethel Bible Church's Vacation Bible School performed skits for friends and family to wrap-up the week on Aug. 24 at the church. TNN MYf11ON •XWONTO11, steer Op a001 -m t,. c CMS are invlited to area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth 482-7861 Rev. Tim Connor Sunday Service at 9:30 am. Parish Assistance CaII 522-0929 or 345-2023 Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Adventure Club for Kids & Youth Groups Wednesdays 7 p.m. First Presbyterian' Church Godench St. W. Seafortn Rev. Vandemiey Worship Sunday 11:15 am Sunday School during Worship atholic Church Saturday - 5:15 pm St. James Parish, Seaforth Saturday - 7:15 pm St. Joseph's Parish. Clinton Sunday - 9:00 am St. Michael's Parish, Myth Sunday - 11:00 am St. James Parish, Seaforth Father Lance Magdziak Egmondville United Church Rev. Judith Springett Sunday School During Worship Worship 10 a.m. NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Rev. Sheila Macgregor - Minister 527-2635 or 527-1449 54 Goderich St. W. Cavan 9:30 am Northside 11 am Welcome Home, Cavan Friends! Northside Dedication of Millennium Wing & Lunch e g , complyALL WELCOME!!! Schools with own wells trying to=_ � with proposed waterqualitylegislation By Stew Slater Special to The Huron Expositor Ontario's Ministry of Education will contribute almost $500,000 in 2001-02 to help insure 21 schools in Huron and Perth Counties, which have their own wells, are brought into compliance with proposed new water quality legislation. At a regular meeting Monday, Aug. 27, trustees of the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board were informed the board will soon contract the services of a registered water engineer to examine and report on the systems at all five of the board's schools served by on-site wells. That's just one of the requirements expected to be included in the Drinking Water Protection -- Designated Facilities legislation, which came about in the wake of last year's Walkerton E. coli tragedy. Other requirements, according to a memorandum sent to school boards by Assistant Deputy Education Minister Norbert J. Hartmann, include the provision of a trained person to operate each well's treatment and distribution system, weekly flushing of the systems, specific sampling and reporting techniques, and the use of accredited laboratories for testing. "Boards would become responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all of these provisions in each•of their schools with their own water distribution system," Hartmann's memorandum states. The deadline listed for compliance is December 31, 2001, but Huron -Perth management chair Mike Miller noted the government has yet to even release draft legislation, giving him reason to believe the deadline will be pushed back. However, the memorandum does state that "ministry staff has been asked to prepare a regulation to authorize the payment" of one-time funding to help boards comply. An appendix included with the memorandum shows the Huron -Perth board will receive $112,500 for its five schools with on-site wells. The Avon Maitland District School Board, meanwhile, will get $360,000 to deal with 16 on- site school wells. In total, there are 577 schools in Ontario served by on-site wells, and the education ministry will contribute almost $13 million to help comply with the proposed legislation. Retired teachers may lose benefit options By Stew Slater Special to The Huron Expositor The Avon Maitland District School Board has one of the few remaining board -based benefits packages for its retired teachers in the province. But with the rising costs of insurance premiums, that doesn't mean it's something board officials will fight to retain. Jody Schilbe, Avon Maitland benefits officer, says between 85 to 90 per cent of retiring teachers choose to retain comprehensive drug and dental coverage under thc board's benefits package, with the major change being that the board stops paying a portion of the premiums and asks retirees to foot 100 per cent of the bill. She says many retirees look into coverage either through private or teachers' union -based agencies but, even with recent increases in premium payments, decide the board's package provides the best value. The package is only available until retirees reach age 65. Bill Osborne, a retired Avon Maitland high school teacher from St. Marys, calls the program "a service" provided by the board, and notes that most Ontario school boards have stopped the practice. He says he's thankful for the opportunity to continue his coverage, mainly because his drug MOBILE OIL SPRAYING *Calcium Dust Control *Rust Protection *Dripless Available Phone 5271840 Dwayne Pryoe 627-2007 Call For An Appointment EAST, RELIABLE SERVICE! costs would increase considerably if he opted for another plan. At least one retired teacher, however, has complained to the board and to teachers' union officials that the board has been slow to process his premium cheques. Dan Webster of Wingham suggests a failure to cash approximately $800 worth of premium cheques points to "a tremendous book-keeping problem" and is an indication that the board doesn't receive enough money from the provincial government for administration. Schilbe doesn't cite a lack of administrative funds, though she agrees a heavy staff workload sometimes prevents the board from processing retired teachers' premium cheques as quickly as some people find suitable. Instead, she calls it a question of priorities. "I'm not trying to make excuses," Schilbe said. "But . . . my main priority is making sure these people have insurance programs and that they’re covered for drugs and dental." Despite the lack of in - school activities during the summer months, she adds, July and August are very busy for much of the board's human resources department. Challenges include negotiating new collective agreements with teachers, which usually have some effect on the specifics of the benefits packages, and reclassifying teachers into the "retired" and "active" categories for the purposes of the insurers. And Schilbe, the only full-time staff person dealing exclusively with benefits packages, is currently working with the different banks to initiate direct, in -branch payment. Schilbe stresses the ongoing efforts of insurance companies to decrease the money they spend on benefits packages means premium costs have gone up in the past few years and the board has been asked to carry out more administrative duties. She said when she started her employment over 12 years ago, insurance companies took responsibility for much of the administrative work. Now, that's no longer true. In addition, last year the board asked its insurer for statistics showing which portions of its workforce is most expensive to insure. Rcsuts, according to Schilbc, showed those aged 55-65 were thc most expensive, due largely to an increased requirement for what she called "maintenance drugs" - - medications used for things like heart troubles or arthritis. All of these factors make it less and less attractive for the board to continue what is now a fairly taro practice. But for now, Schilbe says, the board is committed to the retired teachers' program, and believes the teachers' unions are as well. "(Eliminating the program) is certainly something (unions) can negotiate," she said. "But I don't foresee the retired teachers’ benefits being taken away. It seems like (union officials) aren't necessarily protective of keeping the same level of premium payments but they're still very protective of keeping the retired employees on the plan." LAWN Q UESTIONS? Call WeatIVAaliist 524-2424 CLUBHOUSE OPEN 6:30 am - dusk 482-7144 CLUBHOUSE fully licensed under A.G.C.O. PAY FOR NEXT YEAR'S GOLF MEMBERSHIP NOW - GOLF FREE THIS FALL (From September 4 on) —WOODLANDS 2002 MEMBERSHIP RATES— We have a variety of membership plans available - call for complete details 482-7144 ADULT MEMBERSHIP 7 days - unlimited golf $650. COUPLE 7 days - unlimited golf 51,100. WEEKDAYS SPECIAL $525. Monday -Friday - excludes Holidays COUPLES WEEKDAYS SPECIAL $$95. Monday -Friday - excludes Holidays 'JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (18 and under) $205. All memberships plus GST MEMBERS APPRECIATION SPECIAL SAVE 7% Renew your current Woodlands Membership for 2002 and will pay the GST (up to Saturday, December 15) FALL GOLF SPECIAL 18 Holes Golf plus one-half power cart rental. Monday -Friday $29. Woodlands Links Golf Course PAR 72 CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE ON HIGHWAY 8 BETWEEN GODERICH AND CLINTON 3 km. west of Clinton 1• 4. ,*9 4.4 4' west 4' 3'. Asa' v , FI rl' .7;j: dr. 4^ 10 ;w O 4' `it r• The Huron County Health Unit and the Huron County VETERINARY CLINICS are offering ANTI -RABIES CLINICS For dogs & cats over 3 months of age. Please have them on leashes or in boxes when in the clinic. $ 1 5 COST... Includes GST. Per animal vaccinated Certificate provided Tags for dogs. The following Huron County Clinics are participating: Blyth Veterinary Clinic Queen Street South, Blyth Sept 15, 2001 9:OOam - 2:OOpm Exeter Animal Hospital 660 Main Street, Exeter Sept 12, 2001 5:OOpm - 7:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 10:00am - 1:OOpm Seaforth Veterinary Clinic Main Street North, Seaforth Sept 12„ 2001 1:OOpm - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 8:OOam - noon Brussels Veterinary Clinic 61 William Street, Brussels Sept 12, 2001 3:OOpm - 7:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 12:OOam - 4:OOpm Kirkton Veterinary Clinic 19 Orange Avenue, Kirkton Sept 12, 2001 3:OOpm - 7:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 12:OOam - 4:OOpm Zurich Veterinary Clinic 44 Main Street, Zurich Sept 12, 2001 12:OOam - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 9:00am - 1:OOpm Clinton Veterinary Services 275 Huron Street, Clinton Sept 12, 2001 2:OOpm - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 9:OOam - noon Wingham Veterinary Clinic 11 Alfred Street, Wingham Sept 12, 2001 2:00pm - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 9:OOam - noon Goderich Veterinary Clinic RRN2, Hwyl8 Godench Sept 12, 2001 2:00pm - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 9:0Oam - •1:00pm These Clinics are for Rabies Vaccination only. No other treatment will be available. Perth County is also holding clinics on the same date. Contact your area Veterinarian for times 4' 1`/ 4' 4 4' 4 4' •4� SEAFORTH INSURANCE • BROKER LTD. 527-1610 ir • • Home ,� , ' ` • Commercial •Auto •Farm• • Out of Province f Travel Insurance ` 41 Main St. S. Seslorth Chrism Leonhordr, Lynn Plelxh, Ken Cmdno, Barb Wan and Joonne Williamson "(Eliminating the program) is certainly something (unions) can negotiate," she said. "But I don't foresee the retired teachers’ benefits being taken away. It seems like (union officials) aren't necessarily protective of keeping the same level of premium payments but they're still very protective of keeping the retired employees on the plan." LAWN Q UESTIONS? Call WeatIVAaliist 524-2424 CLUBHOUSE OPEN 6:30 am - dusk 482-7144 CLUBHOUSE fully licensed under A.G.C.O. PAY FOR NEXT YEAR'S GOLF MEMBERSHIP NOW - GOLF FREE THIS FALL (From September 4 on) —WOODLANDS 2002 MEMBERSHIP RATES— We have a variety of membership plans available - call for complete details 482-7144 ADULT MEMBERSHIP 7 days - unlimited golf $650. COUPLE 7 days - unlimited golf 51,100. WEEKDAYS SPECIAL $525. Monday -Friday - excludes Holidays COUPLES WEEKDAYS SPECIAL $$95. Monday -Friday - excludes Holidays 'JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (18 and under) $205. All memberships plus GST MEMBERS APPRECIATION SPECIAL SAVE 7% Renew your current Woodlands Membership for 2002 and will pay the GST (up to Saturday, December 15) FALL GOLF SPECIAL 18 Holes Golf plus one-half power cart rental. Monday -Friday $29. Woodlands Links Golf Course PAR 72 CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE ON HIGHWAY 8 BETWEEN GODERICH AND CLINTON 3 km. west of Clinton 1• 4. ,*9 4.4 4' west 4' 3'. Asa' v , FI rl' .7;j: dr. 4^ 10 ;w O 4' `it r• The Huron County Health Unit and the Huron County VETERINARY CLINICS are offering ANTI -RABIES CLINICS For dogs & cats over 3 months of age. Please have them on leashes or in boxes when in the clinic. $ 1 5 COST... Includes GST. Per animal vaccinated Certificate provided Tags for dogs. The following Huron County Clinics are participating: Blyth Veterinary Clinic Queen Street South, Blyth Sept 15, 2001 9:OOam - 2:OOpm Exeter Animal Hospital 660 Main Street, Exeter Sept 12, 2001 5:OOpm - 7:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 10:00am - 1:OOpm Seaforth Veterinary Clinic Main Street North, Seaforth Sept 12„ 2001 1:OOpm - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 8:OOam - noon Brussels Veterinary Clinic 61 William Street, Brussels Sept 12, 2001 3:OOpm - 7:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 12:OOam - 4:OOpm Kirkton Veterinary Clinic 19 Orange Avenue, Kirkton Sept 12, 2001 3:OOpm - 7:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 12:OOam - 4:OOpm Zurich Veterinary Clinic 44 Main Street, Zurich Sept 12, 2001 12:OOam - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 9:00am - 1:OOpm Clinton Veterinary Services 275 Huron Street, Clinton Sept 12, 2001 2:OOpm - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 9:OOam - noon Wingham Veterinary Clinic 11 Alfred Street, Wingham Sept 12, 2001 2:00pm - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 9:OOam - noon Goderich Veterinary Clinic RRN2, Hwyl8 Godench Sept 12, 2001 2:00pm - 5:OOpm Sept 15, 2001 9:0Oam - •1:00pm These Clinics are for Rabies Vaccination only. No other treatment will be available. Perth County is also holding clinics on the same date. Contact your area Veterinarian for times 4' 1`/ 4' 4 4' 4 4' •4�