Huron Expositor, 2001-12-05, Page 5Call
LYNDA VINCENT
at 527-2204
or toll free
1-888-269-0377
Scott Hiigendorff photo
Serving it up...
Seaforth District High School
students Tory Scott and
Brandi Williamson serve up
chili and sandwiches at the
Seaforth Agricultural Society's
annual farm toy, doll and
craft show held Saturday and
Sunday at the high school,
agri-plex and arena. Students
served up lunch as a fund
raising activity during the
show.
News
Trustee seeks code ofconduct
Request retaliates against Smith for going public
with information about closed board meetings
By Stew Slater
Special to The Huron Expositor
The Avon Maitland
District School Board will
examine the possibility of
establishing a code of
conduct for trustees, due to a
continuing campaign by
Stratford's Meg Westley
against what she calls a
fellow trustee's breach of
confidentiality.
At the board's regular
meeting Tuesday, Nov. 27,
Westley secured a 7-2 vote in
favour of a motion to have
the policy committee "begin
the process of creating a
policy or code of conduct"
governing the actions of
trustees.
She made the motion after
being told by director of
education Lorne Rachlis that
no such policy currently
exists. •
The motion was aimed at
Central Huron representative
Charles Smith, who released
details to the media and the
public earlier in the month
about a discussion about the
role of trustees at a recent
closed -session board
meeting.
Smith stated at the time --
and again at the Nov. 27
meeting -- that he did so
because he had been advised
by a lawyer that such
discussions were not
included among closed -
session items in Ontario's
Education Act.
"The Education Act sets
out very succinctly what may
be discussed in closed
session," Smith said last
Tuesday. We can not go into
a meeting and override the
laws of Ontario."
Westley argued that, at the
closed -session meeting, a
majority of trustees had
agreed to allow the
discussion to take place,
including a presentation from
a board -commissioned legal
expert. She also accused
Smith of valuing the advice
of his own lawyer over that
of the board's counsel.
' gMith agreed this was true,
and also stated he had paid
"$1,700, or some such
amount" for his own legal
opinion. But he explained,
"I've had previous dealings
with (the board's) lawyer and
RIDE checks held
across Huron County
A 21 -year-old Zurich man received a 12 -hour suspension
of his driver's licence after blowing a warn on an alcotest on
Dec. 2 at 2 a.m. in Vanastra during the Huron OPP's annual
Christmas RIDE program.
A dozen RIDE checks were conducted throughout Huron
County, including Seaforth and Brussels, over the weekend of
Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
Many people who were stopped were given ribbons from
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and coupons for a
Junior B hockey game or a Big Mac from McDonald's.
The checks will continue through the month of December
and the first week of January.
*Iva&
Omelines
The holiday season is building and that
means it's time to share Special
Christmas wishes with your loyal
Customers & Friends.
Friday, December 14 is the deadline
to be included in Our Annual
Greetings Edition, published on
December 19, 2001.
Call Bernie or Tom today!
n
Huro'
sitor
11 Main St, ;j
527-0240•
1
•
f
those dealings were quite
unsatisfactory."
The Seaforth-based trustee
suggested that, for other
boards which already have
trustee codes of conduct, the
documents aren't legally
binding, nor do they over-
ride the Education Act.
He also raised the issue of
a Private Member's Bill
currently receiving scrutiny -
- and some support,
including from members of
the ruling Conservatives --
calling for penalties against
representatives on locally -
elected councils and boards,
in cases of secrecy exceeding
the bounds of provincial
legislation.
Westley said trustee
AA A AAA AA *AAA A AAA
THANK YOU
A The Seaforth A
Hospital Auxiliary
A wish to thank the
A people and A
A Merchants of A
Seaforth for
making our Tree
of Lights another
great success.
A •
MERRY CHRISTMAS ;
A•AA••AA•AAAAA••
Smith's actions left her
"quite upset," and argued
they could serve to limit
discussion of important
issues by trustees, who may
fear further disclosure of the
content of closed -door
sessions.
"I don't believe what
trustee Smith did was
damaging to the board this
time, but it's the principle of
the matter that concerns me,"
she said.
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMSER 5, 2001-5
Come in before
ta Christmas and
receive a
Christmas gift of
2 WEEKS
COMPLIMENTARY!
To book your tour call
Cathie SchalkOR Charlene Foxton
Administrator Retirement Home Director
100 James St., Seaforth 519-527-0030
FACTORY DEMO
SALE
POWER TOOLS
COMPRESSORS
PRESSURE WASHERS
GENERATORS
TABLE SAWS
SKILL SAWS
DRILLS
GRINDERS...AND MORE!
PORTER CABLE
MAKITA DeVILBISS AIR
DELTA TOOLEX
FRIDAY, DEC. 7
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 8
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
ftr r h
•"
.
152 Georgina St.. Mitchell
ColnliellFirst
Seivices
Youare Invited to '
attend these ansa[ churches
Presbyterian
Church
Goderich St. W. Sealorth
Rev. Nick Vandermey
Worship Sunday
11:15 am
Sunday School during Worship
St. Thomas
Anglican Church
Jarvis St. Seaforth
Rev. Michael Atkins
Sunday Service
at 9:30 am.
Parish Office 482-7861
Catholic 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, Blyth
Sunday - 11:00 am
St. James Parish, Seaforth
Father Lance Magdziak
Bethel Bible Church
An Associated Gospel Church
126 Main St. Seaforth
Sunday Worship Hour 11 am
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Adventure Club for Kids
• Wednesdays 7 p.m.
Egmondville
United Church
Sunday, December 9
WHITE GIFT SUNDAY
Guest Speaker: Lana Jones
COMING EVENTS
Sunday, December 16
Sunday School Program
"A Live Christmas Wreath"
December 23 and Christmas Eve
Worship Leader. Steve Hildebrand
NORTHSIDE - CAVAN
UNITED CHURCHES
Rev. Sheila Macgregor - Minister
527-2635 or 527-1449 54 Goderich St. W.
Cavan 9:30 am Northside 11:00 am
Sunday December 9th Advent II
WHITE GIFT Service, 9:30 At Cavan & 11 At Northside
(Potluck Lunch to follow Northside service)
Wed Dec. 5th, 8 pm Winthrop -Official Board Budget Mtg.
Youth Grou - 5:30m. Thursda at Northside
Scott Hiigendorff photo
Serving it up...
Seaforth District High School
students Tory Scott and
Brandi Williamson serve up
chili and sandwiches at the
Seaforth Agricultural Society's
annual farm toy, doll and
craft show held Saturday and
Sunday at the high school,
agri-plex and arena. Students
served up lunch as a fund
raising activity during the
show.
News
Trustee seeks code ofconduct
Request retaliates against Smith for going public
with information about closed board meetings
By Stew Slater
Special to The Huron Expositor
The Avon Maitland
District School Board will
examine the possibility of
establishing a code of
conduct for trustees, due to a
continuing campaign by
Stratford's Meg Westley
against what she calls a
fellow trustee's breach of
confidentiality.
At the board's regular
meeting Tuesday, Nov. 27,
Westley secured a 7-2 vote in
favour of a motion to have
the policy committee "begin
the process of creating a
policy or code of conduct"
governing the actions of
trustees.
She made the motion after
being told by director of
education Lorne Rachlis that
no such policy currently
exists. •
The motion was aimed at
Central Huron representative
Charles Smith, who released
details to the media and the
public earlier in the month
about a discussion about the
role of trustees at a recent
closed -session board
meeting.
Smith stated at the time --
and again at the Nov. 27
meeting -- that he did so
because he had been advised
by a lawyer that such
discussions were not
included among closed -
session items in Ontario's
Education Act.
"The Education Act sets
out very succinctly what may
be discussed in closed
session," Smith said last
Tuesday. We can not go into
a meeting and override the
laws of Ontario."
Westley argued that, at the
closed -session meeting, a
majority of trustees had
agreed to allow the
discussion to take place,
including a presentation from
a board -commissioned legal
expert. She also accused
Smith of valuing the advice
of his own lawyer over that
of the board's counsel.
' gMith agreed this was true,
and also stated he had paid
"$1,700, or some such
amount" for his own legal
opinion. But he explained,
"I've had previous dealings
with (the board's) lawyer and
RIDE checks held
across Huron County
A 21 -year-old Zurich man received a 12 -hour suspension
of his driver's licence after blowing a warn on an alcotest on
Dec. 2 at 2 a.m. in Vanastra during the Huron OPP's annual
Christmas RIDE program.
A dozen RIDE checks were conducted throughout Huron
County, including Seaforth and Brussels, over the weekend of
Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
Many people who were stopped were given ribbons from
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and coupons for a
Junior B hockey game or a Big Mac from McDonald's.
The checks will continue through the month of December
and the first week of January.
*Iva&
Omelines
The holiday season is building and that
means it's time to share Special
Christmas wishes with your loyal
Customers & Friends.
Friday, December 14 is the deadline
to be included in Our Annual
Greetings Edition, published on
December 19, 2001.
Call Bernie or Tom today!
n
Huro'
sitor
11 Main St, ;j
527-0240•
1
•
f
those dealings were quite
unsatisfactory."
The Seaforth-based trustee
suggested that, for other
boards which already have
trustee codes of conduct, the
documents aren't legally
binding, nor do they over-
ride the Education Act.
He also raised the issue of
a Private Member's Bill
currently receiving scrutiny -
- and some support,
including from members of
the ruling Conservatives --
calling for penalties against
representatives on locally -
elected councils and boards,
in cases of secrecy exceeding
the bounds of provincial
legislation.
Westley said trustee
AA A AAA AA *AAA A AAA
THANK YOU
A The Seaforth A
Hospital Auxiliary
A wish to thank the
A people and A
A Merchants of A
Seaforth for
making our Tree
of Lights another
great success.
A •
MERRY CHRISTMAS ;
A•AA••AA•AAAAA••
Smith's actions left her
"quite upset," and argued
they could serve to limit
discussion of important
issues by trustees, who may
fear further disclosure of the
content of closed -door
sessions.
"I don't believe what
trustee Smith did was
damaging to the board this
time, but it's the principle of
the matter that concerns me,"
she said.
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMSER 5, 2001-5
Come in before
ta Christmas and
receive a
Christmas gift of
2 WEEKS
COMPLIMENTARY!
To book your tour call
Cathie SchalkOR Charlene Foxton
Administrator Retirement Home Director
100 James St., Seaforth 519-527-0030
FACTORY DEMO
SALE
POWER TOOLS
COMPRESSORS
PRESSURE WASHERS
GENERATORS
TABLE SAWS
SKILL SAWS
DRILLS
GRINDERS...AND MORE!
PORTER CABLE
MAKITA DeVILBISS AIR
DELTA TOOLEX
FRIDAY, DEC. 7
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 8
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
ftr r h
•"
.
152 Georgina St.. Mitchell