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Times-Advocate, 1984-01-18, Page 1QUALITY TIIItII Ibletti ciad,W 1.1 `", HY PAY MORE? tow iddesehm. Wliitings' Phone 235-1964 Nuron board not. out to cls area sel,.ols ek. The Huron County Board of Education is not going out to close three schools earmark- ed for accommodation reviews said trustee John Jewitt rebuking remarks made by one of his colleagues. Jewitt made 'this observe} tion at the board's January 9 meeting after trustee Dr. John Goddard threw ques- tions at the board suggesting that he thinks the schools are going to be closed. The schools in question are J.A.D. McCurdy Public School in Huron Park, Hen - sell Public School and Vanastra Public School. Later this month public meetings will be held to start the accommodation review process. All three schools, at the end of September 1983. had actual SMALL HOCKEY PLAYERS — Matthew Hayter and Jason Becker use a hockey stick to make their way around the Dashwood Community Centre rink, Sunday afternoon. 'T -A photo Ruling on teacher delayed to March SHDHS math teach Joanne Young will have to wait until at least March 2 to find out what decision a judge has reached in her trespassing charge. When she appeared in pro- vincial court in Toronto, Wednesday, Judge Milton Cadsby said he wanted to fur- ther delay his decision until the supreme court of Canada rules on whether testing of cruise missiles would violate guarantees of personal security under the Charter of Rights. Young was charged with trespassing at the Litton In- dustries plant in Toronto on November 18 and subsequent- ly spent 13 days in jail when she refused to identify herself and went on a hunger strike. The 56 -year-old was. then suspended without pay until the end of the school term by the Huron board of education , for attending the demonstra- tion after being denied per- mission for the time off by school and board officials. The issue of the rights of Canadians under tl a charter as it relates to theling of the cruise, said Cadsby. is a matter of great importance. "The freedom every Cana- dian has to express his or her political views...is one of the strengths of our -system of government." And because the issue is before the highest court in the land, he said he would rather wait to hear what it has to say before con- cluding the Young case. That didn't sit well with Assitant Orown Attorney Dianne Saxe who argued that the February 14, supreme court hearing didn't have any bearing on Young's case: In fact. she said, it could be many years before a decision is made on whether the cruise testing infringes on the Charter of Rights. "i think an early decision of this case is in the best in- terests of justice." There are still more than 120 sinilar- cases before the court stem- ming from November's anti- nuclear demonstrations at the Litton • plant and Saxe was concerned they. loo, could he delayed because of Cadsby's decision. But the delay didn't upset Young who, admitted she was "really nervous and uptight Following 11er short court' appearance, Young said of Gadsby: "What he has done is very fair. lie's ,considering the rights of Canadian citizens to influence the policies"o6 government." Young's commitment to the peace cause has resulted in the loss of about $4,700 in her salary of $43,800. When her superiors refused her request for a day off to at- tend the demonstration at Lit- ton, Young defied them. And after returning to the school from her 13 days in jail and subsequent trial? she was suspended without pay by the Please turn to page s • enrolments figures below the minimum effective enrol- ment or the least number of students in which the school can run efficiently. Goddard, the trustee representing the Hensel! area, said he had had meetings with some concern- ed parents in the area and they "have questions they want answered." Some confusion reigned at the meetings as trustees tried to sort out where the ques- tions should be answered, either at the board meeting or the public meeting. "Do you refuse me the right to ask questions?" queried Goddard. Increase in French Grade 7 Core French in Huron County elementary schools will increase from 20 -minute lessons per day to 40 -minute lessons. The Huron County Board of Education approved increas- ing the French instruction hours at its January 9 meeting. The board had approved in principle, the concept of in- creasing the French instruc- tion hours at a meeting last spring, but were going to look at the subject again this year. Director of education Bob Allan said that the Grade 7 French would increase effec- tive September 1984 and in September of 1985, the Grade 8 French instruction time will increase to 40 minutes. Core French•is now being taught in - the elementary system from Grades 3 to 8 for 20 minutes a day. The increase falls in line with expectations of the Ministry of Education as outlined in its report Ontario Schools Intermediate and Secondary (OSIS). Allan said that initially the board had expected to have to hire three new teachers at an additional cost of about $120,000. But, he said, an attempt will be made to increase the French instruction time by using teachers already on staff hiring qualified French teachers when new teachers are hired. If all the elementary schools can't have the in- creased French time by using the above mentioned methods, Allan said the mat- ter would be brought back to the board. In other business, the board approved new mileage rates effective January 1. The rate will increase from 18 cents per km. to 20 cents per km. or from 29 cents per mile to 32 cents per mile. Allan pointed out that the board's mileage rate has been operating on an escalator clause for the past year. At the end of December the rate was about 19 cents per km. The increase is less than five percent. Board chairman Eugene Frayne r,ed, no, he wasn't refusing Goddard the oppor- tunity. After Goddard presented the questions, Frayne said they would give those preparing for the public meetings a "good" base to make preparations /or the public meetings. . Again some wrangling took place as the board attempted to determine the purpose of the public meetings. Superintendent of operations Don Miller said the first meeting is just to elect a com- mittee made up of members of the general public present at the meetings. "They (mgconunittee) will decide how to answer the questions," said Miller. Trustee Tony McQuail said there could be a potential pro- blem if only the committee is elected at the first public meetings. He suggested that there should be opportunities for the public to ask questions. . Jewitt then expressed his concern that the board could be to going rrevie�Ute a the puNic has the impression that the board is going to close schools. "That might be a recom- mendation at • some place. But, it's not what we're doing, we're trying to fool at alter- natives," said Jewitt. Trustee Dennis Rau also cautioned against having the - whole board at the public meetings, "It might look like we're go- ing in with an army," said Rau. Past chairman Dorothy. Wallace said that at this point there have been -decisions made regarding the schools. She reminded trustees that the sole purpose of the accom- modation review is to look at the alternatives and the review committees, made up of the general public and trustees, will make recom- mendations to the board. "When everybody goes in with their mind set, that's when there are problems," commented Wallace. Goddard's first question centered around future ac- commodation of the students from the affected schools. He said 419 students attend the three schools being "con- sidered for possible closure." "Where will they be accom- modated?" asked the doctor. Director of education Bob Allan said it is his understan- ding that the review process will be about five months long and the committees in charge will "examine quite closely the question Goddard has put forward." The second question was financial in nature. The Hen - sell area trustee said all three swan da/ens schools have been identified as having per pupil cost over the system average of 8187.30 per pupil. He noted that when exceptional costs are includ- ed the three schools per pupil costs are that much greater than the system average. Goddard wanted to know what exceptional costs are. FRIEDSIIIIURd DONATIONS — Dashwood Friedsburg Days chairman Tom Hayter presents chegdes for $800 each to Ken Baker, chairman of the Dashwood Com- munity Centre and Dashwood Business Association president R8n Merner.T-A photo Previously Allan had said ex- ceptional costs are such things as transportation. Another question related to special education. Currently tion school special to J.A.D. McCurdy. "Wbere are we going to find six classrooms to house Huron Hope," asked Goddard. His final question was general in nature. He asked for the purpose of having a review. The first meeting was held. at Vanastra Public School on January 17. Trustee represen- tatives are Frank Falconer and Graeme Craig. On January 24 the first meeting will be held in Hen- sall Public School. Trustee representatives are Goddard and Jewitt. The meeting for J.A.D. McCurdy will be held on January 31. Harry Hayter and John Elliott are the two trustee representatives. All meetings are slated to start at 7:30 p.m. Ames Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Eleventh Year & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, January 18, 1984 Price Per Copy 50 Cents Side-stepaver sharing conflict ntiI more igathered. The prospect of a heated and use of hydrants) to the principle and that Fire Chief voiced opinions that Exeter repairs as the town does on elf discussion over the proposed general budget to be shared Gary Middleton be authoriz- should pay the same portion other operating or capital purchase of a new tank truck by all four municipalities. At ed to collect as much data as for the tanker purchase or for the Exeter Area Fire present Exeter pays 100 per- possible on repairing the pre - Board failed to ignite, cent of the fire protection fee sent tanker and to get as Wednesday, as members ap- to the PUC. much detail as he can on the peared satisfied to let the Th principle involved in price of a new one. main issue smoulder until the nflict between the town The issue of how the costs more cost data can be obtain- and townships was touched on will be apportioned for ed on fixing the present truck in general terms at Wednes- repairs to the old one or the or a more detailed figure sub- day's meet$ , but was never purchase of a new tanker will mitted on the price of a new resolved astiaboard agreed have to be made when the one. with Exe yor Bruce cost information *presented. When the board first con- Shaw's slregtidn tkat the However, representatives sidered the anticipated cost of 1984 budget be approved in of the three townships all $45,000 for the tanker in the 1984 budget, Exeter represen- tatives argued that they should pot be expected to pay their normal percentage due to the fact the tanker was us- ed primarily at rur 1 fires. They said the to er was a "conveyance of wa er", the same as hydrants a e in the town, and therefore the - townships should purchase the tank truck and Exeter rent it if the need arises. An alternative suggestion was to add the town's annual cost of approximately $20,000 for fire protection (a fee paid to the PUC for installation Building permits at five-year high Permits valued at $64,585 during December brought the total value of building in Ex- eter to $2,286,000 in 1983; a 125 percent increase over the previous year. Building inspector Brian Johnston explained in his an- nual report to council this week that the new Canadian - _ DYKE HOPPERS DONATIONS - The South Huron Association for the Mentally Handicapped recently received a donation of $730 from the Exeter Lions club as proceeds of the Dyke Hoppers dance. From the left are Jack Van Bussel, a member of the Dyke Hoppers band, Lions George Godbolt and president John Norris, Associa tion president Herb Verbeek and director of public education Paul Turnbull. T -A photo Rec board chairman urges public meeting over funding Usborne representative John Pym was elected chair- man of the South Huron rec centre board of management, Thursday, after a brief hiatus from the position. lie succeeds Gary Birm- ingham, who has resigned from the board. Carolyn Merffr is the vice-chairman. in initial comments to the board, Pym suggested to the elected representatives from Exeter, Usborne and Stephen that he and many ratepayers to who he had talked thought public meeting should be held in an effort to resolve the funding dif- ferences that have arisen among the supporting municipalities. Ile said people were con- cerned over the current con- flict and wanted some facts on the situatiop.as well as an opportty to express their opinio Stephen representative Tom Tomes sgjd he believes a public meeting would be a good 'idea to air all the pro- blems relating to recreation and the fire board conflicts, but said he felt -the latter pro- blem would be straightened out. "We're elected to speak for the people, but also to listen to them," he said, adding that people should be given an op- portunity to air their opinions and suggested that other members of his council should probably favor a public meeting to discuss the two issues. Usborne council rep Brian Hardeman, however, thought the councils should settle such disputes, but said if they couldn't, then a public • meeting should be staged. "Reasonable people should be able to come up 4ith reasonable solutions," Hardeman added. The Usborne feed dealer also said he would like to see more volunteer effort in working and raising funds for the board as well as assistance from service Three appointments... Keith Ahrens, assistant post master at Exeter, has been appointed post master at Clinton. The Sherwood Crescent resident assumed his new duties last week. Former head of the English department at SHDHS, Sher- wood Eddy has assumed his 4 clubs. When he said a service club to which he belongs helps fund recreation in the township and hinted Exeter service clubs should do the same in town, he drew a strong rebuke from Exeter council representative Gaylan Josephson over the principle of his comments. Josephson said it was im- portant for everyone to keep in mind that the South Huron board was in fact a board responsible for all areas serv- ed by it and inferred that township service clubs should also assist with recreation programs handled by the board. new duties as vice-principal "What you said for Exeter at F. E. Madill Secondary is the same for the townships School in Wingham. which participate .(in the Don Trameer, former outh Huron rec teacher at Exeter Public rd),"Josephson noted. "I School, has been named ac- ant to make that clear." ting principal at Brookside Pym said the board needed Public School. He previously to do some work on convinc- served as vice-principal at ing people that a total effort Clinton Public School. Please turn to page 3 Tire store, the Bank of Mon- treal expansion and the erec- tion of 12 single-family dwell- ings were the major con- tributors to the "building boom". Commenting on the figures, Johnston said they "may be viewed as a positive sign that the slower years of construc- tion growth show conclusion and that the local construc- tion scene shows evidence.of substantial gain to healthier levels as once realized in the late 1970s". "In looking ahead to 1984, it is hoped that building activi- ty will continue to improve as January shows rapid activity already," he said. Twenty-five permits for commercial buildings and renovations constituted the highest figure of the 1983 per- mits at *779,000. The 12 new residences were valued at *661,400. There were 146 residential renovations and additions at *519,153, 10 government/in- stitutional at *186,765, six in- dustrial at *76,985 22 tool sheds, carports, sundecks and garages at *27,880 and two swimming pools at *24,700. The 1983 total was the highest since 1978 when per- mits were valued at *3,858,545. Revenue from the permits last year was *14,609.16, down slightly from the previous year when there were actual- ly 23 more permits issued. in 1983 there were 18 per- manent sign permits approv- ed and 131 temporary signs. Johnston recorded 1,687 field inspections and 543 office appointments related to the permits. Both are lower than the 1982 corresponding figures of 2,182 and 605. The past year also showed a sharp decline in the number of complaints under the pro- perty and maintenance stan- dard bylaw. There were three complaints with successful completion in all. in 1982 - there were 17 complaints with two of those still in progress. Johnston's figures show Ex- eter has a total of 83 private pools, with four of those being indoor pools. Two were in- stalled in 1983 and one was removed, while in 1982 there were four installed and six removed. The highest year for pools was in 1975 when there were 12 installed. costs. ANXIOUS SKiPS-- Clarence Down and Art Cann await the arrival of a rock during an Ice Kings curling ses- sion at the Exeter club Friday afternoon. Heritage Days get temporary reprieve Exeter's annual Heritage Days received a. temporary reprieve when about 20 people showed up at the town hall, Wednesday, to consider the future of the two-year-old celebration. While no definite plan was made to keep the program alive, chairman Mike Williamson agreed to under- take one last-ditch effort 'to contact all the organizations in the community and to have each indicate one way or the other whether they will sup- port the summer festivity. Several groups were represented at the session and the consensus appeared to be to cut the program to a Fri- day night and Saturday only and to stage all the activities in a central place. It was suggested further that Heritage Days should ' continue this year in conjunc- tion with the provincial bicentennial celebrations as it Would be an appropriate vehi- cle by which the community could mark that event. Some discussion was held regarding the profits from the event and most agreed that Heritage Days would benefit if a definite project could be undertaken or any profits im- mediately returned for com- munity betterment. Williamson explained that profit was not the main motive of the initiating group as Heritage Days was plann- ed primarily as family fun weekend. He said about $4,000 has been realized to date. Usborne Reeve Gerald Pro- ut said his municipality is paying its fair share and con- tended that based on popula- tion (1,630 to Exeter's 3,686) Exeter should possibly be paying something around 65 percent of the overall fire board budget rather than the 52 percent it contributes. Usborne pays 33 percent, Stephen nine and Hay six. Shaw agreed that Prout was right in his contention that lisborne carries its fair share, but noted that the issue was primarily on the use of the tanker and not other operating costs. Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle said that fire calls over the past five years indicate the cost-sharing percentages are about right. In that period, Exeter had 102 fire calls and the three townships had a total of 107. Tom Tomes, representing Stephen, said his council felt the present agreement should cover the tank truck and Hay representative Murray Keys, chairman of the board, said "we think it should stay the way it is". Keys said other issues could be considered as well, one be- . ing that one of the fire board's trucks remains in Exeter when other vehicles are dispatched to a township fire and therefore the townships don't use that truck any more than Exeter uses the tank truck. However, Mickle responded that the truck that remains in Exeter covers any of the three municipalities while the other vehicles are fighting -a fire in.the fourth. Middleton advised board members that the tank truck is taken to fires in Meter, particularly at this time of year when there could be a problem with snow blocking hydrants. He said the firemen don't take chances in that regard and take the tanker in case its water is needed, He also explained that it can be used at town fire sites as an auxiliary unit when required. The Chief advised that the present flanker needs new tires and the tank "is done" as it is paper thin and has been repaired as much as it Please turn to page 3 4 A: PANCAKES FOR S IAKFAST — Parent volunteer Theresa Parsons serves Ancokes to Darryl Parsons, Gregory Geoffrey and Jennifer Grimier during breakfast time at the Sunshine Kids Nursery School, Wednesday morning. The students came to class in. their pyjamas. T -A photo M 11