Colleges & OPSEU resuming talks, education funding, ‘Feature Act’

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Thursday, November 2, 2017

Today – Periods of rain ending this morning then cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Risk of a thunderstorm early this morning. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 60. High 16.

Tonight – Showers ending before morning then cloudy. Amount 15 to 25 mm. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming northwest 20 late this evening. Low 8.

Talks to resume in college bargaining

Provincial government officials say the Ministry of Labour mediator has called the parties in the ongoing college teacher’s labour dispute back to the bargaining table.

The parties will be returning to the table November 2, 2017, government officials stated.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) officials say their bargaining team is ready to bargain.

“College faculty are taking a stand for a better college education system,” stated JP Hornick, bargaining team chair.

“Since July we have been ready to bargain a fair contract that addresses the issues of fairness for all faculty and quality education. If council is finally ready to discuss faculty’s proposals then we can reach a settlement quickly.”

OPSEU officials say faculty, students, labour and community allies from across the province are heading to Queen’s Park for a “huge rally” on Thursday, November 2, from 12 to 1:15 p.m. as well.

OPSEU officials say they are keeping up the pressure and taking the strike to the doors of the Legislature.

The College Employer Council, which represents the province’s 24 community colleges, says they have asked the provincially appointed mediator to bring the colleges and union back to the table to resume talks.

“This strike has gone on for too long,” stated Sonia Del Missier, Chair, Colleges’ Bargaining Team, in a press release.

“We need to end the strike and get our students and faculty back in the classroom. We can reach a settlement quickly and have classes start again early next week. We will focus our efforts at the table and work very hard to reach a deal that ends the strike.”

Education funding the topic of media event

A media event to discuss how Chatham-Kent children are missing out on millions of dollars in free education funding will be held Wednesday, November 8 at 11 a.m. at Chatham-Kent Public Library, Chatham Branch at 120 Queen Street in Chatham.

More than a dozen groups from the social government and financial sector have lent their support for Education Savings Week which takes place November 19-25. The event will feature ways in which parents can register an account from which their children can draw for a variety of post-secondary programs.

“We want every child to be able to grow up and realize their dreams, and this starts by having money set aside for their education after high school. With the Canada Learning Bond, it is possible for almost every child in Chatham-Kent to have an RESP,” stated Valerie Colasanti, Director of Employment & Social Services.

Mayor Randy Hope said he believes lack of awareness is a major part of the reason more people aren’t taking advantage of the funding.

“Everyone wants to give their children a chance to get ahead but if you’re not aware of the tools that can help you can take advantage of them,” he said.

“Our aim is to make sure as many people as possible know that there are funds available for their children’s education.”

It is estimated that only one in four eligible families in Chatham-Kent are taking advantage of up to $2,000 in money that could be set aside for each of their children.

Feature Act to recognize ‘Affordable Home Builders’

People are invited to the Chatham-Kent Council Chambers on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 6 p.m. to celebrate individuals who are helping to create affordable multi-unit residential housing in Chatham-Kent.

Through the Feature Act recognition program, Nasr Nasr of Remmcor Ltd., and Tim Zavitz of TEMPO Property Management will be thanked.

Both Nasr and Tim’s businesses have committed to develop affordable multi-unit residential housing in Chatham-Kent in response to the need. Their commitment to building high quality housing that any tenant would be proud to call home is commendable. It enhances people’s quality of life and creates a supportive and healthy community.

Co-chairs of the Chatham-Kent Community Leaders’ Cabinet, Mayor Hope and Stephen Doig are pleased that these individuals are being recognized.

They shared that it is critical that each person has a place to call home and these units go above standard practices, allow for stability and security that too often people are not able to accomplish without a helping hand.

Feature Act is a recognition program of the Chatham-Kent Community Leaders’ Cabinet in partnership with the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce and the Wallaceburg and District Chamber of Commerce, which thanks individuals and groups for building a better Chatham-Kent.

Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend

It will be time to push your clocks back one-hour this weekend, as Daylight Savings Time comes to an end.

Officially, it ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 5.

So before you go to bed on Saturday, set your clocks back one hour.

Business and Community Excellence Awards tickets available

The Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce is holding their 20th annual Business and Community Excellence Awards on Thursday, November 2 at 6 p.m.

This event recognizes businesses and individuals in the Wallaceburg and district area.

Tickets are $60.

They can be purchased online, here. Learn more about the event, here.

Play Rangers in Wallaceburg on Saturday

The CKRecreation Play Rangers program is coming to Wallaceburg this weekend.

The group will be setting up activities on Saturday, November 4 at the Wallaceburg Kinsmen Community Centre from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

There is free admission and children of all ages are welcome.

Community Awareness Day on Saturday in Wallaceburg

The South Wallaceburg Action Team is gearing up for a Community Awareness Day on Saturday, November 4.

The event is featuring free food, a child fingerprint identification clinic, PAW Patrol, plus representatives from the Chatham-Kent Fire Department and Chatham-Kent Police Service.

It will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the 4 Reaume Avenue Community Room.

All are welcome to attend.