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Wednesday, April 18, 2007 · Page 3 Chinese delegation tours research centre BY ANDY COMBER Essex Mayor Ron McDermott and Harrow Councillor Peter Timmins greeted a small delegation from Fushun, China, during their visit to the Harrow Greenhouse and Processing Crop Research Centre in Harrow April 12. "I hope we have something to offer to you," said who exMcDermott, changed mementos with the three Fushun officials, ViceMayor Wu Guang, De Ming Ye, director of rural economy, and Liu Zhuangchun, vice-director of foreign affairs. Dr. Qingguo Wang, a greenhouse researcher at the centre, and Roberto Michelutti, a research biologist, conducted the tour of the Harrow facilities. "It is important to communicate," said Michelutti, who explained the centre's Canadian Clonal Genebank, designed to preserve the genetic diversity of Canadian fruit crops including peaches, apricots and nectarines, some that originated in China. For All Your Financial & Insurance Needs... See Us Today! Woodslee United Church Spring Dinner Roast Beef SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. 519-723-4601 DPM INSURANCE GROUP Phone: (519) 776-6457 A delegation from Fushun, China toured the greenhouse facilities at the Harrow crop research centre April 12. From left, greenhouse researcher Dr. Qingguo Wang, and Fushun officials, Vice-Mayor Wu Guang, Liu Zhuangchun, and De Ming Ye. TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE WWW.FORSYTHTRAVEL.COM Adults: $14.00 Children (5-11): $5.00 For more information call TAKE OUT AVAILABLE 29 Talbot Street North, Essex, Ontario Fushun is one of the oldest industrial cities in northeast China, consisting of four districts and three counties in Liaoning province. Many foreign companies have been established in Fushun, which has already established friendly relationships with more than 10 "sister cities" in Germany, Finland, Japan and other countries around the world. With its land area of over 11,000 square kilometres and population of 2.3 million, Fushun is a veritable giant compared to the entire Town of Essex with its population of about 20,000 and a land area of 278 kilometres. Essex is also in its infancy compared to Fushun, which boasts 7,000 years of history and was the birthplace of the last dynasty, the Qing Dynasty. Fushun grew from an important base for energy and raw materials to a diverse industrial city involved in five major industries, including petrochemicals, coal mining, metallurgy, chemistry, and machinery. Established in 1948 · OT 0046911 76 TALBOT ST. N. 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ESSEX 776-6439 Education minister on `working' visit BY ANDY COMBER Following a luncheon fundraiser in support of Liberal MPP Bruce Crozier at the Ciociaro Club April 15, Ontario Education Minister Kathleen Wynne spoke to the media about bridging the divide between government and educators. "What is really important is that we change the tone of the discussion between the government and the education sector," said Wynne, ho met with school board fficials, teachers and local chool interest groups. "We put support in place or new teachers - we've got ore teachers in the system e've got more support orkers in the system, and ll of that means our kids are ble to thrive," she said. Wynne said the governent's investment in educaion has created smaller lasses in the early grades, igher test scores, and higher raduation rates from the rovince's high schools. "We've really turned round the public's confience in publicly funded ducation." Despite the success of ecent years, Wynne said here were still a number of Residential · Commercial · Industrial Specializing in lawn cutting Sodding, Seeding - Landscaping 24 HR Snow Removal Trucking & Backhoe Services · Power Washing Fully Insured Free Estimates Barney Chauvin Owner Tel: (519)839-5929 Fax: (519)839-5900 Email: bchauvin@gosfieldtel.com Ontario Education Minister Kathleen Wynne speaks to Essex Councillor Peter Timmins, centre, and Essex MPP Bruce Crozier following a luncheon at the Ciociaro Club of Windsor April 15. AL S! !! 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"School boards around the province need the resources to have the programs in place to keep kids who have been disenchanted with education," said Wynne, "They need the resources for more co-op programs and more hands-on opportunities, and we are providing those resources. Wynne also took time for an impromptu meeting with supporters of Harrow High School. "I believe the research that says small schools work," said Wynne, speaking to members of the Harrow High Community Group, Doug Balsillie and Barry Mannell, who is also cochair of the Coalition for Small Schools. Balsillie said threats to close Harrow High have come forward four times since 1990. "The issue won't go away," said Balsillie, who believes part of the problem is a lack of representation in the county because the board is structured in favour of Windsor trustees. Wynne said the ruralurban split was a common problem with many school boards in Ontario. "We've got to work on that issue," she said. Earlier, Wynne told media that Crozier had been a big advocate for Harrow High. "My understanding is that it's open, and it's on pretty good footing," said Wynne, adding that she would like school boards to make their decisions "based on local needs." $23,995 $15,995 $16,995 $13,995 $15,888 $14,995 $21,995 $23,995 $9,998 $17,988 Paul Griffiths "Where Great Prices Sell Cars!" 548 COUNTRY RD. 34 Roy Griffiths 519-776-7354 Visit us at: www.essexpontiac.com