Latest news with #Hunter
Chicago Tribune
9 hours ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Union Township school superintendent retiring after 20 years
If Union Township School Corp. Superintendent John Hunter's office seems spartan for someone who has been superintendent for 20 years, it's because he's been cleaning his office in preparation for his retirement just days from now. June 8, graduation day for Wheeler High School seniors, is also Hunter's graduation to retirement. 'It's amazing how much stuff you accumulate in 20 years,' he said. 'I took more boxes home than my wife would have liked.' That 20 years began at a time when the district was growing. Hunter took over from E. Ric Frataccia, who had been superintendent for 10 years. 'It was pretty academically sound,' Hunter said. The district had just added a pool, auditorium, fieldhouse and 10 classrooms to the middle school and high school. The facilities have changed even more since then. 'None of the classrooms at that point in time had telephones in them,' Hunter said, an obvious concern when school safety was becoming an issue following the start of the nation's epidemic of school shootings. Teachers at Union Center Elementary School had buttons in their classrooms to call the office over the intercom, but many weren't working. The district put in a robust information technology infrastructure, including voice over internet protocol phones. Hunter remembers those days. He had to dial 7 to get an outside line, and there were just four phone lines available. 'I had to dial 10 digits to get anyone from Simatovich (Elementary School),' he said. 'Through the years, we did a lot for school safety,' Hunter said. Entrances now require key fobs to open doors. 'Back in that day, every door in the building was open.' That's not all the facility changes that have happened over the last 20 years. As might be expected, there have been upgrades to HVAC systems, roofs and the like. At Union Center, 'we basically replaced that entire school,' Hunter said. A new transportation building was built so buses don't have to be stored at the schools. The football stadium was upgraded, including a turf field, tennis courts and tracks. Turf baseball, softball and multipurpose fields were installed. The athletics complex has a new driveway and parking lots. A grassy area can be used for either soccer or football, depending on how the stripes are laid down. Along the way, the school district has seen a string of successes, including state championships for boys basketball in 2010 and girls softball in 2011. The girls soccer team has been state runner-up twice. There have been academic successes, too, including for the high school science team and English team. Individual competitors have advanced to state competitions, too. Among the biggest challenges Hunter faced at Union Township was the period from 2008 to 2010, when the economy soured. In December 2008, Gov. Mitch Daniels forced the district to cut $400,000 from its budget. 'We couldn't just not pay people,' Hunter said, so administrators took pay cuts, staff took furlough days, some noncertified employees were laid off, retirement buyouts were offered and fees were increased. The COVID-19 pandemic was hard on schools. 'That was a big challenge for everybody,' Hunter said. The county's school superintendents met with the health department March 13, 2020. Hunter remembers it well. They met in the school library not far from his office. Together, they devised a time to close schools thinking it would be over in two weeks. Instead, they were closed the rest of the school year. 'It was a very stressful time for a lot of them,' Hunter said, as students and educators adjusted to virtual classes after a lifetime of in-person instruction. Deaths over the years, including students, hit hard, too. 'It's tough on schools, tough on our community. They're our family,' he said. Hunter's education career was shaped by a new teacher he had as a sixth grader. She put their desks in small groups instead of rows. She had student helpers, 'which changed my perspective on learning.' Through middle and high school, he had more teachers like that. At Indiana State University, during his first semester, education students were put in a classroom to get a taste of teaching. 'I thought it was ingenious at the time,' he said, to help college students decide early on whether a career as an educator seemed right. When Hunter began teaching, Gov. Robert Orr's Primetime initiative had just begun to lower class sizes in kindergarten and first grade. But Hunter taught third grade in Elkhart. 'I had 33 third-graders my first year,' he said. When Indiana decided to stop issuing lifetime teaching licenses for educators with master's degrees, Hunter hurried to qualify under the old rules and got an administrator license as well. After 14 years as principal, first in Goshen and then at Brummit Elementary in Chesterton, Hunter got his superintendent license, persuaded to do so by one of his ISU professors. His 20 years at Union Township make him one of the state's longest-serving school superintendents. Tom Hunter, at Greensburg, has been there 25 years. When Greensburg had an opening for an assistant superintendent, John Hunter joked about applying just to confuse people. The two Hunters are unrelated. John Hunter said he doesn't have specific plans for his retirement. He would be open to serving as an interim superintendent somewhere, and he would consider a business development position. 'I'm definitely going to hit that little white ball a little more often than I do now,' he said.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why is Travis Hunter's new wife Leanna Lenee under fire after their wedding video went viral?
A video shows Travis Hunter's wife, Leanna Lenee, seemingly dodging a kiss during their wedding (Image via Indtagram) J acksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter may be starting his professional football journey on a high note, but off the field, his personal life is facing immediate turbulence. The 22-year-old two-way sensation, fresh off a Heisman Trophy win and a top draft pick selection, recently married Leanna Lenee in a glamorous ceremony. However, their newlywed bliss has quickly turned into a hotbed of online controversy. NFL rookie 's fairytale wedding overshadowed by viral clip sparking trust concerns A now-viral video from their wedding reception shows Lenee subtly dodging a kiss from Hunter during their first dance — a gesture that many fans have interpreted as a red flag. The incident, captured in a clip shared widely on social media, has stirred heated conversations about her intentions and commitment. The internet's reaction has been swift and unforgiving. While the couple made a grand reveal of a new car by cutting a black ribbon at the reception, it was the dance-floor moment that stole the spotlight — for the wrong reasons. Social media users have accused Lenee of deliberately avoiding her husband's kiss, with some suggesting that the gesture signals deeper issues. Critics have also reignited concerns over the couple's decision not to sign a prenuptial agreement. Many fans have voiced unease over Hunter's financial future, arguing that his NFL earnings should be protected, especially given his fast-rising fame and recent multimillion-dollar contract. Leanna Lenee's past comments fuel fan skepticism Leanna hasn't been a stranger to public scrutiny. Back in December, she openly shared that she initially ignored Hunter's DM for two months, admitting, 'I thought he wasn't my type.' Though she later clarified, 'I don't have a physical type. Period. No two men that I've previously dated look the same,' that remark did little to calm skeptical fans. For many, these details are enough to question whether Lenee is genuinely in it for love — or if Hunter's spotlight played a bigger role in the relationship. Amid the growing backlash, Travis Hunter has stood firm in his support for Lenee. He continues to defend her and their marriage, showing no public signs of wavering. However, with his NFL career just beginning and the spotlight only growing brighter, how this young couple navigates public pressure could shape not only their relationship, but also Hunter's image in the league. Also Read: Tyreek Hill trade rumors intensify as 49ers emerge as serious contenders for Dolphins star As the debate continues to swirl, one thing is clear: the NFL isn't the only arena where Travis Hunter will be forced to play defense.
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Crazy idea': Ontario councillors push back as strong mayor powers reach small towns
TORONTO - A month after Ontario's government extended strong mayor powers to a swath of new municipalities, some leaders are promising never to use the measures — but a chorus of small-town councillors warn that local democracy is under threat. As of May 1, another 169 mayors in the province can now veto bylaws, pass new ones with just one-third of council in favour and hire or fire municipal department heads unilaterally. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said last month that the province decided to more than triple the number of mayors who can access the powers in an effort to build housing faster and streamline local governance. The measures were first introduced in 2022 and initially only applied to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario's two most populous cities. Several municipalities are taking active steps to reject the powers now that they have been granted more widely. Mark Hunter, one of 10 city councillors in Stratford, recently got unanimous support for his motion to reject the new powers. Hunter said it was symbolic and designed to show that municipal democracy shouldn't be 'subject to provincial whim.' 'What it effectively does is get rid of majority rule in our council,' he said. 'It's the expectation of the residents in our community that their representatives are able to fully represent them and this change puts some level of diminishment on that.' Hunter said his fellow councillors can have strong disagreements at council, but lively discussions result in better decisions for the community. Anything that diminishes that discussion is worse for residents, he said. Councillors aren't concerned about Stratford's current mayor abusing his power, said Hunter, but they are worried about what could happen in the future. 'It's another example of concentrating power in fewer hands. Unfortunately in human history, that doesn't always work out so well,' he said. David O'Neil, a councillor in Quinte West, said he is also concerned about strong mayor powers, adding they represent 'a real misdirection' by the province. 'I think this decision is on par with the crazy idea of building a tunnel under the 401,' O'Neil said, referring to Premier Doug Ford's promise to add a tunnel under the major Ontario highway. He added he is skeptical that strong mayor powers would lead to new housing being built in his community, and thinks the province should waive development fees if it wants to see more housing built. Zack Card, another councillor for Quinte West, said he believes the expansion of the strong mayor powers will 'erode the democratic traditions of municipal councils in Ontario.' 'I believe effective councils work collaboratively and with an understanding that all voices carry equal weight. Tipping that balance could potentially hinder governance and make solving issues within our communities more difficult,' Card wrote in an email. Neither O'Neil nor Card would speak to the recent dismissal of the municipality's chief administration officer, which was described on the municipality's website as a 'mayoral decision' pursuant to the legislation, made on the first day the powers were available. Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison said in an email to The Canadian Press that 'the decision was made in close collaboration and consensus with council, utilizing strong mayor powers to move forward.' Less than a week after the decision, he told a council meeting that he wasn't planning to make use of the strong mayor powers. O'Neil suggested his concern is more future-oriented: it's unclear what could a different sort of mayor do with these powers five, 10 or 20 years down the road. David Arbuckle, executive director of the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, said unilateral power threatens a local government's administrative authority and staffers' ability to give non-partisan, evidence-based advice. 'It's changed the dynamic where (a city staffer) now has to be mindful of the fact that they could be hired or fired by the mayor at any point in time,' Arbuckle said in a recent interview. 'The advice they're bringing forward may not be as neutral as possible because ultimately they are now responding to one individual.' Corey Engelsdorfer, a councillor from Prince Edward County, said he's worried the powers will exacerbate existing divisions on his council and, should they be used, could 'sideline' constituents even as the community experiences a boom in development. The traditional model of majority rule is already divisive, Engelsdorfer said — especially when it comes to housing decisions — so decisions being made with even less support could lead to even more public cynicism. 'The way we build homes is by working together as a council and not by one person or a third of council pushing through what they want to push through,' he said. 'I always hear Premier Ford say that these changes cut red tape, but democracy to me is not red tape. I don't think it's something that needs to be in place at all.' Mayor Steve Ferguson said in an interview that he was working to defer several of the strong mayor powers, including personnel decisions, back to council. The council also unanimously passed a resolution asking the province to rescind strong mayor legislation, Engelsdorfer said. Despite the concerns, Matti Siemiatycki, director of the University of Toronto's Infrastructure Institute and a professor of geography and planning, said the uptake of the powers has been 'fairly underwhelming.' Before last month, there were only 46 so-called strong mayors in Ontario. Only a few made use of their powers. High-profile examples include Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath advancing affordable housing development on two municipal parking lots in April 2024, and Mississauga's former mayor Bonnie Crombie passing bylaws to build fourplexes in October 2023. But Siemiatycki said he fears there's greater risk for strong mayor powers to go unchecked in smaller municipalities, where there is less oversight and, often, less journalistic scrutiny. 'We've seen an erosion and a decline of the local presses across Canada, and it's no more visible than in small communities,' he said. 'If you're concentrating powers, what's really needed is external oversight bodies. And the media is one of those, so smaller communities might struggle to have that accountability and people being aware of what's happening.' Siemiatycki said while he sympathizes with the province's desire to tackle a housing and infrastructure crisis, he agrees with the councillors who have raised concerns. 'It doesn't necessarily mean you'll go further just because you're aiming to go faster,' he said. 'The thing that's more sustainable over the long term is acceleration through processes that have very clear accountabilities and timelines to them.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Crazy idea': Ontario councillors push back as strong mayor powers reach small towns
TORONTO – A month after Ontario's government extended strong mayor powers to a swath of new municipalities, some leaders are promising never to use the measures — but a chorus of small-town councillors warn that local democracy is under threat. As of May 1, another 169 mayors in the province can now veto bylaws, pass new ones with just one-third of council in favour and hire or fire municipal department heads unilaterally. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said last month that the province decided to more than triple the number of mayors who can access the powers in an effort to build housing faster and streamline local governance. The measures were first introduced in 2022 and initially only applied to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario's two most populous cities. Several municipalities are taking active steps to reject the powers now that they have been granted more widely. Mark Hunter, one of 10 city councillors in Stratford, recently got unanimous support for his motion to reject the new powers. Hunter said it was symbolic and designed to show that municipal democracy shouldn't be 'subject to provincial whim.' 'What it effectively does is get rid of majority rule in our council,' he said. 'It's the expectation of the residents in our community that their representatives are able to fully represent them and this change puts some level of diminishment on that.' Hunter said his fellow councillors can have strong disagreements at council, but lively discussions result in better decisions for the community. Anything that diminishes that discussion is worse for residents, he said. Councillors aren't concerned about Stratford's current mayor abusing his power, said Hunter, but they are worried about what could happen in the future. 'It's another example of concentrating power in fewer hands. Unfortunately in human history, that doesn't always work out so well,' he said. David O'Neil, a councillor in Quinte West, said he is also concerned about strong mayor powers, adding they represent 'a real misdirection' by the province. 'I think this decision is on par with the crazy idea of building a tunnel under the 401,' O'Neil said, referring to Premier Doug Ford's promise to add a tunnel under the major Ontario highway. He added he is skeptical that strong mayor powers would lead to new housing being built in his community, and thinks the province should waive development fees if it wants to see more housing built. Zack Card, another councillor for Quinte West, said he believes the expansion of the strong mayor powers will 'erode the democratic traditions of municipal councils in Ontario.' 'I believe effective councils work collaboratively and with an understanding that all voices carry equal weight. Tipping that balance could potentially hinder governance and make solving issues within our communities more difficult,' Card wrote in an email. Neither O'Neil nor Card would speak to the recent dismissal of the municipality's chief administration officer, which was described on the municipality's website as a 'mayoral decision' pursuant to the legislation, made on the first day the powers were available. Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison said in an email to The Canadian Press that 'the decision was made in close collaboration and consensus with council, utilizing strong mayor powers to move forward.' Less than a week after the decision, he told a council meeting that he wasn't planning to make use of the strong mayor powers. O'Neil suggested his concern is more future-oriented: it's unclear what could a different sort of mayor do with these powers five, 10 or 20 years down the road. David Arbuckle, executive director of the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, said unilateral power threatens a local government's administrative authority and staffers' ability to give non-partisan, evidence-based advice. 'It's changed the dynamic where (a city staffer) now has to be mindful of the fact that they could be hired or fired by the mayor at any point in time,' Arbuckle said in a recent interview. 'The advice they're bringing forward may not be as neutral as possible because ultimately they are now responding to one individual.' Corey Engelsdorfer, a councillor from Prince Edward County, said he's worried the powers will exacerbate existing divisions on his council and, should they be used, could 'sideline' constituents even as the community experiences a boom in development. The traditional model of majority rule is already divisive, Engelsdorfer said — especially when it comes to housing decisions — so decisions being made with even less support could lead to even more public cynicism. 'The way we build homes is by working together as a council and not by one person or a third of council pushing through what they want to push through,' he said. 'I always hear Premier Ford say that these changes cut red tape, but democracy to me is not red tape. I don't think it's something that needs to be in place at all.' Mayor Steve Ferguson said in an interview that he was working to defer several of the strong mayor powers, including personnel decisions, back to council. The council also unanimously passed a resolution asking the province to rescind strong mayor legislation, Engelsdorfer said. Despite the concerns, Matti Siemiatycki, director of the University of Toronto's Infrastructure Institute and a professor of geography and planning, said the uptake of the powers has been 'fairly underwhelming.' Before last month, there were only 46 so-called strong mayors in Ontario. Only a few made use of their powers. High-profile examples include Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath advancing affordable housing development on two municipal parking lots in April 2024, and Mississauga's former mayor Bonnie Crombie passing bylaws to build fourplexes in October 2023. But Siemiatycki said he fears there's greater risk for strong mayor powers to go unchecked in smaller municipalities, where there is less oversight and, often, less journalistic scrutiny. 'We've seen an erosion and a decline of the local presses across Canada, and it's no more visible than in small communities,' he said. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'If you're concentrating powers, what's really needed is external oversight bodies. And the media is one of those, so smaller communities might struggle to have that accountability and people being aware of what's happening.' Siemiatycki said while he sympathizes with the province's desire to tackle a housing and infrastructure crisis, he agrees with the councillors who have raised concerns. 'It doesn't necessarily mean you'll go further just because you're aiming to go faster,' he said. 'The thing that's more sustainable over the long term is acceleration through processes that have very clear accountabilities and timelines to them.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025.
Sydney Morning Herald
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Born to the beach: Victoria's elite surf lifesavers return to US shores
For 19-year-old Mackie Hunter, a life dedicated to the beach and saving lives was never a question of if, but when. Born into a lineage of surf lifesavers (her parents met at a bronze medallion camp), Hunter was just five when she started the nippers program at Portsea. 'I started it too young because I was too eager to get into the program,' she said. She'll be one of Victoria's 10 elite surf lifesavers travelling to the United States in July to go head-to-head against the Los Angeles County Lifeguards at the Wieland Shield surf sports competition. The biennial competition, in early August, has been running since 1967, but Victorians haven't competed in the US for 10 years, due to COVID-19 and the competition running in Victoria last year. Coach Matt Henderson said the highly skilled team of 18 to 28-year-olds would be in the US for three weeks, and compete in other carnivals as well as swimming, board and surf ski races, surf rescue relays, beach relay and ironman and ironwoman events. The shield is part of the International Surf Festival, which also includes open water swimming and body surfing competitions. Henderson said an event that was unique to LA was racing under lights at night. 'It's not something we do here. You can't see what you can't see, though,' he said.
