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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1981-04-15, Page 1e ri • and some pigs. grow all their own feed on the farm-corn and hay for the cattle and oats and barley for the pigs. Students were supposed -to. ask the r" question they wrote for the survey, and after some embarrassed moments. dile girl asked, "Do' you think it is okay for animals...". r' children to see farm animals.... There was a long pause, and coaxing from 'the audience, before she added quickly..." mating?" Mr. Dodds said that was part of the education country children get and as long as their parents were prepared to talk to the children "sure.." There's no sense hiding anything. we all know how we got here.' • Would Don Dodds hire a girl to work on the farm? No problem-he already had the , summer -before, and daughter Lynn. a member of the Grade 11 class. helps out with the chores.' The questions then moved from farm life to slightly wider topics of concern. brit Don ansWiered -eaeh—cilie just as thoughtfully.. "What do you feel about the Queen being head of the Commonwealth?" was one and "Do rural people support one political party more than another?", The future sociologists also wanted to know about the church's role in • the rural , community and whether or not this farmer worked Sundays, -As Mr, Dodds pointed out, in a livestock operation there are chores to be done every morning and night, Please turn to page 3 Inside this L . _ 1" • •Hensail senali4asores What do you do when you find you've . got a lot of valuable el4 Reins stored in your town hall? You-have an auction, of course, and it was' all worthwhile for Hensall council. See council story, pg. Easter crafts In preparation •for Easter. students from area public schools have visited the Vah' Egmond house this week to learn crofts of the season. On Monday, the kindergarten students from Huron Cen- tennial School in Brucefield were the guests. Sec pictures pgs. Al. A22, Fowl-kill program once again this year a Sur. . plus Of eggs has resulted in ° egg producers being paid to - take their' hen's out of production in a "fowl kill" program. See story in the Exprisitoes farm sittia, pg. A14. • Fiddlers' Jamboree • it was nb foolire, just a lot of fiddlin' and good fun Sunday at the Fiddlers* Jamboree held at Seaforth'District High School. See .pictures inside on pg. A10. • 4 ete 516.00 per year in advance Single. Copies 44"Celite SEAFORTH, ONTARIO WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 1981 — 24 PAGES 122nd Year Whole No. 5901 • " . *,`" e ' • •• •• • motion was time wasted asking people ito leave and return while committee goes in camera, which would Ocettr more frequently than at council, and expand the one hour limit on committee meetings. Deputy reeve Bill Bennett said the time problem would be more , costly to the taxpayer since extended or extra meetings would have to be scheduled to accommodate the public moving in and out of ine gernera meetings. "Time is a red herring." replied Mr. Ross. "Asking people to; go out and bringing them in will take all of 30 seconds." the press, in attendance.- Reeve William Dale, armed with clippings In reply, Mr. Ross said "as councillors. if 'from the London Free Prese' eenceening the %. • '*• ASPRING SWING —Michael Watt of Egmondville took advantage of the warmer weekend weather to go fora swing. (Photo by Hook) , 1' COrietOble 'Dave Dale received a reprie mend on one charge of neglect or omission of duty and four others under the Police Act Were withdrawn at a hearing in Seaforth 'Monday. The charges were laid in Decein- bet. Judge E.H.A. Carson of London accepted the recommendation of Mr. Dale's lawyer. Jim Donnelly of Goderich, in issuing the reprimand for the only charge to which the constable pleaded guilty. The charge was a minor offence under the Act, neglect of duty. The four remaining charges withdrawn were all major offences. Two, resulted from complaints from the Seaforth Fire Depart- Meet. The first claimed the officer had obstructed firemen who were performing their duty hnd failed to direct traffic while the second said Constable. Dale: after The same fire, had reprimanded firetrien for their driving habits. The complaint said the officer told firemen he had been instructed by the police chief to' speak with them, but no authorization had been given. The final two charges-arose after Con- stable Dale twice claimed , four hours overtime ,after instructions by Chief John CairnS that the extra houts were not overtime. The charge to Which tense Dale pleaded 'guilty had been changed from insuberdina- , don to neglect, Mr. Donnelly explained the charge was teduced to neglect because it occurred during a period° of transition , at ^the department where it was- decided officers would be required to 'keep a duty log. Constable Dale, with the -exception of two days when he was off, failed, to submit the reports from., Nov.. 29 to Dec. 8. Bedause it involved a change in proced- ure, Mr. Donnelly described the neglect charge as "something in the nature of an oversight" rather than insubardinadon, • The lawyer said his_ client had shown exemplary conduct in his work for the town and added failure to submit the reports was an oversight. Since the matter had been brought to his attention, said the lawyer, the constable, had diligently submitted the day logs: In asking for the simple reprimand, Mr. Donnelly said the 34-year-old constable had been a member of the Seaforth force since 1975. and had twice received cemmenda- does frdm town council .for his work. ',The first commendation, in 1975, included a **warm, thank you" 'from, the town for cracking a drug east. The second came last year from mayor John Sinnamon, on behalf of the protection to persons and property committee, to acknowledge hiS performance while acting chief in early, 1980. _ Inisetting„ the reprinreed 'Judge Carson acknowledged the officer's comMendatiOnS and described the offence as "hot Character- istic of •forthright insubordination" and more a case--------------- •• Constable Dale, remained on the force while awaiting the' hearing. BY COLLEEN MALONEY • Perth taxpayers wili (face e. 912 per cent' average mill rate increase 'this year. as a the result of a new budget passed Apr. 7 by the Perth County Board of Education. .The increase will cost each 'taxpayer in Listowei, St. Mary s • and Stratford.' about 535. Leigh' Ahderson. l'Suirceintendent of Finance.. said 'it is difficult to establish an „overall average dotter figure .h4•eauee Of the broad range of assessments throUghout the " county. , . County ratepayers will need. to raise a total of $12.198.066 or about 40. per cent of the ...50.0.458,072'expeedittire. 'Hit, rest will -come from provincial grants'and tuition fees from neighbouring counties for students attend: _Mg schools in' Werth, Last year the mill rate was up about 18 per cent. The increase -caused some discomfort in Stratford and many smaller municipal- ics said Trustee Derrick Ward. chairman of the finance committee that 'prepared' this year's budget. This year's increase is ''more in line a ith inflation.- said Mr, Ward. who described the budget as "rea"sonable and expected." Mr,. Ward said``"' 7'4' per cent of the expenditure will go to salaries. wages and benefits. Much of the remainder will be used for projects and already approved by the board. Mr. Ward cautioned. "I doh., believe -it tthe budget) is holding any bouquet of. flowers for anyone." But he stressed that education costs continue rise despite declining enrolments.' Mr. Anderson said a proV incial Assistance for dechning.Enrol nee at eeerieteyee_lhe neer reason for keeping cokts dmen this year. Under the ne* gram scheme, the pro% eke BY HERO SHOVELLER Concerns about being misquoted by the press and reluctance of members to speak openly were reasons Seafertheouncil voted Monday not to hold its committee meetings in public. The motion to open committee meetings to public and press. moved by councillor Paut Ross, was defeated 6.3 in a recorded vote. The decision involves a turnabout from the March meeting of coencit• when Mr. Ross , served notice he would make the motion in April. Then, fiVe of six councillors polled informally said they would support the •-ehange. Voting in favour of the motion were Mr. _Ross. mayor John Sinnamon and councillor Gerald Groothuis. Those opposed to opening the meetinee .were councillors Alf Ross, Irwin Johnston. Hazel Hildebrand and Robert Dinsmore. deputy reeve Bill Bennett • and reeve William Dale., In introducing the motion Mr. Ross said the "town businesS-should. as much as possible be held in the Open. There., are undoubtedly meetings that can not, should not be held in' public". he added. and gave Charles Akey to first class constable to ,a later date, although the Officer has com- pleted the required three- years' service.with the town force. Chief John Cairns had ' recommended the promotion to the police ''"MY personal opinion," explained Mr. Johnston, "is when a constable is up for promotion it should either be approved. or .. not: We have no reason not to approve it. •• Councillors Gerald Groothuis and Robert • Dinsmore spoke in support of the deferral. "I would like to wait until we're through with the 56 (a hearing by the, Ontario Police Commission' into the conduct and ,perform- ance of duties of Chief Cairns)," said Mr. , Groothuis, who was absent from the committee meeting 'where the promotion was recommended'. "I agree with Gerald." added Me. DinsmOre. `!since the evaluations were incomplete and since'were having the 56. it • ltheepromotionieshouliebt withheld.14 - Chief Cairns' hearing Was expected to he • announced for early May. ' matters of contract and , personnel as examples. After outlining'his proposal the councillor challenged ether members to mention an instance where they felt meetings should be held in private which wasn't covered in the motion. No examples were given. Councillor Robert Dinsmore, led opponents of 'the moden saying members were mis- quoted at council and because of 'that, if committee meetings were open. councillors would be reluctant to speak. As a result. he added, the meetings would be less product- ive and there would "not be full input with you are not prepared to defend what you believe in public then you shouldn't be in public office." Mr. Dinsmore said he agreed "to a point" and that point was where councillors were misquoted. "You get a retraction," he added. "but • that is not What people remembei. Nobody is going ;to get up and say anything if they are ' afraid of being misquoted." Another reason for opposition to the -.returned to the chief because "we were looking for more details and 'specific comments. I know what I'm looking for.':. "I think the comments should be on there so it would help us (council and the protection to persons and property commit, tee) evaluate manpower." Mr. Johnsto dded standard forms were esed for eval yens, but new forms were initiated in Deeerer. Because the forms were recently, introduced` :he..said part of the After only three and a half month's as a member of the Seaforth Police Deparorieht„ Constable Neal Newman, 1 26. has quit the foree. His resignation v.* accepted by Seaforth council Monday. The' resignation. delivered Friday. took effect at 4 p.m. Sunday. The constable is returning to: Simcoe to work in the family real estate business. Following acceptance ,of the offitees resignation mar:* John Sinnamon said he didn't wish the town to advertise to-fill-the - vacancy until belied time to address council on the matter. Council met privately' after Monday's meeting. '-The-resignation- arrives" 'at—a-'difficult- period for the Seaforth Police Department. Another town constable: Dave Dale, appear- daily's recent complaints_ about closed committee meetings in Elgin County. noted the Ontario Press Council chose to discuss the matter behind closed doors. The Ontario' Press Council is jointly funded by member newspapers and is not dependent on public funding. In passing judgement. the press council acts as a jury` to '• rule on the conduct of its peers. It is a vehicle for both the' public and the press to issue complaints about media related matters. r The councillor said also, with the resigna- tion of constable Neal Newman from Seaforth Police Sunday,, there would be a force or add a replacement. review of whether to stay with the three man • "1'm of the opinion that a four man force in the town is ample," explained Mr. Johnston. "but it is; too much for three men." The councillor stressed' it was only his opinion, andeeas not, necessarily that of the police committee.. • Perth education taxes up 9.2 percent 1770' 4 committee: In addition, the police committee reported it had returned officer evaluatipn forms to .:chief ,ibhn Cairns 'because they • were iticoeete.•Eurther evaluations are expect- ed inte for the atesevoironittee meeting., s The decision to defer COnStable Akey's • promotion was opposed• by councillor Irwin Johnston. chairman of the committee, and • r uncillor AlfettOse- - At it s meeting Monday Seaforth coun- Mr. Johnston explained during a break in reason for them being incomplete **may be cil voted to defer the promotion of Constable' the meeting the evaluation forms were our fault." Defer officer's pro motion Quits after 3 1 /2 months Please turn to page 3 •••< • • „ ed at a' hearing Monday , to , answer five charges under the Police Act. Four of the charges were withdrawn and the officer received a reprimand on the fifth. In addition, a hearing is expected in early May into the administration and perform- , ance• of duty of Seaford) chief Sate Cairns. COuncil requested the hearing late last year after the Ontario Police Commission (OPC) had completed an earlier informal investiga- tion rinteethe local department. Constable Newman joined the local tome "Dec:- 28 as a teplacereeet for Peter Van Meekeren who had moved ehi the Woodstock police department in November. The officerWas• an eight year veteran of laireenforcementl, but Wet September left the Tilleonburg foresee) attend the University of Western Ontario. HS studies the rural life WOULD YOU 60 IT AGAIN? When',SONS students ,asked - Don' Dodds,. Wha farms. at AO. t, SissafOrth, If he'd "chose the same .career again, the answer was yes. Students from the Grade lL class Visited fokir' area farms Tuesday to learn about the rural lifestyle. (Photo by Gil%) BY ALICE GIBB You couldn't blame Don•Dodd's cattle for being a little unsettled Thesday. After all. their usually quiet barn was invaded,by '23 Grade 11 SDHS students, aimed with clipboards, intent on investigating life on the farm. The students, , in 'John Ball's sociology class, are examining some:-of the differ- ences in rurel-urban lifestyles. Ai ghlbe Of the students were relied en f' the other 13 members of the class live in town. often having little exposure to farm life. Last year. when John Ball was, teaching in Australia. he tried a- program thercowhere he took his 'Urban students on a three-day trip to the country. He decided to try something similar here. so oe Tuesday students visited four area farms for a taste of different farm operations. • In addition to the Dodds' farm at RRI. Seaforth, they visited Ken Campbell's cash crop operation: .the Francis Hunt" farm, a beef and sheep Operation and Eckerlea Acres. the dairy operation just outside eaforth. B Wire visiting the fiimit, students compiled a questionnaire with questions, ranging from the personal like why the farmer decided to take' up that career and did he regret his decision, to more general questions on foreign farmeownership acid whether "you feel the urban drift is destroying the farm economy." Students are also going to spend a day visiting four town businesses and at the end of the course will be asked to write an essay about the difference in lifestyles and attitudes they've distevered in the rural urban population.' Don DOddsl, responding to gnestiOns. ,told students tie ,bOught his first '100 acres. near the hOine farm, in 1958. The home place has been in the family 'since Don's great grandfather bought the isintl ram the , • Canada Cbmpany. The farmhouse was built in „1867. to replace the original log house. and the barn, which houses cattle and pigs, is still' set up much the way it was. the farmer said. NATURE STILL RULES Asked "if he liked his job. Mr. bodds said, "Well, I wouldn't be here. if I didn't like it" but admitted theoccupation has its fritalittins.i, -He said while-'farmers are their own bosses to a point, since they make their own decisions and do their own planning, in the end nature (the weather) still rules. This spring, nature has been co-operative -Don Dodds and son Paul had managed to finish, planting their spring grain the night before. The Dodds, who raise Limousin cattle ti Po", , • . • A 07'