HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1981-06-03, Page 1John Forrest
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122nd Year
Whole No. 5908
$10.9° a Y-04 . • Advance
Single copies 40 feel* SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1081 — 24 PAGES
Angie Reid, Angie McLean, Sandra Mcinally, Angie Roth, TaMmy
Staples, Susan Rowcliffe, Holly Reeves; (back left) Tammy Kennedy,
Jennifer Southgate, Theresa Campbell, i..orrie Glanville, Jennifer
Candace Van Meekeren, Leanne Dolmage, Tracy Fortune, Sheri Kling.
(Photo by Rimmer)
SEAFORTH BROWNIES The Seaforth Brownies and Guides . held
their mother-daughter banquet last Wedriesday. Leader Liz Cardno
presented 16 girls with awards for perfect attendance. The girls are (front
left) Shelly Coughtrey, Jessica Mennell, Shelly Nigh, Tracy Roth, Lisa
Henderson, Sherri .Coleman, Tanya Taylor; (middle left) Karen Murphy,
Parents. ask wh teachers moved
, BY VVILMA OKE
The Huron-Perth County loman Catho-
lic Separate ,School Board held a special
Meeting Tuesday night to receive a delega-
tion of concerned parents from the Dublin
school area.
The meeting was to discuss the teacher
transfers resulting from the board's decision
at the end of April to relocate 20 teacherS,
effective Sept. 1. 1981.
Adrian Olsthoorn, a Mitchell business-
man, was the chief spokesman for the
delegation. Other delegates at Alm meeting
When-council began ffs search for a •chief,
it announced itwas looking for a person with , ,
iit•least junior command training. Later. Mr.
Johnston said e.xperience in a larger force
like the OW could offset that requirement.
Administrative experience, too, was a
centr sdpadation.
Although he (Won't have command
training, in Mr. Claus ,council appears to
leave found a man with two- ingredients it
considered- essential, administrative back-
!Found and work in a large force.
The new chief started out in banking in
Toronto, where he was raised. in the early
6(Va. In a short time he joined the Metro
Toronto pollee force,, but as a payroll
employee, not as an officer.
In time, though, due tp "pressure from the
upper e chelons to go into uniform," he
became a Metro officer, a position , he
'retained for nine years.
MOUNTED UNIT
In Toronto, Mr. Claus was part of the
city's imitated police unit, and he occasion--
ay supplied as• a sergeant-
When theopportunity to join the Goderich
OPP came along, he took it. '"Basically,'-it
was to raise the, Children (he and his wife
Marjorie have two, Diane 16 and Ingrid, 13) •
outside of an apartment building," he said.
The stint selling life insurance served to
provide a diversion ,after 16 years as a
policeman: 1<t Was short-lived.
"Police work was my fintlove," he neted,
"and when this opportunity arrived, I
applied for it.' I'm ahvays open for a
challenge."
His.appointment means major changes for
his family, whO he expects to Move to
Seaforth Within the next till months., Mrs.
Claus will have to sell her,ciiildren's clothing
Please turn to page 3
were Marie Eickmeier and Wilha Venden-
berk, . both of Dublin; Alice Louwagie of
Mitchell and Louis Peters of Monkton.
Mr. Olsthoorn ,wondered, about moving
teachers then having to pay mileage costs.
but was assured by board member Ronald
'Marey of Stratford there would be no
mileage costs unless a teacher moved more'
than 25 miles, according to the collective
agreement.
Mr. Marcy. said the philosophy of the
board is that with a vacancy in Stratford.
rather than move a surplus teacher tpra,„
Seaforth native is new
works superintendent
now," he said). and attended secondary
school in Clinton.
The new superintendent, whose annual
salary is 522,000, has lived in Seaforth for
the past nine years.
Goderich to Stratford, the board feels it is
better to move several by short distances. In
this way. Mt. Marcy said, it, did not upset
the whole household.
Mr. Olsthoorn asked, "Why shuffle them
all up?"
Ron- Murray. board chairman. replied.
"We have to staff the schools' with the
teacherS we have. If we moved one teacher
every year that would not be fair. History
says a teacher moves about every six or
seven years. We are elected as a board. We
work ,witbin the guidelines of the, ministry
and we work within the gait elinA of the
board."
UPROAR '
Mr. Olsthoorn presented a petition with
more than 200 signatures-. He said. "The
whole community is in an uproar. You have a
situation now that is getting a bit out of
hand_ People are getting involved and
wondering can be done. This thing ran
blow wide open.; But other questions are
coming up. Where is it going to end? We
need to have an open meeting for the public.i
The board needs' to do something, If
Meeting with the public is needed, then we
should have it and get it out in the open."
Chairman Murray replied the board
meetings are open to the public except for
certain subjects such as personnel or
property.
He said teachers are moved for several
reasons. Some may ask for a transfer, for
instance.
Teachers who have specific skills in one
area such as French, music and special
education. may be required to serve any
school area which lacks that skill explained
John McCauley. superintendent of educa-
tion, later.
The board, tonk,must act to fill vacancies
that arise with retirements, opening new
classrooms. or a teacher moving away from
the area. Mr. McCauley said these are
primarily arbitrary transfers which must
occur, due to the teacher-board collective
agreement, by May 1 in any year.
He stated a transfer by mutual consent
can occur at any time.
Alice Louwagie said she thought the
Proposed list of teachers to be transferred
should be published so people could protest
before the moves were finalized:
Chairman Murray said. "It would be an
administrative nightmare •if we tried to
advertise ahead in the paper that we would
Please turn to page 3
Survey shov4s most high
sch001..kicis dank alohol
KII"Chttas
wonders if there will be funding for youth
programs. Please turn to page 3
' BYBP1151104,1440 •
Improved communication is the first
change' Seaforth's new pollee chief intends
in Make to upgrade the effleiloeY and image
Of the town'sheleaguered fotce.
The selection of H. (Hal) Claus, 41, of
Goderich, by Seaforth council Monday could
mirk.' the end of an 18-month internal
struggle at the department which was
CALutrk0Orn hett.t*ts
mvestigations by the Ontario Police Cont.-
mission (9PC').
Mr. Claus. Monday assumes the post
vacated last month by former chief John
Cairns, who submitted his resignation and
accepted a position as first class constable.
The new cltiis aware of the *hien* he
is expected to solve. "I'm very familiar with
it," he explained in an interview Tuesclm,'
have observed. it for the past seven years
from, the outside, as well as the town. It's a
pretty little town, with a nice rural flavour,
and, the problems that have existed here. I
don't think they exist any more. '
"I'm a strong believer in communication,
and one of my first steps will be to improve
the image of the force."
In his assesment of the importance of
communication, the new, chief is in
agreement with councillor. Irwin Johnston,
cheirman of the protection, to persens and
property Committee, council's liason with
the police.
"thope he will get the respect, of the Men
and they will comniunicitte together," Mr.
Johnston said. Tuesday. "Once you. coin-
ccmonicate, yOu• get the respect. And when
you *Peak to hint you get the impression he
will get the respect.
"I think we've made a good aelection"
added the. councillor. "We .had a good
interview in, Stratford, and he came with a
good recommendation from the OPC."
- It is dear council attached great *meet-
aince to the ,selection of chief. Five of the
town's nil counciiliors 'participated in inter-
views last weekin-StttrffOrd•.., There, .,a *host.
fist of six men, trimmed from p.original
applicants, were questioned. Copnell was
assisted by two. OPC advisors, who
Conducted about "80 per cent of the
interviews," noted' clerk James Crocker,
along , with aid-frem chic* from Goderich,
Stratford fluid Woodstock.
• The short list was pared to two
who - were again -interviewed later in the.
week. Mr. Johnston said the conimittee's
recommendation to appoint Mr. , Claus
received the unanimous approlal.„ of council.
A VETERAN •
The- new department head, . though a
veteran .of piece work, , was' not active 'in
policing when he was chosen. A year and a
half ago, he resigned ,from the Godetith
detachment of the OPP, where he had been
for seven yeari, to sell life insurance. He
feels ho hat 'benefited from his brief
-eapiitnift-rto--tikither career.
"You see it (policing) frOm the citizens'
point of view," he explained. "It made me
less eyelet! and mote open to other people's
view point. Policemen have ,a tendency to
develop tunnel vision and to develop
,
friendships Only among Other polieemen.'
Seaforth hosts AtiAnOn Info -cloy
BY JOANNE RIMMER
BY SHARON DIETZ
' A cardiovascular survey carrieo out in a
Huron County high School shoWs 50 oJt of 50
Students drank alcohol twice a week .pi•more
often. two students take drugs and 75 per
cent of the group smoke cigarettes.
The survey was concluded by the Hinon
County Public Health Unit under former
Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Brian Lynch.
Acting MOH Dr. Harry Cieslar reported to
Huron County Council on May 28 t,hat the
survey was designed to learn the direction
public health should be taking, with pro.
grams for county adolescents.
"Publie health has done a good job in
areas where they .are active such as
controlling food, sewage disposal. immuni-
iation, and the newborn." said 'Dr. Cieslar.
"The survey points out the youth are a
neglected area." he added.
Dr. Cieslar told County councillors there
will likely be all, kinds of funding -for senior
citizens programs' bicause the Ministry of
Health recognizes the increase 'in the
province's aging population. But he said he
A Seaforth area native and a v*rtin of
eight years as a diesel mechanic at
Champion Machinery in Goderich has been
' appointed to fill the recently created
superintendent of works post in Seaforth.
John Forrest, 32. was chosenpfrorn 20
• applicants to fill the, position soon to be
vacated by retiring town foreman, Harvey
Dolmage. '
When Mr. Dolmage announced his
-mdreirteur last month, tows council, which
supported the appointment of Mr. Forrest at
a special council meeting Monday, decided
change the fob description for the post.
Mr. Forrest. begins his new job Monday.
Prior to joining Champion, the new
stiperintendent was serried manager at
Canadian Tire in Goderich.
His experience givei him an advantage
immediately in thepublic works post ,since,
as an employee of the, grader manufacturer,
he his repaired some of the , town's
equipinent and is *Millar with it, noted town
Berk Jim Crocker.
Mr. Forrest's reason for applying fot the
opening was simple. "I just wanted to get
back into to,wn,"tesaid * an 'Interview on
' the day, following his appointment. "1 think
it will be 1 Challenge too.", •
Mr. Forresrexpects initially to rely on the
latowledge of the retiring formean, Mr.
DOlmage. "'I'll ask him a lOt. If I can dp as
good a job as him, then I'll be doing
airtight."
Mr. Forrest and 'his wife Sharen have tow
children; Dviain. 8 and Barbara, 5.
Mr. Forrest received his primary educat-
iOn at SS 7, Tucketstnith ("ft's a pig barn
week Inside this
Message on marijuana Mardi Gras
teenagers, in the Toronto area.
He stressed the change in himself since he
joined Al-Anon. When his wife's illness first
became serious, "no one could talk to me;
my friends and fellow workers didn't
understand." He had poor relations with his
boss, in particular. but after going to
Al-Anon, his boss spoke to him in a friendly
way. "That S.O.B. hadn't changed. obvious-.
ly the program had changed me." he said.
• "Be careful' what you pray for." The
speaker repeated this several times during
his speech, If you pray that the alcoholic will
give up drinking, you must be prepared for
the jealousy that you will feel when he or she
goes to AA meetings, he said. Ho- was
jealous when his wife first went to the
meetings and 'found hiniself praying that she
would return to drinking. She did. She Was
worse than before.
it's quite likely marijuana
'could replace cigiffette smok-
ing as a serious health,
problem was the message
of •the guest speaker at the
annual meeting of the Huron
Perth Lung Association last
week. For details, see story,
pg. ...... ......
A unique industry
ARC Industries of Dashwood
hat Only provides mentally P.
handicapped adults with Jo
training and life skills, it also 7
cffela the publk an oppor-
mnity to buy ,duality items at
twautorrible cOst. See Joanne
Itimmer's Story and pictures,
pg 7
Some say it's the best event
of the' year, and judging by
the massive turnout at the
Optimist's Mardi Gras on the
weekend, that tould be a true
assessment. For pictures of
the popular celebration, see
I41 ,.10
At the track
There's no doubt about it.
Summer's here now, and
with it comes lots of recreat-
ional activity. One such spot
is the Rutty' Gully motocross
-raceway, neat Yana, which
phOtograPher Paul
ed Undo. FOr a photo story.
"and Other retreads* ideas.
Spe pg .. .......... 1
A Toronto speaker was relating, several
emotional and sometimes amusing anec-
dote's to ,a large group 'of At Anon members,
about his wife's drinking problem and hiS
family's reactions.
-.,One•StOry happened when he was driving
her home•after a party. She was drunk, and
he was angry. so he turned to her and said,
"Won:t„yon,give„op drinking, for me?" She
*ilia "Whatever gave you the idea 1 was
drinking for you!"
The speaker. who remains anonymous,
spoke at the Public Information Day which
the Seaforth branch of Al-Anon hosted for
their district, on Saturday at SDHS. Ije
discussed the pain he suffered fhioughout
his wife's battle with the- disease of
alcoholism, and emphasiied how
Al-Anon supported him during this difficult
time. •
Now his wife is a sober member of AA and
his family, with the help of A•Anon has
gained strength and is enjoying a life "filled
with love." "The anger. fear and resent-
ment have left and have been replaced with
communication, understanding and love.
Al-Anon helped us' do that," he told a crowd
of more than 50. which had gathered for the
one•:clay event.
Al-Anon is a group of relatives and friends
of alcoholics who meet every week to share
periences and gain strength from other
entbers. "Al-Anon has but one purpose; to
help families of alcoholics." notes an
Al-Anon information pamphlet.
FOR TEENS
The speaker has been involved in Ai-Anon
for several years and was responsible for the
lOrmatien of Alateen, a smiliar. group for
When she returned to AA, he was urged
by a friend toga to Al-Anon. so he could'help
his wife recover. At the first meeting. "they
gave me A cup of coffee and shook my hand.
No one had wanted to shake my hand for a
long time," he said.
The speaker also went to Stag Al-Anon. a
group for men only, He said he attended it
because, "if there had been a bunch of
women there, I don't think I could have
stayed. I already had tine at home .that I
couldn't cope withl" He also said that it
helped to talk with men who had similar
experiences.
SHARERFSPONSIIIILTY
He emphasized the importance of the first
step in AlAnon. It reads: "We admitted we
were powerless over alcohol- that Our lives
had become unmanageable." Al-Anon en-
courages family members to share respond.
Mity for the alcholic's recovery. since all.
members have been affected by 'the disease.
The speaker admitted that 'many of the
family's prciblems had been caused by him.
not his wife.
The parhphlet says alcoholism is a family
illness and that changed attitudes can aid
recovery. It is also important that family
members recognize alcoholism as a -disease.
Al-Anon is a self-supporting group. not 4
affiliated with any other, although it does
co-operate with AA. There are no wither-, rt
ship dues; the only membership require-
ment is that you are affected by an, alcoholic. •
The group takes no stand in any outside
controversy; since it wishes to concentrate
solely on its spiritual' aim.
Seaforth -has a chapter of Al-Anon which
meets every Friday night at Egmondville
United Church. There are -also Alateen
groups in Vanistra. Goderich and ' Exeter..
The Seaforth group celebrates its fifth
anniversary this October.
• One of the Seaforth members was,
enthusiastic about the program. but warned
that "everyone has. to keep an open mind.
What the speaker said is not, necessarily the
opinion of Al-Anon." '
The (timid urged memberS-to encourage
other people, affected by altitholism, to join.
and especially the children. Speaking about
people who insisted thit their kids couldn't
be forced to go.: he said. 'You didn't hesitate
to force theist to-he exposed to the yelling.
you force them to go to school' Where th ty
are exposed to sex; and drugs. yet YOU
hesitate tp expose them to the *ye which
you have received."
When leaving, one Seaforth member said
that she had enjoyed the aessiens, and that..
Al-Attott hadlielped her. "lest great•way of
life for us- better than the old way." she
said.
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• 1 ........ •