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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1969-05-15, Page 1j04th YEAR NO 20 Into f,INTQN, ,QNTAR 10 MAY 15, 1000 PRICE PER CQPY 1.5 Standing with their hands on their hips, silhouetted firemen have resigned themselves to the fact that they cannot halt flames which ravage Canada Packers Shur -Gain Feed M111 in Clinton. The first column Mrs. Doug Andrews, chairman of this year's Red Cross fund-raising effort in Clinton, reports the canvass brought in more than $700 by Tuesday of this week. The money was collected by 50 women volunteers from six local churches. Anyone who was missed and wants to contribute is asked to contact Mrs. Andrews. * * A teenage "Up With People" Sing -Out troupe, from CFI3 Trenton, will put on a show at CFB Clinton i May 24. The two-hour program will start at 7:30 o'clock in the base recreation centre and admission is free. The public is welcome. There are more. than 100 young people performing in the group. * * * Sheila Townsend, a terpsichorean Torontonian who introduced the "art" of body painting to London, Ontario, nightlife last week, an event dutifully recorded . by newspapers and television, was recognized in Clinton as a go-go girl who appeared with the Tymes Three at the Elm Haven Motel some weeks ago, * * Seven -day -a -week operation is reportedly in the offing for the Clinton Discount Centre, recently acquired by J -L Vitamins and Cosmetics, a subsidiary of Capital Diversified Industries, Ltd., a rapidly growing, London-based company which is also engaged in real estate, construction and financing and owns Canadian rights to the Red Barn drive-in restaurants. * * * Centralia College of Agricultural. Technology, established two .years ago on the former armed . forces base at Centralia in Huiion County, held its first graduation last Wednesday and awarded diplomas to 50 students completing two-year courses in agriculture and home economics. Among the 40 graduates was Douglas Trewartha, eldest son of Mr, and Mrs. Ross Trewartha; RR 4, Clinton, Mph:Mies were presented by E. M. Biggs, deputy minister of agriculture and food. Weather 1969 1968 Ht LO Hl LO May '6 67 43 48" 23 7 /4 55 61 25 8 70 Ors 170 42 9 48 33 69 M 10 61 35 59I 41 50 36 60 Si 18 2 4 37 63 42 R ain 2.30'" Rain ,22 f Blaze early Tuesday all but leveled the building causing a toss estimated at more than $100,000.. —Staff Photo. Province gives $$ needed for rebuilding main corner Special to The News -Record The provincial government this week agreed to subsidize the $45,000 rebuilding of Clinton's main corner — the intersection of Highway 8 and Highway 4 — and work can start as soon as tenders are called and a contract awarded, the News -Record has learned: News of the province's action came in an announcement by the Hon. Charles S. MacNaughton, Huron MPP and treasurer of Ontario, who said that the Dept. of Highways has approved subsidy applications for the improvement project. The Huron MLA said the grants will be paid on those portions of the project designed to reduce traffic hazards at the five -point intersection. Approximately $18,000 of the estimated expense will qualify for 90 per cent assistance under the connecting link agreement and the department will pay 50 per cent on about $17,000 of the remaining cost, said Mr. MacNaughton. The balance will be borne by the town and the Public Utilities Commission. The subsidy . applications acted on by the DOH include installation of conduit at the corner in preparation for revamping the signal light locations, but do not,cover the lights themselves. Mr. ' MacNaughton indicated that he has requested the department to expedite consideration of the further application for 90 per cent subsidy on traffic Iight improvements. The town council decided only last Monday night to Beek an additional $1,430 provincial grant to help pay for the widening of King Street as part of the same project, but the Dept. of Highways has, of course, not yet received that petition. Plans for the reconstruction were developed by the town council in co-operation with the Ontario Departments of Transport and Highways. TV cable plan for town wins approval of council A proposal for a cable TV system in Clinton was presented to the town council Monday night by two Strathroy men who now operate such a system in Strathroy and the plan was approved unanimously. The same two men, principals in Airland Communications Ltd. of Strathroy, already won similar acceptance from Goderich town officials and are now applying for a federal license to inttall the community antenna television (CATV) system which would be run by a new company to be known as Blue Water Cablevision Ltd. The system would consist of a large precision antenna, (probably situated in Goderich Township on high ground between the two towns,) to intercept TV signals and cables attached to POO poles to bring the signals to each home. The two applicants are Ronald McIntosh Jr, and Dale Evoy. Mr. Evoy spoke to council Monday night and the service as he explained it would provide nine TV channels = three from Detroit, and one each from Kitchener, London, Wingliani, Hamilton and 13ay City, Mich, - plus Six PM radio channels and a "weather station" with accompanying background tiusic, The installation charge Would be $10 per house, with monthly service charges bf $5 for one set. Each additional TV hook up costs one dollar a month, Mr, Evoy Said, Air agreement to use Pt.UC poles will, have to be negotiated, but Mr, Evoy said a noiti'nai fee for using such poles is $3 per pole per year. Mr. Evoy also said the new company proposes to have its own closed circuit broadcast channel which eventually might carry local news, sporting events, adult education and public service programming. It would also be used, he said, "as a community bulletin board with an elaborate weather information system and background music." "We would try," he said, "to make this the best possible substitute to a local TV broadcast outlet." Major Spence Cummings and Capt. Jerry Storey from CFB Clinton queried Mr. Evoy about' plans to serve the base and Adastral Park and were told the company would considerthat only after the town is fully wired. Mayor Don Symons, ' who asked why they would not consider servicing the base at the sable time since it is to close, received much the saine answer, with Mr, Evoy explaining that if the new Canadian Radio and Television Commission (which has jurisdiction over CATV) grants a license for Clinton, the company will be obligated to serve Clinton first, and look outside the town sometime in the future, Huro view Was not HMO /1M The councillors noted that provincial law Makes no pirBvisiori for a franchiiae tax or arty other Municipal fee for' allowing installation of it CATV systent ifs a municipality. Engineering is being done by B. M. Ross and Associates of Goderich. When the work is finished, traffic will flow into the intersection from only four directions — the fifth point will be eliminated — and more effective alignment of traffic signals will be possible. A map of tine proposed changes was published on the front page of The News -Record three weeks ago. Besides the improvedtraffic flow and greater traffic safety, there will be new paving, sidewalks, mercury vapor street lights and a grassy centre island as a site for the radar antenna given to the community by CFB Clinton in centennial year. Mary Street will be extended east across King Street to Victoria Street (Highway 4) and the north ends of King and Isaac Streets will be connected in a U-shaped one-way loop. Cars will no longer be able i,o enter the intersection directly from King Street and northbound traffic on Highway 4 will be barred from turning left into Isaac Street. A 55-fbot long concrete island at the south side of the intersection will divide the traffic lanes on Highway 4. There will be some change in parking patterns around the corner, but the number of parking spaces will be the same or will increase slightly. Loss in feed mill. blaze will exceed $100,000 Youngsters saw it as a speeta.cular pre -holiday fireworks display, but for Clinton firemen it was a fearful thing . to watch .Sparks and embersshoot skyward as a fast-moving blaze reduced . the Canada Packers Shur -Gain feed mill to smoldering nibble early yesterday. Fire Chief Grant Rath said later that it was only the wet weather and lack of wind which enabled his men to control the flames and protect nearby buildings. Damage to the mill on Huron Street (Highway 8) and the 200 tons of feed it held will run "well over $100,000," .said Stan Paquette of Goderich, manager of the plant for the last three years, Despite the loss, Mr. Paquette added, the company plans to "do business as usual by making use of Shur -Gain facilities in Wingham and Mitchell and by co-operating with other local feed dealers. Temporary office quarters were set up yesterday morning at the Elm Haven Motor Hotel and the mill's regular phone number, 482-3484, was transferred there while firefighters were still pouring water on the remains of the old building. Police Constable Clarence Perdue said he saw flames erupt from the roof of the mill about 3 a.m. and turned in an alarm. Lions' carnival due May 29 This year Clinton Lions Club is moving its carnival into the Community Centre, instead of holding a street carnival as in former years. And it is being held much earlier than usual — bn Thursday, May 29. Carnival chairman Stewart Taylor and his committee have planned a much bigger show this year, including a dog or "mutt" show for the children. The CFB Clinton trumpet band will lead the mutt parade from the post office at 7.30 p.m. and all children will be admitted free to the arena. Adults and older children will be charged 25 cents admission. This year there will be more and different carnival games and also games for children and, of course, a continuous bingo game. At 9.30 p.m. there will be a break in the carnival when the Paul Brothers and Shirley, professional entertainers from Kirkton, will present a half-hour family -type program. Later in the evening a draw will be held for $200 in cash prizes. Ail Lions are now selling tickets. Proceeds from this annual carnival go to youth work in Clinton and area. Roth of Clinton's fire :engines. were put into aetion quickly and CFB OUntan was asked to send men and equipment for standby service in case of another fire, From the time. firemen, arrived, it was evident they could do little more than restrain the blaze. Two Canada Packers trucks were driven away from, the building, 'office records were carried out and serveral autos were retrieved from Roy Mann's service station adjacent to the mill on the east side. Dr. F, M. Newland and his family were routed from their home en the west side of the ,bill. Firemen used the doctor's garage roof .as a 'platform for a hose trained on the mill and occasionally swung the water stream back to cool the house roof, Clinton firemen manned six of their .own hoses and men from the military base hooked up a seventh "line.. The mill employed eight persons and was producing at the rate of . about 200 tons monthly, Mr. Paquette said. He said no one was working at the time the fire broke out and declined to speculate on possible causes. • Firemen said the blaze appeared to start ,}ear the top of the building and work its way down, but they were unable to provide any clues as to its origin. CFB Clinton will house warrant officer school Special to the News -Record The Canadian Forces base here is to be the site of a new school which will train an estimated 800 sergeants and warrant officers annually, teaching subjects formerly covered by schools at the Borden, Cornwallis and Kingston bases. To be known as the Canadian Forces Warrant Officer School (CFWOS), the new training section will draw students from sea, land and air elements of the Canadian Armed Forces. It will have a staff of 26 and will accommodate 96 students at a time in six-week courses, starting in October. The school will provide leadership, management and supervisory training to personnel of sergeant and warrant officer rank and completion of " the training will be a prerequisite for promotion to master warrant officer rank. An armed forces spokesman told The News -Record that the school's establishment here is part of the long-term planning for improved economy, efficiency and effectiveness of Canadian forces training and is an integral part of the change in role of CFB Clinton forecast by Huron MP Robert McKinley in a letter read at the town industrial committee dinneron last February 21. The warrant officer training here will offset the shift of two other units from Clinton to CFB Borden and CFB Kingston. The net result will be a small drop in the number on staff and an increase in the number of students passing through the CFB Clinton. The move of armament officer and aeronautical engineering officer training from Clinton to Borden has already been accomplished and the relocation of communications operators arid radio technicians training at CFB Kingston is now underway. When Mr. McKinley wrote to town officials in February he disclosed plans to move the two training programs out, but assured there were no plans to deactivate the base here "in the immediate future" and predicted that other training groups would be moved here. The courses moved to Borden involved about 20 instructors and trained about 60 men a year. The number involved in the Kingston shift was not immediately available. Col. E. W. Ryan, CFB Clinton base commander, said earlier this year that the bulk of personnel training at Clinton is for non -officers — primarily privates — in electronics and radar. At least 1,700 men a year were being graduated - from the school's courses, he said. The communication officer training program still here involves about 40 officer -trainee graduates a year and the basic instructors' course at the School of Instructional Technique is increasing its operations to train about 1,000 instructors this year, according to Mr. McKinley. Sunday sports OK'd Council. wants horse racing to help pay for arena, park In a move intended to make Sunday horse races possible in Clinton's Community Park, the town council voted unanimously this week to permit Sunday afternoon scheduling of almost ail types of sporting events, plus shows, theatrical performances, lectures, concerts and other activities. Councillor Frank Cook, speaking in favor of the proposed Sunday sports bylaw, explained that there has been no application, but that members of council feel racing would allow the arena and park to meet their expenses or operate at a profit Wreckaga being examined by highways bent, Workers is froma$1,600'truck camper which btew.off bteeup truck ori Highway 4 south of CP14 Clinton Monday afternoon, the newcatsper was displayed last weekend at the base ramping and sports shoal andwas being taken battto London* by London -ports; and Marine. A spokesman for the cpinpa►t_ .said a gust of wind lifted the unit off the pp Y g southbound truck f carried it across the i'orthbound traffic lade and deposited it in the ditch on the east side Of the highway.. The freak accident occurred neat` Tuckersmith 8ideraad 40.41 not far frdtrt a Culvert constructio t project. *het uek was undamaged and no one +n al hurt. =Staff Photo, rather than costing $15,000 - $20,000 annually Mr. Cook said he doubts any one organization will want to sponsor races, but he believes several may want to band together to make arrangements. Mayor Don Symons suggested that the Recreation Committee and the Turf Club are likely to want to schedule racing. Councillor Cook remarked that "a lot of people will be down our necks, but it is a way to meet the budget." He added that he believes additional business will be brought to town, providing an extra benefit. In other actions council approved a more stringent dog bylaw, requiring that all dogs be leashed when off the property of the owner. No dogs are to run at large at any time, although an unleashed dog will be allowed if it is in the "direct charge" of someone. Dogs without licenses may be destroyed at the discretion of police officers or other authorized persons and fines range up to $50. Unlike parking tickets, dog summonses must go to provincial court and the amount of any fine is set by the convicting magistrate or judge. Reeve Jim Armstrong said the council's intent is not to rid the town of dogs, but to control the unowned stray animals. Councillors Harold Lobb and Frank Cook were asked to join Reeve Armstrong to make up a new committee which will meet with a similar group from the Public Utilities Commission to investigate the possibility of joining water, sewer and nubile works functions in one agency. If the' c'•mmittee recommends such action, the idea would be Please turn to Page 11 Group urges demolition of "dangerous" house A vacant and dilapidated frame house at Percival and Ontario Streets -- within yards of the public school — is dangerous, a fire hagard and an eyesore, the' town council was told this week in a letter signed by 61 persons. The petition calling for demolition of the building would have had 3,000 signatures if that many people knew about it, said Councillor Cameron Proctor who called the house one of the town's "detriiients.» Mr, proctor said the council owed some action to the people who are concerned with the goad looks, of the town and the impression given to visitors and suggested taking "the strongest possible action permitted," Maya Dori Synions agreed that action Was necessary and instructed the clerk, &An Livermore, i y to notif.� the , r property tiwtier'_;, Eart Colhtis; RR 4, Clinton, and to ask the town solicitor, E. Beecher Menzies, just what can be done by the town. Councillor Proctor voiced particular worry over an old refrigerator -- its doors still attached — in the house and accessible to children. 14e reminded council of the tragic deaths only a few days ago of two smolt children trapped in an abandoned refrigerator in an unused house in Holstein. The police` chief, said Mr. Proctor, should immediately see that the refrigerator was removed or .put in a position which would prevent children from opening. it, Police Chief Lloyd Westlake Visited the house Tuesday morning and later told The News -Record that he found two refrigerators insider but that both had doors which would not latch and So presented no hazard,