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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1972-02-03, Page 1Weather 1972 1971 Jan. 25 26 V 28 45 30 11 HI 41 11 18 19 15 16 16 t.0 5 4 9 ii 5 5 8 HI 33 34 12 12 20 23 5 40 19 11 4 7 9 5 0 Snow 10" Snow 30" Thursday, February 3, 1972 .107 Year - No, 5 1 St Column Percy Brown tells us that the Legion is considering again sponsoring the Camping and Sport show this year if enough interest is shown, If you are interested in displaying at the show or helping out or in any way interested in seeing that the show continues, give Percy a call. + + + The February meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture will be held tonight, Feb. 3 at the cafeteria of Central Huron Secondary School, + + + Chairman of. he Planning and Development Committee E. W. Oddfeifson and County Development Officer Spence Cummings are scheduled to present a brief to the federal authorities in connection with the transportation problems in Huron ... when that meeting is hel.d. The meeting set for January 26 had to be welled "due to lack of transportation". "Isn't that the silliest thing?" said Oddleifson. "Isn't that silly? They couldn't convene to talk about transportation because there was a lack of transportation!" A new meeting date has not been set, observed Oddleifson. Zoning by-law back on tracks Clinton's Zoning by-law seems to be back on the track. At a special meeting of Clinton town council Monday night, council finally sorted out the red tape and mixed-up communications and made moves designed to bring early passage of the by-law. Apparently the by-law and some necessary amendments got hung up in poor communications between the Clinton Planning Board, the Ontario Department of Municipal Affairs, town council and Dryden and Smith, the advisory company who designed the by- law. At Monday's meeting it was discovered that Dryden and Smith had delayed in answering a letter from the planning board and this had been the latest hold up. Council now must pass amendments to the by-law to deal with some properties which were improperly zoned in the original by-law. Once these are passed, the by-law will go to the Department of Municipal Affairs and the Ontario Municipal Board will call a public meeting in Clinton to discuss the by-law. A 4-H leadership training course for the spring project Sleepwear was held at Wesley-Willis United Church, on Thursday and Friday. Here Miss Catherine Hunt, Huron County Home Economist, instructs several area leaders. These include (left to right) Mrs. Harry Snell, Londesboro; Mrs. Harry Watkins, Londesboro; Mrs. Russell Good, Clinton; Mrs. Murray Forbes, Clinton and Mrs. R. E. Thompson, Clinton. County undecided on MODA Blind persons make good workers Unsung heroes of the 1970's—that's how George Cox, Clinton, President of the CCB Bluewater Club, described the 12 etriployitielit officers of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Working in every province of Canada, these placement officers, blind themselves, secured jobs for more than 2,000 persons. In an interview for White Cane Week, a public education blitz sponsored by The Canadian Council of the Blind and the CNIB, the local club leader said, "The employment officers turn liabilities into assets and put their proteges in taxpaying brackets instead of welfare line-ups." "Well-trained in placement skills, the employment officer knows the capacity of his blind applicant. With a sight handicap himself, he grasps the limitations of blindness and does not expect a client to work in a visual way. When he recommends someone for a job, he knows the person can do it by touch," the club president said. Also a graduate of the college of hard knocks, the placement person is used to meeting the objections of plant managers. Not understanding the handicap, prospective employers usually think the worker will hurt himself. Statistics show a high percentage of freedom from accidents, and a special Workmen's Compensation Act in most provinces provides the necessary protection. But blind workers are not miracles. They are the results of a constructive training program that covers a wide range of subjects from the use of the white cane to an independent outlook. They are trained to face their handicap before the employment officer meets them. He supplies on-the-job training in the plant and calls back often to check on progress. If you are an employer, remember a person can work without sight and only applies for jobs he can do. Some councillors concerned over new welfare system BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER John McKinnon, directot. of the new Huron County Welfare Department made his first report-"to ..county council at last Friday's session. While some members agreed that the takeover from the local level to the county level had been smooth and had created fewer problems than anticipated, it was clear that other members were concerned with the workings of the new system. McKinnon said that 107 families or singles are on welfare in Huron County at the present time. He noted that when the county system went into effect, some persons who had previously qualified for welfare in the local municipality were deleted from the role while others who had not qualified were taken on. The director also advised that between 30 and 40 men had been placed in jobs cutting dead elm trees, Some local problems involving welfare recipients were heard. It was noted that some councillors were concerned that chronic welfare types were being issued checks at the end of each month and were incapable of budgeting wisely enough to get themselves through until the next check arrived. McKinnon said his department was experimenting to find the best methods to use with each welfare recipient, and further noted flexibility would enable them to make swift changes as necessary. McKinnon did advise of his interest to rehabilitate as many welfare recipients as possible. "If we give these people no responsibility in handling money, when they go back to work the bills will begin to pile up again and they will be back on welfare. If they spend all their monthly check before the end of the month, we can give them an emergency check. But this amount will be taken off next month's check. Hopefully, they will become educated about handling money," stated McKinnon. Winner of the Winter Carnival poster contest for senior public school students look at the winning entry ih the COmpetition. Left to right they are; Larry Rhiehi, Clinton public, third; Greg Hallam, Hullett Central, second; Mary'Lou Elliott, Holmesville, first; Diane Prescator, Hutton, fifth *KI,Doris Heipel, $t. Joseph's, fourth, al. 1)111w-in VA :eel; ts Monday at midnight, the former Canadian Forces Base Clinton officially became the „property of Radoma Investment and Development Ltd, of Galt. A report from Ottawa puts the sale price of the base at $458,000. Included in the sale agreement worked out with Crown Assets Disposal Corporation was the stipulation that Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Sciences is to receive the former Air Marshal Hugh Campbell school. Renovations to the building are to begin soon and Ross Milton, head of the college's Huron Centre, said recently, the work could be completed in six weeks. At preaent, the college is conducting classes from the Central Huron Secondary School. The official hand-over of the base means that companies which have signed agreements with John van Gastel to locate factories at the base can now begin moving in equipment. About a half dozen companies have signed to buy buildings at the base and begin manufacturing operations. Mr, van Gastel said recently that talks with European companies on locating at the base are proceeding well. Meanwhile names keep pouring in the name the base contest. More than 150 entries, some containing several suggestions have been sent to the Clinton town hall from all across Canada. No closing date for the contest has been announced yet. The person who suggests the winning name will win the former base commander's home at the base, a large home valued at close to $20,000. Entries should be sent to •the mayor of Clinton, Clinton Town Hall and should be marked "Base Name Contest" BY SHIRLEY J, KELLER Members of Huron County Council have still not reached a final decision concerning whether or not to financially support Midwestern Development Council (MDC formerly MODA) during 1972. Although the Planning and Development Committee under the chairman E. W. Oddleifson, Hayfield, recommended to council that it continue membership in MDC this year, council heard a surprise presentation by Reeve Charles Thomas of Grey who believes himself to be one of the few MDC members who has served continuously since the organization was formed. Reeve Thomas urged Huron to take out membership in MDC this year on the condition that the people of Huron be permitted to appoint their own members, Thomas said re- organization of MDC is scheduled for April and he suggested that Huron's membership in MDC be withheld until after re-organization to insure that provisions had been made 'for a "partnership approach". A member of MDC's executive for the past six years, Reeve Thomas said he had been concerned lately because of a strong swing within MDC to have non-municipally orientated people in decision-making positions. He said he opposed this trend and had eventually resigned from MDC's executive because he felt there was no sympathy for his "partnership approach". However, Reeve Thomas stated he had been heartened by the presentation made to Hurbn County Council at the inaugural session in January when Manager Walter Gowing spoke about involving county council in a more direct Way. "I think we are starting to get what we wanted," said Reeve Thomas. "What we're really interested in is autonomy in that organization. I think it is pretty important for us to be in on the planning. If it is to be a provincial government planning board, then let the cost come from the provincial government. But if we are to be partners, that's different. We don't want to be fee paying only." Frank Cook, deputy-reeve of Clinton, challenged Reeve Thomas by charging that he was confusing council. Cook claimed it was Reeve Thomas who had swung council's decision against MDC in late.1971., and it was Reeve Thomas now who was swinging council's opinion toward supporting MDC in 1972, Reeve Clarence (Derry) Boyle, Exeter, agreed. He said he felt the councillors had decided wisely in late 1971 to maintain a county development officer. Boyle admitted he was "not sure of the value of MDC". "We've got to think of Huron County and there's no way that those people in the Stratford-Kitchener areas are going to worry about Huron County," observed Reeve Boyle. "The proper way to put pressure on is' to County tax reform committee urged withhold the money for one year," added Boyle. "We've got nothing to be ashamed of," said Anson McKinley, deputy-reeve of Stanley. "We've been good paying members. Maybe it is about time we attached a few conditions to our membership." McKinley said that of the meetings he'd attended, there was plenty of information to be received, but there was no opportunity to assist in setting policy, "Membership in MDC should be giving us some input into policy decisions such as whether or not to limit the growth in industrial areas," said McKinley, "But it obviously has not." In outlining some of the problems he had found at MDC, Reeve Thomas said he felt it was wrong for the manager of MDC and the president to sit on the nominating committee. He mentioned his term of office as vice- president of MDC and said he was really not surprised when the presidency of MDC did not fall to him. Reeve Thomas also reminded council of a brief sent to MDC asking that organization to petition the government not to give approval for any further inductries to locate at Listowel until that municipality's sewage problem involving the Maitland River had been cleared up. He said that brief had never been presented to MDC's executive. Social services, health and education put bite on roads budget BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER Education, health, and social services are biting into the roads budgets all across the province, Huron County Engineer Jim Britnell told county council last Friday, and Huron's subsidy allotment has been reduced by about $100,000. "That's a little more than we expected," admitted Britnell. "The pinch in the budget is in road construction," explained Britnell, "There are severe limitations on road construction in 1972. For a long, long time we got everything Please turn to page 5 Base changes hands quietly BY SHIRLEY J, KELLER A county committee on municipal tax reform was'suggested at last Friday's session of Huron County Council by Barry Eastwood, Regional Assessment Officer. While Eastwood made it clear it was an unofficial request, his suggestion called for a study of common sense tax reform over the next two years, with the data to be forwarded to the Minister of the Department of Municipal Affairs. "We always hear that the senior government doesn't give the junior government a chance in policy making," stated Eastwood. "Sometimes, junior governments just don't take the inititative to voice their opinion to the senior governments." There was a tax review committee appointed in Huron last year by council but it "died a slow death" according to Deputy- Reeve Gerry Ginn, a former member of that committee. Planning department grows to meet land division needs BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER As some members shook their heads with concern, it was revealed at last Friday's session of Huron County Council that the staff in the one year-old Planning Department will likely have to be increased in 1972. Indications are that another person will have to be added to complete the "tremendous increase in volume of work due to Land Division matters". It was shown that if county planner Gary Davidson is to be able to get on with the job lie was hired to do, additional personnel will have to be secured to relieve Davidson of his land dividing duties. In his report, the chairman of the Land Division Committee Ian McAllister, Hay Township, said his committee had expected about 120 applications in the first year. To date since operations began August 1, there have been 138 applications including 65 applications completed, 69 pending and four files closed. About 400 severances will likely be requested soon in connection with the hydro line going through Huron County from the Bruce Power Station. "We are several weeks behind," said McAllister who explained to council the time- consuming procedure which must be follOwed in every severance. Speaking only briefly to council, Gary Davidson said there have been some problems in administering the official plan for Huron County but adjustments in the Plan will be made as soon as poSsible. Davidson also urged all municipalities to have zoning and building bylaws which would give power to local committees of adjustment. In other business, it was learned that approval has been received from the Province for two projects under the Winter Works Program tobe conducted at the Huron County Pioneer Museum. The initial project for $10,050 is for a clean-up program and other required maintenance work, The second project is the rewriting of the Museum booklet and also recataloguing exhibits as they exist at the present time for record and insurance purposes. It was also announced that verbal approval • had been received from R. E. McKinley's Ottawa office for a program in the amount of $22,520 to clean out brush and weeds along Huron County roads. Judy Carter (Centre) shoWs her winning entry in the Winter Carnival Miss Carter; Barbara Frorbes, Holihnesvi Ile, third and Lana brawing Contest to other winnera, they are (loft to right) Sally Lockwood, bublic, fourth. tleodit, Huron Centennial, second; Brenda Miller, Hull-eft, fifth.