HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1974-06-27, Page 1Before.. .
This Is the Clinton News-Record as
decaying woodwork, chipping paint
(News-Record photo)
it looks today, with
and rotting mortar,
...and after
After renovations, this is what the office could look like,
complete with shutters, drapes, coach house lamp, and
Georgian windows.
Clinton, Ontario . 20 Cents
Clinton' News-Record
Thursday, June 27, 1974
!Le candidates...
Eugene Whelan, left, Federal Agriculture minister, was in Clinton Tuesday mor-
ning for a breakfast with Huron-Middlesex voters and Liberal candidate John Lyn-
don, centre. Ted Davies, right, of Clinton talks over coffee with them. About 150
persons showed up. (News-Record photo)
• • . woo the.. .
Incumbent member of Parliament, Bob McKinley talks politics with Mrs. Arabelle
Bushell, left of Clinton, and Russ Garrison of Auburn, during a coffee break in
Clinton last Friday. The event was sponsored by the Progressive Conservative
party. (News-Record photo)
...local voters
Nt)P candidate Shirley Weary Oats with her federal party loader David Lewis at an
NOP rally In London Monday night. Provincial leader Stephen Lewis and his
mother were on hand at the rally along with London Mayor Jane BineloW and the
eight NOP candidates frOrn south-western Ontario, (staff photo
The first phase of Clinton's new enviren-
mental enhancement program took a
positive stop last Monday night, when
proposed sketches of two restored business
fronts were unveiled at a meeting of the
Clinton Retail Merchants Association,
The business section restoration is one of
three phases in a plan to clean-up and
restore Clinton, The program has been
broken down into three parts, business
restoration, municipal restoration, and
domestic retoratian,
The sketches on two business on Albert
Street were drawn up by the design com-
mittee of the environmental committee.
One was released for publication, and
_shows a redesigned front on the Clinton
News-Record building at 53 Albert Street.
The other sketch, also of an Albert Street
business, was not released for publication
pending owner approval.
During the meeting, four other
businessmen volunteered their store fronts
to the environmental committee and the
design committee for redesigning, using the
Georgian architectural theme.
The Merchants Association also passed a
motion to ask the Town Council to pass a
temporary by-law restricting renovations
or construction in the core area unless ap-
proved by the planning board after con-
sultation with the environmental enchant-
ment committee.
During the meeting, the businessmen
were told by Gordon Duern of Clinton, who.
sparked the restoration scheme, that the
}IMMO County planning department had
told him that millions of dollars worth of
grants were available from both the
Provincial and federal governments to
carry out the scheme, if Clinton could come
up with a solid plan and full co-operation
of the townspeople,
He said that one instance was the
Federal government's Neighbourhood Im-
provement Program (NIP) that has
millions of dollars waiting for such projects
A chlorine spill at Clinton's new sewage
treatment plant on Victoria Terrace last
Friday is still under investigation, but no
injury was reported following the leakage
of the highly toxic gas.
The Chlorine gas, which is used to kill
harmful bacteria in the outgoing treated
sewage water, leaked from a pin-sized hole
from one of about 20 tanks that are stored
at the plant.
Although the liquid chlorine leaked out
into the air for only a few minutes, turning
to a poisonous fog when it hit the air, it
killed off a large area of grass around the
new sewage plant, blackened several trees
on nearby property, and heavily damaged
one end of a garden owned by Reg Clifford
a hind clean-up, house painting and other
improvement projects.
Currently, an environmental committee,
under the direction of retired banker Ken
Fiett, and Rita Ryan of' Clinton, is.
spearheading a survey to see what need to
be done in reitivenatiing Clinton and how
it can be done. A presentation of the whole
scheme will be made at Christmas.
The design sketch of the News-Record
has received tentative approval from the
newspaper, and a start on the building
restoration, which will not cost very much,
is expected in the next several weeks,
of Matilda Street,
The chlorine tanks belong to Dow
Chemical of Sarnia, but because of a recent
strike at the Sarnia facilities, the tanks.
have been filled at another company's
plant.
Both companies and the Clinton Public
Utilities Commission are investigating the
incident, and it is believed compensation
will be paid to Mr. Clifford for the loss of
his vegetables,
The PUC is also looking into, better
safety precautions to prevent such a
spillage in the future, Severe lung injury or
death can result if chlorine gas is inhaled,
and severe skin burn will happen if it
comes in contact with the body.
---'" ••••-, • • ••,•••••••
Restoration scheme now underway .
Chlorine spills at plant
Raceway starts Sunday
Conservation area expanded
The Ausable-Bayfield Conservation
Authority received a $5,000 Ontario gover-
nment grant last week which will enable
BY J.F.
Eric Switzer of the correspondence com-
mittee of the Clinton Centennial Commit-
tee is looking for the names of former Clin-
tonians who could be contacted about our
Centennial celebrations next year. If you
have any names of friends or relatives who
should know about the Centennial or
maybe your reading this paper somewhere
in California, please phone Eric at 482-
9942 or drop him a line at box 1975, Clin-
ton Ontario, Canada.
* *
The big Dominion Day Weekend, or
Canada Day Celebrations, depending on
your preference, is fast approaching and it
will mean the closing of most business,
stores and the post office. There will be no
(greet letter box service on Sunday, but
there will be on Monday. On Monday,
however, there is no rural route service,
and no wicket or delivery service, The lock
box lobby will be open both days, ,
* *
Further to our story last week on the two
dogs killing those kids (baby goats), The
dogs have been found, according to animal
control Officer Dick Eisler, however they
Will not be destroyed and the owners are
Making restitution for the destroyed goats,
* * *
Please, don't forget your Centennial
committee. If you have any antiques or
know of any, please phone up on Hall,
John Anstett, "Skip" Winter or Percy
Blown as soon as possible because the
committee desperately needs Your help for
the Antique Sale and Auction this Satur-
day, Sunday arid Monday, or it will be a
flop,
About 15 persons approved last week at
the general meeting of the Clinton Centen-
nial committee, the name for Clinton's ten
day celebration next year, It is to be known
as Clinton Centennial Celebration Week,
July 25 to August 4, 1975, The name was
suggested by the programming committee,
under the direction of chairman Don Kay,
The committee also learned from_ Joe
Atkinson, who represented the Retail Mer-
chants Association, that the businessmen
Want to take a more active part in the Cen-
tennial celebrations. Mr. Atkinson, along
with chairman Russ Archer arid secretary
Tom Feeney, attended a meeting of the
Leamington Centennial committee last
week. The t ssex County town is
-109th Year - No. 26
BY WILMA OKE
Tuckersmith Township Council, at a
special session, Tuesday, discussed
replacing the bridge on sideroad 20-21,
concession 4 H.R.S. and will ask Burns
Ross Ltd, of Goderich to prepare plans for
the new bridge.
Applications for building permits were
approved for Allan Geddes, Egiizttridvilte
garage; Ken Williams RR 4, Clinton, Es'
garage; Ontario Hydro, RR 5, Clinton, a
new relay building on part lot 5, concession
1 HRS; Lloyd Garland, Vanastra, moving
buildings; Stuart Wilson, RR 1, Brucefield,
implement shed; Bill Chipchase, Kippen,
addition to trailer.
Nick Hill, Goderich, Huron County plan-
ning department outlined the proposal to
convert the four buildings in the north east
part of Vanastra which were the former Of-
ficers quarters into four 24-unit apartment
building.
celebrating its centennial this year,
Mr, Atkinson was also given approval to
name a bowling tournament the "Clinton
Centennial 'Sweeps." He said that next
year a tournament would be held at his
Crown Bowling Lanes and would feature
top bowlers from across Ontario competing
for $3,000 in prize money.
In other business, the committee ap-
proved the purchase of 80,000 paper place
mats that will be sold to area restaurants.
The mats promote the Centennial and give
a brief rundown of the events planned. The
idea was brought forth by publicity chair-
Man Bob Mann.
Weather'{
1974 1973
HI 1.0 HI LO
JUNE
18 67 50 75 52
19 65 54 83 58
20 80 60 82 66
21 74 53 78 57
22 70 47 75 58
23 64 46 72 55
24 70 47 71 56
Rainfall 1.03 Rainfall .62
Mr. Hill said the existing sewer facilities
now handling about 65,000 gallons of
waste per day will handle the additional
amount as the plant has a capacity for
100,000 gallons based on the ability of the
receiving stream - the Bayfield River. He
added that the plant is getting near the
Capacity and any further growth would
'require building additipnal.sewer facilities.
e"...rrhe propOsal -is to be submitted to Hilion
County Council at the June 28th meeting
for approval and then will go to the
ministry of housing for the final approval.
County council must approve the
designation of the four buildings from com-
mercial and institutional to residential.
John Van Gastel and Fred Ginn, the
owners of the Vanastra property, had
originally planned to use two of the
buildings for a hotel complex and the other
two were to be used in a sports complex.
Both projects fell through.
Reeve Elgin Thompson and councillor
The committee also decided to pay for
expenses incurred by Clinton firemen for
taking the town's 1928 fire truck around to
various events, advertising the Centennial.
Don Nall, ways and means chairman
reported that $150 profit was realized from
the beef draw and two members of the
Clinton Christian Reformed Church were
present to discuss the possibilities of put-
ting on the farewell brunch next year,
A striking committee of Mrs. Ruth Boy,
Mrs. Dorothy Prey and Joe Atkinson will
look into housing, a queen contest and Con-
cessions.
The Clinton Centennial Pace for a purse
of $1,500 will be the feature race this Sun-
day as the Clinton Kinsmen Raceway
opens for another summer.
The Centennial Pace includes, from the
rail out: Colas Duchess, owned and driven
by Melford Lester of Forest; H.P. Break,
owned and driven by Larry DeCaluwe of
Lucan; Deccas Council, owned by Howard
and Don Kennedy of Hanover with
Howard on the bike; C.D. Dust, owned by
Frank and Gerry Johnston of Goderich
with Earl Hyatt up; Frosted Flakes, owned
by Eric Schellenberger of Clinton with Don
Corbett driving; and Miss Belie Bars,
owned by Fred Fowler of Londesboro and
Cleave Coombs will visit the Jim Brown Jr.
home in Egmondville Saturday morning to
determine what should be done to over-
come a drainage problem around his lot.
Council accepted the Nott Drain petition
and will notify the Maitland Valley Con-
servation.
By-laws were passed giving final ap-
proval, to 'sell a IQ' strip of land to fiVe
Vanastra residents and to authorize the'
purchase by Tuckersmith Council of
property for the new recreation complex
being established at Vanastra, which in-
cludes park land, curling rink and Com-
munity Centre.
Clerk James McIntosh reported the con-
struction of the new swimming pool in the
park land is well under way. It is being
built by Granada Construction of London
at a cost of $14,998.
The Huron County Health Unit now
requires all plumbing installations or
alterations to be inspected by the unit
engineers.
The ministry of treasury, economics and
intergovernmental affairs has informed
council the 1974 unconditional grant for
Tuckersmith has been increased to a total
of -$15,690.
Council refused to support the idea of a
provincial outlet lottery to aid
municipalities stricken by natural disasters
as proposed by the city of Nanicoke; endor-
sed a resolution from the Township of Pitt-
sburgh (Port Dover) requesting a change in
the tax penalty to two per cent per month;
and endorsed the resolution from the
Regional municipality of Peel which
requests the province to define the duties of
crossing guards.
The ministry of treasury, economics and
intergovernmental affairs has set the 1974
grant in lieu of taxes for Conestoga College
at Vanastra at $1,050.
Tuckersmith Council will inform the
Seaforth Town Council it is willing to go
along with the proposed day care centre in
Seaforth, providing there is no deficit
allowed to occur and users of the centre
pay 100 per cent of the costs.
driven by Frank MacDonald' of Clinton.
The winner of the Centennial Pace will
be presented with a silver tray donated by
Ball-Macaulay Ltd., and a blanket donated
by the Town of Clinton, who are also
kicking in half of the Purse.
There is also an impressive sum of stakes
money up for grabs this summer at the
raceway, as Clinton will stage races worth
more than $45,000.
The Ontario Harness Horsemeni
Association-Belvedere Stake will be in
Clinton on July 14 with three races worth a
total of $7,000. On July 21, the Ontario
Sired Stakes Series will debut in Clinton
with a $9,000 added race for two-year-old
trotting colts.
On August 4, the two-year-old pacing
fillies will be here for another $9,000 race,
and on August 25, the three-year-old
pacing colts will be in town, racing for a
purse of $9,000 added. The three-year-old
filly trot will be in town on September 22,
racing for a purse of $9,000.
Antique sale on
The Clinton Antique Auction Sale is set
to go this coining Saturday, Sunday, and
Montlay,'but unless organizers of the event
get more participation, the Centennial
project will be little more than a token
,event,
The event, to take place at the arena on
all three days, was to sell antiques gar-
nered on a consignment or donation basis
and the money raised was to be used to
finance Clinton's Centennial celebrations
next year. Several local auctioneers have
donated their services to sell the antiques.
The committee is still desperately
looking for donations or consignments and
anyone interested should contact Don Hall,
L.G. "Skip" Winter, Percy Brown, or John
Anstett within the next two or three days if
they have an item to consign or donate.
Clinton's other Centennial project,
"Clinton potpourri", an art and craft fair
to be held on August 23 and 24 at the
arena, has met with more success and
nearly all the 50 spaces available for
booths have been spoken for, chairperson
Dorothy Frey reports.
The art and crafts show will feature
sellers and exhibitors from across Ontario,
who will be displaying and selling such
diverse items as painted china, stone crafts,
rag dolls, walnut craft, wood toys, maple
products, leather products, floral crafts, art
work and jewellery.
The show will also feature a tea room
with home baked goods, draws on a hand-
made quilt, a tablecloth, and a floral
arrangement, donated by craftsmen at the
show, There will also be a bake show.
Organizers, who hope to make it an an-
nual event, are looking for a church group
or organization to contribute to the bake
sale booth, and anyone interested is to con-
tact Mrs. Frey at 482-9657.
them to gain access to the Clinton Conser-
vation Area from Highway 8.
The grant will cover a one acre purchase
from Fred Ginn, of a piece of property mid-
way between Clinton and the Vanastra
Road. The purchase will also round out the
boUndary of the Authority's land in the
valley land. Located on the land is a small
frame house, which the Authority plans to
utilize for storage and administration pur-
poses in the future.
The Authority hopes to develop the 134
acres as an open-space, river valley
parkland system along the Bayfield River
between the Vanastra Road and Highway
4. The Authority currently has a narrow
access lane from Highway 4.
The Authority's technical staff, along
with the summer students will be carrying
out a study this summer to see what the—
public's views are on developing the area,
including woodlot improvement,
reforestration, and management to be
carried out over the next five years.
A more detailed development plan,
possibly consisting of picnicing, swimming,
and camping facilities will follow if studies
indicate a demand for such facilities,
Centennial week officially named
Tuckersmith discusses new bridge