HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1974-10-17, Page 1Clinton, Ontario 25 cents
'Thursday, October 17, 1974
Weather
19.74
OCTOBERHI L°
1973 ,
HI LO
8 49 , 31 72 5?
9 57 43 74 52
10 58 40 76 47
11 ' 70 42 74 49
12 60 48 79 55
13 55 32 69 59
14 62 44 63 48
Rain ,76" Rain ,82"
109th Year -.No, 42
Petition bearing 12l names protests
firing: of Constable; Council backs Chief.
Several pf the ladies of the UCW of Wesley-Willis United Church 'dressed up in
pioneer attire in preparation for the"'Turn of the Century" bazaar and bake sale
at the Church on November 2, Left to right are Mrs. Adell Jervis, Mrs. Aileen
Craig, Mrs. Greta Nediger, and Mrs. Donna Woods, (News-Record photo)
Tenders opened Nov. 8
~ayf field Housing Project
According to a reliable Ontario govern-
ment source, Rockledge Properties Limited
has received notice it can now go ahead
with 'plans for construction of a shopping
plaza in Goderich Township if the company
still has such plans to do so.
Goderich spokesman for Rockledge,
Gord Smith, confirmed the report in a brief - .
telephone conversation Wednesday rinon.
Mrs. Anne Beaumont, Director of the Of-
ficial Plans Branch of the Ontario Ministry
of Housing,- told the Signal-Star early Wed.
nesday - morning that following • - examination for discovery proceedings con-.
MP adds new
man to staff
R. E. McKinley, MP for Huron.
Middlesex, announced this week that he
has added a new member to his staff in the
person of .David Royal, son of Rev. and
Mrs. G. L. Royal, Goderich.
He received his B.A. in History in 1973
following two years' study at Sir Wilfrid
Laurier University, Waterloo, and one year
at McGill University,, Montreal. Formerly
employed by the Bank of ,Commerce in
Montreal, Mr. Royal's duties will include
research and committee organization, as
well as • other responsibilities' associated
with the. Chief Opposition Whip's 'office.
Some of the prettiest girls were picked for the cheerleaders at
Central Huron Secondary School this year, Front row left to
right are Jane Syrnons, Louise Brochu, Gayle Le Croix,
Joanne PaiMer, Nancy Kuehl, and Janice Pepper.. Second row
are Joanne COchrene, Katie Walden, Lori Blair, Faith Renner,
and Lori Biggin, Back row are Marg Keys, Carla Brodie, Liz
Davidson, Cindy Middleton, and Marilyn Meyer, (photo by Jack
Hunt)
Finally, she did accede to the request fer
the, names,
The Mayor asked Mrs. Tench if she had
spoken to the Ontario Police Commission
or the local Police Association. She had
not.
"We have no authority over these,
bodies," he averred.
Councillor Roy Wheeler contended that
the petition was "ptire,supposition" unless
the names of the signers were included.
"Why was he (Constable MbDonell)
fired? Why was he not given his 18 months
probation?" Mrs. Tench asked. "Why did
he not have the choice of resigning? Why
should this young man's character be
ruined?"
Councillor Don Hall defended Council's
action and declared that Constable
McDonell had these two procedures before
him if he wished to use them..
Under close questioning by Mrs. Tench,
the Mayor admitted that the constable had
to the best of his abilities and in the best
interests of the' community since he was
hired by Council (in November 1973). Since
a probationary period of 18 months is
allowed during which a constable may be
released, we believe that if the Committee
'and this Council are still convinced with
specific reason or reasons that Constable
McDonell is not best suited to work in this
community, he should have the privilege of
resigning rather than being fired`so as not
to jeopardize his future in police work".
. Presentation of the petition was
"covered". by Global Television as well' as
The London Free Press and The News-
Record.
Mayor Donald Symons requested the
names of the 121 residents on the petition.
However, Mrs. Tench steadfastly
refused,.giving a variety of reasons — such
as "being needed in court" — "fear of
reprisal" — "fear of revenge by police" —
"fear of tires being slashed" — "fear of
being criticized"..
A reward of $1,000 has been offered for
the arrest and conviction of pers'on or per-
sons instrumental in burning Clinton Cop-
stable Wayne McFadden's private car.
The decision was made 'by motion of
Clinton Town Council at Tuesday
evening's meeting.
It will be recalled that the car was stolen''
from in front of the Town Hall early Sun-
day morning, September 29, and was found
an hour later burning at the north end of
Clinton race track.
The 1970 Chrysler car, worth $2,300, was
A petition, bearing the names of 121
Clinton residents, was presented to Clinton
Town Council Tuesday evening after more
than an hour's useless debate regarding its
admissibility.
CONTENTS OF PETITION
Presented by Helen R. Tench, public ac-
countant, 212 James St., Clinton, on behalf
of the group, the petition read as follows:
"We the undersigned, protest the firing
by the Police Committee of Clinton of Con-
stable Don McDonell. The Police Commit-
tee has publicly stated only that Constable
McDonell was 'fired' for 'personal reasons'.
As Constable McDonell was 'not at the
meeting, nor invited to attend it, the 'per-
sonal reasons' must be those of the Police
Committee, not of Constable McDonell.
"We believe these reasons should be
made public, as we believe Constable
McDonell to be a responsible police officer
who has carried out his professional duties
BY DICK ATlini•
AUTUMN
Listen! The .wind is rising,
And the air is wild with leaves;
We have hod our summer evenings,
Now for October eves!
—Humbert Wolfe (1885-1940)
BURN THE LEAVES BUT RESPECT`
YOUR NEIGHBOUR!" That seems to
sum up the current "leaves situation"
which; is bothering many people in Clinton,
* * *
NOTWITHSTANDING COMMON
BELIEF, Town Council has not decreed
that leaves should not be burned alleged
police activity to the contrary. All Council
did officially on . the matter was to publish
in THE NEWS RECORD on September
12, a' paid advertisement quoting a portion
of the Ontario Pollution 'Control Act,
(1967), with penalties.
CLOSER INSPECTION of the announ-
cement indicates that burning leaves in it-
self, is not the problem; but the effects on
one's neighbours. We quote:"No person
shall cause or permit the emission of any
it contaminant to such extent Or degree as
may (a) cause discomfort to persons; (b)
ause loss of enjoyment of normal use of
roperty (c) interfere with normal conduct
if business; or (d) cause damage to
roperty." So there you are!
* * *
REVIEWING THE MATTER, Council
as brought into the controversy through a
tier received frim a local lady who suf..
red from a serious lung condition. Coun.
on Hall inv.estigated the .problem and
iund that there already is provincial
gislation (Ontario PollutiOn Control Act)
hich would seem to prohibit the open bur-
ing of leaves and debris which may cause
iscomfort to a neighbour.
CONDUCT OF THE LEAF BURNERS
a personal affair, and only a, matter of
immon decency it would appear?..,
ontract signed
A contract was expected to be signed
)(lay between Ontario Housing Cori
',ration and Taro Properties Limited of
t. Catharines for construction of the 19-
bit Senior Citizens' Apartments to be
uilt on King Street on properties, pur-
ased by the town, and having houses
timbered 130 and 138, Mayor Donald
ynions stated at Clinton Town Council
eeting Tuesday evening.
It is hoped that construction will get tin-
rway before year's end,
At a special meeting, Town Council, as
quired,agreed to pay the town's share of
/2 percent of any operating deficit.
An architect's ?sketch of the structure is
w hanging on the wall of the Town Clerk, C Proctor's office.
been released by Chief of Police Lloyd
Westlake on his authority. (Constable
McDonell was fired on September 27 and
was officially through his duties on October
2).
Reeve Harold Lobb, a member of the
town's Police Committee, said "As far as I
am concerned, the information asked for
will not be released, We do not need to give
any reason at all."
Mrs. Tench pointed out 'that there was
no Council motion on record concerning
the "firing" of Constable McDonell which
she thought was a serious error.
McDonell, 27, was not at the meeting.
Six other signers of the petition besides
Mrs. Tench stood up when Mayor Symons
requested all those in the audience .to do
so.
The former constable, a probationary
member of Clinton's five-man police force
for less than a year, served four years with
the RCMP before moving to London in'
1970 to work as a private investigator.
which are already approved for the
proposed Rockledge development would be
permitted. Any changes or alterations to
the original plans would be subject to the
order of the Minister,
Rumors this week in Goderich and area
that the "freeze" had been lifted' in
,GoderAgh l'owns,Wp, were ',not confirmed.
•
Murray datipt, MPP iitr Huron-liroCe -
saidVednesday morning that the matter is
presently under review. He noted, however,
that the building permit held by Rockledge
Properties Limited was found to he valid
Aespite the "freeze".
MPP .Jack Riddell was away from his of-
fice on business and could not he reached
for comment.
completely gutted. The attack on the car
was the fourth such incident, involving
Clinton policemen, this year.
Stanley negotiating
Stanley and Hay Townships and the
village of Zurich are trying to reach an
area fire, fighting agreement which would
be effective January 1.
At present, the village responds to fires
in the two townships and charges a flat
rate. Under the new agreement, fire protec-
tion would be extended and improved.
By Milvena Erickson
Gordon Hickory, Development Officer for
Ontario Housing Corporation, was present
at the Bayfield Village council meeting and
outlined the 17-unit Senior Citizens
Housing project to be built. Tenders have
been called and bids 'will be opened on
Wednesday Nov, 6, he reported.
Mr. Hickory said .the apartment building
will be built to blend in with the Village
concept and will be of buff brick and
rough-sawed cedar; the grounds will be at-,
tractively _landscaped with small garden
plots for the use of the residents,• and will
have' a rail fence along the side and front.
In order to ,qualify for a unit,. a person
roust' Nye a one-year resitIlency in the
Village and successful applicants will be
chosen by a points system by the Tenant
Placement Officer for Ontario Housing
Corporation, Those people with the
greatest need will be selected as top
priority residents, Mr. Hickory emphasized,
Pleads Oct. 25
Trial of a youth facing nine chargeS
following a disturbance outside a Clinton
apartment in July was adjourned for plea
to Oct. 25 in provincial court at Goderich,
Friday.
Wayne Coombs, 18, Seaforth, faces two
charges of uttering threats against Clinton
police; one of assaulting Constable Don Ar-
mstrong; one of assaulting former 'Con-
stable Donald McDonell; one charge of
wilful damage to a Clinton police cruiser;
one. charge of possession of ammunition;
one charge of dangerous driving and two
charges of having liquor in a place other
than a residence.
The charge of possession of ammunition
was laid under Section 86 of the Criminal
Code which makes it an offence to possess
ammunition in a manner "dangerous to the
safety of other persons."
Hullett Township Council, at its meeting
on October 7, in Londesboro Community
Hall, heard Chris Kiar of Burns Ross
Associates, explain the situation regarding
certain road allowances in the Maitland
Block. George Wraith also was present as
An interested party,
On motion of Councillors John Jewitt
and Milton 'Dale, Council decided to accept
the plan submitted and instructed the
Clerk to have the affected owners notified
and the Township Solicitor prepare con-
veyances of affected lands.
COURT OF REVISION
A court of revision was held on the Van
Dorp drain with Hugh Flynn as chairman.
Two affected owners were present but there
were no appeals.
BIDS ON VAN DORP
DRAIN
The 'Clerk reported that, a call for ten.
ders had been placed in the local papers
but 'there had been no replies. On motion of
Charles Scanlon and Milton Dale, the
Clerk was instructed to invite contractors
to submit bids to construct the Van Dorp
drainage works.
BUILDING PERMITS
Building permits were issued as follows:
B. Haverkamp, Garage and Implement
Shed, Lot 26, Con. 1; Ray Hoggarth, Lot
Con, 11, Porch on House; Fred Laurence,
Pt. 28, Pl. 2, Con. 14; P. Westerhout, In
pleinent Shed, Lot 08, Con, 10; James 'Car'
ter, implement Shed, Lot'4, Cori. 2; George
MAP OFFER DECLINED
Kake Reder, Goderich Township Coun-
cillor, approached council asking if
Bayfield would care to share the cost of a
map from a• survey of Goderich Township
in May 1974. Council declined.
Correspondence included invitations to
attend Ontario Good Roads convention in
Toronto at the Royal York on. February 24
to 26; and the Ontario Schools Conference
at Holiday Inn, London, on October 30, 31
and November 1.
In other business, Council supported a
resolotiim from. the Village of Zurich regar-
ding additional grants, when,munieipalities
are forced to tiodate their recreational
facilities;. received the cheque for 4,675.
from Ontario Housing Corporation for the
property purchased for the Senior Citizens'
Housing and ordered a wreath to lay at the
Cenotaph for Remembrance Day, Novem-
ber 11,
Radio set-up
now'established
Radio communications have now been
established at the Hullett Wildlife
Management area as of last Friday.
The erection of a new tower and in-
stallation of a radio will enable the staff
stationed at Hullett to be in constant radio
contact with the Wingham District office of
the ministry of natural Resources and also
with the conservation officers who are
patrolling the area in cars.
According to Dave Ablett, the field ser-
vices manager of the Wingham office, en-
forcement problems will be cut to a
minimum because of the new radio setup.
The new Hullett station will also act as a
relay station for vehicles on patrol in the
southern end of the Wingham district.
Hoggart, Pit Silo, Lot 33, Con. 11; subject
to Township By-Laws and 'Department
Health approval where applicable.
BEANE DRAIN TENDER
There was one tender on the Beane
Drain from Inglis Construction and as
some items ,were not firmly priced Council
thought that the Owners should be con-
sulted.
It was decided to meet on Oct, 16 at 8:00
o'clock with the landowners on the Beane
Drainage Works No. 1 and 2.
DESTROY DOCUMENTS
A By-Law to permit destruction of cer-
tain municipal documents of the Township
of Hullett, as amended on advice from the
Auditor, was passed,
Council accepted the Inspector's Report
of approval of Drainage Works on Lot 3,
Con. 7, owned by W. C. Millson, and in-
structed Clerk to prepare necessary By-
Laws, also on Lot 5, Con, 6.
Council supported the resolution of the •
Zurich Recreation Committee re additional
Grants to Municipalities that are forced to
upgrade Recreation facilities,
DONATION TO POPPY FUND
Council decided in favour of mailing a
donation to the Blyth Legion (Poppy Fund)
and for a Wreath, and to permit Vithastra
Recreation Board to 801 lottery tickets
within the Township,
RATEPAYERS' MEETING NOVy NOV12
' cerning the Rockledge proposal, decision'
was handed down in favor of the,
developers.
.She said Rockledge provided "very ex-
cellent information" that the permit for
the shopping' plaza in Goderich Township.
had been approved by municipal ceuncilt1.0
• days prior to the "freeze" virofiOsed"`by
Him. John White.
Mrs, Beaumont added that on the `basil;
of a previous case in Glanford Township
near Woodstock, where the court found in
favor of the developer in .-a similar
situation, the government decided not to.
proceed further with the Rockledge matter,
It is understood that only those plans
Shopping plaza in Goderich Township
Council offers $1,000
reward in car burnin
Hullett accepts plan
regarding Maitland Block