Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1971-03-11, Page 1, :ro 41,01M. • : • • ':°P77:7f7!".r""Mr:7' Ninety-sixth Year EXETER, oNTApp, MARCH 11, 1971 Price Per Copy IS Cents KATHY SIMMONS 80-year-old was blind, disabled ashwood man dies in blaze had always been turned down, His body was taken to Stratford for an autopsy and will be at the Hoffman Funeral Home after being released. After the body was removed from the house, the firemen stayed at the scene until the home was completely levelled, OPP Cpl. Ray Brooks and Constable Don Mason were in charge of the investigation, In addition to his brother, Frederick, Mr. Weiberg is sur- vived by one other brother, Carl (Charlie) of Exeter, and a number of nieces and nephews in the area. A sister, Mrs. Jacob Fischer predeceased him. REMOVE BODY — Firemen, policemen and onlookers assist Hoffman Ambulance attendants as they wade through deep ;now with the body of Henry Weiberg who died when his home was destroyed by fire, Wednesday. T-A photo To face charge Local student top speaker b FIGHT BLAZE — Firemen from Dashwood fought for almost two hours before they had the fire at the Weiberg house under control. over pig cheque A Dorchester man was remanded when he appeared in Exeter court, Tuesday, on a charge of obtaining goods with a worthless cheque, James Earl Allin was charged by Exeter OPP Constable Frank Giffin after a worthless cheque was given in payment for several pigs at the Hensall Sales Arena on February 7. Value of the pigs obtained was listed at $300. Allin will appear in Goderich court, today, and bail was set at $500 cash or $1,000 property by Judge Glenn Hays. Tuesday's court docket was light, with plugged roads making it impossible for some of those charged to appear. In an incident that occurred on Hallowe'en, James Frederick Wood, Exeter, was fined $50 on a mischief charge. The charge was laid in connection with damage to a PUC pole on Highway 83. Wood and George Leroy Bieber, Crediton, had each previously paid $50 on mischief charges for damages caused to a tractor which mounted the pole. Bieber's sentence on the charge involving the pole was reserved until March 23. The court learned that Wood had paid $20 restitution for the damage and that Bieber was going to do the same shortly. In other cases heard, Tuesday, the following fines were levied: Dennis Paul Bierling, Exeter, was fined $50 for consuming liquor while under the age of 21. Joseph Henrie Yelle, Parkhill, was fined $30 for failing to yield the right of way. William Inson, Huron Park, was fined $40 on a charge of common assault, laid after 14- year-old Sharon Rose was struck in the stomach by a piece of ice. RAP will continue playground activity Kathy Simmons, who won the junior division of the public speaking contest sponsored by the Exeter branch of the Canadian Legion at S.H.D.H.S. went on to take top honors in the zone finals at Kincardine, Saturday. This entitles her to compete in the Legion divisional contest held at Hanover next Saturday. The Grade X student, who is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Simmons, spoke on Vanishing Wildlife. She informed her audience that many types of creatures and plant life are in danger of becoming extinct because of man's greed and carelessness. She warned, "Even with all our technical skills, we cannot mass produce animals, trees, plants, fields and streams." Kathy had received in- formation that she was to speak in Kincardine, Sunday, and it wasn't until Saturday afternoon' that her teacher, Bruce Shaw learned. that the students were competing, Saturday. A flying trip to Kincardine got Kathy there just as the other four speakers in her class had finished. With no more time than just to walk on stage, she gave her speech and carried off the top honors. Kathy plans to give the same speech for the Rebekah Lodge United Nations contest this Friday at the High School. Two winners will be chosen to com- pete in Clinton for a two day trip to United Nations in New York later this year. An elderly Dashwopd area bachelor died Wednesday morning when his frame farm home was gutted by flames. Henry Weiberg, who was almost totally blind, lived alone in the house. He had marked his 80th birthday on February 27 along with his twin brother, Fred, who lives across the road, The fire was spotted around 7:30 a,m. by a motorist on High- way 83 who turned in the alarm to the Dashwood fire brigade. When they arrived at the home, less than one mile west of Dash- wood, it was in flames and while they managed to get into the house they were unable to locate Mr. Weiberg. His body was finally recovered around 10:00 a.m, after firemen had the fire under control. The body was taken from the scene by attendants from Hoffman's Ambulance. Cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, although one of the first persons at the scene indicated the fire was near the coal stove in the house and then spread into the upper storey. There was no hydro in the building. Mr. Weiberg used coal oil lamps, although because of his blindness he didn't use them too frequently. He also was partly disabled, having lost his leg when it was cut off by a piece of farm machinery when he was three years old, He had a wooden leg. "We were always afraid something like this would hap- pen," commented a nephew, who was at the scene. However, invitations from members of the family to have Mr. Weiberg move in' with them M HOUSE GUTTED — The home of Henry Weiberg was gutted by flames and Dashwood firemen had to pull off much of the siding to get at the stubborn blaze. OPP Cpl. Ray Brooks is shown at the window at the right taking a picture of the location where Mr. Weiberg's body was found. The siding below the window was then removed to facilitate the removal of his body. T-A photo Resort council seeks to collect back taxes Exeter's Recreation Arena- Parks committee did what most people were doing this week — thinking of summer. With another winter storm howling outside, Monday, the committee members discussed at some length this summer's playground and swimming program. However, even that wasn't all sunshine. They learned that Joan Grand Bend council is planning on taking firm steps to collect summer resort taxes that are in arrears. Councillor Shirley Sylvester Seek advice over trailers who is in charge of the committee to try and reduce the amount of outstanding taxes said she has been conferring with the village solicitor as to the methods to be used in collection. A letter is being drafted and will be sent out shortly to all those in arrears. The amount lof back taxes owing is aout $30,000. Councillor Ivan Luther, chairman of the Grand Bend and area fire committee said his group would be meeting shortly to name a fire chief to succeed Lawrence Mason, who passed away last week. Harry Hamilton is the acting fire chief until a permanent appointment is made. Council will ask the Chamber of Commerce to assist in a spring clean-up and paint-up campaign. Councillor Murray Des Jardins is in charge of parks and beaches and he will be heading the campaign for a brighter and cleaner summer resort for 1971. A building permit was issued to Dale Hayter to add a service bay to his Sunoco service station. Councillor David Jackson, the Please turn to page 3 „. Schools, roads closed Snowmobilers injured Storm batters area again 4 Exeter OPP detachment officers investigated a total of 16 ac- cidents, most of them during the storm. Damage was over $10,000. Badly hurt Most serious of the accidents occurred at 9:05 p.m., Monday, when a snowmobile driven by Floyd Pullman, RR 2 Staffa, was in collision with a car operated by hit hard by the storm as it filled in roads to the tops of the huge snowbanks. High winds filled them in as fast as snowplows attempted to clear them out until the machines were again beaten. On Wednesday, a bulldozer was back in the township attempting to get roads open, although there was hardly any place to push the snow. Usborne road superintendent Bill Routly said it would take until the end of the week to get all the township roads open. "In some places it's almost too much for the bulldozer. The snow is packed in like cement," added the veteran road man. Where roads were open, visibility was reduced to nil throughout most of Sunday and Monday and police closed high- ways off as vehicles started to pile into each other. During the past week the Town had lots of police handy The stormy weather of Monday forced postponement of many planned events including the driver examination tests held each week in Exeter. Inspectors Murray Holmes and Barry Stephens of the Ontario Department of Transport in Clinton were unable to reach Exeter and all appointments were cancelled. The examiners will be back in Exeter, next Monday and anyone wishing information as to ap- pointments should call the Motor Vehicles branch at Seldon Fuels. As a result of the same storm, 13 Peace Officers from the border cities of Sarnia, Windsor, Point Edward and Wallaceburg were stranded in Exeter and billeted in town homes. They were on their way to attend a course at Clinton. The same men dropped into the Exeter police office Tuesday afternoon to extend their thanks to the residents of Exeter for their generous hospitality. Warren, swiminstructress for the past two summers, had accepted a position in St. Marys. In addition, they learned they would probably need an extra instructor this year if they were to continue to offer instruction to as many youngsters as previously. Rec director Alvin Willert was asked to advertise for the staff required. He indicated he would do this soon "so the kids will know what they're doing." The playground program spurred a lengthy discussion. In the past couple of years the numbers attending have dropped considerably and RAP chairman Gord Baynham questioned if the $600 was being spent profitably when only 70 or 80 youngsters were taking advantage of the program. "It's important to a certain number of people and I can't see cutting it out," commented Reeve Derry Boyle. Ruth Durand also indicated she would hate to see it dropped. Willert suggested that the staff could perhaps be cut from four to two and have them employed for the full day at Victoria Park in connection with the wading pool. The program at the Community Park would be dropped. It was noted this would make it necessary for half the children to cross Main St. to get to Victoria Park and Reeve Boyle suggested perhaps one girl could be stationed at Riverview Park to provide a program for youngsters coming or going from the swim program, It was finally decided to carry Please turn to page 3 Bus, snowmobile collide at corner Accidents reported to the Exeter police department this week included those involving a school bus, a snowmobile and gas pumps. The first of two mishaps oc- curred early Sunday morning when a vehicle driven by David Rose, 152 Thames Road East was in collision with the gas pumps at Dobbs Motors, Main street. Constable John Cairns listed damage to the pumps at ap- proximately $200, Monday, a snowmobile driven by Lawrence James McCarthy, RR 8, Parkhill was in collision with a Skinner school bus at the corner of Gidley and Andrew street shortly after the bus left South Huron District High School with a load of students. No injuries were reported by Constable Cairns. The driver of the bus was Lloyd Guenther, Dashwood. McCarthy has been charged with failing to stop at a stop sign. He will appear in Exeter court in April. Seek aid for geese project This is Education Week in Ontario, but for many area 'students and parents they learned only that they live in the province's snow-belt. It was actually a "review lesson". Parents had been invited to attend classes during the week, but for the first two or three days they couldn't get there — neither could their children. Another severe storm hit the area Saturday night and prevailed until early Tuesday morning. Roads became plugged Sunday and in some areas they weren't cleaned out until Wed- nesday. All rural central schools were closed Monday and Tuesday. Some buses brought a few rural students to SHDHS on Monday, but they went home early and no attempt was made to bring them in on Tuesday, 'Osborne Township was again Area sportsmen are combining their efforts to make Morrison Dam reservoir a home for wild geese. Exeter's recreation director Alvin Willert has been enlisting support for his project to place three pair of geese at the reservoir in the hope of raising families and attracting birds as they pass through the area twice a year. The three pair of mating adults would be pinioned so they could not fly, but their young would not be restricted. Willert reports that the young raised would fly south as usual, but would probably make their home at the dam during the summer months, A pair of blue geese and two pair of Canada geese Would be purchased at a total cost of $150. 'Several area sportsmen have already pledged $10 each to the project and anyone wishing to donate to the conservation project could contact Willett personally. If the project is successful, there is a possibility that a pair of geese would be brought into Riverview park in Exeter, -t5r even a pair of swans. Leroy H. Hera, Exeter, just south of Exeter. Pullman sustained a fractured leg and was taken to South Huron Hospital, while a passenger, Leslie McAdam, Ailsa Craig, suffered a compound fracture of the right leg and a fractured pelvis. He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital by Hoffman's Ambulance and is in intensive care, Property damage in the mishap was listed at $600. A brief report of the accidents is as follows: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. — Cars driven by William Carl Nichols, Granton, and Alfred John Har- vey, Centralia, collided about two and a half miles east of Highway 4 on the Biddulph-Usborne Townline. Damage $350. Sunday, 4:50 a.m. — A car driven by Robert Rawlings, Goderich, hit a DHO directional sign at the intersection of High- way 21 and 84. Damage $150. Sunday, 11:20 a.m. — Exeter Police Chief Ted Day was in- volved in an accident while driving south from his home in Hensall. The other driver in- volved on the Highway 4 crash was David Thompson Elgie, London. Damage $400. Sunday, 11:40 a,m. — A car operated by Hedy H. Devine, RR 2 Dashwodd, Was stuck on con- cession 6 in Stephen and was struck from the rear by a vehicle driven by Ronald Sweitzer, RR 5 Stratford. Damage $1,400. Sunday, 12:40 p,m. — A truck driven by Gregory Hill, London, was in collision with a car driven by Albert Ackworth, London, Damage $500. Sunday, 2:00 p.m. — Vehicles operated by Peter Toornstra, llensall, and Vern Trevail, London, collided on Highway 4 — Please turn to page 3 ~XET"ER PUBLIC SCHOOL Grade VIII Science class, under the guidance of teacher John Hartley, proves to be interesting to both parents and students. Mrs. Betty Melvor and Mrs. Val Gould watch while Charlene Turkey and Brenda Cooper work out an experiment, Many activities are taking place at district schools during Education Week. T-A photo AtPLAY OP A PAIVIILIA'n WINTER SCENE — The second heavy storm of the winter again hit the western area of .Exeter with the same vengeance as in January, The house of Marwood Prest, Marlborough Street is shown after Monday's big blow, T.A photo, At the latest meeting of Stephen township council, clerk Wilmer D. Wein was asked to check with the township solicitor regarding control and regulations of trailers and mobile homes in the municipality. At the present time, only regulations of the Huron County Health unit govern the placing of trailers although, the township does collect a licence fee of $8 per month for each trailer used as a residence. Several inquiries have also been received by council regarding the establishment of trailer parks in the township. Clerk-treasurer Wein was instructed to forward the balance of tax arrears for the year 1970 to the County of Huron in Goderich for collection. The amount of 1970 Stephen taxes unpaid at the end of December was listed at $49,500 an increase of about $3,500 over the previous year. A bylaw was passed naming road superintendent Frank Mclsaac as the township trench inspector. At the next meeting slated for March 16, tenders will be opened for the supply of liquid calcium and warble fly powder, The rental fee for use of the township grader by ratepayers was raised to $12 per hour, The previous rate was $10, .4