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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1971-05-06, Page 1TURN SOD — Despite wet weather conditions Saturday morning the official sod turning ceremony for the Grand Bend Medical Centre was held. Chairman Bill Sturdevant handles the shovel at the left with contractor George Kadelecik and construction chairman Harry Hamilton sharing duties at the right. T-A photo Ninety-sixth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, MAY 6, 1971 Price Per Copy 15 Cents ,,,,rmoni.T440W4W177-: S Bill Gilfillan this week asked a council to accept his resignation or give him a leave of absence from the planning board while proceedings are underway to rezone property he owns on Wellington Street. The planning board and council have already approved rezoning the south side of the block bet- ween William and Carling to commercial, which would permit Gilfillan to erect another warehouse beside the one he now operates from the former "onion shed." He made the request on the basis that some objectors may feel there is a conflict of interest regarding Wellington • St., although it was noted he has not Plan board member resigns to facilitate rezonin., debate a FLAMES GUT BUILDING The former Kirkton bake shop, now serving as a residence for John Lapointe, was gutted by flames late Monday night. Cause of the blaze has not been determined and is under investigation by Robert Kaufman of the Eire Marshal's office, Lapointe escaped from the building but all his possessions were destroyed, T-A photo Remember those old-time tent revival meetings? Well, if Exeter council mem- bers have their way, that's what they'll remain — a memory, at least if one is planned for a residential area. Monday night a request came from a property owner for per- The reeve from Grey, Charles Thomas, noted he was in favor of the county welfare plan in principle but he was not satisfied, he said, with the taxing system. "Paying on an assessment basis, it is almost guaranteed we'd spend more than our share in Grey," stated Thomas. "I'd like to vote in favor of county welfare if it didn't put us at a disadvantage because of the taxing system. I would like to see — Please turn to page 3 • 04 AID POLLUTION PROBLEM A Sunday school group from Cavell spent Saturday morning in the Morrison Dam area picking up garbage, Jarvis is shown with 25 bags of debris they were able to gather, County to administer welfare despite townships opposition JOINS POLICE Merle Idle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Idle, Exeter, recently completed the recruit orientation course at the OPP college in Toronto. Cadet Idle has been posted to the Sault Ste. Marie OPP detachment. Members of Huron County Council voted themselves a raise in pay for committee meetings during their April session and also granted the Warden of the county $800 extra per annum as well as an expense account. Effective July 1 this year, councillors will receive $28.50 per day for committee meetings, a 71/2 percent increase over their present wage scale, of $25 per day. Provisions were also made for an annual review of com- mittee pay. Also effective July 1, the warden's honorarium will be hiked from $1200 to $2000. He will also receive an expense account for "legitimate public relations expenses" paid out on behalf of the county. It was agreed, however, that Little doubt about feeling entered any of the discussion relating to the matter. He also said his presence may affect a proper decision and some objectors may not come forward because if he is a member of the board they may feel they would not be on an equal basis, "In summary, my presence could affect in some way the proper democratic process, and might lead some to believe it helped in the rezoning of the area. This I definitely do not wish to happen, for either my fellow members or myself." Council discussed the matter at some length and noted that a leave of absence would technically still make Gilfillan a member of the board, so they decided that in fairness to him, they should accept the resignation. There was no move to name a successor and it was hinted council may leave the position vacant and reappoint Gilfillan after the rezoning has been dealt with. In the matter of the rezoning, council received a written ob- jection from C, V. Laughton, on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. John "Gibby" Gibson, who own the property adjacent to the warehouse. Gibson is presently an im- migration officer for the Canadian government in Pakistan. Laughton's letter noted that at the time of the original hearing when the official plan was ap- proved, residents on Wellington St. were assured they would be protected. A letter was also received from John Longworth, planning ad- visor with the department of municipal affairs who attended a recent meeting of the planning board. He noted the future use of Wellington St. frontage is a particularly difficult one since it necessitates reconciling a demand for the immediate use of the property with the long term land use goal of the official plan, which can only be realized by the elimination of three non- conforming uses. The three nonconforming uses are the Gilfillan warehouse, the former hatchery owned by Eric Carscadden and the bulk fuel storage of Art Clarke. Longworth contends that the elimination of the three non- conforming uses appears to be a practical possibility due to the relatively limited investment in the three buildings in question and their age and condition. He said the best use for the land Grand Bend council learned Monday night that a pumping station for the use of boaters for sewage disposal will be available this summer. Another lottery given approval Area residents are having plenty of opportunity to get rich this year, although the odds against them may be high. Lotteries, now that they have been legalized, are cropping up from all corners and in the past two months, Exeter council has approved the sale of tickets on three lotteries, Monday night they gave per- mission for the local Kinsmen to sell tickets on a province-wide lottery sponsored by Ontario Kinsmen clubs. The local club's share of the proceeds will be used for local service work. would be for multiple dwelling units and indicated he differed with board members in their contention the land should be commercial because of industrial traffic on the street, "I am not convinced an alternative route could not be found through the industrial area to the north," he commented, In his letter, the planning ex- pert also said he was concerned that Exeter's official plan per- mitted an intermixture of housing types, He said sooner or later the planning board will experience a major problem in this area, Council discussed the rezoning for only a short time before turning it back to the planning board. Former Reeve Orval Wassmann appeared before council asking permission on behalf of himself and Harold Amy, owner of the Pier Booth to locate the facilities on property leased by Mr, Amy. Wassmann said a large septic tank would be installed and arrangements had been made to have it pumped whenever necessary. After this year all boaters will be required to have holding tanks for sewage. At the same time Wassmann asked that road bumps be placed on Huron Street to slow down the speed of traffic. He said during the summer months the street in question resembles the Indianapolis Speedway. A reply was received from the Chatham District of the Ontario Provincial Police in reply to a — Please turn to page 3 Seek photos of graduates Within the next month, students from the district will be completing courses at various Schools of higher learning. To record their successes, the T-A would be pleased to publish pictures of all graduates, as well as recording the names of all those who have completed their year at universities, teachers' colleges, nursing schools and institutes of technology. Most photographers who take graduation pictures are happy to supply glossy prints for newspaper reproduction. The size of these photos should be approximately one and three- quarter inches wide and three inches deep. Information included with the picture should list the particular training which the student has completed, as well as any awards won and what future employment. he or she plans to follow. Two injured in collision Two persons ,.sustained Minor injuries in the five accidents reported by the Exeter OPP detachment this week. Catherine Morrissey, Parkhill, received minor injuries when the car in which she was riding was involved in a collision on the Mount Carmel Road last Wed- nesday, Driver of the car was Madeleine Glavin, Parkhill, The other vehicle was operated by Barry Tomlinson, St. Marys. Constable Bob Whiteford listed damage at S1,100. He set damage at the same amount in another crash the same day when a car driven by Mrs. Myrtle Miller, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, went off High- way 83 and hit a hydro pole. The lady sustained facial lacerations in the crash. Another accident was in- vestigated the same day by Constable Don Mason. It again involved only one vehicle, that being driven by Gordon Scott, Crediton. He struck a tree on the 5th and 6th concession of Stephen and damage was listed at $400. There was one accident, Friday, involving vehicles operated by Charles Browning, Crediton, and Alma McAllister, Centralia. They collided at Huron Park and Constable Whiteford estimated total damage at $400. The final crash' of the week occurred Sunday on Brock St., Hensall, A car driven by John Michael Pounder, London, collided with a tree. Constable Ed Wilcox in- vestigated and set damage at $500. During the week, the detach- ment officers charged eight drivers under the Highway Traffic Act and issued warnings to another 15. One charge was laid under the Liquor Control Act and three under the Criminal Code. Enter Cottages Constable Bob Whiteford is investigating the break and enter of six cottages at Maple Grove subdivision on Lake Huron, north of Grand Bend. Curiosity was apparently the motive as very little property was stolen. mission to rent vacant land to a group wishing to erect a tent to stage meetings during the summer months. Noting the parking problem that would arise in the residential area and the noise which may be associated with such an event, council decided to refuse the permission, although they weren't certain they had such powers. The situation hinges on whether or not a tent can be described as a structure. Kirkton fire investigated Robert Kaufman of the Ontario Fire Marshal's office has been called into investigate a fire which gutted the residence of John Lapointe in Kirkton, Monday night. • The fire in the former Kirkton bake shop broke out around 11:00 p.m. and the Exeter fire brigade fought the stubborn blaze for over three hours before they had it under control. The fire spread in several directions in the upper storey, and just as firemen got one spot controlled, flames broke out in another portion of the frame structure. Lapointe managed to escape from the building without any problem, but all his possessions were destroyed. Damage was estimated at around $3,000 and the owner said he had only enough insurance to cover the mortgage on the structure. No other buildings in the hamlet were threatened and firemen had an ample water supply frtirn the nearby stream, The entire morning and a large part of the afternoon at the April session of Huron County Council Thursday was taken up with heated discussion concerning the pros and cons of a county welfare system, but by mid-afternoon council voted 20 to 19 in favor of the system which will take welfare matters out of the hands of the local municipalities and put all residents on the same basis as far as welfare is con- cerned. First estimates are that the plan will cost the county between $30,000 and $40,000 per annum depending on the size of the staff engaged. Of this money, 50 percent would be refunded by the province of Ontario making the net cost to the ratepayers of Huron County $15,000 to $20,000. The recorded vote showed that those in favor of county welfare were Warden Jack Alexander, John Baker, Derry Boyle, Paul Carroll, (2) Frank Cook, Cecil Desjardine, Joe Dietrich, Gerry Ginn,David Gower (2) Gordon Hess, Harold Lobb, Robert Lyons, D. R. MacGregor, J. L. McCutcheon, Doug McNeil, Ed Oddleifson, Charles Thomas and Harold Wild. Those opposed were George Baillie, Allan Campbell, Bill Elston, Lloyd Ferguson, John Flannery, Hugh Flynn, Eugene Frayne, Elmer Hayter, Lloyd Hendrick, Joe Hoffman, Alec McGregor, Everett Mcllwain, Anson McKinley, Ken McMichael, Roy Pattison, Girvin Reed, Harold Robinson and Elgin Thompson. Discussion showed that the greatest welfare problem is in the urban areas of the county where people come seeking jobs and other services. Many rural representatives who come from municipalities where the welfare problem is almost non-existent were reluctant to support a program which was going to cost them more money at the local level. "If McKillop township had industry in it like some of the municipalities I don't think we'd kick about county welfare," stated Allan Campbell, reeve of McKillop. "We can look after our own welfare problems ef- ficiently." Reeve Paul Carroll, Goderich, said he felt it would be a "regressive step" to turn down county welfare just because one's own municipality did not have a problem. "We are here to represent 50,000 people," said Reeve Carroll, "not only those people in our municipality. We should be striving for a uniform social service equal to or surpassing the provincial standard for our people." "Let's try to keep cost down as much as possible," retorted Allan Campbell. "I'm not afraid to bet that in three years time we will be understaffed in the county welfare department and the costs could be $60,000 or $65,000. Our revenue on the farm is not very big. Gentlemen, let's keep the costs to the taxpayers down to a minimum." "I agree with the Reeve of Goderich, " stated Derry Boyle, Exeter reeve. "We're here for the whole county. If we're not, we might as well stay at home and look after our own municipalities." Give permits for two new houses Two new house permits were approved by Exeter council this week. They were for homes to be erected by the Strathroy firm of Zwart and Graansma and both structures are planned for Sherwood Crescent in the Dow subdivision. One will be on the north side of the street and the other on the south. Last week the firm received a permit for a new home on Pryde Boulevard. r Exeter council let it be known where they stand on the matter of regional government this week. Without even hearing the reasons behind a resolution from St. Catharines, they concurred with it. The resolution calls on the Ontario government to withhold a the implementation of regional government. St. Catharines has already been placed in regional govern- ment and officials have com- plained about the situation on numerous occasions. There weren't even any pros or cons discussed at the Exeter meeting. They obviously had their minds made up and readily concurred with asking the government to stop regionalism, Council also concurred with a resolution from Port Credit asking for the right of appeal for municipalities against federal assessment on federal buildings. At the present time the municipalities have no right to appeal any assessment on a federal building which they feel may be too low. t County councillors okay pay increase the warden's victory party ,in January will remain the in- coming warden's own respon- sibility. "He is the victor, that night he is the victim," quipped Clerk John Berry, Reeve Elgin Thompson of Tuckersmith urged council not to approve the raise for county councillors at this time. "This is not a good time to go for a raise in pay," advised Thompson. "It should be con- sidered a provilege to serve on county council. The federal government didn't set a good example either." Reeve Paul Carroll, Goderich, said that while he considers it a real privilege to represent Goderich and work for the people of Huron he does not believe he should "pay an economic penalty for this privilege." On a recorded vote, 26 councillors voted for their raise and only 11 were opposed. Those in favor were Warden Jack Alexander, George Baillie, -John Baker, Allan Campbell, Paul Carroll (2) Frank Cook, Cecil Desjardine, Joe Dietrich, Bill Elston, Lloyd Ferguson, Eugene Frayne, Gerry Ginn, David Gower, (2) Elmer Hayter, Lloyd Hendrick, Gordon Hess, Joe Hoffman, Harold Lobb, D. R. MacGregor, Alec McGregor, Everett Mcllwain, Ed Oddleif- son, Roy Pattison, Girvin Reed, Charles Thomas and Harold Wild. Those opposed were: Derry Boyle, Wilmer Cuthill, John Flannery, Hugh Flynn, Robert Lyons, J. L. McCutcheon, Anson McKinley, Ken McMichael, Doug McNeil, Harold Robinson and Elgin Thompson. Reeve Derry Boyle, Exeter, and Reeve Elgin Thompson then entered a motion that county councillors pay for their own meals while attending county council sessions. That motion was also defeated. In the matter of the warden's salary, Gordon Hess, chairman of the executive committee noted — Please turn to page 3 *44,4 Presbyterian church in Exeter The group led by Mrs. Wilfred T-A photo DECORATE FOR AT HOME — An underwater theme is being used in Friday's annual At Home dance at South Huron District High school. Shown putting the finishing touches on an enormous sea horse are Betty Jean Miller and student council president Burton Moon. T-A photo Plan sewage disposal for GB boat visitors LICENCE TIME AGAIN — It's time again for purchase of bicycle licences in the town of Exeter. Above, Constable Ardell McIntyre helps Elaine Kestle and Heather Meikle in their plate installation. Just a memory?