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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-04-12, Page 1One Hundred arid First Year EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 12, 1973 Price Per Copy 20 Cents Erosion bares septic beds, several cottages condemned but nothing has been done to this moment," he continued. Only last month under pressure from the Health Unit, Huron county council approved in principle the formation of a county-wide building and plumbing inspection department. The Health Unit says such a county department might have headed off today's problem if it had been in operation at the beginning of the cottage building boom. According to Dr. Mills there are no records anywhere of the sewage disposal system con- structed by cottage owners. Dr. Mills blamed several factors for the increased erosion. They are: Record lake levels. Farm drainage which over the years has carved deep gulleys from inland fields to the lake banks. These gulleys are clearly visible all along Highway 21 which runs parallel to the lake. Improper and careless drainage and sewage disposal systems from cottages which extend over the lake banks, eating into the slope. The thick, moisture holding nature of the clay soil with silt seams that allow water to un- dermine the banks. Hillside cottage developments which upset the balance of nature, denuding areas of ground holding vegetation and putting pressure on fragile soil stability. CONTINUES TO CRUMBLE — Huge sections of bank along the shores of Lake Huron continue to crumble as they are undermined by rising waters and pounding waves. In addition to lasing large portions of lawn, many cottagers have'had their septic tank beds exposed and cottages have been ordered unfit by the county health officials. This photo shows the Poplar Beach area where several cottages are endangered as the banks continue to crumble, T-A photo 1973 budget increases adequate with the amount of water being used these days," One of the most affected areas is Poplar Beach, north of Grand Bend, In this area the bank has slipped away only a few yards from cottage front doors. Dr, Mills said in some cases moving cottages is the only an- swer. Two buildings have already been moved at Poplar Beach and another such move is planned. Asked how far south the storm affected properties, Dr. Mills said, "I have been as far south as the Kingsmere subdivision in Stephen township just north of Grand Bend. At Kingsmere the beautiful sand dunes have disappeared completely. Mills said his department will again ask the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for assistance in this problem. "We asked for a survey a year ago on cottage pollution and the Ministry agreed Stephen to restrict trailers Judge dies in Goderich land fill operation and purchase of a bulldozer were cited for the increase in costs. Clerk Wein was instructed by council to investigate possibilities of locating a dog pound. The facilities of the Exeter Veterinary Clinic has been used during the last couple of years but the business has recently been closed. One land severance application was approved. It was to Wayne Woods, Lot 3, Concession A. Harold Finkbeiner was named as a fence viewer to replace Harry Sheppard. Road superintendent Frank McIsaac was instructed to call MOVED IN TIME — The cottage which sat on this foundation was moved last fall after large portions of the bank tumbled down into Lake Huron. Continuing erosion has cut the bank to within a few feet of the former Poplar Beach cottage location. Two other cottages have been moved and several are still endangered. Huron County Judge R. S. Hetherington, 64, collapsed in a Goderich doctor's office Thur- sday and died in Alexandra Marine and General Hospital a half hour later. Dr. J. W. Wallace reported that Judge Hetherington had not been feeling well and collapsed in his office. An autopsy revealed he died from natural causes, Dr. Wallace said the Judge had driven to Owen Sound Thursday morning but was back in Goderich by noon. Judge Hetherington, who served in his capacity for nine years, was called to the bench in 1964. For three years prior to that he was mayor of Winghara. He first entered municipal politics in 1936 when ,he was elected to Wingham town council omwhich he served two terms, 14238 and 1940 he was elected reeve of the village. He served during the Second World War with the 99th Battery, RCA, and when the war ended held the rank of lieutenant- colonel. Judge Hetherington, who formerly practised law in Wingham, was past president of the Huron, Wellington-Huron and Huron-Bruce Liberal Association. Funeral service was held from North St. United Church in Goderich on Sunday afternoon. Five given suspensions for driving infractions After considerable discussion at a special meeting Tuesday night, Stephen township council passed a bylaw restricting the placing of mobile homes in the municipality, Trustees from the three police villages of the township were in attendance. The villages had previously asked for the restrictions. Clerk Wilmar Wein said after the meeting, the complete bylaw will be published in the April 19 edition of the Exeter Times Advocate. Wein added that the bylaw would restrict trailers which were suitable to be drawn behind a vehicle. He said the new law would not apply to pre-fab or factory made homes which are transported to a community and then constructed. At the same meeting the 1973 Stephen budget was approved. For township purposes ex- penditures of $282,536 were set. This figure is up about $12,000 from a year ago. The farm and residential tax rate has been set at 16.7 mills, a rise of 3.2 mills from 1972, The township commercial rate is up 3.37 mills to 21.87 mills. These were the only tax rates set as the requisitions have not been received from Huron County and the Huron Board of Education. Clerk Wilmar Wein said the increase in the budget was due mainly to an increase in costs for garbage disposal at the town- ship's dump located on Con- cession 5. More concentrated stream below. His ear was demolished. He paid another $35 for having liquor in a place other than his residence on the same date, The two restricted suspensions — allowing the persons to drive at stipulated times — were assessed against William L. Medd, Huron Park, and John L. Salnier, also of Huron Park. Salnier was charged with impaired driving following an accident on March 24 and a breathalizer test gave a reading Signs have been placed on numerous cottages along the shores of Lake Huron stating they are "Unfit for Human Habitation." The cottages are located from Grand Bend to Goderich. The signs are being placed by Huron's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Frank Mills and his staff due to damaging of sewage disposal systems by the recent Lake Huron storms, The signs are being placed on the doors of the cottages along with a letter saying any use of the premises is prohibited until sewage systems are repaired, rebuilt or relocated to the satisfaction of the Huron Health Unit. In explaining his move, Dr, Mills told the T-A Tuesday noon, "We just want the owners to realize that they can't use the cottages until the sewage systems have been fixed up. We welcome them to come and talk with us." He continued, "most of the owners who have been in contact with us have been very co- operative. Some can put in ac- ceptable systems without too much trouble but others have real problems because of the lack of land," The Huron MO said in some instances septic tanks were completely exposed by the ravages of the storm through erosion. When asked how many cot- tages have been ordered closed, Dr. Mills replied, "I really don't know. We have no way of knowing who owns the properties so the only way is to put signs on the cottages with our letter asking the people to get in touch with us." Many of the properties are owned by persons from the United States and many points in Ontario. Mills said some property' owners put in acceptable systems with elevated tile beds. Other alternatives are to use holding tank systems or to pump the sewage to adjacent farm lands. A minimum of 2,000 square feet of land is needed for a satisfac- tory septic tank tile bed system. Some suggestions have been made that cottage dwellers return to the use of the old fashioned out-house. Mills said his department would approve of out-houses on a temporary basis only. He added, "they would not be practical for permanent use. They wouldn't be tenders for a new road grader. The 1963 model machine now being used will be traded in. The purchase will be made under the original road expenditure bylaw for 1973, The liquid calcium contract was let to Lee Jennison of Grand Bend, the lowest of three bidders. The Grand Bend firm will supply approximately 125 tons of liquid calcium at the quoted price of $54.40 per flaked ton. A grant of $30 was made to the Hensall South Huron Agricultural Society along with $4 for each of six calves shown from the township. To investigate senior centre Four persons hurt in Crediton collision of .180. The legal limit is .08. The court was advised by Exeter lawyer P. L. Raymond that the accused is in the armed forces and requires his car to drive back and forth to Woisley Barracks in London. Judge Hays gave permission for Salnier to drive between London and Huron Park for purposes of his job. Medd was involved in a minor accident in Huron Park on March 10 and a breathalizer reading showed a blood alcohol content of 240 mgs. The court learned he is a travelling salesman and requires his car and a restricted licence was also approved in his case. In other infractions under the Highway Traffic Act, the following fines were levied by Judge Hays: Karen Culbert, Huron Park, $20 for parking improperly her vehicle on a highway. Harold H. Ormond, Hayfield, 330 for failing to turn to the right when meeting another car. Emil Jancik, Clinton, $30 for following another vehicle too closely. Chief promises action on dogs Due to numerous complaints received in the last couple of weeks, officers of the Exeter police department have been instructed to lay charges on in- fractions under the town's dog control bylaw. Chief Ted Day said this week, "there will be no warnings. Everyone is aware of the dog regulations. " The chief continued, "Penalties for not having a dog licence and also allowing a dog to run at large can be levied. The maximum fine is $50 on each charge." By-law 9 of 1969 requires every owner or harborer of dogs to obtain a dog licence by March 15 of each year. Also, any person owning, possessing or harboring a dog shall not allow it to run at large within the town limits of Exeter. Wheels taken off automobile Five licence suspensions — two of them restricted — were handed out by Judge Glenn Hays who.pre,stded at,court sittings in Exeter on Friday and Tuesday. The stiffest of the sentences was meted out to William Richard Quesnel, Huron Park, who pleaded guilty to impaired driving. He was fined $250 and had his licence suspended for one year. The charge was laid following an accident in which the accused struck a hydro pole in Stephen Township. Quesnel and a passenger were injured. Calvin E. Westlake, Exeter, was fined $150 and had his licence suspended for six months at the scene of an accident. He was charged after an in- cident on March 2 in Exeter when the sideview mirror on a truck being driven by the accused struck the arm of a motorist in a passing car. The other driver had his arm partially extended out the win- dow. Westlake said he panicked after the incident and continued on his way to work without stopping. A fine of $200 and a suspension of six months was handed out to Cecil Lant Wood, Dashwood, who was convicted of driving while his licence was already under suspension. He had been charged on February 18 after the car he was driving crashed over the side of a Stephen Township bridge and ended up on some ice in the There were six charged under the Liquor Control Act and five under the Criminal Code. In his weekly press release, OPP Cpl, Ray Brooks reminds residents in the detachment jurisdiction, namely Stephen, Usborne and Hay, that if there is no answer at the Exeter office (235-1300) they may ask the telephone operator for Zenith 50,000, Your call will be received by an OPP officer and relayed to the Exeter OPP, Members of Exeter's RAP committee were in agreement this week with a suggestion that senior citizens have a look at facilities being used by their counterparts in other com- munities. Reeve Derry Boyle broached the subject, explaining he had recently visited in Ridgetown and had been shown the senior citizen centre there by former Exeter rec director, Doug Smith. "It impressed me," Boyle stated. He said the building had been purchased by the town and was operated at no cost by a monthly membership of $2.00 and the sale of crafts by senior citizens. "Doug says they think it's wonderful," the Reeve added and said he thought something similar could be started here. Jack Underwood reported that the senior citizens in Harriston use the former railway station for club facilities. It was agreed to investigate the matter further, with Boyle suggesting he would try to arrange a trip to Ridgetown for some of the local senior citizens 5 and council members, RAP members had no ideas on how a "Youth in Action" grant could be utilized in the com- munity, Money' is available to employ .1 students in a variety of projects, It was finally agreed to have the plan announced at the high school to see if any students had suggestions for projects that Could be undertaken under RAP's supervision, Reeve Boyle was critical of the fact there was considerable "overlapping" in grant programs by the various levels of govern- ment, noting that both county council and the Lake Huron zone recreation directors were hiring program co-ordinators this summer. Tuesday morning, Donald Switzer, RR 1St. Marys, reported a theft to the Exeter police department. The four wheels and tires were stolen from a 1972 Camaro owned by Switzer while it was parked on the Snell Bros. parking lot. Switzer is an employee of the automobile sales firm. The car had been jacked up and all wheels taken. Constable John Goarley investigated. The loss was set at $400. A TEST RUN — Before the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary rummage sale started Friday, two of the ladies tried out some of the articles. Shown above testing a tricycle are Marj Pollen and Hilda Smith. RAP members seek more detailed budget Members of Exeter's RAP committee agreed Monday night that a more detailed budget would be required for the current year. At. their March meeting, members approved a total budget calling for a grant of $33,000 from town council, an increase of 10 percent over last year. The budget had been prepared by arena manager Alvin Willert and former secretary Eric Carscadden, It listed only total grant requirements and gave no details on how the figures were determined. At that time, RAP members approved the budget without asking how the figures had been determined. Monday night, Bruce Shaw asked for a detailed breakdown of the budget and was told by Pays $75 fine on drug charge A Huron Park man was fined $75 for having a restricted drug in his possession and three others paid fines for infractions under the Liquor Control Act when they appeared before Judge Glenn Hays in Exeter court, Tuesday, Danny Carl Stuekiess pleaded guilty to the drug charge, laid by Exeter police after a substance was found in the sleeve of the accused on January 20. After analysis, it was found that the substance was MDA. A needle was also found which had traces of the drug, The small amount of drug found indicated it was for per- sonal use only. Paying fines of $80 each for having liquor in a place other than their residence were John Moir, Hensall; Terry R. Phillips, Exeter; and Robert Douglas, St. Pauls. A six-day accident-free stretch was broken with three accidents, Saturday, while in another crash Sunday, four persons sustained minor injuries. They were involved in a two- car collision in Crediton at 4:55 p.m. between two eastbound cars driven by Fred Ovens, Sarnia, and Scott M. McNair Jr., Huron Park. Total damage was listed at $2,000 by Constable Bill Lewis. McNair was injured as were three passengers in the Ovens ear, Abbie Ovens, Kristine Ovens and Maureen Hiller, all of Sarnia. The latter two were children. All four injured people were released after treatment at South Huron Hospital. The first of the Saturday crashes occurred at 1:15 a.m. when cars driven by Robert Dobson, Exeter, and George Butt, London, collided on High- way 4 north of Exeter. Damage was listed at $210 by Constable Bill Glassford, At 7:45 a.m., cars driven by Hendrik Gruyaert, Exeter, and Victor Knip, Centralia, collided on Huron St., east of Exeter. Constable Dale Lamont estimated damage at $275. The final collision involved two Vehicles owned by McCann Construction and they sustained damage of $900 in a mishap on County Road 2 south of the Crediton Road at 1400 p.ni, The one vehicle was a truck driven by James McCann, and the Other was a car driven by Noreen McCann, both of RR 3 Dashwood, Constable Bob Whiteford in- vestigated, During the week, the local detachment officers charged 12 persons under the tlighwny Traffic Act and issued warnings to another 18 drivers. GLASS BLOWING EXPERIMENT — During Open House at South Huron bisfrict High School Monday night, visitors were able to watch numerous demonstrations. Shown above during gloss blowing experiment are bon Noekes, Olga Zemitis, teacher Mr. Unger, Jennie Kneale and Terry Hewitt. T-A photo Willert that it did not exist, The arena manager said he and Carscadden had just used last year's grant figures as a guideline and anticipated ex- penditures and revenues were not calculated, Shaw suggested a com- prehensive budget was required to see what expenses and revenues were anticipated and see what was being spent in all areas of their administration of parks, arena and community centres. "We should have a closer look," opined Reeve Derry Boyle. He went on to point out that a new drain at the arena was not included in the budget and RAP chairman Gord Baynharn added that no costs for renovations at the bowling green had been in- cluded either, — Please turn to page 3 -4