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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-09-04, Page 1One Hundred and Third Year Y A TOP ENTRANT Six-year-old Jens Gregson, Exeter, took top honors in Monday's soap box derby, He won the junior division and then beat Steve Dinney for the grand championship. His vehicle wasn't beaten. Rec director Jim McKinlay hands the winner his trophy, while looking on are junior runner-up Randy Bowers, Credifon, and third place finisher Steven Wright, Exeter, T-A photo FLYING HIGH — Very few contestants in the little britches section of the weekend long rides on their mounts. One of the shortest is shown above, as a young hopeful air just after coming out of the chute. Most of the faces in the crowd indicate some ding that is coming up quickly. rodeo managed to get goes flying through the concern about the lan- T-A photo. Third straight losing year Rodeo future in doubt UNDER REPAIR — Several last-minute adjustments were needed to have the soap box entries ready for Monday's races in Exeter. Rodney Dobson, Henry Winters and Bill Simmons work on this machine in an attempt to have it ready for competition. T-A photo Just as an afterthought Area man crushed • in in dustrial mishap •County .councillors "negative' to restructuring municipalities At a news conference held in Goderich on Tuesday, Huron county warden Anson McKinley told reporters that county councillors "gave a blanket no" to political amalgamation within a restructured Huron county. Locally, politicians don't seem to express the same negative sentiments. Exeter's reeve C.E, "Derry" Boyle said he felt an amalgamation of Exeter, Usborne and Stephen township could be viable. "I could live with it," said Reeve Boyle. "But I think it may be a little premature. Ten years from now it will probably be a reality." Reeve Boyle said he felt that Exeter could do well under either of the proposals brought in by the county's restructuring com- mittee at a meeting Thursday from which the public and the press were barred. The one plan would group Usborne, Stephen and Exeter together while an alternative would have Exeter remain an individual municipality and have School children in Exeter will still have the services of a crossing guard next year despite the fact the Huron Board of Education will no longer share their 50 percent of the cost. Members of Exeter council decided this week they would pay the entire cost of a crossing guard, starting in 1976. "We can throw money away in a lot more foolish ways than that," stated Councillor Bob Simpson in urging council to maintain the service. He noted Large fraud investigated Exeter OPP Sgt. Norton Rhiness said this week that charges are expected to be laid shortly in connection with a "large fraud" being investigated in the Grand Bend area,'"--; 0 Several home owners had verandahs and patios installed, and not only did the salesman apparently overcharge them for the work, he also failed to turn the proceeds over to the firm for which he was working. Sgt. Rhiness said that about $20,000 is involved. Several thefts were reported in the area this week as well. Thieves made off with about $61 worth of cigarettes, chocolate bars and buns after entering the snack bar at the Starlite Drive-In Theatre at Shipka. A car was stolen from Huron Motor Products in Zurich and $20 in cash was taken from a Huron Park home. A youth has ap- peared in court on the latter incident. Ron Snelgrove, RR 2 Woodham, told police his small Beagle was wounded by a pellet gun this week, while Bill Hoff- man, Stephen, reported damage of $50 to his corn field by an unknown vehicle. St. Johns-by-the-Lake Anglican Church, Grand Bend, was en- tered over the weekend and ransacked, but nothing was reported missing. PS addition is doubtful Proposed additions and renovations in 1975 to the Exeter public school may not beome a reality because of a lack of provincial funds. Huron superintendent R.J. Allan told the Board of Education Tuesday afternoon that the result of a meeting Saturday with Ministry of Education officials' in London was "far from en- couraging." A month ago the board ap- proved the work at acost of about $500,000. Monies allocated for this year amount to only $200,000. Allan said the Ministry was asked if additional funds were available and if a phasing over two years would be allowed with another year's allocation. The answer to both questions was a definite "no". The building committee will be meeting within the next 30 days to decide on a modified plan or come up with alternatiVes. Included in the Exeter program were facilities for home economics and industrial arts classes. Huron's education director D.J. Cochrane commented, "Ontario as a whole seems to be putting a low priority on these two Reins. We should possibly look at existing secondary School facilities instead of providing our own at the elementary level." Stephen and Usborne join together. "Personally I don't think. Huron county needs restructuring right now," said Mr. Boyle. But I think it would be acceptable to all three municipalities and it would definitely be an advantage for the province to have fewer municipalities to deal with," Usborne deputy-reeve Bill Morley attended the meeting at Goderich on Thursday when the plans were unveiled and stated he felt there was a great deal of merit in them. "Naturally, this type of thing evokes a negative response as people tend to think of it as the first step towards regional government," said Mr. Morley. "Personally I think it would be acceptable in our case with Exeter and Stephen, combining urban and rural municipalities but I can see examples elsewhere in the county where it might not be as feasible." Deputy-reeve Morley said the area fire protection was working well and a similar benefit might result from combining any more the Main and Victoria St. in- tersection was very busy and said a youngster could wait for up to 10 minutes to get across at noon "or take an awful chance to cross." Councillor Ted Wright said he was most perturbed at the board's decision, and wondered if council could object to the plan to curtail support for crossing guards in the county. He said in the USA safety of school children was given top priority, with both guards and reduced speed limits to 15 m.p.h. He said there was a much greater chance of a youngster being killed at the busy school crossing in Exeter than getting off on a school bus. Members of council were unanimous in decidingto maintain the service at the full cost to the local taxpayers. They also ap- proved a committee's decision in naming Elaine Baynham as the new crossing guard. Mrs. Aaynbam ,commenced her duties when school opened, Tuesday. In another school related matter, Mayor Shaw pointed out council should act quickly to erect bus loading zones at the high school and separate school. Under the new regulations, traffic must stop for buses loading at the schools, although this would not be necessary if special zones were properly designated and signed. Audit fee lumps, business may too Exeter council decided this week "to shop around" for some prices in having the annual audit prepared. The action came after the present auditing firm, A. M. Harper, Goderich, advised that their annual fee for the service was being increased from $3,600 to $6,000. "That's a 60 percent increase," explained Councillor Ted Wright. The fee includes the audit for the town and all its committees and boards as well as the Public Utilities Commission. services, He did stress that some system of equalizing debt factors would have to be found. Reeve Cecil Desjardirie of Stephen Township said neither he nor deputy-reeve Joe Dietrich were able to attend the meeting of county council in committee last Thursday due to a township drain meeting, "I really would want to study it While the attendance was down the number of entries and en- thusiasm shown by , the con- testants was never higher at the weekend Mid Western rodeo at Exeter Community park. Threatening rains through Saturday and Sunday kept the crowds down to about 2,400 but the number of entries rose to 131. Dr. Don Ecker, chairman of the rodeo committee told the T-A this week that the rodeo lost money for the third consecutive year. Ecker continued, "We won't know how much money we dropped this year until all the bills are in, but it will be quite considerable." He added, "We will be meeting within the next couple of weeks to take a good, hard look at the future of the rodeo. The rain certainly hurt this year, but, maybe area residents have had enough of rodeo for awhile:' The most competition came in the bull riding event with a total of 41 contestants. The winner with 68 points was Mike Swayne. a little further before makin$.4 stand on it either way," said: Reeve Desiardine, At the press conference Tuesday Warden McKinley said; county councillors felt that if the 150 local elected officials across,, the county were reduced to the 50• or 70 proposed by the committee,. "fewer people would be leftdoing more work and they'd expect resembled a quagmire and the bull dozer scraped a mountain of mud off the ring surface. Prize money in the saddle bronc section went exclusively to the Doner family of Pefferlaw. Ken was the winner with 60 points followed closely by Brian and Gary with 59 and 56 points respectively. Jayne Clark was the Sunday and overall winner in the girls barrel race with a time of 17.82 seconds. Saturday's winner was Sue Kinsella with a time of 19.78 seconds. The only Exeter and district entry in the barrel race, Bar- bara Parsons finished fourth in Sunday's competition in a time of 18.54 seconds. Mike Nichols took home $258 in winning the bareback bronc class and the steer wrestling champion was Rick Logan in 6.4 seconds. His total prize money was $266. The overall calf roping champion was Fred McKenzie with top prize money of the entire rodeo of $362. In recent years either Fred or his brother John have taken all calf roping honours. The team of Bill Leggett, Bob Baker and Larry Walls won the wild horse race both days. In the Little Britches calf riding contest the winner with a point total of 53 was Terry Miller. Second was Joey Leggett and Doug Walls was third, Entries from Exeter and area were Joey Blommaert, Paul and Brad Scott, John Branton, Jamie Mugford and Terry Sims. Also competing was 11 year-old Pam Armstrong of Saskatoon, Ted —please turn to page 3 Exeter council agreed this week to apply for a $75,000 Local Initiatives Program (LIP) grant to undertake renovations to the town hall. However, whether that materializes is still a matter of considerable conjecture. The application was approved almost on a whim by council after Mayor Bruce Shaw read a letter regarding LIP grants and the fact municipalities could get approval for projects costing up to $150,000. Reeve Derry Boyle quickly moved that council apply for a grant to clean up the north bank The Andrew St. hill was the scene of plenty of thrills and spills, Monday, as the Exeter recreation department staged their second annual soap box derby. Rain and a wet track had prompted rec director Jim McKinlay to postpone the event, but after several youngsters indicated they couldn't compete on the suggested alternate date, he rescheduled the event for the afternoon, Threatening skies prevailed, but the event was completed without any further com- plications from the weather. However, there were other complications. It was found that several youngsters had entered the event as drivers, but many were sharing one vehicle. This led to some delays as the machines had to be carted back up the hill in preparation for the next driver and the next race. Perhaps the busiest fellow on the scene was John Stephens. He was the lone pit crew member for a machine driven by hid two sons and two daughters, along with a neighbor. In the junior girls' event, Lynn and Lori Stephens were in the finals and it had to be settled by a stop watch with each girl getting one run. Lynn emerged the winner, but perhaps had her driving skill — or lack of it — to help as she smashed up against the curb after her run. However, her father managed to get the machine back into one piece in time for Lori's attempt. Finishing third in the event was Lisa Wright. In the senior competition, only two entries were received with Teresa Shumka beating Heather Hodgson on two straight heats. Both girls are from Lucan. Jens Gregson, one of the youngest entrants at six years of of the river in conjunction with the county reforestry committee. This was approved by council, The discussion then moved to the unsafe condition of the bell tower at the town hall. Mayor Shaw said he had recently been up in the tower with a man who wanted to view the clock. Shaw said the tower was a hazard, noting that wood chips and other debris fell on the men as they were investigating, "It's not good,it really isn't," he said, This prompted him to suggest that a LIP grant could possibly be secured to make some repairs and restoration, A 19 year-old Mount Carmel youth was killed in an industrial accident only two days before he was to be married, Peter Francis McCann, son of Mr. And Mrs. Arnold McCann, RR 3, Dashwood was pronounced dead at the scene of the mishap by coroner Dr. F. Boyes of Parkhill. An employee of Dave Morrissey Painting, Mccann was engaged in painting tanks at McGee Farm Services in age, walked off with the grand championship in the hotly con- tested boys' events. Driving a machine manufactured from a kit, the Exeter lad whipped all com- petition to easily win the junior class and then beat senior win- ner, Steve Dinney of Crediton, Gregson had to withstand a crowd-thrilling spin-out in a practice run to capture the honors. His machine skidded in a complete circle, but escaped unscathed, When the preliminary rounds Were completed he bested last year's grand champion, Randy Bowers, Crediton, for the junior title. Steve Wright, whose machine boasted the best braking system, placed third. The youngster amused the crowd by stopping his machine im- mediately after the front end crossed the finish line in his races. He was advised once by timer Jac k, Underwood to allow himself a few extra feet before hitting the braking system. Steve Dinney, driving the Bowers machine, ended up in a —please turn to page 3 Nixon plans visit The Pineridge Chalet near Hensall will be the site of a beef barbeque Monday night spon- sored by the Huron-Middlesex Liberal Association. Liberal leader Robert Nixon and local candidate Jack Riddell and his family will be in at- tendance• to greet the visitors. A similar event during the 1973 by-election drew more than' 2,000 persons, An outstanding program of entertainment has been lined up. Reeve Boyle then moved that a grant of $75,000 be requested. "Now we'll get into the can Of worms," Councillor Barb Bell stated in secondng the motion. It was approved with no diSenting votes, although several members abstained from voting. Details of the LIP grant requirements weren't known to members although the meeting learned the projects were designed primarily to provide jobs for people presently unemployed, Recreation director Jim McKinley advised that some material cost could be secured Parkhill at about ,5:50 Thursday. Ontarto Provincial police at Parkhill said. McCann was climbing from a front end loader framelo a bucket when he fell, In falling he struck the control pedal causing the bucket to drop and stike him. He was apparently caught between the bucket and loader frame. Ken Armstrong, a safety in- spector with the Ontario Ministry of Labour is continuing in- vestigation of the accident, In addition to his parents Peter is survived by sisters Mary Theresa, London; Reta, R.N. Montreal, and Cathy at home, a brother Ed, also at home. Also surviving are his grand- parents, Mrs. Laura McCann, Mt. Carmel and Mr. and Mrs, Joseph McIntyre, London, and dear friend Barbara Lewis, Ailsa Craig. Funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Mt, Carmel Church, Monday, September 1 with Rev. J. Mooney officiating. The T. H. Hoffman funeral home, Dashwood was in charge of the service. Interment was in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, The pall bearers were Dan Lewis, Joe Ryan, Don Dietrich, Eugene Hartman, Dan` Regier and Jack Glavin. Flower bearers were Dave, Steve, Paul, Brian and Jerry McCann and Kevin Lewis. Although it wasn't included in this year's budget, Exeter council agreed this week to spend $23,000 for anew street sweeper. The present machine "gave out" some weeks ago and a used machine being tested by the town was termed "not worth the money" by Councillor Ted Wright. It was priced at $7,000. Wright, who recently travelled 4,000 miles on a vacation trip, said Exeter's Main St. was the dirtiest he saw in all that distance. Councillor Garnet Hicks pointed out that the sewer and road construction was adding to the problem. Terming a street sweeper a "necessary tool," Wright said he didn't think the present machine was worth fixing, "Is it a problem to borrow the money?" Hicks asked, "No paying it back is the problem," clerk Eric Carscadden quickly replied. Reeve Derry Boyle said the town would have to end the year with a deficit, and while he made the motion to buy the new sweeper, he said it was against his will. He also pointed out that if merchants would sweep the street and deposit their trash in a receptacle, rather than in the gutter, it would make the sweeper less of a necessity. for projects, although the large portion of funds was for wages only. He said an official would be in town this week to explain LIP grant details further and Mrs. Bell volunteered to attend to get some of council's questions an- swered "tt doesn't hurt to apply Boyle noted. "If there are too many restrictions, we'll just have to forget it," The restoration of old buildings was included on the list of projects which have been ap- proved in other municipalities. Exeter to continue own crossing guard He took home $330 for his two days of work, While the bull riding drew the most entrants, a bull dozer played a very important part in getting Saturday's program underway. Due to the heavy rains of Friday the rodeo ring Goderich police get Exeter man A young Exeter man, Peter Mason will join the Goderich police force September 15 as a fourth-class constable. Peter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Graham Mason of town is now a radio dispatcher at the Ontario Provincial Police detachment at Goderich. He fills the vacancy created recently by the resignation of Constable Thomas Fortner after failing in an attempt to appeal a guilty finding against him on two charges under the Ontario Police Act. more money," so savings from a cost standpoint are unlikely. Representatives of larger municipalities felt that under amalgamation they should retain voting power proportionally higher than smaller municipalites while the smaller municipalities were principally concerned about loss of identity — Please turn to page 3 EXETER, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 4, 1975 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Soap box entrants keep pit crew busy Rain threatens white bean crop Weather for the past month has been "worse than poor" for white beans in Huron county according to Don Pullen, agricultural representative for Huron. "Many areas of the county have had excessive moisture," said Mr, Pullen. "Some people are getting concerned that they won't be able to harvest in time." Mr. Pullen said white mold was showing up on beans in many areas, particularly on plants with generous amounts of foilage. He said that unless dry weather and sunshine comes immediately, harvesting will be a difficult operation. The corn crop, according to Mr. Pullen, is a good one and even with the excessive moisture and damp fields, harvesting, although perhaps late, should be successful. 'Ws too. early, to _estimate Iwo, much damage has been done to the white beans," said the Huron agricultural representative. "The harvest is actually just starting right now." The situation, he concluded, is serious and could become critical if the weather does not improve. Pay $23,000 for sweeper Seek loan to fix town hall