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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-01-29, Page 1MARCHING MOTHERS — The annual Marching Mothers campaign by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary for the March of Dimes was held Mon- day night, Counting the spoils of their toils are, from left to right, Peg Hunter-Duvar, Bernice Shipman, Dorothy Pfaff, Chairman of the Exeter Marching Mothers and Barb Tiedeman. The ladies hope to break last year's total of $1,450. photo.by Youngs LITTLE DAMAGE was incurred when the lumber sheds behind Saveway Lumber on Main St. collapsed under the weight of snow on Saturday. The sheds, scheduled for demolition in the spring, were in poor shape when they collapsed. No one was injured. photo by Youngs. DOWN FOR THE COUNT — these two Lucan youngsters seem to be reaching cm solution without the help of a not-so-attentive referee. Pictured above are Dale and Murray MacNaughton and Greg Quinn, all of Lucan. photo by Bagley. Exeter Rodeo to retain its traditional Labor Day spot tAMMIONNOMON eople and even S THE EXETER LIONS CLUB is looking for insulation for the Scout House according to the last issue of the club bulletin. Anyone who knows where the club can get this material (buying it as a last resort) is asked to contact Laverne Hamilton. FORMER POPULAR SCHOOL INSPECTOR of this area, John Goman, has retired from the Department of Education and mov- ed with his wife, Dorothy, to Grand Bend. He is starting a 'se- cond career' and will be associated with Gaiser-Kneale 'Realty and Insurance. GRAND BEND'S new zoning bylaw will be available at the clerk's office for interested parties to read:by this Friday. BILL BRADY of CFPL radio London will be cooking pancakes for the pancake and sausage breakfast Sunday February 15, at the t Pine Ridge Chalet. The breakfast is part of The 7th Annual Crippled Children's Weekend. A TRAILER A DAY is the output of Northlander Mobile Homes situated at the north end of Exeter. The demand for mobile homes continues to increase. THE ARTHRITIC SOCIETY is over $1300 richer due to the can- vass conducted in the community last week by students from Cen- tralia College of Agriculture and Technology. IT'S AN ILL WILL THAT DOESN'T BLOW SOMEBODY SOME GOOD. Students of South Huron District High School enjoyed three days of closed school because of the recent snow storms. Several other schools in Huron Coun'y faired even worse or better, which ever side of the fence you were on! EXETER CUBS will be calling on all the homes in town Saturday morning selling bingo cards for the Lions Club. LIZ VARLEY — secretary for Exeter's RAP committee and the recreation office, has passed her secretarial course with flying colours. She received a final percentage of 99.9. Rec. director, Jim McKinlay remarked that office procedure had "improved considerably" since Mrs. Varley took the course, ONTARIO HYDRO — announced that consumption of hydro in Ontario reached an all-time high in December. Somebody must have forgotten to turn off their Christmas lights after midnight. Just in case they're still on — TURN OFF THOSE LIGHTS! EASTERN AVENUE -- a street in the Gib Dow subdivision, will be opened early this year, according to Hugh Davis of the Exeter P.U.C. The utility will be providing hydro lines and probably water service to the new street. ONCE AGAIN — we remind all interested citizens of Exeter, that the second and probably final public meeting to discuss the town's proposed official plan will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers, located in the former post office on Main St. czhe excierZinesatruocafe One Hpndred and Third Year EXETER, ONTARIO, JANUARY 29, 1976 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Chief gives warning to curtail shoplifting *Director defends RAP despite sizeable 1975 budget deficit Jim McKinlay, director of recreation for Exeter, defended RAP,' the Recreation Arena and Parks Committee, Monday night at its regular monthly meeting when the annual budget report was presented for consideration. RAP's budget for 1975 was in the red, showing a total deficit of $11,436.51, but McKinlay in a detailed report outlined some of the reasons for that deficit, citing the establishment of an effective administrative nucleus and unanticipated expenses_ involved as one of the primary reasons. "In reviewing our total operation for the year 1975, our deficit of $11,436.51, while not commendable certainly cannot be construed as being irresponsible", McKinlay said in his conclusions. Several errors were made in striking the budget initially, but since this was the first detailed budget ever at- tempted by RAP, it's reasonable to assume that some mistakes were to be expected. With time and experience, many of these mistakes will be rectified and succeeding budgets can and should be expected to be more precise." McKinlay stated that in preparing the budget, RAP had made no allowance for office supplies, which came to $3100 for The Wingham high school was again the scene for a public forum with ministers from the provincial government over 1976 budget constraints last Wednesday night. This time it was Frank Miller, the minister of health speaking on cutbacks in hospitals and other facets of health care. • Due to heavy snow and winds that clogged most of the major thoroughfares in the area, many of those planning to attend the meeting could not make it, in- cluding several persons from Exeter. Elmer Taylor, ad- ministrator .of South Huron Hospital, was able to attend however. Miller told his small audience • that the p.rovince plans to save $60 million this year by cutting back on beds in hospitals by some 3,000 and staff by about 5,000. He said that some hospitals would be closed where it was found that services were being duplicated nearby and usage of the facility had dropped significantly. Miller said that hospitals had been singled out for cutbacks in the health care field "because hospital costs, some $1.6 billion, account for more than half of the total health budget!" "Large though these figures appear, and large as I agree they are, in absolute terms, they represent something of the order of three or four percent of the total present hospital service capacity in the province, and still leave us with something more the year. He added that it was unforeseen items such as supplies and circumstances beyond RAP's control which contributed largely t6 the deficit situation. The rec director alluded to disappointing gate receipts from the arena's ice rental operation and mild fall weather which increased the cost of providing an ice surface as two of the cir- cumstances which RAP had no way of controlling. The revenue side of the budget picture was a. little brighter. Including overdue accounts which RAP is waiting to receive, the committee fell only about $15 short of its anticipated revenue for the year. Because of the extra ex- penditures involved, RAP's anticipated revenue of almost $133,000 fell somewhat short of actual expenditures which totalled $139,721,16. An extra grant from the town for $10,000 made up the difference. McKinlay pointed out that even with the extra grant from council, RAP still managed to pay an increased portion of costs for recreation, 53.5 percent, than in 1974, when outside revenue paid for only 51.5 percent. RAP raised $75,000 through its own operation in 1975, compared to $48,000 in 1974. than the estimated need ratio of beds to total population," Miller spoke of "amal- gamating" two hospitals within a proximate area, where service fit into the "duplication category." The minister said that in the over-all health care pictUre, spending would increase 11 percent, or about $300 million to meet needs in other areas of health care. This would be about one percent higher than the general increases being allotted to provincial ministries this year. "In short we shall still be able to meet all the needs, but not necessarily all of the wants," he said. To implement the restraints on hospitals, the minister said that individual hospitals will be given "dollar targets" for reduction. Elmer Taylor told the T-A that South Huron Hospital has still not received specific information from the ministry as to how constraints will affect the Exeter hospital. He said that he expects to receive an interim budget report in the middle of February and specific budget information for the hospital by March. Miller left it up to assistant' deputy minister, Gary Chatfield to speak on the closing of Goderich Psychiatric Hospital, a contentious local issue during the • past several weeks. Chatfield reiterated the province's position on the closing, saying .that the patients could becaredforat either London Psychiatric or the Dr. Mackinnon Phillips Psychiatric Hospital in Owen Sound. Some of the more significant budget items which did not bring in as much revenue as has been anticipated, +included swimming pool gate receipts, which were down about $1,000 from what had been expected, sales at the pool concession booth, down about $1400, tennis club revenues, down $1900, and picnic reservations at parks, down $785 from an- ticipated revenues. A significant area where ex- penditures totalled more than what was budgeted, was salaries for part-lime help and instructors offset somewhat by the increase in the minimum wage in the province. The deficit ran about $4,400. Fringe benefits increases that had not been expected, totalled another $2,500 in deficits, as did transportation costs, $918. The operating expenses of the arena were responsible for a deficit of $4,900, with warm fall temperatures and ice- maintenance problems partially to blame, Another significant loss was in the area of community events sponsored by RAP, where a deficit of about $1,100 was reported. Commenting on the budget report, which was drafted by McKinlay, Gord Baynham, a member of the committee, ter- med it "basically a very good report, very comprehensive." "I think what RAP is faced with is trying to explain to the community what it is trying to do", McKinlay said. He com- mented that RAP had gotten some negative publicity in the past when it had to come to council for grant allotments and suggested that the general public was not aware of all the expense and work that the committee and its employees are responsible for. "It should be made clear that every expense related to the recreation, arena, and parks operation of the town of Exeter Squirts need grant for tour The Exeter Centennial Soccer League' has requested a grant from either the RAP committee or the town of Exeter for $1,000 to help finance the Exeter Squirts exhibition tour in England scheduled for April. The Squirts' soccer team, comprised of eight year-olds, won considerable recognition last year, winning all of its local games and then proceeding to establish itself as a major con- tender in the North American cup competitions played in the United States. The team was voted the most competitive at those games and Dave Silcox, coach of the Squirts was voted "coach of the year." "We've come here tonight to ask your support", Damian Solomon, president -of the Cen- tennial Soccer League told RAP members Monday night. Through the efforts of the Exeter Squirts, the team has established Exeter as a very good soccer town among the North American Soccer Committee". He told members that the league was looking into every avenue of fund-raising to pay for the boys' flight to England, in- cluding the possibility of a $1,000 Wintario grant. He said that the total cost for the trip, would be around $4,000 and added that this cost was only for flight, as the boys' accommodations inEngland have been absorbed by the North American Soccer Committee because of their excellent showing in the competitions. Solomon added that without the support from Exeter, whose name is borne by the team, it Would be difficult to convince other municipalities in the area that they should contribute to the travel fund. The majority of boys on the team live in Exeter. In the North American com- petitions, the Squirts placed 26th among all teams, despite the fact, that they drew their' team from about 19 potential players, while other towns and cities drew from numbers as high as 400. Rec. director, Jim McKinlay said that the matter would have to be brought before council as budget allocations for RAP have not yet been determined for 1976, In related business, the Exeter Independent Women's Soccer League received the affiliation status with RAP after a con- vincing presentation by Cathy Giffen, president of the league. Affiliation means the league will have aid of RAP if they get into financial difficulties during the year, provided they keep ac- curate books and records of expenditures. Coach Dave Zyluk, assured the RAP committee that the league has the equipment and resources required 'and they are being allowed the use of the gym at Exeter Public School free-of- charge, The league, which is composed of eight teams of five players, will compete in the London District Women's League this summer if all goes well. goes through the RAP books,not the town books as is the case for all other town departments." In addition to presenting the budget from last year, RAP get out priority plans for 1976, in- cluding the deVeloPment of a training program for committee members, completion of planning stages for the proposed South Huron Recreation Centre, development of a master parks plan, and several capital works projects, such as completion, of the rec office, installation of lights at• the tennis courts, and some possible pool renovations" at the insistence of the South Huron County Health unit." RAP's report will now ' go before Town Council for con- sideration and final adoption. The 1976 Exeter Rodeo will be held on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4 and 5 as a result of the Reeve's report could be "premature" A published report this week attributed to Reeve Derry Boyle that a two-year contract has been signed with Mrs. Lorna Dale, who operates the police and fire dispatch service, may be misleading, according to a reliable source in the town's administration. .'According to the report, the town of Exeter now has a formal agreement with Mrs. Dale to operate the service on a two-year basis- at a •price of $9,000. per year. But according to sources at town hall, the contract cannot be considered legal until it has been formally approved by council at a regular meeting. The next regular meeting of council is Monday night, February 2. The T.-A talked to Mrs. Dale about the contract on Tuesday but she said that she could not comment until after the matter had been declared public knowledge, presumably by town council. She suggested that the T- A might contact Derry Boyle on the matter because he was in charge of negotiating the con- tract. The T-A then attempted to contact Boyle, first by calling his home and then by leaving a message at the town offices, but received no message from the Reeve. According to the published report, it "was the first time the town ever had a formal agreement with Mrs. Dale for the 24-hour service she provides." The matter had been under negotiation for about three weeks. Council had been con- sidering a contract with Mrs. Bill Musser, Who had said she would provide the service at $7200 per year. over a two.year basis, but according to a published statement attributed to Boyle, council was not able to seriously confider her offer because it was not in Writing, While Mrs. Dale's was, weeks, the Exeter Police Department has been in- vestigating a number of com- plaints regarding teenagers shoplifting from the stores downtown during the noon hour and after school." "The store managements are becoming convinced that the proper way to deal with young shoplifters and their parents is through the police and the courts." Addressing the shoplifters, themselves, he said, "Remember, one shoplifting offense and conviction can ruin your whole future. You will have a criminal record and then it is very difficult to get a job." In the past two weeks the police have requested citizens of Exeter to watch the overnight parking, because of the snow plows and snow removal operations. Chief Day remarked that sonic people have paid no attention and during the week "it was necessary to have four motor vehicles towed away, causing the owners to pay for the towing charges." '"I'he police and town works department again would like to remind everyone about the snow plows and let's have a little cooperation. Durand acclaimed RAP Chairwoman Ruth Durand was acclaimed chairwoman of RAP Monday night for 1976. Mrs. Durand had been serving in that role since Jack Underwood's resignation in October of 1975 due to a heavy workload at Centralia College. Prior to assuming the top executive position with RAP, she had served as vice-chairman. Commenting on the unanimous vote, Jim McKinlay, the town rec. director told her, "You must be the right person for the job." Bob Pooley was acclaimed the new vice-chairman. A new executive position was created by RAP this year, the position of treasurer who will take charge of the finance committee. Two members of RAP were nominated to the position, Dave Zyluk and Council represen- tative, Harold Patterson. As there were only six of the seven voting members present at the meeting, no decision was made as to who would become treasurer because the vote ended Please turn to page 3 Work on town hall begins Sandblasting on the old town hall began Monday in the initial restoration phase to bring the building back to standards of practical utility. According to Doug Gould, chairman of the citizens' town hall committee, the priorities for the town hall's restoration in- clude painting woodwork, fixing the building's leaky roof, restoration and installation of the belfry above the clock tower, The citizens' committee was told last Tuesday that any plans they have for use of the $11,400 LIP grant or the town grant of $2,500, received last week, must go through town council via the property committee There is still possibility of disagreement between the citizens' committee and council over items of priority. Last week council accepted a Please turn to page interim executive's first major decision since taking over responsibility for the event two weeks ago. "The decision made Monday night was that we have got to get going", Jack Malone, secretary of the committee, observed. "As the interim executive, we probably exceeded our authority by deciding the dates of ' the Rodeo, but it was felt that given the limited time remaining, a decision had to be made." It will take the support of the entire town of Exeter to keep it going." The committee also recom- mended a slate of officers to fill executive and committee positiohs. Final voting on officers will come at the next Rodeo meeting en February 12 at 8 p.m. in the Exeter Public School library. Although it is expected that the interim executive will retain their current positions on the committee, nominations for all positions will be open from the floor. At that same meeting, committees and members will be designated and the Rodeo Committee is hoping for a turnout of at least 35 people. Malone said that because of the shortage of time, arrangements are going ahead to contact people involved with setting up the Rodeo that the event will retain its traditionally seasonal time spot on the Labor Day Weekend. Chief Ted Day of the Exeter Police Department made it clear this week that shoplifters are in for trouble if they persist in the illegal activity. Commenting on the situation, Day said, "Over the past few Water source joint concern Exeter PUC and Usborne Township have both received letters from the ministry of en- vironment with regard to some test drilling that the Exeter utility has been doing in Usborne for another source of domestic water for the town, but neither body is prepared to disclose its contents until the information has been read by the commissioners and councillors involved. Some residents of Usborne have expressed fear that if Exeter takes any more water from the township, that wells could dry up. The town now has three water sources in Usborne. "All I can say about the report from the ministry is that there is no indication that farm wells would be affected", Davis said. "There could be some stream flow affect, but I emphasize that they say only `could." According to Davis, a public meeting involving Usborne Council will be held in the near future to discuss the report and perhaps come to seine agreement on the matter. Usborne Township Council will discuss the report at its next meeting, Tuesday, February 3, according to clerk, Harry Strang. Because no quantity of water is found in the rock around Exeter, itself, the town is in a position where it must derive most of its domestic, or drinking water, from sources outside town limits. The town has one small well but it does not, provide nearly enough water to supply the needs of Exeter. No specific cutbacks for South Huron . . . yet