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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-02-05, Page 3PETE TUCKEY, assistant captain of the Pee Wee "A" team from Exeter was sidelined for Minor Hockey Day because of a broken leg suffered in a skiing accident. Pete still managed to make it out to watch his team play. photo by Youngs Delegation asks that Hospital be reconsidered one of several that has accommodation for 11,000 patients, but has, in fact just 5,000 patients. The government is committed to a policy of restraint and monetary cut-backs. GPH can effectively save just over one million dollars. The province's civil service ranks is too high and should be pared. The services provided now can be adequately handled by two other hospitals that lie within seventy-five miles of Goderich. In addition, there is a genuine need for facilities to house the mentally retarded who are presently swelling county homes and in many cases, inadequate private in- stitutions. These two positions, stated briefly, just give the 'outsider' — you and me — cause to wonder which case is more valid. Certainly any call for the resignation of the Minister who made the decision is assinine and irresponsible. If we were all told to resign for one unpopular decision made, anarchy would be the rule and there would be no responsible government. This situation has given rise to two possibilities, one a general consideration and the second, a specific 'out' to a devilishly complicated problem. In the first place, the Government should be aware of the need for consultation. Although the Government is perfectly within its rights to decide the fate of one of its own provincial institutions, the local people who are directly affected should be brought into the decision- making process. The founding of GPII may have been a political decision and its closing may be a political decision, but people are involved, and their views should be considered. Secondly, it would ap- pear that a compromise is in order. If GPH is near capacity, perhaps some shifts are passible to send some patients to the two hospitals in London and Owen Sound. The services provided to our people and our counties could be retained as far as psychiatric facilities are concerned, The rest of the hospital could be used to provide the beds, care and expertise required to our mentally retarded — our 'wounded' — fellowmen. Undoubtedly there is a decent way out of the dilemma that will satisfy both the needs of our people and the admirable and responsible position taken by this Government with regard to fiscal restraint. AUXILIARY PURCHASES — Mrs. Charlanne Smith, left, from London, Director of Nursing at South Huron Hospital and Mrs. Helen Mickle, Exeter and Mrs. Marian Knowles, foreground, examine new equipment bought for the hospital by the hospital auxiliary. The 140 member auxiliary purchased a film projector, cassette tape recorder, screen and 20 lockers. The lockers are in an adjacent room. County council consider cutbacks at Huronview "TUFFY" KNIGHT in one 'of his rare, quiet moments at the Sportsmen's banquet Tuesday night. Knight led the ceremonies and this untypical picture of him was snapped just after big Red Curran hand• ed him the lectern, photo by Youngs. rktlaYr".CM'Arnav ziAZ gl ayor reports on hospitals • Times-Advocate, February 5, 1976 Page 3 Exeter taxpayers faced with 10 mill increase The last two months have seen province-wide at- tention directed at Huron County in general and at the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital in particular. The announced closing of the psychiatric facilities has sparked the employees of the hospital and those who are closely aware of the services provided by that institution to mount a campaign against the proposed action, Certainly, the publicity in the local papers has centred on the arguments voiced by those adversely and in many cases, per- sonally, affected. Some jobs will be lost and not replaced. The services provided to Huron and the surrounding counties is essential. The convenience is important for the community as well. Out- patient services and field work in our towns is significant. The justification for the hospital's continued existence as it is presently functioning far outweighs the 'political' decision to 'close the hospital'. From another per- spective, that of the Treasurer, Darcy McKeough, the hospital is By Mayor Bruce Shaw A delegation of concerned citizens approached Exeter Town Council Monday night to ask that Council reconsider its decision of two weeks ago not to support efforts to keep the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital open, The delegation was represented by Ben Hoogenboom and Dave Zyluk. "At the last meeting of Council you did not support a resolution to condemn the ministry for closing the hospital. We feel that the hospital should remain open", Zyluk stated. He said that the delegation wasn't interested in Council supporting motions that were essentially policital in nature or blaming one political party, but suggested that the closing had "far reaching implications" for the several counties served by the institution, including Huron. "Converting the institution to a facility for the mentally retarded is irrelevant with regard to the psychiatric hospital, and the services it provides",' he said. "Goderich Hospital has a better record in terms of dollars and efficiency than other similar institutions. The fact that 90 percent of the beds are in use is a tribute to the services provided." Zyluk went on to mention that the hospital serves 500 out- patients a month and provides services for persons with alcohol problems, counselling services for 100 families, including their children, a geriatrics centre, and provides liaison with boards of education and children's aid societies. The hospital is also affiliated with the University of Western Ontario as a teaching hospital, something that London Psychiatric, where the ministry plans to transfer most of the 230 patients, is not. . , Hoogenboom suggested that closing the hospital would mean that Exeter would no longer be able to take advantage of a counselling program in ' town provided by Elmore Boomer of Goderich Psychiatric. Mr. Boomer travels to Exeter once a week to counsel those with problems in sessions at South Huron Hospital. Hoogenboom went on to list statistics showing suicides and attempts to be on the Council wants investigation on spending Exeter Council voted to support a motion from the town of Hanover suggesting that the provincial government set up an investigating committee to look into excessive expenditures in the field of education, The letter stated that while educational costs have risen in recent years, the quality of education may have gone down. The concern 6f Hanover was that local taxpayers may be overly burdened this year because provincial grant increases have been lowered while educational costs could soar higher, possibly causing local school boards to raise the educational levy. Since .the educational levy is included in the general municipal levy, Hanover felt that it, was within the jurisdiction of local municipalities to question how the money is being spent. Reeve Derry Boyle com- mented on the situation stating that the province has brought on part of the problem by providing incentives to local school boards to use up , grant money so that they would qualify for similar or higher allotments the following year. rise especially among young people. He said that suicides ranked as the second highest cause of deaths after accidents for young people. Hoogenboom told Council that several distinguished persons in the area had attempted to in- tervene on behalf of the hospital, asking health minister, Frank Miller to reconsider his decision, including Charles McNaughton, Jack Riddell, and Jim Hayter. Commenting on the presen- tation, Reeve Derry Boyle felt that Council would need some time consider to making arequest to the provincial government to keep Goderich Psychiatric open. Disputing the statistics presented by the delegation, Boyle said, a member of the Huronview Hospital board, I know that one in 11 persons in Huron County has some kind of mental retardation problem. Its different for those who drink too much or take too much dope. They weren't born that way, We've just now started to realize that we have a big problem with the mentally retarded", he said. Councillor Garnet Hicks commended the delegation on their effort and the research involved. A motion that council notify the government that they support Goderich Psychiatric was tabled until next week when it will meet to decide what action should be taken. The most recent reports on the status of the hospital indicate that the ministry is considering a compromise and may keep some of the wards open while reducing staff and funds to the institution. Meanwhile, Goderich Council has decided to go ahead with plans to get a court injunction preventing the government from closing the hospital, although they have been advised by their solicitor that they probably do not have the authority to do so because the hospital is located in Goderich township rather than the town, itself. Pleads guilty Provincial court, traffic and criminal divisions sat last Tuesday to hear the following cases. Judge Glenn Hays and Justice D. W. Wedlake presided. John Edward Bishop, London, 19, pleaded guilty to five separate charges of break, enter and theft and received two months definite to be served consecutively with a jail term of 9 months definite, 12 months indefinite, he is now serving in London. Bishop was convicted of breaking into the Exeter Curling Club, Grand Bend Cleaners (twice), Don Taylor Motors, and Exeter Produce, and stealing merchandise and money. pipeline . . . Continued from front page Usborne last October according to McBride. Problems arose over Exeter's proposed tapping of the Usborne water table when Usborne far- mers expressed concern over the future of their own water supply, PUC manager Davis says he foresees a group meeting of Usborne council, Exeter council, and Exeter PUC officials, to discuss the ministry report and arrive at a viable solution. "Provided we can satisfy the ministry and Usborne, I can see us using Usborne wells," he says. "It was never our intention to rob anyone of water," Davis adds. Exeter council will examine the report this Thur- sday. Exeter's first interim municipal tax levy will be in- creased by 10 mills to 70 this year as a result of a decision made by Council, The decision to up the interim rate was based on two con- siderations. First, because many property owners in town must pay an additional sewer frontage rate, not usuallyconsidered in the initial interim levy, it was felt that upping the initial levy would alleviate heavy tax loads later in the year. The same reasoning applied to the second consideration, namely that Council anticipates the necessity of increasing the mill rate in 4976, based on reports from the provincial government that municipal grants will be increased by only 10 percent, down almost 50 percent from grant increases in the past few years. That • was provincial treasurer, Darcy McKeough's message at the Wingham meeting three weeks ago. Reeve Derry Boyle announced a tentative budget for the town's police department for 1976, stating that it would have to in- crease to $95,000 from the $78,365 allocated in 1975. Thre was a deficit in last year's budget amounting to almost $11,000 according to Boyle. Police Chief, Ted Day took issue with Boyle over the manner in which last year's budget was presented, suggesting that the Reeve had failed to differentiate between town money and the provincial grant of $10,000. The Chief stated that if the grant were subtracted from last year's expenditures of $89,256, thaat actually only $79,256 of town money was spent indicating that in view of this fact there was only about $1,000 deficit. Boyle disagreed, He said that regardless of how much money the town spent ($79,256) that there was still a total of $89,000 spent in all, Day also questioned the Reeve about the police budget meeting on January 24, wondering why he had not been invited to par- ticipate in drawing up the 1976 budget. Boyle responded that he did not believe that the Chief was available on that day. Mayor Shaw, a member of the police committee,along with Boyle and Crew available for emergencies County engineer, Jim Brit- nell, told councillors that he is willing to lend the services of his 50 man crew in the event of an emergency. He explained that most men are trained in the St. . Johns Ambulance course and are trained to operate heavy equipment. Britnell who was a member of the original EMO committee said his staff and equipment would be available around the clock to assist local police and firefighters. He said the full services of the road crew would be at the disposal of the county but the men would only assist during an emergency and in no way would coordinate a project. He said he was hestitant about having his men attempting to coordinate municipal police forces and firefighters but would assist in the operation. Council endorsed the recom- mendation to discontinue the EMO operation in view of the government's decision to with- draw financial support. Oddliefson argued that despite the disbanding of the organization there was a definite need of coordination of emergency measures as well as alternatives in the event of an earthquake or some other county disaster. However councils endorsement of the recommendation to disband the EMO only followed Britnells statements that the road crew was not only available with equipment for any such emergency but they also had some first aid training. Councillor Bob Simpson, was also absent from that meeting. Ted Wright, chairman of the public works committee, an- nounced a tentative budget of $183,000 for works projects that includes a $79,100 provincial grant. Earlier in the year, Wright had indicated that $206,000 would be required to finish all of the work required for 1976. News from the province that the grant would only be $79,100 with no indication of whether a later supplement would be forthcoming, caused Wright to revise down his original works budget. Wright said that the present figure of $183,000 was still based obi a provincial supplement of $14,000, but said that there was no vkiay of knowing whether the supplement will actually be granted tai Exeter until later in the year. ' He said that the original budget "was decreased to avoid adding another mill increase to town ratepayers, but indicated that there could still be an increase if the $14,000 supplement does not come through from the province, Last year, the province came across with $91,800 in grants for road and sewer work some $10,000 more than what it has promised so far this year. Readers write Dear Editor: I hope a lot of people will agree with the view that Fred Youngs is one of the best things in quite a time to happen to the writing about sports. His column in the T-A on 29 January was a gem. But, then, he seems to be turning them up regularly. Best wishes to him; and many thanks to him for pieces of writing that go far beyond or- dinary journalism. Sincerely, Jack Lowther Wilson Dear Sir: It is the duty of an elected parliamentary representative to express and support the wishes of his, constituents. Despite recently propagan- dized criminal acts of a few mentally disturbed individuals, almost all Canadians who own firearms are law-abiding responsible citizens. F,B,I, and other authoritative criminal statistics show that the incidence of violent crime is highest where the most restrictive firearms legislation is in effect, e.g. New York City and Northern Ireland. Disarmed citizens are relatively safe prey for armed criminals. The police are unable to protect you and your family against criminal violence. They arrive after the crime has been com- mitted. Your firearms are a safe- guard. To keep them, contact your elected Member of Parliament NOW, by letter, telephone or telegram, and demand that he speak and vote against the restrictive firearms legislation soon to be passed as an Amendment to the Criminal Code, After your firearms are con- fiscated, protest will be futile. Yours for a free people, S. J. Neilson Spending cutbacks were a common bond in committee reports at Huron County Council last Friday and service cutbacks to residents of Huronview was a major item of contention. County Councillors learned that the county home for the aged south of Clinton may be forced to cutback on staff and sub- sequently service due to a ceiling on the provincial grant structure. The 310 bed institution is subject to a 51 2 percent grant from the province. County clerk-treasurer Bill Hanly said that 80 percent of the budget was needed to cover wages and employee benefits and councils only alternative in the budget was to cut staff and services to the patients. The management of Huronview committee has been unable to negotiate a final settlement with the Service Employees Union Local 210 involving 130 full time and 50 part time personnel . The county solicitor had recommended that an interim increase of 25 cents per hour be granted to all employees ef- fective January 1, 1976 pending final settlement. Union members have agreed not to seek com- pulsory arbitration before April 1 in an attempt to clarify the position of the province and the anti inflation board. 'County council gave tentative approval to the budget of $2,310,840 and while the province is limiting its grant to 51 2 percent the budget indicates a 13,4 per- cent increase in the provincial share. A one year agreement signed by employees last year on July 1 meant a 40 percent increase in salary which meant a six percent increase in the Huronview ex- penditures for the first six months of this year. If the em- ployees are granted the maximum eight percent salary increase under the guidelines then their total salary package for the year would mean an in- crease of 14 percent over last year. The budget is still subject to provincial approval and the county is asking the province for $1,141,470 which is an increase of almost $140,000 over last year. County council also learned that several roads projects may have to be cancelled in 1976 due to the increase costs of snow removal incurred this year. Huron County Road Committee chairman, Ralph McNichol told councillors that the budget would have to be cut in some places this year because increase costs of snow removal and the committee would likely be forced to eliminate some paving and construction. So far this winter the counties 14 snowplows and seven sanders have been operative almost 18 hours per day and the men have worked double the overtime from last year. Huron county engineer, Jim Britnell said the county has spent nearly 51 percent of the 1976 winter control budget and that costs have risen by 32 percent over last year, The only options available were to cut snow removal or cut road construction projects. Falls injure many people Falls kill and injure more people in Canada than any other non-transport accident, states the Ontario Safety League. Win- tertime increases the hazard as nature sets the stage with ideal fall conditions. People help make matters worse by adding carelessness to an already dangerous situation. What can you do to help prevent needless injury to yourself and others this winter? Begin by taking extra time and caution. This is good advice at any lime of year. In winter, it is essential to look ahead. Snow often hides slippery patches of ice, making a harmless looking sidewalk or steps very dangerous. Intersections are particularly dangerous due to the polishing action of tires. Friday council approved a spending report of the road committee for 1975 in which expenditures totalled almost $2,4 million. The road crew must now find time to erect new speed limit signs on county highways and sideroads that will cut the speed limit from 60 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour. Mr, McNichol said that if the snow kept up the road crew may not be able to erect the signs until some time in June. MRS, JESSIE KATHLEEN ( BOWEY) PFAFF Mrs. Jessie Kathleen (Bowey) Pfaff passed away at South Huron Hospital on Wednesday, January 28th, 1976 in her 74th year. A resident of the Bluewater Rest Home and formerly of Exeter. Beloved wife of the late Milton W. Pfaff. Dear mother of Mrs. Charles (Helen) Harris of London, sister of Mrs. H. (Etta) Young of the Bluewater Rest Home, Zurich and Mrs. R. (Frances) Berry, of London. Also survived by four grand- children. She rested at the R.C. Dinney Funeral Home, Main St., Exeter, where the funeral service was held on Saturday, January 31 with Rev. George Anderson, DFC officiating Interment was in Exeter Cemetery. Memorial donations were appreciated by the family. WILFRID G. MUNDS Wilfrid G. Mundsklied suddenly in Clearwater, Florida on Tuesday, January 28, 1976 in his 65th year. Beloved husband of Jean (Coates) and brother of Allison Munds of London. Mr. Munds had been retired from the Canadian Pacific Railroad, London District. He rested at the Hopper Hockey Funeral Home, Exeter, where the funeral service was held Saturday, January 31. Interment was in Exeter Cemetery. ELDA BROWN Miss Elda Brown died in London on Tuesday, January 27, 1976 in her 55th year. Daughter of the late William and Pheobe Brown. Dear sister of Byron Brown of Toronto, Mrs, Parry (Lois) Thompson of McGillivray Township and Ross Brown of Stephen Township. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. She rested at the M. Box and Sons Funeral Home, Parkhill, where the funeral service was held on Friday, January 30 with Rev. H. Moore officiating. Temporary entombent at the Exeter Cemetery. ELIZABETH ANN (LIZZIAN WOLFE) MORLOCK Elizabeth Ann (Lizzian Wolfe) Morlock died at Victoria Hospital in London on Wednesday, January 28, 1976 in her 87th year. Beloved wife of the late Simon Morlock of 580 Dundas St. Dear mother of Mrs. Derek (Burna) Fletcher of Burlington, and Charles Morlock of London. Beloved grandmother of Kenneth Morlock of Willowdale and Robert of London, Funeral services were held in the Evans Funeral Home, London on Friday, January 30 with in- terment at Crediton Cemetery, Rev. V, Wood of Grosvenor Temple officiated. MRS. FERROL DARROW Mrs. Ferrol Darrow, 68, passed away in Grace Hospital, Ottawa, Monday January 26, 1976. Widow of the late Robert A. Mercer, formerly of St. Thomas and Woodstock, She is survived by two daughters, Anne Mercer McMillan and Barbara Mercer Galbraith, both of Ottawa; two sisters, Mrs. Verda Moulton, Dashwood; Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, RR 5, St. Thomas; one brother, Harry Hartleib, London, 7 grandchildren. The funeral was held from the Smith Funeral Home, Woodstock with temporary entombment in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London. Mr. Britnell explained to councillors that rather than replace the whole sign the crews will overlay the required limit on the sign. He explained it would cost between $20 and $30 to replace a sing and only between $10 and $15 per sign for the overlay. In the 1975 expenditure report the cost of road maintenance amounted $706,640; new machinery $332,597; road con- struction and paving $847,578. GORDON BAYNHAM Gordon Baynham passed away suddenly at his residence in Exeter on Sunday, February 1, 1976 in his 54th year. Beloved husband of Maida (Wein) 'Baynham. Dear father of Bryan of Vancouver, B.C. and Barry of Exeter. Also survived by one granddaughter, Shonyn, two brothers, Charles (Scotty) of Calgary and Fred of Friend- swood, Texas. He rested at the Hopper Hockey Funeral Home in Exeter, where funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 4 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Glen Wright officiating. Inter- ment in Exeter Cemetery. Donations to the Heart Fund were appreciated .by the Baynham family. DAVID MELVIN MOFFATT David Melvin Moffatt died at St. Marys Hospital on Sunday, February 1, 1976 in his 58th year. Beloved husband of Marguerite (Lessard) Moffatt of RR 1 Granton. Dear father of Charles and Patrick of London, and Richard at home. Brother of Mrs. Hilda Marshall and Mrs. Freda Wright, of Ottawa, and Mrs. Iva Bicknell, Calgary. Predeceased by three sisters. Mr. Moffatt was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trailman, and the Canadian Legion, Victory Branch. Funeral service in the Evans Funeral Home, 648 Hamilton Rd. on Tuesday, February 3. Interment in Forest Lawn Memorial Gar- dens. Rev. Robert Birtch, St. David's Anglican Church, of- ficiating. Donations to the Cancer Society were gratefully accepted. OLIVIA (WELTIN) ROSENHDAL Olivia (Weltin) Rosendahl, widow of the late George Rosendahl, passed away January 29, 1976 at the Marian Villa in London. Mother of Mrs, B. Legault of St. Eustache, Quebec, sister of Albert H. Wetlin, Vic- toria B.C. and the late Edward Wetlin of Zurich, she was in h er 88th year. VICTOR ALEXANDER DUCHARME Victor Alexander Ducharme, RR 2, Zurich, died suddenly on Saturday, January 24, 1976 at his residence in his 65th year. Beloved husband of the former Viola Sreenan. Dear father of Jerome Joseph Ducharme, RR 3 Zurich, Dennis Charles Ducharme, Kingsville, Mrs. William (Marie Ann) Grenier of London; Mrs. Jerry (Rose Marie) Van Bruane, RR 1, Grand Bend. Dear brother of William, RR 2, Zurich, Louis, RR 2, Zurich, Napoleon, London; Isador, RR 2, Zurich; sister Frances Borgia,Mrs, Noel (Rina) Laporte, RR 2, Zurich, Mrs. Leonard (Cecelia) Jeffrey, Goderich; Mrs. Claude (Madeline) Gelinas, Zurich; Mrs. Leonard (Margaret) Masse, London; Mrs. Monica Jeffrey, Goderich, and seven grand- Mr. el1.1")ucharine rested at the Westlake Funeral Home, Zurich until Monday, January 26 when funeral mass was held at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Father Bensette. Interment at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Cemetery, St. Joseph.