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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-04-08, Page 1ALL SMILES at the Exeter United Church Sunday ore members of the Junior Choir who perfo'rmed the musical "Sam" for the first time on Sunday, under the musical direction of Mrs. Marianne McCaffrey and accompanied by Dr. Ralph Topp. The group, ages 8 to 14, will be tak- ing "Sam" to various locations such as Hensall, Brucefield and perhaps London. From left to right, bottom are Lynn Dawson, Lisa Wright, Deb- bie Down, Pam McCaffrey, Lisa Rundle; middle, Suzanne Mothers, Miriam Wright, Tammy Robinson, Paul Campbell, Nancy Jane Jeffery, Brian Topp; top, Kathy Topp, Janet Shapton, Leslie Campbell, Barb Down, Cindy Down, Bevan Shapton and Doug Willard, T-A photo by Sharon Specht a FASHION SHOWS — are a sign of spring and this one held Wednes- day afternoon at the Pineridge Chalet was no exception. The event was sponsored by The Huron Country Playhouse Guild and featured local models. Adrienne Wood is shown modelling the latest styles in swimwear. T.A photo by Y. Romaniuk One Hundred and Third Year EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 8, 1976 Price Per Copy 25 Cents IA/ d • tion stri People and events SOME OF THE SIDEWALKS put in last year by a construction company have begun to cave in, according to Councillor Bob Simpson. Fortunately, the construction company is legally responsible for any defects for a period of one year and there is still time for something to be done. REEVE DERRY BOYLE has recommended that the finance committee of Exeter council look into hiring a third full-time person for the town office. He indicated that the workload has increassed, including new accounting procedures re- quested by the Ministry of the Treasury and Economics that would require a more detailed breakdown of town budget operations. • EXETER BROWNIES AND GUIDES will be holding a fashion showchooronday, April 12 at 8 p.m. at South Huron District High School. PARENTS MAY REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN at the co-op nursery planned to open in September in Exeter United Church by contacting Mrs. Janet Hern, Huron Street, East. Plans are underway to incorporate the school under the day- care nurseries act. EASTER EGG AND BOOK SALE will be held at The Old Town Hall, Saturday by Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Proceeds will go to the Exeter Heritage Foundation for restoring the old hall. THE RODEO DANCE, held last Saturday was labelled a "tremendous success" by committee secretary, Jack Malone. The next meeting of the committee will be held April 14 at 8:00 p.m. in the Exeter Public School library. A 24-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING COMPLEX will soon be underway in Exeter to be located in the middle of the block bounded by William, Sanders, Gidley and Carling Streets. It will be built by Len Veri of Riverview Estates. A building per- mit has been issued. THE CURRENT PRICE TAG OF $15,600 is for pruning and removing trees in Exeter, damaged during the big ice storm. It was indicated that the George Flanagan Tree Service is close to completion of the job. "INNEVASY.C•MiNAEM financial difficulties to a deal to sell it to Collet Industries last fall. "The deal flopped and that is really what hurt us", Gravlev said, The Bank of Montreal and the Ontario Development Cor- poration have been appointed agents for the secured creditors. Clarkson Co. Ltd. of London has been appointed agent of Mr. Charles Bawden, who is the receiver-manager for the Bank of Montreal. "Orders are coming in real fast and everybody is being paid", Gravlev assured. He confirmed a report that workers on the night shift had been failing to show up for work but said that they had no reason because the payroll was being met. 0. W. Parks, an ac- countant with Clarkson Co. Ltd., also gave assurance that the payroll, was still good and said that the employees had been told. In a telephone call with the T-A, Parks said, "At the present time we want to ensure that the company does continue to operate. We are optimistic that we will see the thing perpetuated. We have no intentions to liquidate at this point," Asked about the possibility of lay-offs, Parks conceded that the possibility of temporary layoffs existed if the company was not able to continue operating in a receivership. Bill Beaver, another ac- countant with Clarkson, termed the current situation a "breathing space" for the company. "We are keeping the company going right now pen- ding further analysis", he said. In a receivership, the receiver proposes ideas to the creditors as to how to keep the company going and generating profits. The creditors have a look at the financial analysis and it is up to them to decide what to do, whether to keep it going or to liquidate. "IfJ.F. does fold, it would have quite an impact on Exeter's economy", Gavlev observed, "— , especially since we pay quite well," He said that about 15 persons are employed there at the present time. Well it happened. After months of disagreement, indecision, and frustration, Exeter's Town Council and the citizens town hall committee came to an agreement last night, permitting the com- mittee to take over ownership of the controversial old structure. The committee will now continue with its renovation project' to the building back to original condition and preserve it as an historical structure. "It's yours now", several of the councillors put it, challenging the committee, now renamed the Exeter and District Heritage Foundation, to put their words into action. J. F. Farm Machinery Ltd. of Exeter went into receivership on March 29, a financial situation in which the secured creditors have joined together and taken control of the company through an ap- pointed receiver in order to ob- tain payment. "Despite internal problems we are working full blast and have openings for new people", commented Erik Gravlev, president of J. F. He attributed at least part of the company's How soon they do forget With all the excitement and fuss over plans for a new arena for Exeter, the old arena was all but forgotten this week, But the Exeter and Area Fire Board did not forget. Gary Middleton, Fire Chief sent a letter to Exeter Council in- forming them that the roof was' not the only obstacle in the way of reopening the facility, It seems that some major fire safety renovations are in order, as well. Middleton stated that until the building was brought up to thepresent Ontario fire safety standards, the facility could not be reopened for the Exeter Fair. No cost estimate was included with the notice, Coun. Garnet Hicks expressed concern over the letter. He is secretary-treasurer of the Exeter Fair Board, Included among several alternatives being considered by Council since the Ministry of Labor condemned the arena, was the possibility of using the building next summer in con- junction with the fair and other public events, minus the roof. It was (he condition of the roof which prompted the Ministry to initiate the closing. In another development, Council received its first offer, to tear the arena down. The offer came from a demolition firm in Sarnia. News travels fast as the old saying goes. dollar a year for a period of ten years with an option to renew the lease at the end of that time. Ownership of the building, itself, by the Foundation is un- conditional and the new organization is entitled to all Exeter Police received a report on Saturday, April 3 that the Precious Blood Separate . School on Sanders St. W. had been broken into. Damage was caused in the school with windows broken and a small amount of money stolen. As a result of the police in- vestigation, two juveniles from the Goderich area were arrested and charged. One was charged with break and enter and the other with wilful' damage. The two youths will appear in Juvenile Court on a later date. Mr. Lloyd Moore of Ill Main St. revenues derived from its operation. It is also responsible for any debts incurred as a result of operating the building, in- cluding utilities and taxes, although council will award them a grant "in lieu of taxes". N. reported to police that his five- speed bicycle had been stolen from beside his home. The bike was taken sometime on April 3. It was recovered by police in Goderich and the youth responsible has been charged with theft and will appear in Juvenile .Court on a later date. Chief Ted Day had a notice for bicycle riders this week: "During the warm weather, last weekend, it was very noticeable that the bicycle riders were out in force. They not only rode along the sidewalks on Main St., but they also paid no heed to the heavy It was a night of decisions for Exeter Council and the municipal body responded by rolling out two major ones, affecting the old town hall and the proposed new arena, Both projets will go ahead as a result. Three motions relating to the new arena were passed by council, all initiated by Counc. Harold Patterson. The first motion gave the finance committee of the South Huron Recreation Centre Committee the go-ahead to begin • planning ways of raising funds for an arena and hall, excluding a swimming pool and health centre, at least for the present time. Patterson's second motion called for a target cost for the new structure not to exceed $1 million. His third motion gave council the authority to approach the municipal councils of Usborne, Stephen, Hay, Zurich, and Grand Bend at an inter- municipal meeting to determine how much, if any, the other councils would he willing to spend on the arena and to get some estimate of public support for the structure in those municipalities. The decisive motions came after Doug Ellison, chairman of public relations for the South Huron Recreation Centre The Town of Exeter will pay the Foundation $200 a month rent for use of the building by the town police. Council also awarded the Foundation a $2500 grant, which was the amount of money that it had planned to spend on the old town hall during the year 1976. Mayor Shaw indicated that the inundation could always come hack for further grants at a later date, although not promising anything in particular. It was a major victory for the citizens' committee, which has been together for over a year now. After turning over their research to Council last fall, they learned that the same municipal body that had commissioned them to look into ways of saving the 87-year old building, was now planning to tear it down, Stories about confrontations between the committee and council, and accounts of the building going up and down like a yo-yo abounded in the news media on a regular basis. Although the arguments were many, council basically clung to the idea that the project was too costly and the building "wor- thless". The Foundation, argued that the town hall was the most significant historical structure that Exeter has and should be preserved. The turning point seemed to come when the Foundation suggested to Council that they lease the premises and sub- sequently take over all respon- sibility for renovating the structure, Commenting on the first real agreement between council and the committee in months, Mayor Bruce Shaw said, "I am very pleased that we have an apparent end to the confrontation between two groups of citizens." Doug Gould asked council to take the necessary steps to have the building declared a Heritage building under the Ontario Heritage Act and Council agreed to do so. Following the approval of building permits, which is ex- pected to come without delay, the Foundation can get on with its renovation work and make use of the federal LIP grant, of $11,500 before time runs out on it in June of this year. traffic on Friday and Saturday. Bike riders must obey the rules of the road, Furthermore, any youth who is observed by the police riding on the sidewalks of the streets can be charged with an offence under the by-law or the Highway Traffic Act. If your son or daughter is riding on the sidewalk, there is also a chance the officer will confiscate the bicycle and make you, a parent, come to the police office fit a warning along with your children. Let's have some cooperation." Committee addressed coeneil and asked them for a concrete proposal with which the com- mittee could work. "A number of us in the com- munity are looking forward to some decision and direction. From comments made at last Thursday night's meeting, it would appear that a number of people in the townships are wondering what's going on, as well. It seems that the public elects a council to make decisions and 1 know that a number of people that I have talked to would like to see a decision made," he said. When council discussion on the recreation centre opened, Reeve Derry Boyle was the first to speak. The Reeve, who has made Tree limbs caused con- siderable consternation to property owners around Exeter during the ice storm. Now they are causing Exeter Council to puzzle over whether or not the town is liable when a tree located on town property causes damage to private property. The question seems to hinge on whether or not the town must be made aware of the tree's con- dition prior to 'the damage done and what would constitute awareness. It came up at Council Monday night when a letter from L. D. Pinkney of Lyle Pinkney and Company, insurance adjusters, was read. The adjusters are investigating a claim against the town by Barry Reid of Sanders Street. During the ice storm, a large tree limb from a tree located on the town-owned boulevard in front of Reid's home fell and caused damage to the house. In the opinion of the insurance adjusters, the town would only be liable for damages caused by the tree _limb falling if it could be established that Mr. Reid or some other party had informed the town of the tree's condition or the town had become aware through some other means. The letter from the adjusters stated in part, "I would confirm that we have attended at Mr. Re i d's home and have examined the tree and tree limb, noting that it was rather seriously rotted, but our main concern at this point, is whether town officials or em- ployees were aware of this rot- ting condition." Ted Wright, chairman of the public works committee and Glen Kells, works superintendent, both told Council that to their knowledge, they were not aware Bell Aerospace lays off another 20 About 20 workers were laid off from Bell Aerospace last week in the company's second major layoff in less than six months. The layoffs leave 33 employees at the plant. A slowdown in negotiations with overseas markets and a lack of new contracts were the reasons given for the layoffs. The remaining employees are working on the seventh Voyageur hovercraft, Rehiring of staff at the plant is not expected until there are new contracts. One of the new contracts may come from British Columbia, who Bell are negotiating with to provide a large hovercraft as a ferry service. his opposition to a sports complex publicly known, suggested that Exeter take a look at a $450,000 arena and hall being built in Dorchester for ideas on how an inexpensive arena could be built. Explaining that the Dorchester arena will sport an ice surface of 180 ft. by 80 plus a hall and library, he said "If we are going to build an arena and hall, we shouldn't go over half a million dollars. To me, that would be the limit we could go with the available grants." "That facility in Dorchester looks to be just about what we need, It would probably house' between 6 and 700 people." A motion by Boyle that an arena and hall be authorized to be built at a ceiling of $500,000 was of the situation prior to the event taking place. The situation could leave Exeter property owners with the responsibility of determining whether publicly owned trees are going to fall or branches are ready to break off and then in- forming the town before they could collect for any damages caused to their property by a town tree, This responsibility could conceivably apply to other situations as well where town property collides with private property. At another point during the Council meeting, Mayor Shaw brought up the matter of sewer backups from last fall which filled some residents' basements with sanitary sewer water. He asked Council whether the town could be considered liable. Glen Kells suggested that the onus would be on the property owner to prove the town liable. The matter was left unresolved. ;MEM buyers of daffodils when the Beta for the Canadian Canter Society. him, Selling the daffodils Heather photo by Youngs I guess we might as well tell you now", replied Doug Gould, president of the Foundation, "we're planning a MacDonald's franchise for it." The remark drew a chorus of guffaws from the crowded council chambers gallery. Many were there to hear the results of tile proposed town hall agreetrfent;••;i• Oth &It there, waiting for a council decision on the proposed new arena. The agreement between the Town and the Heritage Foun- dation calls for the Foundation to take over ownership of the building and lease the land upon which the town hall sits at a Could cost $1 million Council approves arena, hall defeated when no one would second it. Coune. Wright:com- mented that the proposed ceiling was Unrealistic. Mayor Shaw added some thoughts of his own which he had jotted down and appear in the "Mayor's Column" elsewhere in this paper. Basically, he argued that other municipalities would be hesitant to support just an arena because most already have such facilities of their own. The mayor suggested that if a swimming pool were included in the package, along with an arena and hall that the project would attract a wider financial base for fund-raising efforts. Agreeing with that proposal was John Stephens, chairman of SHRCC, Commenting on Council's decision to go with just the arena and the hall, at least for the present time, Stephens said, "I think that Council has made the same mistake as our com- mittee made last week. We didn't realize that we could raise the total money needed from the public sector by approaching the total area with a proposal of- fering a total facility." Instead, we proposed only an arena for our first phase," Council's decision to go ahead with just an arena and hall does not rule out the possibility that the swimming pool could be , added to the total project before construction has begun. The decision merely started the machinery rolling. Mayor Shaw had described the arena dilemna as "circular" and had said that some action had to he taken somewhere along the line. There had been some question as to where and when the action should be initiated,and whether or not Exeter Council should approve a project without first getting confirmation from other area councils that they would contribute to the financing. Shaw told Council that no response would be forthcoming from those other Councils unless Exeter had committed itself first, Stephens suggested that the Please turn to page 3 •-•=badeZWaNK F. r Mac hi ery enters receivers hi Investigate ear-train crash Town trees could be private responsibility STEVEN PARKER, NEARLY TWO years old, was one of the younger Sigma Phi Sorority were on Exeter streets selling them to raise money Steven might be buying them for his mother,Mrs. Henny Parker, behind Higgins, left, and Donna Livingstone, right, •