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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-05-27, Page 1• Editorial Your help is needed Instant city mushrooms in Exeter as campers take over "We're pretty well self- contained. here", Bill Taylor of London, co-chairman of the campout observed on Saturday, "We've got a CB system set .up .at the Rodeo corral for outside communication and St. John's Ambulance is here for emergencies." With the wind whipping up dust along the race track, there was More than one campout organizer out hosing down the dirt Satur- day. but as the weather got crueler, the campers' spirits heightened. They were not to be discouraged on a weekend campout that had been planned for months. Most everyone was wearing heavy coats or jackets by the time the sun decided to fall, but cooling temperatures only brought our travellers closer Please turn to page 3 Alternative energy forms campers that the arena would not be available for use, the group wrote back requesting the Fairgrounds anyway. A large marquee, or canopy was used for two dances that were held Saturday and Sunday nights. At Saturday night's dance, the campers were officially welcomed to Exeter by Mayor Bruce Shaw and RAP chairman, Ruth Durand. Saturday was a busy day for the Exeter immigrants, as they held a parade down Main St., visited stores and shops in town and took in the Exeter Heritage Foundation's arts and crafts show at the old Town Hall. All of that activity was followed by entertainment at the marquee in the evening and the dance. "Hospitality", a camping tradition was held simultaneously with the dance. Its a coffee clutch, a chance for the campers who came from all over Ontario. as well as parts of the United States, and even the Yukon, to get acquainted and swap experiences obtained on the road. 1 • Talk about rapid urbanization, it looked like Exeter had a case of "instant cityitis" over the 24th of May weekend as some 460 camping units from the National Campers and Hikers Association migrated to the Exeter Fairgrounds for their annual spring campout, They came despite some pretty heavy cloud cover and strong northwest winds, Their trailers filled every spare inch of space available, to the point where the ball diamonds at the park, had shrunk to mere infields. Gwen Ogden, of London, the campout chairman said that 500 units had been anticipated for the 24th of May weekend. "With approximately 460 units, we weren't far below that figure", she added. She indicated that there could have been even more campers, but some had become discouraged after hearing reports that the Exeter arena, where dances and other campout USING A LOOM, E no de Haan of Exeter weaves purses and mobile planters as well as other interesting activities had been held in the art objects. She has been working with macrame for about four years and began weaving on the loom past, had been closed down. about two years ago. Her work was on display at the Exeter arts and crafts show over the weekend. Although RAP had warned the tnestAbuocafe One Hundred and Third Year Price Per Copy 25 Cents EXETER, ONTARIO, MAY 27, 1976 At County Council The most aggressive fund raising campaign in the history of this community will be getting underway shortly. Five hundred thousand dollars is the target that has been set to be raised locally by the South Huron Recreation Centre Committee. This is a huge sum of money in anybody's terms and the committee knows there is a long hard road ahead of them before their goal is realized . . but it's a job that must be done. The purpose of the campaign is to raise enough money to provide a decent recreational centre that will serve the people of South Huron. This newspaper believes recreational services are a vital part of any area, par- ticularly in the long winter months when most sports ac- tivities grind to a halt. The situation for proper recreational facilities in Ex- eter for next winter could be described as nothing less than critical because our arena will not be available for the many people that usually take advantage of its services, The problem faced by the South Huron Recreation Cen-. tre Committee is clear cut. The old arena has been con- demned and the experts tell us it is not practical to repair it. It was a building that has served its purpose well but higher building code and safety standards have forced the doors to close. The solution to the problem sounds simple as well. Build a new one. Members of the SHRCC will be the first to agree that it is much easier said than done. Hundreds of hundreds of hours of research and dis- cussions have already taken place by the committee to decide what type of facility would best suit the needs of this area, A plan of the new facility is expected to be available soon. But the hardest work remains to be done. The money must be raised. Five hundred thousand dollars is the figure that looms large in the minds of everyone connected with the project. Five hundred thousand dollars sounds like an impossi- ble figure to reach when it has to be done by donations from industries, businesses and individuals, not to mention the many community groups that will be pitching in. We believe five hundred thousand dollars can be raised if every single person digs down deep into their pockets and lends their wholehearted support to get the centre built. People who are a little hesitant about giving would be wise to consider the alternatives. If you do not support the SHRC . . , recreational activities in this town will be at an all time low. In comparison with other communities across the province Exeter will have taken a giant backward step . a step that could cost each of us much more in the years ahead. Five hundred thousand dollars will not be raised without knocking on every door . . . but it can be raised if everybody contributes the most they can afford. We suggest that everyone who may have doubts about contributing to the campaign consider this: How much is the well-being of our youngsters worth? It won't be the end of the world if they don't have the opportunity to play hockey and participate in other activities. But it would be a real crime if they didn't have the chance to learn about teamwork and sportsmanship, the two things that minor hockey instills in everyone who participates. Think about the many other groups who will benefit from the construction of the centre. It will be a structure that Will be used by everyone in the area for many, many years. When you consider all the, benefits and what could happen to our tax bills if the money isn't raised voluntarily, you may agree with this newspaper that the five hundred thousand dollar price tag may be a bargain after all. Debate contri;bons to hospitals hoard, said all hospitals should be treated alike. He urged county council to remember that two- thirds of the cost of hospital construction ig paid by the province, one-quarter is presently picked up by the county and about eight percent of the total cost must be raised locally. If the portion, amount county cuts back on its it is only increasing the that must be raised locally," said McNeil. Reeve Gerry Ginn of Goderich Township said the bylaw should not be rescinded. "What if we rescind the bylaw and Clinton hospital decides to go it alone on a building project," said Reeve Ginn. "It could happen, and we could be asked to pay 50 percent or more of the costs. What would we do then? We would really be charged with being unfair as far as the other hospitals are concerned." suggested that the previous "There's nothing to stop the province from approving a four million dollar hospital," said Elston. "Then they would come along and say, okay boys, you pay one million dollars. Stranger things do happen." "I really think we should be doing something about this bylaw or we're going to be in trouble," said Elston. Deputy-reeve Bill Morley Divergent views expected on restructuring council More Exeter Rodeo donors announced The Exeter Rodeo Committee has received word from Bill Smith of Custom Trailers Ltd. of Exeter that more businesses have been lined up as donors to activities and events at this year's Rodeo set for the Labor Day weekend. The donors include Nor- thlander Mobile Homes, Exeter Ford, Huron Tractor, Monteith Farm Equipment, Sherwood Exeter Ltd., Kongskilde, and W,B,H. Farm Machinery. The committee wrote a letter thanking Smith for his endeavors in lining up the financial support. This weekend Rodeo volunteers and members of the Exeter Saddle Club will be out at the grounds to brighten up the Rodeo ring. 24 gallons of white paint have been purchased for that" purpose and according to secretary, Jack Malone, they will use paint as far as it goes. Progress' reports from the various Rodeo committees were Alternative forms of energy was discussed at Exeter Council recently. A letter from Richmond Hill Council had been received, proposing that Ontario municipalities should call on both the provincial and federal government to spend more time and money researching alter- native forms of energy. The proposal said that at the present time, the only source of alter- native energy being explored is nuclear energy and indicated that its dangers could outweigh its advantages in years to come. Richmond Hill advocated that more effort should he put in to researching other types of energy, such as wind, solar, and water power. Commenting on the proposal, Reeve Derry Boyle said, "I think the government is doing everything it can to study the alternatives. I feel that nuclear energy is the power of the future and I see no dangers." "'c'hat's baloney", exclaimed Mayor Shaw. The government is spending no money to research alternative forms of energy." Recent research has deter- mined that of the two forms of nuclear energy generation, fission,and fusion, that fusion is a much safer process in terms of eliminating the dangerous leakage which has become associated with its widely used counterpart, fission. However, technology is lagging with regard to efficient, low cost large-scale production of energy through the "safer" process. At the present time, nuclear generating stations are employing fission andno great amount of research has gone in to developing a good inexpensive method of producing nuclear energy through the fusion method. Richmond Hill contended that running out of coal and oil might seem small in comparison to a possible disaster created by wide-spread nuclear pollution. Exeter Council voted to en- dorse the resolution which will be passed along to both provincial and federal governments. bylaw be rescinded and a new bylaw be passed, saying that county council would be responsible of 25 percent of the approved building costs up to one million dollars. "Then you'd be treating everybody alike," said Morley. "Are we afraid next year's council won't have the sense of responsibility to use all the hospitals alike?" asked Reeve John Jewitt of Hullett Township who urged councillors to get on with the vote. "I am not in favor of rescinding the bylaw," said Reeve Harold Lobh of Clinton. "Our hospital will never be closed again. It will he improved inside of a year and it will be accredited too. This county can surely look after this 25 percent as we go along." County administrator Bill Hanly said the county council had been under the imporession that the five county hospitals were planning together where building priorities were con- cerned, When Clinton Hospital was closed, it was apparent that the hospitals weren't working together. "All this recommendation is saying is, let's get this house in order," said Hanly, "Let's find out where we're headed for certain and then the county can decide funding. work done faster now, to see if it could actually be accomplished. Reeve John Flannery of Seaforth said his council thought mayors from the five towns should sit on county council in- stead of the reeves. Goderich Reeve Stan Profit said that when extra deputy- reeves were added at the beginning of 1975, council did not become more efficient in his view. "If we are no more efficient with more," reasoned Profit, "then it just naturally follows we will he no less efficient with less members." Reeve Derry Boyle of Exeter ,said his council felt that by im- plementing Section 27(a), it would seriously limit the num- bers of people who could aspire to county council because of the extra work and extra time which would be demanded of each remaining member. Deputy-reeve Frank Cook of Clinton said someone would have to prove to him that costs would be cut across the board. He claimed council would not operate as efficiently with 29 members as with 45. Deputy-reeve Joe Miller of Hay urged council to try getting the The matter of whether or not to reduce the number of representatives to Huron County Council was discussed only briefly at the May session of council Thursday in Goderich, The entire subject was tabled until the .June meeting when it is hoped a full council will be prepared to debate the issue from every angle. But that session should show a wide variety of viewpoints, judging from the smattering of comments voiced this month. County administrator Bill Hanly also indicated the type of debate it should be in June. He said the county had received five letters from municipalities concerning the move to im- plement Section 27(a) of the Municipal Act. "There were two for, two against — and one other," Mr. Hanly told council. Warden Jack McCutcheon clarified what the main point of June's discussion should be. "Is this council ready to accept more responsibility?" asked the warden, who also promised to be "the devil's advocate" in order to everyone. from provoke comment JIMOrdel&AMMAMMAIM:k A large portion of the afternoon session of Huron County Council last Thursday in Goderich was taken up arguing about whether or not to rescind a county bylaw that obligates the county to pay 25 percent of all provincially ap- proved costs of construction at any hospital in Huron County. The matter was never resolved at this month's session, and the recommendation from the Executive Committee to rescind the bylaw was referred back to them for further discussion. The main argument centred around funds from the county allocated toward Goderich Alexandra Marine and General Hospital because of the bylaw. When the original plans for the construction at AM&G were drawn up in 1970, the addition of emergency facilities were to have cost about $300,000, The county was prepared to pay 25 percent of $300,000 according to many members of council. However, the addition that is finally underway at AM&G has been provincially approved at more than one million dollars.. There is considerable resentment among some members of council that the county is now obligated to pay about $225,000 toward the hospital in Goderich. Reeve Bill Elston of Morris Township, also a member of 'executive committee, said it was the committee's intention to "show the government it couldn't come and get one-quarter of the construction costs for hospitals and then do as they like about closing them or keeping them open." Elston charged that the government of Ontario rode "rough shod" over the poeple of this county, He said when the county pays one-quarter of the bill, it should also have some of the say. Reeve Doug McNeil of Colborne Township, also chairman of Goderieh hospital • VAINNONAIMMOVHSEW received at the meeting and according to Malone, "everything seems to be moving along and falling into place". "Everyone is doing their job and we're getting excellent cooperation." The next general meeting of the Exeter Rodeo Committee has not been set. It will follow an interim session to be held by the com- mittee's executive. Parks ready for season People and events Town drains are problem Eldon Heywood, second vice president, Roy Hunter, first vice president, Graham Mason, president, Doug Brintnell, past president and Eric Heywood, treasurer, Reg McDonald is not shown because he was busi- ly working in his other capacity as Legion photographer. photo by Reg. McDonald -6 NEW OFFICERS for the R.E. Pooley Branch, Royal Canadian Legion, Exeter are shown above. From the left are: Back Row: Gerald Campbell, sgt. at arms, Doug Wedlake, Murray Greene, Harvey Hillman, executive, Harvey Pfaff. service bureau, Pat Skinner, poppy chairman, Ed Hearn, secretary, Bill Lenk, membership chairman and Lee Webber,sports chairman, Front Row: Ted Pooley, service bureau, The Ausable-Bayfield Authority is preparing for the opening of its parks and con- servation areas, Parks were open for the 24th of May weekend on a "trial-run basis", according to secretary-treasurer, Lila Hume, but they will be open full-time after this week. The summer hiring of students is proceeding. Although some students have already been hired, there are still openings to be applied for. A new group of student help was given orien- tation on Tuesday. The Authority reports that this year's tree planting program for private individuals has been completed with a great many new trees put into soil. General improvements to conservation areas are being carried out by both the Authority and in some cases volunteer groups. The Authority gained the services of Exeter Kinsmen recently when that group volunteered to demolish an old barn on the Crediton con- servation area, Construction will begin soon on repairs to the Walker Drain in Grand Bend, according to Mrs. Hume. Tender8 were opened on April 20. Because they were higher than the Authority had expected, approval for spending additional funds on the Walker Drain had to be secured frOm the Ministry of Natural Resources. Ilre-Aar Construction of London received the job as the lowest • bidder. 'Mere are many problems out there" stated Counc. Ted Wright as he discussed the present drain situation in the town of Exeter. "Some conditions have been created by new buildings. In one instance, the grade has been changed to an extent that it has created a real mudhole in front of certain properties." Wright said that the town owed it to residents of Exeter who have been serviced by the town for years to "go in and correct the problems." Two projects will be un- dertaken shortly by the works department. On Slincoe Street a partial new drain will be installed to alleviate heavy water flows from the south during storms. Wright said that it had been a problem in that area for "eight to 10 years." Drain work will also be carried out on Carling Street just north of Wellington, Total cost of the two projects would be around $2,500 to $3,000 according to Wright, Smith, treasurer. Esther Hillman, first vice president, Noel Westlake, president, Pauline Dyck, past president and Elsie McDonald, second vice president, photo by Reg McDonald, NEW OFFICERS of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary are shown above. From the left are: Back Raw: Anne Nichol, sgt , at arms, Terry Heywood, secretary, Barb Hearn, executive, Peg Hunter-Duvar, executive, Shirley Smith, executive and Dorothy Pfaff, executive, Front Row: Geraldine STEPHEN TOWNSHIP'S NEXT PLANNING WORKSHOP is scheduled for May 26 at the Crediton Community Centre. It will deal mainly with agricultural concerns. In all, nine workshops have been planned with the final one set for June 21. EXETER'S LIONS CLUB is trying to get a Leo Club started in town. The Leos are a youth branch of the Lions and like the parent club, community service is emphasized in group ac- tivities and projects. Dougall Campbell, of Elmira, the Leo chairman for Ontario, was on hand for the initial meeting Tuesday which saw a good turnout, although most of the young people were F rank Stressing that more boys are need- ed, Lions President, Frank Giffin said the next Leo meeting is scheduled for Thursday night, June 10 at 7:00 at the Scout Hall. • BICYCLE RIDERS will have chance to show their skills Satur- day beginning at 9 a.m. The Kinsmen Club and Police Depart- ment will be in charge of the activities at the parking lot behind the high school, CREDITON PARKS BOARD are holding a chicken barbecue and dance Saturday. The food will be served in the Parks Room and the dance will be in the Community Centre. RON BOGART, NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT of the Exeter Minor Hockey Association, is in Russia with about 100 other Canadian physical education teachers, taking courses at the Central Sports Headquarters there, He will return in three weeks. The course is sponsored by Concordia University. It is the second year of ifs operation, RAP ANNOUNCES that public swimming will open this weekend at the pool from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m, on Saturday and at the same times on Sunday, llowSROMSERVALIV,NEMIE.M.Na;',::,