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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-06-17, Page 1at ST tooKIKE 1 ARBITRATION SlifiKE ARBITRATION ND EMALli nnplaisPfDATET' t Al 1. "IN"' 441." 4* NURSES Reaches $10,000 mark Arena campaign is barreling along It wasn't a false alarm Monday at noon, but there wasn't any fire to extinguish either as sirens were heard along Main St. in Exeter. A number of citizens were on hand in front of the South Huron Recreation Centre Committee's campaign headquarters beside the PUC building to witness the Kickoff for the arena campaign beginning with a supportive speech by Mayor Bruce Shaw, the appearance of several bags of cash totalling $10,000 which was contributed to the arena fund, and a "snake dance" down Main Si. as 100 youngsters, each armed with a dollar bill, wound their way from the PUC building down to the Bank of Montreal where the money was deposited with clerks standing outside. Leading the parade was Mayor Shaw who rode in a wheelbarrow with locomotion supplied by Ron Bogart, chairman of SHRCC's fihance committee. The "vehicle" was loaded with money bags which provided,a soft seat for the Mayor. Prior to the snake dance, an Exeter area fire engine, operated by fire chief Gary Middleton pulled up in front of the SRRCC fund-raising thermometer and Mayor Shaw climbed aboard to deliver his speech in support of the campaign, Listing several reasons why a fund-raising campaign was important, the Mayor said, "With a successful campaign, there will be no debenturing necessary for the town and that means no increase in the mill rate. That's reason 'enough for all of us to get behind this thing and do a good job." The Mayor observed that Exeter was not the only town in Ontario asking its citizens to get captains of the SHRCC fund- raising campaign began tossing up the bags of cash donations which the Mayor caught, As the amounts were announced, the crowd repeated the accumulating total in unison, "two thousand, four thousand ..." and so on until it was learned that a total of $10,000 has already been collected towards the $500,000 goal, Canvassers were busy over the weekend, visiting local mer- chants for donations and from Monday's results, it looks like the campaign is off to a very op- timistic start. behind a fund-raising effort for a new arena. "This process is going to be repeated in at least 50 towns throughout the province", he noted. Commenting on expected grants from the province to match funds donated locally, he said, "I can see no better use for Wintario funds than to be put into projects of this nature." "With grants and a successful fund-raising campaign, I think we can be optimistic and with' our present arena committee on the job, I don't thinkIthat we should have any problems at all." After the Mayor's speech, the c*alle elteferZineseatwo ale One Hundred and Third Year EXETER, ONTARIO, JUNE 17, 1976 Price Per Copy 25 Cents • uit cil RAP members threaten to over budget cuts from Cou "What is the use of preparing a budget when Council goes ahead and cuts it beyond what is feasible?" That was treasurer Dave Zyluk's reaction to Exeter Council's decision to trim $23,000 from RAP's original budget request for 1976. RAP , which is faced with providing recreational programs IT'S NOT EXACTLY A CADILLAC, but Mayor Bruce Shaw had it easy and Ron Bogart had to supply the 'horsepower' for the Mayor's trip to the bank Monday at noon. Shaw and his "chauffer" wheeled the first $10,000 donated to the arena to the doors of the Bank of Montreal. T-A photo by Youngs. salaried •employees. To meet council's order for a reduction, RAP decided that the permanent three-man team which makes up the arena and maintenance crew for town recreational facilities would have to be put on staggered temporary layoffs during the fall and winter, At one point during the meeting to a town devoid of an arena this year seemed unanimously disappointed with the Council decision when they met Monday night to try and work out a revised program with less money. One of the more significant items of the budget cut is $8,000 from wages for hourly and 4 :;";';•7 Pool staff produces novel idea to help town swim team which should be cut from the budget could be saved without sacrificing even more recreation programs. The decision to lay off the arena employees was made by RAP because it was felt that there was not enough work to justify keepingthempn the payroll under the new budget cuts. proposed by Council. McKinlay pointed out that the swimming pool staff was operating at the minimum number of employees as well as the playground staff. Noting that most of the rec programs bring in revenue as well as create costs for RAP, he pointed out that to realize a $5,000 saving in the swimming program, $7,000 worth of program would have to be cut because of revenues that the program creates for RAP. Noting the $8,000 budget cut for employees' salaries, McKinlay stated, "That's the whole thing • ight there. Where are we going to make them?" Some members of !RAP felt that their authority and responsibility had been stripped by the budget decision from Council and nodded in agreement when committee member, Gaylen Josephson said, "If Council doesn't trust us to make any decisions then I'm quite willing to resign from RAP and let them run it. All we get is static from the neighbors about Please turn to page 3 PRACTICING FOR THE OLYMPICS? — Perhaps that is what this Exeter girl is doing as she executes a perfect back flip off the diving board at the Exeter swimming pool. However, at her age, the Olympics are at least four to eight years off. T-A photo. The young people who are staffing the Exeter swimming pool this summer have come up with a novel idea to encourage more participation on the town swim team and at the same time perhaps raise a bit of extra cash for RAP. Brian Tuckey, who is heading up this year's pool staff in- troduced a motion at Monday night's RAP, m.eeting which would' replaCe the current '$16 registration fee for swim team members with a. swimathon designed to not only raise money for the team's expenses this summer, but cut down on the rec. committee's costs for operating the pool program. Brian learned aboute the idea while attending a ^, recreation meeting in Kincardine recently. Tuckersmith township dropped its swim team registration and replaced • it with a swimathon "We're trying to give you an alternative which will save you some money and get more kids involved in the swim program." Rec. director Jim McKinlay , said that the fact that the staff at the swimming pool was putting the effort and initiative into planning the program was im- portant to consider. He observed that RAP had set a budget deficit for $400 for the swim team prVgeaffiltitr itrOUltrbe nice if a swimathon made the program pay for itself without any financial help from RAP. After Brian had fielded a few questions from RAP members concerning how the swimathon would be handled, the motion was approved, Tuckey said that it would probably take two weeks to organize the swimathon and invited all interested parties including RAP members to line up sponsors and participate in the event. Coun. Harold Patterson asked if anyone was prepared to scrape unsuccessful participants off the bottom of the pool. Huron Board of Education increases its rental fees Board approves School equipment purchases Its dusty at the racetrack A review of policies regarding the use of Huron Board of Education school facilities resulted in an increase of fees for most rentals. At Monday's regular meeting, the Board accepted a recom- mendation from the budget committee headed by trustee John Elliott that all users regardless of rental group classification should assume ID responsibility for identifiable additional costs to the Board over and above any fee charged for the use of the facility. These costs are primarily for custodial wages. Trustees were told the fees charged for use of facilities should be increased in an attempt to offset increased costs of heat and electricity. The committee noted that the recommendations were made only after considering a survey of fees charged by six other boards which raised $800 for the pool program. Brian told RAP Monday night that the swimathon probably doubled the revenue that would have been realized from registration fees. He told RAP members that he could see no reason why Exeter could not sponsor the same type of fund-raising campaign and make at least as much as Tuckersmith if not more. Bridn pointed -Oa *that even with last year's swim team fee of $5, a number of prospective members had to drop out because their parents did not want to pay the fee. He suggested that the $10 fee for this season might cut back even more on the number of swim team members. The plan would call for the swim team becoming a swim club, responsible for raising its own money although maintaining RAP sponsorship. "We feel that the maximum registration with a $10 fee would be around 40 kids for a total of $400, but with a club raising its own money we could get as many as 75 to 80.", Brian said. Under the plan, the youngsters wishing to participate on the team would line up sponsors to pay them so much for so many lengths of the pool that they swim. Any money which was not used by the swim team which be turned back over to RAP. "We feel that the swim team has been a great success in the past and we think that the present registration fee would hamper future swim teams," Tuckey observed, adding that he hoped that money raised from the swimathon could also be applied towards travelling expenses for the team which have been borne by the team members in addition to registration fees in the past. The Huron County Board of Education \ Monday afternoon approved extra expenditures for installing new hydraulic hoists in the auto mechanics shops in two secondary schools this fall. RAP members began discussing a postponement of budget revisions, perhaps until the next meeting to allow the finance committee an opportunity to come up with alternatives. Rec director, Jim McKinlay was not happy with that idea "If there are going to be any cuts in programs I want to know about them now because I'm not about to start a program, hire people and cut it off two days later," he said urging the committee to make decisions on program revisions as soon as possible. One item in the budget that stands a good chance of going is the wading pool program for small children. Zyluk estimated that it would cost the town about $1,000 to run the wading pool •this year. There was also discussion on cutting two or three weeks off the main swimming pool program although McKiplay pointed out that persons have already registered for pool:' programs in those last weeksly Further cuts were considered for the playground as well. "Let's face it", Zyluk in- terjected. "If people in town don't like our decisions (on program cuts) then we will just have to go back to Council and get some more money." RAP Chairman, Ruth Durand observed that the committee had been over the budget "with a fine tooth comb". She wondered what Council would have the com- mittee do, noting that programs had already been cut by the closing of the arena. "It seems funny to me that RAP is given the same amount of money as last year while the town ,budget goes up 13.5 percent." McKinlay argued. He noted that with inflation and the arena closing which cuts off potential RAP revenues from other sources, the committee had no alternative but to make further program cuts in order to meet Council's demands. When members of RAP posed a question to Councillors Harold Patterson and Lossie Fuller, who are on the committee, with regard to possible grant in- creases from Council, Patterson answered that it was doubtful that Council would consider it. Arena manager, Alvin Willert who remained silent through most of the budget discussion, finally spoke up with regard to proposed staff layoffs. He suggested that if RAP were going to take employees off the payroll that it was only fair to lay off part-time employees first, noting that seniority should count for something. McKinley agreed but wondered how the $8,000 proposed by Council as the amount of wages Dust is causing problems for persons who live near the racetrack in Exeter and the hot dry weather combined with heavy breezes in the last few days hasn't exactly helped things. Although the dust would be a problem anyway, it becomes agitated when the racetrack is being used by the numerous horseowners putting their animals through the paces. Please turn to page 3 The first request came from principal R.J. Homuth of Huron Central in Clinton for $2,700 over and above the regular school budgets and only recently the same situation occurred at F.E. Madill in Wingham. Both schools indicated the car hoist was a very important part of the auto shop equipment and vitally necessary for successful completion of the auto mechanics program. J.W.Eedy purchases newspapers of education and five Huron County non-education facilities. Trustee Marion Zinn said she was very concerned with the hike in fees. She continued,' "I will have to do a lot of PR work. Brookside school is used ex- tensively for weddings and other ,banquets. There is no other facility in the township." Mrs. Zinn added, "This will mean that weddings renting for about $25 now will go up to close to $85." Vice /-chairman Charles Thomas asked if it was necessary to have a custodian present at all functions. He was told by superintendent Roy Dunlop that "it's up to the principals." Trustee Molly Kunder 'com- mented, "with hydro and water rates going up, we had no choice. Budget chairman John Elliott said any church groups would fall into the A category and would be AVIRMAISMOMERWIENNAMEMMEMMate/eA,e.me:- liable only for custodial fees. Chairman Herb Turkheim said, "some municipalities claim the schools provide unfair com- petition with lower rates." Rental of a classroom for group B will go from $3 to $5 and doubled to $10 for C groups. The balance of the B group schedule is general purpose room $15 from $10; secondary double gymnasium $25 from $15; single gymnasium $15 from $10; cafeteria $15 from $10 and the cost for per 100 chairs set up and removed will remain at $5. For C groups the charges will be classrooms $10 from $5; general purpose room $35 from $25; double gymnasium $75 from $50; single gymnasium $35 from $25 and cafeteria $20 from $15. Setting up and removing of chairs will remain at $10. At the same meeting, the Board Please turn to page 3 People and events Times-Advocate publisher Lorne Eedy announced Tuesday that J. W. Eedy Publications Ltd. has purchased both the Exeter Independent News and the Zurich Citizens News. The Zurich paper and the Independent News have been operated the past eight months by Bill Batten, Ross Haugh and Ted ROweliffe. Mr. Eedy said be was pleased that Bill Batten, Ross Haugh and Ted Rowecliffe have decided to remain with J.W. Edy Publications. "The experience these three individuals have in the newspaper field will be an asset to the company," Mr. Eedy said. Changes in the management structure at the Times' Advocate are as follows: Bill Batten will re- join the firm as editor of the T-A with responsibilities for production of the Zurich Citizens News as well, Ross 1-laugh will return to the Times-Advocate as assistant editor. Ted Ilowcliffe will be appointed to another key management position in the company that will be announced in the near future. Present T-A editor and ad- vertising manager Jim Beckett will assume the responsibilities of advertising sales manager, Mr. Eedy said he believes the addition of these individuals will enable the Times-Advocate to continue their role as one of the leading weekly newspapers in the country. MANY LOCAL PEOPLE are expected to attend the Ontario Fiddlers Contest June 18 and 19 at the Hensall Community Centre. The event is sponsored by the Hensall Kinsmen Club. DUE TO SOME VANDALISM which occurred during the OPA campout at the Exeter Fairgrounds over the Victoria weekend, Iry Armstrong, representing the Ausable Nomads has asked RAP to put up a fence prohibiting entry to the grounds to anyone not involved with the next campout com- ing up in July, ALPHA, Huron County's organization for the physically dis- abled will hold its June meeting, on Monday, June 21 at the Holmesville Public School.All interested persons are invited. A SHOWER FACILITY is required by the Huron County Health Board in order to run the Exeter swimming pool next year. RAP discussed plans for adding showers and will allot so much for that purpose in next year's budget. (See budget story on this page). WE BET A LOT OF PEOPLE were Odd to see the rains come Tuesday night after the past week of sweltering heat in the Exeter area. Farmers say that they could use more rain yet, however. THE DISPUTE BETWEEN GRAND BEND and the Lambton County Board of Education over Grand Bend's apportion- ment will come to a head June 24 at 10:00 a.m. when the two sides will sit down in the board roam of the Education offices in Sarnia. REEVE acts sHAREN points out that garbage collections in Grand Bend forprivate residents will revert to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the summer months starting this week. Areas will retrain the same as in 1975, Teacher aide for Exeter The Board approved a request from Exeter Public School principal Jim Chapman to hire a teacher aide for the 1976-77 term, In a letter to the Board, Chapman said kindergarten registration has reached 63 for September 1976. He said physical space for a third kindergarten class would be a problem and statistics available for the next three years do not suggest a need for increased kindergarten facilities. The Exeter principal, con- tinued "The cost of equipping an extra kindergarten room is not reasonable at this time. For these reasons we feel that a teacher aide would prove to be a greater value than establishing a half- time program," Approve Atikokan request The Board gave unanimous approval to a recommendation that the Anti-inflation Board publicly declare that all in- cremental wage increases be included within the allowable wage increases. The request continued, by permitting increments to he excluded from guidelines the AIB is allowing a situation to exist in which the public sector is held to maximum wage increases while at the same time being called upon to support wage settlements for teachers which will exceed the MB maximum. Trustee Molly Minder said this recommendation was approved at a recent trustees convention at Thunder Bay. , tom the Huron County Health Unit picketed South Huron Hospital on Monday, The province- photo by Y. Romaniuk. . _ NURSES ON STRIKE Fourteen nurses wide strike will last for a period of one week,