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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-03-24, Page 1POSING WITH YOGI — One of the feature attractions at Sunday's game between the EMHA coaches and Team Ten from CFPL was Yogi Bear. Shown with Yogi is Andrew Mason. T-A photo A LEISURELY SKATE — Referee Russ Evon takes time out from the game to go for a skate with Lorna "Cyclone" Russell during Sunday's hockey contest between "Team Ten" and the Exeter minor coaches, • exelerZimesativocafe One Hundred and Fourth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, MARCH 24; 1977 Price Per Copy 25 Cents SPECIAL AWARD — Garnet Hicks, a member of the Exeter Independent Order of Oddfellows for more than 47 years received a special honour Saturday night. He received the Meritorious Jewel for his many contributions to the Lodge, Church and Community. The medal is presented above by Hazel Galbraith of Kingston, president of the Rebekah Assembly of Ontario. At the left is John Broadfoot, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ontario. T-A photo Home heavily damaged by smoke, water Stephen rejects bid for Lions severance Damage could reach $20,000 in a fire at noon Thursday at 223 Sherwood Crescent in Exeter but a sensible move by the owner kept the blaze from becoming more severe. A Crediton man was fined $500 or 50 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to an assault charge in Exeter court, Tuesday. Duncan G. MacAdam was charged following the December 12 assault on ThomasMcVeeney in Credi ton. Evidence revealed that the accused went to an apartment in which the victim was residing, pulled him out of bed, and. proceeded to punch, kick and choke him. Although being bruised from the attack, McVeeney suffered no broken bones nor abrasions. The court learned that there had been bad relations between the two men. In a contested case on Tuesday's docket, Gordon F. Simpson, RR 1 Kirkton, was found guilty of impaired driving and was fined $200 and had his licence suspended for three months, OPP Constable Jim Straughan reported that on November 20 he saw a vehicle driven by the ac- cused approaching Highway 4 from -Kirkton and the vehicle failed to yield the right of way I and forced traffic to dodge, The officer said he then followed the vehicle and noted that it was swerving and went onto the shoulder of the road several times, When he stopped Simpson's School levy up for Middlesex Middlesex County taxpayers will be facing an increase of 7.4 percent increase in education taxes this year, but it will be a lot less painful than a year ago. Jim Scott of Lucan, chairman of the Board of Education budget committee said while the education tax rate will be up it will be a "sharp improvement" from 1976 when the increase was 39.1 percent. Scott said the 23.4 million dollar budget was realistic and represented the lowest ex- penditure possible. It is up 5.3 percent from a year ago. A major factor in the 1976 budget was the contracts negotiated in 1975 that came into effect in 1976.Realistie contracts, which came under federal wage and price controls were negotiated in 1976 according to Scott. The 1977 rate will mean an increase of $22.90 in taxes on a $5,000 assessment to $332.80. The 1976 budget resulted in an $87.10 increase on the same assessment. The basement of the home of Elmer Taylor was filled with smoke when he arrived home for lunch. On arrival at home he smelled smoke and opened the door to the basement to find car, he said he smelled alcohol and there were many part bottles of beer in the vehicle. There were three passengers with the ac- cused at the time. Constable Straughan said he took Simpson to Goderich and administered physical tests for impairment. Defence lawyer Jim Donnelly said he was surprised that the officer had to conduct the tests, noting he had no training. Witness Glenn Rohde said he had worked with Simpson on the day in question and they had two beers after lunch and after work went and bought six cases of beer and went to Kirkton. Only one hour elapsed between the time the beer was bought and the accused was stopped by the policeman. Simpson reported that he couldn't drink heavily because he was a diabetic and reported that he had two beers at the home of Rohde and then one at Kirkton. He claimed he wasn't unsteady, although admitted to Crown Attorney W. G. Cochrane that he shouldn't drink beer because it affects him by making him shaky. Judge Glenn Hays ruled that the accused was guilty as charged. smoke pouring out, Taylor quickly closed the door and called firemen. Fire Chief Gary Middleton praised Taylor for his quick thinking in keeping the door shut. FIRE DAMAGE — Smoke damage was heavy as the result of a fire Wednesday noon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Taylor, Sherwood Crescent. Above, a fireman waits while basement contents are being removed at the left. T-A photo Hill chooses NDP party Varna area farmer Gordon Hill who headed the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for the past seven years will be at- tempting to break into the political field, Ontario New Democratic leader Stephen Lewis announced in London Tuesday that Hill would be a candidate for the right to represent the Middlesex riding for his party in the next provincial election. In making the announcement Lewis 'said, "This is the most important move we have ever made to broaden our political base." He continued, "I am sure Gordon's emergence as a can- didate will provide the bridge we need between the rural and urban factions." In deciding to make himself available Hill commented, "I feel the Conservative party has been in power too long. In 33 years they have grown indifferent to the concerns of the farmers. They have become infallible. What they need is a term in op- position." Hill said he felt the NDP party has always given more con- sideration to farmers. He con- tinued, "D-uring my association with politicians during the past 20 years, the CCF and now the NDP have always supported farmers in their problems." If Hill is the successful can- didate for the NDP at the April 13 nomination meeting one of his opponents in the next provincial election will be Conservative Bob Eaton who is parliamentary assistant to Ontario Agriculture Minister William Newman. When advised of Hill's in- tentions, Eaton said, "He probably came to this riding because he knew he couldn't win in his own riding. He won't win here either," At the same press conference in London, Tuesday, Stephen Lewis announced that another farm leader will join his party's ranks. National Farmer's Union vice-president Walter Miller will contest the next election in the riding of Grey. Middleton added, "It was the wise thing to do, Closing it off and keeping the air from spreading the blaze." The chief said the kitchen floor was pretty well burned out and the rest of thedamage was from smoke and water. Middleton quickly added, "The damage from water wasn't caused by firemen, I doubt if we used 25 gallons. The extreme heat caused the water pipes in the basement to burst and that's where the water came from. "I haven't had a chance to really study the cause of the fire, but, my first observation would be that it started in the electrical panel in the basement," Mid- dleton stated early Wednesday afternoon. When Taylor who is ad- ministrator of South Huron Hospital arrived home his wife Claudette was not aware there Exeter reeve Si Simmons who chaired Monday's regular meeting of council in the absence of mayor Bruce Shaw said he wanted to take a hard look at the 1977 budget before deciding on a smoke test for relieving the flooding problems in the westerly end of town. Two Carling street residents Hugh Davis and Marshall Dearing appeared before council to tell of flooding problems during the weekend of March 12 and 13. Davis who was the chief spokesman said, I think we have been extremely patient with council over this matter. We have had problems for the past 15 years. I hope we can get the answer in 1977," Davis continued, "I really don't know where the water is coming from. The new pump at the station was supposed to clear up the trouble and the elimination of eavestrough water was also The town of Exeter will con- tinue to carry on with its own inspection of sewer connections to property lines if an apparent misunderstanding with the County of Huron can be cleared up. The matter was brought to council's attention Monday night when clerk Eric Carscadden read a letter from the County in- dicating that all sewer lines from the street to a house must be checked by inspectors of the Huron Health Unit. Works superintendent Glenn Hells told council he felt there were disadvantages with the county inspection system. He commented, "Contractors are not happy with the time they have to wait for county inspectors to come around. At the moment, inspection is carried out by Kells and his staff, were problems in the basement. Middleton said the intense smoke and heat was so severe that it blackened the nails on drywall in the upstairs portion of the house. Workmen of the Exeter Public Exeter council decided Monday night to inform all persons who have not yet hooked up to the town sewer system that it must be done in the very near future. The matter arose when a letter was read from R,K. Harp owner of the former Whilsmith Apart- ments on Andrew Street that he would be unable to make the necessary hookup due to the high cost involved. Works superintendent Glenn Kells said a six months extension supposed to help but it didn't. We had four backups last year." Marshall Dearing said, I didn't get any water this time because I have a backwater valve and sump pump. But what happens if the power goes off or I'm not at home. I don't want to go through the flooding exercise again." He also indicated that a neigh- bour Mrs. Jean Allen had water in her basement. Davis added that his sump ran for two hours during the peak of the flooding conditions. He was also concerned if power went off and sump pumps couldn't operate. Works superintendent Glenn Kells said he was aware that the pumping station wasn't keeping up. He added, "There is just too much water, but, I don't know where it's coming from. When the subject was brought up deputy-reeve Don MacGregor commented, "I thought this problem was all cleared up. We need to get cracking and get it Reeve Si Simmons who was in charge of the meeting in the absence of mayor Bruce Shaw said the present county in- spection bylaw came into effect in 1974. Hells continued, "As far as I know we can do the inspections through the Plumbing Code which allows the municipality to appoint its own inspectors," "The county would have the jurisdiction only if we asked them to provide the service for us. It's a different situation in some towns where the Ministry of the Environment owns the systems and rents it to the 'municipality," The discussion ended with councillor Ted Wright saying, "Let's continue our own in- spection if it is possible. We will let Glenn Hells attempt to clear the problem up with the county," Utilities Commission arrived on the scene shortly after the firemen to cut off power to the house. A short in the electrical system knocked the cover off the meter box attached to the south side of the house. was granted to Harp in the fall of 1976, Kells said several others were also given extra time due to the bad weather. The superintendent added, "When we gave extensions to a few, others seemed to quit on their hookup projects, too." Councillor Ted Wright moved that all who have not yet made the necessary hookups be notified and a deadline set. Wright added, "This way everybody concerned will know about it and there can be no excuses." fixed." Kells said there were no con- nections between the creek and sewer.When asked byMacGregor if a check should be made from house to house Kells said, "That much water couldn't come from any houses." At this point Kells suggested the pressure method of smoke testing. On the cost of the project he said, "It will probably cost about $40 per hour for the equipment and I have no idea as to how long it would take," Councillor Ted Wright com- mented, "When sewers were first put in we were told the more water put in the better they would work but that doesn't "hold water". ' In conclusion Simmons said, "I'm in favour of the smoke test because we have to get this straightened out, but, we need to establish our priorities for this year." Stephen township has rejected an application for land severance from the Grand Bend Lions club on property which could be acquired for recreational pur- poses, The application signed by Lions club secretary Dave Nelder asked for severance of either of two properties. They are the farms on the south part of Lot 7, LRE owned by Southcott Pines Parkland Limited and the south part of Lot 7, owned by Mrs. Ardella Desjardine. The Lions club are considering purchase of either property if the necessary 25 acres for recreation purposes can be severed, In rejecting the application, Stephen council indicated they would consider alternative sites, Clerk Wilmar Wein said this week that council would consider severance of property which is adjacent to the Grand Bend boundary." Wein added, "Council felt these two properties were too far from the Grand Bend village limits." The two properties in question are presently zoned as residen- tial. In other business, council: granted a building permit to Wayne Glanville at part of Lot 11, Concession 5 for a shed to be used in connection with his auto wrecking business, Named Kenneth Rader as a member of the Dashwood Athletic Field committee. Instructed engineer C.P. Corbett to prepare plans for a new municipal drain in the area of Lots 9, 10 and 11 on Concessions 12 and 13. Gave approval to a new official plan for the township , of Bosanquet. Stephen township council has renewed an agreement with the Ontario Development Cor- poration for snow plowing and grass cutting services at Huron Park. For an annual fee of $2,500 ODC will cut grass and plow the snow on the roads and road allowance: in the Huron Park housing development and Canada Avenue in the Industrial Park. This is an increase of $500 from the 1976 agreement, Council accepted a tender from Canadian Motorola Electronics to supply and install a radio communications system for the township. The lowest of two bids at $6,327 calls for a base station at the township office, a relay station at the road department shed, mobile units in the two trucks and two graders and a tower and the necessary antenna. Council approved an ap- plication to the Ontario Ministry of Transporation and Com- munications for supplementary road expenditures in the amount of $127,300 which would provide subsidies of $82,550. This application does not in- clude the extra costs incurred by the unusually heavy winter. Clerk Wilmar Wein is presently preparing these figures for extra subsidy application. Councillors decided on further discussion of a request from the board of management of the South Huron Recreation Centre for Stephen participation in the ownership of theCentre now under construction, The request was made by Donald Finkbeiner, Stephen representative on the board of management and Exeter mayor • Bruce Shaw. Glen Miller, president of the Stephen Federation of Agriculture presented the plans of his organization for the year 1977 and a grant of $500 was made by council. Drainage engineer Lawrence Dietrich was authorized to make the necessary repairs to the Walker municipal drain in the, area of Lots 2 and 3, LRE Con- cession according to the original engineering report. Icy roads responsible Slippery road conditions were responsible for the two accidents investigated this week by officers of the Exeter police department, Friday on Main Street, just south of Church street vehicles driven by John E. McBride, 66. John Street, Exeter and John C. Mortney, Trenton, were in collision. Constable George Robertson set damages at $190. A vehicle driven by Caisie F. Kusmich, 260 Andrew Street, Exeter, collided with a parked vehicle owned by Grant Triebner, RR 1, Exeter, Sunday. The mishap occurred on Main Street near Victoria and damages were estimated at $700. Area man fined on charge of assault Town hopes to continue inspection of sewers To hook up all sewers WAITING THEIR TURN — Youngsters participating in Saturday's gymnastic display at South Huron District High School waited patiently to get into action. From the left are Deanne Phar, Scott Crawford, An- drea Bell and Michelle Ellison. T-A photo Reeve to look at priorities May test in sewer problems