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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-05-05, Page 1Ban 'bad books' for 9 and 10 The Huron County Board of Education will not be changing secondary schools' present English material, but have restricted the use of objectional books to grade 11 and up, spoke in defence of the literary question, They commended and supported the teachers and the students, Trustee Alec Corrigan moved to support the teachers and the department heads in their choice of books with Frayne making amendments on that, Trustee John Henderson, who opposed the motion, suggested that the books be taken off the course for one year and at a later date the board could meet with material. He felt that borderline or questionable novels need not be used. He also explained that sub- situte books for some students was not an acceptable idea, "the student must forfeit the classroom situation and the teacher's guidance, which is an important aspect in learning," Elsa Haydon, from the Goderich Town Council and Wilfred Shor treed a past chairman of the board, both This decision was made in Clinton on May 2 at the board's regular afternoon meeting, Included in the literary discussion was an amendment to keep the use of books with "questionable language" to a minimum use, as suggested by Trustee Eugene Frayne. After a month of meetings and discussions, the board reached their decision on this con- troversial topic by a vote of 13 to 3 in favor of maintaining such the teachers to see if the hooks had been missed. Vice-chairman Marian 'Zinn reminded that board that they still will meet with the teachers in June to diseuss the books for the .fall and will have the final say in the material choice, Most of the board members reached an agreement that trust in the teachers and good stan- dards practiced in the home were a secure basis for the level of morals in the young. Council plan pre-meeting private talk books as "Of Mice and Men". "Grapes of Wrath", "Catcher in the Rye", and "The Diviners," Monday's meeting, which saw some 50 people in attendance, heard various delegates express their Opinions on the literary issue. Clark Teal, mathematics head of Goderich District Collegiate Institute told the board that our society is confused about moral ethics and noted that there is no shortage of good ,reading czhe exelerZines-Ativocale One Hundred and Fourth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, MAY 5, 1977 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Grand Bend woman seeks PC nomination AERIAL CART WHEEL — One of the talented members of the Bid- dulph Central School gymnastic team is Angela Korevaar. Above, Angela displays her abilities in an aerial cart wheel. T-A photo May consider meters for fairer water bill Hensall Public School and Jack Riddell is not expected to be opposed in his bid to win the riding for the third time. No announcement has yet been made whether the NDP will have a candidate in the riding. One of their best known supporters, former Federation of Agriculture president Gordon Hill has been nominated in Middlesex. Returning officer for the June 9 election is Exeter Reeve Si Simmons, He said the cost of a single meter is now over $100 and in addition to that there would be the installation expense. Davis said that Hensall had water meters, but they discon- tinued their use because of the high maintenance costs. Livingstone agreed that there would be high costs involved in going to a metered system, but suggested it would have to come sooner or later, "The present system does victimize some people," he concluded. Davis said he would provide an estimate for meter installation at the next meeting. LIBERAL LEADER SPEAKS—Ontario Liberal leader Dr. Stuart Smith was the guest speaker Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Huron-Middlesex Liberal riding. Above, Dr. Smith chats with Emil Hendrick, Ex- eter; Bernie Benn, Lucan; Jack Ford, Dashwood and Huron-Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell. Staff Photo Liberal head says election a needless waste of money GB commission given pay hike Grand Bend council approved a request from the PUC for an in- crease in their remuneration at Monday night's meeting. The increases will be retroac- tive to Jan. 1, 1977 and bring remuneration for the com- missioners to $35.50 for each regular meeting attended and to $10.50 for each special meeting attended provided it lasts for over one and one-half hours. The chairman will receive $40 for each regular meeting he chairs and $13 for each special meeting, Although signs have been pointing to an Ontario election for some time, the official an- nouncement last week by Premier William Davis caught Progressive Conservatives in the Huron-Middlesex riding un- prepared for the June 9 election. It was one of the few ridings where a candidate had not been named. Party officials in the riding have called their nomination meeting for next Thursday (May 12) at South Huron District High School and the winner will have just under four weeks in a bid to unseat sitting member Jack Riddell, Candidates haven't exactly been falling all over each other to win that opportunity, either. While several names have been mentioned as possible PC can- didates only one has been con- firmed to date. That's Grand Bend area resident Lois M. Jackson. She announced her candidacy on Monday. Mrs. Jackson formerly operated a fashion shop in the resort and now resides in Oak- wood Park. Her husband, Dave, was a candidate in the federal election in 1963 in the Lambton riding. He was defeated by Liberal Walter Foy The couple have four children, two of whom are students at SH- DHS. Indications are that party officials are attempting to entice former Stanley reeve Anson McKinley into the battle. He's a former warden of Huron and a brother of MP Bob McKinley. Former Huron board of education chairman Bob Elliott, RR 2 Clinton, was also being touted as a possible candidate, as was Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw. However, both men told the T-A this week they would not contest the nomination. The Liberals will also hold their nomination meeting on Thursday night. It will be held at the Premier wants a majority?" he Rlid„ Emphasizing thaftlie 'Liberals were prepared for an election if Mr. Davis brought it on the Liberal leader said an election would be easier than to continue sitting with all the concerns and compromises which a minority situation entails. "We were elected to do a job. The public was excluded from a portion of Monday's meeting of Exeter council when they voted to go into committee-of-the- whole to discuss a personnel matter. It was the third straight meeting at which council held discussions behind closed doors, However, there was an indica- tion that the practice may come to an end, although it won't mean that local ratepayers will get any more information on matters that council members feel should be held in private. At the suggestion of Reeve Si Simmons they agreed to delay the opening of their regular ses- sion until 8:00 p.m. in the future and they'll meet for an hour prior to that to discuss business' privately. Simmons said the pre-meeting sessions could eliminate in- camera discussions during the regular meeting, although he quickly added those in-camera sessions could be called whenever needed during the regular meetings. He also noted the hour-long session prior to the opening of council would enable everyone to be brought up to date on what has gone on in various committee meetings and other town business during the period between meetings. "I'm always interested in what other committees are doing," commented Councillor Ted Wright in backing the Reeve's suggestion. Councillor Harold Patterson said it would give each member a better understanding of what other committees are doing. The only minor dissent ex- pressed came from Councillor Steve Pfaff who said he would hope that there would still be committee reports given in the open sessions so council would not be charged with holding secret meetings. It was indicated by Councillor Ken Ottewell if the hour-long sessions are not required for dis- cussion among all members, the various committees could stage some of their meetings in the balance of time. While the original plan seemed. to be to discuss committee business, there was ample in- dication that council will use the private sessions to discuss other business away from the probing eyes of the ratepayers. Mayor Bruce Shaw suggested that council use that time at their next meeting to meet with the PUC to discuss their differences over rates to be charged for fire protection. When questioned by the T-A after the meeting, Shaw said he didn't think much will be lost to the public in terms of knowing what their elected officials are doing. When it was suggested council may use the private sessions to have their decisions cut and dried before opening discussion at regular meetings, Shaw said if that happened he would oppose continuing the policy of private pre-meeting sessions. Town hall shop seeks customers We've been doing our best to make minority government work and will continue to do so despite the fact the Premier blames the opposition parties for making government unworkable," he said. Mr, Smith stressed the concern the Liberal party had for free enterprise and said the party was dedicated to a free enterprise style of farming to ensure a future for the young. He referred to improvements in the' farm stabilization bill which had resulted from Liberal amend- ments and paid tribute to the role the Huron Middlesex member Jack Riddell had had in pressing the issue on behalf of Ontario farmers. The Liberal party is concerned about the plight of small business and the individual weighed down by big government bureaucracies,he said."Is there not some way, some program that will give back to the in-' dividual some sense of purpose?" he asked. Mr. Smith saw small business as a way to the future with the Please turn to page 3 Firemen get two fire calls Following complaints received from several Exeter home owners, PUC commissioner Chan Livingstone has asked that an estimate be prepared on the cost of having all homes provided with water meters. Livingstone said at Thursday's PUC meeting that at least eight people had complained to him about the high cost of water, with most of those complaints coming from people who live alone. They suggested they should not have to pay the same rate as people with families who use considerably more water, "They are upset and they have a right to be," he commented, He said that certainly one woman living in a house by. herself would not use as much water as he would with a family Of five. However, he said he didn't know how the problem could be corrected, without going to meters. Manager Hugh Davis said that any system which uses a flat rate for apportioning costs is inequitable, He added that water costs would get much higher if the PUC had to purchase meters. He explained that they had been considered some years ago and the cost was found to be "fan- tastic". Outline need for fence law Bylaw committee chairman Barb Bell has been asked to look into the entire situation regar- ding the erection of fences and the growing of hedges around Exeter pools and on property lines "adjacent to town property. She broached the subject at Monday's council meeting by noting there had been complaints registered about the fences being allowed around some swimming pools, particularly high board fences. , Mrs. Bell said some of these fences are erected along proper- ty lines and the neighbors com- plain that their view up and down the street is restricted, She explained that in some communities it is necessary to have setbacks for fences and questioned if this policy should be followed in Exeter. Works superintendent Glenn Kells suggested there should also he a policy for fences and hedges along streets: He said those built too close to the sidewalks create a problem for snowplows and also some on corner lots create an obstruction for drivers' view. He said it may be necessary to set a height restriction for hedges, It was then that Mayor Shaw asked Mrs. Bell to look into all aspects of the matter and report back to council, Firemen having an easier time A marked improvement has already been noted in the matter of public interference at fires since complaints were aired by the volunteer brigade two weeks ago. However, fireman Ted Wright told his fellow council members this week that the problem would probably return. Police committee chairman Ken Ottewell reported his com- mittee had a meeting last week with the president of the CB radio club, the police and fire chiefs in an effort to come up with a solution to the problem of people getting in the way of the fire vehicles and also driving over fire hoses. Ottewell said some procedures for crowd control were being considered and when they were finally worked out, it would be a matter of educating the pbulic. He said the problem was already partly corrected due to the publicity given the problem. "People cooperate when they understand the consequences," he said. It was indicated that the On- tario Fire Marshal had suggested that the firemen stage a fake fire run some time and charge anyone found con- travening the law regarding emergency vehicles. Ottewell said he didn't think that procedure would be follow- ed. Kinsmen assist in bridge repair Exeter Kinsmen have agreed to pay $500 towards the replace- ment of the Riverview Park foot- bridge which was washed out and badly damaged in this spring's flood. The estimated cost of the replacement is not known, although works superintendent Glenn Kells said he was getting two quotations. Council voted to go ahead with the project and pay anything over the $500 assistance from the Kinsmen. An Ontario election is not needed at this time and would result in the needless waste of $15' to $20 million of public funds Liberal Party leader Stuart Smith told members of the Huron Middlesex Liberal Association in Exeter Legion Hall Wednesday evening, The only reason Premier Davis is looking for an excuse for an election is because he is being guided by favorable polls in his desire to get out from under the restraints of minority govern- ment. It is a self seeking device to get a few more seats he said and predicted the premier soon would find an excuse to go to the people. Premier Davis is not thinking of the good of Ontario, he said, "We were elected to get a job done, not to play politics. It is our job to make minority government work and it has been working." Mr. Smith added that perhaps there were some things the Tories can't do without a majority such as stepping up the creation of more regional governments and closing more hospitals, "Is that why the Exeter firemen maintained their busy schedule this week, answering two fire calls. They brought the year's total to 21. On Thursday at supper time, the firemen were called to the Stephen Township home of Allan Eggleston, located about two miles south-west of Exeter. Sparks from a grass fire had been carried onto the roof of the two-storey home by high winds and ignited the cedar shingles. Two large patches of shingles were burned, but the fire did not burn right through the roof. Damage was estimated at $800 in the blaze. On Sunday at mid-afternoon, the fire brigade answered a call to the Morrison Dam, where a campfire being used by some young campers got out of control and ignited a tree and some un- derbrush. Little damage was reported, although one fireman noted it could have created a real mess at the conservation area. The Heritage Shop is now open for business in the old Exeter town hall. Operated by the Exeter Heritage Foundation the shop will offer an excellent selection in good used clothing for children, men and women in ad- dition to toys, books, dishes and other items. Articles will be required on a continuing basis. Anyone wishing to contribute clothing or other articles for sale are asked to br- ing them to the shop, The shop will be open each Tuesday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p,m. Open tenders today for Usborne wells Single number isn't required Social services committee chairman Lossy Fuller said this Week there is no need in Exeter to have a single phone number for emergency calls. In many communities, there is one number by which people can call and have assistance dispatched • whether it be fire trucks, police, ambulances, etc. "We don't need that right now," Mrs, Fuller commented after her committee had studied the matter for the past two weeks. Mothers and Dave Underwood, Middle row: Linda Smith, Tim Robinson, Lisa Rooth, Chris McLeod, Debbie Forrest, Debbie Down, Lisa Rundle, Tracy Rabbets, Joanne Jarvis, Shelley Oackstetter. Front row!. Lisa Wright, Catherine Patterson, Pam McCaffrey, Debbie Hodgins, Kristin Lovie, Dianne Dawson, Sarah Patterson, Lynn Dawson, Darren Tinney and Brian Tapp. Staff photo CHOIR WINS TROPHY — The Exeter Young Singers, sponsored by Exeter United ' Church, scored 86 marks at the 50th annual Stratford music festival on Wednesday night to win' the trophy for junior church choir, 14 and under. Members of the choir, back row, from the left: pianist Ralph Topp f director Marianne McCaffrey, Jim McCaffrey, Carla Solomon, Kathy Tapp, Miriam Wright, Tammy Robinson, Nancy Jane Jeffrey, Suzanne complained that he had not recieved the money and felt the original agreement had been broken. The PVC cheque had been forwarded to their solicitor in December, but it wasn't Sent on to Cudmore until late this winter. He noted that he had lost interest on the money owing him and the PUC held two special meetings to prepare the new agreement and meet his new proposals. At Thursday's PUC meeting, manager. Hugh Davis said that the new terms appeared to be satisfactory to Cudmore and he reported on Monday that the agreement had been signed. While PVC members indicated they were not happy that the original agreement had to be changed, they noted there was little they could do about it in view of the fact that further delays could result in a delay in the project and this could prove even more costly. Tenders will be opened on Thursday (today) for the con- struction of the new Usborne wells and pipeline being installed by the Exeter PUG Approvals for the project have been received from the ministry of natural resources and ministry of the environment. During April, the PUC worked out final agreements with Harold Cudmore, on whose property one of the wells will be located. Cudmore will receive a payment of $10,400, plus an an- nual rental of $400. The price includes the rental of the property on which the well is located, the right of way for the hydro and water lines and the water rights, The property owner has to remove several wrecked vehicles prior to construction and must police the site during construction. An earlier agreement providing a payment Of $7,000 had been worked out, but Cudmore