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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-10-20, Page 1Reg McDonald had the distinction of being the first person to skate on the surface of the Old Exeter arena in 1937. A member of the intermediate hockey team of that era, Reg had been helping arena manager Charles Triebner prepare ice after the building was completed. Now 40 years later, Reg again has the distinction of being the first person to skate on the ice at the South Huron Rec Centre, He wasn't leaving that op- portunity open to anyone else either. While attending a dance at the rec centre on Saturday night, he noticed that ice making was in operation. After the dance.he went home, picked up his blades and returned to take the first skate. The exact time? Would you believe 3:14 a,m. on October 16? Not taking any chances of having it disputed, the first skate was witnessed by manager Kirk Armstrong, Jim Guenther, Bill VanBergen and Gladys McDonald. r. v. IN THE BIG MONEY — Two lotto Canada winners last week turned out to be residents of this area. Carole Johnston of Zurich and Dianne Gerstenkorn of Hensall together bought a ticket which won them $100,000, They went to Toronto to collect last Thursday. Staff photo Two area women win $100,000 in Lotto draw Two die in collisions CUBS SELL APPLES annual Apple Day. were on the streets O'Toole, Brian TopSaturday a n d participating in the Gordon Austin — Members of the Exeter Cub groups Above, Norm Tait buys apples from Greg • Firemen, works staff seek pay increases: TIMET:••••••"'.'"w''""' '''' Councils to debate brigade request Serving South Huron, North Middlesex . . ::WORSMOURIONSSrOVil:MM:sfa411regrfgMIW.ASS1 THE EARLY BIRD.. Works department hikes approved? Members of the Exeter area fire department have submitted a request for , "sizeable" wage increases from the area fire board it was reported at Exeter council this week. In some cases the requests would More than triple the existing rates, Members of council were generally of the opinion that the recent action of the income tax department in assessing firemen for remuneration received was largely responsible for the requests, Many of the local brigade members had to pay back income tax for three to five years after their situation was assessed by income tax officials, At the time, many other departments across the country were also assessed for non- payment of income taxes and pleas by the firemen to be exempt from income tax were turned down. Deputy-Reeve Don MacGregor, a member of the fire board, said the firemen explained that their workload has increased three to four times, they damage a considerable amount of clothing in a year and in view of the present pay scale "it just isn't worth it," Councillor Ted Wright, a member of the brigade, removed himself from the discussion. He said he had not been involved in any of the meetings when the pay requests were discussed. Before leaving the council chambers he said "I'd love to voice my opinion, but I can't", Councillor Lossy Fuller said there was no question that the firemen provide a valuable service, but suggested they were asking for "an awful lot". It was opined by Councillor Ken Ottewell that many of the firemen were bitter about the income tax situation. He said the pay increases requested may not be ridiculous, but added that it did seem to be a considerable Will appeal Chief's pay Exeter council this week ap- proved a request fromn Police chief Ted Day to enter an appeal with the Anti-Inflation Board against their roll-back of his 1977 salary. Council had approved a salary of $19,000 for Chief Day, but the AIB rolled that back to $17,600. The salaries of most municipal employees were rolled back by the AIB with the exception of the police department officers. It was noted at the meeting, that an official with the MB had suggested Day may have a case in making an appeal. Councillor Ted Wright said he couldn't see the merit in ap- pealing only one of the roll-backs, but Derry Boyle pointed out it was the only one requested of council. ' Wright said there would probably be other requests coming, Delay test until spring It will probably be late next spring before Exeter council has a smoke test undertaken in the area of Carling St. to ascertain what may be the cause of basements flooding on that street. Works superintendent Glenn Kells, who has been investigating possibility of having a smoke test undertaken on the sewer lines, said the cost would be $375 minimum per day. He also noted that in view of the firm's back-log of work, it wasn't known when they could get to Exeter. Councillor Ted Wright suggested that this was not the proper time of year to undertake such a test anyway, He said it should be carried out in the summer when there is not as much flow in the sewers. "If the sewers are full of water, the results could be nil," he ex- plained. Council decided to book the test for next spring. Kells told council members that prior to the test, notices Would have tO be placed in the paper advising people not to be alarmed if they see smoke starting to rise in their basements. He said the smoke is harmless and non-toxic, but it dOeS cause concern for people who see it In their homes. Kells also noted they would have to take Out insurance in case someone had a heart- attack after seeing the smoke in their home. It was noted that the smoke would not enter homes which are • properly connected to the sewers. That is the reason for the test: to See if there are any im- proper connections. amount all at one time. In a letter received. from Stephen, that council recom- mended the area fire board ap- prove 50 per cent of the pay in- creases requested, Mayor Bruce Shaw suggested negotiations would be difficult if each of the four area council (Exeter, Hay, Stephen and Usborne) make individual suggestions and he recom- mended that a meeting of the councils be called. This was approved by Exeter council and there was no further discussion on the subject, Monday. Under the wage proposals outlined by the firemen, the fire chief's standing fee would go from the present $800 per annum to $3,000. The deputy-chief would receive an increase from the present $600 to $2,000 and the two platoon chiefs would receive $1,500. Their present stipend is $500 per an- num. The fire prevention officer would have his fee doubled to $800 and the two captains would go from $450 to $800 per year, The annual standing fee for the Take garbage but no snow Exeter council agreed this week to provide free garbage pickup at the Riverview Estates mobile home park. However, they decided not to provide snow plowing service to the park. Clerk Eric Carscadden said that owner Len Veri had been billed for the garbage service, but had contended that the town was to pay for this. It was explained that under the terms of the agreement, both services were to be provided by the mobile home park management, but Carscadden said this had been decided prior to a provincial ruling that mobile homes would be assessed. He told council that most of the homes provide about $350 in taxes, a figure which is almost twice that which council had expected to receive in the form of licences. Works superintendent Glenn Kells suggested council should provide the garbage pickup service, but added that they should not get involved in the snow plowing service becatise there would be no subsidy from the ministry of transportation and communications. Kells said that the streets are only 50 feet wide in the mobile home park and the ministry will not pay subsidies on streets which are under 66 feet. Council subsequently approved a motion to provide the garbage pickup, but not the snow plowing service. Carole Johnston of Zurich and Dianne Gerstenkorn of Hensall can'tstop smiling. They have just split $100,000 won in a Lotto Canada draw. Thursday morning they drove with husbands Robert and Hans tO Toronto's Chelsea Inn to pick up the cheque, Along with the other winners, they were guests at a champagne-and-caviar reception. They were interviewed by reporters for radio, television and newspapers. Each of the 25 from Streetsville who held the $1 million ticket received $38,000, Carole and Dianne got $50,000 apiece, The other $100,000 ticket was held by a couple froth Haileybury, Carole had put the ticket away after they bought it. She was out of town when the draw was Mesta, It was 5 pin Tuesday before she and Dianne compared the firemen would be $500, an in- crease Of $200. The hourly rate for practice sessions would be increased from the present $2,00 to $3.00 and attendance at mutual aid meetings would be increased from $2.00 to $5.00. Fire calls would be paid at a rate of $9,00 per hour, double the present stipend the firemen receive. CANVASS TUESDAY Tuesday, October 25 is the day that students of Centralia College of Agricultural Technology will be canvassing in Exeter and Huron Park on behalf of the Canadian Arthritis Association, Vern Thomson who is local campaign chairman said this week he expects 150 students will be participating, Receipts in 1976 totalled $1,758. Area businesses will be can- vassed during the day Tuesday with residential visits being made in the evening, MPP Jack Riddell advised the T-A by telephone from Toronto yesterday that traffic control lights will probably become a reality at the intersection of Highway 4 and 83 in Exeter. He said he had received a letter from the Hon, Jim Snow, minister of transportation and communications, saying that recent studies indicated that signals are justified. While saying that traffic flow alone was not heavy enough to warrant the lights, Snow told the area MPP that in view of the "dramatic" increase in accidents in 1977, the ministry now felt the lights were warranted. "A less than desirable situation has evolved at this intersection over the past year," Snow commented. The study of the intersection was undertaken following action taken by Riddell in response to concerns raised by several area residents,' and in particular number with those for the win- ning tickets and discovered their good luck. Carole screamed. Dianne cried, They phoned their husbands at Work. "Bob thought something was wrong," said Carole, "Hama didn't believe it," said. Dianne. Neither couple has made any big plans, Most Of the money went into bank accounts, 'By Friday, however, Dianne had ordered a new refrigerator, Her son and daughter had decided their special presents were going to be a skate-board and a record- player. Carole's soils requested football boots with cleats and a Be-gun, The two women have been buying tickets together for Lotto Canada and Wintario draws, They plati to go right on doing it. Dashwood ambulance operator Harry Hoffman and local garage operator Harry Walper, Chief Ted Day also provided documentation of the increase in accidents at the intersection. Snow said the traffic lights will be installed as soon as the required arrangements have been completed. Official plan discussion on tonight Residents of Exeter will have an opportunity tonight (Thur- sday) to make their views known on the new official plan and zoning bylaw. A public meeting will be held at South Huron District High School to consider the new plan, which has been produced by the Huron County planning department and the ministry of housing. Mayor Bruce Shaw suggested that all members of council shouldattend the meeting to hear the discussion so they would know what complaints are registered. Councillor Ken Ottewell said he was of the opinion the plan was good, but did suggest that council should consider changing the designation of the town hall to commercial zoning. A comment from Councillor Derry Boyle was that no designation of heritage buildings should be made without the owners' consent. The plan suggests several local buildings that could be designated under the heritage classification. Shaw replied that the homes and institutions mentioned were offered as suggestions only and would not be included automatically with the passing of the bylaw. "It's only a suggestion that they be considered, " he com- mented, Councillor Ted Wright said the area on Main St, between Hill and Wellington had been zoned residential on the new maps, whereas it had been the intention to make this area commercial, It was explained that this was one of several errors that ap- pears On the proposed zoning map. Only two claim pool prizes yet The two female employees at Larry Snider Motors have been the only winners announced to date in the Exeter Legion world series pool, Betty Coates won the first game pool when the Yankees won 4-3 while Maida Baynham copped the fourth gale prize of $100 when the Yanks won 4.2, Winners of the other games have not yet Mile forward to collect their prizes, Two people died from injuries sustained in area accidents during the past week. Woodham area farmer, William Rundle, died Wednesday night in Stratford hospital as a result of the tractor-car accident. Mr. Rundle had been operating a tractor on Highway 23 near Woodham when the accident occurred. Driver of the car was Richard Watkins, London. Damage in the accident was listed at $7,500 by Exeter OPP Constable Bob Whiteford. A London man, Christopher Wall, 29, of 598 Beaverbrook Ave„ died following a two-car crash near Whalen's Corners, on Highway 23, Saturday at 6:15 rnm Wall was alone in his south- bound car when it collided with a northbound car driven by Deborah Etherington, 24, of RR 1 Hensall. She was treated for minor injuries at University Hospital in London, Lucan OPP Cpl. Don Cox and Constable Jim Craig investigated 'and set total damage in the ac- cident at $4,500, There were three other ac- cidents investigated this week by the Exeter OPP detachment. On Wednesday, a vehicle driven by Donald Vyilkin, R11 3 Palmerston, struek a stop sign on concession 2-3 of Stephen, just south of County Road 21, Damage was sect at $275 by Constable till Lewis, There was one accident on Thursday, involving vehicles driven by Stanley Gill, Grand Bend, and Muriel Smith, RR 1 Dashwood. They collided at the in- tersection of Highways 21 and 83 and total damage was listed at $3,500 by Coestable Dale Lattont, The other accident occurred on Exeter council this week ap- proved submitting new classifications to the Anti- Inflation Board for members of the works department staff. In addition to the new classifications, the pay scales for 1978 are included, These result in pay increases for the employees of up to 24 per cent. Under the new classifications, a group "A" equipment and maintenance operator will receive $6.20 per hour. The lone employee listed in that category now receives $5.51 per hour. Three employees are included in the group "B" equipment and maintenance operator classification. Their present salary is $4.68 per hour and their new rate would be $5.80, Skilled laborers would receive an increase from the present $4,57 to $5.50 per hour and labourers and truck drivers would go from $4.39 to $5.15 per hour. The new rate for casual and summer employees would be Saturday when a vehicle driven by Gregory Dayman, RR 3 Kippen, collided with a parked car on Highway 84 in Hensel!, Constable Wally Tomasik in- vestigated. After only a brief discussion at their regular meeting, Monday, Exeter council approved in principle entering into an agreement with the four other Huron county towns to establish a new central communications system for the police depart- ments. Most of the discussion on the subject had been held prior to the meeting with Police Chief Ted Day. The only opposition to the decision cam.. from Councillor Derry Boyle. "I'm not convinced One crash in Exeter The only accident of the week in Exeter occurred Friday on the parking lot at South 'Huron District High School, The vehicles involved were driven by Brenda Becker, Creditors and Julia ROMphf, Huron Street, Exeter. Constable George Robertson set damages at $150, Constable Jim Barnes is in- vestigating the theft of a small amount of money from Arthur's Texan Service Station, Tueaday, $4,40 to $4.75 and for students it is $4.10 to $4.40, Deputy-Reeve Don MacGregor, who made the committee recommendation in the absence of Reeve Si Sim- mons, said the raises as outlined were "very reasonable." He noted that last year the AIR rolled baek most of the works department wages so employees were making only a few cents per hour more than in 1976, Councillor Derry Boyle said the roll-back was a bit of a "bum deal". It was also noted that some of the staff had quit in view of the roll-back and Works Superin- tendent Glenn Kells was having difficulty filling the vacancies due to the present pay scale, MacGregor said the increases were about six percent, but this was refuted by other members, When it was worked out, it was noted that the pay increases ranged from a low of 15 percent to a high of 24 percent. While those increases are well f. During the week, the Exeter detachment officers charged 34 people under the Highway Traffic Act, six under the Liquor Licence Act and seven under the Criminal Code. we need it," he commented. Boyle also indicated he would be opposed to having the cost broken down on a per capita basis. He felt all five towns should share equally in the project, Council's motion did not con- tain any directive for the method of cost sharing nor any indication of which location they would prefer, Clinton or Goderich. The new system, which will connect all county police departments to a central dispatch, is expected to cost Exeter in the neighborhood of $14,000. Of that, 75 percent is expected to be covered by provincial grants. The monthy operating cost for each municipality has beets tentatively estimated at $827. The latter cost is comparable to what Exeter now pays for the service provided by the Exeter Answering Service. At Monday night's Meeting, some Members expressed con- cern over what may happen in the matter of fire department emergency calls, Deputy-Reeve Don MacGregor and Councillor Xen Ottewell Were netted as a COMmittee to Meet with Lorna Dale of the answering Service to discuss the cost of the fire service. above the AIB guidelines, councillors were told they may be approved in view of the fact the jobs were reclassified, There was some confusion among members as to whether they were actually approving the new pay scales, Councillor Ted Wright said they were not guaranteeing the pay package, while others thought they were. The application to the AIB was approved without that point being clarified, Councillor Ken Ottewell said.he wasn't prepared to make a decision on the matter in view of the suggestions for wage in- creases of from 15 to 24 percent. He said all the employees would expect the same, However, members were assured by MacGregor that the committee had negotiated with the employees and were prepared to make the recom- mendation for the pay scales as outlined. "I think they're very reasonable," he commented, Arrange seminar for businessmen Local businessmen will have an opportunity to consider the financial analysis of a business and review term borrowing at a one-day seminar Wednesday, October 26, at Hensall's Pineridge Chalet. The seminar has been organized by the management services of the Federal Business Development Bank. It is open to owner- managers of small and medium- sized businesses, There will be workshop discussions 'and talks by local business people and bank officers during the seven-hour session. Its object is to acquaint businessmen with simple techniques for evaluating a company's overall performance and prospects and offer sound guidelines far future planning and term borrowing. Gun barrage not welcome After hearing a complaint from local resident Don Hart, Exeter council this week agreed to ask Stephen council to "consider the nuisance factor" involved in allowing the Exeter Gun Club to operate from a location near the Exeter Frozen Foods abattoir south of Waterloo St. In a letter to both councils, Hart said that when the club started operating from new range on Sunday, October 2, his family was subjected to a barrage of shot gun shots for close to two and a half hours. While noting that the club was operating in Stephen township, Hart said he felt Exeter council could exert some influence in the matter, "Our job is to try and help taxpayers with their problems," commented Councillor Derry Boyle in suggesting council write Stephen and ask them to consider the problem as outlined by Hart, Police Chief Ted Day, a resident in the neighborhood, agreed there was a nuisance problem. He said he too could hear the shooting from his apartment. Grant aids gully repair A provincial grant of $32,000 to the AUsable-Bayf ield Con- servation Authority for erosion control work on the Pergel Gully has been approved by the Ministry Of Natural Resources, The gully, which is located OP the Charles Pergel Farm, one and one quarter miles south of the highway 84 and 21 In- tersection, was recommended for erosion control measures by a 1976 engineering study. The project, which started Tuesday, consists of Stream rechatnieling and the con- structioa of new bank slopes protected by rip-rap. According to Don Pearson, Resources Manager for the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority, the contractor for the Work, Sid Bruitiarria Construction of Goderich will be working on the gully for approximately three Weeks. TRAFFIC LIGHTS NEAR APPROVAL dvoc & North Lambton Since 1873 Exeter approves police radio plan • : , EXETER, ONTARIO OCTOBER 20, 1977 Price Per Copy 25 Cents