Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-12-29, Page 1Serving South Huron, North Middlesex Fines up to $500 Warrants not needed 3. 1/0C & North Larnbton Since 1873 Price Per Copy 25 Cents One Hundred and Fifth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 29, 1977 Radar detector owners to be charged Zurich area barn burns destroying 450 hogs Two persons lose lives in area highway accidents ZURICH AREA BARN DESTROYED — A barn on the farm of Don Geiger a mile and a quarter west of Zurich was completely destroyed by fire Sunday evening. The barn which contained an estimated 450 pigs at the time of the blaze was valued at around $85,000. T-A photo Two area persons were killed this week in separate highway accidents. They were Peter Allan Rees, Exeter and Donna Marie Wright, RR 2, Duffield, A,19 year-old Exeter youth was killed in a crash of two pickup trucks on Highway 83, about eight miles east of Exeter, Friday night. Peter Allan Rees of 157 Main street, Exeter was pronounced dead at the scene by coroner Dr, R, W. Flowers of Clinton, When the accident occurred on Highway 83 about 1.1 kilometers west of the junction of the Perth- Huron boundary, Rees was travelling west. The other vehicle driven by Stephen Scott Banks, 525 Ontario street, Stratford was eastbound. Local youth thumbs home Exeter residents like to make headlines when they're in Toron- to, Remember a few years ago when some students from South Huron told members of the Toronto media that they were recruited on the spot to do some campaigning for a leadership hopeful of the Progressive Conservative party of Ontario? Terry Janke of Exeter didn't get quite that involved but a Toronto Star photographer by the name of Brian Willer spotted Terry on the 401 attempting to hitch a ride home. The caption beneath the picture read: 'Out on Highway 10 at the 401, it is thumbs up for Terry Janke, a 22 year old student at Sheridan College. He hitchhikes whenever he hits the road, par- ticularly on the way home to Ex- eter for Christmas. The trouble is, he says, that at this time of the year drivers are in so much of a hurry that they rarely stop. On, Dasher and Dancer , If nothing else, Terry gained some exposure in the Toronto media which shouldn't hurt the budding commercial artist. Post office volume down The amount of mail handled at the Exeter -Post Office this Christmas is down somewhat from last year. Postmaster Harvey Pfaff said the number of incoming Christ- mas mail was 125,625 at the close of business Thursday night. This is a decrease of 13,755 from 1976. Outgoing mail was also reduc- ed from 110,900 to 106,645 pieces. The figures quoted by Pfaff were for letters and cards only from December 1 to December 22, The reason for the decrease in the amount of Christmas mail was given as occasional "labour unrest" and increased costs of stamps and cards. This is the first year that letters and cards were segregated as to coding. Those letters with postal code ad- dresses were sent directly to, coding machines in London which facilitate faster service. About 70 percent of area residents are using the coding system for regular mail, On Christmas cards this figure was down to about 55 percent. Local post office officials wish to thank the public for their co- operation in sorting and bundling Christmas cards for mailing. Constable Bill Osterloo of the Exeter Ontario Provincial police detachment was the in- vestigating officer and set damages at $8,000. The other fatality occurred at 8 p.m. Wednesday when Donna Marie Wright, RR 2, Denfield lost her life on Highway 4, just north of the Ilderton sideroad, Mrs. Wright was northbound when she was in collison with a vehicle driven by 16 year-old Barry Jay O'Neill, RR 4, Den- field. He was taken to University Hospital suffering minor injuries. Two passengers in the O'Neill vehicle, George O'Neill, father of the driver and 14 year-old Frank Zupancic were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Coroner Dr. R. N. Green was at the scene and the injured were taken to hospital by Thames Valley and Haskett Ambulances. Constable J.A. Wilson of the Lucan detachement of the Ontario Provincial Police in- vestigated, Snowy weather conditions contributed to the mishap. Four other accidents were investigated this week in the area. Thursday a vehicle driven by Gerry Court RR 2, Grand Bend, went out of control on County Road 4 east of Junction 4-5 Stephen Township. The vehicle rolled over in the ditch. Damage was estimated at $550, by Con- stable Bill Lewis. The same day, a vehicle driven by James Smith, RR 3, Denfield Appoint new councillor Pqer Berendsen was named the newest member of Usborne township council at a special meeting held December 20. Berendsen takes over from councillor Dan Traquair. His seat was declared vacant after missing four consecutive meetings. The new councillor is a beef and cash crop farmer at Lot 23, Peter Berendsen Concession 13 of Usborne since 1964 when he took over the family farm from his father. In accepting the position Berendsen said, "It's a great challenge and we will be working for the betterment of the entire community." Usborne clerk Harry Strang said Berendsen was chosen by a vote of remaining council members There were three other applications for the position. went out of control on County Road 4 east of Huron County Road 21 in Stephen Township, Constable Bill Osterloo listed damages at $600. Also Thursday vehicles driven by Thomas Oshea, RR 3, Granton, and Brian Kipfer, Centre Street, Dashwood collided on County Road 4 at the Junction of Concession 4-5 Stephen Township. Damage was estimated at $5,000, by Constable Bill Lewis. A vehicle driven by Bradley Dittmer RR 1, Dashwood struck a bridge on Huron County Road 6 west of County Road 11. Damage was estimated at $600. by Con- stable Ed Wilcox. Break windows at area school Sometime between Thursday and Saturday four windows were broken at Usborne Central School, Officers of the Exeter detach- ment of the Ontario Provincial Police estimate damage at $575. Tools valued at $192 were taken Wednesday night from Hyde Brothers Farm Equipment in Hensall. Five mishaps in Exeter Five accidents were in- vestigated this week by officers of the Exeter police department. The first occurred Wednesday on William Street and involved vehicles driver!, by Leva Marie Ferguson and Janine M. Hackney. Constable Brad Sadler set damages at $280. Constable Sadler set damages at $1,400 when vehicles driven by Donald J. Leggett and Anthony DeJong collided on Main Street, Thursday. Friday, Constable George Robertson listed only minor damage when vehicles driven by Audrey O'Neill and Bradley Dittmer were in collission on Main Street. Saturday, Constable Jim Barnes estimated damages at $850 when a vehicle driven by Melvin Lather struck a pole on Main Street. The final mishap occurred Tuesday morning when a vehicle driven by Randy Somerville struclealiarked vehicle owned by Mary Philips. The accident took place on Main Street, Constable Kevin Short set damages at $1,- 100. Four percent of taxes uncollected During a special meeting held December 20, clerk-treasurer-tax collector Harry Strang told Usborne council that only four percent of the 1977 tax roll remains uncollected, Strang added, "This is a very pleasant surprise. Tax arrears at the end of a year have been running at about 10 percent for some years." He continued, "Our total tax roll is now in excess of $500,000. This is the most money we have ever collected for taxes in one year and the lowest percentage ever left unpaid." The first meeting of the new year of Usborne council will be held Tuesday, January 3 at 10 a.m. at the township hall in Elimville. Legislation outlawing radar warning devices in vehicles are giving police the power to seize them from vehicles received Royal assent Friday of last week and is now law, the Honourable John P MacBeth Q.C. Solicitor General of Ontario, announced Friday. An increasing number , of motorists are equipping their vehicles with devices designed to warn of police radar, said Mr. MacBeth. The sole purpose "of these devices seems to be to enable motorists to flout the speed laws and avoid speeding tickets. The new legislation prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle equipped with a radar warning device. The law also allows a police officer, at any time and without a warrant, to stop, enter, and search a motor vehicle that the officer has Twenty-seven local shoppers will be receiving extra Christmas presents this year courtesy of the many merchants who par- ticipated in the shop in Exeter promotion. /Me draw for the prizes was made from thousands of coupons received by the Times-Advocate. Winners are as follows: Mrs. Dorothy Stephen, RR 1, Woodham, an electric fondue set from G & G Discount; Frances Ayotte, R111, Hay P.O., a $15.00 merchandise certificate from Gord's Variety; Louise Oke, Exeter, a $50. merchandise certificate from The Junction; Von Overholt, Centralia, a six- piece steak knife set from Fisher Pro Hardware; Garry Balsdon, Exeter, a $25. merchandise certificate from Wuerth Shoes; G. McDonald, Exeter, a $20, selection from the cosmetic counter from Exeter Pharmacy. Carol Parsons, RR 3, Exeter, a $15, dry cleaning certificate from Grand Bend Cleaners and Launderers; Mrs. Aaron Wein, Crediton, a subscription to the Times-Advocate; Patty Webber, Exeter, a woman's or man's Carling house totally removed The former Carling home has now been totally removed from the site of the South Huron Hospital. The demolition contractor found that the brick in the old home had deteriorated so badly that none of them were salvageable. Meanwhile, the architects are proceeding with working drawings for the addition at the hospital, Administrator Elmer Taylor said that the tenders for the project will probably be Called in March, reasonable grounds to believe is equipped with a radar warning device, An officer is now empowered to seize and take away any such device found in or upon the motor vehicle. Any radar warning device. seized under the law is forfeited to tlfe Crown. People convicted under this amendment of the highway traffic act may be fined between $50 and $500. The new legislation does not apply to a person who is transporting radar warning devices in sealed packages in a motor vehicle from a manufacturer to a consignee. Mr. MacBeth said that police would be issued guidelines on dealing with visiting motorists from out of the province. The government is particularly concerned about the safety element involved in the use of such devices, said Mr. MacBeth, ,Bulova Caravelle watch from Earl Campbell Jeweller; Clara Harris, Exeter, a Corelle 20-piece dinnerware set from Harold Gunn Home Hardware; Viola Slavin. a cultured pearl pendant from Wilson's Jewellery. Marie Brunzlow, Exeter, $10. gift certificate from Stedmans; Dave Cann, Exeter, a $25. merchandise certificate from Bob Swartmati Men's Wear; Barb Dalrymple, RR 1, Hensall, a $20. certificate from Len McKnight & Sons Men's Wear; Mary Kerslake, Exeter, a hurricane lamp from The Lighting Gallery; Mrs, M. Gilfillan, Exeter, dinner for two from the Burkley Restaurant; Russell Desch, RR 1, Varna, a $20. merchandise certificate from Jerry MacLean and Son Automotive; Mrs. V. L. Huntley, Exeter, a $15. merchandise certificate from The Feather Tick; H. M. Roberts, a floor candle holder from Dinney Furniture; Donna Clarke, RR 1, Crediton, a $10. gift certificate from Butler's Department Store; Carfrey Cann, Exeter a book of your favorite organ selections from Thomas Organs. Mrs. Steve Gingerich, RR 2, Zurich, a is. merchandise certificate from Pat's Pet Shop; Mrs. Blanche Dougall, Exeter, a $15. merchandise ,certificate from F.A. May & Son; Lois Wurm, Exeter a $20. mer- chandise certificate from Whiting's Warehouse; Betty Bax, RR. 1, Woodham, up to $15, in records or tapes from Gord's Trophies and Engraving; Mrs. Stan Love, Exeter an electronic calculator from Russell Electric and Laurie Richard, RR, 1, Centralia, a terrarium from Country Flowers. Winners will be receiving letters shortly notifying them of their prizes. The primary purpose of prohibiting radar warning devices, along with other measures such as lower speed Jan. 6 The first baby of the year was Christy Lee Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Ducharme, Zurich who arrived at 4:30 a.m. on January 3. In a major move that would affect recreation in Exeter, RAP was dissolved and plans were for- mulated for the establishment of a South Huron Recreation Centre board. At the Huron County Board of Education's initial 1977 meeting the construction of an addition to Exeter Public School was given high priority. Grand Bend developer Don Southcott threatened to seek ac- tion in a court of law if a public meeting between his firm and Grand Bend council to air their differences, was not forthcom- ing, A steel nmittee to look into the recrelmal possibilities for Severn Park near Grand Bend was established. One of the priorities for the new council in Lucan as set down by Reeve Ivan Hearn was the completion of the new arena and hall. It was hoped that the ice surface could be usable by the end of February, Jan. 13 There was hope expresed by union officials that North Star Yachts which was on the verge of going Into receivership could acquire $100,000 to keep the firm in operation. The 60 employees had been laid off with the future of the company dim, A short in electrical wiring is believed responsible for a fire that destroyed a barn and pigs on the farm of Don Geiger, a mile and a quarter west of Zurich Sun- day evening. Geiger and his family who were not home at the time of the blaze returned to find their pig barn ablaze as it was being fed by high westerly winds. Members of the Zurich and area fire department who responded to the call, could do little except to ensure that sur- rounding buildings were not in danger from the fire, The fire was so intense Geiger said, that a woodpile located 30 feet to the east of the barn was completely burned. Only the metal siding, foundation and a small amount of feed remained after the fire, Estimated damage to the barn was $85,000 with most of that amount covered by insurance ac- cording to Geiger. Approximately 450 pigs were in the barn at the time of the blaze. The fire department left the scene of the fire at 11 p.m. fear- ing that their pumper was going to freeze up. The winds were so strong at limits and mandatory use of seat belts are intended to help reduce the carnage on our highways and increase driving safety. Former Hay township reeve Joseph Hoffman died as a result of a fall down a stairway in his home, south of Zurich. The fifth annual competition of teams from Huron Park and Royal Oak Michigan once again proved to be very successful with each municipality winning two games. The Crediton Country Grocery owned by Murray Hajjar was gutted by an early morning fire. A faulty heating system was the suspected cause of the blaze, Jan. 20 Reeve Si Simmons stated that the impost fee charged by the town of Exeter is a "ripoff". Simmons said that this was another example of how provin- cial and municipal governments are forcing the price of lots up, to the point where many people could not afford them. When an explanation of the fee was given by Mayor Bruce Shaw, Simmons gave no indication if he would pursue the matter further. There was a good possibility that the Exeter Industrial Com- mission would disband. It was expected that the money receiv- ed from the sale of property would be returned to investors, Emil Hendrick of Exeter was named a district vice president of the new federal riding of Huron at a meeting that had the Hon, Judd Buchanan, federal minister of public works, as its guest speaker. The future of recreation direc- tor Jim McKinlay remained the time of the fire, that the odour was present in Zurich. Zurich fire officials are in- vestigating A special drug project A six week special project to explore the prevalence of drugs and to enforce the Narcotic Control Act in Huron County was recently sponsored by police forces in the county. One police officer from Goderich and two members of the Ontario Provincial Police stationed in the county worked jointly executing search warrants and making drug seizures. In a six week period a total of $5 charges were laid as a result of investigations by the team and 35 charges Act, the Narcotic Control Six of these were for trafficing in Narcotics or Possession of Narcotics for the purpose of trafficing. In addition 20 charges were laid under the Criminal Code, Liquor Licence Act and the Highway Traffic Act. Accordingly, the use of any device which assists motorists to exceed the speed limit must be banned. clouded after a meeting between council and iVIcKinlay. A Hensall women sustained serious injuries following a two car crash south of Centralia. Mrs. Donald Beck was a passenger in a car driven by her husband which collided with another vehicle during poor weather conditions. Jan, 27 Economic happenings con- tinued to be a mixed bag with the announcement that North Star Yachts of Huron Park had been placed in receivership. On an en- couraging note, Bell Aerospace was still in running to supply the Canadian government with a hovercraft for west coast search and rescue operations. The donations for the South Huron Rec Centre continued to mount with a total of $218,426.35 collected. At that date much of the supporting steel had been erected for the arena, In a brief visit to Exeter, provincial minister of Health Frank Miller said that the ministry is taking a "neutral position" towards the formation of a district health board for the counties of Huron and Perth. The Exeter Hawks continued to play a winning brand of hockey under new coach Ron Bogart with the Hawks deadlock- ed for first place with their. Mitchell namesakes. cerning whether to repair the OX- "working up to a decision" con- The Henspailleaasreentua rnbotoarpdagwea: REAM' FOR ACTION — Members of the Exeter Waxers novice hockey team have their skates checked by- coach Al Quinn prior to a Tuesday tournament game against Parkhill. Prom the left are Scott Heywood, Donald Perry and Brian Quinn. T-A photo Many win in Exeter shopping promotion a. COMPLETE 20 YEARS — Frank Varley was presented with special gifts in recognition of completion of 20 years of employment with Bendix Home Systems Limited in Hensall. Above, Varley receives a gift from general manager Andy (manse and plant superintendent Murray Hounsell. T-A photo 4 77 IN REVIEW