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Times-Advocate, 1979-06-06, Page 1Book banners beaten in battle with board The Huron County board of education stood its ground Monday afternoon telling the Concerned Citizen’s Group of Huron county English literature texts had been approved according to board policy and that was that. CHEERING CHAMP — Kathy Willard of SHDHS shows some of the form which won her the Huron-Perth individual cheerleading championship Thursday. The local school finish­ ed second in the team competition. T-A photo Planning to proceed on anti-noise bylaw Exeter council will proceed with plans to pass an anti-noise bylaw, Mayor Derry Boyle announced, Monday. He told members that the bylaw will be studied by the police committee this week and will probably be presented for council’s con­ sideration at their next meeting. The proposed bylaw has been floating around for some time since it was presented by Police Chief Ted Day. . Boyle noted that a local bylaw was needed because the police are reluctant to lay charges now due to the fact their only authority falls under the Criminal Code and this would result in a criminal record for anyone convicted. A local bylaw would give citizens protection from ex­ cessive noise, but would not result in a criminal record for offenders, Boyle added. Chief Day was in atten­ dance at the meeting, and listed the following statistics for the month of May: Fifteen accidents with two bike riders injured and property damage of $4,560, 18 charges and 12 warnings under the Highway Traffic Act, six bike riders caution­ ed, 13 charged under the Li­ quor Licence Act, three places of business found in­ secure, eight parking tickets issued, four thefts with loot of $936 and $80 being recovered, four incidents of wilful damage with the loss set at $1,060, one break and enter with a resulting theft of $40, two assaults and three disturbances in­ vestigated and two trespass warnings issued. The Chief reported that five animal complaints had been investigated with the police taking two dogs to the local animal hospital. This prompted Councillor Jay Campbell to ask what Parking lot near reality Plans for opening a park­ ing area behind the stores on the west side of Main St. between Ann and John Streets is expected to proceed. Exeter council learned this week that all the necessary rights-of-way have been granted, with the exception of one approval from a mortgage holder. In view of this, council decided Monday night to proceed with their plan to purchase the lot behind G&G Discount, Sale price has been set at $15,000. In a clash with about 15 members of the group trustees defended board procedures used to approve a list of 22 English books and told the parents no changes would be made to the list. Not only did the board refuse to alter its decision the relationship was between the police and the animal control officer, Judy Finch. He was advised by Coun­ cillor Lossy Fuller that it was cheaper for the police to answer some complaints than have Ms. Finch make a special trip. However, Day said he didn’t know if that was the case, noting that the cruisers had to cleaned after animals were taken to the pound. SNAKY MUSIC — Paul Cooke appears to be providing the right kind of music for this cobra when Usborne Central students visited the Royal Museum in Toronto, Wednesday. A LION TAMER ---Margaret Ann Muilwyk shows no fear of a pair of Lions during a Wednesday visit by Usborne Central grade seven students to the Royal Museum in Toronto. fc’ ■.j ■ on the books it told the group nothing could be gained by sitting down to discuss the controversy and unanimous­ ly chose not to have a special meeting with the group. The board’s approval of the list of books was sandwiched between a brief presented by the citizen’s group expressing its dis­ satisfaction of the board’s handling of the issue and a 15 minute question period after the board meeting. The presentation of the brief went smoothly but the ques­ tion period turned into an angry exchange between parents and trustees. The brief, presented by Burt Greidanus, told the board the parents were con­ cerned with the morals and ethics in the school system. The parents felt little had been done about complaints made to the board and that the new board policy used to approve textbooks shifted responsibility. “We wish to express our complete dissatisfaction over the board’s handling of this issue up until now and demand that the board change its stand and follow the guidelines as set down in the Education Act,” the group stated in its brief. The parents felt some of the 22 novel approved by the board contained "explicit language”. The group requested trustees "read these books before voting here‘today and to schedule a meeting with a delegation of Concerned Citizens to discuss the differences and come to a mutual understanding in the best interests of our schools”. The brief was presented at the outset of the board ses­ sion and board chairman John Elliott urged any trustees with anything to say to the concerned group say it. Elliott reminded the board that it would be voting on approval of the texts dur­ ing the meeting and this would be the only opportuni­ ty trustees would have to discuss the issue with the parents prior to that vote. Trustees remained silent. No one asked Greidanus to expand on the views of the concerned parents and no one made any attempt to support or oppose the views of the parents. Despite its unified stand in support of it policy after the meeting some trustees were unhappy about the manner in which they were being asked to vote on the text­ books. When it came time to vote on the novels some trustees felt the board had not had enough time to check out the novels. Seaforth trustee John Henderson told the board he thought approval of the texts was given in August. He said he understood the two month period between the submis­ sion of the list of novels by teachers and the approval of the board was to allow trustees to look the books over. ‘‘Don’t we get a chance to look at them?” he asked. Elliott explained that ac­ cording to the new board One Hundred and Fifth Year Price Per Copy 25 Cents Hydro ups credit to PUC, but different story in '80 SOUTH HURON STUDENT COUNCIL— The student council at South Huron District High School for the 1979-80 team was named recently. Back, left, secretary Bonnie Baynham, treasurer Pete Klungel and social convener Chris Mittleholtz. Front, vice-president Jeff Martens, president Mike Burke and vice-president Patti Down. Missing was athletic society representative Liz Scott. T-A photo Policeman not guilty in Fieck assault trial “It was clearly a case of mistaken identification”, Judge Glenn Marshman said in Exeter court, Thursday, in dismissing a charge of assault against Burlington OPP Constable G.L. Hine. Hine was one of six of­ ficers charged with assault after a May 24 altercation last year between a riot- equipped group of OPP and about 54 workers from the Ford plant in Windsor who were on hand to join the picket line during the Fleck Manufacturing strike. Judge Marshman said he felt the mistaken identifica­ tion had been made in good faith and was satisfied that the complainant, Louis Haggith, Windsor, had in fact been assaulted. However, noting that Haggith had refused assistance from an am­ bulance crew as well as other medical aids, the judge said the type of injury was not in keeping with the charge of it being an assault had Warden is sick at health event For the first time in his 20 years with Huron County Council, clerk treasurer Bill Hanly had to have an in­ terim warden named by council on Thursday to han­ dle the duties for Warden Jack Tinney. Warden Tinney taken ill while at a health conference in Timmins. He had suffered a gallbladder attack there earlier in the week and on Thursday was being flown from Timmins to London’s University Hospital for surgery, Warden Tinney’s sickness couldn’t have happened at a more opportune time. He was accompanied at the con­ ference by Dr. Brian Lynch, Medical Officer of Health of Huron County who remained with the warden until he was returned to this area. Former Warden Bill Elston was appointed to take over Tinney’s duties. Hanly reminded council that while Tinney is absent, Elston will have all the powers of the warden. policy, approved two months ago, board approval was to be given at the June session. He said teachers had been asked to submit a list of tex­ ts to principals along with rationale explaining why the novels were chosen and what educational benefits they had. That list of novels was taken to a special day long session of the education committee which was open to the public and advertised. At that meeting the educa­ tion committee which was open to the public and adver­ tised. At that meeting the imes - Advocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex Ik ■ & North Lambton Since 1873 J:£ '7' EXETER, ONTARIO, JUNE 6, 1979 filled with confu- emotional excite- to the difficulties occasioning bodily harm, but it was a case only of common assault. The decision remarked on the almost impossible task that faced the witnesses in attempting to identify the officer who had struck Haggith. Judge Marshman said he couldn’t imagine a situation where making an identifica­ tion could be more difficult. He noted that Haggith had only a ‘‘brief, fleeting moment” to identify the assailant and it.came at a moment sion and ment. Adding that made identification “in­ surmountable”'was the fact the 33 policemen were dress­ ed identically and all were acting in a similar manner at the scene. Haggith failed to pick out Hine in his first appearance as a witness, although the officer was in the court. Judge Marshman suggested that another witness, Eric John, had the best opportunity to identify the accused, but he had been unable to pick him out when shown pictures of all the policemen involved. The testimony of other witnesses was described as being of little assistance to the court in that it was not of the type required by the court to positively identify the accused. Judge Marshman said the evidence of Andy McIntyre, Huron Park, was “unreliable”. McIntyre had identified one of the other accused officers when he was asked to pick out Hine in the court room. The Judge said he had to accept the evidence of Hine that he was not in the area where the assault took place. He gave the same validity to testimony given by another Burlington OPP Constable, Rovert Kollee, who stated Hine was not in a position to have been the of­ ficer involved in the assault. The cases involving the other five OPP have been adjourned until fall. The trial of Simcoe Staff Sgt. Norton Rhiness is scheduled to begin Oct. 9. Rhiness is a education committee ap­ proved novels and recommended to the board that its approval also be given. The chairman pointed out that if any parents or trustees wanted to find out what novels would be up for approval the special educa­ tion committee meeting was the place to do it. Goderich trustee Dave Gower told the board he did not feel he had enough time to look over the novels and because of that he would not vote to approve them. former head of the Exeter detachment. At the conclusion of the court session, Thursday, Crown Attorney Bruce Long said he and defence lawyer Jim Donnelly were in agree­ ment that Judge Marshman should hear the other cases so much of the testimony heard in the initial trial would not have to be duplicated. SCHOOL QUEEN CROWNED — Pam O'Brien, an 18 year old resident of Zurich was named Queen at South Huron District High School's annual Formal Friday. Looking on are fellow princesses (left-right) Judy Brittain, Helen Muller, Fran Thompson, Betty Beer, Susan Stretton and Kathy Willard. Staff photo Property damage over $15,000 T- ' .... area crashesEight hurt in Eight people were injured in area accidents this week, with four of them being classified as major injuries. Property damage amounted to over $15,000. Four of the injuries were the result of a single car crash Friday night on Highway 83, west of Exeter. A vehicle driven by David Jackson, Exeter, skidded out of control and struck a fence, tree and three cattle. One of the animals died. Michael Webb, Dashwood, a passenger in the car, was taken to University Hospital. The other passengers were Cindy Webb, Dashwood, and Bill Hern, Exeter. Wingham trustee Bert Morin told the board trustees had had ample time to sit down with teachers and review the books but added that because trustees had not understood the policy the matter could be tabled until the board’s August meeting. Goderich trustee Dorothy Wallace said she could sup­ port a motion to table the books if trustees would give her a guarantee they would read all the books. “If anyone thinks I’m go­ ing to sit down and read 22 While Ontario Hydro has made applications for a 9.9 percent hike in hydro rates for next year, Exeter PUC manager Hugh Davis ex­ plained this week that the in­ crease could be significantly more than that for utilities. On the good news side of the Thursday meeting of the local Public Utilities Com­ mission, Davis reported that Ontario Hydro has increased its current credit from 5 to 7.4 percent. That credit on power bills was brought about by an Anti-Inflation Board ruling that ordered Hydro to return excess profits to the utilities this year. The credit started out at the five percent figure and has been increased to 7.4 with the April bill. However, it is that credit that could result in the sizeable jump in rates next year. Davis told the Com­ missioners that the 9.9 per­ cent increase being re­ quested by Hydro is on the price before the discounts. That means the actual in­ crease over the present rates could be as high as 14.9 or 17.3 percent. “It’s a tremendous in­ crease and it’s upsetting everyone,” vice-chairman Murray Greene commented. Davis said that sometimes Ontario Hydro asks for a larger increase than needed, expecting the suggestion will be cut back by the energy board. However, he said there was no way of knowing at the present if the suggested increase will be pared. Mayor Derry Boyle said that with Ontario Hydro’s large debt, the excess Exeter OPP Constable Larry Christiaen set total damage in the crash at $4,- 000. The cattle involved were owned by Don Weigand and Gordon Bender. They were under the tree struck by the vehicle. The first of the six area accidents was reported on Tuesday when a vehicle driven by Leo McCarron, London, went out of control on the Hay-Stanley line, just eastof concession 12-13 of Hay and struck a tree. McCarron suffered major injuries and was taken to South Huron Hospital. Constable Wally Tomasik set total damage at $2,000. On Wednesday, vehicles books between now and next month you can forget it,” said separate school trustee Eugene Frayne. "We’ve got to go on the recommenda­ tion of the teachers that’s why I made the motion to approve the books.” Colborne township trustee Shirley Hazlitt told the board she felt the teachers had done an excellent job providing rationale for the books and had done exactly what board policy required them to do. She said she couldn’t see any reason to delay the decision. profits should have been used to reduce that rather than it being returned to the utilities in the form of the discount. “A lot of Commissioners thought that,” Greene stated. In another matter relating to Ontario Hydro, the Com­ mission decided to ask for a firm price on the sub-station located on Sanders St., just east of Main. Hydro has offered the sta­ tion to the local PUC for a price of around $25,000. Chairman Chan Livingstone suggested the PUC should make an offer on the station, noting “we’re the only buyer they have”. Davis noted that the purchase price could be paid off in two years as they are presently billed about $12,- 000 per year by Hydro for the station. The manager noted the station would only be of use if it remains at its present Sidewalk event okayed Exeter merchants in the Business Improvement Area are planning their annual sidewalk sale for July 19 and 20 and received permission this week from council to have the Main St. closed to traffic for the duration of their two-day event. While the request that will be forwarded to the ministry of transportation and com­ munications calls for the street to be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on both the Thursday and Friday, coun­ cil stipulated that Chief Ted driven by Trevor Owen, Dashwood, and Carol Smith, Huron Park, collided on County Road 2, about three kilometers north of Highway 83. Smith sustained head in­ juries and damage was listed at $4,000 by Constable Bill Osterloo. There was one accident on Saturday, involving vehicles driven by William Armstrong. RR 3 Zurich, and Wendy McAdams, Huron Park. They collided on County Road 2 just south of Highway 83 and damage was set at $1,300 by Constable Tomasik. Ms. McAdams suffered minor injuries. There were two collisions on Sunday, the first in­ Henderson said he must have misunderstood the board policy. He said he thought the trustees would have had a couple of months "to peruse the books” and to allow parents concerned about novels time to read them. He said he had told parents he represents that that was the way the deci­ sion would be handled. The motion to table the decision was defeated and trustees approved the novels by a 13-3 margin. Clinton trustee Dorothy Williams Please turn to page 3 location. He said none of the equipment is worth moving to another location. The Commissioners learn­ ed that Davis plans to use high pressure sodium street lights for the two lights council have requested on the extension of Marlboro St. north of Wellington in the area of Canadian Canners. The manager reported that he and foreman Bob Pooley had recently attend­ ed a street lighting seminar when it was predicted the high pressure sodium lighting would result in tremendous energy savings. He said the two being planned locally were being loaned by manufacturer and it would give the PUC an op­ portunity to compare the costs with other types of lighting now in use. When Boyle was advised that Goderich used the sodium street lighting on Highway 8 ease, he replied “I think they’re awful”. Day can open up the thoroughfare if he feels the traffic on Friday afternoon warrants that action. Councillor Jay Campbell noted that summer traffic on Friday evenings is very busy and suggested that it be left up to the Chief to open the street if traffic gets too heavy for the bypass routes that will be used. Jim Beckett, BIA promo­ tion chairman, said the group planned to conduct some events on the street during the two days, such as a tug-of-war, pet show, etc. volving a vehicle driven by David Raven, London, It rolled over on Usborne sideroad 5, just east of Highway 4, going through a fence and coming to rest on the roof. Raven was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in London with major injuries. Constable Frank Giffin set damage at $2,125, The other crash, which was the only one in which no injuries resulted, occurred on Highway 4, north of Highway 83. Drivers in­ volved were Clint Hodgins, RR 2 Lucan, and Juanita Hopper, Wingham. Constable Giffin es­ timated damage at $1,500.