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Times-Advocate, 1978-01-19, Page 1JOINS TOWN STAFF — Brian Parsons of RR 1, Arva assum­ ed his new duties as assistant clerk-treasurer for the town of Exeter this week. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario and successfully completed the AMCT program at Fanshawe College. Brian is single. T-A photo Retirement official! Clerk Eric Carscadden, who officially resigned that position this week and watched as his successor, Liz Bell, was sworn into her new duties, hinted that he may still show up at some future meetings of council. Noting that he had seldom watched TV on Monday nights due to his duties, Carscadden said if he found the programs not to his liking he may come down and sit in on some sessions as a spectator. “We’d be glad to see you visit us any time,” Mayor Bruce Shaw commented. He paid tribute to the retiring chief executive, noting that council members had enjoyed his “color, hard work and dedication.” However, we’re pleased you’re able to retire and many of us envy you,” the Mayor said. In his brief farewell, Carscadden said he had enjoyed the sessions of council, although he didn’t always agree with the decisions that were made. “But that’s democracy,” he noted. Prior to the council session, Carscadden and his wife, Margaret, hosted council members, the clerk’s office staff and the town department heads at a dinner at the 4-Way Inn. Also on hand'was Brian Parsons, new assistant clerk-treasurer, who assumed his duties on Monday. Mayor Shaw welcomed Parsons to Exeter and said he hoped his stay would be both enjoyable and ■educational, adding that he would probably find it dif­ ficult on occasions to be patient with council. The oath of office for Mrs. Bell was administered by the Mayor. She officially assumes her duties on February 1. Students will ski, despite opposition A two day skiing trip planned by members of the South Huron District High School ski club has no educational value what­ soever according to Colborne township school board trustee Shirley Hazlitt. Hazlitt told the board at its Wednesday meeting that the 80 students from Grades 9 to 13 should have planned their trip to the Collingwood Blue Mountain Ski Resort for school holidays rather than take time off the school calendar. The issue was raised by Hazlitt when the board was asked to approve the ex­ cursion for the Alpine Ski Club of S.H.D.S. The teacher sponsoring the trip said it was to “introduce students to participation in a recreational activity which is ideal for lifetime leisure time pursuit”. The students are paying for the trip themselves and asked the board for no money. Hazlitt told the board that she complimented the students for showing enough interest in the sport to organize the trip but she “failed to see the educational advantage of taking students from Grades 9 to 13 out of school for three days”. The Colborne trustee said she had heard teachers say they would love to have the opportunity to have a class full of students for an entire day to just teach. She said that possibility is remote because of field trips, in­ terviews with the school health nurse and leaving class to have year book pictures taken. “We as a board have to stop approving these grand holidays,” she said. Jim Coulter, superin- tendent proved Hazlitt that the" reason the students had chosen that time of year was to reduce the cost of the venture. He said had the students gone during holidays they wouldn’t have been able to afford the costs. He added that the trip appears to be a of education, ap- the trip and told three day effort because the departure day is February 8 and the date of return February 10. He explained that the time of departure on February 8 is 3:30 p.m., after the school day is complete, and that February 9 and February 10 are professional activity days at South Huron. “The students won’t be missing any class time at all, ’’saidCoulter, “buttwo teachers will have to be excused from the activity days.” John Henderson, trustee from Seaforth, suggested that perhaps the board was remiss in permitting the teachers to be excused from activity days. “How many activity days are the teachers missing during the year?” he asked* “Are they getting any benefit from the activity days scheduled?” The board voted to ap­ prove the trip with Hazlitt, Henderson and Clinton trustee Dorothy Williams opposed. Want to know about philosophy One Hundred and Fifth Year imes Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 - - ■ *••*?.'' EXETER, ONTARIO, JANUARY 19, 1978 Advocate Price Per Copy 25 Cents Project in penalty time The storm sewer project on Alexander St. is expected to take at least another two weeks to complete, works superintendent Glenn Kells advised council this week. He reported that the contractor is already facing a $100 per day penalty for failing to meet the com­ pletion date and as of Monday, that penalty has amounted to $1,000. Wages up in Usborne A salaries and rates of pay bylaw was passed as one of the first items of business for Usborne township council in 1978. The first meeting of the year was held January 3 when newly appointed councillor Peter Berendsen took his oath of office and was duly installed. The pay bylaw was amended to provide for salary of wage increases of from five to eight percent. The mileage rate for councillors was raised tp cents per mile travelled and the rental rate of township graders by ratepayers was ‘ increased to $22 per hour. The recent appointment of Herman Van Wieren as the township’s building in­ spector was given final approval. Road superintendent John Batten was instructed to call tenders for the March meeting for the supply and delivery of gravel for the _ 1978 roads program and ’ tenders for the proposed FM (.program installation. The next meeting of Usborne township council will be held Tuesday, January 21 at 1 p.m. at the municipal hall in Elimville. Officials of the ministry of culture and recreation will meet with Exeter council next week in an effort to determine what council’s philosophy is in regards to heritage buildings and what sense of direction they have in that regard. Mayor Bruce Shaw made that announcement this week, noting that the ministry has received several complaints about council’s action — and lack of action — regarding heritage buildings and particularly the town hall. Shaw said ministry of­ ficials insisted the meeting not be open to the public. It will be held on Wednesday. In view of that scheduled meeting, council decided this week not to give final reading to a bylaw designating the town hall as a heritage building. That designation required before the Exeter Heritage Foundation can receive their grants for restoration of the building. Councillor Ken Ottewell said all members of council realized that if the Heritage Foundation folded the building would fall back into council’s hands and they may as well approve the bylaw. “Bylaw or no bylaw, it’s going to be our respon­ sibility,” Councillor Harold Patterson agreed^ However, Derry Boyle said he still wanted clarification and it was agreed to set the matter over until after the meeting with the ministry. is NEW WARDEN — Gerry Ginn, reeve of Goderich township, who defeated Hay reeve Jack Tinney for the Huron warden's chair last week, is shown receiving his pin from retiring warden Doug McNeill. Signal-Star photo A HERITAGE DONATION — The Exeter branch of Simpsons Sears recently made a donation of $500 to the Exeter Heritage Foundation. Above, local branch manager Shirley Wright presents the cheque to Jenny Huntley and Bev Read. T-A photo CONCERN IS RAISED OVER SNOWMOBILES “Someone is going to get killed,” prophesied Coun­ cillor Derry Boyle this week in leading off a discussion about the fact several local snowmobilers are not adhering to the Exeter bylaw. Boyle said there appeared to be a number of young people cavorting on snowmobiles and he told of seeing one exhibition of driving “where I stood with my heart in my mouth”. Other members agreed there appeared to be several drivers contravening the local bylaw, which stipulates that snowmobilers are to stay away from the hospital area and local churches when they are in session as well as the fact they are permitted on town streets only when they are travelling to or from their place of residence. Boyle said the bylaw should be brought to the public’s attention again. Councillor Ken Ottewell said he would take the matter up with the police and would have the bylaw published again if they felt it was necessary. Deputy-Reeve MacGregor had also tioned snowmobilers he cited the problem experienced by motorists due to the fact many of the street corners have been “squared off” by the snowplow, rather than being rounded off. He said this created a problem in visibility for motorists. However, Councillor Ted Wright said the taxpayers would just as quickly complain about the cost of removing snow from the corners if action was taken by council to correct the situation. “If the corners get too bad, we’II look at the situation,” Wright promised. MacGregor noted he hesitated to complain because the works, depart- l * .Xi ment is doing a good job with snow plowing and “there’s not a town in Huron that’s looked after better Exeter”. Police committee budget declines than Don men- when being The police committee probably established a new record for Exeter council when chairman Ken Ottewell presented the proposed budget this week. In addition to the record time element (it being only the second meeting of the year) the budget set another precedent as it was below that of last year’s. The main reason for that, of course, was the fact that lastyear thebudget contained an expenditure of over $30,000 for a new police office and renovations. This year’s budget calls for a total expenditure of $139,800, compared to the $153,210 which was spent in 1977. Last year’s expenditure was slightly below estimate in that a new cruiser that had been approved was not received and this figure had to be forwarded into the 1978 budget. The only major “extra” included in this year’s proposed expenses is $5,000 which is being set aside as Exeter’s cost for the for­ mation of the new County police munication system. Most of the budget — $109,999 — is for wages and fringe benefits. Police salaries are expected to increase about four percent, the maximum allowable under Anti-Inflation Board guidelines. Huron com- In surveying last year’s final expenses, Deputy- Reeve Don MacGregor expressed surprise at the $2,500 spent on clothing for the police personnel. Ottewell explained that new winter coats had been purchased for all members and two new men had to be completely outfitted. “It soon adds up,” com­ mented Councillor Steve Pfaff. The police committee chairman advised council that they had a very efficient police force and the men were working harmoniously in their new headquarters. He did suggest that a member of the clerk’s staff be permitted to spend some time each week helping the police with some of their typing requirements. The only comment on the proposed budget for i978 was made by Councillor Derry Boyle, who said he would rather see it increased so the possibility of it going beyond the estimate was reduced. “I’d like to see it set at $145,000,” Boyle said. Ottewell remarked that he appreciated the concern expressed by Boyle, but said that his committee felt they would be able to operate within the figures as presented. The budget was approved and turned over to the executive committee. Only one vacancy left for town hall tenants Douglas Gould, president of Exeter and District Heritage Foundation an­ nounced to members at their regular meeting, Monday night, that the old fire hall has been rented to two businesses who will share the area for office space. The new occupants will be moving into the quarters. March 1. Names were not released to the press due to the fact the signing of the leases were delayed by the recent storm. However, it is expected this information will be made public shortly. The Heritage Shop, a good used clothing store, run jointly by the Hospital Auxiliary and the Heritage Foundation will rent one of the other two rooms and will move to that location within a few weeks. Two other prospective renters are showing ‘active interest’ in the third space available. “It may be we will have more renters than we have space,” commented Mr. Gould. Members of the Heritage Foundation have always held to the premise that the town hall could be self- sustaining through its rentals once it was restored. It would now appear this will soon be the case. In the meantime, the local canvass to collect the necessary revenue to complete the restoration is picking up where it left off in December. Some canvassers have already started to cover streets missed earlier Deer killed in accident Only two accidents were investigated by the Exeter OPP this week, one involving two snowmobiles and the other resulting in the death of a deer. The deer died after run­ ning into the path of a vehicle driven by Terry Skinner, Grand Bend, on Highway 21 ■ just south of Highway 83. The accident occurred at 7:30 a.m., Thursday. Damage to the Skinner vehicle was listed at $250 by Constable Jack Straughan. On Monday, snow vehicles driven by James Neil, RR 1 Exeter, and Eric Fink- beiner, RR 1 Crediton, collided on sideroad 15-16 of Stephen Township. There were no injuries and damage was listed at $850 by Constable Bill Lewis. and more will be getting out next week. It is hoped to have the campaign com­ pleted in February. So far over $20,000 has been collected. The total hoped for is $50,000. January 25 has been set as the date when officers from the Ontario Heritage Foundation based in Toronto will come to Exeter to meet with town council to find out what kind of commitment council is willing to make to the Foundation and more specifically to the town hall restoration. Much of the funding for the project has come from the Ontario Heritage Foundation. The Fund Raising Com­ mittee continues to look into ways of raising money. A garage sale is planned for late winter; a series of travelogues will be arranged once the upstairs room is fully completed. A luncheon has also been discussed. The famous Schneider Male Chorus of Kitchener is booked to come for a con­ cert, March 8. Mrs, William Huntley, treasurer, announced that the two Raggetty Anne dolls, fashioned and donated by Mrs. Harold Simpson, were won by Mrs. Dennis Biering, Huron Park, and Adkins, Exeter. Susan SPECIAL GIFT— The Exeter atom hockey team received a special gift front their hosts in New Hampshire during their recent visit. Harry Thayer, director of the tournament in which the locals competed, presented an Exeter toque as they boarded the bus to take them to Boston. Harry is shown here putting a toque on Jim Lewis, while Sean Whiteford looks on. Staff photo Riddell says too late for election date complaints Ginn beats Tinney for Huron's warden's post Goderich Township Reeve, Gerry Ginn succeeded Douglas A. McNeil as warden of Huron County following the election of warden in the council chambers in Goderich, Thursday. Ginn, 50, was selected as the 11th warden of the County, defeating John Tinney Reeve of Hay Township on the second ballot. Robert Lyons, West Wawanosh reeve, was eliminated on the first ballot. He told fellow councillors that his election was the fulfillment of a dream ad­ ding that most county councillors look towards someday occupying the warden’s chair. Ginn is the third generation in his family to act as reeve of Goderich township but the only one ever elected wardep, although his father tried once. The last Goderich Township reeve elected warden was Walter J. Forbes in 1963. In his opening remarks warden Ginn said he would like to institute the use of agendasfor county meetings so councillors will know who and what will be appearing at each session. He claimed the use of an agenda will give councillors the opportunity to formulate relevant questions. Despite a suggestion from Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt that the county would have to review the government structure, Warden Ginn said the restructuring would not be considered during his tenure as warden. After offering his congratulations to the new warden, Huron-Middlesex Liberal MPP Jack Riddell, reprimanded council for their tardiness in voicing objections to Bill 98, an act to revise the Municipal Elections Act of 1972, and change the election date to early November. Riddell said he was sure that material concerning Bill 98 was circulated to county council members from his office. “I heard of your Objections after the fact but if I had known your feelings earlier I could have made a lot of noiseabout it,” he said. “If 1 don’t hear from you it means you are relatively happy but it is awkward to stand up in the legislature and comment if you don’t know the people are behind you. Riddell explained that he has not had much time to sit in on county council sessions because of his ‘over bearing’ workload but added it should not have an effect on con­ stituents making known their views. “I want to hear your views and I will represent them in the Legislature,” he said. “I have to rely on you people to give me your views and it can be done by letter or whatever manner you choose.” Murray Gaunt, Liberal MPP for Huron-Bruce, said council will face two major decisions in this session, property tax reform and implementation of the trespass law which is ex­ pected to be introduced in the Legislature February 21. Gaunt said the property tax reform is a prominent piece of legislation that is politically sensitive. He said the trespass law, when passed, will mean that written permission will be required before hunting, fishing or anything can be done on private property. More than 100 people jammed the council chambers and corridor for the election.