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Times-Advocate, 1978-08-24, Page 1'Concerned parents' want more school books banned The Group of Concerned Parents in Huron County seeking the removal of three English literature textbooks from county high school classrooms does not intend to drop its campaign just because one of the three books was banned by the county board of education. The group is seeking the removal of three books—The Diviners by Margaret Laurence. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck—from the list of approved texts for Huron County schools. Monday night the board of education satisfied part of the group’s aims when it banned The Diviners. The group attended Monday night’s board meeting about 40 strong and made a presentation to trustees outlining its con­ cerns and requesting that the “man CANDY FROM A CLOWN — Leslie Dykeman donned a clown's uniform and tossed candy to the children at Friday's Lucan Fair parade. T-A photo [ Expect delay in Fleck strikers return There are no striking Fleck workers on the production line and there won’t be for some time, Don Appleby, plant ad­ ministrator said Monday. “It’s going to be about three weeks before any of them are back. A few may be back before then,” he said. Appleby said it would take a very long time before the plant was back to pre-strike production level. Sales orders and contracts were lost during the bitter 163 day strike. “We will never hit the production level we had before the strike until we build our sales,” he said. The plant administrator said he hoped the three week break before the former Dog killed in crash A Saint Bernard dog was killed in one of four accidents investigated this week by officers of the .Ontario Provincial Police detach­ ment at Exeter. The animal was struck at 12.15 a.m. Tuesday on High­ way 81, 1.2 kilometers south of the Crediton road. The vehicle involved was driven by William Barnes, Parkhill. Constable Bill Osterloo set damages at $400. In another single vehicle mishap the same day, a vehicle driven by David Vincent went out of control on Stephen sideroad 20-21, 20 metres west of Concession road 4-5. The accident oc­ curred at 7.20 p.m. Constable Jim Rogers listed damages at $500. The first of two Saturday accidents occurred at 3.45 p.m. on Highway 21, two kilometers north of Highway 83. The vehicles involved were driven by Edna Cor­ nell, London and Allan Brogreen, New Hamburg. Constable Wally Tomasik set damages at $450. Constable Tomasik also investigated the second mishap at 7 p.m. It involved three vehicles on County road 4,1.2 kilometers west of Crediton, Drivers of the vehicles were Gary Sauder, Huron Park; Thomas Morkin, London and Ronald Smith, Zurich. Damages were set at $700. board do its part by taking the three books off its ap­ proved list. In a prepared statement for the board, group spokesman Art Haverkamp said trustees should let “their conscience be their guide and remove the three books from the list.” Haverkamp said the books didn’t instruct students or improve their character which is what education is all about. He said education is an exchange of ideas bet­ ween parents, children and teachers to equip students with broader views that in later life would give them a broader ability to cope with decisions in life. He said the books were “clearly immoral and poor English and repeatedly take the Lord’s name in vain.” He said the problem runs much deeper than just the three books, adding that strikers were back in the plant would allow both sides to cool down. Some animosi­ ty could be expected, he said. During the strike a variety of obscene names were ex- changed between the strikers and non-strikers. Non-strikers reported receiving threatening phone calls and a variety of wilful damage incidents occurred to non-strikers property. Union security, the key issue in the .strike, was accepted by the company in the two year agreement. All full-time laborers in the plant must pay union dues and the union is recognized as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent. The wage increase granted to workers was marginal with the starting rate now at $3.05 an hour in­ stead of $2.85 per hour. VISITS GERMANY — Army Cadet G. Pfaff, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Pfaff, 376 Edward St., Exeter, brews a cup of coffee on the rear hatch of an armoured personnel carrier during a pause in the action of training exercises in Germany. Cadet Pfaff is one of 29 members of the cadet corps taking part in the first fly-over program for cadets. The group was attached to 3 Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment based at Baden- Soellingen for training before moving into the German coun­ tryside for mechanized field exercises. The group also toured southern Germany with cultural visits to Switzerland and Austria before returning to Canada this week. often forgets that the beginning of all wisdom is fear of the Lord.” Lloyd Barth, another member of the group, told the board that it should listen to its electors when deciding on the use of the books. He said the group could prove to the board that as many as “80 percent of the taxpaying parents in Huron County wish to have the three books deleted from the list of ap­ proved books.” The Very Immoral Barth said that Diviners was a “very im­ moral book” and that if trustees had not read it they should so they would know what is taught in county classrooms.” He said Of Mice and Men is “one step worse.” “Of Mice and Men is a book of blasphemey,” he said. “I went to the trouble of going through the book and in the first 40 pages I counted 40 examples of straight cursing and taking God’s name in vain.” Taking God’s name in vain is not acceptable at any time or any place much less in the teaching profession,” he added. Barth asked the board what the group should do in its next move to have the remaining two books removed from the approved list. He asked that if the group could show the board that 80 percent of the ratepayers in' the county were in favor of having it deleted would the board feel responsible for meeting the request. “As our representatives would you not almost have to meet our request?” he asked. Youth hurt in robbery Warrants have been issued for the arrest of two Hamilton youths following an incident near Dashwood Saturday evening. Constable Bill McIntyre of the Exeter Ontario Provin­ cial Police detachment said they are being charged with robbery with violence after they took an automobile owned by 19 year-old Ricky Horner of Parkhill. Horner and his girl friend met five Hamilton young people in Parkhill during the afternoon and gave them a ride to the intersection of Highway 83 and Concession 16-17 in Stephen township. The Hamilton youths were preparing to hitch hike back to their homes. Horner stopped to get their belongings at this point. While opening the trunk he was struck over the head with a beer bottle. He suf­ fered cuts and bruises. They left the Parkhill young people on Highway 83 and drove away. The car was found on Highway 4 near Clandeboye in a stripped condition. Constable McIntyre said he was going to Hamilton Wednesday to convey the warrants and look for two more suspects. Fire hits Jim Morrissey barn in Stephen. & North Lambton Since 1873 One Hundred and Fifth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, AUGUST 24, 1978 imes -Advocate Board chairman John Elliott pointed out to Barth that the trustees are elected to make decisions they feel are in the best interest of the people they represent and if that decision was to remove the books, that would be the decision made. He added that the banning may not necessarily be the decision made. “That decision would be up to each individual trustee,” said Elliott. it: Serving South Huron, North Middlesex Rodeo about dead A Tuesday night meeting of the Exeter Rodeo Association had a funeralistic atmosphere. The meeting was called to dispose of the assets of the rodeo which will not operate this year due to a lack of local interest. Secretary Jack Malone told the T-A Wednesday morning, “It was a sad thing for those of us who have tried the last couple of years to keep the rodeo going. But, it’s just too much for a few people to handle.’’ Eight directors of the rodeo met with three members of the South Huron Rec Centre board of management to decide dis­ posal of the rodeo facility. It was the unanimous feel­ ing of the rodeo officials that the bleachers should remain in the community. As a result they will be donated to three organizations. The metal bleachers currently on loan to the Ex­ eter saddle club will be donated to that group. The GRADUATES — Jim Harvey recently graduated from CFB Cornwallis. His class of 67 recruits obtained the highest mark on record at the school in academic training and tied the highest in drill of 97 percent. Jim attended schools in Camp Borden, Vic­ toria, B.C., Huron Park and Exeter. Canadian cadets on German tour Army Cadets from units across Canada have taken part in the first flyover program to Canadian Forces Europe to Join Canada’s NATO forces in field train­ ing exercises in Germany. Twenty-nine young men selected from successful candidates of a demanding national examination and all gold-star cadets have spent a total of six weeks training with the regular force. In Europe the cadets join­ ed 3 Battalion, Royal Cana­ dian Regiment (3 RCR) at Baden-Soellingen, West Ger­ many, for two weeks of con­ centrated military training prior to1 moving to the Mun­ singen area near Ulm to take part in mechanized in­ fantry exercises with other units of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. The cadets were assigned as riflemen with 0 company of 3 RCR and experienced the duties of a regular force infanteer. They lived in the open, slept when they could on the top of their carriers and ate 'hard rations’ out of a can. They took their turns on guard duty and slogged along on foot patrols, usual­ ly in the rain, “What they lack in ex­ perience, they make up for in motivation,” said Major Dave Declerq, company commander of 0 company. "We have about three low bleachers and wooden planks will be given to the South Huron Rec Centre and the two other units will go to the Exeter Agricultural Society. The remainder of the facility including ring, gates, chute, etc, will be sold by .public auction as soon as they are dismantled. The rodeo association was represented by acting presi­ dent Dalt Finkbeiner. Jack Malone, Lloyd Mousseau, Jim Scott, Brad Mousseau, Norm Whiting, Don Dearing and Tom Yellow. Attending from the South Huron Rec Centre were Howard Pym, Bob Down and Alvin Willert. To honour 50th patrons James Murphy, artistic director of the Huron Coun­ try Playhouse today an­ nounced that special prizes will be awarded to celebrate the 50th production since the theatre opened seven years ago. A pair of free tickets to any production of next summer’s season of plays will be presented to every 50th person passing through the door at each perfor­ mance of Springtime for Henry being presented next week. A special guest will be on hand at the door to make the presentation to each of the lucky 50th patrons. It is expected that the 100,000th patron will also walk through the doors next week and a bumper prize will be a surprise award at that time. Springtime for Henry, the last production for 1978 will be performed Tuesday to Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and a Wednesday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Reservations may made by calling 238-8451. be cadets with each armoured personnel carrier and the questions they ask are keep­ ing the experienced soldiers on their toes.” The aim of the project was to give senior cadets an op­ portunity to experience military training which is not part of the cadet program. They received training in field craft and military tactics in a setting -------1 in Canada — training in a a which cannot be realized strange country with NATO-assigned unit, * The cadets have fitted in well,’ said Lieutenant- Colonel Tom deFaye, com­ manding officer 3 RCR, “they have experienced the frustrations and the highs of everyday soldiering in the field. I’m very pleased to have had them in the Bat­ talion.” Many of the cadets have foregone money making op­ portunities in Canada to take part in the project. They receive one hundred dollars for the six weeks but most agreed that they had other rewards from their time in Europe. Prior to returning home on 21 August the cadets visited Munich and toured southern Germany, in­ cluding parts of Austria and Switzerland. Included in the groups was Greg Pfaff of Exeter. Price Per Copy 25 Cents TOO MANY CHILDREN — First prize in the Lucan Fair parade Friday night was won by the Lucan summer playground, youngsters with their depiction of the old woman in the shoe who had too many children. T-A photo Rec board gets desired action from firms with get tough attitude The “get tough” posture assumed by the South Huron Recreation Centre Board has had its desired effect according to recreation administrator Kirk Armstrong with several of the problems being looked after. In a letter that was sent by the board to Northside Construction and Cambrian Consultants, the board in­ formed the two firms that unless a total of 12 deficencies in the building’s construction and operation were rectified by the two companies within 30 days of receipt of the letter, the board would hire an in­ dependent contractor to fix the problems. At the board’s meeting Monday a letter from Cambrian was received which dealt with the board’s letter on a point by point basis. The letter which was signed by Cambrian president George Naoum rejected assertions by town building inspector Doug Triebner that there are two areas in the centre which are in contravention of the Ontario building code. The letter said there are no provisions in either the Ontario building code or the national building code with regards to expansion joints. Triebner said the joints along the inside of the walls of the arena where they meet the floor are missing. Naoum said the plans and specifications for the arena had been approved by the building inspector and the ministry of labour. Naoum states the stairs leading to the bleachers which Triebner said were improperly designed were properly designed and that Alan Larder of the building code office agreed with Cambrian. Armstrong said some of the problems have been corrected and he expects most of them to be corrected by the time the thirty day period expires. Armstrong added “We’re pretty well on track with getting things done.” There’s a possibility that some time in the near future there might be some overall co-ordination of the recreation facilities within the South Huron area. Al Sinclair from the ministry of culture and recreation’s Hanover office appeared before the board with the proposal that the South Huron board hold a community recreation conference. Sinclair said members of local councils, recreation committees, clerks and sports-minded service clubs would be invited to the gathering which would be funded in ministry. part by the LUCAN FAIR PRINCESS Conhie Van Praet of Elginfield was crowned 1978 Princess of the Lucan Fair Friday night. She was one of five contestants and was crowned by enter­ tainer Ferlin Husky. T-A photo by Saturday fire Damages of more than $50,000 were incurred early Saturday morning when fire destroyed a large barn on the farm of Jim Morrissey at Lot 10, Concession 8 of Stephen township. Fire broke out at about 5 a.m. The barn is located about a mile west pf Crediton. The alarm turned in by an unidentified passing motorist was answered by the Crediton volunteer fire department. When the Crediton department arrived the fire was well out of control and One of the topics for discussion could be the co­ ordination of rec facilities and programs in the com­ munities surrounding Exeter. Sinclair emphasised that it was not the aim to destroy the local autonomy with the major centre in the area dominating the recreation scene. The board agreed with Sinclair and said Exeter did not want to appear as the dominator in such an arrangement. Speaking about the con­ ference George Godbolt said “It’s a tremendous idea. It’s efforts were made to keep the sparks from igniting the nearby farm house. The house is unoccupied. Crediton fire chief Charlie Browning estimates loss of the barn at $40,000 and„ad- ditional $10,000 to a variety of farm machinery which were close by and damaged heavily. The barn contained a large amount of straw some of which was blown into the building Friday afternoon. The Huron Park depart­ ment was called on provide an extra supply water with their tanker. to of something that should be done.” The board directed Armstrong to investigate further the possibility about holding a conference. In other business, the board: Learned that expenditures and revenues for the rec centre were on target. Armstrong said the swimming pool is doing well with a higher attendance and higher than projected revenues. Learned that the tennis courts will be available for public use without a key from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Learned that the ming pool has one of the highest pass rates in the county and that some levels of instruction may be ex­ tended to three weeks next year. Heard the wading pool has attracted an average of 23 children per day this sum­ mer. swim- London man fined $350 A London man was fined $350 in Exeter court Tues­ day by Judge W.G. Cochrane on two charges resulting from an accident in Exeter on June 6. Bernard Marchinko was fined $200 for impaired driv­ ing and $150 for refusing a breathalizer test after strik­ ing a bridge on Main street north in Exeter. Gary Davis, Hensail and Ronald Harvey, Huron Park were each fined $150 for causing a disturbance on Gidley street in Exeter. A Huron Park man, Barry Bullock was fined $200 on a careless driving charge. Police told the court, the accused followed his wife in a truck on June 4, 1978 and forced her off the road in Stephen township. As the result of the same incident in which Bullock was said to have threatened his wife he was ordered to enter into a bond to keep the peace for one year.