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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1978-12-21, Page 17A PAIR OF CLOWNS - Bill Armstrong was dressed as a down in Saturday's Santa Claus parade in Exeter and his pet pooch was dressed similarity. T-A photo Exeter man dies in collision A 23-year-old Exeter man, Henry Martens, was killed early Sunday morning in a two-car crash on Highway 81 north of Strathroy and two other area men were in­ jured. Martens was a passenger in a car driven by John Muller, RR1 Crediton, which was involved in a collision with a vehicle driven by Lambertus Valtessen, RR 2 Grand Bend. WICKED WITCH -- The Exeter Santa Claus parade held Saturday attracted many floats and unusual persons. Playing the role of the Wicked Witch for the Junction's float was Agnes Cottrell. T-A photo PARADE WATCHERS- Mrs. Susan Brintnell and her two children Christy and Mark were among the hundreds of spec­ tators who lined the streets Saturday for Exeter's Santa Claus parade. T-A photo HOLD ON -- When you're in the younger age bracket it's sometimes hard to hold back your feelings. Giving her un­ devoted attention at Exeter's Santa Claus parade Saturday was Sarah Mason, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mason of town T-A photo Will add insurance Exeter council agreed this week to add an errors and omissions policy totheir in­ surance package at a cost of $585. The policy provides protection for town employees for a total of $1,- 000,000 with a deductible of $1,000. The policy has been under discussion for some time and building inspector Doug Triebner recently asked local lawyer Chris Little for an opinion on whether he could be liable for errors and omissions in his duties. Little indicated that such could be the case. Deputy-Reeve Don MacGregor said that even with the policy, town employees who were found negligent, could still end up paying for part of the damages. Triebner recently took out his own policy for $240 and will now cancel that policy in view of the town’s deci­ sion. Councillor Ted Wright asked if council should set a policy that they would pay the $1,000 deductible on claims, but Jay Campbell said that decision should be made on a case-by-case situation, depending on the circumstances. Still want parking lot Local lawyer Gerry Gray will be asked to expedite his effort to get agreements signed by local merchants for the cost sharing arrangements on the propos­ ed parking development behind the stores on the west side of Main between Ann and John St. Last year, council signified their intent to purchase the lot owned by Fopex behind G & G Discount and the firm has made enquiries if the purchase is still planned. Council this week asked the clerk to contact Gray to get the project rolling again and at the same time agreed to advise Fopex that it was still their intent to proceed with the plan to purchase the lot which fronts on William St. Former parking authority member Bill Batten explain­ ed that work on the proposal and the agreement for cost sharing had been shelved when Exeter’s official plan originally authorized that core development could take place to the existing lot lines without any rear-yard set­ back. He said authority members were of the opi­ nion this would halt any parking project and the proceedings were put in lim­ bo until council ruled on the matter. Councillor Jay Campbell said this week that council should move ahead on plans to buy the property even before agreements were reached with the merchants, but Reeve Simmons countered by saying that if the merchants thought it was important, they should put up the money. “The town hasn’t dragged its feet,” Simmons suggested. Boyle plans 'audience' Mayor Derry Boyle an­ nounced this week that he plans to be in the town of­ fices on a regular daily basis to handle calls or visits from ratepayers or members of council. Boyle said he plans to be at the office between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. “Including the summers?” Councillor Harold Patterson asked of the golf enthusiast. Boyle replied that he could still arrange his golf schedule around his town af­ fairs. “I hope the public take advantage of it,” he added. Both drivers were taken to Strathroy-Middlesex Gen­ eral Hospital, Valtessen being treated for minor injuries and released. A passenger in the Valtessen car, Nellie Caris, Strathroy, escaped injury. Strathroy OPP said the Muller car was travelling north on Highway 81, while Valtessen was southbound. The Muller vehicle was hit broadside. Roads at the time were described as icy and imes - Advocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex Kt & North Lambton Since 1873 . ... •, One Hundred and Fifth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 21, 1978 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Rec centre nears budget, gets Boyle's accolades % A BIG FELLOW — One of the hits of the Santa Claus parade was this huge Frosty the Snow­ man entered by the Exeter works department. Shown with their creation are three of the builders, Ross Mathers, Larry Mason and Glenn Kells. The employees worked several hours creating the parade's largest entry, the money for the materials coming from a fund created when council decided to pay (after the fact) for their, employees' Christmas party at the rec centre earlier this month. T-A photo Exeter council endorse redevelopment of park Exeter council passed a resolution, Monday, suppor­ ting the principle of the redevelopment of the com­ munity park, a project that has been estimated at $54,- 100. Mayor Derry Boyle ex­ plained that council’s endor- sation would not result in any call for municipal funds. The rec centre board members will form a com­ mittee to canvass for funds in the area, the balance coming from provincial grants. Board chairman Bob Down, member George God­ bolt, administrator Kirk Armstrong and grounds committee chairman Ron Helm were on hand to field questions from council members, the main ones pertaining to facilities for the fair and the priorities outlined for the project. Reeve Si Simmons wondered if other municipalities involved in the rec centre had been ap­ proached and Down replied that it was being considered strictly as an Exeter pro­ ject. Simmons said he saw nothing for the fair in the park plans and Down said the park would continue to be used for many purposes and the fair board facilities now located there would not be touched. In fact, he said, a proposed outfield fence for the new ball diamond may be excluded if it is found to interfere with the fair. “I hate to see the fair board ignored,” Simmons commented and Down replied that he was a member of the fair board and another representative had been on the study com­ mittee to look after their in­ terests. Councillor Don Cameron was concerned about the fact the new soccer field was not higher on the list of prioirities. Down said that there was more need for a ball diamond, adding that local soccer players still had access to the Canners field snow-covered. OPP Constable S. J. McDonald investigated and set damage at $4,000 to each of the vehicles involved. Martens had been an employee of Huron Tractor for the past four years and was the Blyth service centre manager. An obituary notice appears elsewhere in this issue. The Exeter OPP in­ vestigated five accidents this week, with only one minor which was regarded as one of the best soccer fields in the area. Drainage of the park is one of the costlier items and Down said it could cost up to $2,000 an acre if it was handled properly, although he added that if the necessary funds are not provided, a less expensive method of drainage may be considered. Helm told council members that a ball dia­ mond is a compacted area and ordinary farm drainage systems were not suitable. Councillor Jay Campbell asked if maintenance costs would increase when the project was completed and Mayor Boyle responded to Rec centre rates jump Come this January weekend, users of the South Huron Recreation’s Centre will be paying more for the use of hall and the bar facilities. The board agreed Tuesday to increase the charge for the hall on Saturdays to $175 from the present $150. In a move designed to in­ crease the greater utiliza­ tion of the facility on Fridays, the existing charge of $150 will remain. The board also approved the introduction of a sliding charge for the use of the hall’s bar facilities. Functions with a crowd up to 350 will be charged $50 up $15 from the present charge, while functions with crowds between 350-500 will pay $100. Don Finkbeiner, Stephen representative said “We’re working in the right direc­ tion”, with regards to the fee increases but cautioned “We don’t want to put cold water on the facility”. The final details of the town’s application to Win- Pleaseturn topage 18 injury being reported. That injury was sustained on Thursday by Ricky Wein, Crediton, a passenger on a snow vehicle operated by Larry Lippert, also of Crediton, which slid on an icy patch and flipped over on its side in the police village. One other accident was investigated on Thursday, it involving vehicles driven by Roy Dalton, Seaforth, and Peter Gil, Grand Bend. They collided on Highway 84 west that, saying that technically there may be a small in­ crease “but I doubt it”. APPEAR ON TV — Young people from the Centralia Pentecostal Church will be featured in a Christmas program taped by CFPL which will be aired on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Pictured here are Scott Bingham as Joseph, Laurie Fabre as the Angel and Bonny Obre as Mary. A young choir member is in the right background. The program is based on the Nativity and features a variety of Christmas carols and stories. T-A photo Parade people praised Exeter council members were among those enthused by the excellent Santa Claus parade on Saturday and decided Monday night to send letters of commenda­ tion to parade chairman Mike Williamson and the Exeter Lions for their ef­ forts. The suggestion was made by Councillor Lossy Fuller, who supervised the building of council’s own entry in the parade. “It was a terrific parade and all those involved should be commended for a job well done,” she said. Councillor Jay Campbell agreed it was a “super parade” and added that the of Hensail and damage was listed at $2,800 by Constable Jim Rogerts. On Friday, vehicles driven by Michel Diagre and John Kenney, both of Huron Park, collided on County Road 21 at the junction of the Crediton Road. Damage was set at $700 by Constable Bill Osterloo. There was one accident on Saturday, when a vehicle driven by Terrance Cox, Exeter, went out of control According to both old and new members of the South Huron Recreation Centre, the complex had a successful first year of operation in terms of both programs offered and its financial shape. In the centre’s annual report which was presented at Monday’s board meeting, chairman of the board Bob Down said "The South Huron Recreation Centre has become over the past year a very busy and in- tregal part of the sporting and (or) social life of a growing segment of South Huron residents.” Down thanked the large number of volunteers who have aided in the various events held at the centre which has helped keep operating expenses to a minimum. While the centre’s budget is very close to what was projected, the chairman ' said “capital expenditures at the Rec Centre will re­ main substantial until all necessary improvements and refinements are com­ plete”. In a discussion of the budget-receipt report, new board member Mayor Derry Boyle complimented the board on its budgeting. Down told Boyle the board had watched its budget very closely, saying they had budgeted for a $56,000 deficit while the actual deficit could be around $62,000. The Usborne farmer said the largest item not budgeted was the paving of the parking lot which amounted to $14,000. board of management of the Downtown Business Im­ provement Area should also be sent a letter as financial sponsors of the event. Town employees were also commended for their participation. They entered a giant snowman that was one of the premier exhibits. The money for the float was taken from the $185 recently granted the employees for the Christ­ mas party they attended at the rec centre earlier in the month. Councillor Ted Wright said most of the money granted by the float employees council went into and said the should be con- on an icy section of Highway 4 south of Kippen and struck a bridge. Constable Al Quinn in­ vestigated and listed damage at $700. The other accident oc­ curred on Monday when vehicles operated by Robert Thomas, Clinton, and John Carter, RR 8 Parkhill, collided on Highway 84 at the junction of County Road 31. Damage was estimated at $1,300 by Constable Osterloo. Boyle said he was ex­ tremely pleased with the financial performance of the centre, saying the new facility will cost the town about $8,000 less than what the municipality spent on the old arena in its last year of operation. Again referring to the budget, Boyle said “As an outsider looking in I feel pretty good about it”. The board spent a con­ siderable amount of time Kids given judge's nod With 64 entries in Satur­ day’s Santa Claus parade, judges Charlie Smith and Gerry Webb had a difficult time picking winners. The two followed the rule of Christmas being for children and picked floats which displayed kids’ par­ ticipation. Winning the first place ribbon was- the Sunshine Kids Nursery school of Ex­ eter, followed by the Exeter Kinsmen. The third place ribbon went to a float en­ titled Toyland, and parade chairman Mike said this week attempting to who sponsored ticular entry. In the general category of floats, the ones entered* by the Exeter works depart­ ment and Jerry MacLean & Son Automotive were singl­ ed out for special mention by the judges. Williamson he is still determine that par­ gratulated for their par­ ticipation. “Headlines please.“ Mayor Derry Boyle said to T-A editor Bill Batten. At the urging of Mrs. Fuller’s committee, council also agreed to send a letter of thanks to former council member Ken Ottewell who had built a magazine rack for the town offices. Another recommendation approved was that a picture of Exeter’s seven mayors be taken for a display in the council chambers. “Don’t you think that’s a waste of money?” question­ ed Reeve Si Simmons, one of the seven former mayors. HENRY MARTENS discussing where the township grants for the rec centre should be directed, with it finally being conclud­ ed, it didn’t matter if the rec centre or the town received the monies. Boyle reported Exeter Clerk-treasurer Elizabeth Bell felt the grant monies from Usborne and Stephen should be deposited directly to the town, similar to what presently takes place in the Exeter and Area Fire Board. Both Down and Boyle said they didn’t want to make an issue out of it. Stephen representative Don Finkbeiner agreed say­ ing it was just “a book item”. A continued effort will be made to utilize the various facilities with the rec centre has to offer, according to Armstrong. In the annual report, Armstrong said there was an increase in the number of activities which used the hall during the weekdays, a trend he says should con­ tinue in the future. For the arena, while the minor hockey programs and figure skating were promi­ nent in the revenue picture, an attempt was made to at­ tract new business such as the summer hockey school program and roller skating. “While roller skating was successful in comparison to other facilities in the area, the program did not produce revenues as expected and will be in for a major change in 1979”, Armstrong said. In programs which were offered, the gymnastics and swimming programs proved to be very successful, accor­ ding to the report. Description leads to two arrests of $297.81 from Home Hardware. 3:00 p.m., last two men entered The detailed description provided by a Hensail woman was credited this week by police in the quick apprehension of two suspects wanted in connection with the theft Drysale’s Around Tuesday, the Hensall store, and while one distracted the cashier, the other cleaned out the till. Cashier Eunice Aikenhead provided police with a detailed description of the car driven by the two suspects, and they were arrested about half an hour later in Bayfield by Goderich OPP. Charged with the theft are John Vanderbiezen, 20, of 552 Second St., London, and David James Gunness, 18, of 28 Palace St,, London. They are scheduled to appear in Exeter court on January 9. Two other thefts are also under investigation by the Exeter OPP this week. On Sunday night, a stereo valued at $400 was stolen from a vehicle owned by Max Lear, Hensall, while on Wednesday or Thursday, a hydro pole valued at $80 was stolen from Highway 84 at concession 12-13 The pole was owned by Ontario Hydro. Constable Jack Straughan is in charge of those in­ vestigations.