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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-01-18, Page 1, Huron • SEX OSl p 0 70 cents plus 5 cents G.S.T. (75 cents) POLICING Police say it is hard to stop illegal snowmobile activity. see page three. The Huron Expositor, Seaforth, Ontario, January 18, 1995 MILTON J. DIETZ, LIMITED SEAFORTH 522-0608 • • Pesticides & Custom Spraying • Spraying Equipment & Parts • Nutrite Premium Fertilizer • Ventilation & Livestock Equipment Mem) PURINA & PET FOODS S MUSIC Children in day care in Seaforth take part in only Sunrise program in Huron. tee page three. MOBILITY Specialized transit service, pursues ► fundraising :. goals. see page five. Briefly Three -vehicle collision injures two local people A Seaforth resident and another well-known former area resident now living in Stratford were injured and taken to Stratford General Hospital after a three -vehicle collision in the dense fog on Highway 8 just west of Mitchell late Friday morning. Thc accident caused the highway to close for about three and a half hours. "fhc Stratford hospital reported Tuesday morning that Graham Kerr, 86, was now in good condition and might soon be released to Seaforth Community Hospital. He has a damaged pelvis. ,\ popular teacher at Seaforth District High School is now at 'mine in Stratford recuperating, aid was released Sunday night. Jayne Walsh, 29, originally from the Dublin arca, suffered many bruises and severe cuts requiring many stitches, among other injuries, according to a relative, cc ho adds it will take a while before she is back up to snuff. Scbringville Constable Ross \larshall of the Ontario Provincial Police said Kerr was eastbound in the west lane of Highway 8 at about 11 a.m. (Friday when he collided with the Walsh. vehicle; then slid to the left shoulder of the road. Shc was westbound in the proper lane and her vehicle slid to the right shoulder after the impact, according to police. :\pother westbound vehicle driven by Dorothy Morgan, 24, of Stratford, also a teacher at the local high school, managed to manoeuvre her vehicle between the two that collided, but also clipped the Walsh car. Both teachers were returning home after classes at SDHS were cancelled for the day because of the fog. Busses were cancelled before the school day began. "Ike Mitchell police and fire departments assisted the OPP, helping to direct traffic while provincial traffic technicians reconstructed the scene. Dr. Bannerman speaker at Brotherhood Night ,\ former minister at Northside 1 iiited Church in Seaforth will .be the guest speaker at the annual Brotherhood Night in Seaforth. Dr. Eugen Bannerman, whey also played an influential role in honouring Seaforth-native and It erson founder Howard Kerr at recent mace ceremonies at that l oronto University, will speak at Ole annual Brotherhood event, sponsored by eight local service clubs, at Seaforth Branch 156 of the Royal Canadian Legion on 1.eh. 16. INDEX Entertainment...• page 14. Sports...pages 9, 16. Rec Preview...page 14. "Your community newspaper since 1860...serving Seaforth, ` Dublin, Hensall, Walton, Brussels and surrounding communities." 4 STRONG SUPPORT - If Monday night's public meeting is any indication there is lots of support in Seaforth for setting up a youth drop in centre in town. About 70 people showed up at the Women's Resource Centre on Main Street to organize, where Seaforth Optimist Club President Jack Bedard offered them the use of that service club's building. Chris Dalton, left, spoke for Seaforth's teenagers and Sallianne Patch, manager of a youth drop-in centre in Brussels called the Ark discussed that community's experience with its centre. Seaforth considers centre for teens BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff Lots of interest was shown in setting up a drop-in centre for teenagers in Scalorth at a public meeting on Monday evening. About 70 people, evenly split between adults and youths, attended the get together at the Women's Resource Centre on Main Street. The meeting was prompted by public concerns about arca vandalism and youths hanging out on the Main Street. The group already has already won half its battle, and has a building if it :takes up Seaforth Optimist Club President Jack Bedard's offer at Monday's meeting to use that local service club's building at Optimist Park. The Optimist Club is short on volunteers but they arc welcome to use the building, Bedard said. Thc framework of a start-up committee for a drop-in centre was established, and organizers decided to inset again in two weeks, Monday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m., again at the Women's Centre. "The kids won't (lis: ',' '('r into a building..." Monday's meeting was informally chaired by James Sampa. Chris Dalton was chosen by the contingent of youths at Monday's meeting to speak for them. • Dalton said the teenagers just wanted a place to hang out and talk about their concerns and problems, and stressed it would be self - policing with no smoking, drugs, alcohol or fighting allowed.. The youths hope it will be open seven nights a week, and weekends from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. Sallianne Patch, manager of a very successful youth drop-in centre called. the Ark in: _Brussels, and Alex Irvine,: the driving force behind a similar centre in Hensall, shared their experiences at the start of the meeting. Patch stressed "the kids won't just disappear into a building" if that's what the community is thinking. Shc said the teen population in Brussels has increased on nights when the Ark is open, as more youths from the area are using the facilities, located in an old barn, because it has proved so popular. She said the Ark in Brussels has been going for two years and is now averaging 60 youths a day for three-day weekends, and the figure was 86 last weekend. Brussel's Ark started as a community-based, non-profit organization operated by an advisory board of volunteers,, area professionals and concerned people in the community. It is now funded by a two-year $75,000, Ministry of Health grunt, and plans to be self- supporting when that well runs dry. Patch is the full-time manager and another part-time youth worker is involved. Nothing will be, handed you on any silver platter, Patch promised, and the keys ' to success all start with "C": co-operation, communication, collaboration and credibility. Teenagers socialize while playing such old stand-bys as pool, ping pong, cards, chess and checkers at the Brussels Ark. There are no videos. Patch had done her •homework and noted Seaforth had flirted with the notion of similar drop-in centres before, but hoped this latest venture would prove a more lasting success because of community involvement. Irvine also related Hensall's experiences in setting up a similar venture, not as structured with some of the funds coming out of his own pocket, and cautioned that money and volunteers -are not easy to come by in these tight economic times. Both speakers stressed that it will be the youths themselves who will have to do most of the work for the basics, and go out and do their own. fundraising if they want the gravy. Monday's meeting was well attended by representatives from the Seaforth clergy, service clubs, schools, police and town politicians. Anybody with an interest in the issue is urged w attend the meeting of the Seaforth drop-in centre's start up committee at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, at the Women's Resource Centre at 28 Main St. Town to hold meeting on OPP issue BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff Seaforth's Town Council and Police Services Board should come to final decisions at their February meetings whether Seaforth will inaintain its local police force or contract service from the Ontario Provincial Police. Council accepted a report from its Finance and General Government Committee that contained this recommendation at the town's regular meeting Jan. 12. There will be a public meeting on the OPP contracted services issue next Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall Council Chambers. Council plans to develop a list of pros and cons related to the issue afterthis meeting, incorporating aspects it has previously explored in closed sessions, with representatives of the police forces and informally with area municipalities exploring the same issue. Much of this delicate work involves playing it close to the vest and framing questions and concerns, so decision makers are not comparing "apples to oranges". "The Finance and General Government Committee recommendations arc contained in its regular meeting report for Jan. 3. It notes "Constable Peter McGuinness (of the OPP) has requested Council develop a list of questions or concerns he can address at the Special Meeting. (Town Administrator, Jim) Crocker circulated a list of 25 questions that the Police Services Board has developed." He recommended, the report continues, Council meet in -camera with the Police Services Board and McGuinness at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24, before the public meeting to review the updated cost comparison of OPP contracting versus maintaining a local police force. The report also notes if Seaforth opts for the OPP, Council will have new decisions such as what it is going to do with current police department facilities. One option the report mentions would be to convert them into a new Council Chambers accessible to all. Police board appoints Steffler chairperson The Chair of the Seaforth Police Services Board was re -appointed at its regular meeting last Wednesday, Jan. 11. The Board again chose Lin Steffler for the position in 1995, in a short session. Seatorth PUC replaces costly mobile transformer . The Seaforth Alio Utility Commission has borrowed a replacement transformer from Kitchener, to take the place of the mobile transformer borrowed from London late last month when vandals damaged the Chalk Street station and knocked much of the power out in Seaforth overnight. The used transfonner arrived last Friday and was phased in earlier this week, allowing the local PU,CC to limit costs of the mobile unit which were running at about $1,000 per day and free it up for other possible Ontario Hydro emergencies Meanwhile damage to the core of the vandalized transformer is described as "severe", but just how much so remains to be seen. It has been removed and shipped to General Electric at Burlington who will test and assess the unit before issuing a report, and its conclusions will help to determine whether the Seaforth PUC opts for repairs or a new transformer. • °1'r' '►1•m,►uer T'an Phillips stimates it might take from 12 to l6 weeks. At the regular PUC meeting last Wednesday, manager Phillips also reported that another step-down transformer used for the chlorinator, lights and heating at the Welsh Street well site has been replaced at a cost of $800. Danica McNichol has also completed her probationary period and been hired on a permanent part- time basis in the PUC office. PUC commissioners and the manager spent most of last Wednesday night's meeting in an insurance review with Frank Cowan of Seaforth insurance. Because of larger claims, but not because of the recent vandalism, liability insurance for the Seaforth PUC will be up by about 30 per cern this year as compared to last, an increase in premium of approximately $2,500. This is in line with provincial liability trends in the utility business attd elsewhere. t SWITCHING TRANSFORMERS - The Seaforth Public Utility Commission has phased in a used transformer from Kitchener to replace the emergency mobile unit from Ontario Hydro that was costing about $1,000 per day, forced into service late last month when vandals caused severe damage to the Chalk Street station. Your Full Line Dealer FORD MERCURY Sales - Service- Selection [MER011 llti HART FORD MERCURY USED CARS WAY a REP' iiEa'cktTts°an."solat 1 "The Friendly Dealer With The Blg Heart" MOBILITY Specialized transit service, pursues ► fundraising :. goals. see page five. Briefly Three -vehicle collision injures two local people A Seaforth resident and another well-known former area resident now living in Stratford were injured and taken to Stratford General Hospital after a three -vehicle collision in the dense fog on Highway 8 just west of Mitchell late Friday morning. Thc accident caused the highway to close for about three and a half hours. "fhc Stratford hospital reported Tuesday morning that Graham Kerr, 86, was now in good condition and might soon be released to Seaforth Community Hospital. He has a damaged pelvis. ,\ popular teacher at Seaforth District High School is now at 'mine in Stratford recuperating, aid was released Sunday night. Jayne Walsh, 29, originally from the Dublin arca, suffered many bruises and severe cuts requiring many stitches, among other injuries, according to a relative, cc ho adds it will take a while before she is back up to snuff. Scbringville Constable Ross \larshall of the Ontario Provincial Police said Kerr was eastbound in the west lane of Highway 8 at about 11 a.m. (Friday when he collided with the Walsh. vehicle; then slid to the left shoulder of the road. Shc was westbound in the proper lane and her vehicle slid to the right shoulder after the impact, according to police. :\pother westbound vehicle driven by Dorothy Morgan, 24, of Stratford, also a teacher at the local high school, managed to manoeuvre her vehicle between the two that collided, but also clipped the Walsh car. Both teachers were returning home after classes at SDHS were cancelled for the day because of the fog. Busses were cancelled before the school day began. "Ike Mitchell police and fire departments assisted the OPP, helping to direct traffic while provincial traffic technicians reconstructed the scene. Dr. Bannerman speaker at Brotherhood Night ,\ former minister at Northside 1 iiited Church in Seaforth will .be the guest speaker at the annual Brotherhood Night in Seaforth. Dr. Eugen Bannerman, whey also played an influential role in honouring Seaforth-native and It erson founder Howard Kerr at recent mace ceremonies at that l oronto University, will speak at Ole annual Brotherhood event, sponsored by eight local service clubs, at Seaforth Branch 156 of the Royal Canadian Legion on 1.eh. 16. INDEX Entertainment...• page 14. Sports...pages 9, 16. Rec Preview...page 14. "Your community newspaper since 1860...serving Seaforth, ` Dublin, Hensall, Walton, Brussels and surrounding communities." 4 STRONG SUPPORT - If Monday night's public meeting is any indication there is lots of support in Seaforth for setting up a youth drop in centre in town. About 70 people showed up at the Women's Resource Centre on Main Street to organize, where Seaforth Optimist Club President Jack Bedard offered them the use of that service club's building. Chris Dalton, left, spoke for Seaforth's teenagers and Sallianne Patch, manager of a youth drop-in centre in Brussels called the Ark discussed that community's experience with its centre. Seaforth considers centre for teens BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff Lots of interest was shown in setting up a drop-in centre for teenagers in Scalorth at a public meeting on Monday evening. About 70 people, evenly split between adults and youths, attended the get together at the Women's Resource Centre on Main Street. The meeting was prompted by public concerns about arca vandalism and youths hanging out on the Main Street. The group already has already won half its battle, and has a building if it :takes up Seaforth Optimist Club President Jack Bedard's offer at Monday's meeting to use that local service club's building at Optimist Park. The Optimist Club is short on volunteers but they arc welcome to use the building, Bedard said. Thc framework of a start-up committee for a drop-in centre was established, and organizers decided to inset again in two weeks, Monday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m., again at the Women's Centre. "The kids won't (lis: ',' '('r into a building..." Monday's meeting was informally chaired by James Sampa. Chris Dalton was chosen by the contingent of youths at Monday's meeting to speak for them. • Dalton said the teenagers just wanted a place to hang out and talk about their concerns and problems, and stressed it would be self - policing with no smoking, drugs, alcohol or fighting allowed.. The youths hope it will be open seven nights a week, and weekends from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. Sallianne Patch, manager of a very successful youth drop-in centre called. the Ark in: _Brussels, and Alex Irvine,: the driving force behind a similar centre in Hensall, shared their experiences at the start of the meeting. Patch stressed "the kids won't just disappear into a building" if that's what the community is thinking. Shc said the teen population in Brussels has increased on nights when the Ark is open, as more youths from the area are using the facilities, located in an old barn, because it has proved so popular. She said the Ark in Brussels has been going for two years and is now averaging 60 youths a day for three-day weekends, and the figure was 86 last weekend. Brussel's Ark started as a community-based, non-profit organization operated by an advisory board of volunteers,, area professionals and concerned people in the community. It is now funded by a two-year $75,000, Ministry of Health grunt, and plans to be self- supporting when that well runs dry. Patch is the full-time manager and another part-time youth worker is involved. Nothing will be, handed you on any silver platter, Patch promised, and the keys ' to success all start with "C": co-operation, communication, collaboration and credibility. Teenagers socialize while playing such old stand-bys as pool, ping pong, cards, chess and checkers at the Brussels Ark. There are no videos. Patch had done her •homework and noted Seaforth had flirted with the notion of similar drop-in centres before, but hoped this latest venture would prove a more lasting success because of community involvement. Irvine also related Hensall's experiences in setting up a similar venture, not as structured with some of the funds coming out of his own pocket, and cautioned that money and volunteers -are not easy to come by in these tight economic times. Both speakers stressed that it will be the youths themselves who will have to do most of the work for the basics, and go out and do their own. fundraising if they want the gravy. Monday's meeting was well attended by representatives from the Seaforth clergy, service clubs, schools, police and town politicians. Anybody with an interest in the issue is urged w attend the meeting of the Seaforth drop-in centre's start up committee at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, at the Women's Resource Centre at 28 Main St. Town to hold meeting on OPP issue BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff Seaforth's Town Council and Police Services Board should come to final decisions at their February meetings whether Seaforth will inaintain its local police force or contract service from the Ontario Provincial Police. Council accepted a report from its Finance and General Government Committee that contained this recommendation at the town's regular meeting Jan. 12. There will be a public meeting on the OPP contracted services issue next Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall Council Chambers. Council plans to develop a list of pros and cons related to the issue afterthis meeting, incorporating aspects it has previously explored in closed sessions, with representatives of the police forces and informally with area municipalities exploring the same issue. Much of this delicate work involves playing it close to the vest and framing questions and concerns, so decision makers are not comparing "apples to oranges". "The Finance and General Government Committee recommendations arc contained in its regular meeting report for Jan. 3. It notes "Constable Peter McGuinness (of the OPP) has requested Council develop a list of questions or concerns he can address at the Special Meeting. (Town Administrator, Jim) Crocker circulated a list of 25 questions that the Police Services Board has developed." He recommended, the report continues, Council meet in -camera with the Police Services Board and McGuinness at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24, before the public meeting to review the updated cost comparison of OPP contracting versus maintaining a local police force. The report also notes if Seaforth opts for the OPP, Council will have new decisions such as what it is going to do with current police department facilities. One option the report mentions would be to convert them into a new Council Chambers accessible to all. Police board appoints Steffler chairperson The Chair of the Seaforth Police Services Board was re -appointed at its regular meeting last Wednesday, Jan. 11. The Board again chose Lin Steffler for the position in 1995, in a short session. Seatorth PUC replaces costly mobile transformer . The Seaforth Alio Utility Commission has borrowed a replacement transformer from Kitchener, to take the place of the mobile transformer borrowed from London late last month when vandals damaged the Chalk Street station and knocked much of the power out in Seaforth overnight. The used transfonner arrived last Friday and was phased in earlier this week, allowing the local PU,CC to limit costs of the mobile unit which were running at about $1,000 per day and free it up for other possible Ontario Hydro emergencies Meanwhile damage to the core of the vandalized transformer is described as "severe", but just how much so remains to be seen. It has been removed and shipped to General Electric at Burlington who will test and assess the unit before issuing a report, and its conclusions will help to determine whether the Seaforth PUC opts for repairs or a new transformer. • °1'r' '►1•m,►uer T'an Phillips stimates it might take from 12 to l6 weeks. At the regular PUC meeting last Wednesday, manager Phillips also reported that another step-down transformer used for the chlorinator, lights and heating at the Welsh Street well site has been replaced at a cost of $800. Danica McNichol has also completed her probationary period and been hired on a permanent part- time basis in the PUC office. PUC commissioners and the manager spent most of last Wednesday night's meeting in an insurance review with Frank Cowan of Seaforth insurance. Because of larger claims, but not because of the recent vandalism, liability insurance for the Seaforth PUC will be up by about 30 per cern this year as compared to last, an increase in premium of approximately $2,500. This is in line with provincial liability trends in the utility business attd elsewhere. t SWITCHING TRANSFORMERS - The Seaforth Public Utility Commission has phased in a used transformer from Kitchener to replace the emergency mobile unit from Ontario Hydro that was costing about $1,000 per day, forced into service late last month when vandals caused severe damage to the Chalk Street station.