Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-06-03, Page 1Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 - Seaforth. Ontario June 3, 1998 - $1.00 includes GST 1 Seaforth's Co-operative Children's Centre Inc., held its 20th anniversary celebrations in Victoria Park Sunday afternoon. Step -dancer Denise Koehler was one of the many perfomters. So were some talented parrots, 'or more properly macaws, from the African Lion Safari who put on some performances CHILDREN'S CENTRE CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY - Seafotth's Co-operative Children's Centre Inc., celebrated two decades with a well -attended party in Victoria Park Sunday afternoon. There were many entertainers, among them the four youngsters above, who did a little dance. They are, from Left: Brandy Core, Julie Vincent, Lindsay Dolmage and Brigette Cronin. (abovejSix-year-old Carolyn Cote from Clinton got to meet one of the birds. CAMPBELL PHOTOS Town could lose gas supply if predatory pricing goes on BY SCOTT HILGENDORFF Expositor Editor Predatory pricing could sec Seaforth residents travelling out of town to find their' closest gas station. warns MP Paul Stecklc. Steckle was part of an independent group of Liberal MPs who travelled Canada this past winter exploring issues surrounding. gas pricing. The goal of thc Caucus Committee on •Gasoline • Pricing was to find out the ins and outs of the price of gas and how_ to provide fair pricing. . "Everywhere we went, the story was the same. Unless we can find a way 'to stop predatory pricing. the independent (gas stations) arc going to go thc way of thc homing pigeon." Steckle said. The concern is that independent gas stations can't compete with the four main oil companies that also operate Stecklc said when consumers sec a sudden price increase. it's not an attempt to gouge them but an effort to get some money back. - Concerned MPs had used their own time to conduct forums across Canada. including one to Goderich. following growing concerns from the public about inconsistent gas prices. They met with more than 1,000 people to prepare the report. Accusations of collusion werc.being Made- against adeagainst the oil industry. Stecklc said the Competition Act forbids collusion and asked 'Unless we can stop predatory pricing, the independents are going to go the way of the homing pigeon' -•MP Paul Steckb gas stations. Right now, Steckle said gas prices are lower than what they should be providing a temporary benefit to consumers. The lower prices arc what is forcing independent stations to close their doors. The refinery owners can afford to subsidize their gas station chains until thc independents are gone. There will be fewer gas stations and less competition that potentially will mean prices that are higher than is fair. Right now. Steckle said independent gas stations arc often making one to two cents for every litre of gas they sell. "We've seen the books of these people," Steckle said, adding the profit they make does not allow them to pay for staff. how therc.could be collusion when there is no competition'' He points out there arc only lour major companies left. Without competition. Stecklc warns it is only a matter of time before people are paying even higher gas prices at the pumps The report. of about 80 pages. is now in the hands of the minister of industry and Stecklc said that's where a decision to act will have to come. Because they arc acting on their own and not as a parliamentary committee. Steckle said they will be treated -a little different." At the same time as thc report has been submitted. Stecklc is giving his support to a private members bill. Bill C-235 which also deals with this issue. . In a statement to the House of Commons, Stecklc said. "Bill C-235 would establish a legislated basis for the enforcement of industry wide, fair pricing policies." The bill and report are separate issues that Steckle said have come forward at the same time. While he doesn't expect the bill to pass. Steckle is continuing to follow the progress of the report made by the Caucus Committee on 1K» on Page S Carroll loss not good for Seaforth High school has lost an ally. warns school board chair BY SCOTT HILGENDORFF AND RICK KEW Seaforth and Mitchell Staff The sudden retirement of the Avon Maitland District School Board's director. of education does not Node well for the future of Seaforth's •high.school. cautions board chair Abby Armstrong. "Whether Seaforth would accept this or not. they've lost a .tremendously great ally." she said. Carroll. who resides in Seaforth. has been the centre of criticism from the community for board plans thalcould potentially lead'to Seaforth - District High School closing. He resigned from the board at its May• 26 meeting and it takes effect June 26. Armstrong would not speculate whether or not the situation in Seaforth has had any bearing on Carroll's decision. It did have bearing on Carroll's decision to leave two town committees. a month ago/ • At the meeting. Carroll. normally .open with the media. would not comment on his resignation. he told reporters. he had never before said. "no comment." in reply to a question from the media. but this was a time when he would. Armstrong said there has Paul Carroll been a great deal of • mis- under - standi.ng. a h o u t Carroll's role in a decision. to close the high school. that has now been detailed hs about one year. "He's been a great supporter of this community." she said. "Now that he's retired. I'd just.like the people to know they've lost a tremendous ally. - She doesn't want to cause any unnecessary fear but said .Carroll handled the situation with care because ofhis ties to the community. A new director of education may not look at the situation the same was a Carroll. "We'll get through this and we'll work at it." she said. Armstrong toad The Expositor. Friday Carroll's announcement was not .entirely unexpected. She said Carroll approached her a fess weeks ago .to tell her he was considering leaving. • She asked him to• take some time to think about it before •making.• a final decision and said she wasn't 'prepared . to accept a CONTINUED'on Page•i Carroll struggled with decision to retire BY TRISH WILKINSON Clinton News -Record Staff Paul ,Carroll is looking for a change of pace. The director of education for the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB),.who announced May 26 that he would be retiring from the board. noted that he is looking forward to finally taking some time for himself. "I'm just ready to slow down and have a rest," he . said in an interview Tuesday. Carroll said he has been struggling with the decision of when to retire for some time. but "decided to act very quickly" last week when . he received information on the board's early retirement package. Carroll noted that although taking this package also means taking a financial penalty. it will allow him to retire the same day as his wife. "i think it is time for myself, my wile and my family." Carroll said. adding that his career in education has "consumed my whole adult life." Now. however. Carroll said he and his wife are ready for u "snore private style of life". He said thc arc planning on• spending more time doing things like gardening and painting. something the pair hasn't found time for in years. The director. whose CONTINUED on Pair h Optirnistic turn out dor new service club New Optimist Club has largest BY scar HU OBNDO 'Ptor lc the biggest �ttor � organized club on n chart in It's the largest charter Optimist International to Optimist International has date," he said. And, even seen with 6,2 members before the club's charter becoming a part of the new night banquet Saturday (May Setforth Optimist Club. 30) it was still growing. It "We need something for includes some members the kids; to help the kids from the original club that have staff here," said Doug folded about a year ago. Fry, the -new club's Members of Shakespeare's president. Optimist Optimist Club are pleased international's focus is on with the new success. children and youth as clubs That club was responsible work with them on for coming to Seaforth and everytbias form bicycle regenerating support for a rodeos to developing new venture. charter of any "We contacted certain individuals in the jown to see if they were interested," said Gil McNeil. president of shakespeare's Club. Leading up to the official formation of the Seaforth club in March, members from Shakespeare met with Seaforth individuals to give them information about the club in general and would then follow up with them if they were interested in forming onc. "We've sponsored eight COJVTIINU$p on Page n