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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-03-18, Page 1Candidates make final pitch Voters have their say, Thursday A wide variety of subjects were covered at Monday's all -candidates meeting at South Huron District High gchool in Exeter sponsored by the Huron Federation of agriculture. John Van Beers of RR 1, Blyth, a vice-president of the Huron Federation was chair- man for the meeting attend- ed by about 100 persons. Each of the three can- didates was given seven minutes for opening remarks which was followed by a large number of questions from the floor. Conservative candidate Jim Britnell was first to speak. He talked about On- tario's success coming from self sufficiency saying to the dominant farm crowd, "You feed us and we are thankful." Britnell said there was a problem with imports from the United States and other nations and suggested these could be smoothed out. The PC candidate said his party was urging the federal government to do something about the high in- terest rates and hoped the differential in rural and ur- ban hydro rates would be eliminated by 1982. Britnell continued, "The government is helping to in- crease farm production through tile drainage programs and the land transfer tax of 20 percent on foreign sales. In her opening remarks NDP candidate Gwen Pemberton gave three reasons for accepting the nomination. Her first reason was to give every New Democratic party supporter in the riding an opportunity to vote for their candidate. She suggested men and women would work together in the Legislature better than all of one or the other. There are 23 NDP female candidates in this election, five or six Liberals and seven or eight Conser- vatives. Mrs. Pemberton calling herself a "dyed in the wool NDPer" said she feels an NDP government would show the way to a secure economy. She talked about 30 years of NDP rule in Saskatchewan since the Se- cond World War where the economy is diversified and the people are getting a fair return from natural resources. Mrs. Pemberton said 1 BUSINESS GOOD — More than200 persons cast their ballot during the three-day advance poll in Exeter. Shown above during a slack period are polling officials Barb McLellan and Gloria McFalls. T -A photo Bridge walkway gets consideration The ministry of tran- sportation and com- munication have agreed to pay 90 percent of the cost of repairs to the Main St. bridge under the connecting link agreement, but they won't pay the same share for a proposed walkway on the east side of the structure over the Ausable River. However, Exeter council agreed Monday to have engineer B.M. Ross & Associates prepare specifications for a walkway for tender later this year. Estimated cost of the walkway has been set at $30,000 and according to Reeve Don MacGregor, it is badly needed for the safety of children in the north-east section of town who have to cross the highway twice on their way to school. He told council that the ministry would pay 90 percent of the cost of the walkway, but was corrected DON GRAVETT by clerk Liz Bell and works superintendent Glenn Kells who said that was not so, as the agreement was for the bridge repairs only and not the walkway. In other business stem- Saskatchewan had the ming from the reports of the lowest tax rate in Canada roads, drains and sanitation and Ontario's was the se - segments of the public works cond highest. committee, council: She'concluded with, "We Approved a recom- have to find ways to keep our mendation to name county young people in Ontario. I weed inspector Joe Gibson hope my grandchildren will as Exeter's weed inspector. want to stay." Learned that the easement had been secured for the Bierling storm drain and authorized Kells to prepare estimates for the necessary work. Received copies of the proposed storm sewer system for the south-west section of town and agreed to budget the necessary funds ($10,000) for obtaining easements and to proceed in obtaining easements and have a further look to see if any part of the work can be done this year after other tenders have been received. Agreed to meet on March 30 to review the engineer's report on the sewage lagoon. Approved a recom- mendation to secure quotes on a new mower, which has been estimated at $8.500. Approved a merit pay increase to works superintendent Glenn Kells to step 3 of the salary range, effective February 23, 1981, being his 11th anniversary date with the town. The increase results in a ;1,000 boost to $20,500. Gravett returns as administrator Don "Boom" Gravett, a former Exeter recreation director, will be returning to the community as the new administrator for the South Huron rec centre board of management. Negotiations with Gravett were completed last Monday and he will be assuming his new duties on April 6., ac- cording to board chairman Jerry MacLean. He was one of 20 applicants for the job. Gravett, 47,. came to Exeter in the late '50s to play for the Exeter Mohawks, after graduating from junior hockey in Kitchener. He was sports editor of the T -A before becoming rec director. His wife Mary, is the daughter of Glen McKnight of Exeter. Since leaving Exeter, Gravett held the position of recreation director and facilities manager at Hanover and then became associated with the Canadian Old -Timers' Hockey Association. More recently he was rec director Wiarton. For several years he operated a one-week sum- mer camp attended by numerous youngsters from the Exeter area. It was originally held at Goderich and then moved to Pike Lake, Gravett's appointment 1 was approved by Exeter council, Monday. after MacLean said the board felt Gravett would be a "real good administrator". "He has the experience, knowledge and know-how," the board chairman stated. At the suggestion of Mayor Bruce Shaw, Gravett's salary was not included in the motion to approve his appointment. Eliminate stipends! Members of the Exeter & Area Fire Board increased firemen's wages recently, and at the same time eliminated their own. Firemen will he paid $5.00 for hourly practice time, an increase of $2.00 The board members decid- ed to eliminate their own sti- pend of $5 per meeting and the mileage allowance previously allowed. However. it may not be en- tirely eliminated as the deci- sion was to make each local council responsible for com- ensating its own appointees to the board. Usborne Reeve Murray Dawson was elected chair- man of the board for 1981. In other business at their March 11 meeting, the board: Adopted a draft ad- ministration bylaw and authorized the clerk and chief to attend the Ontario Fire Marshal's seminar on bylaws in Clinton on April 10 to ascertain if the bylaw should be passedby all four contributing municipalities. Deferred calling tenders to replace the 1961 pumper for another year. Authorized a letter be sent to Granton fire department requesting co-operation in covering a call from Usborne Township (if the wrong department is called) until Exeter department can be notified and responds. Exeter board will pay to Granton department the regular rate of $200 for the first hour or part hour. In his opening statement, Liberal incumbent Jack Riddell said. "I'm going to take a different approach. We've covered the issues in previous meetings and you can't deal with policies in seven minutes." Riddell attacked the in- tegrity of the Conservative government. He blasted the use of Preserve and Conserve and Good Things Grow in Ontario commer- cials. He added. "These com- mericals have continued through 'the election cam- paign at the expense of public funds." Riddell suggested local municipalities are not get- ting their fair share of government grants saying, "regional governments are getting 159 percent while local governments in this area are only getting 65 per- cent. He continued, "When John Robarts was premier there was a surplus budget now with Davis the deficit is $17 billion. The interest on that deficit amounts to $4.4 million per day." ' Riddell questioned the spending of $2 million on opi- nion polls and;500 million on land banking.. The first question from Paul Klopp asked about the candidates attitude towards severances which create non farm residences and businesses. Jack Riddell said the Liberal party is devoted to preservation of farmlands and all municipalities should incorporate Foodland guidelines. He added, "The government will have to make them rnandatorv." Mrs. Pemberton said she was opposed to the numerous acres of good farmland literally going un- der pavement. Jim Britnell said only one severance per farm should be allowed and farmers should move to their closest hamlet. A question by Dave McClure raised the subject of regional government To this Jack Riddell replied. "It's a blessing a minority government was ALL,CANDIDATES DEBATE — The Huron Federation of Agriculture sponsored an all candidates meeting at South Huron District High School, Monday night. From the left are F of A vice-president John Van Beers, NDP candidate Gwen Pember- ton, Liberal incumbent Jack Riddell and Jim Britnell, Conservative candidate. T -A photo able to stop regional governments from spreading The changes never matched the promises He continued. "Regions get 9.6 percent in uncon- ditional grants while Exeter gets :3.7. Goderich 4 percent and Lucan hasn't had any in- crease in four years. The regions get $17 per capita for police while we get $12 here.. Jim Britnell said. I'll have no part of regional govern- ment where it has to be forc- ed upon any municipality." Britnell defended regional government in places such as Metro Toronto and Cam- bridge. In Cambridge he said. "They were having horrendous problems over growth and had five different police forces and the same number of other boards. Regional govern- ment has stopped the quibbl- ing there. Andre Durand raised the question. "Why is Ontario Hydro allowed to expand?" Jim Britnell said the government's BILD program is encouraging Please turn to page 3 • Ames Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Eighth Year & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, MARCH 18, 1981 -t. Price per copy 40 Cents Endorse zone change to aid Laidlaw move Exeter council voted unanimously this week to prepare bylaws for the necessary zoning changes rewired to facilitate the proposed transfer of Laidlaw Transport to a new location on the eastern limits of Exeter on Highway 83. The firm has a pending agreement for the purchase of approximately 14 acres from Lorne Keller on the north side of the highway east of Big "O" Drain Tile. About half the property is in Exeter and the balance is in Usborne. The company plans to build an office -warehouse on the front portion of the site, with a large parking area to the north of it. Approximately 10 acres plight be used for this combined purpose. Lawyer Randy Evans told council that the firm has outgrown its present location at the Highway 4 and 83 LOAD 'ER UP — Physics teacher Bruce Perry and student Mike VanRaay place o Toad on a bridge built by Dave Woodward. The students built bridges as part of a physics course and tested them to destruction, to see which could sup- port the biggest load in relate to its pounds were used to test. Students paid 25 cents eac to gather in the gym to watch the final three bridges get ested. Money raised will be donated to Compassion Canada to help needy children. Find local source for 'cheap' money Exeter council came up with a bargain this week when they found a buyer for a debenture with an interest rate of 131 percent. The current rate for debentures is in the 161/2 to 17 percent range. They didn't have to travel far to find the buyer, either. In fact it was in their own backyard, or more correctly, in their own bank account. Following a recent meeting with their auditor, G. Mills of Kime & Co., the finance committee this week recommended that a reserve t.,, f FIVE STAR CUBS HONOURED Two Exeter Cubs recently earned their five star badges. Making the presentation Tuesday night to Tony Baker and Robbie Russell was leader Tom Seip. T -A photo fund for the sanitary sewer expansion be established in the amount of $145,000 and that this fund purchase the town's consolidated debenture issue for the police station and the Thames. Road East sanitary sewer inthe amount of $145,000 and that the resulting figures be included in the 1981 budget. It was also recommended the the issue provide for repayment over 10 years at 131/2 percent in denominations of $5,000 and $10,000. In effect, the town is buying its own debenture for the two projects which were included in last year's budget and for which OMB approval has been granted. Finance committee chairman Bill Mickle said the 13/ percent interest rate had been set to make the debentures saleable in the event the current interest rates decline. They were also approved for $6,000 and $10,000 denominations so they may be purchased by local citizens in the event they are offered for sale. The police station and sewer projects were paid from last year's current account and the debenture issue had been delayed due to the rapid increase in in- terest rates. Mickle said that the move was made possible due to the fact Exeter has an ex- tremely low tax arrears position. BRIDGE CHALLENGE -- As part of a physics course at South Huron high school, students built small bridges out of toothpicks, and tested them to destruction. Shown here (from left) are teacher Bruce Perry, and finalists Jerry Wilder, Mike VonRaay, and Dove Woodward The challenge was to build the bridge which held the most weight in comparison to its own weight. Though his bridge held less weight, Mike VonRaay's bridge held the most in relation to its small size. (Bridge on the right.) Four badly injured in district crashes Four people suffered serious injuries in the seven accidents investigated by the Exeter OPP this week and another five sustained minor injuries. A St Catharines man. Harold Smith. 68. was taken to t:niversity hospital in critical condition following an accident on Tuesday when his vehicle was prac- tically cut in half by a truck Smith had• been southbound on Huron Road 11 and drove into a Ilensall District ('oop grain truck. which was westbound on Highway 83. Driver of the truck was Kenneth Ferguson. Ilensall. The latter was treated at South Huron Hospital and releas- ed. Damage in the collision was set at 56.000 by Constable Ed Wilcox. On Wednesday. a Crediton man. Joseph Regier, sustained serious injuries when his vehicle slid on a snow-covered section of County Road 5 west of con- cession 4-5 of Stephen and struck a tree. Regier was taken to University Hospital and damage was listed at $1.200 by Constable Frank Giffin. There was one accident on Thursday. it occurring on the Kirkton Road about three km east of Highway 4. A vehicle driven by Gregory Ford. RR 3 Dashwood, went out of control on the icy sur- face and struck a tree. Damage was set at $600 by Constable Bob Whiteford. One of four Saturday collisions resulted in serious injury to two Huron Park residents. Kelly Phillips and John O'Neill. A vehicle driven by Phillips struck a tree on Huron Road 21 just north of Algonquin Drive. Huron Park O'Neill was a passenger in the vehicle. Roth were taken to University Hospital and Constable Jim Rogers set damage in the crash at $1.- 000 A vehicle driven by Dennis Bierling. Huron Park. struck a deep pothole on concession 2-3 south of sideroad 4-5 in Usborne Township and went out of control in loose gravel and struck a tree stump. Bierling suffered minor in- juries and damage was es- timated at $1.000 by Constable Bill Osterloo. Another Saturday crash in- volved a vehicle driven by Paul Pridham. Exeter. which struck a fence and rolled over on the Kirkton Road west of concession 2-3 of Usborne Pridham and a pssenger. George Blackwell. RR 2 Ilensall. sustained minor in- juries Constable Rogers in- vestigated and listed damage at $3.000 The final collision on Saturday occurred on Coun- ty Road 5 just west of highway 4 Mien a vehicle driven by Martin Cun- ningham. RR 5 Strathroy. went oul of control and roll- ed over Damage was listed at $2.500 by Constable Don Millson Cunningham suf- fered minor injuries. location in Exeter. The only objection to date on the proposal to change the zoning from M1 to M2 has . come from local developer Len Veri, who as president of Landrush Incorporated, said in a letter he was objecting on the grounds that he has :n excess of 25 acres of M2 land properly zoned for the proposed business and the same is closer to the already developed portion also on the north side of Highway 83. He second objection was based on the argument that the proposed development of the Keller property, with approximately seven acres of parking, will cause a flooding problem if storm sewers are not available to the property to be rezoned. He told the planning board that this would create significant drainage problems for Exeter, and in particular for his mobile home park. Commenting on the drainage problem, lawyer Randy Evans appearing for Laidlaw, said the firm recognizes the problem and would take steps to correct it. noting they were not going to run an operation from under water. He said the proposed drainage changes may in fact redirect flooding problems that now exist in Exeter. The engineering firm of B.M. Ross Si Associates have recommended that a large retention pond. perhapsthree acres. would be built on the rear of the company's property- and all run-off from the warehouse site and the parking area would be directed to this retention pond. The discharge would be to the Beaver drain through a controlled outlet with a manually operated valve so that the pond would be discharged during the dry period of the year when the drain is not being used for agricultural purposes. Alternatively, the Beaver drain may be enlarged through the construction of a parallelling tile drain. "It is understood :hat Please turn to p.ige REPS NAMED Represent atise: hive now been named by four area municipalities for the Ex- eter nursing home .id hoe committee Hay council • ppointed Reeve I.loyd Mousse.iii while the represent.itise from Stephen i< Reeve Douglas Russell Councillor Peter Berendsen will repre- sent Usborne Exeter council previously named Mayor Bruce Shaw and Deputy -Reeve \lvin Epp