Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-04-08, Page 31Boat building firm booked up until fall Even if you had the cash in your hand, you couldn't have purchased a new yacht during the open house at thl Huron Park factory 0 Hughes Columbia las weekend. Owner of the boat building plant, Howard Hughes,says that because of the number of orders and the high demand, no boats will be available until this fat . Hughes called the weeke open house "just pubic relations". For several years, Hugh$ Columbia has opened t E factory to let the public of t and see the boat build' g process. More than 141 0 people toured the plant On Saturday and Sunday. HELP AT CAR WASH — A number of young people assisted the Exeter lions with the car wash for taster Seals, Saturday. Shown in action are Scott Jesney, Jeff Hohner and Sean Wright. T -A photo Clinton firm gets two road contracts Members of Exeter coun- cil were all smiles when they opened tenders for the reconstruction of Victoria St. and the several pieces of road slated for paving this year. Lavis Contracting Co. Ltd. of Clinton ,submitted the lowest bids on both projects. The smiles were over the fact the firm's bids were in line with the engineer's es- timates. Charge vandals in Zurich area Two area youths have been charged with mischief as the result of Exeter OPP investigation into several acts of vandalism in the Zurich area. The Huron County garage at Zurich was slightly damaged and several stop signs in Zurich were vic- timized as well. in another incident, Russell Fischer, RR 1 Dashwood. reported that five windows in an ex• cavator were broken while the machine was parked on Stephen road 20-21. Damage was listed at $150. The reconstruction of Vic;' toria St., which alsoincludes some sanitary and storm drain work elsewhere, was awared to Lavis for a price of $89.987.55 with engineer- ing costs. that will bring it to $103,485. The engineering estimate was $100,900. The paving total was $56,- 843.40 as submitted by Lavis and with engineering that will go to $65,370, which was what had been basically es- timated. The highest bid for the reconstruction work was $110,214 and the high bid for the paving jobs was $81,120. Council had asked for bids which would havedeleted a couple of paving jobs had the price been too high, but these will now be included in the contract in view of the bids received. Listed for paving are the reconstructed portion of Wellington and Victoria, An- drew St. from Highway 83 to Riverside, George from Main to Hillcrest, Albert from Huron to Simcoe, An- drew from Huron to Simcoe, Gidley from Carling to Marlborough, Sanders from William to Marlborough and Hill from Main to Park. Hughes said that many of the people taking the tour have already pruchased or ordered a boat. Those who have bought a boat, visit the plant to "re -enforce their buying decision," Hughes speculated. Others who have ordered boats, want to see it during the production. All the models of the Hughes and Columbia lines were on display. There are five models of Hughes boats, ranging in size from 31 feet to 40 feet. The Hughes 31 can be pur- chasedfor $41,900 while the Hughes 40 costs $100,000. Five different models of the Columbia line were also on display. They ranged in size from 27 feet to 39 feet. The 27 foot Columbia 8.3 sells for 535,000, while the 39 foot Columbia 11.8 costs 5110,000. The new 36 foot Hughes - Columbia was also shown. It sells for $72,000. The Huron Park firm recently purchased the Columbia line, which was one of the best known yachts in the United States. Hughes called the acquisition of Columbia "the most significant development in Canadian boat building." Columbia is the largest boat builder of its kind in the world, Hughes said. The Huron Park plant has continued to make the Hughes boats as it has for many years. The Columbia line is also the same, and no changes are planned in the two boats because of the merger. Hughes says that the most popular model is the Columbia 8.7, a 29 foot boat .which sells for $40,000. He added that the Columbia line's very popular among Canadian buyers because until now, they were only made in the United States, and the federal tax, import duty and exchange rate made purchasing very ex- pensive. On the other hand, the Hughes boats are becoming increasingly popular in the States. When Hughes acquired the Columbia line, they added about 70 dealers across the States to their network. Some of the visitors at the open house were dealers or charter operators. Guests came from all over North America for the factory tour. The boats were shown in six 'stages of production, from the bare fibreglass hull, through to the stage where the teak interiors and cabinets are added, to the finished product. Hughes says that he likes the public to see the stages of boat building. "Any shoddy work- manship would be very, visible," he explains. Hughes says that the date for open house has to be selected very carefully. If it is held earlier in the spring some people may not be able to attend because of bad weather and poor travelling conditions. However, if they wait until later, too many sailing enthusiasts will have taken to the water. Hughes says that sales have been over the 51 million mark already this year. There are 90 boats on 'order now, valued at more than $5 million. They are presently completing a boat a day, he added. Hughes says that there are WI tt + • r, SOCCIR ACTION -- The girls at Grand Bend nursery school dominated the soccer action when they took to the field in last week's warm weather, Chasing the ball are Kim Lewis, Carrie -Lyn Martens, Carla Taylor and Jaime McGee. Staff photo 1• 180 people employed at the factory, on a permanent year round basis. There are no seasonal layoffs -- "We have no slack period," Hughes says. At present there are several job openings at the plant for experienced boat builders,carpenters mec- hanics. "We would hire 20 or 30 tomorrow; if we could find them," he added. The plant recently leased a hangar In Huron Park and will be moving the fibreglass shop there. That will leave the present location, to ex - .Please turn to page 2 HUGHES MBIA HOLDS OPEN HOUSE — Howard Hughes points out the finer features of of his Hughes Columbia boats during the open house Sunday at the Huron Park .factor y:Bill and Lynda Graham of Grimsby were two of the many visitors who travell- ed from all over North Americo to visit the plant. Staff photo by S Serving Sot.Huron, North Middlesex • EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 15, 1981 Marathon debate for 1981 budget Exeter ratepayers rgav find out next week how much the municipal portion of their tax bills will be in- creased. Council went over the budget at a special com- mittee meeting. Monday. It didn't adjourn until 1: 15 a.m. and at the conclusion, members planned to make their final decision at their next regular meeting on Tuesday. That night has been changed from the regular Monday date in view of the fact the town staff get a holiday on Easter Monday. y :y Reeve Don MacGregor was the only member who didn't last through Monday's marathon budget deliberations. He's been wearing a neck brace for the past several weeks and final- ly excused hintself after 11i 00 p m.. advising Mayor Bruce Shaw he was in agony with the injury. Members of the press were allowed to remain at the closed session as observers only on the stipulation that no portion of the discussion or the figures would be used until the final budget debate next week. & North Lambton Since 1873 • One Hundred and Eighth Year Price'per copy 40 Cents Council members share in generosity prove more pay boosts More pay increases were last week. approved by Exeter council Mayor Bruce Shaw was at a special meeting, Mon- . granted the biggest increase day. including some for at just over 30 percent to br- themselves as well as merit ing the stipend for that posi- increases forfour employees ' tion to $3,000. Councillors who were given inflationary had to settle for something increases of 25.895 percent around 28 percent as their remuneration was boosted to $2,300 per annum. Last year, members of council received 51,800 and the mayor was paid $2,300. Councillor Bill Mickle was the lone dissenting voice in the approval for the council rigk, •mot GAS JOCKEYS,FOR EASTER SEALS — Exeter lions club membersmannedthe gas pumps at the„Auto Rund Esso station in Exeter Saturday with about nine cents from each gallon be- ing donated to the Easter Seals Society. Shown in action are Lions Lorne Hough and Lorry Eveland. T -A photo Four people injured,. as record is halted The area's accident -free period came to a halt, Tues- day, and by the end of the current week. the Exeter OPP investigated seven collisions in which four peo- ple were injured. The Tuesday accident which halted the record at 10 days. occurred on Highway 23 north of Kirkton. Drivers involved were Bruce Habermehl, Alma. and William Cox. RR 2 Mitchell. Damage was set at $500 by Constabel Don Mason. Two people were 'injured in the only collision on Wednesday. it occurring on Highway 4 south of the Kirkton Road. A vehicle driven by Kenneth Breen, London struck the rear of a vehicle driven by Lorne Kleinstiver. Dashwood. Damage was set at 54,000 and Breen and his passenger, Martin Cun- ningham, Strathroy, sustain- ed minor injuries. The collision was in- vestigated by Constable Waynne Charlton. a new member of the Exeter detachment. There were two collisions on Friday, the first involving vehicles driven by Ralph Mathonia, RR 2 Zurich, and Charles Krull, RR 1 Branchton. They collided on the Main St. of Zurich and damage was set at $525 by Constable Charlton. In the other mishap, a vehicle driven by Douglas Shaddock, Parkhill, rolled over several times on the Crediton Road east of Highway 81. He suffered minor injuries and damage was listed at $5,100 by Constable Bill Osterloo. In an accident which oc- On Friday. a vehicle curred Sunday night around driven by James Rolfe, RR 1 8:30 p.m.. Bruce Park. RR 1 Kirkton. went out of control Woodham. sustained major on sideroad 20-21 of Usborne injuries and was taken to St. and flipped over onto its Marys Hospital. roof. The driver escaped in- He had been westbound on jury and damage• amounted concession 10-11 of Usborne to 52.500. Constable Bob when his 1977 pickup hit a Whiteford investigated. soft spot and went out of con - Sunday's lone collision oc- trol. The vehicle went into curred in Zurich when a the ditch and struck a tree. parked vehicle owned by Constable Wally Tornasik Donald Geiger. RR2Zurich, investigated and listed was struck by an unknown damage at $4.000. vehicle. Damage was es- timated at 5300 by Constable Charlton. Fined over noise bylaw Only one case was heard by Justice of the Peace Douglas Wedlake in Exeter court. Tuesday, and it resulted in a fine under Ex- eter's noise bylaw. James Walter Jones. formerly of Exeter and now resident at RR 3 Exeter was fined $53 after pleading guil- ty to creating unnecessary noise in contravention of the bylaw which was passed in 1979. He was charged after yell- ing, shouting and using ex- cessive language while try- ing to get into his Exeter apartment on February 14. He had forgotten his key. The incident occurred at 6:00 a.m. and the bylaw es- tablished the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. as quiet hours for residential areas in Exeter. increases. He noted it was a "hefty increase" and argued that members hadn't been in office long enough to deter- mine if they were worth more and suggested any plan to increase their wages should be delayed. He said council members should wait and consider their own stipends for the 1982 budget as they needed a year to get their feet wet. Noting that his feet weren't all that much wetter than Mickle's, Councillor Jay Campbell indicated he felt the increases were reasonable in view of the amount of time he had spent on council business in his previous term of office. "About 754 an hour," Reeve Don MacGregor opin- ed. "Less than that," Campbell replied. Mayor Bruce .Shaw said that he was certain that the efforts already being ex- pended by Mickle would suggest that he too was get- ting much less than 75e an hour for the work. Mickle had also said dur- ing the discussion he abhored the idea of using the averages of stipends from other municipalities in Huron to determine what members in Exeter should receive He charged that council were accepting what others have and not making the decision themselves on what the job was worth. Clerk -treasurer Liz Bell and three members of the works department staff also received increases. Monday, one week after their 25.895 percent pay boosts had been, approved. On the recommendation of the executive committee, council approved awarding Mrs. Bell a merit increase to step 4 in her grid system. effective on the anniversary date of January 31. 1981. That adds another 51,000 to the 55.709.84 increase she received in the two-year agreement approved last week. and with the compoun- ding nature of the increases will bring her 182 salary to just slightly under 529,000. Members of the works department who were recommended for merit in- creases were Ross Mathers, group "B" operator, Bill Hirtzel. group "A" operator and Milton Taylor, skilled labourer. Mathers and Hirtzel were moved to step 4 in their grid systems. effective with the pay period of April 4 and Taylor was moved to step 5 in his grid. also effective with the same pay period. Step 4 for a group "A" operator is now at $9.39 an hour .and it is $8.52 for a group "B" operator. Step 5 for,, a skilled labourer pays $8.02. The three men will be slightly below those figures in view of the fact the in- creases start in April and not as of January. The total raises are from 51.65 to $1.93 per hour over the grid system which was approved by council on February 16 of, this year. At the special meeting, council agreed to defer in- creases for one year in out- of-town mileage allowances for council members and staff. The current rates are 25e per mile or 16Q per km. It was also recommended that an increase in car allowance or alternatives for the building inspector be worked into the 1981 budget. Building inspector Brian Johnston currently receives a $500 per year car allowance and advised coun- cil that he feels he requires 52.000 to meet his :expenses. A decision on the matter was approved at a later dlos- ed session of council and will probably be ratified at their next meeting on Tuesday. T -A new member of press council Two more weekly newspapers have joined the Ontario Press Council. in- creasing to seven the number of weekly or com- munity newspapers par- ticipating. chairman David- son Dunton announced to- day The newcomers are the Exeter Times -Advocate. cir- culation 6.133. anti the St. Marys Journal-Agrus. cir- culation 4.238 The other weeklies participating in the Council are the Alliston Herald. Orangeville Citizen, Shelburne Free Press and Economist. Smiths Fall$ Record News and Stittsville News. k, Weekly newspapers have shown increasing interest in the Council. which has a principal purpose of con- sidering unsatisfied com- plaints from the public about the conduct of the press. Mr Dutton said In 1980. three weeklies not participating in the Council agreed to have the council deal with complaints about their conduct Moreover. for more than a year Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association members have been discuss- ing broader participation in the. (bunch However. at a meeting in March. the association decided instead to encourage its members to participate on an individual basis. "Obviously. the dis- cussions among OWNA members encouraged the Exeter and St Marys newspapers to seek Council membership." said Mr. Dut- ton. -We have good reason to expect that still more weeklies will seek council membership before very long. Each new member newspaper. daily or weekly. strengthens the Council's role as an adjudicator in complaints. and as a defender of the established freedom of the press." The two new memberships are effective as of April 1. and they. bring to three the total so far this year. As of March 1.' the North Bay Nugget became a Council member newspaper. the 10th daily to participate. The other nine dailies are• Ot- tawa ('$then. Toronto Star. The Spectator of Hamilton. Brantford Expositor. Kitchener -Waterloo Record. London Free Press. Windsor Star. Owen Sound Sun Times and Sault She Marie Star GETS SO YEAR LODGE JEWEL -- A special presentation of a 50 year jevfet was mode of Mo r' " eerina of Exeter Lebanon Forest Lodge 133. From the left, Worshipful Master John Miners looks on as Bencon ' cke,. ^ .et the iewel from Charles MacNough$on. At the right is DDGM Bert Mennie of Stratford. T•A photo 1 t