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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-05-06, Page 15School board, council strike agreement In an uprecedented gesture of good -will and co- operation, the Lambton County Board of Education and Grand Bend council met together in the village Fri- day evening. The meeting was planned in March, when Grand Bend council feared that the local school might be closed. They agreed then to meet with trustees from the board of education to discuss what could be done to help the school. However. due to the busy schedules of those in- volved, the meeting was postponed until Friday. The May 6, 1981 board voted three weeks ago to leave the school open for at least two more years. Four members of council, and 10 trustees attended the joint meeting. Area trustee Dorothy Wight told Grand Bend council that they were fortunate to have so many members attend a Friday night meeting. Reeve Robert Sharen and board chairman Jean McPherson chaired the meeting. Also present was the director of education Norval Cheeseman. Reeve Sharen opened the meeting by saying that the Ames - Serving South Huron, North Middlesex two groups could work together to save each other some money. He suggested that Grand Bend council could do such jobs at the school as clear snow in winter, and cut grass in summer. At present this work is contracted out by the board of education. Sharen said that it wouldn't cost the village much to do these, as they already have a crew on hand. He went on to suggest that the board may be able to benefit the village, by buying items such as typewriters or office machines at a reduced rate, due to the board's purchasing power. Sharen also suggested that the village could put shutters on the school windows near the baseball diamond to pre- vent windows being broken by foul balls, or vandals. He said that because different groups use the ball diamond during the summer, the village would be willing to look after the windows. "Prevention is less expen- sive than repair," Sharen said. Trustee Joanne Highfield of Port Lambton said that the board was not used to vocate & North Lambton Since 1873 v Page 1A Clerk receives increase Village salaries compared to PUC As the result of a study being done by councillor Keith Crawford Grand Bend clerk -treasurer Louise Clipperton was given an increase in salary at a Monday night meeting. Mrs. Clipperton's salary will be increased from S15,000 to $17,000 per annum retroactive to January 1, 1981. Councillor Crawford initiated the motion to bring the clerk's salary to a comparative level with senior clerical staff at the Grand Bend Public Utilities Commission. Salaries at the PUC were discussed and it was learned the senior clerk, Orian Gunning at the PUC was receiving $16,200 per year plus overtime for extra meetings. During the meeting PUC chairman Prosper Van Bruaene said all information regarding PUC activities would be made available to council upon request in writing. Councillors said attempts had been made in previous years to receive this information and it was not forthcoming. In the discussion Crawford said he was unable to receive similar information from the Exeter PUC regarding their pay scales. Crawford read from the Public Utilities Act which indicates such information shall be made available to council each year. Subsection 1 (c) of Section 47 includes salaries in the information to be made available to councils. During the discussion deputyLreeve Harold Green told Van Bruaene, "I didn't know that your staff get time and a half for attending meetings while our foreman or staff does not." As a result of the salary discussions and a desire to save some money, council passed a motion authorizing the village office to take over the billing and sending of sewer service charges. Reeve Sharen said if this was done along with tax billings it could amount to a saving of about $4,200 per year. The billings are now being done by the PUC. The other PUC salaries approved as of January 1 are chief lineman Stan Lovie $22,800; clerk Wreatha Green $10,119 and lineman Darrell Gill $6 per hour. Dump Will be Open The Grand Bend waste disposal site will be open this Saturday May 9 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for any residents of the village of Grand bend and the township of Bosanquet to dispose of garbage. The special garbage pickup throughout the village will be on May 15. Please turn to page 13A King and Pine Street residents complain about cottage disrepair Residents of the King, Pine, Huron and Centre Streets area in Grand Bend are once agAin St pressing concern over the "deplorable condition of cottages" in their neigh- bourhood. For the past several summers delegations from that area have attended council meetings complaining about the disrepair of cottages and the noise problem in that area. Attending Monday night's meeting were Shirley Mit- •chell, Jim and -Fran Ronney and Ron and Mae Piggott. The letter sent to council was signed by 11 people in the neighbourhood. The letter said that cot- tages at 69 and 71 King Street and 9 and 13 Pine Street had fallen into disrepair, and the neighbours were concerned about the absentee landlords NEXT TO CASINO — Neighbours say that the run-down casino and mess on the beach is a health and safety hazard. } Staff photo who rent to irresponsible people for the entire season. Shirley Mitchell said that she was very concerned about the safety of children. "There's litter, garbage and broken glass all over," Mrs. Mitchell said. She added that the yards at these cottages had not been cleaned up since Labour Day parties. Old sofas and mattresses were !eft outside all winter, and broken garbage bags are scattered around. Mrs. Mitchell said that the cottages on Pine Street were not closed up for the winter, and doors and windows are broken and left open. She said that cottages were not cleaned, and dirty dishes with remains of food, were left in the sink and on the stove. She is concerned that such a state would attract rats and other wild animals. In their letter to council the residents went on to say that "sand dunes threaten to crush walls" of some cot- tages. The letter also said that the residents in the area use King Street to get to the beach, adding that "the casino, once the proud focal point of our community, now stands as a public eyesore." Again, Mrs. Mitchell said that the safety of children playing in the area is at stake, because of rusty wire, broken glass, and garbage that has been laying around since last summer. The letter also pointed out that the north beach has been neglected. For two years there has not been a litter container on the beach, it said. In the conclusion of their 1 • 01 e " • REMAINS OF LAST SUMMER'S PARTIES — An old sofa, litter, garbage and broken gloss have been in this yard in the corner of King and Pine streets since last year. Neighbours want the mess cleaned up, or the cottages closed down. Staff photo letter, the residents ex- pressed gratitude to council for enforcing the noise bylaw, and making the tenants of the cottages keep their parties quieter. The cottages on Pine Street are owned by developer Paul Fraleigh of Arva, who also owns the casino. The cottages on King Street are owned by Dr. D.R. and Jean Hay of London. Fraleigh could not be reached for comment. When contacted by the Times Advocate, the Hays refused to comment. Ron Piggott who has a lake front cottage on Pine Street adjacent to the Fraleigh property said that the main problem is absentee lan- dlords. He said that he has tried to describe the situation to Fraleigh, who will listen. However, he added that he has been unable to talk to the Hays. "It's just ludicrous, people in Exeter or anywhere else would not live in the same way," Piggott said about the litter garbage, and noise problems. Piggott said that Grand Bend was "too great a place" to be in this condition, and he wanted to continue the fight to have the properties cleaned up or the cottages closed down. Cottage owners John and Janice Baker of Hengall said that they have had to look at "that mess" since former owner, the late Eric Mcllroy sold the property. Mrs. Baker said that the run-down cottages have devalued other people's property. Several neighbours complained about the tenants of the four cottages, saying that in the past, loud parties have gone all night. In addition, there are people urinating in public, and a lot of foul language can be heard, Mrs. Mitchell said. Council said that they could only contact the Lambton Health Unit about the conditions. Health in- spector Monty Rousell told the T -A that the main problem is overcrowding. He said that the tenants invite "too many friends." Rousell said that he is writing to Fraleigh, listing items to remedy. He said that he will look at the Hay cottages when they are opened up for the summer. Mrs. Mitchell said that she hopes the meas is cleaned up before Eric Mcilroy Memorial Day which is scheduled for June 6. She said she would be ashamed if any of the visitors saw the condition of the former Mcllroy property and the receiving such offers. "You caught us off guard," she said, laughing. The legalities of the board purchasing items for a municipality -were discuss- ed, and board members promised to look into the possibilities of a purchasing agreement. It was sugested that the board and the village strike an agreement for the use of the school. allowing the school to become a com- munity centre for Grand Bend. A discussion on the possibilities of the village paying the cost of the sewer hook up took place. Sharen said that council would have to look further into the costs. The groups went on to dis- cuss what else they could do for each other. Cheeseman said that there were no problems with the board let- ting the village take over the snow removal and the grass cutting. "All we can say is thank you•" Cheeseman said. Several members of the SETOC (School Is Essential To Our Community) at the meeting. Comments were heard from Robert Glaskin- Clay, Art Read, Cam Ander- son. Pauline Lingard, and Ed Iskauskas. Mrs. Lingard asked if it would be possible to get a school bus for children to use to travel to Exeter pool for the summer swim program. Cheeseman said he would find out for her. A discussion on the user - pay fee schedule followed. The board members stress- ed that any time children are using the school for educa- tional purposes. such as cubs or scouts, no charge will be made. Trustee Graydon Cole of Corunna said that the user pay system had to be twought in because of groups abusing the privilege using the school for free. He said that wealthy organizations such as weight loss clubs were using schools for monetary gain. and not pay- ing. He also cited another in- cident where a church decid- ed to sell their building and use the school because it was free. Cole said it was unfor- tunate that -the board had to develop the user pay policy, but "it was literally because of people abusing the privilege." Art Read told the trustees KINDERGARTEN HOPEFULS — These fellows enjoyed the kindergarten sandbox, while their mothers were busy registering them for this fall's class. Adam Jean, Jason Glaskin- Clay, Jeff Patterson, lan Jean and Eric Glaskin-Clay are looking forward to starting their educations. Adam and Eric are not going to be in this fall's class; but were just visiting with older brothers. Many more events are planned at the school until Friday for Education Week. Staff photo New building will be on same site Post office to be moved Grand Bend council Monday night approved a request to move the present Grand Bend Post Office while a new building is being constructed. Postmaster Gar Johnston who was in attendance at the meeting saidoriginal plans were to move the present structure to one end of the lot while construction was under way, but there was not enough room. Johnston said the new building would be of 60 by 50 foot size as compared to 30 by 35 feet for the present Post Office. He added, "It would be impossible to put up a new building while maintaining services in the old building on the same lot. The Postmaster said 865 customers are being served through box service at the present time. He continued, "Abra Movers would be moving the building across the street to the present parkette property owned by the village." Construction of the new Post Office structure is expected to get underway sometime this fall. Johnston said plans were only preliminary until council gave their approval for the move. KEEPING COOL — Erwin Schottroff and Gord Glazier examine on original beer refrigerator - or maybe ice box - at Lambton Heritage Museum Tuesday night, ofter the Chamber of Commerce meeting. Staff photo Chamber at museum The Grand Bend and area Chamber of Commerce met at Lambton Heritage No injuries There were no injuriesin a two car crash on Grand Bend's Main Street Satur- day. A car owned by Giacomo Falsetti of Huron Park collided with a car owned by Joyce Tibert. Grand Bend. Total damages amounted to about $1000. Pinery OPP officer F.S. Hubert investigated During the week of April 26 to May 2. provincial police at Pinery Park laid 29 charges under the liquor licence act. Four charges were laid under the highway traffic act. and one theft was investigated Four charges were laid un- der the provincial parks act. and one break and enter was investigated In addition. the detachment handled seven miscellaneous occurrences. Colonials win The Grand Bend Colonials Soccer team kept up their winning tradition Sunday when they trounced Saugeen 2-0. The Colonials are now in the third division of the Lon- don and district soccer league. Goals were scored by Tony Mennen and Bill VandenBygaart. The Grand Bend B's didn't fare as well, losing to Taxan- dria in Arkona 4-0. The B's will be playing West Williams next Sunday after - area. noon in Grand Bend. Museum Tuesday evening. and to show their apprecia- tion. the group voted to donate $100 to the museum fund. Museum curator Hobert Tremain welcomed the guests. and let them look at the museum exhibits. The chamber has a policy of holding their meetings in a different place each month. to better enable their members to advise tourists about the area facilities. Next month the meeting will be held at Ted Relouw•'s Zoo. June 9. The chambers generous mood continued. when they offered to give $200 to the SETOC (School is Essential to Our Community I group. The money is to cover some of the expenses incurred Please turn to page 13A Shop For Mother Chances Are We'll Know Exactly What Your Mom Would like Choose from the latest spring and summer fashions LADIES'Boyle's WEAR MAIN ST. EXETER that they could have money by having work on the school done locally, rather than sending carpenters or plumbers from Sarnia. Read stressed that this school was very much a part of the com- munity. Trustee Ken Gray agreed with Read. saying that it makes more sense to have local people work on schools. He added that the communi- ty should share costs for the school and yard equipment, and that such an agreement may result in less van- dalism. The board members felt that the gesture made by Grand Bend council was a very good one Mrs. Highfield said that it was "good to have the doors open," while Ed Fraser said that such as meeting was a "step in the right direction." Reeve Robert Sharen thanked the SETOC com- mittee and the school study committee on behalf of the council and the village for their work in saving the school. "We do appreciate Sharen said. Sharen also thanked principal Betty Fitchett for her work in Grand Bend dur- ing the last two years. Sharen said that council would like to "wish her well". and "thank her for her help." Applause follow- ed the reeve's comments. Earlier in the evening. when Sharen introduced all the members of the board to the members of council, it was remarked that he "had a memory like Lorne Henderson Coffee and lemonade were served at the end of the meeting. and the board, council and SETOC members talked in a very congenial atmosphere. Fall kindergarten numbers 19 Some fears concerning declining enrolment at Grand Bend Public School were relieved Wednesday when 19 children registered for this fall's kindergarten class. At present there are only five children in kindergarten. and if another small class had followed. it might have resulted in the closing of the school. Grand Bend school will re- main open for the next two years. and then a further study will take place if enrolment drops below 60 percent of the school's rated capacity. After last winter's 1 school consolodation study, the administration of the Lambton County Board of Education recommended that the school be closed if the kindergarten enrolment drops below 10 in any two out of three years. There are presently 21 children registered in the grade one class. which means that this year's small kindergarten will always have a larger class on either side as they progress through the system. There are only four classrooms in use at Grand Bend school. with two grades in each room. E 40. square metre ON ARMSTRONG FFC SOLARIAN p- FLOORS! Reg. 29.84 sq. metre (24.95 sq. yd.) IOW $27,”„ $2295,.. 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