HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1983-04-06, Page 1Alli ■ ■
Q
IRIE
WLiinp
Phone 235-1964
•ank approves reprieve
on dlstrlct bank closings
The Bank of Montreal has a
heart. Officials have relented
after announcing the closure
of sub -agencies in the villages
of Dashwood and Crediton.
The hours Mill be reduced
at the two banks, but both will
stay open for at least the next
year, provided volume of ser-
vice is maintained.
When the Bank of Montreal
announced three weeks ago
the only banking facilities in
the two villages would be clos-
ed, and customers would have
to travel about 11 kilometres
to Exeter or Grand Bend after
April 15, concerned area
citizens decided they wouldn't
lose their banks without a
fight.
A public meeting March 21
in the Dashwood community
A BEAM WALKER -- Sandra McCurdy helps Erin
Workman negotiate o beam walk during the recent
gymnastic demonstrations. at SHDHS.
.Pullen. views '83
cautiously optimistic
Cautiously optimistic is the
phrase used by Huron's
Agricultural Representative
Don Pullen in describing his
predictions for agriculture in
1983.
Pullen says despite the con-
dition of the economy in
general Huron farmers have
a lot going for them.
He continues, "We are
located on the most highly
productive farm lands in the
world. Close to 60 percent of
Huron lands qualify in one,
two or three classes. This
means there are very few
limitations for most crops."
"Our great salvation is the
potential of our land and we
have the best farm managers
anywhere. they continue to
be innovative, paying atten-
tion to production and finan-
cial records and fine tuning to
production techniques," adds
Huron's Ag Rep.
Pullen said he was very
concerned about the young
starting farmers: He added,
"Some are involved in very
highly leveraged operations
and need to keep their costs
as low as possible and get the
best prices they can."
Farmers should be taking a
longer look at forward
marketing according to
Pullen. • He adds, "Past
records show that two-thirds
of our crops are sold at the
one-third bottom of the
market."
Commodity prices in
general have moved up
recently and some of these in-
creases are due to the PiK
program in the United States.
In the reduced acreage pro-
gram in the U.S., the base
corn acreage of 83 million has
been reduced to 52 million for.
1983. In bushels this means a
reduction of two to three
billion bushels in the 1983 pro-
duction year which eventual-
ly means a reduction in en-
ding stocks in 1984.
Looking back to 1982,
Pullen says, "We exceeded all
expectations as far as produc-
tion was concerned. Yields of
dry corn were as high as 130
to 140 bushels per acre."
Winter wheat came through
the winter "as good as ever"
and a lot of nitrogen has
already been applied as
farmers took advantage of
the unusual winter weather.
Pullen reminds farmers
that 'budgeting aids on
various crops are available at
the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food office in
Clinton. Also available are
copies of the 1983 editions of
Field Crop Recommendations
and Guides Chemical Weed
Control.
A number of grant pro-
grams continue for farmers
for 1983. In 1982 the Clinton
OMAF office processcid close
to 350 applications for the On •
tario Farm Adjustment
Assistance Program and this
project has been renewed for
1983.
A new five year soil conser-
vation and environmental
assistance program became
effective April 1 of this year.
Soil erosion devices are eligi-
Please turn to page 2
Only one case
on court docket
Only one case was heard in
Exeter court, Tuesday, by
Justice of the Peace Douglas
Wedlake.
in that one, William T. Mof-
fat. Huron Park was fined $53
after pleading guilty to using
a licence plate on a vehicle
other than the one for which
it was authorized.
Ile was charged in Exeter
on March 13.
The accused was granted 60
days in which to pay the fine.
centre drew more than 250
people. Businessmen,
farmers, senior citizens, ARC
Industries spokesmen and
village officials described the
adverse consequences to the
two places if the bank went
ahead with its plan.
A delegation of bank of-
ficials agreed to meet with
representatives from
Dashwood and Crediton at a
closed meeting two nights
later. They were greeted by a
sea of placards whose hand -
lettered slogans were all
variations on the same
theme: keep the banks open.
The orderly, well-
mannered demonstration of
support, and the many well -
argued briefs presented tQ
Math students
perform well
Again this year South
Huron District High School
earned high results in the
junior math contests compil-
ed by the University of
Waterloo for grade 9, 10 and
11 students throughout
Canada.
Exeter math teach, Wally
Webster, has conducted these
tests for several years. He
had all the ,Junior students
write an elimination test, with
the top ten finishers com-
peting in the official contest.
Three grade nine students
placed in the top 25 percent of
Canada for the Pascal
test.Joanne Kints, David
Dougall and Denis Hartman
received Certificates of Merit
with Lee O'Rourke also plac-
ing high. In Canada 16,488
students wrote the Pascal.
South Huron ranked twelfth in
our zone of 20 schools.
The Cayley or grade 10
results were best as Exeter
placed second in our zone.
With 13,275 competitors Jeff
Wareham was in the top 4
percent. Irene Brand was in
the top 10 percent and Daryl
Little, the top 25 percent. This
is the best placing South
Huron has earned.
Greg Hartman achieved
the top 4 percent with Rachel
Mellecke and Colleen
Glasgow reaching the top 25
percent of the Fermat (grade
11) contest which had 10,719
-Canadian student com-
peting. South Huron was
ranked fifth in our twenty_
school zone.
The multiple choice tests
cover all genres of
mathematics. Good placing in
these contests will be con-
sidered ' for university ap-
plications in the future.
Webster was very pleased
with South Huron's results,
especially considering our
size and the lack of an ad-
vanced mathematics pro-
gram. He noted that other
schools offer special 60 level
courses for advanced
students. Some of these
classes devote most of their
time to writing contests as
these.
Grade twelve and thirteen
students have written the
University of Waterloo's
senior math contests but the
results have not yet been
received.
HOCKEY CONTINUES — The hockey season is over for
most area youngsters, but, a couple decided to take
to the pavement Saturday morning. Scott Parsons tries
to score on goalie Ryan Stuart on a parking lot along
Huron street East. T -A photo
SS board adopts
few policy changes
Changes to the Huron -Perth
Separate School Board's com-
mittee structure are part of
several minor policy and
bylaw changes made on
March 28.
The number of standing
committees will be reduced
from four to three effective
the first meeting in December
of this year. Then, five
trustees will sit on the
building, property and
transportation committee.
four trustees will sit on the
personnel and teacher
negotiations committee and
five trustees will be on the
finance, insurance and policy -
bylaw committee.
"It' will cut down the
number of meetings for ad-
ministration and trustees,"
said chairman Ron Murray
who added that fewer
meetings will mean less cost
to the board in terms of
trustees' committee pay.
Another cost saving change
reduces the number 'of
trustees who may attend out -
of -province conferences. Ef-
fective immediately only two
trustees instead of the
previous three will be allow-
ed to attend such conferences.
The list of policy changes
wasn't completed at the
board's meeting as the ma-
jority of the trustees opppos-
ed continuing the board
meeting past 11 p.m.
bank representatives at the
meeting persuaded the Bank
of Montreal to compromise.
Effective April 19, the
Dashwood sub -agency will be
open Tuesdays and
Thursdays, and the Crediton
one or, Wednesdays.
Maurice Mourton, vice
president, western Gntario
division, said later he had not
known what to expect after he
stepped out of his car to be
surrounded by signs. He
relaxed when he realized they
were all friendly.
"They made some good
points, and as a result we
reconsidered our position", he
said. "We didn't think one or
two days would be a viable
-alternative, but the towns did.
We will review the situation
annually, but if the present
level of business is maintain-
ed or increased, there will be
no reason to take further
action."
Mourton paused a moment
before adding "In this day
and age we are not always as
popular as we appear to be in
Dashwood and Crediton."
And a distinctly impish
chuckle came floating along
the telephone line.
Paul Turnbull, who had
represented ARC Industries
in talks with the bank,
remarked on the "super
positive feeling around town"
since the bank announced the
Please turn to page 2
•
SOUL SURVIVORS PRESENT PLAY --- The Soul Survivor; youth group of Crediton United Church presented an
Easter play entitled "The Denial", Friday night. From the left ore Jeff Slight, Robbie Finkbeiner, Joanne Slight,
Mike Lightfoot, Steve Lightfoot, .Legnne Stewart and Rhoda Mason. T -A photo
voca e
Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton girlce 1873
One Hundred and Tenth Year
EXETER, ONTARIO, April 6, 1983
Price Per Copy 50 Cents
Municipalities average share .up less than five percent
N
uron budget nears
Huron's 26 municipalities
will face an average 4.985 per-
cent increase in the 1983 coun-
ty budget.
Approved by county council
at its March 31 session, the
county apportionment in-
creased 8165,000 from
$3,310,000 in 1982 to 83,475,000
tor this year. While the coun-
ty's share went up by under
five percent, the county's
total 1983 budget increased
14.8 percent over its 1982
budget.
The county's total 1983
budget increased by $1,920,778
from the 1982 budget to bring
it to $14,902,378 for this year.
The province will be paying
percentages of various
departments' costs Such as
tIRD
roads, social services and the
health unit for a total of
$8,392,364. The province's
share is up from the 1982
budgeted figure of $7,406,277.
Other revenue will be ob-
tained from municipal grants
and fees in the amount of
$12,500, fees and service
charges in the amount of
82,305,494, miscellaneous
E
TOPS IN MATH — Several South Huron District High School students placed in the
top 25 percent in an all -Canada junior math contest. Back, left, teacher Wally
Webster, David Dougall, Colleen Glasgow; Irene Brand, Jeff Wareham and Greg
Hartman. Front, Lee O'Rourke, Joanne Kints, Rachel Mellecke and Daryl Little
PUC details information
on conversion program
PUC Manager Hugh Davis
told the March meeting of the
commission that the Associa-
tion of Municipal Electrical
Utilities of Ontario has en-
dorsed Ontario Hydro's
residential dual -energy
heating program which will
make available a 9 kW elec-
tric plenum heater to fit
suitable oil furnaces in homes
and small commercial
establishments.
The revolutionary device.
installed in the furnace's
warm air chamber, reduces
oil consumption by up to 75
percent, and extends the life
of the furnace. The heater is
controlled by an indoor two-
stage thermostat and an out-
door thermistor. (Ther-
mistor settings ,will vary,
depending where the
customer lives within three
geographical zones.)
The first stage of the indoor
thermostat, which replaces
the existing one, calls for elec-
tric heat when needed. Dur-
ing mild weather the electric
heater will normally supply
all a household's heating
needs.
On colder days, or any time
the electrically supplied heat
is inadequate. the second
stage shuts off the add-on
County wilt object
to gov't tax plan
Huron County (7ourv•u "ob-
jects strongly" to the provin-
cial governments proposed
farm land tax rebate
program.
Council approved a motion
to object at its March 31
meeting. Presented by
Stanley Township Reeve Paul
Steckle, the motion urgo s the
province to continue tin cur-
rent method of tax rebate
whereby farmers apply for 50
percent of the taxes paid. 'The
motion suggests the present
rebate program continue until
"such times as an equitable
method is found for land to
continue to contribute to the
tax system for those services
that relate to land "
"Before we vote. we should
remind ourselves that
farmers will pay taxes as
always," said lfowick
Township Reeve William
Newton.
The proposal by the pro-
vince states that in 1984,
farmers will be able to apply
for a 100 percent rebate on
farm land taxes. At the same
time there will be no rebate
available on the larm house
and one acre of land. A 50 per-
cent rebate will apply on farm
buildings.
Reeve Steckle said
farmland needs to contribute
to the services it receives
such as roads and fire protec-
tion. He said that the problem
is the province's proposal
goes beyond the idea of
farmland not paying for
education. •
heater and turns on the oil
burner. During extreme
winter weather when an oil
burner is most efficient, the
present outdoor temperature
sensor control allows only the
oil burner to operate.
The plenum heater can be
used on both 60 and 100 amp
services. It is compatible with
the forced -air system, allow-
ing for use of a humidifier,
electronic air filter and air
conditioner coil.
The potential customer's oil
furnace is examined for
suitability. The plenum
heater is not encouraged
where the life of the furnace
is limited.
Though the total cost of the
heater plus installation is
81,040. the customer will pay
only $320. He makes a $150
down payment and presents a
post-dated cheque for 8690.
then immediately applies for
a COSP grant of 8520 which
should be in his hands before
his cheque is cashed. Ontario
Hydro and the utility absorb
the rest, $67 and 8133.
Technicians associated
with the utilities, and heating
and electrical contractors,
have already begun training
by Ontario Ilydro electrical
inspectors in regional centres.
Davis expects the plenum
Please turn to page 2
Area driver hurt
in auto collision
Only two collisions were in-
vestigated in the area this
week by the Exeter OPP.
On Saturday at 2:30 a.m., a
vehicle driven by Michelle
Regier, RR 2 Zurich, hit a pile
of dirt on a construction site
along concession 2 of Stephen
and then careened over to the
other side of the road.
The driver sustained facial,
cuts and bruises and damage
to her vehicle was listed at
$1,200.
The mishap occurred south
of Highway 83.
The other crash was on
Thursday when a vehicle
owned by Aloysius Rice,
Thedford, was struck by an
unknown vehicle, while park-
ed at Dunlop Manufacturing
at Huron Park.
Damage to the vehicle was
listed al 8350.
S
revenue in the amount of
$340,600, a general surplus of
$230,141 and a highway
surplus of 8121,279.
Not all municipalities face
an increase. Zurich's levy is
actually down 5.52 percent
from last year's $30,088 to
$28,426. Tuckersmith and
Osborne face some of the big-
gest increases. Tuckersmith
will pay 8156,379, an increase
of 14.87 percent over last
year's $136,137, while
Usborne's apportionment
goes up 14.08 percent from
$103,740 to 8118,348.
The apportionment for
other area municipalities
(with last year's in brackets)
is as follows: Exeter $184.349
($180;329 a plus; of 2.23 per,
cent ), Hensall $63,412 ($58,263
plus of 8.84 percent), Hay
Township 8184,974 ($166,625
plus of 11.01 percent), Stanley
$143,900 ($133,817 plus of 7.53
percent), Stephen $312,193
($285,672 plus of 9.28 percent. )•
Exeter Reeve Bill Mickie
suggested the county's entire
budget should have come in at
15
a five percent or less in-
crease. He did acknowledge
that if the social services
budget is deducted from the
total picture, the count-y's
total 1983 budget increases by
about 8.56 percent. The Ex-
eter Reeve also express con-
cern about future provincial
grants.
"The provincial govern-
ment may not be as generous
in the future," commented
Reeve Mickle.
The Exeter Reeve and Ex-
eter Deputy Reeve Lossy
Fuller did not vote in favor of
the 1983 budget.
Huron Warden Grant Stirl-
ing said, "It's a good budget.
We tried to keep the increase
at under five percent and as
you know it camt•in at 4.985
percent without cutting any
services."
"The county has done a
very good job of maintaining
the same level of service,"
added Warden Stirling.
The largest portion of the
budget is for social services in
the amount of $5,944,227. This
includes general assistance.
Huronview, Family and
Children's Services, patriotic
grants and grants to day care
centres.
Over $5 million has been \
budgeted for the highways
department and other expen-
ditures include 8163,880 for •
members of council, 8754,105
for general administration.
81,601,459 for health services,
894,544 for plumbing and en-
vironment. 8821,506 for
recreation and cultural ser-
vices.. 8389.627 for planning
and development, and 847,030
for agriculture and
reforestation.
Both the Library and plum-
bing and environment
budgets that were sent back
by .county council at its
:(Previous session were reduc-
ed to come in at the recom-
mended amount. The coun-
ty's portion of the library
budget was reduced from
$551,781 to $528,281. The coun-
ty's' share of the plumbing
and environment budget was
reduced by 88,100 to 840,544.
Both changes are reflected in
the approved budget.
EASTER SUNDAY *REAKFAST- Helen Roberts pours leo and time Davis turns the
bacon for Henson United Church members who attended the annual sunrise
ceremony and Easter morning breakfast at Hensall United Church, while Bill Bailey
grabs a quick snack.
rightSays to F
could be very expensive
Until more information is
received from the Ontario
ministry of education, no one
in Huron County knows what
effects Bette Stephenson's re-
cent announcement that
every French-speaking stu-
dent in the province has the
right to be educated in French
will have on local boards of
education.
John Cochrane, director of
the Huron board, said he has
not had any directives on the
new policy from queen's
Park, and knows only what he
has read in the papers. He
also has no idea of the costs,
but said if the plan is im-
plemented, it will be "in my
opinion one of the moat expen-
sive programs Dr. Stephen-
son has ever thought of."
Cochrane said introduction
of the program at the secon-
dary level would be very cost-
ly, as only a smalrnumber of
teachers presently on staff
are bilingual, and the board
would have to hire additional.
French teachers.
Cochrane assumes that if
the program b,comes a reali-
ty, the extra costs will be split
63-37 between the province
and the taxpayer, the same as
current education costs.
Clarence "King"
McDopald, Exeter's
representative on the Huron
County board, does not think
the change �ofpolicy will af-
fect this countoo much,
because there are not very
many French-speaking
children in this area.
McDonald interprets
Stephepson's announcement
to meap that if evenone Fran-.
cophone student demands to
be educated in his native
language the board is
obligated le supply or buy
such educaliop. Either way, it
would be expensive.
"I have no argument with
French education, but we are
having a hard enough time
financing existing pro -
grants," McDonald said.
"This will be fine if Bette
Stephenson will supply the
Money."
Dave Durand sits on the
)
urdtt-Perth Separate School
Doatd as Hay township's
representative for St.
Boniface and Ecole Ste.
Marie. He believes the direc-
tive will have a positive effect
on the uncertain future of the
latter school, whose instruc-
tion was entirely in French at
one time.
District ratepayers are now
fighting to keep Ecole Ste.
Marie open. The majority of
those who filled in a question-
naire recently indicated they
would like to see much more
instruction in'French.
As principal Lillian Laporte
is fully qualified to teach
French as a first language,
and two other teachers on the
staff are trained to teach
French as a second language,
Durand is certain French
language instruction could be
expanded considerably at
Ecole Ste. Marie for little in-
crease in cost.
Harry Hayter, school
trustee for Stephen township,
was reluctant to make any
statement on the issue. He
has missed the last two school
board meetings because of a
heart attack.
Dr. John Goddard, ' Hen -
sail's elected representative,
has also been 111.