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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.