HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-01-23, Page 1 (2)Loss $18,000
in Exeter blaze
Exeter fire chief Gary Mid-
dleton estimated damages at
$18,000 when flames destroyed a
mobile,bome in Nbrwood Village
in Usborne township just south of
Exeter Monday afternoon.
The mobile home was pur-
chased only a few days earlier for
$16,000 by Mr. and Mrs. Yvon
Laurin. Value of contents lost
were valued at $8,000.
Middleton saki the fire is
believed to have started when
workmen were attempting to
thaw out frozen pipes below the
home.
Mrs. Laurin, a 16 year-old son
and a six weeks old baby were in
the home when the fire broke out..
The Laurin family is currently
staying at the home of neighbours,
The local fire brigade was
called out on two other occasions
this week. They answered a call
to the Thomson apartments on
William Street Friday afternoon
and to Canadian Canners Wed-
nesday evening.
Middleton said little damage
was caused in the apartment of
Janice McLeod, 285 William
Street when "supper burned in
the oven." The apartment was
filled with smoke when firemen
arrived.
At Canadian Canners a
sprinkler system caused a false
alarm.
MOBILE HOME DAMAGED — Fire Monday afternoon caused heavy
damage to q Norwood Village mobile home owned by Mr. and Mrs.
Yvon Laurin. In the obove picture
building.
smoke pours from the back of the
T -A photo
ar
A SWEEPING FIREMAN — In the above picture Exeter fireman Bill
Gilfillan is sweeping water from the mobile home of Yvon Laurin
located in Norwood Village. The home was heavily damaged by
flames Monday afternoon. T -A photo
Grand Bend to use
county building man
In the very near future all
building inspections in the
village of Grand Bend will be
carried out by officials of the
County of Lambton.
Village council decided Mon-
day night to turn over all aspects
of adminstration of the village
bylaw to the county.
A new bylaw is being prepared
and it is expected to be passed at
the February 3 meeting. The new
regulations will be based on the
standard building code for the
Province of Ontario and other
laws now used in Lambton.
It is expected the new permits
will be $25 and $2 for each thou-
sand dollars for new construction
and $5 plus $2 for each thousand
for renovations from $300 to
$5,000.
Reeve Bob Sharen said inclu-
sion of Grand Bend in the county
•inspection system would be sim-
ple as Lambton inspectors are in
Bosanquet township checking
work each Friday morning.
Two applicants for building
permits. Robert Simpson of
Wonder Grove and Bill Adelman
of the Fountainbleu Motel were
told they could probably start
work this Friday after a visit by
Lambton inspectors.
Ask for shoreline assistance
Council has received an
application from Russ Lingard of
Southcott Pines under the
Shoreline Assistance Act. The
Act provides assistance to
property owners along lake
•
Employees given
.20 percent boost
Members of the Exeter works
department staff will receive pay
Increases of 20 percent.
That was the recommendation
approved this week by Exeter
council.
Councillor Tom MacMillan said
this was an "average" increase,
as some were slightly below this
figure and others slightly above
it.
In 1974, the employees received
pay boosts ranging from 10 to 18
percent. That resulted in hourly
salaries from a low of $3.35 to a
high of $4.00. Most of the men
received $3.60.
The new rates will bring the top
rate to $4.80 and the low to about
$4.00. Most of the men will
presumably be receiving $4.32
per hour.
In addition, all town employees
will have equal fringe benefits.
This means that members of
the works department will have
75 percent of their benefits paid
by the town in comparison to last
year when the town paid only 50
percent.
The police have had 75 percent
of their benefits paid by the town
in the past and the -other em-
ployees will now share this same
percentage.
Salaries for department heads
has not yet been set by council.
Mayor Bruce Shaw said most of
the department heads had agreed
to offers made, but these will not
he approved until all negotiations
have been completed.
Two policemen
attending college
Two local policemen are
enrolled in six-week courses at
the Ontario Police College in
- Aylmer.
They are OPP Constable Larry
Christiaen and Exeter PD
Constable James McMeekin.
•Their course will be completed
around mid-February.
shorelines 'in shoring up their
banks against erosion.
Lingard has estimated the
work necessary along his proper-
ty would .cost about $8.000.
Clerk Louise Clipperton said
the first step in making applica-
tion for this type of assistance is
in engaging an engineer for a
survey. Ontario Municipal Board
approval is also needed.
Loans under the Shoreline
Protection Act come from the
Ontario government and can be
obtained at a preferred rate over
a 20 year term. Before following
up the Lingard request, council
is asking if any other property
owners along the shores of Lake
Huron within the confines of the
village are interested in taking
similar precautions against ero-
sion.
For the second consecutive
meeting .council was asked to
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May not require
expropriation plan
A bylaw approving the ex-
propriation of lands required for
the new Anne St. drain was
passed by Exeter council this
week.
However, there was an in-
dication it may not be required.
Two of the property owners,
Jean' Coward and Ray Heywood,
have already signed easement
agreements. They were each
gkven compensation of $3.00 per
foot for the easement.
That decision was made in
December by last year's council
at a special meeting at which the
press was not invited.
The third property owner, Ed
Hunter-Duvar indicated in a
telephone conversation with one
member of council this week he
would also settle without the
matter going to expropriation.
He too will be offered $3.00 per
foot.
All other property owners
effected signed easements
without receiving any com-
pensation, with the exception of
Snell Bros. Ltd. who were given
compensation for loss of business
while the drain was being in-
stalled across their property.
Tenders called
for sewer work
r=e
Tenders have been called for
the completion of Exeter sanitary
sewer project.
The advertisements appeared
in newspapers this week and the
tenders will be opened on
February 13.
If they are close to the price
estimated by the consulting
engineer - around $650,000 - the
work could commence this
spring.
However, if the estimates are
high, the town would have to seek
approval from the Ontario
Municipal Board to secure the
extra funds required.
Mayor Bruce Shaw told council
there was some hope that con-
struction projects of this nature
may be undertaken at lower costs
this year.
He cited a case were a major
London contractor had bid a job
at a price 20 percent lower than
the engineer's estimates and had
still lost the contract due to the
keen competition.
"There's no work, and com-
panies are crying for something
,to do," Shaw said. He hinted this
could result in tenders being
within range on local projects.
Flu bug strikes
area youngsters
Elementary schools in Exeter
seem to be the hardest hit this
week by an epedemic of colds
and flu among staff and students.
• Exeter Public School reported
a .total of 120 children from a
total enrollment of 500 absent on
Tuesday: There were also four
teachers out of twenty two away.
The common complaints seem
to be coughing. hacking and -run-
ny noses with some fevers.
Precious BIOod Separate
school has also been hit with the
bug with ten pupils out of 74
away and two out of five
teachers absent. Spokesman for
the school said that each child
seemed to be affected differently
but that there was also a few
cases of measles in the school.
Usborne school. which was
hard hit last week, is getting
back to normal this week with
only 25 out of 327 away on
Wednesday and all the staff back
again.
J.A.D. McCurdy school in
Huron Park reported a total of 38
absent out of 335 but said there
was nothing unusual in that
number of absentees.
Schools in the surrounding
area report that the number of
children sick -is not much
different than any normal winter
month. Stephen Central school
has 24 children away but say that
they were hit with a wave of sick
calls before Christmas.
Hensall Public school had only
5 children away and Grand Bend
only one or two.
Lucan schools reported that
they had more away sick last
week but that things were get-
ting back to normal now. Huron
Centennial reported 32 absent
Tuesday •
One Hundred and Second Year
EXETER, ONTARIO, JANUARY 23, 1975
Price Per Copy 25 Cents
Playhouse name architect,fund drive
for permanent building construction
A FLUORIDE BRUSHER - Nurses from the Huron Health Unit are con-
tinuing the fluoride brushing of teeth in area elementary schools.
Above, Kerry Rock of J.A.D. McCurdy school is brushing
energetically.;t°hoto•
Thieves get $534
in resort robbery
Two break-ins were reported
this week in the area controlled
by the Pinery Park detachment
of the Ontario Provincial Police.
Property valued at $534 was
taken from the Thompson and
Warner Sunoco station at Grand
Bend. Constable P.M. Clushman
is investigating.
Debate purchase
of new backhoe
Exeter council may be faced
with the prospect of replacing the
town's backhoe this year.
Public works chairman Bob
Simpson said the present
backhoe was "in bad shape" and
council would have to buy a new
one or face the prospect of
spending a considerable amount
repairing the preent machine.
He said the price of a new
backhoe would be around $18,000
The present machine was
purchased second hand at a cost
of $3,000.
The committee was asked to
consider the situation more fully
and report back to council.
Constable R.D. Hendley is in
charge of investigating a break-
in at a home in the Walden
subdivision at RR 2. Grand Bend.
A colour television set and other
household articles were reported
missing.
Three motor vehicle accidents
in the detachment's area during
the week caused damages of
more than 82,000.
Monday. damage of $500 was
caused to a vehicle driven by
John A. McDonald. 343 Josephine
Avenue, Windsor when it was
struck by an unknown vehicle on
Highway 21, South of the Pinery
Park entrance. Constable G.W.
Clark investigated.
Wednesday. Constable F.A.
Gardiner estimated damages at
81,550 when vehicles driven by
Harold J. Lock, RR 2, Mluirkirk
and Ronald A. Fallis. RR 3
Listowel collided on Highway 21
north of the Pinery Park gates.
Only minor damages resulted
Saturday when a vehicle driven
by Owen R. Burley RR 2. Grand
Bend left Highway 21 south of the
Pinery entrance struck a high-
way sign. Constable G W Clark
investigated.
During the week a total of 25
occurrences were investigated
with two charges laid under each
of the Liquor Control Act and the
Motorized Snow Vehicles Act.
W.G. Cochrane, chairman of
the board, Huron Country
Playhouse, announced this week
that Peter Smith of Lett,Smith,
Toronto, has been named as
architect for the new permanent
playhouse building:
Formerly associated with the
Ron Thom architectural firm,
Smith was involved in the design
of the Fire Hall Theatre in
Toronto and the new Shaw
Festival Theatre at Niagara -on -
the -Lake.
The new Playhouse building at
Grand Bend will contain seating
for 500 people. It will have well
sloped floors, well planned
acoustics and sight lines, an
orchestra pit and stage space
large enough to accommodate
full scale musicals.
While the new building will be
highly efficient and up-to-date, its
appearance will be farm -like and
will tie in with and connect to
the present Playhouse barn,
making up what might be one of
the most attractive theatres in
Canada -- '
it a Playhouse board hofs
studied the results of the
feasibility study carried out by
Lett,Smith. made possible
through a grant from the
ministry of colleges and
universities.
The study dealt with im-
mediate and long-range needs.
explored the continued use of the
tent. the conversion of the
present barn loft and a variety of
pre-engineered buildings that
could be adapted for use as a
summer playhouse.
Highway staff
won'ttmove
A suggestion of a few weeks
ago by Ministry of Tran-
sportation and Communications
officials to move the Exeter
Highway shed and staff to Grand
Bend will not be carried out.
Huron MPP Jack Riddell told
the T -A by phone shortly before
press time Wednesday afternoon
he had received assurance from
Minister John,Rohdes that the
facility would remain in Exeter. -
Riddell indicated he had
received strong opposition from
many Exeter residents including
a protest from Exeter council and
personally asked Rhodes to with-
draw the change.
The local MPP continued. "it
was ridiculous to suggest a move
like this. Most of the employees
live right in Exeter and it's an
ideal location for the sheds at the
intersection of two main high-
ways...
An original design, however.
was ultimately decided upon as
the type of building that would be
the most serviceable. the most
desirable and the most
economical.
Although the building's basic
structure. phase one. is expected
to be ready for the 1975 season,
the construction will be in
phases over three years. •
Phase one of the building will
cost approximately S50,000.
Construction will begin as quickly
as possible.
B.W. Tuckey, Exeter. heading
the drive to finance the new
building. announced a goal of
$125,000 to tLe raised over a three
year period. He also
acknowledged grants of 825,000
from the provincial and federal
governments.
The Playhouse hopes to raise
about half of the remainder from
businesses, corporations,
foundations and other granting
agencies. but it is hoped a sub-
stantial amount will be raised
throughout the various local
communities.
Mr. Tuckey, who served for two
years as chairman of the board,
said the Playhouse has proven
itself a viable operation and an
asset to the community. Its at-
tendance has grown steadily each
year and to date has attracted
over 25.000 visitors.
During the highly successful
1974 season. the company played
to 93 percent capacity and had
four sell-outs.
Mr. Tuckey said an organized
'canvass for funds will begin soon.
Establish priorities
for streets, drains
FollotalA6 ttie recommen-
dations of the public %Lit-t,s com
mittee. Exeter council this week
approved in principle the pro-
jects set out for priority this
year.
Number one on the list is the
reconstruction of Andrew St.
from Gidley to John. The portion
of Andrew St to the north of this
was reconstructed a year ago -
Estimated cost of the project
is *57.000. plus the cost involved
in moving any utilities The pro-
ject will proceed as soon as
possible.
Councillor Garnet Hicks asked
if the trees along this portion of
the street would have to be
removed.
"If you're going to have park-
ing on both sides. they'll have to
go." works superintendent Glenn
Kells replied.
Last year. several members of
council indicated that the street
between Gidley and John should
be wider than the northern por-
tion of the street so parking can
he permitted on both sides.
North of Gidley St. parking
is allowed only on one side.
Members felt tat if the same
practice is followed south of
Gidley. there would be too much
parking lost in the core area.
The public works committee
was instructed to "save the
trees" if possible during the
reconstruction project
Set out as the number two
priority is the extension of the
Anne $t. storm drain from its
present terminal on Edward St
The drain would be extended
north to Sanders and then east to
Eastern Ave . which is the
eastern limit of the town.
Chairman Bob Simpson ex-
plained this would be a necessity
if the I rlir–, athtjivirinn is
opened this year
The engineering for the first
two projects has already been
completed.
Estimate for the completion of
the storm drain is $135.000.
The third project considered is
the reconstruction of Sanders
between Edward and l'ryde.
However. the storm drain as set
out in project number two would
have to be completed before this
could be undertaken.
Estimate for the work on
Sanders Sl is listed at 547.000.
The committee also suggested
that 810.000 be spent on the con-
struction if new sidewalks.
Totalled. the projects would
cost approximately $250.000.
The amount of subsidy
available from the ministry of
transportation and com-
munications for new construc-
tion is only $44.000 to date
However. councillors were
given some indication that the
grant on the storm dram running
through to Eastern Ave could
receive special consideration for
extra subsidy because it is term-
ed a non-recurring project
Any costs above that which the
ministry will subsidize- have to
be paid 100 percent by the town
Last year's council spent *169.-
000 on public works projects and
received $81.000 in subsidies on
these This included
maintenance
1t'hile council approved the
projects in principle. the matter
was turned back to the com-
mittee for further deliberation.
although the top priority project
of reconstructing Andrew St will
hr' 'farted imtnediately
Snowmobilers injured
TALKING ABOUT SAFETY — OPP safety officer Constable John Wray of the Goderich detachment is
currently visiting area elementary schools. Above, McCurdy public school students Robbie Finkbeiner, Chris
Belmont, Noreen Riley, Stephen Mdntyre, Angelo McIntyre and Shelley Tomes listen to Constable Wroy.
Seven crash one day
Damage $8,500 in collisions
Two snowmobilers were in-
jured and damage amounted to
over $8.500 in 14 accidents in-
vestigated this week by the Ex-
eter OPP.
Robert W. Robinson. RR 3 Ailsa
Craig. sustained bruises when
the snowmobile he was operating
struck a cement bridge abutment
at 2:00 a.m.. Sunday.
He had been proceeding4outh
on concession 4 of Hay Township
at the time of the crash
Constable Bill McIntyre in-
vestigated and listed damage to
the machine at 1150.
At 4:40 p.m.. Sunday. Scott M.
Sweitzer. RR 2 Dashwood.
sustained cuts and bruises when
the snowmobile he was driving
skidded into a ditch and rolled
over.
The acci nt happened on con-
cession 16-17 of Stephen. just
north of the Crediton Road ,
Damage to the snow vehicle
was set at 115 by Constable Pon
Mason.
The rash of crashes started
Thursday. and before the day
was over. seven had been in-
vestigated. Snow limited visibili-
ty throughout most of the day.
At 9:45 a.m.. cars driven by
Peter Steckle. RR 2 Zurich. and
Laurence Taylor. RR 1
Woodham. collided on Highway 4
with damage listed at $275 by
Constable Jim Rogers. who in-
vestigated four of the collisions.
Thirty minutes later. he was
called to the scene of a two -
vehicle crash on Highway 83.
Drivers involved were Wilmer
Preszcator. Exeter. and Norton
Maxwell. London. Damage was
8250.
At 1:00 p.m.. cars driven by
Gordon Morlock. Crediton, and
Jeffery Gooding. Kitchener.
collided on Highway 83 with
damage set at $600.
Big dump in
LCA offences
Statistics released this week by
the Exeter OPP indicate liquor
offences are on the,increase..
Last week. 14 charges were laid
under the Liquor Control Act,
bringing the total to date in 1975
to 20.
Last year. police report an
increase of almost 300 percent in
liquor offences in the area. There
were 85 in 1973 and 254 in 1974.
"In the main, it's involving
young people." OPP Cpl. Ray
Brooks reported. The majority of
charges arise from underage
drinking or having liquor in a
place other than a residence.
Constable Rogers was dis-
patched to his fourth crash of the
day at 3:10 p.m.. when a car
driven by Richard Noxell, Lon-
don. went out of control on
Highway 4 and struck a highway
sign. Damage was $75.
At 2:20 p.m.. Thursday. trucks
driven by Gordon Hulley. RR 4
Walton. and Robert McGregor,
RR 2 Kippen. collided on Mill St.
in Hensall 'with damage set by
Constable Don Mason at $550.
About an hour later. vehicles
driven by Winston Weaver. RR 6
Dresden, and Patrick Heenan,
Seaforth. collided on Highway 4
with damage listed at $1,800 by
Constable Bill Lewis.
The final crash on Thursday
occurred at 9:50 p.m., when a
car driven by Harry MacNeil,
Exeter, went out of control on
Highway 83 and hit a tree.
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