HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-04-24, Page 24 (2)Page 12A Times -Advocate, April 24, 1975
"40,Sia,asiiAlo.ceasMaittlebtacatillieltmoi..
As The
Mayor Sees...
Floods, basements
and drains
- BY BRUCE SHAW
Last weekend's deluge must
bring back the memory of the
flood of '71 for most of you. It
seemed as though we might
escape serious flooding earlier in
the week when the tremendous
volume of snow disappeared so
quickly, but we weren't that
lucky.
You all know the inv-
convenience and the hardship
you experienced individually.
and some of you may be aware of
the general problems we faced
throughout the town. The purpose
of this article. however, is to_
explain, to the best of my
knowledge, why there would be
any flooding. at all. of basements
in Exeter.
In the first place, there are
three kinds of drains in town that
take away flood water_:_ storm
sewers. sanitary sewers and
'combinations' of the two.
The storm drains are supposed
to handle all the surface water
and the water that collects
around houses and which,
through weeping beds. is fed
eventually into the storm drains.
The problem. of course. is that
storm drains do not cover the
town.
The sanitary sewers are
designed to carry waste from
laundry tubs. toilets and some
floor- drains but not water from
eave-troughs and not water from
weeping tile. Thesanitary sewer
program will be completed this
year. but it should -not have much
positive effect on flood con-
ditions.
The real problem is the com-
bination sewers, which are taxed
to the limit. Originally, they were
designed as an economical
means of draining both surface
water and sanitary water. With
the growth of the town, this
'economical means' has become
inefficient and expensive as
proper drains and sewers must be
laid in their stead.
Now. as for the flooding:
Each situation is unique. but
there are probably three general
reasons for the back-up of water.
one of which is likely yourcon-
cern.
The storm drains that are in
existence now can genes 11y_
handle all surface water that
goes through them. The con-
struction of the Anne "Street
Drain. to this point. for instance,
hag increased the efficiency of
draining flood water in the south
end of town from 25 percent of
design capacity to about 80
percent. When the drain is
completed, 100 percent will be
achieved and except for ex-
traordinary conditions, we
shouldn't expect flooding again in
the south. During the last storm,
there was virtually no surface
flooding south of James Street.
These storm drains, however,
need assistance, in the form of
pumps to carry the volume of
water that is forced into them.
During the storm, some of these
pumps were over-worked and
eventually ceased to operate. The
result. therefore. was a back-up
of water throughout parts of the
system..
The water. in seeking its own
level. flowed into low-lying areas
including connecting weeping -
tile, and eventually up basement
drains. into cellars and family
_ rooms_ _
In some situations, this second
problem was in existance: where
there are no storm drains. the
weeping tile, which are laid
around homes, is expected to
handle a certain degree of sur-
face water. When this water
increases to the volumes it does,
it 'floods' the weeping tile, for-
cing the water back up the drains
and inevitably into the houses.
The most serious of the three
involves the sanitary sewers. The
sanitary sewers are 'closed'. that
is. they are constructed of
asbestos and concrete. and so
should not allow surface water to
drain into them. What's the
problem then?
From what I understand, there
are several possibilities: breaks
in the line which allow seepage,
inter -connections of eave-troughs
and or weeping tile breaks made
during excavations and finally,
hooking up field tiles when they
are broken by the installation of
sanitary sewers — this even-
tually should never happen, but I
am told by the town's engineer
that this is a distinct possibility.
For some of us in town, the
most difficult task is to locate and
define the problem. let alone
trying to provide an answer. But
if the specific problems is
outlined for each homeowner
with difficulties, we can surely
find possible solutions.
The long-term answer is to
service the town completely with
storm drains and sanitary swers.
The immediate answers are at
best stop -gap measures which
will, undoubtedly be expensive.
but certainly must be in-
vestigated: test the lines.
examine the points and times
when water builds up within the
Standards decline concern
— Continued from page 4A
is more difficult today for
students than it was when they
were simply told what to take.
It is true that there are no
uniform standards anymore.
There is no "system" of
education in Ontario. The
Ministry has left each school
virtually on its, gwtt so that in-
stead of an Ontario Secondary
Educational system ttlet'e are 600
or so separate Secondary schools
doing the job; some no doubt
performing better than osiers.
There really is no way of com-
paring graduates from one school
with another. Standards are
different; courses are different;
approaches are different.
Evaluation is very difficult.
\larks have le§s significance.
They tell us nothing anymore by
way of comparison of one group
of students with another.
Universities accept students on
the basis of marks and if some
,schools give higher marks' than
other schools a lack of fairness
develops in accepting people in
limited enrollment courses or in
the giving of scholarships.
Perhaps some tools are needed to
provide this kind of comparative
evaluation or perhaps an
evaluation of Secondary schools
by Universities will develop:
The Community Colleges do
have a problem. They are getting
students who in many cases
would not have been high school
graduates before, consequently,
their attempt at comparison with
past performance by students
becomes very difficult.
There are problems but the
solution is not a retrograde step
back to something that did not
work except for the elite group of.
academically talented
youngsters. The educational
system of the past did a good job
for the small percentage of
students who worked their way
through it and who had the
capabilities to get marks and do
school work. The rest were
filtered out of the system early. If
our society wants to go back .to
that then we must have some
alternatives for those- large
numbers that this type of
educational system rejects at a
rather young age.
Today's secondary schools face
a more difficult environment
than they have faced previously.
Some of these difficulties include
the wide variety of student ability
and preparation and the
system. disconnect the eave-
troughs. re -direct weeping tiles
into storm drains and many
more.
A word of praise at this time
should go to the town crew and
the PUC employees who were up
all night clearing catch basins,
manning pumps and giving us, in
short. the best service possible
under these extraordinary
conditions.
It seems- as though we don't
have many answers, but we'll
keep trying.
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recognition of these differences;
the general social reluctance to
accept authority and discipline,
the changing social attitudes
toward the school's role in the
community, the rapid develop-
ment in every field of knowledge;
one could catalogue problem
after problem. The response of
the educational system to rapid
social and technical change has
obviously been change. Schools
have sought better organizational
patterns for time and for staff.
Courses have changed. New
courses have been developed.
The Ministry has acceded to local
requests for more autonomy in
curriculum development and
school organization.
Schools are trying to respond to
the issues and problems of the
present tumultuous age we live
in. In responding they have
generated severe criticism
because of the fact that changes
are occurring and because of
rising expenditures. More than
ever schools need responsive,
open thoughtful people as they
continue to search for workable
answers and solutions.
District obituaries
•
VERA PEARL WILSON
Vera Pearl Wilson, of Parkhill,
passed away on Wednesday,
April 16 at her residence, in her
85th year. She was the wife of the
late William M. Wilson.
She was the mother of
(Marion) Mrs. Clarence
Hawkins, of Thedford, William
Wilson of Parkhill, and (Mary
Margaret) Mrs. Campbell
Johnson of Stratford.
She is also survived by eight
grandchildren and one great-
granddaughter.
Funeral services were con-
ducted from the M. Box and Son
Funeral Home, Parkhill on
Friday, April 18. Interment was
made in Sylvan Cemetery.
JAMES W. A.-CORNFORD
James W. A. Cornford, of RR 2
Zurich, passed away at his
residence in his 32nd year. He
was the husband of Mrs. Dianne
(Hay) Cornford.
He was the father of Lorraine
and J. J. Cornford, both at home.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs.
James A. Cornford; brother of
Larry and Mrs. Bill (Bonnie)
Swayze all of London; grandson
of Mrs. Mabel Gossman, Zurich.
Funeral services were held
Monday, April 21 from the
Needham Memorial Chapel,
London, officiated by Rev. Anne
P. Langford. Interment was in
Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
PHYLLIS BLUETT
Phyllis Bluett, RN, B.Sc.N.; of
Riverside Dr., Southcott Pines,
Grand Bend, passed away on
Thursday, April 10. She had been
a member of the nursing
profession for over 40 years. She
retired in January as Director of
Nursing at Woodstock General
Hospital and had just returned
from a Florida vacation two days
prior her death.
She is survived by her sister,
(Gladys) Mrs. Allan Craig, of
Peterborough, her niece, (Gail)
Mrs. A. Madlener, of Toronto, her
nephew, Michael A. Craig, of
Peterborough, a great-nephew,
Jan Madlener, anda friend Mrs.
Hilda Thurstun.
She was the daughter of the late
Claude K. and Cecelia Bluett of
London. Born in Crediton, Miss
Bluett graduated from the
Toronto General Hospital School
of Nursing in 1933. She attended
the University of Western
Ontario and received a cer-
tificate in nursing education and
nursing administration.
In September 1934 she com-
menced teaching at Woodstock
General Hospital School of
Nursing. She returned to the
University of Western Ontario
with honors in a Bachelor of
Science degree in nursing.
She became assistant director
of nursing at WGH in 1951, and
later became director of the
hospital and the Ethel M. Finkle
School of Nursing.
Miss Bluett also served with
the Registered Nursing
Association of Ontario; the
Canadian Nursing Association;
the Bofard of the College of
Nurses; and the Ontario Hospital
Association's Committee for
schools of nursing in education.
Funeral services were held at
St. John's Church by the Lake.
Grand Bend, on Monday, April
14. Interment was in Woodland
Cemetery, London. Rev. W. G.
Mills and Rev. Canon L. W. Owen
officiated. The T. Harry Hoffman
Funeral Home, Dashwood, was in
charge of arrangements.
Honorary pallbearers were
Archdeacon G. Pearce, Dr. W.
Wilkey, Dr. R. Hawkins, Dr. C
Editor: "What's the idea of
bringing back this manuscript 1
rejected last year?"
Writer: "You've had a year's
experience since then."
McPherson, Dr. J. Vance, V. B.
King, W. Knowles, and P. Smith.
Active pallbearers were Jan
Madlener, T. Webster, A. Mowat,
R. Pogue, Dr. J. Blackwood and
Dr. S. Dixit.
HUGH BERRY
Hugh Berry, formerly of
Usborne Township, passed away
on Friday, April 18 in the
Bluewater Rest Home, Zurich, in
his 95th year. He was the husband
of the late Ethel -Allen and the
late Sarah Allen.
Mr. Berry was born on the
fourth line of Blanshard Town-
ship, and moved to the 10th
concession of Usborne Township
in 1904. He lived there until 1970,
when he went to the Bluewater
Rest Home, Zurich.
Mr. Berry served in area
baseball for over 40 years, both in
playing and umpiring. He served
on the Usborne Township council
for about 12 years, and served as
reeve for about six years. He
became Huron County Warden in
1948. He was a member of the
• Huron County Children's Aid
Society for eight years, and
served as warden in St. Paul's
Anglican Church, Kirkton, for
many years.
He was the secretary -treasurer
for the Kirkton Agricultural
Society for 16 years, judging
horses and field crops. He retired
from his farm in 1954.
Mr. Berry was the father of
(Mabel) Mrs. J.E. Anderson,
Woodham, and Allen, Exeter. He
was predeceased by (Ilene) Mrs.
George Copeland and Harold. He
was the brother of Robert Berry,
Blanshard Township, Dr.' Albert
E. Berry, St. Marys; Earl Berry
and Mrs. Ila Blackler, both of
Blanshard Township. He is also
survived by one grandson and
one great-granddaughter.
Funeral services were con-
ducted from the L.A. Ball
Funeral Chapel, St. Marys on
Monday, April 21. Intermegt was
made in St. Paul's Cemetery,
Kirkton.
CHARLES ZURB,RIGG
Charles Zurbrigg of Safety
Harbour, Florida, formerly of
Toronto, passed away on Wed-
nesday, April 16 at Clearwater
Community Hospital, Florida,
in his 90th year. He was the
husband of Ethel Northcott, who
is a native of Exeter and was a
RN here for many years.
Mr. Zurbrigg was the father of
Raymond Zurbrigg of Middleton,
Conn., brother of Jake of
Saginaw, Mich., Walter of
Stratford, Mrs. Millie Farling of
London, Mrs. Belle Roth of New
Hamburg and Mrs. Tillie Hymple
of Stratford. Also surviving are
three grandchildren.
Funeral services were con-
ducted from the R.C. Dinney
Funeral Home, Exeter on
Saturday, April 19 with Rev.
Harold Snell officiating. Inter-
ment was in Exeter Cemetery.
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MEETING NOTICE
Liberal Association
FOUNDING MEETING
FOR THE NEW PROVINCIAL RIDING OF
HURON -MIDDLESEX
Guest Speaker
JAMES E. BULLBROOK
M.P.P. for Sarnia
DA$ WH OOD COMMUNITY CENTRE
Wednesday, April 30th, 1975
RECEPTION 6:30 p m . DINNER 7:00 p m. — ADMISSION 54.00
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
MUNICIPAL CHAIRMAN
SALUTE POLICE — Ninety Knights of Columbus from three councils
held a police appreciation night at the K of C hall in St. Columban
Thursday. More than 20 policemen from Huron and Perth attended.
Grand Knight John Paul Rau, right, presented certificates of merit to
Exeter OPP Constable Don Mason and Exeter Chief Ted Day.
Huron Expositor photo
Policemen honored
at K of C gathering
Representatives of all police
forces, O.P.P. and municipal in
this area attended a Police
Appreciation Night, put on by the
Knights of Columbus Branch No.
5289, Seaforth, Thursday night.
The get-together was held in
the Knights of Colonibus Hall at
St. Columban. Certificates of
merit were presented to each
representative of each respective
police force and O.P.P. detach-
ment in area. These certificates
were presented by the 'Grand
Knight John P. Rau.
The certificate of merit
presented - by the Grand Knight
was to show the grateful
recognition, and appreciation of
faithful and exceptional ser-
vices, of all police forces in the
area.
Representatives from Exeter,
Constable Don Mason of the OPP
detachment and Chief Ted Day of
the Exeter police department
were presented the Certificate of
Merit award.
There were about 70 Knights of
Columbus from the Blue Water
area, north of Goderich, and east
of Stratford, in attendance in
addition, to about 30 police
representatives. The master of
ceremonies was Edward Murray,
Noble Grand Knight from
Stratford.
Mr. Murray gave a brief talk on
police and public relations and
thanked the police for a job well
done.
Day said Wilfred Mousseau,
was one of the main organizer's of
the night, and many thanks.
should be extended to him.
Chief Day commented on the
event, "It was grateful to see all
the effort put forth by a group of
people, to show their ap-
preciation of law and order, and
their respect for the police,
especially in our society of to-
day."
Young thing at doorway to her
date: "I enjoyed every penny of
our evening."
The readers write
April 17, 1975
Times Advocate,
Exeter, Ont.
Dear Sirs -
For your information, we have
been advised from Toronto there
is' a growing concern about the
proposed legislation to hold all
civic elections on Sunday.
As Alderman Beavis and
Piccininni of the city of Toronto
are sponsoring this motion, we at
Emmanuel Baptist Church have
written them a letter of protest
that we do not agree with this
policy.
We have also written to
Alderman Tom Clifford -who is
opposing this motion, stating our
position for his support.
It is also stated that if this goes
over in Toronto, it will also be
Ontario wide and therefore en-
croach on our due respect for the
Lords day.
Yours sincerely,
V. de Montmorency
Church clerk
229-6531
One of the functions of in-
telligence is to take account of the
dangers that come from trusting
solely to the intelligence.
Grand Bend
Nursery
School
Fall
Registration
Tuesday, May 6
9 - l l 30 a.m.
GRAND BEND
UNITED CHURCH
For ages
21/2 to 5 years
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