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Times-Advocate, 1981-10-21, Page 1Police get good report card, new taxi regulations okayed In keeping with the policy of the Ontario Police Commission, the Exeter police department was in- spected during September and the resulting report was termed "very favorable" at council, Monday. Police committee chair- man Gaylen Josephson said the local facility and per- sonnel were found to be quite adequate and up-to-date and the inspection conducted on September 8 resulted in only a couple of minor recom- mendations, which the committee indicated would be carried out as ex- peditiously as possible. The committee members also advised council that they do not feel there is a need at the present time to create the position of Sergeant within the force, a request that had been presented to them by Chief Ted Day. Day presented his Sep- tember report at Monday's meeting as well, indicating that minor thefts continue to run high in the community. There were 20 thefts during the month along with one break, enter and theft for which a charge was laid. Other statistics were as follows: 10 accidents with one minor injury and damage of $7,560, 20 charges under the Highway Traffic Act, 15 charges under the Liquor Control Act, two impaired drivers charged, one place of business found insecure, four incidents of damage to private property with total damage being set at 8200, two fraud in- vestigations and one stolen car recovered. He noted that one of the officers had been on sick leave for 10 days during the month and another was off for five. The department recorded 47 hours of overtime, with 30 of those being for court duty. Okay taxi rules A new bylaw to provide for licensing, regulating and governing taxi cab owners and drivers was passed by council. It replaces an existing bylaw that was out- dated, having been passed in 1941. A taxi owner's license fee was set at $50 for the initial year of licensing and 825 for annual renewals. There is a further $25 fee for each additional taxi. The annual cost for a taxi driver's license was set at 510. The tariff approved is for a maximum charge of $4 for pickup and delivery between any point within the town or within three miles thereof. Out-of-town trips are to be calculated on the basis of an additional rate of not more than 55 cents per mile and waiting time can be charged at a maximum of 15 cents per minute. The bylaw also dictates that each taxi cab applicant must carry insurance of 5500,000 and provide proof to the town that he or she has the proper radio system for receiving and dispatching taxi cabs. Drivers must be neat and clean while on duty and shall provide prompt service to any place within the town limits during the day or night unless the cab has been previously engaged. They are not allowed to carry more than six passengers unless the vehicle is designed for more and they can not smoke when a passenger is in the cab unless they -have first gained the passenger's permission. A further rule is that a cab driver is not allowed to carry any passenger who is under the influence of alcohol while his cab is occupied by a person who is not ac- companying the person so under the influence. HURON DAIRY PRINCESS — Ruth Anne Zielman, 24, of Zurich was crowned Huron County Dairy Princess at a ban- quet held Oct. 17 at Holmesville. Here, outgoing princess Dianne Oldfield (right) of the Seaforth area, places the tiara on Miss Zielman. Follows sister to Huron dairy title A 24 -year-old South Huron girl was crowned the 1981-82 Huron County Dairy Princess at a banquet here on October 17. Ruth Anne Zielman, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Zielman, RR 2 Dashwood was crowned the princess. Mary Ann Van Doro of RR 2, Seaforth was named the runner-up. Following her crowning, Ruth Anne said she was very honored to have been chosen as the princess. The princess, the runner-up and the two other contestants, Karen McMichael of Wrox- eter and Cathy Van Ninhuys of RR 2 Bayfield were showered with gifts from various milk -related in- dustries. The competition is sponsored by the Huron County Milk. Committee. Prior to dancing at the banquet, the four girls gave speeches on the history of dairy farming. Ruth Anne presented her topic in an original angle, telling the history from the point of view of the cow. The cow was a purebred Holstein, and traced its ancestry to Friesland. acrossthe ocean to /the United States, then over the border to Canada. This cow was, in its own opinion an ex- perimental cow, what one could call a test tube heifer. Ruth Anne owns a florist shop in Zurich and her hob- bies include outdoor ac- tivities, sewing, crafts, and she sings in three choirs. The chores of the dairy princess are not all that new to Ruth Anne, as two years ago, hey -younger sister Susan. was the Huron Coun- ty dairy princess. Ruth Anne has two other younger sisters, Debra and Angela. She has one older brother Gerald. Ruth Anne said she felt very confident that she could handle the activities re- quired by the princess and she hopes to enjoy every minute of her year. The new princess was crowned by the outgoing princess, Dianne Oldfield of the Seaforth area. Dianne told those present at the banquet that she had enjoyed her year as dairy princess, and amongst her other ac- tivities had visted 19 schools in 11 days in Huron County. AUXILIARY LIFE MEMBER — Alice MacDonald was named a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the R.E. Pooley Exeter branch of the Royal Canadian legion Saturday night. Making the presentation at the left is Zone CI Commander Mona Davis and Dorothy Pfaff is in the centre. T -A photo Says county should follow board's lead While there has been criticism from some coun- cils over the Huron county board of education decision to collect levies from municipalities on a quarter- ly basis in the future, the move has been endorsed by Exeter's finance committee chairman Bill Mickle. "I personally believe it is a sound move financially," Mickle told council this week, adding that it would put the board's finances in a current position rather than a deferred one. He said the saving to Ex- eter. based on current figures. would be $16,000 this year, or about three mills. Previously, the board collected levies only twice a year and had to borrow money to meet costs until the municipal contributions wore received. This cost has increased considerably due to dent interest rates. Mickle said he hoped members of county council would follow the lead of the board of education through a similar move to more fre- quent and earlier collection of levies from member municipalities. The finance committee chairman also advised coun- cil his group would be meeting with the PUC next week to develop an agree- ment in respect to fire protection costs. "I'm pleased to see we're in a negotiating position again." Mickle said in reference to the topic which has been discussed on several occasions. He voiced pleasure at the PUC invita- tion to have the committee sit down with them and dis- cuss the matter. Building in decline The value of building permits issued in Exeter this year continues to lag behind last year's totals and are well off the record pace of 1979 and 1978. Building inspector Brian Johnston reported that 20 permits valued at $89,220 were issued in September, bringing the total this year to 5702,345. The total at this time in 1980 was 8852,956. Twelve of the permits in September were for residential renovations and additions with a value at 88,675 There were two hermits for industrial renovations and additions valued at $70,450 and there were four commercial renovations and additions at 88,595. There was one permit for a garage at 81,500. GUESS WHO'S COMING? The area had its first taste of snow this week and it prompted Don Haines to an- nounce the date for Exeter's annual Santa Claus parade. That event is set for Satur- day. November 28. Once again. the Exeter Lions will join the Business Improvement Area in stag- ing the visit by the popular visitor from the north. Haines indicated a couple of bands have already been lined up and asked that any merchants, organizations or individuals wishing to enter floats contact him. PLEASE DON'T SING -- Helen Rankin uses a toy gun to dissuade convener Mary Fran Gaiser from singing to her own music prior to Thursday's rummage sole sponsored by the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary. T -A photo Rummage sale successful Junk becomes treasure Thursday's semi-annual nunmage sale sponsored by the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary was again very successful with a large crowd in attendance at the South Huron rec centre. Treasurer Ada Dinney reported Tuesday morning that net proceeds were $4,668.50. Mrs. Dinney ad- ded, "That's getting close to the spring sale figure $4,877.10. Rummage sale convener Mary Fran Gasser in saying the sale was a great success added, I think the new schedule was very beneficial. We were there for a shorter time. It was better for everybody and the Good Will Industries truck that picked up what was left was able to get away earlier. Mrs. Geiser continued, "The number of articles donated was probably down a little bit, but, we still had plenty and were able to display it better. The in- creasing number of yard sales may have had some effect on the amount of stuff we got." She concluded, "I would like to thank all of our volunteers for t it con- tinued dedicat on. We couldn't be so successful without them and of course we need the continued support of our customers. A recent tag day by the Auxiliary netted $1,166 and Mrs. Dinney said this amount was also similar to a year ago. gimes Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Ninth Year & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, OCTOBER 21, 1981 Price Per Copy 40 cents Rec administrator, crossing guard join Campbell Resignations in threes Members of Exeter council are now probably among those who believe that events run in segments of three. They arrived at this week's session expecting to handle one resignation, but before the meeting was over there were three. Included in the list were the expected resignation of Councillor Jay Campbell and the unexpected resignations of recreation administrator Don "Boom" Gravett and crossing guard Jan Mason, although the latter has not been presented officially as yet. Employee relations committee member Gaylen Disarmament idea set over Exeter ratepayers may have an opportunity next year to signify their support for world disarmament, although a couple of Exeter council members noted this week that the result of such a vote in Exeter - or even a majority of countries in the world - may not have any positive action in halting the arms race. The City of Ottawa has set forth a suggestion that all municipalities conduct local referenda on disarmament in conjunction with the 1982 elections. In municipalities where elections will be necessary, putting such a vote to the people would cost practical- ly nothing. While Exeter is included in the list of 75 municipalities which has already endorsed the idea. council decided to table the matter this week for further consideration. Deputy -Reeve Alvin Epp said he was certainly not in favor of world war. but at the same time noted the dif- ficulty in getting all coun- tries to agree with the out- come of the world-wide vote if disarmament was ap- proved. His point was endorsed by Councillor Gaylan Josephson. who suggested that disarmament had to be an "all or nothing principle" and could not be attained if any one country opted out. He also wondered who would police such a move and pointed out the growing danger of nuclear warfare in view of the fact that more and more countries were getting nuclear weapons and this was setting the stage for the possibility of situations where accidents could occur by someone pushing the wrong button. The goal of disarmament has been supported by 106 federal MPs and a Gallup Poll indicates that Americans would probably vote 2-1 in favor if such a referendum was held there. Josephson advised council that Mrs. Mason's husband, Don, had been transferred to the OPP in Ridgetown and she would be leaving town in the near future to join him. The position will be ad- vertised and Clerk Liz Bell and Police Chief Ted Day have been asked to screen applicants. The position, which entails about three and a half hours per day during the school term, carries a current salary of 84.32 per hour, increasing to 84.75 on January 1. She is the third person to hold the position in town. Gravett's resignation was read by Mayor Bruce Shaw and it brings to three the number of people who have held the position since the rec centre was opened. In his letter, Gravett said he had tried to work out some of the problems that existed at the centre, but said he was finding it im- possible to perform the 50 to 80 hours of work he was putting in each week. He held the position since April 8 and tendered his resignation to board chairman Jerry MacLean on Saturday and then left for his home in Hanover. Contacted in Hanover by the T -A, Monday, Gravett cited personal problems as the main reason for his surprising move, although the current state of the economy and high interest rates were partially to blame for his problem. Gravett said he was fin- ding it impossible to sell his home in Hanover and was plagued by the fact his wife, Mary, was still living and working in Hanover, while he and his youngest son, John, were living in rental accommodation in Exeter. He said he just couldn't afford to continue on under those circumstances and had made the difficult decision in order to get his family back together under one roof. Gravett, who held the recreation director's post in Exeter before moving to Hanover several years ago, also noted that houses in Exeter were 110,000 to ;15,000 higher than those in A 40 YEAR MEMBER — E.J. (Hap) Wells received a 40 year pin at Saturday's awards night at the R.E. Pooley Exeter branch of the Royal Canadian legion. Making the presenta- tion at the left is president Sam Bower. T -A photo Four are injured in area collisions Only three accidents were investigated by the Exeter OPP this week. but four peo- ple sustained minor injuries. On Tuesday. a vehicle driven by Paul Smale. Hen- sall swerved to avoid hitting a dog on concession 2-3 of Hay Township south of Highway 84 and struck a built up driveway. The driver and his passenger. Paul Elder. suf- fered minor injuries and damage was listed at 82.500. Another single vehicle ac- cident was reported on Fri- day. it occurring on conces- '1 • sion 12-13 of Hay when a vehicle operated by Edith Widrick. RR 2 Zurich, went off the roadway into a deep culvert. The driver was injured and damage was estimated at 85.000. The other collision was on Saturday involving vehicles driven by John Relouw. RR 1 Exeter. and Robert Ford. RR 3 Dashwood. They collid- ed on concession 2-3 of Stephen Township at sideroad 20. Damage was set at 85.000 and Relouw sustained minor injuries. ' 1 st t the Bruce County com- munity. The former Kitchener native, who moved to Exeter to play hockey for the Mohawks, marked his 48th birthday on Monday and noted he was having trouble with the long hours required in the position as ad- ministrator. "I'm getting older and can't hack that type of thing," he commented. Saying he hated to leave Exeter again, Gravett said he undertook the position hoping to do a good job and was pleased with the response given some of the activities he had helped to get rolling, such as the summer playground. Gravett had been preceded by Kirk Armstrong and Ian Smith as administrator at the rec centre. He said he had no job prospects at the present time and said he regretted that things didn't work out. "My family is all split up and it's bad, it really is," he reiterated. In accepting his resignation this week, council agreed to a recommendation from the board that he be paid until the end of November. His resignation took effect immediately. Shaw reported that the board would hold a special meeting on Thursday to discuss their next move in seeking a replacement and Councillor Jay Campbell recommended that the board take time to look at the job description before it is filled. He said if the position entails the amount of time Gravett was devoting to it, the situation bears looking into. Mayor Shaw noted that the job had been described in the SCOUTS SELL APPLES — Saturday was apple day for Exeter Boy Scouts. Shown above with their apples for Ellerington. Tim McAllister, Laurie Chalmers and Shown McFolls. 1 r sale are Jon T -A ohoto past as impossible. "Perhaps it is," he stated. Councillors Bill Mickle and Gaylen Josephson expressed regret at Gravett's decision. The latter said the ad- ministrator had put a lot a[ time into the job and he felt the community was losing a good man. "I know he has worked a lot," added Mickle, a member of the rec centre board, adding that he was sorry to see him go and prediciting it would be dif- ficult to find someone to replace him. Extol Campbell's merits Campbell, who had publicly announced his in- tentions to resign in view of his new position as the weatherman for CFPL-TV, made it official, Monday. He said it saddened his heart to have to do so, but noted it would not be fair to the people who elected him if he was unable to give the position 100 percent. All members of council expressed regret and heaped praise on Campbell for his efforts. Mayor Shaw said "sin- cerity and dedication" best expressed Campbell's personality and commitment to the job and he was described as being a member who always did his homework and was prepared for the discussion. "I'11 miss your color," Shaw added. Mickle said Campbell's ideas were always well thought out and Josephson said he wholeheartedly agreed, adding that the retiring member always gave 100 percent and more at times. Adding similar comments were members Fuller, Epp and Humphreys, the latter two indicating they expected Please turn to page Apologizes for error Councillor Gaylen Josephson apologized this week for his inaccurate report of ice rental rate increases at the youth Huron rec centre. At the last council session. Josephson criticised the 22 percent increase in rates this year, but admitted this week that he had been misin- formed and the increase was only 10 percent He said he had been quoting what he thought was a reliable source regarding the rates but both he and his informant hAd been in- correct and both apologized. His comments came just prior to Bill Mickle's review of the rec centre board's report, which expressed "deep concern" about the pubilicity for the inaccurate report.