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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-11-11, Page 1The `final blow' never came • ilot survives crush Exeter pilot Arnie Keskinen knows that the survival rate is low in air- plane crashes, that's why he considers it a miracle that he's able to talk about the one in which he was in- volved, Thursday. The veteran pilot and his passenger, Paul Dixon, Snowdon Cres., London, were able to walk away from their demolished twin -engine Comanche after it crashed near the Elliot Lake airport. He said he knew it was a miracle when the pair walked away from the crash scene, but he realized it even more after viewing the crumpled Saturday. "It was nothing but a ball of aluminum," he said in describing the $69,000 craft owned by a_Sarnfa man and which the two had flown out of London earlier on Thur- sday evening. "L. knew someone was looking after me," the 40 - year -old resident at 292 Huron St. E. noted in reference to a policeman's comment that "it was as if God was their co-pilot". Keskinen, a veteran pilot of seven years with more than 1500 hours of flying time, said he was doing some Instrument flying and was making a visual landing when turbulence downed his craft as he was circling the airport at an altitude of between 600 and 700 feet. When he realized his plane was going down, he had only five seconds to prepare himself for what he con- sidered was going to be "thee final blow". However, he was surprised to find that he could move all parts of his body after the impact, and he and his passenger managed to break a window to escape and then walked about three kilometres to the airport. Among those also sur- prised by the pair's survival were officials at the airport. They had seen the plane go down but had decided there was no sense In going looking for survivors. They intended to search out the downed plane the following morning. - Keskinen, manager of technical services for Domtar Sifto Salt in Goderich, agreed with a police spokesman who noted they had been lucky to crash In a flat, soft spot. Most of the terrain In the immediate area was rocky cliffs and ravines. The crash is still under Investigation by the department of transport, but investigators have already complimented the pilot on his procedures in the situation. Keskinen and his passenger Were treated for cuts and bruises at the Elliot Lake hospital and then released. They returned to London on Friday. The Exeter man wasted little time in getting back into a cockpit. He flew in the right seat with a friend who took idm back to the crash scene on Saturday and he handled the controls so the pilot could take pictures. He said it was just like having a car accident or taking a belly -flop off a diving board. "You have to get right back at it" or you could lose your nerve. Keskinen, who periodically pilots the OPP radar patrol along Highway 401, still considers airplane travel as safe as being on the highways. On the trip into the Elliot Lake hospital, the police cruiser in which he was Please turn to page 2 NEW UBRARY BOOKS — The Exeter library has received a number of new books donated in honour of Mrs. Jessie Ford's 90th birthday and in memory of the late Hilton Ford. The donation was made by nieces and nephews in Detroit. 'Mrs. Ford and librarian Elizabeth Schroeder review the books. T -A photo { 4: s Ames Serving South Huron, North Middlesex tui & North Lambton Since 1873 One Hundred and Ninth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, NOVEMBER 11, 1981 Price Per Copy 40 cents WINS UONESS AWARD — Sue Campbell was the winner of the Exeter Lioness Club award at Fridays' Commencement ex- ercises at SHDHS. Making the presentation is Lioness president Marion Knowles. T -A photo Won't lay over tree No charges will be laid un- der The Trees Act by Huron County Council if two con- ditions are met by a Tuckersmith township resi- dent. Council originally had three conditions to be met by Mr. and Mrs. James McIn- tosh. but after a meeting with the couple, their solicitor and the county's development committee, a compromise was reached. A proposed windbreak along the northerly boun- dary of lot 19, conc. 2 and the southerly boundary of lot 19, conc. 2 could cause a problem with an installed drainage system. The McIn- tosh's agreed to planting about three acres plus a windbreak in the easterly boundary of lot 17, conc. 1. McIntosh is to agree in writing to the two con- ditions. Council approved an application for tree clearing from Tina and"Willemina Rev. Abram Blaak Minister installed Rev. Abram Blaak is the new pastor of Bethel Reformed Church in Exeter. Installation service for Rev. Blaak was held recent- ly with Rev. J.W. Vandenberg. president of Classis of Ontario of The Reformed Church in America in charge. Rev. Blaak was born in Groningen, The Netherlands, April 21, 1950. He moved to Canada with his family to London, Ontarjo in May of 1959 and in 1971 began studies at The Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he met his wife Linda. They were married in Zeeland, Michigan, May 11, 1973. After graduating from Bi- ble College. Rev. Blaak worked for 13 months as Youth and Education direc- tor for the New Hope Com- munity Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. From there he resumed his studies and went for one year to Hope College and from there to Western Theological Seminary and graduated in May, 1981. charge removal Visscher of lot 11, north boundary conc., Stephen Township. In other business, council: Approved a load limit on Forrester's bridge, lots 18 and 19. Maitland conc., Goderich and Colborne Townships to five tonnes. At present an engineering in- vestigation is being done on the bridge since several stringers and crossbeams areseverelyrusted. This was discovered when the wooden deck was recently replaced: Will apply separately for community planning study grants from the Ministry Af- fairs and Housing for Howick. Grey, Colborne, Usborne. Stephen, and Goderich Townships. Vehicles out of control Three of the four collisions investigated by the Exeter OPP this week involved drivers who lost control of their vehicles. Damage was com- paratively light in the ac- cidents and minor injuries were reported in only one. Three of the four occurred on Friday, thi: first when a vehicle driven by Ross• Elliott. Dashwood, went out of control on Highway 83 west of Exeter and rolled over in a ditch. Damage was listed at 8500. A vehicle operated by Richard Grenier, RR 2 Hen- sall. rolled over on conces- sion 2-3 of Hay Township north of Highway 84. Damage was 82,000 in that one and the driver sustained minor injuries. The final Friday collision was in Hensall near the in- tersection of King and Wellington St., involving vehicles driven by Charles Hay and Wilma Kleinhaar, both of Hensall. Damage was set at 8600. The other collision was on Sunday when a vehicle driven by Patrick Schaffner, London. struck a culvert on Hay Township road 3-4. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at 8350. Collection unchanged By a vote of 17 to 11, Huron County Council turned down a recommendation to collect its tax levy from municipalities four times a year. Following the lead set by Huron County Board of Education, council's ex- ecutive committee made its recommendation, which Goderich Deputy Reeve Robert Allen said would im- prove the cash flow for the county. Rural taxpayers were con- sidered, with Reeves stating' tax collection four times a year would be hard for farmers. One reeve said, farmers. unlike urban dwollers do not receive a weekly salary therefore making tax payments four times a year a hardship. Presently there are only two municipalities in the county collecting taxes once a year. while others collect taxes twice a year. Council, at its October ses- sion. did approve pay in- creases to the warden effec- tiva Dec. 8 and for com- mittee and session atten- dance by reeves effective January 1. 1982. Increases are approximately 12 per- cent. The warden's salary in- creases from $3,600 per year to 84.000. Committee and session pay increases from 860 per day to 867 and from 840 per half day to $45. Council approved 8150 scholarships for eight Huron County students. Those receiving the scholarships are as follows: at University of Western Ontario, Ian Mann and Janet Wood, both of Wingham; University of Waterloo, Michael Milosevic of Wingham and David Gross of RR 1 Auburn: University of Guelph, Andy Moore, of RR 4 Goderich, Christian Boettcher of RR 2, Brussels. and Mary Sander- son of RR 1, Gorrie: Ridgetown College, Beverly Semple of RR 2 Bayfield. Several apply for centre post The South Huron rec cen- tre board of management have received a dozen applications for ad- ministrator to fill the vacan- cy created by the resigna- tion of Don Gravett. Chairman Jerry MacLean said the board would be meeting to review the applicants some time within the week. FIRST WORLD WAR PARTICIPATION— Three vetrerons from the First World War were on the receiving stand at Sunday's Remembrance Day service sponsored by the Exeter Legion. Above, Auxiliary vice-president Dorothy lenk and Exeter Legion brunch president Sam Bower are shown with veterans Norm Norry, Earl Guenther and Ted Pooley T -A photo Assistant waste controller named for Osborne dump At the November 3 meeting of Usborne township council. Frank Verbeek was hirgd as assis- tant waste controller for the township's waste control site. He will be paid 84 per hour for the balance of the year 1981. Building inspector Her- man Van Wieren reported issuing three building per- mits during the month of Oc- tober with a value of 824,000 and made 28 inspections. As the result of the drain commissioner's report. council instructed that a further claim from Frank Anderson on the Coates municipal drain be forward- ed to the engineers Spriet Associates for comment. Special levy bylaws on the Cooke. Earl and Hicks municipal drains were given third readings and finally passed. Council went on record as approving the Vial of Life program which is being es- tablished in Exeter and sur- rounding areas. A request was received from Isabelle Fletcher and Gwen Coward representing the Elimville Women's Institute. Council discussed notices from the Huron County Board of Education and the Huron -Perth Separate School Board asking for pay- ment of 1982 education levies on a quarterly basis. In other business, council; Agreed that the 1980 recreation grant in the amount of the expenditure not qualified for director's salary be applied to operations cost as recommended by area con- sultant M. McLaughlin. Instructed the road superintendent to invoice Associates. ratepayers for grader time required to remove mud, waste or other litter from township roads as result of , farming operations. Approved a tile drainage bylaw and debenture for sale in the amount of 815.100. Referred the Ministry of The Environment plan of development. operation and closure of the waste disposal site at Lot 5. South East boundary Concession to con- sultants Spriet Grant is confirmed A 8170.000 federal grant for the expansion of Exeter's sewer lagoon has been con- firmed this week by Ontario Environment Minister Keith Norton. News of the grant had been contained in a newspaper story last week, but had not been confirmed when it was discussed at the local council meeting. The federal government decided to provide 165 million in grants after learn- ing that they were risking obligations under the Canada -united States Great Lakes Water Quality Agree- ment by dropping previous programs. "I am very pleased with the federal government in- itiative." Norton said. "Now our Great Lakes municipalities will know where they stand with respect to federal grants and those who are eligible can go ahead with their plans." Total cost of the Exeter project has been estimated at 81.1 million Grants to the municipalities will be ad- ministered by Environment Canada and the federal restrictions on the grants confine them to Great Lakes Basin municipalities with water pollution problems. Growth -oriented sewage treatment projects. such as those planned to service new development. are specifical- ly excluded. as are storm sewers and drinking water facilities. Won't close schools WIN MONCUR SCHOLARSHIP — At Friday's Commencement at South Huron District High'School, Huron -Bruce MP Murray Cardiff presented the Moncur Scholarships to Mary Anne Hogan and Paul McAuley. T -A photo There will be no review this year of accommodation in Huron County Schools. As a result of declining enrolment. schools have been watched for the number of students in rela- tion 10 building use, and while no review was taken this year. enrolments will be looked into again next year. Two schools of concern are Hensall and Vanastra, but because enrolment is ex- pected to increase in coming years no review will be made —We have 00 intention of closing either school." said director of education .John Cochrane He said while enrolment is down at Hensall and Vanastra this year. because it is anticipated to increase. actual enrolment figures will again be looked at next year. When asked about busing students from the two schools to other schools. Cochrane said the transpor- tation costs would not allow a saving in closing the schools. Associates. Work on Bill 82 is well underway Plans for implementation of Bill 82 on special educa- tion are to be completed by May 1. 1982 and with that goal in mind. Huron County Board of Education has been busy. Previously established committees have held, meetings for the purpose of determining the needs of special education in Huron County. Superintendent W. D. Kenwell told trustees that two of 25 forms to be filled have been completed. He added in-service training of teachers and principals is currently underway. Information to assist in implementing the special education bill is still being received. with meeting between administration staff and Ministry of Educa- tion being held regularily. Superintendent Kenwell said once the 25 forms are completed. a better un- derstanding of what will be required to implement Bill 82 in Huron County would be possible. When asked about special education at secondary school levels. Kenwell said not as much has been done as at the elementary level. He cited lack of money and a preference for starting at the elementary level as two reasons It was noted superintendents of business would be having a meeting with Ministry officials regarding details of funding. In other business. the board: Supported Ontario Public School Trustees' Association 1 OPSTA i in its bid to stop the Ontario Energy Board from making Union Gas stop its group billing arrange- ment. The board currently has this arrangement with Union gas and if stopped could cost the board an ad- ditional 86.000: Accepted the tender of Smith -Peat Roofing and Sheet Metal of 838.000 for work on South Huron District High School. it was lowest tender: Will request the Ministry of Transportation and Com- munications to erect school bus loading signs at the en- trance of Huron Haven Park on Highway 21. Approved novels Avalanche by Arthur Roth and Desert Chase by Kathryn Storey Sant for use in elementary schools and The Strange One by Fred Bodsworth for use in secon- dary schools. Endorsed a drug abuse prevention program with assistance from local police forces in elementary schools. le REACHING HIGH - The South Huron District High School Reach for the Top ae',7 ream hos been faring very well in recent competition. Shown with coach Bill Johnston are Rr' a• Beer, Dove Creery, Mott McClure and Kevin Glasgow. Students reach for top Team wins twice "What's the capital of Somalia asks the announcer Kevin Glasgow knows the answer and his finger comes down instinc- tively nn the buzzer. "Mogadisc'io! ", be blurts out. for another 10 points. The game is Reach for the Top and South Huron is roll- ing to a 465-190 win over F'1esherton. "The secret is trying to know a little bit about everything". says coach Bill Johnston. as he theorizes about what makes a good Reach for the Top player. After their wins last week. Johnston sees his team. con- sisting of Glasgow. Bryan Beer. Dave Creery and Matt McClure as being in the top 20 in the province.. Both Glasgow and McClure are three year veterans of the quiz show, and their experience proved decisive in the team's poorly played 225-135 win over Walkerton Sacred Heart in the first round As well as world geography. Glasgow's specialties include biology and current affairs. Mc('lure's areas of concen- tration are t',inadiana and Art However. Johnston notes. -it's dangerous to overspecialize because that person can freeze up on camera :and have a bad game.. First year players. Bryon Beer and Dave Creery show- ed their talent in both of last Wednesday's games. Beer heat everyone to the buzzer for the sports and mathematics questions. Creery gained valuable points through his ability to identify music The team. which has been meeting three times a week since September. stresses both mental and physical speed in its practices. Part of each practice is spent working on a buzzer system with packs of questions ,and the other portion is spent covering a special tonic The pressure of makings fool of yourself an front of 'a television audience :s perhaps the biggest hurdle to being successful at they game. according t, Johnston However. hes sty;1 puzzled as to why the sport is male -dominated The team has set '-:igh goals for itself this year which include winning the ('KN\ station championship and summer scholarships at Wilfrid Laurier i'ntsrrsity The last two year s. South Huron teams have been runnersup and this year thcs want to really re,i;•h :he top The team has a ;ono: $.muff because they eyor• t pl:a) again until the quarter -finals in March However. het se oen now and then. they'll sperid a lot of time honing t'i skills in the pursuit of v!, -tithe - fame