HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-12-02, Page 1Listowel man faces charge
for KiDpen armed robbery
An 18 -year-old Listowel
man has been charged with
the armed robbery of
McLellan's General Store in
Kippen.
The daring daylight
robbery took place around
9;20 a.m.. Saturday, and the
suspect. Ernest Edward
Lynne. was charged by
police on Sunday.
Merle McLellan was look-
ing after the store when a
youth came in and purchas-
ed a bottle of Coke and then
left the store at the main in-
tersection of the hamlet.
However. the youth came
back into the store about five
BETTER FOR CLAPPING — Christina Cowell, 1'/i, daughter
of Wayne and Linda Cowell of Exeter made good utilization
of her over -sized gloves to applaud the entries in the Exeter
Lions Club -sponsored Santa Claus parade held Saturday.
Gels four months
for Exeter breokbi
A 26 -year-old Hensall man
' was given four months in jail
when he appeared for
sentencing on a break, enter
and theft charge for the
September 30 breakin at
Acme Neon Signs in Exeter.
While little was taken in
the breakin, Gregory Allan
Bugler did damage es-
timated at 153,000 by damag-
ing signs, equipment and of-
fice furniture.
In sentencing, Judge W.G.
Cochrane recommended
that Bugler be allowed to
serve his term on a tem-
porary absence basis so he
can continue to hold his pre-
sent job in Goderich.
The accused was a former
employee at the local sign
firm and was angered at be-
ing dismissed. The court was
told he had an alcohol
problem and felt he was sub-
jected to abuse by fellow
employees.
He was described as a
man who loses control when
things are going badly for
him. Bugler has made some
restitution on a voluntary
basis.
A fine of 1200 or 20 days
was levied against Ronald
William Smith, Huron Park,
who was convicted of driving
with a blood alcohol level
over the legal limits.
He was stopped after
squealing the tires of his
vehicle and travelling at a
speed of 150 to 160 k.p.h. A
breathalizer test gave a
reading of 100 mgs. The legal
limit is 80 mgs.
-Two Dashwood youths,
Gary James Smith and Mark
Andrew Ormandy, were
given conditional discharges
and placed on probation for
six months after pleading
guilty to mischief charges
arising out of damage to two
cars on October 29. Damage
to each of the cars was 1100
and the youths had made full
restitution.
They were ordered to keep
the peace and be of good
behaviour.
The owners of the cars
were attending a dance when
the damage took place.
Michael W. Sutherland,
Huron Park, was given a
conditional discharge and
placed on probation for three
months on a charge of
possession of narcotics on
October 31. A small amount
of marijuana was found in
his possession when police
stopped and checked a vehi-
cle in which he was riding.
In the only other case
heard, Daryl M. Raymond,
Exeter, was ordered to post
a bond of 1500, keep the
peace and be of good
behaviour. after pleading
guilty to a charge of assault.
The court learned that the
accused assaulted his sister
and father during an alterca-
tion at the family residence.
The accused had been drink-
ing and was told by Judge
Cochrane to abstain from
alcohol and either pursue his
education or work.
DOUBLE TALK — Santa had his knees full at the South Huron
Rec Centre Saturday afternoon when Alvin and Kenny
McNichol, children of Mr. and Mrs. Ken McNichol of Elimville
had a chat with the man in the red suit. T -A photo
minutes later. and when
Mrs. McLellan came out of
the living quarters. she was
confronted by the youth who
Was now carrying a rifle un-
der his arm.
"I want the money out of
your till." he was quoted as
saying and the store -keeper
obliged. After she turned
over about 170 in small bills,
the youth locked Mrs.
McLellan in the basement of
the store and then left.
Mrs. McI.ellan's 18 -year-
old daughter. Robin, had
come out of the living
quarters and into the store
during the robbery and hid
behind some shelves. She
released her mother from
the basement as soon as the
armed robber left the store
and the two went outside to
Four people hurt
in area collision
Four people sustained
minor injuries in a crash in-
volving three vehicles on
Highway 4 south of the
Crediton Road on Saturday.
Vehicles driven by Peter
Sutherland, Huron Park, and
Reginald Sullivan, Rexdale,
were involved in the initial
collision and then a parked
vehicle owned by Hendrick
Brand, RR 1 Exeter, was
struck.
Total damage in the colli-
sion was set at 15,500. Both
drivers and two passengers
in the Sullivan vehicle were
injured.
It was one of two collisions
investigated by the Exeter
OPP this week, the other oc-
curring on Thursday when a
vehicle driven by Gary
Mullin, Huron Park, left
Highway 83 east of
Dashwood and rolled over in
the ditch.
Damage in that one was
set at 11.000.
During the week the OPP
were notified of several in-
cidents of wilful damage.
Windows in the J.A.D
McCurdy School at Huron
Park and Usborne Central
School were smashed.
Santa gets
welcome
A large crowd was lined
along Exeter's Main street
Saturday afternoon to watch
the annual Santa Claus
parade.
The parade sponsored by
the Exeter Lions and the
Downtown Businessmen's
Association attracted 35
floats including a number
from out-of-town Lions
clubs.
Providing a variety of
music were the Dashwood-
Seaforth community band
and their marching tunes
and the Main Street Jug
Band with their Dixie type
songs.
Exeter Public School won
the school float division,
Gardiner Farms float depic-
ting a Smurfland Christmas
was judged best in the Kids
Christmas category and
Dinney Furniture with a
winter wiener roast was
named best in the general
class.
A candy factory entered
by Mobile Homes was se-
cond in the Kids Christmas
division and the Exeter
Beavers were runnersup in
the other section.
A prize for the best out-of-
town Lions club entry went
to the North London Lions.
Other Lions floats were
from Lucan. Clinton and
Thorndale.
Bringing up the rear of the
parade was Santa Claus.
That was only the beginning
of his afternoon's work as he
spent close to two hours at
the South Huron Rec Centre
talking to hundreds of area
youngsters and taking many
requests for Christmas gifts.
The free skating party
along with soft drinks and
chips sponsored by Tuckey
Beverages, Hostess and
Frito Lay attracted about
450 boys and girls.
Lion Don Haines was in
Please turn to page 2
May name
candidate
Though the field has been
narrowed, a candidate for
rec administrator at the
south Huron Rec Centre has
still not been selected.
The chairman of the
centre's board of
management, Jerry
MacLean, said the board's
personnel committee had
"done their homework" and
had narrowed the choice
from the dozen applications
received.
When asked if the com-
mittee would have a can-
didate to recommend to the
board's December 8
meeting, MacLean said any
choice would have to be
cleared by town council.
The chairman indicated a
candidate may be recom-
mended to council's meeting
Monday, December 7.
Two Huron Park
residents, Ted Butler and Al
Hartford, also reported that
the windshields and back
window in their vehicles
were broken.
see it they could see the
vehicle in which the thief
made his getaway.
While they didn't see the
vehicle. Ken McLellan.
returning from his mail
route delivery. spotted a
small green station wagon
just west of the hamlet on
the Hay -Stanley -line
When he was apprised of
the robbery by his wife and
daughter. McLellan gave the
police a description of the
vehicle and roadblocks were
set up throughout the area.
Later in the day.
Constable L. McFadden of
the Clinton police. advised
Exeter OPP that he had
stopped a vehicle of the
description given out by
Huron dispatchers due to the
vehicle having a noisy
muffler.
He said the youth had ad-
vised him he was heading for
Wingham. A check with OPP
in Wingham led to further in-
formation and prompted the
arrest of the accused on Sunr
day by Exeter OPP
Constable Bill Osterloo and
Listowel OPP Constable Don
Hellman.
Police recovered 123 in
small bills and confiscated a
pellet rifle.
Lynne. of 202 Mitchell
Road. Listowel, was
remanded in custody at
Stratford jail.
Mrs. McLellan told the T-
A on Monday that she
remained calm throughout
the incident. but said that
the robbery had bothered
her since whenever she
thought about it.
"I was worse yesterday
and today than during the
robbery." she said.
KIPPEN ROBBERY — Merle McLellan handed over $70 to a
robber with a gun at the Kippen general store, Saturday mor-
ning. T -A photo
Stalemate
continues
No definite meeting bet-
ween Huron County
secondary school teachers
and the board of education
has been set regarding the
current contract deadlock,
but there has been no break-
down in talks.
Professor Jeffrey Gandz,
mediator appointed by the
Education Relations
Commission, said on
Tuesday, both parties are
still considering their
positions.
He anticipates a meeting
in the next couple of weeks.
"I'll call the parties
together...Basically, when I
think there is a possibility of
some movement to be
made," said Professor
Ga ndz .
He said negotiations are
still active and aren't
heading towards a work
stoppage.
Salaries are the main issue
in the deadlock.
Serving South Huron, North Middlesex
One Hundred and Ninth Year
& North Lambton Since 1873
EXETER, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 2, 1981
e
Price Per Copy 40 cents
PARADE FLOAT WINNER.— A first prize vvincer in Saturday's Santa Claus parade in Ex-
eter was the Smurfland float entered by Gardiner Farms. T -A photo
Exeter hydro rates
will take 11.9% jump
Exeter residents will be
paying up to 11.9 percent
more for their hydro next
year. based on the PIIC's
1982 budget and increased
wholesale costs of power
from Ontario Hydro.
Manager Hugh Davis told
the PUC's November
meeting Friday. that On-
tario Hydro had sent the
PUC two breakdowns of the
price increase.
The plan accepted Davis
explained would provide for
an overall increase of 11.3
percent.
The new rates also change
the billing method. Linder
the current rates residential
customers pay for power in
three 'blocks'. The first 50
kilowatthour's (KWH) costs
8.9 cents per KWH; the next
200 KWH cost 4.45 cents per
KWH and the remaining
KWH used cost 3.3 cents per
KWH.
The new system combines
the first two blocks and
charges 6.0 cents per KWH
for the first 250 KWH.
Subsequent power usage will
be priced at 3.7 cents per
KWH.
This represents an in-
crease of 11.9 percent for
residential customers.
Commercial customers
will be paying under a
similar system with first
block costs being 6.0 cents
per KWH: the second block
set at 4.15 cents and a third
block (the remainder) pric-
ed at 2.8 cents per KWif.
The second similar plan
would boost overall costs by
11.5 percent.
The figures. from com-
puter printouts supplied by
Ontario Hydro. took into ac-
count Hydro's own rate in-
crease of 9.6 percent.
Davis reminded the com-
missioners that the new
rates would have to he
advertised before they were
put into effect.
A fire protection rate of 3
mills on Exeter property
assessment was proposed to
the PIJC in a letter from Ex-
eter council's finance com-
mittee.
Commissioner Chan
Livingstone said he felt the
rate of 4 mills discussed
When the PUC met with
members of the finance
committee was a fair rate.
He said that if the town
didn't want to pay the 4 mills
they could revert to the
original agreement.
In the past. the town has
paid a flat rate per hydrant.
The hudgette i figure for fire
protection in 1981 was 126.-
000
Davis said he felt the com-
mittee was not taking into
account the high capital
costs of the Exeter water
works
Citing a recent engineer's
report calculating the size of
a water main needed in the
north end of Exeter. Davis
Fire hits
area home
A fire believed caused by
an improper hook-up in a
wood burning stove caused
about 15,000 damage to the
Woodham area home of
Sylvester Grimminck early
Tuesday morning.
Exeter firemen responded
to the call around 8:00 a.m.
and their arrival at the home
about one mile west of
Woodham was delayed
somewhat due to
treacherous driving con-
ditions caused by freezing
rain.
Fire Chief Gary Middleton
said the stove hookup
resulted in a piece of steel
overheating and it ignited a
fire in the wall of the home.
Some smoke damage
resulted as well.
said to provide water. the
pipe would have to handle 24
litres per second. To provide
water for a fire. the main
would need to carry 115
litres per second.
This indicates Davis said
the importance of captial in-
vestments to' provide extra
water capacity for fire
protection
Mayor Bruce Shaw said
the rate of 4 mills was
originally suggested as a
"reasonable compromise to
sooth relations" between the
Pt'C and town council.
The i'l'(' will be
reinvesting $8.000 from the
hydro accounts and 110.000
from the water accounts
Davis advised the r-,nl-
mission to invest the hydro
money for one year and the
water money for six months.
He said the PI'(' should
consider repainting the
elevated tank water tower)
in next year's budget. Ile
said an inspection had shown
the tank would need
sandblasting and painting
soon and was estimated to
cost 124.000
The funds are currently in-
vested and mature on
December 2:1 Davis said.
telling the commissioners he
would check into the best in-
terest rates when the funds
are to he reinvested.
in other business
The commission passed a
$20 limit for Christmas gifts
i'Iease turn to page 2
ENJOYING THE PARADE - - All bundled up to enjoy Sotur-
cloy's Sonto Claus parade were Hyla and Amanda Werrett.
County council backs
proposed hydro line
Huron County council has
given unanimous support to
the proposed transmission
line routes recommended by
Ontario Hydro to run from.
the Bruce generating station
to London.
At a special meeting in
Goderich, Monday, council
met with four officials .from
Hydro. They explained the
route Hydro has recom-
mended (M-1), the process of
having the route approved
by both government and the
public, and answered
council's questions.
Besides supporting the
proposed route, council will
ask Hydro that it be allowed
representation on any group
planning the specific route if
Ontario approved Hydro's
plans.
At a preliminary hearing
of the Consolidated Hearings
Board to be held in Stratford
today (Wednesday) council
will send Reeve Tom Cun-
ningham of Hullett, chair-
man of the development
committee, Warden Fred
Haberer and planner Gary
Davidson.
Following Monday's
meeting, Davidson said no
formal submissions would be
made at the preliminary
hearings, except to make
known council's position.
He said a formal sub-
mission would be made at
hearings tentatively set -for
mid-January and council's
involvement will be "more
detailed" at the route
planning stage.
Several reeves spoke in
favour of supporting the
route. Cunningham said
"maybe in the past Hydro
hasn't been open, but on this
particular issue they've done
their best to answer
questions."
Reeve William Elston of
Morris Township said he was
involved with Ontario Hydro
when they put transmission
lines from Bruce nuclear
power development (BNPD)
through the Seaforth area.
He noted that while he didn't
like Hydro's attitude at the
beginning, there was "quite
a turn -around" towards the
end.
"They (Hydro) were
excellent to work with," said
Elston.
Deputy -Reeve Lionel
Wilder of Hay reminded
council not to forget farm
organizations such as the
Federation of Agriculture
and the National Farmers
Unions and see that they are
represented at future
meetings.
Goderich Reeve Don
Wheeler said while the
proposed transmission line
route will not run through his
back yard, he praised
council for its "positive
approach" in dealing with
Hydro.
After the meeting, Warden
Haberer said he was pleased
with council's stand.
M-1, the proposed tran-
smission route recom-
mended by Hydro to the
province, runs from BNPD
through Bruce, Huron and
Middlesex Counties to the
London area and then across
to Hamilton.
Hydro has recommended
500 kv double circuit lines
from BNPD to London and
500 kv single circuit from
London to Hamilton.
Hydro official Jim Bain
(system planning dept.) said
that contrary to rumors, the
line will not be providing
export capabilities for Hydro
or just service to London.
Instead, they will strengthen
the supply of power for all
South-western Ontario.
Council raised questions
concerning land acquisition
and the possibility of using
current right-of-ways. Hydro
officials explained pur-
chasing of land won't come
until after final approval
which is about two years
away.
It will be done on an in-
dividual basis with land
owners.
Regarding the right-of-
way, officials said they
would be considered but
noted they had been planned
along lot lines and any future
lines would have to be placed
125' away. putting them in
the middle of fields.
CUBS SLEEP -IN -- Members of the Exeter Cub Pack enjoyed a steep -,r Soturdov richt
the Scout House. Shown ready for a good nights sleep are Gec4(rel Strorc Je
Westlake, Jason Eccles and Robbie Mclellond T A r�c••<-
Davidson gives assurance
Bulldozers aren't coming
Huron County planner
Gary Davidson reassured
county council there would
be no bulldozers in Ashfield
Township "tomorrow"
The recent announcement
by Ministry of Environment
officials stating South
Cayuga had been turned
down as a possible liquid
waste site. has encouraged
rumors of possible sites.
Ashfield Township has been
mentioned as one.
At county council's
November meeting. David-
son said his department had
not received any informa-
tion from the ministry and
he hopes the government
will involve the county in
any pl;mmne
..Nell just keep up with
11 and if there is anything
significant. we'll report it to
county council." said s1r
Davidson
Reeve Warren Zinn of
Ashtield Township said he
knew of no work being done
in the township. hut added it
is a concern in his area that
a landfill site may be es-
tablished there He asked for
the support of Huron County
and of Bruce Count' which
borders the township.
"I'm very much opposed
Ito a landfill site)." said
Reeve Zinn Warden Fred
Hahcrcr ot lunch said he
had atrtten .i letter to en-
vironment. minister Keith
Nei ten asking to be let in on
aril thing taking place in
Huron Ne .ie:ver has vet
been 1'ec'elyed •
At this time there is no
action ice ran take • said the
w,irden
Woe William Elston of
Morns Toll nship. chairman
of the planning committee.
said .1 I.ui still .rte is one
thing coirlts doesn't
want
There .)••e snrle flings
we hal e .•c 'pt ,,t'lers we
de flet wr d. ii t hive to
accept this said Reeve
Elston
)