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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 )