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Times-Advocate, 1981-12-09, Page 1Plan to de -centralize rec centre duties, Lynne Farquhar headed for rec post An Exeter native, Lynne Farquhar 1s expected to become the town's new recreation director. Her appointment was approved by council, Monday, and was expected to be ratified by the South Huron rec centre board of management at their meeting last night. Chairman Jerry MacLean presented the recom- mendation to council, ex- plaining that the operation of the centre would not be handled by an administrator as in the past, but various employees would have more responsibility for the operation of the centre and the programs offered. He indicated that Miss Farquhar, who has served as program director for Stephen Township, would be responsible for recreation programs and some of the administration and that board secretary Joanne Fields would also handle some of the administration duties. MacLean said Miss Farquhar would be hired under a working agreement with Stephen and this would be a start towards area recreation. She is to start on January 1. at a salary of 114,500 for a three-month probation period. The board chairman said it was felt there should be more emphasis on recreation and they wanted to get the staff out of the office to get recreation going. The move was heartily endorsed by members of council. Gaylen Josephson said that redefining the responsibilities of recreation and the local facilities was a good move and said that in dealings he has had with UP WE GO — Trista Werrett flies high in the air on a trampoline at Saturday's Open House for fathers only at the Exeter Sunshine Kids nursery school. Watching is her father David. Exeter area fire calls show drop Stephen expands service Due to a reduction in the area of Stephen. Township to be covered by the Exeter fire department, a new per- centage breakdown has been established for -the Exeter & Area Fire Board. The amount Stephen contributes to the cost of the board's operation has been decreased by five percent and now stands at nine percent of the total. Usborne picks up an additional three percent and Exeter takes the balance of two percent. Permanent layoffs for 12 at DIL About a dozen salaried employees at Dashwood Industries were laid off Monday as a follow-up to the seasonal lay-off of production wage-earners this autumn, according to vice-president of operations Alan Rankin. They will not be recalled. The lay-off was the result of Dashwood's review of its operations in view of tightening economic con- ditions, he said. There were some employees let go at the company warehouse at Montreal as well. "We looked to our various departments to see what could be done. We are cut- ting back due to the poor market and what we feel we can expect in the next six to eight months," he said. Hay's portion of six per- cent of the total remains unchanged. Usborne now contributes 33 percent and Exeter's share is 52 percent. The reduction in the Stephen coverage is due to extended service being supplied by fire depart- ments in Huron Park and Dashwood. In his annual report, based on statistics to the end of October, Fire Chief Gary Middleton noted that the total number of responses by the department is the lowest since 1975. There were 24 emergency calls this year for a total 561 man hours and another 1,202 man hours were spent in practice. Exeter had nine calls, Usborne six, Stephen four, Hay one, Biddulph one and the Exeter OPP and town police three calls. Total content and property damage from fires was $227,150 and one injury was reported when a fireman was splashed with acid. Middleton reported that three firemen have retired. They are 12 -year veterans Don Cowan and John Wraight and two-year member Jim Warwick. John Geiser and Rick Frayne have passed their probationary period bringing the number of composite fire personnel to 23. Middleton reported that several members of the brigade have attended a variety of coupes. He reported that moat expenditures will be under the 1981 budget forecast and in a brief look at 1982, he said that•the baud wauW-have to consider the purchase of pagers at a coat 0118,000 for 12 units. He explained that while these have not been con- sidered in the past they have now become of major im- portance due to the availability of manpower. The pagers would be worn by firemen so they could be notified of fire calls when they may not hear the siren due to work or social com- mitments outside the siren's range. Price of land jumps from'33 The Exeter cemetery board members have ac- cepted the tender of Eugene Willard, RR 1 Centralia, for the purchase of a 25 -acre grass farm on concession 5 of Hay Township. Willard . submitted the highest of four bids at $25,250. The lowest of the foul was $5,500. The property was pur- chased in 1933 by the cemetery board for top soil and sod, but was never used. Proceeds from the sale will be put into a reserve fund for future expansion of the cemetery. Exeter council approved the sale this week in a bylaw. In 1933, the purchase title was taken in the name of the corporation. It was pur- chased at that time for $650. Miss Farquhar, found her well qualified and com- petent. "I think Lynne will do a super job," stated Councillor Lossy Fuller, whp also ex- pressed satisfaction with the idea that interest in area recreation was being fostered after being talked about for the past nine years with little result. Alvin Willert will retain his position as facilities manager, being assisted by Cam Stewwrdson, whom MacLean said was qualified cV.'.'9.,u YG.n.-. to step into Willert's position when the latter retires. Stewardson was recently hired at an annual salary of ;15,500. Miss Farquhar is a graduate of the recreation course at Fanshawe College. She is the daughter of Grace and Aub Farquhar. Pool idea dropped One thing the rec centre staff won't have to lookafter is an indoor swimming pool, at least not for five years or more. rfi4 ei,.h.. Imes SY�r .74, 3' Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Ninth Year Monday night, Councillor Morley Hall tabled his feasibility study on an indoor pool and recommended that such a project be held in abeyance for at least five years, at which time a further study may be completed. Hall said he found that an indoor pool and physical fitness area would cost between 8500,000 and $600,000 and the operating cost an- nually would be 175,000 to $85,000. He said that in towns sus where such facilities are available, the revenue from rentals, dues, etc. cover only 40 percent to 60 percent of the operating costs and the balance is picked up through taxation. Hall said the nearby Vanastra pool was not being used to its full capacity and added that with the town's present debenture debt and the expansion planned for the sewage system, "it is very difficult to justify the expenditure for such a facility." dvoc Sit; �'`fe & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 9, 1981 Anome Lynne Farquhar Price Per Copy 40 cents 4 Newrates for hospital await budget decision South Huron Hospital's Board of Directors will likely not consider raising rates for semi -private rooms until the entire budget picture for next year has been thoroughly examined, hospital administrator Roger Sheeler said this week. Beginning in April next year, the Ministry of Health will allow the province's hospitals to set their own rates for private and semi- private rooms, which are currently government -re- gulated, as a method of making more money. Mr. Timbrell made the an- nouncement last Wednesday at the annual conference of the Ontario Hospital Association in Toronto. "The board will look at it seriously," Sheeler said, "and I think it will probably be anxious to involve the community in any decision it makes." South Huron has no private rooms at the present. A semi -private holds two patients. Sheeler and two members of his hospital's board at- tended the whole three-day conference at the Sheraton Center, where upwards of 8,000 delegates heard committee reports, elected new directors and listened to speakers elaborating on current issues in health services. In addition to deregulated room rates, Timbrell said that hospitals would be allowed to retain any surplus money not spent during a fiscal year. Currently, money granted by the Ministry to hospitals must be returned if the institution spends under its budget. "Mr. Timbrell said to us that his ministry would be encouraging community support of their hospitals and that money would be available from him for operating programs if local public support was evident," Sheeler said. Currently, South Huron Hospital is about 812,000 under its 1980-81 budget. Whether or not this margin can be kept remains to be seen since the new regulation will not be of- ficially in effect until next April, he said. However, the • 4 FIREMEN AID'MD FUND — Members of the Huron Pork fire department recently collected $535.36 for the Muscular Dystrophy fund. Above, chief, president Wolter Becker and treasurer Dean McDonald present the cheque to Ken Gilders of the London fire deportment. T -A photo ministry has -revealed that extra money would be available this year for ex- pected union settlements. "We stayed under our budget because some programs were deferred due to the funding package. We did not want to incur any deficits unless we could be sure It would later be erased," he said. "I saw some good things coming from the conference. The indications are that more responsibility for the operation and budgeting of hospitals is being turned back to the institutions themselves," he concluded. Fine set at ;5Q0 for leaving snow Owners or occupants of buildings fronting on Exeter's Main St. will now face fines of up to $500 for failing to remove snow and ice from sidewalks. Council passed a bylaw this week calling for the fines. Only owners or oc- cupants between Gidley and Simcoe St. are affected. Owners or occupants are also required to remove snow or ice accumulations from roofs on such buildings if the accumulation Easy cash. need sign, ceremony • How difficult is it to get federal financing for projects? Well, according to a letter received by Exeter council this week therearetwmajor requirements. The first is that arrangements are to be made for suitable ceremonies to which representatives of the federal government, designated by the federal minister of environment, will be invited unless it is decided that no such ceremony is necessary. The letter didn't indicate whether the ceremony is to be conducted at the outset of the project or at the com- pletion. The second requirement says suitable bilingual signs announcing the type of project, its proposed com- pletion date, the total coat and the participation of the provincial and federal governments in the project shall be erected by the municipality on publicly travelled accesses to the project. If they can meet those two requirements, Exeter council will receive $170,000 for the proposed expansion of the sewage lagoon system. Total estimated cost of the project is $1,100,000. The Ontario en- vironmental assessment board informed clerk Liz Bell that a hearing on the project will be held at the council chambers on January 12 at 10:00 a.m. When the federal aid was first announced, members of council hoped it would be in addition to the funding ex- pected from the provincial government. However, Monday night Mayor Shaw said that the federal assistance goes directly to the province and may only be included in the provincial assistance to the project, not above and beyond that assistance. He said it was expected the province may pay up to half the total cost. overhangs the sidewalk and could become a potential hazard to pedestrians. The fines are only ap- plicable if the owners or occupants fail to remove the snow or ice within 24 hours of not'iiTCation and each notification shall be deemed to be a separate occurrence. Where owners or oc- cupants fail to remove snow or ice, the bylaw states the town can have the work undertaken and pass the expense along to the owner or occupant of the building. In reply to a question from Lossy Fuller, Mayor Bruce Shaw said the police would enforce the new bylaw, which replaces one passed In 1942. Works superintendent Glenn Kells said the old bylaw was ambiguous in that the area defined was from Rowe's store to the Super - test. He noted there isn't a Supertest station in town at the present time. SANTA VISITS CREDITON — Santa Claus made his annual visit Sunday Social Club Christmas party. Shown on Santa's knee are Robert Elder Sweitzer. to the Crediton and Cindy S„. T.A photo Still hope industries may choose Exeter In their annual report to council, the Exeter in- dustrial promotion com- mittee indicated that seven industries requested in- formation on the community in their search for locations. While nothing concrete has resulted from the inquiries, the committee noted that they have been informed that Exeter is still being considered as a location. "The state of the economy has had a great bearing on the plans of these com- panies," the written report stated. The committee recom- mended to council that their name be changed to "in- dustry and tourism promotion committee" so promotion could be broadened to incorporate all businesses and reflect on the potential of Exeter as a business community for HELP FROM THREE ORGANIZATIONS — The Exeter Christmas bureau got a shot in the arm Monday when representatives from three local groups oppeored to make their car tnbutions Three cheques totalling $625. changed hands. From the left ore Marion Knowles piesentino for the Exeter Lioness; Peggy Rivers, volunteer coordinator of Family orrt Children s Service; Liz Bell, co -coordinator of the bureov. Borb Gage presenting for the Stephen Township Opti -Mrs.; and Irene Theander, presenting for the Huron Pork Color., Counters Christmas bureau opens, needy families increase The Exeter hranch of the Huron County Christmas Bureau will he serving over 50 percent more families this year as their target families in the area have grown in numher from 35 last year to 55 The higher figure translates into over 100 children who will he receiv- ing toys and clothing from the bureau. a hranch of the County's Family and Children's Services. The Exeter bureau, located at 351 Main St., is open all this week from 9: 30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to accept donations of new and good used toys, clothing and games. Canned and packaged foods are welcome items. Donations should tie suitable for children younger than 1ti The bureau had formerly been operated out of the United Church. and has been taken up '>v the Exeter Lioness Club. under the coor- dination of Marian Knowles and Liz Bell The donated goods will he organized into family poxes. containing assorted toys and clothing. along with a cheque for their Christmas dinner. for pick- up next week "Our target group has in- creased in size this year such that we have more than Goderich." Mrs. hell noted. There are similar bureaus in Clinton. Seaforth. and Wingham. Names of client familiies are obtained from local churches. service clubs and Srx'l;il agencies of the county or the province to pinpoint the number and ,gess of the children to be helped. she said It was quite a bit of organization to get it going... Mrs Bell said It was felt we would do better if we were located on Main Street to increase our visihilit ,1 total of 15 volunteers look after the hureau in teams of two The vacant store in which it operates has been - donated for their use. and already there are plenty of toys. knitted goodl and cann- ed foods awaiting pick-up. Hecipicnt families will pick up their boxes next week by appointment during regular hours. shopping, professional services, living, recreation, etc. It was announced that the new town brochure will be ready for mailing by December 21 and the committee will finalize plans for the bed and breakfast program at their first meeting in the new year. There have been a few interested parties who would be willing to participate in this program. At their meeting on November 26, the committee received correspondence from Mr. Mueller of Munich which stated he represented Exeter's interests at an industrial seminar on November 7 in Zurich, Switzerland and also in Munich on November 23 at a marketing seminar. Mueller will be in Toronto between Christmas and New Years, at which time some mem- bers of the committee will be meeting with him to discuss the two overseas events and some contacts made on behalf of the town. The committee also recommended to council that PUC manager Hugh Davis and works superintendent Glenn Kells be named as advisors to the joint council and industrial promotion committee that was struck for purposes of final discussions with prospective industry. It was also felt that an up-to-date fact sheet of services. taxation, location. etc . should be available for these discussions. All members indicated their willingness to serve for another year. In discussions with prospective industries, the committee find that land Please turn to page 2 OUT ON BAIL Ernest Edward Lynn, Listowel, charged with the November 28 armed robbery of McLellan's General Store in Kippen has been released on bail. He is scheduled to appear in ccxtrt on December 22. He was charged after a man walked into the store carrying a rifle and demanded cash from Merle McLellan.