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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1982-10-27, Page 1QUALITY FURNITURE WHY PAY MORE? Whitings g Phone 235-1964 • • Most back nursing home, careful spending Few No major issues surfaced when the seven candidates for Exeter council outlined their platforms at Wednesday's ratepayers' meeting. The majority cited the need for careful spending and sup- port for a local nursing home. "Financing • has ;°to be number one priority," com- mented the first candidate, Dorothy Chapman. She said council would have to. ex- amine each area in the budget to make sure the town gets full value for the dollar and noted the present group had taken a hard look at this year's budget to remove any frills. Noting the importance of planning ahead, • Mrs. Chap- man explained that $126,5Qdof issues among candidates this year's budget --or one third -- had gone to pay past debts, including *87,000 in interest. Saying she was not naive and realized that some pro- jects had to be debentured, the incumbent noted ttiese must be kept to a minimum. If you can't set money aside before (the project ► how can you hope to pay for it after? she questioned. • - Mrs. Chapman, named to • council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jay Campbell, promised "fair, honest and concerned representation" adding the need for communicating with the electorate and good plan- ning. "Planning can reduce costs," she advised. Commenting on the facility for seniors, the local woman said it was long overdue and she would support it. Commenting on the latter, anpther incumbent; Morley Hall, said plans were going well ahead and predicted Ex- eter would see a nursing home in the next year or two. Hall was . critical of the disappointing turnout at the Meeting, "It says something about our town," he commented. He said council had been "treading water" for the past two years preparing for things that are to come and made the prediction the hard work of the industry and tourism committee would result in new industries locating here in the next year or two. . Citing the lack of com- munication between the Huron board of education and the ratepayers and council, Hall said he felt council should have more say •.in education matters and in- dicated that was one of the matters he'll be pressing for if reelected. He said the only, com- munication at the pres'lnt time is the bill council receives from the board gee or four times a year. Ben Hoogenbbom, ors. of the two new candidat ; seek- ing a seat said felt qualified for the job a e has been involved in th, com- munity for some time, in- cluding work as a rpenaber of the board of directors of the local hospital. "I feel dollars should- be GET HOUR BACK All area residen. ai•e reminded that Dayligh, ;av- ing Time ends this weekend and clocks should be put back one hour when retiring Satur- day night. Standard Time officially starts Sunday morning at 2 spent wisely," he advised in his brief remarks. The importance of in- dustrial promotion was noted by Tom Humphreys who said that a new industry of 20 peo- ple would add *325,000 to local wages, not to mention the spin-off to other businesses and the boost for the tax base. Completing his first term, Humphreys said he hoped the town would have enough, money set aside to pay for the sewer expansion project when it commenced and also reported that changes re- quired at the landfill site may require the town to become involved in a joint venture with other municipalities to reduce the costs. Don MacGregor, who step- ped down as reeve this year and hopes to win a council seat, noted that Bill Mickle and Lossy Fuller would be capable representatives to county ckunci], He rerdarked about the • Please turn to page 3. 0 • r LOOKING FOR STOP SIGNS — Andrea Morris and Sheri McLeod ride their mini vehicles in o St. Patrick's Separate School kindergarten class lesson on traffic; Wednesday morning. T -A photo Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Tenth Year & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, October 27,1982 Price Per Copy 50 Cents Bid to aid mobile housing indusfry eti Exeter 'breech 0 ethics' blcst • FINE RAKING WEATHER - Cheryl Ann Hoffman was out supervising while her mother• Wilma ra d leaves Monday' morning along Main street north. Ratepayer wants council cut criticises salary study cost Only a half. dozen Exeter ratepayers, excluding town employees, candidates • and their . spouses. attended- 11'ednesday night's ratepayers' meeting, but they had sone. interesting ques- tions and`comments for the present council. Ratepayer Ted.Chaffe voic- • ed this criticism of council for spending 86,800 for an expert to do a study on wages for town staff. Ile said local business people and members Cif council should have enough experience and education to know what to pay. -If they haven't enough confidence in themselves, they shouldn't tern) council,•' he opined. Responding to .the. criticism, Mayor Bt'uce Shaw said council members don't have the time or the expertise in that area to resolve the matter and noted that the size of the work force and the jobs they do will be evaluated as well as salaries. At the conclusion of the meeting, Chaffe noted that Perth County and • several municipalities in that county had reduced costs by cutting back on the number of elected officials. lie said Exeter and Huron could cut costs in the ante manner and suggested it would also create less eon - fusion on council With fewer member's. Thieves hit. Hen.sall store Thieves made off with *2.001) worth of merchandise ► after breaking into the Hen- ` salt Pro Hardware early Thursday.. The stolen merchandise in- cluded three guns. shells; knives. a Coleman heater and lantern• as well as a small amount of cash from one of the cash registers. Entry was gained by prying open the front door and the thieves then had to smash their way into the gun\case. Exeter OPP are investigating. • Reeve Don MacGregor ex- plained Huron had cut down from 54 to 31 representatives twd years ago, while Shaw said he was unaware'that the local council could move to automatically reduce the number but promised the new executive committee would weigh the suggestion put forth. •, • Chaffe Was also critical of the 8200 increase in his pro- perty taxes in the past two years and Councillor Bill Mickle pointed out the town's share had risen only 10 per- cent in the past three years, saying, the big increase had been for education as this was a 40 percent hike. The local ratepayer, noting his home had formaldehyde insulation, chuckled that the town may not get a nickel in taxes from . him as he is ap- pealing his assessment. Ratepayer Joe Hogan wondered if the nuclear disar- mament question would be on the ballot and was advised by Clerk Bell and Shaw that there hadn't been time to get • the question on the ballot after it was determined that a local election would be staged. They said the bylaw had to be published for three weeks before the advance poll and that time period had already lapsed before any decision had been made. . 'Mrs. Bell said the question could be confusing for the electorate and noted that it would have been expensive to have a vote only on that mat - Please turn to page 3 POLL ON SATURDA Y Those persons 'unable to cast their ballot in the November 8 municipal elec- tion may be able to vote in an advanced poll. • Advanced .polls will ,be opened in the municipal office of most municipalities on Saturday, October 30 from 9 a.m. to$ p.m'Voting hours on the regular voting day, Mon- day November 8 will be from 11 a.m. to 8'p.m. A battle of words between Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw and Westminster Township Reeve Sam Richardson isn't over yet, according to the former. . "He hasn't heard the end of it yet," commented Shaw on Tuesday : in reference to .a story in the London Free Press in which the London area reeve suggests Shaw should mind his o �'vr/!I`tt�`+tl�f[Aerr homes. Richardson .received his council's' full support Monday • night to send a letter to Shaw condemning the town's action at the recent Ontario Municipal Board hearing on Westminster's official plan. Ina fiery letter, Richardson accused Exeter elected of- ficials of a "breech of inter- municipal ethics and common. sense" when they sent clerk Liz Bell to the OMB hearing to speak in favor of the mobile home developments. When a municipality authorizes one of its employees to "interfere and possibly affect or influence another'sstated planning policy, tit) is a breech of inter -municipal ethics and common sense," Richardson said in the letter to Exeter. Richardson said he waited until the outcome of the OMB heari - which upheld the • townsh `, s official plan to block d ent of mobile home pa on agricultural land - ti Ps• ply to a letter outlining the re:, .1 • for sen- ding Bell. Tile letter might have been eve more strong- ly worded if'the decision had • gone against the township, Richardson added. Zoning and development:of mobile hpmes are municipal responsibilities and it should not • be up to another municipality to comment, especially ,when the second municipality is not directly in- volved, Richardson said in his letter. "Mobile home development in this community is a very politically sensitive issue," he concluded. Tuckersrnith 'cuts employees ' .salaries is one of those affected. Following the meeting • Reeve Robert Bell said the new council will look at the salary situation for 1983 in ' December following the election. in other business during the five hour session council ap- proved the proposed operating budget of *21,884 for • the new Seaforth and District Community Centres until the end of December 31, 1982. . This change of mind follow- ed council's refusal two weeks ago to endorse the budget because it projected a deficit of $9,717 which council decid- ed was too high. However, on Tuesday night Councillor Jim Papple who represents coun- cil on the management com- mittee, for the new centre, convinced his fellow members that the deficit was due. among other reasons, to start-up costs. The new centre will be. officially opened in December. Council signed a .franchise agreement with Union Gas . for Vanastra. A letter from Sally Rathwell of Vanastra com- mended Tuckersmith's ef- forts in trying to sell a large vacant building in Vanastra to Iluron County as a new home for the Huron County Pioneer Museum now located in Goderich. Mrs. Durnin said she was impressed with "our representation from council in this whole affair". She said, "I know I'm always quick to. voice our differences and am rare to put into writing my praises. but this is one issue that has brought to my mind again that the Tuckersmith Council is doing its best for us. Thanks." • A 10 per cent decrease in the salaries of the. four full- time employees at the Vanastra Recreation Centre will take place for a two month period - for November and December., ' This decision resulted from a Iengttiy committee -of -the - whole meeting by Tuckersmith Township Coun- cil with the recreation direc- tor Dianne, Durnin- at the council session Tuesday night. Mrs. Durnip made the recommendation as a cost- saving measure for the finan- cially troubled recreation centre. Mrs. Durnin's salary DEPUTY GOVERNOR VISITS lions District Deputy Governor John Stephens of Exeter paid a visit to the Crediton club, Thursday night. Stephens, centre received a gift from Crediton past president Norm Eveland and acting president Bill Wilds. • Shaw appeared to be more amused than upset with the tone of Richardson's letter when he was asked by the T- A for his explanation of the situation Tuesday morning.- Ile orning.He revealed that last spring. Local industrialist Bill Smith, of Northlander Mobile Housing, had approached him and asked if the Mayor would tell the people of Westminster about the local mobile home park developed by Len Steri. Shaw said he told Smith that clerk Liz Bell may be bet- ter equipped to do that job and admitted thin be was sur- prised to find out later that it was an OMB hearing at which Smith wanted local officials to speak on behalf of mobile. home parks. However, Shaw said that didn't change his opinion of . the situation, and on hearing that Richardson was upset with. Exeter'last spring, the' Mayor sent him a letter sug- gesting he come and visit the localmobile home park. Shaw described his com- munication as a "friendly, cordial letter "I'm very disappointed in his unique bluntness of the mind," Shaw said on Tuesday in reference to Richardson's latest comment. Shaw said if he had it to do over again, he would do the same thing, noting he was pleased to tell anyone about the good parts of Exeter. which he noted, included the Riverview Estates mobile home park. He'also inferred it was an attempt to boost local and area firms engaged in mobile housing. Contacted at Northlander, Sinith said he had been asked to attend the OMB hearing in Westminster Township as a director and Ontario vice- president for the Canadian Manufactured Housing Institute. He said he asked Shaw to attend, but was pleased that Mrs. Bell appeared to tell of the viable addition to a com- munity of a properly 'zoned Please turn to page 3 Four people hurt in area collisions •Four, sustained in- juries in' the two area colli- sions invesj,igated by the Ex- eter OPP this week. Three of the injuries resulted from a collision at 1:20 a.m., Thursday, when.a pickup truck driven by Perry Sereda, RR 1 Centralia, col- lided with a parked car on sideroad 5 of Usborne. Passengers in the parked vehicle were Kevin Dun- neman, Etobicoke and Tracy IDEAL FOR SAND DIGGING — Sunday's -worm temperotures•were excellent for playing on the beach at Grand Bend. Taking advantage of the unusual weather to dig in the sand were Michelle, Kevin and Brian 'Lovie. T -A photo Dashwood plastic firm may seek new Iocation "We're working like the devil to make up for it," was the comment of Steve Peacock, president,of United Plastics Components Ltd, in reference to his firm's actions in filling order's lost in the spectacular fire in Dashwood last month. A Targe quantity of finished items were lost in.the blaze which destroyed a warehouse the firm rented from the South Huron and District Association for the Mentally Handicapped. Peacock confirmed this week that the loss of sonic of those finished items may hurt the firm badly as !hey have already been forced to cancel an appearance at one major trade show where they had planned to show their line of garden and pat in furniture in an effort to gain orders for next season. "lt may hurt us badly for the forthcoming season." he said. . The operating plant was unaffected by the fire and the Dashwood firm has received "tremendous cooperation" on the part of suppliers and customers. he added. Peacock said the long- range effect of the fire may ninon the ►iern will.tx• looking for an entirely new location tor its Jacinth. although $ie quickly stressed "in this area". Ile said the company would .remain in this arra due to. the+ good O i file on stat) altd.at.o the prom to one of its main customers. 1)ash‘t ood industries Ltd • • Peacock said the firm has found "little bits of space here and there" for warehousing. but may look for an entirely new laches tt hien Wiutld pro- vide the warehousing and manufacturing sp.acr required • Rumble, RR 2 Stratford. 'i IO *elle both liatirfi to South Huron Hospital for treatment, while Sereda did not require hospital treat- ment for his minor injuries. Damage in the crash was listed at *4,800. At 3:10 p.m. the same day, vehicles driven by David Gale, RR 6 London, and Thomas White, RR 1 Crediton, collided at the in- tersection of concession 4-5 and sideroad 20-21 in'Stephen. Damage was listed at 64,000 in that one. A passenger in the White - vehicle, Ethel' MacDonald, sustained minor injuries. Now it's official! It's official now...or at least as official as municipal of- ficials can be in.the matter of Hallowe'en. Exeter clerk Liz Bell told. the T -A this week that it has been decided that Hallowe'en should definitely be marked by youngsters on Saturday. rather than Sunday. She • said the .local ministerial group had asked Hie town to declare.Saturda'y as Hallowe'en. and while council does. not have such powers over :ghosts- and goblins. the •• have been ask- ed to do their trick or treating on uetitber 30. Last week. Councillor 1:asst F'ullerattempted to get council to act positively . in that regard. noting that most arra municipalities were sug- gesting the festivities be' on Saturday rather than Sunday. Stephen township council has recommended that residents in their munieipali-. t� observe Hallowe'en on Saturday. october 30. • At the regular October 19 meeting council reviewed,the l townships insurance policies oh Toni Smith of Frank , e ow'an Insurance and diel -G:irser 01 Ga iser-Knea le insurance. •!'he limit on the townships fidelit> pond was.increased to $ 0.txl and the councillor ac- cident policy was amended to include other township of- ficials as fence, .viewers. livestock evaluators• etc l'Ierk treasurer. W tear Wein was given permission to attend a Huron County Clerk - treasurer meeting • in Goderich today. Wednesday. A recomnwndatton was made to have the Grand fiend fire (1'partnmen( pity a $,Stxl fir to the Thedford department . for tanker services • LL