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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1985-11-06, Page 21 Page 2 Times -Advocate, November 6, 1985 Candidates speak to themselves, spouses genera/ public ignores ratepayers' meeting Apathy towards municipal affairs in Exeter hit rock bottom when not one ratepayer showed up to hear the acclaimed members of council, PUC ' ratepayers meeting. and school board as well as the seven A review of the past three-year candidates for council at Tuesday's term and the campaigns of the LIONESSES AT CRAFT SHOW Shown in the Exeter Lioness club booth at Saturday's craft show spon- sored by the Exeter Kinettes are Diane Darling, Liz Bell and Laurie Dykstra. T -A phyto Few differing opinions from seven candidates While •several local issues .were istence before the.bylaw regulations discussed, there was little in'the way were enacted). He added that if there Of differing opinion expressed by the were abuses experienced if the seven people seeking the six Exeter regulations were droppthe matter council seats during Tuesday's would have to be looked at again. •ratepayers' meeting at the rec centre. That suggestion was endorsed by With no members of the general-'- Humphreys, who said banning trucks public in attendance, the meeting was on residential streets would be too little more than a "media event" and drastic. that became even more so when the "This is a working man's communi- candidates were asked to reply to ty," explained Hall in saying he would several questions prepared by this favor dropping 'the current regula- newspaper. tions, while Winter said he could The only one of thos questions to get understand the concern of ' the less than a near unanimous similari- truckers and their neighbors and ty in response from theseven was would give consideration to a third op - whether Exeter council should pass a tion outlined by Findlater to have a bylaw prohibiting smoking in public well -supervised general parking area areas. set up for the trucks. That question was treated rather Saying he could sympathize with lightly by the candidates in the initial residents who find trucks in their stages as Reeve Bill Mickle and Coun- neighborhood distressing, Snell said cillor Don Winter quickly shouted out there must be a solution less than a negative responses. They are the on- total ban. ly two smokers on council. Josephson said he too had mixed Councillor Dorothy Chapman, feelings in that he could sympathize seated beside her pipe -smoking hus- with the truckers as well as those band responded with"no comment". residents who bought homes in Councillor Tom Humphreys, who residential areas thinking the saw the effects of smoking on fellow neighborhood would be confined to patients while recuperating from a residential activities. however. he heart bypass operation a couple 'of said he would probably vote to years ago, said he was for anything -remove the current regulations. that would prevent people from Saying the present bylaw may be smoking. too severe, Mrs. Chapman said it In an indirect comment on the must be enforced until another deci- health hazards of smoking, Councillor sion is made because it was enacted Ben Hoogenboom suggested that due for a purpose. to his involvement in the flower "We sure haven't heard the end of business, he was in a conflict of int it, "she concluded, hinting she would terest position. vote to relax the current regulations. Noting that everyone should have There was unanimous support for people have to tell anyone, including the handicapped, where they have the right to live. She also wondered if the opposition would be the same to a home for the blind or for some other type of disabled. Humphreys also suggested the at- titude of the residents was not uni-_ que as people everywhere oppose change, especially change they don't understand. He too hinted that had the group home tip -toed in, rather than come in with thunder, the reaction would have been different. "Given a little time and sane talk, the matter will be resolved to the credit of the Town of Exeter." -Winter suggested. Hall said the handicapped were as much a child of God as anyone and wondered why there should be any restriction on where -they can live. Winter headed off the candidates in their formal addresses to the non- existent audience, citing the need to address Exeter's economic develop- ment to enable the town to grow and become more vibrant. He also noted the need to finalize the update on the official plan and zoning bylaws, and to reach an acceptable agreement with the neighboring townships on cost sharing for recreation programs and facilities. The only challenger to the sitting members, Snell said he would offer overwhelming enthusiasm and new life to council and a guarantee to devote the time to the issues and the direction the town will take over the next few years. .losephson refuted a suggestion he equal rights, Councillor Gaylan the current practice of naming so- had entered the race at the last Josephson said non-smokers have the meone other than an elected member minute. saying his decision had come right not to have their clothes smell- to represent the town on the Ausable after long and careful deliberation. ing and eyes sore from tobacco smoke - Bayfield Conservation Authority. A -He also cited the need for a recreation and said there should be non-smoking previous council had decided that an agreement with the townships, con - areas provided. elected official should sit on the tinned work on streets and sidewalks Reporting that he had been on both Authority, but that has not been within budget cofistraints and noted sides of the situation as a former followed lately. Ervin Sillery is the his pleasure at the fact the town had smoker, Councillor Morley Hall didn't current member. a nursing home after that need had answer the question but did suggest The candidates, in supporting a been outlined in the last election. he probably wouldn't be alive today non -elected member, explained that After revealing that building permit if he had continued to smoke. it was important to have as many peo- value had totalled $8.968.000 over the Voicing approval for a ban on ple as possible involved in the system past five years. Ilumphreys describ- i smoking in public areas was Peter and it was important to have someone ed Exeter as a healthy and growing Snell, the lone challenger to the six intersted in the Authority represent community, but continued work was sitting members. the town. needed to attract industry to create Mrs. Chapman was the Ione can- , It was also�r►oted that Sillery had jobs He also explained some of the didate to indicate in her formal ad -.implemented a�practice of making deliberations going on to make the rec dress at the meeting that she would reports to coune{I and that had been centre more useable through the use fight against industrial expansion on appreciated and members encourag- of a dividing door in the auditorium the town's borders. ed that it continue. A member of the planning advisory. The question was asked of all the Advised that . the mayor or committee. Hoogenboom noted that candidates whether they would vote Ridgetown declined. to run for office the group home, Pentecostal church to again oppose the Hay agri- this year saying he was ashamed of rezoning and the nursidg homeowork industrial park before the OMB. the attitude and comments of his made the past year busy and one that knowing that the cost couldhe $8.5000 ratepayers over a group home for the would be remembered for some time or greater and that it could remove mentally handicapped, the can- Ile urged council to consider a trill the prospect of industry settling in didates were asked for their opinion fie light. at the intersection of Main proximity to Exeter to provide jobs. of Exeter ratepayers who have aired and Victoria. sayingthey should not The other six said they would vote similar'attitudes and comments as take "no" for an answer. He outlined to again oppose the development. those in Ridgetown in the opposition a- dream he had for MacNaughton "We must protect the interests of to a group home int a north-east sec- park by having a dam or dyke west • this town," commented Mrs. Chap- tion of Exeter. of the bridge to beautify that area man. "if the exterior expands. what Hoogenboom, leading off. said he A park project was also mentioned happens to this town?" was convinced the people will accept by Hall. who has previously suggested Winter added that similar the group homes, particularly when ,Christmas lighting in the area bet developments could he considered in two smaller homes were being plann- ween the (Lim and bridge tq attract Usborne and Stephen areas abutting ed as opposed to one large building. visitors. Ile said such a project would Exeter and the town must stand up Josephson agreed with that conten- not he as costly as some think and and look at the long-term future.. tion, adding that the approach and at- turned aside the idea that vandals While agreeing he would vote the titude of the group home hackers had could create havoc by saying that same way as lastlime. Hall said he left something to be desired and it vandal should not be allowed to die was bothered by the fact that the town resulted in a confrontation. He add- tate how the town is to he run. and townships can't work together in ed that some of the fears expressed He explained that many Major pro - bringing growth to the area. were based on ignorance and the jects had been undertaken with ver Several of the candidates appeared group home project should have been minimal increase in taxes and urged to hedge their answers on a question better detailed to the neighboring pro- a continuation of promotion to attract regarding commercial vehicles park- perty owners. "Exeter residents will. commercial and industrial growth to ing in residential areas. They were in time. learn to accept and live in provide jobs for young people who asked if they would support the sug- harmony with group homes." he now have to leave town after finishing gestion of planning student Stewart - concluded. school. Findlater to drop the current regula- Snell, noting he was in a bit of a con- Describing her four years on coun tions entirely or his alternative sug- flict situation in that he has a - cil as a learning experience. Mrs gestion to pass a bylaw prohibiting daughter in the group home on lluron Chapman noted that progress is, commercial trucks from travelling on St. E.. explained that residence too ufivally slow and painful. most residential streets at all, thereby had been opposed by neighbors at the She commended council for their effectively preventing all trucks from outset. but it blended in extremely , stand in trying to correct inequities parking in fesidential areas. well, has been accepted and many of such as those with the education levy. Hoogenboom, who had indicated in its former opponents have now closed county council meetings and his address that he would remove the become supporters. the workings of the Kron planning regulations now contained in the Mrs. Chapman opined that the feel- hoard. "The only way to get change bylaw, added that the exception ing expressed by the north end is to make demands." she said. ad would be for hazardous situations. He residents was not unique to that area ding the hope council would continue noted a large number of -truckers and the reaction would have been the the current trend. were now protected under the Grand- same in any_ other area of town. She said she would support in father's clause (they were in ex- However. she questioned what right dustrial growth. a strong core area aspirants was addressed to fellow of- ficials, candidate and their spouses. Advertised as candidates' meeting, Clerk Liz Bell whimsically suggested the public must have mistaken the ineaning to think Ihat it was only for candidates. Those in attendance expressed disappointment over the lack of an audience, but went through the mo- . tions anyway with the anticipation that their comments would be con- veyed through the press. • "If you go home, Bill, we can all go home too." one council member ad- vised T -A editor Bill Batten when it became apparent no members of the general public would be arriving. At the conclusion of the meeting, those in attendance,discussed alter- natives to the present meeting's format. "Obviously. the present format is not drawing people," commented Councillor -Dorothy Chapman. "They must be satisfied with the job we're- doing," added Councillor Ben Hoogenboom. Peter Snell, a challenger to the six sitting council members, expressed disappointment that members of the publicdid not feel the meeting impor- tant enough to attend and to participate. Suggestions . for more public par- ticipation ranged from having a ses-, sion on cable TV to Morley Hall's note that perhaps the meeting should be preceded by a meal. "You always get a crowd at a meal," he explained. The acclamation of the represen- tatives to the top three council posts was cited as one reason for a lack of interest in the -election as well as the fact only seven were vying for six seats on council. Leading off the list of reports presented were those from the PUC 'by commissioners Harry DeVries and Murray Greene. Hay -council Continued from front page possibly sometime lead to imposition of a tax for hauling farm products such as corn. Wilder brought up the problem of speeding on the second concession now that it has been tarred and chip- ped, and the fact three accidents have occurred on that road in the last two months. He said he had talked to the police, who are also concerned. Road superintendent Ross Fisher was asked to examine the bylaws to see if the township can legally replace yield signs with stop signs. ' Wilder also stated he_vkould like to see more visible patrolling of the road by the police. ! Council endorsed a proposal from the Huron Federation of Agriculture demanding a moratorium on all farm foreclosures until federal agriculture minister John Wise puts the promis: ed debt review board in place. Outlining the hydro department ac- tivities, the former detailed im- provements tostreet lighting on six streets and the new high voltage line constructed from the Valu Mart plaza to Canadian Canners. "Improvements to the hydro system have given customers of the utility a secure supply of electricity at competitive costs compared to other utilities," DeVries advised, noting that all expenditures during the past three- years were financed from revenue and no debentures were sold. Greene described the past three years with the water department as "heavy years" with new mains in- stalled to service the north end and the new nursing home. During those three years the only adjustment in water rates was a four percent increase. Consumption of the town's 1,695 water customers averages 1.55 cubic metres a day and a weekly sample test ensures that the water is always safe for human consumption. Acclaimed school board member Beatrice Dawson explained she was surprised to be unopposed in her -bid to succeed Clarence McDonald and in fact: Fla a -campaign -manager -and team in place. - "In these tough economic times, the education standard can't be too high," she noted in advising that SHDHS- has a good standard and students are often accepted in other institutions ahead of those who' may have attained higher marks in other schools. - Deputy -Reeve tossy Fuller confin- ed her remarks to an explanation of the workings of Huron County coun- - cil, noting that 12 cents of every local tax dollar goes to the county. She expressed hope that the prac- tice of closed sessions of county meetings would come to an end and advised that the Pioneer Museum project and renovations to Huronview will be the major items on the county agenda this coming term. Another acclaimed member of council, Reeve Bill Mickle spoke on his favorite subject of economic development, saying he was concern- ed the town could lose its growth momentum. With an aging popula- tion, he said "if we don't get jobs for our young people it will be to our detriment". Mickle, who was instrumental in improving the town's financial management, advised that expanded promotion was necessary to attract industries and there is a need to balance the budget between today's -needs and those of the future. "We can't stand still or we'll start to deteriorate," he concluded after noting the town's planning, service in- frastructure and promotion were geared to• attracting new development. "There will be intensive challenges in the next three years." he predicted. In concluding the remarks of the - acclaimed representatives, Mayor Bruce Shaw said he was glad to not have to expend the energy required to fight an election, but encouraged the council hopefuls to campaign briskly and enthusiastically. Repeating again that this will be his final term, Shaw said .he was very content in the belief he would do a competent job in the next three -years. Noting that council members are open to lots of criticism, he added that there were many rewards and the sat- sMfaction that comes from theac- complishments attained. "It's important that we get along with ourneighbours and with a good, positive approach we -can do it,"- he concluded. Open houses and displays The week of November 3 to November 9 is National Crime Prevention Week. It is held to in- crease public awareness and sun -de -Ma -Mn of what community Crime Prevention is all about. This program is held from coast to coast in towns, villages, municipalities and cities across Canada. This week, the Exeter Police will have displays at the Exeter Public ' Library, the Exeter municipal office and the Exeter Police office. Please feel free to come and pick up a pam- phlet. Remember that we all want a happy and safe community to live in. Developments.,,. Continued from front page pedestrian crosswalk at the intersec- tion of Main and Victoria and also for an emergency light to enable vehicles leaving the fire hall on emergencies to safely move onto Main St. Council had also accepted a recom- mendation from the planning ad- visory committee for the extension of the cor commercial area. The c 'mmittee recommended_ that both sit es of Main St. between Vic- toria id Wellington streets be designa ed as core commercial and that the zoning be commercial with restrict d uses as listed in the zoning bylaw . scent that the exclusions would a so prohibit a hotel or motor hotel, a night club, tavern, public house, private club or a hall of a fratern.. organization. It was also recommended that a policy statement be entered in the text of the, offioial plan stating that lands between Wellington and Church on the west side of Main St. and bet- ween Wellington and Hill St. on the east side of Main St. be proposed for future commercial designation if and when council deems it necessary. NOT JUST FOR KIDS — Hallowe'en is becoming more popular with adults these doys and shoppers at Darling's IGA-on Thursday found store employees decked out in a variety of costumes. At the check- out counter are Shirley Kirk, Donna Zwoan and Jeff Darling. Hensall woman hurt in two -car collision A 24 -year-old Hensall area woman was seriously injured in one of two collisions investigated by the Exeter police department this week. Terri Dobson sustained broken -ribs the purchase of industrial land if it was needed to attract industry, good and careful planning. As a member of the police commit- tee she described the past year as a turbulent. dynamic one and explain- ed the committee and department were -emphasizing crime prevention and to that end she would like to see a neighborhood watch program. and if practical. an auxiliary police force to cut overtime and support the pre- sent department members. She decried the practice of "grey area policing" and said all people should be treated equally as things were either right or wrong. and a ruptured spleen after the vehi- cle she was driving was in collision with one driven by Violet Knee. Huron Park. The crash occurred al the intersec- tion of Main and Alexander St. around 9:00 a.m., Wednesday. The Dobson vehicle was south- bound on Main St. and the Knee vehi- cle was eastbound on Alexander A stop sign at the intersection had been turned around and only the hack of it was facing Mrs. Knee as she came to the intersection. Both drivers were taken to South Huron Hospital by Hoffmah's Am- bulance and the Hensall woman was then transferred to London hospital. The lluron Park driver sustained minor injuries in the crash which resulted in damages estimated at 510,200. The other collision was on Saturday when vehicles driven by Joan Ibbot- son. London. and Maryke DeBruyn, RR I Exeter. collided at the corner of Main and Wellington St The Ibbotson vehicle was northbound on Main and the DeBruyn vehicled pulled onto Main from Wellington. i)amage was set at $1.000 NEED AUCTION? The Exeter police department may soon havens consider having an auc- tion sale to find some space in their garage for vehicles -At the present time. there are 18 bicycles in the garage awaiting owners to identify and claim them. Most of them have been recovered in the past three months ice ief y Hardy said he wa'slal •ahloss torunderstandWhy owners don't, claim their bicycles.