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Times-Advocate, 1986-06-18, Page 1Wants similar to fire board Steph.n reeve The recent ups awd downs regar- ding municipal grants for the South Huron rec centre board took another bounce upward this week when Stephen Reeve Tom Tomes indicated he hopes Exeter, Usborne and his municipality can resolve the issue once and for all. Ironically, one of the downs came earlier this month when Stephen notified Exeter they could not accept their suggested $12,868 portion of the board's operating expense. That represented an increase of 10 times over the current Stephen contribution of $1,200. • When that letter, along with the an- nouncement from Exeter and Usborne regarding their grants, was read at Thursday's meeting of the rec board, chairman Jim Workman turn- ed to Tomes and said, "we know what we're not getting ( from Stephen) but we don't know what we are getting." "Neither do I," Tomes quickly responded, adding that he thought Stephen would be making some contribution. He then went on to say that he would like to see the rec board set up • on an area basis similar to the ar- rangement regarding the Exeter and Area Fire Board where a percentage of the costs is worked out for each contributing municipality and each then pays that share in subsequent years as the board presents its budget to the respective councils for endorsement. "I can't see why it wouldn't work; it works for the fire board," Tomes continued. The Stephen reeve, who sits on the rec board as that Township's representative, said he thought the basis for the percentages should be the households served by the South OBLIGING — School marm Shannon Henderson was more than will- ing to oblige when Dean Pfaff suggested some action for this photo of a skit at Stephen Central School. She gave him a couple of wacks with the strap and he found the old-time methodbf punishment was not to his liking. Others in the skit were Gia King and John -Paul Maurer. Told little chance for court victory Stratfdrd lawyer Mike Mitchell has advised Exeter council there is no legal•basis on whichthe•tos rreould•• maintain a court action against the County of Huron for the costs incur- red in fast year's OMB hearing regar- ding the Hay agri-industrial park pro- posed by IThron Farms Ltd. Mitchell, whose firm acted on Ex- eter's behalf in their successful objec- tion to the Hay proposal, was asked for the opinion by Reeve Bill Mickle. Council had tried unsuccesfully to have the legal costs paid by the coun- ty, but that bid was lost as well and there had been some suggestion that legal action be taken. However, Mitchell did suggest that Huron county, in consultation with its member municipalities, should set up a written policy to deal with situations in which the planning department ends up supporting one side, not- withstanding the fact that both sides pay part of the costs for their services. In the OMB hearing, the Hay pro- posal was presented by county plan- ning director, Dr. Gary Davidson. Ex- eter hired an independent planner to present their opposition. Mitchell said he is strongly of the opinion, that where an individual makes a zoning application to a municipality, that individual should pay all the costs in connection with such application including any legal costs and planning costs involved in an OMB hearing. •'in some circumstances, where the zoning application may be of significance to a municipality, that municipality may wish to absorb those costs," Mitchell wrote. "Not- withstanding that fact, it would seem to us that the municipality should still have -to reimburse the county for any planning services incurred as a result of an Ontario Municipal Board Hear- ing, ,where another member municipality ends up in opposition before the Ontario Municipal Board." Mitchell explained that the OMB Building boom takes off again • does not award costs in normal cases. The usual answer 4iven is that; then "laW er for the"municipality is being paid from tax money, the planner is being paid from tax money, the members of the'OMB are being paid from tax money and the ratepayer, who is usually the applicant, is pay- ing his share of those taxes. On the recommendation of the ex- ecutive committee, council this week authorized that a copy of Mitchell's letter be sent to the county planning department and that the county be re- quested to establish a written policy 'as suggested by the Stratford lawyer. Mitchell said that such a policy could avoid situations such as Exeter experienced. Exeter's building activity, which slowed a bit in April in comparison to last year. took a sizeable jump in May. During the past month, building in- spector Brian Johnston issued per- mits valued at $349,400. compared to $197,805 in the corresponding period in 1985. The May figure brought the yearly total to date up to $1,189,041, com- pared to $671,794 for the correspon- ding five months last year. Five new residences valued at a combined total of $270,000 highlighted the May permits. There were 14 permits for residen- tial renovations and additions at $6$,400, one commercial at $4.200, one pool at $5.000 and three tool sheds. sun -decks. carports and garages at $4,800. Six temporary signs were approv- ed to bring the 1986 total of 13 to date this year 4 Golfer grazed by stray shot? Exeter OPP are continuing their in- • vestigation into an incident in the Grand Bend area on Sunday night when a golfer was grazed by a bullet. Kenneth Neill Roberts, Petersburg, Michigan, was riding on a golf club • towards the 18th hole at the Oakwood Golf Course when the bullet grazed his temple. Initially, the victim thought he had been hit by a golf ball. Ile was given medical treatment at hospital and released. Police indicate their investigation includes the possibility that the Michigan man was the victim of some careless shooting by an unknown per- son in the wooded area surrounding the golf course. The incident happened shortly before dusk. KIP Ice time set at $50 for everyone pushes area r.e stup jturon centre from the respective municipalities. He advised the board he had not !talked to Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw iboilt the rec situation since his nship turned down the huge in - that had been suggested by ligiiustry advisor Melanie McLaughlin following meetings she attended with Tomes, Shaw and Usborne Reeve Gerald Prout. Tomes explained that recreation grants had been an issue since the rec centre was established.. "I'd like to see it resolved," he said. Saying he was not in favor of sub- sldizing adult recreation, Tomes sug- gested that only minor groups should be helped and his township would pro- bably do so in situations where duplicate programs are not offered. Where Stephen offers the same pro- grma as Exeter, such as minor hockey, then the township would not contribute to participants from Stephen who wanted to play in Exeter. Workman noted that the heads of the three council had made good pro- gress on the issue and urged Tomes to continue the, deliberations. "Recreation is too important to be et squabbling over," Workman said. Exeter representative Dorothy Please turn to page 3 IN A TWO-SEATER — Reg and Florence Miller and Jim and Beth Cleave rode in their 1898 horseless carriage during the Hensall Fair parade, Saturday. T -A photo Ky { di fi )F` Ames Serving Souk Huron, h<1,711:14,17117; One Hundred and Fourteenth Year v:s1 June 18. 1986 n.v �.:. �f.. vv 0 . y .:k vocate & North 'Lambton Since 1873 .kik%.`9n:. T Z+; .j.:,•.'?:; ;,'SUo-A t z3vY,`�+.5,f:,<?,• <;5':g):�;1? Sy �y�. , i•.;.c+fr�W,.v.�i.,.:..Go.f::..i::.:,. }.. ...:.,?:a:k.�'f.....n .. 7�.�...''•f,a.�.....5:.....r'.k:: Aat;1? Price Per Copy 60 cents Figure skaters will fold unless 'financially helped Unless the Exeter Figure Skating Club can get some subsidization, the group will have to fold, two executive members of the club told Exeter council this week. Mary Jane McDougall, who ap- peared with Francis Kints, said that the registration the group would have to charge would be totally out of reach of most youngsters. "It's in- conceivable," she added, in reference to the new $50 per hour ice rate being charged by the South Huron rec centre board. The two said they had beetl advis- ed that was the rate approved, although neither of council's representatives on the board would confirm or deny that the board had set, the rate at .their mceting.1 t._ week. (See story "elsewhere (xi -the . board's budget and the approval ole) the $50 rate). / Unforeseen expenditure Replacing the decorative brick sidewalk in front of the municipal of- fice became a more costly project than anticipated, members of Exeter council learned to their consternation this week. On Monday's agenda was a recom- mendation from the public works committee that a bill for an additional $532 tie paid on Shapton Construction for the work completed this week. The extra work became necessary when the firm found that the old bricks were set in asphalt and that much of the old cement sidewalk was still under that. in addition, there was some underground wiring in place that had to be carefully chipped out. The original contract for the work was $2,730, of which the town paid $1,530 and the BiA paid the balance of $1,200. There was no indication that the BIA would be asked to contribute to the over -run on the job. Committee chairman Lossy Fuller also advised that the committee had conducted a road tour.on June 9 and found a few areas in which there were some problems and a list had been compiled and turned over to the works superintendent to rectify as soon as possible. Comments from members of the committee indicated things were generally in good shape. McDougall said that enrolment fees would have to climb to $235 for novice skaters. They paid $95 last season. She also explained that because the local precision skating teams are sanctioned under the EFSC, they too would have to fold or look for another centre to sanction them. The skating club members advised that Usborne has promised some sup- port for youngsters from that .`irnunicipality, and after Mayor Bruce Shaw advised that Exeter Minor Hockey had been given a good recep- tion for funds from the Exeter Legion, they saidthey,planned to approach that service club t is week. "We're approaching everyone," McDougall advised. She reported that several parents have become aware of the situation and have been calling executive members to ask if their kids will be able to skate "or if they'll be walking the streets". Councillor Ben Hoogenboom said it was unfortunate council didn't know the rates being set by the rec board and suggested any decision would have to wait until that became known. Rec board member Dorothy Chap- man said she had np cotnment to make regarding the board's Thurs- day meeting, and while he didn't an- nounce the rates approved at that time, Peter Snell said the fee set may not appear to be a gentle increase but it may be more so that the "fierce" increase that would be coming in a year or Iwo if no change was made at present. Shaw advised the two ladies coun- cil would try and give them an answer by the end of this month. The -two notified council that they had to advise theirprofessional teachers by the end of June whether Please"ttwn'to pa: e 3 WINNING PAIR — Twin entry at the Hensall Spring Fair baby show was Georgina and Garrett, children of Pam and Andy Megens, Kippen. FAiR QUEEN — Leigh Soldan, ho• ld▪ ing a bouquet of red roses and a giant $100 cheque from Hensall Kinsmen, was chosen queen of the Hensall ' Spring Fair. With her are runner-up Dana Bozzato, Carolyn Knight, president of Hensall Kinettes who sponsored the contest, and Hensall Reeve Jim Robinson. Thieves busy in area; another deer victim Thieves were busy in the area over the week and made off with loot valued at over $7,000. Sometime during the night on Wednesday, thieves entered Schilbe Pro Hardware in Zurich and stole three color TV sets and one VCR. The items were valued at $2,000. Riding lawn mowers were also stolen at Huron Tractor Ltd. north of Exeter and from CG Farm Supply in Zurich. Their combined value was $4,875. A pop machine at the Zurich car wash owned by Dick Rau was broken into and about $32 in coins removed. Other theft items included a gas tank, set of harrows and tvWo chain saws. The Exeter OPP also investigated two damage complaints and one trespass complaint during the week and two 12 -hour licence suspensions were handed out to drinking drivers. The detachment officers laid 36 charges under the Highway Traffic Act and another five under the Liquor Licence Act. There were 47 occur- rences recorded during the busy week. Third deer dies The flay swamp deer population continues to be thinned out due to col- lisions with area motorists. ff the third deer to be killed in last two weeks met its demise on Friday when it ran into the path of a vehicle on Highway 83 around 7:15 a.m. The vehicle was driven by Randall Dietrich, Zurich, and it sustained damage of $700. The first of this week's six collisions occurred on Sunday when an unat- tended vehicle owned by Mark Pridham, Huron Park, rolled out a driveway and collided with a pole. Damage was set at $200. On Monday, vehicles driven by Tracey Parsons, RR2 Staffa, and Merle Wood, Clinton, collided on Main St. Hensall, with resulting damage of $4,200. . There was one collision on Thurs- Crocod i l e Members of Exeter council can't be faulted for suspecting those tears be- ing shed by insurance companies over huge court awards are in reality nothing but crocodile tears. They learned this week that at- tempts to lower the town's premiums by reducing coverage for liability won't work, because their insurance company won't allow them to reduce the coverage. "That's incredible," commented Mayor Shaw in response to notifica- tion that Frank Cowan insurance won't allow the town to reduce the day, it occurring in Zurich at the junc- tion of Main and Victoria St. Drivers involved were Steve Geoffrey, Zurich, and James Masse, .RR2 Zurich. Damage to the two vehicles was listed at $1,100. On Friday at 7:30 p.m., a vehicle driven by tan Gellatcy, London, struck a tree in Oakwood Park. Damage was $1,000 in that one. The final crash of the week was on Sunday when vehicles driven by An- dreas Pappas, Ilamilton, and Ter- rence Crick, also of Ilamilton, collid- ed on sideroad 15 west of Highway 4. Damage *is $2,500. tears? liability coverage from its present $5,000,000 to only $2,000.000. The executive committee had sug- gesteli that the amount be reduced in an effort to shave the premium and that the savings be placed in a reserve fund to be used to pay for claims in future. in a form of self-insurance. They also were advised that the savings resulting from increasing the deductible from $1,000 to $2,500 were almost negligible. In view of the information. council decided against reducing the coverages when their policies come due next month.