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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-09-17, Page 12Page 12 Times -Advocate, September 17, 1986 Ice time at ree eentre' r•sn.Ias of impasse Board's debate halted After a lengthy debate on ice time at the rec centre, chairman Jim Workman cut off discussion on the topic at Wednesday's board meeting because none of the members had presented a motion to debate. "We're just shooting the breeze," Workman commented, adding that the discussion over the complaints about ice time allotment being aired by some groups was only frustrating to the members. The discussion centre around news reports that the Exeter men's rec hockey league would fold rather than accept the ice schedule offered by the board. However, it was noted that no one from the rec league had officially made that decision known to board members or staff. That prompted Ken Oke to question why there was any discussion being held at all if in fact there had been no disapproval from the league over the board's latest ice time schedule offer. "It's all based on presumption," added Peter Snell. The five board members in atten- dance at the September meeting had moved to hold the discussion in camera, but dropped that plan when T -A editor Bill Batten questioned the justification for not debating the issue in public. No report was received from the facilities committee which had been asked by the board to reconsider the ice time for the rec league after of- ficials had attended the August board meeting to say the times were unsatisfactory. Snell asked if some negotiation had taken place with the rec league at the facilities committee session and facilities manager Cam Stewardson replied in the negative, advising that the two groups had separate meetings on the same night and the rec loop had been told what the committee's latest offer was. He said the rec league also had a meeting the following week and to his knowledge they were still undecided about plans for the current season. They had been offered ice at Huron Park, but preferred to stay in Exeter. Twice during the debate, Workman noted that the issue centred around only one hour of ice time as the rec players had been offered a schedule that differed only by one hour from what they had in the past. Original- ly, they had been pushed back two hours. Pat Down noted that a similar squabble over ice time in Chatham had finally ended up at the council table and had been settled by the elected officials. Workman said the same situation may happen here too. Ile said early meetings with the various ice gruops had appeared to be beneficial in that everyone had ap- parently recognized the need for some give and take in regards to ice time requirements. However, he said the phone calls started shortly after the meeting as groups made their needs known and there was more take than give in evidence. Oke said something appeared to be drastically wrong when there didn't appear to be enough ice time to satisfy groups and yet the board had been unable to rent prime time on Saturday evening. He added that the board may have to be more dictatorial in alloting hours and it appears now that the groups are dictating to the board. A suggestion that future scheduling be done with representatives from all groups in attendance was termed "a nice idea" by Stewardson, but he said it was not practical. Workman suggested that the board may have to devise a scheme for the future where groups rotate each year to get a better split of the prime and non -prime hours. A concern expressed by rec direc- tor Lynne Farquhar was that the cur- rent squabble could have an adverse effect on the rec centre, which she noted relied on the public for donations. "We're not the good guys on the block right now," she lamented. r /j BIG DOLL RIDES — Doug and Deb Chappel propel day's parade at the Kirkton Fall Fair. S A .. Big Dollin Satur- T-A photo Council offer mediators Members of the Exeter men's rec league took their plea for better ice time to Exeter council, Monday, but after considerable debate ended up only with the offer of some mediators and the challenge that the current conflict should be worked out to everyone's satisfaction if at all possible. The services of former rec board member Gaylan Josephson and clerk Liz Bell were offered to the rec league and the rec centre board and staff to help reach some compromise over the current situation. Board rgrember Kathy Whiteford, chairman of the facilities committee, and facilities manager Cam Steward - son were also in attendance at the re- quest of Mayor Bruce Shaw so both sides of the impasse could be presented. The rec league, represented by Dave Urlin, Jeff Musser and Jamie Gaul, presented a lengthy letter to council outlining the fact that their league is continually shifted to pro- vide ice for other groups, despite the fact they have never been subsidized. The trio suggested that a simple solution was to give them Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to midnight and shift the current users of the 7:00 to 9:00 slot to different times so "the situa- tion would be resolved". However, Stewardson explained that figure skating had some of that time and it was at the end of one of their blocks and it would be impossi- ble for them to change coaching schedules at this point in time or to make use of a single hour on another day. After further debate in which the rec league officials suggested minor groups could use early morning hours or the open Saturday evening time, Stewardson said everyone had solu- tions to the current problems that dic- tated that others make adjustments. He offered that opinion after the delegation explained their members were not willing to play Saturday evening, Sunday mornings or after midnight on week nights. "Being objective there's no reason why anyone can't play on Saturday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.," Shaw suggested_ Mrs. Whiteford said an increase in demand for ice has created the cur- rent problem and Shaw noted that was ironic in that the board had pro- moted the facility and had now end- ed up with a problem. She also noted that the Hawks and Mohawks are waiting with baited breath to take over any ice time that may be relinquished if the rec league folds or moves to another centre. "If you don't want us, we'll get out of town," Gaul commented. Board member Dorothy Chapman said it was not a matter of wanting or not wanting groups, it was a matter that a compromise had to be worked out. Mrs. Whiteford also said there was no intent on the board's part to force any group out, but adds that other groups had made compromises this year and the lone exception was the rec loop. Urlin retorted that the men's league had only been advised what time was left over for their use after other groups had made their wishes known and he was critical of the fact the times kept being changed in the past couple of seasons. Councillor Ben Hoogenboom sug- gested the board should cater to a group willing to pay the full ice rate and those looking for assistance from the town should be asked to use hours that are not prime. Stewardson responded by saying groups such as minor hockey shouldn't be faulted just because they're not as well off as the men's rec league. - Shaw finally ended the debate by say- ing that council would like to see a compromise and happy resolution to the problem, adding that everyone may have to give a little. At the outset of the debate he had informed the hockey players that the rec board was an autonomous group and council tried not to interfere. "We won't over -ride the board," he said, but added council could move to replace them rather than tell the board what to do. Over 1,000 fair success help makeKirkton Gord Mills, Shawn Damen and Rudy Broers. The open class yearling winner was Robert Damen and two year-old winners were Blake Robinson, Todd Robinson and Gord Mills. In Sunday's demolition derby the overall winner was Don Edgar from Corey Auto Wreckers in London. Other heat winners were Bob Phillips, Glenn Pfaff and Al Renning. The con- solation winner was John Denotter. Winner of the $50 food voucher from Staffen's Food Market was Lucille McCurdy of Woodham. Despite a rainy start at noon Satur- day, the 1986 Kirkton Fall Fair turn- ed into a real success with more than 1,000 persons attending the Sunday demolition derby and fiddlers jamboree. Shortly before the 12 o'clock star- ling time for the parade Saturday, the skies cleared and a good afternoon of fair fun was underway. The fair was officially opened by Blanshard reeve and Perth county warden Ron Denham. He was assisted by fair president Shirley Brintnell, MPP Hugh Edighoffer, MP's Murray Cardiff and Harry Brightwell, Ontario Agriculture Societies president Leonard Patter- son and district eight officials Elvy Broadhagen and Aleda Murray. Hugh Edighoffer said he was atten- ding the Kirkton Fair for the 19th con- secutive year. He also brought regrets from Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell who was unable to attend. In the parade junior float winners were the Reg McCurdy family, as the Woodham Hillbillies, McGregor Gardens from the O'Shea Farms and Mary Jones, the worlds greatest grandmother with her family of Red Cross nurses, Winners in the clown division were Andrea Francis, Carrie Oke and Jayne Rowe and Sharon Doupe and Tina Mills as the Rainbow Girls from the Kirkton Market and Hiram Walker. Taking prizes in the commercial section were the Kirkton Market, the Kirkton Women's Insitute, lfardeman Feeds and McGregol"s Gardens. Riding the best decorated bicycles were Lesley Zwann, Bridget Bradford anx Janine Ellis while decorated float winners were the Kirkton Women's institute. the Thames Road Guild and the K -W Winter Carnival. The best horses and rider prizes went to Michael and Tammy Richardson and comic vehicle awards went to Don Richardson of the Kirkton Optimists and Scott's Elevators of Lucan. The annual pet show drew a large number of enthusiastic entries from area youngsters. Winners were Jamie O'Shea, Mike Ledermueller, Sarah Eghoetz, Greg and Peggy Young, Sylvie Ledermueller, and Lynn Ledermueller. Winners in the five divisions of the Can extend maternity Exeter has adopted a new materni- ty leave policy which will enable employees to take time off beyond that which is now provided. If requested in writing, at least four weeks prior to the date of expiry of her maternity leave, an employee may receive a leave -of -absence without pay for up to six months. Credits for such things as sick leave and holiday time will not accumulate during the employee's absence. It was also decided that the municipality may continue to provide coverage for benefits such as OHIP and the dental plan, but that the employee would reimburse the town monthly for any benefits paid on her behalf during the extra time off. 144 baby show were Erin Robinson, Cody Roger, Laura Switzer, Nathan Grant and Lesley Ann Baxter. Field crop judging winners were Ken Bearss in corn, Albert Weernink in wheat and Ron Grant with white beans. Gladys Cudmore was the overall point winner in roots and vegetables and Ron Grant took the same award in grains and seeds. Joyce Strahan was best in cut flowers, Ruth Johnston won in house plants and fair secretary Marianne Ferguson ex- hibited the best plant. Ruth Johnston was a double winner In the swine club competition, taking most points tits canning and Steven Selves was the show champion Helen Haynes was best in baking. and reserve championship was won In the school fair section, Jared by Blake Robinson. In the confirma- French was Pumpkin Patch prince tion division Susan Selves was the and princess was Holly Zwaan. The winner and reserve champ was Todd school baking queens were junior An- Robinson. drea French and senior Karen Foster. In the sale which followed the show, Shirley Kerslake gained the most Staffen's Food Market purchased points in ladies work, Florence Heard Steve Selve's champion for $2.05 a exhibited the best quilted items, pound and the reserve cpion of Marilyn Stephen showed the best Blake Robinson went t rWooham quilt, Joan Robinson was tops in Meat Market for $1.45 per pound. crafts and hobbies and Beth Williams The 4-H calf club overall champion - was the teens work winner. ship winners were Todd Robinson, Riddell and Elston go separate ways Huron's two cabinet ministers will not be going head to head in a battle for the riding nomination when Premier David Peterson calls the next election. Under changes made in area > WOODHAM HILLBILLIES — The Woodham Hillbillies were judged the best junior flout in Saturday's Kirkton Fair parade. From the left are Reg, Jason and Jeff McCurdy and Darryl Brine. T -A photo KIRKTON FAIR BEST — Winners were declared in five divisions in Saturday's Kirkton Fall Fair baby\ show. From the left are Erin Robinson and mother Joan, Cody Roger and his mother Darlene, Laura Switzer and motller Leslie, Nathan Grant and mother Rosemary and Lesley Ann Baxter and her mother Sheila. 1 IT • photo ridings through redistribution, both Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell and Health Minister Murray Elston found themselves sitting in the same riding. Thursday night, Elston announced he would seek the Liberal nomination in the Bruce riding and yesterday Riddell said he would contest the Huron nomination. Riddell's executive assistant, Jim Fitzgerald, said the announcement was not being made in the light of any pending election and he expected Peterson would follow through on his pledge to maintain the present accord with the NDP through until at least next June. When asked again if there was any talk of an immediate election around Queen's Park, F'itzgerald replied, ' "Golly, not that I know of ". WIN AT DARTS Alex Jackson recorded a high score of 147 for the men and ladies high score of 132 was recorded by Amanda Hamilton in F'riday's regular action in the Exeter Legion mixed dart league. This week's scores were: Lost Flights 5 McGrundys 0 Shiphunters 4 (kid Ones 1 Swat 4 Itchy Niters 1 Scotties 3 The ll's 2 Canseofts :1 Outlaws 2 Salt and Pepper 3 011te's Hest 2 Southenders ;1 'l'ratlers 2 I).l's :1 Sunni's 2 F'riday's sehed}tte is 8pn► Odd Ones vs Oullatws Smurfs vs McGrundyv Ca nscotts vs Sa11 and Pepper 011ie's Best vs Shtphunters 9:30pnt Itchy Niters vs 'Trailers Lost Flights vs The II's Swat vs Scotties DJ's vs Southenders +BLo® SERVICE TRANSFUSION ELF AND ANGEL --- Appearing in Saturday's Kirkton Fair parade as an angel and elf were Janine and Greg Ellis. T -A photo KIRKTON CLOWNS -- Appearing as clowns in Saturday's Kirktor Fair parade were Andrea Francis, Jayne Rowe and Carrie Oke anc they won a red ribbon. T -A phots