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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1979-11-21, Page 1 (2)• • • • Reeve quits as standards bylaw okayed Exeter council finally passed the controversial property standards and maintenance bylaw this week, but may have lost the services of Reeve Si Sim- mons in the process. Terming his fellow members a "bunch of dic- tators", Simmons walked out of Monday's council meeting after the bylaw was passed. He indicated he was planning to resign his position. As he walked out, he said he had fought for freedom during the war and the bylaw was an erosion of those frperinma Simmons told the T -A on Tuesday that he had delivered his letter of resignation to the clerk's office that morning. Simmons has been CONTROLS CO-OP BLAZE — A high pressure nozzle mounted on the Exeter fire department pumper helped bring o fire of the Exeter Co-op grain dryer under control Sunday. This wos the first time the unit had been used at a fire. Blazes damage Co-op grain dryer Two fires at the Exeter Co- op grain elevators late Sunday evening and early Monday morning caused between $5,000 and $6.000 damage. Co-op manager Derwood Braithwaithe said Monday it was hoped that the dryer would be in operation yesterday. He said the fire did not affect the operation of the Co-op with the com- pany still receiving corn. Cause of the fire is believed to have been overheated corn which became lodged in the upper part of the dryer. Firemen arrived on the scene at 10:30 Sunday to discover a reddish glow coming from the dryer. Peter McFalls of the fire department said there was some initial difficulty getting at the blaze but that a high power water gun mounted on the pumper unit had the fire under control. About 15 minutes later. firemen made their way into the dryer to extinguish some of the still smoldering material. Firemen remained on the scene until 2:30 during which time much of the corn had been removed. Two hours later. firemen were called back to scene when some of the corn ignited. McFalls said two football size chunks of the material were the culprits in the department's second ap- pearance. p- pearance. Firemen left the scene for the final time one hour later. •1 4. DAIRY PRINCESS — Zielmon, RR 2, Dashwood was named 1980 Huron Dairy Princess by Huron County milk producers, Friday Photo by Oke vehemently opposed to the property standards bylaw since it was first considered, a move which was un- dertaken by council to meet the requirements of the ministry of housing to facilitate a provincial loan of $150,000 for downtown restoration and beautification for the Business Improvement Area. He led the opposition to the bylaw throughout its discussions at council and the public meeting which was held last month. At Thursday's special meeting, Simmons presented a motion that the new bylaw be applicable only for the area under the Two pay for drinking Two men were fined 8300 or 30 days each and had their licenses suspended for three months when they were found guilty of driving of- fences in Exeter court, Tuesday. The sentences were im- posed by Judge W.G. Cochrane. Rene Castilloux, RR 2 Kippen, was fined for im- paired driving and Robert Tatham, London, was fined for driving with a blood alcohol content of over 80 mgs. An Exeter man, John Barrett, was fined 850 on each of five counts of making false statements under the Unemployment Insurance Act for a total fine of $250 or 25 days. He was given until March 1 to pay the fines. The court learned he made false statements for five weeks in April, May and June when he was in fact employed and claimed for unemployment. He pleaded guilty to the charges and has made restitution of 8500. A fine of 8250 or 25 days was also imposed on Arthur Wayne Watson, Windsor, who pleaded guilty to driving while his license was under suspension. He was given 60 days to pay. Two men were fined 850 or five days each on charges of possession of narcotics, while another was fined 8100 or 10 days. Paying the 850 penalties were Glenn Edward Albas, Huron Park, who was charged on September 16, and Timothy Griffith, Hensall, who was charged on the same date. Barry Arthur McCallum, Kippen was fined 8100 for a charge laid on October 20. A Hensall man, Robert Bradley Reid, was fined 8100 or 10 days after pleading guilty to a charge of mischief, laid on October 21 after two windows were damaged at the Hensall Public School. The court learned that the accused had been drinking at the time and full restitution had been made. He was given 15 days in which to pay the fine. jurisdiction of the Business Improvement Area. At that time he said he had had more phone calls from citizens over the bylaw than on any other item of business with which he had been in- volved as a member of council during his various terms. "I am not going to have it on the whole town if I can help it," he said. "This town doesn't need a standards bylaw, period." Council defeated his motion at the special meeting as he gained sup- port only from Deputy - Reeve Don MacGregor. Other members suggested he was being premature in that they had not even received their amended copies from the planning board. "It's a waste of time, we're talking about something we don't know anything about," r-; Councillor Ted Wright suggested. Planning board member Jay Campbell said his group had worked hard to be responsive to the criticism levelled against the bylaw at the public meeting and agreed there appeared to be a lot of fear in some people's minds. "They have every right to some fear," Simmons retorted. "If the bylaw isn't good enough for the whole town, it isn't good enough for the BIA," Campbell added. While the defeated motion ended the discussion at Thursday's special meeting, Simmons was quickly back on the offensive again at Monday's regular session when the bylaw was up for adoption. He again moved to have it placed only on the BIA, but again he drew support from only MacGregor. The Reeve said it was a bylaw to restrict people's rights, and while he said he realized the BIA required it to receive their loan, he wanted it only passed for that area. "We should take it slower and see how it operates," he said in suggesting it be placed only on the BIA. He again said he had "a lot of people" phoning him not wanting the bylaw. Planning board member Don Cameron said the bylaw had been toned down considerably and said it was basically concerned with safety aspects. He argued it was necessary for the protection of people's property who may be neigh- bors to someone who allows his property to deteriorate to the point of reducing values in the area. Planning board chairman Ames Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One hundred and Seventh Year Gerald Merner said the bylaw dealt primarily with structural soundness and safety and that many of the rf, "j SI SIMMONS quits as reeve concerns expressed at the public meeting had been removed. A discussion arose as to whether the final reading should be given to the bylaw, or whether a new number should be assigned in view of the many amendments made to the original. It was finally agreed to pass the amended version under the original number. Cameron again noted the bylaw had been substantially altered, but Simmons said it was still an infringement on his rights. Cameron asked him what part was an infringement. "The whole damn thing," the Reeve shot back, adding that "we're developing into a 4 pretty good little police state". Campbell agreed that not many people required such rules to maintain their property, but he said murder was not a problem in the community either but there were rules against it to protect people. Cameron quipped that murder could become a problem if the bylaw was passed. "They'll lynch the entire planning board," he stated. Councillors Lossy Fuller and Marilyn Williamson said they were happy with the amended bylaw, Mrs. Fuller noting it applied mainly to the outside structure of homes and properties, not the inside. Councillor Ted Wright suggested the wrong mood had prevailed throughout the discussions on the bylaw. The only other dissenting voice to Simmons' was from MacGregor. "Talk about being legislated.. this is it," an increase in the staff improvement plan fund, a Please turn to page 2 dvocate & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, NOVEMBER 21, 1979 Price Per Copy 25 Cents INTERNATIONAL SITE -- The 1982 Internat:,jtfet plowing mat& will he held neor lucon Shown above checking maps of the area are Middlesex Plowmen's Association Wilson Hodgins and host farmers Liz and AIIar Scott. T -A photo Recommends 6.5 to 7% for elementary teachers Everyone involved in the current stalemate over a new contract between the Huron County board of education and its elementary school teachers appears hopeful that a settlement should soon be reached. That comment was made by David C. Moore, who this week filed his fact finder's report, and the suggestion was endorsed by Shirley Hazlitt of the board's Over estimate between $20,000 to $30,000 negotiating committee and Brenda Schedler of the teacher's economic policy committee. Moore was appointed fact finder on September 12 after the two groups failed to reach agreement on the new contract after five separate negotiating sessions. "Although it cannot be said that a great deal of progress has been made in the negotiations to date. 1 am Police office exceeds budget Exeter's new police station will soon be unders con- struction, but it won't be for the price estimated by members of council and their architect. Gregus Construction, Exeter, won the contract with a low bid of 898,949. which was between 820,000 and 830,000 higher than anticipated by members of the special building com- mittee. That brought some "I told you so" comments from Reeve Si Simmons and Councillor Ted Wright, who both noted they had previosuly predicted the total cost of the project would be around 8120,000. As of now, the total price is 8109,814, based on the con- tract award of 898.949, plus the 844,000 paid for the property beside the post office and 81,865 to have the house on that property demolished. Those costs are offset by the 825,000 received from the insurance set- tlement on the former police office which was gutted by fire in July. and the 810,000 realized on the sale of that property. The Gregus bid was almost 815,000 lower than the nearest competitor, while the highest bid was $142,350. Architect C.W. Dejager of the firm of David C. Stevens and Associate, was at a loss to explain why the bids were so much higher than an- ticipated or why there were so few bids. He said a dozen firms had taken out the plans and he was expecting at least nine of them to bid on the job. Only five were received. He said the fact the project was to be undertaken during the winter months would help explain some of the reason for the higher cost, but he said that nothing would be saved by waiting until spring because of the rising costs of most building materials. He said bricks alone were expected to in- crease by 15 percent very shortly. Considerable discussion arose over the fact Gregus Construction had not sub- mitted the required 100 percent bond agreement with the tender. The firm did include a letter from Gaiser Kneale indicating that proceedings were underway to secure the bond and the local insurance firm said they could foresee no problem in that bond being obtained. Dejager said also that Gregus had contacted him and offered to put up the cash equivalent of the bond and he suggested this would be satisfactory. As the discussion on the bond continued, Councillor Wright ssid members should be more concerned about their own finances than the contractor's in view of the increased costs. Clerk Liz Bell said council could either ask the Ontario Municipal Board for per- mission to increase the amount of the debenture or the extra funding could be taken from next year's budget. Council have received permission from the OMB to debenture only 870,000 for the new police office. "I really don't know we can be so far Move to freeze stopped A move Monday night to have a freeze placed on the building of Exeter's new police office was thwarted by council as was a suggestion for a complete documen- tation of the decisions which led up to the current point. The suggestion that a freeze be placed on the project until such time as it was determined if a reduced price could be worked out between the architect and the contractor was presented by Councillor Marilyn Williamson. Mrs. Williamson, who was not in attendance when the contract was awarded, Thursday, said she was not pleased with the fact the price of the project was 41 percent over the budget. She said council should have asked the archDect to see what changes could have been implemented to reduce the price of the structure. Mayor Derry Boyle suggested such action now would be "very costly" as a contract had already been signed with Gregus Con- struction. "You'd be open for a law suit," clerk Liz Bell opened, how off while Councillor Don Cameron said "there's no way we can back -track now." However, Cameron did second Mrs. Williamson's motion, saying that it was unfortunate such discussion was taking place at all and said council should be able to defend their decisions. After the motion was defeated, council also defeated his motion to have the special building com- mittee document the reasons for all the decisions which led up the the current situation. estimate," Councillor Loasy Fuller commented and sought some answers from the architect. Again, Dejager could offer no explanation, saying that he had hoped it could be built for 840 per square foot which would have brought the cost to around 880,000. He said "bidding was fierce" among the sub - trades on the project and he was at a particular loss to understand why there was 40 percent difference between the high and low bids. Simmons reminded council he and Councillor Don Cameron.had fought for a cheaper plan by having the new building put on town - owned property behind the town hall. "This is the way you wanted to go, now figure out how you're going to finance it," he commented. Councillor Jay Campbell said council could take the position the new building was "too rich for our blood" and he then questioned if there was a plan they could afford. Simmons replied that he had never heard the five• member building committee quibble about price before, so he couldn't understand why they were now. "You're weren't listening very well," Campbell shot back saying he was getting a little upset over the fact Please turn to paste 2 hopeful that the parties will be able to resume their discussions following receipt of this report in order to effect a settlement without undue delay," Moore commented. In the matter of salaries, Moore recommended that the compensation on the general grid be raised by 6.5 percent to 7 percent. The teachers had proposed in- creases varying from 9 percent to 10 percent. while the board was offering 3.5 percent to 4 percent. Moore said he was making his recommendation with consideration to the rate of inflation, the period of economic restraint in which we find ourselves and that other settlements between teacher board negotiations generally will be less than the rate of inflation. Moore also recommended that the compensation paid to principals and vice - principals be increased by the same percentage as that which is applicable to the grid. The board had proposed to eliminate allowances paid to teachers for extracurricular activities, but Moore sided with the teachers and said he could not be persuaded that sufficient reason has been shown that would warrant removal of a system that apparently has the support of the teachers. He did not , however, concur with a suggestion by the teachers that the com- position of the committee which sets guidelines for the use of the fund be changed. On the matter of benefit plans, the teachers are asking that the board's contribution in the drug plan increase from 85 percent to 100 percent of the premium. Noting that this had monetary consequences for the board, Moore said he was prepared to recommend tae increase as long as it wills clear that any improvement would have to be recognized in finalizing the percentage increase on the grid. Moore also recommended Pkase turn to page 2 Lucan chosen site for '82 plow match The decision to hold the 1982 International plowing match in Middlesex County was made a couple of years ago by the Ontario Plowmen's Association. But, the exact location in Middlesex was not named until Tuesday. Ontario Plowmen's Association president Jim Armstrong of Wingham told Middlesex council that the 1982 match would be held at a Lucan site. A total of six sites in the county had been inspected and more than usual number of meetings and discussions were necessary before a firm decision was made. The host farmer will be Allan Scott, owner of Scott's Elevators. The Scott farm of 120 acres is located im- mediately to the west of the Lucan Community Centre. Other farms adjacent to Scott's owned by Jack and Tom Hardy and Jack Porter will likely be involved in the tented city complex. The actual plowing and parking facilities will be located on a number of farms located west of Lucan and south of Highway 4. Included in this category are farms of Wilson Hodgins, reeve of Biddulph township and president of the Mid- dlesex Plowmen's Association. Allan Scott told the T -A Friday, "We are not exactly sure which farms in this area will be used. but. we have signed letters of intent for close to 1,200 acres." Scott continued, "We are very pleased to be chosen as the host farmers. It will be a lot of work for the next two and a half years. but, we are really looking forward to it. It will be a real challenge and a good boost for the community. Exeter will also benefit along with Lucan and London. The decision to hold the 1982 match in Middlesex was made at the February 1977 annual convention of the Ontario Plowmen's Association. A large delegation from Middlesex attended the convention in a bid for the 1982 International. Scott's Elevators were one of the Middlesex firms assisting in sponsorship of the bus trip. To this Allan Scott com- mented, "When we helped in the bus trip we had no idea that we would be involved so deeply in the match itself ." After the Lucan site was selected. county council M a n dies in vehicle A 27-yearold Zurich man. Donald A. Schenk. was found dead in his car in Hay swamp early Monday morning. His 1969 model car ap- parently went off the road into some bushes on con- cession 4-5 of Hay. just north of Highway 83. A motorist passing on Highway 83 spotted the car lights and upon in- vestigation. found the vehicle with the motor still running and the driver slumped over. He turned off the motor and notified police Constable Jack Straughan responded to the call around 1:45 a.m. and Schenk was removed to Stratford General Hospital for a post mortem. Cause of death was listed as asphyxiation by carbon monoxide poisoning_ Police report that the vehicle had no muffler or tailpipe. An obituary notice appears elsewhere in this issue named a committee which will name a plowing match chairman and set up the various committees. The last time the Inter- national match was held in Middlesex was in 1928 when it was held on the Car- michael farm, east of High- way 4, near the Medway Creamery. The county committee includes Wilson Hodgins, present Middlesex warden Jack McNamara. McGillivray reeve Gerald Wright, Earl Oliver of Lobo Township and Bill Galbraith of Ekfrid. Wilson Hodgins told the T- A. "We are not sure of the exact location of the tented city. For this we have 120 acres of Allan's land. about 60 acres each from Jack and Tom Hardy and about 15 acres from Jack Porter. The tented city gets bigger each year and we might need as much as 150 acres by 1982. Hodgins continued. "The easy • availability of hydro and water and the closeness of Highway 4 and County road 31 were the big reasons our location was selected. There are two heavy power lines going right by the properties right now and this was a big factor in the final decision " The 1980 International is being held in Oxford county and the 1981 in Simcoe county near Barrie. The Ontario Plowmen's Association owns all the power and water lines that are used each year for the International. It will be the responsibility of the Mid- dlesex group to move these hydro poles and water lines immediately after the 1981 match from Barrie to Lucan and store them until the match in Middlesex opens on September 27 It runs until Saturday October 1. 1982. CELEBRITY HATS - A large number of items donated gyro wide variety of well known people will go under the auctioneer's hammer at the Heritage Foundotion Celebrity Auc- tion, Friday night. Above, Heritage Foundation president Doug Gould weors an authentic Carol Burnett hot and Jerry McDonnell models a fur hot donated by MP Bob McKinley. Gould also holds one of o set of coffee mugs from MPP Jack Riddell and a memento from Happy Days signed by Henry Winkler ond,McDonnell holds a Western Mustangs football sweater. T -A photo