HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-02-06, Page 1T -A
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py
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13 soars of service - Jeanette Lamport gets change of address cards from Crediton Postmaster
Rosemary Stewart before the post office closes dtewart has
ter since 1978 but the village has
changedt0 super mailboxes. Creiton residents can pickup their
editions of the Exeter Times Advocate at Jem Variety or Johnny's Gas Bar.
Serving South Huron
Fire budget
faces
problems
North Middlesex & Lambton
Since 1873
Gaiser-Kaeale
Insurance
Call us for
Comprahanalva
Cr.m atltiva
HOMEOWNERS
238-2420
75 cents
EXETER • While the Exeter and
Area Fire Board is getting close to
finalizing its 1991 budget, a few
problems are raising concerns with
local municipalities.
One of the main problems centres
on the new requirement for all On-
tario fire departments to outfit all
firefighters with "bunker suits" be-
fore 1994. Because the form -fitted
suits cost approximately $900 ,
the Exeter Fire Board is planning to
purchase only a few each year.
Even so, the purchase is making a
big dent in the budget, to the tune
of $5000 a year.
Reeve Bill Mickle pointed out at
Exeter's council meeting Monday
evening that the suits have to be
bought to tightly fit each firefighter
and are not readily interchangeable.
He did say he is in support of the
suits because they can prevent low-
er -body burns the department's
present protective clothing may
not. Mickle noted the suits are be-
ing required under the occupational
health and safety regulations, any
intent to disregard them would be
serious.
"The ultimate end of any accident
lays at this table," warned Mickle.
Mayor Brice Shaw agreed, but
noted that the suits are needed
mainly for entering burning interi-
ors, even though most fires fought
"It goes on and
on and on"
Committee in favour of Grand Bend expansion
By Fred Groves
WYOMING - The Lambton
County Boundary Application
Committee is making strong rec-
ommendations that the village of
Grand Bend be allowed to extend
its boundaries.
At a press conference Saturday
morning at the Lambton County
Municipal Building, the commit-
tee presented a preliminary report
which supported an expansion of
Grand Bend.
It was recommended that the vil-
lage be allowed to add approxi-
mately 150 acres of land from Bo-
sanquet Township and 450 acres
of land from Stephen Township in
Huron County.
Both parcels of land are primari-
ly vacant and the land in Stephen
Township may have development
constraints because of the Ausable
River flood protection lines which
are not known at this time.
the lands to be annexed into that
township were minor in nature.
"They (Stephen) do not believe
it's minor and that's all we'll com-
ment at this time: said O'Neil.
He said the committee did a lot of
research before writing the reports.
"I commend the committee very
much for the steps they have taken.
I believe we're going to see some
heavy discussions going on," said
Lambton county warden Ron
Snow.
The report pointed out clearly
that Grand Bend would not be gain-
ing either either residential subdivi-
sions of Grand Cove Estates (Ste-
phen) or Southcou Pines
(Bosanquet).
O'Neil said it wouldn't be fair to
weaken one municipality to
strengthen another. Both subdivi-
sions carry a heavy tax base for the
municipalities.
"It's a blueprint and a timetable
of what we'd like the councils to
proceed with," said committee
chairman Larry ONeil.
Grand Bend first made applica-
tio in 1984 to annex land into Bo-
sanquet. It wants the land in order
to expand but some of the lands
could take several years to devel-
op.
In a separate issue on Saturday,
the committee recommended Bo-
sanquet be allowed to annex the
village of Thedford. It was noted
that in Lambton County Thedford
has the highest taxes while Bosan-
quet the lowest.
Councils from Thedford, Bosan-
quet and Grand Bend have two
weeks to review the reports. Pub-
lic meetings will be set up and the
committee will make a final pres-
entation to countv council.
Since Grand Bend is a seasonal
community, the public meeting will
be held in late April. O'Neil said a
report involving Stephen went di-
rectly to the Ministry of Municipal
Affairs because the committee felt
However, the report did recom-
mend that if Southcott Pines did in
the future have to link into a sewer
system it would hook up to Grand
Bend's.
"We're pleased, what we wanted
was land to grow," said Grand
Bend reeve Bruce Woodley of the
committee's recommendation.
He said, however, there are still
many residents in the surrounding
subdivisions which want to be kept
well informed of what's going on in
Grand Bend.
"They seem to have an input to
what goes on in our community.
There is still a significant amount
of residents who are concerned
about the village and what may
happen to their subdivision. It's
costly to take that over," said
Woodley.
As far as Stephen Township is
concerned, Woodley seid he hopes
Gibbs awarded $.5m
the ministry and the township will
be able to work something out.
"If it's not minor the whole pro-
cess will have to be rethought. If
the minister does view it minor I
think the township would co-
operate."
The proposed lands to be an-
nexed from Stephen make up less
than one percent of its overall tax
base.
In the report, O'Neil highlighted
that Grand Bend is a highly sue:
cessful tourist town which required
its own council. If Bosanquet had
amalgamated the community it
would have probably meant the
elimination of a council.
"Although they've had a lot of
problems, they've made a lot of
progress over the last ten years,"
By Fred Groves
GRAND BEND - Although he was awarded $500,000 in an out-of-court
settlement, it could be several years before Archie Gibbs collects.
In Toronto over the weekend, Grand Bend's lawyer Dan Murphy agreed
to the settlement on the village's behalf, but Gibbs, the owner of nearly
300 metres of Lake Huron beach frontage, won't be able to collect until af-
ter the final appeal.
Fourteen months ago it was announced that the Parkhill resident had fi-
nally won a very long battle with the village and the province over the
ownership of the beach.
Gibbs was also seeking lost revenue from the beach for the past 11
years.
The half a million dollar figure game after the province made an offer of
$420,000 followed by a counter proposal of $675,000 by Gibbs. The two
sides decided on a comproinise.
"The judgement won't be paid until all the appeals are disposed of and
they're talking three, four or five years," said Murphy.
Murphy explained there was quite a large difference in what the village
thought was the total amount of lost revenue over the 11 years, and what
Gibbs thought it was.
Village consultants estimated it to be about $420,000, which comes en-
tirely from the parking lot on the beach. Gibbs' consultants thought the fig-
ure to be about $1.7 million.
"Evone acknowledged that was a pie in the sky," said Murphy.
Mo y night at Grand Bend council, Murphy met with council in a se-
cret teeeting, part of it dealing with the Gibbs issue. Once the
Please turn to page 2
said O'Neil.
"They have a hands -on -council
and they get things done. It would
be a tremendous loss if it was to be
amalgamated."
When asked if he felt the fact Bo-
sanquet was to get Thedford might
be a tradeoff for Grand Bend get-
ting some of its lands, Woodley
said no.
"It's difficult to say. It may well
be but I'd like to think the commit-
tee looked at it independently."
The report recommended that
Thedford has its own municipal
election as planned in November,
but it would be only for one term
and after that it would go to a ward
system with representatives sitting
on the Bosanquet Township coun-
cil.
oot<wood Grand cove
bates
rj I
Lake
Huron
4rMah Stree
ONO
Grand
Bend
N
Southcott
Pini
Present Gland Bend boundary
Proposed annexations
Iwo-ewede o,op-la
locally are handled from the exteri-
or. He called it a case of a "Toron-
to crisis" is determining policy all
over the province.
Mickle agreed, but noted that
while the suits may be a good idea,
they may just be the tip of the ice-
berg for local services. "Be-
ware...this is probably one of the
least costly things you're going to
run into," said Mickle, adding that
other clothing, equipment and man-
power may be on the occupation
health and safety list for expensive
upgrades. He also said the fire de-
nt is just the first service to
e
al.tnttiiregeAed. Police departments,
public works and recreation may
also be on the list.
"It goes on and on and on," said
Mickle.
Because of the intent to keep the
Fire Department budget close to the
$193,000 allotted for 1990, the
board decided to eliminate the
$20,000 reserve for a new tanker in
1992., with each member munici-
ity having to come up with the
funds for it directly.
Councillor Ervin Sillery, howev-
er, pointed out that if the board was
having trouble raising the funds for
a $40,000 tanker now, how would
it be able to a rmlacement
pumper in _1 foe S28Q
- ,vole '_
,
•
4111.1
Vigilante descendant yearns for Donnelly heritage site
By Cheryl Clark
LONDON - "You're not wel-
come in this town if you talk about
it," said one phone-in talk show
caller who identified herself as Su-
san, regarding the Donnelly mur-
ders which took place 111 years
ago in Biddulph Township.
William Ryder of London, the
great -great -great nephew of al-
leged vigilante "Pitchfork" Tom
Ryder, said the let -it -be attitudes
toward the remaining buildings of
the Donnelly era have to stop.
Ryder has been campaigning for
the last year for the Donnelly His-
torical Society Committee, to at-
tain London city council's support
to turn the over -a -century old
Grosvenor Lodge located on the
University of Western campus,
into a Donnelly historical mu-
seum, but so far it has been an up-
hill battle.
Last Monday night, Ryder orga-
nized the first-ever Irish wake to
mark the 111th anniversary of the
Donnelly slayings. Ryder said he
was a little disappointed with the
low auendance, but noted that it a
Council won't support
anti -abortion crusade
EXETER - Town council won't
be supporting a resolution being
circulated by Tecumseh Township
in protest of the province's plan to
step up availability of abortion ser-
vices.
Tecumseh is hoping to enlist the
support of other Ontario municipal-
ities in its bid to register opposition
to the use of public funds to finance
abortion services, but a motion to
support the resolution was lost in a
narrow vote at Exeter council Mon-
day evening.
Councillor Morley Hall forward-
ed the motion to add Exeter's voice
to Tecumseh. Councillor Harry
Klungel seconded the motion.
Councillor Ben Hoogenboom
also spoke in favour of the motion,
saying "I'll make no bones about it,
I'm a pro -lifer, but there are people
who don't hold that view".
Hoogenboom saw an irony in
how the province's waiting lists for
hospital beds are growing, and yet
the government is prepared to
spend funds on abortion services
and clinics. Hoogenboom said he
agreed with the idea that abortions,
if performed, should be on an ex-
tra -billing basis.
"It's the use of public funds I ob-
ject to," agreed councillor Ervin
Sillery, noting a fee might prevent
abuse of abortion services.
Deputy -reeve Lossy Fuller disa-
greed with the motion, saying she
was pleased the federal govem-
ment's abortion bill failed to pass
the Senate.
Klungel, however, said while he
was in favour of birth control he
said "this country needs all the ba-
bies it can get". He noted immigra-
tion laws are being relaxed to com-
pensate for the dwindling Canadian
birth rate.
When a vote was taken on the
motion, those for and against tied at
three votes each. There were two
abstentions, and the motion was
lost, after which Hall compared the
morality of abortion to the slaugh-
ter of Jews in World War Ii.
Legion contributes
to Youth Centre
EXETER - The Exeter Legion,
R.E. Pooley Branch 167, have con-
tributed $2,800 towards the Exeter
Lions Youth Centre. The recent
donation was accepted on behalf of
the Lions by their treasurer Lloyd
Robinson and was presented by Le-.
gion president Lome Kleinstiver.
The Legion branch also awarded
life memberships, its highest
awards, to three of its longstanding
large sports banquet took place the
same night.
Education and research is impor-
tant to gel a true perspective on
what really transpired during the 40
years (1880s - 1920s) of relative
lawlessness in Middlesex County.
The Society's goal is to raise
$100,000, and Ryder said his larg-
est obstacle so far has been city ad-
ministrators. Many of the Donnelly
artifacts for the museum would be
donated by authors Ray Fazakas
(The Donnelly album) who is cur-
rently working on another Donnelly
biography, and Orlo Miller (Death
to the Donnellys).
Several residents of Biddulph
Township and the Village of Lu -
can, have come forward to support
Ryder's plans which include a
three-part tourist attraction encom-
passing Lucan, Biddulph Town-
ship, and London.
Ryder said the market for a large
tourist attraction is there, and Lu -
can could be a prime location. In
fact said Ryder noted crime report-
er Max Haimes of the Toronto Star,
is organizing a mystery weekend in
the area this spring.
"I'm a part of it, and I want to
know more," said Ryder regarding
the history of the Irish clans. "Seine
members for their work with the
branch and the community. The re-
cipients were Eldon Heywood, Eric
Heywood and Lee Webber.
The Legion and zone C-1 were
also pleased to present Bob Sanders
and Rei McDonald with past offi-
cer awards. Sanders was the poppy
chairman four the branch, and
McDonald was the zone secretary.
people still have mixed feelings,
and I am surprised."
For now Ryder does have the
support of the Ontario Historical
Foundation, but to receive funding,
the Society must first find a loca-
tion.
Ryder said he will be meeting
with tourism minister Peter North
soon to discuss the possibility of
landmarking various sites in Bid-
dulph such as Thr.
Township as the Cedar
Swamp Schoolhouse and the Don-
nelly school house site.
"There is definitely an interest,"
said Ryder, noting several authors
have sold well over one million
books, and the Earl and Martha
Heywood of Wingham, who enter-
tained over 50 people at the wake,
have sold over 50,000 copies of
Please turn to page 2
Stolen goods uncovered
by Exeter OPP
EXETER - Exeter Ontario Pro-
vincial Police reported last week
that approximately $3,000 worth
of property taken in two unrelated
break-ins at Usborne and McCur-
dy Public schools, has been un-
covered.
Police say two young offenders
currently face eleven criminal
charges involving the two inci-
dents.
Exeter OPP also reported three
vehicular accidents last week.
Last Friday at 8 p.m., Linda Gir-
ard of Grand Bend, was oparating
a vehicle on Highway 81 'which
left the road striking a sign and a
pole. The vehicle was demolished
and Girard suffered major injuries.
Last Sunday at 1 a.m., a vehicle
operated by Darcy Day of London,
left Highway 81 and rolled. Day
suffered minor injuries, but his ve-
hicle was demolished.
Last Thursday two vehicles, oper-
ated by Donald Geiger of R.R.2 Zu-
rich, and Leslie Riley of R.R.2,
Kippen, were in a minor collision
in a parking lot in Hensall. No inju-
ries were reported, and police say
. 1114 damage was minimal.
Inside
Survey
Board to study
junior
kindergarten
page 2
{4.
Concem
A look
at
fertilizers
page 9
hr
Carnival
Grand Bend
celebrates
snow
page 14
.
0
»
Hockey
Mohawks
split
games
Second front
Shutout
Hawks blank
Mitchell
page 18
NI
Fire budget
faces
problems
North Middlesex & Lambton
Since 1873
Gaiser-Kaeale
Insurance
Call us for
Comprahanalva
Cr.m atltiva
HOMEOWNERS
238-2420
75 cents
EXETER • While the Exeter and
Area Fire Board is getting close to
finalizing its 1991 budget, a few
problems are raising concerns with
local municipalities.
One of the main problems centres
on the new requirement for all On-
tario fire departments to outfit all
firefighters with "bunker suits" be-
fore 1994. Because the form -fitted
suits cost approximately $900 ,
the Exeter Fire Board is planning to
purchase only a few each year.
Even so, the purchase is making a
big dent in the budget, to the tune
of $5000 a year.
Reeve Bill Mickle pointed out at
Exeter's council meeting Monday
evening that the suits have to be
bought to tightly fit each firefighter
and are not readily interchangeable.
He did say he is in support of the
suits because they can prevent low-
er -body burns the department's
present protective clothing may
not. Mickle noted the suits are be-
ing required under the occupational
health and safety regulations, any
intent to disregard them would be
serious.
"The ultimate end of any accident
lays at this table," warned Mickle.
Mayor Brice Shaw agreed, but
noted that the suits are needed
mainly for entering burning interi-
ors, even though most fires fought
"It goes on and
on and on"
Committee in favour of Grand Bend expansion
By Fred Groves
WYOMING - The Lambton
County Boundary Application
Committee is making strong rec-
ommendations that the village of
Grand Bend be allowed to extend
its boundaries.
At a press conference Saturday
morning at the Lambton County
Municipal Building, the commit-
tee presented a preliminary report
which supported an expansion of
Grand Bend.
It was recommended that the vil-
lage be allowed to add approxi-
mately 150 acres of land from Bo-
sanquet Township and 450 acres
of land from Stephen Township in
Huron County.
Both parcels of land are primari-
ly vacant and the land in Stephen
Township may have development
constraints because of the Ausable
River flood protection lines which
are not known at this time.
the lands to be annexed into that
township were minor in nature.
"They (Stephen) do not believe
it's minor and that's all we'll com-
ment at this time: said O'Neil.
He said the committee did a lot of
research before writing the reports.
"I commend the committee very
much for the steps they have taken.
I believe we're going to see some
heavy discussions going on," said
Lambton county warden Ron
Snow.
The report pointed out clearly
that Grand Bend would not be gain-
ing either either residential subdivi-
sions of Grand Cove Estates (Ste-
phen) or Southcou Pines
(Bosanquet).
O'Neil said it wouldn't be fair to
weaken one municipality to
strengthen another. Both subdivi-
sions carry a heavy tax base for the
municipalities.
"It's a blueprint and a timetable
of what we'd like the councils to
proceed with," said committee
chairman Larry ONeil.
Grand Bend first made applica-
tio in 1984 to annex land into Bo-
sanquet. It wants the land in order
to expand but some of the lands
could take several years to devel-
op.
In a separate issue on Saturday,
the committee recommended Bo-
sanquet be allowed to annex the
village of Thedford. It was noted
that in Lambton County Thedford
has the highest taxes while Bosan-
quet the lowest.
Councils from Thedford, Bosan-
quet and Grand Bend have two
weeks to review the reports. Pub-
lic meetings will be set up and the
committee will make a final pres-
entation to countv council.
Since Grand Bend is a seasonal
community, the public meeting will
be held in late April. O'Neil said a
report involving Stephen went di-
rectly to the Ministry of Municipal
Affairs because the committee felt
However, the report did recom-
mend that if Southcott Pines did in
the future have to link into a sewer
system it would hook up to Grand
Bend's.
"We're pleased, what we wanted
was land to grow," said Grand
Bend reeve Bruce Woodley of the
committee's recommendation.
He said, however, there are still
many residents in the surrounding
subdivisions which want to be kept
well informed of what's going on in
Grand Bend.
"They seem to have an input to
what goes on in our community.
There is still a significant amount
of residents who are concerned
about the village and what may
happen to their subdivision. It's
costly to take that over," said
Woodley.
As far as Stephen Township is
concerned, Woodley seid he hopes
Gibbs awarded $.5m
the ministry and the township will
be able to work something out.
"If it's not minor the whole pro-
cess will have to be rethought. If
the minister does view it minor I
think the township would co-
operate."
The proposed lands to be an-
nexed from Stephen make up less
than one percent of its overall tax
base.
In the report, O'Neil highlighted
that Grand Bend is a highly sue:
cessful tourist town which required
its own council. If Bosanquet had
amalgamated the community it
would have probably meant the
elimination of a council.
"Although they've had a lot of
problems, they've made a lot of
progress over the last ten years,"
By Fred Groves
GRAND BEND - Although he was awarded $500,000 in an out-of-court
settlement, it could be several years before Archie Gibbs collects.
In Toronto over the weekend, Grand Bend's lawyer Dan Murphy agreed
to the settlement on the village's behalf, but Gibbs, the owner of nearly
300 metres of Lake Huron beach frontage, won't be able to collect until af-
ter the final appeal.
Fourteen months ago it was announced that the Parkhill resident had fi-
nally won a very long battle with the village and the province over the
ownership of the beach.
Gibbs was also seeking lost revenue from the beach for the past 11
years.
The half a million dollar figure game after the province made an offer of
$420,000 followed by a counter proposal of $675,000 by Gibbs. The two
sides decided on a comproinise.
"The judgement won't be paid until all the appeals are disposed of and
they're talking three, four or five years," said Murphy.
Murphy explained there was quite a large difference in what the village
thought was the total amount of lost revenue over the 11 years, and what
Gibbs thought it was.
Village consultants estimated it to be about $420,000, which comes en-
tirely from the parking lot on the beach. Gibbs' consultants thought the fig-
ure to be about $1.7 million.
"Evone acknowledged that was a pie in the sky," said Murphy.
Mo y night at Grand Bend council, Murphy met with council in a se-
cret teeeting, part of it dealing with the Gibbs issue. Once the
Please turn to page 2
said O'Neil.
"They have a hands -on -council
and they get things done. It would
be a tremendous loss if it was to be
amalgamated."
When asked if he felt the fact Bo-
sanquet was to get Thedford might
be a tradeoff for Grand Bend get-
ting some of its lands, Woodley
said no.
"It's difficult to say. It may well
be but I'd like to think the commit-
tee looked at it independently."
The report recommended that
Thedford has its own municipal
election as planned in November,
but it would be only for one term
and after that it would go to a ward
system with representatives sitting
on the Bosanquet Township coun-
cil.
oot<wood Grand cove
bates
rj I
Lake
Huron
4rMah Stree
ONO
Grand
Bend
N
Southcott
Pini
Present Gland Bend boundary
Proposed annexations
Iwo-ewede o,op-la
locally are handled from the exteri-
or. He called it a case of a "Toron-
to crisis" is determining policy all
over the province.
Mickle agreed, but noted that
while the suits may be a good idea,
they may just be the tip of the ice-
berg for local services. "Be-
ware...this is probably one of the
least costly things you're going to
run into," said Mickle, adding that
other clothing, equipment and man-
power may be on the occupation
health and safety list for expensive
upgrades. He also said the fire de-
nt is just the first service to
e
al.tnttiiregeAed. Police departments,
public works and recreation may
also be on the list.
"It goes on and on and on," said
Mickle.
Because of the intent to keep the
Fire Department budget close to the
$193,000 allotted for 1990, the
board decided to eliminate the
$20,000 reserve for a new tanker in
1992., with each member munici-
ity having to come up with the
funds for it directly.
Councillor Ervin Sillery, howev-
er, pointed out that if the board was
having trouble raising the funds for
a $40,000 tanker now, how would
it be able to a rmlacement
pumper in _1 foe S28Q
- ,vole '_
,
•
4111.1
Vigilante descendant yearns for Donnelly heritage site
By Cheryl Clark
LONDON - "You're not wel-
come in this town if you talk about
it," said one phone-in talk show
caller who identified herself as Su-
san, regarding the Donnelly mur-
ders which took place 111 years
ago in Biddulph Township.
William Ryder of London, the
great -great -great nephew of al-
leged vigilante "Pitchfork" Tom
Ryder, said the let -it -be attitudes
toward the remaining buildings of
the Donnelly era have to stop.
Ryder has been campaigning for
the last year for the Donnelly His-
torical Society Committee, to at-
tain London city council's support
to turn the over -a -century old
Grosvenor Lodge located on the
University of Western campus,
into a Donnelly historical mu-
seum, but so far it has been an up-
hill battle.
Last Monday night, Ryder orga-
nized the first-ever Irish wake to
mark the 111th anniversary of the
Donnelly slayings. Ryder said he
was a little disappointed with the
low auendance, but noted that it a
Council won't support
anti -abortion crusade
EXETER - Town council won't
be supporting a resolution being
circulated by Tecumseh Township
in protest of the province's plan to
step up availability of abortion ser-
vices.
Tecumseh is hoping to enlist the
support of other Ontario municipal-
ities in its bid to register opposition
to the use of public funds to finance
abortion services, but a motion to
support the resolution was lost in a
narrow vote at Exeter council Mon-
day evening.
Councillor Morley Hall forward-
ed the motion to add Exeter's voice
to Tecumseh. Councillor Harry
Klungel seconded the motion.
Councillor Ben Hoogenboom
also spoke in favour of the motion,
saying "I'll make no bones about it,
I'm a pro -lifer, but there are people
who don't hold that view".
Hoogenboom saw an irony in
how the province's waiting lists for
hospital beds are growing, and yet
the government is prepared to
spend funds on abortion services
and clinics. Hoogenboom said he
agreed with the idea that abortions,
if performed, should be on an ex-
tra -billing basis.
"It's the use of public funds I ob-
ject to," agreed councillor Ervin
Sillery, noting a fee might prevent
abuse of abortion services.
Deputy -reeve Lossy Fuller disa-
greed with the motion, saying she
was pleased the federal govem-
ment's abortion bill failed to pass
the Senate.
Klungel, however, said while he
was in favour of birth control he
said "this country needs all the ba-
bies it can get". He noted immigra-
tion laws are being relaxed to com-
pensate for the dwindling Canadian
birth rate.
When a vote was taken on the
motion, those for and against tied at
three votes each. There were two
abstentions, and the motion was
lost, after which Hall compared the
morality of abortion to the slaugh-
ter of Jews in World War Ii.
Legion contributes
to Youth Centre
EXETER - The Exeter Legion,
R.E. Pooley Branch 167, have con-
tributed $2,800 towards the Exeter
Lions Youth Centre. The recent
donation was accepted on behalf of
the Lions by their treasurer Lloyd
Robinson and was presented by Le-.
gion president Lome Kleinstiver.
The Legion branch also awarded
life memberships, its highest
awards, to three of its longstanding
large sports banquet took place the
same night.
Education and research is impor-
tant to gel a true perspective on
what really transpired during the 40
years (1880s - 1920s) of relative
lawlessness in Middlesex County.
The Society's goal is to raise
$100,000, and Ryder said his larg-
est obstacle so far has been city ad-
ministrators. Many of the Donnelly
artifacts for the museum would be
donated by authors Ray Fazakas
(The Donnelly album) who is cur-
rently working on another Donnelly
biography, and Orlo Miller (Death
to the Donnellys).
Several residents of Biddulph
Township and the Village of Lu -
can, have come forward to support
Ryder's plans which include a
three-part tourist attraction encom-
passing Lucan, Biddulph Town-
ship, and London.
Ryder said the market for a large
tourist attraction is there, and Lu -
can could be a prime location. In
fact said Ryder noted crime report-
er Max Haimes of the Toronto Star,
is organizing a mystery weekend in
the area this spring.
"I'm a part of it, and I want to
know more," said Ryder regarding
the history of the Irish clans. "Seine
members for their work with the
branch and the community. The re-
cipients were Eldon Heywood, Eric
Heywood and Lee Webber.
The Legion and zone C-1 were
also pleased to present Bob Sanders
and Rei McDonald with past offi-
cer awards. Sanders was the poppy
chairman four the branch, and
McDonald was the zone secretary.
people still have mixed feelings,
and I am surprised."
For now Ryder does have the
support of the Ontario Historical
Foundation, but to receive funding,
the Society must first find a loca-
tion.
Ryder said he will be meeting
with tourism minister Peter North
soon to discuss the possibility of
landmarking various sites in Bid-
dulph such as Thr.
Township as the Cedar
Swamp Schoolhouse and the Don-
nelly school house site.
"There is definitely an interest,"
said Ryder, noting several authors
have sold well over one million
books, and the Earl and Martha
Heywood of Wingham, who enter-
tained over 50 people at the wake,
have sold over 50,000 copies of
Please turn to page 2
Stolen goods uncovered
by Exeter OPP
EXETER - Exeter Ontario Pro-
vincial Police reported last week
that approximately $3,000 worth
of property taken in two unrelated
break-ins at Usborne and McCur-
dy Public schools, has been un-
covered.
Police say two young offenders
currently face eleven criminal
charges involving the two inci-
dents.
Exeter OPP also reported three
vehicular accidents last week.
Last Friday at 8 p.m., Linda Gir-
ard of Grand Bend, was oparating
a vehicle on Highway 81 'which
left the road striking a sign and a
pole. The vehicle was demolished
and Girard suffered major injuries.
Last Sunday at 1 a.m., a vehicle
operated by Darcy Day of London,
left Highway 81 and rolled. Day
suffered minor injuries, but his ve-
hicle was demolished.
Last Thursday two vehicles, oper-
ated by Donald Geiger of R.R.2 Zu-
rich, and Leslie Riley of R.R.2,
Kippen, were in a minor collision
in a parking lot in Hensall. No inju-
ries were reported, and police say
. 1114 damage was minimal.