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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1991-02-20, Page 1TA Classifieds They really pay Call 235-1331 Serving South Huron North Middlesex & Lambton Since 1873 Motel proposed for Exeter A EXETER - A 16 -unit motel is being proposed for the town of Ex- eter, On March 13, at 7:15 p.m., a public meeting will be held in the council chambers to consider a pro- posed Official Plan Amendment for Alida DeVries. The amendment would change the designation of 67 and 75 Thames Road West (Highway 83), from res- idential to highway commercial. Anyone May attend the meeting and or make a wriuen verbal representa- tion either in support or in opposi- tion to the proposed amendment. "An objection doesn't bring it to a halt," said Exeter administrator Rick Hundey. He explained that the Exeter planning committee will make a recommendation to council and they in turn must get approval from the Ministry of Municipal Af- fairs. "Unfortunately that could take a few months," said Hundey. He said the local committee and the ministry conduct similar re- views which includes contacting various agencies such as the Mini- stry of Transportation, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the En- vironment. There is no motel in Exeter and the proposed building, if approved, would be located at the corner of Highway 83 and Francis Street. Inuit Whole fiunt i' I i ) ill NO' :"ltrtrt, ti ONItifitO� NTERNAI"IONAl_ SNOW SCULPTING CGMPET tOtt ;0`11 I1 ace X Pt r, 00 Winners • Paul Sorensen, Vicki R ers and Soft Horsburgh stare ith�ent of their winning snow - sculpture 'Inuit Whale Hunt'. if toQ 'thettko' thretrdaYs, Using olik ,M elsp'axes and a ladder tom create the first place entry at the 5th Annual Grand Bend Winter CarnF#M Judging was done Satur- day afternoon and the official announcement made Sunday. Authority sets budget EXETER - Although it's not known what grants the Ausable- Bayfield Conservation Authority will be receiving, they have gone ahead and set their 1991 budget. Last week the 32 municipalities were notified of what their 1991 levy dollars would be. In 1990 the overall average increase in the levy was 20 percent and several munici- palities had indicated their displeas- ure. "We met with the municipalities last fall and they said keep it down, and we did," said ABCA general manager Tom Prout. He said that when there is a new provincial government, it takes a little longer for the grants to come in. Even though Prout said the pro- vincial grants aren't all in, the mu- nicipalities told the ABCA to keep the levy to a maximum of six per- cent. "We don't know when we'll hear from the province. We did allow for the traditional amount but if we don't get it we'll have to go back and reduce the budget,' said Prout. In order for the budget to come out at the maximum six percent in- crease, Prout said the ABCA had to cut certain services. That included reductions to dam maintenance, revenue producing conservation areas at Parkhill and Rock Glen; non -revenue producing conservation areas at Parkhill, Thedford, Morrison Dam, Bannock - bum, Lucan and Clinton and the ru- ral beaches water quality program. These cuts will result in fewer casual and contract employees, less maintenance of water control struc- tures and a lower level of mainte- nance at the conservation areas. Prout said that although there are ,no layoffs planned now at the Please turn to page 3 Police lay charges in break -and -enters EXETER - The Exeter Police have released the names of the two individuals who recently broke into the Exeter Curling Club and decided to have a drink. Paul Pridham, 26, of no fixed address faces three charges of break -and -enter and theft at the Curling Club while James Archer, 30, of 134 Sanders St. E is charged with one count of break - and -enter and theft. Last Monday, police responded to 134 Sanders St. E on a complaint of a man kicking down the apart- ment door. Pridham was then ar- rested for mischief under $1,000. He appeared at a bail hearing in Godench Court on Friday. Archer is scheduled to appear in Exeter Court on March 12. SC Gaiser-Kneale Insurance CaII us for Comprehenaly• Compatltive HOMEOWNERS 235-2420 Wednesday, February 20, 1991 75 cents Town co�.Ito new deal on paving projects Anne and Victoria Sts. to wait EXETER - A plan to take ad- vantage of a provincial "anti - recession" program and catch up on some Exeter road works did not get very far at Monday evening's council meeting. Works superintendent Glenn Kells told council that the prov- ince are hoping to create employ- ment during this economic slow- down by boosting its grant allocations by some $400 million. Kells said Exeter might auempt to get ahold of grants up to $82,695 . by moving ahead the repaving of Victoria Street East and Anne Street between Marlborough and the CNR tracks. "It's understood there is more money than in normal years," said Kells, but noted that the plan is only a 50 percent subsidy and re- quires the municipality match it with equal funds. Although, the Victoria and Anne Street paving projects would be budgetted at 65,390, Kells pointed out that the subsidy would bring the actual cost to taxpayers down to about $49,000 because some costs are fixed overhead. Councillor Ben Hoogenboom said he was reluctant to see the town applying for it and later re- jecting it, but reeve Bill Mickle took the view that the extra projects would hurt the works budget. "It isn't that it's a program to help us reduce our cost because were getting that help anyway," said Mickle, pointing out the subsidy is on a 50 percent basis, the same as any other ministry of transportation subsidy. ,Exeter.mayor BntleShaw .tamed the program does have its draw- backs. "They [grants] aren't quite as rosy as they would appear, and we still have to come up with the balance, and in so doing increase the public works budget considerably," said Shaw. Mickle said the proposed public works budget is already up 14.4 percent over last year, and argued that putting it up to 23 percent with the additional projects was "a little bit rich". But councillor Ben Hoogenboom noted that the paving would make an "attractive" item to add to the public works schedule. Councillor Dave Urlin, however, noted both the police committee and rec board budgets are being held to a seven percent increase. "That's what council said, seven percent, so you've got some cutting to go," Urlin told Hoogenboom. Kells, however, agreed that while the works budget is up 14 percent, $30,000 of that is for blue box recy- cling - a new program to begin this spring. "I agree with Bill's thinking...but I think we should make up our mind right now," said Hoogen- boom, who said he would rather the projects not be pursued if they were not definitely required. Mickle agreed and countered the proposal by making a motion to ask that the new subsidy be applied to the. regular road works budget to help offset. a projected $71,510 shortfall, but without taking on new projects at extra expense. The motion was carried by coun- cil and will be forwarded to the MTO. Some Credlton customers question Canada Post temporary facilities By Cheryl Clark CREDI'PON - Some Crediton residents say the key problem to their temporary green box system lies in the key itself. The official change took place on February 5, wherein west Crediton residents were assigned Super Mailboxes, and the village's other half was designated for rural de- livery. Crediton residents affected by the change were as- signed to temporary green boxes, and issued locks through Canada Post, according to villager Barb Robertson. That's where the problem is, says Robertson, many green box users arc concerned about the Locks' security. Robertson stated several villagers have heard about an inci- dent wherein a resident accidentallyopened someone else's box. Word has spread in the village that more than one box can be opened with the keys issued, said Robertson. She said she realizes the green box situation is temporary, but she is concerned about her mail's confidentiali- ty. Village Trustee Dick Lord said he has been alerted to the situation. Lord has written a letter to the Canada Post Corporation, requesting hard copy of all information such as dates and dealing with the switch and notifying them of the key problem. Lord requested the material one month ago, and still has not received it. Canada Post spokesperson Tom Creech said the only person With gener- al access to the residents' mail are those contracted by Canada Post. Creech said generally Canada Post does not issue locks for the tempo- rary boxes, and the primary responsibility for the individual locks lies in the box user. Tijnpering with mail is a federal offence. Storm leaves motorists stranded By Fred Groves and Ray Lewis EXETER - Cody celebrated his 10th birthday far from home Fri- day night but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, the frisky German Shep- ard appeared to be having a good time at the Exeter Legion and even met a new friend. Ontario was hit with its worst blow weather wise over the week- end and dozens of motorists were forced to take refuge where ever they could. Schools were closed and high- ways were impassable. Road warning signs went up on local highways and there were several minor accidents. Alex Ivey and her boyfriend Jan Haust of Toronto were on their way to their cottage in Grand Bend to enjoy the Winter Carnival but fell short of their destination. Along with Mex' mom's dog Cody, they ran into some bad weather along i hway 4, which Exeter OPP had c at about 3 p.m. Friday, Alex, Jan and Cody got as far as a local donut shop in Exeter and there met Kaye and Don Bartlett of Kitchener and their poo- dle Tasha. Exeter OPP told them to go to the Legion on William Street where they were given a resting place from the storm. "It was fine in Toronto. There was no weather watch," said Ivey while she sat comfortably holding Cody at the Legion. She admiued it was a little bit risky heading out in the bad *catti- er. "We heard everything was closed except for the way we came? "We followed a flatbed truck and couldn't see two feet ahead of us," said Haust. Sgt. Don Mcinness of the Exeter OPP said Highway 4 from Elgin - field to Clinton was closed at about 3 p.m. while at the same time bar- riers were placed on Highway 83 from Exeter to Grand Bend. The wind whipping off of Lake Huron caused a lot of blowing snow and Highway 21 was closed from Grand Bend to Goderich. "I was over in Grand Bend and there were people coming from Michigan and they were stranded," said Sgt. McInnes. The Exeter OPP responded to five motor vehicle ac- cidents on Friday. For Kaye Bartleu it was the first time she and Don had been strand- ed. "We travel all the time, we've never had to turn back before," said Kaye. Don Bartlett has played in bands with several other Legions and met a few drummers that he has played with. "It's been a disaster but a pleas- ure," he said of talking about old times. He was however a little surprised there were no hotels in sown. "When they said no motels and no hotels, I never thought of the Le- gion. It certainly made n)y night more pleasurable." bended - Kaye Bartlett (left) and Alex Ivey settle in at the eter egton w t t air • •gs Curly anda- Sha. r 1 it Inside Carnival No shortage of snow page 2 Ambassador From Ireland to Lucan page 3 Winter drivers Are we getting slack? pages Sniff test Su pports Lucan charity page 8 First place Mohawks beat Hornets 6-4 page 14 Junior kindergarten On its way page 24 Motel proposed for Exeter A EXETER - A 16 -unit motel is being proposed for the town of Ex- eter, On March 13, at 7:15 p.m., a public meeting will be held in the council chambers to consider a pro- posed Official Plan Amendment for Alida DeVries. The amendment would change the designation of 67 and 75 Thames Road West (Highway 83), from res- idential to highway commercial. Anyone May attend the meeting and or make a wriuen verbal representa- tion either in support or in opposi- tion to the proposed amendment. "An objection doesn't bring it to a halt," said Exeter administrator Rick Hundey. He explained that the Exeter planning committee will make a recommendation to council and they in turn must get approval from the Ministry of Municipal Af- fairs. "Unfortunately that could take a few months," said Hundey. He said the local committee and the ministry conduct similar re- views which includes contacting various agencies such as the Mini- stry of Transportation, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the En- vironment. There is no motel in Exeter and the proposed building, if approved, would be located at the corner of Highway 83 and Francis Street. Inuit Whole fiunt i' I i ) ill NO' :"ltrtrt, ti ONItifitO� NTERNAI"IONAl_ SNOW SCULPTING CGMPET tOtt ;0`11 I1 ace X Pt r, 00 Winners • Paul Sorensen, Vicki R ers and Soft Horsburgh stare ith�ent of their winning snow - sculpture 'Inuit Whale Hunt'. if toQ 'thettko' thretrdaYs, Using olik ,M elsp'axes and a ladder tom create the first place entry at the 5th Annual Grand Bend Winter CarnF#M Judging was done Satur- day afternoon and the official announcement made Sunday. Authority sets budget EXETER - Although it's not known what grants the Ausable- Bayfield Conservation Authority will be receiving, they have gone ahead and set their 1991 budget. Last week the 32 municipalities were notified of what their 1991 levy dollars would be. In 1990 the overall average increase in the levy was 20 percent and several munici- palities had indicated their displeas- ure. "We met with the municipalities last fall and they said keep it down, and we did," said ABCA general manager Tom Prout. He said that when there is a new provincial government, it takes a little longer for the grants to come in. Even though Prout said the pro- vincial grants aren't all in, the mu- nicipalities told the ABCA to keep the levy to a maximum of six per- cent. "We don't know when we'll hear from the province. We did allow for the traditional amount but if we don't get it we'll have to go back and reduce the budget,' said Prout. In order for the budget to come out at the maximum six percent in- crease, Prout said the ABCA had to cut certain services. That included reductions to dam maintenance, revenue producing conservation areas at Parkhill and Rock Glen; non -revenue producing conservation areas at Parkhill, Thedford, Morrison Dam, Bannock - bum, Lucan and Clinton and the ru- ral beaches water quality program. These cuts will result in fewer casual and contract employees, less maintenance of water control struc- tures and a lower level of mainte- nance at the conservation areas. Prout said that although there are ,no layoffs planned now at the Please turn to page 3 Police lay charges in break -and -enters EXETER - The Exeter Police have released the names of the two individuals who recently broke into the Exeter Curling Club and decided to have a drink. Paul Pridham, 26, of no fixed address faces three charges of break -and -enter and theft at the Curling Club while James Archer, 30, of 134 Sanders St. E is charged with one count of break - and -enter and theft. Last Monday, police responded to 134 Sanders St. E on a complaint of a man kicking down the apart- ment door. Pridham was then ar- rested for mischief under $1,000. He appeared at a bail hearing in Godench Court on Friday. Archer is scheduled to appear in Exeter Court on March 12. SC Gaiser-Kneale Insurance CaII us for Comprehenaly• Compatltive HOMEOWNERS 235-2420 Wednesday, February 20, 1991 75 cents Town co�.Ito new deal on paving projects Anne and Victoria Sts. to wait EXETER - A plan to take ad- vantage of a provincial "anti - recession" program and catch up on some Exeter road works did not get very far at Monday evening's council meeting. Works superintendent Glenn Kells told council that the prov- ince are hoping to create employ- ment during this economic slow- down by boosting its grant allocations by some $400 million. Kells said Exeter might auempt to get ahold of grants up to $82,695 . by moving ahead the repaving of Victoria Street East and Anne Street between Marlborough and the CNR tracks. "It's understood there is more money than in normal years," said Kells, but noted that the plan is only a 50 percent subsidy and re- quires the municipality match it with equal funds. Although, the Victoria and Anne Street paving projects would be budgetted at 65,390, Kells pointed out that the subsidy would bring the actual cost to taxpayers down to about $49,000 because some costs are fixed overhead. Councillor Ben Hoogenboom said he was reluctant to see the town applying for it and later re- jecting it, but reeve Bill Mickle took the view that the extra projects would hurt the works budget. "It isn't that it's a program to help us reduce our cost because were getting that help anyway," said Mickle, pointing out the subsidy is on a 50 percent basis, the same as any other ministry of transportation subsidy. ,Exeter.mayor BntleShaw .tamed the program does have its draw- backs. "They [grants] aren't quite as rosy as they would appear, and we still have to come up with the balance, and in so doing increase the public works budget considerably," said Shaw. Mickle said the proposed public works budget is already up 14.4 percent over last year, and argued that putting it up to 23 percent with the additional projects was "a little bit rich". But councillor Ben Hoogenboom noted that the paving would make an "attractive" item to add to the public works schedule. Councillor Dave Urlin, however, noted both the police committee and rec board budgets are being held to a seven percent increase. "That's what council said, seven percent, so you've got some cutting to go," Urlin told Hoogenboom. Kells, however, agreed that while the works budget is up 14 percent, $30,000 of that is for blue box recy- cling - a new program to begin this spring. "I agree with Bill's thinking...but I think we should make up our mind right now," said Hoogen- boom, who said he would rather the projects not be pursued if they were not definitely required. Mickle agreed and countered the proposal by making a motion to ask that the new subsidy be applied to the. regular road works budget to help offset. a projected $71,510 shortfall, but without taking on new projects at extra expense. The motion was carried by coun- cil and will be forwarded to the MTO. Some Credlton customers question Canada Post temporary facilities By Cheryl Clark CREDI'PON - Some Crediton residents say the key problem to their temporary green box system lies in the key itself. The official change took place on February 5, wherein west Crediton residents were assigned Super Mailboxes, and the village's other half was designated for rural de- livery. Crediton residents affected by the change were as- signed to temporary green boxes, and issued locks through Canada Post, according to villager Barb Robertson. That's where the problem is, says Robertson, many green box users arc concerned about the Locks' security. Robertson stated several villagers have heard about an inci- dent wherein a resident accidentallyopened someone else's box. Word has spread in the village that more than one box can be opened with the keys issued, said Robertson. She said she realizes the green box situation is temporary, but she is concerned about her mail's confidentiali- ty. Village Trustee Dick Lord said he has been alerted to the situation. Lord has written a letter to the Canada Post Corporation, requesting hard copy of all information such as dates and dealing with the switch and notifying them of the key problem. Lord requested the material one month ago, and still has not received it. Canada Post spokesperson Tom Creech said the only person With gener- al access to the residents' mail are those contracted by Canada Post. Creech said generally Canada Post does not issue locks for the tempo- rary boxes, and the primary responsibility for the individual locks lies in the box user. Tijnpering with mail is a federal offence. Storm leaves motorists stranded By Fred Groves and Ray Lewis EXETER - Cody celebrated his 10th birthday far from home Fri- day night but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, the frisky German Shep- ard appeared to be having a good time at the Exeter Legion and even met a new friend. Ontario was hit with its worst blow weather wise over the week- end and dozens of motorists were forced to take refuge where ever they could. Schools were closed and high- ways were impassable. Road warning signs went up on local highways and there were several minor accidents. Alex Ivey and her boyfriend Jan Haust of Toronto were on their way to their cottage in Grand Bend to enjoy the Winter Carnival but fell short of their destination. Along with Mex' mom's dog Cody, they ran into some bad weather along i hway 4, which Exeter OPP had c at about 3 p.m. Friday, Alex, Jan and Cody got as far as a local donut shop in Exeter and there met Kaye and Don Bartlett of Kitchener and their poo- dle Tasha. Exeter OPP told them to go to the Legion on William Street where they were given a resting place from the storm. "It was fine in Toronto. There was no weather watch," said Ivey while she sat comfortably holding Cody at the Legion. She admiued it was a little bit risky heading out in the bad *catti- er. "We heard everything was closed except for the way we came? "We followed a flatbed truck and couldn't see two feet ahead of us," said Haust. Sgt. Don Mcinness of the Exeter OPP said Highway 4 from Elgin - field to Clinton was closed at about 3 p.m. while at the same time bar- riers were placed on Highway 83 from Exeter to Grand Bend. The wind whipping off of Lake Huron caused a lot of blowing snow and Highway 21 was closed from Grand Bend to Goderich. "I was over in Grand Bend and there were people coming from Michigan and they were stranded," said Sgt. McInnes. The Exeter OPP responded to five motor vehicle ac- cidents on Friday. For Kaye Bartleu it was the first time she and Don had been strand- ed. "We travel all the time, we've never had to turn back before," said Kaye. Don Bartlett has played in bands with several other Legions and met a few drummers that he has played with. "It's been a disaster but a pleas- ure," he said of talking about old times. He was however a little surprised there were no hotels in sown. "When they said no motels and no hotels, I never thought of the Le- gion. It certainly made n)y night more pleasurable." bended - Kaye Bartlett (left) and Alex Ivey settle in at the eter egton w t t air • •gs Curly anda- Sha. r 1 it