Loading...
Times Advocate, 1991-08-21, Page 5TT'1S YOUR RlJF!NFSS Times -Advocate, August 21, 1991 Page 5 Retailers' opinions. vary on recession of 1991 EXETER - There are some words which strike fear into the hearts of thousands. Recession is one of them. And while national surveys are fine and dandy, many times they fail to reflect the atu- tudes of the community at hand. Despite all the noise about reces- sion, many feel that we have reached the end of the downward slump, but admit that attitudes have certainly changed over the past few months. People have def- initely become more conservative, not only m their shopping but also in their daily routines. "Just looking around town at things people are throwing out, I'd have to agree that people are more cautious," said Wayne Chappel of the Exeter Works Department. Chappel said that although recy- cling has had an impact on the amount of trash people are throw- ing out, it doesn't have a bearing on any of the larger articles. You don't see anyone throwing out old televisions, bicycles or furniture. Counting change - Brenda Smith of Seip's Valu Mart counts out change for shopper Pat Donnelly. Cottage renter challenges reeve at council 3RANDBEND - Denise Sum- - .nerfiel1 and her two daughters drove from Windsor Monday night and in just -ten short minutes got what she wanted. She recently complained, in writ- ing about the condition of reeve Bruce Woodley's cottage which she rented Monday night she was satisfied that Woodley has been held ac- countable. Summerfield and Woodley had a definite difference in opinion about the condition of the cottage. "We don't owe her any apology. She rented in good faith," said Woodley who sat in the gallery during Summerfield's address to council. "I've never had any problems be- fore and I will not apologize," he added. Summerfield said Woodley's cot- tage was an eyesoar and even said there were rats running near a trail= er. "Even though I was on vacation, I kept cleaning up the mess...I couldn't stand it any more," said Summerfield. The village has a property stan- dards bylaw which Summerfield clearly felt was not being upheld. She asked what the village's pro- cedure was as far as making sure properties are properly maintained. "Normally some of us would go and look at it and send our bylaw enforcement officer," said council- lor Dennis Snider. Council tough with landlords GRAND BEND - The village of Grand Bend is going to get tough with landlords Who, in their opin- ion, have not properly maintained their cottages. Monday night, a motion was passed for the village's standards bylaw enforcement cox to inspect several properties, they will also receive notices. "We should have someone go over the whole town and write down the ones that have to be at- tended to," said deputy -reeve Shir- ley Mitchell. Reeve Bruce Woodley said four addresses on Woodward Street concerned him. "How do we get thosees cleaned up pronto?" asked Wood- ley. Works superintendent Bud Mark- ham said it would take at least six weeks to give proper notice to the owners before he and his depart- ment could go in, clean up the property and bill the owners. Ed Fluter of the Grand Bend Res- idents Association told council he knew of another pmperty which he silspected to be unliveable. Deputy -reeve Shirley •Mitchell,—ley's cottage and in her opinion it who chaired the discussion, told was not up to standard. However, Summerfield that both she and nothing was done. councillor Bill Uniac visited Wood- A few weeks ago, Summerfield Zurich arena ice -time slightly more expensive ZURICH - The price of ice time at the Zurich arena was increased at tine last Zurich parks board meeting and has since been approved by council. The cost of one hour of prime time has gone up to $68, including GST. That compares to last year's rate of $61, plus GST ($65.27). Ice time at other arenas in the area comes at similar rates: $65 an hour in Hensall, GST included, and $69.50 in Exeter, also GST in- cluded. Discounts for off-peak ice time vary widely. Council was also pleased to hear that sound -absorption material installed in the arena hall has lived up to its purpose and has tamed the annoying reverberation effects in the recently -enlarged hall. The $8,100 expense of installing the acoustic material was not part of the parks or village budget, but did come in less than the $10,000 the village had approved to spend on solving the problem,— 4 had sent a letter to clerk -treasurer Paul Turnbull's home. "We found out Mrs. Summer - field's letter didn't come to us," said Snider. Joan Woodley, the reeve's wife was upset with the accusations of an unclean cottage. "I feel I've been slandered by Mrs. Summerfield. This shouldn't have gone to council, it has no place here," said Joan Woodley. CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE CALL 1-804-26306750 caroti CCLCRLASERcOPIER INSTANT COI.OiiR COPIES Enlarge family or team photos to 8 1 /2 x 11 or even 11 x 17 instantly with outstanding results. Ideal for business presentation materials... even colour transparencies 424 Main Street Exeter 235-1331 0 1 But if money were the issue, it doesn't seem to be a factor in prod- ucts covered under the sin taxes. Tom Seip of Seip's Valu Mart, said that he was a little shocked af- ter the first budget came out. "Our tobacco department had the largest increase in sales of any de- partment," said Seip. Because cigarettes are an addic- tion, consumers have little choice, and there is no alternative. People have to scrimp and save on bread, milk or butter to afford what many to believe is their last luxury. Barry Baynham, manager of the Beer Store, said that while sales over the last three years have suf- fered a small decline, this summer has been a busy one. With most unable to afford going out, many are choosing to have friends in. "We've also experienced a very hot summer," said Baynham. "So that could be part of it as well." As far as ordinary grocery shop- ping is concerned, average consu- mers have gonr 'rough a transi- tion, and stor c .ers such as Seip have noted a definite shift in shop- ping trends. "What you're seeing is a lot more predetermined shopping, rather than the impulse buying,"said Seip. "People are really starting to think more before they buy." Nowadays, more shoppers check rely for specials, making sure they .tave fdund a good product they need at a good price. Seip said that in the past if a person wasn't sure whether or not they needed an item, they went ahead and bought it any- way. Now the shopper is more at- tuned to what they want. Despite frugal shopping, many specialty business in town, such as donut shops or stores which carry gifts ideas, don't seem to have lost any business at all. In fact, some are experiencing a boom. Karen Monck, owner of Oscars Video, expects this, her fifth year, to be a banner one. "We're doing very well," said Monck. "August is typically one of our best months, next to December, but I think that word 'recession' has helped us? Fewer people are going out these days, and many haven't taken their normal holidays. Monck said the store has seen many new faces, from bored children to unemployed workers who are now at home tak- ing care of the children. Listening to economists, most be- lieve the recession to have bot- tomed out, a sentiment reflected by many area businessmen. The dif- ference between this recession and the one of the early 80s, however, is the fact that this one will require the restructuring of the entire eco- nomic cycle. "People aren't just laid off this time," said Seip. "Too many jobs have been lost. BEST RATES on your G.I.C. • . Exeter 235-2420 Galser-Kneale Grand Bend 238-8484 E3aieran@,@ D hiT©igc I CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 1 rr^`T 1 r1 rJ 1 -- Kime, Mills, Dunlop. Chartered Accountants Daniel B. Daum, B.A., M.Acc., C.A. Manager 412 Main St., P.O. Box 2405 • Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-3235 John A.M. Norris CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 497 Main Street South, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1 S 1 Tel: (519) 235-3240 Fax: (519) 235-3246 0' AUCTIONEERS FILSON & ROBSON% The Experienced Auctioneers that Guarantee You More $$ Considering A Sale or Need an Appraisal 666-0833 666-1967 Cat Collect Supplying You with 30 Yrs. Efficient Service • Mobile office • Immediate Payment • 2 Auctioneers h Is Orr Measure To Serra You , NORM WHITING LICENSED AUCTIONEER & APPRAISER Prompt Courteous Efficient ANY TYPE, ANY SIZE ANYWHERE We give complete role service PROFIT BY IXIERtIMCE Ph.q,e Cohort 233.1964 EXETER Auto Painting Ron's Professional Auto Painting & Restoration Ron Stewart R.R. 1 Dashwood, Ontario NOM 1NO (519) 236-753,, Bob Heywood Licensed Auctioneer Specializing in household and estate auctions Reasonable rates Bob 235-0874 Laverne 235-1278 AUCTIONEERS Bruce & Brett Coulter Household, Estate and Farm Auctions Parkhill 2944164, 294-0585 REPAIRS Sewimp Meelslwe Ropeles lo oil makes Prink estimates 90 Day Warranty Experlencod since 1952 Sow suss Savo tto 119twhta:s., Atretiwd Ctoe.d Monday Phone 271 -9660