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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-05-13, Page 2Pape 2 Tithes -Advocate, May 13, 1992 NEWS lel! tlX IiPcase IA RSS8 budget DUBLIN - The Huron Perth Sep- arate School Board has promised some good news tor us taxpayers this year. The board has approved a 1992 budget that results in no tax increase. White the 1992 budget is $33.2 million, as compared to last year's $28.4 budget, board treasurer Jack Lane explained that a few factors combined to make a zero -increase mill rate possible. The 1991 actual board expenditures came in some S2.2 million less than budgeted, so `-those funds were -able to be•appliesi to the 1992 year. The reason' for the surplus was Liquor charges laid at drive SHIPKA - Again armphasizing their policy of lay olnuges-rather than warnings, the Enactor OPP raid- ed the Starlight 'Thrive in on ns opening eight may .evening, g, re- stating -in 10 chasges of mage drinking. T1nee- police offices visited she -drive-in theatre on an evening that bas become a notorious gathering place for underage .drinkers and laid the fines totalling S1.100. Staff sergeant Al Quinn said his offices reported that the .theatre goers were all "drinking and party- ing. No one seemed to be paying anyatttention to the movie at all." Quinn said the OPP will continue to issue charges to underage drink- ers, and to those found with alcohol outside a residence, rather than warnings. "The other way doesn't seem to be working at all," said Quinn, add- ing that the police are aiming to prevent potentially disastrous oc- currences which can surface where large numbers congregate. "That's when the problems rurally start," said Quinn. due to delays on the project to build a new Roman Catholic high school in Stratford. That project will cont- mence this year, accounting for most of the 1992 budget increase, but is largely funded from reserves, , not taxation. Lane noted that the orieratine budget tor the board is actually up 6.5 percent over last year's, but that increase wilt be covered by increas- es in assessment and through in- creased provincial grants tram a 5.5 percent nigher to mlknent in Yee board's schools. While 'ratepayers in Perth County will be pleased by the lack -of an in- crease in the mill rate, reasoessrnett in Huron County will affect proper- ty owners somewhat differently. The separate school board support- er in Huron will see a tower mill rate overall, but with niassessment, most urban dwellers will be finding they are now sharing more of the tax burden than their rutin! counter - pans. Future projects for the Huron - Perth boatel include the beginning of a data collection project to study whether or not a new Catholic school should be opened in Listow el. Huron County council strongly criticize -timer H on! t By Fred Groves 7'-A Staff GODERICH - Lack of publicity, no identity and little communica- tion are just some of the problems hanging over the . heads of Humin County Council and its new Homes for the Aged. Don King, a partner with the management consultant firm of - Peat, Marwick, Stevenson and Kel- -..logg presented -his report to -council on Thursday and seemed to bring a .strong message. Near.the.end of its 1988-91 term, county council approved a modest - sized study to review matters of management structure, staffing and effectiveness at Huronview. "Is this not the most significant project undertaken by Huron Cotmty,?" asked King. • He said county politicians have shown very little excitement about the multi-million dollar project which will .see the :Huronview Home for the Aged ;in Clinton re- built and a new facility constructed in Brussels. "The changes at Huronview are changing .the lives of a thousand people." - King noted that group includes not only the220 residtmtsibutstaff and family members as well. • Every year new county :commit- tees are established and King:andat least one councillor suggested this policy be interrupted. "You know far too little of what is going on at Huronview," said King who stressed continuity when selecting ibe lhrronview commit- tee. Bill Clifford of Goderich, recan- mended the Seniors and Social Ser- vices Committee which handles both the increasing demands on the -general assistance program and Hu- ronview, is becoming overloaded. "Pm finding it a little heavy, from an absorption point of view," said Clifford. King criticized the county for overlooking several areas of con- cern, including the actual cost of moving the residents into the new Huronview. He said the procedure, which could cost up to 5100,000 should already have an established budget. His detailed, 18 -page report, said the administrator position must pro- vide leadership. There is need for the administra- tor to be seen more frequently around Huronview, talking infor- mally with staff and patients, par- ticularly related to future planning. The administrator needs to be the "champion" of the new:Huronview. He must be a leader in presennng agenda ideas, encouraging healthy discussion and seeking effective res allesn of issues coming before the etharnittee. While Grey Township's Leona Armstrong said there are a lot of people asking her about the project, Dave Gower of_Goderich Township said there is little talk from the county councillors. "We hear a lot from other people, but very little in this council cham- ber," said Gower. At least -one councillor admitted he has been somewhat slack in let- ting the public know the progress of the two new homes which are both about one-third completed. "As a council member, I have to get off my duff and spread the good news," said Exeter's Bill heckle. While the hone in Clinton =figs been called. Huronview :for (many years, the new homeinls is nameless. I'rn concerned about the lack of identity for the new site in Brus- sels. What's it's name,"? asked King. Suggestions woo anacle by coun- cillors to have a derailed report on the progression oldie homes to be provided to them on angular basis. In his report, King also said a communication program is needed because within a year, staff, mesi- dents and members of thesmrossd- ing communities will be :in (Ire midst of a major disruption. Canada's birthday marked with celebration of Canadian music By Michelle-112nsan EXETER- Exeter's first Canada 125 celebration .took place .last Wednesday night at "A Celebration of Music", a collaboration of musi- cal groups performing Canadian composed and written choral and concert band music. In honour of Canada'siR5-:bfrth- day this July first, ;the event brought together choirs:and.:bands from Exeter schools and the com- munity to recognize Candadian music. The talented groups includ- ed the New Huronia Singers, the primary choir from Exeter Public School, the Exeter Legion Commu- nity Band and the South Huron District High School concert band and choir. Present was mayor Bruce Shaw who gave a warm welcome to a crowd that almost filled the SHDHS gymnasium to its cs ecity. He complimented organizer Susan Graham on her huge contribution to music in the town. Graham said there were two rea- sons for organizing such an event .in Exeter. " One (reason) was to get the music groups of Exeter to- gether and we wanted the lime kids 4ogether: - We.also wmtedto do-omr bit for 125 .and .we can't get ,all these grodps together on July 1," said Graham. The ;night was appropriately opened by :the concert's sponsors, The New -}lutenist Singers, singing "Canada, Dear Homeland". The EPS primary choir followed with the well known "This Land is Your Land". Ron Fleming, a tenor for Me New Htuania Singers, sang a heart weaning folk song originally written and recorded by Gordon Lightfoot entitled "Canadian Rail - :road Trilogy". The Exeter Legion A tiAilell ort .rte of singers from the lbw Huronia Singers choir separated from the group to present an eastern f enadi- an folk song at the Canada 125 concert. The vocalists fea- tured were at left, Doug Mock, Janet Krahn, director Susan Graham and Ron Fleming. Community Band echoed the .pri- mary :choir as they played an in- strumental version of "Tanis Land is Your Land" and a .spirited war march tatilled "tanadian Patriot's Ma eb". The New Huronia Singers seg- ment was as entertaining as ever -featuring mainly eastern Canadian music. Soprano, Sandy William's vocal talent was featured in a solo for one of the three Newfoundland folk songs performed. The Huro- nia program also included a very. humourous double quartet entitled "Soldier, Soldier Will You Marry Me?". Graham, also the New Huronia Singers' director, led an ensemble including herself as soprano, Bob Robilliard on the -english horn, Ju- lie Easterbrook on piano, Ron Fleming as tenor, Doug Mock and Janet Krahn in a soothing folk song titled "Song for the Mira" describ- ing a river in Cape Breton. The SHDHS choir impressed the audi- ence with three spiritual pieces with "Cape Breton Lullaby" again representing eastern Canada. The SHDHS concert band played extremely well reminding the audi- ence that .they continue ao improve despite Ma lact;Jhat thsy,;*a iauc to add young musicians to the group year after year. The band just recently returned from a trip to Montreal where they received an Award of Merit at the International Music Festival. The band added a refreshing turn to the evening with French- Canadian composer Andre Jutras' "Les Raftsmen" from a three move- ment piece titled Three Folk Minia- tures and a Caribbean sounding piece entitled "Latin Sun" with a soulful alto sax solo by Denise Hendrick. Conductor, Bob Robilla rd, also felt the evening had been a success in many ways. "The program was excellently run. All groups achieved what they set out to do which was to praise Canada," said Robilliard. The event focussed on Canadian music by coutiponers mainly from the eastern and central part of Can - sada with little representation from ,#its west. According to Graham 4is was due to the fact that piny sof the traditional western Canadian ;gongs achy originated in the United States. The only aspect of Canadian cul lure that was completely over- looked was native life and history. Inclusion of this special group of people would have created an even greater sense of community at the every:- "It should have been includ- ed. Unfortunately, I didn't specify .areas to the groups just that ,(the music) had to be Canadian," com- mented Graham. The entire evening was compe- tently run by Master of Cerernonies Ric Graham and his closing remark was_felt by all who attended. "It is events like this one," said Graham, "where you, the person sitting next to you and the people you see be- fore you are all involved. There is a pulling together and a sense of community where we really can unite as Canadians." As a result, the closing set fea- tured everyone in the gymnasium singing the national anthem of Can- ada lead by the three choirs which all arranged themselves at the front of the well decorated gymnasium. This finale added an even greater feeling of unity among an already enthusiastic audience. Celebrations such as the music concert will continue to occur in and around Exeter until July 1 when the Canada 125 committee has organized a funfilled day of events for people of all ages mainly at the fairgrounds. Some events be- ing planned are breakfast, band concerts, hayrides through Mac - Naughton Park and hot air balloon rides. Crediton man fares $2,6A0 in fines EXETER - A Crediton man is faced with near- ly $2,6e0 Mines its a wmlt of six offenses which he d p Of y loth Justice of the Pearce Calk in l '-may. Kenneth P. Weigel of LltliOltm was round guilty on charges for use of permit plate's not au- thorized for a vehicle, driving while under sus- pension and operating a vehicle without insu ranee following an incident on March 17. The court heard that an off duty police officer passed the accused who was stationary and waiting to enter the main road on Highway 4 at the south end of Exeter. He watched as the vehicle turned south onto the highway. The officer had met with Weigel on previous °cessions thus, identifying him as a suspended driver. Upon pulling the car over, the officer found he had been a sus- pended driver due to default of payment of fines since February 6. The plates on the vehicle had expired and were registered to another vehicle and the accused could not present insurance in his name. Another incident on March 24 added three more convictions for the accused. Weigel was found guilty for operating a vehicle without insurance, driving while under suspension and driving an unsafe ve- -hicte. The court was told that the police officer stopped the accused as he pulled a pick up truck into his residence in Credlton. The accused admitted knowing he was a suspended driver, couldn't produce insu- rance and had failed to apply for a safety permit on the vehicle. Justice of the Peace Karen Sturdy questioned the evidence that the vehicle -was unsafe since it was based son the fact that the accused simply' had not applied. Weigel, however, told the court the vehicle was unfit and he had no problem with the charge. Sturdy took into account the accused has a fragile income and there were .a targe number of charges when giving the minimum fines for five of the offenses totally $2,575 with six months to pay and giving a suspended fine for the charge of operating an unsafe vehicle. Trespassing Patrick N. Kyle of 225 Kiilg St. in Hensel] was sentenced to a 5200 fineforentcring a premises when entry was prohibited. The court -heard, without the accused present, that in 1987 Patti Elder of RR 2 Hensall -had met Kyle at his zesidence and told him -face to face filet he didn't want him m! -his 'property ever again as a meson of a snowmobile that went missing at his dealership. Elder send the•ban had never been lifted. Then on March 11 Elder, while heading south on concession 2-3 in Hay Townshipto his residence, noticed Kyle in a vehicle stopped at the end of Elder's driveway. When police q'theaccused, he openly admitted to being on the property, which also housestesnowmobile dealership, look- ing at snowmobiles and.thatit washeatthe end of the driveway. Sturdy took into consideration tat tate accused failed to appear in court and that he cleanly violated the ban by Elder when sentencing Kyle to a 5200 fine, which is over the minimum fine possible, with 30 days to pay. The Exeter Public School plmary choly entertained a large number of enthusiast music lovers at the concert with the well known "This Land is Your Land". The Exeter Legion Community pfd, led by conductor Bob Robilliard, play a high spirited war march.