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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-11-18, Page 24Page 24 Times -Advocate, November 18, 1992 Jeremy Jennison (left) and Joris Wood of Grand Bend Public School travelled to Samia last Thursday to represent their school at a conference to kick off Drug Awareness Week. The duo attended workshops on "The Truth About Marijuana" and "Street Drug," and upon their return to Grand Bend were involved in a question and answer period to relate the information to their fellow classmates. New procedures for Middlesex county septic systems EXETER - Middlesex county land -owners planning to install, re- pair or replace septic systems need no longer approach their local health unit for approval certificates. As of October 19, administration of Section VIII of the Environmental Protection Act became the respon- sibility of the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority and its three counterparts within Middles- ex county. The Private Sewage Disposal Program, which includes certifi- cates of approval, use permits, land control review, and orders and compliance, will be funded entirely by user fees and grants through the Ministry of the Environment. While Middlesex residents must ap- ply to the appropriate Conservation Authority for their area - the ABCA, St. Clair, Kettle Creek or Upper Thames River - they may Senior Diners observe Remembrance Day By Gertie Fleischauer ZURICH - With much of the world still immersed in bloody con- flicts, it's easy to forget those who gave their lives in defence of their country and the freedom we all en - Jo)'. Today is a time to remember. Seventy-five diners met last Wednesday to observe Remem- brance Day at the Community Cen- tre which was decorated with cross- es and poppies. Genic fleischauer and Tammy Anutya were in charge of the Re- membrance Day Service. "0 God our help in ages past" was sung with Phyllis Dcichcrt as pianist. Everyone joined in reciting In Flanders Fields Antaya read a touching letter written by a soldier to his wife and family, while on active duty in World War 1I. Guest speaker John Webster, a World War it veteran spoke of his life while on active duty overseas, which proved very interesting to the diners. Genic Fleischauer read the names of nine local men who served overseas in World War 11. Two local veterans never returned. Gerry Kane placed a memorial wreath at the cross in memory of her brother Clare Surerus who lost his life in France during World War 11 on September 17, 1944. Pat Skin- ner, Exeter, who also served in World War II had a very interesting display of his army memoirs. Everyone joined in singing "God Save our Gracious Queen". Personals Genie flcischaucr spent the past weekend in London with her fami- ly. She also helped to celebrate her granddaughter. Katie Milts first birthday. Katie is the daughter of Bill and Ruth Ann Mills. seek assistance or'information from any of the four offices. The change in procedure is of benefit to applicants, says Kelly Prouse, planner with the ABCA. "It's convenient because they can visit any of the Middlesex Conser- vation Authority offices for service. Also, our administration of Section VIII ties in with other water -related programs: some people may be eli- gible for grants under the CURB program or require a permit through the Fill Regulations which are available through•the Conserva- tion Authority. They can get all the relevant applications and permits at once, which eliminates confusion and may also save them money. "Land -owners who are applying for both the septic system program and Fill Regulations on the same property will receive a 50 percent discount off their septic applica- tion, since we can perform both in- spections during the same visit." Any Middlesex property owners who are concerned that their septic system is faulty or not working properly are urged to contact the Conservation Authority, Prouse adds. "There arc a number of op- tions, especially with CURB grants available. We'll try to work with them to fmd a solution." To help ensure an efficient sys- tem, home -owners should monitor _ water usage and remember to have their septic tank inspected and .pumped out regularly.. For a de- Paving plans Exeter OPP officers promoted EXE'T'ER - The Exeter OPP de- tachment has lost two familiar fac- es over the past month through pro- motion, and stands to lose another in January. Terry Wright has just received word that he will be moving to South Porcupine near Timmins January 1, where he has been pro- moted to sergeant and will be serv- ing the posts of Fort Albany, Ka- shcchewan, Attawapiskat and Peawanuk. "I'm ecstatic," said Wright, who's always had a yearning for the north, "I've really enjoyed my stay in Exeter but I'm looking forward to the change because it's some- thing so different." Wright's posting is for a two-year duration, although he may elect to stay longer. He has served in Exet- er for seven years but prior to that was posted in the north at White River. The South Porcupine detachment is divided into two platoons which rotate on eight-day missions to the various posts. The men are flown to a post for eight days and then re - tum for six to South Porcupine. The nearest post is Fort Albany, a mere 320 kilometres away while Peawanuk is double that "It's not what you'd call a heavily populated area," said Wright. "The largest settlement we service is At- tawapiskat on James Bay with 975 people." Meanwhile, sergeant Wayne Burke has spent the past five years in Exeter, but is currently the act- ing chief of St. Marys. He too has been promoted and as of December 14, will assume the post of staff sergeant and detachment com- mander in Ridgetown. The 17 - member force consists of 15 con- stables and two sergeants. Burke was informed of the pro- motion in October while helping out as a member of the audit team in Guelph. "1,11 miss Exeter and the kids are definitely sad to go," agreed Burke. "They'll miss their hockey playoffs." But he is looking forward to the' new challenges which include op- erating an OPP boat. Burke had previously been post- ed at Hanover, Rainy River and Kirkland Lake, but said Exeter felt the most like home. "This may sound strange but when someone asks where you want to be buried, that's home. I had never really felt at home until I moved to Exeter. But Ridgetown isn't that far away so we can still visit" Probably the most familiar face to leave the Exeter detachment is sergeant Al Quinn, who has been promoted to staff sergeant and tak- en up a new post with the Sebring- ville OPP. He came to Exeter in July 1971, and has remained with the detachment for the past 21 years. Actively involved in many facets of the community, Quinn will long be remembered for his work with the Exeter Jr. 'D' Hawks and their executive. He served as the Hawks' manager for four years and Presi- dent of Exeter Minor Hockey for two years. "The personnel here (Sebring- ville) are very friendly and rolled out the welcome mat," said Quinn, who learned of his promotion in October. "And this is a very busy detachment." Quinn has see a noticeable change in both manpower and size of patrol area. As staff sergeant, he will oversee 26 employees com- pared to the staff of 17 he worked with in Exeter. In addition, the pa- trol area for Perth is much larger. Where the Exeter OPP are respon- sible for three townships, Sebring- ville must manage eight. But while Quinn has changed jobs, he hasn't left the community. "Right now I'm commuting, and it's only a 25 -minute drive," said Quinn. "It's working out great right now so we don't plan on moving, unless it's absolutely necessary." 4 But that's not my usual waitress! Rank amateurs taking up coffee pots to raise funds for Child Find EXETER - Should you be out for lunch next Fri- day, you may find someone other than your usual waitress attending your table. Child Find of Huron County are holding what they hope will be an intriguing and helpful fundrais- er for their organization on November 27. Several restaurants in Exeter, Goderich, Wingham, and Zu- rich will be substituting regular staff for local "ce- lebrities" to wait tables. Tips, and a portion of the price of the day's Child Find special, will be going towards the organiza- tion. Even the South Huron District High School will be in on the deal. Five staff members will be serv- ing up the meals in the hope of being tipped by their students. "The teachers can be tipped generously for serv- ing up fries and chickenburgers or whatever," ex- plained Julianne Varley of Child Find Huron County. Celebrities in other restaurants will include town councillors, ministers, service club leaders, and even media personalities. MPP Paul Klopp will be on duty at the Benmiller Inn in Goderich. While the lineup of Exeter restaurants hasn't been final- ized, it will include Murphy's, the Huron Restau- rant, New Orleans, and the Country Bakery. Erb's County Kitchen will be participating in Zurich. Watch next week's paper for a complete list of restaurants and celebrity waiters and waitresses. Varley said she is encouraging the luncheon crowd to come out in force next Friday, to bring their colleagues, and to tip generously. Child Find Huron County is a chapter of Child Find Ontario, and organization which helps locate missing . children, and takes preventative measures against abductions. i tailed factshect titled "Care and. Maintenance of a Sewage System", or for more information about the Private Sewage Disposal Program, contact the Ausable-Bayfield Con- servation Authority at 235-2610. Disentanglement process doomed to failure? EXETER - Is the overall process of disentanglement doomed? That scenario was raised at Monday evening's council meeting when coun- cil members suggested that the provincial government's plan to re- move some of the financial overlaps in its funding and taxation may be on the rocks. One of the main points of the province's plan is to disengage itself from subsidizing municipal roadworks in trade for the province taking over all welfare costs. While the entire process has been touted as be- ing "revenue neutral" overall, many municipalities, especially those such as small towns and counties, have complained they would get the short end of the deal, leading to higher taxes. "There's a possibility that it won't even happen," deputy -reeve Lossy Fuller told council, giving the process a "fifty-fifty" chance of survi- val. "I bet it won't," agreed mayor Bruce Shaw. "There are so many peo- ple opposed to so many different things." Reeve Bill Micklc said one problem is that even the province is un- sure what municipal road maintenance is actually worth. Estimates range from $50 million to S79 million, provincewidc. "Right now we haven't any idea," said Fuller. "We have to wait for figures in January." Micklc later said there arc other issues on the disentanglement dis- cussion table that should be of concern to municipalities like Exeter. Ile said there are proposals to eliminate such things as connecting link agreements like the one which has the province picking up 90 percent of the cost of maintaining Main Street. Mickle also said county road rebates and other subsidies may disap- pear under disentanglement, leading to higher local taxes or poorer quality roads. "Those arc some of the things we have been told of," said Mickle of his experience as vice-president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Micklc said one danger is the province is trying to push the disentan- glement negotiations too quickly. "We're trying to slow it down at the disentanglement table, but it's very difficult to get them (provincial officials) to talk about it, and when they do to get them talking about the figures," said Mickle. "I throw this out to council. I think it's a very dicey time for people to be involved in budgets," he said. Zurich Golden Agers ZURICH - Zurich Golden Agers met last Wednesday. President Ce- celia Farwell conducted the busi- ness meeting. Secretary Ina Neeb gave her report. Due to other commitments Gwen McKeller, treasurer, was unable to attend. Phyllis Dcichert is the new Card Secretary replacing Eileen Consitt. The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 9. for plaza will wait for spring EXETER - While houses on the north side of the "Green Gables Plaza" in Exeter will be demolished in coming weeks, the parking lot that will replace them will not be paved until spring, council learned Monday evening. The 28 -space parking lot will be required by an as -yet -unidentified tenant for the former Green Gables Variety Store on Exeter's. Main Street. Although it is widely be- lieved a donut shop will be that new tenant, even those working closely with the property plans have said the Toronto investors have given absolutely no indication of what is in store for the building. Building official Dave Moyer presented new plans to council Monday, showing an enlarged driveway, upgraded storm sewers, and how the lot would be fenced - off from neighbouring residences. Moyer apologized for the delay in the presentation of the site plan, but said the very minor Official Plan Amendment for the property took three months with the provincial ministry. Councillor Ben Hoogenboom asked John Alguire, representative of the property owner, about wheth- er or not the property would be fenced -off before demolition be- gan, and whether a large maple tree on the property would be saved. Alguire began by saying that it had been hoped to have the lot paved by this fall, but the asphalt plants will close. December 1, so the arca will have to be gravelled until spring. As for the fence, Al- guirc said it was not practical to in- stall it until after demolition. He said he understood the neighbour's main concerns were that a vacant building would be standing there for months, which won't be the case. "Tice fence will be the next thing to go up once the house comes down," said Alguire. The tree, however, will be re- moved, he said. "Unfortunately, it's just inside the asphalt area, but we're going to put three maple trees on the greenbelt area beside the lot," said Alguire. "I'm very disappointed with that decision," said Hoogcnboom, stat- ing that the three young trees would not be any compensation for the loss of the 20 -year old maple. 'kY:'tii yds. F4'�'2/ ktiy ;¢ ran at get . ,WP lir!; ftW'� `kr: GRAND BEND - Water metres in Grand Bend? 'MMa>¢ay night, members of the village council, discussed the possibility i nsuuiling water meters in the village. As pointed out by Mayer Tom Lawson, the village has shown itis sup- portive of user pay systems and may incorporate thtatijy of tbi*dtig'lnto :billing residents for water. Following the meeting, council instru &ed Clerk -Administrator ` Paul Turnbull to work with the local Public Utilities Commission and deter- mine a method which will best serve the residents. "I don't think we have torted out whtoie-responsible for water," said Lawson as to whether it will come hillier jurisdiction of the village pr PUC. "We want to find out what is beneficial to our ratepayers," he added, Currently, residences arc billed a flat rate while the restaurants and other commercial outlets are monitored. Councillor Bill Uniac said if the village .440c4910gle to install meters it should be pointed out that many residents leitie cheat cottages vacant all winter. "There's problems in that it's not continual operation and there is mainte- nance," said Uniac. Some residences just to the south of Grand Bend, in Bosanquet Town- ship, have meters and some of those will soon:rt of the village once the boundaries are changeci;!>cly in the new year. Turnbull said if the v1ltetioec decided to install meters, there is some funding available from thiprovincial government. "It could hinder funding if we don't move ahead," said Turnbull. Someone else may record the minutes GRAND 'BEND - Next year's budget in this village will have an- other possible strain on it. Council is weighing heavily the idea of having a recording secre- tary, preferabley a member of the municipal staff, to attend and docu- ment the minutes for all committee meetings. Right now, only the Harbour Commiuec has a staff member tak- ing the minutes. "What well look at is budgeting for next year for a recording secre- tary, " said Clerk -Administrator Paul Turnbull. The issue arose from the recent Parks and Recreation Committee meeting in which they requested council to take consider having a recording secretary at each meet- ing. "It's a resource person that can pull strings through the administra- tion," said councillor Bill Uniac a member of the Parks and Recrea- tion Committee. "People volunteer to sit on the committee...you lose touch of the meeting if you're doing the min- utes," he added. Councilor Ed Fluter agreed there should be a staff member present to record the minutes and said it would assist in getting the minutes out faster. "Our recording secretary (now a committee member) make very lit- tle contribution to the meeting be- cause they arc busy taking min- utes," said Fluter of the Parking and Law Enforcement Committee. At Monday night's council meet- ing, a municipal staff member was taking minutes. Usually, Turnbull wlw said that his officiat tide is Clerk -Treasurer -Administrator -Tax Collector, takes the minutes "The recording secretary's job for this evening is a trial basis and we'll sec how it goes." Turnbull added he has trouble completing the minutes the next morning because the phone is al- ways ringing and he doesn't get to the minutes as quickly as he would like to be able to. 1