The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1992-12-23, Page 1Meny Christmas rem the staff lzt ` COUNTRY 11.0V/CRS • Exeter Serving South Huron, Inside Ready for anything? Airport review disaster plans page 2 Gas prices Taxed at the pump? page 5 Multiculture Christmas around the world Second front Christmas wishes Students speak out page 25 Girls in hockey Not that uncommon page 34 Vandals break into Hensall mausoleum EXETER - Vandals broke into the rear door of the Hensall Mauso- leum/Chapel which is located on the north boundary of Usborne Township, report the Exeter OPP. Police say nothing was taken dur- ing this break in butt are looking fa leads and information about the in- cident. In the early hours of Friday moming, about 3:20 a.m., police re- port that thieves broke into both the OLCO gas station in Woodham and the service station in Kirkton, steal- ing Colt cigars, chocolate bars. and other confectionery. A 26 -year old man faces charges of possession of narcotics after OPP officers pulled over a vehicle near Dashwood early Sunday morn- ing. Subsequent investigation led to the seizure of 26 grams of what police believe is marijuana from the lone occupant of the vehicle. • .000 d 0 North Middlesex & North Lamhtondor Since 1873 Wednesday, December 23. 1992 a a is anybody listening? *ivy eiratdar: �wrof( a GC Gasser-Kneale Insurance 75 cents OPP 'bug squad' checks Exeter Police Station By Adrian Harte T -A Editor EXETER - The people of Exeter have become accustomed to an air of mystery surrounding their police force in recent months. However, another piece has been added to the growing puzzle. No one is offering an explanation why, but the Times Advocate has learned that the Exeter Police Sta- tion and its cruisers were recently searched for electronic surveillance devices at the request of the chief. Two utility vehicles from the OPP Technical Support Services Wiretap Unit visited the police sta- tion on December 2 and, during of- fite hours, used electronic equip- ment to seek out bugging devices, phone taps or other forms of sur- veillance devices. Sergeant Carl Armstrong with the Wiretap Unit declined to discuss Just ill time for Christmas BM manager -Erin Brydon (centre) presents $1,000 in BIA bucks to Archie Webber (left) and Karen Tuckey, two winners of the coupon promotion. The third winner was Don Row - swell, also of Exeter. BIA draws winners of year-long coupon campaign promotion EXETER - Friday evening three people were se- lected to each become $1,000 richer, at least within Exeter. The Business Improvement Area held their year- end finale to their latest promotional campaign, drawing the three winners of the "BIA bucks" from over 100,000 ballots collected from town stores during the year. Also drawn from the ballots earlier this fall were three winners of shopping sprees held at each of the town's grocery stores, worth approximately $500 each. The "BIA bucks" can be redeemed at any Exeter store and are valid until March for the three recip- ients. BIA spokesman Terry Schwartzentruber ex- plained that the coupon plan was considered the best way to ensure the prize money was all spent in Exeter and that the town's retailers who supported the campaign benefitted from it. The winners were Don Rowswell of Exeter, Ar- chie Webber of RR 1 Exeter, and Karen Tuckey of Exeter. Schwartzentruber said 1992 has been a good year for the B1A in its efforts to better promote the town's businesses in this recession economy. He pointed to the "Discover Exeter" theme being intro- duced during the year and carried over onto the streetlamp flags as being one of the more visible and beneficial projects undertaken by the BIA in re- cent years. details of their investigation of the police station, saying that all ques- tions were best addressed to the town's police chief. "We were acting upon a request," said Armstrong, and added that such searches are not pan of any routine checks of police stations. "It's not something we do every day." Armstrong said such requests are treated seriously by the unit and are acted upon quickly, but he would not say whether any bugs or other devices were found at the station or whether a follow up investigation was being conducted. "I think any of those questions you're probably best to put to the chief down there. He can probably better answer them for you. We acted upon a request that was re- ceived and in turn we provided a service," said Armstrong. Chief Jack Harkness, however, refused to comment on the search or whether he had indeed requested the OPP unit's assistance. "I'm not making any comment at all," said Harkness. "I'm not even going to acknowledge or deny that it occurred." Police service board members John Stephens and mayor Bruce Shaw both said they were unaware the station had been debugged or that anyone had any fears the secur- ity of the station had been compro- mised. Shaw said he wanted to raise the issue at a Thursday meeting with Harkness' legal council over the chiefs recent suspension, but was advised by the police services board's lawyer not to do so. Recreation Centre alcohol policy to educate renters EXETER - A policy on the regulation of alcohol use will soon accompa- ny each rental agreement of the South Huron Recreation Centre for li- censed events. A town councillor Monday evening wondered why such a policy was necessary when all proposed regulations already fall under Liq- uor Control Board rules. "Why are you considering instituting a policy yourself? Is that not over- kill?" asked councillor Robert Drummond when reviewing the recreation centre's report to council. Councillor Dave Urlin said the reason for the policy is to make sure all hall renters are fully aware of their responsibilities for holding a special occasion permit. "Most people aren't aware of the regulations, they just get their permit, put it up on the wall and away they go," said Urlin, adding that advice from the town's insurance company indicated that adding a policy state- ment to each rental contract will make sure the renter has been advised of all rules, regulations and obligations. Children's Aid Society invites everyone to free skate time EXETER - The Children's Aid Society of Huron County 15 works in many ways for the families and children of our community. To that end they are sponsoring family free skates in four locations this Chrisunas season. The agency is inviting individuals, grandparents, par- ents and children to join them at the arena for an action packed afternoon of skating In Exeter the free skate is at the South Huron Recreation Centre on De- cember 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. During Goderich's Festival of the Lights the Children's Aid Society sponsored a community free skate and over 210 people had a wonderful time. They are hoping all events are as popular. The Society says it is one way for them to say "Merry Christmas" to the i+ families of Huron County. With Our Thanks There's no better time of year to express our gratitude and offer our very best wishes for a joyous season. O 9,04" Adrian Harte Al Flynn Alan Hodgert Alma Ballantyne Anita Finkbeiner Annie Morenz Barb Robertson Barbara Consitt Brenda Hern Carmel Sweeney Craig Schwartzentruber Debbie Lord Derek Beckett Don Smith Elaine Parker Elaine Pinder Fred Groves Hazel Davis Irene Haugh Jim Beckett Joan Beierling Joyce Weber Laurel Miner Lorne Eedy Marg Flynn Mark Weigand _Mary Kooy Mary McMurray Michele Hodgert Muriel Lewis Norma Jones Ray Lewis Rhoda Rohde Robert Nicol Roberta Templeman Roberta Walker Ross Haugh Ruth Laing Ruthanne Negrijn Ryan Rutledge Shirley Cooper Theresa Redmond Tonya Riehl Vanessa Cook