HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-09-01, Page 1We
cam
setected'antiques
COUNTRY FLOWERS
Exeter
.- �.r� r+. -. yrs-' -is 4 :raw
SL
Gaiser-Kneale
Insurance
Service
Experience
Value
235.2420
Serving South Huron
New support
group for
survivors of
sexual abuse
'CLINTON - A support group for
victims of sexual abuse as children
will be meeting in Clinton this fall.
I..imited to, 10 tangle maim,
group will meet Tuesday even -
North Middlesex & Lambton
Since 1873 Wednesday. September 1, 1993
V$ eather smiles o11 Zurich /lea) Festival
Thousands of people indulged in -a- plate of famous Zurich beans with pork chops Satur-
day afternoon. More photos from the 28th annual Bean Festival are on pages 14 and
15.
from September 21 to Decem
--
tier 7 and will focus on coming to-
gether with others to share
information, provide support, and
help with moving on.
The sessions will be free and con-
fidential, but all participants must
first meet with one of the facilita-
tors prior to the first meeting.
Anyone interested can contact ,
Blanche Savage at the Survival
Through Friendship House at 524-
5333.
This will be the second such ses-
sion for people who suffered abuse
as children and who now have
grown up.
Until recently, say organizers,
sexual abuse survivors had to travel
to London or Kitchener to find a
support group program. The first
group, jointly sponsored by the Sur-
vival Through Friendship House
and Seaford) Community Psychiat-
ric Services, met for 12 weeks from
late February through May.
Organizers and participants were
very pleased with the success of the
program, leading to this session this
fall.
Cigarettes
grabbed in
Hensall
variety store
break -i n
HENSALL - About $2,500 in
cigarettes were taken in an early -
morning smash and grab in Hensall
Thursday.
The Exeter OPP report that
thieves broke a window to gain en-
try to Mike's Stop and Goat the
west end of the village.
At about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, the
Petro Canada station on Highway 4
east of Crediton was broken into.
However. the broken window acti-
vated the alarm system, scaring the
would-be thieves away empty
handed.
Pblice'also note that someone
early Friday cut the locks off the
gas pumps al Stephen Central
School. There was no theft, how-
ever.
Anyone who has information
about these crimes is asked to con-
tact either the Exeter OPP at 235-
1300, or Crime.Stoppers at 1-800-
2¢5-1777. You will not have to
deadly yourself and you could be
eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
Old police equipment,
cars hard to get rid of
EXETER - While it was first believed the OPP
would be taking over most of the equipment of. the
Exeter Police when the force disbands later this
year, it is now apparent those assets will be harder
to get rid of.
The contract policing branch of the OPP had first
indicated the OPP might want the communication
equipment of the town force, but the police board is
now left with the possibility of donating it to the
Goderich Police Communications System, even
though that service will too be disbanding.
"It's all good equipment, but unless !hey have a
major breakdown, I don't know if they need it," act-
ing chief Brad Sadler told the police services board
last Wednesday. Sadler then said he had been ap-
proached by town fire chief Gary Middleton about
the possible use of the old police radios by the fire
department.
Board chairman Sharon Wurm agreed that if the
equipment could be adapted for the fire department,
that option should remain open. Otherwise, the
communications system board should be advised
they can have the rest.
Mayor Bruce Shaw inquired about what will hap-
pen to the rest of the police assets, such as the uni-
forms. Sadler said the OPP may want to re -issue
the officers the old town uniforms until OPP uni-
forms can be provided.
The two cruisers may not be needed by the OPP,
however, despite earlier promises of them being ac-
cepted.
"I wouldn't bank on it," said Sadler, noting the
town's newest car, the 1992 Crown Victoria would
need modifications to meet OPP specifications. He
said the rear windows would have to be prevented
from winding down, and the roof lights are not com-
patible with OPP lighting.
"It 'would definitely have to be re -wired for their
radio system," he said.
"They may take the stripes off it and use it as a
plain car," speculated Sadler, but noted Alliston's
newest cruiser was rejected in their recent OPP
takeover.
A similar situation exists with the police's stock of
service revolvers, said Sadler. The OPP don't want
them.
"Why won't they take our guns? They're the same
guns they use," he said.
Sadler speculated that if the two cruisers were re-
jected by the OPP. they might see better use as town
vehicles to replace cars already leased by Exeter.
He noted both cars are fully paid for.
An auction will soon have to be held to dispose of
the accumulated property in the Exeter police gar-
age. Mostly lost or stolen bicycles never claimed
by owners, the property will have to be auctioned
off before the town force disbands.
rT
.s
1't. .1 1'
Library adjusting hours to
meet changing patron needs
EXETER ' Avid readers had bet-
ter prepare themselves for a
change. The Exeter Library is
changing its hours for the fust time
in years.
The Huron County Library has
said since many Exeter users re-
quested the library be open in
mornings afd over the Iunch hour,
instead of opening at 1:30 p.m., the
hours will change as of September
7.
The library will now be open Fri-
days at 10 a.m., but will close earli-
er at 5 p.m. The new sichedule will
allow the library to provide special
pre-school programs in the morn -
A
ings.
Tuesdays will also see extended
hours into the evening, wail 8 p.m.
However, since budget restric-
tions do not allow the support of
expanded hours, the library will be
closing at 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
most evenings.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
the library will be open 1:30-8 p.m.
Friday will be 10 a.m. - S p.m. and
Saturday hours will be from 12:30-
S pin.
The library will still be closed
Wednesdays and Sundays.
Librarian Helen Hodgins said the
main purpose of the stew hours is
"to really accommodate the people
who have asked us to be open in
the mornings".
Demand for later hours on Tues-
days before the library is closed all
day Wednesday was also behind
the shift.
"I've had a few die hard people
who aren't too happy with me," said
Hodgins. "Not too many..:but 1
hope they'll adjust."
The changes were made after two
surveys were conducted: one for
daytime library riser, one for those
who came in the evenings.
4
75 cents
Police savings may be lost
Town's social
contract deal may
be 'scuppered'
EXETER - With the Ministry of the Solicitor General dragging its heels
on the replacement of the town police with OPP, Exeter's social contract
deal may be in trouble.
The town made its social contract deal by recognizing that if the police
foree were disbanded by September 1, the town would save four months
of police wages. Even though the OPP contract pays for the officer's wag-
es, the town isn't considered to be the employer.
Exeter needed to cut municipal wages a total of $27,280 under the social
contract guidelines. Even though a wage freeze is in effect for town em-
ployees until late 1996, pay cuts were avoided through the planned dis-
bandment of the police.
All that may be ruined if the OPP takeover is delayed until November 1,
or even January 1.
"How late can this be without getting into trouble with the social con-
tract?" asked John Stephens at last Wednesday's police services board
meeting.
Mayor Bruce Shaw said there was some leeway allowed in the original
September I date, but if OPP coverage does not begin until much later, as
it now appears, "it's going to be tight, really tight".
"If this doesn't come through until the first of January, we're scuppered.
We may have to do something retroactively with everybody's salaries,"
said Shaw.
If the $27,280 is not saved this year, not only might it affect the munici-
pal employees, but also the police officers themselves. So far, the only af-
fect on the force from the social cpntract was the cancellation of a July 1
pay increase.
The agreement for disbanding the town police force in favour of OPP
contract policing is currently in the hands of the ministry and the town's
lawyers. Unofficial estimates from the OPP's contract policing branch is
that a November 1 takeover date appears possible, now that the original
September 1 date has passed.
Uncertainty looms,
layoff notices issues
to college staff
By Catherine -'- —
T -A staff
HURON PARK - The roller
coaster ride continues for staff and
students of Centralia College of
Agricultural Technology, but many
want it to end.
"A lot of people are tired of the
uncertainty," said Kathryn Biondi,
Director of "Centralia College.
"Most people will essentially be
glad to see an end to it all."
Her comments were directed to-
wards the most recent court action
on August 20 which has resulted in
first-year students losing their bid
attend Centralia in the fall.
Since then staff have also re-
ceived layoff notices.
But the battle isn't over.
"The government has obtained a
stay, pending their appeal," said
Najeeb Hassan, a lawyer represent-
ing the students.
Justice Thomas Granger granted
the province permission to appeal a
July 26 ruling.
This has suspended the original
order forcing the college to contin-
ue classes until the appeal is heard.
That Ineans classes for first-year
students in food service manage-
ment and agricultural business will
not begin at Centralia when school
resumes after Labour Day.
Some 46 staff members learned
on August 25 they will be layed-off
_W 're back where we started in
April " si8d Biondi.
Seven students had launched a
lawsuit in late May arguing their
futures were in jeopardy if the col-
lege was to close in May 1994.
Judge J.C. Kennedy ruled in July
that contracts had been made be-
tween the students and college
when deposits were accepted by the
college.
Since then court hearings have
continued as the province appealed
that decision.
The actual provincial appeal
should be heard in mid September
or early October, said Hassan.
In the mean time, students who
expected to start first-year courses
in diploma programs other than vet-
erinary technology had been of-
fered spots at other colleges.
"Many students cannot afford to
go another college," said Hassan.
Some of the courses offered at
these colleges are not the same as
the programs at Centralia, he also
said
It is expected that the province
will pay students any costs result-
ing from delay of the start of first-
year classes if the provincial appeal
is turned down.
"The college closure isn't a done
deal yet," said Biondi.
Terry Fox Runs to be
held September 19
EXETER - Terry Fox's Mara-
thon of Hope continues once
again in local communities this
September 19. Organizers of
Terry Fox Runs in both Exeter
and Hensall have only a couple
of weeks left to plan for what has
been a huge contributor to cancer
research for more than a decade.
In what is now largest single -
day fundraising even for cancer
research, Terry Fox Runs have
raised over $100 million in the
12 years since Fox's death in
1981.
In Exeter, the Terry Fox Run
will be on Sunday September 19,
from 12 noon to 3 p.m., starting
at MacNaughton Park and lead-
ing through the streets of Exeter.
Sponsors sheets are available
to interested participants at Ma-
cLeans Home Hardware, Oscar's
Video, The Bank of Nova Scotia
(also a corporate sponsor of the
Terry Fox Foundation), the Ca-
nadian Imperial Bank of Com-
merce, the South Huron Recrea-
tion. Centre, and at the Times
Advocate (sponsor of the Exeter
Run).
In Zurich, the Run is once
again being organized by
Wendy Rowan, who supervised
the very successful events of the
past two years. The Run will
start from the community centre
park at 2 p.m.
Participants wishing to join in
the run, but not wanting to col-
lect sponsored donations are in-
vited to attend. -- Donations by
cash or chegde will but accepted
at the Run sites."
Every dollar raised on Sep-
tember 19 will go directly to
cancer research. The Terry Fox
Foundation is supported by oth-
er funds from corporate spon-
sors.
r
inside
Flood relief
Usborne teen helps
in Iowa
page 2
From Ireland
Lucan hosts Dublin
County counterpart
page 3
100 flavours
Grand Bend
restaurant makes
ice cream
page 5
Jet ski
Number one
rider
retires
Second front
Plowing .
Hay township
hosts
Huron Match
pages 28-29
New support
group for
survivors of
sexual abuse
'CLINTON - A support group for
victims of sexual abuse as children
will be meeting in Clinton this fall.
I..imited to, 10 tangle maim,
group will meet Tuesday even -
North Middlesex & Lambton
Since 1873 Wednesday. September 1, 1993
V$ eather smiles o11 Zurich /lea) Festival
Thousands of people indulged in -a- plate of famous Zurich beans with pork chops Satur-
day afternoon. More photos from the 28th annual Bean Festival are on pages 14 and
15.
from September 21 to Decem
--
tier 7 and will focus on coming to-
gether with others to share
information, provide support, and
help with moving on.
The sessions will be free and con-
fidential, but all participants must
first meet with one of the facilita-
tors prior to the first meeting.
Anyone interested can contact ,
Blanche Savage at the Survival
Through Friendship House at 524-
5333.
This will be the second such ses-
sion for people who suffered abuse
as children and who now have
grown up.
Until recently, say organizers,
sexual abuse survivors had to travel
to London or Kitchener to find a
support group program. The first
group, jointly sponsored by the Sur-
vival Through Friendship House
and Seaford) Community Psychiat-
ric Services, met for 12 weeks from
late February through May.
Organizers and participants were
very pleased with the success of the
program, leading to this session this
fall.
Cigarettes
grabbed in
Hensall
variety store
break -i n
HENSALL - About $2,500 in
cigarettes were taken in an early -
morning smash and grab in Hensall
Thursday.
The Exeter OPP report that
thieves broke a window to gain en-
try to Mike's Stop and Goat the
west end of the village.
At about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, the
Petro Canada station on Highway 4
east of Crediton was broken into.
However. the broken window acti-
vated the alarm system, scaring the
would-be thieves away empty
handed.
Pblice'also note that someone
early Friday cut the locks off the
gas pumps al Stephen Central
School. There was no theft, how-
ever.
Anyone who has information
about these crimes is asked to con-
tact either the Exeter OPP at 235-
1300, or Crime.Stoppers at 1-800-
2¢5-1777. You will not have to
deadly yourself and you could be
eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
Old police equipment,
cars hard to get rid of
EXETER - While it was first believed the OPP
would be taking over most of the equipment of. the
Exeter Police when the force disbands later this
year, it is now apparent those assets will be harder
to get rid of.
The contract policing branch of the OPP had first
indicated the OPP might want the communication
equipment of the town force, but the police board is
now left with the possibility of donating it to the
Goderich Police Communications System, even
though that service will too be disbanding.
"It's all good equipment, but unless !hey have a
major breakdown, I don't know if they need it," act-
ing chief Brad Sadler told the police services board
last Wednesday. Sadler then said he had been ap-
proached by town fire chief Gary Middleton about
the possible use of the old police radios by the fire
department.
Board chairman Sharon Wurm agreed that if the
equipment could be adapted for the fire department,
that option should remain open. Otherwise, the
communications system board should be advised
they can have the rest.
Mayor Bruce Shaw inquired about what will hap-
pen to the rest of the police assets, such as the uni-
forms. Sadler said the OPP may want to re -issue
the officers the old town uniforms until OPP uni-
forms can be provided.
The two cruisers may not be needed by the OPP,
however, despite earlier promises of them being ac-
cepted.
"I wouldn't bank on it," said Sadler, noting the
town's newest car, the 1992 Crown Victoria would
need modifications to meet OPP specifications. He
said the rear windows would have to be prevented
from winding down, and the roof lights are not com-
patible with OPP lighting.
"It 'would definitely have to be re -wired for their
radio system," he said.
"They may take the stripes off it and use it as a
plain car," speculated Sadler, but noted Alliston's
newest cruiser was rejected in their recent OPP
takeover.
A similar situation exists with the police's stock of
service revolvers, said Sadler. The OPP don't want
them.
"Why won't they take our guns? They're the same
guns they use," he said.
Sadler speculated that if the two cruisers were re-
jected by the OPP. they might see better use as town
vehicles to replace cars already leased by Exeter.
He noted both cars are fully paid for.
An auction will soon have to be held to dispose of
the accumulated property in the Exeter police gar-
age. Mostly lost or stolen bicycles never claimed
by owners, the property will have to be auctioned
off before the town force disbands.
rT
.s
1't. .1 1'
Library adjusting hours to
meet changing patron needs
EXETER ' Avid readers had bet-
ter prepare themselves for a
change. The Exeter Library is
changing its hours for the fust time
in years.
The Huron County Library has
said since many Exeter users re-
quested the library be open in
mornings afd over the Iunch hour,
instead of opening at 1:30 p.m., the
hours will change as of September
7.
The library will now be open Fri-
days at 10 a.m., but will close earli-
er at 5 p.m. The new sichedule will
allow the library to provide special
pre-school programs in the morn -
A
ings.
Tuesdays will also see extended
hours into the evening, wail 8 p.m.
However, since budget restric-
tions do not allow the support of
expanded hours, the library will be
closing at 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
most evenings.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
the library will be open 1:30-8 p.m.
Friday will be 10 a.m. - S p.m. and
Saturday hours will be from 12:30-
S pin.
The library will still be closed
Wednesdays and Sundays.
Librarian Helen Hodgins said the
main purpose of the stew hours is
"to really accommodate the people
who have asked us to be open in
the mornings".
Demand for later hours on Tues-
days before the library is closed all
day Wednesday was also behind
the shift.
"I've had a few die hard people
who aren't too happy with me," said
Hodgins. "Not too many..:but 1
hope they'll adjust."
The changes were made after two
surveys were conducted: one for
daytime library riser, one for those
who came in the evenings.
4
75 cents
Police savings may be lost
Town's social
contract deal may
be 'scuppered'
EXETER - With the Ministry of the Solicitor General dragging its heels
on the replacement of the town police with OPP, Exeter's social contract
deal may be in trouble.
The town made its social contract deal by recognizing that if the police
foree were disbanded by September 1, the town would save four months
of police wages. Even though the OPP contract pays for the officer's wag-
es, the town isn't considered to be the employer.
Exeter needed to cut municipal wages a total of $27,280 under the social
contract guidelines. Even though a wage freeze is in effect for town em-
ployees until late 1996, pay cuts were avoided through the planned dis-
bandment of the police.
All that may be ruined if the OPP takeover is delayed until November 1,
or even January 1.
"How late can this be without getting into trouble with the social con-
tract?" asked John Stephens at last Wednesday's police services board
meeting.
Mayor Bruce Shaw said there was some leeway allowed in the original
September I date, but if OPP coverage does not begin until much later, as
it now appears, "it's going to be tight, really tight".
"If this doesn't come through until the first of January, we're scuppered.
We may have to do something retroactively with everybody's salaries,"
said Shaw.
If the $27,280 is not saved this year, not only might it affect the munici-
pal employees, but also the police officers themselves. So far, the only af-
fect on the force from the social cpntract was the cancellation of a July 1
pay increase.
The agreement for disbanding the town police force in favour of OPP
contract policing is currently in the hands of the ministry and the town's
lawyers. Unofficial estimates from the OPP's contract policing branch is
that a November 1 takeover date appears possible, now that the original
September 1 date has passed.
Uncertainty looms,
layoff notices issues
to college staff
By Catherine -'- —
T -A staff
HURON PARK - The roller
coaster ride continues for staff and
students of Centralia College of
Agricultural Technology, but many
want it to end.
"A lot of people are tired of the
uncertainty," said Kathryn Biondi,
Director of "Centralia College.
"Most people will essentially be
glad to see an end to it all."
Her comments were directed to-
wards the most recent court action
on August 20 which has resulted in
first-year students losing their bid
attend Centralia in the fall.
Since then staff have also re-
ceived layoff notices.
But the battle isn't over.
"The government has obtained a
stay, pending their appeal," said
Najeeb Hassan, a lawyer represent-
ing the students.
Justice Thomas Granger granted
the province permission to appeal a
July 26 ruling.
This has suspended the original
order forcing the college to contin-
ue classes until the appeal is heard.
That Ineans classes for first-year
students in food service manage-
ment and agricultural business will
not begin at Centralia when school
resumes after Labour Day.
Some 46 staff members learned
on August 25 they will be layed-off
_W 're back where we started in
April " si8d Biondi.
Seven students had launched a
lawsuit in late May arguing their
futures were in jeopardy if the col-
lege was to close in May 1994.
Judge J.C. Kennedy ruled in July
that contracts had been made be-
tween the students and college
when deposits were accepted by the
college.
Since then court hearings have
continued as the province appealed
that decision.
The actual provincial appeal
should be heard in mid September
or early October, said Hassan.
In the mean time, students who
expected to start first-year courses
in diploma programs other than vet-
erinary technology had been of-
fered spots at other colleges.
"Many students cannot afford to
go another college," said Hassan.
Some of the courses offered at
these colleges are not the same as
the programs at Centralia, he also
said
It is expected that the province
will pay students any costs result-
ing from delay of the start of first-
year classes if the provincial appeal
is turned down.
"The college closure isn't a done
deal yet," said Biondi.
Terry Fox Runs to be
held September 19
EXETER - Terry Fox's Mara-
thon of Hope continues once
again in local communities this
September 19. Organizers of
Terry Fox Runs in both Exeter
and Hensall have only a couple
of weeks left to plan for what has
been a huge contributor to cancer
research for more than a decade.
In what is now largest single -
day fundraising even for cancer
research, Terry Fox Runs have
raised over $100 million in the
12 years since Fox's death in
1981.
In Exeter, the Terry Fox Run
will be on Sunday September 19,
from 12 noon to 3 p.m., starting
at MacNaughton Park and lead-
ing through the streets of Exeter.
Sponsors sheets are available
to interested participants at Ma-
cLeans Home Hardware, Oscar's
Video, The Bank of Nova Scotia
(also a corporate sponsor of the
Terry Fox Foundation), the Ca-
nadian Imperial Bank of Com-
merce, the South Huron Recrea-
tion. Centre, and at the Times
Advocate (sponsor of the Exeter
Run).
In Zurich, the Run is once
again being organized by
Wendy Rowan, who supervised
the very successful events of the
past two years. The Run will
start from the community centre
park at 2 p.m.
Participants wishing to join in
the run, but not wanting to col-
lect sponsored donations are in-
vited to attend. -- Donations by
cash or chegde will but accepted
at the Run sites."
Every dollar raised on Sep-
tember 19 will go directly to
cancer research. The Terry Fox
Foundation is supported by oth-
er funds from corporate spon-
sors.
r