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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-03-19, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, March 19, 1997 St. Marys man creates truck wheel alarm ST. MARYS - St. Marys area farmer Robert DeBrabandere has invented a loose wheel alarm mechanism he believes can stop wheels from flying off trucks and make Ontario roads safer, reports the Journal Argus. The alarm alerts truck drivers of an imminent separation of a wheel assembly from its axle. The device also prevents the wheel from flying off before the truck can be brought to a stop. Using spare parts in the family workshop, DeBrabandere came. up with the loose wheel alarm mechanism that is triggered by loose wheels "well before the wheel would have disconnected from the bus axle." He has tested the prototype and estimates the alarm could be manufactured for between $50 and $75. Nurses union to issue layoff notices WINGHAM - The Ontario Nurses Union that represents registered nurses at Wingham and District Hospital will be giv- en notice of a layoff of up to six full-time and three part-time em- ployees, reports the Advance - Times. The layoffs are part of cost- cutting measures introduced at the March board of governor's meeting. The reduced number of paid hours is expected to come into effect wttfiin the next three to six months, pending un- ion notification. Lack of interest in recreation committees CLINTON - A lack of interest in Bayficld's arena and recrea- tion committees has put minor ball, soccer and swimming pro- grams into question, reports the News -Record. During the March 3 meeting, council was asked to approve a motion to disband the village's recreation committee, the group that has overseen the organiza- tion of these three sports. Last year only a few people volun- teered to assist in the organiza- tion of activities. .Council deferred making a de- cision on the motion but thc committee has moved to tempo- rarily put its meetings on hold. Residents tearing bag tags in half GODERICH - Residents tear- ing garbage tags in half cost the town approximately $20,000 last year, reports the Signal -Star. An investigation into the mat- ter revealed that two years ago, 1,116 tons of garbage was col- lected and 122,000 stickers were sold. Last year, 1,102 tons of garbage were collected but only 106,000 tags were sold at $1.50 each. Council does not want to in- crease the cost of the bag tags but other options include switching back to larger stickers or selling garbage bags people would have to use. For now, council will distrib- ute a flyer to residents educating them about the problem. TN TNF NEWS New security policy at open receptions irks brides-to-be By Chris Skalkoa T -A Reporter EXETER - Aftcr passing a mo- tion to make security mandatory at . the expense of hall renters for open wedding receptions, thc South Hu- ron Recreation and Community Centre Board made an amendment to alleviate the cost for those who booked hall space before the mo- tion was passed. According to Recreation Di- rector, Lynne Farquhar the Liquor Control Board of Ontario told the South Huron Recreation Centre do take action on under -age drinking at open receptions. Farquhar said there seemed to be a group of teenagers who visit open wedding receptions hooked at the Rec. Centre's main hall where they try to use alcohol drink tickets. At a previous meeting, board members passed a motion to im- pose security at open receptions at an estimated cost of $150 to hall renters. "We needed to do something and security seemed to be the only way," said Farquhar, adding it has solved the same problem at buck and doe events. "Once the word starts to spread they won't try it anymore." However, two "deputations" to the board's regular meeting on Monday attended to voice their concerns about the added cost of renting the hall. Bride-to-be Tara Hunking and Pam Walper, speaking on behalf of her daughter Anne, booked the rec- reation centre hall for an open re- ception before the new security pol- icy was imposed. They were concerned they were not notified by letter about the added cost and Your Views Letters to the editor didn't think it was 'fair to impose an extra $ l50 after they had already signed a contract that did not stip- ulate security measures. "We have a legally binding agreement and security was not a condition of rental. Now, all of a sudden we're faced with an addi. tional $150 fee," said Walper. Mayor Ben Hoogenboom agreed with their concerns. "Their agreements were signed in good faith, I think some conces- sions should be made," he said. Recreation board member Dave Orlin said when he seconded the motion he didn't take into con- sideration the 16 contracts that have already been signed for future rentals. Others said they thought the new security policy would come into effect retroactively when they voted on the motion. "I told you we were going to take Rules clarified "...we did not adequately enforce the rule mentioned above which caused misunderstandings among some of our newer members." Dear itor: I' riting in response to the letter published March 12 and written by Carleen Lawrence con- cerning the Exeter Saddle Club. The Exeter Saddle Club is a local -horse oriented club. It is dedicated to promoting horsemanship and offers a variety of social activities surrounding the care, ownership and riding of both horses and po- nies for people of all age's at any level and of any discipline. We are a non -denominational, non -breed oriented open club for professional, amateur and novice horse persons. • Carleen Lawrence -did not seem to understand the basisofourmules concerning horses, poiiiesand tid= ers. As a club we are, and always have been, governed by the. rules of The Midwestern Horseman's Society and The Canadian Equestrian Federation - the feder- al organization which governs horse sport and activ- ities throughout Canada. Our club rules were de- signed to coincide with national and regional rules. The rule Carleen Lawrence objected to is in fact a rule we have not changed - just clarified. "The rule states that only one horse/pony and rider combina- tion may compete for horse show points in any games class. The national is the same. It states that, "A horse (pony) cannot be ridden by more than one rider in the same event." The C.E.F. further clarify the ruling by stating, "A horse (pony) used by a Jun- ior in a Junior event can be used by a Senior in a Senior event or vice versa. At the discretion of the Show Committee, cross entries between Junior and Senior divisions may be limited." (We do not limit cross entries.) In fact, more than one rider may ride the same horse or pony at any time in our shows providing that they enter in different classes and meet the eli- gibility requirements for that particular event. (One. person and the pony in "showmanship", the next time the pony can go into the ring with another child or adult in a different class i.e.: the nex't rider enters the pony in the flag race, the barrel race or western pleasure etc.) The Exeter Saddle Club has more than 20 classes at each show including Western games and pleasure classes, English classes and halter classes for adults and children. • Last year, we did not adequately enforce the rule mentioned above which caused misunderstandings among some of our newer members. This year, we decided to clarify the rule at our Annual General Meeting held in February where the members ofthe club voted in favor of enforcing the rule as written for the 1997 season. The Exeter Saddle Club hosts approximately five shows per year at the Centralia showgrounds and welcomes new members and spectators. Sincerely, Pam Sugden, President Exeter Saddle Club on behalf of the membership Thanks to Tim Norton's for exceptional service Re: Dennis Whaling, owner of Tim Norton's Franchise in Exeter Dear Editor: We wanted to report an exceptional event that took place in Exeter last week. My mother is 87 years old, is legally blind and lives by herself in her home in Exeter. My sister and her family live in Exeter and arc Usually there to help my mother. Last week, my sister and her fami- ly were on vacation, and my mother took ill. When 1 called her from Toronto, it was clear she wasn't in serious trouble, but she certainly telt sick enough that she could not organize meals. 1 decided to take a long shot and called the Tim Horton's in Exeter and asked if they could send some food over to my mother for the five or six days that the family was going to he out of town. When 1 spoke to Dennis Whaling, he didn't hesitate to offer to help. He did not ask for any money up front, and couldn't take a credit card number to en- sure that he would be paid. Not only did he have the food provided without payment in advance, and— nothing ndnothing from me except a phone number that he could call to send the bill to, he also had his staff people take the time every day to deliver food to my mother's house. Needless to say, this made a huge difference to my mother's well-being during the last week and to the peace of mind of the rest of the family who are scattered about thc country. In these times, it is extraordinary to find someone who will set aside policies, rules and procedures to perform an act of kindness. Our thanks go out to Mr. Whaling and to the Tim Horton's organization. Alan Carson and the Entire Carson Family just a game "1 don't think that their addiction got started by playing Youth Bin- go." Dear Editor: 1 would like to respond to the letter of J. Nairn of Huron Park. I don't think that the members of the Ladies Auxiliary or the Crediton Optimists Club were trying to promote gambling. 1 think that they were trying to give the kids something to do during the March break. I sent my children to the Crediton Town Hall to play Bingo on March 13. They came home telling me how much fun they had and how they saw all their friends. The fact of the matter is they didn't really care what they won there, they had had fun playing a game. This is the message that these clubs are trying to get across. Also my children are learn- ing different shapes and lines as well as numbers. Because they don't charge admission, everyone can come and play. The children get a slice of pizza (generously donated), which means that these clubs are not making any money from this venture. My husband and I (and every other parent out there, single or otherwise) are teaching our children right from wrong. That is all we can do. It is up to them to remember what they have been taught. Like the proverb says "Train a child,in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6. Playing Youth Bingo and a future gambling addic- tion are as far from each other as sun and rain. I know there are people out there that have a gam- bling addiction and 1 know that overcoming it is ex- tremely hard but with the proper program and by taking each day as it comes, maybe they can live with it. 1 don't think that their addiction got started by playing Youth Bingo. (At least not in this area since it happens only once or twice a year.) P.S. I would like to thank these clubs for a job well done! Thank you. Tracy Stire, Crediton a lot of flack from•this. Don't you guys back down, now," warned Richardson "We didn't talk about these con- tracts when we implemented this and I think we should honor the contracts and bite the bullet," said Hoogenboom. However, the hoard was re- minded it would be susceptible to a lawsuit if "something happened" at an event where security was in place but not enforced. After discussion, the Rec. Board decided to amend the security re- quirements only for those 16 con- tracts signed prior to the new pol- icy. Hall renters will now pay $50 towards the cost of security and the recreation centre will foot the rest of the bill. Contracts signed after Thursday, however, will be re- quired to pay the full $150 fee. Arena surplus STEPHEN TOWNSHIP - Council carried a motion, re- ceiving for consideration the proposed 1997 arena budget. The motion stated for $25,000 budgeted for capital expenses be removed until the extent of repair to the chilleris deter- mined. In a second motion, council allocated surplus 1996 arena operating funds: $14,000 to a new arena fundraising reserve and the remaining $10,907 to a new arena reserve. The present recreation reserves are to be al- located to arena fundraising . and arena reserves. This alloca- tion is "consistent with the in- tent with which those monies' were deposited in the recreation reserve." These transfers will be reflected in the' 1996 fiscal year end statement. Bylaw Council adopted bylaw 13- 1997 to change the zoning on a portion of the Grand Bend Air- port property to industrial. Crimes of the week The cultivation and selling of marijuana is a criminal offence. The summer of 1996 was an excellent growing season for outdoor crops of marijuana. Some people may still have some of this crop left and may be• trafficking it from their residences or in their workplace. Many people grow marijuana inside their homes or garages during the winter months. Often if someone is growing inside they cover over the windows of the growing area with paper or plastic so the marijuana cannot be seen from outside. If you know of anyone sellingmarijuana or growing it in their residence call Crime Stoppers. You could receive up to a $1,000 reward of your information leads to an arrest. You do not have to reveal your identity or appear in court. Crime Stoppers does not use "Call display" or "Call Tracing". Crime Stoppers can be reached at 332-TIPPS, that is 332-8477, or toll free at 1-800-222-8477. Board structure to change or Continued from front page difference between the board's cur- rent function and its new role as an advisory committee. "We've always been an advisory committee. We've never really had any authority," she said, adding the board sought council's approval be- fore embarking on a project or set- ting policies. Urlin agreed. "I think the only difference we'll see is the management structure," he said. As a result of the intended change, Usborne Township Council decided against appointing mem- bers to the board, although it will continue to financially support the South Huron Recreation Centre and Chairperson Chan Livingstone has resigned. "If the Committee of the Whole is going to look -after this Board, then I don't think it's necessary for me to be here," he said. • He agreed with the board changes and admitted he resigned due to time constraints and other commit- ments. "I really feel I'm using up all my time," said Livingstone, who is also the chairperson for the Exeter Pub- lic Utilities Commission and di- rector for the Municipal Electrical Association. "I think the powers are going in the right direction and this will pro- vide the board with better jurisdic- tion," he said. "I really feel this was the direction it was going in." Board members resign air Continued from front page and the council goal is to be receptive to public involvement." A committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night when staff will have a draft procedure bylaw prepared. • Grass Cutting In a memo to council, CAO Hundey indicated tenders were received for grass cutting of the Cemetery, ball parks, soccer pitches, large area parks and MacNaughton Park. . "The analysis shows that out -sourcing will not produce the savings an- ticipated and it is recommended that grass cutting be done in-house in 1997," stated thc memo. Councillor Thom Hughes said he doesn't believe council has enough in- formation to make a decision to continue with in-house grass cutting." I don't think we have sufficient information," he said. "We're not ob- taining the best value' for the taxpayer. "Hughes called for a recorded vote. Boyle declared a conflict and did not vote. All other councillors in attendance with the exception of Hughes voted in favor of the motion to continue with in-house grass cutting. The motion carried. Zurich arena becomes partly smoke-free ZURICH - You can still smoke at the Zurich arena, but as of Thursday night, council amended a recreation board recommenda- tion to designate certain areas of the space as non-smoking. The Zurich Recreation Parks and Community Centre Board sug- gested "the arena area including glass, upstairs, dressing rooms and the bench area be designated as non-smoking." Council agreed the building's glass area, upstairs and lobby should • be non-smoking, leaving the dressing rooms and benches as places where lighting up is still allowed. • "There's not very many arenas where you can smoke," noted Councillor Barb Jeffrey, adding visitors from outside of the village automatically go outside the building to smoke. The board discussed the issue at its March 5 meeting, pointing out cigarette butts are often not distinguished properly and at one point this resulted in a small garbage pail fire. "If really has nothing to do with a fire hazard," reasoned Coun- cillor Brad Clausius at the council meeting. "It's the air quality." Councillor Nick Littlechild felt strongly about leaving some areas of the arena free for smoking, especially for summer activities such as the Bean Fest. Why ban smoking around the ice where the area is more open? he questioned council, adding it's unlikely the arena will be policed in an effort to enforce the new rule.