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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-04-09, Page 2Page 2 .:Tiiiie'!:-Advocate, April 9, 1997 HE Township briefs Stephen approves budget items. " STEPHEN TOWNSHIP = M its April 1 meeting. Stephen Township Conned •approted'cycral 1997 recreation grants.• . • - • The' C'enlralia Community Centre will receive $600 and the Stephen Community Centre w 111 obtain $5011 fur capital projects. The Dashwood Community Centre will receive $ I.(NN) plus insurance for capital projects. Grants were also approved for S 1.001) each toward the Centralia and Crediton Parks Board.. The•Dashwood Athletic. Field will obtain a grant of S4(N).' plus insurance.. • In other business. council:carried the proposed 1997 road budget. al- low nig $575.794 in -expenditures. ••. • Stephen Minor Hockey. will be granted one free hour of ice time fur eve- ' ry hour paid. up to a maximum of li,c heiurs per week. • - • . Council also awarded. the tender forthc Marlin l lunicipal Drain the to. lowest bidder Bruhn Developments Inc.. at $2.557.30. The Lawson Mu- nicipal Drain was -awarded to -lowest bidder Van Brec Drainage and Bull dozing at S9.IR5.H5. - - A puhlic meeting has been (.-heduled for May 6 concerning the Grand Bent! Mourrplex Zoning Amendment application. . -- Bylaw 17-1997 ni amend the inning (;ti Part 1.ot 40, Concession South Boundary ( Woodburn t \ 1 11a_'c -Residential.- was given three readings • and ad(ipted: - Slerhe.n's contribution 01 '.4.(101) u' arils the Rapid. Detection Study was appri'etl: A comptitcr upgrade for the municipal office was also ap- pin.'. ed b”, : oun, tl in the amount of S19.841-.25. plus taxes. County budget won't raise taxes (it )l )I:R127H - There. tt ill he net increase in taxes paid it, Huron ( •o1uty h. ta\payers. The county passed its 1997 budget with nio debate at i1, '27 Meeting in (iodcrich. . The -cou 11 hudgctris estimated to he just'os _r $28 Million. . Ther.tte for residential and fart assessment will he 2.2553 nulls and for LI nunercial will be 2.6533 mills; :Money raised in Exeter will total $606.889. Stephen Township '.'.'ill he S675_312. Usborne Township will contribute•i4248.441) and 'ltay Township) will total $504.81,2. . ` Tlie library. department was tic only'onc•which came in without a zero incre tsc in.need for county money, hut it had to ah.oi•h $'cut o1' w40.INH1 from the proyincc.. The extra money was made up from othci:areas ol=die count\ bud- et. . . Nest '.ear's budget process will he s-uhstantially different as clic count \ '.till have.to absorb Many new scr'ices-iiownloaded•to it-bv thc'procinec. - , ' • The.coiuuy is also -adopting a different budgeting process. Resident appears to discuss flooding problems EXETER - Council learned Mon-. Ida} night suite or the towns water. - prohtenns will not go away. Dorca Wein appeared before council to support the Public- Works Commit- tee', recommendation that a drain- age expert lie hired• to .Iintinate flooding That has -occurred in her area since Pry de Boule' ard_ was' estciided hast year. Council discusse3 special • garbage pick-up 1 \1 rlilt - 1'.eter's Public 1,1 ks Committee ran into council of ;•u,ttIon \tond•n nieltt as it tried to etu1unatt'.an1o(he1 speer,tl pick-up . rn the I all ihe Committee recons-. Mended the!e he Inc major coflec- tion in qhs and three collections of brush in the Sututncr and Fall and That all "lice days" lite taking ietusc (o the landfill site also he eliminated. The moss was execut- ed lit sine at Inst $20.000 ;\ppar- ently..thc amount crl•matcri,d taken' to Ilse ..dump" has 1011 degreased. 11111 The 9urn11er 111 purchased hr L•sctei '. resident, 11.1, l.tllen 20 pet et'111. ,011, 11101 toe hider sauJ 11 Is lou .11;11. 11 to.''tp est Ie,idens. espccial- I� to p,t\ to 11.14 r •Miele, taken atytay is ,.tee Thine items for the ;gout, pati of a year He 1101111- Tainted 1 Second pick-up) in the i,rll I, neeessary. ".... and if monsis to he sated. ha\e tine !ewer brush eolleelIOIl ( ouncillor Roy i'tiehiter added. some of our people hate expecta7 Icons that are tet) high, Some folks have leaves out now expecting' them to he taken away by the town. This will he perpetuated if we pick tient up this year. We ve talked about this several limes now. and tis lints we did it right. If people want to get rid of leaves . now. they should he Nagged." Reeve Bill Micklc brought the discussion to an end by suggesting Thr matter be re -visited next Mon - (1.1 y night. Council agreed. Wein commented. "We've had 00 problems in 34' years. hut t'vc mow spent. over 1;1.300 and no an- swer is in sight. The drain ii work - .but there is simply too much - wwater flowing through'the;system. Although i've no'.y sold the house. ( assured the new owners that 1 would du evorything possible to see they didn't inherit this mess.'. Work, Superintendent Glenn Kells added he prysent drain is just tau small to handle the increased - load from the houses that have been added on Huron -Street, east, ol - Pryder . The committee's recommenda- tion that Ushorne Township's • , Drainage Superintendent, Robert Trout. he hired to review the prob- lem and provide an answer was.ap- 'proved by ct)Uli lt. . ' Cable company pulls plug on Lucan By Chris Skalkos . T -A Reporter 1.UCAN - The• Mitchell-Seal'orth Cable Tel - plug i n Lu-' evision company- has pulled the can's Cable channel. Administrator Ron Reymer said the cable --company has re- moved its character generator from the Lucan municipal office and will now transmit Lucan's puhlic notices and announce- ments. from its orrice in Dublin Where- they will be grouped. tu' &ether .with messages .or other area cOmmunitics such as Grand Bend. Hensall and Mitchell. Reymer said the character gen- erator located in the• municipal office was'outdated and the move is pan. of a system _up- grading by the cahtc company. . "lt`s quite a different message system now. Thek can do touch more yvitli it." he said. add- ing graphics can now he used. - - However. Reeve Rob Brady said the news carte without warning and he doesn't -like the ldca of L'ucan's announceincnts being grouped :inning others in.,the new regional rhattncl. "it's a bit of a royal. pain getting information for'Luc,tn. YOU have. to sit and watch all the other announcements first." he pointed 001. 'les -frustrating. 11' you wash -hr •sec '.that's go- ing on in-Lucan you have to wait 20 titinuics.'. lie said. adding. Lucan is the largest eoflt- munity in the system without ;i dedicated channel. 'We're big enough -to justify our.own- channel. . Reymer claims the gable company will -mon- itor complaints about the change and if they get enough criticism they stay lump all of.Lu- "I've been encouraging people to complain and I hope . they are inundated with phone calls." can's announccniunts together in- stead of 'dispersing then►• -through the,enure listing. • "i'vc been encouraging people to'i Complain and 1 hope they are' in undated with .phone calls." said - "Brady. who feels. Lucan is losing a valuable service. "We no' longer have that (ntediutn) to communicate to our ratepayers. That channel had - the capacity to carry 33 messages at a•tinte and most Mires it was he said. saint. Vandalism . in other council news, I.ucan res- ident Gwen Kelly complained about -vandal- ism she has hecn experiencing at her home on Harold.Court. Kelly hand -delivered a letter informing council .about the "extensive personal damage we . have•cncountcred since moving u, the community one year -ago. In that period- of time. shc.has-had two dozen Christmas tights stolen front her projSerty. the" tires 00 her -.car have been flattened three finites and recently hcrear tail Tight has•been broken. "1 '.could like some help and advice on how to handle -this ongoing-prohlem of vandalism. "There is no patrol • or control for homeowners in the village of t.ueu.(. her Tetter states. Brady said council triol to organize a Neigl►- horliood Watch Program but didn't get a (e - sponse front the eonununity. The police are doing what they' can but they .have it large arca ti) patrol." Jae explained. The village has also experienced vandatistn in its parks and recently passed an "authorized . hours of operation' that slates area parks are-. only open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to help c-on- tro-the problem. . Councillor _Rosemary (iahlinger-Beaune ac- knowledged. complaints spun to he cemited -,troutid- teenagers and suggested activities could be created to give the youngsters some- - thing to do. '1 don't think we •Should nnpose more re- strictions but try to (implement) more pu.iiive programs and work with then'.. We are not helpless here." she pointed out. • •.• • - Spring clean-up Council announced that May 5 and 6 have been designated as a Spring Clean-up Day, when residents are encouraged to leave brush and compost material out for curh-sitic'collec-' -tion. Front May 7 to 9. household appliances. excluding rctrigeralors. will he collected along with other steel and stone items. Construction materials are also excluded from pick-up. -. April 20 has been.designated as Household Hazardous Waste Day. Residents are encour- aged to deliver items such as paints and clean- ing solvents to the. puhlic -works building he Iween 10 a.m. and- 2:30.p.m. . tar• sate and envi1t,nInentally friendly disposal. Bible club targets local schools On an extracurricular basis, the club educates students about Christianity . By Brenda Burke A Reporter HURON COUNTY - Key Bihlc Clubs aims 10' spread the, word to, students of Exeter. Ushornc Ceti Ira!, Stcplien Central and McCurdy puhlic schools. - Acctirding- to Key Club organizer Bruce Perry. the schools were con- tacted in-Fehrgary and immediately. indicated_ positive responses. "All tour of these principals ihave been Very -supportive," he said. "It's just a matter of, putting- i.l 10- gether." "We don't ,see it as a problem," Said Huron County Board of Ed-• ucation Director Paul Carroll. add- ing the concept is not new and as long as it runs on a voluntary basis and does not interfere with school prograunmin_, there is no need lin-- concern. iteconcern. - - Operating on the 'permisst in of paredts. principals and school boards.. the • non -denominational Christian club educates children from.Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8: through half hour to 45 -,minute sessions: held during lunch or after school. More 'than 44 years ago. Chris- tian Service Centres of Canada Inc., which oversees the Key. Club program. offered its services to the- armed forces. On an annual budget of $190.000. the organization .be- gan to supply religious education in 1948 and grew to service school' boards in.ele.menuay schools. "By. the .late -60's. it .was phased ou1." explained KeyClub-Director Walter McIntyre. who is -also -a- Middlesex County Bdard Of Educa- tion "rntstec. --Speaking at a Key Club ni- limaltion -session held -on March 2'7 at -Perry's home in Exeter. McIntyre e\plained two court -chal- lenges -that have hecn brought against . hihlical . instruction in schools. , . One challenge in Sudhury dealt with the belief the Lord's Prayor in- fringes On an individual's rights he- came it promotes • faith dis- erintinationi: The Elgin Couitfy challenge involved students o')pted out of biblical instruction yet, felt forced to participate. - . In 1990. regulations were changed by the' Minister of Educa- tion. disallowing religious educa- tion of this nature during school hours. "We arc now- proceeding totally at the discretion and,direciirn of lo- cal hoards." states a 1995-96 Key Club program. resume. "Wc also re: - sped individual restrictions tm posed upon, our operation by those Who are still. nervous aboirt-tttis nit - certain ' itcertain' status. knowing.- also 'tial malty .individuals do not; support Christianity by personal cboicc." In 1990. Key Clubs cntcrgcd as part oI' school extracurricular activ- ities. Thera are now clubs in an es- timated 100 schools in six counties including Middlesex. Oxford, El- gin, Brant. Kent and Norlitlk. "The children who wanted to, par- ticipate' could opt in." pointed out Success of rodeo hinges on sponsorship and volunteers By Chris Skalkos T -A Reporter EXETER The South Huron Recreation and Community' Centre Board's Rodeo Committee is giving the upcoming rode() a green light. but its suc- ccss will depend on the amount of sponsorship it re- eeives from heal business. . The Recreation Board will pay $16.000 to A Ilar K Rotieo Productions. sanctioned by the Ontario Rodeo Association. which will put on a seven -even) rodeo in Exeter on August 9 ;end 11/featuring saddle hronc riding.. bareback riding. steer wresting: calf roping..barrel racing and bull riding. • An information meeting last month included 19 people representing various groups .in the com- munity who attend to express. their interest in bc- Coining. invnilvcd. •Anither meeting on March 26 sectioned the number of volunteers into sub- cornmittees responsible for organizing the activities. However, recreation director Lynne Farquhar said support of local businesses is needed to help spon- sor the event. • Organizers have come up with a program that will benefit interested parties. A gold buckle chute sponsor allows businesses to sponsor a chute for $500. There will be six bucking chutes used during the rodeo, wilh four cvcnts coming out of each chute. Lach time an animal or a contestant comes out from that chute, the business sponsor will he acknowledged by the announcer. The chute will also have a sponsor's sign on it as well as an ac- knowledgment in the rodeo program. • A silver buckle contestant sponsor program al- low s a business to sponsor a cowboy in one of the c'.enls for S200 with the sponsors name being an- nounced- whenever the contestant starts his or her event. 'otic sponsor ul'the winning contestant will he refunded and 1111 sponsors will he acknowledged in the program.. "Ail o1' the sponsor's will get some advertising and the one with the winning cowboy will get their money hack." said Farquhar. adding "she is ex- pecting approximatcly.!.000 people to visit.the ro- deo. Farquhar said there arc seven special events planned to supplement rodeo activities including a penning competition. cowboy breakfast, dance, re- freshment garden and various vendors concession booths. Elliot Park will also be open for camping during that weekend. Organizers hope the rodeo will take off and be- come an annual event that • will draw thousands of people to Exeter and give the town an Identity sim- ilar to Zurich's Beanies!: this inaugural event will probably decide its existence in the future. According to Dave Urlin, the unofficial rodeo committee chairperson, future rodeos will hinge on the amount of volunteers who come out to help. "People arc really looking forward to bringing a rodeo hack to town, but it will take a lot of commit- ment," he said, adding he would like to sec this ro- deo regain the splendor it once had when a local group organized an annual homc-grown rodeo in Exeter nearly 20 years ago. "Knowing the people of Exctcr, 1 think it will take -off. When a good idea such as this comes along, they'll go for it." ,a McIntyre, nwdil'yin►$,its program for Grades 6 In 1991. •the., Middlesex Board to 8. The±;organization. which cur , gave the Key Club permission to renty focuses on Southwestern On- . establish its program with two- - Mario. hopes, to establish ilscll"'in , schools. Since then. the - hoard ev.ery school in the province. - -opened its doors.to allow the prti- "We. re.t ognize that • there's no , gram for. 22 additional schools. nt6ral' leaching' `(in Five hundred Middlesex students. schools)." said Easton. "Key t3jhle' are now enrolled -in weekly ses- Clubs -are a good way of getting the Stuns. • . vision out to diildren in otir trou- "Our policy is . not to he dis- ruptive °lithe school programs but rather to complement !hem. - plains the -Key Cloth resuinc. • Through ,prayer. Bible 'stories: ggarnes..."We also respect songs.- yuiizes• 119'1 individual re- rncitutry work. the - which is Str[ChOIiS illl- ctuh. (1- nanciully supported by posed upon our - churches. banquets operatioli...man y and individuals. uses individuals do paid anti . volunteer bled sotiety." ' , .McIntyre described the move as a '. -return to somethine reasonable", in a time when-schoi)IS are "busy plac- es and it': difficult lo address , the neediof all the.,>;ids.:. "In our _schools to- dhy. and in lour cont- - mol►ilies. there is •11 false assumption . that.- , .public. hat- public- education must • - he divorced from. any • et fort tui contribute this /spirituatl dimension." continues the Key . Club resttite, -We are rapidly Besotting 11 secular society. devoid 01 any, respect • for spiritual values to our detriment :incl that 4)1 our children....it will he a sad day when leachers cease to educate the whole child." With ai greater emphasis on school advisory councils. which arc largely Orale up of parents. Nicht- lyre predicts a wide acceptance of the club program: • , Besides. he snT.'ssed. few schoxils in Huron Comity would refuse Key Bible (luh services. staff who) are trained not support to teach sessions trial Christianity by emphasize religious personal choice." and cultural tolerance. • "We Of (71trislian Service -Cent es of Canada Inc.. -make-every effort ln►-communicate--this statement of tolerance u) our .communities and individuals who misunderstand our aim and ac, use 05 ()I' being co- ercive." slates the Key Chili re- sume. - "Our goal is to teach the Bible to kids and show thein how it is :ap- • propriate in their lives." said Pro- gram Director Ron Easton: whoi de- scribcs the program as 1ius1=nt►ving. :The club claims lo do its hest work up to• ('rade 5 and is note Key Bible Club Director Walter McIntyre, who is also a Mid- dlesex County Board of Education Trustee, uses his accor- dlan skills to help with a mock presentation of a Christian class that teaches students outside of school time.