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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-04-30, Page 1SEIP'S valu-mart 4 « 83 Exeter 235-0262 Kids ideo Rentals 490 ■ Ira _ EMI NMI NMI _NMI 1 SUBSCRIBEr: tt you aren't subscribing to The I Times -Advocate, you're missing out. 1 Use the coupon below and subscribe today.' 1 Name: 1 Address • City -- 1 Prov. 1 1 - I Postal Code attafiCNpnON RATU: MAW 1 A year $35 . 2 45 GS r $63 + 4 at GST 1 1 t yew $63 . a41 GS g . 6 33 GST $ tasr> CANADA 02 00 1 USE YOUR CREDIT CARD ' ■ 00000000 ■ 1 010000000 Card No. 1 Expiry Date 0 Visa Li Master Card 0 Cheque enclosed Return to; TIMES ADVOCATE 1 `2Eai�.=ter�0ent� - 6J 1 • nside Panther Page See page 10 Training with firefighters See Crossroads re OPP seize narcotics and firearms EXETER - The Exeter Ontario Provincial Police Seized firearms and a Targe quantity of'narcotics during a search of a farm house in Hay Township on April 22. While executing a search warrant on Lot 26 Concession 4, five OPP officers and a canine unit found ap- proximately $15,000 worth of mar- ijuana and hashish oil located in .out -buildings on the property. nccy also seized four rifles, in- cluding one sawed-off shot gun. "This is a significant seizure," said Senior Constable George , Finch. • Charged with possession of nar- cotics for the purpose of traffick- ing, possession of narcotics, pos- session of a prohibited weapon and. unsafe storage of firearms are Ter- ry 1.. Pfaff, 47, and Sherry A. Fer- guson, 37. Concerned residents ask for pitbull ban EXETER - A group of concerned citizens presented a signed letter to members of council at Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting regarding ownership of pitbull or part pitbull dogs. "These dogs'are known killers and according to the media, lately there have been several attacks on others dogs (and people) in our area and elsewhere in Ontario," stated the letter dated April 28. Group spokesperson Kathy Kirk asked the committee to consider a ban on this breed of dog due to a growing concern for safety of area children. She cited a recent inci- dent in the Kippen area in which a dog was killed by a loose pitbull. Kirk added anyone owning such a breed should have them enclosed in a fenced area with a roof to pre- vent them from escaping: Although the committee response to this issue was mixed, staff were asked to investigate options coun- cil may have regarding passing a bylaw or possibly establishing dif- ferential licencing rates. "It's a type of dog we don't need in this town," said Mayor Ben Hoo- genboom. Councillor Thom Hughes disa- greed stating there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. He added it would be unfair to ban a single breed of dog. "I don't think you can legally ban one species of dog," he said. 6 •;r Li9 c SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83 Exeter 235-0262 Wednesday, April 30, 1997 Painted Clay Pkaiters $9.99 inner raises $3;000 for local watershed The eighth annual Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Foundation Conservation Dinner held on Thursday was a great success. Two of the live auction highlights included the former Olde Town Hall clock face and a solid bronze horse statue. Pictured above Liohs' members -John Gaiser and Bill McGregor presented the clock face. The successful bidder was Doug Ellison. Money raised from the dinner is used to support local watershed ?rojects. Restructuring report gets `thumbs down' The report' incites numerous questions about the feasibility of amalgamating municipalities By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter VARNA - As far as many participants of the Mu- nicipal Reform Committee's first publiy meeting are concerned, it's restructuring report raises doubts as to whether or not amalgamation is a wise choice for the municipalities of Hay, Hensall, Bayfield, Tuck- ersmith, Stanley and Zurich. If the six municipalities were to amalgamate, some wonder, would the savings be worth potentially los- ing municipal staff tt4embers and service levels? "Basically what ,dve're doing for the sake of change is eliminating people," said one meeting participant. • The committee was, however, commended for its efforts, especially fpr its grouping of municipalities. Although MRC member and Hensall Councillor Dick Packham said the committee has honestly involved all municipalities since its formation in September, he mentioned the fact many politicians, in- cluding himself, may not be able to repre- sent an amalgamated municipality due to additional meetings restructuring would in- cur. try, the tax change on a residence valued "We're sacrificing 66 per cent of our rep- option is better at $100,000 would range from $459 to resentation...for five or six per cent say- than an- $540. ings," pointed out a meeting participant. other...This is "Why don't we have a copy 'of that Recent amendments to the report, he add- last sheet, with the taxes and so on?" en - ed, indicateotential savings due to amal- not a pre- p 8 �� quired a man in the audience. gamation appear to be less substantial. cooked deal. "There's certainly no intent to 'hide When member councils of the committee • any of this information, sir," replied were presented with report figures, on April 16, they Tunnock, adding the additional figures had not yet were informed by Consultant Glenn Tunnock that net been circulated to meeting participants. savings from restructuring would amount to Another participant wondered how response at $535,083. In time for the public meeting, this figure public meetings (three more arc to be held in Bruce - was revised to show.savings ranging from $307,391 field, Bayfield and Zurich) will influence an amal- to $550,198. gamation decision. "We're trying to do the best with what we can," ex- "If this is a meeting for six municipalities, there plained Tunnock. "There may be unexpected ex- isn't much of a turnout," he pondered referring to penditures that just don't jump out at you when the estimated 60 people in attendance. you're putting the proposal together." in reaction•to an accusation of rushing into amal- Finances, he added, are just one factor in deciding gamation, committee member Jack Coleman, reeve on amalgamation. of Stanley Township, replied, "I don't think we're At the meeting, questions were raised -about how rushing into anything. We're just getting facts." amalgamation factors into municipal grant cuts, as- The committee's dlext public meeting will be held set/liability policy and maintenance of landfill sites. tonight at Brucefield United Church, beginning at 7 But the first public response at the Stanley Com- p.m. plex meeting was, ;Wits is bloody ridiculous," as a man referred to a list of recent report amendments. "This committee does not have all the answcrs...A, lot of hard work was put into this process...We feel in our heart of hearts that what we're presenting is reasonable," said Tunnock, adding, "I don't think we set out to prove that one option is better than an- other...This is not a pre-cooked deal." He stressed the committee•has not yet decided be- tween 'amalgamation, shared services or status quo options. He concludes, however, in the restructuring, report, that "amalgamation would appear to be the most appropriate option for the six municipalities." Some participants ,expressed support bf the status quo option. "I guess we could go on status quo," replied com- mittee member Bill Carnochan, reeve of Tuckersmith Township, adding, "What happens in the fu- ture?...We don't know where we're going to be two "I don't think years down the road." "I'm afraid of all these projections," we set out t0: admitted one woman. prove that one . Under tY new amalgamated municipat- EXETER - The annual Ausable- Bayfield Conservation Foundation Conservation Dinner held on Thursday was a successful event that raised $35,000 for the local watershed. . "This has been one of our best years yet. i found the whole eve- ning upbeat," commented ABCA General Manager Tom Prout add- ing, "Tim Clarke deserves • some credit for his con- tribution." A local. artist, "This has Clarke not only do- been one of rated his work to raise money for con- • our best years • servation but also supports other local painters. He cel- ebrated his 80th birthday with • many friends .and - family members at .the din- ner. Prout also thanked master of cer- emonies Peter Garland for a job well done and said the efforts of members of the foundation, Exeter Lions Club and the public make the event possible. A total of 400 people attended the gala that included a catered meal, silent auction, raffle prizes and live auction of fine art. One of the highlights of the eve- ning was the auctioning of the her- itage clock face that formerly graced the Olde Town Hall clock tower. Purchased by Doug Ellison, the authority was pleased the piece of Exeter history will remain in the community. Most of the artwork, auction and raffle prizes were donated or spon- sored by local residents. Money raised from their sale will be re -invested into foundation activ- ities including outdoor education, the Exeter - Morrison Corridor project and stocking of the -Morrison Dam Reservoir for the an- nual trout derby. Upcoming . con- servation onservation projects in- clude a joint fund- raising venture with the Huron ' Country Playhouse. The draw featuring a Ford Explorer will begin on May 18, with the fi- nal draw on August 30. Tickets are available at the playhouse or the ABCA Office. The annual trout derby will take place this Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. at Morrison Dam Reservoir. yet. l found the whole evening upbeat:" Community Living employees reject association offer The union has voted in favor of a strike man- date but both parties hope to avoid a walk- out SOUTH HURON - As of press time, Community Living - South' Huron and CUPE Local 2597 em- ployees had not reached a col- lective agreement. Services ' are continuing as usual, according to a statement released by association ExecutiveDirector John Gray. CUPE members met on April 16 in Exeter to vote on the latest pro- posal offered by the employer. The offer was rejected which re- sulted itr a -strike mandate passing with a 98 per cent majority. "' The two parties are currently in conciliation and are applying for mediation. The local is working to avoid a' strike and gain an hon- orable settlement. We will attempt very strongly to avoid any inter- ruption to' the clients as fairness is all we 'ask," states an April 22 un- ion press release. The employer and the union have been appointed a government me- diation officer. The association h.., indicated it is prepared to meet again with the union in an effort to conclude a collective agreement. No delay in response by ambulance service LONDON - When you're waiting for an ambulance minutes can seem like hours. An ambulance was called to as- sist 'a heart attack victim on Wednesday, April 16 but before the crew arrived the victim, who was visiting the annual Hospital Rum- mage Sale, had been taken to South Huron Hospital by someone else. Shortly after this emergency ru- mors began circulating regarding a possible delay in the speed the am- bulance responded and have been quashed by Peter Bergsma, manag- er at London Central Ambulance Communication Service. Bergsma said a call was received requesting an ambulance for a sus- pected heart attack victim and the rescue unit was dispatched immedi- ately but the call was subsequently • cancelled after an individual at the scene indicated the victim was be- ing taken to hospital by someone at the arena. "There was no delay in no- tification of the ambulance,the call- er was still on the phone when we dispatched one," Bergsma said add- ing the dispatcher was asking for an address white the ambulance from Dashwood was sent, in case an- other ambulance was closer. "In a case like this we prefer the exact address in the event we had to send another ambulance other than the local service which may not know where the arena is." This information will come up automatically on their monitors when Exeter gets a 911 service in the near future. "911 is going to be a big help to all emergency services," said Berg- sma. Information about the victim was not made public. County council looks at roads study By John Greig Advance limes Stat' GODERICH Huron County Council is moving slowing in con- sidering whether or not to go ahead with a study to determine who should control roads in the county - local municipalities or the county government. Bob Blay of McCormick Rankin & Associates of Toronto, made a pitch to county council for his company to do a study. Similar studies by McCormick Rankin in Hastings and Simcoe County, showed savings of almost 514 million over 10 years in Sim- coe and 58 million over 10 years in Hastings. Restructuring roads to either low- er or upper tier both showed sub- stantial savings, with upper tier savings being largest. County council was asked by the the Agriculture and Public Works committee to support its de- veloping of terms of reference for the study to be undertaken. Council will decide if the study is to go ahead at all before any group is hired to perform the work. Blay told council making a de- cision on such restructuring has been difficult in the other two mu- nicipalities. Simcoe County sent the proposal back to a committee for further study. Blay said that council is split as some municipalities have five per cent of the roads and 10 per cent of the county assessment, whereas others are opposite. Blay also said the consultants as- sumed the same level of service would be maintained. Coun. Bill Mickle of Exeter later made a motion recommending to the public works committee that lower tier municipalities be con- sulted. "This can be a form of amal- gamation so we should move for- ward in concert with all par- ticipants," he said. "i recommend we move rather slowly," said Coun. Tom Cunning- ham. "If my roads cease to be the responsibility of the local council, there's not much for us to do that can't be looked after at another lev- el."