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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-04-01, Page 3Times-Advocate, April 1, 19911 Your Views Letters to the Editor Integrity of council ...members of council decided to humor His Worship even though their plan was illegal in the eyes of the Municipal Act..." . Dear Editor: • Does integrity mean anything to anyone anymore?. "In-leg-ri-ty (n.): adherence to moral and ethical • principles; soundness of moral character; honesty." (Random House College Dictionary) The Council of the Town of Exeter should be ashamed of themselves!:They arc in a situation which would not have oceurred had the Mayor not . decided to keep secrets. Oncediscovered, the Mayor expressed his.desire to maintain the secrecy through a 'get together' at his house where the agreed upon agenda was public policy. Incredulously, members of Council decided to humor His Worship even though their plan was illegal in the eyes of the Municipal -Act -which governs them. (Helen Johns -. arc you. watching?) . . - The Mayor displayed a complete lack of respect for the people who elected him and pay his (increased) salary by even suggesting this meeting. not to mention his apparent lack of understanding of his job as displayed by his claim to be speaking as a PUC Commissioner. He is;a Commissioner. but one without the ability to represent' anything other than the Town of Exeter Council position, even when he personally thinks otherwise. Reeve Triehner clearly' disagreed with the plan, -hut in the end did not have -the integrity to decline attendance. Deputy Reeve Orlin. surprisingly unable to decide which side of the fence he was on,. showed his strength of character by ,speaking from both sides. He made the dirty laundry. which ,wasn't yet Council's. his by agreeing to wash , it hehind closed doors.,Councillor Drummond declared' his preference for conducting the town's business in parking lots. thereby displaying a shock- ing lack of integrity.Councillor, Hogan. although new to the process, didn't seem to know what hody.gov- erns this municipality. He should he told. Councillor anything even though he was beginning.to under- . stand that this move, was and is, wrong. Councillor • Robertson is no doubt breathing a sigh of relief that his vacation plans prevented his participation in this schlimazel. Members of Council need to remember that they serve at the pleasure of the taxpayer. They have a legal, not to mention moral, obligation to conduct the town's business in public...all of the town's husi- hess except those issues involving personnel. legal or property matters. It is the arrogance of the world's politicians that has gained for that profession a repu- tation that generically pegs politicians as sleazy, apart and above from the public they serve, and claims that even those who begin with the hest of intentions can't escape the inevitable transformation. Exeter's current crop of politicians have demonstrat- ed nothing in their handling of the water supply issue to demonstrate to their public that they arc dif- ferent. They don't -yet realize that they had the per- fect opportunity to gain major points by postponing the meeting-untrl it could be properly constituted. public and completely above hoard. That wave would have taken them a long, long way and given firm notice to those on Council who would walk on the seamy side of politics: - - Exeter's councillors need to decide individually how they arc prepared to do husincss.. Should they choose parameters that include qualities like integri .ty, honesty and public accountability, then any sug- gestion of doing business outside of those hound- aries should he instantly"rejected. No negotiation. Until the majority of Council members arc prepared to bring similar 'values to the table no issue will he handled any differently than.this one was. What a shame. This town'iti faced with too many:tough deci- sions to be side-tracked by the trials and tribulations of weak,charactcr. - In the meanwhile,' to those of you who want to build 'a garage or a fence. but think the governing regulations regarding permits arc ridiculous...go to Ben's house fora 'get.together.' . Karen Brown; Exeter Armstrong didn't appear to want to be left out .of County Road 83 closes for repairs The road will be closed between Hwy 4 and Stephen Conc. 2-3 EXETER - Work on the Ausahlle , River bridge immediately west of Exeter will require County Road 83 ' he closed' for .at least two - months beginning April 6. Exeter. council is concerned the road closure will. have a negative impact on Thames Road businesses and traffic flow in downtown Exet- er. Council offered alternatives to Huron' County. in the hope the road could stay open. However. given the, nature of the project: road clo sure is the option chosen by the county which will coordinate the protect.. Rick Huntley 'explained the pro- ject to Exeter 'council's committee of the whole last Monday night. "The. condition of the hridgc is such that major repairs are needed. - hest done all ai once. While it is. - not 100 per cent certain that the re- parr cannot he done ,one lane al a time. the engineer indicated it is very, likely that Once the work start- ed one lane at a time. it would :be learned the work required full clo- sure." Hundey explained.' Completely closing the - bridge and road will also he the safest. (east costly option and willresult in the • hest quality results. Con- structing a temporary bridge would be very expensive and a major pro- ject in itself due to the terrain. Hundey is' discussing detour oft - tions with the county: Traffic .trav- elling Highway 4 can be routed to both Huron County Road 84 at Hensel, and the Crediton Road. However. County- Road 83 traffic would need to. he detoured al,ong Huron Street and likely Main Street. - Council has three concerns with this option: increased congestion on Main Street. the tight.space for trucks to turn at the corner of Main and Huron Streets and the dis- ruption of the residential neighbor- hood along Huron Street. According to Exeter works super- intendent Glenn Kells. Exeter's streets arc built to a standard that can handle heavy trucks. Daffodil Day% Buy daffodils. Thank,. a hunch! ts- Province opens truck inspection TORONTO - Transportation Minister Tony Clement announced that three truck inspection stations arc ,now open for husincss 24 hours a day: seven days a week. For the first time ever; the Oak- ville North. Oakville South and Trafalgar. North truck inspection: stations will remain open around the clock as the province continues to target unsafe trucks and buses. On its first night" of• operation. a semi -trailer with critically defective wheel brakes was impounded at the Oakville North station. -By. the end of this spring, ten truck inspection stations in total will remain open 24 hours a day. "These around-J.hc-clock stations are a first- for the •province," said Clement "Soon we will have 80. new enforcement officers on hoard working out of these ten stations lo-' cated around the province to ensure our roadways are safer for every- one.'•` "Moot carriers are, safe and con= tribute to the economic prosperity - of this province." said Clement. "This government is doing. what has to he done to improve' safety on our roads. It's crucial to Ontario's economic well -bring." This is another measure intro - Making council information more accessible EXETER' - Town council is tat-. ing steps to unprove the accessibili- ty of -council information to its rate- payers. . - Exeter st ' are creating a hinder of council -ndas, minutes and re- ports for the Exeter lihrary where members of the 'public wilt he wel- comc to read the information. Council has also directed- town staff tri : gather information on a - glass case which would he mounted on the front of'the Olde Town Hall This case. would contain agendas And - perhaps information 'on 'com- •munity events and would he access- ible 24 hours a C"F duced by the province to remove unsafe commercial vehicles from Ontario roads. Trucks or buses 'caught with critical defects at the five truck inspection stations with impoundment facilities will be im- pounded for 15 days for a Ills of- fence. Planning a garden party, outdoor wedding, family reunion or special event? Excellent Rates and Service. Tables & Chairs available 0. Oa4 Allan's Lilliput Milk Chocolate Eggs ,75.; lMARSHALL225-2345 .Prospect Hill 6 rel. if l (f( tlf ell v„,,s isb 6 4 , 11(612ii!i- Easter Eggs-travaganza Specials TRIANGLE DISCOUNT STORES Pi Prices in effect from March 30 to April 12.1998 Wilkinson Men's & Ladies Protector Razors Folger's Coffee e.'� Polident Denture Cleaning Tablets 104's • CLEARANCE Hershey Chocolate or Butterscotch Syrup 10oz. Tin 2I100 One -A -Day Vitamins After Eight Dinner Mints ?4O a,ry ,411r/i7 t!,91,11WP: a Closing on Monday. Get ready to see the countryside. Part of 9, Huron County Road 83 will be closed for at least two months while the Ausable River bridge immediately west of Exeter un- dergoes major repairs. ;rl me' . :Id's a McDonald's McHappy Day Fundraising Partner McDonald's Restaurant Of Exeter and its employees are pleased to announce EXETER's Lions Club Easter Seals Fund and - Camp Woodeden - as our charity partner for McDonald's eleventh McHappy Day, May 6/98. A portion of the money raised by McDonald's on.McHappy Day will go directly to Exeter Lions Club Easter Seals and Camp Woodeden as well as Ronald McDonald Children's Charities of Canada (RMCC). There are a few events prior to this day that will help raise more funds for our charities! On Staturday, April 4/98, McDonald's and the Exeter Lions Club are putting on a Bottle Drive! If you have any empty beer bottles or pop bottles you would like to get rid of, please drop them off at the Exeter Lions Youth Centre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or call 235-3538 for pickup (ask for John)! ' On Saturday, April 25/98, McDonald's and. the Exeter Lions Club will be. hosting a Garage Sale with all proceeds going towards the charities! On May 6/98, each of the more than 1,000 McDonald's restaurants across Canada, including McDonald's Of Exeter, will donate $1.00 from every . Big Mac sold to RMCC and the restaurants selected charity. As an added bonus, 25 cents from every McFlurry sold between April 13/98 and May 6/98 will also go directly to support special needs children across Canada. We need all your help to raise funds that assists children and parents of children with life threatening or chronic illnesses and disabilities. For morre ifformat on or donations con art Frank Rozic McDonald's of Exeter (519) 235.4227 No Touch Wheel Clean Foam Cleaner Reg. $6.99 $3 49 9598-358 poly tray - pneumatic tire - hardwood handles Reg. $69.99 10. Nu Finish - once a year car polish - no rubbing or buffing Se99 ■ 8657-152 SCOTT'S TURF BUILDER - 26-4-4. - slow release - poly bag - feeds 400 m2 Reg. $13.99 0 - 18" push broom - hardwood handle with metal tip - long lasting fibres Reg. $9.99 N N $s 49 40% off All In stock N N •s N 00 Oa T Matsoh -•• 40 r-li • .ri a -r N 12 Let Michelle and Laurie help you tuitI, your choice Oa 4 QUALITY DEPARTMENTS UNDER 1 ROOF hardware°re RadioShack. N sounc.n nuaa soon F : • i es:es::s:sesee:::e:er.:r..:::::::::::::::::::s::s::::::s 110 MAIN ST. N., EXETER 235-0800/237-3150 .. N I1 MN M 00 n .. •S :: .. 00n SO I: 00 :: .. 0 • s •• . ■M ■ • .B