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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1983-09-07, Page 13Usborne, Biddulph to get new officials, buildings Two area clerks end long municipal careers The townships of Usborne and Biddulph are undergoing considerable changes this year. Each is losing a clerk - treasurer who has given many years of service and each is gaining a new modern municipal building. Harry Strang retires as of December 31 of this year after serving as clerk - treasurer of Usborne township for the past 37 years and Austin Hodgins involved in Biddulph municipal work in a number of capacities for a total of 35 years completes his township career at the same time. The new Usborne municipal building which is being shared with the Ausable-Bayfield Conserva- tion Authority and is located at Morrison Dam will be ready for inspection at an of- ficial Open House on October 7. The new Biddulph office building now being completed at the south edge of Lucan ad- jacent to the township sheds is expected to be ready for oc- cupancy by the first of November. Harry Strang started his career as clerk of, Usborne township on January 1, 1947 taking over from Archie Morgan who held the position for 14 years. Strang took over the duties of treasurer from Newton Clarke in 1965 and added the role of tax collector in 1971 from Mrs. Beatrice Woods. When asked what his salary was as clerk in 1947 Strang replied, "It's hardly worth mentioning." He received • $500 while the treasurer's salary was $175, the tax col- lector received $100 and the assessor's annual wages were $135. At the same time the township reeve received $125 per annum and the coun- cillors got $100 apiece. Strang's current salary is $21,800 for the combined posi- tions. His daughter-in-law Sandy is deputy -clerk treasurer after working in the office on a part-time basis for a number of years. During his 37 year career, Harry Strang attended 641 council meetings of which 197 were of the special meeting variety. On changes in township business over the years Strang lists the abolition of local school boards, the pro- vince taking over assessment )olicies and computers as the highlights. He added, "The computer has probably brought about the most dramatic change by handling all assessment rolls and preparing tax rolls and notices." According to Strang, municipal auditing has also changed over the years. He continued, "It has now become very professional. My first audit was carried out by Arnold Wiseman, a retired bank manager. It was more like a fatherly inspection." While he was assessor, Strang was only bitten by a dog on one occasion. During Strang's 37 year municipal career Usborne township -votes only went to the polls eight times. About elections Strang said, "I didn't like elections. Not because of the extra work, but, because one person on council was usually challeng- ing another and through it we lost a good person." Since 1947 Usborne has had 12 reeves. They were Hugh Berry, Wellington Brock, Verne Pincornbe, Clayton Smith, George Frayne, Ar- chie Etherington, Roy Westcott: Lloyd Ferguson, HARRY STRANG IT'S WORTH THE DRiVEI 345-2250 Main St., Dublin OPEN ALL DAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY NIGHT TILL 9 P.M. Closed Mondays REDI•MIX CONCRETE MTC Approved ALL TYPES OF CONCRETE WORK, REDI-MIX CONCRETE & FORMWORK PRECAST PRODUCTS MANGERS SLATS McCann Redi-Mix Inc. STEPS Dashwood, 237-3647 CURBS Exeter 235-0338 BAKKER Lawn Maintenance • Now is the time to have your fall weed spraying done!! • Give your lawn a treat and have it fertilized NOW, to have a healthier lawn next year. EXETER 235.1415 235-0192 Walter McBride, Bill Morley, Murray Dawson and the pre- sent reeve Gerald Prout. During that time Berry, Westcott and Morley went on to serve as warden of Huron county for one year. Other elect ie ns that Strang probably didn't particularly care for were provincial elec- tions in 1958 and 1962 when he ran as a Liberal candidate and was defeated each time by Charlie MacNaughton. Strang says municipal, drains and tile drain loans continue to be a big part of township work. On the average Usborne deals with five or six municipal drains each year. He added, "For a couple of years when governments paid two-thirds of the cost we had as many as 10 applications a year. The grant has now gone back to one-third." Tile drain loans with an in- terest rate back again to eight percent continue to be popular. The Usborne alloca- tion for this year from the province is $259,600. Talking about property taxes Strang said, "The mill rate for Usborne purposes in 1947 was five mills. This year it is 63.95, but, you must remember we provide a lot more services then we did then especially in roads and winter control." When the new office opens at the Morrison Dam in the very near future it will be the first time Strang -will have to drive to work. Over the years he has maintained the municipal office in his home. About the home office he remarked, "It works both ways, but, one thing is for sure when the office is in your house you can't get away from t:ie job." Austin Hodgins started his municipal career as a coun- cillor in Biddulph township in 1949. He continued in that position for six years and then moved up to the reeve's chair which he filled for another six years. Clerk Frank Hudson who had held the clerk's post for 30 years died in August of 1960. Until the end of. that year, Austin Hodgins held a dual role as reeve and clerk until the next election could be held. Harold (Pete) Wallis was For all ages successful in the election for reeve defeating Joe Haskett and he also defeated John Bryan the following year. Hodgins was named clerk to start the 1981 term. He took oyer the treasurer's post from John Bryan three years ago. Kaye'Haskett is the present tax collector. She is also retir- ing at the end of this year which will create a complete new position of clerk - ,treasurer and tax collector. Over the 12 years that Austin Hodgins was on Bid- dulph council he did not face any elections. In all 12 nominations he was elected by acclamation. The present reeve Wilson Hodgins was elected to office in 1964 and has held that posi- tion until the present time ex- cept for two years when Fred Dobbs was elected. Wilson Hodgins was also warden of Middlesex county for one year. In recent years Austin Hodgins has also been secretary of the planning board, building inspector, lot- tery officer and in charge of the Home Renewal Plan. When Hodgins took over as clerk his salary was $1,000 per annum. This year he receives $13,000. He estimates he works in excess of 30 hours per week officially for the township. A large number of additional hours when driving a tractor are devoted to municipal business. Hodgins says, "I think I make good use of the time by doing a lot of the brain work while working in the fields. When I was reeve- I would prepare my speeches while milking cows." When Hodgins started as councillor Biddulph township did not have tile drain loans for their property owners. Hodgins added, "There was only one councillor in favour of the program at the time. Now we have an annual allott- ment of $215,000." When Hodgins was reeve he implemented the first calcium program on township roads. He continued, "At that time we asked the farmer to pay one-half the cost of the dry calcium put on the road in front of his property and we had a great response for a number of years." • Now liquid caicium is ap- plied as part of the regular road maintenance program and in some areas is applied twice a year. Hodgins indicated the Home Renewal Program has been popular in Biddulph say- ing, ;"It was a good way for low income people to repair their houses to a reasonable standard." Municipal drains and plan- ning have added greatly to the chores of a clerk accor- ding to Hodgins. He said. "Planning has really mushroomed with extra work and extra administration and we have a lot of municipal drains each year. He said there have been some moves in recent years to close in original municipal open drains. On this. subject he said, "It's an expensive proposition, but, open drains must be maintained with work every seven or eight years and it's difficult to maneuvre large and expen- sive farm equipment around and over open drains." Hodgins said he has always felt one of the highlights in Biddulph township was the establishment of the Central School and a county school board. He added, "Now I have some reservations. Because of school board and now coun- ty. levies being requested four times a year we have to have four tax installments each year. For a little while we on- ly paid our school requisitions twice a year and paid the.in- terest, but, that got to be up around $3,000 and much too expensive for us to carry." The new I3iddulph office building is being built under the provincial make-work program with $18,000 being available for labour costs. The building of 30 by 47 feet dimensions will house the clerk's office, a road superintendent office, council chambers, vault, reception area and additional working area on the ground floor. After his municipal career ends at December 31 of this year, Hodgins will continued as a farmer. He and his wife Dollie own 500 acres. At the moment 100 acres are rented out. Mrs. Hodgins said she is looking forward to her hus- band's retirement. She added, "It will be the first time in 32 years that I will be able to have an extra room, the one now used as the clerk's office and we will be able to take more holidays." Mrs. Hodgins will also have many more free hours as she was an unofficial secretary taking Many calls while her husband was out pursuing his farming duties. AUSTIN HODGINS Rec Centre fall programs outlined By Lynne Farquhar The following is an outline of programs coming up this fall through the South Huron Rec. Centre. Ballet, tap and jazz will be held Thursdays at Exeter Public School with session one starting Thursday September 15. Classes are offered to youngsters five years and over and fees are $36 per ses- sion for 16 weeks. Instructor is Deb Wooden. Dance -Fit will be offered again on Monday and Wednesday evenings with a class from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Exeter Public School. Laura Overholt is hack as instructor and fees are $30 for 10 weeks. Evening dance -fit begins on Monday. September 26. Ladies Morning Break (dance -fit) with Anne Robin- son will run Tuesday' and Thursday mornings from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. beginning Tues- day September 1:3. Babysit- ting is available for 75 cents per day or $1.00 for two youngsters. Centralia By MRS. TOM KOOY Mr. and Mrs. Doug Riley. Wendi and Debbie motored to - Peterborough Saturday leav- ing Wendi who is entering Sir Sandford Fleming College there. Ben Riley spent the weekend with his grand- parents Mr. and Mrs. Ben Riley in Goderich. Charlie Hodgins, Mrs. Florence Mcinnis of Chesley and Mr. and Mrs. Cy Morley of West McGillivray spent Suyday with Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hodgins. In the afternoon they at- tended decoration day ser- vices at St. James Cemetery. Clandeboye and at Woodland Cemetery, London. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Ilirtzel returned home Tuesday following a week holiday on Manitoulin Island. Mrs. Lloyd Vogan, Mrs. Roy Vogan and Shawn Taylor, Listowel, Mrs. Wayne Brown, Trevor and Terry, Monkton were Friday guests with Mrs. Clara Cunnington. Tom and Mary Kooy were Sunday guests with Mr. and Mrs. Maurice MacDonald, Lucan. Gwen Christie will be handling instruction for needlepoint, crocheting, crewel or macrame. The course is offered Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at SHDIIS starting Thursday September 22. This course costs $25 for nine weeks. Cake decorating is also of- fered Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the SHDHS Home-Ec. room star- ting Thursday September 22. Fee for this nine week course is $30. Participants should note that some supplies I ap- prox. $10 worth) will need to be purchased by participants. Eva Laing will be instructing. Mrs. Laing is also doing a one evening chocolate molding demonstration set for Thurs- day November 24 from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Cost of the demonstration is $5 a person. For any couples wishing to brush up on their dancing skills, ballroom dancing will he offered on Wednesday evenings at the Rec. Centre from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. starting Wednesday October 5. Louie Morrell and partner will he in charge of instruction and fees are $40 a couple for nine weeks. For you camera buffs. Terry Swartzentruher is in- structing a photography course on Monday evenings from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. starting Monday September 26. The course will run at SIIDHS and costs $30 for 10 weeks. Par- ticipants will need to pur- chase film and it's an advan- tage to have your own camera. For the sports minded, we have ladies recreational volleyball Tuesday evenings al the Exeter Public School from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. starling Tuesday October 4. Volleyball runs for 10 weeks and the fee is $5 per person. T ere is no instruction involved and par- ticipants are asked to set up and take down the net each week and break into teams. Mixed badminton will be running at the SHDiIS new gym on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. starting October 5. This also is recrea- tional and costs $5 for 10 weeks. Participants are again asked to set up and take down nets each week. For all the above mention- ed programs, registration will be held on Thursday September 8 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Friday September 9 from 10:00 a.m. - noon and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Rec. Centre. No registrations will be accepted over the phone prior to the 8th and 9th and programs have a maximum number accepted so if you - want to be assured a sport. register early on the. 8th: Some programs may have to be cancelled if registration is not sufficient. Gymnastics for youngsters will be held again at the SI IDI iS old gym on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. starling Saturday October 1. The program will run for 20 weeks this season and costs $25 a youngster, $40 for two in a family and $50. for three in a family. Registration for gymnastics will take place at the South Huron Rec Centre on Wednesday September 21 from 7:01) - 9:00 p.m. Exeter minor ' hockey registration is set for Satur- day September 10 and 17 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Rec Centre. Fes this season are as follows: Tykes (6 and under) - $45. trial offer for first year players - $45. All other age categories - $75. Parents should note that their yearly equipment sale will be held on registration days. The Exeter figure skating club is also getting organized for another season. Their registration will he held at the Rec ('entre on Wednesday September 28 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. -and Saturday (October 1 from 9:01) a.m. - noon. Their fees are as follows: senior - $90, intermediate - $80. novice $65, junior $55 and pre-school - $45. Skating is set to hegin October 7. The precision skating teams registration for Try- outs will be Wednesday September 14 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. and also Saturday September 17 from 10:00 a.m. • 1:00 p.m. at the Rec ('entre. Fee this season is $60. Age categories are pre -novice GIVE BLOOD SAVE LIFE Att born 1972 and after, novice - born 1969 and after, junior - no age limit. Watch upcoming ads for Precisions first annual flea market and bake sale to be held October 1. Ringette is getting organiz- ed for the season and registration will be announc- ed through the paper when dates and fees are finalized. We're looking for Tots of girls this year with the possibility of starting two teams. Ringette is an ice sport for girls. similar to hockey. For information on ringette, call the Rec Centre at 235-2833. For all you fellows nut there wishing to play hockey we have the junior 'D' Hawks, the intermediate men's Mohawks. the Oldtimers Molting Hawks and the mens' rec league. For those just_ wanting to pickup hockey we have sponge puck or spinney. Shinney runs Friday morn- ings from 9:30 - 11:30 a m. at the Rec (' ,►tt for $3.00 per morning and starts October 14. For information on who to contact for these hockey groups. call the Rec Centre al 235-283:3. Roller skating will continue for two more weekends on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. at the Rec Centre. Last weekend for skating is September 16. 17 and 18 for this season. For information on grams or bookings 9:15-28.33. pro - call HELIUM BALLOONS ...Just For The Fun Of It Country; J Rimers EXETER 235-2350 Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 imes- dvocate September 7, 1983 PagelA Gets same answers to same questions Members of Exeter council were in a bit of a quandary in determining how effective one of their members had been in recent discussions with a local ratepayer. On one hand, the ratepayer advised that Councillor Morley Hall had been so kind and diplomatic, that he i the ratepayer) almost felt he should pay for the services he had requested. On the other hand, the ratepayer was repeating his requests after Hall had in- formed him of council's deci- sion on his previous requests. At any rate, Wellington Street resident J. M. Gibson still thinks there should be traffic lights at the Wellington and Main intersection and that the sidewalks along Well- ington should be repaired in view of their present. "disgraceful state." Council, which had sent Hall to meet with Gibson when he broached the same two subjects some time ago, decided to write him this time to advise that the sidewalks would be considered in the 1984 budget (as he had been advised by Hall) and that council members can not see the need for traffic lights at the intersection. Members agreed it is a busy intersection with some visibility problems, but ap- peared to agree with Mayor ,Shaw's contention that the town .does not need another C Fitness: Whot it does for your body it does for your mind. kW vaAnm a[rvan;® traltic light and that residents should adjust their traffic pat- terns to take advantage of the intersections at which there are lights. Shaw said there were other busy intersections that were avoided by local residents once they became aware of the problem. We'll be open for appointments starting Sept. 12, 1983 Mon. - Fri. 9 - 5. Niya ?Denture TfjerappClinit Centre Mall, Main St., Exeter 235-2966 M.D.S.-L.D.T.-R.D.T. London Life Representatives for Exeter and Area LARRY JOHNS 235-1209 NORM TAiT 235-0850 or call 1-271-1920 London ui Life Wilere eve life i fe is something special. Ask Us: • How much in- surance do I need? • When should I buy? • What type should I buy? • New Non -Smokers Econolife • RRSP's • Group & Pension OUR BOOKLET COULD BE YOUR ANSWER TO RISING HOME HEATING COSTS. "Plain Talk" is specially written for customers now using oil to heat their homes. The booklet looks at the kinds of insulation needed in today's house, plus, weatherstripping and other ideas for keeping valuable heat inside. It explains how your present oil heating system may be partially or totally converted to help you reduce oil consump- tion - and - it will help you understand the different kinds of electric systems available. It's Free. To get your copy call us at 235-1350, write to us or pick up a copy from our office. Chairman Murray Greene Exeter Public utilities Manager Hugh Davis Commissioner Harry DeVries Commissioner Bruce Shaw