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Times Advocate, 1984-09-19, Page 1ua ty Carpet at great prices Professional ' installation can be arranged Lei Wliithi Phone 234-.1964 Mayor distressed at rec group's handling of grass question Says coundl never acts .rbltr.rIIy or unIIat.r.IIy members of the South Huron rec centre board of management had a few private and critical com- ments pertaining to a letter received from Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw, but the letter was not even discussed dur- ing Thursday's regular board session. Shaw told the board he was "somewhat distressed" over their handling of the situation regarding the grass infield at the local hardball diamond. The board's facilities com- mittee had met with a delega- tion of hardball enthusiasts and resolved the matter by agreeing to move the hardball diamond fence in closer to allow adult use of a softball diamond which had been in - PRACTICING Hay township deputy -reeve Tony Bedard,winner in the 1983 Exeter Fair wheat flailing contest will be trying to defend his title Friday night. Above, Bedard gets in a practice session for this year's corn eating contest. T -A photo Decision on trucks awaits council edict Commercial truck owners who park in residential areas will have to await a decision by Exeter council to deter- mine the future of that practice. At a hearing into one cou- ple's request for a minor variance under the town's zoning bylaw last week, the Exeter planning advisory committee held their decision in abeyance awaiting the report of a special committee appointed by council to review the entire matter of commercial trucks parking in residential area - The present bylaw regulates the maximum gross weight of trucks allowed to park in residential zones at 5,500 kg. Bert and Elaine Knip, 22 Sherwood. had sought a minor variance because their truck is licenc- ed at 51.0(x) kg. Council had filed an official objection to the Knip's ap- plication. although the cou- ple's solicitor. Handy Evans. termed that objection "weak" Want proof of ownership Property owners .Jon and Jo -Anne Dinney have been asked by Exeter's planning committee to submit further proof of ownership for proper- ty on which they are seeking a minor variance to allow construction of a garden shed!children's playhouse al 58 Main SI S A dispute over ownership of the land on which the building is planned arose al a hearing into the minor variance re- quest at Wednesday's meeting of the advisory hoard Jan Vanliaarlem. who has erected homes in the area. in- dicated concern over the o': -nership of the property and presented a 1977 survey show- ing; the land as belonging to Fatty Robinson. Jon Dinney advised the committee that he had possessory title to the proper- ty and this was documented at the land registry office. In view of the question over ownership. the committee passed a motion requesting the applicant to provide fur- ther proof of ownership. Secretary -treasurer Brian Johnston advised that work had started on the project without a building permit. but construction immediately ceased when an application was applied for by the owner. Dinney acknowledged that a concrete slab foundation for the building was already in position. A minor variance applica tion from Joan and Don Stephen for an addition to their printing shop on Victoria St. was approved No objections had received. in that it referred to com- plaints from neighbors and there was no indication in the objection as to what neighbors complained. Ile classed it as "hearsay". In fact, there were neighbors of the Knips on hand to indicate -they had no objections to the truck being parked in their area, although two objections were received from neighbors Jim Beckett and Esmail Merani. Evans noted that the latter objection had no reasons at- tached. while Beckett said he was concerned that approval would open the street up to more parked trucks. Evans, noting that the vehi- cle contributed to the owners' livelihood. said that having 10 park it in another unsupervis- ed area could leave it victim to vandalism and that re- quirement would also force the owners to obtain a second vehicle to drive back and forth from a parking location and this would be a con- siderable cost. Ile said the effect of the vehicle on the neighborhood is minimal as it is outside the residential zone for extended periods. If there is any noise problem, he suggested. it could be handled by the noise bylaw and the police. Evans emphasized that Ex- eter has a Targe trucking - related population and that many trucks park at residences. ile told the plan ning advisory committee that if the application is denied it would be necessary to deny all future requests as well and that could he an economic blow to the truckers as well as the community as a whole. Knip, noting his investment is in excess of Sltx),(xx), said he feared vandalism and its related costs if he was forced Please turn to page 2 stalled this year in the north- east'section of the park as a donation from the R.E. Pooley branch Legion. When the time came to con- sider the correspondence. board member Gaylan Josephson moved that the let- ter from Shaw and another from Geary Penhale and Joe Fulop of the Exeter Express baseball club be filed "in light of the report to come later" from the facilities committee which satisfactorily resolved the matter and was the topic of the of the two letters. Carolyn Merner then asked that a vote on the motion to file the letters be recorded. She indicated some surprise that there would be no disco, sion on the letters. mat- terJwas going to create a has- sle, he would withdraw his motion to file the com- municaitons and this was done and there was an indica- tion that there would be some discussion when the commit- tee's report was tabled. However, the committee's plan was accepted by the board and the letters from the Mayor and the hardball team executives were not even mentioned. In giving the report on the plan to save the grass infield, Josephson said that the discussion which had transpired at the last meeting was intended to solicit input from the user groups, although Shaw', letter and comments from hardball en- thusiasts was Wit the board planned to make up their own minds on the mdtter without consultation frdnn the dia- mond users. The Exeter council representative also noted that the Legion diamond, which had been provided for the use of minor players, would not change from that intent. The new diamond, -4he report explained, would re- main virtually for minor soft- ball, but would allow for older groups to book on open nights as well as utilization during tournaments. "Should the demand in Well, hardly ever that is? A suggestion by Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw that his council has always acted in consultation with individuals and groups whose interests may be affected by council decisions, is one that some members of the South Huron rec centre board of manage- ment found reason to question at their meeting, Thursday. Board chairman John Pym expressed some surprise and concern over council's deci- sion to increase the deductible on all insurance policies this year, including those cover- ing the board's facilities. Pym, who said he just learned of that fact a couple of weeks ago, said the in- crease from $500 to $1,000 deductible could cause major problems for board's budget due to the large amount of equipment that is susceptible to lightning strikes. He suggested that the $1,000 deductible "is not worth anything to us," and noted that a few strike of lightning could cause damage of up to $6,000 in a year and would play havoc with the budget if not covered by an appropriate deductible. "We have no say at all?" asked Jim Workman regar- ding council's decision on in- surance premiums this year. Pym said some explanation should be provided by council and Carolyn Merner said the board should be notified when they're going to d}scuss insurance. Exeter council represen- tative Gaylan Josephson noted that a board employee had been invited to attend, but had been unable to do so. Josephson said he wasn't sure whether the board was stuck with the change for this year, but said he assumed that would be the case and said the concerns should be expressed before next year's insurance review. In answer to his question, facilities manager Cam Stewardson said the board had a half dozen or more claims in a year. Usborne representative Brian Hardeman said the board should possibly ask a representative from Gaiser- Kneale to attend a meeting and explain the current coverage. Jim Workman suggested the matter be turned over to the board's finance commit- tee and they get three quotes on insurance for next year. "you'd better get council approval," Hardeman suggested. Josephson, responding to a comment from Mrs. Merner, said she was inferring that the board members were not satisfied with council's judge- ment to get the best coverage possible. "It shouldn't be any sight against council if we can get a better price," Workman commented in support of his motion to get three quotations for next year. However, the motion was defeated, and the matter was left in abeyance when Hum- cost was on the board's list of phreys said he would provide accounts and that members with a copy of the precipitated the discussion. insurance policy so they could With the increase in the ascertain what coverage they deductible, the premium cost had. was down almost $1,000 over The insurance premium last year at $7,298. • future require lights, they could be located on this dia- mond," it concluded. In response to a question from Kathy Whiteford, Josephson said the cost and work of moving the fence at the hardball diamond would be undertaken by the board. Usborne representative Brian Hardeman didn't vote on the commitee recommen- dation, saying "I don't vote on something I have no say in". He didn't explain that reference, although he was among those who made several references to the Mayor's atter during the evening. Shaw said he was distress- ed that the possibility exists that there would be no discus- sion with representatives from minor baseball if altera- tions were made to the hard- ball diamond. He said Exeter council "has always" acted in consultation with individuals and groups, no matter how indirectly they might be involved, where their interests were affected. "Council has not shirked from Ames its responsibility of making decisions, but rarely, if ever, does it do so arbitrarily or unilaterally," he said. "Deliberations and con- sultationare extremely impor- tant, especially when in- dividuals may be adversely affected. It is only fair and reasonable." He also noted there was "absolutely no doubt in my mind" that the hardball dia- mond exists today, not because of the efforts and drive of the board or of coun- cil, but through the sweat of the minor ball coaches, players and, of course, Brad Gregus. The Mayor said that the time and money expended by Gregus in creating and main- taining the diamond was con- siderable. "He and the organization cannot be dismissed out of hand." In concluding, he said he was personally concerned with the direction the board appears to be moving in this regard and added that while council has no interest in Please turn to page 2 CLOWNING — Teacher Trudy Chaffe welcomes a clown with colourful balloons to her grade one class at Exeter Public School. The children are learning how to spell the colour words. Serving South Huron, North Middlesex EXETER, ONTARIO, September 19,1984 One Hundred and Twelfth Year & North Lambton Since 1873 'R 7 Price Per Copy 50 Cents Hopes to avoid costly OMB hearing on agri-industrial park ay plans to meet Exeter on zoning The proposed zoning change requested by Huron Farms was again a main topic of discussion when Huron County's chief planner Gary Davidson attended the second regular September session of Hay township council. Davidson reiterated what he has told council at previous meetings - the authority to allow agricultural -related subdivisions in such locations has been incorporated into SUNSHINE KIDS - At a recent open house at the Sunshine Kids nursery school teacher Ruth Mercer helps Christopher Murch and Becky Wuerth at the top and Crystal Marshall and Dallas Giles on exercise equipment. T -A photo Plan to get out on beat halted by Chief's health A request for additional manpower for the Exeter police department has resulted in a call by the town's been LEARNING IS FUN A clown visited Exeter Public School to help grade one teacher Trudy Chaffe teach the children how to pick out and spell various colours. police committee to have Chief Ted Day undertake more operational work. However, before that could be intitiated, Chief Day advis- ed that he was required to take eight weeks off work for health reasons. in a letter to the police com- mittee on September 12, the Chief said he would return to work after that eight-week period if his health permits, but added that if his health does not permit a return to work, he would continue on long-term disability until next May and "at that time, i will be prepared to take an early retirement". The Chief has been suffer- ing from high blood pressure for some time and has been on sick leave in the past as well. He told the committee that if changes are to be made in the operations of the depart- ment, they should make those arrangements with Sgt. Kevin Short. "When I return to work, i will abide by any of the rules that have been inaugurated," he said. Some time ago, police com- mittee chairman Bill Rose in- dicated some problems within the department were being considered by his committee and that a report would be made in due course to council. Midway through his report this week, Councillor Gaylan Josephson questioned whether the report should be given in camera due to the fact it encompassed a person- nel situation. "1 don't think it should be," Rose responded, saying there had already been too many in - camera discussions and it was time the matter was broached in public. Ile said he would ap- preciate no further interrup- tions and continued in his report. He advised that the Chief and officers of " the depart- ment presented the commit- tee with "disturbing informa- tion" dealing with the morale of the force, the demands of the court, the influx of an undesirable element into our town, the problems of existing police protecton and, in short, the need for additional manpower. That report was presented on August 6 and touched off a series of meetings involving Please turn to page 2 county planning since 1971, and has received draft ap- proval from the province. Neither Usborne nor Stephen has objected. Turning to the topic of Ex- eter's appeal against the bylaw, Davidson suggested a meeting between the two councils to see if .something could be worked out to make an OMB hearing un- necessary. Davidson said he is always in favour of resolv- ing matters without going to court, and saving the costs of a hearing would be a wise use of municipal funds. Clerk Joan Ducharme was asked to write a letter to Ex- eter council inviting them to a meeting at their earliest Lucan man will win bid In Olympic boxing, it's call- ed a walk -over: when an op- ponent fails to appear for a scheduled fight. That's sometimes the• result of a previous injury, but more often, an unwill- ingness to step into the ring with what is perceived as a better/fighter. That may be the case for Bryan Smith, who learned this week he'll end up with the Progressive Conservative nomination for the Huron - Middlesex riding in a walk- over. While at least two other candidates were expected to contest the nomination in a meeting at the South Huron District High School tonight ( Wednesday) there were no opponents when time for the nominations officially closed Monday night. Smith was expected to be the favorite in the contest. He's been out meeting the 500 eligible voters over the past several weeks and had built up a sizeable following. Party officials and Smith's supporters were disappointed as they thought a contest would spark more interest in the meeting. The PCs have had trouble attracting candidates to con- test the local riding nomina- tions since it was won by Liberal Jack Riddell. Most nominations have resulted in acclamations. Secretary of Justice Gordon Walker will be the speaker. Smith, father of two children, one of whom is a stu- dent at the School for the Blind in Brantford, won a seat on I.ucan council in 1982. He topped the polls in his first election bid. He's chairman of the Lucan planning hoard, president of the London District Parents Association of Visually Im- paired Children and a member of the board of management at Holy Trinity church. Smith is a sales represen- tative for interbake Foods Ltd. convenience. "If you give it a good try and it's no go, the clerk will file the proper papers, the OMB will set a hearing date, and we slug it out", Davidson said. In the cases of the St. Joseph Shores submission to the county for an.o(fieyyaa1 plan amendment changing the zon- ing from seasonal to residen- tial, -and the Gary Masse ap- plication to redesignate his property from recreational to residential, public meetings will be called in October. Reeve Lionel WRder said no more information will be released on the votes coming in for and against a new water pipeline along Highway 21 un- til the official outcome is an- nounced. He had received some complaints that premature release of in- complete results might un- fairly prejudice the final figures. Council received a letter written by Exeter lawyer Elmer D. Bell, QA, op kehalf of the owners of systems presently supplying water to residents in parts of the af- fected area. The water sup- pliers are concerned about reimbursement if a new system is built. The letter will be passed on to engineering consultant Burns Ross, who will be asked to address the issues raised and report back Please turn to page 2 ARTHRITIS CAMPAIGN — Centralia College students will be canvassing Tuesday in Exeter, Huron Park, Cen- tralia and Crediton for the Arthritis Society. Planning the blitz are SAC president Steve Barendregt and stu- dent affairs director Don Orth. Won't allow home in industrial area Exeter council members have endorsed a recommen- dation from the town's plan- ning advisory committee that a building permit for a residential dwelling unit he denied Jean and Lorne Keller for their property at 300 Thames Road East. This property is designated industrial in the Official plan and M-1 by the zoning bylaw. A house was originally located on the property, but it burned down in 1979. The house had legal non- conforming use status at the time. Solicitor K.I. McLean, ap- pearing with the Kellers, noted that the bylaw does not state when a non -conforming use terminates and that the couple could have applied for a building permit following the fire at the original house. He indicated the land won't sell as industrial and that storm sewer costs to service the property are high. The owners wish to erect a home there as it is adjacent to their roofing business on Highway 83 East. Huron County planner Malcolm Macintosh advised the committee that when the house was destroyed in 1979, the residential use was terminated. Council representative Dorothy Chapman advised the committee of • the engineering study and storm drainage pond suggestion for the rear of the property to eliminate storm sewer costs. The study has been under- taken in conjunction with plans by Laidlaw Transport to move their operation to the site. in their recommendation to council, the committee advis- ed that "it is most desirable that as much industrial land be retained as possible".