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Times Advocate, 1984-10-24, Page 1Qua ity Carpet at great prices Professional installation can be arranged Whitings Phone 235-1964 PIaai,d •ketka rally tures into wake for Davis d•paiture What had been scheduled as an election rally turned out to be more of an old-fashioned wake at the South Huron rec centre, Friday. With good food good drinks and about 250 good Pro- gressive Cooservative'friends on hand, Ontario Treasurer Larry Grossman led in the lamentation and eulogy for the "departed." The departed in this case was Premier William Davis, whose surprise retirement announcement came at the time he was fully expected to call a general election. That put a bit of a damper on the Friday proceedings which had been planned as an elec- tion campaign event for Huron -Middlesex riding can- didate Bryan Smith. While Grossman was broad BEARS PICNIC — Allison Jaques and Cindy Westerhout enjoy a picnic with their teddy bears at Osborne Cen- tral School, Friday. T -A photo Campbell quits post with district group Don Campbell, Executive Director of the South Huron and Distriat,AsSOSiation for the Mentally Handicapped announced his resignation Friday from that post which he has held for the past z.ight and a half years. He said "this decision has been made after careful deliberation and for future considerations involving in- terests of family, employ- ment, education plans and other opportunities". He went on to say "I have enjoyed the challenges of working with SII&DAMII in an exciting positive at- mosphere with clients and their families, the Board and Committee members, the staff and other community agencies. The Association is presently in a very strong position with development of services in recent years which serve most of the needs of handicapped children and adults locally. It is very very difficult to leave such a dynamic and people oriented Association Association president Jim Dalton said. "it is with the deepest regret that this resignation was received. and I know that in expressing this regret. I am speaking for the entire Board of Directors. Committee members. and staff of South Iluron &DAMII Don Campbell has been a very dedicated. sincere and hard working Executive Director and deserves a good portion of the credit for Ihe growth of South Huron Association in the past eight and a half years Don came to this area from the Sarnia-1.amhton region in April 1976 when the associa- tion served about 12 han- dicapped persons with two staff on a budget of less than $37.000 annually Today the organization is ane of the largest rural Associations for the Mentally Handicapped in Canada serving more than 115 children and adults with 6:3 full time and part time staff with a budget of Si 7 million " Campbell will assume the duties of Execulive Director of the Lamhton County Association for the Mentally Handicapped January 7. %98.5. Lambton ('AMH is also a rapidly growing, progressive organization serving a large geographical area He expressed much satis- faction in his new employ-- - ment endeavours because he will still be involved directly in the challenging field on behalf of handicapped per- sons - an area which has stimulated his interest for several years. Ile said. "it is a pleasure to join another association with philosophies and a purpose of serving the needs of the client first and foremost in a caring environ- ment. South Huron and in his hints that he would be a candidate for the leadership of the party, he left that directly unstated during the apparent period of mourning in which the contenders have engaged. In urging the party faithful to continue patronage of the bar to increase tax revenue, Grossman said he plans to be treasurer "or something else" after the next election. Hensall lady heads group Parents of hearing- impaired children attending the Robarts School in London who met with Ministry of Education officials at a special meeting September 30 have formed an Association. The executive for the Association comprises Marlene Taylor. Hensall, president; Fran McCallum, Lambeth, secretary; Bonnie Knott, Ingersoll, treasurer; George Welch, Lambeth, parent Liaison with ministry. The association has named itself the Robarts School Parents Association (RSPA) . A study committee has been appointed by the ministry of education to review the situation which in- volves the possible closing of Robarts School Secondary Program in favor of the E.C. Drury School in Milton. The study committee con- sists of two ministry person- nel to each parent represen- tative. The RSPA intends to provide a sound case for keep- ing the Secondary Program at thea Robarts School. The time frame within the study committee has been allowed to operate deviates greatly from ministry policy. Public school reviews in On- tario are given five months to complete a study - this par- ticular studgy committee must submit its findings within 40 days. Also it is ministry policy not to implement changes until one full school year passes. In the case of the Robarts School, the ministry of educa- tion proposes to close Secon- dary classes in June 1985. Many letters have been sent to the Minister of Education, Bette Stephenson, opposing the proposal, seeking•answers to a number of questions and voicing many concerns. After almost two months, the minister has replied to the parents and public with a form letter telling people to direct their inquiries to Bryan Robertson, director of provin- cial schools. Robertson, in turn, directs all questions and concerns to the study committee. The September 30 meeting organized by the parents at- tracted more than 350 people. Questions and concerns rais- ed went unanswered as Bryan Robertson deferred such issues to the study committee. Robertson told the audience that the study committee is only a keiall component of the overall review process - the same study committee that is responsible for researching and reporting on so much, in far less time than it took the He said he was among the majority caught completely off guard by the Premier's retirement announcement on Thanksgiving day, saying there was no moment he would recall more vividly, despite the varied highlilghts of his nine years in political life. "These were sad moments for us," he said, reporting that Davis had made the an- nouncement at the point of tears in a shaking voice. "This was far more than a colleague saying goodbye, it was a close friend," the Treasurer explained. Continuing in his eulogy, Grossman described the Premier as a man of compas- sion with a sense of fair play and an understanding of the needs and demands of all the people in the province. While admitting that the resignation will create a dif- ficult time for the party, the speaker said that Davis has demanded that each member get on with the renewal and shaping of the new era in the traditionally smooth ex- change of power between old Lamhton are very adamant ministry of education to about these concepts" decide the make-up of the President. Jim Dalton add- committee itself. ed. "Don is going to be dif- Some of the important ficult to replace. and. we can questions being asked by the only hope that his successor parents are: will display the same dedica- 1. Why is the ministry of lion. zeal and enthusiasm in education making it so dif- Slt&DAMII that Don does." ficult for parents and the Dalton indicated that a public to obtain information .search for a new Executive regarding this proposal? Director will begin very soon 2. What exactly is the and it is intended that Mr. ministry of education plann- Campbell will be available to ing for the Robarts School give them the new E.D. a facilities that they propose to thorough orientation. Please turn to page 2 and new leaders of the party which has ruled Ontario for 41 years under four premiers. Turning his attention to fulfilling the role for which he had been initially engaged, Grossman said that Smith was one of the many ex- amples of the qualified people who have been selected at nomination meetings for the PCs. It was noted that in ridings not held by the government, the PC nominations have at- tracted large crowds and the candidates have not just been "thrown in at the last mo- ment" as tokens in the elec- tion which has now been delayed. "They are superb can- didates like the man you've picked to carry the colors," the diminutive politician said, adding that it is up to the voters of Huron -Middlesex to choose whether they want to be part of molding the policy and strategy of the future or to be content withsitting on the opposition benches tossing out criticisms. "We want to put the riding back where it once was," he challenged, urging voters to "join us in that great voyage through BryanSmith." Grossman said during his speech he'd be willing to bet on the outcome of the next election, notwithstanding the opinions of Liberal MPP Jack Riddell that a vote for Smith wouldnot ensure the riding would have a member on the side of the government. It was the only foray into any political bantering in the address which kept the au- dience sitting on their handsin keeping with the atmosphere of a wake. The most controversial topic of the night appeared to centre around the number of pieces of pie eaten by Smith's campaign manager, fellow Lucan resident Mert Culbert. In a brief comment, Culbert said that Smith "may be squirrelly, but he's a winner". The candidate advised that he has been enthused by the support shown him to date and he has met many people who share his dedicstion and desires for the PC party in the riding. Riding president Tom Ames Jasper lauded Smith's ability and cited his potential to be a hard worker who will get to Queen's Park. The Goderich man also noted that the neat six months will be an interesting time for the party with the leader- ship race and Smith's campaign. The PC association hopes to attract as many of the leader- ship hopefuls as possible to the riding before the January convention. EXPLAINS DELAY — Provincial Treasurer Larry Grossman was delayed in his ar- rival at Exeter, Friday, due to a fog which almost stranded him in Sudbury. Here he explains the situation to Huron -Middlesex Association president Tom Jasper, Goderich, secretary Carol Arthur and Tom Arthur, Exeter. dvocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 One Hundred and Twelfth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, October 24, 1984 Price Per Copy 50 Cents GIDDYAP — Melva Ecker tries out a hobby horse while' her convening assistants Laurie Shapton and Catherine Elston look on prior to Thursday's South Huron Hospital Auxiliary rummage sale. T -A photo DOLLS GALORE - Sarah Van Sligtenhorst is shownn amid a deluge of dolls at Thursday's rummage sponsored by the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary. • Yields are but prices, The soybean and corn crops in 1984 in Huron County are average, according to Clinton OMAF farm management specialist Brian Hall. With 75 percent of the soybeans harvested, producers have reported yields ranging from 25 to 40 bushels to the acre, with many of the higher yields in the southern end of the county The corn harvest is well under way. Most of the high moisture silage corn is off, and the moisture content on the dry corn has now dropped below 30 percent. Corn yields are also variable; averaging out yields as high as 140 bushels per acre with lower yields in downed corn will give the county an average overall corn crop of good quality. Dave Brock, R.R. 2, Staffa, is a committeeman on the On - Deer victim in collision A deer was the lone casual- ty of three collisions in- vestigated this week by the Exeter OPP. The animal bounded into the path of a vehicle driven by Brenda Masse, RR 3 Zurich, as she was proceeding along County Road 2 north of Highway 83 on Monday. Damage to the Masse vehi- cle was listed at $600. ()n the same day, vehicles owned by Bonnie Becker, RR 1 Dashwood, and Jerritt Wyn- ja, RR 4 Sea forth, collided on the parking lot at Hensall Co - Op. Damage was estimated at $800 in that one. The other crash of the week occurred on Friday whet, a vehicle operated by Walter Westlake, RR 1 Hensall. went out of control on sideroad 25-26 of Usborne and struck a hydro pole. The crash east of conces sion 2-3 resulted in damge of $1,600. average, are down Area people badly hurt in two violent collisions tario Soybean Board head- quartered in Chatham and one of two directors from Huron -Perth -Bruce on the On- tario Corn Producers Association board. He advises producers of both com- modities to make sure they deliver their produce for storage or sale to an elevator licenced under the insurance program set up recently by the provincial government. The target date for issuing licences was October 15. Under the scheme, pro- ducers pay a checkoff of 10 cents per metric tonne on both corn and soybeans. The money creates a financial protection program to reim- burse producers in case of non-payment for storing or selling through licenced dealers. Brock said he took off an average of 35 bushels per acre on his 180 acres of soybeans, adding that the present price is very disappointing, the lowest since the fall of 1982. Brock has harvested 40 per- cent of his 550 acres of corn. The crop is variable, with high yields in some fields countered by lower yields in areas downed by rootworm and freakish winds in September. Brock expects the corn to average out at around 110 bushels per acre. Brock said the current price of corn is not much bet- ter than for soybeans, when present input costs are taken into consideration. Hall reminds soybean and corn producers Of an advance payment program instituted by the federal government to provide interest-free loans for storage of both commodities. Winter wheat planting is approximately the same as last year in Huron, with 50,000 acres up and looking good. The amount of winter canola planted in Huron this year is up, especially in the northern part of Huron, and Hall has heard that acreage is greatly increased in Bruce County this year. Four area young people were seriously injured in a single car accident late Fri- day night on the Adelaide street sideroad in London Township. The driver of the vehicle 20 year-old Norman Mclsaac of Clinton and two of his three passengers Lois Goldsmith, 17 of RR 3, Zurich and 22 year- old Peter Wonnacott of RR 1, Centralia were taken to University Hospital, London. The other passenger Leeane Stewart, Credtion was taken to St. Joseph's Hosptial, London suffering serious back injuries. Lucan OPP Constable T.C. Chapman said the Mclsaac vehicle which was travelling north went out of control and struck a tree. Chapman said although he was unable to talk to any of the accident victims in hospital he believed that all were in stable condition. They were transported by Lucan, St. Marys and Thames Valley ambulances. The mishap occurred at 11:35 p.m., Friday on the sideroad about two miles south of Highway 7 and a mile and a quarter east of Highway 4. One of six people injured in a three -car collision in Exeter early Thursday night remains in University Hospital in London. Brenda Sharon Gibson, 27, R.R. 1, Lucan, sustained multiple fractures and facial injuries in the violent crash just south of the Exeter fire station at 7:20 p.m. Local firemen, who were attending a practice session at the time, quickly respond- ed with help for the injured and it took them over an hour to extricate Mrs. Gibson from the wreckage of her vehicle. Her nine-year old daughter Tina and 10 -year-old son Peter were also injured as were Janice Cox and her three-year-old son Bradley of Albert St., Exeter, and 24 -year-old Kevin Wildfong, Zurich. The initial impact was bet- ween • the southbound Wildfong vehicle and one driven north by the Lucan woman. The Windfong vehi- cle spun around and collided with the Cox vehicle, which had been following him southbound. Total damage in the colli- sion was estimated at $10,000 by Constable Jim Barnes, who praised the firemen for taking charge at the scene in directing traffic and aiding the injured people. All the accident victims with the exception of Mrs. Gibson were released from hospitals the same evening or following morning. The majority suffered shock, slight concussions and cuts. Wildfong has been charged with impaired driving and was scheduled to_ make a court appearance in Iiceter this week on the charge. The Exeter police also in- vestigated two break, enter and thefts this week. Thieves broke into Dinney Furniture on Friday night and made off with a stereo and some cash. Total loot was valued at around $1,000. The Christian Reformed Church on Main St. N. was also entered over the weekend. A collection box was opened and a small quan- tity of cash taken. Two bicycles were reported stolen, one from a Main St. location and the other at the Exeter Public School. A fire extinguisher was also taken from South Huron District High School Police have >tecovered a quantity of flags and other paraphernalia after a visit to the dormitories at Centralia College and a meeting with several students. Many of the items had been reported stolen in the Exeter area recently and were adorning the walls in some of the stu- dent areas. Proposal is offered to keep firm afloat Creditors of Marsden Field Associates Ltd., operating as M.F. Builders and Designers and M.F. Agri Builders have been advised this week that the Exeter firm has filed a notice of proposal under the • U , .ice !JPi= ,.� it, Si , w'' a'• • .•• •• aF 0,•' . N111. •. ,•.. moi- HATS ON Madeline Witmer helps Gertrude Hamilton and Olive Hicks in trying on hots at Thursday's South Huron Hospital Auxiliary rummage sole. Stephen, McGillivray join search for dum Any municipalities in South Huron and North Middlesex wishing to participate in a search of r joint landfill site have until December 10 make their intentions known. After a Wednesday meeting, Stephen township reeve Alan Walper said he ex- pected at least six municipalities would continue the search. Two townships, Stephen and McGillivray have already made commitments but the participation of more areas is necessary in making for economical operation of a larger site. Walper said if enough in- terest is shown by December 10, an engineering study could be undertaken. Cost of a study would range from S100,000 to $120,000. Stephen clerk -treasurer Wilmer Wein indicated an engineering study could take six to nine months while site approvals by the province have been taking years. A grant of 50 percent is available from ther Ontario Ministry of the Environment for engineering studies, but, no subsidies are available for development or operation of a landfill site. Municipalities which have shown interest in addition to Stephen and McGillivray are the townships of Lobo, Lon- don, West Nissouri, McKillop, Tuckersmith, the village of Lucan and town of Seaforth. several Bankruptcy Act. The proposal was filed with Touche Ross Limited on Thursday and a meeting of creditors to consider it will be held on November 6. The firm lists total assets of $173,000 and total liabilities of $277,505. The company was formed in 1977 by Cliff Marsden and Ray Field and in 1980 moved to its present leased premises from farm properties owned by the shareholders. The company had sales of approximately $1.5 million in 1980 and 1983 which enabled it to cover the higher overhead costs and show a profit, but in 1981 and 1982 sales were ap- proximately $l million each year and the company had losses in both years. The letter from Touche Ross notes the company is ex- periencing poor results in fiscal 1984 with losses to July :31 of approximately $97,000. Annual sales are expected to he less than $1 million. if the proposal is accepted by the creditors, the com- pany's intention is to relocate from its present leased facilities to farm properties owned by the shareholds and to initiate other plans to scale down its operation in order to make them profitable. "The company is confident that the above steps will enable it to reduce its overhead and other costs in order that it can operate pro- fitably and meet the schedule of payments set out in its pro- posal," the trustee for the pro- posal reports. Rejection of the proposal would result in automatic bankruptcy. REGAIN HOUR Area residents are remind- ed that Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend and they'll regain that hour's sleep they lost in the spring. Clocks should be set back one hour upon retiring Satur- day night. f