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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1984-11-14, Page 1Qua ity Carpet at great prices Professional installation can be arranged Whitings Phone 235-1964 Pro•d'd Iwo -weak elo Iasts two dors at Dcrfln It was business as usual at Darling's IGA on Friday mor- ning with little more than some haggard expressions on the face of store staff and management to show for the fire which hit the facility shortly before noon on Wednesday. "It was nothing short of a miracle', noted Joe Darling in commenting on the short time the fire caused an interrup- tion for the firm. Insurance adjusters had figured the store would be shut down for close to two weeks after a spark from a welder's torch set off the blaze in the ceiling area. However, they didn't count on the determined effort of NEW QUARTERS During Wednesday's Open House at Centralia College of Agricultural Technology, Pat Hodgert a student with quarters in the newly renovated Bruce Hall shows her room to Dada Gingerich. Says board closer to proper salaries "Fair" is how both the Huron County Board of Education and its secondary school teachers describe a fact finder's report released last week. "it's fairly reasonable. It looked at all of the problems but doesn't really resolve everything," said District 45 federation officer Shirley Weary of Goderich. Creditors vote 'no' Creditors of Marsden Field Associates Ltd.. operating as M.F. Builders and Designers and M.F. Agri Builders, have voted against a proposal that would have kept the firm in operation. William M. Neill. vice- president of Touche Ross Limited, who prepared the proposal for the local firm as trustee. said that the vote by the creditors automatically put the company into bankruptcy-. The proposal was con- • sidered and voted upon by the creditors at a meeting in Lon- don, Tuesday. Distribution to unsecured creditors in bankruptcy has been estimated in the Touche Ross Limited report in the range of zero to 3 7 cents on the dollar Final disix >sition won't be known for some lime. The firm lists total assets of $17:1,001 and total liabilities of 5277.5005 The company was formed in 1977 by (Tiff Marsden and ltav Field and in 3980 moved and leased premises .just south of Exeter from farm properties owned by the shareholders The company had sales of approximately SI 5 million in 1980 and 3983 which enabled i1 to cover the higher overhead costs and shoot a profit. but in 1981 and 1982 sales were ap- proximately SI million each year and the company had losses in both years. The letter from Touche Ross notes the company ex periencing poor results in fiscal 1984 with losses in July 31 of approximately $97,000 "It's a fair report in that it made a fair ajudication of the issues in dispute," said direc- tor of education Robert Allan. However, both parties said some of the solutions suit them while others do not. Representatives from the teachers and the board met once after they each had received the fact finder's report and before it was made public. Allan said the board has no announcement to make as a result of the meeting but he says the fact finder's report could be the basis of an agreement. Mrs. Weary says staffing changes and salary are the two main items in dispute. The fact finder's report states that the teachers are asking for an overall percen- tage increase of 15 percent and the board is offering 5.1 percent. However. Mrs. Weary points out that that percen- tage figure represents both sides "initial" position and the process of negotiation has changed those figures. "No, we're not that far apart. but 1 can't give any details." said Mrs. Weary. "There are a fairly large number of issues outstanding in the negotiations, and as a result the fact finding report contains 14 recomniendat inns "The particularly critical issues would appear to revolve around staffing workload. remuneration and staff development funding." "In making recommenda- lions. 1 attempted to keep in mind the economic health of the community past history. school System needs, the needs of the parties and the provrnc•.al pax restraint guidelines.' stales fact finder Gene Dcvca's report 1)n the salary question alone. the tact finder recon• mends an increase of about five per cent on the teachers' salary grid This would in- clude increment and grid ad- justment costs The teachers' are asking for a 7 5 per cent increase excluding increment and grid adjustment costs and the board is offering four per cent plus grid restoration Please turn to page 3 the Cum's employees and sup- pliers to battle the instu'moun- table odds of being dosed for less than two days. Shortly after the blaze was brought under control by the Four motions are required It took four motions and considerable debate before the South Huron rec centre board of management agreed to pay tale $80 fee to have two staff members get their of- ficial certificates from the ministry of tourism and recreation. Rec director Lynne Far- quhar, who along with facilities manager Cam Stewardson, recently receiv- ed permanent certification, asked if the board would pay the $40 fee for each or whether it would be their responsibility. Usborne representative Brian Hardeman immediate- ly suggested the board should pay the fee, but Exeter representative Gaylan Josephson argued against that proposal. He said the certification was permanent and followed the employees wherever they go and therefore should be up to the staff members to pay. Board chairman John Pym noted it was town policy to pay for short courses attend- ed by staff members, but it was explained by Ms. Far- quhar that the certification was not based on attending a course, but rather the educa- tional background, ex- perience and a personal inter- view with the applicants. In an attempt to resolve the matter, Josephson presented a motion that it be turned over to the personnel commit- tee for consideration and recommendation. That met with support from Tom Humphreys and Tom Tomes, but was opposed by Jim Workman, Hardeman and Carolyn Merner and Pym then broke the tie by voting in the negative. The latter said he opposed the motion because it was a matter that could be settled by the board at the Thursday meeting without passing it on to a committee. However. that was easier said than done. A motion by Josephson and Tomes that the board not pay the fee was defeated 4-2, as was a subsequent one presented by Humphreys and Hardeman that the board pay half the fee. Finally, by a 4-2 margin, the board agreed to pay the fee. Pym scoffed at the amount of time and debate given such a small item, but Josephson said he was voting on the prin- ciple of the issue and said the amount of money was not the concern. "]tow do you encourage so- meone to do something if you don't give them something in return'" Workman asked as the debate ended. Suspension is increased A Huron Park man was fin- ed 5250 and given a further licence suspension of six months after pleading guilty to driving while under suspen- sion before Justice of the Peace Douglas Wedlake in Exeter court, Tuesday. Roderick G. Nixon. 248 Algonquin Drive. was charg ed on October 7 after beirg stopped by a policeman won noted that the motorcycle he was riding did not hale a licence plate. Nixon's licence had been under suspension for failing to pay previous fines. although he told court he had been pay- ing the fines and thought they were now all paid up. Ile was given 90 days in which to pay the 5250 fine, which is the minimum. it was the only case heard at the court sitting BE PREPARED Exeter's Brownies and Beavers took the Scouting motto to 1tAort and showed up at Sunday's Remembrance Day parade with raincoats and umbrellas. Exeter and area fire depart- ment, the Huron County health unit was contacted and officials arrived on the scene to advise what merchandise would have to be tossed out. Almost 525,000 worth of items were disposed of from the shelves due to the smoke and water damage. About the only merchandise not dispos- ed of was that in bottles or cans. While the staff removed the damaged items, carpenters, electricians and painters were starting to put up scaf- fold to remove the ceiling in the store and start the task of replacing it. At 2:30 a.m., Thursday, the scaffold was removed as the new ceiling was completed and an order was placed with Loeb to replace the hundreds of items of merchandise that had been hauled out. After completing the cleanup of the floor and s .75 shelves, the state staff was in- undated with the special truckload of items dispatched from Loeb in London and the task of restocking the shelves commenced Eft 5:00 p.m., Thursday, add continued through the night and early Friday morning hours. The task was completed just a few minutes before the store opened for business on Friday. , "We couldn't have asked for any more from anyone", Joe Darling commented in reviewing the booperation ex- tended by all those who pitch- ed in to make,an impossible job possible. ' Total loss in the fire has been estimal at between $75,000 and 31 ,000. Work on the pansion pro- ject at the stolte didn't suffer from the fire either. Darling said some of the workmen on the project continued on even as firemen battled the blaze. PASSED BY — This was as cenotaph. They marched past The cenotaph service was ase OS the participants in Sunday's Remembrance Day parade came to the local on their way back to the Legion hall following a church service at Trivitt Memorial. cancelled due to the weather and the laying of wreaths was held in the church. Serving S (° ,h Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Twelfth Ye & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, November 14, 1984 f Price Per Copy 50 Cents Want to avoid costly B hearing Exeter, Exeter and Hay councils met, Monday, in an attempt to avoid an expensive Ontario Municipal Board hearing over the town's objection to ay attempt compromise an agri-indus al park being proposed for a , area adjacent to Huron Tra - or on the nor- thern outskirtaaf the town. While the need for a com- promise was recognized by both municipalities and their planning advisors in atten- dance, a short session held by Exeter council after the joint session indicated a concern that while specific com- promises could be reached over the industrial park pro- posal, there could be more BRUCE HALL REOPENED — During Wednesday's Open House at Centralia College of Agricultural Technology, a ribbon was cut to reopen the Bruce Hall residence for students. From the left are student Pat Wilhelm, CCAT manager of student affairs Rev. Don Orth, Huron warden Tom Cunningham, G.H. Colin, education and research director of OMAF; Ronald McNeill, parliament assistant to the Ontario Minister of Agriculture: CCAT principal Doug Jamieson; Albert Cote of the Ontario Ministry of Government Services; Stephen township reeve Alan Wolper, Centralia village trustee Bill Elliott and student Barry Gregory. Good old days at CCAT gone Renovated hall is reopened "The good old days are gone and now you have the new things that you can brag about to your children." Those were the comments of Centralia College of Agricultural Technology manager of student affairs. Don Orth at the reopening of Bruce Hall as part of Wednes- day's Open House activities at the college. Orth was referr- ing to the good old days when students faced cold nights and snow coming through the walls. Bruce Halt was erected in 1952 as housing for flight cadets at RCAF' Centralia and became home for 50 male agricultural students when the college was established in 1967. An executive director for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food Dr. G.H. Colin said, "Life in residence is valuable to students. especially those returning to the farm. in lear- ning social and leadership skills. In brief comments, Stephen township reeve Alan Walper remarked, "The next time we meet I hope it is to cut the rib- bon for the new agricultural research centre". Walperwas referring to his municipality's bid to establish the much discussed research centre adjacent to Centralia College. Ile added, "The two would work well together." The ribbon officially open- ing the building was cut by Elgin MPP Ron McNeil, parliamentary assistant to Ontario Minister of Agriculture Dennis Timbrell. ('CAT principal Doug Jamieson was chairman for the afternoon and other plat- form guests included in addi- tion to those previously men- tioned were Albert Cote of ()n- tario Government Services. Huron warden Tom Cunn- ingham. Centralia village trustee Bill Elliott. Fire levels barn on Biddulph farm Loss has been estimated at around 5150.000 in a fire which levelled a large L-shaped barn at the Biddulph Township farm of Orville Langford, Wednesday. The owner was working in the barn yard at about 9:00 a.m. when he spotted smoke coming from a straw mow. He managed to save 40 head of cattle from the struc- ture before it was levelled Firemen from the Lucan- Biddulph, Granton and Ailsa Craig brigades responded to the call and hosed down two silos and other nearby buildings to save them from damage. Langford told the T -A on Monday. that he plans to rebuild. but not until the spring. The Karn measured 38' by 60' and 66' by 32' and contain- ed about 10.000 bales of hay or straw. The farmer at lot 6. conces- sie'l 2 of Biddulph• said he would put half his cattle out to he fed and will handle the balance in another Karn he owns. There has been no indica- tion of the cause of the blaze. No equipment other than a hulk milk tank was in the barn Bruce Hall renovated facilities will provide accom- modation for up to 180 diploma students. Most -of the rooms have three beds. A few single bed rooms are also available. New wardrobes and night tables were pur- chased to replace the built-in wall units removed during renovations. A student lounge. kit- chenette and washroom facilities are located on each of the three floors. The main entrance now features a reception area. the residence supervisor's office and an ad- joining meeting room. A recreation area. exercise room, laundry facilities. stu- dent mail boxes and public and handicapped washroom facilities are also located on the first floor. Each student room has been equipped with a telephone jack and students can make their own ar- rangements to install a telephone. Modern fire and smoke detectors and an elec- tronic paging system have been installed throughout the building. These renovations, totalling $381.970.00 were carried out by the general contractor Gregus Construction. RR 3 Exeter. Extensive exterior renovations were completed in 1978. The theme at this year's Open House at the College was "Building on our Heritage" and the afternoon long program included a wide variety of events. A large number of students and staff were dressed in period costumes and were in- volved in handling displays. tours and a variety of demosntrations. Former world champion horseshoe pitcher Elmer Hohl of Wellesley exhibited his ringer technique in front of Huron Hall and Les Green- wood was in charge of calling for square dancing. difficulty in compromising in the general philosophy of the secondary plans for all three neighboring townships as drafted by the Huron County planning department. The scope of the Hay pro- ject was seen as a disturbing aspect by Exeter's planning consultant Jean Monteith, as well as the fact that Exeter could face similar proposals on all its boundaries. She told Exeter that there were certain agri-industries that were land intensive and would be best suited in a rural setting, but the size of lots proposed in the Hay subdivi- sion were not consistent with that type of business and the number of lots proposed was more in keeping with an urban -type industrial subdivision. Throughout the joint ses- sion she emphasized that there were adjoining lands to the proposed subdivision "begging" further subdivi- sion attempts as well as those across the road in Usborne Township. She suggestod that county planner Garry Davidson had to make a commitment regarding the secondary plans in all three neighboring townships and suggested this should be requested as part of any compromise with Hay. She also advised Exeter that any compromise should include a buffering zone as spelled out in the Ontario Foodlands Guide, a specific list of uses that would be per- mitted in the agri-industrial park and a reduction in the scope of the proposed subdivision. Ms. Monteith recommend- ed that Exeter ask for a lot reduction to six of the 14 lots in the subdivision, adding that site specific applications could then be considered for the other lots, at which time Exeter-eould look at thoseap-• - plications with a "positive mentality" and approval could be granted if everyone agreed it was the only place an applicant could or should locate. "It's important to reach a compromise," she advised. "They are your neighbors forever." Several members of council appeared in agreement that a compromise should be at- tempted. "it will show Hay we're not against their im- proving the area or increas- ing their assessment," com- mented Cougcillor Ben Hoogenboom. However, Councillcr Dorothy Chapman express( d concern that once a com- promise is reached, it will in effect be saying that Exeter could move again and this could lead to even further Please turn to page 3 FIGHTER PILOT SPEAKS — The guests speaker at Saturday's Remembrance Day banquet at the Exeter Legion was former RCAF fighter Pilot John "Gibby" Gibson, now a resident of Exeter. Above, Gibson chats with Legion secretary John Stewart, president Jim Barnetson and Ladies Auxiliary president Irene Jackson. Vet recalls price of old equipment Wants defence update A former World War Two fighter pilot who is now a resi- dent of Exeter was the guest speaker at Saturday's Remembrance Day banquet at the R.E. Pooley Exeter branch 167 of the Royal Cana- dian Legion. John "Gibby" Gibson en- titled his remarks "Memories" and gave the large crowd a brief and quick resume of his wartime careen. He told of arriving at Sky Harbour in Goderich for pilot training and Larry and Ted Snider were among the instructors. During his many trips as a fighter pilot Gibson said he experienced five controlled landings, a better term for crash landings. After one venture out of Tunisia he found he was the only one of six who returned safely to camp- They later learned that four of his friends were captured as prisoners of war. in conclusion Gibson said, "What a price Canadians paid in lives with the old equip- ment we had to me. 1 hope the government goes ahead with plans for updating our defences and get individual uniforms again for our army. navy and air force." In a few words of greeting, mayor Bruce Shaw said, "Remembrance Day is a day to treasure and cherish. Our countries must avoid mistakes which would lead to more wars." Huon-Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell talked about Remem- brance Day festivities in the Netherlands which include visits to the graves of many Canadians. Their Remem- brance Day activities are held May 5 and the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the end of World War Two will call for special celebrations in 1985. Attending the banquet were Please turn to page 3 1