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Times Advocate, 1984-12-19, Page 1Qua ity Carpet at great prices Professional installation can be arranged Wliihngs Phone 235-1964 Letter to Norton details, frustration with ministry Shaw says town isa As promised at the town's appreciation banquet a month ago, Mayor Bruce Shaw had an announcement this week regarding a nursing home for Exeter. Unfortunately, the news was bad, although Shaw in- dicated he still has hopes that there will be good news before the new'year is complete. The bad news was contain- ed in a letter he and commit- tee chairman Ire Armstrong have sent to Health Minister Keith Norton indicating the members of the committee are "extremely frustrated" by the ministry's delay in meeting the very reasonable ADMIRE BIG BIRD — Ashley Nixon with the help of father Kevin talks to Big Bird at the Exeter Legion Christmas party, Sunday afternoon. Battered women told to seek help in addition. there is counsell- ing service available to men who assault their spouses. The local delegate said that public awareness of the situa- tion is one of the main factors in reducing the problem and the provincial government is currently conducting a major advertising campaign to - make people aware of the pro- blem and the need to make their situations known. The message is also being taken to the schools. hospitals and other segements of socie- ty where education can alleviate the problem. Mrs. Fuller, who was ac- companied to the conference f by three other local citizens. including Sgt. Kevin Short, said that if any women or t children in the community T needed help. they should con- t tact the police who w•er•e prepared to assist by finding them a "safe home". "We all have to be involv- - d ed." she concluded in her B remarks. p Councillor Morley Hall A wondered if exposing the pro- c blem would really help in cor- t Exeter is similar to all other communities and has a large number of women who fall into the category of bat- tered wives. That was the assessment of the local situation made by Deputy -Reeve Loss} Fuller. who reported to council on her attendance at a recent two- day seminar in Sarnia when the problem of battered women was discussed. "What staggering statistics. she exclaimed after noting that reports sug- gest that one in every 10 women in the province is assaulted by her husband. A recent study conducted in Kent County shows the average to he one in four women there. She further staggered coun- cil members by reporting that on average. women are bat- tered 35 times before they seek some relief from their situation. "It is a crime and perpetrators should Lace the full extent of the law. Mrs. Fuller suggested in noting that steps are being taken in every community, including Exeter. to have "safe homes -- for women and children to seek shelter from (heir abuse. Freezing rain causes skids Free -ring ram turned area - roads into skating rinks tor a short period on Friday, but most motorists managed to handle the challenge as only two collisions were reported A vehicle driven by t1ar•ie Dietrich. Zurich. skidded oft Highway 4 north of Exeter and ended up in the ditch Damage was $450 The other accident was south of Exeter on Highway 1 when a vehicle operated by Angela Sikkema. Woodstock. skidded out of control and hit a farm fence owned by William Parsons Total damage was eel al $50u On Saturday at 1:30 a m . a vehicle driven by Leonard Dietrich. RR :t Dashwood went off concession :►-h of Stephen and rolled over in a ditch The driver escaped in jury in the mishap which oc- curred west of County- Road 2 and caused damage of Si.2i10 There was one eaII ion on Sunday. it occurring on sideroad 15, west of conies sion 12-1:3 in Hay Township A vehicle operated by a juvenile went out of control and struck a tree. The youth. whose name call not be published. sustained minor injuries The of her two crashes of the past week happened on Mon day, the first on the Crediton Road at the junction of con- cession 2-3 of Stephen involy ed were Barbara Pepper. R1( I Hay. and Marlene Ander son, RR 1. SI Marys Total damage was 51.400 The other occurred on Canada Ave. south of Quebec Ave. in Huron Park. involving vehicles operated by Daniel Gagnon. IaPrairie. ()whey. and Wendy Long, Exeter Damage in that one was listed at $500. request to secure nursing care beds for Exeter. While not detailing the pro- posal the committee has presented to the ministry to get nursing home beds assign- ed to Exeter, Shaw said the proposal will cost the ministry nothing. "We have watched with -chagrin the awarding of new beds to other areas of the pro- vince while not even hearing a word from your ministry, despite out personal pleas," the letter to Norton explained. "If the problem lies in either our approach or our en- trepreneur, please advise us so that we can amend our proposition." "Your ministry apparently does not understand the ex- tent or the desperation of our need," they continued, advis- ing that the town council, special committee and the en- tire community are prepared "to proceed with construction of a building without either the ministry's financial sup- port or approval". Awaits sentence over threatening A Lucan area man was ac- quitted Tuesday on two charges of threatening witnesses involved in a case against two of his brothers, by a Middlesex County court jury found him guilty on a third similar count. After nearly four hours of deliberation, the six -man six - woman jury acquitted Thomas McVeeney, 25, of threatening Geoffrey Bates, 18, and his fiancee, Kim Elson, 16, both now of Clinton. He was convicted of threatening Gordon Bieber, 19, of Clandeboye, and was remanded out of custody by Judge J. F. McCart until Jan. 7 when an assignment court will set a date for sentencing. All three charges related to a May 5 incident at a home in Lieury, and revolved around March 19 charges of car theft and break, enter and theft against McVeenery's younger brothers,' Martin and Davi. Martin McVeeney was con- victed in October of threaten- ing Bates and sentenced to 15 months in jail. He received concurrent sentences on the car theft and break-in charges. Charges against David McVeeney were withdrawn. Court was told during the trial Monday that Thomas McVeeney, four of his brothers and another man showed up univited at a bon- fire at the Lieury home May 5. Bates and Elson were living at the'home at the time. Bates testified he had a con- rontation with Martin McVeeney over being a witness and was punched in he head. Later, he said, homas McVeenery told him hat if he "ratted" his home would be burned down and he would be killed. In his cross-examiniation, efence attorney Geoffrey easley noted that at a reliminary hearing in ugust Bates had testified he ouldn't remember who hreatened to burn the house reefing it. down. 1layor• .Shaw responded by Elson testified that Thomas saying that it was an impor- McVeeney told her he had tant element in that most ways of getting anyone who vicitims in the past thought gave evidence. She told they were alone in facing the Beasley she had had several problem. "The statistics pro- beers that night but it didn't ve they're not alone." hesaid, affect her memory. adding that victims should in his address to the jury realize it is a major problem Tuesday, Beasley pointed out and they should- take im- that although Elson said mediate steps to seek the help Thomas McVeeney threaten - that is available. ed her. she went for a 10 -minute walk alone with him that night. Bieber, whose testimony conflicted on several points with that of Bates and Elson, said - Thomas McVeeney Please turn to page 3A .av The letter concluded by saying an answer would be -expected within the next few weeks. Elaborating obi.the situa- tion, Shaw advised council that the committee members are virtually at their wit's end after three years of plugging away in their attempts to come to some understanding with the ministry. "We're not getting anywhere," the Mayor lamented. Later in the meeting, Coumcillor Ben Hoogenboom said he had been approached by the operator of a nursing home who would be interested in selling his licence to the town. He indicated that the licence was for 12 beds. Shaw advised him to pro- vide the information to Arm- strong so it could be discuss- ed at the next meeting of the committee. The Mayor also told co in his brief preview of to come in 1985 that ytcif ings hings it alone for nursing ho—e will happen" regarding a nur- changes to the town's official some major returns for the economic sing home. - plan and zoning bylaws and hard work of the local committee. "There will be, I'm sure, - some positive steps taken," he remarked. Shaw's gaze into the crystal ball also included three other challenges that hf predicted would result in some in- teresting times for council. Heading the list was the local police department. He explained that it was an inter- nal problem of which the public was not aware and he predicted significant changes in the coming year. He also foresees the conclu- sion of four year's of work on Back in '85 There will be no issue of The Times -advocate next week. The next issue wit! be published on Thursday, January 3. All news and advertisements for that issue must be received on Monday. December 3i. Ames •ItY OJ development A MANGER SCENE — Making up a manger scene at Crediton United Church Sun- day ,naming were Angel Angela Lansbergen, shepherds David Morlock, Christopher Neil and Dwayne Glanville and Arlene Cottell and Bruce Dundas as Mary and Joseph. Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Twelfth Year is mx3y r,. VOC & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, December 19, 1984 WINS POST — Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle was elected warden for Huron County following one of the closest races ever for the post. A tie-breaker was needed to push him past Tuckersmith Reeve Bob Bell. Warden Steckle receives the "key" to Huron from retiring warden, Tom Cunningham. Josephson handed town's finance post After some last-minute shuffling during a brief recess at Monday's meeting. Exeter council named committees fore the coming year. JUNIOR FARMERS Rob Essery and Robin Preece were named South Huron Junior Formers of the Year, Friday night. Making the presentations are last year's win- ners P -it Hodgert left and Maurice Ryan, right. Almost died from stabbing Hensall man gets award A Ilensa11 man who was stabbed in the hack three limes in an incident two years ago. has been given an award for his suffering. Randolph Redmond was awarded 51.500 for pain and suffering by the Criminal In - pules Comp enation Board at a hearing in London. Wednes- day Ile also was awarded costs for lost wages. travell• ing lime to the hearing and his legal and medical fees His lawyer. Randy Evans. Exeter, told the Board that Redmond almost died from the injuries received in the attack. Redmond said he was help- ing a friend move into a new house with other people when his cousin, a friend of Roy Becker, also of Hensall, ask- ed him to drive her home Ile said a fight ensued with Becker and that all he could remember was that all of a sudden he couldn't get his breath Fie was taken to hospital where he spent a week recuperating from wounds that included a punc- tured right lung. Becker. who was at the hearing, admitted he was sentenced to eight months in jail after being convicted of assault. He was originally charged with attempted murder, which in turn was reduced towoundingbefore he pleaded guilty to assault. He said he served a month of the eight-month term before he was granted parole. Mayor Shaw said he had tried to give all members one of their choices, and while some had to undertake jobs that they would have prefer- red not to have, he said he was certain "you'll all do a good job". Shaw will head the general government committee with Gaylan Josephson taking over finance. Reeve Bill 14lickle will chair the proper- ty committee and Ben Hoogenboom is chairman of social services. The chairmanship of the public works committee will be in the hands of Morley Hall and he will also chair the roads section of that commit- tee. Drains will be in the hands of Tom Humphreys. while Lossy Fuller is chair- man of parks and newcomer Don Winter was assigned sanitation. The police committee chairman will he Dorothy Chapman and named to assist were Mickle and Shaw Hoogenboom and Winter will be the new members of the employee relations commit- tee and Mickle. Winter and Shaw will be on the Exeter economic development committee Chapman and lloogenhoom will continue as council representatives on the plann- ing advisory committee with Shaw, Mickle and Puller be - tion Authority. All appointed citizens on the various town boards have agreed to return to their posi- tions this year, Was prepared with question A group of Exeter Boy Scouts and their leaders at- tended Monday's session of council, and when notified that they would be allowed to ask questions, that offer was quickly seized by Stephen Township resident Dennis Webster. A resident of Waterloo St.. the Scout wanted to know why township residents along his street were denied permission to hook into the town's sewer system when they were prepared to pay the hookup charges and the sewer con- nections were already at their property lines. Councillor Ben Mogen - boon but 1 had was the first to reply. wondered if (he town fact made a decision on ttrtrequest from the Waterloo SI. residents for the service. Mayor Bruce Shaw responded that council had in fact decided to deny the re- quest and explained to Webster that it was F:xefer's policy not to extend municipal ing named to the fire hoard. services to neighboring Fuller is the representative township properties. to the HIA. tlumphreys and Shaw said town residents Josephson return to the ret have paid considerable in hoard and the cemetery taxes to provide the services board reps are again Hall and and extending them to the Humphreys. townships could have an Sitting on the town's senior adverse effect on the town in citizen advisory committee terms of future development for another year are Fuller and growth. and Hall. The Scout indicated he Ervin Sillery will be the understood the answer, but town's representative on the didn't indicate whether he Ausable-Bayfield ('onserva- was in agreement with it. Price Per Copy 50 Cents REEVE OF STANLEY WINS CLOSE BATTLE After a tense four ballots, Paul Steckle, Reeve of Stanley Township, was elected Huron County Warden for 1985. The 42 -year-old hog farmer and farm implement salesman defeated three other candidates in the elec- tion: Grey Township Reeve Leona Armstrong, Turnberry Township Reeve Brian McBurney and Tuckersmith Township Reeve Robert Bell. The audience watching the proceedings overflowed out of the council chambers, into the hall and down the stairs of the County Court House. They listened and watched as one contender at a time was drop- ped from successive ballots. The tension mounted, when after three ballots, only Reeves Steckle and Bell had their names remaining on the ballot. The fourth ballot end- ed in a 15-15 tie. At that point, county policy calls for the head of the largest municipality in the county to indicate his vole. Reeve Ilarry Worsell of Goderich, a former candidate himself before withdrawing earlier this fall, voted for Steckle. If Goderich Deputy - Reeve Jim Britnell had been present, there would have been no tie. Reeve McBurney was eliminated from the running after a tie -breaking vote was in fact the second ballot. Reeve Armstrong was ousted from the race after the third ballot. Nominated by Exeter Duputy Reeve Lossy Fuller, Reeve Steckle said. r'ialogue, not confrontation" would be his method of gover- ning the county. Restraint is important said the new warden, hut he told his fellow county councillors that they have to be "good managers". He singled out the road department, the Iluron Coun- ty Atlas, additions to hydro transmission lines as issues to be faced in 1985. The new warden said the museum will be the "single most difficult decision we face in 1985". He said there is no argument that there is a need to preserve the heritage of the county. Warden Steckle said postponing the upgrading of the county roads because it is too expensive would give the, county a "false economy" because it will be more expen- sive down the road. "We can't allow our roads to deteriorate," he said. In his nomination speech, the new warden said if care of the elderly in the county is to continue, changes will have to be made at Hui'utVi tew, the home for the aged in Clinton. • The new warden said he hopes he is able to see pro- jects through to their comple- tion. Previous wardens Tom Cunningham and Gran Stirl- ing made similar comments about the Huron County Pioneer Museum when they were elected.. Judge F.G Carter of Goderich presided over the declaration of office made by the new warden. Devotional exercises were given by .the Please turn to page 3A PARADE CHARACTERS --- A variety of animals and clowns marched in Sunday's Santo Claus parade at Cen- tralia. Back, left, Yvonne Wells and Brenda Morgan. Front, Laura and Jenny Porker. T -A photo Duo get reclassified Despite earlier indications that there may be some op position to a suggestion that two r('e board staff members be reclassified in the town's salary grid system. the neat ter was quickly approved i Exeter council this week with no debate The employee relations committee had recommended that rec director Lynne Far. quhar and facilities manager ('am Stewardsor) be reclassified from grade seven to nine, but the natter was set over at (he last council ses- sion on the suggestion that it be dealt with when all members were in attendance. At the time. committee chairman (:avfart Josephson said that a study of area recreation department of- ficials indicated the local pair were not receiving com- parable salaries The reclassification will result in a pay boost of bet- ween $2.900 to 53,000 for the two employees, plus any in- crease (he entire staff receives in the coming year. SANTA AT DASHWOOD - Jason Finkbeiner and Dean Brown enjoy a visit with Santo Claus in Dashwood, Sae"irday. At the right is Dashwood men's club president Don Weigond. T•A photo