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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1981-03-26, Page 1Riddell wins 2100 vote maority Voters in the riding of Huron -Middlesex re-elected Liberal Jack Riddell for the third time in Thursday's provincial election. Riddell defeated Conser- vative candidate -41m Britnell by a majority—Of 2,- 100 votes in an election in which little enthusiasm was shown. His 1977 majority Was 3,871. The incumbent Liberal MPP who was first elected in a byelection in 1973 picked up a total of 10,785 votes to -8,685 for Britnell and 1,187 for the New Dentocratic candidate Gwen Pemberton. Close to 2,400 fewer voters showed up Thursday in the , local riding than -did in 1977. In 1977 Riddell drew 12,749 Votes, Anson McKinley for the PC's gained 8,878 votes and and Shirley Weary of the NDP received 1,405 votes. The towns of Goderich and Parkhill and township of Stanley were the only municipalities in which Britnell was the winner. He received 1,659 votes in Goderich to 1,404 votes for Riddell. In 1977 Riddell gain- ed, 861 and McKinley picked up 1,467. Commenting on the Britnell win in Goderich, local Liberal riding presi- dent Bernard Benn of Lucan said. "I am not, upset by that. He won by only 255 votes in his own town, that's actually a moral victory for us." Benn was elated about the returns from Lucan saying, "That's the first time we have ever won in Lucan. It was by 312 to 285 votes. In 1977 McKinley won Lucan by 326 to 297." Riddell was the winner in the town of Exeter with a majority of 154. ,The difference in 1977 was 239. At his victory celebration attended by over 400 persons at the Pineridge Chalet, Riddell attributed the reduction in votes he receiv- ed to complacency. He said, "On the local scene it was complacency from day one. People would say to me, "You don't have any problems and you can win without us coming out." That's exactly what happen- ed as people didn't think I needed their support." "There was also some con- fusion as to what hour the polls would close. This time it was one hour earlier than some elections and par- ticularly last fall's municipal elections and some people were just too late." added Riddell. , .. Riddell continued, T feel quite pleased that we were able to have a- 2,000 vote majority going against the provincial trend- which would indicate that most voters in Huron -Middlesex are satiskied with the job I am doing." "It was the quietest elec- tion I have ever run. Nobody talked election of issues and the turnouts for the debates were low." said the incum- bent MPP. He went on to say, "It cer- was an election coma not predict. During the last week in the other elec- tions. we could pretty well predict the outcome." About the upcoming Legislature, Riddell said, "Premier Davis made a lot Please turn to page 5 . SINGING AUCTIONEER'S SONG — Huron -Middlesex MPP led his family in singing the auctioneer's song at Thursday's *- tory celebration at the Pineridge Chalet. From the left are Brenda, Heather and Wayne Riddell, Donna Overholt, Deb Thompson and Jack Riddell. No. 12FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS, MARCH 26, 1981 Price Per Copy 20 Cents Catholic board plans review if enrolment declines The Huron -Perth County Catholic school board ap- proved the draft policy on School Accommodation Review at a meeting Monday night following a lengthy discussion. William Eckert, Direcor of Education, in outlining the policy stated that a school shall be identified for further revjew if there is a pattern of continued decline in the number of pupils; an oc- cupancy ratio of less than 60 per cent; a cost per pupil in excess of the system average and approaching, or in excess of, the- weighted ministry grant per pupil for the board; and staffing patterns which are less than those for the system. Mr. Eckert said the membership of the board accommodation review committee will be the chairman of the board and the vice-chairman, the standing committee chairmen of the finance, property and transportation committees of the bdard, Director of Education and the Superintendent of Business. If this coimmittee, after it prepares an initial school accommodation review file, determines that a further review is necessary, then it may recommend to the school board that it establish a community ac- commodation review committee. This committee would include four parents who are catholic school supporters; two trustees, one representing the review Junior Farmers celebrate special provincial week This week March 20-27 marks an important week in the lives of the South Huron and Provincial Junior Farmers. This week has been designated .as Junior Far- mer. week. During this week the South Huron Junior Farmers will be involved in cliib, county and provincial activities. The week started off. on Friday night with a dance at the Exeter Rec Centre. Saturday morning saw a successful bake sale. in the foyer of the Centre Mall. This was a county wide event with other bake sales in Wingham, Seafgrt.1l, Lucknow and Goderich. The profit from these bake sales will beturned over the provincial Junior Farmer Association who will then turn it over to the disabled. The South Huron Junior Farmers have also pur- chased and presented a shower wheel chair to the South Huron Hospital. Tuesday night all county members are going to take their talent tc Bluewater Centre in Goderich to en- tertain the members. The end of the week sees three of our enthusiatic members headed for the Provincial Junior Farmer Conference in Toronto. Many more members plan to at- tend the banquet and dance on Saturday night. It is not only during Junior Farmer week that the South Huron members are busy and involved in community activities. During the past four years, since we •have been organized, many projects have been un- dertaken. For the past three years we have canvassed the area townships for the Canadian Heart Fund this involves a lot of well spent time of the Junior Farmers. In the past we have painted the Huron County signs and some area cemetery posts although more paint was gotten on the members than the signs, it was still a job well done. As you enter into the area fall and spring fairs, that delicious aroma you smell is probably coming from the South Huron Junior Farmers food booth. At the Exeter Fair while the females are flipping hamburgers, the males are operating a tractor rodeo which is sponsored by the South Huron Junior Farmers. Last summer and fall, members brought in their Zehrs tapes. With the money from these Zehrs tapes we purchased and presented an air mattress to the South Huron Hospital. This is used so the bed ridden patients don't get bed sores. Also last summer the South Huron Junior Farmers hosted a picnic for the members of two mentally handicapped group homes in Exeter. This was a reward- ing experience for both the Please turn to page 9 school plus one from another area appointed by the chairman of the board and who has served on the board accommodation review committee; a supervisory officer to act as executive secretary of the committee; the review school principal; a teacher appointed by the branch affiliate; and the pastor of the parish school community. In the final report to the board the board ac- commodation review committee shall consider the recommendations of the community accommodation review.' committee. Where the board determines that a school is to be closed, the board accommodation review committee shall prepare a report indicating the possible alternative uses or disposition of the school. The declining enrolment committee was renamed by the board to be the board accommodation review committee. The board authorized the Director of Education to approve requests for ex- tended maternity leaves of less than ong school year (without pay) to permit an expectant teacher to leave at the end of one of the school terms prior to the expected delivery date of the baby and or to return at the beginning of a school term. This is in the best interest of the education of children. The school terms are Sep- tember 1 to December 31; January 1 to Winter Break and from Winter Break to Please turn to page 5 BEST PLAYER — Zurich's Cyr rig was voted the best defensive player on the Clinton Junior "C" Mustangs this year, and received the Fleming Feed Mill Trophy from manager Robert Miller at the dubs recent banquet. (photo by Jim Fitzgerald) Pat ht