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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1981-07-30, Page 1ACCESSIBiUTY SURVEY — Mary Peckitt and Lydia Shuurman measure a doorway as part of a project to prepare a guidebook ;for the disabled of Huron County.. Survey checks access An accessibility survey to prepare a guidebook for the disabled began in Zurich, Thursday Lydia Schuurman and Mary Peckitt, both of Clinton, are surveying public buildings ' and private businesses across Huron County this summer. • Two other students, Sherry Robinson and Mary Jane Scott are currently sur- veying Bayfield. Schuurman said it would take two or three days to survey Zurich, with much of the time spent getting in touch with church ministers and school officials for permission to take • measurements in various buildings. The centres to the north of the county have already been surveyed. The girls said they would be'moving to Hensall and then on to Exeter later this week. The survey looks at a building's easiest access route and makes note of the size of doorways and any steps leading to the doors. The survey also measures aisles widths and if washrooms are equipped with special railings for the handicapped, Schuurman said. The surveyors note if help is available, not only sales help; but help such as lifting a wheel chair over a step if needed. The project is funded by a Summer Canada grant and is sponsored by the Huron Day Centre for the Homebound in Clinton. The aim of the project is to prepare an access guide, a booklet listing places of interest and methods of accessibility„ for the disabled. Schuurman noted that information on restaurants and motels is especially important. The girls will be helping to Please turn to page 5 • 4 ff: rff k'r No. 30 FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS • • • BICYCLE S .ALOM OPP community safety co-ordinator Const. Gary Gaeler looks on as Jenny Stark rides her bike through a rodeo slalom course. Const. Gaeler found that many children's bicycles in Zurich needed attention for Mechanical defects. See stories on page one and four. JULY 30, 1981 Ate Price per Copy 25 Cents urich bikes fail the test The worst group of bicycles he's ever seen in 13 years was inspected by.OPP Constable Gary Gaeler at the Zurich playground, Thur- sday. "I get the feeling I'm playing Xs and Os here – mostly Xs," he quipped as he filled out report cards- Zurich children's bicycles. The children, dressed in western garb, attended a bicycle rodeo held as part of the Zurich's playground. "This is what I do," Gaeler said of his work inspecting bicycles. The constable is the community service co- ordinator from the Mount Forest detachment of the OPP. He checks the bikes for allignment loose handle bars, reflectors, horns or bells, the bikes tires and condition of the wheels and brakes. Of 29 bicycles and one trike checked, none passed the inspection As far as Gaeler is concerned, if there is one thing wrong, the bike doesn't pass. "I've only been on a bike once in my life," Gaeler said, admitting he is not a bike rider. He added he could not understand how anyone could ride a bike with loose handlebars. Several of the bikes had loose handle bars, many failed the test because of lack of a horn or bell, and one bike was being ridden with bare pipes sticking out where the pedals attach. It is required under the highWay- traffic act that bicycles (even a trike) have these items in good repair. While violations are liable for fines, Gaeler said group inspections conducted by the OPP were almost impossible to follow up. A report card on the in- spection is sent home with each child. Gaeler said they "hope that sending the card home will help parents get (the bikes) corrected." He said he would like to see parents at least take notice of the condition of their child's bike. Safety officers can only do so much he added, saying the responsibility belonged to the parents. Gaeler recommended parents check the bike at the start of the season and regularily at least twice a month. He thought it was rediculous to be riding a bike with loose handlebars or no Rain "definitely beneficial" Tuesday's steady rains may have prompted a sign of relief from area farmers suffering under • "spotty rain" and "droughty" con- ditions. Insufficient rain had started to show its effects on Huron County crops, reported Huron's assistant ag rep John Heard. The rain is "definitely beneficial," Heard said. "I understand it has been a general rain across the coun- ty....which has relieved some of the drought stress." The rain however, is a mixed blessing for bean grower. A real problem ex- isted with white beans Heard said. Though it is too early to tell the effects of lack of rain on this year's crop. he said beans "appeared to be really suf- fering." The rain will save the crop the assistant ag rep said, but will encourage the growth of white mould. Heard said kidney beans were past the flowering stage and are not in danger, but that farmers would have to assess their white bean crops. • Dry conditions limit the growth of the mould and he said very little spraying had been done this year. With the wheat crop well over half harvested the rain may be a mixed blessing to those still gathering. Dryness had shrivelled some wheat kernels Heard Noted. saying, "the wheat crop needed one more rain before maturity and didn't get it". Enough of the wheat is in good shape and safely off the fields he said. Heard hoped the rain late in the wheat's season would not cause sprouting problems like last year. Ag rep Don Pullen, when contacted July 13, said this year's crops were ?rogress- ing well and would be above average. if moisture arrived as and when needed. Corn crops began to show some drought stress Heard said, but added the rain would be beneficial. Thecrop • is looking good ne said, as the plants were developing deeper root systems during the dry weather. Heard reported Monday that the second cut hay crop looked short. Again lack of rain was cited, with dry con- ditions promoting little regrowth. "Some fellows have had fires in hay," Heard warned, often caused by sparks from vehicle exhaust. He noted there was little to be done to minimize risk, other than us- ing common sense. Heard said a fair number of white bean beetles had shown up in the Hayfield and Clinton afeas and spraying had been advised. Potato leaf -hopper insects have also been holding back bean crops. They should be drowned by the rain Heard added. and the problem alleviated. pedals in traffic. Many of the bikes would be dangerous when ridden alone, even when cars or other traffic was not present. Though the constable shuddered at the condition of some of the bicycles, • he manages to keep his sense of humour. During the inspection Gaeler joked that he may set a new record by not getting a bike to pass the check. Playground supervisor Heather Sweeney added "The next prize we have (at the playground) should be a bell– that works." Gaeler has been doing safety checks on bicycles in his role as community service co-ordinator for 13 years. The Zurich bicycles, "had to be the worst bunch I've checked," he said. "I have to maintain my sense of humour," the constable said, or lose my sense of sanity." BICYCLE SAFETY - - Const. Gary Gaeler completes a bicycle inspection form for tricycle rider Jenny Morrison. Gaeler is the community service -co-ordinator for the Mount Forest detach- ment of the OPP. He was in Zurich to inspect bikes and run a rodeo for the children at the Zurich summer playground.