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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-01-25, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, January 25, 1995 lona wrap up Clinton deputy -clerk treasurer replaced CLINTON - Former Deputy - Clerk Treasurer Sue Vodden will be replaced by two present employees of the Clinton clerk's office. At the council meeting last Monday evening the decision of how Vodden would be replaced was made. A part-time worker has been brought in to help at town hall until further arrange- ments could be made. Vodden left Clinton's employ for the position of clerk - treasurer in Goderich township in mid-November, reported the Clinton News Record. Deer a hazard for Perth drivers ST. MARYS - A recent report from the Sebringville OPP po- lice said that 74 accidents oc- curred in 1994 involving deer. The Journal Argus reported that there were no serious inju- ries to motorist. The accidents occur frequently at night when deer are most active. Sgt. Don Hillman suggested scanning the ditch for movement while driving. Said Hillman, "If a deer does run in front of you, you shouldn't swerve real sharp to try to avoid it. You're better off to keep control of your car and hit the deer." Four sites sued for plowing match SEAFORTH - Four potential sites have be designated for Hu- ron County's bid to host the In- ternational Plowing Match in 1999. The four farms were sug- gested at an organizational meet- ing held last Thursday evening. The Huron Expositor reported that the proposed farms are owned by Ken Glanville, Win- throp; Earl Becker, north of Dashwood; Joe Semple, (north of Brussels) and Anthony Soer of Grand Bend. A formal bid is not required until next year but the county wants to make their serious in- tentions clear to the Ontario Plowmen's Association. The match would provide large prof- its in tourism related industries. Last year the IPM in Renfrew brought in more than $13 mil- lion to the local economy. Fire detector saves lives in Grand Bend GRAND BEND - Stephen Baird, his wife Kim and three children were saved by the smoke detector in their home. The Parkhill Gazette reported that the alarm from the detector alerted the family of the danger. Thc house suffered "tremendous smoke damage through the whole house," said local fire- fighters but there were no inju- ries. The estimated loss is $25,000 due to the fire which started in the basement of the home at 52 Ontario Street North last Tues- day evening. Have a news tip? Call the Times -Advocate 235-1331 ThLTHIThLEWIS • Organizers promise snow for Granki Bend Winter Carnival If necessary a machine will be used to make sure there will be enough white stuff to go around - but sorry, the dog sled races won't be back this year By Fred Groves T -A staff GRAND BEND In just a few days, the village of Grand Bend will be swarming with people. No, the warm weather hasn't returned, but this community is in the midst of preparing for its annual Winter Carnival. The 1995 edition, the ninth for the popular event, is called Imagination (A World of Imaginary Plac- es). Late last week, the organizing committee was try- ing to imagine how they would be able to pull things off this year without any snow as the ground was brown instead of white. But by Friday night the snow began and, for now, it looks as though the carnival will be a white one. Just in case there is no snow, as the weather man hasn't been playing by the rules this winter, organiz- ers have a backup. "We're making snow this year. It's coming from Cobble Hills. They're doing it for nothing. As long as we have minus five (degrees celsius) we can make snow," said Barry Richman of the Grand Bend Winter Carnival. While the snowmaking machine may not he nec- essary, it is nice to know it is there and could be a real benefit, if utilized for those who are entered into the Ontario International Snow Sculpting Com- petition. From Thursday, February 9 to Saturday, February 11, sculptures from both Ontario and Michigan will try to catch the eye of the judges and even go for the "People's Choice Award." Richman says the artificial snow would make great forms for sculpting. "This will be the first year we've had perfect snow in the boxes. It'sa little more crystal and it's one consistency right through." The snow sculpting event is the final stop for competitors on the Can -Am Tour which began in Sarnia on January 15 and concludes in Grand Bend. Eight foot blocks of snow are brought to life by the three-person tearhs who tate saws and axes to create their artistic designs. What's new and what's gone: One big dis- appointment for regul goers to the Winter Car- nival will be the absenc `'of'the dog -sled races held at the Pinery Provincial " k. ""The major sponsor cancelled. It was a very good race last year but they weren't into the risk anymore," said Richman. But while the dog sled races are gone, those crav- ing their fill of speed and excitement can get it from motorcycle ice racing. The new event is being held at the old airport and promises to provide a great show. Called 'Fire on Ice' this takes place on both week- ends beginning at noon and will feature both pro- vincial and national championship racing. Spec- tators should note that the Winter Carnival buttons do not admit them to this as the fee is $10. "It will get cold enough," said Richman of being able to have the ice racing. "There is no problem with that, they've already dug the track." The official start of the carnival is Friday, Feb- ruary 3 when the Legion will be the site of the an- nual Fashion Show. Other activities include Sumo Wrestling, talent contests, , line dancing, snow golf and figure skat- ing just to name a few. The Grand Bend Winter Carnival features events for all ages and those attending are encouraged to purchase the $5 admission buttons which gets them into most of the events. This year's button was adapted from a design sub- mitted by Scott Musser, a grade seven student at the Grand Bend Public School. For further information about the carnival, call 238-6776. Monday blue box pickups in Lucan will start -February 6 LUCAN It's now officat Th '4 fill ip4i)r W3iyN{'aVning„Agrizoglal ;op. both,.sectiop¢, ; une to im rove s e The �p�r day for blue box collec ons by'a nger-Bell p of ty j about 12 inches apart for traction. Bluewater Recycling Association conditions on the Elm street park There should be some fencing or in the village of Lucan has been bridge, council is taking some ac- screening attached to the side rails changed from Thursdays to Mon- tion. so young children can't fall off the days. Bryce Sibbick of Frank Cowan side." The new collection date will be- Insurance Company recently in- Works superintendent Doug gin on Monday, February 6. Blue - water Recycling had originally in- formed council in late December that the switch would be made in early January, but council was able to delay the move until February 6. Garbage collection will continue to be on Thursdays as Larry Lewis of the contracting firm of C.H. Lewis Ltd. was unable to make arrange- ments to allow for a change to Mondays. Arising from an original request spected the park property accompa- nied by councillor Reg Crawford and made some recommendations. Sibbick's report said, "The entrance sections to the bridge from both sides were found to be exceedingly steep and in fact on the day of my inspection because of the snow it was very difficult to walk up or down without slipping." The insurance official continued, "We would suggest a form of no slip material or placing slats run - Legion donation Precious Blood School accepted a $1,062.50 donation from .the Exeter Legion this week, the annual proceeds from the Clint Hodgins Legacy Fund. The donation goes to a different school each year, and is to be used for playground or sports equipment. >%recious. Blood still have to decide how it will be spent. From left are prin- cipal Sandy McQti Ilan with PTA president Catherine Gre- gus accepting the cheque from Legion public relations of- ficer fficer Dave Frayne. Johnston was instructed to make the improvements including the placing of hardwood slats on the bridge. Councillor Rob Brady com- mented, " If we take the advice of our insurer we should be okay." Crawford added, " I was there for the inspection and it appears to be a very solid bridge. Sibbick assured me we are completely covered by our liability policy." Town already looking to civic corner phase two Funding considerations will determine how and when Exeter will revamp its public library needs EXETER - With the plans for the renovations and expansion of Exeter's Old Town Hall still to be finalized, town council is already casting a look ahead at the next phase of the project: the upgrading of the town's public library. Town administrator Rick Hundey proposed to council that a job- sOntario grant application be made to sound out the possibilities of funding for the project. First, he said some "interest groups within the community" need to be contacted about potential multiple uses of the building. The Huron County Library would also have to be consulted about what kind of requirements it would like to see in- corporated into a new, or renovated facility. "How far along are you going to go with this?" asked councillor Robert Drummond. "Are you asking us to give blanket approval for a new library without seeing it?" Hundey said an application is just that, and nothing has to proceed without final council approval. He said that some other groups may be interested in seeing the library incorporate a "Job Link" centre, "plus the cultural things are also in our mind. A place for an artistic community, for example," said Hundey. With a committee's direction, those groups could be contacted for their recommendations. Hundey said the next three weeks are important "if we hope to get a grant". "I guess my concern is the financial plan," said councillor Roy Tri- ebner. With the town hall project not even started, he said the costs associated with a new library need to be considered carefully. Later in last week's council session, the issue of the county's pay- ment for the use of the town's library resurfaced. The county pays a fee, based on square footage, to the municipalities - which are re- quired to provide library facilities. Clerk Liz Bell said the county's fee amounts to about $850 a month in Exeter. "It has no relation to the rental fees of commercial space at all," commented reeve Bill Mickle, who suggested a letter be sent to the library board, noting their fees are not in keeping with even the up- keep of the building. Councillor Bob Spears agreed with Mickle, and then asked how a newer, larger library would be compensated by the county. "What kind of subsidies are coming down from the board?" asked Spears. "If we were to triple our square footage, would we get triple the fee?" Mickle replied that was correct, the county's fees are based on square footage. But Mickle, a member of the county's library board himself, said the question still waits to be asked whether or not the county should be getting involved in the capital expense of building or renovating an Exeter library. Council all agreed and Drummond made a motion to send a letter to the county board, asking them their status on financial support of. a library:Project . i , -,;.. I1,: u-rt,J(. ,rt • „Weirg a4ki4g a. g4gStitp. 1 tbijkicwe• know wk►#t .t�e�,a4sWf r�is.cJi <, said Mickle. "But I think it's incumbent on them to do some capital assistance." Police looking for car from Dashwood hit and run DASHWOOD - The Exeter OPP are looking for the driver of a car that forced a Dashwood woman off the road Friday night. Police say Rebecca Hartman was westbound on Highway 83 Friday evening at about 9:30 p.m. when a vehicle went to overtake her, but struck her car and forcing her into the ditch. The other vehicle also en- tered the ditch, but was able to con - Your Views Letters to the editor tinue and left the scene without stopping. The OPP are looking for a 1984 or 1985 Dodge Daytona, Chrysler Laser or possibly a Chrysler Leha- ron with gunmetal blue paint, and extensive damage to its passenger side. Anyone with information about this incident or the car is asked to contact the OPP at 235- 1300. Gun control and registration: the real story? The new proposals have nothing to do with safety and protection of Canadians, however it does much to have the citizens think this... Dear Editor; Now I am sure that any individual in this country would not argue that some type of firearms' registry is required or needed in some fashion or another. Thc main question is the methodology of its use. Docs a registry already exist? Presently, any legitimate gun -owner must acquire a Firearms' Acquisition Certificate (F.A.C.) which is only granted from Justice (Police) officials. After a background check, one may be issued. Payment is up -front and all information duly recorded. Next, that individual upon recognized receipt of the F.A.C., may purchase a firearm. All relevant infor- mation. including F.A.C. number is duly recorded, once again. It looks as if thc present system of ac- quisition ;s a registry, in some form or another. Perhaps the Justice Officials do not bother to keep track of thc purchases registered under their own F.A.C. numbers? The main question is why. It would seem the framework has already been established. Is there a different motive for the adjudication to a newer sys- tem? The new Registration System entitles firearm owners to contribute additional dollars to the Feder- al Government, along with the additional headaches of taking courses in various weapons, of which most will never own. Every citizen of this country is aware of the need of the Government to find Netter ways of obtaining your hard-earned funds without calling it a tax. For example, Bob Rae has recently endorsed, under the guidance of his Finance Minister surcharge on auto- mobile fines and tickets. Not a TAX, but a sur- charge, just to make you feel better. Now is the Honourable Alan Rock calling thc shots or is the Honourable Paul Martin, Minister of Finance. Ac- cording to the Minister of Finance, we have hit his "worst-case scenario", with rising interest rates and suggestions that deeper cuts must be found in next month's budget. • They have an alternative, raise those unnamed "taxes", or surcharges, such as those formulated in the new Gun Proposals. The new proposals have nothing to do with safety and protection of Canadians, however it docs much to have the citizens think you arc doing all you can to protect them. It is all show. The truth is the reve- nue associated with thc program's implementation. It is not a "tax", but it will be additional revenue thc Government claims it needs. It has nothing to do with Justice or Protection of Canadians; it does however have all to do with Dol- lars and Cents. They can not tax the criminals, as he docs not buy his weapon in a conventional way. The response from the Federal Government is once more to obtain it from everyone else. Gordon Trudcll 633 Upper James #204, Hamilton, Ontario L9C 2Y9 Tcl: (905) 385-8917