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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-04-26, Page 1Family Coalition Party elects candidate HOLMESVILLE - Phil Cornish, of Goderich will represent the Fami- ly Coalition Party in the upcoming provincial election, as decided at the Party meeting on Thursday night. Cornish practices law in Clin- ton, and was twice elected to the University Senate at the University of Western Ontario. He has also served for five years on Clinton Council. While Cornish was the only candidate, Andrew Hiemstra, a member of the Party, said that no one should worry about the quality of the choice. "He has a lot of political experi- ence," says Hiemstra. "And he is an excellent speaker." Approximately 50 people turned out for the meeting, and the speeches were well-received. Don Pennell, the leader of the Party, also made an appearance and gave a speech on his formula for responsi- ble government. The FCP differs from the other three major political parties, as they believe they offer a vote along mo- ral issue lines. "We are different in two impor- tant ways," says riding association president Dylan VandenAssem of Blythe. "Firstly, we support legisla- tion based on traditional family val- ues. Second, we propose truly re- sponsible government." Kid Check set for Saturday EXETER- Huron County Child Find will be setting up their "Kid Check" program this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the former Ex- eter Police Station. Donna Finch, co-ordinator for Exeter said children of all ages, from newborn to 18 are invited to get fingerprinted and receive an ID kit. "Parents should bring a recent photo of their child,"Finch told the T -A Monday. VON collecting "huggable" bears HENSALL - The Hensall VON office, along with offices in Strat- ford and Listowel will be collect- ing new, huggable Teddy Bears (12" and under) for the young chil- dren in Oklahoma City who have been traumatized by the recent bombing there. Donations will be accepted now until May 6 at the office which is open 1-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. VON spokesperson Pam Bieman said the social fund will be donating the cost of shipping the Teddy Bears but they are happy to accept any donation toward the cost. `White Squirrel Week' proclaimed 0 SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83 Exeter 23S-0262 Forrest Gump April 27 "235.3535 • T11U SEIP'S vale -mart 4 & 833 Exeter 235-0262 Hotdeo Line Reserve a movie or game today 235-3535 Wednesday. April 2.6, 1995 rr — tsri tttti sri1-1 SUBSCRIBE,' 1If you aren't subscribing to The' I Times -Advocate, you're missing out Use the coupon below and subscribe today! 1 Name: 1 Address City 1 Prov — — 1 1 Postal Code 1 SUBSCRIPTION RATE/I: Canada Within 40 miles • (65 kin) addressed to non letter carrier addresses $33.00 plus $2.31 Q.S.T. 1 Outside 40 miles - (65 km) or any letter carrier address $63.00 + $4.41 Q.S.T. 1 Outside Canada -$ 99.00 ow tee 40 pony.) 1 !1$IzYOUR CREDIT CARO 1 ❑0000000 1 00000000 Card No. 1 I Expiry Date ❑ Visa 0 Master Card ❑ Cheque enclosed Return to; TIMES ADVOCATE `24 salrn_St. Exeter a 1S6 ■me 1 1 1 1 1 1 Strike hits in Hensall By Ingrid Nielsen, T -A Staff HENSALL - Striking employees were picketing outside General Coach in Hensall early Monday morning, after negotiations with man- agement last week came to a halt. The 140 strikers are concerned with the company's move to hire "cheap employees. As much as $4.00 an hour cheaper," says Steve Zar- anik, strike captain and a member of the negotiating committee. "First they called them "casual labour", says Zaranik. "Now they are calling them "new employees". Everyone here feels they will become pan -time labour, especially in the winter." "We also want to start a pension plan," says Zaranik. "The employees here have never had one." The union members, who assemble recreational vehicles for General Coach, an American corporation, belong to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJ of A). The company also has plants in British Columbia, Pennsylvannia, California, Oregon, and eight in Indianna. No spokesman for the union expressed any concern about production being moved from Hensall. There have been other labour disputes at General Coach in Hensall in the past years. In 1989, management closed the doors in a lockout that lasted four months. "Seems like every time the contract comes up, there are problems," says Jeff Falconer, a striking employee. The recent contract expired on September 30, 1994, and the two sides have been trying to reach a deal since that time. While there have been many labour problems at the company, "it has never happened at this time of the year before. This is the busiest time," says Zaranik. The employees arc not looking for a long battle. "We think there is room to negotiate," says Zaranik. "The mood (among the striking employees) is good. Spirits are high." Attempts by the Times Advocate to contact management at the plant have been unsuccessful. PC candidate Helen Johns has busy life See page 5 Classifieds G pages 22-26 Announcements pages 28-29 One hundred and forty Union members seek new contract. Drive-through donut shop gets approval Tim Horton's Donuts to begin construction in May on Main Street EXETER - Town Council ap- proved the site plan from Tim Hor- ton's Donuts last Tuesday night for development at 153 Main Street North. The property is owned by Eric and Elizabeth Campbell and will be developed by the organization un- der a lease agreement. The property located on the west side of Highway 4, between Al- exander Street and Highway 83, is zoned highway commercial which permits a restaurant. The plan includes 28 parking spaces and a drive-through win- dow. A fence will be erected be- tween the back of the property and the adjacent town land. Council expressed concern with the flow .of traffic of Highway 4. Minor changes to the plan will be made if necessary to alieviate any congestion. Council agreed growth is very important to Exeter. Through in- creased assessments, the mill rate is held down as close to zero as pos- sible. Construction is expected to begin early in May. Councillors to get advice ZURICH - Hay township's solici- tor is being authorized by council to provide verbal or written advice directly to each member of council or staff regarding pecuniary interest matters with costs to be paid by the township. However, in a situation where a member is charged with a contra- vention to the Disclosure of Interest Act, it will be the member's respon- sibility to retain a solicitor at the member's cost. The township has made provi- sions under the Tile Drainage Act to allow a property owner to com- plete a project in one year with costs over the maximum loan amount of $20,000. In such a situation the work may be completed in one year, hut in or- der to qualify for the provincial mo- nies, a limit of $20,000 applies to the first year and separate loan ap- plicaions must be made in any or each appropriate year to cover the complete costs of the project. Don Beauchamp has been hired for the contract position of Hay township hall park caretaker for the 1995 season for the amount set by the Hay township recreation com- mittee. The 1995 budget for the township hall was set at $4,425 as recom- mended by the recreation commit- tee. At the same time. rental rates were set for the township hall. Ren tal' fees wil be $15 for service clubs, local organizations and sen- ior organizations; $25 for morning afternoon, evening rental -private rental and $40 per full day or com- bination of any two of the above private -rental. The following recreational grants were approved : Zurich Community Centre and Arena $10,000 operat- ing and $5,000 capital; Dashwood Community Centre $2,500; Dash- wood Athletic Field $800; Hensel! Community Centre and Arena $2,800; South Huron Rec Centre and Arena $1,0(X) and Hay town- ship hall diamond $1,000 capital, if required. General grants were authorized to: Zurich Agricultural Society $350; Hensall South Huron Agri- cultural Society $2(X); Huron Plow- men's Association $1(0; Hensall Calf Club $60 and Huron Farm and Home Safety Association $50. Clerk Janisse Zimmerman is au- thorized to obtain a letter of opin- ion from the township solicitor re- garding the status of the lanes, walkways and roadways in the plans of subdivisions in the town- ship. The clerk is also asked to forward a letter to MP Paul Steckle regard- ing council's opposition to the cuts in the federal transfer payments to Ontario 1 (93C + 7C G.S.T.) ONE DOLLAR Council holds zero increase to mill rate Exeter keeps rate down while school board share increases By Heather Vincent T -A staff EXETER -Local residents who larger cheques to cover their tax bills the extra expense to increases in the Huron County Board of Education share of the mill rate. Exeter has followed Huron County in bringing in a zero increase in their components of the mill rate. Only a few people showed up to the public meeting last Tuesday night when the proposed 1995 budget was discussed. "I am disappointed they didn't show a lot of interest," said Councillor David Urlin. Through the introduction of a "user -pay" waste management program, council has been able to re- duce the 1994 mill rate two per cent from the pre- vious year. This reduction is carried into the 1995 mill rate calculations. Contributions to a reserve fund are a continued effort to plan for projects scheduled over the next three to four years. By using reserve funds, the town will be able meet their share of capital pro- jects and avoid interest charges on loans. Some of the anticipated projects include the sanitary sewer improvements, a fire department vehicle, library re - will be writing can attribute pair and repair of the arena roof. "I am pleasantly surprised to find out that in my own town this has been practiced for a number of years," said a member of the audience. The expenditure trend in recent budgets is capital creeping up to the operation expenses. More money is being spent in areas such as road improvement which makes things better for the public. Council is also decreasing the long -tern debt. Although Huron County and the Town of Exeter have maintained a zero per cent increase, the Huron County Board of Education has in- creased their portion of the mill rate. Most of this increase is mandated by the govcrnrnent. A member of the audience said he would like to have more information from the school board explaining their budgeting pro- cess. "There is not one representative here to answer any questions. Noth- ratepayer that they can do something "There is not one repre- sentative here to answer any questions." ing for the about." This feeling was echoed by council, recognizing the frustrations of the taxpayer. From 1994 to 1995 the total public school mill rate has increase from 22.2375 to 23.3375. This translates into a 4.95 per cent increase. The separ- ate school rate increased 1.04 per cent. Clerk -Treasurer Liz Bell told the T -A that for the public school supporter the increase means ap- proximately $50 more in taxes and for the separate school supporter an additional $10 can be expected. Town Hall tender accepted Council approved the revised price submitted by low bidder EXETER - A tender for the Ohl Town Hall project was accepted with some amendments at last Tuesday night's coun- cil meeting. The low bidder re- mained McKay Bend- er Construction of.Ta- vistock after a revised price was submitted. Changes, which do not effect the integrity of the building, were made to bring down costs for the addition and renova- tions to the hall. A separate "The windows should be as- sessed before we make a decision to go with the ex- isting windows." price was given for items which might be deleted to lower costs. These items in- clude interior storm windows in lieu of new win- dows, an elevator to the basement, air conditioning in council cham- hers, standard lamps in lieu of T8 lamps and ballasts and a new win- dow in the building inspector's of- fice. The only item on this list which will not be deleted at the present time is the new windows. Coun- cillor Torn Hughes said the condi- tion of the existing windows is not know. Delaying this work could end up costing the town more in the long run and may be shortsighted. "The windows should he assessed lir Continued on page 2 EXETER - Town Council has agreed to proclaim the week of June 25 to July 1 as "White Squirrel Week." Although in future years it is hoped the event will run for two or three days, this year June 30 will he "White Squirrel Day." Organizers of the Royal Canadian Legion Chili Cookoff have agreed to move their event to July I, coor- dinating it with the town's Canada Day Celebrations. June 30 will be a day with a focus on fun activities for families includ- ing evening raising of the tlag, sing- ing 0 Canada and a hike decorating contest. The Exeter Business Association has purchased a new white squirrel costume and our mascot will be a more prominent part of the cclet firms