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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-07-12, Page 14 & 83 Exner 235-0262 Agent for . Sketcbley m Cleaners ON- • r1;i 1 rme me am '1 B`SCR BE� It you aren't subscribing to The' I Times -Advocate, you're missing out. Use the coupon below and subscribe today.! 1 Name: I Address City 1 Prov. 1 Postal Code SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada Within 40 miles - (65 km) addressed to non letter carrier addresses $33.00 plus $2.31 G.S.T. 1 Outside 40 miles - (65 km) or any letter carrier address $63.00 + $4.41 G.S.T. Outside Canada -$99.00 c^.' sae 40 wsa+wl 1 USE YOUR CREDIT CARD 1 00000000 1 00000000 Card No. I Expiry Date 0 Visa 0 Master Card ❑ Cheque enclosed Return to; TIMES ADVOCATE um me sap 424 Main St. Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S6J on am m 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 The Black Donnellys Crossroads Second front Farm update Heritage picture See page 24 Classifieds pages 17-20 Announcements pages 21-22 Experts page 23 Two -car collision in Zurich ZURICH - Two cars collided on Main Street Saturday resulting in minor injuries. The vehicles, both receiving se- vere damage, were driven by Keith Gingerich of Zurich and Dianne Maxwell of R.R 1 Clarksburg. Collision in Stephen Township STEPHEN TOWNSHIP - Two vehicles were demolished but there were no injuries in a two -car colli- sion July 2 at Conc. 2-3 and Cty Rd. 4. The vehicles were operated by Jo- seph Shea, of Huron Park and Yvonne Saska of London. Steckle support larger Last week we reported that Hu- ron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle had overwhelming support for his ac- tions after voting against controver- sial government legislation recent- ly. Although the overall information contained in the published results of our recent survey measuring lo- cal support for Steckle was accu- rate a typographical error reported the MP had the support of 133 re- spondents. Actually 183 supported his stand while 41 were opposed. Our survey showed that over 80% of those who responded backed Steckle for voting with his conscience even if it was against the position taken by the federal Liberals. 4 Fundraising begins Dashwood Firemen's Association members, Back row from left, Dan Lachance, Ken Rader, Peter Datars, Vern Sorensen, Ted VanRompaey, Larry Stire. Front row from left, Dwight Sheppard, Bob Boogemans, Jim Hoffman Dashwood Firemen's Association purchases new equipment van Brenda Burke T -A staff DASHWOOD - The Dash- wood Firemen's Association hopes to raise approximately $18,000 to cover its purchase of a new fire department equipment van. The used van, costing $14,250, will seat up to eight firefighters, and hold equipment. Extra money raised will go to- wards upgrading fire hall equip- ment. The Hay and Stephen Fire Board, which has loaned the as- sociation money for the van, will take free possession of the vehicle once all funds are raised. "Our loan is Dec. '96 but we're hoping to pay it off as soon as possible," said Jim Hoffman, an association member, adding the firefighters will raise all required funds. "I want to stress the fact that tax- payers are not paying for this," said Dan Lachance, association secretary and treasurer. The van will be convenient, not only for the Dashwood and Area Fire Department but for nearby townships when an emergency re- quires a surplus of firefighters and equipment without the pumper truck. The van will also provide emer- gency shelter for firefighters. Without the van, explains Hoff- man, "out in a winter fire situation we have no place for men to get out of the elements." The association decided against buying a larger van costing $6- 8,000 more then the 21 -foot ve- hicle purchased, which has low mileage and needed little repair. In an effort to pay off the van, the association is asking local service clubs for donations. Some clubs are already inter- ested. Besides a spring fish fry and a lucky draw to be announced Aug. 5 at the Dashwood Com- munity Centre, a pancake break- fast, fish dinner and beef bar- becue may be included in future fundraising plans. Search for full-time fire chief will begin internally Chief Middleton will be retiring October 31 after 27 years Heather Mir T -A staff EXETER - After much dis- cussion during Tuesday night's reg- ular council meeting, the position of fire chief for Exeter and Area was confirmed as full-time. The current chief, Gary Middle- ton will be retiring effective October 31 and the fire board ac- cepted his notice with regret after 27 years of service. Middleton worked for the Town of Ex- eter for 30 years and spent a total of 34 years with the fire department. The recruitment of a new chief will begin 30 days from the last fire board meeting of June 28 by posting the position in- ternally. The fire board report clar- ified that 'internal' means among the active fire fighters (not retired fighters). It was the opinion of the chief that the position required someone to actively participate in the fire fighting process, not to have only an administrative func- tion. Mayor Ben Hoogenhoom re- quested on behalf of the South Hu- ron Liaison Committee that the posting be delayed from 30 to 60 days. The board decided a delay longer than 30 days would not allow for time to advertise if no active fire fighter showed an interest in the position. Council discussed the possibility of staff members looking at al- ternatives to having a full-time fire chief dur- ing the 30 days before the position is posted. A motion was made by Councilor Roy Triebner to consider the op- tions but the majority of council members voted against any change in the current agreement which specifies the fire chief as a full-time position. The amount of paperwork the chief docs has been increasing steadily over the past several years "We have one of the most ef- ficient and least costly fire de- partments." and Triebner suggested at the May 1 council meeting that some of this work could possibly be done by an administrator. Triebner said he felt the position should be studied. He added the board should at least un- dertake an organizational review to calculate possible financial savings and separate the physical demands of the position from the ad- ministrative tasks. Triebner reiterated his position on Tuesday night. "I don't think we have the facts. Are you prepared to pay someonc $50,000 to do paperwork?" asked Triebner. Changing the current status of chief would have an impact on fire insurance rates in Exeter and the safety of residents. These issues outweighed any cost savings con- cerns. "We have one of the most ef- ficient and least costly fire de- partments," said Councilor Joe Rid- er. "You've got to have rules and regulations to ensure proper fire protection." Ball game to aid fire victim kAHURON PARK - benefit ball game will be held to- night, Wednes- day, with the proceeds going to aid Harvey Kennedy who was se- verely burned in a fire at his house June 24. Kennedy, 69, received second degree burns and is recovering in Victoria Hospital, London. Game time is 6 p.m. at the Centralia diamond with Harveys Helpers taking on the Q97.5 Classics. 4 SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83 Exeter 235-0262 Sae New r\mss � --- 2353535 Hot Faster water testing for Grand Bend Chris Skalkos T -A staff GRAND BEND - It's costing more money than anticipated but. the newly- acquired mobile water testing unit is meeting health of- ficial's expectations. The Ausable-Bayfield Conserva- tion Authority is cooperating with Village of Grand Bend, Stephen Township and the Town of Bo- sanquet, and Friends of the En- vironment (an environmental group from London), to fund the mobile water testing lab based at Port Blake. The new technology the lab employs allows Lambton Health Unit officials to test bacterial pop- ulation densities within six to eight hours compared to previous meth- ods which took up to 48 hours from the time of collection. The faster response time elim- inates unnecessary 'unsafe -for- • swimming' signs and can quickly detect water temporary polluted from heavy rainfall. "It's been up and running and so far we've been pleased with the ability of the equipment to do what it's supposed to do...giving us more accurate information more fre- quently," said Tom Prout from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Au- thority. "We're doing the maximum number of sampling," he said, add- ing the lab can test 25 water sam- ples a day. The lab was originally projected to cost $20,000 but has since cost an additional $10,000 due to the condition of the mobile unit. "The lab came to us in worse con- dition than we anticipated. We had to spend a few extra thousand dol- lars to get it up to a useful condi- tion," Prout said. Since its introduction eight weeks ago, the mobile water testing la- boratory has been testing waters from Grand Bend's main beach, Pinery Provincial Park, Canatara Park, Centennial Park Ipperwash Beach and Park and Port Franks Conservation Area. The new technology the lab uses was developed in Ontario and uti- lizes rapid and sensitive microbial diagnostics based on three separate methods. A membrane filtration sys- tem, a Coligel Bag testing method and the new chemiluminescent tech- nology used to measure E. Coli, the bacteria most likely to cause minor infections when swimming in con- taminated water. "This [E. Coli] is what posses the most concern to public health," said Andrew Scott, the on site bac- teriologist staff responsible for measuring water samples. Scott added that swimming in contaminated water can cause eye, . ear or throat infections, and bacteria can enter the body through open cuts or by digesting the water. The municipal office in Grand Bend and the Lambton Health Unit both confirmed that "unsafe -for - swimming" signs have not been posted on the main beach at Grand Bend, however, testing will con- tinue throughout the summer. Mobile Water Testing Laboratory staff, Microbiologist Andrew Scott, front, and Sampling Technician Mike Clay are based at Port Blake. Optimists selling Nevada tickets Exeter Optimists were granted per- mission by council to sell break - open tickets at Exeter Shell EXETER - A request by the Exeter Optimist Club to sell Nevada tickets was approved by Town Council at Tuesday night's meeting. The service club has been granted permission by Granger Fuels of London for the tickets to be sold at Exeter Shell Self Serve, 119 Main St. North. The Optimists hope the money will help support local fundraising efforts for projects such as upgrading Victoria Park. The park is in need of new playground equipment and other improvements. The service club helps to support many local activities and groups including a drug awareness program, the South Huron District High School student council, Exeter Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Child Find, and the Huron County Library. These are only a few of the many organizations which the Optimists help to fund. John Morgan represented the Optimists to ask for council's per- mission to sell the tickets. He said that with decreased government funding, many organizations are looking to service clubs to make up the shortfall. "We are hoping this will be almost as successful as the Lions Club but that would be our wildest dreams," said Morgan Nevada tickets are a popular option for non-profit organization be- cause they require less work than other activities and have a better financial return. The Lions Club has recently gained exclusive rights to sell break - open tickets at the Exeter Variety, replacing the Canadian Mental Health Society. The Lions stand to raise approximately $75,000 to help fund worthwhile local projects. At a cost of 50 cent each, with a guaranteed $800 of prize money in each box, Nevada tickets are a better risk than other lotteries. Many people convert their winnings into more tickets and profits are excellent for both the vendor and the organization granted a license.