Loading...
Times Advocate, 1995-07-19, Page 5i JT'LS Y()1 I R B 1I.S TN F..%S. Times -Advocate, July 19, 1995 Page 5 Starlite Drive -In battles MTO Drive -In owner Allan Barnes says policies are antiquated Heather Mir T -A staff GRAND BEND - The owner of the Starlite Drive -In Theatre has been involved in what he describes as a 'running battle with the Min- istry of Transportation. Allan Barnes has lost three of his signs to the MOT. The signs direct seasonal traffic to his theatre on Huron County Rd. 4. The ministry patrols the roadways, removing signs which do not meet their guide- lines. Barnes said the ministry has 'crossed the line' and now he is ready to meet them on legal grounds. "I hope they phys- ically charge me so I can get them into court," said Barnes during a telephone interview with the T -A last Monday. In a recent letter from the re- gional director of the MOT, Rich- ard Puccini, Barney was informed his concerns would be forwarded to a committee for review. The out- come does not look hopeful for Barnes who believes the ministry considers drive-in theatres a blight rather than an attraction. "It's pretty hard to compare live theatre with a drive-in theatre," said Mary Anne Frenette of the Chat- ham MTO. Tourist attractions such as the Huron Country Playhouse have been designated under new criteria in the ministry's pol- icy on this issue. The drive-in does not meet attendance lev- els considered in the tourist registry. "It is not anticipat- ed that drive-in thea- tres will be included in the new criteria for the ministry's tourist attraction signing policy," stated a letter dated May 23, 1995. The MTO said Barnes has not been able to provide satisfactory proof that his drive-in theatre is a resort recreation area. To meet this criteria, the Starlite would have to be a campground or restaurant as "Some people feel it's a bit restrictive, but it is applied • fairly." Back in Time... By Ross Haugh from the archives of the Exeter Times Advocate 10 YEARS AGO .l'uly 17, 1985 -The status of a proposed group home in the north- east section of Exeter was described by mayor Bruce Shaw as "on hold" this week after a lengthy debate at council's Monday session when it was learned that residents of the area have filed an objection over the zoning bylaw which would allow group homes in institu- tional zones. A $5,000 donation from the R.E. Pooley Legion branch has pushed the collection for the new ball lights at the community park to within $1,100 of the target. 25 YEARS AGO July 16, 1970 - The first unit produced by the new mobile homes plant of Boise Cascade in Hensall rolled off the assembly line Mon- day afternoon only nine months after an application for a building permit was made to village council. A large crowd gathered at the Goderich harbor on Friday to wit- ness the launching of the Hughes 48, the newest of the sailing yachts produced by Hughes Boat Works at Huron Industrial Park. Vincent Glaab of Exeter with his recording rendition of "Roll -out the Barrel Polka captured first prize in the juvenile program at the Kirkton Garden Party. Mrs. Harry Hayter of Dashwood met her pen pal from Leeks Staffs, England after 25 years of correspondence. 50 YEARS AGO July 19, 1945 - The screeching sound of a siren at Grand Bend Saturday afternoon sent the campers and villagers scurrying to the lakeside to ascertain whether a drowning or a fire had taken place. Fortunately it turned out that the newly organized life-saving crew were trying out for the first time the siren recently installed at the Lakeview Casino. Still on the lookout for a waterworks system which they might adapt to their municipality, a party of officials from Lucan visited No. 9 S.F.T.S. Centralia last week and inspected the system in use there. Reeve Harold Corbett described the system as "Most interest- ing and extremely modern." He hinted Lucan may be interested in obtaining a similar one. The Department of Health has recommend- ed a waterworks system for Lucan. Hungry, exhausted and shaken after 36 hours adrift aboard a fish- ing boat in the choppy waters of Lake Huron, three veteran fisher- men from Grand Bend landed safely near Kincardine. They were Jo- seph Desjardine, Gene Jefforie and John Durant. 75 YEARS AGO July -15., 1920 - The trustees of S.S. No. 5 of Stephen township have petitioned council to pass a bylaw to borrow $2,550 to install a heating system in the school. This week should see the finish of the roadmaking in the business section of Exeter. Work has commenced at the north end. At Jones and May you can buy good heavyweight men's grey cot- ton socks at 35 cents a pair or three pairs for one dollar. The Crediton baseball team should go to Zurich Tuesday of last week and defeat the home team 16-1 and then Zurich goes back to Crediton Friday night and beats the home team 19-1 or thereabouts. It smacks of something else more than baseball. It looks as if it would be advisable to keep your money in your pocket, and not bet on the game, unless you are in the know and then it would be rob- bery. 100 YEARS AGO July 19, 1895 - The well at the Exeter town hall is being deep- ened. " Messrs. Dow and Handford shipped a carload of of working hors- es to Manitoba on Tuesday. A barn 110 feet long, 85 feet wide and 20 feet high was raised on the farm of W. Revington on Concession 2 of Biddulph township. Two hundred and thirty-two men helped in the work and not a sin- gle accident occurred. Exeter council will ask any person about to put down granolithic sidewalks on Main street to apply for permission from council be- fore doing the work. Council will pay one-third of the cost of the work. The voters' lists for the village of Exeter contains 599 names, with 254 eligible to serve as jurors. 011 leff •1s The McNaughton Park project Is developing quick(y with the recent additions of benches, a gazebo and Anther landscap- ing. well as a theatre. The signs, which Barnes claims direct patrons who are not familiar with the area, cost approximately $100 each. None of the confiscated,, signs have been returned. Barnes said he is looking for a gentleman's agreement with the ministry which will determine where he may place signs, what size they should be and how often he may post them. "All I'm looking for is to be left alone," said Barnes. The MTO office in Chatham said Barnes has the option of putting up a billboard with a permit to direct peopje off the highway. A bill- board can be put on private prop- erty with the owner's permission to use the land. A sign 128 sq. ft. in size must not be within 300 ft. of an intersection and 75 ft. from the property line. As the size in- creases, the billboard must be far- ther back from the highway to en- sure it is not an obstruction to traffic or visibility. The cost to use private property for a billboard would be approximately $60 per year, estimated the MTO. Any signs which are not on the business owner's property and do not meet the MTO guidelines are considered illegal and will be re- moved. "Some people feel it's a bit re- strictive, but it is applied fairly." said Peter Ginn from the Chatham MTO. With only 30 drive-in theatres still operating in Ontario, Barnes said the policies which have gov- erned the signing issue are anti- quated. In the '50's, the theatres at- tracted a lot of vehicles and created some traffic problems. Barnes said as long as the signs he posts are not obstructing traffic or causing harm, they should be permitted. The MTO said the signs in ques- tion have contributed to dangerous situations because they were chained around stop signs. Barnes has operated three other drive-in theatres and said he's never experienced problems with his signage before. The owner of the Starlite Drive -Inn on Huron County Rd. 4 has posted signs directing seasonal traffic to the theatre. Be- cause they do not meet Ministry of Transportation guidelines, the signs have been removed. Pictured above is the drive-in which is off the beaten path. r Have a news tip? Call the Times -Advocate 235-1331 Passers-by check out the hoisted roof of the old Petro Canada station on Exeter's Main street. Demolition of the gas station, including the removal of its tanks, is now complete. Recalling the first line of medical care Gordon's book The Stretcher Bearers looks at the bond between comrades Heather Mir T -A staff EXETER - A former Exeter res- ident has written a book that will bring back many war -time mem- ories for local veterans. David Gordon lived in Exeter from 1934 to 1936 while he was in elementary school. His father was a minister who often gave sermons at Caven Presbyterian Church. After three and a half years in the army, Gordon found his calling as a social worker with the airforce and later with the Children's Aid So- ciety in Simcoe County. Now re- tired, he lives in a log house near Orillia with his wife Elda. Gordon was collecting in- formation and photographs for the 50th anniversary of the Perth Regi- ment when he decided to compile his research in the form of a book. Avoiding a technical military re- port, Gordon's book focuses of the relationships built between the members of the front line of med- ical care. The book describes a six- week period of action in Italy when Gordon and his comrades of the 24th Canadian Field Ambulance gave early stages of care to combat casualties. "1 hadn't really intended to write a book. " said Gordon during an in- terview with the T -A last Wednes- day. - Written from the perspective of a stretcher bearer, this account offers readers a unique point -of -view. The former Surgeon General, Ma- jor-General J.W.B. Barr. wrote the foreword to the book and said noth- ing had been written at this level before. "The purpose was to share what the role of a stretcher bearer was in battle conditions," said Gordon. Gordon used his own daily re- ports which describe day to day battle conditions for support troops and army -time maps kept by Ser- geant-Major John Gee to recreate the movements of his regiment. From an old photograph, Gordon was able to track down war -time friends he met while stationed in Italy. Gordon has returned several times to Italy where he forged many life-long friendships. He said he was glad to have put his experiences down on paper while he had the opportunity. His great-grandfather has been in the Civil War and there were no ac- counts of his own to pass on to oth- er generations. "If I don't get it down now, i'll never get it down," said Gordon. David Gordon Gaiser Kaeale 235-2420, 231.8484 • O1C rates subject to chmrge. Short term rates available. Segregated Funds rates reflect actual pass performance. flair* returns will vary. Investments GIC % 1 Yr. 6.0.0 0% 3 Yr. - 6.50% - 5 yr. - 6.75% Segregated Funds 2 YR. - 8.97% 3YR. •9.72% 5YR. -9.10% Kruise results KJRKTON - This year's Kruise 50-50 draw raised $410. The mon- ey was donated to the Kirkton- Woodham swimming pool. The car show, which as founded in 1989 by former Kirkton resident Wendy Venturin, who was also an event organizer up to and including last year's show, has raised approx- imately $1750 for the pool. DEBT PROBLEMS? There are alternatives to Bankruptcy For FREE initial consultation contact: 0. Bruce McLennan Trustee at McLENNAN & COMPANY LTD. Trustee In Bankruptcy 484 Richmond Street, London Tel: 4334728 ,Ins WINDOWS FM & SIDING Due to the recent expansion is now offering Authorized F.M. Dealerships • In London, Strathroy, Exeter, Parkhill, Grand Bend and surrounding areas. Advantages include: • Sale distributorship, no inventory purchase • Protected territories, full training and support • Exclusive product lines - no up front fee. A great opportunity to run your own business with the full support of a well established head office. F.M. Ind. Regional Office 281 Huron Rd. Sebringvllle Ont. NOK 1X0 Fax 1-519-393-6417 Lit Phone 1-519-393-6934 j BUSINESS lo DIRECTORY AUCTIONEERS lir or st. or imprint vnininir itr* Filson 8 Robson 35 Years Experience of Selling or Appraisals Call or fax 519.686-0833 for yours Mobile office, Immediate payment, 3 auctioneers we pick up and sell com- plete or partial household effects Specializing kt real *stats and general sakes _T REPAIRS Sewing Machine Repairs • to all makes . Free estimates 90 Dry Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centreltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 2710 Bob Heywood Ucensed Auctioneer Specializing in household and estate auctions Reasonable rates Bob 235-0874 Laveme 235-1278 HAIR STYLIST 10 W.fington St, as Main (Beside Murphy's) 231 -HAIR (4247) Vicki Parsons Kim Scott Terri Farquhar Waxing and ear piercing Seniors dlecount on Mon., Tues., Wed