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Times Advocate, 1995-11-29, Page 1Financial advice you can count on! George (;odbolt CI,U, CFP 496 Main Street Exeter ()N 235-2740 When it comes to investment and tax strategies, retirement and estate planning, and more, we have the expertise and technology needed to help secure your financial future. • • Call me today for financial advice you can count on! Licensed with Mutual Lite of Canada/Mutual Investco Inc . two companies of The Mutual Group. tfeis a Mutual affair it] The Mutual Group • SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83 Exeter 235-0262 Your Store ; for Video 'y� llolllne 11'' = 235.3535 SEIP'S valu-mart Ex t p Trees 1,,-; $20.00 g- -■ — - — — — •f 1 SUBSCRIBE : 0 you aren't subscribing to The 'Times -Advocate, you're missing out.' Use the coupon below and subscribe today! 1 Name: I Address City Prov. I 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 a $4.41 G.S.T. Outside Canada -$99.00 t.iu see 40 0041+0.) 1 USE YOUR CREDIT CARD 0000000❑ 1 00000000 Card No. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I Expiry Date ❑ Visa ❑ Master Card 0 Cheque enclosed Return to; TIMES ADVOCATE L 24 Main St. Exeter, Ont. NOM 1 S6 111NMI NM— Ins — — r♦■ 1 1 1 Inside Hockey Moms Behind their kids 100 percent Second front Classifieds pages 21-24 Experts page 25 Announcements pages 26-27 T -A Song Book in this edition This week's Times -Advocate has an added bonus... our annual Christmas Song Book brought to you courtesy of many local advertisers. Anyone requiring additional copies is welcome to pick them up at our office at 424 Main St. S. Exeter 10 charges laid in spot checks EXETER - Ten liquor -related charges were laid as a result of 230 cars checked in R.1.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywher) spot checks in Exeter and Stephen Township recently. Exeter, Goderich and Wingham OPP arc teamed up with other po- lice agencies and organizations for the remainder of the R.I.D.E. cam- paign, which lasts until Jan. 4. As part of the campaign, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) will once again distribute its famil- iar red ribbons to motorists to pro- mote sober driving. Also, Canada's Safety Council has proclaimed "The Hidden Faces of Impaired Driving" as the theme for its 40th annual Safe Driving Week, from Dec. 1 to Dec. 7. Last year, during a live -week R.1.D.E. festive season initiative which occurcd from Nov. 27 to Dec. 31, a total of 485,131 vehicles were stopped at roadside check- points. Wednesday,November 29, 1995 Stephen and Exeter take first steps to amalgamation New community of 9,000 residents will be more efficient form of government Bruce Shaw EXETER - The councils of Stephen and Exeter an- nounced last Wednesday in a joint press conference at the Olde Town Hall they plan to amalgamate the two mu- nicipalities into one. Both councils will be adopting propriate bylaws under the Municipal Boundary Negotiations Act to formalize their intentions The municipalities have written to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Al Leach, requesting his support and inquiring what staff and financial resources might be available from his ministry. The letter states. in part, "We believe this initiative will not only result in leis government but better governance. Our goal is to establish a more ac- countable, accessible and efficient form of local govern- ment.... Mr. Minister, the municipalities of the Town of Exeter- and the Township of Stephen come together after a long and rewarding history of intermunicipal cooperation." The new municipality of 9,000 residents will lay the groundwork for the future prosperity of the area and will accept the responsibility for the growth and development of the community into the next century. Both councils, while committed to their merger, also have stressed their neigh- bors are welcome to join the venture. Preliminary meetings between Exeter and Stephen have ap- concluded restructuring of local government will result in several significant advantages: 'improving the efficiency of local services by eliminating duplication, increasing equip- ment utilization and standardization and coordinating op- erations over a wider area; 'ensuring services are delivered in an eq- uitable manner within both urban and rural ar- eas, requiring, where possible, those who ben- efit from the service pay for that service; •reducing the size of local government by rationalizing the number of elected officials, appointed staff and administrative layers; •improving the effectiveness of local ser- vice delivery by eliminating inappropriate policy and obsolete functions as well as es- tablishing a strategic management committee; 'encouraging economic growth through coordinated de- velopment planning and a stable municipal economic base; •formalizing public negotiations as soon as possible with a goal of having an agreement in place within the next few months but no later than in time for the next municipal elections (November 1997); and •enhancing localism by promoting the identity of all local hamlets and villages as well as the township and the town. Interviews with two senior politicians and chief ad- ministrative officers left little doubt everyone is committed to seeing this breakthrough in municipal relations carried to "I think we have to move in this direction because of the provincial agenda." a successful conclusion in the shortest time possible. Reeve of Stephen, Bill Weber, observed, "1 think we have to move in this direction because of the provincial agenda. We may be forced to take this route, but we've worked cooperatively for years; this is the next logical step. We've both taken steps to save dollars, and that has meant that in many cases we've had to work on joint projects, and we've done that in a cooperative spirit to the benefit of both our municipalities." Weber stressed the need for local decision-making before the province, in fulfilling its promise of down -sizing, moves in and dictates what has to be done. He hopes other neighbors in the area will also see the value in joining an expanded municipality: "The door is open, but they, in their wisdom, will have to decide what is in their best interests to do." Mayor Ben Hoogenbokn of Exeter expressed surprise when he first heard of Stephen's invitation to Exeter. "I couldn't believe that Stephen would take the first step - a really pleasant surprise. We feared that, although we have a lot in common, Stephen would go to other townships to. consider a union. Yes, I was shocked, but it is something that many of us on this council and last have talked about and encouraged for at least the last two years." Hoogenboom concluded this step is a reaction to Mike Harris' determined (and realistic) goal of reducing the num- +' Continued on page 2 Exeter court listed among closings Heather hair T -A staff EXETER - Exeter has been in- cluded in a list of communities that could see their local court closed. The Ministry of the Attorney - General is contemplating setting up a regional court system by next April to save an estimated $32.6 million. Reports indicate the province is considering closing 50 Ontario courthouses including St.Thomas, Stratford and Goderich. Under the proposal cases from courts in St. Thomas, Alymer, Exeter and Strathroy would shift to London: Chatham and Wallacehurg courts would move to Windsor; Stratford and Tillsonhurg courts would he shifted to Woodstock: and Gode- rich and Wingham courts would be moved to Walkerton. According to these reports. most court jobs would he transferred to new loca- tions hut some would he eliminat- ed. Local impact Exeter OPP Sergeant Don Mclnnes said the proposal would he a tremendous inconvenience to victims of crime who must attend court for evidence. According to McInnes, from a business standpoint the changg could mean significant savings in human resource time for the OPP. With 21 courtrooms sitting 5 days a week in London, McInnes expects the hours officers are tied up in court could be spread out. At present, prisoners may be trans- ported back and forth between Ex- eter and Goderich several times be- fore their case is heard. "Strictly as a business venture for the OPP, I would suggest it's not bad," said McInnes," But there are other im- pacts. The biggest concern is for the victims." McInnes said problems caused by a breakdown in communication be- tween the crown and defense has resulted in many inefficiencies. He added police only end up tes- tifying 18 per cent of the time. Con- cern McInnes has lies with victims of crime who would be required to travel to London since the trauma of appearing in court would be in- is- Continued on page 2 Hensall Big '0" plant expected to bounce back with new manufacturing use HENSALL - The local employment picture was hit with bad news and 'good news Friday as Big '0' Inc. announced the immediate shutdown of production at the company's Hensall plant. Included in the announcement by company president Grant Kime was a prediction the plant will be converted into another manufacturing use and he back in operation within the next six months. Kinie told the T -A that the new operation is expected to have a net gain in jobs but a few production workers are going to be out of work immedi- ately. "I feel badly about the closing of the plant, but we're negotiating tight now to establish a new use for the facility," Kime stated. He said he could not reveal the planned new use for the plant but added that he would make the announcement "as soon as possible." The Hensall operation has been continuously manufacturing corrugated plastic tubing for the agricultural and building trade markets in Central and Southwestern Ontario since 1968. Kime cited the continued downward trend in demand from the ag- ricultural market and the recent severe drop in the Ontario construction market as the reasons for ceasing production. Manufacturing ceased Friday although the administration and shipping departments will remain open for a while. As the company reorganizes its tubing and pipe manufacturing capacity in Ontario, a number of employees from the Hensall plant will be offered positions at other locations. Three local heros receive citation for bravery Fred Wells, Randy Hart and Cliff Hicks were rec- ognized for part in rescue COLLINGWOOD - Three local residents re - e ved the Commissioner's Citation for Bravery at an OPP awards presentation ceremony held on Nov. 24 at Talisman. Fred Wells, 50, of R.R.3 Ailsa Crti<z. Randy Hart. 30. of Parkhill and Cliff Hicks, 35, of R.R. 1 Credi- ton were recognized for their quick reaction after a vehicle driven by James Peever. 18, of London. drifted off the road June 16. Peever was driving in the northbound lane when his GMC Suburban drifted west off Concession Road 2-3. Hart and Wells were on their way to work, driving in the same direction as Peever, when they witnessed the accident from separate vehicles. Both men helped pull Peever from the burning ve- hicle and moved him to a safe distance from the wreck. While the driver was being removed. Hicks attempted to put out the tire with an extinguisher. He had been eating breakfast when he heard a noise and his house lights flickered. When Wells came to the house to ask for a Circ extinguisher, Hicks joined him in returning to the scene of the accident. Police reported the vehicle caught tire almost im- mediately after impact •with a large tree and the driver was trapped inside. unconscious. Norm Hyde, of Stephen Township Volunteer Fire De- partment told the T -A at the time of the accident the men did a good job getting Peever out in such a short time. Commissioner T.B. O'Grady presented each man with a citation for bravery: "You are being recognized for your part in the rescue of James Peever from his burning vehicle on June 16. 1995. Be it known that Fred Wells did on June 16, 1995, without regard for his own safety, rescue James Peever from his burning vehicle following an ac- cident in Stephen Township, near Exeter. Peever was driving on Concession Road 2-3 of Stephen Township- when his car left the roadway and struck a tree and it started to burn. The semi-conscious driver was trapped inside as smoke and flames en- tered the interior of the vehicle. Wells had witnessed the accident and immedi- ately responded. Unable to open the driver side door. Wells. with the assistance of Cliff Hicks and Randy Hart. successfully removed Peever through a hack door before the vehicle was completely en- gulfed in flames." Three area men received citations for bravery from the Ontario Provincial Police Friday in Collingwood. From the left are: Randy Hart, OPP Commissioner T.B. O'Grady, Cliff Hicks and Fred Wells. The three were instrumental in rescuing James Peever from a burning ve- hicle on June 16 in Stephen Township.