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Times-Advocate, 1996-02-21, Page 2Times -Advocate, February 21, 1996 Man charged with many offenses TEESWATER - Michael An- drew Lattimer, 23, was charged with numerous firearms offens- es, threatening, possession of stolen property, break enter and theft, and cultivation of marijua- na. on Feb. 8. According to The North Hu- ron Citizen, Wingham OPP and the District Crime Unit arrested the Teeswater man following the execution of a search warrant at a private residence. During the search police found a sawed off shotgun, a handgun, several rifles, an indoor marijua- na cultivation operation and sto- len property including chain saws and power tools taken on Jan. 29 from McDonald Home Hardware in Brussels. Lattimer appeared in Goderich court on Feb. 9 where he was re- manded for a bail hearing on Monday. Minister addresses students CLINTON - During the town's first provincial Student Trustee Conference, Minister of Education John Snobelen ad- dressed students at Central Hu- ron Secondary School on Friday. The Clinton News Record re- ported the two-day conference included discussion on board procedures, the development of a student charter of rights and rPsnsibilities) sill j(irlplement- ing student trustees. "Sriobelen addressed the stu- dents through video conferenc- ing, identifying the Huron board as having some of the most tech- nically advanced schools in Can- ada. Pit bull bylaw to be changed SEAFORTH - Council has re- considered an amendment to its animal control bylaw that would have made owners of pit bulls and crosses of the breed pay a higher $100 tag fee and muzzle them in public. According to The Hurori Ex- positor, dog obedience trainer Anita Hansen told council how difficult it is to identify the breed, officially known as the American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Supporting public controls against such dogs, she said own- ers rather than genetics make dogs vicious. Hansen saw no problem with the three pit bulls in the area, adding only seven of the county's 987 reported dog bites during the last seven years were caused by the breed. Needlessly muzzling pets in public causes dogs to become angry and more aggressive, she added. Under the amended bylaw, vi- cious dogs car still be singled out for muzzling in public. Policing meeting set MITCHELL - A final public meeting is set for March 27 to determine the adequacy of the proposed Ontario Provincial Po- lice contract icor Mitchell, r+epori- ed The Mitchell Advocate. The meeting will be organized by the Ontario Civilian Commis- sion on Police Services at the upper auditorium of the town hall at 7:30 p.m. The proposed OPP conversion will also bo discussed. dept. experiences clffinges � Lucan Biddulph firefight is compare the old with the new Brenda BurkeT-A staff LUCAN - Brian Herbert re- members the days when an axe and crowbar were considered essential rescue tools, later to be replaced by hydrolic equipment. The station's new rescue truck was purchased about three years ago as an addition to a tanker and pumper truck. The new hall was built nearly four times larger than. the old one and holds 25 fire; fighters rather than 15. "You're on call 24 hours a day," said Herbert, who retired in No- vember after 26 years of service as a volunteer firefighter. "There's probably seven or eight guys in town at any given time." More than a decade ago, fine phones were used to alert fire- fighters in their homes. The old Lu - can Public School bell was once used for the same purpose. Often utilized in small communities is the more modern siren system. Through this Mutual Aid System, emergency calls go to a central dis- patch in London that rings a com- munity siren and triggers fire- fighters' pagers. If help from surrounding communities is need- ed, the dispatch is alerted. Of the 42 calls the Lucan Bid- dulph Fire Department received last year, only three or four were false alarms. Each false alarm costs a minimum of $300 and according to Fire Chief John Riddell, the ex- pense adds up. During recent years, the number of false alarms had increased due to higher use of electronic alarms sen- sitive to electrical storms and set- ting procedures. "It's not real bad now," said Rid- dell, referring to the number of false alarms in general. Lucan also had a problem with minor electrical fires about six years ago due to overheated fuse panels. "Most electrical fires are a smol- dering type," explained Herbert, adding his own house was hit by lightning last year, resulting in a defunct television and ceiling fan. Due to public education, further fuse hazards were avoided. "The public just has a better safe- ty knowledge," said Herbert. However, Riddell pointed out, "nuisance calls" are on the rise with people reporting false calls from cellular phones and pranksters set- ting small fires. The fire department would like to conduct additional fire safety pro- grams but can't, due to the expense. As well as hosting bi-annual fund- raising breakfasts, in cooperation with area police and ambulance at the beginning of each summer, the station does hold a mock drinking and driving disaster for high school students. Riddell said the event is for "kids going into high school that are just getting their license." In order to improve emergency preparation skills for firefighters, their own safety knowledge has been increased through more in- depth, diversified training. Haz- ardous material know-how is now required and rescue equipment is more complex with the addition of modem devices such as the new numbered grid system, used in fire department, ambulance and police efforts to detect emergency loca- tions more quickly. "You know exactly that position on the map when (the call) comes in," said Herbert, adding the com- puterized system, consisting of numbered rural addresses, makes emergencies easier to locate. Inquest ordered into Crediton accident Coroner's inquest will begin on Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. in Goderich EXETER - An estimated seven people have applied for standing designation at an inquest into the death of John Edward Williamson of Crediton ordered by the pro- vincial coroner. Williamson, 27, of 45 King Street, was reported missing Oct 8. His body was later found at the bottom of a manure tank on the farm of Ron O'Brien in Stephen Township, Concession 9, where he had been working alone at night. Williamson was pronounced dead at the scene by coroner Dr. Charles Wallace of Grand Bend. The inquest, ordered by Dr. J. S. §piers of Milverton,rwill begin on Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. at the Goderich Courthouse. According to Exeter OPP, the purpose of a coroner's inquest is to determine how a person met their death. A jury provides a verdict and recommendations on how sim- ilar deaths can be averted. Inquests are open to the public. Those wishing to 'be designated with standing may make an ap- plication to Const. Bernie Meidema at the Exeter OPP detachment. People requesting standing at the inquest must have "genuine inter- est in the outcome" and may be rep- resented by counsel or an agent. They may also examine witnesses, present arguments and submissions and conduct cross-examinations of witnesses relevant to the interest of the person with standing. Park wedding policy to be reviewed EXETER - In response to a report of the Public Works Committee that recommended council prohibit the use of the gazebo in MacNaughton Park for a wedding, Councillor Dave Urlin proposed an amendment to current policy. "I don't know how you're going to police it," he said. Urlin suggested council consider reassessing the town policy to ac- commodate a gathering of 12 to 15 people for a park wedding. The num- ber restriction might prove difficult to enforce but would discourage large gatherings that could damage plants. "What we're really worried about is the foliage," said Councillor Wendy Boyle, adding council might consider accepting a damage deposit or a do- nation for use of the park. The report was passed and the recommendation concerning wedding in the Scenic Garden portion of the park was deferred. In further council business, Councillor Joe Rider presented the Exeter Cemetery Board report, which indicated Cemetery Manager Harry Knip has investigated the purchase of an 80 niche columbarium. According to Rider, approximately 40 per cent of one local funeral home's clients are interested in cremation. The cost of the columbarium is to be paid for out of the Cemetery Expansion Reserve, generated from the sale of a 25 acre sod farm. The total cost of the unit Is $29,507 and is expected to save land space by providing 160 burial sites in a 50 square foot area. In addition to pro- viding the community with an additional service, the proposed project will generate revenue for the cemetery to help it become self supporting. Depending on how quickly the niches tell, the income generated over a number of years could reach at least $44,000. Bylaws Council passed re -zoning Bylaw No. 6, 1996 to amend bylaw No. 30, 1978 dealing with Parts 4 and 5, Sanders Street East. The purpose of the bylaw is to amend the zone classification from residential, low density (R1 zone) to a residential medium density (R2 zone) on Part 4 in order to permit the establishment of a semi-detached home. The bylaw also changed the classification of Part 5 from residential low density to residential high density in order "to add these lands to the lands immediately to the east that presently contains a 12 -unit apartment build- ing," states the minutes of a public meeting heldreb. 19. Firefighter prerequisites include First Aid, CPR and preferably a li cense to drive DZ trucks. Mos training is on-site and hands-on due to con- venience and cost savings. However, week- ly seminars are attended at the station and occa- sional courses are taken out of town. But according to Herbert, "the best training is at the site of the fire or the accident." "You have to have a lot of guts," he said, adding he's known a few people who quit the job when trag- edy became too difficult to handle. "You just hope you can help somebody and it's someone you don't know...It's a good feeling get- ting somebody out alive... accidents happen." Riddell be- lieves RIDE checks, since they began in the early 80's, have decreased the number of automobile accidents by half. Herbert, who swears by seatbelts, said his most challenging task was calming accident victims. He re- calls his most difficult fires as those involving death, his most fright- ening as a backdraft incident when a smoldering room starving for air exploded upon a door opening and his most comical experience as get - ring a jack stuck in a chimney. Herbert was in grade 11 when, on a whim, he decided to join his local fire department. He retired early due to health reasons, just one day before last year's Grand Central Hotel fire. "You're not doing it for the mon- ey," he admitted. According to Riddell, $26,000 was paid out last year in volunteer firefighter wages by the Lucan Bid- dulph Fire Department. A 1928 Reo Speedwagon remains an historical part of the Lucan Biddulph Fine Department. At left, Brian Herbert, Brian Ankers and Fire Chief John Riddell test out the ancient vehicle. Many fundamental issues to be addressed before amalgamation amation .r Continued from front page The sub -committee on community of interest rec- debated whether the group's study area should in- ommended the study area for amalgamation in- clude all regions where there exists common inter- elude part of Bosanquet as well as Grand Bend, Us- ests or if the committee should exclusively work to- borne, Stephen, Exeter, Hay, Zurich and Hensall. wards amalgamation of municipalities The Bosanquet section as determined by whose councils have expressed a will- "There are the sub -committee is north of the Green- ingness to participate. way Road as if it extended west through Usbome Reeve Pat Down made the lines in the Pinery Provincial Park to Lake Huron. distinction between communities of in -The right The study area was very reluctantly ac- terest and interested communities. Down U h6 cepted by the committee.. added sharing of services across boun- lOW..." Hay, Zurich and Hensel) have each de- daries is not going to stop after amal- clined participation in amalgamation gamation. discussion with this group and have "I would be much more comfortable starting out asked the community of interest be amended to ex - small with interested areas," she said. elude them. The sub -committee, however, rec- "There are lines in the sand right now," said ommends further approaches be made to these mu - Grand Bend Mayor Cam Ivey adding, "That nicipalities to join the study. doesn't mean these are economically sound." Organization trying to purchase Huron Park residential area • Continued from front page "We would work with the people in creating jobs," said Brother James, who stressed the fact that his Steele Semper company, which is trying to purchase the park "to protect the interest of the people," is a separate entity from PACS, al- though the two organizations work together. A confidential document written in January states, "A private com- pany (Steele Semper Fidelis Inc.) and a non-profit company (PACS Partnership in Community Services Inc.) have already been in- corporated for the purposes of the Huron Park project." Brother James claimed he in- corporated the Steele Semper com- pany in order to be able to pay tax- es since he was not required to pay taxes through PACS. In a February letter written to ODC, Brother James wrote, "I be- lieve that our work is especially timely in so far as it will assure the provision of social and small busi- ness development support in a way that does not become a drain on government resources. In fact, 1 am confident that the Huron Park pro- gram will be a model for other sim- ilar projects elsewhere in Ontario." Residing in Huron Park since No- vember, Brother James, who has lived in London, is utilizing PACS as a project that may help him qual- ify for his doctorate degree. He has obtained his Masters in Theological Studies as well as his Masters in Divinity. Toronto resident Claude Brodeur, chairman of PACS, also intends to live in Huron Park. Brodeur is excited PACS will be working with "an area that's al- ready a captive audience" for hands-on rather than academic training. "You practise what you preach," added Brother James. "We are not controlling," he stressed. "We don't want to inter- fere with anybody here...We're finding out there are some real needs here...We are here to...facilitate, coordinate and as- sist....PACS is for the people here, and we want to make that clear...We are here to inform the people." Using a concept similar to Neigh- borhood Watch, in the sense that neighbors watch out for one an- other, PACS intends to concentrate on senior and youth needs by as- sisting with day care and imple- menting youth ministry programs "so children would have a place to o." g 'Steele Semper Fidelis Inc. and PACS represent an entirely new ap- proach to the delivery of social ser- vices to Huron Park," wrote Broth- er James in his letter to ODC. In the current climate of government cutbacks and privitization, the ob- jective of Steele and PACS is to work directly with andin the com- munity to deliver and facilitate so- cial services" PACS, which has already ap- proached area churches, will hold a community consultation meeting at McCurdy Public School on Thurs- day Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. entitled, "What is PACS? What are they do- ing in Huron Park?" The meeting will present information on the or- ganization, report preliminary find- ings from its survey and address concerns. "It will be difficult in this meet- ing to handle the questions," ad- mitted Brodeur, adding follow-up meetings or newsletters may be necessary for "ongoing information sharing." Brodeur will attend the meeting along with Brother James, PACS Board Member Donald Pierson and Treasurer Belford Voegelin. "It seems almost too good to be true," said Brodeur. "It's a win-win situation...We're challenging an idea. Is it going to work? I don't know. I happen to think it makes good sense...PACS belongs to the community...Some people may doubt that. They're entitled to that." Brother James explained he creat- ed the company name, Steele Sem- per Fidelis Inc., based on his family coat of arms meaning 'always faith- ful.' "Have I been hiding anything?" he asked, regarding not using his last name. "No. It's been right, front and centre." He explained he uses the identity nanle, Brother James, because he is a missionary servant of God.