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Times-Advocate, 1996-06-12, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, June 12, 1996 Council seeks input on phone system SEAFORTH - Council plans to petition Bell Canada to imme- diately upgrade its switching equipment, reported the Huron Expositor. According to a memo distrib- uted by Clerk/Administrator Jim Crocker, consumers in the 527 exchange do not get call answer, call display, call forward, re- trieve voice and many other ser- vices available to most people in Ontario. The memo also stated the phone company has no plans of upgrading equipment In the area. Council is seeking feedback on problems people experience as a result of the out of date sys- tem. Crocker is requesting short written summaries by June 17, to be included in council's peti- tion. Nineteen charged over riot GODERICH - Nineteen in- mates have been charged by the Ontario Provincial Police with mischief over $5,000 following the wrap up of a three-month in- vestigation into the disturbance at the Bluewater Correctional Centre that occurred on Feb. 29. The riot caused extensive damage to two inmate dormito- ries and resulted in evacuation of 59 inmates to other facilities. According to the Clinton news -Record, 11 of the people enders. Offervik July 4.'_. The remaining eight adults charged will appear in. Criminal Court in Goderich on July 8. Blyth gives go ahead to shoot problem dogs BLYTH - Animal Control Of- ficer Bob Trick received coun- cil's support at its June 3 meet- ing, of a bylaw that would allow him to shoot uncontrollable dogs running at Targe, reported the North Huron Citizen. A letter stating this bylaw has been drafted is to be signed by Reeve Mason Bailey. Concern- ing authorizing the letter, Bailey told the Citizen, "I have every confidence in Bob that he will use goo21 judgement." Trick told council he has only shot two of the estimated 500 dogs he has handled for several municipalities. Murray gets five months in jail GODERICH - After Stere Murray pleaded guilty to five counts of breach of bail condi- tions, Provincial Court Judge Garry Hunter sentenced the 46 - year -old to five months in jail. Murray was charged in Sep- tember with second-degree mur- der in connection with the disap- pearance of his daughter, 15 - year -old Mistie Murray, who has not been seen since May 31, 1995. In March of this year, Murray was released after pleading guilty to one charge of breach of bail conditions. Prior to that, De- fence counsel Tamara Brooke told the court, he had no crimi- nal record. Murray will serve his time at Walkerton jail. Committee hires considtant for study The ground -breaking process may have an impact on the entire province By Heather Mir T -A Reporter EXETER - A consultant was engaged by the Exeter- Stephen-Usborne-Grand Bend Amalgamation Committee at its meeting last Wednesday to complete an amalgama- tion study. Exeter initially indicated it would not support this move until it was satisfied the principal of repre- sentation by population is recognized as the priority in set- ting up the amalgamated municipality's ward system. "I'm not too sure we should start the con- sultant study until we resolved the ward sys- tem issue," said Exeter Councillor Roy Tri- ebner. Exeter Mayor Ben Hoogenboom added, "We are close...It's not Exeter's intention to de -rail the process." With the support of other members of the committee for the principal of representation by population, Exeter agreed to continue the study process and discuss the ward system is- sue at a special meeting. KPMG, working out of its Waterloo office, was hired by the committee. It will cap its fees at $58,000, a reduction from the initial fee proposal of more than $60,000, and will limit expenses to $3,000 plus all applicable taxes. "We are prepared to have some flexibility with fees, " said Consultant Mike Follett. "We see it as a ground- breaking process that may have an impact on the entire province." KMPG's study proposal has a target completion date of August 1 and will Include public input in the form of workshops. The consultants will analyse service delivery. regulatory function, local government costs and ad- ministration before making a recommendation of the pre- llfin s shou the cons study u resolv ward ferrel option. The consultant &m has been involved with a Middlesex County amal on study that focused on internal re- stuucturing. The financial analysis and forecast indicated the impact on taxation of a S150,000 home would be less than $100 savings. However, this committee's study will focus on re-engineering. "There is no one solution to government restructuring," said Follett. Two consultants including Oweson Ltd. and KPMG presented proposals to the committee. Exeter committee members voted in favor of Oweson's study proposal that came with a price tag of $48,000. Ward structure The debate regarding representation by pop- ulation, constituency and ruralurban balance continues to frustrate committee members. A motion was passed by the committee to hold a special meeting on Tuesday night in Exeter to deal with the issue of political accountability. Although committee members agree with the principal of representation by population, a ward structure that maintains Usborne's existing boun- daries as a single ward creates an elector variance of ap- proximately 25 per cent. "If you restrict the wards, then that becomes a higher principal," said Triebner. Exeter indicated the goal should be a zero variance from the average however, the province accepts 25 per cent as an acceptable variance. "But I want to hear your tolerance level," said Usborne Reeve Pat Down. "I find it hard to see how we are going to keep our present boundaries," said Tomes adding, "I think there's got to be a lot of give." not too ure we ld start ultant ntil we ed the system issue." Several members of the committee Indicated it should be possible to carry on with the study process while con- tinuing discussion on this issue. "I think it's far too early in the process to get carried away with such a trivial issue," said Grand Bend Deputy -Mayor Phil Maguire, adding the wards may change considerably during the process. Boeaaquet Bosanquet will also attend the June 11 meeting to address concerns and requirements regarding the municipality join- ing talks. "We have no problem with Bosanquet sitting at this table, " said Stephen Deputy -Reeve Tom Tomes. Minutes of the Committee B' meeting held on May 29 outlined two options for Bosanquet's participation in amal- gamation discussions. Option 'A' suggests the town par- ticipate as a full -paying member of the main committee with full voting status. Option 'B' outlines participation as a non-paying member at the sub -committee level with no status at the main committee. Both options include the condition that Bosanquet rescind its "cease and desist" mo- tion, that it represent the study area of the town only and that it accept the committee's current terms of reference. The "cease and desist" motion referred to the group's area of interest including a portion of Bosanquet. "I think it is very important we have some means of regu- lar communication (with Bosanquet). Option B may not fit the bill; said Grand Bend Mayor Cam Ivey. Bosanquet Mayor Fred Thomas indicated as a show of good faith council has rescinded its "cease and desist" mo- tion but will require a few days to address the committee's questions. Mist of these questions as well as the terms of participation have been sent to Bosanquet. Thomas said the town would present the committee with a response at its Tuesday night special meeting. Injuries for driver and passenger USBORNE TOWNSHIP - Police reported a passenger sustained inju- ries on Friday when the driver of the vehicle lost control on Sideroad 25, Usborne Township near Con- cession 4-5 and rolled several times. Driver Presley Lavier of Huron Park and passenger Richard Mase of St. Joseph Shores were injured as a result of the accident. EXETER - Exeter OPP reported vehicle passengers sustained inju- ries on Thursday after the driver lost control on Stephen Township Road 10-11 near County Road 4 and struck a hydro pole. The driver of the vehicle was Jef- frey Inch of St. Marys. Passengers included Jesse Martin of R.1 Lake- side, Christine Peachey of Lakeside and Trevor Brusnon of St. Marys. Hot air balloon ride won EXETER - Isa Smith of Exeter won a hot air balloon ride at the an- nual fundraising dinner of Mid- dlesex Palliative Care in Strathroy recently. leacher to retire LUCAN - "I'm not your normal nun -of -the -mill teacher," admitted Jack Gardiner. "I am different...I have a lot of humor in my les- sons...Happy kids can learn better." He recalls telling students a teacher had lost a diamond from her ring and that a *200 reward was offered. When the students returned to the classroom empty-handed after scrambling to find the jewel, he simply said, `That's what the Gold Rush was like." After teaching at St. Patrick's School for 16 years, Gardiner is re- tiring at the end of June. Including his special education experience in London, he's taught for the past 33 years. As well as teaching grades 6 and 7 at St. Patrick's, he's also coached basketball and volleyball. Although he mentions coaching as a career highlight along with school trips, he said, "every day's a highlight" for him in the classroom. • ' . "Everything I've done has been for the kids," he added. His favorite do use? 'fisMry.hy a Fe nail,. life courses, on the wNhirali giiitie.paaiu` of a ' se." < WOOS* Township where he was born, raised and lives with his wik Annelle. Of their five children, three of them also teach. Gardiner looks forward to fanning, driving his transport truck and doing some repairs he's been putting off as well as volunteering at St. Joseph's Hospitality Kitchen. Since he began teaching in 1963, he's noticed changes in the teaching system over the years. "It's ata high point in the last few years," he said, explaining he's glad to be retiring ata time he considers teaching conditions to be ata peak. Another trend he's noticed is a "fairly big change in family struc- ture," from the traditional nuclear family to those revolving around single parents. He's also noticed differences between urban and rural students. "Mere seems to be less prob- lems with children from rural ar- eas." Jack Gardiner f =' A student assembly will be held on June 18 from 2 to 3:15 p.m. to 'wish "Mr. G" a happy retirement. There will also be a reception for families, former students and friends that night in the gym from 5 to 8 p.m. Trucks impact Provfnclal Constable Paula Rossewy inspects one of the damaged vehicles involved In an accident on Concession 4 - 5 and County Road 6 of Usbome Township on Thursday night. A pick-up truck driven by Alien Oke of Exeter, entered the path of a pick-up truck driven by Marshal Eagleson of London. Oke was treated and released from South Huron Hospital and Eagleson was transported to London where he underwent surgery for a broken leg. OPP said seatbelts protected the occupants from serious Injury. Amadeus makes strong return to Festival stage Director Richard Monette welcomes the '96 season as a new era STRATFORD - For the second consecutive season, Amadeus delighted audience members at Friday night's opening performance at the Festival Theatre. Amadeus, written by Peter Shaffer and again directed•by Richard Mon - este, tells the story of 18th century court composer\ Antonio Saliari's dab-,. orate plan to destroy his rival Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the hours before he plans to leave this world Salieri, played by Brian Bedford, lieves his conscience of its burdens. lir Salted is tormented by his own creative mediocrity once he hears perfect music God has chosen to reveal to the world through the lewd, im- mature Mozart, played by Stephen Ouimette. He renounces his vow to God to live a virtuous life and turns all his attention to destroying the young composer's career. "From this time we are enemies. you and I!" Because of his unconventional approach to music and his irreverence. Mozart is not embraced by the public and has few students. _ The final blow to his career is orchestrated by Salieri, who encourages him to de- scribe the Freemason's secret ceremonies in an opera. The friends who once supported Mozart and his young family will have nothing to do with the music genius who quickly falls into destitution and ill health. In his old age, Salieri is convinced the only way he will become im- mortal is if his name is permanently associated with Mozart as his mur- derer. To achieve this end, he calls out in his native Italian for forgiveness and slashes his own throat. Despite these efforts, Salieri survives and the public dismisses his confession as the ravings of a lunatic. Lightening tragic events that color the performance, sparkling moments of humor are often provided by the slightly obtuse Emperor Joseph II, played by James Blendick. The Emperor often complains Mozart's music challenges the royal ear and simply has " too many notes." The play runs from May 7 to November 1 and tickets are available by calling 1-800-567-1600. Snowbirds to pay tribute air Continued from front page nadian Owners & Pilots Associa- tion. Following the event, the Snow- birds will depart for a two-day per- formance in Hamilton. A media day was held on Mon- day afternoon to welcome the snowbirds as they arrived in Huron Park from Bagotville, Quebec. Ac- cording to Team Coordinator Capt. Christopher England, the local or- ganizers are familiar with the team's requireMents and are willing to host the event. England is especially pleased to be a part of this performance be- cause of family ties to the local community. His aunt and uncle re- side in Exeter and his father, also a military pilot, was stationed at Cen- tralia when he met Christopher's mother. Council receives complaint over Ellmville properties .r Continued from front page to rezone the manse property cur- rently zoned institutional. Repre- sentatives of the church have re- quested the zoning be charged to village residential to support the sale of the property. The church also requested no fee be charged on the basis that the designated zon- ing was not appropriate at the time the zoning bylaw was passed. Council recognized however that in some cases, church officials may find the institutional zoning to be more flexible than residential if the building is used for a rural day nursery, public clinic, library, qui. scum or private school. Drain maintenance Council approved maintenance requested on the Earl and Wood municipal drain. • Council also reviewed a written report on investigation and main- tenance work on the Reynolds, Hu- ron Street, Dykeman, Hunter and Towle drains. In further business, a report on the Winchelsea drain petition is ex- pected shortly and complaints that manure is polluting a nundeipal drain has been investigated.