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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1976-01-15, Page 1TAIWARY 30' 5 7 31: 9 - 14 9 15 10 18 • 11 • 11 30 13 t' 2$ 17 ' ,Snow. 15". Goderich Psychietr .c Hospital Iters received assurances Tuesday st eke 0)00g of QiiPH Would brought - ward in the provincial legislature and that theMinister of Health Frank Miller be seriously pressured to reconsider or reverse his closure ision„T The assurances were trade by tephen Lewis, Leader of the Opposition, while on a whirlwind factfinding tour of lite hospita Lewis arrived at the hospital rnorning,for a first hand look at sal raps and to discuss the hospital's ervices with medical, and • • ad- mintsirative-. staff members, He later e to the Goderich Rotary Club (mills dings and his feelings about the osing. "I'm skeptical,” he told the Rotarians. "If theminister can see the effects of the closing in terms: of mental health rather sa dollars he might change his mind The NDP provincial deader added. howaver, that he gave little hap* , to getting a reversal hilt saidit-was:wortb a !letting tough shot". He said he didn't pretend to be able to change the minds of the ministry. but intended to ask the minister to reconsider his move at all costs. Most of all, he will ask him why he made his decision. Lewis said the move , to close ° the hospital seemed to be a "political spasm rather' than a rational decision" adding that the minister never revealed any: rationale for the decisiatrio close GPH, just a retie pointing out a need to have it closed as part of it mass of cutbacks in health spending. Mr. Lewis expressed Some doubts about the economics of the reclassification of t PO from, psychiatric to a trental retardation resource centre. He pointed out that by the time staff members are added to the Owen Sound The pew warden Warden Jack McCutcheon of Brussels accepts the 1976 key to Huron County from the 1975 warden, Anson McKinley after county .council's tie vote was broken by Goderich Reeve Stan Profit who selected Mr. McCutcheon over Alan Campbell of Seaforth. The tie was the second of two votes by council, the first vote polling 20 votes each for McCutcheon and Campbell and 16 for Reeve Harold Lobb of Clinton, who ran for the post for the third year In a row. (Signal- Star photo) and London psychiatric hospitals accept patients' transferred from G.. : and the proposed mental retardat resource centre (RC) Is opened staffed the government will have spent mere . money than they would operating the hospital normally. He suggested a recent windfall' discovered- in the coffers otthe MinistO of Community and Social Servicesk the minisy that would operate the M! RCM The windfall is the result of a cost sharing program between the federac and provincial governments with respect to mental retardation. Mr. Lewis said that the cost sharing program operates on a 50-50 bast*,' Ottawa matching Queen's Park dollar for dollar. The program has left Social Services with a 551 million surplus` in. their budget that is available for mental retardation centres but not available for mental health centres. "The Ministry of Social Services is so hard pressed to spend the money they had to contrive something to serve both the surpiiW there and the cutbacks in health services," said Mr. Lewis. The opposition leader told the Rotary he was * not given to conspiracy in? matters like the hospital closing but the manner in which it was conducted plus, the apparent reasoning econotnically leaves r000m for doubt,inmthe minds of the public. He said when a government is prep, e41" to discuss their intentions befog carrying. them out they &e usually honorable intentions but when they don't you can be pretty sure they are wrong and dishonorable. "Any actso arbitrary in its execution is suspect"` said Mr. Lewis. He went on. adding, "the manner in which the closing was executed was more ar- bitrary and insensitive than anything' f can think of, I can hardly imagine o situation when a hospital is being closed where none of the hospital staff, health professionals in the locality of the hospital or the legislature of the province aren't told beforehand." Mr. Lewis said that he was a perceiver rather than a receiver t in this situation and he was "troubled,. shocked, and deeply disturbed by the insensitivity of the government". (continued on page 7) fipening celebrations. Mrs. Margaret Larson, Bayfield's oldest citizen, lit the first torchat the opening of Baylield's Centennial celebrations last Saturday evening in near - perfect winter conditions. Helping Mrs. Larson' is Morgan Smith, centre.! and Reeve Ed Oddielf son. (News -Record photos • T• Rec. committee delays decision on non-resident use; By Jim Fitzgerald The Clinton Recreation Committee made no definite decision last Thursday night' at their regular monthly meeting on whether to charge non-resident users of recreation facilities in town a yearly surcharge. The members discussed the subject after they rejected a request from a men's industrial basketball league, ' asking the committee for 5150 to pay entry fees into a intertown melees basketball league, composed of teams from several towns in Huron County. The rec. committee turned down the request after they learned that some of the.members were from out of town. a '*Vt'e wed be willing to" split the cost with Goderich Township or Stanley Township," member Frank Cook said. "Why don't- they go to those townships for the money?" . . Currently, Clinton receives little financial support for recreation from the surrounding townships. and the topic has been the debate at several rec. as well as. county meetings in the last several years. Seaforth now charges all out of town persons 515 a year surcharge to use their recreation facilities, the first to do so in the county. "We sure could use an area recreation board," Mr. Cook said when he learned the rec committee will need t+o . get 610;000x$20. 11 eeir" 1.97Crgrant:from wilding permits hold steady Last year was a year of little growth for Clinton in the building, as the number and value of permits issued in 1975 was about the same as in 1974. Last year, 77 permit's worth 5681,495 were issued in Clinton, compared to 75 permits worth $683,743 in 1974. The all time record was set in 1973 when $1,043.636 worth of construction was started. Last year, only 11 homes worth 5373,000 were started, exactly the same as in 1974. Mrs. Grant Rath. Clinton's building permit issuer, said that only two permits worth a total of 5153,250 were given out for industrial, and institution con- struction. compared to six in 1974 worth 5265,500. Last year, Clintonians spent $124,045 through 48 home improvement permits, up from the 5101.243 spent on 58 im- provements in 1974. Two pools were added last year, compared to five in 1974, and six storefront restorations were started last year for a total of 516,200. Brussels reeve picked newt By Jim Fitzgerald There is no truth to the rumor that the Abominable Snowman has been sighted in these parts of late: although he'd be right at home in the nearly two feet of snow that has been dumped on the area in the last several weeks.. So far; it has snowed nearly every day for the past two weeks and there is no sign of a reprieve. Many of the country schools have lost more days in the first two weeks of 1976 than all of the past two winters combined. +++ But we must doff our hat to those wonderful guys who run the snowplows, including the highway, county, township and town boys who have worked nearly non-stop keeping us mobile. On a recent drive to three other counties, including Lambton, Perth, and Middlesex. the Huron crews seemed to have a much better record cin snow clearing than their peers elsewhere. +++ Trouble is, they're running out of places to put the snow. As one homeowner struggling to clear his s nots lane remarked to us the other day: the shovelling that makes mei tired. it's trying tri" throw the damn stuff over a five foot bank." + Unlike the previous three years, there should be plenty of snow for the Winter Carnival. which gets underway in two weeks. that is unless we have an un- timely thaw between now and then. The Carnival -committee will. meet again next Wednesday uti a ,cif thenight at y programs arrxta, and an appears elsewhere on this page. ++ Yours truly doesn't feel so left out after seeing all these men signing up for Hayfield Cen'tennial Beard growing the �sy contest last Saturday. 1 m still growing m=ire from the Clinton Centennial last year! Brussels Reeve Jack McCutcheon became Warden of Huron County following a tie breaking vote by Goderich Reeve Stan.Profit. McCutcheon and Hallett Reeve Allan Campbell were tied after the second vote which required a deciding vote by the Goderich Reeve. Clinton Reeve Harold. Lobb was eliminated after the first ballot with 16 votes while Campbell and McCutcheon had tied with 20. McCutcheon and Campbell then tied after the second ballot with 28 votes. 'MV1cCutcheon, 43, has served as Reeve of Brussels since 1964..and at the county level has served as chairman of the Management of Hurogview and Plan- ning Committees. McCutcheon said that Huron County had become a model for other counties in its operation and believed the county's committee system to be effective and thorough, He was a merflber of the restructuring committee but was not interested in change for change's sake, "We have to keep our doors open and decide what we want but 1 could not sanction a change without a detailed study," he said. "We must work together with the municipalities and share our services and recreation and everyone in the county may enjoy the best of both." Speaking on the most' relevant and contentious issue in the town of Goderich and County, tele closere of the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital. McCutcheon said it was a serious loss to the ctiunty and the cutback of servic+ts was totally unac- ceptable. McCutcheon argued that government action must be prefaced by information to thele concerned and thepeopleof this artpeo had a definite need to be totally informed before the closure. Looking ahead to the coming year when talk of spending restraints is • prevalent on all " levels of government. foleCutteheon Said: the county . exp penditures would have to be looked at , closely and the, county government would try to provide a high level of service economically. Former warden Anson McKinley told county councillors that the strength of the council depended on each councillor taking a responsibility and carrying it out. He added .that a rejection of that responsibility could only weaken the council. - McKinley also appealed to the residents of the county to voice their criticisms and objections to the council at all times. County Jude. Francis G. Carter presided over the swearing in ceremony and told councillors he was impressed with the calibre of men the council was able to elect to the warden's chair each year. Judge Carter said the election of the warden was an observance of an Virden exercise in democracy. He cbngratulated councillors on performing this duty as they stood up and. were counted, voting for the- best man as their consciences directed. Judge Carter- also cautioned the councillors that people -are living in a difficultgage and were in danger of losing democracy. "Appointed and elected officials must act on conscience which is a difficult task," he said. "Officials must stand up to pressure groups for if they act on what is popular and not right there will be trouble." Warden McCutcheon received congratulations from many officials in the county and said that sitting in the warden's chair was the highlight of his life. Winter Carnival plans get early approval Plans • are nearly finalized for the eighth annual Clinton and District Winter Carnival, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8. A Queen Dance. sponsored by the Clinton Lions Club. will kick off the festivities, Saturday January 30. die Winter Carnival Queen will be crowned at this time. ready to reign over, . the following weeks' activities. Tickets are available from the Lions or any Winter Carnival committee member. Op Monday. February 2, the Legion will be sponsoring a Ladies Bingo. Wednesday. February 4 will be hospitality night. A torchlight parade will begin from the arena and there will be a family skate night. On Thursday, February 4. a broombatl tournament will beheld. Friday,February 6, will gee the Clinton Mustangs host the Hanover Barons in Junior "C" hockey action. a the town before the end of January. The committee was also told that the audited statement showed the 1975 budget was only over -$366, contrary to a report in the News -Record, which said the budget was in the red to a tune of 515,000. The committee received some good news when they learned the 'canteen at the arena showed a gross profit of 512,734 for 1975, less 55,239 in wages, for a net profit of 57,494.89. Total sales for 1975 were $37,002.10. In 1974, net 'profit was about 53,000 on gross sales of 527,433.88. In other business, the committee decided to go ahead and order a carbon dioxide sprinkler system' to put above the deep fryers in the arena kitchen. The system, to cost about 81,0011 will be put on the 1976 budget and will save the committee about 5250 per year on their 57,800 insurance bill. The committee will also look into buying electric, forced -air hand dryers -f'orthe arena's four washrooms. Currently, the arena • uses rolled cloth towels from a London supplier at a cost of $24 per week. Several rec. members were concerned at the high cost and the misuse of the towels. The arena hall rental agreement will also be re -written. the committee decided, after a misunderstanding between the Kinettes and the committee was cleared up. The Kinettes blud rented the hall on New Years Eve and a dispute arose over what time they should have left. Protest letters to be used Art Coombs. chairman of the Con- sumer's Alert Committee, has been assured by the . Canadian Radio - Television Commission that letters opposing a monthly rate increase asked for by Bluewater TV Cable in Holmesville shall be accepted. Mr. Coombs had planned to present over 100 letters at a January 13 CRTC hearing in Toronto, at which Bluewater TV Cable is seeking to increase its monthly fee from 55 to 56.50, but was informed last Thursday, January 8, he was not required at the hearing. He was told the hearing will be closed because the reg ula tcryr laiit3y 'fee -IS -- enough information is contained in his brief and in Bluewater's application. to make a decision. . The protest letters, which total over 100, support Mr. Coombs' bid to block the increase. They are permitted to be sent to the commission because Mr. Coombs has referred to them in his formal brief opposing the rate increase. Mr. Coombs urges all subscribers to send in more letters of complaint, and donations until the day of the hearing, January 13, "because this action is not over until the final decision is made," he said. Las V gas night weft also be held in the arenariuditorium. A parade will start off the action for Saturday, February 7 th's activities. A snowmobile poker rally. a children's program, .championship broomball games and tee' dances are planned. The dances are sponsored by the Legion, the Fish and Game Conservation Club and the Fair Board. ' Tickets for these dances are available from any of the Club members or the Winter Carnival Committee. The last day of the Winter Carnival, Sunday. February 8. will see a pancake breakfast and Kinsmen Snowmobile races sanctioned by the Midwestern Ontario Snowmobile - Racing Association. • Anyone interested in entering a float in die Carnival parade -can contact Jack Reid *14824781. A cold r kion Elora MacDon#1'Member of Parliament for Kingston and the llMantis bundles up as she is greeted by Joe" Murphy atter her helicopter landed behind the "...,.Dthe tem trail trying in to Clltttrrtr��sr+ena last Monday. Miss Mac �nalr� is ars l� y g pick up votes for the Progressive Conservative Leadership convention. (News- Record News- votes g Re ordphoto) w