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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-04-14, Page 1OVA Everyone helped 'Students, businessmen, lawyers, and even an amputee, Lloyd Rumball, right, were at the community park last Friday and Saturday to help tear down the old grandstand, and mutuel area, pull nails and stack lumber. Over the two days, over 50 people donated hundreds of hours, free, to help ready the site for the erection of a new gran- dotand, which may be ready for the Spring Fair on June 3. Excavation for footings may start this week, and steel erection could begin as early as May 2. (News -Record photo) Park rea dy for stand A large turnout of volunteer help on the weekend helped to ready the Clinton community park for the start of con- struction of the town's new grandstand Ad work is right on schedule. The grandstand is now torn down, the l iutuel area is cleaned up, and the judges'stand is down. Raceway chairman Ron .Jewitt said on Saturday that the- local Kinsmen, who run' the' racevv.ay. w'ere"' `very pleased with the turnout of volunteer help and the progress that was made." Mr. Jewitt said that excavation for the footings would likely start today (Thursday) and he hoped that erection of steel could begin on May 2. • It is also hoped that part of the grandstand can be ready for the three - 'nay Spring Fair, which begins on June 3. The $250,000 structure would likely be completed by the opening of the Kin- Column in- (;o1ut►mn By Jim,Fitzgerald All those who showed up and volun- teered their time last weekend at the Also on Tuesday, Harvey Carter, his wrecking bee are to be heartily thanked. two wreckers, and the crane from H. There were more than enough people to Lohh and Sons Farm Equipment suc- get the job done, and done very well ceeded in lowering the 30 -foot judge's indeed. Even the local editor was stand which was placed on a truck and •spotted, wrecking bar in hand. The old shipped to Goderich, where the Goderich expression "some men are like blisters, Trotting Association, who Nought the they show up after the work is done," structure for $50, will use it as a judge's doesn't apply here. There may he stand. to another bee in the future, this time to help put the new grandstand up, so keep • that in mind. ▪ { -1- "Lost: "Lost: spring, if found send to Ontario." That could he the wording of a classified ad in any of the local papers, judging by the weather of late, which has gone from winter to summer in three days. Friday, after that Thursday night snowstorm, the temperature only went • up to 25 degrees F, a new record for lr coldest -April 8 ever, and then by Mon- day, the mercury hit /7 degrees F., also a new record. So where did Spring go? I.et's hope we don't govt a ,repeat of last year's April when after a week of summer, winter returned. And now that the News -Record's Garden Guide is out, that is one sure sign of spring..,. I mean summer. + -1- + Also, because the weather's so 11 pleasant (at least it,was when this trivia was written on Wednesday afternoon) we have few complaints exc'ept one. Why not have daylight saving time start at the first of April instead of the end, and end it the first of October instead of the last? Those hours are of little use in • October, hut it sure would he helpful to us after dinner gardeners in April! -I- -I- -f And still speaking of spring (is there • anything else?), the bicycles are now out in full strength and Clinton Police Chief Lloyd Westlake warns that his depar- tment is going to crack down on peddlers who ignore the safety rules, including improperly equipped bikes. Among items he cited as required under the Highway Traffic Act are a horn or bell, «a front and rear light at night, and reflective tape -as well as good , working brakes. Bikers, warns the chief, . ,,must also obey all traffic laws and that means.signs, and signals. smen harness racing season on June 26. Cale Doucett Construction of Clinton is in charge' of contract, while Twin Locks Iron Works of NiagarHi Falls is looking after the fabrication and erection of the steel. Despite the below freezing tem- peratures last Friday, over 30- .persons turned out to tear down part;- of the mutuel building, pull nails, and stack lumber.. .. Al Finch. who was in charge of the Friday, "wrecking bee". said that he kept track of, the number of volunteer hours worked, and they can be used to get increased grants. Mr, Finch said that kn order to qualify for the money, each person who volunteered may have to submit a hill to the Kinsmen. Another excellent volunteer force turned out on Saturday and the grand- stand was completely torn down, Mayor Harold Lohh succeeded • in getting the Local Initiatives Program organizers to send a crew in. Tuesday and Wednesday, and the l0rman crew finished cleaning up the remains of the grancltand and stack the wood for the auction sale•to he held later this month. ry The Fair hoard was also busy .on the weekend, helping both with the clean-up and readying the 34 by 70 foot covered spectator'area for moving to the north end of thc'community park. The structure, which was to he moved in one piece on Wednesday, will he used for a cattle Karn during the Fair, and as a horse paddock during the races. Clinton, Ontario Average Stanley ratepayer faces $30.42 tax increase The mill rate in Stanley Township was struck by Council at its last meeting, April 4. The residential taxpayer last year on an assessment, of $3,000 paid $372 'in taxes. This year the rate will be $402.60, an increase of $30.60•. For 'residential separate school sup- porters, the rate last year was $372. This year' it will he $404.85 or an increase of $3'.85. This k the residential rate. The total township assessment is $3,201,000. The mill rate is broken into four parts. The Township general rate is up to 34.84 from 32.71 in 1976. County residential is now 23.53 down from the 25.25 last year. The elementary school residential rate has increased from 33.49 in 1976 to 40.74 for this year. The secondary school residential rate has been set at 35.09 for 1977, while it was 32,55 for 1976 and Separate• school residential is 41.49, up from the 33.49 of 1976. The commerical rate has increased in all groups to the same extent. Township general commercial is 40.99 compared to 38.35 in 1976. County commercial is down to 27.68 from 34.27 last year. Elementary school commercial rate has risen to 45.27 from 37.21 and the secondary school commercial is 38.99, up from 36.17. Separate school commercial has in- creased to 4(1.10 from 37.21 in 1976. 25 cents Thursday, April 14, 1977 ll2th Year - No. 15 Spending in the township this year will he $704,000 compared to $613,000 last year. In other business, Council decided to take advantage of Experience '77 to get some work done on the park and ball field. The work will be done in con- junction with the Ausable - Bayfield Conservation Authority. Council also authorized B.M. Ross Associates to inspect bridges in the area. They also gave grants totalling $1,145 to five groups. The Historical Society was given $25, Bayfield Volunteer Fire Department received $1,000, Zurich Agricultural Society was given $35, the Canadian Cancer Society $50, and South Huron Agricultural Society received $35. Council accepted new applications for tile drainage in the amount of $40,500. General accounts in the amount of $57,014 were passed, while road accounts of $4,990 were also passed. Ontario Home Renewal accounts totalling $1,434 were also accepted. ,Seven tenders were received by Council for purchase of a one -ton truck. McGee Motors of Goderich had the lowest tender of $4,494, which was ac- cepted, Lavis Contracting CO., had the lowest tender for road gravel. They will lay 15,000 yards of gravel at $2.19 a yard. This was the lowest of two tenders. APRIL 5 9 .-1 O Il Weather 1977 1976 HI LO HI *LO 49 28 30 23 38 19 25 15 42 17 5( 31 40 Snow ;3 ' Rain .39.. Stan ley-resicIent..4 j'vjded over gravel pits Stanley Township residents appeared d'i'vided on the preservation of natural environment areas and future gravel pit policies. . Several area persons expressed op- posing views at a public meeting in Varna Tuesday nixght. The meeting was one of a series of weekly discussions the Hiiron County planning department hopes will help prepare the township's secondary plan. The plan is 'a more detailed version of the general county official plan. So far there have been meetings on urban development, agriculture and recreation. Most of the 50 people at the meeting felt it .was important the township maintain or create woodlots. Ivan McClymont, a farmer, reminded the group that other townships south of here have cleared many of their lots and now face severe wind erosion problems. Another farmer recommended five per cent of farmland be turned over to woodlots, but said he wasn't sure who should be responsible for the planting. Don Pearson of the .Ausable-Bayfield Tuckersmith okays drain ley Wilma Oke Tuckersmith Township Council at a special meeting Tuesday night which lasted about five hours accepted the petition of four ratepayers for an ex- tension of the George Street Drain in the township on the southern outskirts of Seaforth. Engineer Henry Uderstadt of Orangeville will be asked to bring in a report on the construction work. Mr. Uderstadt will be asked to bring in a report on the Kippen Drain and also the Dill Drain for which Council ac- cepted a petition. The Dill drain extends into McKillop Township. Road superintendent Allan Nicholson was authorized to call tenders for the sale of the old all -steel Hanna bridge which has been replaced by a new bridge' which will becompleted shortly. McKillop taxes up 18% By Wilma Oke Residents of McKillop Township face a tax increase of 18 per cent this year. The total budget of $379,676 calls for an increase of 18.1 mills for public school supporters and 14.6 for separate school supporters, farm and residential. For municipal purposes the h'udget is $108,157. Clerk --treasurer Marion McClure explained this means for a public school supporter with an assessment of $5,000 the tax hill will he $581.50, or an increase of '90 this year: and for a separate school supporter with same assessment tt' tax hill will he $587.50 or an increase of $ 3.00. Reeve Allan Campbell said the hefty increase in taxes this year was due mainly to the heavy snow removal costs of this past winter. The county levy has been set at 19.8' mills. same as last year to raise $76,118: for general municipal purposes the rate is 34.8 mills, up•9.9 mills over last year. to raise $108,157. The elementary public schodl rate is 44.4 -mills up 6.5 mills to raise $74,69.8: the secondary school rate is 28.3 mills up 1.7 mills to raise $89,198: and separate school rate is 34.6 mills, up 3.0 mills to raise $31,505. Other major expenditures include (with last year's in brackets): roads, $-'40,0%6 ($1 13,079) : fire. protection. "1 1 ,500 (" t 4►, , $3) : general government, '4,596 ($24,540); parks and recreation, '«I 1,800 ($16,:'0%). • In other business council accepted the tender of R. Nicholson Construction (Company Ltd. of Sehringvillc for $3,700 for the construction of the Leonhardt Drain. The work to he done in June. 1t was the lowest of three tenders. Court of .Revision was held on the i.ecming Drain estimated to cost $17,170. No appeals were heard and tenders will now he called. The following requests for building permits were granted to: Frances Coleman, RR 1, Sea forth, double garage and tool shed: Ralph McNichol, RR 4, Walton, implement 'shed and Karn repairs: William .1. Leming, RR 4, Walton, implement shed. Crruncil accepted the weed spraying tender of Murray Reid of Londeshoro for $535. B. M. Ross and Asskiates of Goderich Will appraise the :'3 bridges in McKillop for safety standards as requested by the provincial government for an estimated crest of $3,100 Mr. Nicholson will advertise the sale of the Adams model 550 motor grader which is being replaced by a new grader to be purchased this summer. Council will write the London Humane Society to ask for a patrol in a few troubled areas between 6 and 8 a.m., when the "bad dogs re roaming". Numerous complaints of dogs running loose have been reported. Council approved the Hay-Hensall Fire agreement in which the township is involved for protection of a -small area. Tuckersmith agreed to contribute $4.00 to each 4-H member in the town- ship. Council will support a letter from Town of Exeter to Huron County Board of Education objecting to the large in- crease in the levy in 1977. 11 Conservation Authority and Warren Knight of the • provincial- natural resources ministry explained both agencies have programs which subsidize tree-plantingfor farmers. Bev Hill, a farmer, said he believes the township would benefit from a reforestation program in the long run although there might. not be immediate results. He also said he didn't know how such a program would be implemented - vvhether,it,would be voluntary or forced, Hill said a 'limit should possibly he placed on future commercial develop- ment in...natural environment areas, and that existing commercial uses should be included in any restrictions in the proposed secondary plan. Fred Clift said he felt housing should 52 25 51 29 48 '!7 40 25 - 42 0 59 28 31 ;2 Rain 'O" Ammar me nu or commie woomotimerWi • moo c‘ be allowed in wooded. areas, especially on roads bordering on gullies, which ould have no other real purpose. He said urban people are moving into the township and the secondary plan should have enough flexibility to allow housing -development for them. . Hill disagreed, saying a policy for severances in the township has not yet been drawn up and should be adopted before other decisions are made. County plan -net- George Penfold said the township now has 12 gravel'quarries, and asked whether a policy to insure reclamation of _the land when the quarries are exhausted should be in- cluded in the plan. He said pits in Huron County are not regulated either by provincial (centinued on page 3) barna OMB hearing held After three days of testimony before an Ontario Municipal Board hearing in Varna's Municipal offices last week, Stanley Township Council and Lakeshore Development Corporation will have to wait for a decision. The hearing was in connection with a Sub- division to be developed in the Houston. Heights area of Stanley Township. The hearing started last Monday af- ternoon with testimony from the developing group as to why it would be advantageous to have the sub -division. They want the arca to he re -zoned seasonal residential so that development .14y - ;j!'y 1 r '.l. l v- , t- , can proceed. At the same time. the OMB heard evidence pro and con about whether the sub -division should be allowed. As the hearing proceeded, D.J. Murphy, lawyer for -the County of Huron and Stanley Township, went on record as asking that the two hearings be held separately. He said that the position of - the -County would depend on how the first hearing about re -zoning was decided. He said the County would like to proceed on that first. Then he would .make up his (continued on page 3) ti 'i . der: ' 1'.411 4 1(f.04 zm ►4ll' .'t3 r+' A $1OOOracquef The students of Central Huron Secondary School, who are raring money for new tennis courts, received a boost this week when the Clinton Kinsmen club kicked in a $1,000. The std'dents' council are hoping to raise $13,000, and have already collected $6,500. Don Jefferson, right, made the symbolic presentation to, left, Paul Galachluk, Deb.1461ott, and Jan Divok. (News -Record photo)