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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-10-06, Page 1Could lose 10 million • Bean harvest getting worse, 2/3 lost The situation has gone from bad to worse for Ontario's white bean prgducers, as heavy rains, and cloudy skies continued this week, and although skies cleared on Monday and Tuesday, rain was forecast again on Wednesday and Thursday. Although many, farmers and spokesmen. for the Ontario bean board are optimistic, losses could run as high as $10,000,000 or 80 percent of the crop in Huron County alone. §o far, only 13 percent of Ontario's 15,,00.0 acres have been harvested, with 63,000 acres planted in Huron. However, a great deal of confusion is arising among the farmers and the Ontario Bean Producers Marketing • Board as to whether. many of the beans are worth harvesting. Charles Broadwell, manager of the Bean Board, said on Tuesday afternoon that the Board is negotiating with the canners to get the grades lowered on the beans, so more contracts can be filled. "We will be giving some consideration for color' (taking moreoff:white beans) Clinton, Ontario but not for splits or picks," Broadwell said. But the beans must be 23 percent moisture or under, Broadwell added. "It's a real selling job to the canners to take the slightly discolored beans," he said. "It's strickly up to the weatherman now, whether we can get more beans off, Broadwell said. Because of the possibility of getting more ' beans in, the Ontario Crop Insurance Corn mission has halted writing off any more beans until the, Bean, Board makes a final decision. But many farmers are' getting im- patient. They see little value of spending another $25 per acre to take the beans off and get only $50 for the beans, when they can collect up to $200 per acre of in- surance. They also want to plow the fields as soon as possible to get the winter wheat planted, as it is already getting late for the crop to get high enough before the winter sets in. The farmers also want to get the bean heads off the combines and swing into the corn harvest as soon as possible, or much of it too may be lost. Unfortunately, only about 60 percent of the beans 'fire insured, putting many farmers in_f.inancial hardship. But the major banks and credit unions said on Tuesday that they would go easy on farrhers who haa'e lost, their crop and ,carried no insurance.,in hopes of a better year in 1978. , It's the worst year in history for the bean farmers, according to- Broadwell, eclipsing the bad year of -1'967, when 28 percent of the potential harvest was lost. There was a potential Crop of 2,500,000 hundred weight bags in the fields before 'the continuous'rain came. Broadwell said he felt the Bean Board could fill their recently negotiated contracts in Europe with the beans they had, and didn't feel there would be, any shortage of seed beans next year. "There's not too many beans in the world right now, the supply is down all over," Broadwell said. Michigan the other bean producing area is also facing wet harvest conditions,, and the output from Ethiopia is also suffering. The three areas supply most of the world's beans. Broadwell said that Lambton and Kent weren't as bad off as Huron, and hoped for a better yield there. "Nobody knows for sure how much well get, it's strickly up to the weatherman," he said. According to weatherman Tony Chir of the Goderich weather ,station, Sep- tember was the cloudiest 'month since riecords were started in 1880, with only 108 hours of sunshine being recorded, beating the old record of 135 hours set in 1934. A total of 130.5 mm (5.22 inches) of rain fell in Goderich in September, nearly twice the average of 75.9 (3 in- ches), but added td the 243 mm (9.72 inches in August) it has/fi:een the wettest two months in succe §ion in years.' The August total rainfall set a new all-time record for any month of any year. The long range forecast for October doesn't look any better, with cold and damp conditions expected to persist. 25 cents 112th Year - No. 40 Weather 1977 1976 HI LO SEPTEMBER 27 62 54 28 58 47 29 61 40 30 58 52 OCTOBER) r 53 48 2 57 43 3 56 ^..,42 Rain 1.63" 61 .46 ,55 41 64 40 68 371 71 42 73 40 74n431 Rain O" . Merchants upset over Isaac St. parking changes by Shelley McPhee A recent Clinton Council proposed change in the parking on Isaac Street from angle to ,parallel brought out a delegation of five merchants on Monday night's meeting, protesting the move. The delegation and council became involved in a lengthy discussion over the number of problems on the one way street which range from the major , parking change to the snow removal problem there. The main concern of the merchants who attended the council meeting was the effect that the parking 'change would thave on their businesses. With the proposed change to parallel, the already limited parking on the street will be lessened by some five spaces. Spokesman for the delegation, Henry Baker of Baker's farm and Garden Centre said, "For me its the death of my business. People can't get parked." Reeve Royce Macaulay noted that not all businessmen can have parking outside .their door, but Baker retaliated by saying that many of his customers need immediate parking facilities because they are often purchasing heavy bags of feed, or fertilizer. • Along with the parking problem, snow removal on the street was discussed. Due to the heavy load of snow that bauilds up over the winter months, the street is SSI (oIiiiiiii by Jim Fitzgerald narrowed by some three.feet and many minor motor accidents occur. Baker explained to council, "Our street is often the last to have snow removed and the sidewalk is not navigable." He continued to say that because the street is a south running, one way road, "All the snow is pushed to the west side of the street and it gets twice the load." Councillor Roy Wheeler explained to the delegation that that was part of the reason why parallel parking was decided upon. To make more room along the street and lessen the number of accidents. It was also suggested to post a 10 kmh ~(5 mph) sign or a flashing light to slow down the traffic on the street. Parallel parking in the winter and angle in the summer, along with. a designated loading zone in front of Baker's Farm and Garden Centre were also brought forward as feasible suggestions, however council has no authority to approve these ideas. Council plans to ask the Ministry of Transportation to come and review the street and propose these suggestions. Any final decision must be made by the ministry. In other council, business, a traffic problem was again brought to their attention through correspon-dance received , from the Clinton's Businessmen's Association. The' association expressed their concern about the traffic flow problem which occurs at the stop lights at Clio. ton's main intersection. They noted that the two lanes of northbound traffic coming in on Highway 4 travels smoothly if the left lane turns onto High- way 8. However often a bottleneck oc- curs when both lanes attempt to travel north through on highway 4. The association suggested that arrows be painted at the intersection to designate a left lane only. Reeve Macaulay explained to council members that this problem had been discussed before and suggested that the • Ministry of Transportation should also look into this. After hearing a letter from Rene Brochu, council decided to approve his proposal and proclaim October 10 as Columbus Day. The day pays tribute to the explorer, Christopher Columbus on the anniversary of his great voyage in 1492. An apple a day For many farmers, the fall of 1977 will go down as the worst in memory, but for apple growers in the county, it's the best in 20 years. Stewart Middleton, shown with a sample of the excellent crop, says the yield and quality are the best in two decades because of the dry warm spring, and the August rains. Despite the rain, the crop is coming off in good time. (News -Record photo) Ramp bylaw missing Ramp curbs for seniors, handicapped and mothers with buggies will be con- sidered by council when a motion to put these in, which was made two or three years ago, is found and looked at. The Kinette group of Clinton sent correspondence to the town council questioning .thei'r move not to put,in ramps two years ago when the requst was heard and council agreed with it. , Mayor Harold Lobb regretted this and told council that somehow this didn't get done, although a motion was made. He also noted that a letter should be sent to the engineers to make sure this is not omitted from the street,renovation in 1978. The renovations are being planned now. Reeve Macaulay felt that the ramps may prove to be dangerous in the winter since they may be covered 'with snow and ice and people may fall. The Mayor noted that ramps are being used in other places and that the engineers may come up with the proper idea on how to build these. ew grandstandneeds repairs Clinton's new $250,000 grandstand, just completed this June, does not fully meet the Ontario Building Code, and will have to undergo more construction before it receives approval from the government. According to Clinton Kinsmen Club grandstand chairman Paul Kerrigan, the footings under the centre beams of the new structure are not strong enough according to specifications drawn up by the Ontario Racing Commission's Conestoga campus marks lOth year The Clinton campus of Conestoga College celebrated a dual purpose bir- thday last Friday, when the local campus celebrated the tencennial of the college, For Clinton it was also a chance to celebrate the campus's own fifth year of operation. • Conestoga College was formed in 1967, with the main campus just north of Kitcnener. Since that time, the growing "Welcome to Huron Ctitinty, the rice , institution has set up schools in Cam- * growing capital of Ontario," may be one bridge, Clinton, Doon, Guelph, of the new entrance signs posted at our Harriston, Stratford and Waterloo. doors, if it doesn't soon stop' this in- • cessant raining. Most fields look like they'd make ideal rice paddies, although Mr",g I'm sure the local farmers would rather grow corn and beans. As detailed 'elsewhere on this page, the situation is far from funny for farmers, but despite the losses, many are still smiling through ali of it. +++ And you'll remember a prediction in this column of some weeks back that it would snow on September 25? Well, according to a local truck driver, it did snow in Septeittber, last Wednesday, the 28th to be exact. The local trucker says he hit a snow squall between Stratford and New Hamburg while returning to Clinton. Does that qualify? +++ About the only people hoping for, colder weather are the area hockey layers who are itching to get on the ocal ice pad. Unfortunately, a break- down in equipment has delayed the ice making at the Clinton arena, and if everything goes well, ice should be ready by the end of next week. +++ Ice in or not, this is our final holiday weekend until Christmas, and many will be taking advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday to finish off the garden chores, or close up the cottage .(if it doesn't rain). Despite all the hardships many of us have had this fall, we still have much to be thankful for.t( +++ The Minor Hockey Association are especially thankful for the wonderful turnout they had at their bake sale and equipment exchange sale last Saturday, despite the all -day downpour.' They realized nearly $300 and even yours truly got some good equipment: Let's hope it becomes an annual event. • :., ,,,• Eachcarnpus celebrated the special birthday with a tree planting open house and birthday party, complete with cake and refreshments and a number of other special events. For the Clinton campus located in the former public -school building for the Air Force Base at Vanastra, the birthday also commemorated. its 1972 installation into Conestoga. The campus, which has 80 full time and 100 part time students offers short term programs such as visiting homemaker, academic upgrading, teller -cashier; bookkeeping and new courses of real estate and bar tending. Along with' this some 40 nurses are studying a course in coronary care and a number of students are involved • in Manpower retraining courses. Chairman Brian Cook is in charge of the activities at the Clinton campus, along with a faculty of five members. This September the Clinton campus became an original amongst other Conestoga schools with the addition of the Vanastra Public School, which oc- cupies part of the building, under the direction of principal John Ross, ig at- tended by some 135 local children. Planting a tree Brian Cook (left) chairman of the Clinton campus of Conestoga College glances up at the .tree th t was planted last Friday to commemorate the Nth birthday of Conestoga College and the fifth birthday of the Clinton Campus. Attending the birthday party along with Chairman Cook (News.Record'photo) were Cam Procter, Town of Clinton, Clerk; 'Jim Mair, Conestoga board of governors; Judy ilarrison, president of the student's council; Jack Riddell, Liveral MPP for Huron- IVilddlesex; John Ross, principtal of Vanastra Public School; Ben Hey, manager of Manpower, Goderich. engineers, and will have to be dug up and replaced. The ORC's engineers, Morrison, , Hershfield, Burgess., and Huggins Ltd. -of Toronto have told the Kinsmen that the footings need to be strengthened before racing can begin next,spring. Kerrigan said that in the rush to get the grandstand up in time for the Spring Fair, the engineer of the major con- tractor, Twin Locks ' Iron' Works of ' Niagara Falls, neglected to make the footings stronger to take in account the extra snow load' in the Clinton area. The Kinsmen are currently holding Tuckersmith says: On page 3 back $10,000 from Twin Locks until liability can be established. "Otherwise, we're very happy with the grandstand," Kerrigan said. "We got a good job. Everything else surpasses the building code." Kerrigan said he was confident something could be worked out with the builder. He also said that the Kinsmen have. applied for a grant of $31,250 from the ORC, but the Kinsmen would still have to carry a mortgage of $93,000 on the structure. No more trailers By Wilma Oke Tuckersmith Township Council turned down an application Tuesday night by George Romanik of RR 4 Seaforth, for an overnight trailer court. In a recorded vote requested by Councillor Frank Falconer, the vote was: 'Deputy reeve Robert Bell, Councillors Robert Drummond and Robert Fotheringham voted agaihst the court and Falconer voted for it. Reeve Ervin. Sillery did not vote. Prior to the discussion, on the trailer court Tom faapple and John VanDornick presented council with a petition signed by 26 surrounding property owners protesting more building by Romaniuk who presently has a mobile home park orr the property, Lot 6, concession 4. Councillor. Falconer, who has a mobile home park adjacent to his 'farm at RR 5, Clinton, said he was not in favour of keeping all land agriculture. Papple , said that if the property owners had known that the mobile home , park was to be built in the first place they would have protested it but it was too late when they learned of it and the township council had approved the permit by them. Now they are protesting the overnight trailer court before the perm itis granted. Reeve Ervin Sillery explained that council at that time was glad to have the mobile home park set up to avoid hav,ing the mobile homes scattered all over the township. He said in Egmondville ratepayers were protesting when they had expensive homes they did not like for tough winter having the adjoining property bought Wilma Oke and a mobile home established on it. He By said the only other mobile home park Getting ready for the snows of winter was next to Falconer's property. McKillop Township accepted the tender Papple asked council's permission to of Ryan Bulldozing of RR 1, Walton, for discuss several other concern's that snow oval irn, up $1 over last yea township roads at a cost f $2.l ratepayers had asked him to present. per hou r. One was the sharp hill at lot 8 on con- Standby time will be $10 per day, the cession 4-5 which has been the scene of same as last year. several near -accidents. Papple won- Clerk Marion McClure at the meeting dared if the hills could be cut down or the in Winthrop Monday reported that the low 'part raised. Road Superintendent allocation for drainage has been used, ' Allan Nicholson said there were Many with $118,100 debentured to date. other areas in the township where a -_,.,,_Council endorsed a resolution from similar condition existed. He said he felt On page 3 if the hills were cut down a snow problem would be created and' it would be too costly to raise the low section. Papple wondered if a bylaw could be passed that would keep non-residents from "hunting in the township. "Many hunters don't care what they shoot," he said. Papple wondered if the township still had a dogcatcher. He was assured that the London Humane Society was doingit and the last time in the area had picked up 12 dogs. Papple said many farmers felt that property development should be in the urban centres rather than on farmland as the township had villages within its borders and had towns on its boundaries. Concerned about recent con- frontations with surrounding towns Papple asked if.a permanent committee, made up of representatives of she surrounding municipalities, could be set up to discuss things of mutual interest. He said there was a lack of concern by ratepayers and that a, lot of people seem to feel they cannot talk to council and he asked ,that the local papers be kept better informed. Councillor Drummond noted to Papple, "We were elected to serve the township and if we hear no static, then we must be doing a good job." On page 3 McKillop preparing