HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-12-01, Page 1r
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An impor$ant part of airy swim-a-thon is the lap counters,
who ensure sponsors get what they paid for, and that was
the rule last Saturday at the Vanastra Recreation Centre's
bid to raise money for recreation equipment. Despite near
blizzard conditions which scared many swimmers away,
nearly $590 was raised by the 35 swimmers. Keith Hohner of '
Clinton raised the most, getting $261.15 in pledges. Here
Michelle Long, left, and Paula Golding, right, check
swimmers, while young Darlene Ryan looks on. (News -
Record photo)
hree seek Warden's seat
was that time again on Friday at
ron County Council and three
mbers have declared their interest in
warden's chair for 1978, the year of
Int.grnational Plowing Match in
ron.
Gerry Ginn, the reeve of Goderich
wnship was the first on his feet. Ginn,
ently named Forester of the Year,
nounced his intention much earlier
s year to seek the warden's post cin
78.
To
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an
thi
19
Ginn has had 22 years in municipal life
nine years of the formed Goderich
strict Collegiate Institute ,Board, four
;A
the dyisory Vocational: Committee
Central Huron Secondary School; four
ars on Goderich Township Council as
councillor; four as deputy -reeve; and
hen 'he finishes this terrri of office, it
ill be four as reeve,
. Bob Lyons of West Wawanosh
ownship declared ,himself a candidate.
He has spent 11 years on county council,
his year as chairman of the road
committee. He is semi -retired, he told
council, and will have plenty of time to
devote to the warden's job if he is
elected.
Thethird candidate is Jack Tinney,
reeve of Hay Township. He calls himself
a "swamp boy" although more recently
he likes to think of himself as "from the
forest". He has spent 10 years on
Di
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It may come as a shock to you, and it
certainly came as a shock to me, but it's
December the 1st already, and
Christmas and the end of another year
are approaching all too fast. Where does
all the time go. Now we have only 21
days until Christmas, and I still haven't
thought of starting my Christmas
shopping yet.
+ + +
But at least the Kinsmen Club, and the
hole town for that matter, received an
early but appreciated Christmas present
this week. The Kinsmen were notified by
the engineers for the Ontario Racing
Commission that the new grandstand
has their stamp of approval, following
repairs made last week. Only now, it's
too cold to go over and sit on it to try it
out.
+ ++
A couple of businessmen in town,
dismayed that there hasn't been a Santa
Clause parade in town for quite a few
M years, have taken on themselves to have
one next Saturday, December 10. Even
old St. Nick has agreed to come.
+ + -I-
The
The recent controversy over children
reading pornographic books has
reminded our local joker that Scrooge
was also influenced by a book. His bank
book.
+ + +
If last year's first annual Kinettes
Christmas Mart is any indication, then
the one set for this Saturday at Ontario
Street United Church will be pan-,
demonium supreme, and the police are
being forwarned to have their riot gear
ready. Naturally, only children will be
allowed in to purchase goods, promising
more action than a belly dancer with
fleas.
We. just received late word that
municipal council, six on county council.
The warden will be elected at the first
January meeting of the 1978 county
council. He will replace this year's
warden, Doug McNeil, Colborne
Township.
Clinton, Ontario
Chief tells council
Merchants causing parking problem
by Shelley McPhee
The infamous Isaac Street parking
prob.lem popped up again at Clinton
Council meeting last Thursday evening
with the information that 75 percent of
the cars parked on the street belong to
businessmen and their employees.
Deputy Reeve Frank Cook gave
council this information, following a
three-day surveillance of (he_ street by
Police Chief Lloyd Westlake.
"We're not happy with the
businessmen complaining like they did,"
Deputy Reeve Cook added.
At a previous council meeting some
merchants from Isaac Street appeared
as a delegation to oppose a proposed
change from angle to parallel parking on
the street. This would have reduced the
parking by five spaces, which the
merchants felt would hurt their
business.
•
Council made no decision on the
parking problem, but will be leaving a
solution up to the Ministry of Tran-
sportation and Communications, who
will study the situations when they
come to Clinton to look at the -traffic flow
problem at the main intersection of .he
town.
A motion was carried to call for ten-
ders on a 1978 police cruiser. Deputy
Reeve Cook reported that according to
Chief Westlake, the present cruiser has
over 50,000 miles on it.
A delegation from the Clinton Nursery
School appeared before council
requesting a grant of $200 for additional
toys and equipment.
The money was given with little
discussion or objection since the nursery
school had a budget of $400 available for
the year and they had previously only
spent $200 of it:
Council supported a resolution from
Pembroke which stated that the RCMP
are the finest police force in the world.
Councillor Ron Mckay said in the
discussion, "I don't think we should be
passing judgment until the RCMP in-
vestigations are complete."
Mayor Harold Lobb then noted,
"They're a wonderful police force. They
have to protect our country."
In another resolution from The
Township of Sandwich West, Council
agreed that changes should be made to
the Highway Traffic 'Act stating that
vehicle owners should be fined for
illegally passing a school bus without the
actual identity of the driver being
established.
Presently bus drivers need the license
plate and the identity- of the driver
before he can be fined.
A three-year lease will be signed with
the ministry of government services to
30 cents
Thursday, December 1, 1977
112th Year -No. 48
rent out the council chambers in the
Clinton Town Hall for $30 a day for court
hearings for 12 days a year. Any further
need of the room will cost an additional
$30 a day.
A short discussion was held on at,
tending the Good Roads Convention
which will be held from February 20-22.
Councillor Ernie Brown noted, "I was
there once and that was once too often."
However, Reeve Royce Macaulay
said, "We have to have some hospitable
person down there,"
In other light hearted discuss1/2n,
Councillor McKay informed council
members, "I'd like to challenge Frank
Cook to a showdown. I'll only wear one
skate."
The showdown is in reference to the
minor hockey's Showdown night which
will go from ,he novices to the oldtimers.
No final date has been set for the event
which will be similar to the NHL's
Showdown but registration will he $3.
"I am only kidding, but I think we
should get involved," Coun. McKay
informed council members and Deputy
Reeve Cook.
Building permits were issued to: Owen
Delve, commercial building, $10,000;
Burgess Department Store, apartment,
$10,000; The Wedge, store front $600:
Goldsworthy Motors, addition, $15,000.
1111 Bather
1977 1976
141 LO
NOVEMBER
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Snow 10"
Rain .30
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31 24
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37. 25
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Snow 1"
Rain 1.17"
ltnton council approves county seniors housingplan
by Shelley McPhee
Last Thursday evening, Clinton
Council gave their- approval to a
proposed plan made by Huron County to
establish a county -wide residency rule
for senior citizens housing.
Under this plan, the county would 'pick
up the seven -and -one-half percent deficit
in one year. This deficit in turn would be
apportioned to each municipality, and in
return, the municipalities would wave
their senior citizens requirements for
county -wide rule.
Along with this, the new rule would
allow seniors to rent accommodation
anywhere within the county.
Reeve Royce Macaulay commented,
"There was great discussion in county
council on this. Some senor citizen
homes are vacant because there is
nobody in that immediate area who
wants to g� in. In other places senior
citizens homes are full, and some may
desire to take up residency in another
municipality. The county wants to. give
the senior citizens the opportunity to go
where they want."
Councillor Roy Wheeler noted, `AWe
should give priorities to Clinton people. I
don't want to see Clinton people left out
while others come in and fill the
vacancies."
However, Deputy Reeve Frank Cook
said, "Rural and 'urban areas must start
working together. Where, does a person
in Tuckersmith have to go? If we co-
operate this way were going in the
right direction.
Mayor Harold Lobb explained to
council that presently there are 39 ap-
plications in Clinton still waiting for
accommodation.
"If the county takes over; who looks
after the allocation of the units?"
questioned Councillor Rosemary
Armstrong.
It was explained that the county
already looks after this through housing
representative John Lyndon and in the
past. special permission has been
gYanteci to give those a vacancy who live
out of Clinton. •
. In correspondence received from the
Clinton Bus"iness Association, • �c.ouncil
donated $50 to the Association's
Christmas program.
The Business Association, in another
letter, also asked that a business
representative he included in any fur-
ther discussion on the property behind
the Wesley -Willis Church.
Previous discussions on the piece of
land, which the' town owns, have in-
volved its future use either as a parking
lot or a senior citizens complex.
Mayor Lobb explained to.council, "I'm
sure we need parki,,ng, but that lot was
bought for a senior citizen centre. Now
it's unofficially used for parking and has,..
County undecided on severance
County council didn't come to any
conclusion Friday on the question of who
should bear the additional costs for land
severances - the taxpayers of Huron or
the individuals applying for the
severances. So the matter was tossed
back in the laps of the Land Division
Committee for decision. Members do
have the authority to charge an ad-
ministration fee on any approved
severances, or, they can choose to con-
tinue as at present.
The problem ntshell is simple.
The present charge for each application
for severance is $50. As of October 31,
1977 the average cost per severance is
$152, based on 206 severances received to
date. Who should pay the additional
$102?
The Land Division Committee which is
set up under provincial legislation, has
certain authorities granted to it. Just
recently the Land Division Committee in
Peel attached fees in excess of $700 to
one severance which was approved, and
the decision was upheld in the court.
According to county administrator Bill
Hanly, the precedent has been set and it
is now a question in Huron County of
"how much should be subsidized by the
public
Bayfield Reeve Ed OddliefSon asked, •
"Should the people of Huron pay the
costs ,for an individual who is asking for
a severance so he can make money?"
Stanley Township Deputy -reeve Paul
Steckle answered: "The people who are
receiving the benefits should also pay
the costs."
But that feeling wasn't shared by
everyone. Reeve Jack Tinney of Hay
suggested much pressure could be
brought on the Land Division Committee
if the applicants were paying the entire
cost of severance, Tinney.also wondered
how high the costs for land severances
might go.
Stanley Township residents should\ Reese Bill Elston of Morris Township
remember the public meeting to beheld thought the Land Division Committee
next Tuesday night at Varna to consider should be striving to "bring costs down
16 the draft of their secondary plan. instead of getting people to pay more".
Discussion gets underway at $ p.m. ' "I really am disappointed to see
what's happening," said Elston.
The Land Division Committee, it was
learned, has been operating at a loss
almost from its inception. Members of
the current land division committee are
Roy Westcott, Elmer Hayter, Girvin
Reed, John Hazlitt and J L McCut-
cheon.
Stripers honored
After 50 hours of service, the candy stripers from the Clinton Public Hospital
received their caps in a ceremony held at the Wesley -Willis Church on Monday
evening. The girls were, back row, left to right, Beverly Walker, Ruthann Pen -
found, Mary Jane Scott, littlarianne Hellinga. Second row: Sylvia Forbes, Linda
Raithby, Charlene Deiong, Bev Taylor. Third. row: Lori Saundercock, Debbie
Fitzpatrick, Karen Erb, Shirleyanne Gilbert. Front row: Mitzi Roy, co-ordinator
Barb Hicks, Ayse Unsal. (News -Record photo)
been partially gravelled."
Reeve Macaulay suggested that a
letter be sent to the Business Association
noting that the lot is presently being used
for .parking and they will be notified of
any changes, although none are planned
for the immediate future.
While discussing a leak in the library
building tower, the topic of a location for
the town's seniors recreation spot again
came up for discussion.
Reeve Macaulay noted that while he
and Mayor Lobb were inspecting the
leak they looked at the library basement
and suggested that it may be a possible
senior citizens room.
"There is ample room and it would be
quite a nice room with some
renovations," Reeve Macaulay noted,
for future consideration.
Fred Thomas, along with two other
men, will begin cutting down trees and
limbs throughout the town.
Councillor Ernie'Brown explained that
the PUC are willing to pay for half of the
cost of the cutting, but they are too busy
presently to help. In the past the PUC
has been involved in the clearance of
these dangerous branches.
Council passed a motion which will
allow the town the authority to offer to
purchase a piece of land for $10,000. The
land, owned by Mr. and Mrs. J.
Veldhuis, part lot 41, con. 1 Tuckersmith
Township - will be used for a road
allowance.
`,Although no time is set, -,.for con-
,
struction, it was agreed to earlier that
when the road is built a driveway area
be made adjacent to the Veldhuis home
with space made available for two cars.
The drive will be built off Ransford
Street and will be surfaced with gravel.
The town will sign an agreement with
Lucy Demers regarding an easement for
a storm sewer on lot 31, on the south side
of Princess Street. The severance of this
lot was approved with this condition,
In other business, council recom-
mended the following applications. ,of
severance to the committee of ad-
justment: Harold White Homes, part of
lot 66, south side of Gordon Street and
part of lot 666 and 667; Mrs. Myrtle
Glazier, part of lot 8, east side of
Fredrick Street; John Stevely, part of
corner lot 519, John North and Princess
Streets.
Storm causes 17 crashes
The Goderich detachment of the OPP
investigated 17 minor accidents over the
past weekend.
According to Constable Bill Wilson,
the main reason for the many accidents
was the snow.
"People are not driving responsibly in
the snow yet," he warned.
In Clinton, Police Chief • Lloyd
Westlake warned that during the winter
months, parking overnight, from 1 a.m;
to 7 a.m. on the sides of the streets is
illegal. -
These times have been set aside for
snow removal and Chief Westlake noted,
"This rule will be strictly enforced
during the winter months."
It is also illegal to push any snow onto
the travelled portion of the road at any
time.
The Clinton Police investigated a two -
car accident over the weekend which,
resulted in $500 in damages.
A car driven by Kathryn Barrett, 20, of
225' Mary Street received damages of
$400 when it was in collision with a car
driven by Samuel W. Gliddon, 68, of 153
Queen Street, Clinton.
The Barrett vehicle was eastbound on
Mary Street when the Gliddon vehicle
proceeded out of a stop sign at Alma
Street, causing both cars to meet.
Damage to 'the Gliddon car was set at
$100.
Huron population jumps
An interesting report tabled at Huron
County Council Friday showed that the
Town of Goderich and the Town of
Seaforth recorded population losses
from 1976 to 1977. Goderich's population
was decreased by 12 but still remains the
largest in any municipality in the county
with 7,324. Seaforth lost a total of 21
residents making it the smallest town in
on with 2,025 people.
The total population in Huron,is up
however to 56,032. That's an increase of
568 over 1976 and is an encouraging
trend.
The fastest growing town is Exeter
with a population increase of 20 bringing
the number of citizens there to 3,519.
Wingham was a close second with a
recorded growth of 19 bringing the total
population there to 2,861. Clinton's
growth was a respectable 14 with a total
population now of 3,) 24.
The Township of Tuckersmith had the
largest growth of any municipality in
Huron in the 1976 to 1977 period at 110. No
doubt the development of Vanastra has
had much to do with this growth but it is
also interesting to see that Goderich
Township grew by 101 during the same
period with neighbouring Colborne
Township growing by 84.
Among the villages, Bayfield 'ex-
perienced the greatest growth at 51.
Blyth grew by 43 persons and Hensall
grew by 29. Zurich a d Brussels both
experienced modest decline - Zurich 6
and Brussels 15.
In all, 17 municipalities of the 26
showed an increase .in population
through , the 1976-1977 period. The
remainder showed a decrease with the
Township of How•ick recording, the
greatest decline at 64. (Merl•�to'9tiose
ground were Usborne 23; StarSleyr 48;
and McKillop 27.