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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-06-01, Page 1• 1, • Giving the gift of life can be scary for some who don't like the thoughts of losing a pint of blood or seeing it. Louisa Martens, a CHSS student, felt a little nervous and queasy when she offered to donate her blood to the Red Cross Clinic for the first time, but schoolmate Jeff Hearn eased her fears with a few jokes while the two lay on the tables at the clinic held at CHSS Tuesday. (News-Record`photo) Businessmen turf out Farmers' Market By Shelley McPhee There will be no farmer's market in Clinton this summer. The Farmer's Market Committee made this decision after a vote was taken amongst the businessmen in town. A mandate sent" out to some 80 members of the Clinton Business Association received a definite nay reply to the porposed market for this year. Despite some changes, the market which was proposed for the second year received no votes from some 22 merchants while only three yes responses were sent in. Unlike last year, the market was going to be located under the grand- stand at the agricultural park. This idea was designed to allow the vendors and shoppers to have a covered area ,in case of inclement weather. Last year the market was situated in the downtown core area on King Street. Unfortunately, some merchants who did not realize this, noted in their comments that the market was an ugly blemish on Clinton Streets. As well some merchants complained that the market opened too early in the morning, Saturdays at 6 a.m. and ran until 12 noon. However according to committee chairman and head of the business association, Heather Ross, it was proposed that the market open this year at 8 a.m. and run until 1 p.m. Mrs. Ross felt that the merchants had a lack of information about the market due to the fact that many of the business meetings, where the issue was discussed, were not well attended. In fact, at the last two meetings, only five people were present. However the major complaint that merchants had against the market was the unnecessary competition it would bring. Merchants were even more concerned about 'the problem this year since the market committee had hopefully planned to lift the vendor restrictions. While last year only vendors who ,grew their own produce or made their own baking and crafts were allowed to participate, the committee was planning to eliminate this qualification. As well, at a later date they proposed lifting the ban that only allowed people from Huron County to sell at the market. Mrs. Ross explained that the reason the idea of lifting the restrictions came about was to make the market wor- thwhile, bring the people in and attract a variety of vendors. This point was brought up .in the pro arguments stated in the mandate. In the arguments against, also listed on the mandate, unfair competition and the fact that vendors would have to be t carefully screened to avoid undesirable ones was also noted. Apart from the actual arguments, many merchants gave negative responses because the mandate stated that an abstained vote would be con- sidered a yes response by the com- mittee. "I worded it like that because I wanted results," said Mrs. Ross, "I didn't want to use this thing against people." She further explained that it is illegal in• parliamentary procedure to accept a non-responsive vote as yes. "It's a democratic decision and I have to abide by the rule of the majority," Mrs. Ross remarked. "I'm - pleased it is a democratic decision. We won't have to guess anymore how to run the market." Although Mrs. Ross noted that three vendors had already approached regarding the market, she is now ad- vising vendors that a similar market will be held in Lucknow this summer. Tony McQuail is the man to contact regarding that. As for any change of minds by the • Clinton merchants or the revival of the market, Mrs. Ross is not planning on taking any steps at the present time to gain market supporters. Although she admitted, "I felt the market in Clinton was a dramatic visible attraction for the least amount of money." She continued to add that she plans to follow the advice of the philospher Barry Stevens, "Don't push the river, it flows by itself." In the meantime, the money that was initially set aside by the business association for the market will be used elsewhere. Mrs. Ross suggested that the money be put into the tree beautification program in town. This would include the removal of old trees and those that are too large for the sidewalk pots and. the replacement of smaller trees, Turn to page 3 113th year -- No. 22 Thursday, June 1, 1978 30 cents Building permits challenged county learns BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER Huron County may find out very soon whether or not the municipalities have been able to issue building permits under the National Building Code. Planning director Gary Davidson warned Friday at county council's May session that some legal advisers say the municipalities cannot issue building permits unless they have passed the necessary. bylaws enforcing the Ontario Building Code Act of 1974. "We may have a challenge in Colborne Township very soon," said Davidson. "Then we'll know." At a meeting in Londesboro recently, county planner Roman Dzus told the Huron County Municipal Officers' Association annual meeting that unless a municipality , has passed , a bylaw enforcing the Ontario Building Code, it has no legal basis to charge for, or issue a building permit. Dzus said at that time the Ontario Building Code Act of 1974 isZhe only legislation that can be used to control construction in a municipality. At Friday's meeting of county council, the planning department reported that the model bylaws to appoint a chief official and inspectors and to regulate the issuance of permits and enforcement of the Ontario Building Code of 1974 are available and should be distributed to each municipality in Huron for con- sideration. "These model bylaws give the legal right to issue permits and puts the municipalities in a position to carry out the responsibility the Ministry ` gave them in 1974," Davidson told council. Bayfield Reeve Ed Oddleifson said it was his understanding the municipalities have the authority to operate under the National Building Code. Davidson said this theory had been disputed by lawyers. Davidson did agree with Turnberry Reeve Don Eadie that it will cost the local municipalities more to comply with the Ontario Building Code Act. Davidson said there is no doubt the 4Ministry has passed the costs and the responsibilities of building inspection along to the municipalities. "If the Ontario government's requirements are not met, the municipality, can be held liable," said Davidson. The planning director went on to -explain the Ontario Building Code Act deals primarily with structural matters. Things like faulty roofs and leaky basements and poor quality flooring just don't come under this Act. Reeve Oddleifson wondered if it was necessary to hire a qualified building inspector in the local municipalities. He said Bayfield's building inspector is also the village clerk -treasurer who ha had construction experience. Davidson explained that while it is recommended that building inspectors be qualified personnel, it is really up to the municipalities to hire someone trusted to do the job. Davidson did point out, ho' ✓ever, that in cases where there is litigation, a qualified building inspector is in a better position to defend himself and the municipality. The planning director cited one case where the building inspector was held liable. The Ontario Building Code Act also specifies the number of inspections that should be carried out on various buildings. For instance, one site in- spection is adequate for a garage to house the family car while many in- spections are needed when a building for public use is under construction. Two amendments to the county's • • The News -Record this week has a new look, in more ways than one. First of all, we have switched our format to nine columns, and along with some new heads, the old paper has new attire, so to speak. It's still the same news, just dressed up a little differently. And if you noticed the picture in the upper right hand corner of this column, yours truly also has a new look. Yes, I finally did -it, shaved off that Clinton Centennial beard that has been called various things since I started to grow it back in January of 1975. Last Sunday, on a dare from my wife, and out of just plain curiosity, by myself, we got out the scissors, and in a few minutes, 31/2 years of carefully cultured growth was lying on the floor. What a change it has made! You'd think by the reaction around town that I'd had a face transplant, as even close friends and acquain- tances have trouble recognizing me at first. The kids at home didn't make strange though, but a few cohorts, mostly women,, were the most shocked. "Is that really you," or "I didn't know you," seems to be the most common reaction. In fact, many people around town stare at me with a blank look on their face when I toot the horn and wave at them when I'm driving around town. It's almost like wearing a new disguise. It really, isn't any cooler with it off, and I had forgotten what a pain in the neck it was to have to shave every morning. I wonder, is Auburn having a beard growing contest for their 125th birthday celebrations next year? + ++ As anyone with a wandering cat, dog or two-year-old child knows by now, from the black spots on floors, rugs and dirty shoes and paws, the town oiled the streets last week, and although it was a little messy for a couple of days, it sure has done a good job of holding down the dust. I wonder if public works chairman Ernie Brown and his department have their own private line to the weatherman. They couldn't have asked for better weather as the sunny, hot days of the past weekhave allowed the oil to soak in very well. + ++ This weekend promises to be a busy one in Clinton, as the annual Spring Fair gets underway on Friday, and continues through until Sunday night. Hopefully, it won't be ' quite as hot as it was last week, but then sunny and hot is still better than cool and wet. + ++ Also on Saturday, the Londesboro Lions Club will be touring around Clinton -on their monthly newspaper collection, so all residents are ad- vised to have their tied and bundled papers out at the curb at 9 a.m. + ++ The gas war is getting a little more vicious again, to the smiling delight of Clinton and area drivers, as the price of gas dropped another three cents this week to 85.9. I noticed in Goderich Wednesday that one station was letting it go for 79.9, and as one dealer in Clinton told me on Tuesday, as far as he's concerned, that's what it should be here too. official plan, one in Hullett Township and one in Blyth, stirred some com- ment among councillors. Hullett Reeve John Jewitt said he is concerned about the costs which must be paid by in- dividuals to obtain a simple zoning change. He said each of the two citizens in these specific cases paid about $1,300 to hire "outside help". "I'm concerned about the red tape and the paper work we are putting in their way," argued Jewitt. Planning director Gary Davidson said at one time, the planning depar- tment did all that work for citizens in Huron County, but that the costs are now passed along to the individuals requesting amendments to the official Farmers caught up plan. He said this work must be done properly in the first instance, or it gets bogged down when it reaches the Ministry office. Jewitt retorted he was not opposed to costs being passed along to individuals. He did say, however, he was concerned about the "red tape and paper work in what should have been a very simple operation." Reeve Bill Elston Morris Township, agreed. Elston said, "Slowly but surely, we're grinding private en- terprise to a halt." "Surely there's a different ap- proach," said Elston. He complained Turn to page 3 Heat helps sowing Ten days of sunny, dry, and very hot weather ha's been thoroughly enjoyed in Huron County by most people, especially the farmers. Most of the spring seeding of grains and corn is now done, after a very late and cold spring had put the farmers three weeks behind. Mike Miller, associate agricultural representative for Huron, said on Monday that the farmers had caught up on their corn planting over the weekend, and are now looking for a shower or two to help the corn break through the ground. Although the corn went in about 10 days later than last year, Miller said he was "optimistic" that it would be, a good year, if growing conditions throughout the rest of the season are normal. Miller also said that despite the disastrous fall last year when a large majority of the white bean crop was lost to rainy weather, farmers are planting about the same acreage of that crop as they did last year. "But a lot of them (white bean producers) are holding off sowing their beans until soil moisture levels are replenished," Miller said. The crops' man also warned that hay farmers should be on the lookout for alfalfa weevil, which has made its appearance this week. "It's not a major pest yet," Miller advised, "but farmers should keep an eye on their fields in the next week or so in case the weevils get out of hand." To combat the weevil, farmers must either spray the crop or harvest it early before severe damage is done, resulting in a loss of yield. Weather 1978 1977 HI LO HI LO MAY 23 24 ' 7 84 62 24 25 11 84 60 25 ' 26 8 79 52 26 28 10 78 46 27 30 12.5 79 45 28 30.5 12 82 42 29 29.5 13 63 48 No Rain No Rain What better way to raise money and please the public on a hot afternoon. The Clinton Calvinettes thought so as they held their annual car wash at Ron's Sunoco Station on Saturday. Despite the heat, the girls kept cool by spraying one another with the hoses and they were never short of customers. Tina Bakker, Cathy Bouman and Mary Jane Ridde>Ivere just three of the washers and rinsers that day. (News -Record photo) Clinton's newest Queen of the Fair is also one of Canada's newest citizens. Mary Lou Lourenco, 19, of RR 1, Brucefield received her crown from last year's queen, Jan Divok of Clinton, right. Mary Lou, who beat out two other candidates, came to Canada from Portugal in 1968, and in March of this year received her Canadian Citizenship. Mary Lou will preside over a host of up- coming Fair events, which start this Friday. (New's-Record photo) Fairstarts Friday Clinton's 124th annual three-day Spring Fair is set to start tomorrow and if past performances are any in- dication, then the weather will be good and the fair could be one of the biggest ever. The class "B" fair will hopefully be carried off a bit easier this year, with the grandstand all ready and waiting to be filled. Last year, volunteers and workmen along with the Kinsmen Club of Clinton worked nearly around the clock to have the newly constructed grandstand ready by fair time. The fair, which features of $22,000 in prizes, gets underway at noon on Friday with the judging of the Ontario Spring Jersey Show and the County Holstein Show, both of which usually bring a large number of entries and spectators. The exhibits and midway open at 3 p.m. and at 6 p.m. a special event will be in store with the Western Ontario Tractor Pull (sanctioned pull). The pull, which will take place in front of the grandstand, will be the first one ever held in Clinton. On Saturday, the fair opens at noon and the judging of the Line Classes for Horses will be held at 12:30 p.m. while the judging of the Livestock Class starts at one. As well, at 1 p.m. the fair will get its traditional kick-off with a parade through town. The parade will leave the Legion Hall, headed by two bands and will complete its downtown route at the fairgrounds. Following the parade the fair will be officially opened at 2 p.m. with the baby show to get underway at 2:30 p.m. under the grandstand. At 7 p.m. the teams in harness will be judged and at 9 p.m. the best in amateur talent will be featured as the grandstand show. Those performing will be. mut inmba solos, Doris McKinley; banjo numbers, Barry Stevens; vocals, Jerry Cox, Fred Lobb, Bob Mann, Barry Stevens; in- strumentals, Doris McKinley, Bruce Pulsifer, Bob Mann, Fred Lobb, Jerry Cox, Barry Stevens; old time fiddle tunes, competition fiddler, Fred James ; vocals and instrumentals, Gordon Ross and Mrs. Ross; country and western vocalist, Mary Freeman. Sunday, the midway and concessions will again be open and the Horse Show along with the fun filled Western Games will be featured in the af- ternoon. Two riders hurt as car hits pole Two passengers sustained minimal injuries when a car driven by Christopher Ryan, 17, of Walton en- tered a ditch and hit a hydro pole, the Goderich OPP reported. John Cairns Jr., 17, Egmondville and Nancy Kunder, 17, Seaforth received slight injuries following the single car accident which occurred on County Road 12. Damage to the Ryan car was set at $500 while the pole received $250 in damages. Despite a quiet week, the Clinton Police Department investigated one reportable accident when a car driven by Douglas Elder, 17, RR3 Clinton came in collision with Richard Gilbert, 12, 261 Huron Street. The Gilbert boy was riding a bicycle westbound on Rattenbury Street on May 26 when the Elder car, which was eastbound attempted to make a left- hand turn and collided with the boy on the bicycle. Chief Lloyd Westlake took the Gilbert boy to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. Damage to the Elder vehicle was $50 and $80 to the bicycle. 0