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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-07-20, Page 1• ; • 10 • • -t 41, •••• • • . „-. A less than dignified pipe band led an even less dignified as a' gran, finale to the town's two day Moonlight parade down Clinton's main streets last Friday night. Madness. (News -Record Photo) Nearly 100 people joined the shirttail parade at midnight, Taxpayers foot teachers' raise by Frances Barrick Huron taxpayers will be*” paying a higher tax bill next year to foot the cost of the county's 273 secondary school teachers cwarded 6.75 percent salary increase. The increase was awarded by David Johnston, dean of law at the University of Western Ontario. He' was appointed arbitrator by the Huron County Board of Education and the Ontario Secon- dary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) to resolve the remaining monetary issues after the 31 -day strike - lockout situation -ended -April 13, The arbitrator's report dated Jtily 19 covers the 1978-79 school contract and is binding on both parties. Board chairman John Elliott said at a,press conference Tuesday ratepayers will be faced with a tax increase next year, as the teachers' salaries exceed the school board's budget and provincial funding. Mr. Elliott said the 6,75 percent in- crease works out to be a total grid cost to the board 'of 9.18 percent, with in- - crements for experience and qualifications. He said.with the. grid _cost a qualified i 'teacher achieving 10 years experience will receive a $3,000 raise. "I'd say that is a pretty significant increase," he said. Education director John Cochrane said taxpayers will be responsible for the over -budgeted amount because "anything over provincial ceilings is picked up 100 percent locally." However, board " representatives refused to say what the contract will r cost, only that it is over the amount the c board had budgeted for teacher salary t increases. Since the boar,' -annot appeal the a settlement, Sh Hazlitt co- chairman of the negotiating com- mittee, said the only avenue left for the a board is "pass • the bill on to the tax- payers." Defending the increased tax burden, Shirley Weary, spokesman for District t 45 of OSSTF said taxpayers in other r counties' have already paid additional educational costs and it has just taken g a "little longer" for the situation to reach Huron. "I don't think the Huron taxpayers want any less education for their s children than anywhere else," she said s adding that "better education is one of the by-products of more money." The report follows two days of ar- bitration hearings in Goderich last b month, where both sides presented r their cases. The teachers demanded between a 10 and 11 percent•pay increase, based on a two percent across the grid raise and, an increase based on the cost -of -living. The board offered a 6.4 percent total increase including a 2.2 percent in- crease for increments or $905 more across the grid. With the new wage settlement, teachers' salaries will now range from $12,276 to $27.,275, compared with $11,5po to $25,550. Dean Johnston awarded the county's five principals , and vice-principals',a five percent raise, increasing a, prin- cipal's maximum salary from $35,800 to $38,090. There is only one principal eligible for maximum salary just $950 less than the board's three superin- tendents. A vice-principal with two years experience will earn $33,175 compared with the current $31,900. The board had offered a 3.94 percent increase for principals and a 4.79 percent increase for vice -principals. The teachers salary demands also covered principals and vice -principals. All salary increases are effective September 1 and are not under anti- nflation guidelines, One of the major stumbling blocks in the 31 -day strike was sick leave credit gratuity, which was settled in the teachers' favour. Dean Johnston agreed not to alter the clause which allows a teacher with 12 years of experience to collect up to half a year's salary at resignation or retirement. The board wanted to add an age estriction of 50 years before a teacher ould collect, reducing the eligible eachers from 108 to 38. He argued for retention of the clause s it has been part of the contract in Huron since the board's inception in 969, and the board did not offer nything in its place. Mr. Elliott said it is difficult to etermine the cost of this clause as no money is budgeted for it but, "if 108 eachers decided to hand in their esignations, the ship would sink. "It is a contingent liability that has ot out of control," he said. Mrs. Weary said she is pleased with hat she calls a "fair" settlement. "I think it is a kind of settlement both • ides can live with and neither one hould be unduly upset." The board chairman, critical of the eport, said the settlement was a preconceived decision by the ar- itrator" with the arbitrator basing his ationale on previous contracts in other oun ties. He said the arbitrator did not pay by Shelley McPhee Let's get one thing straight before I even, start writing this column, I'm not Fitzgerald. Nothing personal Jim, but I really don't mind being . Shelley McPhee. I also don't mind just being a reporter, this job as editor gets a bit nerve wracking. I'm editor for the week while Jim and family are touring the countryside on holidays. Thankfully I've . had Frances Barrick, a freelance reporter for the area down to help me. The rest of the office has been a great help too, and somehow we all managed to get the paper out. But just wait Jim, you'll get yours when I go on vacation. + The big topic of conversation around town this week is the MoOnlight Madness days that just passed. It was good to see such 'a great response to the event, but —persOnally I hope the business community Only plans on holding it °nee a year. I'm a real bargain hunter and unfortunately thy wallet's empty right now after all the sales. + Maybe all the area people have some of that 'Madness left in their blood. It's been a month since the last substantial rain shower and I'm considering the prospects of organizing a rain dance party to help the nearly drought striken farmers. +++ A well established business in Clinton nas recently closed its doors. Dr. John Longstaff who has been operating an optometrist business in Clinton for at least the past 20 years has closed his. shop in Clinton. Dr. Longstaff will continue to see his Clinton patients in his Seaforth of- fice. -I- -I- Although last week's twilight races weren't as successful as planned, this Thursday's meet, beginning at 6:15 p.m. is expected to bring in more of a crowd. +-F.+ Along with the races, another area event that is worth attending over the summer are the plays at the Blyth Summer Festival. Although the festival got off to a bad start since they didn't have ale con- d(tiOning on those sweltering nights, the tool air Will be filtering through the Myth Memorial Hall this week. Tuckersmith says Vanastra properties to be cleaned up by Wilma Oke OZanastra was called a isisfin area by one of its residents attending the Tuckersmith Township • council meeting Tuesday night. Sam Russo,Vanastra, owner of Runsal Enterprises which makes horse "'trailers, was at the meeting to com- plain about the taxes levied against the factory. He thought the taxes were too high "for where we are". "Vanastra has not too much to of- fer," he said. "We live in a slum area. We have a junkyard as you enter, Vanastra. Any other area he would have to put up .a fence. The way it is displayed now is not right." Reeve Ervin Sillery asked Mr. Russo if he had appealed his assessment, -Ie said he had not as he was in Quebec when the time came to do it. Mr. Russo said he had his property and factory valued at $57,000 by a London evaluator. Clerk Jack McLachlan provided Mr. attention to the board's arguments concerning the agricultural com- munity's economic situation and ability to pay. Mr. Elliott said the report's findings confirm the•board's reluctance to go to arbitration. It is expected the effect the remaining negotrated, especially teachers. settlement will contracts being the elementary Dryness may harm crops by Frances Barrick Despite threatening rain storms and cloudy skies, Huron County has been without rain for one month. Although farmers are concerned, Mike Miller, associate agricultural representative for; Huron, said the situation is not critical yet. "Things are a little dry," he 'said, "but we're not as bad off as, other - areas," as most crops are rot—at reproductive stages yet. However, he said the lack of rain is about..one week to 10 days from being serious. He said crops are beginning to pollinate for reproduction and moisture is needed shortly. Corn is beginning to tassel and the white and soybean crops are starting to flower. • "We may have some relief in some parts of the county," said Mr. Miller. Turn to page 3 • Russo with the amounts of his tax bills when he said he had left in a hurry to come to the meeting and had left them on his desk. In 1976 his taxes were $4,300, in 1977 they were $4,500 and this year $1,600. Mr. Russo said he was satisfied with the amount he is called on to pay this year but wondered why the amounts were excessive in the two previous years. "Whatever is fair, that's what I'm interested in," he said. Reeve Sillery said, "There is nothing we can do about those years now. It's something you overlooked on your part." Mr. Russo agreed, "Yes, .I think it was neglecton my part." Clerk M,cLachlarr pointed out there were three times when the assessment could have been appealed -- in the fall when the notice was mailed out, then if not satisfied with the result of that hearing an appeal could be made to the county judge and then if not satisfied, appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. Mr. Russo asked, "Is there no way you can pass a by-law to get these properties cleaned- up?" Henamed several properties that are an eyesore. Reeve Sillery said, "When you came to Vanastra you knew what it was like." He added, "We have a whole rural area to think of," Mr. Russo replied, "Your industries should come first if you hope to en- courage more industries to move into Vanastra. You actually are discouraging people from going there." "In all my time I've never seen a community as bad as Vanastra. I think it's up to you to clean it up," he stated. Clerk McLachlan said council is working on it and that one property should be cleaned up by the end of this week. Mr. Russo said, "If you need a government grant to dleanupttopagehisa3. area, I'm sure you can get it'for a poverty area." The reeve asked if he had any Turn Bayfield Boat Yard Ltd., in Vanastra is in the midst of a giant three phase expansion. The $600,000 expansion will create at least 25 new jobs and increase production by some 50 percent. Phase one of the lengthy project was begun last Wednesday. The company president, Ted Clinton and Brucefleld firemen had to keep a watchful eye on a determined fire in Vanastra on Sunday evening. The fire, located in the empty apartment building hehind Archer's Farm Sales broke out 'around 6 pm and firemen were forced to return at 9: 39 pmwhen it flared up again. Estimated damage of the blaze was set at $50,000 to $75,000 since smoke filled the entire building. (photo by Steve Cooke) $75,000 in damages after fire A determined fire resulted in $50,000 to $75,000 damage in Vanastra on Sunday evening when Clinton anti Brucefield firemen were called out twice to an empty apartment building. The building situated behind Archer's Farm Sales, was one of the former 'Sleeping quarters for men when the Forces Base was in operation. The fire was situated in the centre floor of the building and three large rooms were extensively damaged, however the whole building was also damaged due to smoke and water. The cause of the blaze is unknown, The Brudefield Fire Department received the first call around 6 p.m, with assistance 'from the Clinton • department quickly had the blaze under control. At 9:30 p.m. the fire squads were called out again and spent another one - and -a -half hours to battle the blaze. Brucefield fire chief, Stewart Broadfoot explained that a man had been left on duty to watch the building after the first call had been answered,, He explained that the prolonged fire was due to the fact that the vacated btlilding was dry. False ceilings and the type Of insulation between the walls also made the fire difficult to put out. The Clinton Fire Department an- swered two calls this. week involving car fires. • Last Thursday they attended a burning car on Highway 8, just west of Clinton. The car owned by Paul Cheverie and driven by his sister Linda, received minor damages to the engine and hood. On Tuesday evening a car owned by Mph Zeeman caught fire on Huron Street. The fire was quickly dowsed and damages were minor. Gozzard, right, here goes over the blueprints for the first phase with construction 'superintendent Daniel Hedley of MF Builders and Designers, Staffa. (News -Record photo) Bayfield Boat Yard expands with $600,000 plan by Frances Barritk Construction has begun on the first phase of a $600,000 expansion program at the Bayfield Boat Yard Ltd. in Vanastra. Company president, Ted Gozzard said Tuesday that when the expansion is completed, within the next couple of years, 25 new jobs will be created. Present staff is 50. The first stage which began last Wednesday, consists of building a new laminating shop at an estimated cost of $150,000. The building, being con- structed in the northea'St corner of the company's property will be 120 feet by 80 feet. Mr. Gozzard said that the building presently on the site, which housed the former classrooms when the Forces Base was in operation, is being replaced to ensure better fire protection. "In Vanastra, buildings are nothing but fire hazards and fire insurance companies know it," he claimed. Construction of the first phase, being completed by MF Builders and Designers, Staffa is expected to be completed by the end of Augist. The second and third' phases of construction consist of replacing and exi3anding by 50 percent the existing facilities., which includes the full assembly shop, offices and stock room. The building for phase two is estimated to be 400 feet by 60 feet and the third , building will be approximately 300 feet by 100 feet. • "We are replacing buildings which are fire hazards," said Mr. Gozzard, "and -giving ourselves 50 percent more space," . Along with the expansion, which will take up most of the block that Bayfield Boats now occupies, Mr. Gozzard hopes to use solar heating throughout the buildings. "Hopefully by the time phase three comes around, solar heating will be a little more developed," Mr. Gozzard explained. A solar heating enthusiast, Mr. Gozzard has also drawn a finished sketch of the expanded plant which woe includes a complete refacing of the building the company is presently situated in. The company president said that the first stage will not create more em- ployment, but the firm is also looking for skilled help, especially carpenters. He said production of the sailboats will increase equally with the ex- pansion. He expects annual sales to increase from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 with the new addition and production should increase by 50 percent. Presently the firm makes an estimated 150 boats a year, ranging in site from 25 to 32 feet and the price tags varying from $20,000 to $40,000 each. "Some of the sailboats are big enough to be homes," Mr. Gozzard noted. The firm which began in 1970 in Bayfield And moved to Vanastra three years later has 40 dealers throughout North America and exports 65 percent to the United States. Markets in Canada extend from Halifax to Van- couver. n.1 • "