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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1980-11-13, Page 1• By Shelley McPhee After serving the ClintOn COM- . MUnity for the past 90 years, the Clinton I-torticultural Society May be becoming past history. • In ite of efforts by the norninathig committee, the society „is facing lack ,of leadership and .the positions of president, first vice president, second vice, president and program convenor have been not been filled for the 1981 term. "Some people have held these positions for years and we need younger people to get involved," said society program co-ordinator Francis - Powell in an interview this week. She added, "We have a wrong image and people think we're just a group of little olci ladies." However, the Horticultural SoCletY Asimmimmiell1111111110., al:Society .may .fold _swithout 'help is open to people of all ages and for a number of years the group has sup- ported the Clinton Junior gardeners under the direction of Margaret Slornan. The so'ciety advertises itself as a group for people who like to share, for people Who like to create beauty, for people with pride in their communitY, for people who are . concerned with their environment and for people who are willing to plant a tree under whose shade they never expect to sit. Since its beginning in 1890, the Clinton Horticultural Society has been attempting to fulfill these aims. Throughout the past nine decades, with the exception of the war years, the society has provided colorful flowerbeds throughout Clinton, The group has also been responsible for flowerbeds at the cemetery, pots of flowers and tree planters in the downtown area and helped with the foundation planting when the addition to the Clinton, Public Hospital Was built. As well, the society has taken an active part in the Clinton Spring Fair and sponsored the yearly rose and flower shows. In 1970, for example, the society was involved in planting the radar triangle, the new Canadian "bed, the hospital pots, the public school bed, the senior citizens apartment beds, the downtown hanging flower pots and tree planters, the cemetery pots and the beds at the library park. This year, the society is planting trees around the town instead of giving out flower bulbs to the over 200 people who have taken out mem- Trumpeter John Wise blows the Last Post during Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Clinton Cenotaph last Tuesday. A bitter wind and snow flurries greeted the several hundred marchers. (James Fitzgerald photo) 115th year —No. 46 Thursday, November 13, 1980 Voter turnout varies in By Jim Fitzgerald Voter turnout in Monday's municipal election ranged from poor to excellent in the News -Record readership area, as representatives Town cans Kinsmen clubhouse 10 By Shelley McPhee You can have a soccer field in a Zone 8 area in Clinton, but you can't have the change and washroom facilities to go along with it. This was what it came down to in Clinton Council on November 4 when it was learned that the town's Kin- smen Club will be unable to construct a club house -and washroom facilities on Zone 8 land. Building inspector Tom Chuter informed council that the area ip questian, behind the Sherlock - Manning Piano Factory On Irwin and Smith Street, is zoned for commerical and industrial uses only. While it includes' the use of recreational land, such as a soccer field that is located in the area, the bylaw does not allow for the building of accompanying recreational facilities. Mr. Chuter explained to council that the Kinsmen Club have purchased a portable classroom and want to build a basement and add an addition onto it at the Irwin and Smith Street property. They plan to use it as a meeting place as well as a change and washroom facilties for the soccer players. "I'm shocked that you can't have a recreational building in Zone 8 in Clinton," Councillor Ron McKay. "This use isn't in the bylaw," Mr. Chuter stressed, "therefore council can't allow it unless. they change the bylaw." -40 $gi Now that the municipal elections are over for another two years, I guess we can all go back to sleep for 24 months, knowing that our local government is frIt capable hands. Here in Clinton, we didn't seem wake up in the first, Mace, as there is still one position not filled on council, while all the rest were filled by acclamation. But our faith in local democracy was restored somewhat by the hotly contested • race in Stanley Township, where 82 per cent of the voters marked ballots, an excellent turnout. Of course, they haven't had the c ance in 10 years, so maybe St nley votershad itchy fingers. +++ While the local political scene is quiet once again, we will probably be going to the polls again next 'spring, this time for a provincial election, as the rumblings have already started. One sure sign that provincial cqpdidates will be on the hustle so was news from our friendly peers at the Exeter Times - Advocate, who reported that agriculture minister Lorne Hen- derson was out Monday night after the elections, trying to shake as many hands as possible at the Lambton post election parties. +++ "Remembrance Day was a perfect day.... for shopping in London," said the Main Street Wit following the Remembrance Day service at the Clinton Cenotaph on Tuesday. "They must ha been there because they sure -n't out at the service." And he's right. We make t e day a holiday for many peo•e, in- cluding all the school childr n, and except for those who ar / in the Scouting groups, few show -d up. While stores in Clinton closed for the morning, most of the city stores were open, while those of us who did work were inconvienced by the , banks and governemnt institutions which were closed all day. It's about time the federal governMent stepped in and ended the confusion for the day by bringing in some consistancy. Either make it a holiday for everyone, or don't give anyone the time off. Some suggested the day be moved to the nearest Sunday, while others say we should make it a half day holiday.' Whatever is decided, it should be soon, or reasons behind it will be lost on the new generations. +++ Enough h rping for now and on to the go 0-0114 ws. Man's faith in his fellow man took a big step this week in town, when that benefit for the Des Cassidy family raised $3,400, a sizeable sum for a one night dance. Organizer Percy Brown said the service clubs who ran the dance and raffles and all those who at- tended and donated money should \be given a special thanks. We still don't have any word yet whether Des is planning to rebuild on the spot, and so far no arrests have been made in connection with the fire, which was deliberately set, according to the fire marshal's office. ' +++ Hey, whatever happened to Indian summer? You know, those clear windless, sunny days we always get in October and early November that allows one to finish up the outside chores before the white stuff covers the ground for the next six months. So far, except for last Saturday which was cold and windy, there hasn't been one good weekend since September, and here it is the middle of November, I still haven't rake all the leaves yet, and unless a drought comes along, fall plowing the garden this year will be like trying to shred Jello. - I got so desperate a couple a weeks ago, that I had to put up the storm windows in the pitch black on Friday night. Now it looks Jike I'll pay for that deed with a trip to the chiropractor, after stumbling around in the dark. Which caused the wit to remark that the best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm. "You can hardly put up a soccer field without a change room," Councillor Rosemary Armstrong added. Mr. Chuter noted, "You can change the zoning, but council's looking for industrial land and then you would allow a recreational area there." Council are looking ' at the possibility of spot zoning the, are940,E,, arranging with the Kinsmen to move r a short distance away to land in the Zone 2 area which allows for recreational uses. Clerk Cam Proctor noted; however, that even though the Kinsmen want to begin construction on their new quarters as soon as possible, it may take up to three months to change the bylaw. He noted that three months may only be a minimum estimate and any objections a nd-tfre possibility of an Ontario Municipal Board hearing would take it our further. 0 Mayor Harold Lobb backed the Kinsmen and offered his support when he noted, "The Kinsmen have done a lot for this town and we should try t to help them out." Judge assaulted Landon Judge Sanderson, who was presiding over criminal court in Goderich on Monday, received a' rather strong statement from a defendent diging one hearing. When asked by Judge Sanderson if 'she had anything to say at the end of her trial, the Clinton woman pulled several eggs from her purse and began hurling them in the direction of the bench. - Fortunately, His Honor managed to void thc missiles, but the court room demanded much janitorial attention after the incident. And they weren't even hard boiled. The woman Was committed by the judge to a London Psychiatric Hospital for a month for observation :p were picked for two-year terms. The hottest race was in Stanley Township where 82 per cent of the electorate marked ballots in their first municipal election in 10 years. They had a full slate limning. There were no elections in either Clinton or McKillop Township. as all-. positions were filled by acclamation. In fact after two nomination periods, Clinton is still short a councillor, as is Goderich Township. Stanley Township Stanley will have almost a coMplete new look, with challenger Paul Steckle, deputy -reeve for four .years, defeating incumbent Tom Consitt for the reeve's chair 469 to 395. berships, t'aiit people take us for granted)" stressed Mrs. Powell, "And it nobody •cares, why bother. We're just beating our heads against the wall." ,"We have lots of members," she noted, "but many of them are inac- tive." Ruth Bond is currently completing her term as president of the society and past presidents have included Ina Mae Durst, Mrs, Ron 1VIcCann, Florence Pullen, Mrs, Charles Nelson, Luella Johnston, Mrs, Frank Fingland, Albert Livermore, Fred Sioman, Rev. D.J. Lane, Mrs. L. McKinnon and W.S. Holmes, to name a few. As well, a number of society Turn to page 3 • Wether 1980 1979 ;HI 10 HI 10 NOVEMBER 4 14 5 5 7 - 1 6 6.5 - 3 7 11.5 2 8 5 - 3 9 11 1 10 - 2 -.275 Rain 27.2 rnhl 7 2 10 -2 9 0 5.5 0 5 1 3 -5 1 Rain 18.2 mni municipal elections Chase finished up the track with 358. Tuc kersmith Township For the first time in six years, Vanastra will have a representative on Tuckersmith Township council, as Robert Brownridge was, elected with 451 votes. Jim Papple topped the polls with 695 votes, and the other seat was filled by Robert Broadfoot with 639 votes. All are newcomers. Defeated for council were Lloyd Eisler with 440, Jan Ferguson with 309, and Betty McLean with 213. Councillor William Brown polled 639 votes to upset Councillor Robert Fotheringham - with 505 - for the deputy -reeve's chair. Robert Bell was earlier acclaimed reeve. About 50 pr Don McGregor, a six-year council —cent of the voters turned out. veteran won the deputy -reeve's seat, HuiIett Township defeating eight-year council veteran Hulletti ownship has a new reeve, Don Brodie 460 to 390. after Councillor Tom Cunningham Newcomer Howard Armstrong upset incumbent reeve Joe Hunking, picked up 614 votes to lead the race for . 392 to 280 as 49 per cent of the town - the three council seats, where he will ship voted. be joined by four-year veteran There will be a totally new council Clarence Rau with 588 and rookie as former clerk Clare -Vincent topped Jack Coleman with 454. Bill Chin- the polls with 483 votes, followed by alnommmaulsommild" Ron Gross with 471, and Melvin Knox with 398. Two-year Councillor John Flynn finished fourth with 367. Earlier, Joe Gibson was acclaimed deputy -reeve. Goderich Township There was a light turnout of voters in Goderich Township, where there was only'a race for reeve and board of education representative. Incumbent Grant Stirling held onto his reeve's seat, narrowly defeating deputy -reeve Garnet Wright 252 to 236. In the race for the board of education seat, which is shared by Colborne Township, Joan Van Den Broeck defeated Donelda Brindley 560 to 501. Colborne Township Only 40 per cent of the voters turned out at the polls in Colborne Township, where there was only a race for reeve. Incumbent reeve William Bogie defeated a challenge by deputy -reeve Robert Jewell, gaining 381 votes to Jewell's 299. Turn to page 3 • No, fireman Harvey Carter is not lyipg down on the Job, - of RR 4, Seaforth last Wednesday. Apparently the hay, he's just giving his complete effort to extinguish a hay which had caught under the car, caught fire from the fire on the underside of a car driven by Margaret Echert muffler. (James Fitzgerald photo) Give sem Klary teachers 10.5% faetfinder says A factfinder's report into the negotiations - between the Huron County Secondary School Teachers and the Board ofEducation is suggesting the groups appraoch a compromise in their monetary dispute. Factfinder Malcolm Stockton was appointed to report on the items in the collective agreement on September 18 and his findings were released Tuesday. The two key issues in the dispute between the board and teachers centres on the salary grid and the staff allocation formula. The board has offered the teachers a 5 per 'Cent increase from September 1 top December 31, 1980 and ad additional 1 per cent to the period ending August 31, 1981. The offer amounts to an annual increase of 5.1 per cent. The teachers, however, are seeking an in- crease of 15 per cent in the one-year agreement. Stockton admitted that the teacher S had some catching up to do in relation to salaries paid by similar and neighbouring boards but suggested it should not be done at once. His recoMmendation was a compromisal increase, of 10.5 per cent. That increase was recommended in a split grid, the second component of which would give an increase of 10.5 per. cent. On an annual contract, he recommended an increase of about 8.5 per cent, which would also be applied to principals and vice -principals. • Another high priority deniand of the teachers was a provision that an individual teach no more than six periods out of eight. The teachers want that to be made a mandatory position rather than the board's wording "making every reasonable effort." The board has argued that if such an agreement were mandatory, the provision would increasethe number of staff by five at a cost of $70,000 or alternatively eliminate some courses. Stockton said that strict adherence to the provision would necessitate the hiring of ad- ditional ,teachers and was an unreasonable demand. He said the nature of the Huron County system was such that some in- fringements of the guidelines would be unavoidable. The parties have agreed to introduce a staffing formula used last year and to move away from the straight pupil -teacher ratio approach. Stockton said the board should maintain some control over the pupil -teacher ration from year to year. Stockton was also concerned about the size of the teacher's , negotiating committee that in- cluded 16 members. He recommeded that the number be cut in 'half to facilitate the holding of meetings and to shorten caucus time. The initial proposal presented by the teachers was for a 25 per cent increase over the contract period 1979-80. That increase applies to the salary grid and excludes annual in- crements. Their request has since been reduced to 15 per cent excluding increment or 16.8 per cent including fincrement. The teachers feel the request is justified in comparing pay scales in Huron County with provincial statistics, a comparison of Huron County with surrounding boards, the ability of county taxpayers to support increased salaries and the increase in the cost of living over the past year. xA,