HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-11-29, Page 1;ss
et.
99
99
le-
nt
8
:el
91
ttendance
ratepayers
!sappointing
15 persons turned out
Wednesday gently formedvening
r a
rich
: g of the re
rich Ratepayers'
'ation. Organizers ex -
disappointment at the
a support but pledged to
Ue efforts to form an ef-
voice for ratepayers of
community through a
organization:
iation Treasurer Lloyd
Asbury suggested that
leseem "not interested un-
ethings falls in their own
if we had a south
liar
„ sewer planned for the
end of town there would
lore people turning out,"
tided.
flee -president Rick Robert -
also pointed out that with
attendance dues were not
'ng into the Association to
the grou.p's financial
"nsibihties.
Vie main item on business
the Association's agenda
.week was the adoption of a
part statement of policy
ed down by Policy Com -
'ate Chairman Gus
:bolm:
Chisholm's proposed
ies were placed before the
ting by Mr. Robertson since
Policy Chairman was
ble to attend due to a last
Jute business trip to the
;ted States.
i%e statement of policy,
;hfollows, was accepted by
Ratepayers' Association
tb no abridgment or
agon,
Thepolicy outline ribtes that
ithe intent of the. G.R.A. to
all ratepayers of the
twa of Goderich to more ef-
i ely present and negotiate
; problems without Plan -
;:g Board, Council and
. ment Office";
lo encourage capable and
+nsible persons to run for
he office and to strongly
iirt such candidates that
Wigan, acrd will, -do justice
tbatposition''.;
Way promote a program
by all candidates for
,cil and Planning Board
publicly declare their
s positions and, by this
oration, prove they can at
times act in the best in-
Aof the people";
'Our Association should
familiar with the fiscal
ies of our town, and
sang problem areas with
members in charge of that par-
ticular division;"
"We, as members of the
Goderich Ratepayers
Association, should promote
good conirnunication between
ourselves, Council and Plan-
ning Board, be just .as quick to
praise as to condemn and by
working together, do justice to
the people we represent."
In answer to questions from
the press, after the policy
statement had been accepted by
the G.R.A., vice-president Rick
Robertson explained that on
the second point of policy the
Association has no plan, for the
moment, to run a candidate on
a Ratepayer's Association
ticket or finance a campaign for
a selected candidate.
Ho added that the policy
statement was a general one
and intended only to indicate
that the G.R.A. would support
certain candidates -(publicly)
more than others,
"J expect it will be mclstly in
terms of moral support," he ad-
ded. "No financial support is
anticipated at this time."
Some discussion also cen-
tered on the prospect of having
the Goderich Ratepayers'
Association duly registered
with the Department of Cor-
porate Affairs as an incor-
porated group.
It was pointed . out at the
meeting that unless such a step
were taken the G.R.A. would
remain ' a nonentity and
would not be recognized by the
Ontario Municipal Board as an
official body.
The reason for this, it was ex-
plained, was that in the case of
a .hearing, or -similar action, no
one in the Ratepayers'
Association could be held
responsible for any costs in-
curred unless it was -a
registered organization.
The question of registration
as an incorporated group will
he 'on the agenda of the
G.R.A.'s next meeting.
It was agreed that any
decision on the matter should
be set aside until more of the
Association members .were
present to voice their opinions.
On a motion by the group a
copy of the Goderich
RatepayersAssociation
Statement of Policy is_to be for-
warded to the Goderich Town
Council in an effort -to maintain
the communications link as
outlined in the final section of
that statement.
ria
126 YEAR -.48
b.ertcjj
THURSDAY, NO
NAL -ST
EMBER 29, 1973
SINGLE COPY 0
Name Committee of Six-.
si
ix -ry-
si nessmen plan core renewal
At a meeting On Monday
evening the steering committee,
set up by the Goderich
Businessmen's Association to
Oversee the initial. steps of a
downtown refurbishing project,
met at the Bedford Hotel and
accepted tenders for the first
stage of planning. ,
A hid of $40Q from the •F -
Stop Photo Studio and Gallery
to carry out photographic work
on the Square, West, East,
Kingston and Hamilton Street,,
as the first step toward drafting
sketches of the proposed
project, was accepted. Work on
that phase of work is to begin
immediately.
An offer from Bob Pearson of
Brussels to prepare the
necessary line drawings ofthe
store fronts, from photographs
supplied in the first step, was
also accepted at the sum of
$600.
Work on the third step, in-
volving the preparation of a
color scheme and elevation
plans as well as before and af-
ter. views of the store fronts,
was given to Jim Marlatt of
Green Gallery in Goderich.
Steering committee chairman
Bob 'Swartman said he was
pleased witty the final price
total on those first stages of
work noting they worked out in
total to exactly the estimated
$1500.
The only other cost expected
in completing the first step
ki ine shut down
temporarily as
fire takes toll
Miners employed by the
DOMTAR Chemicals Sifto Salt
division mine at Goderich
returned to their jobs shortly
Ater 4:00 p.m. Thursday after
a fire, which caused an
estimated $100,000 damage,
finally burned itself out on the
1760 foot level of the mine.
The mine was evacuated at
5:40 p.m. Wednesday on orders
of mine manager Bill Coughlan
when a fire, believed to have
been initiated by electricity,
broke out on a self-propelled
drill used fo'r boring blast holes
in the face.
Heavy smoke and intense
heat ere reported by witnesses
200 feet from the fire' itself.
A probe of the mine at 6:20
p.m., after evacuation, encoun-
tered dense smoke 1800 feet
from the fire and a decision
was taken to allow it to burn it-
self out in preference to risking
men in an attempt to ex-
tinguish ,it, Mr. Coughlan ex-
plained.
iidustria 1 Corporation
uts shares on the market
Die Goderich- Indust Ha l Cor -
anon is this week kicking off
drive to raise money for its
...ties through the sale of
(shares_ to the public.
tparticular the funds would
toward the proposed con-
' ion of a building at the
industrial Park so that
industry interested in
'ting at Goderich, but
ing facilities, could be ac -
'iodated.
ita commission points out
on,occasion an industry is
to consider Goderich as
/cation for a new plant but
la such a position that it
a facilities immediately
i+anot the time to wait for
"ction of such a building.
hie building was ready and
ble, the commissioners
then Goderich might have
success in attracting new
ttyto this community and
industrial park.
lands raised through the
t also
be mission shares
put toward work
at Sky Harbor Airport
II, in the near future, will
e a municipally owned
°Derated facility.
Goderich Industrial
°pent Corporation was
tPin November of'(967 and
M'sently operated by direc-
Mia; Gertrude George,
Harrison, Ben Hay, Deb
alt, pave Gower, Harry
land Cord
McManus.
*hares
es -are speculative
and there is no
for them offered by the
iNion. The investment is
In the future of Goderich.
Pdce -of
TIce$20 per share
ofthe by the board of
acompany and it
that dividends will
INr futkl
ureahatreholders in
The town of Goderich
established an Industrial Com-
mission by bylaw. to promote
industrial growth. The com-
mission has provided land for
an industrial park but since its
powers are restricted the com-
pany was formed to com-
plement the work of the com-
mission.
At present 879 shares have -w
been issued. The Town of
Goderich has purchased 529 of
(continued on page 12)
He said no injuries to person-
nel were reported and no
damage to other equipment
caused by the blaze sustained.
As a result of the evacuation
about 90 employees lost two
,,..shifts plus six hours.
Mr. Coughlan said he
estimated the fire burned itself
out by 2:00 a.m. Thursday' but
it took until late that afternoon
for, exhaust equipment to clear
the smoke.
In addition to the loss of the
$100,.000 machine the manager
said a production loss of 9,000
tons of saleable salt was alsct'
incurred. Productiony,capability
will be- reduced by 30 percent
for the next three to four mon-
ths as well due to the loss of
the drill tower.
It will" take until after the.
close of the current shipping
season for the drill tower,
manufactured by the J.H. Flet-
cher Company of Huntington,
West Virginia, to be replaced.
The room where the fire oc-
curred has been closed off for
the moment, the mine manager
explained, and - will remain
closed until miners can make
their way in scaling away loose
areas, caused by the heat, from
the ceiling.
Wednesday's fire destroyed
one of two drilling machines
used in the mine.
The drill tower is operated
by one man but there were 30
other miners on the 1760 foot
level when the fire broke out.
Sifto mine officials are still
investigating the exact cause of
the fire.
would be another $100 in set-
ting . up the completed
exhibition after the
photography, drafting and color
scheme are made up.
Reporting on the financial
canvass, set up to raise the
necessary funds for operation of
the initial work stages, commit-
tee secretary John Schaefer
said he was very pleased with
the response of merchants to
the call for money. -
"We sent out 12 or 15
representatives to make about
75 calls and the response has
been excellent," he said. "In-
dications are now that we may
overshoot the $1500 target."
"In several cases,. where we
have met with a negative
response in 'the past we have
been encouraged to find par-
ticipation instead," he went on.
"We've had donations of up to
$75 from some stores."
Mr. Schaefer explained that
the canvass, -had only been con-
ducted around the Square,
"and perhaps one store down
the spoke streets" since the
committee felt during the first
year of work this area might be
all they could handle.
"Perhaps during the second
year we will be able to com-
plete the spoke streets," he
said, "and at that time we will -
canvass for funds in those
areas."
The meeting also appointed
Mr. Schaefer and Dorothy
Wallace to begin gathering the
information necessary to apply
for Opportunity for Youth fun-
ding to carry out the actual
painting stage of the program.
The„committee in charge' of
downtown renewal •is Bruno
Lapaine, John Schaefer, Bob
Swartman, Nick Hill of , the,
planning board, Mrs. Dorothy
-Wallace of the Architectural -
Conservancy's local Branch
and Town Councillor Elsa
Haydon.
At a recent meeting- of the
Association, the Town of
'Goderich was thanked for put-
ting the new trees in the Court
House Park and keeping up the
appearance of the downtown
area.
Robert Mills, left, representing the staff of the Goderich Post Office,presents retiring post-
master A.M. Homuth with a power saw to fit out his workshop for retirement activities. Mr.
Homuth was honored at a dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall In Goderich on Friday
evening by staff from the post office and friends, He has been postmaster at Goderich since
1955 having logged a total of 37 years service in the post office at Stratford, Goderich and
overseas during the Second World War. (staff photo)
Police Chief warns of Christmas shoplifters
Shoplifting has 'always cost
Merchants a considerable sum
each year and although the ac-
tivity of such thieves is not
limited to any one time of year
the merchant becomes more
vulnerable during the Christ-
mas season when his shop or
store is crowded with Christ-
mas shoppers.
In an effort to arrest the
problem as much as possible
Goderich Police Chief Pat King
this week issued an 11 point
suggestion which he feels may
help merchants reduce their
losses during the Christmas
Shopping rush, and during the
whole year.
First and foremost, be aware
of ALL persons who come into
the department, and keep an
eagle eye turned to the mer-
chandise itself. Remember that
shoplifters must have -both op-
portunity and time, which you
can prevent by your alertness.
Serve all customers as prom-
ptly as possible. If you are busy
with one customer and another
is examining merchandise,
acknowledge the latter's
presence by saying, "I will help
you in a minute. To any
shoplifter these words will be
discouraging, hut to a customer
they will mean courteous land
efficient service.
Never leave your section
unattended. Remain in sight: of
or close to customers who are
"just looking” - without, of
course, making it obvious that
you are doing so to protect your
merchandise.
Dcin't turn your back on a
customer if you can avoid doing
so. This is not only 'a matter of
courtesy, but deprives the
shoplifter of an opportunity to
pick up small items from the
counters.
Keep a minimum amount of
merchandise on counters (ex-
cept at tables) and be sure that
valuable items are safely in
their cases. Promptly return to
stock merchandise which has
been shown to customer.
Leaving it on the counter
makes it easy for the thief to
slip the article up a coat -sleeve
or to sweep it off into a hand-
bag or other container.
Give good service to juveniles
and teenagers when they . are
shopping. Whether the teenager
steals from necessity or for
thrills, better service and more
attention will curb oppor-
tunities for shoplifting.
Watch customers who carry
merchandise from one end of
the counter to the other, and
say to them promptly: "May I
help you with that ?"
(mentioning the artice they are
handling.) Asking this question
in a calm mariner will hot
arouse the suspicion of a
legitimate customer, but on the
other hand will let the shoplif-
ter know that you are aware of
his or her presence.
Keep your fitting rooms
cleared of all merchandise, and
keep a mental inventory on the
number of garments 'taken into
each room. Fitting rooms are.
"naturals" for shoplifters,
especially when cluttered up
with garments left by previous
customers. Alone in a dressing
room, a woman can put one or
two dresses under her own
clothing, especially in winter
when bulky clothing is com-
mon.
If articles of value are on
display, familiarize yourself
with the stick and its location
so that you will be aware of the
space left when an 'article is
taken. Watch especially small
articles near the edge of a coun-
ter or table, since• these can
easily he "lifted" into a hidden
pocket or bag.
Watch for prowlers in
stockrooms. Question closely
any unauthorized person you
find in the stockroom, and if
necessary call the Management
or Police.
Ask yourself how it would be
possible for a shoplifter to
operate in your department.
Would the merchandise be easy
to steal? Where are the danger
spots in the department? Note
these things and you will be
ready for action.
Police Chief Kir* also
suggests that merchants and
their staff look out for certain
actions which may indicate a
shoplifter. .
These may be persons
hanging around counters; han-
dling items but making no at-
tempt to purchase; going
behind counters with no
authority to do so; carrying
luggage or large' parcels, over-
size handbags, open packages
or shopping bags; people whc
do things to distract the clerk
while an accomplice does the
actual stealing; loitering in rest
'rooms; acting intoxicated.
Persons who, are apparently
nervous but do not want to be
served by Sales help; those who
are not looking at the merchan-
dise but are looking all around;
those loitering around displays
which are hidden from 'the
clerks; or wearing bulky, loose
fitting clothing ,or heavy
clothing in mild weather.
Those gathering ii41 groups
around displays (often
teenagers); persons apparently
waiting for someone or wat-
ching for someone to show up;
those walking around the
display counters but buying
nothing; persons engaging sales
'staff in irrelevant and long con-
versations.'
Persons who p handker-
chief or Aimila object in the
hand anc{, \vii the same hand,
handle merchandise; those
going into stock rooms or
receiving areas and who have
nobusiness in these places.
'
When you have witnessed a
theft from your department"
Chief King explains, "do not
apprehend the person within
the store. Keep this person un-
der close observation to see
that the stolen merchandise is
hot dropped, returned to the
counter, or handed to an accom-
plice."
"Follow the suspected person
until he or she isThutside 4he
door of the store and then ap-
proach the person and ask
them to return to the store with
vou'Irn,hianv cases they will do
so witklorrt too much trouble,
but in other cases you will en-
counter some difficulty. As long
las you are certain the person is
the one that committed the
theft you are .justified in
arresting and detaining such
person until the Police arrive,"
(he Chief points out.
'When returning the suspect
to .the store, be especially alert
to see that the merchandise is
not dropped, .passed to an-_ ac-
complice or disposed of in some
other way," he suggests.
"Take the person to an office
and immediately notify the
police. Do not search the
suspect as you have no
authority to do so, simply keep
said person under observation
and make certain the evidence
is not disposed of," he advises.
"When the police arrive," the
Chief adds, "state specifically
what transpired and be
prepared to sign the infor-
mation and give evidence in
court."
New president of the
businessmen is Albert Shore;
vice-president is Bruno
Lapaine; secretary -treasurer
Nanette Ouellette; directors
Jim Remington, Brian
Markson, Bill Schaefer, Sam
Gerosky, Bill Lougheed, Archie
Barber, Wilf Denomme, Elliot
Rivett, Bob' Swartman and
John Schaefer.
It has been proposed that
stores in Goderich remain open
all Wednesday afternoons in
December as well as Thur-
sday, December 13 and Friday,
December 14 and the final
week before Christmas until 9
pn4
Salvation
Army aids
CAS Yule
Follciwing last year's suc-
cessful experiment at de-
centralizing its Christmas
-assistance programme to
families and .children in co-
ordination with other local
community groups and volun-
teers, the Children's Aid
-Society will again be under-
taking sponsorship of a volun-
teer bureau in each of the five
towns in Huron County.
"The spontaneous support
and active assistance 'of so
many groups and volunteers
convinced us that keeping such
a programme at a local level
was far better than attempting
to direct a large effort of
assistance to upwards of two
hundred families through our
office in 13oderic•h," . noted
Bruce R. Heath, Children's Aid
Society County -Director.
"Meeting the needs of rhe
children and families referred
to 11,4 is directly dependent on
the response of the people of
Huron County," he said.
"Already we have received
financial donations, gifts and
committments of assistance
from many community, church
groups, and ' generous in-
dividuals. Others have under-
taken to sponsor a -family as a
group project and this. we
'highly endorse."
"In many communities,
church and service groups have
always taken it upon them-
selves to engage in Christmas
projects similar to our own.
Where such activities are
already in existence, these
same groups would again be
responsible for people known to
them or referred to .them. In
'such cases, we would 'act only
as a clearing house, or possibly
share in the local project ass ap-
propriate. In setting up a
Christmas Bureau, it has been
our desire to make the hest
• possible use of the voluntary
dollar and donation," said Mr.
Heath.
"Any authorized represen-
tative of a church Or
community group may check
our referral index at our office
in Goderich, or with the local
co-ordinator. Simi 1iar1y
families needing assistance can
contact us directly or be
referred by any community
group or interested in-
dividual," he added. "We are
particularly ' desirous of
assistance with toys and games,
and articles of cls ,ping such as
mitts, scarfs, and caps for all
age groups. Both new toys, and
used articles in good condition,
are presently needed, along
with appropriate gifts for the
teenager," the local director
said. "Last year, many people
out doing their own Christmas
shopping made it a point to
purchase one extra gift for a
child, or a game which could be
used by a family group, and
donated these to the Society.' It
is our hope that many people
who 'are not affiliated with
various community service
groups, will consider those less
fortunate than themselves and
take it as a personal respon-
sibility or charitable gesture to
help in some small way."
Donations of gifts or, good
(continued on: -page a 12) �-
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