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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-04-06, Page 1'H1, BAY FIELD BUGLE incorporating T LYTH ST \D e By Rod Hilts At a special meeting held between the Blyth village council and Hullett Township council on April 4 it was decided that Hullett will pay a bigger share of the operating expenses of the Blyth-Hullett landfill site. After hearing the concerns of the Blyth council and landfill site manager Joe Mahon, Hullett council passed a motion that the operating expences be raised from the previous verbal agreement of 50-50, to 65-35, with Hullett Township paying the larger portion. The deciding factor in making the motion for Hullett's increased share came after Mr. Mahon presented Hullett council with a survey stating that in the month of March, Hullett Township used the dump considerably more than the Village of Blyth. Mr. Mahon's survey revealed that from February 23 to March 12, some 222 residents of Hullett Township used the site compared to only 68 by the residents of a Blyth. According to the survey Hullett Township businesses and industries used the site five more times than Blyth businesses and industries during the same Wednesday, April 6, 19 nys more; to 18 day period. "We want to co-operate with Blyth and if we are using the dump that much more we should pay for it," said Hullett Reeve Torn C unningham. In 1958 the landfill site, which is located in Hullett Township, was purchased by the Village of Blyth from Earl Noble. A word of mouth agreement was formed between Hullett and Blyth, which stated that the costs would be split in half and Blyth would handle all the administration work. Last year the landfill site operating costs were $7,286, with each paying their share of $3,643. Another topic for discussion at the meeting was the segregation of garbage at the landfill site. According to Mr. Mahon the people of Hullett Township aren't properly segregating their garbage and are "dumping anything they want down the hole." Both the Township of Hullett and Blyth have bylaws that strictly forbid the dumping of steel or any other non- combustible materials down the "main hole." There are designated areas at the Tuckersmith will have private line telephones The Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone System commission was voted authority to proceed with implementation of private line service with a common rate at the Clinton, Seaforth, Hensall and Bayfield of- fices during the annual meeting of subscribers March in the IOOF hall in Brucefield. Prior notice that t. is issue would be discussed had sparked a great deal of in- terest. Almost every available seat in the hall was taken. Commissioner Vern Alder,!ice detailed the reasons for the proposal to eventually switch all users to private lines and charge all residential customers the same rate, and outlined the various options available. At present, cost is determined by a basic charge plus mileage charges of 55 cents for each additional one-quarter mile from the user's exchange. More than half the system's approximately 1,900 customers now have a private or two-party line. Alderdice provided the results of a cost study on updating the system to single par- ty service. If all remained in their present exchanges, the costs of adapting would be $428,000 and the common rate per customer would be between $14 and $15.50 per month. If some customers presently served by the Hensall and Clinton exchanges were switched to the Bayfield ofice, the cost would be reduced to $339,231, with a mon- thly charge to customers of $12 to $13.50 a month. Alderice concluded his presentation by saying the change would not be as big a hardship as some might think. "We have to act in the best interests of the majority of subscribers. I personally believe that is private phones for everybody," he said. Tuckersmith Reeve Bob Bell, who had been elected meeting chairman, allowed ample time for discussion before a vote was taken. Bayfield residents have the most to lose, as their rates would almost triple under the new scheme. A prominent farmer -businessman, Glenn Hayter, said computer technology is the wave of the future, and the transmission of information requires a private line. Present lines are inadequate; the lifting=of another receiver on the line voids information flowing from a farm of- fice to a Telidon or Canfarm computer. Another subscriber said customers can not ..eigt business by phone with their accountant or doctor with any guarantee of privacy without a private line. When the vote was eventually called, the majority of those in attendance indicated approval of the proposal by a show of hands. They voted a second time to leave the boundaries unchanged. Alderice said the change would take about six years, concentrating on one of- fice at a time. Only after an entire ex- change had been adapted wod the new charge be put into effect. In other business, secretary treasurer Mel Graham said the Tuckersmith system is now completely on computer billing, and advised all subscribers who want to avoid interest charges to write out their cheque as soon as they receive their telephone bill. The extra charge for coloured phones has been abolished. Graham warned that no one can hook up equipment without first notifying the Tuckersmith office, and their employees must make the connections. Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnson was elected without opposition to complete the one year left in the term of Perce Johnston, who had resigned as commis- sioner after serving eight years. The Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone System's financial statement shows total revenue for 1982 of $441,984, expenses of $386,034 and earnings of $55,950, compared to the previous year's revenue of $405,745, total expenses of $344,873, and profit of $60,872. A new van was purchased last year, and part of the loan from Tuckersmith Township repaid. Huron parents study Christi==high school p1 This year 28 Huron County students have shown interest in attending a Christian high school. The closest school of this type is in London. It may cost parents more than $3,000 each in transporation and fees to send their children there. in the past few years the number of Huron students attending the Christian high school in London has been steadily increasing. It has come to a point where parents are now wondering if it is feasible to begin a similar high school in Huron County. During March public meetings were held in (linton, Goderich, Blyth and Exeter to discuss this proposal. More than 70 people attended and to date 26 people have responded by completing a written questionaire The initial results of the meeting in- dicate a positive attitude toward the concept of the Christian high school. Those attending the meetings asked for further study on the philosphy of Christian education and how it applies to such education areas as membership. student enrolment.. curriculum and teacher hiring policy. Henry Slotegraaf of RR 3. (linton is the chairman of the Huron Christian Education Committee The committee believes. "Ry graciously giving us the scriptures, our Lord God has revealed to His people orderly principles intensely relevant to education." Committee members therefore feel that it is the duty and privilege of the Christian community to provide a complete system of Christian education for their children. At the meetings it was explained that ('hristian schools are not schools with a general education program that most are accustomed to, with a Bible course added, but that Christian schools are unique because they integrate biblical principles with total cirriculum. Christian schools are design to create an environment where ('hristian teachers can conduct devotions, prayer, a Bible class and teach students the biblical perspective of life in all subject areas. Huron County is now serviced with two elementary Christian schools, in Clinton and idick now. These are attended by hundreds of local children. A few years ago four studants from the area went onto Christian high school in London. bast year 18 attended and this year 28 have shown an interest Mr Slotegraaf said the interest in secondary Christian education is in- creasing and the aim of the committee is to determine whether money paid to send these students to London could be better spend establishing a Christian high school in the county e dump for scrap and other materials such as old matresses' and barbed wire fencing that people are neglecting to use. Mr. Mahon said that despite continuous warnings people are continuing to - disregard this bylaw. Presently the Blyth has a sign erected at . the dump stating the bylaw that the gar- bage must be segregated. According to Mr. Mahon the problem arises when the people of Hullett Township disregard the ti e sign thinlung that they don't have to conform to the Blyth bylaw. Both councils decided it would be a good idea that Hullett Township erect a sign stating their bylaw and that their residents must conform to it and other dump regulations. The councils also instructed Mr. Mahon that if he has any further problems with the residents of either Blyth or Hullett to submit their names to council for action. os µ!it increase ets '?f per cen orn minis The (Tinton Public Hospital has received an 8.8 per cent budget increase from the ministry of health. Hospat:.! administrator Doug Coventry said that hospital budget figures will be completed in about three week's time and the increase will give the hospital ap- proximately $230,000 more than last year. The 8.8 per cent increase went to all hospitals in Ontario. It came after some discussion with the health ministry and the Ontario Hospit•:! Association IOHA ). Originally the Ministry of Health suggested budget allocations of 7.8 per cent. The OHA felt that a larger increase was needed. Margrie Gunton, OHA president explained, "OHA's own projection - based upon calculations by a number of hospitals - is that hospitals 'Will need more than that to meet salary costs and sharply higher charges for staff related items such as Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation Board payments, as well as medical and surgical supplies." She added, "We recognize however, that these are extremely difficult economic times for the government, and hospitals can be expected to co-operate by doing everything possible to manage within the budget limits that have been set." Mrs. Gunton reported that the ministry recognized the necessity of basing the budget formula not only on inflation but also upon increased patient demand and Daffodils, 15, ' ' 1 flowers of hope were sold in Cl ::ton last week. Helen Aiken and Nancy Wise helped to sell the flowers at the annual Daffodil Tea, held in St. Andrews's Presbyterian Church. The well attended event helped to kick-off April as cancer month, to raise funds for research. (Shelley McPhee photo) At the Bluewater Centre Ocher - 1 is tar et date for closin The administrator of the Bluewater Cen- tre for the Developmentally Handicapped advised employees to set a target date of October 31, 1983 as the closure date for the centre. Bluewater Centre administrator Bill Gregg emphatically stated that employees have not been given official notice by the ministry and that the closure of the centre has not been announced. However, Gregg, said he arbitrarily chose the October 31 (late to give employees a time framework to adjust to. While the centre has not officially been closed, the closure is expected to be ef- fected within the calendar year. Community and Social Services deputy minister Robert McDonald met with parents and employees January 12 and suggested the centre would close by the end of 1983. Gregg said the employees should be prepared for that. "The employees haven't been given notice and the closure hasn't been an- nounc*d yet," Gregg said Monday. "A general staff meeting was held and i selected the target date of October 31 as a closure date. It's my target date." C4regg explained that his reasoning behind the arbitrary selection of a target. date was to give employees a form of reference and to alleviate some of the uncertainty of the situation. "I've arbitrarily selected that date because the employees need some date to work to," he said. "Deputy minister McDonald said the centre would close in the late fall of this year when he met with parents in January so they're aware. it's only a target. date at this point and is not firm." The ministry has promised employees six months notice and Gregg expects that notification will be forthcoming in April or May. Since that meeting with staff a week ago, Gregg said the rumor mill has been active, officially citing his target date as the closure date for the centre. That, he said, has been unsettling for parents, residents and employees. Meanwhile, parents of children in the six regional centres for the developmentally handicapped have succeeded in securing a meeting with Community and Social Ser- vices Minister Frank Drea. But, the group of concerned parents formed March 12, are now demanding that Premier William Davis meet with them and place a moratorium on the closing of the six regional centres. The parent committee is now seeking a meeting with Davis to hear the govern- ment's justification for closing the centres over the next five years and moving many of the residents into community group homes. Committee chairman B.M. Bhuta of Pickering said the parents are seeking a temporary moratorium on the ministry's five-year plan. Bhuta explained that parents are not necessarily opposed to the government's plan, but they want the government to extend the courtesy of ex- plaining the procedure before it is im- plemented. The parents still face concerns that many residents will not be able to function in group home settings and there is also the concern that the support services, such as group homes, will not be sufficiently in place when centres are closed. In such cases, parents fear their children will simply be transferred to larger in- stitutions. Gregg also cautioned that I)rea promis- ed that residents would not be moved until adequate support services were in place in the community. Those services would in- clude placement and daycare for all residents. Gregg said those services may not be ready until November or Decemlx'r Campagnolo heads dinner est list The combined i,iberal ridings of Huron, Rrure and Perth are holding a joint fund- raising dinner in Mitchell Apr. 21, which will feature a prominent party VIP as guest speaker. The Hon. Mrs. Iona Cam- pagnolo, president of the Liberal Party of Canada is the star attraction for the $25 a plate dinner, and the Hon. Eugene Whelan, federal Minister of Agriculture will also at- tend. The event will include a deluxe smorgasbord dinner at the Mitchell and District Community Centre, with a recep- tion at 6:30 and dinner at 7:30 p m. Since her election as liberal party presi- dent back in November, Mrs. udnq agnotu has been much in demand for speaking and engagements, fund raising dinners and party meetings. The fast pare is something she became used to as a school board tnistee in her early years in politics in Prince Rupert, B.(' , and she has main- tained a very visible presence from the time she ran federally in 1974 and won, to the present. The evening promises to be one of the most interesting political events to take place in Mitchell this year Tickets are available from Mrs Don Sinclair at 348- 9269, Jack Horne at 345-2829. or Wilfred Krauskopf at 345-2943 the special costs associated with life support programs. Hospitals across the province were given an additional one per cent, bringing the allocations up to 8,8 per cent. "The additional budget allowance for increased patient days and out-patient visits is in line with OHA's own analysis of the growing utilization of hospitals and an extra 1.2 per cent for special programs also looks realistic," Mrs. Gunton stated. Safety Car Seats The Clinton Hospital and the Clinton Optimist Club are now in the business of helping families with newborn babies. In the near future the hospital and the Optimists will be providing infant car safety seats, available fo rent at a nominal cost of $3 a month plus a deposit of $20. The seats will be available at the hospital. Face lift continues The old part of the hospital will be having a face lift this spring. Outside trim will be painted to match and new addition, landscaping will be done in front of the original building and the old circular drive will be removed, filled and sodded. The hospital board report that the new addition and renovations have almost depleted the capital account. Donations towards the purchase of new equipment are required to maintain the standard of care that people of Clinton have come to expect, board members stress. $75, l t lost in barn blaze A barn blaze on March 31 at the farm of Seranus Martin of RR 2, Clinton killed over 92 pigs and caused an estimated $75,000 damage. The fire, which is still under in- vestigation, was reported to the Clinton Fire Department around 7 p.m. on March 31. Firemen reported that the blaze was out of control by the time they had arrived on the scene. Two tractors and a rented pick-up truck were also destroyed in the blaze. According to Mrs. Martin, the loss was partially covered with insurance. She also said that her husband is "thinking of rebuilding, but not for sure." Tax change is criticized t -y Stephanie Levesque Huron County Council "objects strong- ly" to the provincial government's propos- ed farm land tax rebate program. Council approved a motion to object at its March 3: meeting. Presented by Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle, the motion urges the province to continue the current method of tax rebate whereby farmers apply for 50 per cent of the taxes paid. The motion suggests the present rebate program continue until "such times as an equitable method is found for land to continue to contribute to the tax system for those services that relate to land." "Before we vote, we should remind ourselves that farmers will pay taxes as always," said Howick Township Reeve William Newton. The proposal by the province states that in 1984, farmers will be able to apply for a 100 per cent rebate on fano land taxes. At the same time there will be no rebate available on the farm house and one acre of land. A 50 per cent rebate will apply on farm buildings. Reeve Steckle said farmland needs to contribute to the services it receives such as roads and fire protection. He said that the problem is the province's proposal goes beyond the idea of farmland not pay- ing for education. Budget up 5per cent By Stephanie Levesque Huron County council brought in its 26 municipalities' share of the 1983 budget at a 4.985 per cent increase with the municipalities to share in the over $3 million in county costs. Approved by county council at its March 31 session, the county apportionment in- creased $165,000 from $3,310,000 in 1982 to $3,475,000 for this year. While the county's share went up by under five per cent, the county's total 1983 budget increased 14.8 per cent over its 1982 budget. The county's total 1983 budget increased by $1,920,778 from the 1982 budget to bring it to $14,902,378 for this year. The province will be paying percentages of various departments' costs such as roads, social services and the health unit for a total of $8,392,364. The province's share is up from the 1982 budgeted figure of $7,406.277 Turn to page :3 Weather 1983 1982 MARCH HI l C) 29 1 9 30 2 10 31 8 4 A1'Rii, 1 10 4 2 6 0 3 7 4 5 1 Rain 7 mm HI 1,0 7 6 13 0 14 3 5 1 5 14 4 4 10 Ram 25 mm Snow 6 ern 1