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Clinton News-Record, 1983-05-25, Page 3Liberal t Fr sk force studies area rur I.Y un ictpahhties A five -member Ontario Liberal party task force will gin hearings in Goderich, Wednesday June 1 into the problems confronting rural municipalities. Formed by opposition leader David Peterson to address economic concerns in rural Ontario, the task force will be chaired by John Eakins, Victoria- Haliburton MPP. The first of nine scheduled task force meetings begins in Goderich June 1 and gives municipal organizations, public bodies, service and agricultural -related groups and individuals a chance to express concerns on the salient issues affecting rural municipalities. The former mayor of Lindsay, Eakins says rural areas face rising unem- ployment, and a fragile agricultural and industrial base. He hopes the task force can uncover ways in which the provincial government can help rural communities survive the current recession and flourish. The Goderich meeting will begia,in the council chambers at 10 a.m. and task force members will include: chairman Eakins, Herb Epp ( Waterloo North), Jack Riddell (Huron -Middlesex), Gordon Miller (Haldimand-Norfolk), Robert McKessock (Grey) and Earl McEwen (Frontenac Addington). All are Liberal members of the Legislature. Assistant to the task force Gary Sands explained that the province has been divided into nine zones and the members will meet in a central town in each zone at least twice. The task force has extended invitations to all municipal governments, school boards, con missions, service and agriculture groups, and all individuals to make brief presentations at the G ,,eerich meeting. Each group will be allotted scheduled time during the day and time will be made available later in the af- ternoon to hear from concerned in- viduals. Task force members will only hsten to the concerns of rural people, as they relate to socio-economic issues, and hope to maximize participation. ..Anyone can make a presentation and we urge them to do it," Sands said. "Comments from rural people are often neglected and we hope to focus on economic questions." While the task force has no measurable status with respect to policy, Sands said all the committee's recommendations will be presented to the government. Some of the questions to be addressed by the task force include: -keeping skilled labour in small towns and establishing apprenticeship and training programs for smaller industries. -how to improve revenue for small municipalities. -how to develop improved and more ef- fective transportation links between rural communities. -how to assist small communities in at- tracting industry and developing in- dustrial facilities -how to strengthen the voice and politicial clout of the rural municipality. Sands said he had received five replies from his invitations. o should pay for Co:'ier drain work? By Shelley McPhee Craig Cox of Clinton believes it should be the town's responsiblity to repair the municipally owned Cowper Street drain. Council agrees that in such cases, the property owner should foot a portion of the bill. Clinton council at their last two meetings have discussed the issue and on May 16 learned from the engineering firm of ':.M. Ross and Associates, that it would cost $. ,2i10 to repair the entire 655 foot drain. The particular property in question that led to the discussion, is a 170 foot frontage on Cowper Street, two lots that Mr. Cox is proposing to purchase. At council's May 2 meeting Mr. Cox explained, "I can't see why I have to pay to fix town property, then have my taxes go sky high." He emphasized, "If I fix it up (the open drain), it will improve the property. That will raise my assessment and put my taxes up." Mayor Chester Archibald said that the property owner or developer is responsible for the costs, however in many cases the town will share a portion of the bill. The work, he noted, may also be done under the Local Improvement program. "Any improvetrhent that benefits the homeowner is partially charged to them, such as sewers, paved streets and sidewalks," the mayor said. The Cowper Street drain problem is not a new one, Councillor Rosemary Aim - strong reminded council that the town was advised to fill the drain sever ..:l years ago. At council's May 16 meeting this :r,'int was emphasized by `:'..M. Ross, who in a letter to council noted that the storm sewer design plan ! ..,d been submitted to council in 1975. At that time, Mr. oss said, the price for 24 inch pipe was $5.25 a linear foot. Today the price runs $17.80. To repair the entire drain would cost $28,200. Of that, materials would cost $14,111 and costs could conceivably be saved if the town works crew completed the job. To re.r..,ir the drain on the pro is Cox property would cost $3,026 in materials aline. Council members . d few com. nests when they learned the price of the work, however Clerk Proctor noted that if council agreed to proceed with the work, "The town will have to work out a deal with property owners to determine the payment." Mayor Archibald added, The difficulty of it is if the town pays for the whole thing, it will be a long time before we get our money out, unless there are a couple of nice houses built there." "We're not going to do it for nothing," he said, noting that property owners would have to give some financial contribution. Councillor Armstrong said she was concerned that all similar drainage projects in town should be financed the same way. She asked if other projects had been totally financed by the town or were involved in cost sharing. The new drain, according to B.M. Ross requires a 24 inch pipe. The 18 inch pipe now in place isn't large enough, and Councillor Jim Hunter believes that the town should pay for the cost of the oversize pipe. He noted that a 24 inch pipe is not needed to drain fronting properties, but to bring water down from a neighboring subdivision. He also said, "If Mr. Cox hadn't ap- proached council about the Cowper drain, it wouldn't have been considered a priority capital expense." Some correction work is ne, el on the drain, noted Deputy :'reeve Frank Van Altena. He has heard complaints from residents concerned about small children playing inside the pipe. Council made no decision on the drain, but agreed to apply for permission through the new Environmental Protection Act, allowing the town to work on the drain if they choose. Application must be made by June 1 and according to Clerk Cam Proctor, without the permission it will be difficult to complete the work. Fire area budget Clinton will r.. y $30,67L protection t 's year. Their portion of payment is the 1"'„ Fire Area Board budget, 1 hailing $53,669. The costs are paid by five par- ticipating municipalities, Clinton, and the Townships of Hullett, Goderich, Stanley and Tuckersmith. Clinton pays 57 per cent of the cost and this year's share is down slightly from $31,346 paid in 1982. Major purchases for the Fire Area Board this year included a new siren, additional hoses and legal fees. The legal fees are from the Board's attempts to get financial reimbursement for the day -long river rescue last spring. The Clinton Fire I'epartment was called out to help a local man, stranded in the Bayfield River, after he and friends were capsized their raft in the fast flowing spring river. Mayor Chester Archibald suggested that area fire departments can't ignore these type of rescues, but he strongly urged people to avoid such "ridiculous acts." He noted that it would cost thousands of dollars to bring in sea and air rescue helicopters to make similar rescues. for fire ken from VOLU NTEERS NEEDED FOR LEADERS AND GRUP COMMITTEES, HELP THE BOYS AGED 5-11 YEARS. Training 'frill Be provided. car etiperience is required and unlforrr,s VIII be supplied. If You Can Help Please Clip This Coupon find SND TO: ADDRESS: TON: PHONE: Clinton Seoutlnq e/o Agin Caldwell RQ < Ian Street CLINTON, Ontario ItI®Mil La POSTAI. COD: CLINTTON NEWS --RECORD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1983 PAGE 3 Guests and members at the recent annual meeting of the Huron -Middlesex P.C. Association included, left to right, Hon- Robert Eaton, member for Middlesex; Donna Wood, Timbre!, tells Conservations Mel Graham, Hon. Dennis Timbrell, Ontario Minister of Agriculture. Taxpayers need tough budget Ontario Agriculture Minister Dennis Timbrell was guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Huron - Middlesex Progressive Conservative Riding Association held May 9 in Lucan. Timbrell observed that a tough budget is the only kind the taxpayers can afford at this time. He noted that this is not the time for govern- ment to increase spending, as the result would only be higher taxes or a larger deficit. He said he was convinced that the gover- nment's restraint on spen- ding since 1975 is responsible for us now having the funds to handle at least the urgently needed programs. He states that one of these programs designed to assist new farmers would be an- nounced before the end of May. , Also among T`rmbrell's priorities is a national stabilization program for agriculture, but he pointed out that the government has no intention of imposing anything on anyone. He noted further that the federal government has not been very active in discussion on this program even though the federal 'spokesmen say they have a better plan. The Minister then ob- served that the program is so important that it may need to be installed without Ottawa's support if such support is not forthcoming. Timbrell said also that his proposed Grain Elevator Storage Act would ensure that no producer would lose produce stored in an elevator if that elevator went into receivershiu. The Minister also com- mented on Premier William Davis and his decision to remain with the provinci.. organization. He said the Conservative caucus was 100 percent behind the decision and following the an- nouncement the entire caucus stood to applaud. Another special guest at the meeting was the Hon. Robert Eaton, member for Middlesex. In his remarks, Eaton stated that the closing of Bluewater Centre in Goderich will actually im- prove the lives of the patients themselves. He said it was unfortunate that the Closing, of such in- stitutions ,iak been an- nounced be ire relatives of patients could be contacted. Eaton assured his listeners that the centres will not close until each patient has been placed in an improved en- vironment. He stated further that the future use of the facilities themselves will be carefully considered before any decision is made. Individual community requirements will be used as a guide in making these decisions, he said. Annual meeting business included remarks by outgoing president, uth Hill and incoming president Dr. Thomas Jasper. Outgoing secretary Doreen Strong read the minutes of the last annual meeting and chief financial officer Chris Little gave the financial report. Mr. Gerry Ginn conducted the nomination and election of new executive officers for the coming year. The new slate is: Past President, Ruth Hill; President, Dr.Thomas Jasper; First vice -President and publicity officer, Doug Murray; Second vice president, Donna Wood; Vice presidents, Fred Dobbs, Gary Bean, Jim Hayter, Bob Feasey, Anson McKinley and Alf I•:oss. Chief financial officer, Chris Little; Secretary, Carol Arthur; ". C. ap- ir intments to the executive, Jon Geiser and Elizabeth Harris. The Advisory Committee for the upcoming year will be: Bev Westman, Jim Sills, Charles Corbett, Fred Boyes, Lorne Kleinstiver, Clarence Hardy, Elmer Hayter, Glenn Webb, Mert Curr - rt, Don Shipway, !: etty Cart!: o, Elmer Bell, Jim Britnel!, Mary Donnelly. Entertainment during the evening was provid • t, by the • Country Cowgirls (Presz- cator sisters) and by Nicole Hardy and Valerie Fretz. Draw and door prizes were donated by: the Hon. R. Eaton, Merners' Food Market, Elizabeth Harris, Huron Country Playhouse, Bartliff's Bakery, Great Canadian Bean Company, George Sills and Sons Home Hardware. Euchre team wi provincial trop By Brian Atkinson The Clinton Legion euchre team of Eric Switzer, Ed eeves, John Semple and Fred Jackson came home winners on May 14. They went to Linden to take part in euchre at pro- vincial level. They were suc- cessful and brought home the trophy to the branch. Congratulations comrades. Also members, I'd like to remind you of our dance corning up on June 4. Plan to attend, it should be a good n,•r•nin,r with by the Y Melody Makers. Tickets are $10 per couple and may be obtaidned at the bar or from Eric Switzer. Decoration Day will be on Sunday, June 19 at the Clin- ton Cemetery. Veterans' graves will be decorated at 10 a.m. Any members wishing to help decorate veterans' graves should con- tact Gord Tait. Parade will be at 7 p.m. Those par- ticipating in the parade please be ready to form up at 6:45 p.in. e Car misses the turn On May 22, a Seaforth youth and her two passengers escaped serious injury when the vehicle she was driving failed to negotiate a sharp turn and struck a tree. The Goderich OPP reported that Judy Anstett, 17, of Seaforth was west- bound on side road 20-21, .2 kms east of concession road 4-5, when she rounded a bend and slid into the north ditch, striking a tree. Miss Anstett and one of her passengers suffered minimal injuries in the mishap. Damage to the Anstett vehicle is estimated at $2,000. On May 20, a vehicle driven by Albert Warden, 20, of RR 2, Dublin, was east- bound on Highway 8, 1.5 kms east of Hullett 'Township Road 15-16 when a two vehi- cle accident occurred. Mr. Warden was attemp- ting to pass a vehicle driven by Charlotte Fanjoy, 32, of Wingham when he struck the left side of her vehicle. Damage to the Fanjoy, vehicle was estimated at $2,000, while the Warden vehicle received $100 damage. TR If\NJ i- LL 15 C _• �� TIMS U[ Isn't it rj:ttr to hav John Lawn Tractor for 1f,. years th.n "bar* ain" tractor r '4' for 4 or 5? John Deere Lawn Tractors that are 10 to 12 years old are not at all uncommon. In fact many of our original lawn tractors, built in 1966, are still in use today. On the other hand the average life span of a "bargain" lawn tractor is estimated at only four to five years. So y81, - can -can see why it pays to buy a John Deere. There's no denying you'll pro- bably have to pay a little more for o John Deere. Up front anyway. But, when you consider how much longer they last, you're almost sure to save real money in the long run. Choose from two great John Deere Lawn Tractors, the 11 h.p. 111 with a 38"' mower ora 16 h.p. 116 with a 46" mower. The Model 111 cuts an acre on hour and the Model 116 will cut an acre and a half an hour. Come in and test drive a 111 or 1 16 today tXETER BLYtl 514.51/.4/44 WElf MY NC ON sum_ MAY 25 -JUNE 11 ONLY PHOTOFI _ISS S CIAL .SHoSBMACB( SHAMPOO CO ITIO-1R 226 nd n 49 ONLY Ai ri I t) fRffG. LOW 12 EXP .'3.99 nose ... °Soi9 24EXP .s%o99 36 moll 1.99 Brad SET ONLY 9. '2.00 °3000 0 INC A PvB�xS '®IVE VES GL ONLY 1I S Ui G ria � R TWF "P 160 pouches ONLY 0 NEET BIC DISP IS LE LITE'S AVE• PL$439 REFILL ONLY G HAIR REMOVER LOTION 9tia�Bl $ 49 ONLY PALMOLIVE LIQUID DRUM T 1 L. NLY $219 a.r1f1:M NIL P'LISN RL'Y' IOVER There's a Triangle Discount Store near you af... 172 The Square, Goderich, Main Corner, Clinton and Main Corder, Seaforth T R I A N f- LE DISCOUNT. PHOTOFINISHING L......SPECIAL'! REG. LOW I�'�N®SL`� PRICE / ONLY! 12 EXP............ �3,. isc000voevee•oa•a$57.9 24EXP....0000oo•e$799 36 EXP C G O C C. G C 0 0 Offer expires June 1 1 , 1983 .shop the Triangle dearest you! TRIANf LE $i 199 •• O $ ®0 i�•,• u• a o• e e e o a e e• aosaoo.evo.e$100 $2. $3®6 DISCOUNT ik 172 The Square, Gadorkh/Atlairo Corry®r, Clintory/Maim Corner, Seaforth 1