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Clinton News Record, 1981-02-12, Page 1optimist C By Tam Mclilahar( A combination of good winter weather, and good crowds over the past weekend made the Clinton Optimist Club's Winter Carnival a great success. The carnival, revived for the first time in a number of years, got underway Friday evening, February 6 with the broomball tournament. Various area social and service clubs took part hi. the tourney and in the first match the Clinton Optimists met the Clinton Kinsmen. The Optimists slipped four goals past Kinsmen goalies Doug Macaulay and Butch Merny, but Optimist goalie Mille McNichol got a shut out in the 440 game. In the second game, the Junior Fish and Game team were defeated by the Clinton Legiop team by 8-0 count, with Chuck Chambers (also a Optimist member) scoring two goals for the Legion. The Senior Fish and Game team met the Clinton Firemen in the neat game and blanked the hose holders 3-0. In the semi-finals, the Optimists were matched against the Legion twin and the Optimists took the game with a another shut -out and a 3-0 score. The Optimists then met the Senior Fish and Game, and in a close match, managed to take the tournament title with less than two minutes left in the game. Brian Newington scored the winning goal for the Optimists val proves bit when he slipped one by Randy Blake, the Fish and Game goalie. The Friday night arena entertainment also included a special precision display put on by the Clinton Figure Skating Club who put on their first show. The group will be again performing their skating routines on March 1. Saturday's carnival day saw a full schedule of events, including a pee wee hockey tournament with teams coming from the whole area to take part. At the same time, progressive euchre matches were being played upstairs in the arena and the game winners included: ladies' high, Rita Powell; men's high, Herb Millet; ladies' Ione hands, Jean McEwan; men's lone hands, Jim (Spike) Switzer; ladies' law, Muriel Beyers and men's low, Bill Holland. On Saturday evening, over 170 people turned out for the carnival dance at the arena to the music of Star Trez The poker rally got underway on Sunday at 12:36 pan. Sunday and went on for most of the afternoon. The Clinton Snowmobile Club cut the trails for the event and the rally winner was Craig Cox and his daughter Kerry, holding a full house hand of eights and twos. Toboggan races were also held and in the public school division the winners came from Hullett Public School and in- cluded Sandy Carter, Jason Carter, Don Sparks, Gord Sparks and Brenda Nesbitt. The Goderich Optimist Club took the senior open class win, with team members Brian Schmidt, Brian Hamilton, Gene DeJong, John Camerson and George Hoy. In the snow shoe races the winners blithe public school divisionincluded two Hallett Public School students, Robbie Radford in the ages 10-12 race and Gord Sparks in the 13-14 age group. Sandy Carter, also from Hullett Public, won the girls division 12-13 year race. In the men's division, Don MacDonald stormed past the finish line for first plate. There were a few strong competitors in the log sawing contest. Don MacDonald and Doug Blysma had the best time with 35 seconds, while Greg Burns and again Doug . Blysma were close behind with 37 seconds. Third place went to Dan Colquhoun and Butch Fleet with48 seconds. • Following the outdoor events, food and drinks were served in the arena auditorium and a 'free -bin -UV 'free-bin-UVSkate was held. , ..:.. . At 4 pm, the pee wee consolation game got underway and Listowel defeated Mitchell in the match by a 6-3 score. Intim finals, Brussels met Goderich for the championship and Brussels downed Goderich be a 6-2 score. The Brussels boys Turn to page 3 • 116th year -No. 6 Thursday, February 12, 1981 40c Seco.thsry Huron County, Secondary School teachers ratified a new one-year collective agreement with the Board of Education calling for a -general 9.5 per cent salary in- crease. On Monday 'the secondary school teachers voted 72.9 per cent in favor of ac- cepting the latest board offer that would boost the average salary of a county secon- Bary school teacher to $28,790: The contract,, for the year August 31, 1980 to September 1, 1981 gives the teachers a 9.5 per cent increase in a split grid. They will receive a 6.37 per cent in- crease to February 1,1981 and a 12.63 per cent increase to August 31,1981. The present salary paid to the most senior teacher in the system is $29,184. Now the maximum salary paid to a teacher with more than 10 years ex- perience is $32,800 after February 1. The salary increase also applies to prin- cipals and vice principals who will now earn $44,000 and 39,240 respectively. After February 1 the . starting salary for a teacher with no experience will be $14,760. Shirley Weary of the Teacher's Federa- tion said although the offer was accepted eschers get 9.v % raise by a decent majority there was obviously a group not happy with the settlement. Board of Education personnel commit- tee chairman, John Elliott said the agree- ment was fair and amicable when put into perspective. , "Under the circumstances and consider- ing the length of time it took, we're happy with the result," he said. "As time goes on settlement -teem to get higher. But the committee is relatively satisfied with the agreement." The members of the board negotiating committee included Peter Gryseels, Charles McDonald, Don McDonald, Harry Hayter, Eugene Frayne, John Jewitt and John Elliott. The negotiating sessions were held at the Holiday Inn, London acid mediated by Pro- fessor Jeffrey Gandz of the University of Western Ontario. In a factfinders report submitted by Malcolm Stockton, he indicated that Huron County teacher salaries were low in respect to otherboards and admitted that some measure of catch-up was in order. However, he added that an improvement in Huron's position should not take place in first column Much as we all enjoy winter car- nivals, it would be nice to have a car- nival without the winter, especially after the last eight weeks or so of lousy weather. Now, I'm not knocking the Optimists or anything. They recognize that we do live in a wintery climate, and take a positive attitude towards it, working with it rather than against it. As a result; their carnival revival last weekend was a big success, and maybe next year we can get more area people to help them out, and get more par- ticipation. After all, it's a nice way to break up the long winter stretch from Christmas to Easter, and would nicely tie in with a Heritage Day holiday, if we can ever talk the federal government into declaring one. + ++ Even if the ground hog did see his shadow, spring can't really be that far off, can it? Judging by all the seed catalogues out, maybe there's going to be an early spring, and down at our local garden centre, the seed racks are already enticing green thumbers. In fact, the real nuts of the gardening crowd will be getting indoor annuals seeded in the next week or two, and believe me, all you need is a couple of florescent lights and some space in the basement to grow all the seedling' flowers and vegetables you'll need. + +.+ You might forget that spring is just around the corner, but don't forget that this Saturday is not only Minor Hockey Day in Clinton, but is also Valentine's Day, that once a year time to remember your sweetheart, lover, and wife (not necessarily the same person) with a small token of your esteem. + ++ The Main Street Wit says his misses the old-fashioned Valentines - the ones you could buy for a dime and mail for a nlckle. by jim fitzgerald We never had a chance to interview her, so we'll never know the reason why she was passing through town last Friday afternoon, but a full size deer, a doe we believe, went strolling through town. One person who spotted her, Andy Van Altena, saw her come from the St. Joseph Church parking lot, cross Victoria Street and head up Hight Street ata full gallop. She may have been running from dogs who are making it very tough on the creatures this winter. Apparently the snow is packed enough to hold the dogs up, while the deer break through the crust with their small hooves and soon either die of exhaustion, or if they do escape, are run down to the point where they die in the next cold snap. So, for the sake of the wildlife, keep your dog tied -up until at least spring. In fact, any dog running wild is against the law, and we've even heard that some lan- downers having been shootinf first and asking questions later. Can't blame them. + + + In a story in last week's paper on a federal government grant to a group of seniors, we left the mistaken im- pression that. Huronview received the grant. Not so. The grant was given to Huron Day Centre for the Homebound, who just happen to be using facilities donated by Huronview. Sorry about that. +++ Jlist a short reminder that those old license plate stickers expire on Saturday, February 28, leaving you less than two weeks to get one. But if this year is like any other, most people, myself included, will be standing in long line-ups ouside the license bureau in the cold winter air. (and psst, don't forget too, your taxes and PUC bills are due on Monday, but don't say 1 told you so). Gee, after paying taxes and an all- time high hydro bill, there won't be anything left for the license. effiffelfertel one year. Stockton recommended an in- crease in the neighbourhood of 10.5 per cent. • That increase would have brought the salaries line with counties such as Perth, Grey and Middlesex. In a press release from the teachers' federation, Shirley Weary says the raise moves the county out of the bottom posit. t,y in the province, but stiflleaves there considerably below the provincial,' average. The press release also lauded the establishment of trouble -shooting commit- tees agreed to in the contract. "Of major importance is the establish- ment of several teacher -trustee commit- tees to work on an ongoing basis on resolv- ing difficulties and on long-term planning. It is the hope of both parties that these committees will be able to work amicably to iron out any areas of potential conflict before they reach the for bargaining process for the next year's ntract," the report said. The log sawing contest brought out some of the best cutups in the county last Sunday as part of the Winter Carnival, which has been revived by the Clinton Optimist Club. The events all at- tracted good crowds and the club is calling 1t an big success. Here the winning team of Doug Bylsma and Don MacDonald cuts through the login 37 seconds, while.Jack,Armstr isg, Brian Newington and Steve Tyndall hold It down. (Tom McMahon photo) Parking permit problem not solved By Shelley McPhee As has happened in past years, Clinton Council again in 1981 have carried outtheir annual debate on parking permits issued in the town, and again- no changes have been made. Each year the town issues permits to local,, businessmen and residents who apply for the $15 license. This allows them to park on Clinton's downtown streets without paying the meter charges. Although council had planned to re- evaluate their policy of issuing permits in 1979 and 1980, they again in 1981 have agreed to issue the permits for another year, and tin 1982 will set down a firm policy on who the permits should be issued to, and how much they should host The issue came up for . discussion at council's January 19 meeting when they received a request 5)1.11 permits from the ministry of agriculture. Councillor Ron McKay asked whether the permit price should be increased and it was decided to refer that subject to committee discussion, and for 1981 keep the $pr lie aiso suggested, "It's time council -set down some criteria on who should get the permits. Put it in black and white, just don't give them out to everyone." Mayor Chester Archibald suggested that council look at the issue before January "1982 comes around, but Councillor McKay said, "That's poor business." The motion to approve the ministry of agriculture's permit applications • was passed by. a slight majority and Mayor Archibald noted that the motion had already been passed, to issue permits at $15 each, and nothing could be changed in 1981. Clerk.Cam Proctor noted that last year, Klompenfeest seeks help By Shelley McPhee In less than 20 weeks, Clinton's first annual Klompen Feest celebration will be held. To ensure that the May 22-24 weekend celebration is a success, more volunteer help is needed in organizing and con- ducting the festival events. Feest chairman Bob Campbell promises that the celebration will be unique and of a very high calibre and asks that all members from the Clinton community attend a general meeting at the Clinton town hall on "'uesday, February 17, at 8 p.m. Already plans are well underway for Dutch themed weekend and the event will kick-off with a giant street dance on the evening of Friday, May 22. Tulips will decorate the town, Dutch dancers in traditional dress, concessions stands selling food and rich dark chocolate and street vendors will all be part of the Feest and on Saturday a parade, that will include a number of bands, will wind its way through Clinton's streets. Saturday will also see a huge chicken barbecue at the Clinton arena which will feed 2,000 to 3,000 people. "We're going to try to make this an annual event for Clinton," Mr., Campbell said and noted, "This could be the biggest thing we've had in Clinton since the Centennial in1975." t Weather 1981 1980 HI LO HI LO FEBRUARY 3 10 • 17.5 4 13 - 19 5 9 19 6 4 -10 7 0 9 8 -3 8 9 5 10 7 15 8 16 7 26 5 46 4 21 5 25 3 20 Snow 14 cm Snow 8 cm However, Mr. Campbell explained that the Klompen Feest can only be a success, and Clinton can only receive recognition for the event if it has the support from the community. He is asking that people of all heritages and of all ages attend the February 17 meeting. "Time is getting short for preparations with the Klompen Feest less than three months away," he reminded. Tuckersmith gets day .careb et by Wilma Oke The budgets for the Vanastra day care centre and the special care centre were presented to Tuckersmith Township coun- cil last week by the director, Karen McEw- ing. Miss McEwing said expenditures in 1980 were $65,313 with revenue amounting to $27,863 and provincial grants, $31,450, resulting in a levy on the people of $6,000, the same deficit as in 1979. The special day care centre, which got un'ierway Monday with three children has a budget of $27,500, including $9,000 for transportation. As more children are brought in, up to a total of seven children, the transportation costs will be worked out accordingly. The Goderich Association for the Mentally Retarded will pick up the deficits for this special lay care centre. The council will ask for quotations from firms for preparing plans for licencing gravel pits under the Pits and Quarries Act, and council will advertise for gravel tenders to be in by March 1& Council accepted the roads budget for a total of $314,600, up from $265,000 last year. Government grants will cover $161,500 of the budget. The resignation of Doris Cantelon from the Vanastra Day Care Board was ac- cepted and passed for payment were ac- counts totalling $68,678.24, including road accounts of $19,859.68; Vanastra day care $4,956.98; special day care centre, $1,999.18; Vanastra recreation centre, $1/,293.86 and general accounts of $2$,568.54. council increased the dog tag license prices five weeks into the new year and also noted, "This criteria issue has been coining up for the past five years." In 1980, the council decided to review the policy in 1981, rather than refuse the 10 permit requests from the ministry of agriculture office. They decided to issue the permits then, after Councillor Frank Van Altena told council, "Don Pullen (ag rep) said that 20 people work here (at the ministry office) who could easily leave the building empty and move elsehwere." With this hews,• fornner Mayor Harold Lobb stressed the need to 'keep the ministry of agriculture in town. In a later discussion, Mr. Pullen told the News -Record that he did not use in- timidation and explained that - his con- versation with Councillor Van Altena had been misinterpreted. At that time Mr. Pullen explained the office was suffering from a shortage of office as well as parking space and ea plained, "There's no thought in mind of moving the office out of Clinton, howeiier in the future we may look to relocating somewhere else ier town." By approving the ministry's ap- plications, the council felt that it could not turn down other requests and agreed to continue issuing permits until a firm policy was established for 1981 However, the policy decision has now been left until1982. Over the past number of years, . _ cl has been concerned over what cri they should use in issuing permits. The permits -were frstallowed to give business` people who are in and out of their offices several times a day, parking on main street without having to put money in the meters each time. However, cotmcil has been concerned that perhaps they have been too lenientin issuing permits and that those holding permits have been abusing their rights. In 1980, some 20 permits were issued in Clinton. PUC asks council for honorarium increase 11,1,6"; By Shelley McPhee For the first time in four years. the Clinton PUC, commissioners, chairman and secretary have asked for a raise in their honorariums. At their February 2 meeting, council agreed to draw up a bylaw after they received a resolution from the PUC asking for in increase in their annual honorarium which is paid for meetings the com- missioners, chairman and secretary at- tend. The increase will give PUC com- missioners $50 for each meeting they at- tend and the chairman and secretary will receive $55 a meeting. - Presently, commissioners receive $25 a meeting and the chairman and secretary receives $30 a meeting. PUC manager Guss Boussey explained .that the PUC hasn't asked for an increase since 1977, and in the past 20 years have only upped their honorariums three times. He explained that Clinton PUC had been studying other commissions in the area and found that they raised they honorariums on a yearly basis, and that Clinton was the lowest paid in the area. The Clinton PUC commissioners ` are paid on an annual basis and Mayor Chester Archibald supported Mr. Boussey's fin- dings by telling council that even with the increase, Clinton PUC commissioners receive the lowest honorarium in the area for meetings they attend. He noted that the Seaforth PUC got those rates in 1980 and all, other PUCs in the zone have higher honorariums, with the exception of Zurich and Palmerston. Mayor Archibald also said that unlike other PUCs, the Clinton commission is in charge of three utilities, sewage, water and hydro, while most other PUCs only look after orate r and hydro. According to law, the honorarium is paid for a maximum of 18 yearly meetings that the commissioners attend. Mr. Boussey said that the Clinton PUC usually holds 12 monthly meetings and five or six special meetings throughout the year. Along with the honorarium increase, the PUC have also asked for a raise in their per diem travelling expenses, while on PUC business from $35 to $45. Council will present the bylaw, allowing the increase, at a future meeting and approval for the raise must be given by OntarioHydro. The Clinton Scouts braved the cold outdoors last Sunday at a checkpoint at Arnold Riley's farm to feed the snowm(ibilers who participated in the Optimist Poker Rally last Sunday. The boys cooked hamburgers over speciallyniade barbecue pits made from old washing machines. (Steve Cooke photo)