Clinton News-Record, 1981-12-02, Page 1pringFair to continue
for at least one year
William Flynn of RR 4, Clinton has en-
sured that the annual Clinton Spring Fair
will continue for at least another year.
At a general meeting of the Central
Huron Agricultural Society held in Clinton
on November 26th, Mr. Flynn volunteered
to take the president's position for one
year, in an effort to keep the fair alive. In
doing this, Mr. Flynn halted a vote on a
proposed motion which would have called
for the dismantling of the fair board.
-AllA former president of the board, Mr.
Flynn agreed to fill the position for one
year when first vice president Frank Mac-
Donald will move up to the position. Mrs.
Bill Flynn, past president of the ladies'
division explained, "He took it on rather
than let the fair fall to ruin. He's busy, but
he'll take the time to do it."
While the fair board has a new president,
no one has been found to fill the position of
secretary -treasurer, and a three-week
advertising campaign only brought in one
possible applicant. Desperate to obtain a
new secretary -treasurer, the fair board
has been forced to advertise outside the
Clinton area for help and they are placing
ads in other district newspapers.
"We were astounded that someone
wouldn't take the job," Mrs. Flynn noted.
"We will get a secretary, but it will take
sometime."
The position was been left open this year
after Faye Fear was forced to resign
because of health problems.
At the meeting attended by more than 30
people, Clinton councillor and fair board
member Ron McKay supported outgoing
president Dave Dalzell's views and noted,
Man charged
after Kippen
store robbed
A man, armed with a pellet gun held -up
McLellan's General Store in Kippen on
Saturday, November 28th. The incident
occurred between 9 and 10 pm and the
robber took an amount of cash.
The Exeter OPP reported that Ernest
Edward Lynne, 18, of Listowel has been
charged. A bail hearing was held in
Goderich court on November 30th and a
trial date has been set for December 22nd.
The Clinton Police reported that two
bicycles were stolen from the home of
Beecher Menzies of Clinton over the
' weekend and charges of pending. Cheques
and credit cards were stolen from a car
owned by Phillip McMillan, and charges
are pending in that case, police say.
Charges may be laid as the result of a
shoplifting incident at the Clinton IGA. In
another incident, tapes were stolen from a
vehicle owned by David Plant of Clinton
and a car battery and two hub cabs were
taken from cars at Brown Motors.
A car driven by John Van Derwal of RR
3, Clinton received $1,800 in damages
following a November 28th accident at the
corner of Orange and Huron Streets. A
parked car, owned by Stanley Brown
received $800 in damages.
r
furst
column
that a fair just doesn't happen, "lt it's go-
ing to work, everyone has to pull to make it
go." Mr. McKay said that he may have
"ruffled a few feathers," but he hopes that
fair board members will begin to put his
words into practice.
Next year the 128th annual fair will see
some changes, and it will become a two-
day event, eliminating the Sunday pro-
gram. It was decided that the majerity of
fair -goers attend the event on Friday night
and on Saturday, resulting in an empty
grandstand and midway on Sunday. The
fair board hopes that the cut will help to
reduce the fair's $7,500 deficit.
Next year the ladies' division may see
the crowning of a baking queen as well as
the addition of a large quilt show. Board
members have. donated a $20 first prize
and a $15 second prize to the quilt section,
in attempts to attract more quilts to the
fair. Last year, the division only saw three
quilt entries and first prize was only $5.
Suzanne Brandon was named to head the
ladies' division, with Rose Workman as
first vice president, Mary Marsh as second
and Cheryl Thompson the secretary
treasurer.
116th year —No 48 Wednesday, December 2, 1981 50 cents
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In Clinton
Increase in shppliftmeg is problem
By Shelley McPhee
Shoplifting hurts everyone. It not only
hurts the offender who may be caught and
fined, but it hurts the store owner who suf-
fers the losses, and the honest shopper who
must contend with higher prices to make
up the difference.
"Everyone pays for shoplifting," noted
John Balfour,, local Home Hardware
dealer and president of the Clinton
Business Association, "and 'this. time of
year you have to be more careful with it."
More than 15 business owners in Clinton
and area agreed that shoplifting is on the
increase, a News -Record survey has
shown, because of a combination a factors.
The annual Christmas shopping and buy-
ing rush now on; and in concert with the
unstable economic situation, exam time
and longer lunch and spare periods for
high school students, more light fingers
are taking things for free..
Mr. Balfour noted that high school
students aren't only to blame for the pro-
blem, but many merchants said that
teenagers are spending more time in the
While some manufacturing firms are laying off itople " Lealthly dein far sailing eraftehere wor%ersload
and complaining of lagging sales, things are booming for a yacht last weelinwhich is headed for a Florida location.
the Bayfield Boat Yard at Vanastra, which reports a (James Fitzgerald photo)
downtown area, with free time on their
hands between exams. With this year's
change to 70 minute periods, the students
have time to get uptown and wander
around during those 70 minute lunch
breaks and spares.
Several Albert Street merchants noted
that groups of four or five teenagers spent
their spare time roaming around the
shops, however many noted that the ma-
jority of high school students are not
shoplifting, just whiling away their free
time.
"But one or two kids can spoil it for
everyone," Mr. Balfour said. "It ties up
the staff who are watching them and other
customers can't get service.
"The merchants aren't paid to be
babysitters," he stressed.
To help combat the shoplifting problem,
some businesses are moving their more
vulnerable products closer to the front
counters where they can be more carefully
watched. At Shiral's Department Store,
the cosmetic section has been placed next
to the check-out but according to owner Alf
Mathers,-the pens and pencils supply at
the back to the store is hard hit and he
noted, "little things at $2.95 add up."
At the Triangle Discount Centre, the
more expensive perfumes have been plac-
ed near the till and manager Mrs. Fred
Shropshall noted that the losses aren't as
high since the change. She explained that
all sections of the store are affected by
shoplifting, by all age groups.
Chocolate bars and sunglasses,
cosmetics, even baby harnesses have been
stolen. At the two -roomed Burgess Depart-
ment Store, shoplifting has decreased
since the more vulnerable items have been
moved into the area by the till, enabling
the clerk to keep a closer check on them.
At Jerry McLean and Son Sports, the
calculators are kept in a closed case and
according to employee Brian Diehl, they
become targets for shoplifting when
brought out and displayed for sales promo-
tion. At Anstett Jewellers, 95 per cent of
the stock is kept in closed, locked cases,
almost eliminating any chance of shoplif-
ting: ,.....-...... .
In most cases, the shoplifters escape
with their merchandise, and business neo -
Chimney fires beeps, volunteer brigade busy
Many of the members of the Clinton area
volunteer fire brigade missed church
Sunday morning, as they were out battling
two chimney fires.
Quick action by the firefighters at 8:45
am saved the home of the John Koetsier
by
jim fitzgerald
What's this, a thunderstorm on the
first day of December? It's hard to
believe it's not the first of April, instead
of only 24 days until Christmas, but I
don't mind, winter will come soon
enough. I know it's hard on sales of
snow tires and snow scoops, but
wouldn't it be nice if it stayed like this
until March and then warmed up!
Christmas this year seems to be
really sneaking up on all of us very fast.
There are only 19 days shopping left
until Santa comes, and even though I'm
just getting into the mood, the three
little ones at home have been well
brainwashed by the TV commercials
and the catalogues for weeks now.
This year, the most popular toys
seem to be the video games which
every year become more and more
sophisticated. Whatever happened to
those games like Monopoly? They're
still around, but compared to some of
the newer games, things on the Board
Walk are pretty dull.
At our house, the Smurf and Barbie
dolls seem to be most popular on the
request list, followed by Miss Kitty
toys, Dr. Snuggles, and Star Wars
action characters. The 18 -month old
isn't really concerned about toys yet,
and is happiest playing with something
he's not supposed to, like the cat's tail,
or the good dishes, or a bag of flour.
Years ago I used to. wonder why some
people turned grey before others, and
now I know.
But one toy that's sweeping the
market and sure to cause a mass attack
of insanity, especially among the
adults, is the Rubik's Cube. Now there's
no quicker way to make an oldster like
myself feel like a dummy than to
struggle in frustration with the multi-
colored cube for an hour trying one of
the million of combinations to line up
the colors, and then watch a 10 -year-old
take it and in a few minutes line them
all up!
+ + +
Well, whatever you want for
Christmas, kids, don't forget to write
your letters to Santa, drop them off to
us and we'll publish them here in the
News -Record and then mail a copy to
the North Pole.
+ + +
The Main Street Wit, in searching for
quote to express his inability to find
enough money for Christmas presents,
quotes the Kippen W.I. whose recent
roll call was "Just when you've got both
ends to meet, somebody moves the
ends."
+++
A friend of ours says her mother not
only knows,., what she wants for
Christmas - but what she's going to
exchange it for!
+ + +
Well, 4f you have an opinion to ex-
press on the "doggone" p 6 m we're
having it town, turn out at the town
council meeting this coming Monday
night, December 7 at 8 pm.
+ + +
And don't forget to turnout your old
newspapers this coming Saturday
morning in Clinton and Bayfield for
pick-up by the Lions Clubs. As well, the
Klompen Feest committee meets this
coming Tuesday night at 8 p.m. in the
Town Hall. We'll be putting out a
special souvenir addition again so if you
have any photographs or stories about
Holland, please let us know.
+ +
That story on the lack of volunteer
help for the Fair board inspired one
reader to bring in a nice little ditty from
the St. Joe's Parish bulletin. It reads:
"Our parish was most grieved this
week to learn of the death of Someone
Else. His passing creates a vacancy
that will be difficult to fill. He was with
us for some time and did more than his
share of work_ Whenever a job was to
be done, a meeting to be attended, or a
class to be taught, one name was
always mentioned: let Someone Else
do it.'
"Now that he is gone, I wonder what
our parish will do. When you are asked
to help out, please remember that we
cannot depend on Someone Else
anymore."
Sound familiar?
family near Holmesville from serious
damage when an overheated chimney pipe
started a fire in their attic. Firemen were
able to limit the damage to several burned
joists in the ceiling above the fireplace.
No sooner did the firemen have the hoses
hung to dry when another call shortly after
11 am beckoned them to another chimney
fire at the Howard Johns' residence in
Tuckersmith Township. This one caused
no major damage.
Another fire in a trash bin at Scruton's
Fuels on Albert Street at 4 am on Monday
morning was quickly extinguished, but not
before it scorched the paint off part of the
wall. No cause has been established.
Fire Chief Clarence Neilans said it costs
$100 just to bring the trucks out, and he
recommends that people could avoid
trouble in their chimneys and possible
physical injury if they would follow a few
simple rules about caring for their
chimneys.
Most chimney fires are caused by a
build-up of creosote from burning wood. It
can appear as an oily liquid or small shiny
flakes clinging to the inside of the chim-
ney. The brownish -black creosote is really
a by-product of incomplete combustion.
The creosote may ignite during a very
hot fire, said Toronto engineer Ermo
Kalmar, in a recent newsletter -from the
Canadian Standards Association ( CSA).
Mr. Kulmar reported that this hot fire
could be started by burning paper or
branches, and starts with a crackling
sound at first that could develop into a
heavy roar. If the chimney is a stove pipe,
it may glow red hot and shake. The fire
could become so intense that it could crack
Two jailed
over break in
Don Dowell, 26, and his brother Wayne
Dowell, 21, both of Clinton, were sentenced
to two years in the Kingston Penitentiary
in Goderich Provincial Court on November
30th.
The sentencing came after the two
pleaded guilty to charges of break, enter
and theft at the Clinton Royal Canadian
Legion and the Brewer's Retail on
November 15. They were also found guilty
of a theft charge from the Elm Haven.
resulting in a 30 day jail sentence. Charges
against Bonnie Munday of Clinton, were
withdrawn.
Additional charges against the Dowells
for break and enter at the Clinton Fish and
Game Club, Ex -Cell -O Corporation
Limited and The Douglas Tea Shoppe were
withdrawn as well.
In other court news, Gerrit Logtenburg
of Goderich was fined $100 after he was
found guilty on an assault charge.
the brick work or the sparks could start a
roof on fire.
Mr. Kulmar suggests that fireplace or
wood stove owners wanting to reduce the
chance of a chimney fire follow these tips:
When buying an air -tight stove or
fireplace insert, make sure it is the proper
size and CSA certified. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions and make
sure you adhere to the minimum in-
stallation clearances.
If your home is tightly built, it may be
necessary to install an outside duct which
will provide combustion air.
Burn small amounts of hardwood
(maple, oak) which will last longer acid
have a higher heating value than soft-
woods such as spruce or pine. Cracks at
the end of an unsplit log indicate it is well -
seasoned (six to 12 months) wood with
about 20 to 25 per cent moisture content.
Don't burn plastic or trash that could
provide a sudden intense flame and
overheat the system.
When you start a fire, warm up the air in
the chimney by burning a few crumpled
newspapers.
When using a stove, maintain a one to
two inch bed of ashes in the stove as a con-
stant source of heat for creating better
combustion. .
Use a mirror and flashlight to check
creosote build-up in the chimney. If the
chimney liner appears black or coated
with creosote, it's time to call a reputable
chimney sweep.
To control a chimney fire, it helps to be
able to cut off the air supply to the stove
and have a fire extinguisher handy.
Two seek wardenship
BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE
GODERICH: Two reeves will vie for the
position of warden at Huron County's in-
augural meeting on Dec. 8,
Reeve Harold Robinson of Howick
Township and Reeve Grant Stirling of
Goderich Township are standing for elec-
tion.
Reeve Robinson, who is making his se-
cond attempt for the Warden's chair (he
was defeated in a 16-15 vote by present
Warden Fred Haberer of Zurich), has
served the county since June of 1965. He
started in municipal politics as a coun-
cillor in January of 1965, and became a
deputy -reeve in June when the reeve
vacated his seat. Howick no longer has a
deputy reeve sitting on county council.
He was out of office from 1973 to 1976, at
which time he served on the land division
cormnittee. During his time on county
council he has served on property, social
services, warden's personnel, Huronview,
development, executive and roads com-
mittees. He has been chairman of proper-
ty, Huronview and social services commit-
tees.
Reeve Robinson said the biggest
challenge in 1982 will be to fight inflation.
Wages are a particular concern of Reeve
Robinson's. •
Reeve Stirling first sat on county council
as Goderich Township's deputy -reeve in
1961. In 1964 to 1968 he was reeve, and then
left county council for six years. He was
first elected to township council in the fall
of 1954.
As a county councillor he has served on
the agricultural, roads, Huronview, ex-
ecutive, social services and health com-
mittees. He has been chairman of the
roads and social services committees.
Reeve Stirling agrees with Reeve Robin-
son's concern for inflation, stating, "we
must practice as much restraint as we
can.-" While he is awarecounty _council is
limited as to what it can do to fight infla-
tion, Reeve Stirling said it should do what
it could.
Variety night
•
nets $1,500
A jammed -packed, enthusiastic crowd
filled the Blyth Memorial Theatre last
Wednesday night to hear and see a variety
concert to benefit the Clinton hospital
building fund.
A total of $1,500 was raised from the
nearly three-hour shindig; -that featured
the area's best amateur and professional
talent.
The event gave the hospital building
fund a little boost past the magic $170,000
mark, up $10,000 from last week.
The board can now look into letting
tenders for the $866,000 addition to the
emergency facilities, with the fund
passing by the magic $170,000 fund raising
mark demanded by the ministry of health
before they would allow construction to
start. A total of $3.53,000 must be raised
from public donations.
The rest of the cost of the addition will be
me with a $303,000 ministry of health
grant, a $110,000 grant from the County of
Huron, and $100,000 from the hospital's
reserve fund.
Here are some more names to add to the
list of donations:
Ttwn to page 2 r
ple find evidence of thefts after the fact,
from empty boxes and blank spaces on
shelves. At Lee's clothing store, tickets
will be found in the dressing rooms after
the shoplifters have left'the store wearing
their new "loot."
David Corrie of Corrie's Red and White
Food Store says, "there's no rhyme or
reason;" to any kind shoplifting pattern,
but he estimated that one per cent of their
sales are taken up by shoplifting in.a year, .
"and that's the price of a new Cadillac,"
he stated.
Other merchants find it hard to put a
price estimate on stolen goods and many
only come close to realizing an figure at
year-end inventory.
Mr. Balfour said that often prices on
many other items must 'reflect the loss of
profit from shoplifting, but 'Mr. Mathers
noted, "You can't have a mark-up that's
Turn to page 3 •
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