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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-08-10, Page 1rn uC\ T AY BUGLE incorporallnt THE BLYTH STA_ D 50 cents — No. 32 We nerd.:: y, August 10, 1983 118th year Clinton grocers have mixed views toward complete metric change By D. Kloeze Clinton shoppers who have not either welcomed or resigned themselves to the fact that the metric system is here to stay will have to do so soon. By now, Huron County stores have been directed to start selling all their produce in metric units, and most Clinton stores have already started to use their metric scales. A good deal of canned and prepackaged food has already been sold in metric units for several years. Now all items in- dividually weighed in stores will be done so in metric. This represents the last stage of Canada's conversion to world -standard metric measures of all kinds. To the consumer, this means items such as meat, cheese, fruit, and vegetables will be weighed in grams and kilograms. Store managers have been directed to either change over their scales to weigh in the metric units, or buy new scales which can do so. Grant Irwin, owner of Clinton Meat Market, had to buy new scales. Two new digital electronic scales cost him $5,000. He says they are much more accurate than the old ones, but he would have liked some sort of help from the government, since he was forced to make the change. He thinks, "It's going to take a long time to get to know the new system." Right now, he says, his customers are very confused, especially the older people, who "don't want anything to do with it." Mr. Irwin thinks that the system will be all right once more people get used to it, but now, he says, "There isn't one customer that likes the metric system." The Clinton IGA store already had electronic scales, which were easily converted to metric by changing some Grant Irwin, of Clinton Meat Market, now weighs meat on his new metric scales. Huron County is scheduled to make the complete changeover to metric this summer. (Darrel Kloeze photo) Huron County Board of Eduction opposes Christian high school By Stephanie Levesque Loss of provincial funding added to an already large vacancy in Huron County public schools, leaves the Huron County Board of Education opposed to the building of a Christian high school near Wingham. In one of his first public duties, newly - appointed director of education Bob Allan spoke for the board at an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing in Goderich on Aug. 2. The OMB is considering an appeal by the East Wawanosh Township council and somef its residents regarding the Huron Co info Land Division Committee's deci- sion to approve a 7.9 acre severance from 140 acres owned by Lloyd Hutton Real Estate of Kincardine. The land is located about a half mile south of the intersection of highways 4 and 86. The board is also considering a request for a zone change for the site from residen- tial and restricted agriculture to in- stitutional. An agreement of purchase between Hut- ton and the Wingham and District In- terdenominational Christian High School Society depends on the outcome of the OMB hearing. If the go-ahead is given. the Weather 1983 1982 HI LO AUGUST 2 27 14 3 24 11 4 26 17 5 27 16 6 28 15 7 29 17 8 30 16 Rain 50 mm HI it) 24 15 24 14 25 18 25 16 27 14 28 15 27 11 Rain 76mrn society plans to construct a high school for approximately 80 to 120 students. The president of the society, Dr. John Vanderkooy of Harriston, said students would be drawn from the present elemen- tary Christian schools in Clinton, Lucknow and Listowel. "The Huron County Board of Education opposes the proposed severance and zone change application. The board bases its opposition on its understanding that the purpose of the severance is to permit the construction of a school," Mr. Allan told the OMB. Explaining the financial effect on the school board of the potential loss of secon- dary school students, Mr. Allan noted that in 1983 the board received $2,978 per secon- dary school student. "This means that for each secondary school student who leaves a school operated by Huron County Board of Education, the board's secondary school ceiling for recognized ordinary expen- diture is reduced by $2,978. If 10 secondary school students leave, the secondary ceil- ing is reduced by.$29,789," said the direc- tor. The actual provincial dollars lost by the board would be $17,868 for the 10 stu9ents as the province pays about 60 per cent of the board's revenue. Compounded to the reduction of provincial funding is the board's long -touted fixed costs such as building maintenance. "Many of the costs with which the board deals are fixed and the loss of the 10 sug- Turn to page Stanley to begin complex Members of Stanley township council spent some of their civic holiday attending their regular August meeting. Part of the session was spent looking over the detailed final architectural drawings for the new municipal complex. All were very im- pressed, agreeing with Reeve Paul Steckle's remark that, "the building will be quite a place." Copies of the plans have been given to various companies who manufacture pre- engineered structures so they can provide quotes on cost of materials. A sod -turning ceremony on Thursday, August 11 will initiate construction ot. Stanley's new headquarters. Clerk -treasurer Mel Graham met recently with Melanie McLaughin, a consultant on community programs with the Hanover office of the ministry of tourism and recreation. Clerk Graham enlisted her help to make sure his ap- plications for a $62,000 Wintario grant and a community centre grant of $46,900 were properly filled out. He was assured there is an excellent chance the Wintario grant will be approved, and he's keeping his fingers crossed about the other one. In other business, council accepted two tile drainage loan applications totalling $35,500, and passed a bylaw authorizing a tile drainage loan of $14,500. The Stanley recreation committee has been approached to begin planning now for a homecoming celebration when the township marks its centennial in 1986. Council endorsed a resolution originating with Southwest Oxford to end the appeal procedure after matters have been given a thorough, proper and costly hearing before a joint board under the Consolidated Hearing Act. They voted against a suggestion from Toronto asking for a lengthening of daylight saving hours. boards in the circuitry. Manager Ozzie Kuenzig says, "We've had no problems with the changeover." Corrie's Red and White has not yet changed its scales to metric. Dave Corrie plans to change over some time in the next month, although he is not too pleased with the change. He can see no advantages at all with the metric system. "It's confusing," he says, especially for customers. There are different package sizes coming on the market, and people end up buying things "basically just by guessing." Stores have until the end of the year to advertise their produce in both metric and Imperial units, and Mr. Corrie plans to keep both units on his signs as long as possible. "It saves confusion," he says. The complete conversion to metric shopping began in January, 1982. Mostly stores in urban centres were the first ones required to sell all their produce in metric units. The entire country should be changed over by the end of this year. In Blyth r se r eauti L..y cor. By Rod Hilts "Small is beautiful" is how Hill and Borgal Architects described their ap- proach to a Business Area Improvement (BIA) Plan presented to Blyth Council on August 4. Nick Hill represented the Goderich architectural firm at the • meeting and emphasized that the plan "basically builds on what has developed over the last cen- tury." "It does not propose any massive changes. What we have attempted to do is to seek out small and effective op- portunities to enhance the character and charm of the business area," said Mr. Hill. Hill and Borgal started the $2,000 study on May 5 after council had accepted their downtown core study proposal. The 19 page proposal lists two main objectives in the improvement of a small business area in Blyth. According to the study, the first objective is to improve the functional qualities of the physical fabric. In Blyth, the main physical features are the streets, sidewalks, car parks, open spaces, lights, wires and underground services. The second objective in the undertaking of a business improvement area is to enhance the character of the core. Character provides identity to a place and most communities desire an attractive identity, according to the plan. Mr. Hill told council that they could apply for government funding to cover some of the cost of the beautification plan. Other municipalities such as Hensall, have obtained funds through the Canada Works G rant. The first area for improvement ac- cording to the Hill and Borgal proposal is the Blyth Memorial Hall. Here the recommendation is to add a seating area in the southern corner of the lot near the present arrangement. The, area would feature a brick paving area with a background of trellis for climbing roses and honeysuckle. Cost of the Memorial Hall Civic Garden as it is called in the proposal, is an estamated $2,950. Area two focuses on landscaping the Blyth Inn car park. A boulevard of trees is to be planted on the inside of the sidewalk. This would re-create the "edge" that is Twice as much as estimated lost when a car park fronts onto a street as well as shield the back of commercial blocks. The proposal stated that the boulevard is on private property and permission would have to be obtained if the recommendation was accepted by council. The south side of Dinsley Street is also on the list of recommendations. It was proposed to build a boulevard of trees to "soften" the edge of the municipal building and make the street look more attractive. Queen Street banners, will be one feature that will "make the difference," Mr. Hill said. The canvas banners would "lend a heraldic and theatrical touch to the streetscape." According to Mr. Hill, the banners could quite easily be hung on the existing light poles. It was suggested by council that if they accept the proposal, the name Blyth could be placed on the ban- ners. The banners would cost ap- proximately $2,640, installation included. A boulevard of trees was also proposed to be planted on Dinsley Street to visually "soften" the large expanse of brick on the side elevation. Cost of the planting is estimated at $240. To give the village a "distinctive" touch, a new proposed sign on Highway 4 at the south end of the village was recom- mended. The sign would be similiar to the one in Hensall and would consist of a permanent "Welcome to Blyth" sign with changing signs of current events below. A small civic garden consisting of a long, low stone wall fronted by a flower border and a lawn would also be added. The cost of this segment of the beautification plan is estimated at $6,900. Council's next move will be to review the plan and approve it. The village will then apply for the available grants for the project. In conclusion, Mr. Hill said the plan was "pretty modest and not flamboyant, but a plan that should make a difference." The total estimated cost for the project is $15,710. Upon approval by council and the neccessary grant money, the beautification project could start as early as this fall. Van.astra entrance willbe costly By Wilma Oke The cost of opening a new commercial entrance to Highway 4 at 7th Avenue at Vanastra will cost more than twice as much as first estimated. Tuckersmith Township Council, Tuesday was given the engineer's calculation of $13,000 which includes the engineer's fees. "This is an appreciable increase", said Reeve Robert Bell, comparing it to the original estimate of $5,000. He said the road superintendent, Allan Nicholson, had felt this was a low estimate right from the time it was first made of the opening after it was requested by Vanastra residents. Tenders are. to be called for the con- struction work. Council approved purchase of a propane air furnace to heat the swimming pool area in the Vanastra Recreation centre, from Bailey's Heating, Kippen, for $5,665. Reeve Bell presented a certificate to Mr. Nicholson from the C.S. Anderson Road School at Guelph for his successful com- pletion of a three-day school in road work in May. The road superintendent express- ed his appreciation to council for sending him to this school which provides wor- thwhile instruction. Council passed a $400,000 borrowing bylaw to carry on council business until taxes are collected. An application for a tile drainage loan for $20,000 was approved. Councillor John Brownridge asked coun- cil to request that a financial statement be provided on a regular basis of the Vanastra Water and Sewage system. Concerned about the spiralling costs of the proposed new Seaforth landfill site and the lack of definite information Councillor Robert Broadfoot has asked for on-site meeting with McKillop and Seaforth coun- cils. Clerk Jack McLachlan will apply for a grant to meet the costs of compiling a history of the township to mark the ses- quicentennial birthday in 1985. • Commit- tees are being set up to plan and carry out the festivities to mark the event. A request from the City of Mississauga for endorsement of a resolution to co - serve the old railway stations as heritage buildings was turned down with only Court - cillor Brownridge voting for saving the historic old buildings from the wreckers' hammer in the coming years. The Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority's offer of giving the township the privilege of maintaining the Clinton Con- servation area in the northwest part of the township was not accepted. Council agreed with Councillor Brownridge's statement that Tuckersmith gets very little from the Authority how for the amount of money levied against the citizens of the township and that most of its money goes to the southern areas of the Authority's coverage where large staffs are hired to run them. Memories In preparation for the sesquicentennial birthday celebrations of the Township of Tuckersmith coming up in 1985 the history committee is requesting stories of the ear- ly days in the township — of people, of events or of early life. Anyone wishing to share memories is asked to please phone Mrs. Rena Caldwell of Kippen at 262-5935; Mrs. Orville Workman of Kippen at 262-5044 or Mrs. J.E. MacLean of Seaforth at 527-1608. a 116., Kara Strong, Kara Hiltz, Carla Caldwell and Naomi Duddy showed what. mnmaging is all about as they searched for good buys at the Clinton r )at Camp Rummage and Bake Sale. The sale the Library Park on Tuesday. (Shelley McPhee photn I. was held at