HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-09-14, Page 1TIRE BAYFIE
incorporating
BUGLE THE BLYTH STAND
cents — No. -37
Wednesday, Sptennber 14, 1983 1181
year
12,000 watch the steam engines
•
The Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association Reunion held in Blyth last weekend has been
deemed by organiers as the most successful show in the Association's 22 year history. More
than 12,000 people crowded into the Blyth Community Park on Friday, Saturday an ' Sunday
to watch the monsterous old steam machines at work. ( Shelley McPhee photo)
The 22nd annual Thresher Reunion was better than ever
By Shelley McPhee
Organizers are calling the Blyth
Thresher Reunion the biggest and best yet.
The 22nd Huron Pioneer Thresher and
Hobby Association Reunion was held in
Blyth on Sept. 9, 10 and 11 and well over
12,000 people attended the three day event.
Association secretary Marian Hallahan
of Blyth estimated that gate receipts were
- up by $3,000, meaning that an additional
1,000 people attended the reunion each
day. This broke last year's record at-
tendance figure of 10,000.
While Saturday's extreme heat kept
some away, people from around south-
western Ontario crowded into the com-
munity park on Sunday to view the highest
number of exhibits in all areas of the show.
Mrs. Hallahan enthused, "Everything
was up, the food, the crafts, the souvenir
sales and the exhibits. The enthusiasm
was up and everyone commented on the
success of the reunion."
Food booths and special fund raising
dinners were some of the successful
functions held at the reunion.
The Blyth Lions Club served roast beef
dinners to more than 300 people on Sunday
and raised over $1,500. Lion Larry Walsh
said that the club is determining where the
money will be spent and they are con-
sidering a pavilion for the Lions Park.
Blyth Fire Department members tried
their hand at food services in their first
ever pancake breakfast on Sunday mor-
ning, and served more than 170 plates of
Clap jacks and sausage.
Treasurer Jim Burkholder estimated at
$250 was raised to help the department
purchase equipment for their emergency
van.
The Sunday morning feast saw 60 pounds
of sausage and 27 pounds of pancake mix
devored, topped off with more than two
gallons of maple syrup, donated by Bev
Bromley.
The breakfast was such a great success
that the firemen are considering holding
two breakfasts at next year's reunion, on
Saturday and Sunday mornings.
The Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary
worked in the kitchens at the Community
Centre to serve more than 275 hot dinners,
plus sandwiches and pie on Friday and
Saturday. Co-ordinator Lillian Riehl noted
that much of the food was donated by
Auxiliary members and profits from the
dinners will help to support the Legion's
general fund and donations.
For the fourth year, the Anglican Church
Women were on hand at the reunion with
their outstanding bake table. Visitors and
reunion participants quickly cleaned out
the tables that featured fresh baking to
please all tastes, including 142 pies.
Organizer Florence Quinn noted that
profits are still being tabulated, and
money will go into the church fund.
More on the 22nd annual Thresher
Reunion will be published in next week's
Clinton News -Record with results from the
show.
Parkin
nder c
rr.��.� ests
uncal study, a ';atn
By Shelley McPhee
Parking permits under study
As in past years, parking permits are
again under debate in Clinton Council
chambers.
Parking permits, costing $15, have been
given out to individuals on a yearly basis,
and each time applications are presented
to council, the subject has become an issue
of concern.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and
Food (OMAF) is one local office that
requests the permits each year. Limited
parking in the area around the King Street
office has prompted OMAF officials to
request the parking permits. With ap-
proximately 20 employees at the office and
as many as 50 to 60 visitors a day, parking
space is at a premimum.
At council's Sept. 6 meeting permits
were requested for nine field staff
members who are in and out of the office
several times during the day. Clerk Cam
Proctor noted that while the field staffers
have been parking without permits since
the removal of the downtown parking
meters, they have requested permit
renewals since they received parking
tickets this summer.
Councillor John Deeves said he realized
that parking space is limited at the OMAF
office, but he noted, "If we grant these,
other merchants uptown will want the
same benefits."
Councillor Jim Hunter said he doubted
that issuing the permits would eliminate
the problem. He agreed that OMAF
deserved council's cooperation, but said
that the nrnhlam 0hn,4,1 ►.n the
parking committee in an effort to come uap
with a permanent solution.
Councillor Hunter said that the two hour
parking should be adequate if workers are
only at the office for a short time. He said
he understood that when parking meters
were in effect, permits were essential, but
now that no money has to be paid, permits
shouldn't be needed.
A committee will study the proposal and
a decision will be made at council's Sept.
19 meeting.
Arts in Clinton?
The Ontario Citizenship and Culture Arts
Development Committee has asked for
information regarding arts programs in
Clinton. They are interested in the amount
of arts programs in Clinton, the funding
and affect on the economy and life in the
town.
The request brought a nil response from
council, as members tried to determine
what arts programs Clinton does have to
offer.
Councillor Jim Hunter noted, "That says
a lot for us. We should write the committee
and tell them we need funds to get arts
going in Clinton. It's minimual here right
now, but we do have interest and talent."
Plowman's Association Donation
Clinton has given a $50 donation to the
Huron Plowman's Association. The
financial assistance, requested from
various municipalities in the county, will
help finance the Huron County Plowing
Match which will be held on Sept. 17 at the
Clare Deichert farm near Zurich this year.
Superintendent to be hired
BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE
A superintendent of operations for the
Huron County Board of Education should
be hired by November 7.
Since the former superintendent filling
the position, Robert Allan, was hired as
director of education, the position has been
vacant.
Outlining the procedure to hire 'a new
superintendent at the board's,September 6
meeting, Allan said the position will be
advertised on Saturday, October 1 and 8 in
a provincial daily. Applicants will be inter-
viewed on Saturday, November 5 with the
successful applicant to be announced at
the next board meeting on Monday,
November 7.
Trustee Joan VandenBroeck asked if
some of the jobs handled by the
superintendent of operations could be
handled by middle management person-
nel. Allan commented that a superinten-
dent of operations is necessary as
superintendents are the only personnel
licensed to evaluate operations.
"Indeed we can organize any way you
wish," commented Allan. But he added in
reference to the number of
Superintendents, "looking at other
jurisdictions, the Huron Board of Educa-
tion is thin on the ground."
Trustee Frank Falconer, expressing an
economic concern, suggested the second
advertisement be eliminated and the posi-
tion only be advertised once.
"It's up to .the board," said Allan, con-
curring that advertising is expensive at
about $300 per insertion in the provincial
papers. He added that it has been the
board's practise to advertise twice.
Falconer submitted a motion' to leave:
out the October 8 advertisement, but as
there was no seconder, no vote was taken.
School attendance drops
By Wendy Somerville
Generally attendance in area primary
schools is down this year.
Clinton Public School has 376 students
this year, a figure down about 17 students.
Though they have no new teachers this
year, two did come back after a year's
leave.
St. Joseph's Separate School also had a
declined enrollment this year. Attendance
figures for last year were unavailable but
this year's figure was 122 pupils for the
beginning of September.
They do however have a number of new
teachers with them. Jim McDade is St.
Joseph's new principal and he has arrived
from Goderich. The school also has a new
special education teacher, Tina Martens
from Sarnia. The new Kindergarten
teacher is Doreen Nagola from St.
Patrick's Separate School in Dublin.
Teaching French is Karen Cleary from
Goderich. Susan Karastcheck. of Exeter
was a part time teacher at St. Joseph's last
year and is now a full time music teacher.
The new part time teacher is Michelle
Whitely and she is also from Goderich.
The Clinton and District Christian
Reformed School has a slightly increased
enrollment this year. Enrollment is up
four students at 203. They have no new
teachers.
liolmesville Public School have a
declined enrollment this year. Last year
there were 268 students at the end of June,
-this year there -are 260. They also have no
new teachers on staff.
Vanastra Public School with grades up
to six also have a declined enrollment.
Inst year their figure was 102 students,
this year it is 95. They have two new
teachers at Vanastra this year. Mr. Bruce
Walker is just starting his teaching career
and is a recent graduate from Western
University. He is teaching Grade 6 and is
focusing on French instruction. Mr. Loyell
Mount of Osbourne is Vanastra Public
School's new Special Learners (SLN)
teacher.
Blyth Public School has an increased
enrollment this year. Last year there were
177 pupils in attendance, this year there
are 181. They have no new teachers to
report but they did however lose one. Mrs.
Vincent who taught Grade 1 last year,
retired this year.
East Wawanosh picked up 12 students
this year. Last year they had 180 students
at the end of June. They also have no new
teachers.
Huron Centennial has the same amount
this year as last year. Their enrollment
figure is 505. They also have one new
teacher, Mr. Al. Beaty from Osbourne. He
is presently teaching Grade 5 students.
Klompen Feest '83
Town hall togetpublic washrooms was a profitable event
By Shelley McPhee
Discussion around the Clinton Council
table has finally come to a conclusion on
the subject of public washrooms for the
renovated town hall.
Since renovation work began, council
members have debated the inclusion of
public washrooms. They finally agreed to
complete the work when they met on Sept.
6.
While washrooms had been included in
the specifications, council had originally
agreed to leave their completion until a
later time. This month they have decided
to proceed with the completion of the
second floor public facilities.
Council had omitted the completion of
the washrooms because they felt that
washrooms, previously located in a
separate building behind the town hall,
had been a troublesome area. Destructive
vandalism had been their main concern.
Councillor Charlie Burgess, at council's
July meeting, urged the building com-
mittee to include the washrooms in the
restoration plans.
"Properly constructed, the washrooms
would be harder to vandalize," he said,
noting that the public washrooms in the
Goderich court house are well built
facilities.
At the Sept. meeting, council agreed to
include the washroom completion, but only
after a lengthy debate regarding cost
estimates was discussed.
According to architect Carlos Ventin,
public washrooms could be located in the
library basement for $15,000, or on the
second floor of the town hall for $7,500.
Council agreed to accept the $7,500 price
and Councillor Jim Hunter supported the
move noting, "Sooner or later the upstairs
washrooms in the town hall would have
had to be included when the hall comes
into use."
The second floor of the town hall, ac-
cessible by an elevator, will be made into
an auditorium. Councillor Ross Carter
suggested that the washrooms would take
up valuable seating space, but Councillor
Bee Cooke noted that only 10 seats would
be lost, leaving a seating capacity of 240.
She also noted that the washrooms would
not be accessible to the elderly or the
handicapped if they were situated on the
third floor, since the elevator only goes to
the second floor.
Explaining the costs, Mayor Chester
Archibald noted that the cost is high for
public washrooms because expensive,
sturdy materials must be used to handle
the constant use and to be relatively in-
destructable to vandalism.
He noted, "Public washrooms in the past
have been out of use more than they are in
use."
He noted however that the new
washrooms would follow rigid hours and
would be primarily available to shoppers,
"not for kids running around at night."
The washrooms will be open from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Arrangements will also be made to have
them open on Saturdays. A key will also be
available at the clerk's office so the
washrooms may be open for public night
functions.
"I'm convinced that this is the only way
to go," he noted.
Councillor Burgess, concerned about the
high construction costs, suggested,
"What's the problem with making these
pay toilets? We might get enough money to
pay for the vandalism costs."
Mayor Archibald quickly pointed out,
"Pay boxes are even broken in to."
Councillor Burgess, further concerned
with extra costs to the town hall
renovation, raised a voice of objection to
the $15,000 ramp and parkette that will be
designed at the front of the building.
The ramp and parkette plans have just
been finalized and will make the town hall
accessible to the physically handicapped.
The ramps will be located on the north and
south fronts of the building and will elevate
up to the building level. A small parkette in
front of the ramp will separate the area as
a pedestrian walkway. The plans require
the re -arrangement of the sidewalk since
the parkette will extend from the present
curb an additional six feet. It will in-
corporate two parking spaces in front of
the town hall.
The parkette area will be landscaped in
cooperation with the Clinton Business
Improvement Area group.
Councillor Burgess asked, "It would be
nice to have this, but is it something we
need?"
Mayor Chester Archibald noted that the
ramp is "an absolute requirement" by the
government. He noted that previously that
many physically handicapped people
could not enter the town hall themselves
because of the steps leading up to the front
entrance.
An Accessibility Guide Book for Huron
County, published two years ago, noted
that the Clinton Town Hall entrance had
three steps and a heavy door, however
assistance was available for the han-
dicapped. The study also noted that the
washrooms were inaccessible to
wheelcha irs.
Councillor Burgess further asked, "Do
we need to spend $15,000 on a parkette? Do
we need to spend that much money to look
nice?
Mayor Archibald firmly stated, "I'm not
one to spend extra money, but I fully
support this expenditure. It would be a
shame to do the work and not make it
attractive."
Mileage rates set
Council members and town employees
will receive 20 cents a kilometre (32 cents
a mile) for expenses in travelling to out-of-
town functions.
In discussing expenses Councillor
Burgess asked if it is necessary for council
members and employees to attend con-
ventions and seminars. He said that many
conventions are "pretty dry and perhaps
what is learned does not warrant the ex-
pense to go. Shouldn't we cut back on the
number of conventions. This would reduce
expenditures."
Mayor Chester Archibald noted that
council members are allowed to attend two
expense paid conventions and two, one day
seminars each year. Staff may attend
seminars with council's approval.
Councillor Bee Cooke added, "Everyone
learns something from a convention. If
they didn't they shouldn't have gone.
Councillor Burgess said, "I have yet to
hear a report from councillors who attend
con"-"ntiors. They should report to council
so we can all be informed."
Mayor Archibald suggested that
Councillor Burgess present a resolution to
this effect.
The Clinton Klompen Feest Committee
has now received an up to date and
reasonably final report on the financial
situation of the 1983 Klompen Feest, after
all accounts have been paid.
Most of the citizens of Clinton and of the
surrounding area were aware of the fact
that the 1982 Klompen Feest came up short
by approximately $4,500. This deficit was
attributed to the inclement weather, a
sizeable carry over of inventory of
souvenir items, and lower sales on the
souvenir admission buttons which was one
of the main fund-raising projects.
The Committee voted to hold the 1983
Klompen Feest in Clinton Community
Park which proved to be a wise decision.
With better crowd control, improved
facilities, a feeling of rain protection, plus
the addition of the BIA Kick off Dance, The
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines sponsored
draw for two free seats to Holland, the add-
ed refreshment facility, as well as an ex-
cellent and varied program of entertain-
ment, a fantastic chicken barbecue and a
super Parade, the results were financially
rewarding.
The Clinton Klompen Feest Committee
paid off all current debts, paid off the
outstanding loan of $4,500 and realized a
small balance to get plans under way for
Klompen Feest 1984.
Klompen Feest Chairman Bob Campbell
noted, "the Committee extends to all those
who worked so hard to make the Feest a
success, and to all those who attended, a
heartfelt thanks for their support. A
special thanks to the local Service Clubs
for their assistance and co-operation."
Klompen Feest 1984 will again be held in
Clinton Community Park the Holiday
weekend in May, the 18 and 19 of May. The
Kick Off Dance will be in the Clinton Arena
on Sat. May 12 with Whiskey Jack Music
Co. providing the music. Planning is
underway for entertainment, concessions,
parade etc. with the teeling that 1984 will
be better than ever, Mr. Campbell noted.
A meeting is called for Tuesday, Sept. 20
at 8 P.M. at Mrs. Van Damme's Holiday
Lodge. The committee welcomes new and
interested members of the community to
attend.
"Perhaps there is a job you can do to
help with the Feest. The Clinton Klompen
Feest is becoming better known each year
as an excellent weekend of ethnic styled
entertainment. Help -411e committee to
keep it going, keep it strong, keep it in-
teresting, and help promote Clinton and
this part of Huron County as the wonderful
place it is to call home," Mr. Campbell
stressed.
Weather
1983 1982
SEPT.
6 26
7 21 11
8 24 8
9 30 11
10 32 20
11 25 13
12 27 7
HI LO
lic,x_.
RAIN 4 mm
HI LO
21 11
17 5
19 1
23 5
25 8
28 10
29 16
RAIN 0