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Clinton News-Record, 1984-02-29, Page 1• 184C:HF000O0 •laeo °pot' • for the Last year the new high may forth Clinton c' lights,durin! ting a porta proposed br. It will c lights o $1,844,0,0fo! Street Vial' years vps c+wnpleted. This 'WOK 4,110 lights fight the 's retaitleots. leei ett'to *tall the new -4 titgating after accep- tigh ing prograw ?ager.Gus Boussey, i5,5O.05 to install the 4' Street and a further w lights on Victoria Ter- r m the year ea ell was presented Sig by. rtho UC manager to the present incandescent and iit^st t lights with; igh pressure �n lights v Mr. Bousse,O explained $o -council that the aim. year program he was proposing would re p'1.p. Cn 9 anv of thn town's older lights. • By Rod Hilts and Wayne Snider VARNA - A letter from local politicians stating that they 1Ii11 not attend the Hilton } County Federation of Agriculture (HON) Member of Parliament Day, has prompted the federation to change the format Of the ; ' •s annual event. .. ... ,. _ The announcement was made at' the,, HCFA's board of director's meetings held. Feb. '27 at the Stanley Township Hall, Varna. The purpose of the MP meeting is tonake parliamentary members aware of Huron. County farmers' concerns. The meeting is also designed to provide HCFA members with insight into views shared by the politicians: On Feb. 17, the HCFA received' a ;letter signed, by Murray Elston, MPP for Huron - Bruce, Jack Riddell, MPP . for Huron - Middlesex, and Murray Cardiff, MP for Huron -Bruce, stating that they would not at- tend the federation's meeting because it would be too political in content. The three politicians objected to' the in- vitation of the New Democratic Party provincial agriculture critic, the New Democratic Party federal agriculture critic, the Honorable Eugene Whelan; and the Honorable Larry Grossman. "Asthe local elected members, we feel that an expansion of the format tq, include these extra people will mean that it becomes virtually impossible . for us, as the local elected members; to have the frank and. comprehensive exchanges between our- selves and the various commodity groups and the members of the federation of Huron t ' the letter said. "It is our feeling expanded format will turn this ent into a political meeting where mkiite7fgues wi ave i provide t and answers to every report which nted 'at the meeting, . thereby ing .the day and.. developit l an atmosphere." 6%66 -Eaten, rept-digesting La Grossman, and Mel Swart, representingi There was no doubt about it, Billy Watson definitely liked the maple syrup the best. Billy covered his plate with the rich, sweet topping at the Clinton Cubs and Scouts annual pancake brunch. Hundreds of people enjoyed the flap jacks, sausage and syrup, served up by the Clinton Scouting group at the Legion Hall on Sunday. (Shelley McPhee photo) I�ay Care budget' •raised. br 6per cent By Wilma Oke VANASTRA - Tuckersmith . Township council has approved 'a 1984 budget of $/;1,089 for the Tuckersmith Day Care Cen- tre at Vanastra, a six per cent increase over last year with a proposed deficit of $51,089, compared to a deficit of $48,875 in 1983. The largest budget items are $49,487 in salaries plus benefits of $4,600 for the direc- tor and three teachers atthe centre, where an average of 25 children attend and rent of $11,642. Fees are expected to amount to $30,000 this year, with provincial subsidies (80 per cent) of $40,871. Fees from other municipalities are expected to bring in $2,000 while Tuckersmith ratepayers will pay the remaining 20 per cent of $8,219. The budget for the special day care centre at Vanastra was set at $43,255.34 for 1984, up from $40,840 last year. The expenses for the 10 children who attend this centre are fully paid by grants from the Ontario Association for the Mentally Retarded - $37,632.15, and from the Goderich Association for the Men- tally Retarded - $5,623.19. Rate increases were approved for the children 'attending the day care centre as follows, with the 1983 ,rates in brackets:' full day, $9.00 ($8.50) ; half day, ' $4.75 ($4..50); half day with lunch $5.75 ($5.50); two children or more from one home, $7.75 ($7.25) and half day, $4.75 ($4.50). Reporting on the Farm Safety Association which he attends as the township represen- tative, Councillor George Cantelon said the Association is planning on asking students in the area schools. to enter a poster contest to design safety signs for farms, particular- ly in the area of dangerous gases in manure tanks, etc. Cleave Coombs, township representative on the Seaforth Community Hospital Board, gave a detailed report on the hospital and plans for its future. The Ministry of Transportation and Com- munications advised council of the 1984 road and bridge allocation to the municipality in the amount-of$217,606 up from $208,500 for . 1983. X123,000 paid to council By Stephanie Levesque Huron County paid out over $123,000 to county councillors and members of the land division and library committees in 1983. The statements of expenses was presented as information at the Feb. 2 ses- sion of county council. Past warden Grant Stirling topped the list earning a total of $27,423. This includes $7,135 convention and other expenses which takes in costs associated with the annual warden's banquet. Other county councillors and members of county boards earned the following: James Aitchison, $1,789; Leona Arm- strong, $4,442 which includes $390 for con- vention and other expenses; John Austin, $2,463 which includes $419 for convention and other expenses; Tony Bedard, $2,234; Robert Bell, $4,705 which includes $853; Jim Britnell, $2,869 which includes -.53; Ernest -Brown, $2,495 , which includes $369; William Campbell, $2,789 includes $402; Tom Cronin, $4,078 with $592 in convention and other expenses; Tom Cunningham, $5;831 includes $1,835 in COE expenses; Bill Elston, $5,831 includes $1,334; Lossy Fuller, $3;472 includes $452; Marie Hicknell, $2,913 includes $500; Dave Johnston, $1,795; Russell Kernighan, $1,741; Joe Kerr, $1,175; Harry Klungel, $2,213 includes $31; Calvin Kreuter, $4,834 includes $990; Brian McBurney, $2,534; Bill Mickle, $2,591; Bill Newton, $1,344; Gerry Prout, $3,093 includes $416; Jack Stafford, $532; Paul Steckle, $3,766 includes $636; Don Van Pettey, $1,750; Neil Vincent, $2,410; Allan Wolper, $2,1Y; Ralph Weber, $2,628 includes $354; Lionel Wilder, $4,020 includes $354; and Harry Worsen, $2,489 includes $561; Land division committee - Alan Campbell, $976 includes $270; Cecil Desjardine, $901; G.G. Ginn, $970 includes $318; Fred Habere , $978 includes $232; 13. Vanstone, $1,066 includes $339; Library - Janis Bisback, $874; R.P. Ritter, $858; Martina Schneiker, $1,343 includes $349 and W. Morley, $1,283 includes $266. Doug Garniss provincial New . Democrats have accepted the invitation to attend the meeting. The new format adopted by HCFA will see a time allowance restricting other guests to comments at the beginning of the meeting, while the three local members will be allowed question and comment on the presentations from Huron County farm organizations. None of the guests, however, will be allowed.. suinmary comments. HCFA President Tony Mequon responded to the refusal -from the three' politicians with a Iettei~-eaipiaii ing-the=federation's-nwtuaal-- concern' that the meeting,not be un- manageable. He added that is executive had several options for keeping debate from being lengthy and, continuous. .Inrhisletter MiNVICQuaffiioirited out that 'L theJICFA was acting on a suggestion from Tony McQuail MPP Murray ton, when they invited other levels of vernment to attend this year's meeting. "After our .1982 MPP dinner, Murray Elston suggested to Doug Garniss ( federation director. for Wingham and the Township of Morris). that if we were to invite representatives from onelevel of govern- ment, we should invite the others as well," he said. "As this may be a federal election year, it was our decision to invite representatives from all.the political parties ' which are More thatti y Q Toted at that tine that the ... p? t !sodium lights use less ener. Vide *Ore light and requir Maintenance. For this year, $$55,000 has been budget+l for street lighting. Councillor .10 *tor suggested that the money for the new;ghts could come from the money remaining in t budget. ton may also receive additional fun- ding un ding or the lighting through an application to the Ontario Neighborhood Program (ONIP). This government funded program assists community development projects and the deadline for application is March 31. The decision to install high pressure sodium lights was debated by council. While the lights require little maintenance and use reduced amounts of energy, there has been. some concern that the orange light effect they give, is unattractive. Council has decided that in spite of color, the new sodium lights are the best buy. over a barrel an we : yeea th"B" He also reported that two of the politicians had agreed to his proposal. Paul Klopp, HCFA Director for Zurich and the Township of Hay, supported the motion. a«t,f,.,� �. i pr ntatiyea said t�0.�.•: ,.,t `�.e. CQlild. • .., invite others as long as no condiments were made on the topics," Mr. Klopp_said."I'm in favor of the motion. We have a mandate to ,control the meeting. It baffles me, in 1982 we let it get out of control.. We should learn from our mistakes." In 1982, HFCA held a Member of Parliament Day similar to the one proposed for this year. The HCFA board of directors were also informed that Huron County Council had received a copy of the letter from the local politicians. Mr. McQuail explained, "This letter had been received by county council. County council then made the decision that if local members were not in attendance on Member of Parliament Day, that Warden Tom Cunningham would not participate. I'm a little concerned that we have been put in an awkward position," Mr. McQuail also noted concern with the manner in which the three politicians contacted the federation. He said, "I am surprised they chose to approach. us in this fashion. A phone call could have. explored options before they gave us an ultimatum," he said. .. - All guests of the March 10, Member of Parliament Day 'meeting, to be held at the Ontario Street United Church in Clinton, will benotified of the change in format e - • rovineial and federal Yeeret: We,- . Groups , making presentations, will in - at both thp ailoc -tiie '17r`a e . and"Soij 'Eraston __• wanted our concerns to receive as wide an Committee,:Junior Farmers, Huron County audience as possible, including those -"who :Egg . Producers, Huron, County` Milk now sit;.. or may ..sit, on 'government lien- .; Producers. ancl,;. the I?aiii 14i ipsee; eon:, cher:"• ')/After .;"`th 'Modell.* m� o eftmaking too oat� 1 `4 �-'MOM• format, Mr. Garniss said, "They have -us andBeef-Producers. ' 'ouncil %vanslcilled help for'downtown plan-, By Rod Hilts BLYTH - Councillors here were generally opposed to architect Nick Hill's proposal of using students to complete thespecialized work to be done on the village's downtown beautification plan this summer. However they agreed that students could be hired to help complete some of the work. Mr. Hill, representing the Goderich ar- chitectual firm of Hill and Borgal, said at council's; Feb. 14 meeting that the use of student labor on the project could save the village an estimated $10,000. The students could be hired under the Summer Canada Works program and would provide free labor for up to 12 weeks. He said that for an additional $250, he would supervise the students' progress on a weekly basis. His fees to date are $1,000. "If we were scrambling for money then you'd go this route," Clerk Larry Walsh said of hiring student labor for specialized work in the downtown beautification plan. He added, *-"On the jobs they'd be doing there would have to be constant. supervision." The beautification plan prepared by Hill and Borgal includes the erection of a "Welcome to Blyth sign" off Highway 4 at the south end of the village and the placing of banners along Queen Street. Brian Strachan, music instructor with the University of Western Ontario, was in Clinton on Friday to lead a workshop for high school music students. More than 250 choir and band members from four area secondary schools met at CHSS for the seminar. The day concluded with an evening concert, featuring a combined band from CHS and Goderich District Collegiate Institute, and a massed choir, made up of more than 200 voices. (Shelley McPheephoto ) Councilfelt that a skilled brick layer would be needed to build the long, low stone wall, similar to the entrance to the village of Hensall. They also felt that it would take•a skilled person to attach the canvas banners to the concrete poles along Queen Street. Following a brief discussion, council concluded that students coi'ild be hired to help landscape the proposed gardens at the Memorial Hall.. "We have some kids around here that need the work. Maybe there are good projects -they could be doing," Councillor Albert Wasson said. Mr. Walsh sent the application to Sum- mer -Canada for their approval last week. Mr. Walsh , said if their application is ap- proved, three students will be hired for eight. weeks beginning on June 4 and concluding' manly my 27. . Council donates $1,000 "Because it's year 10 and because of the amount of publicity reflected on everyone here, we would like council to raise last year's donation. We realize your budget restraints but we'd appreciate it if council would_ donate $1,000," requested Linda Lentz, the vice-president of the Blyth Centre of the Arts. Last year council donated $800 to the centre. They were in unanimous support of a motion to raise this year's donation $200. "We're very proud to have your people in our village, Reeve Tom Cronin told Blyth Centre° representatives, Mrs.. Lentz, Treasurer Marian Zinn and General Manager Brenda Doner. "I don't think their request is too far out of the' way. We should be supportive. We're fortunate that there are people who want to push these organizations," -Councillor William Howson said after making the motion to increase the donation. The Blyth Summer Festival began in 1975 with a small season that produced two plays for an audience of 2,000 ona budget of $10,000. It has grown to an 11 -week season with five plays that last year were seen by more than 30,000 people. Mrs. Lentz stressed that despite the centre's growing national status, it will continue to be fully committed to its original purpose of providing theatre forthe lin- • mediate area. "While our total summer and winter operations this year will run on a budget of over half a million dollars, we point with immense pride to a solid. financial track record of good management and wise spending," Mrs. Lentz said. Survey bill questioned • A -surveying- bill -for • $4;963:60 -had village-. - councillors here . scratching their heads 'at the Feb. 14 monthly meeting. ' The bill was received from Christian R. Kiar Ltd. Surveyors of Goderich, who completed the survey on the proposed landfill site expansion on lot 26, concession 14 in Hullett Township. The survey of the 27 - acre parcel was completed after Dan Brown of the Ministry of the Environment requested• detailed drawings as to the extent of the proposed buffer zone surrounding the dump. Council ' questioned the cost of the sur- veying and wondered if the weather may have been a factor in the price. "It may be worth a phone call to see if the 'snow was taken into consideration," Councillor Albert Wasson said. Under a mutual agreement, Hullett Township and Blyth are obligated to split the cost of the dump. expansion. This cost includes land purchases and legal ad- • ministration. Hullett's share of the sur- veying bill is $2,481.80. Blyth Clerk Larry Walsh will contact the surveying firm to investigate the details of the bill before payment is made. Conservation authorities get government funding The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority has been granted $950,770 and the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority has been granted $724,345 to undertake various water management, conservation and recreation projects this year, Natural Resources Minister Alan Pope announced recently. - This is a part of a total of $37.4 -million in provincial grants earmarked by the Ministry of Natural Resources to help ,finance projects being undertaken by the province's 39 conservation authorities this year. "Of the total amount, approximately $1.5 - million is proposed for a federal/provincial mapping program to identify areas of poten- tial flood damage throughout the province," Pope said. The Maitland conservation authority will use $378,675 of this year's allocation for work on the Listowel Conduit Flood Control Project. Pope noted that while the provincial economy is showing signs of recovery, there continues to be a need for sound financial management in all areas of public expen- diture, including the transfer payments to conservation authorities. The provincial grants, representing about 10 per cent 'of the ministry's total budget, were based on proposals submitted• by the authorities last year. They,represent about a four per cent increase over the 1983 fun- ding allocation.