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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-09-11, Page 1NO. .37 -120TH YEAR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 50 CENTS 1By Stephanie Leven que A recomrendation to spent $716,00A over three years to make improvements to one wing of Huronview, home for the aged, will be made by the outgoing Huron County Council to the new council eleeted'this fall, In a 15 -14 recorded vote at the September 4 session of.county council, it was decided to recommend the $1.4 million project go for- ward by taking advantage .of provincial money being made available to homes for the aged.. "I knew it would be close but not that close," said Huronview's Management Committee Chairman Marie Hicknell of the recorded vote. McKillop Reeve Hicknell said the propos- ed project calls for renovations to the 1953 wing Eof the home located just south of Clin- ton on Highway 4. The renovations included more washroom facilities, a kitchenette and a nursing station. The latter two items are not present in that wing. The chairman of the Huronview commit- tee said this project being recommended is only half of the work that a report earlier this year said it needed at the home. Phase two involves renovations of $1.59 million. The recommendation to proceed with phase one follows the provincial govern- ment's action of putting aside $75 million over the next three years for homes for the aged. For Huronview, this means 50 per cent of the project will be paid for through provincial dollars. Huron County taxpayers will pay the remaining 50 per cent of $716,000 over three years. As indicated by the recorded vote, not all of county council'is in favor of even recom- mending the project, let alone going ahead and actually doing it. "It's the dollars," said Hulled Township Reeve Tom Cunningham. He noted that with farmers getting less than $3 for a bushel of corn, it would be tough to convince them their tax dollars have to go up to support Hronview. "I live on a farm," saill Reeve Hicknell, indicating she understood the state of Doug McIntosh (right) and Phil McGuire took part in the 24th An- nual Blyth Threshermen's Reunion for the third time. Mr. McIn- tosh., who built his own steam engine in 1982, was one of many 24th ANNUAL -REUNION steam engine owners who brought their machines to the event. (Anne Narejlto photo) Over 12,000 attend sh a w BLYTH - Good weather has played a ma- jor part in the success of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association Reunion in the past. But, it may have been a little too good this year. According to Marian Hallahan, the association's secretary, Saturday's ex- tremely hot weather may have been respon- sible for a drop in attendance on the day. However, the overall attendance for the three day event remained around the 12,000 Mark, close to last year's figures. "Overall, it was just super, but it may have been a bit warm for some people on Saturday," she said. Friday's Seri;or Citizen Day was well at- tended with two or three busloads of seniors taking"in the activities, she said. This, year's Oracle attracted 35 entrants and there were approximately 35-40 craft vendors filling the arena. Other events such as the jamboree, the fiddler's competition and the step -dancing contest were filled to capacity, reported Mrs. Hallahan. The Blyth Fire Department served breakfast on Saturday and Sunday and were very pleased with the turnout. Jim Howson estimated 400 sat down for the pancake breakfast on both days which is a small in- crease. Through the two days, 66 pounds of mix was used which added up to "quite a few pancakes," he said. Local and district competitors take part in olde- tyme competitions A number of contests were held over the weekend with many who turned out at the reunion taking part. The Saturday winners were: Best Antique Car - Toth Allen, Londesboro, 1926 Chrysler Sedan; Best Restored Engine - John Sharnblau, Ker - wood, 19.2 obert Bell; Women's Bag Tying - Diane Hallahan; Men's Bag Tying - Gary Shoemaker, Alvin Webb; Belt Setting, Trac- tors and Threshers - first, Harry Wilkins and Bob Machan, second, Harry Wilkins and Jim Sloan; Log Sawing over 60 - first, Andy Merritt and Harry Wilkins, second, Art Stewart and 'Harry Wilkins; Ladies' - Helen Calquhoune, Judy Sloan; Girls' - Yvonne. Brewer, Gail Campbell; Men's - first, Willard Calquhoune and Jim Sloan, se- cond, Carman and Lloyd Howatt. In Sunday's competition. winners were: Bag Tying - Arnold Lamb, Willard Cal- quhoune; Children's Log Sawing - Tim and Jason Searson, Paul and Steve Hallahan; Ladies' - Helen Calquhoun, Judy Sloan; Men's - Willbert Phillippe and Jim Sloan, Willard Calquhoune and Jim Sloan; Over 60 - Harry Wilkins and Doug Needham; Mixed - Helen Calquhoune and Jim Sloan, Judy Sloan and Wilbert Phillippe; Open - Wilbert Phillippe and Jim Sloan, Willard Cal- quhoune and Jim Sloan. For more 1►ietures, please see page 7 "Handshake agreements" replaced with contracts CLINTON - "Handshake agreements" are days that the Clinton Park was used for rac- no longer an appropriate way of negotiating ing. between the Town of Clinton and the Clinton The clerk told council that the decision to Raceway. Mayor Chester Archibald told Di;l the ,raceway was made by the recrea- Clinton Council at their September 3 tion committee by resolution at a June 9, meeting that the informal system of agree- 1983 moeting. ment could no longer be used in the future Maycr Chester Archibald asked, "Was the between the two groups. racewa, ' informed of this resolution?" The town and the raceway have found that Mr. B.rffinga suggested that lack of corn - previously made agreements, done on a munica}ion between the council, recreation casual basis, have been more trouble than corrirri Aee and the raceway was the main their worth. In .future, signed contracts will reasr,a why confusion in billing had ac - be encouraged. cur:,ulated over the years. Several years of unpaid insurance bills Councillor Ross Carter suggested that a and questions as to sharing of costs has been written contract should be established on an the cause of some disagreement between annual basis between the town and the the town council, recreation department raceway. and raceway in recent months. "We're wasting a lot of money because, Council met with members of the raceway nothing was ever written down on paper, organization in the spring to discuss he noted. outstanding insurance bills. An agreement Mr. Buffinga agreed. He replied, "The was reached and the Clinton Raceway raceway has wanted something in writing issued a $6,889.75 cheque to the town. for the past five years." Recently, the raceway received a letter from the clerk's office explaining that bills Mayor 'Archibald further suggested that amounting to over $1,300 was still owing. the outstanding bills had been neglected too Case Bf iffinga of the raceway committee long. met with town council this month to discuss "It should have been brought to a head the outstanding costs. sooner." Clerk Cam Proctor said that carbon copy Clinton Council agreed to drop the $1,050 billing showed that part of the payments facilities' charges still owing the town and were for stonedust supplies. He said that the raceway agreed to. pay for the $300 1983 and '84 billings were sent in care of Mr. stonedust supply charges. Buffinga, Mr. Buffinga told council he had Further lack of attention at the Clinton never received any billings, Community Park has led Clinton Council to Another portion of the $1,300 billing came propare to take legal action against two from the recreation committee. For facility local men. use and maintenance ih 1983, the raceway In a recorded vote, council unanimously was billed $1,050, a total of $75 for 14 Sun - Turn to page 2 economy fpr ta>riers "`l also understand that at, 411es we must reach out, Evesiu our own business, we reach nut and mate it. I believe we can maize this (Huronview Pro - Jed) too," she said. Turnberry Township Reeve Brian McBurney said the timing for this project is not. good. Reeve Cunningham agreed, pQin- ting to the museum project, saying both pro- jects at one time would be too much for Huron Countytaxpayers. "It'snot going to get any cheaper," was. Brussels Reeve Cal Krauter's opinion. "'11his money is there for us now for our asking. If we say no, Huronview will be on the bottom of the list," said Reeve Hicknell. This council cannot commit funds for the next council which will come in, following the November 12 municipal election. Those voting in favor of recommending the project to the 1986 council are West Wawanosh Reeve J.R. Aitchison, Grey Reeve Leona Armstrong, Ashfield Reeve J.F. Austin, Clinton Reeve Ernest Brown, Seaforth Reeve William Campbell, Blyth Reeve Tom Cronin, Reeve Hicknell, Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnston, Wingham Reeve Joe Kerr, Brussels Reeve Cal Krauter, Howick Reeve Jack Stafford, Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle, Stephen Township Reeve Alan Wolper, and Goderich Reeve Harry Worsetl with two votes. Those voting against recommending the project to the 1986 council are Hay Deputy, Reeve Tony Bedard, Tuckersmith Reeve Bob Bell, Reeve Cunningham, Morris Reeve Bill Elston, Zurich Reeve Robert Fisher, Exeter Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller, Col- borne Township Reeve Russel Kernighan, Hensall Reeve Harry Klungel, Reeve McBurney, Usborne Township Reeve Gerry Prout, ' Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling, East Wawanosh Reeve Neil Vin- , cent, Stephen Deputy Reeve Ralph Weber, and Hay Township Reeve Lionel Wilder. Absent for the vote was Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle and Goderich Deputy Reeve J.P. Doherty. Five-year-old girl may be pulled from school By Stephanie Levesque The Huron County board of education will not deviate from its transportation routes for one little five-year-old girl, even though the girl's mother may pull her from school. What was to be Tabatha Thompson's first day of school at Hunk Central Public School in the kindergarten program turned out to. be a morning spent at.home and an after- noon at the school board office in Clinton. Tabatha's'mother, Christine, with a four- month -old baby in her arms and a middle child as well as Tabatha showed up at the first school board, meeting of the 1985-86 school year. • "I want to lay a complaint," Mrs Thomp- son of R.R. 1, Londesboro told the trustees and school -board administration. Barely able to control tears, the young mother says she has to look after her father who is confined to a wheelchair and is unable to accompany her daughter to the bus stop. She estimated the bus stop to be 60 rods from the end of the Thompson laneway, but not visible from her home. "I'd like the board to make an exception. If they cannot make an exception, my. daughter will not be attending school," she said. Exeter trustee Clarence McDonald asked that transportation manager R.L. Cunn- ingham look. at Thompson's request "with a little bit of compassion." However, an in -camera session at the con- clusion of the school board's regular meeting resulted in a motion being passed which says no special consideration will be made for the Thompson child. "If we give into one, there will be more than one later," said school board chairman Eugene Frayne. He did say that kindergarten is not man- datory and if Thompson ,wants to pull her child out of school she can. The chairman said that the transportation manager had been out to the Thompson home that morning after the mother's initial complaint. According to his measurements, the Thompson gateway is one -eight of a mile from the bus stop. ,• The Thompson laneway leads out onto County Road 8 in Hullet Township. The bus stops at the intersection of County Road 8 and conc. 10. Trustee Tony McQuail said the only other alternatives are to either turnaround in the Thompson laneway, an alternative con- sidered too dangerous, or continue down the 'county road to the next intersection. This se- cond idea would take the sus out of its way by about three miles. McQuail said there was some discussion of an old laneway from the Thompson home that has direct access to conc. 10. Thompson did say if her child could not be accomodated on the bus route, she would want the school board to ' write to the ministry of education to obtain an individual home learning program for her daughter. "I'm not so worried for now," said Mrs. Thompson, "but when the snowbanks are six feet deep." Full funding question filed Trustee Frank Falconer mounted an un- successful attempt to get the question of full • funding for Catholic secondary schools before the Huron County board of education at its Sept. 3 meeting. A resolution from the Hastings County board of education calling for the Ontario government to "refrain from extending full funding" was presented tope school board. Director of education Robert Allan recom- mended the motion be filed. The only trustees who disagreed were Falconer, Exeter trustee Clarence McDonald and Joan Vanden Broeck of Saltford. Falconer said the Huron school board shouldn't let the other school boards fight against full funding by themselves. Trustees Dorothy WaIllace, Murray Mulvey and Harry Hayter were absent from the meeting. 1, Eugene McAdam learned to treat lobsters with tender loving care during the Second Annual Clinton Lions' Seafood Feast on September 6. The Lions Club served plenty of lobsters and oysters at the Goderich Township Conununi Centre. Kathy Rueger, of Clinton, won the $50 gift certificate from My Fair Lady. ( Anne Narejko photo)