HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-11-06, Page 1124TH YEAR NO. 45
LECTION '85
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,1985
Candidates express
as our youth and by providing more
apartments, this can be achieved."
Mr. Balfour told ratepayers that he is
concerned with the "bad attitude of people"
in town. He emphasized, "We have a good
town, a relaxed way of life and a healthy
environment to live and work in and this
should be retained and I believe it can be
with the proper management, but some
development is needed to help offset the
certainty of taxes going right through the
roof, which none of us wish to see.,"
Mr. Balfour said that he is concerned
about the "efficiency level of our town in the
areas of costs, .overlapping of manpower
and effectiveness.
"By this I do not infer that there now
exists inefficiencies; but a streamlining or
rearrangement of some areas may provide
better services on a more cost-efficient
basis to our residents."
John Balfour and his wife operate a small
business in Clinton.
Also in the mayor's race is town
councillor John Deeves.
Mr. Deeves told ratepayers that his main
concerns for the future development of
Clinton were similar to those outlined by his
challenger.
Regarding housing and industrial
development he said, "If we get industry
here, we don't have houses."
He noted that Clinton is "not altogether a
failure (industrially)," citing the
expansions at Fleming's Feed Mills and the
piano factory as examples of progress being
made.
In reply to the questionnaire, Mr. Deeves
said, "I chose to run for re-election because
I've always been interested in municipal
affairs and my experience might be a
benefit to the town. My aims and aspirations
are to work for the betterment of the town."
Along with industrial and housing
improvements, Mr. Deeves said there was a
need for better street lighting and
sidewalks.
The focus of Mr: Deeves' questionnaire
reply centered on his background.
He was born in Goderich Township,
educated in the township and graduated
from the Clinton Collegiate . Institute. He
By Shelley McPhee
• CLINTON - Development - commercial,
industrial and residential are the main
issues facing the municipality in the future,
according to the majority of candidates
running in elections here.
Fifteen candidates for mayor, reeve,
deputy reeve and councillors presented
their election platforms at an all -candidates
meeting • held on October 30. Further
municipal concerns, aims and ambitions
were identified in a questionnaire prepared
by the Clinton News -Record.
MAYORALTY RACE
John Balfour
John Deeves
John Balfour, one of the two men
seeking the mayor's position, believes that
Clinton is at a crossroads in its
development.
"Clinton is at a critical stage in its
development and the next few years will be
extremely crucial if our community is to go
ahead and continue to grow and flourish."
Mr. Balfour is vice chairman of the town's
planning and advisory board and chairman
of the industrial committee. Mr. Balfour
said that he has recognized the need for
development in the town. He emphasized
that development would, not come through
"smoke stack industries", but through the
establishment of a variety of smaller
ndustries..
Mr. Balfour said that industrial
development will bring much needed
employment for youth, "to at least give
them the opportunity or choice of being able
to stay here after graduation. Without
retaining at least some of the younger
members of our community, our future as a
town will be seriously curtailed."
He also sees the need • for residential
development in Clinton. The lack of housing
and apartments has led some residents to
leave Clinton, he said.
"They. cannot find adequate apartment
units to move into when they wish to sell
their homesand retire to an easier lifestyle.
We need our seniors to stay in town as well
50 CENTS
concerns
took short courses in agriculture and helped
organize the first Junior Farmers. He was
president of the organization until WWII.
"I belonged to the Middlesex Huron Light
Infantry, went active in 1941, joined the first
Canadian survey, took survey courses and
went overseas as a forward observer for
survey, served in England, North Africa,
Sicily, Italy and the Western front. I was
sent home on long service at the end of the
war and was discharged in 1945 and was
granted two years of university for training
received in the army."
In 1946 Mr. Deeves purchased a farm
which he operated until 1957, then worked at
the grain elevator in Hensall as a
millwright.
In 1947 he became president of the
Federation of Agriculture for a two year
term. In 1949 he was elected to Goderich
Township Council, serving from 1949 - 1954.
He was reeve from 1955-'58. He served on
committees on county council and was
chairman of the agriculture committee.
Mr. Deeves has been a councillor in
Clinton for the past three years.
"I'm a chartered member of the 4-H Club
leaders, formed in 1951. I served as club
leader for 10 years and hold a Dominion
Certificate. I joined the Canadian Legion in
1945 and served on the executive for over 30
years, past president, hold a certificate of
Merit and life membrship.
"I am also a past president of the Clinton
fair board, first president of the
Enterprising Seniors of Goderich Township
and area and zone treasurer of the Zone 8
Senior Citizens of Huron County, a member
of St. James Anglican Church and served as
warden a number of years and as lay
delegate for the Synod of Huron London for
the past 30 years, also a member of the
Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen at St.
Paul's Church, Clinton."
TWO FOR REEVE
Bee Cooke
Frank Van Altena
Two council members are running in the
race for thereeve's position, Councillor Bee
,Turn to page Z
As part of the Fall Festival of Arts to mark the anniversary of the acts arranged by students from the school. Here, Cheryl Bromley
opening of the Clinton Town Hall, students from CHSS put on (left) and Deanna Bell bring rock and roll mayhem into the pro -
Cabaret Nite on November 2. The event included many different gram as part of an air band. I AlanRivett photo)
Council says no clinic for Joseph Street
CLINTON - The proposed move of the
yschiatric clinic to Joseph Street was
urned down by council after hearing from
neighboring residents for a second time.
The clinic, presently located at 105 Shipley
Street, will be torn down later this year
when construction on a new medical centre
is completed. The land which the clinic
occupies will be used as a parking lot.
Ken Engelstead, Administrator of the
Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in
'Goderich which operates the clinic, felt the
site on Joseph and Isaac Streets would be
appropriate for the re -location. However,
the property is zoned residential and those
living in the area are opposed to re -zoning it.
Mr. Engelstead presented his facts during
a public meeting on October 21, but the
residents were ndt satisfied. They were
concerned about the possibility of other
similar facilities being built on the property
if it was re -zoned.
Wayne Caldwell of the County o: Huron
Department of Planning and Development, The one harrier Mr. Engelstead and the
agreed to put a clause in the bylaw which clinic faced was time. They were looking at
would only allow a clinic to be built in that re -locating by the end of the year and any
location - "a one shot deal." After doing this, delay would make them abandon their
copies were circulated to the residents and plans.
their feelings were expressed at council's. It was for that reason council filed the
November 4 meeting. issue.
At this meeting, the residents once again
explained that they are not opposed to the "More than one objection (to the• re -
service, but feel the land should remain zoning) could lead to an OMB (Ontario
residential. Municipal Board) hearing. In that event
council will not proceed with plans because
the hearing could be too time consuming,"
said Mayor Chester Archibald.
"We just feel we're being squeezed in that
corner of town. We already have a delicate
balance between residential and
commercial use," said Steve Cooke.
A letter with 15 signatures was presented
to council. It informed council that it is their
intention, "as the immediate neighboring
property owners and tenant§ of the lot in
question, to make it known that we strongly
object to any zoning change from the
existing Rl classification."
Warden Paul Steckle and his wife Kathy received an original oil painting entitled
Autumn in the Laurentians. The annual warden's banquet was held on November 1.
(Stephanie Levesque photo)
The Steckler celebrate
Councillor John Deeve, reiterated the
mayor's statement, simpl ' saying, "time
has run out."
Councillor Charlie Burgess felt that,. "It
isn't the right of council to go against the
wishes of the ratepayers."
The fate of the clinic is now undecided, but
there has been talk of it leaving town,
By Stephanie Levesque
There were gracious accolades, toasts
and greetings as elected and appointed of-
ficials from across Huron County gathered
in Goderich to attend the annual warden's
banquet.
• The end of year comments were made
about Paul Steckle, reeve of Stanley
Township, and the man who has served as
Huron County warden during 1985.
Hullett Reeve Tom Cunningham acted as
master of ceremonies for the evening which
concluded with a dance at the Goderich and
District Memorial Commu ity Centre.
The annual gift to the warden was
presented this year, by Goderich Reeve
Harry Worsell and Stephen Township Depu-
ty Reeve Ralph Weber. E.ititled Autumn in
the Laurentians, the northern landscape
original oil painting was done by Berge A.
Missakian of Montreal.
Steckle's family, friends and neighbors
were in attendance and so were some
political colleagues.
The provincial minister of health, Murray
Elston, congratulated the warden on behalf
of the other two members of parliament
from Huron County. The provincial
agriculture minister Jack Riddell was pre-
sent at the banquet, but MP Murray Cardiff
sent his regrets.
Steckle is leaving municipal politics and is
not seeking re-election in the November 12
municipal election.
Three run for board
of education seat
By Shelley McPhee
speech pathologists, counsellors, yet it
CLINTON - TUCKERSMITH TWP. - In- seems totally another thing with the deci-
cumbent Frank Falconer of RR 5, Clinton is sion on who should subsidize these pro -
being challenged at the polls this year for a grams. In a rural area such as ours, these
seat on the Huron County Board of Educa- programs are more expensive to imple-
tion by Sally Rathwell of Clinton and Nico, ment."
Peters of RR 4, Seaforth. Mrs. Rathwell said her experience in
The elected trustee will represent Clinton education is based on her work as a mother,
and Tuckersmith Townships on board of I've apprenticed in children."
education for a three year term. Born, raised and educated in Goderich,
Mr. Falconer has filled that position for shefurthered her education at Conestoga
the past five years. His aim if re-elected is to
College in Vanastra, graduatingwith an ex -
"carry on the excellent education, we have g
ecutive secretarial post secondary diploma.
had in the past years."
When asked .by•the News -Record what She has worked for seveal area business
main• issues faced the education board; Mr.and is active;an her church. Hec hUfsband,
Falconer responded, "All issues are impor Steve Rathwell, operates a small machine
tant facing the school board." shop in Vanastra.
He told Clinton ratepayers at an all -
candidates' meeting that French immersion
was one issue, but he noted that there was
little interest in the program, except in'
Goderich. He said that better grants are '
needed from the province to make French
immersion work.
Trustee will serve
on board
for a three year term
He further noted, "Separate school fun-
ding was a big mistake by the province.
They know they made a mistake, but how do
they back out."
He said that the county's five secondary
schools are facine enrolment problems. In
Clinton, Central Huron Secondary
School enrolment will drop to 50 per cent in
the near future. He said the school was built
to meet the high enrolment needs when the
Canadian Forces air base was located here.
Mr. Falconer said that he is "a farmer
taking an active part in community life."
He is pat resident of the Central Huron
AgricultueArSociety, the Shorthorn Club
and LOL of South Huron. He is a director of
the Huron, Cattlemen, member,of the United
Church and Clinton Modern Square Dance
Club. He was councillor in Tuckersmith
Township for 11 years.
Included in his special abilities, Mr.
Falconer noted that he was "born a leader
and good with math.'
Sally Rathwell's interests in the board of
education began two years ago when she
was elected to the Vanastra School Accom-
modation Review Committee. Her work
against the proposed closing of the public
school made her more familiar with the
education board. •
"As I became interested in subsequent
issues the board was dealing with, I felt con-
fident I could serve the cornrnunity well."
Mrs. Rathwell believes that education
trustees should be in regular contact with
schools and parents in the district they
represent.
Issues that concern her are declining
enrolment, pupil -teacher ratios and educa-
tion costs.
She said, "Declining enrolment is going to
be. .a,challenge to all boards of education, but
particularly so if children are taken outof
the education system to attend private
schools. Meeting this challenge will be the
key to survival of our school system."
Regarding pupil -teacher ratios, she said
this should be investigated and regulated,
"because such large classes, especially with
split grades do not allow each child to
receive adequate attention. Teachers can-
not be spread too thin to do so many jobs."
Rising education costa and lack of funding
for rural municipalities also concern Mrs.
Rathwell.
"The ministry of education must be let in
on the secret that education costs have risen
and provincial funding needs to increase ac-
cordingly,
"It is one thing for the local school board
to be expected to provide integration for
handicapped and special needs children,
Mrs. Rathwell said, that her aim as
education trustee would be to work towards
"quality education atah affordable price."
The third candidate in the education race
is Nico Peters of RR 4, Seaforth. Mr. Peters
told Clinton ratepayers that he was running •
in the election because he values education.
"My own education background has given
me a deep appreciation for quality educa-
tion. I appreciate the fact that education is a
continuing process. If we can instill and
nurture its students a love for learning, that
in itself is of monumental significance."
Mr. Peters attended elementary school in
Walton and high school in Seaforth. His post-
secondary education earned him a
Bachelors Degree, in psychology -sociology
and a Masters Degree in divinity. He served
in churches in Michigan, Hamilton and Coil-
ingwood.
Mr. Peters, his wife and three children
now live. in Tuckersmith Township where
they operate a hog and poultry farm.
"I now have two children attending school
and I feel a responsibility to them as well as
to other students and parents to do what I
can to maintain the integrity and the quality
of our school system in face of the many fac-
tors which currently threaten to undermine
it."
Mr. Peters believes that the educational
system should revolve around the needs of
the students, "in such a way that they will
riot be obsolete when they graduate and
enter life and work outside the classroom."
The candidate says that three priority
issues face the Huron County Board of
Education - funding, counselling and a
balanced curriculum.
Regarding funding, he noted that 20 per
cent of the provincial budget goes to educa-
tion costs, and close to 50 per cent of
municipal tax dollars are spent on educa-
tion.
"Should the Ontario government proceed
to implement separate school funding as it
seems intent on doing, the cost is anywhere
between $150 -million and $450 -million. Yet
the disparity between elementary and
secondary school grants has risen from $476
per student' in 1976 to $843 per student in
1984. In addition, a lower public school
enrolment threatens to create financial
hardships in our public school system with
local taxpayers possibly having to meet the
shortfall."
Mr. Peters believes that education must
prepare students for the future, and
counselling facilities must be upgraded. He
stressed, "To succeed in our educational
system will depend, to a great degree, upon
a student making correct decisions at a very
early stage."
Education, he feels must not only prepare
students for the work force, but it should of-
fer a "fully rounded education" in arts,
sciences and technical training.
"Our school system must stay true to the
principle of exposing students to the fullest
dimensions of knowledge."
In conjunction with his farm work, Mr.
Peters is vice-chairman of the Ontario
Pullet Growers' Association and a member
of the Christian Farmers' Federation and
the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. He
also serves on the editorial staff of the
magazine Earthkeeping.