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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-01-15, Page 1(1;O f<POBA"If 9 tn-11'1-11E fffl 1 TH STAN D-'1'111•: 1•'11•;LI) BUGLE NO.3 121 YEARS 4.009091.00119 .90009.19119.931992099 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15,1986 50 CENTS The road crews in Huron County have had their hands full with the snow on to the roads, not only making drifts, but reducing visibility. snowfall this winter. Although they have been kept busy plowing, Below, high snow banks line the town and village streets, almost sanding and blowing the snow off the roads, old man winter has hiding the traffic signs. ( Anne Narejko photos) forced roads to be closed several times. The high winds blow the Clinton woman killed in accident GODERICH TWP - High speed winds - and blowing snow caused a three vehicle collision which claimed the life of a Clinton woman on January 9. Geesje (Grace) Buffinga, of 128 John Street, Clinton, died when the car driven by her husband, Hendrik,.71, collided with a transport truck on Highway 8, 50 metres north of 'Goderich Township Road Lot 22- 97. She was 64 -years -old. According to Goderich OPP, the .transport... truck driven by William Chesney, 49, of RR5 Seaforth, was headed north on Highway 8 while William Whitely, 29, of RR2 Goderich, and the Buffinga vehicle were headed south. The vehicles entered a white-out when the Whitely vehicle collided with the Chesney truck, forcing it out of control. The truck was later hit by the Buffinga vehicle. Mr. Whitely and his mother Dorothy received major injuries and his' wife Michelle and son Andrew received minor injuries. Mr. Buffinga also received major injuries. They were taken to the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich. Mr. Chesney received minor injuries but was not taken to the hospital. The truck driven by Mr. Chesney receiv- ed $15,000 damage while the Whitely vehi- cle received $4,000 damage and the Buff- inga vehicle received $5,000 damage. , Mrs. Buffinga was born in Vollenhove, Holland on September 2, 1921 to Roelof (Ralph) Vanderline and Hille Winters. On April 1, 1944 she married Hendrik Buff- inga. - The Buffingas immigrated to Canada in May of 1952, landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia. From there they the train to Goderich where they lived for a short while before moving to Colborne Township. They resided in Colborne Township until 1956 when they purchased a farm in Hullett Township which is now owned by their son Albert. The Buffingas left their Hullett Township farm in 1967 when they bought the farm on Highway 4 which is now owned by Dr. Flowers. The Buffingas lived there until 1973 when they moved to their home on John Street. • Mrs. Buffinga was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Clinton, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and an ac- tive canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society. She was also a volunteer for the 99,990911999922911.911.0099.990.9990909=9.99."--99.... „0..m. Katch Penny Store and a member of the Willing Workers. Mrs. Buffinga is survived by her husband, her daughter Mrs. Larry (Helen) Johnston and three sons; Albert and his wife Mary of Londesboro; Ralph and his wife Margaret of RR1 Clinton; Case and his wife Ruth Anne of Clinton. Also surviving are grandchildren Walter and Grace Johnston, Brian, Darlene, Janine, Henry, Glenna, Stacey and Jen- nifer,,l3uffinga Mrs. Buffinga 'is so survived by five brothers, William -of RR3. Goderich, Jake of Winnipeg, and John, Johan and Willem Jan of Holland; and two sisters, Hennie (VanEgari) and Fem Boes of Holland. Funeral services were held on. January 13 at the Christian Reformed Church, Clin- ton, with Rev. H. Samplonius officiating. Honorary pallbearer was .Harry Snell of Londesboro. Active .pallbearers were William Gerrits of RR1 Clinton, John Van - Wyk of RR3 Clinton, William Kolkman of Londesboro, Siep Bosma or RR3 Blyth, Koop deGroot of RR4 Goderich and Henk Pastoor of Dungannon. Interment was held at the Clinton Cemetery and. the funeral director was the Ball and Falconer Funeral Home, Clinton. time to put county dollars into service departments Ginn contributeda lot to Huron BY DAVE SYKES Former Huron County warden and township politician, Gerry Gin,n, died in hospital Monday after suffering a heart at- tack on his Goderich Township farm. Ginn, who will always be remembered for his hard work, diligence, community involvement and straightforward style of country politics was in his 59th year. One of six generations of Ginns to farm in Goderich Township, George G. Gerry Ginn was the third generation to serve as reeve of the township. His grandfather Oswald was reeve from 1923-25 and his father , George C.,from 1945-48. Born Sept. 5, 1927 in Goderich he was the son of George Carroll Ginn and Margaret Agnes Yuill. The Ginn family farmed, on Maitland Concession for many generations and it was in 1952 that Gerry and wife Jean pur- chased Lots 28 and 29 to stain, their own dairy farm with six cows and a few chikcens. In 1955 he began supplying milk to McManus Dairy in Goderich and three years .later he supplied milk for Andrew's Dai As he moved up the township council ranks he slowly passed on the workload of the farm to son Jim. Revered as a fair man with an old- fashioned work ethic, Ginn gave of himself unselfishly to his community over the years. He was an avid supporter of sports and recreation programs and his family nurtured a rich legacy of participation in municipal politics. Never one to refuse a challenge, Ginn flourished in the face of adversity and was known as a man who spoke his mind and simply did what had to be done. Political , colleague and friend Grant Stirling, now reeve of the Township of Goderich, was reeve when Ginn was first elected to council in 1967. "He was a very energetic man, not just in polities, but in all walks of life and he was an A-1 counpillor;" Stirling recalls. "He was very able, put his thoughts across well and was very fair. He was a man that was never afraid to speak his mind, but, he was always very fair." With memories of the townships Ses- Gerry Ginn qpicentennial still fresh in people's minds, Stirling suggests the celebrations' success was ensured when Ginn accepted the chairmanship. - "He was chairman of the 1-5-0 celebra- tions in the township and he put a lot of ef- fort into it,." he said. "He liked the challenge but'he was a man that always met the challenge." He served as a trustee on the local school board before running for township council in 1967. That same year he served on the townships Centennial Celebration Com- • nlittee. In 1971 he moved up to the position of deputy -reeve and in 1975 he was elected reeve of Goderich Township. In his final year as reeve, 1978, he was elected warden of Huron County., The list of accomplishments and credits over his career, offers fitting testimony to his talents; dedication, commitment to coinmunity and willingness to tackle and - subdue all challenges. One of the biggest supporters of Goderich Township, he helped' -establish Lakeside Park, the Holmesville Ball Park and the Township Cortimunity Centre in Holmesville. He served on the town's hous- ing committee, planning board and was in- strumental in initiating joint fire boards with Colborne and Bayfield. He was a member of the council that initiated the township's offic l plan and also worked with a regional grist council. Goderich Township clerk Robin Thomp- son worked. with Ginn during his entire political career and said his approach was direct and fair. "He was very outspoken but you could argue with him and when it was over it was done," he said. "He was not a smooth politician but he was clear and there was no hesitation about he said or did. If you had a dispute with him there was no reten- tion or animosity on his part." Leaders must have a strong' belief system and must also be courageous to boldly meet the challenges of government and maintain their convictions. Gerry Ginn was such a leader andhis physical, intellectual and spiritual standards enabl- ed him to apply resourceful and creative energy to problems and challenges. - He sometimes challenged tradition but had a clear definition of his goals and abilities. Huron County administrator, Bill Hanly, is quick to label Ginn as one of the -county's true leaders. "He was a very capable warden and a real leader," Hanly said. "He was very in- volved in everything and when he did something he got involved completely. He was a good debater, he was straight out and`he did everything hard." -- George Gledhill (Gerry) Ginn is surviv- ed by his wife Jean and children Jon, Deb- bie and Laurie (Mrs. Phil Paquette) of Goderich; Jim and Brenda of Goderich Township and Jan and Bill Tranter of Goderich. Funeral service will be held in North Street United Church, Goderich Thursday at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Maitland Cemetery. Benrniller Forester will hold a memorial service at 9'p.m-. Wednesday at the funeral home. Donations to the Heart arid Stroke Poon. dation of Ontario or clooadtan Foresters Cancer Researeh would be appreciated as ekpressions of sypiipathy by Sharon Dietz A report presented to Huron County council last week suggests it's time the department$ which provide people ser- vices to the residents of the county get a greater share of the county's tax dollars. The report prepared by Huronview ad- ministrator Wayne Lester points out that more than half of the county tax revenue was spent on roads over the three year period from 1982 - 84. Departments providing people services including the home for the aged, Huron - view and the departments of health and social services received a total of $2,300,153 compared to $5,624,000 spent on roads. The report was presented at a study ses- sion for new members of Huron County council recently elected -in the municipal election in November. County department heads will • present their budgets for ap- proval soon. The study session provided the oppor- tunity for new members to learn about the various proposals made by the department heads in their bid to get funding for their departments in the 1986 budget. The study session Will allow the new members of council to make knowledgeable decisions regarding budgets. The Huronview administrator outlined the long range plans for renovations at Huronview which will decompose the in- stitutional character of Huronview and provide a warm dignified humane environ- ment. The previous county council recom- mended that $716,000 be spent over three years to make improvements to Huron - view but the new council must endorse ttie o endation. The recommendation passed by a one vote margin when it came before the previous council. Most of the municipalities which voted in favor of the recommendation before the election are now represented by new reeves who will vote to endorse or reject the recommendation when the Huronview budget is considered in March. In his report, Lester also pointed out that several of the municipalities which re- jected the proposal to renovate Huronview have the highest number of residents from their municipality at Huronview. Tuckersmith with 17, Hullett with 10, Ex- eter with 23, Colllgrne with 9, and Stephen with 8 are only a ceeded by Seaforth with 31 and Clinton with 54 residents living at Huronview. Tuckersmith,. Hullett, Exeter, Colborne and Ste hen voted against the proposal when it ame before the previous council for, their eecommendation. The report also shows the county only. contributed 6.9 per cent of the 1985 Huron - view budget while the residents con- tributed 47.6 per cent and the province con- tributed 46.5 per cent. Over the three year period from 1982 - 84 the county share totalled 6.61 per cent while the residents' share totalled 46.9 per cent and the pro- vince's share totalled 46.44 per cent. The Huronview report also indicates that employees at Huronview take home significent dollars to their home municipalities which include some of the municipalities which rejected the proposal to renovate Huronview. Tuckersmith and Hullett are two municipalities with the highest salary distribution from Huron - view and their reeves voted against the proposal, when it was considered by the previous council. Lester said the members of county coun- cil were very receptive to the presentation at the study session when he asked them to consider the proposal and take a hard look at the necessity for the renovations at the home. Lester said there was good par- ticipation by council members who 'asked questions and he is optimistic that the vote on the Huronview budget will be favorable to providing funds for the renovations. The $1.4 million project will take advan- tage of provincial money which will be - made available to homes for the aged. The province has set aside $75 million over the next three years for homes for the aged which means 50 per cent of the Huronview project will be paid for by provincial dollars. Huron County taxpayers will pay the remaining 50 per cent or $716,000 over three years. Lester said he asked the council to read the architects' feasibility study, consider it closely and make a knowledgeable deci- sion. 1 "Today is the cheapest it will be to do the renovations. Tomorrow will cost'more. To- day the government will pay for it. Tomor- row they won't." Lester told council. Huronview suffers shortcomings says study Huronview Home for the Aged suffers at present from several shortcomings of design which are typical of the homes built about a generation ago, says an architec- tural study prepared last year. The design philosophy at the time Huronview was built concentrated on the physical care of the. aged. It prescribed a rationality of design which was almost relentless in its maximization of economy, centralization of services and use of minimum standards and dimensions throughout. The homes that such thinking produced are very similar to hospitals, institutional in both character and operation, says the feasibility study prepared by architects, Snider, Reichard and March. The study was commissioned by the Huronview Management Committee for the County of Huron. Over the past several years it has become clear that this institutional en- vironment is insufficient in caring for the emotional and social needs of the aged. Experience has shown that the rational en- vironment has a'detrimental effect on the moral of. both residents and staff alike, says the report. In contrast, every effort is made today to create an environment which fosters a sense of dignity, privacy, respect and as much as . is possible, independence. This new thinking attempts to provide the resi- dent with a place to live which is suppor- tive of their sense of self worth and pur- pose, while at the same time providing for their special physical needs and limita- tions. The specific shortcomings at Huronview stem directly from the institutional character of the design. They include the large centralized washroom facilities and the loss of privacy and dignity they im- pose; the high precentage of 419gd hospital ward type rooms which inhibit any measure of resident privacy; the relentless corridor circulation system which displays a total lack of meaningful communal space and discour ges tempts at casual social interaction; the minimum standards applied to the residents' rooms in terms of size and lack of personal storage space; the centralized location of the nurses' stations for patient surveillance and the hospital type segrega- tion of males and females. Given the state of the existing building and a concern for budgetary constraints, the study proposes to renovate the home to - bring, it up -to the standards of design' re--' quired for today and the future, as much as is feasible. In the opinion . the archtects this involves the decompo ion of the in- stitutional character of the home and itsd replacement with -a warm, dignified and • humane environment. The study proposes major modifications to the existing circulation system geared to providing awmore varied, lively ap- pearance and g i<nore intimate sense of place or identity to each wing. This new system winds through or around -larger group activity areas as well as brushing by Many small occasionalsitting areas, creating many opportunities for social in- teraction. Wherever possible the centralized washrooms have been taken out to open up the service core for new recreational uses. The alternative proposed introduces many individual washrooms adjacent to the units themselves at a rate of one washroom per two units. The improve- ment in privacy alone more than justifies the expense this involves, says the report. A large proportion of these new washrooms are sized to service the han- dicapped. The architects observe in the report that it is important for the residents to become attached to their wing and think of it as their home. To this end each wing is pro • - vided with a sifnificant area to act as a recreational focus and give each wing a Turn to page 2 Communication helps stress By Stephanie Levesque Communication between spouses is the number one aid in preventing stress pro- blems when farmers face financial dif- ficulties says a well known mental health expert. Dr. Val Farmer, 45, of Rapid City; Mich., the director of Rural Enhancement Pro- gram and a columnist for Farm Women News was the guest speaker at a conference in Stratford this past weekend. Entitled human relations, about 100 members of the farm community, both men and women, were in atCentralia AgricultureCollegetendance at the oofe spon- sored by Technology. He advised that farmers who are facing financial problems should get their mar- riages in order first. "Spouses give feedback to each other," said Dr. Farmer. ' The clinical psychologist also suggested that these farmers reach out to the com- munity for help. "That's one of the ways to find out so- eone is in trouble," said Dr. Farmer, He said there has to be a team effort to provide total mental health care to -farmers Wing financial difficulties. Support is available from farm management experts, rural clergy and the family doctor. "No one is working for the total farmer. I think there needs to be more community mental health services ... other profes- sionals need to be involved," said Dr. Farmer. The major difficulty facing farmers hav- ing severe financial problems is deciding what to do, said Dr. Farmer. He said a deci- sion definitely has to be made. During the question and answer period following Dr. Farmer's talk, Maria Van Bommel of RR 1, Dashwood answered the question about what is it like to come to a decision. "It's hell," she simply said. Van Bommel said it was a year ago when her family came to the decision to sell the farm and cut their losses. Calling herself a graduate of the school of hard knocks," Van Bomrnel is now the manager of a farm equi ment business and her husband is the "They aren't at the places they should be,' herdsperson on another farm. The community has a responsibility to "We had options. We could have pretend - provide help for farmers in trouble, he said. ed that nothing was wrong," she said. "This is Where the farm support group Van Bommel is now part of a network in comes into place," he said.- the farm community that helps with provide a counselling those distressed farm families. These support groups should "safe place" where farm spouses can taut . "Don't judge" those who have .given up P- their farm, were Van Bo openly about their difficulties. He said sumnrel's only words port groups have to focus on emotional sup- of advice to the farm community. , port and ndtjudgement. Accepting the loss of .the farm is the The doctor said other groups can provide hardest thing to do, said Dr. Farmer. But,' the spiritual and political support a farmthat has to be done, he added,. so the family family might need, can go on -living,