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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-09-17, Page 1De:OR POR ,&T11NG-THE BLYTH STANDARD -Ti - E BAY FIELD BUGLE aO.38 121 YEARS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1986 50 CENTS causes Eauiprneflt controversy By Anne Narejko CLINTON - Over the past six months residents have showntheir equipment and desire to have playground t the Clinton Public School by making monetary donations as well as giving time to help at various events. The leader in this endeavor was a group of parents who made up the Activity Cen- tresToday ( ACT) committee, donating a great deal of time and effort to the cause. In six short months, and with the co- operation of the community, tequipment their goal and the playground was erected and ready to go when school started earlier this month. But at the moment, the story is not all that uplifting. Thirteen children have been injured with some being taken to the emergency unit at Clinton Public Hospital. "Last year the students of Clinton Public • School raised money to help pay for new playground equipment...Parents and other people, of the community donated money. W,e all wanted fun and safe equipment for our children. "Would we have allowed the equipments to go up if we had known that one piece was going to hurt the children?" noted Wilma Steward, whose son attends the school. Mrs. Steward started a petition and in two hours collected 27 names of people who felt the cable car (a handle approximately nine feet off the ground which students grasp on to and swing across to the other side of the equipment) should be taken down. Some of these same people had donated money. Ron McKay, Principal of Clinton Public School, does not believe the equipment is the problem, but the children themselves and has told Mrs. Steward he will not remove the cable car. "They're not using common sense in the use of the equipment...'j'he ride is not, a dangerous ride," hetold the News -Record. Of the 13 accidents, only one has occur- red during school hours, and according to Mr. McKay, this person received a cut which required four stitches. —During school hours the equipment is supervised. After school hours it is treated no different) ethan the slide at the park - it's designated as public property," he said. This fact has raised considerable con- cern for Clinton Council. Mrs. Steward presented Mayor John Balfour with the petition and a letter of ex- planation. In turn, Mayor Balfour presented the issue to council at their September 15 meeting with council members expressing varying opinions. Councillor Bonnie Jewitt said, "Parents should supervise their children if they are going to use it after school." All members agreed with Councillor Jewitt, but didn't know how they could en- force it. "Most children use it between 3:30 and 5 p.m. and their parents are probably at work," said Mayor Balfour., Councillor Jewitt said she believed most. children used the equipment between 7 and 9'p.m. Councillor Ross Carter had apother view. "For the little bit bar, of why not takent e the et rom swinging thing down...With liability and everything, plus the principal has been publicly warn- ed, everyone sitting here and in the board office could be sued if something happen- ed. Take it down," he said. Councillor Buffinga could not unders- tand how the town could be liable for something on school property and he was told by acting -clerk treasurer Marie Jef- SFA re-elects regional directors at ann /al meeting The Huron County ehapte r_of the Ontario "The a farm has to survive for the Federation of Agriculture elected regional sake of a tt adians." directors to represent the county at the Declining membership in the OFA was a provincial OFA level, at their annual major concern of Harrison, in his address meeting, held Sept. 11, in Clinton. to the meeting. Four of the five regional directors were "Declining membership will mean re-elected for another one-year term, with fewer regional directors, less directors' the only change coming in the Huron East meetings, less participation and less help Central region, where Doug Garniss, of (for regional associations) from the RR 4 Wingham, replaced Bert Saunders, OFA," said Harrison. who, declined to stand for re-election after He pointed out that there are currently completing his fourth term as regional fiy,t regions in the OFA which are in director. Huron East Central region takes of losing one or more of their direc- in the townships of Hullett, McKillop arid . torships due to declining membership and Morris. attendance at meetings. Chris Palmer, of RR 5, Wingham was re- "And Huron County is not far behind elected director of Huron Nth West them," he pointed out'. .. region, which includes Colborne, Ashfield, Harrison suggested implementing a East Wawanosh and West Wawanosh solutionystoto alternate e aete irecto s rubleprobleea a townships. • Wayne Elliot, of RR 2, Goderich will • directors' meetings. once again represent the farmers of Huron Outgoing director Bert Saunders in - West Central region, which takes tit Goderich, Tuckersmith and Stanley Townships. Paul Klopp, of RR 3 Zurich, was chosen for a fifth term as representative of Huron South region, which encompasses Stephen, Osborne and Hay Townships. Bob Harrison, of RR 1, Monition, was re- elected director of Huron North East region, representing the townships of Grey, Turnberry and Howick. In their comments to the mgwhich 100 was attended by .approximately members, all the directors stressed the importance of the federations' role in deal- ing with the problems in agriculture today. Palmer said the. organization would benefit from a unification between the two types of farmers that make up the bulk of the membership: the "more secure" cash croppers who are traditionally older farmers from the south of the county and the northern livestock producers, who de- pend on cyclical pricing systems for their there have been some changes," said livelihood. Klopp. "What we need is a blending of these two He pointed to declining interest rates attitudes," Palmer said. and a shift in consumer attitudes toward "Canada has to protect its agricultural" farmers' 'responsibility for high food industry any way it can," said Palmer, in prices. discussing the role of agriculture in the "The consumers are on our side now," current free trade discussions with the Turn to page 2 • United States. dicated his support , for the provincial government's handling of the recent crop damage crisis for farmers in the Niagara region. "It I chose to go without crop insurance, I should expect to take the losses, if there are to be losses," he said, in support of statements indicating support, for Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell's deci- sion not to grant emergency help to unin- sured Niagara farmers. Elliot reiterated Harrison's call for in- creased attendancce at meetings, both the regional and local levels. "Often there is only one or two per cent of the members at the monthly meetings," he said, adding, "Yet, everyone has lots to. say after the fact". Klopp encouraged farmers to remain op- timistic and pointed out that changes in agriculture are usually accomplished over &period of time, rather than immediately. Over the four years I have been director, Bill 30 could lead to fragmentation, Board says This piece of playground equipment, called the cable car, at Clinton Public School has raised some concern from parents and council. Thirteen children have been injured on it and taken to Clinton Public Hospital. Principal Ron McKay, who said only one student was injured during school hours, believes it is not the equipment that is dangerous, but the way the children are using it. Clinton Council also feels more instruction for the children is needed. ulie Hohner and Grade 7 and 8 students, During dee their way the first safely acrk of oss. s.(Anne Narejko photo)to Royal, ferson that the town applied for a grant on behalf of the ACT committee,, therefore, making it a public park. After Councillor Carter suggested the cable car be taken down, Councillor Jewitt pointed out that the rest of the equipment is just as dangerous. "It's (cable car) no different than the rest of the equipment if you were to climb on top of it," she said. Another suggestion was also heard with Mayor Balfour asking council's opinion on the idea of requesting the Huron County Board of Education suspend the use of that particular piece of equipment until the children can be educated on the proper use of it. "You're right, the parents should be responsible, but they need proper instruc- tion which should be taught during school hours. And I agree that one piece of equip- ment is not more dangerous than another. Water rates receive first increase since 1982 By Anne Narejko CLINTON - Last week the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) here announced they t`would be switching to a flat rate system for ^a• *hev an - sewage charges and this we flounced a $2.50 monthly increase in water rates. "We require that much to get tis out of the red. We're operating at a deficit now," said Guss Boussey,, Clinton PUC Manager. "We need that to cover the deficit and save for improvements." As ola ned, and he presethe PM was nt '088 in the red, ssystem is past he exp • f life The numberncy was in- stalled in 1024 and pari§ can no longer be purchased for it. A rep acce�ament co ewerhas been elated at $28,000. voir is being "babye " at the present Waage it is past its p e. A price tag of ,000 has been attached to a new resetoir. "The increase will help cover the deficit well as allow us to put some in a reserve but it (the cable car) is getting a lot more use. "I went up at recess to see it and there were an awful lot of kids on it," he said. Along the lines of educating the students Mayor Balfour told council that 29 injurie occurred on the, same equipment a Hohnesville Public School during the firs four months it was up. h "After that, there have been none," said. Council decided to write a letter to th Board of Education recommending prope instruction should be provided. They wi also send a letter to ACT asking fo suggestions. .In the meantime, Mr. McKay says th equipment will not be taken down "until am convinced it is dangerous. We're goin through the breaking in procedures unti they learn the proper use." Injuries received by students have bee broken bones and cuts. fund for the improvements," said Mr. Boussey. "The cost of material and equip- ment has almost tripled and wages and ad- ministration costs have gone up about 15 per cent since May of 1982." The increase will see the minimum bill of the first 100 cubic feet raise from $5 to $7.50 for in town customers. Each cubic foot over the 100 will remain at 45 cents. This will mean an increase of $3,287.50 per month for the PUC or $39,450 per year from the 1,315 customers. The 70 out of town customers' bills for the first 100 cubic feet will rise frouri $7.50 tc $11,25. This Will mean a months increase of $262.50 or $3,150 per year for the PIC. Vanastra customers will receive a sit. cent increase per 1,000 gallons making their charge 90 cents per 1,000 gallons. "This ;makes Vanastra and HHuronvitw lloussey who also said paid by Piton County COMO into effect tin and opal," said Ht)ronvietVs bi The charges ..... after November 1' as 'wilt the rate fd;r'the sewage charge, • By Shelley McPhee-Haist The board found the answers to its con- CLINT-ON -• The possible repercussions cerns in a letter written by Mr. Conway to of Bill 30 could be of serious concern in the William Eckert, director of the . HPSSB. county, says the Huron County Board of Mr. . Conwrate ay's letter confirmednd twat the Education. its At their September meeting, board plans to implement a secondaryschool. members voiced grave concerns regar- In response, Mr. Clark said, "I took the ding the new legislation and its possible letter tern asbg1 it letter severe setback. g that's the ways , impacLon Huron. County.. ,..' ',.tiw,:a:� Bill 30 provides all secondary school it is folks, like it or not." students in the province with full access toEugene Frayne, a separate school both public and separate high schools. The representative rc e e o f h ont Huron n t p board noted, d, legislation also gives children of public N i n e t y p don't know what h e going e o p 1 e school supporters attending Roman Catholic high schools an automatic exemp- They don't realize that they won't be tion from religious studies. • represented." This September the Huron -Perth H su gested that Bill 30 could lead to e g fragmentation between the separate and public school supporters in Huron County. Mr. Clark has further supported this concern in letters he has written to Jack Riddell, Huron -Middlesex MPP and Mur- ray Elston, Huron -Bruce MP. Mr. Clark asked for their assistance in determining a solution, noting, "This matter is a signifi- cant concern. We believe this problem, if not resolved by the minister, will become a major political issue in our jurisdiction." At the September meeting of the Huron board, members emphasized that they have always worked for, and represented wrote to , Mr. Conway, "Huron County all the people in Huroli ounty. ratepayers felt assured that the proposed _ Board members Tony McQuail said, "I legislation had no immediate impact upon would like to see the separate and public them. Public school ratepayers went to the school boards working together to repre- polls in the November municipal election sent chaall rat a ay need ise 11 lawsThmay have and elected board members torepresent them. Separate school ratepayers elected The board plans to pursue this issue at two members to the Huron County Board its executive committee level. The com- of Education to represent them for secon- mittee will belooking at the ce a o ssawngof dary school purposes. Both public and holding a press separate school supporters were confident press release on the subject. and comfortable that this was the best Board representative for Clinton - possible arrangement to accommodate the Tuckersmith, Sally Rathwell, suggested secondary education requirements in this that ait would help to ess cearieyheld, boasaying county until 1988. "The recently enacted legislation ap- position on Bill 30. pears to frustrate the ratepayers of the Bea Dawson, the , Isbornet would tell the county and deny them the representation trustee agreed, noting, which they believed they elected to serve ratepayers what efforts the board has them until 1988. We request your made to work for all Huron County assistance to rectify this matter." people." Separate School Board (HPSSB) opened a separate high school in Stratford. The 'separate board has indicated that it will consider the establishment of a similar secondary school for Huron County in 1988. The issue does not end there, according to the Huron County Board of Education. At a special meeting in July the board passed a motion, requesting assistance of the minister of education, Sean Conway, local membeof rs and other support groups to rectify the impact of Bill 30 in Huron County. Art Clark, chairman of the Huron Board, eee b art week's h itvy ra # ea c, 1 whenthe bayftPld 1Iiarbo sui fer •ls t vas one thitti4 es<i the 'Ia teld'likiteri. Just acro a riila'"ift floated into the lake and was gnashedn o the inshore g point, d t.. rnxitnetely hall' a mile from side do'�Mt a�p (i�irviCd EMal e'photo) Lig