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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-01-07, Page 1NO. 1 121 YEARS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1987 50 CENTS s Trends in recreation scheduling questioned By Anne Narejko . CLINTON - Trends in scheduling organiz- ed sports or other recreational activities on Sundays have raised enough concern by a local pastoral charge that they have taken the matter to the town's recreation commit- tee, who in turn, made a recommendation to council. Rob Parr, a'lhalf of the Wesley -Willis - Holmesville United Church pastoral charge, noted, "We would like your assistance in' preserving the traditional worship hours for our children. We therefore request that the Town of Clinton and its recreation commit- tee adopt a policy that no organized sports programs or other recreational programs be scheduled to use , any town operated facility between the hours of 10 .a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays." The time slot of 10 a.m, and 12:30 p.m. was requested as the pastoral charge believes Clinton churches conduct Sunday worship between 11 and 12 a.m. Mr. Parr also noted in his letter that, "Be- -ing a predominantly Christian community, we expect that our members and their children should have the opportunity to wor- ship at that time. In recent years, however, several organized sports programs have scheduled practice, test or game times dur- ing this traditional worship hour...We especially object to such activities during the Christian festival seasons such as Christmas and Easter." In the letter, Mr. Parr also recognized,the fact that there are scheduling problems; such as acquiring judges and referees, but, "there is a principle involved..." After discussing the matter during their recreation committee meeting, a recom- mendation was forwarded to council which suggested the matter be held until advise could be obtained from the town solicitor. At council's final 1986 meeting, they con- curred with the recommendation and stated they would try to have the information prepared for their January 19 meeting. However, Mayor, John Balfour added, "We do have bylaws that cover this, but we need legal interpretation." Councillor John Cochrane informed coun- cil that the times requested by the pastoral charge and those in the bylaws are different. Bylaw 12 for 1969, "A bylaw to permit public games and Volts in the afternoon of The Lord's Day," enforces section 1 of The Lord's Day (Ontario) Act 1960-61 and states, "...no game or sport 'shall be commenced before 1:30 pam. of the Lord's Day." Bylaw 13 for 1969, "a bylaw to permit the exhibition, engaging in or presence at any moving pictures or any theatrical perfor- mance and concert or any lecture in the afternoon of The Lord's Day," also exists in the town. Parking fines increase. CLINTON - Those violating 'the town's parking regulations had better be prepared to dig a little deeper in their pockets as fines have taken a jump. At council's January 5 meeting, they pass- ed a bylaw which more than doubles some of the parking and Stopping...violation fines in Clinton. Those who leave their vehicle in one spo too long will face a fine of. $5, up from the previous $2 fine. Improper parking will cost the owner $10, up $6 from the pt eyious fine. Parking in a prohibited area, double park- ing and obstructing land or driveway use, will cost $10 for each offence. Prior to the fine hike, parking in a prohibited area cost the violator $5 while the other two offences cost $4.' The two fines which were raised the most were parking within 10 feet of a hydrant and parking in a fire lane. They will mow net a $15 fine where previously the fine was $4. • Overnight'parking has jurnpedir-orn $4 to $10 and, other Men- tioned on this list which usually cost $5, will now cost the vehicle owner $10. Anyone receiving a fine has two days to pay it outside of court, exclusive of Satur: days,. Sundays and holidays. Town needs new councillor CLINTON - With the appointment of Ken Holmes as the town's deputy clerk - treasurer, . council lost a councillor, therefore leaving a vacant seat. At their January 5 meeting, the seat was officially declared vacant and plans were made to fill it. Any residents who are interested in sitting on council are requested to submit a written application and brief resume to the clerk by January 28. They do not need 10 names to back them as in an election, but they do need to appear before council at their February.2 meeting and be prepared to be interviewed. This meeting will start at 7 p.m., half an hour earlier than usual. Deputy clerk -treasurer officially sworn in at council meeting CLINTON - Ken Holmes was officially sworn in as the town's deputy clerk- treasurer and tax collector at council's January 5 meeting. "This is the first time in 10 months that we have had a full municipal staff," com- mented Mayor John Balfour. Mr. Holmes salary was set at $21,000 per year. Council torn over full time hiring By Anne Narejko CLINTON - The question of hiring a fourth full time employee at the municipal office here raised some concern and some voices Oat town council's January 5 meeting. After tench debate, the original motion to hire full time was defeated by a 4-3 margin. A new motion, which would allow the employee to stay on as temporary full time for another six months and then be con- sidered for permanent full time status, was introduced and passed unanimously. The job in question is that of a junior clerk -typist, which is now being filled by Brenda lyrners. Those opposed to the full time hiring did not disapprove of the hiring of Ms. Hymers, but the need for a fourth full time employee. "I have nothing against Brenda, she's a great kid. If we -had to hire anyone, she'd be it, but it seems we're increasing our staff every six months by half a person...It's get- ting to the point where the biggest employer in the Town of Clinton is the Town of Clin- ton," said Councillor Gord Gerrits. Deputy -Reeve Rosemary Armstrong, who voted against the original with Coun- cillors Gerrits, Case Buffinga and Ross Carter,. expressed her view by asking why the position could not'be kept part time and increase the hours during the busy periods, such as tax time. However,. Councillor Bonnie Jewitt felt there was a need to increase the staff. "I think it's justified in the work load," she said. "If you need that extra person to be efficient, there's no sense cutting back now and losing." Mayor John Balfour was for hiring the permanent full time person and told council, "If the town grows, how can we expect the same amount of people to do the job. For years we have been under staffed, work that need to be done was being put off... "This municipality is suffering because of lack of service, they're just too busy. "There's no way any of you can come in here and do a study, or whatever you want to call it, and come up with (the need for) less than four people. I'd be happy if all Marie (Jefferson) had to do was try and get us grants." But the mayor's words didn't change Councillor Gerrits' mind at all, he simply said, Sounds good, but I don't believe a word of it." Clerk -treasurer Marie Jefferson added her opinion, by asking who was going to train the new deputy clerk -treasurer and do the work while this training is being done? Once again, Deputy -Reeve Rosemary Armstrong said, "Hire someone until the back log is caught up." The mayor expressed why they weren't considering this option, by saying, "it's not going to get caught up." To prove this point, Councillor John Cochrane asked the new Deputy Clerk - Treasurer, Ken Holmes, *hat he had been doing since he started work on January 2. Mr. Holmes told council, "I've been trying to balance the general ledger that hadn't been balanced since August." Councillor Gerrits agreed that hiring per: manent full time could be justified, "but this town is going to be looking at three (municipal office, public works and police) over the next year. This will cut more out of the budget for other departments. They'll have to take a zero increase." - Councillor Cochrane raised a point on the extra work load by saying, "Last year we went on a money saving caper. Then we had reports written up, we want 'our agendas earlier...Wenever had written reports before so we're creating work ourselves." Mayor Balfour said, "Yes, but we had pro- blems with the word of mouth reports.' The vote on the original motion saw Reeve Bee Cooke and Councillors Jewitt and Cochrane voting for the permanent full time hiring. The new motion passed unanimously. After the new vote was taken, Mayor Balfour said, "I'll go on record right now by saying, if I miss one grant because we don't have enough time to do it (fill out the forms), you are going to hear about it as a council." He later added, "I don't disagree with what Gord is saying, not one word,but if things go the way I hope they do, you'll find you'll be short with four (employees)." .Robert Szusz selected for Hullett Council ,LETT TWP - Council here held a special meeting on December 30 to choose a nevi councillor to fill the seat recently vacated by Vic Stackhouse. Mr. Stackhouse resigned early in December because he had sold his property in the township. Council had nine applicants to choose from, and Robert Szus2 of Londesboro got the nod. tF A Lontesboro resident since 1972, Mr. Szusz has worked in the sales department for Howson and Howson Limited of Blyth for the past eight years. While he has never run for public office, he said he decided to apply because, "I'm just interested in what happens, and I want o see how everything is run. I'm very in- terested in the township and I thought this might be a way I could help out." Although he hasn't had experience in this field he noted that he is looking forward to his work very muck, and he thinks it will be very interesting. Mr. S2usk's term in office wilt terminate in 1988. "That should give me a good feel whether to run again next time," he said. Jason Riehl had his arms full as he helped.colleet bottles during the Clinton Scouts bottle drive on January 3. The boys canvassed the area and collected approximately 30 cases Qf bottles„by noon. They dropped them off at the Snnoeo Station on Huron Road. (Anne Nare jko'photo ) p