HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-01-07, Page 1NO. 1 121 YEARS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1987
50 CENTS
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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 )
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