HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-01, Page 1121 YEARS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1987
50 CENTS
The School On Wheels has brought much attention to the Town of
Clinton, and on March 26, Global Television Network's Rill Rramah
(left) and camera man Terry Culbert came to do some shooting for
N�^r 41V6
Rramah's Ontario. Margaret Sloman (right) was wired for sound
before the taping began. The show was to have aired on March 30.
IAnne Narejko photo)
Huron County - leading the way
By Anne Narejko
HOI,MESVI1.!,E - Huron County's leader-
ship role in agriculture was emphasized at
the Managing For Profit seminar for begin-
ning farmers here on March 26 when a cou-
ple was presented with a plaque for being
the 200th applicant to start a new farm in the
county.
The seminar was aimed at participants of
the Beginning Farmers Assistance Pro-
gram (BFAP) with guest speakers from
various backgrounds as well as the Minister
of Agriculture and Food, ,Jack Riddell.
Mr. Riddell told the audience that 10 per
cent of the province's new farmers are
located in Huron ('ounty. Putting the
number in to actual figures there are 200 out
of 2,149 beginning farmers in Huron County.
"The numbers speak for themselves.
Huron's number one in the production of
white beans. oats and barley - number two
in pigs, chickens, slaughter cattle and steers
- third overall in grain, corn and fourth
overall in dairy When it comes to produc-
tion, Huron ('ounty is right at the top of the
class."
Mr. Riddell was pleased with the number
of young farmers in attendance, and after
explaining the government programs which
are available, said, "But the focus of all
these programs ultimately narrows down to
preserving one institution, that's at the
heart of our agriculture and food economy,
and that's the family farm.
"And that's one reason why I wanted to
come here and speak with you today. I
wanted tb tell you face to face that I. and my
government, are both committed to the
same thing you're committed to, the in-
dividual family run farming operation."
BFAP participants were in agreement
with Mr. Riddell's thoughts on the family
farm. Shawn Drennan, who is operating a
dairy farm with his brother and father in
Dungannon, said the only way he could
manage to get into the farthing business was
to enter into a family partnership.
"If it wasn't for my dad, I wouldn't be
where I am today," he said.
Paul Johnston operates a beef farm in
Morris Township and is also a BFAP par-
ticipant. He agreed with Mr. Drennan's
statement.
' "My father has helped me get started. I
use his equipment and in return I do work on
his far.
m
"If it wasn't for him, I don't think it would
Larry Walsh gels 18
monthjail term,
two year probation
James and Tammy Sparling, of RR1 Varna, received a certificate for being the 200th ap-
plicant in Huron County in the Beginning Farmers Assistance Program (BFAP).
Minister of Agriculture and Fond, Jack Riddell, made the presentation to the couple at
the Managing for Profit seminar on March 26 at the Goderieh Township Hall. The day
long event was sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture. and Food. ( Anne Narejko photo)
he possible (to get started in the farming
business today )," said Mr. Johnston.
The third BFAP participant to speak was
Tom Prout who operates a swine farm in
Usborne Township on a part time basis. His
off the farm job is as General Manager of
the Ausable-Bayfield Conseri ation
Authority.
'Mr. Prout also shares Ou.ipment with his
father and has the belief that, if possible, the
cash flow from the farm should be put back
into the operation. However, he says
management is the most important element
in successful farminj.
"Edueation is a key component in farm-
ing today. You have to know how to manage
your farm," Mr. Prout said.
I
Martin and Teresa VanRaay of Dashwood
are using the modern method of manage-
ment for their cash crop and swine opera-
tion. Although Mrs. VanRaay says she's still
learning, she finds a computer very useful.
"I was afraid of it at first," she said.
The couple entered into the farthing
business with Mr. VanRaay's father and
have been in the BFAP program since 1984.
All speakers agreed that a farm is a
business and should, therefore, be run as a
business. Mr. Riddell,summed up this
thought best by saying, "I tell city people
that when they see a farmer in coveralls,
that's an executive in a one piece business
suit. And that's the way you have to look at
it."
By Anne Narejko
WINGHAM - Larry Walsh, former clerk -
treasurer of the Village of Blyth, was
sentenced by Judge Gary Hunter of the
provincial court here on March 25 to 18
months in jail and a two year probation.
In late May of 1986, village auditors
found irregularities in the 1985 financial
records. After further investigation, it was
discovered that these irregularities dated
back to January 1, 1980 and continued until
May, 1986. Mr. Walsh was subsequently
charged with theft and fraud of $94,905.27
from the village.
In provincial court on October 22, Mr.
Walsh pleaded guilty to the charge of theft
and the fraud charge was withdrawn.
As the case unravelled, it was found that
Mr. Walsh used the money for gambling
purposes.
After having the case remanded several
times, Mr. Walsh's lawyer, David Smith of
Smith, Smith, Gazzola and Sansom of
Guelph, called four character witnesses
and presented a number of letters from
village residents to the court on the final
day of the trial.
Character Witnesses
The first character witness to take the
stand was Doug Scrimgeour, a lifelong
resident of Blyth, Mr. Walsh's neighbor
and a lifelong friend.
Mr. Scrimgeour said he was, "Shocked,
somewhat disappointed and surprised"
when he heard of Mr. Walsh's crime in
May of 1986.
"It took me a few days to adjust. One
day I saw him washing his car...and I went
over to talk to him," he said.
When asked if he was aware of Mr.
Walsh's gambling problem, Mr.
Scrimgeour said he was, after the charges
were laid. He then proceeded to help Mr.
Walsh with his problem, explaining that he
had just finished reading articles
on Gamblers Anonymous and through the
articles he learned the problem was not
insurmountable.
"I mentioned this to Larry and he follow-
ed through into the program," said Mr.
Scrimgeour.
Mr. Walsh now attends a Gamblers
Anonymous session once a week in Toronto
and has helped set up a similar self help
group in London.
Mr. Smith questioned Mr. Scrimgeour
about his client's personality, asking if he
had noted any changes.
Mr. Scrimgeour said he had, stating,
"When Larry was in trouble, he was defen-
sive...now he has a change of attitude. He
realizes he is the one who has the prof tem
and he has to make the changes."
Regarding Mr. Walsh's volunteer work
in Blyth, both Mr. Scrimgeour and the se-
cond character witness, John Elliott, had
.nothing but praise for his efforts.
"Larry was the fire area secretary, was
in the Lion's Club, active in minor sports,
Fire destroys
Auburn barn
AUBURN - A fire early in the evening of
March 30 destroyed a barn on the property
of Bill McCormick.
According to Blyth Fire Chief Irwin
Bowes, the firefighters were called to the
fire at about 6:45 p.m. He explained that
when they arrived the old wooden barn was
totally engulfed in flames.
"We were out about three hours all
together. The only reason we had for putting
it out was three houses were exposed to
danger from the embers in the high wind.
We had to bring it down," Chief Bowes
explained.
While he did not venture a guess as to the
damages incurred, Chief Bowes pointed out
there were not too many items in the barn
when it burned, mainly just wood and some
tires.
Firefighters suspect the fire may have
been started by children playing with mat-
ches as some small children were seen leav-
ing the scene of the blaze just before it was
reported.
Postal
rates jump
on the Blyth Cemetery Board, in the
Masonic Club...
"He's given lots of extra time. to the
Village of Blyth. He's been a great help to
the people in the community," said Mr.
Scrimgeour.
Mr. Elliott said that Mr. Walsh did many
services for the elderly, did income taxes
for people free of charge and helped the
youth in the village.
Mr. Scrimgeour concluded by saying, "I
know Blyth is better off for the 13 years
Larry was clerk -treasurer in Blyth.
"He did a lot to bring on the Village of
Blyth. (After Mr. Walsh was charged) he
didn't take off to Brazil. He hasn't gained
anything - he's hurt his friends and family.
In Blyth, people don't forget...he's got an
uphill battle."
Before stepping down from the stand,
Assistant Crown Prosecutor Glen Carey
asked how Mr. Scrimgeour could consider
the village better off after approximately
$95,000 had been stolen from it.
In response, Mr. Scrimgeour said the
village has been reimbursed. To this, Mr.
Carey said the • insurance fees will
increase.
The second character witness in the
sentencing trial, John Elliott, is the
village's insurance representative and a
lifelong friend of Mr. Walsh.
The two "chummed together," went to
school together and played sports together
said Mr. Elliott. He told of Mr. Walsh's
academic background noting that he had
been at the top of his class and had skipped
a grade in elementary school. In high
school, he considered Mr. Walsh an "ex-
ceptionally good hard ball pitcher."
Mr. Elliott recalled that during their
senior years in public school,
(Grades 6-8) the students would play cards
at recess and during the noon hour. Mr.
Elliott suggested that this could have
represented the early stages of Mr.
Walsh's gambling problems.
Mr. Elliott also believes that the Walsh
family "did not benefit in any way" from
this crime, adding, "He did what he did on
his own without anyone else's knowledge."
Mr. Carey asked if the bonding company
of Adjusters Canada had paid the village
back in full and Mr. Elliott said they had.
Mr. Elliott also said he had no knowledge
of the bonding company wanting to be
compensated for the $95,000.
Mr. Carey asked the witness if he knew
that Mr. Walsh had been prosecuted in 1973
for the same offence by Royal Trust. Mr.
Elliott said no.
The assistant crown prosecutor told the
court that Mr. Walsh's excessive gambling
had reached the point where he was plac-
ing bets at special counters because he
was effecting the odds.
Letters
Mr. Smith submitted several letters to
Turn to page 2
New postal rates will take effect April 1,
Canada Post Corporation announced.
First class letter rates will be 36 cent
within Canada, 42 cents to the USA and 72
cents to other international destinations.
The international rate is one cent less than
originally proposed for the convenience of
customers who will be able to use two
domestic stamps for overseas postage.
Current rates, set in 1985, are 34 cents in
Canada, 39 cents to the USA_and 68 cents to
other countries. Rate changes were propos-
ed in January as part of the Corporation's
financial and operating plan.
In addition to revising the international
letter rate, the Corporation will also charge
less than planned for addressed advertising
mail and parcels to and from the North West
Territories.
The basic addressed advertising mail rate
will increase from 15 to 17 cents on April 1. A
further increase on July 1, however, will be
.5 cents instead of two cents. New presort
options, also effective July 1, will be 15 and
16 cents, one cent less than originally
proposed.
There will be no increase to, the basic
North West Territories parcel rates in
recognition of the highel- rates that current- n
ly exist in this region.
The Corporation said new 36 cent postage
stamps for domestic and international let-
ters will be available at postal counters on
March 30.
A 40 cent Olympic Commemorative
Stamp will go on sale April 3. USA and Irjter-
national rate definitive stamps will be
issued May 6.
CLINTON PUBLIC
HOSPITAL
BUILDING FUND
PLEDGES AND DONATIONS
400,
000
375,
000
350,
000
325,
000
300,
000
275,
000
250,
000
225,
000
200,
000
175,
000
150,
000
100,
000