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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-12-15, Page 1te1lerich SIS AL—STS 134 YEAR -50 GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15,1982 Stirling acclaimed county warden Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling was acclaimed as the 115th warden of Huron County at special ceremonies Tuesday. A member of township and county council for 16 years, Stirling was unopposed in his third bid to become warden of Huron County. His acclamation marks only the seventh time a Goderich Township reeve has held the position, the last one being Gerry Ginn in 1976. In his inaugural address to council, Stirling in- timated the next year will be one of fiscal restraint for the county. "The economy is not good and we will have to nraetirp restraint in the coming year," he said. "The county has little room to manoeuvre but it is impor- tant to maintain our road system or we will pay dear- ly later. We must also look after the health and welfare of the residents of the county." One of the more salient issues to be addressed by council is the fate of the Huron County Pioneer Musuem in Goderich and Warden Stirling indicated that council must weigh three options in its deliberations. "We must make a decision on the museum this year and we will have to decide wether we want to get out of the museum business altogether, relocate or rebuild," he said. "It will cost money and this is no time to burden the taxpayers. The funds will have to come from other sources." Suggesting that it would be political folly to make promises after becoming warden by acclamation, Stirling said it would be a difficult 'chore for county council to 'hold the tax line during the present ad- ministration. Past warden and Howick Township reeve, Harold Robinson commented that he served on county council for 17 years adding that be would miss the political .involvement. He remarked that while the warden may take responsibility for decisions at the council table, citing the recent decision to hold wage increases for county employees, he cautioned new 50 CENTS PER COPY 7Q members that such decisions were made collectively. The new council features 17 new members, which Robinson said was a record, including three women. Huron County Judge, F.G. Carter addressed the new council and suggested the new warden would "render the county stifling service." While inspiring council members to take their, elected responsibility seriously, Judge Carter suggested council would find solutions to the problems of the day. "Council has been elected to office and that brings. responsibility with it," he said. "You must exercise that responsibility to the best of your ability and in good conscience." "The warden mentioned the museum and it wasn't longago that the building on this site burned down but the council of the day solved the problem. This council will also solve its problem." Reverend Lockhart Royal of Knox Presbyterian Church Goderich reminded councillors that they were elected by the people, the people they must serve. "Always be fair, always be honest as men and women and always be decisive," he said. "If you come in wisdom, you come humbly but if you come in pride and arrogance you come in folly and great shall be your fall." Former warden and Goderich Township Reeve, Gerry Ginn said it was an honor for the township to again supply the county with a warden. Previous wardens from the township have done a reasonable job he ' offered but "Grant will do a more than reasonable job and I'm sure he'll meet the challenge." Warden Stirling welcomed the new members to county council but reminded all councillors . that serious challenges will be faces in the coming year. "We have many serious decisions to make in the next year but we must govern the county for the best of all the people of Huron County." Parkinbau\ned on town streets to accommodate snow removal • In its Monday night session, council decided to amend the present parking 'by-law and as a result parking on any street in town between the hours of 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. from November 15 to March 15, will be illegal. The amendment exempts the parking areas on both sides of South Street, between The Square and Elgin Avenue, providing thevehicles display a sticker. which verifies that the owner is staying at the Bed- ford Hotel. ° The stickers will be issued by the management of Delivery must be according to law Taxi drivers can deliver beer and liquor to people's homes but they must adhere to the Liquor Licence Law of Ontario in doing so. u Police Chief Pat King recently sent out a letter to all the taxi companies in Goderich outlining 'the procedures which must be followed when delivering liquor and beer. The taxi operator, driver or owner must get written approval from the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario in order to purchase and deliver liquor (including beer) as an agent. Delivery can legally only be made to the residence of the customer. The taxi driver must first go to the residence and get a signed order from the customer or any person over the age of 18 who resides at the residence. After the delivery, he must again get the customer's signature to show that the goods have been received. Chief King says it may seem to some people like the taxi driver is trying to earn more money by making two trips to a person's residence for the order. However, he says this is required by the Liquor Licence Law of Ontario which states: "You may not purchase liquor on a verbal (telephone or otherwise) request." Violations of the Liquor Licence Law by taxi companies or drivers will be dealt with by a charge and such a conviction could result in the Board of Commissioners of Police revoking licences. Group to examine committee structure Goderich Town Council may soon decide to restructure its Standing Committees. At an informal meeting of council elect, members discussed the possibilty of changing the eight com- mittee system to six or four committees. But at Monday's council meeting the idea met with some opposition: Councillor John Doherty felt that the system should remain the same. "I don't think the new council understands the system," he explained. "If in two or three months, members of council say- that these committees aren't working I will be ready to discuss it, but right now I won't agree with it," added Councillor Doherty. Councillor Don Wheeler said that he, "supported a review of the committee system," since he thought a change would result in a, "saving of time." Using the environment committee as an example, Councillor Wheeler pointed out that the committee's work is relaxed now, and if this committee was amalgamated with another, members would still be kept busy. Councillor Jim Searls, who has served on the en- vironment committee in the past, agreed, with Wheeler and said, "I see a definite need to restruc- ture the committees!' Presently the eight committees are, finance, works and engineering, traffic, fire, environment, property, waterfront and parks. Each member of council acts as chairman of one committee and vice-chairman of another while Mayor Palmer serves on all of the committees. After discussing the situation, it was, decided that Mayor Paimer, Councillor Doherty and Councillor Clifford would meet and study the . situation. The group will then make recommendations at 'the next council meeting. INSIDE THE S1GNAL-STAR the Bedford and must be displayed on the left hand side of the'windshield'of the vehicle. When discussing the amendment, Councillor Jim Searls said that he felt the by-law would discriminate against residents who lived in the core area. . But when Councillor,John Doherty pointed out that the Bedford Hotel is a major asset to the town and the management of the -hotel has offered to remove any snow which piles up behind the vehicles, the amend- ment was passed. The by-law will be enforced as of midnight Wed- nesday, December 15,1982. There were plenty of bright and smiling faces at the Bedford Hotel Tuesday as Santa Claus dropped in at a special party for the students of Queen Elizabeth • School. Soon after his arrival, Santa was mobbed and hugged by the eager crowd. ( photo by Dave Sykes) Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling accepts the key to HuronCounty from past warden Harold Robinson of Howick Township. Stirling was ac- claimed to the post at special ceremonies here Tuesday and becomes the 115th warden of the County of Huron and only the seventh represen- tative from Goderich Township to be elected to the post. ( photo by Dave Sykes) Save Bluewater Centre Week endorsed '.by council The week of.January 17 to 22, 1983 has been of- Bluewater attention on the town of Goderich and the ficially declared as "Save Bluewater CentreWeek." Bluewater Centre. Hopefully, the letter read, the Council endorsed the motion at its regular meeting government in Toronto will see tit to change its plan Monday at the request of Local 122 of the Public to close the centre. Service Employees Union who hope to organize•Council also entertained three other letters on the community support and sponsor 'recreational ac- tivities in the area. In a letter to council, union spokesman Tim Frawley said he hoped service clubs and parents groups could be recruited to show the government there is disagreement concerning the closure of the Bluewater Centre for the Developmentally Han- dicapped. The union's central organization has promised support and may transport members from other affected areas: ,rep. 0$1, subject of the closure of the centre. One from Huron Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell said that Drea has agreed to sent the deputy -minister to Goderich to meet with concerned citizens and staff. While Riddell suggested that a meeting with the deputy -minister is meaningless he said that everyone should continue to apply pressure to get a meeting With either Drea or Davis. In closing, he said he would pursue the matter in Toronto. ' , ,„ In response to a letter from council, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister, Claude Bennett said he The union hopes to press Minister of Community discussed the matter with Drea and understood that and Social Services Frank Drea and Premier William officials from the Ministry would be meeting with the Davis to attend a discussion with opponents to the families of residents of the centre. he said those closure plan. While the union has not finalized plans representatives are also willing to meet With any for "Save Bluewater Centre Week" it will culminate 'other groups or individuals that are affected bythe with a Saturday evening torchlight parade and dente. announcement. The designation and activity is designed to obtain The deputy -minister is expected tomeet with af- participation from the general public and focus fected groups sometime in January. Mayor Palmer appointed to AMO Goderich Town Council has decided to endorse Mayor Eileen Panner's appointment to the Board of Directors of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario ( AMO). Council discussed the appointment since it will cost the town between $2,000 and $2,500 to send Mayor -P-abler to the•association's m netings:. When- questioned -about: the cost Mayor Palmer • explained that she will have to make 12-16 trips to Toronto. She said the hoard meets four t Imes a year and each meeting lasts two days. As well as serving on the board, Mayor Palmer said she will, serve on one of the association's eight sub- committees. But she pointed out that the committee meetings last for only one day and therefore. she would not have to stay over night. Mayor Palmer. who has Served three terms with the association, says the purpose of the organization is to review proposed legislation and make their views known to the government__ Council- requests new tenders Council has decided to aak two companies to resubmit their tenders for garbage collection. The decision came about after one of the companies, McLellan Disposal Services Limited tendered On a three day residential pick up while the other tender which was submitted by Don Carter, was based on a five day residential pick up. Wanting to compare both tenders on the same basis, council will ask the two companies to bid on both, the five day and the three day pick up. Prc seritty garbage is collected nit dive day basis; with residential areas being serviced once a week and commercial, twice.a week. IT the three day pick up is accepted, resieential service will still take place once a week but some areas will have to have their collection day changed. During the summer, collection would be based on a five day schedule and if the company can not provide this 'service they will be expected to place large containers in areas such as the arena and public parks. Stars win twice The Goderich Signal -Star Juveniles were victorious in both their games this past week. Their win against. Belmont was their first win in Belmont, in five years. „Pictures of one of the Juveniles' games can be found in the Recreation section. Exchange students Between 3f and 35 Rohr exulJange students from 18 different countries met over the weekend in Goderich. Reporter Joanne Buchanan met the students and talked to some oil them about their ex- periences, The S orrappeacas inside the first section. Cutts to close . At the -eiid- of the month. Keith t'titt of Gixiericii will be closing his grocery store. for good. The store has -been in his family . for three generations and has served Goderich customers since the late 1800s. Reporter Joanne Buchanan investigated the history of the business and her story appears on page 12 of the Recreation section. O 1 4 0