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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-12-07, Page 1135 'YEAR -19 oderich e 1.1 GNAL- STA GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1983 50 CENTS PER COPY There has been a lot of interesting ship traffic in the harbour recently and this week a ship of British registry, pulled into port. The Reynolds, of London, England will take on 10,500 tonnes of corn before heading off to Sarnia to load to capacity. An official of Goderich Elevator said the Reynolds is probably the largest ocean-going vessel or saltie to load in Goderich. The Reynolds is destined for a southern port in Iran. (photo by Dave Sykes) Human Rights Week declared by council The week of December 5-11 has been declared Human Rights Week by Goderich town council and Saturday, December 10 is Human Rights Day. Officially, December 10 marks the 35th anniversary of the . United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Ontario Human Rights Commission says the declaration signifies the decency inherent in all men and women, and the parameters by which the government of Ontario has consented to he hurry) "Governments may pass - human rights legislation, but it is in our own attitudes and hearts that the real change must take place," Ontario Human Rights Com- mission Chairman, Canon Borden Purcell said. "We must be dedicated to the cause of human rights in our own community." The purpose of the declaration of Human Rights Week and Human Rights Day, is to provide impetus for communities, agencies, organizations and individuals to implement measures that would ensure that the anniversary of human rights will be the occasion of special efforts to promote understanding, co-operation and peace as well as universal respect for human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the United Nations recognizes the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all mem- bers of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. e - County Council approves stud Huron County Council moved one step fur- ther at its Dec. 1 meeting to determining the fate of the Huron County Pioneer Museern. Council approved a $27,050 feasibility study on the museum to be prepared by Museum Program Collaborative of Toronto. The Toronto firm was chosen over three other companies, two of which had lower bids. "I would appreciate further explanation why this firm was chosen when two others came in at considerably less money," stated Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle. Agriculture and property committee 'chairman Lionel Wilder said his committee interviewed each of the four companies and Museum Program Collaborative gave the best presentation which was suited more to the county needs. Mr. Wilder noted that the firm with the lowest bid of $16,757 doesn't have the staff that would be necessary to compile the study. Clerk -treasurer Bill Hanly added that the firm comes highly recommended. The feasibility study is subject to ap- proval by the National Museums of Canada and the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture. Mr. Wilder said 75 per cent of the study could be paid for by National Museums and the county is waiting to hear back on ap- proval of this funding. If this funding is denied, the provincial ministry will fund 50 per cent of the study. Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle said the future of the museum affects every citizen in the county and he hopes the consulting firm will consider public input when it is preparing the study. Association hopes to launch fish derby An increased interest in sport fishing in and around the Goderich area has led to the formulation of plans for an annual fish derby. The Maitland Valley Anglers informed town council in a letter that the association plans to hold its First Annual Fish Derby in Goderich during the opening of the trout season next spring. Ian Morton, group secretary, said that because of the renewed interest in sport fishing off the Port of Goderich, the derby could be a successful annual event. "It has beer more and Chore apparent in eeeecent years t?h apart fishing off the Port of Goderit'h and on the'1Vlaitland River is growing m popularity and offers great potential to the sports fisherman for slamon and rainbow trout. This past season it was not uncommon to see 30 to 50 boats trolling off Goderich on weekends," the letter said. "The MVA club is currently in the process of planning a club derby scheduled for the opening weekend of the trout season this spring. As this derby is to be an annual event, we are determined that the First Annual MVA Fishing Derby be a total success. Bulletins, giving details of the derby, contributors and prizes, will be distributed to many retail outlets throughout the province." The matter was referred to the bicen- tennial committee after mayor Eileen Palmer informed council that the com- mittee was considering establishing a fish festival here as Bart of the summer festivities. The committee had_ hoped the festival would be an annual event and mayor Palmer said "the derby ties in nicely with the idea." .. TheMVA, in co-operation with the Ministry of --Natural 1tEsaitijcs," js establishing a stocking program of rainbow trout for the Maitland River. The long-term program will establish the use of upwelling incubation boxes in the Maitland River and will be financed by both parties. The short-term program involves the stocking of yearlings in the river. The project will be financed by a province -wide raffle by, the club's 230 members in communities across the provieee: The draw will be held in Goderich next year. Politics should be taught in school BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE More courses on municipal politics should be taught in schools, Huron County Council has decided in a 24 to 6 recorded vote. Councillors overturned a recommenda- tion by its executive committee which was presented at council's Dec. 1 meeting. The recommendation suggested that a resolu- tion, calling for two provincial ministries to work together to teach citizens at large about local government, shouldn't be sup- ported by Huron County Council. The resolution from the City of Stratford asks that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Education create programs for the teaching of municipal politics. Executive cornrnittee member Tom Cunn- ingham first apologized to his fellow com- mittee members and then said the resolu- tion is a "motherhood issue". "I would like to say that as reeves we are people very interested in how the system works," said Reeve Cunningham. He said that by including municipal politics in the education system more citizens would be interested in running for local government positions. "There would be more participation," said the Hallett Township reeve. A newcomer to local politics, East Wawanosh Reeve Neil Vincent said the only municipal training he has received has been on -the- jot\training. Another executive committee member, long-time Reeve Cal Kreuter of Brussels, said it isn't necessary for council to support the resolution. He did, however, question the removal of nomination meetings at election time. "I used to go to Ethel for nomination meetings and it was crowded to the doors. Now we have ratepayers meetings and just the council shows up," commented Mr. Kreuter. The Brussels reeve had another concern about adding municipal politics to the cur- riculum in schools. "Then teachers want another $5,000 a year. Maybe we (council) could teach for a lot less." Hay Township Reeve Lionel Wilder added similar comments, noting they were reasons for the executive committee's deci- sion. The six councillors voting ag inst suppor- ting the resolution were: Tuckersmith Reeve Robert Bell, Blyth Reeve Tom Cronin, Morris Reeve Bill Elston, Reeve Krauter, Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling, and Reeve Wilder. Those voting in favor of supporting the resolution were: Grey Reeve Leona Arm- strong, Ashfield Reeve John Austin, Hay Deputy Reeve Tony Bedard, Goderich Deputy Reeve Jim Britnell, Clinton Reeve Ernest Brown, Seaforth Reeve Bill Camp- bell, Reeve Cunningham, Exeter Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller, McKillop Reeve Marie Hicknell, Bayfield Reeve David Johnston, Colborne Reeve Russel Kernighan, Wingham Reeve Joe Kerr, Hensall Reeve Harry Klungel, Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney, Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle, Usborne Reeve Gerry Prout, Howick Reeve Jack Stafford, Stanley Reeve Paul Steckle, Zurich Reeve Don Van Patter, Reve Vin- cent, Stephen Reeve Alan Walper, Stephen Deputy Reeve R.alph Weber, and Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell with two votes. West Wawanosh Township Reeve James Aitchison was absent when the vote was taken. Board approves pay increase Salary increases ranging from 4.5 to 8.26 per cent were approved for the ad- ministration staff of the Huron -Perth Separate School Board. In an 8 to 5 recorded vote, the board voted in favor of the annual increases at its Nov. 28 meeting. Both the director of education and the superintendent of education have been placed on two-year salary schedules, while the superintendent of business and finance is on a three-year plan. The director's present salary of $55,500 will increase by 6.5 per cent to $559,130 ef- fective Jan. 1, 1'.. which places that salary $10,000 above the maximum principal's salary of $49,130. In January of 1985, the director's salary will increase to $11,000 above the maximum principal's salary. The maximum principal's salary for 1985 won't be determined until onetime next year when a collective agreement between the board and the Huron -Perth unit of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association is reached. The superintendent of education's salary, as of Jan. 1, 1984 will be $5,000 abeve the Turn to page 2 Star feaiures. Gift Guide '83 For children, it seems that Cbrristmaa can never come soon enough. For adults, however,the shopping season before Christmas appears to be all too short. Despite good Intentions of getting the shopping done early, the days before Christngas slip by at a rapid pace. There are but a few short week before Christmas and for those who leave the, shopping to the last minute, or for those who have a few special gifts left to buy, Signal -Star presents a special tabloid supplement -Gift Guide 1 The 16 -page supplement . features numerous gift suggestions and ideas from local merchants as well as stories offering hints on gifts for that special someone in your life, home decorating, gift wrapping and stocking stuffers. Please browse through our first Gift Guide and enjoy. county okays pay increase Huron County councillors gave themselves a small salary increase at their regular monthly meeting here Thursday. Committee and session pay for the coming • year will increase from $67 for a full day ses- sion to $70. The pay for a half-day session in- creased from $45 to $47. But, while councillors receive an in- crease, the warden's annual honorarium of $4,000 will remain the same. The Meal allowance for conventions was also increased at the county council meeting. The allowance increased from $22 per day to $25 per day, the first increase in a number of years. How about fitness day? The city of Weyburn, Saskatchewan and its citizens have challenged the residents of Goderich to participate in a one -day fitness competition in May.. The contest, part of the Great Canadian Participation Challenge, will take place Wednesday May 16, 1984. Council referred., the matter to the recreation board for consideration. Communities that agree to participate, must them motivate its citizens to walk, run, jog or perform some other form of exercise for a 15 -minute period on the day of. the competition. The community which records the greatest percentage , of pare ticipation will be declared the winner. A letter from Weyburn mayor Gordon Miles suggests there are ne losers in this type of ..competition -and -that each in- dividual and community would benefit. Weyburn finished third in its category last year with onelhir'd ot iia: eitize a taking part in the one -day competition '-et WeYburri`:JVt i flge�.. r Canada andls seeking cotniflf.ntg' from other municipalities by December 31, 1983. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR Minor hockey The local minor hockey teams have been keeping active with their busy schedules so far this season, and to top their ac- tivities off, many of the teams have par- ticipated in local tournaments. To find out how well the teams have been doing, see the Recreation section. Blyth Festival The Blyth Festival has a new general manager in Brenda Doner who has been with the theatre for four seasons as a publicist. Although the summer months are busier then the winter ones, Brenda is keeping active by planning and doing the tedious job of paperwork. For the com- plete story, take a look ie this section of the paper. GDCI basketball Basketball season has come to a con- clusion for the GDCI girls. After an un- defeated season, the seniors lost in their championship game, and then on the weekend, lost 53-40 to London West - minister. The juniors made it as far as the quarter final of the WOSSA games on the weekend, but went down to defeat at the hands of Sarnia St. Clair, 93-18. For the complete story, see the Recreation sec- tion.