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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-11-06, Page 1i fd, 1f 60 CENTS PER COPY Council has been proclucOve Mayor Palmer pleased with council's work over three -yeas term A combination of a rejuvinated economy and a diligent council contributed to one of the most productive council terms in re- cent memory. That from Mayor Eileen Palmer, one of the few inayors in the history of the town not to face an election, and a candidate who has always faced a stiff battle in her pursuance of a council position. The acclamation must be viewed partly as a positive response to the Paimer's first term as mayor. She suggests the condi- w tions were ripe for a positive term. "We had a productive three years due to a combination of the economy turning around and we tapped in to the harbour development as a result," she said. "Coun- cil was productive despite changes and along with the administration, department heads and staff, it made for three produc- tive years." The acclamation, record of council and willingness of the citizenry to lend a hand in local projects, has in turn stimulated the positive attitude that is permeating Goderich. Over the past year the town has been rife with rumors of the possibility of a major industry locating in town. Fuelled by coun- cil's bid to annex a parcel of land adjacent to the industrial park, Palmer said the pro- spect is still in the works. "We have had an inquiry and that is still on the boards," she explained. "We will proceed with the annexation and rezoning of the land and if the industry locates elsewhere we'll just go after someone else. We still have to take the steps." While the previous election candidates faced the imminent closure of the Bluewater Centre for Developmentally Handicapped on the eve of the 1982 elec- tion, its reopening as a regional centre for young offenders has also spurred the local economy. "The first phase of the centr is complete and while there are two more phases to go, the spinoff effect is certainly felt by the town," Mayor Palmer said. "You can't have an $11 million dollar conversion without the town benefitting." Of course, the major capital project pur- sued by the council was the $17 million har- bour redevelopment plan. The project, which calls for the dredging of the inner harbour to seaway depth and the creation of a new seaway depth berth adjacent to the north section of Domtar's salt mine operation and the creation of a new breakwall, will be phased over the next few years. The full impact and ramifications of the project may not be felt by the town for many years. A project initiated by local in - Mayor Eileen Palmer dustry and council, Palmer said the town was fortunate that the new government honored the commitment to the redevelop- ment scheme. "We won't know for many years what the impact will be for the town of Goderich," she said. "The immediate_ benefits are realized in money spent on lodging, food and other supplies." The new three-year municipal term gets a favorable rating from the mayor with one exception. "The three-year term has been good for Goderich because we generally had a positive group," she ex- plained. "It has its disadvantages in that you could have dead wood on council. We live in a transient era and three years is a long time." Palmer made it clear during the cam- paign of 1982 that she would endeavor to be a full-time mayor in that she had the time to devote to the job and its demands. The demands, she has learned, are con- siderable, often prohibitive, but always en- joyable. A visible politician by choice, she accepts the demands on her time. g� "I have been visible by choice but it's part and parcel of the job. People want the mayor at functions and I have responded to the invitations," Palmer said. "I enjoy the work of being mayor and the social aspect as well." By virtue of position, the mayor is a voting member of all the town's boards, committees • and commissions. Citing a need to be part of the background and work that's done at the committee level, Palmer suggests she has 'attended 95 per cent of the meetings. For six terms, Palmer has also served as a director on the board of directors of the Association of Municipalities of On- tario (AMO). A lobby group representiang 90 per cent of Ontario :,municipalities, Palmer said AMO acts as;. a strong voice for municipal government.. While she has served six terms on the board of directors, the mayor suggests she may aspire to a loftiev position on the association. The mayor was accused of getting in- volved in a labour dispute between striking Energy and Chemical Workers and Dom- tar. She says she merely responded to pleas from the communtiy. "I responded to a need in an intelligent manner and I don't know if I influenced anything, that's not important," she said. "The people went back to work. You have to do what you can without interfering." Manager of the Bedford Arms Motel, Palmer says the job gives her the flexibili- ty to respond to teh needs of the communi- ty. "I have been a full-time mayor and basically my time is my own. I am always available and people have no problem get- tiltg in touch with me." The role and scope of municipal govern- ment has changed drastically in the past decade but Palmer. says the taxpayers are getting good value for their tax dollar in Goderich. "We get value for our money," she stated. "We've been involved in Neighbourhood Improvement Programs, then ONIP, we've taken advantage of Board of Industrial Leadership and Development (BILD) grants and make- work projects. We have a good administra- tion and the taxpayer is getting good value." The town is still wanting in a few areas and Palmer suggests that an indoor swim- ming pool, something she conceded is an eventuality; and a convention . centre, would enhance the town's image as a tourist area. "We've done well here with what we have but people like to get out of the city and I think we could attract workshops and seminars." Housing has been a problem for many years and a shortage of rental accomoda- tion continues to plague the town. It's a problem that is not unique to Goderich the mayor says. The next three-year term of council will still be an active and demanding one the mayor says, citing the development of the harbour, St. Christopher's Beach, the water storage and distribution system and the airport, as main items on the agenda. Tonya Glousher was literally singing in the shower when her (trade 6 class presented a Hallowe'en song to the rest of the students of Victoria Public School last Thursday after- noon. Along with a shower. she was costumed with a towel, shower cap and soap. (photo by .Susan Hundertmark e And we will Remember Remembrance Day services set The poppy, So quiet, so serene Guarding. Guarding the brave soldiers Who died Four nut freedom. I see one And I remember Stories Of the young men, The courageous men. 1 am free now Monday. November 11 marks an auspicious date in Canadian history. In fact, Remembrance Day attracts millions of people in cities, towns, villages and hamlets around the world to cenotaph services to offer a thankful and com- memorative prayer for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. It is out of respect and gratitude that Canadians will observe Remembrance Day on Monday, reflecting on the selflessness of those who fought for freedom. While we still grapple with the complex- ities of a peaceful existence, it is only because of the efforts of those before us that we are able to entertain the prospect of peace. This weekend, members of the Goderich Legion Branch 109 and town of Goderich officials will recognize those who have lost their lives. The annual memorial service for the seamen who lost their lives in the great storm of November 1913 will take place in Maitland Cemetery at the Unknown Seaman's plot at 3 p.m. This year the annual Branch church parade will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this service of Remembrance. (1n Monday November 11 at 11 a.m. the Remembrance Day service will take place at the Cenotaph in Court House Park. Members and veterans who wish to parade will meet at the Legion hall by 10:30 a.m. For those Legion members and veterans whose health does not permit them to parade a bus will be provided. If you wish to be on this bus which will be parked near the cenotaph during the service please phone either Howard Carroll at 524-7969 or Ray Barker at 524-8849 and they will arrange to have you picked up at your home, put n the bus and returned home. Following the Remembrance Day service the Ladies Auxiliary will serve lunch in the Jubilee room to all those on this parade. As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebra- tion following the November 11 parade each member will be given the opportunity in the Jubilee room to sign the Articles of Faith of the Royal Canadian Legion. By this signing each member Ordinary, Life and Associate will rededicate himself or herself to fully support the aims and objects of the Royal Canadian Legion. The first comrades to sign this document will be Padre Royal, Padre Crocker, the Silver Cross Mother, the Provincial second Vice -President of the Ladies Auxiliary, the mayor of Goderich, the town clerk, the President of Branch 109, the President of the Ladies Auxiliary of Branch 109, the members of the Executive of Branch 109 and the Ladies Auxiliary. All Legion members present are then invited to sign the Legion Articles of Faith. During this Diamond Jubilee year of the Legion everyone is urged to wear a poppy during Remembrance Week and attend both the Branch church service on November 10 and the service at the Cenotaph on Novemb- ner 11. At this time we remember those Canadians who paid the supreme sacrifice for the many freedoms that we enjoy today. Together we will remember them. m� at. auditorium .s theGoderich t011 0111 • During theameetng, east tee ru i-. ing:.for, Ggdellli+ . council, commission and Heron board ttf education will`be given,wo to twee minutes to spear before a questiongaostionFieriod.. Polis be open on Tuesday, Nov: 12 from 11 a.m. to8 p,m. and locations will be • outlinedon voter notification cards mailed out from town.hall, Voters not yet on the voting list can ob- tain a sworn affidavit at town hall to take to the polls on Nov. 12. This election there are 5757 voters registered in Goderich, 44 more than in 1982 when 5713 voters were registered. Of the total, 3435 are owners, and 1100 are tenants. In Goderich, public school supporters . total 5056 while there are 701 separate school supporters. The population of Goderich is down by 15 since 1982. Proxy forms are available from nowlun- til election day at the town hall. The three categories of people eligible to vote by pro- xy are those physically incapable of voting (along with a medical certificate), those attending an educational institution and unable to vote at an advance poll and tholse employed at a job in transportation by railroad, air, water or motor vehicle. A voter can only be a proxy voter once for each election except if he or she is a father or mother for more than one of his or her children. Being away on holidays does not make a voter eligible for a proxy vote. The Rotary Club will have, up to the minute election results on Bluewater Cable TV, Channel 12 once the polls close on election day. Football final here Saturday The Goderich Vikings will battle the Ex- eter Panthers on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1:30 p.m. on the Viking field. Goderich had a record of five wins and one loss going into the semi-final game against the Stratford Northwestern Huskies. The Vikings disposed of the Huskies with an easy 62-0 win. Exeter won their semi-final match up 51-1 against the Listowel Lords. During the regular season, both Goderich and Exeter scored 236 points against their opponents. However Exeter had only 11 points scored against them, while Goderich had 15. In their two regular season meetings, Exeter won the first 15-7 in Exeter. The next time they, renin Goderich the Vit (rigs won 8-0. The home field advantage for the final game was decided by the flip of a coin. The Vikings won the toss and thus were given the home field advantage. Saturday's game should be a good one. This week on the sports pages both of the teams are analyzed. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR The GDCI junior Vikings defeated the Wingham Madill Mustangs 52-20 Thursday to capture the Huron -Perth championship crown. The Goderich juniors have won the title five times in the last eight years. Read all about their decisive victory in this weeks sports section. The Junior C Sailors came close to beating the first place Hanover Barons Friday night in Goderich. The Sailors skated with them, but they had trouble capitalizing on their opportunitie$ at the end of the game. Read about all of the details on the sports pages.