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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-12-04, Page 1137'li 9' GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER O985 60CENTS PER COPY Teresa Renaud, 6, of Goderich was all bundled up to for the snowy elements as she walk- ed home for lunch on Tuesday at noon. Eight and hall centimetres of snow fell on Goderich during the first snowstorm of the winter, Monday. Winds gusting up to 80 kilometres an hour caused blowing snow which made driving hazardous. The strong westerly winds also created high waves causing considerable damage at St. Christopher's Beach. (Photo by Sharon Dietz) Monday's storm causes,... Goderich beach damage Though 80 km per hour winds howled through most of southwestern Ontario on Monday causing dangerous driving condi- tions with blowing snow, there were no traffic accidents in or around Goderich. "There was nothing going on at our of- fice," said Sergeant John Donatis, of the Goderich OPP. "People must have looked outside and said, 'To heck with that, I'm. staying inside."' Goderich Police Chief Pat King agreed that local drivers did well during the storm since no accidents were reported. Louis Stadelman, who compiles statistics for Environment Canada, said only eight and a half centimetres of snow fell on Goderich. "I was surprised to see there wasn't much snow. There wasn't that much snow on the road but there was a problem with visibility," he said. "Quite a few other localities were hit much harder than Goderich. There was far more snow in London than up here which is unusual. Until yesterday, we haven't had Turn to page 2 Storm damage About 300 feet of boardwalk on St.'Christopher's Beach was tipped from its footings causing approximately $50,000 in the storm on Monday with 80 km an hour westerly high water levels. (photo by Susan Hundertmark) mages during ids and record Recreation complex may be council's priority, says mayor A group advocating the construction of a major community -fitness centre has been invited by Mayor Eileen Palmer to make a presentation to town council Monday evening. Doctors Don Neal and Mario Cauchi appeared before the recreation board Thursday, and outlined the need for a recreation complex in the town of Goderich. Subsequent to their submission, - Palmer said the issue would become one of council's priorities and suggested the doctors present their arguments to council this Monday. .The issue of the construction of a complex containing an indoor swimming pool, courts and fitness centre, is one that surfaces in the community every few years, almost in cyclical fashion. Now, however, there appears to be a firm commitment from a core of people. Doctors Neal and Cauchi pledged their support to the project and suggested they had the support of other physicians. While the arguments for the need of such a facility are compelling and not in dispute, the delegation was looking for a starting point. "Where do we go from here?" Dr. Neal asked. Palmer suggested that a feasibility study would have to be undertaken for a project of this magnitude and that a steering committee would have to be established. "The feasibility study would address the need and the costs. If there is a demonstrated need we can proceed with costing," she explained. "Goderich has been generous in the past. With the arena, grandstand and Intensitve Care Unit, $1.5 million was raised for all three. If a need is p ifested, the dollars required can be raised. Both doctors reiterated their stand on the need for the complex, citing the preventative health aspects as of prime concern. "A community centre would be a positive step towards dealing with preventative health care and helping the working population deal with stress," Dr. Neal stated. "The needs among the young are equally cogent. The recreation centre would not be a panacea for dealing with alcohol and vandalism but, if there was a place to spend time and expend energy in a positive way, there would be positive results." As well as addressing health needs, Dr. Neal said he could see the recreation centre in a broad perspective as being good for society. Funding a project of such magnitude has always frightened off any working groups but Dr. Neal said positive attitudes must be applied first. "We must maintain a positive attitude," he said. "With the ICU we recognized a deficiency and $500,000 was raised. The entire project was funded by the community. There has to be that generosity from the community. The time is ripe and the community is ready to receive another campaign. Another community campaign directed at health will be equally well received." While the granting structure through Wintario has been on hold, Dr. Neal said the fact that the provincial government would consider doling out $30 million for a domed stadium in Toronto, suggests money is available. "It won't float withouth provincial funding," he said. The dedication of $30 million for a stadium for professional athletes is a "misdirection of funds of priorities" Neal said. "We must poll the town and see how they feel and if there is a feeling and consciousness that this is what we need; then we should go for it," he said. "The issue is high in the public conscience." Dr. Cauchi agreed that funding the centre was possible if the community believed so. "I would like to see the facility dealing with social problems. It shouldn't just be built and left but run professionally with a physiotherapist and fitness testing instructor," he said. "As for funding, I t8on't accept the fact Money, i [tot around. If you're not aggressive it's not available. We must be aggressive and go after it" Board member Jim Searls suggested the group should contact the YMCA to get facts and figures on the construction of a recreation facility. The closest YMCA facility is located in Collingwood. While recognizing that support for a community facility is much in evidence now, Pat Hamilton said the project only lacked the people with skills to organize the venture. Ministry of Tourism regional consultant Melanie McLaughlin told the group that a feasibility study would be the first order of business. Hospital provides facility to -treat young offenders BY SHARON DIETZ Alexandra Marine and General Hospital board will be looking at inpatient facilities to meet the needs of providing care for young offenders from the Bluewater Centre, following a recommendation from the chief of the hospital's medical staff. Dr. Don Neal pointed out to the board at its November meeting the hospital will be called upon from time to time to provide care for young offenders from the secure custody faciltiy for 16 and 17 year old juveniles. Dr. Neal said the hospital administrator Ken Englestad has discussed the centre's requirements with the superintendent Carl DeGrandis. Englestad said the centre has its own medical staff and two bed infirmary but the hospital must be ready to provide inpatient care. Board chairman Richard Ottewell said the board must establish prcedures for outpatient treatment of the young offenders in emergency and x-ray as well as procedures for inpatient care. Board member Dave Gower suggested the hospital will need more than a room for this type of treatment because of the ramifications. Goderich's third annu G Cheer ,Skatasolletted four boxes of ries to be distfiblited to needy f es hi the Goderich area for Cbristmas. Skaters of all ages were invited toattend the event for the admission price of one can of food to be •donated to the Huron County Family, and Children's Services Christmas Bureau. The Good Cheer Skate, organized and sponsored by the Goderich Recreation Department, was held at the local arena on Sunday. Skaters who did not bring canned goods, paid the regular admission price for Sun- day afternoon skating. This amounted to $50 which was also donated to the Bureau. According to Bob Marshall, program co- ordinator for the rec department, the at- tendance at the event was down from last year, but the department plans to hold the Good Cheer Skate again next year. Lock vehicle to prevent theft "No one should be denied services but we must recognize the ramifications. It's more than just a room," said Gower. Board member Stan Connelly said the problem is that the hospital will have to use more than just a room for treatment of an offender who requires surgery. "You can't operate in a room," Connelly said. Administrator Englestad said he had discussed security arrangements with DeGrandis. Dr. Neal suggested the Solicitor General may provide funds for a proposed renovation at the hospital to accommodate the requirements of the Bluewater Centre and Englestad said DeGrandis had also mentioned funding may be provided by the ministry. The board chairman noted that the hospital's real problem may be finding the space for such a facility. The hospital administrator and the Bluewater Centre superintendent will continue their dicussions while the hospital's property committee looks for an area of the hospital which will meet the requirements for this type of inpatient treatment. Police Chief Pat King reminds Goderich residents not to leave vehicle doors unlock- ed as several thefts have occurred involving unlocked vehicles during the past few weeks. Chief King said marking pens are available at the police station which can be used to mark cassette tapes which are kept in vehicles so they may be identified in the event they are stolen. Chief King also mentioned that a battery has been stolen from one vehicle in town this winter and if someone can gain access under the hood of a vehicle without entering the car, the battery should be marked so it can be identified in the event it is stolen. Chief King said some poeple with a weak battery in a car say "I'll get one, but not from Canadian Tire." Chief King also asked that residents secure their outdoor Christmas lights with extra wire to discourage theft at this time of year. County boards open to public With little comment, Huron County Coun- cil will break a long-time tradition and throws open its committee and board meetings to the public. This decision was one of the last made by the retiring 1983-1985 council at a special meeting on Nov. 28. "I think it's a good recommendation and a long-time coming," said Exeter Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller. Elsa Haydon of Goderich, a private citizen who regularly attends county council sessions and its open board meetings - library and health - was thrilled with the decision. An advocate of open meetings, Mrs. I3aydon.said she felt like celebrating after thedecinioh was itiade. - Hay Reeve Lionel Wilder questioned whether the new policy would include plann- ing and development committee meetings. He was told it would. "Committee and board meetings shall be open and no person 'shall be excluded except for improper conduct," states county coun- cil's new policy. There are nine exceptions to this policy which involve the three subjects, personnel, litigation and property, the Municipal Act allows to be discussed in -camera or behind closed doors. With this new policy, a closed session will be made available at the end of each meeting. County administrator Bill Hanly expects, from past experience, that the dos- ed session will be little used. Contract is awarded for Goderich harbor dredging (:()DERICH - Dredging will be carried out at Goderich Harbor at the new ship loading dock currently under construction on the north side of the Domtar Salt Mine, an- nounced Murray Cardiff, M.P. for Huron - Bruce. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Hoch La Salle, Minister, Public Works Canada. The $1,592,000 contract for dredging was awarded by Public Works Canada on behalf of Transport Canada to Sceptre -Riedel - Dawson Constructors Ltd.. I ,ongueuil, Quebec, who submitted the lowest of three invited quotations. Work will include the dredging of approx- imately 185,000 m3 of Class '13' material I sand, silt, small boulders ) from an area near the new dock about 450 m long by 160 m wide. Dredged material will be used as shore protection south of the harbor. Completion of the project will result in full seaway depth access to the dock. Plans and specifications were prepared by Public Works Canada and the project manager is T.E. Douglas, Public Works Canada, London. Work is scheduled for completion in the winter of 1986. a INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR Bowling champ Art Burt of Goderich recently placed se- cond in an Ontario five pin bowling tourna- ment held in Toronto. Find out how weather affects his game in today's sports feature, on page 7A.