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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-10-10, Page 1i • 1� AL 136 YEAR -41 Resolution defeated by Huron council BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE An "ambivalent" resolution favoring the return of capital punishment was turned down by Huron County Council in a 23 - 5 recorded vote. At its October meeting, many reeves said a resolution from the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry was too broad, particularly in the statement that "the Government of Canada be requested to re -introduce and apply capital punishment, through the judicial system, for the wrongful and/or intentional killing of human beings". "Killing is wrong - of any nature," said Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle. Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnston, a former police officer, said while the threat of capital punisent may act as a deterrent he too felt th motion was too broad. He re- quested a r corded vote be taken. Hay Deputy Reeve Tony Bedard disagreed. "I concur with this. Maybe it is a little broad, but it is broad the other way," said the deputy reeve. The discussion was taking place because the county's executive committee recom- mended that council agree with the resolu- tion. Reeve Steckle, Johnston and Deputy Reeve Bedard all serve on the executive committee. Another executive committee member, Colborne Township Reeve Russel Ker- nighan, said while he came fully prepared to support the motion, he too would not support it because the resolution was making too broad a statement. He personally does not support capital punishment, said Reeve Kernighan. "I wonder if the executive committee thought of having a resolution that could be supported. I believe there is a place for capital punishment, but I can't support this either," said Morris Township Reeve Bill Elston. • No rewording of the resolution was con- sidered by the executive committee. Reeve Steckle suggested corporal punish- ment be implemented, noting there is no recourse if a person is wrongfully hanged, but "you can always say you're sorry to a man whipped wrongfully". Those voting in favor of the motion were Deputy Reeve Bedard, Warden Tom Cunn- ingham, Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney, Usborne Reeve Gerry Prout and Hay Reeve Lionel Wilder. The rest of county council voted against the motion except for the absent Howick Township Reeve Jack Stafford, Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling and East Wawanosh Reeve Neil Vincent. Market creates traffic problems The weekly flea market on the grounds off the Huron Historic Jail has proved to be a most popular event that attracts throngs of browsers in search of bargain. But the popularity of the flea market has also created some parking problems in the area of Victoria Street and Gloucester Terrace. In a letter to council, police chief Pat King pointed out that vehicles parked on Gloucester Terrace near the area of the curve where the street meets Victoria Street poses a problem which is compounded by pedestrians crossing the road. Another problem involves cars parked along the west side of Victoria Street which makes it difficult for drivers pulling onto Victoria Street, to see oncoming traffic. To help alleviate the problem the chief recommended that parking be prohibited on Gloucester Terrace on both the north and south side for 44 and 28 metres from Victoria Street respectively. Under the traffic bylaw, parking is prohibited on Victoria Street, except fro Sundays in the areas of churches. While there are signs on Victoria Street concerning parking they do not conform to the height regulations for signs. "I realize that the flea market attracts visitors to our coi"nmunity. However, due to its popularity, it poses a potential hazard to the traffic and its close proximity to a hidden curve on a main ( busy) highway. I strongly recommend that steps be taken to rectify this matter," Chief King's letter read. Council referred the matter to the works committee_ for a recommendation. d •i AIX, FIQUND COMMUMTV pill WSPAPER IN CANADA (Circulation Ogles 3500 - 4500) C.C.N.A. Better Newspaper Competition 1984 STAR GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10,1984 50 CENTS PER COPY Eric Nagler delighted children at the Goderich Public Library on Saturday afternoon as he sang and played a variety of musical in- struments in a program called "Fiddle Fantasy". He showed the children how to make their own instruments and then formed a band in. which they could play. Home-made instruments being per- formed on here include a washtub bass, the spoons and a comb with wax paper over it. Nagler's free performance was sponsored by the Huron County Library and funded by Outreach Ontario. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) County eliminates fees Council agrees to $3,900 raise for administration cepted the past practice for a number of years and to do away with remuneration now would be going too far the other way. "We'd not be supporting our employees," said Reeve Johnston. Several reeves told their colleagues that the extra money covers the extra time spent by the two men administering the trust funds. A lot of time is spent, said the reeves, on clearing up estates and selling off homes of those Huron - view residents. Clerk -treasurer -administrator Bill Hanly told council that one of the trust companies will not return a commission to the county corporation because it is against its policy to give a finders' fee to a municipality. Those voting in favor of turning the com- mission over to the corporation and paying the $3,900 fee were West Wawanosh Reeve James Aitchison, Ashfield Reeve John Austin, Hay Deputy Reeve Tony Bedard, Tuckersmith Reeve Bob Bell, Goderich Deputy Reeve Jim Britnell, Warden Tom Cunningham, Exeter Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller, Reeve Johnston, Colborne Reeve Russel Kernighan, Hensall Reeve Harry Klungel, Brussels Reeve Cal Krauter, Reeve McBurney, Reeve Mickle, Reeve Steckle, Stephen Reeve Alan Wolper, Stephen Deputy Reeve Ralph Weber and Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell with two votes. Those voting against were Grey Reeve Leona Armstrong, Clinton Reeve Ernest Brown, Seaforth Reeve William Campbell, Blyth Reeve Tom Cronin, Morris Reeve Bill Elston, McKillop Reeve Marie Hicknell, Wingham Reeve Joe Kerr, Zurich Reeve Isidore LaPorte, Usborne Reeve Gerry Pro- ut and Hay Reeve Lionel Wilder. Absent from the meeting were Howick Reeve Jack Stafford, Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling and East Wawanosh Reeve Neil Vincent. BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE Starting in the new year, commission from the investment of trust funds will be paid to the Corporation of the County of Huron instead of to the clerk and deputy clerk. Huron County Council, by a recorded vote of 18 to 10, approved the administration change which has sparked controversy over the past few months. At the same time, council increased the salaries of both the clerk -treasurer -administrator and deputy clerk -treasurer by $3,900 a year. Currently the clerk -treasurer - administrator receives $46,228 while the deputy clerk -treasurer receives $39,000. The question of the commission received by these two employees was turned over to the county's executive committee earlier this year with the intent of bringing back a recommendation to county council. The recommendation calls for any com- mission payable from investing trust funds or other county funds at Standard Trust and Victoria and Grey Trust Company, both in Goderich, to be turned over to the corpora- tion. "Huronview Trust Funds shall be in- vested at all times to the benefit of the resi- dent and within the guaranteed limits of the trust company. Other county funds shall be invested to the best interest of the County of Huron," states the recommendation ap- proved. Earlier this year, deputy clerk Bill Alcock said both he and the clerk -administrator receive a finders° fee for investing about $3.4 million of Huronview residents' assets. The two county employees also received for the first time, a finders' fee for investing county reserve funds this year. In 1979, county council approved of both the clerk and deputy clerk becoming agents for Victoria and Grey. At that time Victoria and Grey was the only trust company in the area but recently Standard Trust has corn* into the county. At the beginning of this year county coun- cil added Standard Trust to the agreement. The $3,900 is an average of the fees receiv- ed by each of the two men over a five-year period, said executive committee member Reeve Brian McBurney. Morris Township Reeve Bill Elston asked if the $3,900 would be added to the employees' salaries or would it remain firm every year. He was concerned about the $3,900 "mushrooming" if it was added as the salaries are increased by percentages every year. Although the question wasn't answered specifically, the executive committee report states the employees' salaries are to be increased by $150 bi-weekly. Executive committee member Dave Johnston said that "rightly or wrongly" the two men have received the finders' fees in the past. He compared the situation to a hypothetical example where an employee has the benefit of a company car taken away but is compensated financially. "This is straightening out a matter that does not seem proper in the eyes of some members of the public," said the Bayfield reeve. Some reeves suggested the practice re- main as it is or that the two men receive a bonus at the end of the year. However, Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle sug- gested that the subject of remuneration be dealt with at contract time. He added that the role of investing money is part of the clerk's and deputy clerk's job and there shouldn't be extra remuneration. Reeve Johnston said the county had ac - Future grim for Conestoga reeves. The report shows that in 19'79-80 the Clinton campus had a full time student enrolment of 50, a number that has dwindled to 16 for the current school year. However, there is an increase in the conti- nuing education enrolment. From 595 in 1979-80, this figure is expected to reach 745 this school year. Besides enrolment figures, Mr. Hunter said the college has entered into discussions There may be no future for Conestoga Col- lege in Huron County says college president Kenneth Hunter. Mr. Hunter told the October session of Huron County Council that it is "very like- ly" that Conestoga will not continue in its location at Vanastra. The college president was presenting an annMI report to the reeves and deputy in Huron Snow will open Forster's fridge Oct. 12 with the Huron County Board of Education regarding its possible purchase of the school facility. The Conestoga president said the major factor that keeps a school functional is students in sufficient numbers. He sug- gested that the college would consider operating a college division in Huron County in "less expensive ways" than is currently being done. James Snow, minister of transportation and communications, will be in Huron County on Friday, Oct. 12 to officially open the Forster's Bridge at 10 a.m. u County engineer Bob Dempsey said the provincial minister is cowing to open the bridge because it is the largest ever built by Huron County and the ministry provid- ed extra funding in the amount of $638,000 over and above regular funding. Mr. Dempsey said the estimated cost of the project is $1.4 million, but he expects it will come in considerably lower. The project, to re -construct the 550 foot, four -span bridge, was started last year. Mr. Dempsey said the 1983 work was estimated to cost $757,000 but actually $670,000 was spent. This year work is expected to cost $424,000 but no final figure is known because the work is not complete. There will be some carry over work for next year, added the county engineer. The bridge is located on County Road 31 north of Holmesville and north of Highway 8. The official opening will be followed by a private gathering at the Benmiller Inn. Worsell drops from race for county warden Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell has withdrawn from the four-way race for the 1985 Warden of Huron County. In a surprise move at the October ses- sion of Huron County Council, Reeve Worsell made his announcement. When asked for his reasons for dropping out of the race, Reeve Worsell declined any response. His decision leaves the road clearer for the remaining candidates. They are Grey Township Reeve Leona Armstrong, Turn - berry Township Reeve Brian McBurney and Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle. Reeve Worsell said he made his decision "quite a while ago". He ran successfully for the position last year against current Warden, Tom Cunn- ingham. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR Fashion Show The Maitland Ladies' Curling Club sponsored a fashion show at The Livery last Wednesday with a preview of fall and winter clothes from Rosemary's. For photos and story, see . the Recreation Section. Tournament winners The GDCI Vikings senior girls had an incredible week. The Vikings won the University of Western Ontario Purple and White basketball tournament championship, defeating some high- calibre competition in the process. The girls also won two lopsided regular season games in Huron -Perth basktball action. Stories and photo in the Recreation Section. Football victories The Vikings football teams continue their dominance of the Huron -Perth Conference, as both the Junior and Senior teams scored victories over the Listowel Lords and the Stratford Northwestern Huskies in grid action in the past week. See the Recreation Section for stories and photo. `i•