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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-04-16, Page 1the• Gc sig 138 YEAR - 16 rich== AL -ST flikeathon GODERICH, ONTARIO; WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1986 for Cancer is coming u It's time again to pull your bicycle out of the garage or basement and get ready to spend an afternoon cycling for a worthy cause. The annual Bike-a-Thon for Cancer, sponsored by the Kinsmen and Kinette clubs in Goderich will be held Sunday, Apr. 27 at 2 p.m. The 20 kilometre ride will start as usual at The Livery on South Street with registration from noon until 1:30 p.m. The rain date is May 4. There will again be refreshments served and awards given out for the best costumes and best decorated bikes. Pledge sheets are available at all Goderich banks, the National Victoria and Grey, the Goderich Credit Union, Zehrs, the A and P, Kirkey's Texaco, Woolworth's and all local variety stores. 60 CENTS PER COPY Ball's Bridge has five posihie fates . BY ANNE NAREJKO AUBURN - Out of 101 bridges in Huron County, there is only one bridge that has not yet been touched by the renewal pro- gram started in 1942. That bridge, located a few miles outside of Auburn,carries the name of Ball's Bridge and has the distinc- tion of being the last wrought iron pinned structure. The bridge has drawn the attention of the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture but has not been designated as an heritage structure, The bridge has also drawn the attention of motorists who wish to transport goods from one side of the Maitland River to the other and, after testing, it has been determined the "bridge is not adequate for today's standards." Five alternatives- were presented to a crowd of approximately 50 who gathered at the Auburn Memorial Hall on April 11. The most favored suggestion is leaving the existing bridge as is and building downstream. Bob Dempsey, Engineer for Huron County, cited a few problems with the ex- isting bridge during the public meeting. The first problem Mr. Dempsey t Jked about was the deterioration which the bridge has undergone over the years. After testing by Ken Dunn of B.M. Ross and Associates, it has been determined that a load over two tonnes is not safe to cross the bridge. "One of these days, and it's inevitable, the bridge will not hold the two tonnes," said Mr. Dempsey. Mr. Dunn pointed out the narrowness of the bridge and height of the bridge are also contributing to its inefficiency. "The west approach to the bridge floods In many communities across the province Saturday, service and community groups, in co- operation with municipal and provincial police forces, combined to offer child identification , clinics. Since fingerprints are constant, they are kept on file by police and used when necessary for identification purposes. Sponsored by local sororities and the Kinette Club, more than 500 children were printed last year and the numbers were encouraging again this year. In the above photo,. Constable Jeff Sabin of the Goderich OPP prints three year-old Angela Switzer. (photo, by Dave Sykes). at the bridge..for the past six years and the most recent correspondence has indicated the bridge has historic and nostalgic value. ALTERNATIVES Five alternatives were presented by the Huron County Road Committee during the April 11 meeting. (The bridge is the responsibility of the county because it is on a boundary. The roads, 30 meters either side of the bridge, are the responsibility of the townships.) The alternative endorsed by county council is to leave the existing bridge as is Public forum addresses Health Care Accessibility The Government's proposed Health Care Accessibility Act affects all On- tarians and is one of the most contentious issues to ever come before our legislators. To help the public become more inform- ed about the ramifications of the act, the Huron County Medical Society is sponsor - and build a ne-:w structure 1.5 kilometers a mg a pu.�i u.. inn for -m at the --- ord Hotel b ,.. downstream. The road work and con- from 1-3 p.m. featuring Opposition Leader struction of a new bridge would cost ap- Larry Grossman. proximately, $1,888,400. This, figure does not include the surveying or legal ,fees or the purchase of land. According to Mr. Dunn, this would 411ow the B`enmiller Road to connect with con- cessions 10 and 11 to Londesboro. Mr. Dunn said the advantage to this Site would be the interconnecting link going from east to west which would be provided and the bank of the river has good erosion control. The only disadvantage he mentioned was the large amount of road work and road construction which would have to be done. - Alternative two was to rebuild the bridge on the existing site. This would mean destroying the present bridge. An estimated price of $1,217;900 was received for the road work and bridge. Mr. Dunn stated this alternative would give a good east -west connecting pattern as well and the required road work would be minimal, but the scenery around the Little Lakes would be lost because of regularly in the spring. If it is not allowed upgrading. to flood, the bridge may be lost and there is Another disadvantage would be the always the possibility of losing it anyway," distruction of Ball's Bridge. commented Mr. Dunn. An estimated price for alternative three,. It is estimated, that 0 the bridge is to be which would place the bridge 370 meters maintained, an average of $6,200 .wilI be downstream, was not received. By spent yearly for the next 20 .earg'. � ` ` r „Wildingthe bridge at this location, it Mr. Dempsey also d'ra"the Ministry -of' ouid'onect with Consessionk 10 and 11" Citizenship and Culti a .has been looking Turn to page 5 � ���� /��l�X.`„may,,,, Whi e getting mgerprints to en at e i d I cation clinic held at the Suncoast Mall Saturday was the easy part, Angela Switzer, 3, and her five year-old sister; Kristie, found that removing the black stuff from their hands was a touch more difficult. Sorority member Kathy Poulter helped the wee ones with the wash up chores. (photos by Dave Sykes) t ent pU'.requestS action to • lower insurance premium BY SHARON DIETZ The Goderich Public Utilities Commis- sion has sent a resolution to' the Ontario Municipal Water Association, requesting the association to lobby the provincial and federal government to take whatever ac- tidn is necessary to reduce insurance premiums. The resolution also requests that requirements for liability insurance in excess of $7 million, including reasonable be reduced d and that pollutionuate air nd reasonable cap be placed on insurance settlements in On- tario. - The resolution states that these measures are necessary since premiums for liability insurance have increased drastically over the last two years, in- surance for pollution coverage is presently not obtainable, an increase in the liability coverage in excess of $7 million is very dif- ficult or impossible to obtain, the in- surance crisis is due to large and excessive settlements in the last number1 of years, particularly in the USA and these set- .tlemerits seem to have an influence on .the settlements in Canada. .PUC manager Evert Middel commented that Goderich PUC liability insurance premiums will increase $2,000 at the water department alone which is an increase of 100 per cent. Middel -said there is. no insurance available for PCBs but perhaps Ontario Hydro will be able to provide the coverage and include it in their rates to the .comrnis- • sion. UNDERBILLED ACCOUNTS Middel reported that one of four com- mercial customers has paid their under - billed account and meetingsare being ar- ranged with the Bedford Arms Motel and the Town of Goderich to discuss repay-, ment. The underbilled accounts were discovered when the commission con- verted their billing procedures to corn-. puter. In one case the underbilled account goes back over a six year period. Middel said there hasbeen no response from the Suncoast Mall but he expects pay- ment on their next monthly billing. Reeve Eileen Palmer criticized >!UC manager Evert Middel for his approach in a meeting with town administrator Larry McCabewhen they met to discuss the underbilled account fdt'the town. The success of the meeting was open to interpretation. Mayor 'Palmer said she fTurn to elt 7 Grossman will appear on a panel with several area phsicians who will be available to answer public questions and concerns about the Health Care Ac- cessibility Act. Members of the Liberal cabinet, including Health Minister Murray Elston, were invited to participate in the forum but declined. Anyone who is unsure about the govern- ment's or doctor's positions is invited to attend. Harboraires host concert Music lovers will1be suitably entertained in the next few weeks as plans for two ma- jor productions unfold. On Saturday, April 26 the Goderich Har- bouraires are hosting its Goderich Big Sing featuring 40 years of song from six guest choral groups. Brantford's Brant - men of Song, the Gentleman Songsters of Niagara Falls, the Harbouraires, the In- ternational Harvester choir from Hamilton, the Qneensmen from Toronto and guest singers from the United States headline the evening's program beginning at 7.30 p.m. at Goderich and District Col- legiate :Institute...Tickets are available from any member of the Goderich Harbouraires. Also, on May 12, the annual muscial ex- travaganza, Sound of Goderich will take place at Knox Presbyterian Church at 8 p.m. Tickets for the event are available from members of ' the Laketown Band, Hrbouraires and MacKay Choristers. Access f�r all to justice is theme for week BY DAVE SYKES Justice! Justice is the cornerstone and hallmark of the democratic system. It speaks of the very moral fabric of Western society and its intent to treat all people in a fair and equitable manner. While Canadians enjoy freedoms and guarantees under the country's com- prehensive Charter of Rights there is in- creasing awareness to make the system accountable and accessible to the people it serves. it's a tall order but itis an order that has to be filled so that the law has practical ap- plications for Canadians and to ensure that the law serves the people. has been This week, April 13-19, declared Community Justice Week in On- tario and is being jointly sponsored by the ministries of the Attorney General, Com- munity and Social Services, Consumer and Commercial Relations, Correctional Ser- vices and the Solicitor General. While the Canadian Bar Association Inas sponsored its annual Law Day, which will be celebrated April 17, Attorney General Ian Scott and the Ministries inrolved in the dispensation of justice decided to play an educative role to promote understanding of the province's justice system. The theme of Community Justice Week of eual "Access cess for to , legal seryon the issue ices and the law process. For many Ontarians, the justice system is perceived to be an impenetrable and complex maze of civil servants, judges and lawyers. The first Community Justice Week will not lay bare all the complexities and in- tricacies of the justice system but it will open the window to the public and foster ,a greater understanding of this viable and vibrant system. "The public must be satisfied that our justice system isfair, realistic and in touch with thy' community's own sense of justice,” Scott said. "That is the reason for Community Justice Week, which runs from April 13-19. This year's theme is Ac-. cess for All." A local committee involving a host of professionals has taken up the task and unveiled an ambitious program' for the week. From a mock trial Wednesday through to high school panel discussions, poster contests and public displays, Com- munity Justice Week will be celebrated here in style. . People often have misconceptions about justice and the system and justic week could help alleviate the fears and percep- tions District Court of Ontario Judge F.G, Carter said. "There is a problem in that people don't know much about the justice system until they suddenly find themselves trapped in it," he explained. "We.are finding that a number of people are wanting to be excus- ed from jury duty today. Are we losing sight of what it's all about?" Despite a work schedule that provides little, if any relief, through the next several months, Judge Carter said the - week will help to educate the public. "It's comprehensiVe enough to give people a glimpse of the justice system. But ve been a lawyer and judge for 36 years arid I don't fully understand the law. The pro, - blem is the constant changes in the law." A new Family Law Act and ,}) continuous amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada make our system an ever changing one. "But society has changed tremendously. Our laws up to the war were based on a society that was predominantly French and , English, " he explained. "Sinee the war there has been an infusion of cultures from all over the world, judges have aried backgrounds, and it has an effect on the way we administer justice.':" Mudge Carter cautions that ;justice is a benefit that Canadians enjoy and should guard zealously. County crown attorney Robert Morris, *lie succeeded Judge tiary Hunter in Oc- tober, feels - the public, courtesy of Turn topage 5 INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR Financial tips Financial consultant, television and radio personality Brian Costello was in Goderich Thursday speaking to mere than 700 people at a seminar sponsored by ABC investments. The country's leading finan- cial expert offered some irreverent views on the federal budget and ways to turn money into L deductions and tax-free money. Organ transplant Organ transplants lfacedte saving death. lives of Organ many who transplantation has become one of the most dramatic advancements in health care and the 'success rate has had a positive effect on public attitude. The pro- blems are twofold. There is a critical shor- tage of donors and many medical profes- sionals are simply reluctant to bring up the subject of donation during a family's grief. Read To Give the Gift of .Life on today's community page. Coach of the Year l'ormer Godcriih resident Bill Wilkin- son has been named Coach of the Year for the Central Collegiate Hockey Asssociation after guiding the Western Michigan University Broncos to the CCHA cham- pionship this season. See details on today's sports page. °