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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-19, Page 1as i1ites expl Myler injured® in Thursday blast still in critical condition Chemical Workers Union and a mine the surface. Despite the accident, the employee for 26 years, Guy Robinson, said union president was satisfied with the that when the explosion rocked the mime at manner in which the incident was handled three minutes before noon, be had visions and suggested that miners have to live of the men being trapped. with the element of danger. "I looked at my watched and it was three "The membership was concerned but minutes to twelve and there were severe there was no feeling that they didn't want vibrations. The walls were shaking, the to return," he said. "As mine workers we roof was shaking, it was like an earth- have to accept, certain conditions and quake," the union president -responsible while we're nervous, we're ready to return for the 288 unionized emplees recalled. to work. We've made maim -moves in safe - "There was a big roar o f air...a w000sh ty and i think we stir uN j“. J. th:L and then what sounded lik safe- r explosion." training programs in soft rock mining." Robinson was one of the workers who Working along with the company, Robin- rusned to the scene and helped Bizicr to Turn to page 3• A Goderich man remains in critical con- dition in the intensive care unit of Victoria Hospital, London with severe burns after an explosion rocked the Domtar Sifto Salt mine here last Thursday. Dan Bizier, 25, a rock mechanic techni- cian, was burned when a large pocket of methane gas, trapped in the shale rock for- mation above the salt deposit, pushed out a large section of roof. The fall was like a "big conical plug" approximately 70 feet in diameter at the base and 50 feet high. After the plug was pushed out by the gas pocket, an cxplocion and flasl+ fire `4tve+uied fro l", til management. resulted, and company officials suggest it President of the local of the Energy and he Coder Hii#Li! probably started from a spark from the ef- haust of the Jeep driven by Bizier. The technician was checking problems in a restricted area in the southern limits of the mine, over 1,700 feet below the sur- face, at the intersection of rooms 16 and 81 just before nooh Thursday, Nov. 13 when the explosion occured. The injured worker managed to phone the lunchroom for help and was found , wandering by two co-workers who helped get him to the surface. The mine was im- mediately evacuated and operations were 138 YEAR - 47 GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1986, 60 CENTS PER COPY There was plenty to kick about at The Livery Saturday as Francois La Liberte and friends joined in the rollicking fun of the first in.a series of three performing arts produc- tions for children. Joining inthe fun were Janet Bloch, Katherine Marsh, Martha Jasper, Hayley Bloch and Francois. Sponsored by the French Enrichment Committee of Cana- dian Parents for French -Huron, Theatre Pour Vous, receives funding assistance from the Touring Arts Fund of the Ontario Ads Council. Francois, a singer, folklorist, dancer and fiddler ethusiastically entertained for an appreciative audience. (photo by Dave Sykes) Several i uor store break=i s Goderich Police are investigating a series of break-ips at the local Liquor Con- trol Board of Ontario (LCBO) retail outlet. The most recent incident occurred on Nov. 14. Police discoved at about 1 a.m., that a large front windown of the LCBO building had been broken and a y,.antity of liquor stolen. Constable Peter Mason, of the Goderich police said there have been three or four similar break-ins at the LCBO over the past two months. Police believe the in- cidents are related. �rel s r t rea vata6%0s requests funds Minister promotes tax reform p1 BY PATRICK RAFTIS - Federal Minister of Finance Michael Wilson, promoting his government's pro- -, posed tax reform initiatives, made a' visit to Huron County last Friday. The minister spoke to about 65 area citizens, mostly Members of the business community, at a dinner meeting at the Candlelight Restaurant in Goderich. Wilson said the "broad objective," of the tax reforms which the government began their March 1985 budget is to "reduce in- vidual tax Loopholes and broaden the tax se so we can bring down the basic tax jam' He eta() said the government wants to reduce the incidence of "wide disparity" betwe n the., amount of taxes paid By peo- ple m the same income bracket. -Fairness is first and foremost in the gutdlines." for tax reform, he said. Wilson. promised to reduce the percen- tage of personal income tax as a percen- tage of overall taxes and "spread the load," between other elements of the tax system. sia li as corporate and sales taxes. The intended result of the reforms, said -Wilson, is to "leave more money in the pockets of Canadians," so they can spend. it in areas that will get the economy moving. "We've had a pretty bouya.it economy over the last while, which has provided a basis for continuing projects," Wilson said. One of the government's objectives is to remove government from the decison- making process in industry. Store won't open The Goderich A&P store is not scheduled to begin opening for business on Sundays, as some of the chain store's outlets in Lon- don did last Sunday. Not to my knowlege," said Goderich A&P manager Gordon Fisher, when asked if the local store would become involved in Sunday openings. Fisher said such deci- sions would be made at the head office level, rather than by local stores. Londonpolice laid 28 charges last Sun- day, in a swekp of food stores and other businesses that opened their' doors Sunday in defien a of the Retail Business Holidays Act. A tl of 15 businesses, including a number of grocery stores were Charged in the sweep. r • "So far, the private sector has respond- ed very productively," said Wilson, who pointed out roughly 600,000 private sector jobs have been created over the past year. "We make it quite clear that we (the federal government) know we didn't create these jobs. They were created by the private sector," he added. Tax reform is a potentially volatile pro- cedure and the minister emphasized it must be handled carefully. "It's important to find the sgnoothest way possible to change from our present tax system, to whatever system we even- tually choose," he said. During a question period following his address, Wilson. was asked if the govern- ment had any plans to change the current $3,500 annual limit on Registered Retire- ment Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions? 10 during visit "I'm afraid I'm going to have to disap- point you there," he replied. While "there has been an awful lot done on pension reform," there are no plans to change the current RRSP limits, he explained. Questioned on problems with capital gains taxes, Wilson said a capital gains ex- emption for qualifying sellers currently in effect is the best way to handle the Turn to page 2 PUC approves 6.4 per cent hydro rate increase 1000 kilowatt hours will notice and in - commerical ratesratewill rise a per cent, crease of approximately $3 per month. will increase 6.3 per PP y cent and the large user rates (The Domtar Last year's residential increase was 4 Sifto Salt Mine, for example) will increase by 7.6 per cent over this year's figures. "Currently, for example, residential rates indlude a standard monthly rate ($4.50) plus a rate of 7.6 cents per kilowatt hour for the first 250 kilowatts. After that amount, the rate is 4.5 cents per kilowatt hour. With the 1987 increase, there will be a basic rate ($5) but the rate will increase from 7.6 cents per kilowatt hour to 8.1- the ministry in tri -monthly installments cents as will the after 250 kilowatt hours , based on the operating costs established (from 4.5 cents to 4.75 cents," Middel by the ministry. This year, the PUC ap- explained. proved the $281,700 operating budget. An average residential home which uses Turn to page 3 • Hydro rates, budgets, trucks and elec- tions dominated the meeting of the Public Utilities Commission last week. A representative of Ontario Hydro at- tended the meeting to present the 1987 pro- posed hydro retail rates for the Goderich area. Marty Borcharding submitted a 12 -page report to the commission concerning an in- crease in the hydro rates. The commission approved the increase which will become effective in January 1987. "The average increase will be 6.4 per cent," Evert Middel,-PUC manager, said. However, the increase is not the same for the three different categories of hydro users in Goderich. Goderich Town Council postponed a decision on a request from the MacKay Centre for Seniors, for financial assistance with the installation of an elevator at the centre, at their Nov. 10 meeting. Centre officials presented their proposal to install a handicapped lift; similiar to one located in North Street UnitedChurch, in a letter at the Oct. 27 Council meeting. At that time the matter was referred to the Administration Committee and the Works and Property Committee. The Seniors are requesting a cost- sharing arrangement with the town,on the installation of the lift, estimated to cost $35,000 to 40,000. A by-law is in effect,. limiting the town's contributions to the operation of the facility to $5,000 per year. The MacKay Centre, located on North Street, is owned by the Town of Goderich, and leased to the Seniors organization. Council is awaiting the information be- ing compiled by Works and Property. When the report is completed, a joint meeting of the Adminstration and Works Committees and the MacKay Centre Seniors, will be held to further discuss the situation. per cent as compared to this year's ap- proved increase of 5.9 per cent. In other business, the PUC approved the 1987 operating budget for the Ministry of Environment Filtration Plant at St. Christopher Beach. The plant, where water is treated and then pumped to . PUC customers, is operated by the ministry. The PUC pays Day care to be re-examined by council Goderich Town Council will be taking another look at the possibility of establishing a municipal day care centre in Goderich, based on the findings of a report being compiled by Administrator Larry McCabe. The report, which will"be presented at the Nov. 24 meeting of coun- cil, will examine the cost of day care based the formula now being used to establish the fee structure fir day care. Previously, day care costs had been determined on p formula which subtracted school fees from the gross cost of running a day care operation. Any resulting deficit was split between the provincial govern- ment and the municipality, on an 8020 per cent basis. Last week, the government announced municipal day care centres must follow the provisions of the day care,act,, which ,says the province will fund 80 per Bent of the cost of day care ly," said McCabe. Likewise, the provincial government and the munic- municipality would contribute 20 per cent, palities, which has been a major stumbling only for those in need of financial block to .efforts to start a inunicipal day care centre here. "One of the problems previously, was that a subsidy was expected from the municipality. If no subsidy is required other than (for those people who qualify under) the needs test, it presents a dif- ferent picture," said Mayor Eileen Palmer. In order to determine which day care users are eligible for financial assistance, a minimum income level would be set and a means test instituted. McCabe said his report will examine the procedure for for determining an appropriate income level for a cutoff point. The report will also In- clude n1ethods:for determining capital -and operetrng costs and per diem rates. tor U►use iu need on- practice of 'indirect subsidy' from the assistance. "It seems like a good move. Now, people who can afford it, will be paying for day care," Brian Donald, spokesman for a delegation of parents interested in day care, told council at their Nov. 10 meeting. Donald also told council the delegation had met with interested members of the community and with the councils of four neighbouring townships, discussing the idea of day care. "While they gave no firm support, three of the four townships gave verbal support and seemed quite positive," about the' idea of a municipal day care centre in Said Goderich, Sid Donald.. ,, *ill The new fora uala will do away with they Big Mac sales go to Hansen Wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen is on the final leg of his around -the -world journey to raise funds for spinal cord research and over the next few weeks he will pass through Southwestern Ontario. His quest to raise $10 million has been aided by many individuals, corporations and even governments. McDonalds Restaurants of Canada has., already donated $600,000 to the Man in Motion tour and local restaurants will be participating in fund raising efforts; The McDonalds restaurant in Goderich will hold Rick Hansen Day on Monday, Nov. 24 and for each Big Mac sold, McDonalds will donate $1 to the tour. Also the 85 employees of McDonalds here and management staff have,agreed to donate their wages for one hour of work to the fundp,That will i o teta4tlSedg tio,,, „ about $400 "Money'ra'1s'ed`wtll'be prete tt�,y ed to Hansen personally by two local people when he passes through London between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2 on his cross -Canada journey. The restaurant will also accept dona- tions for the Man in Motion Tour to be presented along with the McDonalds donation. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR m_: Elementary volleyball Area elementary schools took part in an exciting one -day volleyball tournament at GDCI on the weekend. The boys' champion- ship was won by the Colborne senior team while the Robertson senior girls team defeated the other school teams in round robin action to win the girls' championship. For more pictures, see the Sports section. Architect wins award Blyth architect Christopher Borgal was named the recipient of an Ontario Renews Award for the conversion of a building, located at No. 2 The Square, from non- residential to residential. For a story and pictures on the building's new look, see the front page on the Community section. Vikings defeated The GDCI .Vikings senior and junior girls basketball teams were defeated by Strat- ford Northwestern teams who claimed the Huron -Perth basketball championships. However, both Viking teams advance to the WOSSA basketball finals. For scary and pic- tures, see the Sports section.