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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-30, Page 1G theerich 139 YEAR — 52 GODERICH ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1987 60 CENTS PER COPY tar dew ®ur Ad Alt 'gik.'a rn goy,. i This blazing car ou Bayfield Road was, captured on film by former Goderich Signal - Star employee Diane Siemon in September, 1987. Rollande Schafenberg (centre) who finished first in the Women's Open category at the annual Goderich 10 kilometre run, collapes into the arms of fellow runners after completing the event in July. (photo by Patrick Raftis) It was a year to remember The arrival of a new year always brings expectations and raises hopes for future progress and advancement. The triumph and tragedies of the previous 365 days are often pushed aside as people anxiously push forward to see what the corning year will bring. So, before it is forgotten in the seasonal rush, perhaps this is a good time to look back on the ups and downs that made up 1987. JANUARY Susan and Brad Chase supplied Goderich with the first New Year's Baby, Krystal Arlene Chase, who was born Jan. 2 at 7:15 p.m. to kick off the new year. Huron County Council began the year by dealing with staffing problems left over from 1986, as the county's chief librarian Bill Partridge handed in his resignation (which was effective June 30) early in January. Before the year was out the coun- ty had a new librarian (former area resi- dent Beth Ross was hired to takeover Jan. 1, 1988), a new Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Maarten Bokhout) to take over the position vacated by the resignation of former MOH Dr. Harry Cieslar, a new county engineer Dennis Merill and a new nutritionist. Later in the month, the County Library Board was forced to re -instate Janis Bisback, who was left off the board in favor of Isabel Elston after serving only two years of a three-year term as non- elected citizen member -at -large of the board. The discovery of a procedural error in the county's citizen appointment system led to Bisback's re -instatement. FEBRUARY Early in February, the Huron County Pioneer Museum project got a boost in the form of a $1.1 million grant for the first phase of construction of what would be a multi-million dollar renovation and addition. "This is a great day for the County of Huron and the Town of Goderich," said Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell, county museum committee chairman. Also in February, the mayors of the five Huron County Towns (Goderich, Exeter, Clinton, Wingham and Seaforth) began to make their presence as a lobby group known, by presenting a brief outlining the joint concerns of their respective municipalities to Huron County Council. The county showed some support for the mayors by endorsing their proposal to petition the Ministry of Transportation and Communication for improvements to and development of Highway 8, from Kit- chener to Goderch. Goderich residents got their first peek at the contents of a recreation master plan and feasibility study commissioned for the town. An independant consulting firm, Stevenson and Associates, presented a proposal which recommended the con- struction of a $3.6 million multi-purpose aquatic recreation complex, unveiling the concept of a "leisure pool". Also in February, municipal employees got an across-the-board five per cent pay increase, while members of Goderich Town Council voted themselves a 3.5 per cent increase. MARCH Early in March, two young offenders escaped custody at the Bluewater Centre for Young Offenders and eluded capture for over 20 hours. The pair scaled the fence at the centre and made their way into Goderich, where they stole the vehicle which they were still driving when ar- rested in London. The escape led council to petition the Ministry of Correctional Services for in- creased security at the centre. Later that month, Goderich Town Coun- cil approved a $5.6 million municipal budget. On March 16, council received the Master Plan for Recreation in Goderich and feasability study and referred the plan to the Recreation Board for further study. APRIL April was the month for recognition of long-time service as Goderich Fire Chief Jack Merriam was presented with a pla- que in honor of his 30 years of service to the local fire department. Meriam joined the Turn to page 2 • ffice closed. for New Year's Due to the New Year's Day holiday, January 1, 1988, the Goderich Signal -Star will be altering office hours to allow employees to spend the holiday with their families. The Signal -Star offices will close at 12 noon on Thursday, December 31 and will remain closed on Friday, January 1. However, the paper will be published on the normal Wednesday schedule the following week and all news and adver- tising copy deadlineswill remain un- changed for the Wednesday, January 6 edition of the Signal -Star. The managment and staff of the paper would like to wish all our readers and advertisers a very special "Happy New Year!" Holiday season is a safe one It was "an excellent holiday, season as far as policing," said Goderich Police Chief Patrick King, noting that no ac- cidents occurred over the recent week of Christmas revellry. King also said that local police, in con- junction with the Goderich OPP detach- ment, checked several hundred cars in the annual RIDE program, resulting in only one charged of impaired driving laid by local police. "And that happened prior to the actual Christmas time (Dec. 23, 24 and 25)," King noted. "The trend seems to be that some peo- ple are doing as much drinking, but they're not driving... More people are deciding to get a designated driver, or they just aren't taking their cars," King said. "We hope that trend continues over New Year's and beyond". King said Goderich police will continue with extra patrols and RIDE spot checks over the rest of the holiday -season and urged New Year's partiers to take ad- vantage of taxi service if impaired. Premier David Peterson visited Huron County in August to help the Goderich No Notes Jug Band. At left: a performer from the Liberal candidate Jack Riddell kick off his successful provincial Garden Bros. Circus whish appeared here in May. (photos by election eampaign. The premier took time out to play a tune with Patrick l ftls) Taxi service is available Once again, Goderich's two taxi ser- vices will be doing their part to reduce drinking and driving by providing free, in -town, taxi rides New Years' Eve. B&B Taxi and Goderich Taxi are offer- ing free rides, paid for from donations by local businessmen and merchants, to party goers. B&B will be providing free service from 7:30 p.m. Thursday until 2:00 a.m. Friday and Goderich Taxi from 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Bruce Betties, owner of B&B, recom- mended patrons call ahead and arrange ,a,,time to be picked -up and dropped off, because the taxis will be 'busy. "Everybody calls at the same tune on New Years' Eve," said Betties. Both taxi services will have three cars on the road Thursday evening. Maurice Gardiner, owner of Goderich Taxi said his taxis usually stay in town New Years' Eve, but will make runs to the Saltford Valley Hall and a short distance out of town. However, not too far out of town, he added, since there will be many town calls to respond to. He said the service is "very well used— just as busy as can be." Bettles said last year 200-300 in- dividuals used the free service and he ex- pects the same number this year. B&B Taxi has offered the free New Years' Eve service for over 10 years and Goderich Taxi has provided free rides to party goers since Gardiner bought the taxi seven years ago. RIDE program in full swing The 1987/88 Christmas/New Years R.I.D.E. Program Blitz in Huron County has been operating since 15 November 1987 and will continue well into the New Year. Exeter, Goderich, Wingham O.P.P. Detachments year-round Anti -Impaired Driving campaign has been stepped up once again to deter drinking and driving at this festive time of the year. In the last year's Blitz, O.P.P. officers in Huron County checked 7,771 drivers and charged 12 people with alcohol-related Criminal Code driving offences. A total of 56 motorists were taken off the road with 12 hour licence suspensions and 89 people faced Liquor Licence Act charges for hav- ing alcohol easily accessible to the driver. Statistics: 15 November to 19 December 1987 — persons charged with alcohol- related Criminal Driving offences, 10; 12 -hour licence suspensions served, 30; vehicles checked, 3,534; Liquor Licence Act Charges, 43. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR Hockey action In Goderich Men's Industrial Hockey play, the Parkhouse recently defeated Sunset 8-6. For picture, see the Com- munity front. In other hockey news, the Goderich Junior 'C' Sailors are on a roll winning two in a row. For story, see the Community front page. Pictorial review 1987 was a year of entertainment for Goderich residents with the appearance of the Garden Brothers Circus, Murray McLaughlin, the Festival of Lights, fireworks displays, parades and numerous other activities. For a pic- torial review of the year, see Pages x -x of this section.