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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-09-07, Page 1a 32 • Topiti'faie§:g. • • • upiti.Goderio. BY JOANNE WALTERS As of September 1 taxi fare rates increased here - the first increase since 1976. The ne'w bylaw governing taxi rates was approved and adopted by the Goderich Police Commission last Wednesday. The town's taxi companies made a presen- tation to the commission at a July meeting asking that the rates be upped due to the con- siderable increase in the prices of gas, Oil, car parts, labour, insurance and wages. Rates between the ,hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. are now up from $1 for the first three-quarters of a mile to $1 for the first half mile and 10 cents for each one-tenth of a mile rather than one- eighth of a mile. Each additional passenger will cost 25 cents extra. A stop over of not more than ten minutes will cost 50„cei)t§..WiliK„ga...ch addigoXialininitte, .over1h /Wool/lines- cos t-15...ce Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. the rates will double for all unscheduled calls. Individuals booking rides prior to 11 p.m. and after 6 a.m. will be entitled to the preferred rates. Taxi cabs engaged on an hourly basis will cost $8 per hour and where the vehicle is standing, $6 an hour. Square becoming flop house BY JOANNE WALTERS Court House Park in Goderich may be tur- ning into a big "flop house” say members of the Goderich Police Commission and they want somettifng done about it. At a commission meeting last Wednesday it was suggested that Police Chief Pat King write a letter to town council indicating that the commission would like a restrictive bylaw pertaining to the parks in town. Judge F.G. Carter, chairman of the com- mission, told Chief. King that he must get •tougher with his men who in turn must get tougher with those who are breaking the law. He expressed his concern and the concern of others who have voiced their opinion to him, that too much vandalism is occurring and the situation is getting out of hand. "It is a multitude of little things, no one big thing in particular," he Said listing incidences of broken lights, stolen flags and unnecessary noise on the Square. "I'm not concerned about laying more charges . . .I'm concerned about unsolved occurrences," he continued. TROUBLE SPOTS One problem with trying to solve crimes of vandalism, etc. explained Chief King, is that people don't report them to the police as they are occurring. One of the biggest trouble spots in town seems to be the Square, he went on to say. When everything else in town closes up, he said, the park in the Square seems to be a • meeting place. Some people even sleep in the park all night. And they know that there isnot much the police can do about such loitering which makes the problem that much more difficult, he continued. Since the majority of vandalism in town seems to happen after 2 am. when other meeting places are closed up for the evening, it was suggested by commission members that the park areas be restricted to loiterers bet- ween the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. "That would be a help," agreed Chief King. Town Clerk Larry , McCabe said he would obtain bylaws from other towns where such park regulations are enforced and also check for rules against vagrancy and loitering under . the Parks.Act as a guide for Goderich. Chief King said there are a certain number of people in town who like to cause trouble and the police pretty well know who these people are. He said the Mr. Submarine shop on the Square, which is a late night spot, is another gathering place for people and complaints of excessive noise in this area have been made. Mayor Deb Shewfelt said, "It's just a matter of getting tougher with the nonsense." He went on to say that the police should, "cow-dwn harder on these night owls" and "increase the tempo of pressure" on them. PRINT RESULTS Judge Carter suggested that the charges laid and the results or outcome of these charges be printed in the newspaper. It would not even be necessary to publish the names of offenders but if people could read what the fine or jail term was for a certain crime, it might act as a deterrent: Such reports in the paper would also help to Show the general public that justice was being served and punishments handed down, he said. Chief King said he would include the disposition of the charges laid, such as, the average fine, etc. in his monthly reports to be put in the paper. "From a deterrent point of viewf it will be better if the result of a charge is publicized," he said. In other business Chief King reported that the police will be concentrating - on cyclists and laying charges against those riding their bikes on the sidewalk. He said he. has recently had one -Woman -corn pilaw trtitff"tliatsh couldn't walk safely down 'the eideWalks because of cyclists. Selattlx, Grant Garrow, Richard Roberts, Mike McCallum, David Alnutal The town will only control taxi fare rates within the town limits and up to two miles beyond these limits. Outside of this, the rates will be tiVto the individual taxi companies. At the Police Commission meeting last Wednesday, Police Chief Pat King displayed an identification card and a tariff card designed for taxis. The new bylaw states that every taxi operator shall display, in a place,designated by the. Chief of Police, at all times, an iden- tification card bearing a photo (of self) and in a form approved by the Chief of Police at fhe operator's expense. Further, a tariff card describing the rates shall be displayed on the rear of the front seat in a folder supplied by the Chief of Police. If anyone has a complaint against a taxi company such as the uncleanliness of the _ye h tc , Jig or she should contact Chief K ing '...- - sinee -he-supervises-over all -persons -and vehicles licensed under the taxi by-law together with the equipment used by them and has the power to prosecute all persons who. shall offend against any provision of this by-law. In the past, says the Chief, there has been a tendency on the part of some people to call the other taxi companies with their complaints rather than 'himself. On, ';Theatre-warprovided for eartipe Point Farms Proidriclai Park Engrossing tale by once again this summer thanks to the Lambton Youth Theatre Group of Sarnia directed by Werner Graf, This past weekend was the group's third appearance at the park this summer. On Friday evening they put on various skits under the title Nineties Melodrama and on Saturday entertaining fellow Bag and Wild West Circus. This is the group's fifth summer at the afternoon they put on two plays for children called The Beast and the park. Here, one of the actors captivates his audience. (Photo by Joanne Walters) the oderich 131 YEAR -34 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7,1978 30 CENTS PER COPY P C. eriticied faii taking. business awa BY JEFF SEDDON The Goderich Public Utilities Commission came under fire this week as a result of the manner the utility used to have its West Street offices redecorated. The redecorating is being done by a firm in Strathroy and some com- plaints have been made that the $4,691 job was contracted without giving any Goderich firms an opportunity to bid on the work. The redecorating was planned by the com- mission several months ago after manager Al Lawson suggested to the commission that the utility offices were barren and unattractive. Lawson pointed out to commissioners that the office was functional but lacked any colour or atmosphere because of the way it was decorated. He said he felt utility office em- ployees would appreciate carpeting, drapes for the office ---windows and a fresh coat of paint adding that customers would also appreciate the changes. The-- commission suggested that Lawson contact some decorating firms for suggestions on what could be done to liven up the offices and get estimates as to the costs. The com- missioners did not want the work done in piecemeal fashion but rather wanted someone to recommend colour schemes, carpets, draperies and any furniture needed .and be prepared to do the work. • Lawson contacted Goudie's Furniture • Limited of Strathroy and the firm visited the Goderich office and made recommendations and gave quotes on the job. Lawson said he and PUC chairman Harry Worse!! were satisfied with the Goudie recommendations and gave the firm the job. - The manager said he was given certain in- structions for the work and was satisfied he had •tarried out those instructions. He said ex- perience and word of mouth convinced him that the Goudie bid was satisfactory and no other bids were received. He added. that no firms in Goderich offer the services Goudie did pointing out that firms in London have the same service but cost more. - The complaints aired indicate that some Goderich merchants are angered that they. were given no opportunity to bid on the work. Some claim no effort was made to contact them to explain what was wanted and that it is ironical that Goudie's is located in Strathroy and PUC manager Al Lawson vacated a post there to take up duties in Goderich. • Lawson said if he had not been satisfied with the bid of Goudie he would not have accepted it. Chairman Harry Worsell said he realized some criticism could be made..oLthe_w_a,v..the job Wa& Turn to page 20 • nrolments drop •4 per .cent in area schools BY JIM HAGARTY The end of the post-war baby boom and the growing use of the birth control pill have brought about a population decline in eight area schools. As of Tuesday afternoon, overall enrolment figures for the seven elementary schools and one secondary school in and around Goderich show four percent fewer students this Sep- tember than last. The eight schools in September 1977 enrolled a total 3,152 students but this year the figure has dropped to 3,041, a decrease of 111 people. Even so, there will be only one less teacher working in the schools this year, due primarily The Goderich Laketown Racersswim team won the Lake Huron one Recreation Association's final swim meet over eight other teams -with 387 points two weeks ago. Members of the team are back row, left to right, Kevin Bosworth, Tim Goddard, Margaret Conlon, Trish Roberts, Sam James (coach),_ Barbara Conlon, Evie <Roberts, Ronan ConInic Patrick Madden and Michael Madden. Next row, left to right are Minty Chap- luau,- torn Pitrie, Rick Youngi Kevin Telford, Peter Conlon, Jeurgen and Debbie MItchelmore. Next row, left to right, are Terry Lynn Fisher, Kristen Knox. Angela Goddard, Lori White, Helen Conlon, Melanie Jeffrey, Kathlene Carter, Duicie Mero, April Stoddard and Janet Boyce. Next tow 1014 to_risitt two ...cgthy,:Galloiv Jennifer Dobjet Brigit SchulZ, RUIN Cook, Steven White, Sbsert-tbdii*ty 'Roberts and Susan Murphy. Front roil?, ieft to right are Cathy gOwerby, Lisa Kisch, Petra Schuh and Susan Roberts. (Photo by Joanne Waiters) to the fact that the enrolment drops are spread evenly over the whole system. Hardest hit by declining enrolments has been the Holmesville Public School which has registered 290 students as opposed to last year's average enrolment of 310. Colborne Central Public School so far has lost 18 students over last year, although Principal John Kane said on Tuesday he expects two or three more to show up eventually. Last year, the school had 255 students and so far this September, has registered only 237. Incoming principal of St. Marys Separate School reports that the school enrolled 190 - students on Tuesday, a drop of 16 from last year's 206 level. Both Robertson Public School in Goderich • and St. Joseph's Separate School in Kingsbridge have 14 fewer students in their classrooms- this year than' last. Robertson enrolled 455 on Tuesday while 104 students sat down to class at St. Josephs. Percentage -wise, the high school in Goderich didn't suffer too great .a drop in enrolment, at least compared to some of the elementary schools. Goderich District Collegiate Institute repoita all-Fst-day enrolment figure of 985, a _ drop of 24 students from last September. However, Principal John Stringer is op- timistic final enrolthent will reach 1,000 when all the students have returned to classes. Brookside Public School enrolment this year so far is reported to be 353 students, only four less than last year's figure, while Victoria Public School has registered the same number of students as last year. In the main Victoria School, 394 students have been enrolled, one less than in 1977. But the school's Queen Elizabeth Wing, which specializes in teaching the developmentally handicapped, repOrts an increase of two students over last year for a total enrolment of 33. - SOME STAFF CHANGES Two schools, Brookside and Colborne Cen- tral, reported no staff changes for 1978 but in •the other six schools, new staff has been hired to replace retiring and transferring teachers. Kdditions"tO he teaching staff of GDCI in- clude Hugh McGregor, music , from London; „ Randy 'McCldud, business machines and math, from Guelph; and Glenn White, biology. math and science. from Toronto. The three new teachers replace Al Mullin who is -on a one-year leave of absehce; Al Turn to page 20'.