HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-01-17, Page 38I
I)9
Blaine Grifa
o•f the Cana
Blaise Grifa, the new owner of
-Wingham's Canadian Tire store, has
set no small goal for himself and his
staff..
Mr. Grifa hopes to see the
Winghartn Canadian • Tire store
become number one in the country
and he believes it has the potential.
Ever since arriving in Wingham
early this month, Mr. Grifa says he
has been impressed by the warm
and friendly atmosphere of the
community.
He also sees the Wingham
Canadian Tire store as a jewel in the
retail giant's crown and pays tribute
to former owner Elmer Squires for
building the business up to the point
itis today.
A native of Thorold, Ont,, Mr.
Grifa has been with Canadian Tire
for 17 years. He was in St. Cath-
arines and Niagara Falls before
Chiefseeks
anter -county
mutual aid
The Wingham Area Fire Board
has approved a request to investi-
gate the possibility of establishing
an inter -county mutual aid
agreement yvith Listowel on a no -
cast, reciprocal basis.
At its regular January meeting,
the board authorized Fire Chief
Harley Gaunt to arrange aomeeting
with Listowel Fire Chief Tom
Blackmore to discuss such an
agreement.
Mr. Gaunt told the board the
agreement would apply almost ex-
clusively to tank trucks.
Although it was generally agreed
that. Howick Township is likely to be
the nicipality which would
benefit the most by aninter-county
'° lriiiittia1 d ag erne>zt h tweeii the
two departments, Mr. Gaunt
cautioned that such is not ex-
clusively the case. "It (the agree-
ment) doesn't only benefit Howick
Township, it benefits the whole fire
board area."
There are sections of other muni-
cipalities . within the Wingham 'fire
board area that will benefit, he
added.
CRIME
STOPPERS
of Huron County Inc.
PHONE:
1-800-265-1777
Criwe Stoppers: of `Huron County
and the Ontario Provincial Police
are seeking your assistance to help
solve the following thefts.
On Friday, Dec. 23, 1988 between 7
p.m. and 7:30 a.m. a dirty, early
1980s Ford full-size, pickup (blue or
grey) was parked in the west
parking lot of the Elizabeth Court
Apartments at 176 Oxford Street in
Hensall-. It is believed the two
persons in this vehicle broke into
several mobile home units at
General Homes, Oxford Street,
HensalL
The first suspect is described as a
male in his mid-20s, five feet io
inches, medium build, shoulder -
length wavy,oily hair, wearing
green or grey coveralls. The second
suspect is six feet tall, medium build
wearing a white or Bream colored
knee-length Coat with an attached
hand.
it is believed this pair stole
curtains and fight fixtures.
If you have any information about
this or any other serious crime, call
Crime Stoppers of Huron County
toll-free at 1400486-1777. You could
earn a cash reward of up to $1,000 if
an arrest is made, and you will
never have to testify in court.
Remember, we pay eash for clues,
t�.
spending the last 12 years inEdrnon-
ton.
When the opportunity arose to
return to Ontario, Mr. Grifa quickly
accepted, especially after he saw the
newly -renovated and. expanded
Wingham store,.
In addition to the modern and
spacious store and the well-trained
staff, Mr. Grifa also says he was im-
pressed by the warmth of the com-
munity and the many services it
provides.
Ever since arriving at the
Wingham store, Mr. Grifa has been
pleased boy the initiative and
eagerness to learn of his staff
members. There are 22 full and part-
time employees at the Wingham
Canadian Tire store.
Although he has an excellent staff,
Mr. Grifa hopes to fully develop
their skills by offering training
seminars with customer service in
mind. He also plans to do some-0re-
organ" �ti� ailne4 at
making `teen m 'convenient for
the shopper; t:
He intends to expand the role of
the service centre. There are four
class4 teehnicjans . on staff and
starting immediately, they too will
be taking courses to update and
improve theskills.
"Everybody (at the Wingham
Canadian Tire store) wants to
learn," marvels Mr. Grifa,
It will take time to make the kind
of changes he hopes to put in place,
but that doesn't bother him. He
hopes to make Wingham his home
fo° the next several years. Last
week he and his girlfriend, Canadian
Tire accountant Shelley Ford,
bought a house in Wingham and are
settling in for long stay here,
Among Mr. Grifa's other interests
are history, baseball, (playing or
coaching), golf, chpss, gourmet
cooking and boating.
THE NEW OWNER of Wingham's Canadian Tire store, Slaise Grifa,
right, has big plans for the Wingham store and feels it has the poten-
dL_G to
uas become the best in the country. Mr Grifa is getting- to lin w —;
the employees of the Wingham store, such as 'Lisa Chaput.
The Free Trade
Bement will gradually eliminate customs duty
ariatia end the United Stites:
ctn.
ii The duty on some Free Trade,
goods will be eliminated
immediately while the duty on
other goods will be phased out
in stages.
i Only goods which are of
US. or. Canadian origin will be
eligible for lower Free Trade
Agx eement duty rates.
The goods must have been
acquired in the U.S. and must
have no markor label indicat-
ing the goods were produced
in any country other than the
U.S. or Canada.
dik Current personal exemption
levels do not change.
Restrictions on the duty and
tax free amounts of alcohol and
tobacco remain in effect.
i Free Trade goods exceeding
personal exemption levels
remain subject to federal sales
and excise taxes as applicable.
Before your next trip, we'll be
glad to tell you the duty payable
on the goods you intend. to
': bring horn; We're here to help,
that's something that will never
'._chane!
Callyour local Canada Customs office or
your regional Canada Customs office (416)871-3131,354-4785
or 679-6202 Elwin' re; business hours
�
or our National Hotline at
1800-267-6626
Revenue Canada Revenu Canada
Custom and a d Exclse Douanes et Accise