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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-06-13, Page 1,p4A • • PIR$T SECTION • • Maitland Engineering. ServiCes o Winghant has been appOint prepare an updated Jvpoit on th condition of the Lower .Town , Bridge. • At its first June meetingt Turnber- ry council was read a letter from Hugh McGugan, Ministry of Trans- portation senior municipal supervi- sor at Stratford. The letter is in response to last month's council request for design study subsidy for the Lower Town Bridge. The Structure was repaired in 1979 and was to have been good for 10 years. In response to the Turnberry request, Mr. McGugan authorized an updated report on the bridge. If the report confirms council's con- cerns, the MTO would apply to its structural office to replace the struc- ture. HOWI.CK 25m ANNTVERSARY—Howick Central School marked its 25th anniversary last Fri- day in an all -day celebration. A balloon release at noon was a highlight for the school children and former students returned that night to renew acquaintances. For frail elderly, disabled • Recommendations accepte • of transportation committee The ad hoc committee studying transportation needs for the frail elderly and disabled is one step closer to providing the service to area residents. Three recommendations of the committee were adopted by town council at its June meeting. Howev- er, many questions remain to be ,answered. Jack Kopas, chairman of the com- mittee, presented its report to town council. In March council approved, in prin.ciple, the imple- mentation of a transportation ser- vice for frail elderly and the handi- capped, Mr. Kopas said. Since then, the committee has met with representatives of area councils, who say they are not interested in entering an agreement with the town, preferring to take a ,with and we -will -see" approach, according to Mr. Kopas. Last week council approved three recommendations of the .com- mittee. They are: —that the advisory committee or board of directors be composed of one representative from each mem- ber municipality (currently Wing - ham), eight service club representa- tives and eight community repre- sentatives; Bluevale-area man dies in farm accident A well-known and respected Bluevale-area farmer lost his life in a tragic accident last Thursday. Oscar Kieffer, 70, of Lot 3, Con. 3 of Turnberry Township was pro- nounced dead lust after 3 p.m. on June 8, reports a spokesman for the Wingham detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. According to the police, Mr. Kief- fer and John Kennedy were cutting trees last Thursday afternoon. Mr. Kieffer apparently drove his tractor into the path of a falling tree and was struck by the heavy branches. -000- Oscar George Kieffer was born Aug. 31, 1918, in Carrick Township, the second son of the late George Kieffer and Mary Cronin. He attended elementary school at SS No, 9, Carrick (Inglis' School) and was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Teeswater. On June 1, 1940, he married the former Anna Marie Corrigan and they farmed at Holyrood for four years before moving to Turnberry Township, Concession 8, where they lived for 24 years. The farm was purchased from the estate of Oscar's brother, William, who also was killed in a farm accident. In 1968, Oscar sold that farm to his son, William and moved to Lot 3, Concegion 3, Turnberry. Mr. Kieffer was active in his lurch and community. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus, (Continued on Page 2A) —that the structure for delivery of the service be a non-profit corpo- ration and; —that following incorporation, the board and the town enter into an agreement to provide trans- portation for the frail elderly and disabled residing within the corn- nrinitY In, conclusion, "The committee desires the undertaking to move ,forward with the anticipation a transportation service will be in place and operational early in 1990." Although council adopted the recommendations, some members had questions about the proposed service. When Councillor John Schenk asked how much per kilometre would be charged for the service, Mr. Kopas replied that has not been determined. Government ministries offer cap- ital grants for such services, contin- ued Mr. Kopas. The estimated cost of a fully -equipped vehicle is $50,000 with 50 per cent funding coming from the province, leaving the remaining $25,000 up to the cor- poration to raise. Reeve Bruce Machan said a simi- lar service in Hanover is operated by two service clubs and costs them MOO to $10,000 each year, which was of concern to Mr. Schenk, "Can clubs in Wingham handle this kind of bill?", he asked. 'The hope of the non-profit cor- poration is to break even," said Mr. Kopas, although he did allow the service could cost the municipality money. (Continued on Page 2A) "If this report recommends replacement and our structural office agrees to rtfilabernerit of this -structure, you,should.go with the design and fund it out of your normal allocation," Mr.. McGugan writes. However, he made no further funding commitment. Council members seemed gen- uinely pleased by the ministry response and wasted little time in appointing Maitland Engineering Services to do an updated report on the bridge. Vandalism concerns police board member At least one member of the Wing - ham 'Board of Police Commission- ers is concerned about the ongoing problem of vandalism in town. Wingham Deputy Reeve William Harris reported to last week's com- mission meeting that a new bench --had been installed in front of the old post office on a Friday and by Sunday morning some of its planks and a concrete end had been smashed. The bench has been dedicated to the memory of Joe Ellacott, a long- time Wingharn citizen and Mr. Har- ris said he is shocked and saddened that it had beenAefaced. "Vandalism is an on-going con- cern and a constant battle," said Wingham Police Chief Robert Wit- tig. The police need the cooperation of the public if the problem is to be tackled, said the chief, Both Mr. Harris and board mem- ber Fred McCee said people must contact the police when they see an act in progress. "That's right," said the chief. "It's our community, not just mine." ),,,,-.ARTWINSIVAMPARETSACM t • • • -401, a -t