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Wingham Advance-Times, 1978-11-22, Page 12GORD BAXTER New councillor suggests more public involvernnet People should take a greater interest in how their 'town is run, Gord Baxter, Wingham's newest councillor, feels. They should ask more questions and should be willing to "get in on the action". , There's no sense sitting back and saying, 'I think this should be done' or 'I think that', if you're not willing to take an active part in getting things changed, Mr. Baxter declared during a recent interview. He suggested perhaps there's a need for more communication between council and the people it represents, possibly in the form of an information night during which council would meet with citizens. He also noted he was very surprised that he obtained the seat on council by acclamation. "I don't know whether people are not in- terested in how the town is run?" In any case he had expected there would be an election for the position. Now that he's on council, he said, his major concern will be to ensure that citizens get the best value for their tax dollar. "Naturally with my background I'm in- terested in finance," he noted. (Mr. Baxter has been finance director for Wingham and District Hospital for the past six years.) However he added that he has also had ex- perience in many other areas such as building, roads, transportation and dealing with people and suppliers so he's quite willing to take on any work council sees fit to assign him. "I won't seek a particular committee," he said. "I'm willing to work wherever I'm asked to." He added that he's "got a lot of learning to do" before he can put his finger on any specific problems or improvements needed. "I think council's done a good job in the past." Although this is his first time in public of- fice, Mr. Baxter noted he's not completely a novice to politics. He said he helped MP Bob McKinley in past,elections as well as working for councillors in previous municipal elec,. tions. Hailing from Goderich, Mr. Baxtek has lived in Wingham for the past 11 years. He previously spent some time in Toronto. He is married and has two children. Board to review practice of replacing all six buses By Jeff Seddon The Huron County Board of Education may attempt in the future to squeeze a few more miles out of board -owned school buses to alleviate financial pres- sures that are cramping the board's capitai expenditures and equipment replacement pro- grams. Board chairman John Elliott told the board at its final session Monday night the practice of automatically renewing six board -owned buses every year might be unnecessary, pointing out that some of the money spent on new vehicles could be funneled into other areas. The suggestion was made when the board 'was asked by John Cochrane, director of education, to approve a five year capital ex- pense forecast. Mr. Cochrane ex- plained to the board that the five year program is required by the minis-ry of education for Ontario to permit the province to set down a provincial spending fore- cast. The director said the province has met the require- ments of the Huron board with the exception of one major area, additional home , economics and industrial arts facilities in ele- mentary schools. - He told the board' that con- sidering the ministry's record of ignoring Huron County's request for funds to . establish industrial arts and home ' ec,. centres at - Turnberry, Hullett and Exeter Public Schools the board could consider not asking any more. He said the futility of the request indicated that perhaps the board should just ask for money for the continuance of replacing six board owned buses each year. The bus replacing practice is done due to ministry guidelines that totally depreciate, school buses over seven years. Mr. Elliott suggested that the board's habit of replacing six buses a year may not be neces- sary. The chairman said some of the buses replaced may be worthy of more mileage and that the board could attempt to keep the vehicles on the road using the money saved to establish the home economic -industrial arts classrooms. Brussels trustee Donald Mc- Donald noted that it may not be \possible for the board to transfer the capital as easily as that. He said the ministry might simply keep the money itself and give the Huron board only enough for five buses. Wingham trustee Jack Alex- ander said it appeared the six buses due for replacement are "let go" by the board's transpor- tation department so that by the time they are due to be taken off the road they are "shot": He sug- gested that by taking 'better care of the vehicles the board may get more mileage from them. Mr. Elliott said some of the buses may indeed be scrap but Planning required to meet the needs of senior citizens Figures on population trends point up the urgent need for priority on planning to meet the housing, medical, transportation and other social needs of senior citizens in small towns and vil- lages. The indications are, however, that the problems now being en- countered in smaller centres will be more general within 25 years. Present efforts to meet those needs in smaller centres should help in dealing with problems that will arise in larger centres as their percentage of senior citizens increases. Towns like Exeter, ,Clinton, Listowel, Wingham, Mitchell, Harriston, and Lucknow have be- tween 15 per cent and 24 per cent of their population over the age of 65. By comparison, lbcal town- ships range between seven and 12 per cent senior citizens, and cities like Mississauga are as low as four per cent. In Canada as a whole, just nine per cent of the population is over the age of 65. Experts tell us that by the year 2001 the national percentage of senior citizens will be about 12 per cent, and by 2031 it is ex- pected to reach 20 per cent. The Rural Development Out- reach Project (RDOP) of the University of Guelph, which is working in the local area, has MRS. ALLAN GRIFFITH Wroxeter Mr. and Mrs. Carl Govier, Goderich, visited Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Ted Smith. Bert Watson of Leigh -on -the - Sea, Sussex, England has re- turned home following a two weeks' visit with his parents here, Mr. and Mrs. Reg Watson. Mr. and Mrs. Les Douglas spent a few days with the latter's sister, Mr. and Mrs. William Lowe, Gravenhurst. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Smith, ac- companied by Mrs. William Wade visited 'Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. John Sinnamon and family, Seaforth, and attended the 111th anniversary at Seaforth Presbyterian Church. Congratulations to John Sinna- mon, a former Wroxeter resi- dent, who was elected mayor of Seaforth last week. met with local agency personnel who suggest that a comprehen- sive study of the needs, concerns, and expectations of senior citizens should help provide im- mediate answers for the local comrrlunity. At the same time, they expect such efforts to point the way for future planning to meet the needs of Canada's elderly. The . Rural Development Out- reach Project has already begun to accumulate information on the elderly in parts of Huron County and plans to continue in the hope of providing a clearer under- standing of the problems of an aging population in a rural area.' The facts and opinions already gathered have confirmed the view that an emphasis on the needs and concerns of senior citi- zens would be an appropriate and useful way for the University of Guelph to support rural develop- ment in Huron County, and in- deed throughout the province. The preliminary efforts show clearly that the problems relat- ing to quality of life for the elder- ly in a rural community are many. Finding solutions will demand co-ordinated and con- certed effort. Here are some of the findings to date: Retired citizens attending a workshop on the elderly, spon- sored by the RDOP of the Uni- versity of Guelph, identified the following difficulties facing seniors in a rural area: Changes in the rural pattern of living were seen as factors which affected all parts of society but created special problems for senior citizens who often found it difficult to change and adapt to them. Lack of communication with other seniors was observed as an alienating factor and contributed to feelings of isolation. While improved health facili- ties are available to the com- munity, seniors felt that in some areas the lack of a "local doctor" created an uneasy situation for them. Transportation is dependent in large part on the wishes of others and at their convenience — sometimes vehicles, whether private or public are not suitable to seniors. In a survey of the Wingham and Turnberry Township area, 20 per cent of the seniors said they were not satisfied with services available. In the same survey an- swers indicated a lack of trans- portation for seniors and a lack of information about services that were available in the community. Local agency personnel within the community have outlined a number of areas of concern to seniors. These include: Isolation and loneliness were ohserved as predisposing factors to many types of chronic ill- nesses. No central information service for seniors exists. Some assistance to persons with disa- bilities is available from various service clubs; however, this information is not always readily available to the group in need. Insufficient financial resources resulting in unsatisfactory hous- ing conditions and inadequate nutritional level were felt to be problems facing seniors. Inadequacy of services (gaps) and inefficiencies due to distance were evident. The University of Guelph, through its RDOP seeks the help and involvement of the widest possible cross section of the com- munity. It will welcome all ideas and support from interested local citizens. Anyone who wishes to assist or make suggestions may contact the agency by phoning Wingham 357-9911, or. Guelph 824- 4120, extension 3637. Rural Development Outreach Project UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Percentage of population over 65 years of age in Ontario, Canada, and selected rural communities in Huron, Perth, Wellington, and Bruce Counties as com- piled by the Rural Development Outreach Project, University of Guelph. ONTARIO CANADA PERTH COUNTY Listowel St, Mary's Mitchell HURON COUNTY Goderich Clinton E xeter Wingham S,,, forth WELLINGTON COUN f 1' 1111111111111111111111111 Clifford Mt. Forest Palmerston Harriston BRUCE COUNTY Kincardine Walkerton Teeswater Lucknow 11111111111111111111111111 amommumm posimommo isommommimmonia 111111.111111111.1111111.10111111111111 8.6% 8% 16% 16% 22% 10% 20% 21% 23% 14% 15% 20% 24% �w'lrM-'�j:Myll'uGiluLLl�t4iP::17•� `���-r`W4�uVY:mY felt sure some should not be re- placed. He said there might be four buses due for replacement and two that could be kept on the job, saving the board the cost of two new vehicles. He said in the past two years three of the buses the board has replaced have been put back into service by bus con- tractors. The board tenders for the sale of the vehicles, a con- tractor buys them and keeps them on the road to transport stu- dents under a contract with the board. ' The chairman said two years ago two of the six buses the board sold were put back on the road by contractors and this 'year one of the buses was put back in ser- vice. He suggested that the board .Fonsider the policy before it auto- matically agrees ,to it. Seaforth trustee John Hender- son felt a delay could put the board in the financial dilemma it faces in other areas. He said if the board "lays off a year or two" it may be facing, the same prob- lem it. is in replacing equipment in technical classrooms in the rMRS. VICTOR EMERSON Whitechurch Personals Mr. and Mrs. Hector Ptud4n and her mother, Mrs. House of Strathror;° spent the weekend with his sister, Mrs. Robert Mow- bray, and Mr, Mowbray. 1 Mr. and Mrs. George Tiffin of Lucknow visited Sjnday with Mr. and Mrs. Angus Mowbray. Mr. and Mrs. John Gibb and Ryan of Kitchener were weekend visitors with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Gibb, and Murray. Mrs. Eileen Parker of Exeter was a Sunday visitor with her brother, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mc- Clenaghan. Mr. and Mrs. Eric Evans of Hyde Park were Sunday visitors with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Evans. Mrs. Ted Evans of Ballinafad visited Monday with Mr. and Mrs. Bill Evans and with her father, Bert Nicholson, at Wing - ham hospital. Visitors on ' Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Gary Rintoul and Kevin, were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Corey, Clinton, and John Haskett of Ilderton. Mrs. Paul Laidlaw and Mich- elle of Windsor visited last week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Elliott, while her husband Paul was up north on a hunting expedition. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Stewart, Mark, Susan and Heather of Lambeth' were Sunday visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Elliott. Whitechurch 4-H club attended Achievement Day on Saturday afternoon at Lucknow where all got their books signed and re- ceived their spoons. Miss Jane Laidlaw, Reg. N., began work at Victoria Hospital, London, on Monday morning. Mr. and Mrs. John Koobs and Christine of Gowanstowne Sunday visitors with herrn' ther, Mrs. Peter deBoer `and family. county high schools. Windham district trustee Murray Mulvey suggested un- dercoating the new buses to get more mileage out of them. He said rust seems to be a problem for the buses, pointing out that in many cases the vehicles "rust out before they wear out". He said the board could consider getting the buses rust proofed when they are new. The board decided to drop the provision of industrial arts -home economics classrooms from its five year capital expense fore- cast but to make provision for the replacement of the six buses. The budget committee hopes to sit down with transportation manager to review the practice of automatically replacing six buses a year. 1 Thin solaiimtinity extends sin- cere sympathy to Mrs. Wallace Milligan on the passing of her sis- ter, Mrs. Orrin Enman, on November 5 at Prince Edward Island. Mrs. Hugh Simpson, while in- stalling a venetian blind° last week, had the misfortune to cut her right arm. The injury re-, quired stitches. Tom Inglis underwent surgery last week at University Hospital, London. The community wishes' him a speedy recovery. Bob Ross, who has secured em- ployment at Waterloo NCR Manufacturing, spent Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Don Ross. Cameron Simmons of London spent a few days last week re- pairing his home in the village. Harvey Osborne returned to Knox College this week after spending last week studying at the 1caal e. The Huron %Qwlt an •Romelnalkere. held :g very . uc- . cessful rummage anWht'Clinton to and express - , thanks to all for their agS THAN YOU I wish to than l -, the voters of Morris Town- ship for their support at the polls last Mon- day. SAM PLETCH 1 My Sincere Thanks To all those who supported me in the November 13th election in Turnberry Town- ship. Thank You. John V. Fischer Business and Professional Directory O mo ®1 KARL C. LENTL Chartered Accountant Wingham, Ontario Telephone (519)357.1087 WINGHAM MEMORIALS GUARANTEED GRANITES CEMETERY LETTERING REASONABLE PRICES Buy Direct and Save Bus Ph. 357-1910 Res. Ph. 357-1015 Frederick F. Homuth Phm.B., R.O. Carol E. Homuth, O.D. Mrs. H. Viola Homuth, O.D. Optometrists HARRISTON Ontario 338-2712 1 REID AND PETERSON Chartered Accountants 218 Josephine St., Wingham Ph: 357-1522 J.A. Peterson, C.A. LW, Reid, C.A. ervice Direc ELECTRICAL diurke-McLeod Electrical Contractors Ltd Electrical Contracting Motor Sales, Repairs and Rewind Wingham 519-357-2450 PLETCH ELECTRIC Wingham Industrial, Commercial, Farming, Domestic PHONE 357-1583 SIGNS SIGNWRITING "Dunn By Tom" Thomas E. Dunn RR 1 Bluevale 335-6395 CONSTRUCTION T. M. & T. CONSTRUCTION General Contractors All types of concrete work Pit Silos Home and farm building (' %1,1. BOB THQIIPSON 131.1 F:\ .%I.E. (ONTARIO :157-319:i SALES AND SERVICE Lynn Hoy Enterprises Honda and Skidoo Sales & Service Hwy. 86 east of Wingham Phone 519-357-3435 INSURANCE iffeqhf INSURANCE All Types of Insurance 335-3525 357-2636 GORRIE WINGHAM PLUMBING HEATING Ler y Jackson lumbi ng —Heating ---Tinsmithing 191 Josephine St. Wingharn 357-2904 PLUMBING RENOVATIONS New Installations, coil Terry Doyell at 357-2808 or 357-1229 FUELS BILI TIFFIN Imperial Esso Agent For all your Home and Farm Fuel and Lubricating 'Needs 357-1032 PRINTING WINGHAM PRINTING SERVICE • PRINTING • PHOTO COPIES • REGISTER FORMS • RUBBER STAMPS • WEDDING STATIONERY 314 JOSEPHINE STREET WINGHAM 3573800 ANTENNAS AND SMOKE DETECTORS MC AND MACS TOWERS Antennas and Smoke Detectors For Home or Business Coil: 335-6321 or 357-2644 ory FLOWERS • Wedding Arrangements • Cut flowers • Plants • Flowers by Wire Service LEWIS FLOWERS 135 Frances Phone 357-3880 TOP SOIL & pRAVEL TOP SOIL AND GRAVEL Crushed Grovel Cement Grovel Fill Grovel Top Soil Sand John Cox • 3/4 Stone 357-1297 WINGHAM THE ADVANCE -TIMES