HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1986-01-08, Page 010
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By Sharon Dieta "When you ho .400 people in an institution and only 60 are He found school frustrating, getting along well .during the his spending money when he could earn it himself, he said.
Edltor4s note; The names of the young offenders inter- 16 and 17, you f' d it hard to streamline programs for them. first term but going downhill as the year progresso, and he -He resents attempts to find a reason for what he did.
viewed for this story have been changed to protect their We have nee to do a better job with this age group and was responsible for remembering more work. "There isn't a reason for every action," he claimed.
ide°lilies• reow we have the o portunity to do just that '" _ He said he needs to be able to accomplis>a thingiyfaster and Matt gets along well with his parents and they visit
Brent served two years of a three-year sentence in a Most of the centre's residents have lived through a school year is too long to wait for achievement. He wants to regularly and support him. They have participated in family
provincial reformatory before coming to the Bluewater *ama6d and traumatic't experiences and need individual finish Grade 12, find a job and earn some money so he can be counselling sessions and he is determined that when he has
Centre for Young Offenders, and he said he fakes the change. counselling to help them overcome .the past. Q on hi.3 own. Things aren';t coming together fastrenough. served his time he will put this behind him,, finish school and
"There's more freedom here, more opportunity to earn- 46 All our residents are assessed when they come in.," the While servi g his time at the Bluewater Centre,/ /Derek find work.
Privileges," he said. "You're in with grays your own age and it superintendent explained. "We try to -find out what brought found he cool earn his school -credits faster. Because the For Derek, the return to his home community will not be
isn't as intimidating. You're not influenced by older guys." them here and why, then we develop an 'individual plan of classes are so much smaller, the teachers had more time to easy. He is two ears away from finishing Grade 12 but he
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Josh agreed: °°Of all the places I've been in, this is the best care, involving interested parents when'
ever can. I_t's rare spend with�hlm and he felt he was getting the attention he doesn't want to live at home because his .parents have not
and I've been in group'homes, detention centres, training that parents don't care," he added. needed He studied physical education, mala in society, death given him any freedom or space since he was charged, he
schools, the whole bit." A former superintendent of Toronto's Don Jail who later and English. said. However he has no income and cannot be independent
"The staff were like guards at other institutions," he ex- became provincial manager for the Implementation of the Time goes much faster at the Bluewater Centre, he said, without money.
plained• "All they wanted was to put in their shift, keep you in Young Offenders Act, Mr. DeGrandis said the centre's ap- recalling the two weeks he spent in a detention centre before In the meantime he was just waiting to get out and hoping
line and go home. They didn't want to hear about your proach includes, working through the discharge program to coming there. he will be able to get his Grade 12 and find a job.,Getting
problems," increase the possibility of successful adjustment to the home "Two weeks in the detention centre felt like two months, credits while he waits has helped and he hoped to be released
The philosophy behind. the Bluewater Centre for Young community following release. while here two months feels like two weeks." early so he could enroll in >a sem.ster program which he said
Offenders., 'which opened near Goderich last fall, is to At the detention centre there was nothing to do but sit in• a would enable him to be more successful at school.
produce positive changes in young lives, leading to a life free TIME GOES FASTER : "'"" room all day and he was permitted only 40 minutes of The establishment of an accredited high school at the Blue -
of crime, says its superintendent, Carl DeGrandis. Derek and Matt were among the first residents to serve recreation. At Bluewater the day is filled with classes, water Centre has really provided an anchor for the whole
"This is, an age group that we can`still affect positively in time in what is Ontario's first secure custody institution for recreational activities, jobs to do and cleaning the dor- program according to Mr. DeGrandis.
order to help then make changes in their lives. We won't be. young offenders. Convicted on charges of break, enter and mitories. The school is opgrated by the Huron County Board of
able to make a complete turn -around in the time that we have theft, theft under $?00 and theft over $200, they "were sen- " 'SOMETHING TO DO' Education, with financial backing from the Ministry of
them, but we believe we can start the process and aid the tented to secure custody following their third or fourth of- For Matt,' who had a full-time job two summers ago, Education. Funding comes from a ministry grant ins!ead of.
people who need to carry it on after discharge - parentsfences. breaking and entering was "something to do"' He couldn't' local property taxes, but the board provides administration,
,
teachers, counsellors or whoever." It was not so much the kids he hung around with as his lack find a summer job andhe missed having the money and the teachers and curriculum, ,in consultation with staff at the
The need for specialized institutions such as the Bluewater of interest in school,_his frustration with the system and his sense of purpose.centre.
Centre ei isted'long before the implementation of the Young parents' rules, plus a need for money, that led to his brush His parents would have given him the money for the things The school offers Grades 9, 10 and 11 credits and one
Offenders Act last April, Mr. DeGrandis said. .with the law, Derek said. he wanted, but he does not like being dependent on others for resident was taking some Grade 12 courses.
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FIRST SECTION
IN 1
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Wingham, Ontario, Wednesday, Jan. •8, 1986, Single Copy 50c
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Council lies spec oa reet'n
e to -discuss � lawsu 1t9off �d IPI n
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Wingham Town Council town solicitor copies. of',..
Mayor
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Ma or Jack Kopas s noted to industrial from highway
willhold a special meeting- documents necessary to that .
council had hoped to . commercial;
_ with its solicitor later this pursue -the case, but so far meet with its solicitor, John -returning the area along
month to decide what to do with n o response. Skinner, prior to the meeting the west side of Josephine
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about the lawsuit launched They assume from the lack Monday night to bring • the Street,_ _north of George
more than two years ago by of'response that the town is new councillors up to date ori - Street., to residential design -
the town against a local . unwilling to, pursue the the matter. -However Mr. -ation rather than changing it '
WITH LOTS OF FROSTING—The recent heavy snow- houses with lots of frosting as the snow curls 'down trucking business. action an j �vouldlike to drop Skinner was unable to make to highway commercial as
falls have left a number of homes around Wingham, like , aroun the eaves and the gables. Joe and Carol Clark,, it, he said, liddin� if'that is the trip from Stratford due to earlier proposed;
this cottage on Leopold Street; looking like` gingerbread
i,epresenting Joe's Truck "he car �, �y r. cold like it in bad weather.,biro in the
and Trailer Repair Ltd., wri.ting.-Otherwise,. he said, The mayor also agreed to a. ti
PP g. proposed
" "attended the Monday night council should instruct its request by. the Clarks to core fringe designation of
council m6_ -ting- to ask that solicitor to. take the steps attend -the special meeting; the central area along Ed
insurance ra^ the town stop dragging its necessary to resolve the at which council also plans to ward and Centre 9 Streets,
feet on the matter. 'dispute in court. discuss the town's, new of- Which had drawn fire from
Mr. Clark told council that Council made no. reply ficial plan. The Clarks have some of the residents.: •
during the past two years his except to schedule the requested, some changes in (Please turn to Page 5)
ng, : tentatively the official plan, as it affects.
,' ; e to obtain coin he an. o e
solicitor has made frequent..special meeting,:
s :rot a or 1'98-6
att mpts f t set for J 13', 14 r 20 their property.
\ r , "I see no reason why not,,, w
Pblic'',e ■ e�o Mr. Kopas.said in response -
to a.reque9t.from Mrs. Clark
A hike in the cost of The bad news reached the meeting between the tom "It gives us an ,.extra- man :.e to attend _the meeting:
liability coverage which is PUC in the form of two missioners and a representa- and a - truck," Mr- Saxt
uion ■ ■
reduction, '� "cHe assured her that
plaguing many Ontario letters from Keil Insanee five ;of the Frank Cowen agreed,addingthat "flntari° ouncil won't proceedmunicipalities,this,year has Brokers Ltd. of Wingham, Compafiy to review the poli- Hydro thinks it's great."further with this without
roduced a jump of more agents for the Frank- Cowan cies. _ _ _�-M-r_._Reaggett :a.hn.notr'�-th
• Adving
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tfian Qer ten m insurance ompany, which provr�es Mr.' Saxton noted that in PUC has a policy that1-'reCouncil also received the
rates -for the Wingham municipal liability in-• addition to this the PUC also Win tram's needs.always
s y >
g Y final•draft of the new official =,
Public Utilities Commission. surance,
pays for some additional come ,first; 'and the other There was a dramatic holidays, Cpl. William plan, on Monday night and
During a meeting last The first letter warned of acoverage through the town utilities understand this. ~reduction in the incidence of Skelding' of the Wingham .spent some time discussing --_.-
week, PUC .Manager Ken possible lump m the cost of policies, estimating the'total At the start of ,the meeting drinking and driving around OPP reported`. In spite of the it before putting the matter
Saxton told commissioners liability' insurance, blaming insurance bill for 1986 could Mr. Bennett was re-elected the Wingham area during bad weather in December, over to a -'second meeting..
that the PUC will have to pay a "tough insurance market", , run ,as high as $9,000. chairman of the PUC for this holiday season; police at there we're, 11 -fewer ac- - Ted Brewster, chairman of
nearly $8,000 for insurance but said it "shouldn't affect PUC Chairman Roy another term. He had offered . the local OPP detachment' ' cidents than during the same the town's planning advisory
coverage in 1986, compared your policy too badly," Bennett said the increase is to let Rod Wraith "have a report So dramatic, in fact, period last year, "committee, and PattY,. Mun-
to --about $5,00(1 last year. except for vehicle liability.' the fault 'of judges who crack at it (the chairman- that spot checks carried out Cpl. Skelding said he kittrick from the 'Huron
This led ' to some, Howev r the second letter award large settlements in 'ship) ''', but Mr: Wraith said throughout the Christmas thinks the prospect of a County planning depart' -
suggestions that perhaps'it is quoted 1986 premium of civil ,suits. he felt, Mr. Bennett, was and' New Year's holidays mandatory one-year literate ment, outlined `the plan GRADUATED
time for the provincial $7,769; ac
this is "up. Jack Kopas, who was better able to get away and failed to turnap one: suspension for impaired'- which contains several Darlene Bishop, the
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government to take over the substanti•ally-over last year" attending, his first PUC attend meetings on behalf of ' paired driver. "drivers has people worried. changes from the prelimin- 'daughter of Clarence and
job of, insuring mnnici- but in, bine with municipal meeting in his role as mayor the PUC, The reduced incidence of It would be pretty tough for 'draft, Rose Marie ;Bishop'of RR 1,
palities and other public increases over the past year. of Wingham, told the tom- Mr. Bennett then welcom- impaired driving also many people in the area to Most °of the changes made Ethel, ,graduated 'recently
bodies. The letter offered to set up a missioner-s that the Ontario ed Mr. Kopas to the commie- showed up in an unproved hold a.job.withou't being able reticle to concerns raised with •honors from the
Municipal Association has. sion, inviting him to ask safety record • o'ver the to drive, he noted. during the public meeting• executive secretarial course
Sewe'rzharg'e'Clolxb�eCl asked the provincial govern- questions about anything he He also, noted that spot Nov. 28, Mrs. Munkittrick at Lougheed Business
meet to, become the in did not understand. Brussels area check programs in Toronto explained. They include: College. Miss Bishop
t0 a for'.eye expansion , surance carrier, for munici_ ' The commfssion agreed to and London had 'similar ' —changing the designation Presently is employed at the
palities, in an attempt to hold write off bad debts totaling results, turnip u ver few Prudential i rrs u r a n re
p down the sk rocketin cost Woman' W�rIS g P Y of the Petro Canada bulk.
skyrocketing, $ons 8 and to credit i $15 drinking drivers. storage yard on North Street Company of America,
In the first step toward' here have been extremely of liability insurance. consumer deposit to rniscel scholarship .
raising money to pay for a low. Ev'en'at the new level, • It is sad the government laneous revenue. The --PUC'
proposed $2 million up-, they will: stilt be lower than has to get involved in in- has been holding the deposit Miss Mary Ellen Knight, Ma.vor oUtllhes'plans'
graf"g and expansion of the in'four of the five other towns surance, Mr, Bennett since the 1930s, Mr. Saxton daughter of Ross and Betty
_ -._ _
_ •to.wx# s sewrage system-stuclred-- _ _.:. —Lux "t,,rr�rtc�d, bet thotfn. ._ _ _ T
. � � explained. clic person is. �n`igll'f`o`fTfR�,'13russels fi`as"---
Wingham Town Council has The comparison uses the that some large corporations dead now and it does not been selected for a Rotary
approved a' doubling of towns of Exeter, Walkerton, such as Bell Canada 'and know to whom to give the 'Foundation"Scholarship, for new council term''',,
sewer charges. Listowel, Goderich and Ontario Hydro already carry money. A total of 4'0 applicants
The motion, approved Seaforth as.. well as their own insurance,°fie said The PUC stopped collect- chosen from Rotary clubs Mayor Jack Kopas there is also the qu'estio'n of finding cost savings;
unanimously by council Wingham. Annual sewer perhaps it is time for the ing consumer deposits and from across the province outlined his plans for the new the Lower Dam. --better liaison 'with the
Monday night, raises the- charges in those towns are: government to get involved. refunded existing ones a were interviewed in .Toronto term in an inaugural address( In some matters council Wingham Business Associa-
residentiyal sewer charge to Exeter, $82.32; Walkerton, In other' lllasiness at the number of years ago, though -. for four ascholarships.to the Wingham Town has• little or no choice, while tion, starting with a joint
$62.40 per year from $31.20. $82 (in taxes); Listowel, meeting, Mr.. Saxton Mr. Saxton said it is .con- The award gives Miss ' Council on Monday night, in others i•tran set priorities, meeting between council and
The :monthly rate goes to $56.52; Goderich, $69, and reported that the Wingham sidering returning to • that Knight the opportunity to There were few surprises in he noted. in any case, the assoeWtibn in the spring.
$5.20 from $2.60. Seaforth, $100.80. PUC did a total of nearly system• " study abroad for a full year the list, which identified the looking and planning ahead Mr. Kopas declared he is
In bringing the proposal to $92,000 in work for. other The commi with all expenses aid.
A similar comparison of � sion also P p library, sewerage system is critical. "determined to confine ex- •
council, Councillor James water rates shows that municipalities last .year. decided toa send a letter to Miss Knight hop 'to study and Howson Dam and bridge The mayor then mentioned penditures wherever pos-
McGregor, chairman of the Wingham, with an annual After deducting the cost of ' Jack Van Camp, the town's French as a second Ian cage �t}aeto- t'rorities---__._._____ _adda.tiona-l— wndertaltin •s—srhle—ho clot. wiEhou; v
finance and management g P P g P
g flat rate of $78, 'is also the Parts and overhead, this is bWlding ,inspector, alerting in Montpellier or Nantes, After wishing members of which he had identified in his reduction in the level of
committee,- a'aid the higher lowest in the group. sufficient to pay for.almost him to the existence of an un- France, for the J286-87 school council a Happy New Year, election campaign. These services." However, in an
fees will raise an additional Seaforth, with a rate of $84 a two linemen's salaries, he registered easement for ,a year.,. Mr. Kopas -told them they include: apparent reference to the
$40,000 per year, to be used year, and Listowel at $87 said. pourer line across a -number Mi' t received her are privileged to Alive, in a -a study by the recreation Day Care Centre, he said it
against the cost of Updating come closest. The highest Mr. Bennett explained to of properties in the north- sec ndary s ucation wonderful community and and community centres might be necessary to in -
the sewerage facilities. water rates are in Goderich, Mr. Kopas that the PUC also western corner of Wingham. at Seaforth.,obtaitie' her reminded them the elec- board regarding an ex- crease user fees, especially
There is -really no choice in which charges $150 per year. does�work for the villages of The easement, which Bachelor. of Arts" xee''"'Mrate chose this council to panded -role for the in, areas where government
the matter, he told council. }:unknow; Myth', Teesvvater, relates to an existing 44,000- from The University of West- "-kej.M�it that way. Council Armouries, maintaining a subsidies are being reduced
The Ministry of the Environ- Reeve Bruce Machan Brussels and Mildmay. This volt hydro line, was never ern Ontario and •her Bachel- does`fm,,4•�_control all the focus on activities for or'withdrawn.
Ment has given the town five noted that the new sewer arrangement works out wellwe registered on the land deeds, - or, of Education degree from factors, he said, but it can seniors; it is still too ®arty for a
Laurentian University.
years ,to .act on needed charge affects only for everyone •cancerned,' 1i'......... and 'the omr'ir fission was told y. have a substantial impact. -a review by the same meaningil forecast of what
changes to the system, he residential customers. Dr. rioted. The' villages get their it would be a difficult and She spent faur years teach- He identified an improved board on the need for all -this will cost the rate -
said. One year is gone and it McGregor explained that the, work done for less money costly exercise to get it ing ,gree Indian children at and expanded library, an establishing a drop-in centre payers, the mayor con -
cannot delay any longer. comr'nittee plans to 're- than by hiring Ontario registered now. Mr. Saxton Moose Factory Island and expanded sewerage system 'for the unemployed ;' eluded, noting that budget
Dr. McGregor also noted evaluate the commercial Hydro, and'the" Wingham noted that his main concern Moosenee Public Schools and lagoon and the Howson --a thorough, independent meetings are scheduled for
"that according to a com- and industrial charges and PU-C is able to afford a • is thdt there .should be no anal is currently teaching at Dam and bridge as. the review of all municipal late Februaty, with the mill
parison with other towns in Will report back to council at larger staff and more equip- homes or swimming pools East Northumberland Sec- major items facing coWeil operations, with the aim of rate probably being set in
- ;the area, the sewer charges the next meeting. ment, ,:: built under the power line. ondary School in Brighton. in the current term, adding improving efficiency and Marehor April.
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