The Times Advocate, 2006-03-08, Page 1lam'
JOHN DEERE
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IU HURON
TRACTOR
Exeter
TIMES -ADVOCATE
Exeter, Ontario, Canada
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
x.25 (includes GST)
Dinney Funeral Home closes for final time
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — The fmal chapter in the story of one of
the area's oldest businesses has been written with the
recent closure of Dinney Funeral Home.
Owner Bill Dinney officially closed the business
March 1. Founded in 1887 by Dinney's great grandfa-
ther Robert Rowe, the business was located at the cor-
ner of Main and Huron streets for the entire time.
Dinney's father Bob ran the business from 1943 until
1994, when Dinney took over as manager. The busi-
ness has been in the family for four generations.
The business began as a funeral home and furniture
store, but the two eventually became separate busi-
nesses. Dinney Fine Furniture will continue to be run
by Dinney's brother Jon.
Closing the business was a difficult decision for
Dinney.
"It's hard," he says, explaining that with prices going
up, it was a struggle to make ends meet. Dinney also
doesn't have anyone to pass the business down to —
his four grown children have all chosen other career
paths.
Dinney has tried different ways over the past several
years to get the business to survive — such as selling
monuments — but it wasn't enough.
Dinney, 58, says he'll semi -retire and plans on
"enjoying life more." He and his wife Cathy will remain
in Exeter.
The funeral home, which underwent extensive reno-
vations in the late 1990s, is up for lease or sale.
Ideally, Dinney says he'd like to sell the building, which
he describes as "beautiful and elegant ... anybody
who held a funeral here appreciated the new renova-
tions." He says his building would make a perfect place
for a doctor's office.
To prepare for the closure, Dinney had to contact
over 100 families who already had funerals arranged
with the funeral home to ensure their business was
transferred to other homes.
He says people in the community have told him
they're sorry the business is closing. And while there
have been a number of business closures in Exeter
recently, Dinney doesn't see it as a trend.
"I think Exeter is growing and it will continue to
grow."
Dinney thanks the community and his staff for their
support over the years. He had five part-time employ -
DINNLY
rr\ru:u
One of Exeter's oldest businesses locked its doors for the last time March 1, as Dinney Funeral Home has
gone out of business.The business was founded in 1887 by Robert Rowe and remained a constant in Exeter
at the corner of Main and Huron streets.Above, owner Bill Dinney has put the building up for sale.
(photo/Scott Nixon)
ees.
Dinney, a funeral director since 1970, has noticed a
number of changes in the funeral business. He says
funerals tend to be less formal than they used to be,
while hearses are beige and grey now instead of the
traditional black. Clothing tends to be more casual and
Dinney says cremations have become more acceptable.
Dinney is now working at the Millard George Funeral
Home in London, a position which is full time now, but
will eventually be part time.
Dinney, who likes the beach and riding his motorcy-
cle, remains involved in the community. He is this
year's master of the Lebanon Forest Lodge, a member
of the Exeter Legion and is helping with the Ausable
Bayfield Conservation Foundation dinner.
The funeral and furniture stores are among the old-
est businesses in Exeter.
The Exeter Times was established in 1873, followed
by the Advocate in 1881. The two papers merged in
1924.
Grand Bend Motorplex noise bylaw request turned down
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
SOUTH HURON — Organizers of The World
Electronic Music Festival will have to look elsewhere
for a location for this July's event after South Huron
council nixed a request for a noise bylaw exemption.
As previously reported, the Grand Bend Motorplex
hoped to host the event July 21-23, but the Motorplex
needed its noise bylaw extended from 12:30 a.m. to 2
a.m. on the Friday of the festival and to 5 a.m. on the
Saturday.
As was heard Monday night, the 5 a.m. request was
a major stumbling block and one that raised the ire of
many neighbours of the Motorplex.
After first meeting with council Feb. 13, organizers of
The World Electronic Music Festival were told to meet
with neighbours and address any concerns they may
have. Eighty-four letters were sent out to neighbours
of the Motorplex and a meeting was held.
The municipality received nearly 20 letters from
neighbours, all of whom were against having the festi-
val at the Motorplex. Writing in favour of the event
were the Grand Bend and Area Chamber of Commerce
and Tourism Sarnia-Lambton.
Major concerns expressed by neighbours included
the fact music would be played until 5 a.m. on the
Saturday, the number of young people who would
attend (a crowd of 5,000 was expected), the fear of fes-
tival -goers trespassing on private property and theft.
Also included in council's agenda was a resolution
passed by the Town of Mono (near Orangeville) dated
Oct. 28, 2005, not allowing the festival to be held there
in the future, citing excessive noise. Festival organizer
Walter Rosati later said problems in Mono were the
result of miscommunication and the Orangeville
Agricultural Society would like to have the festival
return.
Festival organizers claim consumer surveys show
festival attendees spend more than $1 million in the
local community during the weekend (above what they
spend at the festival).
During a lengthy discussion on the issue Monday
night between council, Paul Spriet of the Motorplex,
festival organizers Rosati and Jesse Brown and
Tourism Sarnia-Lambton executive director Michael
Lawley, Coun. Jim Dietrich said the comments the
municipality received from neighbours opposing the
event are those who live closest to it.
"Those are the ones I'm concerned with," he said.
Speaking of the positive impact the event could have
on the local economy, Dietrich said holding an event
until 5 a.m. won't help businesses, which will be closed
by that time anyway.
Of security concerns, Spriet reminded council there
would be 10-12 OPP officers at the event and 40-50
security guards, plus medical personnel. He added the
property is fenced and efforts would be made to
ensure festival -goers didn't trespass on private proper-
ty.
Lawley said the festival is something that would be
held in the best interests of everyone. Rosati invited
council to call the OPP in communities where the festi-
val has been previously held to see how well run it is.
He said the event has nothing to do with violence, but
is for "suburban kids" who love electronic music.
Spriet said if neighbours thought the music was too
loud Friday night, he and the festival organizers would
offer to put them up in a hotel in Grand Bend for
Saturday.
Coun. Ken Oke said he didn't think the organizers did
a good job of selling the idea to the public and said
he'd have to vote against it.
"If I was next door, yes, I'd be concerned," he said.
"These are our friends and neighbours and they're
asking us to say 'no.'"
He said if a compromise could be reached and neigh -
See NEIGHBOURS page 2