HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1988-02-24, Page 3THE HURON EXPOSITOR, FEBRUARY 24,1988 — 3
Police
Wingham's recent withdrawal from the
Huron County police communications
system has raised a number of legal
questions.
The four remaining towns of Seaforth,
Goderich, Clinten• and Exeter met recently
and asked such questions as:
• Can Wingham legally leave the Huron
County communications system in favor of
the less expensive Hanover system?;
Should the remaining municipalities take
legal action to ensure no other towns leave
the system?, and
• Can Wingham be forced back into the
system, or forced to take any liability if the
system folds in the future?
"If we don't challenge Wingham's depar-
ture then we should have some safeguard to
prevent any other town from pulling out in
the future," said Commissioner Dave
Gower of Goderich.
."For this reason I feel a challenge should
be made. If Wingham's pull out is legal then,
what can we do to prevent the collapse of the
system?"
There was also a lot of discussion as to
whether the termination clause should or
shouldn't be in the communications agree-
ment. Some town officials wanted freedom
from a binding contract while others felt it
necessary to ensure that no other
municipality leaves the system.
"I don't think we can lock ourselves into
something forever because something may
make it impossible to continue paying for almost half ,the cost. From what research
the system," said Seaforth Clerk Jim has shown him, he believes Wingham will be
Crocker. getting good quality service, and a
"Seaforth council at a recent meeting sup- democratic system of running the service.
ported the amended 1988 proposed budget, Officials in Wingham are pleased they will
but they gave a cautionary note that steps be having more input into how their coin -
should be taken to prevent further munications system is operated, and felt
deterioration of the system." with the Huron County system they were
Dorothy Chapman of Exeter quoted just paying for a service and not really par -
percentages of how much the cost of the ticipating.
system has risen since its inception, and "We were told quite plainly that we were
was also against a binding contract. buying a service. We paid and the service
"We have to go back to the original discus- was provided," said Mr. McGee.
Asked why the Huron County system is so;
much more expensive Mr. McGee had little
comment other than it "may have
something to do with management."
However, he made clear 1', ingham is in no
way getting a second class system. He said
everything is first class and all the equip-
ment is O.P.C. approved.
Larry McCabe, the Secretary of the Police,
Commission in Goderich said he thought the
Huron County system was "one of the most
up to date systems in the province" and said
y're continually looking at the system
from a financial point of view.
For now the remaining four
municipalities have to get on with the 19
budget, and get a new agreement - amended
or not.
The next meeting to discuss the situation
with Wingham, and the communications
agreement, will be held at the Goderich
Town Hall on March 8.
sion from the beginning and the Clerks were
to meet and draw up a budget -but this was
never done. The Ontario Police Commission
said we (other towns) are merely buying a
service (from Goderich).
For these reasons I believe the original
agreement is null and void. No way would I
want the taxpayers of Exeter to be locked in
a contract that we can't ever get out of."
All of the representatives agreed if
another town polls out of the agreement the
remaining three could not support the
system and it would fold. '
Wingham has received permission from
the Ontario Police Commission to, switch to
the Hanover system, and they wilbe doing
so on February 29.
Fred McGee, the chairman of the
Wingham police commission, said they will
be getting essentially the same service from
Hanover as they got from Goderich - at
oard calls report 40 year regression
Going back in time 30 to 40 years was
how several members of the Huron -Perth
Roman Catholic Separate School Board
last night regarded a Ministry of Educa-
tion report by appointed author George
Radwanski on school dropouts.
Trustee Ronald Murray said three of the
39 recommendations, in particular dealing
with holding a student back a year and
summer school, " go so far back into the
old days that we won't have to worry about
highschool dropouts because they'll be
dropping out in elementary school."
The report targets education at both
elementary and secondary levels. Among
its recommendations are that Ontario
schools place more emphasis on students
acquiring demo,ostrable skills and
knowledge; that standardized provincial
tests be used to assess student learning in
all core subject areas; and that the secon-
dary school curriculum consist primarily
of mandatory courses and that "stream-
ing" be abandoned.
The board questioned the author's
credentials to issue such a report. Rad-
wanski was appointed February 20, 1987,
by Minister of Education Chris Ward at the
request of Premier David Peterson.
Vice-chairman Vincent McInnes said he
felt it was no less that incredible that a
report of this size (39 recommendations in
total) could be completed in less than a
year.
Dublin woman inducted into
A Seaforth area native has been selected
for induction into the Ontario Agricultural
Hall of Fame.
This posthumous honor has been awarded
Helen May McKercher (1911-1984) from
Dublin, who influenced the lives of many in
rural Ontario throughout her career.
There are currently only 68 men and
women who are in the Ontario Agricultural
Hall of Fame and their likenesses and a cita-
tion outlining their significant contributions
to Ontario Agriculture are on display at the
Ontario Agricultural Museum in Milton.
Miss McKercher was the fourth woman in
the Canadian Agricultural --Hall of -Fame
when she was inducted in 1978, and was also
an Alumnus of Honor at the University of
Guelph.
One of Miss McKercher's largest con-
tributions was as the director of the Home
Economics branch of the Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture and Food until her retirement
in 1976.
But Miss McKercher's start in agriculture
came with her graduation from the Mac-
Donald Institute in 1930. In 1931 she joined
the • Women's Institute branch of Ontario's
Department of Agriculture -becoming the
home economist for the counties of Well-
ington, Dufferin, Middlesex and Perth.
In 1943 Miss McKercher joined the
Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service
where she was one of four dieticians respon-
sible for feeding the men at the Naval base
in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia.
Following her discharge from the service
as a lieutenant, Miss McKercher enrolled in
Cornell University in New York State. There
she completed her Bachelor of Science in
Foods and Nutrition and obtained a Masters
in Extension Education.
In 1951 she became the Chief of Consumer
Services for the Canadian Department of
Fisheries.
With the coming of 1956 Miss McKercher
returned to Ontario and the Department of
Agriculture. As the head of the department
she provided programs for rural women and
girls for education in Home Economics.
Miss McKercher was made an honorary
member of many women's societies during
her years of service, and was the honorary
Report suggests mayors a
The number of mayors in Ontario may be more than 100 years, new demands are be -
increased considerably if a recommends- ing made on our system of local govern -
tion from the province's Advisory Commit- ment," said Ray Haggerty, chairperson of
tee on County Government is implemented. the advisory committee.
The recommendation is one of 36 in a "It is the committee's hope that the report
report titled 'Patterns for the Future' - the we have prepared will assist the minister as
product of an eight-month review of he considers ways to update the county
representation, accountability, and the pro- system to meet today's challenges."
vision of services within Ontario's county Among the suggested changes is one
government system. The report looks at which calls for the Municipal Act to be
"retooling and reshaping – but not restruc- amended so all heads of municipal councils
tiring – county government, so that it can would become members of county council.
meet the challenges of the future." To facilitate that change the positions of
"While the county form of government reeve and deputy reeve would be abolished
has served the people of Ontario well for from the act. The current system has the
MANOR DONATION - Residants of Seaforth Manor were the recipients of a donation
from the Rebekahs of Huron Distict 23 and the Oddfellows of Huron District 8. Bob
Campbell, the Noble Grand of the Oddfellows, Ruth Campbell of the Seaforth
Rebekahs, and Bev Broadfoot of the Huron District 23 of the Rebekahs presented the
manor with a lighted magnifying lamp. Accepting this donation on behalf of the manor
was Ruth Hildebrand, the Administrator of Seaforth Manor, and Mabel Handy who is
one of the many residents who will get a lot of use; from the lens and the lamp. Corbett
photo.
<" A few years ago a report like this
would have taken 10 years to complete,"
he said.
McInnes added that he would be in-
terested to know how Radwanski did his
research to arrive at his
recommendations.
On the same line trustee Ben Brown
questioned Radwanski's credentials as a
newspaper editor as he "dissects the
education system " in his paper. Brown
also questioned as to whether Radwanski's
appointment has political overtones and
who was actually running the Ministry of
Education - Chris Ward or David Peterson.
Hall of Fame
TYPICAL ONTARIO FARMHOUSE - The Horthy Residence is one of the best ex-
amples of the original Ontario Farmhouse in Seaforth. It is a one -and -a -half storey
building with a central hall, and centre gable. The building was designated a heritage
home because it is an excellent example of farmhouse architecture and because up
until a few years ago it had the completely original facade. Corbett photo:
president of the Federated Women's In-
stitutes of Ontario, an honorary life member
of the Canadian Society of Rural Extension,
and a life member of the Associated Country
Women of the World.
Miss McKercher died March 13, 1985 at
fhe age of 73. She was the daughter of Finlay
McKercher and May Sperling, and was
predeceased by her brother Robert S.
McKercher in 1980. She is buried in
Maitlandbank Cemetery in McKillop
Township.
Two other people from Huron County who
Grein the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame
are George Elwin Raithby (1901-1981), who
was inducted in 1984, and Wilford Thomas
Cruickshank (1897-1971) who was inducted
in 1987. Mr. Cruickshank was responsible
for establishing CKNX Radio in Wingham in
1926.
The induction ceremony will be held at the
Ontario Agricultural Museum in Milton on
June 25, 1988 at 2:30 p.m. The general public
is welcome to attend the unveiling
ceremony, and tickets can be purchased by
contacting the museum.
s councillors
reeve in each municipality as the prime
representative at county council. Mayors of
the five towns in Huron County do not sit on
county of council.
"I think the head of a town council should
be on county council, otherwise you lose con-
tinuity," commented Seaforth Mayor Alf
Ross.
"The heads of the townships - the reeves -
represent their own interests, why shouldn't
the heads of the urban municipalities?
There's never been the right kind of com-
munication between the urban
municipalities and the county - which is run
by township reeves."
Mayor Ross commented that never before
have the decisions being made by county
council been so important to the urban
municipalities.
"The role of the county in Seaforth, for ex-
ample, has never been greater. The county
looks after our health care system, our
libraries, and in the future I hope, they'll
take over the landfill system. The decisions
county council makes have a real impact on
Seaforth. Hopefully with urban people on
council we can have an influence, and
possibly avoid an urban/rural split.
Mayor Ross said he realized the change
would mean increased responsibility for a
mayor, but didn't think it would be a deter-
rent for people who might previously have
considered running for the position.
"It will require a very heavy commitment
from people going in. They'll have to he very
community oriented and be able to have
time to do the job, but that should prove to
be an asset," he said.
The report would also have the title of
-county warden changed to county chairman
and the Municipal Act amended to allow
county chairmen to be elected to one, two or
three year'terms. By tradition the terms of
county warden have been limited to one
year, and wardens were not eligible for re-
election.
In reaching its conclusion, the committee
gave consideration to the argument the
traditional one-year term for warden is too
short for effective leadership or continuity.
Currently the position carries a heavy
schedule of meetings and social
engagements, so many wardens consider it
a full-time job. The remuneration however,
is generally not what would be expected for
a full time position.
"Town councils have benefitted with the
three year term for councillors, so the coun-
ty would probably benefit if the warden held
his term for longer than one year," offered
Mayor Ross.
"There are many programs councils
undertake that can't be done in one year.
They usually take a little time to
implement."
Turn to page 12A e
THE HORTHY RESIDENCE - Inside the Horthy Residence the centre gable window is
the only second storey window on the front of the building. In earlier times farmers built
their houses to look like one storey buildings on the outside to avoid being taxed for a
two storey building. Corbett photo.
•
Horthy residence exemplifies
This month's heritage house, the Horthy
residence, exemplifies . the typical Ontario
farmhouse.
The house is located on 87 Main Street
North, and is owned by Mike and Gabby
Costello who have made it their home for the
past three years.
Inside, the Horthy residence has a more
up-to-date appearance than many of the
heritage homes in Seaforth. The kitchen has
been redone, the floors are carpeted, and it
looks like the comfortable home of a modern
family. But the original wooden trim around
the floors, doorways, and windows, the cen-
tre hall dividing both the upper and lower
floors, and the rooms under the eaves, are
still evidence of an earlier architectural
style and the building's heritage.
The LACAC (Local Architectural Conser-
vation Advisory Committee) committee had
this to say about the Horthy residence:
This buff brick (white&yellow) residence
Is an outstanding example of a one -and -a
half storey, centre gable, centre hall, On-
tario farmhouse. Alone with its shorter
relative - the Ontario cottage, this house
style is becoming recognized as Ontario's
truly original vernacular architecture. The
Horthy Residence is one of the best ex-
amples in Seaforth. Built by John Ament,
the house is also one of the early brick
homes in town.
The Horthy residence is the offspring of a
marriage between architecture and legisla-
tion. This style of farmhouse came about as
a result of taxes imposed upon homeowners.
The owner of a two storey house had to pay
more tax than the owner of a one storey
home, so farmers built their homes with a
two storey floor plan inside, and had the out-
side built according to the definition of a one
storey home - with no second storey win-
dows facing the front. They did have a cen-
tre gable window to light their upstairs, but
it was not considered a second storey win-
dow. So owners enjoyed a two storey house,
but were taxed as if they had a one storey
home.
This house was designated partly because
it had the original facade facing Main
Street, but in recent years the front of the
house was altered when one of the owners
had the front door taken out without con-
sulting LACAC. Although the appearance of
the building wasn't lessened, such changes
alter the integrity of the building in the eyes
of the architectural heritage committee,
who feel the pure heritage character of the
building was lessened
The style of the te-nral Ontario farmhouse
evident in this build' •e the centre hall,
centre gable nd sca,.1 windows on both
sides of the e...ral doorway.
These buildings can be found throughout
rural Ontario, and in their time they were
considered nice but modest farmhouses.
—COMMUNITY Y CALENDAR
If you're organizing a non-profit event of interest to other Seaforth area residents, phone the
recreation office at 527-0882 or the Expositor at 527-0240, or mail the information to Communi-
ty Calendar, The Huron Expositor. Box 69. Seafonh, Ontario, NOK 1W0 well in advance of the
scheduled date. Space for the Community Calendar is donated by The Huron Expositor
Wed. Feb. 24
8:30 a.m. Yoga at S.D.C.C.
1:00-3:00 p.m. Moms and Tots Skating
1:30-4:00 p.m. Senior Shuffleboard
4:30-5:30 p.m. Tween Ringette
5:30-6:30 p.m. Atom I Practice
7:30-9:30 p.m. Wood Carving at S.D.H S
7:30-9:00 p.m. Minor Broomball
8:00-10:00 p.m. Mixed Volleyball at S.D.H,S:I
8:00-9:00 p.m. Fitness is Fun
9:00-11:00 p.m. Ladies' Broomball at S.D.C.C.
Thurs. Feb. 25
9:00-10:00 a.m. Fitness Is Fun S.D C.C.
4:00 p.m. Movies at Seaforth I , Ages 5
and up. Free Admission
4:30-5:30 p.m. Novice Preen,.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Bantam n ac
6:30-7:30 p.m. Minor mba
7:30-9:30 p.m. Mer r .sk )ani at S.D.H.S.
7:30-12:30 a.m. Me ,ball
Fri. Feb. L
4:00-5:00 p.m. SP -,or Hous, ague Practice
5:00-6:00 p.m. J„ ior Houseleague Practice
6:00-7:00 p.m. Minor Hockey
7:00-8:00 o m Junior Ringette
Sat. FeL. 27
8:30 a m 'ruin e vs. North Stars
9:30 a.m. Canadians vs. Oilers
10:30 a.m. Jets vs. Leafs
11:30 a.m. Flyers vs...Whalers
12:30-1:30 p.ni. Mites
1:30-2:80 p.m., Story Hour at the Library
1:30-2:30 p.m. Novice/Bunny Ringette
2:30-4:00 p.m, Public Skating "
4:00-5:00 p.m. Elma Logan vs. Novice
5:00-6:15 p.m, Atom a .
6:15-8:00 p.m. PeeWee
Sun. Feb. 28
1:30 p.m. Mitchell vs. Centenaires -
(Game No. 4 if nec.)
4:00-5:00 p.m. Atom II
5:00-6:00 p.m. Petite Ringette
6:00-7:00 p.m. Tween Ringette
7:00-8:00 p.m. Junior Ringette
8:00-9:30 p.m. Hawks vs. Flyers
9:30-11:00 p.m. Penguins vs. Bruins
Mon. Feb. 29
4:30-8:30 p.m. Figure Skating
7:30-9:30 p.m. Wood Refinishing at S.D.H.S.
7:00-9:00 p.m. Gymnastics at S.D.H.S.
Tues. Mar. 1
5:30-6:30 p.m. Peewee
6:30-8:00 p.m. Bantam
8:00-10:00 p.m. Midget
7:30 p.m. Minor Ball Meeting at S.D.C.C.
Wed. Mar. 2
8:30 a.m. Yoga at S.D.C.C.
1:00-3:00 p.m. Moms and Tots Skating
1:30-4:00 p.m. Senior Shuffleboard
4:30-5:30 p.m. Tween Ringette
5:30-6:30 p.m. Atom I Practice
7:30-9:30 p.m. Wood Carving
7:30-9:00 P.m. Minor Broomball
8:00-10:00 p.m. Mixed Volleyball
8:00-9:00 p,1n. Fitness is Fun
9:00-11:00 p.m. Ladies' Broomball
2:00 p.m. World Day of Prayer, Egmondvilie
United church. Theme IS "Open Doors."
Special musio,end a drama presentation
,by First Presbyteritrn Church Ladies.
All women, men and children welcome.
Social time to follow: