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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1987-08-19, Page 1INDEX Births — A7 • Classifieds — Al2, A13, A14 Council Briefs —. A4 Dublin — A6 Entertainrnen• A15 Family -- A16 Serving• the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensali and Walton Hensall — A10 Kippen — A10 Obituaries — A7 • People -- A7 Sports — A8, A9 Weddings -..A7 Council adopts police court policy° See page A4. HURON EXPOSITOR,,• WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1987 Mayors want more representation Increase representation for towns on county council was the major recommen- ' dation.of a brief recently submitted by the five mayors of Huron, County, to the Ad- - visory Committee on County Government. "The fundamental problem faced by the - residents of Huron County lies in the com- ponent structure of the council as com- pared'to the.types of communities in which our•people live. To be specific, about 40 per cent of our population live in the five toivns and yet their representation at county council is approximately 20 per cent," said the brief presented at an Advisory Com- • mittee hearing in London on Aug. 6. The committee, which includes Albert • Bouwers, Mayor of Osgoode Township and a member of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario' Board of Direc- tors; Doris Brick, Reeve of Ennismore Township, and also a member of the AMO board and Ron Eddy, Reeve of South Dum- phries Township and a former' president AMO, was formed by the Ontario Ministry . of Municipal Affairs. The committee's mandate is to examine the•representaion• and responsibility for functions within the present county government' system and make recommendations back to the ministry. The mayors of Goderich, Clinton, Seaforth, Wingham and Exeter said the shift from rural to urban living in Huron County has been so dramatic• in recent years that the emphasis on concerns at the local level has shifted from municipal drainage and roads, to planning, waste disposal, policing, recreation and "a host of other problems that are foreign to the original reasons for the formation of towns — namely to serve the agricultural community". The mayors' brief suggests each town within a county receive at least two votes or more, depending on population. Cur- rently towns are allowed either one or two votes, depending on population. The mayors indicated they are "of two minds," regarding the inclusion of mayors on county council (currently reeves and in some cases deputy reeves represent municipalities) but agreed if it "becomes an either-or situation," mayors, as heads of council should represent their towns. • The mayors also suggested the elimina- tion of the positions of reeve and deputy reeve in the towns. "The titles are anachronisms with no meaning, especially in three towns (Seaforth, Clinton and WIngham) which can never send their deputies to county council because of their size;" said the brief. They. suggested each town be representird by the Mayor. and 'deputy mayor' (the councillor who receives the :greatest number of votes), but all municipalities should have the power to substitute their representation for valid reasons. ' • They also called for a secret ballot in- elections nelections for the position of county warden, instead of the current "open vote" method, but agreed with the current system of an- nual elections for the position. ' EXETER In a separate brief, the Town of Exeter knocked the ministry for not having a representative from a town on the ad- visory committee. "The committee's lack of represenation • froth the srilall urban sector could produce an unbalanced approach and possibly a lack of valuable input in the preparation of its report," said the Exeter brief. The town also suggested a change in the emphasis of power at the local municipal .level. "It is Exeter council's opinion that the, local municipality is the 'first level" of government. We believe the, designations of Upper -Tier (County), anLower-Tier (municipality) provide unfortunate con- nonations (in conflict with) what• really should be happening between the two levels of government. The •local • municipality is where the direct contact with the taxpayer is established." • Exeter also recommended Municipalities be allowed the option of not participating in and paying for Selected county services, to avoid duplication bet- ween county and municipal services. APPOINT OMBUDSMAN • Goderich resident Elsa Hayden, who writes a column on municipal affairs. for Focus newsmagazine, was one of only three private citizens who appeared before the committee during the two days of hear- ings in London. In her brief, Hayden urged the commit- tee to consider recommending the creation of an Ombudsman's office, or a similar non-partisan body, to give the public an op- portunity, on neutral ground, to express their concerns and objections relating to county government attitudes, actions•.and affairs, "when the concerns remain without meaningful response and attention locally". • . A brief submitted . by Huron' County Council recommended the principle of Turn to page 15A • Annual flower show today The 1987 Flower Show sponsored by the they must be creative -and they must also be Seaforth Horticultural Society will be held a member of the Seaforth Horticultural at the Seaforth Legion today, August 19, and will feature flowers entered in 67 different categories. Nancy Kale, organizer, said the categories are divided into seven classesin- cluding annuals, biennials, perennials, roses, miniature roses, plants, artistic' design and miniature artistic design. William Gibson of the Hensel' Horticultural Society will be the judge of the competition this year. Various flower arrangements of specific lengths and colors are required in Class A, B. C. D and E. Class F allows the par- ticipants to use their imaginations with themes like "Country Fare" and "Rise.and Shine", which is a breakfast tray including the arrangement of fresh, dried or treated material. Class G allows the participants to explore their imaginations with petite ar- rangernents not to.exceed five inches in any dimension. Contestants must arrange their flowers according to the theme of each category, Society. The winners of first*,'second or third prizes receive cash .pries of 75 cents for first, 50 cents for second and 25 cents for third. Each cash prize is worth points with three points for first place, two for second and one for third. The overall winner is determined by adding up the accumulated cash prizes and points. The overall winner receives a silver rose bowl and a cash prize at the next flower show when they must give up the coveted bowl. Last year's winner was Karen Whitmore. Because of the dry summer Iast year at- tendance was down to 237 from 294 the previous year. Because of similar condi- tions this year Mrs. Kale said she expects attendance to remain about the same. The dry month of July,and bugs might prevent some co`mpetitiors from entering the Contest. The event will be held from 2:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. when the prizes will be awarded. Public wants more • information A proposal from Cheshire Inc:, of St, Louis, Missouri, to set up a pant manatee, tuning company in Seaforth is seen as a "good idea" by local business people but some would like more information about the'proposal before offering any support. Laurence A. Portnoff, the Company's vice-chairman, presented a proposal before town council and members of the public August 11, which asks 60 businesses to donate $1,000 each, over aperiod of three years to the new business. This money would assist with the cash flow of the com- pany during those years. In return Mr. Portnoff said the business would generate an annual payroll of $1,500,000. Mayor Alf Ross said he supports the pro- posal and added'the unique idea of having people donate money would get the cern, triunity involved in the well being of their town and would get thein interested in the new business. He said donations aren't limited to the merchants but are open to anyone who wishes to contribute. Mayor Ross . said he hopes money was a "good idea" and agreed the done - generated from the manufacturer will find tions are a way of getting the community its way back into Seaforth businesses, but involved. agreed with Town Administrator Jim Frank Sills, of Sills Hardware, said he Crocker, that there is no guarantee people would be willing to gamble and submit the will spend their money in Seaforth. He add- $1,000 to the company but advise his friend ed it is up to the merchants and the people not to do the same "unless they thoroughly. to make that decision. checked the credentials of this organize - 'According to Mayor Ross the town has tion", He acknowledged that the town has had -other Offers from businesses that would probably already done this but said people Iocate here, but none that would employ "should personally ask the powers that be more than 2-10 people and greatly about it and make their decision on the in- strengthen the town's economy. He added it formation given." would not be the businesses who would Mr. Sills, although cautious, said occupa- benefit most from the Cheshire Inc. pro- tion of the Genesee building would be an posal, but the people who would be asset to the town. employed by that business. Other business people, who wish to re= Mayor Ross and Mr. Crocker both said main, anonymous, collectively agreed the the monies obtained as donations from business would be excellent for Seaforth business people would be held in escrow and would help to employ nitre people than under the guidance of the town council and the shoe factory did. auditor Touche Ross. Some other businesses enjoyed the idea Hazel Hildebrand, of Hildebrand Paint of a new business replacing Genesee, but and Paper, said she thought the proposal Turn to page 6A OFFICE OPENING -Jack Riddell, Liberal candidate for fhe• Ilion Thursday as part Of his four aroundf h. Mr. R . ' ' Sea Ort iddel) cuts tfie symbolic ribbon as members of the community hold part of the ribs bon Blake photo. Biding, officially opened his constituency office on Main Street 50 cents a'copy,` FIDDLING TROPHY WINNERS -Madonna and Carol Ann McQuaid recently won a trophy for being the most entertaining performers at the annual fiddling contest in Shelbourne held August 7 and 8. The award was started last year by the master of ceremonies for 35 years, Vince Mountford. Carol Ann; left and Madonna fiddle, on each other's fiddles demonstrating a routine they did for the competition. Blake photo. Sisters fiddle Two sisters known for their musical talents.fiddled and danced their way into be- ing the most entertaining performers at the Shelbourne Fiddling Contest held August 7 and 8: Madonna and Carol Ann McQuaid reciev- ed a trophy in honor of Vince Mountford, Master of Ceremonies for the competition for the past 35 years. He started the award last year when he became ill. The trophy is given to the top entertainers and to the win- ner of the novelty contest. The novelty contest requires the per- formers to do a routine of different ways to play the fiddle. The McQuaid sisters con- dueted a routine where they played an the other's fiddle, they fiddled under their legs and on their heads. They also incorporated step dancing into their routine. "It's a lot of practising, but it's a lot of fun," said Carol Ann, adding the crowd lik- ed their act. Speaking about winning the trophy, Madonna said they were "really thrilled" way to a win about it and added playing against 150 con- testants and before 4,000 people was an ex- citing experience. • The sisters began their careers in music • nine years ago under the watchful eye of Mrs. Lofft of St. Mary's who taught them violin. Corning from a musical family, the sisters also step dance and play the piano. Madonna wants to continue her musical career by attending university to become a music teacher. She already has a head start by being involved in the Grade 13 violin pro- gram. She said she needs this "diploma" to have the authority to teach violin. Carol Ann, who will enter Grade 9 in the fall, is still too young to decide her life's career but she also plans to continue performing. Their lives as performers doesn't hinder their school work since most of the competi- . •tions are held during the summer. They per- form at music festivals for classical and old time fidding in places such as Stratford, Fergus and Drayton. Free trade voters' The issue of free trade between Canada and the United States is "first and foremost," on the minds of voters in cur- rent provincial election campaign, says Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell, MPP for iuron-Middlesex and Liberal can- didate for the new Huron Riding. Riddell, who was in Seafbrth Aug. 13 to open his total constituency office on Newgate Street, has been all over the pro- vince campaigning in his role as Agriculture Minister in the Liberal minori- ty government. "Free Trade is the issue that conies up every time," Riddell said, People involved in agriculture are especially concerned about free trade particularly with the possibility of losing Ontario's Marketing boards and quota systems: "It won't do us any good to retain our marketing boards if we lose the underpinn- ings, if we lose border controls," Riddell said. Producers of milk, egg, chicken and turkey "would find it very hard to coni- pete," with large-scale American pro- ducers,Fi said. For exampi Ride e, he said, just two of the large American egg production operations could supply all of Canada with eggs. Free trade, without border tofitrois and some form of marketing controls; would likely spell the end of traditional family farm operations, Riddell said. "We would go to very large, very in, tegrated, strictly -controlled operations. `Also, there are those that say if we lose the family farm, it Will have a spinoff ef- fect on towns like Goderich, Clinton and ° Seaforth. People in this area feel 'as agriculture goes, so goes our economy,'" Riddell explained. Riddell' feels any type of free trade agreement would have to have strings at- tached,to protect Ontario's econorny: "Whatever free trade agreement there Is, there has to be safeguards worked in to concern protect the agriculture industry." Riddell said there is no question in his mind that agricultural issues such as Sub- sidies, marketing board's, tariffs etc., are being discussed by Canadian and American free trade negotiators. Despite not having direct represen- tatives at the negotiations, Riddell said the provinces do have considerable input into the discussions._ "We have made sure (Canada's chief negotiator) Simon Riesman is well inform- ed about the impact free trade would have on agriculture. Premier David Peterson has made his position on free trade clear to the. negotiators, said Riddell. He's not prepared to see the auto pact cut, he doesn't want to see our marketing systems jeopardized," said Riddell, ad- ding that the premier also favors controls on foreign investment.. Not all agriculturalists oppose free trade, said Riddell, Beef and pork pro- ducers feel free trade would "probably benefit them". Riddell feels those products have pretty well had free trade under the present set up, but fears a complete free trade agree - Merit would have to include the lowering of some health standards on this side of the border. American producers, he said, would likely demand the "removal of the 20 -day quarantine period on beef and pork shipped to Canada froth the USA. This, he said, could cause an increase of such diseases as hurteiosis and foot-and=mouth . disease, which are practically non-existent in Canadian livestock. Riddell told campaign workers the party has to avoid "complacency,' which could be brought on by recent Ohne opinion polis Showing the Liberals with a huge lead over the Progressive Conservatives and .,. the NI)P, "A Tot of peopie are apt to get carried 'nit O page 15A e 4