HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-07-30, Page 1INDEX
Births /A8 Hensall 1A7
Classifieds /Al2, 13 14 Obituaries /A9
Dublin /A8 People /A9
Entertainment /A15 Sports /A4, 5
Family /A9 Walton /A6
Farm IA11 Weddings /A9
Phillips end Brady win lawn bowling tourney. See page A4
Serving the communities
and areas of Seatorth,
Brussels, Dublin, Hensall
and Walton
Huron:
xositOr
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986 — 16 PAGES
50 cents a copy
Insurance problem solved
Beaf Orth Fair on
BY PATRICK RAF17S
insurance coverage has been obtained for
the Seaforth Agricultural Society and the
annual Seaforth Fall Fair will go on as
scheduled, September 18 and 19, society
officials have announced.
Fair directors were informed at a July 23
meeting, the society has obtained insurance
coverage, along with 130 other agricultural
fairs who were in the same uninsured boat,
through the Ontario liability Insurers, a
government sanctioned pool. Ontario Liabil-
ity Insurers are set up to take on "high risk"
policies, that are often otherwise uninsur-
able. All the province's insurance companies
contribute to the operation of the pool.
The Seaforth Fair was placed in jeopardy,
along with many others, when the General
Accident Assurance Company of Canada
informed them their policies would not be
renewed when they expire on August 1, 1988.
High financial losses were the reason the
company decided against renewing the faits'
policies, said Robert Coleman, manager of
McKillop, Mutual Insurance, Seaforth.
Mr. Coleman, who is also a member of the
Seaforth Fair Board said General Accident
collected only $83,000 in premiums from the
fairs last year, while claims in the same year
totalled $427,000. That claims figure does not
include an unresolved, $12 million lawsuit
pending over an incident in Richmond Hill.
The Richmond Hill incident involved a team
of heavy horses, which got loose and ran
through a crowd of people, causing some
serious injuries.
Though relieved that coverage has been
obtained, the agricultural society is now
faced with paying a much higher premium,
for what amounts to a large decrease in
protection.
The Seaforth Fair's premium will rise 165
per cent this year, from $375 last year, to
nearly $1,000, an increase of over $600.
However society representative Sharon Flan-
agan feels this increase is at least "afford-
able."
"W e're all taking a very positive attitude,"
Mrs. Flanagan said.
(Continued on Page A7 )
Bayfield man killed
A two -vehicle accident claimed the life of a
Bayfield man and seriously injured a Seaforth
area resident on Sunday morning.
Richard A. Welch, 30, of Bayfield, was
travelling south on Huron County Road 12,
north° of Seaforth, in .a pickup truck at
approximately 920 a.m. His vehicle collided
head-on in the northbound Lane, with a car
driven by Darcy L Smith, 17, of RR 5,
Seaforth.
Tf'h eSeafotth area fire department assisted
In releasing Mr. Sthith from the vehicle.
SWINGING FOR THE FENCE — Danny Smith put plenty of power didn't quite clear the fences. but Danny was pleased with his hit all
Into this swing at a teed -up softball, during minor T -ball action the same. Rallis photo
Monday night at the Seaforth District High School field, The ball
Business celebrates 50th year
A lot can change in 50 years and when the
McGavin family in Walton prepared to
celebrate 50 years in the business of selling
farm equipment they found out just how
much.
t guess we're (the McGavin family) just a
bunch of pack rats," said Neil McGavin.
"We have the shed where the business
started and it has all the books in it, a number
of letters and other stuff as well. And either
the paper didn't taste all that good or they
were so well packed together, but the mice
didn't even touch them," he added.
"It's very interesting to go back and look at
the books. They reveal a lot about the way
things were and how things were handled at
different times."
Established in 1936 by Gordon McGavin as
an extension of his farm, the business has
gone through a number of transitions over the
years.
Dad used to ship livestock so when he
started the business on the farm he used to
deal old horses in on trade," recalled Neil
McGavin.
"And basically dad just sold tractors.
Today we're a short line dealer. We sell
almost every piece of small farm equipment
available. Things like gravity bins and grain
augers."
•
owned by his father, which he had been
driving about qne mile from his home.
Taken to Seaforth Community Hospital by
ambulance, the two men were transferred to
University Hospital in London, where Mr.
Welch was pronounced dead of massive head
injuries.
Mr. Smith was in serious condition with a
broken leg and other injuries, hospital staff
said Monday.
Constable Bili Wilson, of the Goderich OPP
detachment, said no charges will be laid.
One of the things Mr. McGavin said he
noticed in the boots was the emphasis on
repair work and parts -safes In his father's
era, as opposed to today. repairs and
"The big thing back then was
parts. They would account for one•third of the
revenue. But in 1970, for example. oar books
show nearly all dollar sales," he said.
Another point of interest to Mr. McGavin
was the means of payment used by farmers in
the beginning days of the business.
"There were no cheques. Fanners would
write on letterhead and then put stamps on it.
A three cent stamp, for example, would mean
(Continued on Page A3)
Canoe® buffs in
national event
Four local canoeists will be travelling to
Whistler, British Columbia in August to
ennipete in the national marathon canoe
chatapionshipa.
Dick Moss, Raquel Bunn and Mike Holmes
of Brtrcefleid and Chris Harburn of Walton
qualified for the national competition at the
provincial competition held in Lindsay,
Ontario on July 18 to 20.
in that provincial competition Rene Boog-
enterrs of Hensel], and RIdk Klass of Clinton
took a bronze Medal in the senior mens
competition. Dick Kioss teamed with Ray
Healy, of Cameron, to take a gold in the
masters men. Mike Holmes and Chris
Harburn teak gold in the Juninrmens. Raquel
Bunn and Hart Hawkins, of Chatham took
gold fn the junior women. Raquel Bunil and
Mike Rohl* teamed up forg'old in the:tinier
mixed while Chris Harburn and grim
tangpeter, of Windsor took silver and Kelli
Rathwell, of Brircefteld and ScottRathweli, of
Varna' he Nationals rtake place August in the ain 5 too 17.
DOTING THE FAMILY BUSINESS.-- — The Medael it, 'of WalftiM Have been' "part of a family
busne 1 ss for 50 years Started in 1936 by Gordon MgGavin, the farm equipment dealersi1tp Ia
now run by Neil McGavin, With the heir' of his Wife, Marie, sons 'Brian and Jeff and
daughfers=Heather and Gathy. Cathy is absent from' this photo„ Mcjlwraith photo
Junior Farmers
SUMMER SPRUCE UP — The recent stretch of warm weather gave everyone a good
opportunity to get their summer spruce up projects underway. Seaforth's main street was
busy ail last week with painters as several local businesses gave their storefronts a facelift.
Here, Doug Hulley applys a fresh coat of paint to the United Auto Parts store. Raft's photo
host blood clink
Fort'hefiist'Writ Seaforth residents will be
able to give the gift of life without leaving
OVAL
On hutsday, August? the Seaforth Junior
Farmers will host a blood donor clinic at the
Seaforth and District Community Centres It
Will be the fust time such a clinic has ever
been held m town lathe past anyorlewho has:
Wanted to give blood has had to travel to
climes in Clinton or Tendon Profit statistic
available apptowmately 50 per cent. of
Seaforth residents have done exactly that:.
Because the cdmmunityis largely agricul-
tural-based the Seaforth clinic will not be
op" en duriin g the day, but from 5 to 9 p:n►.
There' will" be free juice and cookies for all
those who donate blood.
Schoolproperty in limho
OMB hearing is postponed
The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)
hearing scheduled to take place regarding the
separate sdrool board property on Gouinlock
Street in Seaforth has been postponed until
late March.
According to Jack lane, superintendent of
business and finance for the liuronPerth
board, the postponement tame as a result of
the boarcl's decision to fry and sell the
property. The hearing, which had been
scheduled to deal with objections by
neigghbbrs to the highway commercial zoning
of the property has been set aside pending
any disposition of the land.
"The major objection was that the
residents wanted to retain the aesthetics of
the etttr-anee into the town and not have it
cluttered by implements, or whatever," said
Mr Iane.
"But they (the residents) are content to
leave the CS (highway commercial) zoning
while the board is attempting to dispose of
the property."
The property, which measures 317.85 feet
by 1.50 feet and fronts highway 8, is part of a
seven acre parcel owned by the board. in
compliance with the ministry of education
regulations the property was first offered for
sale to the municipality and other govern-
ment organizations and is now up for public
tender. if it attracts no interest it may be
placed on the real estate market, depending
on the board's desire to get its value of the
market returned.
If the property is sold, the residents who
originally opposed the C3 zoning would still
have the opportunitygo before
the
OMB
in
Mardi, if they opposedP
thepropetty.
The board is attempting to sell the front
portion of the lot which is zoned highway
commercial If the board sells the property to
someone the residents feel has a compatible
land use in Mind, the residents have no
objection to the current zoning remaining,"
added Mr. Lane.
gmo dvite man is arrested
life effechve less of the Neighborhood bad already ca1eht and detained the suspect.
had him
mond ' e Tilesdayr Minting a.§ a group of deft on the ground," said Chief Claus.
Watch program was •demonstrated in F.gt "When t got there they already
local citizens apprehended a, man! found the neighbors were apparently alerted to
breaking into a' Hayfield Road home. the break-in by the sound of glass breaking.
Seaforth Palioa Chief Hal Claus said he The suspect, an Egmond'viile man, was
fro
received a call m the Godericr OPP caught on his way out of the house, from
detach
Ment, who had been contacted by an 'Which he had taken food from the freezer. He
Egmondvdle resident. repotting a break' and Was arrested by the Seaforthpat* pand
enterinpro8'res$'et 51.0 a.m. W hen the thief turned overtothe 'Gilded& OPP, who plan to
9illdeddattheStaid abdut5 15 a,m., two Men lay charges.