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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-07-17, Page 1• • ,t,rop, 121st Year Whole No. 5862 'r •••, SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, THURSDAY JULY 17 1980 —28 Pa ea First Section Pa es 1-20 S14 ityear in adyarten Single: Copy; 35, eeutta' TO BE DEMOLISHED—The former Whitman residence at 88 Goderich St. East Is being torn down by the new owner, John Maloney of Seaforth. He expects to have the building levelled In about two weeks, to make way for two modern houses. See more photos on Page 19. (photo by Ellis) Historic home is being demolished BY JIM HEER As the last old brick falls to the ground to make room for new houses so goes one of Seaforth's oldest and most historic homes. Built in 1864 approximately,the large 11 room Georgian style home at 88 Goderich St. has been the residence of Seaforth's first reeve. first area doctor and other pro- fessionals and their families throughout the past century. According to area author and historian Belle Campbell. the homo was originally built by Dr. T. Coleman, who was Samaforth's first Reeve and first met -flea! practicioner. In 1877, two years after the village had grown into a town, Dr. Coleman became the second mayor of Seaforth. He built the main structure as a new home for his wife, said Miss Campbell, who added the addition made to the main house was mostly likely constructed by Dr. Coleman a few years later. In 1912, the house was purchased by William Govenlock who lived there for only a few years selling it 15 years later to John R. Archibald who remained there until 1928. Charles Holmes, an area undertaker and his wife occupied the house next until 1944 when following his death it was sold to Dr. E. A. McMaster, who owned the home until the sixties. Dr. McMaster had made a number of changes to the house including the re- structuring of the front entrance and the addition of a greenhouse attached to the east side of the main house. Dr. and Mrs. John Harvey and family were the next owners. Dr. Rodger Whitman purchased the home In 1968 and he, his wife and their children, were the last family to live in the old stately structure. "From the minute we moved into it, we knew it was a family home." said Marjorie Whitman. Now -owned by John Maloney of Seaforth, the old home has seen its last days and will be_stowly.demo lished to make way for the construction of two new homes and an eventual subdivision behind. "The joists and sills are all rotten and deteriorating." said Mr. Maloney explaining why he is demolishing the building". It vsould likely cost approximately $50,000 to repair the home he added. However. Mr. Maloney said he did make attempts to save the old house. "I had it listed at 345,000 and didn't even have ,an offer." said Mr. Maloney, referring to the house and a portion of the land he had bought for S95.000 in November 1979. The house had been on the market for six months, said Mr. Maloney, adding that those who looked said they couldn't afford restoration. Poor ventilation is what caused the rotting beams and foundation. said Mr. Maloney. and to demonstrate his point, standing in the basement he reached up and effortlessly pulled a handrail of wood off one of the joists. t Although he was unable to sell the hcruse. Mr. Maloney said he won't be suffering losses. "It's not a lass, because I bought it with the intention of tearing it down." he said. Please turn to page 11 Inside this week----- 9 • Pam paints If you've seen a younIt. lady perched On the hood of her car. with sketchpad in hand. it may be Pam Carnochan Pam, a student at Seaforth District High School, has some of her watercolours on display at the Blyth Centre for the Arts p. la Ifensall's own newspaper Did you know Hensall once had its own news paper? For a look at a page from -almost 52, years ago this 'week, See Page 13. One councillor votes no A new agreement .between tee ''town of „just under $20,000. There is. one first class Seaforth and the community's police assoct constable in'SeafOrth and two selond class ation will include salary increases totalling constables. 20 per cent over the next two years. In other police business, councillor Robert -• The new contract,--which-covers-the_period____Dinsmore. will take _over as_ chairman of the— e from. January 1, 1980 to January 1,.1982, police committee, a vacancy created by the was ratified at the council's monthly meeting resignation of Bruce Holescher from council. Monday night. The agreement offers an eight per cent raise effective January 1st this year, arthree and'a half percent raise July 1, a five per cent increase January 1, 1980, and a final three and a halfper cent raise on July 1i 1981. The contract also provides for a sergeant's salary, although there. isn't one in Seaforth at present. "They negotiated to put the classification there," said Mayor John Sinnamon. • Still unsettled in the contract are three chMagesP to the Ontario Municipal Em- ployeeViRetirement System' (OMERS) which - were requested by the police. In the unrecorded vote to ratify the contract councillor Henry Mero cast a disenting vote. "I think they're already getting too much," he said after the meeting. "I've been in opposition from the beginning., 320,000 a year is too much. I'd leave them right where they are." - A first class constable will be making more than 321,000 by the end of the agreement, and a second class constable will be making Storm hits here again Power interruptions, branches and limbs littering the streets, some crop damage and some' destruction of a barn were the results of the severe wind and rain storms which: passed through the area Tuesday afternoon. In Seaforth the storm lasted 'about in howir, as strong winds littered streets with tree branches and heavy rain fell. Hydro was interrupted intermittently across town and in a few areas there were longer disruptions as PUC crews replaced broken lines. A sixty foot wooden pole carrying a bank of lights for the ball diamond at the Lions 'Park was blown down in the storm. The pole had been erected in 1949 when lights first were installed at the diamond and originally had been in use at an air force training station during the war. TRAILER DAMAGED The high winds damaged a trailer at the residence of John Talbot, Harpurhey. Mr. Talbot had planned on selling the trailer but now he says he will first have to talk to his insurance agent. People west of Staffa were without power for more than six hours after hydro wires were felled in several areas,brought about by failing trees and limbs. The hydro went out shortly before 3 p.m and was restored by 8:30. A barn owned by Bill Hutson of Staffa. also fell victim to the high winds which accompanied the storm. Damage was re tricted to the upper part of the roof structure. CROPS DAMAGED For the second week in a row. storms have left area crops damaged. although the most recent storm appears at this point to have been less severe. "Certainly the winds blew pretty strong.' said Don Pullen. Huron's Ag Rep at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food office in Clinton." It certainly would flatten more grain. the grain crop looked so promising too so we don't want any more rain. To the best of my knowledge there was no hail 6/ doesn't look like we had a ilevasting storm "The corn crop is looking pretty fair." he said, "and the beans are looking not too bad." Mr. Pullen said the storm last week mai. have caused more damage. when it brought about two inches of rain in three hours. New 'equipment More than 400 area far- mers attended a pork barb- ecue at Vincent's Farm 7 4111111■1111EMEMINS111%\ Equipment Last Thursday then watched as Inter- national Harvester -unveiled a new piece of equipirrient for the first time in Canada Story, and pictures inside p4 Two tirnes or four? Should the Hainan County Board of Education levies be paid four times a year instead of semi-annually/ Seaforth council isn't snre. and sent the matter back to committee for further study P • 14 - • A likely topic at their next meeting will be whether to fill a constable's vacancy on the police staff. Mr. Dinsmore would not estimate the prospects of seeking a replacement. "According to population, Constables to people, Seaforth is high," he said. "I don't know if we need another. I cart see the need for one, but I can't 'speak for the committee. - "There's been less overtime since the constable left. Some of the problem has been on boih-iida: communication. rson blamed in big fire Ito• . BY WILMA OKE 'Arson is blamed for the Saturday morning blaze that caused damages amounting to $165,000 at the garage owned by Louis McNichol Trucking. Investigation Monday by Rod Adams, Mount Forest; an investigator from the Ontario Fire, Marshall's office, and Fire Chief Harry Hak determined that the fire had been started in four different locations - in each of the three trucks in the garage and in the men's room. Damage to new building located in Seaforth's Industrial Park, to which Mr. McNichol moved his business only last fall, was estimated at about $70,000 said Fire Chief Hak. Damage to the tractor trailer trucks, one -a tandem truck, was estimated at $83,000 and to the equipment, about $12,000. Lloyd Eisler was the first to report the fire STORM VICTIM—Many trees fell, or lost limbs, as a violent storm. accompaniedbylligh winds, swept through the area Tuesday afternoon. This large maple split, and part of it landed on the garage roof of James Moore's Goderich Street residence, puncturing the roof and cracking the wall of the building. (Photo by Ellis) at 4:02 a.m. Saturday. The Seaforth firemen were assisted by the P.U.C. aerial truck to reach the upper part of the building,. As well, • a tractor from the town assisted in pulling the trucks from the building enabling the firemen to make an opening in the ceiling to get at the fire. Police Chief, John Cairns, who will be assisting the fire investigator, said there may be some connection as to the time the fire started and the 4 a.m. shift end for Seaforth police, Seaforth police, he said, are only on call between 4 and 8 a.m. and not on - duty. "Everyone knows when weaire off and the cruiser is going home," he said. One of the few items saved from .the fire were office records, which were heavily damaged by water. Hoelscher resigns at council Seaforth town council reluctantly accepted the resignation of councillor Bruce Hoel- scher at its monthly meeting Monday night. Holescher was serving his first term in office. He bad been considering the resignation since he closed his IGA in early June and prepared to open a new store in Glencoe, southwest of London. • Although Mr. Hoelscher is eligible to remain on council, and could run again in the next municipal election. his resignation stated his new situation would make it difficult to keep up his duties_ The resignation was effective July 15. "The resignation is accepted with reg- ret." saidMayor John Sinnamon. "I think we're losing a good person. 1 think' Glencoe is gaining a good person." Mr. Hoelscher spoke briefly. "I'd like to thank everyone," he said. "I've enjoyed working with you I think I've learned something from everyone here. and rd like to thank every one for it." He added that he would like to work again sometime with the members of council. After the meeting, town clerk Jim Crocker said he did not think the vacated seat would be filled before the next election. If council chose to fill the'seat. one method available would be to appoint the highest vote -getting loser in the last election. But since five of the councillors were acclaimed. and the sixth was appointed, this option is not open. The alternative would be to appoint another member. Three are arrested after shooting BY WILMA OKE Tine Toronto men are ' to appear in provincial court in Goderich next Monday . July 21 at 10 a rn. to plead to charges of assault causing bodily harm and 'possession of dangerous weapons after two area, men were injured at a birthday on Coleman Street in Seaforth early Sunday. The men were taken into custody following the incident and were released following the bail hearing before a Goderich justice of the peace. Seaforth Police Chief John Cairns said Peter Wagler. 2-, of Vanastra received minor injuries when he was shot about seven times in the forearms with an air pistol as he tried to protect his face He was treated and released from the Seaforth Community Hospital Sunday Terry Lafrarnboise. 30. of Egmondville was also treated at the hospital for head injuries. received when he was struck with what police believe iv as a tire iron. Seafdrth town police assisted by town police from Clinton and Exeter arrested Paul P. Ranger. 21; Frank W Studney. 21. and Sidewalk Sales on downtown It's sidewalk sale time in Seaforth this week as 26 local business places co-operate in featuring outstanding values designed to attract shoppers over a wide area. Beginning Thursday Morning July 17 the sidewalkselling event will continue until the elciSe of business on Saturday. " • —•,a9i9araiaLikaataa.a•-•' _ John HF. Brown. 22. in Clinton on Sunday. An air pistol. a time iron and two v.00den clubs were seized from a car. Police said the fight broke out about 3:30 a.M. Sunday at a party attended by about 40 young people. Nommeak Dutch community plans plaque Thank you Canada On Monday night Seaforth council ap- proved -a request by area Dutch decendants to place a plaque at the cenotaph in Victoria Park to commemorate the -15th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, "We're doin this in. conjunction with legion Week in eptember." said Gordon De.long. a membe nd organiaer of the five person committee arranging the present ation '' I hope there will be an unveiling ceremony." said Mr. Delorig. "then the on% eiling of the flag." Mr. DeJong. who is sergeant of arms of • Branch 156 of the Legion in Seaforth. says the idea came following an executive meeting of that group. ' '1 was told they were thinking of putting on an event for the Dutch," he said. "I was driving home and I was thinking, why should Canadians be putting on an event for the Duter It should be the Dutch putting it on. "I went to see Arnold Stinnisson. We both -1,7riirs. ' — served in the Dutch army. we were both volunteer. From that meeting a committee evolved. Besides Mr. DeJong and Mr. Stinnissen. other members are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DeGroot and Mrs. John Segeren. "1 was going to sit in on the council meeting." said Mr. DeJong, "but Mayor John Sinnamon called to say.there would be no problem with council." The plaque measures 14 by 213 inches. and o -nee in place will face north from the cenotaph. Across the top of the plaque will read the dates 1940 and 1945. Beneath that will be the heading, "The Liberation of the Netherlands.' The inscription reads: This plaque was made possible by a grant from the people of the Netherlands who settled in the town of Seaforth and area, for the liberation of the Netherlands. In commemoration of freedom. Oh Lord, grant peace to those who did not return. We do remember. Thank you Canada 1980." .4, 7, 7, • V