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The Huron Expositor, 1980-11-27, Page 3777,77r,Fr .1/Y0 ail have our fauna,. I aloe, friendS Who howl every . night of the week, others who practically livP On the ice et the cnrieng rink and even 'a few who insist• on PuttinVjmar iiselth and their" Marriages, at risk by spend - ng all Spare time elbow - bending at some area water, ing hole. ea -e My bad habit, at least the one I'm dealing with here, is simpler out perhaps more harmful. I'm -addicted to trieetingS. Invite, me to a smoke filled room with un- comfortable chairs; to plan and discuss something of real import (town's_ /981 Santa Claus parade pr the Care and feeding of parking ters-spring-inunediately-to thindl and I just have one question: "What time?" • In part I come alcout this. addiction honestly...it's part of my job to attend meetings, take ,notes and then wiite abtit them. But the job. thosetto, turnirc' ()wolf tp4osa000nl u niyt me dnl yuse owbghuoistoudf rgon abenuls,ytt_ work/ nobody will buy it." Tds hhagrie r tnhe n et9ott;ays creative and a ote iiore wtthheb Sometimes through ugr ahai nalittlewa vers, always siin i!it flying saucer sighting station Would be a terrific tourist attraction for Sea - forth:" ,• The two types, whether they're • •talking sewers or sewing machines, always claire; "'And that's fine, a meeting connoisseur would mee 7,71.7,7777' TI(*.; 114139,N.,.,..eKpopfo..F1,.. *spy:pop:47R Something to say by Susan White out sernething that's both creative and rettiistic.a. Lots of other types attend meetings regular ly as well, including the true anarchist , who sees compromise, and meetings in genefal as a waste of time. ..as in "we need fewer regulation/ committees/ clubs, not quickly• reject a , gathering that didn't attract partici- pants from both craps, • For here's where 'a third type of meeting attender comes in.. .the compromiser. This even-tempered soul 'angs tfl1 6fThe Waif - waver and ttie practical cat - tion Of ihe objector togeffier and often helps the two work ediator appointed in teacher talks NEW HOME—McKiflop Mutual Fire Insurance staff have settled into their new office on Main St. South. Staffers are: Marg Sharp, secretary/manager (left), RickiVansteelandt, office assistant vd Donald rIGFcKerther, president. Construction on the new building began in mid July, and the company moved in November 18. (Expositor photo) McKillop Insurance moves to new home McKillop Mutual Fire Insurance officially moved into its new Main St. S. office building Noveraber 18., The business moved from its site at 10 Main St., where 'the office had been situated since 1959. Designee for the new McKillop building was Murray Taylor of Clinton and construction was performed by Wayne and Harold Smith Construction of Seaforth. Work on the new building started the final week of July. The new McKillop home consists of a board room, two offices and a reception area. "We designed the board room so it could be closed off to make a third office," explained Marg Sharp, the company's secretary and manager. The company has been situated in a Main St. site since 1932, adcording to the manager. reqireent has really only heighteiled my appetite. I. Went to meetings obsessisieli before I worked here, but they were about food co-ops and,women's studies instead of official plans and the family farm. Essentially though, they worked the same, and if they got me hooked, my sojourn here has continued the pro- cess. And it's my theory that you could transpose scam people from one meeting to another and they'd adapt very quickly and soon be saying much the smile things whetheY the topic under dis- cussion is a nursery school or a new shopping mall. The cast,• all meeting addicts know, is often the same no matter what the plot. You've got your objectors, a Negotiations started again last Wednesday between the Huron County Board of Edu- cation and its secondary school teachers who have been without a contract since August, 30, 1980. Negotia- tions began in March. The 16 tearhers on the negotiating committee and the #five board representa- tives met again Thursday. Monday the province's 'Education Relations Commi- ssion appointed a mediator for the talks. He 'is Professor Jeffrey Gantz of London. Mr. Gantz previouslylatepared fact finder's report for the Perth B of E. a give generously. the Heart Fund • more". But the anarchist ' keeps 'showing up at meet- ings for the fun of watching •the other types clash an the sheer' jey-&t Ihireirig a a/renal into the Works. - To test my theory it'd •be fun some time to' invite, for example, e bunch of chamber of conunerce regulars to a minor hockey meeting and vice versa, and _see if they could solve each others' problems. I underitand there's help available for meeting addicts but tte023 ton. buy tending to fake time to eeels ;IF out, Iri`&11-1ed Meetings Anonymous and there's a number you Can call- when you're about to weaken and, say yes to aninvitetion to yet another meeting. On dialingia spouse's voice says "stay home and clean the closets". Or a child's voice o • says plaintively "yotrye been away from your childrenfor 12 coneecu- five nights. And another fault bites the dust. Man pinned under van cKi accident A Clinton man was released from Univer- sity Hospital in London Tuesday following treatment for head injuries which he' received in a single vehicle accideet last Wednesday. Around 9:00 that evening, Robert McMahon-, 25 was westbound- on Conces- sion 4 in, McKillop township when his. van ' slid out of control, crossed an intersection and over an .embankment. He was pinned under the vehicle. Mr. McMahon, the lone occupant of the van, was rushed to Seaforth community Hospital and later transferred to London. A variety of housing needed here Continued from page 1 The meeting's chairman, Mr. Oldacre, asked about safeguards to prevent an unscrupulous operator from setting up a group home, overloading it and terrorizing the neighbourhood. "If you allow them, have you left it open to abuser The housing ministry spokesman assured him the province is very quick to react when there's been a problem. "They don't want bad stories around." A zoning bylaw can't control the types of occupants of a group home, the meeting heard. "As a homeowner and ae individual I'd like to retain the rlgl1 to object at the time of application," sai enry Mero. "Somebody has to accep ese people. If. we all say no. where are they to go?". asked Jerry Hetherington. "The main concern seems to be with the type of occupants rather than the concept itself." summed up Mr. Dsuz and no one disputed him. Other discussion centred on Seaforth's large older homes, "I can see pressure to make (them) into apartments." said Jim Sills. Othet agreed there was no problem with conversions as long as they were done well. with minimal interference to the neighbour- hood. Betty Kittar's conversion of the old nurses' residence to five apartments, was pointed out as an excellent example. The plan could set a equare foot size for apartments -and require a zoning change and therefore notification of neighbours before conversions, Mr. Dais said. "We could save some large old homes with multi -uses. otherwise single families could not afford them," Mr. Schoonderwoerd said. A policy on running businesses from the home should be included in the plan. Mr. Oldacre said. "Restrictions now are very grey," said clerk Jim Crocker. "Ws hard for a municipality to say. at what point a tinsiness becomes too big for a residence." 'Other towns tackle the problem in a variety of ways. Mr. Dzus said, including a provision that not more than 25 percent of the house be used for business or that no workers be hired. Most at the meeting agreed a policy was necessary but stressed good public relations instead of coercion, can solve one problems a business can cause in a residential area. HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS In discussion on several other workshop topics participants agreed present height restrictions for apartments - three stories of 35 feet - were adequate. and that its unlikely anyone would want to build a large tall unit here. "It's irrelevant'. commented Tom Schoonderwoerd, "when the dollar cotnes, the dollar rules. A 200 unit apartment could be built here but the town derides in what area. A question about encouraging solar developments brought the response sthat with the huge choke of tots in towd. an individual can make his own arrangements for a good site. People seemed generally satisfied with the amount and type of parkland in town but a suggestion that the town look into Munn's Bush being acquired and kept a natural area met with approval. DOES IT HAVE A PLACE Clerk Jim Crocker asked if a property standards bylaw has a place in Seaforth's official plan. Although controversial. the town should consider a standards bylaw, Mr. Dzus said, partly becau se a lot of provincial programs require one. A government putting public money into upgrading a town wants to be sure it's nof allowed to deteriorate again. he explained. "they've got an investment to protect." The bylaw sets minimal property maintenance standards and gives the town autnority to clean up unsightly hazards and add the cost to the property's taxes. A number of Huron municipalities have a standard bylaw and "making it work well is 99 percent dependent on public relations." the planner said. "Most property standards bylaws operate on a complaint basis," Mr. Crocker said. Municipalities don't go out seeking infractions: @NAPIDOMANOMEigNAP04008ketegn A special offer on the gift that lasts all year The ap Santa Claus is alive and well at the fl on xpositor. A special Christmas giftr, coloured yellow and red in this ek's Expositor allows readers to give gift subscriptions as Christmas presents to friends and relatives for 62.05 off the regular price. The 613.95 gift subscription price es for new gift subscriptions, going to people in Huron and Perth Counties only. You may renew or start your.own subscription at the low $13.95 rate. as long as you order one or more gifts. Expositor gift subscriptions start with our Christmas issue. December 20. and continue for a whole year. There's no need to pay cash now. . we'll bill you in January. And we'll send a card. announcing your Expositor Cheistmas gift. Look for the yellow card in this week's Expositor and start making a list of those you want to rereh-e the gift that comes every week. The offer expires Friday. December 19. 1980. NtOlitssfillake.VVVV:0411,6*Itig Improving downtown is plan topic Continued from page I petition was being circulated through the business area to oppose the formation of a BIA. It was the general consensus that there was a lot of misunderstanding amon the merchants about the program. Herman Lansink said. "Here we a, sitting together and the people who should be here are not here." It was stated that there are about 75 merchants in the suggested BIA area but only a handful were at the meeting. (Only one councillor and the retiring reeve, John Flannery, from council were in attendance.) INVESTOR CONFIDENCE Mr . Dzus spoke of the need to get investor confidence to open up a business. He said at present many people do drive to London. even to Toronto to shop, and they are not as dependent on Seaforth. And the loss is devastating, with some of the signs showing up now. He said unless BIA and the town council work together this downward spiral can take place and more stores will be vacant. Mr. Hetherington said in the past people were going to the city to shop but now other municip_alities, such as Exeter, are attracting our shoppers. Mr. Dzus said that many towns are improving their downtown area under BIA programs and cited Exeter as an example. "It has., new look, a lot of confidence in its future. Exeter is a town doing something and it's paying off." Herman Lansink said that from a study done by his company the Seaforth area. in a ten -mile radi us, has 12.000 people who should be coming to town to shop. Mr. Mero spoke of the large fanning area that should be given consideration by the town. Ray McNichol stated that the buildings on the main street needed updating, and Mr. Dzus spoke of the Friday and Saturday nights store closing and asked what that told shoppers. He answered that it tells them they are not wanted. Mr. Lansink said he did not feel the town was making enough money out of the parking meters to warrant having them. and Mr. Dzus said "You don't know how much you are losing." (Referring to customers who avoid town's with meters.) FILL CORE FIRST The question of whether the commercial area should be expanded along Main Street and Goderich Street (Highway No. eight) to highway commercial uses was discussed and eneral agreement seemed to be.that the core ea vacant stores should be filled up first. Mr. M o said the problem is the virtual lack of an vacant land in the town suitable for highwa commercial development. He said unless suitable sites are created, -NE ' particularly along Highway 8, the municipai- ity will not be able to accommodate highway commercial uses since the industrial park is now filled. leaving the. redevelopment of residential areas as ,the only option. fletty Cardno warned about letting too much commercial development start up on the county road and the highway as it v. ould be a detriment to the downtown core She said there is room for a motet and that zoning should be considered for this There was some sharp criticism directed toward the town. One complaint came from Herman Lansink that when a recent businessman came to town he e as not welcomed by his felkiw merchants or to the local paper. UNFRIENDLY -Ellie Schoonderwderd of RR 1. Dublin. said the storekeeper_s_dad not need to fix up their stores to attrad'a customers -they needed to be friendly. She said she has heard a lot of people say they will not go to Seaforth to shop because of unfriendly staff in stores. and that they prefer to go to Mitchell. Mr. Lansink suggested that a survey be made such as one done by the high school students in Dresden. He advised approach- ing the Seaforth school to do a study and see what customers say --if they enjoy going into a store; what they like; what they dislike; are .prices similar to other shopping areas and Mher suitable questions. Mr. DR'S said this exposes young people to the business area. Mr. Hetherington said any business can do with help Ice said the Seaforth stores can't offer the loss leaders as they do in the -cities but he thought prices were compara able. On the problem of parking several suggestions Isere made. Mr. Mero said more parking could be pmaided behind the stores Rnbert Dinsmore said that traffic could be one -ay in the alley behind the stores. Mr. Lansink said all it would take to dean np the alleys was paying which would cost money. but the rest would be work oras --clean ep the garbage cans.... heves poioted out that MA funds could he used to provide parking. As the meeting ;as ending Mr. Dinsmore said it was necessary for the merchants to get together and work together. Reeve Flannery's comment was that at least in cifculating the petition against BIA some merchants were working together, even if negatively. Mt. Dzus said that the positive people have to be, more stubborn than the negative people. Mr. Mero's summation was that it was a good meeting and most informative. CHRISTMAS SPECIAL—The Huggett 'family will be featured in a concert at Blyth Memorial Hall Thursday. December 11. The family plays a selection of Renaissance era music. The concert is part of the winter program at the Blyth Centre for the Arts. For more information call 523-9300. RCMP band to play in Blyth'Fiall Contemporary Jail. rock. sentimental oldies. or the best of the popular tunes you are in for a special treat when you hear the Mounted Police "Show Band- at Myth Memorial Hall. Suedes No. 30 at 230 p.m This talented group of 12 musicians base a lot of, fun producing it The Shoe Band a an inte gral part of the world-famous R( MP Concert Band stationed in ottawa Personnel selected to per- form Rand mos t tans in the RCMP Show are sore of totals 's accomplished musu The v for the most pari. are tamer ponce muse:lane who are selected from the professional music s. ne from all parts of Canada The role t'ef the Shoe Band a to support the (rime PreNention Program of the Ro.%:al Canadian Mounted Police 1-1% entertaining thro ugh mUsic Fach perfor mance requires a sparkling repertoire. a li‘ely performance and a livel% sound All .pr' k CeliC frim this concert will go timartis the Illsth Memorial Hall building program Ticket are onl% S3 for adults and SI So for children an4 ma% he reser% ed h% calling 523,43100 or ;21 ()tilts A Huron squash is really the biggest Will the real world's biggest squash please roll forward. Recently. in the serialized history car- toon It Happened in Canada. credit for the largest squash grown ever in the world was -attributed to one E. Van Wyck of Roland. Manitoba. His weighed 353 lbs. and had a "9 ft. girth." The feat was accomplished in 1971. 'Expositor reader Terrence Hussey. of Egmondville, however. has solid evidence that Mr. Van Wyck's squash was not the biggest ever. The real world champion squash grower, it seems. was William Warnock, from near Goderich who broke the Van Wyck record not once but thrice. In 1893 Mr. Warnock exhibited 0 365 lb. Green Squash at the Chicago World's Fair. According to a yellowing magazine clipping dropped off at the Expositor by Mr. Hussey. the turn -of - the -century Goderich squash grower shipped an even larger one to the Pang' World's Fair in 1900. And that wasn't enough. Mr. Warnock took first prize at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 with a 403 lb. squash The magazine article the (publications name is unknoyvn) was wntten by Iris , Sperling, Mr. Warnock's daughter, and is accompanied by a picture of Mrs. Sperling standing inside the squash in 1900 when she was five years old. „...„.„.„,..,..„,,,,.,„„..i ,,,,!..S.K.......A.t. ' ' ...,,,, it., t".C. " • ‘4,,,,,E.,tir'tg...,.:40q4Y- h -