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The Huron Expositor, 1980-12-04, Page 27• One In, ,a8Vbilei lueky.,F,',a, IMO( -0040 'that's tgote 'g9od, .104; sbreat1qf freo:', , 'T*S :; WO: ./„C.O*44/FtS Lat Chance by CaPit'ait!AT40,: Lep 5,ip0i0co struck me receiitly andin th s the sort of book You might 0011 and depressing early *luter days we've had iteiy. the experience is something 'Werth sharing., The local library has it or ion 4 soon as 1 take back my overdue copy „- but Kc)waiski ° Uke toity for yOUrSelf or $usa.Whj ' '"7-• q ',114Y,gll • e, ,Sfeottle:cerriste)rea.u4loVe, A ,'. It .CelleetAA' the adVepturei,, -of.:Ohe'sinallti, policemai,.. , thst's° Kowalsk., and Ms.), brush ' with leprechauns. Perhaps;°: the 'efillY slightly' , tedious .section In the book: 1490..in. to treatAletaii on the'' • precnauns` Who in . their nro4errt' dress, operate . a "til*natioal conglomerate, 6 fyifinitt go into that •. Take it as an article of faith.. .Kol*alski gets help from leprechauns:, (Kowalski and the twO old aunts he lives with. and, trip to entertain - ' 00 end up set for life thanks to the lepteehauns but you have to read the book to find out about that.) Simpson's book is notable or —callTslightly- exaggerated.for-laughs characters •. . . the police sergeant with a heart of gold, ' the police chief with an 'addled head and his arrogant, politican wife, and the establishment lawyer ,. who says "we can give it priority, pia a rush on it, say three months." The plot is a great turn around when those who've been feeding at the public trough get their's . . . the town's r •itziest neighbour- hood is deomolished for, right, a park. NEW MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT—The in- augural meeting of the 1981-82 $eaforth council was held Monday. Seated, from left, are: Reeve William Dale, Mayor John Sinnamon and deputy reeve Bill Bennett. The back row, from left, are councillors Gerald GroothuisT Robert Dinsmore* Hazel Hildebrand, Alf ROss, Irwin Johnston; Paul Ross and town clerk Jim Crocker. , ,(Photo by Shoveller) 'MY repeated guffaws were lona enough to bringwOrrieri° • lOoM aiAtt "ate: you 41rightsr from the better., half, Very 'few srnali -town peopie, remain Onallafted, ,Here's Silltpson's ,description of the IlrfUlfarrow Lawn poo4i$ gob, where modest atilt:Put of lawn •boNVIing went on"4 Conversation mlhunaiddle of a week day afternoon is along the flues of "plenty of jobs for anybody who wants them, . , ,." ", yog don't See pride of craft ,any More '.. ." . .no incentive to go out to work • you see, with a government cheque in the mail regular as clockwork . ." and " .never Spent a penny -in my life I didn't earn but these people . . " There's a homicidal maniac running the local toy store and the police chief's niece frolics with a not so honest cop in a fertility ritual. Throughout it all Kowalski remains a gentle, honest, relaxed individual and the book's ending proves good guys do finish first. Kowalski will be back I hope and perhaps on the Big Screen as well as in another novel. Town pian review winds BY: HERB SHOVELLER With the last of a series of public meetings completed and recorded the Seaforth plan- ning committee will now begin to sift through the hours of taped conversations as they gradually work at a new town plan. The Thursday night meeting, the final of four perliminary discussions, consisted of a review of previous meetings on industrial, commercial and residential development and parks. Equipped with a record of citizen con- cerns, the board will construct a plan whicli will provide guidelines for Seaforth's develo- pment for the next several years. Once complete, the new plan will be circulated in the community and will be followed by another series of public hearings. - At the summary session, meeting chair- man Ken Cardno reviewed the highlights of the earlier gatherings, He explained the completed plan would be a legal document to provide a "framework or blueprint for improvement" in the community. Mr. Cardno explained Seaforth was the smallest town and showed the lowest growth performance in'Huron County He noted a quarter of the town's population was of retirement age, twice the provincial average, while younger members of the community were going elsewhere for jobs. A central reason for the departure of young people, Mr. Cardno add, was the lack of industrial growth, and currently there is a lack of suitable industrial sites in Seaforth. If Seaforth is to attract new industry, he continued, there are certain factors the town must consider. Industry prefers spots where its interests do not conflict with those of residents se it Can minimize public com- plaints, it looks for land in a ready -to -go state (serviced lots) and further, industry might consider easy access to,highway 8 an asset. KEEP INDUSTRY IN ONE PLACE At the earlier meeting on industry. it. was suggested the town puchase land in other parts of town rather than expand the existing industrial park. But Mr. Cardillo explained the general consensus was to expand the current park easterly and northerly. Surh expansion, he added, would keep industry in that section of town. Charlie Campbell, who chaired the indust- ry meeting, explained the development of the land could be left to the current owners but added industry prefers to deal with the municipality. He noted expanding the existing park to keep future industries together would mean the town would have to be less selective about the kind of business it will acept. Adother planning board member. Ken Oldacre, said industry does have an affin ity for industry in outlining the importance of keeping such development together. Jim Crocker, town clerk. added Seaforth has a reserve fund for industrial develop- ment which is in excess of S50,000 but added this would cover only "35 or 40 percent of the cost of getting the land" which is being considered for the town's expansion. A major pitfall for commercial develop- ment in Seaforth continues to be the town's parking meters according to a review of the commercial • development meeting Henry Mero chaired. He noted public displeasure with the meters developed after a bylaw enforcement officer was hired. He added public sentiment is in support of removing the meters, but explained the town's debt on them will have to be depreciated before they can be taken out. A major factor in the town's commercial development could be the establishment of a Business Improvement Area (MA). Mr. Mero explained the first BIA proposal was defeated last week but it was agreed to try to start again with a new committee and new ideas. A SENSE OF UNITY "The failure of the first 81A wasn't because of the work of the study group," added Mr. Cardno. "Many merchants didn't understand,. If they had understood we wouldn't be where we are now (starting over)". He added, however, that once the B1A plan was fully explained at the meeting. there was positive support from most. "If there is a merchant that didn't go out of here Tuesday night with a greater sense of unity, then I don't know what's wrong with them." Other considerations which evcilved from the commercial development meeting, out- lined by Mr. Cardno is his review, were plans to look at downtown parking and traffic circulation problems. to have merchants park off Main St. if the meters are remeved. to push for owners to clean up the rear of their Main St. buildings and to encourage merchants to offer a wide selections of merchandise at competitive prices while Staffa fire claims stock The cause of a barn fire in which 134 pigs were killed last Thursday near Staffa is still undetermined. "1 don't think they have established a cause yet," said Ivan Norris, the owner of the livestock. "We just don't know for sure. There were two heat lamps in there, and they could have started it. There are numerous things that could have started it." Mr. Norris noticed the fire shortly before midnight, but the fire was out of control before the Mitchell fire department reached the scene. "Our loss was in the neighborhood of S21,000" explained Mr. Norris. who was renting the barn from H.J.A . Farms of R.R. 2 Staffa. John Scott. a partner in H.J.A.. said there is not yet a final estimate for the loss of the barn. Ross Hoggarth. Mitchell fire chief. said when his denartment arrived there was no. hope of saving the barn. "All we could dc was just try to protect the other buildings around it," he explained. Only one of th surrounding building suffered damage. and it was slight according to the chief. Mr. Norris estimates he has about 80 per cent insur ance coverage for his loss. Murray acclaimed chairman BY: WILMA OKE Ronald M. Murray of R.R. 2 Dublin. was acclaimed 1980 chairman of the Huron -Perth County Catholic school board at the inaugu- ral meeting Monday in Dublin. The 43 -year old McKillop Township - farmer, who was vice chairman last year, succeeded Ron Marcy of Stratford. Vincent Young of Goderich was elected vice-chaitman. The 52 -year old department manager at Champion Road Machinery of Goderich. won over John O'Leary of R.R. 2 Staffa in a second ballot as there was a tie in the first ballot. Named to the nominatibg cornmittee were John O'Leary and on Marcy to act with Mt, Murray and Mr. Yon:* to choose the four standing committees and the three ' ad hoc committees of the board for the coming year Rev. A.F. Loebach of Goderich, Dean of the Stratford Deanery. spoke briefly. He said Catholic high schools have economic diffi- culties with government grants only coveer- ing Grades 9 and 10. He wondered if a Catholic high school could be established in the Huron -Perth district in a more populated area as a start to getting Catholic education for secondary students. He said this was being started in Woodstock. The firm of Donnelly and Murphy of Goderich was appointed solicitor for the board. A borrowing bylaw for $3 million was approved, up from $2 million last year. The next meeting of the board will be held December 15. maintaining a courteous and cordial atmos- phere. At the conclusion of the commercial development section of the Thursday even- ing discussion Henry Mero, chairman of that section and an outgoing councillor, said: "This will be my last official meeting. I think there are great things happening in Seaforth and we as citizens will see it through. I do' hope the new council and the new planning board carry it on." Besides Mr. Mero and Irwin Johnston and a brief appearance by Robert Dinsmore, there were no members of the current council at the meeting. New councillors Alf Ross, a member of the planning board, and Paul Ross took part in the procedings. ENOUGH SITES HOUSES • The third section of the final meeting dealth with residential development aniot,, parks and workshop chairman Ken Oldacre explained Seaforth has enough building sites at present and added "without growth over the next five years we should have enough houses to meet the requirements." A major topic in this section of the discussion was whether the town should designate an area for mobile homes. The planning board will recommend that if permitted mobile homes should be kept separate from other residential develop- ments Charlie Campbell suggested, much like industrial planning. that an area be set aside for such housing. Clerk Crocker noted the new plan could only recommend to council that an area be designated and then a zoning bylaw would be needed , before development could proceed. He added that to date, however. there simply wasn't a demand for such a subdivision. Another residential concern involved group homes and the planning board said the general feeling was that they will be allowed but applications will be dealt with on an individual basis. In his review. Mr. Oldacre noted individ- uals could continue to operate businesses from their homes with only a few exceptions - external appearance must be kept subtle, meaning excessive displays would not be permitted. ENFORCED IN EXTREMES The planning board may also recommend council pass a property , standard bylaw to ensure homes in Seaforth are kept in an attractive state. Mr. Oldacre said the bylaw would not be enforced ,except in extreme cases. He said it gives the municipality the authority to act when there are enough valid complaints. In those instances. the owner would be warned and if he failed to act the town would move in. clean up the property and bill the resident on his taxes. The board also mentioned the possibility Of acquiring Munn's Bush property in the , northwest corner of town with the al m of establishing a town -owned naturalist arca. Tire fire blamed Heavy black smoke which blanketed Egmondville and Seaforth Thursday after- noon is being attributed to tires which accidently ignited during a controlled burn at the dump. Seaforth clerk Jim Crocker suspects the cause was accidental but suggests there are other possibilities. "The only thing that is burnt out there is limbs." he explained (for instance) "Whether it was an accident from Bill (Bill Chesney. caretaker at the dump) doing a controlled burn or hether someone lit it. I don't know. There was only one complaint," Mr. Crocker said. The complaint. registered with the Mini- stry of the Environment. was made by Beth Brady of Eemondville. Seaforth fire department were called and stood by to keep the fire under control. Mrs. Brady added at times the flames reached 20 feet into the air. The thick black smoke was noticed on Main St. and north of town in McKillop township. Tuckersmith council outlines BY WILIVIA OK The inaugural meeting of Tuckersmith Township council was held Tuesday night in spite of the storm which raged through this area. Clerk Jack McLachlan said it took him three-quarters of an hour to drive to and from the meeting, held for the first time at the township office in Vanastra. which has been newly renovated for the council meetings. With three new councillors much of the meeting time was spent outlining council business to them to acquaint them with township matters. Appointments were made to various committees and boards: Councillor Bob Braodfoot was appointed to the Clinton fire area board. Deputy reeve Bill Brown to the Seaforth fire area board and Reeve Robert Bell to the Hensall fire area board. Councillor Jim Papple was appointed to represent the council on the Farm Safety Association and Cleave Coombs of Egmondville on the Seaforth Community 'Hospital board. Deputy reeve Bill Brown was appointed to the landfill site committee. Reeve Bell and Councillor John Brownridge will ri Jsent council on the Vanastra day care board. A tile dram i. an procedures application for 55,200 was The next meeting Will be approved. held on December 16. DECKIN' OUT THE TREE—PUC worker Dennis Medd applies finishing touches to the community Christmas tree at the Seaforth Town Hall. The tree was donated by Dick Burgess. (Photo by Shoveller) DUBLIN ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF LOCAL MAN—Jim Melady, 37, of RR 2, Dublin, was killed Thursday afternoon when his pickup truck was involved in a collision with a box van driven by William Vanosch of RR 3. Goderich. The accident occurred at the Dublin intersection during Thursday's sudden winter storm (Photo by Ellis) You're invited The Seaforth Hortkultural Society invites the public to attend its monthlymeetine on Wednesday . December 10th at A p.m in the Seaforth Public School Auditorium Joanne Burke Dinney of Country Flowers. Exeter w demonstrate cut and dried flower arranee mews for Chnstmas The Christmas meeting nf the Hospital Auxiliary will be held Tuesday. December 9th at 630 in the Board room of the hospital. A pot luck supper will precede the Meeting. Come and bring a friend! Christmas meeting of the Seaforth Womens Institute Will begin with a family pot luck supper at the Seaforth Public SthooL Tuesday. Dec 9. at 6:30 p.m. Thee will he a girt exchange. (52 00 in value). Roll Call. A Chtistmas custom from your childhood. Supper Convenors are Mrs R J Dnig and Mrs. Rachel Reek! Santa is coming! Continued from page I Victoria Park. The Lions sponsored parade theme this year. according to chairman Irwin Johnston. is nursery ryhmes and its understood that a lot of the kids' favourite characters will he escorting Santa through town. Santa will arrive at Larone's after the parade and will welcome local visitors for about an hour and a half. As part of the shop at home this Christmas promotion. local merchants have arranged to have a tot co community participation downtown every Saturday before C. bristmas Hot chocolate will be for sale on street corners by Seaforth Nursery Si hool. Bili Leerning will have sleigh or wagon rides for the kids; local church choirs will he singing and there'll be other special Christmas music and Christmas elves distributing candy. Seaforth Leos will pro:de baby sitfing at the town hall for the three Saturdays hetore Christmas. from 10 to 11 30 a m and from 130 to 4 p.m. Market St. Continued from page 1 ' • thanking John Flannery, who retired from council this year after 20 years His last position on council was as reeve. The meeting began with PUC officials and members of council taking their oaths of office. Reverend James Van Slyke of Northside United Church followed this with a prayer. Reeve William Dale and Hazel Hildebrand a newly -elected cOuncillor. were selected for the striking contmittee. Their task is to Meet this week to set up council's new commit- tees. There was only one committee report at the abbreviated meeting. that of the arena group, and the only it em on its agenda concerned the appointment of a new arena manager. The committee recommended _ is priority John (Jack) Price now an arena attendent and a former manager be awarded the post, accepted by council. Bill Benett.- chairman of the arena committee. explained there were two other applicants considered besides Mr Price One, from London. had related experience but would not come to Seaforth for less than 517.000 a year. The other. from ilderton. had no experience. The new manager replaces William Fish - back, who resigned in November to take a position in Woodstock. Mr. Price will, go through a Q0-dav probation period. and will he required to take an arena managers' course at the University of Guelph. which runs one week a year. for six years. Mr. Price will earn $13.211 per annum. Help with that Christmas gift search Looking for a gift that comes once a month and ten's your friends what they need to know about The arts in Western Ontario' Village Squire magazine covers the music and theatre scene along with features on interesting new stores and craftspeople in the area Some- times there's fiction and history And every month there's a restaurent review. a day trip. dining out and coming attraction iisitngs Or maybe you know a retired farmer or someone who's recently moved into the rural area who like to keep up with the people in farming in Western Ontario Give thern Rural Voice for Christmas It's a monthly magazine for the whole farm family Each magazine is only 55 a year and they're available here in Seaforth at The Huron Expositor We'll send a gift card in your name Perhaps you need some small gifts, stocking stutters or a little something to take to your Christmas season hostesses. There are still some Huron Expositor Christrnas Cook- books left, at 51 each. If you'd like we'll mail them anywhere for another 50 cents. Stop at The Huron Expositor, you'll get something for everyone on your Christmas fist ••••:, As•rviPs, ret.1.7,"61`r.'1`."4e,C.11. :',7,1,7"271,1,---.."' it-