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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1982-11-24, Page 1Incorporating Brussels Post 50c per copy he ar SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24. 1882 — �4 PAGES g chan C.rdi: s BY KRIS SVELA Huron•Bruce Conservative M.P. Murray Cardiff is concerned about the federal government's proposed electoral boundary changes scheduled for public• hearings in January and February of next year. Accord- ing to Mr. Cardiff, the changes if adopted, would increase the number of constituents in his riding from the present 67,000. to approximately 81,000 with additional town- ships from Perth. The proposed changes would also add 28 new MPs to the House of Commons with 10 coming from Ontario. What has Mr. Cardiff and other MPs concerned is the cost involved in implement- ing the new.changes and what he calls a total lack of respect for county boundaries. Mr. Cardiff explains that the cost of 28 new MPs with offices in Ottawa and seating in the House of Commons could be a "sizeable amount." "My first reaction would be, that under the current economic times that we are experi- encing 1 don't see that 28 mote seats are possible," he says. "They haven't shown much respect for the es for ri countyy boundary lines," he adds. The size of the new ridings would also be a factor in the effectiveness of MPs to work with constituents and individual concerns because 'of the geographic size of the proposed ridings, he says. Mr. Cardiff admits that he does not believe that the changes will be in force by the time the next federal election is called, possibly in 1985. He explains that he will be talking with his colleagues and with the representatives from neighbouring ridings about the proposed changes. "I think what we would like to do is sit down and study all the areas." A public hearing on the proposed changes is scheduled for Friday. January 28, at 9:30 a.m. in the London court house. If approved Cardiff's new riding will be called Huron -Perth and' will incorporate the Perth municipalities of Wallace, Listowel, Elma. Mornington and Milverton. The municipalities of Teeswater, Culross, Mild• niay and Carrick will be incorporated by the new riding of Bruce -Grey. Save your auction bucks 1 Seaforth shoppers have already gotten a fair number of auction bucks in the week that the promotion has been running. They bring them to the auction, at 3:30 p.m. the Saturday before Christmas at the R'athwell Building. and they can use them to bid on and buy anything in the sale. Auction items, donated by BIA members, include many gift certificates, and everything from toys, to dinner for two, to the kitchen sink..,.a double stainless steel one. The BIA's next meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 8 a.m. at Pizza Train. Our Christmas promotion. next year's budget and executive will be discussed and all members are invited to attend. - There's some confusion about Seaforth Christmas Auction Bucks scheme, according to Bob Fisher of the Business Improvement Area (BIA). The rules are these: anyone who spends $5 or more at a participating business, receives a $2 auction buck. Buy a $15,000 car and you still get just one auction buck. "That's the fairest way," Mr. Fisher explains. "Otherwise someone who makes a 15 thousand dollar purchase could control the whole auction. This gives everybody a chance." He adds that the way shoppers can accumulate plenty of auction bucks, to use at the big Dec. 18 auction. is to shop often, Despite some confusion. odds are most ----- An old fashioned Christmas i Christmasisatimeofyearwhenlust about everyone can celebrate. And we have a number of special features planned. around the theme of An Old Fashioned Christmas, for the pages of The Huron Expositor. Again this year senior citizens arc invited to enter a Christmas essay contest. Entries can he mailed to the Expositor. Box 69, Scaforth b% Ucc. 10. Thc winner's story will he published in the Christmas issue and will receisc an Alfie Dale painting of his or her choice. to a .value of $35. Last year's winner Fsalina Webster of Blyth. wrote a lovely description of a war years' Christmas when airmen from overseas stayed at her family's hone. which was near Seaforth. It wouldn't be an old fashioned Christmas • without contributions from children and as usual. we welcome their art work and stories. As well the annual colouring contest starts this week. And we'll be printing letters to Santa from local youngsters• beginning with next week's issue, then forwarding them to the North Pole before Christmas Eve. Letters arc welcome right away, preferably in the child's own hand. include your phone number and we'll try to take photos of some of the children who write. County -funded policing? fhe question of county council funding for police protection has not been discussed at Huron County Council. according to Seaforth rec•,c• Bill Dale. Reeve Dale told the Expositor although the issue has not been cttuusscd at the county lesel the issue of short staffing has. Chief Hal ('taus of the Scaforth police force sacs county funding for policing has been in the wind for several years and has been discussed by the Ontario Police Commission. Ans change would affect the townships and hamlets now policed by the Ontario Provin• cat Police, Thc question arose after Lanthton County council ss as warned by Sarnia Township Reese, Ray Whitnall that the provincial gmernment is considering dropping free Ontario Provincial Police protection in an effort to sale money. According to the Sarnia Gazette. the province is considering pros id. ing OPP on a uscr•pay basis. Rccvc Dale told the Expositor that he would he looking into the matter at a meeting of County council scheduled for this week. USING a magnifying glass, new telephone directory. Liz Brown is able to read the small type in the (Wassink photo) New p called ho ok a rd to see r.Y RON WASSINK Complaints about the new, 1983 Bell telephone directory, came soon after the delivery of the book. At first glance, recipients of the directory noticed it contained fewer white pages, 398 compared to 573 in the old book. Instead of four columns of names and telephone numbers on each page, the new book has five columns. But the page size did not change. Type size had been greatly reduced. The blue, government pages in the new book also suffered the same fate, If you couldn't find a government number in the old book, with a larger type face, try the new directory. Type size seems to be the same in the yellow pages, but page number has de- creased from 95 to 90 In the new directory. To learn of cost savings, whether the new directory was experimental or here to stay, and off complaints or comments made. the Expositor called the toll free number, connected to the Bell business office. Wendy Rider, at the office said the new book was condensed because of conservation and expense. She said printing costs were less. The London -St. Thomas directory is the first to introduce the- new book and "we intend to do all directory books in this style." She noted that several years ago. a reduced type was introduced, but "we reverted back to the old style." She said the office had received some complaints. Three long distance telephone calls were placed to Mr. Croome's office, but we were unable to reach him before,, Wednesday morning's deadline. Although residents of the John Street Senior Citizen apartments in Seaforth have not received their new books, residents, after glancing at the Expositor telephone direct- ory, were dissatisfied with the new type size. The following are comments made by residents during their regular progressive euchre card game. 'They must be conserving space. "1 think our eyes are getting weaker. "The old book was better than this. "This is very small print. "If smaller next year, 1 will have to phone someone else and have them dial for me. "There's not much use having a telephone book anymore. "Thank goodness I can see the cards without a magnifying glass. 111 need a glass to read the telephone book." Next, a stop was made at various businesses on Seaforth's main street, to learn what employers andemployees thought of the new book. One lady said "it's the pits, medicine bottles are also hard to read. "It's too small. luse glasses, but what are older people going to do? "Looks as if Bell is trying to save a bit of money. "I have heard a lot of complaints, but I can read it. "Want me to tell them what to do with their • book? "It will be hard for olderapeople. "It's cheap as far as I'm concerned. But then what else do you get from Bell? "You certainly need your glasses." Of approximately 25 people surveyed, one person felt the new directory was satisfac- tory. The majority did not like the smaller type size and felt there would be problems for senior citizens. Tuckersmith favours firehali buy BY WILMA OKE Tuckersmith Township council voted unanimously : iov. 1b that the purchase of the McNichol building in Seaforth's industrial park as a fire hall should be proceeded with as it meets the Ontario building code regula- tions. The other four municipalities in the Scaforth fire area--Seaforth and the tow* ships of McKillop, Hibbert and Hullett--are involved in the decision to purchase the new fire hall. To date Seaforth, after a report from Mayor John Sinnamon, the town representative to the Fire Area Board, decided behind closed doors last week not to go ahead with the purchase. Hibbert council has passed a resolution supporting the purchase. provided that the building is brought up to the Building Code standards. In McKillop. the council has decided to reject the proposal of the purchase of the McNichol building. Hullett has also rejected .the proposal after council reccised an approsed engineer's report. According to Hullett tow nship clerk. Harry Lear. council is not satisfied with the report. Tuckersmith deputy reeve and Fire Arca chairman. Bill Brown. told the Expositor Tuesdas morning that the fire hoard will continue to look at the possible purchase of the McNichol building. provided that a new engineer's study is conducted and paid for hs Louis McNichol. the owner of the building According to Mr. Brown the building still has(' to he updated to meet the snow load requirements in the arca. Deputy reeve William Brown stated that while the Scaforth firemen were hcine unjustly blamed for dragging their feet on a Cardno's Hall BY KRiS SVELA Questions on the future of Seaforth's. "Grand Old Lady of Main Street." Cardno's Hall, continue to be unanswered, although there are several groups and individuals interested in the resoration and possible use of the hall. Ken Cardno. the present owner. Paul Carroll. chairman of the Van Egmond Foundation. and the Ontario Heritage Foundation have all expressed an interest M restoring the facility. as an historical focal point of the community. The cost continues to be a stumbling block. with can mites ranging from 5250,000 to 564(1.0(10 to 51.25 million and hedging on whether an exterior restoration or com- bined into ior•exterior restoration is done. At the Present time the hall is being ki Ill up, with annual roof repair by owner Ken Cardno, to ensure that it does not deteriorate loth inside and out. Mr. Cardno is looking at restoring the exterior tit thr hall. in particular the clock tower. He has been meeting with representatives n (— ' �y�. n .13-' v c, u u t Full house for Dr. Stewart's ,sermon /A3 from the Ontario Heritage Foundation to discuss grants available through the provincial government's. (BRIO) Building Rehabilitation and improvement Cam• paign. funded through the BiLD program. The new program would allow grants to be allocated to private owners of heritage buildings and historical landmarks. The BRIO grants are available for repairs done on local buildings and would ensure that repairs are made before the buildings deteriorate so much that they have to be replaced. The aim of the program is to restore as much of the original building and materials as is possible. Grant amounts depend on a feasibility study on the cost of restoring the exterior of a building. A study is presently being conducted by architect John Brock• as part of a Heritage Study for the core of Seaforth. The Cardno Hall Klock is the focal point of that study. Mr. Cardno told the Expositor that if a group interested in restoring the inside for rnmmunity use would approach him. he Brussels. man is 100 /A6 McKillop F of A has new executive /A15 location for the new fire hall, he said the Fire Area Board is entirely responsible for not announcing a decision and as chairman of the board he must accept his share of the responsibility. In other business at the four-hour council session council agreed to allow Terrence Laframboise of Egmondville•to carry on a small engine repair service in his garage from his home provided he does not store goods outside the building and that he keeps manner. property in a neat and tidy In a recorded vote (requested by Deputy Reeve William Brown) council denied a permit to Adrian Timmermann of RR#3 Kippen for a liquid manure tank because it did not meet regulations. Reeve Robert Bell and councillors Robert Broadfoot, Robert Brownridgc and James Papple voted against the permit while Deputy Reeve Brown voted for it. Council agreed to give Mr. Timmermann a permit for a feed room. Engineer Henry Centen of R.J. Burnside and Associates of Stratford attended the council session to read the preliminary report of the proposed repair and improve• mcnt of the Archibald Drainage Works. In attendance for the reading which affects ratepayers in McKillop and Tuckersmith townships were McKillop councillor Arthur Anderson. Mac Stewart. Stewart Banner- man. Cor Van Den Hoven and Harry Arts. Mr. Centen detailed his proposals and answered many questions. Ratepayers at• tending. however. came to no decision as to whether they wanted a final report com- pleted and agreed to contact council on a decision. Newly elected councillor George Cantelon was in attendance as a spectator. He will be installed on December 7 to take the seat of retiring councillor James Papple. A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of plaques to two teenagers, Dana Kloss and Kim Rathwell of Brucefield who won the National intermediate Ladies Class in Marathon Canoeing in Quebec this past summer. They placed first in the meet held on the St. Maurice River, a 12 -mile race --six miles up the logging river and six miles down the river ended"by portaging 600 yards up the hill, carrying the canoe. Reeve Bell presented plaquesior their outstanding accomplishment to Dana who is 13 and Kim who is 14. They plan to compete next summer in the race to be held in Kamloops. British Columbia. World titles won by local farmers Three arca residents have been recog- nized for their achievements in three different fields of agriculture at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. Lorne Fell. RR2 Staffa (see story on page ISA) took top honors in the World Championship for soybean growers and Russell T. Bolton of Scaforth regained the World Championship in the hay growing category. William C. Fotheringham of RR4 Seaforth, a 4H member. was awarded the Stewart Seeds plaque for his white bean entry. Mr. Bolton regained his world champion• ship title after losing last year to Lawrence Watmough of Lethbridge, Alberta. He has previously held the title from 19-2 to 1980. According to Mr. Bolton. entries for the hay category have to he submitted early to qualify for the fair. Compctitiors has, to send in three flakes of a bale not less than 12 inches to be judged. The competition is open to all growers in the world eligible to enter. Mr. Bolton explains that he entered together with 52 other competitors from the U.S. and Canada. A newcomer to fair competition is William C. Fotheringham, a local 4 H member. He decided to enter the white bean competition after taking first prize at the Seaforth Fall Fair earlier this year. "After 1 won at the Seaforth fair, I thought I'd try at the Royal." he explains. This is his first year at the Royal and he admits that he has put a lot of work into his prize winning entry. He entered together with eight other 4H competitors. mostly from Ontario and received top honours in the white Kean category. CLOCK TOWER on Cardno's Hail• l restoration costl would possibly consider a leasing arrange- ment. Paul Carroll of the Van Egmond Foundation says that his group would be interested in restoring the building. although what it would be used for is unclear now. "When the Van Egmond Foundation gets back on its feet financially we will be looking at the building. (Cardno's Hall)." he explains. Mr. Carroll speculates thkt the hall could be used for community activities or possibly as a satellite theatre for Stratford Festis al productions and training facilities for actors. he does not feel that another summer theatre similar to Blyth and the Playhouse in Grand Bend would be feasible in Huron county. He explains that if the foundation or another group were to lease the hall, grants could be available through Wintar• io, the Heritage Foundation and possibly through the federal government's work creation program. the Canadian Commun- ity Development Program. SPS class learns all about India /A20 Where should Huron's museum be? /A21 A former Seaforth mayor, Betty Cardno, a member of the Ontario Heritage Foundation says that the foundation is presently looking at exterior restoration of the building under the new BRIC grants. She admits that if a group were interested in restoring the building and putting it to use. the foundation would have to look at the proposed use for the hall. "What they (the foundation) would look at is if the feasibility study came in they would look at the merit of it." she explains, adding that the use of the hall would have to he financially sound. Interest in Cardno's Hall by Seaforth and area residents revived during Ciderfest '82, when the folk band Brigand, perform- ed a concert in the hall. In a guest hook signed during an open house at the hall in 19". approximately 200 town and arca residents included comments with regards to the hall's future. There was overwhelm• ing support for the restoration of the historical features and for the possible re -opening of the hall as a communtts or theatrical centre. The hall, which was built in 18n" at a cost of 530,000. was the centre of Seaforth's cultural life for nearly a century. Amateur plays and concerts were held in the hall regularly The facilities included a large stage. seating for about 450 people and a dining area. Regular use ended to the fifties, coinciding with the increased popularity of television. Today the hall stands exactly as it was built over a century ago. The curtain on the stage is an original scenic painting done by artist will R. Clarke. of New York, at the turn of the century. According to Seaforth town clerk Jim. Crocker. the results of Mt. Brock's architectural study will be available tn the near future. It should help shed some light on the cost of restoring Cardno's Hall. loth its exterior and interior. For now11 is evident that interest in the hall continues to he a part of the community. much like the hall itself. Baths /A23 Brussels news A6 - g Christmas Crafts A1.9 2C Christmas Recmes A24 Crassrfied A 7' FDERanuortbmea/oAiAnne+mw5 A es ' 44 95 HrheeUu^ew fc.d 5 Eq A: Si•^•err ^q to 545 43 Sots A'0 vAaiton.AtJ 4'4 Ali