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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1983-02-09, Page 1Incorporating 4 Brussels Post 50c per copy the riun SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1983 - 16 PAGES oitor Council holds the line It was restraint time at Seaforth council Tues. night as members held the line on their own pay, and gave most town employees a flat five per cent raise. Negotiating chairman Wayne Ellis said his committee's job was fairly easy because they followed provincial guidelines of five percent. or a minimum of $750. "Are they saying we have to give five per cent, like it or not?" asked councillor Henrys Mero. "Yes," councillor Ellis replied, "Our hands are tied. There wasn't really any negotiating." Municipal employees can appeal any -- thing less than five per cent to the provincial restraint board, clerk Jim Crocker told the Expositor. The raises for town employees mean that the police chief's 1983 salary is $31,500; the clerk is paid $30,135; the recreation director, $22,208; the superintendent of works, $26,565; the public works' foreman, $19,219; and the outside worker $16,312. All are at level 5, the top category in the town's salary grid. The deputy clerk's salary is now $16,958. She is in category 1 on the grid. The town's bookkeeper and secretary received a raise of $750. The bookkeeper is in category 5, at 514,673 and the secretary at $11,579, in' category 4. Council members will be paid at the same rate that was set in 1982. $90 per regular council meeting for the mayor and S65 for councillors and 545 each for any special meetings. Mileage remains at 21 cents per kilometer. Seaforth's 1982 council was paid a total' of $35,782.22 at those rates, figures tabled at council show. That's up slightly 'from the 535,205 council was'paid in 1981, but clerk Jim Crocker says it's below what was budgeted. The figures, released under an Ontario Municipal Act requirement, show council Please turn to page 3 Evacuate seniors at nursing home STUDENTS OF Seaforth public school cheered and jeered as teachers were pitted against Katimavik in a "lopsided" volley ball game. Winning by a large margin were the teachers. Maria-Andree Thivierge is in the midst of one of her great serves against the teachers. Students in the background cheertter on. (Wassink photo) The Seaforth and area fire department was kept busy this week after they were called to fight two minor fires in Seaforth and a large blaze in Tuckersmith. M 12:50 Friday, the department responded to a call at the Kilbarchan Nursing Home, after a radio located on top of a clothes dryer in the basement caught fire. Residents of ,the home were forced to evacuate the building because of smoke. According to fire chief Harry Hak, the evacuation was well organized. and orderly due to the help of the employees and residents of the home. At right firemen and employees help a resident out. He reports that there was minor; smoke and water damage done to the basementof the building. No estimate of damage was available 'at ptess time. Fire fighters also responded to a chimney fire at the residence of Don Morton of 110 Center St. at 12:00 p.m. Sunday. The fire department reports only minor damage to a stove pipe at the home. An early morning blaze on a farm on concession nine, lot seven of Tuckersmith Township levelled a barn owned by Char -Lee Ltd. of R.R. 3 Stratford. Fire fighters responded to the call at 4:15 a.m. on Monday, but their efforts failed to save the structure, which was not in use. • There' are no damage estimates available. Chid Hak speculates that the blaze could have been caused by a short-circuit in the electrical system, which was on at the time of the blaze. (Photo by Wassink) County employees gel BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE Huron County employees received 1983 salary increases in line with the provincial restraint act. Effective Jan. 1, 1983, the salary increases were approved by Huron County council at its Feb. 3 session. The 1983 non-union secretarial salaries are as follows with 1982 figures in brackets: range from a low of 512,116 to 514,352 (511,362 to $13,598), to the top level, group five which ranges from $16,770 to 520,124 ($1-564 to 519,162). , /The 1983 Health Unit staff salaries, with 1982 figures in brackets are: director of public health inspections from 524,908 to $31,044 (523,712 to $29,562), director of public health nursinrom 524,908 to 531,044 ($23,712 to 529.562); public health inspectors from 520,800 to 524,960 ($19,812 to $23,764); dental and vision technician from 513,598 to $16,198 ($12,844 to $15,418); senior secretary -steno and secretary bookkeeper from 513,104 to 515,574 (512,350 to 514,820); secretary -steno and • clerk technician from 512;532 to 11f4,872 (511,778 to 114;118); clerk -typist and dental assistant from 512,012 to $14,274 ($11,258 to 513,520). Senior inspectors and those with plumbing inspec- tion certificates receive an addition tI $598 per year (5572), those with a B. Sc. dggree or related equivalent receive an additi, nal $468 per year and those with an environmental health administration certificate receive an additional 5286 per year (5260). Home care, salary increases are: administrator from 523,140 to 528,574 (522,048 to 527,222), co-ordinator from 521,892 to 526,260 (520,852 to $25,012), psysiotherapist 526,962 (525,688), occupational therapist 515.23 per hour (514.50 per hour), social worker BSW from $21,502 to $25,792 ($20,488 to $24,570), social worker MSW from 522,464 to 526,962 ($21,398 to 525,688), public health nurses salaries from $20,826 to 525,428 (519,838 to $24,206) and registered nurse salaries from $20,176 to $23,946 (519,214 to 522,802). A senior public health nurse receives an additional 5598 per year (5572), as does a nurse with a B. Sc. degree. In the planning department, salaries are: planners from 524,570 to $32,812 (523,400 to $31,252) planning technician from 518,252 to 523,348 ($17,394 to 522,230), and junior planner from 519,110 to $24,310 (518,200 to 523,140). Library staff salaries are: children's librarian 511.05 per hour (510.53 per hour), van driver 56.43 per hour ($6.05 per hour), caretaker 5468 per month, branch supervisor one from $5.59 per hour to 56.48 per hour (55.21 per hour to 56.10 per hour), branch supervisor two from 56.48 to $7.49 per hour (56.10 to $?. II per hour); other branch staff from $5.36 per hour to 56.26 per hour (54.98 to 55.88 per hour), library technician from 514,222 to 517,134 ($13,468 to 516,328). Property staff salaries are: chief custodian from 520,930 to 523,140 (519,942 to 522.048), caretakers' salaries from 515,314 to $17,420 (514,560 to 516,588). The 1983 social services field workers' salary ranges from $17.264 to $21,424 (516,432 to 520,410) while a senior social worker receives an additional $546 per year ($520). five per Huronview employees' salaries are: super- visory staff -assistant administrator from $24,10210 527,742 (522,958 to $26,416), chief engineer from 520,826 to 523,686 (519,838 to 522,568); housekeeping, laundry and social services supervisor from 519,682 to 522,620 ($18,746 to 521,554), food supervisor from $20,826 to $23,686 ($19,838 to 522,568), stockkeeper from $17,602 to $20,540($16,770 to 519,552), nursing director from $25,506 to $29,640 (524,284 to $28,236), registered nurses from $22,412 to $26,598 (521,346 to 525,324); service employees -RNA from $16,910 to $17,388 ($16,099 to $16,556), ward attendant one from $16,348 to 516,848 (515,059 to $15,516), ward attendant two from 516,910 to $17,388$16,099 to 516.556), t raises adjutant from $16,660 to $17,139 ($15,870 to 516,328), assistant to adjutant and activities aide from $16,432 to 516,910 (515,641 to 516,099), cook one from $16,432 to $16,910 (515,641 to 516,099), cook two from 516,161 to 516,660 (515,392 to 515,870) kitchen aide from $15;808 to 516,286 (515,059 to 515,516), domestic one from 515,808 to $16,286 (515,059 to 515,516), domestic two from $16,910 to 517,388 ($16,099 to 516,556), laundry washerman and handyman from 517,284 to 517,763 (516,452 to $16,910), students from 54.18 to 54.38 per hour. International Union of Operating Engineers - shift engineer$10 per hour (59.52 per hour), apprentice engineer 58.96 per hour ($8.53 per hour)." Boosters wanted The peopde,gf §eaforth gnia t s�a who were so generous -with 'herb mnciat" support for the new community are now invited to get involved with the building's operation.. A meeting, to form a booster club to volunteer at the arena and hold special fundraising events there is set for Thurs- day, Feb. 9 at 7:59 p.m. Dave Tremeer of the fundraising committee says it's hoped an executive, with two members from each of the five municipalities which operate the arena, can be set up. It's been proposed that the booster club _qpna, gAts.f tl with its own bank account, m co opera°4 a"ifi thi8'c ii linin- ity centre fundraising and management committees. Booster clubs have worked really well in area community centres, Mr. Tremeer says, where they've done everything from running bingos to catering and cooking early morning breakfasts at hockey tourna- ments. Thd committee hopes for a big turnout and the same sort 'of enthusiastic support that built the new community centre. Despite price drop, farmers will still grow beans BY RON WASSINK (Editor's note: Part two of the white bean story has the opinion of the Huron county O.M.A.F. office in Clinton and gives the views of several bean growers.• Also interviewed was a representative of the bean board and a grain elevator in Hensall.) When white bean growers in Huron county learned they would not receive an interim payment for their 1982 crop, some dreams were shattered and plans for a 1983 crop side-tracked. But the majority of growers The Expositor interviewed say they - will continue as in the past to plant white beans. Soil and crops specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food office (OM AF) in Clinton, John Heard says, "last year was the year of the Great White Hope. All commodity prices were low but white beans looked like the only crop which might have a profit." Compared to the five year average of 20.8 bushels of beans per acre, 1982 was a good year for higher yields, with 25.8 bushels per acre. Cashcroppers planted 48,000 acres of white beans in Huron last year. The acreage was the same as in 1981, but higher than the 1980 average of 35,000 acres. Mr. Heard explained the transition in the county has been from livestock to cash r ons, "but it hasn't influenced the market. The high interest rates discouraged many farmers from planting more beans.' "lithe supply is high, you can figure on a lower price". explained Mr. Heard. "The United States have to have a bad year for us to have a good year." As it was, ,tetos in Ontario, North Dakota, and Minnesota were slightly higher. but Michigan had a bumper clop. Mr. Heard's advice to the farmer is, "figure out costs and grow crops where it is Seaforth skaters advance to inter -club Page A9 possible to break even. 1f possible, farmers should forward 'contract their 1983 crop such as corn, soybeans and barley. That way. .they will know their input costs.", As for 1983, Mr. Heard expects the 1983 white bean crop to be down "but I'm confident beans will be planted in Huron County." HAVE BEANS INSTEAD It may not be the year for the grower, but the time is right for the consumer to plan Kean suppers. enjoy baked beans. or simply to eat beans instead. Ontario bean growers received less than half the 1981 price for their product. Prices went from 530.70 per hundred pounds down to less than $12 for the 1982 crop. In compayison, the consumer paid '9 cents for a pound of beans in June 1982. Today. the price has dropped to 51 cents per pound. A representative of a wholesale grocery distributor in London said. "the drop in the consumer price was so much I couldn't believe it!" A Seaforth area bean grower who wished to remain anonymous looked hack to 1973, the year of pumper bean prices. Ne noted that prior to 19'3, land in the area was selling for approximately $300 per acre. The same land sold for 52.000 per acre in 1981. The farmer who is not in favour of a bean hoard said. "if there is no hoard. we could store the beans. and phone various elevators 10 get the hest price. Presently. we have to sell our beans through the board hich is made up of bean growers. They're farmers. not salesmen." "I grew the beans. so the beans are mine. Why can't 1 sell them privately? As you know I can't." The farmer noted, "as long as there are lots of elevators. the farmer would not he taken advantage of without a Kean hoard." Working out his lns9 for the 1982 Kean crop. the farmer said it cost him more than '3 IN LOW BEAN PAYMENTS have caused the price of packaged beans to drop in food stores. [Wassink photo] $230 per acre to grow beans. The figure includes land rental at 580 per acre ptice of seed, fertilizer, cultivation, harvesting etc. The price received for the crop was $1773 per acre, a loss of approximately 560. The figure was reached using a 24 bushel per acre yield. WILL GROW A FEW Seaforth area resident, John Mark Nash, 2-, has been in the cash crop business for 10 years. Mr. Nash and two partners grew 100 acres of white beans last year. "We expected the price to be something dose to last year. The 512 per hundred was a real shocker. The low price will affect a lot of bean growers." This year, Mr. Nash "figures to grow a few beans, but not too many. 1 wouldn't say it's the year t get into white Kean production. b„t it will be the year to look forward to a good price." Growing all his crops on rented land, Mr. Nash says. "land rents have to be less than last year. 1 r resume there will he a lot of land for rent t s year." sked for his thoughts on the Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board. Mr. Nash said he is satisfied with the hoard. NO COMMENT A Walton farmer did not wish to comment on the low price he received for white beans. "What I have to say can't he published. I'm upset." A man who cashcropped 1.100 acres last year, Gerrit Van Keulen of RR2, Bluevale, said he grew 65 acres of white beans last year and will he planting the same amount this spring. "My theory is the guy who jumps around from year to year, is the one who is in trouble. Sure the low price was disappointing, but we could see it coming so it's not a big shock. That's what farming is all about." Mr. Van Keulen felt the low bean prke would affect farmers who- grew large acreages.and had money borrowed on last year's crop. "When we planted our 1982 crops, the price we received is what we had projected. except for beans and wheat. We projtT�c(ed $20 per hundred for white beans and so far have received less than 512. I'm quite optimistic concerning marketing for 1983. The U.S. "payment in kind" program is going to help us. It's too bad we have to ride on the coattails of the states," Predicting the 1983 bean crop, Mr. Van Keulen says, "the odds are against us for good yield potential. We've had two excellent years." He also predicted there will be an approximate 30 per cent decrease in the price paid for renting land. "We're not planning to pay more than $50 per acre for prime agricultural farm land." GOOD MA.NA8EMENT "Good management is a must", is the advice he has for fellow cash croppers. "Input costs have to be examined. A farmer must have an excellent relationship with his hanker, and must maintain equipment. If anything has to be sacrificed, sacrifice fertilizer before weed control." Mr. Van keulen says, "1 think the board has done a lot of good for bean growers. The bean hoard is us, the farmer. There are always pros and cons. It always looks bad when prices are down. Most level-headed farmers will agree the board is satisfac- tory. The survival of the white bean industry will depend on those who know how to manage their operation. says Mr. Van Keulen. "This year is going to be interesting and ch¢llenging. You will also see the stress factor increase." When a bean crop is harvested, the beans are transported to area elevators. Several firms, besides handling cash crops, also provide a service to farmers by selling fertilizer, seed, and weed control products. Lloyd Whitesall, assistant manager of W.G. Thompson and Sons Ltd. of Hensall predicts "fertilizer prices will do good to hold their own. Farmers may see an increase in phosphate, not much of an increase in potash, and possibly a hike in nitrogen, but 1 have no idea how much. It could be a surprise that there might not be an increase due to the economy.' Mr. Whitesall said his firm will enter the coming' season with a carryover of beans, "There's a lot of white beans out there. 1 would question whether the bean board can sell all their beans, but stranger things have happened. Beans haye been moving very slowly up til now." Although he thinks the majority of the bears growers are hurting. dipping into savings(??) to pull through, Mr. Whitesall predicts the result of the low bean price "will see a decrease in white bean planting in Huron County." What will farmers be planting this year? Mr. Whitesall feels there may be higher malting barley contracts, "and 1 think soybean production will be up. It was up last year." Manager of the Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board. Charles Broadwell, feels white bean growers are underproducing. "Prior to 1977, we were the largest exporter in the world of quality white beans. We had more clout then." Due to the very wet 19". he said growers reacted negativety and acreage dropped more than half. "We arc only now recovering." Ethel W.I. celebrates 80th anniversary Page A7 Births /A9 Brussels news /A6, 7 Classified 1,412, 13 Dublin news /A4, 5 Family /A16 Hensall news /A14 Kids /A15 Obituaries /A11 Roulston /A2 Smiley /A2 Something to Say /A2 Sports /A 10, 11 Townshend /A2 Walton /A6