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The Huron Expositor, 1983-03-09, Page 1Incorporating Brussels Post 50c per copy h� Town to By a recorded vote of seven to two, Seaforth .council Tuesday night agreed- to lease a building now under construction in the industrial park for three years for a new public works building. Councillors Henry Mero and Paul Ross voted against the step" Council's transportation and environment committee, headed by deputy . reeve, Bill Bennett, has negotiated a three year lease, at S1,000 .11 month with an option to lease for another three years with builder Harold Smith. At committee meetings last month, coun- cil's finance committee studied the cost of leasing the 4800 square foot building for 10 years, with purchase at the end of that time, Jut n SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1983 — 20 PAGES fxpositor lease public works. shed •versus building a new public works shed of Councillor Mero objected to the compari- could be built. "1 don't agree," Mr. Bennett the same size on town -owned land. It found a son cost of 532 a square foot used for pricing a replied "we'd be 'paying upkeep on two saving of 57,000 annually by leasing. town -owned building. "1 know it can be built buildings." for under 5100,000 (the comparison figures Reeve Bill Campbell, who was at the public priced it at 5153,600) and we have the land to ' works committee meeting which recorhmend- build it on." , ed the lease commented "1 felt at the time With several other major projects coming these figures were inflated but 1 didn't up, public works doesn't want to have to comment. The best way out seemed the three borrow in order to own its own building, Mr. year rental and a reserve fund." Bennett replied. Councillor Paul Ross added he was still not "The Smith building is more than we convinced that what's required in a public need," said Mr. Mero. ' Three years will cost works building and a what's, cost have been us 536,000 and I don't think all our equipment established. totals 536,000." He suggested the town build ' "We've been kicking this around since a smaller public works shed and continue to December and we're no further ahead," said use the old one for storage until an addition ). Please turn to page 3 But, Mr. Bennett reported, Mr. Smith is no longer interested in selling his building. Still. he told the Expositor, establishing a reserve fund at the same time as the town pays the leasing fee is the only way out of council's predicament. Public works equipment is stored all over town now, working conditions in thepresent shed are impossible "and a new building is needed to keep the town's equipment, (which although purchased cheaply would cost a great deal to replace) in A-1 shape, the deputy reeve said. F of A opposes 100% fax rebate The Huron County Federation of Agricul- ture has voted to oppose, the 1100 per cent proposed rural land tax rebate. Although not unanimous president of the Federation, Tony McQuail said 48 members at a Mar. 3 meeting in Blyth were in favour of a resolution to oppose the proposed tax rebate and a second resolution that a Federation task force develop an altern- ative to the present 50 per cent tax rebate and avoid the proposed rebate of 100 per cent on farm land and outbuildings. He said 25 were opposed to both the resolutions. Wingham area farmer Jim Armstrong said he is opposed to the principle of the 100 per cent tax rebate. He said farmers are stewards of the land" and fears for the right to private land ownership if the (program becomes fact. Mr. McQuail explained the monthly meeting was not held to discuss the rebate. "Those opposed got their membership out. As president, 1 have to work on the decision of the Federation. Voicing his personal views, Mr. McQuail fejt "the meeting may not have been fully representative of farmers of Huron County. The general farm membership was not aware the proposed rebate would be a major item dilcussed." "The motion was made late in the meeting and is poorly worded. It does not give direction." Mr. McQuail was concerned with the resolution which in part states, that the from collecting education tax." He noted • federation opposed the proposed tax. "That that "53 per cent of my total tax bill goes to doesn't even say if it's property tax laws." education." He noted the 100 per cent rebate will do "We hope the government will rethink the more to equhlize tax payments between matter. Our ancestors never passed a mess urban and rural residents, 'It is a rebate of onto us. We owe a responsibility to future taxes the farmer has already paid." In an generations. Basically, we don't trust the effort to take education taxes off land, Mr. government." McQuail explained a 25 per cent farm tax During the meeting, Mr. McQuail asked rebate was initiated by the provincial the group how many were not claiming the government in 1971. The rebate was increased to 50 per cent in 1973. Mr. Armstrong says he is debating the proposed rebate on "principle only. People have to ba made aware of the whole story. They should realize there could be a lot of implications. The rebate will benefit approx- imately half of the rural landowners initially but we have to look down the road. The government has method in their madness. They are not going to give something away for nothing." The tax rebate system has been studied, says Mr. Armsttong, "There .is an alter- native," He explained property assessment is based on an index. "All the government has to do is lower the index figure to take the education tax portion off land. The addition- al 520 million which would be rebated to landowners with the 100 per cent proposal could be sent directly to the board of education. Therefore, townships won't lose assessment and the townships are saved s 50 per cent rebate. "Not one person put up their hand." He explained farmers have said 'They are being overtaxed. "Shifting to a 100 per cent rebate and a residential assess- ment, farmers will be equalized to their rural -urban neighbours. Farmers should keep in mind that if farm land and residential assessment are equal, the rebate would be the same." Please turn to page 3 Former publisher gets OCNA award A.Y. McLean, former publisher of the Huron Expositor was honoured Friday night with the President's Award, from the Ontario Community Newspaper Association. The award "in recognition of a publisher's efforts to maintain his or her newspaper as a meaningful community forum while exercis- ing vision and leadership in the community at large," was presented by OCNA president, Bill Pratt of the Tillsonburg News ,at the group's annual convention. Calling Mr. McLean "a person • i have known for most of my years in the industry...a person for whom 1 have always had the greatest respect...you might even' say awe", Mr. Pratt outlined the winner's long involvement in the newspaper industry and in his community. "Although Andy has retired from an active role astr.publisher of the Seafortha,;r. Margaret Arbuckle.. Huron Expositot, he still tetailis close tiest. Area papers whining, general excellence going to his office alnfost every day, serving awards included the Wingham Advance as a valued consultant to the paper's,- new Times, third for papers with circulation from owners, as a critic for Susan and a walking, 2005 to 3000, and the Goderich Signal Star, talking history book and general source of best front page circulation 3001 to 4500. information for the editorial staff. He's still PARKS FOR EGMONDVILLE—Thls park, on land donated by the late Vera Pierce of Arizona of Ma Quinlan family, and another small park behind the Van Egmond house, will be improved by Tuckersmith Township this summer. The township will receive a grant of over 516,000 and put three unemployed people to work in a beautification project in other areas too. The details are in Wilma Oke's story (Wassink photo) got his nose for news and, in a pinch he'll edit correspondence, write an obit, compose an editorial or pound out a story." Also at the OCNA convention's Friday night session, the Expositor received two premier -awards for editorial excellence: an honourable mention for a heritage story "the 'Ag Society wants to know how much you value the roundhouse" by Susan White and another honourable mention for an editorial on the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year program. Other area papers receiving premier awards- included the St. Mary's Journal Argus, third place for editor Donal O'Con- nor's On the Line column and an honourable mention for the photo layout award and Crossroads; in the ListoweL_Banner, an honourable mention for a heritage story by To beautify Tuckersmith BY WiLMA OKE A grant of 516,448 from the Canada -Ontar- io Employment Development program will be awarded to Tuckersmith Township Council for a beautification project in the township this summer. Clerk Jack McLachlan said it will give employment to three people who have exhausted their unemployment insurance benefits. Proposed projects to be carried out during April, May, June and July include work in such areas as Vanastra; the old cemetery on Highway 4 southeast of Brucefield, no longer in use, where members of pioneer families are buried, and the two small township parks in Egmondville. The parks are the recently purchased property adjoining the historic Van Egmond property and the land across the street donated last year by the late Mrs. Vera Pierce of Arizona, a relative of the Quinlan family who used to live on the property. In addition to the government grant, the township will have to contribute 54,100 to the program. Following Court of Revision council accept- ed the tender of Parker and Parker of Hensall. the lowest of seven received, amounting to 54,825 for repair and improvement of the Dill Municipal Drainage Works. The highest tender was for 57,975. The work is to be done this summer. Council approved a petition for the repair and improvement of the Glenn Municipal Drain in Hibbert Township in Perth County. and accepted a petition on the Finlayson Drainage Works on which the Henry Uderstadt engineering firm is to make a report. The firm of Diegel. Malcolm and Hagey of Stratford, the township auditors will imple- ment a new one -write basic accounting package for the township municipal office at a cost of 54,750. It will be in action by the end of June. The costs are covered by a 55,000 provincial grant. DUST PROBLEMS Council is concerned about dust problems for neighbouring properties if a severance application is approved for Rachel Kootstra of RRS, Clinton on concession 1, lot 30 of Stanley Township, It is understood that a grain cleaning plant is to be erected on the property. Council has been asked by the Land Division Committee for Huron County to comment on the severance application. Council's main concern is for a restaurant across the road and a near -by boat building firm in Vanastra which could be affected by dust carried by the prevailing westerly winds. No action was taken on a severance application of Murray Traquair to the Huron County Land Division Committee on Lot 3, Con. 4 of Tuckersmith Township because of a freeze on severances in the township while tae secondary plan is being prepared. Council approved a 5750 per year increase for building inspector Henry Van Wieren, for 1983 who presently receives 53,900 and the same for part time secretary Linda Dillon bringing her wage to 55.85 per hour. The township dog catcher will be given a 5100 retainer fee per month and he will provide ane regular patrol each month of township hamlets. While on a call because of a dog problem he will be paid 56.70 per hour, mileage at the rate of 32 cents and 58. for each dog caught. Last year the dogcatcher was paid 51,200 for the work. TRIM BUDGET Much of Tuesday's four-hour council meeting revolved around the proposed hudget for the Vanastra recreation centre as presented by the centre's director. Diane Durnin. She and council did not reveal any figures for the amount of the deficit, but suggestions were made to cut it down. Mrs. Durnin, who had made no provisions for increasing fees. was asked by Reeve Robert Bell to raise them for some programs. Mrs. Durnin was instructed to trim the hudget and bring back the revised version to council at its next meeting on March 15. Passed for payment were accounts totall- ing 5200.987.04: Vanastra recreation centre, 511,380.80: day care centre at Vanastra, $6,088.79; special day care centre at Vanastra, 54,701.51; roads, 514,259.90 and general accounts, 5164.550.04. The meeting adjourned at midnight. HOME AGAIN—Lisa Andreassi, centre, one 0112 Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year got home Friday night with her family after a whirlwind two days of presentations and receptions in Toronto. Accompanying her was her family, from left, mother Nancy, brother Martin, and father Angelo. (Wassink photo) °Lisa and her family meet the lieutenant governor Seaforth's own Lisa Andreassi, one of 12 Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year, arrived home Friday night with her family after receiving her award at the Ontario Community Newspaper Association con- vention from Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird. Thousands of people driving into Tor- onto Thursday on the Gardiner Expressway saw a blinking billboard message welcom- ing the Junior Citizens to Toronto. Lisa and her family, mother Nancy, father Angelo and brother Martin, were guests of the program sponsors, OCNA and CP Air in Toronto on Thursday and Friday, i wouldn't mind doing this again," joked Lisa. "We all wouldn't," added her mom. The family was impressed by Queen's Park, which they toured and where a reception was -held for all the Junior citizens and their families. Friday after- noon, hosted by the Lieutenant Governor. His daughter served lunch, his wife was there too and Mrs. Andreassi says "he sat beside us the whole time. He's so plain, it was like we had known him for years." The Hon. Mr, Aird has a special interest in Seaforth because, he told the Andreass- is, his grandfather, the late Sir John Aird, was once ' manager of the Bank of Commerce here, Sometimes his job is boring, the lieutenant governor admitted and "he really enjoyed the day with the kids" Mrs. Andreassi said. in his speech during the awards presentation, the lieutenant Governor quoted with approval some . of 'the comments he'd had from the winning youngsters. including 8 year old Leah Chorniak's comment is she looked around his luxurious Queen's Park suite. "How did you get your job?". Leah asked Her Majesty's representative in Ontario. For Lisa, meeting. the other Junior Citizens was the highlight of the trip, and her mom notes the families got along well too. Like her brother Martin, Lisa spent much time as she could swimming in the hotel pool. "And talking,'; adds her mom. The whole family was extremely moved , as were 400 people at the awards luncheon .,b3, • the- -stories of the:'' four!`, disabled. youngsters who were honoured, "it broke my heart," said Nancy Andreassi and there were a Iota tears around the room. Lisa was one of four winners for outstanding service to their communities. SPS principal Paul Carroll nominated her, through the Expositor. She's gotten plenty of congratulations from Seaforth and area, her mom says. And "people we really didn't know would stop me on the street and say 'Good for her. She helped me in the nursery or wherever"'. Ontario's 1982 Junior Citizens plan to write and keep in touch with each other and Mrs. Andreassi says her daughter "invited everyone she met to come and see us," But until they do, the 14 -year-old Grade 8student at SPS has a plaque, a gold pin, a • cheque for 5200 and some wonderful memories to remind her of being singled out to represent Ontario's outstanding young people. Bookings boom at arena Business is booming at the hew Seaforth increasing use of the new building, Mr. and District Community Centres. according Price said and there has been more use of to facility manager Jack Price. various rooms for farm and business "We have a few openings for the hall, meetings during the week. " towards the end of the year." he says. There Ice bookings have been steady all winter, are 17 hall bookings for dances and the like the manager says. with ice time used over the next two months and "some throughout the day, every day, for example bookings for 1984 already." for pick up hockey games. Some farmers Community support is also high on the have a bit of time to skate during the winter financial end, according to fund raising months, plus adults who have been laid off chairman Marlen Vincent, Pledges are Performances of The Fantasticks, spon- pretty well up to date as of the end of 1982. sored by the local agricultural society; are March pledges are now due• and to save pretty well sold out Thursday and Friday and postage costs on mailing reminder letters he then there's a dance at the arena this asks people, to send them to Box 1180. Saturday night". "I've been working some Seaforth or drop them off at Atkinson. Leach days off just to keep up," Mr. Price says. and Neill on Gouinlock St. The ice will go out on April 4 and the County wide events, like the Jack Riddell community centres management hopes to Roast coming up March 16. are making open the roller skating season, April 8 Arson suspected in Dublin fire Arson is suspected in the spectacular blaze that levelled the Huron Tavern in Dublin two weeks ago. According to Seaforth fire chief. Harry Hak, the fire was possibly set in the kitchen arca and two other locations in the hotel. 1t took 21 firefighters from Mitchell and Seaforth several hours to halt the fire, but attempts to contain it failed to save the historic building. The hotel is owned by Leo and Nita Barrett, They were out of town when the blaze broke out and the building was empty when a passing motorist spotted the flames and sounded the alarm, A Doberman pinscher was rescued from the basement of the hotel by firemen. The hotel was insured for $300,000. The investigation will continue. Separate board ends 1982 in the black /A3 Midget series on in Brussels /A6 .Here they are, Ontario's 12 Junior Citizens of the Year /A3 Mary Fotheringham's quilt one of 14 Ontario finalists /A9 Ond@A Births /A18 Brussels news 1,46, 7 Classified /A16, 17 Dublin news 1,44, 5 Entertainment /A15 Family /A18 Farm /A9 Hensall news /A19 Kids /A14 Obituaries /A6, 7 People /A15 Boylston /A2 Smiley 1A3 Something to Say /142 Sports /Al2, 13 Walton /A6 0 f