The Huron Expositor, 1978-09-14, Page 1OOPS! -- BacheIle block takes a bit of a tumble as she and her doll get
a back into the swing of things at the Seaforth Co-Op Nursery.
(Expositor Phc:Ito)
Council agrees:
Dispatch-Troposal 4
•
until ap
ylaw for town employees
roves residency
Seaforthites invited to
Community Day events
Seaforthites are reminded that Saturday,
September 16' has been , named, Seaforth
CoMmunity Day.
The local recreation department has
planned a number of events which will take
place at the Optimist Park.
The day starts with a car and poker rally.
The oars will leave the Seaforth District High
' &Mel parking lot at •10 a.m.
The rally route is approximately 25 miles
long, and the registration fee for taking part
in the rally is $3 per car.
In the afternoon, activities start with an
earth ball competition held in the Optimist
Park. The event, Scheduled for 2:30-p.m.,
will involve two large teams and the winner
' will be the team who can push the hefty ball
across their opponents' line.
'Later in the aftertiodn, there Will be an
inceitifig bed 'e held down South Main
Street to the p rk.
Registration orms 'for the race are still
available at 'the Seaforth recreation office.
Later., the strong-armed residents of
Seafortli can test' their strength in a,
challenging tug of war competition.
The Seaforth recreation department staff
hope there will be enough out for the
match to have three divisions mens',
womens' and teens' teams and participants
are asked to form teams of eleven players
and register them with the recreation
department.
Finally, the younger-residents of the town
haven't been ignored either.
At 4 p.m.., there will be a program of
diildrens' games and races for youngsters
ten years old and under.
Young and old ate invited to bring their,
neighbours and come to Seaforth
Community Day.
After all,, ,you can't beat a little friendly
competition..
( .he Atm 'TX1)13,Sit
Inside this week
Hospital Board honort retirees.. P. 3
Topnotch celebrates 25 years in
Seaforth P. 9
Alternative energy investigated P.11
Ask OFA about foreign
Ownership P.17
118th Year
Whole No. 5766
$12.00 a year in Advance
Single copy 25 cents SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 140978 — 24 PAGES
Seaforth town, council has approved a
bylaw which means in the future, all fulltime
employees of the town must reside in
Seaforth,
The bylaw states, Pall future fulltime
employees hired by the, town must 'reside in
the town of Seaforth within, six months of
starting employment.."
Also„ .present fulltime town employees
who are living in Seaforth must continue to
• reside in , the 'town and , any fulltime,
employees presently residing. outside
Seaforth "must move into Seaforth should
theylchange their permanent residence/4;
The decision to pass a residency bylaw foip
town employees surfaced when the town
decided to• hire an assistant clerk-typist to
work in the munidipal office.
Mts. Helen Kilbourne of Seafofth has
been hired asthe...cleric-typist at a starting
salary of $ 3.25 per hour. Four applicants
were interviewed for the position:
Reeve Flannery said--he objected to the
residency rule since"where a 'person lives in'
Canada is his own business as" far as I'm
concerned."
A delegation 'of four local residents
appeared before Seaforth council.on Monday
night, to leVel charges' against the Seaforth
polic force.
The four men. appearing before council
were Bill McLaughlin, Ray •Henderson, "
endorsed
MemberS of SeafOrth council endorsed a
resolution which encourages the upkeep of
historically and architecturally significant
properties in the province, but it was a close
Note.
The city of 'Niatrra Falls asked 'tile
Seaforth council •t6 endorse a) resolution
which asks the province of Ontario to
investigate the possibility of providing
financial incentives to encourage the
ownership and upkeep of, buildings, which
have been designated under the Ontario
Heritage Act.
The Niagara Falls resolution suggests the
incentives be either low interest loans.
prantS for restoration, design and consulting
services and/or other' techniques which
would encourage :the Ownership and, upkeep
of historically and architecturally Significant
properties which have been designated
und.er . the heritage act.
Mayor Cardno, who spoke on a panel at
'the Ontario Heritage Foundation convention
held in Peterborough recently, said some
property owners of architeeturally, signifi-
cant property just don't have the funds to
keep up their property.,
The Niagara Falls resolution asks that the
provincial government investigate the
possibility of extending 'some kind —Of
financial aid to these property owners.
Menribers of Council also' suggested that
'revisions in the, Income Tax Act might also
prove beneficial to property owners
rector ing arkhitecturally significant
properties.
When a vote was taken on supporting the
resolution, four members of council voted in
favor of supporting the Niagara Falls council
and four council members opposed the
resolution.
May-Or Betty Cardno cast the deciding
vote, by voting to support tits' motion.
Council also approved a second resolution
calling for a change in the laws regarding
(Continued on Page 3 .)
Mayor Betty Cardno objected, saying,
"where the employees of the town of
Seaforth live is our business."
Bill Bennett, said 90 per cent of the
„ employees of -the town of Seaforth are key
men, and need, to be in town ,in case of
emergencies.
Reeve Flannery said Canada brags about
being a free country and "I can't see being
`told where you have to live."
Mayor Cardno Said the bylaw was, saying,
"If they want to work here, they have to live
here."
ReeVe Flannery requested a recorded vote
on the motion to approve the new/residency
req 'uirements for town employees..
The reeve was the only member of council
to vote against the residency regulation.
, .
Storm drain-contract
Omega Contractors of London will be
awarded a contract for the Huron Street
'Storm drain extension subject to the
approval of the Ministry of Transport and
communications.
concerned about an incident where he was
pulling a load of straw on a wagon behind his
pickup . truck. •
He wondered' about ,police worrying about
a slow moving vehicle on the town streets
when teenagers were racing in and out of
town on the north road, and when another
group of . teenagers were drinking beer
around a picnic table in the back of a pickup
tnick when they drove ,into town.
Bill McLaughlin of McLaughlin Motors
complained about the delay in responding by
the loce.police officers when he reported
two tires stolen from a new truck parked at
his premises.
Before sitting down, Mr. McLaughlin also
expressed concern about the procedures
being followed in purchasing gas for police
vehicles and said 'We've never seen the
cruiser at bur place' since we sold it (to the
town)."
Mr. Johnson, who did not make a formal
presentation, said he was also concerned
about pulling his hay wagon' behind his
pickup truck. •
Mayor Cardno said council could take no'
action until written complaints were filed
with the clerk.
In a discussion after the delegation had
left, Mayor Cardno said-council should ask
people to bring complaints about employees
of the town to council in writing.
She said she was concerned about the
danger of the complaints brought forwarcrby
the delegation undermining police force
morale.
Other • council members ag .reed that
Seaforth Fair
dates changed '
In an effort to make up for losses resulting
when rain interfered on fair day last year the
Seaforth Agricultural Society this. year has
changed the fair' dates to Sept. 21 and 22.'
However, the annual dance party usually
held on the day after the fair , this year is set
a week early on Saturday night September
16.
Not only will Walter Ostanek and his band
furnish the music but as a preliminary the
society has arranged a pork barbeque. to
proceed the dance.
Entire pigs are being barbeqUed and will
be served with ,all the trimmings. And to
help the profits society members Ken
Campbell, Bob Broadfoot, Stewart and Dub
V9son and Francis 1-licknell 'have each
doitated pigs. During dinner John Libera of
St. Catharines will provide music,
Tickets are available front Ken Campbell,
527-0137 of'at the Expositor office.
(4.ormal signed complaints should be required
' in regard to complaints' about any town
employees,
Councillor Wayne Ellis said he felt some
town employees had "been defamed here
tonight", With "no chance to defend
themselves." •
Clerk Jim Crocker suggested no
complaints like the ones expressed by the
delegation should be heard again without
council first being notifed or , without the
Minister
inducted'
Members of First Presby-
terian Church, .Seaforth
joined their fellows at St.
Andrew's Presbyterian
Church, Clinton, Tuesday
evening, September 6, 1978'
to participate in the induction
of Rev. Thomas A.A.Duke,
B.A. to the pastoral charge of
both churches.
The service waseconducted
by the Moderator of Pres—
bytery, Rev. •Vernon Tozer.
Also present Were ten
visiting ministers and the
elders of both churches.
Following, the induction,
members and friends of both
congregations met Mr. and
Mrs. Duke and family at a
reception hosted by the"
Madeleine Lane Auxiliary of
St. Andrew'.s.
Mr: Duke is a native of
Fbrt Carling, Ontario where
he received his early
education. From there he
attended the University of
Toronto and upon graduation
went into Theology at Knox
College, also in Toronto. He
has served in past ;orates at
Wood Island, P.E.I., Knox
Chinch at Campbellton, N.B.
St. Andrew's Church', New
Liskeard and Knollwood Park
and St. Lawrence' Churches
in London.-
Mr. Duke and his wife,
Charlotte, have a married
son, Arthur living in, St.
Catharines, a son Douglas,'in
his final year at ,the
University of Waterloo and a
daughter, Elizabeth, attend-
ing High School..
.Irwin Johnston, chairman of the town's
protection to person •and property committee
• (police committee) will represent Seaforth
council on the new Huron Police Communi-
' cation Systems board.
- -The-board will manage the new police
• ,dispatch communication system 'which will
• handle police calls for the towns of Seaforth,
Goderich, Wingtia.m, Exeter, Clinton and
. Seaforth
The board will be made up of a
representative of each of the five town .
councils a,ntl.tb.e Goderich police chief. -
The new dispatch system will operate out
of the Goderich police station.'
Municipal appointments to the board will
be effective at least until November 30,
when_ municipal elections will be held.
Council approved a draft proposal for the
new' dispatch system at Monday's council
meeting.
Under the proposal, all operating costs of
the system will be shared between the fly e
towns .on a per capita basis; the capital
expenditures for setting up' the common
dispatch system will be divided between the
province, and. the municipalities, with the
province paying 75 per cent of the costs, and
the Goderich chief of police Will be in charge
cf the common dispatch system.
The proposal must now go before the
Ontario Police Commission .fer their
. approval. ' e ,
General Electric Ltd. already h'a's been
awarded the tender for installing the
• common police radio dispatch system.
At present, Seaforth's emergency police
calls are handled through the switchboard of
Seaforth Community HoSpital.
Seaforth's share of the initial equipment
costs for the dispatch system will be $6,000
which is approximately 14 per cenrof the
total costs shared by the five municipalities.
Reeve John Flannery said' he felt the
'present dispatch system was working' "quite
well".
,He said he felt the hospital needs the $300
per month they are presently paid for
handling the police calls through their,
' switchboard.-
Councillor Wayne Ellis, chairman of the.
Seaforth Community Hospital Board, said
the board wasn't concerned about losing the
$300 a month 'fe'e for handling police calls.
Mr. Ellis said "the hospital won't go belly
' up" if they lose the monthly fee for handling
the police calfS.
In a vote to approve the draft proposal for
the dispatch system, Reeve John Flannery
opposed the proposal.
Management Board
Under the proposal, the Huron Police
Communications board will deal with
personnel employed in the dispatch service,
with the approval-of yearly .estimates for the
' system. the annual audit, appointment of the
auditor and with providing facilities for the
system.
The committee will meet often enough to
provide adequate administration for the
dispatch system, and will establish signing
authorities for the system's finances. '
The draft proposal also recommended
forming the Huron Police Chiefs' Advisoty
approved
Gordon PuIrman and Gus Johnson.
Ray Henderson, the first member of the
delegation to speak, said „Constable Peter
Van Meekeren of the Seaforth police force
"is causing a great deal of concern to myself
and others. in the town" and said he was
considering bringing charges against the
constable at a. future date. . •
Mayor Betty Cardno suggested to Mr.
Henderson that if he had complaints againSt
It ml police officers, he put the complaints in
Oitikig for submission tocouncil. He had'-not
- written a complaint, he, said, for fedred it
would be considered 'by council and might
"end up in the garbage pail beside the
desk."
Board, compos,ed of the police chiefs of the Gordon Pullman,. the second resident who
`five , asked to speak to council, said he had never
This committee will be responsible for been charged by the local officers but was
the day-to-day Operation of the system: ,
The committee!s responsibilities would -
include preparing the annual budget,
' screening and interviewing .and making
recommendations to-the management board'
on 'employment and dismissals, the in-
service training and education of personnel
employed on the system and advising the.
Goderich police • chief on the sytem's
operation.
The Goderich chief, the host chief for the
system, will act as a liaison between the
police chiefs and the ,management board.
• 4, • Mr. McLaughlin said he reported the theft
Heritage motion iatnye8stigalute ubnuttil aln0 nani-ii:e
arnddidn r't acrrLiavnegtho:
lin attributed the problem to Chief Cairns.
Council gaye , tentative approval at
Monday night's council meeting to' the
London company's bid to complete the storm
sewer project at a cost of $85,170.-
Three other tenders were submitted for,
the Huron Street prOject.
LoWery Construction of Kincardine
• submitted a bid of approximately $85,000;
Lenford Construction of Hyde Park
submitted a bid of approximately$114,000 to
complete the project 'and C.A. McDowell
Construction of Exeter submitted a bid of
approximately $108,000.
The storm sewers will be built along
Huron Street fronfOrd to 'Louisa Streets and
on Louisa . from Huron to John Street ,
It is expected the storm sewer project will
`take about six weeks to complete, and if the
tender from Omega c_onstruction is
approved by the ministry., construction could
start in two or three weeks.
This means the Huron Street storm -
drain extension would be completed b y the
. :second week. in November":
• Originally, it was estimated the storm
drain extension would cost approximately
$78,000 but an estimate Prepa red for the
Ministry of Environment put project costs
closer to $100,000.
Catch basin,
Council members also discuSsed problems
with a storm catch basin behind the I.G.A.
• store.
Recent flash rains have caused flooding
, of rteh.e store since' the catch basin was
recently disconnected from the. sanitary
sewer system.
Dick Maat of James McLaren and
AssOciates recommended digging a test pit
to-see-if the drain' in the area was blocked.'
Council members said problems with the
catch basin surfaced after the post, office
parking lot was built a year ago.
The elevation of the parking lot is one foot'
higher -than the adjaCent laneway.
Another council member-said before the
sanitary sewers were installed, the runoff
from the laneway behind the stores ended tip
m private .property.
The mayor said the incident proved the
peed for establishing' personnel prOcedures
in the town's bylaw.'
The mayor asked the clerk to send a letter
to the four men asking them to put their
charges in writing. ar
When Chief John Cairns was asked to
comment on the presenta tion, he issued the
following written statement.
"Having completed 22. years of police
service it is my experience that very few law
Seaforth police criticized:
Citizen's complain at council meeting
complaints going , to the appropriate abiding citizens complain 'about 'their ideal
committee first. (Continued on Page' 3 )
TAKING A LICK — Young Master Hugill
thought the best thing about the Topnotch party
held last Thursday was this ice cream cone. And
who can argue? (Expositor Photo)