The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1965-04-22, Page 1TOM MacMILLAN
Only two-thirds pass safety check
....3777".,
—MAU som-4,,
EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 22, 1965 Price Per Copy 10 Cents
Shelved for at least year
NO HELP FOR DAM PROJECT
Mayor to get chain
--councillors to pay
The fate of the Parkhill dam
probably won't be decided for at
least another year.
That information was passed
onto area councils this week by
Freeman Hodgins, chairman of
the Ausable River Conservation
Authority.
It was written after the ARCA
learned from the Hon. J. R.
Seek three
EMO police
There's certainly not as much in it now
Mrs. Gerald "Pat" Skinner was a great deal more proficient in
estimating how much silver was in the chest at British Mortgage
& Trust than she was in estimating how much she could scoop out.
She was dumbfounded but quite happy when local manager
C. V. Barrett told her she had managed to scoop out $94.95
after she was declared winner of the silver estimating contest,
Thursday. Mrs. Skinner estimated the chest contained $418.75,
a mere 35Q short of the correct amount—$419.10. Estimates
on the contest ranged from a low of $38 to one submitted by a
local youngster of $38 million. Many adults were as much as
$5,000 and $6,000 out on their estimates too. Mrs. Skinner is
shown here making her grand scoop — and she got to keep all
that spilled onto the floor and table too. Watching from the left
are: Mrs. Beth Hall, public relations officer for BM&T, Mrs.
Robert Hem, Gerald Skinner and C. V. Barrett.
--Photo by Doerr
GB backs county assessment,
battle looms over hydro help
ness assessment, since out-
side assessors would likely
"assess by the book" without
consideration for the seasonal
nature of the village business-
es.
Then he summed up by say-
ing that talking wouldn't do
much good, since the change
was going to happen anyway.
Simonett, minister of energy
and resources management,
that there would be no increase
in grants to the project until
such time as a select committee
studying conservation authori-
ties makes its report.
"I feel that the project should
remain in obeyance for a year,"
Simonett reported in his letter
to the Authority.
He indicated that one of the
terms of reference of the select
committee would be a study of
the provincial grant system in
use today to allow Conservation
Authorities to undertake certain
capital works.
"As a result of the delibera-
tions, this committee will make
recommendations to the gov-
ernment which, if accepted,
could be to the advantage of
Conservation Authorities such
as yours, as it undertakes pro-
jects of considerable size and
requiring extensive capital out-
lay," the minister told the
ARC A.
In his letters to the muni-
cipalities in the watershed,
Hodgins said they could be sure
that as soon as the proposed
select committee begins to
function, the Authority on be-
half of the municipalities, would
immediately pursue the matter
in the hopes of being able to
complete the project and suc-
cessfully conclude "the dif-
ficulties we have been ex-
periencing".
"The longer it is delayed the
— Please turn to back page
Later Barrett explained to Del-
bridge he would not be permitted
to wear the chain with his
coveralls.
It was finally decided that
the decision of what style to
order be left with Clerk Pick-
ard and his secretary, Jean
Taylor.
During the discussion, Del-
bridge pointed out to council
in a serious mood that some
people had the idea that his
being mayor was a joke and the
debate on the chain was par-
tially to blame for this at-
titude.
He pointed out he was trying
to be as conscientious in his
position as possible.
Many members of council
expressed regret that there
should be this feeling and made
statements that the purchase of
the chain was originated in all
sincerity as a mark of their
respect to the office of mayor.
It was noted that while the
debate that started back in Jan-
uary had produced many light-
hearted comments they were in
no way personally directed at
Delbridge.
Councillor Mery C ud mo re
suggested the medallion on the
chain should be inscribed with
the name of the mayor and that
each be presented with it upon
his retirement.
OPP report
no accidents
MacMillan gets
Lions position
At a meeting in Clinton Wed-
nesday, Tom MacMillan was
elected Deputy Governor of Dis-
trict 3 of Lions International.
Representatives from 13 Lions
Clubs attended and the local
member was appointed by ac-
clamation.
Chairmen for the north and
south zones of the District are
W. E. Southgate, Seaforth, and
Bill Conron, Wingham.
MacMillan, past chairman of
Exeter's RAP committee was
a zone chairman last year and
in 1963 was president of the
Exeter club.
Speaker at the Clinton meet-
ing was A. J. Sweitzer, Exeter,
a past Governor of the District
and now an International Coun-
cillor. He spoke to the group
on Lionism. PLAN PARK
Preparing a plan for the beau-
tification of the north bank of
the Ausable River on the east
side of Highway 21, council de-
cided not to enter into an agree-
ment with John and Richard
Manore who own some 100' of
river bank immediately east
of the bridge.
It is in this area that the
resort will construct a cen-
tennial park. Hensall
The Manores, who operate
Riverside Marine at the south
pier on the lake, plan to dock
their river frontage and install
a set of steps to the top of the
bank.
John Manore proposed that
the village could plant low
standing trees and otherwise
beautify the Manore land, pro-
vided they would be permitted
to dock an additional 180' of
village-owned frontage farther
east to the Walker drain.
Council members plan to at-
tend the next meeting of the
village PUC in regard to the
lights strung across the main
street. The matter of the lights
has been brought up several
times and no final decision
made.
At the same time they intend
to remind the PUC of certain
Council lauds teens
for splendid parade
An advertisement appears in
this issue seeking applications
for the positions of auxiliary
policemen in Exeter. Three men
will be required — one for each
of the three regular men on the
local force.
The matter had been debated
in council for some time with
no action being taken, but things
came to a head Tuesday follow-
ing a visit to Exeter by Huron
EMO co-ordinator Stuart
Forbes.
He interviewed Mayor Jack
Delbridge and Councillor Ted
Wright, chairman of the pro-
tection to persons and property
committee, and received per-
mission from the two to go
ahead on the project.
Chief C. H. MacKenzie will
be called on to train the accept-
ed candidates and their uni-
forms and training will be paid
entirely out of EMO funds.
The men will be strictly vol-
unteers and will not receive
remuneration for their time,
unless hired by the council for
specific duties.
Exeter is the last town in the
county to go ahead with the
scheme, and reports from the
other four centres indicates
officials are pleased with the
idea.
While council will be asked
to approve the appointment of
the candidates, they will have
no control over them. Auxiliary
police are under the direct
control of the local police chief.
They will be called upon to
assist during an "emergency"
that may arise in the com-
munity, but will also be avail-
able for duties on special oc-
casions when the need arises.
In Goderich, the auxiliary
policemen accompany one of the
regular officers on his nightly
rounds one night each week.
Announcements 10
Church Notices 10
Coming Events 10
Editorials 2
Feminine Facts 'N Fancies 8,9
4
Sports . 5
Want Ads 6,7
Lucan Shamrock
Special Supplement
Area motorists, obviously
well accustomed to winter driv-
ing conditions, had little trouble
coping with the snowy conditions
over the Easter weekend.
While safety experts predict-
ed the usual large-scale slaugh-
ter on highways, it didn't come
true in the area covered by
the Exeter OPP. They didn't
have one accident to investigate.
Cpl. C. J. Mitchell cited two
other reasons for the lack of
accidents over the holiday
weekend: vigilant patrolling by
his men and co-operation from
the motoring public.
Mayor Jack Delbridge — and
his successors — will have a
chain of office to wear!
That decision was reached
by council this week with the
only objector being the Mayor.
He reiterated earlier state-
ments that he did not want to
put this expense to the town.
But, as it worked out, rate-
payers won't foot any of the $76
bill for the decorative symbol
to be worn by the chief magis-
trate.
After a motion to purchase
the chain had been made, Coun-
cillor Joe Wooden presented
an amendment that the cost be
paid for by deducting equal
shares from each councillor's
stipend.
This met with c omplete
agreement from all. Works
superintendent Paisley said he
would contribute $5 and Clerk
C. V. Pickard volunteered to
add $10.
"Do you want to get in on
this?" Mayor Delbridge ques-
tioned T-A editor Bill Batten.
The latter agreed that the news-
paper would contribute $5 to
the project if the Mayor con-
sented to pose for a picture.
Delbridge agreed, but asked
that the picture not be taken
until the actual chain arrived.
A sample chain was shown
at the meeting, consisting of
a bright, blue ribbon on which
hangs a golden, decorative
chain. A medallion is suspend-
ed to the chain.
However, the decision on what
style of chain to buy did not
meet with quick approval.
"It's dashing, but I would
prefer it without the blue rib-
bon," Wooden stated.
Taylor thought the r ibb on
should be "pansy pink" but
Wright noted that blue showed
loyalty.
The Mayor thought the blue
would be satisfactory in that
this was the color omitted from
the new Canadian flag.
Some thought the bows on the
ribbon should be left off.
"It's very dignified," Bailey
suggested.
"But I don't want to be dig-
nified," Delbridge retorted.
To serve new development
GRAND BEND
Grand Bend council decided
Monday night to query the On-
tario Municipal Board in regard
to the action needed to equalize
costs of public school operation.
A problem arises in the re-
sort because they are now joined
with Stephen Township following
legislation instituted January 1.
However, Stephen is in Huron
County and Grand Bend is in
Lambton County.
In a meeting with the Stephen
Township assessor, Ross
Haugh, the Grand Bend asses-
sor, Murray DesJardins, was
unable to achieve what he felt
was a fair arrangement with
regard to sharing costs of pub-
lic school operation.
Explaining the situation to
council, DesJardins noted that
"unfortunately the assessment
in certain parts of Stephen is
ridiculously low — and although
it's supposed to be equalized,
it's not, and as a result Grand
Bend will be penalized".
"The solution", said the
clerk-assessor, "would be if
we were in Bosanquet school
area, instead of Stephen."
"Yes, or else the whole vil-
lage should be in Huron County
— either one," added Reeve
Stewart Webb.
Later in the meeting, coun-
cil requested Webb to vote in
favor of county assessing when
Lambton council sits on the
topic. The resort reeve is
chairman of the assessing com-
mittee of the county.
HO pointed Out that "county
assessing" would have the ef-
fect of levelling the base of
assessment throughout the
county and though initial cost
of establishing the system would
be high, this would soon be re-
claimed by gain in assessment
in some areas rich in industry,
or where property assessments
have been low.
Clerk DesJardins, who also
acts as assessor, explained that
county assessing could m e an
three things: loss of jobs of
present assessors; more cost
to Grand Bend — possibly as
much as $2,500 instead of the
present $800 salary plus sta-
tionery; probable higher busi-
Urged to keep
some powers'
After council members split
their votes, Mayor Delbridge
this week cast the deciding vote
against concurring with a reso-
lution calling for more pro-
vincial assistance for municipal
police forces.
The resolution came from the
Township of Saltileet and called
for the Ontario government to
share part of the cost of muni-
cipal police. The resolution not-
ed this could also lead to a
more standardized police ser-
vice and a better police service
for municipalities.
"They're making the towns
do more and more," commented
Wright, adding that the local
police had a vast amount of
paper work to comply withpro-
vincial regulations.
"And we're not getting very
much of the fines," noted Clerk
C. V. Pickard.
Most of the members appear-
ed to be in 'agreement with con-
curring, but Wooden said he
didn't agree with it, pointing
out it could eventually lead to
Provincial Police being estab-
lished in all communities with
local police being eliminated.
"We keep complaining about
the government taking things
away from us," he went on,
"but it's actually the munici-
palities' own fault. They're giv-
ing their powers away."
"You dang birds!" Mayor
Delbridge exclaimed after not-
ing the 4-4 split on the vote
and the necessity for his tie-
breaking decision.
Seek sewer for Edward St.
reports to council that the PUC
is required by law to make by
April 1 of each year. This
includes information about the
number of customers served,
complete balance sheet, state-
ment of revenue and expendi-
tures, salaries, etc.
Council apparently has been
curious about the operation of
the PUC for some time. The
two-man commission, plus the
reeve ex-officio, hires a staff
of three and maintains a cer-
tain amount of equipment. For
more technical work, the PUC
calls upon Ontario Hydro work-
men from Exeter.
Councillor John Teevins, who
spearheads the inquiry into PUC
affairs, remarked, "the last
straw was last week, when I
saw Exeter hydro men sweep-
ing off the parking lot up there".
In other business, council:
Filed a request for a $100
grant from Fairbank House to
assist with the adult education
centre.
Requested that building in-
spector William Rendle inspect
a new house nearing completion
on Queen Street. It is suspected
the house is covering more than
50% of the lot, which is against
the rules of the building per-
mit issued.
Learned the county mill rate
had increased only from 15
mills to 15.1.
Set daylight saving time to
start on Sunday morning, April
25.
Took no action on a request
for approval for an addition to
the Forest District High School
pending an explanation from
their representative on the
board, Clayton Mathers.
removed is an elm in front of
the C aven Presbyterian Church.
The tree has been hit with
Dutch Elm disease.
At the suggestion of Council-
lor Ted Wright, it was unani-
mously decided at Monday's
session of council to write a
letter of commendation to Exe-
ter Teen Town for the "splen-
did" Easter parade they staged
recently.
"The kids deserve a lot of
credit and recognition," Wright
stated in noting the parade was
one of the best he has ever seen
in town.
Many other councillors added
brief words of commendation
for the teenagers.
Reeve Derry Boyle said he
felt the local teenagers were the
most active Exeter had ever
had.
"And it (parade) shows what
type of teenagers they are too,"
Wright added.
Council also expressed com-
plete satisfaction with the firm
presently trimming and remov-
ing trees in Exeter. They were
told 40 trees had been purchased
to replace the ones being re-
moved.
One of the largest trees lobe
U property owners on Edward
Street from James to Huron
Streets agree to prepayment of
charges, they will be supplied
with a sanitary sewer. And if
they agree, it will mean that
local builder, Art Whilsmith,
will be granted permission to
erect an eight-unit senior citi-
zens' home on the east side of
Edward Street at the end of
James.
After being told the Huron
County Health Unit had declared
that his proposed site did not
have sufficient land to accom-
modate a septic tank, Whilsmith
told council Monday he would
pre-pay the sewer charges on
the property and also on his
residence to the south of the
proposed building.
He told council he did not
agree with the Health Unit's
decision, but would rather in-
stall sewers than debate the
issue any farther if possible.
"I believe the land is most
suitable", he reported.
"Can we afford to put a sewer
down there if enough pre-pay?"
Mayor Delbridge questioned.
Clerk C. V. Pickard reported
it could be done with sufficient
pre-payment.
Councillor Wooden asked
whether it would be any more
economical to extend the Ed-
ward Street sewer up to John
Street, pointing out it would
involve about another 15 per-
sons.
Reeve Boyle noted there were With tongue
in cheek? Lose hour
on weekend
three of the residents that would
be included in this section pre-
sent at council and suggested
they be asked whether they
would pre-pay sewer charges.
The three to whom he refer-
red were Mayor Delbridge and
Councillors Wooden and Bar-
rett.
"There's some pretty poor
people live in there," the Mayor
chuckled.
"Yes, I know," Wooden re-
plied.
Wooden explained he would
like a sewer but wouldn't argue
for it personally.
Works superintendent Pais-
ley was then asked by council
to interview residents from
James to Huron Streets to as-
certain how many would pre-
pay so the sewer could be con-
structed this year.
Whilsmith was told he would
have his answer in a few days.
Two suffer injury
in identical location
SIDEWALKS BAD
In a report from the side-
walk committee, Councillor
Gandon reported some of the
"major faults" had been view-
ed by the committee and a re-
commendation was made that
these spots be repaired to the
extent the budget will permit.
The Anglican cleric explained
that it would take at least five
sheets of paper to record the
"bad spots".
It was indicated that streets
weren't in much better shape
either as Councillor Wooden
said he couldn't recall when
the roads were so bad.
However, Taylor replied that
he has seen them a lot worse.
Road committee chairman
Ralph Bailey reported one lady
had been stuck in the middle of
one of the roads and it has since
been closed to traffic.
He asked that works superin-
tendent Paisley attempt to eli-
minate some of the problems by
digging small drainage holes to
below the frost line in the middle
of roads at various points to
permit the water to seep away.
It was noted that some of the
trouble was caused by the fact
the water can not get away be-
cause of the frost in the ground.
ISSUE PERMITS
After a lengthy delay, council
finally approved an addition for
the welding shop of Don Mac-
Gregor on William Street.
The issuing of the permit
necessitated amending the zon-
ing bylaw because the planned
addition is for a non-conforming
use in a residential section.
Some complaints were heard
and these were aired at acoun-
cii session earlier this year.
Other permits were issued
to: Fred Tilley, for a $1,200
carport and renovations to his
home on Gidley Street; Gerald
Campbell, construction of a
4250 dormer to his home on
Huron Street; C. A. McDowell,
for erection of the $15,000 stor-
age building being built by the
PUC at the rear of their Main
Street office.
Switzer was $700 and $375 to
the Armstrong car.
An Exeter woman, Mrs.
Emma Johnston, '71 Main Street,
sustained a neck injury at the
same intersection last Tuesday
when the car she was riding in
was rammed from behind by a
dump truck.
Gar Johnston, 139 Gidley
Street, was the driver of the
car in which his mother Was
a passenger and he was stopped
on Main Street behind another
northbound car that was wait-
ing for traffic to clear to make
a left turn onto Victoria.
The truck was owned by Sam
Sweitzer, Exeter, and was
driven by Stuart M. Sweitzer,
RR 2 Dashwood.
The Johnston vehicle sustain-
ed damages estimated at $800.
Both c r a Sh s were inves-
tigated by Constable Harry Van
Bergen.
Damages amounted to ap-
proximately $2,000 and two per-
sons were slightly injured in
accidents at almost the identical
spot in Exeter last week.
The spot was the intersection
of Main and Victoria Streets.
Two cars, one of which con-
tained a group of Clinton bowl-
ers, crashed there Saturday
afternoon at 2:15. The cars
were driven by Donald Switzer,
Clinton and William D. Arm-
strong, RR 3 Hayfield.
Switzer and his fellow bowl-
ers were proceeding south on
Main Street when Armstrong
pulled into their path as hepro-
ceeded to make a left turn onto
Main Street from V ic toria
Street.
One of the Clinton bowlers,
A. J. Matthews, was heated at
South Huron Hospital for a
bruised shin bone.
Damage to the car driven by
Of 903 vehicles recently inspected atRCAF Centraliaby department of transport safety Inspectors;
only 609 were passed on the first Inspection. Another 171 were passed on re-Inspection after faults
were corrected, while the remaining 123 were not passed. With the busy driving season approach-
ing, 'area drivers should take note that one in three cars is not'safe. Shown above checking the first
car through the "safety lane" are, from the left: FA. L. Henderson, W/C W. Bracken, Sgt, Arnold,
all of RCAF Centralia; and H. Pocock, department of transport inspector, --RCAF photo
Do Reeve Derry Boyle and
Deputy-Reeve Bailey exagger-
ate the merits of Exeter during
their periodic visits to Huron
County council?
A lengthy laugh by most local
councillors at Monday night's
meeting suggests they possibly
may.
This was brought to light
when a letter was received from
Clinton's Deputy-Reeve George
Wonch noting his community
was in the midst of a dilemma
over their dogs.
The laughter came when his
letter went on to say that he
understood from "your two good
county representatives" that
Exeter has a system that was
working very well.
After the laughter subsided,
Clerk Pickard read on that
Wonch wanted details of the
system being followed here.
"I think our success has
been highly exaggerated," mus-
ed Wooden.
At any rate, Boyle recom-
mended that the letter be an-
swered to inform Wonch of the
system employed by Exeter.
"/ think you should explain
that it isn't quite perfeet,"
suggested Councillor Wright,
chairman of the protection to
persons and property eorninit-
tee, which is trying to deal
with EXeter's dog problem.
START ON ANOTHER
At the urging of Wooden,
council approved a motion to
proceed immediately with the
necessary steps for the con-
struction of the Pryde Boule-
vard sewer.
"It's time we moved," he
stated, pointing out the situation
along this street was udisas-
trOus and ridiculous".
To back up his statement,
it was explained that one septic
tank had "blown up" this week
from pressure on it and had
spewed its contents onto the
street.
The steps to be taken include
contacting any new owners to
determine if they will pre-pay
charges and to have Paisley
draw up plans and estimates
for the project.
It is hoped construction will
start as soon as weather per-
mits.
In other business, council:
Learned that the amount of
money required by the Public
School board for the year was
$60,000. This is $5,000 less
than laSt year and is due in
part to a surplus the board had
— Please turn to back page
You lose an hour of sleep
this weekend!
The area shifts to Daylight
Saving Time, so resident s
should move their clock ahead
one hour when they retire Sat-
urday night or early Sunday
morning if you happen to be a
night-hawk.
The hour of sleep won't be
recovered until October 31 this
year.
While all area councils have
designated this weekend for the
time change, G r and Bend's
members Indicated they didn't
like it.
In fact they decided to write
a letter to Ontario'Premier John
Robarts asking that the stipulat-
ed time for DST begin one month
later and end one month earlier.
If that can't be done, they
suggest DST be dropped entire-
ly.
Main reason for the dis-
pleasure in the resort is the
fact that many of the summer
holidayers are residents of
Michigan, where Standard Time
prevails throughout the year.
When Michigan residents ar-
rive in Grand Bend they have
already lost an hour in which
to patronize resort operators.