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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-12-06, Page 1Safe Driving Week commenced Saturday and indications are that area drivers may spoil the whole ' event. To date, the Exeter OPP have investigated nine accidents, five of which occurred on the first day of the period in which safety UNION OFFICIALS CONFER — While employees of Hall Lamp at Huron Park waited for their pay checks for about six hours, Friday, of- ficials of UAW Local 1620 had numerous small huddles. In the above picture, employee Lillian Hodgins looks on as UAW agent Robert Nickerson and Local 1620 executive members Eva Tyler, Lena Rollings and Ken Kadey confer. Mrs. Rollings is president. T-A photo Consider cut-back on garbage service AN OVERSIZE CHRISTMAS CARD - Members of Exeter United Church put their signatures Sunday on a large Christmas card which will be sent to Rev, Bob Okine in Tennesee. Rev. Okine, a native of Ghana recently took post graduate,stwilo at Huron .College, and became a'good friend of Rev. Glen Wright. Shown with a portion of the card are Rev. Wright, Mrs, Marj Pollen, Mrs. Vi Hopper, Mrs. Evelyn Walkom and Miss Verna Coates. T-A photo Exeter may be spending one million dollars in '74 One Hundred and First Year EXETER, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 6, 1973 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Artist drawing of new Exeter post office now under construction Still some hope .for 379 Lam RAU. LAMP 'COMPANY OF CAN jobs THE FIRST PROTESTERS — Employees of the Hall Lamp plant at Huron Park quickly heeded the call late Thursday night when employees of Chrysler Corporation attempted to remove some dyes from the plant. The above picture taken near midnight show some of the first employees on the scene talking to UAW represen- tative Robert Nickerson. T-A photo Durham band coming to help Santa again The closing of the. Hall Lamp plant at Huron Park caused plenty of discussion in the Ontario Legislature, Wednesday. Huron IVIPP Jack Riddell told the T-A by telephone early Wednesday afternoon he questioned Premier William Davis on several points, 17- Grand Bend council is presently studying a proposal which would cut the expenditures of the village considerably. Councillor Tom Webster presented a suggestion to other council members to cut down on the number of garbage pickups provided each week by the ,municipality. A recent study showed Grand Bend spent much more in gar- Okay permit to rebuild garage Graham and Tom Arthur were granted a building permit this week to rebuild the service station which was gutted in a $100,000 fire last Tuesday. Approval of the permit was made by council after the matter had been turned over to them by building inspector Doug Trieb- ner. • The' latter Said he would not rule on the matter without council's direction, He said there were five points on which a building rebuilt on the property would contravene the zoning bylaws. These included improper lot depth, size of rear yard clearance, and amount of lot to be covered. Deputy-Reeve Helen Jermyn said it may be stretching the intent of the zoning bylaw but felt that the provisions did not apply to the rebuilding of a structure. Other members of council agreed with her contention that the service station could be built on the same location. "There should be no criticism from anyone in town if we allow Tom and his father to rebuild," Mayor Jack Delbridge stated. Tom Arthur attended the meeting to get council's decision on the permit application and in answer to a question from the Mayor said the new building would be more fire proof than the one destroyed last week. "We hope we never find out though," he quickly added. NEW CONSTABLE Constoble Bill McIntyre is the newest member of the Exeter detothment of the Ontario Provincial Police. Ho has been transferred from the Oakville detachment and it o native of the Grimsby area. bage collection than area com- munities, some of which are much larger. The present system in effect in Grand Bend costs the taxpayers $16,200 per year. For this amount, MacDonald Sanitation of Crediton has been collecting garbage in Grand Bend twice each week from residences and up to seven times per week from commercial properties during the busy summer months. In the winter time under the present contract, residential pickups are made once a week and commercial stops are made up to seven times per week. .The proposal put forth by Webster would provide for garbage pickup once each week for residential and three times each week for all commercial properties. This system if adopted would be used on a year- round basis. Any ratepayers wishing ad- ditional services would be required to make arrangements with the garbage contractor and assume the extra charges. In making his presentation Webster said "the savings could amount to well over $4,000 per annum. Our present pickup system provides much more service than any community in this area." He had originally suggested the saving could be as much as $7,000. To this councillor Murray Des Jardin commented "If you can save up to $5,000 I'll take my hat off to you." UNUSUAL 'PARTY' Exeter reeve Derry Boyle celebrated his birthday by golfing in 1973, That may not be too unusual, except for the fact Reeve Boyle's birthday was Monday — December 3. Temperatures in the area were in the mid-fifties, and only the Christmas decorations served notice that it was not ,a warm, spring day, officials are asking motorists to be more cautious. At 1:40 a.m., Saturday, a car driven by Richard Stagg, Exeter, struck a car owned by George Grenier, RR 1, Dashwood, on the Stardust Drive-In parking lot at Crediton. Damage was set at $200 by Constable Frank Giffin, Ten minutes later, Constable Bill McIntyre investigated an accident on Columbia Drive, Huron Park, where a car driven by Clifford Rock, Huron Park, struck a parked car owned by Fred Desbury. Damage in that incident was estimated at $1,500. At 1:30 a.m., cars driven by David Gibson and Charles Browning Jr, both of Crediton, were involved in a collision at the intersection of the Crediton Road and County Road 21 leading to Huron Industrial Park, Constable McIntyre listed total damage at $1,050, The most serious of the week's' crashes occurred at 7:50 p.m., Saturday when cars driven by Milton Sweitzer, RR 2, Dash. wood, and David Fawcett, Clinton, collided at the tersection of Highway 4 and the Crediton Road. Both drivers sustained cuts and bruises, as did passengers in eneh of the cars, Eva Sweitier and Deborah Turner, Hayfield. Both cars were badly smashed vacated by persons who were Hall employees. The. Ontario premier did reply that several alternatives were available but he did not elaborate on what they could be. Asked if he was optimistic about the re-opening of the area plant, Riddell said, "I'm a little more optimistic than the leader of the New Democratic party." Riddell said a group of in- terested persons from Huron County were in Toronto Wed- nesday meeting with the Liberal caucus, Stephen Lewis, Labour Minister Fern Guindon, a Tourism Ministry deputy minister and staff of the Ontario Development Corporation, The Huron MPP said he could not disclose the identity of the group, He added, "All I can say is, they are a group which is very much interested in reactivating the Hall Lamp plant. They are in Toronto to see what support they can get." Riddell indicated after the meeting that ODC would co- operate to the fullest in providing financial assistance if the plant could be reactivated. At the present time a loan in the amount of $150,000 is outstanding. Labour Minister Guindon is involved in attempting to get the back pay owing to the em- ployees, Jack Riddell said in this regard, "it appears favourable strides are being made in getting vacation pay, but severance pay is "a horse of another colour". Mrs. Lena Rollings, president of UAW Local 1620 has arranged a meeting for all employees of Hall Lamp at the Exeter Legion Hall, Monday morning, December 10 at 10 a.m. The meeting at which all members are urged to attend will concern the severance pay situation. In attendance will be Robert Nickerson, UAW agent, Canada Manpower officials and area members of parliament. First word of any problems at Hall Lamp came Tuesday, November 27 when employees were told they would be laid off for several days because of shortages of materials. Want officer to stay on Many people are happy when .they hear a policeman is resigning. In fact, there are times when citizens ,put pressure on civic officials to 'have' them get rid of some officers. Not so with Exeter Constable John Goarley. Constable Goarley submitted his resignation to Chief Ted Day last week and it was presented to council, Monday. Council ac- cepted the . resignation with regret and asked that a letter of appreciation he sent to Constable Goarley. However, several citizens — many of them young people — found out about Constable Goarley's decision to resign and presented a petition to council at a special meeting Tuesday night asking that the officer be kept on the force. While council had no authority in the matter, they did decide to ask Constable Goarley to reconsider his plans. At press time, a meeting of the police committee was being called to determine the outcome of the situation. The local police force is already one man short. Constable Jim McMeekin broke his ankle last week and is now off duty. and total damage was set at $5,000 by Constable Don Mason. At 11:00 p.m. the same night, a parked car owned by Robert Rowcliffe, Hensall, was struck by an unknown vehicle in the municipal lot in Hensall. Constable Ed Wilcox in- vestigated the hit and run and estimated damage at $300 to the Rowcliffe vehicle. Damage of $2,000 was listed by Constable Don Mason in a one- car crash on Highway 84 at 8:05 a.m. Monday, A vehicle driven by Lawrence Denomme, London, skidded out of control on an ice patch and rolled over in the ditch before coming to rest in a field. The driver sustained minor injuries and his late model car was wrecked. At 6:45 p.m. Monday, a car driven by Lydia Regier, RR 2, Zurich, was in collision with a tractor trailer driven by Warren Thompson, RR 3, Kippen. The mishap occurred on Highway 21 one mile south of St. Josephs and Constable Frank Giffin set damage at $250. The final crash of this week happened at 1:40 p.m., Tuesday, when vehicles operated by Catherine Morris, Seaforth, and Emerson GlOon, Clinton, collided on Highway 4 just south of Please turn to Page 3 The situation seemed to worsen Thursday night when Chrysler Corporation tried to take dyes valued at $750,000 from the Hall. Lamp premises located in three hangars on the former Centralia Armed Forces property. Employees were quickly notified and picket lines were set up blocking trucks from ap- proaching the plant. Further problems arose when pay cheques were not available at the usual Friday morning time of 8 a.m. Employees were told pay day was postponed for two hours. This was again changed to noon and then 2 p.m. Meanwhile employees became a bit restless, especially when word spread that Hall Lamp cheques would not be honoured by area banks and businesses. Employees crowded into the main hallway and eventually broke down a door leading to one of the plants. Shortly after, Hall Lamp manager Dave McKinzie emerged from the building and announced that Chrysler Cor- poration had agreed to back the cheques. Exeter may be in the position of asking the Ontario Municipal Board to approve debentures of over one million dollars to cover local projects in 1974. The projects are the com- pletion of the sanitary sewer system, which is expected to cost close to $700,000 and the other is theerection of anew wa ter storage tank on Nelson St. Cost of the latter project has increased over $60,000 in recent weeks and has now been estimated at $357,670. Reason for the increase in cost is the fact the ministry of the environment asked Exeter to consider a 500,000 U.S. gallon tank. Consulting Engineers B. M. Ross & Associates had recom- mended only a 250,000 gallon tank. In a letter from the PUC to council this week, the former group said they had agreed upon a 400,000 gallon tank and hoped that the project could start im- mediately. The letter from PUC manager Hugh Davis indicated that with the impending project, the cost to local water users would have to be increased by 45 percent. It was also explained that delays in approving the tank could prove costly in view of the rampant increase being ex- perienced in steel, The letter prompted a debate among council members, par- They were issued shortly after and employees were told they would be honoured at the Huron Park branch of the Bank of Montreal only, Friday, the U.S. parent com- pany Leader International Industries Inc. filed a petition 'under the United States Bankruptcy Act. Trading in Hall stock ceased on the American stock exchanges about 10 a.m. A spokesman of Chrysler said the bankruptcy move was under a section meaning the receivers will attempt to operate the business. On this matter, Riddell said, "in a situation like this the receiver can have the business reactivated. If after ivestigation into the financial status he believes it could become a viable unit then it could be reopened." About severance pay which amounts to 13 weeks, Riddell said, "under present federal legislation, the employee is at the bottom of the list. We are pushing for changes. Employees should — Please turn to Page 3 ticularly after Mayor Jack Delbridge, a member of the PUC, noted that the present water storage tank had a capacity of only 35,000 gallons. Members found it difficult to imagine why the ministry would not be satisfied with a 250,000 gallon size when it is seven times larger than the present capacity. "I'm not convinced the larger (400,000) tank is necessary," commented Councillor Bruce Shaw. Noting the 250,000 gallon size would be seven times larger than the present tank, Shaw suggested this should be adequate. He was particularly concerned over the suggested water rate increase of 45 percent, which he termed "pretty hefty," Councillor Tom MacMillan also FRESH PRODUCE Vegetables fresh from the garden in December. Sounds rather ridiculous? Not really. Percy Noels, 114 Victoria street, Exeter brought a handful of large brightly colored red radishes to the T-A offices Tuesday morning. The Noels family have been enjoying radishes for the past month. They are delicious as one member of the T-A staff can attest to after eating them with his lunch Tuesday noon. expressed concern over the in- crease in price and wondered if the OMB would consider granting approval to have two major projects (sewers and the water tank) undertaken in one year. "We should make every effort to get it (tank) built at the lowest figure," Reeve Derry Boyle urged and council finally agreed to support a motion presented by Shaw urging the PUC to apply "with great vigor" to have the 250,00 gallon tank approved by the ministry. Mayor Jack Delbridge hinted that any delay in the project would prove costly in view of the mounting steel prices. He said if the project was delayed too long, a 250,000 gallon tank may end up costing as much as the 400,000 size anyway. At the end of the discussion, he said there was even a fear that steel may be in such short supply that the project couldn't get started next year. Change minds Tuesday night, council was called together for a special meeting (press not invited) to reconsider their request that the PUC attempt to have the size of the tank kept at the 250,000 gallon size, The motion was rescinded and the PUC will proceed with plans to have the 400,000 gallon size erected at an additional cost of about $60,000. Santa Claus makes his annual visit to Exeter on Saturday to highlight the parade sponsored by the Exeter Board of Trade. The parade, which attracted over 50 floats last year, is being billed as one of the biggest in Western Ontario. Three bands will be in at- tendance this year, including a return by the Durham girls' drum and bugle corps. The band consists of 60 members from ages five to 19 and thrilled spectators last year. In the past four years since being formed, the band has travelled across the province on several occasions and has won provincial and federal band championships. The girls will be appearing in their winter uniforms which consists of navy slacks and jackets with white hats and scarves. If the weather continues as warm as it was at the first of the week, the girls may switch to their summer uniforms. The other bands are from St. Marys and Zurich. Santa Claus will ride on the London JC's float. This is the former Free Press float which has been featured here for the past six years, The parade will leave the arena at 2:00 p.m. and will follow a slightly different route this year. It will move west along Victoria and then south on Main, but at Huron it will move to the east this year. In the past the parade has gone west at this point. Continuing east, the parade then moves north on Albert and will disband at the school or fair grounds. Santa will then be transported to the town hall where he will disperse treats to the children in Murder suspect remanded twice Lloyd George Salter, charged with non-capital murder in the death of Mrs. Jane Burton McMurtrie, made two ap- pearances in Goderich court this week. He was remanded in custody on both occasions and will appear again today. Salter, arrested on November 20, was charged with the October 5 slaying of the elderly Hensall widow, who had been sexually assaulted and strangled. the former fire hall facilities. Police Chief Ted Day said no parking signs would be erected on several streets to prevent any congestion, but noted there will be more area for parking with the new route, The Board of Trade offers $380 in prizes for floats in the parade. Entries can still be made by contacting the chairman, Dean McKnight, or members of his committee, Jim Hennessey, Tom Arthur and Ben Hoogenboom. Hall workers help others Despite the loss of their jobs this week, Hall Lamp employees were thinking of others. The first parcels to arrive at the Children's Aid Christmas Gift Depot at Exeter United Church came from Hall employees. Commenting on the gifts, Rev. Glen Wright said "this is far beyond the call of duty in public responsibility. It's a tremendouS gesture." Eggs, bubble gum among area loot. A bubble gum machine and some eggs were included in the loot picked up by thieves in the area this week. The bubble gum machine, valued at $25, was taken from the Stardust Drive-In at Crediton early Sunday morning. The eggs were stolen from the Hay Township barn of Steve Gingerich and were valued at $20. The A & K Fina Station at Huron Park was broken into and approximately $100 in cash was taken. Thieves also gained entry to the Huron Produce turnip plant in Usborne Township and stole about $10 worth of change from a coffee machine. Police are also investigating the theft of a bundle of newspapers from the Exeter town hall, Saturday. The bundle of papers was found burning on the 2nd concession of Usborne around 9:00 a.m. A truck stolen on October 28 from Oakwood Golf Course was recovered this week. The three- ton vehicle had been driven into a bush and abandoned on con- cession 11 in Stephen. Riddell asked Davis if he was aware of the tremendous effect the closing, if it becomes per- manent, would have on the economy of Western Ontario. Davis was also told that many houses in Huron Park which are owned by Ontario Development Corporation would probably be I Rash of area crashes mars safe driving week