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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1974-10-10, Page 1Mayor ends the speculation, hell be in running for seat Tractor -tipSt forme, killed A. Hay township farmer W..ciS killed early Friday merging: in.a0: accident on his. farm located, on the east side of Ndghway 21, JO.st south of St, Joseph's, Charles - Pergei, aged .6.Q. was ,fband underneath his overturned tractor by neighbours who were summoned by his family when be failed to return from late night plowing. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Dr, Charles Wallace of Zurich. Officers from the Exeter OPP detachment investigated the incident. Dr, Wallace said there would be no inmiest into the accident, Pergel was apparently ploughing near the east end of his farm when the tractor slipped over the edge of a ravine and rolled over. Mrs. Pergel said her husband often worked in the fields until late at night and she did .not realize he had not returned until early morning.. Details of the funeral appear on page 12 of this issue. An election in Exeter is now a by flaying he had already given like the chance to give Exeter certainty. his committee report to council, strong representation on county At Monday night's council No other members stated their council. meeting, the topic got around to intentions at the meeting, Hoogenboom is currently vice- elections and Councillor Ted However The Times-Advocate president of the Exeter Board of Wright suggested members was advised this week by Trade, a director of the local should soon publicly indicate Councillor Hoogenboom that he Kinsmen and on the advisory their plans., would run for reeve, committee of the Mt. Carmel "We always complain about He's completing his second Parish. their being no interest," he year on council and said he would Earlier in the meeting council suggested, adding that council members may in fact be creating part of the problem by not Making their announcements about plans soon enough, He noted that only one member had indicated his intent to date. That was Bruce Shaw, who last week stated he would be running far mayor. Councillor Ben Hoogenboom suggested at Monday's meeting that the announcements should start with Mayor Jack Delbridge, The latter quickly took up the suggestion and announced "I'm going to run against Bruce for mayor." He added that he had already informed Shaw of that intent, Councillor Ted Wright was next in line and said he would have his name on the ballot "in some capacity." However, the statements ended when Councillor Bob Simpson neatly side-stepped the question Ambulance crews free trapped driver set rates for deputy returning officers,poll clerks and for rental of polling places. DROs and poll clerks will each receive $25 this year, an increase over time. years ago when DROs received $20 and poll clerks were paid $15, Clerk Erie Carscadden noted that the old fees would be below the new minimum wage requirements. Rental fees for polling places will be $25 for single polls and $35 for doubles. The previous rates were $20 and $30 respectively. There will be 10 polls this year, compared to eight in the last election, It is hoped that the smaller numbers voting at each poll will speed up election results, With a possibility of nine ballots, elec- tion returns for municipal elections are often delayed considerably in being announced. TR ACTOR OVERTURNS — Charles Pergel, RR 2 Zurich, was killed Friday morning when the tractor he was driving overturned while ploughing. Constable Frank Giffin and Corporal Ray Brooks of the Exeter OPP detachment are shown with Pale Hayter of Grand Bend. Citizens News photo One Hundred and Second Year Price Per Copy 25 Cents EXETER, ONTARIO, OCTOBER 10, 1974 Turn down traffic lights Four escape burning home; GB store gutted by flames The ministry of transportation and communications advised Exeter council this week they could not recommend the in- stallation of traffic control lights at the intersection of Highway 4 and 83. The intersection is presently controlled by flashing signals, with traffic on Highway 4 being given the right-of-way. Council had hoped to have stop lights installed at the corner. However the ministry said their analysis determined that changes were not warranted, with one of the main reasons being that the intersection presently was not plagued by accidents. "I still think they're screw- ball," commented Mayor Jack Delbridge after the information was read. A 28-year-old Owen Sound man is in serious condition with multiple injuries sustained when his truck left Highway 4 early yesterday morning and hit two trees. Barry Bradley was rushed to University Hospital by Hoff- man's Ambulance following the 5:00 a,m. crash, Bradley was southbound on Highway 4 near Centralia when his vehicle went into the east ditch and struck a large tree, It flew another 30 feet into another tree, with the point of impact be- ing some six feet above the ground, The pickup truck then rolled over and came to rest on its side, with Bradley pinned inside. OPP Constable Jim Rogers paid tribute to the skill shown by Hoffman's Ambulance atten- dants in freeing the trapped driver. It took them about 20 minutes to cut him out of the Seek more funds in blind canvass The Lions club canvass Tuesday in Exeter for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind realized a little over $2,100. Campaign chairman for the local Lions Larry Snider said a couple of sections of Exeter had not yet been covered and he expected further business and mail donations. Snider added, "I would hope that additional donations will bring us up to our goal of $3,000. Anyone wishing to contribute may contact any member of the Lions club or myself at 235-1640." mangled cab with a hack-saw and bar. "They did a real good job," Constable Rogers said. He estimated damage at close to $4,000 in the accident, in- cluding damage to equipment in the back of the truck. Damage was set at $3,400 to a vehicle driven by Allan Reid, Hensall, which went into a ditch on sideroad 25-26 of Usborne at 5:45 p.m., Monday. Reid had taken evasive action to avoid a collision with a car driven by Gordon Stone, RR 3 Exeter. The latter sustained no damage, Constable Bob Whiteford in- vestigated, At 7:35 p.m. the same day, a vehicle driven by Edwin Rawlings, Forest, collided with a deer on Highway 83, The animal was killed and damage to the ministry of. health vehicle was listed at $125 by Constable Dale Lamont, The other two accidents of the week were hit and run incidents. On Thursday, a car driven by Audrey Nadon, Huron Park, was struck by an unknown vehicle on the Crediton Road with damage set at $200 by Constable Bill Glassford, At 1:30 a.m., Friday, a car driven by Laurence Foster, Ex- eter, sustained damage of $75 when hit by an unknown vehicle on Saskatchewan St. in Huron Park, During the week, the local detachment officers charged 14 under the Highway Traffic Act and issued warnings to another 27 drivers. There were three charges un- der the Criminal Code and eight under the Liquor Control Act. Collect clothes Stock lost children were 3 of Stephen FAMILY SAVED SAVED — Mrs. Ed Preszcator and her three ning when fire gutted the farm home on Concession answered the call. A Stephen Township woman and her three children escaped from an early morning blaze which completely gutted their home south of Huron Park, Thursday. Mrs. Ed Preszcator was sleeping downstairs in the house when she was awakened around 4:00 a.m, by a noise and saw flames coming from the space heater in the dining room. She quickly raced upstairs to take her three children to safety and then returned to call . the Exeter area fire department. The children, Elizabeth Anne, Sheila Marie and Nicole Jean, range in age from six years to two and half months. When the Exeter firemen arrived at the scene, the home was completely engulfed in flames and they battled the blaze for almost four hours before it was brought under control. Water to fight the blaze was hauled in by the local tank truck from Huron Park and almost 7,000 gallons were used. Fire Chief Gary Middleton set total loss in the fire at $15,000 and was told by the owner that this was partially covered by in- surance, Friends and neighbors have started a drive to provide the Preszca for family with clothing to replace that which was lost in the fire. Donations may be left at the home of Ed Hendrick, King St. North, Crediton, Friday af- ternoon and evening. able to escape to safety Thursday mor- township. The Exeter fire department T-A photo SISTERS REUNITED — Ten years ago, two sisters who grew up in the Blanshard Township community of Anderson met on the occasion of a 60th wedding anniversary in B.C, At the age of 81 and 84.at that time, they departed feeling they would probably not see each other again. So, you can well imagine the scene when the two met in Exeter this week, when Mrs. Nellie Church, 94, of Victoria, B.C., arrived in Exeter to visit with her younger sister, Mrs, Sarah Arthur, left. They were reunited at the home of the latter's daughter, Mrs. Edna Simmons, who entertained along with her brother, Graham Arthur, and their families. The sisters are shown here with a picture of their Anderson family taken in the early 1940s. T-A photo Cancel vote on town hail Impaired driver jailed Work is expected to start Monday on renovations to the Hotson Hardware store, north of Grand Bend which was heavily damaged by fire early Saturday evening, While firemen were able to save the structure, the interior was completely gutted. All stock including hundreds of lamps was lost. John Hotson told the T-A Tuesday night he was unable to put a figure on the loss until in- surance adjusters had completed their investigations. The loss is partially covered by insurance. The fire was first noticed at 8:05 p.m. and the alarm was turned in by a passerby. Ironically John Hotson who is a member of the Grand Bend fire department answered the call. He was the first at the scene and said the base of the fire appeared to be near the front door. The cause of the fire is unknown. Hotson said when he arrived at the front the glass in the door and a window im- mediately to the north were broken and the heat was intense. He added, "I thought I would be able to extinguish the flames at the front and everything would be alright, but that was impossible. It spread so quickly. Hoses were connected to a fire hydrant near the Kingsmere subdivision entrance, a distance of some 400 feet. The Dashwood fire department was called to assist the Grand Bend brigade and the two were able to save the building. Employees left the store at 4.45 p.m. and Willis Hotson, father of John drove by the premises less than an hour before the blaze was noticed and didn't see any signs of trouble. Cause of the fire remains a mystery. John Hotson said, "I couldn't even venture a guess," The Hotson's have been in business for about 20 years at the same location but the modern retail store was built in 1972. They hope to be back in business within three weeks. Area driver fined $950 against James P. Morrissey, Crediton who pleaded guilty to two separate charges'of impaired driving and one charge of careless driving. The incidents occurred in April and June, He was fined $300 or 30 days on the first charge of impaired driving, plus receiving a nine- month licence suspension. The fine Was $400 or 40 days on the Two return to their lobs SURVEYING THE DAMAGE — Fire of undetermined origin gutted the inside of the Hotson Hardware store on Highway 21, north of Grand Bend, Saturday night. Above, John Hotson checks damage to the many lamps and appliances which were destroyed. T-A photo After an absence due to illness, Deputy-Reeve Helen Jermyn returned to the Exeter council table this week. Mrs, Jermyn put in the first two hours of the meeting and then asked to be excused. She was greeted with warm salutations by members of council as they arrived for the meeting which lasted for over four hours. Huron MP Bob McKinley is back to his regular duties in the House of Commons In Ottawa after spending a week in hospital. McKinley was released from hospital Monday, He underwent a series of tests after suffering a weak spell. He returned to the House Mom day and resumed his duties as party whip saying, "I'm dis- gustingly healthy." second impaired charge plus a six-month licence suspension and the fine on the careless driving charge was $250 or 25 days. Two speeders also ended up paying stiff fines. Barry Keller, Sarnia, was fined $200 or 20 days for a speed of 100 in a 60 zone while Jacqueline Ashead, London was fined $178 or 18 days for a speed of 95 in a 60 zone, Two men charged with careless driving were each fined $100 or 10 days. They Were Donald Munro Robertson, London and Frederick S. Ducharine,Zurich. Robertson was charged after Constable Bill Lewis followed the accused through Exeter and told the court he had been speeding at up to 75, had gone through a red light, and attempted to pass on the right, Ducharme lost control of his vehicle near St. Joseph and it ended up in a ditch. Other fines levied by Judge Hays And Justice of the Peace Douglas Wedlake were as follows: Rinehart Keller, Exeter, $43 for please turn to page 3 Suggests nurses residence be used for day care centre Exeter residents won't be voting on the disposition of the town hall after all when they go to the polls in the December election. Two months ago, council had decided to put the question of the town hall on the ballot after Councillor Ben Hoogenboom presented a petition signed by several ratepayers asking coun- cil to restore the facility. Monday night, he suggested that the question be worded: "Are you in favor of restoring the town hall?", This prompted another lengthy discussion on the subject and Mayor Jack Delbridge wondered if there was any sense putting the question on the ballot if coun- cil couldn't undertake any work within the next two years anyway. Clerk Eric Carseadden said it would also delay election tallies as it would possibly mean a total of nine ballots to be counted. "To be fair, we have'to have an idea of the cost involved tin restoration)," Councillor Bruce Shaw commented. "I don't know whether we're ready to put it on the ballot," he added. Hoogenboom said he was not suggesting that the future use of the town hall be decided, but just if it would be restored. "If it was just to be restored as a monument, there's no damn way I'd agree to that," Mayor Delbridge stated, and after a brief pause indicated he wasn't interested in having the building restored for any purpose. —please turn to page 3 weeks has been the ad, ministrator, Miss Alice Claypole, who will be retiring at the end of this month. Reeve Boyle said there may be some problem in the hospital board disposing of the building because a major portion of it was provided through a gift from a former area resident, "It's worth a try," he added, Earlier in the meeting, council learned that capital costs for a day care centre could receive 100 percent funding from the At the suggestion of Councillor Ben Hoogenboom ; council will investigate the possibility of acquiring the nurses' residence at South Huron Hospital for use as a day care centre. They will write the board's building committee chairman Walter McBride and attempt to open negotiations for the building located across front the hospital on Huron St, The residence is used very little at the present Hine and the lone occupant for the past several provincial government, although there was some question as to whether this would apply except in the case of regional or county councils. However, council will check out this matter to See exactly what funds are available. The letter from the ministry of community and social services suggested that council indicate their intent regarding day care centres as soon as possible and include capital cost estimates, -please turn to page 3 Plan for opening at new post office Exeter's new post office will be officially opened at 10:30 a,m. on Wednesday, October 2. Local civic and business leaders will be issued special invitations to the event, while the public has also been invited through an advertisement in this Week's issue, Clerk Eric Carseadden in- dicated this week that Mayor Jack Delbridge will 1)e asked to cut the ribbon officially opening the new facility located at the corner of Sanders and Andrew St. A Centralia area man was sentenced to 10 days in jail on a charge of impaired driving and a Crediton man was fined a total of 8950 on three driving charges when they appeared in Exeter court, Tuesday. The jail sentence Was levied by Judge Glenn Hays against Robert Atkinson, Centralia who was fotind guilty of impaired driving in Exeter, OPP Constable Bill Glassford said the accused Was driving about two feet over the centre white line when he spotted hint on Main St. in Exeter. The officer also said the accused failed to pass sobriety tests conducted. Also testifying was Exeter Constable George Robertson, who said the speech of the ac- cused was slurred and he smelled heavily of alcohol, Atkinson told the court he had had four beers at the Let Pines Motel in the space of 40 minutes prior to being stopped by police, After learning that he had a previous record, Judge Hays levied the jail term, The $950 hi fines was levied