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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1974-12-12, Page 1Bendix workers also received improvements in health and welfare plans and improved vacation pay provisions, representing the workers said he was pleased with the settlement. He added, "the negotiating committee did a terrific job," Under the contract approved Tuesday night, Bendix em- ployees will receive an increase of $1.30 per hour over the two year term, The raise will be 75 cents per hour for the first year and an additional 55 cents per hour for the final half of the contract term. A cost of living bonus which was the main controversy during negotiations was included in the latest company offer. Adarn Salvona said the cost of living bonus has a maximum of 15 cents and it goes into effect in June 1, 1975. He continued, "the first cost of living calculation will be made into the employees pay scale on November 1, 1975," The Union representative said Police. o n lookout. .for drunk drivers "At this time of year the only Christmas spirit one should be full of, is the kindness and goodwill variety." That's the advice given in. this week's press release from the. Exeter OPP detachment. The police advise they will be stepping up their vigilance to rid area roads of impaired drivers during the festive season. "Our task is to prevent ac- cidents and protect life and. property and we will be carrying out . those functions," OPP Cpl. Ray Brooks stated.. Police also issue a reminder to area ladies to secure or keep their purses with them when they are attending public functions.. Thefts of purses are presently under investigation by the of- ficers following recent incidents. Employees seek raises Finally fill slate for McGillivray As the result of a second nomination, the township of McGillivray has a full five member council for the 1975-76 term, William Allison who is a member of the council for the present term which expires at the end of this month qualified during the second nomination. During the regular nomination period, only incumbents Jack Dorman and Ellison Whiting qualified. Reeve Gerald Wright and deputy-reeve Ben Thompson were also returned to office by acclamation. SANTA IS SURROUNDED — Following the annual Santa Claus parade in Exeter Saturday the popular old fellow in the red suit was invaded by hundreds of eager youngsters at the Exeter Legion hall. T-A photo Most employees of the Town of Exeter are seeking a 16 percent wage hike for the coming year. This includes the works depart- ment and the staff of Exeter's RAP committee, At their meeting Monday, RAP discussed the wage requests for some time, but adjourned without making any recommen- dations, Most of their discussion cen- tred around the mileage allowances of rec director Jim McKinlay and resources manager Alvin Willert. The employees have split their request into two sections. The first calls for a 12 percent cost- of-living payment over their current salaries plus a four per- cent increment for the coming year as well. All the employees have asked that the payment of benefits be standardized in town. At the pre- sent time, the RAP staff and other employees have 50 percent of their benefits paid by the town, while the police have 75 percent of theirs covered, This year, the former are re- questing the same consideration as members of the police depart- ment. However, the T-A learned this week that the police have re- quested that 100 percent of their benefits be paid from the town coffers. The 285 employees of two Bendix Home Systems Limited plants in Hensall went ;back to work Wednesday morning after a strike which lasted two weeks and two days. Following a six hour meeting, between company officials and negotiators for the United Bendix workers approve pact, receive $1.30 over two years Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Tuesday the employees met Tuesday night. By a majority of about three to one members of the Union decided to accept the latest company offer and go back to work. Adam Salvona of Huron Park, Stephen will share senior housing deficit One Hundred and Second Year EXETER, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 12, 1974 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Stephen township council has agreed to sharing costs of any operating deficit incurred in the new Senior Citizens Complex now under construction in Exeter, While Ontario Housing Cor- poration is taking care of all construction costs, normal operating expenses over and above rents received will be shared by various governments. The town of Exeter will pay seven and a half percent of this deficit if it occurs. Stephen has agreed to pay one- thirty second of these costs for every person from the municipality which takes up residence in the senior citizens housing units. The new complex being con- structed on Sanders Street, east of Edward Street will contain 32 units. In other recent business, Stephen council: Decided that Grand Bend PUC employees will be the only per- sons allowed to turn on or off Seniors get another govit grant; plan meeting facility at Scout hail Incumbent fills slate at Zurich A 'second nomination was necessary to fill the slate of council members for the village of Zurich for the 1975-76 term. Incumbent George Haggitt was nominated during the second try and will join fellow councillors Leroy Thiel, Isadore Laporte and Ray McKinnon and Reeve Fred Haberer, Haggitt who is a veteran member of council had his paper filled out and properlysigned,bat was on holidays when it had to be officially presented and it could not be accepted at that time. Steal auto connections of the Stephen water system located at the west end of the township, The PUC is to inform all local plumbers and maintenance men along with property owners that only PUC employees will be allowed to work on the water system. Passed a bylaw restricting the weight limit on the bridge at Lot 22, Concession 4 and 5 to five tons. Approved a request from the County of Huron that building permits be made uniform throughout the County. Council is going one step fur- ther and will be asking Huron to include building by-laws in the uniformity move. The agreement with Ontario Development Corporation to handle snowplowing and grass cutting in the Huron Park residential area has been renewed. The township will pay ODC $2,000 for the year 1975 for the maintenance program. The Goderich engineering firm of B.M. Ross has been instructed to prepare plans to establish a public road crossing at the CNR track on the access road entering the Huron Park residential area from the south at Huron County Road 21. Stephen building inspector Arnold McCann reported building permits in 1974 had reached the two million dollar figure. Included in Stephen con- struction are additions and renovations to Dashwood Ind- sutries, North Star Yachts and Cook's Division of Gerbro Cor- poration. C.P. Corbett of Lucan has been named engineer on im- provements to the Weber municipal drain at Lot 13, Con- cession 11. then burn it RAP seeking loan, give pats on backs Damage has been set at $1,000 in a fire which gutted a 1970 model car owned by David Glan- ville, RR 1 Crediton. The vehicle was stolen late Fri- day night or early Saturday mor- ning in Centralia and was found later in a gravel pit in Stephen Township. The interior of the car had been completely gutted by the fire ap- parently set by the thieves. OPP Constable Dale Lamont is investigating. Two other thefts were also reported in the area this week. On Wednesday. the Stephen Township home of William McStephen was entered and a ring and three watches were taken. Value of the stolen property —please turn to page 3 Exeter's RAP committee learned this week they will probably require a further loan to meet their commitments until the end of the year. In November, council agreed to give the committee a $5,000 loan, but that is now almost depleted and further financing will be required to meet RAP payroll until the end of the year. RAP chairman Gord Baynham said following a discussion of finances that he would ask council for a further loan. "If we have to go (for the loan) we have to go," he stated. He noted that RAP had spent their money wisely this past year and "ran a good program". He said the 10 to 12 percent inflation had created much of the problem although RAP had budgetted for an $8,000 deficit this year. The amount required to meet RAP's needs until the end of the year was not known. Secretary-treasurer Elizabeth Varley said "it may be more than $1,000." She was asked to have the figures detailed prior to the of the area who areof retirement age and not just those affiliated with present clubs. "They are trying to set up a system for those who want to come down to phone for a ride," Mrs. Durand said. We are also working on keeping the road to the Scout Hall open all through the winter." Specific plans as to activities have not been made yet but RAP is preparing a survey to be sent to a cross-section of Exeter seniors to determine what types of ac- tivities they want their club to have, Jim McKinlay said they are in the process of refining the survey to make sure all groups of seniors are represented. There was a meeting of organizers of the club Wednesday morning at the RAP offices to see about applying for an additional grant from the provincial government. Action Age grants, provided by the provincial government can be up to $400 and are designed to encourage growth and development of smaller senior sitizens groups. The deadline for application is December 15 and the Exeter group are looking at this as a possible way of obtaining ad- ditional funds for the purchase of equipment for their centre. It was suggested that card tables and chairs could be purchased if the Please turn to page 3 upcoming council meeting so the request for additional funds could he presented. The past year was cited as "the best ever" by several members of RAP when they were asked for their end-of-year review by chairman Gord Baynham. Mayor-elect Bruce Shaw said it was "the best of the four I've been on", noting that RAP had undertaken the re-organization recommended by an in- vestigating committee a year ago. He said RAP had become more efficient, had made better use of their facilities and had taken advantage of government grants available. Resources committee chair- man Jack Underwood said all the facilities were operating well and noted that new facilities had been added such as the new Lions tennis courts and the addition to the bowling green clubhouse through a New Horizons grant. He saw 1975 as an excellent opportunity to go farther ahead, but noted that RAP would have to —please turn to page 3 AWARD WINNING FLOAT — The first prize winning float in Saturday's Santa Claus parade was entered by Dashwood Industries Limited, A portion of the huge float is shown in the above picture. T-A photo Hold special Sunday session, okay easement expropriation At a special meeting Sunday afternoon, Exeter council agreed unanimously to start expropria- tion proceedings to acquire easements on three properties required for the new storm drain now under construction to alleviate flooding in the area from Huron St. through to Marlboro, The urgent meeting was called after negotiations with the three property owners failed to result in the easements being signed. The owners involved are Ed Several members were at a loss to know why the property owners wouldn't sign the easements, particularly when they would benefit from the new storm drain. Councillor Harold Patterson was critical of the fact the easements had not been secured before the construction started on the drain. However, MacMillan replied that it was "relatively normal" to tidy up such details as work progresses on projects of this nature. Council agreed to hire Strat- ford lawyer Robert Mountain to represent them in the expropria- tion proceedings. It was indicated that once registered letters have been sent to the property owners advising them that expropriation proceedings had commenced, the contractor could start work on the portion of their properties in- volved. Exeter seniors have been awarded a new horizons grant of $8,235 for renovations and equipment for the Exeter Scout Hall to make that facility a permanent meeting place for retired citizens of the town. It was announced last week by Federal Health and Welfare Minister Marc Lalonde that a group of Exeter seniors had been awarded the grant. The group, headed by Murray Neil, submitted a request for funds to provide a drop in centre for retired members of the community. The facility will be called the Well-Come Inn. Ruth Durand, a member of RAP who has worked closely with the group on the project said that eventually the seniors hope to "have a place to call their own" but that the facilities at the scout hall will serve the purpose for the time being. Organizers of the project stress that the club house will be open to all members of the community of retirement age regardless of affiliation with other organized clubs. Mrs. Durand said that the group is very excited about the response they have had from the government and have many many ideas of things tto do with the monies provided. . The application called for rental of the scout hall at a cost of $50 per month as well as purchase of equipment for pottery, quilting, driftwood and shell craft, social recreation, a pool table, a record player and other activities as the interest arises. Jim McKinlay, Rec Director said that the facility would provide space for arts and crafts, table games and a coffee get- together spot, McKinlay said there are no set plans but that the project will "flow into what they want". The project includes some minor renovations to the existing building such as storage cabinets and shelves, a new stove and refrigerator, and general clean u Ruth Durrand said that the group is hoping to be able to make things and sell them to get a continuing source of revenue. Included in the purchases will be frames and equipment for quilting and the ladies hope to be able to teach some of the younger members of the community this fine art. Organizers stress the Well- Come Inn is open to all residents OWNER WATCHES — The Clarence Gilbert family narrowly escaped from their burning home early Friday. At the left, Gilbert talks with OPP Constable Frank Giffin. T-A photo. Four left homeless Damage set at $30,000 Blaze guts Exeter house Hunter-Duvar, Ray Heywood and Jean Coward. Work on the drain has already started and members of council expressed concern at the cost that may be involved if the con- tractor is unable to proceed on schedule because the easements have not been secured, Council learned that the three owners were of the opinion that they should be compensated for the easements. One of the property owners had suggested $500, It was pointed out by several members that paying for the easements would be unfair, because several other property owners involved have already signed without receiving any compensation. The only compen- sation being given is $2,000 to Snell Bros. Limited for loss of business. It is expected their lot will be closed for a week by con- struction, Because the town is not ac- customed to paying for easements, members felt it would also be a costly precedent. "It's not fair for anyone else in town and I recommend we start expropriation proceedings," stated Councillor Tom MacMillan, There was some concern ex- pressed by Mayor Jack Delbridge about the cost involved to the town in expropriation proceedings, but MacMillan replied it would not be as great as setting a precedent where cash settlements would have to be made for all future projects of this nature. Councillor Ben Hoogenboom also noted that the contractor's "down time" may be more costly than expropriation. It was explained the town would have to pay for the con- tractor's equipment if he was forced to halt work and works superintendent Glenn Kells said one machine alone had an hourly cost of $35. Four persons escaped serious injury early Friday morning when fire broke out in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Gilbert, 95 Simcoe Street, Ex- eter, Mr. Gilbert reached safety through an upstairs window while his wife and three year-old Angles and a brother-in-law Keith Logan escaped through the front door. Exeter fire department of- ficials have indicated cause of the fire has not yet been deter- mined. Loss has been set at $30,- 000. The home and contents were insured, The fire was discovered by Keith Logan who was sleeping in the basement, He awoke to find a floor rug ablaze, He suffered burns to hands and feet while making his escape and alerting the rest of the family. Flames were coming from all sides of the house when firemen arrived. Mr. Gilbert said the kitchen clock stopped at 3.05 a.m. The main floor of the house was completely gutted while the upstairs was damaged heavily by smoke and water. The Gilbert family is presently staying at the home of Mr, and Friday night at 7 p.m. chief Gary Middleton and fireman Fred Wells answered a call to the Concession 2 Stephen township home of Craig Black, Chief Middleton said the fire in the electrical panel was ex- tinguished by the time he arriv- ed, Damage was estimated at - $300. Monday morning at about 11 a.m. firemen were called to the home of Mr, and Mrs. John Wallace, 121 Anne Street. An electrical panel box at the rear of the Wallace home was smoking. Damage was listed at $300. Mrs. Gerald Hodgins in the Parkhill area. Mr. Gilbert told the T-A Wednesday noon he hadn't made any plans for restoration of the house. While fighting the Gilbert blaze four firefighters were overcome by smoke and were taken bark to the fire hail for treatment. They were chief Gary Middleton, Don Cowan, Fred Wells and Bill Gilfillan. The Exeter fire department was called Out on two other oc- casions this week both flees were in electrical panel boxes. FLAMES ENGULF HOUSE — The early Friday morning blaze at the home.of Ciotti-1de Gilbert, Simcoe Street was out of contra' when firemen arrived, Flames were escaping from both sides of the building as a fireman prepares to enter. 1 T A photo.