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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1974-12-19, Page 1One Hundred and Second Year EXETER, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 19,' 1974 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Exeter, GB councils tell MPs proposed pay hike is too high the wishes of the residents of Exeter, That in effect is what McKinley will be advised in a letter from If Huron MP Robert McKinley supports the proposal that federal MPs receive a 50 percent pay hike, he'll be going against Exeter council, who this week unanimously opposed the hefty pay hikes, Councillor Ted Wright brought the subject to the attention of council and suggested the MPs Were wrong in their timing in considering such a large pay increase, He said other citizens were being asked to hold increases to 'seven percent to help fight in- flation and if the MPs vote themselves a 50 percent boost it "will be like a bomb". "I don't say they don't deserve Recommend post office The property committee of Ex- eter council this week recommended that action be taken to lease the former post of-, flee on Main St, for municipal of- fices. However, council could only accept the recommendation and in turn recommend to the 1975-76 council that the lease be secured, It was noted at the last meeting that this "lame-duck" council could not enter into such an agreement but would have to leave the decision to the in- coming council, In presenting the property committee report, Reeve Derry Boyle said they were of the opi- nion the former post office "can be used to great advantage", He said council were a long way away from doing anything with the existing town hall and they "must do something with the clerk's office", where he said conditions were "intolerable". Boyle suggested that $10,000 to $12,000 could be spent in renovating the post office building to make a "really respectable municipal office". He gave no details as to any plans for the renovations or what the new building would house, but a discussion later indicated council would consider having the clerk's office and a council chambers at least. ' The federal department of public works has indicated the building could be leased for "worthwhile community pur- poses" at a cost of $2,250 per year. Boyle said the money for renovations was available, noting $25,000 had been set aside this year for purchase of the post office and there was 'another $11,000 in a special account for municipal buildings. The only opposition to the recommendation came from Councillor Ben Hoogenboom, who has been a proponent of sav- ing the existing town hall. Later in the meeting, he said there was a tremendous interest on the part of many citizens in the town hall and said it was one of the main decisions facing council next year. He suggested that Mayor-elect Bruce Shaw appoint a committee to study the future of the building. Shaw noted that he had in- dicated he would do just that at the citizens' meeting prior to the election, if council approved. A STEPHEN PLAY — A Christmas concert pt Stephen Central School Thursday featured a nativity scene. Shown above as Mary and Joseph travelling to the stable are Doug Willard and Julie Webb. T-A photo an increase, it's just that their timing is all wrong," Wright noted, "It will be hard to deal with people in municipalities if the senior government jumps their pay by 50 percent," Mayor Jack Delbridge argued, "There's no way you'll stop it," Reeve Derry Boyle predicted and councillor-elect Barb Bell said they were "Whistling through your teeth" but she encouraged council to air their protest. The letter to McKinley will suggest that the people of Exeter are concerned about such a huge jump in MPs' salaries. Mayor Delbridge asked that the word "concern" be replaced with "opposed". Councillors at Grand Bend were unanimous in showing their extreme displeasure to the proposed increases by federal Members of Parliament. A resolution was passed proving the sending of telegrams to MP's Robert McKinley and Larry Condon asking them to oppose the move. Councillor Tom Webster added "I have already contacted my MP. One of the main planks of the government has been to do something about inflation. This is sure going about it in the wrong way." Applications come slowly RAP ends up in red, gets a second $5,000 SANTA A TALENTED FELLOW — Santa Claus showed some of his little known talents at Sunday's Christ- mas party sponsored by the Exeter firemen, Above the jolly old fellow is shown belting out a tune of Jingle Bells on the piano. T-A photo Few, problems are expected for Usborne secondary plan Find skeleton near resort these groups have had upwards of $5,000 in their accounts with RAP at the end of the fiscal year and the money has been used by RAP to carry them through. Baynham also said that in- flation was part of the problem and told council that RAP had done "everything under our power" to keep costs down, He said that RAP would end the year with a $10,000 deficit, but noted this was only $2,000 over budget. "Our spending is not up, our revenues are down," stated Bruce Shaw, chairman of RAP's finance committee. Rec director Jim McKinley also noted that RAP had lost the lucrative Ausable Hockey League because minor hockey had been given their Sunday night time. He said the Ausable League had produced $2,000 revenue for RAP last year, Councillor Ben - Hoogenboom said that may not have been a wise decision on the part of RAP, but McKinley replied that the decision rested on whether to provide the arena facility, for local youngsters or an out-of- town organization. Reeve Derry Boyle also noted that RAP had been faced with considerable costs regarding the operation of the local park system. He said that in 1967 when the centennial committee had outlined their plans he could see costs increasing substantially for upkeep. "That has been proven true," he said. Mayor Jack Delibridge said he understood the original $5,000 given to RAP in November had been in the form of a loan that was to be paid back, He questioned if this ter- minology had been used to make it easier for RAP to get the money. Baynham and Shaw said the original $5,000 would be worked —please turn to page 3 Exeter's RAP committee tabulated their financial position this week and things "got a little sad" according to chairman Gord Baynham, He appeared before council this week and said RAP would require an additional $5,000 to cover expenses to the end of the year. In November, council approved a similar loan to RAP, and last week the committee thought they may require only an additional $1,000 to carry them through to the end of the year. RAP had budgetted for an $8,000 deficit this year, but figures presented by Baynham indicate the deficit will now be $10,000 and that RAP failed in their plans to make up any of the original deficit present in their budget. Baynham said most of the problem was associated with reduted revenues, plus the fact the committee did not now control the funds of the local figure skating club and minor hockey association. In the past, Deadlines are set for next issues The special Christmas edition of The Times-Advocate will be published Monday December 23. The deadline for classified ads will be at 5 p.m. today, Thursday. All other items including Christmas greetings, display ads, correspondence and news items must be submitted by 12 noon Friday. The last issue for the year 1974 will -be published on Thesday, December 31. The deadline for all advertising and news items will be`at 5 p.m. Monday, December 30. Applications for Exeter's new geared-to-income senior citizens' housing are coming in "slowly" according to clerk Eric Carscadden. He said between 20 to 24 had been received for the 32 units now under construction on Sanders St. East, noting he wasn't certain as to the exact number because all applications are immediately forwarded to officials of the Ontario Housing Corporation. Stephen and Usborne have already indicated they will sup- port the senior citizens' units, while Hay will not. Hensall left their decision until the new year. The area communities have been invited to participate so their residents may be eligible to rent the units. Those agreeing, will help pay Exeter's portion of any operating deficit, based on the number of residents involved from each municipality. As an example, if one Usborne resident rents one of the units, that township would pay one thirty-second of Exeter's share of any deficit. Exeter's share is seven percent, with the senior governments paying the balance. Council agreed this week to ask Zurich if they were in- terested in entering into a similar agreement. The acticwv was taken after Carscadden reported that two Zurich residents had applied for accom- modation in the new units. element and the most important, Co-operation and interest of the residents is of prime importance to the plan in order to find out what the people who reside in the area feel the future of their land should be. Much of the research for the —please turn to page 3 Huron County Planner, Neil Hill envisioned few problems when it comes time to prepare the official plan for the township of Usboi:ne. Hill said that the residents of Usborne township appear to have fairly common goals and "the fine performance in agriculture will probably result in a fair amount of agreement in enhancing and protecting farm lands". Hill spoke Monday night to a group of about 50 Usborne township residents at Usborne Central School, at the first of a series of public meetings about the official, secondary plan for the township. A preliminary study of the land and its present uses and poten- tials was carried out during the summer by Brenda Blair, a student from Usborne township. The study has been completed and has been submitted to the County Planning department. Mr. Hill said that the county had taken a bold step forward• in making their'official county plan and that the secondary plans of the townships would be more specific and detailed, Hill said that Huron County was the first county to institute a county wide plan because we were "a solid farming community who found it was necessary to protect the valuable and irreplaceable natural resource of good farm land", 'The planner pointed out that there are four major steps in the preparation of any plan, research, an extensive program of public workshops, preparation of the plan and approval. He said that the second step, public workshops is the most dynamic Single car crashes reported in district Property damage in area accidents was comparatively light again this week, There were seven accidents in total, four of which involved only one vehicle. On Wednesday at 4:55 p.m. a car driven by Howard Lemon collided with a car driven by Peter McNaughton on the main street in Hensall with total damage being set at $200 by Constable Ed Wilcox. Damage was listed at $1,000 on Thursday at 7:35 a.m., when a car operated by Keith Watson, Kirkton collided with a hydro pole. Damage to the pole was set at $200. Constable Bob Whiteford investigated. He was also the investigating officer in the first of two ac- At press time, Wednesday the Exeter OPP had still not received any information regarding the skeleton remains of a human body found near Grand Bend, Monday. The skeleton was located in a bush near the intersection of Highway 21 and 83 by four resort area men who were out target shooting. Barry Clark, Grand Bend, made the discovery near the remains of three wrecked cars about 3:00 p.m. The skeleton was sent to Toronto for pathological examination. That examination was to be undertaken yesterday, but the results have not been released. OPP Constable Frank Giffin is assisting CID Inspector C. J. Potter in the investigation. Police said it was impossible to tell if the remains were of a male or female. Exeter airs protest over riding changes being given for the changes and therefore couldn't support or op- pose the motion. "They're trying to weaken the rural powers," Wright suggested. "That's a good reason to object then," Mayor Delbridge replied. Hydro rates PAUSE TO REMEMBER — The Creditors United Church Sunday School Christmas program held Sunday night featured a pageant en- titled "Pause to Remember the Promise." The large cast is shown at the conclusion of the production. Reg Finkbeiner was the director. T-A photo Six win clocks in bank contest to increase Could terminate at Andrew St. Exeter residents can expect a 7,5 percent increase in their hydro rates this coming February, That Will be an average, and a few may have slightly lower in- creases, while others will be higher. One of those jumping even more will be felt by all residents, The local street lighting bill will be hiked 18 percent according to a letter sent to council by PUC manager Hugh Davis this week, He said the hefty increase is the result of a new formula for billing being adopted by the PUC, He gave ne reasons for the larger hike in street lighting compared with other increases, The planned increases will have to be approved by Ontario Hydro, During the recent 100th bir- thday celebrations of the Exeter branch of the Bank of Montreal, six clocks were given away as draw prizes. The winners were Ian Rodger, Grand Bend; Mrs. Mary Kenney, Crediton and Bruce Simpson, Sue Hlommaert, Donna Jones and Cliff Ersman, all of Exeter. Despite having only three af- firmative votes, Exeter council agreed this week to protest the recommendations being made for changing the boundaries of the Huron riding in the Ontario Electoral District. They will lend their support to complaints already being aired by MPP Jack Riddell, who has said he is unhappy with the proposal which would bring Strathroy and all the townships north of that in Middlesex into a new Huron-Middlesex riding. The council of Strathroy are also opposing the change. "It's a stupid move," com- mented Councillor Ted Wright in broaching the subject and urging council to oppose the changes, "It's just a proposal," noted Councillor Ben Hoogenboom. "Yes, but that's the time to voice our opinions," Wright stated. Hoogenboom agreed with the suggestion that council oppose the proposal, noting that he didn't know how one man could cover such a wide area. They gained support from Councillor Tom MacMillan and the lone opposition came from Reeve Daffy Boyle, The other members of council abstained tret, voting and the motion to op- pose the change was approved. After the vote, Councillor Bruce Shaw said he was not knowledgeable as to the reasons May not complete drain cidents on Friday. It occurred at 10:40 a.m. when a truck driven by Marten Dykstra, Exeter collided with a van operated by Edward Johnson, London, on Highway 4 at the intersection of Highway 84 in Hensall. Total damage was $150. At 11:15 a car driven by Beverly Genttner, Exeter, ran into the ditch on Highway 4 with damage being set in that incident at $700 by Constable Don Mason. There were two accidents on 'Tuesday, the first at 12:15 p.m, involving vehicles operated by Donald Rueger, RR 4, Clinton and Clarence VanWieren, RR 2, Hensall. They collided on High- way 4 at Wellington St. in Hensall and Constable Jim Rogers listed damage at $175. At 3:30 p.m. a vehicle driven by Garfield McIntosh, Sudbury skidded out Of control on a curve on Highway 23 at the Middlesex County line and went over an embankment, struck a hydro pole and then a fence, owned by David Moffatt. Total damage was get at $1,000 by Constable Rogers, • During the week, the detach- ment officers charged four people under the Highway Traffic Act and issued warnings to another 12. There were seven charges under the Liquor Control Act and 11 under the Criminal Code. Three thefts were also in- vestigated with a total value of property taken being $165. Of that, $85 has been recovered and one juvenile has been charged in connection with one Of these thefts. The OPP advise they are in possession of a portable 'IN found in Huron Park this week, It may be claimed at the office, Short in speaker sets auto ablaze A 1974 model tar driven by Mrs, P. Pane( Grand Bend, was destroyed by fire Thursday In the Shipka area, A rear seat speaker apparently shorted starting the blaze. The Grand Bend and Dashwood fire departments responded to the call. Patterson said the biggest mis- take Made was in not having the easements signed before the work commenced. "It's too late to consider that," Mayor Delbridge replied. Council finally agreed to dis- cuss the matter with engineer B. M. Ross and find his recommen- dations regarding the problem, One member of council said that the engineer had already stated that it may be feasible to halt construction without com- pleting the easterly portion of the drain in the area where the easements are required and have not yet been received. The expropriation of three easements required for the new Anne St, storm drain now under construction may take longer than members of Exeter council first envisioned, The delay may require the cancellation of the contract with C. A. McDowell LW, and could even lead to council deciding against finishing the drain, That was the talk around the council table Monday night. Expropriation proceedings have already started to secure the easements across the proper- ties of Jean Coward, Ed Hunter- Duvar and Ray Heywood and originally council had thought work could progress as soon as notification had been given to the property owners. However, Mayor Jack Delbridge Indicated this week it could take two months before the necessary regulations could be completed and have the contrac- tor start Work on the properties in question. He said an agreement could still be reached with the property owners "if they are reasonable". He hinted that a cash settle- ment could be made without eort- eluding eXpropriation proceedings, but several Members of council indicated they were against such a move, ' "In my estimation we shouldn't have to pay (for easements) at all," Ben Hoogen- boom stated, At this point it was suggested that work on the drain be halted at a point east of Andrew St, "To me, they would be the biggest losers if we cut the work off," Councillor Ted Wright con- tended, Members agreed that a max- imum effort had been made in an attempt to settle the issue with the three property owners, although Councillor Harold