Loading...
The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-10-14, Page 1SIGNS FOR HOCKEY — Registration for the coming season for the Exeter Minor Hockey Association was held this week. Above, EMHA president Ron Bogart signs up Steve Riddell of Dashwood. T-A phto RAP refuses job of barn placement Expect legal action to lapse • BUS SAFETY TIPS Constable Bill Wilson of the Goderich Ontario Provincial Police detachment has been visiting area elementary schools discussing bus safety. Above, Constable Wilson talks with Mt. Carmel Separate School students Michael Minderlem, Claude Marin, Pamela Bregman and Julie Arnold. T-A photo FIELD HOCKEY INSTRUCTIONS — A clinic on field hockey was held at South Huron District High School, Tuesday. Above, Canadian national team coach Ann McKenna talks with Liz Brand, Cheryl Chapman, Jeannette De Vries and coach Jim Workman of the South Huron High School team. T-A Photo Usborne okay two drains Woman's death sparks extensive OPP investigation At press time yesterday, Exeter OPP were unable to provide the T-A with any details surrounding the death of a 62-year-old Dashwood woman. The body of Mrs. Florence Wein was found in her home on the western outskirts of the village Tuesday morning. The dis- covery sparked an extensive police investigation. Wednesday afternoon, OPP Cpl. Norton Rhiness said he was still awaiting details of an autopsy report and until that was forwarded he would be unable to comment on the nature of the woman's death, When asked if foul play was suspected, he declined com- ment. One Hundred and Fourth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, OCTOBER 14, 1976 Price Per Copy 25 Cents S An old adage suggests people should never look a gift horse in the mouth, but when that gift is a horse barn, members of Exeter's RAP committee don't follow that adage. They received the horse barn — or at least the choosing of its future site — as a "gift" from Exeter council this week and after a lengthy debate, Tuesday, decided to throw it back in council's lap. The debate over the horse barn started at council's special meeting Tuesday afternoon when Mayor Bruce Shaw advised there had been a suggestion that the horse barn be moved to a "mutually agreeable site" at the park. He indicated the members of the Exeter Turf Club would be prepared to undertake the move, but because they had no money, asked council to consider helping out in the expenses. Cost of moving the structure had been estimated at between $400 and $500. "It would probably cost us $500 to hire people to tear it down," Reeve Derry Boyle noted. It was finally decided by a motion that the turf club be asked to remove the barn by this Sunday so it won't be in the way of construction on the new South Huron Recreation Centre, After the council meeting had been adjourned, the question arose whether council would help out in the expenses. The members were rounded up again and a motion was presented by Councillor Ted Wright that council pay up to $500 for the removal of the horse barn. It was carried. Mayor Bruce Shaw then ad- vised RAP officials they would have the "gift" of working out that mutually agreeable site with the turf club. "That's nice of them," RAP member Gaylan Josephson remarked on being apprised of the situation at that committee's meeting Tuesday night. Some possible sites in the community park were mentioned by resources manager Alvin Willert, but vice-chairman Bob Pooley noted that there would be no access for the horsemen or services to most locations. He Residents of Ontario won't know until October 20 whether they'll be involved in a mass immunization program against swine flu. Huron Medical Officer Of Health Dr. Frank Mills advised this week that the Ontario Cabinet will make a decision on that date after they hear from the national committee on im- munization, Dr. Mills explained that the national committee made the original recommendation for the mass immunization program and he doesn't expect they'll change their minds, However, the Huron MOH is of the opinion that if Ontario does MEMBER RESIGNS Arn Laithwaite tendered his resignation as a member of Exeter's RAP committee this week. He cited personal reasons for his decision and the resignation was accepted by RAP. Laithwaite had been appointed earlier this year, predicted it would cost up to $4,000 to proyide water and hydro to the horse barn at a new location. . "Council should pick the location," he suggested, predicting it would be difficult to come up with an agreeable site. He also Suggested that council would probably disagree with RAP on the decision any way. Please turn to page 3 Several pay stiff fines A Grand Bend man was fined $350 or 30 days and had his driver's licence suspended a further six months when he appeared in court Tuesday on a charge of driving while under suspension. The court learned that the accused, Dawson Keller, had a previous conviction. He had pleaded guilty to the charge and was given two months in which to pay the fine. John Aikenhead, Hensall, was fined $173 on a speeding charge. He was clocked at 84 in a 50 zone on July 17 of this year, Several other stiff speeding fines were levied by His Honour Judge Glenn Hays. They were as follows: Carl Roes, Delaware, , $153 for a speed of 80 in a 50 zone; Abraham Veerman, R.R. 1, Auburn, $155 for a speed of 88 in a 50 zone; Charles E. Chapman, London, $158 for a speed of 81 in a 50 zone; Douglas V. Morgan, Clinton, $178 for a speed of 85 in a 50 zone. In the only other case, Cecil Earle Willis, Grand Bend, was given a conditional discharge on a charge of possession of a restricted weapon for which he did not have a permit. On July 9 he was found with a hand revolver (32 calibre) in his possession. The firing pin had been removed and the gun was inoperable. The court learned that the gun had been purchased as an antique and was inoperable at the time of the purchase. Willis was ordered to relinquish the 'gun to the police. decide to proceed with the program, the confusion that has arisen will result in many people deciding against having the vaccination, "I doubt that 50 percent will take it," Dr. Mills said. The Ontario government has decided to proceed with the immunization of people over 65 and the chronically ill. Vaccine is expected to be available in Huron around the end of the month and most physicians have indicated they will cooperate and give the shots to their patients, OHIP has decided that the doctors may charge for the office procedure through ()HIP and this is being cited as one of the basic reasons most doctors have agreed to cooperate. Some were miffed at the original an- nouncement that they would be expected to provide their ser- vices without remuneration. Dr, Mills said the ministry of health would be conducting an information campaign advising seniors and the chronically ill how they should proceed to have the vaccinations. a The situation surrounding the South Huron Recreation Centre took on some new twists this week, and a motion passed by Exeter council at a special meeting Tuesday afternoon to explore the possibilities of acquiring land east 'of the com- munity park for possible ex- tension of the race track is ex- pected to result in the Agricultural Society dropping any legal action to block con- struction of the centre. The proposal for extending the Mayor Bruce Shaw was ob- viously happy when he arrived at Wednesday night's special session of council, and he had occasion to add to that feeling later in the meeting. His original frame of mind was brought about by a visit earlier that day to the offices of the man responsible for allocating Win- tario and Community Centres grants. He travelled to Toronto with South Huron Recreation centre chairmen John Stephens, Ron Bogart and King McDonald and received the news that area residents would have to raise only $254,000 towards the new centre, Shaw explained that the figure was tentative until the formal application was approved by the minister of culture and recreation, but he quickly added that the minister had never refused to endorse a promise for funds made by the senior member of his staff. "All in all, it was a very, very worthwhile and fruitful visit," Shaw told council. "We have to be extremely happy." He said that the reduction of the original $5001,000 goal to half that amount was, "just tremendous." His enthusiasm was obviously shared by the three SHRCC of- ficials. Stephens said he was very happy ,with the results of the meeting, while McDonald ad- vised that the Mayor had handled the interview very smoothly. Bogart added 'that the delegation members were told that the ministry of labor would not, in any case, approve repairs to the existing arena because of its type of construction. "They said it was never safe' from the time it was built," 116 advised council. Mayor Shaw's second occasion to be happy arose during the subsequent debate on whether council would approve the tender for the construction of the recreation centre. Reeve Derry Boyle and Councillor Lossy Fuller presented a motion that the tender be approved and they immediately met with opposition from Deputy-Reeve Tom Mac- Millan and Councillor Ted Wright. "Are we absolutely sure we're doing the right thing?" Wright questioned. He wondered if there may be any developments in the next three or four days that may make council wish they'd changed their minds if the con- tract was signed. Boyle admitted he was gam- bling to a certain extent, but indicated that on legal advice regarding the writ issued by the Agricultural Society, it was 90 percent certain there would be no hold-ups on the project. MacMillan's main concern was that with such an important decision, it may be best to wait until a full slate of council members was present. Missing from the meeting at that point were Councillors Barb Bell, Garnet Hicks, Bob Simpson and Harold Patterson, "It doesn't seem right tome that half a council should pass track to the east was hammered out at a three-hour meeting Thursday night. Mayor Bryce Shaw had been asked by the Agricultural Society to attend that meeting, along with representatives of the rodeo committee and turf club. Councillors Lossy Fuller and Ted Wright also attended as part of council's delegation, Tuesday afternoon, Shaw said that Gib Dow had been contacted about his land east of the park and advised that it was available, something so important," he suggested. "I'm not a gambling man," Wright interjected, saying he questioned if even a 10 percent gamble on the sivation was wise. Mayor Shaw was growing noticeably uneasy at this point, realizing that a split vote among the four members was evident and that he would be placed in a position of having to break the tie. However, just at that point, Patterson walked into the council chambers and he was en- thusiastically greeted by Shaw. After making Patterson aware of the situation and discussion to that • point, Shaw advised he would have the final comment on the debate, Two municipal drain contracts were awarded at the October meeting of Usborne township council. The contract to construct the Glenn Drain Extension in the summer of 1977 was let to Parker and Parker Ltd. Hensall for $10,135 and the construction work on the Skinner drain will be handled by Roth Drainage of Gadshill for $5,235. Jim Siddall Trucking has been re-engaged for snow plowing for Cost of the land was set at providing a serviced road for Dow's subdivision, SHRCC chairman John Stephens said a parcel of land 240 feet by 660 feet would be required to accommodate the track and works superintendent Glenn Kells advised that the cost of servicing a road would be about $38,000. However, this figure does not include water or hydro costs, After a lengthy debate, council finally passed a motion that the Agricultural Society, rodeo "Let's get on with the rest of it," Patterson replied and Mayor Shaw called for the vote. Pat- terson sided with Boyle and Fuller to approve the tender price of $950,000 as submittdd by 25410 (Northside) Construction Ltd., London. Earlier in the meeting, council passed a motion ordering that the necessary steps be taken to remove the horse barn from its present location at the park. That action was taken after Boyle reported that lawyer Earl Cherniak had advised that council could proceed with their project if they wanted. Boyle said the lawyer had advised that it may be a gamble, but in his opinion it was a very small gamble. the period from December 1 to March 31,1977 at $18 per hour and $10 per day standby subject to approval of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Com- munications. Building inspector Doug Triebner reported issuing one permit for a new residence and five for building renovations to a total estimated value of $81,500. A land severance application from the Squire Herdman Estate to separate Lot 4 from Lots 3 and committee and turf club enquire further about obtaining land from Dow and come back to council with their recommendation. Also contained in the approved motion was a clause that council would proceed with the legal action now underway regarding the ownership of the community park itself. Council also passed a motion agreeing to sign a letter of intent with Northside Construction to allow an immediate start on construction of the new recreation centre. After the meeting, Mayor Bruce Shaw advised the T-A that he felt council's actions would result in the Agricultural Society dropping their legal action against the town. The only person opposed to Tuesday's attempt to reach a compromise with the Agricultural Society was Reeve Derry Boyle. Although the matter of who was going to pay the costs involved in acquiring land was never determined, Boyle predicted that much of that expense would fall on Exeter ratepayers. He said the compromise would still not settle the question of ownership of the community park and he said the only way that could be done was to settle the matter in court. "We should see this thing through if we've got the guts to back it up," he commented. Boyle presented a motion that council meet any court challenge 5, Concession 6 was accepted. One tile drain loan bylaw was passed and the debenture in the amount of $5,700 will be offered for sale to the Province of Ontario. A special meeting is planned for October 19 to discuss the building bylaw with the building inspector. The next regular meeting of council will be held on Tuesday, November 2 at 1 p,m, Any expectation that the old Exeter arena may bring in some final revenue before being demolished faded Tuesday af- ternoon. Tenders were opened for the removal of the structure which was condemned by the ministry of labor in February and all four bids received called for the contractors to be paid for their efforts in addition to receiving all the materials salvaged, Low bid came from Leonard Bourgeos, RR 2 Thamesford. It was for $3,500. The highest tender was from St. Pierre Construction for $19,800. In a letter accompanying his bid, Bourgeos said he would start the job immediately and would of the Agricultural Society and proceed as planned with the construction of the rec centre. "If we get burned we get burned," he added. However, no member of council - would second that motion. Mayor Shaw asked if anyone would object if the other three groups acquired the land and deeded it to the town. Boyle replied that there would be all kinds of objections from taxpayers if they were expected to pay for the development and he too would object. Councillor Ted Wright said that if a solution could be ironed out it would be good for the town and Stephen township council has abandoned plans for construction of the proposed Waterloo street drain at the southwesterly edge of the town of Exeter for a least this year. Clerk Wilmar Wein reported this week that word had been received from the Ontario Environment Assessment Board and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment that the proposed drainage works were not ac- ceptable to the two governmental departments. The pro 'osal which was ap- proved by Stephen and Exeter wouuld have cost a total of $27,500. The government bodies said they would be in favour of an alternative proposal which would cost about $90,000. Stephen councillors agreed that adjoining residents and the township itself could not afford this type of drainage and also felt it would not ease the situation. Exeter council has also agreed to shelve the project because of the lack of necessary funds. Wein said the original plan which was approved by both municipalities would have relieved the present problem and the cost was acceptable. A severance application from Exeter Produce to apply to part of Lot 14, Concession 12 was approved. An appeal by Bruce Mills on the assessment of the Smith-Carroll municipal drain was accepted and will be forwarded to engineer C.P. Corbett for a re-assessment. The township bulldozer which has been inoperative for some time has been advertised for sale. Drainage insp, ctor Lorne hope to have most of it completed before the cold weather arrives, The terms of the contract call for the arena to be demolished by January 15 and there is a $50-a- day penalty clause for any ex- tension beyond that time. Mayor Bruce Shaw asked for comments from Deptuy-Reeve Tom MacMillan, who had chaired a committee of Lossy Fuller and Gaylan Josephson to investigate the demise of the facility. MacMillan said that the people in Blyth had made money by having the Amish people tear down their arena and then the materials were sold. However, he said it would be difficult to find qualified people to supervise such Work in Exeter and he indicated it would be a big task. everyone involved, "If we solved this peacefully, there would be a lot better feeling down the road," he said, George Naoum of Cambrian Facilities was in attendance at the meeting and said the con- tractors were anxious to start the project. He said a delay beyond the 30- day period allowable to award the contract would result in council losing the "good price" they have received from the contractor as well as valuable time, He predicted if the 30 days expired with no contract signed, the new centre could not be completed until at least next December, Deitrich :as instructed to repair a portion of the Isaac drain at Lot 3, Concession 16. Permission was given to Ontario Hydro to designate land in the area of Concession 19 and Sideroad 20 at the westerly end of the township for a substation. Council will be considering a request from a number of residents on Concession 2 and 3 between the Crediton road and Highway 83 for paving of the road. A petition was presented to council by Hubert Cooper, Allan Eggleston, Bruce Shapton and Wallace Makins on behalf of 30 ratepayers. Trustees of the Police Village of Centralia asked council for sidewalk construction along Victoria street and information on the possibility of passing a burning restriction bylaw. Three claims for poultry and livestock, destroyed by stray dogs, were paid. They went to Hugh Evans for the loss of 15 pheasants and two show doves; Arlene Wood, two goats and Gerald Action, three sheep. CONFISCATE BIKES Officers of the Exeter police department are continuing to warn bicycle riders in town who ride their bikes on sidewalks and in and out of traffic. Chief Ted Day said this week that youngsters are being warned by officers on the first occasion and on a second offence the bikes are being taken away for seven days. This action is being taken to help prevent accidents and keep children from being injured. "We'll get involved in something beyond us if we take it down ourselves," he predicted. Councillor Lossy Fuller said she had asked the Blyth chair- man if he would follow the same procedure again and he replied that he would not get involved again because it was such a big job and the responsibility fell on the shoulders of only one person. Councillor Ted Wright said specialized equipment, such as a derek, would be required to remove the rafters and he said council were "fortunate" in receiving a bid as low as $3,500. On his motion, council agreed to award the contract to Bourgeos. "We don't have much choice," commented Reeve Derry Boyle. • Verdict on flu shot expected next week EVIVUOVNIUMNIMMEMERIDDEOMISMZER.4::;,:gIMMEM Target now set at $254,000 Drain is shelved; pay- for dog Wing Revenue goes wrong way Costs $3,500 to raze arena