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Times-Advocate, 1979-02-07, Page 1Police get eight percent hike Despite objections from Reeve Si Simmons that the finance committee should rule on it, and a plea from Councillor Don Cameron for more study time, Exeter council this week approved a new contract with the Ex­ eter Police Association. The new contract calls for an eight percent pay boost, bringing the first class con­ stables to an annual salary of $17,820. The corresponding rates for second, third and fourth class constables are $16,632, $15,336 and $12,312. A REVERSAL OF ROLES — A morning's skate by the moms and tots of the Sunshirie Nursery School Tuesday proved that in .some respects children are on equal footing with their parents. While Sarah Kerslake allows mother to push her around things are reversed in the bottom picture as Sarah Darling takes mother Joy for a quick spin. T-A photo PUC deliberates power shortages Ontario Hydro spokesmen have predicted there could be power blackouts or rotating rationing in South­ western Ontario in less than 10 years if immediate action isn’t taken to ensure the building of new transmission facilities by then. However, at Wednesday’s meeting of the Exeter PUC, manager Hugh Davis in­ dicated "we are not in an area of concern.” He was commenting on a submission to the Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning which was discussed in London on Wednesday afternoon. Davis and vice-chairman Murray Greene attended the session after the morning PUC meeting. Davis said the main problem was in improving transmission lines, noting that the power was available from the Bruce nuclear plant, but it was in fact "locked in” due to the problem of getting it into the grid. Ken McClymont, Hydro’s manager of transmission systems planning, told the London meeting that it now takes about eight years instead of the three years once needed to get a project through to completion. Two environmental assessment hearings must be held and it can take up to two to years to acquire necessary property transmission routes. Commenting on three the for that Other new features in the contract this year include a boost in the rate for con­ stables using their own vehicles. They will receive $5 or 25 cents per mile, whichever is the greater. There is also a new' $100 allowance for drv cleaning of uniforms, a meal allowance of $5 when they work more than three hours beyond the normal shift ter­ mination period and one week’s normal salary as compensation for’on-call time during the year. After the contract was problem at the morning PUC meeting, chairman Chan Livingstone suggested part of the problem was in Hydro’s priorities. He suggested that rather than spend money on costly advertising campaigns espousing conservation, Hydro should use that money to pay farmers more for their land so the projects would'notbedelayed as long. "They have to do it (buy land) sooner or later and the costs go up each day,” he commented. "It’s unfortunate to see locked-in power when there is a necessity for it,” Livingstone added. Mayor Derry Boyle was mildly critical of the fact rural officials and residents often attempted to block transmission routes. He said he has told rural members of county council in the past that they get as much benefit from hydro as do people Please turn to page 3 HAN BOARD ELECTS Local accountant Gerald Merner has been named chairman of the Exeter planning board, with former mayor Bruce Shaw acting as vice-chairman. Brian Parsons, deputy clerk-treasurer, will serve in the capacity as secretary. These appointments were made at the first meeting of • the new board last week and were ratified by council, Monday. tabled, Simmons called for it to be turned over to the finance committee for ratification before being ap­ proved by council. He suggested this was the only way the overall police budget could be cut if cuts were required, noting that wages probably represented 80 percent of the total budget. "Not last year, they weren’t," Councillor Jay Campbell commented. Cameron wanted to know what items were new and these were outlined by Deputy-Reeve Don MacGregor and Campbell. Cameron suggested the mileage allowances exceed­ ed government rates, but Mayor Boyle noted that cars could get "pretty rough treatment” in police work. Simmons said he would like to see several items deleted, including the dry cleaning allowance, the in­ creased mileage and the meal allowance. He said the officers were Three flags are stolen Flags, hockey equipment and eight-track tapes were among the items reported stolen in Exeter this week. The police are in­ vestigating three incidents of stolen flags. In all cases, the rope was cut and the flags taken down. The flags were removed from the R. E. Pooley branch Legion, South Huron Hospital and the local liquor store. The hockey equipment and a case containing eight-track tapes were stolen from a vehicle owned by Ralph Batten, while on Friday someone kicked in the passenger door on a vehicle owned by rec centre manager Kirk Armstrong. Damage was set at $100. Police have laid four charges arising out of their investigation into complaints of erratic driving and the throwing of beer bottles from vehicles in the vicinity of the high school on Friday af­ ternoon. There were three charges of drinking while under the legal age and another of contributing to juvenile delinquency. Chief Ted Day said his department will continue to keep a close watch on this area, especially on Fridays. Turn down two requests for grants More requests for town grants were handled by Ex­ eter council, Monday, and while the two on the agenda met with the same negative response as did previous requests, one almost made it through. The first request came from the Huron County Historical Committee and Mayor Boyle said he didn’t see how council could donate after .turning down pleas from various charitable groups in the health field. Members backed that con­ tention and the request was denied. "I suggest it follows the same thing,” Boyle said after the second request for funds was read from the Huron Plowmen’s Associa­ tion. "I don’t agree,” Deputy- Reeve Don MacGregor quickly replied and he gain­ ed support from Reeve Si Simmons who moved that council donate their usual $50 to that group. "It’s going to a worthy cause,” claimed MacGregor, who said there was a big interest, especial­ ly among young people, in the annual Huron plowing competition. In reply to a question from Don Cameron as to why one group should get a grant and not another, Reeve Sim­ mons said that the town crest says that Exeter’s heritage is with the farmers and this was supposed to be an agricultural community. However, when the vote on the $50 grant was taken, it was defeated with Coun­ cillors Cameron, Campbell, Fuller and Williamson in op- position to Simmons, MacGregor and Councillor Harold Patterson. During the debate, members noted that the groups requesting grants could get council’s permis­ sion to conduct door-to-door canvasses if they so desired. entitled to get their un­ iforms, but questioned the dry cleaning allowance on top of that. Boyle suggested that Sim­ mons was trying to make an issue of who should have control of the police con­ tract negotiations. He noted that under the Police Act, that responsibility rested solely with the police com­ mittee and the finance com­ mittee didn’t enter the pic­ ture until the overall police viously over eight percent Big Brothers win The local Big Brothers Association netted $290.96 from the recent hockey game between the South Huron League all-stars and the St. Marys Stonetown Flyers of the Int. "B” league. The receipts were split into One Hundred and Fifth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, FEBRUARY 7, 1979 Proposal for dump fees sent back to committee In an attempt to keep non­ Exeter residents from using the town dump, council this week deliberated a sugges­ tion from the sanitation committee that anyone who takes refuse to the Hay land­ fill site will pay a special levy. That also includes Ex­ eter residents. However, the recommen­ dation ran into some stumbl­ ing blocks — even from members of .the sanitation committee — ’aria ’at the suggestion of chairman Si Simmons, it will be laid over until the next meeting for further study. Under the proposal, all residents of Exeter would be provided with a landfill site pass, and commencing on April 1, they would be charg­ ed for any trips they make to the facility with garbage. The rates range from $15 per load for a packer truck to $2.50 for any vehicle un­ der the size of a pickup tak­ ing refuse through the gates. Sanitation committee member Lossy Fuller voic­ ed the first objection to the proposal, saying that upon further consideration she felt it would be a waste sen­ WELCOMING SENIORS — More than 125 persons attended Monday's 25th anniversary of the Exeter senior citizens club. Shown with the guest book ready for the visitors are Blanche Dougall, Alma Rundle, Dorothy Bullock and Verna Greenlee. Two hurt near Exeter Crash closes area highway Highway 23 in the Kirkton- Woodham area was closed for about an hour and half, Thursday, when a tractor trailer jackknifed after being involved in a collision during a show storm. Four vehicles ended up being involved in the mixup with total property damage of $7,500. There were no injuries. In the first mishap, the tractor trailer driven by Joseph Zemnicky, budget was being con­ sidered. Campbell indicated it would still be possible to keep the total police budget within the five percent guidelines suggested earlier for the town. Cameron said it may be a good agreement, but he was "nervous” about passing it without knowing the details ■ of all the changes and added that the increase was ob- three equal parts, with each team and Big Brothers sharing in the returns. However, the St. Marys club announced immediately after the game at the South Huron rec centre they would donate their share to Big Brothers. imes - Advocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 ding a pass to each resident because few people actually make special trips to the dump. Simmons explained that the committee intended to send the passes out with the tax billings and he didn’t feel the cost would amount to anything if it was handled in that manner, Deputy.-Reeve Don MacGregor also objected to Mrs. Fuller’s suggestion that the passes be made Okay road work public works drains are on Drive and Two storm drains and three road resurfacing pro­ jects were approved by Ex­ eter council, Monday, following the recommenda­ tion of the committee. The storm Riverside Eastern Ave. and will be un­ dertaken by the works department if time and money permits. The resurfacing include Alexander Main to Carling, projects St. from Carling Amherstburg, collided with a vehicle operated by Harvey Elliot, R.R. 3 Mit­ chell. The Elliot vehicle was stuck in a snowbank at the time. A second tractor trailer stopped due to the first ac­ cident and it was sub­ sequently struck by a car driven by Robert Knetsch, Stratford. Exeter OPP Constable Al Quinn investigated. There were two other accidents during the week, when the new benefits were added to the wages. "It’s a rare group that will settle for under five percent,” Campbell point out. "You’re looking at one,” Cameron quickly retorted. He presented a motion that the contract be held over two weeks for further study, but he failed to get a seconder. Members said if the stall was in opposition to the terms, they would have to get some direction from council on what new terms they wanted to have renegotiated. Cameron replied he wasn’t seeking any new terms at the present, but merely time to more fully consider those presented. However, the approval of the new contract was given, with Simmons and Cameron failing to support the mo­ tion. available only through the clerk’s office, noting that, most people using the dump did so on the weekends when the clerk’s office was clos­ ed. Newcomer Don Cameron wondered what problem the committee hoped to solve through the new program. Simmons indicated the idea was to basically keep non-residents out of the facility. "We’re about the only free North from Alexander to Thames Road West, and William North from Alex­ ander to Thames Road West. Council also endorsed the committee recommendation that1 neither instalation and/or cost sharing of sanitary sewers on River­ side Drive be negotiated un­ til some definite plans are presented for the develop­ ment and servicing of entire land holding to the east, ex­ clusive of subdivision and mobile home park. one occurring on Highway 4 just south of Exeter on Saturday. It resulted in minor injuries to two area ladies. A northbound vehicle driven by Lynda Wilds, Huron Park, skidded out of control while the driver was attempting to pass another vehicle. The Wilds car skidded into the west ditch and rolled over. The driver and passenger, Janet Wilds, Crediton, were taken to a 1 ABILITY CANVASSERS — The Ability Fund campaign was completed in Exeter this week. Shown getting a donation from Edith Boyle, Huron street,are canvassers Angela Sweitzer and Marlene Moore. T-A photo dump in the area,” Coun­ cillor Harold Patterson in­ terjected. Simmons said the landfill site was being used up and if no controls were forthcom­ ing, it would soon be necessary for council to look for a new site and he suggested the cost could be in the range of $175,000 to $200,000. Cameron contended that the new fee scale would probably achieve the goal of discouraging people from using the dump, but he questioned if this would lead to a burdensome situation for the works department in that more people would leave refuse for the special monthly pickup. In the report, the com­ mittee recommended that the special monthly pickups be continued. After the meeting, Sim­ mons advised the T-A that the new levies would apply to commercial dump users as well, thereby eliminating the annual problem of coun­ cil attempting to set special rates for those firms who make inordinate use of the facility. South Huron Hospital for treatment. Constable Jack Straughan investigated. Damage was set at $1,500. The other accident was reported on Sunday on High­ way 4 south of Kippen, in­ volving vehicles driven by Thomas Flynn, Goderich and Edward Yamamoto, Kippen. Constable Larry Christiaen set total damage at $1,600. There were no injuries. Price Per Copy 25 Cents 3$ REV. SNELL SPEAKS — The guest speaker at Monday's 25th anniversary of the Exeter senior citizens was Rev. Harold Snell. Prior to the dinner Nelson Squire and mayor Derry Boyle watch as Rev’. Snell describes the length of one of his fishing catches of 1978. T-A photo Seniors celebrate 25th anniversary By TED CHAMBERS The 25th anniversary of the Exeter Senior Citizens was celebrated at noon Monday at the Exeter Legion Hall. Because of stormy weather and drifted roads some of the invited guests were not able to come. These included Huronview residents Cecil Skinner, a former president and Mrs. George Lawson, one of the first members and another past president Joe White. Also unable to attend were MPP Jack Riddell, MP Bob McKinley, and Ridgetown rec director Doug Smith who was instrumental in organizing the Exeter group 25 years ago. Among those called upon was Mrs. Russel Schroeder who has been a member of the club since it began 25 years ago.Mrs. FrankITaylor and Mrs. Lloyd Fraser both have been members since the start and active in the club as long as health per­ mitted. Both said a few words expressing their good wishes and pleasure of being able to be present. Another speaker was Mr, Ed Lindenfield, vice- president of the club at the beginning. Ted Pooley ex­ pressed his pleasure for the Legion being able to provide a building for senior citizens of this community and said he was told by one of the Provincial executives of Legion who visited it recently that it is | the best building of its kind in Ontario and that Exeter and com­ munity can be proud of it. Mayor Derry Boyle and Mrs. Boyle were also present. Mr. Boyle spoke a few words and said the town would present the club with $50 towards the funds. Some other older members were asked to say a few words. One was Albert Steeper who spoke for he and his wife who recently celebrated their 56th wed­ ding anniversary. Gordon Heywood also said a few words for he and his wife. These people are well into their 80’s and still going strong. Bob Heywood provided music and sang some sacred songs. Mrs. Harry Beaver was called to say a few words as she was one of the original Rebekahs who with town recreation committee met with seniors 25 years ago to form the first senior citizens club. Her father and mother Mr. & Mrs. Sam Jory were valuable members to the club as long as they were able. A report of the history of 25 years of service and ap­ preciation by all the members over those years and their willingness to help make it progress was compiled by Ed Chambers and read by him. A copy of this will appear elsewhere in paper. Roland Williams was asked to introduce the speaker Rev. Harold Snell who is well known by all in Exeter and district. He spoke very inspiringly to seniors and said to be friendly; listen to what is going on both your fellow man and to God and we w ill receive inspiration for a happy and fruitful life.