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Times-Advocate, 1979-03-28, Page 1MP in Washington when election call comes Liberal pick off and running Huron-Bruce Liberal can­ didate Graeme Craig isn’t wasting any time as he prepares to battle MP Bob McKinley in the May 22 federal election called by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau on Monday. “I’m starting today,” was Craig’s comment when the T-A called him before 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday to get his reaction to the election call. At that time, the Walton resident was already sitting in his home making election plans with his campaign manager, Bruce McDonald, RR 2 Brussels. Craig, 31, a lifelong resi­ dent of the riding, has been waiting for the election since late last April when he was chosen to carry the Liberal hopes for the riding. He said he had been doing some campaigning since then, but basically, “everything’s been on hold” waiting for the decision by the Prime Minister. While the Progressive Conservatives have not yet held a nomination meeting, McKinley has already in­ dicated he will run another election. He made that an­ nouncement at a meeting of the provincial association in Exeter two weeks ago. His wife advised this newspaper early Tuesday morning that her husband was in Washington on a three-day parliamentary committee mission and that he wasn’t expected back in Ottawa until today (Wednesday). However, in a call tp his hotel in Washington — the now famous Watergate Hotel — the T-A learned from a hotel official that the Canadian delegation had checked out of the hotel that morning. These two unidentifiedRELUCTANT PHOTOGRAPHEES Exeter young ladies had an excellent day for a stroll Thursday in the South Huron Rec Centre parking lot. T-A photo Area drivers escape 'spring madness' toll in- ac- one Area drivers managed to escape the “spring mad­ ness” that hit Western Ontario highways over the weekend when 21 people were killed. The Exeter OPP vestigated only three cidents and there was injury. That injury was sustained by Frederick Hern, RR 1 Woodham, who was involved in a collision on Sunday when his vehicle was forced off the Kirkton Road just west of Perth County Road 24. The vehicle went out of control, struck a tree and flipped over. Sentence is delayed Judge W. G. Cochrane has delayed his decision regarding the sentence to be imposed on two Huron Park men who slashed the tires on 18 vehicles parked at the Hensall Community Centre on November 25. John Wayne O’Neill and Benjamin Stephen Hillman, appeared in Exeter court, Tuesday, on the 18 counts of mischief. The court learned that the replacement value for the tires slashed was just under $3,000. In addition, the two men pleaded guilty to the break, enter and theft at Scholl’s Abattoir in Hensall on the same date. Damage to the property was listed at approximately $1,000 and the pair stole $4.17 in cash and some knives. The latter were used to slash the tires of the car owners who . were attending functions at the arena. O’Neill also pleaded guilty to a mischief charge laid after he caused about $55 damage to the cells at the Exeter OPP office where he was taken after being ap­ prehended following the Hensall incidents. Judge Cochrane remanded the pair out of cutody until April 24 when he will impose sentence. In the only other case on . this week’s .cqurt docket, pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol content over 80 mgs and was fined $400 or 40 days. The accused, who was involved in an accident on August 24 of last year, was given 60 days in which to pay the fine. As yet, no date has been set by the PCs for a nomina­ tion meeting, Craig, a graduate of Ridgetown College is a technician with United Breeders. He was officially on a leave of absence as of Tuesday morning, he said, and he planned to meet later that day with Liberal organizers in various parts of the riding. A fund-raising dinner has already been planned for April 4 in Brussels when federal agriculture minister Eugene Whelan will be the guest speaker. Craig said his aim would be to meet as many riding residents as possible within the next 57 days. “There’s a One Hundred and Fifth Year lot of ground to cover,” he noted. The new riding boundaries include all of Huron County and four southern townships in Bruce. Craig anticipates that when the enumeration is completed, it will indicate between 40,000 to 42,000 eligible voters. “There’ll be a lot of driving,” he reported, noting that the area covers from south of Exeter almost through to Kincardine. He sees three main issues in the upcoming campaign — unity, energy and the economy. He implied that the latter topic may not be as conten­ tious in this riding as some. “We’re pretty fortunate in living in one of the most profitable areas of Canada,” he suggested. In his nomination speech last April, Craig said that this would be the most crucial election this country has faced and that the Prime Minister will have to give solid direction to the Canadian people to keep the country together. He said at that time he could not see Joe Clark as having the ability to do this. McKinley, a veteran of 13 years in Ottawa, said at the recent provincial meeting in Exeter that “my total com­ mitment will continue until we get rid of a man who has done more damage in the history of Canada than any other man — Pierre Elliott Trudeau”. TAKING THE BIDS — Auctioneer Percy Wright (centre) of Kippen is oblivious to outside in­ fluences at an auction sale held Friday at the farm of Mrs. Lome Chapman, south of Hensall. Assisting Wright at the sale was (right) Dalton Finkbeiner of Exeter T-A photo imes - Advocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, MARCH 28, 1979 Cancer canvass underway,* » Price Per Copy 25 Cents Constable Wally Tomasik investigated the accident and listed damage to the Hern vehicle at $2,000. Damage was set at $500 by Constable Frank Giffin in a Saturday collision between vehicles driven by Percy Price and Robert Enns, both of Huron Park. They collided on Empress Ave. in Huron Park. , o The other accident'’was Jerald H. Broderick, Exeter, reported on Monday when a vehicle driven by Carlos Benevides, 142 Giles St., London, left Highway 4 south of Exeter and went into the ditch. Damage was estimated at $50.0 by Constable Al Quinn. flowers, While spring flowers are just now starting to send their shoots from their winter hiding places, Exeter will abound with colorful daffodil blooms this Friday. The Beta Sigma Phi Sorority members will again be kicking off the annual cancer canvass with Daf­ fodil Day and they have 7,000 blooms available for local residents wanting to put some springtime into their homes. Sales of daffodils in the past have been brisk, and anyone not wanting to miss out on the flowers and this method of aiding the cancer canvass can pick up daf­ fodils beside Livingstone’son Main St. The annual April canvass for the Cancer Society, again directed by Carf Cann, gets underway in full force next week when canvassers will start their door-to-door fashions to assist campaign to raise the $11,- 800 target set for the Exeter branch. The total Huron goal has been set at $48,000. For the past couple of years, area residents have exceeded their target and Cann said he was hopeful that this would be the situa­ tion again this year. The canvass throughout the area will continue through the month, being un­ dertaken by service and social clubs and individuals. In addition to the canvess, the Huron unit is also plan­ ning a fashion show to raise funds. That event will be staged at the South Huron • rec centre on April 25 and the fashions will be provided by Merry Rags. Tickets are already on sale at the T-A , RSD Spor ts Den and Livingstone’s two locations Candidates are narrowed down There’s a possibility come this Saturday that the South Huron Rec Centre may have itself a new administrator. Chairman of the rec cen­ tre board Howard Pym said Monday 44 applications for the position of administrator had been received with the applications coming in from as far away as Quebec. Pym said the board will interview six applicants on Saturday with a decision on who will get the job to be made hopefully the same day. When the new ad­ ministrator will start is dependent on several factors Pym said. Many of the applicants held existing positions in the recreation field and/or were community college or un­ iversity graduates in recrea­ tion administration. The board was looking for a person with a type “A” or “B” recreation certificate as the provincial govern­ ment would subsidize the salary up to $6,000. The board’s first recrea­ tion administrator Kirk Armstrong resigned March 10 citing personal reasons for his leaving. J BOARD HONOURS FIRE ANSWERING SERVICE — Mrs. Lorna Dale of Exeter who for the past ten years operated the answering service for the Exeter and area fire department was presented with a plaque for her long service Wednesday. While fire chief Gary Middleton looks on, fire board chairman Ken Campbell of Stephen township makes the presentation. Several get dump passes Deputy clerk Brian Par­ sons reports that 38 passes for use of the Exeter dump have been issued to date and he expects there will be more before the passes become necessary on April 1. On that date, no one will be allowed to take refuse to the dump in Hay township without having a pass. Parsons indicated that about 65 to 70 percent of the passes issued to date have been for commercial owners. Some residential owners have been picking up passes on the chance they may want to use the dump sometime in the future. There is no charge for the pass itself, but after April 1 the dump attendant will record all loads taken into the facility and users will be billed on a monthly basis. The fee is determined on the size of the vehicle used for hauling refuse to the landfill site. Prices range from $2.50 to $15. The dump will be open from 9:00a.m. to 12:00 noon during the week and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. in downtown Exeter and at the northend plaza. Cann also announced that the local branch hopes to conduct a golf tournament this year and making a special appearance at the event will be popular sports announcer Fred Sgambati. A victim of cancer, Sgam­ bati is a former national campaign chairman for the Canadian Cancer Society. “Teamwork is essential in the fight against cancer,” Sgambati explains. “Just as individual members of a team must work together, researchers, doctors, nurses, Canadian Cancer Society volunteers and the public can form a strong front line in the face of the opponent — cancer. “Only part of the battle is being waged in the laboratories where scien­ tists are striving day and night to find the key to un­ lock the mystery of this dis­ ease,” the Chairman con­ tinued. Volunteers of the Cancer Society perform numerous tasks to serve cancer patients, ministering to their physical and financial needs, bringing hope and cheer. Other volunteers are actively spreading the message of early detection and treatment of cancer. They inform Canadians of the invaluable life­ protecting guide — the Seven Steps to Health — which can give the in­ dividual an edge on the dis­ ease. Then there is the public. Canadians have one of the most important con­ tributions to make to con­ trolling cancer,” said Mr. Sgambati. “Through their donations to the annual cam- paign in April and throughout the year, they make possible all of the work of the Canadian Cancer Society. They provide funds for ongoing programs of research. The pamphlets found in doctors’ offices, in drug stores, plazas and informa­ tion booths, the educational films and slides, the messages heard on the radio Please turn to page 2 DAFFODIL DAY FRIDAY — Members of the three chapters of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority will 'be participating in the annual sale of daffodils, Friday. All proceeds go to the local cancer campaign. Shown with sample daffodils are Wilma Wraight, Kenley Campbell and Sally Lou Raymond. T-A photo BIA to seedowntown plan ready budget for council Members of the board of management of the Exeter Business Improvement Area will be busy this week with two important engagements. Thursday night, they’ll get their first view of the final draft plan for the restora­ tion and beautification of The downtown area. The plan was prepared by a Toronto firm, Urban Design Con­ sultants. Chairman Bob Swartman told the T-A this week that a special dinner meeting will be planned, possibly next month, when all members of the BIA and council will get their first look at the propos­ ed plan. That meeting will be scheduled for the town hall. On Monday night, the BIA board of management will present their proposed 1979 budget to council. Swartman reported that it calls for ex­ penditures of $13,800, which is $200 less than last year’s budget. be spent in making the final payment to Urban Design Consultants. Alternative is proposed The townships of Stephen and Bosanquet have re­ jected a proposal for a new area fire agreement from the village of Grand Bend. Stephen clerk Wilmar Wein said Monday that the townships are working together to make a counter proposal to share fire costs in Grand Bend and portions of the two townships. Under the present agree­ ment which expires April 1, Grand Bend is assessed 40 percent of costs of operation of the Grand Bend fire department and the two townships each pay 30 per­ cent. The Grand Bend proposal called for all costs including construction of an addition to the Grand Bend fire hall to be shared equally three ways. Hangs up phones for new job While the saying' “Neither sleet, nor snow nor hail shall stay me from my appointed rbunds” is best remembered as the motto for the letter carriers, it’s also applicable to the answering service which Mrs. Lorna Dale has run in Exeter for the past 10 years. Mrs. Dale took her last few calls on Friday for the an­ swering service which she had operated out of her William Street residence. Starting next week Mrs. Dale will commence work for the Huron Central Police Dispatch system in Goderich. All calls to police forces in Wingham, Goderich, Clin­ ton,Seaforth andExeterwillbe, dispatched from Goderich with both Mrs. 'Dale and Exeter police chief Ted Day saying the new system should work well. In the interim between the discontinuation of>Mrs. Dale service and start-up of the central dispatch -system three part-time dispatchers will be manning the phones for the police,Day said. It was March 1969 when her service became operational. Previous to this Harvey’s Taxi had been in charge of dispatching the police calls. Prior to that year, the police communicated over citizens bands channels with the police switching over to a communications system similar to that which Mr. Dale operated for his towing service. Over the years the fire department, PUC and around 15 firms and in­ dividuals were added to the communication setup. Over the ten year period Day said Mrs. Dale handled an average of 425 “com­ munications” per month for the police which included taking calls and making calls on behalf of the police department. Some quick mathematical works shows that Mrs. Dale handled over 50,000 calls during her employment with the police. Day said “We’ve been quite pleased with the ser­ vice over the years.” Mrs. Dale nodded in agreement when asked if the service was a 24 hour, 365 days of the year operation. Over the years her family has been an important part of the operation with four of her children having an in­ timate knowledge of the system. She said the job was a constant learning process with the police work being very interesting. It came to a point where “I became more than a glorified housewife.” Among the more memorable times for Mrs. Dale are the flood of 1969 and the storm of 1975. During the flood, she kept getting repeated calls from the media asking if things were as bad as had been reported. Mrs. Dale said town people were constantly asking for water pumps. The ice storm was memorable from the stand­ point that her husband and herself were vacationing in Florida. Sons Robbie and David manned the lines and at one point had people who were storm stayed at the Dale residence answering the phones while the two brothers were out making service calls. “It frightens me a little” was Mrs. Dale’s reaction when asked about her new job in Goderich. She has been her Own employer for a number of years and said it will be interesting working for another firm. Of that amount, $8,500 will LAST CALL AFTER 10 years on the job for the Exeter police, fire department, PUC and several private firms, Mrs. Lorna Dale has closed her answering service. Mrs. Dale answered one of her last calls Friday T-A photo While noting that he was one of those “jumping up and down” when last year’s board authorized the design study, Swartman explained that he now realizes it was a necessity because it is a prime requisite before any funds can be secured from either the provincial or federal governments for un­ dertaking any of the work outlined in the design, in­ cluding parking needs. The provincial govern­ ment has a scheme whereby municipalities can get up to $150,000 for downtown pro­ jects. The funds are repaid over a 10-year period at an interest rate of only one per­ cent. Swartman reported that the federal government will also be announcing a grant scheme for downtown pro­ jects in communities of less than 4,800 population. Details are expected early next month. The BIA budget shows a decline of $2,000 for business promotions. The figure has been sliced from last year’s $4,500 to only $2,500 this year. The major promotions will be midnight madness sales in April and again in the fall, a July sidewalk sale and the Santa Claus parade. The BIA chairman said it is hoped that the Exeter Lions will assist in organiz­ ing the parade again this year. “We realize we have an obligation to put on the parade, but it’s the busiest time of the year for merchants and we ap­ preciate the help the Lions gave us last year,” he add­ ed. Another $1,200 in this year’s budget is earmarked for the planting and maintenance of the flower baskets, another $500 is for the board’s operation and $1,100 is marked for mis­ cellaneous expenditures. Swartman advised that the BIA board members have contracted the maintenance and watering of the flower baskets with ARC Industries this year.