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Times-Advocate, 1978-10-05, Page 1Zoning prohibits bank, toy store Wellington St. area businesses win battle Bylaw could stifle shopping plaza tenants Exeter’s new official plan and zoning bylaws came into effect Monday night, but minutes after giving the documents third and final reading, council members admitted that there will probably be objections raised, despite the fact that only a couple of appeals had fronts to win the mayor's class at the International Plowing Match at Wingham, Saturday. He's shown here re-enacting the steady hand and keen eye which carried him to the vic­ tory. Staff photo There's no acclaim for plow champion Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw has often been called upon to offer congratulations to local champions and has been generous in his com­ mendation on such oc­ casions. Monday night, when an in­ ternational award winner appeared at council, the words of praise for achiev­ ing such high acclaim were missing. In fact, the recipient of the award faced little but dis­ paraging remarks from members of council. The award winner in this case was Shaw, who Satur­ day afternoon topped 12 en­ trants to win the mayor's Seniors get grant A group of retired people from Exeter is among 66 in Ontario to receive New Horizons grants announced by Health and Welfare Minister, Monique Begin. A total of $555,249 in grants was awarded to the groups in Ontario. Golden Hours, the group at the senior citizen apartments on Sanders St. E. received $3,929, to es­ tablish activities including social events, game nights, picnics, and an exercise program. New Horizons is a federal government program that enables retired people to create projects of their own choosing, it offers grants to groups of retired who under­ take activities for the benefit of themselves and others in their community. The accent is on local needs as seen by older people and on their willingness to meet such needs. TAKING CARE OF APPETITES The Exeter Heritage Foundation operated a very successful food booth al last week s International Plowing Match at Wingham.Shown above dishing up the goodies are Doug Gould, Louise Giffin and Pal Solomon. T-A photo not been satisfied in the many amendments made over the past month. “I’m happy they’re passed, but I’m not happy with the documents,” Mayor Bruce Shaw commented. He had said during the discussion that the county planning department would class at the International Plowing Match at Wingham. “See what our Mayor brought home from the plowing match?’’ asked Deputv-Reeve Don MacGregor as he held high the trophy won by Shaw. Ken Ottewell immediately wanted to know if the Mayor had won by default. “It was a very tough com­ petition,” commented Shaw. Members of the gallery joined in the “praise”, ad­ ding their quips which rang­ ed from questions about the judge’s eyesight to the abili­ ty of the other competitors to know one end of a plow from the other. Shaw said he was pleased to return the trophy to Ex­ eter, noting it had been won by his predecessor, Jack Delbridge, “I’m pleased to be equal with him on that level at least,” the Mayor commented. MacGregor was the lone person in the audience to commend the Mayor, noting that one of the competitors was a man who farmed 600 acres. Actually, Shaw indicated he was surprised as anyone with his victory. He went into the competition with no experience behind the wheel of a tractor at all, having missed a training session he had lined up with an area farmer for Friday. He was, however, one of the more deliberate plowmen at the event, tak­ ing more time than most in completing the task, That wasn’t because he was more cautious with his furrows. He was just fearful of stalling his tractor if he attempted to shift out of low gear, and he wasn’t sure he knew how to get it started again. probably have nightmares trying to straighten out some of the final changes ap­ proved at Monday night’s meeting. The main objection to the zoning bylaw is expected to come from Hawleaf Developments, owners of the north end shopping plaza. Members of council learned after approving the documents that two of the three businesses slated to move into the plaza aren’t permitted uses under C5 (highway commercial) zoning. Council had turned down a request to have the plaza area zoned as Cl. It was indicated that a toy store, bank and a restaurant were expected to open in the plaza, but the former two are not permitted. Councillor Ken Oltewell suggested council should get advice from a lawyer on handling that situation, but Councillor Derry Boyle said the documents were quite clear. “Anyone who contravenes the bylaw, should be charged,” Boyle said. Mayor Bruce Shaw said it appeared that at the moment, the toy store and bank could not be permitted to locate in the shopping centre. It had been reported that renovations were already underway for the establish­ ment of the toy store, although no permit had been taken out for the work. Please most While the new documents may stifle some commercial development in the north end shopping centre, council’s decision on the commercial properites on Main St. between Wellington St. and the river could lead to •development in that area. The question of the commercial properties in that area had been one of the most contentious issues, and most of the owners were on hand at Monday night’s PUC gives town break The Exeter Public Utilities Commission agreed this week to permit the new antenna for the Exeter hookup into the new Huron police communication system to be installed on the local water tower. Chairman Murray Greene suggested the town be charged a rate equal to that now paid by Canadian Canners ($350) for use of the water tank, but Chan Livingstone suggested a fee of only $1.00. “It’s just tak­ ing it out of one pocket and putting it in another,” he said in reference to the fact the local taxpayers would be paying the bill one way or the other. It was agreed to charge the nominal fee, with the town being asked to pick up any legal costs involved in preparing an agreement and also for the use of the hydro required to operate the com­ munication system. Members were advised that a PUC employee had asked for a ruling on what policy should be followed in regard to an Exeter citizen hauling town water to his farm in a nearby municipali­ ty. Livingstone suggested the owner should be advised that he would face a double water rate if he continued to truck town water to his farm. meeting to see what action council would take. They were all pleased when council approved zoning them as Cl (core commercial), although the Downtown Business Improvement Area board of directors had argued strenuously against such zoning. Several residential property owners had also No answers yet! While plans for the new police communication system in Huron continue to make headway, Exeter council were advised this week that the same type of progress is not being made in regard to the problem of answering fire calls. “I should have an answer about an answering service by now, but I haven’t,” commented Deputy-Reeve Don MacGregor. However, he added that the area fire board hopes to have an answer on the situation this month. When the police system comes into operation, it is expected that Mrs. Lorna Dale‘will terminate her answering service, through which fire calls are now received. i;#- One Hundred and Fifth Year & North Lambton Since 1873 Price Per Copy 25 Cents It's the moment of truth IT WAS SLOPPY GOING The 1978 International Plowing Match enjoyed excellent weather except for two brief rainstorms. Shown sloshing through the mud late Wednesday afternoon are Susan Tieman, Exetei and Vesta and Lisa Miller, Dashwood. T-A photo Would employ 100 Industry scared off? Picket incidents at the lengthy Fleck Manufac­ turing Ltd. strike at Huron Park have caused a Windsor firm to back out of an agreement to locate here, an Ontario Development Corporation (ODO spokesman said Wednesday. ODO director Ross Waddell said the automotive Thieves still busy Thefts continued to in­ crease during the past month, according to statistics supplied by Chief Ted Day in his September report for Exeter council. There were 17 thefts with the total loot being $1,343. of which $346 has been recovered. One auto was also stolen, but later recovered. The incidence of wilful damage also took a jump during the month, with five reports from private citizens with damage amounting to $305. There appealed to council not to zone the area as Cl, but they too appeared satisfied that each property was designated and the balance oi the street was left as residential. Ed Gackstetter, who had presented council with a petition not to have the entire area zoned as commercial, said “we're quite well satisfied” after council MacGregor said other people have indicated an interest, but nothing definite has taken place as yet as to a replacement for the present system. Councillor Derry Boyle wondered if the fire board had given up on a suggestion to use" the local hospital services to handle fire calls. MacGregor said the price of $1 (),()()() per year was “too dear". “Is there any other way, such as phones in firemen's homes?” asked Councillor Ted Wright, a member of the local fire department. “We’re looking at alter­ natives,” MacGregor replied, saying that visits had been made to view the systems used in other municipalities. imes - Advocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex L . EXETER, ONTARIO, OCTOBER 5, 1978 plant would have employed about 100 persons. But he said the ODC is still hoping to salvage the agreement with the com­ pany, which he declined to name because it “could jeopardize negotiations.” Talks with the firm are continuing, and “the door is not closed,” he said, were three wilful damage incidents on public property, with damage amounting to $90. Other statistics for the month were as follows: nine accidents with two injuries and property damage of $4.- 985. 12 warnings and 32 charges under the Highway Traffic Act. two impaired drivers, three animal com­ plaints, 23 parking tickets, six bike riders cautioned, two incidents of trespass, one mischief complaint and one youth charged with shoplifting. made the decision. The businesses receiving Cl designation include Gord Beuttenmiller (George T. Moore Insurance office building), Dobbs Motors, Lome Johnston. Sherwood (Exeter) Ltd., Tim MacFarlane Real Estate, Ben Hoogenboom. (Exeter Flowers greenhouse), Whiting’s Warehouse. LCBO. Huron Restaurant and Jerry Mathers 'Typewriters. After the property owners had been given Cl zoning. Mayor Shaw questioned whether they should be required to have setbacks, noting that no setbacks were required in such a zone. It was finally agreed that a front, side and rear yard setback of four metres would be required. It was at this time that Shaw suggested the planner would have a nightmare trying to get the proper wording into the new documents. “He’ll shoot us,” com­ mented Harold Patterson. Parking authority chairman Bill Batten suggested the Cl zoning in the area could lead to problems because there were no parking requirements. However, clerk Liz Bell said the entire town was although if the company does change its mind and agree to the move it may be on a smaller scale. He said the company decided not to relocate in Huron Park after picket line incidents during the Fleck strike closed roads to the industrial park, Waddell said the firm had been considering renting about 40,000 square feet and expected to employ about 100 first, with the possibility of doubling the number of emplovees in the future. MPP Jack Riddell (L— Huron Middlesex) said the fact the firms don’t have to invest in constructing their own buildings not only helps them to locate but offers few obstacles when they move out. Riddell said he didn’t think legal /action to force the WindM firm to stand by their original agreement to locate at Huorn Park would accomplish much for the park as a whole. Please turn to page 3 covered by a development bylaw, and before development could take place, council could set the terms to be met by any developer. She also pointed out that some of the businesses in the area would now be non­ conforming uses (such as Sherwood) and no expansion of such businesses could be permitted. Council received three petitions on the matter at Monday night’s meeting. One contained 21 signatures and the other had 22, in­ IT WAS MORNING Despite then night time attue, these grade nine students at South Huron District High School were |ust settling in lot a lesson Friday morning. It was initiation time loi lust year students Staff photo ...but only one is ready Exeter Councillor Ted Wright advised his fellow members this week it was “time for truth” on the matter of whether they would be running for council again next year and “only fair to make up our minds” so the public know. With that comment, members eagerly awaited his decision on whether he would be a candidate again for the upcoming nomination and they all broke out in laughter when he then added “1 haven’t made up my mind”. “You'd belter stay on, with a politician’s statement like that,” chided Councillor Ken Ottewell. As members then an­ nounced their plans, only Councillor Lossy Fiuller failed to follow Wright’s suit. She said she had made up her mind and would be taking out nomination papers in a bid for her third term. Most trustees seek re-election By JEFF SEDDON All but three of 15 Huron County Board of Education trustees at Monday’s board meeting announced plans to seek re-election to the board in November’s municipal elections. Board chairman John Elliott asked trustees at the end of the meeting if they would be interested in stating their intentions for the upcoming election. Both Goderich trustees, Cayley Hill and Dorothy Wallace, and Clinton trustee Dorothy Williams, said they were undecided. Hill said he would like to run for re-election but would have to wait until closer to the October 16 nomination date before deciding. Wingham trustee Murray Mulvey was absent from the meeting. Those seeking another term on the board are Jack Alexander of Wingham, John Elliott of Blyth, separate school supporter trustees Eugene Frayne and Charles Rau, Exeter trustees Harry Hayter and Clarence McDonald, Colborne and Goderich township trustee Shirley Hazlitt, Brussels trustee Don McDonald, Bayfield trustee R. K. Peck, Zurich trustee Herb Turkheim, Ashfield township trustee Marion Zinn and Seaforth trustee John Henderson. dicating that most property owners in the area would be satisfied to have the existing businesses given com­ mercial status as long as the remainder of the area was left as residential. “They’ve been com­ mercial for 100 years and it would be ridiculous to make them residential,’’ Boyle said in particular reference to the four corners at Wellington and Main St. Shaw, who suggested the businesses be given Cl status, said such a decision would maintain the integrity Councillor Harold Pat­ terson and Deputy-Reeve Don MacGregor both said they were unsure, while Councillor Ken Ottewell had previously announced he would retire. “You said I was allowed to be eccentric,” Councillor Derry Boyle told Mayor Bruce Shaw, “lei’s leave it at that”. Some would tell lie to escape dog tax Social services committee chairman Lossy Fuller advised council this week that discussions are un­ derway to improve the overall effectiveness of Exeter’s animal control system, noting that early indications point to a need to improve the procedures of tagging dogs. However, she commented this may be difficult, as many dog owners are un­ willing to admit ownership. Mellecke of South Huron dis­ trict High School heads around a turn in a recent cross country meet ai S.H.D.H.S. Pic by Terry Schwartzenfruber of the area while at the same time it would not allow for commercial expansion onto neighboring residential properties. He admitted that the downtown merchants would oppose such a designation. During the discussion, it was noted that several of the commercial businesses in the area were in con­ travention of the former bylaws. There were few other contentious issues in the new documents, council having Please turn to page 3 & 'X* ■ . & Shaw asked whether it could be taken from that that Boyle would be stepping down. “We’ll leave it at that,” replied Boyle, who has previously indicated he will not be running again. Reeve Si Simmons was not at Monday’s meeting. Shaw, who this week won Please turn to page 3 She indicated she was perturbed to find that some local citizens would even stoop to lying to children in an apparent bid to escape paying for a dog tag. Mrs. Fuller reported that the Exeter Cubs had been enlisted to undertake a door- to-door survey to determine the dog population in Exeter. In one incident, a citizen advised the boy at the door that he did not own a dog. However, while the lad was still standing at the door, a canine ran out of the house past him. “How do you overcome the dishonesty of people?” questioned Mayor Bruce Shaw. Mrs. FYillersaid many dog owners are not being fair in living up to the local bylaws which stipulate that a dog tag must be purchased each year prior to March 1 and said it may be necessary to hire someone to go to each house to sell tags in the future. Councillor Ted Wright said that in some townships, a dog tag is automatically issued to each household and it is then up to the resident to prove that he doesn’t own a dog. It was explained by the committee chairman that problems do arise because dogs are not tagged. The local police recently spent one full day trying to locate the owner of a dog which had bitten a child. Mrs. B^uller said the search would have been much easier if the animal had been wearing a tag. She advised council that a complete report on the system will be presented before the end of the term and received approval from council to send thank you letters to two of the Cubs who completed their survey, Don Kells and Paul Chapman.