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Times-Advocate, 1979-12-12, Page 1PUPPETERS AT KIRKTON — Children from the Kirkton area enjoyed a puppet show sponsored by the Huron county library Saturday. Showing Bonnie Hartwick and Jason McElrea some characters are Theresa Wilson and Marian Doucette.T-A SANTA VISITS FIREMAN — Santa Claus paid e Sunday visit to a Christmas party for children of members of the Exeter fire deportment. Above, Sdnta chats with Diane Warwick and Christine Moroon. T-A photo Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One hundred and Seventh Year EXETER, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 12, 1979 Price Per Copy 25 Cents & North lambton Since 1873 At least the booth is paying for itself A 16-year old Zurich girl, Barbara Jean Smith, died Friday afternoon after the car in which she was a passenger rolled over on a Hay township sideroad and pinned her beneath it. A student at South Huron, A variety of activities have been organized for Sunday's official opening of the Stephen township arena at Huron Park. The township assumed ownership and responsibility of the Randall arena at Huron Park from the Ontario Development Corporation at the end of September. A free-for-all broomball game at 6 p.m. will get the celebrations underway. At 7 p.m. official opening ceremonies will be held with the various Members of Parliament, Stephen township officials, ODC officials and the Stephen arena board expected to participate. Immediately after the opening, everyone is invited to an hour of public skating. At about 8.30 p.m. two teams of so-called Old Timers from the township will take part in a hockey game. It will be the eastern portion of the township taking on the western representatives. Jack O'Neil will be the manager and Alf Smith coach of the east all- stars. The managerial and coaching duties for the west will be handled by the Clarke brothers, Russell and Howard. Eligibility for the game is restricted to players 30 years of age or older. The same goes for the referees. They will be Harvey Smith and Ross Haugh. Morley wins in Huron. Usborne Reeve Bill Morley is the new warden of Huron County. He defeated two candidates on the first ballot at the opening of the new term in Goderich, Tuesday. Morley totalled 31 ballots to 18 for Tuckersmith Reeve Ervin Sillery and eight for Goderich Reeve Eileen Palmer, who was trying to become the first woman to win the top county spot. Morley's decisive win surprised ; some who felt it would take two ballots to decide this year's contest. In a brief address prior to the election, the Usborne farmer said it would be the most challenging year of his life, and that he'would like to represent Huron in an honorable way, He noted that his grand- mother and the grandfather of new Middlesex warden Fred Lewis were brother and sister, Morley succeeds Hay Reeve Jack Finney in the Warden's post. the Zurich girl was riding in a car driven by Thomas Keenan, 18, London, He lost control of the vehicle after crossing a railway track on sideroad 10, west of Highway 4. The vehicle then struck a concrete culvert and rolled over. Miss Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by coroner Dr. Charles Wallace, Zurich. Kennan was taken to South Huron Hospital and then transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital in London for treatment of major injuries. Constable Al Quinn in- vestigated the fatality and listed damage to the vehicle at $850. The accident happened about 3.45 p.m. as Keenan was driving the girl home from school. Five other people sustained injuries in other accidents investigated by the Exeter OPP this week. Two men suffered major Tom Tomes who has been rounding up players for the east told the T-A Monday, "I've had some trouble with the west infringing on our territory, but, I expect to have it settled out of court before game time." The arena is now being operated by the Stephen township arena board. Members are Eric Fink- beiner, Ken Campbell, Tom Tomes, Jack O'Neil, Bob Lawrence and Fred Bowers, Frank Funston is the arena manager and Cam Stewardson is his assistant. School concert has big crowd A special school presen- tation of music celebrating International Year of the Child proved to be so popular that many people had to be turned away. The program was presented by choirs from six elementary schools in the southern part of Huron. It Was held at South Huron District High School, Tuesday. Don Kenwell, superin- tendent of education, was master of ceremonies and Gerald Fagan of Fanshawe College directed the choirs in several mass presentations. The mass choirs were ac- companied by Lois Ottewell. In all, there were 14 choirs from the schools. Pictures of some of these choirs appear in this issue, but unfortunately, due to the size of some choirs and the limited space for picture taking, some youngsters standing at the end had to be excluded. In compensation, we should hasten to add that these invariably were the best looking kids and ob- viously the better singers. Chairman is returned Chan Livingstone was returned as chairman of the Exeter Public Utilities Commission at a brief meeting, Tuesday. Murray Greene will again serve as vice-chairman. The other members of the group is Mayor Derry Boyle. At the meeting, a letter was received from Tom and Doug Prout indicating they had 'discussed the rental agreement for the Hicks well property with their solicitor and had been advised that the latter contended the lease term could be ter- minated or re-negotiated by the property owners. The solicitors for the Commission had previously indicated the lease could not be terminated. In view of the conflicting opinions, manager Hugh Davis was asked to get a written opinion from the Commission's solicitor for consideration at the next meeting. The property owners have asked that a neW five-year lease be negotiated or the equipment be removed from their property. In the only other business, the Commission increased the mileage rate from 22 to 25 cents per mile for em- ployees or Commissioners required to use their vehicles on business trips. injuries in a freak accident Friday at 5,00 p.m. when they fell from a vehicle after it hit a bump and the passenger door flew open. The vehicle was driven by Randy Steele, RR 1 Kirkton, along sideroad 15-16' in Usborne when it went over a bump and the two men fell. Injured were David Burtch, 20, of Exeter, and Brian Steele, 16, of RR 1 Kirkton. Constable Jim Rogers investigated the accident. Two people were injured in another Friday crash when a vehicle driven by Roderick Gary Davies, Hensel!, struck a tree and hydro pole on King St., Crediton. Davies and his daughter, Karen, suffered minor in- juries and damage to the vehicle was listed at $3,500 'There is a possibility that there may be another public meeting to discuss the proposed Hay township secondary plan. Following a meeting between Hay township council and George Penfold of the Huron county planning department Monday, a tentative date of December 20 has been set to meet with property owners from concessions 21 to 28, Lake road west. Penfold said the meeting will deal with land use changes that had been given approval in principle by the township following a request from lake front property owners. Following the sending out of 235 notices, 52 objections were received to the proposed change from restricted agriculture to residential. The majority of the ob- jections dealt with the fact that the change would be contrary to the general in- tent of the plan which placed a priority on the protection of agricultural land. Other objections dealing with commercial develop- ment in St. Joseph and the mobile home park just north of the hamlet were received. Depending on the outcome of the December 20 meeting, another public meeting may be held to discuss either the proposed changes or the entire plan. The meeting Monday between council and Penfold followed a November meeting which outlined the objections to the proposed changes. Hay council has made a request to the minister of revenue that the township's assessment be reviewed under section 86 of the assessment act but that there be no changes in by Constable Larry Christiaen. In another Friday ac- cident, damage was set at $800 when a vehicle driven by Caroline Spicher, Huron Park, struck a parked vehicle owned by Gary Case, RR 2 Grand Bend. The mishap occurred on Columbia Drive in Huron Park and was investigated by Constable Don Mason. The other accident of the week occurred on Tuesday when a vehicle driven by Jim Kirk, RR 2 Kippen, went out of control and flipped over on its side on the Crediton Road, west of concession 8-9 of Stephen. A passenger, Clayton Kirk, sustained minor injuries and damage was estimated at $1,200 by Constable Christiaen. classes. Council granted their approval to the construction of the Dashwood water system. Contracts awarded for construction of the system totalled $701,692. In other business, council; SPELLBOUND — Ann children who enjoyed Saturday. Received a written request from Larry Merner, Earl Dignan, Ed-El-Fo Farms, Wm. Forrest, A. Vanderboomen, Ian McAllister and Howard Adkins that work be carried out on the improvement of A Crediton man, Daryl L. Mitton, was assessed a total of $338 in fines when he appeared before Justice of the Peace Douglas Wedlake on four charges in Exeter court, Tuesday. He was charged on October 13 with operating a vehicle with license plates that were registered to another vehicle and was fined $53 or five days on that. Another $28 or three days was levied for operating an unsafe vehicle. There was no muffler, the exhaust was leaking and the vehicle had three bald tires and numerous holes in the body and through the trunk. Mitton was fined $104 or 10 days for having liquor readily available in the vehicle and another $153 or 15 days for failing to provide proof of insurance. He was given 30 days in which to pay the fines. Another Crediton driver, Thomas Mallett, ended up with two fines totalling $181 or 18 days. He was fined $153 for failing to produce proof of insurance and $28 for not having a driver's license for the motorcycle, he was operating when stopped by police on October 17. Paying fines of $104 or 10 days for having liquor while under age were Dale R. Conlan, RR 1 Woodham; Mark E. Rowe, RR 4 Goderich; Darryl Youngblut, Blyth; Andrew J. Nedza, RR 2 Centralia. Those fined for having liquor readily available were Daniel G. Galloway, RR 1 Crediton Harry A. Inthout, RR 3 Kerwood; David Horton, Huron Park; Gary M. Sauder, Huron Park. Each was fined $104 or 10 days. Bible canvass hits new record The recent campaign in Exeter and area for the Canadian Bible Society raised the largest amount in many years. Meine Eizenga, who has been area president for the past 12 years reported this week that $3,124.35 was received. The amount raised in 1978 was $2,420. A press release from Rev, D.L. Howlett, district secretary of the Bible Society said, "A special anniversary is always a significant occasion and the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Bible Society was no exception. It was a year in which many of us recalled the long history of the Bible Society and rejoiced in the accomplishments which were achieved." Rev. Howlett continued, "All who have participated in this ministry can share a sense of well being in the realization that God's word is more readily available in our world than ever before and this year will show the highest distribution ever, both by the Canadian Bible Society and the United Bible Societies," With the proposed budget for the South Huron Rec Centre out in the open, dollars and cents were the prime topic of conversation at the rec centre board's monthly meeting Monday. Rec administrator Ian Smith reported that revenues from the con- cession booth were up 9 percent compared to a year ago. The booth is now operating on a profit margin of 30 percent compared to 21 percent and the revenue per hour of booth operation was up almost $10. Smith said he will continue to look into ways of making the booth "more revenue oriented" while maintaining the same level of service. Board member Gerry MacLean of Exeter ex- pressed pleasure with the booth's performance and said a higher profit margin should be strived for. In a related move, the Inthout was also fined $28 or three days for failing to stop at an intersection. He was involved in an accident at the main intersection in Crediton on October 7 when he struck an eastbound car driven by Bob Stuckless, Huron Park. Damage in the accident was over $10,000 and five people were hospitalized. Paying fines of $28 or three days for failing to wear a complete seat belt assembly were Sheri Lynne Lawson, Huron Park; Paul W. Mellor, RA 5 Clinton; Randy Miller, Exeter; Beverly Wright, Wiarton. Other fines levied by Mr. Wedlake were as follows: Alexander Handerer, RR 1 Crediton, $46.75 for speeding; Ronald J. Doiron, Bayfield, $21.75 for 95 in an 80 km zone; Bryan R. Eaton, Kirkton, $60.75 for 113 in an 80 km zone. John D. McNair, Exeter, $28 or three days for operating, a motorcycle without a helmet and a similar amount for not having a valid driver's license. Stephen road head resigns Stephen township is currently calling for ap- plications for a new road superintendent. Frank Mclsaac who held the position for the past 10 years resigned recently. The resignation is effective January 4, 1980, The closing date for ap- plications is December 18. Clerk Wilmer Wein said no reasons were given for McIsaac's resignation. At the regular December meeting, council passed a bylaw setting out zoning regulations at Grand Cove Estates, north of Grand Bend, Tile drain loan ap- plications in the amount of $99,800 were approved. Clerk Wilmer Wein said most of the requests were for work to be done in 1980. Another bylaw passed authorized the collection of Huron Industrial Park taxes on a monthly basis and an increase on the in- terest rate on tax arrears to one and one-quarter percent per month. The resignation of Alf Smith from the Crediton volunteer fire department was accepted with regret. Council has withdrawn their appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board on the 1979 equalization factor. A count of revision on the McBride municipal drain reserved decision on an appeal on assessment by Gerald McBride. An agreement with the Ontario Ministry of En- vironment and M.M. Dillon Ltd. engineers on the sewage collection system and restoration of roads at the west end of the township was approved. board approved the pure chase of a food dispensing machine at a cost of $2,900. Smith said the machine which will be purchased from Tuckey Beverages of Huron Park should pay for itself in about two years of operetion. Smith said the machine will enable the booth to deal with higher profit items with new Usborne township representative Ann Prout noting "If a machine is there, people will use it." In a move which is reminiscent of the chrysler corporation's "Buy a car, get a cheque" ad campaign, the board agreed to a Smith request to send $40 to the Ontario Arena Association "In appreciation" of the group holding their annual meeting at the centre earlier this fall. The amount represents about half of the so-called profit of the day-long event. Smith said discounting, the salaries paid to staff and other normal overhead, the centre actually made around $300. The sending of the cheque along with an invitation to hold next year's meeting at the centre will "hopefully put us on the top of the list" Smith said. Usborne township is in the good graces with the board with the announcement by board chairman Howard Pym that the township has increased their grant towards the operating deficit of the facility by one third. For the 1980 budget year the township will be giving $6,000 up from $4,000 a year ago. In response to a question from Mayor Derry Boyle, Pym said the township is aware that Smith is available to the township for recreation matters, One of the top priorities for the centre should be energy conservation Don Cameron 'told the board. He said he did not want to see the centre cut back in areas which would hurt the facility but that energy conservation should be a high priority considering the large expenditures which the centre makes on energy. Boyle said he would hate to see the centre cut back any further on lighting for the ice surface. The board took no action on the matter with Smith noting that the centre was experimenting with energy conservation practices. In other business, the board: Instructed Smith to obtain prices on a railing to be situated behind the seating area. FINAL ISSUE Next week's issue of the Exeter Times-Advocate will be the last one for the current year...and in fact this decade. There will be no publication during Christ- mas week and the first issue of the new year will be on Thursday, January 3. Area residents and businesses wishing to publish Christmas greetings are reminded that the deadline is 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 17. Lewis wins Middlesex London township reeve Fred Lewis was elected Warden of Middlesex County for 1980 in an election in London Thursday. Lewis defeated two op- ponents Gord Oke of Moaa township and Joe Riley of Caradoc on the first ballot. He has completed six years on London township council, two each as cow• cillor, deputy-reeve and reeve. Hit bump, two tossed out of vehicle Zurich girl killed eels the east branch of the Black Creek drain. Clerk-treasurer Joan Ducharme said no date for the work has been set. Authorized a tile drainage loan for Lionel Wilder, Lot 28, Concession 6 in the amount of $10,000. Plan oldtimers' tilt for arena opening May hold second meeting Hay plan draw and Meighan McMormick of Woodham were only a few of the many the puppet production at Kirkton branch of the Huron county library T-A photo Crediton man hit with three fines