Loading...
Times-Advocate, 1981-04-22, Page 19Crossing county line difficult Want child in local While the battle to keep Grand Bend Public School open has been won, it marks the beginning of another fight. Now that she knows Grand Bend school will be staying open Susan Baker of RR 1, Grand Bend wants her son, Teddy, to attend kindergarten there this fall. The Bakers live only about a mile and a quarter from the school. Unfortunately, their home is just outside the village limits, in Stephen township, .although it would appear 'that they live in Grand Bend. They are just over the line into Huron County, and Ted- dy is supposed to attend Stephen Central school, about 10 miles away near Crediton. Mrs. Baker says she has several reasons for preferr- ing that Teddy attend Grand Bend school, rather than Stephen. In the first place, it just seems more logical to have Teddy go to the closest school. "Why drive rights past one school and go to another 10 miles away," she asks. She points out that it would be far more con- venient to have her son in Grand Bend in case of a snow storm or other emergency. She also feels that because Teddy has been going to nursery school in Grand Bend, he should continue his eduation with his peer group and his friends. At Stephen Central he will not know any other children. Mrs. Baker says that'Ted- dy is only four, and will not be 5 until December. She feels that he is too young to handle two hours per day Mary's musings BY MARY ALDERSON I have a problem. I'm a misfit. I don't like coffee. In fact, I hate coffee. I hate the smell of coffee. I don't like Coffee Crisp chocolate bars, or anything related to coffee. I must admit those are strong words coming from someone who has never finished a full cup of coffee in her life. But it seems like the first swallow is all I can stomach, and I've never developed a taste for the brew. Do you have any idea how many times a day I have to say "No thanks; I'm not a coffee drinker"? It seems if everywhere I go people want to give me a cup of coffee. And I certainly feel like a freak when I have to admit that I don't drink coffee. I used to just say "no thanks" or make up some excuse such as "I just had lunch," when people offered me a coffee. But then I had the same person repeatedly inviting me to drop by for coffee, so I finally decided to simply say "I'm not a coffee ,41rinker." Then I get responsg�ss like "Oh, trying to cut dov. t, are you?" and have to goon to say that actually, I just never learned to like the stuff. It was really tough getting through university and not drinking coffee. I'm sure my classmates thought I was weird. I'd be studying in the library late at night, when someone would walk by and whisper, "I'll get you a coffee, do you take cream and suger"? And I'd have to say, "No thanks," and they think wanted it black. And then I'd have to explain that I didn't drink coffee, and they'd start to walk away. And then I'd have to call them back and hint that a carton •of milk or a can of pop might be nice. It was hard to get any studying done. Nor is it easy being a reporter and not drinking coffee. Much of my time is spent interviewing people, either in their home, where they start measuring out the coffee grounds for the Melita when I walk in the door, or at their business, where immediately they want to take a coffee break. Sometimes I meet people in a restaurant while I inter- view them. Before I can stop them, they order two coffees. When you tell people you don't drink coffee, they automatically assume you're a "tea granny" and start rummaging through the cupboard for a dusty tea pot. But that's not true. While I enjoy a cup of tea from time to time — par- ticularly different flavours such as Sweet Orange, Strawberry or Red Zinger — I'm certainly no tea granny. I can go for weeks without any kind of a hot drink. In fact, I usually let my tea sit until it's room temperature before I drink it. At many of the meetings I cover, coffee is provided. But do they ever offer alter- natives? I sit drinkless while all the members of Grand Bend council have their coffee. At the school study meetings, everyone had a CUp of coffee, while I had to scrounge change for the juice machine. Unfortunately, such dis- crimination doesn't end when 1 get home. I married a coffee lover -- no, he's more than that -- he's a coffee addict. He's alsoconnoisseur! he turns his nose up at instant coffee, which is the only kind I'll make. So 1 don't make coffee for him, or anybody else for that matter. I just don't feel con- fident serving something I've never tasted. Besides, I hate the smell of the drip - through kind. On weekends he makes his own coffee, but through the week he never takes the time. Instead he stops at a restaurant on the way to work for a take-out in a styrofoam cup. He has the science of drinking while driving down to a fine art. Usually the waitress has it ready with the cream and sugar in it when she sees his Bronco pull in the yard. He keeps an assortment of change in his ashtray so he can pay for it quickly. A Bic pen is kept on the dashboard to punch a hole in the plastic lid, and the coffee is slurped through the lid all the way to work. It doesn't matter if I prop him up at the breakfast table, feed him juice, milk, egg and toast, he still has to have that coffee before he gets his act in gear. On well, being married to a coffee lover does have its advantages. When weeat oCt together, and the waitress fills my coffee cup before I can stop her, I just pass it across the table to him. It saves a lot of the ex- planations, and besides, he never objects to the second, or third or cup. i s riding on the bus. She feels that he will be over tired with the long day and the bus ride. "He still takes an afternoon nap," she says. The Bakers prefer the half day, every day kindergarten at Grand Bend school, rather than the full day every other day kindergarten at Stephen. Mrs. Baker says that Teddy will learn much more in the morning kindergarten. She admits that her younger daughter Jill would probably be better able to cope with the long day and the bus ride, but at present she says that Teddy is not ready for such a move. Mrs. Baker stresses that she has nothing against Stephen Central school. She is sure that the education is just as good there, but Teddy would be better off in Grand Bend, she says. Mrs. Baker and her hus- band Ted began their cam- paign last September to have their children go to Grand Bend school. They wrote first to Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell, who Mrs. Baker says, was most help- ful. However, when she wrote the Huron County Board of Education to have their tax- es tranferred to Lambton County she was told a flat "no". Director of Education John Cochrane said that it couldn't be done, and that Teddy would be alright riding the bus to Stephen school. Mrs. Baker suggested that the board was "hoarding children for financial reasons, and not considering what's best for the children." She also wrote to the Lambton County Board of Education to find out what she would have to do to let her children go to Grand Bend school. "I was put on hold until they decided if the school was going to stay open," Mrs. Baker says. She was told that the tui- tion fee for out -of -county students was $79 per month, or $790 per year. In the OPP report During the week of April 12 to 18, Ontario Provincial Police at Pinery Park reported 34 charges laid un- der the liquor licence act. 'Mete were 22 charges laid under the highway traffic act, and one break and enter investigated. In addition, they in- vesigated eight mis- celltlrleous occurrences. There were no motor vehicle accidents to report. school school study committee's report to the board, It was recommended that this fee be reduced or eliminated in the Grand Bend area. Mrs. Baker feels that the fee is high, when one con- siders that children living in Lambton county attend South Huron District High school in Exeter for only $100 per year. She points out that if the fee remains at $790 it will cost them over $14,000 to educate their two children. They had con- sidered buying a lot in Grand Bend, so that they would be paying taxes to the local school. At one time, a lan- downer could do that, but now your children must go to school where your principale residence is located. Mrs. Baker said she hoped that the two boards could come up with something to help the situation. She points out that it doesn't mean there will be a mass exodus from Stephen school, nor will there be a mass influx at Grand Bend shcool. She knows of only one other family in the same predica- ment. Laura Kennedy, her hus- band and her three children live in London now, but will be moving to their resort home in Sunnyside north of Grand Bend this summer. They would like to make it their permanent home, if their children can attend Grand Bend school. Mrs. Kennedy said that because her children have already made friends with children who go to Grand Bend school, she wants them to go to that school. And like Mrs. Baker she can't unders- tand why children should be bussed past one school to at- tend another. "We planned to move, assuming it was not a big deal," she says. She explains that about five years ago, they rented out their Sun- nyside home to a family who sent their children to Grand Bend school. The tenant told her that at that time, the tui- tion fee was only $150 per year, and it was waived, so that there was no fee for the children. Mrs. Kennedy will have children, in grade six and grade one this fall, with another starting kindergarten the following year. Both the Kennedys and the Bakers have contacted area Lambton trustee Dorothy Wight, in hopes that the tui- tion fee will be reduced. Mrs. Wight has promised to take their request to the Lambton board for con- sideration. /11._ 3" :;.: WANT TO ATTEND CLOSEST SCHOOL — Susan Baker wants her children Teddy and Jill to attend their nearest public school in Grand Bend. But because they live in Huron County the children are supposed to go to Stephen Central. Susan is hoping the boards of education can come up with an agreement to allow her children to go to the nearest school. Staff photo Times -Advocate, April 22, 1981 Poe* 19 No sewer settlement between Cove, village After more than an hour of arguing back and forth, Grand Bend council and Grand Cove Estates werenot able to come up with a sewer rate agreement Monday night. Representatives of Grand Cove Estates Andrew Orr and Lou Rice asked council for a -fair and equitable" rate for use of the village's sewer system. Also atten- ding the meeting was Grand Cove manager Bert Pearce. At council's last meeting it was deciced that they would send a letter to Grand Cove giving them two alternatives for paying for use of the sewer system. Council suggested that they could simply pay double the rate that village taxpayers will be paying, or else pay $76.50 per residence, plus a 20 per- cent mark-up for ad- ministration. Council told Grand Cove representatives that they will have to pay more for the use of the sewer system than Grand Bend residents because they live in Stephen township. and have not paid Line-up for tickets, crowds hit Playhouse Even though opening night is still many weeks away, there were line ups at Huron Country Playhouse Monday. Season ticket holders were given first opportunity to exchange vouchers for ac- tual ticket seats. Office manager Lynn Alderdice said that at 9:00 a.m. the Playhouse yard was filled with cars. and there were line ups of people at the ticket wicket. However, the cold temperatures forced the sellers to close the wickets. and the line-ups moved indoors. Ticket handler Janice McIntosh says there was no break in the line until noon, and then business was steady all afternoon. More than 400 subscribers exchanged their vouchers for the seats of their choice, Monday. There were about 2,000 individual tickets given out. The Playhouse expects to be busy for the next two weeks supplying subscribers with tickets. There have been 1497 subscriptions sold for this season, while last year at this time there had only been about 900 sold. No individual tickets will be sold until May 16. lam tam--s��s-1••.- ,S ,,› BUSY DAY — Huron Country Playhouse employees Janice McIntosh and Lynn Alderdice handed out more than 2,000 tickets Monday. It was the first day subscribers could ex- change vouchers for seat tickets. There was a line-up for the tickets all morning. Staff photo for the sewer system through their taxes. Reeve Robert Sharen pointed out that many residents in Grand Bend will not be on the sewer system, but will still pay 4 mills on their taxes toward the system. Developer Lou Rice was surprised to learn the reeve's residence would not be served by sewers, yet he will be paying the extra 4 mills. Sharen explained that village rate payers will be charged 91 percent of their water bill for their sewage rate. He said that it worked out to $76.50 for each residence in Grand Cove, and because they are outside the village and did not pay the four mills on their taxes. council added on 20 percent, making the total $91.80 per residence. Orr said that such rates were not fair, because Grand Cove would only re- quire one bill for all the households. and that because of that large number, they should get a reduced rate. He also argued that because Grand Cove has benefitted the village, they should not be charged more than the village ratepayers. Deputy reeve Harold Green pointed out that Huron Country Playhouse in- stalled their own line to the lagoons at no cost to the village. and are paying dou- ble the village's rate. He added that Green Forest Estates also agreed to pay double the village rate, when they start using the sewer system. Sharen told the men that the village has to have at least 91 percent of each user's water bill to cover the sewer costs. He said that council has to pay Ministry of Environment $1.36 per thousand gallons of effluent treated. Councillor Keith Crawford told the Grand Cove representatives that the only way they could pay the same rate as village residents would be to be annexed by the village. Orr refused to discuss the possibility of annexation. saying that a discussion wouldn't be fair to Grand Cove residents. Rice pointed out that Grand Cove did not want to use the village's sewer system. but they had been forced to by the Ministry of Environment. Crawford agreed. -We're unwilling partners Sharen said that before Grand Bend had planned • their sewer system, they had gone to Bosanquet and Stephen townships to plan a joint system but received no support. "You've told me this before." Orr replied. Sharen responded "The sins of the fathers are visited on their children." Grand Cove also asked for permission to empty their present sewage lagoon into the village's lagoon. They were told they couldn't do it until a rate agreement had been reached. Atter the lengthy debate, Green called for an end to the arguments. "There's no sense talking anymore, let's go to the OMB. or the En- vironmental board or whatever... Green said. The group agreed that they had reached a stalemate. and the Grand Cove representatives said they would look into what higher authority could help them reach an agreement. In other business: Council asked Sharen, as a member of the fire com- mittee. to meet with the firemen to discuss their grievances. Sharen reported that an engineer is coming up with suggestions and quotations on a new firehall or an addition to the old fireball. Sharen declared a conflict of interest when two letters from Ausable Holdings were read. Council agreed to return a $1000 deposit given by the company for a zoning change. They did not agree to reducing the impost fee of $250 to $100. The minutes of the rec committee were discussed. It was decided not to move playground equipment from the corner of Gill Road and 81 Crescent to the beach, because they were intended to be used by local residents for their children. not tourists at the beach. It was learned that Dave Turner resigned from the rec committee. and the com- mittee is considering replac- ing him with Angelo Maruca. Councillor Dennis Snider decided against cir- culating a questionnaire cn what the public would like to see the rec committee do. because it would cost too much. A discussion on the need for the rec committee followed. Council passed a resolu- tion to support the Lambton Health Unit in requiring all eating places with sit-down accommodation to have public washrooms. now that Please turn to page 23 003 ontimoo DZso ACCOUNTANT -PUBLIC WARD MALLETTE Chartered Accountants 476 Main Street, S., Exeter, Ontario , 235-0120 Resident Partner: John S. McNeilly, C.A. 1 The Times -Advocate has over 18,000 readers. Tell them about the services offered by your business '- wsrT. 1.111.11,1•44* 9••r• lir 1 imes— Advocate For information call 235-1331 ACCOUNTANT -PUBLIC GERALD L. MERNER Chartered Accountant BUS. 257 Churchill Dr. EXETER 235-0281 CHIROPRACTORS DAVID C. HANN, D.C. Doctor of Chlroprac Irc 105 Mo,n Street. bele. 235-1535 By Appornlmenl Daly f rF "'4 CHIROPRACTORS C. HARRY RODER, D.C. NORMAN L. RODER D.C. DOCTORS OF CHIROPRACTIC 84 Panel Lane ST RAT HROY Telephone 245-1272 By appointment please Gerald A. Webb D.C. Doctor Of Chiropractic 438 MAIN ST. EXETER By Appointment Phone 235.1686 CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANT JOSEPH F. I)ARLIN(. CERTIVIED c:ENERAI. ACCOUNTANT TP.1.I NIP-Q9N-QQ(1R THIS 01.1) TOWN HALL. I1QQ MAIN STREET EXETER. ONTARIO NOM 1$O INSURANCE IJe v. Al organ Insurance Agency Ltd. 238 Morn Street. Exeter 041 I.SO Ontario 235-2544 Complete Insurance Coverage AUCTIONEERS CHvgh Tom FILSON and ROBSON AUCTIONEERS 20 years' of experience of complete sole service Pt o' r' 0I(y (,c,n%ect ( anal.(' sole. any n 4r •any pIo(eof We guarantee you more. to ,r ,,i''U((0'a oT yo„r. nip Phone Collect 666-0833 666-1967 , NORM WHITING LICENSED AUCTIONEER & APPRAISER Prompt (o,,./eo.,' f 11., . • ANY TYPE ANY Si /1 ANVW1if Rf We q,ro U'mplese sole SP,,(P PROF 1' PY f xof RIE N( f Phone Collect 735 1964 EXETER J ACCOUNTANT -PUBLIC RICHARD WELSH Chartered Accountant 120 Alice St. Lucan, Ont Ph. 227-4224 INSURANCE r/ienrre • �/P�✓MfMY • TE I F PFIONE (519) 735 2711 •� . r/lfi)nrs 047 MAIN STREE T. S 1 X1 If R. ONTARIO, P l) NOx 1600 NOM I SO OFFICE SUPPLIES SEE US FOR A FULL LINE OF Office Supplies Furniture & Equipment LIVINGSTONE'S Downtown Exeter INSURANCE 1411 Realty Insurance Inc. EXETER 235 7420 GRAND BEND 238 8484 CUINTON 482 9747 GODERICN 5;4 7",1 ' a Appraisals Mortgages Life Insurance Trust Certificates_}