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Times-Advocate, 1983-04-20, Page 140:f RENEW JAN/84 O` O O iC CO w'aw� t--- W X to X O x -xwz " 1TY PURE ;E? wnmngs Phone 235-1964 Loss of home for five stretches string of misfortune Biddulph. fire vidimls luck all bad to get entrenched in the house greeted by billowing smoke structure when they arrived. Ironically, Lucan-Biddulph fire chief Wes Hickson was among those on the scene ear- ly, as he had been in Exeter and followed the trucks to the Pullman residence. He had to wait for some time before his own brigade arrived to take over the fight from the Exeter fire crew. The house and contents suf.- / • fered severe smoke, water and fire damage before it was finally quelled, but the Pullman's thought they may have been able to salvage some items from their home when it became safe to enter. However, the young farmer's luck wasn't about to change. During the night, the fire was re -ignited and he ar- rived for chores Thursday morning around 6:00 a.m. to find nothing more than a pile of smouldering rubble. He and his wife, Olga have taken up temporary residence with the latter's mother, Mrs. Fred Grim- minck, RR 3 Lucan, while friends and neighbours have rallied in an effort to provide them with clothing and household needs. Donations of household If it wasn't for bad luck, Biddulph Township farmer Ron Pullman probably wouldn't have had any luck at all over the past few months. The young dairyman had an emergency. operation last fall and this was followed up by a broken leg. His dairy herd was reduced by an infec- tion and then on Wednesday his house was destroyed, just after he had completed a total renovation job on which he and his wife . had spent thousands of dollars. While a fire is bad luck for anyone, this one had more than the usual bad luck in keeping with Pullman's streak over the past months. SMOKE BILLOWS -- Two members of the Exeter fire department are greeted by a cloud of smoke as they open a door into the kitchen at the Ron Pullman home, Wednesday. They were later joined by members of the Lucan-Biddulph brigade, in whose area the fire was located. When he spotted smoke coming from the house while he was working in the barn shortly after lunch, Pullman called the Lucan-Biddulph fire department. However, he was advised that the location was served by the Exeter fire department and the call was transferred. Pullman had been right and Hundreds left without hydro Hundreds of people were left without hydro service Sunday morning when a car hit a utility pole just south of Dashwood Industries on Highway 4. Ronald Glover, RR 5 Kin- cardine, was proceeding north around 8:00 a.rn. when his vehicle hit a slushy section of highway in a snow storm and careened across the road into the utility pole. Glover escaped inury and damage to the car and pole was listed at $600. The crash Left residents in Lucan, Granton, Ailsa Craig, Parkhill and Mt. Carmel areas without power for up to two and a half hours as hydro crews worked to restore service. Ontario Hydro spokesman Don Carmichael said power was out until 10:30 a.m. in Granton, Lucan and Ailsa Craig areas, while it was restored for the Parkhill and Mt. Carmel area around 10:00 a.m. The accident was one of two investigated by the Exeter OPP this week, the other oc- curring on Friday. in that one, Frances Piercey, Huron Park, was proceeding around a corker on Canada Ave. when the driver's door came open and she lost control of the vehicle. It went into the ditch and struck a fire hydrant. Damage to the hydrant was set at $800 and $2,000 to the vehicle. Two passengers, Jennifer White and Basil Short, both of Huron Park, sustained minor injuries in the collision. OWNERS WATCH - Olga Pullman, left, and Ron Pullman, third from the left, watch on as firemen fight to save their Buddulph Township home. Firemen include John Morgan from the Exeter brigade, Lucan-Biddulph chief Wes Hickson and Bev Hirtzel. PCs pick delegates No squabbles here Members of the Iluron- Bruce Progressive Conser- vative Riding Association met in Clinton Tuesday to elect delegates to the party's na- tional leadership convention in June. . While there were reports that supporters of leadership candidate and Alberta millionaire Peter Pocklington would try and . pack the meeting, those concerns fail- ed to materialize. About 100 conservative supporters from the riding attended the meeting in which six delegates and six alternates were elected to attend (he leadership convention in Ottawa. Association president Set salaries for policemen A new contract has been reached between the Exeter Police Association and the town. The new pact calls for a five percent pay hike, in keeping with government restrictions. Effective January 1 of this year, a first class constable will receive $26,145 and the pay for second class is $24,780. Sgt. Kevin Short will receive five percent over that of a first class constable, bringing the stipend for that newly created position to $27,4:30 for 1983. Margaret . Bennett, Ken Campbell, R.R. 1 Dublin, Mary Donnelly, Goderich and Elmer Bell. Exeterwere elected as the association's delegates to the convention. The two youth delegates will be Bernie Haines, RR 4 Wingham and Teresa Donnel- ly, Goderich. Alternate delegates are; Mary Proctor, Brussels, • Lorne Kleinativer, Dashwood. Dan Pearson, Ethel, and Dr. Tom Jasper, Goderich. Youth alternates are Jan Divok, Clinton and Kate Doorly, • Goderich. CHECKING VANDALISM — J.A.D. McCurdy School principal John Siertsema inspects some of the damage inflicted on the school building by vandals Friday night. A window was broken and windows and doors around the school were splashed with white paint.T-A photo. the delay in getting help on its .way gave the fire more tirne and Exeter firemen were from several areas of the • AT THREE LEVELS — Firemen from the Exeter birgade and the Lucan-Biddulph brigade are shown fighting the fire which claimed the Biddulph home of Ron Pullman, Wednesday. While the main structure was saved initially, the fire broke later in the night and levelled the recently renovated structure, leaving the dairyman and his wife and three children homeless. Ames goods, furniture, dishes and clothing are being sought for the Pullman family, which in- cludes a four-year-old girl and two boys, ages five and six. Area residents wishing to help the family can contact Telly Damen (229-6169), Jack Harrigan (227-4305) or John Damen ( 225-2433) . The community is also planning a benefit dance at the Kirkton-Woodham com- munity centre on Friday April 29. Don't worry about finding Pullman a pair of pants or other clothing that fits exact- ly. After all, with his luck, that would be beyond his wildest dream. 'Prppose' good news The first draft of Exeter's 1983 budget was presented to council this week, and while it is still in the proposal stage, there is tentative good news for local taxpayers. The budget as presented by the finance committee shows a slight decline in the mill rate over last year. Backed by a surplus of $45,431 from last year, the budget calls for a residential mill rate of 104.63, compared to last year's 105.22 mills. The commercial rate is at 123.09, compared to the 1982 figure of 123.79. There was rio discussion on the budget at Monday's ses- sion, although finance com- mittee chairman Bill Mickle explained that the salaries for town employeeshavenot yet been finalized. However, he did note that salary figures used in the budget were "maximum". Final decisions on salaries and the Sharzer report on town wages and benefits will probably be made at a special session of council this week. It is not known when the final decision will be made on the budget. The budget, of course, covers local expenditures on- ly, and does not include the levy to be met by local tax- payers for the two Huron boards of education. Serving South Huron, North Middlesex ex One Hundred and Tenth Year & North L;ambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, April 20, 1983 Price Per Copy 50 Cents Welfare Toad takes decline While the number of general welfare cases in Huron County is still high, more cases are being closed than opened. Huron County council, at its March 31 meeting, was told by social services ad- ministrator John MacKinnon that statistics "look encourag- ing" because the caseload decreased by 31 in February. "People are finding employment," said MacKin- non noting most of the employment is opening up in the southern part of the county. The general assistance caseload for February was 273 up from 150 one year ago. The number of people benefit- ting from social services is also up from last year with 763 in N'ebruary of this year compared to 564 in 1982. Along with numbers in- creasing from a year ago, costs have also gone up. To_ theend of February, social services has spent $217,368, exceeding the estimate by $30,184. The county's share of the over -expenditure is $2,278 with the province picking up the rest. The costs for the same two- month period a year ago were $141,037 up $76,331 for 198:3 or 54.12 percent. "Hopefully we'll have a somewhat more encouraging report • next month," com- mented social services com- mittee chairman Reeve Robert 13e11. Overtime questioned The 40 hours of overtime recorded by members of the Exeter police department in March were called into ques- tion by council, Monday. Police committee chairman Gaylen Josephson said he did not have details of the extra hours but would check the situation out and reply to council .He did note that the over- time was not excessively high in comparison to the average recorded last year when a total of 500 hours of overtime was recorded. Statistics in the March police report included: eight collisions with one minor in- jury and damage of $7,475, three parking tickets issued, 17 charges and 11 warnings under the Highway Traffic Act, five charges for liquor of- fences, one impaired driver, two break and enter in- vestigations with $155 stolen and $30 recovered with one female,being charged, three thefts with•$61,91 stolen and one male charged, wilful damage to private property of $20 and $900 to public proper- ty, one marijuana plant seiz- ed, three animal complaints investigated, one place of business found insecure, two medical emergencies handl- ed, one burning permit issued. Ree board cliops ;11,000 off budget at town's plea The South Huron rec centre board . of management managed to chop over $11,000 off their proposed budget this week, but the fate of two pro- grams affected by the reduc- tion won't be known for some time yet. The board had originally submitted a budget calling for Exeter to provide $82,870 in operating funds and another $14,200 in capital. Those com- pared to last year's actual costs to the town of $69,650 and $8,350 respectively. However, the town's finance committee took a dim view of the sizeable increase and in a meeting with the board, asked that any in- creases be held to 10 percent or less. Thursday night; the hoard slashed $4,768 off the operating grant request to bring it down to $78,102 and $7,000 was dropped from the capital projects to bring that total down to $7,200. The budget indicates a $6,000 grant from Osborne, $1,200 from Stephen and $440 from Hay, all of which are the same as last year. Discus- sions, however, are being held at the elected political level in an attempt by Exeter to have the townships increase their grants in keeping with the number of users from those municipalities availing themselves of the programs and facilities. Thursday's budget deliberations were held in open with the press present. A motion had been presented to have the discussion held in - camera, and the resulting vote ended in a 3-3 tie with Bill Rose, Caroline Merner and Brian Hardeman supporting the motion and Gaylen Josephson, John Pym and Kathy Whiteford opposing it. Stephen's new represen- tative, Tom Tomes, abstained. In casting the deciding ballot to keep the discussion open, board chairman Gary Birmingham questioned if budget.deliberations were a matter for in -camera sessions. in addition to the town's grant, other areas affected by the budget reduction are ice rental fees for minor athletic groups and the summer Please tura to page 2 rig - ,- I LATE SNOW BALLS Taking advantage of the wintry weather to make snow balls Sunday afternoon at Huron Park were Tracy Price and Kim Sout:rcott. T -A photo. Waste site control called too stringent Water quality guidelines for waste disposal sites are too. severe for small rural sites Huron County municipal of- ficials told representatives of the Ministry of the Environment. At the Huron County Municipal Officers' Associa- tion annual meeting on April 13 Grey Township Reeve Leona Armstrong said it is her understanding that the water quality level at the edge of a waste disposal site is to be better than drinking water. Reeve Armstrong was speaking to Doug McTavish, director of the London regional office of the Ministry. Mr. McTavish was speaking to the group on Regulation 309 in regards to waste disposal sites. "There is no change in the regulations, but there is a change in how they can be en- forced," commented Mr. McTavish adding that provin- cial officers can now present a summons to a municipality for an infraction of the regula- tions where previously they could not. The issue was brought to the forefront late last year when municipalities received letters from the Ministry outlining the penalties hand- ed out for convictions of guideline infractions. But many municipalitiesare cur- rently in the process of developing land fill site development plans which have to be submitted to the Ministry by July 1 and facing difficulty in meeting the guidelines. McTavish said a landfill site does not have an effect on the water quality around a landfill site. Reeve Armstrong said the intent of the water quality control is good, but the Ministry has to be more flex- ible for small sites. in her township's case. the water on the edge of the site does not meet ministry guidelines, but the closest well is over a mile Please turn to page 2 Blood trail aids police Exeter OPP had a trail of blood to follow in their suc- cessful attempt to nab a euspect who caused con- siderable damage to the J.A.D. McCurdy school in Huron Park this week. Damage to the school was discovered Saturday morning when people showed up for a rummage sale being spon- sored by the Brownies and Guides. The perpetrator had ap- parently suffered a cut when a large double plate glass window was broken and the trail of blood helped police catch a suspect. An 18 -year-old Iiuron Park man has been charged as a result `of the damage to the school and . also to two vehicles owned by Maureen Longhurst, EmpressAvtl, Windows and doors on three sides of the school were splot tered with white paint and the two vehicles also had their ,windows covered with paint. NO LAUGHING MATTER - Exeter Lion Esmail Merani, left is shown how diabetic Don Boos avoids giving himself a needle for his daily insulin requirements. The in- strument held by Boos is a Busher Injector which administers the medication quick- ly and painlessly. Boos, guest speaker at the Exeter Lions Club Thursday night is president of the London and District Branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association. After over 30 years he says he still uses the Busher Injector because he can't face giving himself o needle. T -A photo. New aids for diabetics Life can be close to normal Diabetic people can never lead a normal life...but it can be close to normal according to Don Boos, president of the London and District branch of the Canadian Diabetic Association. Speaking to the Exeter Lions Club Thursday night, Boos said diabetics must always watch what they eat. get the proper amount of ex- ercise and take insulin regularly. "i've been a diabetic for over 32 years and I still can't face giving myself a needle" Boos told the Lions how he uses a mechanical device to adminster the proper amount of insulin. Today diabetics can wear a device that is con- stantly injecting insulin into their system it, measured amounts All yore have to do is bush a button on the unit to give you the extra amount of insulin required before meals, he said. The former London policeman told club members diabetics are being discriminated against by government licensing bodies as well as some employers. •Ile said he performed all the duties expected of a police of- ficer for over 30 years without being hindered by the disease. Ile had not disclosed the fact he was a diabetic to the police department because this would have eliminated any chance he had of being hired for the job. - Boos also told club members he would not recommend anyone telling Ministry of Transportation and Communication officials they had diabetes. Ile said they can cancel your license and make it fairly difficult to get your driving priviliges back. He stressed there was no concrete evidence to show diabetics pose any greater threat ori the highways than the average motorist. The government was basing their attitude toward diabetics on a study in England that sug- gested people with the disease i'might" be involved in more accidents, he added