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Times-Advocate, 1985-07-03, Page 1500 PER COPY Drinking driver gets $500 fine A Hensall man who tested almost three times over the legal limit was fined $500 after pleading guilty to driving with a blood alcohol content over the limit in Exeter court. Tuesday. Glen M. Nixon, 72 Richmond St.. was charged after being involved in an accident on Exeter's Main St. on February 14. There were no injuries in the collision.and property damage was set at $1,200. A breathalizer lest gave a reading of 242 mg. Judge Menzies, who presided at Tuesday's session, said he was impos- ing the $500 fine due to fact there had been a collision and the breathalizer. reading was so high. • He gave the accused 60 days in which to pay the fine. Barry Arthur McCallum. Kippen. was fined $200 and was given the mandatory licence suspension after pleading guilty to failing to provide a breath sample for roadside screening. He was charged on May 29 at 1:00 a.m. after being stopped while travelling west on Highway 83. He was given 30 days in which to pay. A fine of $100 was levied against Steven J. Holtzman, 318 Pryde Boulevard. Exeter, who pleadedguil- ty to mischief: The charge arose out of an.incident at SHIMS on May 19 when the accused put his fist through a window at the school. Ile had to be treated for injuries at South Huron I lospita I. The court learned the man had been drinking and had made restitution for the damage. Ile was given :30 days ill which to pay the fine. AB other cases on the lengthy docket were set over to future court dates, Northern residents object to group home • Not in my backyard?" That was the prevailing sentiment at an infor- mation meeting Wednesday night regarding the relocation of an Exeter group home. The South Huron Association for the Mentally Handicapped has bought a piece of land in the north part of Ex- eter, at the corner of Andrew and George Streets, where they plan to build two four-bedroom bungalows 10 use as group homes for mentally han- dicapped adults. The future residents of these homes already live in Exeter. at the John Street home. The plan will not involve adding any new residents or bringing in anyone not already in Exeter, and the John Street residence will close. The homeowners in the area are worried about their property values decreasing. "These people are out in force because they're against it," Len Veri, who was an unofficial spokesman for the homeowners, told the Association representatives. About 100 Exeter residents attend- ed the meeting. Association executive director John Gray said before the meeting started that "We'd rather move in and be welcome, but we're going to move in anyway." The current residence on John Street is in poor condition, and the Ministry of Health is putting pressure on the Association to move or do ex- tensive renovations. Space is very cramped, and the residents share double rooms. The homeowners raised concerns about the safety of the mentally han- dicapped adults crossing the street. Gray said that they would be super- vised and' not allowed to cross by themselves until they proved they were capable. The questions then shifted to a concern about "obscene acts the homeowners were afraid they and their children might have to witness. Gray said the adults would be supervised 24 hours .a day. An Anglican minister, Jim Sutton, sug- gested that if the audience was wor- ried about obscene acts, they should view some of the goings-on at the high sehobl that he lives next door to, in- volving "normal" teenagers. There was also a presentation by Harry Klungel, who owns the _John Street property. He feels there is ade- quate space on this property to ex- pand. Gray said they had considered such an expansion, but when plans - were done by a designer, it became obvious there would be almost no backyard space left. once a parking lot had been allowed for. "We'll try hard to be good neighbours," said Jim Dalton, the president of the Association. "Let's work together', Dalton said. It could happen to any of us -- we owe these people a home." • Len Veri said the zoning at the An - PVC statements to be different in June The Exeter PUC is switching -lo a different type of monthly statement. effective with the .lune billing to be sent out in July. manager Ilugh Davis. informed the regular June meeting of the Commission. The change -over to another system. already planned for the future. was speeded up by horren- dous mix-ups in the last two billings. Some customers received as many as four bills in their envelopes. while others received none. • The PU(' was the target of irate callers objecting to having their neighbours privy to what is supposed to be private business. One customer confronted wit Exeter;s monthly charge said it,was had enough having to pay his own bill. without having to worry about the town's account too. "1t was a bad scene. 'There was a lot of hostility". Davis remarked. the London PU(', which prints and mails out Exeter 1't'(' hills. will pro- cess the new type oI hills on different machines than the ones responsible for the loch -ups. The new format is much larger and easier 10 unders- tand. Later. hills will also contain the daily average consumption as well as messages from the utility. Commissioner Harry DeVries ask- ed if the Exeter PUC had considered acquiring its own billing system. Davis replied that could be a reality "down the road". in some areas now, he said. the meter reader punches figures into a little portable computer. The tape is brought back to the office and fed into a machine which then . prints out the bills. In other areas: the meterman carries a machine that nkakes out the bill on the spot, and it is then pushed into the mail slot. Davis said some utilities smaller than Exeter's are now doing their own billing, and the possibility of Exeter doing the same would be examined within the next three to five years. Mayor Bruce Shaw's motion that provision he made in the fall budget to set aside $5,000 as the beginning of a reserve fund for a computer was passed unanimously. Commission chairman Murray Greene voiced his concern about possible unauthorized parking at the rear of the former Junction building blocking PUC vehicles once the new businesses and apartments'. are oc- cupied. Ile wondered what preven- tative measures the PUC could take while still being a good neighbour. and without causing embarrassment. Shaw suggested the owners be ask- ed -to advise tenants of the importance of keeping the access lane and PU(' property clear. Davis said an overhaul of the Moody well showed the screens are clogging. The 1986 budget will include the expense of pumping down an acidic solution to clean them. Davis compared this, operation to cleaning the deposits out of an electric kettle. Davis said the start of operations at Canadian Canners means water restrictions on Exeter households are now in effect. The PU(' will hold its next regular meeting on Monday: July 29 at 1:00 p.m. • drew Street site is not appropriate for a group home. The site is zoned in- stitutional, but since Exeterrecently added a category for group homes in their zoning bylaws. Veri says this means group homes no longer fall under the insitutional zoning. Veri also said group homes have to be further apart than they would be on this size lot. Gray said that if they had to. they would build one large building instead of the two bungalows they had planned, but the bungalows were an attempt to blend into the neighbourhood. Gray also said he'd look into the zoning further; but as far as he knew enverything was correct. The Association representatives also showed a videotape where some London homeowners who lived near a group home were interviewed. These people said that when they first heard about the home they were wor- ried. but now they found the mental-. ly retarded adults 'were good neighbours. As the meeting wore on. the tone of the discussion disintegrated, and comments became blunt. "How many people in this room would live beside a group home?" Cathy Mugford, who lives near the site, asked. Gary replied that he did live beside a group home, the Huron Street home. "That's different; they're children" was the reply. The homeowners drew a distinction between mentally han- dicapped children and adults. because they felt the adults were more likely to perform "obscene acts." "Why not put some of the homes in Hensall or Dashwood -- spread it. around?" an audience member ask - ed. It was explained that most of those in the home were from Exeter, and that a larger community gave more opportunities for the residents to learn socialization skills.. Chris DeBoer, an Andrew Street 'resident, said she couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. "You should be a little bit more understan- ding." She was asked by a heckler. "Do you have any children''" and when she said her husband and she were planning on them eventually. was told "It'll be different when you have kids". Please turn to paw 2 R CONCERNED RESIDENTS — A Targe number of area residents showed up tsn Wednesday night to a public information meeting regarding the relocation of an Exeter group home for mentally handicapped adults. The majority wished to voice their opposition to having such a home in their area. Andrew Street resi- dent Cathy Mugford is seated at centre. Ames - Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Twelfth Year dvocate & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, July 3, 1985 Price Per Copy 50 Cents PREMIER AND ACTRESS WIFE ATTEND PLAYHOUSE OPENING The 1-tth season of the Huron Coun- try Playhouse gotoff to a star-studded start on Saturday. Some members of the audience received as much attention as the players on the stage as the opening night featured a long list of dignitaries, headlined by Premier David Peterson and his wife Shelley. Mrs. Peterson, of course, is no stranger to Huron Country Playhouse. She has performed in six productions from 1973 to 1984. Joining Peterson were Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell, Huron_ 11 P Murray Cardiff and Lamtiton P Dave Smith. Former agriculture minister William A. Stewart was also in attendance, along with several area reeves and mayors to round out the list of political dignitaries. Authors of, Anne of Green Gables. Norman and Elaine Campbell, were also introduced as wag John Neville, artistic director designate of the Stratford . Festival., Katherine Kaszas, artistic director of the Blyth Festival; and Don Shipley, artistic director of the Grand Theatre in London. After opening remarks by Playhouse board chairman David Sheppard and artistic director Ron Ulrich, the audience members chang- ed their stargazing from the seals around them to the stage to watch a delightful presentation of Anne of Green Gables. Canada's best known musical is written by Donald Harron (well known TV talk show host ) and Nor- man Campbell ( CBC Variety Direc- tor). This delightful musical has played at the Charlottetown Festival in Prince Edward Island for 20 years and has sold out every season. Adapted from a novel by L.M. Mon- tgomery. this musical is a story that the whole family will love. Green Gables is the home of lovable Matthew Cuthbert and his stern sister. Marilla. When they agree to adopt a boy to help with the farm work. imagine their surprise when Anne Shirley, a young girl is sent by the orphanage by mistake!. Anne, with her vivid imagination and raw charm. touches Matthew's heart. but it takes much more to persuade Marilla to let her slay. When the red-headed Shirley goes to school for the first time. she creates havoc in the classroom and later in the town with her refreshing honesty and vivid imagination. Complete with TOWNSHIP SYMBOL — Admiring the wall hanging that was part of the decoration for the Tuckersmith Sesquicentennial church service held in the Seaforth and District Community Centre are guest speaker Rev. Grant MacDonald. Sesquicentennial planning committee chairman Bill Strong, •church committee head Marlene Bell and Tuckdrsmith Reeve Bob Bell. Mrs. Bell designed and made the wall hanging. thirty musical numbers and fun -filled dancing. Anne and the Townspeople of Avonlea will capture your heart. It's one of the "tried and true" plays being used by the Playhouse this season in an effort to rebuild au- dience support and it should succeed in that regard as,it gets super perfor- mances from all its characters. A revolving stage helps the play change scenes with a minimum of delay and interruption. While Premier Peterson may have had weightier matters'on his mind during the show, he week among those enjoying it enough:hi reward the com- pany with a standing ovation at the conclusion. Also unveiled at Saturdays opening was the , new balcony at the Playhouse; which'is hoped to meet the demands of the many -weekend play- goers who, in the past, have faced sold out signs. Anne of Green Gables is a Canadian institution of which audiences never appear to lire. The Grand Bend pro- duction is certainly worthy of a repeal visit for those who have seen it on the same stage before and should be add- ed to the list of things to do by those looking for an enjoyable summer evening's entertainment. OPEN PLAYHOUSE The 14th season for Huron Country Playhouse was opened, Saturday, with Premier David Peterson and his wife, Shelley, among the many dignitaries in attendance. The couple is shown here talking to a patron, while board member Adrian Bayley, right, looks on. At the left rear are Mr. and Mrs. Peter Phillips of Exeter. Their daughter perforins in Anne of Green Gables. Two Huron ministers liberal government sworn in Wednesday was the first day for many things according to Ontario's newest premier David Peterson. At 12 noon he was sworn in by Secretary of the Cabinet Dr. Edward Stewart as the first Liberal premier - since 1943. The swearing in ceremony the first of its kind outside was held on the lawn of the Legislature building and attracted thousands of spectators. To begin the ceremony. Lieutenant - Governor John Aird ushered premier - elect Peterson to the platform Which was already filled with Liberal members of parliament. Peterson promised the ceremony - would be symbolic of an Ontario with neither walls or harriers between its government and its people. Ile continued. "Many come to this province seeking the optortunity to participate. Many sought the oppor- tunity to prosper. Some sought the op- portunity just to survive. but, all sought opportunity. "So lel us take as our mission: Where opportunity is fragile to make it strong; where it is fleeting to make it' permanent and where it is unknown to make 0 familiar. it will be available to women as well as men. newcomers as well as those whose roots go back cen- turies. young people and seniors..as well as those of us somewhere in between. Five members of the clergy in the. SAFE DRIVERS Despite the fact the Canada Day holiday weekend was blackened with an almost record number of traffic accidents in Ontario, drivers in this area performed very safely. The Exeter OPP report there were no reportable accidents over the weekend or during the past -week Crime incidents were also nil. Toronto area offered~invocations and prayers. They included the United Church of Canada. the Anglican Church of ':Canada. the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto. the Adath Israel congregation and the Markaz AI-Dawa AI -Islami. Peterson recalled the Legislature Tuesday of this week for the first time since Frank Miller's minority Conser- vative government was defeated on a non -confidence motion .lune 18' At Wednesday's ceremonies Peter- son unveiled a 23 member ca Wiwi in- cluding Iwo from Huron County ridings. Huron -Middlesex MPI' Jack Rid- dell becomes Minister of Agriculture and the new Minister of Health is Huron -Bruce MPP Murray Elston Getting a top post as Provincial 'Qreasurer was former Liberal leader Robert Nixon who represent,. the riding of Brant -Oxford -Norfolk. Taking over as Education Minister is Scan Conway from Renfrew North. Peterson said he was the perfect choice to head the education portfolio. "Ile is very sensitive about this and is not dogmatic in any way." Conway's parliamentary assistant will be newly elected Middlesex MPP Doug Reycraft. Alvin Curling representing Scar- boron h. North as Minister of 'lousing becomes the first black Cabinet Minister in Ontario. The present cabincl of 23 members is the smallest since 1972 when Premier Bill Davis had 22 -in cabinet The largest was frank Miller's al :33 as of February of this year. Peterson at the age of 41 is 1 thirrt youngest premier in Ontario's history. Joan Smith from London South will he Chief Government Whip. the first time a woman has held this mit ion. CABINET KISSES Ontario's new Minister of Agriculture Jack Rid- dell gets congratulatioi(s from daughters, Heather Riddell, Donna Overholt and' Deb Thompson. T -A photo •