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Times-Advocate, 1985-05-01, Page 1Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Twelfth Year dvocate EXETER, ONTARIO, May 1, 1985 & North Lambton Since 1873 Price Per Copy 50 Cents VOTERS END DEBATE. Klopp claims NDP gains in credibility in riding NDP candidate Paul Klopp appears to hold no illusions about scoring any -major upset in Thursday's election. although he hopes to improve on the party's traditional' poor showing at the polls. He admits that gaining support for the NDP is an uphill battle. but notes optimistically that he's been pleasant- ly surprised at the interest people have taken in the party's policies. having been told by some prior to his nomination that running for the par- ty in this riding would be a waste of time. "There are a lot of people out there at least thinking about it c NDP par- ty)," he explained.a� When contacted by the T-Apn Mon- devening. Klopp was asked if he was farming or campaigning. Ile heartily laughed and reported he had been hauling manure at his farm that morning and that could be construed as either activity in the minds of some people. The SHIMS graduate thinks his rt vil-makesome gains-iniluro Middlesex, with that coating basically at the expense of Conservative can- didate Bryan Smith. "He just hasn't come across as a politician," Klopp said. Ile has found the proposed hydro corridor one of the most hotly debated issues in the campaign. although he said that Premier Frank Miller's past has also been an issue. The NDP can- didate said many people have said they won't support the PCs because that would indicate that they've forgotten and forgiven Miller's aborted attempt to close the Clinton hospital. Klopp wouldn't make any predic- tions about an election outcome across the province. saying he gave up predicting such things after his first vote when he was 18. "It's to volatile... he said. in reference to judging'Ihe mood of the voters, adding that he's found there are many people who are still uncom- mitted and probably won't make up their minds until they step into the voting booth on Thursday. Klopp, whose campaign has been devoid of roadside signs. said he hoped people would look at the policies and not merely the signs on the road. He said that at the Iirst rain. many of the signs fall apart. and he quickly likened that to the policies of the other two parties. The Centralia College graduate termed his campaign "interesting and educational" and feels the party is getting some credilfility in the riding. Riddell sees chance for a Liberal minority "It looks like it will. be a minority government, and it could just as easi- ly be for the Liberals as the Tories". claims Huron -Middlesex incumbent Jack Riddell as he gets set to see how the voters of Ontario will choose when n -they head to the polls on Thursday. The 12 -year veteran suggests the Liberals are "knocking right on the SPECIAL MEETING After the concert on Thursday attended by students from the Robarts School in London. Chad Taylor. a local child who attends the Roborts School, wos able to meet the trio of Sharon. Lois and Brom. About 50 Roborts students were in the oudience of 1000 of South Huron and District High School. door" and adds that his party's chances are the hest they've been since he's been in politics. "Many people are saying it's time for a change." he added. noting that he's had many people tell him that they'll switch their support to him in this election after voting for the Con- servatives in the past. "I've never heard that in past cam- paigns," he enthused, noting he was "quite optimistic" of his chances in the riding. He termed as"desparation" the $6 billion in programs being announced by Premier Frank Miller as he travels around the province. "He doesn't have the $6 billion and they're nothingm han election promise and I think people are well aware of what is going on." "He's not going over well...there's a disenchantment with Miller." When asked about the main cam- paignissues in this election, Riddell said the farm financial crisis is one of the major ones as more and more young farmers are selling off their equipment, renting their land and.tak- ing jobs just in the hope of keeping ownership of the land. "It's very serious," the MPP said, adding that the economic crunch is being felt in the riding's urban centres because small businesses and the ser- vice industry have a dependency on the agricultural community. The proposed hydro corridor through the riding is also an issue and Riddell said area farmers are "livid about that." Separate school funding is coming up more and more.- and while the Liberals support that idea. Riddell eR- plains that no one knows what the Tories have in mind or what they mean by full funding. He- claims to have been given a good response in the riding where his recognition factor is high. "People are judging me by my past record and say they see no reason to change," -he advised. The Dashwood area politician con- e ded with a parting shot for his PC vent, noting that his election si ns appear "every. rod apart... 'i think that turns people off and is acalive of the type of extravagance 9t the Tot•y government over the Years. ' THURSDAY Smith remains optimistic about pulling off upset Progressive Conservative Bryan Smith hopes Huron -Middlesex voters will be in an upsetting mood on Thurs- day and will once again restore the riding to the Tory stronghold. While most would see his win as a , major upset, Smith appears confident that his enthusiastic campaigning will be rewarded. When asked late Monday night how things were going with his campaign, Smith responded "as planned". What was planned? "To win. of course:" Throughout the campaign Smith has promoted the idea that the riding would be better served by a represen- tative on the government side of the legislature. Asked to specify pro- grams that would be advanced in the riding if voters put in a Conservative. mi saccon i►en Y. gust anything." The idea of a hydro corridor through the riding has been the prime issue for the Conservative candidate and he's promised whatever guidance and information he can supply to Foodland Hydro to battle the line. • Oddly enough.. abortion has been the second major issue, according to the Lucan council member. He's per- sonally against abortion and Morgentaler-style clinics and would like to see the federal laws in regard to abortion "looked at again". He's found some opposition to Premier Frank Miller in the Clinton area. where as health minister. the PC leader attempted to close the local hospital. However, Smith says most of the animosity towards Miller is confined mainly to a "few older people".. He said the new Miller government is in favor of supporting smaller hospitals. If election signs were indicative of voting support, Smith would be an easy winner on Thursday. Ile said he didn't know how many campaign signs were up. but said there must have been some good seeds sewn because the signs have certainly multiplied. "it's been a good campaign and I've worked hard and met a lot of peo- ple," he said in concluding his remarks. adding that he was confi- dent the PCs would he hack in power on Friday morning and there was a good chance that the Huron - Middlesex riding would be ' represented on the Tot benches. - Jail term for wife Mttering; drinkIng fine pay the fine. Marley St., London. was fined the (icer detected the odour of alcohol. A Lennard Kolkman. lilt :i Goderich. same amount for the sane offente on keit thalizer gave a reading of 110 was fined5:-48i after pleading guilty In - August 12. mgs. Ile was ordered lo pay the line driving with a flood alcohol content Kolkman was stopped in a spot by May 21t. over the legal limit on December 20, check on Highway 4 and taken for a McKinnon 'was charged alter a while Ian Quince!" McKinnon. 157 breathalizer lest after the police ot- Please turn to page 2 A Zurich area roan was sentenced In SIX months in reformatory when he appeared letoreJudge .1. Seneshen in Exeter court. Tuesday. David 1.ovie. RR 2 Zurich. had been convicted previously ona charge of assault causing bodily harm after his wife was beaten on July 21 01 last year. In reviewing the incident. the Crown noted that the wife of the ac- cused suffered a broken nose. black ('ye and some bruising that resulted in her requiring hospital treatment II was pointed out that wives are emotionally and financially depen- dent and creed the protection of the court in such matters and the (Town asked for a jail term to prevent this type of offence from happening again. Duly counsel admitted it was a serious of fence and that the accused had leen drinking at the line. but had not been drinking since this attack. The court was told that the wife had returned to the hone and a jail terra would be 01 no benefit Mnweyer..fudge Seneshen levied the six • rnnnth sentence. saying it w as a deterrent to the accused himself Lovie was also placed on probation for two years and was ordered to keep the peace. seek employment and counselling alter his sentence has leen served :1 fine of $1.000 or three months in jail was levied against Michael William Horner. King Sl.. Crediton. after he pleaded guilty to impaired driving on .lune 12 of last year. )lis vehicle was observed parked on Ihghway 8:1 around 12:341a m on That date and the accused pulled onto the highway as the investigating nl- ricer approached in his cruiser. After noting the erratic movements of the Horner vehicle which al times was in the wrong Zane and had no lights on, the officer signalled it to stop and found the driver to have a strong odour of alcohol. dazed and unsteady on his feet A hreathalizer (est gave a reading of 2(0 ings The 29 -year-old had a precious drinking and driving conviction in Oc- tober 01 19112 He said it would be a great hardship In pay a heavy fine as he is presently on compensation from an accident suffered al his place of employment in November 1lmwever. the .Midge said the ac cusp(' had a very high alcohol content and was fortunate that he was stop- ped by. the police before gelling into a serious accident. Ile was given 90 days in which to THERE IT GOES — There were plenty of jobs for Big Brothers and Big Sisters when the South Huron Association staged a fishing derby at Morrison Dam, Sunday. In addition to baiting hooks, untangling lines and cooking food (few fish made the pan) Big Sister Heather Buchanan acted as an anchor as Jackie Sweitzer took o flying leap to cast her line into an area where she was sure a big one was lurking. Other members of the group ore shown in the background. Advance voting Voting at the six advance polls in this arca has been heavier than usual. according to i(mow Middlesex retur- ning officer W.F. Simmons. Simmons speculates the good weather may be a factor All advance polling places were wheel -chair accessible. which may also have encouraged some to cast their ballots ahead of time at a loca- tion where they wouldn't have to worry about narrow doors and long flights of stairs • All who were not enumerated in Ex• eter and surrounding area may still vote if they come In their polling star - 1ion and have someone vouch for the fact they are British subjects or Cana- dian cel i/ens who have resided in Ow tart° for the past 12 months A certificate is only required in ur ban centres such as Goderich kith populations of more than 6.1100 The :t1.945 eligible voters in the iluron Middlesex riding will he voting at 115 polling places 00 Thursday heavy Four hundred and sixty enumerators. poll clerks and deputy returning of- ficers were hired io carry. out the many duties required in advance preparation. ensuring everything runs smoothly on voting day, and tabulating the results • Simrnons will once again set up election headquarters at his home on iliversule Drive J'his is the 1nur•th bine he has acted as returning officer for his riding in a provincial electron Simmons has four words of advice for eligible voters: gel out and vote