Times-Advocate, 1985-05-08, Page 1THE SINGER With his wife, Anita, at his -side, Huron -Middlesex
MPP Jack Riddell -commenced his victory speech with a rendition of
the Auctioneer's Song at the South Huron rec centre, Thursday night.
Mozart's Melody Makers provide the accompaniment. .
•
Biggest win ever for RIddeII
Although it had been set as one of
the "target" ridings in which the Pro-
gressive Conservatives felt they had
a chance of winning, the May 2 elec
tion race in Huron -Middlesex wasn't
even close.
Incumbent Jack Riddell scored his
most decisive victory in five election
frays, helping the Liberal party to its
best overall showing across the pro-
vince since 1937.
'Riddell boasted a lead of almost
6.5000 vostes over PC hopeful Bryaen
Smith of Lucan. NDP candidate Paul
Klopp also got caught up in the steam-
roller effect as he managed only 1,148
votes and Rhinoceros candidate Oil-
man
'arman Dawson was selected on only 221
ballots.
The first election return at the Ex-
eter Liberal headquarters was poll 49
in Exeter and it posted 104 votes for
Riddell, 58 for Smith and four for
Klopp.
It was indicative of things to cone
as Riddell's lead continued to swell
and pushed him to a finishing total of
13,820 votes. compared to 7,381 tor
Smith. There was a voter turnout of
70.6_percent in the riding.
The lfuron-Middlesex MPP arrived
at headquarters just before 8:30 to
join his supporters in watching the
score, after he and other family
members had been entertained at din-
ner by his 83 -year-old another. •
While Riddell's win was secured
early in the evening, interest remain-
ed high at the former Junction
building as Liberals viewed the see-
saw battle unfolding across the pro-
vince as Premier Frank Miller was
held to a slim minority government.
An obvious highlight of the evening
mes
Serving South Huron, North Middlesex
One Hundred and Twelfth Year
came when Consumer and Commer-
cial
ornmer-
caI (Relations Minister Gordon
Walker was sent down to defeat in
London South.
It was a verdict which Huron -
Middlesex Liberals appeared to relish
as much as any during the evening.
Riddell savored his win. recogniz-
ing that the Conservatives had poured
considerable effort and money into
the riding campaign.
"They were out to do some
damage," .he explained, add g that
he has been "a thorn in theirside"
with his many critical coeur gas on
the government. particularly on PC
patronage.
One of his targets in the fatter
regard has been Seaforth native Clare
Westcott, a former assistant to
Premier William Davis. Riddell said
he had a hunch that Westcott was par-
tially responsible for the heavy ar-
tillery that the Conservatives brought
into the riding campaign. Premier
Miller made a slop here and was join-
ed by several cabinet ministers at
various points during the race.
After Liberal Assocation president
Joe Hogan announced that "our job
is complete here," the Liberals mov-
ed to the South Huron rec centre tor
a victory party.
Riddell opened the event with his
singing version of the Auctioneer's
Please turn to page 2
CONGRATULATIONS
Defeated PC candidate Bryan Smith and some of his supporters travelled to
the rec centre, Thursday, to extend congratulations to MPP Jack Riddell. From the left are Anita Rid-
dell, Bryan Smith, Beth Smith, PC association president Tom -Jasper, Vern Aldlerdice and campaign
manager Mert Culbert.
civocate
& North Lambton Since 1873
EXETER, ONTARIO, May 8, 1985 Price Per Copy 50 Cents
Exeter taxes rcent
Exeter ratepayers will collectively
cont r;ibtrle about S117.000 more in pro-
perty taxes this year than they did in
1984. following c'ouncil's approval 01
the hudgel, Monday. after some last
minute cuts. `
The rate is up 15.99 mills or 5.69 per-
cent for residential public school sup-
porters and 17.3-1 mills or 6.19 percent
for separate school supporters....::e
increases tor commercial taxpayers
is basically the sante.
The separate school mill rale for
residential purposes is now at 297.67.
The public school rate is 296.81 nulls.
The corresponding commercial rates
are 349.19 for public school and :359.20 41,818,831 in taxes this year for local,
for separate school. county and school support. Last
The general Exeter levy will raise year's figure was $1,701,278.
683.545 this year with the mill rate be- The total budget approved brtoun-
ing 113.19. That's up 4.69 percent over cil this week is over the $3 million
last year. it had been at 6.96 percent mark for the first time at $3,124,426.
before the final cuts Monday. • In addition to taxes, local taxpayers
The county rate has increased 7.31 will contribute $191,300 in sewer fron-
percent to :15.95 mills and the high tage and surcharges. Ontario uncon-
school levy is'up 7.81 percent at 66.70 ditional grants are expected to be
stills. The public elementary school $405,190 and another $95,335 comes
rate is 70.If7 mills. an increase of 4.71 from grants in lieu of taxes from Bell
percent. while the separate elemen- Canada and the•federal and provin-
tary school rate is 81.83 mills. up 6.49 cial government agencies which
percent. operate facilities in the community.
Ratepayers will be contributing Ontario specific grants, primarily
for road maintenance. will generate
$65,:330 and fees and services provid-
ed to ratepayers for such items as
building permits, fire fees and land-
fill site fees will generate $33,800.
Fire service fees from the other
three municipalities involved in the
fire board and 1he1luron county road
rebate. will total' $112.733.
An estimated $52,400 will come
from other revenue sources such as
licenses, tax interest and interest on
investment, while SWAM will be
taken from reserves for sewer
expansion.
The ministry 01 transportation -
capital grant on new road construc-
tion has been set at $611.3041 and
revenue from the .John St opening
has been set al $83.000 which includes
developer contributions, the PUC por-
tion of the contract, sewer reserve
and the sale of two lots being opened
up through the closing of Wellington
SI..
The accumulating net revenue Of
$121.000 brings the revenue up to the
$:3.124.426 figure.
On the expenditure side. council
FISH DERBY The Morrison Dam was the site of the first annual
Exeter Lions Club and A.B C.A. fish derby on Saturday. These were
a few of the 150 particpants. About 25 fish were caught.
Search has ended,
new chief is named
F:xelcl '- search for a neve police
chiel has ended with council rat lying
the appointment of :3.3 year old Larry
1t"ardy In the position. Nlnnday
!lardy is a first class constable with
the Mercea Township police depart
ment, which has headquarters in the
Leamington area town of Wheatley
Ile has 14 years' experience and
comes from a department similar in
size to Exeter's.
Council approved a starting salary
of $36.000 for Hardy. who will com-
mence duly on May 15
. After being told that farmer chief
Ted Day's salary in 1984 was $:32.50(1,
Councillor Morley Hall asked why the
large increase for rhe new chief was
being considered.
Mayor Shaw. a memlx'r of the com-
mittee which interviewed several
candidates in a couple of day -long in-
terviewing sessions. replied that "we
wouldn't get anyone much under
that."
!lardy was the unanimous choice of
the three senior police chiefs chosen
to assist the Ontario Police Commis-
sion and the council comrnittee in
their selection.
Truck issue
to resurface
Exeter council and members of the
local planning advisory committee
could face a new challenge over the
controversial subject of commercial
trucks parking in residential areas
Lawyer 5 C. Monteith. Stratford.
brought council up to date on the re-
cent OMB hearing into an appeal by
Berl and Elaine Knip over the town's
refusal of a minor variance to allow
them to park their truck at their Sher-
wood
herwood Crescent residence.
The OMB ruled that the planning
advisory committee had not acted ac-
cording to planning rules in denying
the application and was therefore a
nullity.
In his letter to council. Monteith
recommended that Brian .Johnston.
zoning administrator. send Knip a let -
ter advising he is still in contraven-
tion of the zoning bylaw and that he
(Knit)) should submit either an ap
plication for minor variance or an ap-
plication for rezoning in the very near
future
Councillor Ben f loogenboom said it
was his understanding that Knip
would he applying for a zone change
in the near future.
"What type of zoning''" asked
Mayor Bruce Shaw.
"Something that allows truck park
ing, came a reply from one member
and administration will cost $184,566.
Stipends. wages and benefits make up
$112,000 of that figure. The council
/end administration budget is up about
$23,000 over last year's actual
expenditures.
The fire department budget 'is
$148.100 this year. compared to an ac-
tual expenditure of $12:3.77( last year.
Wages, which have been estimated al
$53.100. are guesstimates in part that
depend on the number of fires to
whicih the brigade is called.
This year's police budget shows one
of the biggest increases, being set at
$336,829. compared to last year's ac-
tual of $3119,184. Salaries. benefits and
staff development amount to $265.000
of the total and reflect the recent set-
tlement made between council and
Chief Day for his early retirement as
well as department wage hikes
The Ausable-Bayfield ('onserva ton
Authority levy is at $10.143 this year.
compared to $9.479. while the animal
control budget for pound fees has
been set al $1,000. Only $282 was paid
out last year. when the budget was
also set at $1,(KK).
The building and zoning ad-
rttinis(rat ion budget has also increas-
ed substanitally over last year. It is
$59.040. compared lo the 1984 expen-
diture of $40.985. Wages and benefits
slake up $45.000 of the total. part of
which is Wiest by a government grant
for a planning student this summer.
The other $14.000 is for supplies.
advertising and legal fens. 'That's up
due to the fa:c•t the town is involved in
two OMB hearings so far This year
and the comprehensive zoning bylaw -
study could lead to another one.
' The total public works operating
and capital budget this year has been
set at $958,519. of which $:357.186 is lor
1 CAN HEAR YOUR HEARTBEAT Nurse Vicky McCreight examines
Gareth Runalls-Lichty from the Toddlers' Inn nursery school. The
children were on a lour of South Huron Hospital, and Nurse McCreight
was setting -up the stethoscope so the others could hear Gareth's
heart.
Four people hurt
in district collision
Four people were injured. one
serrinsl. in one (11 Ihe two collisions
Investigated by the Exeter 1)1'1' this
week
on Thursday . vehicles drtycn by
Stephen Mann, Ingersoll. and \label
I'01rrer. )tr'usscls. colluded at the in
Iersection of flighwa'. t;:3 and 4'omit'.
Road 11 111 1'sbor'ne Tow nship
Both vehicles were demolished in
Ihe crash. with damage being set at
Si T),5041
Moth drivers and Iwo passengers 1n
the Br'usse'ls vehicle we•r'(' taken to
`Huth Huron Hospital and Mann was
Ir.►nsierre(1 to ('ni'. e'rsity hospital in
London tor Ireatmen1 of maim-
injuries
aim-
1njuries
Passengers 1n the Pinner %chicle
were the drn cr.. husban(1..fo.eph.
Hod Nl,iI►e•I Smith' loth til Brussels
Mann had been easlhnund On
1Itghway
8:1;111(111w ltrrtssels "Oman
was snulhhoutt(I on the ('nun(road
when the collision occurred
The other crash of the week o'(11*
red in Ilensall on Vrl(18' at the In
•ferse(•fion n1 King and 1%e llinetnn `i
Drivers nn Olyed a ere 4'aro1'.ri
F'islter. Zurich. anti Donald Tow ton.
Ilensall Damage was estimated at
$2.10x1 and neither (laver was in lured
capital projects. 1Cages4a.nd benefits
stake up 5198,804( (11 the operating
capital.
The 1984 actual expenditure tor
public works was $794,152.
Included in this year's budget is
$I 12,00(1 for the first phase of opening
.John St . F: to facilitate the new ours-
ing home. Part of that expenditure
may be debentured
Council will set aside $37,0ou in
reserve funds in 1985. Thal includes
funds ter sewage expansion. recrea-
tion capital. cemetery equipment.
Please teal to page 2
Exeter getting
new pharmacy
:Mier one frflse start. it appears 11181
Exeter gill indeed be gelling a second
drug store
Trevor Wilson. one of the original
partners in Exeter Pharmacy. an-
nounced this week Ilia( he would be
opening a (1rug store in the north hall
of I he Ior'mer of the former Canadian
Tire Store building owned by Doug
i'arker.
He hopes to have the facility open-
ed in mud -.lune and said he will slick
strictly to dispensing drug prescrip-
tions and other health oriented pro-
ducts Ile won't he selling tobacco,
gifts. cards. load. etc
Wilson moved to this area in 1957
when he opened a drug slow in lien -
salt. He went to( h'angevillefrom 1969
10 1973 to operate a store there and
then returned to Exeter in 1974 to be
a partner with lull Huntley and the
late Stan 1lorrell in Exeter Pharmacy
Ltd
Promotes
farm sales
Noting hes sick and tired of seeing
product 01 1'.5 :\ - on Ihe produce
.Old 111 local grocery stores- ('our
chlor Morley 11.111 suggested Ihis
week that c'onsuleration should be
given to est ahltshing a larmers
market in Exeter
Ne said such a market would be
good for both area tanners and
consumers
Um .1111. 11 would go (oyer well." he
said. adding That it could be operated
at tittle expense on the town's part
and could px►ss1hly generale some
revenue lir the rec' INr11'(1 by using the
agricultural building at the communi
ty park as a site for such a market
When asked who he would sec 111
it 'al mg such a project. Hall said that
he was town In suggestions
Councillor lien Hoog('nhcs►In said
he ,..,,/,.„,„11,1 ('14)1)1' be closer to the•
downtown area and Irallie. while
Deputy Ileeve Lossy Fuller added
that it '.could he competition for the
131:1 members
When asked al ler 1 he meet trig 11 he
would have liven 1n favor of a
farmers market when he operated
his focal store. plan responded 1n the
affirmative
He said he would e'en have been
agreeable In allow farmers to sell
meat if it stet regulations