Times-Advocate, 1988-01-06, Page 5n
the
Street
By Jim Beckett
Have you ever felt you hare, known_ someone before you actually met
them?
This wa.s a feeling. I experienced in the fall of 1975 when a career
change brought me to Exeter to compete for news and advertising
against Bill Batten and his partners Ross Haugh and Ted Rowcliffe.
Thc advice from *my new einployer was that Bill would be formidable
competition indeed.:. and after reading the T -A thoroughly' for about a
month prior to actually starting in Exeter ! fully understood what he
meant.
The newspaper, to mc, was definitely one of the best I had ever sen,
when compared to some of the other encs I had worked on in a variety
of markets. Time and time again people said "The T -A's a winner...Bill
Batten will be the toughest competition you've ever faced...Exeter's his
town, etc. etc."
Bill's reputation as being one of the finest news people in the busi-
ness had me convinced he was a larger than life character and after I fi-
nally met him on the Main Street that Monday morning in November
1975 all the rumors about him suddenly became fact.
We crossed paths in front of the former Junction building and I put
on as brave a face as possible .,tepped in front of -him and introduced
myself.
Hishandshakc rirm, his voice was gruff, and his eyes seemed to
look rit;ut ,hough me. After a few seconds of small talk, it was obJi-
ous Bill wasn't wishing me any luck in Exctcr. It was obvious to me I
would certainly need a little luck to do my job well in "Bill's town."
As the weeks went by, many times with competition for news and
advertising at a frantic level, it was slowly becoming apparent a change
would have to be made in the newspaper busincss in Exeter. Us bat-
tling Biil and Bill battling us was getting to bel like two boxers who
arc both weakened but neither one willing to give up.
Finally, busincss heads prevailed and a decision was made that would
bring Bill and his crew back to the T -A team.
Bill returned to the T -A, where he had been for so many years before,
and where readers in the area seemed to want him.
1 never realized how respected (you can never use the word popular to
describe an editor) Bill was until one night the fund raising committee
for the South Huron Rec Centre held *their major'event on our local
cable station.
Thc amount of money raised by people who phoned in donating mon-
ey for Bill to have his bushy heard shaved off on live TV was just one
demonstration that he really was part of the community.
Bill loved his beard...he loved his-town...and the people in town
loved to get thc editor, quite possibly a combination that may never be
repeated. It was one of the most graphic demonstrations 'to me about
what living in a small community means.
It also convinced me that getting; Bill back on the T -A side was one
of the best investments one could make.
Bill and 1 never actually ever became really close friends,. but I cer-
tainly had respect for the way he produced thc newspaper. Co-workers at
the T -A missed him during his brief absence and welcomed him back
with open arms when he took over his old job. It was as if. he had never
left.
The staff were familiar with his way of putting out the newspaper and
they would be fortunate enough to get another 12 good years out of Bill
before illness brought an end to the errs in July this year.
If tears are any indication of how much you will be missed when
you're gone, everyone should be as fortunate as Bill. Staff and readers
alike were equally distressed when it became more apparent Bill would _
not return to the job he did so well.
He did come to the office fairly often and even though it was becom-
ing evident Bill's illness was terminal, his attitude, manner and outlook
seemed to get stronger each week. It was amazing watching him put the
finishing touches on a new sheep publication that he had committed
himself to doing just before his iflness was discovered.
-. Even when he could hardly stand, Bill made sure the publication was
thc best it could be before he allowed it to go to the printer. A continu-
ation of Bill's belief in "making it the tfcst you can" followed through
to the very end.'
In some ways being the editor in a small town is the toughest news-
paper job there is. Many times I've heard Bill on the phone listening to
someone pleading to keep a name out of the paper. People like the
good news...and the bad•ncws about other people...but when it involves
someone close to them .it's a different story.
As far as I know Bill never compromised the integrity of the T -A by
omitting a report that should have been news...but I know many of
them distressed him as much as the friends and relatives of the person
involved.
That's why being an editor is a job many people are not suited for be-
cause, as Bill told me once, "In Exeter, you eventually have to meet the
person you've written alxuit on the street". .
This has happened to Bill hundreds of times over his years at the T -A
and to this day there are probably people out there who don't realize he
was only doing the best job he could as a newsman.
When it came to occasionally have to criticize various groups in the
arca, perhaps Bruce Shaw said it best when hc described 1301as the clos-
est thing to the -official opposition in municipal government. Actually,
Bill's columns weren't nearly as critical as people remember, and even
then, the criticism was usually constructive.
When the Citizen of the Ycar award went to Bill this year I doubt if
there was anyone in. the room who was surprised. When I heard him ac-
-nt the recognition from the community he_ loved so much I couldn't
'<,11 he amazed at the strength of his voice, and how tough and con-
fident he sou..... ' • '',n microphone:
It was an awkward mei.. -It because Bill and everyone else knew we
wouldn't he seeing each other at;.iin. If he wa.s depressed, or discouraged
he didn't show it. In short, hc was just like I always picturc him - tall,
strong and confident.
I've only known Bill fora little over a dozen years but there are oth-
ers at the T -A who have known him a lifetime. Undoubtedly in another
dozen years we'll he discussing something at our coffee break and some-
one will ask "Is that how Bill would have done it?" A legacy like that's
not bad for anybody.
As well as being missed by his wife, sons, mother and other family
members, Bill will be missed by another larger family, the family of
almost 20,000 readers who have welcomed the T -A into•thcir homes.
every week.
Perhaps Bill knew all the time thcrc were some advantages in being
the editor. -
NOTICE
MOTORIZED VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED
IN PUBLIC PARKS OF THE TOWN OF EXETER
TAKE NOTICE that by-law No. 27, 1980, prohibits
motorized vehicles of every description (includ-
Ing motorbikes and snowmobiles) from being
used, drawn, hauled or propelled in the public
parks of Exeter except roadways.
By-law provides for fines to any person found
guilty of contravening this By-law. -
By Order.
Exeter Town Crouncil.
Times -Advocate, January 6, 1988
Page 5
Building boar in Exeter
- Although the final results have
yet to be presented to council, 1987
should prove to have been a very
good year for new construction in
Exeter. -
Brian Johnstone chief building of-
ficial for the Town of Exeter, cites
strong growth in . the residential,
commercial and industrial sectors of
construction in the area in the past
year. He also indicates that several
industrial projects are already in the
works and before council and may
be ready for construction to begin in
the spring.
Johnston states that approximate-
ly 40 homes were built or started
during 1987, a number he says will
be hard to match_ in subsequent
years.
Although Johnston acknowledges
many ;of these houses are larger,
luxury homes costing upwards of,
5150,000, he explains the quick
sale of those already built confirms
the demand for such an upscale mar-
ket.
"Thorc seems to be a trend toward
two-storey houses," says Johnston.
He saw the trend emerge around
1985 when builders began moving
away from the smaller, more ener-
gy-efficient homes which were in,
vogue in the early'1980s.
Much of the construction of these
houses centres on the new subdivi-
sion projects currently under devel-
opment by several companies in
Exctcr.
Thc Darling subdivision saw con-
struction begin on only four of its
72 lots in 1987.- However, 24 lots,
or one entire street, now lie serviced
and awaiting construction to begin _
in this or coming years.
The Stoneyridge subdivision in
the south end of Exeter started five
homes last year under developer
Jack Taylor. Only eight houses
have been built so far on the subdi-
vision's 37 lots.
The Len Veri subdivision further
north has been- under development
since 1977 and is nearing comple-
tion. It too saw new houses go up
on five lots.
Most of the other houses to make
up the year's total were what John-
ston terms 'infi!I', where existing
lots in older residentialareas arc fi-
nally developed. This includes the
assembly of one prefabricated home
on a lot on Exeter's western bounda-
ry•
"There's no shortage of residential
building lots in Exeter," says John-
ston.
Commercial developments.for the
town •this year included the' new
_Hasty Market and gas bar, the relo-
cation of the EMA- grocery store,
the -SAAN department store and the
start of • the Total Concept Fitness
Centre.
The foundation for the new Sugar
and Spicc Chocolate Factory and
store on Highway 83 is already in
place and awaits framing of its
building.
Last year was a year of expansion
for Exeter industries. Big. 0 and
Andex each added 30,000 square -feet
to their facilities and Nabisco added
towers for the mixing of baking
.powder:
A Sifilco netting and fibre manu-
facturing plant was built as a new
form of industry in Exeter. Con-
ventional zoning regulations did not
allow for. what Europeans term
'cottage industry" where the owner
of the factory has his home built on
the same lot as the plant in order to
improve security and better super-
vise -the workplace. •
-
Now that the zoning has been
changed all that is required is for a
contractor to build a home on the
plant property for Exeter to have its
first cottage industry.
This year will possibly see devel-
opment of a Highway 83 property
as a 10-15,000 square foot building
designed for indtustrial use, pending
land severance approval. Exeter
Roofing and Sheet Metal is also
planning an extension to their facil-
itics if another severance is ap-
proved by council. •
"We've had our mix of commer-
cial, industrial and residential," says
Johnston of 1987 construction, but
he adds that "there's always room
for more."
Johnston hopes for an increase in
industrial interest in Exeter because
it benefits all aspects of the town,
from residential construction to the
retailers who outfit these new
homes and occupants.
If there is an area of construction
in which Exeter lags behind, John-
ston points to the rental property
sector. The possibility of a short-
age of rental units in the town has
prompted council to commission a
municipal housing survey, the re-
sults of which should be available
this month or the next.
"I am hoping that the housing
survey will get a handle on our
shortages of rental housing," says
Johnston. "I realize there is a short-
age, but how many and for what?"
he asks.
He is pleased the town is taking
such a serious look at this aspect of
the market and is confident that if
the need is demonstrated, council
will take steps to prepare a draft
policy to ameliorate the situation.
Provincial funding is available to
encourage developers to build afford-
able rental housing in areas where it
is needed, but Johnston concedes
that with current restrictions placed
on landlords byprovincial rent con-
trols, construction of rental housing
is no longer as viable as it used to
be.
It's
Your Business
NEW CONSTRUCTION - Exeter's chief building official Brian Johnston stands in front of .one of the
ridge homes that Johnston says is typical of much of Exeter's new home development in recent months.
Salary increases
set for H -P board
The custodian, courier and driver
in the board office of the Huron -
Perth County Roman Catholic Sep-
arate School Board office in Dublin
will receive a salary of $17,000 per
ycar effective January 1 and will re-
ceive an additional S1,500 increase
beginning on Junc 1.
School- secretaries will be given
salary increases for 1988 and thcir
hours of work will be increased 1(X)
hours in Catholic schools in Kings-
bridge, $t. Columban, Dublin,
Clinton, Exctcrand in two schools
in Stratford,. Immaculate Concep-
tion and St. Joseph: 40 hours in-
crease at Mount Carmel; and 80
hours at Kinkora, Seaforth, Wing -
ham, Hesson, and St. Ambrose in
Stratford, All schools will be grant-
ed an allocation of up to 35 hours
of secretarial time to be used in the
month of August to prepare for the
opening of schools. •-
Trustee Ben Brown of RR 1 Se-
bringvillc, remarked this will give
schools a more professional look
with increased secretarial time and
fewer students answering phones.
As well Mr. Brown said schools
will have greater security -with a full
time employee to receive visitors to
the schools.
While the closing date for tenders
on the addition for St. Ambtosc
School in Stratford was set January
7, Jack Lane, Superintendent of
business and finance, said the time
may have to be extended because of
the Christmas holiday not giving
firms enough time..
The.Stratford Recreation Depart-
mentwill again enter into an agree-
ment with the school hoard for the
use of three athletic facilities - the
hall diamonds at St. Ambrose
School, St. Joseph School and St.
Aloysius School, as well as the
soccer field at, Si. Aloysius. The
board has loaned these playing fields
for many years to the city. •
A trustee will be added to the Cur-
-riculum Review, Development and
Implementation Committce. The
committee members include Super-
intendent of Education, John
McCauley; Principal of Precious
Blood School of Exeter, Margaret
Medvc; Principal Michael Uctvan;
. and Teacher Terry Craig of Scaforth.
The trustee is John Devlin of Strat-
foal.
- Three vice -principals were ap-
pointed: Mary Smith at St. Mary's
School, Goderich; George Van
Slyck at St. Ambrose School,
Stratford and Justin Tomasulo at St.
Aloysius School, Stratford, all ef-
fective of September 1, 1988. •
The board will not take any action -
to protest the possibility the Mini-
stry of Education plans' to reduce the
number of trustees from 14 to 12,
but will wait for more information
in the New Ycar.
Jack Lane advised thc board wait
until he receives information from
the task force to give him time to
analyse how the board will he af-
fected. He questioned whether the
urban areas may lost trustees rather
than the rural.
Kindergarten
Registration
The follovving schools invite parents, of children
who will be five years of age on or before
Dec. 31/88 to contact the school in their area
before January 12th regarding' Kindergarten
registration.
1. Exeter Public School
2. Hensall P.S.
3. Huron Centennial P.S.
4. J.A.D. McCurdy P.S.
5. Stephen Central P.S.
6. Usbome Central P.S.
7. Zurich P. S.
235-2630
262-2833
482-3330
228-6321
234-6302
235-0331
236-4942
Huron County Board of Education
Stoney -
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT - Concept ll's fitness centre on Ex-
eter's Main Street is only one of several developments which are adding to
the commercial base of the area.
t,
The Partners of Norris, Homuth & Taylor
are pleased to announce
that effective January 4, 1988
Ken Pinder C.A. and
John S. McNeilly C.A.
have been admitted as partners
and the partnership name
has been changed to:
NORRIS, HOMUTH, TAYLOR
PINDER & McNEILLY
Chartered Accountants
The formation of this new partnership will
continue the personal and professional public
accounting service our clients are accustomed
to, while providing a stronger base of resources
from which we can better serve the needs of
our individual clients.
Norris, Homuth, Taylor, Pinder & McNeilly
provide accounting, auditing, taxation, data
processing and management advisory
services to a wide variety of clients ranging
from retail and manufacturing businesses to
farm and agri-business operations,:l
The partnership will be carrying on business at if's '
present location, 497 Main Street South as well
as in the Devon Building, 476 Main Street South,
theformer office of Ward Mallette C.A.
235-0101 Exeter . 235-0120
t,