Times-Advocate, 1988-01-20, Page 1• Workshop on stress 2
• Exeter fair annual 2
• Graphic designer tackles
market 5
• Precision skating ' 1A
• South wins all-star 2A
• Grand Bend photo
archives 7A
Building hid
A building boom was on in
1987 for the town of Exeter.
Chief building official Brian
Johnston reported to council Mon-
day night that a new high had been
reached in the value of building.
permits issued in one year.
Earlier in the year, Johnston had
set a figure of six million dollars
to shoot for in 1987 and he sur-
passed that amount by $3,385.
At the same time, Johnston had
suggested to councill that housing
starts could be as high as 35. The
final figure was 38.
He said a Canada Housing and
Mortgage Corporation report says
there were 245,724 residential
housing units constructed in 1987
and the prediction for this year is
over 200,000.
Johnston added, " This means to
me that 1988 will be another good
year. So far in January we have had
applications for apartments and
row housing and there appears to
be a lot of commercial action gear-
ing up."
The same number of permits
(254) were issued in each of the
two past years, but, the 1987 per-
mit value total hit $6,003,385 as
compared to $4,088,348 in 1986..
May was the big month in 1987
when 43 permits were issued with
a total value of $1,032,416. Octo-
ber' was a close second. with
$1,025,570 worth of construction
on 27 permits.
Johnston said the highlight con-
struction projects in 1987 were the
SAAN store, E.M.A. store, Con-
cept II , Hasty Market, additions to
Big '0', Andex and Moffatt and
Powell, Syfilco warehouse, Purple
Turtle, Nabisco Foods expansion,
two gas bars and numerous other
permits for renovation works.
Johnston expects 1988 to be an-
other busy year as far as construc-
tion and development is concerned.
Included in the record building
permit totals wcrc 38 new residenc-
es, 108 residential renovations and
additions and -31 commercial build-
ings and renovations.
In addition to building permits,
Companies to hear of Exeter through paper
The economic development com-
mittee has recommended to Exeter
council that companies with serious
interests in locating here be kept
abreast of local happenings on a
weekly basis.
This suggestion that these compa-
nies receive a year's subscription to
the Times Advocate and other items
in the latest meeting of this com-
mittee were turned over to the gener-
al government committee.
When councillor Dorothy Chap-
man suggested possibly a six
months subscription would be
enough, economic chairman Bill
Mickle said, " Normally if they
don't make a move within 12
months we won't get them. There though we have had one company
probably won't be more than four for close to two years".
or five interested at one time al- Mickle also reported on discus -
Get h�u.singant
gr
The Town of Exeter has been al-
located $9,925 to prepare an update
of its municipal housing study,
Housing Minister Chaviva Hosek
announced this week.
Awarded in response to a request
from the town, the grant will assist
in determining local housing needs
and establishing housing targets to
meet those needs. It will also ensure
that local housing targets are inte-
grated with overall provincial objec-
I mes
tives.
The Municipal Housing State-
ment will involve a detailed hous-
ing market analysis by type of
housing, price range, income
groups served and availability of
serviced land for future use.
Ministry of Housing study grants
are designed to encourage active mu-
nicipal participation in the identifi-
cation and development of local
housing needs.
Serving South Huron, North Middlesex
One Hundred and Seventeenth Year
sions for the necessity of having a
staff functionary to be present at
meetings and take charge of daily
operations.
Talking about a chairman for the
economic development committee,
Deputy reeve Lossy Fuller said, "If
you are talking about another coun-
cillor to take over like Bill (Mickle)
has, it can't be done. Councillor
w.orkloads are getting heavier. The
only way is to hire someone."
Mickle replied, Some -member of
the committee could be chairman,
but not on a day-to-day basis. We
have to look at long term plans".
The committee has also recom-
mended that new development infor-
mation about Exeter be provided to
members on a monthly update from
building premit reports.
Information on establishing a
tourist information booth in Exeter
was discussed by the committee.
Councillor Morley Hall suggested a.
White Squirrel information booth at
the town limits.
No funding is available for con-
struction of an• information botith,
but if the criteria is met, money for
managing the booth and obtaining
and paying a travel counsellor is
available.
The town of Mitchell Chamber of
Commerce is currently undertaking a
tourist booth and application.
T
dvocate
& North Lambton Since 1873
EXETER, ONTARIO,January 20, 1988
Price Per Copy 60 Cents
new high
approved was given tot 25 perma-
nent signs and 150 temporary signs.
The only reduction from the pre-
vious year came in demolition per-
mits art1 swimming pools which
dropped- iom eight to four.
• The chief building official record-
ed 2,220 inspections which is an
average of 10.2 per day. His depart-
ment recorded 678 office appoint-
ments averaging 3.1 each day and
nine telephone messages per day for
a yearly total of 1,972.
Fees collected from building per-
mits totalled $26,189 which was
more than the $17,000 allocated in
the budget. Planning fees were also
up from the estimated $7,000 to
$12,562.89.
Planning changes in 1987 includ-
ed three official plan amendments,
six zoning amendments, 17 minor
variances and 19 consent applica-
tions.
The highest value of construction
previous to the just concluded year
was in 1985 when the total hit
$4,056,869 with 268 permits is-
sued.
The most permits issued in one
year were 321 back in 1976 when
the value total reached $3,800,849
and the least permits issued were
229 in 1983 with a value of less
than $3 million.
CMHC records indicate nationally
that the total of 245,724 housing
starts of all types occurred in 1987,
up almost 23 percent over 1986 and
is the most since 1977. Ontario had
a 15 -year high in 1987 of 106,000
new units, a 30.1' percent increase
over the previous year.
The Ontario Home Builders Asso-
ciation sees no softening in housing
prices in 1988 and anticipate build-
ers will shift from single-family
homes into lower-cost developments
like townhouses, apartment build-
ings and semi-detached units.
The county of Huron plumbing
inspection department issued 58
permits in the town of Exeter dur-
ing 1987. A plumbing permit is
required when additional plumbing
fixtures are added to an existing
system or when a drainage or vent-
ing system is substantially altered.
Need nominations for
Celebration 88 awards
Councillor Peter Snell is the co-
ordinator of the Cel gbration 88
Awards for the town of\xeter and
is looking for: -nominate s.
Snell has set a deadline of Janu-
ary 30 to receive thc names of Ex-
eter and arca 'residents who have
made outstanding contributions to
thcir communities.
Medals will be available in six
categories. They include one male
and one female for their outstand-
ing contribution to their sport and
community; a volunteer for his or
her unselfish contribution; a coach
for devoting his or her time to the
encouragement of fair play and
sportsmanship; an official for de-
voting his or her time and a busi-
ness sponsor that has contributed
monetarily or with services to-
wards the development of amateur
sport.
Thc local committee is also
asked to identify others who de-
serve recognition for their unself-
ish contributions to their commu-
nity by demonstrating the Olympic
spirit in business, education, cul-
ture or community service. They
will receive Celebration 88 certifi-
cates.
Big Brothers and S'ters..
need sponsors, bov
Thc South Huron Big Brothers
and Big Sisters Association again
needs help in raising funds throiTh
their eighth annual 'Bowl for Mil-
lions" bowlathon.
The bowlathon,will bc held Sun-
day afternoon, February 14 at the
Towne and Country Lanes in Z,
rich.
In a recent press release, pre,,
dent Connic Iliman says, "We .►r
looking for bowlers and sponsors
for one bowling game. Thc owners
of the Zurich lanes have generous-
ly offered free use of their lanes.
Their interest and support is great-
ly appreciated."
She continued, "Our funds arc
used for printing and advertising,'
e
wagi g sessions and special
ever" ,;rugs for big and little
broi , .. rd sisters. One hundred
bov...:;r> wr ' c50 each in ple4ps
wt 1d1 prodr _ e S5 000. Go for r .
lour participation and efforts will
be very much appreciated."
Many local bowlers are helping
nut well by bowling a gamedur-
,nt the same week in thcir regular
le.,,,,c play at the Zurich and Lucan
bowling alleys.
One of the celebrity bowlers will
be Exeter's famous White Squirrel.
Although he will bc unable to par-
ticipate native son Dave Shaw of
the New York Rangers will be a
supporter.
SNOWMEN ARE SCARCE - Snowmen in the area have been scarce this year due to weather conditions.
Shown gathered around a white fellow at Huron Park Saturday afternoon are Patty Wood, Allen Minderlein, Terry
Price andony Wood. '
Mayor says -'It's dissolving'
Police system may be changed
Exeter mayor Bruce Shaw told fel-
low council members Monday night
that the present Huron county police
communications system would like-
ly be dissolved.
A meeting of the mayors of the
five towns in the..count\ was held
Thursday 1,11:' ` and they agreed
unanimously ti. , new system, lo-
catcu Minton should be esta-
blished.
Thc primary goal of the new Hu-
ron County' Communications Au-
thority would be to provide effective
and efficient communications to the
live towns covering emergency ser-
ices, polies needs and private ser-
vices.
Shaw listed the costs of the sys-
tem, structure of administration,
confusion surryunding accountabili-
ty and personality problems as the
main reasons for wanting to try a
new system. •
Thc town of Wingham is leaving
the Huron system. They are hooking
up with a Hanover service in April
of this year.
Thc Dieter mayor continued, "If
we decided to leavethesystem, Sea -
forth would go the same day."
In response to a question from
Reeve Bill Mickle on saving line -
costs from Clinton instead of Gode-
rich, Sha replied,"Definitely. We
would have a Hensall number which
is also toll free to Clinton. Godcrich
and Seaforth arc already toll free to
Clinton apd Wingham could do the
same thing by going by way of the
Blyth telephone exchange.Long dis-
tance costs would be eliminated."
A special purpose body would be
formed consisting of one rep from
each of the five towns that would
administer the system, but the
monitoring of the "mechanics"
would be performed by the town of
Clinton.
Shaw continued, "This would be
a new system with a new philoso-
phy. We would start all over again.
Not dnly do we see Iowa costs as a
rcality,but there' is lots of business
to be generated from the private
sector:"
When councillor Ben Hoogen-
boom suggested private businesses
would only be interested in the ser-
vice after regular hours, Shaw re-
plied, "This would not be an an-
swering service" and police
chairman Dorothy Chapman added,
"It's for emergencies".
Shaw said the present system out
of Godcrich has been in existence
for 10 years, but "it's dissolving
very quickly".
Chapman interjected, • If you
sign a contract for a new system
make sure there arc renewal options
or we could be stuck for life:"
A meeting of mayors and clerks
of the five towns has been sched-
uled for Wednesday, January 27 to
discuss this matter further.
Two mishaps for OPP
Two of four motor vehicle acci-
dents investigated this week by of-.
ficers of the Exeter detachment of
the Ontario Provincial Police oc-
curred Sunday.
The first Sunday crash at- 6.25
p.m. involved a vehicle driven by
Frederick Smith, RR 1, Hensall
when it slid on an icy stretch of
road on Sidcroad 25 in Usborne
township and struck a tree. Smith
sustained minor injuries and the
truck was severely damaged.
Only an hour later on Alberta
street, near Centralia College, a ve-
hicle operated by Christopher
Becker, Elmwood went out of con-
trol and struck a vehicle operated
by Tammy Mathers, Exeter. Both
vehicles sustained moderate damgge.
Saturday at 10:30 a.m., a vehicle
driven by Cynthia Willcrt, Dash-
wood went out of control on a snow
covered patch of Highway 83 and
struck a mail box.
Vehicles driven by Alexander
Brules Windsor and Ina Rutherford,
Kincardine collided at 10:30 a.m.,
Thursday on Highway 23. No inju-
ries were reported and damage was
listed as light.
During the week, officers investi-
gated 25 general occurrences with
36 Highway Traffic Act charges be-
ing laid and four Liquor Licence Act
charges. Three driving licence sus-
pensions of 12 hours wcre issued.
Drivers get
fines, jail
Judge R.G.E. Hunter levied a
six months jail sentence against
one driver in Exeter Provincial
Court on January 11 for driving
with a high blood alcohol count
and two others were fined on
similar charges. •
Richard Stanley Hunt of Lon-
don received a three months term
on the driving charge in Usborne
township on August 22, 1987
and an additional three months
for driving while his licence was
suspended.
While stopped for a Highway
Traffic Act violation on High-
way 83, east of Exeter, Hunt at-
tempted to evade police by driv-
ing into a farm lane.
He refused to show the officer
his licence and a subsequent
check showed it was suspended
from May 4 , 1987 to May 4,
1989 because of a conviction of
driving with a blood alcohol
count over 80. He was also con-
victed of impaired driving in No-
vember of 1984.
After' failing the ALERT test,
two breathalizer samples regis-
tered 180 and 170.
This latest conviction includes
a three year driving suspension.
Robert W. Lenting of Hensall
will be paying $750 for driving
with a blood alcohol count over
80 and $50 for using a licence
plate other than thc one issued '
by the Ontario Ministry of
Transportation and Communica-
tions.
Thc- accuscd's vehicle was
stopped by police on Highway 4
at 2:24 a.m. on December 28,
1987 as it 'was suspected of be-
ing involved in a break and enter
instance.
He was uncooperative -with the
officer until a second policeman
arrived. After registering Fail on
the ALERT, breathalizer tests
revealed readings of 110 and 110.
In addition to the fines, his li-
cence will be suspended for 12
months.
Similarily, a fine of $750 and
a 12 months suspension was le-
vied against William Pfaff of
Crediton. He was stopped in a
spot check on December 23,
1987 and registered 109 and 106
on the breathalizer.
Donald A. Tomlinson of
Mitchell will pay a fine of $150
on a charge of fraud.
The accused purchased $20
worth of gas from the Bob Erb
Garage in Hensall on July 6,
1987 and paid with a cheque on
the Bank of Montreal in Grand
Bend.
Investigation showed no ac-
count in Grand Bend for over a
year and $4 in an account at the
Bank of Montreal in Exeter. Thc
$20 has been repaid.
Two other men,Clayton Nix-
on, RR 1, Ilderton and James D.
Please turn to page 2
Freak injuryduring. storm
•
A freak accident during last Wed-
nesday's snow storm resulted in a
grade seven student at Exeter Public
School being. treated at Victoria
Hospital in London for a fractured
skull and whiplash.
Jason Wcin, 12, son of Barbara
and Larry Wcin of Riverside Drive,
Exeter was running into the school
after lunch (during the height of the
snowstorm) when he collided with
a white construction trailer parked.
just outside thc,schoil.
_After examination at South Huron .
Hospital, Jason was takenio Lon-
don by ambulance where he was
under observation until being re-
leased Saturday.
1