Times Advocate, 1997-01-08, Page 2Page 2
Times -Advocate, January 8, 1997
TN THF NFWL'
Detention
managers
face
charges
LONDON - Following a six-
month investigation into the riot
and its aftermath at the Bluewa-
ter Youth Correctional Centre
near Goderich last February,
seven managers at Elgin Mid-
dlesex Detention Centre and two
baliffs have been charged by
London police.
According to the Huron Ex-
positor, police laid 31 charges
on Dec. 9.
One bailiff fares a charge of
assault causing bodily harm and
the other is charged with com-
mon assault while transporting
the youths from Goderich to
London.
The managers, who face a va-
riety of assault charges, deny the
allegations and have called for a
public enquiry.
Mitchell hit
by worst flu
bug in years
MITCHELL - The Perth
County Health Unit was in-
formed of numerous cases of in-
fluenza as it swept through
Mitchell just before Christmas
holidays, reported the Mitchell
Advocate.
The bug sent 88 students
home from Mitchell District
High School. During the same
week, at least 36 students from
Mitchell Public School were
home sick with the flu.
Health unit staff conducted
throw swabs to identify the
strain of influenza spreading.
Results are to be distributed to
long term care facilities and hos-
pitals as a warning.
"If people are ill," warned
Public Health Nurse Clare
Smith, "we recommend they
stay home."
"Once it starts," she added,
"the flu will spread rapidly and
can remain in an area for 10 to
12 weeks."
Objection to
cameras on
The Square
GODERICH - Ontario Infor-
mation and Privacy Commis-
sioner Tom Wright opposes vid-
eo cameras on The Square,
reported the Goderich Signal -
Star.
Wright wrote to the Goderich
Police Services Board stating his
feelings about video surveillance
after reading a newspaper article
that described the possibility of
police using video cameras on
The Square and other areas.
"The use of video surveillance
thre2tens to erode individual pri-
vacy and should only be used in
circumstances where it is clearly
warrented and where other
means of achieving the desired
results have been exhausted,"
stated Wright.
Free Bill of
Rights cards
available
HURON COUNTY - Appoint-
ment cards containing a Bill of
Rights message about healthy
relationships are offered free by
Stop Woman Abuse Now, re-
ported the Huron Expositor.
"Tbe appointment cards would
be ideal for service businesses
such as doctors, lawyers, cheri-
pists of all kinds, beauty salons
and any personal service provid-
ers who pre -book appoint-
ments," states a press release
from SWAN.
For details call 524-5333.
sc
$
Free income tax
service needs
more volunteers
LONDON - For the past 26 years, Revenue Canada has offered a
Community Volunteer Program for those who can't afford to pay to
have their income tax returns completed professionally.
Although he claims many people aren't aware of the service, An-
drew Poulton, a volunteer coordinator at Revenue Canada's London
office, claims the number of those assisted by the program has been
rising steadily and additional volunteers are needed.
"It's a program that's gaining in its use...Fo r it we look at low in-
come individuals," said Poulton of those who qualify for the service.
In 1991 the London office dealt with 235 volunteers who helped
1,800 people fill out their forms. In 1996 those figures nearly dou-
bled. This year the office will handle tax returns from Sarnia to Sea -
forth, an area previously serviced by the Kitchener -Waterloo Tax
Services office.
Training sessions at the Strathroy Can: da Employment Centre on
Feb. 24 and 25 will teach volunteers to complete basic income tax
returns. For more information call 1-800-268-2976.
Signs required for
slow vehicles
ONTARIO - Vehicles unable to maintain a minimum 40 km/h speed are
now required to use slow moving vehicle signs.
The provincial law that went into effect on Dec. I includes horse-drawn
carriages as well as farm and antique vehicles. Exempt from the law are
bicycles, mopeds, disabled vehicles being towed and horse-drawn vehicles
driven by people whose religious beliefs do not permit use of the sign.
Utilization of the red and orange triangular signs are restricted to ve-
hicles; signs on driveway posts, mailboxes and other fixed objects visible
from the road are to be removed.
Under the revised SMV rules, lobbied by the Farm Safety Association,
fines of $90 may result against those who do not comply.
Crimes of the week
Break and enter
The Stanley municipal office west of Varna was broken into on De-
cember 19 or 20. Once inside the culprits stole the following items:
Husgvarna 18" chainsaw, model 257, Pioneer 20" chainsaw, model P-
39.
Two Data train computers, models DPC450 and DPC 440 both with
14" PC529 monitors. HP4 laser printer, Okidata fax machine, model
1000, Secret star shredder, and a Samsung microwave oven, model
MW 1010C.
Window smashed
The front window of the Vanastra Curling Club was smashed, possi-
bly with a 2x4. The damage was done on December 21. No entry was
gained to the building.
Break and enter ,
The building of Oke Woodsmith on King Street in Hensall was broken
into on December 21. A 1985 Dodge van was stolen and then smashed
into a hydro pole on Marlborough Street in Exeter. The passenger of the
vehicle may have sustained some type of head injury from impacting the
wind shield.
Theft of truck
A 1990 Ford pickup grey was stolen from Victoria Street in Exeter on
December 21. The vehicle was later located behind the Hensall Arena
ball diamond stuck near the creek by the railway tracks. Four sets of
footprints were found, they were followed to York Crescent.
If you have information about these or any other crimes, call
Crime Stoppers of Huron County, 1-800-222-8477 and you could re-
ceive a reward of up to $1000.00.
REMEMBER CRIME DOESN'T PAY
Panther Profile
By Bill Kline
Spirit Day took place on the last day of school before the holidays.
Students had a choice of participating in a basketball, volleyball or eu-
chre tournament, or they could watch a movie. All those who decided
to participate had an excellent afternoon. The idea of the day was to
get students involved with fun activities, to reduce school apathy, and
to make the last day before. the break relaxing and enjoyable.
High school sport teams have a busy week this week. The boy's bas-
ketball tcams travel to Clinton today, Wednesday, and the senior boys
team heads to Kincardine this weekend for a tournament. The girls
volleyball teams hosts a mini tournament on Thursday. On Saturday,
the senior and junior teams will travel to Stratford for a tournament at
Northwestern.
Exams begin on January 17 and run until the following January 24.
If there happens to be a snow day during this time, exams will be
pushed back one day. The school will still be open for any students
who need extra help. You can listen to CFPL or CKNX on the radio
for any cancellations. There is a P.A. Day on January 27, but if there
is a snow day, exams will be on this day.
On January 28, the morning will be a Day 1, semester 1. Students
will hand in all books on this day. The afternoon will be a Day 1, se-
mester 2. Students will go to new classes and receive new books.
Until next week...Bill Kline
Forest management
GODERICH - The county is
looking at getting out of a forestry
management agreement with the
province as the province has not the
staff in the arca anymore to fulfill
the contract which expires in 2000.
The county was encouraged by
the province to acquire 14 proper-
ties for management forest purpos-
es.
The agriculture and public works
committee sent a letter to the minis-
try of natural resources requesting
information about how the province
intended to fulfill its end of the
contract.
The reply said, "The Ministry is
not abandoning the Agreement For-
est partnership which has been
formed with counties such as you...
According to the Ministry's new
business plan, we arc moving to-
wards providing our partners with a
greater role in setting new direc-
tions in carrying out the manage-
ment of the Agreement Forests."
The committee passed a motion
to contact the ministry to seek a
mutual closing of the agreement.
Committee prepares
for its final report
The Municipal Reform Committee will present shared
services/restructuring recommendations to its six
member councils at the end of this month
By Brenda Burke
T -A Reporter
ZURICH - In preparation for its
final report, the Bayfield-Hay-
Hensall-Stanley-Tuckersmith-
Zurich Municipal Reform Com-
mittee will include a proposal with
a municipal structure based on one
municipal office and 10 council
members.
The proposal was not openly sup-
ported at a recent meeting held at
Hay Township Municipal office
where concerns were raised about
administration costs, repre-
sentation, pay and workload.
"Will it not require more time?"
enquired Hay Township Reeve
Murray Keys of council members'
responsibilities.
District
Health
Council
GODERICH - Huron County's
two representativt3'.on the Distrfct
Health Council differ on how they
are presenting the county's case to
the health council's hospital re-
structuring committee."
County Coun. Carol Mitchell of
Clinton asked Bill Clifford, of
Goderich and Bill Carnochan of
Seaforth what their stands were on
hospital restructuring in Huron and
Perth Counties.
The responses were markedly dif-
ferent,
Clifford said'it would be inappro-
priate for him to interfere in the
work of the restructuring commit-
tee and he would let due process
take its course.
"Only then would it'he proper to
corpment," he said.
Carnochan, on the other hand,
said he continued to refer to the
county's motion which supported
all hospitals remaining open in the
county. He also pointed out the ex-
tension in time which had been giv-
en to the restructuring committee.
He also said he disagreed with
the two week period, after Christ-
mas given to the eight hospitals in
the district to come up with a joint
option for hospital restructuring.
Coun. Brian McBurney of Turn -
berry Twp. was not satisfied.
"I'm concerned if our county rep-
resentatives are comfortable with
the county's position and will take
it forward. I'd like to know now
versus when we are farther into this
process."
Carrpchan said, "I'm comfortable
with the county's position," where-
as Clifford made no response.
A weedy
problem
GODERICH - The county's weed
inspector is to prepare a report on
how he could change the way weed
inspection in the county works for a
county committee.
County Coun. Allan Gibson of
Ashfield Twp., chairman of the Ag-
riculture and Public Works com-
mittee, said John Gibson will be
looking at how the process can
work better.
The county receives complaints
each month about weed patches
which have been cut without the
knowledge of a landowner. Under
the weed act, no notification is
needed if the land to be cut is under
10 acres.
Coun. Brian McBurney brought
forward the concerns of some Turn -
berry property owners who had
weeds cut without notification.
"It seems we've kicked the ball
around on this for a while, but
haven't yet got it in the basket,"
said Coun. Bill Vanstone of Col-
borne Twp.
"This has taken a long time," said
Warden Murray Keys. "But I think
it's coming to a head."
Coun. Bill Clifford of Goderich
said it will cost money to send out
more notices of cutting and other
responsible landowners shouldn't
have to pay for that. He suggested
an administration fee be included in
the mailing.
But it was suggested staff would
become more specialized in their
fields, which would lead to a re-
duction in paper work.
At the meeting, area roads/works
superintendents presented a trans-
portation report detailing in-
formation on status quo versus a re-
structured plan in personnel,
equipment and building re-
quirements.
The report proposes two options
for building requirements. Option
One recommends eliminating ex-
isting work sheds and building two
new central sheds while Option
Two suggests using sheds in Stan-
ley and Tuckersmith as well as an
upgraded Hay Township shed
while eliminating all other sheds.
The committee decided to•go with
Option Two for its report.
The group also reviewed the bal-
• .ances of each municipality I' re-
serve and reserve funds, ques-
tioning how reserves would be
handled in an amalgamated mu-
nicipality.
Dan Hammond, a Ministry repre-
sentative, advised the group other
restructuring areas have explored
new legislation that provides the
ability to rate reserves to specific
areas. He also indicated mill rates
may differ among wards. As well,
reserves could be-trsed"to reduce
mill rates in areas that generate re-
serves contributions.
Before presenting its final report
on Jan. 30, the committee will meet
on Jan; 16 in Stanley Township and
Jan. 23 in Tuckersmith Township.
Council resurrects
.snowmobile- issue
EXETER - Exeter Council re -visited annual discussion about banning
snowmobiles after Reeve Bill Mickle shared complaints he received of
snowmobilers violating the current town bylaw. -
Several members of council agreed it may be time to initiate a com-
plete ban of snowmobiles within the town limits. At presents, snow-
mobiles are permitted to travel on the roads by the most direct route
home. Each year, questions on how to police this bylaw arise."
I think it's about time we get this thing sorted out," said Mickle.
Council agreed remind snowmobilers of the bylaw before taking any
further action.
• Hospital restructuring
In other business, council was updated on hospital restructuring. Ad-
ministrator Rick. Hundey said the Citizen's Committee is optimistic
since all eight hospitals seem to be cooperating on working towards
presenting an option to the District Health Council by Jan. 14."
There seems t� be a recognition by the Task Force that South Huron
was not provided for in its options," stated Hundey's report.
Official Plan
Exeter's resolution regarding postponing work on the County of Hu-
ron Official Plan until restructuring talks are finalized was supported
by the municipalities of Bayfield, Zurich, Blyth, Clinton and East
Wawanosh. Goderich was the only council that did not concur with
Exeter's resolution.
Staff negotiations
Council passed a motion from Committee of the Whole granting a
cost of living staff wage increase of two per cent in 1997. The position
also stated council does not agree to a proposed shift premium, nor
will it change policy regarding statutory holidays or sick days.
Rodeo
The Recreation Board has tentatively set August 8, 9 and 10 as dates
'for the first rodeo to be held in Exeter in more than 20 years. The
board was presented with a proposal by Ross Miller and Barb Parsons
of A -K Rodeo, who explained the'eveht has been a money-maker for
many communities. The rodeo, which will guarantee approximately
200 competitors, will include a dance and possibly a breakfast and bar-
becue.
Tax arrears
Treasurer Liz Bell reported to council the total tax arrears has re-
mained stable from 1995 at approximately 3 per cent of the total levy.
Two properties are three years in arrears and will soon he registered
for tax sale. Ten business accounts in arrears will be pursued through
small claims court or the collection agency.
Bell also reported the town's accumulated surplus is also anticipated
to have remained constant in 1996. Council passed a motion placing
unspent funds, allocated for specific projects, in reserve.
Amalgamation
Council received a letter from Brucc Shaw, who has offered to vol-
unteer his time and experience "to help work a workable solution that
will meet most of your aims and the wishes of people in South Huron."
Council agreed to discuss this offer at another time.
Council also received a letter expressing concern with the failed
amalgamation talks from Grand Bend arca resident Roy Merklcy who
urged Exeter to work together with the other municipalities in fulfilling
a "great potential for the future because of the diversity in economics
and the healthy blend of agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and urban
and rural areas." Council agreed to send a short letter of response to
Merkley, explaining its position.
Lucan Scouts delivered flyers throughout Lucan and area.
which immensly helped the VON HOMME Program. Pictured
are: Eric Griffith, Tom Griffith, Tom Griffith, Neel Mizra, Jason
Toonders, Leslie Thompson, Jon Thompson, Brandon •
Thompson and Bryan Godbolt.
A