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Times Advocate, 1984-10-31, Page 1Qua ity Carpet at great prices Professional installation can be arranged Wliifings Phone 235-1964 ConsuItcrnt fiNd 101,1 busIa.gss optl,algtlg Twenty-one Exeter area businesses which have con- cluded a small business con- sultant program in conjunc- tion wrt'e the ministry of in- dustry and trade expect the coming year to show some marked improvements in their sales and profit picture. Consultants from Clarkson Gordon, who conducted the program with the local par- ticipants, presented those details intheir final report to the group as a whole on Tues- day following a banquet at the Masonic Lodge. Peter Mashinter, reported for the consultants, said that the 21 participants anticipate an overall sales increase of 22 percent in the coming months. The firms, seven in the service field, 1! in retail and three industries, expect their current sales of 15.6 million to jump to 11.9. However, the firms expect their net income to hit $34,190 on average from the current 115,857. Mashinter explained this was "very, very optimistic but very reasonable" noting that the firms in general were operated by young en- trepreneurs who have a general optimism that the 1985 economy here and in the area will be better. Most also anticipate a bet- ter profit margin by utilizing excess capacity that has not been required due to the poorer economica conditions of the past. Over the next 12 months, the firms anticipate an in- crease in employees of only 15 percent. They currently employ a total of 98 people. Most anticipate they can generate the increased sales and profit volume with cur- rent employee levels and on- ly seven envision any major capital expenditures over the next 12 months, although the group as a whole expended $100,000 in capital since the consultant program com- menced this spring. The consultant said there was a strong trend to debt reduction by the group. Speaking to the par- ticipants and members of council at the banquet, Mashinter suggested there was a very passive attitude on the part of the gruop towards the market and most feel they can't do much about market conditions. However, he said no one in the group is restricted by the market size of the Exeter area and suggested their at- ' xq it r-4.4/1 1 LITTLE SPOOK -- Five -month-old Katie Graham didn't have much trouble earning the distinction of being the youngest person in costume at a Hallowe'en party at Exeter United Church, Saturday. Joan Kammerer had more competition before win- ning the silver dollar for the oldest participant. PUC increase coming, amount is still unknown Exeter public utilities customers will face a rate in- crease next year. The amount will not be known until the PUC meets again in November. manager Hugh Davis told the regular Oc- tober meeting of the Commission. Ontario Hydro has inform- ed municipalities that the charge for supplying power will go up approximately 8.6 percent next year Roughly eight percent of the Exeter Dearborn purchases local firm Dearborn Steel Products inc. of Goderich has purchas- ed the assets of (united Plastics Components Ltd. in Exeter and the local plant is already hack into production United Plastics will operate as a division of Dearborn. Corporate Vice -President John Cook, who will be in charge of the Exeter facility. said the deal was finalized on October 24 and production commenced with what he termed "an initial group of people" Ife declined to he specific. but did say the firm hopes to increase the number. United Plastics will con- tinue to operate from the Oud Warehousing facility in the former JF Farm Machinery building on Thames Road E Cook said the company will remain in the custom plastic extrusion business. but will not continue in the furniture business. Dearborn Steel Products is part of the Dearborn/Barrick Company group which has manufacturing and warehouse facilities in Rex - dale, Vancouver. Montreal and Moncton and sales offices in Rexdale and Toledo, Ohio Dearborn/Barrick are pro- ducers of auto parts and will continue to operate United Plastics with a view to expan- ding into new areas of the plastic industry including automotive PUC's revenues go toward paying Ontario Hydro for electricity, Davis said. Estimated cost of power for 1984 is $1.415,310. The Exeter Pl;("s costs will increase approximately 2 per- cent, Davis said while ex- plaining the projected capital and operating expenses for next year, and this year's ac- tual costs. Projected capital expen- ditures for the end of 1984 are $161.185 and the net capital budget for 19/ri is estimated al $186,069. This includes a new bucket truck for $6$3,0((0 and a $72,000 line to Canadian Can- ners. $450$1 of the latter cost is recnverahi- from the company. A smaller it em, $.',285 is for a hydraulic compression tool which will do in minutes what the former manual pre. -ser did in hours when crews are splicing lines The projected operation. maintenance and admimstra tion budget for yearend 1984 is $295,075, and an expen diture of $214,350 is forecast for 1985. The proposed budgets will he submitted to Ontario Hydro for examination, and should be hack before the Commissioners at their next meeting, along with Ontario Hydro's suggested retail rates for next year. In other business. Davis said the utility hopes all poles at the rear of Darlings will be moved this week, to allow paving of the parking lot. The transformers for the Big V store under construc- tion have been hung. Street light changes re- quested by Exeter council at Churchill and Sherwood Crescents have been completed. Turning to -the water department, Davis said the hydrants arenowlx mng giving their annual fall flushing The one nearest the fire hall was broken off recently Davis suspects it was hit by a car A water main break at Carling and Sanders was quickly repairer! The Pt'(' will next meet on November 29 at 3 30 p.m LiONS CANVASS FOR THE BLIND The Exeter Lions Club is in charge of the Exeter and area campaign for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Above, Lion George Godbolt accepts o donation from Cathy and Andrew Prout on Sanders Street. T -A photo. titude was a uityntal block. He urged they to try more market experiments and to be creative. "Try thing$...don't be afraid to fail," he advised, saying that people have to be willing to try "crazy things" on occasions to attract customer and public atten- tion. "You're not restricted by the market, only your initiative." , He alluded to the fact many retailers in the group were afraid of competition, and in particular, the new mall opening up at the north end of London. The consultant opined that competition in fact can ex- pand the market for those in it and gave the example that in most larger centres, the fast food chains and car dealers are located in the same strip as the competition expands the market for each. Mashinter stressed that small business people showed a lack in the area of results monitoring and told them to "be on top of it". It is necessary to establish clear goals, objectives and plans for the future and he noted the consultants spent 40 percent of their time on that facet during their interviews with the firms. He suggested that the more people take time to determine their goals and write down the results expected, the more successful they are. The use of professionals such as aecountants, bankers, lawyers and other business people was also highlighted in a note that business people Please turn to page 3 pi4 • Ames Serving South Huron, North Middlesex One Hundred and Twelfth Year HEAR REPORT — Officials from the ministry of industry and trade along with con- sultants from Clarkson Gordon were on hand at a banquet, Tuesday, to present a report from the latter group on 21 Exeter area businesses. Discussing the report following the session are, from the left: local retailer Bob Swartman, Exeter economic development committee chairman Reeve Bill Mickle, Peter Mashinter of Clarkson Gordon and local industrialist Peter Hrudka. dvoc & North lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, October 31, 1984 Suggests nepotism in Premier's office Price Per Copy 50 Cents Cites Bell, MacNaughton appointments Riddell charges raise Tory outcry Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell has drawn a storm of protest from the ex- ecutive director to Premier William Davis over charges of nepotism in the office of the Premier. Clare Westcott, a native of Seaforth, has suggested the charges and accusations rais- ed in the legislature last week by Riddell are blatantly wrong and could be violations of his relatives' human rights. Westcott outlined his outrage in a letter to Treasurer Larry Grossman who was also implicated in the charges raised by the local MPP regarding Tory patronage. , • Westcott, fired the fourth shot in the ongoing war Mon- day by releasing a letter to MPP Jack Riddell in which Westcott accused Riddell of taking a "cheap shot" at members of Westcott's family. Westcott said he was forc- ed to rely on open letters because he and his family have no recourse to Riddell's ability to place his accusa- tions in Hansard, the perma- nent public record of pro- ceedings. The premier's long- time aide rejected Riddell's apology made in the house last Thursday. Westcott said in his open letter Monday that Riddell should not take lightly his responsibility in speaking in the legislature about people who have no ability to answer in that forum. Riddell told the Legislature on October 16 that Westcott has "five children who have all been appointed to govern- ment jobs". "it would appear to me that if any youth in this province wants a job, all he has to do is declare that he is a relative of Clare Westcott." Riddell said Westcott is a Tory fund-raiser who is paid $76,000 a year, has been ap- pointed to the great Lakes Seaway task force and Ex- hibition Stadium board. and will soon become chairman of the Metro Toronto Police ('ommission. Listing his charges. Riddell told the house, "see if this is not a hla- Report is submitted Professor Gene Deszca of Waterloo, the fact finder ap- pointed by the Education Relations Commission in the negotiations between the secondary teachers and the trustees of the Huron County Board of Education submit- ted a report to the Commis- sion on October 22. M required under Section 26 rli of the School Boards and Teachers Collective Negotiations Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1980, the teachers and trustees now have a period of 15 days for further negotiations on the basis of this report. There is a provision for an additional five days under Section 26 ( 3 ) of the Act if both the trustees and the teachers agree and the Commission approves. if at the end of this time the parties have not made or renewed an agreement. then the Education Relations Com- mission will make the fact finder's report public. tont abuse of taxpayers' money and political patronage to the nth degree. Westcott said in his letter Riddell violates the human rights of his children by infer- ring "they have no education, skills or talent, but are simp- ly retained because in some way they are related to me." Riddell said he raised the matter in the house because he wanted to show patronage was not limited to the federal Liberals. Westcott said in his letter he has nine children. "My children don't come to me for assistance in seeking employ- ment - they don't have to." He said each accusation of nepotism was unfounded. While Riddell told the legislature Westcott's son Chris was appointed a special assistant to Davis's •deputy minister, Ed Stewart, Westcott countered his son is the assistant to Deputy Premier Robert Welch. "I found out from Mr. • Welch that he had hired Chris about 10 days after he started with him. It was news to me." Riddell said a Diane Westcott, whom he identified as a daughter of Clare, was given a job with the ministry of citizenship and culture. In fact, said Clare, Diane is his daughter-in-law and was hired as a part-time policy analyst. She has an honors degree in sociology and work- ed five years in the private sector as a project director with a market research com- pany. he added. "I had nothing whatsoever to do with her being hired, nor. in fact, did I know about it until some time after." Jan Westcott, another son, was appointed manager of special events for the minstry of citizenship and culture, said Riddell. Westcott reponded his son left home 15 years ago. resigned from the ministry earlier this year, and is now executive director of the On- tario Wine Council. "He is, I might say, a very talented fellow. He does not come to me for help." John Westcott has been ap- pointed assistant to the chair- man of the Liquor Licence board of Ontario, said Riddell. Westcott said his son John had- held that position, but now works for the British Col- umbia government planning Expo 86. John is very bright and personable and does not ask his father for assistance, said Clare. Riddell said Carol Westcott, daughter-in-law, was "given" a job as a s'fiecial assistant -in the ministry of education of colleges and universities. She was not given the job, she earned it, and without his knowledge, said Clare. Carol has a degree in economics and previously worked at York University, Carleton university and the University of Western Ontario before be- ing named executive assis- tant to Deputy Education Minister Harry Fisher, "without my knowledge. In fact, as 1 recall, she was there for some weeks before i was told." Westcott said he was sur- prised Riddell did not mention Please turn to page 5 SALES APPROACH — Even speeding cyclists didn't escape the super salesmen engaged in Apple Day in Exeter, Saturday. Eldon Heywood was flogged down by Cubs Jason Coalman and Mark McDonald and then sent on his way with a big red apple. Board axe could fall on Young this week The ifuron County board of education is expected to ter- minate the services of suspended SHIMS math teacher Joanne Young at their meeting. Monday The anti-nuclear activist reported this week that she has been sent a letter by the board advising her of the planned action Young. 57. a teacher for 20 years. was indefinitely suspended without pay from mathematics leaching duties at South Huron District High School in June for being ab- sent without permission from classes on two occasions. The hoard action folrowed earlier suspensions of Young for mssing school while in jail after participating in anti- nuclear demonstrations in Toronto. She appealed one of the suspensions to the Ontario Labour Relations Board which has ruled the board of education's action was appropriate The September hearing. which reviewed her 12 -day - suspension in November after she missed nine days of classes. was chaired by ('WO law professor ian hunter in his I6 -page ruling delivered to Young and the board. Hunter called her ac - Bricks going on sale Exeter Lions and Lioness members will he asking you to help cover the exterior of "Ronald McDonald House" with bricks They will he selling the bricks Friday and Saturday at various locations in Exeter Local chairman John Nor ris told the T -A the total number of bricks required to cover the exterior of the building exceeds 35,000 Numbered certificates, each representing a prick, will be sold for 15.00 each, to individuals and businesses ('ertificates are now available from local Lions Club members The Ronald McDonald House, currently under con- struction at 74i Baseline Road East in London. w ill serve all of southwestern Ontario. It will be home -away -from - home for families who must travel to London's hospitals for diagnosis and treatment for their seriously ill children. This 12 -family home will ease some of the stress families feel in dealing with their child's illness. a strange city and the financial burden of being so far away from home lions "insubordination and a deliberate flouting of her responsibilities as a Ieacher '• Her action "was widely published and had an adverse effect on morale" Hunter declined to elaborate un the report. say ing "it speaks for itself- The report of that arbitra hon decision will be on the hoard's agenda Monday. superintendent of personnel Peter (:ryseels confirmed The matter of Young's employment will also he discussed but he declined In say what anon the board will take Ile said trustees will consider the issue of her employment past Dec :31 "Up In now they did not have the legal right to terminate her employment." Young said she was surpris ed by the finding of her grievance but not surprised the trustees want to fire her She said she plans to be pre sent at the board meeting and wants to make a "state merit- But she said she doesn't believe she will sway trustees to reinstate her "They've already made up their minds". She will continue her anti nuclear work, she said, but has become more interested in prison reform after being jailed "1 had no idea things were as had as they are in prison. Please turn to page 3 • YOUNG MODELS - - Megan Gingerich and Christopher Boyes, assisted by mothers Marg and Joanne, modell- ed home-sewen fashions as part of the Ladies Christmas Party at Zurich. Local college staffer faces assault count Former SIIDIIS teacher. John Itemkes has been charg- ed with common assault following an altercation be - ween students crossing Fan - slut we College picket lines and striking leachers. Monday The Exeter man was charg- ed following an incident at the Cheapside St entrance to the college. Police stepped in to quell growing tension between strikers and students about 7:00 p.m. after security guards reported confronta- tions between the placard - carrying strikers and students trying to drive across picket lines to attend night classes. Earlier in the day, the strik- ing Fanshawe teachers had mel and vowed to step up pressure by their picket lines, especially when students are heading for night classes. The striking teachers have failed in an attempt to get the college to cancel evening classes in the interest of picket lines safety. Strikers say their lives are being en- dangered by cars going through the lines too quickly. •