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Times Advocate, 1994-7-6, Page 2An old bylaw on Exeter's books needs to be' changed they say EXETER - Local businessmen want a 20 -year old bylaw on Exeter's books changed. Although fireworks sales for 1994 are over, the Exet- er Business Association has forwarded to council a re- quest that a 1973 bylaw be amended to remove refer- ence to the sale of fireworks in "family pecks". The bylaw was intended to preveJ children or youths from purchasing fireworks individually. Only Page r Times -Advocate, July 6, 1994 Seaforth teacher resigns after sex charges SEAFORTH - A former Sea - forth District High School teacher, charged with one count of gross indecency ,,,and three counts of paying for sex with a person under 18, has resigned from his teaching post, it was reported in the Huron Exposi- tor. Buryl Wilson's resignation was offered to the Huron County Board of Education, and the res- ignation }vas accepted it was an- nounced. Wilson, a London resident, taught at the Seaforth school for more than 10 years. He was one of 30 people that has been charged by London Police since the pornography probe began several months ago. Perth Liberal candidate announced ST. MARYS - Gerry Teahen will be the Liberal Party's candi- date for the riding of Perth in the next provincial election. The former St. Marys mayor won the nomination at a meet- ing in Shakespeare on June 23. Teahen claimed 205 of 349 votes. He told the Journal Argus that he would be preparing his cam- paign _ for what he predicts will be a spring election.` 'eaten Sal he 'expects a tough battle ahead, even though the NDP are doing so poorly in the polls. Clifford plans Walkathon for murdered woman CLIFFORD - A fundraising waikathon will be held in Clif- ford this August to raise funds for the Joan Heimbecker Memo- rial Physical Education Scholar- ship. The scholarship is in memory of Heimbecker who was mur- dered March 30 in Hamilton at McMaster University where she was attending school. Family friend Linda Pfeffer said the walkathon will help raise funds for the high school scholarship that will be award- ed to a Norwell District Secon- dary School graduate who has been accepted in a,physical ed- ucation program at a universi- ty. The Walk -for -Joan will be held on August 20 at 10 a.m, it was reported in the Mount For- est Confederate. Airport proposal taking off WINGHAM - A proposal to build a 4,000 foot runway and utility building at the junction of Highways 86 an487 in Bluevale was supported during a public meeting two weeks ago. "We have to grasp every op- portunity we can to promote (the town)," said Mayor lan More- land. "If we stand still, we §tag - nate," he said during the meet- ing. The proposal ultimately cost $2-2.5 million, with 80 percent funding by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. it wag report- ed in the Wingham Advance - Times. NF NF. W.S ____ Conflict ofinteresf laws worry council Exeter councillor says open government doesn't need financial scrutiny EXETER Conflict of interest legislation that could be- come law after this fall municipal election has many local politicians worried. The subject of Bill 163 came up at Monday's Exeter council meeting, and even though councillor Ben Hoo- genboom said the legislation had been improved frpm its N original drafts, counallor- Bob Spears said he was still concerned it would discourage people from local politics. Labelled as a move towards "Open Local Government" Bill 163 was put forward by the Ministry of Mu- nicipal Affairs originally with the re- quirement that all those holding public offices would have to declare all financial holdings and amounts under conflict of interest requirements. Hoogenboom said the original bill would have not only included town council members, but also volunteers who sit on all committees. "It was so far-reaching it was ridiculous," said Hoo- genboorn. Clerk Liz Bell noted the new legislation requires full dis- closu_re�r elected representatives only. But reeve Bill Ml -le noted that by differentiating between elected and appointed representatives, some would escape account- ability. "We're going to discourage more worthy people from running for office because they're going to feel they are so much in the public eye." "You've got somebody who can make a decision without being ac- countable; i.e. a police board," said Mickle. "I thought they were going by the wayside too," said Hoo- genboom. "We hope so," re ied ckle. However, the proposed legislation will require disclosure of financial interests of council members, spouses, and chil- dren. "You don't have to say how much, just where it comes from," said mayor Bruce Shaw. "And if it's under S2,500 you don't worry about it." Councillor Spears said,the proposed law still bothered him, despite being in favour of more open government and decisions. "We're going to discourage more worthy people from running for office because they're going to feel they are so much in the public eye," said Spears. "They're [the government] still asking for enough de- tail...it's only going to make [would-be politicians] nervous about revealing things they had previously only revealed to the income tax man," said Spears, adding that towns Exet- er's size have few, if any true conflicts of interest at coun- cil. "The fact they don't ask for specific dollar amounts how doesn't mean they won't ask for more in the future," he said. "Most people who serve the public are preuy honest." "I hope AMO [Association of Municipalities of Ontario] will keep their eye on this bill through its second and third reading and 1 hope they find it as offensive as I do," said Spears. At the mayor's urging, Spears agreed to draft up a letter to the ministry, AMO, the Conservative and Liberal critics voicing his opposition to Ute legislation. Joint sewage plant closer to reality, Provincial grants will helpExeter, Hensall and Stephen Township see if thereis hope of sharing sewage treatment costs EXETER - Three separate studies will go ahead to determine if one sewage treatment plant can be shared by Exeter, Hensall and Huron Park. First seriously proposed last November, the engineering work on a shared sewage treatment system can go ahead now that Exeter, Hen- sall and Stephen Township received grants totalling $163,000 for environmental studyreports were announced Thursday afternoon by MPP Paul Klopp. The studies will determine the needs and type of sewage treatment for each municipality, with one possibility being the creation of one large plant near Exeter with connection lines to Hensall and Huron Park. "It's too expensive for muncipalities to have their own treatment systems," said Klopp. Engineers had predicted "big savings" last November for all mu- nicipalities involved in the joint project. "I see this as the beginning of more municipalities working togeth- er," said Klopp. Villa wing grand opening Cutting the ribbon to officially open Exeter Villa's new wing is, left, resident Jack Morrissey, MP Paul Steckle, Mayor Bruce Shaw, and owner Thomas Kannamphuza. No tax increase for Osborne The 1994 township budget is actually less than 1993's EXETER - Usborne Township council held the line on taxes for the 1994 year, by ap- proving a mill rate identical to last year's. Residential and farm properties in the town- ship will continue to be taxed at 3.756 mills. Commercial,and business properties will also be payin same in property taxes for a total of $341, 17 to be raised locally. Usbo e's total expenditures for 1994, in- cl ing grants and revenues, will be $841,432, whr is actually less than in 1993. Last year's provi ial road grant was $213,00, but has dropped to only $194,300. Council has held over expenses under the joint federal/provincial infrastructure program until the 1995 budget. Major construction projects for the year have already been tendered for routine road works. Blane Trucking and Excavating of RR1 Lucan won both contracts for construc- tion on both the Usborne/Biddulph Boundary Road and Concession 6-7, totalling $45,521.20. "There's not too much that's out of the or- dinary," said clerk -treasurer Sandra Strang when describing the budget. Council will be placing some funds in the fire board reserve and in the road reserve for upcoming equipment expenses. Property owners in Usborne Township will, however, see an increase in their tax bills this year. Six and five percent tax increases by the public and separate school boards this year will have their effect on taxation totals. Crimes of the week Crime Stoppers is looking for tips in connection with a pop machine break-in, stolen meat, and help in finding marijuana plots Cnme Stoppers of Huron County is seeking tips to help solve the following crimes: •Sometime overnight on June 25, 1994, a pop machine at Glan- ville Towing in Huron Park was smashed and money stolen from it. 'Thieves entered Metzger Meats in Hensall during the night of June 20-21 and stole a variety of meat along with an old .22 calibre rifle and some money. Damage was caused when the thief smashed the front window to gain entry. •Crime Stoppers is also seeking tips from the public to help with locating plots of marijuana within Huron County. With the approach of the summer season, growers of the narcotic will be tending their crops in preparation for a fall harvest. In the past, these illegal crops have been found growing in a variety of ar- eas such as within corn fields and wood lots near streams. Crime Stoppers is asking for public assistance in locating these plots to help keep the marijuana from reaching the street level. If anyone has information about these or any other crimes, contact Crime Stoppers of Huron County at 1-800-265-1777 and you could receive a reward of up to $1,000. Remember, cage doesn't pay, but Crime Stoppers does. Assessment drop hits Stephen Twp. taxes A decline in business triggered a 1.5 percent property tax increase CREDITON - A decrease in as- sessment in Stephen Township con- tributed to a small tax increase for property owners in 1994. Township council approved new mill rates for the township on June 21, allowing for a 3.9 percent over- all tax increase. Only 1.5 percent of that increase is due to increased municipal taxes - the rest attributed to higher public and separate school board mill rates. Stephen's total 1994 budget is $2.25 million, slightly less than - 1993's $2.28 million, but decreases in provincial road subsidies and other revenues left the township with no choice but to go to the tax- payer's pockets. • "As well, we had a decrease in assessment," said township ad - Businesses want firework freedom pre-packaged selections of fireworks, commonly cost- ing over $20 are Iegal4or sale within town boundaries. The BIA last month heard an tiers from a business- man complaining that competi, located even just outside town did not face such restrictions andfcan be sold individually to set up displays to the customer's taste. He argued that fireworks and illegal for sale to minors, and firecrackers have been made illegal in Canada since the bylaw was passed. Reeve Bill Mickle agreed to review the bylaw with the executive committee and bring a recommendation to a future council meeting. �. ministrator Larry Brown, who said that a loss of commercial and busi- ness operations over the last year hurt taxation rolls. The assessment drop was the first such decline in many years, as even during recessions there is often some small growth. Included in the 1994 budget is some of the township's joint infra- structure program, which will take advantage of provincial and federal grants to upgrade sodic roads this year. The township has also made application to upgrade its arena and make repairs to sewer lines in Hu- ron Park. Exeter Villa celebrates new wing opening EXETER - The new wing at the Exeter Villa was officially opened last Tuesday. On hand for the ribbon -cutting ceremony was mayor Bruce Shaw, MP Paul ,S44ckle, resident Jack Morrissey, &td owner Thomas Kannamphuza Kannamphuza has not yet found licensing for the extra 13 beds that have been added, despite the grow- ing waiting list. The province of Ontario has is- sued a moratorium on licenses be- cause it insists that it can no longer afford them. Despite these setbacks residents and staff qt the Villa were pleased to have the wing officially opened and eagerly await the new residents that will be joining them. New Grand Bend Fire Chief GRAND BEND - Effective im- mediately; Jcrry Vanbruaene is the new Fire Chicf for the Grand Bend- Bosanquet-Stcphen-Hay joint Fire Board. Vanbruaenc has bccn a fire- fighter for 25 years and prior to tak- ing over as chief, was the de- partment's training officer. He replaces Jack Hebden who was the ref for about a year-and- ntil his recent resignation. U PI K I . 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