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Clinton News-Record, 1979-03-22, Page 1"Do I hear $35 (hundred)," says Bruce Rathwell as he takes bids during the opening of the Rathwell and Associates Giant Auction held last Tuesday at Vanastra. A new concept for Canada, the Rathwells are hoping the idea cat- ches on, and it could make Vanastra a household word around auction circles in Canada and the northein U.S. (News -Record photo) March 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 eat 1979 N1 L9 C C 9 -8 4-2 -10 —3 —13 3.5--8 10 3 9 1 8 0 Snow 2 cm er 1978- 011 F 35 39 32 31 31 Ia F 23 31 26 19 15 32 5 35 15 Rain .98 l .t nton News l loth year -No. 12 ecord Thursday, March 22, 1979 35 cents Dream comes true at auction By Jim Fitzgerald Some people have called it a hair - brained idea, while others say "why didn't I think of that!" Well, that idea opened to the public on Tuesday morning as the first of what has been called Ontario's largest farm equipment auction got underway. And the man behind the whole scheme? None other than Bruce Rath - well, an area native who has seen some other so-called hair -brained ideas through to success. Rathwell and Associates had their first giant farm machinery auction at Vanastra last Tuesday, that saw nearly $1 million worth of equipment up for sale at what is scheduled to become a monthly event. Rathwells have leased a large chunk of property at Vanastra for the sales, held the third Tuesday of every month, and in the words of one expert, "It's just perfect. It's the best jet -up in the United States or Canada," according to Bruce Sampson of Fletcher, Ohio, one of the big -league auctioneers who High Auctioneer Bruce Rathwell and clerk John Fisher look down from high atop the new auction platform at the new Rathwell Auction Centre that opened for the first time on Tuesday. The idea has been borrowed from the United States where giant equipment auctions are common place. warm, sunny skies helped attract a modest opening day crowd. (News -Record photo) works 28 States and Canada with his farm equipment expertise. As well as a 40,000 square foot sales arena that used to be a hangar at the former CFB Clinton, the Rathwell Auction Complex boasts seven acres of paved parking area, most of which is the former parade square; a clean-up and wash facilities; a paved unloading area; an introduction display area; and a 20 -bay indoor storage area. In the centre of all this is a large office and registration building. Although there were 125 pieces of equipment offered for sale at the first sale last Tuesday, Mr. Sampson said the five auctioneers could handle up to 500 pieces in one day, and if things really catch on, the sale could be held every two weeks and attract buyers and sellers from much of Canada and the Northern United States. Because there is more than 40,000 square feet covered, the auctions can be conducted regardless of the weather, with an indoor display area capable of handling up to 200 tractors. Although the site looked a little shabby from the years of neglect since it was closed by the government and suffered at the hands of numerous vandals, Rathwell has plans to clean the buildings up and renovate them, should the auction prove to be a big hit. Although the several hundred buyers and spectators had to pick their way around broken glass and debris, general manager Larry McLean and his 20 part-time helpers expect the situation to improve dramatically in the next few months. A sale is planned for every month this year, until December 18. "It may take awhile to educate the dealers and farmers in Canada to this new way (for Canada) of selling equipment," said Mr. Sampson. Bayfield arena grants not in yet By Shelley McPhee Although the aqtual construction work is progressing, the financial situation at the new Bayfield Arena seems to have come to a standstill. Money is still being raised locally, with canvassing and events bringing in nearly $60,000. Still another $42,000 is needed from the area'people, bringing their contribution to over $100,000. Tag fido or face big fine Many dog owners in Clinton have yet to purchase their tags. Only 162 tags have been sold this year, compared to a total of 254 sold in 1978. According to Clinton Police Chief Lloyd Westlake, pressure. is going to be put on the delinquents. Summons will be sent out to those who haven't purchased their tags after receiving an earlier telephone call reminding them to license their animals. The fine for not buying a tag is $I3. .Tags can be purchased at the Town . i: Haird on Albert Street an:d: the licensed;- ,:fees are: male dog or spayed female ' dog, $4; each additional male dog or spayed female dog, $6; female dog, $10; each additional female dog, $15; kennel license, $25. As well as fine of $10, dogs running loose will be more strictly enforced. "It's our only alternative," Chief Westlake explained, "we've had a lot of complaints about dogs running -_.:at large." A town by-law states that' all dogs must be licensed and at no time are they to be running loose. Vanastra water budget jumps l2per cent by Wilma Oke Tuckersmith Township Council approved the 1979 budget for the Vanastra water and sewage system a1 a meeting Tuesday night. The budget presented by Mark Bell, London, ministry of the environment amounts to $74,300 compared to $66,100 Finally, spring arrived at 12:22 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday) and was greeted by the best day so far in 1979, as the temperature neared the 16 degree mark (60F). The kids are all playing outside skipping in the streets, or playing road hockey (you'd think they'd be playing baseball, but this is Canada), while mom puts up the windows and airs out the house for the first in ghat seems like eons. Several people, knowing h'ly fanaticism for gardening, have already kidded me about when I'm going to start eating from my vegetable garden. Actually, and no kidding, in about two or three days! I snuck in some green onions and spinach last fall, and they lay protected all winter under that heavy snow cover, and the onions, at least, are just about ready for the table. How about that! +++ But that aside, I'll give my unanimous vote to March as being, by far, the ugliest month of the year. As the snowbanks retreat, the dirty brown lawns, bare flower. beds, and six months of scattered garbage come into view. In fact, the places that are ill -kept the rest of the year but hidden by greenery are particularly repugnant. For a Visitor coming into Clinton via Highway 4„ south, the town looks like some rundown hillbilly hovel in the Ozarks, what with the rundown houses, anti dirty lots.' The drives not too bad coming in the other ways •.•from the north, east, and west, but the south... well it's a real erilbarrassment to drive visitors around. You know, if you make under $12,000-i year, you can even get a partially forgivable loan from the town through the Ontario Home Renewal Program. Too bad some of our citizens didn't take advantagetof it. +++ But people like those involved in the Clinton Horticulture Society are trying their best, to correct this image, and at their meeting next Wednesday night, will hear from biologist Dave Kains speaking on the Hullett Wildlife area, which is supposed to attract many visitors. "Why," a big -city reporter asked me recently, "would people in Clinton and area bother to buy the News -Record every week, when they already seem to know what's going on?" "Well," I replied, "they buy it because they want to see which ones got caught." +++ Following several small fires in the south end of town in the past two weeks, including a minor blaze on Tuesday night on James Street, Clinton. firemen are wondering ' if people couldn't get bigger street numbers for their houses, or display them better, as they have a douce of a time locating a fire at night. And a few minutes can mean a big dif- ference. The brigade was also out on two false alarms last week. A couple of sports notes, of sorts, include the minor ball meeting tonight (Thursday) at 8 p.m. at the arena, and the Junior (C) reunion on Saturday night. Th juniors are also having a stag on friday night, but nbbody's tried to sell me alticket yet. in 1978 which is an increase of 12.4 percent ori8,200 over last year. Mr. Bell said actual expenditures in 1978 amounted to $78,844 and these higher figures were due mainly to problems in the water distribution system from leaks costing $4,578 to repair. The $8,200 increase in budget for 1979 over 1978 is necessary because of an- ticipated salary increases amounting to $2,600; benefits amounting to $1,900; increased costs of water and sewer maintenance because of expected breakdowns, $1,900; electricity in- creases of $1,000 and the remaining $800 for increased miscellaneous costs. Mr. Bell said there is an "unac- counted for" loss of water amounting to 60 percent between the metered readings in the town of Clinton and the accountable consumption. (The town supplies water to Vanastra.) He said, "It seems you have a system with a lot of small leaks. It's an old system with lead joints, resulting in a lot of minor leakage. Unless you rept ce the mains there will be a very high loss. Perhaps a consultant should look at the system. Don McLean, manager of the system, said "The water is getting into drains so we don't see the leaks, but they will add up if there should be a leak every 20 feet." Mr. Bell said, "We get some leaks repaired and there isimprovement but then we are soon right back up. We seem to catch the big leaks but it is hard to find the small ones." Councillor Robert Fotheringham said, "Perhaps the solution is to replace the whole system." And to this Mr. Bell replied that perhaps the solution was the gradual replacement of the system. He said the fire hydrants are in good condition. Don McLean said the system had been overhauled in 1974 with 60 hydrants rebuilt. Mr. Bell suggested there were major repairs that should be carried out and' that the costs could be taken out of the reserve fund amounting 'to $79,700 which was set up by the developer of Vanastra when he handed over the water and sewer system to Tucker - smith. The fund was for a tertiary treatment system which officials in 1974 deemed would be needed as Vanastra expanded. Mr. Bell said that regulations are different now and he foresees no need for the tertiary treatment and proposed that it would be better to use the money for major repairs. He suggested that the 30 eight -inch key valves should be replaced at an estimated price of $1,000 each. Among other suggestions were a comminutor, a standby chlorinator and repairs to the tanks where the cement Turn to page 3, Hensall .firearms stolen More thafi bne person is suspected in He was charged with breaking into a a March 19 home break-in in Hensall. gas station and attempting to break The Exeter OPP are investigating into a barber shop in London on the theft of six firearms, taken from the February 11; stealing two cars from home of Gerald Sleaford, Richmond Eastgate Volvo in London and breaking Street North in the village. Two han- into an Oxford Street car business on dguns, two shotguns and two rifles February 12; theft, of a car from a were taken in the early morning theft. Goderich car dealership and theft of Meanwhile, the courts fined a 16- more than $600 worth of cigarette and year-old youth for, series of area Sundries from a variety stork in thefts and breall=ins. Hensall on February 13. Myles was also Ian Myles, of no fixed address, was , sentenced in provincial court on March ` charged with break, entor and theft of a 16 to nine months in jail. Myles pleaded motor 'vehicle on February 19 and .with guilty to some seven charges involving, failing to comply to the conditions of break, enter and thefts. the court on February 21. . as Yet, no word has been heard from the major financial supporters of the $390,000 project, Wintario and Com- munity Centre grants. John Siertsema, chairman of the fund raising committee and his group have been waiting since January for word. They, however, have not lost hope and expect to hear on the grants anyday. "It looks promising," Mr. Siertsema noted, "but we haven't had any official u word yet." Mr. Siertsema noted that work is progressing well on construction of the new facility and he expects it will be completed by the end of April. The arena floor will be put in later when the frost completely leaves the ground. The new arena and community centre will include, a hall which will hold 300 people, and the arena will have room for four rows of seats, The seats in the arena will be installed at a later date when they can be afforded. He did note that confirmation of the g,„„, Meanwhile, activities in the Bayfield money was indirectly given by the community are still centered around auditors recently. the new arena. The local Lions club will Itis hoped that the Wintario grant be holding a draw and a pancake will pay for one-third the cost of the breakfast has been set for Sunday, May community centre and two -third's of 20. The weekend of July 6 and 7 has the arena. A community centre grant been set aside as the date for the should pay one-quarter of the total cost. arena's official opening. Clinton's Alice wins again Alice Munro of Clinton is to receive her second governor-general's award for literature from a second governor- Marees and Gilbert Langevin for Mon Refuge Est Un Volcan. Schreyer will present the winners, general. chosen by an 18 -member committee - Mrs. Munro won, her first award in which considered more than '600 1968 for Dance of the Happy Shades and Canadian books with $5,000 cash prizes received it from Roland Michener. and specially -bound copies of their When she receives her second award work during a ceremony at Govern - April 4 — for Who Do You Think You ment House. Are? — she will take it from the hand of Who Do You Think You Are? is a Edward Schreyer. collection of 10 short stories about a First awards announced Tuesday by woman living in a small, Southwestern the Canada Council, go to Roger Caron Ontario town. Published by Macmillan for Go Boy, Patrick Lane for Poems it is the fourth book by Mrs. Mun.ro.who New and Selected. Francois -Marc last year became the first Canadian to Gagnon for Paul -Emile Borduas, win the Canada -Australia literary Jacques Poulin for Les Grandes prize. • Everyone had their own way Of enjoying the pancake supper at the Christian Reformed School in Clinton On Friday night. While most people ate, young Kimberly Hummel, 1, df Londesboro seetned more interested in playing with her supper and keeping an eye on the action around her. Likewise, math, Frances Hummel, kept close watch on her daughter. (News -Record photo)