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Clinton News-Record, 1983-04-27, Page 1a 0 incorporating Wednesday, Apri (J a-3 :fl try iy Rod Hilts d angered were the only uld describe Clair Haskett's 65 ex -psychiatric patients It ted from the Heather Gar - ,o last Thursday afternoon. '!.'tae closure came when two provincial ministries had condemned the home after a team made up of an environmental health inspector, fire safety inspector, nutritionist, nurse and general prac- titioner and legal council inspected Heather Gardens on April 18 and found that the level of nutrition, sanitation and general care of the home was "poor." According to Mrs. Haskett she had heard rumors over the past few months that the home was going to be dosed but didn't receive anything official until last Wed- nesday. "This has been brewing since the first of the year, it just didn't happen out of the blue," said Mrs. Haskett. The Vanastra home is the only one among 298 special care facilities in Ontario to be closed. Ministry officials in Queen's Park report that that six inspections have been made c at Heather Gardens in the last 12 months. On April 20, Mr. John T. Mercer, the Administrator for the London Psychiatric Hospital advised Mrs. Haskett of the closing in a hand -delivered letter. At precisely 4:45 p.m. last Wednesday afternoon, the transfer of residents began. The residents were personally interviewed and "tagged" as to which one of the six ministry approved facilities they would be transported to. The residents, all adults and some senior citizens were moved to homes in Port Bruce, Deleware and to the London Psychiatric Hospital. Twenty-seven of the residents of the home for special care were financially aided by the ministry. The majority of the remaining 38 residents receive disability allowances through the community and social ser- vices ministry. The April 18 inspection revealed that the home had "dirty washrooms, bedrooms, bed linen and was inappropriately storing drugs." A ministry spokesman said there was also a concern over a lack of activities for the residents. Mrs. Haskett said she has rented a house in Vanastra and that 13 of the 67 residents, who chose stay, are being looked after by some of her staff and a doctor. According to Brian Mills, the ministry of community and social services ad- ministrator, the ministry is concerned about the well being of those 13 people. "We are concerned for the well being of those 13 people. Their relatives don't even know where they are. Most, if not all of them need regular medication. We are actively looking for them," said Mr. Mills. Heather Gardens has been -in operation since 1974, when it was opened as a boarding house. In 1975, controversy surrounded the home when a 61 -year-old resident at- tempted suicide by hanging himself with an electrical cord. The man died two weeks later in University Hospital in London. A coroner's inquest was held because of the incident and it was recommended that Heather Gardens seek licensing under the Homes for Special Care Act. Under the license, qualified medical personnel must be hired to look after the patients; all drugs must be administered by qualified eHs medic persons, with no patients having custody of his or her drugs; stricter screening be carried out on all patients before they are released from hospital to the home and that a closer liason be established between Heather Gardens and those psychiatric hospitals releasing patients to Heather Gardens. Heather Gardens didn't receive its special care license until April of 1980. Mrs. Haskett said that Heather Gardens had the best suicide rating of any in- stitution of its size in Ontario. "They didn't want to give it ( the license) to me but 1 finally got it," said Mrs. Haskett. Ministry of Health officials said that if Mrs. Haskett plans to re -open Heather Gardens she must bring the facilities up to standards and comply with ministry or- ders by improving the level of care being offered, the fire regulations and the en- vironmental health standards. The ministry has given Mrs. Haskett a grace period until May 15 to repair the facility. "1 really can't see any point in fighting them. 1 don't have much choice," said Mrs. Haskett. Timbrell says tax rebate is safe By Sharon Dietz Ontario's agriculture minister assured members of the Huron County Federatio of Agriculture last week that the proposed fawn land tax rebate program is safe and that farmers do not have to fear the government is trying to usurp their pro- perty rights. "A fundamental part of the proposed tax changes in the program is that the in- vidual farmer will still pay his or her taxes to the municipality," stated Tim- brell, who was speaking to the North West Huron Federation of Agrici 'tore annual meeting held at the Lucknow District Com- munity Centre, April 20. The tax rebate proposal calls for farmers to pay taxes on their houses and a 'deemed' lot. The lot, because it cannot be severed will be assessed at 50 percent of a similar lot. Farmers will be eligible to receive a rebate of 100 percent of the taxes on their farm property, land and farm buildings. A previous proposal exempting farmers from paying taxes was dropped. The municipalities feared an erosion of their tax base and farmers feared a loss of pro- perty rights because they were not paying taxes. Timbrell said present fears that the new proposal will result in a loss of property rights some time in the future are based on a misunderstanding of the information. The people of this province are not likely to elect a government that will ignore pro- perty rights, observed Timbrell who pointed out that if this argument is follow- ed to its logical conclusion, accepting any form of government assistance for that land, a system for tile drainage debenture, a 25 percent rebate or a 50 percent rebate or whatever, would be sufficient grounds to give that kind of government the authority to take away property rights. Timbrell added that a government with that kind of philosophy is not likely to be •)! put in power in this province. Premier William Davis announced in the legislature the following day that Ontario will support the inclusion of property rights in the charter of rights. If property rights are entrenched in the constitution, said Timbrell, nothing could abridge an in- dividual's property rights by reason of ap- plying for or accepting government assistance. Despite the opposition to the proposed farm tax rebate program in Huron County, one farmer at the meeting said he is in favour of the rebate and would like to receive more rebates from government. Earl Hay of Kinloss Township said he wants a ...x rebate for the tax charged on fuel used on the farm. Hay estimates he pays $4,i(tax on fuel in a year and last year his income was only $3,000. The minister pointed out that there are three governments taking taxes on fuel: the producing province, the federal government and the provincial govern- ment. The provincial tax is rebated said Timbrell, but the taxpayers of this pro- vince do not have the money to rebate all the tax on fuel charged by the other two governments. While Timbrell was asked to speak to the meeting to explain the farm tax rebate program, most questions asked during the question period did not refer to the tax pro- posal. Instead farmers took the opportuni- ty to vent some of their frustration with high interest rates, low commodity prices and foreign absentee ownership. Timbrell reminded the farmers it is the federal government and the Bank of Canada which sets the high interest rates and they are responsible for the economic policies of the country. The taxpayers of the province do not have the money for the provincial government of Ontario lower in- terest rates for everybody and every business in the province to reasonable levels, he reasoned. Timbrell also told the meeting the pro- vincial government does not set the prices for commodities. His government is trying to help marketing boards with special assistance to sell their surpluses which res ted in such low prices last year. Unless farmers are willing to accept the principle that the government should be all powerful . and direct and contaRlF. everyt ng, then they will have to accept that there are some things government could do, observed the minister. In reply to questions concerning farm cre.'1 assistance, Timbrell saidhe had hoped the federal government would pro- vide more money through the Farm Cre.i t Corporation to assist farmers. In Clinton core In the budget announced last week, another $100 million was allocated to FCC for distress cases. This $100 million is only for distress cases and it only goes to rewrite existing debt load and will not be used for new mortgages. Timbrell explained that the Ontario government offers the Ontario Farm Assistance Program which has been ex- tended to provide assistance to farmers. He, as minister, is working with the other provinces to establish a stabilization pro- gram for all producers not covered by ex- isting market stabilization plans and On- tario plans a new program for beginning farmers in May. Sid ---s contravene bylaw y Shelley McPhee The recently erected Pepos' Restaurant sign is not the only downtown sign to contravene Clinton's zoning bylaw. Questioning the legality of the new sign, Clinton council has learned that several other downtown business signs are also illegal, according to the bylaw regulations. Set in 1970 the bylaw basically states that no sign may be erected between the street line and any building line established by the bylaw. Illuminated signs of flashing or animated types are also prohibited. Signs put up prior to 1970 are exempt, but according to the law any changes or new signs must comply with the rules. Council was surprised to learn of the bylaw restrictions and Clerk Cam Proctor noted, "It's somewhat vague. It even leaves flat building signs in a doubtful position." Mayor Chester Archibald suggested that the bylaw was set to encourage flat signs, and he also noted that canopies and roof overhangs may also contravene the bylaw. Councillor Charlie Burgess asked how council could change the bylaw without difficulties. "Certain people have spent alot of money on signs, trying to stay within the bylaw," he stressed. Councillor Jim Hunter supported the bylaw, saying that Clinton should be at- tempting to, "get away from the visual clutter on main street." Chi Bay Street in Toronto, the mayor added, signs became such a "mass of flashing brilliant lights," that the City of Toronto began restricting them. In turn, smaller municipalities followed suit, Turn to page 2 On April 22 Bob Mann was installed as a Life Member in the Clinton Kinsmen Club. Pre.ienting the award is Brian Cleaver ( right 1, the Governor of District LI Rod Hilts photo) Business proposal rejected By Shelley McPhee In a recorded vote, Clinton council at their April 18 meeting turned down a new business proposal. Branson Place, a proposed specialized antique shop, will not be allowed to operate at 139 Ontario Street in Clinton. Council in a recorded vote of 9 to 2 op- posed the application from Emmanuel Nikolaou. He was asking for waivers in the present zoning bylaw to allow a home occupation in a residential zone. Council's decision came after two months of study, with the owners, the town solicitor, the county and town planning boards. Those opposing the establishment of the business were Mayor Chester Archibald, Reeve Ernie Brown, Deputy Reeve Frank Van Altena, Councillors John Deeves, Charlie Burgess, Ross Carter and .Pim Hunter. Councillors Bee Cooke and Rosemary Armstrong were in favor of the business. In turning down the new business proposal Mayor Chester Archibald ad- mitted, "it was a very rotten decision to make." He said that presently one block of Ontario Street, up to the Credit Union, is zoned commercial. He doesn't believe that it should extend farther. He predicted that neighboring residential property owners would object to the business. This could have led to an Ontario Municipal Board hearing. He added, "If we allow one business in, what happens? People could move away from downtown. In some cities, downtown blocks look like ghost towns." Councillor Armstrong objected, "We've got to start somewhere. The downtown should be expanded and this (Ontario Street ) is a compatible area. Residents would only object because of another business that was located on that same stretch of street, but it has been restored." She also stressed that minor variances in the zoning bylaw has been allowed in other instances. Several other businesses are now operating in residential areas. Councillor Burgess said he had met with public pressure because of council's decision. "We seem to be opposed," he said, "but we are not. We are governed by those bylaws. We have to live by them. ('hanging the bylaw for Branson Place) will bring other turned down businesses back to council's lap." Councillor Hunter had a different view. ile supported Branson Place, but opposed the application because it would always remain a commercial property from that point on. If, for instance, Branson Place went out of business in the future, another shop could move in. "I'm in favor of the new business," he stated, "but there's no real way to protect the residents' rights." Thomas Fowler, who has represented Mr. Nikolaou at council meetings, did not wait to hear council's explanations. He angrily left the council chambers. Within days a "for sale" sign was placed on the proposed Branson Place location: Contractor named for town hall renovation By Shelley McPhee Gilvesy Construction of Tillsonburg has been chosen to supervise the Construction Management Concept for the Clinton town hall -library renovation scheme. Chosen from five possible firms for the work, Gilvesy Construction will act as project manager. The firm will supervise the renovation project, calling on in - Royal Bank celebrates 75 years of service Today the bank is situated in a brand new building only a short distance away. On April 20 former bank managers returned to Clinton to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Royal Rank. Including the incumbent manager Steve Fraser, the branch has had nine managers and the five living helped cut the an - 1 nrversary rake. They included, left to right, Paul Aggerholm, manager from 1965_1970, now of Weirton; O.L. Engelstad, 1952- 1965, of Grand Bend; H.G. Merriman, 1970-1978, of London; Steve Fraser, present manager; Iner Smith, 1978-1982, of Mineardine. (Gary Halst photo) The original Royal Rank of Canada was situated at the corner of Albert and Boron Street in Clinton. Today It is home of Anstett .jewellers. It was built in the late Joseph Whitehemd and opened for business on January 18. 1908. dividual tenders to complete various jobs involved in the project. The Construction Management Concept is a new sheme in renovation and building projects. Gaining popularity and having success in other proj(scts. It was recom- mended to Clinton coram it by architect Carlos Ventin as a superior method to control costs and quality of work done on the town hall -library project Mayor Chester Archibald reported to council on April 18 that the building committee met with Mr Ventin before choosing the project manager Mr. Ventin interviewed the five interested firms - ('ale i)ourettc Construction of Clinton, 1;ilvesy Construction, Ariss Construction tion of Guelph, McKay -Cocker Construction of i.onrlon and Blair Construction of Guelph. While Mr. Ventin was Impressed with i)ourettc Construction. Mr Doucette advised that he would lw unable to par- ticipate in the Construction Management Concept However Mr Lenten recom- mended that i)oucette Construction be hired ;as a subcontractor whenever possible \1,i nr Archibald said that Mr Ventin recommended (;elves, Construction tion for several masons (;elves‘ he reported, was 1 urn to page 2 W!other 1983 1982 HI I ( ) HI IA) i 2.i '1 'S 18 2 14 .1 7 3 8 4 16 1 70 5 71 4 lt.rtrt ;'4 film