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Clinton News-Record, 1983-06-01, Page 11 I s.. /� T , ''lil%- A 9 FIELD UGI A E 50 cents No. 23 ins orp(rranng Wednesday, June 1, 1963 11 th year to readies for its I2! 1fair By Shelley McPhee If the weather participates, Clinton could see another grand weekend of en- tertainment and fun as the Central Huron Agricultural Society plans to stage its 129th Spring Fair. Society President Frank MacDonald is hoping the weather will shine favorably on the fair this year. In 1982 wet weather dampened the event, but a spectacular Friday night show attracted thousands of people to the Clinton Community Park. This year, on Friday, June 3, f organizers are hoping for a repeat per formance of attendance figures. They have lined up an exciting show to kick-off the fair opening. At 7:30 p.m. on Friday evening cars will be bashing and crashing their way around the track in front of the grandstand to win the demolition derby trophy. The derby has been a crowd favorite in the past and this year will prove to be even more ex- citing with challenges put up by two female contestants including Clinton's own Cheryl Flynn. ( See accompanying story on Page 1). Friday night will also mark the crowing ceremony of the 129th Clinton Spring Fair Queen. Nine local girls will be vying for the title in the contest sponsored by the Clinton Kinettes. (See contestants' photos and story on Page 2). Earlier on Friday, starting at noon, juding of the Ontario Spring Jersey Show and the Humin County Holstein Show will be held. Don Watson, secretary of the Huron Holstein Club. reported that more than 130 have entered to take part in the county show and salef In the arena the best in baking, crafts, art, plants and flowers will be exhibited in the ladies' and junior division com- titions. This year one talented woman will earn the title of Baking Queen, after winning the highest number of points in the most classes. In 1982, the first year of the competition, Beatrice Fleming of Brucefield took home the prizes. This year prizes will include: 24 pounds of flour, courtesy of Corrie's Red and White; a silver cake server, donated by the Ag Society and engraved by Anstett Jewelers; steak dinner for one from The Blue Fountain; $10 gift certificate from Shiral's Department Store; $10 gift cer- tificate from Town Talk Fashions; $5 coupon from Zehr's in Goderich; paper products from Scott Paper Ltd., and one- half dozen silk roses, donated by Blanche Deeves. An exciting two-day program is planned it Ladies' Division President Suzanne Brandon noted that this year a special Junior Section class has been added to the competition. Anyone under the age of 14 may enter the classes which include arts and crafts, sewing, domestic science, an amateur photo contest and woodworking. Mrs. Brandon is also hoping for the usual "excellent response" from elementary school children who display their work. They have also been invited to make creations for the new scarecrow com- petition. Saturday's schedule of events will begin at 10 a.m with the juding of light horses and ponies, poultry, pigeons and rabbits. At 11 a.m. the Huron County 4-H Sheep Club will hold their second annual market lamb show. The lambs will be sold at 2 p.m. by Huron -Middlesex MPP and for- mer auctioneer Jack Riddell. While livestock and beef cattle are being judged, the Spring Fair Parade will be leaving the Clinton Legion at 1 p.m. for its downtown tour. At least three local bands and dozens of floats will take part in the parade. The ever -popular baby show will be held in the arena at 2:30 p.m. and the fair will wind-up with the impressive heavy horse show at 7:30 p.m. in front of the grand- stand. The 129th Spring Fair will see a number of new additions to the line-up. On Saturday evening at 7 p.m. a Mini Band Tattoo will be held in the arena. Local school bands have been invited to compete in this musical showing. Saturday morning at 9 a.m. local youngsters will show their driving skills in a Mini Tractor Pedal Pull. The pull is open to boys and girls in three weight classes: 30-50 pounds; 51-57 pounds and 76-100 pounds. A set of scales at the pull site will determine the classes. The pedal -powered tractors are to be supplied by local implement dealers and will be scaled down to children's sizes. Standard Tractor Pull regulations apply. Prize money will be $10, $5 and $3 for each class and contestants may enter up until 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, in front of the grandstand. Following the baby show on Saturday afternoon, high school cheerleading squads will show their best pep rally cheers and moves. The contest will be held in the arena at 4 p.m. and prizes will be awarded to the best presentation. The midway will be whirling and twirling and the trade show will be held. Candy floss will be sold and game prizes will be won at the June 3 and 4 event. As in past years, Clinton Spring Fair organizers hope to offer something for people of all ages at the 129th fair. Don't let Cheryl Flynn's beautiful blue eyes fool you. She's"Born to kill." Cheryl, a Class A Mechanic, will be running in the demolition Cheryl Flynn is— By Shelley McPhee Don't let Cheryl Flynn's big blue eyes and lovely smile fool you. She's, "Born to kill." Cheryl will be one of the demolition derby competitors to watch for at this year's Spring Fair showing on Friday night, June 3. She'll be easy to spot. Her "motto" is painted on the roof of her 1975 Oldsmobile station wagon. Cheryl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Flynn of RR 2, Clinton, was preparing her mobile for the derby last weekend, and getting some help and hints from her brother Ray who competed last year. However Cheryl's an expert when it comes to automobiles. She was a first female to graduate from Fanshawe College's Motor Vehicle Mechanic Course. A Class A mechanic, she is the only woman to receive the diploma in the course that's seen 20,000 graduates since it began in 1964. While some of Cheryl's friends have questioned her career choice, she is more than enthused about her future as a mechanic and someday hopes to own a garage with all -female auto mechanics. That, Cheryl believes, could offer a great service to female customers who are uncertain and unsure of garages and repair problems. Cheryl is presently working at Mon- tgomery Motors in I.ucknow, and feels that she may have been hired because her employer realized the benefits of having a female mechanic on staff. A life under car hoods, covered in grease derby at the Clinton Spring Fair on Friday, June 3. The thrill show gets underway at 7:30 p.m. (Shelley McPhee photo) 'Born to kill' an she tray few a Afte Cheryl and a Garage i After wor benefits of enrolled at While Che difficult goin classmates, s assisted by hert In fact she has support from fa ployers as she stri job. d gas is not what Cheryl planned. In fact had originally considered a future in el and tourism, but felt that jobs were nd pay low in this line of work. r completing high school at CHSS, says she was desperate for work proached Carter's West End n Clinton for a job pumping gas. king' there a year she saw the a career as a mechanic and anshawe. ryl admits it was sometimes to school with all-male he was encouraged and achers. received a great deal of mily, friends and em- ves to be better at her Council recommends daily co By Shelley McPhee Clinton Council will advise Tom Gougoulias, owner of Pepo's Restaurant, to construct a small refuse bin on his own property, or have daily garbage pick-up from his Albert Street restaurant. Mr. Gougoulias asked council's per- mission to build a garbage bin im- mediately behind his restaurant. However this would encroach on a town owned public lane that runs behind the Albert Street businesses. He has asked for written permission from council to allow the encroachment, with the stipulation that the bin would be removed if it isn't satisfactory. Mr. Gougoulias noted that other businesses have awnings and overhangs that en- croach on the lane. Clerk Cam Proctor suggested that the right of way could be moved At present . he explained, it prevents buildings from expanding. However Mayor Chester Archibald noted that the legalities of changing the lane could take all summer, and Mr. Gougoulias is anxious to hear rouncil's decision. "Why spend more taxpayers' money on legal fees" Mr. Gougoulias asked. "Just allow me to build the bin." Mayor Archibald noted that council would like to co-operate, but they must follow the laws. last week town solicitor Beecher Menzies advised council not to allow Mr. Gougoulias to build on town property. He suggested that the right of way could be moved, if all neighboring property owners agreed. The survey, he suggested should not be made by the town. but should be the responsibility of the business owners. Councillor Rosemary Armstrong This week brother Ray is filling Cheryl in on the tactics and strategies used in the smash 'em up, bash 'em up demolition derby. He'll also be her pit man at the event. Cheryl said she's nervous about Friday night's show, but noted with a grin, "The best practice is the bumper cars at the fair." Preparing the 1975 Oldsmobile for the derby is a big task. The engine must be in top running order, doors must be wired shut and windows must be removed. A hole has to be cut in the hood of the engine to prevent fire and a fire extinguisher placed by the driver's seat. All but the driver's seat is removed, a battery and small gas tank are added. And by Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. Cheryl will be, "Born to kill." • Branson Place is open for business even though it contravenes the town zoning bylaw. The antique shop is situated on the residentially zoned portion of Ontario Street. Owner Thomas Fowler says he will follow the zoning restrictions when council enforces other bylaws in Clinton. ( Rod Hilts photo) Antique shop opens, despite council order By Rod Hilts Despite the rejection of Clinton Council, the Branson Place Antique Store opened their doors on May 20. On April 18, Clinton Council passed a motion to reject the new business proposal, denying Emmanuel Nikalaou and his partner Thomas Fowler an amendment to the zoning bylaw to allow an occupation to operate in a home residence. "If we felt we were wrong we would lay down like dogs. There's nothing wrong with what we are doing," said Mr. Fowler. The decision to deny the business a permit came after two months of study with the owners, the town solicitor, the county and town planning boards. The planning boards recommended to council that the application could be accepted, provided the business complied with the official plan. Council, however, decided not to proceed with amendments to the zoning bylaw. Mayor Chester Archibald said that neigh- bors would object to the business because it would be operating in a residential zone at 139 Ontario Street. According to Mr. Fowler, the neigh- borhood's overall reaction was favorable to him opening up the business. "The consensus of the whole town was how disappointed they were because we weren't able to open. There was only one neighbor who really took exception to us," said Mr. Fowler. Mr. Fowler said that council was "afraid" of him and his partner, "because we knew what we wanted and presented it to them in a professional way." "They're (council) scared because we are city people and they think we have hidden plans," said Mr. Fowler. Mayor Archibald said Mr. Fowler's comments were "most unfortunate." "I have no idea what they are trying to prove or what reactions they're trying to get. It's the worst tactic they could have possibly taken," said Mr. Archibald. The mayor stressed that it is his job to uphold the bylaws and if he didn't, he may as well "throw the bylaw book in the fire and use it for fuel." Mr. Fowler and his partner Mr. Nikalaou, asked council for a waver in the bylaw so that Branson Place Antiques could operate as a home occupation. The planning committee said there were other vacant areas of commercial property in the town where the business could locate. Council was also concerned about the rights of residential property owners in the area and that if they allowed Branson place to operate in a residential area, llection for restaurant owner suggested that along with the three restaurant pick-ups each week, Mr. Gougoulias could hire Chamney Sanitation to make daily collections, as is done with other food establishments in Clinton. Council will recommend this service to Mr. Gougoulias, or suggest that it would be simpler for him to construct the garbage bin on his own property, on the far side of the town lane. Building permlts Clinton council will now be receivi monthly report of building permits iss by Tom Chuter. In past few years council had omitt the reports, but they now feel that it is important to know what building and changes are being made in the town. Permits were issued to: Neal Dale, sundeck; Katie Spencer, re -side house: Mrs. A.E. Prescott, close in sundeck; ga ed Orville Greer, replace windows; Joe Whalen, relocate garage; kyle Mon- tgomery, new house; Doug Cantelon, demolish garage; Codan Construction, new house; Joe McQuaid, re -side house; Robert Semple, sundeck; Eric Hollenbeck, extension to carport. Clinton is still without a building bylaw, but a council committee is again in the process of drawing up a set of guidelines. Recommendations were brought to council last year by former Councillor Wayne Lester and these suggested that permits be obtained for all exterior demolition, all exterior construction, all new buildings and all exterior renovations. These recommendations were never finalized by the previous council. . A council committee is working with these suggestions and studying sample bylaws from other municipalities in their effort to finalize the guidelines. Committee members agree that permits should not be required for anyone replacing shingles, for putting siding on any existing building or replacing a window, providing that the window does not necessitate changes to the existing framing of the building. Any work that changes the framing of the building by enlarging the opening or changes the look of the building would need a permit. At the present time, permits are being issued for re -siding and shingling. but Clerk Cam Proctor told council that building permit issuer Tom Chuter is allowed to issue these since no restrictions or bylaw has been established by the town. Mr. Chuter follows guidelines set out in the Municipal Building Code, vrhich Clerk Proctor noted, are somewhat vague other proposed businesses that were turned down in the past would be upset. Mayor Archibald believes that a suf- ficient section of Ontario street is already zoned commercial. The present com- mercial zone extends as far as the corner of Ontario and William Streets, Branson Place is located a block further east. He also noted that the issue of the Branson Place opening would be brought up at the June 6 meeting of Clinton Council. Mayor Archibald added that council would be seeking legal advice at that time. Branson Antiques features Canadian turn of the century pieces with a mixture of U.S. artifacts. Lithograph and oil paintings, gilt frames and a number of unique, individualistic pieces are the highlighted, according to Mr. Fowler. "We came to Clinton because we thought the town had potential. It has some qualities that make it unique. It's also close to some of the major centres," said an enthusiastic Mr. Fowler. Mr. Fowler has three years experience in the antique business, as he worked for Prince of Serendip, a prominent Canadian antique dealership. He says he has collected antiques since he was 16 -years - old. His partner, Emmanuel, is a businessman in Toronto. Mr. Fowler says the house is currently up for sale, but he doesn't want to move. The house has been up for sale since council's decision to disallow the business to operate on April 18. According to Mr. Fowler, Branson Place will operate as usual and he is awaiting a letter from council that the business is contravening the bylaw. "They're not going to play politics with us and nobody else. If we get a letter from council we're going to go through the whole downtown area and pick out the number of people breaking bylaws. Then we are going to demand that council en- force the bylaws on them, that includes the sign bylaws," said an irritated Mr. Fowler. SPRING IN CLINTON FRiDAV, SATURDAY JUNE 3RD AND 4TH Weather 1983 1982 MAY HI 1.0 HI 1A) 24 19 4 16 6 25 15 5 20 7 26 7 3 23 8 27 14 2 26 13 28 19 5 22 15 29 16 9 26 13 30 16 5 21 12 Rain 30 mm Rain 117 mm