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Clinton News-Record, 1984-05-16, Page 1>- oo 00 LLi 00 >- ›- X iJ 0 ae p • .„. • 1.tiritr potliting -30 cents --No. 20 Wednsday, May; 16, 19 1, Pornography issue to I, Clinton and Blyth Councils are considering a proposed bylaw regulating the sale of adult books and pornographic materials. Both councils received a request from the United Church of Canada, urging the municipalities to limit access of pornographic material. The correspondence has been sent to all municipalities in southwestern Ontario and includes a copy of a bylaw recently passed in the City of London. That bylaw requires store outlets to keep pornographic magazines and adult books at a height of 1.5 metres or more above floor level. The bylaw also legislates that the material be placed behind an opaque barrier so that the cover of the material cannot be seen, except for the name. The London bylaw states that if an individual contravenes the bylaw it could result in a fine ,not exceeding $10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both. If a corporation contravenes the bylaw, it could result in a fine not exceeding $25,000. In the request Rev. Susan Eagle of the United Church noted, "Our United Church of Canada has many times gone on record to defend human rights and freedom of speech. Yet, we do not see the easy access to pornographic material as any exercise in , freedom of speech, but rather as a dangerous step into the field of hate literature. We believe the distribution and sale of pornographic material promotes and celebrates an exploitation that ultimately results in the denial of the basic human rights of dignity and freedom." Clinton councillors asked if pornographic material was being sold in Clinton. It was noted that a few stores do sellptiamigtaphic magazines and Clerk ttam_ PrOctor explained the problem w1th4th,a,Ages is accessibility to juveniles. He n.pted, "You can walk in (a store) and it's right there...the idea is to protect it from young kids." Councillor Charlies Burgess, owner of C • and E Variety said that he hasn't sold pornographic magazines in years and hasn't heard any complaints regarding their sale in other stores. He said he stood behind the United Church request, but suggested a public meeting or more discussion with the United Church before passing any bylaws. Mayor Chester Archibald suggested that problems may not exist now, but passing the bylaw would act as a preventative measure to avoid future difficulties. Councillor Jim Hunter note that the bylaw would not restrict the sale of magazines er adult books. Councillor Burgess opposed the bylaw proposal, noting, "Everytime you bring up another bylaw, you're taking away someone else's freedom!' "Whose freedom are you taking away?" Clerk Proctor questioned. "This bylaw does not stop the sale of the material." Councillor Burgess Went on, "Removing them (magazines and books) to a higher level is the first step. Banning them completely will be the next step." Councillor Ross Carter added, '`Uniess there's a change in the permissive attitudes, bylaws won't work. You have to change the people first." Clinton council agreed to consider the bylaw and discuss it again at their May 22 meeting. Blyth council investigates Around the Blyth council table, the feeling was that the accessibility of pornographic material should be investigated in the village. "I think it's something we should be concerned with. I think we should control some of them," Councillor Bill Howson said. The council was aware of one location in. the village which sold adult magazines but decided to investigate how the material was being displayed. They also decided to investigate further to see if any other stores. in Blyth had the material available. A report is expected at council's June 4 meeting. The United Church Pornography k Force has provideda working definitP1 'Of pornography „Whreads as 611 a • - "Pornography is material that represetits'' or describes degrading, abusive or violent behaviour for sexual gratification so as to endorse and or recommend the behaviour as ,,..4,0.4,•;?3 44, '440' The United Church of Canada is circulating a proposed bylaw across 'southwestern •4. ' e;•4er.V.•'' • I , depicted." United Church Women's organizations Ontario to limit the access to pornographic materiallold to the.public. The bylaw was . . across Southwestern Ontario have been presented to both Blyth and Clintdn councils who ',chose to investigate the matter - - • ' - - - - - - * - alerted to the fact further. ( Rod Hiltsphoto) - that the councils will be ‘ receiving the bylaw request. They are . • r. F ench Immersion donation. anxious to be present at local council meetings and may make presentations in favor of the bylaw request. 4'744 to4 Saturday was a special day in Bayfield as trees were planted in honor of Ontario's bicentennial. This tree was chosen by former Bayfield resident, Bishop Townsend to honor his wife who once lived where the village's hardware store now stands. Also on band were Hayfield Reeve Dave Johnston, George Chapman, tree planting Project Manager and Councillors James -Quick and Helen Owen. Above (left to right) Scott Arm- strong, Dwayne Siertsema and Andrew Dunn hold the tree steady before the ceremony begins. (Wendy Somerville photo) Parents offer ¶1O,000 Outti 00,410 Council has agreed • to- „estahliali strict employment irlicleaand, guidelines for its employees thatits clerk and deputy -clerk were accepting finder's feee for investing county hinds. The matter sparked discussion on whether or ',not employees •:could be placed m cOnflict of interest position. While aclmowledging that the acceptance of finder's feet was neither wrong nor illegal, ftlerich deputy -reeve Jiin Britnell said corci.1 should not place its employees in tbM precarious position. The matter was raised after the clerk Orticipated in discussion concerning the rowdy's reserve fund. The money from the fund is invested at a trust company and fees are paid to the investors. Both the clerk, Hill Ilatily and deputy -clerk, Bill Alcock have been. instructed by resolution of council to invest the funds. But it was a motion from the executive committee, which asked that present -policieS be adhered to in the matter, that raised some questions. Britnell said he wasn't aware of the policy, if it did indeed exist. "Elected officials .would be in conflict in that case but it does not apply to employees," Britnell told council. "But it is time for guidelines for an employees and they should be clearly set out to govern employee conduct." Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle countered that the county employees were discussing an item in which they hada pecuniary interest, and that, he claimed, constituted a conflict of interest. - "I requested that this be looked at because the staff had an interest in the investment of the reserve fund," he said. "The clerk discussed a piece of budget he had a pecuniary interest in. The act doesn't cover personnel who are on staff but when discussion develops and people have pecuniary interests, it's a conflict. • "It is time council tool a look at what the responsibilities are in that area. We do not • BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE a program for this fall. A group of Goderich and area parents Superintendent of business and finance wanting a French Immersion class for their Jack Lane said the offer from the parents children this September have offered at wniild have the effect of reducing grants least $10,000 to the Huron -Perth Separate from the province. He suggested that done - School Board. • , tions in the form of supplies .such as fur- niture, books and computers would be bet - At the April 24 meeting of the board, Mar- tin Van Den Berg of RR 2, Goderich and a ter. member of the Committee for Learning Op- There was some concern for Mr. Van Den. portunities suggested three alternatives to Berg's second alternative, that of allowing implenient French Immersion classes. No non-Catholics into the system. action was taken by the board. Acting director of eduction John Mc - The first alternative suggests that with Cauley said non-Catholics are already in the additional grant money for two. or three Huron -Perth Separate School system, but students from the public school system and are usually accepted because parents reducing costs by cutting out new furniture wish the children to receive a Catholic and either reducing French Immersion • education. teachers by one or hiring a recently Potential public school students aren't graduated teacher instead of a mire ex- allowed in just because of a science pro- perienced teacher at a higher cost, would gram, said Mr. McCauley using that as an reduce costs in the second year from $61,945 example. Nor would they be permitted for to $18,163. Including the parents' offer of the only reason that French Immersion is $10,000 would reduce the cost to $8,163. offered. The second alternative would be to allow "The only reason we'd do it (add French enrolment. in a French Immersion class by Immersion) would be to upgrade Qur public school children. • , system. We wouldn't do it just to gain "If only 20 students could enroll to fill any students," said board chairman Ron Mur - existing classroom vacancies, that would ray. represent some $2,461 per pupil revenue •Mr. Murray informed Mr. Van Den Berg from government grants," said Mr. Van that the board will be holding public Den Berg. •meetings on the future of French programs The third alternative is to offer French • during May. Immersion this fall for Grade 1 students on- "We are looking through the system;" ly. said Mr. Murray noting that if the need is Mr. Van Den Berg said not all possible there, French Immersion could be introduc- alternatives have been considered. He add- ed in the future if it doesn't have a negative ed that there is still sufficient time to set up impact on the rest of the system. It's Klompen CLINTON - Clinton's biggest event of the year will be taking place on Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19. Local residents and an expected 15,000 visitors will 'attend Klompen Feest, Clin- ton's fourth annual salute to its Dutch heritage. The fun -filled weekend of Dutch style entertainment will feature dancing and singing, a giant.parade and monster chicken barbecue. Concession booths will sell all sorts of Dutch taste treats, crafts and Dutch souvenirs. Friday evening, May 18 - the Feest will get underway with a musical evening of song and dance, featuring the Goderich Laketown Band, the Clinton Festival Singers, the New Canadian Club Klompen dancers, Shannon Preszcator's Step Dancers and Leo Bol and his accordian. Saturday, May 19 - The giant parade gets underway at 1 p.m. It will feature more than 100 ehtries including seven marching bands. Dutch singing and dancing will be featured at the afternoon entertainment as well as Scottish Dancers from Goderich and Feest lime! • want ow:staff-to get into aproblem andthe ruleaand-retoilatiOna should be. elev.."' . l'here W.a no case tor conflict!, Pon Johnston told council, claiming 1 Was " council who :wilted the clerk to eoppappg• op thealatterOrelierirefpods. "I can appreciate .the difficulty Ind if tile clerk is aiike# to ,abswer a question, what position are we in if he can't?" he -asked,. "He didn't vote to have a reserve aceniMt, He gave comment when we asked hien to explain. It's a I ine line but I can't see any area of concerti. I do not feel there is a conflict here." Relinquishing the warden's chair Goderich TownShip -Reeve Grant Stirlingto speak on the matter, Warden: Tom Cunningham defended. the 'action of the county administrative personnel while adding that he. was apprised of the situation,. "We put the employees in a difficult position and they spoke to me about at the time," he e,xplaineel., "The reserves are fOr people in Huronview and the funds are invested. "I felt it was good and wise investment to switch to a trust company that offered three quarters of a per cent extra interest on the, - money. They didn't go ahead on their own,' They invested the money at the best rate. and I think it's good fiscal management to have -reserves. Anyfinder's fees can't be paid to the county or anyone else." While conceding_ ttlatjt was not his intention to lay hIattie.-4YWhere; Britneil reiterated his feeling olabaving policies and guidelines- established to govern the condtirt of employees. "We have put 'an employee in a bad position. Let's set guidelines," he said. "1 am not implying that there is anything • funny or illegal about it only that it could appear that way." Council endorsed the motion 'calling for set policies and guidelines and later voted in favor of the executive committee recommendation to continue with present policy. Exeter concerned with tax rise The council of the municipality of Exeter openly expressed its displeasure at the 13.6 per cent increase in requisitions by the County of Huron for 1984. In a letter to the executive committee of county council, Exeter town council expressed concern that the cqunty made no attempt to reduce the substantial increase in the 1984 requisition to member • municipalities. "Exeter council feel it will surely have a detrimental effect on Huron County's efforts to attract industry and tourism: Municipalities have to keep competitive in the field and high taxation will only deter. industry _and_caul -49TaMit assessinnt,'F.thenti ' resoion reat,, • 9Fix$808;000-Anto-then19841m o-re0aetwate; In speaking to the resolution initiated by itS road program, a Program council 'said had suffered because of budget restraint in his council, Exeter Reeve Bill A/fickle said that if the county was to maintain a previous years. competitive tax base, that county council The' resolution from the town of Exeter was noted and filed. would have to do its share. "We are concerned with the overall tax picture of the county," he said. "We have to embark on attracting industry and to do that we must have a competitive tax base. The increase in the budget does show good faith by the county. I hope you realize the impact the county budget has on the rest of the county." Prior to the passing of the county budget, town «of Goderiph municipal officials endorsed a resolution asking the county to reconsider its 1984 budget. While some of the 26 member municipalities endorsed the resolution, it was received and filed by the county. . County councillors injected an additional Hungai'lak Dancers from Brantford. Dr. Hans Heenenian, Vice -Consul of the Netherlands, MP Murray Cardiff and MPP Murray Elston will take part in the official opening. • A monster chicken barhecue will be serv- ed at 5 and 7 p.tn. and more entertainment will be featured during the dinner. The celebration will wind up with a dance, at the Clinton arena, starting at 9 p.M., with music by Whiskey Jack. As well, a Dutch play, 'N Wespennest, a three -act comedy will be • presented at 8 p.m. in the Clinton Christian School. The play is being staged by the - Woodstock Dutch Theatre Group. Klompen Feest is a fun -filled weekend and the town decks out in wooden shoes and traditional costume for the event. Throughout Clinton windmills will be turn- ing and tulips will be blooming for the fourth annual festival. The unique festival is held not only to celebrate the rich Dutch heritage of the area, but to bring local residents and tourists together for fun and fellowship. Clinton's Klompen Feest singers are' warming up for the town's annual celebration to honor the Dutch. Wearing the typical Dutch costume the group was rehearsing in Clinton Christian Reformed Church last Thursday night. Visitors and residents can be sure to icateli them in action during Klompen Feest this weekend, May 18 and 19. (Wendy Somer. Iville photo)