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Clinton News-Record, 1984-09-12, Page 1tic tit' pnrnit ng Wednesday, September 12, 1984 Rain d�esn't.dampen spirits Bivth has record breaker day BLYTH - Even though it rained on their reunion, organizers were pleased with the way the 23rd annual Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association Reunion turned out. According to Association Secretary Marian Hallahan, there was record break- ing attendance Saturday. It looked as though the crowds would continue to come m Sunday, until the rain started at 1 p.m. "Last year there were about 12,000 people attending the events, but this year we were down about 700 people," she explained: "But if the rain had held out, we would have done even better." Despite the attendance drop, every other aspect of the reunion was up from previous years. The arena floor was filled to capacity with craft exhibitors and there were twice as many campers spending the weekend on the grounds. To kick-off the weekend, the Village of Blyth held a Bicentennial parade with 53 err` tries and 23 decorated bicycles. Leading the parade was the Clinton Legion Pipe Band, The Blyth Fire Department was on hand both Saturday and Sunday mornings to serve a total of 275 plates of pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee and orange juice. This compares to last year's approximate total of 170 plates. Jim Howson of the Department, estimated that 40 pounds of pancake mix was used. The profits from this year's breakfasts will go towards equipmen for their emergency van. People attending the reunion must have been hungry as the hot, meals were com- pletely sold out Saturday. Mrs. Hallahan also stated that there were twice as many concession booths outside on the grounds. The Huron County Pioneer Museum had their bean pot filled with delicious beans on the weekend. When the beans were cooked and ready to be served,the pot was washed and corn on the cob was cooked by steam. The Museum also offered popcorn and hot and cold cider. On Saturday many enjoyed some old tyme music, pulling their lawn chairs out and tak- ing in the good weather, as well as the enter- tainment. "On the whole, everything was super. We (organizers) were quite pleased with the weekend," concluded Mrs. Hallahan. Area people support the arts By Shelley McPhee 27 per cent favored folk. Other choices CLINTON - Young and elderly, town were: ensembles, 24 per cent; ballet, 21 per residents and rural neighbors are interested , ,cent brass, 21 per cent; jazz, 19 per cent, in seeing a variety of live entertainment at"symphony, 19 per cent; solo, 16 per cent. the Clinton Town Hall auditorium. ` :° types of Results of a questionnaire presented to "�` The survey also determined what Clinton and area people showed that 93 per Craft gain dlthearlhidislagh intst rating witerest localh 15 per cent are interested in seeing more entertain- cent, followed closely by art at 13 per cent; ment and cultural events in Clinton. school displays, home and garden and anti - The survey, completed by 176 petiople, was quer, each with 12 per cent; photography, 11 developed and compiled by the Town Hall , per cent; museum displays and heritage, 9 Steering Committee. It was Oven to- lip t h'lt' 7percentres ponse. students at seven area schools, to local ser- vice groups and organizations and available to the public at several Clinton businesses. The survey was devised to dtermine public interest in the Town Hall Au tori n � According to Clinton Recreatio it -Kevin• Duguay, it -will be 'a. decisi feted a no remark,rating. tool for the steering committee to work with. The survey was compiled by Recreation It was answered by people ranging in ages from under 18 to over 65, and by residents of Committee summer employees Colleen De - Clinton and surrounding communities. Jong and Kent Colquhoun, with assistance Mr. Duguay explained that the committee of Marilyn McMahon, a steering committee realized that Clinton encompassed more • member. than the town limits and also included rural Mr. Duguay noted, "Their collective roles communities. He noted, "They should not be in preparing, distributing and reporting this ignored or forgotten." survey required patience and tedious Survey results showed that Clinton and area people, young and elderly, are in- terested in a wide range of arts and crafts. Thirty-one per cent of those who answered showed interest in comedy theatre. Another 22 per cent favored children's•theatre and 17 per cent chose modern theatre. Films rated 16 per cent, puppet shows received 8 per cent and mime theatre was supported by 7 per cent. • Vocal music preferences were: popular, 23 per cent; country, 22 per cent; rock, 21 per cent; folk, 14 per cent; opera, 14 per cent; choral, 10 per cent and jazz, 6 per cent. Fifty-two per cent of those surveyed preferred modern instrumental music and ;percen enc ; qui nog, Ninety-three per cent of the people who responded to the survey indicated that they are interested in attending the Town Hall rand opening. Two' per cent said they would not attend, another three per cent re- ained uncommitted and bp per cent of- • work." He noted that the steering committee was pleased with the results of the survey. "It shows what the public wants. It gives council and the steering committee a solid background, he explained. The committee will work to develop pro- grams based on a results of the survey. However, Mr. Duguay noted, "It won't hap- pen overnight. There will be a few curves. The road ahead won't be straight. We want to make sure we're offering what the public wants." The committee will now focus their efforts on the week-long . grand opening events .scheduled.for mid-October. An evai ation of the celebration will be d 1f by committee members .at the, ng.• Mr. Duguay emphasized, ,? ,feedback is particularly impor- tant." Three participants in the Iast survey were awarded for their efforts in a special, draw. Wendy Walker from RR 5 Clinton, Mrs. Jankowski from Londesboro and Kelly Mason from Vanastra, each received $10 gift certificates from •three Clinton businesses. The Huron County Board of EducatOn has made a•o�tineit t4 keep Vanastra. ?Olio School open if stuide numbers .and•costs mean it has to close, it should be the Ministry of 4ducation that closes it, one trustee said'. The board, at Its September session, discussed a ire which' outlined the im- pact on the POO if Vanastra P,S, is closed, if a school buildin 'is Purchased from Con- e ga: College„ or the board continues to rent from the college, It was Trustee John Jewitt who said the provincial ministry should be reponsible for closing the school if nece$eary. Trustee Joan Van Den Broeck said the board shouldn't waver on. a decision it has already made, "We should slake sure that the ministry is aware that it is our wish to preserve the school," said Mrs. Van Den Broeck. ho l open The report presented by director of educa- tion Robert Allan outlined financial con -•.t siderations in the above three situations.. "The financial considerations are directl'; related to enrolment trends,', states the report's summary. Enrolment at the school has steadily declined since it was first opened in 1977.. The school started with 138 students that year and in 1983 had only 92 students.. • Current costs, or the cost of renting the facilities from Conestoga College for the 1984-85 school year is $35,897 - up from the 1983-84 cost of $35,019. About half of this coat is paid by the ministry. If the board owned the school the total: • cost, has been estimated at $554,194. This in, eludes one -time -only costs of $50,000' for the purchase and about $475,000for renovations. ' Mr. Allan said the purchase price is "speculation" on his part. Turn to page 2 Terry Vox Run to go CLINTON - The Annual Terry Fox run For the Marathon of Hope ) will be staged in Clinton on Sunday September 23 9:30 a.m. starting from the Central Huron Secondary School. Participants may walk or jog the 10 k route. Pledge sheets are available from any of the following locations Recreation Office, Mac's Milk, Blue Fountain, Bartliff's, Local Schools and Harold Wise Ltd. This is your opportunity to help continue this dreamthat the courageous Terry Fox started for all Canadians. Even if you cannot find time. to participate in the run your support in pledging a participant is just as important.. For more details contact any of the following individuals, Allan Lavis, Dave Wise, or the Recreation Director. See you on' Sunday ( rain or shine) ! ! Beecher Menzies and Maynard Corrie, illustrated the art of oyster shucking at the Cluton Lions Seafood Feast. The September 8 dinner -dance was attended by more than 250 peo- ple. Profits will help finance the Clinton wading pool. (Shelley McPhee photo) 1[�1.. whistles were blowing, the engines were fired up and the giant'Nearly..12,000 people took in the three-day, event. u,,achines rolled around the Blyth Community Park on September photo) 8 and 9 when the 23rd annual Threshermen's Reunion was held. (Shelley McPhee tanley okays X1,576,000 budget By Anne Narejko STANLEY. TWP - Council has approved the 1984 budget of $1,576,000, an increase of 6.5 per cent over the 1983 budget. However, they under cut last year's budget increase by2.8percent Clerk Mel Graham explained that the cost of the recently completed Community Com- plex will be averaged out over the next five years, and therefore did not add to the budget. He also•explained that the budget was not effected by the 'expense of the building because money was set aside in a reserve fund last year. ' The residential public school supporter with an assessment of $3,000 will see .taxes go up $49.77. With a mill rate of 270.12, the Three -hundred and twenty-five fresh lobsters, 75 pounds.of salmon and 60 dozen oysters were devoured at a feast put on by the Clinton Lions on September 8. Lion Dan Steyn was chief salmon chef while Bob McKinley (background) steamed the lobster. The seafood was flown in, fresh from Halifax. Lions hope to host a similar dinner next year. (ShelleyMePhee photo) 9 • taxpayer will pay $810.36 compared to the 1983 mill rate of 253.53 and taxes of $760.59. ' A commercial public school supporter with the same assessment will, seetaxes raised $58.56. They will pay $953.34 com- pared to the 1983 figure of $894.78. Last year's mill rate was 298.26 and the 1984 rate is 317.78. A separate school residential taxpayer. with a $3,000 assessment will find taxes in- creased by $51.96. Last year they paid $757.38 and this year will be paying $809.34. The mill rate was set at 252.46 last year and has increased to 269.78. The same commercial taxpayer with the same assessment will see taxes increased by •$61.14, paying $952.14 compared to $891 last year. The mill rate is set at 317.38 from last year's figure of 297. ' According to Clerk Graham, the increases in the 1984 budget are general and cannot be attributed to any one area. Drainage Loans In other business, Council accepted seven applications for tile drainage loans valued at $37,900. One loan worth ,100 was given. With the completion of the Community Complex, the old township hall and workshop are no longer needed. Tenders to remove the building are being accepted. Community Complex The insurance premium on the Communi- ty Complex will total $9,102, up $1,052 from insurance paid last year. Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone business will be moving their business into the Complex, 'sharing the administration with the Township of Stanley. For the past 21 years, the business has been in the home of Mel Graham, who added an extra room to his house the business 10 years ago. Meetings Meetings concerning by-laws will be started on September 25. Township Council and the planning department will be meeting prior to the public meetings. The meetings will mainly concern the zoning of land within the villages. Council meetings have been changed from the first Monday of the. month to the second Tuesday. According to Clerk Graham, more time is needed to get the books in order as they have changed their system to the Basic Accounting Principle. Riddell seeks more action on drinking- driving issue By Shelley McPhee CLINTON - Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell wants municipalities in his district to establish committees to combat drinking and driving problems. His request follows a similar one made • last. fall by Attorney General Roy McMur- try. • Clinton Council reacted to Mr. Riddell's request in the same way they treated Mr. McMurtry's proposal. In both cases town councillors agreed that drinking and driving were serious problems. Councillors in- dividually offered comments,' but remained silent when the committee proposal was suggested. At council's August 27 meeting Mayor Chester Archibald noted, "I admit, I didn't take any initiative or leadership in it per- sonally." Inst December the Attorney General wrote to nfunicipal councils across the pro- vince, asking them to establish local drinking -driving committees. The request followed a task force report which conclud- ed that community efforts would, "enable us to tackle the problem on all levels - law, education, conventional and alternative sentencing, rehabilitation programs and communications." • In a letter to Clinton Council, Mr. Riddell wroto "To this time very few municipalities in the Huron -Middlesex riding have responded positively and being personally concerned about the number of impaired drivers on our roads, I am writing this letter to encourage your council to establish a U► run a lg-Ul LV Lug '.o113111166ee. Mr. Riddell said . that local committee's 'could help, "lead in combatting one of the most serious problems orour day." He reported that one in eight drivers is im- paired by alcohol and that 2,500 people lost their lives to drinking -drivers in Canada last year. -You have to look no further for proof of the gravity of the situation," he wrote. An Ontario director, David Bruce of Toronto, is available to advise local councils on the composition of the committee, its goals, use of local resources, fund • raising and public relations. Mr. Riddell also reported "that the At- torney General would be holding a November conference on drinking and driv- ing counter-measures, focussing on com- munity action. Mayor Archibald asked council 4 they were interested in setting up, a' committee. He also suggested that some local organiza- tion could spearhead it. Commenting on drinking and driving, he noted, "The sentencing seems to be where the problem is." Councillor Ross Carter added, "How come you can get less time in jail for runn- ing ovensofnebody than you do for stealing a truck? Property is always worth more than human, life. Until they change that attitude, they'll have problems." Mayor Archibald suggested writing to Mr. cerns. Riddell, emphasizing Clinton Council's con - Council didn't take any action on his pro- posal, or Mr. Riddell's request.