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Clinton News-Record, 1984-09-26, Page 1184CHF00000 03 Q 1 .-o 0 z incorporating TM BAY FLEW T TGT 4THE BLyrru.STANDARD 50 cents m No. 39 Wednesday, September 26, 1984 Costs still on the increase By Shelley McPhee CLINTON - Expenses f r the town hall - renovation work increased by at least $15,000 over budget this month. Not included in the original budget was financing for the wide pedestrian walkway that runs in front off the library and along the north side of the town hall by the Library Park. At their September 17 meeting, council agreed that it would be less expensive in the long run to complete the walkway work this year. Cost of the work is estimated to be at least $15,000. Council considered two options - to gravel the walkway for the winter nnonths and com- plete the work in 1985, or to install the inter- locking brick walkway this year. Councillor Bee Cooke reported that gravelling the area for the winter months would cost one-third the total price of brick- ing. She noted that public works crews were concerned that the stone chips could break windows in the town hall during snow removal. Council debated the pros and cons of both alternatives and voted on a motion made by Councillor Charlie Burgess. "Let's go ahead with the work and get it done," he stated in making the motion to in- stall the bricking this fall. When questioned about financing on the town hall, Mayor Chester Archibald said the final answer would come when the town received word on two grants. The federally funded Cultural Initiative Grant application and the provincially supp s rted Ont; io Neighborhood Improvement ; : p are government hands. The mayor cited the re- cent election at the federal level and elec- tion discussion at the provincial govern- ment, as reasoning for the delays. "If we get those grants we're in pretty good shape, but I don't know," Mayor Ar- chibald admitted. He said that the town may have to con- sider debenturing the extra costs in 1985. In February 1984, the estimated renova- tion costs were set at $1,275,000. As of July 23, 1984 'the town hall -police station and library renovation costs amounted to $1,235,100. At council's August 13 meeting, Clerk Cam Proctor indicated that costs could cost in the neighborhood of $1.4-niilliovt. Although council had understood that the budget was guaranteed to stay within a six per cent maximum increase, Councillor Jim Hunter said he understood, "six per cent for drawing up the building plans and six per cent for construction supervision." Town of Clinton Town Hall/Police Station/Library Expenditures to July 23, 1984 $106,166.95 Professional/Consultant Fees Professional Expenses 8,923.08 By Shelley McO''hee CLINTON - The completion date for renovations. at the town has is quickly near- ing and town council is in a process of iron- ing out final details. The police station moved into its new quarters this week and the municipal offices are expected to relocate within the next few weeks. Grand re -opening ceremonies are scheduled to take place. the week of October 27 to November 3. Included in the week-long line up of events are: Saturday, October 27 - Grand Re- opening Ceremony and Variety Night; Sun- day, October 28 - Community Service; Mon- day, October 29 - Crafts and Arts Day; Tues- day, October 30 Community Day; Wednes- day, October. 31 Children's Day; Friday, November 3 - Heritage Day; Saturday, November 3 - Pot Pourri. The schedule of events has been arranged by the town hall steering committee. After the gala opening celebrations, the steering committee will be disbanded and will be incorporated in the Clinton Recrea- tion Committee. Council members supported this proposal, presented by Councillors Jim Hunter and Gord Gerrits. Testing and Surveys $ 7,336.64 Contract : Gilvesy Construction Materials/Supp/Services $926,767.32 137,118.20 Parkette & Sidewalks $ 9,556.71 Library - Shelving Drapes - Flooring - Wood Restoration - Lamp Shades Miscellaneous $ 9,628.74 3,979.87 10,260.00 10,300.00 393.76 $ 4,668.87 $ 115,090.03 7,336.64 $1,063,885.52 9,556.71 $ 34,562.37 4,668.87 $1,235,100.14 tailsironed out ine recreation commuttee win iorm an arts and culture sub -committee. This group will oversee the town hall programs. Coun- cilhopes that some steering committee members will be interested in sitting on this new committee. Councillor Gerrits explained, "The pro- posal is to include arts as part of recrea- tion...The recreation committee sees that once the town hall becomes part of recrea- tion, it will generate income."• The formation of the arts and culture coin - m ittee will be the third group to work under the jurisdiction of recreation services in Clinton.' The present recreation. committee also includes arena, • and parks and playground sub -committees. Councillor Gerrits assured council that the arts and culture group would share an equal voice and be given equal funding with the other committees. Council also agreed that Recreation Director Kevin Duguay would be responsi- ble for bookings at the town hall auditorium. The town clerk's office will look after book- ings for the main floor committee rooms. • In supporting the motion, Councillor Ger- rits pointed' out,. "The recreation director is trained in this area, not only for bookings, but to find groups to bring in. He should be hunting for bookings, that's what the town hall needs." Council agreed to prepare a detailed set of guidelines for booking procedures. However, liquor licencing in the auditorium still remains a questionable area and coun- cil will ask an inspector to tour the facility and give his recommendations. - Mayer • Chester Archibald questioned whether it was necessary to offer bar facilities in the auditorium, but noted that most halls do offer this. He suggested that the town hall auditorium should not be pro- moted for dinners or functions that require liquor licencing. Council agreed that this could mean that the town hall auditorium would be booked for wedding receptions. This is one type of function that will be discouraged. Council reasoned that the town's Legion Hall and the arena auditorium already serve this area. Councillor Gord Gerrits noted, "There will be certain individuals who will want to buy the atmosphere (at the town hall). We're not in competition with the other facilities in town, we're an artistic addition. We can't discourage use if private in- dividuals want to rent it." Councillor Gerrits said he hoped the auditorium won't be booked oftenfor parties or wedding receptions, but he noted that council can't (turn down private functions. It may have been snowing in western Canada, but in this part of On- tario, summer ended on a warm note. Saturday saw sailors and sun lovers, on the shores of Lake Huron in Bayfield. Sunnier officially ended on September 22 and already we're getting a taste of what the autumn season is all about. (Shelley McPhee photo) 119th year sT- By;ste aoa ' mum study ►,. renis ....at,, atit' uurnbe that th+ uro>n Clop. r pin a o1 oricb, HuronCounty igarden on* C g said apresfres,' on Septmb2.1 that .county council will be bearing a mpree 'out tntatheionstudy. from the two men who car- Architect. arArchitect Chris Borgat of Blyth and Bruce County Museum Curator Klaus Breede, representing Museums Program- mes Collaborative of Toronto, have been slated for a 1:30 p.m. presentation to coun- ty council on Thursday, October 4. The warden extended a special invita- tion nvitestion to the public to come and hear the two men. This meeting, said the warden, will be the only opportunity the public will have to hear the men speak on the study. Although as at any county council meeting, the public is not allowed to stand warden' wants in ufrom , the up and a c ions of s put from public. 1Nre want to tell us what they think," �... said. There have' been two:public meetings on the museum with about 100 people in total attending.. The warden said he knows there is in- terest in the museum as he recalled Picketing in front of the court house. It was about two years ago when a number of Goderich residents protested the suggestion of moving the museum out of Goderich. The museum first opened in 1951 with the late 3.11; Neill, the man who started the collection, as curator. The current curator, Ray Scotchmer, has served in that capacity since 1969. From 1965 until 1969, James Chisholm was the curator. Kevin and Steve Souch of Blyth said their feet were a little sore, but all other participants this year, they, received Marathon of Hope the brothers successfully completed the 1984 Terry Fox Run. Like certificates. (Shelley McPhee photo) Bryan Smith to lead PCs Huron -Middlesex party, ready for election More than 500 people filled the South Huron District High School auditorium in Exeter on September 19 to witness the un- contested nomination of Lucan salesman Bryan Smith as Progressive Conservative (PC) candidate for the Huron -Middlesex riding. The turn -out was one of the largest ever, according to riding association , President Tom Jasper of Goderich and the prevailing mood of upbeat optimism was as buoyant as the hundreds of blue balloons tugging at their moorings throughout the room. Among the large, enthusiastic crowd were such PC luminaries as Huron -Bruce MP Murray Cardiff, fresh from the first caucus meeting of the newly elected federal Tories, neighboring MPP Bob Eaton, former pro- vincial cabinet ministers Charles Mac - Naughton and Bill Stewart and guest speaker Gordon Walker, Ontario Secretary of Justice. Mr. Smith w‘nominated by Elmer Bell, QC, who recalled the beginning of "a glorious period" after he had acted in a similar capacity for Charles MacNaughton in 1958. Mr. Smith, accompanied to the platform by wife Beth and daughter Heather, promis- ed to work hard to get one of the most agriculturally productive ridings m the pro- vince back "on the government side in the legislature". The candidate said his primary concern is jobs for all, not just the young, and the op- portunity for higher education and job retraining in new technology. Another concern is elimination of the capital gains tax when a farm is turned over to someone carrying on the family farm tradition. Referring to farmers as the backbone of the country, Mr. Smith said they should be assured their work will be honoured and preserved. He also believes senior citizens, no longer able to cope in their own homes, should be accommodated in comfortable' quarters in their own community rather than having to leave family, friends and familiar com- munity. "I don't have all the answers, but I'm will- ing to listen, and to fight for your concerns at Queen's Park", he concluded. Gordon Walker corroborated Bruce Shaw's description of the guest speaker as a "rebel on the right". In his remarks, Mr. Walker affirmed his well-publicized views on the importance of the family, the com- munity, hard work, responsibility for one's actions, and the free enterprise system. Mr. 'walker said the family is all- important, with the responsibility of rearing .children and the sacred trust of caring for the elderly. The individual in need should be able to turn first to the community for assistance and support. "The Conservatives won't concede a monopoly on compassion or caring to the NDP or the Liberals", Mr. Walker stated. He said the Conservative party was built on faith in the importance of hard work, which returns not only a monetary reward, but a sense of self-worth and accomplish- ment. He is a staunch advocate of the free enterprise system, and its emphasis on in- itiative and rewards. Speaking as a former corrections minister, Mr. Walker said lack of discipline in the home today contributes to the criminal of tomorrow. He has proposed a system of compensation for the victims of criminal acts. In reply to the unspoken question hanging in the air. Mr. Walker said, "Yes, there will be an election within the next year," but coyly added he was not prepared to specify whether that would be the calendar year, the fiscal year or the next 12 months. Whenever it comes, the Conservatives of Huron -Middlesex are ready. Huron Atlas will be mut in '85 Work on the Huron County atlas is pro- gressing favorably county council learned Thursday and the finished product will be for sale in the new year for $45. In her monthly report to council, atlas co- ordinator Bev Brown said that while the pro- cess appeared to be slow, much progress was being made. "I'm pleased. Things are coming along now and we are doing layout," she explained. "There was some delay with the maps. Putting it together is like a jigsaw puzzle with five million pieces." Most of the material for the atlas has been processed and two people have been engag- ed for editing and material processing. The cover of the atlas has been designed by Gwen Kiar of Goderich. Experienced in both layout and design, Gwen has been hired for the project at a rate of $10 per hour. Her cover design embodrs the county crest, the provincial symbol and the Canadian flag in gold leaf on a green background. A revised budget for the atlas project, showing total expenditures of $17$,750, was approved by council. The committee has realized over $90,000 through the sale of space and the balance of the revenue is to be generated through the sale of books. Total expenses to date were estimated at $16,786. While the revised budget was endorsed by council, the cost of the atlas sparked spirited debate. The steering committee recommended that the atlas sell for $45 while retailers would be eligible for a 30 per cent discount and charitable and volunteer organizations purchasing in excess of 10 books would be eligible for a 15 per cent dis- count. However, a motion asking the committee to re-evaluate the situation was endorsed when Reeve Don Johnston suggested that any licenced retailer could purchase a number of books, resell them at a much lower rate than the going price of $45 and still realize a profit. "This could open a whole can of worms," he said. "Many retailers could buy the books and I think we whould review the wor- ding of the clause." It was the committee's intention to offer the 30 per cent discount to only the 12 or 15 bookstores in the county that would normal- ly sell that kind of product, editor A.Y. McLean explained. He further suggested that Johnston had a valid point and that the committee should reconsider the clause.