Clinton News-Record, 1985-08-28, Page 1y
I: I
1, NO. 35 ®120T1I YEAR.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1985
50 CENTS
THE OLD MILL ROAD
41/
Two methods., of repair recommended
By Alan Rivett '
BAYFIE.LD - A London engineering firm
has found the village's Old Mill Road clearly.
"unstable" and recommended possible
methods of repairing the sinking roadway in
a draft engineering study released to the
public at the•council meeting August 19.
The 35 -page document,. prepared by the
engineering firm of Golder and Associates
of London, states the upper portion of the
hill heading in a southerly direction is
"marginally"stable" while the road section
which runs toward the river is unstable.
Because of the technical nature of the
report, council held a planning meeting on
August 15 in which the engineering firm of
B.M. Ross and Associates of Goderich ex-
plained the report in layrrians terms.
The study found the sinking of the road
was caused by an unusually high water
table due to the higher amounts of precipita-
tion in the area over the past 10' years. The
' erosion of the roadway along with the ad-
ding of fill to properties also contributed to
�the slippage of the Old Mill Road.
Two methods of repair were recommend-
ed in the report. The first method called rip -
rap involves putting rocks at the tip of the.
river to the toe of the road to re -stabilize the
road and prevent the slippage with granular
fill to be placed overtop. Sheet piling, the se-
cond method, calls for a combination of rip -
rap along with a steel wall built at the base
of the river. The road would also be re -
sloped, sub -surface drains would be in-
stalled and the existing trees would be
removed to relieve the weight from the
bank. The work could begin by 1986.
• The estimated cost of the project is
$200,000 for rip -rap construction while sheet
piling construction would cost $530,000. If
the work cannot be done from land, an extra
$60,000 would be added to the construction
costs of the two methods if a barge has to be
used. Reeve Dave' Johnston warned that the
quoted costs are "only an estimated opi-
nion" and only takes into account the an-
ticipated costs to do the remedial work. He
added the Old Mill Road project is the
highest priority for the municipality to put
the road back to its natural two lane state.
"It's a serious situation the village is fac-
ed with. Council is concerned because the
road is a priority item for the people' who
live there and the pedple who use the road
for pleasure," he said.
The road, which is open to one lane of traf-
fic, services three permanent homes, 12 cot-
tages, the marina and a commercial fishing
business. Long Mill Road is the only road ac-
cess to the beach;says Reeve Johnston. •
The report also included ,a recommenda-
tion that council close the road and look for
an alternative route to the beach. Council
concluded, however, that this was not possi-
ble because there is no other access to the -
beach except Marrow Street which was
described to be too steep. Also, the ex-
propriation of all lands including private.
property at the beachin order to establish, a
new route would prove to be a "nightmare"
for the council.
The next step, says Reeve Johnston, is to
provide the .report to the Ministry of
Transportation and Communications,
Ausauble Bayfield Conservation Authority,
the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and
B.M. Ross and Associates, the village's
engineering firm, to see what concerns they
have regarding the project. He hopes to
have a meeting' with their representatives in
the next two to three weeks.
"We hope the meeting will give us an idea
of where we can go from there. We'll find
out if we're in concurrence with what is to be
done. They may have a different interpreta-
tion," said Reeve Johnston.
With respect to funding, the council will
contact the area's MP Murray Cardiff and
MPP Jack Riddell in the near future. They
will be provided with a copy of the
engineers' report and asked to find out what
funding programs would be available both
federally and provincially for the proposed
project, says Reeve Johnston. In the in-
terim, he and council intend to keep the
public informed on further developments
concerning the project.
Clowns are always a popular addition to a parade. They'll do threatening rain at time; the fair can again be declared a success.
almost anything to bring a wide grin to faces of parade -goers. This with enough games, competitions, an exhibits to interest everyone.
clown gives a balloon to one of the many youngsters who lined the (Alan Rivett photo)
Bayfield parade route on August 24. Although the weather was
Countylowin match shows alternative
By Stephanie Levesque
For the first time ever a soil conservation
class will be featured at the Huron County
Plowing Match slated for Sept. 13 and 14.
Sponsored by the Huron County soils and
crop improvement association, the class is
being offered to show,an alternative to con-
ventional plowing methods, said association
president Jim Ross of RR 3, Wingham.
Ross said those interested in plowing will
be gathered at the match anyway. The 1985
match is being held on the Nott Brothers
farm .located on Highway 8 between
Seaforth and Clinton.
"This ( the soil conservation class might
be something farmers will want to look at,"
said Ross.
The association has been considering of-
fering a class for soil conservation - tillage
in the plowing match for some time now. He
hopes the class will grow each year.
Soil conservation specialists from the
county will judge the event. Tentatively
scheduled to determine the outcome of the
class are Jane Sadler -Richards, Rob, Traut,
John Heard and Brian Hall.
Traut, a conservation agronomist, said
there are no limitations on the type of equip-
ment that can be used in this class, except
that it should be equipment used for
primary or fall tilling. Modified moldboard
plows, a chisel plow °or a modified chisel
plow with sweep teeth are examples of the
type of equipment expected to be used.
"Last year at the Perth County match, so-
meone used a homemade piece bf tillage
equipment. It was not effective, but it shows
ingenuity. We like to see that as well," said
Traut.
Total points for the conservation class are
100. Points are deducted for unsafe equip-
ment and unsafe operation of equipment,
said Traut.
The most points, 400, are given for residue
cover. The conservation agronomist said
the judges are looking for anywhere from 50
to 54 per cent residue cover. Anything more
or less costs points.
Other areas to be judged are the soil sur-
face roughness which is the relationship of
the ridge spaee to the ridge height and the
depth of tillage.
Friday, Sept. 13 will be a practice day said
Traut and he and the other judges will be on
the match site to give assistance.
First prize for the conservation class is
$35, second prize is $25 and third prize is $15.
The usual highlight of the plowing match
is the Queen of the Furrow competition. Any
Huron County females between the ages of
16 and 25 should contact Marie McGavin,
Ruth Townsend or Helen Craig, all of the
Walton area.
Besides the regular plowing classes on the
Saturday, the junior match will be held on
Friday and there are competitions for the
non -plower including log sawing and nail
driving.
Prizes are awarded at the banquet which
is held in October.
No significant changes in area schools.
By Stephanie Levesque
A slight downward trend in projected stu-
dent enrolment figures won't mean any
significant changes in Huron County schools
says Arnold Mathers, superintendent of pro-
gram.
Last week, Mathers said the • only area
showing an increase is at the schools for the
trainable mentally retarded. This fall there
are expected to be 83 pupils in such schools,
compared to 68 last fall.
"They're almost all directly related to the
fact that developmentally handicapped
students are coming on stream," he said.
Previously, these students carne under
the jurisdiction of the ministry of communi-
ty and social services.
There are 5,990 students expected this fall
in Huron's elementary schools. Last
September, there were 6,065 students in the
kindergarten to Grade 8 classes.
The student number changes expected are
spread throughout the county and no one
school is experiencing a great drop in enrol-
ment.
"There are no particular trends in the
enrolment figures," he said.
He did say the projected enrolment
figures at J.A. D. McCurdy, Hensall and
Vanastra public schools don't change much.
These schools recently went through accom-
• modation reviews. The school board agreed
to keep them open.
Hensall is expected to have four more
students while the other two schools are
predicting small decreases. However
Mathers said Vanastra and McCurdy are
located . in areas where there are a large
number of rentsl pits which makes *clic-
tions difficult.
Enrolment at the secondaryschool level
will remain virtually the same. Last year
there were 3,789 students and 3,782 are ex-
pected this Sept. 3.
Turn to page 2
Graeme Hunter is one student who is not looking forward to going back to school. The
seven-year-old would prefer to have summer vacation year round. ( Anne Narejko photo)
It's time to hit the books
By Anne Narejko
. CLINTON - For some it's pure torture,
others find it rewarding, and still others are
ho-hum about the whole idea. The reasons
for their thoughts are varied and numerous.
Just hearing the word "school" conjures
up images that range from a tall figure,
dressed in black, tightly gripping a yard
stick while explaining the multiplication
tables, to a pleasant mannered, smiling per-
son sharing unlimited knowledge.
• Regardless of the students' opinion, on the
matter, it is back to school time. Time to
sharpen pencils and pencil crayons and buy
new clothing in preparation for 10 mybnths of
reading, 'riling and 'rithrrietic.
In order to find out exactly what the local
children's thoughts were on the subject, the
Clinton News -Record went directly to the
source. Out of the 12 children who were ask-
ed whether they are looking forward to go-
ing back to school, seven said yes, two said
nope and three said sort of.
Jeff Lobb will be entering Gr. 1 at Clinton
Public School this year and says he likes
school because "I get to go out for recess
and play with my brother when they play
tag."
The six-year-old wasn't sure which was
his favorite subject but doesenjoy the
teachers.
wl" had a nice teacher. Her name was Mrs.
Rogerson." . .
When Steven Morely was asked if he en-
joyed school, his reply was, "Well, ya. I'm
looking forward to going back because the
summer's been boring:"
When Steven hears the word school, the
first word that comes to mind is "darn." He
explained this by stating, "I've got to get up
in the morning, and I like to sleep in. But I
still want to go back.'
The Gr. 6 student feels that his trip to
Canada's Wonderland. was the highlight of
his summer because there were plentfyi of
rides.
Six-year-old Jill McMahon will be tackling
Gr. 1 at St. Joseph's Separate School this fall
and is definitely looking forward to the
challenge.
"I want to go back because I want to pass
all of the grades," she said.
Jill doesn't have a favorite subject
because she likes "working on everything."
And, of course, one of the highlights of
back to school fora young lady is new
clothing and Jill didn't miss the chance to
get a pair of leather pants and a leather
shirt.
Six-year-old Cindy Gibbings is another
student who likes school. When someone
mentions the word school to her, she thinks
of "writing, playing outside and, um, and
when you have to line up at the door for
snack. And now we can go out for recess and
bring our snacks."
Playing outside is what Cindy enjoys the
most at school and feels this will give her
ample opportunity to wear her new pink jog-
ging suit and her blue and white shoes.
. Cindy's favorite pastime this summer?
"Riding my bike after Playground."
Kevin Meade was the first person the Clin-
ton News -Record encountered who didn't
want to go back to school. The nine-year-old
stated, "I just don't like it."
When asked why he doesn't like school, he
said, "I don't like the teachers. I'd rather go
to Playground because we get to do crafts,
play outside and play games. Just play and
do crafts." -
Kevin, who is going into Gr. 4, does well in
school despite his attitude. His favorite sub-
ject is math and his least favorite subject is
spelling. The highlight of Kevin's summer
vacation was a trip to Niagara Falls with his
parents.
"Ya, sort of," was Shawn Chipchases
answer when asked if he was looking, for-
ward to ,another school year. "When I'm at
home there's nothing to do there and,I ask
my mom and she doesn't' know, or she gives
me work to do. At school there's something
to do."
Although Shawn's favorite . subject is
math; he enjoys all aspects of track and
field, excluding high jump and cross-
country. But Shaw #'s fa ite. teacher
doesn't teach physics ' ti It n or math.
She is his music teacher.
"I guess my music teacher, Mrs. *LeBeau,
i' my favorite teacher. She doesn't get mad
as easily."
Gr. 5 pupil Shane MacDonald is eager to
go back to school, stating, "Oh ya, I want to
go back because I don't see half my friends
in the summer...they all live in town but
have cottages and go camping."
When Shane hears the word school, atten-
dance comes to mind.
"I try for my attendance. I've got two of
them now. One for Gr. 3 and the other for
Gr. 4," he explained.
Shane's favorite subject is "gym because
I' get high marks. I like playing hockey,
baseball, soccer, volleyball and track and
field."
The subject he dislikes the most is
language because "it's boring."
Seven-year-old Graeme Hunter was asked
whether he was looking to forward to school.
His answer was a simple "nope." When askL
ed for a reason why, he stated, "I don't like
teachers and the math questions are too
hard."
Graeme's favorite subject is not math,
English, gym or any of the usual subjects.
He says that fighting is his favorite subject.
"Yep, fighting at recess," said the Gr. 3
student. "I fight with lots of people in Gr. 6
and I can even take on some in Gr. 7."
Other than fighting4Graeme enjoys gym.
Turn to page 3.
Wendy McFarlan of Clinton brought historic recognition to the Clinton Kinette Club this
past week. At the Kinette National Convention, held in Toronto, Wendy received the top
award, the Dinette Junior Bulletin Trophy. It is the first time that the Craton Kinettes
have earned.the award. As Bulletin.Editor Wendy won the district level award earlier
this y and went on to the national finals. Canada wide, the Kinette Club involves seven
districts and more than 370 clubs. (Shelley McPhee photo)