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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-06-22, Page 1,•• - ••• /.• • 1,••,•'„,. ,••••,• •, 135 YEAR -25 ••• the oderich GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22,1983 •‘• 50 CENTS PER COPY A ,t sra..t„fi,•••," Prior to the official opening of The Livery. federal, provincial and municipal members of government including Murray Cardiff, Jack Riddell and Eileen Palmer, were taken on a tour of Goderich. Horse-drawn carriages took the dignitaries throughout the town while local points of interest were pointed out as were historic sites.( photo by T.Marr) The Livery opens its doors An official opening of any building is only as spectacular as the people involved make it. This past Saturday, to the delight of organizers and spectators, The Livery opened with much fan- fare. Dressed in period costumes, members' of the Goderich Arts Foundation welcomed representatives of the federal. provincial and municipal governments as well as hundreds of local residents. Prior to the opening ceremonies, the dignitaries were taken on a horse-drawn tour of Goderich. The tour, which lasted for one hour, pointed out the town's historic sites. After returning to The Livery many of the officials commented on the hard work and effort which had gone into opening the multi -use facility. Richard Mortimer of the Ministry off Citizenship and Culture said, -The Ministry recognizes The Livery organizers' commitment and we applaud the results" Murray Carcliff, MP Huron -Bruce pointed out, "The Livery will be an important part of this community and I am sure we will all enjoy it." Goderich Mayor Eileen Palmer acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved. "I commend the Boatd of Directors of the Goderich Arts Foun dation for their tireless efforts," she said. Mayor -Telmer added, "I also commend the many benefactors for without their help this project could not have been done." Following the speeches, Dorothy Wallace a founding member of the Goderich MIs Foun- dation and a driving force belling The Livery, was called upon to cut the ribbon. Before cutting the ribbon Mrs. Wallace ex- plained, "It's impossible to express what's in the hearts of the Foundation members at this time. We've been to the depths of depression and now the heights of joy." In recognizing and thanking others who had helped, Mrs. Wallace said, -To see a building that will serve for at least another 150years, that will be our reward." „;:,5 •-•// ..‘„,•• • Jack Riddell MPP for Huron Middlesex chats with local resfdents dressed in period costumes. Riddell was on hand for the opening of The Livery on Sa(urday, June 1134photo hy T.Marr) • Local police say criticism is unfair BY JOANNE BUCHANAN The local police force is facing a lot of unfair public criticism due to a recent article printed in the Signal - Star, a delegation of three police officers told the Goderich Police Commission at a meeting last Tuesday. Constable George Lonsbary, president of the Goderich Police Association, headed the delegation which also included Sergeant Gerry Hilgendorff and Constable Pete Mason. Referring to an article printed in this newspaper last month about a female motorist being harassed on The Square and the policing of The Square in general, Lonsbary told the commission that the incident involving Marj Gardner had been "blown up, way out of proportion" without giving the police a fair chance for rebuttal: ' Lonsbary, who was the officer on duty the night Mrs. Gardner asked for police assistance in getting off The Square, told the commission he felt that Mrs. Gardner had over -reacted to the situation. "In my opinion, there are not too many people, even beginner drivers, who couldn't have gotten off The Square that night," he said. Lonsbary explained that while there were several other cars on The Square, none of them were speeding and much of the verbal abuse which Mrs. Gardner thought was being directed at her was ac- tually being directed at him. _ -She just shut her car down and refused to move," Lonsbary said. He explained that although he was extremely busy that evening, he took time out to escort Mrs. Gardner to her home at Meneset Park which he felt was more than fulfilling his duty to her. Lonsbary suggested that if such complaints from citizens should arise again in the future at com- mission meetings, the police officer involved should be invited,to attend the meeting so that "both sides of the story can be presented". However, commission members said they had dealt with the matter "acie cording to parliamentary prnennffure" and would deal with such matters in a similar fasision in the future. Commission chairman Alvin McGee told the of- ficers that perhaps Mrs. Gardner's side of the story was emphasized in the newspaper "because that makes for more interesting reading." Regarding the same newspaper article, the delegation of officers said they were also concerned - about comments in it that were made by commission members on police attitude. Constable Mason said if the conunission was concerned about an individual officer's attitude, that officer should be informed of this concern instead of "blaming the whole force for an attitude problem." Some comoussionomemsoob tom uwoonented in the article that the local officers were perhaps too friendly with young offenders. Mason responded to this with, "It has been my policing experience that it is better to work with these people." He was later backed by Police Chief Pat King who said he thought it was a good thing for police to be friendly as this attitude later prevents unnecessary antagonism. Mayor Eileen Palmer said, "I agree you should work with them but you don't have to be buddy - buddy. There should be a happy medium." Regarding -111e policing of 'The Square (which was questioned after the incident with Mrs. Gardner), Chief King told the commission that "contrary to popular belief, everything does not happen on The Square." He said The Square was no worse than any other town's main street and that it only looked like everything was happening there because of its unique layout. Chief To back up these statements, King presented statistics which showed that of all occurrences in- vestigated by police in 1982, only six percent of them took place on The Square. He also said that for the first quarter of this year, occurrences on Tbe Square were down five per cent from last year. Of all the Highway Traffic Act charges laid this year from January 1 to June 13, 22 percent of them were laid on The Square. Of all the liquor charges laid, 30 percent of them were laid on The Square. And, of all the warnings issued, 13 percent of them were , issued on The Square. Chief King gave further statistics which said charges for unnecessary noise, most of which were raid on The Square, were up 900 percent and likewise, charges for unnecessary slow driving were up 200 percent_ On the other hand, disturbance complaints were down 50 percent and traffic complaints down 51 percent. Chief King said, "If you look at the statistics, it is clear that the police are paying a lot of attention to The Square." However, he said he would carry out the commission's request formore footpatrol on The Square and measure its effectiveness. Chairman McGee said, "Some people seem to think foot patrol is a cure-all. It will be interesting to see if there is any change now that the foot patrol orderhas been issued." Constable Mason pointed out to the commission that "we do have the whole town to patrol" and he informed them that "I try to -do the job the best I Can." McGee assured the three-man delegation, "We regard you as professionals, we pay you as professionals and the commission is here to back you as professionals. We leave the policing to you." Water will cost 2 more per month Utility customers in the town of Goderich will be paying an additional 552 per month on their water bills probably beonning in July. ' At its regular meeting Monday, council passed a bylaw authorizing the PUC to charge customers $3 per month above the rates required to cover normal operating costs_ Customers already pay an extra $1 per month, which is set aside in a reserve account for the expansion of the water distribution, filtration and storage system. The town's share of the $2 million project is $1.1 million and the $1 monthly surcharge is only raising $38,000 annually. Increasing the monthly surcharge to $3 will pump $111,060 into the reserve account annually. While the surcharge will raise a substantial portion of the town's share of the cost, Achninistrator Larry McCabe pointed out that council may still have to borrow to meet costs. The project ralis for the automation of the water distribution plant south of St Cbristopheins Beach and the purchase of.a L5 million gallon underground storage tank. While many members of council conceded that the $3 monthly surcharge was a much more reasonable alternative to financing the project through taxation, councillor Jim Searls suggested the increase was not warranted. "We shouldn't raise water rates because they're high enough," he said adding that 50 per dent of the town's population is comprised of senior citizens who would not use the same voltmie of water. "The town had a reserve fund for the pollution plant and the taxpayer is paying a hidden tax. We shauld lower the sewer rates or reactivate the reserve arid loan it to the PUC." The pollution plant reserve fund is capped and the surcharge goes toward operating costs councillor Don Wheeler explaiored. "Tbe surcharge is the most economical way to raise the money but I hope it is fully explained to the public. If they are told there might not be any watering restrictions, the public might not mind the monthly fee." Deputy -reeve Jirn Brandi said the fact that a town,situated on the shores of a large fresh water lake, mast impose watering restriction was something of a paradox_ He claimed the city of Toronto does not impose restrictions and the water is not metered. The two critic.s ' items under consideration, councillor Glen Carey suggested, were that watering restrictions could be lifted and a sound financial otructure for the project that would not produce an effect on the null rate. McCahe six ested that with the $3 surcharge, the town could eliminate the need for a. debenture and any borrowing could be done internally at a fair and equitable interest rate. Mile council sought assurances that its $1.1 million expenditure would eliminate restrictions, Herb Murphy of the PUC said water metres wouldbe the only way to enforce a nonrestricted system. "With our 200,000 reserve tank, if half the town waters for an hour, it is low," he explained. "With the new 1.5 million gallon reserve we will have much better capacity and according to all the studies it may enable us to do as we wish," "If it is abused, then we May have to impose restrictions but we are not planning on it" Councillor John Doherty, an advocate of the ex- pansion program, said restrictions were "not that great now" and that "people get a kick out of cheating a little bit". In response to a question from Searls, Murphy said it would cost the Wanly more for hydro and chemicals with increased water usage. He said they now pay about $28,060 annually in chemical and hydro costs. Since the Ministry of the Environment owns the filtration plant, the utility is only charged a nominal hourly rate for repairs and maintenance. Murhpy said, however, that the automated system would not require much in the way of repairs in the near future. The puq will have to meet and decide if it can begin collecting the surcharge beginning in July. The town engineer will be authorized to undertake the necessary engineering on the project, an application forffinding will be filed and the town will seek OMB approv-al. Separate board chosen for study The Huron -Perth Separate School Board is one of three boards in the Western Ontario region chosen for 7ccErisso-opera).live evaluation development system study Although the board had approved the study at a previous meeting, director of education William Eckert announced at the board's June 13 meeting that it had been selected by 14e ministry. Four general areas will be studied, junior educa- tion (Grades four to six)), the achninistrative struc- ture, principals as education leaders and the schools An internal team, comprised of principals, teachers, parents, the public, trustees and ad- ministration, is expected to be formed this summer with specific goals outlined. Hurornic Metals forced to close shop floroinie Metal Industries, on JJu. St., is the west casualty nowt* Goderieh eontnies that have been foreedto elose. The metal industry was permanently closed last week, after a lack of work forced it into receivership. ' The owner Bob Patterson says -there were only two or three employees near -the end to dean upsome of the outstanding contracts. At one time, only two years ago, the company employed up to 38 people. About one-third of the company's business was in building boats. The rest was doing sub -contract work for other indnstry. Patterson says they used to do work for Champion Road Machinery years ago, which lately they bad not been getting. They also used to get contracts from the agricultural industry, to make parts for farm macbinery, and those contracts were not coming in any more because of the problems that industry is he Patterson haa mot decided what he is going to do next, but he does not think he will start up another company in Goderich. Price Waterhouse from London are the receivers for Huromic Metals. Dempsey elected board chairman Bob Dempsey has been elected chairman of the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Board of Governors. Bruce Potter, county representative on the board, will serve as past chairman and Dave Gower will serve as vice-chairman, Lynn Todgham will remain as secretary and Ron Takalo will replace Don Wheeler as treasurer. At the annual meeting of the Corporation of the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Monday evening, June 20, four vacancies on the hospital board were filled by Isobel Sully, Anna Melski and Richard Ottewell who were all resnominated and new member Shirley Keller. Long service pins were presented to employees of the hospital at the meeting as well. Theresa Kirkey, supervisor of the hospital's dietary department, received her 25 year pin. Katherine Shortt, Edith Shortt, Mary Daer, Kathleen Blacker and Ed Geisbrecht each received pins for 20-24 years service. And Alan _Chrysler, Pat Tyndall, Ursula Teichert, Krystyna Brudnicki, Violet Cowan, Sylvia Hoy, Len Lassaline and Iola Weigel all received pins for 15-19 years service. Local brigade to hold awards night This is St. John Ambulance Week in Goderich and across the province of Ontario and the local branch has planned a special appreciation night at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 109, Thursday_ The appreciation night ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. and representatives of the Ontario Council will be present to award plaques and certificates of ap- preciation to deserving citizens. Members of the local branch will also be eked for service to St John Mtn 'balance. Gary Renaud of the Goderich Branch said a 1979 ambulance has been purchased from the provincial gongenineno tfognntn00andhelealltualesitwill costtheron. branch an Atttlinnien'airitarcillelulitnol is roadworthy. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -TAR Rink Rats win On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Goderich Recreational Ball Hockey League hosted its lst an- nual Ball Hockey Tournamerit During the weekend 12 teams competed for trophies and various cash prizes After defeating four teams, Stratford Coca Cola took home the "A" trophy while the Goderich Rink Rats were awarded the "8" trophy. The story and pictures appear on the front page of the Recreation 'section. New minister A new minister has arrived in Goderich. Reverend Gilbert Kidd has taken up duties at the First Baptist Churn. Another minister in town, Bradford Henshaw has written a book which is now available in area stores. The stories and pictures appear on pages 8A and 9/4. of the Recreation! section, Wedding season Now that spring has pas oird and slimmer is of- ficially here, the wedding seas is now in full swing. This, week four area newtywedi pear lir the Signal. Star. Look for more wedding write-ups in upcoming issues.