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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-03-07, Page 1• • .9MWW4V.71.mvpri.r.MWWINM74474, • -• 4." - • PANCAKE DAY. was celebrated Monday at Sacred Heart School in Wingham. The students in Mrs. Ida Martin's Kindergarten class,and,Mrs. Mary Kinahan's Grade 1-2 class sampled pancakes, sausage and the old favorite, maple syrup, at noon. Melissa Kieffer and Joey Grubbe,both of Grade 2, took their turn stirring the pancake mix- ture. • RUC_ gets for second phas Despite an attempt to hold budgerinereases hilive per cent, Wifigham ratepayers are likely to find themselves hit with a tax increase of between seven and nine per cent this year to pay for special projects such as the new fire hall. In a preliminary report to Town Council on Monday night, Finance Chairman Jack Kopas said the finance and management committee has been meeting with other committees' to review 1984 budgets and hopes to have a final budget set before the end of March. He said committees have been trying to keep to the five per cent guideline set earlier this year, but issued a veiled warning that taxes could go up by more than that amount. By using the 1983 surplus and funds in reserve, the committee "hopes to keep taxes in line," he told council, but noted there is a major outlay coming up for The Wingham Public Utilities Commission has received clearance from the provincial Environment Ministry to continue plan- ning' for repairs to its ailing water standpipe this spring. The work, which is estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $100,000, will be the second stage of a program started in 1981 to remedy construction defects in the 10 -year-old pre- stressed concrete tank. This will bring to about $170,000 the total spent on repairs to the tank. However the PUC can expect to recover 75 per cent of the costs from the province through a speCial funding. program offered by the Environment Ministry. At a meeting last week with their engineer and , a representative from the ministry, commissioners were assured they can proceed with the repairs as planned. Bill Ramsden, who is handling ' the grant program, said the ministry Will not require calling tenders in this case, since the work has already been started. In fact, he said, he would not recommend a change at this stage, since part of the work has already been 'completed and the ministry is satisfied with the credentials of the company involved. The PUC had been con- cerned that, under the terms of the ministry's grant program it - would have to • invite bids on the remainder of the work-, but Mr. Rams- den said that would be re- quired only for projects which have not yet started. He also noted there are only about six or eight firms in Ontario qualified to carry out the specialized repairs. PUC Chairman Roy Ben- nett explained the commis- sion already has a firm price on completion of the repairs and said he was happy to hear it can go ahead as plan: ned. Engineer Murray Schmitt said that based on the work done previously he is quite confident he knows what will be required to complete the repairs, but added he could not be 100 per cent certain until the work is actually underway. He said he is disappointed with the—TvideireiThriFesh seepage through the wall this winter, "but we couldn't expect to have the whole thing finished." Mr. Ramsden said there are a total of about 51 tanks in the province experiencing similar problems, more than half of them provincially owned. Based on ex- periences to date, he said, the ministry is "pretty well convinced" that concrete • tanks require regular in- spection and maintenance, "you can't just forget them," and it will be preparing operating and maintenance guidelines for both concrete and steel tanks. He also said that while the repairs should extend the life expectancy of concrete tanks • substantially, it is unlikely future tanks will be built to the same design. "I would hazard a guess that unless steel becomes of repairs almost unavailable we won't' see any more high -head concrete tanks." • Although concrete has proven satisfactorylor lower and wider storage tanks, the high design, with its rela- tively thin walls, is proving chronically troublesome, both he and Mr. Schmitt noted. • However he added it is very difficult to get an engineer to say the design is at fault, since. no one really anticipated some of the problems which have oc- curred. - Asked whether it is wise to spend more money on a tank which might have to 'be replaced in the end, both Mr. Ramsden and Mr. Schmitt said the repairs should be cost-effective and add years to the life of the standpipe: To build a new tank would cost at least twice as much as, repairing this one, Mr. Schmitt said. However he added, "Don't hesitate to look at another site (for Al_ replicement tank)." Some municipalitieS have already added a second tank, he said, and more will probably- be heading in that direction': Commissioners did not • appear to be keen on the idea. "We can't afford to maintain one tank, let alone two," PUC Manager Ken Saxton commented. Mr. Ramsden also told the PUC it should soon be getting *the ministry share of the funding fOr,the first phase of the repair project. The PIJC has applied for $54,000, which represents 75 per cent of the money spent to date. So far the PUC has paid for the repairs from its own reserves, almost completely wiping them out, corn- missionets noted, so the ministry grant will be a welcome relief. Date moved ahead Changes are in store for next year's Frostyfest Frostyfest '85 will see a number of changes„ the most notable of which will be a date change. At a meeting last Thursday evening, Frostyfest Chairman 'Ray Cardy of the Wingham Optimist Club; said the mid- February date has not worked for the past •two years because thaws have melted allothe snow and spoiled the outdoor activities. • Therefore committee members present at • the meeting decided to schedule next year's Frostyfest two weeks earlier in the year, from Jan. 31 through Feb. 3, 1985. All in all, the 1984 Frostyfest was a suc- cess, said Mr. Lardy, in spite of the no -snow conditions. Real winners at last mOnth's celebration were the travel show and pancake breakfast at the Legion. Lion Archie Hill reported his group's variety concert was a success. But the prince and princess competition definitely Will be back next year because it adds "finesse and excitement" to the concert, said Mr. Hill. It also draws larger crowds. The figure skating club's "Space Capers" carnival was reasonably well attended, said Mr. Cardy. However Kinsman Bob Hewines said his group's casino at the Armouries was a little slower than some years and there may have to be some changes made next year. The Optimists' Feb. 18 dance at the Legion was a success, reported Mr. Cardy. Ron Zimmer, a Legion and Junior Citizens' representative, said the JCs will be holding their cancelled skate-a-thon sometime near the first of May. Naturally all the other outdoor events, like the snow sculpturing, the family skating rty and the snowmobile poker rally, had be cancelled. M?:-Cardy suggested instead of holding the snow -sculpturing contest at Cruickshank Park, let people do the sculpturing in their own yards next year. Mr. Hill agreed, saying he thought there would be more contestants that way. Other suggested changes for next year include: a sleigh ride for the children; a cross-country ski event; and a game of winter baseball or "snow -pitch:'. There may even be a service club curling bonspiel t� coincide with Frostyfest '85. Mr, Hewines suggested having pins made up for next winter's celebration and those present thought it would be a good idea to have school children design logos for Frostyfest with prizes awarded for the best ones: After two years as Frostyfest chairman, Mr. Cardy will step down next year. Mr. Zimmer said he would try to find a volunteer, from the Legion to take over and Mr. Hewines said he would" find someone from the Kinsmen to act as co-chairman. the fire hall,ihe tDwn,• street repair proe da more money- and t1eTown Hail requires m#440'iflaintenance and renoyatip_ "We shall strhetocontain spending to realistic Thrifts," he said.' In an interVieW4ollowing the meeting, MrnPfss said it is virtually inevitable that property taxes 341,01 rise by more than five percent this year. • "Quite frankt five per cent is notrealis,.e;” he said, adding that his personal forecast is for 4,pudget In- crease in the rangeofseven to eight per Cen(4110 a mill rate increage,i including school and catiti.1qvies, of between seven and nine per cent. "Suppose thq ,Wingham share of the lire hall is $95,000," he; noted. "That alone representseloSe to a 10 per cent increase on the portion of the budget for town purposes." He said if council wants to hold taxes to a five per cent increase it, might have ,to consider ,debenturing the cost of the fire hall, but added he does ;tot favor going that route for what is -44.143F :Adodeat. !Tense "If we ,wtitt tq: 0 on providing/ •thi canintinity with the level -of sal/ices' to which they are accustomed, (the budget increase) cer- tainly will go beyond five per • cent," he said. The finance and manage- ment committee plans to meet again March 16 to try to finalize the 1984lown budget. However the mill rates will not be set until sometime in • May after the school board and county budgets have been set. In other budget business, • Police Chairman Tom Miller • told council Police' Chief Robert Wittig has asked to meet with the full council to • es predicted pets this year • discuss the.police budget.1e said the chief is not pleased with the budget proposed by the committee': :The committee proposal would raise the police budget to $254,000, an increase of 6.6 per cent over last year and the first time the budget has topped the quarter -million mark, Mr, Miller told •council. He added that since 1981 police expenylitures have risen an average of 13 per cent a year and that a survey of similar municipalities showed Wingham to have the third-highest per capita policing costs in the group. Council agreed to invite the chief to its next regular meeting, April 2, unless he Two injured in accident requests anearlier meeting. In his property committee report, Councillor Bruce Machan invited suggestions from councillors about what to do with the current fire hall once a new hall has been Two.perions were taken to • the Wingham and District Hospital with injuries following a two -car collision on Highway 4 south of Belgrave last Friday eve • ding. • Grace Ritsema of Wintr- • hatii.,and Chris Reeves of • „.BEAS.,•40.rthtwerebrouglxt. to•thelligokabrainimilaneg • following the aceident. Mrs: Reeves was treated and re- leased while Mrs: Ritsema was admitted for observa- tion. She was reported to be 'in satisfactory condition Tuesday morning and was expected to be released Wed- nesday: Wingham OPP reported , the Ritsema vehicle, a 1981 Buick, was northbound on Highway 4 at about 6:25 p.m. when the driver lost control on the illy road and the car collided with a southbound • vehicle driven by Mrs. •Reeves. • Damage in the accident was estimated at $5,500 to both cars.. built. The police have asked to park their cruisers in the bays and one service club has approached him about using it, he said. Deputy Reeve Patricia • Please turn to Page 5 GRADUATION Louise Gibson, daughter of Eleanore and Art Gibson of Wroxeter, graduated from the Stratford Nursing Class of 1983 of Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology on November 25. She received her Certificate of Competence on March 1 and is now a registered nurse, employed part-time at Listowel Memorial Hospital. Drivers are urged to watch for trains Motorists 'in and around Wingham are , being cautioned to watch for trains at level crossings on the CN Rail line into town. Traffic on the line has increased substantially since a siding was built to serve the Prernium-Lloyd door factory in Wingham, with trains running at un- predictable hours. Drivers, who have become used to not seeing many trains on that line, are urged to be specially cautious at the crossings, in particular the unguarded crossing on Shuter Street. The rail line also crosses Josephine Street near Beaver Lumber and Highway 86 between ingha,m LEAP YEAR BABY—Little Christopher Dwayne Lassaline made it just under the wire to be the only baby born at the Wingham and District Hospital last Wednes- day; Feb. 29. Christopher was born just before mid- night and he weighed eight pound. Mom Carol, the former Carol Higgins of Wingham, said she hoped her baby would be born on the 29th because it is unique to have a birthday once every four years. Rick and Carol Lassaline live at Gorrie and Christopher is their first child. uron councillors won't open committee meetings to public Despite an impassioned plea for change from one of its members, Huron County Council decided in a 24 to 3 recorded vote to keep its committee meetings closed to the public. Exeter Reeve.Bill Mickle reminded county council at its March 1 session that they are "representatives of the people". "I don't like to see any type of government closing itself off," said Reeve Mickle. Council's executive com- mittee recommended the present policy of closed com- mittee meetings remain af- ter a request to review that policy was made last No- vember by Elsa 'Haydon of Goderich. At that time, besides the review, Mrs. Haydon sug- gested open committee meetings be tried for a six- month trial period. The Goderich woman served for 12 years on town council and takes an avid interest in m& nicipal politics. Reeve Mickle was the only vocal supporter of Mrs. Hay - don's suggestion. "We've got to be open for the people," he said. He referred to closed meetings as a "very danger- ous practise". Brussels Reeve Calvin Kreuter said committee meetings are where council- lors "sit down and argue back and forth". The long- , time reeve said councillors know they can talk in com- mittee meetings and added "the language isn't always couth". Commenting on the possi- bility of having many mem- bers of the public in attend- ance at committee meetings, Reeve Krauter said, "If the whole works are here, yhat GRADUATED Katherine Jane McDou- gall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Murray McDougall, graduated Feb. 24 from De Vry Institute of Technology with a diploma in computer science. Katherine, who was on the dean's honor roll, pre- sently is employed at De Vry in Toronto, do they need us for? We are only trying to do the very best for -the whole county:" East Wawanosh Reeve Neil Vincent said a person would -feel "handcuffed" if committee meetings were open. One county councillor ad- mitted he had a tough time making a decision on the matter. Colborne Reeve Russel Kernighan said he was ori- ginally in favor , of open meetings because he be- lieves in freedom of the press. But he changed his mind because he also be- lieves in the secret ballot and closed committee meetings allow councillors "to make decisions without coersion". Those voting in favor Of closed meetings were West Wawanosh Reeve J. R. Ait- chison, Grey Reeve Leona Armstrong, Ashfield Reeve J. F. Austin, Hay Deputy Reeve Tom Bedard, Tucker - smith Reeve Bob Bell, Clin- ton Reeve Ernest Brown, Seaforth Reeve W. G. Camp- bell, Blyth Reeve Tom Cor- nin, Warden Tom Cunning- ham, Morris Reeve Bill Els- ton, McKillop Reeve Marie • Please turn to Page 5 murder charge A preliminary hearing has been set for April 13 at the Goderich provincial court for Clarence Sehnurr of Wingham, charged with second-degree murder in the death of John McKinnon at Belgrave last fall. • Mr. Schnurr, 49, was arrested and charged by • officers from the Wingham OPP detachment after Mr. McKinnon was found dead on the front porch of his Belgrave apartment early on the morning of Sept. 28. He is ,currently free on bail pend- ing trial. '15z1..;4/;751,57:,;.:;',7y, Janna Lynn Gowdy of Gorrie is a Reg. N. graduate of Conestoga College Diploma Nursing Program. She is presently employed at Geri -Care, Harriston. Morris youth, dies in farm accident A tragic farm accident has claimal the life of a Morris Township youth. Dean Jeffrey Musty, 17, of RR 2, Blyth, died Saturday when his leg was severed by a manure auger outside a chicken barn on his family's farm. Cpl. William Skelding of the Wingham Ontario Provincial Police detachment, which investigated the incident, reported that the young man was outside the barn, apparently checking on the auger which ran in a trench from the barn to a manure pit. It is believed his foot slipped and his fbot and leg were pulled into the auger. A brother, Tom, ran for help to a nurse who lives next door and she applied a tourniquet to the leg, but it was too late to save the youth who died from loss of blood. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Cormier J. K. McGregor of Wingham. Mr. Musty, the son of Murray and Bar - bora Musty, formerly of Wallace Township, was predeceased by a brother, Shane, who also died in a farm accident in 1973. Sur- viving besides his parents and brother Tom • are grandparents Mr. and Mrs. William Musty of Listowel and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Rock of Monkton. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Tueiday, March 6at Blyth United Church. Interment is in Fairview Cethetery, Listowel.