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The Huron Expositor, 1988-02-17, Page 1Council Briefs — A4 Walton — A6 Hensel) - A7 Sports — A8, A9 Weddings — A10 INDEX Obituaries — Al 0 Classifieds — Al2, A13, A14 Legion — A15 Farm — A15 Dublin — A16 PUC seeks out hydrant vandals. See page A4. • age A8. Serving the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensel) and Walton Huron xpositor Seaforth, Orrha . HURON EXPOSITOR, WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 17, 1988 50 cents a copy DON'T MESS WITH THE LAW - This was the scene just minutes before Seaforth Police were given the okay Saturday to open Highway 8 east to Mitchell. The highway (from Goderich to Mitchell) was closed from 7:30 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. because of stormy weather conditions. A number of motorists, and several truck, drivers, had 'to content themselves to spend the day in Seaforth and were anxious to get back on the road once the conditions improved. Mcllwraith photo. WAITING TO GET OUT - Old Mian Winter forced a 7:30 a.m. closure of the highways leading into and out of SeafottleSaturday. As a result a number of truck drivers and motorists were stranded in town for the entire day. When the weather finally cleared at 3:45 p.m. Highway 8 was lined with motorists an us to get back on the road. Mcllwraith photo. Town approves demolition Much to the chagrin of LACAC (the Local Advisory Committee on Architectural Con- servation) Town Council has given Rod Lyons permission to demolish the 109-111 Mainstreet property that previously hous- ed Marty's Place. It is believed the two- storey commercial building was built in 1889. It is inside Seaforth's Heritage Con- servation District and is presently vacant. Mr. Lyons, who owns and operates the Knechtels Food store in Seaforth, purchas- ed the 'Property with the intentions of tear- ing it down to provide more parking for his store. Because the building is inside the Heritage Conservation District, the demolition permit application was for- warded to LACAC for review and com- ment. As part of the Heritage Conservation District, the building is designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. Under that same Act a demolition permit has to be dealt with within 90 days of application. Even if it is refused, the owner may pro- ceed to demolish the building 180 days after being refused. "I understand what LACAC is trying to do, but I don't totally agree with the restrictions on that building as such. If it was in the middle of Main Street I could see their concern," said Mr. Lyons. "But in this case I don't think Seaforth should always look at staying the same as they are - but at moving ahead instead." Mr. Lyons added as a merchant in town, he is hampered by the lack of parking space. He said he has tried to stay com- petitive with other stores in the area, but said he has to stay coeipetitive at all levels - and that includes pa}king. s`There is limited * .during peak periods on Wednesdaes. Fridays and Saturdays are bad too. I've tried to do everything I can inside the store to attract people, but people go for convenience, and Board of health settles contract negotiations The Huron County Board of Health settl- ed contract negotiations with the Ontario Nurses Association and Inspection and Clerical Staff– Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1305. Both contracts were approved by the board at their Jan. 13 meeting and are retroactive to the first pay of 1988. The settlement with the clerical and in- spection staff provides for a new two-year deal with eatery increases of 4.5 per cent to all classifications in the first year and five per cent to all classification in the second year—effective the first pay of 1989. The agreement expires December 31, 1989. In addition, the contract also includes: an update of the optical plan to provide $100 rather than $75 effective July 1, 1988 in each 24 month period; an early retirement clause similar to non-union employees; a transportation allowance incense to 24 cents from 22.5 cents or 21 cents from 19 they're not going to walk a block. They'll go somewhere they can park," he said, adding approximately 6,000 people go through the tills each week. Mr. Lyons said he has no alternative but to tear down the building, and added it is in such disrepair, there would be "no way to restore it and still get a return on your money". Deputy -reeve Hazel Hildebrand said she didn't like to see the building torn down to make room for a parking lot, but added she thought "a parking lot was a lot better than a building that is in poor repair". "It would take a lot of money to restore it, and then, it's not really in the prime retail area either," she said. Councillor Harry Hak said he could ap- preciate Mr. Lyon's dilemma, but question- ned whether or not some people were using the Lyons lot for parking, when they weren't actually shopping there. Councillor Bob Dinsmore questionned whether Mr. Lyons would be agreeable to an alternate solution if LACAC were able to come up with one. Mr. Lyons said he would be providing it was a reasonable solution and didn't cost him too much more money. He also said he was not opposed to providing some land- scaping around the parking lot, to make it less of an eyesore to the Main Street. "It just depends how lavish the cost. I just want a parking lot that will service my customers," he said. LACAC however, wanted more than a parking lot for Seaforth's Main Street, and thought the demolition should have been denied - at least to give the town and LACAC the 180 days to find an alternate solution.. • "In teens df tie whole picture - consider the time and money Seaforth has spent to establish the Main Street program to develop and work with the heritage we've been left," campaigned Walter Armes. "The Heritage Act doesn't remove the owner's right, but gives time to provide an alternative solution. If you demolish the building you create a new set of problems - with site planning and traffic control etc... Consider this application for demolition, not as such, but as a challenge for Council, Mainstreet, LACAC and Lyons to work out a solution to meet Mr. Lyon's parking situation and provide more than an asphalt parking lot for the future." In its recommendation against the ap- plication LACAC said the 19th century commercial structure is a good example of a building of its type and is an integral part of the overall streetscape. "The building along• with the Dick House establishes the southern end of the Heritage Conservation District and to demolish the building would weaken this image and leave the Dick House standing alone on the corner," it said. There was also concern the granting of the appolication would establish a prece- dent for the demolition of other heritage buildings within the district. LACAC said efforts should be made to preserve the building, and for its restoration and use. "This building represents a part of Seaforth's heritage and should be preserv- ed for future generations. There needs to be a balance between the short term and the long term outlooks. Once the building is gone it is gone. The potential for short term gain does not outweigh the long term benefits of preserving the building for future generations," said LACAC. In approving the demolition permit town council said it is "in no way establishing a precedent for the demolition of heritage buildings within -the Heritagratiot; _ District," and was basing its decision on ''r the fact: • Mr. Lyons believes additional parking is essential for the Knechtel Grocery store to Turn to page 14A • cents per kilometer for employees who also receive an $80 monthly allowance; a change in the normal work day from 6.75 hours to seven hours for inspection staff; a four years over five plan where an employee may agree to receive 80 per dent pay each year for four years with 20 per cent of their salary being banked and paid in the fifth year while the employee is on leave of absence. Turn to page 14 • Town councillors paid $41,161.05 for 1987 Members of Seaforth Town Council received a total of $41,161.05 for 1987. Of that amount $32,955 was 'for stipends, $3,763.88 for mileage and meals, $2,105 for conference registration and $2,337.17 for lodging. Alf Ross received $8,355 in stipends, $1,478.60 for mileage and meals, $375 for conference registrations and $500.72 for lodging for a total of $10,709.32 for renumeration and expenses. Councillor Garry Osborn received $3,855 in stipends, $480 for mileage and meals, $140 for con- ference registration and $267.75 for lodging for a total of $4,742.75. Councillor Harry Hak received $3,480 in stipends, $360 in mileage and meals, $510 for cuuference registration and $390.60 for lodging for a total of $4,740.60. Councillor Peg Campbell received $3,150 in stipends, $436.80 for mileage and meals, $450 for conference registration and $390.60 for lodging for a total of $4,427.40. Councillor Bob Dinsmore received $3,330 in stipends, $446.52 for mileage and meals, $270 for conference registration and $296.10 for lodging for a total of $4,342.62. Deputy -reeve Hazel Hildebrand received $2,955 in stipends, $230 for mileage and meals, $200 for conference registration and $296.10 for lodging for a total of $3,681.10. Reeve Bill Bennett received $3,060 in stipends, $48.33 in mileage and meals, $5 for conference registration for a total of $3,113.33. Councillor Carolanne Doig received $2,880 in stipends plus $5 for con- ference registration. Councillor Bill McLaughlin received $1,890 in stipends, $283.63 for mileage and meals, $150 for con- ference registration and 195.30 for lodging for a total of $2.518.93. Heart canvass is on Because of the poor weather last week, the Optimist Club did not conduct its can- vass for Seaforth and area for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The canvass will take place during the next two weeks. Everyone is urged to give `heartily'. A GIFT FROM SEAFORTH - On his 100th birthday Ned Boswell rode in a horse drawn carriage from years gone by. The carriage was supplied by the Town of Seaforth, and it picked Mr. Boswell up at his home and took him to the Toronto Dominion Bank in Seaforth where a large crowd had gathered to wish him a happy birthday, and see the presentation made to him by the President of the T.D. Bank. Corbett photo. Dave McElwain adapts to life in the big leagues BY NEIL COR.BETT After months of living in Pittsburgh and travelling to cities all over North America, Seaforth's favorite NHL'er was back home recently. Dave McLlwain, the Seaforth native who has been playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, was back in his hometown last week atten- ding the Celebration Awards Night and First Annual Celebrity Dinner. Dave was presented with one of the Celebration rnwlals from the Town of Seaforth for his dedication and participation in sports in Seaforth. Dave was able to make it to the dinner because it took place during the all-star break, when no regular season games are being played. He said it's nice to have a break and be able to relax, so when he goes back to Pittsburgh he can really bear down. Pittsburgh is in third place in the Patrick Division, only a point behind the second place Washington Capitals and three points back of the leading Philedelphia Flyers. Pit- tsburgh ittsburgh is tied with the New York Islanders, and New Jersey is only two points behind them. The Rangers take up the rear, seven points behind Pittsburgh. So when Dave says there is constant pressure for him to perform, it is easy to see what he means. Every game is important to the standings. But, he says when you play with pressure day in and day out you get us- ed to iL You have to get used to it. There are a lot of things have has had to DAVE MCLLWAIN was busy signing autographs at the celebrity dinner. Here the Penguin's rookie gives his J.C. to Joe Murray. Mike Devereaux, and Wayne Schoonderwoerd. Corbett photo. get used to in a hurry playing for an NHL team. One thing is he is now playing with and against the likes of Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretaky, Mark Messier and all the other big name hockey stars. "You've just got to think 'of them as someone else," says Dave, adding if you start to put pressure on yourself just because you're on the ice with Lemieux you'll just get uptight. Dave says Mark Messier is even more im- pressive when you play against him than when you watch him. "He's a tremendous skater and hitting him is like hitting a wall," he says. "But you can't be intimidated by him or by anyone or you won't last. I'm going to be playing against the best from now on." Skating is Dave's game, and he is confi- dent be skate with the best of them. "I definitely can keep up with the players in this league," he says. Dave sat out his first game only recently. Prior to that he had been the only rookie to play every game. Asking him why that hap- pened he says, "You tell me, I wish I knew." At any level of higher hockey the coaches play mind games with players to test their attitude, and that may be what was going on when they sat Dave for no apparent reason. But as Dave says "you have to be mentally prepared as well as physically." As a rookie Dave gets treated a little dif- ferently than the veteran players. "The rookies get the rubbing," says Dave, "but there are lots of them this year so it's not as bad." The initiation process for the rookies too, has been tangoing since the start of the season. For his part, Dave managed to keep most of his hair, but the vets shaved the sides into a bit of a mohawk. Other rookies who fell asleep on the plane had Worse things happen, including sudden hair loss and some of them had their ties cut in half. Dave says all you can do is grit your teeth and wait until next year when you're the veteran. But Dave says generally the guys on the team get along pretty well. The veterans have their fun with the rookies, but they also treat them pretty well. Some of the guys who are married invite their bachelor team- mates over for home cooking - for example, the team had a superbowl party at Charlie Simmer's home. Dave shares a townhouse with teammate Mark Kchowski in Pittsburgh. Another big change for Dave is going from playing for room and board to playing for a lot more. "The money's there," acknowledges Dave "but that's what you worked for in Junior. It's a profession like anyone else's." Dave says he appreciates the tremendous support Seaforth has given him and the in- terest the community has in how he's been doing throughout his junior career.and while he has been in the NHL. In particular he en- joyed seeing the many people of Seaforth who went on the bus tour to see the Penguins take on the Detroit Red Wings. "When you go into another arena it's nice to see friendly faces." The Penguins still have their struggles, like New Jersey. "We beat them 7-2 in their barn and then they beat us at home." But Dave is hoping the Penguins will make the playoffs for the first time in five years. i