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The Huron Expositor, 1986-05-21, Page 1Births /Al2 Brussels /A7 Classified /A8, 9, 10 Dublin IA6 Entertainment /Al2 Family /Al2 Hensall I A5 Obituaries iAl2 People /Al2 Sports /A4 Walton /A5 People more aware of physical fitness needs. See page 44. Serving the communities and areas of Seatorth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensel) and Walton SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, IMAx..z1, 1986 — 12 PAGES Councillor charges favoritism 50 cents a copy in town vehicle service question Town council needs to take more responsi- bility for the town according to one of its councillors. Bill McLaughlin told council last week he felt the town departments showed too much favoritism, particularly when dealing on a business -level with local merchants. Drawing attention to the accounts payable Mr. McLaughlin said it is the same merchants whose names show up when purchases are made. He questioned the democracy of that. It's been going on as long as I've been on council," he said. "Every month there seems to be favorit- ism. Everybody pays taxes. I don't go for this favoring one business over another. Every month the town goes to a different service station for gas. Should we not do the same in other areas," he said. Deputy -reeve Hazel Hildebrand said to her knowledge the town does make its purchases on a rotating basis. She said, for example, that paint one year was purchased from her store, while another year it was purchased from Sills Hardware, and another, Crown Hardware. Mr. McLaughlin said he has noticed a favoritism toward Seaforth Motors, when it came to servicing town vehicles. "I've been in business since 1968 and since that time the town has purchased two cruisers from me. The first one i never serviced. The Chev I serviced once. Since I've been on council I've serviced it three times. Some- thing doesn't seem right," he said. "But Seaforth Motors are always in the accounts payable." The town's chief administrator Jim Crock- er asked Mr. McLaughlin if it made sense for a car to be serviced by more than one mechanic, and added perhaps that was the reason behind the seeming favoritism to- wards one business over another. "The way I see it any mechanic can work on any vehicle, that's what we're in business for. i think we're (the town) married to a lot of people, and we should shop around," added Mr. McLaughlin. Councillor Bob Dinsmore agreed if the town rotates on gas it shmuld also rotate on service unless the vehicle in question is under warranty. Mr. McLaughlin added he sees the. problem as the town council being run by the town's department head?. "We're costing the taxpayers money. If they're (the department heads) going to run us, why are we here?" he asked. "I think it's time we (council) ran the town. The department heads are running the town. The departlnent heads are running the council. We should be running them." Mayor Alf Ross assured Mr. McLaughlin his concern would be pursued further and suggested the Public Works and Transporta- tion and Environment Committees be asked for a schedule of service. Council members worth more Council members will continue to receive "Council members should get what the payment of $95 for attending committee committee members get. The council mem- meetings despite the fact some members of hers don't do any more on these committees, the public on the same committees receive why should they be paid more," said less than that amount. Councillor Dinsmore. A motion, made by Councillor Bob Although she said she might not have had Dinsmore, that council members appointed the same feelings last year at this time to committees or boards be reimbursed the Councillor Carolanne Doig was in disagree - same as the general public, was defeated by a ment with Councillor Dinsmore. vote of seven to one at last week's council "I spend an awful lot of time attending meeting. these meetings. I make sure I'm in Mr. Dinsmore said at a time when council attendance. Some of the meetings are is trying to save nickels and dimes.he doesn't lengthy, some are called in the middle of the understand how it can justify paying its afternoon. Some involve getting called out members $45 -when some members of the somewhere, and I go: Some of these things general public serving on the same commit- we don't get paid for. I think the members of tees only receive 520. the general public if they can't go to a Taxi meeting or don't want to, they just don't go, and they don't get called on as often. I feel we're worth $45. We're there to do a decent Job and to report back to the public. We're accountable to them so we make an effort to be at all the meetings," she said. "I agree with Carolanne," commented Deputy -reeve Hazel Hildebrand. "Yes, in a lot of those meetings some very important decisions are made," added Councillor Harry Hak. "But those decisions 'are recommended back to council," said Councillor Dinsmore. "Then there's no pout inns even going to the meetings;' -added Ihoitni911or`boi8. "The public could just attend the meetings Continued On Page Aa licence granted by council K'. Council decided last week in favor of town's permission. granting a licence to operate a taxi cab in the Before ' giving its permission council town of Seaforth to Ed Taylor. expressed some concern about the town's liability in the situation. One member of council suggested it might be in the town's best interest to ask Mr. Taylor for a letter of intent to purchase from his insurance agent. That idea was discarded when council affirmed no licence would be given to Mr. Mr. Taylor, who has been operating a cab under lease to Bill Little, already a licenced cabbie, said that arrangement is too costly to continue and said he'd like to operate on his own. He cannot get a licence without the Job -search help on way PAYE CARNOGHAN Students looking for summer jobs in Seaforth will have some help this year. The Goderich office of the Canada Employment Centre forStudents has set up a temporary office in the Seaforth Branch Library. It is hoped that this Outreach program will make it easier for Seaforth area students and employers to meet their. summer employment needs. The temporary office will be staffed by Faye Cai-noehan, a Student Placement! Officer in the Goderich Centre. Faye, a native of Seaforth area, stitches Physical Education at McMaster University in Hamilton. Her. tmowieilge of the Seaforth area should be a great benefit to job hunting students. The CECS should be the first stop for students when they begin their job search. The Centre can offer them job -search tips as well as information on Government employ went programs and the local labour market. The 'office can also be quite useful for employers. The Centre has students on file who are willing to do all types of summer jobs. The CECS also offers employers information on incentive programs to hire stridents and help with selection and referral of applicants. If you are a student looking for a summer job oran employerwho needs a hand, contact the Canada Employment Centre for Stu. dents. You can visit Faye at the Branch library on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. or call the Goderich office at 524.2744. Phase-in problems delay activation of transformer A manufacturers shipping Ober caused a rumor holdup for Seaforth PL'JC and Ontario Hydro workers .atterpting to hook- up the towns _new 5,000 kilovolt transformer, at Main Station No. 1, PUC Manager Tion Phillips reported at the May 14 conimiss meeting, fire commission had been sent a piece' of equipmentwhidi did not match the specifications requested, but said the prate lem was overcome and was not serious, "let like Wait acarandthey Send you a red one insteadof a green one. The car's fine, but you've got 'to get it meted," said CommissionCharnnen Jiim 5r11s, in explain` ingthe significance_ of the mixup. Because of the problem; the oornmrssioit had to keep a rented mobile transformer•ai extra four days and additional inanhours by personnel front Ontario Hydro were needed, adding kr the cost of the project. Mr, is currently investigating tette who she d paycosts me aired. the'extre Mitre I don't see why We should pay for any of it. It's not our fault" aonunented Mayor Alf Ross Despite the problem, the new systems passed its first unscheduled, test on :May, 5, 'liken en automobile struck ah dro Meat le at the north end of town;., Main Station No 2 had to be shut down and t eentir'ep' ower load of the town was placed on Main Station Pio. 1 for several: hours. "It was a good test for the neW generator. lt held the load no' problem. ;Of course we expected- it to. We didn't anticipate any trouble," said Mr. Phillips. Taylor if he didn't have the appropriate insurance. The town's chief administrator, Jim Crocker, pointed out should the town ask for such a letter it would be showing inconsist- ency since it did not request Mr. Little to do the same. "I don't think a letter is out of line, but I don't think we're set up as a policing body either," said Mr. Crocker. "And if we're going to ask for a letter from Mr. Taylor we should also ask for one from Mr. Little." He also suggested the town might be more liable for any problems with Mr. Taylor's service should it get involved on a policing basis. Mr. Taylor's service, as he detailed it, would' go 24 hours a day seven days a week. An arrangement with Clinton would provide coverage for Mr. Taylor if he hlid to be out of town, or wanted, to take some time off. When questioned about his fee structure, Mr. Taylor said the people of the town are only willing to pay in the $2.$0 price range, so wouldn't be charging much more or he'd be out of business. Out of town fares would probably run at a dollar a mile. lie added it was hard to say since insurance costs are skyrocketing. "Ifigure it'll cost approximately $3;000 ayearin insurance. Justin the last little while the insurance rates have raised a substantial amount. They've gone up $300 in the past three months. I have to keep expenses down as Much as possible*" be said. "Gas haseb en down lately so I =sable to save $125 last month, but how long will that last." Town council concluded with two taxi services in town, rates couldn't get that out -of -hand: "There's nothing like two cabs to control each other," commented Cour:idler Caro1- anne Doig. STOP AND SMELL THE— AFRICAN VIOLETS? _ The Seaforth Horticultural Society held ha annual plant sale Saturday at the Milo school. For two hours Saturday morning people like Doris Ryan, pictured here, were able to browse through a wide assortment of potted plants, outdoor plants and cut flowers. Mcllwralth photo Dinsmore appointed to .foundation Councillor Bob Dinsmore was appointed to represent council on the Van Egmond Foundation; following a request for such representation from the foundation itself. Ifiie foundation said it felt the support of s member of council would be advantageous bo th to the town of Seaforth and the Van Egmond Foundation. "At present we have the approval of the m museucomrruttee of Annul Cthinty for the Buren County' Pioneer Museum to provide administrative assistance and support to the Van Egmond Foundation as ascii as exploring the possibilities of a satellite rn eum," members'rirote. . "The foundation. feels that the . , _ . , House attracts considerable. visitors to Seaforth. with over 900 registrations hi the guest book 1985.".., DONOR HOCKEY TEAM Following a recommendation by its A- pace and General Government Committee council• decided last week to pursuea "picture perfect" way Of, honoring the achievement of the Junior Ccntenaires. The cornrnittee discussed various ways council Could benerthe team's;1986 achieve= ment ofWhining the Grade 1) Champion- ship. Meat Meiribert agreed that a picture, similar to the Bantam picture hanging in the arena, with smaller individual pictures for team members, Would be appropriate. The cost is estimated at $300.p OFFICE EQU!PM E" T Council agreed last week to accept a recommendation from its Mande and General Government committee to purchase an Olympia typewriter and to fent a document feeder and sorter for thetown.. The recommendation resulted after the clerk requested permission- to purchase the tt�yppewriter, et a cost of $650 as per the 1986 draft budget, and permission to lease _a document feeder and sorter at a Boat of .01 cents per copy, The attachment§ could be removed at any time pion 30 days halt* or would become the property of the town after four years. It is estimated the rental would 'cost approximately $150 arid,WOUld be paid for, from increased photo 'copying revenue. Council, also approved the purchase of an Olympia Report electronic typeiVrlter for the police secretary;. It's cost is 504.'26. GRANTS APPROVED Council has approved a numberofgreat to others totalling 513,000,. Those receiving grants include the lawn Bowling Club, $800; Seaforth Hospital $1,000; Lions Park and Pool, $5,500; High School Band, $250; Lions Santa Parade, $200; lady Diana Nursery, $250; Agricultural Society, $600; Horticultural Society, 8200; MaiLand Bank Cemetery, $500; St. John's Ambulance, $100; Plowmen's Association, $50; Tnckersmith Recreation Centre, $1,500; Town and Country Homemakers, $1,000; Geography Award, ;+10D and miscellaneous, $950 CHDD IDENTIFICATION Council gaffe its approval last week kr the unplernentaFon of a Child Identification program in Seaforth. A report of the Protection to Persons and Finnerty Cir rimittee stated negotiations ate n �eerwa with the Optimist Club for and Y p implementation of a child identification pRr'-gram which involves the fingerprinting of all, :young children in town. The prints are retained by parents and could be used in the future to identify nussmg or kidnapped children; EXCEPTItON'GRANTED Town Council granted an exception to Maplewood Manor for the installation of a grease interceptorin its System, The decision came following correspond= Continued on Page A3 •