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The Huron Expositor, 1982-09-29, Page 1Incorporating Brussels Post 50c per copy «lit! luno xpositor SEAFORTH ONTARIO, WE+-aNESD- ,Y, SEPTEMBE 29, 1982 -- 2'4 PAGES S lice S h e t is BY STEPHANi(E [LEVESQUE Each man, woman and child living in urban centres in Huron...and Perth counties pays an average of $60.18 per year for police protection. This figure represents an average of the cost per capita of policing in the towns of Exeter, Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth, Wing - ham, Listowel, Milverton, Mitchell and St. Marys. These are the most recent statistics available from the Ontario Police Commis- sion (OPC). The town of Seaforth stands out with' the highest cost per capita of the nine municipalities. It takes $74.01 from each citizen to run the four -man force. Milverton, on the other hand, a small town with a two-man force, enters the picture with the lowest cost per capita at $41.46. This isn't surprising as the town has the lowest 1982 police budget, 585,000 and the lowest population figure of 1,450. Seaforth's cost per capita is Surprising as its 1982 police budget of $153,938 is by no means the greatest of the nine localities. Actually its budget ranks just above Milver- ton as does its population of 2,114. Also the police chief's salary of 530,000 is below average in the two counties. However, Scaforth's three first class`conStables' salary of 525,297 is above average in the two counties. Goderich tops the list in several categor- ies, The town has the largest police force QUEEN OF THE FAIR—Lynne Dodds, center, already Huron's Queen of the Furrow, picked up her second crown at Seaforth's fall fair Thursday night. Left is first runner up, Sharon Pethick and Kathy Larone, right, was - second runner up. (Photo by White) Crowd crams new arena for fair Seaforth's 137th fall fair got off to a booming start Thursday night as huhdreds crowded into the new community centre hall to watch the opening ceremonies. And to inspect the partially completed new building. It was standing room only in the hall as Ontario's deputy minister of agriculture. and Perth County native, Duncan Allan, opened the fair. After eight contestants gave speeches. Lynne Dodds. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Dodds. of R.R. 1, Seaforth whose topic was women in farming. was crowned Queen of the Fair. Sharon Pethick. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Pethick of R.R. 1. Seaforth who spoke on her career as a nurse was first runner-up and Kathy Larone, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Larone of R.R. 4, Seaforth, whose topic was the value of physical fitness was second runner•up. Mary Murray. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Murray. R R. 5. Seaforth, was voted Miss Congeniality by the contestants. Judges were Cathy Anstett and David and Merelyn McKnight. The crowd. who toured the exhibits lining the hall, also saw entertainment by the Lila Storey dancers and fiddler Nelson Howe. and by the Town and Country Four, Agricultural Society president Ken Cole, man say's the fair, especially Thursday night and Friday. was "exceptional, considering conditions". In view of the economy, the uncertain weather, showers and mud and the partly completed hall he said the fair was "as good as any". Gate receipts were about the same as last year's and exhibits in some •1-e. schools. home department and heavy horses for example, were up. Saturday's events attracted only fair crowds, although those who attended praised the dog show, organized by Brenda Whyte. .lane Vincent. president of the ag society's ladies' section, said the quality of exhibits was good and only the secondary school entries were "down a bit". The baby show Saturday afternoon attracted nine entires in the six months and under class and three in the six months to one year age group "We may add an older class next year." she suggested. The demolition derby. scheduled for Saturday night. had to he cancelled-becasue of the wet condition of the grounds and the high cost of insurance. "Demos have to be run in the day time, when the weather is good. Summer is the hest time." Mr. Coleman said. The agricultural society is looking forward to having the entire arena complex open for next year's fair and "new events are being looked at to bolster and make it a stranger fair." Mr. Coleman says. Next year exhibits may he set up all day Saturday too and more programs will he planned throughout the three days. rhe Agricultural Society wants to keep the group young and growing and wants new members. Mr. Coleman says. Associate directors...they don't have to be farming.. are welcome. Winner of the pony and saddle which Bill Leeming donated to the AGricultural Society was Ben Driscoll of Seaforth. Don Lobb. Clinton, won second prize, 525 and Lynda Ansiett of R.R. 4. Seaforth won 510. third prize. with 10 men, the greatest 1982 police budget, 5420,728, but it also serves the greatest number of people, 7,391. One note, Goderich's cost per capita of $54.87 is the third lowest, after Milverton and Listowel, Listowel pays the highest salaries for first class constables. 'The town is served by a seven -man force made up of five first class constables earning $26,300. Each person in Listowel pays an average of $53.97 to operate the force. . The lowest salary for a first class constable is paid by Mitchell, $24,1.47. There are three constables in Mitchell's five -man force„,The municipality's Cost per capita is above the average at a figure of $65.08. When it comes to police chief's salaries, Goderich again takes the lead with its top officer earning $33,271 annually. Clinton comes in at the bottom with its chief earning $29,250 a year. As far as per capita costs go, Clinton is closest to the average with a figure of 59.16. St. Marys, Listowel, Wingham, Goderich and Exeter have other supervisory officers besides the police chief. Only St. Marys has a deputy ehief with an annual salary of $28,627, The remaining towns have ser- geants with the following salaries, Wing - ham, $25,500; Goderich, $27,352; and Listowel, $27,962. Exeter has an acting sergeant at the present time. -St. Marys and Listowel are ideal for comparison. purposes as they both have populations of 5,000 policed by seven officers. Their police budgets for 1982 are fairly close, with St. Marys at $329,194, slightly higher than Listowel's budget of $316,100. St. Marys beats out Listowel again when it comes to police chief salaries. The St. Marys chief receives $30,627 annually while Listowel's chief receives $30,500. Listowel leads the way in first class constables' salaries. St. Marys comes in a close second as its first class contables receive $26,127 a year. The towns off Mitchell, Clinton and Wingham have five officers on their respective police forces. The number of residents in each community varies, but averages around the 3,000 mark. Police budgets in these towns are: Clinton, $218,147; Mitchell, 5228,000; and Wing - ham, $231,400. Police chief's salaries are, Clinton $29,250; Mitchell, $29,900 and Wingham $31,400. For first class constable the salaries are, Clinton, $25,195; Wingham • $24,200; and Mitchell, $24,147. Exeter with its six -man force ranges slightly higher than the five -man forces. Exeter's police chief receives $30,215 a year, and its 1982 budget is $238,040. The salary for a first class constable is $24,900 which ranks sixth of the nine municipalities. Exeter residents pay a per capita cost of 861.36 for policing. Milverton has been excluded from the comparison of salaries. Town clerk A.J. Bnibacher refused to disclose salaries as did police committee chairman Pat Gallager, who "wouldn't divulge" the information because it is his opinion the officers "are entitled to a certain amount of privacy". Please turn to page 3 A WINNER—Lindse Sue Culbert of Goderich took top honours in the baby contest, 6-12 months group. is the daughter of Sue and Mark Culbert. Benjamin Stoll of Kippen placed second land Timothy William Devereaux took third place. (Svela photo) Seaforth supports wage restraint Seaforth residents and representatives several local groups support the provincial government's 5 per cent wage restraint program on public sector employees, but feel that the program should be extended to cover a large range of consumer goods. In an unofficial telephone poll conducted by the Huron Expositor. many of those contacted feel th t the 5 per cent ceiling should apply to utilitSt costs, liquor prices, OHiP and other consumer goods as well. PUC manager Torn Phillips, whose employees are presently negotiating a new contract, told the Expositor that he personally feels that there have to be some controls to help bring the economy out of its present situation. One more chance for questionaire Reader response to the Expositor survey. printed in the, last two weeks papers, has been good. However. because the questionaire takes some time to fill out. the newspaper will take completed questionaires (blanks are avail. ble at our office) until Friday. Oct. I. Readers are invited to fill one in. and take part in the draw for an AM/FM stereo clock radio. The draw will be held Monday. Oct. 4 "1 definitely feel that something has to be -done, but 1 wish it was an 'overall program instead of just affecting wage earners," he feels, citing the lack of controls on utility rates in the province by the government. Charles Campbell, of the local Business Improvement Association (BIA), is also in favor of the 5 per cent program. However, he agrees with Mr. Phillips that the program shouts be extended. "The idea is good, but you can not segregate one group when all around the increases are greater." he says, referring to the recent 17 per cent increase in OHiP payments. Neil Straw, a former member of the bargaining committee for the Ontario Public School Teachers' Federation, also supports the restraint program. "I would like to see a greater influence in price controls," he says, Citing the 11 per cent settlement reached last year by the union, Mr. Straw says that in Huron County the union settled early because they felt that there might be wage and price controls. He adds that both teachers' federations will fight the program as it is. Seaforth mayor, John Sinnamon agrees with the program. "1 think it is a good idea. We have got to realize that we have to make cutbacks," he says. Councillor and local lawyer Paul Ross is cautiously optimistic about the program. He feels that it could give many individuals a psychological lift to see the government No reason for alarm over beans yet says OMAF Some area farmers are concerned that their bean crops may be destroyed if the rain continues for several more days. What has many farmers concerned is the poor field conditions for operating farm machinery in John Heard of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) in Clinton says. his office has received a few calls from farmers worried about the bean harvest However, the ministry does not feel that there is any irtimediate reason for alarm OMAF reports that 10 per cent of the total bean crop across Ontario has been harvested and good weather should see the rest of the crop harvested. Mr. Heard does not believe that a possible crop failure will influence the price of beans which is generally determined in the United States. "We are at the mercy of the American producers as far as pricing is concerned," he says. responding to the current economic situa- tion. "Anything that is going to curb inflation is a valuable and legitimate tool," he explains. Shirlev'S'eary. a member of the bargain- ing committee for county secondary school teachers, declined to comment on the program because she has not been able to study it thoroughly. However, she feels that if there is going to be any kind of controls they should not be restricted to public sector wages. The new legislation has angered opposi- tion members who feel that the program should be extended to other consumer products and private sector wages. Both NDP leader Bob Rae and Liberal leader David Peterson have criticized the new, Inflation Restraint Act. They are concerned that the new legislation will not help solve Ontario's economic ills and create new jobs As well as limiting public sector wage increases, the act also prohibits its wage• related strikes during the one year period. According to one analyst speaking on the CBC's Metro Morning radio program. the move will save the Ontario government approximately $600 million in wage sF'flle- ments. Ciderfest raises Despite the poor weather oxer the weekend the periodic rain failed to damper the spirits or hinder good attendance during Ciderfest '82. Events scheduled for the business arca and he Van Egmond House grounds were well attended. According to foundation chairman. Paul Carroll. approximately 53000 was raised to help pay off a capital debt nt 530,011 owing from recent restorations. The foundation is also planning new renovations to the Van Egmond House to make it more attract's(' to local groups for gatherings. This year rs the first time the went has been di,. vied between Main Street and the Van Egmond House Through the co•operat 'von of vhe foundation and the Business Impmsemenr Association 18141 an attempt was mad,. to expand the aeric itics and to make Ciderfest a community fes' al According to B14 member Charlie ('amp hell. the expanded version of Ciderfest ss as a success for town merchants. He feels that even if the local merchants dt,1 rot Huron County MPP, Jack Riddell, and Huron -Bruce MPP. Murray Elston were not available for comment at press time. Expositor wins award for adyertising At the 'fall meeting of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association, in London on the weekend, the Huron Expositor received a second place award for general excellence in advertising in 1982, for papers with circulation from 3001 to 5000• The Mitchell Advocate, another Signal Star publication. was awarded second in its circulation class. Expositor ad staffer Kathy Hoegy accept- ed the award. Expositor publisher Jo Shrier, a director of OCNA. also attended the meeting nearly $3000 exlsincnsc an increase u' sales, the exposure the cnmmumts teemed will help the town in future. Sex cral attractions that were crowd pleasers The concert hs P-igand in Cardno's Hall dress a large audt e of both soung and 'Id Mr Carroll hopes that the concert mai help increase the interest of local residents or groups in restoring the aging landmark Fqualls popular was the Sill's pin, ate museum The Black Pow der Renders .'us group was possihls the most popular attraction al rots scar's Ciderfest According to Paul Carroll. the group has tentansel\ agreed to return near year. Their displays of Indian and pioneer craft. authentn sampsnc and mu»le•loadrng and firing iaprurcd the imagrnanon of mans spectators The group spent the two nigh!,, rer•is 'isu,e the slay of traditional pioneer There' were approximately 40 mcr'hr•s a' Ir•ts scar's (lderfcsi Thes are fror a•'u^d 11,ic pros ir,ce and share the,csan,e ,•'ere,' if pioneer life Brigand played in Cardno's Hall during Ciderfest. Pet show was popular at Brussels fair. Pages Ab to A8 Photos on page A9 & A17 Everyone had fun at Seaforth fair. Photos on page A17 Brussels News 46 ^ F Crass,''eds 4;; .. ;e Dubnn ^eHc 44 , Ed'ro,,a s 4; Erterta ^^'P 4 Fan, i 41 20 Far-, 4'� Her'sa' ^ews 4'3 Kids coo,.—, A'9 Ob tuar'es 4,7 Peop'e 43 ' Pc,. -stun 4; Sea'orth Lary 's 90 /A16 SOPS news 418 19 S.n,rey 442 Someth"ng to say /A3 Spots 412•