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The Huron Expositor, 1982-10-27, Page 1Incorporating 4 BrusselsPost 50c per copy �hF 3Iurtni SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WE tfqioihw NESGAY, OCTOBER 27, 1982 — 26 PAGES Se ortf� II I BY SUSAN WHITE A good crowd listened carefully Monday night as 20 speakers, candidates for office, and those who have been acclaimed, explained their plans for Seaforth at, the town's ratepayers' meeting. Many paid tribute to Mayor John Sinnamon, who retires next month after two terms and to the 1981-82 council. Saying he couldn't help comparing the ratepayers' meeting to "the big people in Ottawa who run the country", councillor Paul Ross said the prime minister took three nights "to tell us almost nothing. This council, those running, have had something to say." Mayoral candidates, councillors Alf Ross and Bob Dinsmore, agreed that Seaforth is in for some hard times in the future. The challenge will' be, Mr. Dinsmore said "to continue the present standard of service without increasing the burden on taxpayers. it's almost impossible but the major burden the new council will face," , Calling for cautious budgeting and pro- gramming, Mr. Ross said in tough times the ates need for services increases. "Everybody wants council to save money, as long as it's at somebody else's expense." FOR REEVE Bill Campbell, candidate for reeve, pointed out the last council controlled approximately $1 million in taxpayers' dollars in the last year, and stressed elected jobs are important. He said he has a good, working relationship with rural municijralit- ies and added "Seaforth should be, proud of these neighbours." Present reeve, Bill Dale, outlined some accomplishments since he's been on council, including town hall renovations, the removal of the Huron Canadian Fabricators building from a residential area, the John St. senior citiiens apartments, library renovatiops and helping the pre-school get established in a new building. He warned costs are up at county council including welfare and a 7 per cent tax on equipment; neither of which were budgeted for. Seaforth needs a more active voice on county council, said Bruce Hoelscher, the third candidate for reeve, He suggested a rt. NO, THE ICE isn't in the new arena, yet but the next thing to it is. Workmen were busy all day Tuesday and worked late into the night, pouring cement for the new arena floor and trowelling the surface. The surface was completed Wednesday. with workers "grinding'' the cement. Over 200 yards of cement was required and 18 workers assisted in the project. The new floor will cure for 28 days. It is hoped the new complex will be ready for skaters by December 15. (Wassink photo) Taxes, pay, firehall questioned Value fi. r tax money. council pay and expcnsc'. a new firchatl and how much control do school hoard trustees have anvwac, were sonic of the questions candidates fielded at Seaforth's ratepayers' meeting Monday night. Ahottl )10 people. including 20 candidates, attended the hyo hour meeting. no ratepayers. Bill McLaughlin. and Henry -Meru, who is running for council. complained about the taxes they 'pay. ••S0000," said Mr. McLaughlin,'.and I'd like to know where it's going. A motel in Toronto would hr cheaper." He asked why so much help is needed in public works (three full time employ ccs plus one man on sick leave. oincillor Bob Dinsmore explained) and said using hyo loaders to clear snow from around Main Si parking lots is a waste. "A man with a shovel could do it more quickly." Councillor Dinsmore said council feels because Main St. merchants pay business tax, they deserve to have snow removed so people can walk on the sidewalks. Town streets are cleaner faster than any town in the county. he added. A little perspective was added by the meeting's chairman. A.Y. McLean. who said he could remember when snow in town was removed by one man . who was also chief of police. "And there were complaints about cost then," he added, Mr. Mero said his taxes were $1200-$1300 a year "and I'm tired of it, would like to do something about it." There is excess staff throughout the town, the candidate said. HOW MANY? "How many parcels of property has the far seats for kids ( .ii scats will he asailahic at a nominal hirci tor infants lea%ing Seaforth Contemn. ny Hospital after the new Ontano las% rry1 rmc re'1raints for all children in cars owes into effect on Monday. Noy. I. . I hat's thanks to the Hospital Auxiliary n Iii, h has a tluantity of thc scats on order president Shirley Dinsmore Cat's she's imicrned that many people don't know about the new law. and 'the Auxiliary, has hi cel snrpnsed at the lack of government ,id' arising ahiiut its requirements. ( ar scats will he available at SCH for rental by parents for a small fee,' plus refundable deposit The exact price hasn't been set vet. but Mrs. Dinsmore says it will be a lot less than thr 340 or 5100 it costs to buy an infant car scat." A car scat can he rented until the child outgrows it. The Auxiliary would like to be sure that no baby Ieavcsthe hospital without being safely, and legally strapped in to moat and dad's car. More iftformation on new seat belt legislation for children is on page 21 A. Bad back? Try fitness Page A10 town bought for a firehall since you've served on council?". Bill Campbell, who's challeng• ing reeve Bill Dale, asked the reeve. "Too many," Mr• Dale replied. "We've tried and tried to help, but the firemen can't make up their minds." The town has bought three parcels and is negotiating' for another, he said. Later in reply to Mr. McLaughlin. who questioned spending tax dollars to renovate the McNich- ol building for a firehall, the reeve said the property "has not been bought. And I doubt it ever will be," as the town has no money for the purchase. Tax arrears are climbing. the reeve added and "it's about time to start saving money.' Councillor Alf Ross. who's running for mayor was quizzed twice about pay. Saying he understood the chairman and rice - chairman of the ncw arena board. both from McKillop. are serving for nothing. Bill McLaughlin asked Mr. Ross why he was being paid. "I was instructed by council to act on the arena board. That's classed as a meeting and 1 get paid for attending a meeting." Mr. Ross replied. (It's council policy that all its official reps get paid for meetings they attend.) Another ratepayer. D'Orlean Sills. asked Mr. Ross why his account for attending .1 Municipal Police Authorities convention was double that of council's other representati+c• mayor John Sinnamon. Mr. Ross replied that he didn't know where the $441.30 figure in last week's paper came from and his hill totalled 5331.40; including 312€ for the room. $16.30 for hotel coveraize($l0,parking, $o 1(i e t eir say full report from county council be debated by town council and its decisions taken back to the county. Later reeve Dale explained that to give council more feedback from the county would likely require another full council meeting, and people are complaining about too many meetings now. Because the county has a full day session every month, "I just bring the highlights back", he said. EOR COUNCIL "1'11 do my best to give you good value for your dollar," said council candidate Dave Devries, one off seven seeking the six seats. He said the town's street construction program benefits all, "and I'd like to see it continued." The day of "good old boy" politicians is past, said former councillor'Wayne Ellis and he called for business -like management off the town and business -like action from voters. Asking the public to take ideas, and complaints to councillors, he said "your responsibility doesn't end with the elect- ion." The council chosen Nov. 8 will be in for three years; "choose wisely, then give them your support," he summed up. Hazel Hildebrand called her first term on council "a learning experience ." Talking to councillors from other municipalities at a meeting recently made her realize how fortunate we are in Seaforth she said, citing the town hall, library, hospital, park, pool and of course the community centre all in good shape. Veteran councillor Irwin Johnston, head of .z` tax); 5105 for meals at council's 535 a day rate: and mileage at the town's agreed upon rate. 584. The figure in last w'eek's Expositor came from a sheet titled "September Council Expensbs", provided to the press at council's Oct. 12 meeting. it listed councillor Ross' expenses as mileage 584: meals 5105; room 5132.30; registration 5110: and other (gar- age) 510 for a total of 5441.30. It listed the mayor's expenses for the same three day meeting as room 5126 and registration 5110, for a total of 5236. The 5110 registration fee, which is pre -paid was left out of councillor Ross' explanation at the meeting. clerk Jim Crocker said Tuesday morning. As well, mayor Sinnamon's expen• sex at the convention included 56.30 in hotel „tax and $105 for meals which will appear in ne�tt month's council expenses. The actual difference in the two accounts is the 510 parking charge and the mileage, as Mr. Ross drove the mayor and clerk to the consention. DISAPPOINTED John Jewita completing his first term as Seaforth's rep on the Huron County Board of Education, said in answer to Ken Oldacre that he has been "disappointed in the amount of say trustees do have" on school hoard expenditures. "However. we do have same." Salaries, Mr, Jewitt said. make up '4.8 per cent of the hoard's budget and he added the teacher's federations. "''a real strong union". has e had the hoard "over the barrel" in the past because of the threat of arbitration. Please turn to page .1 the police committee, explained that al- though policing costs Seaforth "a fair amount of money", our police sometimes have to help out in surrounding municipalit- ies which don't pay police costs directly. The Ontario Police Commission says the present town police station isn't adequate and better facilities are needed for public works equipment, he said. Mr. Johnston said the town may have to look at expanding its sewage system and said he'll push to get rid off open ditches in town. Bill Martin who ran unsuccessfully for council in 1980 said he was encouraged enough to run again. He said Seaforth can be a growing town, with something for working people, senior citizens and all segments of the population. Henry Mero, a former councillor who ran for mayor last election joked that the present council had done such a ter:itle job "There'll be nothing to do for the next three years." He called for reducing taxes by reducing overhead and said he'd like 'to look at "excegs staff throughout the town." In his first council term, councillor Paul Ross said he's noticed members listened to the community. Noting that Seaforth has reserves, while other levels of governments have deficits, Mr. Ross called it a conserving 'community. "We gi in stages so we cath afford our programs." At the same time, fora big. immediate need like the arena, "the community came Please turn to page 3 First McKillop vote in years BY RON WASSINIC McKillop taxpayers will be heading to the polls on Monday, November 8 to elect three new councillors. It's the first election in years, A councillor for one terra and deputy -reeve for a second term, Marie Hicknell replaces Harvey Craig as reeve. the first woman in McKillop township history to hold this position. Councillor for 14 years, life resident and farm in the township, William Leeming steps up to the position of deputy -reeve. Both have been acclaimed. Four people are standing for three coucnil seats. Only one incumbent is standing for re-election. William Siemon. Completing two years as councillor. Mr. Siemon said there have been a number of good and bad issues. "They have been resolved as best as can be." With a family of four children and a second vice-president of the Brodhagen Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Siemon is seeking a second term "to complete present issues." He is a life long resident of McKillop. In addition to farming, he operates an insurance business with Keith Murray Insurance Brokers in Mitchell. Noting it has been approximately 12 years sinee an election was held in the township, Brian Campbell hopes to encourage interest for the younger generation in the township. A arrector of the Seaforth Agricultural Society and past member of the Winthrop community parks committee. Mr. Campbell was raised in the township. Employed in agriculture as a pork producer, he said he has no grievances towards council. Owner of Family Paradise Campground and a four year resident in the township. John George believes a council member has a responsibility to the residents of the township to actively and conscientiously represent their opinions and answer them. Hailing from the Kitchener area. Mr. George operated a store in Waterloo with his wife Judy. He said "we must look to the future regarding natural resources in the township."' Mr. George believes an elected official should work "for the people. not against them." A seven year resident of McKillop. Dorothy Widerman and her husband own a farrow'to finish operation. Formerly employ- ed in accounting in Toronto, Mrs. Wieder- man said her main concern is the "condition of the roads in McKillop. More upgrading and a better road program is necessary. A member of the Ontario Pork Congress committee for the ladies program, Mrs. Widerman has three children, Rosemarie who attends college and twins. Debbie and Harold who are students at Seaforth District High School. ® hopes no Ge�esc offs Xmas lay before hiq s herr is be no need for further layoffs before thdf period. (iencseo is lust one of several manufactur• inc ynmpames facing a reduction to sales due to the poor economic comate in the country The company is hoping to improve the number of orders it 10ec1%es to continue full employment and is hoping for an upturn in the economy Scaforth's largest employer. Genese), Shoes of Canada, has recalled its 140 employees following a three week layoff According to Charles Geddes. company manager. the layoffs were due to a sluggish market and a reduction in the sale of shoes ' ' We hope that we will he gyring tr ( hristm.is." he said. citing that company An early Hallowe'en ? Hallowe'en struck Hensall a little eart' last, rs eek , ay hen Link non n ghosts or goblins made i;ff with an entire bundle of Huron Fxpos, tor's Wednesday night. outside the yittage's past office. The papers %t ere replaced Thursday morning and thc Hensall postmaster has sugge+tyre ,, ',diet place for the Fxposnor s nicht drop off 1 sposurrs were also missed last neck by a nnn her ,'t subscribers in the Blyth arca rbc o+•++,paper's eireulan00 people arc aorlon0 n ib the post office to cure that dclt+er% h.„blcm, and apologvc to subscribers oho ere missed Energy conservation Page A19, 20, 21 Fresh strawberries in Walton Page A22 Births /A18 Brussels news ' A22 2'13 ;4 Classifieds 1A75. 15 Dublin news 1A4 5 Ed,tonats 'A2 Energy conservation Entertain:'Ment A' Family /A11 12 Farm 'A/3 Hensall news 48 tidS COlumn A'2 People A' Boulston 42 Smiley A2 'Sports 49 10 The Junct,or 45 Years AgOne A2 A'9 20 21 rara