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The Huron Expositor, 1983-02-16, Page 1A Incorporating rBrussels Post 50c per copy urt4111. Czpositor SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1983 18 PAGES Booster club set up for community centres AN EARLY MONDAY morning blaze levelled the Huron Tavern in Dublin. Seaforth and Mitchell fire departments responded and were on the scene until 10:00 a.m. The Ontario Fire Marshall_Is investigating the cause of the fire. The building and contents were insured for$300, ubiround 000. (Wassink photo) Historic D lin hotel burns to Seaforth's volunteer firemen were an exhausted group Monday evening after being up all night fighting the blaze -which destroyed the Huron Hotel in Dublin. Mitchell firemen joined them and eight firefighters from that town worked alongside a crew of 13 from Seaforth, under the direction of chief Harry Hak. The hotel is in the Seaforth fire area, right on the border between the two department's areas. Mitchell received the fire call at 12:03 a.m. and arrived on the scene first. Seaforth got the call at 12:05. "It was a total loss," said chief Hak. "We haven't determined the cause, but the Fire Marshall's office is investigating. Arson is in, its entertainment recently changing from not ruled out at the moment." rbtk to country western. Last year the tavern He said the buildin ich is owned by - tOade th Leo and Anita Barret , and i insured for $300,000. The ow reached for comment. No one the fire. - 'bruiltliifg see Joan Cronin's column on page The Huron Hotel had adopted a new style -contents were grgani er could not be ', riate injured in For ews after some local residents is boycott to protest appearance of female strippers in the club, istory of the more than century old Seaforth heritage houses could get grants Owners of Seaforth houses that have been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act may receive grants up to $2,000 a year for work that preserves or enhances • their home's exterior architectural features. The money is available, up to $8,000 per building, under a program called the Building and Rehabilitation and Improve- ment Campaign or BRIC. Seaforth's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC), asked council last week to get involved in the program, through the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, Walter Armes of LACAC told council the grants must be matched by an equal contribution by the building's owner and cannot be used for landscaping or routine maintenance. Examples of the type of work eligible, if the town gets involved with the program, are repointing of brick or repair of a slate roof. A grant is available once for exterior painting in the building's docu- mented original colour. "Most people with a designated house could get 50 per cent of a paint job." -Mr. Armes speculated. With 18 eligible designated properties in Gas war hits BY KRIS SVELA (Seaforth and area consumers will finally have an opportunity to cash in on the Ontario -wide gas wars after local dealers reduced their rates to 27.5 cents a litre for regular gas with other gas types following suit. The lower prices will mean welcome relief to the pocket book after steady increases pushed the price of gas up to 45.9 cents throughout the county earlier this year. According to Larry Dolmage, part owner of Archie's Sunoco the reduction is due to pressure on local owners to bring their rate in line with stations in Clinton. Clinton gas stations have been offering a lower rate for the past week. The reduction came after Mr. Dolma e's supplier. Ross Scott Fuels in Brucefield asked them to bring the price down in the fierce battle for consumer dollars. He says that at his station business has been brisk with people wanting to cash in on the substantial savings. He explains that his station makes about the same profit on the lower prices through credit received from the supplier. He does not anticipate a further drop in the price similar to London where gas is selling for around 19 cents a litre. He concedes that the London price could be hurting the businesses because 26 cents is the price paid in taxes and town, there's the potential of $72,000 in work and sales to be created in Seaforth each year through BRIC, Mr. Armes said. He .added the program may help convince people "heritage conservation isn't all bad." An additional bonus is that designat- ed houses are looked after and improved. The province provides a 10 per cent administration fee, which he estimated would cover office costs and work by the building inspector. The only problem could be, he said, that the town has to advance the grant money, which is paid by the province twice a year, in July and December. Clerk Jim Crocker asked what would happen if the town had paid a grant for a project the ministry later called unacceptable. Ann Hansen of LACAC ieplied that no grants would be paid until approval for work was received from the ministry. Councillor Paul Ross the town rep to LACAC, added council has the final authority and no money would be paid until the building inspector was satisfied the work conformed to the proposal submitted to the ministry. Seaforth Cardno's Hall could be eligible under BRIC, Mr. Armes replied to councillor lrwin Johnston, and it's also eligible for corporate sector grants. The program runs until 1987 and all designated homes, plus the round house, would be eligible for grants, Mr. Armes said. He told council no more designations are in the works. although LACAC has had a owners charging less will have to make up the difference. Marc Caron. manager of the Seaforth Co-op told the Expositor that his prices are keeping pace with other prices in town, at 27.5 cents a litre. The cost of farm delivery will be held to a province -wide general price and will fluctuate with average prices throughout Ontario, He did not wish to disclose the current price of farm delivered gasoline. He explains that the reason for the reduction in the pump price is because of the stiff competition. That is the reason for price reductions at the Seaforth RP and Gulf stations. Owners of both stations say they have been forced to drop their prices to stay competitive. All stations have experienced a steady flow of customers at the pumps. People are also taking advantage of this. It is difficult to predict whether .the prices will go up or down and how long consumers can expect to get a hreak from the usual nigher rates charged. Station owners contac- ted declined to make any predictions on the future of the price hreak consumers are enjoying. However. Seaforth consumers are definitely enjoying the price reduction which will help feed the healthy appetites of any gas guzzler. nog W@E few requests, because the group has been concentrating on the Main St. heritage district plan. Council will consider applying for the BRIC program, mayor Alf Ross told him. Mr. Armes thanked council for having deputy clerk Luanne Phair attend LACAC meetings, "It's been a tremendous help." LACAC chairman Ralph Smith also attended the meeting. Kids love computers BY RON WASSiNK The computer age arrived at the St_ James' Separate School last week in the form of two 'PET Commodore' commuters. Boasting a price tag of $1,300 each. one was provided by the Huron -Perth Roman Catholic School Board and the second computer was purchased by the students following a two year fundraising drive, says principal Ray Contois. The computers have elaborate typewriter keyboards and cassette drive. Mr. Contois said all students from kindergarten to grade eight will be taught to use the PETs. In addition to students learning computer "language", teaching staff have been tailing courses introducing computers. Mr. Contois says students have been working with pre-programmed lessons. "Eventually they will make their own programs." The introduction of computers to the school has many positive aspects says Mr. Contois. "They will provide remediation for some and enrichment for gifted students. Computer technology is moving so quickly that we couldn't afford to wait. The bonus of the computer is astounding," Questioned as to the future of the teaching staff, Mr. Contois said the computer will not replace teachers, "but reinforce the students' knowledge after the teacher has taught them." He explained that a student asked for a game tape to play an activity game on the computer. instead. Mr. Contois advised the student to use one of the mathematics tapes. "The student became so enthralled with the math questions. interest was lost for the game tape. 1 can see a definite benefit." Parents were notified over a year ago that computers would be installed at the school. "Parents were told the computers would be a learning tool and that's the way they will be used. We haven't received any negative response from parents," says Mr. Contois. "The next step will be a parent workshop." Students seem quite comfortable with the computers, as opposed to adults who are always a bit teary, says Mr. Contois. "The younger the student, the more comfortable they seem:" He explained there is a wide range of approximately 800 computer tapes available in every subject area including grammar, spelling, history, geography and French. Compared to his home computer, grade eight student Danny Primeau says both computers will do the same things, "but the language is different." Hoping to seek a career in computer programming, Danny says "1 come to school early each day, and work on the computer." Mr. Contois joked, "1 think he camps on my door step. "I like computers", says Connie Mero. a grade six student. "We have one at home, but it's a little different to the school computer." Connie says the computer will assist her in her future hairdressing business "used for pricing, possibly even doing hair." When asked if she favoured a, teacher or computer, Connie replied, "I would sooner have a computer". David Vantyghen, grade eight, h set a goal of being a computer program er. "1 would sooner program the comput r than play games on it. There is more sati faction in programming. . Jeff Medd. grade six, likes working with computers. "They're better than doing school work, (written assignments)." Mr. Contois, noting Jeff programming the computer, exclaimed, "You were just doing school work!" "Computers are excellent". says Jeff. Mr. Contois noted many students now have in-home computers. "The school can't afford to be behind. Students look forward to working on the computer. They seem to adapt so quickly and have no misconcep- tions. " BY RON WASSINK Turnout was relatively small but enthusi- asm was electrifying at the Thursday evening organizational meeting of the Seaforth and District Community Centres Booster Club. A committee was formed from two representa- tives of the five municipalities involved. Chairman of the new Booster Club is Kevin Kale. a McKillop township representative. Bill Strong, chairman of the meeting, said "looking back 12 to 15 months, we have to see what made the new complex a success. A need was present which caused a desire in the people to replace the condemned facility. All this was possible with a lot of co-operation." He said the total fundraising effort, hard work and dedication Sas created a new facility. "second to none." "Now we've got a new arena, so what do we want to achieve with it?", Mr. Strong asked. "We have to make it a place where people want to come, a place for youth to develop and grow. The new complex should provide a service to the community." The Lucan and Brussels. Morris and Grey community -centres each have booster clubs, both of which are successful. "A club will keep the public working together for accomplishments of the future, said Mr. Strong. REVENUE? Harry Hak asked for information concern- ing revenues of the two arenas and the operation of their booster clubs. ' Co-chairman of the fundraising committee, Ken Cardno explained the Lucan club has donated $10,000 to their arena to be used for new •capital expenditures. "Brussels oper- ates on the right side of the books," Mr. Cardno admitted. "We're not familiar with the operation of a booster club because- Seaforth has never had one. We see the need forsuch an organization." "The interest is there." Mt. Strong said. "Now is the time to start the club. We hesitate to say what the club could do. That is up to the booster club committee." Mr. Cardno explained the booster club "fills in the gaps left by other organizations. The club can promote any public oriented activity such as• a dance, bingo. senior . citizens' activities. Everyone thinks a boos,tt;r club is a group of low paid servants who wait on tables and cook. This is not the case.' The new facility. boasts a kitchen, "the envy of surrounding community centres. E thin is here:•Wetr4+notrsaying%wm"i going to' be caterers. The time will come on some occasion when the kitchen will be used by the club,", said Mr. Cardno. "The management and fundraising committees have no criteria for the booster club to follow, We want your ideas." SOMEONE'S BASEMENT When discussion of a new community centre first started, Dave Tremeer said the first meeting was in someone's basement with only a handful of people present. "It grew to over 200 canvassers. The fundraising worked and I'm sure the booster club will work. •• Mr. Strong said the 10 representatives nominated to the committee would be the "nucleus." He felt a booster club "is a very important part of the success of the new complex. 1 have detected many people feel it's a great idea and the general feeling is they will do their share of the work. The committee can rest assured there is a lot of public support." Mr. Tremeer suggested a joint meeting between the booster club committee and the, fundraising and -management committees to discuss ideas. Repeating that money raised by the booster club could be used for small capital projects such as flip charts and overhead projectors, Mr. Strong said the Seaforth and District Community Centres would be selling a complete service. "This is what the club could work towards. Word will spread of the services available. We are, selling the sizzle. not the steak. The initiation of the booster club will be like a grass fire. It,will spread." The booster club committee includes: Please turn to page 3 Varna boy .seriously hurt A young Varna boy is in serious condition in Victoria Hospital, London, after being struck by a car at 8:25 a.m. last Thursday. Brian Hill, age 7, of R.R. 1, Varna suffered serious head injuries atter he was struck by an eastbound vehicle on County Road 3, while crossing the road. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bev Hill. According to . a spokesman for the Goderich O.P,P„ Brian crossed the road to reach a bus stop, when he was struck by a car driven by Mary Rathwell of Bayfield. The youth was taken to Clinton Public Hospital where he was treated before being tranferred to London. No charges have been laid in connection with the incident. Trees from Town The Town of Seaforth plans to establish a .-tre1e;1 So,*14,Wttr4 s.aN.,Semoye¢.tha,. an, be replaced wjthi " lure . trees.. 1tL " he suggestion of wort superintendent John Forrest, the lot will be planted near thetsewer works. with trees from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. Deputy reeve Bill Bennett reported at council last week that a list has been kept of where trees have been cut and they will be replaced. The trees removed around town were in. bad shape he said, "some cracked , right down the middle" and town employees had time to tackle the job because there has been so little snow to plow. Property owners were notified, he said, before any trees were removed. COMPUTERS—Jeff Medd, seated, receives computer programming instructions from David Vantyghem, grade eight student at St. James Separate School. Both students enjoyed the math quiz on the computer system. (Wassink photo) Peer pressure pushes young offenders /A 3 McKillop Insurance has a good year /A 8 All about families at Huron Centennial /A 10 B Fun and games at two local schools /A 15 Births /Ai Brussels news /A6, 7 Classified /A 16, 17 Dublin news /A 4, 5 Family /A9 Farm /A8 Hensel) news /A10 Kids /A15 Obituaries /A3 People /Al2 Roulston /A2 Smiley 1,42 Something to Say /A3 Sports /Al2, 13 Townshend /A3 Welton 1,47