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1985L� • Garbage still main county issue By SUZANNE HANSON Highway 403 into the county should also H Oxford County's Warden Charlie benefit the area, pointing out the proximi- Tatham believed in Santa Claus he would ty to Highway 401 and other transportation have been asking the jolly old elf to put a routes makes the county a good location solution to the county's ongoing garbage for industry. problems in his Christmas stocking. He stressed the county's municipalities With 1985 upon us, there still doesn't must work together on industrial develop - seem to be any such solution in sight and ment if they want to compete against the deadline for finding one is running out. larger centres such as Cambridge, Wind - Just after the 1992 municipal elections sor and Toronto. when Mr. Tatham was elected as warden, And he said the county must do a consolidated hearing board turned down everything possible in the new year to en - the county's application to establish a new sure Tillsonburg has land available for in - landfill site near Salford in South-West Ox- dustrial development, noting the tobacco ford Township to handle the county's gar- industry is not as strong or vibrant as it bage. That decision was subsequently once was. overturned by the provincial cabinet in A major project initiated by county 1983, but development of the. site has been council in 1984 was the recycling of the delayed by legal actions designed by former Oxford County jail into offices for South-West Oxford Township and its the county board of health and Homecare residents to have the cabinet decision services. The $1.8 million project, ex - overturned. pected to be tendered in the spring, is While the legal wrangling continues, scheduled to be completed by the end of time continues to run out on the life of ex- 1985. isting landfill sites in the county with all "It's a long-term project," said Mr. other sites, including the county's major Tatham, admitting the county will be pay - site near Holbrook in Norwich Township+ a extra money for heritage." But scheduled to close by 1986.& the jail building is one of its "It's only natural that people are oppos- '0 ` midis Canada "and worth more than 25 ed to landfill sites," said Mr. Tatham. But like it." He said the recycled building will he pointed out the county has spent be something desirable for the courthouse $13D,000 since the hearings -trying to ad- square and a unique building worth preser- dress the comments made by the ministry ving. of the environment "so it will be a safe Ongoing concerns that will face county landfill site, council in 1985 include Ontario Hydra's route studies for new transmission lines to "No one wants to cause any problems or bring power from the Bruce Nuclear harm to anyone," he said. But he pointed Power Development to southern Ontario. out the issue is a social one. "I don't think As Hydra carries out new route studies, you will find anyone that will say 'yes, we the county will continue to watch the want a landfill site'," he said, pointing out developments. it's a case of "not in my backyard." A issue high Mr. Tatham's personal Mr. Tatham said the problems surroun- list of priorities soil conservation. o is that ding garbage disposal that face Oxford "I would like to see uss (Oxford County) County aren't unique. "It's fair to say that become number one for soil the matter of solid waste management will conservation," he said. He stressed it is occupy a lot of people's time throughout o necessary to educate ourselves and our North America in the next few years," he children "that we are resposns for the said. "All municipalities are having the soil and the trees." He said it is important same problem." to realize that, "If you look after the land, Mr. Tatham said no one wants to take it will look after us." responsibility for the problem, "but we all Mr. Tatham said the county is a unit that did it." He said "People have to look in the must work together. "We have to work mirror and say i have seen the enemy and together and have pride in ourselves and heis our community," he said. "We have to Tatham said part of the solution lies recognize what we are and what we are do - in reducing the volume of garbage going accent He said, ' important accent into landfill sites. He said landfill sites. o h a the positive and do the things we can do the the p should only be available for those things best' that aren't recyclable. Voluntary separa- Mc Tatham said he has enjoyed the job tion programs for recycling have been in warden, despite the hours and the operation in several municipalities in the frustration it has involved. He is kept busy frustration county but Ingersoll is the first to take almost every day with county business steps toward establishing a mandatory because he likes to be around to "listen system patternod on one viewed by county and see." councillors in Hamburg, New York. He first ran for municipal politics "i think if Ingersoll will do it and the rest m 1957- serving as mayor of Woodstock from of us do it, it shows that we want to do these e. served over the years as an op- thin s," said Mr. Tatham. "It makes a lot g pointed person on various boards and com- point person of sense." He said the county doesn't have mittees before returning to the municipal a large enough population to fuel an arena in 1978. He also dabbled to federal energy -from -waste plant but said a recycl- politics before returning to serve on ing plant that could produce a refuse deriv- Woodstock city council again in the last ed fuel to be sold does present possibilities municipal election when he was elected for the county, county warden by his peers. While there will be coats attached to such a project, Mr, Tatham stressed that people want certain things "and we have W pay the price -- we all did it (created the problem). " While garbage has been the focus of many heated debates In the county council chamber, other issues also stand out as significant looking back on 1994. Mr. Tatham said that perhaps the number one priority for the county now is its economic health and many other issues are lied into W "if we don't pay attention to the economy, then we're in trouble." The county fared reasonably well economical- ly in 1984, said Mr. Tatham noting the welfare rolls were down and some new companies came into the county while others expanded. He said the extension of Mr. Tatham sata he's always Deen in- volved either as an elected or appointed person. "i've always enjoyed politics ever since I can remember," he said. "It's a combination of ego and seeing things you want to try to accomplish." With regard to the new three-year term of office for elected municipal officials, in- cluding the warden, Mr. Tatham said the three-year term certainly detracted from his own occupation because of the demands on his time both physically and the time spent thinking about the county's projects and problems. But at the same time, "I don't think one year really gives you enough time to get involved." He said he has always taken his job seriously and tried to do the best job he could. "In order to achieve you have to persevere and that's not always easy." t itl li, "LKS'sW again by Will lg . d0 ogres on an agreowt to City baby Oxford's '85 first Oxford County's first New Year's baby was born to a Woodstock couple at 1:24 a.m. Tuesday. it was Sala, daughter of Marana and Mohammed Sakka of 1059 Nellis Sl.. Woodstock. Sala weighed S lb. a oz. when she came in- to the world at Woodstock General Hospital. Mondav Woodstock also claimed a second New Year's baby, a girl was born to Jane and John Langdon of Us Brompton .Ave, at 5:54 a.m. She weighed 7 W 4 oz. Tillsenburg's Jan. 1 baby was a little boy. Davey, born to Nancy and Johann Bergen of HB 1. Aylmer at 3:se p.m. in Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. Davey weighed 6 lb 9 oz. Ingersoll had to wait a little longer for its first baby of the year. At Alex- andra Hospital at 1:59 a.m. this mum14.8 81, son of 11i.-he ll e; aloft forge Baskeue at'* ....: s St. V. came into-tai world. 1'h:' Lm eri�lrt+1 7I1, 11 pt. MPP wants changes to bring industry to county in, -85 of atlmll oorlal d>Ir srtrr-�.tw Oxford MPP Dick Treleaven has resolv- ed to get more government aid for the Comity in 1985. The Progressive Conservative MPP told The Sentinel Review he hadn't made any formal resolutions as such but he has a couple of things he plans to do in the new year to help the county's unemployment problems. I want to get the new minister of in- dustry and trade and the new treasurer down here as soon as they are sworn in (after the Jan. 26 leadership convention) to view our industrial problems, i.e. the vacant plants and ad on." Treleaven also wants to force "some" government agency to provide separate unemployment figures for Oxford County. It's notgoing to be a simple thing," he said. Oxford's unemployment figures are resenUy lure in with statistics from and do not present a true picture of tion here. Separate figures for Ox- fold are not available through Manpower or Statistics Canada.. "We are around the 15 per cent mark but they put us in with the London stats which shows us at seven or eight per cent," Treleaven said. "It's ridiculous and it hurts us in establishing a high unemploy- ment rate." Because of its high unemploy- ment rate, the county should be getting more finan- cial aid and Treleaven is deter. minedto get the rA, government to face up to its obligations to Oxford in 1985. He wants a mon- thly account of what the county's DICK unemployment TRELEAVEN rate is. If this were done it would be easier to get assistance as the true figures would be known, "I am resolved to cause both these things to happen," Treleaven said. "It will take some pushing but I'm determined." v ' Enjoys job - Oxford County's Warden Charlie Tatham finds the job takes up a major portion of his time but he enjoys the challenge and the opportunity to work with people from around the county. The county faces many major issues as the current council enters its third and final year of office in 1985 but perhaps the most pressing is the need for a resolution to the county's garbage problems. (Staff Photo) Warden reviews year - Garbage remains problem Garbs ains By SUZANNE HANSON H Oxford County's Warden Charlie Tatham believed in Santa Claus he would have been asking the jolly old elf to put a solution to the county's ongoing garbage problems in his Christmas stocking. With 1985 upon us, there still doesn't seem to be any such solution in sight and the deadline for finding one is running out. Just after the 1982 municipal elections when Mr. Tatham was elected as warden, a consolidated hearing board turned down the county's application to establish a new landfill site near Salford in South-WestOx- ford Township to handle the county's gar- bage. That decision was subsequently overturned by the provincial cabinet in 1993, but development of the site has been delayed by legal actions designed by South-West Oxford Township and its residents to have the cabinet decision overturned. While the legal wrangling continues, time continues to run out on the life of ex- isting landfill sites in the county with all other sites, including the county's major site near Holbrook in Norwich Township, scheduled to close by i9m. "It's only natural that people are oppos- ed to landfill sites," said Mr, Tatham. But he pointed out the county has spent $130,000 since the hearings trying to ad- dress the comments made by the ministry of the environment "so it will be a safe landfill site." "No one wants to cause py problems or harm to anyopq," he said. But he pointed out the issue is a social one. "I don't think you will find anyone that will say 'yes, we want a landfill site'," he said, pointing out it's a case of "not in my backyard." Mr. Tatham said the problems surroun- ding garbage disposal that face Oxford County aren't unique. "it's fair to say that the matter of solid waste management will occupy a lot of people's time throughout North America in the next few years," he said. "All municipalities are having the same problem." Mr. Tatham said no one wants to take responsibility for the problem, "but we all did it." He said "People have to look in the mirror and say I have seen the enemy and he is us." Mr. Tatham said part of the solution lies in reducing the volume of garbage going. into landfill sites. He said landfill sites should only be available for those things that aren't recyclable. Voluntary separa- tion programs for recycling have been in operation in several municipalities in the (Continued on Page 9) • • Garbage remains problem (Continued from Page 1) county but Ingersoll is the first to take steps toward establishing a mandatory system patterned on one viewed by county councillors in Hamburg, New York. "I think if Ingersoll will do it and the rest of us do it, it shows that we want to do these things," said Mr, Tatham. "It makes a lot of sense." He said the county doesn't have a large enough population to fuel an energy -from -waste plant but said a recycl- ing plant that could produce a refuse deriv- ed fuel to be sold does present possibilities for the county. While there will be costs attached to such a project, Mr. Tatham stressed that people want certain things "and we have to pay the price — we all did it (created the problem)." While garbage has been the focus of many heated debates in the county council chamber, other issues also stand out as significant looking back on 1984. Mr. Tatham said that perhaps the number one priority for the county now is its economic health and many other issues are tied into it. "If we don't pay attention to the economy, then we're in trouble." The county fared reasonably well economical- ly in 1984, said Mr. Tatham noting the welfare rolls were down and some new companies came into the county while others expanded. He said the extension of Highway 403 into the county should also benefit the area, pointing out the proximi- ty to Highway 401 and other transportation routes makes the county a good location for industry. He stressed the county's municipalities must work together on industrial develop- ment if they want to compete against larger centres such as Cambridge, Wind- sor and Toronto. And he said the county must do everything possible in the new year to en- sure Tillsonburg has land available for in- dustrial development, noting the tobacco industry is not as strong or vibrant as it once was. A major project initiated by county council in 1984 was the recycling of the former Oxford County jail into offices for the county board of health and Homecare services. The $1.8 million project, ex- pected to be tendered in the spring, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1985. "It's a long-term project," said Mr. Tatham, admitting the county will be pay- ing "some extra money for heritage." But he stressed the jail building is one of its kind in Canada "and worth more than 25 like it." He said the recycled building will be something desirable for the courthouse square and a unique building worth preser- ving. Ongoing concerns that will face county council in 1985 include Ontario Hydro's route studies for new transmission lines to bring power from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development to southern Ontario. As Hydro carries out new route studies, the county will continue to watch the developments. An issue high on Mr. Tatham's personal list of priorities is that of soil conservation. "I would like to see us (Oxford County) become number one for soil conservation," he said. He stressed it is necessary educate ourselves and our children "that we are resposuible for the soil and the trees," He said it is important to realize that, "If you look after the land, it will look after us." Mr. Tatham said the county is a unit that must work together. "We have to work together and have pride in ourselves and our community," he said. "We have to recognize what we are and what we are do- ing." He said, "It is important to accent the positive and do the things we can do the best." Mr. Tatham said he has enjoyed the job of warden, despite the hours and the frustration it has involved. He is kept bpsy almost every day with county business because he likes to be around to "listen and see." He first ran for municipal politics in 1954, serving as mayor of Woodstock from 1957.58. He served over the years as an ap- pointed person on various boards and com- mittees before returning to the municipal arena in 1978. He also dabbled in federal politics before returning to serve on Woodstock city council again in the last municipal election when he was elected county warden by his peers. Mr. Tatham said he's always been in- volved either as an elected or appointed person. "I've always enjoyed politics ever since I can remember," he said. "It's a combination of ego and seeing things you want to try to accomplish." With regard to the new three-year term of office for elected municipal officials, in- cluding the warden, Mr. Tatham said the three-year term certainly detracted from his own occupation because of the demands on his time both physically and the time spent thinking about the county's projects and problems. But at the same time, "I don't think one year really gives you enough time to get involved." He said he has always taken his job seriously and tried to do the best job he could. County res �1 i0nes work • ; on Salford landfill site By $UZANNE HANSON Construction of the Salford landfill site in South-West Oxford Township has resumed titters temporary shutdown. Preliminary work at the site had been halted because of muddy conditions at the site over the past few weeks but colder temperatures this week enabled work to restuayfpn Wednesday, said county opera- f ,gJWr Hoy Brankley in an Inter- view f le aai�ite was still a little wet and muddy on Wednt,day but it ilio frost sel ties in, workers "will be on their way." County crews are carrying out the con- struction work, with the aid of hired equip- ment. According to county engineering direc- tor Don Pratt, the preliminary work has involved three buildozers in basic earth moving. Workers started by digging one of the storm water retention ponds and by constructing the entrance to the Is site as well as carrying not preliminary drainage work 11 hilo the crews have br,-u working- tit. the site, there has been no attempt made by South-West Oxford Township or the 29 residents who are suing the county and the province over the site's approval, to stop the work at the site. "I don't know what's going on," Mr. Pratt said in a recent interview. "I would have thought that if they really believed we shouldn't be in there they would have got an injunction or something to stop us," He said the work at the site will continue, "until someone tells us to stop.,. I1.nid F-illin. the 'Toronto lawyer representing South-West Oxford Township, said Thursday, "The Township is certainly watching the situation," but he noted the county is allowed to move earth around on its own property, "if the county is preparing the site for landfill, we think it's rather foolish and a waste of public money because the issue is still before the courts," Mr. Estrin said. He said he is rewCyvutg the situation with the and ,"there will be ap- or"strp taken if that is re- 9u Com puler st utl y x". ICU C44mydttee meeting toda InnnnI HepVentatives of five Oxford County municipalitfes were to meet this morning it, Woodstock to consider the next step in a co-operative computer study. study consultant, Chris Gorman and Associates Ltd, of Toronto, has met with each of the five municipal councils -- Ingersoll, South-West Oxford, Blandford- Blenheim. Norwich and Zorra Townships— it) present the results of the first phase of The study outlining the feasibility of a co- operative computer system. During this morning's meeting, treasurers from each of the five municipalities involved were to review the presentation and draw up some ground rules to proceed with the next phase of the study, said Norwich Township clerk ad- ministrator Bob Watkins, chairman of the study committee. He said everyone has agreed to proceed w tun, se of the study —a request on what systems' are I but South-West Oxford agreed to proceed with phase three --a request for costs on the various systems. Mr. Watkins said there is a need for some formal ground rules if the municipalities are to proceed as a group. "We'll have to soon talk about what we will share and how we will do it and how it (a computerized system) will be phased in," he said. "We'll have to do some work on where we're going and how we're going to get there." The consultant has indicated in his in- itial presentation that it is feasible to switch from the present manual system to an automated system and that there can be some sharing of software among the five municipalities. During discussions with Mr. Gorman, staff of the municipalities involved in- dicated they would use a computerized system to access property and drainage in- formation, for management of informa- tion,'accounts payable, budget prepara- tion, general ledger accounts and accounts payable. Norwich separatists won't let issue die aT Austin Dowtol d The SMi,d-elan. OTTERVILLE — Residents of Norwich Township's Ward 1 are expected to meet in the near future to discuss separation. At Norwich Township council's Dec. 10 meeting Mayor John Heleniak told coun- ",Nk cil there was a <w •' movement afoot in Otterville (the former community of South Norwich - which has a popula- tion of about 3,000) to separate from N the rest of the IIE JO OIfNI:1K township Although rumors about separation! Wye been circulating around Otterville since restructuring took place in Oxford L`ottnty in 1975 the separatist issue really came to a head when council approved in principal a $140,000 beatification project for downtown Norwich in November. The separation issue seemed to be put on hold over the holiday season but on Monday Otterville resident Murray Wardell said the issue hasn't died and ex- ,pects a meeting to be called in the near future. q With council entering an separation could turn into alma : 7 Information is currently decentralized and difficult to access requiring time and manual energy to obtain. A computer system would provide more up-to-date information more quickly than a manual system and allow changes to be made faster and more easily, Mr. Watkins said Norwich Township ap- plied on behalf of the participating municipalities for a $5,000 provincial Ac- tion 85 grant to carry out the first phase of the computer study. The net cost to each municipality for that first phase, with the grant, should only be about $700 to $8W, he said. The cost of the next two phases will be about $600 each, but additional grants may be available, said Mr. Watkins, if an ap- plication is submitted by the end of March. He said the cost of the next phases would have been $3,000 for each mittjjjpj lity if they had carried out the stud lid,ividual- ly. "That's the advantage of running as a group --the costs are split five he said. Keep board at complex says Peers At the first Woodstock General Hospital Board meeting open to the media, chairman Ken Peers took the opportunity to express his dismay over the possible loss of the Oxford County Board of Health as a tenant. "We think that the health care com- plex is the ideal place for it," he said. "We realize we may be banging out' heads against the wall... but hopefully they'll stay here." The board rents a building at the hospital complex for about $47,000 a year. In a move to save rental costs, county council is currently making pions to move the hoard offices as w e l l a s t h e Homecare service to the county square. The old county jail is undergoing renova- KEN lions to accom- VIA"tis m..o:dato the Ito the hospital board tit Ili atNtt the rent revenue, addmi; h3f: a he see xY��,a�� 604rd „i heaifh`� I he tries "tdiW1 a but; (heir era Ptl'"a ml the arhaah n Peers misinformed says Warden By ALISON DOWNIE of The Sentinel -Review The chairman of the Noodstock General Hospital yoard is misinformed about .he reason the Oxford County Board of Health is moving away from the hospital, says -ounty -councillor Jack Warden. At the health board's meeting _ earlier this week, _ chairman -Ken Peers said he was dismayed over the possible loss of the board as a tenant. "I don't know why he's dismayed x unless he is misi% formed,'' said f Warden, who heads Oxford County's health and social services commit- JACK tee. '"The truth is WARDE\ we were asked to move." Warden told county council Wednes- day that the hospital board has known the county's plans for months. The county is planning $f.8 million in renovations to the old Oxford jail so it can house the health board and home care offices. In 1977 the health board and home care moved into two buildings behind (he hospital and signed a five-year lease. When the lease was up home care was asked to move and rent for the health board was tripled. Warden said the building home care was hous- m in has since been torn down. The home care office is now located on Light Street. The health board is presently paying alwut $47,000 a year for space at the hospital, which Warden said is ta, high. Warden said it is vn• not favorable to have the two ser- vices split, which is why the County at. templed to find other quarters where they could be 1oca I e d t el(tHher - \tr a•rr(• quite!' , happy them, but „ - ,it i :iagemk ❑I.— KON, VAan lrn raid 1'Cfns • • • n THE COUNTY'S GIFT Oxford Coynty Warden Charlie Tatham presented 99-year-old Rev. John Daviblivith a gift on behalf of Oxford County Council after he gave anIAnvtihation at the start of council's meeting Wednesday: It was council's first meeting this year. (Staff photo By Alison Donnie) South-West oxford may be next to join the separation game By AUIN iOYlllle of TMSwiml-4vM 6151;EHAM CENTRE — The possibility of township -wide garbage pick-up and separation is being investigated by South- West Oxford council. The township is the second municipality in Oxford County to consider implemen- ting a recycling program. Ingersoll was the first to tackle recycling and is looking at starting a program sometime this year. At South-West Oxford's meeting Tues- day councillors held a lengthy discussion on the recycling issue but no decisions were reached. Mayor Walter Wilson has been asked to get further information on the successful recycling program operating in Hamburg, N.Y., while road superintendent Don McKay has been asked to get information on the cost of purchasing a garbage packer. The township's contract with Burnett Sanitation ends Jan. 31, 1986. Presently it costs �Yri.60 a household to pick-up gar - bag, of -homes in the north part of the township that receive curbside pick-up. I which Amounts to a total cost of 54,8W a year. IVlost councillors agreed that in order to County protests nursing school move ..'Fanshawe College's school of nursing "They should enlarge the school to Fanshawe's logic in busing .student siwhld remain in Woodstock and not be make it more economically deasible," here doesn't make any sense, Court moved to London, says Oxford County. Coun. Phil Poole said. Lenore Young added. Yesterday council decided to send a �a�l I��t resolution to the ministers of health and colleges and universities expressing its concern and alarm over the closing of the nursing school. Any support from the county would be appreciated," Woodstock Mayor Wendy Calder said. She told council that in 1986 students who want to attend the school will have to travel to London for the theory portion of h.. the course although .v}, the clinical portion will still be taught *� in Woodstock. The college plans to bus WENDY students to CALDER Woodstock. Coun. Jack Whitmore said moving the school to London will cause a hardship to many students. "Bigger is not necessarily better," he. rt, The program here has 'high taisdards " (�tlt2• Calder said Fanshawe orTnally kf¢�etl hao1 in Woodstock to.henefit Oxf"Waaaid the reason it was heing moved was to cut costs, implement a recycling program, gasbag, would have to be pieked W across t',,: towrship. Mandatory separation was aL, diseuvsed. There has to be an incentive to do it. Coun. Ernie Hardeman said. "Ev+•r though we will save landfill space, if._� lose money we won't be doing justice our taxpayers." Mayor Walter Wilson suggested that residents of the township be surveyed to find out their response to initiating a separation progl'-em but }lardeman said it would be unfav to ask them to make a decision without knowing the costs involved. -• Some residents would rather drive their garbage to a landfill site than eepsrale it and have it picked up at the curb, coon Joe Sharpe said. - -The key to the whole thing is to make sure they have no place to take their gar bage unless they do it tseparatiom.- he said: "I'm not in favor of complete pick-up (township -wide) unless we include separation." CONTRACT IT OUT One of Lbirmajor decisions involved in recycling is whether the township will con- tract garbage pick-up to a private com- pany or start municipal garbage collec- tion, which would mean buying a garbage packer and hiringemployees for it operation Court. Fred Franklin said it could be a mistake to hit people too fast with the idea of complete garbage pick-up as well a; separation but no one else seemed to agree. •H we'regoing todo it. this is the time to do it, because we can teach people has to separate their garbage." Coun. Hardeman said. Coun ShaarL�pp��,a�6�d he recycling would turn ouIJ§031 r=venture ie its first years of.r0truductigt but said the township has to shirt somewhere T77 7- shackles county's taxpayers says one councillor YT �LI$011 DOWlat - - — ol The $entiml-Review At least one county councillor can't be convinced that it will be beneficial to renovate the old 'Oxford County jail. County council agreed yesterday to app- ly to the City of Woodstock for permission to alter the former Oxford County jail to provide office facilities for the county board of health and home care services. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, the county is required to make application to the city for consent in writing to make alterations to the building. The county plans He was told the $1,8 million only in- cludes work to the building and dues not include furniture. COUNCIL'SAPATHY "This is the first in a long list of items not included that we'll be looking at over the nett ,year" he said. -I'm really upset about councilis apathy." During election -time, McKay said coun- cillors were preaching government restraint and asked what had happend. "What are the benefits of this to senior citizens in Tillsonburg or Tavistock'." he asked. "All they have is the beauty of Pay- ing $2 million more in taxes." Warden Charlie Tatham said the architect in charge of the project is one , of the best in Canada, which will improve the look of the court house 7- squareand give thin county a budding which is up to INS ., standards. It will also bring in revenue for the CIIAWR county after 20 TAIMAM years. 1 Can't rvWly say whaUt will & for seniors," the warden said. W0nes DSTUCK (Bureau) — Ox- tnrd C nun�y must find ways to pres- sure the province for more ex- tended care beds at Woodingford Lodge, its administrator says. in a report to county council Wednesday night, Brian McReyn- olds said the home for the aged has been seeking additional beds for residents who qualify for extended care since April, 1963. Residents qualify for extended care if they require more than 90 nursing min- utes a day. Council decided to send copies of the report to the leaders of the the three provincial parties, Oxford MPP Dick Treleaven and Brant - Oxford -Norfolk MPP Bob Nixon. There are now 58 beds available for extended care residents, who re- ceive an accommodation subsidy from the province to help pay for the c+?sE oI staying at the home. There are about 35 residents liv- ing a i. the home who qualify for the pm•, irtLlal accommodation subsidy Rosaiggston won't `4*gain eeks more extended care be but can't get It because of the cur- rent bed problem. The county -operated home has asked the Ontario ministry of com- munity and social services to set aside an additional 40 buds to meet the needs of an Increasing number of seniors who require extended care. That would mean reclassifying 4o of the 200 "residential care" beds now available at the home, McReynolds says. The report says that despite the ministry's appreciation of the situa- Lionthe province apparently does in tend ntend to allocate additional ex- tended care beds in 1985. One way to overcome the prob- lem would be to admit only "resi. dential care" applicants who are fully ambulatory but that was ruled out by the home. Unfortunately; this would have the effect of drastically reducing our resident population since our present admissions now come to us in their mid -Nos having been able to N 1LLIfDlI oaWxlt ----- --- of ria Seoaal-Rana DRUMBO — Blandford-Blenheim Township Mayor Russ Livingston is heading into the home stretch. After being involved in local politics for the past 18 years. Livingston made it known publicly Tuesday he will not be seeking re-election for mayor, or an} other position an council. tie made.the amrottncement at a council meeting at. tended by about 70 Grade s students from across the township. Following the meeting. Liv- ingston said his mind is definitely made up, "•live con sldered retiring before but m y m i n d i s definitely made up this time." he said. "I've made a pro- mise to my family and I intend ROS.S it." to keep Llt'110 S Lhingston began his political career as a councillor oil the old Blenheim Toar(hip Council in P". lie was elected as deputy -reeve of the township in 1973- When Oxford County was restruc- tured in 1915. he ran for the position of councillor -at -large and won, which meant he got to serve on Oxford Count % council. Ile became .mayor of iBlandford-Blenheim Township in 1977 although he stepped back to councillm - at-Perge in 1981. During that time he was also warden of the county. fie was { elected mayor again in 1982. As well as salving the township he has served on the majjoriq of comilin- lee% at the county level including plami- hng, public wor)",.pl,. old agricultural commille lien and finamke. N'1ht• servrcl on all count%,46OU 'ingston Is Presently eblbe works committer. extend their years In the communi- ty through the use of various home support programs." McReynolds says the role of homes for the aged is chapgtng and suggests that the province Tax cho. seen not to recognize it. "We are slowly but surely headed in the direction of becoming ex- tended care facilities. Admtnratra- 1,4 tors of homes for the aged i 4Yltlu ally every community with whlth we come in contact are, experienc- Ing the same phenomenon," he says. McReynolds says the, ,ho}ne will continue admitting rehiden% who need more than standard rtMden tial care services despite the okgv- Ince's current stand. Questions landfill work without tender Some South-West Oxford Township residents have been wondering how the county can spend so much money on the construction of the Salford landfill site without tendering the work. Their mayor, Walter Wilson, voiced those concerns at the last meeting of Oxford County council. Coun. Wilson said he'd heard the com- panies doing the work were offered a deal they couldn't afford to refuse. But Oxford County Warden Charlie Tatham said the work is being done on an hourly basis "in case the string is pulled (on the project) and it's stopped." He said it would put the county in a difficult posi- tion if the work was tendered and the pro- ject was halted. The county decided last fall to proceed with development of the proposed landfill site even though the county and the pro- vince are still faced with lawsuits launch- ed by the township and some of its residents. The township has taken the province to court over a cabinet decision to approve the site when the Salford location had Grant shows county jail's importance earlier been rejected by a consolidated hearing board. A group of 29 Salford area residents are suing both the county and the province over the site's approval but pro- gress in getting the matter into court has been slow. Count engineer Don Pratt said work at the landfill site will proceed until the coun- ty is told to stop. The county has leased equipment and operators from two or three different companies to carry out the work under the supervision of county staff. Work to date has been primarily earth - moving to construct an entrance to the site, water retention ponds and preliminary drainage work. Court. Wilson would not say whether the township will attempt to stop the work at the site but South-West Oxford Township councillors did meet with their lawyer David Estrin in a closed meeting on Fri- day. The subject of the meeting was not made public. Mr. Estrin said in an earlier interview that it was foolish for the county to expend money on the site's development whdo it may not ever be able to put garbage there Charlie Tatham received a letter Monday that brought a smile to his face: Kitchener company Oxford County's warden received for- I mat notification from the Ontariolb has�'total treatment - Heritage Foundation that it would be providing a $140,000 grant towards the cost of renovations at the old county jail. for county's .recyclables The $140,000, f feel, expresses the foundation's awareness of the jail's By ALISON DawN11 Total has recommended six depots be considerable heritage significance and our interest in the jail's restoration," of The saetknN-Bolen - set up in the county, four oil existing landfill sites and one each on municipal foundation chairman John White said in p Kitchwants to het ener cum n Y p Oxford County municipalities recycle property in Ingersoll and Woodstock, "It's a idea for rural the letter. "Both the foundation and I am sure their waste, great municipalities but I don't think the county looks forward to seeing this Total Recycling Systems Limited has Woodstock or Ingersoll would waut to building serve a new and useful life", suggested that recycling depot stations get involved in d Hvwds(q;k ,cwa❑ Phil Poole "Our fen I, said While. be set up where paper, glass, cans and said, present V. The historic building — which has been empty for — will become the maybe oil could be deposited in various parts of jibe county. The county's public better than thts." b: Woodstock has a city-widAof years home of die county health board and works cnrhittee discussed the idest ot rogram now and IngerHomecare services. rhursdayand most member::indicated looking into setting up a pro Total coat of the project has been support of the concept. own, estimated at $1.9 million by the - - architects. The Ontario Heritage Foundation had originally pledged Elstt.000 for the pro. lest but the foundation's board of direc- fora, following 1 a request from the coun- ty for additional,*,#s; has decided Io Increase that arani by $0.00o. is E 0 • M meter to cabinet Landfill site records disclosure ordered WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — The Ontario cabinet has been ordered to disclose its information on the Sal- ford landfill site in South-West Ox- ford Township. But the Information won't be turned over right away, if ever, be- cause the province is appealing that order through Attorney -General Roy McMurtry's office. The township Is taking the prov- ince to court over cabinet's approv- al of the site in August, 19M. Township lawyer Gary Smith of Toronto, in a letter released Thurs- day, said an officer of the supreme court of Ontario had ruled in favor of his attempt to get the cabinet documents. "The decision ... confirmed the vital importance of complete pro- duction in this action," Smith said in his letter to Oxford County. "In these circumstances we may be stating the obvious in advising that we anticipate this matter will be ready for trial after full production." The province initiated an appeal last Friday and a court date of March 1 has been set. These are the latest develop- ments in the legal wrangling that has delayed Oxqord County's bid to establi$T� Or iffill at Salfo before ex'isttgg9es reach capq dad are closed: in his written decision last week in Toronto, A. F. Rodger, the senior master of the supreme court, or- dered the province to make the re- ports available to the township within 30 days. The cabinet cites crown privilege in withholding certain documents from the township, but the munici- pality argues it has a right to see the information so it can fully pre- pare its case. A joint hearings board rejected Oxford's plan to establish the sit after 8o days of evidence, but tha decision was eventually overturned by the cabinet Aug. 9, 1983, on a appeal by the county. In its lawsuit, the township is ask- ing the supreme court of Ontario t have the cabinet decision declared null and void because it contra- venes the principles of natural justice. The suit i, against the lieutenant W .� t,;,, i.L.�� e t o governor -in -council, the attorney - general, Environment Minister Andy Brandt and former envlron ment minister Keith Norton Meanwhile, the dust hasn l set tied on Oxford council's decisimi last November to sstartpre hminaty �� work at the landfill site despite the oustanding court case. Warden Charlie Tatham .aril lawyer David Estrin of Toronto. also representing the township, has requested time to speak to council'. Feb. 13. The county believes it has the legal right to start work al n Salford. Tatham said the county's only in- terest is to ensure the site fa "fe, v and stressed that Oxford was to develop a landfill site, not aq fashioned dump. Oxford is now using its landfill at i Holbrook but. it is scheduled to close'' be the end of June, 19Mi County agrees to join competurized map scheme` Oxford County council has agreed to proceed with a pilot project, along with the City of Woodstock, in a computerized land - Council decided Wednesday to take part in the project which will provide a more efficient mapping and Information system. Initiated by several government rimistries, the pilot project is called the Province of Ontario Land Registration In- formation System (POLARIS), Costs will be split. evenly between the ci- ty and the county. The county's share of the project will be about $75,000, spread over two years. Under the agreement the system will be maintained and owned,by the county so ultimately it can be u�)'' all municipalities in Oxford Countyfi-+��4 Oxford and Woodstock were chosen to take part in the pilot project partly because the county land registry system was computerized �r z L Lawyers stalling Salford again says Tatham By AIISON DOWNiF of The Sen0e01-6Aer SALFORD — Lawyers and provincial government officials are .still playing ring-around-the-rosie when it comes to the Salford landfill site, says Oxford County Warden Charlie Tatham. A complicated lawsuit has delayed the county's plan to open a landfill site near the village of Salford in South- West Oxford Township. The township is taking the province to court over cabinet's approval of the Salford site and the county hasbeen named the third party in the lawsuit. This week, one of South-West Ox- ford's lawyers, Greg. Richards. said cabinet has failed to turn over impor- Wnt documents relating to the Safford landfill site which is causing further delays in bringing the matter to court. On Dec. 18 a motion was heard in the Supreme Court of Ontario on behalf of South-West Oxford Township re- questing documents from the Attorney General, the Lieutenant -Governor and the Ministry of the Environment. and said if cabinet had turned over , r. documents requested the case co::'. have gone to court within six. month, "It's important for us to have :` documentation to prove our case, :- said. "We want to have all the. fa< aired:" He noted that both the South-West i_:'.. ford and Oxford County have turn: over all their documents relatinc 'o landfill site. Warden Tatham said although it's the people of Ox- ford County that are going to have a problem when they ,*+ have -nowhere to put their garbage, w -Y the county can't do anything about 1' cabinet's refusal to f t u r n o v e r documents re. quested by South- " CSLtltld[i. West Oxford TATHAM lawyers. The county's major' laitd[ilt CLAIM OF PRIVILEGE Holbrook is scheduled to Richards said efforts to obtain cer has spent estirn has It has been more than Sl m' tain documents have been frustrated by &ahnid 00 11 the pant 10y - "the claim of privilege asserted by -' those defendants with respect to a large number of the documents on the ground that their production would be injurious to the public interest." The decision from the hearing, released Jan. 15, was that the township is entitled to full disclosure of documents within 30 days from the date of the order. But cabinet has appealed that deci- sion and the appeal will not bell 31 W- to March 1, Richards said. Fu peals could stall the case frwtt` n court for even longer. $lje" denied that the Uot for d was a delaying oil the parf'�- oath -West Oxford ''nshdp ONTARIO'S NEW PREMIER CELEBRATES Frank Miller assumed Premier -elect status Saturday night cond ballot by six votes, he soon followed. The combined forces with members of his family, including his wife, Ann (right). weren't enough, however, for Grossman to take the lead and The race turned into a real cliffhanger by the third ballot. Roy Miller won by 77 votes. At M had c urtry already walked to the Larry Grossman camp after the first ballot and when Dennis Timbrell lost on the se- . 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Only hours after becoming premier - elect in a tense three -ballot showdown on Saturday, Miller said he has already told Conservative party executives to prepare for a trip to the polls. "I said to them 'It's the responsibility of the party to be ready for the first like- ly opportunity,"' he told reporters at a news conference Sunday. "'The premier will not make a decision until the day gets very close but be ready."' Meanwhile, his immediate concerns are to set up his new cabinet and prepare for a first ministers' con- ference in Regina next month, he said. Miller says job creation is the most im- portant topic to be discussed. Miller, 57, won the leadership from Treasurer Larry Grossman by w votes in a nine -hour marathon thaf left 1,691 delegates hoarse and exhausted. At his news conference, Miller wouldn't say exactly when he would call the election, which must be held in education and health care, the shun before the Tory mandate runs out in in the party and society "has been m March 1986. It could be as early as this towards economic conservatism." spring. Muller inherits a provincial economy Seerefatedstories _ on pages _ and J A bilingual former car salesman and resort operator from the vacation area T- of Muskoka, Miller is two years older than outgoing Premier William Davis. Although affable and fotksv, he has been painted by his opponents as too . right-wing to lead the party that Davis haq s**dfastly kept in the moderate j ; when asked whether he as he once Commented. Iha fo government is not as ngh s it should be, he said that while people expect a social safety net are that has led the counti-v s recover; from the recession with an unemploy- ment rate about two points under the December national average of 10.3 per cent. still, there are pressing concerns about with unemploymtent and the challenge of keeping Canada's manufacturing and industrial centre on top of technological change, The industry minister hopes to be sworn in with his cabin#__ Ontario's 19th premier, succession of Tory prem governed the province s A transition team has ed by ?Miller to helpgovernment which holds • 0 C E Nq 34 IIw - � i r>efits hum 3 .Ej °o � e •c E of v E yco�g6° e06a: rs g �i1'a TV t0a" m �d O ra5v ^ace g o 0, :SSai2'$c2�.d 0 O: �8 06 rpp F Q .00, or I TY C7a cu a" Courthouse parking is metres behind b yla w's s tan dards By ALISON OOWNIE of The foaliol-Nwlm Under the City of Woodstock's zoning bylaw the Oxford County Courthouse square Is resenlly 92 parking spaces short of the minimum requirements, says county engineer Don Pratt. Gut reaction would suggest that to beridiculous, but the zoning bylaw very clearly sets out the standards," he told county council in a written report Once the county jail renovation pro- ject is completed another 70, or more. parking spaces will be required under the zoning byylaw. About six spaces are expected to be lost due to construction. The parking space standard in the zoning bylaw is based on the gross floor area of the buildings served. The pre- sent standard is one space for about 20 metres of gross Floor area, As well as the courthouse in the square there is also the registry office, social services and family and children's services of- fices and the Oxford County Library, which all add Up to 5,109 square metres. IT'S ADEQUATE There are 98 parking spaces on the courthouse square now, plus 65 spaces in the Graham Street lot across the street (which is owned by the county). for a total of 163 spaces. Pratt said that except on rare occa- sions, existing parking facilities have been adequate. He said about 13 to 20 spaces are regularly lost to Woodstock 'Collegiate Institute students and teachers and to persons who work in the downtown area. This would suggest that the zoning bylaw standards are somewhat imprac- tical," Pratt said. "Yet there is no de- ny'%g the present facilities are filled to overflowing on some days, especially when three or more busy courts are concurrently in session." In his report, he said the parking mat- ter urgently requires consideration and said thaf Warden Charlie Tatham's sug- gestion that a consultant be hired to study the matter is timely. Warden Tatham has asked parking consultant Patrick Li, who is with Toronto's Eda Col- laborative Inc., to _ make a presenta- tion to the county's public works com- mittee regarding a three-phase park. ing study. Li has resolved parking it ' problems at the Burlington square JV A& and in London at ('IL\RIJE Fanshawe College. T.ATH.AM The study will include defining the problems and what can be done to resolvg them. After hearing Lt s presentation the committee will make a recommendation to council. Clerk's in the works but the paycheque's open to question By ALItON OOWNIF into there should be with the architect of The Sennnol-Nrrlor Oxford County councillors are at odds i over who should pay for a clerk of works to oversee the county jail renova- tion project. ` The clerk of works will be at the site 4 every day and will be responsible for in- specting all aspects of the work, main- .)taming daily records of all construction work and ensuring constant com- munication and co-ordination with the county, the contactor and architect Carlos Ventin. ! The special jail committee has recommended that a clerk of works be hired. Although most council members agree with the concept they are not in agreement over who should pay the i person's wages. Court. Phil Poole said Ventin is being tar , paid a supervision u• - land overseeing tljob ou daily _ a lrsis should be i v iuded in that. If not, said Ventin khould ld be responsi• ble for, paying part of the clerk of altxs \corks wages, MVING1471M "It's to our benefit to have him (here.- Coun. Joe Pember said.. "Hut the allun:uc resixu.ihilifY of what goes It's solely his responsibility if there are any problems." NOT COMMITTED Court. Ross Livingston said council is not committed to having a clerk of works until a person is chosen to do the job and a salary determined. That has not been done to this point. "I'd litre to see this investigated because I think he (VentinI should be paving for part of iL. Coun. Poole said. While discussing the jail renovation project, counts engineer Don Pratt said a little bit of work has been started. He said work will be done ; when monev comer available. Ventin has been asked to prepare a f list of contractors he would mend to submit I,1111 tenders on the Ivaa..r: project. Warden Charlie Tatham said he plans to consult with Woodstock city council on the cost sharing of replacing and up- dating the street lighting, needs within the court house area on Light. Huller and Grah'a111 "ti-tvi,. Woodingford understaffed -adminstrator Woodingford Lodge is understaffed and requim res 12 new staff members, ad- ministrator Brian McReynolds told Ox- ford County's administration and finance committee Monday. The committee has recommended that county council agree to spend $81,OOD in 1985 so the county home can provide the required nursing service. Total cost of the required nursing care is SM,OM. but provincial subsidies will make up the balance. McReynolds said without adding to the staff admissions would have to be cut. He said more social services in the community, which keep senior citizens in their homes longer, has resulted in a growing number of patients coming to the home requiring more than residen- tial care. The average age of new ad. missions is mid-80s, he said. Woodingford Lodge has been pushing for extended care beds for the past two years but has had no success with the Ministry of Health. None are expected to be granted in 1985 PAYTHE SHOT McReynolds said there are 58 pa- tients in extended care beds now get- ting subsidized but another to patients are getting extended care service that the home receives no subsidy for. These patients have to pay the whole shot if they, can afford it. McReynolds said he would not en- dorse cutting admissions to force the ministry to give Oxford more extended care beds saying it only turns the residents affected into pawns. "We have a moral obligation to look after people," Warden Charlie Tatham said- "I only wish the province would be lair.- Oxford MPP Dick Treleaven has been contacted about the problem more than once but hasn't been able to offer any Coun ,Wendy Calder said the county should continue to apply Pressure on I. the ministry to grant Oxford morebeds. If the county agrees to the additional funding for this year four registered nursing assistants, four nurses' aides and four part-time registerd nursing assistants will be hired beford June. ankis "You expect me to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and then you ask me a question like that!" Lawyer to offer `new facts' in landfill fight WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — De- velopment of the Salford landfill site is to be challenged tontght by lawyer David Estrin in an address to Oxford County council. Council will learn "new facts" about the future costs associated with running the landfill site and the need for an Ontario Municipal Board hearing on the matter, Es- trin said Tuesday from Toronto. Estrin has been retained by South-West Oxford Township which is going to the Ontario supreme court in an attempt to have the cabi- net decision approving Salford de- clared void and a contravention of the principles of natural justice. A joint hearings board rejected Ox- ford's plan to establish the site at Salford but that decision was over- turned by cabinet Aug. 9,1983, on an appeal by the county. Council decided last November to proceed with construction of the site despite the oustanding court case. In a letter to the attorney -gener- al's office and the municipal affairs ministry last month, Estrin con- tended that financing for Salford', operation has to be approved by the municipal board and that Oxford has to submit its final plan for the site to the joint hearings board. The county has rejected both arguments. Oxford considers creating archives WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — -Ox- ford County should Investigate a proposal to establish and operate its own archive, its administration and finance committee recom- mended Monday. Committee members agreed the archive is needed but had concerns about its financing. It would involve about $27,000 as an interim measure in 1985 to keep the Norwich archives in operation. The committee will consider the $27,000 request during budget talks. Susan Start, representing the Ox- ford County archives group, told i the committee it's time the county became directly involved in collect- ing, conserving and managing the government documents and private manuscripts in the area, Under the proposal, she said, the existing Norwich archives would be the southern division of a new coun- ty system with a main branch in Woodstock, preferably in Oxford's administrative and courthouse area. She estimated the operating budget of such a county -operated system at about $92,500. Warden Charlie Tatham told Start that with Oxford already com- mitted to the $1.8 million restora- tion of the county jail, 1985 was nora good year to embark on a new pro. ject. "I can't see any dollars being spent (on the arehive projectl this year. There are only so many dol. tars, folks," Tatham said. On the suggestion of committee members, Start Is going to take her piteh directly to county council V h 27 0 • Oxford the key to authority's restructuring By Bill Eluchok of The Free Press EMBRO — A plan by the Upper Thames River Conservation Au- thority to bring more of its mem- bers into the decision -making pro- cess may depend on Oxford County's tvillingness to lose four of its 14 representatives. General manager Don Pearson told the 42-member authority's an- nual meeting Thursday the propos- al to shed as many as eight munici- pal representatives from Middlesex, Perth and Oxford coun- ties — by "grouping" some of its 27 member municipalities — would collapse if Oxford rejected it. Perth County, with 13 representa- tives, stands to lose three and Midd- lesex one of its present 12. The au- thority also would try to reduce the number of provincially appointed members from three to two. But the key is Oxford. "We really can't do anything except to appeal to them to co-operate and imple- ment it," Pearson said In an inter- view. "But we're hopeful they'll go along." However, Oxford — with the most to lose in the restructuring process approved earlier this year by the authority's executive committee — has agreed to the step. County coun- cil endorsed the plan Wednesday Right. Whatthe county hasn't approved is a required change to the 1975 County of Oxford Act, the provin- cial legislation that reduced the number of Oxford municipalities fropt 18 to eight. The act stipulated that Oxford retain its 14 authority representatives. Although the authority can Change its representational ma- keup by grouping municipalities, any change involving Oxford has to be dealt with by the legislature. "Everyone we've polled seems to be in favor of the move," Pearson ,said. But in Oxford, at least three municipalities have objected to be- ing grouped with their neighbors. Oxford clerk Harold Walls said Thursday night the authority's re- quest to have the act changed would be considered March 18 by the ad- ministration and finance commit- tee and then by council March 27. "I think there's general agree- ment for the authority despite some objections by one or two of our mu- nicipalities. The only thing left to do is to change the act." Whatever the outcome, the au- thority moved closer to becoming a tighter, leaner body Thursday when It won nearly unanimous support for restructuring. The plan is part of an authority initiative to make itself more accountable. Virtually all the su th 1 ' d lion -making power rests with the 151ntember executive committeee. Under the new plan, which would go Into force next year, there would be two main committees, with half the members on the executive. Pearson conceded the new ma- keup would appear to favor Middle- sex and London, which alone has five representatives, because of their higher populations. "But 1n a raw vote (the rural municipalities) would still have the balance of power," Zorra Township representative Hugh Munro, who was elected by acclamation as the authority's chairman, said reorganization is necessary 'If we're to represent ev- eryone fairly. I think everyone agrees with that In the long run." Munro, 57, is a former reeve of now -defunct East Nissourl Town- ship and Oxford County warden In 1966. He lives at RR 1, Lakeside. He succeeds nine -term chairman John Stephen of Blandshard Township, or ty s ecl- Will hurt the economy says Colbran who announced his retirement last month. The new chairman said in an In- terview that soil conservation and water quality will continue to be major goals for the authority, al- though attempts will be made to pursue new programs "within ever. tightening financial conditions." With an over-all budget of $4 321410 forecast this year, down $115dy from the $4.5 million spent during 1984, the authority will "have to make the hest use of our resources" while maintaining wa- ter management and soi'1 conserva- tion programs, Munto Bald, William Lane, reeve of North Dorchester Township and IM Middlesex County warden„ was elected vice-chairman, defeating London Alderman Frank Flitton. Stephen's executive commftee, seat was filled by Wilmot Graul of RR 1, Brunner, the representative for El- lice Township. _sa County backs labor stand on UI changes By ALISON DOWNIE of the Sentinel -Review Proposed changes to the Unemploy- ment Instirance (UI) Act pose an economic threat to Oxford County, says the Oxford Regional Labor Council (ORLC). After a presenta- tion by Wayne Col - bran, political education chair- man for the ORLC, county councillors endorsed the labor -_ council's concerns with changes to the act at their meeting last night. Colbran said Pen- ding changes, which were an n o u n c e d i n November, could ultimately affect WAYNE the tax base of all t'o1.6a,tN municipalities in Oxford. The proposals to consider vacation pay and severance pay as earnings at a time when a person is separated from employment is totally unacceptable to the ORLC because workers earn the benefits during their employment. The earnings, which come from collective bargaining agreements and provincial legislation, should not be allocated to take away their unemolovment in. surance benefits simply because they are paid at the time of separation. If pension income is considered as earnings, as proposed, it will have a disastrous effect on workers receiving disability pensions and veteran's pen- sions. It could also stop older workers from retiring early thereby preventing younger workers an opportunity to enter the permanent work force, the ORLC says. Colbran said the federal government is also looking at increasing the UI waiting period from two to three weeks, increasing the. qualification period to 12 weeks for quitting voluntarily and reducing the length of claims to 40 weeks from the present 52. Other changes such as a reduction to 50 per cent from 60 percent of insurable earn- ings will also have an adverse effect on Oxford's economy, Colbran said. "It is for these reasons and more that the Oxford Regional Labor Council and its affiliates ask your support in oppos- ing these changes," he told county council. "If such proposed amendments become a reality, the result will be that displaced UI claimants will increase the welfare numbers of Oxford County social services." SAVINGS SLIGHT The reason the government is propos- ing the changes is to help reduce the $36 billion national deficit, But Colbran said with the proposed changes in place. it would only save about $300 million a year. In 1983, total UI benefits amounted to $7 billion with the average Canadian getting $255 a week.. "That works out to $12,500 a year which is S4,000 below the poverty level for a family of four," he said. -It is a myth that the majority of people on UI choose to be there." Government statistics show only one Per cent of all those collecting UI benefits abuse the system. The federal government recently hired 700 investigators at a cost of sn million to locate abusers and recom- mend ways of cutting down on benefits. Colbran said the government would be better concentrating on putting more People to work than cutting people off Ul. He said it is a proven fact that the majority of people will work if there are jobs available. The ORLC has informed Oxford MP Bruce Halliday and Prime Minister Brian Mulronev of their concerns, County council decided it would do the same. "This is not the proper way to reduce the deficit," Conn. Ed flown said. "It's just kicking people when they are down." Group's seen it all before County lobs archives proposal back to committee or nu scatvut Like a tennis ball being hit back and forth over a net, members of the Oxford County Archives Group are wondering if their proposal to establish a county archives will become more than a pipedream. In crowded surroundings at a county council meeting Wednesday, group members learned their proposal to set up an archives would be sent back to the same committee which had listened to its presentation 10 days ago. County council last night referred the archives proposal back to the administration and finance committee to set up a ar- chival management board to study such matters as financ- ing a county archives. Council also referred back to the committee a request from the archives group for addi- tional funding for the Norwich Archives. Shortly after learning the proposals had been sent back to the committee for further discussion, Beth Ross of Ox- ford County Archives Group told members of the Oxford Historical Society "they haven't heard the last of us yet -- we'll go back to the administration and finance committee." CONTINUE LOBBYING While she was disappointed at county council's failure to act directly with their Proposal, Ross urged archives sup- porters to continue lobbying their civic officials. "They've (county council) been throwing the ball back and forth for too long now," she said. "There's no excuse for them (council) in not dealing with it." Citing a dire need for an archives in the countyto house municipal records and conserve public and private ar- chival material, Ross said 15 member groups in Oxford and University of Western Ontario are actively supporting establishment of a county archives. Fears that invaluable 'archival material is being thrown away because lack of storage facilities is tragic" said OHS member George Carder. Perth. Simcoe and Peel Counties and major corporations such as Bell Canada and Ontario Hydro all have created archives with Elgin County in the process of establishing an archive, POSSIBLE LOCATIONS Under the archives group's proposal, an archives building which would serve Woodstock, Zorra, East Zorra- Tavistock, Blandford-Blenheim, Ingersoll and other areas in the county would be located in Woodstock. Possible loca- tions could be the renovated county jail, the governor's house located behind the jail or the old registry office (cur- rent(y home for Oxford Social Services). These locations could be utilized at little or no cost to the county, said Ross. The Norwich Archives would serve as the southern compo- nent of the overall operation and deal with Norwich and South-West Oxford (which it deals with now) and include Tillsonburg. Depending on the location of an archives, Ross estimated annual operating costs would be $100.000 — broken down it would coal $1, 10 per capita per year to maintain an Oxforn archives. The operation would consist of an administrate ae archivist working out of Woodstock, an assistant archivist in charge of the Norwich location and two part-time clerical workers. The archivists would co-ordinate aalui.ci- tion and conservation of all archival materials. SEEK INFORMATION Susan Start, who made the presentation to county coun- cil for the archives group, said a significant number of peo- ple travelling to Oxford seeking information pertaining Lt, archival materials warranted an archives being establish- ed. An estimated 14,000 visits to Oxford places currently housing archival materials were made in 1984, "a con- siderable amount fromoutside the county." she said. She didn't downplay the fact a central archives would bring in tourist dollars that would benefit all of Oxford. "After all there aren't too many tourist attractions inOx- ford," said Roes, to which somebody responded. -'we've got the cow. rA—Salford objectors descend on county counci h 1LLMM aarrN 11 of The Slrnid-Ilnim About 100 residents from -South- West Oxford Township crowded into Oxford County Council chambers last night to listen to a presentation by laywer David Estrin on the Salford landfill site - Some of the residents even t along placards objecting to the fill site and the county's decision to go ahead with its development. The main point made by the Toronto lawyer during his presen- tation was because of the complexity of the Safford site it is - - going to cost county taxpayers millions of dollars more evel n d develop, o) P g an operating arah[er vfe_ Although he said a lot of qh Vr money has been w'll,till\ spent on the site to date it Is only It will cost millions says lawyer the tip of the iceberg "How can responsible elected of- ficials authorize a blank cheque," he said. "The costs of this site are go- ing to be enormous but they are unknown." One major cost will be collecting leachate at the site and transporting it to a treatment plant. Because of the leachate (contaminated water) problem the site will have to be monitored for years to come, said consultant Dr. Bruce Brown. RESULTED IN LAWSUIT He also spoke on behalf of South- West Oxford at the joint board hear- ing which determined the site to be inappropriate. That decision was eventually overturned by cabinet, leading the township to file lawsuits against the province and the county. The cost of dealing with the leachate could amount to as much as $If !mullion. Dr. Brown said, although some councillors indicated they thought he was exaggerating. The problem would not have arisen with a dry site but Salford is a wet site, Estrin said. Council chose the site without doing tests on other sites, although Estrin said other sites were looked at. The Salford site is located on prime agricultural land — hail'a mile from a subdivision. "The county jumped on this site as soon as they saw the real estate sign," Estrin said. OMB APPROVAL He said he believes the county should have Ontario Municipal Board approval for the costs of developing and maintaining the site. Because money is now being spent developing the landfill site, Estrin said the county could be spending money illegally. If this is the case, the county treasurer as well as coun- cillors who voted to proceed with the work could be held personally responsible, Several councillors called Estrin's warning an intimidation tactic, but he denied that it was. The county could end up facing a third lawsuit over the Salford site over the OMB issue, Estrin said following the meeting. There are also 28 lan- downers suing the county, under the new Charter of Rights, over the Salford decison. Estrin pointed out the county is not following its own tendering policy at Safford. According to the work ed at more than $10,0000 must ,vbeutendered. A complaint from a local contractor objecting to the way work has been handed out at Salford was received by county council last night. STOP THE WORK In light of the new facts and legal uncertainties Estrin said the county should stop work at Salford until a reasonable solution is found. "All I can suggest is that if we're so wrong take us to court so we can resolve, this. thing," Coun. Ross Liv- ingston said. "If we are proved wrong then we'll start looking for another site." Conn. Walter Wilson, Mayor of South-West Oxford, called the county's decision to locate the land- fill site in his township environmen- tal and political rape. "We don't intend to let it happen," he said. "It's our job to protect the township and we intend to do that. The county is just pushing ahead no matter what complications arise and saying to hell with the costs." Court. Wilson then introduced a motion calling on council to have the public works committee investigate alternate landfill sites and report back to council before making any further expenditures or continuing development of the Salford site. The majority of councillors voted against the motion. YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT Wherever the county decided to put a site would cause problems, Coun. Phil Poole said. Mmistry of the Enviroment officials have estimated that it takes between six to eight years to develop a landfill site. Court. Doug Harris told Estrin that although he claims Safford is going to be an expensive site to develop and maintain the county's coo- sultants don't think it will cost more than any other site. Following the meeting. Estrin met with the press and said although the township could get an injunction to stop the work going on at Safford they had tried to let county council make that decision on its own. He could not say if South-West Oxford will take further action or wait until the (natter is heard w• -- before the courts. sty He said he will 'tom' have it meet with council to get fur- ther instructions. So far South West Oxford has spent more than k: $200,11a0 fdlthting the Sulforrdd site, au�s Mayor Wilson ttv6GSTu� told the Sentinel - Review. The township's case against the province and county could go to trued sometime this fall. Estrin said. "We're not going to give up-" he said. "But it tonics like it's going to be a locli 110L." • • ,Oxford warden questions impact of possible Union Gas takeover j WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Con- cerns; about the possible impact on natural gas rates has prompted Ox- ford County Warden Charlie Tatham to question the proposed takeover of Union Enterprises Ltd. of Chatham. r Tatham plans to appear or be re- presented at the March 19 Ontario Energy Board hearing into Unicorp Canada Corp.'s move to gain con- trol of Union Enterprises, the hold - in cont an for non U i G Ltd al Tatham questioned whether the purchase would be in the best inter- ests of natural gas users. "If this takeover bid of Unicorp is successful, what effect will the takeover have on rates charged to the natural gas customers served by Union Gas?" Unicorp, a Toronto -based real es- tate and financial holding com- pany, launched its $400-million bid. in late January. g p y as "I believe we should either own so of Chatham. the natural gas utility or control the In a letter to the energy board, rates being charged, Unless Uni- carp can show us where they can give our citizens lower natural gas rates, we are probably wiser to deal with the. Union Gas we know than the Unicorp we don't." Tatham said there Isn't any such thing as "pure" free enterprise In the resource utility field. "There seems to be a trend for one company to buy another. What interest has the takeover company got in the local community? How will our citizens benefit?" He sent copies of his letter to En- ergy Minister George Ashe. Munici- pal Affairs and Housing Minister Dennis Timbrell, MPP Dick Trelea- ven (PC — Oxford) and MPP Bob Nixon (L— Brant -Oxford -Norfolk) Tatham said later he isn't taking. sides. "I'm just a bystander, except that wee the guys who pay the bills. Al;l I want to know is what's the game here? I want to know wha t effect it may have on the price of gas. We're the people who Issue the franchises. Maybe we should take our franchises and run our own gas business." Contractor urges county improve tender process _ A letter from a Norwich Township con- tractor, questioning the county's tendering practices on several county projects, was referred to the county's public works com- mittee for consideration but received no action when the committee met on Thurs- day. The letter, from contractor Mel Smith of Otterville, was presented to county council at its meeting last week by Norwich Township Mayor John Helenfak. in the let- ter Mr. Smith suggested the county should put projects, such as road construction, and work at the Holbrook and Salford land- fill sites, up for tender "so that everyone in the county has an equal chance at all of the work." Mr. Smith said he is sure there are new and old contractors in the county that the county staff are not aware of that would be interested in bidding on such projects. "Public tender is the fair and just way for all," But when his letter was presented at Thursday's public works committee, it was noted and filed with no action taken. In an interview Friday Mr. Smith said he decided to write the letter when the county began work to develop the Salford landfill site without offering it for public tender. He said he had also written to the county in December to ask if he could get work on the job but received no reply to his letter. He then talked with members of the county engineering department in January to see about work at Salford and was given no definite answers. Mr. Smith said he later learned equipment owned by a South-West Oxford Township contractor and a Landon firm had been hired to do the work at the site, Mr. Smith questioned how the county can hire a select few to do the work without tendering. The county has stated that it did not tender the work because of the possibility that a legal dispute over the ap- proval of the landfill site could bring the work to a halt. But Mr. Smith said the work could have been contracted on an hourly basis in a manner that would allow the county to stop the work at any time. He said he is disturbed that he and other contractors in the county that might have been interested in the work, didn't get a chance to bid on the job and he has asked Norwich Township's mayor to put forward a resolution at the next county council meeting asking that the work be put up for tender. By tendering the job, the county's engineer or superintendent would have a better idea of the total cast of the job and he would know what equipment was available in the county, Mr. Smith said. Unicorp fight spreads to B 4 Wpm 0114111 TORONTO (CPi — A corporate takeover fight pitting former Ontario treasurer Darcy McKeough against an upstart Toronto invest- ment company has spread its skirmishes into the unlikely territory of Western Canada's meal -packing industry. And the Toronto company, Unicorp Canada Corp., said the battle is far from over. At a news conference. Friday. Unicorp president Jim leech said the company is applying to the Ontario Securities Commission to stop the latest development - "This transaction demonstrates what can happen when a company is run purely for the interests of a management and a board who have no personal financial commitment and are simply spending other people's money," Leech said Friday. Leech was talking about the decision of Union Enterprises Ltd., the gas utility and resources Company headed by former On- tario treasurer Darcy McKeough, to buy Burns Foods Ltd., the second-largest meat- packing company in Canada. Municipalities join to fight Unicorp By UNDA NutMr of The Sentinel Review a committee representing several southwestern Ontario municipalities wants to ensure citizens in communities •,cho have franchised Union Gas Co. for natural gas supplies will be protected in the takeover bid by Unicorp Canada Corp- twow dwy a FW 2 Oxford County Warden Charlie Tatham said lawyer has already been hired and the committee is now urging snuthwestern Ontario municipalities to contribute fonds toward a presentation to the Ontario Energy Board later this month. He said representatives from Chatham, Sarnia, Middlesex and Ox- ford Counties, and the regions of Hatdimand-Norfolk and Hamilton - Wentworth met Friday to discuss the appropriate action to protect the in- terests of the natural gas consumers supplied by Union Gas Co. A resolution was passed calling for municipal councils who have franchis- ed Union Gas Co. to pass resolutions upporting the municipal intervention committee in its representation before the Ontaro F.nergey Board "to ensure that the interests our our natural gas onsumen are recognized." 'rhe committee is asking municipalities to contribute up to $500 for the presentation. Tatham said this morning the cost will probably be about %6l.000 to VIODO. A pre -hearing will be held next Wednesday with the full hearing before the energy board scheduled for March I J. ^We're asking both companies what they're going to do. We want to do the N-st we can for the people who are pay- mg the freight. Either we should own the utility or we should control it," said -faiham Battle far from It was a stunning deal in which 10 million convertible preferred voting shares in Union worth $125 million will be swapped for all Burns shares. Leech, whose company owns about 11.8 million shares in Union, called the deal irresponsible. He added that the value of the assets at Burns is probably only $65 million, so "it ap- pears that they (Union management) have significantly overpaid for a company with no demonstrated earning ability." Leech called the purchase a sham, design- ed simply to enlarge the quantity of voting stock in Union to prevent Unicorp's bid for control of Union. Earlier this year, Unicorp issued a circular to Union's 14,000 shareholders notifying them that it will swap Unicorp shares and warrants for their Union shares. Shareholders have until midnight Monday night to accept the Unicorp offer, Leech said the Burns deal will deliver a the Ontario cabinet granted exemptions to Union Gas Ltd., now a subsidiary or the over parent Union r t Enterprises, ownership regulations under the Ontario Energy Board Act. The exemptions let the firm Overstep pprevisions prohibiting any single shareholder group of friendly shareholders to Union. frum having more than 20 per cent of the ! shares of a gas company without special permission. That ruling permitted the guns to start blaz- ing and Unicorp entered the fray - Leech confidently announced earlier this month that Uncorp had assembled 11.3 million out of Union's total of 13 million shares, giving it about 36 per cent ownership With this percentage of votes, Unicorp would likely call the shots at most meetings of Union shareholders. It was a possibility that McKeough and other board members didn't welcome. McKeough, a central figure in the small ! southwestern Ontario city of Chatham (where Union Gas is based), has been running Union with a board of members largely composed of similar southwest Ontario businessmen, in- cluding the presidents of Canada Trustco and Victoria and Grey Trustco Ltd. LATEST IN SERIES The Burns purchase by Union is the latest and most unusual development in what has turned out to be one of Canada's bitterest cor. porate takeover battles. Union used to be a staid natural gas utility serving 500,000 customers and a vast territory in the farming belt of southwest Ontario. Like its other major competitor in Ontario, Consumers Gas Co., it operates in the political tradition of the province, which stales that important industries, like energy utilities, are not to be controlled by a single Individual or a small group. Union and Consumers are also tightly regulated by the Ontario government and their gas rates are set by the Ontario Energy Board. But the field of battle was established when Council shies away from adding funds to Union Gas battle ay At 4N DDWNI, of The AaNml-Raatew It would take a full-time management consultant to figure out exactly what is going on with Unicorp's bid to take over Union Enterprises, a number of Oxford County councillors said yesterday. Union Enterprises is the holding company for Union Gas and a number of sur rounding municipalities have united to form a municipal intervention commit tee, which will represent natural gas consumers at an Ontario Energy Board hearing later this month. The committee wants to ensure the interests of natural gas consumers are recognized. As well as Oxford, municipalities involved with the committee include Chatham, Sarnia, Middlesex County, the Region of Hatdimand-Norfolk and the Region of Hamilton -Wentworth. All of those involved have franchises with Union Gas to supply their citizens with natural gas. Although the majority of council members voted in favor of supporting the municipal intervention Committee, they voted against contributing $5W to the committee to help finance its legal costs. We have other levels of government to support this," Court Joe Pember said, "But we should have some representation ,. there to make sure our citizens are represented." Coun. Phil Poole said it would be a nice idea to have so- meone there but said it would take much more than a. few thousand dollars to make proper representation. "In the last two or three weeks we've seen ads from both company's in the newspapers and none of us knows what's ` right and what's wrong," Coun. Ed Down said. "If we had to Fri D ,representation there they could ask questions," _ 0 NDP's Swart backs opposition to Salford landfill d 1'Ae SnIMRRI•M�ItM _ Mel Swart, the provincial i New Democratic Party's agriculture critic feels the citizens and municipalities of South-West Oxford Township have a good case for asking the provincial cabinet to order a review and reconsider the earlier decision allowing the con- struction of the Salford land- fill site. His comments carte during a tour of the site Tuesday afternoon in which he wan accompanied by about a dozen members of the Salford Ctan- cerned Citizens (a local contingent opposed to the site) and local NDP party supporters, including Wayne olbran. COLtuN GETS rllE too ADAIR Cothran was later nominated by acclamationby the NDP riding association to represent Oxford in the next provincial election. Swart MPP for Welland-Thorold, said he had "no doubt that there is new evidence indicating the im- plications lot the selection of the site i are more serious than when the decision was made. The board should take a second look and con- sider a new hearing." The Salford citizens cited the real possibility of drainage problems and contamination of nearby lands. Compounding the problem would be the resulting expense of collecting leachate (contaminated watery and transporting it to a treatment plant. OTHER COKO N{ E (PRMO Among the numerous other con- cern., expressed by the SCC • Led down the path says Mayor Calder County backs dispatchers is h ALISOR DOMINIF_---_ of TM sentinel -Review Oxford County Council unanimously agreed yesterday to support the union fighting to make sure three Woodstock ambulance dispatch n't lose their jobswhen a new central dispatch system is introduced. Adam Hornostaj, vice-president of local 117 of the Ontario Publie Service Employees Union (OPSEtJ), which represents the three local dispatchers. asked council members for their sup- port in opposing the central dispatch system until all outstanding issues, such as job loss, are adequately resolved. "We were very pleased with their response," Hornostaj said after the meeting. OPSEU's legal staff is now, seeking an injunction to , stop the implemen- tation of central. dispatch until -the question of job security is resolv- ed - The matter should be dealt with in court " sometime next week, Hornostaj JACK said. WARDEN When the concept of the Thames Valley Central Ambulance Dispatch Service was first discussed in 1981, council members and dispatchers were told by Ministry of Health represen- tatives that there would be no loss of jobs. All full-time dispatchers were guaranteed they would be absorbed into the system. OFFICIALS CHANGED Since then there has been a change in officials at the ministry and jobs are not being guaranteed now that the systern is being implemented. So far about seven dispatchers have been hired to work out of London at central dispatch, The Woodstock dispatchers were Inter viewed for the jobs but were not selected. In a recent interview with 71ye Sentinel -Review, Graham Brand. director of ambulance services, said jobs were not guaranteed. He said as central dispatch takes on more municipalities additional personnel will be required and three local dispatcher, will be given a chance to apply for the chers have time and (mu - their competence in ma nations." Hornostajsaid "We're rated as having one of the best dispatching services in the province."' IIAVF: EXPERIENCE The three Woodstock ' dispatchers have experience ranging from five to 18 years. They have taken .courses over the past fewyears to upgrade themselves for when the time came to move to central dispatch, Hornostaj said. "I'm just furious about this," Coun. Wendy Calder said. "All of this council heard them (Ministry of Health representatives) make a promise. I really feel we have been led down the garden. path." Coun. Jack Warden was not op- timistic that anything could be done to change the ministry's plans. "If you don't have anything in writing, then you're way out in left field he said. "They can change their minds just like that. I've been through it before." Coun. Lenore Young, who served on the Thames Valley District Health Council when central dispatch was ap- proved. said there may be nothing in writing but promises were definitely made, which helped sway politicians in favor of central dispatch. "It's underhanded to change the rules in the middle of the game," Coun. Walter Wilson said. Coun. Jim Gibb said he is appalled that when new officials take over at a ministry the work of their predecessors ends up "null and void." Council passed a motion that the Ministry of Health and the Thames Valley District Health Council be advised that Ox- ford County is op- posed to the im- - plementatfon of central dispatch I under the present conditions. C o u n. J o e Pember, owner- , operator of Woodstock Am- e bu,lance Ltd., declared a conflict .11M of interest in the auso matter and did not take part in the discussion or vote. County wants to take back part of site The Oxford Soil and Crop Improve- ment Association has been given the boot from farming on part of the Salford landfill site. If county council approves, the association will be notified the count' has to occupy a portion of the lands previously leased to them by the coun- ty. The county needs the land to pro- ceed with development of the landfill site, The county's public works committee heard that the association leases about ,to acres of land from the county and is being asked to return about 70 acres to the county. The 70 acres will provide enough room for proper development of the site and minimize the conflict with agricultural operations, county engineer Don Pratt said. In accordance with the terms of the lease, the county will give the associa- tion a $55 per acre rebate to reoccupy the land, which will amount to $9,900. The association's 1985 rental fee will be reduced by 58,909. members at the site was the fact the landfill wit tit on prime agricultural land on a site a scant half a mile from the village of Salford Thirty lawsuits have been filed by landowners and the township in an attempt to stall the proceedings, but the county has gone ahead with the project. Joining the gathering was an irate Wall Wilson, mayor for South West. Oxford. He described the construe- tion of the site while lawsuits are pending as gambling. This is ridiculous spending all this money ion construction) If we win fin the courts f it :s all down the drain" he said. Tipping fee might create some separation If a lipping fee was charged at county landfill sites it might encourage more people to separate their garbage. "As long as peo- ple can get rid of their garbage freej, - they're not going to separate." Coun Don McKay told ` fi Oxford County Council yesterday, "We could get back some of the •"R' thousands of dollars we've put 1 into landfills from taix those using them." vksAv I Coun. Joe Pembersaid theconeept of a tipping fee has been looked at before,, but was found to be too costly as there is - not full-time staff at all county landfalls.',: to ensure that fees are charged. He said when a centralized landfill: site is in place a lipping fee should bL considered by council based on volume.' 'This should be followed through.-`. he said. "It's an incentive to resident and businesses [:.-eac1t, Significant service County may take over Lakeside site 4 ialloN oowl-----... - el nr $re1Wl•brlw Oxford County counctl will consider taking over operation of the Lakeside landfill site in Zorra Township. The county's public works committee recommemded yesterday that the site, one of Oxford's last major landfills, be managed by county staff. It has been operated by township in the past although it is owned by the county. Lakeside provides a significant ser- vice in the northwest part of the county but is only open two days a week, Satur- day and Tuesday. In a report to the committee, opera- tions engineer Roy Brankley said the site should be upgraded to a garbage compaction operation comparable to the one being run at Blandford- Blenheim and Tillsonburg. By doing this, the service could be extended to five days a week, Tuesday to Saturday inclusive. The site has reached the stage where the present till operation moat be changed, Brankley said. 'rhe alter- nalive is to go higher which requires a compactor. Operating under The new systems it is estimated that operating costs wrll increase by $15,000 to $5000. WON'T PRESS IT The borrow area (cover material site) requires final shaping for future topsoiling, seeding and abandonment. A new borrow site will probably have to be developed near the end of 1%5, Brankley said. I£ the township does not want to give up management of Lakeside then the county will not press the issue, he said. The public works committee has made a number of other recommenda- tions with the intention of continuing the landfill site improvement program, which has slowly been upgrading the county lanfill operations since 1983. Of the five remaining landfills, the county operates three sites — Tillson- burg, Holbrook and Blandford- Blenheim —on a six day schedule using landfill compactors, In an attempt to maximize the space available" at each location. The aim is to extend the life of each site where irossible. A minor site in Norwich Township, known as the former East Oxford site, serves a small number of local residents and is open Saturdays only. IMPROVEMENTS Brankly has recommended about $25,000 in improvements at the 7tiltson- burg site which includes sealing, top - soiling and seeding the completed north end (approximately one-third of the total site). Ditching and site drainage improvement is also recommended. He said the closure work started last year at Otterville should be completed this year which will involve hauling cover material onto the site, topsoiling and seeding. The estimated cost is $20,000. His recommendation for the Holbrook. site in Norwich Township is to Criticism of Salford site `incessant and ill-founded' By ALISON DOWNIE of The sentwAl•Revierr Criticism of Oxford County's decision to place a landfill site near the village of Salford in South-West Oxford Townshipp has been "incessant and ill- founded," county engineer Don Pratt told the public works committee Thursday. Pratt has written a report replying to a recent presentation made to county council by South-West Oxford's lawyer David Estrin and soil consultant Dr. Bruce Brown, both of whom urged council to abandon the idea of construc- ting the Salford landfill site. One of the major paints both men stressed to county officials was that because of the complexity of the Salford site it will cast taxpayers millions of dollars more to develop than another site would. I sincerely doubt there is any poten- tial landfill site anywhere in Ontario, let alone here in Oxford, that will be less expensive to operate, that will be safer, that will be better accepted in the neighborhood." Pratt said. "It remains for us to proceed and do a creditable 3Ob in spite of the incessant, illdoun�ed criticism we are receiving," Pratt said he was not denying that the costs of designing, testing and monitor- gallons per day could easily be handled by one 5,000 gallon tank truck, at a cost of up to $100,000 per year. If this method proves unsatisfactory. Pratt said there is the option of con- structing a sewer foreemain from the landfill to the Ingersoll sanitary sewer system at a cost of $300,OW to $500,000. A pumping station would be required at the site which would cost about swo0o. Dr. Brown had estimated the cost to be close to $11 million, but Pratt said at the very most the total cost would not ex- ceed $1 million. "De no on the quality and quan- tity The leachate to be handled, it may be necessary for the county to pep• for some modification of the Ingersoll sewage treatment plant," Pratt said. Dr. Brown and Estrin bothcriticized the county's site selection process in choosing Salford but Pratt defends the county's action. He said site selection was done to accordance to the laws in effect at the time and the site selection process was as technically sound as any that has ever been carried out. "The only things being criticized are NO MORE THAN MOST the lack of public involvement ( which is In his report he said the amount of currently in vogue) and the fact that the leachate that will eventually come from site selected was in the Township of Salford will not be any more than might South-West Oxford, in the very be expected at any other landfill site in backyards of Dr. Brown's clients," the county. IPratt said. "We have yet to see the sue - Provision has been made to initially oessful siting of a landfill that isn't op - haul the leachate away, if and as f>a*ed by neighboring landowners, with necessary, in a tank truck. Uo to 40.000 or without a public participation _.. process." The committee has forwarded Prau's report to council, ing the Salford site will be high. He also agreed that a "ridiculous" amount of money was spent on legal and con- sulting fees at the hearing to get ap- proval of the site. "Oxford's costs may be extremely low in comparison with costs incurred by other regional municipalities who have recently attempted, with even less success, to establish new landfills," he said. "And, while Dr. Brown correctly states that the operating costs of the Salford landfill will be high, there is no reason to believe that any lower opera- tional standard, with attendant lower coats, would be allowed at any alter- native site." The county engineer agreed with'Dr. Brown that there may be a leachate (contaminated water) production pro- blem at Salford but said the costs of dealing with it will not beas high as the doctor claims. Because the landfill will be covered with at least three feet of dense clay soil and steeply sloped, the amount of leachate produced will not be significant, Pratt said. - continue topsothng and seeding of the completed south end and washout repair, estimated to cost about $15,000. The landfill site improvements recommended in Brankley's report have been referred to budget discus- sions for consideration. 1n 1984, improvements locounty land- fills included new fencing at six sites, cover material hauling, spreading, and seeding of two sites, Embro and Otter ville (which reached maximum capaci- ty in 1984 and had to be closed). A leachate (contaminated water) collet tar system was installed at the Blandford-Blenheim site in 1993 and was completed in 19K A garbage com- pactor unit was also put into operation at Blandford-Blenbeim with immediate positive results, Brankley said. The move to a compaction unit there was based on the experience gained from putting a compaction unit in Tillsonburg in 1983 which has extended the life of the site by at least one year." he said. Township claims procedures ignored South-West oxford Township is claiming Oxford County has relocated part of a municipal drain, located on the county's proposed Salford landfill site, without go- ing through the proper procedure for alter- ing a municipal drain. In a letter presented to county council Wednesday, South-West Oxford Township Mayor Walter Wilson stated that proper procedures have been ignored by the coun- ty, "in the case of unauthorized alterations it has made to the Hoopes Municipal Drain." And the township feels "it has no choice but to have an engineer's report prepared incorporating these changes to the Hooper Drain and to charge the County of Oxford for the costs involved." Mr. Wilson said the township may also sue for the cost of damage to the drainage works. County engineer Don Pratt said Thursday, the county may have made a mistake in the procedures it followed but noted there was no damage to the municipal drain. The county cut off a section of a branch of the Hooper Drain but the branch was reconnected to the main drain at another point. "It would be hard to show there was any damage done," Mr. Pratt said. The drain relocation was done as part of the preparatory work for the proposed Salford landfill site. The township claims, however, that the county should have had an engineer's report before proceeding with the altera- tions to the drainage works. Mr. Pratt said the county will have to study the situation to see what the problem is if any. The matter will be brought before the public works committee for considera- tion. South-West Oxford Township councillors will be discussing what action will be taken regarding the work on the drain at the next council meeting on Tuesday. Mayor Wilson said a decision will be made then on whether to hire an engineer to prepare a report on the drain. 0 • Seminar r VVWW OO '6F¢j" aiming for I E E W y._ new ideas . E - a = � x Oxford County politicians will gather R �s a if E -_ 8 in Woodstock Wednesday in hopes a of @ y y s E >,rY'` ^ 11 generating some new ideas to solve old a u j dE 3 B u county. lems facing municipalities in the o c w$ o- ea E9_ The municipal seminar was organiz-c _ d `� c ' o u ° E I ed for politicians and senior stall' E a, d _ m gg members b the count 's planning c'8, a ' " ` is E- 3m�^ S Y PI K d _Q E FFvyv: �i f i5'. E. E_ p s; c s E g� E L u A ,a d a y o `- o ;,a E committee "to provide a forum for the zss o v it m a; z o❑ >, .. a $ P ,a c •E • a = generation of, new ideas and new ap- y y 0 W g e sa w 8 u proaches for some of the problems and e m e= ., u c m- v _ F $ d� 8 U 8 issues facing the municipalities in Ox 05 .m�� ,3f u5 ^$^ _ a p, `� a>i .E a $ : u ford." Warden Charlie Tatham said it b �`a q a E y$ -• " $ o `� 8 u'c . 4 o e >. will also provide an opportunity for y'^ � C da` F? i P^, `' & E c e1 -o u `' °' u s 'E " "t o x '" c views and experiences to be shared and -d o, u s •y 8' - v Y z c 3 o >, n m d o thereby foster better understanding. .q c c o. a c " • "°' c rJ''O m S!.n m o m O g t alv u �+ o o ".- CCi5,p y ., {p The seminar i a. a 8-c W•C yd 2U��WQ1N LC� NC�LL.'.. .`..°1^�E�Lr. a '3 d o N w •c r� begin6 at the coon- y g a v v m er - m .. „ o d a s o qgo ti e� e$ m t courthouse in y° > c ?c i6- o=o�W vo.uy3"yS'iS�>.c Woodstock at 1: 30u�ar9 a>" w o aE .7'H gvt°iSOp �u P.M.following +25Ev .�. �E'Y�ECOunCll' COanty s c 3 3 regular meeting. ° a 3 discus oy..ae o._v ffie ? `o $ Group Q° E.M. sions will cover the -` 'sa-eaoaE�E�t b4�y topics of promoting r 3 m.�v P m c o E.$ E o� m E E- .o Oxford, sharing Y 8 3=se.ry. m �_ �'c 3 equipment with,�a,�sc 73 3. ='y Wy v,«. o t h e r hcA°=` "tom" 'X2—a8 - UU3 O C C O, ❑ -a .. � J. �Si d .°ia r-i°v ice, E o $ o u municipalities and CHARLIE °_ o t-8 c . c� - g; w o o m the duties of a r- TarxAS+ ao o v p w + " - t0 =' e� U.S sonnel manage ,- �' o o 3 o E� .a a i E° Q� � a:.- o t ou a :1 u •o d $ E - The big topic of the day, and an ongo-g m > m E ;n in topic uRthe lives of county coun- iu VA x•m. W:2 u $ $ d .S a $ 3 d °' c t0 c y discussions abobe utrrecy finger ncinerae will a-- 3 E E m °• $ d m m ar E 3 tion and buying garbage. 8 e rn d 'E $ $ as .. Y d s Following dinner the group will hear - E ma 1!3 r o0o b $ u 3 Jim Temple, president of Waste m.o a m � S m'a e o u E �' .a Management of Canada speak about E y°uy The Future of Waste Disposai. O Cc.dM O «y W.a..Yxm - B. nC.mv ?�U— m'Omiar9 V�F9 > on 6i 000ia s:m uE�,•.wnwE �`<cs ct_ E JJ _ a�v a.C3C3a a: I E I1 °2 c�otm EaOE$'>.°�'„_. 3 3m_o 3uu iyyA--ouS�c '-r O Fx is a v @L i1T9 Wyt 3 _r 7GE.IEEZm,y o=°•'`'•m`�.u9 a3!2 >�a1F.0 •a C°CCE�3�UTC W 3 CLn Local archives group .� 2 au i a.a 3' .�y4`�m't �'EF o.o z.-c.'aM=W Hxr�EVm0 gets another boost �3�aa�d 3av4oum=3 = m E c$m se 3sem e�+t from committee 9 a—> o aou3u EEpmmOO �,E Cm. m.3mdt� 0 t Luc E. no E E u° '^u E- 1` A board of management should be set and went ahead." up to study setting up a county ar•' Warden Charlie Tatham said the ar- c 5 00 u a $ s r I chives, Oxford's administration and chive proposal won't go ahead this year A > tQ d �' 'j finance committee agreed yesterday as there are no funds but agreed that a ; ' t E s W. Lam' m County council is bang asked to sz system has to be set up some time, d port the recommendation which would The committee heard a further I v E a a F _ a`°i v o Q d >c .01e " s9 l fj r see a committee formed of three county presentation from Susan Start of the W $'-t �w.`�t' o `_ E _ " ,o w v .� :3 h council raps and three members of the Oxford County Archives Group yester- $ v u e 9 c `o Bit s a e o S public. day who has spoken to them about the Yf o 0 - E "A county archives system is re- matter before. She has also made a —' pa m E E >m ' ` E 'a C W ^. F«, 5,:� ^y �'7 d se 1+>..' 'er i L = ° v �'�x Mayor Wendy in hCalder syaid. It's just a ccounciloodstock ation to the whole of county ram$ m Y Y e� a� ry�r matter of time until we're inundated The committee also recommended ` o c H f yf with r It's time we bit the bullet that a request for $27,000 to keep the y a -Norwichhrchivesoperatingthis pyear , c y+,$ - c $ ,� --. - be included in the 1885 budget discussions. LE L`°odEuS� t>. W M I ■1� X cc 4*0 cc 0 U) i L 0 0 Wo L 0 4o X tio�°« ocZ' as d occ`t°��a c a, `�.vr m._ o i�°b��OEatei toWQ tot.) Lro-'.Cj b`4F y�•y °O ��m"n co°� 3$ a y'om E` LotL��o�?°Q..na«.T e,Ioy.�m �= ��a�dms La.,,�LG]:—.sta,a�ay.c>,L°, me �I voC� 3—o.�LFL ,u_.o.mc=L°',r°°v.^°cNLa �ro a E. _VE u 3 Op L :G ^, L > LF Eu^=y °Rw`a,s�sO ciLsmai+LJ5LO•v mcu° oRrooau cov �E'pF-�L—..:_�:aoaQ' :Co�5 NO osm Em°LUp cC&C:aa°0«as'°E�c°°od�=flo Eao.g°v�croQ vwu� cpaEc v.v: u °taaom.moc40 ,9t:04 FtOpMCONtNCLew°Fu?'oo"^i L E m E ° a E$ w a c iEv4u v o f 3 0 U RFt9 en OL++ON � ��G�3°pce «•oo� E H �aU"o mcs u-,o ou c 5m o� .QLcca �,00cw. R 0 Q'E ' E o« c v nm`R'R m3 ,mcg ��~ 0°3o6'LaLE^Na$ ro« 06a8 �T594- ro d tiw Ca 7�j OY m �°. oELyRy� v< aEuZ V= yj V O y L N uu c,oLL u~'3i; Ov, L m= p^_ 0 uE�LEh �OOWVM2 IFQ �a1 O � ro ° G L�"�EaE"ro3 Ma OaOLL O oor" ya L ^ y VC Y O y n yy a v > oev �p z OU L wa` xoo.Ea`'E�E� Board brings archives plan a step closer By ALISON DOWNIE of The Sentinel -Review A County of Oxford Archives Board of Management was established by coun- ty council yesterday. In a recorded vote, councillors voted 13 to six in favor of setting up the board. No one disagreed with the concept but a number of councillors were worried about the costs involved, which are still unknown. "I think this is the start of something much bigger than we realize at this time," Coun. Don McKay said. "I think we should take a good look at what we're getting into. There's no end of materials that people think are valuable and should be saved." Councillors who voted against the proposal included Jean Ferrie, Doug Harris, Jack Whitmore, Don Mckay. Phil Poole and Jack Warden. The board will consist of three council members and three non -elected representatives, An ad -hoc committee of the Oxford Historical Society made several presentations to council regarding a county -wide archives. They have asked council to take over the operating costs of the Norwich Archives this year at a cost of $27,000 while the management board investigates setting up a similar system in Woodstock. Some councillors let it beknown that they will not support two archive facilities in the county. "I would not support two In the area that would be straight duplication." Conn. Joe Pember said. "I don't care where it is as long as there is only one. • Coun. Wallis Hammond said at least hall' of the operating costs of the ar- chives should come from fees charged to those who use the services. rt" TLEm u- ?� �p co0�-xH3 {r rJ' V ,C mL yL C p a' « O C ci u L+ 1 u �$U�m�am>v •, 3'y O0E��E�'mc n� Y U 9 > m� to r p L L V p M 'm p C n O �V✓ cp3 ° -z ° a+g3c L K O a J O O F L G:3 o aaE�Zu^4�,''V E uys¢c-owwUWE ° o c 3=a mom; m c«a« oE::�a_ .n O z E¢zlot m m c a o m 0 ;W my� oy3a R O m F L O Y ? N R v E 0:°215 � c�� a E ° o' -�u o0�—Farm Zk. . ®�`o s L CC, 6 V m R zmm WE mm� 'a V .'d- -' oc58 ;7R a e E Je o c o ry�ry S3 C y >R� ^J' L 2om aui 3:c zcE 'm U.5:a3 0 0 Lakeside takeover irks Hammond By ALISON DOWNIE of The Sonfinel-Review Zorra Township Mayor Wallis Hammond is not pleased the county has decided to take over operation of the Lakeside landfill site in his township. He told Oxford vF-. County Council the too -acre site, _ operated by the township, services the north part of the county well - although Zorra has had complaints M about the operation from the Ministry O f t h e WALLIS Environment. HAMMOND The ministry's complaints centred around burning brush and wood pro- ducts at the site and piles of metal which are salvaged by a local company, Hammond said. "The landfill is surrounded by forest and is out of sight of residents. We haven't had any complaints from residents," Coun. Hammond said. "Last year we managed to salvage hun- dreds of pounds of metal. If this goes to a county operation you're going to bury so much material that is now being salvaged. We will lose recycling in the north part of the county." Public works chairman Ross Liv- ingston said the county intends to use a compactor unit which should extend the life of the site. He said he does not ob- ject to recycling materials brought to the site but said they must be removed and not allowed to pile up. County engineer Don Pratt suggested with the county operating the site it could extend its life by more than one year. There's a big difference between a landfill site and a dump," Coun. Liv- ingston said. Council members voted 12 to six in favor of taking over operation of the site. Those who did not support taking over the site included councillors Ham- mond, Ed Down, Jim Gibb, Doug Har- ris, Don McKay and Jack Whitmore, The site will now be upgraded com- parable to the landfill operations run by the county at Tillsonburg and in operating costs will increase to $50,000 r from the $35,000 spent last year. Oxford's operations engineer Roy Brankley said operating with a new i system the Lakeside Site could he open five dogs a week, Tuesday to Saturday, instead of just two days a week as it has txren in thr past. Money needed for promotion say officers County image questioned or ALISON OOWHIE d The EseNxel-�wiee Oxford County has an identity problem. Economic development officers for the three urban municipalities in the county agreed yesterday that Oxford has a recognition problem, just like Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg. At a municipal seminar held at the county courthouse Woodstock's Paul Plant, Tillsonburg's Larry Condon and Ingersoll's Ted Hunt discussed the pro- motion of Oxford Countv. "I know when people think of Woodstock, they think of rock festivals or tor- nados," Plant said. 'When we are remembered it's - for the wrong PncL reasons." PLANT Hunt said when people think of Inger- soll they associate it with cheese. In order to Qromote Oxford and gain more recagnit'on it will take money and the three development officers would like the county to contribute financial- ly. To this point the county has con- tributed little money to economic development in Oxford. The three development officers have proposed that county council contribute $2o,00o to a fund to be used for the pur- re of economic development in Ox- ford. A similar fund has been set up in Waterloo Region. The fund would be monitored through the county and would serve two purposes - COUNTY TOURS Plant said $10,000 would be used for County may spread all the good news By ALISON DOWNIE of The Sentinel -Review Good news may soon trove 1ng farther. Oxford County 'Warden Charlie Tatham says there is a lot of good news happening in Oxford County and he wants everyone to know about it. He has proposed that the county publish a good "news'letter every couple of months listing each municipality's accomplishments. According to the warden's plan, each of the eight municipality's in oxford will have its own good news reporter who will be responsible for submitting information for the newsletter. "We hear enough about the bad news, so it's time we were positive," Warden Tatham said. "Everyone could list one or two items boosting their area." The newsletter will be mailed out to county politicians and staff of the variou i municipalities, as well as PUC commissioners and staff. The frequency with which the newsletters will go out is yet to be determined. Members of the planning committee have endorsed the idea. County council will now be asked for its opinion. promoting Oxford at trade shows. The other $10,00o would 6e used ro sponsor county tours for industrialists. Eie said it would be a gaol way to show bank presidents, real estate agents and businessman first-hand what Oxford has to offer. It would also help he and his colleagues make new contacts. "We have done this on our own, but not on a great scale he said. "We would be willing to match funds." Hunt said he could not support developing a coun- ty brochure for pro- motion saying Ox- ';,�.,• _ ford is as unknown as some of the ur- ban centres. He F- said it is better to a promote urban p areas with serviced + industrial land - TEo Y available. HUNT 6`t .By promoting us., You're also pro- moting Oxford We can create jobs for the county," he said. "What Woodstock or Ingersoll gains• the whole county gains.' Condon said 40 per cent of the work force in Tillsonburg live outside the town limits. Woodstock Aid. Ken Bullen said the i development officers should have ask- ed the county for $50,00D saying they `. would have had more chance of getting the s2o,00ti requested. He also asked if all promotion for economic develop- ment should be an a county -wide basis - Plant said dt would be a good idea because then staffing, resources and money could be combined. He added that all parts of the county could be pm moted equally and said a centralized function would provide better value on the money being spent now. Condon refused to comment on the question.. Hunt said he could not support the concept saying a good job is being done by the urban municipalities regarding economic development. "if it was handled at the county level there would be those that would want the county to service all the industrial lands," he said. "It's been tried in other areas and hasn't worked. With what is being done now and with help from the county we could do an even better job." The seminar was organized by Ox- ford's planning committee to give coun- cillors across the county and senior staff members a chance to exchange ideas and discuss common problems Topics of other sessions included the role of a personnel manager. recycling and „:Ise• inciner:ruon _. Plant that turns garbage into electricity not worth $13-million cost to Oxford WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Ox- $30,000 study last April because It Centre.. . and a small greenhao ford County isn't ready for a $13- wanted to investigate alternative complex in Princeton." million plant that turns garbage ways of handling garbage. As an alternative, it suggi- into electrical energy, its public "It's basically the cost," said the county might want to constr:; works committee decided committee chairman Ross Living- an incinerator that would burn '' Thursday, ston of Blandford-Blenheim Town- tons of garbage a day and prod:o That was the committee's gener- ship. "if we had a steam user. I electricity. The capital cost would al reaction to a detailed report by think it might have been a differ- be $13 million and Oxrerd could' Derek L. Wilson Ltd. Consulting ent story." count on getting financial tissi- Engineers of Toronto. The county originally expressed Lance from the senior levels of,—, County council approved the aninterest inbuilding aninciner- ernmenlFora projector that m,oi, ator that would be able to provide "The federal government r. -- — the Oxford Regional Centre, north quires that the proposal re*o - - of here, with steam power and environmental approval prim! electricity. its commitment and the proviu: " However, the report concluded government will consider s that the provincially operated cen- case on its own merit." the su " trefor the developmentally handt• said. capped isn't prepared to make a Excluding senior governn,o long-term deal to buy the power at grants, the average cost per hot this time, to pay for the plant amotun.:: Such a deal could have put the about $10 per month. _ project within the county's reach. While such a plant would) ' r Livingston said, adding that the eliminate the need for land; study could be used several years sues. it would substantially red i, " from now as an important starting the amount of garbage to be bur.-: point should the situation change and produce electricity for sale to and of major steam user be Ontario Hydro at a rate of3.2cents . identified. per ki lowat hour provided the sup-, "It is unlikely that they (regional ply is available 65 per cent of th " centre) would enter into any long- time. term agreement with the county The study suggested the capita for the purchase of steam until debt be paid off over seven years Al;. such a time that they have final- µ ied their plans." the study said. 't•`ley'>Lr.:,a�'Ji°yr ,;��.:• aF. "Our studies have shown that there are no major uses for steam other than at the Oxford Regional 0. .ate � C O N a 0."-' V O N.� OpR V �.0 �-• q�r _ Y C R EJ9 6 m� c GGg5 a mC R �o•°_cf.Sym3�=' Ea�R°a5ao�°rma EiQB� A$'d�o�+ 10 ue�mGooy�om>BU.5o�3Vt mr�a.ac;,ram- sp'y :: 5 � �'O mmo om >,—p MIa oS u? u° $ 4 fir-_ - Tor �>,m mvs cat m 5� $u a a c yd�•o�E 00``a fi 3.O s G$««S«- E« c a;'9°o�aac � � g« R N a �i o °p' � ^.nC E P°8a N9�`c` 36m`' ii�'a9Z>M� ci IIQ$�55o.�� s01.`_°3�ug �_« °°ySydy3 E „'. m.^' V R .Q i °«` «a`��a`aFds«T'pc`LQ9E.o�oatu'S��' c�w�°�' «yyE .�•G�1ny;po i •0F0my�w1"poEpNEcoS.Y=q3c.m5aGS $;maa�t�o. w �9 • 0 • • . ar uw ratwo oxfwa c«wtr We'd" our good friend Padre ,lohn Davies, in speaking to Oxford County coun- cil's first meeting in 1965, talked about the need to have vision and the fact that w6 must give guidance to our young imople. whal should be done by oxford County council in AV, ^ what can be done by oxford County council in 1.995? what will be done by oxford County council in v IIK Twenty-two years ago In August. 1963, we visited a dairy barn on a collec- tive farm in the Republic of Armenia down near the Turkish border. We met the Kurdish milkmaids who hand -milked the small Jersey colored cows. They cleaned their stables with litter car- riers and dumped the manure into motorized spreaders. We saw three furrow plows on steel wheels. When we ](!it the farm we commented on theArmenian agricultural problems. The Soviet Union is still having agricultural pro- duction problems. We in the western world can produce food: our pro- blems are in seeing that our farmers get proper financial return for their expenditures of capital and labor. Oxford County farmers produce more than s250.0o0,000's worth of agricultural produce every year. Southwestern Ontario is where we grow food in abundance, but we also contribute abundant. ly to the soil erosion pro, blems of our province. Soil roriscrvation is of From Oxford's Warden What can, what will County council do a "Land Belated Informa- tion System". Most ac- tivities of a municipality are related to properties and land. By putting land map information into a computer, one can quick- ly retrieve the information. Part of South-West Ox- ford Township (Dereham) has had the land property information computerized. We have seen a map of these Dereham properties drawn by a computer. The time to have this work done by a draftsman — three weeks. The time to have this work done by a computer — 19 minutes. This land related infor- mation exercise will put us in the forefront of this kind of activity in Canada. The mastery of microelectronic technology will be necessary for the economic and social well- being of our Country. Canada has been an "old" nation, by the United Nations definition, since 1971 when the pro- portion of the population over 65 reached eight per cent. At that time Woodstock had 10.79 per cent over 65 and in 1991. 13.9 per cent over 65. With our people living longer we must expect more ex- penditures for health care. Oxford County council will continue to seek more provincial tax dollars which rightfully belong to us. These dollars are needed to fund more ex- tended care beds at Woodingford Lodge. We believe in fair play and we question why Oxford County citizens have to pay for extended care treatment without an ap- propriate amount of pro- vincial taxpayers' dollars to augment the ever ris- ing costs of health care. The Oxford County Board of Health would like to see our citizens ., stay healthy. Dr. Korn, the Chief Medical Officer .r of Health for Ontario, has !' stated that it is our l lifestyle that causes many of our health problems, Our health unit will be placing more emphasis on proper diet and nutrition. Most people would i. recognize how difficult it la for the Oxford County board of health to ovecome the millions of advertising dollars fired 1 at the consumer. Instruc- ting u you constantly and telling yoconstantly what i; ..Loud` fur you f f l t t:ittt. t� rtru.tat paramount importance to Oxford County. We all congratulate the forma- tion of a 4-H Soil Manage- ment Club in our County. This type of activity will influence the future farmers of Oxford on the need for good soil management. CHANGE Our society is changing. Toffler talks about the In- formation Society, the Post Industrial Society. An editorial in Computer World tells us that in 1963 tevenue generated by the computer industry in the U.S.A. totalled $110 billion: nearly double that of the steel industry and but a whisker away from the $120 billion generated by the Big Three Automakers. Only the oil c o in IT n i e s a r e significantly out in front with revenues of $500 billion, but they are ex. pected to succumb to the In tech hare sometime in the next decade. Technological change is making a major impact on the Canadian economy -computer soft- ware, telecommunica- tions, industrial microbiology, robots and the information revolution. Oxford County, in co- operation with the City o Woodstock and the Pro- vince of Ontario, is com- mencing a pilot project o Fine people working for Oxford: Tatham continued from Page 2 Many county coun- cillors have visited various operations from landfilling, incineration, shredding, composting, recycling and combina- tions of these activities. There are some answers if you want to pay large sums of money to reduce the volume of solid waste. We can all help cut down the amount of garbage go- ing to the landfill site if we separate paper, glass, metal and wood, right at the source; however, you must still have a safe landfill site. We shall perservere. Tourism is one of On- tario's largest industries. It is encouraging to hear that the museums and art galleries in Oxford are working together to help promote one another. The Oxford County Court House is an often photographed building. The recycled Oxford County Jail, to accom- modate the oxford Coun- ty Board of Health and i Home Care, will also be another plus for our Ox- ford County Square. The work of the Family and Children's Services is known throughout On- �itario. Our Oxford County Library system provides -books to every !municipality in Oxford (except Woodstock and Tillsonburg. This year we are took- ing forward to the establisment of a perms• nent Drinking/Driving Committee in Oxford County. etyhave fine people working for Oxford Court. ty and by perserverance and tenacity we will find ways to solve our pro- blems and continue on build our community Oxford County's historical courthouse. • 11 HOUSING What about housing? The vacancy rate for ren- tal accommodation In Tillsonburg, Ingersoll and Woodstock is far below the vacancy rate of three to five per cent accom- modation which is con- sidered appropriate to provide a balance bet- ween supply and demand. How can we supply hous- ing at reasonable prices? Would tax reform help? Our present -tax system is such that if a person employs labor and capital to establish an industry and adds to the prosperity of our community, that person's taxes are in- creased. If you tear down a buildingyour taxes go down. If you hold land for development you pay low taxes- There is no tax in- centive to put land on the market. Property tax reform is needed in Ontario. Dr. Edwards Deming, quality control statisti- cian, has had a great in- fluence on the production methods of commercial and industrial manufac- turers. We all want to buy quality productsat the lowest price we can; we are competing in a world market. We live in the Great Lakes Basin. If our in- dustrial neighbors are busy producing goods and services we all benefit because of our in- terdependence; however, the facts of tax life tell us we have to encourage development within our Oxford County. boundaries. We are looking forward i to boundary adjustments that will give Tillsonburg an opportunity to provide more land for industries to build upon and thus provide obs for our friends an� neighbours. DIALOGUE There is an ongoing dialogue between several oxford municipalities searching for a vehicle t that will help promote 1 these municipalities as a great place to do I business. If you were 55 years old when Oxford County was restructured and started it) look for a safe landfill site, you are eligible for the Old Age Pension — to years later. ('tinlinued till Page 3 'County holds budget line at 3.9"per c yant Still more than �.. ---- - - _-._ ----- --- $3 million over 1984 spending If ALIM If0>AINIE — - of the swrfbal-taoiw Oxford County Council has set its 1995 budget at a realistic and comfortable -sounding 3.5 per cent increase over last year. But the good trews stops there. On Wednesday, county council ap. proved a $21.705,630 budget for 1995 whicb shows a net county levy of $6.609,7ik1. A bylaw officially approving the budget will be voted on at council's Coun. Don McKay, chairman of the administra- tion and finance committee,- said although the in; in levies to municipalities will only be up 3.5 per cent over last year, the county wtli ac- tually spend over McKay $3 million more than it did in 1904. The county will dip into its reserve funds to keep the increase in levies low this year. H it didn't the increase would be nose to 20 per cent. About $1.5 million will be taken out of reserves for the county jail rehabilita- tion project. The balance of the cost of the $1.8 million project will be paid through levies, Coun. McKay said. USING SURPLUS In order to meet requirements of the planning department, &%,000 will be taken out of that department's reserves to be used in 1985- A $5W,000 surplus from last year's budget will also be used this year. The administration and finance com- mittee had proposed an increase of only -77 per cent but some changes were made to the budget when it was presented to the full council - Council members voted in favor of -setting aside $200,000 in reserve. Although the money hasn't been ear- marked for any specific purpose, coun- cillors_ expect to donate some money this year to Stratford General Hospital. The hospital has requested financial assistance from Oxford to replace and renovate its facilities. The hospital has asked for $65.5,09B but it seems unlikely it will get that amount. "We're going to look prett good when this budget goes out but I think we should set aside $200,0W in reserve, which can be used if we decide to con- tribute to the hospital or whatever," Coun. Phil Poole said. "We got caught a few years ago and I don't want to we that happen again." HONORARIUM HIKE Councillors also voted in favor of giv. ing themselves a four per cent increase in honorariums this year which added j Sf,,tIM1 to The budget.. Another $5.000 was also added to the convention budget which was set at VU,000 Councillors said $25,070 was more realistic as about $24.,000 was spent on conventions Last year. There has been a slight change in the levies this year, treasurer Howard Day said. Some of the county's rural , municipalities will be paying less while ' urban municipalities will be paying more. Coun.. McKay said in I975 urban municipalities paid 52 per cent of the net total levies while in I905 they will pay 46 per cent. Levies to the muucipalilies in the county are: Blandford-Blenheim Township $732.452, down from 3747,000 last year; t East Zorra-Tavixlock Township $67'0,(186, down from $We.o MI; f Norwich Townslup $767,30r , up from $759,1MI0: South-West oxford Township $M,982, up from $628,000, • Zorre Township $1,012,024. down front $tX7,4 1, r 'tore Tarn of Tillsotlhurg 0724,im, Top (ran i7t6,400; r "111eTa'an of fngerm $414,641), up kasn Htd.980 and Tffw City of Wtodotock /1, SM", up from $1,52100) paid last yttar. - (lie,er111r/NlNltnuu ....,,_.., Councillors keep '85 budget increase down to five per cent Continued from Pop I The county expects to receive about $9,574,981 in government grants for this year and will raise about $2,657,418 from other sources including planning fees, day nursery fees, rest home fees and income from investments. Here are some of the highlights of ex- penditures in the 1985 budget: The total general government budget is $575,425, That includes more than $170,00 for council members, $209,125 for administration salaries and $29,500 for benefits, as well as $10,000 for legal and auditing fees and $15,500 for public relations and advertising. The total protection to persons and property budget amounts to $260,110. That includes $17,240 for emergepey fire service and $242,970 for weed in- spection, drainage and levies to conser- vation authorities. The public health and welfare budget is $9,336,493. The budget includes $4,272,415 for general welfare assistance, $3,901,680 for assistance to aged persons, $262,642 for assistance to children, $472,290 for day nurseries and $420,543 for the board of health. PUBLIC WORKS The public works 1985 budget amounts to $8,322,200. Included in that is $6,065,300 for roads and bridges, $101,000 for sewer and water, $1,880,000 for the jail renovation project and about $200,000 for improvements to county property and buildings. The recreation and community ser- vices budget is $419,747. Most of that, $392,097, will go to libraries. The rest will be spent through donations to com- munity organizations such as the Nor- wich Archives ($13,500), the Oxford County Federation of Agriculture, historical shows and agricultural societies. The community planning and development budget is $518,950 which includes land division and planning studies. Coun. McKay said he was fairly pleased with the 1985 budget although he had been hoping for no increase. "Taxpayers don't really need an in- crease this year," he said, noting that much of the increase will go towards paying for the jail renovation project which he has been against from the beginning. Councillors take wage hike of four per cent Oxford County councillors have voted in favor of giving themselves a four per cent raise for this year. Councillors did not take an in- crease in honorariums last year. At Wednesday's meeting, Coun. Jack Warden said the increase is in line with wage guidelines set by the county for its employees for this vear. "No one in this room is overpaid or underpaid although some people are over- worked," Coun- Joe Pember said. "If we're going to -�-.+ give ourselves an increase I think we should be do- ing it during an -" electio- year. Taxpayers have JOE the right to know PEMBER before the% vote." Councillors, who received $7,oac last year, will now receive $7,338 while the Warden, whose honorarium was $21,168, will rec en c $22,014. • E County nurses wait to hear from minister h AIMN oOWNIt of The imNsel.Revim Oxford county Board of Health ' nurses are keeping their strike plans on the back burner until they hear from e Ontario health minister Alan PopThe 27 nurses, who were in a strike position as of Friday, met Jwith Pope Thursday night while he } was in Woodstock to attend the Ox- ford Progressive Conservative f Association's annual dinner i meeting. The minister promised to investigate the contract dispute bet- i ween the board of health and its nurses, said Margaret Bartlett, president of Local 40 of the Ontario Norses Association. He assured the nurses that he would get back to 9 them sometime today. Salaries are the only outstanding issue in the contract dispute. "We've heard nothing from him i yet," Bartlett said at press time to- day. "But we're operating on the ' assumption that we will hear something before the end of the day " The nurses plan to hold a meeting tonight to evaluate what Pope has to -say before any decision to strike is rade. "We're optimistic well hear from ion today but we're very much aware that it is still the local board c: a have to negotiate with and we're rot as optimistic there," Bartlett r.ald- Public health nurses pounding picket line Ry ALISON OOWNIS of The Seminel-Rerlew Oxford County Board of Health nurses went out on strike today. But they're hoping the strike will be a short one. Public health nurses from Woodstock, Norwich, Tillsonburg and Ingersoll were picketing early this morning outside the board offices in Woodstock, along Wellington and Brant streets. "The nurses didn't want to be in a position where they had to withdraw their services, but were left with no other choice," said Jan Davidson, employment relations officer for the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA). The nurses, members of Local 40 of the ONA, say they are the lowest paid in Ontario. The only outstanding issue in their contract dispute with the board is salaries. Local 40 members have been in a strike position since Friday. Davidson said the nurses are disap- pointed Ontario health minister Alan Pope did not keep the promise he made to them last week that he would look in- to the situation and get back to them Monday. Davidson said she tried to get a hold of Pope yesterday and left - several messages but he did not return her calls. - NO RETURN CALLS "The least he could have done was got back to us," she said. "He was so positive last Thursday." Board of health chairman Lenore Young refused to comment on the strike this morning saying only that the board's position was made very clear in a letter to Pope. In her letter she said there are concerns Oxford may have to pay more than its usual 25 per cent share for board of health costs this year. That could leave Oxford tax- payers with $70,000 more to pay than last year for a total of $411,000 of the board's $1.4 million budget. The rumored three or four per cent increase in provincial financing the board will receive this year from the Ministry of Health will not keep up with the increase in contract settlements, benefits and increments, Young said. She does not dispute that the local nurses are the lowest paid in Ontario. PROVINCIAL FUNDING ' The board of health has not yet received notice of what its funding allocation will be from the province. "We want to show how serious this situation is and the only way to do that is by withdrawing services," Davidson said. "It's the only way to bring it to the attention of the board, county council and the Ministry of Health." She said the nurses do not believe a strike is the best method of settling dif- ferences and said they would have preferred to have gone through arbitra- tion. But the board refused to go that route. "The nurses are in an unenviable position. They have clients that depend on them and they don't want to put i hem in jeopardy," Davidson said. "We don't know how long we'll stay out. We're going to wait and see what hap- pens today. If things get moving, or if something takes us back to the bargaining) table the nurses may decide to go back to work. With only 27 nurses it's all or nothing." She's hopeful the board will want to get back to the bargaining table. "Tins may be the push they needed," she said. The last strike by public health nurses in Oxford was In 1976, The nurses handle all school health pro- grams, home visiting, prenatal classes, immunization and co-ordination of home care programs in the county. County to take no action on energy -from -waste study By SUZANNE STOOP Oxford County councillors voted last week to take no action on a $30,000 study on the feasibility of an energy -from -waste facility for the county. The study, prepared by Toronto consul- tant Derek Wilson, indicated such as facili- ty would not be economically feasible for the county at this time. But some county councillors were critical of the lack of results in light of the money spent on the study. "I think we wasted an awful lot of money here," said Ingersoll Councillor Jack Warden, adding he didn't like Mr. Wilson's presentation on the subject. "If we're look- ing for something to replace a landfill site, this isn't the answer," Coun, Warden said. Woodstock Conn. Joe Pember said the report only confirms what the county's engineer Don Pratt has known all along — that energy -from -waste facilities are a concept that's not far down the road, but it's not here yet. "I honestly think Mr. Wilson,,.did an excellent report," Coun. Pember said. "It seems we have to spend a lot of money but... people have to go to the experts to be told. It took an expert to final- ly tell us that it doesn't work." Woodstock Coun. Phil Poole said it should be up to the next level of govern- ment to find a workable system. "Six years ago the Ontario government was go- ing to install four of these (incinerators) around the province and they got out of it," he said. Incinerators do work but they're still experimental so the ministry of the en- vironment should be building them not the county." Coun. Poole said Oxford county won't be in the incinerator business now or in the forseeable future. "If there was a good client for the steam or eleetncity it would be a different story." Blandford-Blenheim Township Coun. Ed Down suggested the county should forward' Mr. Wilson's report to the ministry of the environment. "It's too complex a project for a county this size to undertake," he said, criticizing the province for failing to provide leadership in this area. South-West Oxford Mayor Walter Wilson pointed out incinerators are working in several locations in the United States and some waste from the Halton region is be- ing trucked to the U.S. for disposal in one such facility. But Coun. Poole pointed out that incinerators in the U.S. are not work- ing to the Canadian emission levels. "If we burn it (garbage) in the States it comes back to haunt us as acid rain, killing our lakes and forests," Coun. Poole said. While the report couldn't recommend any concrete solutions for the county, In- gersoll Mayor Doug Harris said it was im- portant to keep in mind that it was the first time in nine years that the county had spent money directly to investigate something other than landfill. "Rather than complaining about the pro- vincial government, we should do something positive so we have something to stand on with the province," he said. "Let's get with it and work together. We have done something, it won't work, but we're starting." County grant for archives By SUZANNE STOOP The Norwich Archives will get some temporary financial assistance from Ox- ford County but the allocation included in the county's 1965 budget is only half of what the Norwich and District Historical Society requested to keep the archives operating. The historical society had asked the county for $27,000 to gel it through 1965 but a grant of only $13,500 was included in the budget. And some county councillors voic- ed concern that the funding request might become an annual one. "I see it as an inheritance that we're go- ing to regret but county council decided the county should be involved in the ar- chives and Norwich is in a position where it needs funding for 1965," said East Zorra- Tavistock Mayor Donald McKay, chair- man of the administration and finance TO MEET WITH CONCILIATOR TOMORROW Nurses back to work, at least temporarily By ALISOB DOWNIE of The SesNnsl-Review Oxford County Board of Health nurses are back at work today. The nurses walked off the job Tuesday to back their demands for wage parity with counterparts across Ontario. Sinclair Stevens says he's trying to save White OTTAWA LCPr — Industry Minister Sinclair Stevens says he's going to try to persuade Borg-Warner Acceptance Corp. of Chicago to give White Farm more time to find new financial hackers. Stevens told reporters Wednes- day be was unable to offer White Farm president Bill Sinclair any assurances of federal help during a meeting in the minister's office Stevens earlier in the day. But Stevens said he offered to telephone Borg-Warner to find out why that firm moved in such haste to call $40 million in loans owned it by White Farm and put the company into receivership. The minister said he would try to find new private financial backers for the farm -equipment company. Peat -Marwick, the appointed receivers for White Farm, want the company's fate decided by Friday, said Stevens. Sinclair bought White Farm, a com- bine harvester firm based in Brantford, Ont., from Borg-Warner of Canada 18 months ago. There were about 70 people. working at the plant in February, but Sinclair hoped to have 300 working by the summer. Stevens said he had not heard direct- ly from Winnipeg businessman John Buhler, who has said he would try to buy White Farm and move its manufac- turing operation to Winnipeg, bringing it closer to 90 per cent of its customers .. in Western Canada. "We stayed out to give the public the facts about the dispute and impress upon county council the seriousness of the situation," said Margaret Bartlett, president of Local 90 of the Ontario Nurses Association. "During the past two days I think we accomplished that.' The nurses and the board have agreed to meet with a government con- ciliator Friday morning in Toronto. The 27 nurses involved in the strike are still waiting to hear from Ontario health minister Alan Pope who promis- ed to investigate the dispute and get back to them earlier this week. Barnett said Oxford Progressive -Conservative incumbent Dick Treleaven has been working hard trying to get a response from the minister. Word is expected sometime today - "We're just operating on a day -today basis," Bartlett said. "There's new developments and we get new informa- tion every day." committee who presented the lW5 county budget for council approval last week. Ingersoll Mayor Doug Harris pointed out the funding request was for salaries and operating expenses —costs that will still have to be met next year. "Don't kid ourselves that this is a one time thing; they'll be back next year," he warned. Ingersoll Councillor Jack Warden agreed. "Somewhere down the road the county will be asked to take the whole darn thing over." But the county treasurer, Howard Day told council the administration and finance committee was told the funding would only be temporary financing. Woodstock Coun. Phil Poole pointed out that county council had approved the establishment of a board of management to investigate the establishment of a county archives. But by voting for that board, the county was "just voting to see what they had to say",; it wasn't a vote to commit funds on a long- term basis. "I don't really think we should look at this as permanent," Count. Poole said. When asked about Norwich Township's commitment to the archives, Norwich Township Coup. Helen Smith said the township is providing $ W a month to the historical society. "I personally think we do need an archives in the county and the only substantial archives at the moment is in Norwich. We're just trying to keep it alive," she said. "At the moment Norwich is the only one in the position to offer ar- chival information and to do this it will have to have some help." Zorra Township Mayor Wallis Ham- mond said county council has to accept that it has approved the establishment of an archives board. "Whether we want to say it's a one-time grant to the Norwich ar- chives, the board will be set up and, if an archives is set up in the county, Norwich is seen as a branch of the county archives," he said. "When I accept this, I accept that we're into this for time immemorial." An archives committee, representing the Oxford County archives group and the Norwich archives, has proposed the establishment of a county -supported ar- chives system that would operate with a central facility in Woodstock, retaining the archives in Norwich as a branch or satellite office, similar to the system in place in Perth County. The archives board of management is being set up to investigate the establish- ment of a county archives and the casts in- volved. Stratford facility to modern ize County studies hospital request By LINDA 9aIM1 of 1M 19etMo144rloW A $650,000 grant re qquest from the Stratford General Hospiis) board for a ma or overhaul of the institution will be atu�led b Oxford County's administra- tion and finance committee. Rev. JX Williams, president of the board of directors for the hospital's building fund, told county council, Wednesday, the fund-raisers have ap proached all municipalities benefitting from the hospital's services. They hope to raise $17 million to build a new chronic care unit, modernize the emergency department, in and out pa- tient services and cancer clinic. The re- quest to the county was apportioned to the percentagBe of Oxford residents us- ing the hosvital. Father Williams said of the approx- imately 6,000 patients who stayed in the hospital In the 1963-64 year, 571 were from Oxford. He added many more us- ed the out patient services as well, though he could offer no figures. "That's why we have asked Oxford to be a part of our campaign. You have been generous in the past in your sup- port o health care facilities," he said FIRST TIME This is the first time in 32 years the hospital is making a public appeal for funds. The board is conducting the cam- pabgo without the use of professionals. They've only spent about S36,oW on its campaign so far, so any donations will almost completely go to the cause itself and not publicity, expenses. Father Williams said It's important that health facilities in this area, not be- ing linked to universities, try to keep themselves upgraded. "We have to ba vory careful that we don't lose our place in the sun," he said. The hosplut board has already been assured of $6 million from the provin- cial government as long as the hospital itself can match the amount. The hospital is getting $5 million from the city of Stratford. $l million from Perth County, and the Perth municipalities are expected to contribute another $1.5 million. Fund-raisers are also conduc- ting a door-to-door campaign to raise money from individuals. Their target area includes the Tavistock and Embro areas and other northern portions of Oxford. Councillors opted to say few words - about the tkt50,000 request, though Coun. Doug Harris of Ingersoll noted that years ago the county used to pay the hospital a user fee on a per -patient basis. Coun. Joe Pember cd Woodstock said he didn't think the county should be supporting a chronic care facility, but agreed the other services used by Ox- ford residents ahouldn't be ignored. 0 Health nurses want average salary By JANE STIRLING Oxford County's public health nurses were locked out of their offices today following a breakdown in negotiations bet- ween the nurses and the county's board of health in Toronto last Friday. Ontario Nurses Association represen- tative Jan Davidson said the lockout will continue until The board changes its posi- tion on salaries. "When they have anything to offer us we'll be back at the (bargaining) table," she said. The nurses, who walked off their job last Tuesday to back demands for wage parity with their provincial counterparts, were back on the job Thursday but walked out again on Friday to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. Nurses' representatives met with a government conciliator on Friday, along with representatives from the Oxford County Board of Health in an effort to resolve the dispute but Mrs. Davidson said the board refused to budge from its previous offer of a four per cent increase in the first year and a six per cent increase in the second year of a two-year contract. The nurses were willing to change their of- fer "a bit" although she would not release more specific information. "i still maintain the nurses should be paid the average provincial salary for nurses in 1984," she said. The 27 public health nurses and home care co- or. dinators , members of Local 40 of the nurses' association, are the lowest paid in Ontario and earned about $2,000 a year less than the average salary paid to other On- tario health board employees last year. The nurses make an average of $21,000 a year and were originally asking for a 16 per cent increase which would have brought them wage parity with public health nurses in Grey -Owen Sound, an area comparable to Oxford County with similar services.A verbal agreement had been worked out with a conciliator last month but Word county council rejected the agreement. based on a 10 per cent wage increase. The nurses were picketing again today and Mrs. Davidson said they will be mann- ing the picket line again tomorrow in Woodstock to bring their grievances to the attention of Premier Frank Miller who is on the campaign trail in Southwestern Or - TO OXFORD COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Nurses want ministry to turn off the funds By ALISON DOWNIE of The Sesliael-Review Oxford's board of health nurses want the Ministry of Health to withhold funds it allots to the board to help main- tain health care programs. Nurses and home care co-ordinators who went on strike last week, and who found themselves locked out this week, say fuse board is depriving the public of mabeatory health care programs. Nurses withdrew services for two days Iasi week, saying they wanted to show the seriousness of the dispute over wages and still maintain services to the public. Following a breakdown in mediation between the two parties April 20, the board locked the nurses out of the five health unit offices in Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Norwich. STATEMENT MADE "Since the employer is obviously not concerned about violating the provi- sions of the Health Protection and Pro. motion Act, which calls for the delivery of specific health programs and ser- vices to the public, the ministry should withhold the monies it allots to partially fund these programs," said Marg Bartlett, president of the Ontario Nurses' Association Local 40. The hoard's 27 public health nurses are asking for a 16 per cent increase which would give them parity with counterparts in Grey -Owen Sound. "It is important to note that we are willing to submit our contract dispute to binding arbitrapon," Bartlett said. "Our employer has refused to consider binding arbitration. This refusal is at the public's expense." Members of the public are being ask- ed to sign a petition in support of the nurses. The Oxford Regional Labour Council has announced it is supporting the nurses in the dispute. "Equal pay for worst of equal value is our belief and I am sure our nurses work just as hard and are just as dedicated as those in Perth, Brant, Mid- dlesex or other counties." president Jack Dunn said "People of Oxford deserve the hest and unless this major wage gap is closed, our high level of nursing care- will suffer and perhaps nurses will leave Oxford to seek what they so rightly deserve." Oxford taxes to rise 3.5% By Howard Bums Woodstock Bureau WOODSTOCK — East Zorra-Tavistock Mayor Don McKay rapped fellow Oxford County councillors Wednesday night over their approach to the 1985 budget and what he described as their disre- gard for area taxpayers. The outburst came at the end of an unusually quiet council meeting when it was time to approve a bylaw setting the tax rate for area municipalities. "I've just about had it with the rubber stamping attitude of this council," McKay said as he drew attention to the $21.7-million budget, up about $3.6 mil- I ion or 20 per cent more than last year, Expenditures climbed but about $2.0 million from surplus and reserve ac- Counts limited the tax increase to 3,5 per cent. McKay lashed out at council members over a meeting two weeks ago to approve the budget, when they voted themselves a four -per -cent raise, decided to estath Ilsh a $200,000 reserve account for cal. y ital projects or grants, and increased to i $25.00 ) from $20,000 last year, the amount to be spent on conventions. He said those last-minute changes added about $211,000 to the bottom line. McKay said it was part of his job to ensure the county was getting value for every dollar it spent and suggested that wasn't happening in Oxford. He accused Warden Charlie Tatham of lobbying council members before the meeting two weeks ago on the benefits of setting aside the $200,000. He said settingaside money in reserve accounts is dangerous because it even- tually leads to more spending, citing a $1.8-million restoration of the old coun- ty jail here as an example. About $1.7 million is coming from reserves. Ile said reserves cover tip mistaken and make it appear spending is under control, when it Isn't - Councillor Phil Poole of Woodstock said he pushed to include the 5200,000 reserve account two weeks ago because he felt it was wise to think ahead. Ile Ssaid additional expense didn't puta big burden on taxpayers, who'll "thank us next year.,, Cowucillor Joe Peniber of Woodstock. agreed the budget shouldn't be ap- proved without some comment but took exec plton to N'IcK'ay's other charges. He said every item in the budget had been scrutinized "forward 'and backward" at. earlier meetings. A total of $6.6 million is to be collect- ed trom the area munidpalities colu- pared to $6.3 million last year, Nonchalance has Don McKay hopping mad IV LINDA NULME — — - - ofTinTin Sewflmd wrhew After the approximately three minutes it took to read through a bylaw approving the 521,705,&M in levies on Oxford municipalities, county Coun. Don McKay Wednesday night couldn't hold it back any longer. "I've just about had it with the rubber stamping attitude that prevails with this coun- cil," he told council. He said council treated the 21 million like it was 21 cents- "1 thought that our job was to repre- sent the people and see that they got value far their tax dollar." said McKaN. While he was standing, he also lit into council for ap- proving a four per cent increase to councillors' pay during budget deliberations No weeks ago as well as $200,000 set aside for reserves. He said reserves were great thing,_ for covering or McKay, mistakes. They _also promote spending. "We do have a problem putting away - money into a pot. I'm still convinced the jail irenovationst wouldn't have got off the ground it $1.3 million wasn't sitting ;here to spend." said McKay. '.Reserves are a real case. Who out there knows what he's paying for? The average Joe doesn't know -All he knows .; the dollars that come on his tax bill." ALL ABOARD! McKay wasn't let off scott tree, though. Several councillors jumped on his remarks, citing council Cmancial decisions in the past as being shrewd, �� elf planned and that reserves are ban- dy for unexpected projects. It's motley -set aside the same way individual tax- payers do for the same purpose. Cam. Joe Pember said he agreed that $21 million shouldn't just be skim- med over as McKay suggested — but in this case it wasn't. Every item of the budget was subject to an extensive review process, first at the committee level. then at county council. And as for reserves, "Let's keep plan- ning ahead so that we don't hit the tax- payers in one big shot someday,". said Pember. The bylaw was passed by a majority of councillors. Locked out Oxford County Board of Health -. uses at- still locked out The county's 27 public health nurses %eve been rucked out since April 22, ,,flowing a nteoung between the two ides in the contract dispute with a pro- . incial mediator in Toronto. No further contract talks are planned It's PC Miller, in a real squeaker moment" in the province'a By iHI CANADIAN ►tee h istoic y. TORONTO — The long- a address that ruling Ontario Tories under rtatesmslllein Tory wounds aonn but emphasised the Liberal agenda, Premier Frank Miller survived Peterson said he wanted the legislature a stunning show of might by recalled immediately to deal with the David Peterson and the Pressing issues of employment, educa- Liberals to win a sliver -thin Lion and reform of the health-care minorit overnment Y g system. .Even though the 'Curies held only a Thursday. slight, lead over the Liberals, they But the victory was of the Pyrrhic would continue to be the government variety as Miller saw,his cabinet and until defeated in the legislature, said caucus shrivel in names around him Roderick Lewis, clerk of the and his inherited majority government legislature. gone Rae, 36, a Rhodes scholar and former The Liberals, who have not governed federal finance critic who took over the Ontario since 1943, actually won a pprovincial NDP three years ago, said slightly higher percentage of the he would make "no instant un- popular vote than the Tories. nouncements" on how his party would Final standings showed the Tories handle the balance of power. with 52 seats to 4e for the Liberals and The final tasty 25 for the New Democrats. About 3.6 million of six million eligible residents t voted, a slight increase from the 58-per- cent turnout in 1981. . In that election, the Tories under M 14 1 n - Davis took 70 of 125 legislature seats, the Liberals 34 and the NDP 21. Deaths, defections and resignations saw the Conservatives close out the last provin- "There are many questions arising," cial parliament with 72 seats, the he told supporters in Toronto. "We look Liberals 28, the NDP 22 and three forward to interesting times; we will be. vacancies. responsible and democratic." Despite the crushing setback, Miller, 57, an elfin Bracebridge businessman GRIT DELIGHTED who ran a controversial campaign However, the night belonged to troubled by polls that suggested a steady Tory decline, managed to flash Peterson. The lanky lawyer and. businessman his characteristic smile when appear- who succeeded Stuart Smith as Liberal ing before supporters in his home riding leader in 1982 won dividends from his of Muskoka. frantic campaign pace that even "It's been a tough campaign, but at Liberals found difficult to believe. this moment, as I stand here, the Pro- Peterson, thought just months ago to gressive Conservative party is still the be facing extinction as his caucus was government ofOntario and I'm proud of ravaged by resignations, saw his that," he said. "People will get to know Liberals stun Miller by ousting Frank Miller. Our party has learned veterans across the province. (before) to govern in minority and win There was immediate speculation the hearts of the Ontario people." that Miller's leadership would be challenged by the Tories. LEADERS WON Donald Macdonald, a former provin- Miller, Peterson in London Centre cial NDP leader, said: "He'll try: to hold and N°DP Leader Bob Rae in Toronto on but it will be difficult. There are real York South were all easily re-elected, cleavages in the Tory party." but the election became a two-way race Miller first saw dreams of a coveted between the Tories and Liberals early majority government dashed as early in the evening. returns, rolled in, then victory jeopar. dized as some of his high -profile can - Peterson told ecstatic supporters didates were defeated in ridings he had shortly after results became clear at 11 targeted for gains and eight ministers p.m. that the election was "truly a were upset. Eight cabinet ministers among prominent discards TORONTO (CP) — Eight cabinet ministers, Including some right-wingers close- ly allied to Premier Frank Miller, were among the prominent candidates who went down to defeat in the Ontario election Thursday. Environment Minister Morley Kells, promoted to cabinet by Miller silly three months age, lost in Toronto's Humber riding to Liberal Jim Henderson, a doctor. Other .Metropolitan Toronto ministers defeated were; Solicitor General John Williams in Oriole riding; David Rotenberg, minister without portfolio for urban affairs in Wilson Heights; and Allan Robinson, minister without portfolio for southern resources in Scarborough -Ellesmere. Industry Minister Gordon Walker, an outspoken member of the right wing of the Progressive Conservatives, was defeated by Liberal Joan Smith In London South riding. Others who last their seats were; Education Minister Keith Norton in Kingston' and the Islands. Labor Minister Russell Ramsay in Sault Ste. Marie and Rene,' Pichr. minister without portfolio for northern transportation, in t-ocl ramc Worths Among the prominent non -cabinet ministers who Palled it their attempts to crack' the Ontario political lineup were Ferguson Jenkins• the former professional baseball pitcher representing Liberals in Windsor-Walkerville, and lawyer Julian Porter, a Tory and chairman of the Toronto Transit Commission. Walker was a key southwestern Ontario organizer for Miller at the Tory leader- ship campaign last January. Although he pulled our all the stoles in his re-election . bid —he was reported to have spent umre than 0100,000—he was beaten handily ltv Smith. Kells, also a Miller supporter during the tradership campaign, rims most recently in the spotlight during the spill Iasi mouth of toxic PClis along the Trans-Canado IRgway near Kenora. !luring the eonlroyersy, he said the only threatI polyrhlorinaled biphroyls posed was to rats who might chew up some of the l roadwgv. Williams, an rntspoken opponent of abortion, attacked his own government last loft. just before his elevation to cabinet, for falling to chase down Dr. llrem v Morgrmalrr's abortion elide in Toronto. Rotrnberg, another right-winger and new member of cabinet, lost to liberal Mornte Kwinter, a real estate broker. Robinson, who supported one of Miller :s rivals during the Ivadershlp, lust to New Democrat David Warner, the riding's former 411210 who was de/ratedbyRobinson hl 197f1. 0 • E C� Never in doubt. Treleaven returned By GREG ROTHWELL of The Sentinel -Review if Ontartan's were wonder- ing Whose Tory Now? Thurs- day night,, Oxford voters were asking no such question. Progressive Conservative candidate Dick Treleaven was returned to Queen's Park with a healthy vote of confidence from residents in the Oxford riding. While Treleaven garnered about the same number of votes as he did in 1981, when he was first elected MPP, he did increase his plurality. And there was a larger vote turnout here this time. He received 15,515 votes this time, compared to Liberal candidate Charlotte Sutherland's 10,584. New Democrat candidate Wayne Cothran received 5,660 votes, Libertarian Kaye Sargent received 729 and 607 people voted for Rhino luck Spurgeon. In 1981. Treleaven grabbed 15.877 votes, 4,011 more than Liberal candidate John Finlay. Treleaven took his election victory as a measure of support for his past term in the provincial legislatkm. "I think the voters recognized I spent tour wears working very hard for them, Treleaven told reporters at his Divides Street headquarters as the results started to come in. 'MILQUETOAST LAW' But Treleaven expressed trepidation about working in a minority govern- ment situation. He s worried that On- tario residents will get "milquetoast legislation" The first result came into Tmleaven's campaign office about 15 minutes after the polls closed at 6 p.m. It showed Treleaven with 26 votes, Sutherland with 16,. Cothran with 14 and the other two candidates with three votes a piece. The local picture came into focus fairly quickly. As supporters crowded into the campaign headquarters, recreating the stateroom scene from the Marx Brother's movie A Night at the Opera, they watched as Frank Miller's govern- Iment dwindled but listened as iTreleaven's vote count continued. to grow. MP Dr. Bruce Halliday, who was Oxtord"s. tally E Kaye Sargent 729' Rick Spurgeon 607' among those watching the provincial results, said he was surprised the Con- servatives had not done as well as he had expected, Moving over to the Polish Hall an Dufferin Street, where his campaign workers were holding a victory party, Treleaven and his wife, Donna, were greeted with a rousing round of ap- plause as they entered the building. Shortly after their arrival Mrs. Sutherland came to the hall to concede defeat. Treleaven congratulated her on "a nice campaign" and gave her a kiss. 'HARD TO CHANGE' Sutherland told a reporter "Oxford is very hard to change," but said while she admitted defeat she also thought it was "terrific" that David Peterson's Liberals had made substantial gains across the province. Oxford eyes `goodnewsletter WOODSTOCK (Bureau) —Oxford A County Warden Charlie Tatham wants to break into the publishing business by putting the accent on good news. "All I'm suggesting is that per- haps we should be sharing some of the good things that are taking place in the county." he said Thursday as [if, outlined his newsletter proposal. "Good things are happening in f iNford County. I have talked to peo- pie from every locality in Oxford and they all agree." said Tatham; { who has invited the area's eight mu- nicipalities to select a "good news" reporter to help spread the word. The newsletter, co-ordinated and distributed by the county planning department would be published ev- ery two or three months with a start ingdate likely this summer, he. said. In a county as large as Oxford, the exchange of good news is vital, he said. With a population of about 85,000. the sprawling county covers 2.033 square kilometres (773square miles), taking in the townships of Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra- Tavistock, !Norwich .South-West Ox- ford and Zorra. It also includes the urban centres of Ingersoll, Tillson- burg and Woodstock. Tatham said few if any of the localities depend on the same source for community news. "Gee whiz. today you hear o many sad stories ... we need to be positive instead of grumble, grutn- ble all the time." A mailing to homes isn't planned but the newsletter would he made available to municipal offices, elected representatives, the media and area residents- 4 No quick remedy in sight in Oxford nurses' dispute By Howard Burns Woodstock Bureau WOODSTOCK — There appears to be little hope for a speedy settle- ment in the contract dispute be- tween the Oxford County board of health and its locked -out nurses. As Oxford County council dis- cussed the issue in closed session Wednesday, the 27 public health nurses protested the stalled negoti- ations on a picket line outside. At one point, the nurses were Joined by supporters and a piper as they circled the courthouse. At the end of counril's session, board of health chairman Lenore Young of Woodstock said there was no progress to report and no con- tract talks are scheduled. She said Oxford was pushing to arrange a meeting with Ontario Health Minister Alan Pope on ri- nanci ng of the health board for 1985 as a follow-up to a letter she wrote him outlining fears that the prov- ince, in the name of financial re- straint, was trying to saddle the county with more than its regular 25-per-cent share of health costs. ' 1 believe council is using that as a little biter an excuse," said Marga- ret Bartlett of Ingersoll, president. of Local 40 of the Ontario Nurses' Aroeial.ion. Bartlett said it would cost an additional $40,000 to $45.000, or a 10-per-cent increase, to bring their salaries up to the 1984 provincial average. She said the nurses are now the lowest paid in Ontario. She said it is disappointing that council finds money fbr other causes such as renovation of the vacant jail but can't come up with an acceptable offer. The nurses started rotating strikes April 16 and were locked out four days later when a mediation session in Toronto broke down. Under the contract that expired Dec. 31, the salary range in Oxford was $20,412 to $25,468 for public health nurses and $20,421 to $24,280 for registered nurses. Treleaven admitted that "minorit governments work. Some people sal„ they're more democratic. But on the, other hand 1 don't think you get as gw,' legislation." "The government that's in a majority situation has the nerve to go ahead and put in the legislation that it thinks is right for the people of Ontario. even if it's tough," he said. "In a minority government situation you're always having to get one other party to go along with you, and the legislation tends to get watered down." With the New Democratic Party tau being in a swing position the Conser vatives are not likely to introduce legislation "that would be called right- wing, because you know the NDP wouldn't go along with it," Treleaven said. "So you probably just don't bring in legislation that you know will be defeated, unless it's a matter of princt - pleor a matter of confidence." HELD SWAY The drop in support for Ontario', Tories, who have held sway in this pro- vince since the 1940s, was "a matter of change," Treleaven surmised. - In last September's federal election the voters "said it was time for a change, and did it in an extreme fashion," he said. Last night the voters in Ontario "carried that mood of change. not man extreme fashion but in a more moderate fashion," Oxford's newly reelected MPP said. When he returns to the legislature his first priority will be to seek out jobs for Oxford. County residents. Treleaven said. "That doesn't change." Treleaven said as the provincial results were flashed on the TV screen, "no matter what's on the board." Committee cuts request to $200,000 Oxford's administration and finance committee is recommending the county contribute $2W,000 to the Stratford General Hospital building fund this year and for the following two years. The hospital board originally re- quested a SSSo,00tl donation from Oxford County to help replace the chronic care facilities at the hospital and carry out improvements to emergency and out- patient services. Stratford hospital is used by residents in the north part of Oxford County, from East Zorra-Tavistock Township. and Zorra Township. If county council approves, the hospital will receive $200,000, which was included in the 1985 budget, on Nov. ,io. The committee close that date m it is the last day thepresent council will have any power. Until that time Oxford will receive the interest off the.f2W,000. Municipal elections take place in November and a new council will be sworn in in December. "We can't commit any future coum :its to any funding," Woodstock Mayor War* Calder pointed out to the com- mittee, "We can only recommend to the next council that they continot with the $200,000 donations for the next two years; If the next council agrees with the recommendation Stratford hospital will receive a 'tatal of $600.W0 from Oxford. 'rho renovaliaw at Stratford hoWtat ore expected to get unto rway this kill, Total cast of the renovations In lGT_. million, of which the province wW aW tubule $6 million. - C U U C O N CIO Q �U C O 0C O LE CL CL M >11 aw C O oxv rV UG4'O�� 7 ��Lt=i�y �pO Gy a-- pEqin�c �E t'i`,nEm u mC o.o E2'aEs�c"E,vT am 2-�m�oE� c£ar m>tL- tau Um �Mo 2e"6m8 b S$' oc_° � �� o3mUH=_ 4 Nry m Em=.�� ivuoa 9m=�„38 c o is o o vy o c b'u cry. og�;3g c0M ocsa?'E EvuycmG BiEu"o� ro U' wm.=r u2aw s or'.6 it r�.Ua.aE�m ao> v 30 0 ES G w y�i me mar w cv bnd'- o u rs o�a� u o3 vivo .Qb OO.d GC > It's official! election tallies sent to Toronto By ALISON DOWNS a1 The Smnml.NoNw For most people the provincial elec- tion was over May 2 but not for Oxford County's returning officer Shirley Foster, Foster said today she has just about. finished her work and only has a few lit. tle things left to do. The returning of- fice, which was located at Market Square, has been cleaned out and of- ficial tallies have been turned in to the provincial returning officer. There were 55,035 voters on the elec- tor's list for the election and 33,409 voters turned out at the polls. The official tabulations for can- didates in the race were as follows: Wayne Colbran (New Democratic Par- ty) 5,660, Kaye Sargent (Libertarian) 729, Rick Spurgeon (Rhinoceros) 577, Charlotte Sutherland (Liberal) 10,648, Dick Treleavan (Progressive - Conservative) 15,515. The returning officer and her staff of four had few problems during the elec- tion — everything went pretty smoothly, Foster said. After every election, returning of- ficers from across the province get together for workshops and Foster said a, o 6. p L o.6 x 'S,.T, d'O C d 9 . N ".. _. ;, v b➢ C ' U'O G. 0, W0 c °a+c >. �?o $�.;� �am=EEEoy, C 3 tl U 9 G N ,n'O.-. wU0 U 'O G F4 c�� & N-s o a. Sys'„s;� WgcaW�'wco ..9 Uzi �L�rJ"•O `•' � N[C � V0.i�L ° � t} p;n ,n � ° w C c c'� o u > ? "a �'' :. J � .., o .� � ti >..5 %'o - A v o pp Umo mo e� c.' E .. wro ro33❑ m E �my Ec�o�$'cyoom�3 $nmoc'" 00WM,`u yv— y y ❑ v E 'E'er 'u lei ?8i piny `a OE oa5 �'L'E E3 i�.,r.� LEuaU.-:' 3Em >.u5 ?G9 �'�+ e,i v o°'. bn U tyO -A 2 b t. to? m'u Y,rS_trJ�. i"8'3 �pao �iv9 ii,5w ..^_.dam Far -Ego fi❑ - $',��d,aG��y�_,,;,uEw SVi3 dy .se y,3«S y_pppqppp4 OG' mwg 6$eccc�.8 UP a' one of the topics that always comes up is whether or not there should be a per- m anent voter's list, which could beeup- dated when an election is called. That would help cut down on the manpower required for enumeration. "We discuss it, but I don't think it will come to that in Canada for many years," Foster said. "It has been pro- ven that the way we do it is the most ef- fective way of getting names on the voter's list." As an example, she said in the United States voters are required to register on their own. If you wait for people to come to you they don't come, Foster said. Chances are good that with a minori- ty government in place Ontario residents could face another election within a year. Foster is hoping an elec- tion won't be called too soon. "I don't think anyone is ready for another one right now," she said. "But if an election is called we'll be ready to go " After July 1, 1986, British subjects will not be allowed to vote in provincial elections. They were allowed to vote in the past election if they had lived in On- tario for at least 12 months prior to elec- tion day. David J. Chambers David J. Chambers of 104-99 Rolph St., Tillsonburg, formerly of North Norwich Township, passed away at University Hospital, London, on Sunday, April 28, 1985, in his 84th year. Born at Scava, County Down, Northern Ireland, on October 24, 1901, he was a son of the late Samuel Chambers and the former Annie Wallace. He came to Canada in 1923. Mr. Chambers was a commissioner on the Norwich P.U.C. for 10 years, retiring in 1981; a councillor for North Norwich Township Council from 1956 to 1958; Reeve of North Norwich Township in 1969 and 1960: North Norwich Council represen- tative to the Norwich District High School Board from the year 1961 through 1966; elected to the village of Norwich Council in 1967, where he served until the end of 1%8; drainage inspector for 1955-1978 for the Township of North Norwich and the new Township of Norwich; and member of the Otter Creek Conservation Authority, thence becoming the Long Point Conserva- tion Authority. Surviving are his wife, the former Erie Evelyn Maunder; four sons, Fergus Chambers of Wellington, Spencer Chambers of Calgary, Alta., Donald Chambers of Picton and Howard Chambers of Sudbury; 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Miss Isabella Chambers and Mrs. Christina Malone and one brother. Fergus Chambers, all of Northern Ireland; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Chambers of Fergus. He was predeceased by a son, William Chambers on September 29, 19M by a sister, Miss Sarah Chambers; and by three brothers, Samuel, James and William. Rested at the Ostrander's Funeral Home, Tillsonburg, where service was held Wednesday, Stay 1, at 3:30 p.m. (,in- ducted by Rev. Thomas Hiscock of St. Pants United Church, assisted by Rev. Elgin Rintoul of Belmont. Interment in Springford Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Canadian Ar- thritic Society or to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family 0 • • i y • Planners turn it down Trillium wilts again lq ON narow H TM sw.fwl-Ihvlow Despite last week'a approval of a 52.4 million co-operative housing develop- ment on Parkinson Avenue by Oxford County council, its planning committee refuses to follow suit. Committee members rejected any change to the P, offical plan Thurs- day which would ' allow the 3.7 acre site south of Oliver ' a Stephens public school to be Chang ed to medium den sity residential zon- «` ing from a low den- CHARLIE sity designation. TATHAM The committee gave the same recom- mendation two weeks ago before it went Wore county council but its. disap- proVal is not likely to affect council's decision which carried by a 9-5 vote. The Trillium Place Housing Co- oporative of Woodstock Inc. needs the change to allow construction on the pro - party now owned by the Oxford County Board of Education. Warden Charlie Tatham's motion to reject county council's earlier position was supported by county councillors Doug Harris and Joe Pember. Count. Ed Down was the lone dissenting vote. AMENDMENT DRAWN UP County planning staff have already drawn up an amendment to the offical ppZwhich is tentatively set to go before county council May 22. City approval might be more difficult to get. Aldermen rejected the 40-unit townhouse idea last month by a 3-2 margin, although afterwards Pember admitted he probably made a wrong decision casting the deciding vote against the project. "It's not even very good planning to sell the damn thing," Pember said Thursday. "It's poor planning on the board of education's part but I've never seen any good planning from them anyway " I think my feeling has been set out over the years," Tatham said. "I don't think we're treating these people pro" perly ... I think we should leave it as is." Harris, mayor of Ingersoll, said the - whole issue was a, real problem for me ... it's political problem, not a planning problem. I'm just disap- pointed it's gotten DOUG the way it has." HARMS. ---- - .a.E,c0 5'8of u.—cDc3 �umc M_�Zp _0fu�m0 s.2 >79—EEE � ycQ��3°�o ab$ucv a°dc�u°o " ?15 E EcEw�.mo�0 aW_$ Q o &min>oa�t f � $O A=Z.'ac y'Cpo�9 _ p'.'cda v u'o& W %w.p eB cQi �oycod Er— rm Wao of �3'mdc.�>w ow w m4 nc3 m'mmo E9cu c`�'mcvN 3..`9.. �3Eaucuu m4.4Z-9 �-'� "Ev 3i oc... zB c .] >> v o w w_. m� uzc�.ucw w= wind 19EE_,,AMouv'm c o v m ouo `o E w "2 o'.a 3 v E 3$ a Ecww ma'oc c�i3o Cr;'o>>$3c._ o `°v a�.� 3ym >°.a mcclu m cU m o 0 -o o r+ u 'm0,5a� c 3: o. min `ouEEcE�° ❑mon35uc°c Y�T7aoR��'vcm$m_>t�:c�$Yym=vE�m �My . _ yy W Y� —w��B B z'�y^�•�L_CO `�$' AGCNiCO W 0 V c- Cmd GM�> C >O>�eem FmuyQme^'>3v3po>,�o1��?'e�e�G'W3$�o�z E .A �?•ua�¢cs «�'EEc Lks7�CLO_L°v>•o >coimtviwm r�iymuy a••• �J c too 5 =E dmwo $ u c m u > a V mooG4, v u > w u y _ o S>m5�0R E$o 5a5 County committee approves plan Museum idea takes hold By ALISON'DOWNIE of The Soofirl•Mrlow The Oxford County Museum board has crossed its first hurdle in changing the focus of the museum to present the history of Woodstock rather than the entire county. Oxford's administration' and finance committee wfll recommend to county council that the Oxford Museum become the Woodstock Heritage Hall Museum and policy changes be under- taken to carry out the change. Board member Sheila Johnson told the committee Monday that due to a number of factors the history of Woodstock has assumed a dominant role at the museum. "Because of the museum's location in Woodstock, and because county ar- tifacts were not actively collected, the present collection is more relevant to Woodstock rather than the whole coun- ty," she said. Visitors from Woodstock have con- sistently made up more than 60 per cent of the total visitors to the museum an- nually. County and other visitors have evenly split the remainder. DESIGNATION The proposed Woodstock Heritage Han Museum will present the historical development of the city and surroun- ding area since its designation as a site for settlement in 1793. The museum is located in the Old Town Hall, which is maintained by the City of Woodstock. In the past the 11 museum has received a $5,000 grant from Oxford, 1001 County and AWN kw WENDA' receives provincial WED Y funding as well. The museum board is asking county council to consider increasing its grant from 55,000 to $8,000, which would be distributed equally to those museums in the county which are recognized by the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture. Those museums include: Ye Olde Museum, in Beachvine, Norwich and District Museum, Tillsonburg and District Museum and the Oxford Museum in Woodstock. Johnson said a co-operative associa- tion will be formed so curators at the museums can gather to discuss pro- grams, exhibits, grants, supplies. advertising and collection polcies. BOARD CHANGE If county council accepts the pro I the structure of the museum boa will have to change, Johnson said. County councillors presently on the board will be replaced with representatives from Woodstock City Council. The museum will continue to serve north Oxford, where there is presently no museum. •f think this will work far better," Woodstock Mayor Wendy Calder said. "It seems like the fair way. Other museums have been getting no county funding, yet the county museum is not really a county museum." Zorra Township Mayor Wallis Ham- mond said he would prefer to see all the museums in in' - county combine ,qt their collections and have "one good 'rr•''• - county museum",, Calder said that idea was Idealistic as funds to carry WALLIS out such a Wojeot HAMMOND are not available. The committee voted 3-2 in favor of the proposal. Tillsonburg firm wins contract for the jail Gilvesy Construction of Tillsonburg has won the tender for the Oxford Coun ty ,pit restoration project, 7Te co ny submitted a bid of St.7s3,4no, the lowest of five tenders received, and was awarded the con- tract by county council last night. Gilvesy was the only local company to tender on the project. The contract is about 1.5 per cent more than architect Carlos Ventin of Sfmcoe estimated. After hearing complaints about the cost from Coun. Don McKay of East- Zorra Tavistodt, who has opposed the project from the beginning, Woodstock Court. Joe Pember said note should be taken that the county will receive an estimated $12.480 a year in revenue from the Ministry of Health once the building is functional. The board of health and home care offices will be located in the 19th century jail when completed. "We're making a permanent home for a county function and preserving a piece of history at the same time," he said. "We'll recoup our money within a respectable time although not as fast as a private developer would like." PRAISED OR DAMNED IngersoU Court. Jack Warden wasn't as confident about the Ministry of Health's agreement to pay more than $120,aoe a yyear in rent for space in the building. lie said the ministry has been known to break promises before and ad- ded the present council may be damned or praised in history books for its deci- sion to go ahead with the jail restoration. GUvesey has estimated it will take between 35-m weeks to complete the work on the jail. Total estimated cost of the project is $1.9 million, including professional fees. Coun. McKay said he might have gone along with restoring the jail had the province agreed to contribute more funds than the $140,000 heritage grant the county will receive. In order to get the grant the county will have to spend suiie,oiio to maintain the heritage aspects of the old jail, he said The county will use reserve funds to fay for the restoration work. ' Those who voted against the project included councillors McKay, Warden and Les Cook of Woodstock. '-It would be ludicrous to backtrack at this time," said Coun. Nell Hostetler of East Zorra-Tavistock, as the county has already spent close to $150,000 oo the jail. MAKING AN IMPRINT Doug Ross, president of the Oxford Fish and Vyame Protection Association stands along side fhe limited edition print entitled Ontario Homecoming by artist Micheal Dumas presented to Oxford County at Wednesday's council meeting at the courthouse. It is hoped the donation will draw support for a release and research program designed to reintroduce the wild turkey to southwestern Ontario. 'The turkey dissappeared from this area lib years ago, victimized by a loss of habitat, but the release of 23 turkeys near Tillsonburg has seen some of the birds moving in to Oxford County. (Staff photo by Ted Rhodes) Oxford's health administrators tired and hopeful of end to. lockout N AtMill 1101111111111 lif btu iMIla44ria Medical officer of Health Dr. Cecile Rochard said Wednesday rug the lockout by the county of health nurses effecting ' a the home care pro- ,�. gram the most. "Home care is like a portable ►li h ,spital in the com- nionily.' hr- Said -. .., Hocliard After five weeks of operatingg with no public health nurses or home - care co-ordinators administration staff at the Oxford County Board of Health are getting tired. "The director and a casual nurse are trying to handle all the work but they're getting tired." On the public health end, the board is operating on a priority basis. High risk clients, such as the elderly or young single mothers, are still being visiteA but there are only two people to do the job normally done by 2e nurses 'We don't have the staff to do a lot of follow-ups on the elderly which we usually do," Dr. Rochard said, ex- plaining that public health nurses help check blood pressure and supervise medication. "We just hope nothing unfortunate happens before this is settled, If people need service they should go to their fami- ly doctors," Health board administration staff Is still carrying out communicable disease (such as tuberculosis or venereal disease) follow-ups. The board Is not accepting refer- rals and is referring persons who need immediate help in other agon- cies such as family and children ser- vices; Victorian Order of Nurses or the infant stimulation program. Some programs- have been cancelled such as prenatal classes, which Dr. Ritchard said brought a lot of phone calls from upset residents in the community. She said Oxford was lucky that the coup t}l has had a good school immuniza- tion program the past couple of years so that area is not suffering. Although some of the public health nurses' work is being carried out, administration work is starting to III V up, D. Htn hard void. -- y • • Something in works to solve strike says the warden " ALISDN DOWNIE of The Saalhnf•Revifew Oxford County -may come up with "something" in the next few days to resolve the contract dispute between the county hoard of health and its nurses which has dragged on six weeks now says Warden Charlie Tatham. At W'ednesds night's meeting county council was addressed by Margaret nartleu. president of Local 44) of the Ontario 'Purses Associalion. Council discussed her presentation in closed session and although the warden was vague about what took place he did say the county "was working towards an answer and might come up with something in a day or two." lie indicated the county might try to arrange a meeting e•ith the nurses' negotiating committee. The dispute with the nurses is over salaries. The last proposal disclosed the county was offering a four per cent increase in the first year and six per cent in I he second while the nurses were asking for a 10 per cent increase. On April 16. the nurses began rotating strikes and were locked out by the county four days later after negotiations broke down. LOWEST IN IINTARIO "We gained the unenviable distinction in 1984 of becoming the lowest paid health nurses in Ontario," Bartlett said during her presentation. She said Oxford's nurses are paid $2,0(10 less a year than their counterparts 1 rum other health units in the province. On Tuesday she said Perth Count settl- ed a contract with its nurses which offers a seven per cent increase over 1984 plus additional benefits. In 1984, Perth nurses were being paid seven per cent more than Oxford nurses, Bartlett said. She asked council to consider the preventative care provided by health nurses indicating that a stay at Woodstock General Hospital costs $269 a night or more. `This dispute has gone on six weeks." she said. "We cannot pine price tag on the loss of services to the county but a negotiated settlement is as far from reap ty as it was six weeks ago." BINDING ARBITRATION The nurses are willing to take the dispute to binding arbitration and if the county agreed the nurses would return to work restoring health care services immediately. Bartlett said. Warden Tatham said council gave no consideration to binding arbitration during the private session when the situation with the nurses was discussed. The county has been putting the blame on the province for not providing enough funding in order to increase nurses salaries. The Ministry of Health has informed Oxford it will only receive an increase in funding of three per cent this year. In the past the province has paid 75 per cent of health care costs while the county has paid 25 per cent. New board offer to health nurses By ALISON DOWN1l of Th. Senan.l•brim Hefore the end of the week the Oxford County Board of Health will make a new offer to its 27 nurses who hav,- heen locked out of their jobs since April 22_ The issue of salaries is the only one outstanding in the contract dispute. Oxford County Council gave• authorization last week for negotiations to be reopened, board chairman Lennrf Young said this morning, The two shies have not met since a bargaining session in Toronto April 19, where no agrees ment could be reached. Young said hopefully a meeting can be arranged with negotiating commit tees from both sides and a mediator I rom the Ministry of Labour before the end of this week. The meeting will pro bably he held in Cambridge. When previous negotiations broke off the nurses were asking for a 10 per cent salary increase. The board was offering a four per cent increase in the first year of the contract and six per cent in the second year. County board of health ready to rally the troops By ALISON DOWNIE of The Sentinel -Review The Oxford County Board of Health hopes to present a united front when, and if, a meeting can be arranged with the minister of health to discuss funding. Lenore Young, chairman of he board, has invited nine sur- uunding health boards to take part in the meeting. ' A united front would demonstrate to the minister the seriousness with which the municipalities view this reluctance on the part of the province to pay its share according to the agreed for- mula," Young wrote in her letter to the other boards. In the past the ministry has funded health boards 75 per cent with the local municipally paying the other 25. per cent. This year Oxford has been inform- ed it will only receive a three per cent L increase over last year. THINGS CLOG IIY Prior to the May 2 provincial election. the Oxford hoard was promised n meeting with with then health minister Alan Pope to discuss provincial funding. "As a result of the cloud of 8 uncertainty - which was thrown over the government by the election results, that meeting has not V' ye t been scheduled," Young said. Young David Peterson, leader of the opposi Lion, has agreed a meeting would Ise worthwhile, The board is now awaiting. word to see if they will be meeting with the Liberals health critic or new health minister, depending on whether Peter- son is made premier. Oxford, ' nurses break off ,talks again WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Con- tract talks between the Oxford County board of health and its 27 nurses broke off again Thursday after a mediation session in Cambridge, Board of health chairman Lenore Young of Woodstock said the nurses rejected a new two-year offer that would have made their salaries "comparable" with counterparts by the end of 1986. She declined to disclose details of the latest offer, authorized by Oxford County coun- cil in closed session last week and later endorsed by the board of health. Young described the session, R'hieh involved provincial labor ministry mediator Dennis Nelson of Toronto, as "short and sweet." She said the meeting started at about 10 a.m, and ended several hours later. It was the first session on the con- tract dispute over salaries since April 19. The health unit nurses and home care co-ordinators began ro- tating strikes on April 16, and were locked out by the board the follow- ing week. tinder the contract that expired Dec. 31 the salary range for public. health nurses ill Oxford was $W,412 to $25,468 and $20,421 to $24,280 for registered nurses. The salary ranges are described by the Ontario Nurses' Association as the lowest in the province, amounting to about $2,000 a year less than the average at other health boards in Ontario last year. In the previously disclosed pro- posal glom the board of health, the nurses had been offered wage in- creases of four per cent this year r. and six per cent is 1988 Witnesses recall terror when tornado set down BARRIE, Ont. (CP) — Fierce tornadoes swing on a wide rof destruction through southern and central Ontario on Friday, leaving at least a dozen people dead, scores injured and hundreds homeless. There were unconfirmed reports as many as 18 people were dead. Several other people were in critical or serious condition in hospitals today. `All hell broke loose' TORONTO (CP) — A savage storm that raced across southern and central Ontario on Friday, kill- ing at least 11 people, injuring scores and flattening houses and buildings, started as a low-pressure system just south of Lake Superior. First reports of the severe storm came shortly before 2 P.M. from Meaford, near Owen Sound, and then "all hell broke loose," said En- vironment Canada spokesman Jim Davis. The line of warm, moist, unstable air which brought the destructive tornadoes and thunderstorms drag- ged behind it an upper -level system of cool, dry air. David Small, weather technician for Environment Canada, said the mixture was a perfect breeding ground for tornadoes, spawned when there is high wind and a dramatic range of temperatures in a single system. As the storm tracked eastward toward Barrie, warm, unstable air near the ground started rising, penetrating the cooler air above it. This forced some of the cooler air to plunge down and this up-and-down motion speeded up until it became a full-blown tornado. About 4:20 p.m., the first twister touched down in Arthur, cutting a five -kilometre path of destuction. Ten minutes later, a funnel cloud pummelled Shelburne, injuring peo- ple and destroying property. Minutes later, it pounced on the fit - Ile village of Grand Valley, killing at least two people and injuring several others, then carried its fury to Orangeville and Tottenham. HITS BARRIE At the same time, another tornado cut a deadly swath through Barrie, causing incredible devastation to an entire subdivision and killing at least seven people, including three children. Moving east at a rate of about 45 kilometres an hour, the storm left the area, missing the heavily populated regions along the shores of Lake Ontario. The storm also wreaked havoc on the midwest and northeastern United States. More than 50 people were killed in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Though the brutal ferocity of the system was spent over the Barrie region, eastern Ontario received heavy rain, hail and strong winds, at times gusting to 100 kilometres an hour Tornadoes were reported in Cavan, a village just south of Peter- borough where a church roof was blown off, and in Rawdon Township near Belleville. in Ottawa, thunderstorms knock- ed out power in several areas of the city and the local weather office reported that two tornadoes touched down in the area but caused little L damage. In Barrie, 100 kilometres north of Toronto, a hospital spokesman said eight people —including four children — had died as a result of a tornado that hopscotched across the southern end of the city of 45,000. The storm destroyed or damaged as many as 900 homes, in- cluding virtually every house in an af- fluent neighborhood. Provincial police reported two people dead in the Alliston area and two others in the village of Grand Valley. Well over too others were taken to hospital with assorted injuries. The vicious storm — caused by a mix of high winds and a wide range of temperatures in a single weather system — cut through the midwest and northeastern United Stales and into On- tario and Quebec. More than 50 people were reported dead in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Ontario Premier Frank Miller said late Friday that all areas blasted by the storm would be eligible for immediate disaster relief funding. While it was too early to estimate damage, there was no doubt the cleanup will cost millions of dollars. NEED HELP "We're certainly going to need some kind of assistance to clean this up," said Barrie Mayor Ross Archer, who lives three blocks from the demolished Barrie Raceway. "If you walk through the area, you would be amazed anyone could escape alive, but I guess that's no consolation to somebody who has lost someone from their family." See related story on Page 2 In the Barrie area, the grim search for victims of the howling, churning funnel storm continued through the night. Search partiessifted through unrecognizable rubble where homes had stood only hours before. "My -impression is that there are still people that are missing," said Cpl. Brad Nudds of provincial police in Barrie. Canadian Forces personnel were call- ed in to maintain order in the affected areas and help with search and first -aid efforts. Officials, concerned about looting and possible leaks of natural gas, kept outsiders and curiosity - seekers away from the hardest -hit residential sections. The disaster lore homes and businesses to shreds, uprooted trees 1. like matchsticks and tossed cars and trucks about like toys. A tasters shopp- ing plaza on the outskirts of nearby Orangeville was flattened. w SOME JUST HOLED Some houses were reduced to holes in the grounds, their frames and contents smeared about the landscape or miss- ing altogether. Large, twisted pieces of metal and wood were strewn all about. Horses who escaped from their damaged barns at the raceway ran wild onto nearby streets. A command centre, staffed by police and officials of two provincial' ministries, was set up to co-ordinate search efforts and relief operations. Hundreds of residents were forced to spend the night pandering their future" in makeshift shelters set up at schools and churches. I After the tornadoes left, many f, residents could only stand bewildered; in the ensuing sunshine, looking at the, rubble that used to be their homes Some compared the scene to the destruction In war -torn Beirut. Work under way 1 on jail renovation WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Work began Monday on the ambitious renovation and expansion of the 131•year-old Oxford County jail here. Oxford, County Warden Charlie Tatham said the $1.8-million pro- ject is expected to take between 40 and 42 weeks to complete, accord- ing to an estimatt: by the architect, Carlos Ventin of Simcoe. No talks ;scheduled in nurses' lockout w00DSTOCK (Bureau) — No new leaks are scheduled as the lockout „IOxford County board of health nurses drags into its seventh week with salaries still at the centre of Jf "'I"�1 the dispute. The latest breakdown in negot.ia- lions came last Thursday during a mediation session in C,'ambridge. Margaret Bartlett of Ingersoll, president of Local 40 of the Ontario Nnrses Association, said Monday the countys latest offer provided salary increases of five per cent ret- roactive to Jan. 1, two per cent in October and four per cent at the start of 1986. She said the county also proposed to withdraw benefit improvements agreed to earlier. The nurses rejected the package. Bartlett said the nurses are seek- i ng a 10-per-cent raise this year and aren't about to back down. She said the nurses are frustrated by the apparent lack of bargaining power shown by the county's negoti- ating team. She described last Thursdays offer as a take -it -or - leave -it proposal. She said it is a difficult situation because the county's team gets directions from Oxford council as well as the board or health. The nurses started rotating strikes on April 16, and were locked out the following week Board of health chairman Lenore )'oung of Woodstock said earlier the county's latest offer would halve gradually brought salaries into line with nurses in neighboring areas. Under the contract that expired on Dec. 31, the salary range for public health nurses in Oxford was $21-608 I o $25,468 and $20,421 to $'ut,^r 80 01 registered nurses. Oxford County donates $10,000 to tornado relief WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — A $10,000 contribution toward torna- do victims in Barrie and other cen- tral Ontario communities was ap- proved by Oxford County council Wednesday. Woodstock Mayor Wendy Calder said the devastated Barrie area helped Oxford when tornadoes rav- aged part of the county in August, 1979, Woodstock Councillor Joe Pember, who suggested council make the $10,000 contribution, said sometimes victims of disasters need Immediate and practical aid such as housing. A $10,000 contribution was ap- proved by Woodstock council last week. • The City of London could donate as much as $50,000 toward bile tor- nado relief 11md set up in the Barrie area after a string of twisters caused death and destruction May 31. Board of control approved a mo- tion Wednesday by Controller Art Co -tier for a $15,600 city contribu- tion to Ilse' liarrir` disustrr reli0f fund and at the suggestion of Con- troller Orlando zamprogna agreed to match citizen donations to a maximum of another $25,000. City administrator Maurice Eng- els said if the public subscription campaign that will be, advertised when a trust is set up by city hall raises $25,000, it would bring the over-all contribution from London to $75,000. Based on the province's commit- ment to match contributions by $3 for every $1 raised. that could boost the amount generated by Lon- doners to $300,000, The amount of federal aid has yet to be decided. The city's policy is to match what I,, raised by the public but Enlicis said "in this case. I think it (provid- ingan unconditional city allocation) is well justified. Normally, we would not go that far, but in this case: it Is one ot'the worstdisasters that has occurred in this part of the country," He added the Barrie tlrnd coven, the surrounding area belted by the tornadoes that loll 12 dead; hun- dreds injured and eaused about $IiO-uiilliun daimuge. • • Tornadoes unleash path of destruction BARRIE, Ont. (CP) - Fierce tornadoes swung on a wide path of destruction through southern and central Ontario on Friday, leaving at least a dozen people dead, scores injured and hundreds homeless. There were unconfirmed reports as many as 18 people were dead. Several other people were in critical or serious condition in hospitals today. `All hell broke loose' TORcONTO ,CPI — A savage storm that raced across southern and central Ontario on Friday, kill- ing at least it people, injuring scores and flattening houses and buildings, started as a low-pressure system just south of lake Superior. First reports of the severe storm came shortly before 2 p.m. from Meaford, near Owen Sound, and then "all hell broke loose," said En- vironment Canada spokesman Jim Davis - The line of warm, moist, unstable air which brought the destructive tornadoes and thunderstorms drag- ged behind it an upper -level system of coal, dry air. David Small, weather technician for Environment Canada, said the mixture was a perfect breeding ground for tornadoes, spawned when there is high wind and a dramatic range of temperatures in a Steve system. As the storm tracked eastward toward Barrie,. warm., unstable air near the ground started rising, penetrating the cooler air above it. This forced some of the cooler air to phatge down and this up-and-down motion speeded up until it became a full-blown tornado. About 4:20 p.m., the first twister touched down in Arthur, cutting a five -kilometre path of destuction. Ten minutes later, a funnel cloud pommelled Shelburne, injuring peo- ple and destroying property. Minutes later, it pounced on the lit- Oe village of Grand Valley, killing at Vleast two people and injuring several others, then carried its fury to Orangeville and Tottenham. HITS BARRIE At the same time, another tornado cut a deadly swath through Barrie, i causing incredible devastation to an entire subdivision and killing at least seven people, including three children. Moving east at a rate of about 45 kilometres an hour, the storm left ! the area, missing the heavily populated regions along the shores of lake Ontario. The storm also wreaked havoc on the midwest and northeastern United States. More than 50 people were killed in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Though the brutal ferocity of the system was spent over the Barrie region, eastern Ontario received heavy rain, hag and strong winds, at times gusting to too kilometres an hour. Tornadoes were reported in Cavan, a village just south of Peter- borough where a church roof was blown off, and in Rawdo n Township near Belleville. In Ottawa, thunderstorms knock- ed out power in several areas of the city and the local weather office reported that two tornadoes touched down in the area but caused little ldamage In Barrie, 100 kilometres north of Toronto, a hospital spokesman said eight people — including four children — had died as a result o[ a tornado that hopscotched across the southern end of the city of 45,000. The storm destroyed or damaged as many as 400 homes, in- cluding virtually every house in an ef- fluent neighborhood. Provincial police reported two people dead in the Alliston area and two others ' in the village of Grand Valley. Well over 100 others were taken to hospital with assorted injuries. The vicious storm — caused by a mix of high winds and a wide range of temperatures in a single weather system — cut through the midwest and northeastern United Stales and into On- tario and Quebec. More than 50 people were reported dead in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Ontario Premier Frank Miller said late Friday that all areas blasted by the storm would be eligible for immediate disaster relief funding. While it was too early to estimate. damage. there was no doubt the cleanup will cost migions of dollars. I NEED HELP "We're certainly going to need some kind of assistance to clean this up," said Barrie Mayor Ross Archer, who f lives three blocks from the demolished Barrie Raceway. "If you walk through the area, you would be amazed anyone could escape i alive, but I guess that's no consolation to somebody who has lost someone ? from their family." See related story on Page 2 In the Barrie area, the grim search for victims of the howling, churning funnel storm continued through the night. Search parties sifted through unrecognizable rubble where homes had stood only hours before. "My impression is that there are still people that are missing," said Cpl. Brad Nudds of provincial police in Barrie. Canadian Forces personnel were call- ed in to maintain order in the affected areas and help with search and first -aid efforts. Officials, concerned about looting and possible leaks of natural gas, kept outsiders and curiosity - seekers away from the hardest -hit residential sections. The disaster tore homes and - businesses to shreds, uprooted trees like matchsticks and tossed cars and trucks about like to: A In-store shopp- ing plaza on the outskirts of nearby Orangeville was flattened. _ SOME JUST HOLES Some houses were reduced to holes in the grounds, their frames and contents' smeared about the landscape or miss- ing altogether. large, twisted pieces of metal and wood were strewn all about. Horses who escaped from their damaged barns at the raceway ran wild , onto nearby streets. fr A command centre, staffed by police'' and officials of two provincial ministries, was set up to co-ordinate search efforts and relief operations.) Hundreds of residents were forced to spend the night pondering their future' in makeshift shelters set up at schools! and churches. After the tornadoes left, many I residents could onlyy stand bewildered in the ensuing surishine, looking at the rubble that used to be their homes. Some compared the scene to the destruction in war -torn Beirut. Work under way on jail renovation WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Work began Monday on the ambitious renovation and expansion of the 131,year-old Oxford County jail here. Oxford. County Warden Charlie Tatham said the $1.8-million pro- ject is expected to take between 40 and 42 weeks to complete, accord- ing to an estimate by the architect. Carlos Ventin of Silneoe. ire nurses lockout WOODSTOCK (Bureau) —No new talks are scheduled as the lockout of Oxford County board of health nurses drags into its seventh week with salaries still at the centre (if the dispute. The latest breakdown in negotia- tions came last Thursday during a mediation session in Cambridge. Margaret Bartlett of Ingersollr president of Local 40 of the Ontario Nurses' Association, said Monday the county's latest offer provided salary increases of five per cent ret- roactive to Jan. 1, two per cent in October and four per cent at the start of 1986, She said the county also proposed to withdrow benefit improvements agreed to earlier. The nurses rejected the package. Bartlett said the nurses are seek- ing a 1O•per-cent raise this year and aren't about to back down. She said the nurses are frustrated by the apparent lack of bargaining power shown by the county's negoti- .ating team. She described last Thursdays offer as a take -it -or - !leave -it proposal. She said it is a (difficult situation because the !county's team gets directions from Oxford council as well as the board of health. The nurses started rotating strikes on April 16, and were locked out the following week. Board of health chairman Lenore Young of Woodstock said earlier the counWs latest offer would hay e gradually brought salaries into line with nurses in neighboring areas. Under the contract that expired on Dec. 31, the salary range for public - health nurses in Oxford was $21,608 to $26,468 and $20.421 to $24,280 tr,; registered nurses. Oxford County donates $10,000 to tornado relief WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — A $10,000 contribution toward torna- do victims in Barrie and other cen- tral Ontario communities was ap- proved by Oxford County council Wednesday. Woodstock Mayor Wendy Calder said the devastated Barrie area helped Oxford when tornadoes rav- aged part of the county in August, 1979. Woodstock Councillor Joe Pember, who suggested council make the $1.0,000 contribution, said sometimes victims, ofdisssters need immediate and practical aid such as housing. A $10,000 contribution was up - proved by Woodstock council last week. • The City of London could donate as much as $50,000 toward the tor- nado relief fund setup in the Berrie area after a string of twisters caused death and destruction MeY 31. Board of control approved a mo- tion Wednesday by Controller Art Curtler fora $25,000 city contrlhu- nn In the Rrnric disusler rebel' Hind and at the suggestion of Con- troller Orlando Zamprogna agreed to match citizen donations to a maximum of another $25,000, City administrator Maurice En els said if the public subscription campaign that will be advertised when a trust is set up by city hail raises $25,000. it would bring the over-all contribution from London to $75.000. Based on the provinces commu- ment to match contributions by $3 for every $l raised, that could boost the amount generated by Lon- doners to $300,000, The amount of federal aid has yet to be decided. The city's policy I5 to match what is raised by the public but Engel, said "in this case, I think it (provid- ing an unconditional city allocation) is well justified. NormailY, we would not go that fur, but fit this case it is one of the worst disaster, that has occurred !it this part oftilt, country," lie added the Barrie fund rovers the surrounding aro•u belted by lht- tornadoes that left, 12 dead, ins, dreds Injured and caused of—oo ts, 1'0-milliou dnmu;_r • • E Woodstock Bureau After 44 years at the Oxford County courthouse, Judge Robert Groom steps down June 20 when he turns 75, the mandatory retirement age when he was appointed in 1941. Oxford ' judge ends era 'Mr. Law and Order' noted for humanity, justice selves facing an impassioned lec- By Howard Bums ture as Groom extolls the virtues of Woodstock Bureau seeking help. He said many crimes arise atieast WOODSTOCK — When lawyers partly because individuals have who know him best speak about his had a bad start. Many offenders 44-year grip on Oxford County they come from broken homes. "Where often talk of humanity and across- do they turn for reassurance? I the -board justice. hope I've earned the reputation of However, high-powered provin- being fair ... of looking at both cial Judge Robert Groom, who stepe sides of a case. I don't think I've down June 20 when he reaches his been unreasonably harsh." mandatory retirement age of 75, Groom said he has struggled to calls it a matter of balancing the keep in mind that each offender is deficiencies of individuals with the different, each an individual. "I over-riding need to protect society. haven't grown cynical at all, I still To outsiders and those who have feel they have to be judged as indi- brushes with him, he is Mr. Law and viduals." He has kept probation Order in Oxford. workers busy preparing pre-sen- It's been that way since his ap. pointment Feb. 1, 1941. He is the only per We- in Ontario and the lastws5;4b t."'6{' -ho has maintained a sep�a4@ fuJN'r'T ^e. He is also the last ge t, be appointed by a Liberal govern. ment at Queens Park, it was the administration of the late premier Mitchell Hepburn. Groom's small-town practice in Tillsonburg will take on a renewed importance with his departure from the bench.111 need a place to hang my hat," Groom said this week as he relaxed in chambers at -ter a morn- ing of sentencing in Woodstock. lie also has retirement plans to write a book on' tile legal system and his courtroom days that Is tentatively titled To He Forthwith Tried. A loy- al Hamilton Tiger Cat fan, Groom alight even get more use out of his seasons' ticketc lintil his retirment on his birth. day. Groom wl l l be busy f1mahi ng up his backlog of cases, which includes sentencing those he has convicted. "I feel I'm ready to retire. I feel that maybe I'm not quite as quick as i once was. 1 sometimes find myself questioning what I've done. 1 newer used to, once a decision was made, that was It ,, . like a baseball um- pire" who can't see the glow motion replay on television before he makes a controversial call. .The hardest and sometimes the most rewarding aspect of the job Is sentencin& Groom Paid. "I've err ))Dyed the situannns where they lteve worked out well;' whereppof fond and havhave e turned thended to lrelives atW amend. lies a strong advocate of Alcohol- ics Anonymous, chiefly because he has W.rl the problems, turmoil and hardship bonze huh caused for many who enter his euurtrMin on a wide roflge of charges. Aside from the mandatory jell term, repeat im- paired drivers often find them• Alex Graham gets nod as Oxford judge Alex Graham of Embru has been ap-. .pointed as a provincial court judge for Oxford. effective today. Graham, 4.5, has been a part -lime Crown attorney for Oxford Counly since 1967 and has also been a special Federal Prosecuter since 1991. He has been a lawyer for 19 years with Graham, White. Coad. and Pa. tience of Woodstock. Graham was ap. Pointed Queen's Counsel in i.W8., fie has served as a trustee on the hoard of Woodstock General Hospital and on the Oxford board of education. He is a founding member of the Woodstock and District Big Brother Associa- tion, and is a m e m b e r o f Masonic lodges in Graham Woodstock and Embro. Married, and the father of three children. Graham was one of six judges appointer) by Attorney General Allan Pope Tuestiuc tence reports so be can find out !. more about the offender before im- posing a penalty. Woodstock laywer Alex Graham, I who has worked in Groom's court- room for almost 20 years, said -I think his strongest point is in his' . sentencing principles." He said Groom has gone out of his way to balance the needs of individual of- ' r'= I fenders with the need to protect so- ciety. James Hutchinson- a Woodstock lawyer for 33 years, said Groom has shown great humanity. "I think he is a hell of a good judge. He's a vey human person. I'm sure he bleeds every time he convicts someone." Hutchinson said. !' Wornen in Business Planner has ambitions to move `to the top' a alaasam Coro .-- d iM frrM4anMar EluuU Ottaway, senior planner farOz or[ d Coun- ty. says she has always found planning to be "a fascinating process_; how you could change the ex- isting fabric and make it something else." The Toronto native firmly decided on her career by Grade 10. when her interest was sparked by reports on plane for Toronto's Harbourfront development. Just recently those Harbourfrom plans have been carried out, she noted.. The 33-yeartdd mother of two young daughters has found success in her career decision. First, she obtain- ed a bachelor of environmental studies in the school of urban and regional planning at the University of Waterloo. She was one of only four women in a class of 100. After graduating she was hired by the County of Oxford as a junior plannner in its newly -formed plann- ing department in 1973. As of July 1, 19M her position will be deputy planning commissioner. Not content to sit on her laurels, she hopes to embark on part-time university studies towards a Masters degree next fall. MOVING UP Asked where her goals lie, she admits, "I think I'd move my way up. I'd like to find my way et the top." As senior planner. she is second in command to plan- ning commissioner Ken Whiteford in a department of 10 employees, Part of her role as planner is to help the county establish overall development policies- These could range from preserving farmland to working on downtown redevelopment policies, she explained. The planning department for Oxford, which is located in the County Courthouse, serves the county as well as a local planning staff for eight municipalities, "No other department serves this double function," she noted. UNIQUE POLICIES She calls Oxford a county with "unique planning policies." The county was restructured in 1975. under Hill 85, which se[ up "unusual planning structures." Prior to restructuring, the planning department was responsible for to municipalities. It is the Provincial Planning Act which gives municipalities their own legislation, she said.. Mrs. Ottaway is required to attend council meetings and hearings, which she admits can be disrupting, "especially if you're out two to three nights in a row." Despite the deadlines and presssures of her job, Mrs. Ottaway finds enjoyment in meeting them. Along with the long hours, being a planner requires "a certain legal bent In terms of interpreting legisla tion" and an ability to "deal and negotiate with peo ple," she said. Mrs. Ottaway admits there is stress in her job and she sometimes finds it hard to "make an abrupt transi- tion from work to home." To reduce stress she keeps her home life very private and doesn't socialize with the people she works with. She gives credit to her full-time housekeeper and her supportive husband for making it possible to pursue a demanding career. She calls her housekeeper, who has been with Ottaways since the birth of their first daughter six years ago, as "an extension of me." WOMEN'S RIGHTS Mrs. Ottaway does not consider herself a feminist but she feels "strongly about women's rights." Being a woman in her profession has required an ex- tra degree of work to prove herself equal to a man, she acknowledges. "I.believe women have to perform better than men to achieve some recognition," she said. She did not encounter discrimination when she in- itially began her career. Planners "were a new breed in themselves," so she could not be held up for com- parison to male planners, she said. When first hired, she was asked questions such as "what would I do if I was sworn at," but in general, she has found she was accepted on the basis of her abilities. y,m eti ,; .�`.0 ..0 yLL p-r-_Cv �y -° v� v, wrr��pp.,Sy 0y"W �NWOW>'°�j7CO�.CCVR p?= F Llr., �j �•� d, ro w u w.�i .�.a V G °-. E,p� ° ° nm'tdj v'o �.°�i y°'�OIw TG•C°MZ(i'd �+.O ,d �'� y 3ca I4 yC -E9'E= ,'3¢3'v-e°° xi°E;iw$L'roH m Gw G ga c;-9J LV p9 GYi. v'N V c'eJ��wEv��. o�i�w� oQ p te'r'o$=''3r'EvfWEoC°°'y�;9� 5 C�i &fir- �q °,9 d r.�'yCg��`1' 6 v m? a'g� O°Z d;yS - � 3 .at L Q .+ ;. -° ri C] W bli0 C .., , i N 0. 3 .+ 7 PART OF Elizabeth Ottaway's job as senior planner for Ox- ford County is to be informed on zoning by laws throughout the county. Each of the county's eight municipalities having its own set of by laws, three of which are pictured here. (Staff photo by lfargaret Bovd) Oxford nurses demonstration at Queen's Park TORONTO — About 300 members of the Ontario Nurses Association (DNA) demonstrated at Queen's Park yester- day (Wednesda) in support of health unit nurses in Oxford County and the Kingston-Frontenac region. Two delegates from Oxford took part in the demonstration following a special ONA general meeting. Oxford nurses have been locked out of the five health unit offices in the county since mid -April over a dispute with the board over salaries. Nurses in Kingston-Frontenac have been on strike for about a month. The dispute with their board is also over salaries. 'The most recent group to annoum e support for the Oxford nurses is the u\ ford Unit of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (DEC.' TA), which has stated the nurses pro- vide a vital service to schools, "The Oxford County Council show:,! be willing to negotiate a contract that gives these professional people a salary comparable to their counterparts ini other counties," said OECTA president'' Karen Kirk. • 0 Tight space Parking still plagues N AUSON D0WWl - of 1M s.nNst.a.t.. Parking problems at the county cour- thouse have Oxford County councillors driving in circles. Lack of available parking spaces around the courthouse square has been an issue the past couple of years but it's coming down to the crunch now that renovations to the jail are under way. In order to conform with a City of Woodstock zoning bylaw the county has applied for a minor variance to get around the parking requirements. At least 48 more spaces are needed on top of the spaces in the square now and. those across the street from the cour- thouse in the Graham Street parking lot. A number of ideas to solve the park- ing problem were tossed around at county council's meeting Wednesday, but none of them received much support. Koodstock Coun. Lenore Young's mo- tion to have the public works committee investigate the cost of erecting a park- ing garage on the Graham Street lot was voted down. The motion was met with snickers from some council members. Blandford-Blenheim Coun. Ed Down said the cost could be pro- hibitive but said he was in favor of in- vestigating the suggestion. • A motion calling for construction of if() parking spaces south of the custodian's house, located in the centre of the square, was also voted down. Norwich Township Mayor John Helemak, who introduced the motion, said grass would have to be replaced with pavement but the spaces are required. "That would be a hatchet job on the square," Woodstock Coon. Joe Pember said. "1 still question whether or not we have a parking problem. I think we just need a bit of reorganization and more control." Norwich Coun. Helen Smith tried to get a motion through which would have seen county, engineer Don Pratt and FilStoric.�Ll dete6d iveat sought council planning commissioner Ken Whiteford combine their talents to obtain ade- quate parking spaces at the square. 11. did not carry. The motion that finally carried was to have the public works committee come up with some ideas of how to solve the parking problems and report back to council. After the meeting, Warden Charlie Tatham said during a closed portion of the meeting council considered pur- chasing property to provide additional parking spaces but that was all he would disclose. There was no action taken and he would not say what pro- perty was being looked at. ay ALISON DOWNU — of the SenenelAeview Three Oxford County residents arc being sought to serve on a committee which will investigate the possibility of establishing county archives. The county's administration ar 4 finance committee agreed Monday k, advertise th,e positions in are,_. newspapers. The balance. of the seveu- member committee will be made up cunnly council members, oil n geographL.al basis with representa(inu from all parts of the county. At Mondays meeting, a presentation was made by James Andersen, archivist -administrator at the Stratford Perth Archives, on his operation. Anderson said county archives are ream ly local history centres where original. research can be done in safe, clean con ditions on retired municipal recordi retired business records, retired minutes of organizations, private fami ly collections pf scrapbooks and photographs. "An archives is halfway between library and a museum," Anderson said. "It preserves history on papoi t primarily) like a library but dueso I loan anything out like a museum. Thc- old records must be preserved Pv posterity while being used by the public at the same time." About 2,000 people a year use. the Stratford -Perth Archives, which opco cd in 1972, with the largest segment of those being genealogists looking for im Formation on peuple. followed by people scorching for information about buildings and then students of all ages, The Stratford -Porch Archives has branches in Mitchell and Listowell and this year's operating budget totalled $126,91t9, Anderson smd. Following his presentation, Nast. 7orra-Tavistock Township Mmor Don I McKay, who chairs theadniinlstration f and finance commltloe, said the dollars I involved in setting up a county archives and ,mclalosing a locution ar locations could he "sticklers' facing ,Oxford County. ApplicaduiD; for membership on the committee [hat will look of estoblirlhmg ;in arrhfves In Oxford will be reviewed July n and it recommendation made to coutdy council for Ifs 'Aug la nmrfiiw ,u appointments can be mad Expect live per cent hike in Holbrook dump costs Costs for maintaining Oxford County's Holbrook landfill site are expected to jump by five per cent this year. At a public works committee meeting Thursday, William Memory Contractors Ltd. of Brantford requested a contract in- crease which would see the county's fee go up from $15,996 to $16,785 per month for a total payment of $201,426 for the year. The company has been faced with pro- blems at the site, located in Norwich Township, including the increasing height of the landfill, finding cover material and picking up garbage that has blown around. The contractor said that in order to bring the site back to proper standards, he would have to use additional equipment to haul and spread cover material, hence the in- crease in costs. Operations engineer for the county, Roy Brankley told the committee the site had looked more like a dump than a landfill site for a month and a half in the spring. This is the final year of the site's opera- tion. The contract with the contractors ex- pires June 30, 1986. The public works committe recommend- ed to county council that the increase re- quested be granted. Tentative pact set in Oxford 'dispute WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — A ten- tative agreement has been reached in the contract dispute between Ox- ford County board of health and its 27 nurses. A spokesman for Local 40 of the Ontario Nurses' Association said the agreement in the nine -week dis- pute was reached Monday. She couldn't give any details. Ratifica- tion by both parties is pending. The 22 public health nurses and five registered nurses have been without a contract since Dec. 31- They began rotating strikes April 16 and were locked out four days later when nidiation sessions inTorouto broke down. Salary has been the central issue. The nurses' association has said the Oxford County nurses are the low- est paid in theprovmee, earning about $2,M) it ,year less in IW34 than the average at other health boards Under the contract that expired last year, the salary range fbr public health nurses employed by the Ox- ford board was $20412 to $23A011, while the range for registered nurses was $=421 to $24,M, They work with families and m ordinate community health care programs in association with other l n ol-easionul& Tories fall Peterson awaits crown By Nick Martin Toronto Bureau agreed on a long list of progressive legislation to be introduced by a Liberal government with NDPsup- port. The New Democrats broke TORONTO —It took only 26 min- utes of classic not -with -a -bang -but- t with -a -whimper formality Tuesday n to bring 42 years of Conservative c rule in Ontario to a virtual end. With three simple roll calls of i MPPs that began at 5:51 p.m. and ended at 6:17 p.m., the Liberals and i New Democrats defeated the Con- servative government of Premier Frank Miller on a motion of non - confidence in his June 4 throne speech, sending Miller to the fate that was sealed with his disastrous t performance in the May 2 provin- cial election. As late as October, the Conserva- tives had seemed unassailable. For- mer premier William Davis was in office with a firm majority, riding high in the polls, and apparently ready to continue well into a fifth decade the Tory dynasty that began with George Drew's victory in the election of Aug. 4, 103.9 But Davis suddenly retired, Mill- er won a bitterly contested leader- ship convention Jan. 26 and called a snap election without governing in the legislature. His tightly con- trolled, say -little campaign was re- jected by the voters, who gave Mill- er 52 seats, Liberal leader David Peterson 48 and NDP leader Bob Rae 25. Now, after meeting with his cabi- net at 9 a.m. today and his caucus at `. 10:30 a.m., Miller must make the trek to the suite of Lieutenant -Gov- ernor John Black Aird — possibly as early as this afternoon— and advise him that the Conservatives no long- I er enjoy the confidence of then legislature. Their one slim hope to continue the dynasty is the legal option which Aird has to call an election. Most MPPs and political observ- ers believe that Aird will invite Pe- terson to form a government That will likely happen Thursday. Peter- son told reporters he would be ready to be sworn in as premier and have his cabinet take office next Wednesday or Thursday. Until then, Miller will remain premier and his cabinet ministers will retain their titles and power. Government house leader Larry ' Grossman, in what is probably the final statement in the house by a Conservative government member for some time, admitted as much when he informed the legislature following the non -confidence no- tion that the legislature will recess until July 2 at 2 p.m. Tuesday's vote was really decided May 24 when the Liberals and NDP signed an historic Agreement to dump the. Tories and replace them with a Peterson government, but legislative rules required eight days of debate on the throne speech be- fore a uon-confidence vote could be pin to the house. The Grits and New Deniof•rats parliamentary tradition by agreeing hat virtually all Liberal bills would o longer be considered matters of onfidence, thereby establishing a new system of minority government it which government bills could be amended or defeated without fore- ng an election. in return, the Liber- als agreed not to precipitate an election for two years. Although Miller has attacked the agreement repeatedly, the Tories tegotiated with the NDP to prop up heir minority government until the: New Democrats decided the Liber- , ais were making the better offer. When the end came Tuesday, it came with no sense of an era end- ng, with no fanfare of trumpets or booming of thunder and flashing of ightning. The MPPs went th rough a lacki us - From Page Al tre question period that ended with Transportation Minister George MCCague capping 42 years of Tory cabinet history by discussing the manufacture of public transit vehi- cles in Thunder Bay, then settled back to hear the wrapup of the throne speech debate from Ross McClellan (NDP — Bellwoods) and Bob Nixon (L — Brant -Oxford -Nor- folk), the chief negotiators of that historic agreement, and finally from Miller himself In his first formal address to the legislature as premier. and it could be his last, Miller extolled the Tor- ies' record over 42 years, praised his parry's performance on the economy, and reiterated many of the more than 90 promises made in the June 4 throne speech. But he digressed from his speech often to hammer the New Demo- crats and accuse• them of having sold their souls to the Grits, while blasting the Liberals as puppets of the NDP. You two will not respect each other in the morning Neither will the voters of Ontario, because they're on to you. Today, the vote of non -confidence is good enough to get rid of us. Tomorrow, it's notgood enough to get rid of you." The Tories won the election. Mill- er said, and only they have the right to govern. It is not democratic to sign an agreement which puts an end to votes of non -confidence, the premier said. He admitted the Tories also nego- tiated with the NDP but they drew the line at how far they would go. "We were not willing to give up our principles. -You signed your death war- rants," he told the NDP. The New Democrats were unim- pressed. In surprisingly restrained heckling, MPP Richard Johnston (NDP — Scarborough West) yelled: "Say goodnight, Frank," while house leader Elie Martel (NDP — Sudbury East) hollered: "Close the door on your way out, Frank" Sticking to his prediction that the Liberal-NDP accord will collapse and an election will be held by Sept 15, Miller vowed to tight another day. "i will remain here and i will oppose you, because of what your agreement represents. We will re- turn to this (government) side of the il0u,-e ill LC.r, S.'iori ule!r.. It was 5:51 p.m. when Miller re- sumed his seat, and Speaker Hugh Edighoffer put the historic question to the house before a legislature packed to the rafters with reserved - ticket -only spectators and hordes of media. Technically. the first question was Rae's amendment that added a little more oomph to Peterson's non -confidence motion, which was in turn an amendment to a motion by backbencher Terry O'Connor (PC — Oakville) to adopt the throne speech. After observing the formality of ringing the bells to summon MPPs who were already in the house — every MPP was in his or her seat — the roll was called at 6:01 p.m. on Rae's amendment to the amend- ment to the motion. Clerk Roderick Lewis turned to Edighoffer — the Penh liberal MPP who, as Speaker, votes only to break a tie — four minutes later and solemnly declared: -Mr. Speaker. the ayes are 72, the nays 53." 'That's enough!- chortled Nixon. "Pow'" shouted NDP deputy lead- er Jim Foulds (Port Arthur) with an out -thrust fist But the Tories were not through yet They refused Nixon's sugges- tion that the same vote be consid- ered accepted on Petersou's amended amendment forcing a sec- ond formal roll call. "Every second counts,' Johnston taunted. It carried 7252. Again, the Tones insisted on a formal roll call of O'Connor's origi- nal motion, as amended by Rae and by Peterson. TempersFlared briefly as North- em Affairs Minister Leo Bernier crossed the boor with a flourish to present Rae with a red necktie. a Symbol of the Liberal party much in evidence Tuesday. Rae recoiled. re- fused to accept it and then nudged it onto the floor, where it was quick- ly scooped up and donned by Eddie Sargent (L — Grey -Bruce), The Tories sat with tight-lipped smiles as the third 72-M verdict was conveyed to Edighoffer at &IT p.m, "Striate three, you're out" said Foulds. The legislature clock readfi18 amd 44 seconds when Edighof&-r placed on the historical record that he would convey to Aird that "ywr honor's present government dons rim enjoy the confidence of the house " r".yr`J oij • E • Oxford council endorses tentative nurses agreement it, alnON DOME of The $Unreel-brMw Oxford County Council has ratified an agreement to get board of health nurses back to work. At a special meeting this morning, county councillors gave unanimous ap- proval to a tentative agreement reacH- ed Monday in the contract dispute, which has centred around salaries. The special meeting, closed to the public, lasted about 25 minutes. Conn. Jack Warden said the 27 nurses who have been locked out of the five board of health offices for to weeks now will get a percentage increase of 13 per cent over two years under the agreement. Following the meeting, board of health chairman Lenore Young refused Nurses to return Monday, 75 per cent back the pact By MiCNAEL ULMER of The Sentinel -Review Still not on par with hospital lurses but happy to have a new contract, Oxford's 27 Board of Health Nurses return to work Monday after a 10-week lockout. The nurses, members of Local 40 of the Ontario Nurses' Association, follow- ed the recommendation of their leader- ship and voted 75 per cent in favor of the new pact. Wednesday night. The two-year contract will boost wages by 13 per cent over five stages. On returning to work, each nurse will receive $0W and each part-timenurse a pro -rated amount. A five per cent in- crease of 1984 salary takes effect June 24. In September, the board will tack on adother two percent. Another $600 payout ! part timers are again pro -rated) is scheduled for December 31. On New Year's Day, $Zoo and a five per cent increase will be add ed to tilt, grid, ,Local 40 president Ruth Ferris said members were satisfied with the con tract but added that the association has net abandoned its gwiI rit p,:;n, with hospital nurses. "It's something we'd like to aim for," said Ferris, "but we're not grumbling. It's nice to be going back," The nurses,who have been'without a contract since Dec, 31, began a series of rotating strikes April 16. They earned a salary range of $20,412-$14,260 under the old pact, County council endorsed the contract earlirr yesterday. Nurses to aet v-- 13% pay raise over two years WOODSTOCK(Bureau)—Nurses employed by the Oxford County board of health will receive a 13- per-cent increase over two years In a contract settlement ratified by county council Wednesday. Council's ratification ends the of ne-week-old strike by the 27 regis- tered and public health nurses who belong to Local 40 of the Ontario Nurses' Association. The nurses will be back at work Monday. There will be no retroactive pay in the agreement which expires Dec. 31, 1986, county councillor -at- large Jack Warden said after the special council meeting which rati- fied the contract. "There were no winners in this strike —absolutely none," he said. "We feel it was a fair settlement to both parties." The nurses- had been without a contract since Dec. 31 and began a ; series of rotating strikes April 10: They were locked out April 20 when mediation talks broke down. The nurses' association said the local was among the lowest paid in N the province. The local's past presi- dent Margaret Bartlett of Ingersoll, said last month it would take a to - percent increase to bring salaries up to the 1984 provincial average. ' Under the previous contract, the 1 board's 22 public health nurses t earned a salary range of $20.412 to $25.468 per year. The 13-per-cent increase will raise the upper -range salary to $28.778. The board's five `. registered nurses, who had earned a salary range of $20.421 to $24MO per year, will now receive up to $27,436 for those earning the upper - range salary. Clerk of works W'!n�A clerk of works has been hired by Oxford County Council to oversee t renovations taking place at the county jail building. Donna Martin of Drayton, an employee of C.A. Ventin Architects of i Simcoe (the architect who designed the the plans for the jail renovation project for Oxford County), will be paid $8.50 an hour, plus $100 per month living expenses. She will be responsible for full-time resident inspection of all aspects of the work. She is expected to start ,1 u1� t. Oxford wary of I in restoring of he WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Oxford County council will seek a legal opinion on an agreement with the Ontario Heritage Foundation for $140.000 in 'restoration grants for the county jail. Council decided late Wednesday not to proceed with the agreement until it can find out how binding it will be, Some council members are concerned the county will lose its ight to say anything about what happens to the jail If the agreement is signed. But Blandford-Blenheim Town- ship councillor Ross Livingston said that to save a heritage building tho agre0lovot has to he bindim: In osing say ritage jail avoid the threat of the jail being torn down. The proposed agreement prohib- its any changes to the building with- out foundation approval once plans to renovate and expand the build. ing are complete. Livingston said all other counties in Ontario seeking to save historical buildings have signed this type of agreement Council decided last month to proceed with renovations and 4he expansion of the 19th century jail for use as an office building fur the Oxford board of health and hones r.u'o Jrp: u')nmi!. i^^ V/ cc Peterson sworn in Wednesday a b 1` i m obca• �wc 3uo p, xa8u�5 vc w cY. �.^ =-1' L0 c 5 c o2 8'�ur�$3��`'�y ��•y m y�9 3 �T m z i 'cu° E a a E �L�m W=�yyN O_ W«:Cyo0.W I agUzo °aSa °'�Eoo�c i{tGmP A'o�c sou?•yg�tB°mEo �xv4' it 5L E cry TORONTO (CP) — Premier Frank Miller tendered his resigna- i tion to Ontario's lieutenant -governor Wednesday, then shared a glass of brandy with the man who will succeed him to become the first Liberal premier in Ontario since the Second World War. David Peterson, a 41-year-old lawyer and wealthy businessman from London, Ont., will be sworn in as Ontario's 20th premier next Wednesday — less than five months after Miller took the ,same oath of office after winning last waiter's Conservative leadership convention. Grit vets will defend Tory attack TORONTO (CP) — David Peterson will govern Ontario's new Liberal i'minority government with a lean rookie -filled cabinet but entrust the most sensitive portfolios to veterans capable of deflecting bitter attacks ex- pected from the ousted Tories. Sources say many of the 26 rookies in j Peterson's 48-member caucus will be named to his first cabinet, which will be sworn in next Wednesday —giving the neophyte ministers only six days to learn the ropes in their new portfolios before meeting the legislature when it resumes July 2. But Grit veterans who have endured years in opposition with Peterson will get the most dif- ficult posts because Petersonis keenly aware his govern- ment — backed by t h. e N e w Democrats — will be immediately beseiged by the revengeful Conser- vatives bitter over Peterson surrendering. power after 42 years. Choosing a cabinet is the 'single most difficult judgment" facing any political leader, Peterson told a news conference Wednesday. Sources say the Liberal cabinet will like)y have 22 members — much smaller than the 28-member executive council of outgoing Premier Frank Miner — in part because there are only ' 48 Grits to draw from but also because Peterson wants to stamp a new face on the government by streamlining the cabinet and bureaucracy. The three provincial. secretariats — ' resources, social and justice — will be eliminated and there will be fewer ministers without portfolio. Several will also be assigned more than one responsibifity. Although Peterson has kept his caucus in the dark about who will be in cabinet, choices for a few senior posts appear certain, SCHOOL FUNDING Sources say Sean Conway (Renfrew North) will be entrusted with the sen- sitive education portfolio and respon- sibility for passing and carrying out a bill to extend funding to the province's Roman Catholic high schools. ,'gib o E3W=a"i3 'e ��H�r �a'°'y^�'6.°"a°'Lc2'rs,u'm S�EEg 0 E�ja�o'n c EQ$ S,xci yy o 8.-ta �m Es h' Ea�, d ,§C >.5.y5'm w�°cP .gau9W Ava ueE Q'C ,��'Om 9pp❑❑pp��YD'S �7U �' .. n '�y... �.. `,'� r'.ns m_" u3 i— c_C :,.."gin .`'.• on•`�Eow�v�'"um"v,;�•o8�u `$��scl'.gy��°t�0'o`j 8°yP.VL 5s4, 00�m'4 F3v`y c a 5yyy9 w-�p°,tFp^�u CcpCsp ?Q.EQ.I 9Ey�tt MU . .F SmEaaCOCro.1°.=s vNNIV=GgN� Once the swear- ing in takes lace, Ontario will be the: only province in Canada governed tf by Liberals. The last provincial -" Liberal govern- ment in the country was Bennett Camp bell's administra- tion.in Prince Ed- ward Island in 1979. Miller A transition team has been working for weeks to prepare the Liberals for the enormous task of running a govern- ment — a task in which they have precious little experience. Peterson, who last month signed an agreement with NDP Leader Bob Rae to ensure the support of a Liberal government for at least two years, and his neophyte cabinet ministers will have less than a week to prepare for the reconvening of the legislature July 2 — at which time the new premier will deliver a statement to "lay out the agenda for reform in this province'- Included in that statement, which Peterson says will be the equivalent of a throne speech, will be details on how the new government plans to deal with the problems of youth unemployment and changes in Ontario's the health and education system. PLEDGES FUNDING And he repeated past promises by saying legislation to implement the con- troversial plan to extend government funding for Roman Catholic high schools will be introduced as soon as possible and then sent to a committee of the house for public hearings. While Peterson was jovial at a news conference Wednesday afternoon, he seemed dazed earlier in the day when he was summoned on short notice to the ornate suite of Lt.-Gov. John Black Aird located on the second floor of the main legislative building. Peterson got the call moments after Miller delivered a letter to the heutenant-governor to formally inform him his Conservative government had been defeated on a non -confidence vote Tuesday. The letter advised Aird that Peterson had the confidence of the house and recommended that he be allowed to form the government.' After meeting with Miller,. Aird then told Peterson he felt the agreement with the NDP did not "impair the powers or privileges" of the legislature. The accord "has no legal force or effect and, .. it should be considered solely as a joint political statement of intent," said written statement from Aird. At that point, Peterson later told reporters, he and Aird had a glass of brandy and then the two of them met with Miller for another drink- • Xl: Z LU • LE O -om3 ai:o 1° 4 0 �E�g 3� � o cLa CieEE:2 3 .E $�oENiy_$ouu�o a �a ya E'po�•v°�sV y��=mom =,C y Gyp E'cyc y�y CL y G O m c ..c. C U 6 G p d t) A C C CEE ca ca_c�co8o"L E:c< 3c$ o?c��°t'd ir"'E chum �� o�o .o9 g$sc oCya u o o m ysx u�v. YZ EEi wo ocs MW ° 0 of >+ `y9v.; 33.0 E'er=u oo'u o�FoE�ppO° o$Gs (,� u 3 > Zr o o aC Q J V C d a r ay+ O a' U uJJE W Lw,'. L-oE 3 v s u �x+dn O'3 >?u�sL3d VIE`E xo6 Er, oa°ta?am`v rim y L o Township seeks Ar injunction to prevent work at dump site By Howard Bums Woodstock Bureau WOODSTOCK—Oxford County is facing a new legal hurdle in its dec- ade -long struggle to open a new landfill site near Salford. The test comes Monday when South-West Oxford Township seeks an injunction in Ontario supreme court to stop the county from pro- ceeding with work at the site. It's the latest in a long line of twists and legal challenges that have plagued the county's effort to establish the site in South-West Oxford. It wouldn't be fair to open bids to do the earthwork at the site before the court hearing in Toronto, the county's public works committee agreed Thursday. Don Pratt, director of engineer- ing, told the committee the 10 bids received for the job will have to be returned unopened if the injunc.. tion is awarded Monday. Pratt found out about the injunc- tion threat late last weekafter docu- ments were filed by Toronto lawyer David Estrin, who is representing South-West Oxford in the case. Aside from the injunction, the pa- pers show the township is asking that bylaws authorizing money to be spent on construction at Salford be quashed and that the Oxford re- serve fund for development of the site be found invalid. Pratt asked committee members to startthinking about what the next r move would be if the county is or- dered to stop the work. "We'll get it built but it's the same old story, drag it, drag it, drag it." South-West Oxford is already en- tangled in a legal fight with the county. It erupted after the Ontario cabinet overturned the decision of a joint hearings board and approved Salford. In that case, South-West Oxford is going to court to have the " Ontario cabinet orderdeclared null and void. And in a separate suit, a group of Salford area ratepayers is trying to keep the Salford site from opening because they fear it will be a threat to the environment Both cases remain unsettled. Frustrated by the legal wrangling and armed with a certificate of ap- proval from theprovince, the coun- ty started preliminary work at Sal- ford on orders from Oxford council late last year. Pratt said he hopes the injunction issue is settled quickly so the county knows where it stands next week, but cautioned the committee that a decision may not be speedy. He said if the county is ordered to stop work "then what? It's a politi- cal problem. I throw it back to you." Asked later if the county is mak- ing contingency plans, public works chairman Ross Livingston of Bland - ford -Blenheim Township said "I'm not making any damned plans, no way. If we can't get the site ... let the province look alter it (the gar- bage problem)." Warden Charlie Tatham of Wood- stock said the injunction hearing is a stalling tactic that is causing un- warranted delays and expense. Contacted at home, South-West Oxford Mayor Walter Wilson said "they were warned not to proceed." He said the county shouldn't be "bulldozing" ahead and spending money on the site at a time when its fate has not been clearly decided. The decision to seek the injunc- tion was up to the township's legal officials, said Wilson, who thinks the county made a mistake in select- ing Salford in the first place. Meanwhile, the county's last ma- jor landfill site at Holbrook in Nor- wich Township, is scheduled to close next June. Legal block fails Landfill site project ready to go WOODSTOCK (Bureau) - A bid to stop Oxford County from pro- ceeding with construction of a Sal- ford landfill site was rejected by Mr. Justice M. A. Catzman after a 75- minute Ontario supreme court hearing in Toronto on Monday. South-West Oxford Township was seeking an injunction and orders to have several county spending by- laws quashed. Warden Charlie Tatham said the ruling apparently clears the way for Oxford to consider 10 bids it re- ceived to do the major earthwork at the landfill site. "It certainly demonstrates the county was doing what it has been mandated todo," Tatham said of the decision. "I appreciate the folks down around Salford don't want it, and ldon't thinkanybody else in the county wants it, but it's a problem we have to face up to." Tatham said he wanted to consult with county engineer Don Pratt on when the tenders could go to coun- cil for debate. "It's a matter ofgettingajob done, not a matter of winning or losing . . We all make waste and we have to look after it It's a matter of doing what we have to, do." Township solicitor David Estrin said: "We didn't get the relief we were seeking." Estrin, who specializes in eim- ronmental law, said he would ree- ommend the township appeal the ruling. County lawyer Tom Lederer said it was his understanding the deci- sion enables the county to move ahead with development of the site. He said the judge made his decision after listening to arguments by Estrin, "The judge didn't feel is was nec- essary to hear from us." In addition to the injunction, the township wanted an order quashing several bylaws on grounds the coun- ty proceeded hastily and without proper approvals to set aside. money for development of Salford. It also: was seeking a declaration that the county reserve fund for solid waste Is invalid. The township is also challenging a controversial 1083, Ontario cabi- net decision to overturn the joins hearings board and approve county plans to build the landfill. CZ Co' O �i Salford's .0 battle lines O drawn again By ALISON nawN11 w of the teulnei-Review - TORONTO - Lawyers representing Oxford County and residents of South- West Oxford Township will be hack in court today concerning the Salford O landfill site. An appeal by the county will be heard . in Divisional Court (a of the _branch Supreme Court of Ontario) here by a panel of three judges beginning at 10 a.m. The county's Iawyer,.Tom Lederer i of Toronto, will be trying to have a lawsuit brought against Oxford. by, i about 29 Salford residents dismissed. Residents banded together and hired a lawyer after cabinet appeoved the Salford site following a joint board hearing which determined it to be an in- appropriate location for a landfill. The residents will be represented in court VJ by Toronto lawyer David Estrin, who is - also the township's solicitor. (The y- township is also taking the county to (`7L\/ court over cabinet's decision but that case still to be heard) _ If the county wins the latest battle in the ongoing legal wrangle — which seems to get more complicated every day — it will be. a giant step, said Lederer. It will mean the county will only be left with one lawsuit pending. `V If the residents win, the case presented on their behalf at the joint board hearing will be reheard by a Supreme Court judge. v1c oL�o�cc. o d i• wCmr++-' o'-C❑ 3 O w E c E. ❑ m c� .. c d e� o a- y_ wE— �•f10 2AlQWs-1 2F�Fo�=;rl wp�.ee�m1A cv 2.6 C r�1ty Ny O U >.-•L L� Nam".-1 � _ .yot.UpsN,L -arop�dyc.E33aiW=—Z MCs.CmZL 5 vaooCc= g_ C E'er` �'. m •- oy' W o -� jU�ai`ONt�c�G j cv �d GoE �omaiyo$.s °oF efe7 .Wv -iOccp Ec�L `c' me �c m.�3� m cc3oca`r cotes 0I N 0, .p = peN"...,91>"pp I mrzic5C`43 u ,Emw cc'3i iC:E �aN`—mac �°'A a m�ouz�E.$.-o 1 :Eom`9c Em E� m m,c� gg av gee A'=_ �w3Nv�E oOE N,�2 Ew> a .`�o,3 vd�m�� md�i'c«E'-PJ oo� 162E- Eams=l 3H1cu amz o. 79.4 3c S�S�Em ao v c56�mgu o3yN'o� 08.2;9& 2i t32$. C • Oxford awards Salford contract ,despite dispute By Howard Bums Woodstock Bureau WOODSTOCK — Despite wam- Ings that proceeding with develop- ment of the Salford area landfill is reckless at best. Oxford County council forged ahead Wednesday and awarded a Hyde Park firm a S288,200 contract to do the excava- I ion -related work By a 13-4 vote, the contract for the supply of labor, equipment and su- pervision for the stripping of topsoil and excavation of the initial cell at Salford went to DeKay Constuction Ltd., the low bidder among 10 firms in competition for the job. The county has a certificate of approval from the Ontario environ- ment ministry to develop the site, but the plan is being challenged in E court by South-West Oxford Township. South-West Oxford Mayor Walter Wilson warned that awarding such a contract would be premature be- cause the fate of the site has not be determined by the courts. South-West Oxford lost its bid earlier this week to stop work at. Salford when an Ontario supreme court judge dismissed efforts to get an injunction. At the same time, the court rejected claims that several county spending bylaws were invalid. In supporting Wilson's position, Councillor Howard Cook of South- West Oxford said he believed the county was. developing a "white ele- phant" at Salford. Norwich,Town- ship Mayor John Heleniak and Councillor Helen Smith of Norwich also voted against awarding the contract. Y Oxford Warden Charlie Tatham said the contract price is slightly higher than the estimate of $275,000. In a report to council, Tatham said "DeKay Construction has not worked for the county for several years. However, their main busi- ness is earth moving and all the equipment proposed for this pro- ject is owned by the company. Ex- perienced personnel will supervise the work" Tatham told council that although he understands South-West Ox- t'ord's position and the reasons for it, the county can't shrug off its re- sponsibility to provide a safe site. He said later that if construction proceeds as planned, the, site will be ready near the time the county's last major landfill in Norwich Township closes at the end ofJune_ In the unresolved legal, action, South-West Oxford is challenging a 1983 Ontario cabinetdecision to overturn a joint hearings board re- cct.ion of Salford as a suitable site. Bids for the excavation -related work ranged from the low of S288,200 by DeKay to a high of S499;000 by Jackson Construction Ltd. of Sarnia. �lywg f;q �n� sv.a <-i mm a6 R 2 n O— Vl'O ti mH �'.�o 2m•o amz 1 mSOn ODOa +7 ro, C d no ro n ro ry a C m m ao �n a", La <n OAB-'1m<N SO 3OOLnm��m3S- �.m3ao .mn'pO'cro-- G O N N ya O d M fD n or i �vno n I �9 croro .� n '<�o rmno r%S �'Dm Tor uro, :n o,�mAc boa^ O Om000' O��ry o =00 o m ro=ro`"m® 9rt o£o, �. no •Gm� ado 'ro'g tin ' m*< o i; rev `d R 3 ro 9a� m=rBS vmm pQ as `v-' ¢FT =, [[' - �, 0. 3. r p perp¢¢ a xo ac x- ro 35ro-.m ao ny oa in so o `Dw o.m yin ' 6 mr'<��S.m5" r e c Y d ro �o m 0Q y 1Do'>'0r" 6ac.a9 as mR O v 2rD oCtcn£e wu$7EMa 'a�S w 'rtyte'T °rt�r@¢ • ,J Q rt s MW lu C O I AN L G u C-.,"s GmLc A Gm�s N'� dR 3_ GCN iL.O+u' S3 w53�°s n0_.mam'oa -26y YaJo9-C oyVrJ� fa moni rE TEy�^u ^ �,Fa;EE CGNGO =LNa��v°o� y°O� dCLU �A. ON a1Na L a >RV�y Cy Cy zO �.O� yCOr NmO.��NOyL C:ys m LUL c 3 3 n'a tau' o 2 m m e S o m,� oc�y LG o a a�v umv T7._ uEm�^ W1 eLw>L`o V6-�i. yo 2.ao... As._ 5s,z uE ��.?oa�cryT�ociW �53w4 °u' �V.. ��y'UOty00Rw � Lta T �ya'Icy j:w 35Cj�aRo, � a Vl (ll aa.r_'.a.+ C^ N'.-+M CL'.L+UL �a10 �003 IRE u uo 00 y c$UG° p M u 'n �E —m �-� oi'33E°c' m QQ eo h a�0y5 bM.'a z_ C_"u S 0 `r m o V L`L Z I 'J t o uSE��e �+ 000 zu Eomc I� YY .Z..e `iiU 3 a y.�E .SUS g 2U aXF-� ain � m 'D EE.car.B w2E ..+3.� mX0 2S la'000'7, ay�7C� �gw�ao m w10 aaj.E_5y'tk� rn y m,uc 6 ypp,��'W yo��FilEu spa y O G a c.t-?;p L:J� w o� s•5E EJ at °«SEce Seeking more spaces County courts a parking problem County of Oxford officials will appear before Woodstock's committee of ad- justment tonight seeking a minor variance on parking requirements for the new county board of health facilities. The county jail on Buller Street is currently undergoing an estimated $1.8 million renovation program to accom- modate the board of health unit and home care department. Under parking area requirements, 211 parking spaces are needed for the existing buildings and the new health unit building on the courthouse square. At the heart of the matter is the future of a house located adjacent to the courthouse. square — the county engineer's department has recom- mended demolition of the house which would provide more than the required number of parkingspaces to meet ex- isting parking area requirements. The county is seeking a minor variance so it can obtain a building per- mit to continue renovations at the coun- ty jail and maintain the esthetics of the courthouse square and adjacent county - owned lands. I There are a total of 98 parking spaces in the courthouse square, with an addi- tional 65 spaces located on the county - owned Graham Street parking lot, resulting in a deficiency of 48 spaces. At a meeting of county council Wednesday councillors were informed the county engineer's department had recommended the demolition of a house 'located at 78 Light St., which would pro- vide 52 parking spaces, thereby meeting the requirements under the ,Planning Act. The house is the home of courthouse custodian Howard Pye. Admitting parking was often at a premium at the courthouse square, par - ocularly when provincial court was in .session, several councillors were under tain how to resolve the matter. Coun- cillors decided to take a tour of the area and the.concensus appeared to be the house should not be torn down in order to meet parking requirements. Peering over at the large house that's been targetted for demolition by the county engineer's department, Conn. Phil Poole said it would be unwise to tear the house down. Instead, Poole suggested parking could be provided on the north and south sides -of the proper- ty where the house is located, thus leav- ing the house intact. Coun. Joe Pember suggested if, the county wasn't prepared to meet the parking area requirements, it should be prepared to enter a parking in lieu agreement with the city, which he estimated would cost between $70,000 and $80,000. But he stressed every at- tempt should be made "to live within the esthetics of the area." Afterward Warden Charlie Tatham said the entire issue was based on esthetics, that there was sufficient space in the courthouse square to ac- commodate required parking- • It's a matter how to arrange to make sense." he said. Asked whether a remark he made during the meeting that court sessions currently held during the day be held at night was done facetiously. Tatham said he had recommended a move to night court about one year ago. Nothing came of his recommendation. Meanwhile county council voted to sign agreements with the Ontario Heritage Foundation for restoration grants totalling $140,000 for the county tail. The grant and easement agreements prohibit changes to the building without OHF approval. i • E a i 1 LJ 0 V U ecc W rJ' WLSymg cSo .o c W0 mm �. em=y 4oYc-Y.C.y .cy 7i apupo`y�v 5 m'sa� a��>>WB.a'g�8�� ;5��^T•mPj,.S Hy �ysC vEi �v«3. 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W Vm�' W.pm�G�ROL �wta9 m`� as yWv=3 0`3 .s�Ey�cs Ly,E93pY Y J.my > c n c c Lm.2 c°z c3� o L. 6".ei WVW c `�aci,c$ 3rY..c -•umu � me W urn y=A!��3 W N.ocm m w W L 3 V rWc�m8gmE ccvY3 WE m osp mt oaf �-myo.-�xy E 42 g m E •'w ay m u E 'OL G O'O 6 m c,Q Y C y c v L y W vyyy co.-" uv 3 ommv 2>j5vcm`m`wmA m �p3ywu m.Wc`W aci-cE .O V'ppL .O At1 GZpjtp�.WL 2ETC� CCU �C �YS eL'q'�J' aO E C IOC ct .e, e's� 0_0s✓aC,� f�pl�Lut v3u 5 U ceES' �aoA' 6a N. S 0 3snroc ugc$or�'r� �Q°m 3 moo �; t,_ E��o't ?aa ctm�oj0'�' .r°c 35 no II c.3 y3a3TYd3 V,q,q.�nriuvi F. mm`o . f .e-�ooE�ycaa��ra„s 0: aENV $� too 33EYi F.. �ix.S 3-�,a nA aa'E mEE�aav =E�v'g.$xa .a m oo�muoCn, g-n m,a,,.vc ym.=M. I u�VN =.- t `° o.o ,`N_' a a'E0oo'mc"a 2 accN�. ` c°c rMyaa L m a$a� 3 c0•oa�toa L � N d 1400xca a3iEuam g,arj° 3:. y��_=a _ " +cw. ma=�'e ...Ewo.Sy°Y E>c �= O•.. Zt� EEF°`o =' E og' 3 Q .2cm EZ12 & a>aao -3jm��O3'.'ea� ccyyxrp7JE go:�A� >CCg— IVjcCa 53oAcW aarotuu cLaodO'°dwT=�y>=CM atit >jp= uTAc Z>, mSrQi2W o�tz�� E Sa�,x�aa 3x� Ems' U° a G7 °fYlya=W'U =a 0E_,, °''['1'Oo'°^CVU-52 1 c`w tc cIWccE- 1`ao�o�a3 oo$cj$� Q yy m wit w QQa WES�5�a3�G� �aNboc a � s ta Oc EE o a 12H vt0i3m Cs mYt vm,`o_tap 2�= �Eaa„io��.3 :5 G.cct: E ca QQW' MOB � W m 0) asC- ° ate ° = 3 >, 0�a2 ."stw= o3a�c.adcga EE c❑ y�c �0.2 Op C 12 L y tU O vl 3+ Cd >.,� g ✓ c 2U _ ^ 'rya a o; p .J3 Province reluctant to pay more to rent Oxford County courthouse WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Oxford County made an attempt Monday to get more rent money out of the prov- ince for use of its courthouse here but the bargaining session ended without an agreement. The Ontario attorney -general's department wants a new two-year rental agreement for about 17,787 square feet (1,600 square metres) of office and courtroom space at the ,courthouse on Hunter Street. Under the previous agreement, the province was paying rent at the rate of $8.54 per square foot or about $152,000 a year. The county, through its adminis- tration and finance committee, wanted a rental rate of $10.50 per square foot in Monday's session, an increase of about 24 per cent. Ray Faulkner, a leasing age with the Ontario ministry ofgove ment services, told the commit Essex victims win no flood of sympathy By ALISON OOWN11 Of The Sentiml-Revier The Essex County Flood - Disaster Relief Committee has appealed to Ox- ford County for a donation but it might not get one. Oxford's administration and finance committee refused Monday to recom- mend to county council a donation be sent to the Essex County area which was seriously affected by major flooding of the take St. Clair -Detroit River -Lake Erie watershed on Easter Sunday. With damage estimates ex- eeeding $12 million, the Ontario Cabinet has since declared the area a disaster area. The government will match dona- tions on a one to one basis. "In Oxford County we have zoning laws that say you can't build on a float plain," Zorra Township Mayor Wallis Hammond said "I don't mind helping tornado , victims because there's nothing 4 anyone can do about that, but in this area It was mostly cottages that were affected - If people want to build on a flood &J Main and have no Insurance they have to accept the Hammond resppoonsibility ' Tfte appeal from Essex County will be Forwarded to county council without a recommendation ie • CJ i Decision hasn't stopped township 11 AL1WN a8MlM1 .f TM fewWt-ft k. DEREHAM CENTRE —South-West Oxtord Township doesn't give up easily. Last week the towttahip faAed in its attempt [o get an c'Ut'iot to stop Ox� ford County from proceeding with work at the controversial Salford landfill site under the Judicial Review Procedure Act. This week, township council gave the go-ahead for lawyer David Estrin of Toronto to proceed with an appeal of that decision on their behalf. South- West Oxford Mayor Walter Wilson con- firmed today.that an appeal was in the works. He said council discussed a let- ter from Estrin in closed session Tues- day. Wilson refused to make any fur- ther comments on the appeal. Estrin is on holidays and could not be contacted. Estrin lost his first attempt at an m- junction last week at a -hearing at Toronto's Osgoode Hall before Supreme Court of Ontario judge Marvin Catz- man. The judge refused to grant the township an interim injunction on the grounds that two budget bylaws enacted by the county in 1983 and 1985 set aside funds for Safford and should have been approved by the Ontario Municipal Board. County lawyer Tom Lederer claimed the township's action was frivolous and an attempt to further delay the project. He urged the judge to award costs to the county to let councillors in South-West Oxford know that it will cost them money to fight their battles in court rather than in the county council chambers. The judge did award costs to the county, which means South-West Ox- ford Township will have to pick up the bill for the county's legal work and court costs. Wilson said he had no idea when the appeal might be heard. Hurry -up -and -wait Salford decision faces more delays By ROSEMARY CINO Queen's Park bureau of The Seatinel. Review TORONTO — Ontario's new environment minister, Jim Bradley, says he will in- vestigate the reasons for the previous Conservative cabinet's decision to approve a dump in South-West Oxford Township against the advice of an environmental assessment report. When the Tory cabinet overuled the recommendations of the assessment hearing board which argued the site was unsuitable for the proposed regional dump in 1993, it sparked a legal battle, which has been ongoing. The decision has pitted the province and Oxford County against the township and Salford area residents over the selection of the site in a long and costly fight. I want to determine what those reasons would be," Bradley said in an interview Wednesday. "They, (the PC cabinet) might have had information that I do not have available to me." Asked about the possibility of the Liberals overturning the cabinet deci sion if he finds it was unjustified. Bradley said "that's not possible to make a comment on at this time." However, he added, "ultimately it is a legitimate question when 1 seen all the information." Bradleysaid be will discuss the background with PC member for Ox- ford, Dick Treleaven and ministry staff. The Conservative predecessor in the environment ministry, who would have been privy to cabinet's rationale mightalso be consulted. Rules of confidentiality prevent Bradley from seeing minutes from the cabinet meeting. He offered no timetable on when he would release a report on the decision. Get it over with Comments by Jim Bradley, Ontario's new environment minister, may have raised the hopes of a group of citizens in South-West Oxford Township and the township council that Oxford County's decade -long search for a landfill site may end up in yet another quagmire. And countyofficials may be looking for another wall to pound their heads against. Bradley, interviewed by the Toronto bureau of The Sentinel -Review, said he will investigate the reasons why the Conservative cabinet decided in 1983 to overturn a decision by a consolidated board and approve `the Salford landfill site in South-West Oxford. That controversial decision by the Tory cabinet sparked a legal battle that is continuing in the courts. Bradley, part of the first Liberal cabinet in more than four decades, said he wanted to determine what the Tories' reasons were for overturning the board's ruling. "They (the PC cabinet) might have had information that I do not have available to me." Asked about the possibility of the Liberals overturning the cabinet decision if he f5pds it was unjustified, Bradley said "that's not possible to make a comment on at this time." However, he added, "ultimately it is a legitimate question when I have seen all the information." Bradley said he will discuss the background with Oxford MPP Dick Treleaven, a Con- servative, and with ministry staff. Rules of confidentiality pre- vent Bradley from seeing minutes from the cabinet meeting and he offered no timetable on when he would release a report on the decision. Comments from various of- ficials after the cabinet's deci- sion was announced indicated that 1983 decision was based on a report from the Ministry of Environment, which said the site was suitable for a landfill operation. That ministry report should have been delivered at the consolidated hearings, as ministry officials later admitted. Oxford County has followed the rules set out by the pro- vince for getting a landfill site approved. A decade after set- ting out on this frustrating route though, the county is still looking over its shoulder, waiting for another chain to be added to its burdened back. If Bradley does want to review that 1983 cabinet ruling, he should do so immediately. He should not leave the county guessing about what is going to a pen. jnce the Ministry of En- vironment feels the site is suitable for a landfill opera- tion, the county should be. allowed to proceed with its plans. Otherwise, in about one year, Oxford residents will have no place to dump their garbage, Wilson sees ray of hope for Salford 4 ■u ttlnrel. - --- of t1e sn".11"iew Environment Minister Jim Bradley's announcement Thursday that he will in- vestigate reasons why the previous Tory cabinet approved Salford landfill site is a ray of hope for citizens of South- West Oxford Township, says its mayor, Walt Wilson. Wilson was obviously pleased by Bradley's intentions that he'd in- vestigate why the previous cabinet ap- proved the landfill site against the ad- vice of an environmental assessment report. Referring to the Progressive Conservative cabinet decision as one solely "based on politics", Wilson hoped Bradley would have better luck at obtaining information from the cabinet meeting where the decision to go against the environmental assess. ment report was based. - Rules of confidentiality prevent Bradley from seeing minutes from the cabinet meeting, but Wilson predicted the Grit government should be in a posi. tion to obtain .cabinet documents relating to the Salford decision. SAFE AT A COST "We feel it'was a political decision caused by lobbying from the ]Oxfotdi county," Wilson said. He speculated the Tory cabinet may have justified its decision to go against the assessment report in the hope that if the landfill site wasn't safe at the time, it could be made safe "at a cost." Oxford County Warden Charlie Tatham appeared to concur with Wilson on the latter statement when he said the environment assessment report indicated the Salford site was safe, "or the engineering of it will make it a safe site.". The fact Oxford riding is held by Con- servative MPP Dick Treleaven may a lso have led to the Tory cabinet's deci- sion to approve the dump, said Wilson. Tatham was unruffled at yesterday's announcement by Bradley, Maintain- ing the previous cabinet's decision was based on well -documented technical in- formation given to the cabinet by the Ministry of the Environment. Tatham welcomed Bradley's intended investigation. "It's a good idea to have information available to everybody, so that everybody understands," Tatham said. Based on technical information from MOE officials that the Salford landfill site is safe, Tatham doubted Bradley would overturn the cabinet decision therefore soundly disagreeing with Wilson that the decision was of a political nature. "The stripe of the government really has nothing to do with the facts,. if the facts are right, that's a fact," he said, " ff they iTory cabinet) did it for some other reason, then they shouldn"l. have done it." Tatham said: -"I don't think anybody in Oxford County wants to perpetrate something that's unsafe on people.' timetable was given by Bradley on when he would release a report on the decision. No residual bitterness III left after labor dispute By MICHAEL atMlit of The sentinel-aeobew One month after, Oxford County Public Health Nurses returned to work after a 66-day walkout/lockout, staff and management agree there has been no lasting damage. The nurses withdrew services tem. porarily on April 19, were later locked out and did not return to work until after a wage settlement, June 24. Director of Nurses, Shirley Lockwood said there has been absolutely no residual bitterness toward the board or the 27 nurses in the wake of the strike. The nurses, she said, "have worked very hard" since returning to return the board to the previous level of service. Lockwood said the help the board received during the labor dispute from bodies like Family andChildrens' Ser- vices and individual doctors limited the gap in, service. The extra help meant the nurses were not hopelessly behind once they got back to work. The return "seemed quite smooth," said Ruth Ferris, president of local 40 of the Ontario Nurses' Association. "Everyone just started picking up and carrying oh." Ferris agreed that there has been no animosity. Both staff and management "wanted to get to work and get going rather than harbor any bitterness," Ferris said, ''We've were well received when we came back," noted Sylvia Smith, one of the board's four home care co- ordinators. Thanks to extra lours from home care secretaries, the board's home care services did not suf- fer noticeably during the strike:, Smith said. The board was able to service 492 pa. tients in .tune, even though the nurses were not available for all but six of those days. "Everything was maintained while we were away. We did have some cat- ching up to do but much of it was fin- ding out about patients (already under cares." ,70 I � I „l 01 `o am 0,.h ;9 m =—; 4 L N >�-• >wc-o4a� �. O • _ 'O Ear Uu EJahO'O h m�Ea rt,E,.v.=umc�wa+'F+F ay�°`'�` vai@ w0 °d,3ta a.3 O 0 5yymA.`2G C u.a=C Of'N yxaro�.. v 4m .� � >cE�ym3o _E oaa n� , 29rw o��Ea ME $'LO 0 0. y o f qi°p q oGco mEapj � 45t aa,C4 a U'`9 C o j 1.5Or ZmbF a0:-.3�auc Gm ' 5E 'c4B `r r2 '`�'.�'E � N tic$$ avyy O OLp u vc E,i—! I Q; .c ``~ .g , o `tl 0'C�a .�.5 G oy VIC . E MzINIM 1_ h U Mi o3wai$v��A,�-�uEj�an'O tpc' �5co'�s o,�q Oc^m5 '�6F ME m •^.l�e'm n' �e 9,e .C9�u0e�`+�SD Uq ona� it � �is� a38e3� 6 P3..c°?I�t4QE Opens office After 23 years of handling his consti- tuency affairs from his 131-yearold home in St. George, Ontario Treasurer and Liberal House leader Bob Nixon has opened a constituencyoffice in his riding of Brant -Oxford -Norfolk. Citing it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to serve his consti- tuents since the Liberals came to power in June, Nixon said a constituency of- fice would better serve riding consti- tuents. The new office is located at 6S Grand River St. N.. site of the former Paris Information Centre. With the opening of the office taking place Wednesday, Nixon became the last on Ontario's 125 MPPs to have a riding office. The office will be staffed by full-time constituency assistant Elaine Scott and is open 9 a.m, to 5 p.ni. Monday to Friday. The phone number is 442-6445, Previously all constituency calls came to Nixon's St. George home — on many occasions his wife, Dorothy. would take messages and relay them to her husband. Since being named pro- vincial treasurer, Nixon said he's been spending more time in Toronto. Constituency expenses will increase considerably for Nixon. Last year ex- penses were W.8o — the average ea - pease for a constituency office is about $35,000 • LJ Tommy Williams dead at age 99 By GREG ROTHWEII of The Sentinel -Review Woodstock's famed aviation pioneer, Tom Williams, died at Woodstock General Hospital today, just a few months short of his 100th birthday. A funeral service is to be held at the United Church in Sweaburg, the com- munity where he spent much of his life as a farmer. Monday at 2 p.m. Funeral arrangements are being made by the R.D. Longworth funeral home, public visitations are to take place there Saturday and Sunday. Tom's daughter, Atena Fines, called her father "Avery principled man." He was a First World War air ace, a founding member of the Royal Cana- dian Air Force, a member of the Cana- dian Aviation full of Fame and was also one of Oxford County's most in- novative farmers. In 1972 the Guinness Book of Records honored him as the world's oldest active pilot when he made a solo Flight the year before at the' age of 86. eOAN NW INUMIL Born in. what is now a part of Inger- soll on Oct. 12, 1885, Tom received his schooling in that town. He travelled to western Canada about 1911,,when the THIS CITY'S famed aviation pioneer, Tom Williams, died at i Woodstock General Hospital early today, just a few months short of his 100th birthday. Always a much respected, much loved, pilot. and person, Williams is shown in a familiar pose in this circa, Oc- wtio mephoto. I fFilephotol First World War broke out in 1914 he joined the Legion of Frontiersmen to Calgary. He resigned from the ranks almost immediately and enlisted with the Corps of Guides, and transferred again to the Provost Corps of the First Canadian Division. He arrived in France in February, 1915, Tom was a distinguished soldier and served in the lines until he was recom- mended for a commission in the Royal Flying Corps by Major General Sir Ar- thur Currie. Trained in Scotland and England, awarded his wings and promoted to Lieutenant, he was posted to No. 45 Squadron of the Royal Air Force in France as a fighter pilot. He flew in the front lines against Baron Manfred von Richtofen's Flying Circus. During this period he destroyed four German air- craft in combat. No. 45 Squadron was posted to Italy in 1917, and within three months of operations Tom had raised his score to 10. He was awarded the Military Cross, and the Italian govern- ment decorated him with the Valor Militaire. Hi.a string of victories resulted in a promotion to the rank of Captain and he was named flight commander of No.28 Squadron of the RFC. In 1918 his aircraft was disabled by enemy anti-aircraft fire, he glided his plane 21 miles through the mountains and made a safe landing at an Allied base. Tom was credited with destroying 14 enemy aircraft during the war, before being ordered to England for medical reasons. He was posted to the School of Air Fighting at Beanisville, Ont. as an examining officer, in 1919 he returned to England to resign his commission. COSI1119CIAL Kilia When he returned to Canada he earn- ed a commercial pilot's certificate and air engineer's licence. He bought his father's farm at Sweaburg, leased an adjoining estate and purchased and airplane, turning the operation into an airport. He owned a commercial air service in southwestern Ontario from 192'1 to 1931 and became a flying instructor at the fUtchener-Waterloo Flying Club. In 1934 he was named a chief flying instructor at the London Flying Club and earned his instrument flight rating. In 1937 he was hired to fly a daily ser- vice out of Winnipeg, Man. to the min- ing areas of northern Ontario. when that flying company ceased operations a year later he became a charter pilot and instructor in Rouyn, Quebec. When the Second World War commenced he joined the Fleet Aircraft Company at Fort Erie as a chief pilot, he held that position for eight years. When he retired he purchased a Fleet airplane to test -drop parachutes, as well as for pleasure flying. Inducted to Canada's Aviation Hail of Fame in 1973, a citation there honors "His exemplary conduct in aerial com- bat and his half -century of dedication to the science of aeronautics, despite adversity" which "has inspired young and old alike. His total involvement has been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation." Tom maintained an interest in all things aeronautic to the end of his life. Last year he was named honorary chairman of the Toronto Air Show. and last October, on the occasion of his 99th birthday, a party attended by family and friends was held at the Woodstock branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in honor of his 99th birthday. ALSO AN ANTM Tom was also an author, with a work.. of his prose and poetry published in 1982 The final stanza in his book is a tribute to the chivalry of the 'knights of the air' he fought, but respected. 70 years ago. ..77ie duel in the air am a contest fair. with prin- _ cipals fairly pigged: _ A man on the _ ground could be skilled and sound, but lose out to some lout half-witted. Haired toward our foe could be modified: we had to admire skill. Respecting the braven and despis- ing the craven for ' selecting the easy Williams bill. Council wants more recycling Dumpsite filling up too fast or RICK gusgn of TM AnIMd.K9vkW INGERSOLL — The Lakeside landfill site is Irving filled a little too euickl,y for Zorra Township councillors. And they want the coun- ty and the Ministry of the Environment to help them do something about it CANON JOHN DAVIES receives a kiss from well-wisher Barb Swarts during a party to mark his 100th birthday Thursday at Woodingford Lodge. (Staffphoto by Michael Ulmer) Party helps Davies officially mark 100th birthday Exactly 100 years after his arrival on. earth, Canon John Davies had a glint In [.is eye and a secret to tell. The message, he told fellow residents at Woodingford Lodge and a handful of ,ignitsridl yesterday. should be weighed carefully. 'After all, this type of thin comes slong'only once'every year. "Try to do all the good that you can, as often as you can," The oldest active Anglican minister in Canada was ordained in April of 191:1 :,nd came to the Huron Diocese in 1922. In 196 he became a rector at Old St, Paul's Church. a position he held until his retirement in 1956. He still assists at one Sunday service each week at the church. A gatberin attended by 709 friends was held to mark Davies' birthday in fungi, ThuMay's partyy, though smaller, was attended by Oxford Warden "harlte Tatham and MI' Bruce Ilalhday. The councillors are con- cerned that many large and bulky items that could be recycled are be- ing thrown into the dump, filling it at a raster rate Than is nt,, s,•hl'v r ; "ALLIS IAMMOND "Why fill it up with all that other crap that can be used and that we can make a buck on," said Court. Ted Nancekivell. The council is upset that since the county took over the operation of the dump site in mid -July. items such as tires, refrigerators, stoves and other appliances are not being recycled. Until the county took it over, the township ran the site, and separated such large items out and sold them. Although councillors raised the point of being able to make money from the sale of recyclable materials, their main con- cern was that the site was being filled unnecessarily quickly by the lack of a recycling effort. BACK%%ARDS "We were separating it. now the county has taken a step backwards." said Coon. Wayne Smith. "We had a pretty good system working. it was etude, but it was work- ing." said township Mayor Wallis Hammond. Councillors discussed ways they could change the situation, and a resolution asking the county to prepare a system of separation for the site was suggested. "I don't see how they can possibly be against it. We're helping them with their problem," said Court. ('art Chambers. 'township clerk Wayne .lohfnon told the coun- cillors that the county Was not entirely to blame, as Ministry of Environment regulations prohibit the storage of any materials at a dumpaite. He said that MOE inspectors have pressured the county to slop storing items separated for recycling at Lakeside. Harvey Beatty said they should be worrying more about convincing the Ministry of Environ- ment than the county.. BARRIER -We will have to ap- proach the ministry and break through that ice barrier." said Beatty. "They're being very of- ficious at this point. But we'll have to approach the ministry it we're going to get anywhere at all." Hammond said he would like to see a more positive resolution- He said the one suggested im- plied they wanted the county to do something. when actually the township was quite prepared to take action. He suggested it would be a simple mailer to place a tractor trailer there and let people load it up with the recyclable items and haul if awa_s once a week Coun. Jim Mulerer, who drafted the resolu- tion, said, "if were going to start, then we'll start there (the county!. H the county doesn't want to do it. then we'll do It ourselves." The resolution asking the county to set up a recycling system was passed. A clause re- questing both county Warden Charlie Tatham and a ministry represen- talive to attend the next township council meeting to discuss the problem eras added. , County's handing Salford a line say Cook, Wilson South-West Oxford councillor Howard Cook believes there's more to the reconstruction of a ppoortion of Oxford County Road ill in Salford than meets the eye. During Wednesday's county council meeting, Cooke- speculated the project currently under way included a '•?yr' pipeline designed to carry leachate from the proposed Safford landfill site. The line is buried about 1.5 metres underground and its location is near enough to the proposed landfill site that it could act as a leachate line. Cook said utter the meeting. South4est Oxford Mayor Walt Wilson said he was told the six-inch plastic line was a waterline, something the township didn't need because residents in the area "have their own Both Cook and Wilson accused county officials of not being 1101it ut i t above board if in fact the plastic line was meant to carry t'u un leachate from the proposed landfill site, "If it's a leachate line, why don't they tell us," Wilson said afterward. Don Pro it, director of engineering,. said he was unmvare nl purpose of the pipeline and said he would investigate the ithe matter. County council yesterday awarded the asphoIt conract foi the project to Thornton Sand and Gravel Ltd., Woodstock in the amount of f's . been inceF.nviroanteul Meanwhile it'eradleyoantoone 'i Minister Jim Bradley onnauuevd he would incestigutc d lie reason why the previous Progressive Conservative govern men( approved the Salford landfill site against the advice of an environmental report. Bradley gave no timetable to when tc \1.11 he would release his endings. \\ 11.1.44lY 0 • Plan to monitor hermits has politicians puzzled WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — County politicians questioned the value of forming a recluse committee Mon- day, but Oxford's medical ofricer of health said she is serious about the idea. Faced with the proposal at county council's administration and fi- nance committee meeting, all coun- cillors said they were surprised by the suggestion. "We're talking about hermits here and these people basically Want to be left alone," said committee chairman Donald McKay. Zorra Township Mayor Wallis Hammond said 'that's why they are reclusive, If you try to do too much you could get shot dead." in a letter to the committee, Dr. Cecile Rochard, Oxford's medical officer of health, asked county council to help form an ad hoc re- cluse committee which could coor- dinate relief agencies and develop a management program. Rochard said the proposal was prompted by concerns expressed by board of health workers about the best methods to keep track of re- cluses living in deteriorating cir- cumstances that could be life threatening. She said initial board of health plans call for the, committee to be formed from a small core area group including representatives from police departments, churches, post offices and doctors. The board defines a recluse as someone who rejects social contact and is indifferent to social norms such as cleanliness and safety. Characteristics include unusual money management, hoarding. dis- orientationand neglect of premises. Tillsonburg Mayor Jean Ferric said many of the characteristics af- fecting other people can be con- trolled by municipal. bylaws. "If you want to be ridiculous, many of those things applied to Howard Hughes," she said. The committee decided to file the proposal pending a report from Warden Charlie Tatham who said he would contact the medical offi- cer of health. "I don't know why she's proposing this now. Maybe there have been a rash of cases or something," he said. Contacted in her office .after the meeting, Rochard said her sugges- tion was based on continued at- tempts to "gets better handle of the recluse situation." Rochard said the board has only been aware of about three serious cases of recluses in Oxford during the last two years, but is following its mandate to "help people keep well." . She agreed many recluses shun help, but said there are cases where a Sharing of knowledge by various agencies "can save livess and get help to people who really need it' Rochard said it is not proposed to tell people how to run their lives. She said the committee would meet three or four times a year "or when a special need is known and decide how to address individual cases." initial plans are for the proposed committee to meet for the first li me in the fall. i Garbage policy is needed now says warden B B r Bln fCB1YEa supported transfer stations. "Overall of The Senrkad MrM+ collection by the county would be too expensive," Harris said. Oxford County Warden Charlie "It would be better done by local Tatham has given the county's eight municipalities." municipalities a mandate — to deter- Noting that mine who should control solid waste B I a n d f o r d- management, specifically transfer sta- B l e n h e i m tions, once the Holbrook landfill site is Township was the closed. only rural With little more than 10 months re- municipality in Ox- 0 maining for the operation of the ford providing a Holbrook landfill site, Tatham told full-scale garbage county council Wednesday it was im- pick-up program, perative a decision be made in the near Coun. Ed Down en - future on the establishment and control dorsed the the of transfer stations throughout the county as overall county. And that decision appears to be governing body of ED evenly divided as to whether transfer transfer stations- DOWN stations should be managed by in- Down stipulated a tipping fee for dividual municipalities or the county. transfer station use should be im- Once the political entanglement over plemented which might encourage the the Salford landfill site is over the coun- public to participate in local recycling ty should be prepared to implement an programs, efficient solid waste management pro- "Tipping fees are a method of achiev- gram. Tatham said establishment and ing dollars to help pay for the ( transfer guidelines governing operation of station) operation and also, in some transfer stations was crucial. In effect, cases, it might encourage people to the stations would act as small garbage recycle or do other things with their collection areas where refuse would be garbage other than dump it," Tatham dropped off and eventually picked up to said afterward. When asked if he was be taken to the landfill site. satisfied with the City of Woodstock's recycling program, Tatham said there CONTROLLING STATIONS was plenty of room for improvement. What's at stake is who would control the transfer stations —from the picking MAKE THEM PAY up and dumping of garbage at the sta- "Tipping (fee) is the key to the whole tion to its removal to the main landfill thing,' said East Zoira-Tavistock ,site. What's also at stake is the fact Mayor Doug McKay. "Make them transfer stations fall under enviromen- (public) pay to bury it." tal assessment guidelines, therefore Don Pratt, director of engineering, evoking an ominous fear by council that echoed McKay's sentiment, saying Ox- if transfer stations are approved by the ford landfill sites were being rapidly county, there remains approval under filled "with refuse that really doesn't the Environmental Assessment Act, have to go there." "The question we Both Blandford-Blenheim Mayor must answer is Ross Livingston and Coun. Howard which level of Cook agreed two or three stations would government in our be sufficient. Livingston disputed county will provide several councillor's claims that enclos- _ ed garbage trucks made transfer sta- huge collection and - tions unnecessary, estimating a) per delivery — toasafe cent of garbage arriving at Holbrook landfill site most landfill site was by means other than efficiently and; .asb-- enclosed garbage packets. economically":' told If the county was chosen to operate Tatham after the CHAT e the entire solid waste management pro. gram, South-West Oxford Mayor Wait m meeting. TATHAIH meeting,, Wilson urged it cover the entire county Earlier, he told council if the county rather than on a piecemeal basis, assumed responsibility for transfer sta- Meanwhile Pratt (ions, it would be essential for the coun- advised council. (y to place restrictions on what could be members that im taken into the transfer stations, plementation of a "comp lie a led SUPPORT MIXED system' could not , Support for transfer stations ap- be handled proper - to be mixed from both urban ly by existing staff and rural municipalities. Both a n it i f I m Woodstock Mayor Wendy Calder and plemented, would Iv Ingersoll Mayor Doug Harris were likely require addi- satisfied with their respective garbage tlonal funds for ROSS pick-up programs, yet at the same time )norc sta rf. IdC INtlSTON Transfer stations need consideration By SUZANNESTOOP As the deadline for closure of the Holbrook landfill site draws nearer with each passing day, Oxford County Council still has no concrete answer to the question of where the county's waste will go, or how it will get there, should the June 30, 1966 deadline arrive and the Salford site not be to operation. Council has argued the issue of garbage pickup and transfer stations at numerous meetings in the past without coming to any agreement. And the matter surfaced yk again at Wednesday's county council meeting when Warden Charlie Tatham asked for feedback on the issue of transfer stations. Bfandford-Blenheim Mayor Ross Liv- ingston has argued in the past that transfer stations will be needed whether the garbage is going to the central landfill site at Salford or outside of the county. But council has been unable to agree on how the transfer system would be set up and operated, "H you're going to look after a landfill site properly you don't want everyone go- ing into the site; you have to have transfer stations," said Coun. Livingston, Residents could then take their garbage to the transfer station where it would be col- lected, loaded into packer trucks and taken to the central landfill site. While most councillors agreed on the need for transfer stations, opinion wasn't unanimous that the county should be responsible for the stations. Woodstock Coun. Joe Pember said he could see area municipalities wanting to retain control of garbage pickup but sug- gested the county should handle the transfer stations to keep a handle on the Consider transfer stations ( Continued from Page 1) involved in recycling to reduce the amount of waste they are putting into the site. "A tipping fee is the key to the whole thing. It will separate the men from the boys," said East Zorra-Tavistock Mayor Don McKay. "That's the key to recycling — make them pay to bury it." Warden Tatham suggested that if the county operates the transfer stations it will determine where they are to be located and what goes into them. "I don't think every municipality needs a transfer station," Coun. Livingston said, adding the county should be able to get by with two or three. "For everyone to have their own will be far more costly." While Ingersoll Coun. Jack Warden questioned the need for a transfer station in Ingersoll, pointing out the town's gar- bage is already picked up and taken to the site, Coun. Livingston stressed not all of the waste goes into the landfill site by Packer trucks. "A lot more comes in by other vehicles than you realize and you don't need a8 that extra traffic at a central landfill site." Warden Tatham' urged councillors to take the issue back to their local councils for discussion so action can oe taken soon i at the county level. It has to be done in such a way that it makes sense from a political point of I view," Warden Tatham said. Should a system of transfer stations be established, the rules will probably be such that only large vehicles will be allowed into the land- fill sites. He said the county has two options to consider when approaching the issue. It can allow each municipality to establish its own transfer station if needed, obtain- ing their own permit from the environment ministry and looking after the transfer of waste to the county's central landfill site. Or the county can assume responsibility for the solid waste management, pickup, transfer stations and landfill sites. Both systems are possible, he said in a report to council. If you give it (location of the transfer stations) to the county to do we'll put them where it makes the most sense," he said. "It's a matter of trying to figure it out in a fair and reasonable manner." Warden Tatham said the June 30 closing date on the Holbrook site lends some urgency to the matter as the county will have to have an operational system in place before that time. The county has pro- mised Norwich Township there will be no further extensions of the Holbrook site beyond the June deadline and it is endeavoring to provide a safe landfill site at Salford prior to that time. "With a cen- tral landfill site they (transfer stations) become necessary." While the county hopes to have the Salford site ready by June 30, the site's ap- proval as a landfill is being challenged in the courts by South-West Oxford Township and a group of area residents. i garbage going into its landfill site. He urg- ed county council to get moving on the issue as the county will have to go through the environmental assessment process to locate transfer stations in the county, But South-West Oxford Township Mayor i Walter Wilson pointed out his townsbip ' already has a transfer station, adding the township can look after it's own. "We don't want the county to have anything to do with it." Ingersoll Mayor Doug Harris agreed with the concept of transfer stations but said the county needs to go a step further and implement tipping fees -fees charged based on the type and amount of waste dumped at the landfill site. Blandford-Blenheim Coun: Ed Down agreed the institution of tipping foes would encourage the area municipalities to get (Continued on Page 2) Committee maintains the tradition A constant denominator in the event of natural disasters is that distant com munities never hesitant in helping fellow stricken municipalities — it ap- pears to be an unwritten code. Oxford County Warden Charlie Warden remembers all too well the sup- port received here six years ago when a tornado ripped through sections of the county. That's one reason why he sup- ported a motion Monday calling for a financial contribution to several com- munities near Sudbury hit b floods this spring. The motion, for a: MM donation, was.. - made by Zorra'' Mayor Wallis Ham- mond at yester- day's meeting of the administration ` and finance com- mittee, which will forward the recom-91K,�-` mendation to coon- W.ALt.15 I council. HAMMOND A request for financial aid came from the Sudbury Region Disaster Relief Fund Committee, formed after several municipalities (Onaping Falls. Rayside-Balfour and Walden) were flooded in April — estimated damage to 85 homes and small businesses was set at $300,000. Insurance was not available for flood damage purposes and although local afunds have been received, more help is .I needed, a committee official said. The province will match funds raised ion a dollar for dollar basis. Landfill site work continuing on time despite challenges WOODSTOCK (Bureau) - Exca- vation work at the controversial Sal- ford landfill site will continue de- spite legal challenges to Oxford CounV0 plan still outstanding, the county engineer said Wednesday. Don Pratt said the first phase of work to level the land near the farming community in South-West Oxford Township should be com- plete by mid -September and "everything is right on schedule," The county let the $286,000 con- tract to DeKay Construction Ltd. of ¢ Hyde Park in July despite a town- ship application to appeal an Ontar- io supreme court ruling which re- jected a bid to stop the county starting construction. A spokesman for the township's lawyers in Toronto said the firm ^ expected to hear within three weeks whether it will be allowed to appeal the ruling. Pratt said county council ordered staff to proceed with the work rath- er than wait the outcome of the le- gal proceedings. "Excavation and construction will continue unless there is a final court ruling against. it," he said. South-West Oxford Township and a group of 28 Property owners launched separate lawsuits to stop i the county developing the site. Both I legal actions, stemming from a 1983 Ontario provincial cabinet decision to overturn a joint hearings board rejection of Salford as a suitable landfill site, remain unresolved. Pratt said Wednesday the second phase of the work including seed- ing of the settled land, is scheduled to start in mid -October. He said it i hoped the site will be ready for gar bage dumping next June when the county's last major landfill site a Holbrook, in Norwich Township, i scheduled to close. After a long series of legal tangle: and twists, the count, believes the "way has'been cleared for us to pro- ceed," Pratt said. South-West Oxford Township Mayor Walter Wilson said township officials were upset the county de- cided to start the work without wait- ing on the outcome of the legal challenges. "They are slicking their necks; out We have a right to our day in'. court. lfwe win the final decision, it will be a lot of county wasted, just thrown down the drain," he said. • • The long haul to Salford Transfer may be the answer b "=a aot+nar - _ et LM frtkn6b.Mr HICKSON — When you talk about Cgarbage in Oxford County its always same old story — everybody wants - rid of it and nobody wants to take it. Oxford County Warden Charlie i Tatham has asked municipalities in the county to discuss what's going to hap- pen when all the landfill sites in Oxford i are closed. which could be as early as the end of next year. The county is hop- ing the legal battles over the Salford landfill site in South-West Oxford Township will be resolved by then so - county garbage can go there. 9 East Zorra-Tavistock Township Council, which does not provide rural garbage pick up, held a lengthy dimus- sion on landfill related issues Wednesday. "It's a long haul to Salford and they may not allow individuals in there.' Mayor Don McKay said. "What we have to consider is transfer stations but they need environmental approval too. ' Coun. Nell Hostetler sees a lotdf pro- blems attached to transfer stations but said she didn't know what other options there are. The mayor asked whether or not councillors favored the municipali- ty or county operating transfer stations. DECIDE THE TERMS "We don't want to run our own," Coun. Penny Jensen said. "Then we'd get all the complaints about it being too full or too smelly But Hostetler said if the municipality had control it could decide the hours of operation, the location and what type of items could be placed in the station for removal to a landfill. When asked who would he in charge of removal. Hostetler said that still has to be negotiated. Without a landfill site nearby, Coun. Wilfred Rosenburg said more people would dump their garbage at the side of roads. as sometimes happens now. Mayor McKay said the county has suggested two transfer stations in the north and one in the south. He said if the county was in charge of removal the muncipality would still haveto pay through a levy, "If we turn the whole thing over to the county, they could provide pick up for everyone but there would be costs in volved," he said. Mayor McKay has indicated meny times to county council that he is in favor of a tipping fee at landfill sitcK and reiterated his thoughts again to his own council. "It ensures that the material that can go somewhere else will," he said. "For the peat 20 years we've buried everything anyone brought in tat Ox- ford County dumps and landfills!." Garbage from East Zorra-Tavistock is now taken to the landfill at Bright in Blandford-Blenheim Township. Several councillors suggested that if a transfer station is required that's where it should go. "We don't need one in our municipah ty," Coun. Wes Kitching said. County explains pipeline is for future use South-West Oxford Township Mayor Walter Wilson couldn't get any answers at last week's county council meeting to his questions about a six-incb pipe being in- stalled along County Road 46 from the pro- posed Salford landfill site to Highway 19. But a letter written to county councillors the day after county council by county engineering director Don Pratt explained the pipe is being installed "for possible future use" in the collection and transpor- tation of leachate from the landfill site. Mayor Wilson presented the letter at Tuesday's South-West Oxford Township council meeting. He said the county had avoided answering his questions about the pipeline at the time to allow the issue to die down before the next county meeting. But the mayor expressed concern in an interview later that the pipeline wasn't in- cluded in the contract for the reconstruc- tion of County Road 46, and that neither the public works committee or members of county council knew anything about the pipeline. "Nobody knew about it; they just stuck it in there," Mayor Wilson said, ad- ding construction workers on the- job in- itially told him the pipeline was a waterline. In his letter to county councillors, Mr. Pratt explained it was common practice in any road reconstruction to try to an- ticipate what future services might be re- quired and, if practical, to install them while the reconstruction was underway so the county wouldn't have to dig up a new piece of road later when the service was required. "From a practical standpoint, it makes sense," Mr. Pratt said in the letter, although he admitted it may have been a poor decision in a political sense and he ac- cepted full, responsibility for the decision to install the pipe. Mr. Pratt said the county had discussed Recluse suggestion may go to committee WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — A sug- gslion that Oxford County council help form a special recluse commit- I,-e likely will be referred to coun- ,il's health committee. Warden Charlie Tatham said rhursday he had discussed the idea .with Cecile Rochard, Oxford's medical officer of health, and will recommend it be handled by the health committee. Tatham was among council's n- fiance and administration commit- iee members who initially ex- pressed surprise and questioned JIthe value of such a proposal Mon- day when it, was presented in a let- Ier from flowhard. "it's an attempt to see Ifcommuni- cations can be improved and there's nothing wrong with that," he said. "The question is: will another com- ` miftee help?" Under Rochard's plan, a commit- tee would help to ensure the lives of recluses or the safety and health of others are not threatened by dete- riorating conditions, Rochard said the proposal is to ensure relevant groups know of all cases and can help when needed. Tatham questioned whether such a committee can do the job better than existing groups and elected re- prosentatives "who must know what they are doing or they won't get hired or OveNd llu• 110x1 liner" the possibility of transporting leachate from the Salford site to the sewage treat- ment plant in Ingersoll either by tankers or a sewer line and it was determined to be "practical. and sensible" to install the pipeline for possible future use.. The cost of the line from the Salford site to Highway 19, along County Road 46 is $16,000 and was included as an extra on the contract. Mayor Wilson voiced concern that the extra was approved without county coun- cil's knowledge when the item wasn't budgeted for. He also pointed out that the county had claimed earlier that there would be no leachate from the site. step closer to dairy crown TORONTO — Oxford County's Allyson Hagerman has advanced to the semi-finals in the Ontario Dam% Princess competition at the Cana than National Exhibition. In last nioht's preliminary judg- ing Hagerman, is, of Burgessville. was .one of two county princesses ,elected from 11 to continue her bid for the provincial crown. Hagerman is, a Grade 13 student at Norwich District Al.l.\-Self l ligh School. IIAGEIUi \\ She is among 41 young women „ ho here vying for the title and the op loettmity to represent Ontario's milk producers in the 30th annual competition. The preliminaries wind up ninight. By then 10 contestants will have been chosen to proceed to the semi-finals. The winner will be: pick ed Wednesday night. Contestants are ,judged an their public speaking ability., knowledge of the dairy industry and Iwi sonalily In addition to the crown and giii pi inks, the winner earn% a one y'6wr public relations job with the Ontario nhik Nl.wketing ]board SNIP IT, OR LET IT GROW Trillium's fate now in hands of OMB ti rt [oust of ttn Rattle lines appear to be drawn for Monday's Ontario Municipal Board hearing to decide whether a proposed S2.4-million [rousing co-operative development will be built in Woodstock. The hearing will deal with a rezoning application and an amendment to the eounty's Official Plan submitted by Trillium Place Housing Cooperative of Woodstock Inc. for a piece of property located on the north side of Parkinson Road between East Park Drive and Fyfe Avenue. Woodstock city council turned down the rezoning application on two separate occasions despite the application's approval by the planning departmentOxford County council,ap- proved an amendment to the Official Plan, changing proper- ty designation to medium density residential from low densi- ty residential. Appeals from residents living in the vicinity of the area where the proposed development would be built strongly op- posed any plans for a 40-unit townhouse complex, fearing that it would lower their property values and increase traffic flow in the area. Residents reminded city council it was assured several years ago by a previous council that the pro- perty's designation would remain single-family residential. CONTRACTORS HIRED Bill Samms, Trillium Place corporate secretary, said Fri- day the housing co-op this week hired Alex Wilkins and Son's Ltd. as general contractors for the proposed project and that several local firms have been hired as subcontractors — of course everything depends upon the outcome of Monday's HEARING HEADS FOR SECOND DAY OMB hearing, but Samms said heand other housing members were confident the hearing would rule in theme favor. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, which is financing the project, has extended it original deadline until the end of September to await the outcome of the OMB hear. ing. If the OMB rules in favor of the municipality's first housing coop, Samms said construction would begin "almost immediately." The hearing takes place at city hall beginning at 10:30 a.m. OMB hears both sides of co-op argument h pt! fC FM a TM Sadwl-4nim "Co-0p housing will have a high -. priority and provide for Canadians otherwise unable to afford their own homes with independence, security and community spirit." Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Aug. 14, 1984. 'Law income groups are the least likely to benefit from market housing and the accommodation gap created by that fact must be the principal target forgovernment assistance. 1 believe we must expect the coop housing program will be a significant part ofourstrategy for Filling that gap." Bill McKnight, Minister responsible for Canada Mor- tgage and Housing Corporation, May 24, 1%5. Woodstock's first housing co- operative may have indirect support from high-ranking federal government officials, but the grassroot support needed to build a proposed 40-unit townhouse development in the city is - not apparent as housing coop officials fight to win an Ontario Municipal Board hearing - WIDE -RANGING VIEWS During the rust day of the hearing at city hall, co-chairmen D,M Rogers and D.W. Middleton heard wide-ranging views of both supporters and opposition to a proposed $2.4-million development on land owned by Oxford County board of education.. The property's located immediately south of Oliver Stephens senior public school and north of the On- tario Hydro right-of-way between East Park Drive and Fyfe Avenue. Solicitors for Trillium Place Housing Co-operative of Woodstock Inc, and Ox- lord County presented witnesses at- testing to the advantages of the propos- ed project being built at the Parkinson Road site. Murray Coulter, Woodstock's .solicitor, presented witnesses opposed to the housing coop development. The hearing is to decide the outcome of appeals by the housing co-op for an amendment to the Official Plan and ap- proval of a site plan control bylaw. Four years ago city council approved a rezoning application which allowed a developer to construct a subdivision consisting of 23 single-family residen- tial units. But the development never took place and residents in the area maintain they were Assured by city council the property would remain designated low density for single- family residences. LEAST IMPACT Liz Ottaway, senior planner for the county, said Monday the proposal by Trillium Place would have the least amount of impact on the existing residential community than any other development proposal. "it meets Of- ficial Plan requirements more than adequately," she said. "The applicant (Trillium Place) exceeds minimum standards of an R3 zone and is well below medium density criteria in the Official Plan." The availability of hard and soft ser- vices and access to an arterial road make the Parkinson Road site ideal for the proposed housing coop project, she said. Plana for an access/exit route onto Parkinson Road, dependent on an ease- ment agreement with Ontario Hydro, would alleviate any congestion of traf- fic onto Vvic- Avenue, Ottaway said. There would be an entrance only route off Fyfe Avenue. Ontario Hydro has ostensibly agreed in principle to the relocation of an existing easement to the south of the proposed project. NOT APPEASED A solution to three single-family homes abutting the proposed develop- ment to the west of the property on East Park £)rive would be installation of privacy fencing, Ottaway said but this didn't appease one of the homeowners. Allan Purchase, of 165 East Park Dr., seriously doubted any type of fence, no matter what height, would maintain privacy he currently enjoyed. He urged the hearing to consider locating developments such as housingcoops be restricted to areas where little impact would be felt. A homeowner on Fyfe Avenue for nine years, Purchase said in the case of Trillium Place's proposal, it wasn't city -elected officials that made deci- sions, "but views of a small minority (who have). railroaded the rights of in- dividual landowners — our views were never considered. MEDIUM DENSISITY "There will be a devaluation of my property, our fife investment... no tine has the right to play around with," he said. Purchase, chairman and spokesman of a citizens' group in the area, said the proposed housing development should be located in a pro- perly designated medium density zone. Another site was mentioned further east along Parkinson Road from the board of education property, but. profes- sional opinion shied away from this site because of soil problems and inability to be developed immediately. Purchase sternly opposed current planning policies of the municipality, pointing out there were too many mix- tures of low, medium and high density. Rogers told Purchase the area was "a long way from single-family residen- tial" with several medium density pro- jects located in the vicinity of the pro- posed development already. "This (Trillium Place proposal is just another mixed use," Rogers said. Another resident, Gerry Lemanski, of 153 Fyfe Ave., told the hearing the municipality should pay heed to a re- cent housing study which indicated over the next decade 60 per cent of new housing units built should be owner oc- cupied, the remaining 40 per cent te- nant occupied. HEIR THE RATE With a vacancy rate hovering around .8 per cent, Ottaway predicted the pro- posed housing development would slightly improve the vacancy rate which when healthy is between two and three per cent. City engineer Carl Hevener called the Trillium Place pro- posal ideal. "You can't find another site in the city as ideal from a servicing (point of view," he said And the proposed development would be at little cost to the city because all services would be provided privately. Central Mortgage and Housing Cor- poration is funding the project. Speaking on behalf of the municipali- ty, Coulter classified the area im- mediately surrounding the proposed housing development as predominantly owner -occupied units, something many residents in the area want maintained. Earlier this year Woodstock city council rejected a recommendation to approve an amendment to the Official Plan and voted against approving a site plan control bylaw which would allow Trillium Place to build its housing com- plex, despite endorsement by the plann- ing department. On the first matter, deputy mayor Joe Pember, casting the deciding vote, admitted his was a political decision and if the matter went to an OMB hearing, it would likely rule in favor of Trillium Place. County council had given its approval to an Official Plan amendment — changing the property's designation to medium density residential to low den- sity residential- Trillium Place officials appealed city council's decision and an OMB hearing was requested. The hearing continued today. 0 0 OMB decision gives go-ahead to townhouses WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Con- struction of a controversial $2.4- million townhouse project in south Woodstock will start in the fall, a spokesman for the developer said Tuesday after the Ontario Munici- pal Board overturned city council's rejection of the proposal. Don Bouma, president of Trillium Place Housing Co-operative Inc. of Woodstock, said work on the vacant land north of Parkinson Road will start by October and the project should be complete by spring. Panel chairman D. M. Rogers re- jected the major argument of neigh- bors opposed to the project when he announced the decision during the second day of a hearing on the co- operative's appeal of council's decision. Rogers said the contention that the land should be used for single- family homes in keeping with sur• rounding uses was invalid because "this is now a mixed -use area." He cited a nearby school, senior citizen apartment complex and 38 semide- lashed homes as examples. Rogers said the project also will help ease a low vacancy rate in the city. He said it is normal to expect "some anxiety when a new and un- expected development comes into the neighborhood." City solicitor Murray Coulter told the hearing it is not unusual for council to reject its planning com- mittee's support of a project He said neighbors, who allowed some medium -density development in the area, were entitled to say: - "Enough is enough." David Beatty, a lawyer for the co- operative, said a bylaw amendment changing the zoning to medium - density residential from low density will likely be approved by council next Thursday. He said a develop- ment agreement also must be ap. proved by the city. A land purchase agreement, which expired July 15, was ex- tended to Sept. 30 during a closed session of Oxford County board of education Monday night. o� Oxford planning to keep close eye on Hydro routing WOODSTOCK (Bureau) —The routing of new Ontario Hydrotae in !salon lines must be closely scruti- nized by Oxford County from the start, members of ifrss planning com- mittee decided Thuday. The committee decided to ask Marc Somerville of the Kitchener law firm of Simmers, }carper and Jenkins to get involved during the first opportunity at a joint board Preliminary hearing under the Con- solidated Hearings Act at the Holi- day Inn in Guelph on Oct. 16, Somerville acted for the countyin earlier legal wranglings over a pre- vious power system. The decision to have Somerville at the hearing came with warnings from Warden Charlie Tatham that the county must "keep an eye" on Ontario Hydro regardless ofwheth- er Oxford, member municipalities or individual area residents ulti- mately decide to formally oppose the proposed routes of the 500,000- volt transmission lines and towers. The committee agreed that while the over-all strategy may well change, Oxford should be involved in the route selection process in a monitoring role if nothing else. Before the any system can be Allyson snags provincial crown By ROSEMARY LINO S-R Toronto Bureau TORONTO — Allyson Hagerman is bringing another provincial crown home to Oxford County. The 18-year-old Burgessville resident was chosen Ontario Dairy Princess at the Canadian National Exhibition Wednes- day night. Hagerman's victory was greeted with a warm congratulatory hug from Tavistock'sValery Ramseyer, who won the Miss CNE title Aug. 14. At the grand finale of the week- long Dairy Princess competition in the CNE Coliseum, Hagerman beat out four other finalists . There were 41 contestants at the start of the 30th annual event. INGUT CNEMING SICnON It was obvious Hagerman had the biggest cheering section from her 4 area in the grandstand as the ten- sion mounted before the judges an- nounced their decision. "I feel thrilled, I've been given a very special honor," Hagerman said. Along with the title, Hagerman won a year's stint with the Ontario Milk Marketing Board as a public relations representative. She also netted a trip to Great Britain, a dairy calf and other prizes. Hagerman said she will postpone her Grade 13 studies at Norwich Secondary school for the full time job with the mild board. She said she sew her rote as Dairy Princess as "an ambassadoress" for the province's milk producers helping them to promote their pro- ducts and their industry. Win or lose, she said, she wanted to participate in the competition, "because the most important thing to me is to do my best and I think I did that„ She replaced last year's Dairy Princess Mary Atkinson from Eastern Ontario. OXFORD COUNTY Dairy Princess Allyson Hagerman coaxes a Holstein calf into pposing during the Ontario Dairy Princess competition at the C.N.E. The 18-year-old Burgerssville resi- dent topped 40 other contestants and took the provincial crown at the 30th annual event. (Toronto Bureau photo.) built, it has to receive approval of the joint board. Tatham said Oxford must "keep awake" during the joint board hear- ings and indicated it's not incon- ceivable that today'& recommended routes could still change slightly. Planning committee chairman Helen Smith of Norwich said al- though the county has a vital inter- est in the proposal, some residents in the rich farming townships of Norwich and South-West Oxford stand to be directly affected if the recommended system is eventually accepted by the joint board. Under the proposal, a power line would be built from the London area east to the Naticoke generating station along a route that passes through the two Oxford townships. She said attempts should be made immediately to determine how resi- dents in those two townships feel about the transmission line propos- al. "I'd like to hear what the people who are affected have to say," said Smith, adding she is seeking non- political reaction. Planning commissioner Ken Whi- teford said he would contact the two township councils and report back on the issue. Smith criticized the Nov. 12 date set for the start of the formal joint board hearing because it falls on municipal election day in Ontario. She said the date was "ridicu- lous," adding many civic leaders who should be at the opening of the hearing won't be able to attend. The committee decided to voice its displeasure with the date, with Tatham agreeing to phone Queen's Park to try to get the date changed. Reached later in Toronto, Ontario Hydro spokesman Rick Campb said the Nov. 12 date was est:, lished by the joint board. Campb said he expected concern over t' date would be expressed at the pre- liminary hearing Oct. 16 where a change will almost certainly be requested, ('01 N: AT -LARGE Jack Warden chats patrolled that corner for almost two with George Taylor on the corner of decades from his work at a TV and ap- King and Thames Streets. Wart'_en, who pliance store on King Street. plans to try for the Warden's chair after (Staff photo by Rick Hughes) the coming municipal election, has ommoppn scii�m�ac`y�ux�3�jj-mz n._E ryrymryryry 3m Atiw 3powC❑o Ff"$G�G G'p2 �N�fC.C��gpry 0� m; R m•<�Y _ E M fn G ��. f�f m S ti w �i T, -nO -COM�S Y20V'` 1ry�yE^O' z` `69gm aP=3 E aa.E 11 Warden Jack's after top county seat By RICK aRGBtf of tlo Aiulnd-Rorinr INGERSOLL — Jack Warden wants to be Warden Warden. Oxford County Warden Warden, that is. Ingersoll's Councillor - at -large for the past nine years is setting his sights on becoming county warden for the next three years, "I feel that I have enough experience, I'm sure I have the ability, and also importantly, I have the time to give to it." said Warden. The 65-year-old proper- ty owner and appliance salesman has been a fix- ture in municipal and county politics since 1954, when he first served as a school board member for Sacred Heart. From 1960 to 1968, he was a member of the district high school board. He won a seat on municipal council the first time he ran in 1969, and has been re-elected every election since, win - fling the councillor-at- large's chair in 1976. He said the reason he has continued to be in- volved all this time is because he enjoys it. "I like the challenge, I like the challenge of issues when they come up, I have a lot of ambi- tion to do what's best for the Town of Ingersoll and the County of Oxford." TWO ISSUES Warden said he is con- cerned about two key issues now -facing the county. The first is to vigorously go after in, dustry for the county; and number two, the most im. portant issue facing the county right now is we have to have some way of disposing of our garbage — that we all produce — on July I of next year. On the question of in- dustrial development. Warden said the county has to play a more impor tant role in the process of convince each municipali. ty to have an aggressive policy toward attracting industry, and must be prepared to tend a hand." He said he would prefer to see a county -wide effort rather than having each municipality scramble for what it can get. "This is the way to go about it. For each municipality to be fighting each other, nobody wins. At the coun- ty level, everybody wins." "I'm not saying the county should encroach on the individual municipalities, but to have a kind of ad -hoc committee to work with them." DIRECT BEARING On the issue of garbage, Warden has hnd to make a difficult decision. He has had to look at the overall picture rather than the interests of the c o m m u n i t y h e represents. "It's an unfortunate thing. Some of us find it hard to cope with an issue that comes up and has a direct bearing on our municipality, and sometimes one we don't like. "But as county coun- cillors, we are obliged to look at the fact our deci- sions affect 84,000 people, and whether we like it or not, we must look at the overall good"" His position on Salford is that the plans for its preparation must go ahead so that it can be opened by July 1, 1986. At the county level, Warden has been primari- ly involved with the county's social services, chairing the board of health from 1976-80, and the health and social ser- vices committee from 1980-85, For the past couple of years, he has had the responsibility of negotiating a number of collective agreements with county workers. CONTRACT He headed the commit- tee that successfully negotiated a contract for thecounty's day care and social service workers with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). One involvement that could hurt him is his role as a negotiator in the county's dispute with its public health nurses. The two sides were unable to reach an agree- ment, and the nurses went on a nine -week strike. "I don't think it should have any bearing_ You have to look at the fact I had a responsibility- to the county as management. Something he feels will work in his favor is that he was the only member of county council to vote against the jail restora- tion project. _ The warden is elected by the other county coun- cillors, so before be can begin looking for support. Warden has to win a seat on county council by win- ning reelection in Inger- soll as councillor -at -large. Most candidates for warden lobby the other members of council for their support. Warden says he plans something different, but he wouldn't say what. aybmA.g3°r'�,�E,�mmiv-cim—T N'�'£.To ii�-^-ryinv--'�'o'2w en'T3 4om Sys ��c d^> _ sa Mp o56��f0m sp0��cFw=.b.'O". rto��omF—='- eo gma pro mo`m'�i o`er=�i�s°�c�� -v=5 ON 3'MID d _ n acm`��E m is Ory<-`'� ,�,4 86f�0P—�pN-�C f�C C09 yS �YCO m0 v�C no 00 Scro88 L] E 0 Criminal charges laid by SWO at landfill site COMM $ff"- *w w, sept *es ' h ALMM DOWNIE --- of The Sew inel-R•vhw _ Criminal charges have been , laid against the company doing the earthwork at the controver- sial Salford landfill site. 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Plaque caption irks councillor My name's my own=Cook 9y AC16ON 00011011 of The Seatinel-Review --Woodstock C:nun.l,ea Catk learned yesterday that you can't always gel what you want, especially when you're a politician. -He told Oxford County Council at iNnesday's meetingg he wanted his me left off the plaque which will i . orn the county jail when renovations ' f re completed. The special jail commit. _'e9 had recommended all councillors 'Mites appear on the plaque, as well as architect and contractors, "My name is my own personal possession and I don't want it used in a way 1 don't want it used," said COUn. Cook, who has opposed the $1.8 million jail renovation project from the gir ninq, Other members of council had differ- ing opinions. Coun. Phil Poole said the plaque should only read "the council of l91l He indicated that he didn't see the need to list names. Cow. Don McKay, who has been the most outspoken member of council on the issueof renovating the jail, said Norwich candidates eye Oxford warden's chair Mayor John Heleniak has his eyes set on Joining him in the race for the county's rung on the political ladder a little higher top job, is Norwich Township Councillor than that of Norwich Township mayor. at -large Helen Smith, who is also a The 31-year-old politician is running for member of County Council the office of County Warden, provided that "I'm giving it a lot of serious considers is, he retains his position as mayor in the tion," she said Friday."But I have to get Nov. 12 municipal elections. therelelected to Township CounciDfirst." As Warden, Heleniak would continue to Mrs. Smith said other county coun- work toward getting a county -wide in- cillors, as well as Warden Charlie Tatham, dustrial commissioner and a toll -free line have encouraged her to run. . for constituents calling long-distance to The new Warden is elected by an oral municipal government offices. vote of the 20 members. Delay in extending Highway 403 blow to area, Oxford warden says WOODSTOCK (Bureau) -- A one- year delay in extending Highway Q 403 from the Brantford area to Woodstock comes as a. disappoint- ing setback for the area, Oxford County Warden Charlie Tatham said Thursday. "We -would like to see it complet- ed as soon as possible. We're count- ing on. I, as far as industrial devel- opment," said Tatham, adding he would investigate the matter. His comment came after MPP Dick Treleaven (PC — Oxford) dis=, closed the province is attempting to delay work on the extension of Highway � IJi Highway 401 at Woodstock. However, Treleaven said work on a stretch from Brant County Road 25 to Highway 53 at Eastwood is expected to be complete in the next several months. In releasing details of a letter from Transportation and Communi- cations Minister FA Milton, Trghw,; ven said from Toronto that he has found out the scheduled completion date for the highway's western end at Highway 401is the fall of 1087, not INS as originally announced in the legislature two years ago. Treleaven said it's a blow to sup- porters of the project who hope the extension will help bring industry to Oxford County. He said the letter from Fulton was a result of inquiries he had made involving details of a provin- cial contract to do part or the work on the extension. The Millon letter. he said, confirmed the contract cov- ers bridge construction, grading and _drainage on the last stretch from Highway 53 to the 401. But "it does not include top -grov- el, paving and the cloverleaf at Highway 401," Treleaven said. "Until the letter, f believed itwas coming along" as planned with com- pletion in late 108fi, said Treleaven. adding he intended to contact other area MPPs to pressure Fulton and the ministry into reconsidering, although he is against the pproject, al! members of council have to be includca on the plaque as it was a decision of this majority of councillors. Staring his opi men were councillors floss Livingston Helen Smith, Wallis Hammond. EA Down and Jim Gibb. "Fittq years from now, who w:ij remember who was on council," Coun Gibb said. The majority of council members voted in favor of having all camcillom- listed on the plaque. In other matters related to the jail project, council approved several change orders. The most controversial and most expensive was the installation Of two new 10-foot arch openings with steel gates on the south wall of the jail yard at a cost of f23,416, "With all the projects needed in this county we can agree to spend $23,WO in less than 35 minutes," a disgusted Coun. McKay said. "This is not the end of the extras. We're only three months into the job, with nine more months to go. I've had it with the waste going into that building." LIST OF EXTRAS Other councillors shared his concern, including Coun. Jack Warden who eaid he feared colmciI would be faced with another list of extras at its next thinmeeting, ft "It's just one thing after another on the regular con- tract.' he said - '.l'd be surprised if. if this project doesn't end up cuing $3 Vi million when we're through. I'm nothappy with it, but it has to go ahead LES . now." CDOk Whether it's a new or old building, there's always extras, said Coun_ Phil Poole. Warden Charlie Tatham said the ex- t ras woWd bepaid out of the t50,000 con- tingency fund included m the estimated $1,8 million cost of the project. Coun. Doug Har- ris asked for a fist 00 of money spent to date to see whether it looks like the pro- t ject will go over ^? budget. "The building was built to be a jail and that's all + it's good for. PHtL till Coun. Cook said. POOLE When completed, the jail will house the Oxford County Board of Health and home care offices Criminal charges laid by SWO at landfill site COPTR16NT Son" -Review, Scpt.15 By UISON 1110111111 --- - of The Sentinel -Review .. Criminal charges have been laid against the company doing the earthwork at the controver- sial Salford landfill site. DeKay Construction Ltd., of Hyde Park, Out., is charged with conspiring to effect an unlawful purpose and is also facing it charges under the En- sT vironmental Assessment Act (see.rl) 6 The same charges have been laid •` :against Beverley DeKay, president of the company. Charges were laid by the Township of South-West Oxford. ' Section 5-1 of the Environmental Assessment Act reads. "lhe proponent a of an undertaking to which the Act ap- j plies, shall submit to the minister an en- j vironmental assessment of the under- ; taking: and shall not proceed with the undertaking until an environmental assessment has been accepted br the i minter: and until the minister has 6 given his approval to proceed with the undertaking." MOVING EARTH DeKay has been moving earth at the 1 Salford landfill site for Oxford County the past six weeks and is continuing with the work. The company won the $286,200 earthwork tender over nine other companies and moved onto the site at the beginning of August, Charges were laid against DeKay and his comIt - pany abocut two weeks ago. He ap- peared in Woodstock Provincial Court Tuesday, but the case was remanded to Oct. 1. On that date three of his equip a ment operators will also be in court far. i ing one charge each under sec. 5-1 of the Environmental Assessment Act t Charges were laid against the employees Monday. ± Harry Dahme, a lawyer for South- west Oxford, said each day constitutes a separate offence. He said the max- imum fine for a first conviction under the Environmental Assessment Act is $5.000, and for subsequent offences it's - S10,000. The alleged conspiracy, upon a lin ding of guilt, carries a maximum penal tv of up to two years in jail Plaque caption irks councillor I My name's my own -Cook architect and contractors. h Nt110N DOWaht although he is against the pproject. ell of The LmMal.4rter "My name is my own personal members of council have to be included Woodsttxrk Court. Les Cork learned possession and I don't want it used in a on the plaque as it was a decision of the ,yesterday that you can't always gel way I don't want it used," said Count majority of councillors.Sharinghisopi - Cook, who has opposed the $1,11 million nion were councillors Ross Livingston. what you want, especially when you're jail renovation project from the Helen Smith, Wallis Hammond, Ed o politician. beginning. Down and Jim Gibb. He told Oxford County Council at Other members of council had differ- ^Fifty years from now, who will i ednesday's meeting he wanted, his ing opinions. Coun. Phil Poolo said the remember who was on council,"' Coun. me left off the p ,clue which will plaque. should only read "the council of Gibe said. orn the county jail when renovations 10t15." He indicated that he didn't we e completed, Thespecial ,jail commit. the need to list names. The majority of council member:; - had recommended all councillors Court. Don McKay, who has been the voted in favor of having all councillors ties appear on the plaque, as well as most outspoken member of council on listed on the olaaue. e names of top county officials, the the issue of renovating the jail, said In other matters related to the jail �., project, council approved several „�- change orders. The most controversial - and most expensive was the installation of two new 10-toot arch openings with ' steel gates on the south wall of the jail - - - I yard at a cost at SMAW ¢'. "With all the projects needed in this l county we can agree to spend 823.000 in less than 35 minutes," a disgusted Court. McKay said. "This is not the end of the extras. We're only three months into the job, with nine more months to - go. I've had it with the waste going into that building." LIST Norwich candidates eye i STer EXTRAS 4 Other councillors shared his concern. 'I including Court - Jack Warden who maid Oxford warden's chair he feared council would be Faced with another list of extras at its next meeting. "It's just one OORM Mayor John Heleniak has his eyes set on rung on the political ladder a little higher than that of Norwich Township mayor. The 31-year-old politician is running for the office of County Warden, provided that I is, he retains his position as mayor in the Nov. 12 municipal elections. As Warden, Helemak would continue to work toward getting a county -wide in- dustrial commissioner and a toll -free line for constituents calling long-distance to municipal government offices. Joining him in the race for the county's top job, is Norwich Township Councillor - at -large Helen Smith, who is also a member of County Council. "I'm giving it a lot of serious considera- tion," she said Priday."But I have to get theretelected to Township Councdllfirst." Mrs. Smith said other county coun- cillors, as well as Warden Charlie Tatham, have encouraged her to run. . The new Warden is elected by an oral vote of the 20 members. thing after another on the regular con- tract," he said. "I'd be surprised if ± " this project doesn't :P end up casting V - million when we're through. Cm not happy with it, but it - has to go ahead LES now." COOK Whether it's a new or old building, there's always extras. said Coun- Phil Poole. Warden Charlie Tatham said the ex- tras would be paid out of the S50,000 con- i ingency fund included in the estimated $1.8 million cost of the project. Court. Doug Har- ris asked for a list ` LEGAL WRANGLING of monev spent to When Oxford County Council award = date to see whether ed the earthwork tender. South West it looks Itke the ro- Oxford Mayor Walter Wilson said it was jest w ill go over - a =+ premature maintaining the county I >; budget.' x shouldn't do any work at Salford until "The building all the legal battles are decided. In the was built to be a past, a joint board hearing determined jail and that's all the site to be not ppropriate but that decision was overturned f cabinet resulting in South-West Oxford filing t I ---- ----- ! Highway 403 it it's good for," Coun. Cook said. PHIL Pt)l14% OOL When completed, the jail will house Lawsuits against the county and pro- Those Mill before the the Oxford County Board of Health and vfnce. cases are home care offices. courts.Oxford While township's lawyer. David warden says the I ' Estrin of Toronto, maintains that the Salford site is subject to environmental ven said from Toronto that he has on the extension. The Fulton letter. assessment the county and its legal says it is not. County engineer Don } fpuud out the scheduled completion he said, confirmed the contract cov- staff Pratt said the legislation for the Act t date for the highways western end ers bridge construction, grading Highway 401- ut the fall of 1987, and drainage on the last stretch was not proclaimed until after the t Safford project was on stream . ',lint 1986 as originally announced in from Highway 53 to the 40.1. "The project pre-datesthe leg lsla- { tho legislature two years ago. But "it does not include tuPtlraF• lion," he said. "The project was started Treleaven said it's a blow to sup- el, paving and the cloverleaf at under the Environmental Protection ' porters of the project who hope the Highway 401," Treleaven said. Act." 1 extension will help bring industry "Until the letter.I believed it. was Shiraz Khimji, an environmental up- g to Oxford County. coming along" as planned with corn- provals evaluator for the Ministry of ,. Ilee said the letter from Fulton pletion in late 1986, said Treleaven, the Envirnnmenl, echoed Pratt's words t Environmental Assessment { was a result of inquiries he had adding he intended to contact other involving details saying the Act did not apply to Salford. He said ' /�ade of a provin- area MPPs to pressure Fulton and slat contract to do part of the work the ministry into reconsidering. anyone can lay charges under the Act but they have to prove there is a con- travention. He would not comment fur- ther on the Salford case because it is _ still before the cam•ts. .,This is just another game,' Pratt acid. "I don'I think they have 11 case, but then I'm prejudice. No (further) charges have Mien laid against the county When asked who would be paying for DeKuy'a legal cants Pratt bald there is nothing In his contract with the county t saying whcl would be responsible for any legal retpurcusisltmn. But he said the matter is open for discussion. DeKay was unavailable forcomment this morning. "There's been no stoppage In work "There because to this," Pratt sold hasn't been much tone the past two weeks because of role but they were In there yesterday. They're just moving dirt around preparing the first waste i cell C�O 7yr�O C C Oiy .0 7� C dd c to ° u t«" m ra E'0o L C r o cCa v CV1 w� 9 a E°0 *0 tiW° vo= I c L C U C ++ VEE u pRE_= ,'O_Vt ESE L �._ v,o v ua.E c°P ce yLv o 0 4E, 4 Ca O�A,Ct u t~.a K 3'rr o i Aso os�z 12 yl 5S2= J `C 0EbN w� !� E`0 3cw^�gge 25 g° E9 o m E °u L w"a 2 E, -=.a Q� F ab30�� OG.. COC 0 0 assess 0�V4R Td3 (a-°x EOY d a m ■� E� E'o .9' E ■� »po�E yyes ><>dEa >be C �Nw.O �CLOO 0�8 �E"ospp3�''--o o 3 0 8 CL�� U@C ss'OL�Cd�� ■� t OC N 4B 00 E W.Ea"v�° ohm vw N000 J - y _3�a`dX3v doy� W25 0=:E0oa °04 I L. a 0�9000=E CV °9+'S of*r Op, u5W a Q O E E t (^ C E. e�y�r °$aQ�Ifso vo IV G W °Cf6.5u ay). Lm 3 18 d s -L'Cv E `P ?P—ElV- � O !!Pdu °avE.awo-,ts o� emu._ _ ;LE 8'�0po�� PO uE'�° ��rJ°LofA Oxford aid for promotion sought WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — The city should make its next pitch for co-operative industrial promotion to Oxford County, Woodstock coun- cil agreed Thursday night in supporting a recommendation from the city's development com- mittee, council decided to ask Ox- ford for $25,000 to help in industrial promotion next year. Last month, neighboring Bland - ford -Blenheim Township agreed to - add $10,000 to Woodstock's develop- ment budget under a joint agree- ment to promote and service sites in both municipalities. Norwich Township later turned down a similar request, saying the city was already involved in promot- ing the area to some degree. In its recommendation to Wood- stock council, the development committee said the $25,000 from Ox- ford would help the city cover ex- penses such as promotional materi- al and trade shows. Alderman Phil Poole supported the request, partly because it would got the issue of economic develop- ment to the county level. "Who knows? It might Fly," said Poole, sug- gesting newcomers to the political scene might have something to con- tribute after the municipal election Nov. 12. Alderman Charlie Tatham said it is desirable but questioned wheth- er the request would win support at county council. "On a scale of one to 10 ... this would be minus four." He also said the city request could spark similar ones from In- gersoll and Tillsonburg, two towns In Oxford with industrial develop- ment departments. Acting mayor Joe Pember said he strongly supports the request and there was no harm in asking. In other business, council quicidy rejected a bid to place the contro- versial separate school financing question on the municipal election ballot in Woodstock, in making the request for such a plebiscite, the Oxford County board of education was supporting a cam- paign by the Coalition for Public Education to carry the issue to mu- nicipal voters. Council committed an historical error says Mayor McKay Oxford County Council may have made an error in appointing members to a county archives management committee. That's what Conn. Don Mckay, chairman of the administration and finance com- mittee, told county council Wednesday night. But we've been under pressure to get this on the road since last spring," he said. adding that some of the elected officials appointed to the committee may not be around afterthe muncipafelection Nov. 12. That might ruin the balance of thecom- mittee, said clerk Harold Walls. Conn. John Heleniak suggested elected representatives terms on the committee should -coincide with council terms. It will be up to Warden Charlie Tatham to call the committee's first meeting. Members of the committee. include the warden. Coun. Wallis Hamond ( Township of Zorra). Conn. Helen Smith TTownship of Norwichi. Lenore Livingston (Township of Blandford-Blenheim), William Gladding (Township of East Zorra- Tavistock ), Shirley Riddick ( Township of South-West Oxford i. Gail Jeffrey (Inger- soll i, Dorothy Lipsit (Tillsonburg):and Eleanor Gardhouse ( Woodstock). Woodingford beds boon to county i and residents �r AttEON DDWNIE. illy 01FIGIN1111Sentinel-Row taxpayers are. It will also benefit tax - .payers of Oxford who have been helping The w us subsidize residents." The designation of 25 additional ex- tended care beds at Woodingford Lodge MORE FUNDING will help both residents and Oxford The administrator could not put a County taxpayers, administrator Brian dollar figare on how much the addi- lodge McReynolds said this morning. tional yub-sidie-c will mean to the The county, which operates the home, but said it will be a substantial increase has been trying to get more extended in funding. Although Woodingford's cTre beds since April, IOa3, and since budget will remain the same, because January has been lohbyfng provincial to the request, or the extra funding from the �j�rovinee be the 0hlicians grant 0odingford's original request was for less money will required n'Om 40 additional beds. But McReynolds county. Unit now residents were on a waiting aid he was grateful for the25 received, list for as long as two years before "it's great news," he said. "Our pea receiving provincial subsidies even plc certainly consider it an asset." thought they qualified for an extended The reclussi(icalion of residential care bed. Tile waiting time will now be "are beds now gives Woodingford a about six months. McReynolds said, i oial of a3 extended care beds, Persons With the reclassification the home who qualify for an extended care bed will now have 175 residential care beds ,it-(- entitled to receive provincial aub_ for persons who do not require direct ,idies. In order to qualify, a resident nursing attention must. require a minimum of 1.5 hours ofrii An official announcement regarding nursing care a day, the allotment of extra extended care "They will be Elie bigbenefactors," beds for Woodingford will be made in McReynolds said. "They're either pay- the titer future by Community and ,ag for their own cmr now orcouniy Social Services Minister John Sweeney, E is 9 �n To;E°a d cos�a0v ■� uE�n �mO N=t_ o—o? d�v� $bco q O w'CL9 N aOJp oEEm _r v_ S_'ogc iv �Emm�+aci r�iCm uC=go.ma oo �30 w tO N.�+Cum 3 a E ? ` L:- O._ 9 N m t e mmgm E >` =12 c Q«c mw wad N " m 0E �.yQ3cm N m n 0, mom ymom [.oaccfiA °17fia�� Hasoil �WmuyC 1'to'•O� �uQL.s. c �w3u'c3 3fi�^o ■� o mauay �'ooir vo' E'v,L JS o C°SU,flyi 3 �m3=EfT+w�C tr7 my' pF; .i' m w o3a.- 'se CL U W R _OIL =�F lima� 'EeS'S"a0z�.gsEa i jv =e �_-- da �yu E&gm�F pp`°Ln o uoC asH 0 �v D-E Ln a7RUFSo "r,�dp3 �m6cL� _ Go orJ^ g"p,oCvaF'c e w mU 6c= x ^O Computer expected to cut cost of planning WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — The purchase of a sophisticated comput- er system is an investment that will eventually allow Oxford County and Woodstock to cut planning costs and pass the savings on to ratepayers, acting mayor Joe Pember said Monday. The $630,000 cost of the potential- ly far-reaching system is split three ways among the province, Oxford County and Woodstock under a pilot project. Oxford and Woodstock have agreed to contribute $75,000 each with the province covering the rest. Pember said the system, touted by project officials as the first of its kind in Ontario, will put needed land -related information easily within the reach of municipal em- ployees. As a result it may eventual- ly make area municipalities less de- pendent on costly outside consultants, Pember said as about 135 civic officials and planners were being briefed on the system Monday. He said municipalities often turn to engineering or planning consul- tants to gather information that is available but not easily tracked. The new system creates the opening for area municipalities to do much of their own work, Pember suggest- ed. " I think we can do better plap- ning' in the long run with the sys- tem, he said. In general, the computer system will allow Woodstock and Oxford to produce computerized maps and other detailed land -related munici- pal information as never before. Project officials say it will be a way to share and keep track of in- formation on such things as proper- ty sales, building permits, zoning, agricultural use, utility locations and land ownership. Later, it can be expanded to help municipalities with To number of dif- ficult tasks such as emergency vehi- cle dispatching and locating fire - halls or landfill sites. If it relates to land Use, the com- puter system will make it easier for participating municipalities to as- semble and use all available infor- mation, Jack Dangermond of Red- lands, Calif, told the officials atthe briefing. Dangermond, considered an expert on land -related informa- tion systems, showed examples of how similar computers are helping municipalities elsewhere, primar- ily in the U.S, He explained how such systems work and outlined their potential Ken Whiteford, Oxford's planning commissioner. said the system should be instplfed by March and in operation by late next year. Criminal charge dropped by South-West Oxford By GR'G R07HWILL d The Senline6Rerkw Soui.h WeA oxford 'township has withdrawn a criminal charge against a London area construction company tx,rforming earthwork at the Salford landfill site, but it intends to proceed with charges against the company, its president and three employees under the Environmental Assessment Act. A lawyer for the township appeared before Provincial Court Judge Alex Graham 'Tuesday to ask that a charge of conspiring "to effect an unlawful purpose be withdrawn against Dekay Construction Ltd. of Hyde Park. The lawyer. Harry Uahme, and counsel for the company then asked 'that charges under the provincial En- vironmental Assessment Act 1 EAA t be adjourned until Oct. 22 so a trial date can he Bet_ The court was told that i may take three days to hear the case, CONTROVERSIAL La?l1.tE ILL SITE The, company. its president Reverley Dekay and three of equipment operators are charged under a section of the EAA which requires that wall such as earth moving not proceed ualp an environmental asr r- mmenl is. mitted to the government and is approved. The construction company has been moving earth at the controversial land- fill site at the behest of the County of Oxford" The company was awarded at contract to perform the earth moving and started work at the beginning of August. The maximum fine for a first uffence of contravening the assessment act is FE ,am�ay�a 3 y3 U qc L�LGW�. 4 O.kN a vN= -0.->z-=d�ti � y c E�°>'cafii�u3m°�c35a Ec o�a g oua. ..• L� OUP+=L `ENV �0 3 UgyUaL yg=0 _� zy yEti r- .cam >= ado��u i0 v orrs c y� Rim G.`L •Y%05 c.�-pz QV �0Eo��s=3 � p,3 m� cq•y=u m O �'m� 3YtL t93 Ctfi°'mc � u3omv d$o oS^�y c. A v_up—ma.� y$ZMW u ii Lgq jLy C9 L�y3�a0•°c w- °00� 16 W agi3 fi�9 ��tn i&L 3 OL... �F :J a-qX q uW. %� A� ~0?c°�i3sv.c0 �'3 W > — c m°cr $ we L W AIM > e o mEr.tCe7,.!� (Oxford urged to take stand against power line WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Oppos- i rig views from two of its townships shouldn'tstop Oxford County from having some say at hearings on the routing of controversial Ontario Hy- dro power lines in the area, the county's planning committee agreed Thursday. The committee recommended that Oxford state at the outset of the hearings its strong opposition to any new power lines along Highway 401. In earlier plans, Hydro has looked at building a route along the Highway 401 corridor and there is fear among some Oxford politicians such a plan could suddenly resurface. The next step wasn't as clear cut because the committee was facing divisions between South-West Ox- ford and Norwich township councils. As part of Hydro's "preferred" plan to deliver electricity from its Bruce Nuclear Power Develop- ment, it is proposing to build a single circuit, 500,000-volt line through South-West Oxford and Norwich, using an existing right-of- way. South-West Oxford decided earli- er to support cautiously the route as the least damaging because it in- volves the rebuilding of an existing but less powerful Hydro line. , Norwich hasn't been convinced and it is on record as being against the routing of any new line through the township. The planning committee recom- mended Thursday that Oxford stop short of declaring support for the proposed route through the two townships. The county decided earlier to have lawyer Marc Sommerville of Kitchener at the joint board hear- ings. As an added measure, the com- mittee decided Thursday to ask county council to have consultant Ian MacNaughton of Kitchener on standby in case Oxford has to ex- plain its position. Committee member Joe Pember of Woodstock said the recommenda- tions will help ensure the county's interests are protected and its con- cerns are heard at the hearings. Pember said the recommended stance forces Hydro to "make its case," gives Oxford the chance to he heard, and leaves the county in a position where it can act fast if required. Ed Down of Blandford-Blenheim Township said the proposed route would probably have the least irn pact on the county because it fol- lows an existing right-of-way. Reached after the meeting, Nor with Township Mayor John Helen- iak said he is disappointed the corrr miltee did not urge Oxford t�� formally oppose the proposed route. But he added he wasn't sur- prised by the committee's actions. considering there were opposin', views. A preliminary joint board session to set procedures and identify I. -.- sues is set for Oct 16, followed b, the formal hearings on the over-ali power line plan Nov. 12. Oxford to take in Hydro hearing By Howard Burns Woodstock Bureau WOODSTOCK — Oxford County will be fully represented at the main hearing on Ontario Hydros routing of new power lines despite a split between two area townships. In accepting a recommendation from its planning committee, Ox- Wine, beer in stores opposed by Oxford WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Oxford County council voted 12.5 Wednes- day to voice opposition to the pro- vincial government's plan to permit the sale of beer and wine in corner stores. Ingersoll Mayor Doug Harris led the attack, saying there is nothing wrong with the current distribution and availability of beer and wine in the province. He expressed concern that corner store sales would lead to greater rowdyism and pose extra problems for police. Bland ford -Blenheim Township Coyncillor Ed Down said he couldn't oppose the plan because, he hasn't seen the details of how the: Liberal government would fulfil itsi election campaign promise. Woodstock Councillor Lenore l Young suggested the corner store sales would only compound drink- ing -related problems at a time the II same government is trying to get,! drunk drivers off the road. The minority Liberal government is working on a plan to allow the sale of domestic beer and wine in corner stores despite opposition from the New Democratic Party and Conservatives. ford council decided Wednesday that while it is in the best interest of the county to be represented, Ox- ford should take no firm position on Hydro's over-all plan, dubbed M7. Part of the plan involves a route following an existing right-of-way through South-West Oxford and Norwich townships. South-West Oxford has voiced cautious support for Hydro's pro- posal to build the single -circuit 5W,000-vott power line as the least damaging. Norwich. meanwhile, re- mains opposed to the routing of any new power lines through the township. Joe Pember of Woodstock, acting planning committee chairman, said not taking a stand on the over-all plan or the specific route through South-West Oxford and Norwich doesn't mean the county can afford to sit back and watch. Pember told council Oxford's role at the hearing will be designed to "protect good planning." Although there is a price involved. Oxford will look for ways to trim legal expenses. Council decided to hire lawyer Marc Sommerville of the Kitchener firm of simmers, Harper and Jen. kins for the provincial joint board hearing scheduled to open Nov. 12 in Guelph. "I'm still concerned about what Ithis will cost," said East Zorra-Ta- vistock Township Mayor Don lMicKa> as he questioned the value of being represented at the main hearing. Blandford-Blenheim Township Mayor Ross Livingston called the approval stage ridiculous but disa- 1 greed with McKay on the impor- tance of being represented. "If you j don't get involved, you're going to lose." Guard planned to foil free -loading parkers WOODSTOCK (Bureau)—Asecu. available for people doing business nearby municipal lot rity guard will be posted at the Ox. across the street at the county court- The issue was raised first on ford County -owned parking lot on house on Hunter Street, which dou. Wednesday by Ingersoll Councillor Graham Street in a six-month "ex- bles as Oxford's administrative Jack Warden, who complained he periment" to restrict its use. headquarters. had difficulty finding a parking The problem is that many $pots space when he arrived earlier, Oxford council voted 0-6 Wednes- are being taken by motorists who day to hire a parttime guard on a enjoy the free, day -long parking Woodstock Councillor Joe trial basts. while working in the downtown Pembersaidhiring asecurity guard Zorra Township Mayor Wallis area. Council suspects the offend is foolish when the county could Hammond proposed the action as it ing motorists are using the lot to simply install a gate device to Con- way to ensure parking spaces are avoid metered parking spaces in it h'ul entry to 1110 lot 0 ae�o W E.=J `Cc"4�c . m% .7 % d w'p Pac. e,. uRc °R Dv, mcoR��s 0 �-9 E'° a R �: w mt-m °o�Fo!A M mE w FL R C R C.O v m y y wOy R..; EN v ' 0b y`o R4E. 55u �t c ea ° Cti 3$�$ tR�L',m °0 > R C >� am ° V C;W-itME RR OG2 Eil C t'gw-r, c d � V Rdo.0 �2` E o'm 9° OzilEc tmt wYob`3wRc m e c o o c y? v V. O O �� d y'E'Jro�oca o O °RQD °pS.C6 rm d R"w° msccg t.. u.Cm > 2-o y . 0 0 yR W 3Rd5 =ai E^ m �� W .y 0.® ar c � � iem9� rums= O E Ra �at o -0 t� vm~� =°Ydd V o 01 >- E °om °� c Ro �m�sR3a °° W .r " R�° c,yEaw 4 3 rl a E a y r c m 0. o p o Nap:d' waft .5 Olt O R > u 6>V dw0 'w= U O ccy> 0.R° rV CUC'c.+.� v c�d� bb Uy,a`a S 3 dla R o. N m 'y �U Vol, �y>VS a wC o�v ME M Y1Yve�2 `E�a;g d Owa.n�w aSmq�s Eo� C gEEy[Cy[+�?o02a df°er v- t��C�+�CC 9Fi d'C? Ni'r3 [•� E'G >.aV4.0 a�-o tF�Ann^yVM �f�o�v�'a�% aa2ora What's surplus Oxford toget It's amazing the trouble a) old typewriter can cause. Just ask Oxford ' County's administration and finance committee, 1 p o ee wanted meeting it was brought to oeO more rent the committee's attention that an employee wanted to buy a Lryear-old � typewriter which is no longer needed by �. the county administration staff. The committee passed at motion rem ale by for o o e ding to county council that any surplus office. equipment bea offered for sale by tender to county employees. The motion caused quite a ruckus at county council's meeting Wednesday. "Who determines what's surplus, or the price and why just county employees?" Coun, Ed Down asked. Afraid of opening a can of worms by i setting a policy for the future, coun- cillors seemed in agreement that the county should follow the same pro - I cedure as the Public board of education in disposing of surplus equipment. The board sends all its equipment to an auc- tion house where a county employee or member of the public has the right to bid on the item, sought in a wishful bargaining stance last summer, Oxford's ad- ministration and finance committee agreed the suggested increase from the province was a good deal far the county. The committee recommended countycouncil accept the increase as part of a two-year rental agree- ment with the Ontario attorney -gen- eral's department for 17,707 square feet (about 1,600 square metres) of space at the Oxford courthouse on Hunter Street here. Under the previous agreemeaL which expired at the end of last year, the province was paying Ox- ford rent at the rate of $1 54 per square foot or about$152,000 a year. The recommended 11-per-cent �S deal would boost the rate by almost a V 0 m s_ C c $1 to $9.50 per square foot and /4� c o E r M r c� y would mean an extra $16,976 per ♦N a d _ W= .e o °tea year, figures released Tuesda,. o C'E_ �o-° w "O c °'w show. (u R o c o� y' 9 i Don McKay, Fast Zoma-Tavistoc4: g .. d U u w c E w.o, o mayor and committee chairman. ^ V -a a V > ' q 6 = I questioned the wisdom ofaccepting Y.L = o' u L o £ �� 3 the offer from the province so o= U 2 q v s s c i quickly, pointing out it fell short of o O � O ;z E v° V e g the initial request for a 23-per-cenc Lm (u c 3,;0 0 ; 3 � > R c increase or $10.50 per square foot t� ° 3 ' o �'w W o'a y. ..How can you be so lumpy".. v yrvEoc3°EE^an ,' ,McKay asked. Y a F c o .o c However, Woodstock Mayor Wen- 2 U iv o E dy Calder said the offer was prob- ably the best the county could hope T 7C) o v - V M a'2 m for and Oxford Warden Charlie i z d 6u S o �? o Tatham described it as a reason- cx E,v,a 3 w=a able deal. c o E 3 s The figure of 11 percent proves it c R_ u p o m e "pays to bid high," Zorra Township E 6v -m a Mayor Wallis Hammond said. W 15x o ° € C. .0 ford clerIn a report Harold Walls said the011- ■ a� a per- cent increase has been ap- ti_w as� d 8 aN proved by the province with the ' PLC a 2 0 _ � proposed rate retroactive to Jan. 1. ti c ° 5.2 _ w o E -19At y n& an agent for the O 3 AtaJul meeting, a Z R R u R. province told the committee there ate/ Q" o E a �;im �° o g° � was no way a county request for a U co a� R /r z _ u F 23-per-cent rent increase would nod ever be approved eat= Y 4L ) M1 R .L d OL' 0—�� dC dC F 1 Eow�nu5 �� Eyck° y� NN..,4E ClR 4755yt LL.0 :v ' 4 O _ ° 9 u °�cro �evyn� A\ vE°.��r 'ER.°o� W '�//) R ECOuc cX Ln �'^tao,�c� °'a2y9' macu aocR >_ n cs c s �J r b>m E a=it -2; c'-°-a2_ 2c 'cRx j ry O O Od y'J7 t9' " , 3m R V OI O--Nu��p�O 0) emg 2 V4 bE C O 'X a,^'3 a L[ya CJ 22 .G �Ot�� a. bit R m m O R d.0 L v o �ax$"'a� Ea,5wpra�Vr�0U_3R ERz5 3ga - %o-oEC H 2`o■T4`roEuO v tg�# �aFb E'i c va11 ME cVoo O uv 0 C �- V ' o ti 5pt � Oc3Qyyyc..r.°`�0. c° T uyE k j E3Ro�o c'a�b.° cE Q R d m Y WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Some Oxford County politicians jumped at the chance Tuesday to gel 11 per cent more in rent money from the province. Although the offer amounts to about half of what it originally had 'r Make Union Gas pay for gas lines say councillors Union Gas should pay I0o per Bent of the costs of relocating their utility lines and equipment, srp•s Ux ord Cowlly Council In a recent submission to the Ontario Energy Board, which is holding hearings on franchise agreements and certificates of public convenience, the county claims the gas utility owes each municipality an enormous debt for the occupancy privileges of the past and should be contributing directly to municipal highway improvement funds through a special levy assessed against them and all other tenants on municipal corridors. Public funds should not subsidize a private corporation which provides benefit only to a portion of the tax paying residents, it says in the county's submission. Oxford maintains the privilege granted to private corporations to occupy road iallowances saved corporations enormous sums of money which would have been spent obtaining easements. Therefore, the wealth of corporations is based in part on IllZis oft the occupancy of public lands at minimal costs. Oxford County has supported the position taken by the Southwestern Ontario Special Committee regarding gas ro, franchise agreements. which is similar to the county's sub- " mission but only asks for partial reimbursement, not ton I per cent reimbursement as Oxford would like to see. A Coun. Joe Pember was not optimistic that the county's�►"` motion would have any bearing on the Energy Board's decision saying one way or another taxpayers are going to end up paying for roads, either through taxes or directly to the gas companies. Pember Frugal mayor slams county's decision Spending $9,000 for a consultant to review planning implications arising from the proposed expansion of an On- tario bulk electrical transmission line doesn't make sense, East .Zorra- Tavistock Mayor Don McKay says. Known as one of ,the more frugal members of Oxford County Council. McKay was the only councillor who ob- jected to budgeting the money for the consultant at Wednesday's meeting. The county's planning committee recommended that $9,000 be set aside for the review, which would also cover any testimony Kitchener consultant Ian McNaughton might have to give on behalf of the county at a Joint Board hearing into the proposed route for power line expansion. The money will come from the SZ,000 the county has net aside this year for legal and plann- ing costs associated with the hearings. So far, only $4,500 has been spent. "Just because the money is in the budget doesn't mean we have to spend it." Coun. McKay said, "Tax dollars Thieves net cash Thieves netted several thousand daHars from two break-ins at a city bar. prtd the Oxford County Courthouse dur- In$ the weekend. . A safe was broken into at the Oxford 1iOtel, 453 Simcoe St., at about 2 a.m. pnday. Owners told police that ap- proximately S3,000 to $4,000 wag aiu:.sing. •. Theives also entered the courthouse. 450 Hunter St., through an unlocked ground -level window sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday Tprning. Police said "a fair amount of damage" was caused by the thieves to the provincial court office, the Oxford Vinalty, municipal office, and the county ensineer's office. About S300 was taken after two safes rere forced open there. The break-in as reported Sunday morning by a leaner. Lily detectives investigating the two #igtCcttRents believe the same people may have committed both crimes. are too hard to come by to go on playing games.' South-West Oxford will appeal ruling against injunction By a11SON DOWNS of The Smaml-Mvtow TORONTO - South-West Oxford Township will appeal a Supreme Court of Ontario judge's decision denying the municipality's request for an injunction to stop work at the controversial Salford landfill site. A panel of' three judges granted the township leave to appeal the decision this week at Osgoode (tall. In July, the township's lawyer David Estrin argued before Supreme Court Judge Marvin Catzman that the township should be granted an injunc- tion to stop Oxford County from incurr- I ing any more expense or taking any fur- ther action at the Salford landfill site. He argued that budget bylaws passed I by the county in 19M and 1985 which provided money for construction of the landfill should have received prior ap- proval from the Ontario Municipal Board. He also argued that the 19a3 budget bylaw was enacted before the Minister of the Environment had issued a certificate of approval for the site. The county's lawyer, Tom Lederer, called the township's request a delay- ing tactic and said South-West Oxford was using the courts to frustrate and delay the county In its attempts to establish a safe landfill site in gxford The judge dismissed Estrin's arguments and denied the injunction request without giving Lederer a chance to respond. Oxford to buy `land -related' computer deal WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Ambi- tious plans by Oxford County and Woodstock to establish a futuristic "land -related" computer system here have nudged ahead. Oxford council has accepted a recommendation from its planning committee that the county buy the desired computer software and con- sulting services from ESRI Canada Ltd. Land Information Systems of Don Mills at a cost of $165,000. A recommendation on the pur- chase of computer hardware is ex- pected soon, Oxford planning com• missioner Ken Whiteford said Thursday, adding that all of the equipment should be delivered to the county courthouse in Woodstock early next year. Although it is to be, installed by March, Whiteford said the system may not start operating until later. The $630,000 system is being de- veloped under a provincial pilot project with Ontario carrying the Ilon's share of the cost, The municipalities involved feel the system will putthem at the fore- front of rapidly advancing technol- o* in such areas as mapping, dis- patching; and information sharing, E � ■ tl� "NINE X rAnj O CL 0 ■C No date has been set yetfor the ap. (cal, but Lederer said it will definite v Ix "sometime in 1119a." 'Salford citizens on the march SALFORD - The Salford Con. cerned Citizens group will b� demonstrating in front of the On- tario parliament buildings today. Tom Way, chairman of the group. was hoping to have enough citizens to fill two buses for the demonstra. tion called to draw attention to the citizens' fight to stop Oxford County from proceeding with the. Salfort landfill site. "We are unhappy with what's go- ing on." Way told The Sentinel - Review. "It was proven at the (Joint Board) hearing that the site was un- safe. I'm sure things haven't chang- ed from then until now. The environ- ment is still the same. We have a lot of concern about our wells." The group will hold a press con- ference at 1 p.m. and will attend the legislature's 2 p.m. sitting. Way has been trying to arrange a meeting with Premier David Peter- son but so far there has been no con- firmation it will take place. m� ��0 ao�aioao� 0vo�u3u = ='p'O,v� ua�:E •o'a m`moy��oG :�c_L sue- '�mOOG.wu�.sa�0ati'�LUJ �d.c'r•-v ,Mi �a moo„ oM. L E G xGyo33�2 yyot;..�vGoo 3^��Ls �:= e s L t m Ea3-15"'* O3a`ov yv`mw�o®�pp�r�c O 0 G .0 O G O M O? O L f""'CU O L i �' L 3'r 0CL p G C'.a 0, Q XTM 6�E O•i nO,Nar3 VC st I jai : 0 a t �— cc l¢{1� L yy i:t ^ Vt GO 'S'.G Od CMp W °'s 39�oGotaoex �s�oM$�t�u�YGy� pr G G!' wL 3 Soccer, d a3a1.10 J5_ • 0 I lion glanI and would not accept etheth material from Canflow unless it could be safely handled by the ecial two other men who punched him repeatedly, kicked him after he fell to the floor and stole his wallet The board described the attack as a "brutal assault." Hurley was in hospital a week and suffered a shattered left cheek- bone, damage to the bone rim hold- ing,his left eye in place, chipped teeth, bruises and a hairline frac- ture of the jaw. He testified he lived in fear for many months which ad- versely affected his work, but the board called the fears "highly spec- ulative" and refused specific com- pensation for a search for a new job. The offenders were found guilty of aggravated assault Bird and Tel- ford Francis Adams were sen- tenced to 41tyears. in penitentiary and Andrew Sleeper received a five-year sentence. Salford anti -dumpers take fight to Queen's Park By Gordon Sanderson Toronto Bureau TORONTO — The Concerned Citi- zens of Salford, a rural village on Highway 19 five kilometres south of Ingersoll, carried their 10-year bat- tle against an Oxford County gar- bage dump to Queen's Park Thurs- day, but went home without the answer they wanted. The most positive result of their demonstration outside the Ontario legislature was a government prom- ise to make an early decision on the landfill project they claim will de- stroy their community. Premier David Peterson. who as opposition leader two years ago condemned the previous cabinet of William Davis for issuing apprrnal of the Salford dump after a 59-day public hearing by a joint board de- clared the site unsuitable, found himself on the firing line Thursday. With a part of the Salford delega- tion in the public gallery during question period. NDP leader Bob Rae raised the issue. Rae noted that on several occa- sions Peterson had been widely quoted as saying he was "outraged" by the Davis cabinet decision "Now that you are in a position to do something about this site are you going to take action to protect the citizens of Salford?" Rae asked. "You are absolutely right, that I have been very involved in this question for some period of time," Peterson said. He reviewed the history of the project, dating to 1975 when Oxford County bought 24 hectares (60 acres) near Salford for a long-term landfill site. In 1977 the county ex- propriated an additional 65 hect- ares (160 acres), incurring a lawsuit In 1982 there was a 59-day joint board hearing which decided the site was not acceptable. "I said, and I believed this, that it is a travesty of the system to have the hearing process — with expert testimony — overturned by politi- cians in cabinet who knew very lit- tle about the issue." Peterson said his government has been looking at the issue from three points of view and that he was faced with "a tough call." One problem involved the legality of a successor cabinet reversing a decision made by a former cabinet, acting as an appellant body. Some said the former could not be overruled. However, he added there may be a way around this legal roadblock by filing a consent order in court, although this point has yet to be clarified. See Page C2, Col. 1 Woodstock Bureau Concerned citizens took their protest against the new Salford garbage dump to Queen's Park Thursday, while a fleet of earth -moving equipment was busy developing the site in Southwest Oxford Township, south of Ingersoll. ST. THOMAS (Bureau)— Vandals went on a destructive pre -Hallow- een rampage, damaging 12 pioneer - era tombstones during an overnight attack at the old St Thomas Angli- can Church on Walnut Street, city police reported Thursday. The cemetery markers, many dat- ing back 150 years, were apparently the only target of the vandals as they moved under cover of dark- ness, knocking over and smashing several of the five -centimetre (two- inch) thick white marble slabs. A police spokesman said no mon- etary value has been placed on the damage, but the destruction was seen as a great blow to the historical worth of the property. The pioneer church, unused ex- cept for special occasions in mod- ern times, has been at the centre of a drive by a local group in recent months to restore the deteriorating building and its graveyard for fu- ture historical interest - Church custodian Fred Pell, who hasvolunteered his time for several years to maintain the property, be- lieves the damage can be repaired, although he conceded it will take a lot of work to put the stones in shape. Pell took rubbings from the tomb- stones while cleaning the markers over the years and plans to use the information and detail in his repair job. In his spare time. Pell is writing a book about the church and its early congregation. including settlers who are buried in the churchyard CORUNNA — Ethyl Canada presi- dent Dave Wilson vowed to keep fighting to save the firms Corunna plant ..................... C2 A controversial plan to revamp UWO student residences survived another challenge .......... C2 SARNIA — "Small quantities" of toxic chemicals called benzene and toluene have escaped into the St. Clair River ................ C3 STRATFORD — Agriculture Minis- ter John Wise says he's ready to go ahead with a stabilization plan for red meat ................. C4 Woodstock OPP Corporal Ronald Thompson has been awarded $5,000 by the Criminal Injuries Com- pensation Board .......... CIS n u Salford anti-dumF By Gordon Sanderson question for some period of Peterson said. Toronto Bureau He reviewed the history i project, dating to 1975 when ( TORONTO— The Concerned Citi- County bought 24 hectare zens of Salford, a rural village on acres) near Salford for a fool Highway 19 five kilometres south of landfill site. In 1977 the tour Ingersoll, carried their 10-year bat- propriated an additional 65 tle against an Oxford County gar- ares (160 acres), incurring a la bage dump to Queen's Park Thurs- day, but went home without the answer they wanted. The most positive result of their 1 demonstration outside the Ontario legislature was a government prom- i se to make an early decision on the landfill project they claim will de- stroy their community. - Premier David Peterson, who as opposition leader two years ago condemned the previous cabinet of William Davis for issuing approval,,; of the Salford dump after a 59-day public hearing by a joint board de- clared the site unsuitable, found himself on the firing line Thursday. With a part of the Salford delega- tion in the public gallery during ' question period, NDP leader Bob 'l Rae raised the issue. Rae noted that on several occa- sions Peterson had been widely quoted as saying he was "outraged" by the Davis cabinet decision.. "Now that you are in a position to do something about this site are you going to take action to protect the citizens of Salford?" Rae asked. "You are absolutely right that I Concerned citizens took their have been very involved in this was busy developing the site I 'Peterson promises citizens early decision From Page Ct A second consideration was the approximate $1.7 million already spent by Oxford County for site preparation. Thirdly, the premier said he has been told there may be some "new technical evidence" about the suit- ability of the site. He said Environment Minister James Bradley was reviewing the problem and hoped for an early announcement. This didn't satisfy MPP Ruth Grier (NDP — Toronto Lakeshore) who accused the government of re- fusing to come to grips with the problem. The delay in making a decision left the government, "both in the courts and politically," in the posi- tion of defending a decision which Peterson had categorized as being wrong when he was in opposition, she contended. "How much longer can you allow this matter to go on?" Peterson said the dilemma exist- ed not only in the Salford case but others. He had disagreed with ac- tions of the previous government and while it was now his responsi- bility, there were some situations in which the government was legally bound. "I do believe it was a mistake (and) I wish frankly it hadn't hap- pened. We'd like an announcement as quickly as .possible." - MPP Dick Treleaven (PC — Ox- ford) wanted to know if Peterson was aware the Salford citizens had j requested a new hearing or a re- opening of the old hearing, and were continuing to wait for a reply, but he got a scorching rebuttal. Peterson asked the Oxford meta ber to declarehis position."Are you against it or for it? Why didn't you make these representations to the former government when It was In the appeal stage in cabinet?" Outside the house, Treleaven said he has not taken sides. Later, a senior policy aide in the environment ministry said a final decision has not been reached. A somewhat disappointed delega- tion, which travelled to Queen's Park in two buses and a pickup truck to get publicity for their cause, said they intend to press for action politically and in the courts. However, extensive background briefings provided by a Toronto law firm which orchestrated Thursday's demonstration and press confer- ence noted various injunctions and lawsuits to haltthe project have be- come bogged down in numerous in- terlocutory proceedings before the courts. Meanwhile, preparation of th) site on prime farmland just east of Salford village is continuing. The county intends to devalop about 44 hectares (106 acres) as a long-term waste disposal facility ca- pable of handling up to 2.34 million tonnes (2.6 million tons) of refuse over the next 25 years. "Somebody has got to make a de- cision soon," said Ernie Hardeman. a South-West Oxford Township councillor who accompanied the delegation. "We've been told the government has information we don't have, saying it's a safe site. Well if so, we'd like to see it." Outside the legislature, Peterson said all information would be shared with affected residents and he was aware of the uncertainty de- lays were causing Woodstock mayoral hopefuls to be quizzed by telephone WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Wood- stock voters will have the opportu- nity to quiz the seven mayoral can- didates without leaving home during a live phone-in show to be broadcast by the local cable televi- sion company. The program is to start at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Host Wayne Boddy of Woodstock will allow each candidate to make a brief opening statement before in- viting voters to phone in with their municipal election questions, said I Western Cable TV Ltd. program di- rector Ron Lockman Thursday. Lockman said the show will fea- ture only the mayoral candidates partly because the television studio is not big enough to accommodate the 10 aldermanic hopefuls. lie said the response from the public will help determine the length of the election forum. The mayoral candidates for the Nov. 12 election are Patrick.Amer- linek, Joe Arena, Albert Har- . and Alder- mehvDavGd rMatthe woe Joe Mohiar and Joe Peniber. )evils planni ;layoff sharing a 19-14 halftime advantage. Tough WCl and Lori Ohlson each scored nine. ;.defence, including the full -court press. Catherine Bond put in half a dozen was rattling CASS and forcing them to points while Gillian Small, Cathy Howe. ,rush the offence. Twice in the third Neolle Lindsay and Jennifer Matheson Oxford residents marched in front of the legislature and handed out Salford apples to passersby. A press conference inside drew few representatives from the Toronto media. However, real evidence of political interest in the South-West Ox- ford residents' battle against Oxford County and its construction of the land- fill site materialized during question period when New Democratic Party leader Bob Rae asked what the govern- ', ment-s position was. THINGS TO CONSIDER Peterson reiterated his objection to the Progressive Conservative cabinet's decision to overturn a Joint Board rul- ing against the site. But he added there are many things to consider before his government can make a decision. - Oxford County applied in 1980 for ap- proval to build a waste disposal site at Salford i the land was purchased in 1975) but two vears later a joint com- mission of the Ontario Municipal Board and the Environmental Assessment Board rejected the prpposal because it would constitute a'"detrimental ele- ment within the fabric of this community." At the urging of Oxford County Coun- cil, former Conservative Premier William Davis and his cabinet over- turned that decision in August, 1988, in a move that Peterson decried at the time as "political arrogance at its worst." OVERRULE ITSELF Having overruled the Joint Board decision there is the question of whether cabinet can now overrule itself or if filing a consent in court will allow it to get around that. said Peterson. lie pointed out that Oxford County has already spent about $1.7 million in preparing the landfill site and added Charges were recently laid by South- West Oxford under the Enviroronental Assessment Act against those corstruc- ting the site. A lawsuit launched in 19W by the township against the county, the Attorney General's ministry and cabinet — claiming the cabinet ruling breached principals of natural justice — is still before the courts, iwgged down in various appeals. A. second ac- tion, taken by a group of Salford residents. is also unresolved - COURT .ACTIONS Safford residents said they were satisfied that Peterson had not forgot- ten them and that the governmentis considering the matter, but watered they are prepared to take more action if nothing is done. Salford Concerned Citizens group chairman Tom Way said his group will continue with their court actions, but "if no action is taken in a period of time. we will be pushing on with more action to get action." David Estrin.. lawyer for the Salford residents, said that from Peterson's reply "it's quite clear that they are go- ing to do something concrete in the next little while.' He cautioned that the longer the government waits, the more money Ox- ford County will spend on preparing the site; money he said the county was gambling away. Oxford MPP Dick Treleaven said the $1.7 million is an important considera- tion,but it's also a "red herring" with the real argument being whether or not the landfill site is safe. The county is going ahead with development of the 44 hectare a l(1a acres) site for a long-term waste disposal facility capable of handling up to 2.34 million tonnes i 24 million tons of refuse over the next 5 years. Cries of dump the dump at Queen's Park Salford protest moves to Toronto By Alison Dowels and Does Armour David Peterson prevent the site from the Salford site including the County of there is additional technical evidence to of The seminel•Ihview TORONTO — South-West Oxford residents took their battle against the Salford landfill site to Queen's Park Thursday in a bid to have Premier being built. Oxford. But the spokesman added that be examined Meanwhile, a spokesman for En- any decision on whether of not the land- "The question is how to cut attr loss Po fill site will be completed will be com- and unw9ad that situation if we possibly vironment Minister James Bradley pplicated by legal action presently or legally can. I wish -I had an answer said the minister plans to talk next before the courts. todav... but I do not," he said. week with all parties concerned with - Carrying placards and chanting Despite a6 the legal wranglings, .-�. dump the dump about 6o South-West work at the Salford site is cmdintuMg. Oxford residents marebed in front of Charges wererecently laid by go the legislature and handed out Salford West Oxford under the Environmental apples to passersby. Assessment Act against those construe- A press conference inside drew few ting the site. A lawsuit launched in 1993 representatives from the Toronto by the township against the county, the j media. However, real evidence of Attorney General's ministry and =� political interest in the South-West Ox- cabinet — claiming the cabinet ruling ford residents' battle against Oxford breached principals of natural justice County and its construction of the land- — is stillbefore the courts, bogged fill site materialized during question down in various appeals. A second ac- - period when New Democratic Party lion, taken by a group of Salford - leader Bob Rae asked what the govern- residents, is also unresolved. ment's position was. COURT AMONS i THINGS TO CONSIDER Salford residents said thev were Peterson reiterated his objection to satisfied that Peterson had not forgot - the Progressive Conservative cabinet's ten them and that the government is decision to overturn a Joint Board rul- considering the matter, but warned ing against the site. But he added there they are prepared to take more action if j are many things to consider before his nothing is dome. - government can make a decision. Salford Concerned Citszeas group Oxford County applied in 1980 for ap- chairman Tom Way said his group w�iB proval to build a waste disposal site at continue with their court actions, but Salford ( the land was purchased in "if no action is taken in a period of time. 1975) but two years later a joint com- we will be pushing on with more action mission of the Ontario Municipal Board to get action."., and the Environmental Assessment David Estrin; lawyer for the Salford Board rejected the proposal because it residents, said that from Petersm'a ? ' - would constitute a -"detrimental ele- reply "it's quite clear that they are go. ment within the fabric of this ing to do something concrete in the next - community." little while" 1, - At the urging of Oxford County Coun- He cautioned that the longer the cil, former Conservative Premier government waits, the more money Os William Davis and his cabinet over- ford County will spend on preparing the - turned that decision in August, 1983. in a site; money he said the county was _: j move that Peterson decried at the time gambling away. as "political arrogance at its worst" . Oxford MPP Dick Treleaven said the $1.7 million is an important considera- - OVERRULE ITSELF Lion, but it's also a '-red herring" with - Having overruled the Joint Board the real argument being whether or not decision there is the question of the landfill site is safe. - _- - whether cabinet can now overrule itself The county is going ahead with or if filing a consent in court will allow development of the 44 hectare i log it to get around that, said Peterson. acres site for a long-term waste t.� He pointed out that Oxford County disposal facility capable of handling up - has already spent about $1.7 million in to 2.34 million tonnes r2.6 million tans) - preparing the landfill site and added of refuse over the next 25 rears. t. 0 Resolution bounces back Salford plan raises new questions h no ascxtt of tw INGERSOLL -- A resolution tabled at county council to allow for input from municipal councils has been tossed back into the hands of county council by Zorra Township council. The bouncing resolution deals with the transportation of domestic wastes into the county landfill site to Salford. County councillor Ross Livingston proposed at county council last week that all materials brought into the dump be taken in either in garbage packer units, or large transport trucks. Mayor Wallis Hammond, chairing his last council meeting, after failing in his bid for re-election, said, "for the Con- cerned Citizens, one of their main con- cerns is the traffic on the road. They're trying to make certain it's only transport trucks and packer units, so that there's not 40,000 vehicles going in and out." The ticklish point for both councils is what this resolution implies for gar- bage pick-up: whether the garbage would get picked up at roadside, or whether it wouki first be placed in regional transfer points by individuals, and then loaded on trucks for transpor- tation to the dump. TRANSFER DEPOTS County council didn't want to decide that until it had input from the municipal councils, but Zorra council didn't want to ggive any input until it found out what the county's plans were. The discussion at council focused en- tirely on whether Zorra should set up transfer depots, or should establish a township -wide roadside pick-up. While most councillors seemed to feel a total pick-up would be too costly, Hammond argued that a transfer depot would also end up being an expensive prop�ossition. "I'm in favor of total pick-up," he said. "If you want a transfer station, then you'll need ministry approval, and we'll have to get rolling. "Can you keep it (a transfer depot) clean? You are going to have to have a person there, and if you have a person there, then you need a telephone, then a building with heat and water. You've got to look at what it's going to cost you " He said they already pick-up garbage at roadside in half of the township, and suggested it would not be that much more expensive to do so in the rest. Coun. Jim Gibb worried that with a transfer point, there would be a tipping fee, which would discourage people from using it. He said if there is a tipping fee, peo- ple will just end up dumping garbage Into township ditches. Just having finished a successful mayoralty campaign, in which Gibb says he talked to nearly every household, he told council, "There is a great request out there for centralized roadside pick-up. I've probably chang. ed my mind on this, I preferred taking it to the dump, but if you start talking tipping fees..." Coun. Jim Muterer wanted to know what had happened to a resolution pass- ed by the council earlier this year in which they asked the county to aloes them to set up transfer stations, with recycling bins. "Those were our recommendations to the county. If the other townships have not done anything, then that's not our problem. To say we haven't made up our minds is not true, we have." ,Oxford committee undecided on outlawing teacher strikes i He received support from Wood- stock Mayor Wendy Calder, who said part of her difficulty with the resolution involved the use of bind- ing arbitration in such disputes. "My problem is I don't trust arbitra- tors," Calder said, adding their set- tlements can often be costly. mittee couldn't decide at its meet- ing Monday how to handle a resolu- But Tillsonburg Mayor Jean Fer- tion from Durham town council that rie said she couldn't think of any - proposes arbitration as the way to thing "more essential than educa- r end unsettled contract disputes be- tion," and she received tacit support tween boards of education and from committee chairman Don teachers. McKay of East Zorra-Tavistock in WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — A bid to get Premier David Peterson to outlaw strikes by teachers will go to ' Oxford County council Nov. 27 with- out a recommendation from its ad- ministration and finance commit- tee. That's because the Oxford com- A motion Monday by Oxford War- den Charlie Tatham to "note and file" the resolution from Durham drew a 2-2 split among committee members who conceded they were at an impasse. ! The Durham resolution dated Oct 21 — sent to all Ontario municipal- ities for support — asks the prov- ince to make it illegal for teachers to strike because they provide an "essential service." Under current provincial law, there are provisions for teachers to strike and for school boards to lock them out. Durham is about 48 kilometres south of Owen Sound in Grey Coun- ty, where a tentative contract settle- ment has been reached in a nine - week -old strike by secondary school teachers. In making his motion to take no action on the resolution. Tatham said while it could be philosophi- cally argued that teachers provide an "essential service," he belitwed the term more adequately reflected those in emergency response areas. locking the vote on Tatham's motion 2.2. Town council passed its resolu- tion because it feared such strikes "were getting out of hand," Durham clerk -treasurer Judy Gray said Mon- day when reached afterthe meeting here. In other business, the committee recommended that Oxford fire co- ordinator Chuck Young of Wood- stock be allowed, to purchase hy- draulic rescue equipment worth $3,500 for his volunteers in Thamc•s- rord next year. Committee jaws again about jaws ar �Ltl011 DOa711f of 14:AnYrb4.hw _ The Thamesford fire station will 1 i ke ly get new rescue equipment next yea r which will coat Oxford County f.9.., . ..i,. Oxford County Fire Coordinalor Charles Young told the county's ad ministration and finance committee Monday the hand held heavy hydraulic equipment requested is similar to the machine better known as the Jaus of Life. but smaller. They are used for cut ling through metal. ...... Jaws of Life sell for about Sici and weigh about So pounds, more than dou ble the weight of the smaller machines The smaller machines make less noise - and are easier to handle_ Fire stations in the county that have Jaws of Life include Woodstock. Mourn Elgin, Hickson and Norwich. Drumbo_ Woodstock and Beachville have the smaller machines. Eventually Youre said he would like to see another set v; the north end of the county DANGEROUS SPARKS Tillsonburg Mayor Jean Ferric asked why police do not carry, rescue equip- ment when they are usually the first to arrive at an accident scene- Young replied that when the rescue equipment is used tocut through metal it causes sparks. which can be dangerous if there has been a gas spill. "Concerns about fire are the main reason the fire department should tk standing by." he said. Warden Charlie Tatham suggested the Jaws of Life in the county be sold and the money used to purchase smaller more manageable machines Young said most of the Jaws were donated by service clubs and do have a place in certain situations. The committee agreed to send a recommendation to county council tha; the rescue equipment requested bepur chased next year, using money from the fire equipment reserve fund. Young said he would eventually list to get another SUM machine for tht not end of the county. s Oxford public health nurses' ' to offer new help to seniors WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Public to stay on their own longer. health nurses hope to reach hurt- "Hopefully, the nurses will detect dreds of seniors across Oxford those in need early enough to con - County this fall and winter under a tact their families, physicians or new program described as the first other agencies to help prevent the of its kind in the province. crisis." The idea behind the effort is to detect those in need and prevent Lockwood said the nurses will be medical emergencies, Shirley Lock- the assistance of ld- wood, director of nursing with the ing superintendents, ing superintendents, tenant groups groups and individual seniors to ensure no Oxford County board of health, said Monday. one in need is overlooked. Plans call for only those in apart- At last count there wereaboutti00 ment buildings for seniors to be tenants in apartments forseniors in contacted, partly because many in Woodstock, Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, such situations are away from Rim- Princeton, Innerkip, Thantesford, fly members and life-loug friends, Norwich and Tavistock. said Lockwood. _ Eventually, Lockwood said, the The board of health has found board ofhealth would like to match that many seniors become socially lolrely seniot•s with a growing num- isolated and quietly suffer from in- her of young single mothers who adequate nutrition and lack of need strong role models. medical supervision until their But the immediate tusk is to con- become so serious that tact seniors and assess their needs. groblems hospital treatment is required. The nurses need (lie support of She said that while the problem those in each building to make the In Oxford Is no worse than in other program work, said Lockwood, add" counties. a concerted efPoM here Ing a tenant's privacy will be re - may make it easier flor some seniors spected. Lij V) U 0 co 0 0 cr 0 2 CL U 1 L J B S � E mo x a- -EV �o $ W ro VE c3 ;c'g3�rso E 3; c Q m v 02 DY E RS R.2 a:2 E o f uu -$o 'S .oae c, m �� ."y..a'. •'d.c o� tWCy:: LOWJ �OOmf i±Qw �Ep E��A$ o'' 3 ',.fG� m 61oaFa E c—=0.;�e;gg�o==gym .coF vF= �� i3u E m E cr c s atrt�Y .a.u3 � N c O.0 v � iV rn r�FA0 00Er� c 3 A ,goo: woE0 2+ 4= >va L VQ OT 0 1e .� 'ap Y Y� 9� � W C-.^'.RC L �€00. H O spy u �= > Y O m 65 = yL G X-S d°°L FG ➢�fly� dE WZ_rJ •� Q1 W to c. 3 ,_'= -`� c my°u 5 E E'o°v U .7 =S� �c�mo2 Xc.+Z Off"✓ $ OS : 3 C7`o' sc� 3��c L in E UEhomcu7^f �,t 3s E, on cyp �'E'c,iimm 'r of a u. .5.53 1 Z7 o E .S a �S, c,Htp3 =Fo �a 9 BEN �a EOEta k y o E o�� .. o$ $� 33 �+cE' -c•oL �i 0 C cw E'apW� go w o � o ad sr Ey ow�'Sr-' i'a� a5 0-`3a;+ sbc o e€ a Rs $E DEB ILI At least one council won't battle proposal for transfer stations By Au ow oowtni — — e1 The SentinN-Rewiew HICKSON — The establishment of transfer stations throughout Oxford County would not draw anyy objections from East Zorra-Tavistock Township Council. But at the same time, council members are not in favor of counly- I wide garbage pick up. Those are the comments Mayor Don McKay and Coun-.at-large Nell Hostetler have been asked to convey to Oxford County Council. All municipalities in Oxford have been asked to comment on a motion, tabled at county council's last meeting, regarding transportation of domestic waste to a single county landfill site. The motion, drafted by Coun. Ross,Liv. ingston, proposes that beginning .next summer all materials brought to a single landfill in Oxford (Salford) be taken either in garbage packers or large transfer trucks in order to reduce traffic to and from the site. The motion has already been discuss- ed by South-West Oxford and Zorra township councils. Both chose to send it County won't dust off vault for this one bath to county council for more Information. Mayor McKay told his council the molten Is a baekwards way of getting comity -wide garbage pick up. Transfer stations would also be required for each townshipif residents could not take their own garbage to the landfill. He said the motion does not address a lot of questions such as who would pay the costs of setting upp a transfer station. Count such Kitching spoke out against keeping residents from using the land- fill on their own. He said it would result in more garbage being dumped at roadsides. The cost of setting up transfer sta- tions was also a concern of some coun- cillors. It would have to be manned and whether or not environmental assessments would have to be done was questioned. Mayor McKay said a possibility would be to share a transfer station with Blandford-Blenheim Township Kitching said many farmers who now burn as much garbage as they can wouldn't go to the trouble if there was mandatory pick up in the township that everyone had to pay for. By RON PUSTON of The Sentinel-Reelew When the dust settled Thursday after- noon, the Oxford County public works committee had rejected a request from Zorra Township for reimbursement of almost $3;200 it spent to control dust it claims was caused by trucks. hauling materials to a county project. "We didn't tell the contractor to take his material up any road," said county engineer Stewart Watts, adding there were three different roads, including a provincial highway, the trucks could use. In cases where one road is designated as a "haul road," the county does ac- cept the responsibility to ensure the road remains in good condition, he said, grading it and spreading gravel. But in this case, the contractor had a choice of roads which his trucks could legally use. The township could have restricted heavy truck traffic on its dirt concessions by passing a bylaw, Watts said, "but they would have had to stop everybody," including trucks hauling farm products. The contractor tried to alleviate the situation by watering the roads with his own truck at his own expense, Watts said, but the township still had to spread calcium to control the dust. The trucks were hauling. stone and gravel for the reconstructionof County Road 16 from June until late September. Watts said Zorra "never asked for anything until after the haul all "arced." The public works department turned down the request earlier, and the com mittee agreed, voting .against any payment. Norwich backs limiting access to Salford N The Seetlael•Ree1 OTTERVILLE — Norwich o only one of two municipalities in Oxford County to support the idea of restricting access to a county landfill site. whenthere is only one in Oxford. Municipal councils have been asked to comment on a motion proposing that beginning next summer all domestic waste be brought to a single landfill in Oxford (Salford) in large transfer trucks or garbage packers in order to reduce traffic to and from the site, The motion was introduced by Blandford- Blenheim Mayor Ross Livingston at county council's last meeting and tabl- ed until individual municipalities in Ox- ford had a chance to discuss it, it will be discussed at tonight's county council meeting. Blandford-Blenhiem has supported the motion and Norwich has supported it in principle. The other six municipalities in Oxford have either asked for more information or refused to support the motion because coun- cillors did not feel members of the public should be denied access to the landfill. The term domestic waste was not defined and some councils. concern- ed about what people will do" with household garbage such as old furniture and construction materials, have asked for a definition. If the motion is approved tonight it will mean individual municipalities in Oxford will have to look at providing garbage pick up for all their residents or establishing transfer stations where residents could take their waste. Costs and the time restrictions involved were a concern to some councils. Tuesday night Norwich council held a lengthy discussion on the motion and although members supported it in prin- ciple have asked for further informa- tion and projected costs to the municipahty. Landfill legal money spent has Phil Poole's dander up by RON PRMON ` of The Sentinel-Reeiew Oxford PooletWoodstock) saw red Thurs. day when he discovered it cost the county $6,212.in legal fees to defend a London contractor charged by South-West Oxford in connection with work at the controversial Salford landfill site. "Is there nothing we can do? These are county funds I just think it's a miscarriage of iustice, DeKay Construction was charged with criminal conspiracy and three enviromental charges by the township, The criminal charge was dropped and a trial date m February was set for the other charRes The legal bill should be picked up by the county, si dd Don Pratt, direr for of engineering, because the eon- traclor was only, following the terms of his agreement with the county. After being told by Pratt there wa s no way to recover their legal costs short of a civil suit, Poole said "at least we should write to South- West Oxford and ask them t,' reconsider. "We've got $7,000 in legal fees and they likely got some too, it's all ins, Payers' money " _ County cUlnrl- cillor Howard :t Cook, one of two South-West Oxford , representatives oil the county council, said • tut the lawyers didn't [Hake any - ey, rwould have oeen settled m4io f hang ago' Poole i 0 0 SWO councillors-1 11 raise buck -beef, although they instigated cost By AIIEON DOME N TM sw/Md-low" South-West Oxford Township's Mayor Walter Wilson and Counciltor-at- large Howard Cook both raised objee tions to Oxford County paying a $6,00xl legal bill for the company who has the contract for earth moving work at the Salford landfill site. DeKay Construction, of Hyde Park. and some of its employees are facing charges under the provincial En- vironmental Assessment Act relating to work carried out al Salford. A charge of criminal conspiracy against DeKay Const. and its president Beverly DeKay have been dropped but the other charges will be heard in Woodstock Provincial Court in February. The charges were laid by South-West Oxford. Despite the objections of the towhship representatives, who continually main- tain that Salford is not a safe location for a landfill, council approved the $6282 bill for legal fees. County engineer Don Pratt says the legal bill should be the responsibility of the county as the contractor was only following terms of his agreement with Oxford County council finally passes Livingston bill, his last hurrah By AEISON DOWNIE of The Sominel-Beviste Retiring Blandford- Blenheim Mayor Ross Liv- ingston got a nice sendoff Wednesday night at his last Ox- ford County Council meeting. Council finally passed one of his mo- tions regarding garbage which he call- ed a step in the right direction for the county. By a 12 to eight margin council ap- proved the motion which will see all domestic waste b., from Oxford Coun- ty taken to a single county landfill site (Salford) in gar- bage packers or large transfer trucks beginning Livingston no (later than June. The motion was tabled at county council's last meeting so individual municipalities could make comments. Councillors who voted in favor of the motion included Wendy Calder, Les Cook, Ed Down,. Wallis Hammond, John Heleniak, Livingston, Joe Pember, Phil Poole, Helen Smith, Jack Warden, Lenore Young and Warden Charlie Tatham. Those against includ- ed Howard Cook, Jean Ferric, Jim Gfbb, Doug Harris, Nell Hostetler, Don McKay, Jack Whitmore and Walter Wilson. "I won one for a change," Livingston quipped after the meeting. "There's still a lot of hard decisions to be made, this is only the first step," TALKING ABOUT ISSUES Before the vote was taken, he said he had achieved part of what he hoped to do with the motion — which was getting municipalities in the county talking about the issues and problems that are going to face Oxford next year when all the landfill sites in the county close, and Salford hopefully is open. Despite what some councillors may have felt. Livingston said there was no hidden intent in the motion. The only in- tent is to reduce some of the traffic go- ing to and from the site. He said in- dividual municipalities now have two options — either establish transfer sites or provide total pick-up for their residents. -This will prove to the Ministry of the Environment that Oxford is trying to set up a safe landfill. One that won't an- noy neighbors," he said. (see COUNTYWILL LIbIIr, page 9) County will limit trucks to Salford ronfino.d from Post Wilson stated once again that he does The. definition of domestic waste was not consider SBlfard a sate place for a a concern some councillors brought landfill site and said the county sbtndd from their municipalities. Livingston be making arrangements to send its ' said anything that would be picked up garbage to St. Thomas. with regular curbside Veit up would be Tillsonburg representatives on coum Considered domestic, He said the Too- cil asked that the motion be table+i lion would not stop a resident from tak- again as their council had not bad a in g 'junk" to the landfill on their own. chance to discuss it. Livingston strong Other concerns included costs of setting ly objected to that idea because he w i I I , up transfer stations or providing pick not be at council's next meeting. up but Court. Joe Pember said no one therefore the motion would not be valid. could answer those questions at this A tabling motion was supported only t._. 'dime. Tillsonburg Mayor Jean Ferne and South-West Oxford Mayor Walter Coun.-at-large Jack Whitmore. o Tatham wins praise for work as warden By AIISON DOWNIE of The Sentinel -Review Oxford County's 124th Warden was praised for his accomplishments the past three years at county councils, meetinWednesday night. A to%ute to Charlie Tatham was given by retiring Woodstock Mayor Wendy Calder at the last session of the 1982-85 term. Tatham who is the first Woodstock representative to be elected warden since restructuring received county plaque in appreciation of his ser- f vice as top county official. "I've really enjoyed the past three years," Tatham said. "Probably more than anything else I've done in my life. It was a real privilege representing Oxford." When the presentation to the warden was over it was then his turn to hand out plaques and praise to the six councillors who won't be serving on the 1965-88 council including Blandford-Blenheim Mayor Ross Livingston, South-West Ox- ford Coun.-at-large Howard Cook, Zorra Township Mayor Wallis Ham- mond, Calder, Ingersoll Coun.at-large Jack -Warden and Woodstock city/coup- _ ... ty councillor Lenore Young. Only Cook and Warden indicated that they might like to return to county politics in the ,.I future. DREAM REMAINS >C- Warden 'got a lot of laughs when he „ said, "I still have a dream — to be Warden Warden." He had announced he would run for the warden's mat before the Nov. 12 municipal election in - -! which he lost a re-election bid. The majority of those elected to serve on county council for the next three years were on hand at the meeting, The final get together for those who have served on council the past three years will be at the traditional Warden's Banquet Friday night at the Oxford Auditorium. • Oxford warden hailed as he ends term WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — Oxford Warden Charlie Tatham was among those recognized by county council Wednesday night at the last session of the 1982-85 term. An inaugural meeting of the new- lyelected council and selection of a warden for the next three years will take place Dee. 11. Tatham, 60, who will stay on coun- ty council as a Woodstock represen- tative, was awarded a plaque to mark his three-year term as the top. elected official In Oxford. "i've enjoyed It. It has been a great experience," the veteran city politician and former mayor said before taking charge of his last meeting as warden. Among the challenges he faced was the ongoing struggle to estab. lish a landfill site near Salford in South-West Oxford, which he. said almost made the job a full-time po- sition. Tatham, a businessman, said in the future he would like to see "Closer cooperation" among the eight member municipalities in the area of industrial promotion. Plaques for their service to the county also were presented to out. going councillors Ross Livingston of Blandford-Blenheim Township, [toward Cook of South-West Oxford Township, Wallis Hammond of Larra Township, Jack Warden of In. gersoll and Wendy Calder and Le- nore Young, both of Woodstock. A separate presentation was made to Hickson area farmer Don Hart who received the 1985 Oxford County land Saver ward and an engraved walking stick for his ef- forts to combat soil erosion. in accepting the award and the walking stick the 58-year•old cash. crop farmer told council "the bonds between the soils of Oxford and the Hart family are very strong." He said it was'as early as 1967 that his family decided it must take steps to combat soil erosion and be- gan experimenting with conserva. tion tillage methods. "1 see the switch to conservation tillage as be- ing almost totally positive." he said. Although there is a slight reduction ` iu yields initially, there is an in- crease in production in the long run, Hart said. In otter business, council ap- pt'uvM the purchase of hardware and maintenance service from Prime Computer of Canada 1.td, of London at a cost of $279.726 as part of a plan to establish a municipal f land -related Information system. The over-all information system is to be established in lAfbrd under a $630,000 provincial pilot faro((; t with the involvement of a ie, headed by a local planner. Efforts acknowledged The efforts of outgoing Oxford County Warden Charlie Tatham were recognized by fellow councillors at the last meeting of the current county council Wednesday night in Woodstock. A county gavel was presented to Warden Tatham on behalf of council by Woodstock Mayor Wendy Calder. A new warden will be selected at the inaugural meeting Of the new council on Dec. 11.(Staff Photo) County honors retiring warden The 124th warden in Oxford Coun- ty's history was honored Wednesday night in Woodstock at °the last meeting of the current Oxford Coun- ty Council. In paying tribute to Warden Charlie Tatham, Woodstock Mayor Wendy Calder recognized the extra sacrifices he has made in his business and family life during the three years he has been in office and presented him with a plaque as a token of the council member's respect. A new council will be sworn in at an inaugural meeting Dec. 11 in Woodstock and that new council will be faced with the task of electing a new county warden. Warden Tatham, who was elected county warden with a majority of votes on the first ballot in IM, will remain on council as a Woodstock representative. In accepting his award, Warden Tatham said he has enjoyed his three years as warden, "probably more than anything else in my life." He said it has been a privilege to serve the county as warden and to represent the county in other areas. He told council members and the councillors -elect in the public gallery that they "have to recognize we represent local municipalities but we are also county councillors," adding it's difficult sometimes "to take one hat off and put the other on." During his term of office, the warden has had to deal with the ongoing struggle to establish a cen- tral landfill site near Salford, the location of proposed new Ontario Hydro transmission lines through the area and the restoration of the former Oxford County jail building. He has as well taken a personal in- terest in the environment and soil conservation, Coun. Calder said. The warden then helped present awards to six outgoing county coun- cillors; floss Livingston of Blandford-Blenheim Township, Howard Cook of South-West Oxford Township, Wallis Hammond of Zorra Township, Wendy Calder of Woodstock, Jack Warden of Inger- soll and Lenore Young of Woodstock. New Zorra mayor to seek warden's seat in Oxford INGERSOLL (Bureau) — Zorra Township's new mayor said Tues- day he plans to seek election as Ox- ford County warden next week. James Gibb made the announce- ment after being sworn in as Zorra mayor during an inaugural session of township council Tuesday. He joins Norwich Township May- or John Heleniak and Norwich Councillor -at -large Helen Smith as declared candidates for warden, the top elected position in Oxford. Gibb, an Embro area cash crop farmer entering his 14th year as a local politician, said he is entering the race for warden partly to ensure Hydro circus ticket price riles McKay By ALISON BBWNIE of The Se,aleel-Bevler Oxford County has bought itself a front row seat at a three-ring circus for $25.000, says Coun. Don McKay. He was referring to the cost of legal fees the county is paying to have a solicitor attend the hearings over a pro- posed route for new Ontario Hydro transmission lines. "How can we be so gullible to take part in a caper like this after being through 56 days of this crap. (he was referring to the hearing over the Salford landfill site in South-West Ox- ford Township.) The only difference is this one's going to take too days, McKay said. Coun, Ross Livingston agreed the hydro hearing is a circus but said the county "has to play the game. Any criticism should be levelled at at the j legislators. The county thought a proposed route along the Highway 4ol corridor was a dead issue but suddenly it's not. Conn. Joe Pember pointed out. The hydro hearing has been taking place in Guel(,1h since earlier this month. "It s a bloody waste of money but we have to make sure our back ends are covered. That's the sad part," he said. A suggestion to forward the county's concerns about the hearing process to the province was made by Coun. Ed Down. "The whole hearing system is a farce," South-West Oxford Mayor Walter Wilson said. "No matter what happens you can appeal to cabinet and they can change it ithe board's decision)." that more than one area of'Oxford is represented on the ballot. "The way it stands now, I'm in. They (coupty councillors) should have more of a rhoice." One -term Warden Charlie Tatham of Woodstock has indicated he doesn't plan to seek re-election at the inaugural county council ses- sion Dec. 11. Gibb said issues involving the way the township handles domestic gar- bage and the over -ail fate of the county's controversial Salford land- fill site in South-West Oxford Town- ship are among the chief concerns of the new Zorra council. Arbitration not the answer says county Forcing teachers and school boards to use the binding arbitration process isn't the way to avoid strikes, the ma- jority of Oxford County councillors decided Wednesday night. Council refused to supporta motion from the Town of Durham requesting the province to "amend the school Boards and Teachers Collective Negotiations Act to provide that where an agreement cannot be reached bet- ween a bargaining unit of a teacher's federation and a school board. the mat- ter shall be resolved by binding arbitra- tion, and that it shall be an offence for teachers to strike or walk out, or for a school board to lock them out." Binding arbitration is an expensive process, Coun- Walter Wilson said. Compared to the cost of losing an education it isn't, said Coun Jean Fer- rie, who supported the Durham resolution. • • 0 Known internationally for technique I Land saver Hart wins cane { ttr Ausoa oowtlfl J of The SONAW-tt..w. This year's Oxford County Land Saver Award was presented to Don Hart of Hartholm Farm Ltd. at county ^� council's meeting Wednesday night. As well as receiving a plaque from the county, the cash crop Farmer, who lives at RR 6, Woodstock, also received s walking cane from the Oxford Men of the Trees. Ilart's family, originally from Scotland, has farmed in Oxford for more than 100 years and he is known locally, nationally and internationally for his conservation methods, Warden Charlie Tatham said. In his acceptance speech, Hart said there have been dramatic changes in soil conservation the past several years.' As recently as 1978, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) officials had no workable ero- sion control package to offer cash crop farmers in the province. Their best sug- gestion involved going back to rotating meadow crops. Alfalfa does a good job of holding and building soil, but is im- poasibie for non -livestock farmers to harvest and market. it is not feasible to grow alfalfa strictly for its soil enhanc- ing properties, he said. Conventional plowing and tilling was the only economical alternative. REDUCED YIELDS Hartholm was one of the first farms in north Oxford to grow major amounts of corn but were also among the first to run into problems with erosion in the fields with continuous corn. Around 1968,. Hart said he decided he had to take steps to hold soil in place. He tried a discing plow, which left a great deal of stover on top of the fields, controlling erosion substantially, but it also reduced yields, He was forced to go back to the plow and erosion that went wJib it. In 1974 he tried using a new conserva- tion tiller that he'd seen used in Wiscon- sin and although it worked well on the deep soils in that state it made a mess of soils here, pulling up rocks and clay. A breakthrough came in 1977 on a trip to Australia. There he saw a machine similar to the mulch tiller being used for primary tillage at a depth of four or five inches. He set up a number of plow, versus mulch till comparisons for the following three years and the net result was higher yields on the mulch tilled land over the conventionally plowed land. AGAINST THE GRAIN OMAF picked up on the concept and although their results were not as positive it was an effective way to con- trol erosion for cash crop farmers. The concept has made remarkable strides in the past few years, Hart said. In north Oxford, at least a quarter of the land is being tilled by conservation tillers. "I see the switch to conservation tillage as being almost totally positive," he said. "There is a slight reduction in costs, no appreciable reduction in yields in the short term, a definite increase in yields over a period of five or 10 years, as well as the primary objective of reducing the movement of soil to an acceptable minimum." He said the negative aspects involve the purchasing of equipment a farmer would not want to replace until it is required. "Probably the biggest hurdle that a farmer has to overcome is between his ears," Hart said. "He has to believe that a well filled field is not a cleanly tilled field. To many farmers that is very much against the grain." Other conservation practices Har- tholm Farm promotes include doing. away with continuos corn and going back to more intensive rotations and stopping summertime cultivation. Decision on Salford landfill unlikely before new year WOODSTOCK (Bureau) — It may be the new year before Premier Da- vid Peterson ends the speculation and discloses the fate of Oxford County's landfill site at Salford. David Oved, an aide to Environ- ment Minister Jim Bradley, said Tuesday the ministry is In the midst of preparing a report on the Salford issue for the premier, Once in the hands of Peterson, "we anticipate the premier will take several weeks to make a deci- slon," lived said from Toronto, "f think it's fairto say thatwith all things considered, the amount of work that still has to be done and the fact we're hitting the holiday season, 1 don't think it will happen until the new year." A citizens' group and the town- ship of South-West Oxford have pressed Peterson to revoke a 1983 Conservative cabinet order that al- lowed the county to start developing the site. In backing Oxford's plan at that time, the Tory cabinet overturned a joint board's rejection of the Sad - ford silo as a suitable place for a county -operated landfill operation. Oxford County Walden Charlie Tatham said Tuesday he isn't dwel l I ing on the tinting of Peterson's ! decision. South-West Oxford Mayor Wall Wilson said while "we were kind of - hoping for a nice Christmas pre- sent" rrmn Peterson, the township will be content with a decision in ittl ! favor in 1988, ppp Some opponents of the landfill project may feel Peterson's mtc&ri- ty is on the line because lie battery criticized the action or the faaJ cabinet as opposition loader, Wit son said. y!@ "Wu.,just hope he'll do what i, Wilson said, { G. ' �,: -: � y e +' �' '' � ' r!y -. 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