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The Huron Expositor, 1972-11-16, Page 2Signs of winter Froth My Window — By Shirley J. Keller • Since 1860, Serving the Community First P ublished at SZAFORTH, ONTARIO, every Thursday morning by McLEAr: BROS., Publishers Ltd. ANDREW Y. McLEA441, Editor Member Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association and Audit Bureau of Circulation Newspapers Subscription Rates: Canada (in advance) $8.00 a Year Outside Canada (in advance) $10.00 a Year SINGLE COPIES — 20 CENTS EACH geeond Class Mail Registration Number 0696 Telephone 527-0240 The new election reiulations SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, November 16, 1972 Atiron epositor Y. . Municipal elections across Ontario are being carried out under new _rules this year. While the whole procedure will not be completed until Decem- ber 4th when voting takes place, nominations, the first step in tlie,election process, ended Tuesday. Perhaps it is too. early to assess the success o,r otherwise of the• new regu- lations under which nomj_ nations may be accepted once a period'of several days'and each nominee must be nominated by.at least ten ratepayers. But one conclusion, least,,has emerged and that is that new.laws can- not ensure a change in the attitude of ratepayers in their lack of unCern as .to, what happens in their, municipality. In Seaforth. a handful ' of people, turned out for .an information meeting . when mem,l4rs of council and,.other bodies reported on activities, during the year. While the top three, positions were filled by acclamation, interest "in positions on council was -at such a low ebb 'that a second Rpmination is neces To the editor: sary.,However, a ele,ction to select two RUC'Commis- sioners will take place. ,Similarily in_Tucker- smith-where major changes in the structure of the township are pending a.nd where to an increasing extent there is a grow- ing urbanization Only sufficient people to fill ,the council positions were nominated. There seemed to. be no curiosity or even interest in the - impact which new and -larger communities will have on ,the agriculturally centered economy that for more than a hundred years has served the township. However, just,to,indi- cate that conclusions of-, .any kind perhaps are pre- mature is the situation in Brussels. Not a single ratepayer other than elected offfcials - turned 41,p, a public meeting.call last week to discus 'the affairs of the virl ge% Yet in the face of this ' apparent apathy.when inations had closed -Tues- day every elective posit- ion from Reeve to PUC • Commissioners was being 7, „contested. I have decided that the grey clouds overheaor almost the entire year has. something - to do with the number of elections we've had during the past few months. First there was the provincial elec- tion when the Big Blue Machine swept across Ontario sucking out votes like "fuzz out of a carpet. Next there was the Federal election when the voters of this country showed their ,true colors by • electing nobody. Somebody. has said• that, all' four parties 190 ,the,„ election, and I tend , to agree with that theory 'now that all is' said and done. Last week, we watched with great- interest as the citizens of the United States of America re-elected President Richard Nixon, the man who promised the moon and darn near delisler'ed it, yet turned down his party representatives in hords. And now, in the municipalities of Ontario, we're bracing our feet for new councils, new boards of education and Yes, another election. while every community differs from, the one 10 miles down the road, there is one obvious similarity among them. That is that municipal councils are, in most cases, the laughing stock Of the community. They are a joke, 'and the men 'and women who serve on them are also a joke. . you think I'm teasing? Not on your life. While therPare always some steady, upright citizens who take municipal poli- tics seriously and recognize the strengths and the weaknesses of local government, there, are many, many people- u stun- ately, I believe it is the majority - w o really and truly consider local municipal council's role as one which , is insignifi- cant, unproductive and dissatisfying. In many cases, sorry to say, the intuition of local citizens is correct. Sqme municipal councils do indeed be; come pompous pobkets of plainly petty . people who seek election to feed an ego, a pocketbook or both. And if the rare rebel. makes way into the hallowed circle, too often the initial impact of such new blood is hampered, hindered and held until the ideals and the aim of the new- comer 'conform with the staid and "experienced" thinking of past, council members. Yes sir, the tail all too often' wags the dog. This cynical attitude of mine is, I believe, what holds back the majority of would-be council aspirants. Who needs the aggravation of municipal council life, particularly if one's own principles and feelings must be suppressed merely be- cause those' principles and feelings are in conflict with established customs? Bet- - ter to stay home with the family, vege- tate before the television and complain bitterly like everyone else. . A long, long time ago when 1 .was still very new in- the newspaper game, a newcomer to a municipal council made a speech to the nomination meeting follow- ing one term of office. I will never, ever forget that speech. It made more sense to me than all the jibbesish munici- pal politicians usually spout to impress the voters. This chap said,, "When I carne onto council, I was ready to work. I was ready to make some changes for you know and I know that changes are necessary. It is the exceptional business which cannot be improved. . But after one year on council, I've learned that changes do not come easily. My ideas are not suitable because they are new, they are in conflict with things as they are now. And the .majority rules on council, moreso than anywhere else. If the majority' of council is like minded, no new ideas can pene- trate, It is called lobbying, I'm told, to either swing or be swung for one pur- pose or another." ':I'm wiser now," the councillor went on. hope you are too. I'm looking for re-election this year, not to accomplish great things for this community but „simply to act as a conscience whenever, wherever possible for those who. are either swinging or being swung. Don't expect-great things of me, please. Just' let me remain here for 'another term .and hope I can avoid the pitfall that' s Municipal life holds out to all who enter." Too bad there weren't more folks like this guy who served on council not so much to do' great things, but more to act as a watchdog for the people.' Those' people are needed too, most desperately. Now that we've all settled down after that abortion of an election, we can get baCk to the impprtant things of We; what's for dinner; our bursitis; raking the last of the blasted leaves; dusting off the curling boots; and workying about our kids. pleasant mess, however , may 1 promise makethat I will Just before we bury the whole un- no more election pre- dictions? Oh, I was right. I warned that the Canadian people are among the most volatile in the world when it comes to politics. They proved it. And I prophesied that the Tories and NDP would gain, and that it would be the Liberals again with a minority govern- ment. But they didn't have to take me so seriously. I didn't mean that size of a minority. From now on, I shall desist from making forecasts,' as it seems to put the tiex on things. However, I take back none of what I said. Mr. Trudeau never .did have the common touch, the politician's instinct. Mr. Stanfield still sounds as though he'd got both feet into one• leg of his long- johns.., And Mr. Lewis was never more smarmy than when the returns were coming in. Despite my disenchantment, at the lag. moment I decided to vote Liberal, chfly because of fear that what did happen might happen. A ship of state with, no rudder, two wheelsmen fighting for the wheel, and the winds of change 'blowing up into a typhoon. Some riding results were of par- ticular interest to me. I was glad to see that' my old friend, Ross Whicher, with whom I shared a couple of campaigns when we were mere boys, was one of the Lucky Liberals to squeak In„ I was sorry to see another old friend, Perry Ryan, who represented Toronto Spadina for years, get the axe. He made the political mistake of standing by his principles, and quit the Liberals, for the Tories when he couldn't agree with policy. -A pity. I was also sorry to see Paul Hellyer elected. He is- a politician whose ego seeths equalled only by nis ambition. The record; Ran -for Liberal leadership. Beaten. Liberal cabinet minister. Quit. Founded Action Canada - a flop. Joined the Conservatives. He may have great abilities, but I'll never forgive him for' unifying the armed forces. 114,- You see how little our vote 'depends On reason. 1 mentioned those three to suggest what a fickle creature the aver- age/ Canadian voter is. I'd have voted for Whicher, Liberal, for old times' sake. For Ryan, Conservative, because he's a good man. And against Hellyer, Conser- vative, because 'of his many-coloured coat. There's an old-fashioned idea that Canadians are a reserved, conservative people, because we live in a Stern and rigourous climate, and aren't given much to either dancing or rioting in the streets. The idea is completely unfounded. True, we don't do much of anything in the streets for six months a year, except scuttle along, cursing; noses dripping. But behind those steady, grey façades that others see- live the real Canadians; pulling, passionate; not grey but purple. In fact, sometimes that purple peeps through, usually in those tame noses. Perhaps the most obvious example to illustrate the -wild, emotional, inner ., Canadian is the Canada-Russia hockey series of recent fame. . When our team was getting cldbbered, most of us went around in a surly, cynical, almost" vicious 'mood, snarling at wives and children, scoffing at our players, denigrating that vast, philan- thropic institution, the NHL. You see, We were suffering. Our pride was 'hurt in the way that the pride of:no mere Latin could be hurt.; . But when our team began to win, we showed our true selves, exuberant, friendly, joyous, . actually cheering out °N, loud, ' throwing our arms around com- plete strangers. - ' Oh, it did the heart good, I can tell You, to see the Canadian character as it really is. None bf this ',,good losers" nonsense of other northern raced. Our hearts were in eery cross-check, and every one of' us was there', at least in' spirit, as our boys, at the winning goal, kissed each'tcother and hugged each other And slobbered over each other , Show me another nation t t can bob its "boys" in defeat and the r them in' victory, as we did, and I'll show you another nation with real heart. And that's what we're like in elec- tions. All heart.' No brains. Give us a brilliant, colourful prime minister and we cheer him to the rafters. As long as he's winning. We're a fifinny lot. Sugar and Spice by Bill Smiley ° - cit . N - With the local elections pending, it is', apprdpriate to consider the record of the ..Huron School Board. Our present school board has had very little effect. on educational policies, since their main concern appears to be directed to the build-up of a beaurocracy to relieve them of the necessity of making educational decisions. Occasionally they. do step into administrative matters, and the - recent example of rejecting the re- quest of the Christian school board for .. assistance in student transportaticien is a case in point. . ..One is appalled by the lack of co- ordination in the bussing of our children. The object of the formation of the larger school district was to promote economy and efficiency', the same shibboleths used •to support the larger assessmenCunits. Neither objective has beep met, yet this same slogan has again been dusted off to apply to the abolition of our local govern- ments for the benefit of a remote re- gional beauro'cracy. How can efficiency be furthered when we still have competing bus lines col- lecting on the same roads? where is the economy? The decision of providing transport- ation assistance for the Christian schools must only be made on ,the grounds of conimon sense, as well as the worthy School bus transportation causes of saving money for the taxpayer, - and of allowing an alternative form of education i€ continue. G. L. Morgan Smith Bayfield, Ont. Seek descendants Sir: I am writing you concerning my an- cestors: Moses Burling and his wife Diana Near, my 2nd great grandfather. His son was Ephriam Burling born 24 Sept., 1878 in Seaforth. He, Ephriam had a sister Rebecca born 29th March 1873, in Seaforth. I have listed several children from the 1871 census: Eliza- beth, (b) 1855; Catherine, 1858; James (b) 1859; Thomas (b), 1860,), 1862; Francis,' (b) 1865; Charles (b), 1868; Iiaac, (b)", 1870. I am interested in contacting' any descendants of this family and locating anyone that I missed. , Hoping for results. • Ray De Stephens, 2108 Minerva Ave., Anaheim, Calif. 92804, U.S.A. In the Years Agone fi NOVEMBER 19, 1897. R. Smith has been appointed collector of taxes for Hullett to fill the Vacancy caused by the death of the late Thomas Neilans. Robert McCord,' of the Thames Road, toqk part in the Fenian cRaid•of 1866, is an applicant for the medal which is to be awarded to those whd took part in repelling' the raid. Wm. McNay of Egmondville left on a visit to the old land, and expects to eat his Christmas dinner amid the scenes of his youth,. The employees of the Broadfoot 8; Box Furniture Co. are now working over- time so thronged is the establishment with orders. John Dodds is ctecting a large barn on his property -in Harpurhey. He intends erecting a brick residence next spring. S. Mullett of town has purchased the two lots on Main St. North of the Queen's Hotel from Thos, Govenlbck, and has had the •helm moved back and placed on a stone foundation. J. S. Brower, of McKillop, has bought from John E. Birrell, near Guelph, a ., very "fine 9 months old calf. Perry Brown of Winchelsea, who for the past two months has been engaged at the creamery In Winchelsea ' has secured a good position Mitchell. • • James McArthur , of Hensall, had the misfortune to meet with quite a painful accident. He was engaged in pulling apples in the orchard when a limb on which he was standing broke and he severely sprained his ankle. John Wood of Usborne, who has been in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, pur- chasing cattle for feeding purposes, has returned with two car loads, comprising 40 head. Alexander Monteith of the London Rd. Tuckersmith has lately added to his herd of Herefords, a thoroughbred cow and , also one of the finest bulls that has ever been in the vicinity, The following is a list of the candidates on the, different tickets at the Collegiate Institute Literary Society: President• - J, R. Morrison; Vice President - Miss B. Young; Recording Sec. - D. 15, Wilson; Treasurer - Miss B. Kemp; Managing Committee - F. Neal, Miss H. Robinson, Miss D.Daly„F. Beattie. The old and esteemed friend of the Expositor, Joseph Wild of Stanley, near Hayfield, sent us a sample of some apples of last year's growth which he has kept until now. They were of the Lemon Pippin variety. " NOVEMBER 7, 1922 The anneal smoker and euchre of the Seaforth Lawn Bowling Club was held in the Town Hall and was the largest and mast successful ever, attempted by any sporting club in town. The prizes were as follows: Turkey, donated by J. J. Broderick, Harry 'Jeffrey; goose, don- ated by Dr. ILH.Ross, Charles Holmes; Lone hands, a duck, donated by Dr.Chas. MacKay, Wm. Edmunds; Pair of Rabbits, donated by Dr. F. J. Burrows, Joseph Dorsey; Bantam Rooster, donated by R.E. Bright, Adam Hays. The challenge euchre with the ladies and gentlemen from Tuckersmith was most successful' of its kind in the history of the club. Frosty-two tables were in play and only six points declared Tucker- smith the winner. -Music was supplied by Mrs. O'Connell, walker Hart, Hugh and Pat Chesney. Miss Anne Atkinson of town has taken r4-- a position with a Detroit firm. Mr. A. C. Hazen, of Hamilton, has disposed of his residence on James St. to Theo. Melady of Dublin. The two Chinamenrwho recently opened a cafe on Milin Street, left town, leaving anumber 'of creditors behind. NOVEMBER , 21,i 19'47 A modern operating room light, Similar to that used in the major hospitals, has been installed in Scott Memorial Hos- pital. Costing in - the neighborhood of $700.00 the light was donated by'Seaforth Doctors, Dr. P.L.Brady, DS. J, A. Cor- win, Dr, E.A1McMaster, Dr. M,, W. Stapleton and Dr. Peever of London. Warden Brown Smyth of Huron C ounty was host at the 'Warden's banquet at the British Exchange Hotel, Goderich. Toastmaster was ex-warden R. E. Shad- dick of Hensall. - An impressive service was held in Duff's Church, Walton, when a war mem- orial tablet was placed in the church by W.C,Bennett and Art Bewley. Rev. R. G. Hazelwood preached. A trio of Marjory Haekwell, Mrs. H. Traviss and Cuthill sang'A number. A pretty wedding took place at the bride's home in Ashfield Town- ship, when Margaret Pearl Elliett be- came the bride of Oscar C. Cuthill. The teachers of the public school staff, Principal b.B.Moffatt, Miss g.I.Mc- Lean, Mrs. H. Mason, Mr. Mulford, Miss M. E. Turnbull, Miss Ella Elder; . and., Miss Mary Bell were in Goderich attending the Teacher's Convention. Louis Hildebrand has purchased the lot .and home' owned by Arthur Bushie. Rev. J. R. Peters of Winthrop, while working on a lathe in his basement had two of his fingers badly cut and is now carrying them in splints. Mrs. Catherine Baker, oldest resident of Hensall, observed her 95th birthday. She is resting in Seaforth Scott Memorial Hospital after developing pneumonia. The auction sale• of the estate of the late Mrs. J. W . Ortwein of Hensall was very successful. The property was sold to J. Roberts of Centralia^ air' port fOr -44,000. 0 . When he was in a collision with a car driven by John Mero, Bruceeitld, Wm. Cudmore, well known Seaforth resident, suffered a fractured leg. . Starting as an amateur glad -grower, some ten years, ago, Murray Tyndall has developed the gladiolus gardens at Brucefield until today his customers are numbered in the thousands. Ile has nearly 200 vasieties and are grown on three acres .f land. First Presbyterian Church, Seaforth, marked its 80th. birthday when Rev. D. M.Scott Fulton of Chatham delivered, the messages. On the following Wednesday -evening, the' noted negro contralto,. Hazel Soloman of Toronto and Harold Wardell of Stratford presented apleasing program.