Clinton News-Record, 1971-01-14, Page 9Clinton News-Record
106 Year - No. 2 Thursd(ty, January 14, 1971
Getting to know your Mayor
Around the County
A took at the news of other towns in the county as reported in
the weekly newspapers.
Exeter — The OPP and local police departments report this week
they have been inundated with complaints about snowmobiles
during the past two weeks.
Exeter Police Chief Ted Day reports that complaints range from
unnecessary noise in the early morning hours, damaging shrubs and
even persons being towed on a pair of skis behind a snow vehicle,
Commenting on the Same subject, OPP Cpl. Ray Brooks says it
seems to be a daily Subject with upset citizens wanting to know what
they can do in relation to snow machines using their property as a
playground to roar around with no regard for the rights of others,
Complaints stem from fences being damaged, some being
purposely cut to allow entry to fields, as well as machines buzzing
close to houses and roaring up and down residential streets, at all
hours — "ad infinitum",
"Once again we ask those who enjoy winter oh a snow machine to
think before acting, The number of people killed and injured iii
snow mishpas is reaching alarming figures," be /toted, adding that
"you only have to read the newspaper and tune into a news report
to find out." —Exeter Times-Advocate.
Seaforth — The coming year will bean opportunity to tidy up some
projects instituted last year as well as considering some new projects,
Mayor F.. 'C. ,L Sills told Seaforth Council at the inaugural meeting
on Monday morning, January 4.
Referring to the completion of projects begun ,some time ago such
as the Main Street -program he emphasized the extent to which
co-operation of the various agencies involved had contributed.
Looking to the future Mayor Sills said it would be necessary to
complete the industrial study and official plan. Other projects
involved a new sewage disposal lagoon and drainage plan No. 1 in the
northeast section of town. He said it would be necessary to consider
an option on an industrial site and the Ontario Water Resources
Commission feasibility study oh completing the sanitary sewer
system for the remainder of town,
With the possibility of additional industry a requitement would
arise for housing, He foresaw a need for replacement of certain town
equipment as well as repairs at the arena. Provincial requirements
would necessitate new refuse disposal facilities.
Referring to the town's financial positiou, he said tax arrears were
down and he expected it would be possible to hold the existing tar
rate for the coming year,
Mayor Sills welcomed a new member, Couhe. Dave Tremeek, who
he said would contribute a great deal to council deliberations.
—Huron nxpositor,
Myth — The first regular meeting of the Blyth Snowmobile Club was
held on Sunday afternoon, January 3rd at the Conservation Club
House. President Tom Cronin had charge of the meeting.
A discussion took place regarding a name for the club and a
motion by Jim Howson and Lyle Younghlut
approved that name -"The Blyth Snow Travellers."
Additions were made to the executive appointed at the
organizational meeting. joint Elliott was named vice-president and
Doug Scrimgeour, Mac Brooks and Harve McCallum were named as
additional directors, It Was also decided to approach the
tonged/atm Club about the renting of their hall for this year's
regular meetings,
It was also decided to hold a work bee this Saturday afternoon at
1t30 for the purpose of making and marking trails in the area,
The club has ordered 75 trail and 25 danger sight from the
Ontario Safety League. —Blyth Standard.
Goderich The Goderich Retteation and Community Centre Board,
with the help of the Goderich Volunteer Fire Department and the
Public Utilities Commission has prepared an outdoor ice rink for the
people of Goderich.
The new ice surface, approximately 45 by 75 feet is located at
Judith Gooderharn Park and is being set up as an experiment to
accommodate those people of the town who are not able to make it
to the arena for public skating due to work or school schedules.
The area was flooded by fire department volunteers on Tuesday
evening after being packed down with a roller earlier in the day.
Maintenance of the natural ice surface will have to be carried out by
those who use it and snow scrapers will be left at the park for that
purpose.
Recreation board chairman Paul Carroll said this week if the
experiment it a success a more permanent area will be prepared for
next winter, "It will probably involve a small shelter and boards
orotund the perimeter of the ice," said Mr. Carroll. —Goderich
Signal-Star.
Exeter — Preliminary hearing on a charge of non-capital murder
against Clarence George Blyde, RR 2 Crediton will be heard in
Goderich, January 22 at 10 a.m.
131yde is charged ie. the death of 76 year-Old Miss Pearl Painter of
Creditor) who died November 22, 32 hours after she was found
Unconscious in her bedroom.
lie appeared in provincial judge's court Monday morning in
Goderich and was remanded to January 11,
Mytie, an assistant horse trainer was arrested at Mohawk Raceway
neat Carripbellville, about a week after Miss Fainter died. —Exeter
Times-Advocates.
Wingham — A ear-snowmobile collision on Highway 4 between
13eigrave and Blyth resulted in total damage of $700 Thursday night,
December 31.
Michael McNall, Beigrave, was northbound on Highway 4 when he
observed a snowmobile on the toad. He applied the brakes but
skidded into a late model Ski'Doo.
The snow vehicle had fallen from a trailer approximately 10
minutes before the collision and was owned by Alvin Smith of
London.
Pm. Consteble C. Richer investigated, —Wingharn
Advance-gimet.
Goderich — Final plans for the second Godetich Winter Carnival are
being made now and it looks as though the town is in for a real treat.
The Goderich Kinsmen Club at its meeting Monday evening
decided on some of the events that will be held over the two day
carnival on January 90 and 31. These will include snowmobile races
with big machines &lining into town to compete at Agricultural
Park.
One of the 'amain attractions at the carnival last year was the
snowmobile racing that drew large crowds On both days.
Other events Will include cutter rides, a snow sculpture contest, 'a
draw for a snowmobile and a number of novelty events, Otto big
attraction will be a show queen contest Which, it is hoped, Will
attract the beauties of the area.
A grand dance Will be held Saturday evening to help those who
were at the carnival to relax after a busy day; refreshments Of all
kinds will be available. Get your tickets early if you want to go
though, last year it was a sell out. —Goclerich Signal-Star.
Witigham — A contestant in the snowmobile races held in Winghatn
on Sunday, Robert Robertson, RR 14,1Vionkton, was admitted to
Wingharn and District Hospital with multiple lacerations to his face
and fractured jaw received when struck by the track of a
snowmobile.
He was transferred to Victoria Hospital, Lohdoh, on Monday,
January 4, by ambulance, —Wingharrt Advance-Times.
MAYOR DON SYMONS
Huron F of A. elects four-man board
Directors of the Huron Federation Of
Agriculture elected a Pout`-man board of
directors at their first regular meeting of
1971 held in Clinton on thurtday,
Five directors at large were nominated for
the board, They included Russel Iternighan,
R.R. 4, Goderich; Mervin Smith, rut. 1,
Walton; Doug Fortuhe R, R. 1, Wingharn;
Vince Austin, R.R. 1, Dungannon and Mrs,
Betty Stafford,
The four men were elected to the board
following a vote of directors present.
The striking committee also brought in its
recommendation for eommittees for 1971.
The committees are coMposed of the
following:
lnsuranc'e—Bruch Shapton, Doug McNeil,
Bob Milian, Bob Allan and Doug Fortune.
Assessment and taxation-,kTharles
Thomas, Harry Bakker, Walter Elliott; Doug
Fortune and Lavern Godkin.
Resolutions Phil Durand,Peterthandier,
Atiden Vos, Pat Flunking and Martin Bean.
Finance—Case Van Raay, Jack Stafford,
Masori Bailey, Faye Peare,
Publicity The executive and the
secretary.
Education and 'Rural
e vel op merit—Mervin Strait, Allan
'halibut], Jamieson Ribey, Mr, and Mrs.
Oliver McChades, John Riddell, and Bob
Henry.
Input—Charlie Rau, Bob 'Gordon Doug
"Fraser, Don Eadie, Vince Austin and john
Gaunt.
Entertainment:North Huroh—Mr„ and
Mrs. Mason Bailey, Mr. arid Mrs. Ted Peare,
Mr, and Mrs, Jack Stafford; South
Huron—Mr, and Mrs, Harry Ilayter, Mr, and
Mrs, Morris Love, Mr. and Mrs. Jim
McGregor, Mr. and Mrs. Bev Hill and Alf
Warner,
Membership—Mason Bailey, Lloyd
Stewart, Vince Austin, Harry Haytet and
case Van Raay,
Properties—Russell 'Xernihan, Lloyd
Stewart, Bob'Down and Mason Bailey.
In each committee the first named is the
chairman except with the entertainment
committee where each section will choose its
own chairnian.
The 'meeting also voted to recommend
that voting rights be extended to the wife of
any individual service member on county
issues but that both husband And wife
couldn't hold office on one membership,
Earlier a resolution had been introduced
that would have given such rights for the
price of an extra $10 over the regular
membership fee. It was decided, however,
that such a fee would not be needed on the
county level.
A scheme of A sales contest for members
selling memberships was voted down by the
Huron Federation. The program, which
originated with the OFA, would have
provided for prizes for those selling their
quota of metribetships.
The 'members felt the selling of
memberships might be hindered if farmers
knew that the person .selling had something
to grain personally 'out -of such it sale.
Agreement to )Oitt the program would also
have Meant the portion of the membership
fee that la rebated to the county would be
used by the OFA to pay for the prometion.
It was felt this 'would bring to great a strain
on the finances of the local fecleratiOn.
Clinton , Ontario Seeon el Section
Mayor Symons inaugural addres*
delivered Monday night
Most of us here in Clinton
think of Don Symons first as a
Mayor and secondly as a hydro
employee.
But to those who know him
through his job as an Ontario
Hydro lineman, the order is
reversed. Don and his many hats
were featured in the December
issue of Western Winds a
newspaper produced for Ontario
Hydro for its employees.
BY JACK BOITSON
The big white truck buniped
off the gravelled farm road and
ground to a halt in a shallow
ditch. Nearby stood a wooden
hydro pole supporting three
overhead lines.
Two men jumped out of the
cab and began unloading tools; a
spool of shiny conductor was
hefted to the damp ground last.
The shorter of the two men
turned to his companion and
asked, "You want to go up or
stay down?"
"You go."
Nodding, he reached for his
spurs. After buckling one on, he
glanced at the farmhouse tucked
behind some trees a quarter of a
mile away. "I wonder if he's
home."
"Think I should go see?"
"Wouldn't hurt, he'll be
without power for some
minutes."
With a grin, the taller lineman
leaped into the truck cab. "Okay
Your Worship, I'll go tell 'em,"
he called good naturedly.
For lineman journeyman Don
Symons is also mayor of
Clinton, commissioner of the
P.U.C., union steward for the
OHEU, and father of three.
These are the many careers of
a unique man,
Born in Port Hope, Ontario,
46 years ago, the story of his
many careers begins when he
was working at Clinton Air
Force Base as a civilian after
having taken his discharge from
the Air Force. It was 1948, a
vintage year on two counts, as it
turned out.
First, there was Florence
Aiken; pretty, pert, brunette; a
Clintonite who dared say yes
and changed her name for a
lifetime.
Second, there was the
application and acceptance to
Ontario Hydra's learner ranks;
Don was launched on a career to
become a lineman in Clinton
Area.
Smiles Florence, "It was
really a big year for Don: A new
wife to learn to live with, and a
new job to learn to handle,"
Quips Don, "I must have
taken to both because I've
stayed with both."
ELECTED TO COUNCIL
After 12 years, settling into
the community, erecting a
home, raising a family_ of three
girls, and shelling out tax
money, Don took a notion to
burrow deeper roots into the
Town of Clinton. In 1960 he
was elected Councillor serving
until 1965, when he was elected
Mayor: Don has now completed
his sixth year as first citizen of
Clinton, and recently he was
re-elected by acclamation to
serve in 1971-72.
Don's interest in Council
work began with town bylaws
and community protection such
as fire and police. As mayor he
now sits on nine committees.
Then, at least once a month, he
attends meetings convened by
Clinton P.U.C. Throw in
conventions, special sessions,
and other duties mayors must
perform for the public benefit,
and you come up with one
extremely involved, busy man.
How does Florence feel about
his so many off-Hydro-hours
spent away from his family?
"There must be some time
left for the family, because he
isn't at meetings every night of
the year." With a smile, she
adds, "But it sure seems like
that."
CENTENNIAL PROJECT
Don's number one
accomplishment in the town of
3,200 population he feels, is the
completion of the Community
Centre. In the '65 election it was
an issue and he favoured the
idea. Most Clintonites felt the
same way, electing him as
mayor. The building project
became a Centennial
undertaking and has since been
completed at a cost of just over
$250,000.
Was it worth it? Well, what
price recreation — where kids
and bigger kids, and moms and
dads and grandmoms and dads,
can watch, or take part in roller
skating, figure skating, hockey,
spring fairs and a host of other
community activities? The heart
and soul of most communities is
its central gathering place. So
when he says the building is a
symbol of his accomplishment,
he has reason to believe this. To
make sure the town has good
roads, good sidewalks and
recreation facilities has been his
pet projects.
At this point daughter
Barbara interrupts with a
skeptical exclamation which
translated says: "You're not
telling like it is, dad!"
"I know what she means,"
interjects Don, to keep the
record straight. "No sidewalks
on Raglan!"
The Symons' modern
bungalow is one of several on
Raglan Street which offers a
picturesque view of a broad
valley, now a playground and
football field, and hills dotted
with stately maples and elms.
Although the street is gravelled,
it gets a mite muddy when rain
falls, Maybe the message Barb is
telling dad: If the mayor can't
get us sidewalks, who can?
MORE EXPECTED
What's it take to run the
complex machinery of a
municipality?
"When you hire a man to do a
job, don't interfere with him,"
suggests Don. "Meddling in the.
affairs of others is prevalent in a
small town; I suppose
everywhere,
"People are more demanding
today. More is expected of you.
Maybe it's because taxes are
greater, and the people expect
more for their money."
School costs are by far the
greatest expenditure according
to Don. Police costs rank as
another major expense. "The
public expects more from its
police force, even though in
general there's a lack of respect
for it.
"Today, the Chief has to
know all jobs, more men are
needed because of shift work,
greater responsibilities, and so
on. And for these reasons the
costs are rising."
REGIONALISM
Does Regional Government
offer a solution? He has mixed
feelings.
"When people don't do their
own work you lose contactwieh-
them, and some control.
"But in some ways
Regionalism may be a good
thing: Maybe now we'll
appreciate more our local
efforts."
As for the public utilities and
regionalism, and as mayor Don
serves as a Commissioner of the
Clinton P.U.C., he feels they
should remain as they are. He
does, however, strongly suggest
that an amalgamation of water,
sewage and public works is a
must for economical survival.
"Biggest difficulty faced is
finding the work force necessary
to do all the jobs in a
municipality. The amalgamation
of services and the resultant
savings of manpower and
equipment is for the better in
the long run."
BOTH SIDES
Working for Ontario Hydro
and serving as a Commissioner
on a municipal utility has given
Don both sides of the
Hydro-in-Ontario concept
"when it comes to dealing with
salary negotiations or employee
training. Unless a man is fully
qualified he can't expect to get
the equivalent wages of someone
who is."
Utilizing his line experience,
Don has instructed Clinton
P.U.C. men on Hydro work
methods and line maintenance
techniques, having conducted
three different classes in the ,past
two years. "In the summer and
winter of 1969, I also instructed
Ontario Hydro line trades at the
Orangeville Training Centre."
For nine years Don has been
steward for the OHEU,
representing the Clinton work
crews. "It's no different than
serving on Council, everyone
teIlS" you 'What to do, but no
volunteers step forward to
help."
For recreation Don sang with
a male choir in Goderich, but
had to give it up three years ago,
He still sings in the choir in the
Clinton United Church (Ontario
Street). He is also secretary of
the Masonic Lodge, and, with his
wife, a regular bidder at bridge
in the Legion Hall on Saturday
nights,
Main hobby, though, is
gardening. He owns the lot next
door and has converted it into a
vegetable garden, flowers and
lawn.
Family camping in summer
rounds out an agenda that IS the
sum of one man's life. His
daughters, Jane 11, Lorrie 14,
arid Barbara 17, are avid
swimmers. "Me, I flounder
around a bit."
"Let's just say Don it a
bather," suggests Mrs, Symons.
A bather he may well be, but
in the stream of life few swim 'as
Masterfully as Doh Symons!
First of all I would like to
take this opportunity of
thanking the Council and
citizens of Clinton for
acclaiming me their Mayor for
another term. The experience I
have gained in the past, I hope
will be demonstrated by what
we are able to accomplish this
year, and thus make me worthy
of the confidence you have
placed in me,
It is my own personal feeling
that the challenges that confront
us in the coming term will be
very crucial to the future of
Clinton, and I am sure that the
Council you, the citizens, have
elected for this term are
prepared to deal with these
crises in a realistic manner, so
that the future of Clinton will be
a strong foundation from which
future Councils may work.
At this time I would like to
express my personal
appreciation, as well as
appreciation of the members of
last year's council, to those who
served with us last term. Mr.
Lawson, who served the town as
Deputy Reeve, and Mr. M. Steep
as Councillor, both gave
unstintingly of their time, and
their contributions to the
community will assist us in our
programming for the coming
years.
You the citizens of Clinton
have elected us as your
governing body for the coming
term, and councils in the past
have selected or appointed
employees to assist in the
running of our community. To
these people, I would like to
express a sincere thank you for
their efforts and co-operation in
the past, and hope we will have
this continued good relationship
in the coming term. As I have
pointed out on previous
occasions, the best possible
means of co-operation is a
definite line of communication.
I feel that past councils have
been able to maintain
satisfactory programmes which
are reflected in our area. We the
Council of 1971-72 must not
take the attitude of a look-see
basis; rather we must try to
improve our image, which is the
result of change. Work methods
must be improved and perhaps
even some of our internal
functions. Efficiency is purely a
matter of organization, training
and attitudes. If we are to attain
a proficient system for the
monies we 'have at our disposal,
then we as a council, must &et
the example and be prepared to
meet our problems as the leaders
we were elected to be,
The year 1970 has been
perhaps one that brings a bit of
remorse to the area in which we
live, for as we have been made
aware, as of September 1971 a
very important part of our
economy "is to be removed. I can
assure you that all parties
concerned have not been idle in
their efforts to see that this area
is not robbed of this portion of
our economy, and perhaps our
plight will not be as gloomy as
we fear at the present time.
This is only one of the many
problems we will be confronted
with as we start our present
term. It will, no doubt, have a
very great impact on our
programmes for the next term.
Projects that have been
contemplated in the past, I am
happy to say, have been either
completed or will be this year.
1971 will see the completion
of paving and sidewalks in our
downtown area.
Our first Senior Citizes'
apartments will be completed.
Our main highways' street
lighting will be completed.
To say what projects should
have priorities in 1971 is rather a
difficult task, and I would ask
council to be prepared to be
very considerate of our tax
dollar and also of the
restructuring of our
administration, which I feel is a
must for the coming term.
Budgets are a very essential
part of any business and not
necessarily just guide lines; and
when our budget is prepared for
1971, I hope we will have
courage to stay within its
boundaries. Certainly we must
strive to be of an open mind -
courageous and at the same time
politic. Demands always outstrip
the availability of resources,
financially and otherwise.
I am of the firm belief we as
the elected bodies must stand
and be counted. With these
thoughts in mind, I would ask
council this year to give
consideration to only those
things that I feel are essential to
the welfare of our town.
Priority, I feel, must be given to
our sewerage system. A
complete review is necestary-
Here I feel we owe a great deal
to those who some 25 years ago,
felt this was essential, and
planned for its installation at
that time,
In conjunction with this is the
field of our natural conservation
that is in our area. We must not
let this become an area of
unwanted eesspOols, and I would
ask council to give
whole-hearted support to an
authority which will enrich our
area with a more attractive
recreational atmosphere than
now exists. Let us not have
people saying our lakes in the
immediate area have become too
thick to swim in, too thin to
walk on. I feel quite certain that
the Planning Board will continue
to be a source of help to us, and
we the council will co-operate
with them as a team to produce
a plan that will not just serve the
present needs, but any future
expansion.
How far we will be able to go
on reconstruction of certain
streets and sidewalks will depend
on our financial status, Certainly
we are all concerned over the
condition of same, and I can
assure you we will do our
utmost to see that priorities will
be adhered to.
May I once more point out
the importance of our local
governments, although we are
not 'masters of our own house',
let us not hide our light under a
bushel. The challenges of today
must be confronted and we at a
local level have by our oath of
office sworn to fulfil our
obligation at this level. Let us
not then take the attitude of
approaching another level of
government and asking them to
carry our load, but rather we
want to assist them in a united
approach of our problems. We
are all partners in any form of
government, whether it be
provincial, county or federal
level.
Those choices we make today
are choices around which people
will live their lives in the future.
1970 was a first for such a
concept, when the Province of
Ontario and the municipalities
sat down together and talked
out their points of view on their
relationship and the future. This
I feel, is a very encouraging sign
of how much we need each
other in the shaping of our
future destinies.
Throughout recorded history,
man has always been faced with
changing society, changing
environment, and changing
conditions of every kind. We
must be prepared to face today's
changes, which perhaps are more
radical than ever before, and our
reactions to these changes will
dictate the course of the future.
Education perhaps, heads the
list of changes, not only in
schools but in the pattern of our
society today, Education used to
be considered the three '13,'s' but
now we seem to be in the era of
the three 'C's', computers,
consultants and confusion. To.
this end we must pool oui
resources, our knowledge and
our know-how, to meet the
challenge of today's costs, In our
changing society, one gets the
impression we are heading for a
welfare state, and if I may
repeat, our present welfare
system is giving the wrong
incentive to the beneficiaries
not to Work and not to save.
Security from the cradle to the
grave removes the challenge of
incentive,
With all the changes and there
are many which we could
mention at this time, I believe
our first duty is to ensure we are
charting the best course which is
predicable at Our level. You the
citizens and we as your elected
representation, must find out
and accept the facts bearing on
our many problems. This we can
only do by an active
participation, not merely by
attendance at meetings or
conventions, which in
themselves are vital, for the time
is long since past when our heeds
or problems ate confined to the
limits of our comintthity. Only
by so doing. can we have
well.rhartaged municipal
governments each enjoying its
own identity, but working
closely together where the tax
dollar can be saved.
As we start our journey along
the highway of progress for the
coming term, we as municipal
officials should not hesitate to
look to the future with
confidence. Let us not take the
philosophy attributed to
Einstein, never think of the
future, it, comes soon enough'.
Hopefully we will be Able to
approach the new decade with a
confidence which will ease the
confusion which has plagued out.
predecessors,
How Well will we govern in
the coming term?, Those Who
follow Will tell us. By ternalhing
steadfast to the principles we
cherish, I feel out journey Will
be quite successful,
• S