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Clinton News-Record, 1971-09-23, Page 4Editorial ,commott Stop the political garbage Charles MacNaughton,the Progressive Conservative candidate in the upcoming provincial election, has been getting good press lately for his decision net to employ lawn signs as part of his campaign for re-election. Mr, MacNaughton points out that the signs are a blight on urban streets. In the city suburbs, the streets are often lined with these signs in the height of the election campaign, sometimes making it hard to see the houses, Elimination of the signs is a step in the right direction. But why eliminate lawn signs and still plaster trees and poles' along country roadsides with . posters, as Mr. MacNaughton's organizers say they still intend to do? Why, with all the talk about improving the environment, Mould people like Mr. MacNaughton and Murray Gaunt (Liberal MPP for Huron—Bruce), who are so far out in front in their ridings. they hardly have to look over their shoulders, or even Mr. Carroll, who claims to be fighting for a cleaner environment, put up ugly posters around the countryside? There are only a couple of thousand acres of urban area in Huron County, but hundreds of thousands of acres of rural countryside. That means that lawn signs would plague only a small area of our county while the roadside posters cover the vast amount of territory. And if someone has a sign on his front lawn, you can be pretty sure he's going to take it down shortly after the election. We have yet to hear about one election campaign committee that went around after an election and took down its posters, Usually the countryside bears the effects of the election long after the vote has been taken. Faded posters and torn bits of cardboard often cling to the trees for up to a year after an election. How about our prospective legislators not talking so much about the sad state of the environment, and doing something about it by not posting posters. Tough action needed The alarming figures that both unemployment and inflation are still with us shows that it is time for tough action by the federal government to help restore the economy. Prime Minister Trudeau has been called autocratic by many critics but the problem seems to be that he is not autocratic enough to take bold action. This is one of those times when he seems to be listening too much to his advisors to hear what the people really want. Hopefully, Mr. Trudeau is watching the U.S. situation where, on the whole, people are taking the wage and price freeze very well. There have been a few bleats from labour, but, in general, President Nixon seems to have the country behind him more than ever. Surprisingly, it seems to be such decisive moves that most unite a country. A year ago, Trudeau's popularity was never higher when he took strong action to end the threat in Quebec. And probably today, he would win many friends if he followed Nixon's example and declared wage and price controls. Because even though Canadians are in many ways more money-grubbing than Americans, they still want strong leadership, and are beginning to see the need for controls. The U.S. has said "to hell with the rest of you guys, we're going to worry about ourselves- .for a while." Why • shouldn't Canada take the same line of action? The U.S. is considering action to encourage branch plants of American firms abroad to come home to the U.S. We're getting hurt by U.S. actions anyhow, so why not bring in programs to encourage manufacturing of our own resources on our own soil, rather than shipping off our raw materials to the U.S. or Japan? Why not discourage taking profits out of Canada by foreign-owned firms? Sooner or later, we are going to get in serious trouble if we continue to rely on foreign-owned industries and businesses. The pinch we are feeling now is nothing compared with the squeeze we're going to feel sometime in the years to come when things get bad, if we continue to follow current policies. Why not say "to hell with the U.S., tor the next while we're going to worry about our own problems?" Sure, it will mean short run hardship, but it will benefit us in the long run, and if the Prime Minister has the guts enough to make such a decision and tell the people of his plans, we think the people will stick with him. hat's new at Huronview? History in pictutes April, 1941, on board a banana boat, the "Jamaica Producer" out of Barry Docks (near Cardiff) South Wales bound for Quebec City, then somewhere in Canada to constitute the nucleus of a • radio school were (left to right) W/C Adrian H. W. F. Cocks, former Deputy Director of Signals 4 la title embracing all radar activities in the RAF); G/C A, F. Lang, Director of Signals 4, Air Ministry; S/L B. M, J. Davis, RAF, a temporary wartime officer knowledgeable on such matters as power supplies and test equipment who was to advise on the lay-out and construction of the school. G/C Lang was to be School Commander; W/C Cocks was to be chief instructor. (When the school had taken root satisfactorily, Lang was to go to Washington to serve; Cocks would become CO of the school to be known as No. 31 RAF Radio School, Clinton.) Nobody's phottey THE CLINTON NEW ERA Amalgamated THE HURON NEWS-RECORD Established 1865 1924 Established 1881 Clinton News-Record A member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association and the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) second class mail registration number — 0817 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: (in advance) Canada, $8.00 per year; U.S.A., -$7.50 KEITH W, ROULSTON — Editor J. HOWARD AITKEN — General Manager Published every Thursday at the heart of Huron County i Clinton, Ontario Population 3,475 :THE HOME OF RADAR IN CANADA 4 Clinton News-Record, Thursday, September 23, 1971 Mrs. St. Claire of Brigden, along with Mr. and Mrs. Bert Finlay of Goderich joined the Huronview orchestra to provide the music for the Monday program. Twenty nine residents were honored by the Tiger Dunlop Womens Institute on Wednesday afternoon at the September birthday party. One hundred and fifty residents and some guests gathered in the auditorium for the party and enjoyed the program which was convened by Mrs. Iteauburn, The program consisted of a 1 he ivy-covered Teaching in our school this fall has been a combination of walking the plank and running the gauntlet. When school opened, about 1500 kids and 80 teachers Walked into something that looked as though the Irish Republican Army had been using it for a couple of years as a testing ground for bombs. A new addition, about the third since I came here, was in its glorious death throes, That Means it might be finished in six Months. It was begun a year ago. It wasn't so bad during last winter and spring, because most of the construction was outside: brick piling and steel work. In fact, it was quite lively, especially in the spring, with the Italian workers ogling the girls through the windows and being ogled back, and drinking beer on the job, and yelling and laughing. 13ut during the summer, the termites, the inside workers, got Into the mausoleum and the result, for a while at least, is complete chaos. The termites are the etectriciahs, plurnbers, floor And telling men and others of that ilk. If you aren't tripping over an electric -:able or walking through some freSh•poured concrete, you're liable to be showered with sparks by a welder working )vethead. The library Isn't ready, there 15 PH, cafeteria, and the gym is zivi4.0c1. These are pretty reading by Mrs. Clarence Hunter and several accordian numbers by Hilly Klouse. Following the program gifts were presented to those celebrating birthdays and lunch was served by the ladies. Leo Moerbeck of Huronview thanked the group on behalf of the residents, Sharon Carter and Betty Lockhart, volunteers from tile Beta Sigma Phi sorority, assisted with the wheelchairs. Mr. Jack McLaren of Benmiller accompanied on the piano by Mr. Ed Stiles of Goderich provided a very 81.119 able Pt1.44eit1M.P.P halls of learn in g important areas in a school that size. Did you ever try to teach poetry With a jackhammer blasting a few feet away? It's like trying to have an elegant garden party in the middle of a monsoOn. Did you ever try to teach anything in a room that has one naked light bulb at the back and is so full of somebody else's junk (equipment), that you couldn't see your students even if you had lights? Jest to compound the confusion, the numbers of all the rooms have been changed. Thus, my old room, 269, is now E202 or 204, I'm still not sure which. Time Was, When a little grade-niner would ask, "Sir, can you tell me where Mr. Jacklin's room is." I would answer with sublime confidence, "Sure. Just along the hall to the boiler room, turn right, and it's about three doors down on your left," Now, I haven't a clue where Mr. Jacklin's toOrn it. I think he's moved somewhere, and the place is so big I couldn't tell the kid how to get there if 1 did know. It took me half an hour to find the new staff "lounge", which turned out to be a square, bleak, underground hole with no Windows and a couple of light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. In the proposed cafetorium (a bastard Word if there ever was One), the windows were sealed at the Thursday Family Night program. Mr. McLaren one of the original members of the famous show "The Duinbells" sang several of the songs that were sung by the group which had its beginning following the first world war. He also showed pictures that had been made from old snaps of the members as well as slides on the history of Benmiller. Mrs. Mary Johnston expressed the appreciation of the residents. It is encouraging to have visitors attend the program with a Huronview relative or friend. off because it would be air-conditioned. Then it was learned that' it wouldn't be air .,;„conditiorted. Can you imagine what it will be like in there with the smells of cooking and five hundred bodies, on a hot day? It seems to me that scheiol architects are in a class by themselves, like carpenters who would .never tackle anything bigger than an out-door privy, Perhaps I Wrong them. Perhaps they are hampered by rigid budgets. But I can't imagine any firm that specializes in designing schools being asked to build something that combined aesthetics and utility. However, there's always a bright side to things. The public address system is not Working. The bells are not working. These are two boons, and I hope they never get'them working. None of the teactfers has gone stir-crazy yet, despite the architect's fetish for windowless rooms. In fact, there's a certain gaiety and esprit de corps among the staff, the sort of thing that always emerges in a great disaster, like a bombing blitz or a paralysing blizzard. And the kids love it, kids love contusion, especially in their teens, 'when they begin to resent bitterly regulations, rules and rigidity. They can 'wander through the ruins, pretend they got lost, chat with the workmen, and be late for class. That's living. Another word I'd most gladly strike from the dictionary or, at any rate, from common usage, is "phoney." More people are defamed by that mean, malicious and meaningless little kernel of contempt than any other I know. Heard it again the other night when, dining by chance with some younger friends at a good restaurant, there entered one of our town's venerable and fading show business personalities, an entertainer of mediocre yet adequate talent I've known for some 20 years. He was, as always, flamboyantly over-dressed, quite, obviously conscious of tile glances and murmurs cast his way as he passed through the tables. I watched, bemused, as he stopped occasionally to endow particular groups with a wise-crack, the smile much too incandescent, the voice much too loud, the whole performance `much too calculatingly effervescent to be altogether real. "Same old lovable ham," I thought to myself with affection and admiration for his indestructibility. "What a phoney," I heard one of my younger friends 10 YEARS AGO The Clinton News—Record Thursday, Sept. 21,1961 For the benefit of newcomers to Clinton, this explanation of town custom should inform them about the fire alarm system, Since the nation is becoming more conscious of danger from abroad, and the government is taking more interest in an emergency measures set-up, it has been pointed out that the single blast which warns of fire at Huronview may have to be changed, It happens that a single blast is also the signal for "national alert". This can be upsetting to newcomers in the area. Principal J. A. Cray reported 511 students on the roll at Clinton Public School in his formal report to the School Board last Thursday night. 'This is a reduction of 4/ pupils since elating of school at the end of June. 15 YEARS AGO The Clinton News—Record Thursday, Sept. 20, 1956 Tvvo young lads investigating things on Vinegar Hill this week will probably remember the place for many a year. They found an old empty 500 gallon gasoline &inn and dropped a match into the opening to see what Would happen. The drum blew up with a bang mighty enough to blow one end out and the boys set out fur home as fast as they -could go. Neighbours and people a block away said the blast was strong enough to shake their buildings. Tomorrow night's huge $5,000 bingo in Clinton Lions Arena is the first big fund-raising event in suppott of the swimming pool now being remark and then, smugly, the echoing assent of another: "A real phoney!" (The word "real", used in this form, is also ripe for oblivion, but I'll leave that for another day.) I'd have given them my two-dollar Uncle Dudley lecture right then and there, but what would have been the use? How could I ever convince them that the fellow's gregarious facade is a mask to hide a whole lot of inner doubts and uncertainties, that the glad hand is always extended because he has a greater need than most of us to have it reciprocated for reassurance, that to know this man intimately, difficult as that may be, is to respect him for his many sensitive qualities? A psychiatrist, I suppose, might diagnose precisely that sensitivity as the cause for his behaviour. Over-compensation. Isn't that what they call it? And yet how often such types, particularly those who perform, are lightly and scornfully dismissed with that cruel and stupid word because of what might be known as their public face. I found myself looking around at the others at our table, speculating on the constructed In Clinton Community Park. There will be no Apple Show in Clinton this year. Unfortunately, the wet weather, hail damage and the lateness of the season for all farm work have made their mark and the fruit growers decided reluctantly that for 1956 the show, which was such a success last year, will have to be cancelled. 25 YEARS AGO The Clinton News—Record Thursday, Sept, 26,1046 "Constrection of the new highway bridge over the Bayfield Rivet at Bayfield has been delayed through the tardy delivery of various types of materials, including cement and steel," Dr. IL Hobbs Taylor, Dashwood, M.L.A. for Huron South, informed the News—Record today. "Some materials are on hand, however," he stated, "expressing the hope that the general contractor, 13lyth Construction Company', Toronto and Brampton, would be able to proceed with erection of the bridge very shortly." Charles R. Cook, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Cook, has received a certificate from the Commander-In--Chief for outstanding service and devotion While oh duty in 'Europe. This certificate was signed "Montgomery". During the war, Charlie served with the Calgary Highlanders and held the rank of Corporal. 40 YEARS An() The Clinton News—Record Sutter, Perdue and Walker have their furniture and undertaking branch running. Clinton businetsmen, instead of retrenching, are branching out, particular mask that each of them had donned that morning, either as a camouflage of protective coloring or to project the more positive personality they've assumed to establish their identity. We all do this to some extent. Those currently fashionable words "image" and "stance" describe a process as old as time, the putting on of a kind of armor to confront the world with what we pretend to be, or would want to be or what we've deluded ourselves into believing we really are, It is the universal schizophrenia. One way or another we're all phonies since we contrive to present an admirable front that brings us rewards. There is more acting done in any one business block in a day than on all the stages of the world. My mind went back to that unlikely period when, involved as an executive and playing the role to the hilt. I commuted to the office by bus in the dawn's early light. There, each morning, in 32 minutes, was a sort of clinical demonstration of how we assume our disguises. I used to feel, in that short ride, as if I were seeing the lowly larva so much so that one man had to give up business for lack of a stand, The Huron Home and School Council will hold their annual picnic at Mrs. Cree Cook's cottage, Bayfield, on Saturday afternoon, October 3, at 3:00 o'clock. A box lunch will be served and members wishing to attend are asked to hand in their names to Mrs. George Jenkins, The Public Works Department at Ottawa have made a grant of $5,000 to the Grand Bend harbour and $800 to Bayfield, If this money is expended at once, it ought to assist the unemployment situation in these vicinities somewhat, 55 YEARS AGO The Clinton New Era Thursday, Sept. 21, 1916 Now that fruit picking is oh the program, it would not be amiss to examine the condition of the ladders and, on the "Safety First" principle, a closer scrutiny of the limbs of the trees might riot be out of place and passing through the chrysalis and emerging as the terminal butterfly. All those dead, e x p re ss i on-le ss , sleep-heavy faces, full of introspection,, gravity and maybe a little dread, would slowly change form as we swept toward the heart of the city. It was as if we were all progressively, painfully, puttieg on our make-up. The joker, the wise man, the hearty and the quiet, the sweet, the powerful, the humble and the purposeful—all, it seemed to me would emerge slowly from the common, putty face that we began with so that by the time we reached our destination we were ready to step in full raiment from the wings into the spotlight. Phoney? Perhaps so. Yet it seems to me one of the nobler sights of humanity for while the roles may be over-played or badly played, may in fact be false, there would be mightly little zest or variety to life without that effort to be better than we are. The entertainer, himself, contributes just that in playing the part of the timeless clown and I wish him a long and successful run. might possibly serve a good purpose in obviating a broken limb or worse. Old folk should also remember that climbing ladders or cavorting among the branches is not the style of a game for them but should be left to the younger and more active people. Again hydro twinkled and went out last Friday evening and, after a long wait, it came on again, much to the satisfaction of the householder. Trouble was down at Dundas Street, 75 YEARS AGO The Clinton New Eta September 18, 1896 From Benmiller notes — On Sunday last two men and a small boy visited our village with their cameras. We know not what day of the week they left home, but at any rate we think it was not at all necessary for them to place their cameras and themselves in full view of the villagers on the Sabbath day. If they want to "photograph our beautiful scenery, why not wait till a week day? Dear Editor: As we all listen to radio and teleVision, we periodically hear advertisements such as; this is National Water Safe Hy Week, or National Fire Prevention Week, or maybe even National Love Your Dog Week, but it is our privilege to inform the public of a specific week set aside for the advancement of the ,, square dance movement. Therefore, for the first time, "National Square Dance Week" is being held across Canada from September 20 — 25171. Recently, it was brought to our attention that there were many people in various head departments of our town that didn't even know that Clinton had a modern Square Dance Club in operation. We may be partially to blame for this fact, but we are sponsored by the Clinton Recreation Council and we feel Clinton should feel proud to have a recreation which is active, progressing and participating within the town. To many, square dancing means pull and push, swing and twirl until one is dizzy, out of breath, and too exhausted to carry on with the next tip. Our square dancing is done to the beat of the music, with no need to run to keep up. A variety of basics are combined to many of the pop tunes of the day so that our dancing looks smooth and graceful. Square dancing forms part of the heritage of Ontario, being the National Dance of the settlers of Upper and Lower Canada. Modern square dancing recognizes no barriers of age, colour or creed. Modern square dancing provides recreation with a spirit of fellowship in healthful exercise set to modern music to increase our physical and mental well being. All across Canada this week, Modern Square Dance Clubs are celebrating National Square Dance Week. The Clinton Wheel 'N' Dealers are starting their new season during National Square Dance Week, with our first dance on Wednesday, September 22, at 8:30 p.m., in the Clinton Public School. We hope you have taken time to read our posters around town, and that you will take us up on our request, Please come and visit us any time. We will be dancing at the Clinton Public School every Wednesday night from 8:30 — 11:00 p.m., with Glen Patterson calling, from mid-September to mid-May. We have tried to tell you a little about modern square dancing and our own club. We have extended an invitation to you to come and watch our recreation. The rest is up to you, Mr. Mayor, town council, heads of departments and committees, businessmen and women, teachers and all interested people. We have faith that you will care enough to drop in every now and again and visit with our big happy family. We will always have a glass of lemonade or a cup of coffee waiting for you. Finally, the square dance motto throughout Canada is "Friendship Is Square Dancing's Greatest Reward". Let us have a chance to prove it. Sincerely, The Executive of the Clinton Wheel 'N' Dealers, Edward and Lois Wise, Public Relations. The other day an elderly gentleman dropped into the store of Harland Bros., Brick Block, and after the customary salutations remarked, "Things took different here now to what they did 60 years ago, At that time this was a dense bush and I well remember sleeping one night at the root of a stump right about where this gore stands how." Asked who he was he gave his name, Mr. Van Egmond of Egmondville, he being a brother of Mr. E. Van Eginond of the Huron Road, Mullett. Letter to the, Editor