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Clinton News-Record, 1971-09-30, Page 1Weather 1971 1970 HI LO. HI LQ Sept. 21 66 47 86 63 22 68 42 79 66 23 68 49 66 57 24 61 42 84 .58 25 62 37 76 54 26 62 50 72 53 27 65 50 57 48 Rain .72" Thursday, September 30, 1971 106 Yen,- - No, 39 '...•••••••6„ Clinton, On Curio Clinton News-Record Thirty-five candles, each representing one year in the history of the Clinton Lions Club, were lit Saturday night at a dinner at the Legion Hall to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the club. Many former presidents, members and some charter members of the club formed in 1936 were at thecelebration. itere (left to right) Ken Waters, Dr. Walter Oakes and Russell E. Holmes tight candles on the cake. 35 candles for Lions' 35th birthday Crown assets offers Base services free to county BY BERT CLIFFORD Clinton Peewee Ponies are the Ontario Baseball Association champs after their St Column, Clinton police warn that the latest target of the criminal element in the area is car sterio tape decks and tapes. There has been a rash of such thefts in the last few weeks. Chief Lloyd Westlake says there are two groups of thieves who specialize in such thefts, some even stealing the equipment out of cars left unattended in broad daylight. He warns those who have such equipment not to leave their cars unlocked when they are unattended. Highlight of Friday night's commencement at Central Huron Secondary School valedictory address by Becky Howse in which she took alternate digs at the school administration, teachers and school board. Best line of the night was when she dealt with dress rules and the lowering of the age of majority and questioned if one "old adult" had the right to tell one "young adult" how he should dress, She bad school administration and board members on the platform squirming in their seats. ' * * * The police. crackdown on speeders continues in an attempt to cut down on the amount of wild driving on Clinton streets. Eighteen speeding charges have been laid in the last short while, thanks to the police radar set. We have heard rumors that some prominent citizens were among those charged. Chief Westlake will say only that the "little black box" plays no favourites, * * * A minor accident took place at the main corner street lights Monday when cars driven by Irwin Keys of RR 1, Varna dnd Frank Robert Crossman of Stratford Collided. * * There will be teams of men in town measuring buildings in the next while, They will be gaining data prior to the inspection of properties by regular assessors from the Huron—Perth Regional Assessment office during the winter months, These men carry identification with them which they will show anyone who may be in doubt as to their purpose. None of them has to go inside buildings to do their job. Doug King, station master at Clinton railway station, left Clinton for hit new position at kitchener last Thursday. He will be the last full-time station Master at Clinton. He has been replaced temporarily by Ted HraShowy but no permanent stationniaster will be appointed. exciting 4-1 win over Dresden at the Community Park, Saturday, The Ponies, sponsored by the Clinton Kinsmen Club, brought home the first OBA peewee crown won by Clinton, and together with the Clinton Intermediates, win last week the second Ontario championship this year, Just about everyone on the team either made a great play or came up with a timely hit. Pitcher Terry Gordner allowed Dresden to hit the ball all game but his teammates backed him up with great defensive work. Early in the game, Dresden put a man on with the only error but he was forced out at second base. Next centrefielder Neil Colquhoun made a big catch for the third out. In Clinton's first inning Don Peterson hit safely, Mark Nicholson walked and Paul "Moses" Priestap was safe on a catching error. With the bases loaded, two out, Dave Clynick went down swinging for the third out. With one in the next inning, Gordner walked the next two batters, but Don Peterson trapped a fly ball on the ground and made the put-out at third base. The next batter flied out to first baseman Doug Riehl. Pitcher Jerry Machacek struck out three in the first and two more in the second, giving up another single to Gordner in the second. The third inning was the turning point of the game for the Ponies. Dresden lead-off batter, Ellis poked out what appeared to be a clean home run but the big arm of Mark Nicholson held him to a triple. On the next play, Gordner pulled down a high-bounder and threw Ellis out at the plate, for the first out. The next batter walked, then the clean-up hitter Bossy cracked out a single scoring Dresden's only run. With two on, the Dresden catcher hit a tough grounder to third baseman Priestap who fired home a perfect throw for the second out. Gordner followed with his only strikeout of the game to finish the rally. Don Peterson grounded out to short1Mark Nicholson walked on four straight pitches and Robert Harkes followed with a single up the centre. Priestap went down after running the count full. Then Dave Clynick came to bat, determined that Machacek wasn't going to strike him out again. After going to a 2-2 count, Clynick cracked out his most important hit of the season, a three-run homer which landed behind a centre-fielder and rolled to the 340 mark on the fence. Again in the fourth, Dresden gave the fans nightmares as' they came up with three straight singles after Riehl had made the first out of the inning. On the third single, left-fielder Peterson fielded the ball on the run and threw a perfect strike to the plate and Dave Counter tagged the runner out for a big out, With two runners on third and second, Gordner walked the next batter but forced the next man to ground out to Clynick at second base, In the fourth and firth innings, Counter was the only runner to reach first base on a walk in the fourth inning. Dresden's big hitter Bossy was walked in the fifth then Petersoh, Clynick and Nicholson made three good catches to retire the side, With the taste of victory already in their mouths, the boys made sure of every play in the sixth and seventh. Shortstop Harkes made two good catches in the sixth and the vaccum cleaner at second, Dave Clynick, made his third put out. Two walks and a fielding error loaded the bases for Clinton in the sixth before Clynick scored on Gordner's sacrifice. On Gardeer's first hit in the seventh, the batter hit a line-drive to Harkes. The next two hit fly balls, first to Gardner and with all the team almost beside him, Doug Riehi caught a high fly just off first base. Following picture-taking and congratulations, Fire Chief Grant Rath gave the boys a ride through town on the fire truck. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Counter entertained the boys and coaches at a party at their home after the game, The championship is the first for a Kinsmen Club-sponsored team since the club decided to organize Peewee Baseball in 1956 and the squirt program in 1068. Over the 15 years they have had eight teams win the Western Ontario Athletic Association championship, the first being in 1056 and then in 1959 arid 1960. Bradford and Rodney eliminated the teams in these years in the OBA semi-finals in "C" competition. In 1963, with the change in population, Clinton won the "B" but lost out to Milton in 'OBA In 1966, the club eliminated Walkerton but lost to Tilsoriburg in a one-day tournament in the OBA. For the past three years Clinton have won the WOAA in 1969, 1970 in "B" but lost to Bssex and Kingsville. This year, back in "C" again, the Ponies ousted Seaforth, and Kincardine to win WOAA then Bolton Roakdiffe (2-0) and Dresden for the OBA championship, Two hundred Lions, former Lions members, their wives and guests attended the 35th anniversary dinner and dance of the Clinton Lions Club on Saturday night at the Legion Hall. Several of the charter members of the club when it was formed in 1936 were able to attend and many of the 35 former presidents were at the meeting. Past President Ken Flett introduced the charter members and past president on attendance and past president Ken Waters of Toronto replied. President A. Red Garon introduced representatives of many area Lions clubs who attended to help the Clinton Club celebrate. The reply was made by Herbert J. Murphy, president of the Goderich club which sponsored Clinton at its formation, Dr. Mowatt, Clinton representative to the OMB Advisory Board, announces another blitz on behalf of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Kinsmen Club, with Bert Clifford in charge of the Campaign, will canvass door to door half the town on Tuesday October 5, A week later the Lions Club will blitz the other half of the town (October 12). Few realize that there are 76 blind people in Huron County. Blindness can happen quickly. Sometimes it takes years, But in a split second an accident can damage sight beyond repair. When it does, CNIB "rehab" is ready. Thanks to the help of genetous givers over the years, CNIB has developed a E. Beecher Menzies, past president proposed a toast to the Lions International and told of the club's service work throughout the world. Dr. Andrew Mowatt proposed a toast to the ladies and the reply was made by Mrs. Frank Fingland, widow of the first Lions president, Judge Frank Fingland. Mrs. Fingland thanked the club for remembering those who "no longer belonged" to the club. Guest speaker was Jack O. Filkin of Toronto. After some humourous opening remarks, he dealt with the serious side of Lions work. Highlight of the evening was the lighting of 35 candles on the anniversary cake. Past president Russell E. Holmes enlisted the aid of several former members for the task, program of service that is second to none, Today blind persons are at work in factory, in business, and on the farms. They are paying their way, all contributing to our national economy. The blind are where they are today because thoughtful, sighted people helped with financial support which CNIB transferred in training and useful assistance, CNIB now asks the citizens of Clinton to give the generous support that will keep the CNIB program in tune with tomorrow. It needs, not dimes and quarters, but dollars to do the job. Be generous when your canvasser calls, If, somehow, your door is missed, please call Dr. Mowatt at 482-9896 or send your donation to Box 204, Clinton, Ontario. Huron Ili i cert(tin, has been assured that the Development Officer has done everything possible to try and obtain some type of replaceMent for the Armed 'Forces which occupied this area tot many years," The report recommended to council that consideration be given to retaining the development program under the direction of the Development Officer, Spence Cummings, for 1972 and withdrawing support from the IVIODA organization next year. McGregor told council county ratepayers could hot afford to keep both commitments ate Page Ten) Kenneth S, Wood D.C. a Clinton chiropractor has been elected President of the Ontario Chiropractic Association, at their annual tortferente last week in Toronto, More than 350 doctors and wives attended the conference and heard guest lectures from New York and California present papers on psychology and "whiplash" automobile injuries. Dr. Wood has practiced hi Clinton since 1958, and in July was honoured with the "Chiropractor of the Year" award for Canada, by the Chiropractic Research Foundation; belles, Texas, This award is presented annually in recognition for outstanding contribetions to the science or chiropractic and for dedicated service to his patierits and cominunity. suggested that the services provided on a government military base were different than those provided in the average municipality. He did say he could probably provide rough estimates of certain costs which would be of interest to the County of Huron in the event it would accept his proposal, Also present at the meeting was Don Southcott, executive secretary to Hon. C, S. MacNaughton, who was unable to attend because of a bothersome foot injury. Southcott claimed that Hamilton's presentation to Huron County Council was fair. However, Southcott went on to explain the Ontario government's position in the matter. "After the Ontario government's involvement in the base at Centralia," Southcott said, "MacNaughton had written to the federal government urging them to give ample warning well in advance of the closing of a military base so that the community would have an opportunity to make alternate plans." He said the provincial government was pleased when the announcement of the closing of Clinton came about two years before the actual shutdown. "From experiences at Centralia," Southcott continued, "annual operation costs amounted to almost $600,000 annually, as well as an additional $500,000 to $600,000 to repair some facilities." He said that when a purchase price was tacked onto this amount of money, it became a sizeable project and one which Was not all that attractive to the provincial government. Southcott also complained that in other instances where military bases at other points in Canada had been closed — most notably Gimley in Manitoba and Goose Bay in Labrador — the bases had been turned over to the provinces free of charge along with a generous federal grant to get the project going to the benefit of the people in that area. He said the base at Clinton could still be of interest to the provincial government, particularly in the area of recreation and youth training, but that the province would expect "some consideration in the purchase price comparable to what has been given to other provinces". "It is not unfair that at least Huron be given an opportunity to indicate its preference of the kind of use to be made of this facility," said Southcott. He said that Hon, Mr. MacNaughton would be eager to serve on a three-level committee of federal, provincial and municipal representatives who would consider the bids that came in on the property at CFB Clinton. It was noted from the report of the Huron Development Committee that the county officials have already requested a meeting with federal and provincial people to discuss the Clinton Base question. Robert E. McKinley, member of federal parliament, said he was sincerely sorry that the "federal government took so long to say no" with regard to whether or not some federal government department would utilize all or part of the base at Clinton. He said the Clinton Base had not been offered to the Ontario Development Corporation free of charge, 'and if it had been, it might have been of some interest to them. McKinley pledged his full support to a continuing effort to find a proper solution to the dilemma at Clinton, Another speaker, Major Frank Golding, who is charged with the responsibility of the caretaker staff at CFB until the premises is disposed of, said the buildings are partially heated and that a staff of about 36 people is keeping the base in good repair. Deputy-Reeve Gerry Ginn of Goderieh Township, said that he felt the county should acknowledge the proposal of Crown Assets Disposal Corporation with interest. He said the matter should be thoroughly studied by the County Development Committee and that the proposal should not be dismissed lightly as too costly. Reeve Elgin Thompson, Tuekersmith, the township in which the base is located, agreed, but urged county council to get behind the provincial government in its desire to have comparable assistance from the federal government, as has been given in other provinces. Second Ontario Championship this year Peewees win OBA 1110.DA's future itt BY SHIR LEY J. KELLER The Development Committee of Huron County Council is now wrestling With the question of whether or not to "withdraw support from the MODA organization in 1972". "The Development Committee is concerned with the future programing as it would relate to the Development Officer," the report by Alex. McGregor, chairman, stated. "In the first place, the committee is somewhat disappointed that there has not been any development at the Canadian Varees Base, Clinton, as far as an overall takeover of the Base, Nevertheless, courted Lions, Kinsmen to blitz town for GMB BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER Members of Huron County Council admitted Thursday they are interested in the Crown Assets Disposal Corporation's offer of the utility services — free of charge — at Canadian Forces Base, Clinton, but also expressed doubt that the taxpayers of Huron County could afford to operate the facilities after receiving the gift. The offer was made to the county by A, B. Hamilton of the Lands and Building Division of Crown Assets Disposal Corporation. In a frank discussion with county council, Hamilton traced the chain of events since the federal government announced in 1969 that the base would be closed in September 1971. Hamilton said the first step was to try to find some other use for the base on a governmental basis, for the desire of government was to produce a minimal amount of detrimental effect on the community. He said all federal government departments were canvassed to ascertain which ones might be interested in locating at CFB Clinton. He also said there had been meetings with the provincial government representatives, with representatives of Midwestern Ontario Development Council and with the Huron County Development Committee's Officer, Spence Cummings. "We haven't just sat back waiting for something to happen," said Hamilton. "One of our big problems is to find someone, somewhere, that can utilize this property in total." Hamilton reported that the base is self-contained, with the services there all centralized so that no part of the base is really functional unless the central utility system is operational. "The base can't be subdivided," stated Hamilton. "There are any number of types of organizations that can use parts of the base." "Can the people of Huron County take on and operate the municipal services?" asked Hamilton bluntly. "We would be prepared to turn over all these facilities, without charge, to the County of Huron if you would be interested in taking over the utility services on the base." Hamilton said that when no government agency expressed interest in the base — although there were hopes of some solution along these lines at one time — the property was offered for sale to the public. Bids are to be into the Crown Assets Disposal Corporation by October 14 and would be opened the following day. Hamilton strongly outlined his position, that of disposing of the base at the best possible price so that the people of Canada would recover as much money as possible from the sale, but also to have concern for the type of use to which the base would be put following the sale. He indicated that if a private bidder offered a fair price for the entire base, and his intentions for the facilities looked solid, reputable and of value to the people in the community of Huron, the deal would likely be closed, If, on the other hand, the bid was not too high and it appeared as though the base might be turned into a waste area of no particular value to anyone, it would be highly doubtful if the bid would be seriously considered. Hamilton stressed the fact that the federal government was anxious that the base be put to some useful purpose and that the buildings and facilities already established at CFE Clinton be properly utilized for the benefit of the people of Huron County and the Province of Ontario. Hamilton termed the resolution of the problem as "very, very difficult", but said he hoped he had Offered some "partial solutions". When questioned by county councillors concerning the cost of operating the base, Hamilton said the Oast factor would depend upon who operated the base and to what use it was being put. He said he wasn't hedging on the issue, but added that it would not be a fair comparison to estimate the cost to the federal government for maintaining the base While in full operation. "When the federal government operates a base, it operates a base." said Hamilton. He Ken Wood heads Chiropractic Association