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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1970-12-03, Page 364 Clinton. News-Record, Thursday, December 17,1970 cotnireen( An important choice for our future Clinton town council is at present considering the hiring of a person whp Mild do much to influence the future of the town. Council began Monday night to examine seven applications for the job of deputy-Clerk for the town and a PerSon most likely, with the retirement of John. Livermore as town clerk likely within the next year or so, will someday become the clerk-treasurer of the town. Getting just the right person for such a position will not be easy, but the choice of the right man could do much to enhance our future. Part of the job of the successful applicant of course Will be to handle the financial affairs of the town and the run-of-the-mill business of preparing by-laws and such for the approval of the council. But this person should be more than just a bookkeeper and secretary for council. In this day and age. public relations is a very important part of life, The applicant should ,Pe the -kind of person who can represent the town well and can .provide information to persons interested in the town. With industry pley.ing: an. ever-expanding part in urban life, he should be able to work with the industrial committee .and know town policy on such. matters because, when an industry is interested in locating .in. -e town, they often first approach the town clerk. Most of all, be must be a person :who realizes that getting the job isn't a free ticket for the rest ..of his life. He or she must be progressive .and ready to work hard for the benefit of the town, And, he or she must realize that they must continue to learn, to keep in touch with the latest facts and policies so he can best help .council and the town to improve 'steadily. Fight to save libraries One of the resolutions passed last week by the Huron. Federation of Agriculture at its annual meeting at Londesboro was to fight the closing of libraries in Cranbrook and Ethel. It should find wide support in the county, The Huron County library has done a good job since its inception several years ago. The number of books available to county residents and circulation of books in most libraries has increased remarkably. But if the county library board goes ahead with this move to close small libraries it will join the long list of good ideas that have gone wrong. The small libraries are to be sacrificed to the great god Economy just as so many other small units have gone. It may not seem of much concern to readers of this paper that two tiny libraries have been closed in the north end of the county but logical closures' that could follow would be. Because if the county closes the two smallest libraries to save money, why shouldn't it close the small library in Auburn next year to save more money and.perhaps the one in Bayfield after that. if we really went to save money the .logical answer is to have only one library to serve the whole county. But'if we want to provide a, service to the people of the county, then we must continue to have libraries within the easy reach of the citizens. Saving money wasn't the reason the county system was set up. The reason was to provide a better service to the users of the libraries, The people didn't ask for a county library system. They were quite willing to go along with their old, locally-supported systems. But the county system was given to them on an "or else" basis and. now the county board is deciding that it can't afford to support these small libraries. When it comes to a choice between saving money and serving the public we'll vote for service all the time. The Federation should find wide support for their fight. An alternative needed The retirement of John Roberts, many .people have been saying, opens the door for a change in government in the province. The Liberal and ,Nevi( Democratic parties were noticably relieved when the long-awaited announcement of the retirement finally came through last week, Both parties, and many of the.newspapers and radio and television stations reporting on the event, said they now saw a chance for them to gain power in the election expect some time next year. Well Mr. Lewis and Mr. Nixon, don't start counting your chickens yet. Robarts has been made out to be some sort of unbeatable leader and since his retirement statements in awe of him have made him sound like Charles De Gaulle or Winston Churchill. But the fact is that there wasn't much charisma or mad public following of the man. Aside from his ? initiative in constitutional matters, he did little to win wide praise. He did not have wide popularity and could have been defeated long ago if the opposition parties had provided a reasonable alternative. Granted the man was a superb politician who undermined just about every policy the opposition latched onto, but then the opposition wasn't too ambitious at latching onto many policies, In provincial elections the local candidate means much to whether a party wins or loses the riding. Look back at the candidates fielded by the opposition in Huron in the past. Were they a reasonable alternative. Huron-Bruce found a good man in Murray Gaunt several years ago and that traditionally Conservative riding has been Liberal ever since. And just where do the opposition parties stand on the government policies that are causing the most unrest in the province, education and the increasing centralization of power? We need a good alternative to the present government. It means, 'though, that local party organizations are going to have to work a lot harder than in the past. Utopia - It's here for the old-timers F.RjSBEE ... And The True Meaning Of Christmas Is Being Buried Under All That Commercialism THE CLINTON NEW ERA Anialgarnated Established 1865 1924 THE HURON NEWS-RECORD Established 1881 Clinton ews-Record A member of the Canadian: Weekly Newspaper AsSociation, Ontario Weekly gewspaper Association and the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) second class mail registration number -- 0817 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: (in advance) Canada, $6.00 per year; U.S,A., $1.50 KEITH W. RoULSTON — Editor J. HOWARD AITKtN — General Manager Published every Thnrsday at the heart of Huron County a Clinton, Ontario Population 3,475 THE HOME OF RADAR IN CANADA • -1•1111•T. 410•11111mill Canada's old-age pensioners may not have a swinging Christmas, but they can warm themselves with the thought of what a whee of a time they're going to have in 1971, when there will occur instant prosperity: the basic old age pension will be raised from $79,58 a month to a smash- ing $80. Can't you see all those male old-age pensioners'when they get their first new cheque at the end of Jan- uary? Straight to the pub and blow the whole 42 cents on an orgy, Two draught beers and a tip for the waiter. This will produce a moral degradation never equalled since the days of Dickens, when gin was so cheap you could get high for a penny, stoned for six-pence, and dead drunk for a shilling. Can't you see all those old-timers lying around in the snowbanks every time their pension cheque arrive.) And what about the worn- en? They'll be worse, You know how women squander Money, They're just as apt as not to go out and blow the whole 42 cents on a plastic doily or a couple of rolls of pink tellet paper. There'll be no holding them. That's only one of the faults iii the vvhitesapaper in. traduced by abenevolent government. Further excesses Ste lit Sight, Do you reallie that the government is going to retain the tost-of4iving es- calater forinula tip to a ca. 'Mg of 2 per cent a year fort pensioners receiving the. sup- plement (but eliminate it for those who get only the uni- versal old-age benefit.) This means that even if the annual cost-of-living increase crashes down to a mere 5 per cent, these people Will get their 2 per cent increase. It's incredible. The dawning of a new, golden age in Canadian socialism. ' If you were 65 and lived to be 75, your standard of living might drop by only 30 per cent, with that magnifi- cent excalator clause built in. The whole country is going to be lolling in luxury; there's no question about it. Did you know that a single pensioner can get up to $55 a month in supplement or up to $135 a month .n his basic old age pens" inclu- ded? The key word there is "can". But if he or she decides to make a few extra bucks shovelling walks or taking in washing, some eagle-eyed social worker will be Johnny- \ on-the-spot, and the supple- ment will be cut, dollar for dollar, lh other Words, you are pegged at $1,620 a year. That's a lot of Money. Too mtielt to be floating around in the hands of Itixtiry-loving, devil-may-care old diners, Why don't we re-institute the work-house, with cabbage the standard fare and meat, boil- ed horse hocks, every third Saturday? And what about those widows, wiVeS of the dis- abled, and the disabled them- selves? The white paper sug- gests that they will suffer an improvement in benefits, Starting in 1973. There goes another round of tremendous inflation. In 1973. You'd almost think I had some misgivings about the white paper. I don't. It's al- most as much fun as reading Alice in Wonderland. You'd almost think there were an election coming up, as one was when Mr. King intro- duced the baby bonus. Surely the government isn't trying to distract us from the fact that unemploy- ment is nearing the peak of the great depression. Say it isn't so, Pierre. And speaking of the baby bonus, I wish I were young again. Babies used to be worth $8 a month, Now they're Worth $16, Taxable. But it's also worth almost two cases of beer a month, per child. This is going to mean a great deal to the families who always put the baby bonus aside as beer money, Six kids, twelve cases. However, it is the tithe of year to wish everybody joy, and T do so. Including all those poor devils who make $10,000 a year (and take home $7,300,) They can't buy a hotise. They can't send their kick to college because the kids can't get a loan be- cause their parents are mak- ing so Much Money, No points. for working your guts out for years. Pull points for filling yotir guts, at someone' else's table, fOr years, at an inn, "Over a pint of 'mild and bitter', or just a soda, it's easy to make new friends and learn a great deal about British people," So goes a paragraph from a sedate handout issued by The British Travel Association which has launched a low-pressure campaign to persuade Canadians to tour Britain, staying and eating at country inns instead of only at large hotels in major centres. In the interests of this worthy aim the Association hag been hosting a series of Guinness and cheese-tasting affairs across Canada, these parties being enlivened by 'yard glass' contests in which the merry participants vie with each other in draining, at a"single draught, a glass of ale exactly one yard long. This is one of the quaint reasons for the well-known incidence of kidney trouble in those dear old isles. I, for one, hope the campaign is a rousing success. To my way of thinking, Britain is the place to go and, once there, the rural aspect is by far the most refreshing. Still, since my wife and I made the grand tour of English country inns just 'a little more than a year ago, I feel I must inject a word of caution and 75 YEARS AGO The Huron News-Record December 18, 1895 Some Christmas • Gift suggestions of 75 years ago: From J. Biddlecombe, Jeweller, Ladies watches — Solid 10 k. gold Hunting Case from $10.00 to $20.; Men's nickle stem wind open face watches from $2.25 up. From Jackson Bros. Clothing Store: Men's fine neckwear • handsomely packed one in a box only 50 cents; Our "Special" Overcoats — We make them ourselves in a style and manner totally different from ordinary readymades — only $10.00. From J. W. Chidley Furniture Dealer: Polished Oak Rocker (Leather Seat) $3.25. From Ogle. Cooper and Co. Grocers: Christmas Fruit — 6 lb. raisins for 25 cents; 6 lb. currants 25 cents; 6 lb. figs 25 cents; 4 lb. ginger snaps 25 cents. At Council meeting last Monday evening a deputation of Messrs. R. Irwin and A, T, Cooper appeared in reference to businessmen closing their stores at nine o'clock on Saturday evenings, asking that the bell be rung at that hour. Bell ringer Welsh consented to ring the bell without extra charge. 55 YEARS AGO The Clinton New-Era December 16, 1915 Do Not Miss it: "Cinderella". All should see it. By special request of several citizens Mr, James Manning, of the Princess Theatre, haS seethed at a big expense, this beautiful Photo Play "Cinderella" in which the celebrated actress Mary PickfOrd appears, Dr. Axon is having new dental parlors over Mayor advice on the promised ease of making friends. The fact is, the concepts of conviviality and camaraderie in the small hotels of Britain are, frequently as flinty as the mysterious relics of Stonehenge and may require special techniques by the Canadian visitor, What you must understand is that the English in the English country inns are usually there not to make friends, but to get away from them and from the human race as a whole. The Englishman's well-known reserve, like his kidneys, calls for periodic rejuvenation. To this end he retreats to,, an out-of-the-way hotel ,•iff`i'the country for a week or two when he may re-charge his batteries by long, solitary walks and social intercourse limited to reluctant, monosyllabic grunts. • Good for him, I say. We could use a little of that introspection hereabouts. Still, if you are a wayfarer from abroad, mad for friendship, it can be disconcerting. The language barrier, of course, is the first hurdle for the 'Canadian. His merest utterance, even an initial "Howdy" to mine Jackson's Store, and will move in the near future. The Canadian Post-Master-General makes the announcement that he will issue a three cent stamp for convenience in wartime. Certainly he thought a long • while about it before arriving at a conclusion, as throughout Canada the demand has been general for a stamp of the 3 cent order, seeing that it has superseded penny postage. Capt. Wallace Allen, a Hullett boy, who has been appointed Quartermaster of the 161st Battalion took up his duties on Friday last having came from London headquarters. 40 YEARS AGO The Clinton News-Record December 18, 1930 Diary of a College Graduate: June 23, 1930 — Graduated to-day June 28, 1930 — Looked for a $10,000 a year job. July 20, 1030 Looked for a job at $100 a week. Aug. 9, 1930 — Looked for any kind of job. Sept. 2, 1930 Still looking, Sept. 23, 1930 — Went to work for my uncle for $15.00 a week. Facts and Fancies of Christmas: — One kiss for each berry was the original Christmas ritual, a berry being removed as a kiss was taken; — Turkey first became the Christmas dish in the reign of James I who could not eat the' ) boar's head usually • provided; — A fall of snow on Christmas Day is regarded as the sign of a lucky New Year, 25 ItEAlig AGO / The Clinton News-Record December 20, 1945 Robert Morrison son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Aldwinckle, Varna, has been named as one of Ontario's two Rhodes Scholars for 1946. Robert Aldwinckle was discharged from the R.C.A.F. last May and won the Distinguished Flying Cross and mention in dispatches while on service overseas. R. G. Thompson, the efficient and highly esteemed Clerk of Goderich Township, at Saturday night's 1945 wind-up Council Meeting completed 34 years as a municipal official in that township. The Town of Clinton will officially welcome home its own sons and daughters, who have -returned from overseas, at a big party in the Town Hall, Thursday, December 27, at 8 p.m. Invitations are being mailed to about 150 personnel, inviting them and their families to be present as guests of the Mayor and Council. 15 'YEARS AGO The Clinton News-Record Dec. 15, 1955 Royal -Jason, 15 month-old accorded lepers. The first was to be more English than the English. Fortunately (and this I recommend) we'd the protective coloring of some hirsute, tweedy, country-type clothing purchased in London. With these we affected a manner as introverted, as stoically calm and reserved as any of the guests. I even mastered a clipped vocabulary using the word "Quite" for all positive comment, even allowing myself an occasional "Jolly good!" Even more effective, and twice as natural, was the simple expedient of sloping to the inevitable adjoining pub the starting and finishing line for the solitary walkers. We never encountered a "yard glass", but there were always suitable substitutes, imported from Scotland, served in little glasses, and their well-known thermal effect proved sufficient again to break the ice. The fact that the ice is a whole lot thinner than it looks and that the current beneath is deeper and warmer than seems possible, I leave for your own discovery and delight. white shorthorn bull formerly owned by Bruce T. Keys of Varna, is now the property of the Mexican Government and is now on his way to the Tropic Zone. The white bull was chosen because of excellence proven for about 8;30 a.m. Saturday when it went out of control and hit the railing of a culvert, as he was proceeding north along the Bronson Line. Paul Pickett was elected mayor of Clinton Lions' "Teen" Town last Saturday night, December 10, when the annual meeting was held in the Legion Hall. Ron Walsh was elected Reeve. Stephen Scotchmer received the proficiency award made this year. The staff of CDCI presented $50 for this high award to the top grade 12 student in the term ending June 1960. Teacher Mrs. Jack Webb presented the top award for proficiency in Grade 9 to Nancy Olde. 10 YEARS AGO The Clinton News-Record Letters to the editor Root facts' of tfo.0$ The editor, On page 2B or last week's issue Commissioner Clarence of h? Salvation Army r019rted444ying;T4e • primary fact is that ottie Word became flesh and dwelt among us", which is the New Testament vtra.y of stating that at Christmas, GPO, in the person •of the christ,Chod, hroise • into time • and .space to show men how to • live." • • The real facts are well known in both - secular and religious circles, For instance, the. New Catholic . Encyclopedia _observes under "Christmas": "The birth • of Christ was assigned the date • of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian calendar, January' 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the 'sun began its return to northern skies, the pagan, devotees of Mithra celebrated the die5'llatailS Solis invicti (birthday of the,' invincible sun)". Pope Liberius (in the ronrth century) declared December 25 the official birthday of Christ. On December 20, 1969 the Toronto Star said; "Let us not go on pretending that it has anything specifically to do with Jesus' birth . . It is high time Christians reminded themselves that the Church got along for its first 380 years without observing the birth of Jesus at all." , If commissioner Wiseman and others would stick to the facts there would not be the credibility gap that now exists regarding the Bible. C. F. Clinton. liarney, • Thanks from Children's Aid The editor, May I, through you newspaper, express my gratitud to the many foster parents o the Children's Aid Society o Huron County, who, last wee presented me with a very beautiful clock? I am overwhelmed by your generosity and loving kindness. Thank you all very, much. It has been a joy for me, over the years, to work with you all. You are doing a wonderful work. May God richly bless you and your families, and continue to make you a blessing to the young lives entrusted to your care. Words fail to adequately express my appreciation. I can only ,say: I thank you with all my heart. Sincerely, Clare McGowan Dee. 15, 1960 Stanley Township's new $28,000 grader and snowplow was a casualty and the operator, William Taylor, road superintendent, Varna, escaped miraculously in an accident breeding purposes and because their white colour is more satisfactory for hot climates, W. R. Dougall, Secretary of Hensall Lodge I.O.O.F. 223, for the past 35 years, having retired from that office, was presented with a pen and pencil set in recognition of his valued and faithful services. At the Clinton and District Collegiate Institute commencement last week the Sir Ernest Cooper Scholarship was awarded to John McDougall, Blyth, who is presently enrolled in an engineering course at Queen's University, Kingston. .VX'VXVX*VXVXAg Use Christmas Seals. it's a matter of life and breath. host, may establish him as an American or, as they have it, a "Yank." Since most Englishmen consider the American one of the lower forms of invertebrates the resulting atmosphere of contempt is seldom the best of beginnings. I have personally emptied the lounges of several wayside inns and sent the guests muttering on their solitary hikes across the moors, some never to return, by simply remarking to my wife, "Gee, honey, ain't the view swell?" An early establishment of nationality therefore is essential for while the Englishman actively despises the Yank he '''Oftpi;saCeelitS the. Canadian with 'More than phlegmatic disapproval If you can get an Englishman in any mood more generous than Outright loathing you stand a good chance of bagging him as a companion. It is rather like going after the spotted leopard. The stalking is arduous, but the trophy is usually worthwhile. In our own travels we devised two methods of ingratiating ourselves into a working rapport or, at any rate, an acceptance more kindly than might be 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111r sionmainaninulainnumaiumoommaimannurii,