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Clinton News-Record, 1973-12-28, Page 4The Jack Scott Column :p to me "Of conrse I need the car — you don't expect me to walk to my keep-fit class?" I port' PLR. mor pt D ATE oNE My year book From our early files • • a a • • • TAB' HAPPY NEW YEAR ••. will be back in the New Year p,Ot AN COM er g Am a Noma:I'd 1924 ERSA55,0 ". t 0'4‘' •••••• WSP4 Pt AS •CNA TIIE CLINTON NEW EitA Eskiblished 1865 eNA Wombs'', Canscilan Community Nstvspapsr AisocistIon TIM' HURON NEWS-RECORD Established 1881 litembsr, Ontario *patty Newilospor Association tun Clinton N ews-Record Published every Thursday at Clinton, Ontario Editor - Janie. E. Fitzgerald /moral Manager, J. Howard Aitken Second Class Mali registration no. 0817 '1HE HOME OF RADAR IN CAh,ADA" Hug OP HURON COUNTY ' • , ewe get letters History help NV,V9-RRCORD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1070 !Editorial Comment, Plazas in wrong spot Planning, in its infancy in Huron county, has already reached a major controversy, Ironically, Huron county, which until now has not had a shopping plaza within its borders, now has too many, at least on paper, The controversy surrounding the battle of the plazas in Goderich has drawn attention to the need for planning in the county, but it has also drawn into question whether planning at times is sensible or is dictated by petty politics. The plazas are, of course, the Sun- coast proposal which has been on the drawing board for some time and the more recent proposal for a three million dollar plaza on the eastern edge of Goderich in Goderich township. When the second plaza plans became known, the town of Goderich became upset, county planners became upset, and the provincial government cracked a land freeze on ail rural townships surroun- ding Goderich. The government and. planners theorized that Goderich was a planned community and the township was not and so urban growth should be kept within the town. In theory, they are right, but it goes deeper than that. It is obvious that politics plays a part. There is room for only one of the two plazas and if that plaza is built within the town, the town will benefit on the taxes from the $2,5 Million construction, if, however, the second plaza is built, Goderich, the cen- tre of county government and with the largest population in the area, has the most political clout so is likely to be the winner. But looking at the battle of.the plazas without looking at political boundaries, the second proposal would seem to be the more sensible one, The site, across from the Scheaffer factory, is no farther out of town than the approved site in the industrial park on Highway 21, And from the point of view of serving the most people, the plaza on Highway 8 is more practical since it serves the rest of the county better. One wonders, however, about the short-sightedness of developers in the county. When it comes to serving the area with a shopping plaza, Goderich seems like the least advantageous location since it already has a good shopping area and since it can draw from only one direction, bordered, as it is on the west by Lake Huron. A far more sensible location would have seemed to be in Clinton or even here in Blyth where thousands of people are already drawn yearly by the two mills and it would be at the centre of a wide drawing area for shoppers. But politics and emotion, not common sense, are often the reason for decisions. (froth the Blyth Standard) No intention of dying Funny how people like to die. To celebrate, they sit down with a group of friends, exchange some tight conver- sation and put away as much alcohol as they can. Then, after an enjoyable evening, they'leave in one of two ways. Either in good spirits, singing and joking, or something may irk them at the last moment and they'll leave the party with a chip on their shoulder...either way, they jump behind the wheel of their car and yell good bye...for good. Funny how some people have no in- tention of dying...but they do. They too, go to a party, see all their friends, but they use their heads, watch how much they drink, and head for home, sober, alert. Then some drunk smashes head on into him and kills him. It's a crime. Dominion Automobile Association has warmed that this weekend, and the first two days of next week, including New Year's Eve, will be one of the most dangerous times of the year to drive a car in Canada. Dominion Automobile Association has been fighting for years to get drunk drivers off the road...they'll continue that fight, but in the mean time, D.A.A. has some hints how you can avoid them. Drive only if absolutely necessary. Park the car in the drive way Friday night, and leave it there until you go to work. If you do go partying, take a taxi. In most cases, they are professional drivers and are prepared and alert to the dangers of the holiday highways. If you must drive, be prepared. Look ahead for possible trouble. You're sober, but what about that car coming towards you? In addition to just watching the road, look for possible escape routes. If the approaching car starts to drift into your lane, keep your eye on the shoulder of the road, looking for ways to get out of the way. When approaching an inter- section, take your foot off the gas, look ahead, and keep your foot ready for the brakes. Be patient. When you are surrounded on all sides by poor drivers, keep your cool. Accept the fact that not everyone is as good a driver as you, just take your time, relax, and watch the speed limit...an extra ten miles an hour doesn't mean much time wise, but it will throw you about thirty feet further through the front windshield when you hit that tree. Dominion Autombile Association's Safety Department reminds all motorists at this time of the year, that "Safe Driving is a Family Affair". With the kids home in bed, it's up to you to make sure that you and the other guy gets home to see them. Sugar and Spice/By Bill Smiley 1973, the year I ran over the wife As 1973 wound to its end, I took a look back and agreed with myself that it was quite a year, as every year is in the brief flicker that is our life on earth. Just about a year ago, I slip- ped on a new-waxed kitchen floor, went down headfirst with two arms full of groceries, struck my far from diminutive beak on the cupboard and wound up with my features slightly rearranged. Still have the scar. There was the night in March when I ran over my wife. We were coming home from the curling club, and she'd left before me, on foot. It was a black night, she had on dark clothing, and I didn't see a thing until I felt the bump. She wasn't seriously injured, but spent a week in hospital with abrasions and stuff. I spent a week in conventry. Neither of us found it amusing, Strangely enough, everybody else did. I phoned our kids, and each thought it was hilarious. "Trust you two," said Hugh, "That's typical, Dad," echoed Kim. My brother-in-law, the lawyer, couldn't keep the chuckle out of his voice. Even the judge snorted with mirth, There Was the night my daughter called and, giggling a bit nervously, asked, "How'd you like to be a grandfather, Dad?" I gasped, muttered something innoculous, hung up and went and looked at myself in the mirror, "You're getting on, old boy", I told Me. "I'm sure they don't want grandfathers at fighter pilot reunions, 86 that's the end of that," And it was, Though was sorely tempted when Dutch Kleimyer, late of Australia, phoned before Christmas and said some of the chaps were getting together for a quiet lit- tle bash at the Military In- stitute. I know those quiet little bashes. They start at noon on a Friday and end about six p..m. on Saturday. Last time I was there, one of our group wanted a souvenir of the occasion and swiped the boar's head which was carried into start the feast, He said it got a bit high after he'd had it for a few weeks, and he chucked it out. Then there was a glorious summer in England, long looked forward to. I missed my Canadian swimming and fishing, but compensated with castles, cathedrals and pubs. Then it was fall, and what a beautiful fall it was. It was as though the Creator had said, "You're rapidly destroying my masterpiece, but I'm going to give you one last taste of honey 'before you drink 'the gall." Fall brought new classes, new faces, and the everpresent challenge of pounding some principles into heads that were more interested in Whether to have gravy or ketchup on their french fries, h also brought some shadows. A colleague, who had been courageously' fighting can- cer, died. He was 37. A week later, ono of my students, a lovely, lively girl of 18, became ill and died overnight. A few weeks later our head custodian dropped dead white putting out the garbage. Two weeks later, two of our students were killed in a car crash. I teach their lit- tie brother. Behind these personal joys and sorrows, which all of us have to some extent, rumbled the affairs of the world. Ignominious, for the Americans, end to the Viet Nam mess. The Watergate. A Vice-President down the drain and a President dishonoured. Strikes at home and abroad. A new war in the Middle East. An energy crisis. On the international front, it was pretty well business as usual. Everything normal, all fouled up. Back on the home front, it was also an average year, The odd new wrinkle, a few hairs less on the dome, teeth clamouring for a total evacuation. Stuck with daughter's cat. Stuck by kids for various "grants" and loans," Old Lady into one of her decorating sprees. Storm windows on barely in time for the first blizzard. An average year, a good year. I wouldn't trade it. That's a slice of life, and, since it's the only one we are given, we might as well enjoy every minute of it. And one of the real bonuses, for me, was all those warm and friendly letters from my readers, Gnr. Art Heaton of Stouffville and of W.W.I ar- tillery, telling me of the old brick works in Toronto. Mrs, Hilda Sibthorpe, rightly, up- braiding me for saying I felt sorry for young people, And, hundreds of others, Thanks, everyone, and keep them coming, May 1974 be a year for you of many joys and few aadnesaes. Keep a stiff up- per lip and your hand on your wallet, And try to love everybody, however difficult it may seem, Dear Editor: I grew up at Goderich during the 1930's. I am not sure of the exact year, but approximately 1938 or 1939, there appeared in your newspaper, an account of a visit made to Huron County of the late Walt Disney, the cartoonist. Will you please send me a copy of the article, or articlea from your files? I am attemp- ting to start a Canadian newspaper in California for distribution to thousands of Canadian persons now living here. There are 174,000 such persons in this (Los Angeles) county alone. Full credit will be given to your newspaper, Since Mr. Disney was well known in Southern California, I feel cer- tain that his connections with Huron County, Ontario will generate keen interest, not only among Canadian persons, but among the Americans as well. I recall (from your article) that Disney visited the grave of one of his ancestoral relatives, and I believe that the grave was at Holmesville. Evidently he still had living relatives in your area. I also recall my late father saying that he knew some members of the Disney family. Whatever information you can give me will be sincerely appreciated. Full credit will be given to the News-Record. • Yours truly, Walter E. Anderson, PO Box 6577, Glendale, California, 91205 Abortion Dear Editor: The women of Canada are divided on the abortion issue. The Advisory Council on the Status of Women are recom- mending that abortion be removed from the Criminal Code as the "existing law results in the exercise of discrimination against women." This is a direct contradiction to the resolution adopted by the United Nations, which forms the basis for the first general principle of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights". Canada is committed to a principle that permits no distinction in rights and freedoms between men and women as proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1959, the UN approved a supplement to the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, part of it as follows "Whereas the Child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity needs special safeguards and care, in- cluding appropriate legal protection before as well as af- ter birth. Nowhere in the report of the commission is there any reference made to the primary right of the unborn child or the alternative to abortion which should be made to Canadian women, such as agencies to assist women to carry their babies to term, the full im- plementation of a rubella prophylactic program. Abortion is treated by the report as a solution to grave social problems, only dealing with the effect and not the causes. To ignore the Declaration of rights of the child is to ignore the basis of feminist ideology - which is the value and equality of all human individuals. It is in- credible that a council specifically created to fight discrimination, could recom- mend the repeal of the abortion laws and return to the ex- ploitation of the weak by the strong. I appeal to the women of Canada to unite and write to Dr. Katy Cooke (Chairman) 63 Sparks St., Ottawa, asking that the unborn children also be protected b the Bill of Rights, Mrs, Connie Osborn Goderich. News-Record readar. are an* coursed to OxOrass thalt opinions in win to the editor, however, such opinions do not necessarily represent iho Opinions of the Hews-ilecord. Pseudonyms may be used by letter writers, but no letter *IN he publishect sinless it can be witifisd by phono. The new year doesn't seem a reality to me until the almanacs arrive. I'm forever peeping up over the wicket at the post office, bleating at the postmaster. "Have they come yet?" and trudging home heavy-hearted when he solem- nly shakes his head. I pick at my food and stare out the win- dow. But now, at last, they have both arrived—Dr. A.W. Chase's Calendar Almanac, with teacup-reading, weather forecasts, poisons and an- tidotes, jokes and humor, and Dodd's Almanac of Useful In- fOrmation for Family and Home, with . practically everything. There's a new spring in my step, a song in my heart and I'm red-red-ready for love. All those little doubts that the new year brings are brushed aside and I'm prepared for anything. Should I swallow an over- dose of strychnine I know just what to do (administer an emetic of mustard in a glass of warm water and keep moving); should my wife spill candlewax on a dress I am prepared (press the fabric between blotting- paper with a hot iron); should I be worried about measuring hay in a mow (as I am all the time) I have the answer (multiply the length, breadth and height of space and divide by 512); should my alarm clock develop a boisterous tick I can defeat it (place a clear glass bowl over same). I suppose the real reason I love the almanacs is that they are the world's happiest books. There isn't a single mention by either Dodd or Chase of world affairs. Instead, all the charac- ters are gay, gay, gay. Here is Nurse Marion Leriar- w.,,, don who used to scream with ,nerves, but now she is as calm 'as a sack of cement. Here is Mrs. Isa Blackley who used to dread walking two blocks to a bus and now loves nothing bet- ter than a mile gallop. Here is S.W. McNeil who had in- digestion, biliousness and hear- tburn and now eats like a horse; or Mr. and Mrs. Boivon who used to share dizzy spells, headaches and back pains and are now just like new; or Mrs, Hecktor Lecleck who feels as if she had a new pair of legs, Curled in my favorite arm- chair with a box of bon-bons, reading of all these rejuvenated people, I begin to glow like a neon sign. What care I if the kidneys have 2,500,000 glomerules up to 140 miles in length? A little pill will see me through. I am mad for the almanacs, too, because they ensure me of social success. By the year's end I have pretty well worn out the conversational tidbits I picked up in last year's almanacs and getting mighty few invitations to soirees. Now once more I am the Noel Coward of my little set. These slim volumes are packed with the kind of trivia for which I am noted. Only yesterday I managed to manoeuvre the conversation around to the subject of water- falls, observing casually that the Angel Waterfall in Venezuela is thirty-three hun- dred feet high or twenty times higher than Niagara. Got it from Dodd's. Before my listeners could recover I'd swung into a few jokes and wise sayings. "If your foot slips you can recover your balance," I quipped, "but if your tongue slips you cannot recall your words." The almanacs, too, have a delightfully mystic side for, as you doubtless know, they always begin with a-fascinating chart of the Zodiacal Signs and on every other page Mr. Dodd or Dr. Chase, kindly faced men with immense beards, may be observed reading your charac- ter. If I've had a wretched day and am convinced that ruin and failure stare me in the face I merely look at my character reading ("cautious and prudent, very honest, usually gifted with several talents, out- standing staying-power") and I'm ready to carry on. I place a clear glass bowl over my alarm clock, put the almanac under my pillow, turn out the light and with my glomerules all working beautifully, drift into dreamland.