HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1967-02-09, Page 4• - • • • -
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Grand Bend, Cont.
Jan. 30, 1967
Ow future at stake
disappointment and frustration to drain
the incentive and determination that
had been exhibited by area officials in
attempting to interest firms in coming
to Centralia.
It should spur them on to renewed
activity in this regard. The councils of
Stephen Township and Exeter along
with the Board of Trade, the Industrial
Development Commission and all other
parties interested, should immediately
ask the provincial government to speed
up their study and make their plans
known as quickly as possible.
Let's not sit back and twiddle our
thumbs. It's not very often that we in
this area ask special consideration from
the government, but in this important
question. surely we have that right.
One factor that may help our
cause is that the government is ex-
tremely concerned over Ontario's hous-
ing shortage. Close to 400 homes will
soon be available at Centralia, and if
their concern is genuine, it would be
ludicrous to miss out on any early op-
portunities to put them into use at
their present location.
In view- of the fact Found Broth-
ers have not made other plans as yet,
they should be advised that we are in-
terested enough in them to have asked
for more haste. They have indicated a
strong desire to settle here, and any
chance of an early report on the study
may prompt them to stall their deci-
sion a while longer.
Stated bluntly, all we have to lose
is the opportunity of a life-time.
er" usually rates as "Class",
There are areas of advantage be-
tween these extremes. A Nation
of rewarding Culture always has
"Status".
Thus it's with considerable
appreciation that I've noted some
4‘p eace Activists" who were also
active In a project to get SirJohn
A. McDonald's birthday made a
Holiday.
Arthur Ford, of the London
Free Press, who nominated
Montreal's May0r, Jean DraPeau,
"Man of the Year". Mr. Ford
sketched a man worthy of trust,
of ability and imagination. An
early and active "Separatist".
Now an enlightened and "Cana-
dian" one. Mr. Ford recounts
that when Moscow rejected its
turn for World's Fair, the whole
idea fell into doubt, so Mr. Drap-
eau immediately hopped a
"plane" for Paris, to negotiate it
for Montreal's Centennial Pro-
ject, and has since f o 1 lo wed
through well — and on time.
It's contradictory to find a
Mayor, City, and Province la-
belled, "Separatist", (by our
hopeful pessimists) seriously in-
volved in celebrating Confedera-
tion. Certainly, there'd havebeen
no Dominion, from sea to sea,
without them — so why not?
Today it can be an advantage
to be a two-culture Nation — if
we make it so. Now's the year to
see the Land of Great Lakes
and Rivers, join its Big Birthday
Party — and know its breadth and
variety.
Let's be Separate and Canadian,
F. W. PLUMB
Enjoy tour
J.A.D. McCurdy School
Centralia, Ontario
January 27, 1967.
Dear Sir:
Our class would like to thank
you for taking us on a tour of
your printing office. We really
appreciated what you did for us.
The part I liked the most was
when the typewriter typed out
the words itself. We really did
enjoy it.
Sincerely,
Debbie Wicentowich
Room 8, Grade IV They have a bed for you
The announcement last week that
Found Brothers Aviation Limited had
abandoned plans to locate an aircraft
manufacturing plant at CFB Centralia
should come as a disappointment to all
residents of this area.
While many firms and government
agencies have visited Centralia since its
closing was announced, the Toronto-
based manufacturer was the only one
that had expressed definite intentions
to settle here. They would have used
only a small portion of the facilities.
but they at least represented a start in
filling the void created by the depar-
ture of the RCAF.
It is quite possible they would
have sparked others to consider the
base.
Included in the disappointment
surrounding the decision is a great
deal of frustration for all concerned.
The firm wanted to come here. but
naturally couldn't delay expansion
plans indefinitely. The Exeter Indus-
trial Development Commission did all
we could expect of them, as members
took time off to show all interested
parties around the base when request-
ed to do so, in addition to supplying
any required information.
The government couldn't give a
medium or long-range lease to the firm
without knowing what the final disposi-
tion of the base will be. Its size neces-
sitates considerable study in this re-
gard, and while the provincial govern-
ment has initiated such a study, it will
take time to complete.
Time is the key to the entire sit-
uation, and unfortunately time will
work against us. That's already been
proven in the decision made by Found
Brothers to look elsewhere. The passing
of time is also cancelling out much of
the publicity the area received in the
initial stages after the announcement
of the base closing was made. and un-
fortunately time could well play havoc
with buildings and facilities at the base
as there is no question they will deteri-
orate with inactivity.
It is therefore very evident that it
would be disastrous to allow this recent
(Editor's note — After the above
editorial was prepared for printing, the
subject was broached at Exeter coun-
cil by Joe Wooden, who received sup-
port for his suggestion that the Hon.
C. S. MacNaughton and Robert McKin-
ley be contacted to see what action is
being taken in regard to the base, and
what action council could possibly take.
We commend Councillor Wooden for
his leadership in this urgent matter
and hope his action and some of the
thoughts expressed above will spur
other groups into action.)
Could be major attraction
other costs involved in a visit
to Expo.
Some of these questions are
difficult to answer, because there
will be those who will be out to
make a "fast buck" during this
giant show.
In some cases, meal prices
will be high, but we suggest
visitors will have to shop around
and find places where prices
match their budget.
As far as the exhibition is con-
cerned, your passport price
($2.50 per day) will cover admis-
sion to all pavilions and it is
therefore possible to see all you
want to at this reasonable price.
Transportation on the grounds
is no problem. The Expo Express
is all set to go and it is part of
your ticket. For a closer look,
you can take a minirail which
will cart you around--and even
through--pavilions at a cost of
25 cents and 50 cents.
It should be a source of pride
for all Canadians to see the
enthusiasm being shown by Expo
officials in their multitude of
details in playing host to the
world,
We came away with the real-
ization that our guests will be
-- Please turn to page 5
A spinster was shocked at the
language used by workmen re-
pairing a telephone line near her
home, so she wrote the company.
The foreman was requested to
make a report of what had taken
place. The report read as fol-
lows: "Me and Spike were on this
job. I was up the pole and spilled
some hot lead down on Spike--
right down his neck. Spike looked
up at me and said, 'Really, Harry,
you must be more careful.'"
Sir,
We have now completed both a
year and century of Canadian
progress and prosperity. Lest
our good wishes for another year
and century become but banal
pleasantries, we best keep in
mind some events and opinions
we've heard, or seen printed, in
this Era,
For brevity I quote either "in
essense" or "in effect":
— "Give us Peace to make
our money, stop bugging us on
how we make it".
— hate to say it, but it
seems like we need a War to
make good times".
— "Free them — or fry them".
—"Let the World's opinion
fly a kite. We got a war to win",
This is, of course, is the ugly
voice of our war culture, A cul-
ture within a culture that's reach-
ed the rather unbelievable pro-
portions of supporting between
two and three Americans out of
five directly, or indirectly — in
"Peace-time"—and still expand-
ing.
It'll not avail us to know, to
be indignant, or object topresent
American Foreign policy, and
this notion of good times a great
many have. We must turn away
from it, and set about replacing
it with more enlightened ideas
and effort.
There may be a number of
possible hazards in achieving a
happy Canadian future. men-
tion three, only.
A War-dependent economy.
This is ahistorically-provenlia-
bility that has led our Neighbour
down that Dark road of unknown
destination...It needs no further
mention here.
The issue of Communism: The
term "Communism", shorn of
its host of emotional, and politi-
cal, phobias means, "Imposed
Socialism"... Forms of Social-
ism have always existed in so-
ciety. It can only become a tyranny
when it's imposed. Tyrannies may
loudly impute "Communism",
"Imperialism", etc. etc. plus
agression, repression, or worse
-- only to impose it.
"Separatism": It can be the
Canadian application of the an-
cient dictum, ',Divide and Rule".
Or it can be a Cultural relic of
a past with the Power of an Em-
pire to lean on, or object to.
Again, it can be fear of Cultural
obliteration. Or it can be any, or
all these.
The Realities are: A nation of
rewarding culture can defeat an-
other and leave lands and peo-
ples unscathed. A Nation of de-
structive culture can destroy all
— and itself... A one-language
Nation has advantage. A Nation
of many languages, and cultures,
is usually considered a 2nd, or
3rd-rate power, and amForeign-
While there is ample accom-
modation at Montreal, there is
no doubt that it is being reserved
at a speedy clip, so if you plan
to attend, you wouod be well
advised to make reservations as
soon as possible.
You may make reservations
through the bureau by writing
"Logexpo, Expo 67, Administra-
tion & News Pavilion, Cite du
Havre (Mackay Pier), Montreal."
The request should give full
details of the dates and pre-
ferred price ranges and should
indicate the number of children
in the party. Should suitable lod-
ging be immediately available,
the reservation is booked and
confirmed with the establishment
and the visitor. If the exact re-
quirement is not available, the
visitor is presented with alter-
natives from which to make a
second choice and as soon as he
does this, his accommodation is
booked.
Early in April a computer sys-
tem will be installed so you may
call ahead and find where accom-
modation is available, but we
would recommend that you make
earlier plans than that if possible.
* * * *
While the cost of accommo-
dation is one of the major con-
cerns of most people, there will
be those wondering about the
I-25 becoming rather apparent
Etat while most area residents
would like to visit Expo 67, many
are stalling such plans due to a
fear of lack of accommodation—
or at least the lack of reasonably
priced accommodation,
We must admit that it was one
of the first questions we asked
when we cornered an Expo official
during our recent trip to Mon-
treal, because rumors regarding
the high costs of sleeping in
Montreal are wide-spread.
The answer received from
those in the know at Expo is
that there will be accommodation
at government-controlled rates
for all out-of-town visitors. They
state they can provide beds for
200,000 persons per day and be-
cause they expect an average
daily attendance of only 165,000
it would appear no one should
have to spend the night wander-
ing around the streets.
Included in the total number of
units for visitors are 31,358
hotel and motel rooms with rates
ranging from $10 to $40 a day,
depending on the size of the room,
the number of occupants and the
type of service offered.
Some 5,000 furnished apart-
ment units are available at a
rate of $15 to $42 a day and
these will accommodate up to six
adults. Hotel services are avail-
able in these buildings. The aver-
age daily cost to each visitor
will be between $6 and $10, de-
pending on the number of persons
sharing one of these apartments.
To date, 10,000 room s in
private homes have been in-
spected and approved by Logexpo,
the housing authority for the
Montreal fair. Daily rates for
these rooms are $6 to $10 for
singles; $8 to $14 for doubles;
$10 to $18 for three persons;
and $12 to $22 for four persons.
Another 10,000 beds are avail-
able in university dormitories
and other similar institutions
and the rates range from $3 to
$5 for singles and $4 to $8 for
doubles.
Finally, 600 "trailer-motels"
--some of which are being built
by General Coach—will provide
family-type accommodation for
from four to eight persons at
an average daily cost of $6 to
$7.50 to each person. The fixed
rates will range from $30 a day
for four adults to $49 for eight
adults, There will be no charge
for children under 12. These
units will lodge 2,500 visitors.
In addition to these perman-
ent-type accommodations, there
will be approximately 20,000
camping and trailer sites--pri-
vate and provincial. The average
rate is $2.50 to $3.50 for camp
sites and $3.50 to $5 per night
for trailer sites.
In the above quoted rates, you
will note that the words "fixed
rates" have been used. This
refers to the fact that the Que-
bec government has enacted a
law establishing the maximum
prices which may be charged and
there will be stiff penalties for
unscrupulous hOtel-keepers and
landlords who attempt to fleece
visitors,
We were told that if accom-
modation was unsatisfactory or
the rate was higher than quoted,
a telephone call would bring an
Expo inspector on the run,
In an editorial in 1964. we pre-
sented some suggestions for possible
attractions at the park. although we did
explain some of them may not be prac-
tical. They were as follows: island gar-
dens in the reservoir and small paddle
boats to take patrons on a cruise
around them; restoration of a small-
scale mill of the nature that was once
located at the dam; small ponds in the
flats containing species of various fish
!for looking at and not catching); gar-
dens containing flowers and shrubs of
various nations, or native wild flowers
and not only those which people see
every day; a small enchanted forest
with a house containing the characters
in the Hansel and Gretel story or some
other fairy tale reproductions.
No doubt there are many other
suggestions area residents could make
on the basis of attractions they have
seen on their travels, and we would be
most interested in hearing of them.
In reference to the subject, we
learned some interesting facts regard-
ing Santa's Village in Bracebridge when
we bunked with the newspaper editor
from that community during our re-
cent stay in Montreal. He reported that
attraction was financed by a company
of local businessmen, who are now re-
ceiving sizeable annual dividends on
their investment, in addition to the
added business which comes from the
thousands of persons who visit this
spot each summer.
As stated, such attractions—wheth-
er they be for winter or summer—can
not be created in a short time, hut the
experience of other communities does
indicate that once a start has been
made they can grow into unexpected
proportions providing benefits to all,
Now that an interest in such a
project has been shown, we trust it
will spark discussion in many groups
and possibly provide the start of a pop-
ular attraction for this community.
Blanketed under a heavy coating
of snow, it is possible that some local
residents have forgotten that Riverview
Park will take on new appearances this
year as our centennial project.
One group maintaining an aware-
ness of this fact is the Exeter Board
of Trade executive, who have given
some discussion to creating a winter
wonderland at the picturesque spot
through the erection of colored lights,
fairyland creatures and similar attrac-
tions such as are on display during the
Christmas season in London's Victoria
Park and. in Simcoe.
The latter two parks attract thou-
sands of visitors annually, and if dupli-
cated here, could eventually constitute
a major tourist attraction. We say
eventually, because such creations are
expensive and can only he built up to
sizeable proportions over a period of
several years.
Such a venture is certainly worthy
of consideration. although we also rec-
ommend that some thought be given
to extending the park's facilities as a
summer attraction.
Our main argument in favoring a
summer attraction is that Exeter is lo-
cated in the heart of a tremendously
large tourist area due to our proximity
to the golden shores of Lake Huron
and Stratford's Shakespearean Festi-
val.
This puts thousands of visitors on
our doorstep for some four months of
the year, and as holidayers, most of
them are looking for side trips to add
enjoyment and variety to their visits.
It wouldn't be a case of "stealing"
business from our resort neighbors,
but rather augmenting the attractions
of the district to help in providing a
"complete" holiday and attracting more
tourists.
The precariousness of winter travel
in this district also lends further sup-
port to establishing summer attrac-
tions.
50 YEARS AGO
Arrangements have been made
to receive in Exeter each morn-
ing a 100-word telegram of the
war news and the same will be
posted each day in front of
W. S. Howey's drug store, The
Times and Advocate offices.
There is little or no im-
provement in the coal situation
Some coal arrived during the
past week but the supply is not
sufficient to meet the demands
of the needy. The dealers are
refusing to supply the churches
or public institutions while the
citizens are in need.
Will Brown,who for some time
has been on the delivery wagon
of Mr. J. A. Stewart, resigned
his position Saturday and this
week intends going to London
to enlist with the 63rd Battery.
Sgt. Cecil Pickard of the
Dental Corps, Toronto, who was
home on his last leave returned
to Toronto Saturday, He expects
to go overseas shortly.
15 YEARS AGO
Miss Nancy Tieman of Dash-
wood will compete in the ninth
annual Kiwanis Music Festival in
Toronto next week.
The large storage shed and
workshop of Ervin Rader, Dash-
wood, was almost completely de-
stroyed by fire Monday after-
noon. Fire is believed to have
started from a stove in the work-
shop.
Miss Katie Scott, popular Bell
Telephone operator at Hensall
has retired after 41 years of
service as night operator.
Queen "Mamie" Taylor,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W.
Taylor, was named queen o f
SHDHS at-home-dance Friday
night.
vo4 0,111.11API Vet coro
Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont.
Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept, Ottawa,
and for Payment of Postage in Cash
Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30, 1966, 4,427
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $5.00 Per Year; USA $7.00
.25 Yi,ARS AGO
Rev. J. W. Penrose, former
pastor of E 1 im ville United
Church, who retired to Exeter in
1939, died last Wednesday, Feb-
ruary 4.
Mr. Lloyd Taylor, whose farm
was taken over for airport use
near Grand Bend, has purchased
the property of Miss I. Hazel-
wood, Huron Street,
ACI Fred Simmons has re-
turned to Rivers, Man. after a
14-day leave at the home of his
parents Mr. & Mrs. Wes Sim-
mons. ''"Ye'4V3M10,,Wx"' ;OW . Wif,tgarawiAll
10 YEARS AGO
Ausable Authority officials will
sign the contract for construction
of the Morrison Dam today
(Thursday, February 7.)
Work on the development of the
Pinery, the 4,000-acre tract ex-
propriated by the Ontario Gov-
ernment in 195$, will start this
spring and one area is expected
to be available for limited public
use about the middle of the sum-
mer.
Eugene H. Beaver, Exeter ac-
countant, has been appointed jus-
tice of the peace for Huron
County.
Exeter Boy Scouts and affili-
ate grOups in this district will
take part in a world-wide ob-
servance of the fiftieth anniver-
sary of the birth of the move-
ment this Sunday.
This was supposed to be part
two of a series on education in
this country. Last week, I com-
plained about: obsolescence; the
lack of everything but pupils;
the unfairness of the fund-rais-
ing for education; the lack of any
national standards; and the rig-
idity of practically everything
in the system. Not bad for a
start.
In all the years I wrote this
column before I began peddling
pedagogy, nobody tried to sup-
press my opinions here. Many
disagreed violently, Others
threatened to cancel their sub-
scriptions. Some said I was vul-
gar. And one reverend gentle-
man even offered to thrash me
within an inch of my life. I re-
minded him that my big brother
was a six-foot-two, 210-pound
engineer, and I never heard an-
other word.
The first hint that I should
tone it down came from a re-
presentative of the mighty tea-
chers' federation. Said they'd
had several letters from mem-
bers urging that I be drummed
out of the service because I was
destroying the teacher's image
by mentioning here such human
horrors as sex and drink, and by
using the odd epithet.
He asked me heavily what I
would do In his position. I re-
plied lightly that I'd do what I
always do with letters from
cranks and bigots—chuck 'em
in the wastebasket. He was an-
noyed. Pinned down ) he admitted
there were two such letters. And
I was annoyed.
Second subtle suggestion was
from an inspector. A lady. She
passed the word that the Depu-
ty Minister, no less, was con-
cerned about my column and its
contents.
I turned indigo and snarled,
"You mean the Department is
trying to tell me what I can say
and can't say In my column?"
"Nononononol", she blurted,
visions of headlines dancing in
her head, "It's merely hoped
that you'll use your own good
judgment."
Next time, It was another in-
spector. At the time, a now-de-
funct newspaper for teachers was
running my column. The paper
was happy; the fah mail was
heavy, But, whispered this In-
spector, he thought he should
tell me, for my own sake, that
I was getting in wrong with the
federation.
"Waddaya tokkin about!", I
enquired in my best Head of
English Department manner. And
got no answer that I could pin
down.
I seem to be down on inspec-
tors this week. And so I am. We
got the word the English inspec-
tors were coming. I alerted my
15-odd birds in the English de-
partment.
Next morning, the English staff
would have gladdened your eye.
Gals all in their best dresses,
hair fresh done. Men with their
shoes shined. And every single
one glowing with virtue after
working till one a.m. preparing
the sort of unrealistic but model
lessons that inspectors expect.
Nine a.m. Word comes that
they wouldn't be there. Snow-
ing and blowing. Any of us would
have struck off for anywhere.
But these city-nurtured drivers
are terrified by a bit of wind
and snow.
So we shot off all those ter-
rific lessons on the kids. Mine
laughed heartily when they saw
my desk cleaned off. It was the
first time they'd seen me below
the breast-bone in months.
And tomorrow we have to do
it all over again, because the
inspectors are still coming, if
they can make it. May they go
into a big snow-bank and sit
there for four hours. If they do
struggle through, it will be an
anti-climax. The girls' dresses
are crushed and their hair com-
ing down. And I sure as hell am
not going to shine my shoes two
days in a row.
Just another of the evils of
our system. A teacher is given
a record of merit by an inspec-
tor, who sees him maybe once a
year, for one or two lessons.
The self-confident showman, who
May be a lazy bum normally,
whips up a flashy lesson for in-
spection, and scores high. The
self-conscious teacher, who nor-
mally does a terrific job, be-
comes nervous and makes a botch
of things, and scores low.
I don't really hate inspectors.
They've changed. They are no
longer the old terrors, but a
pretty decent, helpful lot, But
the system is plink.
More next Week, maybe,
nadeeit eve-tia at cool,4-
Doesn't really
hate inspectors
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SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND
Member: C.W.N.A., 0.W.N.A., C.C.N.Rt and ABC
Publishers: .1. M. Southcoft, R. M. Southcott
Bditor: Bill Batten
Advertising Manager: Howie Wright
Phone 2351331