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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1968-02-01, Page 4OU No wonder they hid' If Ikr9TX• •County ,09141.OirS thinking on klle planned amalgamation of health (units is -an indication -.of things to come, this county is in for some backward times. The amalgamation was. turned down 'tmtiq such time that a more olear cut plan of regional government is established for all forms - of county governmenr Members of county council can hardly be blamed for crawling behind closed doors to come up with' that de- vision, 'because it is rather obvious that it. would be most embarrassing for the elected representatives Who came up. with that .. suggestion to have their names published for Huron taxpayers to see, ,There no question that regional government is the main. tQpic. -of con- versation •these days, but as yet there has been no. definite indication of When it may come into effect, if in fact it ever does. So, while regional government may not come into being for another five years, we in Huron county are faced with ,the prospect of council delaying decisions On the basis that. "someday" we may be governed by regional legis- lators. Granted, a brief gaze into the crys- tal ball is worthwhile when contemplat- ing changes, but when the future is as clouded as it is these days, it should never be the sole basis for decision- making.. The amalgamation of Huron and Perth health units was recommended. by one of Huron's own committees and was backed by Huron MOH, Dr. G. P. A. Evans. One of the basic values of the plan was the fact the health units could receive 75% grant rather than the present 50% given to the Huron unit. While we do think such forms of "blackmail" by the provincial govern- ment are suspect, it should be noted that this was the very basis on which Huron county council decided to accept the change in library administration not so many months ago. That was dif- ferent, of course. In that step county. government was gaining control from local municipalities„ To be fair to county council, we suspect there were other motives in their decision regarding the amalgama- lion of health units, but this is only speculation in view of the fact they chose to hide behind closed doors so the taxpayers couldn't enjoy- their basic. right of knowing why such a _decision was made on their behalf. One of the reasons was probably the fact that the health unit headquar- ters would have to be moved to a more. central location for the two counties. Another suspicion is that Huron coup- ciliors were concerned they would be outnumbered on the new board.. So we can see that petty jealousies played a large part in the decision and possibly out-weighed the conscientious. attitude one should expect from elected officials who should have the interests of their taxpayers solely in mind. What county councillors have failed to reAli7e is that they missed an excellent opportunity to experiment with regional government on their own terms. Here was a chance to try it and see if in fact there would be savings so they could have some valid basis for either favoring or opposing regional government when it is finally pending. If county councillors are concern- ed about their jobs there is indication they are justified. The Goderich Signal- Star this week questioned members on their decision to turn their back on an additional 25 percent provincial sub- sidy and suggested county council was "an outmoded, anachronistic waste of time and money". The Zurich Citizens News, whose editorial writer covers county sessions for the weekly newspapers, suggested county council was becoming nothing more than a social club for reeves and deputy-reeves throughout the area. It would appear county council's action — or lack of it — is whisking them closer towards regional govern- ment when in fact they are attempting to avoid it. A study of their position appears necessary. E nco uraging statistics At a time when most traffic sta- tistics are climbing at an alarming rate, it is encouraging to note they are mov- ing in the opposite direction in the area covered by the Exeter OPP de- tachment. It is probably impossible to clearly analyse accident figures due to the many contributing factors, but it is in- teresting to note that while the acci- dent rate declined in this area, the number of persons charged with driv- ing infractions increased considerably. That leads to a rather valid con- clusion that being caught and punished for making mistakes may make us more aware of the necessity for safer driving habits. Let's go one step farther and con- sider one point in particular. During the past few years, there has been at least one fatality on Highway 4 between Exeter and Centralia. This year was a notable ex c e ption and it must be pointed out that this was the year the OPP commenced the air patrol on this stretch of highway. Many people were caught speed- ing and these, plus the others who quickly learned to watch their speed in this area, managed to escape fatal accidents. Surely it must be fair to say there was a relationship between the two statistics, although obviously no one can say to what extent. At any rate, the 1967 statistics would suggest that increased police ac- tion can contribute a great deal to the safe driving record of area drivers. That would make it apparent that if all drivers conducted themselves as they would if a policeman was tailing them, the accident rate would' tumble at a surprising rate. Think about it. It could save your life. A bloodless revolution at school TO GLAMORIZE ROYAL LIPSTICK. 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Last 3 Days TAILORED-TO-MEASURE SUIT SALE NO PAYMENT UNTI L MARCH 1 1968 FINAL CLEARING ON 11/ 2 SWEATERS OFF WINDJAMMERS ,$11 00. MEN 'S WEAR .236.0991 EXeter Avsvai KNOW ANC1 gE5PECT THE ftWER of YoUR Otikkviog4e.f KEE? rr uwloL coma. AT.ALL TiME5. ICE TRAVEL DANGW005 WITHOUT& 11-10IZOUGH WOW • OF LOCAL COMMONS. 41b tbif "-; LEAVE IZOAI FOR CAR,. if you IOW CRAW IT CAUTIOUSLY .,..- QT' gr RIGHT, ANGLE-S. f TIN REMOTE AREAS UM TRE- SUDIN P(STEM...Z OR MORE PROPERLY,.., VJARMLY BUT LJGHTLY:GOGGLE ItOU WEI) WM, Arsil7 Guivr?, FACE MA5K.TH ALL HELP DoN1 PUT NOW ON-OR Rie.-FRo5TBITE . THAW WITH HAND. 13A9 CA5E6. MAY NEED MED- ICAL ATTEntnom . • BE PREPARED 67%,673W/GY: CAINV A hPARE 1; PARK PLUG9 & 'TOOLS LONG TRH* MN %IOW- 0E5, , MATCI-1E5, FOEL,AXE, AAPP*FIRVIA19 KIT. WRITE FOR FREE FOLDER: OW: SAFETY LEAGUE, =EKING W. TORONTO le Ot,IT. I.0 11/ •• =M3=1 Is there a perfect solution? C CBS cOmbitthity neWspariejes -.T.-4M18219181EVC=1,1„ Times Eitablithed 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 ainies-,Muocafe Published Each Thqrsday Morning at Exeter', Ontario Authorized et Second Malt Melly Post. Office bep't,r (Masan, and for Paynient of Postage in Cash Paid in Advance Circulation, Septdmber 10, 1967, 4,338 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $5.00 Per Yeall• LiSA $7.00 assoistexamosarstric _ , , .. , . SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC Publishers: J. M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott Editor: Bill Batten Advertising Manager: Bowie Wright Phone 2354111 There are heartening signs that a revolution; bleedlets, but sweeping, it taking place in eau- cation. There are indications that the oppressed people have patted the muttering stage, have attack= ed the Bastille, will free the prisoners and in the process over-run the Swiss Guards, de, fenders of the ancient regime. And all will be wine and dancing in the streets'.- And thabt, But Otit Of chaos eventually einerget, Order: LOOk what God made out of a heap of chaos. And out of the chaos of the French Revolution emerged a completely new concept of free- dom and equality that had a tremendous impact on the world. Perhaps the revolution in edu- cation will produce a similar freeing of the spirit of man, allowing him to cope With the great and relentless pressures of this age and'those to come. Education in this century, the century of the common man, has been a failure on a grand SOU. It has failed entirely to come to grips with a society that has been turned upside down and inside out by two global wars, mass corn- nuinication, a tremendous spurt of technological advance and a close, hard look at traditions. Educators, with a few nota- ble exceptions, have been timid, shying from anything that might uptet the system. The public at large has ignored education, except to bleat about the cost, As a result, education has been a generation behind the We missed council's special meeting recently due to our ice- fishing trip, but note there was a debate regarding the removal of snow on sidewalks. Councillors Joe Wooden and Ted Wright presented a motion that the town crew cease plowing all sidewalks, but this failed to gain any support. Residents of this community may have been surprised at the suggestion of not plowing side- walks, because we have enjoyed this service for a number of years. However, there are many towns and cities throughout Ontario which do not provide such ser- vice and some go so far as to make it mandatory for citizens to clean the walks in front of their properties. Failure to do so can result in charges being laid under local bylaws. There is possibly no subject on which there are more widely divergent pros and cons. Local merchants tackle the job of clean- ing streets each morning with great fervor and no doubt carry the opinion they are doing every- one a great favor by having the sidewalks in front of their busi- nesses cleaned right off. This no doubt meets with ap- proval from most of the ped- estrians, but there are excep- tions. In this group are those mothers who have to tow young- sters on sleighs or toboggans when they come down town to do their shopping. Most of these winter convey- ances are made of aluminum these days, and pulling them on bare sidewalks is almost impos- sible. It is equally impossible to push strollers or buggies on back streets because generally speaking they are covered with snow. It has been suggested that mer- chants consider leaving a small portion of sidewalk covered with some snow to facilitate shoppers with youngsters in tow and per- haps this is worthy of consider- ation. * * * Unfortunately, the variances experienced in the weather in this area make it impossible to come up with clear-cut sug- gestions as to what is the best method of maintaining sidewalks. During a sleet storm, bare pavement becomes much more dangerous than snow-covered walks, but the latter become difficult to navigate when they are covered with slush during mild spells. There may be a "perfect sol- ution", but we can't find it, but times. It has become a Mono- lith of repression, rigidity and conformity. It has been an ele- phant waltzing with a giraffe. But fresh winds are blowing through the concrete boxes in which young minds are sup- posed to be exhilarated, excit- ed and liberated. And with many another, I cry a loud, sincere, ,,Hallelulah!" Go into an elementary school today. You may be shocked to death. instead 'of sitting in neat row, facing a teacher, and put- ting up their hands so they can spout some meaningless inform- ation 'Wert ha.t been rrielnor- ized, you're apt to find the child, ren wandering all aboUt the room, doing things, looking'tip infOrni. ation, actually talking to each other, which Of course, is pure heresy. It leeks like anarchy, but it isn't. The teacher is teaching, not just telling. The kids are learning, not being taught. No longer are they little spengeS, each in his own compartment. There Is a 'flowing of ideas, a joy 'in finding out for oneself. GO into a high school. The teacher is supposed to be read- ing a 'poem, preferably written At least 100 years ago. Then he is supposed to elicit from the students, With a Series of thildieh questions which bore the bright ones and are Ignored —Pleate turn to page t would certainly be willing to hear from anyone who thinks he has hit upon it. In a recent editorial, we sug- gested Hensall Reeve Minnie Noakes may be overlooking a good source of revenue by stating flatly she would not ask minor hockey players to pay for playing at the Hensall arena. The area's only female council member called last week to point out that minor pucksters pay a registration fee at the present and her objection was to a sug- gestion that they be required to pay on a per game basis on top of that. We regret we misunderstood her point and trust this explan- ation will clear the situation. While we suggested minor hockey players should pay their share of the cost of ice, we agree with her that they should not be expected to look after the entire cost. * * * * The World Book Encyclopedia sent along a news release this week stating that the world's "most unreliable weather prog- nosticator" is about to make his annual prediction. The reference is to the Feb- ruary 2 appearance of the ground- hog and the news release states bluntly that "only superstitious people believe this story" that if he sees his shadow he will crawl back into his hole and there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he doesn't spot his shadow, he stays out of his hole and this is supposed to mean that spring weather soon will come. We have no axe to grind on behalf of groundhogs, but we do suggest that the title of being the most unreliable weather prog- nosticator is perhaps unfair. We just can't imagine anyone being worse than those fellows 50 YEARS AGO At the eighth annual banquet of the Elimville Adult Bible Class attended by about 90, the Rev. A. W. Brown of Kirkton gave an address on "Grace, Grit and Greenbacks", all of which he said were necessary to success- ful church work. At the meeting of Exeter School Board chairman appointed was S. Martin; sec-treas., Miss K. MacFaul, fuel committee, A. E. Fuke and E. M. Dignan; supply, F. W. Gladman and R. N. Creech; auditor, G. Mawson. Newton established that gravi- tation is the force that causes bodies to fall to the earth. A great many have been blaming it on the slippery condition of the sidewalks and roads. A carnival was held in the Dome rink Friday evening. Prizes were awarded to Miss Verda Rowcliffe and Mr. True- man Elliott. 25 YEARS AGO M. W. Telfer, Who for 17 yeart was Manager, Of the 0 retti4, ten branch 'of the Bank Of Corn , itierCe, which was recently closed, Is, being transferred to Varkbill. Mr. and Mrt. Teller are ardent members of the tk,, der fowling Club. Sgt. Orville Lawson, son of Mr, and: Mrs. G. W Lawson Of town, at a wing's'' ceremony at Chatham,- N.B, on Friday re., delved his wings as an observer. He bee been potted to tninrner, Side, For the teCondtlinethitWinter this community experienced a tie-up in traffic When 'a severe snowstorm swept the •dietrict. Both tellerS Of the tank of Mon‘ treat were delayed out of town and 'et they were the only, ones Who 'MOW the ebitibinatiOn the money was locked tip tintit one 'of them arrived late in theater, who appear regularly on TV and then reappear a few hours later to explain why their original forecasts were out so much. * * * * During a recent conversation with a local curler, the conver- sation got around to civil ser- vants and he reported that at a recent curling match, six of the eight men on the two rinks were working for the government in one capacity or another. This, of course, was unusual, but nevertheless the proportion of civil servants in this country is growing at a tremendous rate. Some 100 years ago, one out of every 100 people in Canada was a civil servant, while now there is one out of every eight on the payroll. In the same period, gov- ernment spending has risen from five percent of the country's total annual output of wealth to 32 percent. John J. Deutsch, former chair- man of the Economic Council of Canada, says the civil service is now so big that it requires more and more of its own activ- ities simply 'to hold itself to- gether. "Today's needs` call for new structures, new administrative methods, new social forms and new types of decentralization," Dr. Deutsch claims. "The fact of the matter is that neither our governments nor our public ser- vices generally are well organ- ized for the careful co-ordination of policies or programs." The Toronto Star commented recently with this warning: "Can- ada's booming bureaucracy is in danger of becoming so big—and so rudderless—it could bank- rupt the country ... The civil ser- vice is becoming a mammoth stumblebum with an outlook so narrow it could produce econ- omic havoc." A wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Elliot, Exeter, when their daugh- ter, Hazel Irene, became the bride of P/0 Howard Lawrence Snider, No 3 F IS Arnprior, with Rev. A. B. Irwin officiating. 15 YEARS AGO Over 300 people attended Mid- Town Cleaners' opening on Fri- day and Saturday of last week. The South Huron Hospital As- tociation fought its way through a myriad of problems to pro- duce the outstanding medical building which is ready to serve the residents of this district. It is open for inspection Thursday and Friday. Ten babies were born during the first week South Huron ribs-pita]. was open. Mr, Reg Armstrong, formerly Of Mildmay, has purchased 'the Chrysler -PlyMouth franchise and garage from Fred G. New- ton. 'b YEARS AGO New CrestHardware in Hensall owned and operated by Drysdale Hardware Ltd., stages its grand opening this Weekend folloWing a .$10,000 renovation. The newly organized Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce has already arranged for the Oper- atiOb of an information booth On the BlueWater IlighWAY open daily In the stnntrier months and weekends in May and June. NOW broadloom' carpeting dctt,, ering the entire Indite:rift and 'new 'oak pews are being install- ed in Hensall United Church part of the r,t013 renovation ptograin. A Centralia firm, C. A. MO., toWeil and CO„ has been award- ed the contract fer construction Of a vial telephone exchange building to be located opposite the 11CAP Station, Centralia. COME IN NOW TO YOUR FORD DEALER. .