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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1969-07-17, Page 4Economics rule Exeter council has again been lured by economical considerations -- to give up ownership of more land at Riverview Park, although subsequent information suggests this may not be necessary to bring about the improvement projects planned. Regardless of the outcome, it appears foolish that council should even have to consider deeding part of the land to the Ausable River Conservation Authority to become eligible for grants on the projects to curtail stream bank erosion. If, in fact, the projects are deemed necessary and worthy by the department of energy and resources, there should be no difference in the assistance available regardless of which group becomes the initiating body. We are of the opinion an elected body should be considered to have a greater amount of eligibility for such assistance than an appointed body over which the ratepayers, who pay the bills, have no direct control. The same situation should prevail in regards to park development. One opinion given us this week is that Exeter council should in no way consider giving up ownership to the park. This ratepayer was of the opinion local ratepayers should have enough pride of ownership to go it alone. The some gentleman suggested that any improvement at the dam should be paid by the Public Utilities Commission, because the reservoir provides a source of their water supply, This is a good point, and while the money comes from almost the same pockets, the PUC does appear to have a greater interest in maintaining the dam than the council. Fire agreement important PARKING PROBLEMS ON THE RIVEFI, TOO — With considerable improvement in the weather visitors have been flocking to Grand Bend on recent weekends. While parking for cars on Main Street has been at a premium, places to tie up boats on the river have also been hard to find. Shown above is a view of the river with several instances of boat double parking. T-A photo Very slowly Hensall council is becoming disenchanted with the whole business of offering fire protection to neighboring municipalities. Although chief negotiating representative Harold Knight is attempting to keep a level head through the months and months of talks with Hay and Tuckersmith townships, other members of council are ready to give up in disgust. Main point of contention is, of course, money. Both the townships would be happy to buy fire protection for a nominal fee, but neither municipality is anxious to pay a fair percentage of the cost of buying a new fire truck and maintaining a fire department. Either they do not realize the tremendous financial burden carried throughout the years by the village of Hensall on their behalf, or they do not put sufficient value in the present fire fighting agreement. Maybe Hay and Tuckersmith councils think like the old man who had a leaky roof: when it rained it was too wet to do anything about it and when the sun shone, the roof didn't leak. It is a fact though, that many villages and towns throughout the years have provided fire protection for everyone at a very reasonable rate. Not only have urban municipalities borne the heaviest portion of the cost, they have provided the men and the means to fight fires. Volunteer fire brigades have been steady, dependable servants throughout many long years for their rural neighbors who have actually contributed very little in the way of support. What's more, statistics in this district would prove that more fires are fought each year in rural municipalities than in urban centres! We think Hay and Tuckersmith townships need adequate fire protection and we would urge them to get more serious in their deliberations with Henson. Demonstration not constructive We were somewhat surprised by the statements of a Lucan cleric, Rev. R. A. Carson who spoke to about 5,000 Orange Order members and friends Saturday in Blyth. Rev. Carson indicated his displeasure with Canadian bilingualism by saying he felt English protestant tradition is being thrown out by Quebec-educated, federal government ministers. He told his audience Saturday's Orange walk was a demonstration of protest. He even talked about the "supremacy" of the English language and English traditions. We are inclined to agree with editorial comment contained in Tuesday's London Free Press which read: "In this country, there is room for the languages and the customs of all peoples. There is no room for the "supremacy" of any. "No anniversary — not even "King Billy's ride" — can be called glorious when it is used to create adversaries and inflame passions over an event of 279 years ago. "Such demonstrations will undoubtedly continue in Canada because we are a nation that believes all people would be allowed to gather freely and speak their minds. "But whether they are staged by Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Arabs, Hindus or any other religious group, "hate" demonstrations — and make no mistake, that is what they are — hold no constructive value." "In recent years there have been many indications they are slowly dying out in Canada. As the new generations grow more enlightened, such hates disappear forever. 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Southcott Editor Bill Batten -- Advertising Manager Phone 236.1331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail . Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation, September 20, 066, 4,520 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $4.00 Per "Year; USA $8,041 000,0111.1 Ve cti • Class community newspapers Vandalism robs parks Take time to give thanks There's quite a backlash these days from the middle-class against practically everything: welfare, subsidies, inflation, taxes and anything else that hurts where it hits. The squawkers, and I join them once in a while, feel that there is a conspiracy among the government, the poor, the farmers, the skilled tradesmen, and almost everyone except the middle-class to grind the latter exceedingly small. I'm about as middle-class as they come. Middle age, middle income, mortgage, kids to educate. And like all the other middles, I pay far too much in taxes. But once in a while, I take Stock and, despite the grinding, find plenty to be thankful for. This week, I met a lady who is living on welfare. Her husband, from whom she is separated, contributes nothing. She has six kids to feed and clothe. There is no car, no treats, no frills, no little extras. Every month she is almost frantic with worry trying to make ends meet, just before her cheque arrives. If the older children can't get summer jobs, they can't go back to high school, because they won't have any clothes. One boy has been remanded by his principal for wearing jeans to schooL They're the only pants he has, and they're clean. The total income of this family is less than many middle-class people pay in income tax. The lady is not well. Even if she could go to work, it would mean deductions from her welfare cheque. She's struggling desperately, but cheerfully, to keep her family together and give them an education. And she's doing it, but walking the thin edge of real poverty. Why shouldn't the wheat farmer be subsidized? Many of our fatter industries are, through tariffs and special tax deals. The farmer works harder and longer for less money than anybody in the country. Why shouldn't a skilled worker make ten thousand a year? He's going to pay plenty of it in taxes. How can the Conservation Week in this area was marred by the discovery that someone had chopped down a couple dozen hard maple and pine trees on the shores of the reservoir at Morrison Dam. The trees had not been chopped down for any particular purpose. Firewood is provided at the local conservation area. It was strictly a matter of vandalism. It was obviously done by someone big enough to know better, because chopping down a one-foot hard maple with an axe is something impossible for a youngster. Vandalism is one of the most disturbing aspects faced by those who provide facilities for the public's enjoyment. Parks in the area have continually suffered damage at the hands of those who apparently have no regard for the beauty and pleasure such areas can provide. Picnic tables are tossed into the water, trash cans are dumped around the grounds and small trees .are thoughtlessly damaged to the point where many die. The whole situation is one of the diseases of the affluent life. People give little thought to the costly destruction, even when it adds dollars to their tax bills. They'll complain loudly when they get that tax bill, but apparently aren't concerned enough to take steps to protect that for which they are paying. The beauty and enjoyment of our park areas is often extolled by many people, but ironically many of those people are those who leave the parks littered with the remains of picnics or damaged by careless use of fires. When will people become more aware of their responsibility to leave our parks in the same condition they found them, as well as making sure their children know enough to do the same? No doubt the tree-choppers at Morrison Dam enjoyed a wonderful day romping through the conservation area. Too bad they didn't stop to think that a few more tree cutting sprees would eliminate their privilege to do so. Speaking of vandalism, we shudder to think there are among us people who would pull government control inflation when the people demand more and more and more, while at the same time everybody is trying to get his snout into the trough. Why shouldn't Indians get help so that they can lift themselves out of the degradation and squalor that has been forced on them? Frustrated by poverty and lack of education, they either cling to the communal life of the reserve, or venture into the world, get a punch of discrimination right on the nose, and escape to drink. (Lots of them do on the reserve, too, but what else is there to do? Weave baskets?) There's another group that I feel for, a large one, These are the elderly and the disabled. Sure, they get a pension. Try living on it, you middle-class cry-babies. Happiest of these are the born bums, who've always lived in a shack, never paid taxes, insurance, and seldom rent. They're in clover, proportionately, But they're poor. Perhaps the saddest portion of this group is the elderly couples who worked hard, never asked anyone for anything and saved for their old age, They may have a small pension from the job, or even some savings bonds, And now, ready to spend a few golden years, their pensions and bonds are halved in value, their living costs tripled. They Please turn to Page 5 off such a stupid act as that performed last week when .22 calibre bullets crashed through the windows at the OWRC pumping station north of Grand Bend. That someone would have so little regard for the possible consequences of firing a rifle at any building is almost impossible to comprehend. Members of the Exeter Planning Board were justified in their criticism of council last week, The latter were obviously remiss in making a decision on a matter they had turned over to the board. Mayor Jack Delbridge's contention that council should make their own decision on building permit matters has some merit, but only if council members become aware of the rules and regulations contained in the zoning bylaws. They erred in permitting a multi-family unit to be built on a 66-foot frontage when the requirement is 125 feet. At times it is necessary to bend a few of the rules, but this appears to go well beyond any definition of bending. The town's zoning bylaws constitute one of the most important documents we have to ensure orderly growth, and council should do their utmost to make sure the regulations contained therein are carried out. While Mayor Delbridge views with some consternation the eroding of municipal powers, he 50 YEARS AGO Mr. Frank Taylor arrived in town Saturday and is visiting his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Taylor. Mr. Taylor has spent a number of years with the 'U.S. Marine Corps. He has just returned from Cuba. Misses Amy E. Johns, Dorothy E. Kuntz, Leila B. Sanders, Reta N. Rowe are receiving the congratulations of their friends on passing their Normal school examinations, Mr. Goldie Cochrane, who recently returned from overseas, has leased the Connor Bros. machine shop on Station Street, and will equip same with a full line of machinery for an up-to-date machine shop. Dr, Henry A. Corsault of town last week purchased the dwelling property on Huron Street owned by Mrs. Drew, possession to be given November 1 next. Private W.O. Appleton, who enlisted and went overseas with the 161st Huron Battalion, returned home Saturday morning. We are pleased to state that Private Appleton was awarded the military medal for bravery on the field of battle. 25 YEARS AGO A Mosquito bomber has been over Exeter a couple of times during the past week, It circled the town several times and apparently was trying to attract the attention of some friends. Mr, J. Hubert Jones who for years carried on a successful Seed business in Exeter in connection with the Jones and May store Will now have associated with him, Mr. Charles 5, MacNaughton, of Toronto and the new firm will be known as Jones, MacNaughton Seed Co. The Exeter Red Cross Branch met on Friday in the basement of James Street church and Made 1.96 lbs, of gooseberry jam for Britain. There was some decrease shown in juvenile delinquency in the DoininiOn during 1943. The number of juveniles brought before the courts was 12,225 as compared with 13,802 in 1942. should have no reservation in turning matters over to the planning board. Council still has the final say, and they then have the added advantage of further opinion on questionable matters. The planning board may well have given their greatest service in drawing up the zoning bylaws and the official plan, but the group continues to give excellent service in providing council with suggestions on changes to the existing plans. Planning is a continuing matter and requires that interested people continue to give it their consideration. Those who have served in this capacity appear best suited to the job and we urge council to continue to ask the board's opinions on matters which indicate some problems. "Madge, you forgot to shut off your electric carving knife." 15 YEARS AGO King and Queen of the Kinsmen's summer playground are Bonnie Doerr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Jack Doerr, Huron St., and Tom Knox, son of Rev. and Mrs. N.D. Knox, Andrew St. Although Huron County crops are "not too bad", there will be serious damage if rain holds off much longer, G.W. Montgomery Huron Ag. Rep. said Wednesday. Baby, a seven-year-old Percheron mare owned by Tom Lamport of RR 2 Dashwood is now top horse at Silverwoods Dairies, London. The mare was given the No. 1 stable over 32 others. Michael Farrow, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Farrow who took his Associate examination (solo performance) from the Royal Conservatory of Music, Poronto, in June received first class honours. He also took the A.W.C.M. (solo performers) from Western Conservatory of Music in which he took first class honours. 10 YEARS AGO The Times-Advocate has been awarded the H.E. Rice Trophy for the best local spot news picture in Canada's weekly newspapers this year. This is the third national award won by the Mr. and Mrs. Rollie Williams, RR 3 Exeter, returned home Sunday from a five-week trip to the west coast during which they visited a number of former district residents. Threatened by the Ontario Water Resources Commission with an injunction to close the canning plant, Exeter council this week purchased a $4,000 irrigation system to dispose of liquid waste from the local plant. Mr. Clarence Down, RR 1 Ilensall, his son bob, and Shirley Reynolds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Reynolds are Undergoing treatment after being attacked by a rabid neighbourhood tat,