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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1969-10-30, Page 22Debate at council debatable The question of whether or not to enter the field of county welfare was examined closely by all members of Huron County Council Friday. As in any debate there were two sides: those who believed that county welfare is necessary in a society where equalized taxation is considered the fairest; and those who insist that local folks can handle their own affairs without the help of outsiders. Exeter Reeve Derry Boyle and Stephen Township Reeve, Warden James Hayter were in favor of the county welfare program. Hayter stated emphatically that most municipal welfare officers are just not equipped to handle the complex problems arising out of welfare payments in this day and age. Boyle spoke out strongly against the "smallness" which causes individual municipalities to shun any responsibility for problems in neighboring townships or towns. Both Boyle and Hayter serve in municipalities where welfare payments are a real headache. That could probably account for their interest in the formation of a county welfare system. Usborne Township Reeve Roy Westcott is skeptical. He wants to be certain that the cost factor won't cancel any good the new system might offer. Probably some of the wisest words of the day were spoken by the reeve from the village of Zurich, Gord Hess. Not much for entering debate at county council, Hess warned his associates that it was of extreme importance for councilors to consider what is best for the future, not always what the taxpayers think they want today. He said that unless a body like county council is willing to inaugurate new and better legislation, it will be forced upon them by the government. We agree with Hess that this is a changing world and that there must be. improvements in the kind of laws which guard and protect this district. But we wonder if county councillors must always be pressed into implementing the ideas which are advertised by the government. We wonder if it is not time that local government officials envisioned some new and helpful legislation possibly based on provincial government thought but definitely studded with local ideas and plans geared to the local scene. A big laugh WE GOT A LAUGH out of two, huge labor unions calling for "price and rent controls" over the weekend. They hypocritically avoided the other side of the coin . . . wage controls. Little wonder the public has lost what remnants of faith it had, in what was once a Christian and democratic movement of working people! How these $500. a week, "plus expenses", Union executives can say all this garbage with a straight face is a conundrum. If wages go up . . . prices go up. How can they pretend not to see that? Sarnia Gazette ONE OF THE LAST CHANCES TO PLAY—Youngsters in the area will have very few chances left this fall to rake up the leaves and play in them. Shown above frolicking in the leaves in Exeter recently are Dale Kerslake, Wendy Smith, David Bell, Brenda Bell and Michael Talbot. T-A photo. Community correspondents dedicated crew Class n . Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 lrfte exefeames-Atiumafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC Publishers: J. M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott Editor -- Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Phone 235.1331 Amalgamated 1924 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30, 1968, 4,520 SUBtCRIP ION RATES: Canada $6.00 Per Yearl USA $8.00 • community newspapers The Best Ever! General Electric Now Offers The Best Color Picture Tube Warranty in the industry ... 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AwTTE $1441) OLD MILL :0'W t‘, • OCTOBER 23 TO DECEMBER 31 The Same Spectacular Values You Have Come To Expect 01 Us See Your Huron Shopping News For Full Details Open Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday till 9:30 p.m. You'll Find One Of Canada's Most Outstanding Selection Of: BLANKETS, SHEEPSKIN RUGS, LADIES' & MEN'S SUEDE AND LEATHER COATS, GLOVES & ASSESSORIES ALL AT FACTORY OUTLET SALE PRICES t SALE 4r4; (BAINTON LIMITED) Id • Annual Blyth, Ontario FACTORY OUTLET Some criticism was heaped on police following the incident related to the visit to Seaforth by a motorcycle gang a week ago. Much of the criticism was levelled by those not present, so we thought readers may be interested in the following comments from the Seaforth Expositor regarding the incident and the work of the police. It is as follows: There was no lack of publicity, over the weekend, so far as Seaforth was concerned. Radio and TV newscasts through Sunday and daily newspaper headlines in Monday editions carried the name of the town over a wide area in reporting early Sunday morning exchanges between visiting gangs. But it is the kind of publicity with which we could well do without. Nobody likes to have things said which emphasize the problems and difficulties which face either individuals or communities. And yet at the same time we must recognize that these same Credit goes to police problems and difficulties, unfortunate as they may be, are part and parcel of the days activities.' In reporting the weekend events as they did the news media was only doing its duty and carrying out its responsibilities to the public, All the ingredients for a full scale riot were present and Seaforth is fortunate that the trouble was not more extended than it was. The fact that it was cleared up so quickly and the trouble makers dispersed with relatively little damage reflects great credit on the local police force and on members of the OPP who co-operated so fully. A combination of force coupled with restraint, despite the abuse to which the men were subjected, held participation to a minimum and resulted in an early end to hostilities. Certainly Seaforth can be thankful that the local police had taken necessary steps to provide for assistance if needed and for the so effective and ready co-operation extended by the Ontario Provincial Police. Legionnaires' day off most of the old sweats have planned to make a day of it, even though they might need plasma the next morning. I don't mean it's an orgy. Far from it, But it is a shucking off of the daily rut and routine, a once-a-year get-together where you can retell old stories with fresh embroidery, and laugh a lot, and recapture, fragmentarily ? the feeling that you're 20 again, not 50 or 70. Psychologists, veteran's wives, and other non-old sweats may well look down their noses and call the whole thing childish. Of course, it is. But there's a bond there (and it doesn't matter which war you were in), that you can't find anywhere else. It's not nearly as childish as university class reunions, at There's nothing more boring than listening to a group of old sweats talking about "The War," unless you yourself happen to be an Old Sweat, as we old sweats are called. Then, it's fun. This year, I was asked to speak at two different Remembrance Day banquets. I was unable to accept either, and was genuinely sorry about that. There's nothing like a crowd of old sweats lying their heads off on Remembrance Day. Don't think of it as a brood of middle-aged and elderly men sitting around all day, Nov. 11th, "remembering" their "fallen comrades" lugubriously. Oh they do that, but it takes place in the morning, at the cenotaph, at 11 a.m. when the guns stopped firing in World War I and the stunned survivors looked at each other and every man alive could scarcely believe it. And there's nothing lugubrious or mournful about the ceremony. There's a certain pride as the oldsters step out in something resembling their old quick march. There's a poignancy as the colors dip and the Last Post sounds. There's a lump in the throat and the odd contorted face, and a few tears in the two minutes' silence. But then there's the triumphant, jaunty sound of Reveillee. And off they swing, purged once more, and ready to get down to the serious observance of Remembrance Day. Back at the Legion Hall. A few of the smart ones, the timid ones, and the wife-scared ones go home for lunch, but Thursday evening the editorial staff had an enjoyable social evening with the community correspondents who serve this newspaper. Similar to all newspaper people, they're under-paid and over-worked, but they are a dedicated crew to whom we look each week to bring news of the various communities to our readers. They don't usually get involved in the "hard news" reporting of thefts, councils and school boards, but they do serve a most valuable function, as the residents of those smaller communities dotted around South Huron and North Middlesex will attest. Without them, it would be impossible to bring this news to our readers each week, and comments indicate that the corrrespondents' efforts are much appreciated. The evening program also contained a "seminar" session, and during that time we learned from some of the ladies — and one gentleman — that they have some of the problems those of us in the editorial office experience. That is, that people expect them to know what is going on all the time. Some ladies indicated they have readers complain when items are not printed, but 5enerally speaking the problem is that the people associated with those items forget to advise the correspondents what has taken place. So, if you have items of interest, don't take for granted the ladies know about it. Give them a call and make sure they are aware of it so it can be included in their weekly news budgets. Speaking of items of interest, which a lot of middle-aged people who never did know each other very well, get stoned and maudlin and nostalgic trying to recapture something they never had. Nor is it as childish as business conventions where a lot of people get drunk and try to capture something they never will have. That's because these men did have something and they retain some part of it, even though it might be 50 years old or more. Lice, mud, snotty officers and a military system of incredible stupidity could not quench them. The only thing that could do that was death. And they licked death. So they have something to lie about, and laugh about and bandy insults about, and just plain celebrate. Canadian Legion celebrations have nothing quasi-military about them. There are no officers and other ranks. There are just legionnaires, whatever their color or creed. There is no linking of arms and singing old war songs, as you might find in a German veteran's organization. Anybody who tried to sing "It's A Long Way to Tipperary" would probably be slung out into the alley. There's only one thing that's beginning to cast a shadow over it. They re beginning to let the women in on it. This is going to enrage the ladies of the Legion Auxiliary, but, girls, why don't you just get a big dinner ready, clear out at 6 p.m. and come back and do the dishes in the Morning. Even if your husband is a little green around the gills next day, and you don't speak to him for two days, I think he'd appreciate it. Taking women to a legion party is like taking your mother on your honeymoon. On Remembrance Day, remember, it's only onto a year. Give the poor old devil a chance to be go again, for a few hours, the following quote was that of J. Caesar upon meeting Cleopatra: "Wow! XXXVIII, XXIV, XXXVI!" * * * Politics has been much in the news recently with the federal NDP and the Newfoundland Liberal parties staging conventions. Locally, the time is quickly rolling around for nomination meetings, although only a few municipalities will be involved because many have now switched to two-year terms and this is an "off year" for most of them. If your municipality is one of the few involved in coming up with offices to be filled, now is the time to consider tossing your hat into the ring or urging other qualified people to do so. Each year it seems, getting persons to act in public offices is becoming more and more difficult; while at the same time the complexities of local administration demand that qualified people be elected. At the county level, two area reeves have indicated they will contest the warden's race. This will make it an interesting event for area residents, although if the votes of southern officials are split, the northern candidate may be in the best position. * * * "Shelling out" didn't appear to be quite as busy as usual this past Hallowe'en, but we missed the early part of the proceedings when we accompanied our two sons out to visit a half dozen neighbors. We understand numbers were down considerably in the city, no doubt because most parents feel the threat of apples impregnanted with razor blades 50 YEARS AGO The Boys' Parliament to be held in James St. Methodist Church on Friday and Saturday of this week promises to be a unique event in the history of Sunday School work in South Huron. James Street Epworth League held a Hallowe'en Social on Wednesday evening of last week. A musical and literary program was provided after which refreshments were served. Messrs. B. W. F. Beavers, W. Abbott, Elmer Tuckey, Lloyd Beavers and Chas. Ford representing Main St. Sunday School motored to London and attended the Boy's Conference held at the Y.M.C.A. Monday and Tuesday. Mr. Wes Snell, shipped seventeen car-loads of heavy steers to New York last week. Mr. Snell left for New York on Saturday. 25 YEARS AGO Three hundred children in costume attended the Hallowe'en party sponsored by the Exeter Lions Club. Miss Margaret Dougall, Highway No. 4, north of Exeter, received her A.W.C.M. diploma at Convocation exercises in London last week. Exeter Branch of Canadian Canners has gone over the top by subscribing $6,050 for the seventh Victory Loan. Exeter Chapter O.E.S. celebrated the sixth anniversary of its institution with guests from London, Ingersoll and St. Marys. 15 YEARS AGO Need for a four-room addition to South Huron District High School next fall was indicated at a board meeting Tuesday night. Exeter mourns the loss of one of its most prominent citizens in and pins makes it a risky business for their offspring. It's doubtful if this was the reason for the small decline in youngsters out on the streets in Exeter, because such dangers are almost non-existent here. Perhaps some of the kids took our suggestion of last week that they identify themselves to some of the senior citizens and this cut down on the time they had to spend up and down the streets. Locally, it was a night of few incidents and plenty of fun, and everyone should be cheered by that fact. Our faith in the upcoming generation was given a big boost when five lads came to the door to be greeted by our two eldest sons. The latter two had their bags of goodies crunched in their hands, and when the lads noticed how small their "haul" was in comparison to their own, they ended up taking out a couple of apples and two bags of chips to give to our youngsters to balance things up a bit. The number of "thank you" replies received from the youngsters was also worthy of comment and the parents of the majority of the kids who came to our door have reason to be pleased with their youngsters' manners. Each year, the better half contends she's going to know Ted Wright when he accompanies his youngster, but she failed again. "It's those darn little feet of yours," she remarked as Ted went chuckling down the front steps after having to identify himself once again. the person of Dr. James Gordon Dunlop who passed away suddenly at his home early Monday morning. Burning of the mortgage on Exeter Legion Memorial Hall will be a feature of the Remembrance Day service being planned by the local branch. Heavy snow over the weekend was too much for telephone lines in the area and many went down. Saturday night and Sunday lines from Exeter to Kirkton, Clinton and Grand Bend were out. Although extensive repairs have already been financed, continued work on the restoration of the beautiful Trivitt Memorial Church will cost another $18,000 states the pastor, the Rev. N. D. Knox. 10 YEARS AGO The first of t*o main thorough-fares in the new eastern development was designated Pryde Boulevard by town council Monday night. The name specifically honors the late Tom Pryde, Huron MLA for 10 years. Kids in Exeter, Hensall and Lucan raised $282 for UNICEF, the United Nations children's fund which can buy five glasses of milk for one cent. Paul Wilson, who is attending Victoria College, University of Toronto was elected president of the Mid Western Ontario Zone of the Christian Young Councillors. A sow in Hay Township produced a litter of 12 pigs, all female, recently. She it owned by William Northcott, concession eight. Monday night, members of Exeter Public School board viewed preliminary sketches of its proposed three-room addition.