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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-09-11, Page 4A deplorable lack of co-ordination between the province and the Municipalities has resulted in confusion and in some cases, serious traffic problems caused by school buses using flashers within speed zones of 35 miles per hour and less. The basic concept of school buses being required to use the flashers when picking up or discharging passengers in low speed zones resulted in few problems due to the publicity surrounding the change. The problem arose in school areas where, in some cases, rows of a dozen buses with flashers activated sat waiting for students to board the buses as they departed from schools, Traffic could not be expected to sit motionless for extended periods and as a result, motorists stopped and then proceed- ed by the flashing buses cautiously. Televi- sion news reports pictured car after car breaking the regulation as it was imprac- tical to follow the letter of the law. It was pointed out that the provincial legislation provided for standing zones in Municipalities where buses could legally park to pick up students in the area of schools without using their flashers, Apparently, communication of this fact to the municipalities was not done, or at least not done in time to have the proper bylaws passed without flaunting the law, This will no doubt take place in the near future, wherever it is deemed necessary, but the province, and to a certain extent, the municipalities, must take the blame for the initial confusion in the matter. Proper solution Exeter council's decision to continue the local school crossing guard service at their own expense was prudent and one with which local ratepayers will readily agree, For students living on the west side of Main St, and north of Sanders, it is the only safe and plausible means of protecting them in their required crossing of an ex- tremely busy highway. While some may be critical of the Huron board of education in dropping their support for crossing guards and patrols, it must be pointed out that the responsibility no longer rests with them to protect children once they leave the confines of school property. The system works best under the direct supervision of local police forces and thereby municipal control. Positive outlook encouraging It was encouraging to hear two local of- ficials indicate last week they were not as negative about county restructuring as were most Huron reeves and deputies who voted on the question recently. That doesn't indicate that restruc- turing for Exeter, Stephen or Usborne is any closer to becoming a reality than it is anywhere else in the county, but it does suggest that perhaps the three municipalities have a better working relationship than some others. It is that fact that makes the comments of Exeter's Derry Boyle and Usborne's Bill Morley most refreshing. This "Good neighbor" situation is indeed important in today's inflationary times, because there are obvious economies for the ratepayers of three 'Climmunitles in some joint ef- f or While discussion on restructuring may be terminated at the county level, it is to be hoped that perhaps the three area councils will show some initiative and continue talks on their own, at least on an informal level. In that way, the considerations are be- ing made at the grass roots, rather than coming from the top down, and perhaps this is one of the basic reasons that the Huron council heads vetoed the proposals. There are obviously many problems associated with any restructuring. It is a matter of people at the local level weighing 'Chem against the apparent benefits in the saving that results in cutting down the , duplication of costs now facing the in- dividual municipalities. If a local committee finds that the ad- vantages outweigh the disadvantages, then the communities involved would certainly be in a position to convince other Huron of- ficials about the wisdom of the scheme and have more facts to back up their arguthents than the restructuring committee had at their disposal. It is a matter that should not ,be dropped entirely and perhaps county coun- cil would even underwrite the costs in- volved in conducting a detailed study with the three area municipalities being used as a test situation. Hopefully, the matter will be discussed more fully by the full councils in each com- munity so some decision can be reached on the next course of action to be taken. `fie exelerVirses-Abuocafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A,, O.W,N.A. and ABC Publisher — Robert Southcott Editor Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor --y Ross Haugh Plant Manager — Les Webb Composition Manager — David Worby Published Each Thursday Morning dt Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Acivtnic4 Circulation March 31, 1975 5,240 SUBSCRIPTION RATESt Canada $0,00 Per Yett4 USA $T Lee ILUMMIrtaLeea.aef,,,CeTZ=&' e‘.;,.e.,,e..,vie,"ealgaienateeaea=geeMeeeeMere=eaeiZiee, Phone 135.133 1 Lack of communication God answers prayer Now that's some convention "Boy, dat's wan big countree" was my bilingual thought as I winged across the Great Lakes, over the wild lake-and-rock terrain of Northwestern Ontario, and then high above the prairies, as I headed for the weekly newspaper convention in Saskatoon. That's about the essence of Canada. It's so big, so beautiful, and so varied that, it's almost frightening. Perhaps only a well- traveled Russian could feel the sense of awe that I felt, after a brief look at just a small piece of this fantastic land of ours. In seven days I covered about 40,000 miles by almost every mode of transportation except ox- train, and I saw only the most veritable nook, the smallest cranny of this vast, fascinating country.' It's quite an age. At 6:30 on one of those wickedly hot days for which the past summer has been notorious, I'm kissing my tearful wife goodbye. She was crying because we were going to be separated for a whole week, and because I might fall among evil companions, which I did. Times Established 1873 At about 11:30 the same morning, with a couple of time changes thrown in, I'm walking into the Bessborough Hotel, some 1,500 miles away on a lovely cool, Septemberish day. A week later, after a reunion (we were almost shy with each other) in a Toronto hotel, we are pounding up the three-lane high- way in my old road-schooner, headed for home. The hours between the departure and the home-coming seemed to flash by, and yet I felt that I'd been away for a month, I'd seen so much and covered so much ground, not to mention air and water. I had eaten everything from those awful frozen airline meals, where you almost rupture yourself trying to get the plastic top off the pat of butter, to haute cuisine, fovil stuffed with wild rice, to fresh pickerel fillets straight out of the frying pan at a shore dinner. I'd heard some good speeches, John Diefenbaker, on home ground, With no need to politic, is unbeatable as an entertainer. Otto Lang, also in his home province, gave me some assurance that at least one of our federal ministries is in cool hands. And most amazing of all was the high official from the postal service, standing up there and trying to tell weekly editors that we have a. good postal ser- vice, and will have a great one. It's a wonder he wasn't stoned to death, But his homework had been done, and his footwork was excellent. He almost convinced me. Essence of his message was to get that postal code on your mail . When it comes to holding a convention, those Saskatchewan weekly editors don't have to play second fiddle to anyone. This convention was well organized, varied and colorful. It included a side trip to the battlefield of Batoche, where Gabriel Dumont's metis took on the regular army, and gave it a bloody nose, during the Mel Rebellion. Another exceptionally in- teresting evening included a visit to Pionera. If you are ever in The past week has been fall clean-up time at the Batten residence, and to put it mildly, it's been a complete disaster. With the better half leading the troops, it was decided to redecorate one of the upstairs bedrooms. Fortunately, the task of stripping wallpaper was one that the boys appeared to enjoy, and for about three days they worked on and off helping with that chore, Many hands make work light, as they say and the walls and ceiling were soon ready for the painting and papering that had been planned. The painting job was almost completed when the first set-back occurred. For some unexplained reason, a huge three-foot square section of the ceiling plaster decided to let go and came crashing to the floor, carrying with it a portion of the fresh painting job. Naturally, this altered the redecorating plans! In fact it created a rather monumental problem. After several trips to view the disaster area and some family conflabs, the remedy was selected. All the plaster on the ceiling and wall would be removed and replaced with cedar shingles. Now, if you happen to be among those who have never taken plaster off a wall, you've never lived. Nor have you come close to choking to death in the mess created by falling plaster. Nor have you ever experienced the joy of finding dust filtering into every nook and cranny from the attic to the most distant corner of the basement. With the plaster finally removed, the shingling job commenced. The first few rows up the wall went smoothly, but putting shingles on a ceiling is a different story. Not only is it rather awkward, but one finds that with each stroke of the hammer, a cloud of dust and plaster still clinging to the lath is sent cascading down your neck br into your eye balls. • However, never succumbing to adversity, the Batten bedroom was soon completed. + + + Next on the list was the chore of chopping away some of the summer's growth from the many soft maple trees which grow about twice as fast as weeds, This time father led the assault, hanging precariously from roof tops to get some errant limbs and stroking away feverishly despite the many self- inflicted saw wounds and bramble scratches. Included in the job was Saskatoon, don't miss it. There is a complete reconstruction of a pioneer village, containing everything from a barber shop to a bank. Along with this goes a huge exhibition of old machinery, used in the early days and a display of handsome old automobiles that would make an antique car buff burst into tears of joy. Another colorful bit was the piping in of the colors at one of the banquets and their formal presentation ton the riew President, Ernie Neufeld of Weyburti, Wk. And as an added fillip, there Was a pOst-cenvention fishing trip into Northern Saskatchewar4 one of the greatest fishing areas of the world. More about that later. For rae, the best part of the convention was meeting old Mende and making new ones. To the old ones, I am here to testify that you never looked better, To the new ones, I can only say there aresortie mighty nice people in this country and you are among them. One thing that warmed my Please turn to Page 14 A _ SO Years Ago Mr. John W, Taylor is nursing a very painful finger these days. Mr. Taylor was nailing steel laths on his house when he fell from the step ladder and came in contact with the lath inflicting a painful wound . A report of the Centralia Ladies Aid shows how hard work can accomplish great feats. Since' the United Church burned down its 1921 the Ladies .Aid have raised $4,110.44 towards furnishing the new church. This amount will give the reader some idea of the great undertakings the ladies have so successfully conducted, Alfred E. Tennant, veterinary surgeon who for over 40 years has practiced in Exeter,died in Vic- toria Hospital, London after a serious illness of pneumonia. After an illness extending over three years, there passed away at her late home in Guelph, Mrs. Samuel Peart, at the age of 68 years. The late Mrs, Peart was before her marriage Miss Maria G. Horne, daughter of the late Mrs. Horne, one of the pioneers of Huron County. 25 Years Ago Rev. H. J. Snell representing the London Conferefice, is in Toronto attending the General Council of the United Church. xeter District High School Board approved plans for an agricultural barn on the school property at its meeting last Week. Starting Monday, September 25 adult haircuts will be 65 cents, children So tents (on Saturday So eents). gxeter Chapter OgS marked the twelfth anniversary of its institution oh Wednesday evening with Mrs, W. g, Middleton as worthy matron. Clayton "Dade Hoffman, 62, a former member of the famoits Exeter-turich hockey team years ago, died Monday night in Galt fon) a heart atteck, glimville church will eelebrate its 76th birthday on Sunday, September 24. lush, twisting vine that had been pulled from its few remaining grasps on the wall. With angry wasps attacking from all sides, a few seconds can become an eternity, so you can well imagine how long it ap- peared before the three-minute job of moving the ladder was completed. However, it was finally hoisted into place with the aid of number one son, but not before it just missed disaster number three (or was it four?) when it came within a centimetre of smashing through the kitchen window as it wobbled precariously in the breezes in a gravity defying transfer to provide the escape route for the beleagured editor on the roof. + + + The story could go on, of course, relating the near rupture sustained lugging boxes of plaster down the stairway . .the near tumbles from the ladder when the climber forgot to take into consideration the missing rung . . the slap across the face when the branch on which one is tugging suddenly decides to give up the fight . etc. etc. etc. However it all leads to a rather pointed conclusion: why in the name of sanity are so many people upset because they can't have a home of their own . : . especially at 121/2 per- cent interest? 15 Years Ago SHDHS board agreed Tuesday night to advertise for another teacher. This will bring the staff number up to 26. Elmer D. Bell, Q.C., Exeter is regarded as a strong favourite to become the new head of the Ontario Progressive Con- servative Association, reports indicate this week. Mayor R. E. Pooley recently attended a practice plowing session conducted at Springfield, Elgin county, in preparation for the International Plowing Match there in October. Bill Mickle Governor of Kinsmen District 1 flew by jet to Vancouver to attend the Association of Kinsmen Clubs of Canada last week, Hensall "Oddfellows" Midgets ended a 2oyear famine for an Ontario Baseball Association Championship Monday night when they whipped Langton Lions 12-6 to win the all-Ontario Midget "D" crown. 10 Years Ago An area boy, Ralph Batten, eight year-old-son of Mr. and Mrs. John Batten of Elitnville was taken to St, Joseph's Hospital, London, Friday site. fering a broken leg. The boy was riding his bicycle on Huron County Road 6 when he Was in collision with a car near the Math intersection of Min-Mlle about nom on Friday. Council hat decided to pay auxiliary police officers at the rate of $1.50 per hour when they are called in to Work. This Will only be in the case of emergency and Must be authorized by the chief, Enrolment at South Huron District High School was up 74 pupils over last year to 446 on the first day of classes yesterday. Twenty-two teachers were on hand, boosting the number of teitehere to 42, The new principal Is Douglas Palmer, Who eerie to Exeter from Wiarton, My friend Janie was telling me the other day about her young daughter asking her for a pair of new jeans the end of June. Her mother assured her that come September she would have a brand new pair of her favorite kind of pants. However, seemingly not convinced, the youngster con- tinued to badger her mother with, "Mom, remember you promised me you'd buy me a new pair of jeans," or "Mom, are you sure you're going to get me a new pair of jeans," or "Mom, when are you going to buy me my new jeans." "I really got tired of her bat- tering away at me," said Janie, "and eventually I became an- noyed and demanded why she didn't believe rne when I told her I would buy the jeans at the appointed time. "As I thought it over," Janie continued, "I realized this is often how we treat God. We ask Him for His help but instead of believing that He is giving it to us as He promised, we continue to batter at Him with the, same old petition." How true. Jesus said, "Everyone who asks receives . . If you, who are sinful, give to your children what they need, don't you realize that your heavenly Father will do much more." (Luke 11) Of course, as Dr. Wm. Barclay says this doesn't absolve us from intensity in prayer. After all, we can only guarantee the sincerity of our desire by the passion with which we pray; but it does mean that we are not wringing gifts from an unwilling God, but that we are going to One who knows our needs better than we know them ourselves, and whose heart towards us is the heart of a generous love. Barclay continues, "If we do It was a year last January that I became involved in Information South Huron. It has been a happy assignment for me. It was explained to me at the time that Information South Huron was a local effort of in- terested citizens of Exeter and district. Shortly, I met the board of interested citizens. It included a lawyer, three ministers, and five housewives including a nurse from the London Psychiatric Hospital. Information South Huron was the expression of concern on the part of some leaders for a counselling service in the com- munity. This concern seemed to be validated by a survey of opinion. This latter effort was spon- sored by various social agencies in Huron County. These social agencies in turn sought by every means to support the new ser- vice. Contributions have been varied. The Victoria and Grey Trust Company donate the use of their board room for weekly counselling sessions. The board also meets there on a monthly basis. The Exeter Times - Advocate has been very generous in publishing news items, ad- vertisements and the weekly column - Our Response to Now. Various community groups including the local ministerial, the Lions Club, Kongskilde Ltd. and individuals have donated money generously to Information South Huron. The board members - Always busy people - are concerned for their community. Let us in- troduce them to you afresh. They include Mrs. Molly Burke, Mrs, Martin De Jong, Mrs. Carroll, Mr, Kim McLean, the Rev. Glen Wright and the Rev. Wilfred Jarvis, Mrs. Etta De Haan,Mre. Diane Ritnmer and the Rev, Jack Roeda have also (served on the board, An attempt has been made to maintain a local answering Service. At the present time Mr. &Mrs. PhillipLittle help us out in this capacity. The Godetieh Psychiatric Hospital has contributed a counsellor to this effort. Miss Hazel Thompson Served for about six months before youriptesent Worker was enlisted, NeW financial arrangements have developed over the last year. Information South Mean now pays half the travelling expenses for the counsellor. And now some statistics! About 80 trips have been Made by myself, Seventy-five different people have applied for help, not receive what we pray for, it is not because God grudgingly refuses to give it to us, but because He has some better thing for us. There is no such thing as an unanswered prayer. The answer given may not be the, answer we desired or expected but even when it is the refusal of our wishes it is the answer of the love and the wisdom of God." I asked God for strength, that I might achieve . I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey, I asked for health, that I might do greater things . I was given infirmity, that I might do better things, I asked for riches that I might be happy I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men. „ I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God, I asked for all things that I might enjoy life . I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but. everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, My unspoken prayers were an- swered. I ern among all people, most richly blessed! (Anonymous) There have been about 250 counselling sessions. This averages out to about three counselling sessions per trip. Referrals have come from the following agencies and professions in the community: Clergy-15, Hospital - 15, O.P.P. 12, Doctors - 8, Health Units - 6, Lawyers - 2, Children's Aid Societies - 2, and Canada Man- power -1. Nine people have come because of the articles in the Times-Advocate. The proplems addressed in- clude the following: Marriage problems - 33, Personal problems - 20, Family problems - 11. There has been counselling of five people concerning alcohol abuse. Five people have come for debt counselling. One person came for help in job finding techniques. It is interesting that 17 referrals have been made to other agencies or persons. In some cases the referring agent and myself have worked closely together during the life of the counselling. The feature in The Exeter Times-Advocate has been one of the most demanding and also one of the most enjoyable efforts. Out' title tells what we wish to do. It is "Our Response To Now". About seventy-five articles have been submitted to the paper. Most of this effort has come from myself, but one of the noteworthy features is that various men and women have helped. Some attempt is made to vary the subject matter. Some history, comments on current issues, family and marriage features, aspects of personal counselling and helping, items of vocational interest and a tinge of religion. It is most satisfying to be known because of the column, to have people come for help because of the presentation in the paper, to hear assurances, "We teed each week's offering" and even to be criticized. Response is always invited. Some attempt has been made to publish a monthly letter but this has come on hard times. The effort seems too much for us to carry on consisteritly. The board Members a hdenyeelf have dreamed of wide in- volvertient in teihnitthity programs but always business, or the tack of time, Or Money, has hampered out efforts. It may be that some Will recognize here an effort With Which they can associate themselves. Tithe, money, imagination, .and leadership are all required, Any offering is Welcomed. Please' feel free to teSpend, Weneferegigeere-.. etelMed:SeteeMeetrZeMeneee. Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 WHICH ONE- THE, TITANIc? removing a climbing vine from the side of the house which had pulled from its tentacles in the brick A huge wooden ladder was hoisted up beside the verandah, and with one foot on a ladder rung and the other on the roof of the verandah, the vine was attacked with gusto with little con- sideration for the precarious footing that would have made the most daring aerialist gasp' in sheer jealousyand awe. Then it happened! First ,there was a sharp stinging sensation on the left ankle, then one on the right, then on the arm . . . and then the victim spotted the at- tackers . . a colony of yellow wasps dive-bombing in to protect the nest under the eave on which the writer was spread-eagled. Panic struck quickly and as 'invariably happens, the wrong decision was made. Rather than swinging back onto the ladder to escape to the ground, I foolishly , made my way to the verandah 3.-,roof. Its small confines provided 'little shelter from the buzzing, stinging foe and the more they were swatted, the more reserves they appeared 'to toss into the battle. Instructions were quickly passed along to the better half on the ground . . . like hurry up and get the ladder around to the other side of the verandah so an escape could be executed. That was easier said than done. The huge wooden'ladder was not only too heavy for her to handle , it was entangled in the mess of RAPEAU WANTS c‘fm,v.,w, BUY OCEAN RS CRSiN9 TDFt1yWKi r1 ta The joys of home ownership Our response to now By ELMORE BOOMER Counsellor for Information South Huron For appointment phone: 235-0560 : Information South Huron