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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-01-15, Page 14Although the Exeter Rodeo is a far cry from being alive and well, it certainly isn't dead. This fact was demonstrated by about thirty people who attended a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7 to discuss the future of the event, Dalton Finkbeiner, first vice-president of the rodeo committee said the rodeo should continue because it identifies the town. He added that the com- mittee is going to assess each segment of the rodeo to see where money was lost and determine what improvements could be made in the financial picture. The key phrase in Mr. Finkbeiner's remarks were that the rodeo "identifies the town." After all, it's understandable that any community wants to have at least one annual event people can really enjoy and one that could be called successful. When you look at some of the other towns across the province and the tremen- dously popular activities they have, you begin to wonder why Exeter couldn't be in the same position. Shelburne now has the Old Time Fiddle Contest that attracts thousands and thousands of people to that small communi- ty every year. The event originated as a fund raising project for the Shelburne Rotary club and has mushroomed into the most financially successful event in the town's history. In fact, it is so big that it requires the efforts of nearly everyone in town to handle all the work that has to be done. Other communities have winter car- nivals, flower festivals, wine and cheese festivals, founders' day celebrations, summerfests, etc. Whether or not the rodeo is the event that gives Exeter an identity will remain to be seen. One thing is certain, however, in order to have annual events that are con- tinually successful you must have plenty of organization and enthusiasm from the en- tire community. When you compare this rodeo meeting with the one held late in 1975, it's apparent that these last two ingredients seem to be on the upswing. Consumers can protest Certainly the widespread violence on TV programs has already drawn an avalanche of public protests. Countless speeches and published articles have been directed against it. Government agencies are studying the problem. And even the networks and their advertisers are at last beginning to recognize the extent of the public's discontent. Yet a recent survey shows that of the ten most popular American TV programs (also seen in Canada), six are crime dramas. So are most viewers really all that up- set by scenes of gory mayhem and shoot- outs? May be not. Maybe it's because many people actually enjoy such scenes that they flock to theatres showing movies that dwell on them in sickening detail. Despite this undeniable fact, most decent-thinking citizens prefer more wholesome entertainment. Parents, par- ticularly, worry about what their children see on the tube. But how many good alter- native program choices are there with prime-time viewing hours dominated by one crime drama after another? The situation won't change as long as the networks find this type of programming attracts large audiences. For crime dramas can easily be mass-produced at relatively low cost, bringing handsome profits to the networks and their adver- tisers. The best solution lies in cutting off the cash flow that makes such programs possi- ble. This will happen when millions of viewers exclude from their shopping lists those products which are advertised on crime show commercials. That was some year "I'm worried about Melvin — his snow-blower came back without him." ..*:eme.veoverefarewe Councillors fight rising costs SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., WA/A.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited Editor Jim Beckett — Advertising Manager Women's Editor, —Gwyn Whiismith Plant Manager — Les Webb ompolition Manager — Dave Worby Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Phone 235-1331 Published Each Thursday Morning at EXeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation SepteMber 30, 1075 5,420 Canada $9.130 Per Year; USA $11.00 SUBSCRIPTION RAZESt More interest in rodeo Beat the doldrums This is the time of year when instant experts and fallible fools such as newspaper columnists make idiots of themselves by predicting what the next 12 months will bring. Looking into a New Year is rather like looking into an old rubber boot, It stinks a little, you can't see anything in there, and' the thing probably leaks, heel and toe. I prefer to do a little looking back and a little looking forward, make some hasty generalizations based on the arthritis in my big toe, and hope everybody will have forgotten what I said by the following week. Which they will. Let's look back — 1975 was the year of The Big Strike, Everybody who was somebody, and a great many who were nobodies, went on strike at least once, As a direct result, Canada's credibility as a producing nation, a reliable nation, a prudent, sensible nation, took a nosedive. Foreign investors were heard saying things like: "Migawd, I'd be safer betting on the exact hour and minute of Napoleon's return from Eternal Exile than I would be putting money into that Crazy Canada," It was also the year of the Grand Gimme and the Chronic Catch-up as everyone and his elderly aunt, clad in sackcloth and ashes, moaned piteously, beat bosoms, and scrabbled tooth and nail to get a bigger chunk of the national loot than everybody times Established 1873 else and her elderly uncle. It was the year in which the Montreal Olympics could no more have a deficit, according to that reincarnation of Moses misleading his people to the unpromising land, Mayor Drapeau, than a man could have a baby. It was the year in which the Thanksgiving roast turkey was transformed by our Grand Guru into boiled seagull. It was the year of election upsets, political promises, union threats, dire' warnings, insane headlines and callow assump- tions. In short, it was a year much like the one before it and the one that is coming after it — an amusing and horrifying record of man's moral and mental weaknesses. But that was the bad news, Now for the good news, It was also a great year, in some respects for you and me. Personally, I had a fine year. Just listen to this list and yours is probably better, if you think back. I discovered a bracing, health: f ul new sport, cross-country skiing, and within a month was known as The Terror of the Trails (by two old ladies of 86 and 89), I developed into Canada's most nauseatingly proud grandfather, as Pokey and I cemented an already firm friendship, culminating in an orgy of mutual admiration this past Christmas when the little devil got at least eleventy-seven presents. I love ‘`' i;r1P:Mimviaski? • , Advocate Established 1881 him because he is bright, lively, handsome, and a real hell-on- wheels kid. He loves me because he can get me to do anything, literally, that he wants me to do. In this league I am known as The Spoiler. While we're all in the family, other things made it a good year. My wife and I stayed married and together, a rather unusual combination after a quarter- century. We even like each other, which is almost incredible, after what each of us has put up with. My daughter, apparently celebrating Women's Lib year, or something, got herself pregnant again and I am expecting my first granddaughter (daughter underlined) any day now. Notice I said I am expecting. It used to be the mother who was ex- pecting, but things are all cock- eyed these days. Still in the family, I met a whole gaggle of cousins from the West I'd never seen before, cousins from the East I hadn't seen for 25 years, and sisters and brothers I hadn't seen for a couple. A great reunion, enough family stuff to do a fellow for the next decade. There were many other high moments for me during 1975. Did some Auld Lang Syne-ing with newspaper friends. Caught a big pike and rode in a tiny Aeronca over the brooding, empty wilderness of northern Saskat- chewan, Caught a big cold and rode in a taxi through the ,t,M:::;01W,VPAZICU',,WOMMAgea Amalgamated 1924 Two members of Exeter council deserve a hearty pat on the back this week for their remarks at the last meeting. Both Tom MacMillan and Derry Boyle have publicly stated they are against coun- cillors voting pay increases for themselves this year. Tom MacMillan stated that council should set an example because many other government bodies were not doing so. It will be a good move for the rest of the councillors to follow suit and not request additional money for their work this year. One point to keep in mind is that very few of our elected of- ficials are overpaid. When you stop and consider the many hours of hard work that must be put in by each and every member of the council to effeciently operate this town, you might be of the opinion that these community-minded citizens are even underpaid. This isn't the point. I don't know of a councillor or any other elected representative that took the job for the money. Most' of these people have a genuine interest, and want to play an active part in the management of their communities. Another point to consider is that these are days of "belt tightening" if we were to follow the words of our prime minister. This may be a hard to accept if we were to follow the example of some of the boys in Ottawa or Toronto, "Shocking" increase Now that we've started this week's column out right by telling all the taxpayers how they will be saving money, let's get into the bad news. At least it's bad news to me because I'll ,be moving into a house shortly that is being heated by electricity. The Exeter Public Utilities Commission has received word from Ontario Hydro that they will be jumping their rates by 21.8 percent. Exeter is doing slightly 'better than some other communities that have been hit by this sharp increase in power. Apparently Ontario Hydro wanted to in- crease the rates even more but brooding, teeming wilderness of Toronto. Beat my wife two-out-of-five in golf. Ignored the postal strike by writing 52 columns, even though some will never see print. Teetered through another three terms of teaching. Discovered that in another few years I would be eligible for a category-F pension. F Stands for Five cans of pork and beans a week, which such apension will provide. All in all, a jolly good year, one for which I wouldn't trade anything, eXcept a chance to do it over again. Now for a brief look into the dim distances of 1976. Last year we were bored silly by Women's International Year. I predict that this year we will be bored right out of our, skulls by two moun- tains of ennui — the American Bicentennial and the Canadian Olympic Games. Not much else can be glimpsed there, in the murk and muddle, Unions will go on threatening, politicians will go on promising, the rich will get richer and the poor will get babies, But, gloriously, people will go on being people: despicable and noble; anguished arid trium- phant; hating and loving; being — Please turn to Page 5 have settled for an average in- crease of 22 percent. No official figures have been released from the PUC as to how much they will•have to increase their rates to absorb the extra charges from the provincial corporation that used to ad- vertise "Live better Elec- trically." The slogan now may have to be changed to "Live better, but more expensively." Of course, when you hear what people in United States are paying for their electricity, it takes a little of the sting away from this recent action by Ontario Hydro. Expansions Although budget and retraint are the two key words being stressed by the town council, Exeter's business community seems to be spending a lot of money as an investment in the future. I can think of four businesses that have or are undertaking extensive renovations. Whiting's Furniture has had the workmen busy for weeks putting on a new front and revamping the inside of the store. At the other end of town South End Service is in the middle of adding a new showroom to display their automobiles. In the downtown area Wilson's Jewellery are getting ready to move across the road to new premises, formerly the clerk's office. One of the biggest expansions in this area is the extensive renovations recently completed at Huron Tractor (Exeter) Ltd. N. 50 Years Ago On Saturday, Elimville hun- ters, together with a few from Exeter, numbering 37 altogether, made an organized jack rabbit drive and were fortunate in bagging 72 animals. The shoot was under the leadership of Mr. Thomas Bell and the honors went to Lloyd Bell, who secured six. 25 Years Ago Arthur Nicholson, reeve of Tuckersmith Township, predicted a one mill increase on county rates for 1951 after he was elected warden of Huron County Tuesday afternoon. Captain Mark Tinsley of the United States Air Force, Ran- dolph Field, Texas, has been transferred to R.C.A,F, station Centralia .as part of art exchange plan between the two countries. Flight LL, Lou Hall is instructing at Randolph Field. Proposed incorporation of the village of Grand Gend as a village v'ithin Lambton County will be opposed at Sarnia next week by an official delegation from Huron County Council. The delegation will appear before Larnbton County Council on Thursday, 20 Years Agd A crowd of 400 witnessed Exeter's Kinsmen's Twelfth Night bonfire on the river flats Friday night. A neW record has been set this winter for the amount of snow that has fallen, Fifty eight inches have covered the ground since November, Many farmers from this area are expected to attend the grand opening of this modern facility tomorrow, Friday, January 16. Don't be surprised to see a few more businesses announce ex- pansion programs in the near future. This is just one more indication that Exeter is a town on the grow with several merchants who are progressive enough to make changes for the future. Sex in mails With the paper shortage across the country becoming more and more acute each day the case against junk mail gets stronger and stronger. Apparently a few people in this area have had the shocking ex- perience of opening their mail and finding sales literature for sexually oriented books and films. Although I haven't personally seen any of these pamphlets it seems the language has been quite blunt in appealing for people to send away for these products that could only appeal to someone with at least a slightly perverted nature. Much of this type of literature originates south of the border, but why the Canadian Post Office allows this material to go through the mails, is one thing that continues to amaze me. No matter hbw shocking this literature is to some people, the companies must be getting some return on their advertising dollar or they wouldn't continue to send out the offensive stuff, 10 Years Ago • Stan Frayne was re-elected chairman of the RAP committee with Ron Bogart as vice- chairman. Although two new members have agreed to sit on the committee, this year, the by- law appointing them has not been passed by. council. In his report of the SHDHS Tuesday evening, principal L, D. Palmer pointed out that parents taking their children out of school for vacations during the Christmas and New Year's period had hurt attendance. He suggested that many parents do not realize that the school's grants are based on attendance and by taking students out of school they are costing the school extra money. 5 Years Ago Announcement of the arrival of a neW industry at the former Grand Bend airport was made jointly last week by Bell Aerospace Canada Ltd. and the federal government, The neW firm will begin production of its Voyageur heavy hovercraft, The vehicle will be a twin-eingine self- propelled air cushion machine, designed to haul loads of up to 25 tons. Damage has been estimated at between $35,000 and $40,000 in a fire which levelled a large poultry barn on the farm of Jerry Boersma, RR 1 Exeter, Tuesday morning. In an "Off the cuff" inaugural address, Exeter Mayor Jack Delbridge, listed several projects which will have to be dealt with in the coming year, including the early consideration of a cen- tennial committee for the town's 100th birthday in 1973. "Now is the winter of our discontent . . / wrote Shakespeare in Richard the Third. For some reason or other some of us fall into winter doldrums this time of year, feeling depressed and sorry for ourselves, Perhaps it's the lack of sun- shine that makes us sure the bleakness is focusing on us alone and that drabness is clouding only our life, Recently, several friends have spoken to me about a sense of self-worthlessness and the need of finding something to take away the dullness of their lives and make them feel useful and fully alive again. They are like the winter land- scape that falls before our gaze, a barren landscape completely covered with snow where trees and all growing things appear to be dead. We know, of course, they aren't dead, that even in January the tiny buds are being formed within the trees' limbs; that small bulbs and seeds are beginning to stir beneath the snow to appear in a few weeks as snow drops, crocuses and other springtime creations. These winter days can be a time for us, too, to stir growth within ourselves because hidden within each of us is a talent that sometimes needs to be stirred up, nurtured and brought to flower. The Bible tells us we are created in the image of God, the Supreme Creator. If we are made in His likeness it stands to reason we have some of this creativityin us. It is the doing of something creative and good that gives us a feeling of selfworth, a sense of identity, an understanding of why each of us is imporant in God's scheme of things. Paul Tournier says, "God calls us to an adventure . . difficult and exacting, but full of poetry, of new discoveries, of fresh turns and sudden surprises." Editor's note — The following is the text of a brief presented by Allan Walper, , first vice- president, Huron County Federation of Agriculture. Mr. Walper's brief was presented to the Royal Commission of Electric Power Planning at a meeting in Listowel, Wednesday night. I am speaking on behalf of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, with the submission that follows below. We have attended the meetings in London and Wingham where we had a submiAsion which was not heard for lack of time. However our submission would only have been a duplication of what already had been said by other groups, so we decided to change the one for tonight's meeting. The original submission dealt mostly with pollution and land- use. Tonight, we will endeavor to express our opinion on some of the issues and concerns outlined in your preliminary statement concerning the rate of electrical growth in Ontario, we believe that in view of our diminishing supply of oil it may at first glance seem appropriate to replace our oil furnaces with electric heat. However, in looking at the amount of electricity necessary to do this, we urge the Com- mission to have a good look at alternative energy sources, such as solar heat and methane gas • The trouble with many of us is that we are afraid to try anything new, Anewrecipe (It may not be good!) A new hairstyle (I may not like it!) A new study group ( I might look stupid!) A new game (I might not be able to play it!) A new place (I've never been there before.) Eric Rerne, author of Games People Play says, "Losers spend their lives thinking about what they're going to do, Winners, on the other hand are not afraid to savor the present, Losers say `but' and 'if only', Winners are enlightened people who grow rich, healthy, strong, wise and brave using just three words in life 'Yes', 'No' and WOW'." You may never paint a picture, compose an exciting piece of music, write a best seller. That's OK . find something your own size. It may be taking a night class in woodworking, learning how to crochet, or setting out a schedule for yourself to visit the lonely and aged in the com- munity. (Remember, there are others far less fortunate than you who may be gripped by the winter doldrums too and who desperately need a cheerful word from you.) Whatever you decide to do it will involve some risk. It will involve decision. It will be an expression of yourself which may involve you with others. "This kind of adventure or creativity," says author Gladys Hunt, "will stretch you so that you end up being more than you thought you could be. It will add a special flavor to life and make you feel you have a secret with God," Living creatively means noticing, being aware and alive to God's world. It involves an ap- preciation and a drive toward something beautiful. It involves things, people and ideas. Try it and I almost guarantee it will get rid of the doldrums . , . in winter or any other time of year. production on the farm from manure. Our opinion on your question of of economics is that a ready availability of electric power will facilitate industrial, but not necessarily economic growth, depending upon the area in which it is produced. It is important to the whole Canadian economy, that it definitely not be located in an agricultural area, because in- dustry will be attracted to that area and research done has proven that industry has an adverse effect on agricultural crops as well as removing much good land from food production to accommodate the industry. If there is an economic gain through industry, it will be more than offset by loss from farm produce. We believe that there is no price sufficient to warrant the removal of good land from agriculture, and that many people will not realize this, until they see empty shelves in the supermarket. Of the total land surface in the world, only about 8 percent is suitable for producing crops, and that leaves 92 percent to build factories and houses on. Generating stations should be located on non-productive areas, where industry will not interfere with food production and then perhaps, we could obtain an economic gain from both, You have asked about land-use and regional implications. It seems reasonable to assume that we will have continued population growth and We believe that this province can sustain a larger population, provided We are very careful in our planning so we do not destroy any more of our agricultural land. ' Our future heavily populated areas, should be attracted to non productive lands. This would have no adverse effect on provincial land use policies, but society has a growing concern how land is used, As far as conservation of electricity is concerned, we doubt if much will he gained until the Cost becomes prohibitive. Progress in energy recovery from solar heat is being made in other countries, and if more research was done in Canada, it is quite possible that much less expansion is needed in hydro generating stations. These possibilities should be considered carefully before Ontario Hydro gets the green light on their total expansion program, Some of the energy needed, could possibly be supplied from other sources. I appreciate the opportunity to present this submission to the commission on behalf of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture. Dear Editor, I am presently on a business trip in Ontario and last week I had the pleasure of passing through Exeter. I was amazed at the smallness of your town, especially when I knew that you supplied a great young Soccer team that made the North American Junior play-offs last year, I am an enthusiastic supporter of Junior Soccer and I work closely with the Newark Boys Club of New Jersey, I would like to congratulate your town on producing such a successful team, I am sure your officials who ran the Exeter-'Squirts only ,had a limited number of players to choose from, • unlike the Newark Boys Club who last summer had nearly 400 players registered on their books at the Squirt grade!. Again, congratulations, and «best wishes to your town for further success on the Soccer field in 1976, Wayne Jarrett, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.A. Walper presents brief on behalf of Federation • S