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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-01-22, Page 4It was quite apparent at a meeting in Wingham last Thursday that provincial treasurer, Darcy McKeough, is serious about budget restraints this year, when he spoke to representatives of local govern- ment, including Exeter Council members. McKeough told his audience that the province has imposed a ceiling upon itself with regard to increased spending, of 10 percent. In addition he said that increases in grants to local municipalities will be cut back 8 percent, about half of the average yearly increase in past years. He emphasized the important role that local governments must play in cutting un- necessary expenditures. He remarked that the provincial government had decided against imposing spending ceilings for municipalities and boards of education. A key quote from his address was that spen- ding restraints would "rest upon local ratepayers wrath", meaning that with provincially imposed *grant ceilings in effect, local government must either curb its own spending or maintain present ser- vices by upping local mill rates even more, creating a possible mutiny situation on the part of local ratepayers. When local officials had an opportunity to direct questions to the treasurer, a number of their comments indicated that all were not pleased with the government's decision to turn over so much responsibility to local government at a time when the economy is so bleak. The tendency since the de' ression years has been for the provincial govern- ment, to take over more and more of the economic responsibility and subsequently, the decision-making power with respect to local affairs, gradually becoming more centralized. Now, all of a sudden, the Ontario government wants to turn much of the economic responsibility back to local government. The move can be interpreted at least two ways. Perhaps the province has learn- ed at long last, to respect the difference in situations from one locality to another and has decided to allow each local government to determine how much additional spending local ratepayers are willing to tolerate. The other possibility, is that the Ontario government, in an. effort to pass the finan- cial responsibility "buck" on to someone else's„ shoulder during hard times, has decided to cut the average yearly increase in grants and then sit back and see whether local governmment can weather the economic storm. It's a little ironic the money that the province is holding back from local govern- ment is by-and-large the same money that came out of local taxpayers' pockets and went to Queen's Park. The government seems to be saying to local government, "If you need more money, you will just have to go back to those same taxpayers and see if they are agreeable to letting you have a little more." Ed Dearing, chairman of the Perth County School Board, one of the lowest spending school boards in the province, summed up the feelings of many local of- ficials who attended the meeting. "If we were to hold spending to the level of last year, we would only be able to afford staff in our classyooms and in- surance on our schools, with no heat, light, or supplies", he said. He told the treasurer that based on the figures he had received, the Perth Board would have to raise local mill rates by 50 percent and that the results would be shown when no present officials were re-elected in the fall, Perhaps Mr. Dearing was overstating the case. This year, especially, spending restraints, whether from the provincial government or from local government, is a welcome relief to the tax-weary public. Time will tell the story. Perhaps local government will not be able to do the job of providing essential services without rais- ing mill rates a good deal more. On the other hand, if local government can prove itself during economic hard times, it may be equally adept at managing finances during the good times, maybe better than the provincial government. Perhaps this year's trend will indicate that it's time that more revenues go directly to local government rather than first to Queen's Park, only to come filtering back down to municipalities in the guise of gratituous gifts referred to as grants from the province. McKeough was honest enough to admit that he and his colleagues in the Ontario cabinet should take some of the blame for the present financial situation. It would be unfair to say thatithe provincial government alone is responsible for the present muddle. Everyone from local governments right down to our own families must share some of the responsibility for excessive spending trends which got the better of us during the past decade, Wei justithinktijatIlookinOtithe present picture, the provincial government expects a great deal of intelligence and financial masterminding from local government at a very crucial time. If Mr. McKeough and the Ontario government can reasonably ex- pect such intelligence, it should do the same during brighter economic times and be willing to share more of the decision- making and fiscal responsibility with local government than it has done in the past. Support March of Dimes This is the time of year when many charitable groups will be knocking on your door asking for support. These causes are all worthwhile and the money goes to helping deserving peo- ple. One project in particular is coming up on January 26 that is always an example of what can happen when several members of a community lend their support. ..The March of Dimes campaign last year collected over $1,200 which was used to proVide assistance to disabled people. Of course, more money is needed again this year to carry on the continuing respon- sibility of assisting people less fortunate than ourselves. Forty-six women, under the leadership of campaign chairman Dorothy Pfaff, can- vassed Exeter residents last year and an equal number of women are expected to assist with the campaign this year. . When a marching mother calls at your door Monday night, please give generously. Your contribution will be appreciated and will help make life a little better for disabl- ed persons. About curmudgeons "Next time you eel the urge to criticize the street sanding department, choose empty truck!" an W•VAV,,,W.W.,.,nkv,v.V.V...,WnMntV..*.V.VeVeIe.WenSY.X.j.%WAPASMW/NW,AW.WW6WA.Xt..WAWAWA Lions . . "real good sports" SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C,W.N.A., 0.W,N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited Editor — Jim Beckett Advertising Manager' Women's Editor, —Gwyn Whibmith Plant Manager — Les Webb Compoiition Manager — Dave Worby Business Manager Dick Jonekind Phone 235.1331 Published Each Thursday Morning c7 at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 paid in Advance Circulation September 30, 1925 5,420 Canada $9.00 Per Year; USA $11,00 CCNA BIUf RIBBON AWMPO 1911 SUBSCRIPtION RATES: Our response to now By ELMORE BOOMER Counsellor for Information South Huron For appointment phone: 235-0560 The old-fashio'ned strike weapon „ „ 1111.1.1•••••••91!••••••,..7.17,-77"--.. Critical times ahead Can spring be far behind Recently, I listed some of the things I dislike about our society. When I'd finished, I thought to myself : "Boy, you area nasty old piece of work. Do you realize you've barely scratched the surface?" For a week or two, I went around thinking, in 10 or 20 second spurts, every three or four days, that I was a Curmudgeon. Some of my younger readers will not know what a curmudgeon is, Well, it comes from the root word "mud." We all know what mud is. It is dirty. It is cool under the toes, unless it is in the font of a mud pack, which is good for the wrinkles. If your name is Mudd, — Please turn to Page 5 Amalgamated 1924 This portion of my column, is written at the risk of it sounding like a commercial for the Exeter Lions Club. Club members are right now in the midst of all the excitement of organizing what should be the biggest and best Sportsmens Dinner ever. Of course, the name of the game is to raise money for Lions activities in the upcoming months, but at the same time the club is offering a worthwhile night of entertainment for your money. Many sports celebrities will be on hand to meet-with anyone that goes to the dinner. Some people will say the $25 admission fee sounds a little expensive, however the "Lions," share of this amount will .be put to good use right in our own town. Two other facts make the price of admission a little more at- tractive, Receipts will be issued for tax purposes. Also, it is a real opportunity for anyone to meet the guests who have earned recognition in the sports world. Five years from now we'll be reading about the activities of many of the people who will be in Exeter on Tuesday, February 3. The people who attend the dinner will always be able to say "I met that man." When you combine the memories, the meal and the knowledge that you're helping a local club with their community projects, it all adds up to an evening that is well- worth the money. End of an era The announcement last week that Eaton's catalogue stores will be closing across the country undoubtedly shocked thousands of people. To most of us, Eaton's was much more than a large com- pany. It was an institution. From humble beginnings in Kirkton many years ago, the company has grown to one of the major retail outlets in the world. The catalogue is one book that I have referred to more than any other during my lifetime. Many years ago I can remember looking at the pictures and seeing the hundreds of items that fascinated a young mind. Hour after hour was spent reading about toys, hobby kits, bicycles, air rifles, fishing equipment and an endless list of other interesting things. The memory of turning the pages and wishing everything in the book was mine is as vivid as yesterday, Many odd jobs were done around the small town I grew up in just to get enough money for something that ap- pealed to me from the big book that featured an endless list of things I could never afford, In her column last week Elaine Townshend describes catalogues as "the wish book". In my case it was more than a wish book. It created desires. It was this one thing that made the catalogue one of the most valuable tools in helping me with my career many years later. Any advertising person will agree that in the retail com- munity nothing really happens until a desire is created for a product or service, Because the catalogue Was prepared by experts in promotion, it was only natural to use this book as a guide in preparing several highly Sac- cessful advertising campaigns, Of course, the illustrations and printing were much clearer than you would ever find in any newspaper, but the catalogue had one important thing to teach anyone in advertising, It was the wording under the •, 50 Years Ago Mr. Paul Coates is making preparation for the erection of a fine new house. Quite a number of wildcat tracks have been seen in the Pinery, at Grand Bend, and one day last week Mr. Bell of Port Franks succeeded In capturing one four feet in length. Misses Jennison and Edith Taylor, after spending the holidays at their homes in Brewster, have resumed their' studies at the school here, Rev. C.W. Brown B.D., will preach anniversary Sermons and the minister Robert Hicks of Fultarton will supply at James St. Church. Mr. Hicks is an Usborne boy and has many friends in this community. Mr. R. knight has put in a choice stock of teas, coffee, tobaccos, cigars, pipes, etc., which he will handle in con- nection with his tailoring business, 2$ Years Ago Exeter's first mayor, Benson Tuekey, was sworn in by Clerk C.V. Pickard. Henry Strang, prominent in municipal and chair affairs for many yeatS, died at his home, Saturday. Caven Presbyterian Church congregation have started ek- tenSive renovations to the in- terior of the church, A.O. Elliott was elected chairman of the Exeter arena board, replacing E.R. liopper. year-round, but is. it? Some of the disadvantages would crop up to take a bit of the enjoyment of a "fun in the sun" atmosphere. You'd come home after a hard day's work and find you would have to go out and mow the lawn. If Exeterwasin Florida,all your relatives from Hensall, Huron Park, Gand Bend, etc. would drop in for a brief visit and stay' two weeks. They'd be telling you about all the snow in their areas and reminding you how lucky you are to be living in such a wonderful environment. In this situation Exeter could become famous for its annual alligator wrestling event. The list could go on and on about strange things that would happen to our community. But what would happen to our hockey teams? The Hawks would either have to take up baseball or convert their goalie to a quar- terback. Our snowmobile dealers would have to switch to selling speed- boats and water skits. Our snowplough drivers would have to go on unemployment insurance or find different jobs. We would have to drive our children north just to let them see what the cold white stuff was really like. The lack of change in the climate would be boring for most of us and we would find ourselves heading this way again for a little variety. When you stop and think about it, Exeter may have to survive a long tough winter, but it has to be better than having every day the same. Some of us may complain about the snow, but at the same time there's some poor fellow in Florida that's suffering from a bad case of sunburn wishing the heatwave would end. 20 Years Ago Don Penninga, ,one of the members of the building com- mittee, presented the key to the new Christian Reformed Church to the minister, Rev. G.J. Hoytema at the opening exer- cises, Sunday, Reeve Jack Morrissey of Stephen Township lost his bid for the wardership of Huron in the final round. John Fischer of Turnberry Township won the position of the fifth ballot. Kirkton Community Association, sponsors of the famous Garden Party, will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a birthday banquet Thirty-four SHDHS senior students and six chaperons are planning an educational trip to Washington' at Exeter, 10 Years Ago Lloyd England retired as postmaster of Creditun, Monday, after completing 44 years and 11 days of service. The new acting postmaster is Arthur Attfield. ken Inch of the Businessmen's AssoCatlon presented Maurice Haist with the confirmation of his prize of a trip to the Bahamas in a draw sponsored by the association. Mr.. Raist'S ticket was drawn from 6,000,00 other tiekets. James Ilayter Moved.up from deputy reeve to reeve of Stephen Council replacing Glen Webb who retired, Valerie Mooney was first place winner in the public speaking contest held at St, Patrick's Separate School, January 12. The strike weapon is old- fashioned! The new morality of restrain has become society's stance at the present time. So strong is this overall feeling that we now have the AIB (Anti-inflation Board) and the defeat of Toronto's high school teachers. The plain truth is that most people feel that free-spending days are over. There has arisen in our minds an undercurrent of distress and frustration con- cerning traditional ways of economic coping. During the last decades government deficits have been acceptable. Governments, after all, are responsible not only for the money they spend, but also for the economic atmosphere of the nation. Thus it was considered right for a government to overspend as long as it kept the economy in a lively, growing way, Buying power in our individual hands must be maintained, in order that factories might be kept open, so that unemployment might be limited, that, in turn, our buying power might be maintained. This economic argument was bolstered by the social justice plea. It is not right for people to be in poverty. Suffering must be alleviated at all costs — money costs, at least. It was thought that by spending oceans of money we would. swamp the rivers of poverty. Our expectations became swollen and inflamed and the money poultice became in- creasingly ineffective. There didn't seem to be any strength in the figs any more, The dollar was going down in value. Everyone was disturbed. The more money we received, the less we could buy. We were restrained in a feverish, sick way. We didn't like our high- temperature and gave our governments a mandate. "Doctor, do anything, however painful, but, quick, give us relief." So the bitter medicine of restraint was prescribed. And it is bitter. Some of us wanted to get a little more before the hatch was battened down, Some of us thought that the people were only kidding, "Surely we're not afraid of a little spending, are We?" The Toronto teachers were among the latter. They thought that the strike was still potent and that to persist was to obtain. The postal workers were in the same frame of mind. But, of course, the poeple spoke a resounding "No", Some may blame the government but it was the people, It is just not ac- ceptable to strike nowadays, Oh, some small operations may be closed down for a few days or some small demands may be met, Just mosquito bites! But don't let any little old mesquite, however large, roar like a lion When the cold, icy blasts of adversity strike us we often draw into ourselves and sit like inanimate lumps of clay, seeing nothing, hearing nothing, feeling nothing but our own misery. And the longer we sit the deader we become. Inside us and at our disposal is the same creativity that God places in the lowly onion, accept we have it in a much larger quantity. We have it at our disposal by merely calling it up and, of course, the way to do this is to remember that God is good, that He is faithful and reliable. In the past He has always brought his children through deep winters of despair topleasanterand happier days. And just because it happens to be we who are suffering now doesn't mean He's going to stop. Bit by bit, if we allow Him to, He'll stir up that little speck of faith within our dead or frozen selves until it begins to shoot up into something beautiful and good. There is greatness and nobility within all of us that when given a chance can conquer anything that life throws at us. We need to take a lesson from my bag of onions. Even when all outward signs say it's hopeless and downright silly to believe things are going to get better we must send out our small shoot anyway knowing that that's what God expects us to do. He will faithfully provide the sunshine and rain to bring it along and soon we'll be through the winter and into springtime again, because the fly swatter is handy. And a strike in these days is costly. Strikes always were, but, now the cost is not summed up in wages lost, production limited and the economy slowed. Rather, the cost is psychological. For in these eye-balling times when hopes for large awards are still alive, defeat is terribly painful. Bitterness is a sharp reality. Who would want to be a teacher going back to school this week in Toronto? After a public flogging, it's hard not to be angry and bitter. And when angry and bitter, it's hard to teach, if not impossible. Who would want to be a student in Toronto's schools this week. Thirty-eight days out of school, with tong hours and steady grinding, their prospect. And up there behind the desk is the "guy" or the "doll" who caused it all. And parents are all excited and caught up in the mess, sitting on the edge of their post-school seats, wondering about their kids and their learning. Everybody ready to jump at somebody, "Mess" is the proper word. In these days when co-operation, aft& the style of the old country, barn-raising bee, is the necessity for survival, the bitterness of the strike situation is too painful. One has high hopes in the natural curative effects of the school people working together again and of the passage of time. (Perhaps the main school lesson to be now learned is that of trust,) Yet the weeks ahead will not be unremitting pleasantness and light. Perhaps in times of change — sometimes shocking change — it is to be expected that old ef- fective methods should be con- tinued to test the new times. We know that times have changed when the old methods are no longer effective. It is also to be expected that when times change some will not notice the change and having ignored the omens, charge ahead in ignorance to defeat and bit- terness. Perhaps neW times and new necessities are borne in upon our consciousness by bitter, disap- pointing, humiliating ex- periences. It has always been so that social and economic change has brought dislocation and pain to Many, It is also to be expected that gestures of anger and exercises in mourning for the "good old days" will continue. In this way, some of the old ways will be adapted to the new. ' It is also known that the new has arrived, that the people largely back it, and that in the broad prospective, the new restraints will be obeyed, The strike weapon has been declared obsolescent, futile and unfashionable at this time,. Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 pretty pictures. Words that sell. Words that built up the benefits of each item so high that the cost of the merchandise was moved to the back of your mind to be replaced by the benefits you would receive from whatever you, were reading about. In my opinion catalogue writing is one of the finest examples of salesmanship in print you'll find anywhere. For many years the catalogue seemed to do an excellent job for Eaton's. According to other comments last week, it is still working effectively for Simpsons, a company that will now become a giant in the mail order business. Many reasons may be given for the failure of Eaton's catalogue operation. I would never presume to speculate on what really contributed to the down fall of an organization that was a household word in this country. I'm only sure of one thing. It wasn't the catalogue. Sunny south Remayks by two different people last week that "Exeter should be moved to Florida during the winter months" has prompted me to speculate and 'exaggerate on what it would be like if this really happened. Instead of having their winter clearances right now the stores in town would probably be in the middle of their second annual sidewalk sale. The sidewalks would be jammed with bargain hunters looking for such items as Ber- muda shorts to wear to the beach next weekend. Air conditioning sales would jump and suntan lotion sales would soar. People would be saying this is one of the hottest Januaries we've ever had. It sounds like a good idea to be able to live in a warm climate When the onions sprout in your refrigerator can Spring be far behind? SOunds like the title of a hit parade song? The fact of the matter is, it's 15 degrees below (f), the winds blow cold from the north and snow - drifts on our walk making transit to our front door about as feasible as getting through the North-west Passage this time of year, Any sensible creature would tell you Spring is a long way off . . even the T,V. weather man warns us to bundle up and brace ourselves for yet another storm, Spring in the offing? . . . don't be ridiculous. Only don't tell that to my bag of onions because they seem to know something the rest of us don't. There they sit, blithely sending out their fresh green shoots. No matter to them that it's dark and cold and isolated in the bottom drawer of the fridge. They know, deep inside them that there are days of sunshine and warm showers on their way . . . that things are going to get better. So, they bravely send out their pale green sprouts regar- dless of the elements and whatever adverse conditions they are in now. Nature is really remarkable, I thought, as I chopped up some of these tender onion tops for a salad. If an onion has that much of God's creative growth in it, how much more must we humans have? But do we? Or if we have, do we use it to its fullest? Some people do but a lot don't.