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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-06-09, Page 4At the start of the Ontario election campaign, this newspaper suggested it would be an interesting event, pitting two well-known men in a close battle. As the campaign concludes, there is lit- tle to indicate that any great change in that situation has taken place. Comments from workers on both sides indicate they are confident as to the outcome, and while that may be natural before the votes are counted, it is probably a fair assessment of the local riding position. It should be close. In fact, several area voters have in- dicated they would like to vote for both men, and certainly there will be people elected throughout the province who will be less dedicated and capable than the man who will lose in Huron-Middlesex. That obviously places the onus on the voters in this riding to get out to the polls. There's no room for apathy when there are two good candidates and the predicted closeness of the race suggests that every vote will count. This newspaper is not enlisting support for either of the two candidates. Let the better man win! Need controls Canada still has no effectivegun con- trol legislation even though all reasonable indicators point to the urgent need for legislation that will keep firearms away from the easy reach of those who damage themselves or others. Despite the fact that anyone — drug ad- dict, criminal or homicidal maniac — can walk off the street and 10 minutes later leave a store with a rifle or shotgun and ammunition, the legislation that has already received exhaustive debate remains to be passed. All the arguments have been heard, the gun lobby has done its best and still no one who has any regard for human life can find an alternative to the licensing of the owners of all guns. No one wants legislation that would make it difficult for those who have legitimate use for rifles or shotguns to own and use them. Farmers who need to protect livestock surely can easily prove their need, the same applies to sports hunters although greater care should be exercised in licensing amateur gun owners. Native people who live by hunting and trapping should have special provisions made to safe guard their traditional way of life. But with those important exceptions — and the legislation already proposed takes cognizance of these concerns — no one should own a lethal weapon which could allow for the death and destruction of inno- cent people without stringent licensing regulations. Shotguns and rifles accounted for one- third of Canada's suicides and murders -7- 950 suicides and 186 murders — in the most recent year for which figures are available. There is no doubt this senseless toll could be significantly reduced with a licencing system for all firearms. Hunters especially object to the red tape but we believe the few seconds it re- quires to fill out a document are nothing compared with the months the victim of impulse shooting might have to spend in hospital if he survived in the first place. Our case, we believe is quite simple, for the reality of guns is that they are weapons used to kill and rob people and they must be the subject of strict control. Why must we wait for yet another tragedy to be convinced? —Contributed Set record straight Politicians come•under some extreme- ly heavy fire in election campaigns and at times the members of the news media share that discomfort. Last week this newspaper printed a small news item on the plans of the Hensall Spring Fair to have MPP Jack Riddell of- ficially open their event on June 21. It had been intended as a light hearted comment and we had assumed that readers would realize that plans for the opening had been formulated before the election call. Unfortunately, some members of the fair board were upset over the report and felt it indicated they were all supporting Mr. Riddell. The T-A apologizes for any mis- understanding the news item may have prompted and again we point out that the plans for the opening and Mr. Riddell's in- volvement had been made prior to any an- nouncement of an election. `fie (Enka mes-Afasocafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited LORNE EEDY, PUBLISHER Editor — Bill Batten Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett Plant Manager — Jim Scott Composition Manager — Harry DeVries Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Phone 235-1331 CCNA NUE RIBBON AWARD ' 1974 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation September 30, 1975 5,409 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $11.00 Per Year; USA $22.00 MN. • So, who needs enemies?- An Electrifying Situation Page 4 Times-Advocate, June 9, 1977 tto ,e441441Swernwee.r.vree.,,,, Still appears close Some great feelings One of the deepest satisfac- tions in writing a column of this kind is the knowledge that you are getting into print the angers and frustrations of a lot of other people, who have no recourse for their resentments, and conse- quently take them out on the old man or the old lady. How do you know this? Well, because people write you letters cheering you on to further at- tacks, and other people come up to you, perfect strangers, shake hands warmly, and say "By the Holy Ole jumpin! Bill, you really hit the nail on the head. This can be a little disconver- ting, as you are never quite sure which nail they are referring to. If the congratulator is a woman, I smile weakly and change the subject. Because sure as guns, though she thought you were one of nature's noblemen for your assault on male chauvinism last week, she'll turn on you like a snake when she reads tomorrow's paper, with the column exposing female chauvinism, Speaking recently to a class of potential writers in a creative writing course, I tried to pass along the personal satisfaction one gets from this type of per- sonal journalism. I emphasized the "personal" satisfaction because there's a lot more of that involved than there is of the other kind, financial satisfaction. Columnists and freelance writers have no union working for them, nor any professional association, as have doctors, lawyers, teachers, They have only their own talent and wit and perseverance with which to penetrate the thick heads and thicker skins of editors and publishers, But it's a .great feeling when you vent your wrath, say, about the rapaciousness of mechanics, and you are button-holed six times in the next three days by people with horror stories about mechanics you can scarcely believe, Trouble is, they all want you to write another column about mechanics, and put some real meat into it. This means, in effect, that they would happily stand in the wings and applaud when you were sued for libel. Some readers would like you to be constantly attacking whatever it is that they don't like. Capitalist friends are aghast when you refuse to launch an assault op capital gains taxes. Welfarist friends think you are a traitor and a fink when you won't attack the government for not providing color TV for everyone on the take. I am not by nature an attacker, and I think there is nothing more boring than a writer of any kind who tries to make a career of be- ing a "hard hitting" journalist, Once in a while my gently bubbling nature boils over, Throwing caution and syntax to the winds. I let my spleen have a field day and try to throw some sand in the grease with which many aspects of society are try- ing to give us a snow job. And that's one of the finest paragraphs I've ever written, if mixed metaphors are your bag. Fair game for the hardhitter are: garage mechanics, plumbers, postal workers, super- markets, civil servants, and politicians. Most of them can't hit back, and everybody hates them, except garage mechanics and their wives, plumbers and their wives, etc, etc. Smaller fry are doctors, lawyers, teachers, used car salesmen. They all squeal like dying rabbits when attacked, but nobody pays much attention to them except doctors .and their wives, etc. etc. There are a few areas that even the hardest-hitters avoid, When have you, lately, read a savage attack on greedy farmers, callous nurses, or un- loving mothers? And yet, there are Iota of them around. One of these days, perhaps, one of these hard hitting writers will muster enough guts, after about five brandies, to launch an all-out attack on the audacity of women, thinking they're as good as men. Boy, that fellow will learn what real hard hitting is all about. Personally, I can't stay mad at anybody long enough to be a voice of the people, or a public watchdog, or any of those ob- noxious creatures who try to tell other people how they should feel. The only constant in my rage is the blatant manipulation of self- seeking politicians who will twist and warp and wriggle and squirm and bribe for self- perpetuation in office. Best ex- ample at the moment is the Tory' government in Ontario, which has called a totally unnecessary election in that province through sheer hunger for greater power. Otherwise, I get a great deal more joy from touching the in- dividual life than inflaming the masses. When I get a letter from There's a new look at the T-A this week, and readers need look no farther than the photo atop this column to see what it is. Little explanation is required for the many Exeter residents who watched our 10 and a half year growth of facial foliage fall to the floor during last week's cable TV broadcast for the South Huron rec centre, A campaign to have the editor shorn, quickly gained momen- tum on the telathon, and while a few kind souls made pledges in an effort to save the beard, they were greatly out-bid by many others whose diabolical sense of humor is beyond comprehension. There was a $20 bid from our former working cohort Gwyn Whilsmith. She's been mas- querading for years as a fine Christian and in reality she's full of the devil! A fine repayment, indeed, for the countless hours we spent in trying to turn her into a journalist. We now know the feeling Julius Caesar experienced when he looked up to see Brutus aiming that dagger into his back. Then there was $100 bid from someone posing as our good friend Clarence Everett Boyle. We knew immediately it wasn't Derry! After all, would he stoop so low after the- many kind words and excellent press we gave him throughout his lengthy and brilliant career as a member of Exeter council? Certainly not! Nor would he risk the friendship of a ball player whose sparkling bat lifted Derry's managerial abilities above the mediocre and into the realm of sure brilliance. We have already been assured by Derry that he will even go to such lengths as hiring Charlie's Angels to hunt down the im- poster who made that phone call. Then . there was the $50 bid from the writer's own, sweet mother. Yes, readers, our own mother! She claimed to have legitimate reasons, noting that for the past an old lady in hospital, crippled with arthritis, who has managed to get a chuckle out of my column, it makes me feel good. Recently, I got a letter from a young Scot who has immigrated to Canada. He says: "I have learned more about Canada and Canadians through reading your column than all the accumulated wisdom from the Canadian newsmagazines, novels and TV programs I have absorbed." Now there is a man with his head screwed on right. If I, as a newcomer, tried to get my im- pressions of this country from newsmagazines and TV programs, I'd catch the first boat or plane home. So, I guess I'll try to go on talk- ing to people, getting sore, hav- ing some fun, bragging about my grandboys, looking for sympathy in the war between the sexes. That's what life is all about, not plumbers and politicians and other horrors of that ilk. ocr t,e,„ 10 and a half years the beard has prevented her from really seeing any expressions on her son's face. That, perhaps was a good reason. Imagine not knowing if your son was pleased with the load of gravel he received as a Christmas gift! Or whether the "yes, mother" was" actually sincere when it was mentioned that he really must do something about the weeds in the garden! There', were many other donations, of course, including that generous offer from Kongskilde and its employees to match up to $1,000 if it was bid for the clip job. In all, the writer's beard finally fell to the floor at the hands of Doug Parker for a total of over $2,200 and when you consider that it will be matched by another $4,- 400 from Wintario, it was indeed a profitable shave. * Readers will probably have no idea, though, of the shock that was experienced in the writer's household as the foliage fell to the floor. Our two eldest sons watched the proceedings on TV and for Steve, it was his first glimpse of the old man's face in other than a pre-beard photo. However, it was an even greater shock to our two youngest sons who had been in bed by the time of the great trim. We called the two into the bedroom on Friday morning and the writer had all but his nose and eyes covered with the bed sheets. "Do you know this guy," the better half questioned. "Sure," came the quick reply from six-year-old 'Brad Jon, ob- viously surprised at such a stupid question, Then as the covers were pulled back, he and his brother stood with mouths gaping as they too had their first look at their dad's bared chin. When the initial shock wore off, the two burst into laughter. "You should see yourself in the mirror," B. J. chuckled, "Your chin is too long," Brett inter- jected as the two changed their expressions from puzzlement and bewilderment to laughter and ridicule. • "That's you on the wall," B. J. noted in surprise as he finally determined who the fellow was posing with his mother in her wedding dress. All in all, it was an interesting half hour around the breakfast table! However, readers who have expressed delight at the new look may be surprised to know that a vote taken in the Batten household was four to one in favor of starting that foliage all over again — and the quicker the better. The writer may agree. We had to hustle up to Doug Parker before going to work to• get a shave. Fact is, yours truly doesn't even own a razor and there's some concern at time of Amalgamated 1924 writing that our throat will be in danger when that first shave since December 1966 is finally attempted. So, be kind to the editor. Sign up for the next blood donor clinic in Exeter! * Over the years, the writer has been involved in many in- teresting and enjoyable events, but it is difficult to recall any that provided a greater share of those two ingredients than the cable telathon. No one had any idea of what response would be received and those involved in its organization actually faced the night with some trepidation. There were no predictions made, but most of the committee probably thought it would last in the neighborhood of a couple of hours with 50 or 60 calls and realize somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000. In fact, even the most optimistic felt the latter figure was akin to a dream, So, you can well imagine the pleasant surprise of having a steady stream, of calls for five hours and a list of donations that topped the $10,000 mark. There were many reasons for the success. It was, of course, a novelty in that it was the first live broadcast over the local cable outlet and the children in particular responded to that with their calls to hear and see their names, No doubt some would think it was due to good organization and the calibre of the two program hosts. Well, other than the ob- vious benefit of having Jo-Anne Dinney, there was little other credit there. That's not a slight against those who worked hard to prepare for the show, such as Carf Cann, Ron Bogart, Rob Grant, John Stephens, Louise Pincombe, Lorne Preszca tor, Doug Ellison and several others. But they will be the first to admit they were treading on unknown ground and most of the event was left to chance. Certainly the generosity of_ several local merchants in providing attractive prizes helped and even the writer's beard played a part. But basically, the show succeeded because it just happened, and because it just happened in Exeter. It brought out the generous and friendly nature of a small town striving to meet a goal, and the fact that many of them are "hams" or sincerely love a good time with their friends and neighbors was the icing on the cake. There was Sadie Knox and her garden, Lightning Leo,, the im- promptu appearance of Constable Frank Giffin, etc, etc., etc. And who would have believed that King McDonald would burst into song on TV just to take 50 bucks off Jim Chapman? Bet King still can't even believe that he did it! Then there was poor Doug Ellison, feeling the heat of pledges for his brush cut on one hand and getting calls from others who were prepared to help him save his scalp. Ap- parently the latter won out although we suggest that those who did pledge to see Doug's locks tumble should be satisfied with watching him squirm and come across with their money. He's obviously doing more than his share in the canvass and his physical contribution in the walkathon should be payment enough. Actually, we don't think anyone expected to see him with a brush cut anyway. All in all, the South Huron rec centre fund got a big boost over the week and the people who con- tributed in any way should give themselves a big pat on the back. Community spirit in Exeter and area is alive and well! 55 Years Ago The Times "T-word" picture puzzle came to close, and the following are the prize winners: Ethel Anderson, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Wm. H. Wood, Usborne; Kenneth Stanbury, Exeter; Mrs, H. Ford, Usborne; and Miss Vosper, Exeter. The judges were G. S. Howard, Geo. Mawson, and E. J. Wethey. A pretty wedding took place on Thursday, June 1, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Laing, when their only daughter Margaret Hazel, married Ulric Rae Snell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Snell of town. The wedding music was played by Lena Coates and Margaret Moodie sang. Nellie Anderson acted as bridesmaid and Silas Reed was the best man. Miss Fear has returned to her home at Blyth after being engaged for the millinery season with Miss Armstrong. The'following was the result of the election of officers in the Exeter Lodge of Oddfellows; Asa Penhale, Jr., P.G. ; L. Day, N.G.; E. M. Quance, V.G.; R. N. Creech, Rec-Secretary; W. Johns, Financial Secretary; E. M. Dignan, Treasurer. 30 Years Ago The fifth annual field day of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture is being held in Exeter Community Park on Wednesday. Main Street United Church has extended a call to Rev. H. Mahoney of Knox Church, Peterboro, to become the minister for next year. Peter Fraser, first year student at the University of Western Ontario, has been awarded the Huron County Scholarship for the highest man. Mr. and Mrs, Gordon Lamport, who have spent the winter at Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island, returned home to Exeter a few days ago. The township of Blanshard is preparing for a celebration June 25, to commemorate the, 100th of the incorporation of the township. by JIM SMITH In the midst of the univer- sally heralded energy crisis, it comes as some surprise to learn that Canada's energy suppliers continue to func- tion in blythe ignorance of this disaster. How else can one explain pricing policies of the na- tion's electric utilities that reward extreme consump- tion of this increasingly rare and vital energy? Several decades ago, when there was, in most parts of the country, sufficient water power to generate far more cheap electricity than the na- tion could use, the utilities devised a pricing scheme to encourage greater consump- tion. Small-scale consumers- were charged a base rate per kilowatt hour; as consump- tion increased, the cost de- creased. Ultimately, the ener- gy-hungry major industrial users ended up with by far the cheapest rate per unit of electricity. The electrical supply situa- tion has changed dramatical- ly in recent years, of course. For the most part, Canada's • hydro potential has been ex- hausted. Additional electri- city means construction of coal, oil, or nuclear genera- ting stations, all of them very expensive to build and enor- mously costly to operate. The basic engineering fact of electrical life, however, is that Canada has far more gen- erating capacity on hand right now than we need for the foreseeable future — ex- cept for some very brief pe- riods during the day when demand jumps sharply. These brief periods of extra demand are called "peak periods"and C. R. Hagey was engaged by Hensall village council last week to prepare plans for installing waterworks in the' village. 20 Years Ago A. J. "Jake" Sweitzer, Exeter, was one of three Lions elected as Canadian directors of the in- ternational service organization at the 37th annual convention of Ontario and Quebec clubs in Peterboro last week.- Progressive Conservative candidates were successful in all ridings Monday during the "Diefenbaker Sweep." Elston Cardiff posted the largest majority of his 17-year career in federal politics. Hensall Kinsmen Club an- nounced this week it has con- tracted for a professional vaudeville show to feature its Ontario Bean Festival program. Huron County's livestock judging team won first prize at the recent Lambton-Middlesex Shorthorn Field Day competition at Fraser McFarlane's farm, Ailsa Craig. Members of the team were Ray Cann, Exeter; Keith Coates, Centralia ; and Bruce Coleman, Seaforth. They were coached by Jack Peck, Kippen. 15 Years Ago Hensall council let two tenders Monday night, both to Lavis Construction Company, Clinton for a $6,500 road repair and improvement project. Lt, J. Glenn Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Allen, Fullarton, received two awards at the graduation ceremony at the Royal Military College of Canada over the weekend. Hundreds of people, many of them school-children, greeted Lester B. Pearson at St. Joseph, Zurich, Hensall and Exeter as the Liberal. leader passed through on his way to an evening rally in London. Town property immediately east of the CNR railway between the projection of Sanders St. south, and below the projection of John St. was sold to Lou Bailey for a boxed plant business, Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 1Tti Ail nAl "He stopped stopped to think about the consequences of the Berger and Hall commission reports and can't get started again." the electric utilities plan their capacity to meet the peak demands, not the average demands. And what causes these peak periods? A few very heavy users of power. The same firms that get the low- est rates because they use the most power. Or, to put the matter another way, the users who are responsible for the highest costs pay the lowest prices. The small users of electri- city — both smaller firms and households—pay much more for electricity than it costs the utility to provide it. The big users pay less than the cost. The logic may escape you. Certainly it escapes the Can- adian Federation of Indepen- dent Business which is cur- rently intervening in an Ont- ario Energy Board hearing concerning pricing by Ont- ario Hydro. The C.F,I.B. ar- gues that power users should pay the cost of their service. Not only should the subsidies for major users be eliminated, but these users should be charged higher rates equal to the cost of providing their electricity. The Ontario Energy Board decision will shape pricing policies of virtually all Cana- dian power utilities. And the major power users have'allied to mount a strong defence against loss of their privileged position. But the real issue is non- negotiable, In an age when energy is increasingly vital and increasingly rare, Cana- da simply can't afford to re- ward excessive use of this precious natural resource. Don't forget to vote! S •