Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1980-10-16, Page 4+CNA Be safe not sorry! Ministry of Transportation and Communications Ontario' Pa 4 Tintes.AdVOCOte,. -October 16, 19$4 $101111N.0c4M404".$ 01$17 FA*MLAN.0 C.W.N.40.9AVNA. 440 *At and AK Puldiehed by i!.W ifedy Publications imited 1,04.NE ff0Y, PUIKISHER -Editor flatten AssistootEdiror ,aossfiavah .Advertising. Manager ---. Jim. Beckett. Composition Manager — Harry De.Vrios .14(oloess Manager —Pick.lonakind Published Each Wednesday Morning. Phone 235-1311. at taster, Ontario. -second Class Mail Rogionoion Nurniw 0304 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Conada:$14.00 Per year USA $35.0.0 Tirn,4100101411,44 1173 Adwerate goabkhici tas Heed advice would be detrimental to the downtown core businesses. Campbell is quite correct in pointing out that it would be detrimental to the community to have the shopping centre turn into a "white elephant" and that the challenge for the future would be for council to work with the developer to ensure that it does not. Council holds the high hand, and while they were much maligned during the hearing by the Hawleaf lawyers, it would be unfortunate if they carried any grudge that could be detrimental to the development of the existing facili- ty. Amolgonloni41914 .W Roger Worth Metric .conversion:, is back in the news again.. Ottawa has finally admitted: there is not enough time for Canadian food, retailers to change from ounces and pounds to grams and kilograms before January 1, 1981, the original deadline, {Surprise, surprise) Conversion of food store scales to metric was set to begin in Ottawa and twenty other communities last January, but was postponed. by the Conservative govern- 'Meanwhile, consumers, confused over the relationship between weights and prices in at least one of the cities where metric was tested, have re- acted strongly against intro- duction of the changeover. As always, it's consumers who will pay the eventual cost, But while the high profile, food weights issue is receiving a lot of attention, little is said of the complaints from Indus- Roger Worth is Director, Public Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. ainstream Canada A Matter of Weight try that Ottawa is moving toe fast on Metrication, parti- cularly since Canada's major trading partner has decided to soft-pedal the issue. Following a public uproar, American politicians backed away from conversion, at, least for 'now, This has created ,difficult problems for Canadian firms exporting to the U.S. A lot of companies are forced to pro- vide one size or weight of pro- duct for Canadians, and another for U.S. buyers. The duplication of effort has resulted in higher costs, making some Canadian pro- ducts less competitive in the U.S. market. It's fine for Ottawa's eso- teric metricators to talk about Canadian export sales to Europe, Japan and other parts of the world where the metric system is used. But 70 010 of Canada's trade is with the U.S. In the longer term, metri- cation may in fact be desir- able, even necessary. But moving to a new system of weights and measures ahead of our major trading partner is creating problems we don't need. "What's all the fuss about?" some say. "We can always rent the land back from these guys. They have the bucks and the bucks talk." And it is a complicated question. Is a farmer who's thinking about retiring supposed to turn down an offer of say $2,000 an acre from a foreign invest- ment syndicate with the comment "No, I'll be a good citizen and sell to my neighbour for $1,500." Can the community as a whole re- quire that sort of sacrifice from farmers? Not likely. But the answers to complicated questions aren't found by turning your back on them in the hopes they'll dis- appear. No, the provincial government, and those of us who live in rural com- munities have to look fa answers... controls on absentee ownership, residency requirements for land buyers. Whatever. Other provinces have legislation that addresses the problem. It will be costly, and it won't be easy. But we think there's not much choice. As one farmer, the third generation of his family to occupy the home farm said: "Our ancestors came here to get away from a feudal system. We don't need a new one starting up here now," the road, caught the shoulder, swapped ends, then as nice as you please, rolled over onto its roof in the ditch. Fortunately there was lots of soft snow to land on. "Are you hurt?" I cried to my friend. Rather drily, she replied, "Other than you sitting on me, I'm fine." We opened the windows and climbed out, leaving our footprints on the ceiling. A farmer, passing by as we trudged along the road, picked uS up and took us back to the car. He hooked a chain onto the back axle of the VW and gave a quick tug with his truck. The beetle turned over easily, bounced twice, and other than a few dents and scrapes, was not in too bad condition. I drove, it home, con- siderably chastened in spirit, resolving never to drive again. My father though not impressed with the ap- pearance of his car, did not impose too severe a punish- ment, and soon I was back behind the wheel, driving at a considerably more careful pace. A problem here? Perspectives that an elderly gentleman out for a late night walk would have said if he'd en- countered the over=sized Beetle in such a situation. I was out for a Sunday afternoon drive with my girlfriend. It was one of those sunny March days that come right after a late spring snow-fall. Most of the snow and ice had gone but there were a few patchesleft on the road here and there. As we headed toward Thedford I encountered one of those patches. The car swerved back and forth but I managed to get it through quite nicely, then, remembering how well the Volkswagen had gone along the snowcovered sidewalks, bragged about the car's performance in bad road conditions, Coming back along the same stretch of road later in the afternoon, I noted the same patch of snow and ice but didn't slow down, quite confident about my ability to get through. Instead of fishtailing through, the car headed right for the left hand side of Members of Exeter council and plan- fling board would do well to heed the ad- vice of Jay Campbell over the disposi- tion of the recent Ontario Municipal Board hearing into the zoning objec- tions of Hawleaf Developments Ltd. While the OMB vindicated council's actions in their zoning and dealings with Hawleaf, they also issued the challenge that some appropriate zoning must be given to the existing vacant space at the shopping centre and went so far as to suggest that the market evidence indicates that no use which might occupy the 5,000 square feet One thing should be made absolute- ly clear. The current controversy about foreign investors buying up Huron farm land is not about bona fide immigrants, says the Huron Expositor. No one's worried about those from other countries who buy farms here, move here and work them, joining their neighbours and the rural community. What is worrying the Huron Federation of Agriculture enough to, ask for the provincial agricultural minister's resignation over the issue is what absentee ownership of large blocks of our rural land will do to our community here as we know it. We're worried too. As several McKillop people have said, absentee and concentrated ownership of farm land depopulates the area. It can make all our institutions... schools, churches, clubs, much weaker. Instead of 20 farm families on a given stretch or rural line you'll have five or six. That's a process that's already started of course as SO0 or 400 acre rather than 100 acre farms have become the norm. But now, still in Huron at least, the owners live in the community. That gives them more of a stake in everyone's future, something an investor who lives thousands of miles away doesn't have to know or care about. By SYD FLETCHER In the column last week I was talking about the general cockiness that many young drivers have, and that I was certainly one of the oneS that figured knew everything there was to know about the topic. It took a little encounter with a ditch to convince me that there were a few things yet that I had to learn. By this time I had driven for a full year and really figured that I had the operation down to a science. Several of my friends had bad little accidents with their cars, but I had never put so much as a scratch on my father's vehicle, despite a few little escapades with it, such as making tracks in the fresh snow of the town's sidewalks. The car was a little Volkswagen, so was quite capable of going down the sidewalks as well as it could go down the streets. I've often wondered since Could be By this time next week, area residents will know whether they'll be going to, the polls to elect represen- tatives to their respective municipal councils and the school boards. Some major changes in the local political scene are already indicated in many communities. The village of Hen- sall and the Townships of Usborne and Stephen will have new reeves as the in- cumbents have announced their retirements, There could be a battle for the top spot in Hay and Exeter Mayor Derry Boyle has indicated he would retire, but only if a memberof the sit- ting council wanted his position, The biggest change could well occur in Exeter, where three members, not counting Boyle, have already reported they will not seek re-election, although it has been suggested that Deputy- Reeve Harold Patterson, has been hav- ing some second thoughts 'about his planned retirement. At time of writing, there has been no one come forward to announce his/her intention of seeking office in Exeter and fears are starting to mount that there may well be some vacancies to fill after the nomination period ter- minates on Monday. It would be the first time in this writer's memory that the slate has not been filled in this community, although a suggestion to that effect is obviously premature. However, it does point up the fact that if anyone has ever harbored some secret desire to embark on a term in municipal politics, this could be the year when it may be comparatively easy to fulfill that desire. It appears en- tirely possible that there will be no election and as stated, the indication at Sugar and Dispensed by Smiley As a Canadian, what is your favourite holiday in the year? Think carefully, now (No objection to Yanks playing the game.) Originally, our holidays had religious overtones. Hence, the term holy days: Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiv- ing. Then we developed patriotic. - or, if you prefer - political holidays. These in- elude such stirring times as Dominion Day, now better known as the First of July; British Empire and Com- monwealth and the Queen's Birthday; Armistice or Remembrance Day, Finally, we have a few pure pagon holidays tossed in: Labor Day; Civic Holiday and New Year's Day. Well, let's start at the bottom, and eliminate. Civic Holiday has no significance whatever. It's the day on which everyone gets out of town for the weekend, except local merchants, who are supposed to get a civic holiday, but spend it working like mad at the ser- vice club carnival, raising money for some worthy cause. It isn't even a national holiday. Big city stores ignore it. Labor Day, as we all know, far from being a tribute to organized labor, is a day on which nobody does a tap of work, except for getting their kids ready for school, or closing up the cot- tage. The next in insignificance is difficult to choose. We have Dominion Day, of Dear Editor: We, the members of Elitnville Women's Institute, are greatly concerned over the article in Exeter Times Advodate on October 8th, 1980 re: Want housewives to share their ideas. There are already many organizations that can fulfil the needs of the ladies of the the year for you the present is that it may be difficult to fill the slate. * * * That is obviously a rather sad com- mentary on the interest local citizens have in their community, although it may also indicate that ratepayers are satisfied with all aspects of community life and have no chdriges they would like to see implemented. But, what is probably closer to the truth is that few citizens take time to consider the futureof their community or the role they should be playing in its well-being and development, They are, regrettably, prepared to permit anyone who wishes, the oppor- tunity to guide their destiny and it is that type of apathy which often spells trouble. There's a theory that people get what they deserve and it may be interesting to see what Exeter ratepayers deserve in the way of candidates this year to fill the vacancies. Just a word of caution: it will be too late on Tuesday morning to correct any problems and you may just wake up to see that this is the year that the prover- bial "village idiot" has taken advan- tage of your lethargy. * * Speaking of lethargy and apathy they probably set some type of record in Zurich last week, The council members in:that community called a ratepayers' meeting and the attendance was nil. That's right, not one ratepayer attend- ed. Conversely, a Meeting of business people in Grand Bend on the same evening attracted about 100 to consider the merits of forming a Business Im- provement Area. It would be simple to suggest that the course. Once it was a day of horse races, picnics, boat excursions, and speeches in the park. Now it is merely a day which, annoyingly, doesn't always fall on a Monday or Friday. And we have that what-ever-it-is Day in May. It used to be Queen Victoria's Birthday. In the morning trees were planted. For the rest of the day, and night, you burned your fingers on fire crackers and your eyebrows on Roman Candles, I guess what we're supposed to do now is sit around and think of our Commonwealth brother in Zambia and Senegal, or the Queen, whose birthday is in another month, or something? What we actually do is open the cot- tage, or go fishing. And then of course, there is New Year's Day. Hangovers and broken resolutions. Actually, New Year's depends on how fervently you first- footed it on the preceding eve. It can be as bleak as albeverage room, or as ram- bunctious as a rooster. But ahead of it there lie three cold, dark, dreary and deadly months of winter. The two saddest holidays of the year are Remembrance Day and Good Fri- day. And, appropriately, they come at the most dismal times of the year. On Nov. 11th the sky weeps, the Widows and mothers weep, the flags droop at half-mast and the bells toll. The only joint in town that jumps is the Legion Hall. After the solemn rites have ended, old cronies gather to eX- attendance at Grand Bend was prompted by the fact the meeting was of personal interest to members of the business community, while the Zurich session was aimed at a general discus- sion of community life and therefore held no particular personal interest to anyone. But again, the question arises as to whether the residents of any communi- ty are so devoid of ideas on how life in their municipality could be improved that they can't generate any enthusiasm for a meeting held for that purpose only once every two years. It is also a bitter slap in the face for the small handful of people who have given of their time and talents over those two years to handle the affairs of the community and would like to at least know how their fellow citizens view their decisions and contributions. A total lack of interest is even worse than being soundly criticised, because in the latter situation, the officials at least know that people are aware of what they have been doing and show some interest. The elected officials in any communi- ty where such apathy is evident, could certainly be excused for throwing up their hands in disgust and withdrawing their services. But, lest we appear to be too critical of the residents of Zurich, it will probably become evident in upcoming ratepayer meetings in other area com- munities that interest is also noticeably lacking. Obviously, that's one prediction that hopefully won't come true, but the writer could probably become rich bet- ting on it! change lies, enjoy good food and drink, and listen to the inevitable speaker try- ing to convince them it was all worthwhile. Good Friday is gloom, darkness and bitter wind, remnants of snow drifts. A day of death, sacrifice and sorrow. Cold, cold, and the earth is dead and frozen, Christmas is another thing, A season of peace and joy on earth and goodwill toward men, according to the ads and the interminable carols, But, let's be honest. By the time The Day has arriv- ed, you are baffled, bushed and broke, That. leaves nothing else but Thanksgiving. That's my choice, every yeir. It's the best Canadian holiday. First, there are the physical delights. Weather is usually fine - brisk and bright. Scenery is magnificent: blue, bronze and crimson. Blood bubbles in the veins. Fire feels good. Food tastes like never before. Lungs lap clean air. Sleep is sweet, smooth and as dreamless as whipped honey. And then there's the thanksgiving itself. Thanks for good health. Thanks I'm alive. Thanks for children. Thanks for a good harvest, or fat beef, or a steady job. Thanks for the chance to go on living through another year of those other holidays until I can say thanks again. The best holiday community. The Women's Institute was organized in Canada almost 100 years ago and is now affiliated with the in- ternational organization, Associated Country Women of the World. The aim of the Women's Institute when first Organized was to promote WI welcome housewives the knowledge of Household Science paying special at- tention to home sanitation, hygenic value of food and fuels, care of children and with a view of raising the general standard of the health of the people. Today's Women's Institute concern themselves with the problerrit of human beings and their relation- ships in a rapidly changing world, and the problems of one nation have a bearing upon many others. Great social and economic problems confront women everywhere, with the en- suing difficulties of har- monizing home and corn- Please turn to page 5 55 Years Ago A mouse caused some • consternation at James Street Church Sunday. In the morning it played around the feet of the choir members and in the evening it frolicked around the pews. It finally met its doom beneath the foot of one of the men. One of the oldest residents of Exeter and one who for many years was prominently identified with the business, interests, and had the welfare of the community at heart passed away on Thursday last in the person of Mr. Thomas. Fitton, aged 88 years. A large crowd in James Street Church heard Dr. Albert Hollins, England's famous blind composer on Wednesday evening. Jack rabbits are becoming so tame around Khiva that last week when Mr. Dave Lippert was cutting his buckwheat one jumped up on the binder and thought he would take a ride, but Dave thoughthe 'looked too good to let run so he soon bad him captured. 30 Years Ago Rev. W. C. Parrot of Grand Valley will assume duties as pastor of Crediton, Brinsley and Shipka churches on November 19., 'Exeter Wolf Cubs netted over $75 from the sale of apples on Saturday. Privates Bob Nicol, Carl Schwalm, and Lorne Lamont of Canada's special UN brigade are home for a week's. leave. They will return to the camp at Wainwright just outside Calgary. Mr. and Mrs. B.M. Francis left on Tuesday for Mount Dora, Florida where they will spend the winter months, Mr, Alvin Walper, has purchased the dwelling of the late Clara Restemayer in the village of Dashwood. 15 Years Ago A friendship which developed by mail during the past four years was strengthened last week with a visit to Exeter by a former resident of Exeter England. Miss Dinah Roberts who is presently working in . Chicago USA,, spent the Thanksgiving Weekend here visiting her pen pal Muriel Wells, Miss Roberts intends to return to Exeter, England next September and has extended an invitation for Miss Wells to join her on the trip • back to her home town. The last of the old steam locomotives pulled Out of Exeter Station Saturday afternoon.Largecrowds were on hand, mostly to take photographs. The population of Exeter is dropping rather than in- creasing as predicted in official studies. Council was informed Monday evening that the official population of Exeter for 1965 is now 3151, down five from 1964, and down 90 from the 1963 total of 3241. 20 Years Ago Area residents had their first taste of winter on Monday when they awoke to find the ground covered with snow. Construction work on the new office building at the corner of Main and Huron will start next week, Realtor John Burke said this week. Work started this week on the new 300-bed. Ontario hospital at Goderich for which a $3,400,000 contract was let Thursday. For Halloween, the Hensall Kinsmen are sponsoring a party and parade as a reward for youngsters who are to collect for UNICEF. On a hunting trip to the Timmins area last week Bill Stanlake bagged a bull moose. The moose had a 48" antler spread and Bill estimated the weight at over • 1,000 pounds.