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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-04-13, Page 1_ 5A&_c°opy_35c U(Uk1.o Jan h o ree A 83 Published in Lucknow, Ontario, Wednesday, April 13, 1983 Royal Bank closes July 8 The Lucknow Branch of the Royal Bank will close July 8. The staff was notified Friday, April 8 that their positions with the branch will be terminated on that date and efforts will be made to find positions for them with other branches of the Bank. Lucknow manager Michael Sheppard told The Sentinel Monday, the Lucknow branch has not been a profitable operation and that the decision to close the branch was made with difficulty. Sheppard said all possible alternatives were explored but they were all essentially fruitless. Considerations included ways to continue operation of the branch that would produce results but projections for the future did not indicate the branch would become profitable. The Royal Bank as a national corporation owned by its shareholders has to consider the profitability of a unit, commented Sheppard. The decision to close the branch in Lucknow was made with the same study and consideration as the decision to open it nine years ago, he observed. "The Bank will not close a profitable unit nor will it close a unit if the long term projection is that it can become profitable," Sheppard added. The projection for the future of the Lucknow branch did not meet this criteria. Sheppard said he realizes customers at the Lucknow branch will not appreciate the inconvenience of moving to the Riple, branch or the Goderich branch and ever attempt will be made to provide service foi customers. In closing the Lucknow branch the Roya Bank must reflect on the decision to open branch nine years ago. The knowledge of established branches indicated that because of the geographical spread of the Bank's customers in the area, locating in Lucknow was wise. Perhaps, said Sheppard, market fragmentation resulted because the Royal Turn to page 2• Business reacts to Royal bank closure Reaction among the business community in Lucknow to the closure of the Royal Bank branch here in July has been one of shock. It was the only topic of conversation discussed last weekend at the Lions Club's first annual Home and Garden Show. C, A. Becker of Becker Farm Equipment Ltd. is a Royal Bank customer. Becker says he is uncertain what he will do when the bank branch closes here, but expects he will remain a Royal Bank customer and will do his banking in Goderich. Becker said he doesn't expect it will cost him to bank out of town. It is the Bank's decision to close this branch and if they want his business they will have to negotiate better interest rates or reduced service costs to offset his additional costs and the incon- venience of banking out of town. Becker said he believes there is a necessity for another Bank in Lucknow. He commented there are four farm equipment dealerships in the village, "and nobody has starved yet". "We'll all go hungry once in awhile." Becker said the community also has a Targe manufacturing concern, Helm Welding Ltd. and three fuel oil services which in addition to the farm equipment dealerships Turn to page 210 OPP prole higher in Lucknow area recently The Ontario Provincial Police have carried a higher profile in the village of Lucknow and surrounding townships in recent months for three reasons. The manpower of the detachment has increased over the years from three constables and a corporal in 1965 to a corporal, a sargeant and 13 constables in 1983. Kincardine now has a radar unit assigned to the detachment full time and just recently, it received a roadside testing device to determine a drivers' blood alcohol level. According to Constable Andrew Burgess of the Kincardine detachment, a standard has been accepted by people living in rural areas that it is permissable to drive while under the influence of alcohol. Rural residents do not have the option of public transit and they believe it is okay to drink and drive because "it is the only way to get home". Constable Burgess points out however, the number of one vehicle accidents in the Kincardine detachment area, related to drinking drivers, proves drinking and driving is unacceptable. A study, Statistics on Major Causes of Victor and Valetta Emerson were guests of honour at an open house held at the Whitechurch Memorial Community Hall Sunday afternoon when relatives, friends and neighbours called to wish them Happy Birthday. Victor will be 90 years on April 13 and Valetta was 85 years on April 6. Approximately 280 people attended the event, testifying to the esteem held for the couple In the community. [ Sentinel Staff Photo{ Death (Canada, Ontario and Huron County) prepared by the Huron County Health Unit, shows accidents as the the third major cause of death in Huron County after heart disease and cancer. The study reports that in Canada 65 per cent of highway injuries are caused by alcohol related incidents and in Huron County one in three homes is affected by alcoholism. i'urn to page 2• Participates in Honduran program Carroll M. McKim RN of Lucknow recently returned from a short term mission to La Ceiba, Honduras, Central America sponsored by the Medical Group Missions program of the Christian Medical Society. Carroll was part of a team of physicians, surgeons, dentists, nurses, para -medical, and general support personnel who con- ducted a general medical, surgical and dental program. Each day a team worked at the Red Cross headquarters. Two teams were assigned to outlying villages for each of the two weeks. Many travelled by train, bus, and missionary flights. A team worked in a village during the day and returned to La Ceiba at night. A total of 12,748 patients were seen and 281 surgical procedures were performed. Morc than 2,249 dental patients were treated and 1,275 pairs of used 'eyeglasses were distributed. The clinics are set up in church buildings or schools with the cooperation of local evangelical churches and local coordinators. Participants in this project paid all their own expenses and contributed medical supplies to help supplement those purchas- ed by the Medical Group Missions program. About ten projects are conducted throughout the year, most of them taking place in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, with occasional missions to other countries. The Christian Medical Society, with head- quarters in Richardson, Texas, is an association of Christian physicians and dentists who seek to witness their Christian faith in and through the medical and dental professions. Participation is open to any interested person. 20 Pages Grace Farrish celebrated her 90th birthday at an open house attended by reladves, friends and neighbours held at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Anna Mae and Lloyd MacDougall in Lucknow on Saturday afternoon. Formerly of Luclmow, Mrs. Farrish has a family of one daughter, three sons and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. [Sentinel Staff Photr Celebrates 90th birthday in April Open house was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd MacDougall, Lucknow, in honour of Mrs. Grace Farrish's 90th birthday on Saturday, April 9 from 2 - 5 p.m. Many friends, neighbours and relatives called to honour her on this special occasion. Mrs. Farrish is the former Grace John- ston, born to William A. and Margaret Johnston on highway 21 north of Kintail. In 1917 she married Wilfred (Pete) Farrish of concession 10 Ashfield, where they farmed until moving to Lucknow in 1962. Mr. Farrish passed away in 1968. Mrs. Farrish has one daughter and three sons, Anna Mae, Mrs. Lloyd MacDougall, Lucknow; Bob and Grant of Ashfield Township and Alex (Bud) Lucknow (deceas- ed 1980) and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also has a brother, Bill of Ashfield Township and a sister, Jessie of Pinecrest Manor. Mrs. Farrish is presently residing at the Cozy Cottage, R. R. # 5, Lucknow. 95th birthday William F. MacDonald of Lucknow cele- brated his 95th birthday on March 17. Bill and his wife, May spend the winter month' with their daughter, Margaret in Sarnia and they continue to enjoy good health. Bill was especially pleased with the mangy birthday messages received from his reia tives and friends in Lucknow and area. A special plaque from Premier William Davis was presented to him by Murray Elston, M.P.P. Congratulatory messages were received by Erik Neilsen, leader of the opposition; Murray Cardiff M.P., and the hosts of the CBC program, "Fresh Air". All messages were greatly appreciated. The MacDonald farmed for many years on the fourth of Huron Township and have lived for several years in Lucknow. May MacDonald will be 88 this month. She is a sister of Douglas Graham of Lucknow and Archie of London, both of whom are in their eighties. Sister Bessie (Sangster) of Toronto will he 92 this year.