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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-08-19, Page 4r:1] 4 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, AUOU$T 19, 199 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Terri -Lynn Dale - General Manager/Ad Manager Scott Hilgendorff - Editor Gregor Campbell - Reporter Larry Dalrymple - Sales Pat Armes - Office Manager Dianne McGrath - Subscriptions/Classifieds A Bowes Publishers Community Newspaper SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCA[ - 32 50 a year, in advance, plus 2 28 G.S.T. SENIORS: 30.00 a year, in advance, plus 2. 10 G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 28.44.a year in advance, plus $78.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Published weekly by Signal -Star Publishing of 100 Main Sc, Seaforth. Publication moil registration No 0696 held at Seaforth, Ontario- Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of o typographical error, the advertising space occupied by.the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the bounce of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rote In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services of wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely on offer to sell ond may be withdrawn at ony time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or donoge of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Changes of address, orders for subscriptions and undeliverable copies are to be sent to The Huron Expositor. Wednesday, August 19, 1998 Editorial wad S..IMas ONkes - 100 Mala $Me1„Soatort6 Teleplsene (519) 527-02f0 fax (519) 527-2959 Malin, Address P.O. Sox 69, Pastor*, Ontario, NOK IWO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper • Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association and else Ontario Press Council Publication Mail Registration No. 07605 Push for death penalty comes too late and is wrong anyway Does anyone remember Paul Bernardo? It seems just a little insulting to the family's of his victims to see such a push now for a death penalty. Sure, there were hefty calls for it when the atrocities Bernardo committed came to light, but there wasn't the double -team backing of the solicitor and attorney generals that a recent cop killing has caused. , And what about all the other cops who have been killed in the line of duty? Where were the calls then? No one should have the right to take another's life. A cop sno aid not be stabbed in a parking lot. A child should not be raped and mutilated. , A murderer should not be hung in .retaliation for his or her crimes. It will only add to the downward spiral society seems to be trapped within. The violent nature of crime seems much worse since the death penalty was removed in 1967. But there other places to look for reasons why there is more violent crime than a relationship between crime deterrence under the threat of death. We have a young generation that is growing up with watered down morals in a society that is quick to empower them with help lines and take power away from adults who will be charged if they lay a hand on a child in discipline. There is less and less respect from young people toward each other, adults and any authority figures. Young offender facilities are filling up with troubled youth who are committing more and more serious crimes, knowing all they are going to have to do is spend a little time in a slightly restricted environment where they can still watch television and play video games. How rational is a person who kills? There's no way that person is going to consider the possibility of being executed for a murder before a murder is committed. All the penalty does is provides a little satisfaction to the victim's friends and families. Taking another life cannot make up for the suffering and the Toss they will always feel. STH Goderich bas To the Editor: Re: "Seaforth as the people place that Goderich has tried to create." I took offense to the editor's "Goderich bashing." My family moved to Goderich from Seaforth in October of last year. We found Seaforth to be a wonderful place to live. The criticism of Goderich surprised me. Seaforth also CLetters has many of the conditions which yoU condemned Goderich for (ie., drugs, groups of kids harassing women and seniors, etc.) Did you live in Goderich? Are you speaking from offends personal experiences or just trying to write something in order to meet a deadline? Since moving to Goderich, we have found our neighbors and the town to be very friendly with lots of activities going on to promote the town. The shopping in Goderich also draws a number of "Seaforth" residents. We spend a lot of time at the harbor and see"Seaforth" people on a regular basis. commenting on how lucky we are to live in such a great place like Goderich. In summary, we are fortunate to have many friends in Seaforth and enjoyed living there, but we also enjoy the many benefits Goderich has to offer. Linda Dillon Goderich Historical figure was not treated with the respect he deserved to get In 1952, my office was on Bay Street. There were three of us. Ralph was the boss and Mary acted as receptionist and secretary for both of us. Actually, Premier Leslie Frost was our boss --we didn't get to see him very often. Each Christmas, Mary gave Ralph a book. He gave one to me and I gave a book to Mary. The rule was that they had to be about Canadian politics and politicians. Federal, provincial or municipal and non-fiction. We often joked about the amount of fiction in non-fiction books about politicians. At Christmas that year, Ralph gave me a book about the state of federal politics and government between the first and second war. 1 enjoyed it, for in it MacKenzie King was portrayed as a scheming and devious man...which was a view I strongly held. A view that was passed on to me by my father. He knew the only real truth came from the Toronto Evening Telegram, the United Church and the Conservative Party. I think dad was gone by the time we found out that MacKenzie King talked to his dog and his long -dead mother. As a lad, I often talked to my dog. Unlike King, I didn't expect to get an answer. The hero for me in the book was a victim of King's dastardly deeds...a man called Arthur. He was still alive, and in spite of his advanced years, according to a newspaper story, he walked to his office on Bay Street every day from his home in Rosedale. 1 recall reading a rather humorous piece about a bad fall he had walking down Parliament Street on his daily trek downtown. His reputation as a Conservative was underscored when questioned by a reporter about the accident. "1 don't fall very often but when I do, 1 make sure it is always to the right," he was said to have answered with a mischievous grin. When 1 mentioned to Ralph that it would be a fine thing to get Arthur to autograph the book, he encouraged me to go and see him. Ralph even suggested he would be flattered to be asked. So I went. His office was not far away and rather than phone ahead for an appointment, I decided to simply drop in and ask for two minutes of his time. It was an expensive looking place with thick carpets and beautiful paintings on the walls. A lady sat at one end of the reception area behind a small J Clare Westcort switchboard. When 1 asked for a short meeting, she said he was very busy and I would have to write or phone for an appointment, stating the nature of my business. When I said I simply wanted him to autograph the book that 1 held in my hand, she replied, "Oh, I though it was the president you wanted to see. If it's Arthur, his father, you wish to see, have a chair and I'll see if he's in." In a few minutes, she beckoned me over and said he would see me. "The switchboard -girl tells me you would like me to sign a book. Is that so...?" he asked. When I said 1 would be honored to have his signature, he asked my name. "I hope what I wrote is alright," he said, as he handed the book back to me. 1 opened it and read, "To my new young friend, Clare." with his signature and the date written below. As I thanked him and turned to leave, he said something like, "Don't rush off. Tell me a bit about yourself." For close to an hour we talked. I told him about growing up in Huron County and that I was born in Seaforth. My political stripe was confirmed when I told him my dad received a personal letter from Prime Minister R.B. Bennett in 1930, thanking him for working to elect the conservative candidate in our riding. He rubbed his chin and said, "Seaforth...Seaforth. Is that not the home of William Aberhart?" I said, "Yes," and added that his brother, Charlie, had a drug store and his other brother operated a chopping mill to grind the grain of local farmers. Little things seemed to interest him. Like when I told him the former premier of Ontario, George Drew and my mother were both born in 1900 in Guelph. He smiled when I told him I was an official delegate to the 1948 convention that chose Mr. Drew as the federal P.C. Leader and that I was also a delegate in 1949 when Leslie Frost was picked as Ontario leader and premier. He seemed pleased to find that I knew something about the politics of the land and that 1 enjoyed talking about it. I was pleased and flattered when he asked me to come back again. Although I didn't pick up on it at our first meeting, the next time we talked, 1 felt he was lonely. I sensed that his friends and political colleagues were gone and not many walked in off the street as I did. I could hardly wait to tell Ralph and Mary of my good fortune. I had spent almost an hour with such a famous Canadian. In the months that followed, I made four or five more visits. The great joy that came from chatting with someone 'who was part of the history of our , country is still strong in my mind...even though it happened almost 50 years ago. There was a down side to my visits though. I was given an early look at what it can mean to grow old. The staff seemed to treat this fine man as if he was little more than a nuisance. They were not purposely rude but they responded to his questions and requests as if they were talking down to a child. It was quite noticeable that respect for who and what he once was simply was not there. Granted. ,:!though he was one of Canada's most gifted leaders, he was one of its most unsuccessful politicians.. He was in and out of politics for more than 30 years --and prime minister twice. His Irish grandfather came io Perth County in 1843. Arthur was horn in - 1874 on a farm near St. Marv's. He was shy and out of place on the playing field at high school hut he excelled in English and math. As a young man. he clerked in a St. Mary's store. taught school and eventually became a lawyer. without attending law school. It was recognized as early as high school that he had a skill that overshadowed his wooden demeanor and shyness. He was.another person. bold and assured when discussing or debating an issue he believed right. The words from this stance and gestures seemed to accentuate and give rhythm and balance to his words. Words put together with an eloquence that gave him command of debate in parliament. He could mould the minds and hearts of an audience...as if he was conducting the Boston Pops. CONTINUED on Page 5 Cuthill arrives safely home from Scotland August 18,1898 James Cuthill of Grey, who was away to Scotland on a trip, arrived home safe and sound. He made the return trip on the Allan Steamer "Pomeranian" from Glasgow. They were delayed for several days. Miss Ivison of Kippedn, sustained a severe and painful dislocation of her thumb. She was milking a cow in cramped quarters when the cow kicked and knocked her thumb nut of joint. Harold Clarkson, son of Charles Clarkson, has secured the position of principal of Fort McLeod, Alberta's Public School at a salary of 81,000 a year. • Miss Teresa Axt wheeled from Zurich and spent Sunday with her aunt, here, Miss Lizzie Dietz. The mill dam, which broke away last spring at Cromarty, is now undergoing repairs in order to have it ready for the coming season. R.P. Bell is engineering the work. Donald Britnell and Ed. Ryckman of Chiselhurst, threshed for John Tyalor, 104 bushels of wheat in 84 minutes. Thos. E. Hays has sold to C. Dale of Hullett, 40 head of stock steers for which he received 84.75 a piece all round. Chas. Wright left here to visit his brother, James in In the Years Agone Michigan. He goes by Sarnia and intends driving all the way. About 50 persons lefts here on the harvest excusion and there was a lively time at the station when the train came in. The electric light company are extending the wires and poles to Harpurhey with the view of lighting the residence of H.J Holmsted. James McMichael also intends having his residence lighted by electricity. August 17,1923 George Kistner and son, Robert and Sidney Hoogy of Manley left for the west to join the army of harvesters. A few of the ladies of the Altar Society at Dublin met at the home of Father McCardle on the eve of his departure for Windsor and gave him an ivory tiesk set. The ladies of St. Columban presented Father White with a case of silver prior to his leaving the parish. E. C. McLelland of Fort Francis, was a guest of Major and Mrs. R.S. Hays. Mr. McLelland has been appointed manager of th eDupont Street Branch of the Dominion Bank. The harvest in the Kippen district has been very good, and has been nearly all gathered in and some have started to cut the beans crop. A fire broke out in one of the buildings connected with the old salt mills in hensall, presumably from a spark from a passing engine. August 27, 1948 Seaforth and district sweltered in blistering heat this week. The weatherman promised no immediate relief. After thermometres in certain parts of the country had climbed above 100 degrees. E.J. Box, Seaforth, who has 54 head of cattle on his farm at the Cairn, west of town, is hauling water from town, a distance of more than a mile. Wilson Allen, well known Hensall trucker, fractured his left arm while loading gravel at McLean's gravel pit, east of Hensall. The annual church picnic was held at the Lion's Pool when there was a good attendance despite the heat. Raymond Mulford of the staff of the Public School assumed the duties of life guard and instructor at the Seaforth Lions Park and pool. The work on the Egmondville bridge is progressing favorably. One third of the cement at the top has been pinned. Peter Gridzak of Kippen. has accepted a position as night foreman for the Bremner Construction Co. of Exeter. Moving of a portion of a large wharehouse which has been Ipcated at the rear of a lot on Main St. next to the Bank of Commerce attracted a large audience. The building formed a portion of the former Box Furniture Store and was purchased by Harvey Mcllwain who proposes converting it into a dwelling. house. August 16,197 3 Seaforth Council, Monday evening. decided to hire a third full-time constable for the police department. This will bring the strength of the local force up to four men and will make it possible to eliminate the use of auxiliary officers. The Seaforth fire department fought two fires, 12 miles apart, at the same time on Saturday. Fire in a trash can at the home of Edward Andrews. of Seaforth, is believed to be the source of one of the fires which levelled a smal barn on the property. Fed by fresh winds, the fire spread to a field of barley beside the barn and then to a neighboring house. A flower show by the Seaforth Horticultural Society will be held this Saturday in the Seaforth Distict High School from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 4