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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1992-05-20, Page 3+- __LNTHF NFWS limes Advocate, May 20, 1992 Page 3 'Bend heats up for first holiday weekend of summer Bathing beauties, boating, parties, stip td, oh yes, police checks, tickets and towing were back in force for the Victoria Day weekend. Po- lice say harsher penalties helped keep the lid on trouble. Visitors see the good in Grand Bend By Michelle Ellison T -A Staff GRAND BEND - Unmistakably, parking problems, alcohol-related charges and wild, late night party- ing all seem to .be what comes to the minds of many when they hear the words "Grand Bend long week- end". Undeniably, the people are still coming and it seems to be the trend that more families and couples are frequenting the resort town despite the problems that may -exist. One of the most popular places to find these groups of people is on the mini -golf courses on the main strip and the owners of The Village Green course, Isla and lay. Johnson, have seen the increase. "We're surprised at the amount of families. During the day and early evening we see a lot of families," says Isla. She adds that the town does not deserve the reputation of being "wild". "There is only one Grand Bend," she says,' "It is a unique town with a fun atmos- phere." Grand Bend Water Sports' jet ski rentals have also seen an increase in fancily use of the jet skis, says four year employee Brent Ginge- rich. Water hungry children can also visit the Giant Splashdown waterslide. So, do the families play mini -golf during the day then hide out at their campsite at night to avoid ex- posure to the unruly young people? It seems some people actually en- joy the excitement of it all. John MacDuff and Anne Landry of Lon- don have been coming to the Bend for 10 years and MacDuff says, "It's like going to the zoo to see all the animals," and that at night they enjoy the entertainment featured at the restaurants. Don Lamb brings his son and daughter up from London because they enjoy the beach, mini -golf and video games. His daughter admits that at night they often sit on their cottage parch and just watch the young people. An ex -police offi- cer, Lamb says "It's pretty interest- ing to watch." Alex and Ellen Vincent and their four children also enjoy coming to, Grand Bend on the weekends. "The beach in Grand Bend is the cleanest we've seen it in years," says Ellen. "It's worth all the little hassles you encounter with the young people," adds her husband Alex. Perhaps 65 year-old Chris Par- sons of Mississauga puts it all in perspective when he says, "We were all that age at one time. Now it's time to overlook the problems and concentrate on the good things that Grand Bend can offer." Letter to Editor "Lousy cops" deserve more Dear Editor: example), I ant sorry 1 said 'lull In .the Brretor paper of February ry money", but only the very tew who 5, 1992, headlines egad "Council attend those conventions and such, costs town $62;874.11", for the year '91, in setntmoration pity - in .fixeter paper of May 6, 1992 the Police budget was quoted as $572,230.00 and Council mem- bers -ware tot happy -about it. as -it was up approximately $72,000.00....this should be very easy to resolve (I know it is none of my, business, just a sugges- tion)...If all the Council members gave up their "fun money",- and then add a mere $10,000.00 to the Police budget this would be pretty cheap policing for a town the size of Exeter. 1 don't want to sound mean, you have excellent Council members, but one council member spent al- most as much remuneration mon- ey for the year'91, as my husband made in one year ('91) for take home pay as a mechanic, (that's an Dear Editor: - Grand Bend has been the focal point for family leisure and amusement for many years. It is the place where young families brought their children for a day, a week or a whole summer. Togeth- er they romped on a beautiful beach, built sand castles in clean sand, paddled and learned to swim in the pristine water of Lake Hu- ron. Here they experienced their first boat ride and endured their first sunburn. Mothers carefully prepared ham- pers of delicious food to be washed down with pure water and cold tea Fathers brought a blanket to sit on and an old umbrella to ward off the hot sun. What a pic- nic and what a day to remember! Some can recall the annual Sun- day School picnics on Grand Bend Beach. Teams of horses andjater Model Ts shuffled young and old from Exeter and home again. Amusement for children and young adults included skating in ever go to the tneetings...so I call it fun money at taxpayers expense. 1 have enclosed a email writeup, about a cop with this letter, I hope everyone will reed it many tinter, it is so true. Thanks. "A Lousy Cop" 1 am a lousy cop. You teach your children from infancy that 1 am a bog- ey man, and then you are shocked when they ident¢y with my traditional era my - the criminal. You raise cain about the moron who cws you off in traffic, but let me catch you doing the same thing and you say I'm picking on you. "You accuse me of coddling juve- nile delinquents until one of your kids is caught, then I'm badge hap- py. You cull it part of my job if some one strikes nue, but it's police bru- tality if I strike buck. You complain bitterly that something ought 10 be done about the crime on the streets, but you don't want to be- come involved. You have no use for me whatever, hut it's all right if I change a tire for your wife, get her keys out of her locked car, deliver your child in the back seat of a po- lice car, revive your son with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or work overtime searching for your daughter. You stand on your soapbox and call me names and you don't seem to realize that your property, health, and even your life depend on me....a lousy cop. Thanks, Mrs. C. Brown, Egmondville Say_ no to casino the roller rink on Main Street. They came for miles around to vie for a place on.therfloor in friendly rival- ry. Grand Bend was the place to.be and parents knew that their off- sprini. would be safe. And who can forget dancing in the Casino Pavilion to the music of - famoLs bands? Once yob attended you were hooked and it was good. Grand Bend was born with fami- ly roots and over many years has strived to retain �i that heritage. A 11 clean safe place for family amuse- mens. Tourism has thrived but now all that is being threatened. Why would anyone with a responsible mind want our children and most Fe- cious possessions even above fine gold, to be exposed to the luring en- ticement of the gambling casino? Family heritage will be lost forever if a gambling casino is brought to our town. We cannot have both. Cone must go. There are those who say, "But we are in a recession and I can't pay my taxes. A casino will create jobs, put money in our pockets, bring fame and good fortune and put Grand Bend in the big time." What rubbish! Canada including Ontario. has ex- perienced serious recessions in the past and survived, and will do so in the future. And Grand Bend will make it too. Think wisely my friends. You may have to make the biggest deci- sion of your life that will dictate the life style of future generations. It will take only a few minutes to write to your local Provincial member and to members of Grand Bend council and say loud and clear, "Hold it. We like what we've got. No Casino". Carfrey A Cann Grand Bend Looking for penpals Dear Editor. I am a Devon man from Exeter, England ( very lonely) I went to the States but the marriage was a disaster. I would like pen friends from Exeter, Ontario and District. My grandfather, William Fnankritt, and uncle are buried in Staffa, On- tario and my aunt gave birth to my cousin, the late better world. Dr. Clarence C. Please write, Hulley there. I am 51 years old, } blue eyes, grey hair and have a wide va- riety of interests and I am kind and compassionate and understanding as fits in with my philosophy of leaming and for a Yours, John Richard Leaman 106 Hawthorne Square Oakdale, Pennsylvania, USA 15071-1401 Exeter ... now you can bank by car and stay with your valuables. Now there's no need to park your car, unbuckle your kids, and walk to the bank, with our new brive Thru Banking. You can simply drive up to a Personal Touch Banking Machine', and get cash fast, from the comfort and security of your car. Royal Bank machines accept any card bearing the INTERAC*, VISA* or PLUS SYSTEM* symbol. And Royal Bank clients can also deposit, transfer funds, make a VISA* payment or pay bills ... 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Drive through today. See how Royal Bank has made banking in Exeter more convenient than ever. ROYAL BANK ,Drive Thai Banking is now in Exeter at Exeter Branch & Business Centre, 226 Main Street South. Phone: 235-2111 Registered Trade Mark of Royal Bank of Canada 'Royal Bank of Canada. Registered User of Trade Mark loin us at the Grand Opening of our Exeter Branch* Business Centre. June 11, 12, 13, 1992- (Thurs. to Sat.)Plus Ir. /\ Branch, Business OEntte and Drive-Thru Now Open