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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1977-06-02, Page 4PAGE 4--CLINTONNEWS-RECORD, THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1977 Whtwethink No reason to hide The consensus of opinion at a meeting of weekly newspaper editors last week from Huron and Perth Counties ..was that the public don't know their rights when it comes to information available from local elected municipal bodies. The editors and reporters present, who represent the public at these meetings, expressed concern that like a silently growing cancer, freedom of information was slowly being obliterated and without a careful and constant hunt, the public's right to know what is going on in their town or township is gradually eroding away. The reporter who gains access to so- called public meetings, has no, more rights than any member of the general public, but because the whole: general public can't be at every municipal meeting, the reporter is thereto represent them. But more and more, many reporters expressed dismay that all too frequently, public bodies, elected by the public and spending public tax money, are retreating behind closed doors to discuss public business and make important decisions that the people should be aware of. Many times too, an important subject is discussed in the back room, behind closed doors, a decision made and then the group comes out into open council before the public, and simply passes the motion or by-law, with little or no debate. Hardly a democratic process. Nodw to say every council was setting a poor example would also be very unfair. There are many who have no private meetings, conduct all their business in the open, and don't seem to suffer from it. They have little to hide, and we respect them for it. However, on the other end of the scale, some councils do all but the most trivial business behind closed doors, leaving both the press and the public ill-informed about the municipalities' business. Unless we are constantly on guard, our delicate democratic process is in danger of collapsing, leaving us with nothing but an oligarchy. Sugar and Spicc/By Bill Sm ey A gripe a weep One of my colleagues remarked jovially the other day that I was beefing again in my column. Another bystander chipped in: "Yeah! A gripe a week; that's Smiley." Recently a lady wrote from Alberta and suggested she'd noticed a note of cynicism creeping into this weekly epistle. Party of the first part had some justification. For about three weeks in a row I was bitching about my sore back, my dire rear, and my rotten car. Party of the second part was reading things :that were not there. I am not, never have Ioeen, and I hope I will never be a cynic. 'A skeptic, yes. I am about as deeply skeptical as can be any man who has been through a depression, a war, a marriage, and several decades of political bullroar. But I love life and people and my native land too much ever to turn, into that creepiest of humans, a cynic. ' Perhaps there was a sharper edge to my bleating there for a few weeks. But despite the flailing blows of life, I am not downcast, dejected, or depressed, which I'll prove by giving you a lot of good news this week. I don't have either cancer or tuberculosis in my back. All' I. have is a little problem called "disintegrating discs." It's not at all serious. It merely means you are falling apart in the transmission system, like an old car that looks pretty good but will crumble into a heap of rust if you give it a good kick. Anyway, I think my d.d's began quite a few years ago, on a deer -hunting trip, when I carried for half a mile a huge hound jhat some idiot in another hunting party had shot and badly wounded. The dog was almost as big as I was and was twisting and yelping in pain. I had a sore back for a couple of years after that. Whatever, I've got the.d.d's (better than having the d.t's) and it's not without its advantages. I'm not supposed to lift anything too heavy. The Old Lady has been putting out the garbage since I learned about it, something I've been trying to engineer for years. When she decides "'to move the furniture around, I give a little groan, and point to my back. It makes her furious, and she's thinking of trading me in on a later year's model. As for my dire rear, it's completely ended, no pun intended. Some service station people weren't radiant after reading my remarks about mechanics. But a number of friends and readers who have suffered severely at the hands of the modern-day highwaymen assured me I was right on. Some other good things have happened. I got my income tax return into the post office three hours before the deadline, a new record. It cleaned me out of every spare nickel I had, but that's an annual occasion.' SO we eat bread and beans for a month. They're good for you. By the time this appears, I'll have been through the annual agony of going through a hundred eager applications for one English teacher's job, and the nauseating business bf playing God with young people's lives will be over again. I've practically caught up on my marking, by ignoring the hockey playoffs and sitting at the kitchen counter with a pencil in one hand and coffee in the other. I counted today, and there are only a hun- dred and twelve essays, short stories and bits of drama to mark.. That's almost home .free. But perhaps the best thing that's hap- pened to me in a coon's age occurred last Friday. I had foolishly made an ap- pointment with a nose specialist in a neigh- boring city. I don't know why. I must be getting dotey. That's a perfectly good nose. It's rather badly bent here and there, and I can't smell anything. But if I _ever have to resort to spectacles, it will be an excellent nose on which to rest them. Well, as soon as the word got around, the horror stories began coming at me. One guy swore they used an electric drill to bore through the bone and gristle of noses like mine. Another, who'd had a nose job for sinus trouble, contributed, "Worst pain I've ever gone through in my life. He (the butcher) didn't go up the nose from outside. He slashed through my checks, inside my mouth, and went up from there. Dreadful!" Two other birds who'd had nose jobs just shook their heads gravely and winced, when I pressed them for details. Needless to say, I was a bit white and skittery when the old girl and I got in the car and headed off last Friday. I was hoping the car would break down, as usual. Dam' thing ran like a top. X-rays under 'my arm, I crept up to the reception, desk and announced myself, so faintly the young lady made me repeat it. "Oh, Mr. Smiley, the doctor's out of town for the day. You were supposed to be here yesterday." Seems that the local doctor's office, when my wife called to check on the appointment time, made a beautiful boo-boo. We stood there in front of the nose man's receptionist with vastly different visages. My wife was furious, mouthing at me silently, "You coward, I'll bet you're glad." I don't know why she'd think that, unless it was becausle I was grinning like an idiot child. We made another appointment, but it's not for a month. I'll think of somethine. Member, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association The Clinton News -Record is published each Thursday at P.O®boa 39, Clinton; Ontario, Canada, NOM 11.0. It Is registered as second class mall by the pot officder the permit number 0817. Thi ews- cord Incorporated in 1924 the Huron News -Record, founded In 1881, and the Clinton New Era, founded in 1I05. Total press run 3,100. Clinton NewsRecoi'1 A Member Canadian Community Newspaper Association bI'splay advertising rates available on request. Ask for Rate Card No. 7 effective Oct, 1, 1871. General Minager - J. Howard Aitken Editor • .lames E. Fitzgerald Advertising Director - Gary L. Haat News editor - Shelley McPhee Office Manager - rrlaroutret Gibb Circulation - Freda; ' o i Accounting - Marl' •t ia. Subscription Rates: Canada - $12 per year U.S.A. -115.80 Other -818 Single Copy - 25c t��nn[��r11Y it11111-ir' Odds 'n' ends - by Elaine Townshend Jonathan Seagull While I attended Conestoga College, one, of the books I enjoyed studying was "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach. Jonathan was not like the other gulls. To them, the most important thing in life was eating, and the only reason they flew was to eat. Meanwhile, Jon lived for flying: he wanted to learn everything there was to know about it; he wanted to fly higher and faster and do mor' aerobatics than any gull had done before. He spent hours practicing dives, loops and rolls. Time and again, he risked life and wing in experimentation, and for every mistake, he paid with a „crash landing. Finally, his perseverance paid off; he set a new speed record for gulls - more than 200 miles an hour. He learned how to control his body, his wings and his fear. He discovered there was much more to life than eating, for boredom, fear and anger were a gull's worst enemies. 'He was eager to share his findings with the others ; together they could all learn to be free. However, the rest of the flock was not impressed. They couldn't understand why he wasn't content to be like the other gulls. For his "irresponsibility," he was banished .from the flock in shame, meaning he had to spend the rest of his life in solitude on a far-off rocky shore. Instead of moping or feeling bitter, he worked even harder. He developed inner control that allowed him to chart a course and sleep while flying; he dove deep into the water for fish rather than hover around the boats; he rose above the rain clouds and the sea fogs. He found joy in learning, and his only regret was that the other gulls had stubbornly refused to share his triumphs. A\fter many years, two magnificent gulls carne to take him home to a higher world ; they knew even more about flying than he did. Only a few gulls lived in the new world, but they shared Aonathan's love for flying and his desire to learn. They practiced together day and night under the guidance of wise instructors. Jon was an apt student. He soon learned to fly as fast as thought, to anywhere and anytime. His teacher explained the trick was "to stop seeing 'himself as trapped inside a limited body" and to realize "his true nature lived...everywhere at once across space and time." Then Jon began the most difficult and the most important phase of learning. - "to fly up and know the meaning of love and of kindness." As he practiced kin- dness, Jon decided he should return `to earth to again try to teach th0 gulls and to perhaps help another young gull, who had been banished from the flock. In a few months, his students num- bered seven; they were all outcasts. He dared to take them back to the main shore and to practice in front of the flock. Gradually, other gulls joined his band eager to learn about speed flying and aerobatics and to listen to his strange philosophies about a gull having no limits and about the read meaning of love - "to see the good in every gull and to help them see it in themselves. The story could be just a fantasy about seagulls, but the dedication at the front of the book hints there is more to it than that, for it is dedicated "To the real Jonathan Seagull, who lives within us all." From dur early fifes . • • • 10 YEARS AGO June 1, 1967 If the weatherman co-operates, Huron Central Agricultural Society will have the best spring fair ever. Directors have been working every evening to get grounds and exhibits ready. The midway moved in on Tuesday and will be in operation Friday evening and all day Saturday. The new community centre will be used for the ever -popular baby show at 2:30 and if the weather is bad there is a possibility that the other exhibits will be shown under the new $225,000 building. The Oddfellows and the Rebekah Lodge of Clinton had one of its biggest events on Saturday evening when the mortgage on their seven-year-old lodge hall was paid off and burned. The hall was dedicated by a team of grand lodge officers. and the Sutter family donated an illurrnated memorial sign in memory of the late John A. Sutter. The dedication ceremony was a very sincere affair, in which the dedication team built an altar of blocks., each depicting a motto of Oddfellowship. Rev. Grant Mills of Ontario Street United. Church, Clinton, was named president of the London Conference of the United Church of Canada at the Tuesday morning session in Empress United Church, London. Only other nominee for the office, with duties to commence on July 1, was R. Lloyd P. Stapleton, Listowel. Rev. Mills was chosen by 500 delegates to succeed Rev. Anne P. Graham and will serve an area bounded by Windsor, Woodstock, Algoma and Lake Erie. 25 YEARS AGO May 29, 1952 Several local groups in town and rural sections, will make a thorough canvass of the area next week, preparatory to the holding of the Huron County free mass chest x-ray tuberculosis clinic. "I feel that we shall receive the full co-operation of everyone in the comenunity," Frank Pingland, QC, chairman of the Huron County Committee, stated today. Mr. Fingland pointed out that financing of the clinics throughout the county had been made possible through the funds raised in the Christmas Seal Campaign. Helping to fill a great need, additional "wartime" housing may be available in Clinton during the next short while, through the removal of already - constructed units from Hamilton to Clinton. Clinton Town Council has facilitated the movement through the sale of three building lots in the "Little England" section of Ward III in the vicinity of the present group of "wartime" houses to Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation, a Crown company. It is stated that removal of these three houses from Hamilton here, may be followed by the transfer of many more, if the plan proves successful. The second full scale ceremonial parade of .this year will take place at the RCAF station, Clinton, Friday, May 20 at 2 p.m., when another course of radio officers are graduated from the No. 1 Air Radio Officer School. Approximately 1,400 personnel of all ranks ° will participate in what is considered to be the largest graduation parade ever held in this country. 50 YEARS AGO June 2, 1927 Ten cars of a freight left the C.N.R. tracks about two miles east of Clinton at seven o'clock Tuesday morning, when a westbound freight, in charge of Conductor T. Bart, parted in the centre, two cars of coal being overturned. Practically no damage was caused to the other freight, although several cars were badly smashed. Approximately 200 feet of track was' torn up. The Stratford auxiliary was promptly on the scene and repair work proceeded apace, the line being open to traffic by six p.m. Passengers on the morning train ,were tran- sferred and arrived in Goderich only 20 minutes late. The cause of the accident is not known. It is considered a most fortunate thing that it was not train 28, which went down the track a half hour earlier. This train waiting in Seaforth until it passed. The band stand has been moved from Recreation Park, a couple of stout teams dragging it up and it is being fitted up on the new town property facing Mary Street. In order to make this a comfortable place for the citizens to listen to the band the ground should be rolled, the grass kept shoal and some seats should be provided. It will be all right without much improvement for those who have cars. Some provision should be made for those on foot. Clinton Collegiate Cadets paraded the town last Thursday morning with martial music from the cadet band and later.. passed inspection on the Collegiate campus before Lieut. -Col. Gillespie, district cadet officer. Their appearance during the route march evoked many complimentary remarks and the performance during inspection brought commendation from the inspecting officers. 75 YEARS AGO May 30, 1902 Mr. Jas. Wallis of Lake Shore Road in Goderich Township had six sheep killed by lightning, on Thursday; they were lying on the road when struck. Mr. D. McCorvie, having bought the old church property On Rattenbury St. West, is con- verting it into a fanning mill factory. The seats are being removed from the body of the church and will be used as a store room and the lecture room at the rear will be used as a work room. The Clinton' fanning Mill has always had a good name and will he constructed with all the latest improvement. The old firm had a name for reliability that was as good as gold and Mr. McCorvie, who was one of the old firm, will see that the mill turned out in his factory is in every respect the equal of the best. The movement for early closing is attracting considerable attention in many of our neigh- bouring towns at present and the merchants of Clinton should all fall in line in this respect. Exeter, Seaforth, Hensall and other places close their stores at certain hours during the week, Saturday night being excepted. The shoe stores close on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and the dry goods and drug stores close every evening except Saturday. Some, it is true, are biased in their opinion, but if all would close customers would soon get accustomed and it would be a good thing for all in general. Now as the warm weather is here a general move should be made. A barn which Mr. Jas Shob- brook of Hullett had raised on props for the purpose of placing a foundation beneath it, was blown down during the wind storm on Thursday . last, and entirely destroyed. 100 YEARS AGO May 31, 1877 It will he seen by ad- vertisement that Miss Sophie Miles and the Star Dramatic Company will play here next Monclay and Tuesday evening. As soon as the warm season approaches, boys have been in the habit of going down to bathe in front of Mr. Ransford's, ex- posing themselves and causing annoyance thereby. Last year Mr. Ransford had two youths fined for trespassing in this manner, and he wishes it to be plainly understood that all parties going on his premises to bathe, will be summoned before the magistrate. All should receive this warning. A great many trees hereabouts are literally covered with caterpillars. They do not confine themselves to any one species of tree, but all seem to suffer from their depredation. People are trying all sorts of schemes to destroy them, some firing powder into the trees, other saturating rags in coal oil and burning them, some parts of the town in the evening presenting the appearance of a small torch light procession, from the number of flaming lights visible. Everyone should exert themselves in the destruction of this pest, for if it is not done, great injury may ensue to the fruit and shade trees. It would, also, be well if all willow and poplar trees were replaced with maple as they are productive of a large portion of the evils we now have to fight against. A meeting was held on Monday evening last, for the formation of a society to procure land and lay out a driving park, when stock to the extent of $500 was taken, and it was resolved to secure from Mr. Andrews, either by purchase or lease, fifteen acres of land just north of the Flax Mill. We believe it is the intention to turn the same into a regular town park, if possible, but failing in this, it"J'ill he used merely as a driving park. f News -Record readers are encouraged to express their opinions in letters to the editor, however, succi opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of the News- Retord. Pseudonyms may be used by letter writers, but no letter will be published unless it can be verified by phone. What you think Hospital Dear Editor: Two points concerning the piece entitled "McKinley solidly behind retaining Clinton Hospital," which appeared in the News Record on May 19. Firstly, the piece appears as if it were an article written by one of your staffers, rather than the paid political ad- vertisement, that it was. In future, when you run a paid political ad - say so! Secondly;" the ad itself clearly typifies the emptiness of the entire Tory media blitz currently raining down on us. Imagine, Anson McKinley, a Tory, attacking Jack Riddell on his stand in the hospital issue, when his party did all it could to destroy our hospital and the community that depends upon it for employment and medical care - unbelievable! Listen to the Tory's radio and TV ads, generally knocking the Liberals and the • NDP - the same Conservative government who presently presides over a province with staggering provincial debt and unacceptable levels of unemployment. It=s a pretty cheap shot - when politicians abuse other parties while generally ignoring their own record and platform. The Tories of Huron County *1 exhort us to vote Con- servative so that we might have a member of govern- ment represent us. One woul to be pretty cynical to support a political party for that reason and that reason only. So far, the Tories have• offered precious little else. Paul Ross, Clinton. .• Editor's note: It was clearly noted at the 'top and bottomof the ad that it was a paid political message.) Closings Dear Editor: I very much regret that th0 issue of Hospital closings is coming to play a part in the election. Our existence has been . shrouded in sufficient. uncertainty without further baiting. I am obliged, with reluc- tance, to take exception to remarks, attributed to the Progressive- Conservative candidate as reported in Mr. Atkey's column last week - paid for by the P.C.'s. ' I know that Jack Riddell worked very hard with us and (continued on page 5 a. ♦� • Jello Dear Editor : In Clinton town a hospital stands. Built there by local people' hands, If Billy Davis had his way, It wouidn'tbe there today, He wanted the hospital to close. The people, to the challenge they rose, They raved, "Be gone with your stuff," And Billy's boys they backed off. Right now an election is near, Lo and behold what do I hear? The Grits as well as the Tories, Are telling me these stories. Hospital closings no more, Not like it was before. Let the picture not be distorted, Here=s what Hansard reported: Stephen Lewis had asked, That a motion be passed, That Davis and his bunch, Be sent out to Lunch. For a government like this, We never hardly would miss. Besides the hospitals we desire, More things had gone haywire. The voting came to proceed, The motion went to defeat. The Liberals they turned aa blue, With the exception of two. ' ir The ones named Eddie and Jack, They snuck out back, Like a bowl of lemon Jello, They had turned yellow. Go away Anson, go away Jack, We don't care for cheap talk. You boys better take a walk, And please don't ever come back. We want a member in Hogtown, That won't ever bog down. One that will vote for our side, Come Hell or high tide. August DeGroof, RR3 Clinton, Ont. 0 - • 0