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Clinton News-Record, 1977-12-22, Page 31 People in Profile: Red's leaving i • • by Shelley McPhee After serving the people in the Clinton area for the past seven years, Harry "Red" Merriman will be leaving the Royal Bank in January to take on a new position at the regional office in London "We've enjoyed our stay here," Red noted, "We've met a lot of nice people here and made a lot of friends." Red Merriman has been active in the community over the past years. Red is a member of the Legion, the Lions Club and for a number of years, has been the treasurer of the Cancer Society. Acting as treasurer couldn't be a more appropriate job for Red since he's been in the baking business for the past 40 years. Red's career in banking started in 1937 when he was hired as a junior clerk at Bruce Mines, near Sault Ste. Marie. As he worked his way up through the positions in banking, he also made many moves. His first managerial position came in 1957 and he served as manager in several other places before coming to Clinton. He stayed with most of his other positions on the average of three -and -a - half years, but has lived and worked in Clinton the longest. His banking career had to be delayed slightly when WWII was on. During that time Red served in the air force in England, Belgium and Holland. However he didn't get away from banking during this time as he worked as a Sargeant in the pay office. Despite his absense of five years from banking, Mr. Merriman has seen many changes in the business as well as in the monetary situation of the people. He noted that one of the biggest chknges that has come about in banking is the age of the computer. - "There are so many things they can do with these computers, one of these days we'll become known as the cashless society," he explained. "Computers are good because of the volume of cheques and deposits," he added, "I'd have to buy banking the way it is now." Mr. Merriman has also been able to see what is happening to the economy through banking. He said that the 1950's and 1960's were the boom years for banking and ex- plained that during that time banks started expanding and branching out. "I wouldn't be surprised to see more tranches opening up, he added. He explained that another reason why the banks are doing a greater business .today is because of the loan business. This also began some 20 years ago when c.h.an-ges were made to the Bank Act,., On today.'s economy and money flow Mr. Merriman said, "In the times we're going through now, people are tending to be more conservative and save money. This shows up on the bank's desposit records." As for the future of the Credit Union, Mr. Merriman noted, "It's all part of the competition. The future is also something that Mr. Merriman must look at, with a new job and a new home, His job at the London regional office will involve in someway the surveillance of 36 branches of the Royal Bank in London, Stratford, Godprich. Wood- stock, St. Marys, Exeter, Tillsonburg and others. "Rather than control everything from Toronto, they break things down into regions," he explained, Mr. Merriman is looking forward to his new position, but he already knows • how long he will be working in the regional office since he will retire early in 1978. Although he now has plans for after his retirement he, did note on his past, "I think that if I had to do it all over again, I would." •, L# k, - :3, -: +;:: .i<} �`� ,-:_ bs i � . >i<,•�' A lot of banking Harry "Red" Merriman will be leaving his office at the Clinton Royal Bank within the next month when he takes on a new position with the._bank's.r.egionaL,,, office in London. Mr. 1Merriman has been 'doling out and saving money for the Clinton people for the past seven years. (News -Record photo) ' Bayfield woman appointed... • from page room area. A roof has been put.over the damaged part so that the program of swimming, dances,' bingo and other programs could be completed to the end of December. The Centre will be closed during part of January when the roof will have to be removed in order to • Fund building... • from page I month. :"We haven't put any figure on it," the retired real estate salesman says of the campaign goal. "If we get $15;000, good. We're at least going to try for as much as we can." Fund treasurer Brig. -Gen. Morgan Smith of Bayfield says the campaign response in the first two weeks has "been a little disappointing" and committee will step up its activities • following the Holidays. In the mdantime, Terry Bullen is "discovering some unexpected good will wishes this Christmas. • replace .the burned rafters and then another new roof installed. The Vanastra Day Care Centre will not be closed during these alterations as that area was not affected by the fire. Councillor Robert Drummond 'will be paid $40, the usual council meeting rate for a councillor, for attending an Ontario Municipal Board meeting in Toronto on the proposed Black Creek Drain. It was learned in a letter from Gary Davidson, Huron County Planning Department, there are 41 lots in Plan„22 at Vanastra that do"not meet the legal Aheap Of Christinal. treats is our wish for yon. !I1av your holidays he everything vols want them to 16ee! From the new owners of the HOLMESVILL'E GENERAL STORE Darrell and Anne Abbott requirement in frontage or in depth. Council will consider amending the bylaw to change this problem. The bylaw calls for 90 feet depth on every lot and a frontage of at least 50 feet. Council will consider passing amending bylaws. Mr. McLachlan reported he had received the engineers report on the Elgie drain which is estimated to cost about $44,750. It will be read at a January meeting. A petition has been received for the Glenn Drain to be repaired and im- proved. E.H. Uderstadt of Orangeville was named engineer on the project. Last Minute Gift Ideas! for the Man On Your List from Campbell's Men's Wear CLINTONIEWS-RECORD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1977 --PAGE 3 More plannning needed, Authority told Don Pearson, resources manager of the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority called for long range planning at Friday's annual meeting. Pearson continued, "It has become increasingly evident that a higher degree of long range planning within a framework of stated objectives and policies will be required of each authority to justify its request for provincial and possibly municipal funding." The manager also indicated that beginning in 1980 each authority must prepare and seek approval for a watershed plan. Guidelines for this document are being released by the Ministry of Natural Resources early in the new year. Basically, an approved watershed plan will be a requirement for any Authority which is seeking funds in order to carry out any part of its water- shed managenn,ent program. It is expected that the detail and depth of the watershed plan will be such that consultants will be required at various stages to work with Authority staff and members in its development. At an early stage in the preparation of a Watershed Plan, a statement of the Conservation Authority's. goals and objectives must be prepared. Two representatives of the Ontario Ministry stressed the importance for the continuation of restraints in spending. Regional supervisor Dick Hunter said, "the onus is on, the Authority to spend money on those priorities which will get the most work done.”. Norm Patrick, regional director agreed with these com- ments, "I don't see any great changes. The budget will be tight again, The message is quite clear, We have to produce a 1i,ttle. more with a little less." Chairman Roy Westcott said the programs of water and land use are moving ahead. He con- tinued, "I believe the number of. Clinton Police report Chief Lloyd Westlake of the Clinton Police Force reported that the Ministry of Tran- sportation and Com- munications have now raised the minimum moto,i vehicle accident to be reported to the police must exceed $400. Previously the damage limit was set at $200. The increase goes into effect on January 1. Following a breakT in a t Fleming's Feed Mill on November 27, two Vanastra juveniles have been charged with break, enter and theft. The Clinton Police, Department reported another theft when $140 • worth of stereo equipment was stolen from the truck of Rodney Paterson, 105 John Street. Paterson reported to,.,lthe police that his 1978 Dodge truck was parked at Harold King's Garage and the Clinton Body Shop since December 14 and the theft occurred somewhere between that date and December 19. The truck was entered and a tape player and two speakers were taken. trees planted this year is probably the most ever planted in one year, The authority began a special program of tree planting three years ago to combat erosion caused by farmers clearing woodlots and not leaving a windbreak to protect the soil. Don Pearson, resource manager for the authority, said that if erosion isn't controlled, the choicest topsoil will be lost within 20 years. According to the report, ac- cepted by the authority's 32 member municipalities Friday, the problem was drilled home to farmers without windbreaks as they watched high winter winds blow snow from their fields onto_ the roads. "These high winds did not have as much effect on those lands protected by windbreaks and hedgerows and on which good conservation farming practices were conducted," the report said. In the spring, according to the report, farmers took advantage of a program subsidized by the authority and planted 464 coniferous trees compared with 300 in 1976. Joseph Dietrich, chairman of the authority's forestry, wildlife and land use committee, said the program has a, long way to go. "'l'he wood .lots are disap- pearing and farmers are realizing they arre..going to have t(), put up windbreaks to protect their land ... if they keep tearing up bushes we're going to be a prairie," he said. The increased value of far- mland, he said, encourages farmers to trade woodlots for more space to grow crops but the farmer loses in the long run because of wind and water erosion, The authority's program, he •said, allows farmers to purchase trees two to four feet tall, to act as a windbreak. This still allows more area to be farmed than with a woodlot. Figures on what the. subsidized program costs the authority were not available Friday but Dietrich said he felt the program paid for itself by keeping good farmland in production. In the same report, the authority recorded a record .number of trees planted in its reforestation program, 71,064 compared with 41,445 in 1976. The authority said the number of seedling trees the natural r e s o u r c e,s..-...,.., m tn,i.s„tr y .,m,. _ tx►.a de_..., . available sible for factor, it 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 MOW 111111111 MIMI MI NMI MINI NM. 0111. olow 11111111111111111ff last spring is respon- the increase Anothr said, was the five ad- ditional people the authority hired through a federal Canada Works grant. s CHRISTMAS, Atthis glistering time of the year we send wishes for your happiness, • glowing with bright' hope for the future, - Jack Riddell MPP Huron -Middlesex Season's Greetings from Jack and Leone Riddell and Family VALUABLE COUPON NMI OM IOW Ma NM 111111111111111111 II Goderich Pet & HobbyrCentre Suncoast Mall, Goderich 524-288,3 "THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL WITH THIS COUPON" Buy Now for Christmas Buy any 51/2 Gal. Junior Hagen Aquarium Starter Kit -Get '3.50 Gift Certificate FREE Buy any 10 Gal. Senior Hagen Aquarium Starter Kit -Get •5.00 Gift Certificate FREE Buy any 15 Gal. Deluxe Hagen AquariumcStarter Kit -Get '7.50 Gift Certificate FREE *GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR TROPICAL FISH ONLY ammigemumemin am saw swam MEI IMO IMO WIN IIIIIIIIII 1111111111111$1111111 511111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 11 1 1 1 FROHE WEIHNACHTEN MEILLEURS VOEUX DE NOEL PRETTIG KERSTFEEST i41tvcr ' : r`e'f. _;;1'A• GOD JUL AUGURI DI BUON NATALE EN GLAEDELIG JUL GESEENDE KERSFEES BOAS FESTAS FELIZ NAVIDAD In the warm spirit of good fellowship and this Christmas season, we offer our gratitude , to our many friends. Bob and Kay Campbell Dave Hanley Dan Campbell Steve Campbell' We will be closed Monday, Dec. 26 and Tuesday, December 27th. Reopening Wednesday. MAIN CORNER, CLIN1"ON, 4s2•9732 • THE COACH HOUSE TRAVEL SERVICE HAMILTON ST. GODERICH MERRY CHRISTMAS Wherever you may be from EXETER TRAVEL CENTRE DEVON BUILDING MAIN ST. pCETER HOLIDAY BUSINESS HOURS: DEC. 23 1 OPEN UNTIL 5:30 P.M. DEC. 2425-26-27 CLOSED DEC. 28-29-30 9:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M. DEC. 31, JAN 1-2 CLOSED