HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-03-09, Page 4PAGE 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1978
What we think
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Whowill care?
There are still people in our society
who believe that non-violence is a
virtue, that frugality, personal
morality and virtuous living are the
way -of -life ordained of their Creator.
These are the same virtues that once
were the cornerstones of our social
order. These people believe that
human energy is the best alternative
source of supply and decline to depend
on non-renewable sources of energy.
These people believe in community
living and mutual support, says the
United Church.
And while the rest of us stand about
and yearn for the good old days and
wring our hands impotently about the
Toss of values or spend hours over
cocktails decrying the breakdown of
family and the advent of the per-
missive society, the non-violent, hard-
working Mennonite communities do
something about it — they live their
beliefs.
But look what they get for it. Do we
try in some small way to emulate
them? Do we encourage their peaceful
attempts to live as they feel right
without infringing on our rights to
waste and spend more? Incredibly, no.
Indeed, it seems we persecute them for
living as we ought.
Recently in Ontario, the Old Order
Amish dairy farmers, who produce
milk using little or no outside energy
supplies, found itself in direct conflict
with the bureaucrats at Queens Park.
Believing, as they do, that electricity is
not for them, the Amish nevertheless
produce high quality milk, chilled to
regulations but without benefit of
Ontario Hydro. The government has
said change or go out of business. The
Mennonites, peaceful to the end, are
not fighting.
An even more bizarre case exists in
Texas where a community of Men-
nonites was ready to transform the
arid land they had purchased into a
paradise using deep wells and hard
work. They did not know, and the
immigration authorities did not tell
them, that they faced an un -
surmountable series of obstacles
legal and otherwise -- such as water
rights sold to others, thereby making it
illegal to drill on their own land;
ineligibility to obtain work permits,
making it impossible to obtain cash
and now deportation as undesirable
aliens. All this, for wanting to work
land others wouldn't touch.
Something is clearly wrong in both
these cases when, in a society
tolerating the violence we do, a group
of decent, 'hard-working, peaceful
people are persecuted so easily by the
representatives of all of us.
Who will take up the cudgels on their
behalf, albeit peaceful cudgels?
Sugar and Spice/By Bill Smiler
A nice change
Something rather pleasant happened in
Canada recently. Not too many pleasant
things have occurred in this country of late,
so perhaps we should observe and enjoy
this one.
I'm referring to the general decency
shown by the press and politicians, neither
of them noted for this quality, in the
Francis Fox affair.
In case you've already forgotten it, Mr.
Fox, a brilliant young cabinet minister and
Solicitor -General of Canada, confessed he
had committed a minor peccadillo and
resigned from the cabinet.
He had forged the name of her husband to
a paper permitting an abortion for a
married lady with whobn he was, ap-
parently, on more than speaking terms. He
was caught when another lady wrote the
prime minister and squealed on him.
Mr. Fox, a Rhodes scholar, proved once
again that you can have a lot of brains and
still be a dummy. He not only committed
forgery, he committed adultery. And he
seems never to have heard of birth control.
That's all right. There are a good many
dummies among our illustrious leaders,
and always have been. Most of the others
just haven't been caught.
But what was rather startling about the
whole business was the restraint practised
by Fox's opponents in politics, by the press,
and by the public in general. Nobody went
for his jugular, or that of the government,
which is astonishing in these times, when
sympathy, compassion, and decency seems
to be going by the board.
Had it happened in Britain, the tabloids
would have had a field day, and the poor
man would have been chased out of the
cabinet, out of parliament and probably
right out of the country by the sheer weight
of the scavenging that would have taken
place.
But no, not here. Political foes expressed
sympathy, editorials reminded us that we
all have a skeleton or two in the closet, and
the head df the United Church wrote Fox a
letter hoping that "there is enough grace
and understanding in this country that you
will not have to live under a cloud."
Such forbearance. A generation ago the
man would have been howled out of office.
Not so very long ago, as some elderly
Tories remember, a number of cabinet
ministers of that denomination were
smeared rather thickly for exchanging bon
mots with one Gerda Munsinger, a German
lady with a shady past.
What in the world has com'eover us? Why
this sudden benevolence toward a fellow
human being? Is it some sort of midwinter
madness that has crept sneakily into our
dour Canadian puritanism?
Or is the whole thing a crafty Liberal plot
to snatch. headlines and induce sympathy
among the women of the country? First
Margaret bogs off and leaves that poor,
dear man with three boys to raise. Now
Francis, with one swell foop, reveals that
even a cabinet minister is capable of
passion:
If this is the case, what in the world is Joe
Clark going to do to counteract all this free
publicity, before the election campaign
begins? His wife is staying home and
behaving herself, and his own past is im-
peccably dull.
My suggestion to Joe and the Tories, for
what it's worth, is that they start looking
around for some really rotten people as
potential cabinet ministers. What they need
in their anxious ranks is a sex deviate or,
two, a couple of guys who served time for
armed robbery, and a few ladies who were
formerly happy hookers. A jam of tarts, as
it were. Toss in a child batterer and
someone who snatched underwear off
clothes -lines, and they'd run the Liberals
right off the front pages.
Is it true that we all have a skeleton in our
closet, something that would be
humiliating were it exposed to the avid
public eye?
Maybe there are a few lofty souls with a
clean slate, but I'd be surprised if there
were enough of them to form a hockey
team.
Come on now, gentle reader. Cast your
mind back over your life, and take a close
look into those dark corners you have
managed to almost forget.
Have you never picked your nose when
nobody was looking? Have you never, ever,
smelled your own armpits in 'similar
company? Have you never helped destroy a
reputation by repeating gossip? Have you
never done a cruel thing or a mean thing in
your life? Have you never got drunk and
made an ass of ourself. Never said a bad
word? Never hawked and spat a gob when
nobody was around? Never emitted air
from an orifice sneakily?
Well, good on you, as we say in Australia,
if you haven't. You must be under six
months of age, and even infants can't
qualify on all counts.
I could probably count on my toes the
people in this country who have not lied,
cheated, stolen, committed adultery at
least in the head, worshipped the graven
image known as a car,or failed to honor
their father and mother, at some time.
Personally, I have so many skeletons in
my own closet there's no room for more . I
has to start shoving them under the bed.
If Joe Clark takes my suggestion with the
seriousness with which it is offered, I'd be
glad to help. I know some really rotten
people.
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A
"That's the one ... in the uniform!"
Odds 'n' ends - by Elaine Townshend
A panacea for winter ills
Since I never hesitate to complain
about miserable winter weather, it
seems only fair that I devote equal time
and energy to praising the glorious
weather of February.
Forget the blizzards of winter '76-'77
and the storms of January '78, and
disregard whatever the weather is doing
as you read this column. (I'm writing a
week ahead of the printing date.) You've
got to admit the February weather was
great.
Who would have dreamed on those
days way back in January, when we
couldn't see the neighbour's house
across the street, that in February we'd
enjoy the kind of winter described in
story books?
The sun shone almost every day in
February, giving us more sunshine in
one month than we had received in
several previous months. What a treat to
wake up to a sunrise and to eat supper
with,the rosy rays of a sunset glinting on
the windows and turning the snow to
pink. Another encouraging note was that
the days grew perceptibly longer.
With the help of the sunshine, the
brilliant white of the snow covered all of
earth's imperfections. The kinds of
scenes used on post cards, calendars and
greeting cards were easy to find.
On several mornings we were -greeted
by hoar -frost. The phrase. -has a negative
connotation that is deceiving for there
was nothing distasteful about the
magical scenes created by the frost, and
frozen fingers was -a small price for a
photographer to pay for an attempt to
capture the beauty.
`On most evenings, the sky was clear,
and the moon and the stars seemed
closer than before because of their
unusual brightness. On a few nights,
mist shrouded the treetops and the street
lights. A walk outside on any day or
night caused the snow to crunch under
our boots.
The effects of the February weather
were perhaps most evident in the people.
As one fellow mused, "It's amazing the
way the weather can make you feel
different."
A lot of people experienced a shot of
energy. Work was no longer distasteful;
odd jobs they had been putting off were
quickly done. People, who had disliked
skiing, snowmobiling or tobogganing,
suddenly found the 'recreation was
exhilarating. The weather was just too
nice to stay,cooped up inside!
,The air was crisp, clear and cold, and
a lot of germs seemed to disappear. Most
people appeared healthier and happier;
smiles were easier to flash. Everyone
agreed that February's weather was a
panacea for the ills of winter.
For me, the month re-established my
belief in our good old Canadian winters;
I'm sure that's' the way winter was
always intended to be.'
Of course, when the sun is shining and
birds are twittering in the trees and a
squirrel is scampering across the
snowbanks, it's easy to forget about
blizzards.
Although I'm an optimist, I don't
really believe the beautiful weather of
February will last through March; even
though I want it to. I expect at least one
more hardy blow of winter fury before
spring; I'm not being a pessimist, just a
realist.
Regardless of what happened before
February or what happens after,
February made the winter of '77-'78 not
just bearable but even enjoyable.
From our early files .
5 YEARS AGO
March 8, 1973
Gordon Dale of RR 4 Clinton
was appointed animal control
officer for the Township of
Tuckersmith at the regular
council meeting at Brucefield
Tuesday. The by-law covering his
appointment gives him the
authority to destroy immediately
any stray dog found running at
large without impounding it.
The action followed numerous
complaints from residents of
Vanastra, the former air force
base.
The Ontario New Democratic
Party held their sixth provincial,
convention in Goderich over the
past weekend with organizers
terming the event as "productive
and efficient".
William G. Campbell of 38
James Street, Seaforth was
appointed road superintendent
for McKillop Township at the
regular council meeting Monday
in Winthrop. One of six ap-
plicants, he succeeds the late
Kenneth Stewart of R R 5
Seaforth. He will receive $2.60
per hour.
A new post office is to be built
in Bayfield , under a $29,970
contract awarded to a Seaforth
firm, Public Wotiks Minister J.E.
Dube announced last week.
The post office is -to be a one -
storey wood -frame building,
measuring 29 by 29 feet, .to be
constructed on a concrete slab on
grade with a concrete block
foundation. It Will be heated by
oil -fired forced air and have air
conditioning.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 7
Colts do or die against
Milverton tonight on home ice.
Weakened by injuries to key
players, the town team lost the
first three games in the best -of -
seven playoff series. A win
tonight will keep them alive.
In the first game at Clint9n
February 29 before 500 fans,
Milverton's captain, Murray
Kerr scored the winning goal in
overtime.
Thirsty thieves were in action
at Clinton and Zurich last
weekend, At Clinton's Branch 140
of the Royal Canadian Legion,
and Brownie's ear -wash, thieves
netted about $50. They ransacked
the Legion hall, and took time out
for a few beers before leaving.
The girl's gymnastic team of
Central Huron Secondary School
last Saturday won the Huron -
Perth County Championship for
the second year in a row.
Janis Galbraith, of Clinton,
won the cup awarded to the
runner-up in total individual
points. She earned two seconds
and a third in balance beam
tumbling, and free calisthenics.
Four girls swept the zone finals
of the Canadian Legion public
speaking contest held at
Brussels, becoming eligible to
enter the district contest at
Walkerton March 16.
Lone boy to make a showing
was Wayne Gornall, of Grade l0,
Central Huron Secondary School,
Clinton, who placed second in the
junior secondary school division.
25 YEARS AGO
March 5, 1953
Clinton's fine new public school
is rapidly nearing completion.
Situated at the east end of maple -
lined Rattenbury Street, the
modern one -storey structure may
well become the pride of every
Clintonian.
The main entrance and the
front approach is done in mar-
vellously smooth and white
Indiana Limestone, while the rest
of the outer walls are finished in
red brick. To the right of the
entrance on a slightly raised
level, is a triangular-shaped
plant box.
Four teachers have resigned
from the staff of Clinton District
Collegiate Institute. At the
regular meeting of the CDCI
Board held in the school
yesterday evening, it was an-
nounced that teachers have been
hired to fill two of the vacancies.
Miss Jean Ferris, Walkerton, will
replace George T. Tovell as
teacher of Latin and rt2usic. After
one year at CDCI'Mr. Tovell has
accepted a position as assistant
in the Latin department at
Harbord Collegiate, Toronto.
Playing at the Roxy Theatre in
Clinton, Kangaroo in color with
Peter Lawford and Maureen
O'Hara.
An overheated electric stove on
the second floor of an apartment
housed owned by Miss Dolly
Cantelon, in the north east sec-
tion of town on Raglan Street
brought the fire brigade to the
scene in record time on Friday,
February 27.
The firemen had the fire under
Control in a, few minutes and the
estimated damage to the
woodwork and walls of the room
was around $30 to $40.
50 YEARS AGO
March 8, 1928
W.J. Miller and Son have put in
a phone at their office, the
number being 46 j.
Clinton juniors won the return
exhibition hockey game in
Goderich last Monday night, by a
score of 8-6. Clinton was han-
dicapped by having no subs and
the regulars had to play the full
sixty minutes. It was a good
exhibition of hockey and Clinton
played nice combinations.
Advertisement - L. Lawson &
Co., best groceries at the tight
prices: canned pumpkin,
tin..15c; Corn Flakes, 3
pk.gs...29c; , marmalade, 4 Ib.
pail...75c; pure lard, 20 -Ib.
pail...$3.25; shortening, 3 lb.
pail...55c; dried peaches, per
lb...25c.
Wingham carried a bylaw on
Monday authorizing the town to
make a loan of $15,000 to a local
industry for fifteen years. The
vote was 617 for and 27 against.
The Masonic At -Home, held in
the town hall on Thursday
evening last March 1 proved to be
a very pleasant affair, as such
gatherings invariably do.
The attendance of the members
and their families was very large°
and some hours were pleasantly
spent in cards and flinch, after
which refreshments were served
and later dancing was indulged in
for a time.
75 YEARS AGO
March 12, 1903
While riding their colt the other
day Welly, youngest son of Mr.
Arthur Cook fell off. The tumble
didn't hurt the youngster but the
colt stepped on his foot injuring it
so that the doctor had to be called
in
Hat styles for spring are
radically different from last
season. More nobby American
shapes came in last week. They
are the very latest and absolutely
correct. Good qualities. Come in
and see them. Prices $2, $2.50,
$2.75.
Thc� Combe block, one of the
landmarks of Clinton, was
destroyed by fire Monday night.
The fire was caused by the ex-
plosion of a lamp and happened in
this way: Captain Combe was
serving a customer who asked for
wood alcohol and while
descending the stairway - the
alcohol was stored upstairs - a
defective step caused him to fall.
The lamp he was carrying
smashed and ignited the alcohol.
The wonder is that the Captain
was not enveloped in the flames
but he escaped unscathed and
after vainly endeavoring to
subdue the fire, the alarm was
sounded.
The Seaforth Sun was
destroyed by fire last Friday
night. Editor Westott who is an
energetic young ' man and had
greatly improved the Sun, has the
sympathy of The News -Record.
100 YEARS AGO
March 14, 1878
Holding Back- A certain well-
to-do farmer in Goderich
township informed us last week
that he had not yet disposed of a
single pound of last year's crop,
of any description. The reason for
keeping it thus long, he said, was
not that he anticipated better
prices, but circumstances had
prevented him getting it ready
for market. Fortunately he is a
persort twho cars sustain any loss,
if loss there be, resulting from
this course.
Two ambitious youths of the
mature age of fourteen years,
belonging to tw'b of the most
respectable families in East
Wawanosh, conceived the
brilliant idea of seeing the world.
Accordingly, on Wednesday night
of last week, they set out with
that object in view, not however,
without the necessary stamps,
one of the boys having ap-
propriated from the paternal
chest a pocket book containing
about $100 cash and a note for
$150. Next day the lads and wallet
were missed, when prompt action
was taken to secure their return
home, which resulted in their
capture on Saturday at Kin-
cardine.
We notice from our exchanges
that the fees charged for tavern
and shop licenses through the
Province, range from $100 to
$200, the average being $150. In
Wingham the fees are $70. Verily
the liquor sellers of this am-
bitious municipality are a
favored class.
H. Sweet, of Crediton, whci.,has
only been married a short time,
ran away last week, not even
informing his wife of his in-
tentions. Henry you're a "sweet"
youth.
.What you
think
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Broads
Dear Editor:
Upon reading a recent
article in the London Free
Press, I was very distraught
to read Mr. Phillip's com-
ment regarding "booze and
broads". Speaking on behalf
of ,many females at C.H.S.S.,
we db not appreciate the
terminology used with
reference to us.
If Mr. Phillips did not mean
to be "flippant" he should
have expressed himself in a.
different manner.
CHSS Student
Ransom
Dear Editor,
How come the teachers are
able to hi -jack our children's
education, hold them as
hostages and demand that we
use more tax money for their
ransom? Now, that's a funny
thing!
The , teachers want more
money from accrued sick -day
credits. The present sick day
benefits are adequate to
prevent all hardship. There
should be further restrictions
to prevent abuse.
Smaller classes mean lessli
work and higher costs. The
ulterior motive of the union is
more dues from more dues -
paying members. Their
stated concern for better
education is sheer, tran-
sparent hypocrisy.
My sentiments to the
striking teachers are sum-
med up in two four-letter
words and the second one is
"them". "What is the first
one?" you say. It is "fire".
You probably thought it was
"feed". It is a funny thing
that the other one had not
occurred to you.
Tom Melady
Concern
Dear Editor:
I am writing to try to ex-
press my concern with regard
to the current teacher -board
impasse in Huron county.
Both sides - teachers and
trustees alike - must shoulder
some of the blame for the lack
of communication and ap-
parant misconceptions most
parents and taxpayers have
about the issues which un-
derlie the very unfortunate
and completely unnecessary
halt in the education of our
children in the secondary
schools in this county.
The complete story, which
neither seem to want to
communicate to the public, is
undoubtably a complex one,
with the major issue...that of
teacher workload...based on
two separate and differing
premises. The teachers, who
negotiated in 1975 and 76 for
the right (as legislated under
Bill 100) to have a say in their
teaching workload and class
size, want this maintained in
the current contract. They
see this as a basic right and
feel that an increase in this
workload would seriously
affect the quality of education
in their individual classes.
The Board, who agreed to
this premise in 1976, now say
that they, as managers of the
system, have the sole right to
say how many students a
teacher should see each day,
and how large classes should
be. Few could dispute that
they, as our elected
representatives, should not
have some say in this matter.
But to have the only voice,
without some agreed-upon
maximuril for the protection
of both the student and the
professional educator they
employ to work with them is .
something that can be
disputed. This is precisely the
issue, and to make their
point, the Board has removed
the complete section on
workload from their current
offer that was agreed upon in
the 1976-77 contract. No
wonder the teachers see this
as a threat to forte increased
workloads on them and thus,
they believe, a lowering of the
quality of education in their
classes.
What class size would a
parent feel is fair to his or her
child, taking into con-
sideration the type of course,
material to be taught, and,
not the least, the cost to him
as a taxpayer?
The teachers say that an
academic class should not
average more than 30
students.(The previous
contract stipulated that the
Board "shall endeavor" to
limit class averages to this
figure) This does not mean
that no classes could ever go
above ;this figure, as some
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