Clinton News-Record, 1979-09-27, Page 4•
1.INT01"INEw§;4ksoBR,.....EFLErvaT,Ipt .1979
The Clinton NewrI-11•CPT4 l Pubill.hell each
ThYrildaY al P.O, lipit 39, ClIvion. °mad!.
oine00, NOM no.
Monsber. Ogler,* Weekly
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The itiars.ftecorcl incorPoreled in 1924 the
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Clinton New Ira, founded In 1003,. Total press
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Ganaral.Monager • J. Howard Aitken
Iditor • James 0, Fitzgorold
Advertising Director • Gary L. Hoist
News editor • Shelley McPhee
Office Manager . Margaret Glbb
Circulation • Freda McLeod
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Share information
It seems very obvious from recent.
Stories in past issues of the News -
Record thatclosed meetings of public
bodies fulfill no purpose except in
yery rare circumstances, and most
area municipalities don't even have
them or need them.
It gives more ammunition to this
paper's opinion (which has remained
such for some 10 years) that Clinton
council has no need of closed, back
room meetings that accomplish little
but raise the public suspicions.
According to one well -researched
story written by Shelley McPhee of
our staff, most councils in the area '
seldom have any need for the closed
meeting, and both the public, who foot
the bill, and the press are welcomed
at any time. In fact in some cases with
some councils, the public and the
press are even asked to attend.
It seems back some years ago,
nobody can really remember when,
Clinton'council started having regular
closed committee -of -the -whole
meetings, but they have become an
unnecessary tradition that should .be
dropped.
Although we believe Clinton council
is doing things in the best interests of
the town, and their excellent record in
the past attests to this, open meetings
also give' the appearance of doing
right.
Although some councillors feel that
closed sessions are an efficient way to
deal with the monthly influx of
correspondence and information, this
efficiency is not the best way to
operate for frequently the end result
is an angered public. It may be better
to spend more time and effort to make
decisions, and share information
more broadly to obtain public reac-
tion and to avoid unnecessary con-
frontations.
However, if council continues to
meet in private then the people should
petition the provincial government to
have the meetings opened up, ,or
council dismissed, and a new election
called in mid-term for fairer and
more accurate representation.
Figures prove the facts
If anyone had , any doubts that
agriculture isn't one of Huron's prime
industries, a look at some figures
recently -drawn together by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
office in Clinton should set the record
straight.
Don Pullen, Huron's agricultural
representative, said recently that the
1978 total estimated gross farm in-
come from crops and livestock was
$253,.9'35,548. That's not small
potatoes.
The figures also showed that Huron
is Ontario's top corn producer with a
crop in 1978 valued at $58,280,000; first
in the production of white beans
valued in 1978at $6,718;000; first in
barley production with a crop that in
1978 sold for $4,853,000; and first for
turnips valued at $4,200,000 in 1978.
Huron was also first in Ontario in
1978 for 'cattle marketed, with sales
totalling $73,513,182. It was second in
poultry production in 1978 with sales
of chicken and turkeys bringing dki,
$15,750,000; third in 1978 in dairy
production with sales amounting to
$29,687,025; and third for hogs in 1978
with hogs - marketed bringing
$41,356,814.
Other crops registering substantial
income included hay 'valued at
$12,690,000; wheat, $2,688,000;" mixed
grains,. $7,694,000; and soybeans,
$1,790,400.
Apples proved the leader in fruit
sales in Huron with $371,900 realized
from 244 acres. Peas were the big ,
vegetable market (behind turnips,/
2,073 acres valued at $862,460. Fe
hundred and seventy-five age's of
potatoes brought $499,100; 1004cres of
cauliflower netted $248,000/
In addition to all /these things,
Huron produced oats; peaches, pears,
raspberries, /strawberries,
asparagus, gre6n and wax beans,
cabbage, sweet corn, onions, field
tomatoes, /cucumbers, carrots and
sheep and lambs.
T lk about the food basket of the
pr vince and you are talking about
uron County. Let's hear it for Huron.
(from the Goderich Signal -Star)
Bus Safety eek
According to a rent federal
government report, there are more
than 36,000 school' buses in Canada
that drive an a-erage 55 miles daily
for about 185 school days per year.
That adds up to some 366,300,000
miles.
With that much distance travelled,
the 2,150 accidents does not seem such
a large number, but we must keep in
mind that many of these accidents
involved Canada's most precious
resource: our children. ,
The same report estimates that
1,300 injuries resulted, and 17
fatalities. About 600 pupils were in-
jured inside school buses, and 43e of
the injured were occupants of other
vehicles in collision with school buses.
An 'estimated 150 were school bus
drivers, and the remainder were
pedestrians injured by school buses or
by other vehicles while crossing the
road to or from a school bus.
In setting aside -the period Sep-
tember 23rd. to 30h as School Bus
Safety Week, the Canada Safety
Council hopes to reduce these ac-
cidents and injuries. To do so will
require the co-operation of school
authorities, school bus operators,
school children themselves, parents,
many other organizations from
teacher federations to home and
school associations, and especially,
every driver on Canadian roads. Not
just for one week, but all the time.
It IS a good cause.
Booth eats up food budget
There are many Canadians, in-
cluding most of Canada's farmers,
who will tell the world that on an
international average, Canadians buy
their food at a very reapnable price.
That belief is- often borne out by
government -type statistics* hauled
001 from thine to time to quiet vocal
consumers who are protesting this or
that post increase. '
When. it comes to booze, however,
Canadian consumers (and farmers)
are silent. But there ttre statistics
there, too and 4hey are in -
114 •
teresting,
Canadians spend 14 percent of their
food budget on alcohol, state from the
; , ,
I
Intern Iona
„ say. That's quite a slice of the food
basket dollar if the estimates are
anywhere near correct. ,
Incidentally, the British Spend ,18
percent of their food budget; the
Auttralians 16 percent; the Irish 15
percent; the Prench, Danes and
Swedes only nine petcent.
But here's the cruncher.- The
citizens of the United' States of
Anierica spend only six percent of
their food budget on the suds. Sur-
prising eh? And perhaps some in.
dilation why the people of the USA
Otititinue fo enjoy the highest living
standard in the werld? (from the
dodeiiI Signal0Star)
4
4
50.1coios ab.mreeprc
•"Now that I can finally afford a big, fuel wasting 1 xury car, they stop making them.
remembering
our past
5 YEARS AGO
September 19, 1974
The Clinton Juvenile Baseball team won
the All Ontario "C" Championship on the
weekend to give them an unprecedented
two championships in as many years.
They beat Fort Erie two games straight in
the best of three finals.
The Vanastra Recreation Committe
kicked off the 'campaign Saturday nigh o
raise $40,000 to enclose the junior oly pic
size swimming pool construct last
month.
The money will be raised a lottery
with the top prize being a ca and four $-100
prizes. The 1,400 tickets w be sold at $25
each.
The cost to date has • een approximately
$100,000 for the po with change rooms,
offices, gymnasi , paid by, debentures
with the ratepa ers of Vanastra paying for
this directly their taxes.
10 YEARS AGO
September 18, 1969
and Edgar, an 18 -year resident of
on who has moved to Petrolia to
come vice-principal,of Lambton Central
ollegiate Institute, was honored by 350
persons at a testimonial last Saturday
evening at the Clinton Community Centre.
Without fringe benefits, on which no
given cost estimates have beeh given,
salaries of the 608 elementary and
secondary school teachers employed by
the Huron County Board of Education will
total more than $5,000,000 this year, the
board learned at a recent meeting.
Thirey-five days after disclosure of plans
to phase CFB Clinton out of operation
within two years, government officials at
various levels appear to be pressing the
search for a way to use the 247 -acre,
$40,000,000 plant to replace its $5,000,000
payroll.
So far, the most visible manifestation of
concern on the part of elected officials was
a tour of the base last Friday afternoon.
Bayfield's 113th fall fair was opened
officially by Huron MP Bob McKinley last
Saturday.
A crowd of over 2,000 attended and many
watched he judging of the baby show, one
of the three events added this year. The
two others, a bingo Friday night and a
dance on Saturday, were held in the
auditorium of the new Community Centre.
Members of the Clinton Kinsmen Club
met with town council recently to outline
their plans for improvement of softball
and baseball facilities at the community
park and t ask for assistance in the
$16,000 pr. ect,
, 25 YEARS AGO
September 23, 1954
-F ur girls who attended Clinton District
Cc legiate Institute last year, are now
nrolled in a school of nursing. They are:
Jayne Mary Snell, RR 4, Clinton; Ruth
Clarke, Varna; Marilyn Shaddick, Clinton
at Stratford General and Rhea Hall, Blyth
at Guelph Hospital.
Our Saturday special! From our store
only, Pumpkin Pies, regularly 50 cents for
39 cents. Bartliff Bros, Phone 1, Clinton.
Stan's Radio Cabs - Phone 205 Clinton.
Safe, courteous -drivers-, Comforta.ble cars -
cleaned and washed daily. Day and night
service. 'Clinton's Only Radio Cab Ser-
vice.'
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Zapfe were honored
recently when relativ,es gathered to honor
them on their 25th wedding anniversary.
They were the recipients of many beautiful
cards and gifts.
50 YEARS AGO
September 26, 1929
Clinton again has a candidate for the
Provincial Parliament, George H. Elliott
being the Conservative choice for the
South Riding of Huron. George H., with his
ready Irish wit, ought to be able to win
quite a few votes between now and October
30th.
Glorious weather favored the Golden
Jubilee servies in Holmesville United
Church on Sunday last and great crowds
gathered at both services.
The church, all newly -decorated and
looking very fresh and pretty, was also
very nicely decorated with marigolds,
golden glow and yellow gladioli in honor of
the Golden Jubilee.
Miss Hazel Hough left last week for
Toronto to train for a nurse and Miss
Elizabeth Scott and Miss Kathleen Snider
have accepted pOsitions in stores in
London, as our Brucefield girls are leaving
us, a matter of regret.
Next Thursday and Friday are School
Fair days in Clinton. Trust we shall have
"fair" weather.
Dr. Gunn, who has not been in good
health for some time, has been taken to
Preston for a course of treatment. His
friends hope he may be benefited by the
change.
Dr. and Mrs. Elliott of Denver,
Colorado' -were renewing old acquaint-
snces in IJrucefield last week. Forty years
ago Mr. Elliott was the village's doctor
odds 'n' ends
Did you ever get the feeling you
were being watched when you knew
you were alone or at least thought you
were alone?
It happened to me one night a few
weeks ago when I was typing. My
concentration was invaded by the
creepy sensation of eyes boring into
the back of my head. The nape of my
neck prickled; I wanted to- turn
around.
I chided myself: "It's your
imagination, dummy. You've been
watching too many police shows on
television."
The feeling persisted and I gave in,
glancing over my shoulder to meet a
pair of beady eyes. His nose was
twitching; his front paws were hooked
over the edge of the top of the door
frame; his tail was stretched up the
wall in the corner.
Having a mouse scurry away from
me across the floor is one thing, folks,
but having him stare down at me from
above a door is something else. We
stared at each other for what seemed
like hours. Then I reached for the
phone.
"Hi ya, Dad! 11ow are 9a don't?
Sleeping, huh. I'm sorry; 1 didn't
realize what time it was. NO,
nothing's wrOng. 1 jest wondered hoW
you and Mon were.
"By the way, if either of Srou come
unto town tomorrow, would you brihg
and they ,left here about -3,5 'years ago.
• Their many friends were glad to see them
looking so well.
7-5 YEARS AGO
September 22, 1904
A special meeting of the trustees of the
Collegiate was held on Monday evening to
consider the case of two scholars who were
disciplined by the principal for in-
subordination. The boys were allowed to
return to school, but must be on their very
best behavior in future.
Mr. D. McNaughton of Varna has pur-
chased a grain grinder and is setting it up
in one of -the-buildings in connection with
his shop. He will soon be ready to do all
kinds of custom grinding for the farmeKs
and others in this vicinity.
The masons are busy at the new school
on the 16th of Goderich Township and it
promises to be a fine structure.
100 YEARS AGO
September 25, 1879
On Saturday morning a couple of young
men named Glue and Latta got into aiight
on 'Ontario Street. It is said they were
going outside the corporation to fight it
out, when Latta struck Glue with a stone,
and they' clinched, the latter having his
face fearfully disfigured. Parties in the
vicinity endeavored to separate the
combatants, but were prevented by a
number of sympathizers who calmly
watched the disgraceful proceedings.
Warrants were issued for the arrest of the
two, but Latta left the vicinty and Glue
pleading guilty, the matter was adjourned
for a week. It may not be amiss to inform
those who were witnesses of the affray,
without interfering, that they are liable to
a fine and should the same thing occur
again, it will be in the interest of order and
justice to see that it is inflicted.
Schedule of convictions included: Wm.
Snell, killing poultry, $1 fine; Wm.
McLeod, grossly insulting language, $1
fine; Ann Bennett, practising midwifery,
$25 fine; Peter Kaith, beating and killing a
cow, $2 fine; Wm. Millen, stealing fruit,
$10 fine; Jas. L. Harcourt, pistol practice
on Sunday, $1 fine; Robt. Johnson, selling
liquor on Sunday, $20; James Murphy,
drunk and disorderly, $1.
Lost, on Saturday last, a small pocket
book, containing $25 in Consolidated bank
bills and $10 in Molson's bank bills. Anyone
returning the same to this office will be
liberally rewarded.
a mouse trap with You.? Yea, I got -a
mouse in the house. Well, you know
the ledge- over the door between the
kitchen and the bathroom? He's
sitting up there, watching me and
listening I suppose.
"What would you suggest I do with
him? I don't want a pet, Dad.
"He doesn't look like the scary type
to me. I was just kidding. As soon as I
get off the phone-, I'm gonna get the
broom and chase him out of there.
"If he gets excited, he wouldn't lose
his balance and fall on me, would he?
Just kidding again, Dad.
° "No, I don't want you to come in. Of
course not! I'm not afraid of a little
thing like a mouse. I'll handle it. I just
thought I'd phone to ask you about the
trap before I forget. -
"I'll let you \go back to bed now.
Sorry I bothered you. Yea, you sleep
tight, too."
I gave the intruder one last long
steely glare, which he returned.
"Okay, buddy! I warned. No more
fooling around. "You just wait til I get
my broom." .
Then I remembered the broom was
in the storeroom, which was on the
other side of he bathroom, which
1:t
meant I had to ass under the m'oue's
perch to reach the broom - a minor
complicatidh. \ .
I stalled for a moment. Then I
gathered all my courage4 took a deep
breath and started a quick dash
,
through the doorway. In mid -stride, I
stopped.
"The broom's no good," I thought to
myself, "The fireplace poker in the
living room would be better, and it's
in the other direction."
I stalked into the living room,
grabbed the poker and returned with
new confidence in my stride. He was
gone.
"I knew it!" I exclaimed. "As soon
as you found out I meant business,
you turned tail and ran. Where'd ya
go, you little coward?"
I stomped around the apartment
jabbing the poker into corners and
banging the walls, floors and rads. I
knew I was probably waking the
neighbours and risking eviction, but I
had to prove my superiority once and
for all to that furry little intruder.
Half an hour later I was satisfied,
but I still looked up when I walked
through doorways, even though I
knew he was long gone.
"He's ' peobably cowering in the
walls somewhere or outside running
back to the field where he belongs," I
told myself smugly. '"I scared him
good, and he deserved it. I'll bet he
never comes back here!"
I crawled into bed, sWIte ea off the
i
light and just beOrei drift)
tig off to
sleep, reached out o
touchsleep, the pbker
propped beside the ied,
Stop dog fights
Dear, gditor:
Members of the Ontario Humane
Society have keceived a special
bulletin recently, in -which there is a
report of the Vicious activity of dog-
fighting now being investigated here
imOntaiio (and other areas).
The Society has had .talks with, the
Attorney -General's office regarding
this cruel "so-called" "sport" and
Mr. McMurtry is sympathetic.
However, it is necessary for con-
cerned people to voice their disap-
proval of this miserable thing.
The Society would appreciate
letters to the Attorney -General's
office to say this dog fighting must be
stopped. The O.P.P. are investigating
the matter, but its interest is the
gambling which takes place at these
events, and as the events are held in
secret, they are difficult to prosecute.
More inspectors- are needed to work
only on stamping out this cruel and
unnecessary activity. Please write
Mr. McMurtry and support the
Ontario Society.
Thank you.
Audrey Graham,
Bayfield
Very Grateful
Dear Editor,
We have gotten over our disaster .
and have cleaned up the remains
from the fire and have our house
rebuilt.
With some wonderful help from our
neighbors we rebuilt, from the cellar,
in one week. You had to be there to
believe it. Monday morning we
poured' in the basement floor and on
Saturday afternoon we had the roof
completed.
Thank you,
the Hugh Flynn family.
Every September, after a long
summer vacation, several -of my
colleagues ask me, jeeringly, I'm -
afraid, "Well, did you write that
novel?" Or, "Did you polish off your
play?''
And every September, I have - to
come up with an excuse. "No, r broke
my pelvis sky -diving:" Or, "I had it
'well in hand until the day I was out
sailing we crashed into a 200 -pound
sturgeon, and I suffered a bad con-
cusion."
One gets pretty good at the instant
retort, the swift riposte, after 20 odd
years of it. To tell the truth, "Well, uh,
no, I spent the summer drinking beer
and going to auction sales and
swimming and cutting my_ toenails,
and trimming the corn on the ball of
my foot, and reading 400 novels, and
cooking up a storm of •frozen din-
ners," would be out of chara-cter.
Because every June I swear to all
and sundrythat I'm going to turn out
a piece of prose that will make. Dylan
Thomas, Ernest Hemingway, Mor-
dechai Richter and Margaret
Laurence wish they'd been born thirty
years later.
Some years it's going to be an
autobiographical novel, with ab-
solutely nothing held back. I warn my
wife: "Can you take it, sweetie?
There will be no holds barred.
Everything exposed. The whole
business down in black and white."
She nods as she finishes the dishes.
Other years it's going to be a plaY—
that exposes the whole rotten,
corrupt, perverse, middle-class life of
this country. The wet tea -bags in the
sink, the unmade beds, the after -
breakfast martinis, the secret racism
as we watch the Indians being
decimated on the late -late show.
But, somehow, after 20 years of this
charade, I might as well face the fact
that 1 am neither a Margaret Trudeau
nor a Tennessee Williams.
• A new piece of fiction that,is going
to sell, must have certain ingredients:
sex, drugs, violence, perversion.
How can a guy write a red-hot ar-
ticle when he has lived a practically
pure life for a number of decades.
How can a guy write explicit sex
scenes about nipples hardening and
the scream of an orgasm when all he's
seen for the last twenty years is a
couple of robins 'having an affair in
the back yard?
How can a guy write about drugs
when his noSe is SO many times
fractured that he can't even smell
onionbreath, let alone the sweet scent
of marijuana on the air?
How can a guy write about violence
when the worst incident he has seen in
years is one grandboy giving the other
a cheap shot in the back when the
other wasn't looking, knocked the
other's head against the carner,of, the
picnic table, and drawn blood and
tears? It's not exactly Attila the Hun.
How can a guy write about per-
versions when the only thing he's seen
for years is a baby -girl bluejay trying
to pretend she's a baby -boy bluejay?
Or a hi -peeked husband trying to
pretend ti,hen his wife has gone to the
John, th t he's Henry VIII?
No, !'M afraid you'll have to stick to
Tam to page 1.1
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