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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-02-13, Page 1X21 4 FIRST S CTIQN Piumptre promises, supper Win concerned farmers welcome suggestion for sta.tion site Food Prices Review Board Chairman Beryl Plumptre promised the Concerned Farmers of the United Townships on Tuesday that she would assist them in any way she could to preserve farmland. In a telephone conversation from Ottawa, shortly after meeting Mrs. Plumptre, Lloyd Moore of Listowel, chair- man of the Concernedjarmers, said Wt. Plumptre had not only promised her ass stance but requested the farmers to help her boardin fighting the proposed Pickering airport and in preserving prime farmland in general. The Concerned Farmers of the United Townships of Turnberry, Howick, Wallace, Maryborough, Peel, Woolwich and Pilkington formed last year in opposition to a proposed southern route for a high-power transmission line bringing power from the Bruce Generating Station into the Kit- chener -Waterloo area. The farmers argue that an al- ternate northern route Would not only be shorter, but would not occupy valuable farmland such as exists in Southwestern On- tario. Mr. Moore reported Mrs. Plumptre cancelled a previously scheduled meeting in order to meet with the Concerned Far- mers. "The reception we received was just wonderful," Mr. • Moore said. With him in Ottawa was J. W. "Pat" Daunt of RR 2, Gorrie, another Member of the Con- cerned Farmers who was in the capitol to address the Canadian Council of Churches' conference on food. Hydro Peak Down While in Ottawa, Mr. Moore said he was surprised to learn that Ontario Hydro's peak power demand period in December 1974 was down compared to the same period in 1973. "Here we've been told that On- tario Hydro's demand is steadily increasing, but that isn't what the figures say," Mr. Moore noted. "In 1973 the peak load for Ontario Hydro was 13,605,537 kw while in 1974 the number was 13,538,232 kw." Mr. Moore had another piece of news which he says should spell the end of any rumors regarding a 'generating station for the Goderich area. Ontario Hydro announced plans for another sta- tion south of Goderich last spring ....... ..: ........... POST OFFICE District Director W. H. Wheeler presents a four-year safety award to Wingham Postmaster Gord Sutcliffe for completing 100,000 hours without lost time acci- dent. 1 Wingham Post Office receives safety award The Wingham Post Office had two reasons for celebration Mon- day when the district director, W. H. Wheeler, visited Wingham to make two very special awards. Mr. Wheeler presented Post- master Gord Sutcliffe with' a departmental District Directors' Award for completing 100,000 hours without lost time accidents. The award covers the time period -from April 1970 to March 1974. Each post office employee was also presented with a memento cup to commemorate the event. Mr. Sutcliffe said, "We're con- stantly aware of safety hazards and preventing accidents." He explained that the department held short talks on hazards each month and these helped to pre- vent accidents in the post office. Mr. Wheeler explained that in- juries were higher in the post office department than in almost any other profession. The numbers of injuries are only sur- passed by those in the building trade, he said. Mr. Wheeler presented a second award to Mr. Sutcliffe personally in the form of a cer- tificate and a pin for 25 years' faithful service to the Canadian Government. The certificate was signed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and former Postmaster General Andre Ouellet. Mr. Sutcliffe said he was very pleased with both awards. He cited some department statistics for. 1974 as further reason for pride in the safety award. Originating mail from the Wing - ham Post Office in 1974 totalled 1,093,393 pieces, while total pro- cess figures, including both in- coming and outgoing mail, were at 2,624,000. Employees contributing to the excellent safety and work record at the Wingham Post Office are Mrs. Z. Coulter, Mrs. I. Johnston, L. Elliott, H. McKague, L. Mc- Donald, D. Conley and H. France. but later said the matter was 401 under study. While residents in this area ire opposed to the building at ,a second generating station, mayor of Owen Sound, Warr? Lougheed, would welcome' development in -his Ikea. "This, would be the ideal -SOAP tion,"''. Moore said. "Up tle between Owen Sound and Mei- ford, there are thousands of deals late acres which could be put to use as a site for a new generates station instead of using gosal farmland. And if a station *Cie located there, the transmission lines would ibe shorter." Contacted by telephone regard- ing ing the matter, Mayor Loughd agreed that he would like to see the next generating station., "after they've (Ontario Hydro), finished at Bruce," located oft old tank range at °Meaford. Ideal Site According, to Mayor Lougheed, Y the former tank range whichwas decommissioned some years ago consists of 6,000 acres which Are held by the federal governmet: "It has been recommissio> for limited use—mostly as ta training ground for cadets in the summertime—but I feel it wohid be an ideal location for a general- ing station," he said. Mayor Lougheed said the anis has an ample supply of add water necessary and that "trans- mission lines could run `south with; the least spoilage of good agri- cultural land." He suggested the transmission lines could follow the escarpment_ south. "And since' a lot of tie escarpment is in thehands of the province, they could locate the,.. towers with the least disruption; possible." Mayor. Lbegheed 04, , bt. fore= Nee �iiy i'bbi tl �� with a second generating station in the Owen Sound-Meaford area. "We have dealt with the erects of the Bruce station and - have accommodated it very well," he said. • Asked if he had discussed his idea of locating a generating sta- tion on the old tank range with either the surrounding muni- cipalities or with Ontario Hydro, Mayor Lougheed replied that he hadn't. "I would certainly like to, but I would need the sanction of my council to do that," he replied. "Right now this is just my own opinion." Mayor Lougheed said Owen Sound would welcome the addi- tional employment a second generating station would bring to the area. In reporting on his meeting in Ottawa with Mrs. Plumptre, Mr. Moore also noted that he had ad- dressed the Canadian Labor Con- gress last Saturday at a con- ference held at Trent University, Peterborough. -He described the reception to his speech on the Concerned Farmers' group as being "fantastic." Summing up, he said, "I think it's all coming together now and I really think we have a chance of succeeding." The Concerned Farmers have scheduled a meeting in Gowans - town, located north of Listowel, at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 to update information regarding their opposition to the proposed trans- mission line for farmers and landowners in the area. A similar meeting was held in Drayton on Feb. 6. ONTARIO HEALTH MINISTER Frank Miller chats with Robert Ritter, chairman of the Wingham and District Hospital Board, Huron County Reeve Gerry Ginn and hospital administrator Norman Hayes during Mr. Miller's short visit to Wingham Friday. Health care 'excellent and cos.tI says Health Minister Frank Mill Ontario Health Minister Frank Miller squeezed a. short visit to Wingham in-between his hectic jaunts to Goderich, Sarnia and Exeter but didn't see much more of Wingham than the CKNX studios and cafeteria. Mr. Miller came on Friday afternoonfor the taping of "Focus", a CKNX news show that featured a panel dis- cussion between Mr. Miller and local hospital luminaries Dr. J. K. McGregor, president of the Huron Medical Society and staff member of the Wingham and District Hospital, Norman Mayes; - hospital executive director, Robert Ritter, chair- man of the hospital board -of directors, and Tim Elliott, ad- ministrator of the Alexandra Marine and G!neral Hospital in Goderich. The health minister was run- ning late in his schedule when he arrived', here, but managed to spend some time over coffee and casual discussion while waiting for the taping to begin. He told the other panelists that the choice of topics would be their decision. "III don't know the answer to something, I'll tell you so," he said. Questions and answers during the panel show centered mainly ri har iwe4 sident dies in two -car collision A violent two -car collision just south of Wingham on Highway 4, claimed the life of a Wingham man and sent three other Wing - ham residents to hospital with serious injuries on Saturday evening at about 6:45. Lorne Ray Hoggart of 364 Centre Street was proceeding north toward Wingham when his car was in collision with a tow truck driven by Sidney Adams of Wingham. Mr. Hoggart, 34, . was fatally injured in the crash., Mr. Adams was transported via ambulance to the Wingham and District Hospital where he received emergency treatment for lacerations and multiple fractures of his ribs. He was later transferred to,Victoria Hospital, London, and on Tuesday of this week was reported to be in im- proved condition. Two passengers in the tow truck, the driver's son, Dwight Adams, and George Whitby, both of Wingham, were admitted to the local hospital, Dwight suf- fering from a fractured ankle and lacerations and George being treated for facial, eye, chin and hand abrasions. They were both described by hospital officials as being in satisfactory condition on Tuesday morning. Both vehicles were totally demolished in the accident which was investigated by the Wingham detachment of the Ontario Pro- vincial Police. Lorne Ray Hoggart was born in Hullett Township on March 17, `1940. A keen sportsman, he had been active in the Boy Scout activities of the town and was a member of the Wingham Sports- men's Club. He was also a member of the Huron Fish and Game Association and the Clin- ton Gun Club. At the time or his death he was employed as an electrician with Ontario Hydro at Douglas Point. He had lived in Wingham for about ten years. Surviving are his wife, the former Fay Cook; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hesselwood of Blyth; two sons, Terry and Richard, and one daughter, Marnie, all at home. Also sur- viving are two brothers, Art Hoggart of RR 1, Bayfield and Reg Hesselwood of Blyth; one sister, Mrs. Bob (Lois) Govier of Seaforth, and his grandmothers, Mrs. Mary Jane Hoggart of Sea - forth and Mrs. Mary Hesselwood of Blyth. The late Mr. Hoggart rested at the S., J. Walker Funeral Home, Wingham, where Rev: Barry Passm6re conducted funeral service Tuesday at two o'clock. Interment followed in Blyth Union Cemetery. Pallbearers were four co: workers at the Point, Lorne Hamilton, Murray Govier, Bob McDougall and Tommy Heffron, and two cousins, Alan Appleby and Ken.Appleby. Floral tributes were carried by a brother-in-law, Jim Carter, and two co-workers, Grant Boshart and Carl Whit- field. on health care costs, new pro:- grams, ro=grams, the establishment of dis- trict health councils and the controversive Mustard report. Mr. Miller cited the present health care status as "excellent and costly". He cited an annual utilization increase of the OHIP program and general cost in- creases as major factors, but alio said "we have increased health care spending faster than the gross national figure." AS for additional health programs for expansion, Mr. Miller said "the dental plan:has the best.chances" but added` that it was not • necessarily going to come about. Questioned on the . Mgstard report and the proposed creation of district health.,; o.. ,' Ntr. Miller explained that rhe= fiteV".' "to bring together the competing agencies . . into some kind of local organization to make their decisions locally." He strongly denied any attempts at "coer- cion" in the matter of the district health councils: "I'm just not about to do it," he said. " going to be having all the we can deal with wanting to'form' district health councils" without resorting to force, As for the Mustard report: "You can't discard something you haven't accepted," he said.' "Up to now I've ;not commented on what I like or doni't like," Mr. Miller explained,Adding that the report has helped them by getting hospitals and the public to ex- press their opinions. Mr. Miller also discussed problem of nursing home bed shortages in Ontario. He 0- plained that "we have more :instt - tutional bells in -Ontario tans the i chole world" and ci vse'Terli e people who don't really "medically need them" as a major factor. He said that the Ministry is hoping to get allow- ance for about 1,000 additional beds in the province to ease the shortage. PUC votes changes in payment procedure The procedure for payment for water main materials and labor from the Public Utilities Com- mission will change as soon as new forms can be supplied. The decision was made at a regular meeting of the Wingham PUC last Thursday as a means of avoiding payment problems and easing the paper work involved. A main charge of a flat rate of eight dollars per foot (for six-inch pipe) will be charged, with five dollars per foot payable at the time of application on materials, and the halance, three dollars per foot, payable at the completion of installation asdetermined by the PUC. All connection charges are also payable at the time of ap- plication. A report of hydro consumption indicates that power purchased from the Wingham PUC has in- creased considerably in the past few months. Power purchased by the PUC from Ontario Hydro has also increased, with the power invoice for hydro used in Decem- ber at $46.524. Members present at the meet- ing voted unanimously to dis- continue their distribution of water heaters. The decision was made on the basis of a letter requiting that all new water heaters installed by the PUC be fitted with temperature and pressure relief guages. The PUC decided that profits from the sale of water heaters did -not warrant the added costs and trpubles in- volved in the required change. In regular business, the PUC heard reports of minor problems encountered with the new stand- pipe and endorsed a standard insulation by-law to be forwarded to town council for inclusion into building codes. All the PUC members also reported their intentions to attend the 66th annual convention of the OMEA- AMEU to be held in Toronto March 2-5. —Mr. and Mrs. Mel Mathers and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bosman returned home from a vacation in Florida last week. They called on Mrs. Bosman's brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. McKinney at Riviera Beach. Wingham area site for 7$ International The farm of Jim Armstrong of Wingham has beenselected by the Ontario Plowmen's Associa- tion as the site of the 1978 Inter- national Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Demonstration. The official announcement was made Wednesday morning by Howard Datars, Dashwood, chairman of the Huron County local committee for the Interna- tional. The executive of the OPA made the selection of the Wingham site after touring three other sites suggested by the local com- mittee. Other sites visited were in r Usborne, Stephen and McKillop Townships. The OPA executive indicated that the Armstrong farm in Mor- ris Township, immediately east of the Town of Wingham on High- way 86 was most adaptable to the requirements for staging the huge International 'Plowing Match. Current plans are that the Tented City will be located on the Armstrong farm and plowing and demonstrations will take place on that farm and on adjacent prop- erties. The annual convention of the Ontario Plowmen's Associations will be held at the Royal York Ho- tel in Toronto on Monday arid Tuesday of next week, February 17 and 18. Everyone who is inter- ested is welcome to join the Huron delegation during the host county presentation on Tuesday morning. At the present time ar- rangements are being made for pooled car transportation from Wingham to Seaforth, to arrive in that town in time for the bus de- parture at 7:30. Those who prefer to go directly to Seaforth are ask- ed to call Habkirk Transit at 527- 0818. At time of writing a sizeable delegation of farmers, business - Men and service club representa- tives has indicated the intention to be in Toronto for the Huron County presentation. Townspeople may not be fully aware of the magnitude of the In- ternational Plowing Match and the tremendous influx of comp- etitors and spectators which will flow into the Wingham area for the event, During recent years the five- day match has drawn crowds of between 150,000 and 200,000 people, which creates the need for a very large parking area and the employment of as many as 35 extra Provincial Police personnel to handle traffic and general policing.' It is .possible that the IPM may be extended to six days before the 1978 match is held, here. The Tented City, made up of .farm machinery exhibits, pion- eer and antique machinery ex- hibits, dozens of related business enterprises, eating establish- ments, etc., occupies about 100 acres on the site. In past matches there have been in excess of 300 exibitors occupying 16,400 feet of frontage (over three miles). There will be over 700 competi- tors taking part in the Interna- tional, most of them from On- tario, but including plowmen from other provinces as well as some visiting plowmen from abroad. Each day of the match is high- lighted by special events or plow- ing classes such as plowing con- tests for wardens of counties and regional chairmen; a class for mayors of towns and cities, in which a local mayor is usually the challenger; a competition for members of the press, radio and television. Each day of the International there will be a special program for ladies and facilities are set aside for the use and enjoyment cp of the female visitors. Another daily event is a parade of vehicles and equipment over a mile in length. One of the Outstanding high- lights is the Queen of the Furrow competition in which the winners of regional and county comp- etitions vie'for provincial honors. All the contestants., must deliver speeches and make numerous appearances. The final winner is presented with a car in which the reigning queen will appear at events all over the province in the ensuing year to publicize the In- ternational. At the end of that year she is presented with the car as her own property. The 1978 International Plowing Match will be the 65th occasion on which the event has been held and will certainly be the biggest single undertaking ever seen in this part of the county. In fact the International is the biggest out- door show in the world. The enthusiastic support and co-operation of all in this com- munity will be vital to the suc- cessful completion of arrange- ments for the big match and will provide an unparalleled oppor- tunity for the people of North Huron to demonstrate not only their organizing ability but the.. spirit of hospitality for which they are famous.