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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-04-10, Page 10 (�I • If yo r WOO roads. Aprit 9444+ ' , your $ J% scrlptton Is**. r*4 I FIRST SECTION • • Wingbaltu, fr sday, April 10, 1975 Single Oozy Not Over' ;740 • Choir do s battle w� fP-but plays to of packe "Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful :day ! I've got a beautiful feeling, everything's going my way ! " And there were a few smiles on the faces of the men as they sang. these lovely Rodgers and Hammerstein lyrics as on one side, the blizzard raged and on the other, the lightning flashed and the thunder roared. Twenty minutes • earlier, the members of the Schneider Male Chorus from Kitchener would never haveagreed that every- thing was going their way. They were at Listowel and it was Wednesday evening at 8:30, the time for their scheduled arrival $ `on stage' at the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church where the Couple's Club was sponsoring an evening of entertainment. "Surely there would be no audience," the boys reasoned, "why continue this horrible use- less journey?" But they misjudged the music lovers of this community who, * after years of living in the snow belt, can cope with -almost any- thing. The church was packed and, while the members of the audience waited for the choir's arrival, they chatted and visited with each other, creating such a warm and demonstrative atmos- phere that the applause began the minute the first choir member • entered the sanctuary. ' Under the very capable leader- ship of their conductor, Paul Berg, the choir began its concert with the lovely victory hymn, "God of Our Fathers". They followed that with two sacred numbers Icy Bach, then completely thrilled their audi- ence with a fabulous arrange- • ment of "The Holy City" in keep- * ing with the Easter seasdn. , Assistant conductor Fred Leh- man led the chorus through some .. _ :favorite .folk songs, the rousing X&.4era..who said he was iiohemlan "Reapers Song", the present at the Meeting ad a Scottish "My Bonnie Lassie", the hauntingly beautiful traditional folk song, "The Water Is Wide", and the calypso rhythi n of "Yel- low Bird" which for a few magic moments at least, trans- ported the listeners to a sandy beach where the warm winds wafted the gentle palm branches overhead. One cannot imagine a male chorus without thinking of the ever -appealing spirituals, those emotional hymns born deep in the south and telling of a devotion and faith strong as the will of her people. The ,Varian Anderson favorite, "He's Got the Whole World in His Haas", led this sec- tion, which included "Little Inno- cent Lamb" and the swinging "Rock -a My Soul". A very stir- ring arrangement of "Deep River" hushed the large St. An- drew's audience which broke into loud applause when the spirituals had ended. A drum roll and the sounds that, somewhere, a parade was about to begin,' introduced Mere- dith Wilson's "Seventy -'six Trom- bones" from "The Music Man". Several of the audience were singing along, if not audibly, at least in their hearts. It was followed by the "Oklahoma" medley and another Rodgers - Hammerstein composition, "You'll Never Walk Alone", from "Ca ousel". Mowing the singing of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic", the audience rose to its feet to show appreciation for the fine evening of music. The choir obliged by singing two more numbers, closing with the beauti- ful hymn, "Amazing Grace". Also a part of the program were specialty numbers, solos by tenor Eugene Janzen„and gospel quartet numbers by The Fisher- men, And if you are wondering who won the second round of the storm versus -choir battle, it deems it was 2-1 for the star! for awhile. Residents of the .cojn munity, not wanting to aee he,. men start for home Wednesday night, billeted the members in their homes and the bus left 'a;' 8:30 Thursday marling, only to get stuck in the snow drifts east of Listowel. But if you're going to get stuck, make sure you have a food truck close by, and the ;bow' did -- a . frozen food truck which`. was Unloaded and the cargo car- ried to a nearby farmhouse. It turned out to be their Thursday lunch. Thursday evening, with assist- ance, the bus returned to Lista, wel where the men were fed and billeted by members of the Royal Canadian Legion. Friday at nook they were still in Listowel. Hoping to reach home Friday; afternoon, they were met with news that Highway 86, between Listovi►el and Elmira, was not fit for travel. So they were forced to - se remain over Friday night in Listowel. Strangely enough, they could still sing with gusto and en- thusiasm and, to express their appreciation to the Legion mem- bers who had been their bene- factors and companions for two days, they presented a concert Friday evening in the Legion Hall. Saturday morning, they started their journey to Kitchener and arrived home at about 11 a.m. We have not yet learned whether or not they intend to add a new song, "Stormy Weather", to their repertoire but all those who thrilled to their music last Wednesday evening are happy that their story had a good ending with no reports of illnesses or other complications. And we sin- cerely hope this will not deter them from visiting the snow belt area again • and spreading joy with their music and song! Question dam ownership at town council meting The issue of the Lower Town dam was once more resurrected during Monday night's meeting of town council. The occasion was a presentation by Ian 'Des- lauriers, resources manager for the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority,, on the aims and objec- tives of conservation in the area. After the slide presentation,, Mr. Deslauriers asked for any 'gaes- tihns and was obliged by Jack Conciliation initiated in police wage dispute Conciliation procedures have been initiated to settle a contract dispute between the Wingham town' council and the Wingham ,town police. This development was announced to council - Mon- day evening by Councillor Bill Harris, chairman of the police committee, who has been ne- • gotiating with the police on the 1975 contract for several months. He explained that negotiations had finally brokerii' down at the most recent meeting, necessitat- ing the initiation of conciliation. Councillor Harris explained: "We offered them 21.5 per cent increase over last year plus a ten per cent increase for 1976 and 10 they won't accept it. I think 21.5 per cent increase is a hell of a big increase in anyone's language in one year." The increase includes raising the salary of a sergeant from $11,000 to $13,500, a $2;300 hike in the' salary of a first class con- stable and proportid'nate in- creases for lower grades. Bene- fits would also increase in con- junction with salaries. Councillor Harris said he in: formed the conciliator that the 21.5 per cent increase was "our last and final offer . . . I think we've been fair to our police.” He said that the police originally asked for a 45 per cent increase, but gave no details on their cur- rent demand. He explained that the concilia- tor would meet with both groups the following day and said, "We may settle tomorrow. If not, then we go to arbitration. It's been a lot of work, and as far as I'm con- cerned, we let the chips fall where they may." Had the police accepted the contract offered by council, the police budget would have been $111,088.50 for 1975 as compared to the $98,238.36 actual budget for 1974. Councillor Harris explained that any increases in wages sug- gested by the concilation board or finally agreed upon by both groups would be over and above this figure. New by-law passed at meeting of PUC By-law 101 was finally passed, signed and sealed at the regular ' meeting of the Public Utilities Commission last Tuesday. The new by-law will regulate the installation of electrical under- ground distribution systems in new sub -divisions and in existing ✓ sub-divisionsn where electrical overhead distribution systems are not completed. The new by-law specifies that the developer will prdvide the system according to the regula- tions and specifications of the PUC, the cost burden being on the developer, retaining the services of an electrical consultant to pro- vide a preliminary plan for ap- proval by the PUC. Specifications and requirements will be outlined by the PUC who will inspect the actual progress of the installa- tion. Energization of the system will be carried out by the PUC • only after total phase installation or when the unit is complete and all inspections and testing have been completed. Although the by-law notes that the PUC may enter into an agree- ment to carry out all or part of the work at the expense of the developer, the sub -divider must post a bond or some other surety to guarantee the performance of the work for a period of two years from the date of the acceptance of the agreement. Two years after energization of the com- plete system for the whole sub- division, the PUC may reimburse the developer one-thirdof the original installation costs less $100 per dwelling unit. In other business Manager Ken Saxton reported that Hugh Mc- Dowell would be contacted as soon as possible regarding the leaks in the new standpipe. A recent incident caused several thousand gallons of water to escape from an overflow hole at the top. The leak was originally attributed to a pump that stuck over the night. Mr. Saxton also reported that the pump motor had been repaired and is ready for shipment from Toronto. representative of the people of- Wingham. Mr. Alexander's ques- tions, however, centered on the dam issue rather than on the preceeding slide presentation. Mr. Alexander asked specifi- cally about the removal of boards from the upper dam and whether the town had the authorityto remove the boards. "In consul- tation with us, yes, you can," Mr. Deslauriers said, explaining that the Authority would need to con- tact the Toloiito meteorologists prior to giving approval. "It takes a maximum of two days," hesaid. He further explained that "It's not just up to the town. It's the Ministry of Natural Re- sources' and the Authority's re- sponsibility to the people down- stream." Council questioned the stated "responsibility" of the Ministry and the Authority in view of their disavowal of ownership of the First music night to be staged at Madill. The first -Music Nights for Huron County Board of Educa- tion schools were held in 1974. Rehearsals have begun for this year's concerts which will be held in three locations in the county. Performing groups will range from small ensembles, through classroom and school choirs, to a massed choir of all participants. Ukulele, recorder and school bands will perform. Students from the kindergarten age to senior secondary school will be represented. The first 1975 Music Night will be held on Tuesday, April 29 at F. E. Madill Secondary School. Participating schools will be Blyth Public School, Brussels Public School, East Wawanosh Public School, Grey Central Public School, Howick Central Public School, North Ashfield Public School, Turnberry Central Public School and Wingham Public School, and F. E. Madill Secondary School and Goderich District Collegiate Institute. On Wednesday, May 7, at Goderich District Collegiate Institute, the second concert will be presented. Brookside Public School, Clinton Public School, Colborne Central Public School, Holmesville Public School, Hullett Central Public School, Robertson Memorial Public School and Victoria Public School as well as Central Huron Second- ary School and Goderich District Collegiate Institute will take part on that evening. v, The third concertowill be held at South Huron District High School on Wednesday, May 14 with Exeter Public School, Hensall 'Public School, J. A. D. McCurdy Public School, Seaforth Public School, Stephen Central Public. School, Usborne Central Public School and Zurich Public School performing, dam. Reeve Joe Kerr said, "You people are supposed to own that_ stuff." Mr. Deslauriers explained that, as far as he could discover, the only agreement between the town and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority was in the form of a lease to permit the authority to work on the dam. "Nothing was turned over to us," he said, "and at the time of wash- ing out, it was still in the posse&. ion of the town:" Re said the "lease agreement" was "a fore of getting in the back door .. , we were bending over backward to. help the Town of Wingham. We leased it, and the lease expired. I'm ninety-nine and forty-four- one-hundreths per cent sure you own it. So we're back to scratch." As for the need to obtain ap- proval from the Ministry on re- pairs to the dam, Mr. Deslauriers explained that the - Ministry of Natural. Resources has "juris- diction under the act for control- ling water levels in any structure on the river. Now, if you want to circumvent that and take on the legal liability—fine!" He ex- plained that the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority had tried to help with the repairs in the past ,and was trying to find a compromise to ease the present situation. He said, however, that part of the problem is the fact that "the conservation 'authority is not geared to repairing historic recreation sites. These are mill pond sites and as such are not flood. control planning." He said the authority recognizes the im- portance of these sites as recrea- tional areas but is powerless to act: "There comes a time when we have to sit back and ask how much money are we going to put into these dams that are dld, cracking, leaking, expensive to repair. We don't have the legisia- tilUll `to `hover it." ,1ltr. beSkitiirOie aafd the ma jor handicap is' government policy that is more concerned with pro- vincial parks and sites that pay for themselves. "I'm blaming the legislation more than anything," he said. "It's a vicious, nasty circle." Councillor Margaret Bennett brought up the question of the feasibility study formerly pro- posed by the conservation authority as a first step in negotiations. The cost of the study was cited at approximately $15,000. "We could probably fix it for a lot less," Councillor Bennett said, "if you just let us do it .. . just fix it." Mr. Deslauriers ex- plained that,- "It's out of our hands; it's in the Ministry's—and again, it's the engineers ... and again, it's provincial policies." A statement by Councillor Angus Mowbray concluded the discussion and seemed to sum up the feelings of council: "So another year goes by before we can do anything!" "sd 4 • "1 DRINK COFFEE, I eat and 1 sleep," was Jim Stephens' thrilling description of his 'forced' stay in snow -bound Wingham. Mr. Stephens was on his way up north from Goderich when he got stranded in town and found he couldn't go on. He sounded even more despairing when he added, "and they're saying I won't be able to get out for two more days!" r4' IF YOU CAN SEE anything here, it's more than ,most people could have seen last Thurs- day when over one foot of snow blanketed Wingham's main street in driving gusts of wind that made for almost zero visibility. j • :4 �9 a THE SNOWDRIFTS last week made for many curious sights, but none stranger than this one, perhaps, that perched a row of roofs on top of a white mountain. Winter's nal slap proves knockout punch to be real There must have been too much loose talk about .what a nice, open winter we have en- joyed! Whatever the reason, the past week's weather certainly changed a lot of minds. The snow began to fall on Wednesday afternoon. By late the same evening, it was coming thick and fast, the wind was rising — and by Thursday morn- ing it was fit for neither man nor beast. By Friday afternoon, when the worst of the snowfall had tapered off, most of the province lay under an additional 18 to 24 in- ches of snow, and winds gusting to 50 miles an hour had piled up drifts as high as 15 feet in some places. Visibility in the snow was nil for most of those two days. Plows were pulled off all roads in this area, and for those brave or fool- hardy motorists who did venture nut, abandoned vehicles added to the hazards. No serious accidents were reported in this area, accounted for chiefly by total absence of traffic. All schools in Western Ontario were either closed, or open only for those students who could walk to classes - and very few were up to that sort of exercise in the blizzard conditions which pre- vailed. Most places of business remained open, but customers were chiefly notable for their absence. Fortunately the area was blessed by the fact that no serious fires\or illnesses broke out during the height of the storm, for neither fire trucks nor am- bulances could have moved out to provide assistance. Continuing high winds after the snowfall ceased kept most back roads and several main highways blocked over the weekend, and many more were reduced to sec- tions of one -lane traffic. Road -clearing equipment is taxed to the limit to open main arteries, and on less -travelled roads the best hope now is for an early and continuing April thaw. Budgets reviewed Committee budgets were reviewed by the Wingham Town Council at a special meeting held March 17. It was noted that all the committees were over the 1974 actual budget expenditures. The Recreation Board was reported at $14,910 over the 1974 budget, and council decided to reduce the 1975 budget by $5,000. The cuts will come in arena seat costs, the ball park expenditures and added receipts. The Property Commit- tee budget was higher due to the $15,000 proposed for lower ,dam repairs. The Fire Committee budget was up by $3,000; Public Works up $53,000; Police up $10.000, Day Care Committee up $1,000; and the Cemetery Com- mittee up $1,000 over last year. In other business, council ap- pointed William Rintoul as build- ing inspector and zoning ad- ministrator for the town. Councillor Jack Gillespie also re- ported on the progress of the Day Care Centre construction plans. At the regular April meeting, Councillor Gillespie presented the first draft of proposed blue- prints for the centre and ex- plained that the committee was satisfied with them but would still have to return to the Ministry of Community and Social Services for further approval. "Many things are still up in the air," he said. A second special meeting of council was held March 24 to dis- cuss the insurance program for the town and to hear proposals for group life insurance for town employees. Council decided to double the councillors' accident policy and to take steps , that insurance be adjusted to take into. account inventories of all the departments and buildings. Council also approved the proposed expenditures for road improvement and maintenance for 1975 at $140,800 and authorized a petition to the Ministry of Transportation and Communica- tion for supplementary allocation of $11,000 in subsidies.