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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-12-04, Page 1• Single spy Net Over, f t , was a ..show of unanimity strength, and, Above all, conker i that brought over 300 persons from Huroz, Wilco*, Perth, Wellington. and Waterloo;:cnutpthes, to a preeliinarY Meng of the Royal Comndssion On Electric Power Planning in %Ingham last Thursday. The show of uttity was not lost O on the commission members: "ft is the largest crowd yet and the. most unanimous as far as con- cern over a central issue," said Commissioner Dr. William Stevenson. The issue was, of course, the loss of land, especially prime agricultural land, for hydro generating stations and power lines. And it came as no surprise. to anyone, even the commission, .,that this concern '.was stressed over and over again in the,4 14 briefs presented at the meeting. What did come as some sura prise to the commission, how- ever, were the voiced offers of co- operation from those present, both in working with the commis- sion and in working together, and the manifest agreement between urban and rural groups. CANTDU SPEAKS The, first group to present a brief was CANTDU, a Goderich- based group of activists s who ' focus mainly on the implications of'nuclear power use in the coun- try. CANTDU representative Donald McKee .spoke for five other groups that have • joined with CANTDU to present a united front. Mr. McKee's brief was not so much a presentation of concerns as a request for funding to study certain issues for the ultimate submission of . findings at a for- mal hearing. He asked for ap- proval of a total budget of $12,500 for the group. Mrs. Marilyn Penfold of RR 6, Goderich o CANTDU's stepswith11owe f d a short' pin' CANresentation of concerns about nuclear power plants and their effects on society. "I would like to know more about the implications of thermal pollution by all the pro- posed power plants," she said. "What is the real cost of nuclear power? Why aren't more funds being allocated for research into alternative energy sources? We can no longer speak of energy, no matter what the source, without considering conservation." Mrs. Penfold's brief presented the commission with a question not raised in any meeting to date, Dr. Stevenson said: What hap- pens to nuclear power reactors when their life expectancy is ex- hausted due to an increase of radiation levels? In fact, added Commissioner Robert Costello, he wasn't even aware that this could happen. ENERGY QUOTA Mrs. Penfold also suggested establishing an "energy quota" and reversing the rate structure as ways to conserve energy. "The more you use, the cheaper it is," she explained, citing this ration- ale as the reason for energy abuse. The brief of the Concerned Farmers of the United Town- ships, ,representing Turnberry, Howick, Wallace, Maryborough, Peel, Woolwich and Pilkington, played the first note of the theme that would run like a connecting link through the rest of the briefs ,t to follow : "For the sake of our foodlands, r i Windham post office re -opens Mail service was resumed at the Wingham post office on Tues- day morning after being strike- bound for 40 days as a result of the work stoppage by members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Sorting of local mail was resumed Tuesday and rural mail delivery was commenced on Wednesday morning. Listowel and Kincardine post offices, the staff of which are members of the same local as Wingham staff, have been opera- ting for several weeks. Word came through on Tues- day afternoon that the postal strike was over. Results of the membership vote provided a small majority in favor of ac- cepting the government's offer. However, woiliers who had pre- viously crossed the picket lines were not permitted a vote by the tit' union, 6o the acceptance majo- rity was definite. a 'thorpugh study and .research tntist be carried out, inde- pendently of Hydro, of the area affected, before a :4eciSion is made on the expansion of Bruce, the need for a 'southerly' 500 k.v. transnlisslon line route out of Bruce and its ` related Goderich generating station." L Lloyd Moore of Listowel, chair, man of the United Townships group, also raised the question of farming hazards under hydro lines. He described a demoostra- MRS. DAVE CATHERS of 338 Minnie St. celebrated her 98th birthday last Wednesday under a garland of birthday cards and among about 40 relatives and friends. Mrs. Gathers is still very much self-reliant and does her own cooking and some housekeeping. She has tieenua Wingham, resident for 28 years. tion on electrical effectsjn 1t Barrie area "with only half'. a many wires as the ones prop! 5 out of Bruce." "If everyone was to receive 1 amount of shock in this • 41101, right now as I did in the depon. stration trailer), the roomwould be cleared in a hurry," Mr Moore concluded. PRESERVE FOODLAT His concern were ech the seven reps sentatives participating townships have now - one mistake, let'; make more," George Adam Turnberry Township plead "The erection of transnf siuu towers on our top producing/ land§ will make farming opera- tions dangerous and inefficient; Marry Winkel of Howick Towil ship concluded. Eldon Vines of Walla0e. Tom,' ship presented statistics. ;tu at port the importance of Bruce'. Huron, Perth, Lambton, Wati loo, Wellington, Middlesex .a Oxford counties in Ontario's a culture. 4 hna1 The Peel Township represeta,'' tive voiced the major opt of.; "We conclude that it is moat'` wrong to exchange our good f oo landsfor development, and tip preserve themfor future'genei tions, when so much land is ava able, without destroying our agri cultural land." Reeve Lorne Murray of Ma'I borough Township issued .k statement that came as some what of a shock to the come sion : the environmental effects o:`„ hydro corridors have not yet been researched. "These proposed major hydro corridors coming down through our area would rupt agriculture in a way detri mental to the production of food". Reeve Murray said. "To my 4 knowledge a complete, indeA pendent environmental impar' study yet� has not . been.> lane these proposed hydro ceiirri� a federal PC's elect slate; turn clown regional vote A new slate of officers was elected by the Huron -Middlesex Federal Progressive Conserva- tive Association at their annual meeting November. 24, in the Clinton Legion Hall. Member of Parliament for Huron -Middlesex, R. E. McKin- ley, Zurich, was elected as hon- orary president as was Elmer D. Bell, Exeter. Other elected officers are: Clayton Laithwaite, Goderich, past president; Fred Heaman, Parkhill, president; Margaret Bennett, Wingham, first vice- president; Harry Hayter, Dash- wood, second vice-president; Murray Cardiff, Ethel, third vice- president;, James Donnelly, Goderich, fourth vice-president; William Musser, Exeter, fifth vice-president; Jerry Holmes, Clinton, sixth vice-president; Robert Dinsmore, Seaforth; seventh vice-president. Directors are: Donna Woods, Clinton; Frank Walkom, Goder- ich ; Ed Powell, Wingham; Roy Cousins, Brussels and Elmer Hayter, Varna. Young Progressive Conserva- tive Director is James Sills, Sea - forth; election finance chairman, Lorne Kleinstiver, Dashwood and secretary -treasurer, Betty Graham, Brucefield. Six delegates were also elected to attend the Leadership conven- tion in Ottawa on February 18. They are: Fred Heaman, Park- hill ; ark -hill; Murray Cardiff, Ethel; Donna 'Wood, Clinton; Joe Murphy, Clinton; Kim Kim Ainslie, Goderich and Dan Pearson, Ethel. Alternate delegates for the leadership convention are: Clay- ton Laithwaite, Goderich; Betty Cardon, Seaforth; Bill Strbng, Seaforth ; Jim Hayter, Goderich; Mike Donnelly; Goderich and Peter Kleinstiver, Dashwood. Mary White from the London West Federal Progressive Conservative Association invited all the members of the Huron - Middlesex Progressive Conser- vative Association to an all -day regional leadership convention, 11 days before the leadership convention in Ottawa. At this regional convention members of the party can vote for their choice of leader, in the region. "It will be a dry run election. It could add to the excitment of the leadership race in Ottawa," said Miss White. Clayton .Laithwaite, past presi- dent of the Huron -Middlesex Federal Progressive Conser- vative Association commented that he was "bugged to death by rophesying. The public sh`, ie1d be able to make up their own mind. I don't think we should vote before the actual leadership convention." James Donnelly, Goderich agreed. He felt a pre -vote was a "screwball idea and should be squelched immediately." He suggested that the Huron - Middlesex Federal Progressive Conservative Association should go on record showing that they will not vote at the London Regional conference, but will wait until the convention in Ot- tawa. The association agreed unanimously. Ken Hurlburt, Progressive Conservative member of parlia- ment for the Lethbridge riding in Alberta, was the guest speaker. ONLY THREE of the five members of the Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning were present for the preliminary .meeting in Wingham last Thursday. They were: Dr. William Stevenson, meeting chairman George McKague and Robert Costello. Commis sion chairman Dr. Arthur Porter and commissioner Mrs. Solange Plourde -Gagnon were unable to attend. The Listowel Veterinary Clinic was represented at the meeting by Dr. A. L. MacKay: "Our first concern lies with the preserva- tion of agricultural land and its future use. We have a duty, a moral obligation, to utilize class 1 and 2 agricultural land in the limited areas where it can be found. This land must not be removed from agriculture:" Dr. MacKay also voiced a sug- gestion that generated consent- ing applause from those present: That if a decrease in service reli- ability could slow Hydro's rate -of expansion, "we as individuals could accept 'the inconveniences of minor service interruptions.” (Continued on page 2) Country Cable will operate Winahurn system Wingham Cable TV Limited this week announced the comple- tion of a purchase agreement with Country Cable Limited, Listowel. Under terms of the agreement the Listowel -based company will purchase the Wing - ham cable concerh when ap- proval is received from the Cana- dian Radio -Television' Com- mission. Pending CRTC approval Wing - ham Cable TV has ' engaged Country Cable to service the Wingham system, which pro- vided service to its first sub- scribers early this year. Country Cable has been licensed to provide cable tele- vision service to the towns of Listowel, Palmerston, Harriston, Mount Forest ,atid Arthur. - viewers, who-'diesfe if o satipp ohmic gable connec- tions or disconnects, as well as present subscribers who wish to report troubles in reception are asked to call Wingham 357-1652. Police report one accident • The Wingham Police Depart- ment reported -one motor vehicle collision last week. It involved Kevin Hickey of Wingham who struck a pole when the acceler- ator in this car stuck while turn- ing into the Beaver- Lumber park- ing lot. Damage was estimated at $175. The department also laid two charges under the Highway Traffic Act and two under the Liquor Control Act. YOU CALL THIS A FISH?Conservation officer Blake Evans and biologist'Rene Jonesof' the Ministry of Natural Resources found their temporary guest "Fred amiable but hungry Thursday. The pelican was spotted Mast week at Goderich harbor and ;finally, netted by Mr. Evans. "Fred" was brought to the Wingham office Thursday' and left Friday for the Metropolitan Toronto zoo. - a Pelican's mystery visit puzzles conservationist When a pelican dropped in for a visit last week in Goderich harii everyone got into, a flap tL.the 00.1g -. ``Fred" as he was otficiallY, christened by Ministry of Natural Resources personnel obviously doesn't go along with the com- mon rule that "birds of a feather flock together." He was sighted last Tuesday on Lake Huron try- ing to make himself inconspicu- ous among the seagulls. Rejected by his feathered friends as an outsider, however, "Fred" decided to cultivate human company. His success in 'this endeavor was also short-lived. "Fred" seemed to like his new home, a tentative perch on a barge, and enjoyed the company of humans, lake freighters and tugboats. "He just kind of smiled up at us and didn't move a feather," Donald MacAdam of MacDonald Marine explained. But for all .his friendliness, "Fred" didn't stay at his new home long. The fugitive was Council okays tender for. Day Care The plans for the new Day Care Centre are gathering speed as the time for construction to start draws nearer.' Committee chair- man Jack Gillespie told Wing - ham Town Council Monday that he has received four tenders for construction of the centre. At his request, council recommended accepting the lowest of the four bids. The bid from Schiedel Con- struction of Cambridge for $203,777, including credits, for completion within 20 weeks was accepted subject to approval by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The other bids received were all beyond the bud- get allowance for the centre. Councillor Gillespie also pre- sented to council a letter from Wingham Fire Chief Dave Crothers. The letter indicated that a survey by Chief Crothers of the building plans revealed the omission from the plans of indoor and outdoor fire alarm systems and smoke detectors. These are required under the National Fire Code adopted by council as a town by-law last year. The alarm systems were not in- cluded in .the building specifica- tions because they are not a re- quirement of the ministry, Coun- cillor Gillespie explained. He said he would consult with the archi- tect on the overall costs of includ- ing the dual system and approach the ministry for approval. Since the present plans already have the approval of the ministry, however, the government may refuse to pay for the addition be - Centre cause it is "above and beyond" official requirements, he added. If the Ministry refuses to fund the addition, council will face the decision of whether to supply the necessary financing or to leave out the proposed alarm system. Council deferred from making a decision until the Day Care Com- mittee returns with an answer from ministry officials. turned in Thursday by a G.oderich resident who informed the Minis- try+. of Natural Resources about the lace's new landed immigrant. Cofiservat i iY of leeY` w;,iitfejcp Evans of the Wingham -office; concerned about the pelican's survival with the approach of winter, captured Fred with a landing net at Snug Harbor. . Fred didn't seem to mind his change of circumstances or loca- tion. Transported to the Wing - ham office on the front seat of Mr. Evans' car, he quickly made himself at home in the office. And during the shorttime he spent there, Fred made a lasting im- pression on the ministry staff — and on the garage floor. Somewhat to his dismay, how- ever, the ministry office was riot fated to be the end of his travels. "I know I'm a migratory bird, but this is ridiculous," he seemed to say when told Thursday by ministry personnel that he would have to move again. This trip should be his last, however — Fred was transported Friday to his new home at the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo. Fred is gone now, but the mystery of his appearance in this area still remains unsolved. Ministry biologist Rene Jones ex- plained that the pelican was about 400 miles out of his way. The farthest east the white peli- can normally travels is the Lake of the Woods in northern Ontario. Although there have been isolated sightings in the Great Lakes region, they are rare. A further complication in the mystery is Fred's apparent tameness. "He's very friendly and very quiet, not at all afraid," Mr. Jones said, gently ruffling the pelican's feathers. And as if to prove a point. Fred preened his feathers and followed Mr, Jones around the garage. While the question of hi)* Fred *came a "ieli� =onc" ;aoi ide itity yr ll be solved -at the zoo. You see, the nnrne Fred may be a misnomer: it seems only another pelican can say right now whether Fred is really a male or a female. Come the spring, how- ever, zoo officials should also be able to identify the "pelican's sex: Until then, Fred seems as good a name as any. Chimney fire in \Gome The fire alarm sounded only twice last week in Wingham. The Fire Department was called out Nov. 28 at 9:45 p.m. to extinguish a chimney fire at the, home of Marion Lennox in Gorrie. Chief Crothers said the fire was caused by burning wood in the fireplace and reported no damage. The second alarm, early Sun- day morning, was a false alarm, Chief Crothers said. He explained that the system was disconnected for three days to effect repairs but is in order now. Profit of 6600 Peanuts were the going thing last week when the Wingham Lions set out on their annual "Peanut Drive". Snow and cold winds didn't deter the Lions from their rounds and they collected $1,600 in sales for a $600 profit. About 300 pairs of glasses were also gathered from generous donors. Three candidates for Huron Warden's chair BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER It will be a three-way race for warden in Huron County in Janu- ary. Reeve Jack McCutcheon of Brussels, Reeve Allan Campbell of McKillop and Reeve Harold Lobb of Clinton, will vie for the county's top office. Mr. McCutcheon is the only first time candidate in the trio. Allan Campbell sought the chair last year and Harold Lobb, a candidate on two previous occa- sions, was runner-up last year to present warden Anson McKinley. Jack McCutcheon indicated this could well be his last year in municipal politics, but he did say that if some project in his Village of Brussels would benefit through his continuance in office, he would run for one more term. Allan Campbell promised to "fight like hell to keep Huron's hospitals open" if he was elected warden. '' "I think they are all pretty well full," commented Reeve Camp- bell, "and I'm for keeping them open supposing we've got to throw in some more county funds or something." Reeve Lobb simply indicated his intention to solicit the support of as many councillors as pos- sible so that he could be warden in the new year. In other business during the day, Reeve Karl Haberer of Zurich spoke as one of the new members to county council. He urged county representatives to think more as representatives of the community of Huron, rather than as representatives of their own individual municipalities. All newcomers who spoke ex- pressed the highest praise for tlr' administration of the county, and the system under which the county operates. During the morning session, a special plaque was unveiled in memory of the late Johri Greer Berry, the former county clerk - treasurer who died earlier this year. The plaque was unveiled by his wife, Josephine Berry, and dedicated by his pastor, the Rev. G. L, Royal of Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich. --Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Smith of Kitchener were visitors with Mrs. Gershom Johnston last week and attended the funeral of his sister, Mrs. J. Fisher.