HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1966-09-08, Page 9119th Year ,. No. 35
THE GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, °THURSDAY, SEPT. 8,1966
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Second Section Pages 9 -16
"1 Was AbIe And .Willing and Qualified"
Huron EMO
W. Stuart Forbes came out
Of Huron County Council's
chamber on the night of Aug.
30 . a private citizen. When
he went in he had been the
county's Emergency Measures
Co-ordinator and the head of
one of the department's of
the county government.
County council had for all
intents 'and purposes closed
down Emergency Measures
Organization in Huron. fired
Mr. Forbes as co-ordinator
and appointed clerk -treasurer
John G. Berry acting co-
ordinator_ at $50 a month.
"I was willing and able and
qualified to carry out the
directives of council and that
is what I have done over the
past three years," Mr. Forbes
said.
How often will EMO co-
ordinators in other counties
across Ontario feel the same
despair that Mr. Forbes did
that night and make similar
statements .as' the municipal
legislators become disenchant-
ed with EMO?
Huron is the first county in
Ontario to step to the brink of
completely abandoning FMO.
Some say it will start a chain
reaction, across .the_provine e....
-Scuttling of EMO ,in Huron
did not stem from one particu-
lar reason. .
"The program itself does
not carry enough to get people
interested," .- said Mr. Forbes.
"Most of these councillors are
farmers and it is difficult to
plan to the farm level." '
There is the evident reluct-
ance of the EMO officials in
Toronto to commit themselves
to approval of a county erner-
gency plan which, they fear, EMO has not been an easy
would makethem liable if task. Apathy has been hard .to
something goes wrong in. the
plan's mplementatior .
"All we ever received from
them was suggested plan
guides," Mr. Forbes explain-
ed. "I have yet to see anyone
from Toronto come -out here
and sit in with us on plain-
ning."
When local emergency plan-
ning groups saw that Toron-
to's plan might not work, and
suggested changes, Toronto
refused to consider them.
Won't Fit •
"The act says a county will
create a plan. We have and
it's a workable plan, and this
Ls what Toronto will lnot ac-
cept because it does not fit
their format," Mr, Forbes said.
Then there was apathy, as
George Woneh, chairman of
county council's EMO commit-
tee pointed out, not only
among the public, but elected
officials as well.
A long list of speculations
about the failure of EMO in
Huron includes its geographi-
cal location, a small mainly
rural population, and disasters
in Huron are far between.
"I think it boils down to one
simple fact, it's a Clash of per-
sonalities between Timmer-
man (director Emergency Mea-
sures Branch. Toronto) and
Forbes,' said Exeter Reeve
Clarence E. Boyle.
What has EMO meant in
Huron in the years since it was
established in 1962? Here is
how Mr. Forbes viewed it just
before he was relieved of his
post:
"Organizing and `promatii g
overcome; people, are just not
interested in taking part in an -
organization they feel will, in
all probability, never be used.
They grumble about the ex-
penditure of public funds, af-
fect a smile when mention is
made of the possibility of nu-
clear or germ warfare, or a
war where weather will be
controlled. They turn their
backs on EMO workers who
plead for preparedness.
"EMO can be likened 'Co a
fire department whose equip-
ment and personnel may
never be utilized; but it is
comforting to know it Ls avail-
able if a fire does break out.
"We have heard EMO, re-
ferred to as a `haven for re-
tired army officers,"'another
useless organization like civil
defence' from which it stems,
'as a gimmick to eat,up the
tax dollars.' Retired army. ser-
vice personnel are ideal for
top positions in this agency.
Their experience in manage-
. ment of men and organization
stands them in good stead
wheninstructing leaders and
co-workers in their emergency
roles. They take a lot of un -
f it criticism, -but believe in
the fundamental principle that
safety mustbe provided for
everyone when they- ar un-
able tofend for themselves.
They struggle hard to estab-
lish this organization when
there is time to do it instead
of waiting until the roof falls.
in when organization is too
late.
"The position of a co-or-
dinator is no 'job for one with
a
Dead Or Just
thin skin. Ile must possess
special talents to keep it mov-
ing.
"EMO was first organized
in 1959 to establish a national
emergency agency. People
show little interest. Leading
the horse to water is easy,
but you can't.make, him drink.
Now, however, many govern-
ment agencies are instructing
their employees at all levels,
including mlanicipal, to par-
ticipate. This move, although
fairly new, is showing good
results.
"The department of high-
ways has appointed an emer-
gency planner who is setting a
brisk pace. The departmertt of
health an4I welfare demands
disaster plans for hospitals.
Municipalities are providing.
individual by-laws to partici-
pate in EMO at township
levels. It would appear that
prog4ression is taking place in
spite of all the difficulties.
"EMO is making satisfactory
headway in Huron County. By-
laws are now on the statute
books and others are pending.
The County pays only 10 per
cent of .the program; the senior
governments provide' 90 per
trent-in grants. .in fact, -Huron --
County has supplied less than
$'4,000 over the past five years
and the benefits far exceed
this figure.
"Communications planning
is completed. The heads of the
fourteen Civil Emergency de-
partments have written work-
able plans that have been ap-
proved'by the County Council.
.The county wardens have co-
operated most sincerely. Co -
Cornrnission:Seeks;Pesticide
That X11 Not Pollute Water
A chemical which may control
fnosquitoes and black flies as ef-
rectively as DDT, without the
side effect of eventually pois-
oning our waterways, is one of
several presently being tested
by the Ontario Water Resources
Commission's division of labor-
atories 'in Toronto.
The OWRC, which controls
the use of Chemicals in . On-
tario waters through a permit
system, will not release the
commercial 'name of the chem-
ical until assessments are com-
pleted, probably later this year.
Laboratories •director"John II.
Neil said the OWRC has been
attempting to eliminate the aqu-
atic use of DDT for some time,
and has been issuing very few
permits for its use, although it
is effective against mosquito and
black• fly larvae when applied
•tc •ater.
Ban DDT
• The nc'w chemical, he said,
seems to be just as effective,
and maymake it possible to
ban the use of DDT in water
by next spring. It breaks down
after a period of time, rather
than accumulating in the water
year after year like DDT, and,
in -addition, an application of
one half pound in one million
gallons is sufficient to kill the
larvae. It would take 100 times
this amount to,threaten fish life,
which, according to Mr. Neil,
is a "good gnargin of safety."
DDT will among other things,
affect the reproduction of hsh
if enough accumulates. "
Pointing but that the Commis-
sion does not advocate "ohem-
ical slaughter" of aquatic life,
Mr. Neil said ehbmicals are
useful tools. which, when used
properly. can add to the enjoy-
ment and usefulness of our
waterways with no detrimental
effects.
"Just as the ,use of, modern
chemicals has greatly enhanced
man's progress in combatting
insect -borne diseases and stim-
ulating„ increased agricultural
productin, so can progress in
the safe manipulation of aqu-
atic populations make is pos-
sible for marc to enjoy more
fully his leisure hours on, in and
near the water.
"It is the role. of the OWRC
to -control the use of chemicals,
so no harm- is done," he said.
Permits for the use Gf aqu-
atic pesticides, herbicides, and .conditions. For example, a per -
algicides, (to control insects, .mit would not be issued if it
weeds, and algae, respectively), meant the elimination of the
are not issued lightly. Before only -patch of weeds -found ina
a chemical is approved; it under- lake, as some aquatic plants
goes ra series of tests both in must be present in a body of
the lab and in the, field. to water to supply needed cover
make sure it is effective against and brood areas for fish'
the undesirable element, and Upon request, the OWRC' sup -
harmless to other aquatic life. plies a kit which includes ap-.
Fish., insects and plants are sub- plication forms, a booklet which
jetted to different concentra- outlines application procedures
tions of each chemical, to deter- and aids in- . the identification
mine its selectivity and the mar- of aquatic plants and a list of
gin of safety for other life. OWRC approved chemicals'.
Even if the chemical to be , Probe Selectivity
used is one tested and approved Another experiment presently
by the commission. there is •no under way in the Commission
euaran,ee a per:al' will be is- laboratories concerns the selec-
sued. A detailed application tivity of insecticides 'and herb -
form must be filled out, which icicles, and involves working
requires ,anon;; 'other thirfgs, with pure cultures of micro -
calculating the volume of water scopic algae to determine at
in which the chemical is to be what level different chemicals
a_rplied, giving details ori water -become toxic to them.
use and stating the exact loca- These experiments may make
tion. •Che OWRC then reviews it possible to apply chemicals
the application to determine in such a way that "Pond Scum"
if the correct amount and type and rooted aquatic vegetation
�f che:.iical is advocated, would be controlled, while the
Also, the department of lands microscopic , algae, which is
and forests often surveys the necessary to provide oxygen hal.
field situation, to be sure it is Once and food for aquatic life,
n fact de.'si .'ale to alter natural wot}ld be untouched.
In addition to•this work, OWN('
biologists conduct field survey -
in areas of Ontario where thy,
heaviest concentrations of pesti-
cides are applied to farin land
These surveys involve 'col.lP coin
fish and other' aquatic life
determine whether some have
been eliminated. This indicate;
to the scientists th t degrc:, of
water impairment that has r,•-
sulted through run-off from land
on which stable, toxic chemicals
have been used. ,
Results will be available later
of a survey carried out in the
Holland River, adjacent .to th.e
Holland Marsh vegetable grow-
ing area. A similar' survey this
month for the Norfolk count;;
tobacco growing region.
Surrounded by bottles of live fish, OWRC
biologist Ivy Jarolimek experiments with a
herbicide to find the maximum 'concentra-
tion at which they can survive. This is one
of several tests all chemicals must pass
before the cgrvrmission will allow their use
water, and an insecticide which the
WRC hopes will serve as a substitute for
DDT passed this, and other, with flying
colors. (OWRC Photo).
BEAUTY CONTEST
Lucknow Agricultural So
ciety Friday decided to spon-
sor a beauty contest at the
fallmfair Sept. 16 and •17.
All girls attending high.
school in Western Ontario are
eligible to enter the conte.,l.
Entries roust be made through
the school and in turn to
Charles Webster of f,nck:low.
Should the winning ;:el he
18 years of age or ove'•, she
will have the opport pity of
entering the Miss Lori' r ion, of
Canada contest for 1^t'7.
Prizes are $50, ti20 and
$10.
exp
ng
Huron clerk -treasurer John G. Berry (seat-
ed) has been named acting co-ordinator of
the Emergency Measures Organization in
Huron County. With him is deputy clerk -
treasurer Bill Hanly., County council has
*
County Emergency Meas.17e'
Organization is making excel-
lent progress in the formation
of an effective County -wide
operation. It m.ay never be
used, but like an insurance
policy, it's comforting to have
the coverage."
County Problem
,County council's EMO com-
mittee's report and recom-
mendation explained. the di-
lemma the county faced when
.it Wanted to quit EMO.
The matter was given to
the committee at council's
June ssessibn. It met .1„nn 2�
arid. recommended disbanding
EMO.
"Following the above meet-
ing, a letter was forwarded to
the department of the at-
.torn.ey-general, advising of the
committee', recommendation.
On July 22 a reply was re-
ceived from the department
outlining the procedure neces-
sary' in order that the county
night withdraw from the
Emereenev Measures Prn-
saram. The instructions were,,
as follows:
1. The pre'tt'nt by-law pas -NI
in 1962 establishing the or-
eanization will ne-d to be
rescinded. (ince this clone,
no further funds (van h” made
available under the financial
,istance proiram.
2 boron County would have'
refund the federal and pro-
11neial share of the money
ordination is proceeding sat-
isfactorily. •
"EMO has provided a full
complement of trained - and
uniformed auxiliary police-
men - who have contributed •
hundreds of hours free time
to your communities over the
past two -years. The training
must be good because three
of, these auxiliaries are now
working as regular police con-
stables in-°-•municrpal p dice
depantmefits.
"A rescue group has been
organized in case of need.
Some equipment is available.
Orientation courses are held
regularly. Exercises have been
completed to test the training
given, with excellent . results•
Community groups in all parts
the county have been or-
ganized. Disaster plans have
been provided for all hos-
pitals. Welfare cenTres have
been chosen throughout the
area,
"Traffic plans for mass
-movement are now complete.
Emergency Operating Proce-
dures for .all, k'v nrrsinnel
have been established. I.iaise'i
has been carried out with -St.
John Ambulance. Red Cross,
militia. public utilities. police,
fire; radio operators and many
others who have now h•,eoni '
part of tt,., plan. Sneei.'': ad -
\'i -ore with priceless hack -
^o incl; in dealing -with em-
ere,en,•,es, a"o dedicated volun-
+� nt on pur.'hases of all
"144,o14 appe it that Hurori • items under Classification II,
asked Mr. Berry to prepare an emergency
measures plan to meet the requirements of
the attorney -general and -the Emergency
Measures Act.
III, and IV since - the estab-
lishment of the organization;'
after depreciation at the rate
of 10 per cent per annum.'
-The letter from the de-
partment did make the fol-
lowing suggestion: 'As an al-
ternative to the drastic step
:of , disbanding 'the organiza-
tion, we would he prepared to
consider the payment of a
• modest honorarium to some
other municipal official such
as yourself as clerk -treasurer
'and to assist. this official' in
any way • possible in the de-
velopment of the emergency
plarLL required under ,The
Emergency Measures Act. The
equipment purchased pre-
viously could then be, retain-
ed and eventually put'to good
use at some future date -when
a. new co-ordinator would b
required .to carry out the
training and exercis^ program
necessary to make these plans
work.' .
`Following receipts of this
letter. another ,meeting of the
emergency measures commit-
tee- • of Council was, called
under date of Atte 5. All
members of the . ermmittee
were present o0 th', coca
fort. At this me' n i jt w a•
point ,1 out that :he cos' of
withdrawing from the Emer-
eerew mea -hies program
c opld h,' in th.' neigh•bnur-
Lod of $4.000 to $6.000. de-
i •ndine on - the final calcula-
'
of the items t0 be de-
preeialed. The larger amount'
Of the depreciation would )r,e-
vail if auxiliary police
forms were gonsidered is a
depreciated item.
"As pointed out by the de -
pertinent of the attorney•;er,
eral, who administers the
Emergency Measures Act, the
main duty of a county is to
provide a plan. -A plan cad
'"be written and prepared with-
out the county being involved
in: the full emergency mea-
sures program. Considering
these facts, and the apparent
lack of interest in emergency
..measures within the county,
the committee wishes to re- •
commnd certain recorrimen-
dations.At the same time, in
view of the fact that it might
cost between $4,000 and $6.000
to have our program entirely
disbanded, the committee is in
agreement that the original
idea be changed and that the "
jirograrn be maintained nn a
much more modified scale.
"As a result of its investiga-
tion and letters from Toronto,
your committee makes the fol
lowing recommendation,* -
1. That the present ,emer-
gency measures program. as
now established, be curtailed. •
2. That the emergency mea-
- s1tresproram-- be- operated • Int--
accordance with the Emer-
gency Measures Act R.S.O.'
1962-63 and that the rlerk-
treasurer prepare a written
plan in conjunction with the
requirements of the depart. -
merit of the . attorney -general.
3. Thatthe emergency
measures co-ordinator be re-
lieved of his duties as co-
ordinator, with his' salary to
-continue until September 30,
-1966 and that $y -law No 17,
1964 be rescinded. -
.4. That the county 2Ia.rk-
treasurer he appointed acting
co-ordinator..
5. That the acting co-ordina-
tor be paid an honorarium of
$50 Per month, - effective
August, 1966, with the said
honorarijrm to be reviewed at
a later date. '
6. That the function of the
emergency measures program
he curtailed as of A'.a. 5,
1966.
7. That the acting co-orrina- •
1 u; he authorized- to close out -
the office and arrange storing
of all equiipment ttiTt t'.: i± pelt
he re -wired for the present...
8. That the acting cc-nr'l:na-
tor arrange to contact 'he
provincial officials as ; on.
i1es`ible.. to • prepare 'he
ground work for writ's the
necessary plan.
n That the i'leriral staff ,,f
the emergency tneasur1;s of-
fice.
f-.fice. h^ terminated at the
discretion of the actin, ere
„rcl:arator but that the secre-
'nr h , paid until at est
Scot._ 30. 1966.
' 11) That all hol,clav He to
the emergency measures p,.r•-
,n,'l be taken prior to S ;pt.
eft 1060." ,
-hots 1•:'.11O stand,
1u,iron.
Huron County Council's' Emergency Measures Committee met
last year with N. W. Timmerman, director of the emergency
measures branch in Toronto. Par right is Lorne Durnin, R.R.
2, Lucknow, chairman of the EMO committee, centre is co-
ordinator W. Stuart Forbes, and Left, Mr. Timmerman. It
was a turning point for Huron EMO which asked Mr. Tim-
merman for some flexibility in the Toronto plan. None was.
allowed and from there relations between Huron and Toronto
deteriorated. y.,