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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1966-09-08, Page 9119th Year ,. No. 35 THE GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, °THURSDAY, SEPT. 8,1966 m.. 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.,