The Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-11-16, Page 2•,
c:aiuIidat es, , p4Eople - be fraiik.
-. , t�._.__
Although an elecion is looming
GOderiCh and an interesting one at that
- to the knowledge of this newspaper at
turn.o 'of writing (Wednesday morning) no
local service group or individual has
scheduled a public meeting.
It ' is disappointing and disheartening,
not only for this newspaper which has en-
deavored to arouse the interest of the
public for municipal matters, but for the
candidates .aspiring forthe 1973-74 coun-
cil whoare desirous of an opportunity to
speak to a public gathering.
As the front page of this newspaper will
attest, the Signal -Star is 'pulling all the
stops and opening as much of its news
column space anis necessary to both the
candidates and the people. It is hoped
that in this way,rvoters will have that op-
portunity to read and reread the issues - if
there are issues. They will have an on-
going chance not onlrto assess the can-
didates, but to participate in this election
by asking the questions to,which they are
seeking answers.
It is to be hoped that the candidates
will not ignore this offer. The people of
' oderIch deserve that much interest from
the men and women who want to serve.
They have a right to know what the can-
didates stand for and what they deem im-
portant and just.
It is also hoped the voters .of this com-
munity will not sit back. as usual - head -
shaking and quiet. The candidates
deserve not only the support of the
people who elect them, but enough con-
cern for the welfare of the community to
become informed about the real
problems which confront a modern-day
municipality like 'Gode'c
Road to improvements
While The Goderich Signal -Star has
covered the ,activities of Goderich Town
Council to a greater extent than any other
single elected body in the county, the
municipalities surrounding Goderich can-
rt-..,. not and, wit! nate-ignored during the. up-:
corning election campaigns:
The eye of this newspaper is carefully
watching the race for reeve in Ashfield
Tq ivnship as well as in Goderich Town-
ship.
Not. only that, this newspaper is vitally
concerned about the election of
representatives to the Huron County
Board of Education, particularly in
Goderich and in Goderich-Colborne
Townships where the best contests have
developed.
These candidates are cordially, invited
and .strongly urged to take advantage of
the Signal -Star's pre-election offer. All
are free to. state .their cases.far-:the:benefit
of voters in their areas. As well; the voters
to be affected by these elections may ask
their questions and hope for public an-
swers.
The interest, in municipal elections -
particularly in the area of school board
service - is gratifying. Let's stir up the
issues, the problems, the policies; so the
everyone is better informed. That's a sure
road to improved municipal government.
By Shirleg J. Keller
Looks like Goderich is off and
running for another municipal
election — and this one should
be interesting.
Mayor Retry Worsell is being
challenged by Reeve Paul
Carroll; Councillor Deb
Shewfelt is being challenged for.
the reeve's. chair by newcomer
Jack Brady; there are eight can-
didates for the° six remaining
council seats. Only Stan Profit
will escape the election this
time. He was acclaimed for
Deputy -reeve when B.R. Robin-
son decided not to oppose -him:
It is too, too early 'to make
predictions. I'm not even sure I
want to t'nake any public p'redic-%
tions. if there is one thing I've'
noted in my time, it is that
many, many citizens vote with`
their hearts and not with their
heads, particularly in municipal
contests. So anything can hap-
pen .... and usually does.
**
The Goderich Little Theatre
is' getting set to stage its first
play . of the season. It is set for
November 29 and and 30 and
December 2, I'm told by Murray
McDonald. Aid, according to
Murray, it i"s1t iolicking comedy
--• The Odd Couple.
The play, I'm told, is
reminiscent of the television
series by the same name. The
cast is ;heavily Inale, of course,
with the' players being' Bob
Swartman, Glen Lodge,
Maurice Jenkins, Lockie Royal,
Gar Russell and Ron Shaw. The
ladies in the cast are Rita Ross
and Marj Robinson.
You know, I feel Goderich is
exceptionally fortunate to have
a drama group in town:. Many
communities don't have the
privilege to see locally produced
live theatre .... and it is a real
shame.
I'd like to urge everyone who
has ever had a season's ticket to
buy one again this year. And'for
those who have never purchased
pass to the plays, why not
make this year different?
The tickets are on sale at Reg
Bell's' .store or at the Coach
House." Ari adult membership
fee, is $5. You can't beat that for
economical and high calibre en-
tertainment.
By the way,}I had a report out
of Clinton .earlier,this week that
What's Yer Fancy? was a
smashing success at that town
last ' weekend. I spoke to the
Clintdn editor Jim Fitzgerald
who comes from London. Says
Jim: "Local amateur theatre is
everbit as good here as it is in
London." ,How's that for a good
review?
* * *
I had an interesting letter
from "A Loyal Reader" recently
which 1 cannot print.... Unfor-
tunately, we are unable to print
Letters to the Editor which are
unsigned.
I'd like to make mention of
this letter, however. The reader
noted that he or she wasn't im-
pressed with the publicity this.
newspaper gave to the Foster
Parent dinner. "Was that all
that took place?" the writer
asked.
Well, The Signal -Star may
have goofed again. According to
our readers — and interestingly
enough, it is a different reader
and a different problem every
week — we slip' up badly quite
often. I won't deny that either
because I've .learned it is dif-
ficult to do our job without
alienating somebody sometime.
But it 'has also been my ex-
perience in the past that Foster
Parents for the most part are a
very modest bunch. Few foster
parents want public recognition
for their own very private and
'personal reasons. To list the
names of the men and women in
Huron County who do this mar-
vellous work year in and year
out "would be unthinkable. It
just isn't that kind of a thing.
I want to make it clear that
the editorial staff , of this
newspaper endeavours to give
100 percent support to the
Foster Parent Program in
Huron County: We know what a
vital and totally dedicated job
they do .... and when the oppor-
tunity arises to draw attention
to these wonderful people we do
it without hesitation.
However, the plaudits are
generally lumped together to in-
clude everyone. We only give
special recognition to those
Foster Parents which are selec-
ted by the Children's Aid
Society. That may be wrong, but
we usually -play it -that way in
co-operation with the people at
the CAS.
bt 6o4ecltry
SIGNAL -STAR
'
The County Town'Nawspaper of'Huron --D--
Founded in 1040 and publishedevery thursday at 37 West St Goderich, Ontario. Member of the Audit
aureauofCirculation, the CWNAarid OWNA.Advertising rates on request. Subscriptions payable in
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typographidaierror, thtportion of the advertising, spate occupied by the erroneous item, together
with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but the balance o1 the advertisement
will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a'typo'grsph, Cal error'.advertising goods or
sirvicosatiorwrong r"tCe',geollsOrservkisOnlyhotlie sold, Advertising is merely an offer to sell,
and msyr be withdrawn tit tiny time.
business and Editorial, lftic.
1"ELEPHONE 534,8331
*anis cod* 519
bliss mall`' registration numbs --071.6
Pubtlshed by SignshStar Publishing Ltd.
FlOBIRT G. SHR1 ident and publisher
$HigU Y J. KI iiEl - editor
R,, W. SHAW—editorial 'staff'
I DWArite J. e' SKIS-ndw misting manager
DAVIE IL, 1e1LLUAMS—adv roiling representative
"We're having a special on heart transplants this week."
Another unusual plant ,
Dear Editor,
The picture of Mrs. Mary
Morris and her Stapelia Plant
in the November 2nd issue of
The Signal -Star has created my
added interest in the unusual.
Enclosed is tear sheet of the
front 'page of Brantford Ex-
positor dated August 31, 1972. It
shows me with a cotton plant
which I grew from seed brought
home from the State of Georgia
in U.S.A.
When -the picture was taken
there were nine balls of cotton
on the plant. Since then three
additional balls have burst open
and at present it has twelve,
lovely white fluffy balls.
The flower is white and lasts
one day only. On the second day
the petals turn pink as they fold
up and the small round . green
ball begins to form at the stem.
After approximately a month of
growth it bursts open and the
white cotton spreads out.
Watching the different stages
of growth has been an in-
teresting experiment.
Yours truly.
Clarence MacDonald,
Brantford
P.S.--Give my regards to Mar-
tha R n. Tell her I enjoy
her we kly column and recently
the Fester adventures on their
trip as I know them personally.
Martha will likely remember me
when I operated The Print Shop
years ago.
Regional Hydro?
Dear Editor,
The winds of change may
soon effect the general role of
the Goderich Public Utilities.
Just as. Regional Government is
gradually changing the
authority of all local
municipalities throughout On-
tario ''into more centralized
Regional Authority, so will the
recommendations of Task Force
Hydro to our provincial govern-
ment • change • most public
utilities into a similar role.
Task Force Hydro is a gover-
nment appointed committee to
delve into all phases of hydro
operations. This body has been
at work for quite sometime and
their report is now overdue.
It would seem to the writer
that a vast majority of citizens
are unaware of the existence of
Lettere to the Editor
are welcomed and
encouraged by this
newspaper on any matter
of .public interest.
All letters must be
signed but pseudonyms
will be permitted en the
understanding that
should any reader
question the identity of
the writer, that identity
will be disclosed.
y,. Readers are reminded
that the • opinions
expressed In • the
published
cotretpond®nce are not
fleciessatriiy the 'opinions
held by pieSignal-Star.
ERrolottiott t4141.114
DEAI EIJOR ".
0.111111111111.1.
On Fall k'est.v'al
d
Dear Editor:
rt is obvious to those whoat-
tended this year's "Fall
---- tivai"—thrat-'thy Novearaber-'.-- -y --
9th article in London Free Press
was more than a misstatement
of facts.
It is clearly evident that no
participant, that is one who :pur-
chased a $2.00 ticket and atten-
ded the festival, was allowed to
express his views.
I feel compelled to inform the
public that the supposed "riot"
was not the result of drunken,
doped-upyoung people quote
"spoiling for a fight."
' To begin with the festival is
merely an annual get together of
local young people to keep in
touch and have a good evening
-'w ith°`°friends.-It _was not staged
—1d -encourage drunkenness, drug -
abuse or a chance to tangle with
the law..
Everything was'fine and frien-
dly and we saw no• reason for
things to get out of hand.
The appearance_of twelve 'ar-
med' officials certainly put a
stop ` to any hopes of further
peaceful activity. Without so
much as "this is your 'friendly
police force approaching" q the
officers forced themselves
amongst the crowd jostling and
shoving those who would not
kneel and bow. to them.
One eager, intrepid patroller
bad the arrogance to enter a
private building and mingle —
asif'a neiid1eiore he attern-
pted arrest. When questions
were raised asto the presence of
a 'search warrant the officers
ceased to be civil and actually
thrust ' a small, level-headed
questioner against the wall. I
ask "would this not infuriate
you if your friend was held and
bound and treated "like an
animal?"
This was, actually the cause
and beginning of the rumpus
that and the proof that no,
warrant was to be shown. Still
attempting to hold off the
situation the police thrashed
about searching eagerly for
some detail that would prove
"bad things" happenings or for
some trivial piece of information
they hadn't picked up during
their two. hour "spy period.;'
Though no evidence of illegal
goings-on were found the men
would not disengage themselves
even as the crowd cried "Get
out".
They continued to harass the
people only succeeding in in-
creasing their eagerness to resist
and defend their rights. After'
one hour of arguing the officers
backed off into the wood.
It was knov in a matter of
minutes though, that they
hadnut departed alone, Two
people were seized and' taken to
police cars.
The crowd thus became
enraged .and attempted to aid
the prisoners. There was no
need to have the men captured '
sas there was no need for such
violence that resulted. When
questioned as to, the reasons for
seizing the men, a member of the
force commented "I really don't
know."
Actually nonviolence (no bot-
tle throwing etc.) occurred until
the party reached the parked
car area.
The officers were well-
prepared with their battling
clubs and flashlights. Many
people were blinded by lights
shone directly in their eyes while
their heads were wrenched
back! Several people were hit
with flashlights resulting in
severe cuts.
Of course, the young people
were provoked but they have
rights too which many people
seem to forget. They are angered
as you yourself would be when
friends are hurt and the cycle
goes on to dhurt back.' -
Finally as honesty and truth
should have it the young people
were` left alone to try and patch
up the damage and re -unite a
party begotten out of friendship.
The quiet ( woods and
"smoky" campfire, gentle music
and a few beer brought the
people together again but it was
easy to see they could not forget
the unfair accusations made
against them and the pending
arrests that would most cer-
tainly be drawn up once the
police arra►aged their facts.
A reader
Task Force Hydro and ' the
potential role it may play.
During the past three years I
have been chairman of the
publicrelations committee for
the Ontario Municipal Elec-
trical Association of the large
district No. 6. In this capacity I
have first hand knowledge of
just a few of the -possible hydro
changes that will effect all of us.
Though these changes a`'re at
the' moment . mere conjecture,
one may assume ,such changes
will occur, for this part of ever
changing economic patterns, has •
become almost a way of Life.
The present hydro system has
served Ontario citizens most ex-
ceptionally well for over sixty
years. In fact the system has
been patterned in many coun-
tries. 1-iowever, highly
meritorious as Hydro has been
and still is, perhaps time will
prove the changes in the system
to be of worthwhile value.
Two possible changes are, the
approximately 350 = Utilities in
Ontario„ will • be merged into
various Regional Hydro
Districts. Each district will have
its own governing executive, who
will set the rates and administer
overall operations. Secondly all
local public utility elected com-
missioners will be abolished,
and their role in municipal
operations, assumed by the
Regional Executive.
The Ontario Municipal Elec-
trical Association, has been.
closely affiliated with Hydro
Authority since Hydro's incep-
tion. This body composed of
elected commissioners only, has
played a valuable part in the
total hydro concept, and. both
governmental and hydro
authorities have much respect
for it, and in the past have ac-
cepted many recommendations
made by this body. I have every
confidence, that the O.M.E.A. •
with its influence and prestige,
will play a most valuable role,
during the coming changes in
the hydro way of Life. I think
government will listen to us
now, as they have in the past.
With the comingchanges in
our hydro system,.,one. _wok!
think that each person involved
could play a more valuable part
by having experience in this
respect. The public relations
committee of district No. 6, of
which. I am chairman, will have
a worthwhile part to play, and
to see that the citizens of this
large district receive proper and
beneficial rules for the future. I
have served as a public utility
commissioner for twelve years;
with three ,of these years in the
above mentioned capacity in the
district. I am fortunate in
having called time my own
during these years, and thus
have devoted more time than I
otherwise, could have done.
As a native of Goderich and
former local businessman, I am
concerned as to the future ad-
ministration • of hydro
distribution in . this area. Your
interests are my concern.
Yours truly,
George A. Filsinger
public Utilities Commissioner
Editor's Note: The report to
which Mr. Filsinger refers in his
letter has now been made
public. It was covered folly in
Tuesday morning's edition of
the London Free Press, front
page
Dear Puzzled
Dear Editor: (or perhaps 'Puz-
zled')
It's not that I really want to
write a letter, it's that I think
'Puzzled' required a rebottle.
Puzzled says that he or she
can't understand Mrs. Whalen,
that we create and choose our
own life style and happiness to a
high extent and that we should
Ave, our life regardless as to
how others react.
I say it's obvious that Puzzled •
is contented while Mrs. , Whalen
is not (pertaining to the areas of
which were written about.) I
would like to state that man has
the ability to reason, his
reasoning faculty cannot
operate on anything that has
not entered into it. Therefore we
form our life with the aid of
reasoning only out of the
° materials we have; something
does not come from nothing.
And at this period in
evolution the learning factors
have a habit of coming mainly
from television, life and school;
radio is making its way as an
educator also. As to . never
minding about what people like,
think or 'say about what you do,
it depends on how your friends
think and how much you think
of them as to how many friends
you will have, if any at all.
To get to the point of my
writing to you, Puzzled would
not like things changed because
she is happy and contented. She
says that there are many ways
of leading a good life here, and I
am sure there' are, otherwise
why live here. But I sure would
like her to tell me what some of
these things are, along with the
people I see and meet in bars,
and the ones I see sitting,
walking or driving on the
square, or .just plain getting
loaded at a party and getting it
on with a chick.
- U=m -not- saying', I- .don't enjoy
Y g
doing these things, I'm saying
that her meaning of good is
quite different from my own and
various others or else the police,
she and any taxpayer wouldn't
be busting under age people for
drinking or others for loitering,
or illegal possession of drugs, or
indecent exposure.
I also don't want her walking
away thinking this is all I enjoy,
because I would love to play
other various sports. However 1
am not in school and am begin-
ning the life to make my own
living. 1 can't play hockey very
well because where I came from,
on a winter night, instead of
going to play hockey with some
of the other pee wees we went
into the alley with a case or two
of beer or perhaps a quart or
two of liquor. At times we had
some good parties back there
which at various times, we've
had as many as 15 people. or
more back there in one drinking
session.
Myself` for oris, would have
trouble finditig my away Around
town let , alone, standing on
skates at the age: twelve or. thir-
teen and drunk. And don't say
it's entirely our parents fault,
because we started drinking just
as it got dark and by the time it
came for us to go home we were
usually sober enough to put on a
good act for about 15 minutes
and go to bed.
Something else too, it's not all
that often I can afford to go to
bars so•I like to watch television
and sometimes do, although
more so since I moved up here.
But sometimes the garbage I see
put on makes me sick. Those
serials and commercials etc. etc.
don't show life to what it is in
cases and avoids the perplexing
problems which' you don't
realize happen unless a°ii extra
effort is put 'out to show or see
them. And if Puzzled is really
contented with the way things
are I wouldn't want to be the
one to interrupt her little world.
Just a little more of what I
consider important. I have no
kids as of yet, and am not and
have no plans to be for quite.
awhile, married. If, however, I
wait to change things too much
of my time will. be consumed -by
my wife and kids for me to work
at changing what I don't think
is right.
Because, dear Puzzled, being
contented with the way things
are will make me have to devote
that much more time towards
my goal. For as far back in time
as man has endured his trouble
with changing things came not
only from the conditions of his
environment but also a great
deal from those who were con-
tented with the way things were.
In fact, I could write an essay
just on what Puzzled's letter in-
cited me to write. To cut it short
I don't want my kids or my
brother's kids to have to reason
with the garbage they'll learn
not only put out by television.
Also words are only com-
munication which try to describe
a picture seen or a feeling by a
human, and I feel that if Puz-
zled remembered • this and re-
read Mrs. Whalen's article,. she
.would find something other
than dictionary meanings.
Rebutting a Puzzle
SORRY
The writer of the letter
dubbed "Puzzled" in last
week's Letters to the
Editor column was Mrs.
Elsa Haydon. Her name
was inadvertently left off
her, letter. The Signal -Star
staff apologizes for this
oversight.
Lest we forget
Dear Puzzled:
In another time and another
place, I had,the willingness ands.
the ability to choose for myself
my. own life style. 1 was luckier
than most of my playmates for
even as a child, 1 had the
freedom denied .others. I know
that we create a substantial por.
tion of our happiness and this
(continued on pas 3)
•
0
01, S
Answer' please
Dear Editor.,..
To the °'flown Council.
What are we to do with
leaves? The trees belong to the
town.
61.0
A Bewildered Resident
a1
40,