The Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-11-29, Page 2PAOI 11-4OODRRICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29. 1973
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EDITORIAL COMMEN.T.
.a
Support STOL concept
Last week a delegation, of .Goderich
businessmen and municipal government
representatives get a first hand look at
the new Short Take Off and Landing
(STOL) aircraft now being manufactured
by the -De Havilland Aircraft Company.
In an effort to sell both their airplanes
• and the idea of short commuter runs by
air, the De Havilland company laid on a
special demonstration flight from
Goderich to Toronto for the local
delegation and, during a light lunch at
Toronto Island Airport, explained in
more detail the concept behind a STOL
service.
One could not help but admire the
engineering genius and overall concept,.
Os the De Havilland.system. Beginning at
the top of the theoretical system of air -
services and bringing it right down to
the local level, which would provide a
possible daily flight from Sky Harbor to
Toronto and back, the idea is sound.
Among the major drawbacks facing Q
those in Goderich working toward at,
-acting development to this community
has always been the lack of good tran-
sortation between here and centers
!ike Toronto. Any company willing to
locate a plant in Goderich would be
;;reatly disadvantaged by this lack of
ervice to Toronto where many in-
iividuals maintain central offices.
Even ir that office' was located in
;riother major Canadian or American
amity, the importance of transportation to
,onnecting flights out of' Toronto
emains the same.
When- a business deal must be closed
person and, time becomes critical it is .
eco difficult to send a representative
tom Goderich by car to Toronto. Effec-
yve passenger service by rail is a thing
of -the past for this community as well
and the only alternative remaining is air.
Charter flights do operate out of our
airport of course but on a regular basis
this simply carries a price tag that is too
high.
A one way ticket, Goderich to Toronto,.
is estimated by the De Havilland com-
pany , at only $16. Round trip would
probably come in at about $30. If thi is
fact it would be hard to beat the price of
STOL service either.
The Goderich delegation was duly im-
pressed, ,as they • should be. We en-
courage them to , throw what support
they can behind the De Havilland ven-
ture in hope that an operator would see
fit to provide such a service to this com-
munity.
The Provincial Government might also
be encouraged to look seriously at the
proposals. With the cost of building one
mile of highway reaching incredible
'proportions Ministrys of Transportation
and Communicationmoney might be
better spent making ''the _necessary
repairs to air ports like Sky Harbour and
subsidizing a: STOL service until such
- time as a service could get on its feet.
Recommendations to support the
.proposals° in principle will be before
both GoderichTownCouncil and Huron
County Council at their next regular
meetings and the councillors are urged.
to seriously consider the su6port of such
a motion.
The development of both Goderich
and the County of Huron may well hinge,
at least in part, on the provision of effec-
tive transportation service and the STOL
concept would seem the most inviting.of
the alternatives.
Trees and government
Goderich citizens have had a field day
In the past on occasions. when Town
Councillor Elsa Haydon has risen in the
.fence of trees. There is little doubt
that Mrs. Haydon has compassion for
-nese marvellous plants but it is unlikely
.hat she has ever attempted the type of
clratory about teees - as was undertaken
recently in the Ontario Legislature by
the i cal MPP Jack Riddell.
Rid#sf was been making a name for
,a
h,rnseli- Toronto as a talented speaker
it is seldom that the province's elec-
ted members get a treat such as they
had November 19 when ,the topic was
i-1II 87 and trees.
Although Riddell was heckled by his
associates in Queen's Park, the Dash-
wood area farmer spoke in simple
eloquence about trees in literature - all
tete way from Joyce Kilmer's poem en-
titled "Trees" through Shakespeare's
Macbeth when Birnam Wood came to
Dunsinane and Eugene O'Neill's• Desire
iJnder the Elms:
He talked about Robin Hood in Sher-
•vood Forest and Tarzan who used trees
for travel and Johnny Appleseed who
dedicated himself to apple trees and
Paul Bunyan, the famous giant lumber-
jack -woodsman. He pointed to the
hanging tree of the old west, trees in the
paintings of The Group of Seven, trees
in fairy tales such as in Rock -a -bye Baby
and Hansel and Gretel .and Little Red
Riding Hood, trees in songs like Don't
Sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone
Else But- Me.
"Forests affect climate; they temper
the severity of winter winds; and filter
the rays of the hot 'sun," stated Riddell.
"Much of the rain and snow that falls
evaporates from leaves and branches.
Forest protect the soil from erosion
while providing food and shelter for
birds and animals. And finally, they add
great beauty to the landscape."
No, Goderich's Mrs. Haydon has never
.gone to such great lengths to defend
trees, but there is little doubt she would
join with Riddell in his wrap-up line: "In
conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I can do no
more 'than urge the members of the
Legislature to support this bill and
remind them of that great Canadian
song "The Maple Leaf Forever".
Maybe local folk should consider
some of these points especially in con-
nection with recent criticism of the ex-
penditure by Town Council' for trees in
recent weeks. Not only must society
stand up and applaud- those who speak
out for trees, it must finance the burden
of keeping trees alive and healthy
everywhere in this great land - even in
Court Houses Park.
QAe ioleefeg
SIGNAL -STAR
—O — The County Town Newspaper of Huron —0—
Founded in 1848 and published every Thursday at Goderich, Ontario. Member of the
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event of a typographical error advertising goods or services al a wrong price, goods or
service may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at
any time. The Signal -Star is not responsible for the loss Or demape of unsolicited
manuscripts or photos.
EusineSe ,and Editorial Office
TELEPHONE 524.1331
wee code 515
Mailing Address:
P.O. 110X 220, Goderich
Second class mall registration number -071$
e.
Published bll Signal -star Publishing Ltd.
NOKERT O. NAIEA—president and publishes
$HIRLEY J. KELLER--editor '
kW. $HAW---odNor1al staff
EDWARD J. OVUM—advertising manager
DAVI N. WILLIAM$—adrertlsing representative
Having been in the
newspaper business for more
than a decade now,,I certainly
should be accustomed to the
common hue and cry of the
readers that "there's nothing in
the paper." But try as I will,
that's one complaint I can't
hear and forget though I might
just as well.
It began all over again last
week after a simple assignment
of the type we regularly cover
from this office. A reporter -
photographer was sent out to
do a job. A disagreement or a
misunderstanding arose bet
ween the Signal staffer and the
persons involved in the story.
The result was an ugly scene
and an unhappy exchange of
words between representativr
of both siders in the dispate: x
Out of it all came one central
Fruth. Everyone wants his own
private interest given full
coverage in the local press.
Anything less is unacceptable ...
and anything else is just not
o
deserving attention.
And that would be a simple
matter to resolve if one was
dealing with only one person or
group, but where this
newspaper is concerned we're
serving 3,700 subscribers and
their families.. Theoretically
then, you have 3,700 different
ideas of what they newspaper
should contain ... and maybe
even 3,700 plus who feel they
could do a better job if given°
the opportunity to edit . the
Signal -Star.
_Signal -Star personnel are
people like 'everyone else -
people with strengths and
weaknesses. From'time to time,
Please be
careful
It is coincidence of course, a freak
week in Goderich, but in„the past seven
days there have two persons struck with
motor vehicles on municipal strts. One
was a man, another a small boy. Both
were on foot.
Fortunately, neither victim was badly
injured and Goderich's record where
fatalities is concerned : remains un-
touched. Yet the mental anguish such
mishaps prior to the persons involved as
well as to family and friends causes one
to wonder if all that is possible to be
done is' being accomplished:-
This
ccomplished:This town is fortunate to have a police
force which is as vitally interested in the
community as it has proven itself to be.
Chief Pat King has established himself
in Goderich as a top-flight policeman
and his staff is generally well respected
throughout the town.
Recent involvement in the elementary
schools with Constable Tom ' Jarczak
and his cartoon friend Oh No has been a
tremendous step foryvard in the safety
aspect of police work here. As well,
council's—chairman of the Safety
Division, Stan Profit, has proven that. he
is constantly at work in co-operation ”
"With the police department to ensure
that, Goderich streets are as safe as
streets anywhere.
Still accidents happen and will con-
tinue tb happen as long as people make
mistakes. While accidents can be
prevented, human error is consistent
and constant. It is that element which
cannot be controlled.
As the holiday approaches, be
especially alert when walking and
driving. Help safety officers to help you.
The 'life you save may be your own.
staff members will report that
they have been taken to task
over this _story .or that adver-
tisement, this error or that
omission. Of course, that's
almost as annoying as working
at Dominion Roads and having
someone call you to complain
that a road. grader is not per-
- forming as expected ... or being
a receptionist in a doctor's of-
fice and having someone climb
all over you abouttthe problems
involving OHIP.o All this ... and
in off-duty hours to boot!
And of course, where any
newspaper' is concerned, the
general reaction of the public is
simply ...-there's nothing in the
paper. In this respect, the
Signal -Star is no different than
hundreds of other newspapers ,
across the country.
it seems that people get great
satisfaction out of expressing
that time -worn sentiment
whenever there's even the
slightest provocation but when
called upon to give an opinion
. of what it is they would like to
e in the paper, they are bereft
of ideas except to say their own
favorite charities or interests
are not sufficiently covered.
Everyone knows what he would
remove from the Signal but
nobody can offer much help
when asked to tell with what
they'd fill the space.
Not long ago - on a special
outing mind you - I was infor-
med that the Signal -Star has
nothing in it. Naturally, my
first reaction was to disagree
but instead I quietly replied,
"I'm sorry to hear you aren't
enjoying your hometown paper.
What is it you'd like to read
about?"
My tormentor was stomped
for a moment and then the
reply came like it has so many,
many times before, "Oh, I don't
know. More social news I
gu."
Then I was riled. "When was
the last time you phoned to tell
the Signal of your comings and
goings?" I asked. "Or do you
-really expect the Signal repor-
ters to send someone around to
check your social calendar for
you? Would you - appreciate
that? Or is it only the news of
other people you want to read
like any plainly nosey person
would? Why should you be
exempted from the eagle eye of
the press but expect' everyone
else to- bare their lives for our
reading pleasure?"
I'm afraid 'my anger showed
and I'm equally certain I have
lost a possible friend. But my
ire was not yet abated.
I went on to tell my critical
acquaintance that may long
hours are spent by some
devoted Signal -Star staffers to
ensure that the news of the
community - the news of impor-
tance - is covered in accurate
detail. Town Council meetings
are of top priority with, thee
Signal -Star ... but evidently,
many readers don't want to
read that. Andthey don't want
to read about the development
of the town, or preserving. -
historical buildings, or the local
marina or the proposed
municipal airport or the
decisions of the school board or
the news from county council or
the happenings at GDCI or the
activities at the local golf clubs
or the games at the town's
arena or Goderich Little
Theatre or the service clubs or
local industry and business or
streets or lighting or reports
. about local members of
parliament. The list could get
longer.
No, the majority of people
who criticise the Signal -Star or
any other weekly paper want to
read whose son was drunk and
disorderly in the Dt.ike, whose
Aunt Mary $pent the weekend
with whose Cousin Jake, who
was involved in the fender-
bender at the corner of South
and Blake and any item
which makes his or her special
interest look good (not bad).
The wheels are now in
motion in the editorial depart-
ment at the Signal -Star to give
the people of Goderich what
they think they are getting ... a
newspaper without anything in
it. Whether' the publisher will
consent to this for one or two
issues is Mill- to be determine
but we think it would be a truly
interesting experiment which
would serve two purposes -
prove to the readers that the
Signal is truly one of the better
weekly newapapers in the
province and give the entire
staff a break from the hectic
pace we keep to produce this
fine newspaper for. you, our
customers.
PEAR EDITOR
(:nit, ell roiwlt'
Dear Editor, -
The National Farmers Union'
called upon the Government
recently to convene , en
emergency meeting to deet with
what it calls the "cruris" in
railway grain delivery to Van-
couver and Thunder Bay.
The Farmers Union made its
request in a telegram from
NFU president Roy Atkinson to
Wheat Board Minister Otter
Lang and Minister of Tran-
sport Jean Marchand.
Mr. Atkinson said that
railways are being negligent in
their responsibility to move suf-
ficient quantities of grain into
the terminals. "Your im-
mediate action is required Ex-
cuses are not legitimate", Mr.
Atkinson told the two
ministers.
The N.F.U. suggested that
they would meet with Govern-
ment, the railways, Canadian
Wheat Board, terminal
elevator operators and
representa=tives of appropriate
labor unions to investigate and
work out the needed action.
Recent reports indicate that
sufficient grain may not be
moved to Eastern ports before
the shipping season doses.
--G. Austin
[OOKING 8ACk
November EARSae 0
Prof. Patty's demonst
with liquid air and
telegraphy at the Opera
on Tuesday night
most enjoyableProv
those who attended eveni
Two boats ashore wi
week at the entran
Georgian Bay and a th
the shore of the.bay.lea.
Owen Sound are argum-
support of the contentio
no other Lake Huron po
easy of access during a
snowstorm as Goderich.
At a special meeting
trustee board of North
Methodist Church, held
day evening of =this week,
decided by a unanimous
accept the plans of J
Wilson & Son of Chath:
the new church, and to
tenders at ones. Every m
of the board was presen
all were enthusiastic i.
desire to go on f wit
building of the new chu
Do your shopping earl
go hear Miss Wiggins i
Temperance Hall Sat
evening at 8 o'clock.
Early on Wednesday
ning while attempting to
the steamer Wexford, Su,
tendent Shaw of the el.
took an involuntary dip i
icy water of the harbor.
steamer swung out fro
dock while'he was on the
der, causing him to 1.:
footing and fall betwee
steamer and the dock. A 1:
was lowered, and Mr.
was taken from an el •
which at this season of the
has a temperature little :
that of ..liquid air.
25 YEARS AGO
November 25, 1948
At the TorontoJWinter
Albert J. Kneeshaw of
took several prizes with
parlor tumbler pigeons.
winnings were: First,
and third hen, third and f..
cock. In Hamburg chic
Bert Mills of town took
honors in a large cla•:
exhibits.
One of the finest mu
programs ever present,
Goderich captivated a
capacity crowd at
auditorium of K
Presbyterian church on
day night, when de Paur'..
fantry Chorus gave the fir
the community concert se
Under the direction of de P
the choir of 36 negro vi
sang selections that'
picked up from various c,
tries that the chorus visit."
entertaining American tr.
during the war.
The municipal nomina
meeting in Goderich will
held in the Town Hall
Tuesday evening tint, Nov
ber 30, beginning at 7:30
Nominations will be taken
mayor, reeve, deputy reeve
six councillors; 'four pu
school trustees, and one pu
utilities commissioner.
On ' Thursday evening
members of Huron Cou
Council enjoyed a social
together as the guests of'
den Hugh Berry when he'
tained at a banquet. us
British Exchange Hotel. Gu
included all former mem'
who had sat with him on
Council, as well as -p
members and officials. A ha
feature of the evening was
presentation of a hand.
chair to Warden Berry
behalf of the 1948 Council.
The regular meeting of
toria Home and School C
was held on Thursday even'
November 18, with a n
record attendance. The gu
speaker of the evening Was'
new public school inspev
Mr. G.G.
of
school builds 'the cation
he went on Gardiner. He stet
that it may be said that "
to
n ta
present-day
methods. Thererend itech
was
flogging and more learning
the schools of today
5 YEARS AGO
No$erlber 2e. ,1961
A Curling Clinic eet t
asr un
Major Don Noble
Maitland Country Club
November 16 and 17 to pre
for the opening of the
season. This is the first ti
the club has had the privil
of having a qualifiedt O
te=ach the techniques em�
On Saturday, NoVVoll
the Senior's Girl's
team entered their lad tea
nament for this year.; A
ThxY
the Westernbutario
driest=
championship aunt St
Parkhill and M
(London).
Wndr
ani
that
Pet
-Inv(
incorl
Pass'
, ulize
antage
the'
t will
ge o
r amt
nand
incorpc
no Pa'
dl also I
1 trust
,, poral=`'
resides 1
rm of
oditions
fading ai
bns, Th
gond mt
jiofall
i remove)
companies
ost in
tidiary m
oas=es.
Metro's
pel.a'bu`
fork Mill
bike warr
its first
operation.
with only
of their
bring ru:
mini bu
ptssengen
the subwa
more that
trip in th
The spec
which yt
telephone
before yon
cat 40c a
privileges.
At pres
Me sery=e
of more t t
Birch, Cal
siule for '
ttwa's op
lad Local
'They ha
poup•of r
tars, peop
very skille
the Gov(
more func
jobs.'
.Aecordii
'inister
hese pl
MSS Ci
really loo
pme invt
Governme
"invent tl
'find a n,
Mrs. B
money ho
were r
managed
ament.
adequate
countabili
Without
the money
allowance
salaries.
selected s
the basis
sound in
rather t
scrutiny
would bri
around ti
employed
ments cal
Governme
,increase
initiative
ditures f
million d
Qntari
IjitcY Mc