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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1975-09-25, Page 1a Prophetic win BY DAVE SYKES The hopes dreams, work, hand shaking, anticipation and speculation of an election campaign are justs fond . memories or disappointing ones depending--on-political leanings. ' But even newly elected pohticians will be approaching the legislature with '°some degree of apprehension knowing in the' back of their_ minds that. the, campaigning could- begin again- any time. The final results can really only sbe considered a victory for one man or party, Stephen Lewis and the NDP. The Liberals did gain some seats over the 1971 election results but considering the party's hopes it had to be somewhat of a let down. Bob Nixon understandably clung to the fallacy that he was a viable alternative uPst ' s seemed to foretell election outco t4) the Big. Blue 'I"ory Machine and could, with conviction, masquerade as premier of the province as well as anyone else. The campaign theme of name calling was achieves, in exemplary fashion, highlighted by flevision bouts between party leaders that did much to enhance the crippled image many voters have of politicians. The campaigning ,though, if nothing else probably swayed voters to a paint where the political climate of the province:was simply indiscernible. The results may indicate that despite any previous politic& philosophies or ties voters may have been bound to, the people of Ontario evaluated their riding and its needs and selected a man who would direct his energies towards rneetihg those needs fo'r the people regardless of his politica4 affiliation. Flection day .may have seen many quivering hands laboring over Two Liberai'MPP's first jail fund donors Murray 'Gaunt, MPP Huron - Bruce, and Jack Riddell, MPP Huron -Middlesex, were the first to respond toa major fund- , raising and membership campaign for the Huron Historic Jail, as announced Friday evening at the Federal Historic site, Said Gaunt, - "I certainly .support your endeavour to - raise funds for the .Huron ,Historic `Jail. This is indeed a worthwhile project." As well as 'indicating his support, Mr. Riddell advised he intends to contact the minister or culture and recreation for the Province' 'of ' Ontario to determine.' if assistance is available from 'that source. "I will make every effort to assistin any way," he stated. The purpose of the campaign is 'not to provide operating funds for the County...,Historic Site. Visitors, totally about 35,000 since the doors were open to• the public in • 1974, have brought sufficient revenue to operate the facility. What is required, however, is • ao$25,000 sum to provide'eertain `needed capital'iirnprovements,. The two major aspects are. the reconstruction of`the third floor District Council Chamber anti• Courtroom . facility which served the County from 1842- 1858 and, funds. are urgently required to undertake preservative repairs to the exterior 'stonework following the advice,. and under the direotion of the Federal ministry of Indian and northern affairs. A 'LIP application has also been made. A Private and community support is being sought. Donations may be r"aade in any amount. Membership, In the Corporation' will be awarded according to suggested figures of $10 per individual and $25 per family. Lifetime membership will be given for donations exceeding $100. ballots followed by sleepless' nights of second guessing. But then many can- didates may have realized their plight early Thursday when winds and rain knocked campaign signs down. It just may have set some of them to wondering if th,gt was indicative ofsanything. Our own riding of Huron Middlesek did manage to create an aura of anticipation and expectancy to a certain degree. Jack Riddell made what the Conservatives would consider a steal in the by-election when he infringed upon what had previously been a Tory • stronghold. lndicatidns were that he would retain his seat but then gut feelings and prognostications have made fools out of , reasonably sane men..., Progressive Conseative candidate Jim Hayter remained• at his car dealership in Goderich while returps from the local polls E came in He paced nervously and as the first few returns came in with favorable results he and some -party .supporters who had gathered there were optimistic of the trends But as luck would have it trends always change sand when all the Goderich poll returns gave Riddell an advantage the atmosphere bee acne Sullen. Hayter himself was quiet, saying that he had hoped for a 350 vote majority from Goderich HIS, mood and expressions in- dicated that his hopes hinged on the Goderich vote 11e could not determine any type of fa\orrtism during his campaigning in the riding and thought it could go either„ way. "During 'the campaign nobody, was talking and it wasn't'evident that the'vote was.' going *'it,hr•r way," he said. "Jack was not there Ions. enough to prove himself and the vote indlc '.t s the the people wanted to ov,D1AN COmmu •CNA N,rrrope ,.•ssoc ^ I'VSPApiIS CO. -1 give him another chance." For Paul Carroll it marked the third time that NDP ticket. His approach to t e campaign „ election was realistic and his major cancer was to acquire 15 percent of the vote wh ch would increase his campaign funds from the party. He was elated with the party showing in Ontario but somehow it is always difficult to re -veal in another's victory in the wake of defeat. Carroll though, considers himself a kind, of pioneer for ,the NDP in the area but the small percentage of votes he received indicated that voters are still reluctant or suspicious about the party. There was some room 19gknptimism. As most of the campaign signs fell during the day's wad and rain, Paul noted that NDP signs were• still up and "that should indicate some sort of stability." Jack Riddell arrived at the Maitland Country Club around 10 p.m. last Thursday and -w.a greeted by numerous party supporters who expressed their delight in the election results' with, cheering, hand clapping and congratulatory•gestures. Mr. Riddell told the supporters that although he was terribly pleased with his re-election he was disappointed ' in the provincial outcome.. He extended his thanks to the 'many party workers and supporters explaining that when he went out td vote before he was'in politics he had no idea of the work it took t� get a can- didate'elected. Whenasked which candidate he had voted for in the election he replied, "Well I didn't lose my own vote" And so' the dreams, work, hand shaking, anticipation and speculation of a provincial election came to an end and the MPs enter the ring -to do batty.', .1111111, 1111111.1111•14 1 2 8 YEAR -39 SEPTEMBER 25;1975 SINGLE COPY 2 5 e ANTDU ys solar energy the sotuti�n; dro calls that alternative irresponsible Liberal candidate Jack Riddell dances the highland fling with his Goderich supporters after being returned to Queen's Park by the Huron -Middlesex voters Thursday night. The MPP dropped into the Maitland Country Club qo rejoice with his workers who surprised, him with -the Minton Pipe Band and a highland fling. (staff -photo) • IT WASN'T"EXACTLY a golden. carriage; in fact, it was only a truck with a platfbrm that served as Murray taunt's triumphal coach last Thursday. But no o'ne really cared—it was the idea that counted, and the fact that Mr. Gaunt had'won yet another election wifh. astounding. results. M CANTDU,- the Goderich based anti-ndclear group met Monday evening to discuss the, implications of the recent public disclosure of major radiation leaks at the Bruce Iuclear Power Development at Douglas Point: Consideration was also given. to the. September 22 an- nouncement that the Gover- nment of Princetdward Island is expected to withdraw' financial support from a Nev Brunswick nuclear- powe.. Murray Gaunt would consider leadership race . Liberal Murray Gaunt was swept back into office ,in last Thursday's provincial election with a landslide victory over Progressive Conservative Bill. Walden and New Democrat Dr. Don Milne in viae Huron -Bruce riding. -, Mr. Gaunt polled 16,561 votes . compared to Mr. Walden' sfr,955 ander. Milne's'2,635, Amid speculation that Robert Nixon will retire as Liberal leader after failing to form .a government; Mr. Gaunt was asked if he would consider 'enteringa leadership race, "I'm willing to consider it if and when there's a xacancy," he said in an interview, The party's constitution calls for a leadership convention within two years of every election. Mr. Gaunt, also could not say if he will continue as farm critic for the Liberals as that depends -on the • outcome 'of a cauct?s meeting.. • date Jim yter •' Progressive Conservat o£ caonenofitltle Goderich popolls (standing) stsome of checks over the results his workers d doThurfigures ight Gladys Green, handled other areas as the tion the results rolled , in , phones for the candidate as Barb Shewfelt flashed results to waiting supporters and Ruth Ross and Kim Ainslie tallied up the votes. (staff -photo) development in.. favor of spending , the multi-million duller• allotment on the deN,velopnFent of alternative forms 4>f energy production.. The Maritime , withdrawal is• related .to problems ex- p'r•rienced at the New Brun - •.wick site, specifically, an explosion at the heavy water plant and a reactor breakdown at the,sanie location. If the P.E.I. Premier con- firms the recommended with- drawal, it Will be 'the second Canadian Province to change its direction in the search for energy supplies. Much of t.1.1e- CANTDU discussion.ce'tatre'd on the topic of solar power as a viable answer to some, of the current problems:- In addition • to stringent , conservation methods,. it is felt that solar power Can provide some of the solution. Reference ••"was made to an address delivered by the I-lgn, C.M. Drury, Federal Minister" of State for Science• and Technology; at a recent solar energy conference in -Winnipeg,. He stated, "We_ cannot hack everything, Oui$ resources, are limited. In making those remarks he was denying eth'e priority •that should be given to meaningful research -funding for alter- native methods of energy ,production. Total' . Federal. spending... on such ° research . tot'tfled $375,000 last year compared to X51,'? million'in the U.S. this year and, a projected $70.3 million in 1976,". said Marilyn Penfold of CANTDU, "Present technology in- dicates that solar power will have a greater potential for Canada because of the nation's colder climate. Solar cells work 'better in cooler climatic con- ditions because, electrical resistance is lowered. At this time, Federal ' research ac- tivities are restricted to shoe- string budgets even though progres's has been remarkably • fast," she said. Professor J.D. Hay of the University of British Columbia has pointed out that solar power is viable for space and water heating in Canadian homes and could become the sole power source required for most of the year CANTDU has urged that government. funding he in- creased for various projects tai develop solar power...The group expressed disappointment that the University Of. Western Ontario has tw•ned down' th, , • construction of a 20 unit student village #pov4;ered bs shlar energy and depending on outside resources 'for only its transportation and com- munication needs.. "Governments must • •stop their headlong plunge into the problems nuclear power, It's time to get serious 'about the sun," added Mrs: Penfctcl. In the . September -October issue of Hydro News. this stat.e'Iale'nt+-, was made: "Opponents of nuclear power say it should he replaced by such resources as .wind and sofar .power and . geothermal energy, These are,, not real alternatives at the present time "and it is irresponsible to suggest tlait they, . can sub- stantially alleviate the 'energy crunch over the next decade or so.' s The article went on: "Ontario Hydro is putting the ernphasis on nuclear poyce'r and thi; looks to be the Most logical ctircction ors developments and • cir- c'urllstnc es '1 'duc•e the ,viability of alternatives. ' alternatives," the i'4^ri'ticle said, "if they really are that, are nc)t attractive. Most water power sites have been developed and this form of energy, cannot contribute, substantially to system ex- pansion in thefuture. Oil and gas are in limited supply, their costs are spiralling and opinions is growing that they` cat 'be used to better ,•advantage in applications other than 'the production ofdectricity," ;I'he item entitled. Viewpoint 11ent..n: • 1 "Fuel for the nuclear program is available here in the province, and with in- telligent p011ch s as. to its disposition, i,n sufficient quantities tomeet local rcgtiirt., nlent s ''file ' the foreseeable future, "Of all forms of thermal •ge.rlec;.alion, nuclear power has the least impact ' cin the. en- continued on page 12) Huron -Middlesex votes Liberal Jack Riddell returned to office ith bigger majority than ever Huron Middlesex Liberal candidate,.1ack Riddell was re- elected to the Ontario Legislature last Thursday defeating his' nearest •r-ivhl Pr'ogr'essive, Conservative Candidate Jim Hayter of Goderich by more than 3,000 GODERICH TOWNSHIP F't)II (':irroll lIiicter Riddell 1 27 23 12 16 4 5, "Total 94 104 54 • 69 9 36 8h 351 15(1 105 84 113 529 TOWN OF GODERICH Toll (:,rrrnll Il;rvter Riddell :kdv. 25 33 3 I '' 19 Ian ,8, 3 5 32' !4 10 17 11 35 33 13. 14 19 5 19 -6 •14 4i fogad, 449 ti () 78 , 1.00 124 13(1 10'' 73 67 .57 113 (i 79 .75 74 118 79 11'-' 74 80 81 80 78 76 .97 95 102 116 80 ,,133 74 (i4 80 103 54, 70 1091 131 ,1545 168: Wo'h by 136, votes. Riddell won the seat in a surprise win in a by-election in 1973, The riding had been a Conservative stronghold• for many years and 'the seat was left ,vacant following ,the retirement of Charles S. McNclughton. Conservative (Oandidat( Don Solit.hcott lost • the -by-election •to Riddell by more than ..:000 votes. ' Riddell tc;c,k a total of 11,837 votes in the riding cOrTl,pared to Hayter's 8.010' and Carroll's 1,9117. For Riddell the Win was somewhat more convincing in this election than his 1,967 majority in 1973. Riddell took the polls in most of the areas iii the riding with .the exception of Bayfield, and 1ucan, In Guder•Ich he received 1.181 vote's compared to 1,547 and Carroll's 149. 1 1 a it' II of 136 while In Gocier•ich Township he riceived 519 votes for a 178 111,0(411y o\ t'r • 1layter who ect'i \•ed 351 • New Democrat Paul Carroll appears in a pensive mood as he follows provincial election results' on television in his committee room. The NDP candidate was pleased with, his party's showing provincially disappointed with the results in Huron•Middlesex. (staff -photo)