The Goderich Signal-Star, 1975-12-18, Page 161
PAGE 4--OODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975
EDITORIAL COMMENT
•
OPP need support
In the wake of news that the first of
,January will bring mandatory seat
belts and reduced•highway speeds in
Ontario (see Dear Readers this week),
the OPP of the Goderich detachment
has announced implementation of a
Selective Traffic _ Enforcement
Program to put a stop to the "ap-
palling" accident rate in this area.
According to the Goderich detach-
ment OPP, 1975 statistics .arse already
much worse than 1974 statistics... and
the holiday toll is still to be recorded
this month. So far this `year, district
drivers have been involved in 404
accidents which right now means that
over a 12 month span, there will have
been an average of 35 accidents per
month for 'the entire year:
The OPP says they are doing a study
of roads in their area to determine`
exactly where the bulk of the traffic
accidents are taking place, under what
conditions and at what time of day they
are happening 'as well as; the kinds of
traffic violation's involved and the
department's past enforcement
record.
They say that that they are working
to make the highways safer for
everyone along with -strengthening
public relations, stimulating public
support for their efforts and improving
driver attitudes. That's a tall order in
anyone's manual.
Perhaps the most difficult task of all
will be to improve driver, attitudes
sufficiently to bring about a dramatic
reduction in traffic mishaps. Even
though the attitude of the 'ajority •of
drivers reflects concern for life and
property, it is very often the minority
with dangerous habits and attitudes
who present the greatest , hazards on
any roads.
" Driver attitudes aren't easily
taught...or altered. They can be
quickly recognized by trained police'
officers as healthy or sick, careful or
careless, responsible or not respon-
sible, but they cannot be punished until
they have spilled over into some jr1-
fraction of the law, Often times, there
must be injury or ..even. death before
driver attitudes can be dealt with ef-
fectively.
It is the hope of this newspaper that
the citizens of this area will co-operate
,with the OPP:in an'effort to make high-
ways safer for all...and recognize the
possibility that the driving habits and
attitudes of every single driver could
,be in question. •SJ K
DEAR EDITOR
Stamps please;
Dear Editor,
Especially at Christmas
time, I think of all the used
postage stamps that. - are
needlessly discarded. These
seemingly worthless articles,
from any country', are sold in
bulk by the Scarboro Fathers,
to stamp dealers, to help
fin'ance, mission projects
throughout the world.
In 10 months I have
received over 100. lbs. of
cancelled postage stamps, in
small quantities, in very
large quantities, from
schools, service Iclubs,
companies, individuals etc.
They add up quickly if
everyone collects `them for
me. -
It hardly takes a second to
rip the used postage stamps.
off .of an envelope leaving•a
'bit of paper around it.
This can be YOUR way of
helping the world's poor
without costing YOU a lot of
time or money.
Please send (by ` Third
Class" Mail) or bring all your
cancelled postage stamps,_
anytime of the year to: Mrs.
R. M. Chmay, 230 Jarvis
Street, Fort Erie, .k Ontario
L2A 2S5, or Mrs. J. C.
Lawrence, '6782 Dorchester
- Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario
L2J 2Z2.
Thank you,
R. M. Ch,may.
Born here
Dear Editor,
Visiting, Goderich this
summer brought back many
memories. Goderich was
always considered the
pretties; Tittle town in
Canada$ and I am sure it has
retained that distinction--onloy
bigger and better.
I was born in Goderich
many years ago. Graduated
from Goderich Collegiate
Institute where Mr. Strang
was head principal.
I have encouraged many
American citizens to visit
your town and they came
away with the same -friendly
attitude they found there.
May your "Wagon Wheel
Town" always retain its
attractiveness, and your busy
circle of business progress as
in the past. My list of friends
and relatives have passed
away, but deep 'down in my
heart I remember them,
especially the 1VIcEwan
family, whom I love very
dearly.
Hoping that another
summer in another, year will
take me back to renew •my
pleasant memories.
Sincerely,
D. R. Kirchner
20505 Danbury Lane
Ha`per Woods, Mib•higan
48225
jt
Poor contest
Dear Editor,
I am thoroughly disgusted
with the results of the Huron
County Flag Contest. Out of
140 entries, the "secretary!'
won the top three prizes. Why
was she, , a member of the
Court House, allowed to
enter?
I was an entrant oif this flag
contest and received a con-
solation prize. „ Is ,., this a
scheme used to cover up this,
revolting situation? There
was no mention of consolatiop
prizes in the contest ad-'
!vertisement•
•1, a citizen of Huron County
feel ashamed, to think thatthis could' continue in ouj
county,
Can this crisis be
overlooked?.
Sincerely,
Lee Anne Doyle
RR 1
Dashwood.
•
Send gifts
Dear Editor:'
As 1975 comes to a close,
may I make a final appeal to
Goderich citizens, business,
industry, and service groups
;to remember the Huron
Historic Gaol in their
charitable•donations?
We are fortunate to have a
significant monument to the
pioneer spirit of the Huron
Tract in our community. The
Board has accepted the
,challenge of preserving and
retor'ing this federal historic
site for our citizens and our
visitdrs.
We hope that' our citizens
will accept the challenge of
supporting the Board in their
undertakings.
In exchange for donations,
all we can offer is a tax
receipt, a membership in the
corp,dration, and a warm
thank you for this tangible
support. "
Sincerely,
Paul Carroll
Chairman,
Huron Historic Gaol Board.
On spelling
Dear Editor,
Our present socially -ac-
ceptable spelling is un -
teachable, mind -stunting,
handicaping. and deceiving. It
stifles common-sense, blocks
reading: =,represses literacy,
creates delinquents and
squanders energy. It impedes
typing, prevents alfabetic
voice printing, causes
mispronounciation and
retards learning.
The 40 sounds in English
.ve over 500 different
spellings. Each vowel sound
has an average of 18 different
spellings.
English spelling is
malignant, lawless, erratic,
mal -evolved, antiquated,
psuedo-historka1, laborous
A
the goDerich
SIGNAL -STAR
—0 — ' The County Town Newspaper of Huron —1.—
Founded in 1848 and published every Thursday at Goderich, Orin. Member of the CWNA and
OWNA. Advertising rates on request, Subscriptions payable I'd advance 811.00 In Canada. 112.50
in all countries other than Canada, single copies 25 cents. Display advertising rates available in
request. Please ask for Rate Card No. 6 effective Oct. 1, 1975. Second class mail Registratibnl
Number 0716. Advi�t�sing is accepted on the condition that, in the event of typographical error,
the advertising sp a occupied by the erroneous item, together with reasonable allowance for
signature, will not charged for but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the
applicable rate. in the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong
price, gooifs or service may not ,be sold, Advertising is merely an offer to sell, and may be with•
drawn at any time. The Signal -Star is not responsible for the loos o'r, damage of unsolicited
manuscripts or photos. -
Business and Editorial Office
TELEPHONE 524-8331
area code 519
Published by Signal -Starr Publishinig Ltd.
ROBERT G. SHRIER-.-president and publisher
SHIRLEY J. KELLER—editor
JEFF SEDDON--editorial staff
Mailing Address: DAVE SYKES—editorial staff
P,O. BOX 220, Goderich .. ,EDWARD J, BYRSKI advertising manager
!Mind CIassif •mail registration number ---0716 •
at
0
"This is our latest model — she's so life -like you can claim her as a
dependent.”
DEAR READERS
Bg Shirlei' JKeller
Come the New Year, the to selecting one's own religion seat belt decision was "a At the same time, said Mr.
citizens of Ontario will have and the number of children to matter of conscience". He Davis, 60 mile per hour high -
to start wearing seat_ belts bear. said it would be "less than ways considered part of the
whether they 'like it or not ... Bkit the government feels responsible to. do notiiog" King's Highway system will
and slow down while driving otherwise. Premier Dais about the toll of deaths or be reduced to 50 miles per
' on the highways. -' cited statistics from ' The injuries caused by traffic hour• In addition, any King's
The Ontario government Automotive Crash Injury accidents in this province. Highway now -designated 55
has announced plans to make Research Prggra,m at Cornell miles per hour will be
the wearing of . seatbelts University in the USA which ~' -}- -}- -}- reduced to 50 for all vehicle
mandatory and to reduce has established that there traffic.
speed limits on all highways were 50 percent fewer In the period of one year, Mr. Davis said the Ontaflo
throughout the province dangerous and fatal injuries the government hones to save government will; ask all
effective January 1, 1976. to the belt wearer compared 300 lives and $100 million in municipalities to., reduce
According , to Premier to the non -belt wearer. i hospital and medical' costs speeds on sections of similar
William Davis "two of the The Cornell Laboratories'because of the seat belt highway under their control.
major problems facing all most recent study indicates legislation. • Many 'critics of It is expected to take 'at
Canadians today are the that the failure to use seat.the seat belt feel the gayer- least two months to change
energy crisis and the soaring belts increases the risk of nment's decision to make speed limit signs across the
number of deaths and injuries instant death or severe injury them mandatory is more province.
resulting from traffic ac- by at least 100 percent and of directly related to the saving One interesting 'complaint
cidents". less severe injury by at least of $100 million in hospital and about the lowered speed
With this two fold 40 percent. medical costs than in the limits reached my desk
recommendation for the ,few Publicity cain'paigns alone saving of lives. 'recently. That was that
year, ' the government, oh- are not effective in con- There's no doubt that the persons living in towns and
viously hopes to make a real vincing the public`•'to buckle Ontario .government .is villages in Huron County, for
beginning at solving both up. In the U.S.. $50 million was looking for ways to cut health instance,, are being
problems at once, at least in spent with few appreciable costs in the province. And discriminated against since
Ontario. results.'
according to Premier, Davis, they have to travel. many
Legislation does work. it annually costs an estimated more miles at 50 miles per
+ + + o Surveys have shown, and the $90 million in direct Ontario hour before they can get to a
A'''ustralian, New Zealand and Hospital Insurance Plan 60 mph freevy.
There are . already many European experiences have (OHIP) charges alone for The su-ggEStion was that
objections to the question of borne out, that, the majority medical treatment of those businessmen in Goderich
seat belts. A good many of the public will comply with injured in highway mishaps. going to Toronto will have to
people feel that the decision such legislation. Mr. Davis • points to travel all the way to Kit-,
to wear seat belts should be In Britain, which followed 'statistics `from Australia chener or London at 50 mph
personal one - something akin Australia's lead 'in seat belt where they are reporting a 24 before they can pick up a 60
legislation, 400, fewer road percent drop in hospital bed roph route. It was further
and erroneous. deaths were reported in 1974• occupancy since that country suggested that motorists are
'You are invited to join the The background papers made the use of seat belts much safer on Highways 8
efforts trevise the current cited two "misconceptions' ,'compulsory three yeap-s ago. and 21 at 60 mph than they are
conventional spelling with about seatbelts - that they canAndby the way,!' raffic on the 401 at 60 mph. Very
sound spelling- be dangerous in case of fire or . fatalities there dropped'by 20 interesting, ,II thought ... but
K. Tillema drowning. percent in the first year the plenty of room for argument.
55 Wilson Avenue, ,T h e g o v e r dm en t' s law was in force, the report I suppose the -solution
Chatham, Ont., researchers said that in 1973 noted. hinges on "whether one is
Canada. there was not one case in more concerned with saving
which someone wearing a + + -I- ., 9 fuel than saving lives ... or the
seatbelts was killed by fire. converse.
Wrong group There w 's one case in which a It isn't clear whether seat If one thinks only in terms
person wearing a` seatbelt L belts alone were credited with of saving fuel, Viien it does
Dear Editor, drowned but the victim was the dramatic decrease in stem discrimina or that we
am writing to correct your intoxicated at the time. • in juries and deaths on the Tri Huron must save more fuel
accquit of the Goderich Santa "After a serious crash, highways in Australia or than those in Toronto.
Claus Parade, in which our belted passengers are more whether reduced speeds on On- the other hand, I per -
group participated. Your likely to be conscious and in the highways were a con- sonally feel much safer most
coverage Thursday, shape to escape,," the tributingfac-tor. days on 401 at60 mph than on
December 4, describes the researchers said in coin- But one thing is known for Highway 8 between Goderich
first prize winner in the menting on incidents in- certain. In the United States and Clinton at 60 mph ... and I
service club division as the volving fires and the danger where the speed limits were would wager that `sttatistics .
Maple Leaf Chapter of the of drowning.
The feat befit legislation decreased to 55 miles per would prove that fewer ac-
IODE. hour even on expressways cidents per capita occur on
With all respect to the ' will be the first of'itra kind in and turnpikes, the death rate wide four -lane straight and In a joint statement
ta eme t made
members of the IbDE, I Canada. When passed all because of accidents has well engineered highways
would like to point out that the motorists and passengers in dropped sharply. And drivers like 401 than on two-lane last week. W .T. "Doc"
"Red Baron" float was en -1968 or newer cars equipped who' have grown accustomed twisty, hilly, roads notched Cruickshank of Wingham and
tered by the Maple-" Lea„f,� with belts will risk finf'sof $20 ' to the slower speeds are with laneways -Nand in- Walter J. Blackburn of
Chapter of The Ninety -Nines, to $100 for failure to wear the happier and healthier than tersections like Highway 8. !London announced the sale of
equipment. they have been in decades. CKNX-rldio and CKNX-TV to
Inc., an international safetya ui ment. (There will x`.
organization of women pilots. be no fines for the month of ' In the USA, the reason for + + + ., the owners of CFPL-Radio
One of our reasons for January, it is rumored.) lowered speed.limits was to ,� •atnd CFPL-TV. In com-
entering the Goderich parade A driver can be held conserve gasoline ... and lives As far as I'm concerned', menting on t e sale, ,,which
is to return some of the responsible for the failure of were saved 'as a happy bonus. lowered speed limits are wise waits for ap oval by the
�t Canadian:i Radio -Television
goodwill of local pilots, who his passengers to comply with In Canada, the speed limits t ... and highly desired. Seat
Commission.; M r .
support 'our ventures such as the law. are being loed to save belts may be life savers but if Cruickshank expressed his
the Poker Run, This event Exemptions will he lives with the hope that manufacturers would develop confidence that under the new
was held last June, and provided for such situations decreased fuel conAimption cars with less horsepower,
brought good response from as children under the 'age of will be an additional-, esult. fewer safetly gadgets like ownership, the Wingham
flyers and civic officials, of two, persons holding a Mr. Davis told the seatbelts w uld bennecessary. sta't1oiti ,. would r continue to
Goderich. , physician's certificate stating Legislature in Toronto If you „}wild cars with broadcdst the quality of
We also undertake such 'the reason they are unable to recently that consumption of racing capabilities, you have service that viewers and
projects, as air,marking (the wear a seat belt and persons motor fuels in Ointario'"f'as to include race -type safety listeners have grown to ex
painting of names identifying required by the nature of reached a staggering 3.8 features. Probably after seat pest since CKNX Radio was
airports), air age education their work, to enter and leave. Killion gallons annually white belts, crash helmets will be established in 1926.
(the Amelia Earhart v hicles frequently. over 1,200 people die in motor next.
Scholarship) and sponsoring Recent government sur vehicle accidents every 12 You can legislate safety to
of aviation safety clinics for veys have shown about 16.4 months. some degree ... but the speed
all pilots. percent of Ontario residents The government' intends to' demon will always be with us
Dur members are ..all now use seat belts. That's is amend -the Highway �'Traf?ic as long �as he's got enough .
licenced women pilots, living very small indication ol= the Act, reducing the 70 mile per power under the hood to take
in southwestern Ontario; we wave of protest that is likely hour limit on Ontario's 662 him. The best and !post
'came from Listowel, Surat- to accompany the legislation ,,m4iings of freeways to 60 miles lasting answer ,.is to '�iild
ford and Port Elgin to par- regarding buckling,up, per hour for cars and com- automobiles that .just wpn't
(continued on page 5)
But Premier Davis said the ' mercial vehicles. take him.
BOOKING BACK
80 YEARS AGO
The political' pot will soon
begin to boil in West ,Huron.
Right now West Huron is
experiencing the calm before
the political storm.
David Weissmuller got the
glad hand of Toriesein Nest
Huron last Tuesday, but those
who are in a position to know
say that the broad electorate
will give him the "marble
heart".
He has not yet undertaken
to deny that he was an Equal
Righter in 1890 and a
Separate School' Abolisher in
189,44but he now claims to be a
remedial legislator.
A special children's service
will be held at Victoria Street
Church on Christmas mor-
ning at 10:30.
Last tweek a very -in-
teresting group of cooking
classes were held at the store
of Mr. C.A. Nairn, and con''
ducted by J.W. Green, a
professional baker, and were
'attended by a large group of
ladies who ' availed them-
selves at the'rare opportunity ,
offered by the enterprise of
' the N.K. Fairbanks company,
who were thus showing the
practical superiority df
Cottolene, their preparation
of beet suet and cottonseed
oil, over lard. , The results
were very satisfactory, the
cooking being excellent.
Delicious "cakes, doughnuts,
tarts, puddings and fritters
were freely distributed and
partaken of by those present,
who much appreciated the
generosity and courtesy of
their instructor, Mr. Green,
and of the kindness of the
Me-ssrs. Nairn, who did all
that was possible to make
things comfortable for the
many visitors who daily
thronged the handsome and
commodious store.
60 YEARS AGO ,.
A note from The Signal
received from Mrs. Warnock
says, "I received a letter •
,from Mr. John Walker of '
Denver and he sent me a
donation of -three dol'lars�r� to
the United Patriotic Society
fund. He tells , me that in.
1 ritain they have organized a`1
United British Society. They I
meet once a month and the
proceeds go to the soldiers at
the front. The nights ' are
divided up for Scotsmen, one
for Englishmen, one for
Welshmen and 'so on. On the
Welshmen's night everyone'
brought apples for the
soldiers in trenches.
Everyone is doing his little
bit."
On ' Monday"' evening,
December" 20th at 8:00, the
ladies of the town' and in-
dustrial board of the G.C.I.
ar'd invited to attend a
dressmaking exhibit of the
work accomplished by the
industrial school during the
fall term.'The 'exhibit will be
in the class room at the public
library. The work consists of
thirty waists, twenty-nine
underwaists, nine kimonos,
seven underskirts, six skirts,
three children's dresses and
two 'aprons. Th'e winter term
commences 'the first week in
J anuary.
A number of cases were
heard in the police dourt on
Monday. The first was a
charge of disorderly conduct
against Patrick Kennedy. It
appears that Kennedy was
observed to have smashed
furniture at the Chinese
restaurant on the previous
Saturday evening. The
magistrate let him go on
suspended sentence on the
understanding that he' would
be out of town by nightfall.
^tr'
The ,exectitive members of
the Co-operative Play Group
in Goderich is looking for a
trained pre-school teacher or"
somea a from another
coUnttrwith similar training
who will. take- over as
super*icor ac,- the Co-
operative Play Group at the'
start of the new year.
b