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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-09-07, Page 4PAGE 4 - CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEIDNE511 , slikerilemBER 7, 11983 the. Clinton Mows -Record la publlahod mach Wedne.aday milt P.O. Dos 39, Clinton, Ontario. Canmdm. NOM 11,0. sol.:.0®8.2963. Subscription Nato: Canada '1E.80 Sr. Citizen - '1340 par ymo' foreign •90.i0par yasmi It la regletermd ao second class anon by the pant office ender the permit number 9917. Tho t0mws-m®cord incorporated in 1926 the Huron hieuvo-31e cord, founded an 190. mood The Clinton Now Era, iouatded On 1911s. !Wei preen ran 0.21111. Inc .,qp@r ting THE RUTH STANDAR J. 1=10WAR® AITKEN - Publishers SHELLEY McPHEE - Editor GARY HAM - Advertising Manager Ls MARY ANN HOLLENBECI( - Office Manager A MEMBER MEMBER Display advertising rotes available on request. Ash for Moto Card Mo. 12 effective Oct. 1. 1901. Dogs a problem in Mitchell In Clinton dogs appear to be under contol since the hiring of an animal control officer. In -Mitchell canine chaos is still running rampant according to the editor of The Advocate: You're on shift work, and trying to get a few hours of solid sleep before it's' time to clock in. Somewhere, not far away, comes the sound of a howl - no not wolves or coyotes, but the neighbor's dog who resents being put in the yard for hours on end without the comforts of some pampering, some food and drink and his soft bed under the stairs. Okay, the conditions may not be exactly the same in every case, but those shrill yelps do a great job of keeping you awake when you need the sleep. The dog will probably be sleeping quietly itself once you're gone for the day, beyond hearing. So it's Sunday, and you've put out the garbage for Monday pickup. Lo and behold, appearing as out of nowhere is that same dog, snooping around the neighborhood for some mischief to get into, and he finds it in your garbage bags. Before you have time to give chase, he has clawed a hole in the bag, and strewed garbage all over the front lawn. Which you have to clean up, and which may be back there again by morning. When you awaken Monday morning, there on your nicely trimmed lawn is the familiar pile - doggie doo-doo which you may dean up as is, or wait until it dries a little to make it easier. In any case, you know it came from the quiet little dog down the street whose owner walks it around the neighborhood at night, during which time the dog finds a place to drop it - usually on someone else's lawn. In Mitchell, there are, of course, bylaws to prevent such 'crimes' to the environ- ment, not to mention your sanity. For instance, dogs are not supposed to be allowed to run loose in town, but this byloaw goes no further than the paper it is printed on, since the Mitchell Police do not have time to be chasing dogs around town, even if a legitimate complaint is called in by a concerned resident. What is needed is a part-time animal control officer, to follow up complaints or patrol the streets at various times of the week, making the bylaw effective, and eliminating the loose dog complaints from the duties of police officers. In the case of outrageous noise, including dogs barking for long periods of time, or neighbors with loud stereos, or family arguments in extremely loud tones, a bylaw is being introduced by Mitchell Police in the near future, with ap- plicable fine, for unnecessary noise that is disturbing to neighbors. And, in some towns there are even bylaws that prohibit dog owners.from let- ting their dogs drop their doo-doos on another resident's property, making those owners liable not only for fines but for cleaning up the mess themselves. Dogs can be the most lovable companions in the wc. Id, and give a certain com- fort to people living alone, or to the children in a family. But there is a certain responsibility for dog owners, who tend to take it for granted that a town is the same as country, where dogs are allowed and encouraged to run free and protect property. It is not, and our canine friends tend to adopt the same attitude as their owners in this matter. It's time for one more protest in these days of protests, but this one is certainly more feasible. behind the scenes Soviets and Westerners need the truth The early official reaction in the Soviet Union to the shooting down of the Korean jetliner gives an inkling of what a different world it must be to live in a totalitarian country. While the rest of the world was up in arms, screaming for explanations, the Soviet news agency Tass was simply tell- ing people back home that an unidentified foreign aircraft had violated Soviet air space and fighter aircraft had tried to "assist" the plane to land at the nearest airport. No word of any shooting. What do you think if you're an ordinary citizen of the Soviet Union and you hear a news item like that? Do you believe it? Do you wait for the other shoe to drop? The whole story to get told'. Do you become so cynical you don't believe a word you hear anyway? Probably there are examples of people doing all three of these responses just as we have a variety of responses to any news item here in North America. 1 can im- agine. for instance, the cynical response by remembering how 1 feel about anytime 1 read or hear news emanating from On- tario Hydro. Hydro seerns to one of the few Canadian authorities which has a measure of control on the news and when something such as the Pickering accident happens it feeds out the news a spoonful at a time so the accumulated dose of bad news won't be large enough to cause a reaction w the public. But in the Soviet Union, that kind of con- trol is everywhere, in every facet of life. Here in Canada. even if we did have a government that got that kind of informa- tion control, we can't shut out the rest of the world. if you've ever tried to get a local AM -hand radio station at night and heard it blasted off the air by some U.S. station in Georgia or New York you can see how we can never be isolated. Even in Nazi Ger- many the BBC brought the outside world home. But in the Soviet Union the size of the country is so vast, is it possible to pull in any station from a non-Communist con- trolled country unless with short-wave equipment? How do people react when they don't have real information? Do people still talk about world affairs as we do over every coffee corner in the country? Do they discuss politics'.' It so, what do they say? Do they get cynical about what they are told just as we do in Canada about what our government tells us about unemploy- ment figures or the need for smaller wage settlements? Or do they swallow what their government says hook, line and sinker? The thing is, we don't know, just as they don't know about us. In many ways, we are kept from the truth about the ordinary peo- ple of the Soviet Union just as they are kept from the truth about people in the West. We do not have the chance to travel and mix with the ordinary people so we must get our information from the media. On one hand we get what the Soviets want to tell us about themselves through their state-controlled media, on the other we get. for the most part, what the Americans tell us. And how much of that can we believe either? The U.S. media either seems to take the same kind of knee-jerk reaction against the Soviets we saw from some U.S. government leaders after the Korean incident t right down to it being a Communist plot to get rid of the Con- gressman who was head of the anti- Communist John Birch Society ). Or we get a view from the opposite extreme that either is so left wing that it romanticizes Communism or is so aware of the faults of the U.S. that it ignores the faults of the Soviets. What we the ordinary people need most in this time of Cold War, is the truth. We need the truth in the West and the Soviet people need the truth. Will we get it before it's too late? Horse sense sugar andspice Roughing it in the park CANADA has almost as many square riles of parks as it has of parking lots. I am not against this. I love parks and I hate parking lots (somebody got me in one the other day to the tune of a busted fender, anonymous, of course.) We have huge national parks, full of mountains and stuff that nobody ever goes near, except a few hardy outdoors weir- dos. They're too rough for us ordinary human beans. Then we come down the manageable parks, like Algonquin, where you can canoe and make bonfires, and your chances of death are much less from wolves and bears than they are from step- ping on a broken beer bottle. Then we have parkettes, where you can go and bake in the sun and watch your kids trying to break a leg on one of the Star Trek climbing machines or the unbalanced teeter-totters. All of this is, of course, leading somewhere. It is leading directly to The Great Camping Trip in the Park. We had our grandboys for two weeks this summer. It was great. They are a little older, a little smarter, and they scarcely break anything any more that is carefully hidden away. They don't even fight any more. Well, only when there is an issue at stake and one of them wants to- kill the other with a large stick. But is was very restful, compared with other summers. Last year, the total damage was about $400. This year it was only about $130. This was somewhat offset financially, by the fact that the food bill soared astronomically. Each of them eats more than my wife and I put together. Fortunately, they were enrolled in an ex- cellent day camp ( guess who paid the fees by Shelley McPhee the readers, Without fear or favo Dear Editor: A number of people have asked my opi- nion in the recent past about the restriction of Garage Sales in Clinton, Etc. So here goes. If goods are brought into town by outsiders to make a quick profit then leave, I agree with the Council's deci- sion of restriction. But, to penalize our owri residents, who, let us not forget, are pay- ing a hefty overhead to reside in our town is wrong and then, what has happened to Free Enterprise... One argument on this subject revolved on, cars parked on the streets impeding the flow of traffic and/or pedestrians. Does this not happen when a sidewalk sale takes place in town and you can see mothers having to push their baby buggies off the sidewalk to continue on their way? According to past records, the average of flea market and garage sales in Clinton is four per week, (summertime only ). So, why victimize these people with petty bylaws? In the past, garage sales have brought friends and neighbors closer together for a fleeting minute or two, just to barter and say hi. I only hope the ruling body does not cast their baleful eyes on bingo. If they did, all I can say to you guys is, "Head for the Hills." While my two typewriter fingers ( index ) are still working, I may as well get the rest off my chest. Klompen Feest, Clinton Fair, various shows and events, have, in the past been promoted, been successful, and very well organized by excellent committees of citizens. Flower pots, and tree tubs have been placed around the town to enhance visitors. This is all well and good, pro- viding they keep their eyes up. I made it a point to ask a councillor about two months ago, "When is the town going to repaint the crosswalks and park- ing spaces in Clinton?" I received a Ho - Hum answer. Even from another source two and a half months ago I was informed the "Paint hadn't come in yet." The residents of Clinton know where these lines are from memory, and possibly take it for granted that motorists passing through town should also know. I only hope there is rio accident involving pedestrian, motorist, and obliterated crosswalk in our town. One would have thought that, having all national papers publishing "Hire a Student" Clinton would have saved a few dollars maybe from our Town Hall and Library renovation to have taken advantage of this offer to make our streets safe for our walking public. And finally, the facade of our Communi- ty Centre has been tastefully painted, "Well done" to 'the people responsi- ble...The racetrack, park, swimming pools, are all deserving of merit, but, fol- goodness orgoodness sake, let us get the barricade 1 around the beer garden painted to comply with the other surroundings... If the race I track is short of funds, may I suggest tak- ing a dollar or two out of the $20 I lost last Sunday! In all Sincerity, Frederick It Jackson P.S. I have seen some good paint buys at Garage Sales. F.H.J. and all that was required was to rout them out of bed, make them put on some semblance of decent clothes from the warehouse they immediately turned their room into, get their 'breakfast, make their lunch, have a good dinner ready when they got home from camp„and try to maneuvre them into bed by midnight. Nothing to it. Except washing all their clothes every two days, finding their blasted shoes, which could be in the attic, a closet or the basement, and vacuuming the sand out of their sheets every day. We were rather blithely looking forward to taking them back to their mother after the two weeks, when we learned, with a slight shudder of horror, that their mother had manipulated their Uncle Hugh into taking them on a camping trip for a week, from our place. Hugh came up from the city the week before to have a "conference” with the grandboys about their wilderness ex- perience. He was going to take them to an island, on an Indian Reserve, and they were going to live off the land, practically, right in the middle of the bush. He spent all Saturday morning making a list of essentials. The kids watched car- toons on TV. Hugh had a 'dandy list. Raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and about 140 pounds of canned stew, apples, bread, cutlery, pots, pans, plates, the whole business. It would have taken a coureur de bois canoe to carry the stuff. We held our mum. Next Saturday he appeared all ready for the camping trip. There were only one or two things out of joint. It didn't bother the boys, who were all excited about the camp- ing trip. But it bothered me. It seems that I was to drive them to the ferry across to this island, about 15 miles. They had one sleeping bag among the three of them. The food hadn't been bought, nor the insect repellent. There were no cooking utensils or cutlery. There kaleidoscope I'm looking forward to this weekend. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the village of Blyth will be hosting the Thresher -Reunion. This will be a first time event for me and I plan to take dear old dad along to give me some details on the big steam machines. As you will read in a special souvenir edition that we've published for the celebration, there's more to the reunion than just farm machinery. The three day show will also feature local musical en- tertainment, contests and crafts. I'm sure the reunion is going to be a spectacular showing. Be sure to attend. + + + Elsewhere on the upcoming event calendar, Belgrave is readying for its annual School Pair. Now this too is something of an unusual event. School was one pup tent,_suitable for one. Frantically phoning friends, I located another tent tnat wouiu sleep three, plus more sleeping bags. It was still feasible. I haven't mentioned that Hugh had ar- rived for the camping trip with one arm in a sling. He'd fallen off his bike in the city and had to hit the emergency ward when he arrived here. Wrist broken or badly • sprained. But spirits undaunted. He was going to carry through. I went out in the car to pick up some food or something, and suddenly I had one of those brilliant ideas that hit a guy twice in a lifetime. No ideologue, with one arm, wandering around in the bush, looking for a place to sleep, with two tuckered little guys, each carrying 80 pounds, losing the faith rapidly. I went home and laid it on the line. "You're going to camp in Little Lake Park." I'd checked it out by this time. There were tent sites, running water, toilets, a barbecue, a great view of the lake, and swimming. Hugh, bless him, was going to go through with the original plans. But he put it to a vote, and.the boys, bless them, said, "Lit- tle Lake Park" which is almost in the mid- dle of town. So they had a great camping trip. Set up their tents, got a fire going, and had three great days of summer. Gran, who had almost gone catatonic at the first proposal, dragged up some pots and stuff, and we visited them ( six blocks away) only three times a day, bringing them only ice, food, charcoal, candles and a few other treats. Fourth day it rained. Wet tents, wet sleeping bags. Wet children. Mud. However, after we brought Gran down from the roof, it sorted out. The sun came out, the sleeping bags went over the clothesline, the tents were spread out to dry, the kids clothes were packed, and un- daunted Hugh took them off on the bus to sleep at his place in the city, which is just one jump ahead of a leaking tent. Shelley McPhee aged children from schools in the Belgrave, Brussels and Blyth show a variety of items including their best art, writing and craft work. Hundreds of en- tries are judged at this annual event which is one of the last remaining school fairs held in the province. + + + Yes it's back to school time. This week we've featured a special story on school lunches, hope you'll find some new tips there. The story was written Wendy Somer- ville. She's joining the News -Record editorial department through a Conestoga College student work term. Wendy, a second year student in the journalism program at Conestoga's Kitchener campus, will be with us for the next four months. + + + If you want some cabbage growing tips, be sure to call on Warren Gibbings of Kirk Street, Clinton. Warren came in to show us a monsterous 15 pound, two ounce cabbage (according to Ray and Shirt's scales) that he grew. No doubt there will be lots of cole slaw served up'in the Gibbings house. t + + Happy birthday greetings go out to Relieve ah (Granny Williamson). This Huronview nonagenarian, formerly of the Goderich Township Cutline, celebrated her 84th birthday on September 2. For the special occasion Marg and Jack East held an afternoon party. Attending were Mts. Williamson's son Nelson and friend Barb ,Johnston, Ametta and Gord Johnston and Jim East. Seeks help Dear Editor: It has been five or six years since yott printed my letter to the editor, seeking information .on the Lawson -Patterson families. Since then, I haye been able to use the vast accumulation of records available to the public in the Latter Day Saints Library in,Salt Lake City. I am even living here at least for the next few years, to be able to have access to the library until I can find out a little more of my father's genealogy and help doctors learn more about the pattern of our family's hereditary nephritis. Also, since the letter was pr.inted in your paper, I have had contact- with a Bob Lawson of London, Ontario. but his family is of English decent, so therefore no relation to our Lawson's from Scotland. He did send me a record from a tombstone in Hullett Township ('enietery for my great grandmother's sister, Agnes ( Patterson Grainger, wife of Charles Grainger of Hullett Township. She died on the 19th of June, 1878, in Hullett Township. Could you please check you old newspaper files and see if there was any mention of her death or possibly even something in relatives attending the funeral? 1 am enclosing a self addressed, stamped envelope for your convenience and will surely appreciate any help at all in this search. Even if there is nothing, please advise. Thank you for all your help. Best regards, Richard 1). i.awson Salt Lake City, latah. Thank you m Dear Editor: On behalf of the Huron County Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society, i would like to express our appreciation and grit itudc' to all the people of the Clinton area who contributed so generously to the 1983 Cancer Campaign for funds. As a result the Clinton branch, under the capable leadership of Gerry Holmes has achieved the impressive total of $14,729.70, wfuch m turn enabled the Huron County Unit to cx• ceed its $77,000. objective by $4,400. Efforts such as this enable the l'anc'er Society to continue its important work in research, treatment to patients and educa- tion of the public in prevention of Cancer With sincere thanks to all citizens, ser- vice clubs and organizations who helped out in this great cause. i remain, Yours truly Jun Remington, Campaign Chairman. Huron County riot, Canadian Cancer Society . err