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Clinton News-Record, 1986-03-12, Page 5THE BLYTH STANDARD) The Clintan Newa-fllicard is Published each Wadnesdqty at P.O. nes 33. Clinton, Ontario. Cando. NM 111. Telt 433.3443. SubscriptIan Rate: Canada -631.00 Sr. CHUM • 610.00 per year U.S.A. foreign 640.00 par year it is registered as second ciao moll by the post office under the permit number 0497. The News -Record incorporated In 1494 thelfuron News -Record. founded In 1341, and The Clinton News bra. founded In 1665. Total press runs 3,700. Incorporating J. HOWARD AITKEN - Publisher ANNE NAREJKO - Editor GARY HAIST - Advertising Manager MARY ANN HOLLENBECK - Office Manager T tl CCNA Display advertising rates available on request. Ask for Rate Card No. 15 effective Oc- tober 1, 1964. eA MEMBER Upgrading is worthwhile Page 4-r-CL$NTON NWS-RECQItD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH i2,1986 Doug Coventry and the Clinton Public Hospital ( CPH) Board of Trustees have embarked on a very worthwhile project in the construction of a new obstetrics wing. One tour through the present facility is enoughto see that upgrading and updating is necessary. Cramped rooms, lack of privacy and the mix- ture between chronic care patients and maternity patients provide condi- tions which are far from ideal. Both types of patients need, and deserve, a higher quality of accom- modations. The Ministry of Health has made 50 per cent of the costs, up to $400,000, available for the new wing. The remaining 50 per cent will .be raised through various events and donations. With $65,000 already raised and allocated, Mr. Coventry's task ,is to devise ways of reaching his $335,000 goal. This goal, added to the $65,000, will allow CPH to build its wing which will cost in the area of $800,000. The money will be well spent as the number of births at the hospital have increased during the recent years. In 1980, 56 babies were born at CPH. In -1984 this figure increased to an estimated 130 births and that figure is expected to climb to 175 or 200 in the near future. Huron County is known for its harsh winters, therefore expectant parents should not have to risk their lives driving to the city unless it is absolutely necessary. But at the same time, they are entitled to make use of the best facilities available. If at all possible, these facilities should be located in their own com- munity. The generous grant from the Ministry of Health has put a high quality facility within reach for Clinton and area residents. The rest is up to us. - by Anne Narejko One incident does not reflect season, says reader Dear Editor: I take this opportunity to respond to the letter written by Hockey Fan, published in last week's paper. I agree completely with the writer that in- cidents such as she describes are not con- ducive to attracting fans to the arena. However, I do not agree that this can be us- ed as an excuse for the poor attendance at games. The Clinton Junior D Mustangs, this year, were one of, if not the least penalized teams in the league. Working with these young men I found them to be courteous and well disciplined both on and bff the ice. They showed dedication by . attending practice sessions on Sundays, late at night, or whenever called by the coach. Many played with injuries, not because they had to, but because they wanted to; not for themselves but for the team. To use one unfortunate incident to evaluate a whole team and a whole season is grossly unfair. Those of us who can say that we have never "blown our cool" and hence, done something that we have later regretted are few and far between. Heck, it's even happened to me, I think, at least once, anyway. Using the past Junior C teams as a glow- ing example of pure incident free hockey, subtly suggesting that "stupid" fits of temper never occurred is also unfair. In fact there is a businessman in this town who refuses, and has for many years, to buy a LQtters Just when you think it's over... It wasn't seven days ago that I was con- templating putting away my winter coat and getting out my spring jacket. But what happens the next day - snow, snow and more snow! ! When will this white stuff go away? As I write this, my pants are absorbing the pounds of snow which were packed on them by the overly generous wind, my legs are frozen and probably will be cold all day and my checks wouldn't allow me to smile even if I wanted to. You're probably wondering why I even bothered to go out and try to brave this, hopefully, last storm of the season. While the answer is very simple - I did it in the line of duty. _ You see, when events are suddenly cancelled, it leaves those of us in the newspaper business with a challenge. We have to find something to replace the pic- tures or stories we had planned on. It seems over my three years of reporting, I have adopted the "blizzard beat." No mat- ter what the weather, I' seem to be the one who bundles up, grabs a camera then brave- ly l nr naively) make my way around town booster ticket because he witnessed several ' Junior C players intentionally break their sticks over the goal posts after having a goal scored against them. I was at the same game. I also witnessed many fights while in attendance at Junior C games. Pure hockey - not by a long shot. I could go on and extol my hockey philosophy. No fights, no stick work, no bad mouthing referees, no temper tantrums, etc. - maybe some " day, when stiffer penalties become mandatory. But enough of that. Three points in summary. Firstly, be fair, don't brand all players with the same iron because of the actions of a few. Secondly, players, being human, make mistakes that they later regret. Thirdly, don't make ex- cuses for poor attendance at games. Poor attendance occurs simply because many of us sit at home watching T.V. instead of go- ing to the arena -to watch an entertaining hockey game - any hockey game, not just Junior D. Also a long time hockey enthusiast and supporter Ron McKay Current youth programs are fingers in the dike By Joan Van den Broeck Trustee Huron County Board of Education Chronic unemployment and underemploy- ment among today's youth is, I believe, one of the single most important issues affecting the future of Canadian society. In England, in recent years, disenchanted and unemployed youth have rioted in the streets in their frustration. In our own city of Toronto, young people walk the streets in increasing numbers and, homeless and broke, look for shelter in the downtown mis- sions — an unheard-of situation but a few years ago. If, as the futurists say, we have left the In- dustrial Age behind as traditional manufac- turing industries find new homes in third world countries (leather, textiles, furniture where 80 percent of the lobs were lost) and the newly emerging Information -Age will only support sophisticated high-tech in- dustries (electronics, communications), we can expect to disinherit many Young people from ever finding meaningful employment with a living wage that allows them to get on with their lives and enjoy the benefits we took for granted only a generation ago. The significance of marked changes in our ability to provide tneaningfulemployment will, inevitably, have a profound effect on, not only the way we see ourselves,•but also on our ability to sustain out current social structures. In essence, the future of th$ mid- dle class is at stake and, with it, the future of democracy ' — for democracies do not flourish in' countries without a substantial Middle class. Without a concerted, public will for significant social change vVe could, on foot. The standard "snow pictures" as they are called, are cars driving down main street with only their headlights peering out of the blowing snow, people shovelling their driveways and sidewalks, people walking around town, the ever famous snowplow pic- tures and children enjoying a day off school. There are times when.I enjoy the blizzard beat, but this past Friday was not ane of 'them. After half walking and half running to work, I sat down at my desk, looked at my appointment book and sighed when I discovered I didn't have to venture out until 12:45 p.m. I figured this was enough time to thaw out and let my pants dry. It wasn't to be. Two minutes later my phone rang with the person on the other end telling me the time of my 12:45 p.m. assign- ment had been moved to 10 a.m. Being the brave soul that I am, I donned my coat, hat and gloves, slung the camera around my neck and headed out into the • blustery Huron County snow storm. Walking with the wind at my back was fine, a little cold, but bearable. The trip back was another story. I was keeping my head down so I could at least breath, therefore I had no idea of what was ahead of me. Every now and again I would look up but the snow was whipping through the air so fiercely I couldn t see anyhow. After going about three feet, I lost my way on the sidewalk (due to the strong winds I tell everyone) and found myself two or three inches short of colliding with a cement pole. I finally made it as far as the lights at the main intersection of town. Once there, I stopped, looked up, but couldn't see the lights let alone what color they were. A car eventually pulled up beside me and stopped, so I assumed the light was red. - When the car moved, I decided it was safe to continue my journey. I passed only one other person on my little trip, (I guess the rest of you are" smart enough to know better), and when I FINAL- LY reached the office, I wasn't sure if my body was ever going to be the same. This last experience has given me the in- centive to give up the blizzard beat...until the next time. quite conceivably, become a country of `haves' and 'have-nots' within the frame of our own lifetime. It is telling that, unlike other generations, young Canadians must put their futures 'on hold' and are unable to get jobs which allow them to establish their own economic in- dependence. The Katimavik program, for example, despite its worth, puts young lives on hold. Other than the adventurous and desperately unemployed who among us would want to work for $1 a day if there was an employment option? Current youth employment programs are fingers '.in the dike: short-term projects do not foster long- term self-sufficiency. All they do, it seems to me, is offer young people the opportunity to acquire questionable skills for, at best; uncertain markets. The Huron County board of education has' opted into federal and provincial Co - Operative Education programs in an effort to help unemployed youth acquire job skills. A pilot federal program is currently -in place at Central Huron Secondary School in Clin- ton and a provincial program to fund the im- plementation of co-operative programs and transition to employment programs for school leavers ha's recently been announced by the ministry. These initiatives, as valuable as they are, will' not be the panacea for a problem philosophically rooted in a society which has, with phenomenal success, been able to tiiaintain its momentum, until now, by allowing traditional markets to find their own level thereby shaping the nature of the economy, A Teaser by Anne Narejko Action group to address concerns Turn to page 5 e 5 years ago • March 12, 1981 CAGE- Will Open Doors -In an attempt to improve the quality of education, to reinstate the recently dropped courses in the local high schools and to have more voice in the administration, the Citizens Ac- tion Group for Education (CAGE) was formed in Clinton on March 9. Over 70 people attending the open meeting at the Clinton Public School unanimously agreed to form CAGE as the public's voice for education in Huron County. Headed by Moira Cooper of Bayfield, CAGE aims to study education in the county and monitor action which is taken to reduce the standards of education. As was most people's concern, CAGE plans to research and obtain information in an attempt to re- open the machine shop at Central Huron Secondary School and 20 other courses that were recently dropped in Huron's high schools. CAGE will also encourage co- operation between elected officials of the board of education, teachers, students and parents. Clinton Hotel Is Sold -The site of the burn- ed down Clinton Hotel has -been sold to a London development company; and it ap- pears that some sort of building will be erected on the site within a year. A spokesman for the commercial division of Canada Trust, the London-based realtor who handled the deal, said Tuesday he couldn't reveal who the new owners were as they were in the middle of negotiations with "several prospective tenants." 10 years ago March -11,1976 Hospital Optimistic Of .Reprieve -Officials are still very optimistic this week that they Can keep the Clinton Hospital open, despite an order from Ontario Health Minister Frank Miller on February 19 that they must close the Clinton Hospital as soon after April 1 as possible. A delegation from Clinton and Huron County met with Dr, Stuart Smith and the Liberal caucus on Tuesday in Toronto, and the Clinton delegation returns. 'today (Thursday) to meet with Premier William Davis and Mr. Miller. Action Committee Fighting -Jim Hunter of Chilton, chairman of the Clinton Hospital Action Committee, said Tuesday night that the committee is stronger than ever and will continue to fight to keep the Clinton Public Hospital open. Mr. Hunter, who is also a Clinton coun- cillor, said that his committee will concen, trate this week son the appeal to Health Minister Frank Miller and try to bring pressure on the Goderich and Wingharn Early F1IQS hospitals to help keep Clinton open. Farmers Need Help -The Ontario Federa- tion of Agriculture (OFA) will reverse its stand in favor of preserving farm land, unless the public is willing to share the costs of keeping good land in agriculture, OFA President Gordon Hill predicted Saturday when Huron Federation members presented briefs to local members of parliament in Clinton. The reason some farmers are "saying the hell with it" is that the cost of protecting land is "falling entirely on the farmers who own it." 25 years ago March 16, 1961 Air Cadets Compete At RCAF Clinton -First of what is expected to be an annual event, was the inter -squadron drill and sports competition held at RCAF Clinton on Sunday. Taking part were air cadet squadrons from Stratford, Galt and Kit- chener. Commanding officer J. G. Mathieson, MBE; CD, Clinton, welcomed the squadrons to the station. Galt and Stratford tied for the trophy donated by the Station as each recorded 80 points. Competition was carried out in drill, volleyball, bowling, basketball and rifle shooting. 50 years ago " March 12, 1936 Now, What Do You Think Of This? -The young man'in the above picture, is standing on the side of the road up on "Vinegar Hill" and as you can see, is even a little too high up to place his elbow comfortably on the crossbar of the telegraph pole along -side of him. H� �wever, it must be admitted, that the pole is several feet behind him, he is really not near it, only the person taking the photo saw the possiblity of an effective picture by a little maneuvering. But even so, the snow pile was a good height, about 16 feet. The young man ii the picture is Owen Combe, only son of Col. and Mrs. Combe of town. The picture was taken by J.E. Hovey. By the way, these poles are 45 feet high. Goes To New Position -Ruby Newman,of the local Bell Telephone staff leaves here next week to take 'charge of the office in Hanover. Miss Newman came here from Goderich about 16. months ago and has made many friends among the young people of the town, as well as making good at her diosen work, which is proven by her promotion, Miss Newman says she hates to leave Clinton, where she has been very happy, but she is the sort of young lady who will make friends wherever she goes, and while we are sorry to lose her she has Clinton's best wishes for continued success. Five Years Below 100 -Harry Hunt, who for 45 years was head miller at Fair's mill and an esteemed citizen of Clinton, and was known to almost everyone in town and sur- rounding community during that time, celebrated his 95th birthday, at the home of his son John, in Galt, where he had been making his home for the past 10 years or so. Mr. Hunt is still enjoying good health and can still tell anyone who asks him something about milling. He used to pay a periodical visit to Clinton but has not been up for some years now, no doubt owing to the natural in- firmities of advanced age. The Markets - Wheat, 73 cents; Oats, 28 cents; 'Barley, 40 cents to 42 cents; Buckwheat, 36 cents; Butter, 22 cents; Eggs, 15 cents to 21 cents; Live hogs, $8. 75 years ago March 9, 1911 The Town Council -The town council is mapping out its program for a busy summer season and just as soon as spring opens up in real earnest it will start a gang of men at work on the streets. It will also continue its policy of tree pruning, but cannot get busy along that line until May or maybe June, for reasons that are most obvious to those who know most about tree life. Councillor Gibbings was not present at Monday night's meeting of the council and so seldom does he miss that his absence was . very noticeable. If there is any important discussion on and B.J. is not there to par- ticipate in it, there somehow seems to bean absence of ginger. Our Boys Win Again -The local hockey team trimmed the Goderich septette twice this week, the second time being on Friday evening, the score standing 7-6. It was a clean, well -contested game that the thong which witnessed it keenly enjoyed. The locals were so strong at all points that to say this one especially distinguished himself would scarcely be fair to the others. The'Final Match -The "coin dusters" and the "harness greasers" met last night for their fourth game of hockey. Two of the previous games resulted in a tie, the other one was won by the Bankers by a small score. The match last night was for the oysters and, showing what men will do when they are hungry, it was one of the liveliest games played this season and resulted in a win for Cook's by a score of 4.2.