The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-03-24, Page 28PAGE 6A=GOLIERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1977
International sisters.
(continued from page lA}
tidally come into being until
1857.
Although its size and
background is greatly
dissimilar to Goderich there
is a surprising amount of
common ground. In addition
to lumber, the salt industry
had a great deal to do with the
growth of that community, as
did the fur trade.
Lumbering, however, was
the cornerstone and at one
time the Bay City region was
the largest lumber producing
area in the world. That in-
dustry hit its peak in the 1860
to 1920 period and Bay City
has a large number of stately
homes built by the lumber
barons of that time.
As the lumber trade fell off
the auto industry came along,
first in the form of a bicycle
factory and then as the
American Hoist Company
which produces mobile
cranes. Later a number of
other industries, such as
Prestolite, serving the auto
industry located there.
Bay City is especially noted
for its skilled machine shops
and expertise in the field of
high pressure welding.
COMMISSION, NOT
COUNCIL
The municipal council
there is known as a com-
mission, on which sit nine
members representing nine
different wards. Those men
are elected from their own
ward only while Mayor
Willerts was elected in
general voting involving all
ratepayers.
Like many communities on
this side of the border the
Local officials lament a
seeming lack of interest in
municipal affairs and in
running for public office. By
our terms the civic leaders
might be considered un-
derpaid, the mayor receives
only $1200 per year while the
commissioner's pay amounts
to $800.
Bay City should not be seen
only in terms of an industrial
center. It•lies in the middle of
an area of fine Michigan
farmland which is known for
its produce and as the center
of American Navy Bean
production.
The major issues facing
Bay City today sound
familiar as well. They are
moving to develop an in-
dustrial park with funds from
the federal government in
Washington in hope of at-
tracting new industry and
especially in hope of helping
existing industry to expand.
The city administrator
explained to me that like
Goderich, Bay City sees
many of its young people
leave their home community
in search of jobs often
finding them in the auto
plants of Detroit. He also
added that there are perhaps
25 local industries which
would like to grow and that
plans for the industrial park
would allow them to do that.
In 1977 the budget of Bay
City will be about $8,000,000,
representing an increase of
$600,000 over last year. More
dollars overall than
Goderich, but reflecting the
upward spiral of costs facing
all municipalities.
So last. Saturday evening
the delegation from Goderich
arrived in their sister city to
find a community very dif-
ferent, and yet one with many
similarities.
BUSY SCHEDULE
First stop was a civic
reception and dinner laid on
by the city. The official
welcomes were made, Mayor
Deb Shewfelt was presented
with the only copy of a
Canadian flag the local of-
ficials could dig up in Bay
City, an old red Canadian
ensign. Judge Frank Carter
received the keys to the city
with assurances that they
would open the local treasury
but that it hardly mattered as
there wasn't much in it.
Following that I found
myself the guest of the
American Legion. A little
difficult to believe that I, the
former Vietnam war
protester, would ever find
myself the guest of the
American Legion but a fact.
nevertheless- Of course such
matters were far from
anyone's thoughts- Saturday
night as the group, despite
their Polish ancestry, were
bent on celebrating St.
Patrick's Day and were doing
so in style.
The City Commission and
Mayor were meanwhile in-
volved, in a benefit basketball
game against the local Light
Authority (the equivalent to
our PUC I assume). The
Commissioners won and at
-half time Mayor Shewfelt and
Judge Carter had an op-
portunity to speak to, and
meet, more Bay City
residents and to invite them
to our birthday party this
summer.
Back at the American
Legion, later in the evening,
Mayor Shewfelt was the
recipient of a number of .
citations.
Firstly the Port of Goderich
was awarded a "Certificate
in appreciation of, and
recognition for, active par-
ticipation in the twenty-third
annual St. Patrick's Day
parade and festivities of the
American Legion post 18 of
Bay City Michigan". That
was presented on behalf of
the post commander Michael
Kern.
Secondly Mayor Shewfelt
was made a citizen of Bay
County, Michigan, by Louis
C. Neal, chairman of the Bay
County Board • of Com-
missioners (the equivalent of
our Warden).
Thirdly the Goderich
Mayor received an American
flag which had been officially
flown above the United States
Capital building at
Washington on July 21, 1976.
That flag is now destined to a
place of honor during
Goderich's July 4 `America
Day' planned as part. of the
Jubilee Three festivities.
Sunday morning we saw. the
Canadian flag hoisted, in an
impressive ceremony, above
the American War Memorial
outside the Bay County of-
fices by a party representing
the Goderich Branch of the
Royal Canadian Legion with
military escort representing
the American Legionnaires.
Our hosts then laid on a
special breakfast for the
official party followed by a
bus tour of their city.
Then came the 'crowning
moment, the real reason for
the trip, participation in the
St. Patrick's Day- Parade.
Goderich's entry emerged the
winner of a trophy for par-
ticipation by an out of toren
body which was presented at
another dinner Sunday
evening.
SOME OBSERVATIONS
To simply recount the
events of two days across the
border, however, cannot
depict the contacts, friend-
ship and understanding that I
am sure has resulted. The
municipal representatives
met and talked about com-
mon concerns with their
American counterparts. I am
GODERICH AREA
PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC
MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 5177
3:00 p.m.
Council Chambers - Town Hall
57 West. St.
Subject:
Proposed convenience store corner of Bennett St. and
Bayfield Road rezoning.
We welcome comments and participation by all interested
persons.
For more information call 524-9492.
Roy Breckenridge
Secretory
sure the Legionnaires on both
sides did the same.
I met people on the street
who were really interested in
learning about Goderich and
who hope to visit us this
summer and learn more.
This weekend's activities
achieved, beyond doubt, what
we set out to do. To cement a
relationship between our-
selves and an American city
making our communities
sisters. We've got a lot of
citations, plaques, pins, flags
and trophies as a result but,
cynic that I was beforehand, 1
honestly believe we achieved
a great deal more as well.
Get ready to
welcome Bay City
folks here!
Y�w
yt,
(xcsvotiaq.Du'tllw.,d 23' Orn
TRUCKING`- BACKHOE & DOZER s
Bill Barwick
30 Kingston St.
Goderich
524-7551
A. float in a boat
Among the top floats from Bay City itself was this entry by their local Knights of
Columbus group. The Goderich K of C have plans to contact their sister city. K of C and
plan joint activities when representatives of the Americaln community travel to Goderich
this summer to participate in our Jubilee Three celebrations. (staff photo)
"State Farm has LIFE isisu
too! Call me for details;
Like a good neighbor,
State Farm is there.
State farm 04
Cm. ,on11eu
Come on .down to A&P ..
CHECK THE GREAT SAVING
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BAYFIELD RD. GODERICH
OPEN
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ride
1 IF WE CAN
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NOBODY CAN
ALL PRICES SHOWN IN THIS AD GUARANTEED EFFECTIVE THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH, 1971.
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