HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-07-21, Page 4P 1G1: t•--GQI)1•;R1(H SI iNAL-STAR,,THURSDAY, JULY':210977 ~'
Interesting vote
Interesting. There's no other word to
describe the recorded vote which was taken
in the town council chambers last Wed-
nesday evening, Interesting.
The motion, moved by Councillor Elsa
Haydon and seconded by Councillor Don
Wheeler read as follows: "that the Town of
Goderich undertake a comprehensive
study of the complete airport complex
assessing the financial, " management,
.social,. and ,eaa,Y?ronmental..aspects'as they..
relate 'to a possible expansion of the
facilities and operations (at Sky Harbor);
that the study be conducted by an in-
dependent professional consulting firm,
subject to terms of reference to be
prepared by council with assistance from
the Huron County Planning Department
and the airport committee; and that this
study be done on completion of the
engineering study by Transport Canada."
The recorded vote showed Councillors
Haydon and Wheeler as well as Mayor Deb
Shewfelt in favor. Voting against the study
were Reeve Bill Clifford, Deputy -reeve
Eileen Palmer, Councillor Stan Profit,
Councillor Bob Allen, Councillor Dave
r. Gower and Councillor John Doherty.
To be sure, it may well have been that
those who voted against the study were not
opposed to the study being done. There was
a strong indication that if the engineering.
, study to be undertaken by Transport
Canada is favorable toward expansion, a
study of some kind would possibly be
considered then, to determine some of the
answers which would have been provided
through the study proposed by Haydon and
Wheeler. The interesting part is that so few
members of town 'council were willing at
this time to support the motion as
presented, which was totally contingent
upon the completion of and the findings of
the engineering report by Transport
Canada,
There's not much doubt that a thorough
study of absolutely all aspects of,the airport
facilities and operations from the town's
viewpoint is essential. Certainly members
of town council have an obligation to the
,taxpayers of Goderich to eliminate the
•
guess works, in this situation. Councillor
Haydon has a valid argument. She insists
that nobody on town council. or on the
airport committee for that matter, is
qualified to make decisions concerning an
airport, particularly an airport .of the size
and scope which appears to be envisioned
by some. Councillor Haydon says it is
imperative that' some expert knowledge
and opinions be sought on behalf of the town
,.bef -z, e taxpayers- here 'are– drawn -,..any
deeper into,this venture.
This newspaper said at the outset of the -
town's decision to buy the airport that such
a facility is badly needed for the continued
growth and prosperity of Goderich, and
indeed Huron County. That belief has not
altered.
What's more, the involvement of
Dominion Road Machinery Company Ltd.
with the Goderich airport need not be
considered a major stumbling block.
There's no disputing the fact that DRMCO
needs the airport or that the town needs
DRMCO. There's nothing sinister about
DRMCO'sAdemonstrated interest in the
airport, nor ls1 there anything wrong with
the council's eagernis to work towards
satisfying some of the need of DRMCO
where the airport is concerned
DRMCO has always been a good cor-
porate citizen in the town of Goderich. It
behooves town council therefore, to not
only strive for the ongoing provision of jobs
and paychecks for Goderich' and area
people who may now and in the future be
employed by DRMCO, but to as well leave
no stone unturned toward the protection of
the municipal interests of the men and
women who work at DRMCO but also live,
play and pay taxes in town.
Two heads are better than one. It goes
without saying that DRMCO has in-
vestigated its involvement in the airport
from every angle as it pertains to that
business. At the same time it is theduty of
town council to complete its own municipal
study with the taxpayers in mind. Surely
then with the interests of both parties laid
bare, amicable) sound and reasonable
planning could begin. = SJK
Grin and bare it
Thousands of residents have_. been at-
tempting to seek relief from the current
heat wave that . stretches through -Canada,
and- the United States with tall cool drinks
or visits to air conditioned bars, swimming
pools and beaches. -
Weathermen were predicting that the hot
spell would end by Friday and hopefully
there is a vein of truth in the
prognostication. But along the way it has'
been miserably hot, hot, hot.
In fact yesterday was the day that had
potential to be the hottest day of the year
and perhaps even break some old records.
Don't complain. Just think back six
months ago when the temperature was a
cool -29 Celsius. That's right. On January 18
the thermometer dipped to -29 c or -20 F and
there was plenty of complaining then, too.
The recorded temperatures at the
weather station at Sky Harbour Airport
Thanks Jim
It was the first time in almost 21 years
that Jim Britnell didn't read, the Huron
County road committee's report in a county
council session. At Monday's meeting,
county administrator Bill Hanly presented
the reportto, county council .while Jim
Britnell sat in the wings. Part of that
report, of course, was the recommendation
tohire a new county engineer to replace
Britnell who leaves the county's employ
next month for another position.
The replacement for Britnell, Robert
Alexander Dempsey of Stratford is a mere
28 years old, but oddly enough he is exactly
the same age as Britnell was when he came
to- the county more than two decades ago.
I e haps that is a favorable omen, for
certainly Jim Britnell has been an asset to
Huron County throughout his tenure here.,
Dempsey was the first to admit that he has
big boots to fill„ coming after Britnell,
have not been as severe as most points
inland and the mercury barely reached a
high of approximately 89 degrees there,
However a,spokesman at the weather office
said it was likely as much as five figures
warmer in the town of Goderich.
Although temperatures may not quite
reach such high points' the " humidex
readings at the airport have been hovering
around 100 and reached a high of 105 last
Friday.
There hasn't been much relief in the forme
of rain during July either and to date the
area has received less than one-sixth of the
average rainfall for the month which is 2,92
inches.
Weatherman agree that it is one of the
hottest and dryest months of July that we
have enjoyed for a few years.
The only way to beat the heat is to grin
and bare it. - DJS
In a conversation with Britnell recently,
it was evident the man leaves the county
job with some 'degree of reluctance, as
perhaps anyone would who has so ef-
ficiently handled an important position for
such a long period of time. It was obvious to
anyone who knew Britnell and his
association with Huron County that he did
his job well, showing remarkable flair for
maintaining excellent relations with the
public as well as the people for whom and
with whom he worked. As a professional
engineer, he was trusted and admired; as
an employee he was faithful and devoted;
and as a man he, was friendly and obliging.
Now Jim Britnell is ready for a new
challenge, and the County of Huron bids
him farewell and the best of luck in
whatever he chooses to do. Thanks, Jim,
for 21 good years. - SJK
A
tEhc gobtricij
SIGNAL -STAFF
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Business and Editorial Office
TELEPHONE 524-1331
area code 519
Published by Signal -Star Publishing Ltd,
ROBERT G. SHRIER — president and publisher
SHIRLEY J. KELLER — editor
EDWARD J. BYRSKI -- advertising manager
Maii'ing Add'I iEl. i
P.O. BOX 220, Goderich
Second class mall registration number --0716
^ar
Sesquicentennial crowds from the air
i l' 'N H I I;1.1 •:1). KELLER
A high school reunion is a
'niarvellousthing. It can bean
exhilerating experience if you
have done fairly well for
yourself,. if you are a well-
preserved' speciman of
humanity and if you are in the
right frame of mind. Or it can
be a downright frustrating
time if you realize you have
aged 'too fast, have lost touch
with today's world and are
having difficulty to see the
bright side of living..
I've been to a few high
school class reunions. My
Grade 1:' and 13 class from
South Huron District High
School got together about' 10
years after we graduated and
again two years later. Both
were fun times because it
really.was great to see school
chums with whom there
seems. to be a lasting bond.
DEAR READERS
it's time for another get-
together, I'd say.
But I _ do recall the
frustrations. I had • married,..
young 'and 10 years after
graduation I was a mother
and housewife, at that time
mature and confident, she
• Was a real knockout. She was
married to a successful young
man who was 'able'Ato grant
her every. wish. .. . and I
remember the inadvertent
envy that swelled up in hie at
tied to the kids and the yjt ,,.,,.the sight of her.
chem I remember feeling Yes, school reunions are
trapped and about as exciting fun for some . . . and bitter
as yesterday's fried eggs shocks for others.
when 1 was confronted with a
couple of school mates who
had remained single, taken
good -'trying jobs and lived a
life which was a round of
datesi, holidays and fulfilling
work assignments.
Then there was the
discovery that I'd aged more
than some of my classmates -
although admittedly not as
much as some others. I recall
one gal who had always been
the class beauty who had
..retained every inch of her
loveliness. . . only now
+
On Sunday, July 10 I went
Over to GDCI to help gather
the material necessary for
the special'supplement which
is included in this week's
Signal -Star. Much of the time
was spent simply observing
'and listening.
It was obvious that some'
people there were definitely
buoyed up by the afternoon
while 'others wanted little
more than to withdraw from
the whole scene.
Eavesdropping on con-
versations wasn't difficult
and in many cases, it was like
reliving some of my own
experiences with school
reunions.
I caught the conversation
between two ladies, one very
young', looking, slim, and
supple while the other' was
overweight,'`grey and drawn
looking:;. ""•
"Hello," said theat"tracfiv'e
one. "Aren't you .... ?"
"Yes," replied the older
looking lady. "Rut I can't
place you."
"Don't' you remember
me?" the attractive one
asked. "I'm . , You
remember. You sat in front of
me in Latin,"`
"You aren't . , .. " the older
looking lady replied startled.
"Why you. haven't changed a
bit. In fact, you look younger
than when we were in school.
Your hair is redder or
something. You look great.
The conversation we
bit longer, then the y
looking lady left her
swinging down' the co
on a cloud. As soon
younger looking one
gone, the older lookin
took a look around h
left the school. She
enough of the reunion,
me m h e r i}i. 'brie
+++
I was talking to,a'co
young people who
graduated from GDCI
early :Os. They exp
great disappointment t
many of their classmai
turned up for the reunio
",It's too soon for a
for those people," I to
kids. "They don fe
enough to come to a reu
The kids agreed, hu
they wouldn't have
the celebration at the
Iturn 1tip,
-400
Really something
Dear Editor:
I was among the many
thousands of people who
attended "Jubilee 3" in my
old home town last week. How
fortunate that I heard about it
and attended! It was really
something!
Although a relatively small
town, Goderich 'does not have
to take a hack seat from any
larger centre in putting on a
celebration..I have lived in
many large cities and never
have I seen a better -
organized event.
i particularly enjoyed the
reunion at our high school
DEAR EDITOR
where I met many old
classmates. Sadly, I also
found that many had passed
on (Class of 1925). And: can
you imagine, my old French
teacher. Miss Mabel Powell,
was present and looking well?
Vive, Miss Powell!
Those citizens who
arranged all this Jubilee 3
deserve a hearty vote of
thanks. And keep on bragging
about "The prettiest town in
Canada". It_really is.
Gordon R. James
Windsor
Wallet returned
Dear Editor,
.I.ast week we had the
pleasure of attending the
150th birthday celebration in
Goderich. To say the least it
was absolutely fantastic.
We would like to
c9'ngratulate the +Jubilee
Committee for the effort they
m'ust have put into it to make
it such a success.
We attended the fireworks
display on Friday night -
just spectacular, then as we
prepared to go to the parade
Saturday we discovered Les
had lost his wallet. He Went
directly to the police station
to report Wand lo and behold
the wallet was returned to
him.
Some very kind and con-
cerned citizen had found it
and turned it over to the
police. We would just like to
say "Thank you very much"
to that person, who did not
give a name. we do ap-
preciate your thoughtfulness.
As for the parade, what can
anyone say to describe it. To
us -it was an opportunity of a
life time and we are so very
glad we didn't miss it.
To the people of Goderich
we say 'You can well be proud
of "The Prettiest Town in
Canada" where the frien-
dliest people live.'
Thank you again for a most
enjoyable holiday week.
Sincerely,
Les & Lynn McArthur.
'Keswick.
Good treat
Dear Editor:
On behalf. of 161st
World War One veter
would like to thank thus
worked on the .jubilee 3
Htn. float.
Special thanks must
Archie Watt, of Jone
Goderich, for his go
support. He provided tr
wagon., time and ni
('even to the carpets
their living room to
comfortable seating):
his son, Warren, who
decorate and who c'ro
tractor on the parade ro
Archie's father, Le
Turn in p;
3 Yt•:Nits 1G0
• Manager Doty -returned
this ,week from. St. Clair
where the Goderich Engine
Company placed the
machinery in a pleasure boat.
and Thornbury where they
fitted out a tug. The em
ployee "'.it:"t'i'e Works on East
Street are still working on
orders.
A Star representative
visited the cemetery on
Wednesday and found
caretaker Newcombe and an
assistant hard. at work. The
roadways and paths are
LOOKING BAcK
assuming a_.....clean and tidy
appearance. 'and the grounds
generally looked much 'im-
proved. The - unsightly
headstones are as bad as
ever; leaning in all directions,
but chairman Knox promises
to introduce measures to
have this andother 'defects
rectified.
The steamer Algonquin
unloaded 1 r, cargo of, wheat
art the'Godech elevator, and
left. port during Friday night
for Lake Superior.
'.i
1'1',1125 A6,0
The members fif „the
Goderich Kinsmen Club were
hosts to the Goderich Kinette
Club at' a beach party when
the presentation of a $400
cheque was made by the
I<inettes to the Kinsmen Club.
to he used for equipment to
the new playground being
established by the Kinsmen in
tlrc southwest part of town.
Practically all departments
are now operating at full
strength at the Goderich
Manufacturing Comp'any'
Limited following settlement
of a seven week old strike on
Thursday. July 17. The
workers accepted an eight- Mach took place Thu
cent -an -hour increase. The night. Swings and
union had asked for a 10 -cent- playground equipment
an hour increase originally. dumped over,picnic
and benches were also
' :i 'YEWS IRS ,1(;O ° around. No break-in•
Several Goderich athletes curved at the snack ba
have qualified for the all- time however, as hash
Ontario Legion Track and case in the past. Go
Field meet to be held in police are investigahn
Waterloo on August 12. . matter.
Among them are Steve and
Pete Crew. sans of Mr. and
Mrs. Bruce Crew, 121 Nelson
Street, East.
A rampage of vandalism %t
the t-ecreation area of Harbor
Small boy ,to father:
come soda pop will s
dinner, arid martinis gi
an appetite?"