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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-07-20, Page 4PAGE 4 -THE GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY. JULY 20. 1978 A - m k rich - SIGNAL—STAR The County Town Newspaper of Huron founded In 1605 and published every Thursday et Goderich. Ontario. Member of the CWNA .add OWNA. Advertising rates on request. Subscriptions payable in advance •15.119 In Canada. "•17:N to u.S.A.. '15.M to all other mensrlq, single copies 35 cents. Display adv°or-. tieing rates available on request, please ask for gate 'Card tla.•1 aff•ctivd Oct. 1. 1977. Second class mall Registration Number 1710. •Advertising Is accepted an the corldltlonlhet, in the event of typographical error. the advertising space ociupl•d'by`the erroneous Item, together with roasonoble allowance for signature. Will not be larged for but trlibirlanie of the advertisement will bo paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical -error advertising goods or services at a wrong price. goods or service may not be sold. Advertising rs,merely an otter to sell, and -maybe withdrawn at anytime. The Signal -Star Is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. Published by Signal -Stas Publishing Ltd, ROBERT G. SHRIER - president arid publisher SHIRLEY J. KELLER - editor EDWARD .1. EYRSKI - advertising manager Business and Editorial Office TELEPHONE 524-8331 area code 519 Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 220, Industrial Park, Goderich Second class mail registration number - 0716 Thankyou, friend There just are no words this week to describe the sadness that has enveloped Goderich and district at the death of Dr. John Wallace. Those who knew the man loved him dearly; those -who -had heard of him by reputation only respected him; those who never came in contact with him missed so much. For the last year or more, citizens of the com- munity had been endeavoring .to- organize a meaningful tribute to Dr. John Wallace. But he would have none of it. John Wallace was a humble man. A simple man. A shy man. A special man. Friends of John "Wallace wanted a story in the newspaper about the beloved doctor before he died. But it wasn't done, partly because of the man's great aversion to public attention and partly because of his determination to live his life and care for his patients in his own way and in his own time. Someone commented this week that anything Abatis said about Dr. John Wallace will be under- SY SHIRLEY J. KELLER It sometimes takes a ro'' -disaster, or •a - near disaster, to get the proper wheels in motion. ' As London Alderman Bob Mann puts it, "People made a mistake because they didn't know any better." Ald. Mann was, of course, referring to the methane gas explosion March 21 in London when one house blew up and four more homes were evacuated in the Glen Cairn district. The subdivision, the site of an old dump grounds, was built in 1973. Reports now show that the developers had agreed to conduct soil tests and to submit findings to the city engineer's department', the environment ministry and the m.edical officer of health before building permits were issued, but the building permits were issued even though there is no evidence soil tests were even carried out. According to a recent report in The London Free Press, council still does not know who signed the building permits. oh the city's behalf. Ald. Mann calls' it in- competence. He em- phasized his belief that it wasn't dishonesty. "In 20 years of working with people dawn there (at city hall)," said Mann, "I've found there's a lot more incompetence than dishonesty. Let me put that another way. There's a lit, more honesty than in- competence." ++4- stated. ++ stated. Someone else said that mere words just could not express the whole truth about `this distinguished humanitarian. And yet, this newspaper has tried, knowing full well that the task was impossible. The one attribute of John Wallace that stands out.. clearly is his great love for people - people from all walks of life, people of all ages, people of all social levels, people of all abilities and disabilities. To say "thank you" seems so trite yet that's what .people throughout- the community are trying to say in a hundred different ways. Thank you Dr. John Wallace. Thank you for sharing yourself so selflessly with people. Thank you for caring long after you had any .obligation to - fill. Thank you for being to everyone a wonderful friend, a trusted physician, a fine human being. Thank you and may God hold you in the palm of His hand,-SJK Co-operation important It is interesting to note from an editorial which appeared in The. Wingham Advance -Times - recently, that the Huron -Perth Separate School Board has supported a petition signed by Wingham and area residents which opposes the proposed construction of a pig and -or poultry barn on a farm. immediately east of the town on Highway 86, Sacred Heart Separate School is the obvious con- cern of the HPSSB. It is located only one-quarter mile from the site of the proposed barn. Not far away is F.E. Madill Secondary School, Wingham and District Hospital and.a medical -dental clinic ... not to mention of course, numerous private homes. The editorial, entitled "A smelly situation" points gout that if a piggery operation is allowed on the premises, "with an east wind the stench could be overpowering". It asked for consideration by township council for the, students and the hospital's patients before issuing the permit. It is a fact that a pig operation does not have to be smelly. A quick check with Mike Miller at the agricultural office in Clinton reveals that a good pig operation could exist fairly close to an urban area without becoming offensive, while a poor pig operation could be a real odor problem in the heart of farmland, even to other farming neighbors. According to Miller, it is a matter of housekeeping and general management. The level of technology, too, has'sometjiing to do with the problem. Miller points out that the new flush systeni `available to hog farmers is the least - odorous of all pig operations ..: and even pays dividends to the farmer because workers can stay in the pig barn longer and provide better care for the animals because the smells are kept to an ab- solute minimum. There is, however, nothing one can do about the odors when the holding tanks for the liquid manure are being emptied and spread on the field. But, reports Miller, that is- only for two or three days once or 'twice a year and if done under proper weather conditions, can be bearable. • . ' In the case of chicken operations, says Miller, under the wrong conditions these can be smellier than pig barns. But again, it depends so much on, housekeeping and proper management. Broiler barns are the least odorous because the litteris dry. Even, barns for layer hens can be low in°odors ... unless the manure is distrubed. Again though, this is for short periods of time once or twice a year and if there is consideration 'for neighbors, even that can be within odor limits. This newspaper Shares the concern of Wingham and District Hospital, HPSSB, F.E. Madill Secondary School and some Wingham householders. Perhaps there should be some sort of Iegisla'tion which would restrict the type of farming operation that could be conducted within specified distances from an urban area. As Mike Miller points out though, legislation can accomplish only . so much. It demands the con- tinuing efforts of the farming community and its individual members to make certain that housekeeping and management standards are high at all times. And it behooyes urban d -welders to understand the farmers' plight in situations where odor simply cannot be controlled for short periods of time. .. - As always, the situation takes two-way com- munication and co-operation. Everyone should remember that left to themselves .,and their own devices, neither pigs nor chickens are smelly creatures. -SJK Holiday in Huron One of the nicest things about living in'a town like Goderich is the summer. Summer in Goderich can be a real joy. Just think of the numbers of people who come here from different parts of the province, just to enjoy Goderich and Huron County. Signal -Star has a suggestion for you this summer. Instead of packing the car,..the trailer and the boat; instead- of driving hundreds of miles in 'the heat; instead of spending hard-earned -dollars for ac- commodation; instead of hassling with the traffic 'and the road map .... why not spend your vacation in"Huron County, headquartering in Goderich, The Prettiest Town in Canada? What would you do here? What would you see'' Well, for starters, you might spend one day at Huron County Pioneer Museum, considered by some to be the best museum of its type in Ontario. There's lots -to• see there ... lots to enjoy. And chances are;' you have never been inside the door. You might find it will take the whole day to see everything. You could set aside a day to see Huron's Historic Gaol, one of the most unique tourist attractions anywhere in Ontario. You will be surprised at the professional way in WI Wit these premises are displayed, and you will learn a little about the area's history in the bargain. It is worth a look. What about a day on the beach? Lake Huron has some of the finest beaches you are likely to find anywhere -.- --ajnd right .here, in Huron County, Goderich's beach is available for the taking. In the evening, after a shower and a nice dinner, you - might drive over to` Blyth or down to Stephen Township and Huron Country Playhouse to see a play. If di ril want to leave town, maybe there kt is something playing right herein town at the gaol courtyard. Or how about a day of hiking along the Maitland Trail for something just a little different? If that doesn't appeal to you, what about a day in the country and a visit to some of the local market garden operations or fruit --farms to "pick yur own"? - - If you are a golfer, you might make a tour of all the golf courses in the county. Or you might want to spend one day in each of the four other towns -in Huron County. Getting acquainted with Seaforth, Wingham, Clinton and Exeter mighf,,he more ex- citing,tllan you think. n Ot, what about a tour of the county's villages? - Nowhere will you find more country charm and relaxation than in Bayfield, Zurich can be fun for all ages; Dashwood has one of the most intriguing general stores you are likely to discover anywhere; Brussels bustles every day; Hensell has some -of the cleanest, widest streets in the whoje of fIuron; and Blyth has some shopping opportunities that attract people from far and wide. 'For something really out of the ordinary, pack a picnic lunch and your best walking shoes. Take to the back roads in Huron County. Glory in the scenery, Paddle in the creeks. Take a nap in the shade of a fence -post- Hunt for wild flowers. Photograph the quiet streams and meadows. Picnic in paradise. , Your vacation this year can he reasonahre in price',.. and a real eye-opening experience. See Huron County and Goderich•. Be a -tourist at home..-..SSK . As one who has reported municipal af- fairs for going onto 20 years, I must agree whole heartedly with Ald. Mann. Virtually none of the municipal politicians and elected or 'appointed' board members I .have known are dishonest. All of them have the welfare of the community at heart. But alas and alack, a good many of them are incompetent when" it comes to the kind of administrative decision- making that is necessary in - this highly technological and financially troubled age. And what's more, the average citizen serving in an elected or appointed capacity at the municipal level . would be in the same boat. In fact, a community can hardly .expect their elected and appointed people to be knowledgable in the ever= widening scope of problems -thatcome before them in a term, of office, Last week at Goderich 'siesta .' Town Council, a letter was received from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, urging council to investigate the housing and commercial ander industrial developments which have been built on or adjacent to waste disposal sites. " The letter had this' to say: "Usually, methane rises and disperses into the atmosphere and under these cir- cumstances there is usually no reason for concern. However, under certain circumstances, the gases resulting ,from decomposition, including methane, migrate later\.11y and sometimes to adjoining property. Under these conditions, explosive concentrations may build up." The Ministry is urging communities to establish a gas monitoring program to be conducted on an on-going basis where development has occured on or near to these sites._ "This is necessary since these gases have been known to occur i certain cases, severe years after the refuse ha been ' deposited," i,the letter'continues. +++ A -brief conversation with Deputy -reeve -Eileen Palmer who was for- merly chairman of council's now defunct environmental division, revealed that she is not aware of any other in - town dump sites of the past except the one on the bank of the Maitland River on the east side of town,-- But since, the London difficulty, the deputy -reeve knows enough not to trust her ownjudgement on this matter. She will confer immediately with town foreman Stan Meriam and Commissioner of Works Ken Hunter to determine if other waste disposal - sites ' ever existed in Goderich and where: - That's comforting to the people of Goderich, certainly, but it should be pointed out that it took an explosion in London. to alert the ministry of the environment who is now alerting town council members who are now picking up the ball and running with it.. One wonders, too, just how many otherpoten- tially dangerous situations there are lurking within the community and just when and how they will be discovered. But surely it must be By Sykes understood that many potentially dangerous situations'" cannot be blamed on the dishonesty of elected or appointed people, brat rather should be attributed to their incompetence. ' As Ald. Mann said, - "People made a mistake because they didn't know any better." +++ This kind of attitude should be adopted by the people of Goderich and area toward their elected and appointed representatives and the sooner the better. Probably the best way to assume that attitude is to ask yourself one simple question, "If I had been on London City Council, would I have had the foresight to fight against the development in Glen Cairn? Would I have twigged to the kind of disaster that might take place? Would I have understood the potential danger from methane gas?" Some readers may think this a poor argument a kind of a once-in-a-lifetime fluke. But is it? Is it really so rare that .,councils and boards are called upon to make decisions that could have - far-reaching im- plications for the future? Implications that few of them could see even if all the sign -posts were clearly marked? Right how, Goderich Town Council is deliberating over whether or not to build a $5,000- foot runway at Goderich's airport. The easy decision ' -- maybe even the popular decision - would be to -turn thumbs down on the idea.. The town doesn't appear to be in any shape financially to assume that kind of responsibility for the years ahead. But what of the future? Can any of us adequately predict the next 20 years in Goderich? In Ontario? In Canada? • The in- dicators are all there. How do you read them? Can we really say beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is unwise to build a 5,000 foot runway? Isn't it just possible that such a facility might in the years ahead, provide just the kind of economic ;-edge this district needs to keep, it alive and growing? Would you be willing to make the decision - pro or con - so easily if you knew that your decision would he held up in the next 20 years to the possible riducule -and righteous anger of your children and grandchildren? And what about the board of Alexandra Marine and General Turn toiage 5 • 75 YEARS AGO The Colborne Hotel is to : have a new proprietor, Alex Robinson having sold out to David Sare cf Ingersoll who will take possession on Monday, August 3. Mr. Robinson will go on a prospecting tour tone West where he is thinking of locating. ' The chief event of the week at. ,the harbor was the sale of the schooners Kolfage and Azov. The lumber company is the• purchaser of the former and they will now be able to do their own carrying. Capt. John McDonald, the former owner of the Kolfage, has purchased the Azov -from Mr, Lawrence of Sarnia. The Azov tarries about twice the load the Kolfage does and Capt. McDonald is to be congratulated on his purchase. - ro A special meeting "'of the Collegiate Inst=itute trustees was called for Monday evening to make an appointment to the position made vacant by LOOKING B Mr. Flemings' reignation. There were a large number of ap- ,plicants for the position but the choice finally fell on J.J. Bailey, who for the past" year has been principal at Blyth. The Government lighthouse supply • boat Arabian was in yesterday-- morning esterdaymorning with the year's lighthouse supplies and left for Pine Point. Work on the inn-. provements .at the Signal office are in full 'swing' this week. The old front has been torn out and the new plate 'glass front put in, 'affording additional. room and better light in the office. 25 YEARS AGO Citizens of Goderich can look 'fdrward to_ another possible home- building spree; perhaps later .this year, with the announcement last weekend that the town, had received information that land adjacent to the present block 6f rental homes will be returned to the to-wn. The land, situated between the group of new homes and the new Goderich District Collegiate Institute, was set aside by the Federal Government as a site for an armory. However, this armory was never built. ' William W. Haysom of Hamilton has . been ap- pointed Bell Telephone manager at•Goderich, it'r was announced this week. He succeeds C.B. Symonds, who has been named manager at Lindsay. _. A committee of Reevoe Stanley Snyder, •Phil Carey and Bert Baechler, property owners at Sunset Beach, has arranged a meeting for this Friday evening at the Township Hall, Carlow, when the matter --of the use of the road leading down to Sunset Beach will be discussed. ,Many people using this road are under the impression that it is a township road, -.said a summer resident. whereas. -this is mit the case. It has been claimFd that people come down the road, especially "midnight revellers" and disturb the peace of the --surrimer residents. 5 YEARS AGO Subject now to the final signing of the rental lease . with the Ontario government, the tender of Genan Construction Limited of Waterloo for the construction of the addition at • -the Huron.- Perth uron-Perth Regional .assessment office-in- Goderich, was, approved Monday morning at a specialn- eeting of Huron County Council. One of the gravest short comings. of the Goderich Police ' and Fire Depar- tments was overcome Tuesday afternoon when Police Chief Pat King and Fire Chief Ted Bisset tookpossession'- of an 18 foot fiberglas rescue boat f equipped with a 50 hor- ' sepower motor . through the• generosity of Mr. and ' Mrs. Earl Empy of $t. K Vincent Street Goderich. Another - excif.ing season of harness racing got underway Wednesday evening at the Goderich raceway Attendance opening night soared over 1,000. Last Thursday evening launched the beginning of an official Goderich Fro Life Group in the area. Chairman is Mrs. Pat Osborn. in • More than 40 em- ployees of Domtar Chemicals Sifto Salt evaporator operation in Goderich were recalled to work Monday after .a court injunction stopper' picketing of the plant by employees of Domtar's Sifto Salt Mine. The new heater pt Judith -D. Gooderham Pool was officially turned on Tuesday evening. In a ceremony at the pool, Bob Swartman, President of the Rotary Club which donated the heater, -handed over die, cheque of $3,210 to'Mayor Harry Wor-sell. - •