HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-07-11, Page 4Zfje - ingiam gibbance®Zir.e#
Published at Wingham. Ontario, P.O. Box 390 • N0(P 2WII
by Wenger tiraoa: limited
Barn Wenger. President
.Henri Hess. Edina-
Rohcrt•O. Wenger. Sec-Treas.
Audra Currie. Advertising ' imager
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Mewl -leg -- ( anadian ( Newspaper Assoc. Ontario('ummunitj Newspaper Assoc.
Suh.crtpUnips ' 20.00 per )ear
Second Clasv Mad Registration No. 082 I
Six month. SI 1.511
Return postage guaranteed
An error in judgment
Though there is no reason to be-
lieve it acted in bad faith, the property
committee of the Wingham Town
Council, certainly showed extremely
poor judgment in deciding to award a
$32,000 contract for work on the town
hall without getting competitive bids.
It may well be true that those
awarded the contract are the ones best
able to carry out the work to the com-
mittee's satisfaction. One is a top spe-
,, cialist in its field and the other gave
considerable aid to the committee in
deciding how best to carry out the re-
pairs. There also is nothing wrong with
favoring a local ratepayer aver an out-
sider in the awarding of town business.
That said, all these considerations
can be taken into account by council in
deciding where to award a contract
after — not before — it has received
competitive bids.. Council is not bound
to accept the lowest or any tender, par-
ticularly if there are other factors to
consider.
To neglect to call for tenders on a
project of this magnitude shows a poor
appreciation of the responsibilities In-
cumbent upon those entrusted with the
keys to the public purse. Thirty-two
thousand dollars is a lot of money'. Per-
haps it is a fair pricelto pay for the
work. As things stand,}F here is no way
of knowing.
On the labor front
During the 40 years since the end of
the war Canadian workers (or many of
them) have received annual wage in-
creases. Young people who entered the
work force during those years natural-
ly believe that the yearly raise is an on-
going fact of life. It was not surprising,
then, that the economic recession of the
past couple of years has come as a
severe jog.
The older generation, particularly
those who were working, or trying to
findwork during the lean years before
the war, are well aware that when the
crunch comes and businesses are going
into bankruptcy, working people are
often very glad to hold onto the em-
ployment they have and forget about
the annual pay increase.
There are many indications at
presentthat the old lessons are grad-
ually .becoming reality. Faculty mem-
bers at Simon Fraser University In
.British Columbia have accepted a 2.7
per cent pay cut. Separate school
teachers in our own area recently gave
up wage increases so the money could
be used ,to supplement their board's
building,programs. Thousands of work-
ers in smaller business enterprises
have accepted the fact that their em-
.ployers can pay wage increases only If
'profits increase.
On the other hand, union workers
in the larger centres where organized
labor swings a heavy club, are refusing'
to face reality. At Gainers' meat pack-
ing plant in Edtnonton union members
refused a suggested pay cut and op-
posed . the non-union workers who
wanted to replace them. It is note-
worthy that the union workers were
getting $12 an hour. The company of-
fered $7 and ..had 1500 applications in
answer to its first advertisement in the
local paper. (The strike was settled
within a few hours.)
Talks between the Canadian Union
of Postal Workers and Post Office
management have already com-
menced. CU PW President Jean-Claude
Parrot is quoted as saying, "We don't
intend to enter into negotiations with
the idea of accepting rollbacks, con-
cessions, give-aways, the status quo or
even minor improvements (In workers'
pay and benefits). We're going to nego-
tiate for major improvements."
Canada Post, attempting to get the
crown corporation back in the black,
wants increased productivity.
Hard-headed union negotiators
have not yet heeded the lesson provided
by Chrysler workers a couple of years
ago when they accepted the validity of
thecompany's warning, that without
concessions on the part of labor the
carmaker might go down the drain —
with jobs for nobody. Japanese'firnfs,
even'those locating a part of their pro-
duction operations in North America,
have demonstrated, that co-operation
succeeds better than confrontation in
today's business world.
M. Parrot and his union members
° would do well to observe thei number of
courier vehicles on the streets . and
highways " these days. There are
alternatives,
Lots of money up there
Despite a monstrous national de-
ficit and ever increasing taxes, the
federal government shows no signifi-
cant signs of anxiety about its level of
spending. MillionsTave been handed
out to municipalities across the land to
assist in Canada Day celebrations. The
provincial government was free with
grants to those who decided to mark
what is claimed to be the 200th anni-
versary of the province.
It's a bit reminiscent of the,Roman
emperors who kept the people happy by
giving them lots of games in the arena.
Such open-handedness is good for
national morale, it may be supposed,
but a spontaneous outburst of national
pride, paid for by Canadians in their
own communities would be much more
convincing.
Five or ten million dollars wasted
nowadays is dismissed as a pittance,
scarcely worth a book entry. The coun-
n
try's Auditor General, Kenneth Dye, in
his annual report to Parliament, points
out that it cost Canada's taxpayers $5.7
million last year to provide first-class
meals for MPs, senators, their top
aides and members of the press gal-
lery. The parliamentary restaurant of-
fers choice meals in elegant surround-
ings at the rock -bottom price of $4.25
each. Similar meals in downtown
Ottawa, says Canadian Press, cost at
least twice that much and our own ob-
servation is that one could double that
figure again for such meals in down-
town Toronto. ,The taxpayers subsi-
dized the parliamentary restaurant to
the tune of $5.7 million last year.
The auditor general's report is
loaded with illustrations of government
waste each year — and each year It is
ignored by the people we pay, hand-
somely to manage our public affairs.
Not cost effective
Two brothers in Cobourg, aged 9
and 13 years, have been facing a major
problem. They set up In the flshworm
business and were succeeding quite
nicely until the tax man intervened.
They weren't charging sales tax on the
wigglers — and that's against the law.
But, although they were willing to
register their business with the tax de-
partment, they weren't old enough to
provide legal signatures. Their father
eventually signed for them.
itorial opinion July 1 1 8 ` " 84
Items from Old Files
JULY 1937 principal Hector Knight and Provincial Constable
Kenneth Rintoul has ac- assistant Mrs. J. C. Caley for. Murray Fridenburg of
cepted a position on the local the Continuation School ; Mount Forest will shortly
staff of the Canadian Bank of principal Harold Hamilton join the Wingham detach -
and Mrs. G. A. Wearring for went of the Provincial
the Public School. Miss Police. -
Helen Sawtell, who has been The village of Fordwich
music supervisor for Howick welcomes the new barber, J.
schools, will attend Stratford Andari of Clinton-. He will be
Normal School next year. opening his shop on ' Thur -
Rev. and Mrs. Robert Watt slay..
and children have arrived JULY 1970
home from the west and Forty-two beautiful babies
visited . relatives in the were entered in the Lions
Whitechurch area. Mr. Watt Club's contest held in con -
has been sta¢ioned at Car- - nection with the Street Fair.
stairs, Manitoba, for two Top winners included Shelly
years and is now taking over Kerr, daughter of Mr. and
the Gorrie charge of the Mrs. George Kerr,
United Church. Wingham; Heidi Strong,
Commerce. He commenced
his duties on Monday,.
The pupils of SS No. 3,
Culross, and their parents
met al the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Leslie Falconer to bid
farewell to their teacher,
Miss Dorothy Ginn.
R. G. Craik, hardware
merchant at Teeswater, died
at his home after a long
illness.,He , came to
Teeswate' about five years
ago and purchased the
hardware business of James
G. Armstrong.
The ratepayers and pupils The Rebekah Lodge of daughter of Dr. and 'Mrs.
of SS, No12,' Howick, Wet ate Wingham had its.first step in Alex Strong, Wingham ;
the schoolhouse to; 'iftb411l eorganizatigpi., when,, ,ten Michael Mulvey; son of Mr.
Miss Agnes Louttit • of 'members VIrere initiated into and Mrs. Peter Mulvey,
Wingham, their popular the Teeswater Lodge. These Belmore; Jimmy English,
teacher for the past three members will form the son of Mr. and Mrs. James
years, who has resigned. We nucleus of the•new Wingham English, Wingham, and
understand Miss Louttit is to Lodge. twins Arletta and Angela
\be married this autumn. The winner of the Laidlaw Glenn, daughters of Mr. and
Three prospectors, Fur Farm ...prize for the Mrs. Gerrie Glenn,
returning to Geraldton, in candidate who obtained the Teeswater.
Northern Ontario, after, highest marks at the recent A . former Wingham
several weeks in the bush, high school entrance teacher is among 156
stated that they had made a examinations at Wingham secondary school teachers
rich/ find. Located on the
shores of °a small lake about
50 • miles northeast of
Geraldton, the three men
claim to have discovered a
wide vein and that free gold
is. visible.
Now Tod and Travis have amended
their roadside sign to include the words
"Plus Five Cents Tax". But under the
regulations small businesses may keep
the first $16 in tax collected — 'and the
boys don't expect total sales at 75 cents
a dozen to bring in anywhere nearly
that much for the government.
To cap It all, It will cost the tax de-
partment $2 to process their file this
fall.
JULY 1949
The public school term
ended in Wroxeter. The staff
of four has been re-engaged,
New events added
to bicentennial
The countdown is on for
Wingham and Turnberry
Township's bicentennial
celebrations next Thursday.
through Sunday. The
•bicentennial committee has
been busy adding a few last-
minute events to fill out the
weekend schedule.
Professional breakdancers
from Kitchener will be at-
tending the breakdance
competition at '3:30 the af-
ternoon of July. 21, next
Saturday.
Another addition to the
program is an old-fashioned
band concert next Sunday
afternoon, July 22, at
Riverside Park featuring the
Mitchell Legion Brass Band
and the Wingham Optimist
Community Band.
Bicentennial weekend
organizers announce that
tickets are on sale now for
the Friday and Saturday
night dances at the arena by
calling 357-1411 or 357-1051.
In the event of rain, all
weekend activities will' be
held at the arena.
PRESS COUNCIL
The Advance -Times is
a member of the Ontario
Press Council which will
consider written com-
plaints about the publica-
tion of news, opinions
and advertising. If a com-
plaint can't be resolved
with the newspaper, it
should be sent to the On-
tario Press Council, 151
Slater St., Suite 708, Ot-
tawa, Ont. K1 P 5H3.
Centre, was Mac Eadie. •
A pretty •wedding was
solemnized 'at the Baptist
Church parsonage when
Rev. T. Black , united in
marriage Florence Evelyn
Horton and William James
Stapleton. The newlyweds
will reside in Wingham.
' Graham MacDonald, who
has been principal of the' St.
Helens School for the past
two years and who goes to
Petrolia as principal of the
four -room school ' there in
September, was honored at a
meeting of the Junior Red
Cross. Murray Gaunt and
Donna Woods made the
presentation.
JULY 1960
One of the main drag's
older structures, ,the
Merkley Motors building on
the corner. of Josephine and
Victoria will soon disappear
from the local scene. The
new Texaco station has
already been erected im-
mediately to the north of the
old building and when the
original structure is
removed the appearance of
the corner will be vastly
changed.
Stan Hastings, who until a
short time ago was on the
permanent staff of the 21
Regiment RCA (M) at the
Wingham - Armouries, has
joined the Perth Regiment at
Stratford in similar
capacity. Mrs. Hastings and
their three children will
move to Stratford as soon as
suitable housing ac-
^comodation\can be found.
Mr. and Ws. Glen Watson
and their Seven , children
moved to the former Jewitt
residence on Albert Street in
Pleasant Valley. They came
to Wingham from Owen
Sound. Mr. Watson is the
new foreman finisher at Fry
and , Black1iialtLtd.
Forty new outdoor benches,
have been donated for use in
various areks of the town.
The benches will be placed at
the Scout House, golf course,
bowling green, swimming
pool, in the town parks and at
various points along the
main street.
whohave accepted
assignments in developing
Countries. • Miss- Diane
Thompson will ' teach in
Tanzania.
W. H. "Dick" Biirbridge,
who has been a member of
the local Legion for 50 years,
was presented with the
highest honor the branch can
TODAY'S CHILD
BY JUDITH ADAMS
James is silk/. He's a
sweet little boy who is
always ready to make
friends, and that, bright
smile is rarely absent,
despite the fact that
Jamie has his prob-
lems. These are largely
physical. He has a -con-
dition known as sco-
liosis, or curvature of
the spine, for which he
wears a brace. He may
possibly have hydroce-
phalus, or a build-up of
fluid in his head, and
may have to have,
tubes inserted to drain
the fluid. His hearing
'has been poor until he
had special tubes
inserted to improve
this condition, and that
may have led to`ea
delay in Jamie's learn-
ing.
In any case it seems
certain that Jamie is
delayed, by about one
year, in "his social, fine
motor, gross motor and
language development.
He seeks affection con-
stantly and this needs
to be controlled with
award, the Meritorious
Service Medal and Cer-
tificate. He is 82 years of age
and a veteran of the First
World War.
A new clinic has been
opened in the Wingham and
District Hospital clinic
building on Catherine Street.
Dr. Wilcox and Dr. Barton of
London, both of whom
specialize in internal
medicine, will see patients
on a regular basis.
Last week workmen dug
the basement and put up the
cement !(wall for the house
being built by Bill Rintoul at
Whitechurch.
Neil, Graham of Gorrie has
accepted a position with the
Bank of Montreal,.. his first
posting being in Teeswater.
•
Moses is
buried
Thanks to the several
readers who ,took the trouble
to send, us copies of "The
Burial of Moses".
We have forwarded the
correctversion to Mrs.
George S. Martin of South
Paris, Maine. Another copy
has gone into our own files
because the publisher was
himself struggling to recall
those noble lines when the
copies started to come in.
Our thanks to each of you.
Thanks forhelp
in finding family
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the
staff of The Wingham Ad-
vance -Times for the story
they did on myself and my
family. It was, through your
efforts . that the townsfolk
started digging through their
old pictures and getting- in
touch with me.
I managed to meet quite a
few of my old friends and
cquaintances. I have a very
wonderful • family and was
overjoyed to meet them. The
town is as beautiful as when I
Disturbed
regarding
Dear Editor,
In your paper dated June
27, 1984, you carried a report
of the' special meeting of
Wingham Council con-
cerning the destruction ° of
the Lower Wingham Dam. In
this report it was stated that
Wroxeter had pulled their
gates at 11 p.m. and this
surge of water may have
been responsible for the
Lower Dam destruction.
This information was
gleaned during a con-
versation between one of
your council members and a
Wroxeter citizen, who is in
no way involved with the
left, with only a few changes.
The only thing that
bothered me was your cross-
walks. To cross, you had to
hold up a white flag and hope
you wouldn't get run over.
Back in the forties the horses
had sense enough to stop. In
the state of California you -
had better not hit someone in
,the crosswalk or they put you
in jail and throw away the
key.
Thanks again.
Arthur Lionel Gallagher
Modesto, California
strangers. Jamie is
eager to hive friends
but sometimes puts
them ,off by . his less
advanced social skills.
Jamie likes looking at
picture books, espe-
cially animals, and
playing with toy trucks
and lego. He has a
short attention span
and difficulty concen-
trating. His moods can
fluctuate from happy to
sad to "tuned out" if he
doesn't,''want to- pay
attention.
Jamie is having
speech therapy and will .
need to continue it
wherever he' is
adopted. He's a feeling
young person who has
enough comprehension
of his situation to
become very
depressed, and his .
worker feels the anti-
dote for this is a com-
mitted, permanent
adopting family who
will give him uncondi-
tional love. They will
need to live near good
medical facilities for ..
Jamie's long-term
needs. He will need to
wear his brace until at
least age 10, and it's
not certain whether
that will correct his
curvature or if he will
need surgery later.
To inquire about
adopting Jamie, please
write to Today's Child,
Ministry of Community
and Social Services,.
Box 888, Station K,
Toronto, describing
your present family
amyl your way of life.
by statement
Wingham dam
upkeep of the Wroxeter
Dam.
I am very disturbed 'about
this statement because,
since 1966, I have been
responsible for the water
level of the Wroxeter "Dam
during the summer mo tt s.
Our dam, has a 120 -foot spill=
way and carries a five-foot
head of water at normal
levels. There are 28 .four -by -
four -foot gates supported by
29 eight -inch posts, creating'
a flooded area of at least 75
acres.
We never raise more than
two of these gates two feet at
any one time, so as not to
cause undue damage to
anyone along the Maitland
between Wroxeter and
Wingham. This has always
been my main concern. It
seems to me that council is
looking for a scapegoat to
cover their negligence,
especially since they were
warned of heavy rain.
I suggest the mayor of
Wingham should advise his
councilmen to have their
facts straight before they
speak out, and not accuse
anyone unduly.
Bruce Chambers
Wroxeter