HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-05-16, Page 4•
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Page4A-Thoe..W. i& 4dvaeinzes, May 16i. 1989
ingbant Catibante-etniP e/
Published at Wingham Ontario, P.O., Boa 394 - NOG 2W0
by Wenger Bro& Limited,
A wholly owned subsidiary of Newfoundland Capital Corporation
Robert Murphy, Editor Audrey Currie, Advertising Manager
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Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc.
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Fair decision
The action taken by the Wingham Area Fire Board last week
could be considered a compromise of sorts, but it's a good and fair
one.
The main topic in a lengthy meeting once again was the purchase
of a new pumper truck and after the last cannon was fired, the
board had rescinded its motion of last month — to purchase the
truck in 1989 despite requests from two of its member municipali-
ties to delay action for at least one year — and accept tenders sub-
mitted by three other companies.
The result on the surface seems to be a better deal for all — a
less expensive truck, delivery will not be until next year nor is pay-
ment due until then.
Although some on the board seemed to be reading any request
for deferral as notice that the two municipalities were opposed to
purchasing a new pumper, that certainly would not be apparent to
the objective observer. Especially, when representatives of each
reiterated a number of times that their councils knew the purchase
was inevitable, but wanted a bit more time to make the financial im-
pact a little more palatable to their taxpayers.
Over the months, as the controversy surrounding the proposed
pumper purchase continued, at least ,two members of the fire
board asked if the board should be seeking more quotes than the
one being considered and finally accepted at the April meeting.
However, they were told there were only two companies in Canada
which manufacture such a-fireiruck.
pecause of the one-month delay, that has not only been proven
wrong, but the board has come up with what it considers to be a
better deal.
Unfortunately, because there were so many little side issues re-
lated to this one decision, the majority of board members failed to
focus on the central point, that the two municipalities• responsible
for paying more than 50 per cent of the purchase price were not
saying "don't buy", just "don't make me pay now".
The present board has come a long way in repairing rifts in the
"spirit of co-operation" upon which the body was founded, and last
Wednesday's action is another step in that direction.
The fact that it could have been taken at least a month sooner
serves as evidence of the way still to go.
Nameless threats
Although the use of a threatened resignation has long since gone
the way of the dinosaur, unfortunately, it still manages to crop up at
any given time during negotiations between employer and unen-
lightened employee.
The reason such a threat has become ineffective is that most em-
ployers now render it impotent by accepting the resignation un-
ceremoniously and on the spot.
That also is what the Wingham.Area Fire Board should have done
when Deputy Chief Lynn Hickey waved a piece of paper which, he
said, contained the resignations of 19 firefighters who were upset
because- they thought the board was going to make them use a
truck they considered to be unsafe. That truck, of course, was a
pumper currently in use as a firSt-response vehicle in Gorrie that
would be used as a backup in Wingham.
Since there was no mention of the safety of Gorrie firefighters,
should we assume that the Wingham 19 were not concerned about
their fellows?
Likely not. We are more comfortable with the thought that the
threatened resignations were just that, threats that no one really
expected to be accepted. After all, they also remained in anony-
mous safety on the sheet of paper being waved by the deputy fire
chief.
Even though some on the fire board said the threats would not
work with them, the fact that the board did nothing makes it appear
as if they have.
Others have suggested that they would issue a warning to de-
partment officers that such threats will no longer be tolerated. Tc
'do this is not only resorting to the same level, but in the process
sounding somewhat like the harried parent who keeps threatening
a child with discipline "the next time". We all know how effective
that is.
What should be done, as we have already said, is accept the res-
ignqoAs and ygipti the eVitefighter§ well in their new endeavours.
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MAY 1942 department obtained a suitable site will be vice-principal in the 18 -
The appointment of Miss Marion for the project in 1953 at a cost of room school and will teach Grade 7
Dickson to the, position of superin- $2,800.
and 8 mathematics. He has been
tendent of Alexandra Marine and
What might have been a serious teaching in Waterloo.
General Hospital, Goderich, has accident, but was a messy one, hap- Two new members, Mrs. Gladys
been made by the board of gover- pened one-half mile east of Ford- Thompson and Mrs. G. Coulter, •
nors. Miss Dickson, a native of wich when a Harriston Produce were installed at the May meeting
Dungannon, is a graduate of 'the truck owned by Don Aitcheson of the Howick Legion Auxiliary in
institution of which she is now tak- turned over in the ditch. Butter, Fordwich.
ing charge. eggs and cream were spilled all Pastor Wayne Lester will move to
Mrs. Gordon McPherson was over the road. The driver, Sandy Wingham from Woodstock on May
elected president of the St. Helens Gillen of Harriston, suffered shock. 22, as minister of Centre Street Pen -
Women's Institute. Vice-presidents At a meeting of the Ladies' Aux- tecostal Church. He is a -graduate of
are Miss Mary Murray, Mrs. Ball
and Mrs. Charles McDonald; secre- iliary to 'Wingham General Hospi- Peterborough Bible College and
tary-treasurer is Mrs. T. J. Todd. tal, members discussed money- succeeds Brother Elmer Leis of
making ideas which may be of ben- Kitchener.
Fire, believed caused by an oil efit here. One was a tuck sho
"from our
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brooder stove exploding, destroyed
a colony house and 164 chickens
belonging to Nelson Higgins, third
line of Morris Township, resulting
in total loss as the building was not
insured. A direct wind carried
sparks to the dwelling nearby, sev-
eral times igniting the roof but the
family, with the help of neighbors,
saved the house.
Ed Rich has enlisted in the Ord-
nance Corps and is now taking his
basic training at Kitchener. Mean-
while, Bob Spittal of the 99th Bat -
MAY 1975
travelling, cart. Mrs. Morrey said Beverley Grace Casemore and
the -hospital board will grant space Brian Paul Walden were united in
in the hospital if the Awcilialy cares holy matrimony in a pretty spring
to adopt this plan. A committee ceremony in the Bluevale United
was appointed to look into the mat- Church.
ter, so plans could be made to have A Commissioner's Citation was •
the shop ready for operation in the presented to CKNX Radio for the
fall when the new wing is opened. radio program, "The OPP Replies".
Tenders are expected to be called The award was "in recognition of
shortly for paving No. 86 Highway assistance rendered to the OPP for
between Wingham and Lucicnow, a their efforts in extending the pro -
distance of about 12 miles. This gram to the public". A helicopter
announcement is in line with the landed just south of the Hanna
Bridge to unload OPP Commission-
er H. H. Graham and Inspector
Fred Blucher. The award was pre-
sented to radio manager John Lan...gtidge.
At the final Hospital Bridge party
of the season, awards were present -
Department of Highway's policy of
tery has been promoted to the rank providing an all -paved route from
of captain. Elmira to Amberley.
At the spring meeting of Mait- MAY 1965
land Presbytery in Ashfield Presby- Mowbray Construction has the
terian Church, the resignation of contract for replacing the sidewalk
Rev. John Pollock, formerly of on Victoria Street from the arena
Whitechurch, was received. He comer to the Readman
a- e or the six months of bridge.
retires from the active ministry tion. The walk was badly damaged Mrs. J. Day was the afternoon wirt. - -1
because of ill health but will contin- at the arena during the time the ner and Mrs. H. McBurney the 9
ue as clerk of Presbytery.
MAY 1955 new front was built. evening winner. Mrs. W. Murray
The Howick Township Council captured the prize for the year's
The Bluevale property owned by enacted the necessary bylaw to highest single score. , 64,
the late John Abraham has been appoint Ivan Haskins, former reeve A new gift was presented to the' '
sold to Albert Kitchen of Blyth. of the township, as clerk and trea- obstetrical wing of Winghatn mit-
Teeswater may get a new post surer, to fill those offices for the bal- District Hospital. The Hospital ,A,
office next year, the Department of ance of this year.
Auxiliary raised $2,000 toward the:
Public Works has announced. It is Batry McQuillin, son of Mrand purchase of an infant bassinetr,
Plannedto have an item in the esti- Mrs. Fred McQuillin of West resuscitator for newborn babies., 15
maws- jamal yftatithat probably Waytranoshphaslaccepbidateachinki MrspAladreydRitter tztaydb
tvotAtibpAwittit a start then. The posiOatt itiguschAbt itralespelyklityliLisentatiOnL frit Is, ft.pq
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