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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWingham Advance-Times, 1980-09-17, Page 4STI \• v ...\..: .4.+.1�:ti4}'`�n:•:,:?.•.n�.•••A,t�n�++.'�.,:•,},.,:�,;:;:Ii:Y •'•:tT'+'�� siA Afifting solution Mayor William Walden's proposal, adopted by town council, of a refer- endum to decide whether or not an apartment block for senior citizens should be permitted In Cruickshank Park is a fitting solution to a thorny problem. However it is important to remem- ber in wording the question that there were two main lines of opposition to the proposal: those who preferred that nothing be built in the park, and those who wanted it reserved for commercial development. This should be taken into account so it would not be necessary to go through the whole exercise again should a future proposal arise. Council acted responsibily, as did the planning board, In bowing to strong public feeling and abandoning its plan to go ahead with the apartment project this year. Now, by giving all the voters in Wingham a chance to have their say, it should settle once and for all the question how most people feel about building in that location. It should be remembered that in any case a 'yes' majority in the refer- endum would not automatically pro - duce the apartments. The Ontario Ministry of Housing, citing vacancies in the existing units, has backed away from its commitment to build addi- tional subsidized housing here until a new study is carried out to show, the need for It. Council has requested such a survey, but this is just the first step in a process which can drag on for years. In the interim we hope the town would continue to maintain the park as an at- tractive asset to the downtown area. Should the vote be 'no', steps should be taken to come up with a plan to renovate the park and encourage Its use. Undoubtedly the local horticul- tural society or one of the service clubs would be happy to help design a park which could be a showpiece for resi- dents and for visitors passing through our town on the provincial highway. In the meantime the referendum should provide a bit of additional spice for the upcoming municipal elections. It is up to the voters to turn out in suf- ficient numbers to leave no doubt about their choice, not only for the park but for their municipal representatives. Stand and be counted With at least five positions on Wingham Town Council being vacated this fall, there is more than ever a need for citizens who want to serve their town, who have ideas on what direct- ions it should or should not be heading, who have interests they feel should be represented, and who are willing to make the necessary committment and sacrifices, to stand up and be counted. There is a multitude of reasons for not wanting to stand for municipal of- fice, and as many excuses. It has none of the glamor of federal or provincial politics, yet can demand long hours. It is strictly part-time and for most must be fitted around the day -to -days busi- ness of earning a living and raising a family, and it is seldom a shortcut to wealth and popularity. For some there is the fear of embarrassment — more imagined than real — in the thought of entering an erection race and losing. All of these are valid concerns, but the fact remains that municipal gov- ernment is at the very foundation of our political system and is perhaps its nearest approach to true democracy. Its powers, while limited, are very real, and it can more directly affect the well-being of its citizensthancan the weighty but remote decisions of upper echelons of government. And, like any ruling today, local governments are only as good as the people who form them. Many of those who are leaving council this fail are young men, with jobs and families, who nonetheless managed to find the time to serve the town for four years or more. They have done their part and are stepping aside to make room for others. It is vital that interested candidates come forward to take their places. Remember, anyone whose name appears on the voter list is qualified to stand for office. Consider -this an invitation An advertisement appearing last week and this week in The Advance - Times extends an open invitation to residents of . Wingham and the sur- rounding area. Our sister city of Stan- dish, lust across the lake in Michigan, is planning a family weekend and everyone is invited: This invitation merits serious con- sideration, whether or not you have ever taken part in one of the previous sister city exchanges. We have been privileged to visit Standish several times over the past few years since the sister city link was formed, and we guarantee you won't find a friendlier welcome anywhere. No one who visits remains a stranger for long, and we have yet to meet anyone who didn't want to go back. No matter who you are or what your interests, the friendly 'folks of Standish are hoping you will keep the weekend of Sept. 26-28 open for them. They have been disappointed in the "past that not more people have re- sponded to their invitations — perhaps because of a misconception that ex- change visits were only for those dir- ectly involved in the sister city com- mittees. This time they want to make it clear the invitation is for everyone, the more the merrier. They ask only that you contact John Strong in Wingham by Sept. 19 to enable them to arrange billets for everyone attending. The sister city program is an ex- cellent way for us to learn more about our neighbors in other countries and to help make this world a friendlier place. Exchanges such as this one help to keep it alive. Alternative not acceptable While it has yet to surface in this area, a controversy currently raging in Toronto school systems may yet reach out to touch us. The issue: homosexuals in the schools. So-called 'gay' groups in that city have been campaigning to create a liaisoncommittee with the school board to "help homosexual students, teachers and staff members understand their sexuality". There is no doubt school boards need counsellors qualified to deal with sexual concerns, but such counsellors should not come from among those who espouse homosexuality as a valid alternative lifestyle. Students confused about their sexuality do not need a push in that direction. This isnot to suggest homosexuals should be locked up or committed to mental institutions. Although we may not understand them, there is no doubt they share basic human rights. How- ever, their lifestyle is one which strikes at the very fabric of human society, the family, and it should not be encouraged or condoned. Homosexuality is not a crime, but neither is It an acceptable alternative for our children. On the other hand we must beware of allowing this to turn into a witch- hunt or of losing sight of equally im- portant educational goals. Heterosex- uality, as too many of our schools sadly attest, is by no means the sole qualifi- cation of a good teacher. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at VSingham. Ontario As Ni roger Bros 1 rmilPd Barry Wenger. President Hasher; + V1engPr 't•, Tr+,i, Member Audit Bureau o(r'trculattnrr Member Canadian ('ommunit, Newspaper Ascot - (tnrant' lVeekk Six months $8 00 Second Class Mail Regis, rat Inn N. oa2I H..rurn postag.• Ku.ir.iri . ,1 Subscription 11500 per year News Items from Old Files SEPTEMBER 1933 At the annual meeting of the Georgian Bay Municipal Electric Association held in Owen Sound last week W. H, Gurney was re-elected president of the association. A lovely wedding had its setting in Knox United Church, Belgrave; when Mary Ellen Stonause of Belgrave was •married to Robert 'Howson • Coultes. They will reside on the groom's farm, third con- cession of Morris. The following former high school students are at- tending Normal School this year: Vivian Tiffin, 'Agnes Louttit, Dell Walker, Isabel Fowler. Grace Ireland.,lack•' Fortune, Norman' Hall, Margaret McNeil AGrani... Donaldson, Loreen Gilkin- son, Eva Homuth, Jessie Ross, Janet Woods. John Kaine of Gorrie left for Windermere where he' has secured a school. Whitechurch residents congratulate Miss Evelyn Martin of Fordyce School who received the beautiful dish donated by the T. Eaton Co'. to the pupil securing the most points at the school fair. Miss Martin's family lives on the Turner farm. Canada has a surplus of 10,000,000 pounds of butter,. more than will be needed for domestic consumption this winter. What we need is the oft -stated markets for our farm products. The new high school students were initiated on Monday, the kills coming to school in short skirts, men's stockings and garters and men's coats on backwards. The boys wore girls' dresses with hair ribbons and faces smeared with cosmetics. SEPTEMBER 1945 • Appointment of 39 new Kiag's Counsel in Ontario was, antipuz}ced last week by Attorney -General Leslie Blackwell. Included In the list are':L W. Bushfield.and J. H. Crawford of Wingham: Two students of,Wingham High School have hoer successful m winning Do- \ • minion -Provincial student Aid Scholarships. Miss May - belle Dunkin won a scholar- ship valued at $100 and Miss Patricia Shaw won a Normal School scholarihipivalued'at $250 - . • Ross+l r t; a u • s •allec president of the 'gh Scheel Literary Society:' 'Vice presidentseare Helen Sturdy and Raymond. Gowdy; secretary `is Dorothy Hamiltob and treasurer Jim Hobden. Ontario license plates for 1946 will have white figures on a black background and because of the prevailing metal shortage only one plate will be issued per automobile. Victor Showers has. Or - chased the cottage of Mrs. James. Campbell on John Street. Mrs. Campbell recently purchased it from John Casemore. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor arrived in New York aboard the drab troopship Argentina, bound for France where they will live several months before going together to England. What lies ahead for the man who once was King and who served for the last five years as governor of the Bahamas, is indefinite: ` Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Grainger and family of Jamestown have moved to their new home at Wroxeter. SEPTEMBER 1956 • Mrs: Clarence Borho has been appointed manager of the Simpsons -Sears order office in town. She succeeds Mts. Robert. Rider who with her husband and son returns shortly to their former home in England. Nancy Carter of RR 5, Wingham, has taken a ition in the.localaPublic . .t.� . ice ,She :: n +. employed— the-, • Grocery. Rev. Murdy -E. Getty of Calvary Baptist +- Church, Moncton, New Brunswick, has accepted a call to the Charlet* night. for . Optimists. TEESWATER •— The Teeswater-Culross Optimist Club, which was sponsored by . the • Wallace Township club last June; received its charter Saturday evening during a dinner at the Teeswater Community Cen- tre. The two-hour program was filled with speeches and presentations to the new 40 - member group. Ab Flood, governor of Ontario. district, presented the charter, while other Optimist dignitaries presented the banner, bell and gavel, lectern and din- ner badges. The executive of the Tees - water -Culross club com- prises Bill Jarvis, president; Dennis O'Malley, vice president; Dave Mont- gomery, vice president; Alan \1r,cictae :*.n.Bob Buckle, secretary treasurer; Clayton Bell, Bill Flett and Doug McPherson, tv; year directors; and Doug Millen, Bob 'Martin and Len Hough- ton, one-year directors. • CHARTER N IGHT—Saturday night was charter night for the Teeswater-Culross Optimist Club. Here Ab Flood, °+governor of Ontario district, presents 8111 Jarvis, president of the new group, with the charter certificate, Baptist Church here- and commenced his duties on Sunday. Misses Lenore Guy, Betty Foxton; Veda Arthur, Joan Arthur and Verna Griffith are ; taking secretarial courses at Canada Business College, Toronto. The young 'adults of Whitechurch United Church held a farewell party for Marjorie Coultes who leaves soon to take a nursing course in Guelph General Hospital. SEPTEMBER 1966 Rev. Hugh C. Wilson of Exeter is taking`ower the work of the Belgrave United Church . charge on a tem- porary basis. East Wawanosh Central lie •Schools nears com= ..t-�3elgr,�Ve4' ex `petted to" ire`` fiushe' int . December and will contain nine classrooms. Friends and neighbors of Miss Janis Henderson held a surprise party for her at her home before her departure for Stratford Teachers' College this week. John Bradley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Bi adley, RR 3, Goderich, 'has been selected to represent Ontario and Huron County at the National 4-H Club. Con- ference in Toronto. John was chosen . on the basis of par- ticipation in 4-H work and community activities, as well as personality and self- expression. He is presently in Grade 13 and plans to continue his education at the University of Guelph. Miss Marjorie Jeffray of Belmore left to begin nurses', training at K -W Hospital, Kitchener. At the meeting of Morris Township School Area Board, members decided to sell four Morris schools by auction, SS 12 and SS 1 on September 24, SS 3 and,SS 10 on October 1. A 1926 Dodge Brothers four -door sedan, owned by Len - Crawford Motors, Wingham, was the oldest car to pass the Department of Transport's safety check in Wingham recently. It went through the safety lane with flying colors. BY HELEN ALLEN In spite of Jimmie's considerable handicaps, he is a lovable little 4 -year-old who constantly smiles and laughs. Due to a head injury when he was a baby, Jimmie suffered brain damage and has cerebral p'e.isy, as well as some upper respiratory difficulty. Jimmy Is severely limited in development and can't talk or walk, hitt is making some progress both mentally and physically, He attends a centre for low functioning children two half days a week, and has special physio- therapy and speech therapy three half days a week. He smiles in response to his name, and follows objects and people with his eyes. Therapy is helping Jimmie learn to relax his rigid muscles. He needs to be fed, but can distinguish different kindle of foods and indicates what he likes and dislikes. He will probably always require constant care, and needs a special kind of family who will willingly devote them- selves to his needs and accept his uncertain future. With all that, he may just surprise everyone with his progress. . To inquire , about adoptingJimmie, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of ommunity and Social Ser- vices, Box a a a, Station K, Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2H2. In your letter tell something of your present family and your way of life, form a new comity to be known as Mattland,, made up from parts of Huron, Perth and Wellington, with the county town to be Listow There was a large meetir held in the village of Wroxeter, of the ratepayers of Howick,W.roxer and Gorrie to oppose the new' county, A delegation from Wingham, consisting of Reeve . Clegg, Deputy -reeve Scott, councillors Wilson and` Elliott were `present. The feeling of the meeting was decidelly opposed to the new formation and canvassers were appointed to circulate petitions in each munici- pality for presentation to the government- to protest the proposed change. A short time later the CPR ran a cheap excursion to Toronto to accomodate deputations from Harriston, Clifford, Minto, Howick, Wroxeter and Gerrie who waited upon the government to oppose the new -county of Maitland. The trip, of course, was successful. The fare for the round trip was $2,25, with tickets good on the morning or afternoon train. 0-0-0 In March of 1894 tenders were invited for a site for the House of Refuge that was to be built by the County. of Huron. The location was to consist of 25 to 50 acres within two miles of Clinton, Seaforth, Wingham or Goderich. George McKenzie offered what was called a de- sirable piece of ground south of the . Wingham cemetery. William Campbell of Lower Town also tendered 40 acres of well -drained laud. Wing - ham did not get the House of Refuge because the county council selected the 50 acres of John Pickett. one -Mile south Of Clinton. It was in the centre of the county, on a highway and near two rail - stoFe arr brceMayor Yeelands, cbarg y th ob- structing the niGeWalit "' m front 'of his premiwith fish barrels, ete,v11#: vias fined $2, which he )FglimiBY paid. k Sports derlighttnTe an every-ni t occllrre* in this modern age Blit would you, believe .that v ri, aim had a footbalr: (soccer i�game under electric., lights on August 24, 1900? The town band had a promenade.con-. cert in" the park before the match, which was between Wingham and Brussels. The admission was 10 cents. All proceeds going to the band. The game under lights was a novelty and ended in a tied score. 0-0-0 What could have been a more serious accident hap- pened in July of 1907 at the Victoria Street end of the CPR yard. A car of 1000 doors from C. Lloyd and Son was being shunted near the Salt Block when the brakes failed. The car ran heavily against the timbers at the end of the track, smashed them down and ran off the end of the rails onto the street. It crossed theroad and started down the steep bank of the river before it stopped. The next morning a temporary tract was laid to the river bank and the car was jacked up and pulled backed onto the rails. While this was being done one of the crew had his leg broken in two places, when the car slipped back and forced a tie he was holding, against his legs. ' 0-0-•0 !t. sla'id i 1886 that W. Bradley, baker on Victoria Street had the handsomest delivery wagon in Wingham. New Books in the Library TOWARD THE END by Elizabeth Savage Recalling the events surrounding the Great Bliz- zard that swept the eastern coast in 1978, this novel sets the daily dramas of the townspeople's comfortable, sequestered lives against the headlong invasion of a seemingly benign, suddenly obliterating sea. Elizabeth Savage has written a power- ful novel about love, loss and survival. THE FIFTH HORSEMAN by Larry Collins and Dominque Lapierre In Libya, Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi has secretly, painstakingly succeeded, with the help of borrowed and stolen Western technology and his immense. oil revenues, in constructing a three -megaton nuclear de- vice. His target is not Jerusalem, but New York; his aim is to hold the city for ransom against the esta- blishment of an autonomous Palestinian state. If he does not get his way, the bomb, smuggled into the country and hidden, will go off in 36 hours, killing millions of New Yorkers. Blending history and fact, the authors take you through a day and a half of suspenseful, anguished terror, from the White House to the streets of Brooklyn. THE BENEFIT by, Nick Mayo Louis Levine's Liberation l Army consists of six older people who are fed up with the way folks their age are treated in the United States. They decide to do what young people sometimes do; they turn to violence to get the country to pay attention to their demands. Their con- frontation takes place at a famous bank in Los Angeles, which Louie's Liberation Army seizes. These six mar- vellous characters society would discard before their time, hold all of the'`eity at bay in a story that is as funny as it is moving. TODAY CHILD