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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1968-04-04, Page 2PAGE TWO ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 196$ eddeual Gemeoteid (BY SH IMO M LEY J. KELLER, CITIZENS NEWS COLUMNIST) Hit and Miss Decision Making It is difficult to imagine that mu- nicipal representatives — even those from Hay Township — would spend the taxpayers' dollars on books rath- er than health. In essence that's what happened last week in Goderich when county council okayed a library budget rep- resenting a $22,000 increase over last year and turned down the addi- tion of several vital health service improvements which would have cost $1.8,675. This was not the first time that medical officer of health Dr. G. P. A. Evans has tried to bring the Huron Unit into the forefront of modern preventative medicine. Last year at budget time Dr. Evans presented a comprehensive study in fact which showed Huron sadly lacking in cer- tain areas vital to the health of the county. His budget was rejected, perhaps wisely at that tune, since it was considered to be over -ambitious for the financial potential of the county. Last year, county council agreed to begin a new library system which cost $120,499.32. At the January session of county council this year, Huron council ve- toed a proposal of the board of health to amalgamate with Perth County, the city of Stratford and the town of St. Marys to form a health dis- trict. In a closed discussion to which even Dr. Evans was not invited, council decided to manage the Huron health unit until it was clear what implications the new regional scheme would have on the operation as a whole. Fact of the matter was county pride could not be swallowed to per- mit less representation on the board from Huron than from Perth, espe- cially since it was noted that Huron's health unit was far better equiped than the Perth unit. Knowledge that department of health grants would be drastically reduced in Huron for 1968 was not considered important in January though now in March it seems that council's stubborn decis- ion will result in higher costs and less than adequate health services for families in Huron whoa must cough up the dollars. In January, however, it was learned that a qualified librarian had been engaged. Her salary is $9,000 per annum. Last week Dr. Evans presented a basic budget at an understandably higher cost. Everything costs more —why shouldn't health. An added request was for the funds to begin work on cancer detection, rheuma- tism and arthritis testing, flouride paint for children's teeth, mental health, pest control, water pollution control, senior citizens' aid and a host of related services. It was a real bargain at $18,675 for the first year — and less than 50 per cent of the cost of Dr. Evans' 1967 budget for a similar program. A half hour later council accepted — without question — a budget pre- sented by the library board and esti- mated at $124,363 for the year. We have no quarrel to find with the library system in itself. Books are an important part of our educa- tion and enjoyment. They should have a prominent place on our spend- ing agenda. In our opinion, though, they are secondary to health and should remain so. In short, if there is not money for both services, health should have priority over books. A large majority of county coun- cillors interviewed following the vote seemed to feel that Dr. Evans did not plead his case in language that laymen could comprehend; others thought that had the library report come in before the health report council might have been more accus- tomed by then to "spending money"; some stated simply that "health is a hard thing to sell"; while still more claimed that money to pay for the added health services should have been incorporated in the basic budget. Arguments like these are weak and shortsighted. They are not the kind of reasoning that should be at the crux of decision-making. With such limited vision and intelligence it is little wonder that council is some- times "led down the garden path" (to quote just one member of Huron County council who was referring to another commitment and another ex- pense). Still Need Grass-roots Voice Hay Township Federation of Agri- culture seriously considered disband- ing last week, because as one farmer stated, the group was as useful as a fifth wheel on a wagon. That description may be a little harsh, because similar to most town- ship federations, the Hay group have performed some worthwhile services over the years through founding market groups, 4-H clubs and sup- porting rural improvements. Their membership through the years has also assisted the county, provincial and national branches to perform many worthwhile projects on behalf of farmers. While Hay's federation may be the first to take a serious look at their value, there is no question but what many federations throughout the county are serving diminishing roles. Many meet only on an annual basis and provide only token services to their members. It has been suggested that some of the ills of the farm situation will be solved if farmers across Canada unite to have one voice, rather than the two major—and sometimes con- flicting voices they now have. However, we fail to see where this will correct the situation to any great extent until there is renewed interest and activity at the grass-roots. It seems almost inconceivable that at a time when technological and marketing changes are altering the concept of farming to staggering de- grees that farmers at the township level can not maintain a useful or- anization. Only recently about 50 farmers from neighboring counties gathered at the Central College of Agricul- tural Technology and spent the bet- ter part of a week discussing market- ing. Reports indicate the session was invaluable and could have been continued at even greater length. This would ,indicate beyond any doubt that farmers are keenly inter- ested in discussing and hearing ex- perts on matters of mutual concern and surely a periodic evening pro- gram would interest many farmers at the township level. Farmers are wanting a single voice to state their cause at Queen's Park and Ottawa, but obviously that policy has to be formulated at the grass- roots and it has to be based on find- ings garnered from opinions, facts and discussions. The farm voice can be strength- ened by amalgamation at the national level, but only if it is strong at the local level as well.—(Exeter Times - Advocate). Zurich News PRINTED BY SOUTH HURON PUBLISHERS LIMITED, ZURICH HERB TURKHEIM, Publisher J E. HUNT, Plant Superintendent Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa and for payment of postage in cash. Member: Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association Member: Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association Member: Canadian Coriamunity Newspapers Representatives Subscription Rates: $3.50 per year in advance, in Canada; $4.50 in United States and Foreign; single copies 10 cents From My Window If you :had driven by the Keller household one night re- cently between the hours •of five and six in the evening you might have noticed that a tent was rising from the inner con- fines of a trailer. If you had stopped to investigate you would have learned that ma and pa Keller had not taken leave of their senses—nor were they be- ing cast into the street in make- shift quarters. In actual fact, we were sim- ply putting up and taking down our newly purchased summer home—and like kids do when they get a new toy, we were having a .ball. I think I told you last sum- mer that we had been bitten by the tamping bug. Little did I think that my husband would begin his quest for a camping trailer between ,Christmas and New Years. He did though. Let me tell you, it is difficult to get enthused over canvas and screening when icicles form on the tip of your nose when you walk outside the front door. With feminine charms I con- vinced him to wait a few weeks to begin the serious search, but finally in mid-February I was dragged through the snowbanks to view the camping trailer which now occupies our garage. Since then it has been a strug- gle to prevent my man from answering the call of the wild at the slightest provocation — and with the first nice day this spring it became an obsession with him to see that tent grow to. its full height. We :had never assembled a camping trailer before. That's the reason we had it upside down on the first trial and sway -backed on the second 'at- tempt. But after a little cuss- ing and a bit of thought we had the situation under control and were ready to assume the head- aches of deciding on the vital equipment to snake a tenting holiday more enjoyable. • From our vantage point in the empty tent we soon realized that mattresses and sleeping bags were in order—an expen- diture of several more dollars than we'd like to spend, no doubt. (More oatmeal and vege-, table soup to stretch the budg- et, I thought.) Then there was dishes and silverware and a stove and a lantern and a table .and some chairs and a cooler and a heater and . . , at this point my eager beaver husband decided he'd had enough camping for the day — perhaps the entire sum- mer. With heavy 'hearts we took down the canvas and poles, closed up the trailer and plod- ded to the house. It is very possible that the tent site occupied by the Kellers in the Ontario trailer parks this summer will look a little strange. Stacks of newspapers will likely take the place of By Shirley Keller mattresses and sleeping bags will be old blankets rolled and folded to make a bed, The fancily will mostoften be ob- served as they huddle around their open fire for scrambled eggs served caveman style (pre - cutlery) and lights out will be observed at the setting of the sun. But we have the trailer and the tent to go over it. We know now how to put it up and take it down—and we have some of the camping spirit left after figuring out the total bill for the gear, There's one bright feature — we're still young and if we save our trading stamps we may be able to have a super heavy-duty flashlight next season. 0 Read, sleep, eat and drink these were the pastimes while travelling by air. An- other has been added . . . you can watch TV. Movies are being shown on Am e r i c a n Airlines Astrojet flights between Toronto and Los Angeles, Rear -projection screens are located within every five rows in the regular section, and every three rows in the first-class area. People in the aisle can- not block the unique overhead screens. The windows are coated with a special non -reflec- tive chemical that makes shade - pulling, or cabin -darkening un- necessary. This equipment was installed in 707 Astrojets which cost more than three million dollars. Four (hours ,of film can be shown with one loading, which means that the longest Holly- wood spectaculars can be shown to air travellers. What next? a: * * Why suddenly, after one hun- dred years, are political conven- tions the .hottest TV programs of the year? Probably the quickest closest answer is TV itself. The immediacy of being personally visually involved in the top power struggle in the country. No matter what your politics, you ,couldn't help but caught up in the pathos of the old chief disposed at the Con- servative convention last Sep- tember. Who will win? Who will be our next Prime Minister? Does it matter? The rising cost of living matters. It must stop. And, after the next general election, either Stanfield or the new Liberal leader must act. This country is going all to hell! ST. JOSEPH BP Corner Hwys. 21 and 84 BP FREE -- FREE -- FREE -- FREE ONEY GOLD TUMBLER 12 -OZ, SIZE With Every $4,00 Purchase of Gas THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL: FAMILY SIZE KIST GINGER ALE OR FAMILY SIZE PEPSI COLA 6 FOR $1.00 We carry a complete line of GROCERIES wt SOUVENIRS • GIFTS. CONFECTIONERY Charlie and Edith Burgess, Proprietors JONES w MacNAUDHTON SEEDS 235-0363 EXETER FOR PERSONAL SERVICE AND THE KIND OF QUALITY YOU CAN DEPEND ON . , . See Your Local Dealer HURON ERAND FIELD SEEDS AND GRASSES RARDI-GREEN PASTURE MIXES NEW AND IMPROVED VARIETIES OF CLOVER --- TIMOTHY — GRASSES • r In -Stock Service ON BOYS' AND MEN'S READY-MADE SUITS BOYS' 3 -PIECE SUITS PLAIN or MIX and MATCH As Low As $26.50 Ladies' Koratron Weather Coats As Low As $24.50 Men's Sport Jackets and Blazers In Wool, Koratron, Corduroy, Etc. SEE OUR Bargain Tables Upstairs Dozens of items drastically reduced in price, ready for you when you visit our upstairs Bargain Department. GASCHO'S DRY GOODS Zurich OPEN EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT ! Business and Professional Directory OPTOMETRISTS J. E. Longstaff OPTOMETRIST SEAFORTH MEDICAL CENTRE 527-1240 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sat- urday a.m., Thursday evening CLINTON OFFICE 10 Issac Street 482.7010 Monday and Wednesday Call either office for appointment. Norman Martin OPTOMETRIST Office Hours: 9-12 A.M. — 1:30-6 P.M. Closed all day Wednesday Phone 235-2433 Exeter ACCOUNTANTS Roy N. Bentley PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT GODERICH P.O. Box 478 Dial 524-9521 HURON and ERIE DEBENTURES CANADA TRUST CERTIFICATES J. W. HARERER Authorized Representative 7%---3 and 4 years 63/4%--5 years 61/i%---1 and 2 years Minimum $100 DIAL 236-4346 -a- ZURICH FUNERAL DIRECTORS WESTLAKE Funeral Home AMBULANCE and PORTABLE OXYGEN SERVICE DIAL 236-4364 — ZURICH AUCTIONEERS ALVIN WALPER PROVINCIAL LICENSED AUCTIONEER For your sale, large or small, courteous and efficient service at all times. "Service That Satisfies" DIAL 237-3399 DASHWOOD INSURANCE For Safety .. EVERY FARMER NEEDS Liability Insurance For Information About AO Insurance -- Call BERT KLOPP Dial 236.4988 --- ZURICH Representing CO-OPERATORS INSURANCE ASSOCIATION J. W. Haberer Insurance Agency "All Kinds of Insurance" DIAL 236.4291 * ZURICH