Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1971-02-11, Page 4PAGE FOUR ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1971 Uneasy Riders A generation ago, a common primary school graduation gift was a bicycle. Youngsters would start riding at 12 to 14, and would continue to use their bicycles right through high school. Now children are starting to ride bicycles at about seven, and they abandon their bikes at about the same age their parents got theirs. Twenty-five years ago, a com- mon sight at most high schools was rows of racked bi- cycles. But for some years now. the average high schooler wouldn't be caught dead riding a bike to school. This fad, or anti -fad, if you prefer, costs the young people dearly. They lose out on one of the cheapest (bicycles have ris- en little in price in 25 years, compared to other items), most convenient and healthful ways of getting about, • But the children who are riding bikes—the seven- to 14- year-olds—are causing problems. They are a danger to themselves and to others. Some ride on sidewalks, where they are a hazard to pedestrians. Those who ride on the streets ,often don't either know the traffic rules and the importance of observ- ing them, or they have their own rules. Adding to the problem is the number of bicycles mis- matched to their riders. With economy in mind, parents often buy their youngsters full-size bicycles, with the idea they will grow to fit them. Transport Minister Irwin Haskett said recently that children under nine may eventually be prohibited from rid- ing bicycles on Ontario roads. The move would seem to be a wise one. But whether it is passed or not, the parents of all children have a duty to see they know, understand and follow the rules of the road and common sense, and that they ride the right size of bicycle (one on which they can touch the ground with both feet while seated) that is in good condition. We often take for granted that children grow up faster today than we did, but in so doing we often place on them too great a responsibility to behave maturely. (New Hamburg Independent) From Devil to Angel As a result of last week's se- vere storm which ravaged much of Western Ontario for most of the week, and in some instances, longer, a long, new look has been taken by many, at thathitherto controversial winter sports ma- chine, the snowmobile. For many a stranded motorist and isolated family in need, the sudden roar of asnowmobile mo- tor, above ahowling wind, was no longer a nuisance noise,butsud- denly a welcome sound, and the "dam fool dare -devil driver" was suddenly transformed to an angel of mercy. Even as the big storm struck, many news items appeared of municipal councils planning laws to restrict or ban the use of noisy machines in their municipalities. Governments were concerned as to the safety qualifications of the sports machines. Private cit- izens complained of their sleep being interrupted by noise. Far- mers and others complained of trespass and subsequent damage to crops or property. What adif- ferent story nowt So many and varied were the services performed by snowmo- bile clubs and individual opera- tors during Western Ontario's winter emergency that it would be impossible to list them. In many cases stranded motorists were removed to warmth and safety; sick or injured removed to hospitals; medicines and foods delivered to persons in need; missing persons found and brought to safety; hungry live- stock saved from starvation, etc., etc. On top of all this, there is lit- tle doubt that in some areas, had it not been for the co-operation of school bus and snowmobile, many dozens of school children would have been forced to spend the weekend in their schools or in billets, where they had been since Tuesday. When all other means of mod- ern winter transportation failed, when airlifts were grounded by storm filled skies, the powerful little fun -machine carried the load. Even if the snowmobile, must under ordinary conditions, be considered primarily asports vehicle, surely it cannot now be denied its rightful place as an integral part of our Ontario win- ter. True, like most persons, and this goes, too, for responsible snowmobile operators, we are alarmed at the increasing num- • ber of deaths caused by these machines. We're alarmed too at the number of deaths caused by automobile accidents, and even farm tractors. But, has anyone yet tried to ban either of these death -dealing machines? Per- haps a new and more tolerant public attitude, which the snow- mobile has now earned, at Ieast, in this part of Ontario, will tend to make snowmobiiingasafer and more publicly -accepted winter sport. (Durham Chronicle) ZURICH Citizens NEWS PRINTED BY SOUTH HURON PUBLISHERS LIMITED, ZURICH HERB TURKHEIM, Publisher. Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385.01 At Member: Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association Subscription Rates: $4.00 per year in advance in Canada; $5.00 in United States and Foreign; single copies 10 cents ro WOMEN'S WORLD CREDIT BUYING SAFEGUARDS Ah 1 nilnrrnrr• rti chdirmon rrl Ihr !!'mum's Aeh (•rnnm;Urr. ONTARIO !)FPARTMFNT OF TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT by Lilah Lymburner A recent report by the Domin- ion Bureau of Statistics points out that every Canadian owes an average of $387. in consumer credit. Such a sum would be considered a downright budgeting disgrace to Canadians of only a few generations ago, and perhaps a little sinful to boot. Actually, the average debt is even higher because monies owing to oil companies and for credit union loans are not included in the total, which amounts to a whopping $8, 500, 000, 000. Credit buying, then, is obvious- ly socially and economically acceptable. Indeed, our manuf- acturing industries largely depend on credit buying to move their products. And jobs are subsequen- tly assured for thousands of Ont- arians. One way to look at credit buying is that every time a resp- onsible borrower takes out a loan for a needed item, he or she is voting confidence in the economy and their own abilities. Conversely, too much easy credit can be inflationary. And there is the danger of families over -extending themselves. In this regard, it is encouraging to see that courses on the wise use of credit are being seriously cons- idered for inclusion in social science studies in Ontario schools. The bulk of today's credit buying is done with those familiar plastic cards that first made their appearance in number about 10 years ago. Instant cash, they are sometimes called.. . but beware the day of reckoning! Careless use of credit cards can Zurich Council (continued from page 1) meet of Welfare that elected officials could no longer hold this position. Previously the reeve had always served as the welfare officer in most municip- alities. Mr. Armstrong was also appointed as the industrial cont- act man for the village, for the year 1971. Councillor Herb Turkheim was appointed as the representative to the Huron Zone of the Mid- western Ontario Development Association. Ten dollars membership fees in both the Ontario Association of Rural Municipalities and the Ontario Association of Mayors and Reeves, was approved by members of council. Following a recent survey of the streets in the village regard- ing stop signs, carried out by the Ontario Department of Trans. port, a by-law to make several streets thoroughfares was passed. As a result stop signs will be erected at the corners of Mill and Frederick street, and at the corner of Mill and Victoria Street, making both Frederick and Victoria through streets. Stop signs will also be erected at the corner of John Street South and Centre Street, mak- ing Centre a through street at that intersection. easily lead to serious personal debt. But carefully used, they can make the best use of your money. Used wisely --at sales for instance- -credit cards are a use- ful family financial tool. The danger, of course, is imp- ulse buying. It's as easy as falling into debt to charge a purchase, but the bill will faithfully arrive the following month. To prevent unpleasant surprises, it is worthwhile keeping a list of the amounts charged to your account. And check your bills when you receive them. Comp- uters make mistakes. Because credit cards are instant cash, they deserve the same safekeeping. Never leave them in glove compartments or at other locations where they can be eas- ily removed. If you make limited use of your credit card, check frequently that you still have it. When a credit card is lost or stolen, notify the issuer immed- iately by registered mail. One of the greatest dangers of credit cards is that the holder assumes legal responsibility for all debts incurred in their use, whether or not authorized. So if you receive unsolicited credit cards in the mail for which you have no use, destroy or mut- ilate them immediately. And if you feel strongly about receiving credit cards you haven't asked for, by all means return the mut- ilated card to the sender... along with you comments! Bean Festival Helps Area Groups (continued from page 1) last summer. Douglas Armstrong was elected chairman of the annual event for this year, with Glen Thiel as his assistant. Miss Carol Erb was appointed to the position of secretary -treasurer. Chairmen of various commit- tees in connection with the fest- ival are, concessions, Glen Weide; tours, Orland Reichert; traffic and parking, Carl Thiel; food, Gerald Gingerich; public relations, Herb Turkheim; tick- et sales, Cyril Gingerich; enter- tainment, Mrs. Glen Thiel; horseshoes, Jim Bedard, and property, Oscar Greb. A special committee consist- ing of Neil Gingerich, Cleve Gingerich, Mrs. Beatrice Hess and Miss Meda Surerus were ap- pointed to supervise the overall operation of Green Acres this year. This proved to be the most popular attraction at last year's festival, and the organiz- ation hopes to make it even better than ever this year. Date for this year's event has been set for the fourth Saturday in August, the same as in past years. Regular meetings of the committee will be held in the next few months, and all persons interested in assisting in any way are invited to attend and lend their help. 0 The fourth annual meeting of the Huron -Perth Presbyterial, United Church Women, will be held in Mitchell United Church on Wednesday, February 17. The theme will be; Our Resp onsibility in change." The meet- ing is to commence at 9;30 a.m. Guest speaker in the afternoon is to be Mrs. E. Egilsson, Wood- stock, president of the London Conference, United Church Wo- men. Business and Professional Directory OPTOMETRISTS J. E. Longstaff OPTOMETRIST SEAFORTH MEDICAL CENTRE 527.1240 Tuesday, Triursday, 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 Robert F. Westlake Insurance "Specializing In General Insurance" Phone 236-4391 — Zurlah Guaranteed Trust Certificates 1 Year -- 7% 2 Years — 71/45 3, 4, 5Years -- 81/4 % J. W. HABERER ZURICH PHONE 236-4346 AUCTIONEERS ALVIN WAI.IPER PROVINCIAL LICENSED AUCTIONEER For your sale, large or small, courteous and efficient service at all times. "Service That Satisfies" DIAL 237.3300 — DASHWOOD FUNERAL DIRECTORS WESTLAKE Funeral Home AMBULANCE and PORTABLE OXYGEN SERVICE DIAL 236-4364 •— ZURICH ACCOUNTANTS Roy N. Bentley PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT GODERICH P.O. Box 471 Dial 524-9521 INSURANCE For Safety .. . EVERY FARMER NEEDS. Liability Insurance For Information About All Insurance — Call BERT KLOPP DIAL 236.4911 — ZURICH Representing CO-OPERATORS INSURANCE ASSOCIATION