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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1973-08-09, Page 1NO. 32 FIRST WITH THE LOCAL NEWS eat, oe THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1973 FRIEDSBURG DAYS - This year's version of Friedsburg Days in Dashwood proved to be the most popular ever since the event first began three years ago. A large parade, probably one of the best in the area for many years, highlighted the Saturday afternoon program. One of the outstanding floats in the parade was this version of an old-time shack entered by Jim Becker Construction. it historical On Sunday, August 12, at 2:30 p.m, a historical plaque commemoT t_ng,the outstanding Canadidni uarnai.i Sir John Stephen Willison,* be un- veiled on the grounds of the Zurich Community Centre. This plaque is one of a series being erected throughout the province by the Historical and Museums Branch, Ministry of Colleges and Universities, act- ing on the advice of the Arch- aeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. Sunday's ceremony is being arranged and sponsored by the Zurich village council, and reeve J.M. Turkheim will act as programme chairman. Others expected to take part include: Joseph Hoffman, reeve of Hay Township; Anson McKinley, reeve of Stanley Township; J.K. Riddell, M.P.P. (Huron); R.E. McKinley, M.P. (Huron); and Leslie Gray, of London who will represent the Archaeologic- al and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. The plaque will be unveiled by James McAllister, a lifelong resident of Hay Township, and will be dedicated by Reverend A.C. Blackwell and Father A. Darand, both of Zurich. The inscription on the plaque reads: SIR JOHN STEPHEN WILLISON 1856-1927 One of Canada's most influ- ential political journalists and an ardent advocate of Imperial Federation, Willison was born The council of the village of Zurich at their regular meeting last Wednesday, agreed to call applications for the position of arena manager -caretaker for the local arena and community centre. At the same time the council instructed clerk W.D. Armstrong to contact the Youth and Rec- reation Branch of the Ontario government, with a request for information regarding the oper- ation of an arena and commun- ity centre. Council would like more information regarding both the operation and manage- ment of such centres. The council also agreed to ask for a meeting with the Zur- ich Agricultural Society with respect to the property behind the arena and community centre. The property is present- ly owned by the Agricultural Society. In other business at the meet- ing council were advised,of a meeting to be held on August ag 29, at which time the Huron County planning department will present the details of the village's secondary plan. A one-year agreement with Hay Township was ratified regarding waste disposal service and fire protection. Hay Town- ship will pay Zurich the sum of $2, 000 for fire protection, while the Village of Zurich will pay the township the sum of $3500 for the use of their waste disposal site. At the same time the village is to have equal representation on a com- mittee set up to operate the present waste disposal site. Coverage under the Workmen' Compensation Board for memb- ers of the volunteer fire brig- ade was raised to $10, 000 per man. Insurance premiums in the amount of $3207.55 with Robert F. Westlake Insurance, were approved for payment at the meeting. Following a recent inspection (continued on page 15) on a farm about four miles north east of here. He began his car- eer in 1881 with the London Ad- vertiser. Two years later he joined the Toronto Globe and in 1890 was appointed chief editor of that influential Liberal organ. In 1902 he resigned to become editor of the independ- ent Toronto News (1902-1917) and in 1910 was named Canadian correspondent of the Times of London. Willison supported the Conservatives in the election of 1911 and was knighted in 1913 for his contribution to journalism His many written works include a notable biography of Sir Wil- freid Laurier. The son of a Huron County farmer, Willison was born near Hillsgreen, on November 9, 185( In 1881 he joined the staff of the "London Advertiser, " and two years later he joined the "Tor- onto Globe." In 1890 he was appointed chief editor of this newspaper, regarded by most at the turn of the century as the most influential organ of Liber- alism in Canada. In 1902, how- ever, he resigned from the "Globe, " claiming... "In fact, party journalism meant for me simply a succession of quarrels and at last I withdrew." A year earlier (January 29, 1901) he had written to his friend Clifford Sifton, Minister of the Interior, resenting "the assumption of every Liberal politician that I am his hired man..." He admitted that... I' am a Liberal and the Globe is a Liberal paper but it seems to me that under the circumst- ances a little more gratitude for what we do and a little less censure for what we do not do would be more becoming." From 1902 to 1917 he edited the independent "Toronto Daily News" and served as well as the Canadian correspondent for the London "Times." It may be (continued on page 3) Pick new Village of Bob Sharen, a first year member of the Grand Bend council, on Tuesday night was the unanimous choice of the remaining council members for the vacant position of reeve in the municipality. The vac- ancy was created by the resign- ation of former reeve John Payne, who announced last Wednesday that he was giving up the position due to health reasons, In announcing his resignation last week Mr. Payne was critic- al of the members of his counc- il, expressing disappointment in the fact that they had not contacted him concerning vill- age management during his illness. He also questioned as to whether the council needed to increase the tax rate by 18 mills over last year. lvlr. Sharen, who also acted as chairman of the Tuesday night council meeting, refuted many of the statements made by the retiring reeve. "In the first place, " Mr. Sharen expl- ained, "it is highly unusual for a man to resign his office to some of the newspapers in the area, instead of to the remain- ing members of the council." Payne had also suggested that a new election should be called to fill the vacancy, but the clerk read the section of the Municipal Act which covers such situations. The act pointed out that "the council shall ap- ' point one of their members to fill the vacancy." As far as the charge of Mr. Payne that council did not communicate with him during his illness, Sharen explained that no council members felt that a sick man should be both- ered at his home with council business during an illness. Sharen pointed out, however, that all minutes were delivered to Payne, and also the clerk and road foreman paid regular visits to him to outline work being carried out. In his prepared statement regarding his resignation, Payne had also indicated the council should have purchased the old theatre building in the resort village. To answer this charge, Mr. Sharen said, "how could we spend still more money when we have a $23, 000 deficit left from last year, and our mill rate has been increased by 18 mills." Mr. Sharen also voiced his views on the L.I.P. carried out .during the past winter in Grand Bend. "When we applied for the program Mr. Payne told us it would cost the village absolutely nothing, " he added. "And now we find out the prog- ram has cost us over $20, 000. "If there was a lack of co- operation shown around here, " Sharen concluded, "it was in the manner the reeve chose to resign." Sharen was nominated to fill the vacancy for reeve by coun- cillors Murray Desjardins and John Teevins, and the motion was unanimous. In accepting the challenge, Sharen asked for the co-operat- ion of all members of council, 150, PER COPY reeve for Grand Bend as well ast the ratepayers in the village. "First thing we must do in Grand Bend is heal the rift that has existed over the past couple of years, " he said. "We all know mistakes have been made, and now we must work together to correct all the bad situations which exist. " The council seat which Mr. Sharen has held has now been declared vacant, and the mem- bers of the council will have to find someone to fill the vacancy, At least 25 ratepayers were present at the meeting with problems of all types and compl- aints. The most serious compl- aint voiced by a number of those present was the lack of garbage collection over the long holiday weekend just concluded. 0 Side r.:fi ► ik problem f_i r ' ;„ s II (by Mrs. Rena Caldwell) When Hensall council met for their August meeting, the first motion appointed Harold Knight as chairman due to the illness of Reeve John Baker. Mr. Knight said he was sorry to sit in the reeve's chair under the circum- stances and he hoped to see Mr. Baker back for the September meeting. The chief topic was the slow progress made by Gerald Shantz, laying sidewalks. Council dec- ided to pay $400 and the rest of his bill when the sidewalks are finished. Tenders will be called for 1973 sidewalks. A complaint by Mrs. Christie regarding a hedge blocking her (continued on page 2) 0 Need c nnestonts for eel`. Contest Contestants are needed for the annual Festival Queen Cont- est to be held at this year's Bean Festival in Zurich. Any girls between the ages of 15 and 25 are eligible to enter the contest. As well as valuable cash awards, the winner will have the right to enter the Miss West- ern Ontario Contest in Lucknow. The winner of that contest in turn competes for the Miss Can- ada contest. Any girls who are interested in entering this year's contest should contact Mrs. Glen Thiel, 226-4060, as soon as possible.