The Huron Expositor, 1980-12-11, Page 2ene
12 Main $t,
$inca16.Qf Sarvine th COmrrunIty first
•PablIelled at SEAFORTH, ONTARIO every ThOedeirnornintebY
McLean a"ros. Publiehera Ltcl- • \
AriehleW Y, Mehean, Publisher
, Susan White, Editor
• Alice GIbb, News Editor
MemberCntiaan Community Newspaper Aslociation, Ontario Wookly
• Newspapiar Association and Audit Bureau of Cifttliation
Subscription rates:
Canada $10.a year (In advance)
'outside Canada $33. a year (in advance)
Single Copies - 40 cents each
27-0240
4,
Second class mail regbfration number 0696
BEAFORTH, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 11, 1980
2Pease stay-Uuned
For the first time in several weeks, there's no story about
Seaforth's Official plan revision in your Eipositor..
And we must admit it feels.a little strange. We were starting to see it
as a serial...a real cliff hanger...and looked forward to reports from the
various planning workshops each week with a "what will they tackle
next?" attitude. •
Probably that's because we, (and a lot of readers judging from
comments we heard), found the plan' stories quite fascinating,' And
that in turn, we think, is because real average people, not all
politicians or those representing a special interest, attended the
meetings and had quite /thoughtful things to say.
It's not oftdn these day$ that you get the chance to plan the direction
development in a town is going to go. (Some would argue th'at ordinary
people never do; that big bucks talk and will have their way despite all
the planning in the world.) •
But quite a few Seaforth residents thought otherwise and carefully
followed the progress of the meetings, in person or in print. "Quite a
bunch of plan junkies around here", someone remarked after seeing
the same faces at several meetings. And the participatory planning
process is quite addictive.
Now there's more work to be done. The planning board will sift
through tapes from the meetings and use residents' recommendations
to actually revainp our official plan.
The "new" plan will be reviewed by the public again in the new
year. Then, the planning board hopes, any misunderstandings and
problems can be ironed out before the plan's final version is adopted
by council.
We'll report those meetings too and sincerely hope the "plan
junkies" will be out attending, or at least reading, In full force .when
the final review takes place.
New hours are welcome
A -recent announcement in this paper brought a little
pre -Christmas joy and light into the hearts of those -who work business
hours, but also like to read.
Thai was the word from Huron County Public Library of extended
hours at the Seaforth branch.
For many years it's taken a fair an4mint of agility to juggle an 8:30
Jo 5:30 Job and a library card too.
The library perhaps recognized that and we can only applaud its
efforts to make borrowing easier for all,,of the public. Continuous
opening through the supper hour means We can now visit the library
after work. And the Friday morning opening, which has been in effect
for sometime, is a boon to other segments of the population.
It's the county library's mandate to serve the public. We've always
found the local branch, with its story hours, puppet shows and
excellent stock of books, does that very well.
In fact the only drawback we see at all is that longer hours have
eliminated our stock excuse for overdue books.
Santa came in style
Santa came to Seaforth in style Saturday and the credit for that goes
to lots of people.
First,' on behalf of the crowds here, thanks to the Lions who
organized it, the local groups who worked hard building floats for it,
and th'hqs who added so much to everyone's enjoyment of the I ong
participation acked parade
We'd all be urprised, prObably, if some ambitious soul were to total
up the hours S forth and area people spent preparing floats alone.
And we•should all be aware that the great participation by groups and
businesses mea sacrifices for a lot of individuals.
Yup, in the(final analysis. Seaforth's parade was great because a lot
of people thought about the community good and about the happiness
they could give young prirade watchers, instead of Just themselves
Thanks to you 511
On being totally organized
So, two weeks from today is Christmas
Day. And Christmas cards are starting to
tektite in. one by one. right? Christmas
lights decorate every 'doorway. the holly is
hung, and the festine fowl reclines safely in
the freezer. with a growing assortment of
holiday pies and shortbread. Isn't that the
way is should be? Perhaps, but not around
here. I don't think that l've ever been so
unprepared for the Christmas season. as
this year finds me.
All of my life. I've wanted to be totally
organized for the holiday season. like the
ideal homemaker. We all know the type:
the ones who do all their Christmas
shopping throughout the year. gradually
incorporating the whole expense into the
regular budget. These shoppers wrap and
'hide eacirgifil as they purchase them using
wrapping paper stored from the last
January post -Christmas sales. They're
Usually good at making things too, and
spice up theil collection with little unique
items, custom-made to order. No wonder
they smile smugly at the rest of us,
floundering areund desperately at the last
minute. I'm green 'with envy just thinking
about them.
Oh, I have made a beginning. I've
Potpourri
by Jeanne Kirkby
actually purchaed three gifts already. hut
how can 1 get in the mood to finish the gib)
During the past few weeks, I've had mans,
opportunities to shop. both in large caty
stores, and in the friendlier local ones But
what 1 neee is someone to take me by the
hand, and guide me through the task.
saying. "There's a choice of three things
here, suitable for your Aunt Jane. Choose
one of the three. Now. check this small
grouping for Henry's gift." 1 really need
super -specialized help.
Can you imagine what it's like to
accompany me shopping in a huge city
sto.e, with rows upon rows of similar goods
to choose from? Some of these stores are
wall-to-wall chrome and mirrors, with
flashing strobe lights. and music with a
brisk beat. There's a theory that, in such
an environment, shoppers tend to lose
touch with reality, and forget te watch their
spending. That's supposed to be why a
simulated outdoor light. and artificial erees
decorate their ‘entranceways and make -
,DECglYfagR 30, MO
JohnKerr, el the 71,11 concession of
MeKillep sold thiS week t0 Stank Case tvv0
pigs. which Weighed When dreSsed 024 ,
pounds,. They were sold for 6 cents pet '
pound thus netting the handsome -sum of
$49.44. -
We ' were shown a' few deysage a
.magnificent large grey owl, Which had ben
captured by Master John CheStleY, a yonhg
lad 11 years of age, grandson of James
Chesney of the 4th concession of ,Tucker -
smith, This king of birds bad been caught in
the mink trap in Mr. Chesney's barnyard, It!
measured 5 feet, 2 inches from tip, to tip of
its wings.
Atthe time of going to press, it has been
snowing steadily for four days and four
nights. This is the severest snowstorm we
have had for years. Now for pitch holes and
upsets.
B. Newell of Brucefieldleff on TITEildily—
last, for Paris where he intends spending a
couple of months in the extensive agricultur-
al implement manuactory of David Maxwell
with a view of getting a more perfect insight
into the •business.
R.J. Turner of Brucefiel announces that
4 he will have ir grand shooting ,match for
geese and ttirkeys at his hotel on Christmas,
He has over one hundred birds to dispose of,
as that day is generally observed as a
holiday, there will likely be a large
assemblaze of the marksmen, not' alone of
the surrounding country, but from the
neighbouring towns as well. ,
DECEMBER 1, 1905-
, Henry Cash of Melcillop, while in the
West picked up some alklent relics. Among
the nernber is a large sheath knife which had
evidently ' been used by the Indians in old
times. ' He also got the piece of a rib of a
buffalo. This was found in a ravine about 300
feet deep and seven feet below the surface.
'How it got there is the mystery. These were
got on the farm of 'George Campbell near
Wolseleys
Wm. McDougall showed us a Curiosity
this week in the shape of the skin of a black
or swamp raccoon. It was captured by
Messrs. D. McDougall antiM. McDonald of
Porter's Hill. Mr. McDougall says he has
been purchasing skins for 38 years and,this
is the first-of-theekinthhe-has ever-seeno--
although he has frequently heard of them.
• Ernie Murray, of 'Seaforth, who is a
student at the School of Practical Science,.
Toronto, goes to Philadelphia next week as a
member of the Toronto University football
team to play an exhibition game with the
University of Pennsylvania.
With the new rink.hockeypromises fo be
the popular winter sport in Seaforth and
although we may not have a championship
team. this year, it is only a matter of time
until we will. A meeting for the purpose of
organizing a club was held on Monday
rs
a
oj
DECEMBER 91,05
gensali Council took action Monday night
iteetiengthen its by -hiss -governing hawkers
evening And the attendance and enthusiasm , and peddlers; when it amended tpe hy-htweto
CliPliVeciangers well for the future success provide for an increase in licences ,of, 565 in
; of the gatne. ,the' ease , of Persons, peddling baking pro -
Samuel Thdlupson Sr. of ,Kippen has a ' duets.
relic Which he has had in his 0°6•St!$$1011.' for Frevionely, all peddlers using' a :vehicle
ver sixty ears and Which he brbtk&ht with "., were licenced for a fee of $10 While persons -
him when corning to this section sOtne,55 peddling on foot paid $5.00. These rates
years ago, Mr. Theineen's'teasure is an me ,,deintinne to ,aPPIX in all eases, except thOse,
shoe; It a peculiar n piece otworktnanship 'peddling .bakery peoducts, where the licen-
and it Would no doubt, puiile Many: skilledces now will be $75.
wOrturien of the present day to, make one like' One of the highlights of the Seaforth
it but in Mr. Thomson's early days, it was a hockey season will be the appearance here of
common practice to shoe oxen. He takes Farmer McFaildee's Burlighton team
mat pleasure in exhibiting it to the younger . Donations to the Lions ,Pool compaign
generation many of whom have never seen fund, Continue to come into Treasurer J.E.
an ten • Keating, and in many cases remIttanees are
DECEMBER 12, 1930 accompanied by comments.
R.E. Bright is making his snooker golf Most modern of any store in a village of
-parlouj'ento-a-sixteen-hole—golf-course-ewithe-similar SizeehrOntaricrowneeeRed-andcWhite—
hazards that will tax the skill of the midst Market is being Opened this week in Dublin
expert golfer. He hopes to be ready to open by George Goettler,
Gilbert and , Sullivan's operetta, '.`The
in a few days. ° •
A. Broadfoot, Farmer's Club shipper, in Mikado" was presented in St. Patrick's
his shipment from this station last week, had parish hall, Dublin, by the students of
a baby beef fed by R.B: Rogerson of Dublin Continuation School.
Tuckersmith, which was only nine months Members of the cast included, Mikado,
old, but which weighed 730 pounds. Neil Stapleton; Hank -Po, E. Lane; Katish,
Catherine Moylan, Um -Yuri, Joan Dalton;
R.J. McMillan, of 9eafoeth was elected Patti -Sing, Marie O'Connor; Peep -Bo, Shir-
first vice president of the United Farmers ley Horan. Ko -Ko, lord high executioner,
Go -operative- Company, Limited, at their Louis Murray; Pooh -Bah, Marvin Benninger
annual meeting held in Toronto this week. Pich-Tush, Pat Ryan.
The haves don't like big government
Behind the scenes -
Sometimes we want so much for
something to happen that we•start thinking it
is happening, even whenit isn't.
There was a time like that in the late
1960's and 1970's for a large number of
peoRe who wanted a simpler way of life than
the hectic 20th century lifestyle they had
.been born to.
Whether it was weariness front the long
activist battles for civil rights, against
pollution and against the Vietnam War or
whatever. a large number of young people
decided they wanted to get back to the land.
to get away from it all.
And many of them got far away front it all.
They moved to rural areas where they could
still buy land cheaply and went back to life
on the scale of their great grandfathers.
Some areas. particularly in eastern Ontario.
were repopulated by these idealistic young
people who gave many a local resident a
chuckle because they were willing en buy
abandoned -farms without, electricity or
running veatcr or central heating and seemed.
Ipazgx with them. The former residents had
struggled all their lives to free themselves
from that lifestyle and here were people
from affluent urban backgrounds willingly
choosing to live in poverty.
CHANGING THE WORLD
Pie more idealistic of the back -to -the•
!enders probably looked at the thousands of
people moving hut of the cities and onto the
land and thought a revolution was under
way. It was only a matter of time before the
world would be changed by this movement
People would see that there was a better way
of life than the pampered city way.
The revolution of course didn't take place
The tnckle of people leaving the city to get
Keith Roulston
back to the land first stewed, then
completely reversed. Few people were really
willing to give up their. modern comforts for
the hardships of pioneer life. Many of the
young idealists went back to the cities and
white collar jobs. Those who did stay for the
most part quickly gave up their idealism in
favour of more of the creature comforts. like
electricity and running water.
This brief period of history came to mind
the other day on reading an article about the
optimists of thc right wing political parties in
Canada and the U.S. who sec a new
movement away from big government and
toward a simpler time they like to recall in
the rose tinted hues of memory. The recent
victory of Ronald Reagan in the U.S.
presidential election. the'defeat of liberal
senators down there, the fact most of our
pnwincial governments in Canada are held
las Conservatives, ell these things are taken
as signs that people are fed up with
goverrinteItt interference in their lives. The
revolution is on.
Well like the people of a decade ago who
were fcd up with materialistic urban
lifestyle. I'm sure a lot of neople are fcd up
with big government. We all resent having
our lives dominated by bog government. just
as we resent being dominated by our bosses
or our mothers-in-law. Still. I think the
resolutien is a tong way oft.
THE CUT BACKS COMETH
The idealistic right wingers have yet to
start their program of cutting back on
Thanks for taking part
To the editor:
In his apparent haste and zeal to justify
the old tow nshtp councils past -recent
actions regarding Vanastra (letter to the
echtor hs "last Call ('ouncillor. Frank
Falconer" in the November 27 edition) Mr.
Falconer very passionately jumps to the
defense What is he so defensive about?
It sounds to me like some faint echoes of a
by now almost fogotten "Watergate Affair "
Anyone equally so tallith ye. and defensive has
no doubt goad reasons for his, her defensive-
ness
What I am proud about and thankful for is
the democratic process. In this process our
elected et appointed representatives are not
little gods above and beyond scrutins by the
press GT people. nor beyond aceountang fn
their actions. In this process a fernier
president of the U.S.A . the mast pleserfut
oositior in that country. Richer NiXOTI c4.1(11
for Christmas
helieve streets.
OPPRESSIVE PLAZAS
These large plazas have the opposite
effect an me. I'm afraid. 1 find the artificial
environment oppressive and intimidating
tn several occasions. when the special
effects were very pronounced. r se even
been known to flee, back to a space v;:ith
some visual contact of the outdones
In milder forms, 1 can spend an afterneen
in such a stare, but while I'm pushing that
cart around, check The contents. I find it
very difficult to make a selectian. and
actually buy something. My phobia!
Last week, a friend cornered me. and
tried to find out what each of us wanted as
a Christmas gift. Do you think that I'd ten
her? No way! Let her suffer just as much as
I am, trying to decide what to buy for them.
Why shonid I be the only one with
probtems at this time of the year? Besides,
had I told her, and she had returned the
information for my list, .what would he the
point ofthe whole exchange? Better we
should both -go out and buy something nice
for ourselves.
Christmas card time again! I wonder
whete 1 left ,that list that I made up last
Please turn to Page 3
his friends was turned eut of the white
house. In this same process the people of
Tuckersmith Township exercised their
ppwer and good common sense by voting in
a new team. A. new team. so te speak for the
township's white house. at the November
municipal etection.
I am proud of yew the people of
Tuckersmith Township. In your own quiet
way you foneeeed Veoastra's fight for
recognition. And in that same quiet way
each of yltu cast your vote. just one vote
each. and yet each vote more powerful than
the often slick and empty rethoric of politics.
And with our one person one vete you
brought in a whole new team into the council
chambers! Feels like a breath nf fresh air to
me.
I believe in peeple
I believe that in every person. man or
woman, there iS a sense of fairness I also
believe that every persen has the ability to
think and decide intelligently for l'arcl her-
self upon the basis of presenting the fun
facts and feelings properly and °perils I
even believe that in due time our new council
will exercise its sense Cif fairmeas and with
your encouragement wipe out the renriaining
blot of injustice still upon the p-eope
Vanastra.
In closing 1 take this opwertunity to
thank all you people throughout the town-
ship for reading ray writing. stories •
parables. Through these writings I talked
with you. through the medium of the press.
about th eVanastra issue. false thank you for
your comments received. A special word of
thanks to you the people of Vanastra for your
pasticipafion in Vanastra's fight for fairness
and justice. Thank you for your confidence in
my leadership, for your attendanceatthe
meetings and for your sacrificial giving to
pay our costs. The summer and fall of 1980
might well be marked by future historians as
"our finest hour." Rallying together against
strong forces of unfairness with sacrificial
and determined effort hotthe promise of
eventual victory over injustice.
Andlast but not least I want thank the
press, the reporters and editors of the three
newspapers serving the Tuckersmith town-
ship area for their fine cooperation in placitrg
all writings on the Vanastra issue in the
spirit of openness and fairness to all.
Peter Mantel
government. Oh there was a wee- bit- of
trimming here and there but the meaningful
kind of cuts the censervatives are talking
about haven't taken place yet.
When they do. the illusion of theee,
revolution will quickly come to an end. Try to
take away from people the government
services they have become accustOmed to
and yqu'll find it is as hard as takingiaway
the niaterial luxuries they've become
accustomed to. People may grumble about
thc cost of electricity but. they don't want to
be without it. Thcy may grumble about the
cost of medical insurance but try to take it
away from them. make them go back to the
old days when they had to worry about going
bankrupt if they had a major illness. and
you'll see that thcy 'aren't so ready to do
without big government.
A NEW NATION?
A lot of the separatist fuss corning out of
the west -these days is led by the right wing
idealism. the people who see Pierre Trudeau
as most likely a closet communist or at best a
dangerous socialist. Most of this talk. of
4.
course,comes from Alberta, the right wing
capital of Canada. They talk about a new
nation in the west, one made up of the fejtr
western provinces that could do quite well
ithout the rest of the country. Yet should
, °didn't be the kind the Albertan separat-
i
ey get their western nation lsense it
e'
ists would like, free of government regula-
tion where the rich are allowed to get richer
,without having to worry about the poor. A
quick look will tell you that Alberta is an
island of right wing thought ire a region that
has been a leader in left wing, government
involvement. Tlie?6,,May be a Social Credit
government in British Columbia and a
Conservative government in Manitoba at the
moment but these two provinces only
recently had New Democratic governments
just like Saskatchewan has today and by the
next election may again have New Demo-
cratic governments. The present govern-
ments of British Columbia and Manitoba
have frequently gotten into trouble for trying
to scrap policies of their predecessors.
' Yes isx have dissatisfaction with big
government right now but only the haves,
whether individuals or provinces. are really
willing to do without the benefits that big
government gives us.
Sugar and spice
By Bill Smiley
A rotten view
Well. the presidential election. the
constitution, and the dog-fight over energy
have been thoroughly pnabed and massaged
and turned op -side down and ineide out by
the media. So what's a poor weekly
columnist have to turn to that hasn't been
beaten to death?
WS a rotten No-eernber day and 1 have a
rotten, unshakeable cold, so t think 111 have
a few words about what is rotten in the state
of education . And there's plenty.
First, let's look at teaching. The post-war
baby boom. a natural phenomenon after four
or five years of sex starvation. is long gone.
Immigration has slowed to a trickle.
As a result. along with the pill and wives
who want to work rather than procreate.
enrolmentlin our schools is dropping rapidly.
Many of those red -brick shoe factories built
so lavishly and tnumphaptly by the govern-
ment in the SO's are standing empty Others
echo hollowly. only half-filled.
A direct result of this. along with the
stupidity of the government, has made a
teaching profession a very hairy one. Those
who chcis tercet are almost stepped
in their tr ks.
With jobs anishing. there is little chance
of promotion for the young person who
wants to rise in the profession. The others,
who don't give a diddle about being a
department head (IT a vice-principal. hut like
to eat and ceuldn't make a living at anything
eise. are clinging grimly to their jobs.
looking over their shoulders to see where
they stand on the seniority list, and lying
awake nights thinking about the dread
statethent. "You have become surplus."
Becoming surplus these days it almost as
bad as becoming pregnant used to be. for a
woman teacher. For a man, it's even worse.
if he has a family, a. mertgage, car
payments. and is near the bottom of the list.
For the young leacher, emerging frorn
teachers' college. ifs a nightmare. There's a
solid line of elder teachers. holding hands to
hurl back anyone who wants to get into the
charmed circle.
I can think at the moment of three young
women giaduates of University of Toronto's
Faculty of Education. Each has art honor
degree. One is teaching in'Newine, another
in the interior of B.C., and the third at an
end -of -rail village in Northern Ontario.
Ten or twelve years ago. these bright girls/
would have been beating off hot -breathing,,
principals who wanted to hire them sight
unseen,
And yet, the government still awns out
dedicated young teachers who will face
nothing but heart -break and fttstration, as
they try.t.9 get a job.
It's a 'vicious circle. and partly to blame is
the teachers' unions. Long` without much
political clout, they now have quite a bit, and
because of the past, they have an obsession
with security.
Ask a'principal. It's almost as difficult to
fire a teacher as it'd& to fire a postal worker.
As a result. and I don't care if they keel -haul
rne for saying this. the profession is riddled
with teachers who are incompetent.
=rationally or mentally. But it would rewrite
a Hercules to clean out this particular
Augesn stable. And educational leaders are
not exactly built along Herculean lines.
More like Mickey Mouse.
So what have we? Te.aching staffs that
ared getting smaller, older and scareder.
So -me atmosphere for great teaching.
Solution? Dangle a couple of years' salary
in front of everybody over fifty-five who
would retire voluntarily. and accept a
smaller pension. Many who are hanging on
by their toe -nails. emotiOnally. would leap at
it!
That would open the sluice for fresh look
young ideas and new enthusiasm. it would
be a real shot of adrenalin for education.
Now we come to the students. They are
not getting the best, because of the
suggestions I've presented: tired old block
teaching tired old courses ina tiring old way.
But they're not giving the best. either.
Many. many students are clinging to school
as desperately as their leachers are. They
know it's a cold. indiffe4ent welted cut there
Thus. with either a geod allowance from
parents. GT a weekend job that produces
plenty of spending money. school is a place
to stay warm, be with friends. and not have e
to get out of the nest.
Those are the elder students. The younger"
onesagain in many. many cases. have not
the slightest idea of good manners, sQ-
aperatiotr. or self-discipline. They are
boisterous, unruly. ninuthy. foul -tongued
and generally obstreperous.
Theey have almost no knowledge of the
Bible. of basic human virtues, of ordinary
courtesy, but base everything on the two
dimensional teaching of television.
Now, let's have a look at the parents of
these kids. In many cases. both are working,
of necessity or materialism. They are too
tired, or haven't time. to give their children
some idea of decency, fair play, good
manners, thrifte or aily of the other virtues.
Broken families. single -parent families
are common. Kids are left to get their own
breakfast or fall back into bed if it's nasty
out. They play truant. They get behind,
blame their teachers, feel fustrated and
resentful.
• From this comes vandalism. retreat into
dope or booze and all the rest of the sad,
story. Some mss, eh? It's enought to kill off
many a good teacher in his/her prime.
Thank goodness I'm an excellent teacher,
and not one of my students is like those
described. Othetwise, you wouldn't see my
titil for dust.
ee