The Huron Expositor, 1978-07-13, Page 2Seaforth's downtown has a lot
;going for it. All the stores are filled,
most of them are busy and the unified
fronts, especially on the second
stories of our buildings give Main
Street a nice old solid atmosphere
that's been lost in many other small
towns and cities.
It's encouraging that Seafdrth
council with its motion ,in favour of a
heritage district study,' 'is recognizing
-what-ar+---asset Main Street is and is
preparing to build on it.
We're not mentioning any. names
but Seaforth is much more fortunate
than other towns, which try to
revitalize'their downtowns but. have
little more than a mish mash of
clashing architectural styles or a
wasteland to start with.
Anyohe who's in doubt. what a
'tasteful, low key sprucing up 'that's
in tune with the rest of the street can
do has only to look at the newly
renovated Rathwell building and work
in progress on the Longstaff offices
nearby_ Both are credits to Main
Street and could be used as examples
of expellent renovations if a Heritage
district is eventually established here.
As was mentioned at Monday's
council meeting, a heritage district
L'alo help shape development but it
can't solve all a - downtown's
problems. And we've got them.
Lack of parking and of a vital and
active merchants' group are two that
spring to mind.
All the studies in the world alone
won't solve those problems: But while
looking at the possibility of
desibnating our downtown a heritage
district we can test out all sorts of
solutions.
The,idea of a heritage district is
something to focus on, to organize
around and to try and plan in what
.__. way .our n 's-Aiturc wi I I -go-.
Most exciting to us about the idea
of a heritage district: study is that
some really simple but innovative
ideas might be proven practical.
Used. for the second and third floors
of bur downtown buildings must be
found if we're going to insist they be
preserved-, .
Perhaps we really could see the
owners of several buildings
.:co-operating to provide second story
apartment space, , enough units to
'make a common elevator 'economical,
as George Kapelos; of the Ontario
Heritage Foundation mentioned in
passing at council Monday.
Offices, restaurants, even
newspapers, used to be housed;
upstairs on Seaforth's Main Street.
As the town gets busier they could all
be found up there 'gain.
Just .the idea of using and
revitatizing the molding attics that are
waste space now is a new and
challenging one.
The heritage district idea and
Seaforth's look at it again proves what
many of us already know: small towns
are in the forefront, they're at the'
heart of (to paraphrase Flip Wilson)
what's happening now.
Take part in the Public' meetings
that will be. held. Think about what
direction you'd like downtown
Seaforth to take. It:s not easy to stop
drifting and get organized, but for our
downtown and its future it will pay
dividends.
To the editor:
Out of context is
the
When reading the articles and letters to the
editor in the Expositor: I often had to explain
to my wife the. what she. called, "funny look"
on my face: I had to explain that I couldn't
believe that people today would propose
censorship over ;normal books, Lhave..readtwo
of the three • 'controversial" books and I have
• not • read anything offensive. I had read
magazines that were offensive and I have seen
teenagers buy these same magazines. 1 have
Alm occasion returned books to the library only
partly. read, because of an obvious
unnecessary use of foul language or explicit
sex exploits of the hero or heroine.
I have seen glowing revjews of the same
hooks. However, it has never entered my
mind to try and forbid other people to read
these books if they so wish. They turned nu:
off. Will they turn other people on? I doubt it.
The female who shows just the edge of a curve
has always boon, and still is. more appealing
tothe senses than the nude one.o.lt all depends
on OrterS 'own mind.
AS a child I looking in the dictionary and
encyclopedia for words describing sex or body
parts. I looked in the bible and sought oilt the
• stories of Onan and Lot.'Jacobitnew the ways
&the world too. Today 1 am More inclined to,
read Solomon's songs. It appears that some of
the critics haven't outgrown the childish
curiosity and are.still digging out the passages
they can gloat about. ,
Clare Westcott of Scarborough shows how
little he understands the whole issue when
whole point
he criticizes the .Expositor for not printing the
objected to, oassages. ThiS.' sir. is not because
the Huron County readership of the paper
cannot handle such language. but because it,
only. can be done if it is quoted out of context.
This is what the whole dispute is all about.
Leave it in context and it enhances the story.
Take it out and it is 'bad language.
Yes sir, the use of books controversial or not
is important enough to divide a community.
for it reaches much further than teaching
English. it reaches to freedom of thought. The
dividers are not 'the defenders of the use of
books. but the critics Who can find something
immoral or irreverent in anything. because
they seek it out.
We should also not forget that the
"children". the poor devils. are young men
and women. and let's have a little faith.
please.
Soon those young people will enter the work
--force"."-H•ow slitszked they Tie When the 'Y
hear the language in factory or office. Or is the
language at home alWays laundered?
Please. Madam Editor, if you succeed ill
creating enough interest to organize a .group
to fight this nonsense and to study literature.
with or without the shhhs words. 1 •will be
happy to join.
Let's hope in the meantime that the Huron
Board of Education keeps a cool head and
won't be swayed by a few people with a
limited outlook on life.
Adrian Vos Bluth. Ontario
Jim Wexler had open heart surgery 9 years ago.
Today he swims, takes long walks and enjoys life
BECAUSE 6 PEOPLE
The Canadian Red Cross Society
eitind the scenes
"With God on our side
Eby Keith Roulstonl
Eor_Sevorpl_years_ne,w Clinada_has_heen
suffering from an increase in selfishnesS.
Now. it appears we're also battling a new
outbreak of intolerance.
The two, of course arc connected. , '
'Intolerance conies from the same concen-
tration on "self", the same inability .to see
what one's activities arc • doing to others.
Both are based. on egoism.
. There are 'many instances of intolerance
these days. The recent 'marches of Nazi.
sympathizers in the U.S. 'are the most
visible, bringing hack horrid memories of
the atrocities of the Second World War
when Nazis were so intolerant of others, so
, sure they were God's chosen people that,
.they put millions of Jews and gypsies to
death and lead to the deaths of ninny of
many of their oYvn Aryans and the sOldiers.
,of many other countries as well 'in bloody ,
battles.'
Bitt those marches in the U.S. have been
by only a handful of people and massed
against theme. have been thousands of
anti-NaziS showing slogant:like "Death to
the Nazis." This in toteranet is' perhaps
more understandable but it also contains
the seeds of danger.
We see intolerance too in, the growing
racial frieffims in our own country,
partictilarly in our large.cities where new
immigrant populations are highest, but
'occasionally evident right in our own back
yard. And of course the two extremes in
.botlfEnglish and French Canada are so full
of intolerance for each other that we may
-end up losing our country.
We've,secn a good deal of intolerance•in
our own area in the last while over the
whole books in the sclutol issue. The
argument has been joined' between two
sides, each equally sure that it is right and
the other is wrong. No one on.either side
ever seems to have any doubts.
Most of my own friends. 61' course, arc
on the side against banning of books from
reading courses. They arc so sure they are.
right in their stand that they can easily
dismiss any arguments against their side.
'111Cy have the whole liberal and artistic,
tradition behind them to tell them they are
right. They bring out the old arguments
about the danger. of curtailing freedom of
speech and recall the horrid days of honk
buntings in Nazi Germany and see no
difference betyycen what is going on in
Huron and 'those horrible examples in
history.
Yet. while they are staunch defenders of
freedom of expression here, they'll admit
grudgingly that there is a need for
censorship in some cases such as when
children are exploited, .for pornography..
...They...fail to 11.e...a.b.lq to see4hat_onee „yokt...._,.._
decide the line has to be drawn some-
where, it's • only , a matter of personal
preference where the line should be drawn.
'there is no, longer any right or wrong, but
only personal preference. .
But the intolerance on the other side of
the question-, is even more frightening.
Some of the. proponents of the move to
throw out these "dirty': books from the
county high chools' Senior reading
courses'
e
ve
fb,.....„.6
lore than a 'tradition of
liberalis ( 1 to back them up. They have a
fierce knowledge that they are on the side(
of God. •
Now there is nothing wrong with feeling
one is on the, side of God. The trouble
comes when 'people are so sure they are on
the side of God that they can justify any -,
kind of action because they are just doings_
God's will. Idi Amin gets "messages
from God and proceeds to kill thousands of •
people in Uganda. Christians here will say
;that Idi is just some kind of nut who's not
really getting messages but they're quite .
willing to take some pretty strong action
here, say some pretty cruel things because
they have- the "real truth"
Christianity can be the greatest, most
compassionate religion of all. The
teachings of ,Christ were of understanding, .
of warnings against - the Pharisee, of
turning the other cheek. Yet his
overzealous followers have started wars in
his name, killing millions' because they were
sure what was right. They have practiced
genocide and torture and all kinds of .
similar atrocities over the years. Their God
is the God of peace but there has often
beenlitite peace. Theif•God WaS•the-God---of
love, but many have exhibited more hate
than love.
Christians who become too sure they
have the "message' ' that they are.the only
possessors of the "truth" and must save the
world single handedly are treading on
dangerous ground,. The more fundamen-
talist religions that often lead such
crusades today also believe in the devil, yet
somehow are always sure that it is
messages from God they are getting, not
messages from the devil who may be
leading them astray,
Frankly, I don't know whose side God
would be, on in the current book dispute in
Huron County, l' do believe however that
he wouldn't beFerY proud of either side for
the way it's been behaving. If he is a God
of love and understanding as we have been
taught, then he must be shuddering at he
lack of love and understanding in Huron
County these days;
the Aaron (fxpositor
Since 1860, Serving the Community First
Published at' SEAFORTH. ONTARIO, every Thursday morning by McLEAN. BRAS: PUBLISHERS LTD.
ANDREW y. McLEAN, Publisher
_ SUSAN WHITE, Editor •
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SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, JULY 13, 1978
Seaforth is on
the move
(by Paul Ellis Pu111111
Expositor asks:
Do you think Canada
is over governed?
111.3, Debbie Ranneyl
Considering that government rim\ seems to
touch on e\ cry area of lis ing. Expositor Asks
this week thought it ‘
ask, "Davao
ixl.ziid ua is \g l biL.: Lij ,\eriie in terest i ngoto l„
Mrs. John Pullman of -1.1 Louisa Street in
Seaforth said. "I don't know , I think xy e arc in
a certain sense. I think more could be done for
the senior citizens but 1 think we could live in
other' es nsotyysliteair-evi
ng. t
liattli nbucwcyy
than \'ou
can say about some other con tunics." she
sai d.
Sallr of R. R. u4. Seaforth w Ii' .1
asked if gox crnnlcnt hill" 100 multi) say in
Canadian's lives said. "in some things, 'nod in
sonic things they don't have enough I guess
they do in a wax:,." she said.
John Peek of R. R. #3. Kippen ohio is a stock
'seed grower was speaking mostly about
agriculture when he said. "I think there are
too IC sittine •ill ;01 office
li411110, r. \Al.-0 ran and can)
do and some t men informed enough to
years agone
JULY 12, 1878 .
The annual mowing under the auspices of the Huron Farmers
and Mechanics. Association 'was held at Brucefield. The
combined machines were tested on the firm of Mr. Swati and the
single machines on the farm of Mr. Young. There was very keen,
competition between the machines -- there being six of each
• entered. •
Henry Hoffman. sawmiller, of Dashwood, was killed by a kiek •
A —receive4-on -the-head_from one of his. horses w.ftile,ellg aged
drawing logs at his millyard.
John And Allan Campbell .of Stephan Township were brought
before Squire Gidley of Exeter charged'with cutting tan bark on'
the Canada's Company land. They were fined two ldollars and
$20 damages and $5.50 costs.
William Fowler Of the HUron Road Tuckersmith showed us an
example of spring wheat of the Egyptain variety which for the
length of stalk and size of head surpasses anything we'have seen .
or heard of this' season,
W.M. Gray has sold the house and lof where he now lives to
C.W. Papst' for the sum of $1,000.
Haying has now become pretty general in this vicinity.
As the dray team belonging to the MessrS. Brownell was
returning front Brucefield with a load of flour, one of the
'animals when near Egmondville fell down in the harness and
died within ,a few minutes.
The Rev. Mr. Graham formerly of Egmondville is• having a
new brick cottage erected near the residende''of-Mr. Jacob
McGee and intends returning to spend theiernaining,years here
as he is about to be superannuated, from ministerial labor.
-The planning mill and door factory belonging'to The estate of
Robert Gray was sold by public auction. Mr. Adams of Bayfield
was the purchaser,
JULY 17, 1903
The Main Street in Zurich is in bad shape as the sidewalks are
to up 'and p!eparations are being made for laying doW' new
The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. John H.,,Flays, formerly .of
Seaforth, but now of. Listowel will regret to learn that their
daughter was, badly' burned. She was playing with matches and
in a short time her clothing went up in flames.
The fariners in the vicintiy of Seaforth have been busy cutting
their hay fqr the past two weeks.
Miss Ruth Van Egmohd has returned home after a three week
visit in Galt.
Miss J. Dufford, Olive Laidlaw, and Ruth Johnston left for the
U.S.A. where they will enter a hospital to rain as nurses.
Alex McLennon is back in his old position in the Royalliotel.
John Searlett of McKillop has-returned home from the
Northeast:
JULY 13, 1928
. A sad fatality occurred west of Brucefield when a car driven by
Harold Taylor collided with E. Epps' Truck which wag standing
on the side of the road. William Anderson who was
accompanying Mr. Taylor was instantly killed, .
Miss B. Snell of Staffiwho recently graduated from Toronto
University has returned to attend a summer course at the same
institution.
The farmers a Chiselhurst have made a' good start at the hay
and the crop promises to be better than anticipated.
At the congregational meeting in the tucan Church Sunday in
Zurich, unaminous call was extended to Rev. Mr. Teurkhein of
Sullivan Township to become pastor of the local church.
'Francis Kochans was badly bruised and had altumber of ribs
fractured when the teem he was driving on James McAllister
Farm, Parline, got beyond his control. He was brought to Zurich
and treated by Dr. A.J. McKinnon.
The Seaforth Public School Board has appointed Miss Mary
Bell as teacher of-the second book and Miss Ruth Thompson to
teach the primary room.
A severe' electrical and wind storm visited parts of Huron on
Monday afternoon and serious accidents occurred ill Seaforth.
Telephone poles were blown down between Clinton and
Seaforth. A large barn and driving shed near Clinton was razed.
The Wolverton Milling Company in St. Marys has purchased
the Seaforth Flour Mill from the town. The company is presently
operating mills in St. Marys and New Hamburg.
Henry Edge who has been engaged for sometime past in
erecting a fine new Supertest service station in town, learned
this week that he has been successful in securing contracts for
two new Supertest.stations in Windsor.
JULY 17, 1953
James D. Gemmel] of Seaforth who is 92 years old was the
oldest man at the Huron Federation of -Agriculture's 1 1 th Annual
Field Day and Picnic here last Friday afternoon. Mrs. Jessie A.
McGregor of Kippen was the oldest lady.
Canada's Minister for External Affairs and current President
of the United Nations General Assembly, Hon Lester B. Pearson
will be accorded a civic reception when he visits here next week,
Mrs. J. Flynn and Shirley were hostesses at their home for a
miscellaneous presentation for Miss Orian Stephan, bride-elect.
Miss Ruth Alexander read the address and Peggy Rowcliffe,
Shirley Flynn, and Lois Henderson made the presentations.
Sound and fury in the wee hours of Monday min-rang signified
loss of sleep for Seaforthites. Annoyance of the Seaforth Fire
Brigade and the possibility of charges against two Seaforth
people. Following a phone -call from a booth a downtown
garage about three a.m. Firemen were directed to the farm of,
Harold Jackson. With no fire there. Mr. Jackson thought there
might be a fire down at his property in Egmondville. The
firetruck raced thtough town and . there was no fire in
Egmondville. Investigation which included interviews of
witnesses, charges n* be pending against a local man and
woman allaged to have phoned the false alarm.
Robert Roney. .esteetrecy resident of Dublin distirct. died
suddenly Saturday afternoon on the farm where he was born over
96years ago. He had.walked down the road a short distance to a
small creek. It is believed that he had stiffered a weak spell and
was found shortly after by his eranddaughter.
tell us what we can and can't do."
Mrs. James Taylor Of 174 King Street,
Helical]; said, "well I suppose on all levels
Canada really is overgoverned, ill-governed or
something. Overgoverned-I don't know, but
it's poorly governed."
Don McLellan of R.R.#2. Staffa said, "Yes
I think there's too much government. I ;think
Canadian gbvernment expenditures are way
out of line with other countries.
"I formed that opinion some years back and
I haven't seen anything come along to change
it.•" he added,
Mrs. Frank Bruxer of Ontario Street in
Dublin said. "No, but there's too many civil
servants between the governing bodies and
those that have to accept government. Things
arc being fouled up in. communication."
Mrs. Lloyd Brodhagen of R. R. #4, Walton,
said "No. Canada, isn't but our governments
have too many people in certain places, and
other'placed not 'enough where there should
lie people "
I •••:.