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Clinton News-Record, 1969-06-19, Page 32 Clinton .News -Record, Thursday, June 19, 1,969 Give planni priority Clinton Town Councillor Carneron Proctor's recent attempts to bring about change ~progressive change— in the procedure for issuing building permits Live made him look rather like the proverbial square peg in a round hole. But it may be that his is the improbable situation of being the one man in step, to use another hackneyed comparison. His position has been consistent, his reasoning sound and his action certainly has been aimed at improving the way things work. With •little fanfare and no fireworks, Mr. Proctor has been contributing original ideas in the last few months — among among them suggestions for streamlining council sessions to eliminate some of the more routine arid trivial items to make time for vital matters. Views similar to his were voiced in London last Saturday by Mayor Allen O'Brien of Halifax who said elected officials are subject mainly to public pressure about petty things like potholes and as a result tend to pay too much attention to these rather than the major issues. A great many of council's present problems with sewers, drainage and pollution stem from the lack of proper planning and.controis in the past. What Mr. Proctor has been telling his colleagues is that they should be tackling not only the specific troubles, but the causes and should be taking steps to insure that the future is as free as possible of these headaches, The planning board and its work are going to be of ever-increasing importance and we think Mr. Proctor's long-standing, interest is of value to the board. We hope he reconsiders his decision to resign from the board, especially because by quitting he will also sever the liaison his dual membership has created. We also hope council does more than talk about its responsibility to regulate and control building. Why should thousands of dollars be spent on professional planning advice and why should a zoning bylaw even be considered when the existing bylaws are as often as not ignored? The councillors repeatedly lament the fact that citizens put up whole buildings or at least get a good start before they apply 'for a building permit, but rarely in such cases is a permit withheld or the offender penalized for 'disregarding the rules. Council has to make it clear that everyone must adhere to the bylaws and it has to be ready to make an example of those who refuse to heed 'the warning. Either that or it should scrap the permit bylaw, fire the planning consultants and abolish the planning board. Council earns praise Municipal councillors in . Clinton, Goderich Township and the Town of Goderich deserve to be commended for the forward-looking spirit of co-operation evidenced by the agreement on plans for joint operation of a solid waste disposal site. The News -Record suggested last February that the idea of a joint sanitary landfill operation be investigated and we're happy to see that the matter was pursued. But the credit goes to the councillors who ° found a suitable site, negotiated a contract for its use and worked out all the details for an economically sound and practical project. K. A. Childs, an Ontario Dept. of Health waste management engineer, said last week in Hensel) that Huron County's _ garbage dumps 2 are' a "disgrace." '. By solving the disposal problem jointly, Clinton and its neighbors share the otherwise prohibitive cost and by using a single site the wasting of useful land is prevented. Drains and dumps may not be as glamorous as new highways and public buildings. There may be more immediate satisfaction in filling a pothole for a complaining ratepayer than in boosting the taxes to pay for a sanitary landfill operation. But as population grows and • the pressure on open space increases, as the effects of air and water pollution are felt by urban and rural dwellers alike, we must give greater attention to environmental problems if Ontario is to be truly a "place to live." A case for action The American takeover of the Canadian economy has entered a new, and more critical chapter, with the proposed rpurchase of Royal Securities, one of Canada's key investment houses, by Merrill Lynch, of New York City, the world's largest brokerage firm. American domination of Canadian industry is one thing, and itis proceeding at an accelerated rate. In 1968, there were 159 takeovers of Canadian corporations, as compared with only 85 the year before. The overall result is that 60 per cent of Canadian manufacturing is now foreign -controlled, with the figure for the oil and gas industry being almost 75 per cent, and for the automobile industry, 97 per cent. The proposition that the Canadian Government has any significant control over the Canadian economy is increasingly becoming a myth. But when the American takeover moves into the investment field, in the view of many experts in the field, this is really the beginning of the end of Canada as an independent nation. Investment houses such as Royal play an important role in our money market operations. That's why the Merrill Lynch purchase of Royal Securities is not just another corporate loss. Strangely enough, in 1963 when the Rockefeller -owned First National City Bank sought to buy a small Canadian bank, known as the Mercantile Bank, a great public concern was expressed. The federal government took a firm stand, and the American bank's opportunity to expand into Canada through such a takeover was blocked by amendments to the Banks Act. But this year, when the biggest brokerage firm ih the world moves in on our investment houses, the federal government seems paralyzed. Responsibility for securities and investment matters is shared with the provinces, declares Prime Minister Trudeau, so nothing happens while the takeover deal is completed. That brings us back to Queen's Park. The province is already in the securities ' regulation field; furthermore, we have the ,anomalous situation that the Toronto Stock Exchange, which vitally affects the whole Canadian economy, is under the legislative control of the province of Ontario. So Ontario can do something. But what? The old story: the matter is of concern, and is being studied, states Financial and Commercial Affairs Minister Leslie Rowntree. The only specific prospect is a proposal of the Toronto Stock Exchange that foreign ownership of any new companies admitted,to seats on the Exchange should be limited to 45 per cent. Some observers counter that it should be no more that 25 per cent. But in any case, there are already 9 American brokerage houses with seats on the Exchange. And if the Merrill Lynch takeover of Royal Securities is not blocked, the way is wide open for other takeovers — in fact, they are now under active consideration. With 9 American companies now seated on our Exchange, the Trojan horse is already in our midst. If ever there was a clear-cut case for federal action, for joint provincial -federal action, or in the absence of that, for provincial action by the Robarts • Government, this is it. In the .old days nations were conquered by invading armies. Today they are just quietly taken over by multi -national corporations, and now by control over their investment houses. Nothing less than Canadian independence is at stake. Surely quick legislative action is demanded. —Queen's Park Comment by NDP MPP Donald C. McDonald. THE CLINTON NEW ERA Amalgamated 1924 Established 1865 r THE HURON NEWS -RECORD Established 1881 Clinton News -Record A member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association and the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) second class mail registration number 0817 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: (in advance) Canada, $6.00 per year.; U.B.A,, $7,50 ERIC A, McGUINNESS — Editor "Jr0,HOWARD' AITKEN General; Manager Published every Thursday at the heart of Hurori County II Clinton, Ontario Population 3,475 77Ifi HOME OP RADAR IN CANADA "We'd -better stop reminding 'him your lap and shoulder belts wire fastened.... gets him down for some reason...." by W. Jene Miller The empty pew I'll take Tornadoes Every Time Anyone who has seen the horrible wreckage left by a tornado would know that is not an easy statement to make. I have been a director of civil defense. I know of the black chill, the screams of injured children, the terror -filled adults, the dangerous electric wires, d e cimated businesses and permanently personalities which tornadoes leave. I have helped raise money to install a warning system in a town where I lived, because I respect the devastating power of tornadoes. It would have to be a terrible alternative to choose tornadoes instead. But _ Pll take tornadoes every time. In 1967, 116 people were killed in the United States by these violent storms. Damage costs to homes and industries mount to millions of dollars in the wake of twisters. Funerals have had to be scheduled for days on end in communities where , tornadoes have struck. I have seen a young mother go into a state of uncontrollable fear at a gentle breeze because she had lost a husband and a baby in the "Wind of Death." It would have to be a terrible alternative to choose tornadoes instead. But I'll take tornadoes every time. In 50 years, tornadoes have killed 9,300 Americans, but last year, alone, drinking drivers •• accounted for 25,000 deaths. Business losses from alcohol are counted in the billions of dollars. Add to this the broken homes, blighted children, and fifty per cent of the first admissions to mental hospitals, and the cost is staggering. A governmental agency once stated that it costs four dollars in law enforcement for every one dollar received inliquor tax revenue. And I have seen children run and hide under the bed when their father came home until they found out whether he was drunk or sober. 4 Crime, default on debts and emotionally disturbed young people abound in liquor saturated situations. I'll take tornadoes every time. And an insurance company assures you that one of the next 50 drivers you meet will be a drinking driver. • - by Bill Smiley Sugar and spice Having one 18 -year-old daughter around the place is enough to turn you white be- fore your time, as I can verify. For most of last week, we had three and it's quite an experi- ence. One of them had auburn hair, brown eyes and freckles. This was one way we could tell our own from the others, who also had brown eyes. Another was that they were neat and tidy and made their bed and didn't spill things and didn't slouch around in ripped, faded jeans and my oldest shirt. Early this spring, one of our history teachers organized a trip for his students, during the vacation, to Washington D.C., because they were study- ing American history. It was a success. They saw numerous historic sites and visited a high school in that city. There they were warmly re- ceived. As kids will, they res- ponded with, ''`Why don't you come to Canada and visit us some time?" You know how this happens. You're away from home at a wedding or something, meet someone you like and, vowing that you must see more of each other, throw out one of these meaningless invitations. Then one day a strange car, full of strange people, pulls up at your . house. A couple and four kids get out. Your wife's hair is up in curlers. You have a two-day beard and smell like a goat after mowing the lawn. Yep, it's Elsie and Herb, the couple you met at the wedding, except that you can't remem- ber their names. And they were just coming this way on a trip, and thought they'd drop in and say hello, and they've been looking all over for a motel, and everything's full up. Well, that's what happened. Our history teacher got a letter saying that 85 students and four teachers from the Wash- ington school were arriving, as invited. All they needed was billets and a schedule of sight- seeing He arranged a program that would exhaust an elephant; historical sites, band concert, dance, boat trip, canoe rides, And billets. There was no problem there. Our own kids were practically fighting over the visitors. One girl, who comes from a family of eight, snatched four of them. Kim arrived a t our place with the two prettiest chicks from that entire high school; Sheila and Caroline. It was 11 p.m. they'd been on the road since five a.m., and were not only tottering, but a little shy. But we got along fine, wand shooed them off to bed. The next three days and nights were enough to kill any- body over 20, The first day, they visited our school and completely disrupted the • schedule, which everyone en- joyed thoroughly. By dinner- time, our two guests had lost all shyness and were giggling and talking frantically about what they were going to wear for five different events next day. From our early files 75 years ago The Clinton New Era June 22, 1894 The Bicycle boys turned out in big force on Wednesday evening for a run to Bayfield, Led by Syd Smith, of the "Hello Central" who gave the boys a hot race, they reached Bayfield at 7.15 leaving here at 6.30. They had a fish stepper at the River Hotel and returned by way of Brucefield, returning home around 11 p.m, 55 years ago. June 18, 1814 Mr, Andy Steep and Mr, Jelin Ginn Were in Detroit for the Suggested curfew was 11 p.m. They went out with Kim and all three got in at three. Remember, these were city kids .They were used to con- crete and asphalt and apart- ments. And here they were in a small town with green grass and blue water 'everywhere. And houses on big lots, with trees and shrubs and lawns and lilac bushes. Saturday night was the grand finale, with a beach par- ty for the visitors and their teen-age hosts — about. 120 people, There must have been 500 at it, as every teeny who could get out to the beach gate-crashed the party. I know, because I took the girls out to it and promptly lost them in the happy, milling mob. Party ended at five. Bus left at 6. In the a.m., that is. My wife kissed the girls. They gave us a thoughtful present, lugged all the way from Wash- ington. I took them to the bus. Confusion and emotion were rampant, with tears flowing freely, and kids wildly writing down addresses. I got a big hug and kiss from Sheila and Caroline, stuck then on a bus and headed home for a few desperately - needed winks. Four nights and three days of people meeting other people and liking each other, and learning something, and treat- ing each other as individuals. Perhaps I forgot to mention it, but the visitors were all Negroes. weekend, going down on the Greyhound. Mrs, W. S. R. Hohnes and her son are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Ball of the Base line. 40 years ago June 20, 1929 Mist Hattie Courtice spent the weekend in OWen Sound, visiting Miss Lediard Who returns to Japan shortly to resume her work in connection with the Canadian missions, Miss bora Schoenhais left Tuesday for the east and today will meet Mr. E, W. O'Neil in Saint Johh and at noon they will be married in St, John's Stone Church by the Rev, MacKetlale' Naughton, going on to Halifax, where they will make their home, 25 years ago June 15, 1944 Misses Marie Savage and Audrey Colquhoun are holidaying in Grand Bend this week. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Proctor received word from their soh P,O. Cameron proctor advising them of his safe arrival at his destination, Miss Mildred Lobb, daughter of Mr, and Mrs, l+rahk Lobla, his accepted a position with the tendotl Life Insurance Company at London; Ontario. OPTOMETRY J. E, LONGSTAFF OPTOMETRIST Mondays and Wednesdays 20 ISAAC STREET For Appointment Phone 482-7010 SEAFORTH OFFICE 527-1240 R. W. BELL. OPTOMETRIST The Square, GODERICH 524-7961 PETER 1. KELLY -your • Mutual Life Assurance Company - of Canadi Representative 201 King St. Clinton 482-7914 - , INSURANCE K. W. COLQUHOUN INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE Phones: Office 482.9747 Res. 482-7804 HAL HARTLEY Phone X482-6693 LAWSON AND WISE INSURANCE — REAL ESTATE INV ESTMENT$ Clinton Office: 482-9644 H. C. Lawson, Res.: 482-9787 J. T. Wise, Res.: 482-7265 ALUMINUM PRODUCTS For Air -Master Aluminum Doors and Windows and Rockwell Power Tools JERVIS SALES R. L. Jervis — 68 Albert St. Clinton _- 482-91B0 • SERVICE Attend Your Church This Sunday NOTE: All Services on Daylight Saving Time ONTARIO 'STREET UNITED CHURCH "THE FRIENDLY CHURCH' Pastor: REV. GRANT MiLLS, B.A. Organist: MiSS LOIS GRASSY, A.R.C:T. SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd 9.45 a.m. — Sunday School ' 11:00 a.m. — Church Service. EVERYONE WELCOME Members of Evening Unit of U. C. W. will leave church at 7:30 p.m. to drive to summer cottage of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Pickett. SUNDAY, JUNE 29 — Joint Services in Wesley -Willis Church. Wesley -Willis — Holmesville United Churches REV. A.J. MOWATT, C.D., B.A., B.D., D.D., Minister MR. LORNE DOTTERER, Organist and;Choir Director SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd Sunday School, 9:45, a.m. 11:00. a.m. — "Flower arlid B.irhF Promotion Service" WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2:30 - 5:30 ROSE PETAL TEA (Wesley -Willis) HOLMESVILLE 9:45 a.m. — Morning Worship. Sermon Topic: "DOING WHAT COMES NATURALLY" 10:45 a.m. — Sunday School. • CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd 10:00 a.m. — Morning Service - English 2:30 p.m. — Afternoon Service. Every Sunday, 12:30 noon, dial 680 CHLO, $t. Thomas listen to "Back to God Hour" -•- EVERYONE WELCOME -7- ST. ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd The Rev. R. U. MacLean, B.A., Minister Mrs. B. Boyes, Organist and Choir Director 9:45 a.m. — Sunday School. 9:30 a.m. — Hy Communion. u PENTECOSTAL CHURCH Victoria Street W. Werner, Pastor SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd 9:45 a.m. — Sunday School. 11:00 a.m. — Worship service, 7:30 p.m. ` Evening Service. MAPLE STREET GOSPEL HALL SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd 9:45 a.m. — Worship Service. 11:00 a.m. — Sunday School. 8:00 p.m. — Evening Service. Speaker: CHARLIE SHORTEN, London ,8:00 p.m, -- Tuesday Prayer Meeting; Bible Study CHARLIE SHORTEN 15 years ago June 17. 1954 Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Johnson and family, London, called on Mr. and Mrs. T. Leppington and Mr. and Mrs, A, Leibold on Sunday. John MacKenzie, Albert College, Belleville, is visiting his parents Mr. and Mrs.. J. MacKenzie,- Bayfield, Wilson Berry, Victoria, B.C. is visiting for some time with Mrs. H. E, Berry, Brucefield. Ball and Mutch Hardware and W. L. Johnson and Sons have had the earth, trees, and other debris removed from the lots at the back of their stores with the intention of using the space for parking their own cats and those of their customers,• 10 years ago June 18, 1959 Donald Hugill who has bee attending Goderich Busines College, has secure employment in the office o Scott and McHale Sh Manufacturers, London. Mrs. J. W. Tedde Willowdale, and Miss th Morris� on Toronto, spent o th weekend With Mr, and Mrs. A. McMurray. The board of Clinton bistri Institute has received apprev. from the Ontario Departtnent • Education to gb ahead wit having plans and specificatio drawn up for the addition to th school. •3