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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1968-11-28, Page 4Na peed for .change in size, TTn addition to voting for councillors and schoPI board rePresentatiVes,. Monday, Exeter electors will be asked to Indicate whether they are in favor of reducing the number Of councillors from sic to four. Some oPiniOns about this question were expressed at Wednesday's nomination and we urge ratepayers to read them over in an effort to help them make their decision. We still haven't changed our mind and can not see where a reduction in the number of councillors would be in the best interest of local ratepayers, and obviously this is the major basis for any decision. Some months ago we argued there was a greater possibility to get four good representatives in a goup of six than in a goup of four and this argument carries more weight in view of the declining interest in municipal affairs, In some rnunicipalties it is extremely. easy to become a member of council. In Grand Bend for instance, it would appear this year that anyone could have filled one of the vacancies because a full slate was not presented and a second nomination is required While such a situation is most discouraging, it is nevertheless an indication of what is happening and in our oPinion points up the need for a larger number of representatives when in fact some "poor types" could have such an easy time getting on council. Governments at all levels always have a few members who do not carry their load or are not conscientious, and naturally the load becomes greater for the others when there are fewer to share it. Two members of this year'S council in Exeter decided to resign because they could not find time for the work, and it would appear that others would be forced out if the work load became greater. By the same token, a reduced number of representatives results in a reduced number of opinions on all issues and in some cases this would not be beneficial. Strong members of any council would also have a better chance of getting their positions approved in a smaller group. The old adage points out "there is safety in numbers" and while numbers often do present their own problems, they are not of the type that are apt to be of a detrimental nature of the ratepayers. We see no overweighing arguments for this particular change. Inflation hits lawbreakers If you have been following recent reports from magistrate's court in Exeter you will have noticed a marked increase in the fines levied for underage drinking and unnecessary noise. Former nominal fines of ten to twenty dollars have been hiked to S50 for the first liquor offense in most cases and S30 or more for squealing tires and other disturbing noisemaking. We believe the reasoning behind the stiffer penalties is sound. We suspect lawmakers have discovered that youthful offenders are no longer impressed by small fines and stern warnings from the bench. Parents might not even need to be consulted when pocket money covers the fine. On the other hand, consideration has undoubtedly been given to the fathers and mothers of exhuberant youth who feel they are being helpful by financing their sons' unlawful frolicking. It is unlikely the court relishes the idea of penalizing poor old dad even more for his generosity when it comes to paying fines. More than likely there is some hope that parents will baulk at the more substantial charges and take some steps to correct a bad situation. A long time to forget Consider the Candidates Carefully, Then VOTE It's a DUTY and a PRIVILEGE Is it a waste of time? Town of Exeter COLLECTION of TAXES Toxo$ maybe paid or the -Clerk's .Offico or the Batiks, Nloncl4y• to Friday from .9; •00 a.m, to 5;00 Am, PLEASE MAKE PAYMENTS BEFORE December 1., 1968 TO AVOID PENALTY ERIC CARSCADDEN Tax .Collector High value mortgage loans • Need money to buy, build, improve or refinance? We have it. Let our experienced mortgage specialists tailor-fit a mortgage loan to help you. Your repayment plans can be spread to meet your needs with easy payments over twenty • years. There's a nearby office of Victoria and Grey to serve you. Talk it over today with Victoria and Grey. VICTORIA AND GREY TRUST Since 1889 RETARDED CHILDREN'S Itevut 6141:4641" 3 10—DELIGHTFUL DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM PRICE-10 CARDS AND ENVELOPES S1.00 3 3 3 3 CARD E-4 SHOWN YOUR PURCHASE WILL HELP A RETARDED CHILD ON SALE AT Phone n5-133I i•eivitin•isvatnitiflosaiotki*Kittf*Oitretki*vcnitittat**sel. 0 99 Class corn rtittnity riewspapr,,t s Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 Aetiefeaniesairtsocafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., 0.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott Batten — Advertising Manager Phone 235-1331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Authorized as Second Class Mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for Payment of Postage in Cash Paid in Advance Circulation, SeptenitFer. 30, 1967, 4,338 SUBSCRIPT1014 RATES: Canada $5.*3 Per Year; USA S7.06 Publishers: .1. Editor — Bill -4r Recently I wrote a column about Remembrance Day. It may have had a touch of bitterness in it. But so many things have come up since then that I thought you might be interested. First of all, a light note. A lady in Ontario remembers something from away back there. "During the First World War, my husband came home on furlough from Belgium. Although his pass said he was clean and free from lice, while 'we were riding on the underground in London, I watched the lice crawling up and down on his coat collar. So I had to scorch all the seams of his clothes as soon as I got him home, and shave all his hair off him everywhere to get rid of them." Next, at our school we had the usual Remembrance Day service. But it wasn't the usual one. This year, we let the students plan it. They threw out the draggy old hymns and a lot of other things. Instead, against a background of old songs from both world wars, a student read a commentary he had written himself. It began with, "In Flanders fields, the poppies blow . . ." It was simple, and moving and honest. Then everybody sang that haunting folk song "Where have all the flowers gone?" They went to young girls, and the young girls went to soldiers and the soldiers went to graveyards and the graveyards went to flowers. Then the Roll of Honor from our school. Some of the older teachers can't take this. They went to school with the boys on the list. Last Post, silence, Reveille. Over. The students were silent and solemn and involved. Afterwards, in the classrooms, we discussed the service and the day. I'd brought along some photos and souvenirs. They were fascinated. After an incredulous look at the cocky young black-haired fighter pilot, and then one at the harassed, gray-haired teacher, they pelted me with questions. Then came that magnificent CBC documentary on World War I, with Raymond Massey, old soldier wounded on those fields, narrating. It was spellbinding and horrible. I kept looking for one of my five uncles who were there, driving mules, dragging through mud. Finally, came the following letter. Because it's personal, no names, no address. "Dear Mr. Smiley: I have just read your article entitled 'I Shall Never Forget', and . . . I must write to you. "I am 33 years old and I do not consider Remembrance day 'a drag, a sentimental journey for old and middle-aged squares.' My father fought through many of the worst battles in World War L He was a machine-gunner. He never talked about his experiences, except for once, when he told me of a little village that he had seen far below him in a valley in France . . He said only that he wished he could have died and been buried there. He never said anything about the War, but he drank. "Life was hell for him and for all of us. Mamma said he was terribly changed when he came home from overseas. He died when he was 61, and he had a military funeral and he was as much a casualty of the War as if he'd died at Verdun. He just took longer to die. "I was 18 when he died and up until I was 16, I almost hated him for the drinking and the trouble. But I began to understand him and by the time he died, we knew and liked each other. "Since then I've learned more about the War, and rye made certain that my' children know about it too. So, on Remembrance Day, we go to the parade, and pray at the. Cenotaph with the veterans, and the kids know that it'is not just for a Grandpa they never knew, but for all the people who fought and suffered in all wars . And even the youngest boy, four, understands a little bit of it all. "It will be a long time before everyone forgets. Thank you so much for a very touching article." Thank you, for a very moving tribute. Somewhere in this issue we should be urging area residents to get to the polls on Monday to cast their ballots for the various candidates who are running for school and municipal bodies. However, to be quite honest we're slowly coming to the opinion that it would be a waste of time to urge many area residents to show an interest in the people who will be running their affairs for the next one or two years. Attendance at nomination meetings in most area communities has been atrocious to say the least, and while some people choose to term it as apathy, we consider it more a slap in the face for those who expend their time and talents on ratepayers' behalf. Surely a matt who spends many hours of his free time — and at a negligible remuneration — deserves more thanks than what some people show. Most are quite willing to complain when something is done that goes against their wishes, but they can't be bbthered takir* the time to attend a two-hour nomination to show that at least they are interested in their own community. Many of those who complain the loudest won't even take time out to vote on Monday and we suggest that municipal bodies could be within their rights not to pay any attention to complaints of taxpayers when they are received. Perhaps they should set up a big sign that says "Where were you on nomination and election day?" This should be set in a conspicuous place for any delegations to council to see. It is rather surprising to see so many persons in the area still willing to offer their names as candidates for public office. The lack of interest shown by others fortunately hasn't caught these people as yet and there are still a few who care enough about what goes on about them to serve in various capacities. Many area officials are worrying about the loss of local ACE 70Y COMPANY sAte s • .0 W..... "It's been a fantastic year." "Is that yours or mine?" "I beg your' pardon, sir, but it you were my husband, would you like this hat on niel" autonomy and they have cause for the fears they express. It is interesting in most cases to note that many of them agree that costs can only go higher with the advent of regional types of government. Take the new assessing plan for Huron as one example. This is going to cost Huron taxpayers a tremendous amount more than the present expenditure for this service provided by local people. It is being done to make assessments more uniform and equitable throughout the county and this no doubt will be accomplished. But, we are of the opinion most of us would have been happy under the existing setup and not had to pay the extra cost of the new county service. going to cost us all more money tI It that. may well be equitable, but it's and there's little doubt about h The only fault we have to find with municipal officials regarding their fears of regional government is the fact it appears to be all talk. We have yet to hear any official propose any concrete steps to oppose regional government and it would appear they are being negligent in their duties by not attempting. to state their cases in places where it will do some good. There is little avail in complaining to a handful of ratepayers. A resolution should be sent off to their provincial and federal representatives to let them know exactly where they stand. To complain to higher governments after action has been taken is of little use and 50 YEARS AGO Mr. Ben Makins of the London Road North is this week moving into the residence he purchased from the estate of the late A. G. Dyer. The evening services next Sabbath in both Caven Presbyterian and James Street Methodist will be withdrawn owing to Main Street Anniversary, Mr. Luther Braund of Brantford has been in town making preparations for the disposal of the house and property and blacksmith shop of his father Mr. D. Braund of Exeter North. Mr. and Mrs. Braund Sr. intend moving to Brantford to reside. At the regular meeting of Lebanon Forest Lodge A F & A M Monday evening officers were elected, Past Master is Bro. A. Hastings; W.M., Bro. W. J. Beer; Sr. W. Bro. R. N. Rowe; sec., Bro. R. N. Creech. 25' YEARS AGO The Exeter Library will be closed Friday afternoons for the winter months. This action is taken for the conservation of coal. An interesting quiz contest conducted by R. N. Creech on current events featured the Exeter Lions Club meeting in the Parish Hall Friday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Clark Fisher announce the engagement of their second daughter, Eloise Ferrol, to Amos F. Warwick, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Amos R. Warwick, Port Huron the marriage to take place December 4 at the United Church, Port R, E, Pooley was re-elected president of the 'Exeter-Hensel! branch of the Canadian Legion at. the annual, meeting in the Legion reoniS Monday night, the recent change in school administration shows this quite clearly. The opposition came much too late. If municipal officials are concerned, we suggest they tell provincial and federal representatives of that concern without delay. * * * It is encouraging to see a woman finally contesting a council seat in Exeter. We've been advocating this for some time and we are of the opinion Mrs. R. D. Jermyn would indeed be a strong representative of the distaff point of view. We have no doubt that a lady's presence would also do much to curtail some of the side discussions which at present extend meetings. Dear Sir: I wish to thank the Times-Advocate for your interest and publicity in our village for the past several years. I should like to thank the ratepayers of Hensall for supporting me as councillor and for the past three years as reeve. I am pleased that after several years we are going to have an election in our municipality. This is a fair and democratic way to choose our representatives. Again I thank you and wish all the compliments of the season. Sincerely yours Minnie Noakes, Reeve of Hensall 15 YEARS AGO Municipal Services Ltd. of Oakville will begin re-numbering houses of Exeter next week. Sponsored by the Exeter Kinsmen Club and approved by the town council, the new survey will change most of the numbers now erected on homes. Bob Hern, of Granton, prominent Junior Farmer and former Guineas winner, captured championship honors with his Hereford steer at the Royal Winter Fair last week. Warden of Huron County and Reeve of Hensall, A. W. Kerslake, was honored at the annual banquet of county Council last week. Fourteen students of Huron Theological College conducted Sunday morning service at Trivitt Memorial Church. One presided at the organ, another preached the sermon while the rest sang in the parish hall. 10 YEARS AGO The Hensall Public Utilities Commission has officially opened its new $10,000 building on Main Street beside Mitchell's Garage. Mrs. William Schlegel, Grand Bend, Was crowned sweetheart of Beta . Sigma Phi during the sorority's "La Parisienne" dance at the Legion Hall Thursday night. , Crediton's Bill Motz, popular ball star in his younger days, and an employee gat RCA? Station Centralia for the past 15 years, was honored Thursday night at his retirement party on the station. Stratford and provincial police recovered over $6,500 worth of jewellery, and nabbed two suspects less, than six hourt after the Jack Smith JeWelry store was robbed in 'Exeter early Wednesday morning,