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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-03-15, Page 1out at today's vote Speaking in Seaforth, Wed- nesday, Premier Davis said no form of regional government would be created that was not acceptable to the people of Huron. The Premier and Southcott have both suggested that regional government is a "number of years away" for Huron. Both opposition parties have also been campaigning on the grounds that a byelection gives voters an opportunity to express any dissatisfaction with the government without actually changing it. The PC's have countered that by urging voters to keep Huron on the side of the government and continue the type of effort given the riding for the past 15 years by Charles MacNaughton. Mr. MacNaughton has played an active part in the campaign, working strenuously on South- cott's behalf throughout the riding, Political writers for several daily newspapers have indicated the influence of Mr. Mac- Naughton may be the strongest factor in preventing the Liberals hands, mdswresting the seat from PC MANY ADVANCE VOTERS — The turnout at the advance polls in four Huron riding locations Saturday and Monday was excellent with 459 ballots being cast. Above, Mary Lou McKinley of Stanley township signs her declaration for poll officials Mrs, Ted Pooley and Mrs. Herm Dettmer, T-A photo WATER EVERYWHERE, BUT NOT TO DRINK — Residents of Grand Bend were without water Saturday morning as the large pipe carrying water across the bridge on Highway 21 fell into the river. Temporary repairs were made later the same day to allow water to flow to all homes. Part of the 14-inch diameter pipe can be seen in the above picture. T-A photo GB residents dry, main drops in river WATER DAMAGES BASEMENTS -- Considerable damage was suf- fered by numerous homes in the Carling street area when water backed into their basements, Sunday. Shown above checking damaged rugs and mats are Mrs. Frank Huff and Mrs. Grace Galloway.T-A photo i s Expect record turn Prediction came true, they had spring mess Iluron voters wil go to the polls to elect a new MPP today. The pancake breakfasts, barbecues, charges, coun- tercharges, handshakes and visits by a large portion of the Ontario Legislature members are over. The outcome is now out of the hands of the politicians and into the hands of the voters, It's been the liveliest campaign ever staged in Huron, although it has been based more on the "new" campaign strategy of shaking hands with as many voters as possible as opposed to the old-time political rallies where the debate became hot and heavy . Voters appeared more interested in having their stomachs stimulated than their minds. Most see the outcome as a two- man fight between PC Don South- cott and Liberal Jack Riddell, both from the southern part of the PC candidate Don Southcott this week termed the Huron by- election campaign "the dirtiest I've seen" but added he was confident in view of the voters' reaction to his campaign. "'Wherever I go, the people are friendly," he said "and I can't see any trend (for Huron to leave the PC fold) as the other parties are suggesting." In terming the campaign dirty and rough, Southcott pointed to several examples of "distortion of facts" by his Liberal and NDP opponents. "They're using sheer desperation tactics," he suggested in an interview late Tuesday night in Clinton, He cited as an example the manner in which Liberal leader Robert Nixon had grossly overestimated the provincial debt and he was also critical of Liberal candidate Jack Riddell's Liberals optimistic Liberal candidate Jack Riddell is optimistic of his chances in today's Huron provincial byelection, The 41 year-old Stephen township farmer said "we think our chances are excellent. The enthusiasm is terrific." Ile added "We have more than 150 workers. They volunteered. We didn't have to call." Riddell pointed to the turn-out at a beef barbecue at the Pineridge Chalet near Hensall, Monday night when more than 3,000 persons were in attendance. At an area meeting in Credi ton Wednesday when Huron-Bruce Murray Gaunt and Jim Breithaupt, Kitchener area MPP more than 350 persons were 'in attendance. The Liberal standard bearer said the reception he and his workers had received was great. He added, "elderly people have told me they have never heard so much election talk before." Riddell said he had many firm Paul Carroll, NDP candidate in today's provincial byelection hesitated to make predictions about the outcome, "But," he said "our reception has been tremendous. We have had a great response at plant gates, farms and communities all around the riding. "The winds of political change are blowing," said Mr, Carroll, "There is a great mood of ex- citement in the riding about this election." County. However, the votes cast in favor of ND? candidate Paul Carroll may play a major role in deciding the outcome. He's given little chance of winning and in- dependent socialist Ed Bain, also of Goderich, is again expected to poll less than 100 votes, All three major parties have waged an all-out campaign. Premier William Davis has been in the riding twice, while five cabinet ministers were main- streeting on Friday for Southcott. The Liberals have had leader Robert Nixon in the riding on three occasions and 15 members of the caucus were here Monday for a meeting and campaign throughout the riding, They also attended a beef barbecue at the Pineridge Chalet, Monday night. That event at- tracted over 3,000 people, one of the best attended Liberal events in recent years. suggestion that government recommendations are to phase out small community hospitals. Health Minister Richard Potter refuted that claim and charged the Liberals with using "scare tactics". He says the government has no intention of closing community hospitals. Southcott also complained about the NDP attack against the provincial government in regards to Vanastra (former CFB Clinton) when Stephen Lewis and Paul Carroll suggested the province could solve the land ownership issue by merely snapping their fingers, The PC candidate pointed out there was little the Ontario government could do until the ownership was transferred from Crown-Assets. The patent from Crown Assets is expected this week and one of the owners of Vanastra, Fred Ginn, suggested deeds for homes could be ready early next week. In reference to the distorted attacks being made by the two opposition parties, Southcott said he was "amazed" that the interview with the T-A was the first effort by any media representative to get his side of the story. "Apparently the media aren't interested in getting the other side of the story," the former newsman said, noting this was" contrary to the usual journalistic approach to such matters. However, he said the opposition tactics do not appear to be af- fecting too many voters. commitments from Huron residents who have voted other ways in previous elections. He again emphasized regional government was one of the big issues in Huron. He said that there are several small issues related to specific areas, but that in just about all of them, the voters have expressed "a sense of helplessness with the government. They feel a sense of frustration," said Mr. Carroll, but it is always related to local issues." He said there are some spots in the riding where the ND? is going to do "very well at the expense of both parties," and added that these areas would become ap- parent on election day. "This strong-hold of Conservatism is disintegrating," Mr. Carroll told the T-A, but your guess is as good as mine as to where the final votes will fall," "We haven't made pancakes and we haven't put on big bar- becues," he said, in reference to rallies sponsored by the PC's and Liberal parties. "We've just been going door-to-door talking down- to-earth politics, and this iS the way I think it should be, "We made significant gains in 1971 when we were opposing a giant of a man like Mac- Naughton," concluded Mr. Carroll, "and we hope to do the same this tithe." Former Goderich Reeve Paul Carroll has also had plenty of help in his campaign. Leader Stephen. Lewis visited the riding four times and the Provincial Council also spent a weekend here campaigning. Main issues raised in the campaign have been regional government and the provincial deficit. The latter debate has brought a flury of figures with Robert Nixon starting the campaign by predicting a deficit of $800 million for this year. Premier Davis shrugged that off as poor mathematics and Treasury officials have now set the deficit at less than $500 million, primarily because of increased revenues, NDP leader Lewis sided with Davis on that argument, terming the Nixon figures both inflated and illegitimate. Lewis termed the issue a "red herring" on the part of the Liberals, However the two opposition parties were more in agreement on the issue of regional govern- ment, although the NDP were opposed only to the method in which it was being implemented and not completely opposed to the concept as the Liberals suggest they are. The NDP say they're in agreement in principle with regional government, com- plaining only that it is being "rammed down our throats" and being initiated in regions without fiscal reform. Chief seeks cooperation Fire Chief Gary Middleton this week issued an urgent plea to Exeter residents to refrain from calling emergency telephones to ascertain where fires are. He said as soon as the siren rings, people get on the telephone to call Ron Dale's answering service, the fire department or police and this was hampering all those involved in the emergency at hand. He explained that the Dale's "have their hands full" when a fire call is received and telephone calls coming in on their lines can delay their duties. These include sounding the siren, advising the firemen at the hall where the fire is located, calling all members of the brigade and keeping in contact with the firemen on their way and at the scene of a fire. Middleton said he was equally concerned about the people who called in on the fire department number to ask where a fire was located. He indicated that such calls do not keep the line open for further fire calls and said he was going to check with officials in the fire marshal's office to see if charges can be laid against people using the line for other than emergency calls. However, he said he hoped that once residents of the town became aware of the problems they were creating such drastic action would not be necessary. SH hospital won't close "To indulge in scare tactics by trumpeting that some mythical plan exists which is designed to phase out the small hospitals in Ontario is a disservice," Health Minister Dr. Potter stated, this week adding "it is about time that we talked about hospitals and health care with, some logic and in a rational manner." His comment was issued in a press release to refute a claim by Huron Liberal candidate Jack Riddell that small hospitals would be phased out. Dr, Potter went on to point out that hospital constraints are "only one on the rate of (cost) increase; I think a direction in which most people are prone to agree." The constraint is that of an increase of five percent over last year's budget being allowed rather than the inflationary in- creases of past years. He said it was interesting to note that three of the five hospitals in the county submitted proposed budgets which show them able to live within the constraints yet continue to provide the quality of service which has been evident in the past. The other two are reviewing their budgets with the ministry and the same situation should develop in their cases. "The small communities in Ontario are not faced with major cutbacks," he added. In concluding his release, Dr. Potter noted that at Exeter and Seaforth, master planning and renovation programs are being developed, while further services are being developed at the hospitals in Wingham and Goderich. He said this "surely indicates that there is no intention what- soever on the part of my ministry to close down these hospitals," he concluded. Riddell has called for a com- plete moratorium on regional government plans. Southcott has stated he favors a regional government structure solely within the boundaries of Huron. Advance poll all-time high Todays Huron riding byelection may bring out a record number of voters if results of the two days of advance polling is any indication. A total of 459 Huron voters cast their ballots Saturday and Monday. A large percentage of this number were students. Exeter led the advance poll voters with 120 on Saturday and another 46, Monday. Goderich was next in line with 92 the first day and 37 during the second. At Clinton the count was 65 on Saturday and 21 Monday, The Seaforth poll reported 58 votes on Saturday and 20 Monday. These figures were released Tuesday by Huron's returning officer Russell Bolton of Seaforth. Residents of Grand Bend ex- perienced very little hardships Saturday when the main pipe carrying water from the Lake Huron water treatment plant, north of the village fell into the river. The 14-inch pipe which was fastened to the bridge on High- way 21 across the Ausable River gave way about 7.30 a.m. cutting JOINS POLICE FORCE — A fourth Constable was added to the Exeter police force recently. He is Jim McMeekin, a native of Scotland who has police ex- perience with the Canadian National Railways in London and Fort Eire. Constable McMeekin arid his wife Gay reside in the Shirley Margaret apartments on Sanders street east. T-A photo. off water supplies to all residents of the village. Quick action by the Grand Bend PUC and village employees had water back at taps on the north side of the village by 11 a.m. Extra hook-ups were necessary to provide water to the south side but this was completed late the same afternoon. Workmen of C. A. McDowell Construction of Centralia moved onto the site Tuesday morning to begin permanent repairs. This is expected to take at least a week to complete. To allow a temporary supply of water to the south end of the village two fire hoses have been attached to the fire hydrant located on Highway 21 near the Grand Bend Bank of Montreal. These hoses were put through the storm sewer catch basins to reach the other side. The main line pipe was capped at the south end of the bridge to allow connection with the fire hose, Grand Bend works foreman Vic Anysymiw told the T-A Wed- nesday morning that pressure is good throughout the village. Grand Bend village works employees, the PUC and Ontario Ministry of the Environment men co-operated to make the speedy temporary repairs. Allan Ladbrook, engineer of the Lake Huron and Lake Erie area water supply systems for the province was in Grand Bend — Please turn'to page 3 Reeve Derry Boyle, who two months ago pleaded ignorance to the fact residents on Carling St. were having drainage problems, was one of the first called Sunday to view problems being ex- perienced in the area again. Many homes on the street had water — some of it obviously sewage — backing into basements and one homeowner reports damage of more than $1,000. The residents had attended a council session in early January to detail their plight and at that time warned that if no action was taken they would be in trouble come spring, The trouble started shortly before noon on Sunday while some were at church. Mrs. Frank Huff told the T-A she raced home from church to find water covering her basement floor and it continued to rise over the level of a down- stairs toilet. She said she called Reeve Boyle to give him a first-hand look at the situation, recalling that he had said at the January meeting he was unaware of any problems, "His mouth really fell open when he saw Mrs. (Jean) Allen's basement," Mrs. Huff said. Mrs. Allen was one of the hardest hit as the basement apartment occupied by her daughter, Mrs, Grace Galloway, sustained damage of over $1,000 as it was inundated by over 18 inches of foul-smelling water. Both Mrs. Huff and Mrs. Allen were critical of the fact council had apparently not taken any action on the problem despite the warnings given by the residents about the problems they could face in the spring. "If they are doing anything about it, it sure is taking them a long time," Mrs. Allen stated. At the January meeting, council had asked works superintendent Glenn Kells to interview residents of the street to ascertain how many had eavestroughs hooked to the sewers and to ask them to unhook them. "I don't think it was ever done," Mrs. Huff stated, opining that much of the problem stems from the fact a considerable Hit pot holes, three injured Three members of a London family required treatment for cuts and bruises after their car went out of control on the Mt. Carmel Road late Sunday af- ternoon. Ina Rose Russell had been proceeding east on the road when her car hit a series of pot holes west of the village and went out of control, It swerved into the south ditch and hit a culvert. The driver and Alexander Russell, along with 12-year-old Diane, were treated at South Huron Hospital. OP Constable Frank Giffin investigated and listed damage — Please turn to page a amount of water is getting into the sewers that shouldn't be. Although the Huffs did not suffer as much damage as they did when the drains backed up in December, Mrs. Huff said "we shouldn't have to put up with such a mess". Mrs. Allen said her daughter had sent most of her clothes to the cleaners, but items stored in boxes on the floors had been ruined. She also said some of the rugs could not be dry cleaned and there was a considerable problem in getting rid of the smell after the water subsided. She and her daughter were visiting in London and were advised of the problem by a boarder, Charles Miner, who discovered the situation when he returned from church. When they returned neighbors had already started baling out the water. Several other residents along the street had water problems again too. Mrs. Olive Ostland was one of those and ironically she was storing a rug in her basement for Mrs. Galloway and it got soaked. Mrs. Huff said some of the residents on the street were considering withholding their March 15 tax payment until some action was taken to relieve their problem. However, she said this wouldn't solve much and she doubted that any would take that action. She said she didn't personally blame the present council, but noted that a wrong decision had been made sometime in the past to create the problem. In January, council members indicated the solution would be to instal larger pumps at the John St. pumping station, but this could not be undertaken until approval had been received for the completion of the local sewer system. Council planned to undertake that project last year, but have been continually delayed and still do not have approval. IT WAS THIS HIGH — The amount of water on the basement floor of the Carling street home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Huff did not reach the proportions of some other homes because standpipes were installed. Above, Mr. Huff shows how high the water came in the pipe in his basement, wit Conservatives confident Charges dirty campaign Predicts many switches NDP not predicting Expects to make gains One Hundred and First Year EXETER, ONTARIO, MARCH 15, 1973 Price Per Copy 20 Cents