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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1974-05-09, Page 4Caution required When the federal government decided to build a PMQ housing, development at RCAF Centralia, some designer came up with the idea of having the rear of the houses facing the street. In most communities, it's the front yard that boarders the roadway, While there may be some benefits to the plan used, the present residents of Huron Park will agree that there are some drawbacks in the scheme. The main one is the fact that children sent out to play in the "back yard" are ac- tually along the roadway and this creates a most dangerous situation. Drivers should compensate for the situation, realizing that in Huron Park, even more caution is required than in other residential zones. Why the freeze Several townships in Huron are affected by the freeze on commercial development which was imposed on 62 rural areas of the province by Housing Minister Sidney Handleman on Friday. The province is trying to block uncontrolled commercial development in rural areas where official plans have not yet been adopted. Goderich and Colbourne Townships had commercial development frozen this winter when the province moved to block a shopping centre which was planned for the outskirts of Goderich. Now Hay, Stephen, Turnberry, Usborne and Morris also come under the commercial development freeze. Although municipalities may be worried about the loss of local autonomy this move implies, the freeze on shopping centre development until land use regulations have been drawn up may save us a lot of grief in the long run. Housing Minister Handleman says some shopping centre developers have deliberately sought out townships which have no zoning con- trols. The townships may be quite delighted when a shopping centre developer ap- proaches with a site in mind, The increased assessment looks great. But the services which the township will eventually have to provide to this type of development can cost more than any benefits. Then there is the possibility of un- planned patches of urban development scattered here and there on what was prime agricultural land. The Townships are assured that the ministerial orders announcing the ban will be rescinded as soon as local land use con- trols are developed which "rightly belong in these rural townships" (presumably developments which would have been allowed had township plans existed), will be allowed. Any exemptions to the orders are expected to be processed in about six weeks, less time than it takes to get a re- zoning application through the Ontario Municipal Board. The Ontario government is offering assistance in developing and preparing land use by-laws to all the townships which are covered by the bans. Some townships are already working on their plans. The province's feeze will no doubt encourage the other rural townships to get their own plans together. It seems a little "big brotherish," but all the province is really doing is protecting us from ourselves. It's saying that as soon as the rural townships make some rules, they can follow them. But until then the province is going to make sure that somebody is laying down guidelines that commercial development has to meet. Huron Expositor The man who came to dinner ' • a "Here's a little illegal strike of my own to even things up?" An incompatible combination Think of these things ]Ml:;i",ZOWN47.:",iiPMCAMEM.' Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 `fie exeferZimes-Usocafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C,W.N.A., 0.W,NA., CLASS 'A' and ABC Editor — Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor -- Ross Haugh Phone 2351331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation, March 81, 1972, 5,037 Canada S9.00 Per Year; USA $1 1.00 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Well here's your Innocent Abroad again. Thieek-me and me brudder are blasting up the autobahn to Ramstein. Blasting is the word. As I mentioned, Germany is probably the only country in the world with no speed limit on its autobahns, the superhighways. During the fuel shortage, the government applied a limit. The death toll on the roads dropped drastically. But the government caved in to an angry lobby from auto-makers and racing clubs and lifted the speed limit., The result is somewhat like a combination of the Indianapolis speedway and low flying over mountains, that is guaranteed to stand your hair on end, if not turn it white. My brother is a good driver, and he was only idling along about 90. But I was slightly un- nerved by his habit of pointing out scenery with one hand and whistling past a 20-ton truck with the other. Even more hair-raising was the traffic from behind. Those mad Teutons zoom up to within inches of your rear bumper, hang there, then, as soon as there's a chance, flash past you as though you were standing still. Personally, I wouldn't drive on a German autobahn in anything but a fifty-ton tank. Arrived at the halfway mark so weak and shaky I couldn't even get a beer down, in the officers' mess. And that's pretty shaky. This was Baden-Soellingen, home of the Fourth Canadian Mobile Brigade Group. There are three squadrons of CF 104's a token force, but a highly efficient one. This is down from 12 squadrons in 1954. Those remaining are 426, Red Indian, 439, Tiger, and 441, Silver Fox. They received their colours last June from Prince Philip, in an impressive ceremony. My brother claims, seriously, that the Canadian squadrons have the best pilots in Europe. Zoom. Off again to Ramstein where I was plunged into a gay round of parties that would make a debutante green with envy. But not before I crashed out for a few hours at the kid brother's apartment. I had to gird my loins for the big dinner and party that night. Like a number of officers, he lives off the base, in a small village. He pays a little over $200 for a two-bedroom unfurnished apartment. This is subsidized to some extent by the service. But rents have soared in Germany. On the base, a Canadian, Major George Taylor, told me he pays only $120 for a two-bedroom job. My brother had to install everything: stove, fridge, even cupboards in his flat. Parks? Yes, there are some. Liquor is $4.00 for 40 ounces of the best. Cigarettes, for those af- flicted, are $2.00 a carton. Food and drink at the mess are relatively cheap. But nothing much else is. The halcyon days when our troops on the continent were living high as lords are gone, thanks to German inflation, and the devaluing of the dollar. Change the shirt, shave the whiskers, and off to the mess. It was a special occasion, and he didn't want me to miss it. A farewell dinner for a German Colonel, moving to another post. German? Yep. It felt rather odd to be drinking a toast to a chap who might have been shooting at me some years ago. But this is NATO, remember? There were three other colonels of the Ger- man Air Force at the dinner. Most of the others at the party were Americans, and I was welcomed with all the warmth and hospitality for which Americans are well known. Mrs. Martha Heaton said, "The Canadians here are the funnest and nicest Canadians we've ever met." Brig.-Gen. Dick Merkling, USAF, our host, stuck me at the head table and introduced me after the food. I graciously murmured that the food was better than last time I was in Germany. And wasn't it just. A steak so big and tender it made one to drool. Wine flowing freely. Choice dessert. And a lot of beautiful women, for eye- feasting. Lowest ranking officer there was a major, and there was only one of these. It's a good thing I look so distinguished or they'd have turned livid at the thought of a little old miserable Flight Loot sitting at the head table. Then it was back to his shack with the brother, and a long evening of reminiscing about such things as how I used to diddle him out of his paper-route money, and the girls we had tried to steal from each other, and old days in the REAL air force, and exhausted to bed. One more column on my trip, if you can stand it. Fishing appears to be the "order of the day" in the area and reports indicate that even elbow room was scarce along most streams as the trout season opened. Morrison dam reservoir was no exception, as local youngsters flocked to the conservation area to test their skills against the wily delicacies. It's usually a real fun weekend for the kids, but a few "spoilers" were evident this season. Some of those who camped out overnight to get an early start at the task at hand, were plagued by a few bullies who should have known better. Tents were pulled down and we understand that in one case, a can of beans was set atop a bon fire, and the resulting explosion sent embers flying. One tent was ignited. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, but it is a sad com- mentary when: some: youngsters have their fun 'spoiled- byi-such antics. K. A few fishermen, both young and old, were also plagued by the raucous antics of a few motor- cycle and mini-bike riders who were roaring up and down along the side of the reservoir throughout the weekend. Such activities, while being dangerous when no regard is given to the youngsters playing along the shoreline, also tends to spoil the quiet, relaxing at- mosphere which is so much a part of a lazy afternoon of drowning fishworms. The wildlife at the reservoir also appeared to be visibly upset by the bike riders. It's not a compatible com- bination! The hunt for other delicacies of the water smelt was also in full Letter to Editor, Exeter Times-Advocate Some of the most dedicated men in the Town of Exeter, and serving the areas of Usborne, Stephen and Hay, are your local firemen. Another person who is on 24- hour call is our answering ser- vice, and without it, a fire emergency could not be an- swered as all calls are taken, recorded and the siren activated first from this point. We are now getting calls on the fire emergency number from children as well as irresponsible adults. I would like to ask all parents to try and stress the fact that the fire number is for fire emergency calls only. To those adults who get a kick out of this type of practical joke, I ask you on behalf of the an- swering service, to think before dialing the 1600 number. When this number is dialed, you do not activate the siren. You must first give your name, address of the fire emergency, etc., and the call is then recorded. Nuisance calls are dangerous as they tie up the line and make it unavailable for those who may have to report an emergency, There are also those who seemingly get a real thrill out of following the fire department vehicles. The law requires that you not follow within 500 feet of the vehicles and please be ad- vised that we will be laying charges against, anyone failing to comply with this law. Wh Ile we appreciate volunteers swing last week, with some good catches recorded along the Lake Huron shoreline in this district. The editor and his four proteges, unfortunately, did not share in the good fortune although it was primarily due to a lack of proper planning., Realizing the kids had a day off school, we decided Monday night to initiate them in the sport. Unfortunately, we couldn't round up the necessary nets and had to settle for a small piece of netting mother had been using for a wall decoration. Our youthful assistants were full of optimism as they came up with a bushel basket to bring home the spoils; the container for the fish being about twice the size of the netting we had to catch them. Our eldest assuredus he would have no problem withstanding the cool waters of Lake Huron, boasting that he had already been swimming at his favorite haunt Wong the Ausable. However, one step into the lake quickly proved to him that there was a difference in the tem- perature, and while his younger brothers were coaxing he and pop to get at it, much of the en- thusiasm was waning due to the chilling water. Unfortunately, another group of fishermen with the proper equipment (and possibly know- how) a few yards away were hauling in smelt, and it became difficult indeed to try and explain that the rough water was just too much for our flimsy netting. Kids, we learned once again, judge only by results and give no compensation for the problems which may well justify failure, at least when it's the old man's failure. At any rate, we did battle the numbing waters (no we didn't have waders either) until we at the scene who help remove furniture, it should be remem- bered that our first responsibility is to prevent loss of life. Please wait until you are asked by the officer in charge at the scene for assistance. For those who do nothing but criticise, may I remind you that we are still taking applications for volunteer firemen. Please show thoughtfulness and courtesy and we will continue to serve you to the best of our ability. Thank you, Chief Gary Middleton * * * Dear Sir: I would like to enlist your co- operation again this year in assisting us to carry out a research program on Ruffed Grouse supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources. If you could bring the following in- formation to the attention of your readers, we would be most ap- preciative. As part of a continuing research program, on Ruffed Grouse at the University of Guelph, we are attempting to collect a sample of eggs from the wild. The eggs are required to provide grouse for use in the research projects. Because of the great difficulty in locating nests, it is necessary to have the co-operation of as many people as possible, Anyone locating a nest within one hun- dred and twenty-five miles of Guelph is asked to mark the managed to land two smelt. After examining the catch carefully at home, it was the considered opinion that they did not constitute the quantity required for even a taste, and lacking any powers to feed the throngs on such small measure, the stray cat which raids our garbage can was voted the recipient of our evening's catch. All the writer got out of the ordeal was a severe case of chills and a rating of "poor" in the kids' fishing skills category. We should have stayed home and watched television. Those who prefer to buy "quality" rather than "quantity" are now being penalized by the provincial government. As of the first of the month, the seven percent Ontario sales tax has been .removed from shoes. Not all shoes, mind you, but only those costing less than $30., If you happen to be one of those poor souls (no pun intended) that require special shoes which generally cost over that figure, or if you are among those who prefer to buy a quality shoe that lasts twice as long as most cheaper models, you pay the tax. But lo, and behold, you don't merely pay tax on the amount over $30, but you pay tax on the whole amount. So, if you buy a pair of shoes costing $29.99, you pay only $29.99. If the price tag is $30 you pay $32.10. + Still not wearing seat •belts? According to a recent accident survey in Sweden, one out of every 2,434 belted occupants was killed, while one out of 244 belted occupants died. Buckle up! Save your life! location, but not to disturb the nest. They should contact us by phoning collect to: Betty Camp- bell (519) 824.4120 Ext. 2756 during office hours. At other times, call collect to: A. L. A. Middleton (519) 822-3832, Craig Greenwood (519) 823-1976 or Don Price (519) 824-2276. We will come and pick up the eggs as soon as possible and will pay the locator one dollar per egg for his trouble. The number of eggs collected in an area will not be sufficient to harm the local grouse population. All captive birds are, of course, given the best possible care, Your co-operation lastyearwas most appreciated. The birds raised from eggs we collected have allowed us to make a number of significant findings. Thank you for your co- operation. Yours sincerely, A. L. A. Middleton Associate Professor Dear Sir: The land speculation tax recently tabled at Queen's Park is cruel legislation which heavily penalizes thousands of rural land owning Ontario residents whom I suspect have no idea that they are being acted against. When the law is passed; these people will find they are subject to a tax of 50 percent on their lands when sold. The tax will be in addition to any capital gains tax they have to pay the Federal Government. All of this amounts Several years ago when in Washington, DC I visited the National Art Gallery which I think is the best on this continent. It's a large building, several storeys high and filled with the painting of the masters both old and modern. Wanting to see all I could in the short time I had, I flew through the gallery trying to absorb everything, pausing only for a moment or so in front of a picture that happened to catch my at- tention by its bright colors or unusual composition. How disappointing it was to return home, and trying to recall what I had seen remember only a blur of colors with the exception of one or two paintings of which I retained a faint impression. A year of two later I went back to Washington and this time when I returned to the gallery with one brief hour to spend, I went to only one room containing the works of a favorite artist and viewed the paintings on just one wall of that room. On this occasion when I left the building I carried away with me a distinct impression of several beautiful pictures into which the genius-artist had put the essence of his soul and I was greatly benefitted. It strikes me that life is often like that. Many rush through never really 'experiencing the finer, deeper, beautiful things. They are attracted only by bright flashes of color, the hangling, clashing noise. They press on to new thrills and new stimuli never taking the time that their wiser friends do to let some of the Creator's beauty, calmness, I blinked up at the doctor. It was one o'clock in the morning and in the-meantime I had. been anyefavourite thing. ,Our youngest child was arriving and while I was waiting for him and in sympathy for my wife, I had dozed off to some other country. I knew what I was going to call him. The doctor was competent. My wife does all things well. So I had switched to automatic and my attention was elsewhere. And coming back from a sleepy elsewhere to hear the doctor say, "Mr. Boomer, you have a lovely baby girl," was enough to make the most owlish blink. What would you call a girl anyway?! So, of course, when they said, "If you're going to write a column you have to have a name for it," it was trauma all over again. I suppose there could be "boy columns" and "girl columns" but really this doesn't seem to be the most important issue at the moment. We did read our list of names but none seemed to fit. And, of course, we wanted to be original! No plagiarism with us. Since it is a column about inter- personal affairs, we could have a title like Today's Social Scene. But then you think about the neighbourhood shin-digs, ladies teas, and other gatherings; maybe even about how Clarabelle visited her family over the weekend. Then someone else with the political bent thinks about democratic socialism espoused to expropriation of lands with little compensation. The following is a partial list of properties which are taxable: 1) All lands owned by • rural residents, unless the property is smaller than ten acres and is lived on. If it is lived on and greater than ten acres then it becomes taxable. 2) With few exceptions all rural income producing properties which are not a place of residence. The tax is unfair to farmer's, lumbermen and other rural people who have worked all their lives on their lands and have their life savings tied up in this asset. You really have to stretch the imagination to classify them as land speculators, as the title of the bill suggests. The government has stated that they intend to drive the price of real estate down by passing the land speculation tax and another tax of 20 percent if a rural resident sells any of his property to a foreigner. This, of course, will enable the government to buy rural lands at cheap prices. They have also conveniently worded the legislation to read that if land is sold to the Crown instead of private persons, the tax will not be payable. The — Please turn to Page 5 peace and quiet enter their lives. It's much easier to whirl through life with your eyes on the shallow spectacle of the moment thanit is to learn to appreciate the deeper things of life. The latter takes discipline but it leads our thoughts closer to God. It was St. Paul who said, ". . . whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely gracious, ex- cellent . . . think of these things." Paul knew the human mind and character very well. He suggests we think of all things that are praiseworthy, and as these are allowed to dwell in our thoughts, they cannot help but transform us into their likeness. F, G. Burroughs put it this wav: Think noble thoughts if you would noble be; Pure thoughts will make a heart of purity; Kind thoughts will make you good, and glad thoughts gay, For like your thoughts your life will be alway. Whate'er is true and reverend and just, Think o'er these things, and be like them you must; Of good report, of lovely things and pure, Think, and your mind such nectar shall secure. Think much of God and you shall like Him be, In words of faith and hope and charity; Protect His image from all foul abuse, And keep the temple holy for His use. The readers write: Fire chasers, grouse, taxes Name, please By ELMORE BOOMER Counsellor for Information South Huron For appointment phone: 235.2715 or 235.2474 by the New Democratic Party — Shades of pink! or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic — Shades of Red 1 ,So even if spcial issues creep in — social doesn't seem to be the word. Anyway it isn't all about social things. After all, a counsellor has to look into the psychic machinery of individuals and have an answer immediately — "You need a tune-up". Maybe one of those double names would be good, like Concerns — Social and Personal. No — too explicit. Mr. Boomer, you need to be more subtle and imaginative than that. It possesses all imagination, the imagination you lack. Maybe a person could get something about tomorrow. It is fashionable to be a "tomorrower" nowadays. That catches the eye. That emphasizes how fast things are changing. But some are still sold on today and, some are still "hung-over" yesterday. And to know about tomorrow if today is foggy is impossible. Isn't it? And to understand today without yesterday is unthinkable. No, columnist, you need your yesterday and your today before you dip your toe into tomorrow. Maybe a middle course is good, Now Time or Cheers to Now! That would be a toast to the present. And yesterday and tomorrow could tag along. If you're going to say anything to the people of Exeter, Mr. Columnist, you could call your column, The Counsellor Com- ments. That sounds like Solomon or Gordon Sinclair doesn't it? Yes, it does. No, really, my best advisor, I don't wish to to comment so much. I would rather beget some comment. Don't you know that a counsellor is supposed to listen rather than talk too much? I wonder — Our Response to Now. Would that be a good title for a column? Maybe that would be all right. It includes everyone. Everyone is responding. It emphasizes Today with a possibility for Yesterday and Tomorrow. It depends on how wide "now" is. Is it "now" only in Exeter? and district? Does it include Canada? There's lots of social issues in Canada, I think. And, of course, there's the rest of the world. I don't think we can leave them out. I do hope that somehow everyone is big enough for "a big now". But maybe someone will have an idea about combining "our generous response" with "a big now". I sure would appreciate hearing from you. Just write to me wo The Exeter Times- Advocate. Say, I wonder how they got their name! P.S. Oh yes, if you wish to know our youngest girl's name or if you are looking for some help, just call 235-2715 for an appointment, ak. •