Clinton News-Record, 1976-05-20, Page 4is a cut worth it?
ANniciPalities in Huron County, says
the Zurich Citizens News, will this
month be asked to give some
ughtful censid�eration to a prop
by county council to reduce the number
Of representatives at the county level
to 29 from 45.
Wisely, members of county council
agreed that the matter should be well
discussed at the local level with time
provided for the citizens of the county
to learn about the possibility and
perhaps make their opinions known
concerning it.
There has long been a -feeling among
some Huron County residents that
county youncil has too many mernbers.
As was evident at the April session,
some reeies and deputy -reeves, share
the same view.
But there is some real concern that if
membership at the county level was
reduced, the workload would be too
great for the reeves who attended.
There is a fear that much of the
decision-making would then fall to
administrative staff, and this ac-
cording to some county councillors
would be the ruination of a fine
democratic tradition.
There is little doubt that the county
responsibility has increased over the
years. While county council's mem-
bers are still governed by ` the
provincial government guidelines in
many ways, Huron's elected reeves
and deputy -reeves have more
responsibility than ever before to make
decisions about more and more
weighty problems. Areas such as
planning and development have
opened up in recent years, leaving all
county councillors to the task of
studying" and learning everything
about a totally new subject'. It is a big
job.
Taxpayers may well ask. however,
why county council finds it necessary
to spend so much time on a myriad of
routine problems which probably could
• be handled efficiently and adequately
by 'department heads. One also won-
ders why vaivabie working hours are
wasted in useless debate over matters
well outside of council control—or
bickering over spilled milk,
Vet the problem of . asking elected
representatives to take more time
away from their livelihood is real.
Reeve John Baker of Hensall told
county council at its last meeting that
if he were to spend another 10 minutes
per month on county business, he
believes his boss would fire him. Of
course, Reeve Baker as well as every
other reeve in Huron County, must also
spend considerable time working on
behalf of his local municipality--
attending meetings there, talking with
voters there, solving problems there.
The same problem surfaces again.
Who really has'the time to be a county
councillor? Generally it is the self-
employed, the retired, the rich or the
prestige -seekers who accept county
posts. While there are exceptions to
every rule, it is proven fact that not
everyone can be a reeve or a deputy
reeve because of the time involved
away from the job from which a person
makes his living. And right away. the
potential. of county council to attract
the best people and do the best job is
- jeopardized. '
Municipal councils, too, might do
well to look at their own membership.
What `kind of people are local councils
attracting? And why?
The number of county members
necessary is tied directly to the reality
that the representatives at Huron
council are part-time politicians. If
Huron County isn't prepared to elect
full-time people and pay them ac-
cordingly, then there seems to be little
way around the number of county
councillors who will be needed to keep
the growing workload down to a
bearable weight.
It may seem cumbersome. It may
appear expensive. It may even be
argued that the best candidates will not
ever seek election. But it may be what
Huron wants and that's what the
county committee wants to know.
Sugar and Spicc/By Bill Smiler
The human sprit
Could you write a pungent, telling essay
on The Human Spirit?.
No? Well, that's what my senior students
tell me, too. But I know they are wrong, and
I think you are wrong also.111 bet you could
write a dandy, especially if you have lived a
lot.
I gave my students instructions for an,
essay, and most of them went into a state of
mild shock, They shouldn't have. They are
dealing with the human spirit, their own
and others, every minute of their young
lives.
However. students, like most of us,
prefer things to„be sdeltedrout. But how can
you spell out the human spirit?
You can't touch it, taste it. smell it, weigh
or measure it. You can't peer through
someone's navel and shout "Tallyho!”
From the beginnings of thought, our
great writers and thinkers have explored
the human -creature in an effort to pin down
this elusive thing.
Some philosophers have believed they
had put their finger on the slippery little
devil only to find that it has squirted away.
Clerics are more apt to call it the soul.
Psychologists in nasty names like id„ and
ego and libido on various aspects of it.
Writers give examples of it. Artists try to
depict its highest aspirations.
The human spirit exists in all of us. It,
along with the power to reason, is what,
raises us above the level of the beasts.
Its presence is allied to all that is good
and great in human kind: loyalty, integrity.
compassion, honor. courage, dignity.
Its absence represents all that is bad in
the human race: greed, cruelty, prejudice,
indifference, treachery.
Given the right fertilizer. the human
spirit reaches out to other human spirits,
and mankind moves another inch toward
the stars.
Without proper nourishment, the human
spirit shrivels or warps. turns in on itself,
rots. and spreads like a cancer.
In certain periods. the undernourished
spirit produces the great psychopaths like
Attila the Hun. Napoleon, ,Ititler, and we
are led into darkness.
Blur after each of these sombre intervals,
the resurgent human spirit roars back,
fanning the embers into a blaze of glory,
and once more man is on the march.
This is all very inspiring. I'm sure. but
it's pretty abstract, and 1 prefer the con-
crete. Let's see if we can find some
examples of the human spirit in action.
When a two-year-old child, normally
good and obedient, sticks out his lip and,.
flatly refuses to do something reasonable,
and defies threats of spankings, he is not
just being stubborn. He is exhibiting, to the
world, his sense of self, of independence.
That is the human spirit.
When an 80 year old man, or woman ,
prefers to pig it alone in poverty and
discomfort, rather than be shuttled off to a
cosy senior citizen's home, he or she is
doing the same.
When a man or woman has enough gut
guts to say "No!" at a time when all about
are saying Yes ! " that's the human spirit at
work.
But let's get down to an example we can
all understand. When a man gets up after
his old lady has knocked him down five
times, and advances on her, arms• out-
stretched, and says: "Darling. let me
explain just once more." That is the human
spirit at its best.
Don't, get this human spirit thing all
mixed up with sentimentality: the cooing of
a baby, which might be just a gas pain, the
radiant smile of a bride. which might be
just vanity. Or gloating. No, let's keep it on
a high plain.
Here are the instructions l gave my
students. See how they grab you.
"This essay is to be an examination of the
human spirit (soul, . self) as it acts and
reacts under stress, in inter -play with other
human spirits. in conflict with society.
"The essay '!should reveal something of
what the student has learned this year from
exposure to the ideas of first-class writers
concerning the human spirit.
"Ideas expressed should not he merely
emotional clap -trap or mystic foofa-wraw.
Nth" should they be a mere recording of
,examples of the human spirit in action,
taken from the books read. They should
rather represent the student's own human
spirit reacting to the stimulus of what has
been read and pondered .
"Any reasonable --- and
unreasonable — approaches
will be encouraged.
"Students may choose one of the
following exhortations from their glorious
leader :
"or
"Bata Your Heart Out."
Aren't you glad you don't take English
from me?'
even some
to the topic
"No wonder we're always short of money you keep squandering it on food,
clothing and shelter!"
Odds 'n' ends by Elaine Townshend
Home's hard to find
The following is the typical lingo that ensues when I try to
tell someone from north of Goderich how to reach my place.
"Follow Highway no�21 south of Goderich," I begin.
"To Bayfield," is the usual assumption.
"No. not all the way 'to Bayfield."
"But I thought you lived in Bayfield."
"My rural route is Bayfield,, and I live north-east of the
village."
"North-east? Well, give me your phone number in case I
get lost."
"482.. "
"That's a Bayfield number."
"No. Clinton.
"How can your address be Bayfield and your phone be
Clinton?" they fume with exasperation.
"Well, you see, I live on the border of the three rural lines
of Bayfield, Clinton and Goderich," I explain calmly.
It seldom works. and giving directions from Bayfield or
Clinton is no easier. As a result of the confusion, I've been
called a Goderich gal. a Bayfield resident and a Clinton girl.
I'm tempted to give up correcting such labels, but I'll try
once more.
I'm a resident of Goderich Township. My home is in a
rural community that used to be known as Porter's Hill.
In the early 1900s, Porter's Hill was a bustling hamlet
that consisted of a school;, ^church,` a blacksmith's shop. a
general store and a Tempence Hall.
Gradually the buildings disappeared, and the commercial
activity ground to a halt. Someone stole the community's
sign from the ditch, and no one bothered to replace it. On
road maps, the mark for Porter's Hill shrank from a dot to a
speck toa memory.
But don't you outsiders smirk ! Those of us that still con-
sider ourselves as residents of Porter's Hill, are amazed
by the number of people who remember the hamlet the way
it used to be. In those days. it obviously commanded respect
from the neighbouring communities.
Furthermore, during the recent swing toward rural
living, Porter's Hill has staged a comeback. The population
boom has upped the citizenship to approximately 23, and
with the summer visitors, it swells to about 30.
In addition, the community now boasts of a high-rise
apartment complex containing one -and -a -half units.
Although the school ceased to function years ago, it still
looks like one, and perched on the top of a hill, it makes an
excellent -landmark.
I „ admit finding my place is difficult when you're
travelling over a hilly gravel road, that some city people
call a roller coaster, and searching for a community that
doesn't even have a sign.
Nevertheless, I'm heartened to note the location of
Porter's Hill on the Goderich Township map in the Belden
Historical Atlas of Huron County. Using Bayfield, Clinton
and Goderich as the three . I divide part of the township into
a triangle. 'What's in the centre of the triangle?, Porter's
Hill, of course!
Therefor, although some folks might say I live in the
middle of nowhere, I still prefer to think of it as the hub of
the Bayfield, Clinton and Goderich area.
From our early files er • v •
10 YEARS AGO
May 26.1966
Clinton and District Cenotaph Committee met last . Thursday
evening and set Sunday June 19 as a tentative date to dedicate•the
new memorial in Clinton Library Park. There is still 51.923 owing
on the cenotaph itself and plans were made to arrange fund-
raising events.
Over 200 entries participated in 22 classes -at the Hullett Township
Music Festival which heldit. 15th annual competitions and concert
last Wednesday. Thursday. and Friday: what may have been the
last competition held there. Sponsored by Hullett Federation of
Agriculture and Londesboro Institute, the promoters are hoping the
new control school in Hullett will carry on the festivals.
Central Huron Secondary School has a triple winner in track and
field competition this spring. Cameron Colquhoun, son of Mr. and
Mrs. K.W. Colquhoun. Huron Street. won the junior boys cham-
pionship at CHSS: took the Huron -Perth Conference junior
championship. and last Saturday became the Western Ontario
Secondary Schools Association junior champion at London. At
WOSSA last Saturday. Cam took second place in three events with
.24 points.
Over 5,000 pounds of numbered aluminum nails will be used by
the Bell Telephone Company of Ciffiada in tagging the 295.000
telephone poles it maintains in this part of the country. Each pole
will be tagged with the date of its installation. some of which date
back to 1924. The spokeman also said that in the last three years.
nearly 50.000 poles have been replaced with underground facilities.
Mr. Fred Anderson is celebrating his ninety-third birthday on
June 1.
Cadet Major Steven Maguire. commanding officer of CHSS Cadet
Corps No. 339, was picked as the hest cadet on parade at the annual
inspection last Friday afternoon The best marksman award for a.
CHSS Cadet went' to John Irwin. a member of the Cadet Corps
Band.
25 YEARS AGO
May 24. 1931
Ernest G. Clarke. son of Mr and Mrs M. E Clarke. Seaforth and
grandson of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Epps. Clinton has been advised that
he has received four. awards its the result of this year's
examinations at Emmanuel College. Victoria University. Toronto.
Congratulations to Miss Doris McEwen. who• has passed the
examinations for the degree of Master of Science at University of
Western Ontario, London.. For her thesis its Botanical Cancer, Miss
McEwen received an A mark
For the first time Simi 1939 •words were carried by RCAP of-
ficers on parade , as full ceremonial was recorded the presentation
of wings at RCAF Station Ce'ntr.ilia. Friday afternoon last, to 84
pilots from six countries
Prartreally all seeding is now completed. Hay and pastures still
continue to do very well, although some frosts during the early part
of lost week may have injured alfalfa in certain areas. Farmers are
busy preparing ground for beans and corn. and some sugar bets
have been seeded
At an impressive service cif decimation held in the Wesley Willis
United Church on Sunday morning. Mr. John lanes, president of
the Girls' Club. made a formal presentation of the new public ad-
dress system
With the Ontario Govi-rnmenths new hull premium policy in effect
t.' help stimulate buying, the second annual auction of Huron
ttj'reford Assocerttton in Clinton 1 ions Arena last week attracted
htiyers from all corners of Western Ontario. and put 517.430 worth
of cattle across the auction block in less than four hours of brick
selling
More than 40 contestants from daily newspapers , radio stations
and weekly new wittier% t.uwit pert in the fourth anntint
newspapermen'• pert h derby ..f t..e.l.•r n h 1 ion's Club at Goderich
Saturday Winner .4 the beautiful trophy presented for annual
t•eirnpetitinn by Fine Papers 1 I otn,theni Limited, for the largest
perch ratight during the day was ft S Cllr' Atkey, editor of
('hninn News Record In .i ci
e n:t place Clarrencc Cooper. fascia('boil n 1'4
Self YEARS AEO
MIIy 2A. 1926
E. Epp. , Varna. hole secured the services of Mr. Hofftnanof
r taasslst with blacksmith wear :
Mr. Harold Snell, a student at CCI. won second prize for pole
vault at the WOSSA field day al London on Saturday.
Mr. Maurice Switzer had a bee on Friday. raising his barn. Mr.
Heard had charge of the work and everything went without a hitch.
At a convention held in Wingham on Tuesday, Mr. Charles A.
Robertson, reeve of Colborne Township and an ex -warden of
Huron. was chosen to carry the Liberal banner in North Huron in
the next Provincial election.
Miss Lily Lindsay, who has been spending the past few months
with her mother. in town. left Monday for Muskoka. Miss Lindsay
will assist on the nursing staff at one of the cottages in connection
with the Muskoka Sanitorium.
Clinton Knitting Company had an open house yesterday af-
ternoon when the general public was invited to see how their
stockings were manufactured. Many took advantage of this in-
vitation, and saw for the first time all the many processes which
are essential in the manufacture of fine hosiery.
Markets were: wheat $1.30: oats 40 cents to 45 cents: buckwheat.
60 cents: barley 60 cents: butter. 35 cents to 36 cents: eggs 20 cents
ton cents: live hogs $13.
75 YEARS AGO
May 24, 1901
Among the supplementary estimates for the next fiscal year in
the Dominion are those which are down for places in Huron County
are: Gorlerich 510.000 for "its harbour: Clinton 55,000 for a post of-
fice: Bayfield. $5,500 for extension of southern pier: St. Joseph.
$5.000 for a wharf.
Those interested will be pleased to learn that the trustees of
Rattenbury Street church at a meeting Thursday night of last
week. considered the tenders for the different work in connection
with the new Methodist church. Hiram Hill was awWarded the:
contract for the stone and brick work. the trustees to find the
material. the wood and carpentering work was given to Thos
"r*-- McKenzie. The character of the contractors is proof that the work
will be well done. the contract cafis for completion by December
ISth.
Messrs. Greig and MacDonald, clothing' firm of Seaforth. has
received a contract for furnishinp'the 3rd regiment with hats and
shirts to he in use while the men are at London camp in June . The
contract will amount to about 5500.
The farmers report wheat and grass are looking fine and gar-
deners in town are cothmencing to supply gardening staff.
A total eslipse of the sun took place the other day and only lasted
forsev'en minutes. but it was not visible in North America. Another
eclipse. an annular one. is due this fail. and that, will also be in-
isible from here.
From the results of the Pharmacy exams which are out this
week, we notice that A Rance. of town. has made a creditable
showing. of which his friends are pleased to hear.
Baseball
Dear Editor:
The. London PU(
Recreation Department,
cooperation with L halts, is,
holding the "World's .Largest
Fastball & Siowpitch Taut
nament" on July 31st, August
1st and August 2nd. The''
tourney guarantees each
team two games with
Championship and Con.,
solation brackets. The entry
fee is 550. We have divisions
in fastball - ladies', men's
open, industrial (no all-star
teams) : and in slowpitch
men's and ladies'.
Prize money will range
from 5600 for first to 550 for
10th.
Inasmuch as this is the
first tournament of this type,
we expect that more than 220
teams will enter. This should
be a real "Fun" weekend.
The 1976 Official Softball
Guide will be used. Official
Entry Forms will be mailed
out on or abott,Mpy 24th and.:
will include the rules of the
tournament: information,
concerning rosters: umpires,
and entry limit in each of the
five categories.
If you are interested and
would like more information
contact: Ken Benjamin, c -o
Recreation Department, 1.1th.
Floor, City Hall. London,
Ontario.
Please feel free to pass the
word along to any other team
that might be interested.
Sincerely,
Ken Benjamin,
tournament conveno
Guns
Dear Editor:
I should like to bring to
attention of you and yo
readers some details of Bill C-
83 (Peace and Security), now
before Parliament. which.
may 'be unknown to you and
undoubtedly are unknown to
most of your readers.
This "package bill" cannot
serve Canadians well -
lumping as it does such
divergent issues -as electronic
surveillance, gun control.
crime inquiries. parole, etc.
into one bill, to receive one
vote for or against by an M.P.
I personally feel that ;the
gun control section is un-
necessary and will do nothing
to reduce or prevent crime:
+ Section 106.3(16) - places
arbitrary . and unrestricted
powers in the hands of an.
appointed official. who can
restrict and control in any
manner he wishes. even if not
prescribed by regulations. "b
how a person may use. carry,
possess. handle or store any
firearm or ammunition.
+ Section 99. (2) - every one
who stores any firearm or
ammunition in a "careless
manner" is guilty of an in-
dictable offense and is liable
to imprisonment for five
years.
+ Section 100.1 - every
person in a . business con-
cerning firearms or am-
munition must keep a record
of every transaction and a
running stock inventory.
Every small country store
will have to record the sale of
even one box of ammunition.
+ Section 88.(1) - an
unrlicensed person"
possessing firearms or
ammunition is guilty of an
(continued on page.
Cj
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