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Clinton News-Record, 1977-10-20, Page 4PAGE 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977 W W'r:K•> Do it now Many many times in the past, politicians in Huron County and indeed most of the residents, have said that we don't need regional government, that we can co-operate with each other on a wide variety of subjects ranging from health care to library systems. We have said we can run them ourselves, much better, and much cheaper than ,any provincial bureaucratic body could. And for the most part, we have proved we can do it, and do it well. The county runs a host of services in Huron very efficiently, everything from social services to sanitary land fill sites. But we can't stop now, and stop progressing. And one example is the police central radio dispatch system that is proposed for the five towns in the County, Seaforth, Wingham, Exeter, Goderich, and Clinton, all of whom run their own municipal police forces. There has been some agreement' on the need for the dispatch system for keeping the police forces in touch with each other, and with the man on the beat, but more is needed. And the sooner the system is put into effect, the better. It would offer 24-hour service that is now a necessity in police work, and it would allow them access to wide range of services, including a central computer, and in this day and age of high speed travel, the police need all the help they can get in chasing the increasingly agile criminal. Although the initial cost would be high, about $70,000 for establishing it, including monitors and radio towers, the provincial government would pay 75. percent of the cost, through the Ontario Police* Commission recom- mendations, and it would cost each of the , towns $4,135 annually to pay the five member staff. Because Ontario Police Commission. Chairman Elmer Bell is an Exeter native, and is retiring soon, this would also seem like a political opportune time to set up the system. There- is still some in -fighting bet- ween Clinton and Goderich as to where the system' should be located, but to this untrained observer, a central location in the county, equal distance from all the towns would serve all the best, and that location is Clinton. Not only is Clinton the centre of the county, but it is on much higher ground than Goderich, and the radio signals would carry to all points better. Eventually, we would like to see one central emergency number that people could call in the case of emergency, and get police, fire or ambulance .services. All municipalities could share iri that one, including the townships. Now there are at least three dozen. different numbers for all the police, fire departments, and ambulances, and unless you happen,°for instance, to know what fire area you are in, a costly delay in dispatching the proper department could mean a severe economic loss, or maybe even a life. Decision seems wise It would appear; that the recent decision of the Perth -Huron Steering committee ° against formation of a district health council for the two counties was a wise one. It also ap- pears that there is already some doubt about the merits of such councils even' among those already organized. A spokesman for the council which includes Middlesex and several other counties to the south has said there is immediate need for clarification of the council's power and areas of control. Someone from yet another health council has expressed his fear that the authority and effectiveness of local hospital boards is endangered. Doubts of this same nature have been heard by people who are con- nected with or well informed about the operations of regional governments. In fact the entire concept of regional control is being seriously questioned and' the provincial government has been noticeably quiet about forming any more regions. - from the Wingham- Advance Sugar and Spice/By Bill Smiler Ah, Women There is something delightfully in- consistent about most women which can make strong men moan and gnashtheir teeth but .provides a certain amount of inadvertent hilarity to those of us who have given up long ago. After years of blowing every nickel we made, the old battleaxe and I decided to start saving some money for our old age. Neither of us will make it; I because tIfe old corpus will likely cash its ticket before that time, and she because she'll never grow old. But it seemed a good idea at the time. I had no idea what it would lead to. But it did. First thing I noticed was that it cut down severely on my extra -curricular activities. "Hey, sweetie, is it OK if I join the poker club this fall? They need me. They play so many old women's games that they want someone to teach them how to play real poker. It would practically be the same as teaching.night school." "Bill, you know perfectly well the answer is no. We can't afford it, We're trying to save money, not throw it away." No use reminding her that on the couple of occasions I played with these infants of the game I came home with so many quarters in my right-hand pocket she thought I'd broken a leg as I limped in the door. "Uh, dear, there's to be an old fighter pilot's reunion in Edmonton this October. Golly, it would be kinda nice to sneak away for a few days and see some of the old..." "What do you do at those reunions? Besides tell lies and drink?" "Well there's a whole program. Speeches. A dance. Wives are invited. Howja like to go? They're a great bunch. Guys'll be there from all over Canada and the States. Australia. Britain. We didn't do a thing all summer. Let's get away from .it all." "From what all? You mean from me. You know I wouldn't be caught dead at a fighter pilots' reunion. A bunch of boozy old men standing around, half -pickled, waving their hands in the air. What would it cost?" "Well, there's just the air fare. And the hotel. And the convention fee. And a few odds and sods. For the two of us, it would come to only about $700. And if you were sure you didn't want to come, I could make it alone for $500." Stony silence. Not a word, a gesture of encouragement. She went off, rather tight around the lips, to watch TV. I sat and pawed rather wistfully through the reunion literature. Next day, when I came home from work, •it had all disappeared. There was amman Piet of ashes in the fireplace. But that's not all our saving binge has affected. I'm not that, selfish. I'm not going to kick up a fussjust because my social life has been wiped out s� that I can have a hamburger and a half, instead of splitting one, when I'm an old dodderer, No, there's a lot more. My wife, in her zeal to save money, has started reading the food ads for the first time in her life. Could any of my readers use 20 pounds of flour? The old"lady uses approximately five pounds a year, for frying fish and stuff. The other day, be 'ause it was half price, she bought a 25 -pound bag. It sits in the kitchen, moved from one location to another, like one of the seven dwarfs sleeping off a hangover. The house is filling up with bargains. She bought 12 ,cans of peas at 30 per cent off. We never eat canned peas, preferring the frozen ones. We'll never get rid of them unless she makes a massive canned -pea casserole and invites all our friends to dinner. We would then have no friends. Yesterday she came in gleefully and dumped a whole bag full of razor blades in my lap. Half price! By the time I get half way through them, an orderly will be shaving me in some Sunset Heaven. I go into the bathroom and literally stumble and fall over sticks of roll-on deodorant which are spilling out of the drawers. There was a special on them, and we have enough to pass a few along to our eventual undertaker. Any day now, I'm expecting a truck to drive up to the back door andunload half a ton of potatoes, because they are .10 per cent offe.when bought in bulk. Open the freezing compartment iris; the fridge to get 'a couple of ice cubes, and you are liable to be brained by an avalanche of frozen hamburg, 10 pounds of it at 45 cents a pound, wrapped in half -pound packages. That's 40 hamburgers. I eat about four a year, grudgingly. I was thinking of having some brickwork done on my house this year. But bricks ire expensive. I think I'll use frozen margarine instead. We got a great buy on it: 37 cents a pound, and we have 82 pounds in the basement. We have two beaten -up old cars. It was always a decision: which one should go in the garage. No more problems. Now they both stay out on the street. The garage is full of turnips, squash, vegetable marrow and cabbage, every one a -bargain. There's no question. We're saving money right and left. And just the other day, my wife announced the coup de grace. If we move quickly, we can get a terrific deal on a new dining room suite. It's been knocked down from $1,800 to $1,500. Any readers who are having trouble saving money ii1 these troublous times need only drop a line. At Smileys', The Price Is Right. "Guess what? We're five . to ten years ahead o our time. EDMoON7 MTA _ Odds 'n' ends - by Elaine Townshend Musical messages Do you remember the musical questions "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavour On The Bedpost Overnight?" Do You Know The Way to San Jose?" and "What Goes On When The Sun Goes Down?"? Some song titles are confusing, such as "Walking My Cat Named Dog," "Looking In To See What Condition My Condition Was In" and "My Girl, Bill." - A song has been written for every 'aspect of life. For example, truck stops' are immortalized in "The Old Home Fill 'er Up And Keep On A Truckin' Cafe," and in "Bill Jones' General Store, if we ain't got it, you don't need it." Food seems to be a popular subject. Breakfast is referred to in "Milk And Honey And Captain Crunch And You In The Morning," and "The Roots Of My Raisin' ,Run -Deep" was inspired by the composer's favourite cereal. The Beatles sang about "Strawberry Fields, Forever," and Johnny Cash admitted, "I. ate all that strawberry cake." Life is likened to a lemon tree: "Lemon tree very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet; but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat." Everyone needs help at one time or another: "Help Me Make It Through The Night," "Please Help Me I'm Falling and "I'll Get By With A Little Help From My Friends." A problem, such as "Satin sheets to lie on; Satin pillows to cry on; Still I'm not happy; Don't you see?" might be an- swered with another song, "Slide off of your satin sheets; Slip into your long, soft mink." Do you remember the songs about romance and mobility? First, there was "Love And Marriage, goes together like a horse and carriage." Then there was "A Bicycle Built For Two" and "Come Away With Me Lucille In- My Merry Oldsmobile." , Now, there is a new twist: "I've got the hoss and she's got the saddle; we're gonna ride side by side." Who says the romance has gone out of pur music? Of course,' some situations don't work out. For example, "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille, with four hungry children and a crop in the field." Leave it to a Canadian to do a take -off on that hit: "You picked a fine time to leave me Margret, with three hungry children and I'm lbsing Quebec; ' Sure I've got Horner, but I can't hold Horner. What do you mean by 'I bet!"? You picked a fine time to leave ' me, Margret." Sorr'e songs express the opposite sentiment; "Thank God and Greyhound You're Gone" and "If You Won't Leave Me, I'll Find Someone Who Will." One song sums up a fact of life: "We're all making the best of a bad situation.'.' The first verse goes like this: "I know ,a lady, a mighty fine lady; her husband worked so hard he lost his mind, he thinks he's a chicken. • I saw him the other day just a scrat- chin' and a peckin' in the yard. Well, it's none 'of my business. But I asked the 'lady if she ever thought about takin' him to a doctor. ", 'I've thought about that,' she said, `,But he don't do no harm. And he don't eat much, just a little chicken feed. . . Heaven knows, we can use the eggs.' "She's just making the best of a bad situation. Reckon I'd do the same if it were me." From our early files . • • • • • 0 5 YEARS AGO October 19, 1972 Ian Gibb. of Clinton hurled a snowball at the News -Record photographer Tuesday afternoon, October 17 to celebrate the first snowfall of the season. The storm dumped more than half a foot of wet snow on Clinton and district leaving some roads slippery and many children happy. Bean ana corn growers weren't too happy though, as the weather set the already late harvest back another week. There will be four candidates on the ballots voters will mark on October 30th , - When nominations closed last week four candidates had qualified. They were T. Edward Bain, Fitter, 150 Quebec St.; Goderich, official agent, Barbara Campbell. student, Goderich; Robert E. McKinley, farmer and businessman, RR1 Zurich, of- ficial agent, Kenneth Parkes, farmer, RR1 Varna; Charles H. Thomas, farmer,' Brussels, of- ficial agent, Ivan Kalbfleisch, retired, Zurich; Mrs. Shirley Weary, teacher, 216 Wellington St., Goderich, official agent, Herbert ' Klopp, - farmer, RR3 Zurich. - According to Huron returning officer Garnet Hicks, there are 36,620 names on the voter's list, almost 6,000 more than were eligible to vote in 1968. Miss Catherine Hunt, Home Economist for Huron County presented a certificate to Jayne Snell, RR1 Londesboro, who was named winner of ' the Huron County's Women's Institute bursary at a WI rally in Auburn last week. Jayne , daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Snell is presently studying home economics at the University of Guelph. JO YEARS AGO 'October 19, 1967 Provincial treasurer Charles McNaughton was a two to one shoe -in in the provincial election in Huron County Tuesday. At latest count before press time, Mr. McNaughton had • polled 8,343 to Liberal candidate Dr. G. Morgan Smith's 3,723 votes. NOP candidate John C. Boyne, trailed with 1,340. Mr. McNaughton has represented the riding since 1957. He held a steady lead throughout as the returns came in but ran into trouble in a few isolated polls, where the vote was close. Official opening for Huron Centennial School just south of Brucefield takes place tomorrow evening, Friday, October 20. On hand to take part in the ceremonies will be the Hon. William G. Davis, Minister of Education and University Affairs for Ontario. There is every indication that there is a bold catnapper at work in town. Last week on Friday 13, a four- month -old cat was reported missing by its owner, Mr. Rempel. Story goes that the sleek, black pussy was seen last as.it was admired and stroked by a passing pedestrian. Mr. Rempel has ruled out the possibility that the feline left home in search of "com- panionship" because. the animal was not at the "tom-catting stage." If the cat has actually be en- ticed away; it was undoubtedly the act of a cat lover who assumed the animal was lost or abandoned. Still, to pick up a black cat on Friday 13, takes a special kind of bravery, worthy of mention. 25 YEARS AGO October 23, 1952 One of Huron County's town- ships now 'has the distinction of being the only township in Ontario to have a legible name on every mailbox, Usborne Township, way down there to the south of us. The Junior Farmers of that township undertook as their project, the task of painting every mailbox and of attaching metal nameplates on each one. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Graham, Brucefield, were married at the • home of the bride's parents on Saturday, October 4. The bride is Betty Ann,' only daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Clarence Parke, Zurich. Her husband is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Goldie Graham, Brucefield. The newly formed Kinette Club appointed its officers: president, Mi� Jean Iansofi; vice- president, Mrs. Irene Buckley; secretary, Mrs, ybil Fletcher; treasurer, Mrs. Mary Brown; registrdr, Mrs. Patricia Gregg; program, Mrs. Evelyn Speaight and Mrs. Shirley Kay; bulletin editor, Mrs. Betty Sorrell. 1 Operating in conjunction with the Clin, nn Kingronri f 1uuh, Kinettes will meet every second Monday night. Their aim it to do community service work. Sidewalk improvements on Victoria Street certainly help walking conditions. Time was, when one could hardly trust one foot to know where the other was going, but had to keep a close eye on each of them. People were mistaken for deep thinkers. They trudged along, making numble sidesteps when necessary and hardly had time to say "hello" to a friend. 50 NEARS AGO October 20, 1927 Have you procured lights for your horse-drawn vehicle yet? If not, you may be getting into trouble, if not with the police then with somebody's power -driven conveyance. That little point of light will be a great protection to you. The last issue of "Shoe and Leather Journal" carried an article about Mayor Fred Jackson and a picture of him taken in a merry mood, The writer tells Mr, Jackson's methods of salesmanship, -etc'., and also recounts some of the stories which Mr. Jackson keeps in the back of his mind regarding early days. The Journal also reproduces a qouple of advertisements which originally appeared in the News - Record as "samples of the kind of advertising that has helped to keep business coming to Jackson's store. The euchre and dance given by theClinton Fire Company on Thursday was well attended and those who were present voted it a success. Cards were played until about eleven, when refreshments were served and the floor was cleared for dancing which was kept up until after midnight. At the Star Theatre, Thursday, Friday and Saturday - October 27, 28, and 29, The Campus Flirt. Yes, sir. Here's our Bebe, the Comic Campus Flirt, featuring Bebe Daniels. Hallowe'en supper in the Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, November 1 from 5 to 8 o'clock under the auspices of the Ladies Auxiliary. The menu will be cold roast dressed pork, jellied chicken, scalloped potatoes, salads, pickles, rolls. pumpkin pie and whipped cream, lemon pie and coffee. Adults 50 cents - children 35 cents. The following appeared in last week's issue of the Goderich Signal regarding a recent ap- -pointment by the Clinton town council: "Mr. Charles V. Cooke, formerly sexton of Maitland cemetery, who removed some months ago to Clinton where he has been carrying on a florist's business, has been appointed caretaker of the cemetery there. The Clinton people are to be congratulated upon securing the services of a man so capable and painstaking as Mr. Cooke proved himself to be while in charge of cemetery here." • )1)) What you! think Speedy Dear Editor: We have been receiving the Clinton News -Record for some time now and the mail service has been quite good, generally receiving our copy on the following Saturday .or Monday via our rural delivery which arrives at out" home at 10 am. But today, October 14, we hit the jack -pot. We received the October 13 issue in this morning's delivery. For your information, wee live 270 miles from Clinton which makes this "`'delivery._. practically impossible, - However, I am enclosing the "Mast Head" from your paper including the date in proof of same. Keep up the good work! Sincerely, Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Hyatt, RR1, Picton, Ontario (Editor's note: The post office deserves all the credit! ) Roy Dear Editor: Just a reminder to you from the Roy Jewell Appreciatio Night Committee, that the night of October 20th is rapidly approaching. Our committee hopes that any friends of Roy, either* individuals or organizations, that wish to participate in supporting the fund, will do so before -that night, and it will be especially appreciated by the committee if the donation could be received by our Treasurer, Mr. Derek Newton, Middlesex County Building, 367 Ridout Street, North, London, Ontario, N6A 2Pi, by Friday, October 14th.• If , you have already responded to our request, we extend our thanks. It would be appreciated if cheques or money orders could be made out to "The Roy Jewell Fund." Also, the ticket committee would appreciate that if your organization would like to have some tickets for your members, if these could be obtained from your county Agricultural office as soon as possible. The sale of tickets * has to be reported by your County Agricultural Office to the Chairman of the ticket committee, by Thursday, October 13th because of catering guarantees. Apart from the main purpose of this being an evening of appreciation for Roy Jewell, it certainly will 40 be an evening of enjoyment and fellowship, with an ex- cellent dinner topped by dancing to the Lionel Thor- nton Orchestra. You co-operation and interest in this project is greatly appreciated by the committee, and we certainly will be pleased to hear from you. • News -Record readers are encouraged to express their opinions in letters to the editor, however, such opinions do not necessarily represent, the opinions of the News - Record. Pseudonyms may be used by letter writers, but no letter will be published unless it can be verified by phone. , , 1 Smile Dave Murray Chairman, Roy Jewell Appreciation Night committe( • 0 0 .Z. Success is when it costs you more to support the gover- nment than your family. Member, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association Tho Clinton News -Record Is published each Thursday at P.O. sox 30`,. Clinton, Ontario, Canada, NOM 11.0. • 1t Is registered as second class mall by the post office under the permit number 0117. The News -Record Incorporated in 1124 the Huron News -Record, founded in 1011, and The Clinton New Era, founded in 1063. Total press run 3,300. Clinton NewsReco(j A•• 6 Membor Can odlan Community Newspaper Association • Display advertising rates avallable on request. Ask for Sato Card No. 0 effective Oct. 1, Monorail Manager ..1. Ilaward Altkeh Editor • James E. f+it*gorald Advecflstng Director • Gary L. Heist News editor • Shelley McPhea Office Manson . Ml ear.t Gibb Circulation . Freda McLeod • Accountlns • Maflen Willson Subscription Patois Canada .'13 per year U.s.A.•'17.00 Other .'20.00 $hole"Copy . 30' T • 0 0 • 0