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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1974-05-09, Page 4HE 11MUNI A glaring gap Even the most carefully drafted legisla- tion may prove, with the passage of time, to contain oversights and loopholes which were not detected when the law took its original form. Such is certainly the case with the law which permits a public utilities commission to cut off electrical Services because of non- payment by the owner of a building. Under normal circumstances it is logical that the supplier of such a service should have the right to deny further supply if the customer fails to meet his end of the obliga- tion by paying his bills. However, the case which has arisen In Fergus within recent weeks is certainly proof that there are ex- ceptions to the apparent justice of the regu- lations now in force. It seems that one of the apartment buildings in that town is owned by a man who agreed to pay for electrical services for his tenants, no doubt in return for a rental fee which covers the cost of such services to the owner. Nowt the proprietor of, the building has With -behind in his payments to the Fer- gus Publtr •Vtilities Commission by some $4,000 and the PUC has cut off electricity to the building for the second time, despite the fact that there are young children and elder- ly folks in residence there. Obviously it can be assumed that the tenants have paid their rent and if that is the case they have also paid for their utility Services. Nevertheless, because the PUC hasn't received the money the law permits that body to take a course of action which has created a dangerous hardship for the E people who are totally innocent in the affair. The case has demonstrated an urgent need to revise the law under which- a vital service, including the supply of energy for domestic heating, can be interrupted. In fact the solution to the entire problem should not be very difficult. If the law provided protec- tion for the public utilities commission by allowing it to collect, under court order, the rents from the apartments until the debt is satisfied, the apartment dwellers would not be endangered and the building owner could be reinstated with his creditors. Not so many years ago the services pro- vided by public utilities groups were con- sidered a sort of luxury which we all en- joyed, but which were not vital to our exis- tence. Not,so today. Since electricity is the only tource of heat for many dwellings, as well as the means of providing light and cooking energy, there is actual danger of ill- ness, possibly death, if those supplies are withheld for even 24 hours. Similarly, tele- phone service can be and frequently is cut off because of non-payment of bills. Stoppage of telephone communications is of no great concern where the customers are young and healthy, but there have been cases where el- derly people in delicate health have been seriously endangered when their means of keeping in touch with family, friends and possibly their doctor were interrupted. The best of laws require revision from time to time—and this certainly is one regu- lation in need of constant change. ' Tail wagging the dog When Sir Adam Beck conceived the great dream of harnesting Niagara Falls and making its thundering power the servant of the people of Ontario he was laughed at as an impractical visionary.' It took years of talking to convince a very conservative populace that they had, right on their dc,r- step, the means of becoming the economic centre of the North American continent—a fact which the, intervening year have. proven beyond any doubt. Sir Adam was a man of great foresight. He not only recognized the potential of hydro electric powerin the emerging age of wide- spre,at a're, 4,11P,4 enobgnio a control of the retuning ppwer comPany must always remain ithe hands of the people who financed 'its birth and who had the right to enjoy its benefits. The citizens of Ontario, he insisted, must al - Ways retain control of their own electrical system. Ontario Hydro, the full-blown adult which grew from Sir Adam's faltering baby, is still Owned -by the people of Ontario, but it • .has become a question of some considerable doubt whether the -parent or the offspring is running the show. Every one of our readers is well aware of the sharp differences of opi- nion between farmers in this area and Hydro over the use of farm lands for power corri- dors. Like The rest of us, most farmers re- cognize that the power lines are necessary„ but disagree with Hydro's choice of location. The "latest from Hydro is a flat an- nouncement that it will require a 15 per cent increase in its selling price to consumers this year and 15 per Cent each yearthereafter for several years to come --in total a series of increases which will double today's cost of energy within a very few years. Darcy McKeough, Ontario's energy minister, who has never shied away from bluntly telling the rest of us what the provincial govern- ment can make us do, was among those who audibly \ gasped at Hydro's demands. He - called them "staggering". Biggest single reason for these unprece- dented increases is Hydro's plan for the future—a plan which calls for an expansion priced not in the millions, but in the billions. Some experts who have heard what Hydro ir.tends to do have said that the project will cost more than the McKenzie Valley pipe- line, the James Bay power project and several more giants of this sort, combined. Hydro's given reasons for the colossal enterprise indicate acute awareness of the needs of future generations. The engineers contend that Hydro must launch into this, tremendous expansion at osnCe--and it may be they are right. But plans so staggeringly expensive Should have the benefit of ikense iliereltr1W4hctiejt5 who,! affer all, have a personal interest in the en- largeMenrbr tflei? bwh Wrtieblat "eni pire— but by independent investigators, people who have the whole picture of Ontario's fu- ture in their sights. Ontario Hydro is, after all, a business corporation, the shareholders of which are the people of this, province. Certainly no other business corporation could baldly an- nounce plans of such magnitude without the consent of a majority of the shareholders. Hydro has announced that it will hold public meetings at which the rate increases will be discussed, but a public gathering at which a group of laymen are faced by a cadre of en- gineers, is scarcely adequate as a forum in which to decide an issue of such gigantic im- plications. Certain delay would be involved in an in- depth study of Hydro's proposals by outside experts, but Surely a project which will stretch over the next 20 or 30 years 'should not be seriously handicapped by a year or two of careful consideration. The conse- quences of rate increases on the magnitude proposed by Hydro are, as Mr. McKeough. has said, "staggering". Energy is basicto the cost of,every phase of our liVes—not only in our homes, but in the production of food, nfanufactured goods, travel and even rec- reation. No aspect of our lives would remain unaffected by such unbelievable price in- creases. Why must we suffer? On one of those warm evenings a week or so ago' we were visiting with friends in Walk- erton and because the evening was so warm our hosts suggested we sit out on their second. floor balcony, which happens to overlook the main street of that town. After 30 minutes of complete frustration we ended up in their kitchen, which is at therear of their premises and as far as we could get from the street itself. The reason, of course, was that normal conversation was totally impossible because of the ear -shattering noise from the street below. Dozens of rzer,s and motorcycles with roaring exhaust systems, 'driven by young idiots who were trying to outdo one another on fast acceleration, blasted back and forth, time after time, screeching to a stop at the nearby traffic light and thundering on down the street for a turn -around to repeat the performance. This notation is not in any way a "":;." **,:- • ; Items page .of .editorial opinion MAY 1927 The Wingham Utilities COM- missioners, William Holmes, V. H. Gurney and Mayor Fells, are meeting the Provincial CoMMIS- sioners in Toronto with a view to unloading the heavy „burdenof carrying the entire cost of the engineer's bungle in miles of unused power lines off tie straight line from Walker$000 Wingham. Twenty-seven freeholders of Pleasant VaUey petitioned the council to have sewage system installed. Several et the council were of the opinion Mat Irt- dividtial septic tanks for each house would give all the relief and service needed and ata lo*er cost to the people interested, Alex McD. Hannah, for the past few years brakeman on the London, Huron and Bruce, ancl a most highly esteemed citizenif Wingham, has been promoted, to a better run out of Toronto and commenced his duties on Mon- day. Arthur B. Lawler has pur- chased George Shrigley's property on Victoria Street, , At the regular meeting of Town Council, Reeve 1VIcKibbon brought to attention the advisa- bility of making Victoria Street. ik through.street, obliging motorists to halt at the Diagonal inter- section. Many narrow escapes have occurred from speeding motorists at this corner. Among those who will par- ticipate in the International Congress of Actuaries to be held in London, England, in June, is G. W. Geddes, F.A.S., actuary of the Ontario Equitable Life and Ac- cident Insurance Company, Waterloo. He is a son of Mrs. Helen Geddes, Leopold Street. J. W. Smith and his bride have arrived home from England and will live in his home, corner. of Patrick and Edward Streets. Thomas Gibson has erected a new shed on Gibson Street in Wroxeter in connection with his f lumber business. J. Gray has takenover the • Gorrie, garage and is seady,to,'• p serve the general.public.illeiiilat,' young wanyof ,seftalq yearsba °Wrier, d1,4„1,:ineeh,,,livtauf.(16141:-:?;Tr° MAY 1939 Rev. 401111 MCKellZie Hespeler Will conduct services a BlUevale and VOWS Presby terian Churches next Sunday as a candidate for a call, On Sunday last V* _Western Ontario Motorways enlarged their service in this districts be• ginning 4 day Service to Teeswater, Mildmay and Walkerton, During July and August this line will be extended to l'aisley, Port Elgizi an Southampton. The bus also started operathig on Sunday .to Lucknow and iCincardine. Miss Lorraine Carter, who has been attending Toronto Bible College, left for Petrolia where she will carry on City Mission work for the summer, E. R. Harrison was elected president of the Wingham Bowling Club at its annual meeting. Vice president is E. M. Snell and secretary -treasurer is W. C. Adams. Our baseball club will be strengthened this year by two new members at least. Transfers have been granted W. B. Smith and Malcolm McCammon from Toronto to Wingham. Two other transfers will receive considera- tion at the May meeting of the 0.B.A.A. executive, Robert Bridgeford and g. English of Palmerston. . Fire of unknown origin which started in McDonald Bros. shoe r store in the village of Lueknow, •completely destroyed their stock and fixtures. The stock of William Murdie and •Sons' hard- a ware spire in the same block was badly damaged by smoke and water. An appeal to the minister of justice to amend the Criminal Code to legalize lotteries con- ducted by service clubs or other organizations,. where the proceeds are devoted to chari- table or religious groups, was orwarded by Attorney -General Gordon Conant of Ontario. Mrs. H, Rae; SeeretirY is Mrs, f. VmAlUltylriehlerio Mrs, 'lathes Walpole was elected president oftheWiigham Women's Institute, • Vice Presidents are Mrs. Fred Fuller and Mrs. William Henderson; Mrs, VitilliaM Ford is secretary - treasurer. Prime Minister 'St, Laurent eljditeeiseinetwedFridaylovn.wilthatbehedon rlittgoenndaeryal, In one of the lengthiest sessions in years, the Town Council ad- journed about 1:30 Tuesday morning. During the meeting, a bylaw was passed setting the tax rate at 55 mills, an increase of four over last year. George Fischer has severed his connection with the McKinney Mill at Bluevale on Highway 86. Joe Horton of Clifford has been engaged to .fill his 'place. Mr, and Mrs. Kenneth Zinn -are moving to their new home this week. They purchased the home of Mrs. Andrew Carrie on the highway west of Wingham. President W. T. Cruickshank opened the first annual meeting of the Wingham •Chamber of Commerce with a brief resume of the year's work and some stated objectives for the future. Fifteen directors were elected: W. T. Cruickshank, W. G. Burton, Rhys Pollock, E. Wilkinson, A. 0. Gar- ett, R. Mowbray, F. Thompson, R. H. Lloyd, J. P. McKibben, R. S. Hetherington, Ron Rae, N. Welwood, Ken Kerr, F.. Howson nd W. Woods. 0— 0— 0 MAY 1960 The farm home of Mr. and Mrs. William Gamble of, the first line of Morris, southeast of Bluevale, was badly damaged by fire. The Wingham Fire Brigade attended and was able to bring the blaze under control in a short. time. Wives of staff members and female employees of CKNX met at the home of Mrs. Earl Heywood to honor Miss Mary Louise Flach whose marriage takes place this month. Mrs. and Mrst, lenn Un - Miss K. Goodfellow was elected resident of the Wroxeter Women's Institute at its annual meeting. Vice presidents ary Mrs. D. S. at HUrOrt.V.10W? Aire Van Der Ende led the Christian Reformed song service on Sunday evening with devotions by Rev. Betikema. Mrs. Amsing and her daughter Coby provided special inimical numbers for the service, singing solos and duets. Mary Broadfoot and Frani( Forrest assisted Norman Speie and Jerry Collins with the old time music on Monday with , mouth organ solos by Mrs. Mary Taylor. Two new residents were welcomed to the Home during the afternoons activities, Miss Tena McNaughton and Frank McGreg- or. Seven tables of euchre and three of crokinole were played at Wednesday's games. Volunteers from the Opti -Mrs. Club of Van- astra helped with the program. The residents enjoyed an hour of organ melodies on Thursday afternoon with Ed Stiles at the Organ and vocal solos by Mrs. Rogers. Miss Campbell of Goderich arranged a program of slides and music for "Family Night". The pictures and commentary by Miss Campbell were very inter- esting and had been taken while on tour of Australia, New Zealand and the Islands. Miss Elizabeth Seamen played several favorite piano selections during the pro- gram. Mrs. Adelaide Revell expressed the appreciation of the residents. wiff ihery ased from the late Robert Graham estate in the village of Gorrie. At a regular meeting of the Turnberry Township Schott' Area Board, the board engaged the seririces of Dunlop -Wardell - Matsui -Aitken, • architects from Toronto, to draw plans for a three-room school. The board decided to purchase six acres of land on which it held the Option belonging to William McKenzie on Highway 86. Winners in solo classes at the • Belgrave Music Festival were David GoVering, Doris Coultes, Neil Lockhart, Judith McDowell, Terry Richmond, Ricky Orr, Nancy Anderson, Graeme Craig and Marie Koopman. Norman Welwood flies from Trenton RCAF station next week on the fist stage of a two-week tour of European air bases. He will be accompanied ' by Ed Blake, former CKNX staff mem- ber, now news editor at CKSL, London. hursday, ):9, 1974 — ..4.44•Xls s„*..• 1:-; *OR TODAY'SCHILLP BY HELEN ALLEN _ \ You can tell David is a rOurry, sociable fellow the minute you see him. Almost live, David is happy and busy and friendly with everybody. David has blue eyes and very blonde hair.He had a cold Sore the day his picture was taken but normally his fair skin is clear and rosy. He is Anglo-Saxon in descent. David is slirn, WirY and healthy, developing well ,physically. Mentally be is below average. He does well in daily living and is now attending a regular nursery school. However, it is felt he will need special education. • David loves school and his foster Mother thinks it has been, helpful. For instance, he talks much More clearly than he did. David likes to listen to stories and to watch television, but a short attention span means he does not concentrate on either for long. He is fond of music. A neat, tidy boy, David is concerned about hew he looks. It bothers him even to have a shoelace untied. David needs parents who will love an engaging little boy for himself and will want to help him develop as much as he can. Other children, older by at least four years, will be an asset in David's adopting family. To inquire about adopting David, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Box Station K, Toronto M4P 2H2. For general adoption information, please contact your local Children's' Aid Soeiety, A HAPPY BOY W gq,.„0/71,r9M/701,Sle; LETTERS MITRE EDITOR 01://0; PeZeZ ' J/dr,0" Advance -Times, Wingham, Ontario 'Dear Sir: \ In last week's paper you printed a letter from Mr. Mason Bailey, a Teal estate agent from Clinton, about the abundance of fond we have, and we do. But when he starts on peoples who don't live on our continent I submit that he's dead wrong. He admits that people in India are starving unless they have money, thereby intimating that if there was enough money there would be enough food. That is a very • doubtful supposition, for if there was enough food it would not be so expensive that only the rich can buy. enough of it. Also he conveniently forgets the him-. criticism of Walkerton in particular, for every small town is cursed with the same brand of public nuisance—and why? The law provides police officers with the means of stopping this nuisance. There is a clearly-defined limit to the noise level allowed for any vehicle, but it is rarely in- voked. For some reason a noisy exhaust gives a feeling of power to many youngsters, despite the fact that what comes out of the -tail-pipe of a car or bike has very little to do with either the physical or mental stature of the driver. Nor are the kids the only offenders. A high proportion of the large trucks on the highways—most of which must drive through the main streets of our towns, create far more noise than is legally or socially ac- ceptable. Noise is a pollutant just as annoying and frequently just as damaging as smoke or garbage. Why must we wait so long to see some concrete action? THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at Wingham. Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited Bany Wenger, President Robert 0. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Member — Canadian Community Newspapers Assoc. Ontario Weekly Newspapers Assoc. Subscription, $10.00 per year. Six months $5.25 To Unitdd States $12.50 Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Return postage guaranteed 'llare's a little illegal strike o/ tny own to even things up!" - dreds of thousands African peoples who are dying right now from starvation. Sure, they have no money either and there is still enough food in the world today to feed every person if transportation and the division of money was better. But the world wheat supply is estimated by the United Nations to be down to one month by the end of August. The popula- tion of the world will be double what it is now in a mere 35 years. What happens then? Contrary to what Mr. Bailey says, there are food shortages right now in parts of the world and impending food shortages in all of the world, even here, for it \ is very shortsighted if we think that the world will stand jdly, by, seeing their people staree while we indulge ourselves. Regardless of the arguments of real estate developers, we have to do everything in our power to pre-. serve food producing land. If new cities are to be built, it should be in Northwestern On- tario in non-agricultural areas even if it costs more and is more inconvenient. If the highways, airfields, cities, etc. were built on land that lies under thorn trees there would be no objection, but that seldom is the case. The abil- ity of farmers to increase their efficiency as in the past is severe- ly hampered by oil shortages, whence the fertilizer comes from. I agree with Mr. Bailey that impulse has overcome his better judgment. Yours truly, Adrian Vos, Blyth. 0-0-0 Mr. Barry Wenger, Publisher Advance -Times. Dear Mr. Wenger: Once again, the Wingham Towne Players would like to thank you, Doug McCann, Vonni Lee, Chris Jackson and Jackie Cee for the excellent coverage given our productions. After the enthusiastic response we received, we're raring to go on another play or perhaps plays which we plan to present in Octo- ber. Sincerely, Susan Eskerod, Seeretary-Treasurer, Wingham Towne Players. There are more than half a mil- lion retarded people in Canada today.