The Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-03-20, Page 1f
FIRST SFCTION
Winghatn, lr ), Thursday, Marsh 20, 1915
Ingle Copy Not Over
The weather
The weather is a subject we
usually avoid in these columns on
the premise that everyone knows
'what it's been like during the past
* week. However, one of our
readers in California has sug-
gested that a regular resume of
the week's weather would be
interesting to those who are
permanent residents of far -away
places as well as the temporary
residents of warmer climates.
We'll do our best.
The North Huron area has been
the recipient of unexpected
blessings several times this
winter, and particularly in the
past week, when storms and
heavy snow flurries raged as
close to us as Listowel and more
particularly in the Niagara
Peninsula and other points well to
the south.
Weekend weather in Wingham
and the immediate area was just
perfect for, mid-March — bright
sunshine, temperatures in the
30's and 40's. No doubt about it,
the sap will soon be running; the
crows are calling from the woods
and the tomcats are stomping
around with their tails straight up
in the air. Spring must be on the
way.
N
Praise for hospital o�rd
highlights annual meeting
Praise and efficiency were the
by -words at the Wingham and
District Hospital Association
annual meeting Friday. Praise
for the hospital, the staff and the
board of governors came from all
the speakers. Retiring Chairman
Robert Ritter spoke briefly but
enthusiastically on the "interest
and dedication" of the board
members who "regard it as a
form of public service. He .also
commented on the "high quality
of patient care" available at the
hospital, adding that "the quality
of care is related to the manner in
which the board looks to the good
of its staff." Mr. Ritter acknow-
ledged the work of Mrs. I. E.
Morrey, who retired from her
position as executive director in
June 1974, and the generous help
of the Hospital Auxiliary.
Words of praise were also of-
fered by Mrs. Robert Ritter in
her report from the public rela-
T4
A stuck pump adds
irony to PUC sto
"Pride goes before a fall" is an
old saying that the Wingham
Public Utilities Commission
would haike done well to heed last
week, when a set of circum-
stances provided them with proof
of the proverb.
The first of the events seemed
harmless enough in itself: three
representatives of the Wingham
PUC were asked to speak at the
Tuesday night meeting of the
Lions Club. Chairman of the PUC
Roy Bennett introduced the
"PUC Story" with statistics on
the power scene, revetilte, assets
and -work perforin -4w-
other munici ties. He shower-
ed high praise on the PUC staff,
saying "We have one of the best,
barring none . .we are very
proud of our staff."
Superintendent Ken Saxton fol-
▪ lowed with explanations of rates
and PUC policies, including a
comparison with Ontario Hydro
rate increases in the past few
years and in the future. Commis-
sioner Rod Wraith carried the
ball on the waterworks. field of
PUC activities. He compared the
situation in Wingham to that in
other areas and said "we happen
to be lucky to be in a place where
water is available." Mr. Wraith
then presented figures on the
pumping capacity of the wells,
watermain installation statistics
and a short review on the new
water tower.
When questioned about the pos-
sibility of leakage 'from lthe
tower, the PUC speakers reas-
sured the Lions that engineers
had reassured them this was not
really leakage but what they call-
ed "bleeding" on the outside of
Sweepstakes
9
almost over
All good things must come to an
• end. "Sweetheart ,Sweepstakes"
is over except for the grand prize
draw for $250 which will be made
on Monday, March 24. There
were 18 winners during the
course of the contest, and all re-
ceived valuable gifts from the
participating merchants.
The winners in the last week of
the contest were Mrs. Carman
Haines, Wingham, who received
twenty dollars worth of groceries
from the Wingham Fruit Market;
Miss Zina Hopwood, Wingham, a
twenty-five dollar shopping
voucher from Shirley's House of
Fashions; and yrs. Robert
Thompson, RR 3, Wingham, a
dozen roses from Lewis Flowers.
The name of the winner of the
grand prize will be published in
next week's paper. It could be
you. Good Luck!
—Mrs. K. M. MacLennan has
returned home after spending
some time in Edmonton with her
son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and
Mrs. Gil Tourigny and Eric.
—Mr. and Mrs. Charles Robin-
son and Mrs. G. Bakker, all of
Wingham, attended the morning
worship service at the United
Church when their granddaugh-
ter, Shannon Leigh Robinson,
was baptized. They were later
the tower. And this explappation
unconsciously initiated. second
set of events to constitute an
ironic postscript to the "PUC
Story".
For in the night that followed
that . evening of praise„ for the
PUC and the new water tower,
the tower betrayed them. It not
only `bled', it sprayed water onto
tree tops and branches and down
the side of the tower and
coated the trees and the ladder
with a thick film of ice. Several
area .residents called the PUC
that Wednesday morning feeling
-. .-alarmed, they sari be-
cause the lee on the trees and the
tower and the broken branches
made the area look like the result
of a January ice storm.
PUC superintendent Ken Sax-
ton quoted a stuck pump as the
culprit. He said the pump mal-
functioned some time during the
night and caused a loss of several
thousand gallons of water to es-
cape through an overflow hole et
the top of the tower.. The pump
was fixed that very day, and the
ice eventually melted. But the
PUC would do well to remember
yet another old saying: "Man
proposes ..." it starts, but some-
times a machine can quickly dis-
pose.
tions committee, ."We have an
excellent hospital of which we
should be proud," she said. This
attitude was echoed in all the
reports presented by the various
committee chairmen and was
manifest in the speedy passage of
the annual meeting that lasted
less than two hours.
The brief reports were charac-
terized by a lack of excess ver-
biage but reflected a wealth of
service performed by the hospital
and its staff in 1974. A report on
hospital activity by Execlatilitt
Director, Norian HaYes i+'
Gated that total admissions l=ot
1974 decreased but hospltai.
services increased significantiy�.
from 1973. With an eye to the'
future, Mr. Hayes prophelieC
that "1975 should be somewhat
more serene as a whole" and Con*
eluded that "there really is nte
problem that's insurmountable."
Elections to the Board of
Governors passed quickly, with
only one new member acclaimed
. to a board off veterans. The new
tnember is Gerald Gibson,
chosen to represent Brussels.
Acclaimed as members of the
board were: Doug Button, Tees -
water -Culross; Robert Gibson,
Ilowick Township; M. J. Craig,
Morris Township; Howard
Walker, Blyth -East Wawanosh
Township; Wallace Conn, Luck -
now -Kinloss -West Wawanosh
Township; Harold Elliott, Turn -
berry Township; Jack Hodgins
'and DeWitt Miller, Wingham.
Mr. Hodgins and Mr. Miller were
elected for a two-year term,
While board members J. R. ICauf-
Man and Boris Milosevic have
one more year to serve as Wing -
ham board members.
Appointments to the board are:
J. V. Fischer, Huron County;
Mayor Jack Reavie, Wingham;
Dr. J. C. McKim, chief of the
Medical staff; Dr. L. L. Clarke,
president of the medical staff;
tor. B. A. Hanlon, vice president -
Secretary -treasurer of the
medical staff; Mrs. Audrey
Ritter, Hospital Auxiliary.
Association members aP-
proved, some changes in the ad—
ministrative and medical by-laws
and appointed Thorne Riddell
and Company as hospital
auditors for 1975. The first order
of business for the 1975 Board of
Governors is the election of a
chairman at the inaugural meet-
ing to be held March 26.
JACK FROST,painted an icy white stripe down one side of
the new water tower last Wednesday morning when a pump
malfunction caused several thousand gallbns of water to
spray out from an overflow hole in the to*er onto the side
and onto nearby trees. The, pump stuck sometime in the
night, and cold weather did the rest to create a winter spec-
tacle.
NATUR E'S INTENT and man's mistake collaborated last Wednesday morning to present
an icy winter scene when spray from the new water tower coated nearby trees with
lin frost. A ump malfunction caused several thousand gallons of water to spray
GRADUATES—Mr. and Mrs. Ed Rich attended the
graduation of their daughter, Ruth Ann Goebel, at Valhalla
Inn, Kitchener, on March 16. Ruth Ann's marks were a
commendable 80 to 90 range. She enrolled in the Cameo
School of Modelling about a year ago and is now a profes-
sional model. Also attending the graduption from Wingham
were Darlene and Kenneth Rich and Darlene Hackett. Ruth
Ann is presently employed at Mutual Life, Waterloo.
11 smoke no fire at
spital bd. rtieetirt
ASmoking in tlyktiospital by pa-
velop,into a burning issue judging
by comments at the Wingham
and District Hospital Board
meeting last Wednesday. The
discussion was sparked by a
letter, received by the board
chairman from the ministry of
health on fire deaths in hospitals
because of patients smoking in
bed. The letter suggested that al-
though a "total ban" seems to be
impossible, hospital authorities
should take a "firm line" by
developing "policies and rules to
control smoking by patients who
because of their condition would
create a hazard to their own
safety and the safety of others."
Executive Director Norman
Hayes explained that "In point Of
view of places to smoke, we have
three.designated areas. As far as
the rules and regulations are con-
cerned, these are very carefully
documented by the nursing staff
who are responsible to ensure
that cigarettes get to and are
taken from patients as the need
should arise. For control of
visitor smoking, we have signs at
the doers ,_. but we can't really
prevent someone from walking
down a corridor with a cigarette
in his hand."
Dr. B. A. Hanlon of the medical
staff contended, however, that
since the hospital is public
-place a rule designed for the
public should apply to every indi-
vidual admitted to or visiting the
hospital. In a similar discussion
at the February meeting, Dr.
Hanlon had also suggested that
patients who enter the hospital
voluntarily agree to accept the
rules of, the hospital, arguing that
a ban on smoking might enter.
. into the same category as pre-
scribed medical care and
medication. Both discussions
foundered on the lack of agree-
ment as to means of enforcing a
smoking ban, should it be passed.
Mr. Hayes concluded, "A rule
that can't be adequately enforced
is worse than useless." The issue
was referred to the joint con-
ference committee and the
medical staff fbr opinions and
suggestions.
In other business, hospital
board members reviewed last
minute preparations ler the
annual meeting 'OT"thrhilifiNI
association and , heard reports
from the various committees. A
statistical report by Mr. Hayes
indicated that the active hospital
summary for February was still
higher than the provincial mean,
but that there was also "a
general increase in services
practically in all areas of the hos-
pital."
Dr. J. C. McKim of the medical
advisory committee reported
that the committee is preparing a
"medical audit" of _sorts in rela-
tion to -the average length of stay
of patients in the hospital,
management of patients and a
'days ready before discharge',
study.
Since this was the last meeting
of the 1974 board, retiring chair-
man Robert Ritter and vice-
chairman Jim Cardiff both ex-
pressed.their thanks to the board
for their co-operation in the past
and hopes for a continued good
job in the future. "I'll think of
you," Mr. Ritter said, "not the
work—just yon."
iicandalisni case
is investigated
Wingham Town Police are
seeking information QD MAI -
Ham case reported SatUr41),
evening. Police report that entrY
was made into one of the naly
locked trailers on the PrOPert$ Oir
Josephine St. Damage due *0
vandalism was esthuated at 1100,t -
The case is under investigatiort
and anyone observiug vehiCles or
persons in that area Saturday
evening is asked to contaCt the
Police in attendance at the
arena Friday were called upon tO
quell a disturbance that er9ted
among the fans. The game was
eventually ended without further
The police depargl' lent 3140
conducted five minor criminal
investigations last week and
cleared all of them. Nine peraoila
were charged under the Liquor
Control Act.
Damage moderato
in car mishaps
The Wingham detachment Of
the Ontario Provincial Police
vestigated six car accidesdslast
week. A single -car accident
occurred last Wednesday on Con-
cession .4-5, east of Hray: 4,
man of RR 5, Brussels, went tiff
the road into the north ditch and
rolled over, damaging a fewe
owned by Donald Procter of RR
5, Brussels. The damage was
estimated at $640.
A Friday accident involved.
Kenneth Jolmston of RR 2, Blue -
vale and Bruce. Raymond* of
Brussels in a collision on Huron
County Road 16 at County Road
12, Brussels. Damage was esti-
mated at $300. Oa Saturday, a ear
driven by Richard C. Smith of
Wingluim was damaged when he
swerved to avoid a collision with
another vehicle. The Accident
'.:**41g:(d044e1:1411011.1:7=114!
damage was ;150. Another sic&
dent that day occurred on County
Road 29, north of Queen St,
Wroxeter, when a car driven by
Gregory J. Stephens of Gorrie
struck the rear of a vehicle owned
by George Mutter of Brussels..
Damage was estimated at $600.
Two1 car accidents were in-
vestigated Sunday. George M.
Jacklin and Donald R. McCall,
both of 4russels, were involved in
a collision on John St. in Brussels.
Damage was estimated at $350. A
collision on County Road 30, south
of Ilighway 67, Fordwich, in-
volved Douglas J. Wagler of
Fordwich and Marion M. Wylie of
RR 2, Clifford. Estimated
damage was $700.
—Mr. and Mrs. Phil Dawson
and his nephew, Mr. and Mrs.
Gordon Dawson of Sault Ste.
Marie, have just returned from a
three-week stay at Panama City,
Florida. They also spent a week
at Kansas City, Missouri, visiting
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Dawsonhi
daughter before returning home.
Howick residents.are told
arm planning comes first
Over 130 Howick Township
residents, which represented the
largest public planning gathering
in Huron County to date, came to
the Community Centre March 11
and said that while nothing
• should interfere with agricultural
development, farmers should be
allotved to do what they want with
their own land.
Nick Hill, Huron County
planner assigned to draw up
Howick TownshiP's official plan,
stressed the need to adhere to a
plan that would ensure prime
farmland without exception, in-
cluding farmers.
Sortie residents expressed dis-
satisfaction with proposed rules,
such as a 2,000 -foot buffer zone
around congested areas that
wouldn't allow intensive farming,
or the prohibition of building
recreational buildings on any-
thing other than predesignated
areas.
"Scattering recreational
development throughout the
township on nonfarm land would
seriously disrupt the flexibility of
surrounding farm operations,"
Mr. Hill said.
Residents also said that on non -
usable farmland, they could not
see why they wouldn't be allowed
Planner Hill replied that any
building would have to have a
buffer zone around it that could,
in the future, limit agricultural
growth.. In addition, there's no
guarantee that the next owner of
the new building would be
sympathetic to the farmer.
A brief summarizing the
previous seven public meetings
was prepared by Mr. Hill. In it,
he said that about 85 per cent of
Howick is class -one agricultural
land.
"The planning workshop evi-
denced strong support for the
protection of agricultural land
and operational flodbility for the
future," he said.
Nonresident land ownership by
"city -folks" which in many cases
would mean nonfarm develop-
ment were viewed with caution,
the planner added.
It was obvious from the final
meeting however, that at the
least, some residents felt that
limitations should be put on "out-
siders" not. the farmers them -
"the Howick plan should en-
sure that large and flexible agri-
cultural space, free from dis-
ruptive uses will be available in
the future," Mr. Hill said.
plans should take, the planner
continued, should be to:
Promote long term future
developments;
Ensure maximum flodbility
for varying farm operations;
Retain classes one, two and
three soils;
Prevent uses which are not
primarily related to agriculture.,
Encourage the retention and
management of the remaining
Establish a 2,000 -foot zone
around villages and hamlets to
limit the most intensive type of
livestock operations.
One resident stood up and
asked if he could allow his child-
ren tobuild on his land, just a cot-
tage.
"You either have an agri-
cultural landscape or you begin
to allow scattering of cottages.
What's the trade-off going to
be?" Mr. Hill queried.
The planner went on to say that
the plan will accept all existing
uses of land. "The plan is not
retroactive. We'll accept non-
conforming uses."
In answer to another question,
Mr. Hill said that if a barn burned
down, one would be allowed to re-
build it, even if the area wasn't
structure couldn't be an ex-
pansion "from the old building.
One resident asked if they
could build a cottage around the
numerous trout ponds in the
township as long as it was on
their own land.
Mr. Hill suggested that the plan
could allow the construction of
One new cottage in a situation like
that.
A COMPLIMENT
Huron County Warden Anson
McKinley of Stanley Township
was on hand and said, "I'm
particularly pleased with the pro-
gress here in Howick."
He said that county officials
felt that rather than have
municipalities compete for good
planners, the county should step
in and organize it, using county
funds and personnel.
Summing up the recreation
meeting held Feb. 26, Mr. Hill in-
dicated that most participants
felt that recreation is essentially
the pursuit of "city folk."
"Caution was expressed over
the possibility of increased
recreation dfsrupting and chang-
ing the way of life in Howiek.
"The Howick plan should con-
sider recreation in the form of
seasonal residences and camp -
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