The Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-10-12, Page 2IGtiA.L $TAR,.THURSDA'li'►.:QCT48BER xis, 1472:
A tomorrow forthe past
Good idea
for Goderich
The .Goderioh: Signal -Star in an
oditoriai !eat week lamented the ',`let 's
hate ,Goderich" attitude that it said was
rt~paht in County QQunril; and led to a
0oO1 reception for the idea of turning the
farmer Huron County Jail into a museum
of penology.
-The -editorial stated that the --co lci I°
needed a shot of "new vision serum",
and that the hate Goderich attitude Should
have gone out with the gas lanterns of
yesteryear. •
It ,noted., that the Goderich jail was the
place of the last public hanging and that
it' once housed Steven Truscott; two "
historical facts which would bring many
' interested tourists to the proposed
museum. The idea .seems like a sound
one (although it's beyond us who would
like to go to such *a gruesome museum.)
However the attempt to get the country to
back the project has met opposition
because Goderich has gone to the well
once too often:,
It seems everytime someone in
Goderich gets a good idea, he tries to get
the rest of us in the county to support it.
We already 'support }one museum in
Goderich, a good one agd one the county
can be proud of.
However, the benefit of this 'museum
and of the proposed one, goes mostly to
Goderich., It is the -town that gets the ex-
tra jobs created by the museum. It is the
town to benefit' most from the tourist
dollars drawn into the area because of
'"'th- museum. .`Ttie elble; r .Goderich
wants a second museum, it is unfair to
ask them 'to pay for it themselves? The
Signal -Star makes light of the fact- that
only $25,000 would be needed to start the
museum. If this is such a small amount
why can't Goderich council 'pick up the
tab or the' money be raised by a public
subscription?
This may seem like more hate-
Goderich, backwoods thinking, but put it
this way; we are in the process of
renovating the theatre in Memorial Hall,
which happens to be the best theatre in
the county. We've gone about this our-
selves with donations and volunteers'
• help and as little public financing as
possible. '
Now if Goderich gets money to start
another museum, why shouldn't we get
county 'money to help restore a theatre
which is unique in the county? Isn't a
theatre as . important as a-- museum,
especially when it is the only large
theatre of quality. in the county?' 4,
As Morris Reeve . Bill Elston says,
everyone has a past and the.'first thing we
know every, municipality is going to=want.
county financing for its pet -.project:
No, we'll pay forte ;qua wn theatre, and
Goderich canrfts own goodies. —
The own rd.
Public Service
.. _ _Survey ..
1 um in favor of a
Museum of .Penology
in Huron
Yes.....
No..
•••
Great idea
for everygne
The editorial 'published on the left is
one . indication of • the way people in
Huron County are thinking about the
proposed Museum of Penology at the site.
of the former Huron County jail.' in
Goderich.
The fourth * paragraph beginning . "It
-seems-°every time someone in-Goderich
gets a goal idea " invites comment. Ite,
is interesting that the Blyth editor admits
the idea for the. Museum of Penology is
sound, but goes on to complain that the
rub comes when people outside of
Goderich are asked to support the idea
even a good .idea.` indeed-sornel4lks „
will still cut off their noses, just to spite
their faces. A
While we must agree that the parallel
between the jail and the Blyth theatre ap-
pears at first to be apt, a closer look
reveals that the situations are entirely dif-
ferent. The Huron County Jail is presently
the propertty of Huron County. Council.
The Blyth theatre is not. Huron County
council Could choose to reduce the jail to
a pile of rubble., The Blyth theatre is safe
from the county wrecking crew.
And just to set the records straight, the
idea for a Museum of Penology in Huron
-County did not originate in Goderich. in
fact, the idea was born in the minds of
Ontario government representatives from
the Historical and Museums Branch, Ar -
,chives of Ontario, .Ministery of Colleges
and Universities. It was born because the
Huron- County jail is the only building of
omits-•knd-,in Norih,.4_m rico:.Can the Blyth
Theatre claim that .distinction as well? '
If a Museum of Penology was
established in. Huron County it would be
the only one in the Province of Ontario. Is
the Blyth theatre also that 'unique?
The people of.Blyth are to be commen-
ded for ' restoring Memorial Hall 'to, the
community. Not long ago', this newspaper
suggested to its readers that Blyth's, am=
bitious project deserves to determine, if
there• is any way Goderich theatre buffs
— as well as other theatre enthusiasts in
the. area — could aid the undertaking,
and perhaps share its facilities.as well as
its costs.
Clip and send
to Signal Star,
While there was, absolt t2r,ly n p action
to this suggestion-etielr - from- Meth 'or
from Goderich residents, it would seem
obvious that although Blyth wishes to go
it alone, it may' not be entirely necessary.
It Make one wonder whether the Blyth
folks have dont a thorough job of rsear- -
ching the financial assistance, which. may
have been ready and waiting for such
projects. ,
It is''a proud and noble thing to claim,
".No, we'll pay for our oWn theatre." But,
where's the logic in being a martyr before
all possible avenues have b'en
'exhausted?
The Blyth Standard chides Goderich to
"`pay for its own goodies." Thanks to
Councillor DebShewfelt, the 'whole
county knows _low that some Goderich
residents are willing to accept the
challenge and the accompanying costs
to retain that historical building. There's
plenty of valuable mileage for this part of
the country within those bleak walls --
and with the proper promotion and as
much time, even the skeptics will benefit
from the jail's development. Who will
complain ' then?
The Standard editorial writer asks who
would go to such a gruesome museum.
Ever tried to get near a bloody highway
accidento Oir stQ,ln me outside the
Horror Chamber at Tussaud's? Or at
atiem=
pted to detract the attention of a crowd at
a race track where a mangled human
body lies writhing in pain?
--gbt6oDedty slGN4L-STAR
The County Town Newspaper of Huron' 0
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"Would you like to know why l don't . pay taxes?"
=DEAR EDITOR=
' Once was enough
Dear Editor;
The Trudeau Government has
,.done more irreparable damage
to the Canadian economy than
any Federal Government in
many years. I't simply has
caused. Canadians to lose faith
in our Economic health and
vitality and nothing can be more
tragic. The Prime Minister's
personal' lack of educational
training and experience ins the
senior fields of Economics and
Business Administration ' &
Management became painfully
evident early in his regime. Only
when several .of the Cabinet
Ministers became complete
political liabilities - but not
before they had done great harm
to the Economy - 'were they
removed from. their Portfolios:
Only in a healthy political
and social climate with
°Canadians and/or foreigners
whether they be individuals,
small or large Corporations - in-
vest in Canada and provide the
capital, for plants, machinery
and services, and there is no
other source of productive em
ployment for Canadians!
"Mr. Benson's " failure to
repudiate the Carter Report and
his own • stifling taxation and
fiscal policies, caused lost in-
vestments and productive em-
ployment for years to come. Mr.
Bashford's witch hunt of all
those who provide employment
in manufacturing, distributing
and services, simply created
more lost investments and
unemployment. Mr. Mackasey's
failure to protect the, public
against the selfish and dic-
tatorial actions of. some Unions,
caused the •loss of millions . of
dollars ton Canada and its
citizens - through lost wages and
lost production, both for exports
and' the domestic market.
Even • at election time, Mr.
Trudeau continues to allow Mr.
Marchand to spend vast sums of
money on very , .questionable,
Regional Assistance Program-
mes, • many of them with a
politica6/v.ere,Murrxa,-
continues to waste vast sums on.
ill conceived and overlapping
Social, Heath and Welfare
programmes.
In 1968, the -Canadian public,
in a motnent of' intoxication,
Shirley J. Keller,
Editor,
Sigusl-Star,
Goderich, Outer's
The worst part -of vacations is'
coming back and ' getting:
orientated again ,in a business
which ' changes as fast as the
days of the week. But first
things first.
I suggested last week that I'd
ti,t$1;yc�u,a;little about Montreal
and me...A.lthough I've lived in
Canada all my .life, I'd never
been to Montreal, not even for
Expo. (Those people who know
me best understand that I hate
fairs or exhibitions' of any ,kind
because there' -s- so -many people-
and so much walking., A lazy
person by nature, I prefer to do
my fair -going by television or by
the printed word.)
I was fascinated with Mon-
treal. It is truly a place with
Something for everybody. I'm
sure anyone could travel to
Montreal and find something of
abiding interest there.
Thanks to a very gracious
lady in Montreal, I was given a
flying tour of the city taking in
all the high spots for sightseers.
I think my favorite location was
Old Montreal which is being
restored at the present time.
Man, what an historical place
and what an undertaking to
bring it back to a thing' of
lasting value. •
I would imagine the project is
charm turn co annoyance-,
rudeness and lack of concern for'
the individual, both in . the
House of . Commons and in
Canada at large.
In Mr. Stanfield, we have a
xnan educated and trained, and
with vast" experience in
costing millions of'dollars: I un-
derstand much of the money is
being offered by the Montreal
business community which ap-
parently recognizes' the value of
that real estate along with tie
river ' front. Just as soon as I
return to Montreal, ; I want to
spend a day down im:Old Mon-
treal, just going through the
marvellous little, boutiques and
soaking up the history which is
so obviously. there.
Maybe I was much more in-
terested in Old Montreal
because it reminded me of the
situation back home in Goderich
where a portion of our history —
The Huron County Jail -- is in
question right now. In fact, I've
learned since arriving home that
the Public Service Survey we
are taking is creating quite a bit
of interest. = so Goderich and
area residents must be concer-
ned now that we're getting down
to the 'wire.
Incidentally, that survey is
showing up strongly in favor of
a museum of penology 'in
Goderich in case youare in-
terested. (We'll be giving you a
more complete rundown on the
voting as soon as we have all
the ballots in.)
* * *
I must ' .commend Councillor
Deb Shewfelt for his foresight in
selling notice of motion that the
Town purchase the museum
from' the County of Huron.
'That's getting the jump on'them
Deb and giving the county
boys something to think about.
County Council and it will
be most interesting to watch its
reaction as Goderich, the most
unpopular of all Huron's
municipalities, vies to have its
own way about the jail even
if it means some additional tax
dollars here.
I'm ' wondering will county
council feel ' the property upon
which the jail now sits 'is too
valuable to turn over to
Goderich "for a nominal fee."
Only time will tell the outcome
"'now.
* *:;r.
a I was also interested to note
council's reactions to Signal -
Star questioning their political
ambitions for the coming year...
It looks like there could be some
surprises in store for Goderich
ratepayers.
There are only a few council
meetings left now in which to -
see our present council members
in action. I would strongly
suggest that you get down to
town hall next Thursday
evening (October 19 at 7 p.m.) to
have a look for yourself. Don't
depend on the not -so -trusty
grapevine for your information.
l;'ve Spent some time 'since
returning to work, browsing
through the reader survey sheets
which have been returned to us.
I've found them most in-
teresting, especially those com-
ments geared directly to the
editorial department.
It will, be interesting to see A couple or tntng
Economics, Business and how Town Council reacts to coring on strong. The -bulk of
_
riTi'iics '�`�`"1'�Mtili'rt'�'Pty'm'rm`'ew%�gga"st�"o"�",�
of Nova Scotia, he learned to how Huron County Council will agreement that council news
respect our Parliamentary react'to the idea that the Town serves a useful purpose in the
chose a Prime Minister because
of his charm and platform ap-
peal - not because of his training
or experience - and has suffered
the consequences ever since.
They have seen Mr. Trutlrau'7.
Letters to the Editor
- are. welcomed and
flcoU aged. by this --
newspaper on any matter
of public interest.
All letters must be
signed but pseudonyms
will' be permitted on the
understandings that
should. any reader
question the identity of
the writer, that identity
will be disclosed.
Readers are reminded
that the • . opinions
expr•aaed in the
Published
correspondence are not
nttacessarily; the Opinions-
held by The Signal -Star:,
System•vhich Mr, Trudeau has,,,.of_Goderich is really and truly
not, done. Also he has the Interested‘ in taking over the
vrewpoint of 'the Provtnc s' `as historical building.
opposed to the dictatorial at- At the last meeting of County
Council, it was suggested
somewhat informally, that
sou assume owner -
newspaper and that editorial
comment' on local issue is read
avidly by most people,
Dear Readers doesn't seem to
titude of the Trudeau Govern- be all that popular although
meat:
it ,usually found in the middle
Mr. Lewis , of the N.D.P.,
Goderich h should 'well" column.
Gives one something to think
because of his neurotic outbursts ship of the jail. It was John about in the "ofd'' moments of
provides no alternative. One day - Flannery of Seaforth who. the day. Perhaps if Dear
he encourages lawlessness on claimed it should be a "local Readers was more spicy or
the picket line and in Quebec. project" to find some use for the p y
At any other time, he en- jail, more controversial or
courages our enemies abroad by And there was some scoffing, well l
own too. The indications were there ,well and..our ---� -�
Armed Services. At the present • that Goderich wouldn't want ,
time he is guilty of spreading a the jail if it had to pay the bills
hoax about Corporate — that Goderich beingGoderich I note with some interest also,
Taxation. Jobs Will only it would want the jail converted
provided now and in the future to a Museum of Penology at the
if Corporate Taxes are reduced cost of the County of Huron, so
to• a minimum and Canadian that it could sit here, pre -paid,
industry is allowed to compete and making money hand over
in domestic and foreign markets. fist for the municipality.
The N.D.P. and the former One county councillor went so , Sesame Street is an excellent
C.C.P. have always been com-
plete idiots in'the fields of chambers, of course) that
program It is leer.
Economics and Taxation. 'Taxes Goderich only thinks about mng made painless as far as I'm
are simply cost burdens both for ( oderich ,.... and likes td`" et conceflned, and 1 think most
individual
for thi `w Haug r parents will agree that's the
the individual and corporation, something o no ng he a best way.
and prevent us from developing it can. Strange though how
our Country and providing ern- Well, Shewfelt's notice of
«. Canadians cannot seem. to
ploymerit. • ° motion should put a cr• imp rn provide an alternative.
(conttfrued On page 3) some of the thinking at Huron
t<
e
complete
1 1 be that Sesame Street is coming
back to Channel 10. I'm .sure"
many mothers will be pleasd to
have thisprogram.. eve .
rydayi`or
their youngsters', even if the kids
do learn to say "zee" instead of.,
"zed".
" 4
1 YEAPS,AGO.
OCTOBER 12, 1902
At a banquet • given by the
town . ,of Goderich for the
honorable J,I. Tarte, Minister of
Public Works, the guest saki he
was in favour of building a
breakwall at the Goderich Har-
bbr at the earliest possible date.
' The schooner Anna Marie of
Alpena, Michigan,' loaded. with
coal for the incardine water-
works, ran aground near Kin-
cardine and three men were
drowned' in the rescue party..
Judge °arrow, of Goderich,
left with his wife and two
children to take. up permanent
residence in the city.of Toronto:
Work at the Goderich harbor
involviing,the repair of buildings,
docks and piers was concluded
r:tl arm seaapn• with oath**
work to be done the 'following -
spring.
It was reported that there was
a' ` large attendance at the
Goderich Collegiate Institute's
annual Promenade- The event
was a big success:
Within an incredibly short
time, the factory of the Goderich
Organ Company burned to the
ground.' The fire `stcsrted about
15 minutes to one while workers
were still 'on lunch. break and
within an hour the flames had
covered the complete building.
Goderich residents were still
wondering where they would .get
enough coal to see them through
the winter with still no set-
tlement in the Afnericaith
Coalminers' strike.
25 YEARS AGO
Y•M
OCTOBER 12„ .1947
don, honorary director of the
Dominion Drama Festival ad-
dressed members of the
Goderich Drama Club. Dr. Skin-
ner was also a member of the
London Little Theatre Exten-
sion Committee.
Bayfield Fall Fair was held
at that village with a record at-
tendance turning out to take in
the activities and to view the'
various exhibits.
It was noted that the perch
were running and minnows were
ino anglers 'might be expected
to show up at the harbor in good
numbers.
Grain cargos were coming in
in large numbers to the
Goderich elevators..
A large congregation was
present at, St. George's Church
on Sunday to hear Rev. Canon
H.J. Cody M.A. D.D. of Toronto
preach. •
The" Goderich Public School'
Board • adopted a salary
schedule of $100 increases .per
year until maximum salaries in
each category were reached.
The Goderich Board -,..of
Health was making progress in
• its •project of constructing a
slaughterhouse on approved.
plans to be used by all' local
butchers.
The 98th battery of the
Twenty -First . Anti tank,
Regiment, with headquarters at
Wingham was formed in
Goderich.
The Goderich Lions Club an-
nounced that guest speaker at
their special sports dinner
would be Bobby Bauer, former
member of the Boston' Bruins'
famed Kraut Line. .
0
FIVE 'YEARS A9O
OCTOBER 42, 1967
The Sunset Hotel 'went on the
auction block but when only one
bid of $7,000 was turned in, it
was' withdrawn from sale
ause.,a rase b d f-,�$ .
had been placed on the
premises.
The HMCS' Nipigon paid a
visit to Goderich' as part of a
Centennial tour of the ,,Greet
Lakes. The boat was greed by
seven Goderich civilian sailors
dressed in original .19th century
British Nval uniforms.
Farmers in. the southern end
of Huron County suffered heavy
crop losses when a storm
bringing high winds and hail
battered their fields.
Transfer of , the former
Canadian Forces Base Centralia
to the Province of Ontario-rot-
development
ntario fol-
development as an industrial
park was given final approval
by the Federal government.
' It was announced that as part
of an exchange program, .the
Huron County Junior Farmers
would be -hosting Robert Ed-
wards, 24, from Old Burra
Tullambre, New South Wales,
Australia.
The auctioneer's 'hammer fell
and' two schools, formerly the
property of .Stanley Township
School Area Board, were sold to,
the highest -bidders. S.S.'number
three, two miles east of Hayfield
and S.S. number six at Varma
were sold.
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