From Alliston Postmaster named Midland will have a new postmaster Monday. Les Bell, presently the supervisory postmaster at the Alliston Post Office, has been named as the successor to former Midland postmaster Fred Grigg, who retired in late December. Mr. Bell will bring 17 years of Post Office ex- perience with him to Midland. He has _per- formed a wide range of duties in the Post Office, ranging from personnel relations to several positions as_ acting postmaster. He began his Post Office career in Bramp- ton, working in the area manager's office. From there he moved to the Toronto district office, where he was involved in staff relations, personnel appointments, and financial matters. Mr. Bell has served as acting postmaster in Georgetown, Milton, and Brampton, and was station manager in Bramalea. He was appointed to the Alliston postmastership two and a half years ago. His working life has also seen him employed by the Texaco Oil Com- pany, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Mr. Bell says that although he has never lived in the Midland area, he has holidayed in Huronia, and is enthused at the prospects of establishing a home here "T'm looking forward to coming to Midland. From what I 've seen of the area, it's very beautiful, and I'm looking forward to meeting the people in Midland,' Mr. Bell commented. He also said that he is excited about assuming the Midland postmaster's job. He said that he feels the Midland Post Office represents a_ healthy exception to the norm in today's troubled Post Office. "We've got a lot of problems generally in the Post Office in Canada, and I think that Midland is fortunate to be a smooth running operation," he remarked. Mr. Bell is married and has two children, aged 12 and eight. He is active in the Lions Club and in the Royal Canadian Legion. He says he is "nuts about cross-country skiing', adding that he suspects he will have lots of opportunity to indulge in his hobby once he locates in the area. Friday comment Weber loan shows Midland has We would like to add our congratulations to Weber Tool and Mould Limited on its successful bid for an Ontario Development Corporation loan to finish the expansion project at its plant on Highway 12 The loaning of $500,000 to Weber and an earlier loan of $60,000 to Furnitex Corporation can only be seen as a sign that Midland is a viable community in which to operate a business. The fact that the Weber company will be locating the country's largest copymilling machine in our town will only add to the ammunition to sell Midland as a place to set up industry Bul, we must thank company president Mr. R. Weber for his kind words, not only about the impact of the new expansion to his firm, but the kind words regarding what Midland has to offer to his employees "T selected Midland in 1967 as a new location for Weber, Tool and Mould not for the availability of government Dismissal Is Dear Sir, I attended the Midland Council meeting Monday night and now ap- preciate what it would be like to live in a police state At this meeting Deputy Reeve Ogilvie attempted to bring forward a matter involving a firm owing approximately $25,000 in realty and business taxes and also the question of holding the tax rate for this year to the 1977 level. Mr. Ogilvie tried to explain his action in County Council, in trying to hold the line on the 1978 county levy and ex- plained he fought against the 1977 in- crease in the county taxes. These items seemed to send the mayor into a tantrum and he became hysterical and with the aid of his faith- ful followers on council, namely Alderman Platt, Keefe and Reeve Mayor's opti potential grants, but for the quality of life one can experience in this area," Mr. Weber said, in Thursday's press release. We couldn't agree more. As a long-standing tourist area, Midland has a multitude of activities both in summer and winter, so that employees can use their free hours to the utmost advantage. We would also like to thank Mr. Weber for his belief in the people of Midland through the company's ap- prenticeship program. The fact that the company has filled 50 per cent of its new skilled labour requirements with local people through this program is impressive and can only do good things for Midland's overall economy. Words like these from a corporate citizen such as Mr. Weber should be made known to prospective in- dustrialists In some cases, they just might tip the balance in Midland's favour. . t . . d Ancio had Deputy Reeve Ogilvie escorted from the council chambers by Chief Bates, who quite evidently, found the job distasteful. Following the deputy reeve's departure the meeting adjourned within 10 minutes. They appeared to be completely bankrupt. Is County Council's expenditures and tax rate are not a concern of the tax- payers of Midland, what point is there in having two representatives on Simcoe County Council. It would appear the mayor is so preoccupied with his securing his position politically for the 1978 election, that he has lost touch with the practical realities of our civic government. For the taxpayers' sake, I for one, hope this never happens. Yours truly Robert H. Merkley mism hides uncertainties Dear Sir, Mayor Lynn's talk to the Y's Men's Club didn't do too much to inspire faith in his ability to lead Midland out of its financial doldrums or dispell future economic uncertainties It is too bad that Mr. Lynn, during his more than eight years on Midland Council, paid so little attention to Midland's once thriving tourist in- dustry--the condition of Little Lake Park is a glaring example of this fact. The systematic removal of many of the former attractions and facilities in the park has discouraged many visitors and tourists from visiting the town. According to the mayor's remarks, he and friends on council and elsewhere, seem hell-bent on saddling the ratepayers with the purchase and servicing of the Jones farm scrub goat land, supposedly for future industrial land. The price and servicing of this pipe dream is estimated to be in excess of $2. million. I just wonder Mr. Editor, will these people stick around and help pay for the project over the next 20 years? Apparently, some of our town's senior employees do not share the mayor's optimism, they have unloaded their homes in Midland and are now residing in other municipalities, like certain other individuals, who seem to have a lot to say about how Midland should be run. Yours truly Brian Wood The Friday and Friday Published every Friday morning Times Citizen by Markle Community Newspapers Limited at Box 609, 521 Bay Street, Midland, Ontario / 526-2283 Box 429, 75 Main Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario / 549-2012 Andrew Markle, publisher Victor Wilson, general manager Rod McDonald, managing editor Howard Elliott, Penetanguishene Editor The Friday Times and Friday Citizen are distributed free each Friday to households in Midland and Penetanguishene 20c per. copy at newsstands Markle Community Newspapers Limited also publish The Midland Times, Penetanguishene Citizen and Elmvale Lance each Wednesday in the Huronia market. Page 4, Friday, January 27, 1978 r Alex Hancox, Clerk-Treasurer of the village of Port MeNicoll hands Mayor Moreland Lynn and Clerk Bill $1,000 donation Hack a $1,000 donation from Port MeNicoll for Letters to the editor Reader asks Smith's help Midland's arena fund. Mayor Lynn expressed the town's appreciation for the generous donation. Staff photo onrise inassessment Editor's note: The following is a letter sent to Gord Smith member of the Ontario Legislature for Simcoe East, a copy of which has been filed with the Times. Dear Sir, I am writing this letter to acquaint you with a residential tax assessment problem I have incurred and to solicit your assistance in obtaining some relief from this unjust and unprecedented increase. As you can see I reside in Midland and last year my assessment was $6,195. This year my assessment has risen to $8,670, which is ap- proximately a 40 per cent increase over a one year period. Naturally I enquired at the Regional Assessment Office in Barrie and was given a copy of a letter sent to the town clerk of Midland which purported to ex- plain'® sthe. rise; in assessment. The- people being taxed were not informed. (A copy of this letter is attached for your perusal). I can readily un- derstand a 15 per cent increase, but 40 per cent is outrageous. The last time my property was actually inspected by the assessor was in i972, the year before I acquired it and yet nothing was done by the assessment office until 1978 Iam a civil servant and work at the Oak Ridge division of the MHC in Penetanguishene and as you are no doubt aware the Ontario government says my wages will again be restricted under the AIB to probably about six or seven per cent increase if and when the ar- bitration is completed. The point I am trying to make is this. How can I be expected to pay an in- crease in taxes of 40 per cent, cope with inflation now at nine per cent when my wages only go up six to seven per cent? The area I live in has one of the _ highest unemployment rates in Ontario. Midland has lost two industries and in- definite layoffs are common at the remaining plants. The Ontario government has aided builders to flood the area "with low priced homes, mostly unsold. My home has actually decreased in value in what is now a buyers market and also because of the foregoing factors. In the midst of all this my assessment in- creases by 40 per cent. Is the Ontario govern- ment so unfeeling, stupid and out of touch with the people? Please note that I am only one of many people affected. My neighbour had an in- crease of 28 per cent and there are many others but I would wager mine is probably the highest. Possibly Mr. Davis could stop being a statesman help or explanation you suggested by the long enough to give us could offer in this in- Regional Assessment some good government. It stance, as I have no way _ Office. would be a refreshing of comparing my change assessment with other Sincerely, I would appreciate any homes similar to mine as GUARD YOUR FAMILY'S HEALTH AND BUDGET GUARDIAN DRUGS PY BATHROOKA TIES se] PAPER mE T sort PAPIER DE TOILETTE ® Registered trademark of Drug Trading Co. itd els BATHROOM TISSUE AVEC POUDRE POUR BEBE Head & Shoulders SHAMPOO "1.39. 175 ml Lotion 100 ml Jar or Tube KLEENEX FACIAL TISSUES 5 i) White Only 200's 5 =e "VAP-AIR' STEAM | 4 _fvnrinizeh + Automatic Shut-Off $6.88 - ARRID 2 ANT iS SPRAY | § 40% BONUS 12.6 oz. ARCADE GUARDIAN PHARMACY 286 King St., MIDLAND 526-8011 ~ Head = sole Dae Head & Shoulders Tone 2 EpsstlS ey aioe, Ray Bonner GUARDIAN DRUGS We reserve the right to limit quantities On Monday the Midgets evened their season record at eight wins and eight losses with a 5-4 victory over Elmvale. Dwayne Storey and Kim Lavigne paced Midland to the win with two goals apiece. Storey accounted for the only scoring in the first period, with goals assisted by Lavigne, John Ironside, and Steve Thomson. Lavigne scored the first of his two goals in the second period to put Midland ahead _ 3-0. Elmvale got on the scoreboard late in the second period, and as the third period got un- derway, scored two more to tie the game. Elmvale's hopes of a tie or a win were dashed seconds later as Pat Beauchamp of Midland scored on an assist by Midgets even record Brad Quinn. Lavigne's second goal of the night proved to be the in- surance goal for Midland, as an Elmvale goal with one second left in the game proved not enough. Steve Friesen played a solid game in the Midland nets, stopping 36 shots. The Midgets have four regular season games left. They play again tonight at Base Borden. Wlhinson's 651 Yonge St., Midland SAVE 20% on anya mater) ordered from our books ELEGANT DECORATING FABRICS IN STOCK FROM $5 00 yd. Reg. to $17.50 T0 $ 10.00 yd. 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