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4 NORSHORE SENT!NEL Thursday, March 23, 1961 CAN NIPIGON AFFORD HIGH SCHOOL NOW? Nipigon faces a thorny problem as the question of expanding the present District High School at Red Rock comes up again for a definite decision. The Dept, of Education and the Nipigon - Red Rock District High School Board firmly believe-that the interests of education and the district can be served by the two larger communities continuing to combine their efforts into one school. This way, it is felt, the board can attract better teachers and provide better facilities for everyone concerned. The problem, however, goes much deeper than this. There are some inescapable facts that provide the background for debate; some points which have not been brought out strongly enough to the people of both communities and Nipigon especially. At the time of construction of the district high school some five years ago, it was not economically feasible for Nipigon to undertake the building of such a facility alone. Thus, if it was to have a high school it would have to be a combined arrangement with Red Rock. At the time the arrangement was forced upon the two communities by circumstances. However, it was the only logical solution and, although there have been problems and complaints, the school has served the area well these past five years. However, the situation has changed greatly in that five years and it is now a question of whether the combined school will best serve the interests of all concerned in the next five years. It is difficult to find any encouraging signs that it will. It is as inevitable as taxes themselves that, as the two towns grow apart, population-wise, there will have to be a high school in Nipigon. Just when it should be built and when Nipigon can afford to step out on its own is a problem for town fathers and the Dept, of Education. It is not a major problem for Red Rock. The huge assessment of Red Rock can well afford to handle the extra cost of expansion and the subsequent establishment of a purely Red Rock high school. The mill town absorbed two thirds of the cost of the initial building and would have to take two thirds of the cost of the expansion plans. There will be no real burden on the people of Red Rock. The burden, the hardship, would be on the Nipigon taxpayer if the Dept, of Education gave its all important approval to a second school. But, if it is agreed that a Nipigon school will be necessary in the next five years, then it is not too difficult to see that putting money into this expansion of the District school and subsequent other expansions, would be money spent unwisely unless it was entirely necessary. And it is difficult to see how a district school will properly serve both communities and the district in the next five years. Red Rock today, stands at a new peak of population with just over 2,000 residents. However, it is a company town and, of course, cannot expect any major growth unless the company expands. And with today's trend towards machines replacing men, it is highly doubtful if the community will enjoy any more than gradual growth in the next few years. Nipigon, however, stands on the brink of a boom with the opening of the Circle Route highway and the continuous rumors that Anaconda will build an ore dock and pelletizing plant close to the township. In a perfect position to attract commercial enterprises, industry and the subsequent increase in population it is not too difficult to imagine that the population could double itself in six years without Anaconda and triple itself with the new townsite! Any such boom in population would change the balance in school attendance to such an extent that it would not be feasible to continue. With 70 or 80 percent of the. attendance travelling 24 miles per day, there would definitely be a need for a school in Nipigon. But again, it is not only a problem of needs but of cost as well. But Nipigon will be making a sad mistake if it does not explore all possibilities of a second high school before spending another penny on the district school. A DARK CORNER A small but important need has been overlooked somewhat by Nipigon council and chamber of commerce in their accelerated programs for the development of the community and the area. Motorists approaching Nipigon on highway 17 still must strain their eyes looking for the cutoff that leads to the business district. The poorly-lit corner is not only poor publicity for the town but is also dangerous. Couldn't something be done before the tourist season arrives... or more important, before a serious accident happens? Your M. P. Reports: By DOUGLAS FISHER, M.P., Pori Arthur It is easier for the to take delight in the actions and manner of the Hon. George Hees than in any other cabinet minister's behaviour. Why? I think it is because he represents a breezy., simple earnestness that is a rare, rare aspect of Canadian politicians. Since Mr. Hees has fitted a visit to the Lakehead into his schedule and thus will come into the first-or second-hand ken of some of you, it may be timely to describe Mr. Hees. The Minister of Trade and Commerce is tall, over six feet, and his loftiness is heightened by the trim solidity of his figure. Unlike most ex-athletes, George Hees' figure has not bulked in; a remarkable tautness remains, sustained by a regular program of exercise. Daily, one can note the solitary man striding around the ranging parliament grounds. This gives him a long stride and the exposure has created a florid complexion, set off by whitening moustache and hair. The Hees wardrobe is English in style, the cloth lying close to the body, and invariably a half-inch of white sleeve and an extra-bit of white collar exude from cuff and lapel. In sum, this man is almost too springy, too handsome, too perfect in his turn-out-an amalgam of a young Errol Flynn and Adolph Menjou. At 50 years of age, Mr. Hees delights in walking, running, swimming, skiing, even baseball; and most of all, in politics! Despite the formality of the impeccable figure, Mr. Hees is always “George" and the people he meets are instantaneously, “Bob" or “Joan" or “Bill". George is very available, easily approachable. He does not know what red tape means. Life for him is not only a lot of fun, it is a simple, not a complicated business. In the Commons, during debate or during question period, George is always ready by shouts or blurts to skin a Liberal or roar him down. There is little finesse in the Hees approach but a lot of enthusiasm and high-spirited belligerence. So far, Mr. Hees may seem to be pretty kiddish to you. This was just how the opposition pegged him before he became a most popular minister of Transport. How did George refute the “college kid" label? Basically, by being well-briefed and able, in a straightforward way, to put his position clearly. Then, he never rattles or blows up. He knows enough to work with men who are both more expert and more sophisticated than himself. He does not follow the usual ministerial fetish of pretending that all he says is fashioned by himself. He is the front man of a team. One member of the team has told me how exciting it is to work with a politician who is simple enough to believe that things can be done, done in a hurry. This brings me back to my delight in Mr. Hees. Ottawa is a great place for the grave demeanour which pompously denies that things can be done,, or if they can, that they be done after slow, careful study, perhaps a royal commission or two, George Hees is not a profound thinker. He is not a spell-binding orator. He radiates neither slickness nor sincerity. But in himself, he is a unique Canadian politician. There is much debate about how far he can go. Right now, in early spring, 1961, I would wager that he would win handily the leadership of the Conservative party if catastrophe should strike the Prime Minister. On March 22nd he visits the Lakehead to talk about trade and the means to improve it. George and his wife, Mibs, will be skiing, if we have any snow on Port Arthur slopes. Whether skiing or speaking, he will be having a lot of fun. I hope you get a chance to share in it. Politics need not be a deadly serious business all of the time. LETTERS Editor, Norshore Sentinel. Dear Sir: Hockey is drawing to a close soon for another season but the talk still carries on, and the most important question is “What is going to happen to hockey in the near future in the North Shore League?" are they going to fold up or is something going to be done to change the present situation? The arena attendance is sure down compared to past seasons. I think the main reason for lost interest in the teams is the officiating. Why not put new referees on the ice and bench the ones we have? Any team that travels east to Terrace or Marathon has to play the ref, not the team. Why is Terrace on top again? Sure they have a good team but take a look around at the other teams. They're not that much stronger. Delaronde put them where they are today. Take Tony off and you would see a good hockey game. Marathon aren’t much better with McKay. You can’t give one team all the breaks and leave the other out to fight for their rights. It just leads up to major penalties. Gauthier from Red Rock is fair one game and not the next. Maybe a change in hockey officials might-be an answer too. In summing up this little letter as the old saying goes: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way". So come on hockey fans referees and officials, let’s see something done about our fading hockey in the North Shore. _________________An Ardent Flyer The Canadian Cancer society has local organizations in 1,509 communities in Canada and extends its services to a further 939 centres of population. To keep doctors posted on the latest developments in cancer control, the Canadian Cancer Society provides up-to-date information on cancer diagnosis and treatment. NORSHORE SENTINEL The Norshore Sentinel is published every Wednesday in Nipigon and printed in Port Arthur. The Sentinel Office is located on Front St., in Nipigon,box 279. Phone 360. Authorized as second class mail, Post Office Dept. Ottawa. Charles D. McOuat, editor and publisher, Donald F. McOuat, advertising manager.