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OUR READERS WRITE The Free Press Wednesday January Agrees hockey was poor exhibition Editor Acton Free Press It is indeed a sad reflection upon our town whenever a person cannot express his views about a sporting matter without drawing a barrage of criticism from the persons concerned An example of this can be seen in the letters from the Acton Sabres concerning their game with the Fergus Green Machine last New Years Eve I attended that game and I do agree with Denis Gibbons that this was very poor hockey a disgrace to Acton Personally I thought that this criticism was fair after all any team should expect It once in a while However it was quite surprising to read the letters that came from the Sabres executive and players Let us first review Mr Mc- Phails letter He begins by hinting at Mr Gibbons columns about the CanadaUSSR series If I remember correctly Denis deplored Team Canadas behavior on the ice during those games He was not the only One should not label him as antiCanadian just because he chose not to Ignore the antics of Team Canada He then proceeds saying that the Sabres were a homebrewed team does this not apply to almost every amateur team and that the Sabres penalty rating is In fifth place with only minutes His statistics must be out of date because elsewhere In the same newspaper it is shown that the Sabres penalties so far total minutes almost hours but there is no Indication as to Its penalty position In the league Next come the statements that constructive criticism Is welcome and that they pay for advertising because they believe in hockey for Acton This is all well and good but why does it sound like a veiled threat Mr Gibbons has a right to his own opinion as much as anyone else and he should not be coerced Into retreating from it Just because he puts it on the record for all to read After all that is his privilege The players letter shows much more reaction Briefly they say that when they play well they are cheered hut when they arc oft their standard they are jeered They also say that they arc trying to Improve but this jeering is discouraging them Why It should never drive them to the point of playing as poor a game as the one of 31 December Mr McPhail says that these boys are not professionals but that should be no excuse for their behavior If anything they should be better disciplined than those of the NHL and the The Sabres say that they welcome constructive criticism Might I make the following sug gestions If a player starts a fight he should receive a penalty Immediately If the referee somehow decides not to give It the player should be benched A player who was provoked intofightlng should be benched as well He should shrug off such provocation as only a child would wish to start a fight on trivial grounds Preferably the other team should follow the same guide lines This may seem ruthless but It certainly would be effective We need strong discipline on the part of both the coach and the players before they may be called a good team Let us make the Sabres a winning and honorable team After all what good is victory without honor Yours faithfully Robert University Ottawa Ontario Writers must identify themselves Dear Taxpayer I received your letter this week concerning the state of affairs in township We would be happy to publish it providing you reply enclosing a signature revealing your Identity The Free Press has a policy that no unsigned letters may be used although the writer may use another signature In the paper if he or she chooses It is Imperative we know who you are to protect ourselves ensure It is a genuine letter and not just someone with an axe to grind If you do not wish to use your name on the published letter that is your prerogative but in many cases the writer loses the full impact of his letter by not having it published We always welcome letters at the Free Press providing they do not offend public taste contain no or slander We publish all we can handle although It must be realized they in no way reflect the opinions of this newspaper which appear only on the editorial page Hoping to hear from you I am Yours truly Hartley ColC3 Editor Defends Free Press sports columnist Dear Sir I would like to make comment regarding the letter from the Sabre players in the Jan 10 issue might add that it of some to the cocutlvg as well It amazed me to the statement We do not appreciate the destructive criticism However we would accept construc tive criticism How gallant of them I read Denis Gibbon column along with I am sure many other sports Cans and I think he docs a great job He may have errors of judgment as far as some are concerned but he is expressing his opinion and why not II s his job and for him to do any less especially to pat these on the which they seem to expect for sloppy hockey would defeat the purpose of being a sports writer As far as the Sabres go and the way they ve been playing lately probably not too far why t they be criticized If they re playing like a bunch of barbarians called on jit Whatever to sportsmanship and clean play What shining examples for all the younger players coming up Why t they think well it good enough for those players so why not us Nobody should criticize them for losing hockey games as long as they give it their but when they lose because the players are off the ice for penalties caused by rough and rotten plays they deserve everything they get including Denis Gibbons column Sports Fan Snowmobiles subject to Highway Act January 15 Sir With regards to last week Free Press article on snowmobile controls in Erin township and also the letter to the Editor requesting support for such controls I must write and put a few facts straight it must bo pointed out that snowmobiles as stated do in fact come under the King s Highway Act and are subject to the same laws and regulations as an automobile Operators must have a drivers license pay ten dollars per year for registration which Is about the some equivalent as an eight cylinder car considering snowmobiles are uscdthrectofourmonthspcrycar It is also required law that insurance be carried While timing a snowmobile the demerit point system on our dm its license is still in effect In view of this how can it be stated that there are no controls on snowmobiles and that it is a free ticktt to irresponsibility It has been stuted that the high pitched of five snowmobiles travelling at miles per hour is bad for people and much worse for horses and livestock Two years ago this could have been true if snowmobiles did in fact and were capable of attaining SO miles per hour Currently all snowmobiles are manufactured to regulations as set down by the Federal Motor Vehicle Standards which has a sound level specification of at Mfeet With regards to the miles per hour speed most do in fact realize that this is somewhat fast and never attain these speeds Visibility on most snowmobiles Is as good as driving a car Stopping distance on snow or ice is much shorter on a snowmobile A horse on the road not quite true there were three horses and a donkey on the travelled portion of the road on a foggy night Yes unfortunately one was hit by a snowmobile travelling at about 30 miles per hour 1 know as I was on that snowmobile was in the lead otherwise it may have been my snowmobile companion and his wife on their machine who hit this horse I was fortunate getting only minor Injuries Would both of them been so lucky What would have happened if a car hod hit this horse or perhaps it would have been horses Would the driver and passengers have gotten off so lucky what are norses doing running loose on the road at night Headers how many horses do you know of being hit or causing accidents In the last six months Why is it almost always horses and very seldom cattle Are cattle more intelligent than horses and get off the road wren vehicles ore coming or are more suitably fenced by If it was a car that had hit this horse would Frin township council be requested to put a JO mile per hour speed limit on cars with an 11 pm curfew I doubt it very much Jackson Acton Ontario Crying blues not helping team Acton Ontario January 1973 Dear Editor As a hockey enthusiast and former player I am writing concerning the recent comments made by D Gibbons about our Junior Sabres team Anyone who was unfortunate enough to pay one dollar to sec such a low brand of hockey could not help but agree with Mr Gibbons I will add my personal comment The players looked like a team hung er from a Saturday night party I do not feel the executive Is helping its team by crying the blues and feeling sorry for them was only one spectators opinion of the game but 1 am certain he was speaking for many more It is possible for a team to have a bad game due to illness etc but this team has an apathetic approach and as a result I have yet to see a good or mediocre game Please accept the qualified criticism as a match to light a fire under these nonchalant apathetic individuals I enjoy the sports column and wish Mr Gibbons continued success in his work Yours truly J PS Pull up your socks Sabres or your cheering fans will be saying Gone-Sabres- Gone Cubs survival hike meeting in news chocolate and hard candies to last the day A break around a warm fire at noon was very welcome The boys received Instruction on building a shelter in the woods how to build a fire and how to cross a stream with a rope as well as various survival techniques to use when lost In the woods Wolfs head Cub committee member Mrs cub craft day Recently they received a wolf head the symbol of the cubs The group committee ladies held an informal party In December and for Jan 19 they are planning a euchre party They are looking for additional committee members By Mrs A Benton Winners in the Limehouse minor ball club draw were William Brampton Mrs Betty Acton and Tom Nolan Learn survival Elaine Hannah sent us ad ditional cub activities On Jon the Cubs had a very successful survival hike Seven boys and three leaders started out at a and hiked through the country from the to the 3rd line and back Each had a pack of survival rations raisins Eden Mills Tree burning By Mrs R Wright Eden Mills District and Community Club held their annual Christmas tree burning in Community Park Saturday evening with a good turnout The evening was ideal for skating sleigh riding and aplenty to take those who wished for rides Hot chocolate and doughnuts were provided by members of the Community Club bringing a pleasant evening to a close Recent visitors Recent visitors of Mr and Mrs Bell were Mr and Mrs Brian Scott Harrow After three weeks visit with Mr and Mrs Ed Woodhouse Mrs Jean and Mr Raymond Bubb returned to Hereford England by air Friday evening Ospringe Discuss projects for Ladies Aid HIS meeting met at the home of Mrs A W Benton on Wednesday evening with Mrs in the chair No December meetings having been held due to weather conditions the election of officers was not held all former ones being reinstated President Mrs Mitchell vice president Mrs Moulden reports some of the secretary and press reporter winter activities In December Mrs Benton treasurer Mrs enjoyed Aladdin by the George- Patterson Glad Tidings town Little Theatre group secretary Mrs Sixteen attended a HomeHelpers secretary Mrs party last Wednesday On Jan Mitchell supply treasurer Mrs five eight yearolds will attend a Meetings are held the second Wednesday each month and all interested are invited Same allocation Roll call was answered by a verse of scripture Mrs read Scripture and Mrs Patterson led in prayer The treasurer reported our allocation Celebrate 150 years first event planned for 1973would remain at and supply fund asks for Patterson and Benton were named to look after registration for the annual meeting at Knox Georgetown on February All present paid fees For the study period Mrs A W Benton reviewed part of Commandos for Christ Visitors Mr Lome Noble of and Miss K Noble of Hamilton were with the Fred during the holidays Karn and Mr Charles Meredith of Green Bay Island visited among the Nobles and Smith here Mrs Kirkpotrlck is home after an extended visit with the Calvin McDonalds at Elm wood She also attended the FosterPowell wedding at Co bo conk and visited the John Foster at Head Lake Congratulations to Mr Gordon roster and his bride who are making their home at Hartley Mr and Mrs Frank Holtman and spent six weeks in over the holidays enjoying lovely weather all the tune rhey visited near Venlo in Holland and near Stuttgart in Germany and other places Mr and Mrs Jack spent several weeks at Los Angeles California with his sister and her husband and also visited her brother and his family the at San Diego Your correspondent would be pleased to receive your news items at Suffers attack at Beardmore A doctor and ambulance rushed to Monday morning when employee Ernest Marshall suddenly collapsed He was taken to where he is in thecardiac unit General Wilson attended him at work Mr Marshall wife died suddenly three weeks ago right at Christmas They lived in London where she operated a store but he had been staying here during the week since working at By Mrs Ron McLean choir held their annual meeting at the home of Mr William Early both of whom are recovering from recent falls on the ice Most of last years officers were returned to office as follows leader John Kltching assistant leader Mrs Early organist Mrs J Hitching assistant organist Mrs F Fatt president Mrs Mel can secre tary treasurer Mrs W fo by Doris Fines It was a cold windy night but eight ladies gathered at the home of Mrs Vernon Stewart for the January meeting of the Aid The devotional was token by Mrs Elmer Fisher She read an article from the Presbyterian Record Not enough change and played two records Time out for Jesus and Tell It on the Mountain roll call was A New Years Resolution and pay your dues Business discussion was on what project to support In the new year The program was in charge of Mrs Clarke Questions on current events was won by Mrs Gordon Howes Hie meeting closed with the Lord Prayer and lunch was served by the hostess In city Mr and Mrs Jack Ferguson and family and Mrs Enoch Wood visited last Sunday with Mr and Mrs Arthur Tranah at Toronto Mrs Wood remained down with her daughter and son inlaw for the remainder of the winter Mr and Mrs Gordon Howes a couple of days last week visiting with Mr and Mrs Richard at Brace bridge nor librarian A gift was presented to Mrs Murray In nation of her generous use of her musical talents during the years family have attended Mr and Mrs Hay ward will be moving to after their sale on Saturday Birthdays Birthday greetings to Wayne Dave and John Congratulations to Jean and John McLean on the birth of a brother for Jennifer and Jim Dave deBlauw is making good progress in General Hospital following surgery Irish evening Hie first event planned to celebrate 150 years is to be an Irish evening around St Patrick s Day Week of prayer Communion will be the last Sunday in January Sunday there will be an exchange of ministers in ob servance of the week of prayer for Christian unity CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS Commencing Monday January and in order to provide better service applications for Canadian citizenship will be accepted every Monday Wednesday and Friday from 930 am to 330 pm at the Queens Square Building Queen Street East Lower Level Brampton Ontario For information regarding documents required fees etc telephone BRAMPTON 4591215 Monday Wednesday or Friday RENT CISCIDE HOT WATER HEATER AT ACTON HYDRO i ALICE STREET THOMPSONS Fuel Chief We have built our Dealership on Service and Service has built our Dealership TO OUR FRIENDS IN ACTON DISTRICT We invite you to visit Jack Richardson Chev Olds In Milton your closest Chev Olds dealership Were easy to reach and ustaseasy JACK If yogr house seems and chilly call our service for a thorough check up youll be surprised how inexpensively we can up date your old furnace Thompson Fuels Ltd PH JACK Sale Former Acton residents Jack and Mike are anxious to renew with their many friends in Acton and District and look forward to meeting new friends and customers COME SEE US AND SAVE or phone us collect and well come and see you MIKE Still ftprintalivt We Pay Top Prices for Good Used Cars and Trucks Try Us and be Convinced RICHARDSON CHEVOLDS Highway 25 South Milton Phono or 8783812 Otdsmobile Chevrolet Nova Monte Carlo Vega Chev Trucks parts and accessories Complete Dependable service facilities Daily rentals and leasing