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h 1980 -- a year in review Continued from Page 8 although Tory Doug Lewis. managed a narrow 77 vote win over nearest rival Alan Martin. A judicial recount later cut that margin to 66 votes. March Len Doolittle, former commanding officer with the Midland detachment of the OPP was honored during the month at a testimonial dinner. Early in the month a house fire on Champlain Road. west of Penetanguishene, cl- aimed the life of Frank William MacDonald, 26. It was announced David Chambers was to become the new prin- cipal at Midland Secondary School when long-time MSS principal Wiiliam Brown retired later in the year. Midland recalled "Black Friday - March 9, 1979"' a year after fire raced through much of the upper storey of Midland town hall. More thana year later the municipal building had been reconstructed and it was again business as usual at the Dominion Avenue West location. While construction was taking place town business was conducted out of a mini-municipal building in a former bank complex on King Street while other af- fairs were dealt with at the civic centre and arena where temporary quarters were set up and mainted through until the better part of this vear. Tav Township bought a new $60,000 fire truck for its Old Fort brigade, Bette Stephenson came up with a compromise to the French high school is. "Ss tse rein Penetanguishene. She proposéd to pay $500.000 for temporary modifications to St. John's school. That idea got mixed reactions as did most of her brain- waves. And who should pay Mayor Moreland Lynn's legal fees in a case that was dismissed against him received council attention on more than one occasion. Council eventually agreed in the spring to pay the bills in a conflict of interest action brought against the mayor by Midland resident William Ogilvie. Goman Boats moved to Midland during the month and took over the former Koppers building. And there was some good news too for Midland taxpayers in that the previous year's municipal budget ended in the black to the tune of $21.000 which wasn't bad since the over-all budget was $4.6 million. Midland's trustee on the Simcoe County Board of Education, John McCullough, resigned as both chairman and member of the French Language Facilities | Committee citing SCBE's inaction to deal with the French high school question in Penetanguishene. It was made official too, Town of Midland would be officially taking over operations of the town's sewage treatment plant as of April 1 to coincide with the beginning of con- struction of a $5.6 million addition to the plant. The plant had been under the wing of the Ministry of the Environment since it was first built. And on the last day in the month a Midland woman lost her life after fire ripped through her Donalda Street home. Kathleen Turnbull, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene by coroner Dr. Robt. Besly. March also saw SCBE approve a whopping $88 million budget for the year which proved the school board was one of the biggest "industries"' in the county. April Midland photogra- pher Budd Watson purchased the former Midland YMCA building on Hugel Avenue and thanks to loans of $1,000 for interested sup- porters he has since been able to open up his dream come true. Midland police moved back into their new home at town hall after operating out of the civic centre for more than a year. The Sir James Dunn opened the shipping season for another year as the ship slipped into Midland harbour. It was a red letter day at Midland Public Library on April 9 when Lt-Gov. Pauline McGibbon helped to mark the library's centennial. And Midland residents were shocked to learn of the death of Herman Weinreb at Huronia District Hospital. Herman had operated a scrap metals business on Penetanguishene Road. A $800,000 expansion of the Techform plant in Penetanguishene was announced. The RC board's budget in- creased by 10.22 per cent to $10.8 million and the local OPP started using its new ALERT system (a breathalizer) to screen drunk drivers. Meanwhile it was estimated that some 20,000 people jammed into Elmvale to take part in that com- munity's annual Maple Syrup Festival. Ken Walker, a Midland businessman, was sworn in as com- mander of the Midland Power Squadron. There was reason for members of Midland council to be pleased since a cheque for $1 million was turned over to the town as part of a grant to help con- struction the addition to the sewage plant. A 16-year-old, Robert Bottineau, lost his life after the car he was driving left Vindin Street and slammed into a tree. May Penetanguishene Chamber of Commerce reshuffled its executive, Midland's taxes went up by 10 per cent and rabid skunks were on From the Management and Staff at FRENCH DRY CLEANERS Midland the increase in Huronia. Well known Midland dentists Dr. Dalton Martin passed away early in the month. Simcoe East MPP Gord Smith led a blue ribbon mission to Peking, Midland District Shrine Club hosted their annual circus in Midland and former Huronia Airport manager Joe Rezpecki took up legal action after he was fired by Garrison Aviation. There was talk of a drop-in centre to be housed at the Yonge Street Civic Centre in Midland and an official with the RCMP in Orillia presented Midland Police Department with a plaque for "extreme co- operation"' between the two law-enforcement agencies. Penetanguishene's new $131,000 fire truck arrived late in the month while it was suggested a portion of the High Poyntz Mall in Penetanguishene might be re-zoned to house a proposed new French language high school. June During most of June the trial of Midland men Neil Gerow and Garrold Diver took the news spotlight. They were later found guilty in connection with the death, the previous year. of a 14-year-old Penetanguishene girl. CCBU members met with Premier Davis during the first part of the month but left Toronto frustrated calling their meeting "unproductive." They were there to protest plans to build a new French language high school in Penetanguishene which by the end of the year was no closer to becoming a reality. Local Masons had a stained glass window dedicated at their Lodge in Sunnyside to mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Lodge in the Province of Ontario. Minister of Intergovernmental »Affairs Tom Wells got into the act in an ex- change of letter with Town of Midland. He wanted council to fill the vacancy left when the alderman for Ward 2 resigned earlier in the year to become managing editor of this newspaper. Council decided to complete the year with six, not seven members despite the cabinet minister's pressure. Rev. Vincent Egan, pastor of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Port MeNicoll marked the 45th an- niversary of in or- dination at a_ special mass which attracted hundreds of well- wishers. Former __ long-time chief of Christian Island, Rodney Monague, was. re- elected to that post. It was announced Midland police Const. Steve Quaife would be leaving the force in June to take up a new position with the Township of Tiny. Fesserton-Wauba- ushene area student Debbie Hawke's letter to Rt. Hon. Edward Schreyer paid off. He and his wife and a son visited her school and the area as part of a whirl-wind visit to Huronia which included officially re-opening Midland town hall. And pupils at Saint Joseph __ School in Penetanguishene said a fond farewell to their principal Sister Angeline Moreau who planned to pursue religious studies at Spokane University. June was a terrible month for owners of the famed Georgian Lodge in Sunnyside...it was all but destroyed by fire. Cause was arson, fire officials later said. July Dr. Wilfred Jury marked his 80th bir- thday on July 1, Canada's 113th bir- thday. Marnie Kersell of Cambridge aced the llth hole at Midland Golf and Country Club. The 12-handicapper used a three wood on the par-three 166-yard hole in one. "The Glorious 12th" attracted thousands to Elmvale to mark the centennial of the Orange Lodge in Elmvale. Advanced Extrusions in Penetanguishene was awarded '"'A"' for the Achievement by the Ontario Ministry of Industry and Tourism for its innovation and sales record. Wyevale celebrated its centennial, Shondecti attracted more than 100 canoes that raced from Midland to Ste Marie among the Hurons and Premier Davis was in town to officially open Goman Boats. Leitz Canada an- nounced plans to expand in the town to the tune of $1.6 million. August Court returned to Midland town hall after operating out of the Athenian Hall after the municipal building fire the previous year. The first grain boat to unload at Port MeNicoll during the new year resulted in its captain being given the traditional top hat. The ship was the Golden Hind. The captain was' Fred Bingham of Midland. Miss Teen Washington was _ in Midland during the month, Summerama was staged at Balm Beach and Midland had to borrow $500,000 to meet expenses not covered by income. And finally in an historical move in Midland, the mayor's eContinued on Page 12 le There comes to each of us, on Christmas Eve, a brief and silent moment of hushed expectancy. The shopping rush is over... the Great Day is not yet here. You pause. . Another Christmas you say, and all at once you feel alder, yet somehow younger. Then, as you look around you, at family, friends, yes even strangers, you know their minds are pausing too. Here in this moment of humble reflection, cradled between what has been and what is to be, is the peace which passeth all understanding. This night . .. this Silent Night, the true Spirit of Christmas may touch your heart. Hold it closely . . . the whole world needs it, sO very, Very much. Nicholls Funeral Home 4. 4 Big : ) Ls Viight ; d; ' This Silent Vight . you know not why. From the Staff at jURGEN PApE ppinTERS & DECORA7o, Ss We wish all our friends and customers Peace and joy and friendship strong. May these blessings be yours this Christmas. Tuesday, December 30, 1980, Page 9. «