Rivers’ birth; at Windsor, Ont, for John Solimka who, just
a. month earlier had returned to local scenes and celebrated
with his life—partner the golden jubilee of their wedding
beneath the roof of the home they had occupied here for more
than three decades; for Peter Luchuk whose retirement from
railroading had been hastened by ill-health; for Mrs. W. G.
Thomas, who had first called Rivers ‘home’ in 1910.

THE STORY OF RIVERS «— 1949

   

OTICE of motion to rescind a two—month-old resolu-
1 tion concerning reserve fund monies earmarked for

water and sewage, given at the initial 1949 council
meeting, preceded by several days a. special forumthat saw
civic chamber decorum explode when Acting—Mayor R. G.
Sinclair announced the sale of rink debentures which, some
members declared, should have been offered to ratepayers:
Mr. Sinclair accepted full responsibility for the transaction.
A fortnight later, Chief Magistrate Grant returned from a.
three-month leave of absence and upheld the debenture sale
while expressing the doubt that $21,000 would complete the
rink—building. Higher taxes were foreseen % a matter quali—
fied by municipal assessor C. L. Thring, toward the end of
that same twelvemonth: taxes increased as needs grew. In
October, the fund overepeiit and in need of a. further $4,000,
retiring Mayor Grant observed: “. . . .It would be a. disaster
if we stopped building now. The rink has cost more. . .than
the wildest imagination.” His final act was to see consummated
a. resolution relative to using monies from the town’s general
fund in completing the project. "

. The passing months brought other council‘considera—
tlons such as the twenty—seven years’ services given by
teamster John Stevenson (deserving of a small pension), his
grey equine aides (“Kate and Nance need feed and the fodder
supply iS‘lelS than zero”: they should be put out to pasture),
entering into an agreement with W. McLaren regarding
garbage collection ($2,400 for the balance of the year and a.
$5,040 contract for the next term); and relative to Outsiders
seeking locations in the art of photography and food catering,
granting a. school playground area between Sixth and
Seventh avenues, reviewing the annual problem of dogs-at—

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