Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 12, 2019

Business, elections, war make news 50 years ago

Sue Van LiereStaff Writer

A new year offers a new beginning and time to look forward to what may present itself in the coming months. But that does not mean the past should be forgotten. It’s not unusual for newspapers such as this to take a brief look back at the events of the previous year.

Reviewing events of yes-teryear may be even more interesting. The following is a glimpse of life 50 years ago as reported in Sun and News articles in January 1969.

Jan. 9, 1969Announcements were

made regarding ballot addi-tions in Middleville for the March 10, 1969, election. One issue added to the ballot was whether to allow the sale of liquor by the glass in the village. The issue was voted down by a narrow margin four years prior.

Village President Marc Squier chose not to file for re-election, prompting coun-cilman Glen Dean to run unopposed for the position. Also running unopposed were incumbents, Elton Lawrence, clerk; Charles Williams, treasurer; and Morris Weeks, assessor.

Three trustees for two-year terms also were to be selected. Nominated on the Republican ticket was incumbent Jerry Keegstra and Middleville’s former

police chief David Newman.On the Democratic ticket

incumbent, Emmett Campbell and Mrs. Susan Reyff, a resident of the Middleville Downs area, were nominated.

Unopposed to fill a one-year vacancy for trustee was Beryl Price, who was cur-rently serving in an appoint-ed role.

Jan. 16, 1969It was announced that

Robin Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wilson of Caledonia would be installed January 18, as Honored Queen of Caledonia Bethel No. 71, International Order of Job’s Daughters, in the Caledonia Masonic Temple.

The following letter, writ-ten by then-editor and pub-lisher of the Sun and News, Donald E. Boysen, was addressed to President Richard M. Nixon, who was set to be sworn in to office later in the month:

“Dear Mr. President,“Let us be among the first

to wish you success in your administration of the affairs of this nation, and to outline some of the hopes we have for you from a portion of America known as the ‘grassroots.’

“Top most priority in our thinking is the war in Vietnam. We are aware that you know it is our sons that are serving – and dying – in Vietnam. The war in Asia takes on a personal meaning to us because we remember these boys as a part of our community. The sacrifice they are making touches all segments of our little com-munity. Although most of us have difficulty in under-standing the struggle, we accept the duty of sons must perform. It is not easy, Mr. President, to see our young men leave new brides; it is not easy for mothers and fathers to live in fear that something may happen.

“Therefore, Mr. President, our biggest hope for your new job is that the killing and dying can be stopped soon.

We hear much about an ‘hon-orable peace’ in Vietnam, and most of us desire just that. However, there is diffi-culty in finding honor in the death of so many of our sons.

“It will not surprise you, Mr. President, but not every-one in our community voted for the Nixon-Agnew ticket in November. (A majority did, we might add!) But, even those people who did not support you share with all of our concern for a more responsive government. Must the ideals of our found-ing fathers be moored in a mass of bureaucracy? Is it too late in our history to humanize the relationship between those governing and the governed? We sincerely hope this is not the case. Just because we live in rural America does not mean that we are ‘reactionaries.’ Few of us want to return to the ‘good old days’ (when were those days, anyway?). We are vitally interested in the world around us and appreci-ate the problems of our city brethren. And, although we are in a minority in this nation, we are a part of it and have our problems also. All we ask is that our govern-ment officials treat us as hon-est and intelligent citizens.

“The third item that con-cerns us here in rural America is the overwhelming cost of government. The federal

income tax bite that is placed on our paychecks is consid-erable in size. Added to this is an ever-increasing demand by state and local units for our money. Most of us pay without too much complaint, but many of us feel that we’re being shortchanged when it comes to value received for dollar spent. Somehow, we must instill in our governmental agencies – on all levels – the practice of spending public money with the same wise caution we spend our own.

“And so, Mr. President, we begin afresh. As we pon-der the years ahead, we can and must envision a bright future for America. The few thousand souls that live in this community are hopeful – yes, even prayerful – that your approach to administer-ing the affairs of this nation is wise and meaningful.

Sincerely,Donald E. Boysen.

Jan. 23, 1969It was announced that for-

mer Middleville man, Lt. Col. Gordon “Jack” Mohr, known to many from the area as Gordon Aubil, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Aubil, would be giving lec-tures in Hastings and Grand Rapids on the dangers of communism.

Mohr knows what it’s like to fight the communists

while not being allowed to defeat them. As the first American serviceman to be wounded in the Korean War – and one of the 10 most highly decorated military men to come out of that war, he has seen first hand the terrible consequences of compromising with commu-nists.

Superintendent of Caledonia schools Ray E. Aley tendered his resignation at the board of education meeting Jan. 13. Aley said he planned to leave June 30. Aley began as superinten-dent at Caledonia in 1962 coming from Mona Shores in Muskegon.

Although his future plans were indefinite, he said “there is a 50-50 chance of staying in Caledonia as a classroom teacher.”

Jan. 30, 1969Mid Villa Bowling Lanes

was under new ownership. The LWL Corporation took over management of the business following their pur-chase from Mr. and Mrs. Earl Cole.

The new corporate owners were two brothers, Phillip and James Lewis, and Robert Wiersum. The Lewis broth-ers were former owners of Grand Rapids Motor Express and half owners of Northfield Bowling Lanes in Grand Rapids at the time. Wiersum was part owner of Blodgett Uncrated Furniture Company in Grand Rapids.

The new owners said they anticipated other changes in the operation in the near future and were planning extensive redecorating of the facilities.

The Barry County Topical Fluoride Committee announced plans for the annual summer program. Preschool children, age 3-4; school children in grades 2, 5 and 8, and children referred by their dentists were eligi-ble. Hastings city school children who have lived in Hastings and drank fluoridat-ed water less than five years also were eligible to partici-pate.

The big movie at the Strand Theater this week fea-tured Jane Fonda as “Barbarella.”

111360

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGPlease be advised the Village of Middleville PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on February 5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible to consider an application for REZONING of the property located at 704 Grand Rapids Street (also known as Parcel 08-41-023-294-00). This hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 100 E. Main Street, Middleville, MI 49333.

The Rezoning application to be considered seeks Planning Commission recommendation for approval to Village Council to rezone parcel 08-41-023-294-00 from R-1 (Low-Density Single-Family District) to I-1 (Light Industrial District).

Any interested person may attend the public hearing to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy of the application is available for inspection at the Village office, 100 E. Main St., during regular business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Written comments concerning this application may be sent to 100 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 69, Middleville, MI 49333. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings.

Respectfully submitted, Elaine DentonVillage Clerk

Lt. Col. Gordon “Jack” Mohr speaks on the “evils of communism.”

The Strand theater features Jane Fonda as “Barbarella.”

The Lewis Brothers, Philip and James, became new co-owners of the Mid Villa in 1969, along with Robert Wiersum.

Robin Wilson is chosen 1969 Queen of Caledonia Bethel No. 71 International Order of Job’s Daughters.