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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1969-12-11, Page 4Fuel for the fire Regional government is still a periodical conversation point among area civic officials, although no sooner do we hear some backing for it, than along comes some detriment that causes a change of mind, Not too long ago, we had occasion to point out to area officials that the lack of fire agreements between some communities was one of the reasons for backing regional government, which presumably, could provide a solution to such problems. However, after looking at some of the voting results in cities in municipal elections, we come to realize that large units of government are apparently impersonal and people lose interest in their affairs. In London, for instance, about 30 percent of the voters turned out. At the same time, some 72 percent of the eligible voters in the Village of Hensall got out to the polls to choose their leaders for the coming year. No doubt there are other circumstances that have to be considered in the two elections, but it is difficult to escape the apparent truth that bigness does breed apathy — and we're already in a day and age when we have too much apathy. We congratulate the people of Hensall for their interest in their affairs, and reprint the following editorial from the Don Mills Mirror which points up some of the dangers involved when the electorate lost interest in their affairs. If it underlines one of the problems of bigness, then the opponents of regional government have another piece of ammunition for their arsenal. The editorial is as follows: Two hundred years ago the cry "taxation without representation" could start a revolution. Today in North York it seems to be the will of the people. After all, it really doesn't matter whether you have a vote if you don't use it. Your influence on the choice of the government under which you have to live for the next three years is just the same — nil. In this borough Monday, 68 per cent of you didn't quite get around to that trip to the polls. So if the borough government raises your taxes, re-arranges your school system, tears up your street, puts up a lot of big buildings without planning for the people living or working in them, wants to amalgamate with Toronto or doesn't want to — if your government does anything you don't like — don't say a word. You don't have the right. You had your chance Dec. 1 and you muffed it. And don't carry on about the young people with the long hair who drop out of school or aimlessly wander around railing against "the system" without offering any ;alternatives. You don't have a right to do that either, Mr. or Mrs. A verage-Stay-A t-Home voter. You'd just be the pot calling the kettle black. The last straw For many months there has been a growing conviction among the citizenry of this part of Ontario that our elected provincial representatives are either out of touch with, or completely contemptuous of public opinion. That conviction was firmly comented by word last week that legislation will be presented shortly to raise the salaries and expense allowances of provincial members and cabinet ministers by something more than 50%. Few people with whom we have talked deny the fact that out elected, representatives. like all the rest ofUs, should expect a logical increase in remuneration to meet the rising cost of living. It is the percentage which staggers the average voter. Long and costly strikes have been endured because demands for 25% increase over a three-year period seemed excessive. The employer in this case is the taxpayer and there won't even be an opportunity for the employer to protest. Since all party representatives will benefit from the increase, we can expect this bill to pass in the Legislature with the least possible opposition. With cabinet ministers and prime ministers asking for restraint in price and wage demands — and open threats from the federal government about the force which might be applied, the fluent phrases take on a hollow ring. It might be noted that, as one instance, the increase in salaries of ,hospital employees is limited by a rigid • 'formula from OHSC with 81/2% as the outside limit. Reason — the Ontario Department of Health says that's all their budget will permit. If our elected representatives set a precedent for 50% increases we can expect no less from labor and the business world. Wingham Advance-Times Nice guys do win at politics AVOID FRAYED CORPS DAMAGED PLUG. 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That's about when she calls the doctor, so I'll get better, so I can take out more insurance. The doctor, of course, always settles everything. He says, "Hmmm. Got the 'flu, eh?" Naturally I've get the 'flu or my wife wouldn't have called him. If I had merely a broken leg, she'd probably set it herself. But you can die with the 'flu. And the doctor says, "Take plenty of bed, stay in aspirin, and drink lots." This always brightens me up, and I pull out of thb slump within a week, provided I don't drink too much. But there's a moral question involved with the 'flu. Should one go to church, school or business, and hack, sneeze, cough and spit all over the congregation, the classroom or colleagues? The answer, I think, is an unequivocal "yes," provided we have the strength. That's the Advocate Established 1881 only way in which we can maintain one of our few great old Canadian traditions: spreading the 'flu. We have spread two things in this country since pioneer days, 'flue and fertilizer, and we mustn't stop now. Spreading the 'flu is not without its merits, provided it is done with tact and timing. As witness. On Friday night we were supposed to go to the annual ball of the year. You know the sort of thing. Every town has one. Five percent of the men want to go, and 100 percent of the women. It's a chance for them to wear their wigs, make the old man spring for a smashing new dress, and discuss for the next week what ridiculous things the other women were wearing. After wheezing and sneezing for about three days, I was looking forward to it as one might look forward to his own funeral. So sick was I that even the thought of having to shine Amalgamated 1924 class community newspapers Hensall Councillor Harold Knight learned a lesson last week that several others have had indelibly impressed upon them in the past. That is, that a person in municipal politics who chooses to express an opinion on most subjects and makes his viewpoints known soon loses favor with the electors. Over a period of a few years, some of these viewpoints are going to aleniate certain people, and the longer one stays in office, the more people he has alienated This is not intended as a criticism of Hensall voters, nor a suggestion that some of those elected are less qualified than Knight. Our only point is that in politics, unlike Leo Durocher's baseball, it's often the "nice guys" who do in fact win. The more controversial types and those who move ahead on projects they feel will benefit the community as a whole, despite a few objections from a minority, sooner or later get the axe. Obviously, these people do a better job than those who choose to remain on the fence on issues where they hesitate to make decisions because they know there will be some opposition. But voters, being humans, don't soon forget the differences they may have with their elected officials, and when the list of people with whom differences have accrued reaches a sizeable number, it shows up at the polls. However, the real losers are often the voters, because the fence-sitters don't really make the best representatives. Although they may possibly win more elections than those with the intestinal fortitude to move ahead without fear or favor towards anyone. We again emphasize this is not intended to cast reflections on those who did win in Hensall's election. We haven't followed their activities closely enough to suggest they won't prove as capable as Harold Knight. We hope they are, and if so, they can look forward to the fact that after a couple of more elections they too will be shunted to the sidelines. The oddities of human behaviour indicates that this is often the reward of good councillors. * * * Speaking of council members, we'll have to agree in part with Reeve Derry Boyle's contention that council shouldn't take steps my shoes made me feel faint. That was bad enough, But somehow we'd been finessed into having an after-the-ball party with 30 people guzzling food and drink. I didn't see how I could get through it, alive. Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. To my delight and her horror my wife woke up Friday morning hacking and gasping and as feverish, as L I'd spread her the 'flu. She hung on till afternoon hoping for a miracle recovery but then had to throw in the towel and Cancel everything. That probably saved my life and about $100 so the 'flu can't be all bad, to establish moral standards for other people. He gave this opinion when council memberS were asked to support a resolution calling for an attack against the growing tendency towards violence and sex in movies, books and TV. The only area where we would suggest an attack is warranted is in the area of TV, particularly government sponsored TV. Whereas it is solely up to the individual if he desires to go to a particular movie or read a book, television is a different matter in that he is paying part of the cost of the program. He obviously still has the perogative of turning the TV off, but there is room for complaint if in fact he feels his tax money is not being spent in his best interests. Derry's contention that the reason for the growing tendency towards violence and sex is based solely on the fact people want it, is correct. After all, movie producers, authors and book publishers are in the business to make money. If no one buys their product, they have to change the product. Apparently people are in fact buying violence and sex to the extent where it is now more lucrative than other types of productions. This is as much of an indictment against society as it is 50 YEARS AGO Mr. Wm. Leavitt has removed the flooring in the skating rink and will prepare for the skating season. Messrs. Wm. Welsh and Chas. Tuckey are in Guelph this week attending the Livestock Show. Mr. Wilbur Martin last week moved into his handsome new residence on Albert Street. Mr. Preston Dearing after a few weeks visit in Winnipeg returned to his home here Tuesday evening. Mr. Beverly Acheson passed his examination in London on Monday for entrance to a bank. 25 YEARS AGO The annual Christmas concert put on by the pupils of the Exeter Public School in the arena Tuesday evening attracted a crowd that packed the auditorium. The principal, Claude Blowes, presided and W.R. Goulding, musical director was the accompanist. Mr. Earl Shapton was in Toronto last week attending the Federation of Agriculture Convention. W.C. Harness, an Exeter old b6y, has been returned as reeve of the village of Point Edward by a sweeping majority. Mr. Leonard Greb has returned home after visiting with his brother Gordon and other relatives at Kansas City, Mr. Wm, G, Walker who has spent the summer on his farm near North tattleford, Sask., has returned to Exeter for the winter. 15 YEARS AGO Ausable Authority officials expressed confidence Wednesday that action would be taken immediately by the provincial against the movie producers and book publishers. While one treads on thin ice in any attempt to bring censorship into this matter, we do suggest that close scrutiny must be maintained to ensure that this type of material is in fact not been consumed by youngsters who have not yet earned the right to determine what is in their best interests. In this regard, theatre owners and newsstand operators have a moral obligation to make sure that the "adult only" material. remains just that. Unfortunately this is not presently the situation, even locally. * * Don't look now, but there are only 12 shopping days remaining until Christmas. For some of us, that means we only have 11 more days to wait before we head out to fill our gifts lists. * * We trust Exeter residents noted the announcement last week that town council will again provide prizes for the best decorated premises in the festive season. Each year, more and more people throughout the area add to their list of outdoor decorations and a family jaunt along most of the streets and roads is most enjoyable. government to acquire the Pinery as a public park. Kathryn Hunter, SHDHS graduate, has been awarded the third Huron County Carter Scholarship it was announced this week. Christmas was the theme of the Junior Institute meeting last Wednesday night and Mrs. Howard Pym gave an interesting demonstration on gift wrapping. Mrs. M.C. Fletcher's Sunday School class, the James Street Logs (Learners of God) were in charge of the Sunday night service in James St. Church. A girl came within one point of winning the Zurich 4-H Mixed Calf Club competition this year. Kathryn Klopp of RR 3 Zurich, scored 921 points, one less than the winner, Berne McKinley of RR 1 Zurich. 10 YEARS AGO Chester Mawhinney, carving out his second career in municipal politics, posted a surprisingly large margin in winning Monday's three way contest for town reeve. Charles Kyte, young Tavistock businessman won the $500 prize in Exeter Kinsmen's Grey Cup football raffle. The winning ticket was sold by Les Parker, town. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary to South Huron Hospital were guests of the hospital staff at the December meeting held Tuesday afternoon. Snow, slush and ice on district highways were mainly responsible for eight accidents during the past week, Sale of General Coach Will likely further delay settlement of the contract dispute between the company and union which has been under negotiation for nearly six months. Why does a man stagger out to work when he's unable to do it properly, is a threat to everyone around him, and is probably shortening his own life by three or four years? This is the sort of rationalizing I was doing this week when I took not one, but two days sick leave. That makes six days in ten years. I'd been coughing like a kangaroo with consumption. Blowing my nose was like trying to stop Niagara Falls with Kleenex. I was dizzier than a bat at high noon. I ached from stem to gudgeon, and I couldn't decide which was aching more. It's boring, I know. But the 'flu is always boring. Except when you have it yourself. Then it's fascinating. When you have it, you know that nobody has ever been as ill as you. Especially those phonies on TV who stay in bed, drink plenty of fluids and stuff themselves with aspirin. My wife is a great comfort at such times. She invariably says, "You're going to die with that chest cold!" And then she sits back and starts counting on her Times Established 1873 IllteeiekrZintes-Abuocate SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC editor — Bill Batten— Advertising Manager Phone 235.1331 ,,,,,,, • . • 110111111111.11111 wrreir °14401111rookil1RIT Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Humber 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30, 1968, 4,520 RATES: Canada $6.00 Per Years USA $8.00 SUBSCRIPTION