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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-01-13, Page 4ftiMMTWA OTTAWA and Small Business r Page 4 Times-Advocate, January 13, 1977 V.W.W,TAVOW4gan venv.semvenvere.......ma • ZT.N., Wiest,,,VIVMMINVAW,M100,00:4.4., Met" Good opportunity Tell on yourself In case you haven't noticed during the hectic holiday season, the federal man- power and immigration department has been running a series of advertisements en- titled "Canada Works". It's a new job creation program that the department hopes will provide jobs for 60,000 Canadians as well as an additional 20,000 students next summer. The advertisements report that Canada Works will accept applications from groups and organizations including private businesses who wish to develop, sponsor and administer worthwhile community projects. With several area firms experiencing layoffs in recent weeks, there is little ques- tion but what the program could provide employment for some of them, as well as students who will be looking for work this summer. Certainly Exeter council appears to have an obligation to consider some avenue to find work for the two RAP employees who have been permanently laid off if they are sincere in their wish to have the, men rejoin the staff when work is available in the spring. RAP had outlined several projects in their application for a LIP grant and it is conceivable that some of them could be considered to create jobs in the communi- ty. It would appear to be an avenue the social services committee should fully in- vestigate. Area councils, service clubs, business firms and Exeter's new Downtown Restoration Board should seriously con- sider making application (February 4 is the deadline) to find work for some of these people within our midst. "Before Christmas, we were trying to keep up with the Joneses — now we're trying to keep ahead of the creditors." Some cold feet? Needs an even keel Not all the news contained in an issue of a newspaper is confined strictly to the news columns. On occasions a considerable amount of information can be gleaned from the advertising columns. Help wanted advertisements indicate expanding business, retirements or firings. The for sale columns contain a wealth of in- formation ranging from the "never worn wedding gown" to a dispersal of baby equipment. Not often, however, can one judge the success of a community event through the classified columns, although last week was an exception. The following appeared under the found column: At Lions New Year's eve dance — scarves, lady's shoes, man's overshoes and one snowmobile boot." Obviously a good time was enjoyed by Discouraging picture There may not be any cause for alarm, but the economic picture in this area is far from encouraging. During the past year, one major employer (J F Farm Machinery) has gone out of business and another (North Star Yachts) appears to be heading in the same direction. On top of that, several firms have been forced to lay off several employees, the most severe situations being at Bendix Homes and Bell Aerospace. In a large industrial area, these, situations would not be cause for major concern, but when they represent such a large percentage of employment oppor- tunities in South Huron,, they certainly represent significant problems. In most cases, the firms are experien- cing problems due to weak market con- ditions for their products. Unfortunately, the layoff of Workers starts a snowball effect that reaches out to create problems for other firms and it's certainly going to be a long winter for many area residents — both literally and figuratively. Hopefully, a complete turn-around will be experienced come spring. The human spirit Could you write a pungent, tell- ing essay on The Human Spirit in the new year? No? Well, that's what my senior students tell me, too. But I know they are wrong, and I think you are wrong also. I'll bet you could write a dandy, expecially if you have lived a lot. I gave my students instruc- tions for an essay, and most of them went into a state of mild shock. They shouldn't have. They are dealing with the human spirit, their own and others, every minute of their young lives. However, students, like most of us, prefer things to be spelled out. But how can you spell out the human spirit? You can't touch it, taste it smell it, weigh or measure it. You can't peer through someone's navel and shout "Tally-ho! There it is! Your spirit!" From the beginnings of thought, our great writers and thinkers have explored the human creature in an effort to pin down this elusive thing. Some philosophers have believed they had put their finger on the slippery little devil only to find that it has squirted away. Clerics are more apt to call it the soul. Psychologists pin nasty names like id and ego and libido on various aspects of it, Writers give examples of it, Times Established 1873 Artists try to depict its highest aspirations. The human spirit exists in all of us. It, along with the power to reason, is what raises us above the level of the beasts. Its presence is allied to all that is good and great in human kind: loyalty, integrity, compassion, honor, courage, dignity. Its absence represents all that is bad in the human race: greed, cruelty, prejudice, indifference, treachery. Given the right fertilizer, the human spirit reaches out to other human spirits, and mankind moves another inch toward the stars. Without proper nourishment, the human spirit shrivels or warps, turns in on itself, rots, and spreads like a cancer. In certain periods, the under- nourished spirit produces the great psychopaths like Attila the Hun, Napoleon, Hitler, and we are led into darkness. But after each of these sombre intervals, the resurgent human spirit roars back, fanning the embers into a blaze of glory, and once more man is on the march. This is all very inspiring, I'm sure, but it's pretty abstract, and I prefer the concrete. Let's see if we can find some examples of the human spirit in action. When a two-year-old child, nor- mally good and obedient, sticks out his lip and flatly refuses to do Advocate Established 1881 something reasonable, and defies threats of spankings, he is not just being stubborn. He is ex- hibiting, to the world, his sense of self, of independence. That is the human spirit. When an 80 year old man, or woman, prefers to pig it alone in poverty and discomfort, rather than be shuttled off to a cosy senior citizen's home, he or she is doing the same. When a man or woman has enough guts to say "No!" at a time when all about are saying "Yes!" that's the human spirit at work. But let's get down to an exam- ple we can all understand. When a man gets up after his old lady has knocked him down five times, and advances on her, arms outstretched, and says: "Darling, let me explain just once more," that is the human spirit at its best. Don't get this human spirit thing all mixed up with sen- timentality: the cooing of a baby, which might just be a gas pain, the radiant smile of a bride, which might be just vani- ty. Or gloating. No, let's keep it on a high plain. Here are the instructions I gave my students. See how they grab you. "This essay is to be an ex- amination of the human spirit Amalgamated 1924 One of the major problem areas of our modern times is in the matter of recreation. Nowhere is this more evident than in this community, although it is certainly not unique. More than any other facet of cur way of life, recreation fluc- tuates drastically from year to year. There appears to be little reasoning behind the way it moves from its low points to its pinnacles, although generally it follows a cyclical path that can almost be predicted. What appears to happen is that after it falls top low point, it is slowly built up until it reaches a point where many people think too much is being spent on recreation and it is then chopped drastically. Unfortunately, those responsible for recreation can't hit that "happy medium" and it results in a situation of feast or famine. Ironically, two of those most involved with council's decision last week to dissolve RAP have played a major role in moving recreation from its high and low points; It was under Reeve Si Sims mons' term as mayor that RAC was formed to streamline the.ad- ministration of Exeter's arena, recreation and parks setup. It • was a move that was used as a model by many other com- munities in this part of Ontario to centralize their programs. But we also recall that Mr. Simmons became concerned about the expenditures of the operation and the community was soon without the services of a recreation director. Along came Bruce Shaw and a special committee some time later with a recommendation that RAP should again be streamlined and with a recommendation that the com- munity needed a full-time recreation director. Both Messrs. Shaw and Sim- mons were, of course, involved in the decision to dissolve RAP last week and it appears evident that both are of the opinion that the community does not need a full-time recreation director. * * * * While it would appear that council have burned some bridges by their decision to dis- solve RAP, it is nevertheless dif- ficult to be critical of their move to any great extent. Obviously, they must be given an opportuni- ty to follow through on their plans to establish a suitable replacement. While recreation may suffer to some extent if that planning does not bear fruit quickly, their move to dissolve RAP leaves Ten many alternatives that would perhaps not be available otherwise. In effect they have given themselves a free hand to form any type of organization that (soul, self) as it acts and reacts under stress, in inter-play with other human spirits, in conflict with society. "The essay should reveal something of what the student has learned this year from ex- posure to the ideas of first-class writers concerning the human spirit. "Ideas expressed should not be merely emotional clap-trap or mystic foofawraw. Nor should they be a mere recording of ex- amples of the human spirit in ac- tion, taken from the books read, They should rather represent the student's own human spirit reac- ting to the stimulus of what has been read and pondered. " Any reasonable — and even some unreasonable — ap- proaches to the topic Will be en- couraged. "Students may choose one of the followibg exhortations from their glorious leader: "Good Luck." or "Eat Your Heart Out." Aren't you glad you don't take English from me? appears suitable and there will be no concern for having to dove- tail that new organization into any existing operation. However, it is imperative that council attempt to establish — once and for all — that happy medium that is required to keep recreation on an even keel in this community. The ups and downs of the past have been marked with unpleasant confrontations and controversies and hopefully they can be avoided in the future. It is also an opportune time for Exeter and its three neighboring municipalities to establish an organization that can administer the recreation needs of all those involved. At the present time there is an overlapping of recreation ser- vices in the four municipalities, while in other areas there is no service provided at all by any of them. A quick glance at the registra- tion for recreation programs in the various communities will show that there are participants from throughout the area. While most of that movement comes towards Exeter, there are ex- amples of Exeter boys playing in the Crediton ball program and Exeter teams entered in the Usborne girls' softball league. Two of the area's most successful sports organizations thrOugh the years have operated on an area basis for some time. They are the Exeter Minor Hockey Association and the Ex- eter Figure Sakting Club. It is worthy of note to point out that both groups operate in- dependently of the Exeter RAP committee, and their success was seldom affected by RAP's ups and downs. * * * * One of the problems with RAP in recent years has been the fact that while the committee was charged with the responsibility for parks, the arena and recrea- tion, most people looked at their total budget and immediately put only a "recreation" label on it. 65 Years Ago The directors of Molsons Bank have decided to withdraw their bank branch from Dashwood. It was announced by Hon, W. T. White, minister of finance, that the government had decided to grant the request of the Farmers Bank victims for a thorough investigation of the affairs of the bank. Mr. T. G. Creech and his men are busy harvesting ice from the pond. Mrs. George Millson, Whalen, is laid up with blood-poisoning caused from a chilblain on her heel. County councillors W. J. Heaman, reeve of Exeter, Fred Hunkin, reeve of Usborne, Henry Willer t, reeve, and William Yearley, deputy-reeve of Stephen, left Tuesday to attend county council in Goderich. 30 Years Ago Mr. W. W. McBride has sold his coal business in Exeter to Mr. Harry Bierling. The old Board of Education has now been dissolved and the new Exeter High School District Board will take over the duties. Miss Jean Snell last week received her degree as a Registered Nurse. Messrs. Howard Pym and Emerson Penhale of Elimville returned home after spending four months in Alberta, Arnold Cann, Donald Kernick, Edwin Miller and Ronald Elford attended the three day short course for Junior Farmers at University of Western Ontario, London, So the cost of cutting the grass at Riverview Park or painting the grandstand became a recreation expense although it should ob- viously not have been given that definition. To this writer, it becomes clear that recreation should be divorced entirely from the operation of the new recreation centre in the same manner that parks has now been separated. Obviously any recreation group would have to work closely with the board administering the rec centre or parks (if the latter is to include the ball diamonds, etc.) but each should be charged with the responsibility of main- taining its own budgets and method of operation. Some joint representation by members from one group to the other may be necessary to provide the continuity that is required and the definition of duties that may be 'needed for employees involved in all facets of the entire •recreation, rec cen- tre and parks program, but each group should be independent so each can operate in a more ef- ficient and clear manner so the expenditures made in each area are clearly defined. It is also imperative that the respective bodies have represen- tation of elected officials to en- sure there is trust between the groups and the councils represented. One of the down- falls of RAP was the fact that the council appointees didn't always do a good job in providing the necessary liaison between coun- cil and RAP and quite often they were wishy-washy in presenting RAP's position to council and in backing the decisions made by RAP of which they were. members. It is unfortunate that elected officials have this sense of mis- trust of groups which they have appointed, and even sit on, but it is a fact of life that they can't 20 Years Ago Redecoration of Zion United Church, Usborne, was completed last week and the congregation held its first service in the church in six months. While the renovations were going on, church services were held in a near-by school. Larry Snider, Exeter, was elected chairman of South Huron District High School Board Tuesday night. New officers for James St. Choir are: president, Maxine Reeder, vice president, Bill Batten; secretary, Jean Taylor; treasurer, Barbara Brintnell. Exeter Dram; "lub is planning another presentation this season. The farce, "Father's Been to Mars" will be produced in March. 15 Years Ago Exeter's reeve, William McKenzie, passed away in Victoria Hospital, Tuesday morning. Mr. McKenzie had been active in town and county governments for the past decade. Kongskilde Ltd., established in the former North Land building on No, 83 highway has purchased the Salsbury building beside it. Exeter's Mr. Poppy, Fred Wells, died after suffering a heart attack and a fall near his home. A. "Jake" Switzer, who has been chairman'of the Exeter Boy Scout Group Committee for the past to years retired from that position this week. Jo Anne Miners, Elimville and Iris Becker, Dashwood, were awarded county honor pins by Mrs, H. Strang, district W.I, president at Achievement Day in Seaforth. How do you size up other people? Or perhaps, more im- portantly, how are you sized up by others? Are you judged by how much money you have? By what you wear? Flow clever or good looking you are? Yes, I guess we all observe those things to some degree when we look another person over, But when someone is really sizing you up he looks much more deeply than just at the external elements of our makeup. When we are being appraised by someone, he asks himself, "Can I trust him or do I detect something dishonest about him?" "Is she sincere or is she shallow?" "Are the vibes I get from him genuninely friendly or is he only feigning interest in me?" I recall conversing with a man a few years ago when a certain woman's name came into the conversation. "I think she must have ice in her veins," he com- mented. Now, why would he make a remark like that? The lady in question is pretty and charming, almost like a fine china figurine. She can carry on an intelligent conversation and I'm told she is an exacting hostess, her table seem to let go of the authority which they have invested in others. Basically, our suggestion is a return to the system which operated prior to RAP's forma- tion, and while it may appear to be a backward step, it must be admitted by all that RAP has not proven consistently successful and the entire program ad- ministered by it has suffered from time to time. However, this time it is to be hoped that the new bodies form- ed to administer the functions will be formed on an area basis to take full advantage of the potential available to provide better recreation and communi- ty facilities for everyone. Our prediction is that people will be pleasantly surprised to find that recreation is not really an expensive matter and in fact most programs are self- sustaining. It is also our opinion that under the proper leadership, promotion and management, the operation of the new rec centre will not be as much of a burden on tax- payers as some have predicted. By KENNETH McDONALD Parti Quebecois proposals for a common tariff, or cus- toms union, between Canada and a separate Quebec leave many questions unanswered. • • • Of all the provinces, Que- bec is the most dependent on tariff protection. In those Ca- nadian industries which are protected by tariffs higher than 20 per cent, more than 60 per cent of the employees are in Quebec. In addition, 37 per cent of manufacturing employment in Quebec is tied to sales in other provinces. • • • If Quebec were to separ- ate, Canada's centre of gra- vity would move westward. The four Western provinces would make up 37 per cent of the total population, com- pared to 27 per cent now. Their main source of trade is in primary products (grain and minerals). Their historic complaint is that freight rates are rigged to suit manufac- turers and processors in On- tario and Quebec. • • • Their products move east at a low rate which encour- ages processing in Eastern Canada. But in reverse they pay a higher rate On manu- factured goods shipped west. • • • The West has swallowed this inequity for the sake of strengthening Canada's manufacturing base within the context of Confedera- tion, Would it continue to do so if the third of that base represented by Quebec were always beautifully appointed and her house decorated with ex- pensive good taste. What, then, made my friend say she had ice water running through her veins? Simply because when you meet her on the street or at some gathering or other, although she puts on all the outward ap- pearances of being friendly, you're sixth sense tells you she really couldn't care less if you dropped dead at her feet, She pretends interest but it just doesn't come off; the Smile on her lovely face isn't real, it's put there for one reason.„to impress, It doesn't take long to size her up as being shallow and brittle. Well, most of us are guilty of trying to fool people sometimes and perhaps we can for awhile but we can't get away with it forever. Abe Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time. You can fool all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the tithe." Proverbs of the Bible says a man "is what he thinks" and what we think shows up in everything we do. This little poem says it all. You tell on yourself by the friends you seek, By the very manner in which you speak, By the way you employ your leisure time, By the use you make of dollar and dime. You tell what you are by the things you wear, By the spirit in which your burdens bear, By the kind of things at which you laugh, By the records you play on your phonograph. You tell what you are by the way you walk, By the things of which you delight to talk, By the manner in which you bear defeat, By so simple a thing as how you eat. By the books you choose from well-filled shelf;v In these ways and more, you tell, on yourself; So there's really no particle of sense In an effort to keep up false pretense. in another country? More likely is a demand to end freight rate discrimination and Set up processing in the West. • 0 • 0 The Western provinces' interests would be better served by low tariffs. This would reduce the cost of im- ported goods. Again, within. Confederation The Western provinces accept the need to protect Eastern Canada's industry. 0 • 0 But the greater part of the protection is for Quebec's benefit. If Quebec were to separate, is it likely that the Western provinces, or the At- lantic provinces, would allow themselves to be penalized with a high tariff to protect industries in a foreign coun- try? What would happen to the 37 per cent of Quebec manufacturing, which is now sold in other parts of Canada, if tariffs were lowered? tio • • In April 1975, the results of a nationwide poll of Cana- dian Federation of Indepen- dent Business members on the issue of free trade with the United States was — 44 per cent in favour and SO per cent against. Without Que- bec, there is little doubt that small business sentiment would swing in favour of free trade, 4111 • • The concept of a separate Quebec in a customs union with Canada is wishful think- ing. Separation would be complete. Quebec would be on its own. +CNA all! OxeierZimesalmocafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., 0.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited LORNE EEDY, PUBLISHER Editor — Bill Batten Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett Plant Manager — Jim Scott Composition Manager Harry DeVries Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Phone 235,1331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation September 30, 1975 5,409 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $11.00 Per Year; USA $22.00 awn memory lane, Implications of Quebec separation