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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1979-05-02, Page 4Page 4 Times-Advocate, May 2,1979 Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1 881 aimes -Tkdvocate Jwvvinf WwA Me** * No** Mncv M7> SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C W.N.A., O.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 Composition Manager — Harry DeVries Business Manager — T....................... Phone 235-133 Amalgamated 1924 (*CNA SUBSC Dick Jongkind Published Each Wednesday Morning I pfp[Y| M 1331 af Exeter, Ontario UnUolllLu Second Class Mail Registration Number 038o SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $1 1.00 Per Year; USA $22.00 “77ze toughest thing about elections is trying to decide which candidate will do the least harm” Mainstream Canada An Even Break Let liim try BATT’N AROUND Reeve Si Simmons may have had his neck stuck out a mile when he ad­ vised flood-plagued Carling St. residents that there are solutions to their problem, albeit on an individual basis rather than something for which the municipality may pay the costs. “It can be done and don’t tell me it can’t,” Simmons stated emphatically. While some residents who periodically suffer through the problem of sewage backing into their basements tried to prove Simmons was wrong, it was interesting that no other members of council asked him to more fully explain what solutions he had in mind. After listening to the complaints for several years and spending time and money in attempting to come up with solutions, it is most surprising that Simmons wasn’t quizzed further on his ideas. It is, of course, also odd that the Reeve hasn’t outlined his ideas previously in view of the lengthy problem. The question also arises as to why council members continue to push the problem into the hands of their engineers, when they can get the ad­ vice at no charge. Perhaps they thought the Reeve was talking through his hat? While he may end up having to back down on his frank assessment of the matter, it is also entirely possible that the problem will have to be solved on an individual basis, rather than attempting to find an area-wide solu­ tion. Perhaps some complicated system of valves and pumps can be in­ stalled in some of the residences to handle the problem satisfactorily. It’s certainly worth some more investiga­ tion in view of the fact the engineering work done to date has not been able to furnish an overall solution. The only question then would be whether the gadget would be the sole financial responsibility of the residents, or through some cost­ sharing with the town. The Reeve may have over­ simplified his opinions through frustra­ tion, but it wouldn’t be the first time that an act undertaken in frustration paid dividends. Give it a try, Si! You can’t come out looking any worse than the ex­ perts! Iyisten slow As Samuel Butler observed,“It takes two people to say a thing — a sayer and a sayee. The one is just as essential to any true saying as the other.” We are all “sayees”, but most of us afford lit­ tle thought to our performance in this vital role in human affairs. We confuse hearing with listening, believing that, because hearing is a natural function, then listening must be effortless. Ac­ cording to the American speech com­ munications expert Dr. Harrel T. Allen, it is anything but: “Listening is hard work and requires increased energy — your heart speeds up, your blood circulates faster, your temperature goes up.” So listening is a kind of activity. Those who aspire to be good listeners must turn it from an unconscious ac­ tivity to a conscious one. What makes a good listener? It all begins with con­ centration. We listen to other people through a thick screen of physical and psychological distractions which can only be penetrated by deliberately applying the power of the mind. Physical distractions are often easily enough dealt with, although few people bother to do so — shutting a door or window, moving out of hearing range of other people, cutting off telephone calls. The distractions generated within one’s own head are far more dif­ ficult to manage. For the act of listen­ ing has a built-in dilemma, which is that the speaker cannot keep pace with the workings of the listener’s mind. The average rate of speech is about 125 words a minute; the average per­ son thinks at a rate nearly four times faster. With all that slack time at their disposal, people on the listening side of a discussion are likely to be carried away by their own thoughts. It is said the “the mind wanders” while one person hears another talk; actually it darts ahead and off the track like a runaway race horse. This helps to explain why people jump to con­ clusions. They anticipate what is going to be said instead of following what is being said in the present. In this regard we might do well to remember the ad­ monishment of a rough-and-ready ty­ coon as he started a meeting: “Now listen slow”. Some One of the younger members of the family tribe returned home from his sojourn at the recent “Midnight Madness” with a tale about seeing a group of youths up on a store roof, one of them apparently brandishing a knife. He went on to relate stories about signs being painted on some buildings and a few other weird situations which he attributed to a gang calling themselves “Warriors”, apparently fashioned after a controversial movie of the same title that has created problems in many theatres in recent weeks. We dismissed most of his accounts as being the fabrication of a youthful mind, but had to take that all back after reading last week’s police report in which about 10 items of vandalism were noted as being perpetrated by a gang of youths. running amok in the community. The list of damage was topped off by the crudest of deeds...putting a hose into a basement of a senior citizen and then turing on the tap. In several other incidents, the youths used paint spray to victimize residents. Such acts of vandalism are not par­ ticularly unusual in the community, although they are becoming more fre­ quent and certainly beyond the stage of being classified as mischief. Obviously, it is time parents sat down and had a serious chat with their offspring to not only curtail this type of activity but to prevent themselves from being embarrassed and facing the costs of damage when the culprits are eventually apprehended. The wave of vandalism being ex­ perienced throughout the area also calls into question the role of the courts in such incidents. .Last week, an area youth appeared in court on a charge of stealing a mailbox and ended up receiving an absolute dis- youthful activities charge. The sentence would appear justified in view of the amount of money involved in the theft. The youth had already paid for the cost of the mailbox. However, the court apparently failed to take into consideration that in recent months several residents have had mailboxes stolen or damages. The total cost involved runs into the hundreds of dollars. An absolute discharge obviously does not act as a deterrent! * * * It would be fairly safe to assume that among the youths not involved in the spring rampage of vandalism are members of the Exeter bantam hockey team. Their alibi is beyond suspicion in that they just haven’t had their skates off long enough in the past three months to get involved in anything but hockey. While the boys were naturally disap­ pointed and frustated that they failed to accomplish the supreme goal of win­ ning an OMHA title after coming so close, they deserve the commendation of the community for their effort in that regard. In addition to displaying good sportsmanship throughout their hectic 27-game playoff trail, the boys were always a credit to themselves, their parents and community both on and off the ice. This writer travelled most of the over 3,000 miles logged by the team in their quest for the title, and while there were times when even the most avid of the parents had to question the time and cost involved in the lengthy playoff, there is little doubt they recognize it as a good investment when they consider some of the pursuits be­ ing followed by other boys of the same age. Perhaps their finest showing was in the minutes after they lost the final game. It was evident from the action w on the ice after the final whistle that it is always easier being a winner. The Ernestown lads were naturally jubilant and the excitement and enthusiasm was spontaneous. But what about the losers? Even the players would find it difficult to ex­ plain the hollow feeling that sinks in. There were the tears of frustration, naturally. As a parent and fan, you watch the boys move aimlessly about, not knowing exactly what to do while bedlam reins at the victor’s end of the rink. Seventeen young teenagers are left to face their agony in public. There is nowhere to hide, no place to be by yourself to let your emotions run their natural course. While it was not a situation they en­ joyed, there is little doubt that 17 area boys grew up a great deal more than most people would imagine in the matter of only a few minutes. It is the prize for losing and may well prove more valuable than the prize for win­ ning, when it is handled as manly as it was. It is a prize that is given only to those who get so close to their goal, and yet so far away. * * * As a matter of interest to area residents, it should be noted that only six of the 17 players live in Exeter. Two are from Stephen, another from the Hay side of Dashwood and eight from Usbome. Those ratios vary considerably from team to team within the local minor hockey system, but do point up the fact that the entire area shares in the ac­ complishments of the teams. It also suggests that Exeter should not always be expected to handle the major share of the commendation passed out to champions, nor perhaps the major portion of the costs involved in operating the facilities. By IK Roger Worth Finally, there is growing acceptance of the idea that Canadians Who invest in small business ventures should be given an even break by the tax­ man, So far, British Columbia and Ontario have virtually du­ plicated a magnificent plan developed by Quebec, provid­ ing substantial tax incentives for people investing in small and medium-sized enterprises. Effectively, this places in­ vestment in smaller venturesin the same league as the Regis­ tered Retirement Savings Plans and Registered Home Owner­ ship Plans that have become so popular in recent years. In Ontario, for example, people investing $1,000 in a small business development corporation - which in turn Roger Worth is Director, Public Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. will buy shares in small busi­ nesses with fewer than 100 em­ ployees - will receive a $300 cash refund when they file their next tax return. Hopefully, such activity will alleviate some of the prob­ lems faced by independent en­ trepreneurs when they attempt to raise money for expansion projects, or for Canadians starting new businesses. What’s really important, though, is the clear understand­ ing by three of the country’s provincial governments that small business counts. In fact, the impact of the programs may be as much psychological as financial. It’s important to note, for example, that most new small and medium-sized businesses are funded by the entrepreneurs themselves, their families, friends, and other individuals in local communities. But the real key to success seems to be community parti­ cipation in local enterprises. Until now, many Canadians have shied away from this type of investment, opting for the tax deferrals attached to RRSPs and RHOSPs. In turn, these savings have, in many cases, been invested in big, publicly-owned companies such as Noranda Mines, Im­ perial Oil or Bell Telephone. In addition, great chunks of the money have helped finance the giant skyscrapers and shop­ ping centres that dot the Cana­ dian landscape, particularly in our major cities. The reason for the policy: such in vestments are (or appear to be) more secure than similar investments in smaller enter­ prises. Across the country, though, the entrepreneur’s money rais­ ing problems are only partially resolved. The seven provinces which have yet to join the bandwagon, for example, leave both their entrepreneurs and investors at a distinct disadvantage com­ pared to other Canadians. Fostering the growth of job producing, home-grown busi­ nesses deserves the attention of every provincial government. Making it easier to add to our already vibrant independent­ business sector should clearly be a top priority issue. r 1 . -.v v. " ’ ' ‘ ; C'. «own memory lane J \ Sugar and Spice Dispensed by Smiley Know almost nothing By SYD FLETCHER Perspectives It all started out as a plea- sant jaunt back from Florida at winter break, eight or nine years ago. “Why bother?” was my brother-in-law’s response. “We won’t get lost on a 4- lane highway.” With those famous last words regarding a meeting place if we got separated, we got into our respective cars and headed north. In Georgia, the rain hit, a steady monotonous drizzle that obscured vision but didn’t seem to slow the traf­ fic any. It was then that I found out that the cheap gas I had bought a few miles back was no bargain. My little car spluttered and almost died. AS we were just at an exit I coasted up the ramp. At the stop sign the engine stopped completely. I turned the key and the car roared to life. Zoom. Back onto the freeway but no sign of anybody we know, just lines of cars heading north. Fifteen minutes later and at regular fifteen minute in­ tervals the car stopped. It seemed to need a lot of little rests. At one place, a Georgia state trooper pulled over, “Y’all havin’ problems?” he asked. We were, but we didn’t know the half of it yet. At one point I trudged a half-mile through pouring rain to get some help and then the old girl started on her own when I got back. Every hotel on that highway was full and though we cruised through about two thousand motel parking lots we couldn’t find the rest of the family, Then the windshield wipers and emergency flashers, which happened to be on the same fuse, blew. My temper was beginning to fray at the edges, in fact you might say a whole seam was torn loose. By morning, things began to look up a bit. I found out that the foil from the gum wrapper wrapped around the fuse will keep it working. About 9 o’clock the next morning, five hundred miles down the road we found a two lane highway and a motel with a vacancy in it. Though the lady manager looked at us a bit suspicious­ ly we didn’t care. Never has a hot shower felt so good. About one o’clock in the afternoon a knock came at the door. They had seen our car on the side of the road and had pulled over. They hadn’t missed us for nearly two hours after we got separated. Whatever, we decided on a meeting place right there and then. My old lady is back in the music festival business, after an absence of some years, and it’s just like old times around here; hectic. We quarrel frequently about great issues such as who put out the garbage last week or whose turn it is to do the dishes. When these tiffs become heated, I am frequently told, in a typical wifely digression, when she is logically cornered, that I know almost nothing about music. It has nothing to do with the argu­ ment, but I hear, “You couldn’t even find middle C on the piano,” in tones of contempt. I cheerfully admit to that fact and the further fact that I don’t give a diddle, which fans the flames. This always noncomplusses her, which is the object. But, when a music festival looms, and looms is the word, I suddenly dis­ cover that, “You have a good ear, and a great sense of rhythm and tempo,” and I realize, with an inward groan, that I’m in for hours of listening to minuets and gavottes and sonatinas, and making judgments based on my good ear and great sense of etc. It all began about 20 years ago. Both our kids were taking piano lessons, and doing well. One evening I was sitting idly, reading my paper and wagging my foot in time to the sonatina my son was preparing for a music festival. My foot got going so fast I couldn’t even read the printed word for the vibration. “Hey,” I thight. “this kid isn’t Chopin or Paderewski. That’s a mite quick for a grade six piece.” I made my wife sit down and listen, She checked the tempo in the book. He was playing about double speed. She brought it to the attention of his music teacher, who was a little shocked and embarrassed to realize that old tin ear was right. Happy ending. We got the kid slowed to half-speed, and he won first prize. That was the end of any peace for me, around festival time. Ever since, I’ve had to listen to dozens of kids play all their festival pieces, and come up with some enlightening comment about things of which I have absolutely no knowledge, like pace, tone, rhythm, tempo, appogiaturo, forte, crescendo and the like. I don’t even know what the words mean. In self-defence, I’ve concocted a number of comments about as useful as the things teachers write on report cards, things like: “perhaps the second movement is a bit subdued;” or, “Yes, that’s holding together nicely,” or, “don’t you think theandante is a bit turgid?” When you don’t know an andante from an allegro, if one were to crawl out of your soup, it seems to do the trick. That worked pretty well when the old girl had twenty-odd students. And was churning out prize-winners by the dozen at every festival. She’d be satisfied that I was listening and would go right ahead and have the kid play the piece the way she knew it should be played. But this time around, she doesn’t have the same old confidence, because she’s been away from it so long. She makes me actually listen, instead of just appearing to. When I question the speed of a piece, she plays it at four different speeds, and forces me to make a judgment. They all sound the same to me. Should I suggest that the minuet seems a trifle fast, she makes me get up in the living-room, pretend I am a bewigged, bepowdered French gallant in tight pants at the court of Louis Fourteenth, and dance a minuet, It’s hard to get into the mood when I’m in my bedroom slippers,'painting pants, and old sport shirt. Have you ever tried prancing around to the strains of a gavotte, on a Satur­ day morning, when you know your neighbors can see in the windows and are wondering what on earth Smiley got into at this hour of the day? Have you ever tried to “Bum-bum­ bum” your way through a sonatina, at the same time trying to clap your hands to establish the time and to read the headlines about the coming elec­ tion. It’s nerve-wracking. Our social life has deteriorated, too, as it always has at festival time. Instead of going to sparkling parties where all the guests are full of repartee, among other things, we sit in the living-room with her pounding the piano, and me waving my foot. It’s not enough to keep the mind alive. Oh, we do take a sashay into high life occasionally. On Easter weekend, we really lived it up. We went to see Great-Grandad, who is recovering from an operation, and came home the next day to help Kim, who arrived with Batman and Robin, as they call themselves, figure out her income tax. Naturally, she didn’t have half the in­ formation. And Balind, three, asserted that he was no longer Robin, but the In­ credible Hulk, whatever that is. But The Festival is right up there like a bill board, with all its infighting, anxiety, lousy adjudicator (if you lose), teachers teetering on the verge of a coronary, and mothers tearing their hair out in clumps. Next year, I hope the old lady takes up karate or skydiving, or something sane and sensible and safe. Music festivals are murder. 55 Years Ago Messrs. William H. Dear­ ing and Harry Sweet left Saturday for Liverpool, England, in charge of a ship­ ment of cattle for Mr. William Colwill, of Cen­ tralia. Mr. M. Senior of Toronto who has completed his year at Osgoode Hall, has return­ ed home for the holidays. Mr. Walter Johns, of Elimville, has received word from the Methodist Book Room that he has been awarded the prize for his story ‘The Law of Kindness’ which will be published in the Onward, June 21. 25 Years Ago Jack Doerr won a blue rib­ bon of merit for one of four portraits entered at the On­ tario Society of Photographers at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto. Mr. W.G. Cochrane nioved into his new home on Senior Street last week. Mr. Ed Hunter-Duvar has moved into the motel-cabins he erected in connection with the service station he is building on, the highway south of towm Pupils of Grades V and VI of Hensail Public School were taken on a bus tour to the Hobby Fair at London. They also visited the Univer­ sity of Western Ontario and other places of interest. 20 Years Ago Dr. Peter Fraser, UWO London has been awarded a $4,000 research grant from the National Research Coun­ cil for theoretical studies in atomic collision. Usborne township schools under music supervisor Lawrence Wein held a festival of music in Thames Road church Friday. Over 250 students participated. Nearly 200 contributed to the free blood bank at the Red Cross blood clinic held in Exeter Tuesday. Women’s Auxiliary to South Huron Hospital had its biggest and best yet rum­ mage sale this week when they cleared $1,006.00. Queen’s Scout badges were presented to Doug Jer­ myn, Jim Sweitzer, Doug Hodgson and Dale Turvey Monday night. This is the highest award to be given to scouts. 15 Years Ago Appointment of William Batten as editor of The Times-Advocate was an­ nounced this week by Publisher J.M. Southcott. The latest in fashions were presented Thursday in the “Patio Parade” spon­ sored by Beta Sigma Phi sorority in cooperation with Exeter businessmen. A prediction of Exeter’s Planning Board places the population of Exeter at 4,000 by the year 1971. Murray DesJardins, clerk­ treasurer of Grand Bend, has been informed he has been named a Justice of the Peace for Huron County. Shirley Genttner and Carolynne Simmons each received their gold cord and certificate in Guiding at a ceremony in North Bay, Saturday. <• KU« FrM«m »,t»c4 ItH. mW “What I like about your left­ overs is knowing I already survived it once."