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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1979-11-28, Page 4The resignation of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau as leader of the Liberal party signals the beginning of the end for one of the most colourful, and at times controversial, political careers in this nation. Trudeau guided Canada through some of the more difficult times in its history, and despite some horrendous personal problems, handled his task with a flair that set him apart from most political leaders of his time. His characteristic shrug of his shoulders brought a label of in- difference from some of his detractors, but in effect it was generally more of a statement that you could take it or leave it, but that's the way things were. Unlike many politicians, he never attempted to soft-sell the hard facts of reality for partisan responses. On many occasions he bluntly told many segments of Canadian society that their destiny was in their own hands and not those of their elected leaders. It was a message that, unfortunately, too few heeded. Trudeau is an intelligent, indepen- dent thinker, and the loss of those at- tributes from the Canadian political scene will be sorely missed when he finally steps down from the leadership. Return to past Dr. Laurier LaPierre, educator and journalist, has always been a con- troversial figure and he proved that he still is when speaking to a group of Elgin teachers recently. As a member of the commission enquiring into education of the young child he advocated elimination of Grades 1- 3 as we know them, more in- tensive training for teachers.and an end to transporting young students to school. LaPierre claims studies have shown that a six-year-old child is not ready for formal education in Grade 1P Instead, they need the, unstructured, joyful environment where they can have fun. Dealing with transportation, a sub- ject of interest to most parents in this area, LaPierre said that in addition to being unsafe school bus rides of up to an hour can tire children before they even get to school. Moreover, with the es- calating prices of fuel, busing will soon become impractical. His solution? - neighbourhood folk homes where teachers would come to small groups of students instead of students going to school. Evidently, LaPierre is convinced that "small is better"when it comes to classes, which seems to be getting back to the idea of the little red schoolhouse. However, we haven't heard what he proposes to do with the sprawling central schools which have become popular in the past quarter century and which would be partly empty if folk homes were established. Dutton Advance Fleck's The decision by Judge G.G. Marshman to clear the Ontario Provin- cial Police of charges in the violent Fleck Manufacturing strike is unlikely to be applauded by the United Auto Workers, but should enable everyone to put the strike behind them. That is not to say memories of the hostilities that flared on the volatile picket lines should be erased. There are too many lessons to be learned by everyone involved - management, lessons strikers, police and the news media - to disregard lightly what happened. In retrospect, it can probably be fairly stated that management was un- yielding, strikers abrasive, police retaliatory and media coverage sen- sationalist. None can escape criticism. But all should have absorbed an ap- preciation of moderation following the disgraceful. experience of Fleck. London Free Press ugar and Spice Disperised by Smiley Times Esiabl,shed 1873 Advacalefstablisheci 1851 imes dvocate *W*0 **41•••*. Isur**Wiler. • Posed. Lomb.. Iowa Ian elKlat4Z,:+:= 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 -- Dick Jongkind Published Each Wednesday Morning Phone 235.1331 at Exeter, Ontario Second Clan Mail Registration Number 0386 SUBSCRIPTION RA TES: Canada 511.00 Per Year; USA $30.00 Amalgamated 1924 Mainstream Canada We're Very Real Indeed Had a flair Losing a strong voice "Money! . . . money escorting two of the nation's finest. At the restaurant we went all out, purchasing double thick milkshakes and french fries. Nothing but the best and we didn't even go Dutch treat. It was just as we were leaving the restaurant that we began to realize that the evening was going to be something less than glamorous. Rain was beginning to fall as another party of teenagers backed out of the parking lot with the traditional rubber-burning ceremony common to natives of North America, My buddy was not to be shown up. Smoothly he shifted into reverse, and with an air of the true debonair racing driver, backed the car over top of a cement parking marker, forthwith suspending both drive wheels an exact quarter of an inch from the pavement, quite sufficient to cause the rubber burning Ceremony to he temporarily postponed. It was still raining, Time to By SYD FLETCHER When a young fellow takes a girl out for the first time he likes to impress her, right? He takes her to the best of restaurants, in the best method of transportation available and tries to show her that he is one extremely knowledgeable fellow. This was our aim, Now the method of transportation was admittedly not of the newest but it seemed to be in excellent shape considering the age of it, My buddy had been working on his '37 Dodge for a long time. Though it was ,,almost 30 years old, it sparkled, bright Kelly green, and with new steel laid in the floorboards So that you couldn't see the road any longer, it seemed like an appropriate way of go out and jack the car up and push it off the jack so that it no longer rested on the concrete. Time also to reassure the girls that ac- tually the car was quite safe, On our way again, only to discover that the windshield wipers did not work. The rain had not stopped yet, I might note and my buddy's girl friend was not pleased at having to stick her head out of the window to tell the driver how far he was from the shoulder. The rain did wonders for her hair-do and by the time we have travelled eighteen miles down the road she was quite an expert at telling him 'exactly where to go. At least when the tire went flat she was able to stay inside where it was relatively dry. I'm amazed that the' girls ever went out wit:i us again, and am even more surprised that they would consider marrying both fellows. They must have been truly impressed that eVenjng. There has been a tremendous change in the manners and mores of Canada in the past three decades. This brilliant thought came to me as I drove home from work today and saw a sign, in a typical Canadian small town: "Steakhouse and Tavern." Now this didn't exactly knock me out, alarm me, or discombobulate me in any way. I am a part of all that is in this country, at this time. But it did give me a tiny twinge. Hence my opening remarks. I am no Carrie Nation, who stormed into saloons with her lady friends, arm- ed with hatchets, and smashed open (what a waste) the barrels of beer and kegs of whiskey. I am no Joan of Arc. I don't revile blasphemers or hear voices. I am no Pope John Paul II, who tells people what to do about their sex lives. I am not even a Joe Clark, who rushes up to a barricade prepared to jump for some votes, then decides to go back to the starting-line and send in a real athlete, Robert Stanfield, an older and wiser athlete, to attempt what he knew he couldn't do. And the "he' is Joe. I am merely an observer of the human scene, in a country that used to be one thing, and has become another. But that doesn't mean I don't have opinions. I have nothing but scorn for the modern "objective" journalists who tell it as it is. They are hyenas and jackals, who fatten on the leavings of the "lions" of our society, for the most part, I admire a few columnists: Richard Needham of the Toronto Globe, Allan Fotheringham of Maclean's, not because they are great writers, but because they hew the wood for which this country is famous, and let the chips fall where they may. That's the way it should be. Let's get back on topic, aS I tell my students. The Canadian society has roughened and coarsened to an things at the local level. They, of • course, do that dictating in a most despicable manner in that it is in the form of the dangling carrot. The $150,000 being loaned to the BIA and council for downtown restoration will be spent on public property only. So why is it necessary that every property owner in the community be subjected to a new set of rules that really has very little to do with the project on which the money will be spent? To top it all off, it is a loan that has to be paid back in full, albeit at a low in- terest rate. In fact that low interest rate is a very inexpensive carrot that has been used to entice local politicians, into making laws that big brother deems necessary. In view of the opposition to that bylaw, it would appear that Si's sugges- tion that it be placed only on the BIA for a test period, was very sound. In fact, there is every indication that council may well have considerable dif- ficulty in getting three citizens to act as the special committee in charge of ad- ministering the bylaw, to say nothing of the chore of finding some inspector to investigate any complaints. In retrospect, Si's resignation may well have been premature, because the bylaw may not be enforced any more than the two-hour parking edict. * * * While his charges of fellow council members being dictators and es- tablishing a police state were obvious- ly too harsh under the circumstances, there is reason to question whether politicians are eroding individual rights to too great an extent. Pierre Trudeau once questioned the right of policiticans to invade the astonishing degree in the laast thirty years. First, the Steakhouse and Tavern, As a kid working on the boats on the Upper Lakes, I was excited and a little scared when I saw that sign in American ports: Duluth, Detroit, Chicago. I came from the genteel poverty of Ontario in the Thirties, and I was slightly appalled, and deeply attracted by these signs: the very thought that drink could be publicly advertised. Like any normal, curious kid, I went into a couple, ordered a two-bit whiskey, and found nobody eating steaks, but a great many people getting sleazily drunk on the same. Not the steaks. In those days, in Canada, there was no such creature. The very use of the word "tavern" indicated iniquity. It was' an evil place. We did have beer "parlours", later exchanged for the euphemism "beverage rooms". But that was all right. Only the lower ele- ment went there, and they closed from 6 p.m, to 7:30, or some such, so that a family, man could get home to his dinner. Not a bad idea. In their homes, of course, the middle and upper class drank liquor, Beer was the working-man's drink, and to be shunned. It was around then that some wit reversed the old saying, and came out with: "Work is the curse of the drinking class", a neat version of Marx's (?) "Drink is the curse of the working classes," If you called on someone in those misty days, you were offered a cuppa and something to eat. Today, the host would be humiliated if he didn't have something harder to offer you, Now, every hamlet seems to have its steakhouse, complete with tavern. It's rather ridiculous. Nobody today can af- ford a steak. But how in the living world can these same people afford drinks, at, current prices? These steakhouses and taverns are 'implore. I merely observe. Sadly. We usually pretty sleazy joints, on a par are turning into a nation of slobs, By W. Roger Worth Adversity, it seems, brings out the very best in people. Al least that turned out to be the case recently in the Toronto suburb of Missis- sauga where pop() people were evacuated from their homes as a result of tanker- car explosions and the threat of deadly chlorine gas. For a person who was a refugee from Mississauga for three days, and closely in- volved with the situation, it is Roger Worth is Director, Public Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. grossly understating the case to say people acted respon- sibly in what was the largest evacuation since World War No wonder the interna- tional media and emergency experts from around the world were amazed and be- wildered at the apparent calm that existed. For in the true Canadian tradition of co- operation and support for fellow citizens during diffi- cult times, everyone did their bit. I have been involved in other situations - some in smaller communities in various provinces - where major fires, floods and other disasters brought forth a camaraderie and community spirit that simply didn't exist before or after the event. Suddenly, bitter enemies find 55 Years Ago Mr. and Mrs. King and family have moved into the residence vacated by Mr. W. Cutbush. Huron County Council is in session this week, Reeve W.D. Sanders of Exeter, Reeve Wm. Coates, Vsborne and Reeve A. Neeb, and deputy-reeve John Hayes of Stephen are in attendance. Officers for a hockey association were elected Monday and a team will be entered in the' O.H.A. Of- ficers are: honorary pres. - Rev. J. Foote; pres. L.J Penhale; vice-pres. W.J. Statham; sec-treas. - W.H. Harness; trainer - A. Delve; manager and - coach - G. Cochrane, U. Snell, H. Rivers, H. Southcott, C.L. Wilson, C.P. Harvey and T. Pryde. 30 Years Ago After an absence of ten weeks from his pulpit, owing to injuries received in- an auto accident Rev. J. Snell conducted the morning ser- vice at James Street U.C, Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. James Law- son and Mr. and Mrs. William Martyn all of Ex- eter, Tuesday celebrated a double golden wedding jubilee, The ladies are sisters. Ed Chambers, Crediton was reappointed trustee for the Exeter District High School for two years. 20 Years Ago Several floats will be add- ed this year to the annual Santa Claus parade in Ex- eter which will be held this Saturday. Shipka residents crowded the local school Friday to hear the children perform and to see a three act com- edy presented by the young people of the community. Billy Armstrong, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Armstrong, underwent an operation on his eye at St. Joseph's Hospital, London on Monday. He returned home on Tuesday. The appeal of Steven Truscott, 14, sentenced to be hanged for the rape-slaying of a 12 year old girl will be heard by the Ontario Supreme Court January 12. 15 Years Ago G/C.L.H.Randall.DFC,CD was honoured at a mess dinner Friday when senior officers from across Canada as well as those from RCAF Centralia were present. He retires from the RCAF on January 25. Only 857 Exeter residents cast votes in the municipal election this week, which represents only 43 percent of the voters. About 100 children enjoyed a Christmas party at the Ex- eter Legion Hall Sunday when Santa Claus paid his annual visit. Ken Gemmell, H.R. 2 Kippen, was awarded the Elston Cardiff Citizenship Trophy at the anual Huron County 4-H Achievement Night held in Wingham, Fri- day. works, I'm sure that they have more that made up for the summer break, Christ- mas and Spring break. Oh yes, those P.D. days they are not holidays; they are learning days where the teachers are taught new ways and means for teaching your sons, daughters and monsters. I know all this because I have been teaching for 31/2 years now and certainly have a better insight into the teaching profession. As I resign from the posi- tion of Community Services Officer, I would like to ex- press my appreciation to every teacher and principal I have worked with in Huron County Schools. I would particularly like to thank the principals for accepting me and arranging class schedules for my programs, the secretaries for their efforts in copying printed matter for me, and I can't forget the Media Cen- tre Staff of the Huron County Board of Education, Dave, Marylin and Jim. All in all, it has been a great learning experience for me and lamnow aware of the difficult task and long hours of teaching staff, Thank you from Prov. Const, R.W. Wilson, #3629, Ont. Prov. Police, Goderich. !'!•MIVEZEIEIONS, ffISMIENIFEBISM Perspectives BATTN AROUND Exeter ratepayers lost a strong voice last week with the resignation of Reeve Si Simmons. While there may he certain segments of the community which will not look with remorse on the resignation, this writer is not included on that list. I've had my run-ins with Si over the years of his various terms of office, some of the more noteable unpleasant exchanges relating to his handling of a recreation matter when he was mayor several years ago and then the acquisi- tion of the Main St. police office which was gutted by fire this July. However, he still gets top marks from this writer as a man who says what he's thinking whithout fear or favour. That's an attribute missing in too many politicians at all levels of government these days. He was never one to back off from a fight. regardless of the odds or the un- popularity of his position, and there have been times when he's won some of those battles through nothing more than stubborn verbal intimidation. He brought a strong standard of com- mon sense to many situations, and his penchant for cutting through red tape to get things moving was a valuable asset to the current council in par- ticular. * * The comment made by BIA president Bob Swartman that his group was being made the scapegoat in the &bate over the property standards bylaw is valid. In reality, the bylaw would probably have never surfaced at this time had it not been a requirement placed on the BIA $150,000 loan by the ministry of housing. It's another perfect example of a senior level of government dictating privacy of individual's bedrooms, and so too is there reason for concern when the privacy of bathrooms, kitchens and every other room in the house is sub- ject to public scrutiny. Councillor Jay Campbell., who took the writer to task last week for com- ments on the noise bylaw, suggests that society is more complex than the one enjoyed by his father and grandfather and that there should be guidelines as to what is expected of citizens. He added that it is unfortunate that society has gone that way, but that's the way it is. • Well, the question is whether or not that is the way it has to be, Has society become more complex and legislated because the citizens have demanded it, or only because some politicians have decided that is the way it should be? * * * Local ratepayers may not find much humour in having to dig a little deeper to pay for the new police office, but council's handling of that matter almost reached the joking stage at some points. Several members have made attempts to wash their hands of some of the decisions. In fact, there appeared to be so many members wanting to disassociate themselves from the decision that there were times when it became dif- ficult to know how it was getting through council at all. There have been few situations where there has been such a blatant ex- ample of burning bridges, although it was never clear on which side of the bank people were standing. Big change in manners with the old beverage room, which was the opitome of sleaze. It's not all the fault of the owners, though they make nothing on the steak and 100 per cent on the drinks (minimum). It's just that Canadians tend to be noisy and crude and profane drinkers. And the crudity isn't only in the pubs, It has crept into Parliament, that august institution, with a prime minister who used street language when his impeccable English failed, or he wanted to show how tough he was. It has crept into our educational system, where teachers drink and swear and tell dirty jokes and use language in front of women that I , a product of a more well-mannered, or inhibited, your choice, era, could not bring myself to use. And the language of today's students, from Grade one to Grade whatever, would curl the hair of a sailor, and make your maiden aunt grab for the smelling salts. Words from the lowest slums and slummiest barnyards create rarely a blush on the cheek of your teenage daughter. A graduate of the depression, when people had some reason to use bad language, in sheer frustration and anger, and of a war in which the most common four-letter word was used as frequently, and absent-mindedly, as salt and pepper, have not inured me to what our kids today consider normal. Girls wear T-shirts that are not even funny, merely obscene, As do boys, Saw one the other day on an otherwise nice lad', Message: "Thanks, all you virgins - for nothing". The Queen is a frump. God is a joke. The country's problems are somebody else's problem as' long as I get mine, I don't deplore. I don't abhor, I don't Dear Editor: How many of us look at school teachers balking at / their wages for what they do and the time off they get in the summer, Christmas and Spring break? Oh yes, and those P.D. days (Professional Development) where they get a day off practically every month and the kids have to stay home and babysitters have to be hired Boy! Those teachers sure have it easy! Well after working with most of the teachers in most of the schools in Huron Coun- ty, I found that teachers were working through recess, noon hours and way past3:30 p.m,It was difficult to carry on a complete con- versation at, times as teachers would be marking test papers or preparing a new one. A teacher's lounge is sure no real hideway either, Students knock wanting a soccer ball or a spoon for their soup or to tell that "so and so Won't let me play and they keep slapping me", I have teacher friends who go home with a stack of material they can hardly carry and work till the wee hours many nights, To add up all the hours a teacher they cap co-operate, at least for a time, But I failed to believe such a phenomenon could affect 250,000 people. Everyone in Mississauga was involved. Police, fire- men, ambulance drivers, en- vironmental experts and poli- ticians did an outstanding job working long, hard hours, only to be called back into ac- tion as the chlorine threat became graver and further evacuations became neces- sary. Service organizations, hundreds of small business people, and just plain volun- teers became involved in massive numbers. As in the barn raising days of old, one family's difficulty became a problem for the whole community. Amazing- ly, there were no deaths, only a few minor injuries, and lit- tle or no looting. Even decisions that virtual- ly controlled the fate of the community were made on a consensual basis. Personally, the Missis- sauga evacuation has renewed my faith in humanity. The message to all Ca- nadians: there is a tremen- dous reservoir of goodwill in the country that can only be tapped when the threat is strong enough. That trait may be part of what makes Canadians just a little bit dif- ferent from people in other countries. Down deep, we're all very real people indeed. Page 4 Times-Advocate, November 28, 1979