HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1980-12-10, Page 4Times Etitublithed Ian Advocate Estahkhod tap Amalgamated 1924.
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Posit 4 Tirna*-Advecati, INIcom'bor 10, 1f80 ti •
Mainstream Canada
SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND
O.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC
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A basic question
study to determine the number of
residential lots that are available. With
that information, it should be possible
to determine the extent to which the
available land will serve the needs of
the community on the basis of current
growth rates, which haVe dropped sub-
stantially in the paSt couple of years.
In view of the fact the Ontario
government appears to frequently
change the guidelines for waste dis-
posal, it would also appear prudent for
the new council to ask for clarification
of the situation. With five of the eight
members being new, they should ascer-
tain first hand from the appropriate
ministries what has transpired to date,
what decisions are expected of them
and why.
There still appear to be several un-
answered questions, and in view of
suggestions that the project could
prove very costly, the need for that
project should be clearly understood by
those who will make that decision.
A thorough review and understan-
ding of the need is imperative for coun-
cil members to have the required basis
for their decision.
There's one law for the
bureaucrats at federal and
provincial government depart.
ments and agencies, it seems,
and another for ,ordinary
citizens, particularly people
operating smaller businesses.
The problem: government
officials take advantage of
their privileged and powerful
positions when it comes to en-
forcing the maze of many
times conflicting regulations
that control our lives.
The result: the cost of
fighting Ottawa or provincial
authorities is so prohibitive
that in most cases Canadians
find It cheaper to pay a pen-
alty rather than appealing
what may be a legitimate
point.
In short, the system is
grossly unfair to Canadians
seeking justice from the hun-
dreds of government boards,
agencies and commissions that
rule our lives.
The matter is especially im-
portant for smaller ' firms
because they lack the expertise
and financing that it takes to
battle agencies such as
Revenue Canada or the pro-
vincial labor relations boards.
The Americans have found
a solution to the problem. The
U.S. Senate has passed legisla-
A Matter of Justice
tion forcing the government
to re-imburse smaller corn,
panics for their costs when
they are found blameless of
Wrongdoing in government-
related actions.
It's high time such legisist-
Bon was brought forward in
Canada because independent
business, people are sincerely
concerned about the issue.
Members of the 56,000
member Canadian Federation
,of Independent Business, for
example, recently voted 88%
in favor of such a move.
Aside from the simple
justice such a change would
provide, government bureau-
crats might be forced to have
second thoughts, about the ar-
bitraryrulings and financial
penalties that create hardship
for entrepreneurs.
Which is ;not to suggest
that government employees
shouldn't enforce the law.
That's their duty and respon-
sibility.
But in all fairness, people
incorrectly charged with
wrongdoing should be com-
pensated for their costs when,
through simple error or lack
of understanding, the govern.
ment is indeed proved to be an
ass.
the wood appliance doesn't have air to
give off enough heat to keep the
chimney warm enough to prevent con-
densation. There should always be
enough air to keep the fire burning
brightly, especially after more wood
has been added.
That means being extra careful
with the new air-tight stoves, by not
letting them smoulder, and then open-
ing up the draft to let the creosote burn
up.
Using the new, factory built metal
chimneys approved for wood burning
equipment is another good idea, says
Mr. Walt, as gas or oil chimneys are
not suitable for wood, particularly if its
an old masonary chimney that could let
flames leak out through cracks and
chinks.
Allow only a qualified serviceman
to work on that chimney, says Mr.
Walt, and have it cleaned at least twice
a year, once at the beginning of the
heating season, and again halfway
through it.
And last but not least, if you're
switching to wood, make sure your in-
surance policy allows you to install a
wood-burning appliance, which could
mean a raise in rates because of the
higher risks.
Clinton News-Record
hospital.
In the book it tells of the
use of the strap, perforated
with hundreds of tiny holes
designed to trap and rip the
flesh. A dozen guards usual-
ly witness the strapping
ritual. The prisoner is
shackled to the wall, naked
from the waist down. A
hood is placed over his head.
To further confuse his sense
of direction and increase the
terror the guards deliberate-
ly shuffle their feet noisily
on the floor during the
beating.
Blood flows from the
prisoner's mouth (where he
has bitten himself in agony)
and down his legs.
Next Week, I'll tell you
what happens to truly stub-
born prisoners,
•
Where there's smoke
Perspectives
away with their crimes. Far
from it. People have to learn
to face logicalconsequences
for\their shortcomings.
The book "Go Boy" though
frightens me because in it I
see how small the distance is
between civilization and
savagery. We pride
ourselves in having a
humane justice program,
yet wonder Why so many
prisoners are repeaters,
often more violent than
when they started in the
system.
Caron speaks of men on
the rock pile in Guelph
Reformatory so desperate
for a break in the monotony
of grinding work that they
break their own legs with a
heavy sledgehammer in
order to get a few days in the
Over the recent election period in
Exeter, several members of council
and those retiring from their positions,
indicated that the main question facing
the newly elected officials would be
regarding the sewage lagoon extension.
Mayor Bruce Shaw, in his in-
augural address, suggested that the
lagoon extension was indeed the main
problem facing council in the coming
term as it could well decide the extent
to which the community can grow.
At the present time, a freeze has
been placed on any new subdivisions in
the community due to the limitations of
the sewage storage capacity and the
capacity of the Ausable River to handle
the flow of effluent from the existing
lagoons.
There appear to be some people,
elected officials included, who have
come to the conclusion that all develop-
ment in the community is stymied. But,
is that really the situation?
There is a considerable amount of
residential property still available for
development. The exact amount is
probably uncertain and it would appear
prudent for council to undertake a
Although many readers over the
age of 40 will remember them well, the
newpopularity of wood as a heating fuel
is bringing back a problem that plagued
home owners generations ago - the
chimney fire.
A recent report by the Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation
says 97 per cent of all chimney fires
across Canada last year involved wood-
burning appliances, and that report
says the chief reason is the build-up of
creosote in chimney flues.
Gordon Walt, engineering manager
with CMHC, says creosote, which is
composed of minute particles of tars
and organic substances is held in
droplets of moisture formed by conden-
sation of water on the flue. If this
residue is allowed to accumulate it can
ignite and burn fiercely, creating
temperatures far hotter than the flame
of a blazing torch, and giving off enough
heat to easily set a house on fire.
Although the build-up of some
creosote is inevitable, burning well-
seasoned wood will reduce it
significantly, Mr. Walt says, meaning
wood should be air dried at least six
months after splitting, away from rain
and snow.
Because creosote is the result of in-
"omplete combustion, it develops when
By Syd Fletcher
"Go-Boy" is prison slang
for a runner, an escapee
from prison. As the man
makes his break for
freedom, the other prisoners
behind him chant these
words to encourage him,
Roger Caron, an inmate
for over twenty years in
various Canadian prisons
beginning at the age of
seventeen years, has written
agripping book oy the name
'Go Boy'. It is a frightening
story.
Believe me, I'm not in
favour of letting criminals
....4sNV$S
In case you haven't noticed, the
search for perfection is one in which
fewer and fewer people appear to be
engaged. It was always an impossible
search, of course, but there were peo-
ple who took considerable pride in do-
ing their jobs to the best of their abili-
ty.
They were not satisfied with second
best. They wanted to be the best. The
extra effort required to attain that goal
did not deter them.
In today's society, there is little
challenge for the perfectionist. The
"throw-away" mentality is thriving.
People do not become upset when they
are faced with a break-down. It is now
an accepted part of the manufacturing
process. Shoddy workmanship' or
materials are merely among the risks
associated with any purchase.
Seldom do people expect perfection.
Even our schools appear to teach young
people that they are doing well as long
as they are "average" There's little
incentive to be at the top. There is
more assistance provided for those at
the bottom of the scale than those who
have the ability to be at the top of the
scale.
Remuneration is no longer dependent
upon ability or dedication. It's more
often based on length of service, which
has very little to do with the results
achieved by any individual. Job securi-
ty is based on tenure.
These comments on perfection
stemmed from a rather unusual an-
nouncement in a bulletin received from
an area service club, It noted that
"every member who did not miss more
than five meetings between October 1,
1979 to September 30, 1980, will be
presented' with a perfect attendance
pin."
That club meets approximately 20
times each year, so as long as
members attend 75 percent of the time,
u ar and
Dispe sed by S1' 110y
Shotgun column coming up. Reason?
I've just been through a real mother of
a 'flu attack, and the little bit of brain
matter still alive, inside a body that
feels as though the Gestapo had been
having a go at it, is not capable of the
usual sustained, melodious, incom-
parable prose essay.
Item, After looking forward to my
old lady getting home from two weeks
in the north country, after laying on
arrangements for her to be picked up at
the airport and dropped at our door,
after making the house look as though
I'd hired an expert housekeeper, I blew
it.
I was listening to a particularly noisy
TV programme. I wandered downstairs
about the time she was to arrive, just in
time to find her opening the cellar door
with an expression the Gorgon would
have envied. She'd got in a bit early,
rung the doorbell when she found the
door locked. No response. She checked
the garage. Yes, the car was there; he
Wasn't off somewhere carousing, un-
less on foot. Lights in the house all on.
More doorbell ringing. No answer.
Finally, she forced open one of the
cellar windows and crawled in, dragg-
ing her best white suitcase behind her,
across the woodpile beneath the win-
dow, I'd kept the door locked, because
I'd become used to doing so while she
was away. Hadn't heard the bell. Five
minutes after she got home, I was
wishing she'd go away for another two
weeks.
Day a fter/sheigot home, I got the 'flu,
which she took as a personal affront.
they are considered perfect. By today's
standard, perhaps that is the basis for
perfection.
* *
In last week's edition, it was noted
that the cost of dying is keeping pace
with the escalation in the cost of living
as the Exeter Cemetery Board again
increased prices 10 percent.
The article suggested that cremation
is the cheapest way to go, but actually
it is not as cheap as indicated. The cost
for a cremation plot is $70, not the $40
mentioned, What we failed to take into
account is the $30 perpetual care that is
mandatory and which we thought still
an option,
And while the total cost for a crema-
ioa is the eheapest availabWat the
local cemetery, it is higher in propor-
tion than a regular grave site, A single
grave which measures 3.5' by 10' costs
$130 while a 2.6' by 2,6' cremation plot
costs $70.
Speaking of cemeteries, one of the
more colorful quotes this writer has
heard on the topic came from former
mayor Derry Boyle last week when he
noted that the warm feelings he has for
the people of Exeter will stay with him
"until I am a. horizontal person on
Highway 83 west".
Residents of Huron County no
doubt were more than a little shocked
to learn that a site in the county was
number two on the list behind South
Cayuga for the disposal ofliquid wastes.
With that information now public,
residents of the county can be excused
if they are found wishing that the
choice of the South Cayuga site is up-
held.
The disposal of liquid wastes is one of
the more controversial of our present
time, because no one wants the stuff
deposited in his backyard. Evidence in-
dicates that some wastes become even
Lay around groaning and hawking and
spitting and drinking plenty of fluids,
until she was wishing she'd stayed
away for another two weeks.
Item. Doctors and well meaning
friends urge you to take it easy, that
you are not indispensable. Well, they're
completely `wrong. Some of us are in-
dispensable.
Like me. I took two days in bed, and
returned to work to find chaos. Three
members of my English staff off sick,
one of them for good, eighteen pieces of
administrivia to sort out, new
timetables to be arranged, and, feeling
like a wet rag that has just been wrung
out, eleventy-seven essays and tests to
mark, and four exams to set.
I'm looking at those New Career ads
in the paper. Can't seem to find
anything suiting a venerable gentleman
with no manual or technical or
organizational skills. I'm thinking
seriously of joining my son when he
goes back to Paraguay. Surely I could
be of some use down there. I make a
fine pot of tea, and could teach English
as A Second Language, and I am an ex-
pert it dandling babies of my knee.
Item. Budget. Allan McEachin
should be renamed Allan Machiavelli.
Mackenzie King is chortling in his
grave as he watches one of his disciples
go through the old Liberal routine: you
can fool most of the people most of the
time; use the carrot as well as the
stick; never let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing; learn to
speak out of both corners of your mouth
and the same time; and energy taxes if
more toxic after storage and of course
there is the unknown factor of what
happens to various wastes when they
come in contact with each other in such
storage areas.
Even if the site is in the northern part
of the county, those of us in the south
must realize that the trucks carrying
the wastes must pass along our streets
to get to that destination and there is
some obvious hazard in that situation.
While we sympathize with the
residents of the South Cayuga area
they can't count on our support to fight
the choice of their location in view of
the fact Huron' Ws next in line.
William Shakespeare had a comment
on the situation when he noted that
"the evil that men do lives after
them". Chemical wastes, unfortunate-
ly, appear to have a long, long life. , * *
Need some trivia with which to
entertain your guests at an upcoming
Christmas party. Try these:'
It costs more to buy a car in Canada
today than itcosteolumbus to equip and
undertake three voyages to the new
world.
Roughly speaking, there are 30 times
as many people buried in the earth as
there are people living on it.
In Hawaii,it is illegal to stick pennies
in your ears.
A billboard near Lynn, Mass. reads
"Road Closed Do Not Enter". On the
other side of the same sign the message
reads, "Welcome back, stupid".
Don't let a weight problem interfere
with your Christmas correspondence.
You would have to lick 10 stamps to in-
gest one calorie.
The song most frequently sung in
Canada is "Happy Birthday to You".
necessary but not necessarily energy
taxes.
If the average household ran its
budget as does the federal government,
we'd all be on welfare. And that's just
about where Canada stands now. On
welfare. Borrowing from one finance
company. Holding out its hands to the
poor, with gall in one palm, and vinegar
in the other.
Item. The Consti-bloody-tuition.
Trudeau acting like a near-sighted lion,
with his comfortable majority. Joe
Clark and Ed Broadbent waving futile
fists in the air, And the provinces, like
so many jackals, each striving to tear
off a juicy morsel of meat before the
lion roars.
Item, I'll never *rite another ode to
October. This has been the rottenest
(rotten, rottener, rottenest?) in many a
year. Where' are the Octobers of
yesteryear, with their magnificent
colors, their clear blue skies and
mellow sunshine, their opportunity to
haul out the boat or get in a last few
rounds of golf?. It rains. It sleets. It
snows. And it's mighty cold, in our
parts. The splash of brilliant color has
been turned a sort of dun, and the wind
and rain have stripped the
foliagebefore it had a chance to show
its fancy undergarments.
Item. somebody is after me.Lost a
filling. Twenty-one bucks, Caught not
Wearing my safety harness. Twenty-
eight bucks. Sink plugged. Fifty-two
N • ',N... .
• ..ZIMENION.MIF
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:;* ,Ip*Ati • • •
Levelled by, a flu, attack
"First the good news — we haven't left port yet."
Being perfect becomes easier
climaxed by a station party
December 23.
Fifty new Canadian
families proudly opened
their ,first church in their
adoptedland at a special ser-
vice Friday night. The con-
gregation of the Christian
Reformed Church turned out
in full fdrce to mark the
completion of their house of
worship.
15 Years Ago
• The resignation of a police
constable from the Exeter
Police force over the
weekend sparked salary dis-
cussions Monday night at
council and resulted in pay
raises for the members of
the force. The constable who
gave his resignation was
also given a raise and decid-
ed to return to the force, The
average salary for a police
constable had been around
$3400 per year for a 48-hour
week.
The lives of an RCAF in-
structor and a student pilot
were endangered Saturday
afternoon when e bullet
passed through the body of a
Chipmunk aircraft flying in
the Dashwood area. The hole
in the aircraft was dis-
covered as soon as the two
officers returned to base.
10 Years Ago
Members of the Salvation
Army visited patients in
South Huron Hospital to
wish them a merry Christ-
mas and bring packages of
food and gifts.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur
Frayne, 251 Carling Street,
Mr. and Mrs. William
Musser, 354 Edward, and
Mr. and Mrs. Cal Wein, 236
Huron Street, East, were
picked as having the best
decorated homes in Exeter
for the Christmas season.
Each family won a turkey.
bucks. The Feds are after me for income tax errors.
Somebody stole my wallet. Two hundred. Storm windows
coming up. Over a thousand, and at the rate we're going,
it'll be April before they're on. Brickwork needs about
three hundred. Whole house needs painting, inside and out.
About two thousand.
Oil and gas bills going up. Corn on sole of right foot kill-
ing me. Telephone bills exorbitant, inflatin far ahead of
slary increase, Well, I don't have to fill in any more details.
We're all in the same leaky boat.
However, the only way to do it is a day at a time.
Tomorrow I'll be a day nearer the grave, but I'll have done
tremendous things; shaving my face, burshing my teeth,
going to work, marking some essays, sorting out a squabble
among my Grade 10's. The possibilities are limiteless.
55 Years Ago
About three o'clock Satur-
day morning, fire broke out
in the residence of Mr. and
Mrs. 'Bert Harness on
Williams Street and when
discovered it was a mass of
flames and beyond control.
The fire was discovered by
Dr. Gibson who smelled
smoke. Everything was
destroyed. On Saturday the
Soldier's. Aid presented Mr.
Farness with a cheque for
$100 and a subscription was
taken up amounting to $475,
The 14th of December was
a record day for Exeter, be-
ing the last day for tax
collections and $10,000 was
received. The bank staff was
swamped.
30 Years Ago
It was reported that Santa
would be touring the 'area
via plane and train this year.
Although unable to bring his
wife, reindeer, and helpers,
Santa told the T-A that he
was "bound and determined
to visit the children of South
Huron before Christma."
A capacity crowd in St.
James Church, Exeter,
acclaimed the talent of Lon-
don's all-girl choir under the
direction of Mr. Earl Terry.
Proximity, a trotter own-
ed by Clint Hodgins of
Clandeboye, was acclaimed
the harness horse of the
year. Mr. Hodgins, a top
driver on the harness racing
circuit, drove his horse to
most of her victories during
the year.
25 Years Ago
With the arrival of Santa
last Friday, R.C.A.F. ' Sta-
tion Centralia began aweek
of festive parties, Every sec-
tion on the station plans a
party of their own during the
week and the round of
merry-making will be