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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-11-11, Page 1ESTABLISHED IN 1873 "THE SEPOY TOWN" ON THE HURON -BRUCE BOUNDARY 4 c / <57 OFA disappointed While welcoming the government Throne Speech's "commitment to develop innovative approaches to assisting Ontario farmers", the Ontario Federation of Agriculture is disappointed that there is absolutely no indication of what form those approaches might take. OFA president Brigid Pyke says, "At a time when farmers are undergoing dif- ficult economic times, we are very con- cerned that the government does not rank farm issues high enough to offer some ideas for an agricultural agenda." During the election campaign, the Liberals responded to an OFA election questionnaire with promises to look at the crop insurance program, price stabiliza- tion programs and farm financing re- quirements. There were also promises to introduce Right -to -Farm legislation this fall and to develop policy guidelines on foodland preservation and wetland conser- vation. Pyke says, "The Throne Speech does not mention any of these issues. Nor does it announce anything new." The OFA agrees with the provincial government's concerns about the failure of the federal government to deliver "a final text of the free trade agreement with the U.S. The OFA looks forward to the govern- ment's plan to "release detailed studies on the agreement's potential impact on selected Ontario industries." Pyke says, "We assume that one of these studies will look at the ramifications of the current deal for agriculture. We would like to see the government go further and make some commitment to adjustment assistance programs for economic sectors that will be adversely affected by the deal." The OFA welcomes government plans to increase support for municipal recycling programs, to preserve areas of outstan- ding environmental significance, and to in- crease the range of services for Ontario parents who require quality care fortheir children. The OFA will be presenting its annual brief to the provincial cabinet on December 10. At that time, the organiza- tion will be seeking specific commitments on agricultural issues. The true spirit is alive The Lucknow Christmas Fund is once again appealing to the community for gifts of food, money and new toys for those less fortunate. Last year,' you helped 25 families with approximately 70 .children, people on disability pensions and seniors who have no family support to have the best Chrsit- mas possible. Your generous donations proved, once again, that the true spirit of the season is alive and well in Lucknow. Early in the month of December, con- tainers for food and new toy'donations will be placed in Knechtel's Village Market. and Home Hardware. Please help make this Christmas a special one for those less fortunate than yourself. Cash donations may be sent to Marion McFarlane, Co-ordinator of the Christmas Fund, Box 75, Lucknow, 528-3227. Helping students Last week, the Huron County Board of Education kicked off its ADAPT Prograth - at F.E. Madill in Wingham and other area schools. ADAPT is an alcohol awarness program aimed at giving our young people the facts about driking, driving and ,drugs...in a way that hopefully will an im- pact on "young minds. By bringing a series of speakers into the schools to talk about their first hand ex- periences with drugs such as alcohol, the Board of Education hopes to give our students the tools with which they can make informed decisions about how alcohol and other drugs will effect their lives. In addition to reaching out to students, ADAPT also aims at informing parents of teenagers about the tell-tale signs of abuse they should learn to recognize. Things like not being afraid to confront a son or daughter about the problem, and taking positive steps to provide safe outlets and, taking away the pressure to- indulge in alcohol is the responsibility of the parents. These and many other tips to parents where pointed out in a factual manner last Wednesday evening at an ADAPT session held for parents in Wingham. For the students, ADAPT meant taking class time to listen to the often disturbing stories of people whose lives have been ef- fected by drinking and driving. One such person was Mrs. Pat Franks. Mrs. Franks, a- sincere and courageous woman, stood before the entire F.E. Madill student body and related a story that will certainly give the students something to think about. The story she told is worth repeating, in her own words.... "The song you just listened to (Eye of the Tiger), used to be the favorite song of a 16 year old boy I once knew. That boy is a ear old man now and we don't know if he i t song anymore because he can't tell us. He doesn't talk anymore. He doesn't walk anymore. He doesn't move anymore. He isn't living anymore, not the way he used to. He is not dead. He remains somewhere in between. He only exists. "Exist, by our dictionary, means to have reality or being; to occur or to be present; or, to continue being. "This young man "continues to be". He is a surviving victim of a car accident. I want to stress that survival does not always mean happiness. As a parent of a survivor, 1 have come here today to tell you our, story. "My `name is Pat Franks. Please bear with me for I am not a speaker. I am just a mother and a very emotional one at that. If you look closely in your home...you too will find one there.. My son, Tim, is the young man of 201 am reffering to." At this point in the presentation, Mrs. Franks presented her son Tim...the sur- viving victim confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. "Tim was 16 years old when he was in- volved in a car accident. He too was full of life and a handsome fella. He was a pretty good hockey player. He loved dirt bikes and he rode them hard and fast. He was Sisters Kim and Debbie Rintoul of the Lucknow 4-11 Calf Club were among the award recipients at the Huron County 4-11 Agricultural Awards Night, held in Clinton on Oc- tober 30. Debbie received awards as the highest standing beef club member in the county and Debbie had the Grand Champion Steer at the Seaforth Fair. (Shelley McPhee Haist photo) learn to ADAPT "Mr. Joe Cool". He had just had his driver's license for a few months but in his eyes, he was the safest driver of the year. "As you can see, he is not the vibrant young lad he used to be. He is not the same smirking young fela, holding a cigarette and looking .cool, like the boy in that pic- ture in the front hall. "Yousee, on the Labor Day Weekend of 1982, his luck ran out. It was not just the drinking. Yes, he had had a beer with a buddy but he also had a heavy foot. A com- bination of these two and the unknown end- ed in a tragic way. Tim came to a sudden stop, tangled in a row of trees, and he lost. "His -cast pace is now over. His days are long and empty now. Tim is a quadraplegic. He can do nothing for himself and that is not an understatement. He can't even scratch his nose if it is itchy. While all his friends are out playing sports or out in the work field, Tim's days consist of sitting in his chair hour after hour after hour, dayafter day. He is unable to com- municate in any way, or respond to his lov- ed ones. "The hardest thing of all is the fact that this was NEVER going to happen to Tim, so he thought. I came here today, because I want every one of you here in this auditorium to really look at Tim. Look at him closely. Picture yourself or a close friend of yours in his place. Yes, it could be you! Don't ever think it only happens to others and will never happen to 'you. That is a myth because I want you to know that was Tim Franks philosophy and here he sits today. • "The bottom line of all this is, please, don't drink and drive. Your parents don't enjoy constantly nagging you. They enjoy you and don't want to lose you. Think about that. "My advice would be to designate a driver each night you are out with friends. Or, if you see a buddy who has had "one too many", offer to drive him home. He will thank you later because he'll still be around. "The other alternative is to call your parents for a ride home. Beleive it or not, we are approachable. Even if it is four in the morning, we will likely be ticked off because we have been awakened, but we will gladly pick you up because we love you and want you around for Xnany years to come. "The next time you are with fiends hav- ing a. drink and a good time and then another drink, take a moment to picture Tim here today and for Tim's sake, but also for your own sake, don't drink and drive. "Thank you for listening to our story. It would be my wish today for you and your family that you have a safe and happy Life and never end up in a chair like Tim's." Did the story Mrs. Franks had to tell during the ADAPT Program have any af- fect on the students of F.E. Madill ? If you have any doubt, ask a student who was there. Questions and answers will help our young people adapt.