The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-05-27, Page 17GWench Signal -Star, Wednesday, May 27, 2003 - Page A17
Pfizer's free viagra giveaway gets a rise out of columnist
Pfizer Inc. has just announced it will
provide prescription drugs at no charge
to Americans who have been unemployed
since January 1 and using their product for
at least three months. Free drugs for the
jobless - an act of altruism rarely seen in
the massively profitable pharmaceutical
industry. It's estimated this magnanimous
gesture could cost the company $1 billion
in lost revenue.
Viagra, Pfizer's biggest selling drug is
included in the giveaway deal. Yes, the
prospects of America's unemployed just
took an unexpected rise. Yesterday you
got laid off and today you got... off with-
out paying for your meds.
If nothing else, Pfizer's generous offer
•
is certainly the most unique solu-
tion so far to getting us out of this
depression. Americans have tried
bailing their way out, spending
their way out and saving their way
out. Now with a little boost from
the world's largest manufacturer of
drugs, they're going to try to boink
their way out.
Apparently with huge increases
in alcohol sales, the Russians are attempt-
ing to drink their way out of this economic
mess. So a collaborative U.S./Russian ini-
tiative involving Viagra and vodka would
be the world's first attempt at financial re-
covery based on international debauchery.
Who knew Hugh Hefner could one day
Cops and Kids celebrates third year running
become Secretary General of the
United Nations?
One U.S. national news network
has been running a series of per-
sonal stories titled "The New Face
Of The Unemployed." After last
week's announcement by Pfizer,
I'm guessing the sequel will be
called: "The Smile On The Face
Of The Unemployed."
Do not bet against a television movie on
the subject called "Hard Times Indeed."
Remember those photos with the grim and
frightened looks on the faces of people
standing in soup lines during the Great
Depression of the 30s? Thanks to Pfizer,
not this time. Today's unemployed will
Denny Scott
signal -star staff
There's going to be something fishy going
on at the Falls Reserve Conservation Area on
May 30, and the OPP have their fingerprints
all over it.
The OPP will be hosting their annual Cops
and Kids fishing expedition at Falls Reserve in
Benmiller, giving children a chance to experi-
ence fishing with their local law enforcement
officers, and a chance for those officers to get
to know the children of the community.
The event runs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Fishing out of a stocked lake in the reserve,
kids will get the chance to experience fish-
ing in all its glory with provided water -safety
fishing -gear.
Board appoints
The Avon Maitland District School Board
announced today the appointment of Jodie
Baker as its new Superintendent of Educa-
tion. Jodie moves from her position as system
principal of program to fill the vacancy on the
Board's senior staff created by the departure
of Jim Sheppard.
Baker has been with Avon Maitland and its
predecessor Perth County Board of Educa-
tion for 18 years. Her first teaching assign-
ment was at Listowel Central Public School
where she taught Grade 4 and K-4 Phys Ed.
Moving on to Milverton Public School she
taught Grade 7-8 before accepting a teach-
ing position at South Huron District High
School. After seven successful years of teach-
ing secondary school, Baker was appointed
vice-principal at St. Marys' DCVI followed
by a four year placement as vice-principal at
Stratford Northwestern Secondary School.
Promoted to principal, she provided four years
of leadership at Mitchell District High School
before assuming her current role at the Educa-
tion
ducestion Centre in Seaforth.
Baker completed degree programs at the
universities of Waterloo, Western and Wind-
sor. She received her Master of Education
from the University of Westem Ontario.
A native of Stratford, Baker is a product
of the district's public system and graduated
from Stratfonl Central Secondary School. She
currently resides in Exeter with her husband
Bryan and her three children ages 11, 9, and
5. The Baker family is very active in the lo-
cal sports scene. Jodie's community volunteer
service includes her rule as umpire convener
for Exeter Minor Baseball.
Director of Education Chuck Reid said after
making the t; 'The appointment
of Jodie Baker as our new Superintendent of
Jason Moir, of the conservation area, ex-
plained that the police look after all the prepa-
rations and activities of the day.
"The kids get to join the OPP for a fun -filled
day of fishing, " he said.
Constable Joanna Van Mierlo explained that
this is the second year she has been involved,
and it was a great success last year.
"We had about 200 visitors, which includes
the adults that came. We had about 120 kids
by the end of the day," she explained.
Van Mierlo also said the event, in its third
year locally, is a free opportunity. Participants
get a meal, as well as the chance to see some
of the emergency equipment that is used in the
area
"We're going to have a fire truck, ourATVS,
and we'll try and bring over our boat if it is
not in the water. We'll have some cruisers
there too, but the focus is on fishing," she ex-
plained.
The police are asking that anyone interested
in attending caall to confirm to make sure
there is enough equipment and food on the
day of the event.
Camping is available for anyone interested
in staying either before or after the event. Any
questions regarding site availability can be
forwarded to Moir through the park at 519-
524-6429
Registration and questions can be directed
to Van Mierlo through the Huron County de-
tachment of the OPP at 519-524-8314.
new education superintendent
Education continues to illustrate the leadership
capacity in our system. Jodie will be a strong
addition to our senior team and a tremendous
asset to the students we serve in Huron and
Perth."
Following the announcement at the Board
Meeting of May 12, Baker commented:
"I, am very proud to be part of the Avon
Maitland District School Board and of the
work we do to support our students. It is an
honour to be selected for this position."
During the past year her role included being
the lead in Student Success, Specialist High
Skills Majors, and Coaching for Math — the
GAINS program. She left an indelible mark
on the community of West Perth during her
time as principal of MDHS. Under Baker's
leadership, the school quickly built upon its
reputation while expanding program opportu-
nities for students and enhancing community
partnerships.
Jodie Baker's appointment as Superinten-
dent of Education is effective August 1.
be remembered winking and nodding and
asking: "Was that good for you?"
Many unemployed Americans who
railed against the bailout of big banks will
now be referring to Pfizer's offer as "the
greatest stimulus package of them all."
Although it probably did not figure into
Pfizer's decision, the free Viagra program
could reduce gun violence. After all, Dick
Cheney is now unemployed. Keeping
Dick busy at home with the wife, could
dramatically reduce the number of law-
yers being shot on hunting expeditions in
America.
When they weren't cobbling together
See UNEMPLOYED, Page 19
44.
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