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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-12-13, Page 44 -TNI HURON !EXPOSITOR, Dicosb.r 13, 1005 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 TERRI-LYNN DALE - General Manager & Advertising Manager MARY MELLOR - Sales PAT ARMES - Office Manager DIANNE McGRATH - Subscriptions & Classifieds DAVE SCOTT - Editor GREGOR CAMPBELL • Reporter JOAN MELLEN - typesetter, proofreader BARB STOREY - distribution A Bowes Community Newspaper SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 28.00 a year, in odvonce, plus 1.96 G.S.T. sSE- 25.00 a year, in odvance, plus 1.75 G.S.T. Siodanch. Stratford oddresses: 28.00 a year, in advance, plus 7.28 postoge, plus 2.47 G.S.T Out -of Of -Area: 28.00 a year, in odvonce, plus 11.44 postoge, plus 2.76.G.S.T IDSA & Foreign: 28.00 ayeor in advance, plus 576.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Published weekly by Signal -Star Publishing at 100 Main St., Seaforth. Publication moil registration No. 0696 held at Seoforth, Ontario. Advertising is accepted on condition shot in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for of the applicable rote. In the event of o typogrophicol error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely on offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materiols used for reproduction purposes. Changes of address, orders for subscriptions and undeliv- erable copies are to be sent to The Huron Expositor. Wednesday, December 13, 1995 Editorial and Business Offices - 100 Main Street.,Seaforth ,Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspopers Association and the Ontario Press Council Editorial Save our library There are things we take for granted, things that take on more importance when we arc threatened with their loss. The latest item of great concern is the future of our local library. Seaforth has enjoyed the benefit of a public library for generations. Now we are faced with massive cutbacks from the provincial government which threatens the existence of all Huron County's libraries. What makes this situation all the more serious for Seaforth is that we're in the midst of completing a project initiated in flit; previous provincial government's term. Seaforth is committed to paying for one third of the approximate $400,000 renovation bill for the library, with the other two-thirds coming from the federal and provincial governments. Some may argue that hospitals and schools are more important than libraries. But knowledge is power and the library is the local source of information for all ages. It's also presently a free system. How do libraries compare to hospitals and health care? Isn't our health the most important thing? Yes, it is very import- ant and there are dozens of sources of information in our local library on health and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. There are thousands of books on thousands of different topics. For some people, this is their only affordable access to literature and invaluable research material. It's difficult to picture this community without a library. If the decision is made in the near future that a library cannot be sustained under the present system, hopefully something can be done to save our local branch and continue its operation. Maybe we will have to move towards more of an American system where wealthy families or companies cover the operational costs of some libraries, make regular donations for new books and act as a sponsor. Our library is a resource of information, the centre of self - education in the community. We need to keep it operating through whatever means possible and sec that it takes its place in its renovated home next year. - DWS Letters to the Editor Cuts on frills like education Dear editor, To all (especially Mr. Harris and Co.) Well, Mr. Harris has given us good news and had news. The bad news is that a broad spectrum of Ontarians will have to put up with some • drastic cutbacks. The good news is that there will be a reduction in Ontario Income Tax (guess which income lev- els will reap the biggest bene- fits), but we will still be able to get out of thc fiscal hole we arc currently occupying. I wonder who dug it so deep in the first place? Gov- ernment? Naw, couldn't be. To the low income seg- ment of the population, the good news is that they won't have to cat their tuna (or something of a similar texture but infinitely more disgusting) alone --the low middlc'and middle income groups will be joining them at the feast. Meanwhile, back at the trough, the MPPs arc sitting on a wee bit o' legislation that would double their salaries. That is to say, they arc sit- ting on it until they can find a spin doctor with the intellectu- al acuity of Einstein to find a manner of implementation that will not cause the citizenry to riot in the streets (1 know Cana' ans are too Placid to riot) mill burn political figures, presumably in effigy. They arc cutting govern- ment spending on frills like education, (Who needs it?, asks my kid), hospitals and infrastructure support to municipalities. They arc doing little or nothing to cut the real essentials --parliamentary perks and a pension plan that is at (cast twice as generous as anything found in the private sector. They say their cuts. will affect most Ontarians equally. This is semantically correct, however, the impact will he greatest on the lowest levels of income, i.e. low, low middle, and middle income earners who don't have private funds available to offset the effect of cuts. We could once again have the situation that has occurred repeatedly in times past; high- er level education will be most available to the financially comfortable so we will again start to develop attitudes of class distinction and elitism so prevalent throughout thc histo- ry of the current era --the rich get richer and the poor subsi- dize them. Why haven't strategics been put in place to draw more dollars from the upper income strata? Could it be that they contribute substantial sums to political parties and campaigns, as well as endors- ing lobbyists and lawyers to protect their interests? One thing is true and we must face it --drastic measures arc necessary to put our fiscal Continued on page 6 Opinion Ouch! - These changes hurt everybody "Money, it's a crime, share it fairly but don't take a slice of my pie." - from Pink Floyd's Money. In my limited time in com- munity newspapers I don't think I've ever seen such a depressing edition as our December 6 Expositor. From a news point of view, it was great. We had enough hard news stories for about four front pages. The only trouble was most of it was bad news. Last week's paper reminded me of the Saturday or Sunday Toronto Star where "no news is good news" and you wonder whether anything aside from murders, wars, napes, famines, airline disasters and more con- stitutional discussion, ever happens. It's not usually like that in community papers - at least not the majority of it. There were more than a dozen news stories or letters concerned with provincial cutbacks and their effects on just about everybody in last week's Expositor. Aside from that there were two stories of factories laying off workers - local workers in our readership area (and there's a Si. Mary's factory that recently shut -down which wasn't reported on last week). There were also two stories on feeding the hungry. One talked about local efforts to feed the Third World hungry but the same story also, men- tioned Canada's needy. The other was about local churches pooling together to start a food bank. For Huron County'? For Seaforth?? Wait a second. 1 thought I left all of this in Toronto - homeless, hungry,lnassive lay- offs, companies shutting down. Sorry, everybody's getting hit this time. It's right down to the grassroots. You could sec CHANGE written all over last week's paper. It's started. It's going to continue. For my generation, this might be our equivalent of the Depression or living through a war. (I hope it doesn't get that bad). Scott's Thoughts by Dave Scott If anything this whole climate of "economic restraint" is making us more • aware of everything we do and every- thing we buy. We tend to think recycling is a new concept. Anyone who lived through the depression can give you a lesson in re- using and recycling and not wasting a damn thing. It was a little different when saving a few dollars was a matter of survival. Maybe it's time to re-exam- inc our whole system. Are there better, easier, more effi- cient ways to run -'municipal- ities, hospitals, libraries, schools? Do we amalgamate neigh- bouring townships and towns? Will we lose our identity? Is cost-sharing and saving more important? Is it a matter of survival? Do we eliminate the two school boards and send all of our children to one school which offers a more diverse curriculum to satisfy everyone? Do we keep our libraries open'? Are we all responsible for creating a literate society for people of all ages? Does Huron County need more hospitals or less? What about 10-20 years from now when . the Baby Boom gene`• ation enters retirement and old age? They say Necessity is the Mother of Invention. Well, we sure could use a few Edisons right now. UNICEF cards benefit children in 144 countries Dear Editor, As thoughts of Christmas shopping an festivities begin to occupy wall, I would like to remind people to choose UNICEF cards this holiday season. UNICEF is renowned for its beautiful and extensive collection of cards, featuring many Canadian artists. We also have a terrific selection of gifts, including educational toys for children and hand- crafted items from Guatemala, Nepal and Bangladesh, just to name a few. It is so easy for each of us to help children around the world, simply by shopping UNICEF this year. For every dollar spent on a UNICEF purchasb, 50 "cents will help provide basic health cart, clean drinking water, safe sanitation, education and adequate nutrition to children and their families in 144 countries worldwide. Volunteers across Canada commit countless hours of their time during this busy season to promote and sell UNICEF products. I hope your readers will hake their own commitment to improving the lives of children by buying UNICEF cards and gifts. UNICEF card locations and free catalogues are available by calling (416) 366 -KIDS. Sincerely, Jacqui Hurd Marketing Program Chair GUESS WHO'S COMING TO TOWN? - Next week, the Huron Expositor will publish it's annual Christmas greetings section along with the regular paper. This special section will feature artwork, letters and writing from students at five area elementary schools. This drawing was done by Jamie Dale, a Grade 5 student at Seaforth Public School. Wisconsin balloons found near town FROM THE PAGES OF THE. HURON EXPOSITOR DECEMBER 20, 1895 HURON NOTES- William Elcoat, dne of the sturdy and progressive stock raisers of Tuckersmith, has just sold a fine young thoroughbred Durham bull, 13 months old, to Robert T. Dodds, of McKillop, at a big price. It is from Daisy, by Lord Lossie 4th, and is a promising animal. The Brussels Post says: Brussels inmates at the House of Refuge arc getting along very well. Mrs. Wallace is making herself very useful in the care ' of five dependent dwellers in the home, in the persons of Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Hays, Mrs. McGuire and the Zimmer sisters. Mrs. Lee has reduced her claim on the cor- poration, and now offers to accept $500 in full of the slander suit. She pours the tea in the women's dining room. The bell says, "Sarah Lee, come pour the tea." *** One afternoon last week Mr. Alex Stobie received and shipped from this station 2,300 pounds of dressed turkeys and 200 pounds of ducks. The shipment was consigned to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was, probably, the largest half -day's output of dressed fowl ever sent from Se,aforth. The price paid for the turkeys was six cents per pound. DECEMBER 17, 1920 THE COUNCIL - The reg- ular meeting of the town coun- cil was held in the Council In the Years Agone Chamber on Monday evening, with all the members present except Councillor Barber. On motion of J.W. Beattie and G.P. Cardno the report of the finance committee was adopted, and the following accounts ordered to be paid: W. Gillespie, salary, $64; Adam McKay, salary, $80; John Knight, salary, $65; J.A. Wilson, $75; A.W. Stobie, 540; Tuckersmith township for oil and barrels, 5290.35; Public Utility Commission, $54.17; GTR Crossing protection, $52.23; Kruse Bros., tile, $18.08; E.J. Box, street water- . ing, $42.50; H. Edge, $2.22; J.A. Stewart, $38.30; N.Cluff & Son, $20.58; Scott -Miller Coal Co., $143.49; Street Lighting, $1,57332. DECEMBER 21, 1945 A very enjoyable evening was spent in Winthrop hall on Tuesday, Dec. 1 l th when friends of Tpr. George Case gathered to give him a hearty welcome home after five years of active service overseas. Rev. W.J. Patton read the following address and the presentation of a gold pocket watch and chain and a signet ring was made by James Hogg and Arthur Alexander. * Mr. J.W. Ortwein, prominent Hensall resident and oldest citizen, will on Christmas Day observe his 96tH birthday and on New Year's Day Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Ortwcin will cel- ebrate their 54th wedding anniversary. The Scaforth Branch of the Canadian Legion held their annual meeting in Cardno's Hall on Friday evening with an unusually large attendance of members present. The following officers were elected for 1946: Past presi- dent, J.A. Muss; president, B.J. Duncan; 1st vice -pros., J.J. Holland; 2nd vice -pies., H. Finnigan; sec.-treas., T.D. Sills; pension officcr, R.S. Box; chaplain, Rcv. Capt. T.P. Hussey; assistant chaplain, Rcv. W.J. Patton; honorary chaplain, Rcv. E.W. f:dwards; Sergeant -at -arms, H.N. McLeod; chairman entertain- ment committee, J.L. Hotham; chairman membership commit- tee, A.Calder; chairman poppy committee, H.Free; chairman sick and visiting committee, J.M. McMillan. DECEMBER 17, 1970 Fifteen -year-old Mary Eliza- beth Ryan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zack Ryan, RR 5, Scuforth recently found three gas filled balloons which had been released from Racine, Wisconsin as part of an ele- mentary school Science experi- ment. Tied to the balloons was a postcard addressed to Van Ormond Franklin Elementary School, 1012 Center St. Racine, Wisconsin and a request to return the card. According (0 information on the back of the card, the red, white and blue balloons were released on December 3. Miss • Ryan found them tangled in a fence near their home on December 8. The balloons were stiff and in good shape and when they were taken into the warmth of the Ryan home they rose to the ceiling and stayed there most of the day. Racine is about 700 miles "as the crow flies" from Scaforth. The balloons, however, prob- ably travelled a much greater distance as they were blown along by the prevailing wester- ly winds. * * * The hospital Auxiliary has given Seaforth Community Hospital "the bird." The bird is thc nickname given to a respir- ator used for the administration of oxygen and anaesthetics at the hospital. Although the unit is portable it will be used mostly in the operating room. The respirator is valued at about $1,300 according to hospital administrator Gordon McKenzie. Dr. Fwd. Malkus was presented the new machine by auxiliary executive members Mrs Len Ford, Mrs. Gordon Beuttenmiller, Miss Alice Ried and Mrs. Orville Oke.