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The Huron Expositor, 1997-10-29, Page 5"T7-7 7157511FT TMS 11t4MOM 10010111114011, Osteloor fM, 19117-4 We champion freedom of expression CONTINUED from page 4 venerable Dr., Hunter S. Thompson, who ran for sher- iff of Aspen, Colo. Excellent journalists all, no less so for their political involvement. Mailer and Breslin were destroyed at the polis and embarrassed. "The Doctor" lost but made a race of it. Levesque won, more than once. For the record, Scott hasn't covered council in Seaforth since he has been my editor, for the past three years. That's my beat. During that period I have also been the designated "hit - man" for any critical opin- ions expressed on the editori- al pages of this paper in con- nection with our locally elected representatives. At no time ever has an edi- tor ever told me how to think, what to say or how to write it. This situation will continue. Nothing has changed. Except any editorial direc- tion I may require or receive to do with this election in upcoming weeks will come from elsewhere in the chain, not my immediate editor. AMPLE RESOURCES In other words, Dave's out of the loop in this regard. I'm still the gunner, if need be, just maybe a little bit more so. But I'm not a loose can- non" and still am accountable in these matters, but not to Scott. The Huron Expositor, as now part of Bowes Publishing, in turn a part of Sun Media Corp. has more than ample resources to deal with any editorial contin- gency that might arise from this specific situation. By circulation we are the second-largest newspaper group in Canada. Coun. Robinet has a right to her opinions, as tong as they don't libel or slander anyone and we have room for them. This is a free country. And we champion freedom of expression. In that spirit, I question the wisdom and judgement of an acclaimed incumbent on Seaforth Council publically coming out in support of a particular candidate for mayor prior to the first time he has faced a vote for that position, using the argument that his challenger would be automatically compromised between what is private and what is privileged informa- tion. Pardon me? This is partisan, holier- than-thou, elitist, "political- ly -correct," mumbo -jumbo. Any "lapse" is on the other foot here, Coun. Robinet's. It is an indiscretion that trivializes one candidacy and opens an interesting kettle of fish. LET VOTERS DECIDE Are we to assume our incumbent candidate for mayor automatically stands on some higher moral ground on the issue of "private" ver- sus "privileged" information? When, in fact, in the mid- 1980s, he resigned from his councillor's position in Seaforth in the midst of con- troversy for keeping some- thing secret, many perceived as being against the "public" interest. It involved the move of Kilbarchan Nursing Home from Seaforth to Exeter. Big "news" at the time. "I know there was a lot of concern among council that he knew of the proposed move for some time and did not notify council," Alf Ross, this town's mayor was quoted as saying back then. 1 know our current chal- lenger for the town's top position, would have been much too much the gen,.. - man to dredge this all up. Me, I'm too much the reporter not to. Particularly since a person holding public office first mentioned it. Let's not tilt the playing field here, and let the voters decide on the relative merits of these two men as candi- dates for mayor this cam- paign without any meddling. And may the best man win. Too bad nobody's thought to organize a candidate's "debate" so we can see, hear and make up our own minds about our next mayor. P.S. More "true facts".... The McLean family bought what became this Seaforth paper off co-owners, editors and publishers George W. Ross and W.F. Luxton. Ross certainly was a successful politician. He became Sir George W., and was Premier of Ontario for 11 years. Luxton went west and found- ed the Winnipeg Free Press in 1872. That same year he was one of two candidates in the running for the first mayor of Winnipeg. He lost, 383 votes to 179, and after the election accused the win- ner of ballot -stuffing. There were more votes than eligible voters. Harris panel can come to SDHS and lock door prize at the international the $350,000 Bertelsmann Science and Engineering Prize for outstanding Fair; a Scarborough computer achievement". Is this Ontario team placed first in interna- system uncompetitive as tional competition; two Premier Harris would have Ottawa high schools won the you believe? 1997 Nortel Institute Teachers do not have the International Award for resources of a government to Excellence; the top four stu- buy television time and hire dents of 4,475 who wrote the spin doctors. Teachers are International '97 Chem exam willing to sacrifice and make were from Ontario high a stand for your children and schools, as were 20 of the top your grandchildren. We can 30. The elementary schools make a stand, your support of the Durham Board of will make the difference. Education were chosen in a rigorous global competition, just last year, as winners of Dear Editor: I am a teacher and tired of hearing that this withdrawal of service by teachers is about preparation time. It is about democracy! Yes, it is about who will control the education system. It is whether the elected Legislature of Ontario will control education or whether Premier Harris and a handful of hand picked friends behind closed doors will totally con- trol the education system. Their decisions will be issued and cannot be appealed. This is what Bill 160 is all about. An example of how Bill 160 will work. An appointed (by the premier alone) panel can come into Seaforth and lock the front door of the Seaforth High School and transfer all the students to the Clinton school. This is called a transfer not a school clos- ing. No appeal. Remember the hospital panel - they had an appeal process. I am tired of the govern- ment propaganda. First, there is the 120 per cent increase in education costs. This increase comes from a 16 per cent stu- dent population increase, a 22 per cent economic inflation costs and the remaining increase is due to provincial- ly mandated educational pro- grams. Then, Premier Harris said the province would fund education, next the province would fund this with property taxes but the province would set the taxes and pool this money so that assessment poor areas such as Huron County would be on an equal footing. And now it seems there will be no sharing of funds. It will just be set by the province rather than the local accessable boards. Ontario currently ranks, in per pupil funding, 49 out of 63 educational districts in Canada, United States and Mexico. Premier Harris is willing to buy support. He will spend $40 per child per day of local taxpayers' money. This works out to $7800 per year for each child. - over twice the current spending in Huron County schools. In Alberta, local school advisory councils are having to fund raise to buy text- books, desks, curriculum support material and science equipment. In international testing of students Ontario uses all their students, high ability, lower ability and new immigrant students. Many of the other countries choose only their top students. The next shoe to fall will be that Premier Harris will point to the results of last year's Grade 3 province wide test- ing as supporting him. These tests were based on a curricu- lum that had not as then been released. It subjected Grade 3 students to days of stress that they were not used to experi- encing. All these results can be totally misleading if one wishes to misuse them. A quote from Michele Landsberg column in the Sunday Toronto Star: "A Timmins student won first Citizens of Hullett Township We the council of Hullett will have many difficult decisions to make in the next three years. The most important issue we will have to deal with is restructuring and what form it may take. The other issue is downloading from the Province. For continued strong leadership in the next three years Re -Elect Tom Cunningham Reeve, Hullett Township 1 ask for your support Nov. 10 Sincerely, J.W. Teal! YOUR POTENTIAL RRSP TAX LIABILITY Are you an existing RRSP holder turning 69. 70 or 71 in 1997? Effective December 31. 1997. RRSP holders must convert their retirement savings into retirement income. ff you do not act before December 31st your RRSP will automatically wind up and you will pay tax on the Lump sum. possibly at your highest marginal rate. Do you have a retirement Income strategy in place? Please contact me today to address this Important matter. Helen He e on 887-9964 or 1.800-869-8922 Financial Planning Consultant" Associated Financial Planners Limited brussels.walton Alt/ ThAIIBLZERS Join the Early Bird Permit contest for a free draw! You could win an Arctic Cat 440 Jag if you buy before November 15/97. Trail permits available at: B&K Tire, Brodhagen; Vincent's, Seaforth; Middegaal's, Seaforth; Suny's Gas, Seaforth; U.A.P., Seaforth; Winthrop Store; McGavin's, Walton; Todd's Bakery, Brussels; John's Repair, Monkton; Go Co Service, Monkton; Faust Hardware, Mitchell and Mitchell Massage Therapy Clinic. S A . -T PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION •NOTICE• Due to the FLUSHING OF HYDRANTS • within the Town of Seaforth THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 3rd customers could experience some discoloured water. This will clear, but before doing laundry, PLEASE check to see that it is clear. If you have any questions, please call 527-0530 SEAFORTH GROCERY 23 Main St., Seaforth - 527-2044 FREE DELIVERY MON. to FRI.: OPEN 'THURS. & FRI. TILL 9 P.M. RED DELICIOUS APR= lb.69' RUTABAGAS lb..2 Aliens TETRA PACS 99° HALLOWE'EN CHIPS l•k4. of io $2.49 HABITAT SOUP $1.39 Every Wednesday is CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY Receive 5% DISCOUNT on regular priced items McLaughlin Chev-Olds Ltd. 13 Main St. Seaforth. 527-1140 'Service 'Selection 'Savings Satisfaction teasing • • = to BODY SHOP Service MASSAGE THERAPY BARBRA LUdOTT R.M.T. Registered Massage Therapist For an appointment Call 527-1242 Seaforth Chiropractic Clinic NOTICE OF VOTE Notice is hereby given to the municipal electors of the TOWNSHIP OF McKILLOP that in compliance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, a vote will be held for the office of Trustee for the Huron Perth Public School Board for the Electoral Division of Seaforth, Clinton, Bayfield, Blyth, Hullett, McKillop, Stanley and Tuckersmith. (1 to be elected) Advance Voting: Saturday, November 1, 1997 Voting Place will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the McKillop Township Garage, Winthrop. Regular Voting: Monday, November 10, 1997 Voting Place will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the McKillop Township Garage, Winthrop. Proxy Voting A certificate to vote by proxy may be obtained at the clerk's office during normal working hours or during the period from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 1997. The last day for making application is November 10, 1997, at 5:00 p.m. Marion McClure, Clerk 527-1916 Vote for my dad for Maor Zachary, 3 -and -a -half, and Thomas, 5 months DAVID SCOTT X • Looking at Seaforth's future from a young family's perspective and maintaining the traditions of quality small town life that our seniors and past generations built in Seaforth. • A fresh, enthusiastic voice for Seaforth council. Candidate Background: • Editor of Huron Expositor & past award winner for news, sports and column writing • Playwright (Blyth Festival 1997 - There's Nothing in the Papel) • Almost five years reporting news events of Huron County • Covering municipal beats (Seaforth council - 1993, 1994, Zurich council - 1995, Hensell Council - 1995, Mid -Huron Landfill - 1993-94 & 1996-97, plus County Council relief cover- age) • Familiar with Issues affecting community • Third year on Seaforth Centenalres executive • Member of Seaforth's Heritage Committee (to establish a museum in Seaforth) • Ghost writer for Brian Turnbull, Mayor of the City of Waterloo • Former daily production coordinator for CBC - Responsible for coordinating production requests of over 100 staff of Midday and The Journal and meeting daily deadlines • Degree from Ryerson in Radio & Television Arts - 1987 • Graduated with highest honours from Journalism correspon- dence course • SONS valedictorian, 1983 & 1984 • Branch 158 public speaking award winner, 1983 & 1984 • PAID ADVERTISEMENT'