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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-12-16, Page 44 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 16, 1988 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Terri -Lynn Dale - General Manager/Ad Manager Scott Hilgendorff - Editor Gregor Campbell - Reporter Larry Dalrymple - Sales Pat Armes - Office Manager Dianne McGrath - Subscriptions/Classifieds A Bowes Publishers Community Newspaper SUBSCRIPTION RATES:LOCAL - 32.50 a year, in advance, plus 2.28 G.S.T. SENIORS: - 30.00 o year, in odvonce, plus 2.10 G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 28.44 a year in advance, plus S78.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt SUBSCRIPTION RATES Published weekly by Signal -Star Publishing at 100 Main St., Seaforth. Publication mail registration No. 0696 held at Seaforth, Ontario. Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonoble allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the babnce of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn o1 any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the bss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Changes of oddress, orders for subscriptions and • undeliverable copies are to be sent to The Huron Expositor. Wednesday, December 16, 1998 Editorial and Business Offices - 100 Mata attreef.,Eeafertlh Telephone (519) 527-0240 Pax (319) 527-21156 Mailing Address - P.O. ilex 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association and the Ontario Press Council Publication Mail Registration No. 07605 Strip search only a sign of the times A strip search of 19 Grade 9 gym students has lead to a teacher and vice principal at a Kingsville high school being suspended without pay for 10 days. Some will say they should be fired. Others have said they should be applauded for taking a stand against a theft of a student's money that lead to the search in the first place. The students were searched individually, some being made to remove their underwear for a more thorough check. In the search, $90 was recovered that a student reported stolen from the locker room. It's fair to question the merits of searching all the boys. It's not right to subject those in the class who wouldn't dare take another student's belongings to a potentially humiliating act. But this is just another sign of teachers whose backs are forced against a wall when it comes to disciplining or taking action against young people who are gradually getting out of control. It's not all of them. There's no need to paint everyone with the same brush. However, society (particularly special interest groups) has reached a point where it cries outrage if a heavy hand is taken against a young person who is encouraged to cry "abuse" and call children's hot-lines when a parent or teacher tries to use discipline to correct a problem. It's hard to deny that, without. the strap in school and fears to reprimand at home, there is a correlation between increased violence, drug activity and even weapons in our schools and a lack of respect and discipline in our youth. Children need to be protected but they also need to know right from wrong and be prepared for the consequences. Is what the teacher's did wrong? Almost completely. But there's little mention made of the child who stole the money. Some kind of action was needed to ensure that money was returned and that the thief did not get away with it, further encouraged that he would be protected by the system. STH How to access us Letters to the Editor and other submissions can be made to us by noon on Mondays at: hu ronexp @ odyssey.on.ca All letters and submissions Must be signed and accompanied by a day -time telephone number. All submissions are subjelbt to editing for both length and content. ,Don't forget to check out our r ' ' :eat: www.boweeuet.com/ Youth welcomed with kindness on arrival for Thailand exchange (Editor's note: the following letters were among several sent to The Huron Expositor from members of the Thailand Ontario Exchange. About 20 youth from across Canada and Thailand were partnered and spent approximately three months in the Seaforth area living with rural families. The second half of the World Youth Exchange program is being spent in Thailand.) On our first arrival in Thailand we immediately felt the kindness of Thai people. In the airport, we were welcomed by CDD members who offered us traditional flower neckless hand made by Thai women. u Letters We had an opening ceremony in Bangkok with Director General of the CDD and a Canadian Embassy representative. Then in Suphan Buri, we had a "province welcome." We finally got to the community in Samchuk were we had a huge reception. First we were welcomed with flower necklesses and music, surrounded by an incredible crowd of people with cameras. Then CDD officials spoke to welcome us. This was followed by traditional Thai dance. Then we were introduced to our host family and we all ate lunch together. It was a delicious meal accompanied by music and dance. After lunch, we travelled with our host parents to our respective village in the back of a decorated pick-up truck. Music was played by Thai musicians who followed us the whole way home. The first few days in the community were very special to the Canadians because everything is so different from what we are used to. Doing our laundry by hand, eating on the floor -or chasing the snakes and .�1 frogs from the toilet. All people in the village are really nice to us and they take care of our well-being. A policeman comes every day to make sure we are okay. The village Headman comes for visits as well and people invite us to their homes. After those first few days in Thailand, I think everybody agrees that Thailand is a warm country and truly is "the land of smiles." r ►�`rfY+ft4{Cy� �/ Denise Lemiuex and Tidarut Dongpang • V u 4344n#1bA Ceremony' gives thanks for water at someone's house. They love to have parties here. Every Thursday, we will be working in a variety of villages on development projects. Community members seem to be very active here and I think we can accomplish a lot. Amelia Kirk and AiN iwade Sitthikhankeaw Every Tuesday our group meets for regular educational activity days. During these days the participantswill learn more about their villages and study broader issues like development, health and women's roles in the community. Just recently, we participated in a festival called Loy Kratong. Before the celebration the village came together and made Kratongs from banana leaves, incense and flowers. After the beatity pageant, wonderful supper and lighting of fireworks, we floated our kratongs in the pool. This is an act of thanks for water. On November 25, we will take part in an educational day with the school. During this day we will share information about our Canadian phase with children in the school. The community members and our group will gather to honour the King's birthday on Dec. 5. We will all salute his image. Like in Canada, Thai people also celebrMte New Year's We will probably Piave a geltogethet Let's find a way- to enforce and educate riders To the Editor: We are writing to you concerning the proposed snowmobile ban in Seaforth. All snowmobiles are to pay licenses, trail permits and insurance the same as motorized vehicles. The taxes included with these costs help to support activities in our town too. We operate a farming and trucking business. Rural businesses such as these generate a lot of business in Seaforth. The snowmobile season is only about two to three months of the year. If our snowmobiling business is not required in this season, perhaps our business isn't required throughout the rest of the year. We have lots of choices in laking our business elsewhere. Not so long ago, the tura1 community was asked to support businesses in Seaforth. Now you are telling US that, if we conte into Seaforth on snowmobiles, our business is not wanted. Our daughters used to work at one of the town businesses that depends on new business created by snowmobiles. People would come into town, comment on our nice town and they would come hack as repeat customers throughout the year. Do we really want to discourage new and possibly repeat customers? These events also help bring people and their money into our town. As far as we know withholding taxes is an illegal act. Council should not bow to such threats. If these people want to pay the fines and interest charges for such an act, that is their 'choice. Instead of a total ban of snowmobiles, let's find a way to enforce and educate riders of the existing rules. Let's compromise to come to a solution for this problem. There are lots of courteous riders out there that just enjoy this activity. So as snowmobile enthusiasts, we would like the choice of coming into town to refuel and have something to eat on our way. Doug and Faye Upshall Harsh and bitter letters are saddening Dear Editor: In this season of "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men" it is saddening to read the harsh and bitter letters in the Expositor, about the snowmobile controversy. I've often heard that driving a car is a privilege, not a right. Surely the same must apply to snowmobiles. A motorcycle must have a licence to be ridden on the road. A bicycle doesn't need a licence, but it is not supposed to be ridden on the sidewalk. One right we do take for granted is the right to one's opinion. Another surely must be the right for small children to play safely in front of their homes. Another right is for a peaceful group to appear before town council to express their opinion, without being vilified in letters from those with opposing views. Talk of withholding taxes, and trying to alarm people by saying they will not be able to shop in Seaforth, is really puzzling. Those of us who do not own snowmobiles manage to get to the store. Does anyone really believe this could cause real hardship to our merchants? Perhaps a plebiscite would he an interesting solution. At least a dignified appearance before town council. Gord Churchward Good work on lighting' To The Editor: Congratulations to the Town of Seaforth. Your Christmas lights on Main St. are beautiful. There has been lots of planning and work put into it. It is the prettiest town I have seen this year. Keep up the good work. Faye Elliott Not everyone should be painted with same brush (The following letter was sent to Seaforth Town Council and copied to The Huron Expositor) Dear Council: 1 am writing this letter in regards to the issues presented to council about the snowmobile trail leading into and out of Seaforth and banning snowmobiles in the Town of Seaforth. My husband, Ron and 1 are avid snowmobilers and will leave our house at 48 Wilson Street on a weekend and stop over at various towns and villages for food, gas and lodging. We have continued this practice for the past eight to 10 years, with no complaints of noise from our neighbourhood. I know there are other snowmobiles coming into Seaforth from as far away as Walkerton, Sarnia and Clifford area's looking to gas their machines and also stop for a meal before heading back home. This brings extra business to the community that, without access to the town, would not be there. We realize there are some snowmobilers who are not abiding by the laws of the towns and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. 1t would be a shame to paint everyone with the same brush. If the trail and the laws are enforced, as the highway traffic act is, this may identify and punish the offenders. Have any charges ever been laid against a snowmobiler in the Town of Seaforth? We live approximately two blocks from the edge of town. Why should we have to load our machines on a trailer and transport them out of town to the trail? This will only present a second problem with parking our vehicle and trailer on the edge of the road which may create a problem on the road way. Mr. Mayor and council please do not make any rash decisions by banning snowmobiles prior to reviewing all the alternatives. Thank you for your time and understanding. Ron and Dorothea Williamson