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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-01-21, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, January 21, 1981 Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Imes - dvocate r .,.....—....Wan= WNW SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited LORNE EEDY, PUBLISHER Editor — Bill Batten Assistant Editor — Ross Hough Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett Composition Manager — Harry D.Vries Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Published Each Wednesday Morning Phone 235-1331 at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail RegistraHen Number 0316 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada 514.00 Per Year; USA $35.00 Amalgamated 1924 +CNA 0 Bite the bullet United Auto Workers in Canada and the U.S. have little alternative than to accept their part in the rescue operation of Chrysler Corp. Terming it "the worst economic settlement we've ever made," UAW president Douglas Fisher went on to explain that the only thing that could be worse was the alternativeand that was in having no jobs at all for Chrysler workers. The decision to make wage con- cessions to Chrysler was probably easy for 40,000 of the 104,000 workers affected. They were already laid off from their jobs with the troubled auto manufacturer. While it will be a few days yet before the future of Chrysler is decid- ed, the UAW have.taken an obviously necessary step in the bid to get further U.S. government loans to keep their jobs intact. Unfortunately, their plight has not served as an example to other labor groups who continue to make ex- cessive wage demands while at the same time watch their ranks being thinned through layoffs created in part by those demands. The UAW at Chrysler constitute only a part of the cost merry-go- rounds and there will be many others who will have to play their part if the company jobs are to be saved. It may be the start of slowing down 'the entire inflationary merry- go-round which has created a severe blow to the economy of North America and auto industry in par- ticular. Take notice Dog owners in McGillivray Township should sit up and take notice that it could now cost them a $300 fine if they are convicted of permitting their canines to run at large. It may just be the type of deterrent required to force pet owners into accep- ting their responsibilities, but the penalty does appear a bit excessive when it is noted that the $300 is the same as levied against impaired drivers in most area courts. But, similar to any other penalty, the amount is rather inconsequential unless there is an accompanying action to enforce the law. Until there is a con- viction and the new fine level imposed, McGillivray will probably find that their action is without results. Most other area municipalities will be watching with interest, because all share the same problem with dogs and the experience has been that few solutions have been found. McGillivray may also find that the new fine level will deter people from buying tags for their animals. After all, few dogs are worth $300 and not many people are going to tie some in- criminating evidence around their pet's neck. Consider their needs Society must learn to consider the needs of the disabled and handicapped when planning buildings, housing developments. or hiring employees, ac- cording to an article in the January issue of "The United Church Observer". An estimated one in every ten Canadians today has a mental or physical disability. Because of the dis- ibility. many of them have never been able to enter polling station to vote; many can make phone calls only from their homes. because the coin slots on pay phones are too high to reach from a wheelchair: special transportation to and from work may cost $10 a day; 90 percent of the country's 45,000 parplegics are unemployed although at least a third are employable; as children. they are often denied the education that is supposed to be the right of every Canadian child. The magazine's managing editor, James Taylor, writes that there is a growing militancy among the disabled. By SYD FLETCHER Sally was what the other boys called him. For most the name would have been called only once. In later years I remember a lad be- ing given a similar name -tag with the same implication. The boy who did the name- calling ended up with a broken nose Yet he did not seem to mind. and after awhile the name stuck and it seemed that only his teachers called him by his proper name. Instead of playing the ac- tive games that the other 1 They resent being portrayed as helpless by charitable institutions raising funds. Yet they are at least partly dependent on those agencies for sup- port. They want to be independent, but they know they can't do everything that other people can: "Wheelchairs can't go up stairs. The blind can't see; the deaf can't hear." Many disabled are finding that their biggest handicap is society's thoughtlessness. When buildings have doors that are unnecessarily heavy, when parks are designed with steps in the walkways, the disabled;arelforced to ask for help instead of being able to look after themselves. Taylor concludes: "Learning to con- sider the needs of the disabled in plan- ning buildings and programs may be in- convenient. Or even expensive. "But we need to learn, because none of us is more than temporarily able- bodied. At any time, an accident or il- lness could cause disability. Inevitably, old age will do the same." Perspectives boys inclined to, he perferred to skip rope with the girls. This in itself was not nut of the ordinary, but he developed a mincing gait and a gentle affected lisp that somehow labelled him as different. Despite the teasing. his effeminate ways became even more pronounced. Teachers are trained to recognize physical problems that might affect a child's progress. For example, a child who puts his head very close to the book or squints his eyes may have a vision defect. Often we pick up problems that parents are not aware of because the child is not put in a testing situation at home. Training to recognize emotional and personality problems is also given but teachers are a little more reluctant to press certain 1 issues because of their sen- sitivity. The above situation did not actually happen. However, if it had, can you see the predicament that the teacher is placed in? If the child has indeed a severe problem and the teacher is concerned enough to talk to the parents about it, then he faces the possibility of meeting some very angry people who don't want to know about any such thing. On the other hand, if the teacher lets the situation ride. he has to deal with his own conscience and the fact that early therapy might have helped clear up the situation. As a parent, I would hope that a teacher would have enough courage to come and face me with their opinion on the case. That's a part of the job. painful as it might be at the time. sS The answer won't be easy There's little doubt that the resigna- tion of Ian Smith has created an oppor- tune time 'to consider the needs of recreation in the area, but the question remains whether any new insight or agreements will be reached on how those needs are to be fulfulled. On the pessimistic side, it would appear that recreation is a subject that continues to plague elected officials as much as stray dogs and dusty roads. Everyone agrees there is a problem, but few have any concrete answers on how to resolve them. Complicating the situation is the ever- increasing Lost of operating recreational programs and facilities and the fact that participants in the overall picture can't be clearly defined when it comes to a matter of boun- daries. It's an ever-changing picture. On the other side of the ledger is the fact that some municipalities have been- able to reach satisfactory arrangements through negotiation with their neighbors and don't appear to have the ongoing problems which have plagued recreation and facilities in Ex- eter and the surrounding area for several years. So. once again, Exeter will attempt to confer with Usborne and Stephen in an attempt to reach some resolve on the structure, organization and respon- sibility of the South Huron rec centre and the local recreational program and other facilities. There are many inequities in the pre- sent setup, and while it may be im- possible to correct them entirely due to the many intangibles that creep into the picture, there is an obvious need to have some thoughtful discussion so the residents of all communities have their recreational needs met and so each Dt sedatir � S pays a proportion of the costs involved in meeting those needs as indicated by the number of participants from each municipality. • The problem, of course, is not only confined to Exeter, Stephen and Usborne. It is a matter of concern throughout the county between neighboring municipalities, and it doesn't even stop at county lines. Last year, for instance, Hensall's ;deficit on the operation of their parks board was . That encompasses jthe ar , rks and recreation programs. The contributionijrom the neighbor- ing municipalities was $3,875 and it is very dotidtful if that reflects accurately the cost incurred by the ratepayers of Hensall for the use made of their facilities and programs by non- residents. The same situation is faced by most municipalities which provide recrea- tion facilites or programs and surely there must be some formula that can be worked out to the mutual satisfac- tion of all concerned to make the cost more equitable. • The ideal solution is to make the operation of recreation facilities and programs self-sustaining. In theory • that sounds okay, but it is impractical to an extent. Users can logically argue that they should not have to bear the full costs any more than people who use the services of municipal roads, police or fire departments should be expected to pay the full shot. In addition, the cost of self-sustaining programs for some would make them prohibitive and would not only deprive residents of their benefit, but would force the Peering ahead into 1981 It's difficult to peer ahead into 1981 with wild enthusiasm. Unless you live in Alberta, where the taxes are low and the living is high. Inflation is almost guaranteed to in- crease from 10 to 15 per cent. Our Prime Minister, in his infinite wisdom, had some advice for poor people and pensioners who dread such a forecast. In effect, he said if they can't afford bread, let them eat cake. The last per- son who uttered those sentiments wound up with her head in a basket. Yes, Mr. Trudeau has much in common with Marie Antoinette, and is just about as close to his people. Peace and goodwill seem like a hopeless cause for the coming year. The Russians are still in Afghanistan, keeping the peace. The situation in Poland. as I write, is very dicy. The Middle East is on the verge of catching fire, literally and figuratively. There are wars and rumors of wars around the globe. And our country is not exactly in glowing health, politically, although that's nothing new. Barely has Rene Levesque had his ears pinned back when out of the West gallops, not young Lochinvar, but fairly serious threats of separation from Canada, air- ily dismissed by our P.M. as "hysteria." It's anything but. If everybody west of Ontario went along with It, The West would have one of the biggest countries in the world, with a small population. 1 great resources. And it's about time Ot- tawa, and Ontario, the fat cat of Canada since confederation, did more than pooh-pooh the idea. Meanwhile, let's get back to the trivia that is so much more important to the individual. It's still a gloomy out- look. Young people, unless they have a double income or inherited wealth, might as well forget about buying a house, with mortgage rates so high that even the Lord can smell something rotten in the state of our economy. Donald McEachen, a wealthy bachelor who happens to be Minister of Finance. is so eager to de -index our in- come tax that he's dancing about like a kid who has to go to the bathroom. If he were allowed to get away with it, no matter how hard you worked, or how bright you were, your income would melt like a snowball in you -know - where. Pollution and acid rain are attacking this beautiful country like the bubonic Plague. while government talks tough and does nothing, and industrialists, in sincere surprise, ask, "What pollution?" while our lakes are killed of fish. our soil is poisoned, and our health is threatened. These may seem pretty gloomy thoughts, but • there are even more horrible prospects for 1981. Every one of us is going to be one year older, and not one whit better. That may be all very well for a kid.of closure of some facilities or programs due to a lack of participation. However, making the programs self- sustaining by having the municipalities pick up the deficiency created in proportion to the number of par- ticipants from their respective ratepayers would make the situation more equitable. For discussion purposes, assume that the minor hockey and figure skating programs in Exeter, Huron Park, Zurich and Hensall are subsidized to the extent of $50 per youngster engaged in the programs for one year. Let each municipality pay that $50 in the form of a grant for each youngster involved from within its boundaries. The cost accounting required for such a proposal may not be as difficult as some would suspect and if every arena in the area came up with such a figure. an average should be attainable that would satisfy the need. It could be worked out similarly for other programs and facilities. • • • For several years, the provision of fire protection services was as conten- tious as recreation. Not until some municipalities started to get tough and threaten to withdraw those services did their neighbors recognize the need for mutual efforts and the record of the fire area boards has been excellent, and has made the situation more equitable in terms of costs and ser- vices. Perhaps the time has come for the same attitude to prevail in recreation. Why should the taxpayers of one mun- cipality be expected to subsidize the taxpayers of another? Perhaps it's time to get tough? 18 who wants to become 19 so he can drink legally. but for many of us, all it means is more aches and pains, new glasses. new teeth, and one step closer to the grave. Many of us will lose friends and relatives to that old Grim Reaper, and many will desert the sports page or the comics for the obituary columns. We'll probably have a dreadful winter. a late spring, a short wet, cool summer, and another lousy fall, like that of 1980. I can feel it in my bones, especially the middle toe -bone of my left foot. upon which I dropped the mickey. Unless the feds go on priming the pump with our taxes, gas and oil prices will soar, creating dreadful hardships, such as having to wear a sweater in the house. or walk to work. Now. everything I've said is true, and you know it. But I can just hear you saying: "What's wrong with Smiley? Who does he thing he is? Cassandra? He's getting into his dotage, and should be put away in an old people's home." And you'd be quite right. Nobody believed Cassandra either, and it was a good thing. If they'd believed her, the fall of Troy would never have taken place, the great Greek tragedians would have had no material, and in- stead of working like trojans, we'd probably be working for Trojans. But inside, I dont feel any of that [Mainstream Canada The Fragile Post Office By W. Roger Worth This is a story that may make the Guiness Book of Records. A man operating a small business in British Columbia recently received two pieces of damaged material through the mail. As a result, he filed a claim with post office officials seeking compensation for the insured articles. The posties prompliy re- jected the request, claiming the items in question were fragile. To most people, the word fragile probably means easily broken, frail, or delicate. The post office has a somewhat different definition. Roger Worth Is Director, Public Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The items in question That the poslies termed fragile? Two short pieces of pipe with a tensile strength of 42,000 pounds per square inch. The angry businessman eventually Threw up his hands and accepted the loss. In addi- tion, an unhappy customer was forced to wait for the pipe. If this was a single inci- dent, the story would be downright hilarious. But the 57,000 member Canadian Federation of Independent Business regularly receives similar complaints. While tales of postal work- ers tossing around customer packages are not new, it's dif- ficult to understand how material with a tensile strength of 42,000 pounds could be damaged. There is little wonder a lot of Canada's smaller firms land larger companies as well) have simply given up on the postal service and turned to other delivery systems. Surely it's time some com- mon sense prevailed among both workers and manage- ment in our fragile postal system. Even if it's only a redefinition of the word "fragile." Douan SEM High loan interest cost brings farm rebate offer By Donald J. Shaughnessy, CA There's a lot of spare cash waiting out there for farmers to pick up, and the sooner they do their home- work, the sooner it is theirs. Early in 1980, the Ontar- io Government promised to pay the difference in inter- est farmers were being charged for operating loans over 12 per cent and up to 15 per cent. Thus, if a farmer had to borrow 160,000 in August at an interest rate of 14.5 per cent, he would be entitled to a rebate calculat- ed the following way: 14.5 (the rate he paid) minus 12 (the level at which govern- ment help comes in), multi- plied by $60,000 (principal of the loan) divided by 12 Dollar Sense offers general financial advice by mem- bers of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. (representing the cost for one month only), for a rebate of 1125. If the money has cost him 15.5 per cent interest, he could only claim the diffe- rence between 12 per cent and 15 per cent because government assistance is cut off at this point, appar- ently to discourage farmers from borrowing money regardless of cost. There are a few criteria that must be met. First, assistance is available only for loans for operating purposes, not mortgages or the cost of borrowing money for such capital equipment as tractors. Second, the cost would have to be related to food production, not such crops as tobacco. Third, the rebate would apply to a limit of 175,000 of loans. Thus no farmer would be eligible for a rebate higher than would be eligible for a re- bate higher than 11687.50. Fourth, the farm's debt would have to be higher than 25 per cent of assets -- no problem at most farms where the usual ratio is 1:2. And fifth, the program would run only between April 1 and December 31. So why" start now,„before year end? Assuming you had oper- ating loans outstanding in each of those nine months, there is a substantial amount of bookwork that must be done by the lenders, mostly banks, certifying the loans out- standing month by month, and the rate of interest charged that month. This will put banks in farming areas under some pressure, so the earlier you are in line, the faster you'll get the rebate. And in a few cases where a farm's debt equity ratio is hovering at the 1:3 level, holding up a debt payment in the final days of the program might make a farmer eligible for assist- ance he might otherwise not get. Donald Shaughnessy is with Ward Mallette, Chartered Accountants in Cobourg. gloom and doom I've been spoutinngg. I feel like a boy. Rather an old boy, but a boy, nonetUteless. Despite our economic situation, high taxes, inflation on both port and starboard bows, war and violence our every- day diet, we'll survive, and probably have as good a year as we ever had. We still have one of the highest living standards In the world. We are still a rich county, comparatively. We still have a sturdily independent nation of individuals. Our Infla- tion rate is no worse than most countries, better than many. So, if you can't buy a house, as Trudeau would say, buy a condominium. If you can't afford the supermarket prices, get out and cultivate your own garden. If you can't afford gas, walk. If you can't afford fuel, drop dead. It'll be warm enough where .you go. When I think of what Canadian poineers faced, every new year. 1 just laugh at the whining of modern Canadians, one of the spoiledest nations in the world. Personally. I'm going to have a great 1981, even if I can't affordteeth and have to gum my grub, have to get around on cru,tches. And the same to you. Join the Be a nonsmoker National Non -Smoking Week D