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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1985-10-09, Page 5Page 4 Times -Advocate, October 9, 1985 Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 imes Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario, NOM ISO Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386. Phone 519-235.1331 LORNE EEDY Publisher JIM BECKETT Advertising Manager 141KNA 881 BATTEN Editor HARRY DEVRIES Composition Manager ROSS HAUGH Assistant Editor DICK JONGKIND Business Manager SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada: $23.00 Per year; U.S.A. $60.00 C.W.N.A., O.C.N.A. CLASS 'A' Spills are costly Area farmers have been blamed for two serious pollution problems in the past month, one of which resulted in the death of thousands of fish in the Ausable River and the other making the waters at the Grand Bend beach unsafe for swimming. Both incidents obviously reached major proportions and created serious ramifications for a large number of people. The discharge of thepollutants was preventable and caused by a lack of proper care and handling of materials. A report this -summer on the water problems along Lake Huron in- dicated that farm pollution was one of the major factors contributing to the unsafe water quality and indicates that more than just a couple of farms are involved. While times .are tough out on the farm these days, it is obvious that the pollution problems can not be excused on those grounds, or in fact on any grounds. Farmers must come to grips with the reality that they have an obliga- tion to protect the environment of their neighbors in the widest sense and use the care and caution necessary to prevent wastes from entering drainage ditches and streams. The -direct costs through fines should be deterrent enough, but the greater cost to those harmed by the pollution should add to the obvious need for greater consideration in farm practices. Policy is needed Members of Exeter council had some penetrating questions to ask South Huron rec centre personnel last week when they learned about the maintenance problems being ex- perienced at the facility. There was no direct criticism, but the questions were pointed enought to indicate that some councillors were of the opinion the building problems should have been checked and repaired prior to them reaching the current situation. Some criticism may well be war- ranted, but as custodians of the old towne hall, council members in the past have also been negligent in keep- ing public premises up to proper standards. The point is not to divert - criticism, but to emphasize that public buildings often fail to get the regular inspection and maintenance required to keep them from the ravages of time. It is not a local phenomenon and most communities periodically face major expenditures bringing back up to standard their town halls, arenas and other public facilities that have been'allowed to fall into disrepair. Some of the current problems be- ing experienced at the rec centre can be blamed on faulty design and con- struction techniques, others on lack of periodic inspection and certainly some due to a tight budget that has made it difficult for the board to carry out some of the work that was required. It is apparent that the work now has to be done. While a Wintario grant may assist, the board ind councils must ensure that the balance of funds is provided to undertake any defect that could lead to more major problems. It is also imperative that a well defirted inspection program be carried out as often as necesary by qualified people through a job description re- quirement of a specific employee, not only for the rec centre, but all public buildings. Give it your best shot The nomination period for municipal and education posi- tions opens up in just over a week, signalling one of the most important tasks for area residents as they seek candidates to handle their community's af- fairs over the following three years. Three years is a significant period of time in the life of any community. Opportunities and advances undertaken in that period can pay dividends for years to come. while oppor- tunities missed through lack of direction can never be recovered: There is a false attitude in some communities that the task of seeking qualified represen- tatives to present their names in nomination is a task for the pre- sent elected officials. That's true to a point. but only in that those elected officials are also ratepayers and know the need to secure the best people possible to undertake the arduous task that will be required. Obviously, the responsibility rests equally with all ratepayers and those who fail to accept that challenge deserve the type of local government they receive from their own lack of initiative or consideration. it is apparent that there will be vacancies on many area councils and school boards, but the task should not be viewed solely as getting people to fill vacancies. in reality, every elected position is declared vacant and open for con- testing by anyone with a desire and willingness to fill it. There's little doubt that some area municipalities would be weakened by having some cur- rent officials retire or defeated, but there are just as obviously some whom it would be more ad- vantageous or the electorate to retire and r place with more con- scientious and capable people. Being satisified with the cur- rent representatives is understandable, but it is beyond comprehension when any com- munity allows its collective apathy to result in poor represen- tation being continued uncontested. Take a serious look at your cur- rent representatives. Do you think you could do a better job? ............................... . Batt'n Around ...with 1111114,The Editor Do you know of others who you think could do a better job? If the answer is yes in either instance, your next course of action should be clear! . . . While there may be some disagreement from current representatives, I'll offer the opi- nion that all elected bodies are usually served better with a few new faces each term. Obviously, it's not the face that is important, but rather the new ideas that are accompanied by it as well as the lack of knowledge of what has transpired in the past. To support the argument, one needs look no turther than some of the sitting members. Many of those arrived on the scene to pre- sent new courses or ideas to be followed and their communities have benefitted from it. Veterans often can't see the forest for the trees and get bogg- ed down on the mundane routine matters which each group faces. If they're lost in attempts to get new ideas going, they're prone to forget them entirely, while newcomers often reopen discus- sion on subjects whose time has come. It is often found that the veterans also have to explain situations to newcomers and in so doing often find that a new view- point can altar that situation for the better. Most teams benefit from the addition of a rookie who can in- stil a new sense of optimism and enthusiasm. it keeps the old guard on their toes and can add to their enjoyment of the job if they're willing to overlook a few rookie mistakes and realize that change can be for the better when given a chance. Prospective candidates can be assured of long hours and low pay. But those hours can be challenging and rewarding when put into the context of what you're trying to accomplish for the community you call home. The pay is measured in work- ing with other conscientious peo- ple in making that community a better place in which to live, work and play. There aren't many deductions on a pay cheque bas- ed on that high principle. a`a Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North .Lambton Since 1873 Published by 1.W. Eedy Publications limited • "It's finally happened — the country's been. rejossessed!" Not what they AH, summers -are not what they used to be, except for the young. They're not as long, not as hot, and not as mysterious. That's the story of our recent one, at least in my books. It was cool and wet, fine Oc- tober weather in July; not one night sweltering in bed, listening to the one mosquito that had penetrated the screen. In fact, even the bugs were hibernating: "Too cold for me , Mama. Too wet for me, Daddy." Only a few intrepid earwigs seemed to tough it out. Do you panic and start smashing and squashing when an earwig scampers across your bathtub? I do. August was even more of a disaster, at least for me. The toilet tank - on my downstairs Johnny burst one night after a fierce thunderstorm. I'd heard water running, but thought it was off the roof. Went downstairs and walked (in my slippers) into half an inch of water on the kitchen floor, a river running down the basement stairs, and, when I waded to the basement, two inches down there, with more pouring down every second. Started throwing towels all over the place. The water kept gushing out of the tank. Fiddle with it. It kept spurting through . the busted tank, like all elephant having a leak. Thank the Lord for plumbers, especially when they're old friends and good Anglicans. We got her stopped. That is, I dash- ed about in my sodden slippers, trying to keep it from flowing on- to the hardwood and under the rug, and Tom had enough sense to turn the water off, at some secretive tap in the basement, which i hadn't been able to find. Then came a man from the in- surance company, with a sixty - foot snake that sucked up all the water. Jolly good. But it was not td be. Next morning, my upstairs toilet overflowed and I went through the throwing -towels routine again. Oh, well, these things are sent to try us. I don't know for what. I don't want to be in charge of the towel -throwing department when the next Flood comes along. Meantime, I'm going to have an awesome plumber's bill. Summer, of course, was not all bad. Some old friends sought me out. I was invited to Victoria, B.C., the Ottawa Valley, to Goderich, Ont., by old airforce friend Anderson, to Georgetown for a meal any time, to the Bruce Peninsula, and so on. And I got gifts. Don McCuaig, an old newspaper friend, gave me a copy of Dieppe and Beyond by Sugar & Spice Dispensed by Smiley John Patrick Grogan .t Isn't that a lovely Ottawa Valley Irish name?) describing the life of a young Canadian captured at Dieppe, and his life as a P.O.W. it is a good book, and can be bought from Juniper Books, RR 2, Renfrew, Ont. Another old newspaper friend, George Cadogan, dropped around and I stuck him for lunch and a good reminisce. An old golfing buddy, Bruce Coran, turned up. hadn't seen him for twenty -odd years. He didn't bring me a present, but a memory. One time, he took four were swings with a 4 -wood and moved the ball forty yards. Then he calmly took his golf club, put his foot in the middle of the shalt, bent it double, and threw it into the woods, without altering his composure, except for the face turning purple. Back to gifts. My son, Hugh, brought me an eight -pound Arc- tic char (frozen, of course) from Baker Lake, N.W.T. Hugh was quite pleased with himself, but what does an aging widower do with a great, hairy eight -pound fish? We solved it by giving half to the neighbours, cooking up some steaks, and making a massive fish salad. It's delicious, just like salmon. Even Ben, my grandboy, left me a souvenir. Of course, he usually does. Last March Break, it was a rung kicked out of the bannister. This time, it was a baseball through a storm window and screen. And I received numerous gifts by mail: everything from being accused as a male chauvinist to an excellent writer: but I'll deal with these in another column. Another gift, as summer wan- ed t how does one wane?) was an evening with old student and comrade, Julie, home after a year in France, and .oh, so sophisticated. We split a bottle of wine (not chilled, as she scolded), she gave me good advice, and we parted with a hug and kiss. First time i've kissed a girl in a year or two. It wasn't had. in any way. The lady who keeps my house from looking like a hovel, Evelyn, keeps bringing me corn and tarts and muffins. Gerry, the young guy who keeps my place from looking like a jungle. kept it look- ing like a well-bred jungle. Not a bad summer? Except. Except, i got word that my little brother had died. 1'd thought of visiting him this fall, in England. Ton late. How frail man is Listening to the news stories about Mexico's earthquakes and Hurricane Gloria smashing against the east coast of the U.S. has made people much more con- scious of how frail man is in com- parison to the power of nature. A friend of mine got a personal glimpse of that power this summer. A couple of years ago he bought a cottage up near Lion's Head on the Bruce Peninsula. On the edge of his property is a nice little boathouse. A previous owner had devised a unique little railway track which led right down into the water. Unfortunately, over the years the wave action had deposited three or four feet of baseball -sized rocks over top of the track stopping my friend from using it for his little boat. One nice weekend in June this'` year he went at the rocks with a wheelbarrow and cleaned about a quarter of them away. Two weekends later he realized, that he needed some mechanical assistance and brought in a backhoe. That set him back about $150 but he figured that it was cheaper than renting a place at the public dock. We were up al the cottage on Labour Day weekend. As we came up along Georgian Bay the storm clouds were rolling in and so were the waves, big whitecaps that pounded the beach with an exciting roar. We thought it - would be an interesting night at the•cottage listening to the rush of water. watching the flames dance brightly in the big stone fireplace. As you might guess, my friend did not enjoy the night quite as much as we did. When we woke up the next morning the waves had calmed right down, lapping gently against the white shore, seeming to laugh at him .as he looked at a pile of rocks even higher than the one he had started out with at the first of the summer.