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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1985-10-16, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, October 16, 1985 Times Established 1871 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 imes - dvocate Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1S0 Second Class !Hail Registration Number 0386. Phone 519-235-1331 LORNE ROY Publisher PCNA BILI BATTEN Editor JIM BECKETT HARRY DEVRIES Advertising Manager Composition Manager ROSS HAUGH Assistant Editor DICK IONGKIND Business Manager SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada: $23.00 Per year; U.S.A. $60.00 C.W.N.A., O.C.N.A. CLASS 'A' Clouds waning It was previously suggested here that there were man-made storm clouds over Grand Bend with members of council and the Chamber of Commerce finding it difficult to work or debate constructively on pro- jects and ideas of mutual interest. Well, much of that antagonistic at- titude disappeared when members of the two .bodies met last week and no one needs to be reminded that much more was accomplished under the friendlier atmosphere that prevailed. There will always be divergent views on how to tackle issues and pro- motions in any communilYynd_pra:- = -bably- ineosso in a resort area where transient populations are more dif- ficult to define. Hopefully the cooperative attitude displayed by those who are interested in the future of the resort will pay dividends and foster more enthusiasm from others in the community who may have stepped to the sidelines rather than be involved in the previous bickering that was having a negative impact on the entire com- munity from within and without. Clearing the air, even when it may be somewhat unpleasant, often results in a more positive attitude and the short-term loss can often bring about more long-term 'gains,ihan otherwise -could -he expected. Now that relationships appear to be back on track, it should be full steam ahead. Costly proposal Members of Exeter council will have to look seriously at a proposal to purchase industrial land in view of the staggering costs which are now becoming evident. If industrial customers were guaranteed, then spending upwards of $750,000 on land purchase and servic- ing could obviously be justified. However, an expenditure of that nature on a spetulative basis is a far different situation. Granted, the outlay of funds would be spread over a period of years for the land purchase and the servicing costs would also be split into various stages. However, a sizeable expen- diture is required even to get services to the site for one customer. If industrial land was not available elsewhere the decision would be a little easier, perhaps, but there is a quantity of privately owned land available. It has been suggested that some of that land is too expensive for industrial customers but there have been problems verifying that. The need to do so becomes obviously clear as it is a prime consideration in the decision which council will make. The process undertaken to date in ascertaining land and servicing costs has been a good investment as it at';.' least gives officials a clear indication of what serviced industrial land is worth in the community. Much more difficult, of course, is determining what it is worth to the community to have ownership of in- dustrial land. However, there is very little doubt that it will take some very convincing arguments to back any proposal to set course on such an expensive and speculative plan. It is also clear that both sides of the argument should be presented for complete public debate before a deci- sion is made one way or the other. Price of outhouses jumps Usborne representative Brian flardeman may have been guilty of a great understatement when he noted this week that eroposed washrooms at the agricultural building at the community park are "iffy". The reason for his comment on the subject, which didn't spark any debate at the rec hoard meeting, was that a note on the agenda indicated the estimated cost of such a project was $38.500. While .an application for one- third of that amount has been made to Wintario, that assistance appears very doubtful at the pre- sent and still leaves a whopping figure for supporters to raise. Even the fact that local groups involved in Sportsfest have agreed to contribute almost $4,500 to the fund, that still leaves the project very much in the speculative position. i must admit that i find the e:,limated cost very staggering, given the fact one can look through the real estate adver- tisements in this newspaper and find there are numerous homes in the area being sold for prices below that of new washroom facilities. While tht! need for ‘sashroom facilities has been outlined, it ap- pears very doubtful that such an expenditure can be warranted in view of the limited use envision- ed by current activities at the community park. The interest on the principal would probably provide the necessary johnny-on-the-spots for special occasions, and while those one-holers appear to be a step backwards for today's socie- ty. it must be noted they did serve our forefathers very well. * * * * * * Before it is assumed that the writer grew up in the age of out- door privies, it should be pointed out that such facilities were already on the endangered species list and we had to travel some distance before being able to find one to tip over on I la I lowe'en. However, i must admit (or perhaps brag) that I was among Batt'n Around ...with The Editor the last owners of such a vista from an earlier era in Exeter. The residence i purchased on Sanders St. had one of the buildings still located out behind the barn and it eventually ended up being turned over to Dalton Finkbeiner and his cohorts when they opened up the first rodeo grounds in the area west of Exeter. My first recollection of outhouses was that garnered on periodic visits to an aunt and un- cle in the Walton area. Their facility was rather pretentious by some standards, being a two- holer. in retrospect by one accustom- ed to private use of a washroom facility, the need for two holes still manages to escape me. It may well have been the reason why family togetherness was more pronounced in a bygone era, but that does appear to be carrying the idea a little too far. That two-holer, of course, had its supply of Eatons and Simp- son's catalogues and no doubt many buying decisions (or at least dreams) were conjured when the weather was such that an extended sojourn could be enjoyed. * * * * * * * The amusing (to all but the vic- tim) story of our Sportsfest chair- man attempting to move a johnny-on-the-spot this summer while a lady was inside, no doubt sparked recall of some equally amusing anecdotes by our senior citizens who enjoyed wooden structures out beside the woodshed. More than one can probably recall tales of patrons being tip- ped over along with the privy on Hallowe'en. Perhaps less enter- taining from the standpoint of the perpetrators of such deeds was the story about the resident who moved his outhouse a few feet in anticipation of the annual visit from the tricksters and watched and listened with glee as' they sloshed their way through the pile of debris that had been left beneath the previous resting spot of the facility. However they too probably look aghast at the proposed price, given the fact it is about 10 times higher than that which they paid for their first farm or home just a few decades ago. Are we quickly approaching an age when only the wealthy will be able to enjoy the advantages of indoor plumbing? Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 Published by j.W. Eedy Publications Limited [WHAT'S THIS PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE IN RETALIATION FOR? i THE EXPECTED PLO ATTACK IN RETALIATION FOR THIS RAID MILLER SERVICES headers have Time some of my readers had a go at me: good, bad, or indif- ferent. To tell the truth, most of them are indifferent, but I still have hopes of building my fan mail from three or four a week to maybe ten. I'll just take them as I pick them off the pile. Way back, a chap called Jeff Elliott wrote to the Belle River North Essex News. It goes away back to a Father's Day column, written with tongue in cheek. I guess it was too far in for Mr. Elliott. Anyway, I'll quote bits: ".... ob- viously he is a chauvinistic fool." He goes on to say that without women in the labour force Toron- to would financilly collapse. So? Let it collapse. It wouldn't be the end of civilization, as we know it. He also accuses me of attacking the Queen and the family. I have never attacked the Queen in my life. Here's a cute little note from Mary Shantz (I think ), But i've lost the address: • "As a rule, man's a fool When it's hot, he wants it cool. When it's cool, he wants it hot, Always wanting what is not." I don't know what triggered that one but I agree, wholeheartedly. A !overly letter from Lilian Bumford of Sheffield, England, who reads me in the Georgetown independent, 'a senior citizen: "When I come at ,Christmas, come to dinner and I'll get Pat to make you a Yorkshire Pudd." Bless you, Lilian..I presume Pat is your daughter. Maybe i should check with her. Can we have Brussell Sprouts? Here's another lady so mad she didn't even sign her name, just "i am an insulted reader." Ap- parently i had made some remarks about today's loose morals. Her letter is long and in- dignant, but I'll quote just a bit: "Maybe there were a few who in- dulged in pre -marital sex. BUT the girls in those days had the strength of character to say NO to the boyfriends and mean it." You're right, lady. They not only had strength of character, but they could almost break your wrist before dropping it back in your lap. Here's a nice change. It's sign- ed: "Gentle reader", 'Stonewall, Manitoba. He (or she) wants me to stir things up. Again, it's a long letter, but thoughful and in- telligent: "Why aren't young childreh still taught at an early age the precepts and homilies we were taught... if good, like evil, grows with a small first step shouldn't our children be Sugar & Spice Dispensed by Smiley presented with small and gentle choices early in their schooling? Is there any reason why this is avoided in our schools?" And a little further on: "is there some reason why this is so carefully avoided in our schools?" No wonder you didn't sign the letter, Jack. You sound like that idiot in Alberta. In the first place, it is not the job of the teacher to teach morals. He/she teaches a subject and at the same time tries to pass along a certain standard of ethics, decent manners and how to avoid stinking in public. Morals are for parents. And they. being what they are, are noticeably lacking in training. Don't lay it on the teachers. And whose morals are we discussing? Maybe mine aren't so great; but they're mine, not somebody else's. And the kids know it. i never tried to impose some "morals" belonging to so- meone else. a go Enough. I could go on about that for hours. Here's a sweet let- ter from Ingrid Bassett of Georgetown who assures me that they have none of that new- fangled stuff - ( videos, microwaves, etc.) and has asked me for dinner or breakfast or lunch: "Your thoughts are echoes. Life is so simple, yet so complicated. I used to work for Peter Newman, but your philosophy is simple." Well, thanks a lot, Ingrid. Here's another one from Bob Love, Clive, Alta. He lost his wife, too, and urges me to marry again, as he had, and have a hap- py life. Bless you, Bob, and may you be happy. I couldn't. You've earned it, with all those tough years farming. And another from Bill Baird, Petersfield, Man. He's 78. "A good column is next to a good editorial. Sure, there's lots of news columns. We read, or let them go by. Facts have an uncan- ny way of being wrong a couple of years later... At 78 I feel i've been through- it all.... from bush clearing, the horse age, hundreds of good beef cattle, then dairy cattle." Good health, Bill. Sweetest letter of all came from 'the Amhersthurg Echo, signed by Andres D'Angelo (reporter, 27 years old) and Anne Eldracher (secretary, 19 years old ). It was so nice that I can't quote it or I'd go all red. In short, it accused nye of having morals and principles. Such an accusa- tion makes me break out in bumps. Thanks, kids. And the most frightening missive of the past few months has been one from my daughter. Get this: "N_ikov said he necked with a girl before leaving Bracebridge. Not just a good- night kiss, but an actual necking session! if he's doing that at 11..." Well, it's better than dope. i guess. The only reason i didn't do it was that i didn't have the nerve. Alone -with suffering . The following conversation was overheard spoken by the pro- ducer of a national news broad- casting team at the scene of an explosion in Ireland. All right, (to the newsman ) stand over here. That's right. Get a little closer to the car that's just been blown up. i need to get a lit- tle smoke into the picture. 0.14. Now ask the fellow that's just lost his children how he feels about the i1{A, how he's feeling inside right now. (To the photographer) Get in a little closer. i think this guy might even shed a tear or two. (To the newsman ) Make sure you mention the statistics.That's twenty dead for the iHA this week and only twelve for the British. ()h tell them that there were four women and five children killed in this attack. That should he good for a few more points in the ratings. Now if we could only get a few shots of the armoured cars patrolling this area we would have a wrap-up of the whole situation. Of course i never heard such a conversation but sometimes 1 wonder if it is not the goal of these By the Way by Syr! Fletc her fellows to exploit violence and suffering for their own ends. The other night i was watching the news about the Mexicali earth- quake. There was a close-up shot of a woman who had been pulled from the wreckage after being buried for six days. She was cry- ing and had apparently not stop- ped weeping for two si)lid.days over the loss of her newborn child. A normal reaction on her part`' llndouhtedly. A normal reaction on the part of the news team? Not likely! They had no business whatsoever being inside that hospital filming that woman's suffering. it's gar- bage like that that snakes the whole news media lose its credibility. i would hope that we, as c'once'rned citizens, would voice our disgust to our local sta- tions about this type of broad- casting and if that gets no reac- tion. write to the sponsors of the commercials at that time of the night and tell them that you would like to see more respon- sibility being taken by the news media. more care taken about their intrusion into the private lives of people who wish to he alone with their suffering.