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Times -Advocate, September 13, 1989
Times Established 18'1
Adsocate Established 1881
Amalgamated 1924
Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1S0
Second Class Mail Registration. Number 0386.
Phone 519-235-1331
ROSS HAUGH
Editor
eN A
BM BECKETT
Publisher 8 Adsertising Manager
HARRY DEVRIES DON SMITH.
Composition Manager Business Manager
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
Canada: $27.00 Per .year; U.S.A. $68.00
Serving South Huron, North Middlesex
& North Lambton Since 1873
Published by J.W. Eedy Publications Limited
Don't rehash, .recycle
xeter councillor Morley Hall
has good reason to be frustrat-
LJ ed by town council's failure to
climb aboard the recycling bandwagon.
Other communities in the immediate
area had been watching and waiting for
Exeter's initiative in the hope they could
join in and make it more cost effective.
That was a year ago. Today Hensall,
Zurich, and Usborne are already recy-
cling with the Bluewater Recycling As-
sociation and Exeter is still debating the
best route to go.
The blue box isn't the ultimate solution
to waste problems, but it is the one in use
today. It is the one that is being promot-
ed and subsidized by OMMRI: the soft
drink industry themselves.
Exeter should take another look at join-
ing the Bluewater group. It's an aggres-
sive organization that is getting the atten-
tion of government and industry because
it proves people in the smallest commu-
nities are committed to saving their envi-
ronment, even if it means taking a few
seconds every day to divide up their gar-
bage.
It might be cheaper to bury the town's
garbage in Hay Township and we all
know Exeter's landfill has plenty of fu-
ture capacity. 13ut that isn't the issue
here.
Recycling may only be a technology in
its infancy, but it has to make its start
somewhere. Municipalities must put
their weight behind it to show industry
that attitudes about waste, resources, and
the environment have to change.
By Adrian Harte
Fill the void
Grand Bend council has been
short one member for two
months, and appears to be in
no hurry to fill the empty seat. Their at-
tempt to find a new councillor has turned
into a soap opera.
The death of deputy reeve George Kad-
lecik early in July precipitated the vacan-
cy. Shortly after, councillor Bruce
Woodley was voted to fill the deputy
reeve's position, leaving one councillor's
chair empty.
At that point council had three options
as to how they were going to fill the va-
cant seat. The first was to appoint some-
one outright, the second was to select the
runner up from last November's election
and the third was to have another elect-
tion.
An advertisement in local papers asked
people to submit applications for the po-
sition. Council would either chose the
person they felt would do the best job or
exercise another option if the applicants
were not suitable.
Only two people submitted their names
for the job and council still can't de-
cide on what to do. -
Two meetings ago, councillor Shirley
Mitchell nominated former councillor
Marsha Lemon for the job, but did not
get a seconder fs - tl otiorr. - -
S''hrr'Iy ,iter that,. councillor John
McDowell nominated Kyle Harrison, the
only other person who had applied..He
Mitchell then accused McDowell of
having a conflict of interest becaalse..hic
,son worked for Harrison at the Barefoot
Pedlar. -
The whole prbcess of August 21 was
repeated at last Tuesday's meeting.
Mitchell nominated Lemon, McDowell
nominated Harrison and Woodley said
nothing.
Reeve Bob Sharen has said from the
start he does not want an election because
it would be too costly. In an effort to
avert this, he asked Woodley to assume
the reeve's chair so he could vote on
McDowell's recommendation, but the
vote was deadlocked with Mitchell and
Woodley voting against Harrison's nom-
ination.
That is the exact reason another coun-
cillor is desperately needed soon -to end
stalemates. Important issues have been
deadlocked with only four voting on the
issues. Another councillor would elimi-
nate this.
It is obvious that Mitchell won't back
down from her stand supporting Lemon
and Woodley does not want either nomi-
nee on council. When it was suggested at
the last meeting to, have an election, he
did not want that either.
Council has been under a great deal of
scrutiny lately. A petition has been circu-
lating, accusing the reeve of conflict of
interest and asking the ministry of mu-
nicipal affairs to conduct an inquiry into
council's actions. This has put a lot of
pressure on council to choose the right
person for the job and also created ani-
mosity and ill feelings among council
members.
At Woodley's urging, council met in-
furiitally Thursday in. aneffortto iron
out their differences and hopefully come
ith.a>_colttiinn_tn this_is► and avoid
an election. This e ort prove-Ct:o be-
fruiticss...Nothing. was--aorplislkcd arid
the bickering goes an with no end or so-
lution in sight.
But after a month of debate the stalling
must end. If council .can't make up its
mind, let the people decide... and soon.
By Wayne Proctor
In sick bay
This column will be our only-
contribution to this week's edi-
tion of the Times Advocate.
The reason for our inactivity is
a week off to try and recuperate
from a six-day stay at South Hu-
ron Hospital with an attack of
gallstones.
. One of the first things we wish
to straighten out are the often
heard remarks that the local hos-
pital is just a first aid station or
nursing home.
Certainly South Huron Hospi-
tal doesn't have the same facili-
ties to deal with serious cases as
the three hospitals in London
'—ve with their individual special-
ties for every medical problem.
But, and this is an important
but. We have something here at
South Huron that may be
matched, but cannot be surpassed
by their city counterparts and
that's patient care.
We can personally vouch for
the excellent attention given to
patients by South Huron nurses
and staff. They are completely
dedicated and give 110 percent in
making patients as comfortable as
possible.
In our case they were able to
deal so professionally and hu-
manely with a patient who had
pain killer injections every three
hours for a couple of days and
was "a little out of it."
To begin our hospital story, we
had severe abdominal pains for
almost 24 hours before giving in
to a visit to the emergency de -
From the
editor's disk
by
oss Haugh .!Ea
partment at -South Huron at 9:30
on the Sunday evening of the La-
bour Day weekend.
Hopes that we would be at-
tended to immediately were
quickly dashed when we found
five other persons waiting in line
to be treated for a variety of ail-
ments.
Here we heard ksomplaint
from one of those waiting, "I've
waited so long, it would have
been better to go to London in
the first place."
We doubt if that would have
been speedier. Over the past few
years, we have had family mem-
bers spend much longer time in
London hospital emergency de-
partments before being dealt
with. .
Our wait was ended shortly be-
fore midnight when we were dis-
patched to a room in the main
hall, 218 to be exact.
We vaguely remember being
moved sometime Monday to
room 106 in the former obstetrics
section of the hospital.
This seemed appropriate as we
have been told the only pains
worse than kidney or gallstones
are in having a baby. Besides,
we moved in on Labour Day and
had an ultrasound later in the af-
ternoon.
The only positive result from
our stay in the local hospital was
a weight loss of 12 pounds. You
sure can't hold your own on IV
and clear fluids. •
We would guess now is the
time to get back on a weight loss
program so when next January's
annual contest at the T -A rolls
around we won't need to partici-
pate.
In closing, we can only repeat
the good things we have to say
about the nursing gals. Thanks
gain. The same goes to Dr: Bill
Steciuk.
Thought of the Week: Only
kings, editors and people with
tapeworms have the right to use
the editorial "we".
A writer's ^,dyssey
"Is something troubling you,
Adrian?" asked the soft voice of
the MAC 9000 computer. "You
have not written anything in the
past three minutes."
"Sorry, Mac," I said. "I just
can't come up with an interesting
wrap to this story."
"The etc ry presently 314 -
words long with 23 paragraphs.
Is there a way I can help you?" _
came the voice from somewhere
behind the glow of the screen.
"I don't think so. There has to
-,' breathe some life into
this dull issue --just another item
costs money to keep water run-
ning downhill," replied the com-
puter.
"I disagree," I said.
"I understand," said Mac.
"While we are discussing your
old that
by
.mss Eistia�► ia►tc
ers are more likely to read an
item on a traffic fatality," said the
machine. .
"That's morbid," I retorted.
"That sells newspapers," said
the Mac. "If your story is no
more immediate than a sensation-
alized account of a municipal pro-
;�^t, 1- naay have to.,downgrade- it
to page 32, Adrian."
"Keep talkinn likc_.$har< 1 -
might just drop this mouse of
yours into this cup of cold cof-
fee," I threatened.
''It you do, Adnan, 1 will shut
about a drainage project." , r said Mac. -
'Isn't that unethical?" replied story, may I point out that in par- "What? Not the air -
the Mac...agraph four you used the word :conditioning," I pleaded.
"What do you mean?" 1 'disdainful' and my data shows "Yes, Adrian," said Mac.
snapped, more than a little of- 82 percent of your readers are "Why don't you finish the sto-
fcnded. unfamiliar with that wont." ry?"
"Are you not trying to sensa- "Let them use a dictionarKT-N "You're a mean machine,
tionalize a story you already de- gnrmbled. Mac," I said.
scribed as dull, Adrian?" Less than one percent are like- "The 9000 series were pro-
" n. 1 dr n't think so. - .t ,3ust,.., � 4 w.r., 4 -• id" by the Press Council to
like me to substitute another
want to liven it up so people will
waist to read it," I countered. word?" suggested Mac, ignoring
"Why should they read it, Adri- my growing hostility.
an?" asked Mac in that. infuriat- "Perhaps you should," I said,
ingly calm tone. giving in.
"It's a political issue, Mac. "Why spend so much time on a
Their tax dollars are being spent. minor political story, Adrian?"
The people have a right to asked the voice.
know." "As I said before, I believe the
"Don't they have a right not to people have a right to know, or
care, Adrian? Studies show peo- atleast a duty to know, Mac."-
ple don't want to be reminded it "My programming shows read -
make journalism quicker and
more reader -oriented. That is my
function."
"I remember the good old
1980s before computers talked,
Mac," I said softly.
"They must ha* been difficult
and undisciplined times, Adrian,"
said the monotone voice.
"But they were more fun," I
whispered. "And more hon-
est."
HAVE AN OPINION?
The Times -Advocate welcomes letters to the editor. They must be signed and should
be accompanied by a telephone number should we need to clarify any information.
The newspaper also reserves the right to edit letters.
Letters can be dropped off at the Times Advocate Office or mailed to:
'Exeter Times Advocate
.' Box 850, Exeter, Ontario
NOM 1S0
In sick bay
This column will be our only-
contribution to this week's edi-
tion of the Times Advocate.
The reason for our inactivity is
a week off to try and recuperate
from a six-day stay at South Hu-
ron Hospital with an attack of
gallstones.
. One of the first things we wish
to straighten out are the often
heard remarks that the local hos-
pital is just a first aid station or
nursing home.
Certainly South Huron Hospi-
tal doesn't have the same facili-
ties to deal with serious cases as
the three hospitals in London
'—ve with their individual special-
ties for every medical problem.
But, and this is an important
but. We have something here at
South Huron that may be
matched, but cannot be surpassed
by their city counterparts and
that's patient care.
We can personally vouch for
the excellent attention given to
patients by South Huron nurses
and staff. They are completely
dedicated and give 110 percent in
making patients as comfortable as
possible.
In our case they were able to
deal so professionally and hu-
manely with a patient who had
pain killer injections every three
hours for a couple of days and
was "a little out of it."
To begin our hospital story, we
had severe abdominal pains for
almost 24 hours before giving in
to a visit to the emergency de -
From the
editor's disk
by
oss Haugh .!Ea
partment at -South Huron at 9:30
on the Sunday evening of the La-
bour Day weekend.
Hopes that we would be at-
tended to immediately were
quickly dashed when we found
five other persons waiting in line
to be treated for a variety of ail-
ments.
Here we heard ksomplaint
from one of those waiting, "I've
waited so long, it would have
been better to go to London in
the first place."
We doubt if that would have
been speedier. Over the past few
years, we have had family mem-
bers spend much longer time in
London hospital emergency de-
partments before being dealt
with. .
Our wait was ended shortly be-
fore midnight when we were dis-
patched to a room in the main
hall, 218 to be exact.
We vaguely remember being
moved sometime Monday to
room 106 in the former obstetrics
section of the hospital.
This seemed appropriate as we
have been told the only pains
worse than kidney or gallstones
are in having a baby. Besides,
we moved in on Labour Day and
had an ultrasound later in the af-
ternoon.
The only positive result from
our stay in the local hospital was
a weight loss of 12 pounds. You
sure can't hold your own on IV
and clear fluids. •
We would guess now is the
time to get back on a weight loss
program so when next January's
annual contest at the T -A rolls
around we won't need to partici-
pate.
In closing, we can only repeat
the good things we have to say
about the nursing gals. Thanks
gain. The same goes to Dr: Bill
Steciuk.
Thought of the Week: Only
kings, editors and people with
tapeworms have the right to use
the editorial "we".
A writer's ^,dyssey
"Is something troubling you,
Adrian?" asked the soft voice of
the MAC 9000 computer. "You
have not written anything in the
past three minutes."
"Sorry, Mac," I said. "I just
can't come up with an interesting
wrap to this story."
"The etc ry presently 314 -
words long with 23 paragraphs.
Is there a way I can help you?" _
came the voice from somewhere
behind the glow of the screen.
"I don't think so. There has to
-,' breathe some life into
this dull issue --just another item
costs money to keep water run-
ning downhill," replied the com-
puter.
"I disagree," I said.
"I understand," said Mac.
"While we are discussing your
old that
by
.mss Eistia�► ia►tc
ers are more likely to read an
item on a traffic fatality," said the
machine. .
"That's morbid," I retorted.
"That sells newspapers," said
the Mac. "If your story is no
more immediate than a sensation-
alized account of a municipal pro-
;�^t, 1- naay have to.,downgrade- it
to page 32, Adrian."
"Keep talkinn likc_.$har< 1 -
might just drop this mouse of
yours into this cup of cold cof-
fee," I threatened.
''It you do, Adnan, 1 will shut
about a drainage project." , r said Mac. -
'Isn't that unethical?" replied story, may I point out that in par- "What? Not the air -
the Mac...agraph four you used the word :conditioning," I pleaded.
"What do you mean?" 1 'disdainful' and my data shows "Yes, Adrian," said Mac.
snapped, more than a little of- 82 percent of your readers are "Why don't you finish the sto-
fcnded. unfamiliar with that wont." ry?"
"Are you not trying to sensa- "Let them use a dictionarKT-N "You're a mean machine,
tionalize a story you already de- gnrmbled. Mac," I said.
scribed as dull, Adrian?" Less than one percent are like- "The 9000 series were pro-
" n. 1 dr n't think so. - .t ,3ust,.., � 4 w.r., 4 -• id" by the Press Council to
like me to substitute another
want to liven it up so people will
waist to read it," I countered. word?" suggested Mac, ignoring
"Why should they read it, Adri- my growing hostility.
an?" asked Mac in that. infuriat- "Perhaps you should," I said,
ingly calm tone. giving in.
"It's a political issue, Mac. "Why spend so much time on a
Their tax dollars are being spent. minor political story, Adrian?"
The people have a right to asked the voice.
know." "As I said before, I believe the
"Don't they have a right not to people have a right to know, or
care, Adrian? Studies show peo- atleast a duty to know, Mac."-
ple don't want to be reminded it "My programming shows read -
make journalism quicker and
more reader -oriented. That is my
function."
"I remember the good old
1980s before computers talked,
Mac," I said softly.
"They must ha* been difficult
and undisciplined times, Adrian,"
said the monotone voice.
"But they were more fun," I
whispered. "And more hon-
est."