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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-09-13, Page 4Page 4 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."