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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-12-13, Page 5By Jim Beckett Precious Blood has support School spirit is alive and well at Precious Blood in Exeter. The number of letters to the editor this week following a negative report on the condition of the school building in last week's T -A should be taken as a tribute to the school and in particular the work of custodian Brian Hodgins. Precious Blood suffered an uncomplimentary review after being inspected by a Public Institutions Inspection Panel. The inspections are carried out by the ministry of the Attorney General on a random selection basis. We can't imagine those on the committee putting on white gloves and going over the entire school in an effort to find are- as for improvement. Who could possibly understand why such a re- port would be released publicly when a properly placed phone call would have brought immediate improvements? The "unkept appearance" described by the inspection committee could be linked directly to the age of the buildings. A leaking soap dish in a washroom being included in the report could aptly be de- scribed as nit-picking. Those who rushed to the defense of their school this week have shown their disagreement with the report and with this newspaper for printing its contents. At the Times -Advocate we feel our obliga- tion is to print news of concern to our community whether good or bad. The report was bad news. The good news is the way the people who know the most about Precious Blood have rallied behind their school. All waitresses are not equal One of the toughest jobs I can think of is being a waitress. Putting on a smile and facing the umptet customer of the day can be dif- ficult at the best of times. It can b‘-dven harder this time of year as people arc in more of a hurry. Many expect and demand almost in- stant service. Waitresses can have more influence on your meal than the food or _ the atmosphere. An excellently prepared meal served by an unpleas- ant waitress will usually result in a lost customer for the restaurant. On the other hand, a friendly, hard-working waitress can transform a nothing special type of meal into a happy memory. The result can mean survival or failure for the restaurant and a difference of up to thousands of dollars per year in tips for the food servers. Last weekend I encountered levels of service and friendliness at opposite ends of the scale. Both waitresses did about the same amount of physical work. In each restaurant the food was both plen- tiful and well prepared. In fact, the meals (both breakfasts) were equal and the atmosphere in both establishments was what you would expect in an informal country setting. The only difference was the people who took our orders and served the food. I can't even make allowances for one being overworked as the place where service was superior was much busier. If the levels of service were being compared on television it could be done easily with a split screen. Obviously this is impossible in a column al- though I'm going to make an attempt. Waitress "A" • Let us sit over 20 minutes be- fore taking our order. • Placed food in front of us with- out speaking • Never returned with coffee refills • Let about 15 minutes go by af- ter we were finished before bringing our bill • Did say thank you after we paid Waitress "B" • Immediately directed us to a table and said she would be back shortly • Made pleasant small talk with both adults and children • Refilled coffees several times • Returned part-way through our meal to see if everything was alright • Constantly smiling and happy • Brought bill promptly Rating out of 10 1 Rating out of 10 10 Amount of tip 0 Amount of tip $2.00 Chances of us returning 10% Chances of returning 100% Both employees would probably be quite tired after serving their customers for several hours. They could have carried about the same amount of dishes, walked similar distances and worked equally hard. If each works at the same restaurant for a year the difference in at- titude could be critical. One business could very well be closed or under new management While the other one continues to be the envy of its competitors. The effort to smile is minimal. The result is cer- tainly worth a great deal. Back in time 10 years ago •The Huron County Board of Education were refusing to bus students to Hensall Public School even if the village annexed the part of Hay Township the children were currently living in. The board's refusal was considered to be playing a key role in whether or not Hensall went ahead with its annexation plans. 20 years ago •Minnie Noakes was claiming her defeated auemptat a comeback for the reeve's chair in Hensall was due to discrimination against women. She did, however, promise to try again. •Exeter council were warning snowmobile operators to smarten up, or face restrictions on the use of the machines in the town. Police Chief Tai Day was asked if he could lay charges for those being too noisy, but replied it would be difficult to enforce because snowmo- biles are normally noisy. 50 years ago 'The editorial page suggested the American entry into the war could not be far off. .The American taste for liberty was bound to provoke "Uncle Sam" into fighting for the countries that were being invaded by the Germans and the Russians. Of course, the Americans would not join the war for another two years. •Several Jehovah Witnesses were brought in for questioning and searched in Goderich on the complaints of some citizens. However, "nothing was found contravening the Defence of Canada Actor of- fensive to other religious bodies, as complained of, the authorities said." 100 years ago ."The council have passed a by-law prohibiting boys skating and running hand sleighs on the sidewalks. The Constable is on the watch and all boys caught violating this by -taw will be punished as the by- law directs." 'hue question is, were girls included in this bylaw? Ot is it still in effect, and could it be applied to skateboards? Christmas shopping slow Leaving it to the last minute? Times -Advocate, December 13, 1989 Page 5 By Adrian Harte EXETER - Forecasts of an eco- nomic slowdown have been in the news in the few weeks, but are those predictions making a dif- ference at Christmas cash regis- ters? Some local retailers see indi- cations a recession is on the horizon, others disagree and say Christmas spending is still strong. After Santa Claus has left his toys for the girls and boys, the adults exchange gifts that rank among life's little luxuries. If hard times were indeed on the horizon, wouldn't those luxuries be the first to go? But people are still buying jew- ellery as Christmas gifts, accord- ing to Mike Anstett at AnsteU's jewellers. High on many people's shopping lists this year are rings with col- oured stones, Italian crafted gold collars and anniversary bands. "If November's any indication, things look good," said Anstett. "We find people are looking at ex- pensive pieces." Not as many men take advan- tage of the Christmas season to propose marriage these days, but jewellery is still the number one romantic gift, although Anstett suggests most purchases are care- fully planned rather than the result of impulsive buying. Women are buying diamond rings for their husbands, and girls still favour heavy gold chains for their boyfriends - pendants or me- dallions are passe, however. Anstett says there is no shortage of money, even among the young- er crowd. "A lot of the teenagers are work- ing and they have the disposable income," he said, noting $200 pur- chases are common. Nevertheless, even when money is tight, Anstett says people still find the money to buy jewellery. "Christmas is Christmas," he said. "It's the biggest time of the year." Allen Brand at Allen's Fine Fur- niture isn't so optimistic. He points to the empty parking spaces on Main Street and says there is a definite lack of Christmas shop- pers. "I've never seen it so slow. I think the economy is taking a turn for the worse. I really do," said Brand. His five years of being in the business have shown him that fur - Music for Christmas - Bob Russell at Russell Electric knows that Christmas is high tide for sales of things electronic. Although this portable stereo is a high-end model with a price tag to match, he says• consumer interest in such items has never been better. niture is usually a popular Christ- mas. gift. Couples looking for a new living room suite or dining room ensemble often choose Christmas to make the purchase. This year, however, Brand says the purchases have mainly centred on chairs or other smaller items. "People just don't have as much disposable income," he said. Brand said he could only hope for the best and see if a last-minute buying rush was just around the corner. "Maybe people are leaving it longer and longer every year,' he said. Terry Heywood at Looking Good agreed that sales have been slow for December. She isn't sure if lfer customers are going to spend less. this year or if the buying season is off to a slow start. Many retailers in the clothing business are concerned Christmas 1989 is not going to live up to ex- pectations. Heywood noted many sales have been personal purchases and not gifts. "It hasn't started yet, put it that way," said Victoria Pfaff. Heywood, however, hasn't seen any shortage of money. Those who have been buying have spent plen- ty. Christmas is also the high point of the year for home electronics. Many stereos, CD players, VCRs and televisions find their way under Christmas trees. "It's been a really good year for television," said Bob Russell at Russell Electric. TVs have sold well all year, and he guesses many families are upgrading .their equip- ment to match the VCRs they have recently bought. They are looking for larger screens, stereo sound, and the opportunity to do away with cable converters. Customers are also in the market for new VCRs to replace older, more basic, models. "VCRs are always good at Christ- mas," said Russell, but noted many are opting for four -head machines with extra features like hi-fi sound. Microwave ovens are still a hot Yuletide gift, and "ghetto blaster" radios are still popular. If anything, consumers are more. quality conscious than in previous - years, said Russell. They are pre- pared to pay more for a recognized name -brand product with a good warranty. "We still sell the odd dishwash- er," he said. "I think this year will be all right," said Russell, but added he wouldn't speculate on what was in store for next year. He said many of his products have the 13 percent manufacturers tax on them, and the upcoming Goods and Services Tax should, in theory, reduce the price a bit. Most consumers, though, aren't likely aware of that, he said. "With all the predictions, and all the doom and gloom. 1'd say busi- • ness has been good." Hensall's GMH combats absenteeism HENSALL - Citing worker ab- senteeism as one of the problems troubling industry today, General Manufactured Housing once again rewarded its employees with the highest on-the-job percentages. At the annual Christmas party which marks the end of the manu- facturing season for the mobile home builder, the company hand- ed out cash awards of $300, $100, and $50 to employees with atten- dances of 100 percent, 99 and 98 percent, respectively. In addition a draw for holiday trips to St. Kitts, Puerto Plata, and Las Vegas was made based on at- tendance. Mike McGuigan, one of the 100 percent elite, won the expense - paid grand prize to St. Kitts. Other attendance prizes were Stephen reports another strong year for construction CREDITON -Stephen town- ship's chief building official has reported brisk business during the -month of November. Milton Dietrich told council at the December 5 meeting that building permits totalled $776,000 for the past month. A total of 150 permits have issued so far this year and the 1989 value of permits far exceeds last year. A public meeting will be ar- ranged to consider a zoning change application from Stephen Wilson on Concession 19. The re- quested change is from agricultu- ral to residential to allow the con- struction of a dwelling. January has been declared Cri- mestoppers month in the town- ship. A bylaw has been passed author- izing the formation of a Sesqui- centennial comrnitte. It is headed by co-chairmen Allan Waiper and Karen Tiernan. Council is making application for a PRIDE, project grant to be used for drains, roads, street lights, etc., in the police village of Ccn- Paig e. NEED A MORTGAGE? 1st, 2nd, Multi Family or Com- mercial, flexible terms, fast, confidential service, Call "The Mortgage Mart" London - 433-6666 1-800-265-1508 WE GET RESULTS! tralia. The municipality's insurance pro- • gram has been renewed for another year with Frank Cowan Insurance Brokers. The premium for 1990 will be $30,826. That's an increase of about $1,000 from a year ago. A letter from Jim Pollock, MPP for Hastings -Peterborough is being supported by council. It calls for action to stop the in- festation of zebra mussel in - the Great Lakes. Pollock's letter voices concern that this mussel if allowed to increase will clog water systems and could possibly move inland to smaller lakes by clinging to the bot- tom of boats. Passing of a bylaw concerning the purchase of land in the town- ship by the town of Exeter for use for an expanded cemetery has been delayed. - Council feels it is "not good plan- ning to establish the cemetery ex- tension in this middle of an existing parcel of land with only 90 feet re- maining between one side and that of remaining property owned by the vendor Dalton Finkbeiner. 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