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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-10-16, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, October 16, 1991 Publisher: Jim Beckett News Editor: Adrian Harte Business Manager: Don Smith Composition Manager: Deb Lord CCN* Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 5UBSDRIPTION RATES: CANADA Within 40 miles (65 km.) addressed to non letter canter addresses $30.00 plus $2.10 Q.S.T. Outisds 40 miles (65 km.) or any letter canter address $30.00 plus $30.00 postage (total $60.00) plus $4.20 Q.S.T. Outside Canada $66.00 E1)1.1.011 11, Now what are the issues? Now we have a better idea of which municipalities are go- ing to the polls this year, we must now ask the question why. The candidates, who we can expect to be travelling door to door in the towns, villages, and townships, should be pre- pared to answer direct questions about how they plan to lead their municipality if elected to a seat on council. In Exeter, for example, a candidate can be expected to answer questions on how he would respond to the pressures for future growth in the town, or to de- mands for better services for those who already reside there. Better yet, which comes first in priority? In Grand Bend, incumbent candidates face an unenviable challenge. There are those who believe council let devel- opers run unchecked all over the village in past years, even though developers insist council was an unnecessary hin- drance to free enterprise. Retailers de- mand more parking for summer visitors while senior residents would prefer a Berlin Wall around the village. Candidates in Zurich and Hensall might be asked how their councils are going to respond to a softening indus- trial sector and difficulties in filling va- cant store fronts. Stephen and Biddulph Townships have a few one -issue candidates. In Stephen a few are still steamed about the previ- ous council's decision to downgrade the Crediton Fire Hall. In Biddulph, some residents vow they won't forget council's plea to re -open a closed landfill site. With Blue Boxes nearly everywhere, it is possible environmental issues may no longer be of top priority, but then there are a few who say enough is not yet be- ing done. Can local municipalities do anything to relieve the backlog of spent tires? The important thing for voters to do is to choose an issue, formulate one ques- tion on that issue of concern; and when the candidates come knocking, ask it, each and every time. Try not to give hints on what you would like to hear. Compare their answers and remember which reflect your views, which have firm convictions but are not opinionated, which are open-minded but not easily swayed. Come November 12, vote accordingly. With voter turn out for municipal elec- tions averaging about 30 percent, re- member your vote is far more effective than you may think. A.D.H. Inside Room 1J1 Those of you who read this space regularly may be familiar with my affinity for George Or - well's 1984. I have always found his ominous message very appropriate to the ways in which government works today, as it did in 1948 when he wrote the novel. Orwell's portrayal of a world in which truth can be dis- torted by distorting our very words and thoughts has fascinat- ed more readers than just my- self. The images he created have a tendency to be indelibly Imprinted on one's memory. Everyone knows the meaning of Big Brother, Newspeak, and Thoughtcrime. And so as I wrote my weekly installments of Hold - That Thought over the past few months I became aware I was reaching one of those landmarks that tends to invoke a little Or- wellian anxiety. Last week's column was my hundredth, ac- cording to the number of com- puter files I had stored under the HIT prefix. I was considering a celebration of the achievement, but I began to wonder what was going to follow. What would I do for Hold That Thought #101? What is in Room 101? When you read 1984 you find out that Room 101 contains every per- son's worst nightmare. Could I really sustain the in- spiration which drove me far enough to write 100 columns under the persona of whoever it is who writes Hold That Thought? I say persona, be- cause most of you have likely realized I do write with a mostly contrived personality: a chance Hold that thought... By Adrian Harte to explore ideas and challenges the ordinary, everyday Adrian Harte might not normally con- sider. And I have some nice land in Florida to sell you. But along comes Room 101 and I look back over all the Hold That Thought files with all their eccentric, bizarre points of view. I have written about everything from centipedes to trolls, from achieving 29 -hour days (time -zones help) to when 1 become King. Of course, it was all meant to be bizarre. The very first Hold That Thought appeared 'in 1988 when I wrote what began as an editori- al, but became too personal. Few people realize newspapers are divided into fact, reasonable opinion, and personal subjectivi- ty. My editorial thus became a column. I wrote only eight more columns that year. but came up with 26 in 1989 be- cause Yvonne Reynolds and I began to alternate columns for this space. With Yvonne's su- perb wit on one side and Ross Haugh's outlook on the week's events on the other, I had to find my niche with something differ- ent, something bizarre, and so it was. For the longest while I never knew if anybody read it at all, but then strangers would repeat - to me things I'd long forgotten I had written. Some recognized me from the picture (there have been four). Others told me Hold That Thought was the first thing they read every week (these peo- ple need help, either for poor taste or excessive flattery). In mid-1990, I inherited this spot every week and so in- creased the pace towards #100. Rather than face Room 101 I even considered a complete change, dropping Hold That Thought and heading off in a new direction under a new title, something less passive, more dynamic and active. But I doubt anyone would have been fooled for long, least of all myself. And so I walk past my mile- stone, right through Room 101 and beyond. Hold That Thought will continue, for a while at least, my exploration of the weird, wild, and slightly irra- tional. Please enjoy the ride, I will. 4 "Men are never so likely to settle a question rightly as when they discuss it freely." ... Thomas Macauley Published Each Wednesday Morning at 424 Main St., Exeter, Ontario, NOM 158 by 1.W. Esdy Publication Ltd. Telephone 1419-2361331 5.1.T. 55105210531 ntrmrrn PROBABLY A CABINET APPOutTEE W1Td NIS PUTTS BONUS." Alex for bright ideas It was a quarter to ten on Sun- day night. I was getting ready to settle down for the news. I try not to miss the news. I must keep up to date with the latest scandals, especially those in- volving bumbling, incompetent, greedy, unethical, untruthful and crooked politicians. The twins were already in bed. And it was high time for Alex- ander to settle down, too. "Bedtime, Alexander! Good night, sleep tight." "Dad, I just remembered, I need the key to your office." "whyr, "I have to use your computer." "Number one: it's ten o'clock. Number two: why don't you use your own computer? Number three: what are you up to?" "Number one: It's only 9:47: Number two: I told you that my mouse is broken, and my printer doesn't work. Number three: I have to make a poster for the election." "What election?" "Student council. Tomorrow is nomination day, and I need a poster. It'll only take ten min- utes." Although Alex knows how to handle my computer as well as I do, I prefer to be present when he fiddles with it. I went to the office with him and watched over his shoulder. Would there be a politician in the family? We often think that the lowest rung on the political ladder is the school board and the local council. Not true. Polit- ical life starts at the elementary school student council. I was impressed with Alexan- der's slogan. "Alex for bright ideas". He even drew a light bulb on his poster and coloured it yellow. "What are some of your bright ideas?" I asked. "I'll worry about that tomor- row. First I've got to get nomi- nated." I think if he gets himself elect- ed, he'll have no trouble fitting in with the other politicians. As soon as he got off the bus Dear Sir: To the Blood Donors in Exeter and surrounding areas, the Ausa- ble River Nomads are asking for your help to increase the blood supply needed at the London Red Cross. This week in London blood supply was critically low and a emergency appeal for donations was announced. A special need for donations of A and 0 blood types is needed but all types are wel- comed. The camping club has a Blood on Monday, he came to my fice. "I got nominated." "Congratulations!" of- "But nobody will understand -Peter's Point • Peter Hesiel "When can I use your com- puter?" "You may use my computer tonight. What are you going to do now?" "Another poster. I need a bet- ter slogan. The other one stinks." „Why?„ "Number one: I can't think of any bright ideas. Number two: the slogan doesn't rhyme. Num- ber three: all the other candi• dates have better posters than me. I'll get creamed." At supper we all worked hard, trying to find words that rhyme with Alex. We went from balex to za lex. Zilch._ "What about using your real name: Alexander?" I suggest- ed. "It's too long, and nothing rhymes with it either," Alexan- der said. "Why did you have to give me a name that doesn't rhyme with anything? All the other candidates have regular names, and they're going to beat me because all the kids are going to remember their slo- gans." "For example?" "Don't be sorry - vote for Korry." "I'm so sorry your name ain't Korry." "Not funny." We went through the alpha- bet again. Bander, cander.... "I've got it," I said, "Get up your dander, vote for Alexan- der." "Dander isn't a word," Alex protested. "It is so." Letter to Editor it. Back to the drawing board. Dander, fander, flander, frander, gander... "Grander!" Alex shouted. "That's it! That's the word." We all put our heads together, trying to compose the perfect slogan. Modesty prevents me from telling you whose version was finally accepted, but I think it's a beauty" "Nothing could be grander than to vote for Alexander." Alex himself came up with the brilliant idea of copying his school photo onto the poster we finally produced. "Good. So you're all set. I wish you luck." It was bedtime again. "Dad, aren't you forgetting something?" "What?" "You promised to edit my speech. I've got to give my elec- tion speech tomorrow mom- ing." "I don't remember promising you anything." "Do you want me to win or do you want me to lose?" "All right, let me read your speech. It's getting late." "What do you mean, read? How can you read it? I haven't written it yet." How can I edit something that doesn't exist?" "It exists in my head. I thought you'd help mc put it down on paper." "That isn't called editing. That's called speech -writing. I'm not going to write your elec- tion speech for you. You sit down right now and compose your own speech. I'll go over it with you when you're done." I don't know whether the Guinness people have a catego- ry for election speeches. If they do, I think Alexander's might beat the record for the shortest speech in the history of politics. It wasn't bad, though. it just needed a little bit or organizing. The election is next Monday. I'll let you know what hap- pened. Blood donor c/lnlc coming Donor Clinic in Exeter on October 24 at the High School, 14, 5:30 - 8:30. There are many patients, friends and even neighbours in need of blood transfusions and with just a I few minutes of your time can re- sult in improved or increased life for others. A donor can give five times a year now every 70 days, also do- nors 67 years old who have donat- ed within the past two years may continue to donate until age 71. An ID is required for all new do- nors, donors new to arca, and do- nors who have not donated in the past two years. Feel good about yourself and come and give blood. Help the �campin club make this another ul blood donor clinic. Marie Brunzlow, Clinic Organizer. HAVE AN OPINION? The Times Advocate welcomes letters to the editor. They must be signed and should be accompanied by a telephone number and address 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 ISO 4 "Men are never so likely to settle a question rightly as when they discuss it freely." ... Thomas Macauley Published Each Wednesday Morning at 424 Main St., Exeter, Ontario, NOM 158 by 1.W. Esdy Publication Ltd. Telephone 1419-2361331 5.1.T. 55105210531 ntrmrrn PROBABLY A CABINET APPOutTEE W1Td NIS PUTTS BONUS." Alex for bright ideas It was a quarter to ten on Sun- day night. I was getting ready to settle down for the news. I try not to miss the news. I must keep up to date with the latest scandals, especially those in- volving bumbling, incompetent, greedy, unethical, untruthful and crooked politicians. The twins were already in bed. And it was high time for Alex- ander to settle down, too. "Bedtime, Alexander! Good night, sleep tight." "Dad, I just remembered, I need the key to your office." "whyr, "I have to use your computer." "Number one: it's ten o'clock. Number two: why don't you use your own computer? Number three: what are you up to?" "Number one: It's only 9:47: Number two: I told you that my mouse is broken, and my printer doesn't work. Number three: I have to make a poster for the election." "What election?" "Student council. Tomorrow is nomination day, and I need a poster. It'll only take ten min- utes." Although Alex knows how to handle my computer as well as I do, I prefer to be present when he fiddles with it. I went to the office with him and watched over his shoulder. Would there be a politician in the family? We often think that the lowest rung on the political ladder is the school board and the local council. Not true. Polit- ical life starts at the elementary school student council. I was impressed with Alexan- der's slogan. "Alex for bright ideas". He even drew a light bulb on his poster and coloured it yellow. "What are some of your bright ideas?" I asked. "I'll worry about that tomor- row. First I've got to get nomi- nated." I think if he gets himself elect- ed, he'll have no trouble fitting in with the other politicians. As soon as he got off the bus Dear Sir: To the Blood Donors in Exeter and surrounding areas, the Ausa- ble River Nomads are asking for your help to increase the blood supply needed at the London Red Cross. This week in London blood supply was critically low and a emergency appeal for donations was announced. A special need for donations of A and 0 blood types is needed but all types are wel- comed. The camping club has a Blood on Monday, he came to my fice. "I got nominated." "Congratulations!" of- "But nobody will understand -Peter's Point • Peter Hesiel "When can I use your com- puter?" "You may use my computer tonight. What are you going to do now?" "Another poster. I need a bet- ter slogan. The other one stinks." „Why?„ "Number one: I can't think of any bright ideas. Number two: the slogan doesn't rhyme. Num- ber three: all the other candi• dates have better posters than me. I'll get creamed." At supper we all worked hard, trying to find words that rhyme with Alex. We went from balex to za lex. Zilch._ "What about using your real name: Alexander?" I suggest- ed. "It's too long, and nothing rhymes with it either," Alexan- der said. "Why did you have to give me a name that doesn't rhyme with anything? All the other candidates have regular names, and they're going to beat me because all the kids are going to remember their slo- gans." "For example?" "Don't be sorry - vote for Korry." "I'm so sorry your name ain't Korry." "Not funny." We went through the alpha- bet again. Bander, cander.... "I've got it," I said, "Get up your dander, vote for Alexan- der." "Dander isn't a word," Alex protested. "It is so." Letter to Editor it. Back to the drawing board. Dander, fander, flander, frander, gander... "Grander!" Alex shouted. "That's it! That's the word." We all put our heads together, trying to compose the perfect slogan. Modesty prevents me from telling you whose version was finally accepted, but I think it's a beauty" "Nothing could be grander than to vote for Alexander." Alex himself came up with the brilliant idea of copying his school photo onto the poster we finally produced. "Good. So you're all set. I wish you luck." It was bedtime again. "Dad, aren't you forgetting something?" "What?" "You promised to edit my speech. I've got to give my elec- tion speech tomorrow mom- ing." "I don't remember promising you anything." "Do you want me to win or do you want me to lose?" "All right, let me read your speech. It's getting late." "What do you mean, read? How can you read it? I haven't written it yet." How can I edit something that doesn't exist?" "It exists in my head. I thought you'd help mc put it down on paper." "That isn't called editing. That's called speech -writing. I'm not going to write your elec- tion speech for you. You sit down right now and compose your own speech. I'll go over it with you when you're done." I don't know whether the Guinness people have a catego- ry for election speeches. If they do, I think Alexander's might beat the record for the shortest speech in the history of politics. It wasn't bad, though. it just needed a little bit or organizing. The election is next Monday. I'll let you know what hap- pened. Blood donor c/lnlc coming Donor Clinic in Exeter on October 24 at the High School, 14, 5:30 - 8:30. There are many patients, friends and even neighbours in need of blood transfusions and with just a I few minutes of your time can re- sult in improved or increased life for others. A donor can give five times a year now every 70 days, also do- nors 67 years old who have donat- ed within the past two years may continue to donate until age 71. An ID is required for all new do- nors, donors new to arca, and do- nors who have not donated in the past two years. Feel good about yourself and come and give blood. Help the �campin club make this another ul blood donor clinic. Marie Brunzlow, Clinic Organizer.