HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-12-09, Page 4Page 4
Times -Advocate, December 9, 1992
Publisher: Jim Becket
News NdIlor:.Aditen Harts
Business Meritor: Don Smith
Compilation .1': Deb Lord
C
Pubboattons Meil Registration Number 0386
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Outs do aasads $68.00
11)1 ( 11.
UI program neededreform
mong the more contentious is-
sues raised by the federal government's
"mini -budget" released last week, is the
plan to toughen the requirements need-
ed to qualify for unemployment insu-
rance.
Many are complaining that employers
will now have an edge over employees
stuck in bad working situations, but
otherwise, one must wonder why some
of these reforms were not introduced
sooner.
The plan calls for denial of unemploy-
ment benefits to those who quit their
jobs without just cause. Exactly how
the government will define what consti-
tutes a good reason for leaving a job is
not clear, but indeed there must be
some leeway to allow for bad working
conditions, difficult working relation-
ships, and indeed to allow for ethical
conflicts between employer and em-
ployee.
We will no longer be eligible for ben-
efits if fired for misconduct. That par-
ticular clause is open to abuse. Law-
yers will inevitably get involved in
dismissal cases when an employee has
been denied benefits. This may pose a
further problem for employers consid-
ering firing negligent employees.
On the other hand, the fear of being
fired without a steady income to fall
back on is another sword the employer
can hold above the employee's head.
The province is understandably unhap-
py about the prospect of seeing Ottawa
cut back on unemployment benefits, po-
tentially swelling the welfare rolls that
are a provincial jurisdiction.
Despite these problems, the federal
proposal recognizes that unemployment
insurance is a safety net for those who
lose their jobs. It is not a way of life.
Any major employer can give instanc-
es of employees who hang on to a job
just long enough to qualify for .full UI
benefits before quitting. They always
seem to find a job just as the benefits
run out. There are those who make a
virtual career out of living on the unem-
ployment plan as much as possible.
These government proposals seem espe-
cially targeted at cutting down on that
abuse of the system.
But at the same time, cutbacks to un-
employment insurance shouldn't be
viewed by the government just as a
means of helping meet its budget. After
all, it is an insurance plan that all em-
ployees contribute to with each pay-
cheque.
A.D.H.
Where did you learn that?
"Stephanie, did you ever see
Mom or Dad to that?"
The girl was hammering the
kitchen table with the end of her
fork. There were mashed carrots
sucking to the prongs of the
fork, and little bits of mash
were flying all over the table.
"It's enough to make you stop
believing in role modelling,"
Elizabeth said. "Dad and I don't
punch holes in the table top.
Why don't you try to eat the
way we do?"
Ever since the kids were bom,
Elizabeth a:d I have been keen-
ly aware or our responsibility to
provide role models for our chil-
dren.
We've bent over backwards to
show them how things are done.
Take books, for example. We
read to them from the day they
came home from the hospital.
First those little cloth books for
infants, then sturdy baby books,
and eventually night time stories
of all kinds. The children have
their own bookcases in their
rooms, and we visit bookstores
and libraries regularly. Eliza-
beth and I read voraciously, all
the time, and the kids are sur-
rounded by books, magazines
and newspapers.
What's the end resit of this gi-
gantic literary effort? Three lit-
tle words: "Reading is boring!"
I'm exaggerating for effect.
They don't feel the way all the
time, but far too often.
Neither Elizabeth nor I slouch
when we sit at the table. We
don't kick each other under the
table. We don't call each other
insulting names (at least not at
dinner time), and we always say
Peter's
Point
•
Peter Hesael
"Alexander, pass the butter,
please!" or "Duncan, would you
please send the broccoli down
this way'?" And then we thank
the passer for doing the passing.
Thank you! What a difficult
pair of words! We must have
tried to teach them tens of thou-
sands of times - by example, by
begging and leading, by order-
ing and threatening, by denial
and by reward.
"How are you this morning,
Alex?"
"Fine."
"Fine what?"
"Fine day, fine weather, I dun -
no, what do you want me to
say?"
"For the six -hundred and sev-
enty-nine thousand, three -
hundred and twenty-eighth time:
Thank you!"
"What are you thanking me
for?"
Another problem area where
Lo t.. ' t•) 1.cli14,•
role modelling has totally failed
is the bathroom. Elizabeth and I
always close the toilet lid, al-
ways turn the sink faucet off, al-
ways leave the soap dish in good
order and the towel neatly folded
on its bracket, always turn the
light and the fan off. When the
toilet paper roll reaches its end,
we always install a new one and
never leave the holder empty.
After many years of providing
such consistent opportunities for
imitation, why is it that every
time I enter a bathroom after one
of the boys has just Left it, I find
tl:,; lid open, the water in the
sink running, the soap dish
messy, the towel in a heap on
the counter, the light on and the
fan running?
Once, just one in my life -
about two years ago - I made the
mistake of not taking my boots
off when I came into,the house
because the phone waringing. I
tracked some dirt over the hall
and kitchen floors. Stephanie
saw me do it and scolded me
about it.
Now every time Elizabeth or I
tell the kids to take their boots or
shoes off, they shout: "Dad
doesn't do it either!"
Please, somebody answer my
question: why is negative role
modelling always noticed, re-
membered and pointed out,
while positive role modelling is
always ignored and forgotten?
Kids, I hope you're reading
this! No fair!
Thaflk artkle
,Dear Mr. Harte:
I am writing to thank you for
your sensitive article on the con-
trol of head lice. The mestiago-ef
the need for parents and teachers
to know how to tvcognize, treat
and control pcdiculasis was clear.
4
It really does •
affect a lot of
in Hu-
ron cAtWy and
SS you state so
clearly it is no
laughing matter.
Sincerely
Diane Petrie
M:H.Sc.,
Director. Public Health Nursing
"Men are never so likely
to settle a (question Tightly
as when they discuss it
freely." _
... Thomas Macauley
Pnbnshed Each Wednesday Morning at 424 Main St,
Exeter, Ontario, NOM 156 by J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd.
Telephone 1.515.2351331
4.11.7. 111105210435
Dear Editor
Community spirit is alive and
well in Exeter! The Child Find Ce-
lebrity lunch is proof in itself.
On behalf of the Child Find (Hu-
ron County) Executive Members, I
would like to thank this communi-
ty for their very generous partici-
pation on November 27. As well, I
would like to give special a men-
tion to the Exeter Tithes Advocate.
Their support contributed greatly
Letter to Editor
Comniunity spirit in Exeter
to the success of this
event. From all
reports, partici-
pating restau-
rants, South
Huron District
High School, ce-
lebrities and the
customers thorough y enjoyed this
fundraiser.
Exeter's generous contribution of
$1503.19 is very much appreciated.
Letter to Editor
The total amount raised, county-
wide is $3515.28.
A missing child is everyone's re-
sponsibility. Child Find (Huron
county) sincerely thanks Exeter
and the surrounding area for their
support.
Yours very truly
Julianne M. Varley
Fundraising Co-ordinator
Child Find (Huron County)
Parade a success despite weather
Dear Editor:
Once more 1 am using this col-
umn to say "Thank You" to all of
the people who made this year's
Santa Claus Parade such a success
in spite of the horrible weather.
To all of you who turned out
with your floats - a very grateful
and thankful "Thanks", to all of
the bands who carne and played so
bravely, in spite of the bad condi-
tions, Thank you, and to all of you
who didn't show we will ask you
again next year - we understood!
To the Rec Centre staff, for your
cooperation and help, to Jane
Dearing and her girls, without you
the Skating Party would definitely
be a failure. Also to people like
Becker Farm Equipment who
changed their plans at the last min-
ute and entered a float when the
Band they were to haul decided not
to appear, to HMP and Bob Ha-
mather for their
time and help, a
simple thanks.
1 have some `� }
extra special
thanks to say to
Pepsi Cola Canada
for their donation of free pop for
the Skating Party and also for pick-
ing up the lab for the ice time. To
companies like McCann Construc-
tion and the T.A. for their cash do-
nations, it all makes my job a little
easier.
Lett(,r to Editor
And last but not least to the BIA,
without their financial assistance
there would not be a parade, and
honourable mention to my fellow
Lions, many who turned out to
help without being asked, thank
you.
To all of the spectators who
braved the elements, without you
there would be no need for a pa-
rade, thank you.
Enough is enough, I will close
and hope I have not missed saying
thanks and thanks again to any of
you.
Merry Christmas.
Don Haines,
Exeter Lions Club
Stable funding legislation
Dear Sir:
1 am a Canadian born and bred,
brought up in the belief of the
British tradition .of freedom and
democracy. A system in which a
citizen could freely pursue his
livelihood as long as it was done
by peaceful legitimate moans.
It therefore offends me to futd
that some groups :now intends .to
force me to pay a fee to them un-
der penalty of losing my rights as
a citizen of a formerly free socie-
ty. Such are the implications of
this so called Stable Funding Leg-
islation.
Whatever the end this
well meaning legislation ,
coercion is a means, is certainly
notjjustified.
-if, as is noted in Premier
letter of November 4. general farm
organizations provide "valuable
education and reslearch services
and policy advice that
benefit all pro-
ducers," then it
to me
that the funding
theyry111)
ould be df9rt -
coming from a
pThe erceptive and worthy tcd ein representsthat
our industry
all the above noted
regards, Flowers Canada, receives
its funding by voluntary means
from anappreciative' membership
as must be the case unless we are to
continue 'down the path described
by George
This area of Mersea Township is
an :intensely strong
*PT r . Y
are tomply unaware fthis Ig-
or of its implic tats.
is little doubt that the peo-
ple who have the most to gain by
this government intervention atp
the heads of the so called "accredit-
ed" organizations, the implications
here are interesting. From a practi-
cal perspective very interesting,
since, if distribution of the funds Is
to be equitable, choice on the part
of the farmers is hardly feasible,
since under free choice all tete
funds could go to one organization.
Therefore the government Al
have to exercise control in is re-
gard, and no other organization
need apply.
As a last resort then, to add some
semblance of fairness to this other-
wise high handed and divisive ef-
fort, rifer it to a committee and
then have the fanners vote.
Yours sincerely,
John H. Newland, Leamington