HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-12-09, Page 28Congratulations to Jan Collings of Hensall who is November's $500
Shopping Spree winner.
Come and cheer her on this Friday at 7 p.m. at Darlings.
Page 28
Times -Advocate, December 9, 1992
Give local
businesses
a chance
The following appeared as a letter
to the editor last December. We be-
lieve it is worth repeating.
The Editor,
1 think it is time that all citizens in
small Ontario towns directed their
minds to the dual issues of Cross
border shopping and the contribu-
tions made by OUT small town busi-
nessmen to our Communities.
The present recession in no way
can be compared to the 1982 or any
previous recession. Nor should we
blame-arvy-particular political party,
policy or government. The fact is,
many of the jobs lost, unlike 1982,
will 1101 return and the economic sit-
uation considering the municipal,
provincial and federal deficits is not
going to improve in the near future.
Ironically, living in a small coni-
munity we can and should help mat-
ters for ourselves. It is necessary
that we all attempt to shop in Exet-
er. Al one point there were 22
closed stores in our town. One must
realize that when a merchant goes
out of business and the store re-
mains vacant. the assessment on that
particular building reverts from
commercial to residential which re-
duces the mill rate by an amount in
excess of 55.00 a thousand, which
in tum increases the tax burden on
the remaining tax -pavers which are
mostly residential by at least
5500.(X) per closed store. This cost,
along with the further multiplying
effect of the unemployed staff,
creates a devastating effect on our
local economy
The funds spent in our community
subsidize our community. Realisti-
cally, when we shop we should first
attempt to purchase in Exeter. Sec-
ondly, we snould attempt to shop in
Huron County since the majority of
municipal taxes are expended on ed-
ucation and welfare. Thirdly, if we
cannot find an article in Exeter or
Huron County •we should still at-
tempt to shop in Ontario. Dollars
spent in the U.S.A. for the purchase
of American products ultimately
hurt us the most.
One might say, "Why do these fat
cat businessmen in our small town
need my support'?" To this 1 can
only say. because they support us!
Ringette, hockey and numerous
baseball teams are all sponsored by
local businessmen. In 1991 my
wife and myself were involved in
the Teddy Bear dream auction
which raised some 516,000.00 for
child abuse aid in the County of
Huron. Every merchant in this town
was approached for the.donation of
a gift responded positively although
I realize that many of them were
hurting because of the recession. All
the money raised for this project re-
mained within our county.
Our Exeter business association
has made Exeter one of the most ag-
gressive and auractive shopping
centres in the -arca. Many of these
people are integrally involved in our
service clubs. My children have par;
ticipated in various functions at the
youth centre built by the, Exeter Li-
ons Club. Our businessmen support
athletics at the high school and are
constantly being approached for do-
nations for other local organiza-
tions.
One of the maul -arguments 1 hear
witt.resct to..notshopptng locally_
is the entertainment effect of Lon -
donut the U.S.A. Ironically, studies
have shown that the cost of driving
into London and returning with re-
spect to your automobile alone is
approximately 515.00. Therefore,
on a 5100.00 purchase you already
have a 15% discount by shopping
locally. Many of our businessmen
have participated in the South Hu -
ion District High School athletic
project whereby they will give a
10% discount with the production of
the discount card. Therefore, while
using same we now have a 25% dis-
count by shopping locally.
It is interesting that the American
state and federal governments are
spending millions of dollars on ad-
veruserneuts which emphasize "Buy
U.S.A." and thousands of Canadians
are responding to the ad. It is esti-
mated so far this year that our bor-
der vommuruues have suffered a
loss of revenue in excess of 2 1f2
billion dollars as a net result of
cross border shopping. Many stud-
ies have shown the major savings on
U.S. purchases are for restaurant
food. liquor and gasoline. Granted,
we tax certain areas a lot higher
than the Americans, but we do not
lay off police forces, close schools
and allow the infra structure of our
towns and cities to completely -dete-
riorate. Likewise, our health system
is respected around the world,
whereas 40 million Americans do
not even hac s any form of health in-
surance.
Presently in Ontario there arc in
excess of one million people on wel-
fare. Times are very difficult but we
can all help by saying. "I'm going
to give a local , businessman a
chance." It is very simple, first at-
tempt to shop in Exeter. If you can't
find what you want then try other
local communities in Huron County.
Lastly. go into London or soma oth-
er Ontario city, but ..lets all try to
firstly look locally and help our-
selves.
Sinosrely.
K.1 McLaart
merry
%hilstmas
Gifting
begins with a visit to your friendly Exeter businesses.
They'll bend over backwards - to make sure Christmas
Shopping is as convenient and enjoyable for you as
possible
Exeter
Has it all
Selection
See why we're this area's shopping centre
Service
We do our best to please all our shoppers
011110
Convenience....
it's so easy to shop at home
,,Always free parking...
... why battle city traffic
0„,Longer hours
... most stores open until 9 p.m. for your convenience
,Attitude....
.., You know your business is always appreciated
Soo, Free Draw.... Dec. 17
... Where you can win one of 3 prizes of $1,000
in Exeter Bucks
1
Remember...
... the money you spend at home stays at home
This advertisement is presented on behalf of Exeter $IA's members
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