HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-01-06, Page 5Page 4
TIntee-Advoeette, January 6, 1993
fillm Beckett
APIews or: Adrian Harte
'8uoinviaW' er: Don Smith
Compxtltion MYla;:Deb lend
eitehbe-e oaths
.T.
OJU Iden SiiiI.s (aS N oairter ries
-
*27O4. 4,11lsis&T.
4%
IP
arrears a grim reminder
lerhaps it isn't all that surprising
that unpaid taxes are now at their high-
est level in,Exeter's history.
Not only is the current recession a
particularly.hard time for many busi-
nesses androperty owners, but the
:taxes themselves areaat----their all-time
rhighest.
Still, it is certainly am -indication of
tithe economic chin tteAirdten several of
`:the town's 'property vaunters make the
.conscious -decision not to pay their tax-
: s, perhaps :in the hope they may be
:able to catch :uplater.
Reeve Bill Mickle is .correct when le
;points ,to-uhe:xax _arrears roll .call as:an
example -of =why :the town must -work
;hard at keeping local tax-bills:as low:as
possible. Holding the town lax -sate :at
1991 levels through 1993 is a -goal the
council are aiming for, although one
!wonders how they will be able to
;achieve it.
Unfortunately, council's efforts to hold
ate line on taxes last year went largely
unnoticed by most ratepayers, who only
knew that the bottom little on their tax
ii11s increased anyway due to educa-,
*pion budget increases, county tax in-
creases, _and the "tax shift" phenomenon
that saw market value assessment swing
the county's tax burden onto urban prop-
erties.
The tax arrears situation is not some-
thing any council can readily ignore, es-
pecially when as high_as it is in Exeter at
the moment.
The question is, is council in a position
to do anything about itin 1993?
A.D.H.
Math is to
The US Toy manufacturing
.giant Mattel Inc. has been flog-
ging its sexual-stereotype.Barbie
dolls - and other far more ob-
-;noxious toys - for a long time.
..Last fall it had its corporate
inuckles wrapped over a rela-
ively : minor misdemeanour.
There . were complaints .that
some of the new.$35.Teen Talk
Barbies - programmed to say
tour of a possible 270. different
things - were stating Lan obvious,
but politically incorrect fact of
life: "Math class is tough".
Some consumers felt that
when Barbie finds math class
tough. it broadcasts a message to
everyone: girls are bad at mathe-
matics.
When I was in high school,
some girls were passing me !eft,
right and centre in math. In fact,
1 was tutored in math not only
by my math teacher, but by a
classmate, a girl who happened
to he brilliant in math and went
on to study mathematics. This
was 45 years ago. I never
thought that girl's were bad in
math. Until i heard about the
Barbie controversy.
Tough for boysaund.gairls
1 asked Stephanie. Duncan and
Alexander: "Who is better in
your math class. boys or girls?"
"Some girls are better, some
boys are better, it depends."
"Do you think that math is a
tough subject'?"
"The toughest," all three of
them agreed.
So what's the problem?
I also asked Stephanie: "Have
- Nur
"It's a Barbie.delL-ttttattalks."
"Oh."
Barbies have :nenrerebeen-.high
on .her list of priotieies. iShe is
far more interested gin ammo,
Teatees
:t:
e
Peter Hesse'
computer games, reading and
drawing.
I wonder why 55,000 talking
Barbies (almost two million dol-
lars worth) were sold in Canada
before Christmas - in spite of the
lingering recession. My hunch is
that most of them were pur-
chased by mothers who were
brought up on Barbie's glitzy,
aexist, stereotyped non-
communicative predecessors..
But 1 sincerely.doubt that Barbie
(or her sidekick Ken) will last
another generation.
I could have told Mattel how
dangerous it is to take math
lightly.
In hot water over math
A few years ago 1 wrote a col-
umn about math that got me into
some hot water. Since 1 was
(and still am) such a klutz at
math (L don't mean arithmetic, I
mean things like algebra, trigo-
nometry and calculus), I ques-
tioned the wisdom of everyone
you heard of the Teen Talk Bar- have to learn, for example, why
hie?' (a+b)x(a•b) equals a squared +
"No, what is it?" ,,,dab + b.dgllvled, or to under-
stand why _EsaMC mimed
Chances are, I argued -oinlest -
that most people after :leaving
high school will never -even
have to figure out the square
mot of anything, and if they:do,
.they'll be able to use a pocket
.calculator.
• But I was called anachronist14:"
It was pointed out to me that the
future of this country depends to
a large degree on mathematical
skills, that math is indeed almost
sacred, and that poking fun at
math is practically blasphemy. I
was told that my column might
prevent hundreds of potential
mathematicians from developing
their gift.
Well, I have never said an-
other public word against math,
and I am merely amused that
mighty Mattel - against whose
militant toys 1 have written an-
other column - is now falling
into the same trap, albeit by
equating a dislike for math with
being feminine.
Just add a little word
I understand that Mattel has
recalled some of the Barbies
who say that math class is
tough. Here is an idea for the
Mattel engineers. (If it works,
send, me no money, just an ac-
knowledgement, thank you.) In-
stead of replacing the offending
phrase with something like
"Ken, let's go for a pizza",.why
don't they just leave it in and
add "Not".
Maybe the parents won't get it.
But every kid in North America
will understand: "Math class is
tough. Not." Meaning that - for
girls - math is easy as pie. Sorry,
1 mean easy ts pi.
"Men are never -so likely
to -settle a -question rightly
as when they discuss it
-freely."
... Monies Msoeuley
Pub l,t,d Pa ,4i y M tot 424 Mstn'St.,
Exeter, Ontaso, Baty 1W. ihtbaeattens Ltd.
retapbmte 1.-61,-2435-1
eS.T. eltios21
Famous ;last words
Zoinks Scoob, we've been had!
•After over two years posing as .a
:fumbling, stumbling reporter, I-`ve
finally been found out, so I'm wav-
-nng.the white. flag and bowing out
—.gracefully.. (1.vuld have snade-it
too if it weren`t for -those meddling
kids, and that pesky mutt.)
My replacement has already ar-
•rived, (Gee, they didn't waste much
time), I wonder if that says any-
thing for my skills as a reporter?
Officially, this is the last time
you'll ever have to strain your eyes
on copy I've written, but before I
leave there are a lot .of people I
must thank in all sincerity, for the
kindness they have shown.
Life as a reporter is very sponta-
neous. You live moment to mo-
ment following various highs and
lows. Having lived in this commu-
nity for 25 years, 1 dreaded cover-
ing fires or car accidents, because
in most cases it ended up being a
friend. But if nothing else, I've de-
veloped a much bedter.appreciation
for firefighters and the boys in blue.
I've also started wearing a seatbelt.
There are definitely things I will
-bliss. Meeting various celebrities,
Olympic medalists and hopefuls,
hanging out with the Chicago Black
Hawks, or getting -great tickets to
events.
But mostly HI miss the chances
to meet and develop friendships
with sonic of the [inc unsung heroes
of the comnnwiity. People who
spend all day working in the fields,
- the classrooms, the scares and the
factories, and continue to tirelessly
donate time at night to help with
athletics, church and support
groups, or the countless other or-
ganizations within Me community.
Of uwrsc, Iheru nue things 1 won't
;ttojfs. Monday deadlines. Taring to
: cover four bowling banquets on the
amine night. Trying to cover five
'eaelementary school graduation cere-
--rnonies on the same night, although
Hensall gets.an A++ for rehearsing
rlfthe
*sad
by
Ray
;Lewis
their picture taking and being ready
within 30 seconds. Trying to cover
more than one Christmas concert on
the same night. Council meetings.
Taking pictures at 10 p.m. Pictures
that don't turn out. Cameras smart-
er than mc. Washing Fred's truck.
Playing phone tag with government
officials, 'cause sometimes it takes
weeks. People who are available
until you want a comment.
"Sorry, he just left the building."
But I've also learned a lot. About
government. People. Systems.
Pardon me if I've become cynical.
But I've come to believe we will
never truly be free if we continue to
'elect' governments which are free
So change the rules to suit their
,Needs. Govermnents who cover
other crimes by enacting and enforc-
atjng legislation which criminalizes
anyone who opposes their policies.
But that's another sexy.
For me to thank everyone who
has extended me courtesy, it would
take another issue. But there area
few who immediately come de
mind, so drum roll please. -.->--
Thanks to the members of Hen -
salt Council who accepted my blur
ders in municipal politics. Thanks
to all the schools but especially
Mary Moffau and the staff. at Hen -
sell Public, who always kept •me
well informed of events and always
took time to accommodate me.
On the playing field, thanks Fred
for letting me help with sports.
Thanks to Ron Bogan for being
The Panther.
Thanks to all who have a sense of
humour when reading my articles
like Doug Ellison, who not oily
supplied me with great lays' tickets,
but laii1L a very successful wrestling
program at South Huron.
Three cheers for hockey.
Thanks to all the members of the
Exeter Hawks,,past and present, in-
cluding tole model Manders, for
:taking me part of the team, even if
.I paid for it by stooping to wash
Fred's truck. The Hawks arc still
number one, Fred.
Thanks to the" Lucan Irish, coach
Ken Needham and players like
Andy Ross, who even though I bet
against him, still had the class to
take it in stride, and make me wash
Fred's tuck.
Thanks to the RSD Midget Gen-
erals for letting nine be part of an
Ontario championship. The plaque
is on the wall of fame.
Thanks to the Stephen Township
Peewee Sharks, and their 1-0 win
over Sunderland. 1t was by far the
most thrilling minor hockey game
I've ever seer.
Thanks to the South Huron field
hockey team and the chief for re-
storing the roar.
And to all those I haven't men-
,lioned, this one's for you. You we
orienainly not forgotten. Thanks for
*pc memories. 1 bid you all a fond
Adieu.
Editor's noir: This article was submitted by Clinton author and railway
historian Elisabeth Wilhiriott, Spvred by anecdotes u covered while tvrit-
ing her latest book "When Any lime Was Train Time" she visited the old
Easier station Christmas Morning to get a glimpse of an important event
Thal hagppssed on that spot 117. years ago.
It is Christmas morning, 1992,
and the lime is 10 o'clock. I arm
Has Exeter waiwig kw ammo** 4) begin at
the historic. beeilliamed and agingIs
for otter? railway $Mllon, Milt for the
Lwatlor., }iuron and .Bruce Rail -
By Elizabeth Willmott way. An Njpg Huron
Coanty stern hstlpst obliterat-
ed 'the a ahilway td the icy
Not dueatens to blow me off the aiatioq pledurrn.
117 years.ago on thitelei me day, a asisammousmiauliort took place
.aigh*.h rel gut its , t-
er.. Work crows
Christmas 1875
Wiash ern and Logilon, meat this point on Ctuistmas Day 18.15, and the
tsaditiooal 'goldapke' was driven where the wooden ties carne together.
The high-spirited antics which followed are readily imagined! There
would be much beck -slapping, hand shaking, and passing around a bottle
of spirits until.Ihe last drop was gone. it is recorded that they dropped
their shovels and headed up to pie of the hotels in town to continue the
merriment. Men who built railroads in the lasttceniury were easy-going,
but tough. -They had to be!
On January 11, 1876, the L.H.&B. Railway was officially opened. Qn
this occasion, a wood -burning locomotive, hauling several old wicks,
S -Bothe. d up dignaaries from every Bute community along the line. It was
a eonvivial imi ntey for theve.bearded gentlemen Who coustuned untanned
quentities of liquid refreshment. A band met the train when it pulled in to
the London statiion, and the revellers were honoured at a lav*sh banquet.
11 was Agreed that the new railway was off to a fine stat. "
For many years. four daily passenger trains, and two freight {rains
,alierved the cgeig g flies. But today, very little-of;1he old L.H,&B. Rail -
Y4111111001411100. The ,line south of Centralia no longer exists, and the
tracks between Clinton and Wingham disappeared yews ago.
When the closure of the entire line -seemed inevitable, it was pin
chased by the Goderich-Exeter railway Company in 1992. This conn -
pane is owned by Rail Tex Inc. of San Antonio Texas who operate
many branch lines in the United States. Trains of the GEAR now pro
vide daily service to their customers along the historic i.-IL.&B. line:
also between Goderich and Stratford. The Exeter railway station is also
owned by this new company.
in the past hour I have been .walking along the hacks near the Ii.xeter
station, hoping to discover the gold spike. Perhaps it has survived the
,jears. I'm still hopeful. The storm is so intense now that seart:hiug for
spikes is quite impossible.
Although no celebration marked the event this year at Exeter, it took
place clearly in my imagination while I stood on the station platform.
Perhaps. historians in Laster will re-enact the story of Deceanber25,
1875, on soine future Christrtws Day. lis a page from their past which
should be remembered.
•
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