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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-10-30, Page 5Page 4 Times -Advocate, October 30,1996 PubUsher & Editor: On Beckett Business Manager: Don Smith Production Manager: Deb Lord Wyexasty; Barb Consitt, Chad Eedy cry/v Heather Mir, Chris Skalkos, Ross Haugh, Brenda Burke ri" tion: Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson Brenda Hem, Joyce Weber, Laurel Miner Transportation: Al Flynn, Al Hodgert Front Office & Accounting; Elaine Pinder, Sue Rollings, Ruthanne Negrijn, Anita McDonald, Cassie Dalrymple The Exeter Times -Advocate is a member of a family of community newspapers N,, IAM MM is? ► . � providing news, advertising and information leadership I.1)I OIZI \t, • • pinion „,„ We should be ready ne thing Exeter and area resi- dents should be aware of in the upcom- ing discussions regarding the future of our hospital is the danger of appearing apathetic. Most people are aware all of the hos- pitals in Huron and Perth are presently under microscopic study by the Huron Perth District Health Council. This or- ganization is expected to release its findings regarding streamlining the de- livery of health care in January. The result of the study will undoubt- edly create a feeling of competition among Exeter and its neighbors as eve- ry community will naturally be expect- ed to put up a fight for the preservation of "its hospital." Of course, many will hold the opinion it's much too early to push the panic button. South Huron Hospital has served the community well for many years....and no one really expects to hear any recommendation that would go as far as suggesting "our" hospital should be scheduled for closure. But what if, in fact, this remote possi- bility becomes a reality. Is there any or- ganized group ready to step forward and fight for our hospital. One high-ranking health official told the T -A last week one of the biggest dangers to any hospital is apathy within the community. He cited'one example of a hospital not too many miles from Exeter that scheduled information meet- ings to keep the public up to date on de- velopments. Under 50 people turned out `to take part in possibly the most impor- tant decision to be made in the history of the community. It was only after the bad news was re- leased that the group of interested citi- zens swelled to over 1,000. But, by this time, it could be too late. The town of St. Marys appears to be putting up the best fight to save its hos- pital...well before any actual decision has been made on its future. Concerned citizens are prepared for the worst and becoming extremely active to do all they can to prevent the closure of the hospital. Our sister newspaper, the Journal -Argus, has carried dozens of ar- ticles and letters from the community stressing how much the hospital is need- ed. Many people in that community see the preservation of the hospital as a bat- tle for the very life of the town. They know they are only a few miles from the Stratford hospital. They also know they could be only a few weeks away from a "dreaded" announcement. Being ready seems to suddenly make a lot of sense. The initiative shown by many of the citizens of St. Marys should be duplicat- ed in every small town where there is a hospital. Exeter is no exception. Your Views Letters to the editor Centre of the community "Will the greatness of this amalgamation be the destruction of community?" Dear Editor: The Zurich Community Centre Users' Group would like to commend Zurich Reeve Dwayne La- Porte for his insightful comments to the Municipal Reform Committee members last week. While other members' thoughts centered around, "What will we take away?", Reeve LaPorte was thinking about what a Community Centre has to offer. Sometime in the past, there was a reason to build three community centres (hall/ice pad) and two community halls within the study area of Zurich, Hensall, Bayfield, Hay, Stanley and Tuckersmith. The reason io construct them was to build communi- ty, supply a focal point and a place for families to gather and play sports. By sheer logic, doing away with that facility, or a part of that facility in Zurich and area, would be to do away with community. A public meeting held last month proved that without a doubt. Amalgamation will come, but it was once said that a Great Relationship is one which accomplishes great things together. Will the greatness of this amalgamation be the destruction of community? In times such as these, we should be looking for ways to build up, not tear down. Respectfully submitted by the Zurich Community Centre Users' Group r Fxom Queen's Park By Eric Dowd TORONTO -- An MPP's complaint has un- derlined that the clock has been turned back in Ontario -- it has become tougher for a woman to be chosen leader of a political party. Annamarie Castrilli, one of six MPPs run- ning for Liberal leader, said some in her party are reluctant to support her because they feel a woman cannot win the next election against Progressive Conservative Premier Mike Har- ris. She called it "the silent issue" in the leader- ship campaign. Liberal official spokesmen have been quick to reject her notion. Parties ideally should choose leaders .without regard to their sex and none wants to admit some of its members are biased against choosing a woman leader. Castrilli's detractors also can point out her candidacy was not going anywhere anyway. She has lets support among delegates selected so far for the Nov. 30 convention than any of her rival MPPs, A lawyer, she is is intelligent and appealing in one-on-one encounters, but has not made much impression in 15 months in the legislature. The Liberals have recent experience with having a woman leader and in fact are the only party which has ever named a woman to its top post. They chose Lyn McLeod in 1992 partly be- cause she is a woman. She had been a capable although not dominating minister and some Liberals thought those qualities might attract with the added novelty of being Ontario's first woman leader. It is now vividly remembered that McLeod, decent, likeable and compassionate, took the Liberals into the 1995 election with a huge lead in polls, but was overtaken and crushed by Har- ris. McLeod was humble and self-effacing to the point where polls said she was less known than her party, while Harris was called belligerent and macho. McLeod also allowed advisers to influence her to delay announcing policies until the cam - Publications Mail Registration Number 0388 SUBSCRIPTION RATES; One year rate for Ontuto subscdbers - 835.00 + 081 Two year rats for Ontario subscr bots - 863.00 + CANADIAN ADDRESSES OUTSIDE ONTARIO One year *Osculation - 883.00 + 08T Two year subscription - 8119.00 + OST QINIRBAin Outside Canada - 599.00 + QST Mashed Each Wednesday Mooning at 424 Main Et., bcetsr, Orkaria, NOM 1E8 by J.W. Eedy Publsations Ltd. Telephone 15192351331 • Fax: 515.235.0788 rel address Onmos.alwoostiOsedy.00m O.S.T. 11105210036 'pie Crue1ties 13y Brenda Burke All these leaves Fall. My favorite time of year. Bright colors, cool air, change. And the odd reckless moment speeding down Huron Street, sending yellow leaves flying in the air. But for many, fall brings on that sinking feeling that winter is "just around the corner." Pre -snow tasks including rak- ing leaves and winterizing the home don't seem to be as much fun as spring clean-up and gar- dening preparations. In some cases, there are ways around these frightful jobs. My husband recently cut the lawn for what will likely be the last time this year. Afterwards he proudly pointed out the window at the neat rows of mulched leaves. Last year winter came in • such a flurry we didn't have time to rake or mulch anything. But when you think about it, isn't leaf raking just as idiotic as cutting the grass? Many begin the expected endeavor too early, only to discover all the leaves haven't yet fallen from their roost in the trees. Now there's a new way to get rid of leaves - those deafening blower contraptions. Easier on the back, but a bit of an aggra- vation on what would otherwise be a clear, crisp fall morning. Leaves are definitely more fun when you're a kid. I remember walking home from school, wading up to my waist through neat piles of crisp, dried up leaves people had piled along street curbs. I also recall jumping in the leaves, something I never actu- ally enjoyed because they didn't necessarity supply a soft, com- fortable cushioning when I land- ed. And even without allergies, they do tend to make the eyes itch. But as a child, leaping in piles of leaves just to scatter them and pile them up for the next person, was the thing to do. The stark reality about fall leaves is that once they're all - gone and raked and put in their proper places where they can't kill anyone's grass, all we're left with is a dull landscape of bare branches and gray earth...unless of course it snows early. Tougher for women in politics paign and when she did they were a milder ver- sion of Harris's wellknown plans for slashing government so she looked a pale imitation. She was not a strong enough personality to impose her will on her party and bend it her way. Some of these characteristics will be seen more as feminine particularly because women all too often have to take subordinate roles. By contrast, Harris is seen as firm and une- quivocal on policies, confident, aggressive, take -charge, tough and even ruthless. Harris is regarded as having the traits which are generally considered more masculine and Harris is immensely popular because of them and is the one the Liberals have to beat in the next election. McLeod has conceded that having a woman leader was "one factor" that hurt the Liberals in 1995 and the party president of the time agreed, adding "many people will not be happy hearing me say that." One Liberal MPP said concern at his party having a woman leader was rife par- ticularly in "ethnic ridings". McLeod's defeat and those of Tory prime min- ister Kim Campbell and New Democrat federal leader Audrey McLaughlin have revived reluc- tance in Ontario to choose a woman leader. When the NDP chose a successor to Bob Rae in June, it rejected Frances Lankin, widely considered its best performer in the legislature. Lankin was hurt most by other candidates la- belling as closest to Rae and more complicit in his cuts in public service pay. But Lankin also was sometimes disparaged by opponents as "the large lady" because of her generous figure, although no such comments are ever made about hefty men, and Marion Boyd, a shrewd former NDP minister, said Lankin lost partly because she is a woman and the NDP "would be naive to think otherwisee. The sad situation in Ontario now is that there is no total bar to a woman being chosen a party leader -- she just has to be demonstrably streets ahead of any male rivals, which is a re- turn to the dark ages.