HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-05-05, Page 7Wednesday, Mai► 5, 1999
Exgtsr T'
7
Opinion&Forum
t°YEARS AGO
May 3, 1989 - Friday morn-
ing, officials of the Usborne
Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance
Company issued a $1.1 million
debenture to the Tuckersmith
Telephone System for an
upgrading program.
After a number of rejections,
the town of Exeter has finally
received a PRIDE grant from
the Province of Ontario for a
number of municipal projects. Works superinten-
dent Glenn Kells says, "This is the first supple-
mentary road grant we have received since
Charlie MacNaughton was minister of highways.
20 YEARS AGO
May 2, 1979 - Last week in the report that a
pink flamingo seen in the Pinery area was likely
from an American zoo. This week Grand Bend zoo
keeper Ted Relouw says the bird has given him
the cold shoulder and resists any offers of rood.
Relouw is concerened the flamingo may get the
wrong food which would affect its bright pink
colours.
A cartoon on the editorial page captured the
spirit of the 1979 federal election with the caption,
"The toughest decision about elections is trying to
decide which candidate will do the least harm."
3 5 YEARS AGO
May 3, 1964 - Appointment of William Batten as
editor of The Times Advocate was announced this
week by Publisher J.M. Southcott.
The latest in fashions were _presented in the
"Patio Parade sponsored by Beta Sigma Phi
Sorority in co-operation with Exeter businesses.
A prediction from Exeter's Planning Board
places the population of Exeter at 4,000 by the
year 1971.
Murray DesJardins, clerk of the village of Grand
Bend has been informed he has been named a
Justice of the Peace for the county of Huron.
Shirley Genttner and Carolynne Simmons each
received their gold cord and certificate in Guiding
at a ceremony in North Bay, Saturday.
40 YEARS AGO
May 2, 1959 - Dr. Peter Fraser of the University
of Western Ontario, formerly of Exeter has been
awarded a $4,000 research grant from the
National Research Council for theoretical studies
in atomic collision
Usborne township schools under musical super-
visor Lawrence Wein held a festival of music in
Thames Road Church Friday evening. Over 250
students participated.
Nearly 200 persons contributed to the free
blood bank at the Red Cross blood clinic held in
Exeter, Tuesday.
The Women's Auxiliary to South Huron Hospital
had its biggest and best yet rummage sale ,this
week when they cleared $1,008.
Queens Scout badges were presented to Doug
Jermyn, Jim Sweitzer, Doug Hodgson and Dale
Turvey Monday night. This is the highest award to
be given to scouts.
SO YEARS AGO
May 4, 1949 - Jack Doerr won a blue ribbon of
merit for one of four portraits entered at the
Ontario Society of Photographers at the Royal
York Hotel in Toronto.
Mr. W.G. Cochrane moved into his new home
on Senior Street last week.
Mr. Ed Hunter-Duvar has moved into the motel
cabins he erected in connection with the service
station he is building on the highway south of
town.
Pupils of Grades V and VI of Hensall Public
school were taken on a bus tour to the Hobby Fair
in London. They also visited the University of
Western Ontario and other places of interest.
75 YEARS AGO
May 3, 1924 - Mr. Walter Johns of Elimville has
received word from the Methodist Book Room that
he has been awarded the prize for his story "The
Law of Kindness" which will be published in the
Onward on June 21.
Mr. M. Senior of Toronto who has completed his
year at Osgoode Hall has returned home for the
holidays.
Messrs. WilIiAM H. Dearing and Harry Sweet
left Saturday for Liverpool, England where they
are in charge of a shipment of cattle for Mr.
William Colwill of -Centralia.
ROSS
HAUGH
SACK IN TIME
LETTER:, 11") 1HE Ei) iaR
Johns is disappointed
with TA's article
Dear Editor:
I was surprised and disappointed by the editorial
in last weeks paper. I had a tremendo' .mount of
support from the people who live in So, . tt , lluron at
the April 17th Nomination Meeting, an ,l I assumed
this would at least be reflected in the Times
Advocate. In fact, I was surprised when the story
that ran in the local paper was written by a Blyth
reporter, and that the nomination meeting was not
even covered by one of our local reporters.
To create a Ievel playing field, any article written
on both candidates should have run in all the
papers in Huron Bruce. At a personal level, I was
not amenable to entertaining questions that asked
me to compare myself to the other candidates. I
made an open pledge to the Riding Association,
friends, family and myself that I would not enter
into any negative campaigning. I promised I would
only talk about why people vote for me. This kind of
campaigning is what the people of Huron Bruce
expect of me, and I am proud to deliver. Both Mrs.
Fisher and myself have worked hard in our respec-
tive ridings, and I refused to say anything less.
I think it is important for the public to know that.I
never spoke to Scott Nixon, and this maybe where
the problem lies. In my discussions with Mr.
Beckett, the stated that the- correspondent in the
North had already done the work on Mrs. Fisher's
segment of the article. Reluctantly, I replied that if
he decided to proceed with the article, I would have
to participate. Two days later, Mr. Nixon told my
assistant, Terra Ahrens, "the boss has decided not
to proceed."
What is most hurtful about your editorial is your
assertion that I was hiding from the people of the
south. Everyone knows that Larry and I have a long
commitment to this ,community, and long after
many are gone, we will still be here, raising our
family. We will be working, playing golf with our
friends, enjoying our, boys first, dates, graduations,
sporting activities and eventually their visits hack
home. Our friends, family and community are what
are important to both of us. For you to suggest that
I would hide from anyone in this community for any
reason is unfair and outrageous.
If you are interested in my opinions, strengths and
weaknesses I suggest that you meet with me on
Friday May 7 at 9 and ask me, as you have on most
occasions. If you are interested in my views on the
Emergency Room specifically, I suggest that you
print my Press Release that was sent to you on
April 16, 1999.
I respect all that the Times Advocate does for all
of us in the community, but your accounting of 'the
incident does neither you nor I justice.
HELEN JOHNS, ,v,l'P ;{uron
Exeter's web site is
found lacking
Dear Editor:
I wonder if you or your readers have seen the
Exeter web site (www.exeterontario.com).
If they haven't, don't and hope nobody else does,
especially people outside Exeter.
Just to sum up what is on (or not on) the site
under the various headings:
Shopping: seven entries, only two downtown;
Restaurants: one eatery;
Financial: two entries (no banks);
Car dealers: one (used car);
B&B: no entries;
Industry: 10 entries, five are included in shopping;
Town services: six entries, five mentioned else-
where;
Recreation: 1 golf club.
If I were an 'outsider' surfing the net (as they say)
and came across this site, I would assume that
Exeter was a.small village andnot worth the trou-
ble of a visit. Two'stores, one eatery and a used car. .
dealership, do not sound very inspiring. In fact,
they present a negative image. I have no idea of the
costs involved in producing and maintaining a web
site, but I think Exeter commercial enterprises
could afford it for their own benefit and that of the
town.
Failing that, the site should be closed down since
it is doing Exeter more harm than good.
Yours,
JOHN SANDERSON,, Elieter
Peg to hang his issue on
TORONTO — Ontario's two
opposition party leaders have
admitted the rather common-
place crime of having smoked
marijuana and even a couple
of decades later it could still do
them some harm.
Liberal Dalton McGuinty's
and New Democrat Howard
Hampton's confessions have
focussed new interest on AVIEWFROM
Premier Mike Harris's claim QUEEN'S PARK
society is too permissive and
his is the only party wanting to get stricter,
which he had tried to make a major issue for the
election without much success so far.
The opposition' leaders revealed their histories
after Harris criticized a proposal the federal gov-
ernment should decriminalize the use of marijua-
na.
This would make it an offence still punishable
by a fine, but not under the Criminal Code, so
offenders would not wind up with criminal
records which hurt their lives and particularly
careers. .
News media asked Harris if he had used mari-
juana and the Progressive Conservative premier
replied he had not, but found alcohol more
attractive in his younger and less commonsense
days.
McGuinty conceded he tried marijuana twice in
his late teens, but said he tells his children not t to
use drugs or tobacco.
Hampton said 'he experimented like most who
went to university two or three decades ago, but
soon stopped because he did not enjoy being
without full control of his faculties.
Both opposition leaders said they favor decrimi-
nalizing the drug and a criminal record is too
severe for simple possession.
Harris launched his claim society is too permis-
sive, and only the Tories would make changing
this a priority,two months ago.
Hecomplained first many youngpeople partic-
ulacly lack respect, civility and responsibility and
are guilty of violence, vandalism, disobedience,
rudeness and swearing.
The premier said youth must be taught respect
for the law. He pointed out he set up a boot camp
providing strict discipline for the worst young
offenders and said he will follow with a code of
conduct stating how students must behave in
schools with strict penalties for breaches of it.
McGuinty, whom Harris sees as his main rival,
countered if the premier wants to get tough on
crime, he should should get tough with the real
causes, that poverty breeds despair and despair
breeds crime.
Harris retorted McGuinty is merely excusing
those who break the law and expanded his
theme, saying many people are afraid to go out
at night and let their children walk to school.
Harris boasted his Tories are the only political
party that has the strength and ideas to take
action to keep communities safe for families.
But despite his claims, Harris's campaign
against permissiveness and crime has not taken
off and become a major issue. One reason is the
incidence of most serious crimes has decreased
and media keep stressing this.
But it still could be a useful issue to Harris
because many have valid concerns about the
huge crime that exists, although it may not be
growing, and vandalism, rudeness and swearing
often do not show in crime statistics.
The unveiling of McGuinty and Hampton as pot-
smokers long ago will not prompt any outpouring
of indignation and: demands for their heads.
Many.now solid citizens tried pot in their youth.
Politicians including U.S. President Bill Clinton
have admitted using it and had to face criticism,
but their careers continued successfully.
But the opposition leaders' confessions add
contemporary flesh and blood to the issue of jr-
missiveness and people will find it easier to
remember.
Harris will be able to remind, as he did quickly,
that McGuinty and Hampton want leniency for
marijuana users which most, probably oppose.
Harris will also be able to hint, as he also did
quickly, that his opponents broke the law instead
of showing respect far it, so at last. he has a peg
to hang his issue on.
ERIC
DOWD