Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-08-04, Page 88 Exp Wednesday, August 4, 1999 Opmion&Fonrni Remember when On June 30 to July 2, 2000, South Huron Distrltt High School will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The Exeter Times Advocate would like to join in the celebrations by sharing articles or pictures which have appeared over the years. YEARS 1954-1965 - HI HIGHLIGHTS Crediton Area Yotth South Huron Choice .Y. Seventy-nlith in a series sponsored by The London Free Press and the University of Western Ontario. Ross Wallace Wein, 20, grade 13 student at South Huron District High School, has been selected a London Free Press Leaders' Club member. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Wein, RR 2, Crediton. Ross holds membership in the school Glee Club, male quartet, Athletic Society, and is a member in outside groups such as the 4-H club, Young Peoples' Society choir and secre- tary of two church groups. Athletic Career He was a member of his school's track championship team contests in 1956; and senior track champion in 1959, and captain of the volleyball team of 1958, 1959. • In stressing his belief that Canada offers many opportunities for her youth, he added that a youth is required to apply his natural talents and abilities to prepare himself "for the opportunity when it comes." "We have diseases such as cancer that must be wiped out; -we have -need of scientific research in the field of space travel; we have need of especially trained men in all fields of social welfare. These are only a few broad fields of opportunity through which the youth of Canada may seek to benefit their country. Experiences One of his most interesting experiences dur- ing his school career occurred last year. *Our English teacher accompanied us to the London Little Theatre where wesaw `Macbeth'. Thislive production of a Shakespearian play was the first I had seen and I found I very enjoyable." The most thrilling sports experience for Ross came with the setting of a new hop -step - and -jump record at our cference. track Festivals Top Singer - This mixed quartet cap- tured top score of 84 at the grade nine music fes- tival held at SHDHS Monday.The adjudicator termed their rendition "a very exciting perfor- mance'. Girls are from left, Linda Johnson, Dorothy LeBoutillier, Linda Tieman and Margaret Howey; the boys, Eric Wolfe, Kenneth Moon, Brian Mustard and Danny Coward. WANTED...., Individual to co-ordinate memorabilia rooms. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHDHS "Au. -YEARS REUNION" CONTACT KENDRA ARTHUR 235-4006 (H) OR 235-4587 (W) OR PAT Rowe 236-7167 OPINIONS AND LETTERS The new justice system for youth As a counsellor and advocate for youth 1 have been anxiously awaiting the news release from the Minister of Justice, Anne McLellan. On May 12 the government task force brought out its list of rec- ommendations to replace the Young Offenders Act. Let's look at some of the proposals to protect us, the public, from youth crime. Respect, values, accountability, consequences, prevention and rehabilitation are some of the buzz words to solve our problems. The age limit for young offenders to be tried in adult courts would be lowered from 16 to 14 years of age. The names of teen offenders who are convicted of violent crimes such as mur- der, sexual assault will be allowed to be published. The government finally realizes that the root causes of crime fester in poverty and child abuse. Over 500,000 children in Canada do not have the necessities of life to have} a nurturing environ- ment. Twenty-five per cent of our teens do not even finish high school with a two to one ratio of young men quitting compared to their female counterparts. Maybe that is why our detention centres and jails are filled with young males. Our government has some solutions. "The Crime Prevention Initiative" will look at community based partnerships with an annual commitment of $32 million. We are going to have a new "National Children's Agenda" to improve the lot of 'those children at risk. The commission admits that most of our young offenders do not commit serious violent crimes and can be dealt with by the community at large to find alternative measures to deal with first time offenses. There is a section that speaks of the role of parents who can becharged if he/she does not attend court plus a new proposal that families pay for legal counsel. There is an admission that the victim should have a part of the: whole process but what, when and why b" not jleen spelled out. The Canadian Council of Cfilidren Advocates has a mandate to protect: the rights of our youth. They have produced a document that poses some con- cerns that I hope will be addressed. The analysis of the proposed youth Criminal Justice Act quotes the standing committee report chaired by the late Shaughnessy Cohen's paper Renewing Youth Justice. Did anyone listen or read the report, "most youth offences are minor, we ,are not experiencing an upsurge in serious violent youth crime; the rate of youth incarcera- tion is two times higher than in USA and ten to 15 times that of several European countries." "The rate of violent crime among youth has declined 3.2 per cent and only a small proportion of kids are involved in serious, repeat, criminal acts." "In 1997, 82 percent of the charges laid against youth were for non-violent crime, property, possessions of drugs and contempt of court." Then why are we contemplating changing the Young OffendersAct? Act? We have been told by _ the media that youth crime is out of control, check the papers and read all about the "Preppy Gang", a group of college students that the court exonerat- ed and asked that Preppy title be purged from their files. Sure there was the Bluewater riots fol- lowed by the enquiry into the Elgin Middlesex affair but the vast majority of our young offenders are not a threat to society. The boot camps and other detention centres are a waste of money and have a very high recitative rate. It is absurd to sentence 14 year old children to adult prisons. What a great education they will receive from the long term inmates. Making parents pay for legal council will surely mean that most kids will plead guilty, the well off parents have expensive lawyers to defend their children. It has been proposed by Chuck Cadman of the Reform party that an amendment to the Youth Justice Criminal Justice Act read that adults may be jailed for up to two years if their children do not . fulfil their obliga- tions. Now that is a good idea. If your kid does not obey the court order then dad and mom can find themselves in the slammer. Imagine the power of "Rocky", threatening his parents with "You do as I tell you or else." The Department of Justice has proposed some amendments to the Young Offenders Act that need revision. We have knowledgeable children's advo- LEONARD LESSER COUNSELLOR Starting y . own business How are stu : , , : nding their time this sum- mer? Some students are occupying themselves with full or part time summer jobs; some are enjoying themselves at camp; others are going on trips with their family and friends; and to your amazement many students are running their own business this summer. Have you ever thought of creating your own fob? Owning your own b iness? Many people are now investigating til tion of self-employment. According to Statistics Canada there are 2.3 million small businesses registered in Canada. Last year alone, there were 100,000 new busi- nesses registered in Ontario. I am sure many of you have pondered the thought of own- ing your own business some day: the experience and skills you would learn; the idea of being you own boss and mak- ing you own decision; and the opportunity to earn profit. Starting your own business is not easy. It involves a lot of planning, research, dedication and hard work. Before you can jump right into a business you must consider the follow- ing: ollow- ig: n • the feasibility of your product • the surrounding competition • an understanding of the operations of the busi- ness you are entering • the development of a business plan • and the finances needed to get the business off its feet If you are a student interested in starting up a summer *business, there are financial resources out there that can help. For Huron County stu- dents, their are two different student loans that are available: The Student Venture Loan, and the Youth Enterprise Loan Fund. Through the Student Venture Program created by the Ontario may. of Economic Trade students betwee 29 can obtain a low interest Ioan o `+ s to to start up their own summer business and become their own boss. Since the spring of 1995, more than 3,000 stu- dents have created jobs for themselves with the help of a Student Venture loan, If you are interest- ed in applying for the loan, the application forms are available through Business Banking Centres/Enterprise Centres of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Human Resource Centre for Students. Additional information about the Student Venture Program is found at the web- site www.youthjobs.gov.on.ca. For students living in Huron County between the ages 15 and 29 the Huron Development Corporation has created the Huron Youth Enterprise Loan. Through this loan, students can receive up to $10,000 to start their own business. For more information on the eligibility criteria of this loan, contact Jim Niesen from the Huron Business Development Corporation in Seaforth at (519) 527-0305. if you are a student thinking' of starting your own business for next summer now is the time to start planning and researching your business ideas. For more information in starting your own business check out the Business Resource Centre at the Huron Business Development Corporation in Seaforth or stop by the Human Resource Centre for Students. LISA EAGLESON SUMMER IMPILOYMENT OFFICER cates across Canada that have serious questions of Bill C-68. They are a group of dedicated counsel- lors who have ongoing contact with our youth in care. The advocates hear the voices of travail of our troubled teens who languish in our detention centers: the counsellors are their voice for hope and change. I am a counsellor who has sincere interest in the well being of all our youth. I have sadly visited too many teens in custody. If you are interested in learning more about the problems there are a cou- ple of good books: "Return to the Teachings" by Rupert Ross and "The Expanding Prison" by David Cayley provide excellent insight into the dilemma of crime, punishment and a search for meaningful alternatives. "Most men look at things as they are and ask Why. I dream of things that never were and ask Why Not? Len Lesser is a Youth and Family Counsellor. He can be'reached at 519-434-8316.