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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1984-12-05, Page 29By Jock R1dMtt MPP It is sometimes difficult to understand the priorities of government when one delves Into the expenditures of tax- payers' money. In a speech in the Legislature I expressed my concerns about the millions of dollars of taxpayers money spent on political patronage. I intend to pursue as well the expenditure of money on "Government Hospitality" particularly during this period of restraint when government resources are stretched to the limit. In the fiscal year 1982/83 the Ontario Conservative Government spent $474,318 for hospitality alone. Examples of lunches, din- ners and receptions will be of interest, I'm sure to the peo- ple of Ontario who foot the bill. Canadian Broombalt cham- pionships, $3,703; Canadian Limousine Association meeting, $2,000; Canadian National Smallbore Rifle Championship, $1,350; General Alexander Haig, $2,710; Grey Cup, $9,951; In- ternational Association of Pupil Personnel Workers Convention, $2,151; Interna- tional Squash Racquets Federation Meeting, $1,200; Our Plug in the World, $1,200. In the fiscal year 1983/84 the same government spent $380,523 on various luncheons, dinners and receptions. Some Zurich Monday Huron Hope M.L. Masse 84 E. Klungel 89 M. Baker 139 A. Volk 125 Monday Ladies League HG S. Stade 823 PH P. Jones 563 AO C. Koehler 597 TC S. Bedard 598 PP J. Masse 599 SL D. Becker 560 JS W. McClinchey 584 DH M. Becker 5:31 P L. Reichert 546 RD S. Dickert 660 GH B. Dayman 622 UD B. Grenier 49? Tuesday Grand Cote Estates J. Whilsmith 545 B. Timmerman 520 G. Gee 686 B Kuntz 537 C. Costigane 4g7 Ken 6:35 HS C. Costingane 2L5 HS G. Gee 248 Dashwood C.A.P. (;roup W Duke 105 D. Fox 102 R. McCann 86 lir W. Patterson 212 Tuesday Night Mens League P R. Crown 610 TT C. Zimmer 659 DH E. Guenther 600 6 R. Bierhng 567 K Debas 567 NC D. Smith Sr 637 FA T. Bedard 645 GF J. Dietrich 516 Wednesday- Exeter Ladies J. Turner M. Bridges M. Lovell M Reline V. Horbaniuk HS H. Beaver M. Bridges 479 '569 422 466 491 - 222 217 Wednesday Night Ladies League BB L. Vanderberg 657 GG S. Johnston 497 CF N. Trott SP G Tripp 654 HG 11 Datars 728 NN M Robert§ 5121 HS B Datars 321 Thursday (;olden Age HD M Clausius .129 L Dandier 298 HS M Clausius 181 HS E Strachan 135 Queensway Resident% M Itegan roi 1 McDougall 124 S Bosse M Gunning HC i Ried St. Boniface School L Bedard M Caers A Hartman 61 I (11 18:3 141 149 9acLi 9o!Iiniji Gov't hospitallty notable examples are as follows: Michael Kirby Appoint- ment to the Senate, :1,346; Genie Awards 1894, $2,500; In- stitute for Ultimate Reality and Meaning, $723; Interna- tional Association of Approv- ed Basketball' Officials, $2,000; Ombudsman of On- tario farewell dinner, $6,326; Ombudsman of Ontario swearing in, 57,850; Planetary Initiative Congress, $1,000; Track and Field Association Multi -Cultural High Jump Event, $500. To put these expenditures in proper context the govern- ment will nickel and dime the workers of hospitals and nur- sing homes telling them to forfeit their lunches and cof- fee breaks while at the same time delaying aid for Ethiopia, and yet it can afford to throw money away on lun- ches, dinners and receptions that have no benefit to the to the taxpayers of this pro- vince, or any other jurisdic- tion, for that matter, which is. in need. Ontario drinking water - The question of a secret En- vironment Canada report stating that Lake Ontario and the quality of its drinking water are inimminent danger of "ecological collapse" was raised in the Legislature. Ac- cording to the report, On- tarians are already being con- taminated with unacceptable levels of toxic chemicals and unless action is taken the situation will get far worse. Opposition Parties at Queen's Park have obtained copies of the document, bas- ed upon which charges have been made of the province allowing the lake to turn into "a liquid Love Canal", "a poisoned chemical soup" and bowling M. Zimmer 199 Thursday Grand ('ore Estates J. Hewitson N. Low S. Pincoe R. Marshall S. Trowbridge B. Thomson HS N. Low HS It. Marshall 529 604 338 572 514 575 211 234 Thursday Night Mixed I.eague TH W Jacobs 449 G(; V. Lavery 595 GT 11. Martens 587 AT F. Palen 670 B M. Roberts 498 I) U. Smith 534 Saturday Intcrtown Zurich: 11T S Dickert 596 3 115 f 1. Lansbergen 235 Stratford IIT S Brown 713 27 IIS E. Nigro 269 (:rand Bend 115 B Datars 239 26 HT J. Dann Exeter HS B Heirhng 231 4 HT 11 Beirling 645 Melnick Res Home 1113 T Brodie 274 C. Cartwright 23:3 St. Boniface School K Fenwick B Hall S Coleman (' Marlen T Laporte M ('aers Zurich Youth Bowling 5 I) Overholt :153 B P Overholt :350 AT .1 (;elmas 298 1.1) (' Overholt 242 OB .1 ('rnwn 282 1'P .1 Clarke 280 Sr. Girls IIA T Fisher iII) M ('aers HS M ('aers Sr. Rocs iIA .1 ('aers 111) P Overholt IIS .1 Caers Jr. Girls IIA PA (ticked HD (' Overholt 115 PA Dicker( .1r. Bots HA 1) Overholt }iD T Lansbcrgen 115 T Lansbergen Bantan, (;irk IIA .1 Clarke HD .f Crown IIS .1 ['rown Bantam Rtes ILA D AA'illert Ill) .1 (;ehnas ii5 J (;elinas 158 123 101 107 253 152 28 7 25 17 21 0 155 401 217 143 :150 210 1:33 308 189 151 :186 217 107 282 172 ton 298 181 a cesspool". had become available prematurely. The document clearly shows apparently that Lake Liberal Deputy Leader Sean Conway, who par- ticipated in the allegations, expressed concern that when the report was actually released • it would be in a "sanitized version, and would not contain the same damning„ information which was in- cluded in the summary which Ontario has become a health hazard to the four million peo- ple in the province whose drinking water comes from Lake Ontario. In the Legislature, the leak- ed document... A Layman's Guide to the Niagara River Toxics Committee Report - The Canadian Position.. was quoted quite extensively. According to the document, some 57 of the 261 chemicals identified in the study have been detected in the Niagara River and Lake Ontario "at levels which are considered to pose a threat to human health or environmental risk. "It is clear that the whole Niagara River eco -system is being contaminated with a large variety of man-made chemicals, some of which are known to be individually dangerous and the combined effects of which are unknown." The report's conclusion is that "current contamination levels are too high, and must be reduced to zero as soon as possible to avoid inevitable and irreversible environment damage, the details of which cannot •be accurately predicted" We are warned in the study that if nothing is done, "in- evitably concentrations of contaminants will rise to a level which will result in an ecological collapse of the lake." In addition, the report states that fish in the Niagara River and Lake Ontario are so "seriously contaminated" that governments need to issue guidelines for eating them. According to the report, continuing leakage from dozens of U.S. chemical dumpsites are the primary reason / for the coming ecological disaster, and "Essentially, it is not a ques- tion of whether leakage will occur, but merely a question of when and how much more." Opposition Members have called upon the Premier to meet without delay with New York Governor Mario Cuomo and urge U.S. authorities to clean up pollution in the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Referring to the en- vironmental disaster in Niagara Falls, New York Deputy Leader Leader Sean Conway said "This incredible report...suggest we may be on the verge of a liquid Love Canal." You will recall that whole neighbourhoods in the vicinity of the Canal were forced to leave their homes. Responding to the report, the Minister of the Environ- ment, Andy Brandt, has maintained that the drinking water consumed by millions of Ontarians, said by the report to be in jeopardy, is perfectly safe. While he conceded that an environmental disastercould loom if current levels of high toxic pollution increase or continue unabated, he is ap- parently not convinced of the findings of the report. Accor- ding to a Ministry report released this week, treated drinking water sampled in Metro Toronto, Hamilton, Oshawa, and the Niagara Region showed trace amounts of toxic chemicals, but the detected levels measured on sophisticated new equipment were well below provincial standards. The Minister call- ed that Ontario's drinking water "is second to none in the world". CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS — The Exeter Optim parade depicted Christmas is for Kids. 1st club float in Saturday's Santa Claus T -A photo PROVINCIAL HONOURS — Awarded provincial honours at the 4-H Achievement' Night held in the Stanley Complex were Irene Dietrich, Crediton V, (back left), Cotherin Johns, Elimville, Angelo Fleming Crediton V and (front) Angelo Gower, Clinton 1 and Sheryl De Boer, Hurondale IV. ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT — Receiving county honours at 4-H Achievement Night held in the Stanley Community Centre were Vicki Parsons, Elimville, (back left), Lynn Moffat, Kippen III, Tracey Oke, Hurondale 11, Tracy Soldan and Julie Brown, both Grand Bend 111 and (front) Cathy Norris, Grand Bend III, Janet Koricina, Crediton 111, Teresa McCarter, Hurondale IV and Tania Johnson, Grand Bend 111. Robarts study committee Dear Sir, The Ministry of Education has proposed to close high school classes at the Robarts School in London and move the hearing impaired students to Milton, Ontario. the Robarts School parents are opposed to this happening. In a recent London Free Press article Dr. John Boyd, superintendent of the Roy Wollaston, Superintendent of the E.C. Drury School in Milton and Dr. Boyd have been given equal oppor- tunities by the ministry - appointed Study Committee to present the credits of their respective secondary pro- grams. It is the feeling of the Robarts School Parents Association that Mr. Wollaston has taken full ad- vantage of his -position on the Study Committee while Dr. Boyd has offered virtually no argument in favor of keeping his secondary program at Robarts. Twelve years ago Dr. Boyd campaigned and sought parent help to open the Robarts School. Many of the same people who rallied around him then are now ask- ing him for his support However. his actions and statements over the last several months indicate that he is encouraging the demise of the Robarts School, at least as it exists for the hearing handicapped. Bryan Robertson, director of provincial schools, and Dr. Boyd have on numerous occa- sions discredited our parents groups because we did not represent an "official" voice. Without a charter they would not recognise our group. We are now a charter member of a provincial organization Our children are experien- cing the same disrespect. On November 23, our young peo- ple staged a short walkout to protest the possible closure of their high school. The students made their position known in an orderly manner in a minimal amount of time Contrary to Dr. Boyd's ac- cusations, this protest was not set up by the parents We knew nothing about it until Friday morning when the students requested we contact the media - which we did glad- ly and proudly. We hope that after serious thought Dr. Boyd will be pro- ud of his students' initiative and ability to stand up for their rights in such an order- ly and mature fashion Our young people deserve the right to be asked by the Government. "How do you feel about this proposal?" The ministry of education says they cannot offer viable programs to 30 or 40 students. yet with Bill 82 they are ask- ing School Boards to provide quality programs to handfuls of students. Parents and teachers have submitted reports to the Study Commit- tee proving that quality education can be given at the Robarts School to small numbers. The ministry of education insists that cost is not a fac- tor. We are beginning to understand why. We have heard that in 1979 the ministry of education studied closing the Robarts School but the transfer would have cost $600,000. We are sure that by 1985 this figure will - have greatly increased, so why the urgency to move our children out of the Robarts School? What are the Ministry's future plans for: ra) the Robarts School facilities? ib) the other provincial schools? On Saturday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. the Study Com- mittee will meet at the Robarts School, London. The meeting is open to the public and media. It is the last chance for parents, special in- terest groups, educators, school boards, concerned citizens - anyone - to make their views known to the Study Committee. We urge everyone to attend this very important meeting. Marlene Taylor, Hensall 262-2021 Cougar Column Zurich Public School It has been an exciting month for grades four and five. All of us loved playing the computer with great skill. On November 9, grade 8 did a Remembrance Day Service for the school. We all had fun when the weekly skating started. We are excited about our Christmas Program on December 19, and we are busily practising for it. We all looked like movie stars on Famous People's Days. On the 26 of November. we had visitors from Australia. Their names are Adam and Toby Nettleton. Adam is 9 and Toby is 10 years old. Jennifer Morrison The month of November was very exciting at Zurich Public School. On Nov. 7, Grades 7 and 8 went to see a play at Exeter Public School called Pioneer Women. The actors were playing the role of Pioneer Women. what they did, when they moved to Canada, and some of the trades back then. It was a good educational report for our history course. On NQv. 9 Room 8 held a Remembrance Day Assembly. Two represen- tatives from each room went up and laid a wreath on the Canadian Flag On each side of the flag. stood two tomb stones. On Nov. 19. 20 and 21, Jon Hendrick, Andrew Scott and Murray De Bliek were involv- ed in an art course at Exeter High School. They drew pic- tures of fish and did "prin- ting". On Tuesday they went to the Art Gallery in London. All of them agreed it was ex- tremely educational! Every Friday for four weeks our school goes skating at the local arena. Grades 4-8 go from i:OOpm. to2:00p.m. and Grades K-:3 go from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p th This is part of our physical education. On Friday Nov. 22 the Stu- dent Council organized a Famous People Day. Children dressed up like Michael Jackson, Lone Ranger, Boy George, John Labatt, Christopher Colum- bus. Frosty the Snowman and many more interesting people_ Weare pleased to announce that we had visitors from Australia. Adam and Toby Nattleton visited us on Nov. 26. Nov. 28 we have a P.A. Day. The teachers will be having a Creative Writing Ideas Workshop instructed by Carol Simons and Warren Robert- son. Also they will have a Social Skills Training Workshop which is done by Linda Hazzard. On Dec. 7 the volleyball tournaments will take place. The girls' team is made up of Kelly Kirk, Kim Redick, Stephanie Peters, Shelley Erb. Carolyn Love, Peggy Gackstetter, Kathy Schenk, Kelli McBeath, Joy Kuepfer, Heather Consitt, Kim Lovie, Heather Westlake and An- drea Hendrick. They will play at J.A.U. McCurdy. The boys' team is Steven Shagtz. Mark McAdams, Jon Kendrick, Glenn McBeath, Danny Weigand, Pat Haggitt, Jeff Verhoeven, Tim Bullock, Richard Gingerich, David Thiel. Greg Lovie, John Luther, Pau; Dichert and Frank ihrig. They play at Ex- eter Public School. Good Luck to Everyone! Of course on December 7 everyone is eagerly awaiting for the first term reports. Carolyn Love Music of Porter at.Grand Theatre Captivatin' Cole. a musical revue celebrating the music of Cole Porter, opens at the Grand Theatre Wednesday. December 12 and continues to Ji.nuary 5. Conceived and compiled by artistic director Don Shipley, this musical features Don Goodspeed, Jo- Anne Kirwan Clark, Jaynt Lewis, Sheila McCarthy. Brian McKay and Rudy Webb. Captivatin' . Cole previews December 10 and 11. The music of Cole Porter, one of the outstanding American composer -lyricists, has been arranged by Ber- thold Carriere for this original production and features many favourites including music from Porter's suc- cessful 1930's - 1930's Broad- way period. Captivatin' Cole, which is choreographed by Judith Marcuse, features dance styles popular during the Cole Porter era. Tines -Advocate, December 5, 1984 Page 17A Creditors support UCO All creditors' groups of United Cooperatives of On- tario (UCO) gave a resoun- ding vote of confidence and support to the Co-op's new fintfttcial plan, at meetings held November 29 and 30, 1984, in Toronto. "1t was gratifying to receive this vote of con- fidence," said Bob Down, UCO president, "It's just a super feeling! Creditor accep- tance is a giant step forward and I would like to thank them for their support. Now, it's up the co-op's Board and management to build on this opportunity and implement our business plan. We've served Ontario agriculture for 70 years and we intend to continue providing quality service and products to our members and customers, for just as long a time. On behalf of the members of UCO I would like to extend my ap- preciation to everyone who has supported us." Bob Bethune, interim chief executive officer, expressed relief on the results. "Con- siderable management and Board time has been devoted to the preparations for these meetings. Now we'll be able to turn out full attention to achieving our business plans. "Despite our well publiciz- ed difficulties," he added, "we have continued to enjoy solid support from members and customers, and we cer- tainly thank them for that support." Garth MacGirr, president, Price Waterhouse and chair- man of the creditors' meetings, said in announcing the result, that over 98 per- cent acceptance of the Plan of Arrangement was given. "UCO should take con- siderable pride in the extent of this support. This amount is quite unusual and indicates that there are a lot of people who are wanting UCO to become successful." UCW went under court pro- tection on August 27, 1984, to Decoration contest For the first time in several years, Exeter residents can vie for prizes and the distinc- tion of having the best decorated home for the festive season. The Alpha Pi chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority is sponsoring a contest to deter- mine the best decorated homes. Prizes of $25, $15 and $10 will be awarded. provide time to restructure its financial arrangements. Price Waterhouse Ltd. was named interim receiver and administrator. These creditors' meetings were held as required by the Supreme Court of Ontario, to obtain creditor approval for the refinancing. The new financial plan scheduled for implementation on April 1, 1985 provides the following: 1. Member Debenture and Member Capital Investment Certificate Holders - shall ex- change their debentures and certificates for Class 1 deben- tures secured by a first floating charge which will mature on the later of the original team of the exchang- ed debenture or certificate on September 30, 1989; Z. Windsor Grain Terminal, Bondholders - shall retain their existing security and receive as additional col- lateral security only, a new second floating charge deben- ture in the principal amount of $2.5 million; 3. Depositholders, Holders of Promissory Notes and Trade Creditors - shall receive full cash payment for the amount of their proven claims as of August 27, 1984, with payment to be made on April I, 1985 or a later date as decided by a creditor committee; 4. Institutional Lenders - shall receive on April 1, 1985, Class II Income Debentures equal to their indebtedness; 5. Residual Creditors - shall be paid in accordance with present contractual ar- rangements. Specific details for each creditor were outlin- ed in the information circular. 6. Governments of Canada and Ontario will be providing $7.5 million each in recoverable loans on or after April 1, 1985. Where to write Readers of Gwyn Whilsmith's column yho have phoned to ask where to send a letter to register their con- cern regarding pornography may write to one or both of the following: Minister of Justice The Honorable John Crosbie Parliament Buildings Ottawa, Ontario and/or: - The Honorable Roy McMurtry Attorney -General Queen's Park Toronto, Ontario Clear up to a ton of snow per minute with a John Deere snow blo er Save time, effort and money this winter with a John Deere snow blower. Drop in and take a look at the 10 H.P. Model 1026 that clears a 26" path in one trip. John Deere snow blowers feature chains, drift cutters, gas gauge and extended chute as standard equipment. HOUNNI Exeter 235-1115 WE'RE VERY 11C SN SERVICE. Blyth 523-4244 The Hair Shoppe NEW HOURS Mon. 8:30 - 6 p.m. Tues. 8:30 - 6 p.m. Thurs. 8:30 - 8:30 p.m. Fri. 8:30 - 6:00 Sat. 9 - 1 Joyce Mayer 235-1410 227 Andrew St. Exeter Art Portfolio (reg. 52.00) '40.00 Correspondence Portfolio `'1295 3 Ring Appointment Diary Address Books Expense and Auto Record '6.99 Assortment of Scheaffer Pens & Pen Sets '9.60 '6.95 ) 1