Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-08-13, Page 4toles -Advocate, August 13,.1997 Publisher & Editor: Jim Beckett Business Manager: Don Smith Production Manager: Deb t.ord -ltlr t'sing, Barb Consittj Chad Eedy Wits; Heather MW. Craig Bradford -Brenda Burke. Kate Monk, Ross'Haugh Production; Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray. Barb Robertson Brenda Hern. Joyce Weber, Laurel Miner rransoortation: Al Flynn, Al Hodgert front Office & Accounting; Elaine Pinder. Sue Rollings. Ruth Slaght -Ruthanne Negtijn, Anita McDonald. Cassie Dalrymple, Carol Windsor A 1AO COMMYN, H1 19p The Exeter Times -Advocate is a member of a family of community newspapers providing news, advertising and information. leadership F;DIi TO RIA Publications Mail Registration Number O3R8 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One year rate for Canada subscribers - S35.00 * GST Two year rate for Canada subscribers - S83.00 * GST OTHEt3_BAIES Outside Canada - 9102.00 In the face of tragedy omething awful happened in. Perth County more than three weeks ago, but what has followed proves that goodness does indeed prevail. A 22 -year-old Amish woman was se-. riously injured when she was, hit in the - face with a heer bottle, while driving , home with family members in a horse • and buggy in the early morning hours of July 20. - So far no arrests have been made, but Sebringville OPP have made the case a priority and continue to receive tips - which will hopefully lead them to a suspeet(s). - People were horrified at the appalling incident, and a trust fund was quickly established to help pay,the victim's medical expenses. The Am,ish do not ' have provincial medical coverage.: ' ,Donations, along with letters ofsup- port, have been received from across the province, and to date the fund has. risen to $70,000... and counting. A re- ward has also been offered to anyone ' with information leading to an arrest, and an additional $30,000 has been contributed to that fund. Any of the money donated toward ' medical expenses that is not needed by the Amish woman will be given to a suitable oharity, says Ed Bennett. a spokesperson for the Milverton - Economic Development Corp. which set up the trust fund. • A tragedy in Toronto last week has alsobrought an outpouring of support for a family which emigrated'to Canada from South Africa less than a month ago. Seven-year-old_ Fran.k Gaerdes died of massive head injuries when he was hit by about -of -control truck in Mississau- ga. Frank and his three siblings were wait- ing -with their mom to cross a busy inter- section when the truck braked for a red ,light but was unable to stop on wet pavement. Frank's brother Konrad, 8, was also seriously injured. The family is gratified by the help and •consolation they've received. Here again, a trust fund has been started for the family, who aren't yet eligible for ,OHIP. So far, $27,000 has been raised. The Gaerdes will need the money; their son's bed at Sick Kids is' costing $975 a day. Mrs. Gaerdes says they've received many calls, hugs, and offers to help from Toronto area residents. "People have called us and simply said we're in their prayers, and that has meant a lot,"_she told a Toronto Sun re- porter. So whether it'sone or two jerks caus- ing serious'injury through a thoughtless prank, or yet another senseless death on' the highway -- such events serve as cata- lysts to bring out the best in. people. • There is far more goodness on this Earth than bad; we just don't _usually hear about it. St. Marys Journal Argus • Your Views Letter to the editor Hats o to town park crew Congratulations to, all the men who are responsible... Thar Editor: 1{.u� oirto the town', park 1 haixe Just re- turned trout the Decoration Da!, SeNce at the Exet- er Cemetery; to daughter Annie and I were mQst• impre..cd with the beautt of the grounds. the t1ow, ens. the hell manicured lawn. the overall impres sign Was (earful when the Town changed its policy .end renx)ted the Exeter C'cnietery B lard from its responsibility knowing how dedicated that group was to its cause. Sunday proved those tears to be groundless. die beauty of the Cemetery. was abso- lutely striking. ' . l • would like to assure those who were not at the dedication and who may have the fears 1 had: that the Cemetery is•still in good hands. ' Congratulations to alt the men who are responsi- ble for continuing to maintain the quality "of tvork • we have all come to expect. - Valerie--Onuld Exeter LiA View From Queen's Park TORONTO -- Premier.Mike Harris did not . plink when a hospital 'he plans to close pro duced a poll claiming people across Ontario .'overwhelmingly' want to keep it'open,•which suggests,he is getting w I to such surveys. Harris's Progressne Conservative govern: ment had said it will close Woolen's College Hospital to save costs and the hospital quickly - came up with a poll saying 72 per cent of resi- dents want it open. The poll was by Allan Gregg, who polled for the Tories under an earlier premier, William Davis, and becatne so.influential on policies Davis would not go the bathroom without checking with him. The poll stressed cleverly that most who want the hospital open admire Harris ted no premier wants to turn Off supporters,.but he stuck to closing. larris is fond of claiming he is guided by principles, but mere likely has joined those By ego Howe Eric Dowd Published Each Wednesday Morning at 424 Main St., Exeter. Ontario, NOM 1S8 by J.W. Eady Publications Ltd. Telephone 1-519-235-1331 • Fax: 519.2350766 O.S.T. lQ105210e38 GOOD PAY.. GREAT PENSiONN HAS SUMMERS OFF. Fir Student Employment By Carrie McCone It has been_ a wonderful sum mer working in Exeter. 1 have never had a 'summer go by as, - fast as this one has: But all of my • time has been well spent - meeting new people and learn= ing. new things. I have gained .t . lot of experience from being a student employment officer from better • organizational skills to better phone skills. I have enjoyed getting to' know the Exeter businesses better and meeting. all of the students that have taken the time to drop,by the office to become registered. The activities- that I did . this past summer have . included: group information -sessions. a scavenger hunt. job' shadowing and `a C.P.R course: Generally the tun outs were -fairly well. but next year maybe the stu- dents could request activities that they muy.be interested in or have the ,activities advertised differently. I feel that the activ- ities that I held are important to both the students and the em - Year in re vie w chance for students to become employed: It; allowed them to get out and meet.the employers. They were able to ,show them that they are good workers and 'willing to learn new things. .As forthe eniployers.ir gave them, -the opportunity to meet poten- tial employees. also. they, be- came aware of the Human Re-. source Centre for Students and what we stand 'for. -• My favourite memories of this year include: the scavenger'hunt when'all the students were run- ning around Exeter in efforts to try and find the employer that their clue had led them to..hear- ing the happy voices from new- ly employed students, and my best memory came just this 'Week when 1 received a . phone call from a woman who works for the London Board of Educa- tion in the Youth. Internship Program. She informed me that she cut out my articles • every week and that she would like me to start speaking to her stu- much is because it could be just the ,sort of experience. that •-1 need • in order. to become _ em- ployed in the field of work that I - am -interested in 'which . is ,a, Child and 'Youth worker. 1 am irrateful for being able to have my- position 'as -"Student Em- - ployment Offieer as it has.given me- the chance to- work with " youth but, it has also led me to, workirtg . with -disadvantaged- youth. This is proof that an av- , erage student like myself is able to get one step higher in life be cause I put,theeffortinto trying to succeed. . This- position has eiven me a 'lot of confidence and experience that 1 know it will benefit me in the future. . Next week will be my last arti- cle for student employment. It 'will - be dedicated to the, stn - .dents. the employers and every- one who has helped'me to be .Corrie successful during my first year. as Student' Employment Officer. my office is still open and If you have any questions. pioyers. The scavenger `hunt ents`as—often xs -[ c .tu. The you-can-:otjtata-7-me Ott -35- — -T and job shadowing were the reason that this excites me so 1711. ' two that I felt had the greatest who do not place much stock in.the growing tlood.of polls from lobbyists. No self-respecting group asks the Ontario government for anything these days without ' bringing a poll claiming the vast majority of people support it. Another Toronto hospital which campaigned unsuccessfully against being closed, the Wellesley, produced a poll Claiming only 10 percent of residents of Greater Toronto feel Harris's closings will increase efficiency. The polls are by professional polling firms, but stop short of asking whether respondents want to pay for empty beds; or higher taxes to keep all hospitals open. which voters will be more focussed on in an election. Lobby groups never seem to have difficulty • obtaining polls that support their causes. The Ontario Medical Association flourished on boasting Ontarians 'trust their doctors more' on health care. Organizations are impersonal and Poll 'your own doctor' means those with whom re- spondents already have relationships so they were bound to prefer doctors. Harris has had numerous polls fromgovern- ment agencies and staffs worried the right-wing premier will privatize them as threatened. • The Society of Ontario Hydro Professional • and Administrative Employees claimed two- • . thirds of those polled oppose privatizing Hydro, but reminded them first the government agency has not increased rates for three years and has downsized employees and reduced debt, which put them in a favorable mood. The Friends of Canadian Broadcasting had a poll saying 66 per cent of Ontarians oppose pri- vatizing TV Ontario. the educational channel. but the Friends are in the business of winning support for public ownership. The Police Association of Ontario obtained a poll showing 80 per cent feel Harris should • never cut funding for police no matter what the deficit. but it reminded them first of the preva- lence of crime. • • •- The media constantly constantly find space • for such self-serving polls. One tharsaid 76 per cent fear state pensions will be inadequate was on front pages in Toronto. although it was by Investors Group. which sells savings plans. A report 'home security is top concern' was based on a survey by Canadian Tire, which sells locks. and even more room was given a poll claiming 82 per cent of women prefer clean-shaven men by Philishave. which makes shavers. Similarly well displayed were polls saying . one-third of Canadians prefer chocolate to sex, commissioned by the Confectionery Manufac- turers Association, and many women would rather give up sex than their TV remote control, put out by a maker of TV sets. • The media are suckers for polls no matter how dubious. but•Harris is showing some dis- crimination.