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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-05-17, Page 13Page 12 Times -Advocate, May 17, 1995 Letters to the :editor • iews . Requestforsafety measures "I am writing this letter to inform all parents in the town of Exeter of the problem we have." Dear Editor: I am not tvriting this letter to "whom it may con- cern" because it concerns too many people and par- ents of this town. It is 12:30 p.m. I am standing at my front door watching my seven year-old daughter cross Gidley St. East to go back to school after lunch. Five min- utes later all "hell" breaks loose. For starters there were two vehicles racing side by side up the street and I'm sure they were not going the proper speed limit. That was just the beginning. Not two minutes later two different cars, one trailing the other, came racing up the street. By the timd they arrived at the front of our house the trailing car is fishtailing and screeches to a halt. The front car slams on its brakes at the stop sign. I figured some small child or any- one in the way of these maniacs is going to get killed. I thought to myself "where are the police A A A`n A A Rb fib A ito A A A A) A A A A !fib A AD AD AD A Ab eta when they should be at a scene like this." I know there are a lot of students and children that go home for lunch. The time is going to come when those brakes come to a screech it is going to be for the life of someone. My husband and I circulated a petition last fall to the residents of the surrounding area. We had over- whelming response from it (100 concerned citizens). The town council was approached with this and also some suggestions to help eliminate the problem. In my opinion I think they have just pushed this aside as because obviously things have not improved in the least and nothing has been implemented by council to help resolve the problems and huge con- cerns of us, the approximate 100 taxpayers of this town. I am writing this letter to inform all parents in the town of Exeter of the problem we have. I hope that some action will take place because the life of some small child or any individual is going to depend on it. Karen Smith dhow was well performed "It was really nice to see their peers acknowledging and • respecting the students on stage" Dear Editor: Bravo to the students at Stephen Central School! The elementary students organized, auditioned and performed a wonderful talent show for fellow stu- dents, teachers and parents. • It was a show well performed and well organized. The atmosphere and cheers coming from fellow stu- dents in the audience were great, no matter what the performance. There was a wide range of talents - singing, dancing, rhythmic moves, karate and skits from junior kindergarten to grade eight. When each student performed, the audience was silent. It was really nice to see their peers acknowledging and re- specting the students on stage (even when mistakes were made or when stage fright crept in) It is nice to know that the principal's and teachers' support gives their students the confidence to put to- gether and perform such a show by themselves. It was well worth the time away from work to attend the performance. Well done Stephen Central! Kathy McMillan, parent A A A AAAA A AD ieo AD Ab AD AD AD AD AD AD AD AA AA An Ao Donations needed for Friendshipment Aid will be delivered to Havana and re -distributed across the is- land to places of greatest need. Dear Editor: The time has arrived again to ask your readers for help in gathering humanitarian aid for the 1995 Canada -Cuba Friendshipment venture which is de- parting by ocean freighter from Montreal to Havana in late June. My wife and I are coordinating the col- lection of hospital and medical supplies, bedding, school supplies, paper and miscellaneous items to support the overwhelming needs of the impover- ished Cuban people. Clothing will also be accepted, although this is not as high a priority as other items. Shoes, in good condition, are always useful and badly needed. Surplus hospital equipment would be welcomed, as would any clinical supplies from local medical centres and surplus stock from local pharmacies. Se- curity can be provided for medicines. We are also hoping to round up some older computers and soft- ware. Through the efforts of the Pastors for Peace or- ganization, and the Toronto-based Canada -Cuba Ab Ab Ab AD AD At Ab Ab A'a A'a A A4 Friendship Committee, materials will be gathered from across Canada and the United States. They will be funnelled by road and rail across the continent to Montreal. All items will be gathered together and loaded on to a sugar freighter headed back to Cuba. Aid will be delivered to the Martin Luther King Centre in Havana, and re -distributed from that loca- tion across the island to places of the greatest need. We can assure donors that all items will reach their intended destination and will be distributed di- rectly to the people across the island. We have been present to witness this happening. Cash donations (payable by cheque to the Canada -Cuba Friendship- ment Committee) can be directed for specific pur- poses as well. Items - well -packed in labelled, cardboard cartons - can be dropped off at our residence address at 131 West Goderich Street in Seaforth - no later than June 17, or folks can call us at 527-1860 and we'll make arrangements for a pick-up. You can also leave a message at 524-7969. Thanks for your help; it is sorely needed by the Cuban people. We're hoping to surpass last year's Huron County collection of 216 cartons of humani- tarian aid. Mary and Paul Carroll, Seaforth AD A Oa Air Ayr Aa Oa OS ASi Oa ON eta Ab Rate increase questioned "I was most annoyed as this is just one more in a long series of raises." Dear Editor: Enclosed is a copy of a letter I am forwarding to the reeve of our township. You might find the con- tents interesting as I believe this complaint is indica- tive of the manner in which this council operates. Murray Reid, Dashwood Dear Bill: In my latest water bill for the first quarter of 1995 I noted that the amount had been raised by $4.00. I was most annoyed as this is just one more in a long series of raises. I contacted Mr. Brown, stated my annoyance and queried him on the reason behind this raise. He stated that MOE had imposed a 14 percent raise on the rates for water supplied to Dashwood and that this translated into $4.00 per customer. Later he amended MOE to read the Onta- rio Clean Water Agency. I next contacted the Toronto office of this agency and re -iterated my query. I was informed that the details were not readily available at that office but that the London office being the headquarters for southwestern Ontario region would have such data. Subsequently Mr. Mike Bolden of London did con- tact me with the requested data. Mr. Bolden explained that all persons who reside in his sector contribute to all upgrading projects, at this time there are two major ones underway: a) major overhaul of the pumping system at the water plant north of Grand Bend, and b) supplying water to the city of London from Lake Erie. It was determined that a raise of 14 per- cent would suffice to defray these costs. the agency previously charged 92¢/1000 gallons, the raise would increase the cost to 1.045$/1000 gallons. Dashwood is charged another separate cost of 85.501000 gallons, and the forementioned 14 per- cent was not applied to this cost. Thus it costs local consumers 1.90$/1000 gallons for the water they use. An examination of my bill showed that I used 32 cubic metres of water, this translates into 32000 li- ters which in turn converts into 7049 gallons. At 92¢/1000 gallons this equals $6.48 and the 14 per- cent raise increases it to $7.39 (.908¢). Adding on the Dashwood costs shows that my water bill is $13.42 plus $10.00 for a meter. I realize there are capital costs involved for pipe lines in the village, also maintenance and administration costs, but do they add up to $48.58? ($72.00 - $23.42)? I would like an explanation of how you raised my bill by $4.00 when the agency only raised it .908¢. Also I and many local residents would like a detailed data breakdown covering the forementioned $48.58. While talking to Toronto I was informed that it costs three times more to handle sewerage than it does to provide potable water. Since Dashwood does not have a sewer system this means that we have been paying 75 percent of our water bills for a service we do not have. I trust that when the day ar- rives when we do get this service that we will be duly credited for our longstanding input. Yours truly, Murray Reid. ccEditor, TA, Exeter Helen Johns, PC Party John Jewitt, Liberal Party Debt wall invites the I.M.F. -Heaven forbid The I.M.F. "has continued to ' emasculate the 3rd World and wield unholy powertivhile lining their pockets..." Dear Editor: Should Canada become unable to borrow cash to service our national debt, the I.M.F. will be at our door. They come uninvited without local debate to be our creditor of last resort. Since the International Monetary Funds 1944 inception, they have never forgiven a loan. The rules and policies imposed on nation debtors are indeed severe and totally undem- ocratic. These S.A.P.s known as strategic action plans, dictate to nations, with inflexible vigor, how to pay down their debt. Oxfam equates I.M.F. policies in Africa to "social holocaust" where imposed high in- terest rates and slashed government spending, have uvly escalated human misery and created a new form of 21 century slavery. A similar scenario hap- pened in Poland, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina... You and I will determine if and when Canada is "ser- viced". Seven distinct policies of the I.M.F. immediately subjugate us. First, they seriously devalue our dol- lar, supposedly to increase exports while reducing imports. In fact, even more exporters sell commodi- ties even cheaper just to retain stable markets. Secondly, interest rates will rise even further be- cause I.M.F. bankers will only extend credit to most efficient investors. Because exports will be stressed, domestic businesses will be discouraged. When credit dries up, inflation grows as desperate debtors compete for scarce funds. Thirdly, the money supply will be cut to control inflation but the resulting depression only creates even more unemployment. Essential infrastructures deteriorate without capital, and quality of life less- ens. Fourth, the I.M.F. demands brutal government cut-backs supposedly to reduce excessive demands. At this stage, hospitals, schools, utilities, sewers and roads go without maintenance. Fifth, our protective tariffs are dismantled fully. Even import quotes fall, supposedly to make us competitive again on world markets. Our so-called free trade is replaced by forced trade to gain foreign exchange cash with which to re -pay our debt. Wealthy Canadians will continue to enjoy a smor- gasbord of luxury imports while our poor will grov- el for more basics. Sixth, all government businesses will be priva- tized also to enhance efficiency. Profitability will override social welfare. The poor and needy will be on their own. Seventh, we'll export more at all costs to earn for- eign dollars - This has meant plunder natural re- sources with disregard for sustainability worldwide. Investment in people resources becomes a luxury since all money goes to debt repayment. The 50 year old I.M.F. "has continued to emascu- late the 3rd World and wield unholy power while lining their pockets with the good things of life for doing so, "says Desmond Tutu of the All African Conference of Churches." The social threat to international peace created by the I.M.F.'s imposition of low intensity financial conflicts is growing yearly. Economic warfare strengthens the I.M.F. and guarantees cheap raw materials and labour for powerful multinational in- dustries. Debt is the bankers' tool to force depen- dency. The I.M.F. is a dinosaur living a fantasy and fully backed by the G7, including Canada still. Together with the World Bank and G.A.T.T. (General Agree- ment on Tariff and Trade) they effectively already control world trade and social chances. M. Gandhi said it well, "The earth has enough for each man's need but not enough for each man's greed". Fellow Canadians, "Who stands on guard for thee?" "Under the I.M.F. our democratic votes will be meaningless. Patrotically David Hem Woodham AA itn AiOa AiOnAi AoAn!finADODADA4,b Challenge proposed "We are challenging the local service clubs to host a non- smoking bingo night..." Dear Editor: I am writing on behalf of the Huron County Smoke -Free Coalition. Our group consists of local residents and agencies who are concerned with the rights of all people to a tobacco -free environment. We are aware of a number of persons in the county who would prefer smoke-free environment in bingo halls. May 31, 1995 is World No -Tobacco Day. In celebration of World No Tobacco Day, we are challenging the local service clubs to host a non- smoking bingo night during the week of May 29 -to. June 3. Our proposal is for one night only, as an ex- periment, to see if the concept of providing a smoke-free bingo evening might be received on a more regular basis. As a result, many individuals in the community may have a renewed interest in bin- go. Please support this initiative by encouraging the service clubs who host bingo to participate in the smoke-free bingo night. Sincerely, Anita Looby, Huron -Perth Cancer Society Member, Huron County Smoke -Free Coalition A A A fib Ai AAA A'a A A Ai A Ab A !fin A`n A`n A Ab Ai OD A A) Non-smoking by-law should be applied Second hand tobacco smoke has immediate adverse effects on people .... To The Editor: For the past year the Huron County Health Unit has been working with the Town of Goderich to es- tablish a non-smoking by-law. The proposed by- law would require Goderich restaurants to designate two-thirds of their seating area as non-smoking, and designate enclosed public places and municipal buildings as smoke free. The by-law was defeated on a four to four tie vote at a February 17, 1995 Council meeting. The aim of the by-law was to protect people from second hand environmental tobacco smoke. Second hand tobacco smoke has immediate adverse effects on people suffering from asthma, chronic bronchitis and heart disease. As far back as 1988 environmen- tal tobacco smoke was recognized as the most im- portant preventable cause of disease and death in the developed world. There is solid overwhelming evidence that tobacco smoke is an important cause of respiratory symtoms and disease in infants and children whose parents smoke and in non-smoking adults. People who are addicted to tobacco are quick to remind us that they have the right to smoke, tobacco is a legal product and this is a free country. Smok- ers do have the right to poison themselves and de- grade their health. They have the right taengage in this high risk behavior. If people wish to risk their lives by racing automobiles on a race track, they have their right to do so. If however they wish to race their cars down public highways they are stopped, fined and imprisoned. Smokers have a right to poison themselves but they do not have the right to poison innocent bystanders. This proposed by-law is a small step in the right direction. It is however just the first small step. This by-law will help to create a general climate of disap- proval of smoking. This will help to protect children and young people from the example of those, who despite its grave risks, continue to smoke. I would urge residents of Goderich to contact their council members and let them know how they feel about the smoking by-law. The residents of other towns should also lobby their council members for a public environment free of tobacco smoke. Yours sincerely, Dr. P. Englert President Huron County Medical Society A'a A3 A`n !En AS AD itz A`a An An Ab AD AD AD AD AD OD AS Az kin On A`n AD AD !C`n AD Election call delights reader "...now is the chance to come back to the fold and vote for a Tory." Dear Editor: So, Ontario is to have an election June 8, 1995. About time, the people of Ontario, have suffered enough under the regime of "Boy Scout Bob" Rae, the silk-stocking Socialist. Anybody who thinks his tribe of misfits did a good job have either been liv- ing on another planet or don't think clearly. Many citizens don't feel the NDP won, but that the Grits lost it. Peterson was an inept, unfeeling Premier, and the voters wanted to get rid of him. I don't think many people really wanted Rae, they wanted to get rid of Peterson. Even the Socialists were surprised at their win. Ontario is naturally a Conservative province; now is the chance to come hack to the fold and vote for a Tory. Manitoba sets a good example, let's vote Con- servative! Yours truly, J.M. (Gibby) Gibson