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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-10-18, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, October 18, 1995 Publisher & Editor: Jim Beckett The Exeter Times Advocate Is a member of a family of community newspapers Business Manager: Don smith ►" �" °" N� , J providing news, advertising and information leadership Production Manager: Deb Lord dt>ialftlsing; Barb Consitt Views; Heather Mir, Chris Skalkos, Ross Haugh, Brenda Burke Enzfuran Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson Brenda Hem, Joyce Weber, Laurel Miner Transportation: Al Flynn, Al Hodgen front Oftigg & Accounting; Elaine Pinder, Sue Rollings, Ruthanne NegriJn, Anita McDonald, Cassie Dalrymple S 1 • inion EDITOR IAI. OPP show of strength ometimes a subtle message can accomplish more than one that i±; hammered home. We believe this is a correct assess- ment of last week's gathering of a large force of OPP officers in Centralia in preparation for a va>hety of situations that could arise out of the Ipperwash dispute. News reports were tossed around all week that a native group could possibly be planning an occupation of Pinery Park. Of course the OPP, who are the only logical group short of calling in the mil- itary, must be ready to cope with any one of a variety of situations that could arise. To do this effectively requires ap- propriate strength and also a large num- ber of cruisers and other support vehi- cles. The weeks of conflict leading up the death of Dudley George, one of the na- tive occupiers at Ipperwash Park, have shown police how quickly a situation can escalate. George was killed by po- lice gunfire in circumstances that differ greatly depending on whether you hear the native version or the OPP version. One thing we are sure the police know is they are walking a tightrope when it comes to the way the public think they should react. There are some that believe quick, forceful action in the form of an all out attack on the natives who were occuping the former Ipper- wash armed forces base would put the government in charge. Hopefully, those who want quick action seem to be in the minority understanding there are no decisive victories in disputes between natives and authorities. The decision to have a standby contin- gent of obviously well-trained police, ready to contain any problems that could spring up, is one we would assume would be made at the highest level. The manner in which the decision was im- plemented is a credit to the OPP who are demonstrating they are doing their best not to inflame a potentially volatile en- counter with disgruntled natives. Police could have used the same num- ber of officers and vehicles in a much more public show of strength. Imagine the reaction if the officers were in full public view, either just outside the Pin- ery or even nearby in Grand Bend. The available force would be the same but the provocation factor would have been greatly magnified, especially once the media reported on what they would surely describe as a probable confronta- tion between police and natives. Whoever decided to have the OPP ready for action while, at the same time, minimizing their public show of force,. obviously has the correct view. Inflam- ing a situation where it becomes more difficult to protect both natives and non - natives would be the last thing the OPP would want to do but they can't be available every week. Sooner or later both provincial and federal governments and natives must resolve their differences. Outrageous land claims will never be accepted, nor will foot -dragging and constant review- ing by government negotiators be toler- ated. Until this happens the OPP will al- ways unfortunately, have to be in some state of readiness. Speak Out! LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Times Advocate continues to welcome letters to the editor as a forum for open discussion of local issues, concerns, complaints and kudos. WE ASK THAT YOU KEEP YOUR LETTERS TO A MAXIMUM OF 300 WORDS. The Times Advocate reserves the right to edit letters for brevity. Please send your letters to P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1S6. Sign your letter with both name and address. Anonymous letters will not be published. TORONTO -- Ontario's Progressive Con- servatives are making life tougher for the poor, but get quite offended when they fight back the only way they can. The Tories, who are cutting welfare and many services to poorer people to give oth- ers a tax cut and balance the budget, have been subjected to more demonstrations than usual for a new government. In one, led by the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty and supported by unionists outside the legislature, 5,000 demonstrated peacefully for three hours until a handful tried to push in and were beaten back by police who used batons to inflict much more damage than they received. Since then, demonstrators climbed the roof and threw smoke bombs in a golf club where Premier Mike Harris spoke to those affluent enough to pay the Tory party $150 a plate, splattered his pants with an egg at another rally and even spoiled the festive air by turning up at his hometown Labor Weekend corn roast. Harris was restrained enough to tell the uninvited at his roast this was not the time or place to "do business" and he would meet them later, but he has warned against 'lawlessness' he said hurts causes. A Harris spokesman sniffed that the pro- tests would "fall on deaf ears" and newspa- pers that support Harris have called demon- strators 'hooligans,' urged him not to mistake them as representing the public and sneered at "the starving masses," while let- ters have called them whiners and undemo- cratic. Pushing police and throwing smoke bombs, even by a small minority, cannot be condoned, but it should be borne in mind that many of those who demonstrated have no power except to make themselves seen. The poor cannot afford to hire any of the multitude of public relations and govern- ment consultants and lawyers who besiege Queen's Park and are experienced in put- ting clients' cases to government. The former press secretaries to premiers William Davis, Frank Miller and David Pe- terson all served up inside knowledge so those who have money, largely business, can be heard by government, as do half the rip Publications Mail Registration Number 0386 SU SCRIPT RATES: CANADA Within 40 miles (65 km.) addressed to non latter canter addresses $33.00 plus 62.31 OAT. Outside 40 miles (65 km.) or any letter carrier address 633.00 plus $30.00 (total 83.00) + 4.31 A.$.T. Outside Canada 688.00 plus 68.83 OST (Includes 888.40 postage) Pubdsh dEsch Wednesday Menem at 424 Mab $t., Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1136 by 1.W. Lady PubMaatNss Ltd. Telephone 1,31*2351331 • Fart: 51.62350756 a.s.T. Nt30'1M0SS5 atters % .leather Mir. Beating the flu season Although this autumn has been unusually warm, flu season will soon be upon us lasting in Canada from November until April. The end of October ' is the most appropriate time to consid- er getting a flu shot, especially if you are one of the high risk individuals. These include the elderly, peo- ple in 'closed' populations such as schools or workplaces, peo- ple with chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, people with dia- betes, cancer or anemia and healthcare workers in contact with high risk groups. The Health Unit also recommends travellers get the flu shot. The Huron County Health Unit orders the flu vaccine for the en- tire county and those who are el- igible, may receive the shot free of charge. Marlene Price, Assistant Di- rector of Nursing for the Health Unit, said residents of nursing homes are encouraged to get a flu shot and as a result a high percentage of residents are im- munized. Many doctors hold clinics to provide the influenza vaccine to patients. The flu is one of the most contagious viruses found and even healthy young adults can become infected. Some of the classic symptoms include a bad cough, fever, chills, burning watery eyes, aches and pains, weakness and loss of appetite. According to a fact sheet from the Health Unit, true influenza may keep you in bed for five to 10 days. The workplace is one of plac- es where the flu can wreck hav- oc, it is estimated approximately 30 per cent of the population can contract influenza each win- ter. Complications from the flu can include bronchitis, pneumo- nia, kidney failure, heart failure and can be life-threatening. In- fluenza, combined with pneu- monia, is a leading cause of death in adults 65 years of age and older in Canada. Within two weeks of vaccina- tion, the body's immune system produces antibodies which are important in preventing infec- tion. It takes six weeks for your system to reach maximum im- munity so the month of October is the best time to get a flu shot to allow sufficient time for anti- bodies to build up in the body prior to the peak flu season. Al- though the ideal time to receive a vaccination is between Sep- tember and November, it is nev- er too late. A yearly vaccina- tion prevents flu in about 75 per cent of the population who get the shot. Although most people who are vaccinated do not suffer side- effects, anyone who is allergic to egg or egg products should not get a flu shot. There are tiny traces of egg protein which may be present in the vaccine which could cause an allergic reac- tions. Also, anyone with a se- vere infection should not be giv- en a flu shot. Despite some of the myths surrounding the flu shot, you cannot get influenza from a vac- cination. Side-effects are rare and last usually no longer than 24-48 hours. It is estimated about 45 per cent of high risk individuals in the community receive a flu vaccine. Studies show approxi- mately 6,700 Canadians die each year from influenza and pneumonia complications. If you have questions about taking the flu shot, ask your family doctor. • More demonstrations than usual for new government retired deputy ministers, the highest rank civil servants. Davis and Peterson are both with firms of lawyers that lobby for clients, and former premiers of other provinces, including Al- berta's Peter Lougheed, Newfoundland's Brian Peckford and Prince Edward Island's Joe Ghiz all sell what they know of govern- ment to help big business lobby. Prime Minister Jean Chretien while brief- ly out of elected politics was with a lobby firm, according to its sales pitch "providing advice on public policy issues to selected • clients" (meaning those with enough mon- ey.) Those of the poor who can afford a news- paper will have read last month that when businessman and big donor to the Tory par- ty John Bitove Sr. wanted a more favorable lease for his airport concessions he simply phoned then prime minister Brian Mulron- ey -- he did not have to march outside wav- ing placards. The anti -poverty coalition cannot afford huge newspaper ads like those currently by the Petroleum Communication Foundation praising the industry and presumably pre- paring the ground for seeking some tax break. The poor cannot pay for polls like those business trots out to prove the public sup- ports it including one recently from the On- tario Restaurant Association claiming most Ontarians would be thrilled if government accepted its proposal to install video lottery terminals in bars. The poor do not have in their ranks spokespersons like Tory MPP Lillian Ross, who stood in the legislature this week, said she is a member of the Ontario Real Estate Association and asked the government to stop regulating it. The poor would not know how to hold a news conference unlike the p.r. men em- ployed by business. The p.r. men also can go in the legislature building and push their causes on the press gallery, and MPPs and ministers who join it at times for drinks, all buddies together, while the poor are kept outside the walls. In such circumstances, no one should ob- ject when they let off steam. 1. .1