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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-03-24, Page 4PAGE 4--CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MARCH 24,1977 NEWS-RECORD., Property tax deduction A resolution is circulating among area municipalities proposing the federal government be asked to allow property.taxes to be a direct deduction from personal income tax. While this - may sound like a good idea on the surface, if all the implications of such a move are considered we believe this .� would not be a very wise move, says the Zurich Citizens -News. In the first place, property tax is a regressive. tax . in that we pay an assessed amount on any property we own regardless of our . income. The ' Ontario government was successful some years ago in persuading the federal government to allow the province' a property tax credit on in- come taxes. This removed some of the regressiveness of property taxes by allowing those with lower incomes to receive rebates on property taxes_rThe more money you made, the less rebate you would receive. This was a major breakthrough in federal provincial fiscal arrangements and we believe it would be very detrimental to have this system abolished. If property taxes were deductions on income taxes, the present rebate system would have to be obolished and those in higher in- come brackets would benefit at the expense of those in the lower income brackets. If you don't have a Targe income, then the property tax • deduction would do you no good so those in lower income brackets would be paying proportionately more. Also, the local municipalities are always needing more money and taxes seem to rise every year. If property taxes were a deduction from your federal income tax, the municipality could feel more freedom to raise those property taxes at an even higher rate than they are presently. After all, they could say the raise doesn't mean anything because you just save that money on your income tax, which is true IF you are making enough money to enable you to use those taxes as a deduction. Once again, this would tend to benefit those in the higher income brackets at the expense of those in the lower and middle . brackets,,,. The property taxes have to be paid and if you don't have the income to deduct such taxes off of, higher property taxes could be a great burden. Such a direct deduction on federal income taxes would also reduce the revenue the federal government would receive from income taxes. They in turn could pass ,this reduction in in- come on to the provinces by reducing the amount of financial_ aid to the provinces. The provinces in turn could reduce the amount of aid they give to the municipalities. thus putting pressure on them to get money in other ways and voila, we have come full circle as the municipality might be only too ready to raise the property taxes and , get the extra income that way. It seems to us allowing property taxes to be a direct deduction off federal income taxes would only succeed in putting us one step back- ward. Instead of having legislation to even the tax burden between the rich • and the poor such as the Ontario tax credit system now in use, we would only end up with higher property taxes paid by everyone with the wealthy passing the higher taxes on to the government in the form of tax deduction and the middle and lower income brackets bearing all the bur- den. We sincerely hope the municipalities in the area seriously consider all the implications of such a resolution before they agree with it. Sugar and Spicc/By Bill Smi ey All for love THERE's nothing more frustrating than being loved for all the wrong reasons. This has been happening to me all my life. My wife fell in clove with me because I was the first live one she'd' met in three years at university. I was just home from overseas, cocky as a young black bass. Until then, the only college men she'd met were flat -foots or four -eyes, whose idea of a hot date was to ask her out, dutch -treat, for a coffee, and breathe heavily over their own passion for Wordsworth's poetry. She was a good, sweet girl who believed in God, University regulations, and the sanctity of Great Writers. I soon cured her - of that. I introduced her into a small society of skeptics and slumgullions like myself, who were more interested in beer than Browning, sex than saintliness. We didn't want to go to college; we wanted to go to Mexico. We didn't want to marry and have children and grow old together; we wanted to have 18 illicit affairs and die young of sheer depravity. It was all a facade, of course, but she was fascinated. And for the next 30 years, I had to continue the pr fence that I was a dashing rake instead of a dull hoe. It's been hard. Underneath, I'm a cowardly con- formist, not a revolutionary romantic; a 'solid free -enterpriser, not an idealistic socialist. I'm not a leader; I'm a follower, even through sometimes I appear to be going sideways or backwards. Final blow came the other day when she caught me trying to figure out how much pension I'd get if I retired in three years. It sank in at last that she had married, not the Scarlet Pimpernel, but Elmer Fudd. Same thing with my kids. They seemed to love me, but for all the wrong reasons. When I was a weekly editor, they thought I . was the most important man in town. Don't know where they got the idea. They never saw me cringing behind the receiver when some old lady had called me up and was wiping me out over the phone because I'd either left one pall bearer out, or put in one too many, in the write-up. of her old man's funeral. The kids thouglft f was a great father because I took them on the Ferris wheel and roller coaster When they were little. They didn't realize I was a quivering jelly inside. From their bedtime stories, .they knew I had won the war practically single- handed, but thought I was just a peacemaker when I backed up smartly in any argument with their mother. Same story all over again with my colleagues. Love me for all the wrong reasons. They seem to think that just because I'm an outstanding shuffleboard player, a superb Russian billiards shot, an extraordinarily acute poker player, • 'a snappy dresser who never wears. the same shirt more than three days in a row, and a bon vivant who can get through the cafeteria's shepherd's pie with the best of them, I should be an object of adoration, if not veneration. They don't see beneath that- dazzling surface at all. They utterly fail to recognize the gentleness, the sweetnesss, the academic brilliance, and the humility that make up the real me. I have the same trouble with my students. I won't say they worship me. I won't go that far. But it's not unusual to walk into my classroom and find candles burning in front of the portrait one of our art teachers has painted of me. Once again, it's for the wrong reasons. They love me because they think I love teaching, love teenagers, tell sparkling jokes, and readily, buy their raffle tickets. In fact, the only reason I teach is the long summer holiday; teenagers are difficult to love, even your own; not one of my jokes is less than eight years old; and I buy their blasted tickets because I don't want my tires slashed. Why don't they love me for my unquenchable optimism: that some day I'll hit three good blows in a row on the golf course; that some day I'll spend most of the time on the trail upright on my skis, rather than downright on my fanny? Yes. It's disconcerting to be constantly loved for .the wrong reasons. That's why Quebec is so disconcerted these days. Suddenly, millions of Canadians, who never gave her -a look or a thought before, love La Belle Province. But do they love her for the right reasons? Do they love her because she is toujours gai, aussi charmante, full of elan, and a hell of a gourmet cook? Nope, Do they love her because she is much more bilingual than the rest of us, and because she is bursting with creativity? Nope. They love her because the sulky bad- tempered magnificently -endowed daughter threatens to leave home, with her dowry under her arm. After years of being loved for all the wrong reasons, I know just how you feel, Rene Leves4k "Car 54 at scene of low priority burglary 16 hours ago, now the scene of high-priority murder attempt by burglary victim who called." tl Odds 'n' ends; .n. by Elaine Townshend Raymond I thought you. might find Raymond's story as interesting as I did. Several years ago a minister moved to a small town in Southern Ontario. As was his custom, he soon became acquainted with the children of his congregation and their friends. One of these youngsters was a seemingly bright, well -adjusted and likeable 12 - year -old named Raymond. In early August, the minister received a call from the boy's mother, who ex- plained worriedly, "Raymond says he's not going back to school." Although he thought it seemed a little premature to panic about a 12 -year-old threatening to not go to school, he went over to the farm to talk to Raymond's parents. He discovered Raymond had a good reason for not wanting to go buck. He couldn't read or write. The previous year, when he was in grade five, an enterprising teacher decided it was about time he learned. She'd write a simple word on the blackboard, like dog or cat, and ask in front of the class, "What's this word, Raymond?" He'd stutter and stammer while his classmates snickered. "Surely you know what this means!" she'd press him When these tactics proved fruitless, she sent him where all children learn to read - grade one. He spent half of each school daycrouched on the little chairs with the beginners trying to read about Dick and Jane. "Has he been tested for a learning disability?" the minister wondered. "He had been given the provincial achievement tests with all the other children at school, and the verdict had been "mental retardation." "I don't buy that!" came the pastor's reply. With the parents' permission, he took Raymond to a hospitalfor further testing. The results showed a rare visual problem. Raymond saw words back- wards. Dog and cat were hard enough to figure out, but words of two and three syllables were impossible. After much searching, the minister contacted a teacher who had experience What you think Kindergarten Dear Editor: •41 Before Christmas the Board of Education was presented with favourable documentation ' from Huro, i County Health Unit and the supervisor of Vanastra Day Care Centre on my son's readiness for a kindergarten program. On advice from Mr. Cochrane, Director of Education and advisor to the school board for Huron County it was decided mid- February not to lower the present ruling that a child must be five before or on December 31 of that current year. There are at present two exceptions to this rule. Namely, two health problems that are attending Kin- dergarten prematurely in order to reive help in socializing. This I feel is a decidedly good step but knock's Mr. Cochrane's ad- vice that children should not be pushed to school too soon. Both of these children were referred to the Bd. of Ed. by a Centre that specializes with children and therefore the experts must feel some merit in suggesting that underage children be admitted to our public schools whether it be health problems or to a child's best interest to send him. The second case refers to a child who attended a junior kindergarten in an area that acc pts children for junior kiergarten who are four by the end of March; so con- dequently when this family moved into Huron County this child is now enrolled in regular kindergarten regardless 'of .the fact that he will not be five until this month. Mr. Cochrane in- terprets the "Act" as once a • child has been accepted in the Public School. ,system before so that this must not be in- • terrupted. This seems logical if a child is six years which is the compulsory age that a child must attend a school but I am discussing kin- dergarten, which is not compulsory. How in all fairness can this rule apply to some children and not others. Mr. Cochrane expressed 4 some concern regarding the capabilities of a Public Health Nurse administering the Denver ,Development Test. Is it possible that since the nurses have been doing this testing some 4-5 years that Mr. Cochrane has not familiarized himself with this reputable test which in- cidently is done in the majority of Ontario's counties by Public Health Nurses. There are very few children in our county who are not tested by the Health Unit prior to kindergarten ad- mission. This testing determines a child's- per- sonal -social growth, language development, fine and gross motor control. Even though this test is used extensively in North America it is not thought to he a guideline by Huron County Education leader. Miss McEwing, Day Care Supervisor at Vanastra very willingly approached' the Board members on my son's readiness but this wasn't thought to be an appropriate source to determine readiness in all children who might be -mature enough to handle kindergarten prematurely as how could they be observed by early Childhood personnel? Most of our towns with the exception of Seaforth do have Nursery School with experienced teachers,: I stress that Huron County Board of Education are dodging their restionsibilities to some children, if too late for mine hopefully not for the future children who qualify. Perhaps better com- munication with other ser- vices in our County might be a good place to start. June Martene, Seaforth Area in learning disabilities and rehabilitation. She painstakingly authored a reader that only Raymond could understand. By Christmastime, he was able to write a 'thank you' note to the pastor, and by the end of the school year, he passed with merit. One question temporarily puzzled the minister, with all the frustration and humiliation, the boy had suffered, why was he not emotionally disturbed? The answer lay in Raymond's family. They. tried every possible means to help him learn to read. But when they realized he couldn't, they didn't treat him as a failure, and they didn't make him feel stupid. Instead, they helped him to develop his other potentials. He was an eager and capable helper on the farm, where his .inability to read could be compensated for. As his father put it, "Hell boy, if you can't read what's on the sack, open it and find out what's inside%" His family accepted him and loved him as he was. And Raymond didn't let them down. From our early fides • • 0 • 10 YEARS AGO March 23, 1967 At the annual meeting Clinton Public Hospital ten classrooms and kindergarten, he w111 now have to spend the Monday evening in the council chambers, the retiring governorsinstead of eleven classrooms and bright spring days nursing a were returned for another twoo kindergarten. broken leg. year term. The reason given by the con- The Clinton Hospital has been They were H. JC. Williamawson,_ tractors for higher contract remembered recently by CounJoseph - Murphy, Campbell prices than anticipated was the bequests, by the will of the late Mrs. it Robert rBa.Theo and difficulty in securing la1 our Miss A. Wilson a bequest of $200, Mrs. William Norman: other locally, and also accommodation and by that of the late Miss E. five governors who still have a for labour. Hunter, $2,000. year to go are Arthur Aiken, Mrs. It will be recalled that the 75 YEARS AGO Frank Finglandand Orval Hugh Flynn, bylaw passed by the ratepayers March 21, 1902 Leen Rehrst last May stated that the total cost The Clinton lacrosse club has Engelstad. of the new school complete, must reorganized for the coming At an open meeting of Clinton not exceed $300,000. Apparently season and there is a good Lions Club in the council this figure could not be attained prospect that the town will chambers Tuesday evening, the in the first tender call. possess a swift lot of players. club pledged a donation of $5,000 Thomas Leppington, Clinton, Last year we had a fine team but to the Clinton and District has the honour Of reporting the this year it promises even better. Community Centre Fund to be first robin of the local spring The following were the officers paid over ayear period. season. He saw and heard one on elected at the meeting held at the The old arena on Mary Street, Friday last, March 14, and - Commercial hotel last Friday owned by the Lions Club and another one on St. Patrick's Day, night: Hon. pres., B. J. Gibbings; operated this season by Clinton March 17. Hon. vice, A. J. Morrish; pres., Recreation Committee, with 50 YEARS AGO " Parker Foster; vice, P. Fair; Doug Andrews as manager, will March 24, 1927 sec'y., T. J. Crooks; treasurer, P. close this weekend. The Wingham Advance -Times L. Couch; captain, P. Matheson; There was 100 percent at- boasts of having seen some committee, F. Kerr, E. Daymetlt tendance at the vice-president's lemons grown in that town and J. Collinson. • night meeting of Clinton Kinsmen recently. Mr. John Cuninghame, A meeting was held at the Mr. Cudmore explained further their garage across the street, that the Board had decided, after heard his calls for,help and ran to of receiving tenders, to cut, one his assistance. He was speedily classroom from the plans, taken to the hospital, where the on• king the new school's capacity injured limb was attended to and Member, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Assoclation The Clinton News -Record is published each Thursday at P.O. Box 39, Clinton, Ontario, Canada, NOM 1LO. It Is registered as second class mall by the post office under the permit number 0817. The News -Record incorporated in 1924 the Huron News -Record, founded In 1881, and the Clinton New Era. founded in 1885. Total press run 3,100. Clinton News4ecor(1 CNA Member Canadian Community Newspaper Acsoclation Display advertising rites available on request. Ask for Rate. Card No. 7 effective Oct. 1, 1978. Genets, li onager -5. Nowiird Aitken Editor - James E. Fitigeraid Advertising oirettor-Ger* L. inlet AAssistont editor • Chris Web Office Msnsgtr- Margaret Gibb Circnlatian ►Fieda McLeod Attesting • titaiiab igisoii • Subscription Bates: Canada -Sit per year U.S.A. • 115.50 Other -08 single Copy -2k MBC Club in Hotel Clinton dining room florist, Clinton, grew enough Tuesday evening. It was also an this year, five or six initiation night with vice- large, juicy ones, to supply the president Robert Mann in family marmalade, which was charge.last week. Mr. The newly -initiated Kinsmen madennghame has been growing are: Paul Kerrigan, manager of lemons and 'grapefruit for some ' BP products Clinton branch; years. Larry Walls, manager of the Mr. P. Quigley brought the Clinton office of General News -Record in a sample of Acceptance Corporation, and maple syrup the other daywhich Gordon Charters, a salesman for proved to be a good one. The run Howson & Howson, Blyth. of sap this year has not been first The initiation was carried out class. by President David Beattie, If the state of the weather on assisted by Past Governor Mait Monday, March 21st indicates the Edgar and Past Presidents Andy sort we are going to have for the Peters and Clarence Denommee. next three months, we must be 25 YEARS AGO going to have a lot of cold north March 20, 1952 winds. Why didn't the sun get a Members .of Clinton Public move on and cross the equator School board met with the ar- while last week's balmy weather ehitects in a special meeting in lasted. committee of the whole last Mr. S. G. Castle met with a evening, and opened tenders for painful accident on Monday Clinton's new public school. evening just after six o'clock. He Three tenders were received - went over to Cook's barn, where from Ball Bros., Limited, Kit - he keeps his car, and forgetting chener; R. Timmis Construction that . he had left it in gear, Limited, Welland; and Roy proceeded to crank it up. When James Construction Co., Limited, the engine started the car ran London. against him and if it had not been "The tenders were all too for the fact that it ran up a wagon high," commented A. F. Cud- tongue which was in the way he ' more, chairman of the Board, would probably have been following the meeting. We crushed against the wall of the decided to call for new tenders, barn. As it was, his leg was and revised plans should be broken. Messrs. A. and W. ready for this purpose in about, Seeley, who were just leaving two weeks." r...._ C.C.I. on the afternoon of March 18th, for the purpose of reorganizing the football club. The following officers were appointed: Hon. Pres., Capt. M: D. McTaggart; pres., W. E. Rand; sec. treas., E. G. Button; captain, A. Mustard;curator, K. Houston, The -club has decided to enter again for the long fought for Hough cup. As the season seems to be a promising one and the captain thinks there is good material for a team, we hope that the C.C.I. boys may come out victorious at the end of the season. The Becker property 20 ft. 10 in. in width, has been purchased by the official of Wesley church, the price being at $250 for this strip of land. If he had not sold the lot, Mr. Becker had intentions to build a house, in fact, preparations were underway. The purchase of the lot was wisdom on the part of the Wesley church for had a building gone up much of the beauty of the church front would have been lost. A grass plot would grace the en- trance to the church. 100 YEARS AGO March 22, 1877 Gn Tuesday evening a heavy snow storm set in, accompanied by the unusual phenomena of thunder and lightening, and before the storm was over a large quantity of snow had fallen. Although the skating rink was formally closed on Monday evening, at least as far as regards the connection of the band therewith, the same will be continued so long as the season lasts, by two youths who have rented the premises. We learn that the band cleared a con- siderable sum by the venture, with which they intend to pur- chase instruments etc., .the reason of their giving it up being that some of the band are about to leave town for a while. Emery Howe and John Elleby, who stole a sum of money in this town recently, and were com- mitted to Gbderich for trial, received one day's im- prisonment, the Judge believing this to be sufficient, as they had been in two weeks awaiting trial. An exchange thinks that it would be a capital idea for teachers to devote a half hour every morning to read their scholars extracts from first-class newspapers. Ygeons bear Editor: How much of a problem are the bombers of Clinton? As a constant observer of these creatures I haven't yet met, seen, or even heard of any disgusted townspeople. The chances are if you see anyone looking skyward in library park, it is not to dodge flying debris, it is to view their acrobatics. There niust he different avenues to follow other than tthem A n versationrapping with Mery Batkinco- • revealed he did not have a clue what happens to the birds after they reach the Farmers Market, although they are alive when first caught. If there are areas with more bird concentration than others, then perhaps Mr. Batkin could find a method of keeping them away from the building edge. These, birds' at* part of Clintons heritage, lets keep thern in Clinton. Glen Young, Clinton. News -Record readers are encouraged to express their opinions in letters to the editor, however, such opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of the News - Record. - pseiidonyms may be used by letter writers, but no letter will be published unless it can be verified by phone. • 0