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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1979-01-11, Page 9Opinion: Gun control effects By Steve Cooke You bet your bottom dollar it does, and it's hitting you where it hurts most, right in the old pocket book. Even while the Government is declaring cutbacks on spending. they are tur- ning face about and finding more ways to blow it faster than Revenue Canada Taxation can pull it in. For example, prime television time was purchased coast to coast to expound the virtues of a gun amnesty which, in .fact, was not. an amnesty .at all. A mountain of paperwork and bureaucratic red tape is being created which will cost the taxpeyer a considerable sum in salaries for the clerks, etc. required to process it. In the case of the town of Clinton, we even have the costs striking closer to home. Chief Lloyd Westlake attended a two day seminar to learn all the facts pertaining to the new laws including the proper procedure to follow when issuing a Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC). The Town of Clinton (you the taxpayer) paid Chief Westlake's salary for two days while the Province of Ontario (again you the taxpayer) picked up his mileage and meal ex- penses. In an interview with Chief Westlake last week, I was told that if I wanted a FAC, I would have to go to the OPP 'in Goderich to apply for one since he was not allowed to issue them. When questioned further, I found that only municipalities with a population of over 15,000 will be allowed to issue FAC's, "g while the remainder of the Province will have to apply to the OPP. For Clintonians, that means a 30 mile round trip to apply for a FAC. When I phoned the OPP in Goderich, I was informed that an application was to be filled out and an in- vestigation completed. (Part of this investigation no doubt includes a call to Chief Westlake for a character reference.) The officer did not in- dicate how long the in- vestigation would 'require. If it took longer than a day, I would have to make an additional 30 mile frit to pick the certificate up. All this is costing the applicant money, $10 for the cer- tificate and $6 at 10 cents per mile for driving. Itis also costintg • .you, the taxpayer, `whether you realize, it or not. Of the $10 paid for a certificate, $1.51 goes to the Federal Government, while $8.49 goes to the issuing office. If 100 Firearms Acquisition Certificates could be issued,. :in the Town of Clinton, the town's coffers would be $841 richer. Chief Westlake could issue these certificates in his normal course of duty nal with no additional ex- penses incurred by the town. (A11 the forms required are paid,for by the Government --- YOU). As it now stands, Clinton has no chance to recuperate the expenses - incurred by training Chief Westlake to ad- minister and issue these certificates. Instead of a 32 year veteran of the police force issuing a FAC, chances are we will be applying to a five;year constable. The total absurdness of °the situation becomes even more unbelievable when the proceedings in the House of Commons is taken into account. On December 13, 1978, R.E. McKinley (M.P., Huron - Middlesex) in the House asked Solicitor General J.J. Blais if in fact that, "The regulations also provide that issuing of- ficers will only be stationed in communities with populations of over 15,000. This would create a tremendous hardship in many part of Canada. I would like the minister to check into these matters to make sure that this situation is rectified before the law comes into effect on January 1." The Honorable J.J. Blais replied to the' question by stating, "As for placing officers only in communities of 15,000' population or more, that is not the information that I have. However, I will certainly check into this matter and report back to the honorable gentleman." It appears that the Honorable J.J. Blais definitely does NOT know what is going on and that seems to set the tune for most people. No one seems to know for sure just what the law is, how much it is costing and what to do about it.Everyone seems to have their own idea of what's going on, but they are finding out that they are too often wrong. Mr. Blais has in fact, stated in reply to Mr. McKinley that every police officer in every municipality is eligible to issue a F.A.C. to an applicant: If this is the case, then why doesn't Chief Westlake have the necessary forms and authority to do just that? It would appear that a good deal of money is being spent needlessly with very few results. The conception and implementation of this bill has already cost the taxpayer a good deal of money, and indications are that it will cost a good deal more in the future. All this for new regulations which are far removed from the original concept of controlling guns in the hands of criminals. A letter to your MP or MPP is the only way to stop this unnecessary spending and obtain an accurate idea of what the new laws are all about.,It would seem that the taxpayer is being taken for another ride on the Government's Free Spending Carousel, and you are the only one that can do something about it. s Brucefield UCW by Mrs. H. F. Berry UCW meet The Tuckersmith Unit 1 of the Brucefield UCW met for their monthly meeting on Monday af- ternoon. A small attendance of 11. members answered the roll call. Mrs. Jean Henderson and Mrs. Vi Ross were in charge of the devotion. Mrs. Henderson opened the meeting with a .poem and a hymn was then sung with Mrs. Hazei McNaughton at the piano, in the absence of Mrs. Scott. Mrs. Ross gave the message and also read the scripture. The offering was received and dedicated by Mrs. Henderson and_ after prayers the, meeting was closed. The president Mrs. Marjorie Broadfoot was in charge of the business portion of the meeting and after welcoming all present, read a poem. In the absence of the secretary, Mrs. Sillery, Mrs. Berry gave the report for the UCW and also gave the treasurer's report. She noted that the group had a successful year in 1978 and raised $1,575.08. Mrs, Stoll reported, for cards and gifts. It was learned that the penny contest was a success. Mrs. Walter's team had $95; Mrs. Paterson's- -team, $81.64. The low team will serve a dinner in April. New, captains were then chosen for 1979. They are Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Berry. The program,. com- mittee is to get programs for 1979. The annual meeting will be held on January 28 and the next general meeting was scheduled for January 9. The February meeting will be chaired by Mrs. M. Broadfoot and Mrs. H. McCartney. Lunch will be served by Mrs. A. Scott and Mrs. Ross. A delicious lunch was served by Mrs. Walters and Mrs. H. McCartney and Rev. R. McMullen poured the tea. The meeting then closed in prayer. Smile Can you imagine anyone as unhappy as a teenager with a live secret and a dead telephone? . ++ Maybe the best way to live happily ever after is not to be after too much. 37, John McCauley began working for the Huron -Perth Separate School Board this month as a superintendent of education. McCauley, right, is a native of Stratford and he and his wife Linda plan to move to Mitchell early In February. The former principal with the Oxford County Separate School hoard, has a master of education in curriculum, development and ad- ministration. Here the new superintendent chats with Huron -Perth separate hoard chairman William Kinahan of Lucknow. (photo by Wilma Oke) Lions auction van How would you like to vehicle is completely self - own a'camper van valued contained and sleeps 'at $13,000: The Dodge four. uiet week for police The Goderich OPP had a quiet week in the Clinton area, with only two major accidents. 'The accidents both occurred on January 5 and in- volved a vehicle entering a ditch and hitting a tree. John Campbell, 49, RR 3, Bayfield was uninjured but the vehicle he was driving received $2,500 in damages when it hit a tree on Concession 12 and 13 of Stanley Township, south of Sideroad 15. Similarly, on County Road 3, west of County Road 31 in Stanley, Dennis Merner, 17, of Bayfield received minor injuries and_.. sustained $500 damages to the car he was driving when it went into a ditch and hit tree. • The Clinton Police also reported a quiet week. However, Chief Lloyd Westlake warned people about overnight parking on the town streets. CHANGE IN NAME INDEPENDENT SHIPPER United Co -Operatives of Ontario Livestock Department Toronto Ship your livestock with FRANK V00GEL • Dashwood Monday k shipping day from Varna Stockyard previously Rpy Scotchmer Call Dashwood 238-2707 or Bayfield 565-2636 By 7:30 a.m. Monday for prompt service No charges on pick-up FARM SUPPLY BONUS IT'S COMING He also said that fines will be issued for loose dogs. A maximum of 5,000 people will get a chance to win this van when it is raffled off by the -Clinton Lions Club, - Ti ckets,. worth $5 each are now On sale from any Lion member as well as at some business outlets. The draw• for the vehicle will be made on Friday, July 20. Lion Club president Len Tneedom said that r" gt. ie draw will be a special -event., Instead of pulling a ticket out of a drum the Win ham ? Lions are hoping to use g bingo numbers to choose the winning ticket. ,. Memorials There, • Guaranteed Granite • Cemetery Lettering • Buy Direct and save Commissions. BUS. PHONE 3.47-1910 I RES.357-1015 sr We will be; ONr ,VACATION rr Sr r' from January 12 to Tuesday, January 30 rr $ For emergency furnace service, please call. your live( oil dealer. FRANK MacDONALD PLUMBING & HEATING 482-7600 • FROM Monsanto ll be an element of challenge then," he explained. Until the draw date; the 5,000 tickets will be on sale and the Lions club plans to show the new van around at various events. Money raised through the raffle will go to various Lions supported projects. CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979—PAGE a dress for winter Winter days can turn mean quickly when the weather changes or when you've travelled a long way from help on your skis or snowmobile and an accident happens. Bill Melville -says if you think ahead a bit before you start. on a cold weather outing, you can probably prey nt trouble or at least be lrepared to• deal with it if it comes. Mr. Melville is a nor- therner who knows how to work in the cold. He's Area Commissioner for St. John Ambulance and an expert on First Aid. He's also a purchasing agent for Ontario Hydro, and has done his share of following the route of power lines in some bleak and chilly parts of Ontario. He says, "You've got to look ahead when you're going out into inclement weather. Prepare for the worst, no matter how good the weather is when you start out, prepare for the way back and for. emergencies. "We carry blankets or sleeping bags in the car all winter. We always have matches and a flashlight in the glove compartment, anti two or three chocolate bars. I carry sand and a shovel, flares, and an axe to cut firewood, because if you're really stranded you can't leave the car motor running. Even if you only leave it on 15 minutes at a time, you'll soon be out of gas. And I carry--a-First Aid kit." If you're going skiing, snowmobiling, skating outdoors, dress for it, wear a face mask; and carry extra clothes if there's a chance the weather will get colder as the day goes on. Find out what the wind .chill factor is, especially if you're driving ad snowmobile. On a still day, when the tem- perature is 10 degrees above zero . (minus 12 celcius), if you are travelling 30 miles an hour, (50. km), the wind chill Ilactor is 33 degrees below zero (minus 36 celcius). Mr. Melville recom- mends, "Dress in clothing that breathes.. Clothes should be loose when that's possible, warm but letting air circulate. If you wear insulated clothes and perspire inside them, when you get out In the cold, that will freeze. And don't wear tight clothes that will cut off cir- culatjon." It's not wise to go too far afield alone, either. I you do have an accident you'll need someone to help. And you should use a biddy system to keep an eye on one another for signs of frostbite. You may not know your nose, your cheeks or ears are frostbitten, or your feet; especially if you're wearing tight boots or skates. But you can see frostbite, the afflicted area shows.as waxy white and hard. The best treatment is a gradual warming by body warmth. Put a warm hand over ears or nose. Tuck frostbitten hands and fingers under your armpits, inside your jacket until they get warm. Don't rub frost- bite, don't put ice snow or cold on it and don't apply heat. , Severe frostbite is cold and sensitive, and will appear white and hard as wood. It : must have medical attention. Get the victim to medical help as fast as possible, and don't let the frozen. area thaw. The first aid in .this case is don't thaw, and get to the hospital. And says Mr. Melville, if you are stranded in the cold and have to wait for help, keep moving to keep your blood circulating. St. John Ambulance safety oriented first aid training teaches people how to avoid accidents as well as teaching them what to do to save life and minimize injury when an accident does happen. DRAPER BROTHERS AND REID "The Old Piano Factory" - Clinton PHONE 482-9702 Pianos - Piano Benches Refinishing and Repairing of Pianos Organs, Furniture, Antiques Expert Work - Guaranteed COMING SOON to a store near You! RELAX Your Public Utilities Commission Accounts Will Vary Any number of conditions can cause changes in your Utility ac- counts as rendered isverytwo months on the average. Greatest use of Hydro is generally experienced during Winter months. Winter has its longer periods of darkness and the heating season. Some Conditions That Can Cause Changes In i our Accounts: LIGHTING — Artificial light is used more in Winter than in Summer. HOUSE HEATING Electricity is used to operate associated forced air systems, bur- ners; circulating pumps, controls supplementary heating, and so on. The colder and more prolonged the Winter months, the greater use of both electricity and fuel. ADDITIONAL NEW APPLIANCES -- Such as a television, range, dryer, refrigerator, freezer, radio, dish washer, clothes washer, Hi -FI, air conditioner, etc., will generally result in the increased use of Hydro & Water. ENTERTAINMENT AND COMPANY,: ^^ The greater use of electricity for cooking, fighting, washing, drying, ironing, television, and so on. CHRISTMAS AND NEW IEA S - -Preparations and festivities are usually accompanied by the in- creased use of electricity & water. ti ILLNESS IN THE HOME — Heat lamps, heating pads and supplementary heating can be the cause of increased electricity and water use. THE FAMILY — An increase In'nuinber isdgenerally reflected in an increase In Hydro,& water. • IiNNECESSAH' USE'— Lights, appliances and water taps left on when not required can cause changes In accounts. BILLING PERIODS — Saturday, Sundays, Holidays, inability to obtain meter readings and so on will cause variations in scheduled motor reading dates. . CLINTON PUBLIC UTILITIES C•M ISiON Electricity Meters Are Tested Electricity meters are tested and sealed as to accuracy by the Stan- dards Branch, Canada Department of Trade and Commerce.