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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1970-12-24, Page 14dA Ot DER ICffSfGNAL -Sf'AR ' t RSDAY DMEMBER 24,•1970 o • Editorial -commentary " If all printers were ciekerinin¢d not -to print anything till they were sure it would offend no one, there woutcl, be very little painted .. . e Benjamin Franklin Credit due The Alexandra Marine and General Hospital has been given full accreditation by the Canadian Council - on Hospital Accreditation. It's quite an accomplishment. It's even more of an accomplishment when we consider the requirements that must be met; the inspections, spot checks that 'must be passed before accreditation is given. Three years of work have gone into the success of the hospital here; three years that have earned the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital staff much credit for being able to show that Goderich has a hospital excelled by none in Canada. Think about that for just one minute. vtown f ltld•®,� ha e a o about 7,000 population. A relatively small hospital., Yet it provides services to the town and surrounding area which a national organization certifies are as good as the best in Canada. Something like that deserves a heck of a lot .of credit. - All of the staff, and the hospital board of course, had to work at it `and work darned hard at times- to bring it about but one man deserves additional praise — or credit if you prefer — Tim Elliott, hospital administrator. We have it on very good authority PollutiOn and what better than the chairman of the hospital board, Jim , Britnell - that without the efforts, continued efforts, of- Mr. fMr. Elliott there is a good possibility the hospital would not have • achieved accreditation at •the first att9mpt, a feat that is uncommon and, perhaps, would not have received it at all. We know Tim won't back us up on this and whenwe were speaking to him about theaccreditation last weekend, he made no mention of any particular effort on his part but kept referring back to the amount of hard work the staff had done to get everything just so to meet the specifications -set down by the CCHA. It will take a little while before most people realize what it means to receive accreditation; it will take a little longer for them. to understand what it means to have received at the first attempt, so we will ask our readers to accept our word that it is quite an accomplishment and join us in offering the staff and board members, of Alexandra .Marine, and General Hospital sincei-e congratulations on the accomplishment and an extra word of thanks.to-Mr. Elliott for the amount of extra effort he put in to pull this thing off. and the life of man The word pollution is becoming more and more a part of our everyday lives. Right _now, people are becoming put out even at the mention of the word. Last week we editorialized about the effects of pollution on certain species that were producing mutations. We . wrote• of monstrous things that .. apparently are beyond the comprehension- of many of the people of Goderich. Remarks about. "this monster nonsense" were not uncommon this week and it is quite apparent some people think the editorial last week contained fictidn when we referred to these mutations. -•, Some years ago while sailing off Martha's Vinyard near Cape tod, 'the editor saw large barges of garbage being towed- out to sea. The barges were emptied in an area which was shown on the chart as "dumping area." Recently in a scientific journal, an article appeared listing several areas such as "that and including that one in which certain species of fish were showing signs of mutation and, in some cases were reproducing offspring that were growing to four times normal size. This was happening in ' whole species, • not just in isolated cases." It was apparent only in areas where waste was being dumped and where heavy pollution was. found, such as off the west coast of the United States. Ir'riagine if you will a fish such .as the Cdelocanth, a pre -historic type fish found not too long ago that was believed to be extinct. It has stumps of appendages and is, an ugly looking brute about 3-4 feet long.. If that fish was affected • by this mutative trend, it would grow to 16 feet and more in length. Sharks would grow to be up to 80 feet long; whales would .be gigantic and stories of giant octopi would no longer be mythical. The amount of damage creatures of this size could do would be devastating. The 'amount of water life they would •consume, frightening. The ordinary sport fisherman's delight, the large mouth bass could swallow- a child if itt grew to such proportions. None of this is science fiction. It is happening and will continue_ to happen. Sooner or later pollution of the environment must have its affect on all of us. If these things seem frightening, consider this. What would be your reaction if this mutation ` appeared in human beings? ,Then consider this: Thousands _ of children _ were born - deformed a few years ago through the use of a chemical called Thalidomide. All the materi is that are polluting the wofld today are chemicals. Thalidomide was a combination of some of these chemicals and the results of that combination had a horrifying effect on unborn children. Today, .this very minute, as you read this, chemicals are being mixed in • vast quantities, without any means of control, by allowing them to flow freely .onto our rivers, lakes and streams: Other chemicals are joining theme, when washed from the land on which they have been used. -What will be the effect of . these chemicals producing' a violent reaction — and the accompanying gases caused by , many chemical reactions? What will be the' result of chemical from polluted waters getting into the human system? We think of pollution too often as something that might deprive us of our beaches and make us cough when it creates smog. We think of it too often as a nuisance thing only. We are not "scare mongers, as some seem to think because of the last editorial • on this _ subject. We are seriously concerned. , - If it would be a bad thing for us to.lose beaches -and clean air to pollution, how much worse will be the result of losing our lives to -it? We can all do something if we get sufficiently concerned. If you don't feel like taking our word -for the devastating results of pollution so far, attend some meeting on pollution. You may be, in for a sickening awakening. ESTABLISHED+ 123rd YEAR' 1114/1 of Town Nawsp$pfr of Huron . —0— PUBLICATION Published at Goderich, Ontario every 'Thursday morning by Signal -Star Publishing l inuted • TELEPHONE 5244331 area node 519 ROBERT G. SHINER, president and publisher RONALD II: v. forticE, managing editor SHIRLEY J. KELLER, women's editor -- EDWARD J. DVAS'Ki1, advertising .manager Joao UMoua 19 THE PLIMSOLL MARK IS A LOAD LINE 'MARKING AFFIXED TO THE SIDES OF VESSELS TO INDICATE SAFE LOADING DEPTHS FOR DIFFERENT SEASONS: ORIGINATED IN ENGLAND, BY SAMUEL PLIMSOLL, THE "MERCHANTS SHIPPING ACT OF 1876 ESTABLISHED RULES AND REGULATIONS SETTING SAFETY STANDARDS AT SEAQ 'THE -PLIMSOLL MARK -I5 USED BY MOST MARITIME NATIONS. o IN 1935 SPECIAL MARKINGS WERE DEVISED FOR SHIPS USING THE GREAT LAKES AND AMERICAN COASTAL WATERS; THESE LOAD LIMITS ARE REGULATED BY THE 'AMERICAN 'BUREAU OF SHIPPING. PLIMBDLLi MARK LETTER'S "A er INDICATE AMER. BUREAU OF SHIPPING THE DIFFERENT LOAD LIMITS FOR FRESH OR SALT WATER IS BECAUSE OF THE HEAVIER DENSITY OF SALT WATER. ` SW=SALT WATER FW*FRESH WATER MIDSUMMER LOAD LINE SUMMER LOAD UNE INTERMEDIATE SEASON L.L. WINTER LOAD LINE x17,777:73.7.7.17.7.7:177; T - r'vi'ai•. . yl'w► • 'H'. Speaking personally With Rontr;Price Y Last Thursday evening I had a date with 16 young girls; all at the same time, all at the same place. The Candy Stripers at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital were wrapping treats . for patients at the hospital and it seemed a good project to photograph and use to show the people of Goderich some of the work these volunteers are doing. It proved to be an educational half hour_ • We worry quite a lot we being the adults of the world — about the young people of today. We hear about the abuse, and use of drugs, pre=marital sexy and ' dr)nking de. less reports carry much about young people in trouble and many articles about the drug problem. But if the Girls of the Candy Stripers are an example, it isn't the young people we should be worrying about, it's the adults. These girls spend from six to eight. hours per week at the hospital helping patients. The types of work they are called upon to do aren't always pleasant, the work is usually hard and there is no. pay. Earlier this year, r was able, to get only one parent from a family with a boy at Cubs to volunteer to spend one evening one and a half hours — helping with the pack every six months! Not more than one parent out of 22 boys was able to volunteer. Then I had complaints when the pack stopped operating. often at the expense of their Stripers, we have less to worry about than many people believe. own health. There is a problem ;with youth in many areas from all of the causes stated earlier, the problems need to be faced and treated before they; can be 'N beaten. But while we have young t' people . s und, like these Candy iti. IF, -0 Remember When ? p 60 YEARS AGO As a result of the nomination meetings here last Monday 'evening, M. G. Cameron was re-elected by 'acclamation. A sewer by-law, calling foran additional $22,500 which will be added to the already -voted $6,000, will be voted upon next Monday. A few minutes before 6 o'clock Tuesday evening, fire broke out at the West Street Skating Rink and did considerable damage' before being brought under control. - The management of the new Lyric Theatre is celebrating the opening of the building with two special matinees, Saturday and Monday.. 25 YEARS AGO • It was announced ]Friday that a former Goderich resident, Major "Bob" Hetherington, has been decorated and made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.- Dr. mpire.Dr. Wilford, who is very well known to many Blyth and district residents, this week was recently recognized as being a fellow founder of the International College of :Surgeons. The first OHA Junior C game ever to be played in Goderich -will take plaice Monday, January 7. The house of Thomas Love, Stephen Township Deputy, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday. GIVE .., so more will lye H=EART FUND 10 YEARS AGO Christmas mail clo Goderich totalled a record high of 1,75.,353 cards and letters, a 4,000 -piece 'increase over last year. Two of the 'better known merchants- on, the Square, Pridham's Men's Wear and Ainslie's Market Limited, are announcing changes in ownership as of Januaj y 1. The half -century old Colborne Municipal Telephone System will hold 'subscribers meeting Tuesday evening, which may'result in a change in set-up. A confidential report made Last spring rated the Board's working conditions in the school as "excellent';. • 1 ONEAR AGO It was decided at the School Board- meeting Monday night that Huron County students shall no longer require a medical certificate after an absence from school. Council Thursday night- possed the necessary by-law making the area of town known as the South Beach `' into a 0 municipal park. *1. Goderich Town Council will soon begin proceedings to expropriate land owned by Mrs. Paul Robarts'on Elgin St., it was .announced Thursday night. - After 51 years in continuous service, the Auburn Hardware Store has finally left the hands of the Johnston family and is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Trommer, formerly of Hespeler. AINSLIE'S It seems the younger people are more willing to. help than those who are a bit older. There are adults, of course, who help these girls, but again it is the same ones who always help others.. The Hospital Auxiliary sponsors the girls and supplies the uniforms. A hospital staff member, Mrs. Trey Ormandy, works with the girls and helps them with their work and special projects. • Mrs. Charity MacDonald got the group started. Mrs. MacDonald is director of nursing at the hospital. All good people who spend their lives helping others, 14 COME IN - • • • **, 14. t4 LETTER TO THE EDITOR GRATITUDE EXPRESSED I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who helped me in any way during the preparations for the recent Santa Claus parade and in particular Clayton Laithwaite, Dominon Road Machinery Company, Gunther Tuckey, Bissett Bros., Everrett Mc ilwain, Harold and Agnes Gauley, Tom and Betty Thompson, Gerry and Louise Petre, Marion Mills, Charles Knox, Dan Graham and all Santas helpers and the animals that accompanied Santa. Without the help of these people the parade and the visit of Santa could not have been the success it was and I know wearwe them a lot. Mrs. Elsie Blue. art12201)0 ©ftD19 by An/w Sh•rtt Ducks Unlimited NOW. AND . OR, ,;.,DER . +0 gni 11071 OUR. R FRESH M g% LEAN — SLICED tBACK BACON GUARANTEED TENDER STEAK • ti4 lotto • • • TURKEYSi CHICKEN*: GEESE AND DUCKS 'A Subscription Rates $6 a Year — To U.1.A. $7.50 lin advance) Second dos nail registration "nut.tber * 0716 L FOOD PLAN rS. Arrowhead and water plantain, easilyidentified, grow in shallow water or mud. Flowers—white, 3 petaled.' On the arrowhead, they are medium sized, on a single stalk. On the plantain, tiny and on a many branched stalk. Arrowhead tubes, called duck potatoes, are eaten by diving ducks, which root them from soft mud. Plantain -is a good food for geese. They eat the fleshy basal " portions. 4.10 th w. • Ib.• •� t4 -10 • t '4 '4 , • .Z '"20•.,+fit+:rt,3>f•ar,.;,,;;••.:�,tn 2+�i�v'v:i�.x4 A magical season full of dreams come true ... that's what Christmas is. We wish you much joy. <ti