HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1971-09-16, Page 4ti
NAL-STAR.'TUURSDAil`, SEPTEMBFR.16., J971
•
tarial Commentary
Policy needs changes
If there is one policy 'of the Huron
cotirrty Board of Education • which is
..rni$40dersto9d and "pausing a batch of
llt,wiR against the board' members, it.is the
4:1o1i'cy regarding delegations ' wishing to
present their views to the. 16 elected
education officials.
Thepresent policy does not seem to be
understood even jiy some board members,
nor on various occasions wh,ert delegations
'lave approachedthe board, they have
r e t consulted with their •.,.,_local
epresentatives who apparently have
steered them- wrong with regard to
meeting with the whole board.
'As we understand it, the policy states
that to have an audience with the entire
board, one must .advise the director of
education. in writing,' seven days prior to
the meeting, that a"delegation will appear
at thenext meeting and one must also
' state, in writing, the nature of the
business to be discussed.
To be' perfectly fair to the board
members, the reason for the policy „is to
-permit athem to be advised in 'advance of
all subjects to Abe-- brought up at 'the
meeting and to make it possible for each
` board member to be fully informed on al.l
matters on the agenda.
Like so many things, it sounds quite
practical in. theory, but in actual practice,
we believe it leaves much to be deli red .',I ri
fact, we. are certain' this '"policy has done
more to embarrass the beard and anger
th,e raCepayers than any other -single
action the board. has taken .before, or-
,
since. ' • '^• .
The' trouble. seems to arise because of
the extreme difficulty In -acquainting all
people in all corners of Huron County
with the policy 7 and ensuring that they
will remember thy policy wen the need
to meet with tlieiboard presents itself.
We suspect that in many cases, people
who have business with the board believe'
they nave the democratic' right to attend
any meeting and to request an
opportunity to speak. . Y>'
Telling them they 'do not have that
privilege.. without . going through the
proper procedures is' not endearing the
board to the people and it is widening
the breach Which' began with the initial
formation of the county boards and the
, threat that control would"be to Cen out of.
• the hands of the people.
The Huron Cou ity Board of Education
seems unapproachable to the people. That
situation must be rectified -.immediately.
Modern legend
In our news columns this week we note
that Dominion Road Machinery Company
has ,negotiated a new contract with its.,
employees which was ratified Sunday at a
meeting by the workers.
We ,also note that in the history of
DRMCO, .there has not been a strike or
even a hint of a strike, indicating that
employee -employer relations at that
particular industry must be exc'eptianal.
We asked •the personnel manager, A. B.
"Bucky" Graham • what 4t- is', that has
brought about such a fine rapport
between the workers and management. •
He told us he felt the employees at
Dominion Roads, many of whom have
been with the company for years,
understand that they have a real stake, in
•
the '. busin' ss. They, know . tilat their
performance 'is tie key to production',
productiori costs, sales and the gamut -of
success. •,
After consideration of Graham's
statement, oneLbegins to see the natter as
something akin to old "Which came first
— the chicken or the' egg" quandry. Did
labo-r' at DRMCO first-" accept its
responsibility for progress in the venture
,or did t'h'e management -by' some .magical
formula, instill this ,most prized
personality into' its work force?
We may never knout the answer. Still
'we believe that DRMCO is some kind of a
modern legend from which other
businesses large and small could take
a lesson.
It takes all of. ts
After last week's edition of The
Goderich Signal -Star hit"the street, the
- editorial staff received an anonymous
telephone
call from a seemingly irate
man who. charged that this newspapef'was
trying to "ruin. the ,town" with its front
'page story arid p ures on the Ferndale..
Our caller reported that this sort of
dumping has been going 'on foryears and
that it hasn't hurt anything. He reminded
us that the shipping industry brings
thousands 'of ' dollars annually to
Goderich. '
There are people , in Goderich and
elsewhere who believe that What has
f
P. a
happened in the past has not been good.
Sometimes 'it takes years for this sortIof
thing to really become a problem...and
there are few people ,who will deny that
'there is a problem on our waterways these
O
'.►...11 i✓4rM'1'41►4♦'.AV.'41'4-,44'•►hrA♦go. it 4'4 'i♦4
A Legion Zone meeting held in
-Goderich Sunday included a
march, to • the cenotaph during
the afternoon -to hbnor the war
dead. ,,,The usual"'tta t music
pierced the ,holiday silence and
the attention of passersby was
drawn to the .centre of The
Square where wreaths were laid_
in
aid-
in • memory of soldiers and
fighting men who _gave their lives
A to keep ,this country free: On
such solemn ,occasions, people
take time to remember that
freedom is not easily won...or
kept. Just a simple reflective
. pause' in the midst of the world's
hustle and bustle ,puts many
things in perspective once more
and we are indebted 'to the
Royal Canadian , Legion for its
reminder. (staff photos).
0
41111111.11.
We believe hat pollution is• a headache -, •
• now tharcould strangle future generations
unless' something is done 'at this very
momenttq stop it.
"We believe that • pollution control
everyone's business, and most assured]::
the -freighters on the Great -Lake and in
public .and commerical harbors are no
exception.
Electors: are speaking
Ontario's Progressive Conservatives can
not help but be apprehensive about the
•forthcoming election in view of the
dramatic evidence of an anti-government
• movement across Canada.
In the _last eight provincial elections;
spanning a period pf just over two years;
six' governments have' been voted out of
power.
It has not been a move towards 'any
particular party. The three major parties
have eachdwon two of the six elections.
Party ideology is .not the, cause of the
government setbacks;
While some factors behind the changes
may vary from one province to another, it
is amply clear that the ' voters across
Canada are telling politicians 'in no
uncertain 'terms that they are unhappy
_with the way governments are operating,
r,. To an, extent, that ` is - unfair.
. Governments are often pushed into
policies.on the demands of the electors,
but those same electors then become
upset at the costs incurred by those
policies and, programs.
Even by following the' wishes of the
majority, governments sooner or later find
they 'have stepped on too many fingers
over the course of Ga few years. That's
because 4 person may be 'on• the majority
side in- one issue but on •the side 'of the
minority in another, -*
•
However, politicians would 'be well
advised to consider the fact that the ,more
authority they assume brings about more
situations over which the public have.
cause to be"dissatisfied. •
While politicians may relish the power
they hold, it is abundantly clear that that
power may not last any longer than to the
next election.
Those interested, in longer careers
should assess the mood of electors across
the country. The message is coming
through rather clearly.
—Exeter Time's -Advocate
•
LETTERS
THAN -I —Y -OU
c
Dear Editor-.
Now that the summer is over:
and we' have settled back to
school once mote, ` I have
tollected my, rambling .thoughts
Together in order that I may
thank the Goderich citizens who
made possible the sending of
-twenty-five students to ""band
camp.
As it was with many of my,
band friends, I was able to go to
the Ontario Youth Music Camp
in Beaverton this past July. for',a
happy, • musical week. We
appreciated being .'sent more
than I can express, and feel we
have benefited .much from the
seven days there.. • . ,
Camp Director . Mr. James A.
Ford, in speaking at the Sunday
band concert, said of the
Goderich ; band members, "We
have quite_ a group of people
from Goderich here this week
for their, first time and. I must
say that they have certainly left
their mark. They're a very
enthusiastic bunch, and w,e
won't forget them." By the same
token. we young people of
Goderich are richer for 'them
•-- having passed their musical„
experiences and knowledge unto
us. As a result, we hope to show
our -.thanks 'to' our bands by
pleasing' performances and a
newly inspired loyalty.
, At first, all the Goderich girls
ESTABLISHED tbe ctberitb
1848 SINAL -STAR
—0-- TheCountyTown Newspaper of Huron —0—
Published at Goderich , Ontario every Thursday morning by
."_ _ Signal -Star Publishjttg-.Limited_
.,
"tELEPtwekE 5244331 area- (b4e 519
ROBERT G. SHRIER -- president and publisher
SHIRLEY J.KELLER - editorial staff
. . —
4
'C"YiAD v
#�� ff
• 124th YEAR
„.� of
PUBLICATION
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Subscription. Rates $8 a Year -
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WARD J. BYRE KI .-F, advertising manager Second clast mail registration number 0716
Some rigid budgeting must have
° to each-- and
every one ,who helped in any
.way, a hearty thank you•' is
overdue on behalf of all, the
band members.
Sincerely,
, Susan°Moxley.
• ABOUT FERNDALB
Dear Editor
As a formerresident of your
area and a subscriber to your
paper, I wish- to compliment
your efforts on cleaning up the
Maitland 'River. In the hopes
that .you will continue your
crusade on pollution, I wish ,by
means. of this letter to call your
attention ' to another pollution
problem, which is apparently
being accepted as uncurable by
Goderich residents.
On Monday, September 6, at
11:45 a.m. I witnessed a) ship
(by the name of Ferndale out of
Hamilton, Bermuda) tied up by
the salt pier pumping bilge oil
into the Goderich Harbor. The
amount of oil being pumped
into.. the water was not an
insufficient amount. There were
literally hundreds of gallons of
black oil and water being flushed
but both sides of this ship. The
quantity of oil was enough -to
completely blacken , the water
between the North andY South
piers:
The writer discussed the
in our cabin were surprised at matter with, the Marina
the seven hours of music, in one attendant and he had apparently
form or another, , per day. We contacted your people and you
14,
any other Covern'nent agencies
will not step up- .to Cheri_
responsibility and rigidly enforce
pollution laws. On one hand the
Ontario Municipal Board set up
near , impossible regulations for
cottage,owners, and on the other
hand . allow poi)ution from
municipalities and shiesto be
dumped in the Great-- Lake.
sysi,em .
O. R. Smith
2653 Somerset Blvd.
Troy, Michigan -48084
wondered how we would , get in turn presurhably dispatched a
-tithe to make friends and enjoy photographer, I hope such is the '
recreational activities. But we case. Since this was a holiday I
didn't need to worry. By the end was unable to contact someone'
of the week every person at with sufficient ,authority to stop
camp was a friend shading a the • pollution and impound the
mutu love'- the love of music. ship.
No bt the postmen can did speak to several who ' -
vouch for the friendships by the had boats tied up in the Marina.
increase in mail for, many . One of these individuals I .
teen-agers: And, of course, just understand is considering the
plain fun was' part of each day! political field and was allegedly -'
It is
ficult to single out any, environmental. __.conscious_. My
n: Tor- hav`irig sought
and carried out the necessary discussion did not bear this.4t,.
arrangements. Mr. Charles he in face stated that little or
K a 1 b f I �eish; leader " of the nothing could be done because it:
Viking Band, as well as
Gaderfch is under Federal , jurisdiction.
'Bind, the 'Goderich Laketowia How long can Ontario water
resources "speak with forked_
r~f.
�` }h' Ln
,yy��� i maM y{
r1 ' of a 'clic rued i fu1"i If i ''h . ,tying: tea crewel the
encouragement and support of 'Ontario Water Resources and
several other ad'tl'1't' members.
'e.
OUT OF THE. WEST
Dear.Editor:
As an ardent sidewalk
sweeper on the South side of
West St. for the past ei ht''
months, I must protest '' the
reference made °to our area in• a
letter in last week's paper hy
Elsa Haydon.
I am sure that' the town has a
street sweeper, and perhaps if
-a
little more iinterest was paid to
street c caning,, in towlr the
refuse would not blow from
Harbour Hill to the Court House
every time there is• a West wind
(which is the prevailing wind in
this area).
For Elsa Haydon's benefit,
the sidewalk in front . of the
-Signal-Star has been swept at
least once and many times twice
a day since .I began working at
this paper some eight months
ago. Why not put Mrs. Haydon
on Public Works. Perhaps we will
get some action:
A West
St. Sweeper
Op -inions
In 'order that Signal -Star
readers might express their
opinions on 'any topic of
public interest, Letters to The
Editor are always welcome
fbrpie blication.
ea
But the writers of such
letters, as well as all readers,
are - reminded that the
opinions expressed in letters
published are not netarily
�yq 1�(1f�/1
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Signal -Star.'
•
60 YEARS AGO
Charles Cameron and Edward
Lewis were officially named as
the candidates seeking -6-ffise in
the election called for
September ,21.
The first new wheat' of the
season arrived in Goderieh and
was stored in the Cooper
Elevator.
In a report to the Library,
Board, library employees
reported • a large increase' in.'
books.-ipaned Qttt, nearly.' 200
per month over the previous
year. ,..... -
Goderich' Collegiate Institute
$pard members increased "the
salaries of teacher's at, the school
at $1,300 and $1,250 per year
and the caretaker's salary to $50
per year.
The dates of •the annual fall
fair were set as being September
18, 19 and 20. .,
25 YEARS AGQ
September 15, 1946
----- In the first day that new
__ration books were made
available the Goderich town hall
recorded the issuing of 3,000,0
town and area citizens.
It was announced that . milk
prices in poderich, were being
increased as the result of an
announcement from the Ontario
Milk Board. •
A retirement party was held
for H.T. Edwards who was
retiring after 18 years of service
with
iTheHe CluironAid
!CounotY
ty
Federation of Agriculture
announced that it . would ' be
offering a $100, holarship to a"
deserving student entering
agricultural college..each year.
FIVE YEARS AGO
September 15, 1966
--In a season report released by
curator of 'the 'Huron County
Museum James Chisolm, it was -
noted that ,21,000 visitors
touted the premises and exhibits
in the season of 1966. • •
The . Huron County'
Federation _ .of.... Agriculture --
announced -that its ' ann ial
meeting would be held on
November 30 at Londesboro.
It -was ,announced that the
Centenial Caravan., would be
visiting Goderich on June 11,
1967 with a display' of exhibits
'depicting the History of Canada -
over the previous 100 years of
confederation. .
For the first time, students -41,.1.
,the Goderich Collegiate Institute
were attending classes on a time
table set up on a six day cycle.
The Party Planks
As.cxpected, a general elections in the province
of Ontario has been called for October -October
21 to be more -explicit:
Y..
With all parfy Machines in full gear now, the
Signal -Star will make an effort to present the
"'views of all party candidates on several ifportant
issues in this riding.
Letters will be going out this week to all
parties . requesting viewpoints on these key
matters and it is the hope of the editorial staff
here that with the co-operation of the Progressive
Conservatives, the Liberals and 'the NDPs. in
Huron this newspaferlwill be able to assist voters
in Goderich and area to make their decision in f
this' important contest,
In the meantime, wa have, received the
following letter to the Editor from Paul Carroll, -
the official NDP candidate -in Huron. We'
dive
decided to print this letter with the invitation to'
all other election candidates in Huron to voice`
their feelings on the sub1ect touched by Mr.
Carroll in his correspondence.
Dear Editor:
I am not certain whether candidates in
Provincial elections are permitted the
privilege of voicing'--tpinions in the
community forum of Letters to the
Editor; but a few recent events pertaining
to this election have prompted some
serious reflection. ' ,
At a time when there are many crucial
problems in • ' Ontario:, problems is
taxation, problems tin locate government',
problems in social -welfare, probieMs in
agriculture, etc.; it is particullarli' puzzling
to watch certain, statements emerge from
spokesmen for the two. _major political
parties in Ontario.
In our. immediate area, I would refer
you to the statements by R. E. McKinley,
made in Goderich. which particular a fear
of the party Rader Stephen Lewis. In
H u ron-Bruce,. I note with some
amazement that Ross Whither was able to
combine the words Hitler, Mussolini,
Stalin, and Lewis'into One sentence.
If these two examples are any
indication of,.what lies ahead, it should be
an -exciting ball garret
May I make -two' predictii's? First, this
election will ring with overtones even
helI
-th-arrtsiprovirititl eteciion in_ _ _
British' Columba. And second, the
irrational scare . tactics, will attempt to
cloud the real"'issues.
This is 1971. I sincerely belitavi that
the .citizens of Huron are as informed and
sis�fit���i+gee''�i���k4�t�''tael�io���lesoN'r�c- :�.,..•,�
cIr tain to prevail.
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