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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-11-16, Page 3So' a • A • fro cation to government o local young men want to be "co-pilots" tiiar wordT eirpecter soon -7— aTco 6E--a"bor ions; "'V: ' ;—btrr h" 'alone` eca�""us1 dr the ignore eri a -' � from the offices of the "Federal Local Initiatives Program'', an employment scheme, regarding an application by a number of Goderich young people for a plan they call "Co -Pilot". The „plans have drawn strong • support from many quarters and their " application is supported with letters of recommendation from M. W. Dymond, Goderich Recreation Director, Bruce Bjorkquist, a counsellor' at Conestoga College, Dennis Doll, a local businessman, Dr. Mario M. Cauchi, a Goderich doctor, Deputy Police Chief Patrick D. King, P. C. Jones, • a teacher at Conestoga "College in Clinton, Dr. H. Hudson, Unit Director for the Alcoholism and , Addic- tion Unit at the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital, and Huron Medical" Officer Dr. G. F. Mills" The program, which .will- em- ploy about seven people once it is underway, was initiated by Maurice • Blanchard who had worked` with a similar program before moving to Goderich. In his program outline Mr. Blanchard-ates, "People have always needed other people to talk to. Young people, as well as older ones, are frequently -in doubt about something and would like explanations to the various- obstacC'es which Gate them." The question is; Where do they. go? If a teenager has a problem, who can he turn to? A great number of young people today are afraid of speaking openly to adults, for the simple reason that both their ways of thinking contrast so sharply." "Parents are perhaps reluc- tant to talk with their kids, since they are not completely aware of exactly what problems teenagers are faced with. The generation gap still exists, This gap arises from the various dilemmas faced by both young and old alike. People would like information concerning their problems.'' • The program goes on, to ex- plain how Co -Pilot would deal with these problems and what sort of difficulties it would, in- volve itseFf with. "Co -Pilot is,ready with the in- formation and also a few an- swers. With the help of L.I.P. we hope 'to open an information centre in Goderich on December 1 •„ ' "This centre will provide in- formation concerning drugs, .Plu.nning ..,. continued from page 1 ducted in co-operation with the Huron County Planning Depart- ment and the Provincial Plan- ning Department." Davidson recommended •that any studies involving the "D" zones be done in public. He felt this wouldavoid problms and .would keep citizens abreast of the developments. control and other current problems of 'the youth' today. Drugs and alcohol are probably the two major reasons, for the lack of communication between the generations." "Co -Pilot is ready to deal with all questions about drugs and alcohol. With the aid of Dr. Frank Mills, Public Health Of- ficer for Huron County, as• well as the A.A. and the A.R.F. in Stratford, we feel that we can help people cope with drugs and alcohol," .. • • "Guest speakers, such as Dr _ Mills, as well as representatives.. from A.A, and A.R.F. would present seminars on these sub- jects to give people a better, in- sight to the various problems in this area." - Co -Pilot would also provide a talk centre. "People pf all ages can drop , in to talk to us -because we are ready to listen. Many people are only searching for a concerned person to talk to. We are concer- • ned. With a good listener, perhaps their problems could be aired -out and not appear quite so tragic." "Co -Pilot is also a help centre. People, who do need help, would be referred to specialists. Co -Pilot will have contacts with rural hospitals vas well as the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital. It will be our function -to act as the middleman. 'Through us, people could be sent to doctors, psychiatrists, or teachers - depending upon' the nature of their difficulty." Another question in this area is the weekend out patient system of ' the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital.`"There are people who are suffering from „ drug and alcohol abuse, in this hospital .for detoxification.' "During the weekends they are permitted to go into Goderich. Since they have nothing to do at home or in the town; they often end up in the local bar purchasing drugs and returningright back to the hospital, for more treatment." "Co -Pilot can give these people something to doAo,They would be able to come into our office and talk with us. We will set up group discussions, seminars and various other projects, films from V.F.B:, to keep their minds off drugs and alcohol," • "Adult education is also greatly needed in ,this area. Many parents are not aware of the many problems which face —their children- today. Once -a-- week, co-pilot will set up an adult education night to give parents more precise answers on the drug and alcohol problems, as well as, V.D., abortion and birth control, and any other questions they may want answered." "We hope to make parents realize that, their children are often forced to face an un- believable number of difficulties of both parties concerned." This particular area of our work ¢will lead to a four hour seminar to be held at Goderich sometime in. May of 1973. This seminar will feature guest speakers from A.R.F., Goderich Psychiatric Hospital, A.A., R.C.M.P., O.P.P., medical doc- tors, nurses, psychiatrists, medical health officers, as well as parents and adults: The different speakers will. comment on drugs and alcohol abuse locally and generally. "This seminar will be open to all residents in the area and we hope that it will shed some light on the numerous complex situations which4young people Must deal with," the outline ex- plains. "There is a definite lack of youth organization's in 'Huron County. Through our program and this four-hour seminar, we hope that the local residents will rid their apathetic ways, get involved, and start planning towards a worthwhile youth organization for the area." c Dr. Mills has also, suggested that Co -Pilot set up a family planning centre in Goderich. This would feature speakers ,from Huron County Health .Depa rtment-to-give-weekly- sour- .ses tonewlyweds as: well_. as.. young couples planning to marry. - Dr. Mills feels that this project is much . needed due to the great number of young marriages failing today, in this area. enagers are not the only young people who are experien- cing drug and alcohol problems. Many public school children in grades 7 and 8 have already used alcohol, as well as marijuana, and other drugs," Mr. Blanchard suggests. "We have even talked to quite a few, youngsters around the ages of 13 and 14, who have _experimented with .LSD and other harmful chemical drugs. Co -Pilot would like to organize seminars on drugs and alcohol forall public schools (grades 7 and 8; in our immediate' area." These would include N.F.B. films, pamphlets, small lectures, group discussions and we would also be ready to answer questions that these young people would have." Saturdays the Co -Pilot would be open to all high school aged teenagers for an afternoon group discussion, which would discuss any problems relevant to the_.;young..people of .the..a.rea..__ "We hope that this will even- tually bring out the young leaders in the community • and with their help as well as that of the Recreation Board in Goderich, we hope to set up a permanent youth organization for the area." the organizers say. This organization would give young people something to do as well as create a better under- su PHONE 524-8551 GUARANTEED TENDER le. Prime Rib Steaks99c IDEAL FOR SANDWICHES Cooked Ham 1•19 A Save wiih. our Wholestale Mice .�» We bar direct. vELICI SIGN•A • •a - Two of the -organizers behind the Co -Pilot organization -draw up the final application papers which are presently being reviewed by authorities of the Local Initiatives Program. Co -Pilot hopes, to obtain a grant under the employment incentive scheme to put their ideas into prac- tice. Co -Pilot would employ seven --=people. Standing is Brian Grace and seated is Maurice Blanchard, who originated ,the plan based on a similar project he had worked with before moving to Goderich. (staff photo) ' standing between them and their elders.Adults will certainly respect young • people more if they are seen doing constructive, as well as enjoyable, work within the community." "A few examples would be charity drives, free car washes, visits by young people to nursing homes, and also to hospitals to talk withlonely patients, • plus many other little courtesies that build up daily•" Co -Pilot will' also offer its ser- vices to the' local 'hospitals. "Many young people will be taking hard drugs such as L.S.D,, Mesculine, `M.D.A., for the -first time. They may have difficulty in coping with these, drugs, and may' end up in hospital, the 'program organizers explain. "A number of kids" experien- cing a "Bad trip" only need someone to talk to in order to "come down" without experien- cing difficulty. Nurses and doer tors, being very busy, could call on any Co -Pilot• member, at any time, and we would be glad to come down and talk to this•per- son. ,, ° These ideas -"are perhaps the major goals of Co -Pilot. The group is ready to talk and listen to people. - "We do not claim to ' be professionals, We feel that this factor may help us to reach more young people at an earlier age. We can not possibly hope to bridge the generation gap but if we can help a few young find themselves during our six month program, then Co -Pilot will be a success." Mr. Blanchard • ex- plained. "We hope that L.I.P. will find aurprojegc ^wyemir-irite.-`t�tlitln th/ e "' and our supporters, feel we will meet a 'definite community °continued from paii. 2 have done, 1 also know that we "create a substantial portion of unhappiness and f this I have .-.�• I firmly believe that others - have these same abilities and, as you, I feel others should enjoy their peace and comfort if ,they have this for others and I can- not guarantee this for myself. I have observed life from the first • time of my memory which takes me back to the age, of three. My observations have not changed but my -feelings have. Too many persons. do • not share our feelings • and in reading of the harrowing ex- periences -of,Victor x-periences•of,Victor E. Frank' in his book "Man's search' for meaning" I, too, 'tasted the horrors of the Nazi prison carbps. In my search for' peace, contentment and security I had a similar experience although not as horrifying 'or degrading. Because of this experience in the spring of 1957 --complacency, contentment, apathy and many other negative characters in my personality have all but"disaps peered. I used to think I was one of a majority .but when I listen to other puzzled people my ignorance in this study in- creases. Believe me Puzzled, "'we .as Canadians are faced with the same problems as that of our own government. We are in a dilemma --are we --strong ei ough- to form a government, • do we have the confidence of' the people, must we make some changes to stay in power??? Methinks our Prime Minister is now experiencing my own sleepless nights of the past. I would simply love being my own kind of person, doing what 1 like best, never mind what others like or think or say. You have' .comforted me for I really do not worry about belonging to minorities or majorities. and its nice to know that others think I should feel this way also: . We are very blessed you and I to have had a choice. At one time in my life "the ,choice was not. mine". I prayed follow the • leader and when I woke- up behind bars, locked up in a menta-•ims1 it on it was then I, -reeele t liegitg'tSt' itioeff- of ir1Y' life surpassirig that even of my family, friends, teachers, relatives and °even strangers. Yes, I . tasted the horrors of another persons life. I came out determined then to fulfill the prophecy of our Lord "the meek shall inherit the earth". Well, I've claimed thy spot on this earth, only because others made it . possible. We, as a family, have received the "benefits and rewards given to us by the Veterans Land Act, to enable us ,to stake a claim with a minimum of interest and the' lowest of payments. While my husband to be was in the front lines I was a civilian; he carried a gun, I carried a flag; he lived through the horrors .cif ,war "live" I live mine through newspapers and watched on movie screens-- at times I wished I was "over there" . Oh how I hated war. Many of my school chums were killed along with those I had worked with; in those days of despair and sadness strangers were no longer strangers for the tragedy .of war touched us all '-few people live today unscarred in one way or another --physically and/or emotionally. Thank you Miss, Mr. or Mrs. Puzzled for your kind and thoughtful words --it helps to know that there is a life such as yours "contented rather than complacent" --a life that here on earth cannot be shared by all. I made a commitment to I,WE .15, years4go:-the choice,, was mine then, also. When you have lost your will to live, it is not easy to come back, a stronger power than I or you helped to restore me. It helps to restore me each day --the power of 1 ove. It was my good fortune to have met an ex -millionaire from Cuba' back in 1962. He as others because of the revolution had to leave all of their belongings. It is happening today in other parts of this earth although not many are millionaires. I'm happy to -.have worked for St. Julian. as I called him and we talked of many things.", Above all we discussed hap- piness and suffering. We came to know each other quite well as "friend to'friend". We discussed our world as milliohaire and pauper, he being on the top rung and me being on the bottom. He " was many years older than 1 need. NDP list campaign costs; $160 to David Lewis An executive meeting of the - -Huron- -NDP• --R•id-ing-• Association was held in• Goderich last week at the home of the president, Shirley Weary. The recent Federal election results were discussed. It was revealed that expenses would be about $1300 for the NDP campaign and revenues as of November '8, amounted to about $1400. All accounts have been paid with the exception of the quota to be sent in support of the Federal Lewis campaign which amounts to $160, A slight surplus is anticipated for the election account. The election tallies for the NDP candidate Weary were - reviewed. It was noted that although the popular vote had only risen to 6 percent, the in- crease represented a gain of 50 percent over the 1968 figures. An examination of Ni)P -popular support across the country had risen in every Province with the exception of Quebec where .a slight decrease was noted. - W. • E Huron Candidate Shirley Weary, admitted some disap- pointment with the local results in terms of the t --rt a-t•irfin ad - averages but indicated that she was prepared to run r again if called to do so at a future nomination meeting. She also, expressed her gratitude for the loyal support of the many workers and party members. In other business, the executive laid down plai'is for the annual meeting which will be held in Goderich this year on November 22, The meeting will take place at Robertson Memrial School at 8:30 p.m. •and, will be open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to elect officers for the Riding Association for the coming year. In addition,, the members at- tending the annual meeting will be invited to discuss policy resolutions which will be presen- ted to the Convention for the Provincial NDP which will be held in Toronto in early Decem- . ber. Several executive members are planning to attend a regional policy conference in __Chatham _ on November 19 to discusspolicy resolutions of local impact. These matters will ' form part of a report -to be 'support to Huron NDP members at the annual meeting. The final item of business dealt with plansfor a Christmas social to be held in Goderich in mid-December. Details will be announced at the general meeting. Huron -Perth SS reach agreement with their staff BY WILMA OKE Trustee Michael Connelly of R.R.3, Kippen, chairman of the salary negotiating committee, advised the Huron -Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board Monday that an arrangement had been reached with its teachers for the contract year 1972-73. _Tn-rhagreement ratified ed by_ both groups Monday night, the 156 teachers of the board -will receive an increase of .8;72 per cent. Mr. Connelly pointed out there is an'increase in the num- ber of teachers over last year -- three oral French teachers and two special education teachers. Salary ranges for the elemen- tary school teachers in Categories 1 to 7 respectively, are: $5,500 to $7,600 (last year $5,400 to $7,400); $6,000 to $9,100 (last year $5,900 to $8,800); $6,500 to $10,700 (last year $b,400 to $10,100); $7,200 to $12,400 (last year •$7,'00 to $11,900); $7,400 to $12,900 (last year $7,400 to $12,200); $8,400 to $13,200 (last year $8,300 to $13,100); $8,900 to $13,700 (last year $8,800 to $13,600), Contributions by the board to hospital' and medicltl insurance has been increased from 66 per. cent to 662P per Cent Group life insurance par- ticipation by the board has been increased from 50 per cent to 662/3 per cent. A responsibility, allowance will be paid to ec ; h school prin- cipal on the basis of $375 for each occupied „classroom which is unchanged from 1971-72, agreement. Vice -principals when appointed will be paid a respon- sibility allowance of 50 per cent of the allowance paid to prin- cipa ls. Qualified consultants on a full-time basis —will _receive., $2;000 for duties performed. In other business, the board members discussed putting sewage system into Holy Name School at St. Marys to tie in with new sewage system in the town. Trustees Chris Walraven of St. Marys and David Teahen of Stratford were named to in- vestigate alternatives. Trustee Vincent Young, Chairman of the building and property committee, reported tenders will be called for the removal of the house on 208 Queen Street, Stratford, which was recently purchased by the board; tenders will be called for the installation of 118 feet of six-foot chain link fence at 208 Queen Street and 300 feet of six foot chain link fence at St. Joseph's School in Stratford; and that R.T. McBride, Strat- ford has been awarded the con- tract - to install three dusk to dawn rental units at •St. `Patrick's Scdiool at Kinkara at a cost of $1'77 less $90allowance paid by Ontario Hydro directly to the contractor. and I valued his words. I came to know St Julian as a kind, g9ntle and very religious person *Ho had worked very hard for security not only for :hf, nself- ;but his 1Fa}n y ' He was beginning a, new way of life in Don Mills and so ws a But others wadld 0.4 let him. Out of l f r- io et ,, tence became imprinted on ;my mind, fie said to me "Alyce >Gt wasn't the things I did, it was the things 'I neglected to f o and others now are daingoit far me". He continued, "someday, perhaps God will give me another 'chance • to return to Cuba" and, as ships in the'night we passed t. Julian going his way and I going mine. I've tried my darndest to shut out the world "Puzzled and in trying to live and let live I'm equally as puzzled as you. I've -chosen this hideway for lief- manent peace and security and• no one but no one is....going—to- take it away from me without a fight.. not even regional govern- -went. We are leading a good life ° here and -try to share—our good life...my friends .,are 'welcome (they may be strangers` When-- they hen —they walk in but hopefully•they are friends when they leaveYtny • husband and his friends are welcome, our children and their friends are welcome. You are right puzzled not to wish to embarrass or further agitate me and I thank you for this from the bottom of my heart. Perhaps you have seen a world I have not...and perhaps I -have-seen a world you have not: - One thing is clear...people like you and people like me ought to - get together moreoften to talk about our opposing ideas...for this is the only way we all learn not from agreeing with each other but in constructive criticism. You have been helpful for I'm really trying not to.get involved with human beings...for I know my life style then would have more meaning!!! Inciden- tally, I did not attack the people of Huron -County nor would I attack Dr: C.T.M. Hadwen and his associates...I am attacking the report and Will continueto do so until I am assured that in future years (even if the whole world is disintegrating) I am guaranteed a secure-re--a-n-d—` peaceful life. Nice to have met • you and I hope you -are ar-e• •just a little lesaia«eda-. ,; Sincerely with love "Alyce Whalen" 9. • Where is economy? Dear Editor: - With the local elections pen- ding, it is 'appropriate to eori- sider the record of the 'Huron School • Board. Our present board has had very little influence on educational policies, since their ° main concern appears to be directed to the build-up of a bureaucracy to relieve them of the necessity for making decisions. Occasionally they do step into administrative matters, and the recent example of rejec- ting the request of the Christian School Board for assistance in student transportation is a case in point. One is appalled by the lack of co-ordination in the busing of our children. The object' of the formation of the larger school district was to promote economy and efficiency, the same shib- boleths used tosupport the larger assessment units. Neither objective has been met, yet this. same slogan has again been dusted off to apply to the abolition of our local govern- ments for the benefit rifle remote regional bureaucracy. •„ How can efficiency be fur- thered when we still have ,com- peting bus lines collecting on the -same --roads? Where is - 'the economy? The vice-chairman of the board, John Broadfoot, not only says he is not interested in this matter, but that it will cost the taxpayer more money. Surely he knows that the supporters of the Christian school system pay all their costs, and relieve the rest of us of the very considerable in- crease we would have to find in local and general taxes should they disband. • . One can only assume that this is an extreme example of bigotry, tl-at does not reflect the attitudes of our citizens. Is the board so confident that our state system is so good that all must conform - or else? The, decision of providing transppo+¢rtation support for :the Christian schools must onlybe made en the grounds of common sense, as well as the worthy causes of saving money for our taxpayers, and of providing an alternative system of education— Morgan Morgan Smith