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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1974-09-05, Page 2r .PAGE 2•--•GODERICR SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1974 EDITORIAL, C�MMENT fob welId�n.e The paint-up--the-Square project en- ded on time and within budget and the credit goes to the young men and women who worked so hard all through a long., hot summer from the tip-top of extension. ladders. When the project was g' tting under- way, . many, many citize ,s predicted 'disaster: They., seemed \, to expect everything from messy, uncaring pain- . ters who would get !note col r on them - '.selves and others than •on th buildings • to lazinessand irresponsibili y' on .the part• of the young,Jolks hired to do the - work. But as the sumrner progressed, it was evident none of this dire doom\ wduld materialize. The work was comple ed ef- ficiently, easily and expertly. Ther were 'no: accidents, no' staff 'problem , no major difficulties. In fact, it was cI arty evident that some -of Goderi h's /14 .ti established citizenry could learn a lesson from the co-operativ'e'°youth who turned a lack -lustre core area igto a ., showpiece. • The Goderich• 'Business Men` are also to be congratulated fo. r their eftorts in bringing . renewal to the downtown district. It is' important for Goderich residents to realize: that while govern- ment funding was available for a'portion of the cost of painting, the salaries of four of the 12 painters were paid by the businessmen as well as all Materials and related needs for the project. ' In retrospect • then, The Square paint - up' was a success: It. is to be hoped that next -summer will see a continuation of this fine' -idea with the spoke streets get- ting their share of color to complete•the setting' in the business district of the prettiest town in Canada. w • Attendance tells tale A report from O.J. Silverthorn, Director of Theatres and Chairman of• the Censor Board, to the: Ministry of Consumet and Commercial Relations for Ontario had Some interesting . cornmentary on the movie going habit's'ot the world. Taking - the . view that the movie industry produces 'the movies people want most to. see, a quick -perusal of the .report reveals that the overall outlook of today's people has- change"d drastically. frdm even 10 years ago. The report showed, for 'instance, that of 783 films examined, only 168 were released for general exhibition while 318 were recommended -as adult entertain- • ment with a whopping,. 292 labelled as restricted.* Five, films. -were not approved at 'all: Of 22 `Canadian -films received;six„ were approved for general exhibition, five recommended as adult enertainrnent and 11 (50 percent) released as restric- ted. ° n The report noted that more and more Chinese films are being released each . year. ' In fact China, is now number two behind the USA for films released. And even the number of restricted films has increased. Submissions from China were up 75` percent with restricted films • showing, an upsurge of -almost 500 per- ceht: "Not too long ago Chinese movies were mainly gentle historical type ,productions," writes Mr. •Silverthorn. "Now• Chinese producers seern deter- mined to prove that#they have -little to learn from others in the screen` presen- tation of sex arid violence." The report furt.ter ,. reviewed the "Meagre audiences enjoyed by some very fine family type movies.',:" "When we hear that such fi lm5 have ,not been successful at the box office, we wonder where .all the .families are who complain that not enough , family -type: entertainment is being provided by the •filmindustry commented Mr. Siiverthorn. • As ,.+somebody recently said; "The grandchildren ofthe kids who used -to weep because the Little Match Girl froze to death now ' feel, cheated 'if she isn't' slugged, raped, and thrown into a Bessemer convertor.” Lucille Ball, the actress, in an inter- view with Christian Science Monitor put it this way: "Right now, I'm beginning to be.shocked that I'm not as shocked 'as I used to be." - • Promise :watchfulness The Civil Service Association of -.On- , tario has gone on record as being fully behind the hospital workers oaf the province, many of whom have recently received sizeable increases in salary as the result of threatened strike action. A spokesmen for CSAO, general, manager G.G.' Norman has warned that if" any hospitalattempts to reduce staff at the expense of patient care in an effort to balance the' budget, the CSAO' will clearly.. identify such moves -and bring them to .the . attention,, of the public. He was,, of 'Course, commenting on a- report that the government has asked the Ontario Hospital Association to "cut - by attrition" the number of people on hospital payrolls.° According to the government, hospitals willhave to ab- so,rb the first -five percer4t1in rease. above the 7,9 percent increase allowed for. in the 1974 provincial budget., It isathe feeling of Mr. Norman - and many, many hospital workers across On- tario, - that the Ministry of Health will ' simply have to assume the' financial responsibility to ensure that the start- . 4 „a. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY a° Bo Shirley J. Keller • Publisher Publisher R.G. Sillier gave to me in recent weeks copies of two special articles to read. One was the President's Letter from The Editor's 'Forum published monthly in Atlanta, Georgia, and the other was The Royal' Bank of Canada monthly newsletter entitled The Role of the Newspaper. The first one 'was heavily American, dealing almost ex - elusively with the fact that many, mane United States citizens "blame the press 'for the plight - in •which .President (former) Nixon..finds. himself, instead of recognizing that the newspapers have,only done the expected of them by their job readers." , .The writer. 'says, "I 'have found myself{through the years explaining to readers of the newspaper I publish that we do not make the news .., we merely report it. Seldom have I known anyone who did`n•ot say he or she wanted -newspapers to report the • facts, impartially and without fear or favor. But the same people• actually mean, "Report the news as I see it, not the way an impartial per- son sees it," Thet•,e is a big dif- ference:" ' He sums it up by . adding, "We •have 'our own Watergates on the local level, too, and it is the ' responsibility ° of local newspapers to print the facts as they become available, without. fear or favor. It is a hum rap when. uninformed individuals try to blame .the' troubles we dard' bf health .care: does' not suffer. have in "this world on the Wages and salaries paid, in hospitals are newspapers that are shedding only beginning to• approach a level that light where there would other is acceptable, according them. wise be only darkness and From the`'-palient's,' standpoint, naturally the main concern is for first- D--D,.D-----------•----t--- rate care while in hospital..The struggles , The Royal Bank newsletter between hospital administration and says about the same thing in a hospital staff are of little concern when little different way. Their one is recovering, from surgery or put- statement is: :."Its, (the ting his life on, the line under some newspaper's) chief f0nction is to holdup a mirror to the hap- penings of ' the, day, If it ,is But there is little doubt that Ontario careful to keep the mirror clean citizens are becoming a. little uneasy and as flawless as,possible, the 'about health' care for. the future in this .reflectionswill be honest, clear and interesting." province, and Mr. Norman's promise to' Some responsibility , is at -a • *, uncover any reduction in hospital \ser, tached to the reader, too. The vices which could affect patient cre newsletter states, "Newspaper will be welcom 0 by the majority \of writing and newspaper reading thinking peopl ho want to know the • are•not jobs for people who can facts. . hot, when necessary, look at 'a ,,_, subject objectively: The reader, What's more, it is a safe' bet that 'On needs to distinguish between; -tario residents will become ,more and knowledge and guessing, bet- * more vocal about the' need for con- , ween trained and casyal..obser- tinuing improved medical and hospital . .vation; between verification ignorance." Hehr. Hear. care.. Health is somethin wants D- and has a right t • he eobtr tb SIGNAL -STAR -0-4. The County town Newspaper of Hurpn 'and :credulousness. Learn to everybody Appraise the piece you are reading: is it statement of fact, interpretation, ,.,. opinion, argument 6r special pleading Irl: an important report, is someone named as authority" Newspapers are regularly' 't'iticiSed'as looking for the„sen- sational angle to a story, I a found it, interesting_ to read in the newsletter, for instance, 'that one attempt by, a newspaper to print only good news ended in failure. The paper, called• simply Good News was launched in California tri print ail the bright,• happy doings which most newspapetks cannot spare room for, After \16 months, it had to -throw 'in ° the towel, thousands -of dollars in the red. People obviously dirt not want Good News - though many, many still' insist they do. Tip Signal -Star has \been in .ah busiiet for over 1(10 years, by the way, despite•,the fact that .ursue. --]--- Founded in ▪ 1848 and published every Thursday at Goderich Ontario Member of the ,,,CWNA and OWNA Advertising rates On request Siibscriphons payable in -advance $6 50 in Canada. $10 00 in ,all countries other than Canada. single copies 20 cents Se0onchclass Mail Registration Number 0716 Advertising is accepted On the donditien. that in the event of typographical ,error, the advertising dace occupied' by the erroneous• item: together with reasonabI allowance for s,gnatu?e."writ not be charged ' for but the balance of the advertisement will be paid• fpr at the appiieableratgr' In the 'event of .a typographical error advertising goods•or services at°a wrong price. goods . Service may no' be,sold ,Adve'rtiiing is merely am offer to's"ell and may be withdrawn of any time The SignalStar les riot responsible for theolost .or Uanage of uhsolicited. manuscripts or photos' a Published by • Signal -Star Publishing Ltd. ROBERT G. SHRIEi-.•president and publisher ° SHIRLEY J. KELLER—editor BILL DIMAIIICK—editorial staff JEFF SEDDOP'l—editorial staff EbWARD J. BYRSKI •advertisin` manager Y ''DAVE R WILLIAMS-advertising representative . Business and Editorial Office TELEPHONE 5i4-8331 area code 519 Niaiiiiig' Address; P 0. BOX 220, Goderich Second cla*s; maO registrition number -6716 Ix people claim the newspaper c•arri'� s much' news that is too "sensktional . The newsletter puts it, this way: "Airplanes ,that fly safely and, without being hijacked, . people who live together without. qqarelling, rivers that flow within their banks, and the nations that conduct their affairs' and resolve their dif ferenc•es without fighting - these are not news. An ordinary per- son doing an ordinary job in an ordinary way is not the subject of .,news story, but if you have an extraordinary man or woman l in action, or an •or• dinary man or -woman doing an ektraordinary job, or doing an ordinary job in an extraor- dinary way, that is news." The newsletter l ovidecI a set of qualities essential to a good •newsman or newswoman. They are an open mind linked. with unquenchable curiosity; an. invincible scepticism; and ate' disposition not. to be easily brushed off,' Whether or not Signal-S..ar reporters stack up -to this .list of attributes will be left for. the readers to deter- Dear Editor, 1,, wish to congratulate your mi nt it is generally agreed newspaper on. its new sup - that . there - is nothing plement„ "T V Signal mysterious about a reporter. He • It is well done. and most -"or she is. a working man •or useful and timely. - • woman who 'probably lives. as Thank you for the service. .well as, his or her salary af- to think. More people than ever before are interested in knowing not only what is hap- pening but why it is happening. They need strongly inter- pretative material to help them to think their way -through the fog of events." • • There's more. "The editorial writer must investigate' and ap- praise, and write his copy with logic and learning. His appeal is .to truth and reason and in- telligence, not to prejudice, passion and ignorance." Well, R.G. there it is = a sum- .mart' of the two articles left on the editor's desk. Two fine (ar- ticles designed to make everyone 'think - readers; and reporters alike. Oh yes, there's something in the article for publishers to think about too. 'The newsletter says, "A courageous publisher, supported by an inspired, intelligent, and dynamic editorial staff,' might find`'ltis greatest fulfillment as a newspaperman and as . a Canadian in making his publication desired by the public outside , its • .present limited circulation area because of its authentic and well-written reports about national matters.” . Now there's a .'challenge. Real food for thought. Likes TV Signal Yours` faithfully, fords,: -.-marries, has children, A.R. Aylswprth and takes a normal interest in the politics,. poetry and ..per-, roleel Loll , lease plexities,of life, Editors have long recognized the weight of responsibility on their shoulders in writing editorial, comment for the papers of the nation. What the newsletter has to say about editors L or rather editors' as they should be - leaves a feeling df gross inadequacy running up and d,owri the spine. The newsletter says, "In 'a society that is largely affected. .by fear, insecurity,' uncertainty, the deterioration Jof values, disillusionment and , materialism, readers do ' not desire editorials that are bland recitals without any -challenge Dear Editor, May I appeal to your readers to support the International Society for the Protection of Animals . in their attempts'. to., provide 'relief for the tens of thousands of abandoned,' stray and injured animals in Cyprus. Many of these animals are in pitiful condition, all .require_ assistance. �o not wish to suggest, for one moment, that" animals in this. tragic situation- should be given, priority ' over). `hurfian needs. In fact I..hope that the matter will be kept in proper perspective. Nevertheless 'the meed'" is "urgent and, by helping to solve BOOKING BACK 75 YEARS' AGO • Quite a novel display ap- peared in W.A. McKim's store window the ' past week in con- nection with his 50 percent off ' sale. Some of the suitings that are being- offered- at this reduced price ' were draped to ,. form a background while in the foreground had been placed, a block or stump on which the price tickets had been • cut in two'. The hatchet that had been used for that purpose remained fastened in the block just as it -.was left' when the operation was completed. Attached to the handle of the hatchet was a card bearing the following well known words, "We. cannot;;tell' a lie, we did it with our little hatchet". 'Numerous price , tickets were scattered about the floor of the window, each one severed in twain, while on another card was inscribed the following, "Prices 'literally -and • ,practically cut in two" To t 'ose who took part in repel1 g the Fenian 'Raid on the Canadian frontier in 1866 'an 1870, or who were engaged - i 'the Red River expedition in 870, it willbe of interest 'to learn 'that, the medal granted '� for these services is the same size as the war medals and will - be of silver: The organ factory was shut down for several days the past week for the purpose of stock taking. Last Friday afternoon a team of baseball players went ' to Clinton to play the team there and the Go'flerich • .boys were beaten by an unr`nentionable score, The thunder shower Tuesday morning was another' blessing ,'to the farmers in this neck of the woods. the animal problems, we may. be playing a small part in helping the situation in Cyprus return to normal. The Ontario Humane Society, which is a member ' of the International Society for • the Protection of Animals, has be asked Co. provide . a` s!stance in the form of drugs and veterinary supplies. We are arranging with veterinary drug supply companies to have. sup- - plies shipped 'to Cyprus and we' are hopeful that these.supplies will be' flown to Cyprus in Government aircraft. If,not we will "send-. them by air- in the normal mapner... Anyoneawishing to support this appeal should send ',a 'donation to the Ontario Humane Society marked. "Cyprus". Yours sincerely, T. L Hughes, Executive Vice -President. 50 YEARS AGO A gasoline engine driven saw is busy on 'the beach cutting up timbers from the• old river breakwater, which have been towed around and drawn up on the beach. The Goderich Fall Fair fo'r 1924 showed a very con- 'siderable : improvement over previous years both in atten- dance and exhibits, in fact in some departmentsthe exhibits make a record for the fair. The reduction of the` price of ad- mission from 50 to 2.5 cents seems'to ,have met with popular favorand the gate receipts this year at 25 'cents were in eitcess of those of last year, at 50 cents. Gate and' grand stand receipts this year• amounted to $1,263.50 against $1,198.50 last • year. Gate and grand ,stand „'receipts of • slightly over $1060 .• for the main day, with .over 525 school children in the procession admitted free, would mean betweewa four thqusand 'and five thousand people were ` . on the grounds. The experiment with the. new 'admission would seem to have been a good one, from a financial point of view. as well as popularizing the fair. Our lovely town unfor- tunately was invaded last Sun- day when a carload, the car is yet ' unidentified, of loud; "trouble making, liquor swilling, ' youngsters in .raccoon coats persisted in driving about the Square at. high speeds.. The t, group were thought Co be from the Detroit area but a passerby • said he clearly. •haw Ontario • licence plates on the vehicle. The group made a couple of turns of the Square and 'made' off in the direction of Clinton before . the good Constable, could take action. Sticky. problem Dear Editor, . My son and daughter each needed a bottle of glue: When they arrived home after school, (Continued on page 3)' ° klU)th(9' time, 'another "way - 4 ° With the stubble beginning ,to show in the fields around Goderich and fall weather creeping ,”up on the community, people get a little nostalgic about all sorts 'of things, 'his old p , hotograph was loaned to the Signal -Star -by Mrs. Gordon Hodgkinson who says it is about 57 g it the years old, It features Joe and George Garrick and family.,Note fNote the narrow bridge with Y� wooden floor; the tolling landscape and the sharp mode of travel.„ Bring backany memories for 'anybody'? Wish• that modem -day driving was as peaceful and pleasant' - t• 1 . 5 YEARS AGO A tender. in the amount of $5,958.75 for a new -dump truck for use in the town's pollution 'Control plant has•been accepted from RecGee and Sons Ltd. The -tenni. was the lowest of three bids submitted. Other tenders were from Goderich Motors`' Ltd., $6,250.21, and. 1luewater, Truck "Centre, '$6;573.061 A tender for the same unit ` had been accepted " earlier but the unit delivered was not according -to ,the specifacations and was •retur- tied and 'the tenders recalled. All Roman Catholic children in Perth and Huron Counties, ,in of how far they live from the,, nearest separate school, will be accepted ih schools operated 'by thedPerth- Huron separate school board. , Deputy 'Reeve W ,lter Shear-. down pitched the first ball •of the Goderich Industrial League Pastball Tournament on Sun- day to Itiug Keene of '"Gard's Sports. Councillor''"Ia'e Gower was catching. Keene hit a foul ball' 'which was caught by a Varna player. Thet'tournantent was won by Holrneavl'lle after they, defeated London 2-0 on Monday evening.