HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-01-01, Page 5(mEBIxm STANDARD)
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'age 4---CLINTON NEWS -RECORD. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30. 1985
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A
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
1985
Keep one
resolution
If you make only one resolution for the new year, make one that will
save yourself anguish, save your family embarrassment and most impor-
tantly, save -lives.
With the stiff laws recently introduced to fight impaired driving, it's on-
ly common sense to eliminate drinking and driving from your lifestyle.
In the Legislature, Progressive Conservative, Justice Critic Terry
O'Connor is asking that the RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving
Everywhere) program be considered on a year-round basis instead of
peak drinking and driving periods such as Christmas and New Year's
Eve. However, he has met opposition in the Attorney General.
Inconsistent with the large fines add licence suspensions drawn up by
the government, the Attorney General has been quoted as saying, "this
might involve the expenditure of very large sums of taxpayers' money,
which might not be warranted."
The taxpayers asked for stiff penalties for those driving while
paired. That was the first step towards reducing the crime, not the final
step.
It is the taxpay •s' money that will fun the RIDE program, and it is
the taxpayers' lives which will be saved. If the program saves lives, a
price cannot and should not be a factor. `
It's time the government abandoned the "looking into it" attitude and
invested moneyin the lives of those they serve. In the meantime, every
driver can do his or her part by staying off the 'roads when they've had too
much to drink. - by Anne Narejo
Huron unty Homecare
is great, says reader
Dear Editor:
Recently I heard a former reeye in Huron,
County criticizing the high cost of health
care "in Huron County. This individual ex-
pressed , the view that if something was
wrong with his family he would go to his
family doctor then to a specialist. He seem-
ed to feel all his problems would be solved. I
wish that were true.
My husband and I went to University
Hospital, London. We were told my husband
had A.L.S. or Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis. He can be expected to live three to
tep years. He will gradually lose his ability
to walk, talk, swallow and the use of his.
hands. There is no cure and no medication
that will improve his condition. It is my
understanding that there has been reported
to be three cases of A.L.S. just in_ the
Seaforth area in the last year.
Physio Janet Bannegnan, we have kept him
walking and feeding himself as long as
possible. The loving,support of community
-nurses, Linda Knight, Marlene Richmond
and Karen Snyder have allo ved'me'to keep
Bill at home where he wants to be.
Our Town and Country Homemaker,
Beatrice Brubacher, stays with him to allow
me to run errands. These people and the
many people behind the scenes like Betty
Cardno and Sheila Lancaster along with
friends and family have given us tremen-
dous support.
I find in talking to other patients, Huron
County compared to other counties, has ex-
cellent homecare. •
I am proud to live in a county which cares
for people who can no longer care for
themselves. -
Yes; Mr. Reeve,"there is a Huron County
Homecare Service and God Bless them
everyone. .
Thanks Huron County
Bill and Mary Beth Mann
Eradicatingreligious
instruction is sad comment
BY: JOAN VAN DEN BROECK
TRUSTEE, HURON COUNTY
BOARD OF EDUCATION
A group of Civil Libertarians have in-
itiated legal action under the provisions of
the new constitution to eradicate religious
instruction from the public school system.
Personally, I see this as a sad comment on
our times. Many seem to have forgotten that
our society is rooted in Judaeo-Christian
ideals. This is a fact of our democracy.
Our county was founded by devout,
religious people; we are their inheritors -
reaping the benefits of a community forged
on the princioles of morality, truth, justice,
"iirditicatit 'aili1 i € attar 'fore% W a: -MO)
Surely it can be possible to recognize and
appreciate cultural mosaic in the classroom
Without destroying traditional religious ex-
pression and it is not time to wipe out Sec-
tion- 235 (1) C of the Education Act that
states that one.duty of our teachers is: "to
inculate by precept and example respectfoi -
religion and the principles of Judaeo-
Christian morality and the highest regard
for truth, justice, loyalty, love of country,
humanity, benevolence, sobriety, industry,
frugality, pruity, temperance and all other
virtues."
While a humanist - though secular - ap-
proach to instilling moral values in our
youth may be broad enough to embrace all
religious thinking (though I doubt it myself)
it will lack richness of expression.
I would be the first to admit that religion
in the school, as it is now presented, is not a
profound or weighty experience. I agree
that this is as it should be. Most parents
would be uneasy if- teachers were expoun-
ding doctrine that may, or may not, reflect
the family's denominational viewpoint.
However, I fail to see how exposure to
religious thought, the Lord's Prayer and the
Christmas pageant can be anything but a
positive experience - for most children. .
�-..bar. elgfdt:._:who =.
parents do not wish their children exposed
to these concepts.)
Full-scale denial of religious expression in
our schools will cut into the quick of our in-
heritance. It is wrong to ask us to make this
sacrifice. From my point of view, . this will
be agave disservice to the majority of
children who currently benefit from Chris-
tian celebration.
‘I hope that Santa Claus has not replaced
the Christ Child'in Christian hearts and that
the true treasures of the Season love, hope
and charity - are yours
Season's end
By Anne Narejko
u
Jack's Jottings
By Jack RiddQII,'I4PP
Minister of Housing Alvin Curling has
launched a comprehensive long-term hous-
ing strategy for Ontario, designed to ensure
that all residents have access to adequate
shelter at.reasonable costs.
The four-part policy, called Assured Hous-
ing for Ontario, includes sweeping changes
to the rent review system, major initiatives
to increase the supply of housing, a focussed
strategy for the building industry. and a new
emphasis on the use of government-owned
lands.
"Our policy is designed to protect tenants
and give confidence to landlords and the
building industry - in short, to • provide a
housing policy that is fair and just for all,"
'says,M "Curling ; l
�On m O'r—refOrYit to rent review, Mris
Curling says that he has tried to create a
new atmosphere of trust and confidence
between tenants and landlords.
•
A Rent Review Advisory committee, coin -
posed of equal numbers of tenant and
landlord representatives, is being formed to
advise him on future legislative and pro-
cedural changes to rent.
A new system of rent review that will be
less costly and time-consuming is being in-
troduced.
Rent review will be extended to cover
units built since 1975 and to units renting for
more than $750 a month.
As well, the six per cent guideline will be
reduced to four per cent, retroactive to
August 1, 1985.
„The current limit of five per cent on rent
increases which landlords can pass on to
tenants after purchasing and mortgaging a
rental building is being extended.
Also, new rent review legislation will con-
tain. a "cost -no -longer -borne" provision,
allowing tenants to apply for .a review of
rent increases granted previously to
landlords to cover high interest rates which
they no• longer bear.
Mr. Curling says the legislation will make
provision to allow _ for the eliniinatio-n of
Country's economy needs
a
dose of salts says Bulloch
BfiY TON tCA1 .LLSON
Every person needs once in a while.
Even economies can use atonic to restore
the delicate balance of the natural
marketplace.
And now is such a tithe for Canada, not on-
ly so that its economy can be, returned to
robust health, but more imp brtant, so that
Canadians can lookforward.to an ever more
prosperous future.
What this country (needs, says John
Bulloch, is some effective medicine to get
thin» s moving again,. ti
"Excessive government interference has
pp
roduced rigid markets and tacklustt'e per-
"' f' the 7000 -
member Canadian l ederation of Indepen-
dent Business. "In blunt talk, the Canadian
econoniy needs a dose of salts." •
To that end, the business leader says, the
Wilson budget was a much-needed first step
to freeing up massive. amounts of money
that can be used by individuals to
strengthen the economy from the roots up,
at the local level.
But more is needed to create a flexi-
ble economy, one . in whoh, the en-
trepreneurial Spirit ha- the fiir_eedoto to
adapt to a changing world.
such as free trade,
Initiative:" t ,
twat) 5
economic losses for units constructed after
1975.
For some buildings in the pre -1976- stock
which are locked into chronically depressed
rents, Mr. Curtin g - says -n interministerial
committee will exanune
more realistic rents'for those lei
"We recognize that the privat
not be expected to accept the uA
operation of rental housing," says
ing.
"This is important if our present housing
stock is to be saved from further deteriora-
tion, and new housing stock is to be brought
in to the market," he says.
A province -wide rent registry will become
operational in mid -1986. Initially, the
registry will 'apply to'buildiiigs witk,n6re
than six units, and will be extended later to
uildings.
Curling says the Assured Housing
dikes the problem of insufficient af-
housing. Studies have indicated
ays to permit.
dlords.
sector can -
economic
1/Ir. Curl -
small
Mr.
policy
fordabl
that 320,000 rental and ownership units must
be built over the next five year.
The provincial government's new housing
initiatives are projected to cost more than
$500 million over the next five year
Non-profit and co-operative housing
groups will be given $208 million in subsidies
as well as $68 million in development loans
to help them get projects started.
An additional $34 million will subsidize
tenants in some of the 11,000 market rent
units to be produced by the private sector
with the aid of provincial loans.
The subsidies will support the production
of -a total of more than 43,000 new rental
units - 32,000 social housing units and 11,000
market rent units.
The provincial government's Convert -to -
Rent Program is being' expanded. More
than $39 million in interest-free loans will
help produce 6,000 new units.
Convert -to -Rent assistance, primarily in-
volving the conversion of non- residential
buildings into rental housing; is now
available for the production of hostel -type
accommodation for single persons as well
agar and Spice
as new rental housing iii single-family
home's. .
Loans will range from '$5,000 to
$7,000 per unit, with an additional $2,000 in
assistance if the units are designed especial-
ly for physically -handicapped persons.
The new $75 million rental housing pro-
gram Renterprise involving interest- free
loans to builders will result in 5;000 apart-
ments being built. Proposed calls 11•ill be
issued early in 1986.
Rental buildings containing some 18,500
apartments will be upgraded, through pro-
vincial loan assistance amounting to $1011
million.
Other initiatives include the 2.5 million
Starter'•Homes Project to show the long-
term potential for creating lower-cost, yet
attractive, starter homes for families. The
idea is to develop expertise to reduce;con-
struction and development costs without
lowering,quality standards.
Per unit grants of $2,500 will be given to
municipalities for 1,000 new starter homes.
In addition to the reforms to rent review
and the market and social initiatives, the
Assured Housing policy addresses ways in
which the government can provide en-
couragement to the building industry as a
whole. the largest industry in the province.
The building industry strategy will pro --
vide a focus to help the industry retain jobs
and create new employment opportunities.
The strategy will:
- streamline the regulations and the ad-
ministrative process within which the in-
dustry operates:
- increase co-operation and awareness
within the industry to create a partnership
among all the sectors:
- encourage training and skills development
from the trades through to senior manage
ment: , '
- study the feasibility of a world-class
building industry centre.
"This strategy will be critical to the future
health of the industry and the province."
Mr. Curling says. •
Trying time
December is a trying time. For one thing,
it's so dang sudden. There you are, tottering
,_7-.�'t:� 1 '�.s�kill.hfali-
and you must get the snow tiresand orms
on one of these fine Saturdays, andthrow
some firewood into the cellar, and get some
boots and replace the gloves yott lost last
March. Christmas is away off there.
And then — bang! — you look out one
morning, and there's December, in ill its
unglory: a bitter east wind driving_ snow,.
and a cold chill settles in the very bone's of
your soul.
Winter wind as sharp as a witch's tooth
sneaks in around uncaulked doors and
windows. One's wife complains of the
terrible draught from under the basement
door. You investigate and find that one of
the basement windows has been blown in
and has smashed on the woodpile. You
clamber up over the wood, knocking pieces
off 'shins and knuckles, and jam some
cardboard in the gap.
Creep cautiously outside, and nearly bust
your bum. There's ice under that thar snow.
Make it -to the garage, and find that your car
doors are all frozen solid' shut. Beat th`�nri
with your bare fists, until the latter t e
bleeding and your car is full of dents.
Finally get thein open with a bucket of hot
water and a barrel of hotterlanguage.
Slither and grease your way to work,
arriving in a foul mood and with bare hands
crippled into claws, bootless feet cold as a
witch's other appendage.
Come out of work to go home and find a
half-inch of frozen rein and now covering
your -car andrno sign of your scraper, and
another dee dent where some idiot slid into
your car a on the parking lot. '
' I could go•tin'and on, built s.only.,rubbin g
...� .,r,"�'!; ;.r s w•m l lY�'k=''+'h'If C�G4i'�, �., ddb"tyal.. b.�s"ia§. 11� w
:a
By Bill Smiley'
salt in the wounds of the average Canadian.
'Get home from work and find that the
f 'n t sdtthn•blink._;ni!Ji. a repairman is
tied up for the next -two drayrrdiryiRlf"i1r "ti
is also fit to be tied up over your
dilatoriness.
Surely there issome way around this
suddeness of December. Is there not some
far-seeing politican . ( if that is not a
contradiction in terms), who would
introduce a bill to provide for an extra,
month between, let's say, November 25th
and December 5th.
I wouldn't care what he called it. It could
be Lastember, referring to your fast -dying
hope that there wouldn't be a winter this
year. Or Last 'Call, or Final Warning, or ,
"She's Acomin I Anything that t gave us a good
jolt. ,
It would be a good thing for "merchants.,
They could have special Lastember sales of
gloves and boots and snowtires and ear
muffs and caulking guns and weather
stripping and antifreeze and nose warmers,
before plunging into their pre -Christmas
gales, which are proinptly'replaced by their
January sales.
It would- be `great, for the Post Office,
which could start warning us inJunethat ell
Christmas mail"must be posted by. the. first
day of Lastember if we wanted it delivered
before the following June.
It would make a nice talking point for all
those deserters and traitors and rich people-
who go south every year. instead of
smirking, "Oh, We're not going south until
Boxing Day. Hate to miss an old-fashioned
Canadian Christmas, they could really
shove it to us by leering, "Yes, we thought
we, d wait this year until the last day of
l,astember, you+ know. Avoid the tnisti
and vulgarity of the holiday rush.'
If nothing else, it would give us a break
c thea r nauseating volume of rem.
hristmas advertising, which begi toward `nom'""
the end of October and continues,
remorselessly, right into Christmas Day.
Best of all, perhaps it would give dummies
like me a chance to avoid looking like such a
dummy. Procrastinators, who flourish
during a sunny November, would have no
more excuses. All their wives would have to
do is point to the calendar and say "Bill, do
you realize ,-it's .only three days until
Lastember. Isn't it time you did your
I astember chores?"
In fact,. if that fearless politician who is
doing to. introduce the Lastember Bill in the
house, wants° some advice, here is a codicil
fob him. Somewhere in the Bill should be the
Warning, in bold type: "Procrastinators will
be :Prosecuted!" Jeez, why not? They
prosecute you for everything else.
a .If §ucb a month: were added to the
Calendar — maybe we could start it with
Grey Cup Day --v people like me wouldn't ge
'oil thinking that.Christmas is weeks away.
instead, on the last day of Lastember,
with all their winter chores in hand, they'd
know. that Christmas was practically on top
of them, like a big, old horse blanket, and
they'd leap into the proper spirit, lining up a
Christmas tree, laying in their booze, tuning
up their pipes for the carols.
As it IS now, we know that Christmas is
like a mirage. It's way off theresomewhere,
and no -need to panic. Then, with that
startling suddeness, it's December 22nd, el
the Christmas trees have been bought, the
only remaining turkeys look like vultures,
acid tine liquor store is bedlam. Who's for .,
.�w
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