Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-01-01, Page 5(mEBIxm STANDARD) 1 'age 4---CLINTON NEWS -RECORD. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30. 1985 TM Clinton New:Awcard Is published each Wednesday of P.O. Sax 31, Clinton, Ontario, Canada. NOM 11.0. Tel.: 4112.34 R 3. tiebstrlptIon Rate; Gonadal • 021.00 Sr. Citizen • 01.0.00 per year U.S.A. foreign 180.00 per year It 11 rsplrtured a0 second adg00 Mall by the po/t °tike under NW peratlf needle,' 0817: The •Nesseliwcon$ intoree,tel. In 1024 the turon Nwws.Recor4, faanAMO la 1801. and The Cllntop News Oro, fauhi* In 11100. Tafel prow ung 3,180. • Incorporating .1. HOWARD AITKEN - Publisher ANNE NAREJKO - Editor GARY HAIST - Advertising Manager MARY ANN HOLLENBECK - Office -Manager Display advertising rates available on request.. Asti for Rate Card No. 15 affective Oc- tober 1.1964. 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 0