HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-02-19, Page 4LYTH ARD)
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Page 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1986
The Clinton NawwIecord is pubilshed ouch
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The News -Record Incorporated in 1924
th 4$uron News -Record, founded In 1441.
and The Clinton News Ira, founded In 1549.
Total press runs 9.744.
Incorporating
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J. HOWARD AITKEN - Publisher
ANNE NAREJKO - Editor
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MEMBER
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1985
No one else to blame.
Huron County Council has clearly signalled its intention to proceed with
dissolving its library board .and replacing it, with a committee of council.
Judging from the tone of the session of council at which the decision was
made, there was no apparent malice in the act. Still, there is some reason
for concern.
It is difficult to quarrel with the argument that county council, which
provides three-quarters of the funding for the library, should have
something to say about how its money is spent. Councillors are, after all,
elected to look after the public purse.
At the same time, it is hard to believe there are not some reasons why
the Libraries Act endows library boards with a measure of autonomy.
Could it be the legislators realized — as one member of county council
himself admitted — that in the realm of county responsibilities libraries
tend to come well down on the list, far behind such priorities as roads, for
instance. An autonomous`board, on the other hand, could devote its full
attention to the libraries, while still remaining accountable through its
need for budget approval and the majority of elected councillors on the
board.
Whatever their reasons, county councillors have chosen to take upon
themselves the final responsibility for any and all decisions affecting the
Huron County library system. It is only fair to point out it is now up to
them to ensure this system, which has already been recognized for its ex-
cellence, continues to thrive. If not, they will have no one else to blame.
—Wingham Advance -Times
New
project working well
Dear Editor:
One of the new projects taken on by the
-Junior D Mustang executive this year is a bi-
weekly Bingo. It is held in the upstairs of the
community centre every second Thursday
and response to the bingos has been terrific
with increased attendance at each bingo.
On February 13, some extras were added
for Valentine's Day and the lucky winners
were: Kate Spencer, flower arrangement,
Cooke's Florist; Cecil O'Neil, dinner at
Blackbeards; William Patterson, Valentine
chocolates from Sharon White; Gladys
Riehl, ceramic fork and spoon from Huron
Day Centre for the Home Bound; L.
Glousher, Kathy Ladd, Phyllis Lee, Lorene
Letters
The government's at it again. Last weak it
was 'Neilson's eavesdropping that made the
headlines and held the nation's attention.
This week there's concern about the
accounting practices used for lottery profits
that pose the billion -dollar question.
Wintario was started 10 years ago with the
proceeds to be used as mad money for
Ontario communities. These proceeds were
initially estimated to be modest, but with the
addition of more games, they grew and 1985
profits were recorded at $250 -million. An
overview shows 41.3 -million in lottery .
revenue generated over the 10 year period.
The politicians didn't have the foggiest
idea that the lotteries would go over so well,
so they decided the money would only go
towards fitness, culture, recreation and
sports in each- community. But with the
large cash flow now in their hands, they
have expanded to aid five ministries -
health, citizenship and culture, labor,
tourism and recreation and environment.
Wintario, Lottario and Instant Win profits
go directly to sports, fitness, recreation and
culture with Lotto 6-49, Super Loto and the
Provincial grants go to charities, hospitals,
medical and environmental health
research.
The politicians concerns? Some feel the
money is being kept until election time and
then handed out, making them look
generous when in fact they are hindering the
advancement of work by the communities.
Their second concern is the lack of
centralized records that tell exactly to
whom, where, why and how much money
was granted.
Some politicians are calling the lottery
profits a "political slush fund." The profits
may not be handled in the proper way and
they are right to question the procedures,
but the amountof money granted each year
is still amazing.
Robinson, Val Marriage, boxes of
chocolates from Junior D.
Snack vouchers are also provided each
weekby Dixie Lee.
This event could not have worked without
the help of Jean Horton, Joan Stapleton,
Betty Farquhar, Cindy Fleet, Edith
Falconer, Audrey Lyndon, Elaine Boyes,
Marlene Hart, Heather Hart and Deb
Bailey.
Junior D Executive
Executive has to stick to decision
Recently the Clinton Junior D Mustangs'
Executive ran into problems when a player'
requesting payment for mileage had to be
refused. A number of people are very upset
about this and I'm not entirely certain all
the players understand the reason for this
decision.
Almost a year ago, the major reason for
dropping from Junior C to Junior D was to
cut back on costs with the hope of making
the Club financially stable again. To achieve
this end, one of the expenses that had to be
cut back was mileage. It was decided by the
executive that the two players living the far-
thest would be paid mileage and anyone liv-
ing in between would have to ride with those
players.
Therefore, when we were approached
about more'mileage, we had no choice but to
refuse. If we paid one more, there were at
least -three or more players that should have
been entitled as well: It was not a question of
NOT WANTING to pay the . mileage or a
reflection on any of the players, but a ques-
tion of where to draw the line. And, unfor-
tunately, we had to go with the original deci-
, Sion.
It is because of the volunteer efforts of
between 12 an15 people that the club con-
tinues to exist and it is the responsibility of
those people to come up with various pro-
jects to raise the necessary funds to keep the
club in equipment, ice -time, etc. People
seem to have forgotten that this year's ex
ecutive started out $3,000 in the red and that
four individuals had to sign bank notes for
$1,000 each to give us the capital to start the
year. There were not a lot of volunteers who
stepped forward when that became •
necessary. I myself was not one. I think
these people should be commended for their
efforts, not criticized for the decisions they
have to make.
We could not have come this far without
the support of the community. Be it .. at
games, bingos or our various draws, and we
greatly appreciate the support. Anyone that
doesn't agree with the decisions the ex-
ecutive makes or has any input, is more
than welcome to attend our meetings. We
would especially like to invite, the parents of
the players as wgll as,anyone else interested
in the future of junior 'hockey in Clinton to
our next meeting. March 19 at the Clinton
Public School at 7:30 p.m. We can always
use the help and ideas.
Deb Bailey,
Treasurer.
Council gets pay .increase
5 years ago
February 19, 1981
Councillors, Mayor Given Raises
-Members of the Clinton Council have ac-
cepted what Mayor Chester Archibald has
called a very reasonable raise of nine per
cent.
At their February 16 meeting, council
passed a bylaw approving an $8 raise for
meetings the mayor attends and $5 for coun-
cillors.
The increase covers the next two years
and brings the mayor's allowance up to $93
from $85 for each council meeting, full com-
mittee meeting and special Meeting he at-
tends: 'Pilemayoris paid for each sub-
committee meeting he attends.
Councillors now receive $60 instead of $55
for meetings they attend, and $45 for sub-
committee meetings.
Revived Piano Factory Ships First Pianos
-The fir fano produced in over two years
rolled off the production line yesterday at
the Sherlock -Manning plant in,Cllnton.
A well-respected name in the Canadian
piano business, Sherlock -Manning produced
a small number of high quality pianos. The
company was the result of a merger of the
Doh rty Piano and Organ Company, which
ha e ' : It manufacturing hi Clinton since
Early FiIss
1869 and Sherlock -Manning Pianos of Lon-
don, Ontario. Production was consolidated
in the Clinton plant in the '20s. In 1934, Caryl
W. Draper one of the owners, designed and
built the first apartment -sized piano in
Canada - the Minx.
Nominations This Week -The mechanics of
the nomination procedure are slowly gain-
ing steam in the Huron -Middlesex riding.
The -Huron -Middlesex -Liber -al -Association
will hold its nomination meeting at the Ex-
eter Legion Hall February 18 at 8 p.m.
Liberal MPP Jack Riddell is expected to
gain the riding nomination. The guest
speaker will be Huron -Bruce MPP Murray
Gaunt, who announced his retirement from
the Legislature when the election was call-
ed. Gaunt, 45, has served his riding for more
than 18 years. - The Huron=Middlesex Progressive Con-
servative Association will hold. , its
nominating meeting in Eiteter Thursday. To
Turn to page 5 t,
For example :
- since 1983, $47.7 -million has been given to
the Ontario March of Dimes and Bereaved
Families of Ontario.
- during the years 1985-86, the environment
ministry will receive $2.3 -million to
research acid rain and drinking water.
- the health ministry will receive $3 -million
for research and to fund research of
equipment.
- $150 -million will be spent over the
upcoming 15 years on rtew hospitals and
cancer treatment facilities.
- the citizenship and culture ministry will
receive $55.361 -million in 1986 for cultural
community centres, libraries and arts
groups.
- tourism and recreation ministry will
receive $48.6 -million to 'spend\ on sports,
recreation facilities, training, coaching and
travel.
- labor ministry will receive $1.2 -million for
education and research.
- up to $15 -million will be granted by the
Trillium Foundation to help groups such as
Big Brothers and the Ontario Association for
Homes for the Aged.
But, we mustn't forget one of the most
exciting parts of the lotteries. Sitting in front
of the TV set clutching our tickets, or
opening the newspaper to see if we need to
go into work for the day or just go in to tell
your boss you quit.
Being a winner must not be as easy as I
think it is. I thought all you did was collect
your money and then decide what you want
to buy first, second, third...
I must be mistaken because the Ontario
Lottery Corporation recently published a
Winners' Handbook. It tells you everything
to consider at banks and trust companies,
gives accounting and financial advice, tells
you about the law and taxes, explains the
pros and cons of investments, tells about
insurance and how to handle the news media
and donation requests.
Also, at the bottom of page one, it states,
"This book is intended as a guide only. The
Ontario Lottery Corporation bears no
responsibility for advice contained in this
material."
In a survey, based on 1,090 responses from
winners of all amounts, one section of the
book states that 91.2 per cent of the winners
received fair treatment by the media; 16.1
per cent were asked for money but only 2.4
per cent found the requests a problem; 90.2
per cent did not give up their jobs.
The majority (80.2 per cent) of the
winners put their money in the bank or some
other type of investment; 44.2 per cent
shared their profits or gave some to a
charity; 28.4 per cent bought a new vehicle;
27.4 per cent bought a new home or paid off
their mortgage; 24.6 per cent went on a
vacation; 6.5 per cent used the money for
their education and 5.2 per cent paid off
debts. ,
The amount of money that goes back into
the economy from a $1 or $5 ticket is
remarkable. The profits come back to
communities in the form of grants and the
winners spend their winnings one way or
another. Sounds like the,government has,set
up a pretty good system. Now all they have
to do is become more accountable on their
end o'l it.
CHSS Festival
Don't forget about the Central Huron
Secondary School (CHSS) Music Festival on
February 21. This unique annual event will
feature choirs from Huron and Perth
Counties as well as guest conductor Robert
Cooper.
In the past, the music festival has
provided great entertainment, and this year
should be no exception.
The music will get underway at 7:30 p.m.
in the CHSS auditorium.
Frozen Solid?
By Anne Narejko
ack Riddell, MPP
Two bills designed to protect consumers
of prescription drugs in Ontario - the On-
tario Drug Benefit Act and the Prescription
Drug Cost Regulation Act - have been
strengthened by amendments proposed to a
legislative committee recently by my col-
league? Health Minister Murray Elston.
In order to ensure that the interests of all
concerned were protected in drafting the
legislation, the government consulted exten-
sively with groups representing phar-
macists, drug, manufacturers, drug
wholesalers, consumer groups and senior
citizens' organizations.
Th a Ontario Drug Benefit plan will, con-
tinue to provide senior citizens, those on pro-
vincial assistance programs, and other
'eligible people a wide range of drugs at no
charge.
The drug plan cost $350 million last year
and^has been- projected to cost more than
$400 million this year. That's up from $100
million six•years ago.
One of the major reasons this cost in-
crease has occurred is because manufac-
turers have set artificially high prices for
many drugs listed in the Ontario Drug
Benefit Formulary.
This legislation will reduce inflated prices
by allowing the government, for the first
time, to set realistic drug prices under the
61 :63 plan.
The legislation also offers consumers pro-
tection in several ways,
First, pharmacists Will have to itemize
the price of a prescription drug and the
dispensing fee on the customer's receipt or
prescription label.
Second, a proposed amendment to the
legislation would require a pharmacist to in-
form a customer - when prescriptions are
either phoned in or brought into the store -
whether lower cost drugs of equal quality
are available.
The legislation will also require phar-
macies to post their dispensing fee for inter-
changeable drugs.
All these provisions will help consumers
become better informed.
And as the adage states, the best con-
sumer is an informed consumer.
Right to Know.
Legislation
The Liberal government believes that
both workers and the communities in which
they and their families live have a right to
know- about -potential-hazards-in-the-pro--
vince's workplaces. Acting on that belief,
Labor MinisterBili Wrye recently introduc-
ed legislation designed to provide Ontario's
workers and comtnunities with more com-
prehensive and specific • rights to -know
about these potential hazards. •
Wrye told members of the legislature that
each person in this province should be able
to return to his or her home, unharmed by
the environment in whieh they work. "We
hope to 'raise in the community and in the
workplace,. the profile of occupational
health and safety, to heighten publie
awareness and thus expand,pi blie involve,
•
ment," he said.
The legislation, which will amend the Oc-
cupational Health and Safety Act, deals with
physical agents, chemical and biological
agents. The main provisions of the legisla-
tion involve inventories of potential
hazards, effective labelling, material safety
data sheets, and instruction and training for
workers. The end result will be safer
workplaces, fewer accidents and healthier
workers.
IBM to participate
in school Microcomputers
Education Minister Sean Conway has
;welcomed the participation of IBM Canada
in the development of educational software.
The IBM system, to be developed in co-
operation with the school boards purchasing
it, will receive the same level of financial
assistance as the schools working with
Burroughts-CEM Corp ICON.
__Conway sak"I believe the province and
the schools will benefit from the increased
choice' and increased competition the IBM
entry creates."
IBM, Burroughs, Meridian Technologies
and Waterloo Microsystems Inc. wil be co-
operating with the Ministry of Education to
ensure a common environment for educa-
tional software development. This means
that the software the 'ministry is acquiring
for Ontario schools will be compatible with
any qualified system, As well, this will
allow the Liberal government to concen-
trate on software development and get max-
imum value for its investment.