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Clinton News-Record, 1987-01-14, Page 5While the rest of the world was busy visiting and celebrating the holiday season, Mother Nature was peaceful and full of beauty in the country. Here, the sun helps warm the branches of an old tree. (Anne Narejko photo) Book emphasizes peace... • from page 4 Peace will only come if we accept resolutely to climb down the ladder of success, to meet and celebrate with those who are oppressed and in pain. Peace will only come if we are •able to receive humbly the light burning in them." To those words, and the essays of others that appear in this book, I say Amen. I wish you all could read this book. Perhaps you may be able to obtain your own copy of it by contacting External Affairs Canada. "What Peace Means To Me" came to this office in a plain brown envelope, not unlike the reams of other assorted mail that sits atop the editor's desk each morning. ' However, this missive stands out as a true TIIANK400 Kim & Jack Hartlelb would like to thank everyone for their patronage during their Grand Opening. You've all made us feel right at home in Clinton. COMPLETE FAMILY HAIRSTYLING QUALITY HAIRCARE... AT AFFORDABLE PRICES For an appointment call... Kim Hartlelb Jack Hartleib NFBC is now an agent for: National (V & G) Trust 1180,000 Standard Trust 5120,000 For a guaranteed safety of up to S480,000 NO FEE RRSP's Now you don't have to drive to Goderich, just call: Areyou part 1 the human race or just a spectator? Panrie!parti®n, Mom. In your heart you know it's right, gem of enlightment and inspiration amongst the usual drivel and garbage mail that comes with the federal government postmark. "What Peace Means To Me" deserves a special place in libraries, in ministers' studies, in the editors' bookcase, on the politicians' desk, in the homes of or- dinary people. I hope that this book does not end up in the garbage pail or as a dust collector on the bookshelf, like so many other government publications. Often the glossy paged books that come from the government offices look too good to throw away, but not enticing enough to read. However, "What Peace Means To Me" j, both readable and memorable. Perhaps there is still hope for government literature. CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1987—Page 5 County process upsets reader... • from. page 4 foot of the clerk. I was asked for my resignation at the November board meeting by Tom Cunn- ingham. He accused me of being an anar- chist. I suspect the man doesn't know the meaning of the word. (belief that the government should be abolished). He said he thought he lived, in a democracy but had wondered since I had gone against a Library Board decision and travelled to Toronto and spoke at the Standing Committee on Regula- tions and Private Member's Bills at Queen's Park. Members of the Library Board have had differences of opinion during. the years I have sat on the Board. Apparently Mr. Cun- ningham could not accept individuals hav- ing opinions which differed from his`'and council's view. At one board meeting, Mr. Cunningham informed me that I wasn't ac- countable to the taxpayer, as he was, because I wasn't elected to the position of reeve. I tried to argue that I felt I was responsible to the users of the library and that the board's very existence was to main- tain minority interest of 26,000 residents who use the library system, and not only look out for the citizens whom I would repre- sent as a result of an electipn. I've seen many games played these past few years, when we start discussing the closure of small low circulating branches the Reeves would speak dramatically to save their own little redundant branch but never say anything in regards to another branch somewhere else in the County. Of course you didn't dare criticize a branch from the warden's or chairman's area. That was ver- boten, and wasn't a wise political move. It is my understanding of democracy, that the County paid approximately $500 to place. ads inviting citizens to appear before the Standing Committee supporting or opposing Bill PR No. 7. Mr. Cunningham may have thought only those who supported the Bill PR No. 7 had a right to go to Toronto, but my definition of democracy allows all sides to be heard. It is interesting to note that at no time did any other reeve follow Mr. Cunn- ingham's comments with a differing view- point so I took the stance that all of the reeves• agree with Mr. Cunningham, other- wise they would have been willing to.speak their own mind and offer their opinion too. The herd mentality may be all right on the farm but it should not be acceptable in coun- cil chambers. Any interested citizen wishing to read transcripts of the committee niay write .to Clerk Tannis Mannekel Queen's Park. Toronto and ask for October 22, 1986, Oc- tober 29, 1986 and December 17, 1986 transcripts of the Hansard on the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Members Bills. The reader will then be able to decide how well the arguments for both sides stood up in front of the committee. The irony of it all is that county council forgets they gave up their right to decide by seeking a Private Members Bill and the Provincial government is having a great old time playing games among the parties. I've been told that the Opposition wanted this Bill debated. in the House so Conservative members reduced their number on the com- mittee resulting in a tie vote for the second time. The chairman (a Liberal) voted in favor of the applicant, Mr. Reycraft. Where are the general citizens in all of this mess. Down at the bottom of the heap, Do you know someone who deserves a medal? If you know someone who has made Ontario a better place to live...through their selflessness, humanity and kindness...tell us. An Advisory Council of Ontario citizens, whose hon- ourary chairman is the Lieu- tenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, selects the recipients i from nominations made by you each year. We need your nominations by March 14, 1987. Nomination forms are available now by writ- ing: The Ontario Honours and'` Awards Secretariat, Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs, 5th Floor, Mowat Block, 900 Bay /- Street, Street, Toronto M7A ICI The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship I'm afraid. About all one can do now is write to Jack Riddell and tell him you are against Bill' PR No. 7 and write to Larry Grossman asking him to support the Act that his Government put into place only two years ago. The New Democratic Party has shown 'remarkable maturity throughout the whole affair and asked a lot of reasonable in- telligent questions. They are not merely a. labour party but showed great concern for Libraries. I apologize for the length of my letter but a lot has happened in the past year. I wish to lay blame at the feet of the library patrons as well: Without public attendance 'at our Board meetings the conduct of members can get very egotistical and things are said that would never be repeated if the press or public were present. The Library Board needs a watchdog to ensure that everyone behaves properly, that the Chairman has control over proceedings and that the secretary takes minutes and doesn't in- terfere with his own opinions, and that the agenda is followed. At the December meeting the solicitor suggested that we look closely at our respon- sibility to the book budget. Later in the day the secretary reminded us of the lawyer's suggestion and Warden Armstrong moved that the board approve all book purchases before we order the books. Mr. Ritter and myself fought very hard against such an idea. I got the impression that the assistant Librarian,. Sharon Cox, was not in favor of the idea as she asked members if we had three straight days to come in and choose or approve books before the ordering must be done. There was not one Reeve who spoke against the motion but without a seconder, the motion was not put to a vote and was not entered, in the minutes. There is much to fear if the new board or committee votes such a similar motion in the year to come. The Board is not qualified to make such judgments - only a professional Librarian. We have our likes and dislikes towards an author and when politics and books clash, that is often called censorship. The latest twist in library affairs is that the meeting for January has been postponed. from its regularly scheduled late and put off till the"end of the month. Why! The new chairman didn't know why when I called to enquire. I may not •be sitting as a board member in February if the committee is ap- proved, but I've decided I will ' attend meetings. Anyone else brave enough to sit through a storm can join me. Sincerely Tit Janis Bisback, Hensall, Ont. Computer causes a delay in farm tax rebate forms A number of constituents have contacted my office to express their concern over the late arrival of Farm Tax Rebate application -forms. These forms are sent out by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and normally are received by early to mid-November. A new computer system installed by the Ministry experienced a number of problems with the result that the last several applica- tions were not mailed until the second week in December. By now everyone shpuld have received their forms, and those who have not may call the Ministry of Municipal Af- fairs collect at Area Code 416, 585-6565 to in- quire about your .individual situation. You should have available your Assessment Roll number for ease in locating your file. I regret the inconvenience caused by this delay, and trust anyone experiencing undue difficulties will feel free to contact my riding office for assistance. JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM My colleague Minister of Natural. Resources Vince Kerrio has asked me to ad- vise constituents there has been a policy change in the age criteria for the Junior 'Ranger Program under the Ministry of Natural Resources. Under the previous policy, to qualify for the program, students had to be 17 years of -age but not 18 by Aug. 31. The change in the high school system from a five to a four-year program meant some students might miss out as they would have graduated prior to their seventeenth summer. Therefore, it has been decided there will be a calendar year qualifying period. During the transition period the age • criteria for eligibility will be: 16 year old ap- plicants who will be 17 by Dec. 31, 1987 and 17 year old applicants who will not be 18 by July 31, 19-,. STABILIZATION PAYMENTS Ontario corn, soybean and barley growers enrolled in the grain stabilization plan will receive $20.1 million for the 1985-86 stabiliza- tion year through the Farm • Income Stabilization Commission, I announced recently as Agriculture and Food Minister. This represents the total payment for barley and the final payment for corn and soybean growers who received an interim payment earlier this year. The Ontario corn payment is $4.64 per tonne; enrolled soybean producers will received $9.70 per tonne; and the barley' payment is set at $4.57 per tonne. These payments represent two-thirds of the total declared defficiency payment as calculated by the federal Agricultural Stabilization. Board. There is no payment for winter wheat because its market price of $142.82 per tonne exceeded the support price of $129.58. Stabilization payments are made when the past year's market price of grain in the plan falls below the support price. The sup- port price is calculated by using 95 per cent of the previous five-year average market price, with adjustments made for cash costs. The Stabilization account is funded one- third by the grower and two-thirds by the Ontario Government. For growers registered in the 1985 crop year and eligible for a stabilization payment, their one-third portion will be applied to the premium for the 1986-87 plan. Appropriate adjustments will be made for those corn and soybean growers who receiv- ed interim payments for their sales between Sept. 1, 1985 and March 31, 1986. Please note the Farm Income Stabiliza- tion Commission also agreed that because of adverse harvest conditions, applications for the 1986 Grain Stabilization Plan will be ac- cepted until Jan. 31, 1987. CLINTON FARM MARKET . WEEKEND SPECIALS! Produce Ontario, MacINTOSH or SPARTAN APPLES Large 5 Ib. Bag 89 1 Large Size, Ontario TURNIPS 2®® i8 Produce USA, Size 138's NAVEL ORANGES 411 dozen Produce USA, Canada No. 1 RED EMPEROR GRAPES SPECIALS IM EFFECT 'TILL CLOSING TIME S/URDAY, JANUARY 17. Watch our Highway Sign for DAILY SPECIALS KEY. 212 Victoria St. (Hwy. 4 South) Clinton, OPEN: 1 DAYS A mom MOH.-'LUES.-WSbl a A'M-7 1 M; THURS. t FRf. 6 AM; PINI SAYURr/l't'fY-SUNDAY ' AM' -6 'PM fe