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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-04-29, Page 4PAGE 4 --GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981 rimr, dave sykes �C A V.� BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second class mail registration number -0716 We are all creatures of habit, falling into routines that become a natural part of our lifestyle for years. Habits are tough to break. Many of the routines we adopt are inbred family idiosyncrasies that unknowingly creep into day to day business and settle in for the duration. I've gota few bad habits'iand some good ones, I guess. In fact, man: ement at this weekly have been filled with much glee by the fact that, day after day, I show up for work. Now that they've got me showing upat the office on a regular basis, they also want me to work. It's always something you know. Someday, perhaps, I just might adopt work as a habit but, until then, I have several others that require adjustment. My main faults, which also happen to be habits, are that 1 have a penchant for procrastination and am prone to last minute planning. areammiwaaassamor SINCE 1848' THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT Oounded In 11140 and published ovary Wednesday at Oa lerleh, Ontorlo. Member pf the CCNA and OWNA. Adorer. ffsing rates on request. Subscriptions payable In advance .17.51 In Canada. '35.041 to U.S.A.. '55.00 to oil other coun- tries, single copies 50'. Display advertising rates available on raquast. Please ask far Rate Card No. 10 affective Oc- eater L. lett. 9c =rd csazz en=11 lieilaereelea N;ambr ena. Adnorhlop la aecepecd aro rho ceaedielen flue lee flee avant of typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneousItem, together with reasonable off .r:ce for elf fare, .veil! net be esteemed for bet tire, beiease of the ndvertl,sment will be Paid for of ha ao- plimils rote. In the of'a typographical error advertising goods or services of a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn of any time. Th. Signal -Star is not responsible for the lou or dotage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos orofher,mafarlals used for reproducing pur- PUBLISHED BY:SIGNAL-STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher. DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES-Editor It P.O. BOX 440. (re %C HUCKINS ST. ode INDUSTRIAL PARK ;�, GODERICH N7A 4B6 IS,41-- ,� FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 own makes use of .programs It is quite evident that the administrators and elected officials of the town are making wise use of government fundedprograms._ . • Making . use of the government money is one thing, but investing that money.until it is needed, is maximizing the potential of the programs. And the town' administration doerthatwell. Programs have been used to full advantage and ranged fratA°e>ttensivehardservicingth oughtheNeighbourhood fmproye tent Program toS. ej bIpalion of servicing through the Community Services Contribution Porgram (CSCP). The town, has used Wintario and Community Centres grants for sports facilities and recently learned of a substantial grant for expansion of the pollution control plant Heritage grants willbe applied to the cost of the renovation of the town hall this year and the Ontario Home Renewal Program (OHRP) wasgiven a 840,000 boost this week Much has been accomplished in town with federal and provincial money. A''story in last week's paper also indicated the town has applied for acceptance in the federally -funded Katimavik program. Basically the town will have to supply tools, material and enough projects to keep 22 young Canadians busy for nine months: .. The Katirnavik labor . force will be relatively ibex- perieneed, but through supervision, the town will be able to complete several annoying projects that have been shelved for lack of funds, manpower and time. The project committee is headed by Elsa Haydon and a number of jobs have already been lined up for the nine months of the program. If the town's application is accepted, work will be done on the waterfront, in parks, at the jail and museum, woodlots will be cleared and the participants will perform in educational and social capacities as well. The benefits of the program are obvious and the town is wise to proceed with acceptance. There are many programs available through both the provincial and federal government, but it is up to the municipalities to make judicious.use of them. And Goderich has done a pretty fair job of that.D.S. Government back in business Well, fellow Ontarians, we are finally back to the business of being governed after a hiatus dating back to the days of biting winds and drifting snow. The 32nd session of the Ontario Legislature reported for duty; Tuesday with the traditional government throne speech delivered by the Lieutenant -Governor. Our Legislature has been traditionally characterized by a Conservative government and the only difference this time is in the balance of power. For the first time since 1975 the Conservatives have restored their majority in the Legislature and Premier William Davis now has the supporting numbers to proceed with _his party's own plan for Ontario. The electorate obviously believed that minority government was putting a hold on progressive legislation. Much of the Davis platformcentered on the economy and his party's BILD (board of industrial leadership and development) program. The BILD program is still somewhat sketchy but Davis has convinced everyone that the economic ills are .a result of a lack of leadership on Prime Minister Trudeau's part. In an attempt to find a solution, Davis wants a national economic conference. But that won't come about until the federal government can iron out policies with the provinces on oil pricing and the constitution. The government wdl committ large sums of money to the Bruce Nuclear Power Development for the con - I liken a reporter's job to that of a policeman. This reporter never knows if she is going to make it back from an assignment in one piece or not. It is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. You see, faithful audience,- there is the rare assignment that this diligent scribe goes out to cover and the story ends up not getting written because the diligent scribe's mind or body was partially destroyed in the process. Unlike the reporters on Lou Grant, there is a limit to my patience and endurance. After all, I am only human. Take for an example Monday afternoon's project. A certain Signal -Star management- ty1►e_suggee'ted that an interesting farm feature might be the latest in tile -installing equipment. He gave directions to an area farm where drainage tile was being put in with the help of a laser beam. You can understand my excitment. With gusto, I grabbed the camera equipment and struction of a steam pipeline to utilize excess steam from the plant. That project should begin this year. The government'has made a pledge to assist the far- ming and food processing industry in the province and will provide incentives for the use of electricity to conserve other forms of fueL Other measures included the appointment of a com- mittee on pensions, reformation of workmen's com- pensation laws, the introduction. 9f a draft bill on freedom of information, ammendmenta to the Education Act, a revision of the Children's Law Reform Act and a cam- paign to bring the problems of the disabled before the public. In the government's pledge to utlllize more electricity, Hydro and municipal utlities are offering loans to homeowners to convert to electricity or update wiring. Money will be funneled to community colleges for technical equipment and government, universities and industry will be asked to integrate research and finance technology development. Davis offered no solutions to inflation but urged the federal government for decisive action on the matter. The Conservatives will Proceed on a straightforward course and are obviously looking to the federal government to resolve many issues, such as constitutional matters and measiires to stimulate economic growth. D.S. notebook and jumped into the car. After a short drive I was, upon the scene of 'the e scoop', but thcoop didn't seem to be around anywhere. Investigative reporter that I am, 1 knocked on the farmhouse door to see if there was anyone in there that knew where the laser beam was hiding out. Well, there wasn't anyone around but a dog was. The animal obviously thought I had shifty eyes and immediately attached his upper and lower jaws around my leg. Farm dogs are not the most endearing creatures in the world. I looked down at the dog and the dog looked up at me. I said, "Listen, you dawg. Not necessarily faults, but they tend to drive other people wild. I am making serious attempts to clean up work on a steady basis rather than making last-minute mad dashes around the office, Dealines, though, somehow highlight my latent productivity. Planning, however, makes me nervous. I simply can't stand having my life plannedin an orderly fashion. I would rather have things fall in place as they may without being tied down to a rigid schedule. If something good comes along you don't have to cancel anything. One of my neatest habits is sleeping in front of the television. It's an inherited family trait that has been meticulously passed on to all family members. Aslong as the television is on I can fall asleep. in .seconds and get rather annoyed and snarly if awaken. Recently I was watching an exciting playoff hockey game and was still conscious as the referee dropped the puck to start the overtime period. The winning goal was scored 30 seconds later and I had to read• about it in the papers. Snooze city. In fact, fora good time, my mother and I would settle down to watch the 6 p.m. news and both fall asleep before the weather came on. So when the 11 p.np. news came around we tried to watch again and catch the items missed earlier. Naturally, we dozed off and had to rely on the radio for much of our news and weather. Simply, I happen to enjoy sleeping with the television on. _ By the time the news arrives I just know sleep is imminent but I insist onwatching. "I think I'll just watch the National," I offer to the little woman night after night. And as usual she wakea me up much later and I stumble into bed without ever remembering the procedure the next day: Some habits are tough to break. But my sleep habits are quickly changing thanks to my little son. Previously, if there was an explosion under the bed before the alarm went off, I wouldn't have stirred. Absolutely nothing got me moving before the alarm went off, except, perhaps, a trip to the little boys room. The little guy -doesn't quite understand his father's sacred privileges nor my high regard for undisturbed sleep. The kid will have to learn some values real quick. I have togive him credit for settling down earlier at night but then he got the notion we served breakfast at 5 or 6 a.m. Not so wee one., Dad only sees. 5 a.m. on the way home from a card game and occasionally when a ball game goes into extra innings. So lately the morning are arriving quicker than expected so I've nurtured a new habit. Falling asleep in front of the television a little earlier. J lers • Photo by :Dove Sykes D EAR BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER REA It's true that most things go in cycles. Whether it's fashions or social customs, there seems to be a definite pattern that can be traced down through history. It really is true that there' is nothing new under un the s. When I was a small child growing up in Huron County, Goderich was THE shopping centre of this dirict. As I recall, it wasn't a simple matter to get to Goderi h either. My family didn't always have its owri transportation, so it meant hitebirig a ride with some kind neighbour or taking a bus. . But we did love to get to Goderich. I remember things like the old Peoples Store on a Saturday night and the marvellous strawberry ice cream cones served there in those interesting double -cupped cones. I remember Andrew's Dairy and the fabulous ice cream sundaes you could get there. I remember Blackstone's ice cream parlour too ... and the great sheet music section there. It was the only place in Huron County to get up-to- date music and no visit to Goderich was com- plete without a stop there. I remember taking a picnic lunch down to the beach and later enjoying a boat ride far out into the lake to watch the water change colours. I remember the band concerts in Court House Park and the swings in Harbour Park. Why, if you pumped yourself until you were real high up, you could see for miles. But that's when I was young. Eons ago. Then I grew up. And still Goderich was a good place to go in Huron County for shopping. Other towns in the county just didn't compare. Whether it was;children's clothes or grandma's footwear, there would probably be a laneway leading through the field. I was right and eventually spotted some bulldozing and laser beaming apparatus in the distance. After a walk across another field, I was greeted by a man who said, "You couldn't have come at a worse time." Diligent scribes do not walk across fields and get bit by dogs for nothing. I asked him how his laser beam installed drainage tiles. My notes look something like this: "...laser controlled plow, " trenchless ditch, grade controlled, receiver on dozer, electric signal control hydraulic valve." "That's very intersting," I said. "Perlia I could come back when it is in operation." If you do not remove your teeth from around He said that it would be going great guns the stallin my le , yoifr lifvaiirt-wwritaislugmckelt"--rreatrlay-if•it-didnitrain-I-prayed-for-rain: - The dog slinked around the corner of the I trekked back to the car and realized that house. I can -be very forceful when I have to be. I returned to the safety of the car and started to drive towards the bard, knowing I had to either back up the entire length' of.. the lane that I had corne down, or take another lane that led to the road. Halfway down the lane, I realized that this D ERS The Square had the best selection every time. But things are changing. Today's Square has lost much of its appeal to shoppers from out-of- town. In fact, there's some pretty disturbing evidence that even shoppers from Goderich are travelling to other Huron County towns to buy the things they need and want. There's a popular opinion among local mer- chants that money is tight. Some businessmen will tell you folks just aren't buying the way the did a few years ago. I find that mighty hard to believe. A few weeks ago I was In Exeter. I hada chat with one salesnw who told nee business in that community is better than it has been in years. Last year was a bang-up year for him, he said ... and so far this year, he's 20 percent ahead of last year's record at this time. Not bad when finances are supposed to be so tight for the average citizen. I got interested in this phenomena, so I polled a few more business people I met. The story was always the same. Things are good they said. Never better. Scratch the tight money theory. A quick look around gave some possible clues for better business. The whole main street is revitalized and alive. Business people there are service minded alright, but there's an air about the community now that says, "We're offering something just a little bit different than you'll find anywhere else." Each shop has a theme that draws shoppers inside and holds them like magnets. But it isn't just one shop here and another shop there. It seems to be a team effort that makes it such a pleasant experience for shoppers to savour. How did it happen in Exeter? I don't really was a large mistake. It was a great mud bog . I was driving through. By the time I got near the end of it I was going slower and slower wooden until I stopped at a 90 degree grade leading , up to the road. I was up to my axles in mud. "Swell!" I shouted to no one in particular. A farmer drove by and waved neighborly - like. I waved back. Soon a group of three guys in a four-wheel drive pick-up truck came to my rescue, all of them giggling uncontrollably. They pulled me out with a chain (I mean their truck pulled my car out with a chain) and honked merrily as I drove away, mud flying everywhere. With her ego, leg, and car bruised, your diligent if defeated scribe returned to the -office-and--endured-some—ribbing from cath. know. The community has an approved Business Improvement Area just like Goderich has ... but exciting things really seem to be happening thereall up and down main street. It isn't just a facelift outside the stores. It's a whole new attitude inside, brought in perhaps by new, aggressive business people who really get a big charge out of trying new and improved merchandising methods. There's no intention here to put our own town down. Goderich has some excellent shops too .... and some fine businessmen. But let's be truthful. There's something ladling and it's strangling success in this county's prettiest town. It's evidencing itself in empty stores and disgruntled customers and frustrated merchants. It's not any one thing you can point to and say, "Here's what's wrong." It's just a feeling that things aren't as right as they could be. One thing is for certain. People still are spending money. Lots of it. They will buy what they want and they will pay a fair price for it. ,But they want quality for their dollars ... and they want to buy it in a friendly atmosphere that tells them the sales staff cares about their preferences and appreciates the opportunity to be of service. Maybe business people should listen more to their customers. And to other successful business people. . Maybe that's where the answers lie for Goderich or any other community that wants to work at it. Or maybe it's all wrong to worry about it. For things go in cycles as we said before, and if we, wait long enough it will be Goderich's turn again. newsroom cohorts. So...if you do not notice a story in this week's paper concerning laser installed drainage tile, you will certainly understand why.