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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-07-15, Page 4PAGE 4-•,GODERICH.SIGNALST 4R, WEDNKSDAY, JUIX 15,1981 dove sykes ri Gosh darn, gang, but ithas been hot. Not just hot. I am talking searing heat, extreme humidity, stick to your underwear hot. And that can lead to great discomfort. Temperatures have been consistently in the 90s, which would make for comfortable holiday weather, but coupled with high humidity it has created serious wilting problems for this slender scribe. Like the brown grass, I am becoming dry and brittle in theheat. - But such weather is certainly tolerable if one is fortunate enough• to leave an air- conditioned ho`.use, hop into an air- conditioned car, work in an air-conditioned office for eight hours, go home and swim in the backyard pool and retire again to the cool house. Some people live in , a tem- perature controlled world. But few are that fortunate. Take the plight of this agent for example. My house is hot, my car is sticky but I am able to seek solace BLUE RIBBON A.":ARD Second class mail registration number -0716 SiNCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT founded In 1141 and published awry Wednesday •t Goderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Ajmer- , fishy/ Ates Ones regwest. Subscriptions payable in advance °11.51 In Conde. '11.5• to U.S.A., °81.14 to e11 other coign - tries, aegiscoplw3r. Birpley advertWsg rates arellable on request. Plaine ask for tate Card Ha. IS 'affective Oc- tober 1, 1141. Second class mall bgktrstlon Humber /715. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the event of typopwphkel error. th1 advertising space occupied by the erroneous Iters, together with reasonable allowance for dgeatwa, w111 not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement w111 be veld for at the ed, pileable rate. In the event of • typographical error advertising goods or services ata wrong price. goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is ameteiy en offer to mall. end may he withdrawn et any time. The Slgnel-Star Is not ra,porslble for the lobs or demure of unsondted manuscripts. photos or other materials used for reproducing pur- PUBLISHED BY:SIGNAL-STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED DAVID SYKES-Editor ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising Manager • �P P.O. BOX 220, ire HUCKINS ST. O — INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 MIPs sweeten stipend It is difficult to speculate on the thoughts of elected officials and representatives as they hassle With each other over pay raises. Councils, boards and government have the right to Make such weighty decisions and for the most part, the *lie is trusting in their judgement and rationale. Hopefully, elected officials do battle withtteir conscience before reaching a decision on pay raises. • Our country's MPS waged such a battle this week and apparently conscience lost as average increases were in theneighbourhood of 31 percent. • The figure is somewhat misleading in that . the last substantial .raise for •the members was in 1975. The following year, 1976, their pay was frozen and since then raises have been held to a maximum of seven per cent. A special task force report on salaries indicated the MPs should be in line for much larger numbers but the legislators settled for the 30 per cent. The average MP will now earn $40,200 a year, plus $14,000 in a tax-free expense allowance. In view of the fact that Government raises (seven per cent) over the past four years have fallen behind inflation, an increase was deserved. But it is a bit ironic that the same people who battle against wages, prices, inflation and high interest rates, would sting the public with such steep increases. Admittedly the Members of Parliament are faced with upkeep of two residences, incessant travel and often long hours of work. But when the present House convened 18 months ago, it would be safe to suggest that represen- tatives knew what they were getting into. Otherwise few would seek re-election or stand for office in the first place. Perhaps the Canadian public could live with the general salary increase but members were also quite generous with pensions and severance pay. MPs can now claim a pension after six years service and after 15 years, a full pension amounting to 75 per cent of salary, is collected. If a member leaves the House of Commons with less than six years service, he is now entitled to severance pay amounting to 50 per cent of his or her annual salary, which would give an ordinary MP $20,000. Naturally, Cabinet ministers would recieve larger pension and severance pay benefits. .. MPs would surely argue that many people could not put up with the many hassles that go along with the job and that without perks and fringe benefits, it would be decidedly difficult to find worthy people to run for office. Somehow, they managed to getalong with sevenper- cent increases in the late '70s. While there was some catching up to do, considering the inflation rate, they took liberties with taxpayers by sweetening the severance and pension pot. D.S. 441 Seatbelt use common sense Seatbelt legislation was introduced to this province in 1976 and since that time, statistics have proved, less people arekilled and injured on the highways. The law was enforced with some degree of rigidity, but, according to Solicitor General Roy McMurtry, en- forcement of the seat belt legislation has been reduced significantly in recent years. Statistics indicate that 79 per cent of Ontario drivers wore seat belts in 1976 but that number has been reduced to a mere 55 per cent as of June. Subsequent to a one -day meeting with McMurtry, police forces across the province have been urged to step up enforcement of the seat belt legislation. Drivers in the Goderich area who don't take the time to buckle up may well face the consequence of a fine. Use of a seat belt will not prevent an accident on the highway or town streets, but it could prevent a serious injury or death. If police crack down and seriously enforce the legislation, it just may get people into the habit of wearing seat belts regularly. In a story .m last week's Signal -Star, Sergeant Jerry Hilgendorf of the Goderich Police Force also urged motorists to restrain small chidren in some manner while driving. The seat belt legislation introduced five years ago does not cover children under five years of age and weighing less than 50 pounds. It only makes good sense to restrain children in some manner while driving. During the summer months most people do a lot more driving and the highways are jam- med, with holiday traffic. People take advantage of the summer weather and are generally more mobile. In the case of a sudden stop or at impact,small children can be needlessly and helplessly hurled about the car. But that situation can be rectifiedif some restraining measures become common practice for all drivers. Goderich police will be enforcing the seat belt legislation but it is the type of safety precaution that shouldn't require provincial legislation. It only makes good sense. • from the humidity in an air-conditioned office. Small consolation in the exciting world of a journalist. But that too. creates problems. To escape the heat, I have the option of staying in the office all day and trying to appear busy for eight hours is no small chore around here. Journalism has its tough moments like any other profession I don't often complain about .warm weather, although it does take its sweet time in getting around to this part of the country. . It does, however, reinforce the fact that idle winter dreams can come true. Many people restrict their activity to suit the season but all restrictions are lifted in summer in favor of a free and easy lifestyle: Everyone looks forward to summer to indulge in their favoritlpast time but there are some negative aspects to the hot, humid, muggy and sticky weather. For instance; The heat causes ice cream cones and popsicles to melt faster than they can`be consumed resulting in tell-tale stains on the crotch of my best pants. Young ladies in brief outfits (which isn't an unsavory hazard) become the leading cause of traffic accidents, severe eye strain and unusual neck disorders among the male populace. 'The toilet sweats uncontrollably. Muggy weather lends itself to the con- sumption of comforting and refreshing beverages which can lead to severed limbs and multiple fractures at home. If you have the good fortune to attend any weddings or dances during the, summer, the humidity adds new meaning to a close en`- counter on the dance floor. High humidit y turns the family wagon into a mobile sauna, and people with vinyl seats have to lean to pry their flesh from the seats rather carefully. - The heat has been known to cause people to drain several drinks before the ice cubes melt in an effort to reduce costs. People who seek refuge from the heat by sleeping on the lawn, porch or hood of the car run a greater risk of waking up with dew on their bodies. The heat has been known to play tricks on people's minds and caused normally sane adults to set up a sprinkler system in the Office -on unbearable days. On extremely humid afternoons; it is rumored that people • have been seen squatting in bird baths and 'smiling with delight. Hot, muggy, lazy summer days only appear when the other guys in the office are on holidays and summer rains are restricted to your vacation period. Summer is a great time but as indicated by the above evidence, there are certain drawbacks to hot days. J S Coolifi' off By Dave Sykes DEAR REA BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER I'm writing this colipnn beforeit is known how the postal strike will be settled. But it really doesn't matter, because I have some very definite views on at least one part of the postal workers' demands, which will hold no matter howthe walkout is ended or when. And I am of the opinion that by far the majority of Canadians agree with me that to grant full pay. to pregnant women who must be off work to give birth to their .children, is an expensive, un- necessary request at this time. Many readers will have read by now the story in a recent edition of The i,ondon Free Press about. Tina Challis, 21, who is a coder at the London post office for just slightly longer than one year. Tina was eight months pregnant when the•article was written. Tina apparently earns about $250 per week at the post office - or $500 every two weeks. When her. unemployment benefits begin during her maternity leave, 'she expects to recieve about $300 every two weeks - or $150 per week. • - Tina doesn't think thepregnancy benefits are the riiajor issue in the postal strike, but she doesn't see what the big fuss is about granting the pregnancy clause. She believes that since it isrestiniated the postal strike costs the governnient $6•nliIlion, per day, the $837,746 it isestimated it would cost each•year to initiate 17 weeks of fully paid Maternity leave for the handful of postal workers who would qualify for it; isjust peanuts. Probably Tina wouldn't have resorted to a strike to get this clause in the postal contract, had she been left to her own devices. She probably feels luckier than most women already because ' she is eligible for 26 -week D ERS Maternity leave, about a month longerthan most companies in both the public and private sector grant. And while Tina admits the family finances will -be tight" while she is off work, she has a husband to help take care of her and their five-year-old daughter. Maybe the most disturbing news for Tina right now is that if thestrike drags on, she won't recieve any unemployment. benefits according to Unemployment Insurance Commission regulations. From Tina's personal vantage point, the postal demands are fair. But Tina may be afflicted with the same ailment that afflicts far, too many Canadians today. That's the selfish inability to see how personal demands •on the government -and private industry compound to make economic misery and longterm hardships maybe even ruin - for son iebodyelse. • Tina wouldn't • want to accept the blame for inflation in Canada which is crippling hundreds of thousands of individuals just like her. Shemaybe wouldn't even recognize that she is contributing to her own financial problems. Tina is probably like millions of others the dominion over' who rail. against Pierre, Elliott Trudeau and his government because op- portunities are diminishing and the prognosis for the future is frightening and dismal. • If Tina and her family will be in serious financial difficulty now because she must go on maternity leave, she should ask herself some embarassing questions. In fact, it wouldn't hurt any one of us to ask ourselves these questions. Have we over-extended our finances? If so, can we really ask others to bail us out? If they do bail us out; are we ready to learn from . our past mistakes and reduce our lifestyle expectations? And what about next year? Will, we need to make sirililar demands again next year as the national situation worsens? 6. Where can we make cuts in our househol budget? How can. we pare our financial needs. What.. can 1 do to help. myself, my family -and ultimately'iny country? is it tip to me?. Is there any point in being a martyr' Should it begin with me? Why? Why not? If 1 don't, who wilt.' If f do, will others follow.suit? What will rely demands mean to my neighbor.? Will it mean an increase in price of postage? How much:' Will it mean increased costs for him in other ways too? How much'.'' Do I care what it means to hits? And what will it mean to me' 1t1i11 I really have extra money? Will other government employees expect similar agreements? Whatp�will that cost me? Will private, industry and coulilierce be ex- pected to grant similar agreements? What will that cost me? How much more am I willing to do to earn these benefits if they are granted'. Would I willingly see postal staff cut? What if my job was the one cut? • Would I like to see services reduced? How would that benefit me and my country? Do I care? Just how well am I being paid for the work I do? Is it possible I am well pant in relation to other • people whp work? How much did I invest in my education? What kind of risks am I taking? How much responsibility do 1 accept! Whoeise could de' my job? Does a nyone else want my job, even at the salary I'm presently taking home? What other job would I rather have? Do I have the qualifications to get that job? Could I get that job? Are. my demands unrealistic and unfair in the face of today's economy? Do I rare? The following column was written by Joanne Buchanan for the vacationing Cath Wooden. Cath will return next week. Ahhh...it's the good old summer time. Well, good for some people maybe but not for this reporter. There's no rolling out those lazy, hazy days of summer for me, I'll never retire to Florida. You see, I am one of a rare breed who detests summer. By now you're thinking I'm a real weirdo, right? But it's just that my body won't ad- just to the summer sun. I am one of those poor unfortunate red- headed, freckle -faced white persons who simply does not tan. After years of the painful burn -and -peel process, I have given up trying to achieve the Coppertone tans you see them flashing on the t.v. commercials and I delight in telling my friends with the beautiful Coppertone flesh that by exposing themselves to so much sun, they will surely develop skin cancer and premature wrinkles. While everybody else peels down to shorts, halter tops and cool sundresses in summer, I try to hide my whiteness under long pants and sleeves. My legs are so white that they glow in the dark. I'd be laughed right out of town if anyone saw my legs in shorts: And I'll never get any color on my legs if I don't wear shorts, so it's a vicious circle. Summer sun also causes me to sweat like crazy. I thank heaven that I work in an air- conditioned office all day. When I go out in that heat, my clothes become soaked with perspiration and my hair, starts dripping. The least bit of ,. physical exertion—even breathing—causes me to sweat buckets. Very unlady-like, I'm sure. I've heard that there are/certain people on this earth whose pores never open up and sweat. It is my dream to become one of those people. • Sweating attracts mosquitos and you can imagine how many bites I have. Between sweating and scratching while lying in bed at night, you can also imagine how much sleep I get. One summer I went to Girl Guide camp. When I got home, my mother counted the mosquito bites on my legs—there were over 60, 30 -some on each, and a bath in baking soda,and cool water was the only thing that relieved the itch. It was like having chicken pox all over again. If ten people were standing in a field, I'd be the one that all the mosquitos would be swarming around. I could put the makers of OFF to shame. I joined a ladies' slow pitch team for exercise this year but all I do is stand in right field and swat at mosquitos. If a ball ever came my way, I'd be too busy swatting to do anything about it That's probably why they put me in right field. By now you're probably saying, 'Why doesn't she just jump in some water and cool off?' Well, I also have an' aversion to water. I can dog -paddle like crazy but I can't swim. People think it's a big joke when you can't swim. They like to throw 'you in the pool while you wriggle and scream. They also like to grab you and hold your head under' 'water and watch you come up spitting and' coughing. I have a healthy respect for water since being rescued by a life guard at a pool in London while going down for the third time. Besides, swimming necessitates putting on a bathing suit and then my whiteness really hangs out! , It's not that I'm longing for winter, mind you. That means being cold, getting your car stuck ih :snow drifts, having a frozen battery, becoming storm stayed... , I guess there's only a few short fleeting. months of spring and fall that a loser like me can enjoy...