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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-05-05, Page 4PAGE'4—GODERICH SIGNAL -STA R. WEDNESDAY. MAY 5.1982 DAVE SYKES The resident mother of the Sykes household is encroaching upon her second official Mother's Day this Sunday and the little guy has elaborate plans in the offing. Which suits dad just fine. Last year the little fellow was barely two months into life on his~first official recognition day for mom. Obviously, since the little guy couldn't get about, dad had to take care of the gift - buying chores, the wrapping and other in- cidentals. Hopefully the situation will be different this year. The youngster craved mobility and began walking before his first birthday, wreaking havoc about the household in the process. Since then, walking has become rather mundane stuff for the dynamo and he's added variety to his mobility by run- ning, hopping or walking backwards. Regardless, since his chubby legs have propelled him into forbidden corners of the household, I reason they should also be sturdy enough to carry him on gift -scouting missions for mother. I may even supply him with ample cash from the baby bonus cheque to secure a thoughtful, but cheap, gift for the missus. Generally, Bradley and I engage in a quick game of cards, with the winner claiming the baby bonus cheque and I may boast of winning the majority of those contests. However, I may have to dispense with that gambling ritual this month and allow the youngster the freedom to purchase a trinket,suraply out of reverence to mom. I've subtly indicated it's the decent thing to do and the hellion was in full agreement with dad for a change. While I did't regale his active mind with tales of my own ex- periences at purchasing tawdry and ornate gifts for my mother, with money borrowed ffrrom dad, I did caution that the gift should be in good taste and reflect his deep emotional attachment to the missus. At 14 months of age, I'm certain he failed to grasp the sincerity in my. voice, and he simply slobbered on my face in response. One day we'll have a talk about that. Naturally, being the oldest and not necessarily wisest of thearnale contingent in the Sykes family. I will feel obligated to allow mother the luxury of extra sleep Sunday. If Bradley has any measure of decency, he will at 'least sleep in until 7.30 a.m. before demanding a bowl of porridge and glass,_of apple juice to recharge his batteries. To be honest, I am suspect of any child that consumes copious amounts of the glue- like substance on a dally basis. He obviously inherited his mother's eating habits. He won't have any recollection of his participation in Mother's Day this year, but I just want to establishsome good habits in time for Father's Day. There's a reason for everything. Reflecting on my own youth and the crazy things that were purchased and hand -made for mother in recognition of her abilities, I get a kick out of kids who will spend af- ternoons. at school this week pouring their talents into cards and books for mom. The sentimentality and originality is refreshing and undoubtedly a keepsake for the mothers. This week I talked with a number of young children about what makes their mother special and while, some of the answers thoughtful, most were hard pressed to ex- press their thoughts. It seemed to indicated that most of them took their mothers labors for granted but, at least they were aware she did dishes and prepared meals on a regular basis. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms. Second class mail registration number -0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT Founded In 100{ and published every Wednesday et Ooderich. Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Adver- tising rotes en request. Subscriptions payable In advance °10.11 In Canada, 40.0 to U.S.A.. °MAN to all other coup. tries. single copies SM. Display advertising rotes available on request. please ask for Rote Card Na. 11 effective Oc- tober 1. 1111. Second class mall Registration Number 0710. Advertising 1s accepted on the condition that In the event of typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item, together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged 'for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for et the op. pilcabie rote. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Slgnal•Star Is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts. photos or other materials used for reproducing pur- poses. PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G.SHRIEK-President and Publisher DONALDA4 1H -UB CK,AdvArtising-Manager-- DAVID SYKES-Editor P.O. BOX 220. HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 4B6 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Budgets are fair Town council has finalized the 1982 consolidated mill rate and the bottom line asks taxpayers for a 7.2 per cent increase. over 1981 bills. A detailed analysis, or at least a breakdown, on the front page indicates that the average taxpayer, with a house assessed at. $3,500 will pay $969.19 in taxes this year. That represents an increase of $65 on a bill of $904.19 in 1981. • The town held its increase to just over five per cent while the county portion increased by seven. percent and the Board of Education rate is up by nine percent. Considering the inflation process and the forecasts for the remainder of the year, the tax increase is acceptable. The municipal mill rate has increased by small per- centages over the past five years and this year's increase of five per cent is the largest in the last five years. Council has done an adequate job in holding spending and spen- ding wisely. The administration also deserves credit for the judicious use of funds. The town now controls only 43 per of its budget or tax dollars. Over 46 per cent of your tax dollars go for education purposes and 10 per cent is used by the County of Huron. The Huron County Board of Education did a fair job as well limiting the mill rate increase to 9.2 per cent in a $32 million budget. It compares favorably to increases of 12 and 15 per cent over the last two years. " But there has been a frightening trend in the allocation of, tax dollars over the past seven years, In 1975, for example, 49 per cent of the tax,revenue was used for town purposes and 32 per cent for education. Now education costs eat up the biggest part of the revenue at 46 per cent while the municipality takes 43 per cent. The county's portion of the revenue has decreased from 17 per cent to 10 per cent in that same time period. It's hard to speculate on where -the trend will take taxpayers in the future. In those seven years education took more of a bite out of the tax dollar, at a rate of two per cent a year. At that rate, in 1987, 60 per cent of your tax dollar will be used for education and the town will have to solicit. less in taxation revenue to keep the mill rate at an acceptable level. It's a vicious circle .but everyone acted fairly respon- sibly in maintaining services for the public at a seven per- centincrease.D.S. Must sign letters The letters to the editor page or section of any newspaper is popular and widely read by a large per- centage of readers. It provides an adequate forum for reader's opinions and comments on a wide variety of subjects. Letters to the editor cater to the whims of some readers, provide an outlet for fair comment and have, at times, sparked opi- nion and debate. This paper has been fairly successful in soliciting letters over the years and readers have not„ indicated any sem- blance of reticence in letting their views and opinions stand in print. While this newspaper encourages readers to offer their thoughts and views on any subject, all letters are subject to editing at the discretion of the editor. Also, a major requirement, is that the writer sign the letter and provide a phone number. This paper will allow . letters to appear with a pseudonym but the writer must leave his or her name and phone number with the editor. If anyone requests the name of the writer. it will be divulged. Letters will not be run which are not signed, or if the writer is not agreeable to releasing his or her name. We receive such letters from time to time, but a person should have the conviction to put their name behind their com- ments and opinions. - Last week a letter appeared under a pseudonym but the writer was more than willing to have her identity revealed should anyone bother to ask. This week, an unsigned letter will not appear in the paper. - Continue to express your thoughts and opinions through this newspaper, but have the conviction to stand by them. D.S. Metrication still confusin The metrication of Canada is a contentious issue that has been discussed, dismissed, accepted and rejected by Canadians. While the process has been gradual the final imposition or execution of the metric system has not come easy for the people or the government. Some have welcomed the simplicity of the system, others, less tolerant of change, have refused to switch from a system that has been with them for years. Certainly there is a growing segment that believes metric conversion was a unilateral imposition on the part of the Liberal government. The conversion has been costly, in some cases, and confusing in many cases. To put the metrication of Canada into some historical perspective, takes us back to confederation and our country's venerable first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Sir John and his Conservative government was much in favor of the metrication of, the fledgling country but the move was vigorously opposed by the Liberals. There is obviously a reversal of 'roles today and Con- servative MPs have been openly critical and vocal about the Liberal go'ernment committment to the conversion of the metric system. It may well be a mere tactic employed by the opposition in recognizing that such leaders as John Diefenbaker, Robert Stanfield and Joe Clark have been proponents of the conversion. The first metric bill was passed through the House of Commons in 1871 while the Liberals of the day protested loudly. The bill allowed the use of both the metric and Imperial system of weights and measures to be used. The choice was offered to the people and metric units were used in some fields and still are. Conversion to metric cropped up again and again over the years and it was during the tenure of John Diefen- baker that the Conservative government took a serious look at forced metrication, a move that Sir John A's government thought would be beneficial to Canada. But the conversion began in earnest in the 1970's under the Liberals, a party that vociferously opposed such a -move 100 years earlier. Under Jean Luc Pepin, Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, there began a slow process of conversion. There was no great opposition to the move and even Mr. Stanfield's Conservatives endorsed the move saying the party supported the principle of metric conversion. So, conversion to the metric system, it appears, is not simply another case of imposition by a Liberal ad- ministration. The proposed conversion is as old as Canada and only the politicians have changed their minds over the years. Which must leave Canadians with the impression that the conversion issue is a political game and the people are being used as pawns. So, despite which party is for or against metrication these days, it appears we will have to live with kilograms, grams and our temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius. Regardless, whether the price of steak is in kilograms or l +.ars per pound, it's still damned expensive and if it's 25 t e r' es C and sunny, it's still a great day. D.S. Solitude By Dave Sykes DEAR READERS SHIRLEY KELLER What is the difference between human animals and other animals? - Thies a stupid, question, you probably assert. Everybody knows that humans can think and reason, speak and communicate, often in more than one language. Humans are the highest form of life on this planet. But is that all the difference between human animals and all other animals? It's really quite an important question in this day and age. Last Friday night, I saw the first in a film series being shown here in Goderich entitled, "Whatever happened to the human race?" ' The films are based on Christian concepts to be sure the concepts that say that°human man is made in the likeness of God and is unique and valuable when compared to other animal forms. But more than that, the films are pointing up over and over that man's failure to recognize this truth is reducing hiuhankind to the lower forms of the animal kingdom. That's not necessarily a Christian concept - it's plain common sense to anyone who is looking at it clearly and simply. The trouble seems to start when man sees himself as the centre of the universe, the one in control of things. It has been proven down through . the centuries that when man tries to make the important choices according to his own intelligence and with all is human failings, he makes a mess. In our society, we see all kinds of evidence of man's poor choices - nations at war, countries divided, masses starving, racial_ inequalities, people in social misery, families ripped apart, children in crisis, nature out of balance, economic strife. and on and on and on. And if man learned from his past mistakes it would be some reason for optimism. But history demonstrates than man never learns - he makes the same judgement errors again and again. Sometiines with a new twist, sometimes not. And where is it all leading? Well, like it or not, it is leading to a loss of humanism. And that dear readers, should be a concern for all of us to consider. It's not just a problem for Christians or other special interest groups. As I see it, a loss of humanism puts every man, woman and child in mortal danger. For when our humanism is gone, so will be any sense of decency be lacking when it comes to human life. Your human life. And mine. • Just recently M the . news, some of 'us read about a child born with Down's' Syndrome. The infant was a mongoloid child - having the limitations of a slow mind and very likely the endearing qualities most mongoloid children possess, the ability to give great love and af- fection to all and to genuinely appreciate being alive. The baby was born with another defect - a physical defect that could have been corrected by surgery. Apparently the tubes that carried food to the stomach were not properly connected. But with proper medical attention, this situation could have been rectified. It was the choice of the parents, however, to' refuse the surgery for the child. And in fact, the baby died. One would suspect it is possible the tiny helpless infant starved to death. Sound familiar? Like the baby bird that ac- cidentally falls out of the nest and is left to die rather than inconvenience the bird -brained parents to care for it where it is? Or like the sow that eats her own young? , • But the frightening aspect of this true life story is this horrible fact: society accepts it. Society in gbneral agrees that a - mongoloid infant will never be able to function normally in this world, will always need protection and care and is really no good to himself or anyone else. Society. - land that includes doctors and lawyers, politicians and plumbers, factory workers and office clerks, farmers and students - generally is willing to turn its head and allow that the parents of that child have the right to choose death for that baby who cannot choose for itself. - Society in general believes in the concept that the man with the upper hand - in this case the parents - should be able to decide who should live and who should die. . And that's terrifying. • Today it is a mongoloid baby. Tomorrow it is a senile grandmother who is a nuisance. Next week a healthy person who is an em- barrassment. Next year, it could be your life. Or mine. When human life is no longer considered important, when one man can decide for another whether or not life should continue, humanism it lost. -Man is nothing more than the lowest form of animal life where only the strongest survive. You think it can't happen? Remember Hitler's extermination camps? Consider ,it well. And ask yourself, "Can man really be trusted to make the right decisions?" And if man can't be in charge, who should be? Chief seeks contributions for fireworks Dear Editor, Once- again the Tourist Promotion Committee has asked that I coordinate the fireworks display. I have been allotted a budget of $1800 for this event. ' Due to the ever-increasing costs of fireworks, I have organized the best possible display for the cost. I must also take into account the an- ticipated viewing audience which spreads itself from the sewage treatment area to the Meneset Park area. I, like the Tourist Commit- tee, want to see this event draw visitors to the town. If anyone wishes to make a donation in order to increase the display, it would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps some may like to LETTER make a donation rather than purchase the family -type fireworks. Donations can be sent to the Tourist Commit- tee or to myself (at the police station). Please mark any envelopes ,or • cheques "Firework Fund". The date is Saturday, June 26; the place - South Pier. The time: I shall not set them off until the sun has completely gone and it is fairly dark, which should be about 10:20 p.m. If it is raining at that time, the display will go on the same time and place, Sun- day, June 27. If it rains in the afternoon or early evening, the show will go on as plann- ed as we'll "keep our powder dry". Yours very truly, Pat King, Fireworks Coordinator :Reunion. Dear Editor, • The village of Wheatley on Number 3 Highway, approx- imately 40 miles east of Windsor, Ontario will host a reunion and homecoming this July 1 to 4. Any former residents or people with friendships in Wheatley are urged to come back to Wheatley for the "Old Boys Reunion', and enjoy the special events the reunion committee has planned. The last homecoming was held 50 - years ago. Sandra McDonald, Reunion Committee. Contact students Dear Editor, I am writing to you on behalf of a group of my constituents who are plan- ning a reunion of all students and teachers who were at Gimli Collegiate Institute and Gimli Composite High School between 1950 and 1970..This regnion is to be held in Gimli, Manitoba on July 22-24,1983. The organizers are especially interested in contacting the many students who were depen- dants of RCAF personnel at the former airbase. Any of your readers who might be interested are asked to write: Reunion '83, Box 401, GIMLI, Manitoba, ROC 1110. Yours truly, Terry Sargeant, M.P. Selkirk -Interlake