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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-10-13, Page 4• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13,1982 DAVE SYKES T• I— Canada has a black eye this week, in- flicted upon itself by a talented young swimmer who took exception to a disqualification during the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia. Last week, Victor Davis, an 18 year old swimmer from Waterloo who cuts through chlorinated pool water with grace, relative ease and speed has tarnished the Canadian image with a bad boy routine. Davis was already a gold medal winner m the games when he participated with the Canadian team in the 4X100 metre medley relay. In that race, however, Canada was disqualified when officials ruled that one member of the team left the starting blocks before the other member touched the pool wall. Regardless of the circumstances, the competency of the swimming officials or the mechanical inabilities of the electronic gadgetry that guages times and touches, Davis did not do us proud. Despite the fact that Queen Elizabeth had graced the presence of poolside patrons, it failed to impress Davis in the least. He stormed about the pool area like an angry bull, throwing chairs in his wake, cursing and pulling plants from decorative pots at will. What irks me about such an irresponsible display is that it not only reflected on the Canadian team as a whole, but on Canadians as well. We have some fine athletes who made impressive showings in their respective sports but the ill-tempered antics of an immature swimmer have, for the most part, spoiled those performances. The press at the Commonwealth Games has since had a field day translating that one incident into a inherent Canadian trait. It may be unfair, but we're stuck with the label now and timid Canadians may, from this point on, be revered as a roughouse gang. Davis is a talented 18 year-old caught up in the pressure of producing for his country. He didn't get his medal and he amply demonstrated his anger with an unusual display of dexterity. Odds are he will be on the chair -throwing team in the next games. That type of tanturm conjurs of visions John McEnroe berating an official over a close can. I find McEnroe's behaviour loathsome because he's good, makes more trips to the bank than I'll ever contemplate and yet he acts like an idiot between the white tennis lines. But McEnroe is his own boss and since he represents himself on the courts, rather than an adoring nation, he is free to make an. ass of himself. ° No doubt Davis regrets his actions at poolside last week, but the fact remains that he carries with him the image of a nation f and we are, by the way, paying the freight. Davis was not a good investment. The whole incident may seem trite and while it may not affect or relflect on you personally, it does have some significance in terms of our collective image. The Canadian swim team will be forever suspect because of that display in Brisbane. Generally I have difficulty accepting the role of.,over-paid sports personalities.For some reason, society has placed great pressures on athletes to proudce, mostly because the consumer pays a top en- tertainment dollar and expects something in return. It creates a pressure than many of them find difficulty coping with and it creates some irresponsible situations. For now, Canadian swimmers will be the bad guys and athletes who sacrifice their energy for this country will have Davis to thank for that unfair label. eNA BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1979 Second class mail registration number -0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT Mounded In IU$ and published every Wednesday at Goderich, Ontario. 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PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising 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 Powerful tool There is a bill awaiting third reading in the legislature, Bill 11, that deals with the licensing of businesses by municipalities. ' Under the terms of the bill, councils of local municipalities have the power, under bylaw, to licence, regulate and govern any business within the municipality. Also, within that legislation, council is empowered to regulate the hours of operation for any business and to reclaim' a:it'elnee'" p ji1ittri't'io liibltlit"to•ah a iabiii ttion to d -deter rine iis"eompetenee to engage:in-a business. •- A licence maybe revoked in the event an applicant fails such an examination. But should the applicant achieve the designated passi;ig grade and subsequently be issued the licence, it must be available on demand to a peace officer orthe bearer faces arrest. The council will also have the authority to regulate, govern and inspect the business preinises, equipment, vehicles and other property used in con- nection with the business. • The Goderich town administrator has indicated that Bill • 11. is not all that radical in nature and under the terms of the Municipal Act, municipalities had the authority to exercise such control. While the provisions of Bill 11 may not be radically different it is disturbing to note the power vested in the ,municipality. There can be no argument that a municipality should have some authority in governingits own affairs, including the commercial and business in- terests of that community. But, within the legislation, there exists the potential for abuse and strict control by a group of elected officials whose mandate is to serve the best interests of the tax- paying public. Goderich town council has faced the situation in the past, with some councillors suggesting it was not council's mandate to pre -judge the success of a potential business. • The free enterprise system has a habit of regulating the business and commercial needs ankk hopefully municipalities won't over react to these powers but will use them judiciously. D.S. Contribute to process Many people who regularly make up their own household budgets and go to the bank to work out credit • arangements often abdicate responsibility when it comes to community housekeeping. , Statistics show average turnout figures for local govern- ment elections are only 43 per cent, and in many elections, only 30 percent or lower. ' •. Casting a vote means contributing to the direction of • local resources and the quality of life down the street and in the community. Votes cast in localelections work on a . day-to-day basis to keep basic services working - the traf- fic flowing, the Water running, the police and fire services prepared. Elected members of councils, school boards and public utilities supervise the planning and running of these ser- vices. Starting this year, their tertn of office has been in- creased from two years to three, to help increase the ef- fectiveness of local government. So, in budget -conscious times like the 80s, there is a need, as never before, for the public to share this responsibility by making informed . • decisions and casting their vote in the November elec- tions. . Although there is a general belief in the right to exercise • one's franchise, many citizens are not discharging this -responsibility and are indirecty weakening the public mandate behind local government. The effects of casting a vote are more visible at the local municipal level than at any other level, and the public's decisions made through the electoral process can be seen in any municipality. A recent study in the Waterloo. area Showed that only 24 per cent of the population could correctly answer ques- tions about who is responsible for community services. Only one resident in 25 knew who acts on his or her behalf toprovide police protection. Only 28 per cent of the respondents knew that school ' boards are responsible for education policy and taxes. Yet school boards are democratically elected and often iden- tified as decision makers in -the media. Although many factors can influence voter turnout — the size of the ward, the number of seats contested, whether there is a lively contest for mayor, the issues of municipal interest, in the community — a real key to public participation is an awareness of the local issues in- volved together with the role and responsibilities of local municipal government. Here the media play a valuable part. \Where local issues are well coveredand well developed in the media, voters become much more aware of the roles and responsibilities of local municipal government and the positions of the candidates on these issues and responsibilities. More of this media coverage could go a long way towards strengthening the' public mandate behind local decision-making in hundreds of municipalities across Ontario. Spread the help more equitably Last week Dome Petroleum, a shareholder -owned private corporation Was bailed out of bankruptcy, from the brink of a multi -billion dollar disaster by the little pip- squeek, mortgage -paying people of Canada. Mind you, we. the people who will have to pay the price, didn't have -anything-whatsoever-to-say- about -°the --deal; -unless - we— agree that a few top-level politicians have the unquestion- ed right to spend our money as they see fit, for whatever _project they choose.. ... _ . _ For starters, the Dome deal will cost every one of us ex- tra money for .our purchases of gasoline and 4ating oil. The bill will not be paid, in any great amount lig the Jack Gellaghers or the Pierrefirudeaus of the land: The experts, at least a few of them, believe that the 'Dome crisis was exceptional, in that its reuse has preserv- ed Canada's potential for exploration in sub -polar waters for new sources of natural gas and crude oil. However, the larger question remains. Should any of our governments be launching us into the chancey game of business enterprise? Dome is not the first such move, and probably not the last. We helped to rescue Chrysler, we dipped into the buck t for Massey -Ferguson, for Maislin Transport. At what Point does the dipping cease — and if the government is to become a bottomless barrel of rescue funding, how will it decide who deserves help and who does not? Don't the employees of Canadian Manufac- taring Company in Cambridge deserve the same con- sideration as those of Massey -Ferguson? . prudeau- and•Company -most-of--them-wealthy--risen-.in--_ their own right, have been blessed with family fortunes which were gained under a system of free enterprise; a system which stuck by the rule that if a business was got ing bankrupt it should be left to die. Some other businessman, with a keener sense of operating efficiency would replace the man who didn't have money to keep the wheels turning. Our opinion that government has no place in business is shared by a considerable number of the nation's top-notch businessmen. This country has seen business recessions before, many of them. But this is the first time we have had to suffer so bitterly because our own government led us into the mess. Perhaps we have become a people who must ask for help in every emergency. If so we had better find a -govern - m ht that -at least knows how to spread the help evenly and equitably. Headin' home DEAR READERS SHIRLEY KELLER This. weekend, I had a brief visit with a young friend who has gone back to university. My friend is attending law school and keeping up with the best of them. It hasn't been easy. On top of the demanqds of a heavy legal course, my friend is commuting �. more than 100 kilometers per day in all kinds of weather; and managing a busy household con- sisting of one very large dwelling, one spouse who also went back to school a few years ago to upgrade qualifications and just landed a job this past September, and two young daughters who are now (thankfully) in school every day. In any spare time, my friend is . providing some assistance in a social living program for mental- ly retarded adults. My friend is an independent, innovative, in telligent, incredibly energetic Canadian with a proven record of -achievement that would put most students to shame. Still my friend is en- countering a brick wall. There aunply are very few opportunities for my fr. iend to complete the necessary articling re- , quirements. In our chat this weekend, my friend advised that the younger students are getting the nod from lawyers who do have jobs for those fledgl- ing legal eagles who need on-the-job experience to qualify. Maybe the young are more pliable than my friend. Maybe maturity isn't that much of an asset in this instance: But horrors of horrors, my friend suggested there may be yet another problem. You see, my friend is a woman, a wife 'and a mother. And she's beginning. to wonder if it isn't a case, of three strikes and you're out? She brought tales of one gruelling interview she had with a lawyer whose final question was, "Are you quick on your feet?". My friend countered with, "I don't tap dance if that's what you mean." Another anxious lawyer, inquired, -Do -you hink you might dissolve in tears in my office?" End of another interview. It's a changing world, and I admit I don't always understand it. My mouth must have gaped as my friend explained she is quite prepared to go almost anywhere in Ontario for this important period of her career. In my day, that kind of separation from husband and children would be unthinkable. But I'm convinced that she would indeed nieet and inount this period in her lifewith her usual calm efficiency. Lid, at the same time, she would be a bright light in any law office in the province, at 'any task she•would be handed. Someday, I know, my friend will be a brilliant legal counsellor. . - 'I admire' this kind of determination in people and I become disenchanted with a society that doesn't reward this exemplary attitude with some special benefits. Isn't that the way it is sup- posed to be in a democracy? Isn't hard work and effort supposed to pay off? Regardless of age, dolour, creed, sex?? This country was nearly torn apart in 'recent months as an all -Canadian constitution was ham- mered out. It's a constitution that speaks of these basic privileges for the titize'ns c.ho live in t1,.:, vast nation. . . But all too often. the huinan rightness contain- ed in such documents is forgotten in the every- day work and play habits of ordinary people. It becomes just more high sounding rhetoric that looks good on paper but. hasn't the teeth to hold in the daily life situations where it really counts. More -times than we like to admit, the plums go to those who have an "in" rather than to those who are best qualified for the post. And when it comes to opportunities, one really must"compete in a proper pecking order and learn to patiently wait his turn. There's a great uproar among the public, employees for instance, concerning the proposed six and five program. Thousands of those who hold those excellent jobs are productive. thousands are not. But they all expect to be treated equally in a system that tends to reward and protect the ability to land a job rather than the ability, to do it well. Getting back to my young friend who needs an articling position somewhere in this province, she's made of tough, stuff. She will persevere despite the obstacles because she won't quit.She's come too far already to give up now. But what of the more timid souls - the hard- working, loyal ones who reluctantly admit defeat and settle for second best? Is the country losing out because these, people have not acquired a place in the system? I think so. And what's more, I think the majori- ty of Canadians agree with,ine - in principle. But in a democracy, it is every man for himself doesnand it 't reit.ally depends on whose ox is being gored It's the survival of the fittest - and it's the ones who have learned how to win in the clutches that will have the greatest amount of success in the long run. Notice nothing was said about integrity or ability or energy. Just survival of the fittest for coping with the system. Depressing but true. Let's get Goderich is a foolish game to play fear -Editor, To members of Huron County Council: In celebration of the once - again -renewed "Let's • get Goderich!" hysteria ap- parently sweeping the Coun- ty Council, my wife and I decided to -pen -our reactions - to the proposal to re=locate the Pioneer Museum. We're kind of lucky! We've had a chanceto see that kind of hysteria over the last 20 years from several points of view. Although our roots are in Goderich and Colborne Township, our combined work experience of 25 years since marriage shows 20 of these outside the County LETTERS Town - • in Seaforth, Holmesvf le and the Dungan- non area. Our residency is almost equally split between Goderich and Seaforth and, while Seaforth ,is our home, our orientation tends to be 'Huron County' rather than one town or region in par- ticular. In fact, our main community service commit- ment for the last\ six years has been at the VanEgmond site in Tuckersmith" Township. We both share the position that the 'assets' of the Coun- ty should be spread around. As teachers, we vividly recall the hassle when the school board decided to locate in Clinton rather than Goderich. In retrospect, very few would question the validity of that decision now. But, twow! i- the ; i11 -feeling generated at that time sure echoes the sentiment omen t building today about the rrrusenth's 'home in Goderich. In the final analysis, a decision about the museum sniiiulcl largely ' depend err what Huron County wants for its historical' archives. Does it want a dusty collec- tion depot for gathering and preserving artifacts? Does it value the dollars dropped by the multi -thousand visitors enticed to stop in Huron by the museum's similar facilities? Does it want to share and promote our heritage or keen it for privy e' .use?. If it wants' a storage place, then Vanastra is thelace to go. If it wants to nurture a tourist -flew. and derive the related economic benefits, then it better look elsewhere. Surely, after 154 years of squabbling; it's time to ac= cept the realities of traffic flow through Huron County. The Bluewater highway and . the old Huron Road aren't about to change their routes Vanastra? A great little community! Great' potential for Huron Countyif it ever gets the support it deserves! The site for the Pioneer Turn to page 5