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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-11-03, Page 4PAGE 4—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1982 DAVE SYKFS A municipal election, this municipal election, is treated with as much reverence in the pulsating newsroom as a social disease. In short, at election time, there isn't a sympathetic soul in the place. This issue, fortunately, represents the final paper prior to casting of ballots Monday, the final push of the final message. I promise, that after the results are tabulated and posted in the next weekly edition for posterity, there will be no mention of an election for three years. Municipally speaking, of course. As you peruse the newsy grey bits of this weekly edition, the trusty proletariat at the Star is cursing and cheering and wrestling the final ads and copy into submission. Pardon my acrimonious attitude, but elections have that kind of effect on the staff. For days, newsroom cohorts have been entertaining propsective municipal politician after prospective PUC candidate after propeective school board member. Their words and messages are important, don't mistake that fact, it's just that our usual friendly temperment tends to turn sour after the 20th candidate is interviewed. Candidates neglect to show up for ap- pointments, candidates change ap- pointments, candidates want their pictures taken, candidates want their pictures taken again, candidates want their ads in different positions, candidates want... What would the election be without can- didates anyway. I have the greatest respect for people who let their name stand for an elected position and I have respect for the people who put in. the time, the effort and listen to the disgruntled demands of the taxpayer. It's not an easy job and I ask candidates why they are inclined to seek out aggravation. Most of them are married. Politics, regarless of the level, attracts a rare and distinct breed of human being. Some may suggest that politicians at senior levels of government are not human at all. That's fair comment, I suppose. But all politicians and prospective politicians have varying reasons for getting involved in political life. Perhaps in some respects it satisfies egos and many, I suggest, are genuinely concerned about local affairs and are people that like to be involved. The messages, platforms, aspirations, promises and profiles of candidates seeking election in Goderich are documented on the pages of this newspaper. Concerned citizens and groups have also taken the initiative to organize candidates' nights giving tax- payers an opportunity to question, evaluate, scrutinize and size up the opponents. Most of these people have been long-time residents of Goderich and taxpayers are more than familiar with their personalities. But it is also refreshing to note that many residents, relatively new to the area, are willing to get involved in local affairs. The endless parade of politicians into this office is over but confusion still reigns. No doubt there will be a faux pas or two to throw a bit of controversy into the election. One candidate rekindled bad memories by recounting the election year this newspaper neglected to run a campaign ad. A simple oversight. It is recalled in humorous fashion now, but then, it wasn't a laughing matter. I trust most people will exercise the right to vote because we're going to have one helluva an election. \i4 BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second class mail registration number -0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT Rounded In ISO end published awry Wednesday et Ooderfeh, Ontario. Member of the CCNA end OWNA. Adver- tising rates on request. Subscriptions peyablein advance °1e.911 In Caned., ° d.N to U.S.A., °W.N to ell other count - tries, single copies WT. Display advertising rates available on request. please ask for Rate Card NQ.1s_efbetiv.Oc- tober I. INS. Second class mall Registration Number RM. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the .vent of typogrrphkel error, the advertising seem occupied by the erroneous Item, together .with, reasonable , allowance for signature, will not ba charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for et the ap- pllnble rate. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or window at a wrong pries, goods or services , may not be sold. Advertising Is merely en offer to sell, and may be withdrawn et any time. The $lgnel.Ster Is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolldted menuscrlpts, photos or other materiels used for reproducing pur- Iposos PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES-Editor • P.O. BOX 220, HUCK INS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 466 ,e Gocm6� FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Residents and staff deserve better fate The imminent closure of the Bluewater Centre for the Developmentally Handicapped has raised legitimate and worthwhile concerns. Concerns that Community and ,Social Services Minister Frank Drea should be aware of. The province has initiated a plan to .relocate many residents in institutions for the developmentally han- dicapped into more community -oriented settings or group homes. The plan has some obvious merits and residents, 'who prove themselves capable, should be afforded that opportunity of independence. The basic principle behind the government's desire to relocate residents in a community setting, is a sound one. If the resident is capable. • The problem is that capability comes in degrees, with respect to residents and it would have to be assumed that quality of care can be measured in the same way. Can the degree of care be as adequate and encompassing in such a setting? There is evidence to indicate the government moves much too quickly in such matters and that develop- mentally handicapped people will be moved . to homes before proper programs and adequate community placements are available. Perhaps, even before the resident is capable of making such an unsettling move. It may be easier for the staff at Bluewater Centre to rationalizethe closure and subsequent relocation of residents, if there were absolute guarantees that residents would receive proper physical and emotional care. No such guarantees can be provided. The closure has prompted the recounting of numerous horror stories of psychiatric patients who have been de - institutionalized and left to a desperate and lonely life, often ending in tragedy. Where were the community programs that were to have provided the slick and un- settling transition from institution to everyday life? They obviously failed in many respects, but succeeded in at least reducing the number of beds required in institutions. The staff at the centre are obviously fighting for jobs but they also express a genuine and sincere interest in the resident population. They have invested many hours of labour and love in these residents and they may never know if that investment paid off or if their labours were simply a waste of time. Parents of residents are experiencing the same kind of uneasiness and apprehension about the closure. Will their sons and daughters be shipped off to larger institutions many mile's away? Will their sons and daughters be able to handle the adjustment and move? The residents arenot children. They are adults, and parents have definite anxieties about their futures. Some.' parents, knowing their children will not adjust to the community -like settings of group homes, may care for themat home. But those parents are old too and that care cannot be extended indefinitely. The future is frightening for many parents, residents and staff. The closure of the six institutions across the province will not result in savings for the government. They will realize savings of $23 `million with respect to the•closures and subsequent loss of jobs, but have promised to pump $33 million into a program for the developmentally handicapped for group homes and other alternative living arrangements for residents that are capableof making such a move. . The staff expressed concerns at a recent meeting that the general public had little, if any notion, of the nature of the work that is carried on at the Bluewater Centre. Their image of the typical resident is clouded by heresay and second-hand stories. In fact, many people do not realize the value of that institution to the resident. , In all fairness, the ministry should not have the audacity to make such an arbitrary decision on the closing of the centre without community consultation. Drea should have studied the implications of the closure with- staff, residents,parents andleadersof the com- munity. The economic impact" of the centre's closure is devastating. the Ontario Public Service Employees Union estimates that closing the centre would result in the loss of 213 jobs and $5.2 million per year in purchasing power to Goderich. That's a lot for any community to swallow, regardless of size. It would be wise for Drea to examine the far-reaching implications of the closure. Only the staff at the centre can accurately determine which residents may qualify for community care and which residents require a more structured program as offered in a large institution. It is a noble gesture to offer residents a chance to live a more normal lifestyle in a community setting, but government programs must also ensure their needs are being looked after. The closure may not serve the needs of this community, however. People with families and mortgages, may face the prospect of relocation, or loss of jobs. The council of the town of Goderich has requested a meeting with the minister andalso, requested that public hearings be held int( the closure matter. In view of the co '*erns of all involved, it would be the decent thing for Drea to do.D.S. Restraint please .,... Prime Minister Trudeau has received less than rave reviews for his three. 15. minute talks to the nation recently. While some of the criticism could. have been expected, regardless of what he said, the main complaint stemmed from the fact he failed to admit that both he and his Liberal party are devoid of ideas on how to get the nation out of the quandary for which they must accept con- siderable blame. Certainly Canadians already knew it was going to be a long, hard winter for many of them, and while there was merit in his suggestion that those with the resources had to help those without, there was no hint that his govern- ment planned to ease the burden by reducing some of the costly programs and huge deficit that contributed to the hardships being faced. It is clearly a time for governments to show restraint, even if that leadership does not prove politically at- tractive. Sure, Canadians are ready to bite the bullet. Too bad the government wasn't prepared to do the same! A new season By Dave Sykes DEAR READ.ERS. SHIRLEY KELLER • Just recently I was reading an article which touted the Canadian farmer as being "an unsung hero in the war against inflation": This particular story drove home the point that a.recent Russian purchase of $1.5 billion worth of Canadian grain should effectively. demonstrate to the citizens of this land they are extremely lucky to have farmers who are so productive - and that their efficiency benefits all. The Russians, the article mentioned, have no shortage of arable land..In fact, Russia has a great deal of land that is similar to the acreage farmed, by Canadians. Their weather and the climate in the growing areas is about the same as here: Yetyear after year, Russians -are forced to,, buy Canadian wheat because they can't produce enough themselves for their own use. Reports out of Russia seem to indicate that even with Canadian wheat, the diet standard of the Soviet Union is somewhat lower than it is in Canada. That makes us believe that if it were not for Canadian wheat on Russian tables, the' situation could be desperate. ' For Russians, you see, it is •not a matter of price. Itis a matter of availability. That's true in other countries of the world too. People line up to buy food because it is in such short supply. But in Canada, there is abundance. Our store shelves are over -flowing with everything anyone could *ant to be healthy and well-nourished. And whether consumers care to admit it or not, it is there at reasonable prices. We pay food prices that are among the cheapest anywhere around the globe. In Britain for instance, families spend about 30 percent of disposable income on food. I chatted a year or so ago with a young couple from London, England. This pair had no children and both worked at extremely good jobs. They told me they were able to afford to buy meat only on weekends - and then only in limited amounts. Meat is a precious commodity in England, they' told me. • They were absolutely delighted that while in Canada they were able to have bacon for break- fast, a hamburger • for lunch and a chop for' dinner - all at a price they could easily afford. West Germans spend about 33 percent of their income on food. And in Japan, food costs are a whopping 40 percent of the disposable income: Statistics- show that- Canadians- spend- little-' more than 22 percent of their disposable, income on food. Bear in mind though, that just because the national average is 22 percent of disposable income, you will not necessarily be able to buy all the food for your family on 22 percent Of what you bring home each week from your job. Statistics don't work that way - here in Canada or anywhere else in the world for that matter. But the fact remains: Canadian farmers - without much hullabaloo - are generally providing top notch food in more -than -adequate supply at bargain basement prices for con - shiners . who usually don't appreciate the tremendous deal they are getting. Why? Because it has always' been that way. And I believe the credit for that goes to our ef- ficient, highly productivearming community. And as the old saying goes - you ain't seen nothin' yet. I'm convinced that if we gave Canadian far- mers the opportunity they could turn out twice as Says her son isvery hap Dear Editor Asa parent and a tai2payer 1 wish to vehemently -protest the closing of Bluewater Centre. My son is a resident of Bliiewater and is very happy there. We fail to understand why our . pe plc, who can not speak for themselve§, are to be replaced by people who have broken the law. We admire the Governments desire to rehabilitate these people but why must our residents suffer? The volunteers at Bluewater Centre have worked hard and long to much food as they do now - maybe more. Their knowledge, their expertise and the great natural potential that stretches before them in Canada is sufficient to feed this growing nation and a large part of the hungry world to boot. There seems little doubt then;' the Canadian farmer could teach the average Canadian labourer as well as some blue collar workers and a few of .the upper echelon of society something about the economic strengths of high produc- tivity at competitive prices. And there seems little doubt the lesson is needed. Most recent figures show . Canadian manufacturers are still falling way behind their competition in- other countries. The- cost of Canadian manufactured goods continues to be much too high, mostly because we demand too much money for too little effort. While the Canadian farmer doggedly battles high interest rates, escalating costs and low prices with hard work, long hours and pride in product, too many Canadian workers still seem to prefer unemployment,insurance to a menial job; picketline duty to shorter pay for longer hours; and job security to saleable product excellence. The time may already have arrived when Canadians are beginning to see how each one of them is important to the success of this nation. They may already be realizing that for one segment to survive and prosper, all others must tie equally motivated and Involved in the nation's business. It isn't too late for each Canadian to follow the example set so well by the Canadian farmer, but will enough Canadians take positive action in time to save this country from further economic disaster? That's the big question mark. at Bluewater Centre TTE'RS provide "extras" for these - unfortunates. May I 'take this op- portunity to thank the residents of Goderich who have been so generous in both time and money. As parents we are the last to' know what is to becori a of our sons and daughters. This is a step backward in the treatment of retarded people. The -word "group home" is heard but the municipalities will suffer through extra taxes. We are heartsick to see our children forced to leave their "home away from home" where they have had love and care from a super staff. Obviously Frank Drea is not interested in votes or does he not consider them "people or are they just retarded people't. From 8 very sad ands -. disappointed-par-ent:- _ _• Kay Prevett Clinic .. success Dear Editor, The Blood Donor Clinic at G.D.C.I. on October 26 was most successful. There were 326 registered donors and 302 units of blood collected. May I please thank the following people publicly for their contributions: Zehrs for supplying all the food; all the people who donated their blood; the Volunteer workers; Tuckey Beverages -for donating --the - pop; the local businesses for advertising; the Goderich Lions Club; Stan Connelly and the Goderich . and... Dungannon Kinsmen; the G.D.C.I. student council, students and Bill Murdie; the Huron County Board of Education; the arena staff and all those who displayed our posters. As you can see, it takes many people to make a Blood Donor Clinic a success and I am very grateful for so much co-operation. Sincerely, Mary Donnelly, Local Co-ordinator. •