HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-12-08, Page 6f•
PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, D9ECEMBER 8, 1982
DAVE
SYKES
Women are difficult to understand at the
best of times and I would suggest that
millions of husbands would substantiate that
theory.
Their reasoning, at times, defies all logic
and a women's logic defies all reasoning.
Hopefully, that makes some sense.
Historically women have an inherent right
to change their minds on a whim and a
women's intuition is reputed to be far
superior to a man's. Assuming that men
have some measure of intuitive powers.
The battle of the sexes is an ongoing one
but, on occasion, the skirmish takes a new
twist. While this correspondent is somewhat
reticent to engage the female gendre is idle
chatter about equality or defend a position, I
wish to offer some newsworthy tidbits from
the battle lines.
In the obscure town of Smithfield, Rhode
Wand, 15 angry housewives went on strik-e
against their defenseless husbands. The
malcontents paraded in front of their
suburban homes, carrying signs bearing the
questlon,`°Have You Hugged Your Wife
Today?"
The housewives were seeking recognition
for their dutiful labours about the household
and in protest, stopped leaning cooking
and cuddling services to make a valid point.
"Appreciation isn't too much to ask for a
slave who is on call 24 hours a day," one
young wife commented while picketing
outside her home.
That cruel feminine ploy obviously caught
the attention of the helpless hubbies.
Negotiations were swift and one-sided.
Obviously embarassed by the precarious
position they were placed in by their cun-
ning spouses, the husbands, in an attempt to
alleviate the national exposure the situation
attracted, relented to the demands of
management within a matter of days.
A few days after the protest was initiated,
half of the husbands were making them-
selves busy around the house and cuddling
their mates whenever time permitted
between household chores. In short, the men
backed down and at last report were busily
engaged in cleaning and cuddling.
The wives have since been lavished with
attention, are receiving compliments on a
regular basis and the hubbies are digging in
and doing the dusting and dishes. It's good
work if you can get it.
But, only, half of the beleaguered males
gave in to their wily wives and the other half
is still trying to negotiate on their terms.
Apparently not all the men are convinced
their wives have a case.
The demands of the wives is sexist in a
way. They have witheld vital services from
their husbands to gain recognition- and
appreciation for the services they provide in
11
the household on a daily basis.
What about the belied husbands who
trudge off to battle unknown forces in the
jungle of the business world. Certainly they
too are in line for a small measure of
deserved recognition.
But do we resort to strikes, picketing or a
work to rule campaign. I submit that such
tactics are beneath the dignity of most
husbands, those tireless toilers who trudge
through the tedium of the work day for their
families.
Certainly any self-respecting man has the
right to demand the 'same kind of
recognition from his spouse. But if that
recognition is not forthcoming, we do not
resort to the bizarre tactic of witholding
cuddles and the like. It's simply not our
style.
The debate could linger on and Irefuse to
have defend -the -male- position. I
'm --going--
home to clean up the place.
•
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
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rust. required
Recently the Huron County Board of Educationen-
dorsed a motion calling for only the chairman of the
board, or a designate, to speak to the press on education
related matters.
It is easy to understand- the board's concerns and
reasoning behind the decision. Sometimes information
can conflict or the
wrong/Wig salil.,atAbe wrong time can...
reflect on the board as a whole. It has, perhaps, created
some problems in the past and the beard its somewhat
reticent to relent.
By the same token, the members of the board were
trustingly elected to represent the taxpayer and out of a
sense of duty they should be open about they business they
;conduct on behalf of the public. Elected by the public,
school board trustees have a responsibility to, and should
be accountable to, the public.
• Our education system is a costly one and no-one needs to
be reminded where the funding originates.
It would be fair to speculate that the board does not
want to be accused of operating a closed -door, back room
type of operation but to have only the chairman or
• designate act as spokesperson for the.l5 members means
the board is heading in that direction. Perhaps, ,if they
gave careful consideration to the motion, they might come
to the same realization.
It was encouraging to note, at the board's last regular
meeting, that chairman Dorothy Wallace suggested that
trust and understanding between the pressand the board
was a matter of top priority.
At the November 23 meeting, Wallace suggested' that
the press be invited to the board's committee -of -the -whole
meetings, that the board move to two meetings per month
from one, that agendas be made available to the public
prior to the meetings and that individual trustees be;
allowed to speak to the press on particular concerns.
Much of the board business.is conducted in committee
,meetings and later ratified. at ..the general monthly
meeting. Wallace said the board is thought to be a
secretive bunch by the press.
The move by. Wallace to improve that image and per-
ception should be recognized as a sound and sensible one.
Others Weren't in agreement with her reasoning claiming
the board handles matters of a sensitive nature that are
not for general consumption by the press. -
That will certainly happen in any board or committee
setting and in those cases the press will have to. respect
the delicate and private nature of the discussion.
Wallace said the board has nothing to hide and while.
that is the case, there still exists that slight feeling of
distrust.
Wallace's comments and . recommendations were
passed over to the executive committee of the board. They
will deal with the matter in January.
Hopefully they°will seethe merit in the chairman's
suggestions and make every effort to implement those
recommendations.
To ignore any or all of Wallace's recommendations
would only serve to put another dent in the board's
image.D.S.
Proceed with caution.
While visual evidence, in the form of snow, is lacking,
the Christmas season has arrived.
And the arrival of the season means that many people
will be attendingoffice parties, social gatherings and
impromptu celebrations with friends and relatives.
While many people get caught up in the spirit of the
celebrations this time of year, they will also insist on
driving home after consuming alcohol. But if the Ontario
Solicitor General has his way, police will get tougher with
the drinking driver this Christmas.
George Taylor, Ontario Solicitor:General, held a press
conference this week to publicize police measures to fight
drinking and driving. He says it is time the courts took a
tougher stance against the 'drinking driver and his
thoughts bear some validity.
Taylor claims that drunk drivers involved in fatal ac-
cidents are getting away too lightly compared to drunks
who Bill people with weapons. Killing with a vehicle is
- .treated as a less severe incident for some reason.
- The Solicitor—General- said he would like to -see stiffer
penalties so the seriousness of the situation gets through
to drivers. He added that there seems to be a social ac-
ceptance of a lesser sentence in cases involving vehicles.
Both Taylors and Ontario Provincial Police Com-
missioner James Erskine are fighting for mandatory jail
terms for an impaired driver Who causes an accident.
In view of those thoughts, police departments across the
province will be urged to increase random checks and to
enforce the seat belt legislation. Police will also be en-
forcing the 12 -hour suspension for marginally impaired
drivers over the holiday period in their efforts to get
drinking drivers off the road.
The Solicitor -General wants police forces across the
province to get tough with drinking drivers and rightfully
so. Many people are killed and impaired as a result of an
accident involving a drinking driver and during the
Christmas and New Year season, the number of impaired
drivers increases substantially.
So get in the spirit of the season but don't let- the spirit
get behind the wheel. DS.
hare your Christmas -
The Christmas -season .is -t pon=us and -for.most-people: it
is_anaetiye tin a of_year.
While many of you will be busy cooking, baking,
shopping and decorating -preparing for the holiday season
hopefully there will be time to relax with the family over
the. Christmas weekend.
More than any other holiday, Christmas is traditionally
a time for celebration with family and friends. It is a
season that has a habit of drawing people together.
For many readers, Christmas is a special time and
undoubtedly no two families celebrate the same way.
Family traditions are passed through the family and nes,
-.traditions are introduced.
The Signal -Star is interested in exploring the traditions
of Christmas through any local families that are wj pg -to
share their personal touches with us. We would like to
•
snake our .December. 22. Christmas issue --a personal one
that,reflects onjhe•family theme,
Perhaps your family still maintainscertain cultural
;traditions that have been passed through generations and
hopefully will become a part of your children's Christmas
when they have families. What makes Christmas a special
celebration at your home?
Every family has traditions that add to the celebration
of Christmas. We would like to hear about your Christmas
and the family traditions that make it a special occasion.
Put down some thoughts on paper or give the editorial
department a call, we would be glad to share your
Christmas memories with readers. Christmas is a time
for family and family traditions that add meaning to the
celebration.
Share your secrets with us.
The crooked path
By Dave Sykes
DEAR: READERS
SHIRLEY KELLER
Everyone has in his mind's eye a vision of the
perfect school teacher. Usually the vision is
patterned in some way after a favourite school
teacher from a long -lost childhood. But always,
always, the perfect teacher is kind without being
weak-kneed, patient without being a pushover
and instructive without being unreasonable.
It's a tall order..
From my own childhood, two elementary
school teachers remain etched in my memory
forever.
One was my Grade 1 teacher. l think most kids
fall in love with their first teacher, and I was.no
exception. To this day, I can remember her
beautiful grammar lessons, the adventuresome
reading lessons and the great games she made
for our arithmetic lessons.
But more than that, I remember her raven
black hair, always meticulously groomed. I
remember her pretty smile and the bright
clothes she wore.
I remember her gentle voice and the feeling I
had that she really liked meas much as any of
the other kids in the class. I remember I wanted
to please her - and I remember that she never
gave me the impression I'd failed "to do it. She
was lavish with her praise - and careful with her
criticism.
Incidentally, I met this lady not too long ago
and I can attest to the fact my admiration for her
is still as real as ever. She's still teaching as far
as I know, and I am willing to wager her students
consider themselves among the most fortunate
in this province.
The other teacher against whom I measure all
teaching performance was a woman who was
nearing retirement when she taught rne. When
she died several years ago, I felt the same em-
ptiness one feels when a family member leaves
this world.
This teacher was a lady - a lovely lady in every
sense of the word. She was a disciplinarian and a
tough taskmaster - but she knew the level of my
abilities. Though she expected me to achieve
that level and encouraged me to exceed it, she
never seemed disappointed when I messed up.
She was the teacher who taught me some self-
worth. She saw potential in me and made me see
it too.
She taught me values and morals right along
with history and composition. She instructed me
in everything from sex education through good
citizenship and proper etiquette.
She made each new season seem like the
greatest happening since Columbus sailed the
ocean blue - and she demonstrated to each of her
students the joy to be found in the awareness of
simple things going on all around them.
She always made time for music and art, for
drama and self-expression. True, they were very
basic lessons with primitive methods and
equipment, but the big plus was the appreciation
she showed for these subjects which were often
far down on the school curriculum in those days.
When I read last week Terry Marr's in-
troduction to the story on Helen Videan I was
moved to recall once again these two wonderful
school teachers from my own youth. I fully
believe that they, like Helen Videan, would have
agreed it was the task supreme "to teach the
child not the subject".
The more I thought about it, the more I
realized that Helen Videan comes as close to
being the model teacher as I can imagine. My
opinion is based, of course, on the experiences I
had with my two favourite school teachers but
when I stack up them against Miss Videan, Miss
Videan comes out looking very good.
I know the teaching profession has changed
drastically since I went to school. It may even be
that children have changed a bit over the years.
But some things don't ever change and one of
these things is the lasting impressions - good or
bad - all teachers leave with their students.
To know your subject is important, but to
understand human nature is even more, vital.
And to really care about each individual child
and his particular strengths and weaknesses is
paramount. These things too are.ageless virtues
in any teacher.
On behalf of all students everywhere - past and
present - let me say thank you to the all the extra
special teachers of this world. You, the heroes of
our childhood, are with us still. We love all of
you.
Service was rewarding for councillor
Dear Editor:
When the new council was
sworn in on Monday, the
1981/82 town-cOnricil-became
municipal history. Being
part of that history I should. _..
like to say something on the
ailbje"ct to 'those `ofd" -WNW
behalf--I-,have-t n- working -variety -of -people -and--moi--
for the last twelve years,
particularly as it was always
my style and philosophy to
keep the work itself com-
pletely visible at all times.
I hope that much of the
community has found the
work useful. For myself, the
years have accumulated
rich and fascinating ex-
periences and a tremendous-
ly rewarding education
through insight, from within,
into the substance and the
methods of the municipal
government, its effects on a
tions (or vice versa), their
interaction and everything
else that goes with it.
When I joined the
municipal scene twelve
years ago, I came to pro-
mote two main areas:
1) openness in municipal
governments' workings
everywhere, as there is no
more objectionable and
greater contradiction than
having local public represen-
tatives do local public
business by secret,
backroom methods, out of
titularly since my work
became associated with the
Ontario _Parks Association
where .I was elected Presi-
dent and through which . I
-work on -other parks -and
recreational organizations
on provincial and national
4etb.ke sight•, ..
2) furthering understanding
and improvements in the at-
titudes for and standards of
the so-called "soft services"
the rightfully important
place of recreation
(including the arts) in
general and parks in par-
ticular, for the sake of
enriching our individual
lives and collective well-
being and image.
It became my additional
pleasure to contribute in
these areas beyond 'our
municipal boundaries, par -
I took indeed a great deal
of personal pleasure in being
able to learn as well as to
contribute, but above all, -in
everything I did, I was
aware of being in a position
of adding credit and recogni-
tion to the good municipal
reputation of the Town of
Goderich and to the office of
municipal government in
general.
While my special love and
dedication belong to parks
and recreation, I did not
neglect any other area of
municipal life on the council. •
In_every..field.I_listened_and..____
learned, I analyzed and
countedreasons and,. -if
nettss�af' ;: 1 a'rgu'ed so that
all . sides of - a situation
became visible and could he
Treated m aTusmess ike
manner - my favourite
municipal phrase. I think I
was the most predictable of
all council members.
As to controversy, I do not
seek it, but it does not
frighten me either whenever
one of its forms comes my
way. I feel the same about
publicity. I have no need for
it for my own personal life
purposes, but if an important
subject, principle or situa-
tion can be helped, furthered
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