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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-06-08, Page 4f Tf you are the type to aitach credence to street go ;ip then summer is but a fleeting memory. - In fact, the pundits who dispense the streetwise prognostications, . have grudgingly purported the theory • that -summer occured last Thursday. That. was it. It's gone for another year. No more decent weather. If one scratches the deepest recesses of his Memory, he or 'she will recall that last Thursday was generally sunny for most of the day and the temperature was almost bearable. A • jacket or. sweater could be discarded without suffering any personal discomfort while standing in direct sunlight at exactly high noon. That's not exactly my crazed idea of summer but weatherman are offering little consolation in the prolonged weather forecast. What we see, is what we're gonna get for the remainder of the season. Wet and cool is the forecast for June, July and August., i People are generally trusting and accept the poorring weather as payment or atonement ora mild wintgx, I don't and won't give In, that easily. I want pleasant Weather all year round, Maybe the Liberal government Is responsible for the poor weather or should. Canadians find fault with the PCs for dumping on Joe Clark. It may have had some bizarre effect on the weather. Perhaps it would at least teach people to be more tolerant of wimps. Someone, somewhere in the government ranks should be held responsible and ac- countable for this. While farmers may bemoan the fact that the land is soggy and unworkable and sun lovers curse the dreaded gloom of cloudy, rainy days, poor weather has both ad- vantages and disadvantages for the average person. -d Assuming that I would barely qualify as an average person or human, I offer the following personal observations. In cool, wet weather half of a popalekle can b.. a safely stored in your pant's pocket wfthou, t fear of nneltation, in cool, wet weather you can,go out to the beigolf coursetheonly at one anythtimeere. of the day and risk ng In cool, wet weather you. don't have to water your lawn. It has to be cut with such frequency that no-one would have time to water. In cool, wet weather you don't perspire so much when you're making your best moves on the dance floorat a relative's wedding. In cool, wet weather you don't stick to the vinyl seat" covers in your cheap imported vehicle. In cool, wet weather the kids aren't screaming at you constantly to buy an ex- pensive xpensive inground swimming pool. In cool, wet weather you can keep your shirt on and thereby eliminate the em - harassment of showing off anatomical pates that have shifted severely over the years. C004, wet weather nubile young *ilea with *tieing anatomical pads keels thele cletlies on thereby eliminating severe neck. strain among the male. �tdattil�oal .and unecessary automobile aces PS on The Square. In cool, wet weather some people's non- sumption of comforting beverages decreases proportionately compared to the same consumption level in hot weather. While certainly not a disadvantage, the weather does act as a deterrent to 'some imbibers. In cool, wet weather you don't have to lay motionless in bed on a still muggy night and pray for refreshing breezes to soothe your sticky body. In cool wet, weather, nubile young ladies with pleasing...oh, God I hope it warns up soon. t ♦CNA *CNA BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1979 Second clasp: mail registration numbe 0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT rounded In 1S4S and published *vary Wednesday et Ooderleh, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Adver, tiling rates on request. Subscriptions payable in advance °10.10 In Canada, °SO,N to U.S.A., °40.11 to 1111 other count. tries, single copies *Sc. Disploy advertising rotors available on request. please ask for Rat* Cord 41o.13 effective Oc- tober 1, 1107- Second class mall Registration Noir 0116. Advertising. Is accepted on the condition Chet In the event of typographical error, the advertising space om}plad by ,the erroneous item, together with reasonable - allowance for signature, will not be charges for bus that balance of the advertisement will be pold for et the ap- plicable rate. le the event of • typographical a advertising goods or servrc*s ata wrong price. goods or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The SIga11I-Star Is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited mgnuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproducing pur- poses. 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 NTA 466 dsaet d • to t<✓ FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Will leader be PM The upcoming Progressive Conservative leadership convention in Ottawa will certainly lend some excitement to the mundane Canadian political scene. However, while political pundits will watch the drama unfold in the nation's capital, the leadership race will leave lingering memories of the inequities that have been nurtured in our,system of representation. As Tory delegates across the, country prepare for-' the • Otte Iwa gathering, the importance of their mission is firmly entrenched in reedit polls which indicate the party has strong.backing across the country. - The fact that Toiy popularity has risen dramatically in recent months will be used as leverage by Joe Clark in his attempt to secure a clear and convincing mandate from ° party, supporters. However, the polls may also serve to indicate that the man chosen to lead the Conservative Party will be the next prime minister of Canada. That the leadership race is important in the schem4 of Canadian politics is not the point of contention. The tone of the ,t'aIe, has been healthy in recent weeks but the leadership struggle got off to a bad start with allegations or delegates meetings being packed by candidates and organizations. It did little to reinforce the fears of Canadians that the political game is somehow tainted and sinister in nature: By the -same token, the players of that game are suspect as well. �, Perhaps, to a .lesser degree, the leadership race has detracted from the basic concept of democracy by em- phasizing the importance Of the leader: The leader is vital to the success of. the party but the race is undermining the importance of the democratic system. Basically, people should be served by the inc�f duals they elect and not by parties and'theirleaders. The basic thrust of the -democratic system suggests that people elect the representative of their choice to speak on their behalf at the government level. While,a leadercan certainly t lite and elevate the status of a party it is the,andividually elected representative who should carry the concerns of his constituents before the government. -'The system could stand some definite changes but leadership races can still inject a measure of excitement into a staid scene. - Farmland wasted in north The Leamington Post says that Ontarko is the proud possessor of more than half the Class One farmland in the country. It is the very best soil for 'growing food in all of Canada. Unfortunately, almost.au of that prime farmland is in southern Ontario where 25 per cent,. of Canadians want to live and work. This situation should present' a moral dilemma for the provincialgovernment. It has'not! The record shows that government ministers have not spent a great many sleepless 'nights worrying about the foodlands of tomorrow: Whenever guidelines have been developed to preserve :certain agricultural lands, ways have been found to break those guidelines=for this residential development, that industrial dump, those new factories. r' Paving in the name of progress irfevitably seem? to supersede the policies of preservation. O But if a government can't preserve existing land, then it will open new land. For instance, it would seem molt logical to save what's left of the Niagara Peninsula fruitlands and direct growth elsewhere. Instead, the pavement Continues to creep into the vineyards of the peninsula, while scientists try to develop hardier strains, of grape vines and peach trees to grow in a less favorable, climate. Logic has no place in politics. Here's another for instance: Northern Ontario's limited food growing potential is certainly worthwhile. We are going to need, in the long run; all the food -producing land we can find. In -the short run, agricultural expansion in the --north will help bolster the northern economy while helping Ontario attain the government's stated goal of food self- sufficiency. Still, that's only,one small step forward for agriculture in Ontario, while many big steps are being - taken backwards in the south.:... _ ,,. • Salute to scouting. By Dave Sykes DEAR READERS' SHIRLEY KEI,LER Sometimes it's difficult to write a column. Sometimes I just don't feel like it - or sometimes " I just can't think of a suitable subject. But this week, I've got both problems - the double whammy Icall it. What do you do when4-you don'tfeel like writing? Write anyway. 1 And what dol -you do when you can't think of anything to write about? Invent something. So here goes nothing.R , First of all, I'm noticing that every community throughout Huron County (and elsewhere for that matter) is raising property taxes. Much of the problem, of course, comes from increased education costs to the local taxpayers. The usual way of handling Lsuoh news at the local level is for the town or township facing the increase to reduce other municipal spending to offset some of the increase -.thereby holding the total tax bill to a reasonable hike. For instance, towns will put offstreet repair or certain capital expenditures to reduce the tax burden as much as possible. At the school board level, the same philosophy is applied. Things like salaries and tran- sportation and supplies are fixed "e'"kpenses that must be met at any cost - so school boards too, .-- '- cut costs by delaying repair and maintenance costs to buildings in their jurisdiction. Apparently hospitals do the same sort of budgeting. While visiting at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital recently, I noticed' the walls in the room I was in were badly in need of paint. Makes one °wonder just what we're going to look like in this province 10 years from now unless someone can put a lid on day to day operating expenses .... or find an influx of tax "free forgivable money fromasome source or another. $$ While we're talking about propertyalces, it was interesting to hear last week how many municipalities are suffering the effetts of higher welfare costs. Some municipal welfare budgets are oyer -spent by more than 50 percent, with the extra money coming directly from the property owners' pockets. • Some legislators are calling again for a halt to this kind of budgeting. ;They say property taxes should pay for services to property, and income taxes should pay for services twpeople. It's been a political football for many years, but all indications are that the Davis government has shelved this kind of tai reform because of its far-reaching implications to political careers. Such a move would be hotly debated and would raise the hackles on many taxpayers' backs who are now quite satisfied with the system as it stands. The bills ?iilst be paid - but it does make a big difference from which pot the payments are drawn. All taxpayers aren't alike, you see. Here in Goderich, I believe something like one or two percent of the total municipal taxes 'collated go to parks. And this spring as I look around the community, I can honestly say I feel that money is well spent. • . I've been noticing trees this spring that are just beginning to make a showing. The newest subdivisions in town are getting that established look. The starkness is fading thaiks to the town's m excellent tree planting progra. The entrance to Industrial Park is absolutely elegant with its flowering trees on the south side of Huckins Street. And I couldn't help thinking how attractive thatroad will be at this season • fve years from ., p t • -144 Scatter -gunning like leaves me room in the column this week to vent some of my emotions about smokers who indulge everywhere, par- ticularly ,close quarters where I must 'remain. with them. I'm not really a prude abort smoking. I don't ,have any trouble with the moral aspect of smoking. I don't concern myself with the right or wrong of smoking - nor do 'I think smoking is more acceptable for men than for women, for old than for young.. But 1 really do believe there's' enough .-documented evidence to prove that smoking can be harmful to the health - and I know there are many, many smokers who suffer chronic respiratory problems and wish they could kick the habit of the weed. I must admit I am surprised by the numbers of well • informed young people puffing away on cigarettes. Probably they are willing to tun the . risk of health problems and lifetime addiction because holding that slender cylinder makes them feel more mature or gives them a sense of adventure, burg the establishment which says smoking is unhealthy, expensive, dirty and undesirable. However, I really do resent it when smokers - male, female, young, old - indulge their habit°in my air space. It's physically debilitating to me. I cough.' My nose and eyes run. I'm choked up so -- that Ican hardly. breathe. I'm in distress. Please smokers - consider this rule which I found to be a delightful compromise. If you must smoke, don't exhale. 4, Many Goderich residents felt startled and somewhat uneasy reading a week ago that a motorist had been harassed in town to the extent that she thought it necessary to seek police protection. In our town? We take our safety for granted at all times and want to continue to do so. . . The incident as well as the subsequent reaction and attention merit a closer look on two accounts. Firstly - the reported, treat- ment of the case by the Police Commission seems to have an element missing. Secondly ....the policing of our community in general and of the Square in particular appears to be a subject which pops up on the municipal scene periodically, accompanied by expres- sions of partly conflicting public and official attitudes. Do we help or discourage our police? It is a commonly accepted premise that every case has at least two sides. I should' have expected the Commission to hear all the parties involved before even discussing the case, let, alone drawing conclusions or suggesting t°medies. Whilst the Chief was able to give explanations of a more general nature, he had not been on the scene on the night in question. I am disappointed that the Commission did not think it necessary to in- vite the officer directly involved. That is the missing element to which I have referred above. . ° It is humanly entirely''possible that the ladyin questron may have over -reacted a bit when she - felt that all the noisy and objec- tionable Activities were directed at her per- sonally. It is quite usual for people to become somewhat nervous and even frightened when they find themselves unex- - •pectedly in the middle of an unfamiliar and noisy crowd scene, particularly involving a different age level. Did the lady's letter contain an expression of appreciatio'i and thanks for the extraor- dinary courtesy, concern and co-operation she received when the officer took the time out of the busy night's duties to accompany her to her home out of town? Did the Com- mission 'indicate that it was pleased with this civility? The Square is crowded, noisy and at times rowdy; it is a gathering place of mostly young people at night. However, they do not descend- upon us from other planets; they come from our homes and families; the degree of respect they show ,may well be a reflection of our own attitudes. The annual reports submitted by Chief King show clearly that it is not the Square, however, where most of our criminal ac- tivities and offences take place. Yet there is the ever-present request that Chief King "keep a closer check on his officers to make sure The Square was being properly policed at all times." As if all the other areas - from the Industrial Park to the Waterfront Park and everything between them - did not merit equal protection! An officer on foot patrol on the Square is of no help to the man or woman whose business or home has a break-in elsewhere. Not counting the Chief, there are nine of- ficers on the Goderich police force. If you consider that these nine provide 24-hour pro- tection to the whole town seven days a week, it is quite obvious that they cannot be everywhere all the. time. Our expectations must be realistic. Speaking of "attitudes", perhaps we should start with our own. How fair and constructive is it? And what sort of message is the Commis- sion sending to the man in the uniform? Ask- ing him to walk around the Square is asking him to become "closer" to the community. Then telling him in the same breath that he must keep his "distance" in order to have respect -is -more confusing tha :-legicai and helpful. I expect the police to be on the ball. I just think that to make the system work really well and in our favour we ought to look at our end of it with equally critical eyes. P.S. I am in a quandary. Recently I have written about police, water system expan- sion, municipal conflict of interest, etc. I have the feeling that they do not count as "women's 'i.4bues". Are they inen's issues then? Or are they simply human and com- munity issues of concern to both sexes and is that not the real message? ELSA HAYDON 4