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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-09-21, Page 4kN PCNA BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1983 Second class mail registration number 0716 ktAa ve Sykes 41.011 vacation this week rood in his place, the Slgn$ r presents a column hy Peter. True, anchorman for Global 'News. The origin of words `has always fascinated me. We know the meaning of the words we use everyday, but most of the time we never give a thought to where they came from in the first place. I saw an item on the Broadcast News wire the other day which rekindled my interest in the origins of the language. One word which caught my eye in the BN item was "boycott". It's a relatively new word, it turns out, and it comes from the Ireland of the 11180s after a succession of crop failures. SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT founded In 1694 and published every Wednesday at Oaderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWN*. Adver. rising rates on request. Subscriptions payable On advance '19.80 In Canada, '30.00 to U.S.A.. '50.00 to all other count - tries, single copies SOc. Display advertising rotes available on request. please ask for Rate Card No.18 effective Oc- tober 1, 1982. Second class mail Registration Narrater 0716., Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the scent 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 at the ap- plicable rate. in the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services ata wrong price, goads or services way not be sold. Advertising Is merely on offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal -Star Is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos eV 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 N7A 4B6 Landowners were busy tgvli tenants who were unable to pay their rent. Land League, headed by the great Clear' es Parnell, came up with a new tactic, Ostracism. Tn future any landlord threaten- ing eviction could have a choicer he could accept a lower rent or get the silent treat- ment. .. You guessed it: a landlord's 'manager; named Captain Charles Cunningham Boycott, was the test case. when he refused to lower the rent for a tenant he) was evic- ting, they gave him the business. Local shops refused to serve him, his servants left him, and his crops were in danger. In the end, Captain Boycott fled to England, and the word "boycott" became a part of the language. I arnentioned,"boycott" 'to my father,. who gave me a few more. ?Explain" for exam- ple. Prom the Latin 'ex', that is out, and Pl 'anus' which means flat. Thus, explain really means to lay something out flat, where it can be examined and understood. "Panic" is another one. It comes from the French 'panique' and the Greek 'Panikos,' which means of or for the Greek God Pan. When travellers heard what they thought were the sounds of Pan's pipes in the wilderness night, they were afraid, in fact, they "Panicked." "Ketchup" is a good one, It wasn't In- vented by Mr. Heinz apparently. It comes from a Chinese word, pronounced ,aa nearly as I can tell ISE- ESIAP, And it was the, brine that pickled fish It's a hong way'from fish brine to the tomato ketchup we allknow to day, but that's where the word came from. One more for now. "Denim," the stuff that deans are made of. Aain, "denirm'!is French in origin. -It's short for 'serge de Nirrnes,' a cloth made famous in Nimes, a ,city in Southern France. Hence denim really means 'of Nimes. If you're interested, I'll do some more of them someday. That's not news, but that too is reality. FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Road Safety It's September, summer is finally over and we have returned to our regular routines at work and school for another long season. The start up of school again makes this a good time to review our driving and walking habits for our own safety and the safety of others. Each year a new group of youngsters starts to make the daily trek to school and back home again. We want those• journeys to be as safe as possible. One of the first things we should all be on the lookout for again is the big yellow school bus. When following or meeting these buses, we must watch for the flashing signal lights that mean 'traffic must stop from both direc- tions while the passengers leave and enter the bus and cross the road. On the streets around town we'll have to keep an eye out for the straggling lines of youngsters either walking or riding their bikes to school and home. The rule of thumb might be to expect the unexpected. Children don't always look before they cross the street, they sometimes dart out into traffic and some of them weave their way down the streets rather unsteadily on new bicycles. If you're driving a car with passengers, make sure everyone is wearing a seatbelt. it was disturbing this sum- mer to see the number of parents who drive around with their children standing up on the front seat beside them. If you want to know how safe that is, just stand something else about the size of your children on the seat and slam on the brakes at 25 miles per hour. Don't turn your children into projectiles. Seatbelt legislation and the subsequent statistics have shown that wearing seatbelts significantly reduces the chance and extent of injuries in collisions and sudden stops. They are useless when left lying on the seat. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're doing your child a favour by sparing them the inconvenience of seatbelts. Of course in any comments on driving safety one has to mention the drinking driver. Our court news is still filled with cases of drinking drivers. Despite the statistics show- ing the numbers of accidents involving drinking and driv- ing, people still don't seem to be getting the message.•The federal and provincial governments are now discussing new stiffer penalties for drinking drivers to help bring the message home. Driver safety mainly involves respecting the safety of others on the road and that of passengers in your own vehicle. If that is done there will be far fewer tragedies resulting from accidents on our highways. ( the Renfrew Mercury) Does old age haunt you? Maybe you are one of those well -adjusted people who can manage to grow old gracefully. Or do you go around pretending to yourself that you are just as young and spry as you ever were and staying as far away from a mirror as you possibly can? To be young at heart and ready for whatever adventures life may have in store is an admirable attitude. In fact the attitude itself often gives rise to long -continued abilities to achieve and succeed when others have taken to their armchairs. it is another matter, however, to be so obsessed with eternal youth that old age becomes an enemy to be fought off at all costs. One oft -repeated TV commercial poses the question, "How old do you think I am.." as the smooth - skinned lady applies the fountain of youth to her face from a bottle of cosmetic cream. The same message in a dozen different forms is repeated day after day. Erasing the signs of approaching mattfrity has become a multi- million -dollar business. The market is huge - as big as all man -and -womankind for those who have a few extra bucks to spend. We have nothing against a woman looking her best as long as she can; we don't mind a man warding off grey hair whenever possible. But to believe that only the young are attractive or successful is folly. The indications of advancing years are not all repulsive. In fact they are usually the signs that those so adorned have lived in this world long enough to have travelled many of its paths of experience and to have accumulated some wisdom along the way. ( Mount Forest Confederate ) Lonely beach by Joanne Buchanan DE s R READERS SHIRLEY KELLER With the results of this year's Terry Fox Run still ringing in our ears - it is estimated that over $2,000,000 has been raised for cancer research after last weekend's events - it may be time to reassess a few attitudes. Doubtless, Terry Fox is one of Canada's best known heroes. The name of the one -legged cancer victim whose determination to run from coast to coast eventually cost him his life, has become a household word among people from all walks of life. As Terry 'hopped' along the highways, he didn't try to cover the fact he was handicapped. His artificial leg was in full view beneath the running shorts he wore. But to be truthful, even that didn't stir the compassion or the imagination of the Canadian people until the spunky young man had covered nearly four provinces and hundreds and hundreds of painful miles. As a nation, we're hard to impress. And maybe we're a bit unemotional ... unsympathetic to the tremendous achievements of ordinary people who accomplish great things in their own way day after day. Remember Dan Alton? The handicapped youngster from London who travelled in his wheelchair to the west coast? His aim was to draw public attention to the handicapped of this country - the men and women, boys and girls who go out every day and get things done for Canada and Canadians despite their physical limitations. But to be honest, Dan's efforts for the han- dicapped fizzled. Oh, he did get some financial support and a little media notice. But in relation to Alton's self-discipline and dedication, the returns on his investment of blood, sweat and tears was minimal. What does it take to move Canadians? Does it take what Terry Fox gave? His life? Last week, the newspapers across the province got a letter from Andria Spindel, Executive Director of the Ontario March of Dimes. That organization has a mandate to work with people who have physical disabilities, and to help them to lead more meaningful lives, not only through employment, but in relationships with all people everywhere. Andria enclosed a copy of a radio commentary delivered by Rob Faulds, sports director for CKSO and CIGM in Sudbury. You may not remember it - hardly anyone knew or cared - but Sudbury was the site of the 1983 Canadian Games for the Physically Disabled. Rob said, "Over 400 athletes from across Canada are participating, as well as a 72 - member team from the United States. There has been little, if any, in the way of national television coverage of these 'games ... no CBC, CTV, or Global cameras poised at poolside. The Globe and Mail, which calls itself Canada's national newspaper, is conspicuous by its 'ab- sence." "Let's be frank," said the outspoken an- nouncer. "Disabled athletics is not pretty. There are limbs missing. Wheelchairs, crutches, ar- tificial legs and arms are common place on the pool deck and centre field. Disabled sports is not glamorous." "I know the Blue Jays and Expos are in pen- nant races. The Pan American Games are un- derway in Venezuela. Canada One is off Rhode Island somewhere and there's tennis in Toronto and time and space are valuable com- modities,"said Rob. "But shouldn't a Canadian championship be held in certain regard because, after all, it is a national championship?" he asked. "It hardly seems fair," said Rob in sum- mation. "The competitors have overcome one disability ... national media, by ignoring this event, have handed them another." It's easy for most of us, like Rob, to putthe blame, squarely on the shoulders of the national media. But let's call a spade a spade. National television, radio and print media give their listeners (readers) what will sell advertising support. It shouldn't be that surprising to most of us. Television, radio, newspapers and magazines are businesses - just like General Motors or IBM. They are in business to make money - and to make money, they require satisfied, paying customers. A good many people forget that ... forget their very real part in the programming of television and radio, in the content of newspapers and magazines. Are we such a jaded people that we revere only whole, perfect bodies and top, record -smashing performances?. Are we so callous we cannot give deserved recognition to people who have per- severed through physical' pain and emotional suffering to make their own special way in this difficult world? Who have excelled in their own way? Who have won their battle with disability, disappointment and disillusionment? I really hope not. Terry Fox made us see past the artificial leg. Past our prejudices. If only for a brief, bitter moment. Surely now our eyes are opened to the needs and the accomplishments of others like him - ordinary folks with lion-hearted determination to succeed despite their limitations. Surely now we can appreciate and applaud their achievements, with or without the hoopla of national media coverage. For these are people who are part and parcel of the fantastic fibre that makes up a nation of citizens who respect hard work and extra effort. And reward it. Goderich town council's response to the new Planning Act appears to be ambiguous and half-hearted. If the council has a plann- ing policy and procedure, it has failed to convey them to the public and to the persons appointed to advise in planning matters. The Act took effect on August 1st this year. It is reasonable to presume that dur- ing the seven years in preparation it worked its way through to some well -justified philosophies and procedures, with public in- terest in mind. if we still find it faulty, let us state so, but let us not pretend that nothing has happened. One of the basic and major changes in the Act is the elimination of the planning boards, "in recognition of the principle that municipal planning involves the making of public policy which should be the respon- sibility of elected municipal councils who are accountable to the electorate for their decisions" (quoted from Guideline 1 1. Even as the new Act places all planning matters and responsinuittes squarely with the municipal council, it allows the council to appoint a planning advisory committee to assist in planning matters, up to a point. For instance, only the council or a committee of council members can hold the required public meetings. The advisory committee does not make decisions; it can only recom- mend. The town council appointed such an ad- visory committee. A by-law was passed on August 15 naming the persons on this com- mittee (former Planning Board members), but the council has not told the committee what it is expected to do or how it should go about it. Th ew advi$ory committee had its first meeting week. In an atmosphere of moderated bewilderment the members gently groped around for a short time, for something more solid on which to focus. Much to my astonishment, even then they did not think of asking for guidelines without which the work is bound to stumble, but con- tinued with the zoning by-law updating where they had left off more than two mon- ths ago as planning board members. It is probably one of the things the council in- tended for the new committee, but the fact is that it never thought of saying this or anything else, in this entirely new game. It has not even appointed a secretary for the committee. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (the parent of the new Planning Act) has been most helpful by preparing and distributing a very good and easy to follow information kit. Among other things it states that "in order to streamline the ad- ministrative process, council should establish rules and procedures for the com- mittee and the reporting relationship between the committee, planning staff or consultant and council." The council has the authority under the Act to assign many kinds of planning duties to the advisory committee — specific plann- ing and rezoning cases, certain categories of cases, recommendations for long term plan- ning policies etc. However, unless it comes up with a clear policy and tells us what it is, nobody knows for sure. Haphazard treat- ment of official business has a way of backfiring sooner or later. The council ought to tell us where a developer or a rezoning applicant is to start — at the council (the main planning body) who may refer the case to the advisory com- mittee, or at the committee level which may lead to situations where the council received "advice" on cases it does not know exist. It bothers me when our official public business is not conducted in a businesslike manner. The Ministry could be questioned on the wisdom of making the provisions of the Act equally applicable to big cities and small towns. Big city aldermen are provided with secretaries and research persons; their small town colleagues occupy only part- time positions. And from my own observation I regret to add that, with the ex- ception of Mayor Palmer, this council acts "more part-time" than any other council in recent memory. ELSA HAYDON