HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-05-08, Page 4SYKES
e'.
All the Wog htwe changed...
Harely Premier Frank MYiiller uttered that
preciseprecept ?Friday morning at p• news
conference in Braeebridge after his party
had fallen final the dizzying heights of 42'
yea in ppwe*'
kits campaign, In which party organke's
claiined Ntiller was taken to MAO feet and
uneet'en(lolliously dumped without a
parachute, was. aaved from the final atrophy
of complete defeat by the narrowest of
margins,
When all the ballets had been verified,
Miller elttng to power with 52 of the
Legislature's 125 seats while the Liberals
rallied behind David Peterson for 48 seats
and the New Democrats filled 25 seats.
And while political pundits scrambled to
unscra able Miller's message Friday with
respect to the funding of Catholic high
schools, when he said he couldn't guarantee
the passage of legislation, he was right in
one respect.
All therules have changed. Mostly for the
Conse .atives.
We've lived through minority
gov h ments in recent years. Good
gove ' ent that churned out productive
legislation and retuned. Pavia with a
sweeping majority.
But at least in a wipority situation all
three parties have to listen to the voters of
the province. It tends to produce
goverment by co-operation rather than
government by arrogance and divine right.
The voters of Onlariornade a statement in
the election and the translation tends to
differ with each columnist and news story.
The conservatives~ are in a position where
they will have to play' eo-operative .politics
or relinquish that divine right.
While they still hold the Majority of seats
in the Legislatw'ea the votersmade it clear
that it was time four change, But, considering
the Liberals reapetd48 seats and the NDP 25,
there was no clear winner. The vote was
divided among the three parties and the
voters have thus demanded the parties
govern co-operatively with no one party
having power. •
The key to the scenario may be NDP
leader Bob Rae, who ran a fine campaign
and but is now finding himself in a losing
situation. The poor fellow can't win.
While the Liberals made expansive gains
at the expense of the Conservatives, the
"ehaynpp really
didn't
idn't extend
xtena into tap's
equip' jilsfarty :gain a pa1ery tot>#ir 4t
over their px-e�lona hQ�;ngs, hardly 1t ly ma1or
breakthrough.
If Peterson and Rae are .serious about
some of the things they offered in , the
campaign then they will have ter co blrlp
forges to topple Miller's govern ant, That
"
vote of non Confidence could el<nanate eithdr'
from the throne speech or the government'.
budget.
Initially the party leaders are talking, of
co-operative and productive ggvernment.
Peterson has already ruled out the
possibility of a coalition government
because of fundamental differences
between thLiberals and NDPs.
The .po �'ularity of the conservative party
and Frank Miller is suspect at, this point and
if Peterson and Rae are going to make a
move, they may choose to capitalize on the
situation and bring the government down
quickly.
Who knows, if Miller is given a chance at,
minority government, he just may rebuild
his image and earn the trust of Ontarians.
What was billed as a ho-hum election has
made for an interesting week.
THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT
SINCE 1848
Founded in 1843 and publlahad every Wednesday at Dederick, Ontario. Member of tiro GCA and OCf5A.
Subecriptioae payable in advance '20.95, (Senior Citizens '17.85 privilege card number required) in Cenade, S 5.
to U.S.A., '55. to ail other countries, Single copies 50e. Display, National and Classified advertising rates
available.= request. Please ask for Rate Card No. 18 effective October 1, 1884. Advertising is accepted an the
condition that In the event of a typographical error the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item,
together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged fur but that balance of the advertisement
will be paid for at the epplicabte rate. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or earvloee et a
wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to Gell, and may be withdrawn at
any time. The Signal -Star is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other
materiels used for reproducing purposes.
PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED
ROBERT G. SHRIER -- President and Publisher
DQN HUBICK - Advertising Manager
•
DAVE SYKES - Editor
tine P.O.
P.Q. BOX EEO
HUCKINS ST.
INDUSTRIAL PARK
OODERtCH, ONT. N7A 4B6 SV0.04.1
Member:
Second class
mail registration
number 0716
FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...pleeee phone [619)6E4-2614
A vote for change
The dramatic results of the Ontario general election Thursday suggests Ontarians
were voting for change.
Over 60 per cent of the voters in the province delivered the message that change was
needed after 42 years of Conservative rule.
But, while the message may have been clear, the outcome of the election was not. The
Conservatives, underieader Frank Miller managed to maintain a minority government
winning 52 seats in the Legislature compared to 48 for the Liberals and 25 for the New
Democrats.
• The Conservatives lived through do minority governments during the time Bill Davis
headed the party but the party's third minority situation does not sit as well.
Ostensibly, that the Liberals under David Peterson were able to pick themselves up off
floor and win 48 seats speaks more of the attitude of the electorate than the charisma of
Peterson. The vote was one of change.
Miller's campaign ran into problems early and the troubles seemed to mount to the
point where the damage was irreversible. An otherwise lacklustre 37 -day campaign;
reached a feverish pitch over the final week'as it became obvious the Conservatives were
losing contact with the electorate.
From his refusal to a televised debate with Peterson and Bob Rae, through to his an-
nouncement that the government would take care of conservative ridings, Miller
alienated the voters of Ontario. Add -the accusations of Archbishop Lewis Garnsworthy of
Toronto that the decision to fund Catholic high schools by William Davis was like a
decree from Hitler, and it made for an interesting finale.
The question of funding was never really an issue as the threeparties were in basic
agreement with the concept.
There are a few options available to all three party leaders in the Legislature and it
will be interesting to see what develops. If Miller is able to get support from the New
Democrats, he will be in a position to govern.
But just because he enjoys a margin of four seats over his nearest rival does not mean
Miller has to form the government of the province. The other parties could form a coali-
tion government as representative of nearly two-thirds of the electorate of Ontario.
_-Buten unity government ha.s worked wain the past and there is no reason to suggest
that the parties cannot maintain some semblance of order in the -Legislature -for several
months.
Former Liberal Leader Robert Nixon worked with the Conservatives and Bill Davis
during two minority terms before being soundly defeated. In retropsect, Nixon suggests
he should have challenged the minority government.
Both Peterson and Rae will have to make some serious decisions within the next sitting
o� theTegis a ur . Iae-rrrary-belfl-the-ba - • • • er but it's obvious his party was not
viewed as an alternative to Tory rule. Either a throne speech or a binge wou
the ammunition for a confidence vote in the Legislature and if Miller can't survive then a
change would be in order.
1 1' I
Family fishin'.
By. Dave Sykes
POSTSCRIPT
SUSAN HUNDERTMARK
It hasn't been long since I dreaded or any of the other problems that seem so in -
Mother's Day. Advertisements reminding surmountable when you're a teenager.
me to show my appreciation for Mom with a Knowing how much she enjoyed a good
gift of flowers, chocolates, clothes, perfume story, I used to collect funny incidents and
or even just a card, used to hit a vulnerable retell them when I got home from school.
spot. They screamed at me that I didn't Her face would light up with delight as she
have a mom to show my appreciation for imagined the scene even when I knew I
since she died June 14, 1982. wasn't conveying the story half as well as
• Since I'm the extremely sentimental type I'd planned. Even at her funeral I found
of person who sends Valentine's cards, myself collecting these stories before it hit
Easter cards and even April Fool's Day me that my audience was gone.
cards, I'm still drawn to the Mother's Day Story -telling was an important part of our
cards. And, I still wince when I remember relationship. Every so often, we'd begin a
once more that I wont be needing one. marathon talking session after school when
But, with time (it's been almost three I'd sit enthralled by family stories long after
years), I've gotten tougher. Mother's Day my father had left for work on the night
doesn't cause any tears anymore because ih shift, the usual supper hour had passed and
a way, I celebrate it almost everyday with a we continued to talk in the dark. (We -would
thought or a memory of my Mom. be so involved in our talk, we'd forget to turn
A co-worker of mine was recently surpris- on the lights.
ed when I told her my mother is dead. While During those sessions, we'd talk about
sharing stories of our lives, I have related so everything under the sun and beyond. And
many stories about my Mom, I guess she from that, I gained the sense that I could ac -
continues to live through those stories; my complish just about anything I wanted to try
co-worker thinks so. with,my parents' whole -hearted support.
.'-Ws-notthat-anyonie, other than my family, My Morn also had a strong sense of justice
friends and me would think lily- With par ' h--=She--w-oul:d.express after she'd read
titularly exceptional. But to me, she was
one of my best friends and a pretty enter-
taining and supportive friend at that.
Always full of life and mischief, she could
be counted on to grab an oversized hat and
begin to rhumba around the living room
---whene-ver a camera wasaimed her way. She
could always extract asee—from me g-With_the-good memories sometimes
matter how depressed I was about school come the bad, however. I also reme ez --
examinations, my love life (or. lack of one) how just before my Mom's death, I was in a
the newspaper from cover to cover or dur-
ing my school projects on Martin Luther
King or the suffragette movement. As I got
older, 1 didtet always agree with her ideas
but I always admired ( and may have in-
herited) the passion with which she held her
views.
stage of rebellion when 1 questioned
everything my Mom and I had previously
agreed to be right. Some long, loud and
gorey battles resulted in injured feelings on
both sides. I've come to realize our battles
were all part of me (a•dependent k -id) grow-
ing up and struggling for some in-
dependence.
When I think about it, my Mom did a pret-
ty good job. My sisters and I have all set out
to accomplish what we want out of life with
a reasonable amount of confidence we'll
succeed. But, now that we're all adults and
her major role of mothering is over, I regret
I'll never be able to develop a relationship
with my Mom which is more friend to friend
than mother to child.
I'd love to take my Mom out to a nice
restaurant (and pay), take her for a
weekend of shopping. in Toronto or go with
her to a movie or play. With my growing
adult perspective on the world, I'd like to
continue our long talks, recognize our com-
mon experiences as women and ask her opi-
nion on issues I never though of as a child
And, if and when I ever experience mar-
riage or motherhood myself, I'd like her ad-
vice. (I might not agree with everything, of
_course) _. --"•--
Instead, I satisfy my needs by seeking out
my Mom's characteristics in myfriends and
relatives compiling my Mom from their
various parts. And, the strong impression
she made on me continues to affect my deci-
sions even though she's not around.
Mother's Day has become a day like any
ottiertlay-when-I think-about.and ceiebrata_____
my with my Mom.
Cats is gorgeous, brilliant and fantastic.
Cats is fabulous, dazzling and splendid. Its
wondrous whimsy makes you smile; its
fragile moments quietly bring you tears; its
sophisticated technological effects make
you gasp in surprise and delight; in its feline
personalities you get glimpses of yourself in
a range of human bravado and frailties.
When I went to see the Toronto production
of Cats last week, I expected to enjoy a first
class theatrical performance. I was wrong.
I was totally overwhelmed by a powerful ex-
perience in which all the elements of
creative chemistry came together, in order
to transport the audience to the world of
magic from where one returned at the end
with almost a physical thump, but still
aglow with some secret and intimate in-
spiration.
Cats is the most spectacular show ever
seen in Toronto or in Canada. It is going to
be difficult to top the quality. Cats is also the
most expensive show; when you attend, you
will see why this is inevitable. It has been
said of Cats that its weakest moments are
"merely excellent".
Cats is a lavish extravaganza whose ex-
cesses never become vulgar. Through all
the sense of fare it retains b shape of contain-
ed elegance and a style of literate wit, based
as it is on T.S. Eliyt's -Old Possum's Book
of Practical Cats". Cats has something for
everyone.
Apart from everything else, the per-
formers' physical stamina alone is
remarkable. A Toronto critic described that
Cats is "alive with some of the most
strenuous, brutal and exhilarating show
dancing that is physically possible". At the
same time the show demands vocal ex-
cellence from the actors who also execute
these elaborate dance routines. When it
reaches the audience,,, every accomplish-
ment looks effortless, graceful, polished.
The show has cats who are reserved and
aloof, cats who are deceitful ands
mischievous. The rambunctious Rum Turn
Tugger is dynamite in sound and sight. The
bedraggled, one-time gllatnour cat
Grizabella breaks your heart even before -
she utters her first sound. Macav'ity, the -
master criminal cat; Bustopher Jones, the
cat about town; the sleek and sensuous
Siamese cat; Gus (short for Asparagus), the
theatre cat, and others who are just as
remarkable and memorable.
And of course, "uses there ever a cat so
clever .as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees", the
Original Conjuring Cat. 1 am sure that such
a talented and eccentric black cat lives right
here on Lighthouse Street; we have
discreetly and distantly met during some of
my walks in town.
Whether you love cats or are indifferent to
them; whether you have attended dozens of
performances of all kinds or have never set
a foot in a theatre before - this show will not
fail to grab you, through the exuberance of
the twenty six "fabulous tabbies" who
celebrate the "mystical divinity" of felinity,
and beyond.
The high-tech visual displays of lights and
movement culminate in the on-stage lift-off
of a "vehicle of heavenly transport" without
any visible support, accompanied by the au-
dience's collective gasp of astonishment and
incredulity. It has been said that a special
chemistry of artistry has lifted the produc-
tion of Cats from an ordinary hit to a theatre
phenomenon. The show has had four sold -
out years in, London, three on Broadway,
with sold-oitt productions in other major
cities, including Tokyo. I am not surprised.
Lloyd Webber's beautiful score turns Cats
into a magnificent musical. The melody of
Jellicle cats at the Jellicle ball, is still hum-
ming in my head. Jellicle cats? If you have
not met any Jellicle cats, it is your loss. I am
saving up to visit them again.
ELSA HAYDON