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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-10-23, Page 491, 9 l.. iS i;. w `St to be oar a the f teal to W o . io th basel eh k pions efi tits I dl,�.. tt... ,, e:i�>itl ll sttla>rsystelua, a�;t bgtlt �p umnist north of the equator w o neglected•`to offer a few bon mots on the situation :`�. ,., Journal,ists_, and more appropriately, col- umnists, are trained to recognize societal trends and offer poignanat commentary with a dash of witticisu. It's ;u basic but vital component of the job. Oh, there were to be the usual two or.three paragraphs on the incidentals of the game, pitching, hitting, a comparative look at the teams' speed on the basepaths, depth, the relative merits of sacrificing, a one - sentence hi -depth look at the managers, vague.>,and sweeping generalties about the bullpens, a hitter's ineffectiveness at the plate and other irrelevant and irresolute bits. With those incidentals out of the way, a writer could get to the heart of the matter in 're PvTfPM!7MM•'t DT: a la lint ' , :FIs1st, of t1 avant Issues outside the baseball fid, e to lal, forcesthat ulti attely shaped. lie game.,pr o' duce(' the o ea. a well before the game' was ev >l played, We we e9,treated to store about 'player's families, examining the human element behind the Cold, calculated world of baseball statistics, We were treated to stories about the humble beginnings of the Jays' Dominican Republic players. We were treated to comments from player's mothers who flatly commented that, "my boy caught 'that ball. He don't lie." on controversial plays. We were even given a glimpse of a player's wife who was to give birth any se- cond, uriced tO toy a► -algid Gem,; � dl'li,i o onptta vilsitok f Ma to veil's ;t t xbibl tion Staditun ? 1 J The possibfty existed. How often'wouldrthe Unbind by pressed, into service to clear the accumulationof snow from the playing surface and would this be the first,'championship in which players wore doves on both hands? Would the umpiring crew be given up the minute visibility readings? These were important questions in the minds of the media and Americans. And while the WPatIIPrr iw,AC a., sinminnnf Dube. icor '• �N ,„ � 'i ala liedaaadociielot t , plf ignolrr {r o tJi I r t iii h1a �, r.a n?i�fi*l•-as:: , e' r f . � ,'� rbc- i, ma mannered and reserved. `erha s stu Some writers speculated thatCana fans, , ble to relate to a game withapt ice surf ce, ignorantly sat on t teir Nods.* stead of cheering. I, too, had intended to eiiplore ,tbat speculative b t nontheless, compelling aspect of the ga e. In fact, these 'grey bits would have touch- ed all the aforementioned significant issue. But, the blue Jays lost, and I am left With feathers in my mouth. Opinion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH Si DISTRICT SINCE 1848 oaerich SIGNAL -STAR P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK OODERICH, NT. NBA 4B8 EBT ALL POUND COMMUNITY NewBPAPEP IN CANADA IGraJaoon Clens 3500 ,b()(:)1 C C Banter Newspaper Compeuaon 1984 PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded In 1848 and published every Wedneedsy at Ooderlch, Ontario. Member cif the CCNA and OCNA. Subscriptions payable In advance 822.00, (Senior Citizens 819.00 privilege card number required] In Canada, 850.00 to U.S.A., 880.00 to s11 other countries, Single poples BOC. Olapley. National end Classified advertising .retest available on request. Please ask for Rete Card No. 18 effective October 1, 19135. Advertlaing le accepted on the condition that In the event of is typographical error, the advertising .ni ud by the arroneoust item, together with the reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged Por but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for et the applloeble rate. In the event of e typographical error advertising goods or services et o wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertiesing la merely an offer to eel', and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal -Star 1e not responsible for the lone or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materiels used far reproducing purposes. President and Publisher ROBERT G. SHRIER Editor Advertising Manager DAVE SYKES DON HUBICK FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone [S19)524-2914 Second class mail registration number 0716 Member: eNA �an� Does three-year term scare off candidates VI EXPLOSIVES vice is our Business There is nothing like a good old fashioned election to get things stirred up in a municipali- x-rtN But if you take the time to compare notes with a senior citizen of any area municipality, they will duly inform that elections of years gone by were truly municipal affairs. Everyone got involved. It is now mere speculation on whether or not the government's move to three-year terms has helped or hindered the municipal government system w Ontario. Urban politicians will argue that the three-year term of office is appealing in that it pro- vides for a measure of political security and also lends itself to a more stable form of government. The argument offered is that it takes a new councillor at least a year to become comfortable with the job and one must presume that that councillor is much more effective after the initiation period. it's a reasonably sane argument for urban municipal governments who often are involved in long-range planning with respect to road and sewer systems and other hard services. It ensures that a measure of continuity is maintained and for the most part, continuity is welcome. Of course, if a would-be politician discovers the job to be more than he or she envisioned, it becomes a tedious exercise over a three-year period. In that case the options are to stick it out and perforin as capably as possible, or resign and allow a more willing worker to con- t ribute to the process of government. Hut there are rumblings in the rural municipalities that the three-year commitment to polo ice has had an adverse effect on the number of candidates seeking election. There were few elections in local townships with the advent of the three-year term in 1982. This election, many township councils have been returned by acclamation. The three-year commitment to political service is an arduous one and it must be given due consideration. What it has effectively done, is weed out the candidates who had a bone to pick with a certain aspect of the municipality's operation. One issue politicians aren't sur- faciiig as much these days. Only those who are dedicated to and willing to serve the public of fertilely names for nomination. Iasi week. two neighbouring townships held ratepayer's or nomination meetings. The tur- nout was sparse and those in attendance were largely residents with fond memories of what rnlnunat ion meet rngs used to be like. Now it's difficult to get candidates to run let alone seduce people into corning out to ratepayers' meet rngs, it was recalled that everyone had his or her say at the meetings that often went into the wee hours of the morning and contained a good deal of controversy. 'Miers has been considerable interest in municipal politics in the town of Gnderich and while there is not an election for mayor, reeve and deputy -reeve, 11 interested citizens will Vie for six council seats. That indicates there is a keen interest in the way the town is run arid that people are taking initiative to preserve what they believe in. i 1;'"'i(Ilc�l (dt11(tts,t>lirf�ca �rdltxard of educatiand on trusteesship, will have to make selections with respect ,71lnlc w111 be asked to vote only for a board of education trustee while town 11 idlI111 . w111 select councillors, PITC conunission members and board of education trusted s it's still important. Make an informed decision .i).S. A real blast By Todd Mowatt Sugar and Spice By Bill Smile TIME some of my readers had a go at me: good, bad, or indifferent. To tell the truth, most of them are indifferent, but I still have hopes of building my fan mail from three or four a week to maybe 10. I'll just take them as I pick them off the pile. Way back, a chap called Jeff Elliott wrote to the Belle River North Essex News. It goes away back to a Father's Day col- umn, written with tongue in cheek. I guess it was too far in for Mr. Elliott. Anyway, I'll quote bits: "... obviously he is a chauvinistic fool." He goes on to say that without women in the labor force Toronto would financially collapse. So? Let it collapse. It wouldn't be the end of civilization, as we know it. He also accuses me of attacking the Queen and her family. I have never attacked the Queen in my life. Here's a cute little note from Mary Shantz (I think), but I've lost the address: "As a rule, a man's a fool When it's hot, he wants it cool. When it's cool, he wants it hot, Always wanting what is not." I don't know what triggered that one, but I agree, wholeheartedly. A !overly letter from Lilian Bumford of Sheffield, England, who reads me in the Georgetown Independent, a senior citizen: "When I come at Christmas, come to dinner and I'll get Pat to make you a Yorkshire Pudd." Bless you, Lilian. I presume Pat is your daughter. Maybe I should check with her. Can we have Brussels Sprouts? Here's another lady so mad she didn't even sign her name, just "I am an insulted reader." Apparently I had made some remarks about today's loose morals. Her letter is long and indignant, but i'll quote just a bit: "Maybe there were a few who in- dulged in pre -marital sex. BUT the girls in those days had the strength of character to say NO to the boyfriends and mean it." You're right, lady. They not only had strength of character, but they could almost break your wrist before dropping it back in your lap. Here's a nice change. It's signed: "Gentle reader," Stonewall, Manitoba. He (or she) wants me to stir things up. Again, it's a long letter, but thoughtful and intelligent: "Why aren't young children still taught at an early age the precepts and homilies we were taught .. if good, like evil, grows with a small first step shouldn't our children be presented with small and gentle choices ear- ly in their schooling? Is there any reason why this is avoided in our schools?" And a little further on: "is there some reason why this is so carefully avoided in our schools?" No wonder you didn't sign the letter, Jack. You wound like that idiot in Alberta. In the first place, it is not the job of the teacher to teach morals. He/she teaches a subject and at the same time tries to pass along a certain standard of ethics, decent manners and how to avoid stinking in public. Morals are for parents. And they, be- ing what they are, are noticeably lacking in training. Don't lay it on the teachers. And whose morals are we discussing? Maybe mine aren't so great, but they're mine, not somebody else's. And the kids know it. I never tried to impose some `morals' belonging to someone else. Enough. I could go on about that for hours. Here's a sweet letter from Ingrid Bassett from Georgetown who assures me that they have none of that new-fangled stuff (videos, microwaves, etc.) and has asked me for din- ner or breakfast or lunch: "Your thoughts are echoes. Life is so simple, yet so com- plicated. I used to work for Peter Newman, but your philosophy is simple." Well, thanks a lot, Ingrid. Here's another one from Bob Love, Clive, AltaHe lost his wife, too and urges me to marry again, as he had, and have a happy life. Bless you, Bob, and may you be happy. I couldn't. You've earned it, with all those tough years farming. And another from Bill Baird, Petersfield, Man. He's 78. "A good column is next to a good editorial. Sure, there's lots of news col- umns. We read, or let them go by. Facts have an uncanny way of being wrong a cou- ple of years later ... At 78 I feel I've been through it all ... from bush clearing, the horse age, hundreds of good beef cattle, then dairy cattle." Good health, Bill. Sweetest letter of all came from the Amherstburg Echo, signed by Andrea D'Angelo (reporter, 27 years old) and Anne Eldracher (secretary, 19 years old). It was so nice that I can't quote it or I'd go all red. In short, it accused me of having morals and principles. Such an accusation makes me break out in bumps. Thanks, kids. And the most frightening missive of the past few months has been one from my daughter. Get this: "Nikov said he necked with a girl before leaving Bracebridge. Not just a goodnight kiss, but an actual necking session! If he's doing that at 11..." Well, it's better than dope, I guess. The on- ly reason I didn't do it was that I didn't have the nerve. So. now we know who our candidates are. All we have to do is some homework, in order to be able to select well and wisely the p.'rsons to represent us effectively on the municipal council, public utilities commission, and the board of education, for the next three years. The election day is Tuesday. Nov. 12, so there is not much time to lose. Ovei the years you may have heard the rather disillusioned observation that it does not really matter who is on the council. The garbage will he picked up. in order to encourage improvements and progress, from time to time it is necessary to suggest or promote changes, even to express criticism of a public official's actions or attitudes, but being bitterly cynical and negatively remote contributes nothing at all to our own public well being. It matters very much who represents us. It maters on the council, on the commission, on the hoard. Whilst our private lifestyles are ours alone to determine, there is a collective tone of public lifestyle and spirit by which our town i:, kno and which can enhance or reduce our personal enjoyment and participation in several ways. Many of us feel at home only in a progressive, attractive and open atmosphere. Let us make sure that we keep the good of the past and build on it with timely additions. Some positions are gained by acclamation. This can mean several things. One is never quite sure whether to congratulate a person who comes to occupy a public chair without the stimulation and mental stretching of competition. Is it a welcome sign of automatic approval of one person's name and abilities? Is it an expression of indifference, or worse, where nobody else wants to be bothered with a particular position in which active individuals ]night expect to find themselves facing unnecessary frustrations and barriers of jealously guarded status quo. Yes, indeed I am thinking of the county council, not with resignation, but with a great deal of interest and hope. Mayor Eileen Palmer returns unopposed for another term. Many people will agree with me when I say that there is a message in that acclamation of which Mayor Palmer has reason to be proud, because she has earned the recognition for a job well done during the passing term. At the beginning, there were signs of trying to run too many municipal affairs singlehandedly, of being what I call "dictatorial", of not showing enough sensitivity for the needs and the rightful place of the other council members. For this Mayor Palmer was criticized and she was able to take it constructively. As a close and interested observer of the municipal scene, I have followed with pleasure how Mayor Palmer has grown into and with the position. Some of the unproductive earlier divisions on the council have been turned into attentive and positive participation. Difficult and potentially explosive situations have been handled with calm intelligence. Mayor Palmer has convinced us that she is the right mayor for the right time. I have chosen this occasion to congratulate Mayor Palmer, not on her acclamation, but because she deserves to be acclaimed. A couple of paragraphs ago I referred to past divisions on the council. i ha3ten to add ELSA HAYDON that, while some petulant personality rifts can be time consuming in a negative way and are best avoided, different personalities with differing views on issues can have a very positive place and effect on municipal bodies. It is right that public matters should be viewed and reasoned from a variety of perspectives, with a variety of styles. Unity should not be confused with sameness. Unity for the sake of unity can mean stagnation. On federal and provincial levels, public representatives lose much of their identity, as they are in most cases governed by party discipline and policies. On these levels, there is also an official opposition keeping all bodies on their toes and minds sharpened in anticipation of questioning from a different point of view. Similar attitude is sometimes mistakenly attributed to municipal representation on councils, boards and commissions where the emphasis algid responsibility is rightly and entirely on the individual. There is no party policy, no official opposition. The internally differing views . and public (including media) checks constitute a degree of natural opposition, for the purpose of balancing and reflecting a variety of philosophies and lifestyles in the community. Returning to my earlier point - it is very important who will represent_ us on municipal bodies. Need I say more?