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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-12-04, Page 4is ±lAlgiatl; 'y 1Rl l t ° F'�*'.` !• ,yon as *gill da l�a t t.a' It l ghtl ans, the pots woad: Suggest, are .. p�dfat , , r , per we have trouble . making up our owi ctlllectiye minds about things, or we. tend to require a collective and substantiated,opinil ori on what we should be wearing, eating, 'turning salary and wage', wise, what patty we should be supporting provincially and federally and polls also massage opinions from Canadians on rather delicate matters such as whether or not we wear pyjamas to bed and that sort of risque stuff. In short, we tend to rely rather heavily on polls to determine our fashion tastes, eating habits, preferences, the type of dog food our pets prefer(dry or the makes -its -own -gravy kind) and general lifestyle. If Mr. Gallup can't tell us what's fashionable or what's "really hot" then Canadians simply carry on unaware, We tend to be the last to know. Governments, of both the provincial and federal variety, rely heavily on polls, either to acquire vital information, like whether or Opinion pnfirm or tea Wealth ai'or anti vague about.-. Canadians, t Wt,1)4Ucl has oft i been critical off' the go a ant $ .07'0sse,4with rape,>to n ', Finan,' a Mnii; :ter Mich el W on recently refused to release a public Vinton poll pom- missiained by his department' and conducted earlier this year at a cost of approximately $78,000. Wilson explained that there was '"a particular reason" for not releasing the poll which related to. informat.otl..,.pn, public. policies. . • Dear Mr. Wilson, how will Canadians ever know exaelty how they feel about public policies unless the results of the latest poll THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 GOderich° SST ALL ROUND COMMUNITY NBWIN984CANADArpJeuonpass 350!) 49001C C ^i n BBaurNewspaperCompeueon 1� SIGNAL -STAR P.O. BOX 220 HUCKIN9 9T. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH, ONT. N7A 4BB PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 18413 end published every Wednesday st Ooderlch, Ontario. Member of the CCNA end OCNA. Subscriptions payable in advance 822.00, (Senior Citizens 818.00 privilege nerd number required)) In Canticle, 3360.00 to U.S.A..880.00 to ell other countries, Bingle copies 6OC. Display, National and Classified advertising rates available on request. Please ask for Rate Card No. 18 effective October 1, 1985. Advertising to eccepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising spore occupied by the erroneous item, together with the reasonable allowance r signature, gn t Cha event of will not bee charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the !applicable typographical error advertising goods or services et a wrong price, goods or services may not be said. Advertising is merely en offer to Ball, and may be withdrawntime. The eBLgnel-Star is eriala used fortra responsible producing for the loess or demsgs of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or opurpoees. President and Publisher Editor Advertising Manager ROBERT G. SHRIER DAVE SYKES DON HUBICK FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...pleeee phone [519)524-2B14 Second class mail registration Member: number 0716 eNA CCNA An investment in youth Carl DeGrandis, superintendent of the Bluewater Centre for Young Offenders, was ap- pointed provincial manager of the implementation of the federal Young Offenders Act and thus is conversant with the stengths and inadequacies of the legislation. As superintendent of the Bluewater regional centre, DeGrandis is more than confident that the staff, the setting, and the legislation will have a positive impact on the lives of the 16 and 17 year olds incarcerated there. That the centre, staff and specialized programs will have a positive impact on the residents is not in question if you talk to DeGrandis. It's only a matter of degree. "This is an age group we can still affect positively in order to help them make changes in their lives. We won't be able to make a complete turnaround in the time that we have them, but we believe we can start the process and aid the people who need to carry it on after discharge -parents, teachers, counsellors or whoever." By talking frankly with the residents it is evident they have a certain respect for the facili- ty and the freedoms and programs that now shape their lives. There were certain apprehensions surrounding the prospect of creating the new facility here and no doubt the escape of three residents in September did little to enhance the image of the facility. Also, it has become evident that while much of the reasoning behind the legislation is sound, there are still certain deficiencies. The act stipulates that names and descriptions cannot.be released which put local police and residents in a precarious position. Ontario Solicitor General Ken Keyes suggested that his federal counterpart, Perrin Beat- ty, is rnore than receptive to addressing the inadequacies of the federal legislation. Con- cerns have also been expressed with respect to the section of the act which stipulates that children under 12 cannot be charged with a criminal offence. Police chiefs across the pro- vince have also registered their disatisfaction with logistics in transferring young of- fenders. The young Offenders Act has attempted to deal with the specialized needs of young people across Canada. The Act recognizes that young people too have to be held responsible and ac- countable for their actions but, at the same time, it is taking steps to ensure their rights are protected. To be honest, the Act hasn't been in operation long enough to be subjected to a thorough assessment or review. It at least has to be given the opportunity to do the job for which it was desinged before major changes are made. The opening of the Bluewater Centre here was a chance for local politicians to get a first- hand look at the facility, its residents and the people who work there. DeGrandis is cognizant of the fears and apprehensions in the community and is more than willing to confront them. Ignorance only fuels the fears. Attitude also pl.ys an important role in the way the facility and its residents are perceiv- ed. Many will suggest that the centre and its programs are much too lenient in dealing with persons who have committed serious offences. Before the act, these same people would have been treated as adults but often avoided jail terms as first offenders. No they are being incarcerated and we are trying to reshape their lives. More than an expenditure, we are making an investment in these people and hopefully they will return to their communities from Bluewater as responsible citizens. D.S. as1:, all ow And''1 tort "lto " tin 1hngpltherdsaayte alls with wretched d401 :49#100 e government 'forit's; t'ax agaric , 1, knoinwn thap01t, ope nun r91141109. #ave * ;fpr .of thaw'<; °r da;:.lj !a:pinobscilr'e, but con�ppre+.nstve o; ; n aet, .;today_s standards, a gov'ertllent`has to spend sac figures beforeany�qne takes.a poll, seriously,, Wilson is probably ashamed to release the findings. of -,a puny ' $70,000 ,poll. Canadians would simply scoff at such a paltry payout. I3ut, then,, we're spoiled, We're used to the really big, expensive brand of poll. Polls that have redeeming social value and give us a glimpse of the moral fabric and integri- ty of the people,, Wag, " �'1 .;. We now iui�s�r fit �=11ao�� . as.te. ,, ,fit s , Canadians suspect they should ; using the stuff on their als3a[r i } 5y .f[ The s ey •wa ��to au'.port- thee governments +conte t of that 4 e, Is t toothpaste and. therefore subject. to taxes., The manufacturer says it is a health •pro? duct. ,rr� So, for $50,000, the company surveyed 50 people in shopping malls in Vancouver;. Montreal and Toronto to substantiate;the rumor that Crest is toothpaste. I could have done it for, $100,000 and We would have saved face in the process. The Big Chill By Susan Hundertmar Su ar and Spice Portentous phrases You'll possibly be wondering where and what Bil Smiley has been up to lately. No critical columns on the political scene; no sharp little vignettes on our society; not at- tacks on anybody or anything. Well, I haven't felt up to scratch for a while. And where in the world did "up to scratch" come from? At least it's lasted a long time. That's more than can be said for some of the current mumbo -jumbo. I wonder how long it will take for politicians and ad- ministrators to stop using that portentous phrase, "At this point in time" whenever they open a paragraph and don't know what they're going to say? All it means is, "right now," or "today," but it has a nice, mellifluous, phoney ring to it. Another one that is going to die a sure death, I sure hope, is "The bottom line." There is no such thing as a bottom line. Everyone has a bottom, and unless you've lost both legs at the hip, there's something below that. Even if you haven't, there's something below your feet, and something below that, until we get right down to hell. And there's probably something below that - perhaps a natural gas well - and below that you'll find a couple of Albertans, pumping on some kind of bellows. And they have to be standing on something. So. Where's this famous bottom line? Those expressions will last as long as, "That'll be the frosty Friday," and "All righty." And good riddance. A proper idiom in English must stand the test of time before it is accepted. After all, you can't have your By BiII Smiley cake and eat it, but half a loaf is better than none, unles you want to be up the creek without a paddle. However, I wander, as so often. What really bothers me is not that Mr. Davidson, or Williamson or whatever his name is, backed into the Prime Ministership of On- tario without winning an election, or that Brian Mulroney is going to crack that massive jaw if he doesn't stop grinning for the TV cameras. Those are trivia. What I'd like to get down to is some of the more important social and sociological mat- ters in the press that affect our daily lives. After watching the Blue Jays get their tails clipped, and then the World Series, I was faced with a question that must have an answer: How can baseball players spit so much? You've all seen them. They spit in the dugout. They spit when they come up to bat. They spit if they make it for first. The pit- cher spits. The coach spits. The only one we can't see spitting is the catcher, and he's probably expectorating through his faceguard bars. Where does it all come from? You and I could probably spit twice in a minute, but they spit all the time. 1 know they chew snuff, tobacco and gum, but that doesn't ex- plain it. There's only so much fluid ih the human body, though if you'd ever had dire rear, you wouldn't believe it. How would you like to be trying to steal se- cond, and slip in a great gob of tobacco juice? Perhaps someone could illuminate me on this matter. And while you're at it, ex- plain why they paw the ground continually, like nervous buffalo, getting dirt in their It was disconcerting and unnecessary. At a municipal affairs seminar the episode could serve as an example of how not to chair a council meeting. The last meeting of the outgoing town council deteriorated into a bad scene. It is difficult to understand why Mayor F,jleen Palmer found it necessary to turn a relatively minor adjustment in the commit- tee structure into a major battle of wills. The prolonged confrontation ignored basic democratic principles and trampled on pro- cedural points. It made no good sgnse. Whether the town council works in four or six standing committees is not a subject over which the taxpayers spehd sleepless nights. However, municipal ignorance (real or intentional) and disrespect are unaccep- table, disruptive forces within our elected representation. Over the years several versions of com- mittee structures have been tried and ad- justed without much ado. At the beginning of the term just left behind, the majority of the council went along with Palmer's preference for a reduced committee system. While the new structure Streamlin- ed some areas of work successfully, it became obvious to most close observers that in other subjects the reduction did not work as well as could be expected, leading to confusion, delays, remoteness from coun- cil and lack of initiative. Traffic related matters provided one compelling example of the shortcomings. Last week Councillors Jim Searls and Glen Carey presented a motion calling for six standing committees; Administration and Personnel; Works and Property; Parks and Waterfront; Fire; Traffic, Environ- ment (which includes the sewage plant). It looks like a rational and clear grouping of subjects, with a potential of more effective personal participation by all members in the running of the municipality's affairs. The majority of council members thought so and voted in favor of the motion. Having six reasonably clear-cut committees (instead of four partly vague ones) could be hardly objectionable from any public angle, particularly since the council members receive no extra remuneration for working on the standing committees. In my opinion, the members who wanted to adjust and cor- rect the committee situation for the new term acted responsibly. The council had the right to make a deci- sion in this or in any other matter. The Municipal Act states that if the incoming council is composed of not less than three- quarters of the members of the outgoing council, decision-making powers will carry on as usual before the inaugural meeting. Nobody could possibly question the right of Palmer and Councillors Bill Clifford and Peter McCauley to vote against the ma- jority's desire to adjust the committee structure, but some of their comments were of most startling nature. Palmer and Clifford made a point of wondering about their colleagues° motives and failed to address the concerns. Was it chairmanship the reform -minded members sought" "If it is status you want, we'll give you status", said Palmer. Good grief! One can just see Deputy -Reeve John Doherty and earls all aglow with pleasure over be- ing chairmen of councils own committees (which they were before) and one can near- ly taste the delight and evefttement of Reeve Harry Worsell and Carey over finally ob- taining status, courtesy of Palmer, no less! It was bad enough to witness Palmer delivering her lengthy and repeated fighting cleats, and then knocking it out. It's still the best spectator game in the world, even including cricket. Football is dull, with one gang of gangsters trying to disassemble another gang. Hockey, is fast, but incredibly dirty, with the hooks, spear- ing and elbows in the nose. O.K. That settles baseball, except for my questions. Let us now knit our brows over another problem. It seems that women in the armed forces want to go into combat, just as about ten per cent of the male armed forces ever do. The brass is agin it. I don't know why. Anybody dumb enough to go into the military is obviously dumb enough to serve as cannon fodder. So we have one group of women wander- ing down one side of the street with peace banners, and another group quick -marching down the other side with banners proclaim- ing, "We wanna shoot somebody." I see no reason why the male members of the services should object, if the females want to fight. I can just see the rude and licentious male soldiery sitting around the stove, drinking tea, and sniggering, "Wonder how the gals are doing on that night patrol?" I can just see them booting a female out of the side hatch of an old Dakota full of paratroopers saying, in their courtly way, "After you, ma'am. The only thing that worries me is giving the ladies promotion. Most of them already act like sergeant -majors in their own homes. Give them a commission, and life wouldn't be worth living for the ordinary, slovenly, lazy male so-called fighting man. should resign. One can only hope that Palmer has simmered down in the mean- time. Palmer has shown in the past that she can work well. I have no doubt that she will be able to do so again. However, she will have unnecessary difficulties and waste lots of municipal time unless she learns to live with the fad that she cannot always have everything her way, that she is not in a posi- tion to run the whole town singlehandedly or with a small group, and that her vote is one of nine on the town council. It is better for the public, if the simple basics are clearly and firmly established in the minds of all council members. The adjusted committees should be given a fair and decent chance. No doubt the ad- ministration welcomes the opportunity to share the burden of accumulated respon- sibilities with- the council members in a more direct and responsive manner. It is to be hoped that the discussion will return to the council table, for all members' knowledge and input. Let us give the new council a hand by forgetting old difficulties and by cheering new initiatives and sharing during the fresh term. ELBA HAYDON words without leaving the chair, but the at- mosphere became quite unreal when she declared, after the majority decision which did not suit her, that she will have nothing to do with the newly established committees. A mayor who does not acknowledge the basic democratic principle and who will not ac- cept a majority decision on the council, fz