The Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-02-28, Page 4AR 4IE URSDAY, FEBRUARY 210980:
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SIGNAL
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STAR
The County Town Newspaper of Huron
Founded In 1848 and published every Thursday at Goderich. Ontario. Member of the CCNA
and OWNA. Advertising rates on request. Subscriptions peyable in advance '16.00 In
Canada. '35.00 to U.S.A., •35.09 to oll other countries, single copies 35'. Display advertising
rates available oniroquest. Please ash for Rafe Card No. 9 effoctivo Sept. 1, 1979. Second
Clan moll Registration Number 0716. Advertising Is accepted onthe condition that In the
event of typographical error. the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item, -
together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but the balance
of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of o
typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrqng price. goods or service may
not be sold. Advertising Is merely en offer to sell, and may be withdrawn et any limo. The
Signal -Star is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts or photos.
Published by Signal -Star 'Publishing Ltd.
ROBERT G. .SHRIER — president and publisher
SHIRLEY J. KELLER editor
DONALQ M.csHUBICK - advertising manager
Mailing Address:
P.O: BOX 220, Industrial Park, Goderich
Second class mail registration number — 0716
Business and Editorial Office
TELEPHONE 524-8331
area code 519
Board room cramped
This newspaper has campaigned for a con-
siderable length of time to get a board room in or
out of Alexandra Marine and General Hospital that
will allow the public freer access to board
proceedings; enable the press to see and hear all
board members attending the meetings; and
permit all board members to see all other board
members at the •meetings. It doesn't seem like an
unreasonable request.
Monday evening, the final two of those three
requirements for a decent board room were
fulfilled. It was a real pleasure for everyone at-
tending' the board meeting to see everyone else
present.
There still isn't room to accommodate guests,
however. In fact,• there may not even be room to
accommodateall the board members should all of
them choose to attend the board meeting some
evening.
Attendance -at • the -board ' meetings of :4"1VI&G is "
sporadic. Board members .number 22 at present,
two less than the approved number for the'board.
There are, for anyone who is counting, 12 board
chairs and on most evenings that accommodates
almost all board members who attend. Monday
evening there were 11 board members in at-
tendance and two, administrative personnel.
Approval was given Monday evening to buy
additional board chairs. Eight was the proposed
number of chairs to purchase, but some concerns
were raised that there is room for only six more:
Either way, there won't be enough cha,irs or
enough roont' - to fit everyone in comfortably should
a full board turn up some meeting.
There's no real reason to point this out except to
say that any community concerns about the
hospital frittering away hospital monies on "lovely,
lavish. .things" seems hardly worthy of con-
sideration. If you don't believe that quarters are
tight at AM&G, you need only to observe the board
room and the game of musical chairs played -by
board members, administration and press every ,
.'rn•eeting eight.
But sorry about that taxpayers. There still isn't
room 'to ask you to stay and observe the meeting,
even if the board. did feel you should be made
welcome. - SJK. •
Strange things are happening
According to people who know about such. things,
a real puzzler is' developing on the'credit horizon...
And flfias the small businessman worried. -
Surveys toward the end of 1979 showed that a
growing percentage of Canadian' small
-businessman are finding it increasingly difficult to
get credit financing from banks and other lending.,
institutions. In fact, about 18.5 percent of those
surveyed said it. was the primary problem they
faced in their businesses last year. Evidence is
things haven't improved much so far in 1980.
----High interest—rates—and---a—weak Canadian
economy appear to have convinced financial
wizards to reduce their risks. So they are restric-
ting .the availability of -.credit to smaller firms,
forcing some of them to trighten their belts and
forget about expansion plans, even if there is a
ready market for the product or the -service.
At the same time though, bankersand credit
managers everywhere seem to have a "sky's the
limit" attitude when it comes to making loans to
consumers. It isn't unusual for individuals to get
letters from their bankers about the ease° of ob-
taining loans for just about anything their hearts
desire .... new cars, holiday, furniture, houses, you
name it.
. It isn't unusual either to read advertisements
begging consumers to buy pow and pay later. No
money down they cry, and no payments for three
moiffhs..:. and then easy tailor-made installments
until the slate is wiped clean.
What kind of collateral does one need for these
kinds of personal loans? Not too much in some
cases. Do you know of a mother or a father who is
moaning about the extended line of credit given to a
son or daughter for a questionable item, maybe
$2,000 on a 10 -year old wreck of a car, despite the
__facet_.theyouungster..is_unemp.loyed-o.c-has_a:record of
financial mismanagement?
Something is out of. whack. The world has been
turned topsy-turvey and not many people seem to
beconcerning themselves about it.
Maybe it is time for the bankers at least to start
thinking --about restricting consumer credit and at
the same time loosen the reins on business loans.
Then maybe small businessmen, that,segment of
society that creates 50 percent of all the jobs in the
country, could get back to worrying : about such
other important matters. as . government
regulations, paperburden.and inflation.
And maybe consumers would get'a better handle
on the real problems faced by the nation, and come
to see some of the lasting solutions. -SJK'
When a cord is not
Fc.— some time now, the Department of Consumer
and Corporate. Affairs has received numerous
complaints from consumers as to the quantity of
wood in a cord, as used by firewood merchants.
The problem is mostly due to the fact'that, ac-
cording to habit and region, people have come.to
interpret "a cord of wood" in different ways. In
other words, there are two definitions for a cord of
wood.
The first concerns pulpwood and firewood cut into
four -foot lengths (this is the only legal definition),,
...... -15.._raac.aaures._1.28 •_cubic_feet _(8x.4x4leet)___Tb
second concerns sawn firewood, is not legally
recognized, and measures 32 cubic feet (8x4x1 •
feet).
• The problem .. is one of semantics: the law
recognizes only one type of cord of wood, whereas
common usage recognizes two types.
With firewood becoming more and more popular
as a fuel, everyone is reminded that there exists
only one cord -measure legally recognized , in
• Canada. -Th't measure is described in the Weights
and Measures Act as 128 cubic feet, a-nd measuring
8x4x4feet. Of course, it is' permitted to sell fractions
of a cordb for instance: 1/4; 1/2, or 3A of cord.
All merchants are further reminded- that article
33 of the Weights and Measures Act requires that
the, buyer receive full measure for his money:
"Every person who sells or offers for 'sale any
commodity, by number unit or unit of
measurement, is guilty of an offense 'if the quantity
of the commodity that he delivers or offers for sale
e is, -subjec-t.-.to-prescrihecLlimits.-of_..error, .less _. than.
the quantity (agreed upon)".
If the consumer is not sure exactly of the method
of measurement used by the dealer, he should talk
with him before buying -or ordering, and come to
terms as to the exact measure to be employed.
Most problems having to do with these matters
arise not because of deliberate fraud, but rather
because each party to the .transaction has a dif-
ferent definition of what a cord of wood is.
Nuts to you
By Cath Wooden
Censorship
• Dear_Editor,
What ever happened to
Mickey Mouse and
Donald Duck? ..
Several parents were
surprised, to say the
least, by the comments of
our children on returning
from ' the Saturday •
Matinee. °
What do you say to an
eight-year-ol°d child Who,.
says they have just seen a
_.x u de ` car to on _at__- e
,"children's" matinee? -
After all, we teach our
children to respect• our
judgement and after due
consideration and
'checking' into the movie
reviews, we later find out
DEA F
they not only saw an
excellent mo.vie but also
had a lesson on the male
anatomy from a.cartdon,
no less.
We. also question. the
use of previews for
coming attractions at the
Saturday children's
_ matinee. Many of the
previews are for
"Restricted" shows,
which young children
can't, even go to, or
"Adult Entertainment"
for which', again, they
roust rely . on their
parents' judgement. We
all know the best and
juiciest parts from the
movies are used to erttice
us all but we question the
necessity of showing
EDITDR
these at the Children's
Matinee
Why.. can"t these . be»
omitted and an extra
cartoon, in good taste, be
presented?
Many theatre operators
may say they don't know
ahead what is'on„the reels
but isn't it part of their
job to be informed?
It is amazing that with
all the censorship on. t.v.
that this practise is
allowed to continue at the
Children's inatin•'e'e
Concerned parents,
H, Sampson,
R. Cunningham,.
J. Culbert,
B. Moulton,
M. Dzus,
J. Pryce ..
No, no
Dear Editor:
No, No, Mrs. Keller —
you are mistaken.
Immediately , the
electoral win was finally
confirmed in favor of
Liberals, Mr. Joe Clark
was the FIRST to
publicly ,congratulate
Trudeau and did it in a
heartfelt dign.ified
manner. (Channel 10)
Some time later, when
the ' N. D. P. leader came
on he copied Mr. Clark
and 'was booed cdn-
siderably by the
audience. .
Maybe you would like
to explain your mistake
and - send , a - copy -...ace-.
cordingly to Mr. Joe
Clark.
K.T.
Editor's Note: No, No,
K.T. — you are mistaken.
Mr. Clark on Channel 10
was indeed the FIRST to
publicly congratulate the
Liberals but he did' not
mention Pierre Trudeau
by name, nor did he
"wish the man, Pierre....
Elliott Trudeau well as
the nation's • . Prime
Minister". There is a
difference.
Incidentally, Joe Clark
too was booed by his,
audience 'at this time for
plaudits to the Liberals,
but he graciously sub-
dued the people as did
Turn topage 5-.
'75 YEARS AGO
The opening of the
Public I:ibrary took place
cm Frdiay everting and
the .attendance was so
large as to make it un-
comfortable as every foot
'of space - in the
auditorium was occupied.
The opening' ceremony
consisted of addresses
and music and , the
meeting was presided
over by inspector of
-Puh.l.ic_._S.ch.otlls.... J Elgin.._-
Tom.
The steel pieces for the
building over Dunlop's
Hill are being placed in
position for raising and
before many • days the
necessary derricks will
he at work on the heavy
pieces.
The two dumping trains
LOOKING BACK
are used daily in.
coveying earth from
Attrill's to fill up the
track that is being built
from the north to the •
south side of the Maitland
across Squaw Island.
Professor Taube will be
at the Bedford next
month for those who have.
vision problems.
25 YEARS AGO
A high incidence of
in-fluenz.a.._i.n-Geder-ieh and
district schools resulted
in a decision yesterday to
postpone examinations at
Goderich District
Collegiate Institute due to
have started tomorrow.
Mayor J.E. Huckins
said' yesterday he had
discussed with Ontario
Highways Minister
James N. Allan the
possibility of paving
streets in Goderich when
Number 8. Highway is
paved. from Clinton to
Goderich.
Ivan Papernick was re-
elected president•at the
annual meeting of the
Maitland Golf Club held
Friday night at town hall.
The meeting reported
there was a total of 3,007
visitors last year which is
the largest number of
vis-i.tors on_ .record- for any
one season.
Articles made by
students in woodworking
and shop classes were
viewed with admiration
by parents and 'friends
who attended Goderich
District Collegiate
Institute's Open House
last Friday night, .
5 YEARS AGO
• A group of ''interested
citizens have formed a
board ofdirectorsin an
effort to .launch a Big
Brothers Association in
the Goderich area.
Sisters Ruthann
Michon and Cathy
Whiteford have opened a
combination flower and
gift boutique on East,.
Street called the Flower
Basket.
Girder. ie -h -Hand- --Clinton-
Fire Departments
responded Saturday night
to a two alarm blaze on
Highway 21 south of
Goderich: „A cottage
owned by Mrs. George
Falconer of Clinton was
burned to the ground. •
The change room
facilities at Judith
Gooderham pool are
dirty, outdated and
unhealthy. The
recreation board for the
town would like to see the
building+ completely
renovated and' council
-has adopted a wait and
see plan delaying any
major expense on the site
until it is obvious it is
wanted and needed by the
public.
The ' G.D.C.I. drama
club was honored Mon-
day morning for their
-'-wee-kend---performance of
The Great Storm of 1913.
The club performed the
Warren Robinson
production at the Huron -
Perth Collegiate Drama
Festival on Saturday
night. Several members
of the . company were
singled out for their
achievements.
DEAR
READER8
BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER
The obituary for Mrs. Adella Fisher
of bashwood won't look much different
from any other in this week's
newspapers. In fact, most people will
simply glance over Mrs. Fisher's
obituary and mentally record it as
another elderly Huron County resident
who has passed away.
There will be the usual list of sur-
vivors - five sons and daughters of the
eight children she bore; 42 grand-
children and one great grandchild.
There won't be any long recitation of
public accompishments or club
membgships, Mrs. Adella Fisher,
Bammie to her friends, wasn't a very
public person.
Of course, some people will he im-
pressed by Bammie's age. Had she
lived to her birthday, St. Patrick's Day,
March 17,1980, she would have been 107.
That's a ripe old age to be sure, and one
that few of us will attain. In that sense
then, Bammie was unique.
But that's not why I will remember
Bammie Fisher, although her
longevity .was a real joy to me and to
many others. I don't even remember
Bammie Fisher for what she said, or
what she did.
No, I remember 'Bammie Fisher for
what she gave of herself to every
person who Came in contact with her.
I first came to know Bammie about
25 years ago, when she was a mere
youngster. She belonged to the 'same
church as I did, and a few times, when
it was, my turn AO visit the shutins,
Bammie was on my list.
I remembered those visits long after
Bammie had forgotten them, because
visiting Bammie was more of an uplift
for the visitor than for the visited.
Though Bammie was blind and hard of
hearing, her world being mostly dark
and soundless, she was always keenly
aware of everything going on around
her. She was so perceptive it was
almost like a sixth sense. She seemed
to understand things she couldn't hear
and to visualize things she couldn't see.
,And she was always smiling.
One always left Bammie Fisher's
house feeling better than when one
arrived. How could it be different? For
though Bammie said very little, it was
evident by her radiant face that life
was full and exciting for her.
It was as though she were saying,
"Happiness is being content with what
you are and where you're at." . .
Bammie went to hospital last Friday.
It was the first day in a long, long time
that she hadn't been well enough to
take her regular glass of wine'. She died
two days later. The funeral service was
Tuesday.
I had a chat this week with a
reporter -photographer from The
Exeter Times -Advocate, Ross Haugh.
Ross ex -pressed how much he will miss
his annual trek to Seafotth Manor to
photograph Huron's oldest citizen on
her birthday.
"She was a wonderful lady,” was the
simple tribute Ross paid to' Bammie
Fisher.
And, when you get right down to it,
isn't iihat the ultimate compliment one
human being can pay' another? Isn't
that what human relationships'are all
about? Just people interacting = giving
to each other, sharing with each other,
encouraging each other, inspiring each
other?
It is -really that very human quality
that makes the difference between
being average and being great. There's
proof of that everywhere.: ' "
Watching' the .Olymps this past
weekend was proof: All the athletes
there were in the "great" category.
There weren't many "average"'types
at Lake Placid. And some shone out
above all the test. Some were
medalists, some were not. But each one
of them had that something special -
that human quality to give of them-
selves and to tug at the heartstrings of
thousands of viewers a world away.
Maybe it was a smile. Perhaps it was
a tear rolling down the cheek. It could
have been a hand waved or a kiss
blown. Always it was one human
reaching out to another in genuine
warmth and caring.
In her own way, Bammie Fisher was
a champion as surely as any, one of the
winners at the winter games just en-
ded. She never won the gold, but she
had a much better prize - the ability to
be content and to spread contentment.
Bammie Fisher had the ellusive
medal - peace. And she willingly
shared it with everyone she met.
Would that I too could give of, myself
ill hat way.
cv