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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-05-14, Page 4Second class moil registration number -0716 CIO Ql; P:STA t. WEl l'r Yf MANI4,1980 INCE R4 THE WS FORT J GODERI H DISTRICT . 9 Founded In Meg and, published evwy 1i!,ttdrie!day at Godorich, Qntaria: Membor of the COWS and OWNA. Advert tlsIng rates on rdguest. Subscriptions payable In advance'1040 In Ctlnede,'a;9,Oo t4 II,S.A„ '».qp to Whether coun- tries!, single ;ogles 34!. Display advertising ratesevgll,gble on roguost,. pl;ani° Oh for Rate Ord No. 10 effective Rept, 1;19,7Y. Second: cholla/ail Registration Number 0710.. Advertising is acceptedon the condition that in the avant Of fypa9raphlael ffrrot, tlaredvertising sPace.;occuPled b,, the atronooas.item, together with reasonable allowance ter slonatare, will not be ;honied [of but the balance 0the advertisement will be paid for et the applicable rate. In thi event of a typographical error advertlsinggoods or tervlisds qt o wrong price. goads or Service may not be sold. Advortfslne Is m®rely an Offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signpl.Star is not responsible for the less or damage of unsolicited manuscripts. photos or otherrpatorials used for reproducing purposes. PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER - President and Publisher SHIRLEY J. KELLER - Editor DONALD M. HUBICK - Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES - Assistant Editor • P.O. BOX 220. p� HUCKINS ST. G0tff►e �mss INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 4B6 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Fines were delayed justice There will certainly have been some very angry and very frustrated drivers in Goderich last week as the municipal police force was out checking for motorists who were not wearing seatbelts. It was the first crackdown of its kind in the town, and resulted in a number of $28 tickets being issued to men and women not yet accustomed to strapping up for a little jaunt around the corner. There are those motorists of course, who feel that seatbelts are unconstitutional. They argue that tieing one into a car seat is more dangerous than going beltless, and they are ready, willing and able to cite all sorts of statistics to prove it. A dedicated few of these people say they will defy the insane law to the bitter and tragic end. These complaints have so, far fallen on deaf ears in government circles where the rules are laid down. Civil servants who administer the justice in this province can haul out enough statistics to bury the average driver, all proving that thousands of people die or suffer serious injury every year because they are not wearing seatbelts. For a long time, Goderich poljce officers have been somewhat lenient about seatbelt legislation. They seemed to be giving the public plenty of op- portunity to accept the inevitable and to learn the wisdom and the benefits of wearing seatbeltsevery time they are riding in a highway motor vehicle. Alas, many citizens have simply ignored the law. They have chosen to be complacent about seatbelts and about the local police department's generous attitude concerning enforcement of the rule. This complacency may have cosf some drivers $2$, but it seems a reasonable penalty to pay for flouting a safety measure designed solely to save lives and costly medical bills. - SJK New Letters to Editor. policy The Goderich Signal -Star gets its fair share of criticism in any given week. Much of it is deserved criticism, and readers can be certain that although taking reader criticism isn't the nicest thing'staff has to do, it is by far the most effective way there is to get to know the likes and dislikes of the public it serves. In that light, constructive criticism is welcome and even invited by the staff at this newspaper, and any other newspaper that is truly concerned about its readers and its customers. There are times though, when the criticism must be weighed carefully and finally ignored. While those instances are rare and the decisions are difficult, it is the right of the newspaper to make a judgement on these kinds of matters. Sometimes it involves setting a policy, a clear cut statement of what is and is not acceptable by the publishers and staff of this newspaper. Perhaps the -most controversial decision made by this newspaper's editorial staff in the past few months has been the one to run all Letters to the editor that are not libellous or slanderous. While it is true that the majority of readers enjoy the Let- ters to the Editor column better than any other single regular feature in The. Goderich Signal -Star, this newspaper has been getting an increasing number of complaints about the content of these letters andto a lesser degree, the placement of these letters on the Signal -Star pages. Most notably, of course, are the letters on religious subjects. Regular Signal -Star readers will know that there are perhaps five or six people who have been carrying on a debate over the teachings of the Jehovah's Witness faith ... and one or two readers have recently' called to ask that these letters to -the editor -be rejected for publication. The reason?- As nearly everyone will agree, a Man's religious convictions are so intimately personal that he is often offended and incensed by a religious debate, especially one which is published in the community paper. What's more, such -a person will generally argue that a religious debate is endless and without resolve. It's an age old question and there is no one answer that will be acceptable to everyone. While there are one or two other subjects that fall into this same category of 'topics to be avoided at all costs' .... abortion is -another ... it is generally felt that religion is the one thing that is too touchy for a small town weeklE newspaper -to, become embroiled in. It is true that a growing number of newspapers are becoming less and less concerned about spiritual matters. They are perhaps, following the trend of governments in Canada which are moving further and further away from the basic principles upon which this country was originally founded. If one would take the time to read some of the newspapers of a quarter-century ago, one would find that editors and publishers as well as politicians in those days had no hesitation to ex- pound on the Christian faith to which the majority of people subscribed, or to take some hard lines against those cults or groups which challenged the Christian position. At the present time, however, The Goderich Signal -Star is the only newspaper in Huron County to have a regular column written by the community clergy. It is also one of the few weeklies in the province to have a church page set aside each week for something more than reports of missionary meetings and pictures of visiting speakers. While there a. re many people who will openly scoff at the Signal -Star's efforts to include a spiritual message each week along with. everything else that people want to read, there are• many others who are proud and happy to read a newspaper that still holds high the belief that God Almighty is in control of this universe today as He was yesterday. It may be this continuing religious page that spurs on some of the letter writers. More likely though, it is the knowledge that The Goderich Signal -Star will publish letters to the editor on any subject under the sun so long as the letters are not libellous or slanderous. For readers who are violently opposed to this policy, letters to the editor on religious matters will no longer be run on the editorial page. The debate, if it continues, will be found on or near the church page. What's more, all letter writers - including the religious debators - are urged to keep their letters short and to the point. The editors reserve the right to severely edit all letters to the editor which are over two 8 x 10 double-spaced typewritten pages. Finally, letter writers are cautioned not to beat.a point to death. There comes a time when all that can be said on a subject has been said, and it remains only to be silent and let the message have its effect. To that ,end, a new Signal -Star policy has been set stating that no one individual may have more than -three letters on the same subject published in this xlem_sp aper.__ All letter writers and readers should see this as a positive step towards a better newspaper with a more active, more informative letters to the editor format week after week for everyone to enjoy. - SJK DEAR READERS Poppets on parade by Cath Wooden It's a buyer's market now BY PAUL ROSS This may be a better time to buy a home than yo,u think - sure, mortgage rates are high, but prices are down and believe me - it's a buyer's market. If you shop carefully and make an offer in terms favourable to yourself, you may end up with a real bargain. Here are several tips to help you buy. Remember, this list is not exhaustive - there are many factors to consider. Price Before you buy, even if you fall madly in love with the first house you see, look at others. You will establish some idea from comparing the prices of houses offered what the house you like is worth. Don't be afraid to offer what you think the house is worth, even if it is much less than the vendor is asking - all the vendor can do is say no. Most properties today are listed at a price higher than the vendor is prepared to accept. If a vendor is being realistic, the price asked will be roughly 5 percent higher than the price the vendor is prepared to accept. If the asking price is $49,000, chances are that the vendor will be willing to sell for around $47,400. • But remember, you've looked around, the market is depressed and you may feel that the house is only worth $37,000 - then offer $37,000 - all the vendor can do is say no! Vendor to hold mortgage With mortgage rates as they are, you may want the vendor to hold a first or second mortgage at a lower interest rate. Don't be shy - if the vendor really wants out, and there are plenty around who do, then he may just accept your offer. Don't let anyone talk you out of putting this term in your offer -•after all, the vendor doesn't have to sell...an. ou, (as you might remind them) don't ." ave to buy. If you think you've found the house you want, then take a friend through, before you make an offer, someone who is familiar with construction and can spot hidden flaws. Often the real estate agent will point them out, but it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. Consider the following... Before you make an offer on the property, calculate whether or not you -can a-ctual.ly_aff_and._the_hous.e include in your calculations such items as the amount required for a down payment,; mortgage brokers fees, cost of fire -MI' surance, legal fees and even your moving costs. If you have calculated that you can swing the deal, then the next step is to consider whether or not you can meet the monthly commitments. In this regard, you should consider your monthly mortgage payments, heat and hydro, the costs of property taxes and local improvements. Today, with the cost of fuel escalating, you might con- sider the day-to-day costs of tran- sportation from your house to your place of work,. Offer to purchase In order to buy a house you will have to sign an Offer to Purchase and give the real estate agent a deposit. Remember, an Offer to Purchase is a contract awl if accepted by the vendor, will tie you to the terms. In most cases, there won't be a way out of the contract once it has been signed and accepted. Conditional offer If you are like most people, you will be going to your friendly banker or trust company for mortgage money. In that case, you -can make your offer con- ditional upon your arranging satisfac- tory financing. If you don't get the ' money on your terms, then the deal can be voided and your deposit returned. Similarly, if you require money from the sale of your present home, a con- ditional offer can be drawn stipulating that the purchase of your new home is conditional upon the completed sale off your present home. • Closing date Unless you want two houses at the same time, make sure that the sale of any house you might have is completed on the same day as the purchase of your new home. Too often, closing dates are confused and for a period of time a purchaser can end up owning two homes at once. Renting -- And if you're renting a house, make sure that you give the landlord sufficient notice that you, intend to move out of his rented home. Remember, the Landlord and Tenant Act is very specific about the term of notice that you must give your landlord - make sure that you, can leave your rented premises without having to continue to pay the rent for a period after you've moved into your new home. Avoid chattel battle Chattels are items not normally considered part of the house, such as -dlr ap a s., -.-broad loo na.r4rid.g e_. and.s.to v e,_ and that antique hutch that just. --makes the dining room perfect. If you want them left, don't be shy - put them in the offer - the worst that can happen is that the vendor says no! Acceptance tf offer If the vendor changes any of the terms in the offer, then he has in Meat ri'fused to accept your offer. Don't despair, however, because when the offer comes back with his new terms he has in fact made an offer to you. Now • you can consider his offer and either accept it, by initialling the change - refuse to accept the offer with the change and get your deposit back - or you can change the offer yourself, -and see if the vendor will accept your new offer.. It is not unusual for offers to go back and forth between purchasers and vendors, several times, before both sides are satisfied. Real estate agent In real estate, good reputations are usually won on the basis of honesty and knowledge, and a good agent is worth every penny of his or her commission. If .you don't know any real estate agents personally, ask a friend. You should always remember thatthe agent receives his commission from the vendor and is bound at all times to act in the vendor's best interests. On the whole, however, real estate agents are not retained to rip purchasers off, but rather to get a fair market price for the vendor. Lawyers For reasons too numerous to list in this article, it is wise to have your lawyer look at the offer before you sign it. Your lawyer has seen hundreds of offers and may be simply reading through the offer save you a great deal of grief during your real estate transaction. In the vast majority of cases, offers find their way to the lawyer's office after the details have been settled. This fact alone, makes it all the more important that your real estate agent be a good one. There are those, who argue lawyers do precious little. This is not true. Your lawyer will, in addition to any advice he offers, search the title back through its previous owners for at least 40 years. He will ensure that once the property is purchased, there are no judgements or liens against the land that mortgages on the property are paid out and ,discharged if you are not to assume these mortgages. He will make sure the taxes have been paid and that the property's use by you is permitted under local bylaws. In short, your lawyer should complete the transaction in accordance with the terms of the agreement that you entered --into without- -yau-hawMg-to word- abeute it. A word of warning. One of the worst days of anyone's life is moving day - don't count your lawyer to help move...his wife doesn't! How to write acolumn=-in one easy lesson BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER Whoever was my gracious benefactor this week, please come forward and receive my sincere thanks and appreciation. Just as I was about to go down for the third time thinking about a subject for this column, the "Dos and Don'ts of Good Column Writing" appeared mysteriously on my desk. Let's see. We'll start with the don'ts. Don't think your own experiences and ideas are always fascinating to others. Good advice eh? Now I'll feel better about stealing the experiences and ideas of others for this space in the future, Don't overwork your family. Now there's a gem, and I know my family would agree implicitly. It is a bit hairy for husbands and kids who live in fear they will wind up in'mom.'s column next week. It's just another hazard in a home where the wife and mother is also a columnist. Don't forget that some readers take seriously everything they see in print. Boy is that true. Signal -Star readers are among the most thorough in the world, and they will hunt out anything that is a weird, in bad taste or in- correct. But once you have their confidence, they believe what you write. It pays to be aware of the fact and to remember it. Doi; -t forget' the importance of all phases of local government, and do keep poeple informed on them. I'm sure that will bring a smile to the lips of certain civic officials in the area who complain from time to time that the Signal -Star does a poor job of telling the citizens about what's really going down at the 'council chambers, the recreation office, the PUC, the town- ship offices, the county building, the board of education and just about any, municipal office you'd care to mention. That one is duly noted by this colum- nist. Don't get in a rut on topics and style. I agree. But that's much easier to say than to do. I've been column writing in Goderich for nearly 11 years now. No wonder this spot is stale and redundant more t n it is fresh and enlightening. A for t e .,os, there are some dan- dies. Like this Ine: Do look for oddities and the unusual. That can be fun. 1 haven't done that for while._Maybe next week I'll wr e about the guy who married his granather's third wife rather than see her li e alone. Do use a style that is usually light, bright, friendly, humorous, off -beat. Use the personal flavor arid touch. Be yourself. If I get any better at that, you'll know more about me than I know about myself. Do work for the public good. Do have the milk of human kindness. Help people. I like that one. Maybe I should write a column on the Laotian father of five living right here in Goderich who wants a part-time job while he's learning to speak the language. Do admit it frankly when you make a mistake. At this, I am a master. A master I tell you. I make more , mistakes than the average writer, so I've gotten much, much better than most at freely admitting my blunders. It's also therapeutic. Do nudge, lead and suggest, rather than nag, push and scold. A few at- tempts at nagging, pushing and scolding is the best teacher. Every writer who has ever used these tactics soon discovers the merits of nudging, leading and suggesting. At least you sleep nights. Do have a genuine interest in your reader; write for him instead of for yourself. Project your thoughts into the mind of your reader as if they were his own. That's a tall order, but a noble and worthwhile goal. I think I'll put that one on the top of my priority list of things at which to aim. Tell me if you notice the di fference. Do keep it short, terse, to -the -point. Amen. See you next week.