Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-05-28, Page 4F,fl0 4 091ARIC}I SIQ.N,AL-STAR,, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28,1980 110 BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second class mail registration number -0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT founded In 1548 and published every Wednesday et •Uodorich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Adver- tising rote* on roquaft. Subscriptions payable In advanco'16.00 in Canada. '55.00 to U.S.A., '35.00 to all ether coun- tries. *Ingle m� ien 3S..„Misplay advertising rates available on request. Please ask for Rote Cord No. 10 effective S„opt. 1..1974. Secis class mall Registration Number 0716. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the event of typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item. together with reasonable allowance for signeturn. will not -be charged for but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price. goods or service may not be sold: Advertising Is merely an offer to sell. and may be withdrawn of any time. The Signat-Star is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials 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. HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 4B6 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Let's' learn to treat visitors royally - It's beginning to sound like a broken record, but maybe it's worth it. Maybe this newspaper just has to keep pounding away at the fact that Goderich and district is a growing tourist area and it is high time that this community and its residents recognized that truth ... and got on the ball. Tourism is big business. If you don't believe it, check the provincial statistics.You'll find that in 1979, total tourism expenditures reached an estimated $6.6 billion, making it one of the province's most important industries. Why, it is second only :to manufacturing in man years of employment and provincial tax revenues generated. Ontario continues to be Canada's single most popular destination, attracting two-thirds of person trips from the United States and well over half of the visitors from overseas. Comparing 1979 with 1978, growth in traffic from overseas continued to accelerate. What's more, a greater number of Canadians chose to stay at home and still more of them chose to tour Ontario. And for the first time since 1973, the number of Americans coming to Ontario increased. In sum, Ontario's tourist industry enjoyed a 6.6 percent increase in trip volume and a 16 percent increase in expenditures in 1979. And would you believe that the provincial government is projecting a five percent increase in person trips to this province in 1980, generating a 15 percent increase in total expenditures. In terms of —overall forecast, the experts are predicting that expenditures in the tourism industry will total some $7.6 billion, an increase of $981 million over 1979 which will produce in turn close to $176 rn-illion in additional provincial tax revenue. And here's what the Hon. Larry Grossman has to say to the folks living in Goderich and district: "We have good reason .to believe that, given the necessary planning and promotional stimulus, the value of tourism through the new decade could well exceed $120 billion, or $21 billion worth of tax revenue; indeed tourism could well emerge as the province's single -most important industry by the year 2000." How to you like them apples eh?. And the best part is still to come. The people of Goderich and district aren't in this thing alone. Far from it. The province is going out after this tourism revenue. An advertising campaign second to none will be mounted and should bring the vacationers flocking to every corner of Ontario. But there's more. --This community can be ready .... and able to cash in. But first, there is going to have to be •some willingness to understand that the people of this community, particularly the merchandisers of this community, need to hone their skills at meeting, greeting and treating visitors. It really does pay dividends to treat visitors royally. And because it does pay so handsomely, the provincial government is working with Goderich's tourist committee to train local front- line citizens to roll out the red carpet and extend the royal treatment to the vacationers who will pass through here this year. There's a seminar running two nights and one afternoon, June 2, 3 and 4 at the Bedford 1-lotel entitled "Let's All Treat Visitors Royally". It is absolutely free for the taking. Just come out and join in. See what you can learn about winning customer confidence and attracting more business. You'll learn how to improve your hospitality skills, how to deal with difficult customers, how to use the telephone more effectively, how to give better service with less wear and tear on you, how to get to know your area better from a tourist's point -of view, how to reach your full potential in business. - So far the interest has been only minimal in this excellent business opportunity. Surely that's not because Goderich and district business people and other interested citizens don't want to see this area flourish. Surely it's not because they are satisfied with their present business success and see no room for improvement. Surely it's not true that they're disinterested in improving and unwilling to change methods if they can be proven valuable. Goderich and district is blessed witha fairly stable economy which may have lulled some to sleep. Let's wake up and- realize that this corn - The .winding road by Dave Sykes Thanks Dear Editor: On behalf of the Huron County Unit . of the Canadian Cancer Society, I would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to all the people in the Goderich area who contributed so generously to the • 1980 Cancer campaign for funds. As a result the Goderich branch, under the capable leadership of Claude Kalbfleisch and Les Pitblado, have achieved the impressive total of over $14,500.00 which has in turn enabled the Huron County Unit to munity sits in a tourists' paradise that is onlyg+• exceed d.Oits objective of for unbelievable benefits locally, provincially and waiting to be developed and promoted and servicedr Efforts such as this enable the Cancer Society nationally. Let's get with it, Goderich and district. Let's learn how to treat all our visitors royally ... and let's begin to plan and work together for a new tomorrow when tourism will be a major industry right here where you work and play. - SJK to continue its important work in research, treatment to patients, and education of the public in prevention of cancer. With sincere thanks to DEAR EDITOR all citizens, service clubs and organizations who helped out in this great cause, I remain, Yours truly, Ross McDaniel Campaign Chairman Huron County Unit Canadian Cancer Society Alcohol ban Dear Editor, Open letter to Mr. James Auld,._, Ministry of Natural Resources, Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario,. M7A 1W3 In the London Free Press of May 19, 1980, we read that at Point Farms Provincial Park, Goderich, rowdyism and vandalism led to 54 charges being laid for liquor offences. It is quite obvious that we must ban alcohol from our Parks. Why should the Ministry provide a place for a group ' of irresponsible people to disturb the harmony of the Park? Point Farms was developed for people to enjoy the outdoors. As a former employee of the Park, I have seen it develop into a beautiful place with its fitness trails, lovely trees, and interesting wildlife - so much for the real camper to enjoy. -To ban alcohol., no doubt we would • have fewer campers, but it would be nice to know that you could go and enjoy the Park for the purpose it was developed for. At one time, not too •long ago, one security officer patrolled the Park and with few problems. On this recent occasion, possibly five officers were on duty and they had more than they could handle. Mr. Minister, the Parks are for all of us to enjoy. Let's stop this rowdyism now. Sincerely yours, Tom Livingstone. Pension aid The following letter was received recently. .by Mr. K. K. Dawson of Dungannon's 125th bir- thday committee from Mr. Ben Case of Georgetown. Mr. Case's father was a doctor in Dungannon years ago. Dear Mr. Dawson: I was tremendously impressed to hear of the progress you and your committees are making towards the success of the birthday celebration next August. You must be ac- cumulating quite an expense account before you receive any income in two months' time and, as I have been main- taining that the gover- nment shouldn't be paying the old age pen- sion to those who could manage without it, I am enclosing a cheque equalling the May payment recently received. I am well ahead of the pension game as I am long past the three score years and ten and- ten more (born December 7, 1890) and besides, "You can't take it with you'. Besides it goes for a good cause. I will be looking for- ward to being among those present in August. Sincerely Ben Case Another war Dear Editor, I' don't know about everyone else, but I' have a big Lump in my throat when I see what's hap- pening between Egypt and Israel; when I see what can happen when world political leaders get together and decide to make peace, not war; when enemies decide to stop fighting and be friends. And that's all it takes, that deliberate Turn to page 5 • Canada—the salad bowl with many unwilling ingredients BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER I suppose every weekly newspaper editor in Canada will be writing this week 'about the recent referendum in Quebec. And I doubt that I can add anything new or different to what has already been said by Canadians everywhere. Still, I feel compelled this week to speak my mind concerning the "oui ou non" vote in La Belle Province .... and to express my own personal views --abu i t -. - . - ' eolTferleralion . I guess I'm one of those "blind easterners" as they say on the prairies .... or "rich westerners" as they say in the Maritimes .... but for the life of me, I 'haven't yet been able to understand what it is Quebeckers really do want. On the eve of the referendum, I heard a London, Ontario radio program on which -•-fie host was conduct.ng a telephone interview with some Quebeckers. He asked this question: "Can you tell me in simple terms what it is that the people of Quebec want?" I discovered that Quebeckers want "a new deal". But I never did find out was is wrong with the old one ... what's -so different about the Quebec arrangement with the federal gover- nment that has the people all up in arms. When the vote was taken, I listened to Rene Levesque ... or should I say I listened to the translator's version of what Rene Levesque had to say. I'm an Anglophone, you see. I gathered that Rene didn't get what he and 40 percent of Quebeckers really• want, and that given a little time to regroup and to muster strength again, they'll be back with renewed vengeance. I listened to Claude Ryan who, thank- fully, spoke partly in English. I found out that while Ryan was generally pleased with the outcome of the vote, he and his supporters aren't going to sit idly by and let the feds have their way in Quebec. Ryan made it quite clear that he's expecting some constitutional changes that are going to at long last benefit Quebec. I listened to the prime minister and heard that he is still advocating con- stitutional reform ... and that he is pledged to hear the Quebec case with a sympathetic ear. 'But what is it that Quebec wants? Is it greater control of its own destiny? I'm all for that. I think every province should be in control of its own destiny .... just so long as it ultimately complements the Canadian way of life. To my way of thinking, Quebec is behaving something like a teenager ---vwho-•-wants-1,olnplote decision- *0 aithg— power while mom and dad continue to foot the bills. In households where that system has been tried, mom and dad get shafted every time and the whole family ends up in social and economic misery. Does Quebec want to preserve its language and 'its culture? Again 1 say, I'm all for that. But what's stopping the French now? A friend of mine who is multi-lingual loves Canada because of the freedom each person has to preserve whatever culture or language one chooses. You can be Russian or German or Chinese or Eskimo and speak your own language, dance your own dances, eat your own food, wear your own choice of clothes, teach your children your own customs. The French and the English have something more than that. Canada has two official languages. While it is true that there's still a long way to go before every Canadian is fully bilingual in English and French, it is also true that both the French and the English have special linguistic privileges that other Canadians do not enjoy. 1 Certainly it can't be greater religious freedom that Quebeckers are after. One of the privileges accorded to Roman Catholic Christians among those of both French and English descent in Canada is the right to government -supported separate schools. That's a definite plus in Quebec Which traditionally has been heavily Roman Catholic. During the referendum debates, Quebeckers said they were hoping that. other Canadians would come to better understand them. But the .thing I wonder about is whether or not Quebeckers are doing much to ensure that they understand the people in Ontario, or British Columbia. Is -Saskatchewan going to have to threaten to leave Confederation before Quebec is going to look seriously at how the folks there feel about things? Recently I've been reading a book entitled This Land, These People. It's a Canadian history— 4 . a couple of fellows who are taking a look at the geographical and historical factors that are dividing Canadians. It points up, for instance, that the population of Canada is very sparse in relation to this nation's great size .. that the people are spread out in athin strip across the bottom of the country ... and that some real physical barriers like distances and mountains and The Great Lakes actually keep Canadians apart. There are other divisive things like great variations in temperature and climate, in economic and industrial structures, and in social and cultural behaviour. Consider if you like the isolated peoples of this nation who have no concept of life in Southwestern Ontario ...and vice versa. Think about the miners and lum- berjacks and fishermen who live all their lives in this vast country's ex- tremities and who haven't much idea of what it's really like to live and work in Montreal, for example, one of the world's most fabulous cities. And what about the thousands and thousands of Canadians from all provinces • who because of the proximity of the United States of America and the promise of a warmer clime to the south, often vacation under the Stars and Stripes rather than stretch their wings and fly north to explore the frozen wasteland or drive 5,000 miles to ski in the Rockies or attend the Quebec Winter Carnival. And then there's the educational differences between provinces that don't even encourage a regular and beneficial exchange of young students. And speaking of the educational system, I challenge those w'hoare 40 and over to remember back to their school days. What kind of Canadian history were you taught? What kind of geography did you learn? And think carefully now. Was it always presented to you from an Ontario"point of view if you were educated here? Or from a Manitoba focus if that was where you were raised? And then there's the government of Canada .... that national monument to the English parliamentary system that is perhaps the most divisive organization anywhere in the country? It not only divides representatives into parties and levels within the parties, it divides through individual provincies and again through east and west, north and south; once more through west coast, prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Maritimes; again through French and English; once again through fishermen and oilmen, farmers and industrialists, workers and management, red and white. How many of you out there really feel Canadian? Or do you have any idea what a Canadian is supposed to feel like? Why, we couldn't agree for a long time that we needed a Canadian flag for heavens sake .... and when we finally did decide a flag was a must, we haggled for months on end about how it should look and what it should attempt to say. Some Canadians still don't accept Canada's flag ... and they prefer to salute the Red Ensign or be wrapped at death in the Union Jack. There's no doubt Canada needs a shakeup .... or that Quebeckers have helped set the stage for a good hard look the nation's woes. But what does Quebec want? And perhaps more important, why does Quebec want it? All Canadians had their eyes on Quebec and I think that in some strange way, the referendum there has made Canadians more aware than ever that the Quebec thing is just a symptom of a much larger problem. And it has frightened many thinking Canadians who will remember that while 60 percent of Quebeckers voted "non", a whopping 40 percent voted "oui". And if it happened in Quebec, could it happen in Alberta where feelings are running high against the federal camp? In Newfoundland where citizens think they are getting shafted by Ottawa? In the__North W_es.t Terri tor ies-•-where--fe-w--- Canadians ever venture anyway? In Ontario where people are getting fed up with being called dirty names without really understanding what it is they are supposed to have done to deserve it? It is said now that if the United States is the melting pot, then Canada cer- tainly has to be the salad bowl. The difference? In a melting pot, everything is completely dissolved and the product that emerges is_ the same through and through. But in a salad bowl, everything gets thoroughly mined up without anything losing its own identity or flavour. It is the combination of ingredients that makes a good salad ... and it is the bowl l that holds it all together. If any one ingredient is left out, the salad loses some of its appeal. It is less colorful, less exciting. You could say that Newfoundland is the lettuce, Prince Edward Island the radishes, British Columbia the onions, New Brunswick the Chick peas, Nova Scotia the carrots and so on. You can add different dressings if you -like - oil and vinegar in Quebec, thousand island in Ontario, chef's in Alberta, something else to your taste wherever you live in Canada - but the basic variety of salad ingredients remains the same. And the salad is always excellent. We're all in it together. And as far as I'm concerned, that's how it should remain. What do you think, dear readers? Le't's hear from you. a.