The Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-08-29, Page 5PAGE 4GQQE;R1CB SIONAI,STAR,'WED II+ SDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984
DAVE
SYKES
J \
A
I was euphoric at the mere prospect.
Imagine a Saturday morning breakfast
without tiny, greasy hands grabbing and`
tearing at my toast. The thought
immediately activated my salivation
process.
Imagine that same breakfast without a
semi -rotund young lady casting longing and
woefull glances in the direction of my
superbly prepared omlette. By infliction of
guilt, daughter Laura usually ends up with
half her father's breakfast.
A morning repast all to myself was a
scenario too delightful to speculate on.
Imagine reading the weekend newspaper
without two kids perche j precariously on
my lap. Imagine actually reading the
newspaper, turning the pages at selected
intervals, reading the very words printed on
the page.
Imagine that same paper, all smooth and
shiny, the faces in the pictures discernible
and not all scrunched folded or mutilated.
The very thought stirred my reading
appetite.
Imagine minutes, perhaps even hour's,
without the threat of major war between
siblings, arguing, screaming and
screaching over territorial rights in the
living room.
The prospect of solemnity and solace
teased this scribbler beyond belief.
Imagine a span of seconds -maybe even a
few hundred of them in a row for God's sake -
without the piercing and probing questions
of a three-year old with an irritating
penchant for repeating his three favorite
words; But why dad?
A query -free evening was more than I
could ask for.
Imagine watching an entire television
program without two culprits in crime
relentlessly and without warning activating
the antenna rotator, thereby rendering the
crisp, clear picture useless.
It was too much to contemplate.
Image watching an enure newscast,
actuary hearing the news without daughter
Laura cruising, up to the screen and licking
the anchorman, leaving bits of food lodged
on the television screen in the process.
I was nearly wild with excitement.
Imagine getting ready for work in the
morning ,without two grubby hands,
surreptitiously sneaking away with half the
contents of my shave cream and spreading
it generously on his sister's face.
Shaving would never be the same.
Imagine preparing a modest lunch for my
daily meagre lunch break, without four
extra .hands in the mayonnaise. I couldn't
even think about it.
Imagine lying on the couch without the
unprovoked threat of a 35 pound dynamo
racing in at full speed from 50 yards and
pouncing on my frail frame, thereby
inflicting immeasurable damage.
I still wince at the thought and have a
nagging fear of couches.
Imagine pulling my lunch from its brown
paper confines and discovering the
sandwiches lack those tell-tale bites usually .
missing from the middle and the remainder
of the lunch looks to be reasonably in tact.
A culinary delight to be sure.
Image time all to myself without the
demands of family life begging for time and
attention.
Those scenarious were all presented in
titillating fashion by the mother of the
children as she anxiously prepared for a
week at the in-law's cottage with the wee
ones in tow.
While I feign loneliness and endless
despair, the mother of the children itemizes
the benefits of a week without her and the
children and suggests she would. trade
places in a moment's notice.
And while I was teased, I can't imagine
anything more pleasant ,than having my
toast stolen, my paper wrinkled or
answering a few of life's.tougher mysteries
for my son.
Member: '1
eNA
Second class
mail -registration
number 0716
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
'1983
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Cast a ballot Sept. 4
. The campaigning has reached a fevered pitch.
Hopeful candidates across the country have quickened
their pace to cover more ground, they will shake every
hand and they will offer the only sound alternative.
The election campaign is winding down. And over the
next week, Canadians will be inundated with election
coverage and last ditch efforts by polticians and party
strategists to sway the undecided.
The crunch is now on.
According to the most reliable of .polls and unreliable
speculation, the Conservatives, under the leadership of
Brian Mulroney, are headed fora majority government. A
majority that will rank with the record government of
John Diefenbaker. At this point, of course, it's all
supposition.
The decision will be rendered Tuesday, September 4 in
polling stations across the nation.
Polls can be misleading and deceiving, constructive and
destructive. A purported comprehensive CBC poll
indicated the Conservatives could gain a majority
government. Hopefully, the results of such a poll will not
discourage the faithful supporters of parties from voting
in the election, believing their vote is already lost and
ineffective against the predicted Tory sweep.
Anything can h•,ppen in an election. And voters can
prove the most reliable of polls wrong. The major item on
the agenda is to convince Canadians that their vote is
important, that it is not lost.
It has been said that the election of 1984 is a, contest of
leaders and the image they project. Perhaps more than at
any other time in Canadian history, the parties and
electorate are more image and leader conscious.
Admittedly much of the success of a campaign can be
directly attributed to the leader's image, style and
popularity.
The Liberals are seemingly scrambling to salvage
something of this campaign and turn the election into a
respectable fight. Only the election will put an end to the
speculation. n
This week the Signal -Star presents profiles on the four
candidates in the Huron -Bruce riding; Conservative,
Murray Cardiff; Liberal, Bruce McDonald; New
•Democrat, Valerie Bolton and Libertarian, Joe Yundt.
Assess what they have to say on the issues. Take a look
at these candidates and question their stand and policies.
Be an informed and interested voter.
It is important, to the riding and the overall national
results, that everyone exercises their right to vote. Voting
is more of a privilege than a right of democracy and
should be viewed in that respect.
It takes just a little effort to make an informed and
reAponsible vote. First, be sure your name is on the
voters' list and that you are eligible to cast a vote in the
September 4th election. Secondly, assess the candidates
and their strengths and weaknesses and thirdly, make the
effort to go out and vote.
In the 1980 federal election, Conservative Murray
Cardiff was elected outpolling Liberal candidate Graeme
Craig by over 2,000 votes. Cardiff received (1,520 votes
compared to 14,364 for Craig -and 3,864 for Ne Deinocrat
candidate Tony McQuail.
Also in 1980, 34,863 out of a possible 46.322 eligible voters
turned out in the Huron -Bruce riding
On Tuesday, Setember 4, take the time to cast a
responsible ballot
Let's be extra careful
The Labour i)ay weekend looms on the horizon and
brings with it the prospect of school. teachers and
homework
And with the schools reopening., our town streets will
again be filled with youngsters on bicycles, going to and
from home Filled with the excitement of returning to
school and reaffirming, old friendships, school age
children nlyiy not be that aleft, in crossing streets or
negotiating roadways on bicycles.
it would be a good idea for parents to strongly reinforce
good habits. especially with children returning to school'
And local drivers should keep a careful watch out fur the
numbers of children crossing busy intersections
A return to the routine of the school day also means the
return of the school crossing guard at certain
intersections. watch for thein and obey their commands
'l'he highways leading into town will be travelled by a
number of school buses beginning 'Tuesday and drivers
would do well to exercise a bit of caution and watch for the
flashing signals on the yellow buses.'
Safety involves the efforts of everyone. Let's make it a
safe school year
During the summer every household in
town received a copy of Goderich new draft
zoning by-law , in the form of a 1201page
printed booklet. Next Wednesday there will
be a public open house concerning this docu-
ment. If you have misplaced your copy dur-
ing the holidays, you could obtain another
one from the Town Hall on West Street or
from Huron County Planning and Develop-
ing Department in the Court House.
The by-law, in the works since July 1982,
has been prepared by the above mentioned
county department working with the town's
Planning Board. After the Board became
obsolete under the new Planning Act last
year, the members continued to work on the
document as the newly appointed Planning
Advisor y Committee. This is a good occa-
;ion to give credit for the tremendous lot of
work done by this planning group who for
over a year met week after week to deter-
mine. with the county planners, the many
details contained in the by-law.
WW1( the Official Plan expresses the up-
dated planning policies for the town, this by-
law provides the specific terms how the
pviicies must be implemented. It is a rather
ill iortant document, not to be overlooked in
a hurry
The prior circulation of the by-law and a
r
public meeting are requirements under the
provincial Planning Act, assuring that all
citizens are entitled to information and in-
put concerning the planning of their com-
munities. It is up to the individuals to what
extent they wish to make use of these provi-
sions.
Instead of the more customary format of a
public meeting where everybody gets
together at a certain time and might benefit
from the points made during an open discus-
sion, a public open house has been called for
Wednesday, September 5, in the downstairs
room of MacKay Centre for the,
10
Nelson Street East. This means that
between 2 and 8 p.m. a citizen may go and
talk to the planners on an individual basis,
asking questions, expressing opinions, mak-
ing suggestions or filing objections.
A case could be made for either format.
While some people prefer to voice their con-
cerns on an individual basis, ethers feel that
an open discussion is a better learning ex-
perience. In either case, the comments are
forwarded to the municipal council and
become part of public records.
One of the disadvantages of the open
house concept is that it might encourage one
to think that a citizen may talk only about
One in the eye
By Dave Sykes
POSTSCRIPT
JOANNE BUCHANAN
A Irw weeks ago I was visiting a friend and she
showed we some ('hri1tit as presents which she
had bought recently 'I'li,it's right folks, i said
(III;Iti'T11AS.
1 greatly arhiurr ;11ry wonvm who begins her
'hrisliilas shopping before the month of
1lec.•tither I just cannot get the hang of this
11 y ,11 You'll usually 1Ind we in the stores about
two weeks'heliue the log event and not <i week
s,i1 1
vtr\ festive sc;isnn 1'n ui a p;uuc arrd vow to
dart n y shnppinl; e;irber Ibr lolluwulg y ear. But
of (nut's( 1 newer do
\\ omen w ho do then ( hristii as shopping in the
summer months are well organized.
'Huey are the smile women who make groc•cr\
Itis and then ;rc•lnall1 rerocii txi to take these
to the. store and rider to them They use
i onpons aricl ;ilw ay s 1 ind bargains
They are the woolen ho buy their ('hnstrnas
irk and gift wrap on sale each January.
They nc. er forget to take meat for the evening
meal out of the freezer in the morning.
I herefore. They don't have to conic honic after a
hard da\'s work and spend Me next half hour
chipping ice off a pound of fro/en hamburger in
tact, these wundcrfitlly organvcd wonicn have
menu plans. They know exactly what meals their
(amities are eating each day of the week They
et en make deli( 14,115 casseroles ahead of time.
freeze them and then just pop them into their
They never lorget their doctor's, dentist's or
halydressing appointments. They have
calendars beside their phones where they write
c'CO
anyway ,you get the picture' They. are the type
nl women that the rest of us women wish we
could be more like
I have tried to start my Christmas shopping
'whore 1 )seen bcr• ori a nun iber of occasions but it
has always backfired. i usually end up telling the
eventual recipient what I bought for him or her
'scares I'm not good at keeping secrets very.
long 1 tr. in a hurst of generosity, I'll ,give the
earl:, purchase ;away before Christnias and end
up
11;1V ung 14, buy .untelhing else.
tine wtinlc. if 1 buy a Christmas gift too early, I
keep l.00kirtg at it. decide that it is pitifully small
and think i should buy lust one wore little thing
to add to it Pretty soon, I've bought ten more
t longs to add to it and have spent a small fortune.
There are n.;irty prublerns associated with
( hristiias shopping. no matter how early you
start For instance, it's alti'ost impossible to
stick to \our budget The gift you finally decide
doesn'ton ie reieason. i
iwen a
the co
li
nd. sotnc
n, harder to buy for
than women 1 have two brothers and no sisters
so I know this theory to be true i
And how about those people on your list who
alreod\ have 4, r\thing they could possibly
nerd or want (ir the ones who go out a few
u� ins as needed just like all the women's weck•. or ey en days. before Christmas and buy
uuig;vines tell us to do "� themselves the exact same thing you were
Women who do their Christmas shopping in the planning on buy ung for them'
summer have neatly organved closets and
Some people .erne to have the knack for
matching accessories for (very outfit they own buy trig lost the right gifts for (ethers. Not me. I
right. dove b to their pearl gray pantyhose usually dui something stupid like buying
his or her own property. This impression is
further supported by the letter introducing
the by-law. It advises you how to determine
the effect of the by-law on your propert' it
does not advise that in fact you may take a
stand on anything in the by-law or perhaps
left out of the by-law. Any citizen may com-
ment on any area, object to any item or pro-
pose changes to any part of genera provi-
sions, definitions or other wording. This im-
portant Principle ought to be emphasized.
If you are unable or unwilling to attond the
open house. you may make your views
knows in writing and subtnit the letter to the
municipal clerk at 57 West Street
After due consideration of everything ap-
plicable the town council will pass its final
version'of the by-law Even then you have a
chance to respond, whether or not you did so
before.
Within 15 days from the elate when the by-
law is passed by the council, the municipal
clerk must circulate the official version (as
opposed to the present draft) of the by-law.
Again from the date of the passing of the
document by the council, you -then have 35
days to respond in writing to the municipal
clerk. The final objectors are expected to be
prepared to appear before the Ontario
Municipal Board at a later date.
Quite clearly. every citizen is given
several reasonable opportunities to become
thoroughly informed and to participate in
the community planning processes.
Reading the by-law you might find, for in-
stance, that medium density residential i R
2) zones which previously allowed up to a
duplex, now have doubled the units to in-
clude a quadruplex ( without having a defini-
tion for it, by the way). So even if your par-
ticular key map does not show a zone
change for your street, the permitted uses
might now include categories you would
rather not see in your neighbourhood.
Or you might have thoughts on churches.
Although the existing churches have been
spot-zonedder a new "Minor community
facility" (CF 1) zone, there is no provision
anywhere for any possible future churches.
I suppose the idea is that such cases would
all have to go through zone change pro-
cesses in the future. But is it an acceptable
idea or do you prefer the old provisions?
There are other items you might find of in-
terest. We shall have to live with the zoning
by-law for quite some time. it rrtight just as
well be the kind with which we feel
reasonably comfortable.
chocolate's for a friend on a strict diet; a wool
se. eater for a relative who is allergic to wpot;
hard candy or peanuts for an elderly person with
lake teeth; or a country and western album for a
die-hard rock fan.
And then there's gift wrapping. 1 told you in
last week's column that I am a klutz and it's
nearly impossible for a klutz to wrap gifts. First,
I never have the right sized box for the gift. The I
end up with too much wrapping paper or not
enough. Pieces of lint stick to the tape and as 1
try to pick it off, the tape sticks to my fingers and
ends up in a little ball The end result looks like
something you wouldn't want to give your worst
enemy.
The solution, to this is the Beta Sigma Phi
Sorority's gift wrapping service which is
provided at Suncoast Mall each year. 1 can't
praise It enough. It's great --especially for people
like nue'
,actually. there is also a simple solution to the
whole problem of Christmas shopping itself. Just
don't do any Take all the money you normally
would have spent on presents and donate it to
some worthy charity. Have cards made up to
explain what yob have done and give these cards
to eyeryonc you would have given a present to.
if you don't want to do this, go ahead and buy
lofts. But at least support your country's
economy and try to buy Canadian -made
products. Support your local economy too. Don't
go running off to the city for every little purchase
unless it's something you can't get in your own
town.
(lave fun. There are 100 more shopping days
until Christmas 1984...
ELSA HAYDON
w
7