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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-04-30, Page 4PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1986 Having plied my trade in this community for over a decade means that (a) I've been here too long and (b) I have acquired, through the osmotic process, a working knowledge of the community while becom- ing acquainted with many people. in short, I know a mess of folk. And by virtue of the fact that I have covered, or at least photographed, just about every single event in this community at least once, means that my mug is recognizable. Having noticed my presence at countless of these events, people suspect I work, perhaps work is too strong a word, or at least people suspect that I am associated with your favorite weekly newspaper.., While' the nature of my toil is prone to vague interpretation, the association with this paper is solid. While working in the Signal -Star booth at the Home and Garden Show on the weekend, many people took the time to convey exactly DAVE SYKES those thoughts and sentiments. A typical en- counter unfolded like this. "You're the guy who works for the paper aren't you?" they invariably would ask. The fact that I was working in the Signal -Star booth seemed to give it away. Yeah, I knew I had seen you around somewhere before. You take pictures don't you." "Well, that's my job. To get around, I mean," I offer weakly. "It's just that Is well, have to get around." "I suppose you have to get around to most of these events in town?" they would ques- tion further while lustily munching free popcorn. "Oh, I suppose I get around to most of them," I respond while nodding. "It's part off the job." "So does it keep you pretty busy?" they would inquire. "Well," I start, screwing up my face for impact and effect while leaning on the pop- corn stand. "It keeps me pretty busy getting around to these things. But, it's part of the job, you know." While the above scenario may have been embellished, to a point, participation in an event like the Home and Garden Show, the first sponsored by the,, Goderich Figure Skating Club, is always a good bit of fun. It gives you a chance to talk to people that wouldn't necessarily approach you under ordinary circumstances. However, offer some free popcorn and throw in the prospect of a draw for an ornate prize, and people will gather and engage in idle chatter. Suddenly they become rather talkative. During my six -hour stint in the booth, spread over Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, I was solely responsible for the popping of 3,482,691,385 ,kernels of corn. Those same kernels were bagged and of- fered free for human consumption. The arena staff has evidence to prove that many people missed their mouths in the process. And I would suggest to you, as evidenced by the hundreds of comments lauding my culinary abilities, that the popcorn was the best produced in the history of the Goderich Home and Garden Show. The recipe was my very own. and the technique was one developed over a hot stove over a period of years. Should the public become demanding and clamorous, I may have to consent to a return engagement next year. In the mean- time, I will seek insurance on my fingers. Offering something free to the general public solicits one of two responses. Many people rather welcomed the prospect of a bag of popcorn. Upon learning it was free, they were reduced to smiling but thankful idiots. Others, were suspicious of my motives and offered furtive, questioning glances. These people had to be assured two and three times that it was indeed free before they would consent. I'm certain they check- ed the bag out carefully before consuming any popcorn. But once my corn was tasted, I made hun- dreds of friends. Opinion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 hefE9T ALL ROUND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN CANADA It RRR--- 111�f.r martv�pn.f 350n aSnni r rPoiur N. rpnper Co,peufon 1994 SIGNAL -STAR P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK OODERICH, ONT. N7A 496 PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 1848 end published every Wednesday et Goderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OCNA. Bubscriptlons payable In advance 588.00, (Senior Citizens 819.00 privilege card number required] In Canada, 660.00 to U.S.A., 960.00 to all other countries, Bingle copies O0C. Display, National and Classified advertising rates evellelile on request. Please ask for Rats Card No. 16 effective October 1, 1985. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the edvertleing space occupied by the erronsoua Item, together with the reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for et the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services et a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to soli, and may be withdrawn et any time. The Blgnei-Bter Is not responsible for the,loss or damage of unsolicited menusoripte, photos or other materials used for reproducing purposes. General Manager SHIRLEY J. KELLER Editor DAVE SYKES Advertising Manager DON HUBICK FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone (6191624-2614 Secondclass mail registration . Member: CNA number 0716 Follow safety rules On Tuesday a young person fell . while riding a bicycle at an intersection in town. It is rather unfortunate that an incident such as this has to serve as a reminder that safety and caution must be standard tools for drivers, cyclists and even pedestrians. And it also serves as a valuable. lesson that parents can pass on to their children when reiterating the fundamentals of bicycle safety this spring.. With the return of warmer weather, cyclists are out in full force on the highways and town streets and bikes are much in evidence on town streets as children now ride to and from school. If your children are riding bikes to school, take the time to instruct the child on his respon- sibility as a cyclist. Make sureThil-d`ren icnnW tri— alias oiti a road "Cite required signals. Children.should ride their bikes on the edge of the road, but far too often, they are seen riding several abreast, as they race home for lunch or after school. In the exuberance of youth, children often slip into bad habits or want to be one of the group. But, riding in groups, and showing off, can only lead to stressfull situations for drivers and perhaps a • tragic accident. Motor vehicle drivers certainly must respect the rights of cyclists but cyclists, in turn, must be fully aware of vehicular traffic in front of and behind them. With hundreds of children now riding their bikes to and from sdhool, drivers must exer- cise special caution and be ever vigilant. Children tend to lose sight of the safety aspect of riding their bikes, especially when they are with friends and heading away from the routine of the classroom. Freedom, unfortunately, often means they are less cognizant of their surroundings and the dangers that can innocently arise. Safety pays off in the long run and parents should go over rules with their children. By the same token, drivers have to respect cyclists' rights and be ready to react to the unpredic- tability of youth. Me and my shadow by Susan Hundertmark Health. project is in jeopardy Dear Editor, Your readers may be interested in know- ing about a health promotion project design- ed to promote the establishment of self help groups that is being placed in jeopardy by federal governments cutbacks. Remember wnen the fed""eral budget came out a couple— of oupleof months ago? The conservative govern- ment talked about getting tough! They talk- ed of cutting back of civil service jobs 'and putting freezes on, spending. The Women Being Well project is being directly affected by these measures. Having completed a very successful first year, we have proposed to continue our work for two more years. We have been applauded and encouraged by Health and Welfare and by those with whom we work directly and supervise our project. LETT;E,R There is no question of this project's suc- cess. Our results are being shared with health educators at a national conference next month. The training program , we designed is being duplicated and offered elsewhere. There is a demand for training as the courses continue and more people have the desire to promote their own health and wellbeing by forming or joining self help groups. Too many errors One of the favorite exercises employed by some people to belittle the expertise of friends - is to ask them for a prediction on the outcome of forthcoming events and then to respond by suggesting they'll make the opposite prediction, because it will undoubtedly be more accurate. That usually results in a good chuckle and no harsh done to the friendship. However, that is not the case when people ask for serious advice or information and that's why Revenue Minister Elmer MacKay had few smiles this week after being taunted by op- position members regarding the expert advice being given out by tax department officers. The Toronto Star annually has a reporter assigned to test the accuracy of the information received from the information lines which Revenue Canada promotes as an aid to taxpayers needing help with their income tax` returns. The reporter presented a list of 55 questions this year. The information officers provided him with incorrect answers' for 43 percent of those. Replyingto questions from a Liberal MP about the incredibly poor results, MacKay told the Comtnons "the department and myself are deeply disappointed and puzzled by this rather poor performanceby our people." The Minister should be disappointed, of course, but perhaps not so puzzled. It turns out that the 43 percent error factor was only slightly above the 40 percent figure in 1984, althougifsome improvement had been notcd in 1985 when erroneous answers were only given out on 31 percent of the questions relayed by the newspaper. Despiteassurances from MacKay that some remedial action will be taken, the opposition spokesman noted that with about two weeks left before the deadline for filing returns, Cana- dians now know they have no one to turn for help in preparing the documents since "Revenue Canada doesn't know its own laws". 1 Each year, millions of Canadians have refunds delayed because the department note there are errors on the returns. That now appears to be a case of the pot calling the kettle black and taxpayers should de- mand some assurance that the people checking their returns in fact know the difference bet- ween right and wrong. A 43 percent error margin is just not tolerable..unless, of course, it works to the advantage of the taxpayer. (Exeter Times -Advocate) We welcome your letters o�T wever�uture funding has been' delayer( by the lack of approval from the Minister of Health, Jake Epp.„ When `staff layoffs were imminent last month, temporary funds were found to carry us on for several weeks. However ,this funding will soon be gone and still there has been no word of approval. Our philosophy is current with the Health' Promotion principles of the World Health Organization. We wish to empower people to increase control over and improve their own health. As stated in a discussion paper by the WHO "This perspective is derived from a conception of `health' "as the extent to which an individual or group is able, on the one hand, to realize aspirations and satisfy needs; and on the other hand, to change or cope with the environment. Health is, therefore, seen as a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living; it is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. The concept of health promotion is positive, dynamic and empowering." Funding for health promotion and preven- tion is extremely economical. Our entire budget last year. which covered two full time staff ran office, a reso! rcedibrary and expenses for an active volunteer staff of 30 women, was less et n two-thirds the average salary of one family physician. Readers who support the concept of em- powering people to improve the conditions of living to promote their .health, to syn- thesize personal choice and social respon- sibility, to create a healthier community for a healthier future are people who support a new approach to health delivery. I hope these people will contact our member of parliament. Murray 'Cardiff (phone the operator and ask for Zenith 31020) and give him a message to support such innovative and current approaches to health care that the Women Being Well pro- ject is demonstrating. Valerie Bolton Women Being Well Project Coordinator Health care consumers who accept responsibility making the right decision Dear Ms. Hundertmark Thank you for your article which ap- peared in last week's paper.... "My health is my responsibility". I found it to be both con- temporary and refreshing. Attitudes about health will dictate our health practices and although health technology (i.e. diagnostic evaluation, surgical techniques) has improved, our at- titudes have remained virtually unchanged. Viewing health care as an emergency response to an immediate problem has traditionally dominated our health care system (and still does). People with this at- titude wait until they have a problem and then consult a professional for treatment. Their problems may vary in severity from colds to terminal cancer, but since they must rely on symptoms to guide and motivate them, often they consult a physi- cian after permanent damage has been done. Another attitude towards health is the one that you mentioned in your article which considers the importance of preventive maintenance. People are becoming more sensitive to their body's needs which motivates them to eat more wisely, exercise consistently, avoid nerve altering drugs, and seek relationship built on honesty and mutual respect. This attitude has become the major health care objective of young adults over the last years. And finally there is another attitude towards health. Although not as common as the other two directions, it is making an ap- pearance. This attitude addresses itself in seeking to uncover .or unlock more of one's personal potential. People with this attitude are not merely interested in getting by with fewer problems; rather they work to max- imize their optimum potential for physical, mental and social well-being. Sensitivity for these people goes beyond their own bodies to encompass their societies and their environment. Yes, there is a shift from institutional help to self-help.... informed and educated health-care consumers making the right decisions to accept responsibility. Yours truly, Scott B. Macaulay, D.C. Liberals made every effort to send representative. to 'forum Dear Editor, sored by the Huron County Medical Society. It has never been my intention nor the in- Such is, not the truth. • tention of the government of David,Peterson My o flee, in concert with Health Minister to avoid dialogue or open discussion on any Murray .Elston, worked diligently to aecoma modate the Huron Medical Society. We sug- gested several dates,: pointing out 'that' Cabinet would be in Kingston on April. 16 and neither Mr. Elston nor 1 would be able to attend. With only 10 days notice,' we were told of declined to participate in a public forum on ; the :April. 16 meetirigr As our already over - the health Care Accessibility Act, spon• worked c'tteola washeavily ;booked' 'vvith subject at any time. We are proud of our record of the last ten months of listening to all the concerns of everyone in Ontario no matter what their standing in life. That is why I was upset to see accusations in a recent edition of your paper that we ref • Committee meetings and prior com- mitments, another representative couldn't beound on such short notice. Should the Medical Society wish to discuss the Health Care Accessibility Act in a truly open forum in the" future, I would be glad to meet them. Yours sincerely, Jack Riddell, M.P.P. Minister of Agriculture and Food