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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-06-04, Page 4PAGE 4--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1986 Learning is an ongoing process. Even as we share this intimate mo- ment,(or perhaps I'm sharing it with your pet by the back door) my cerebral parts are clicking and whirring into motion. My eyes may be fixed in a permanent stare on ..nothing in particular and my mouth may be ajar, but between the ears, we're talking a well-oiled machine with Moving parts. A time -worn proverb submits that ex- perience is the best teacher and while my experiences may be limited by comparison, 1 have been able to learn many things about myself and human nature in my....let's just say years of experience. This week, I've learned something rather invaluable and I am both bitter and bemus- ed by the revelation. On Monday it was discovered by this cor- respondent and pulsating newsroom col - DAVE SYKES do not work nights or weekends. We were rather doubting of the contents of the promulgation but euphoric at the pro- spect nonetheless. There. was much glee in leagues that Signal -Star editorial employees the pulsating newsroom. Opinion If only I'd had some advance notice of this compressed work schedule, I wouldn't have wasted my time over the past 11',2 years thinking I was working nights and weekends when it was all just a mirage. What a large fool I can be. But what really troubled me about the public's perception of my work habits, was that I would have some rather creative ex- plaining, rationalizing or grovelling to undertake with the life partner and our two children. For they too, silly as this may sound, thought I was working nights and weekends. Where did I go? What did I do? Despite the resources at my'rlisposal, I'm quite certain I can't suitably explain my absence. I can only reason that editorial people are a crafty and devious lot, capable of working extended hours without knowing they didn't work at all. Either that or we're just plain stupid. Why I had even convinced the ,publisher and management of your favorite weekly that night and weekend toil was beginning to wear down my psyche and fragile bod to an irrepairable state. Incredulously ,they believed me. But then again you can fool certain people with creative whining and other offensive tactics. But how can I convince people that events covered at night and on the weekend really weren't covered at all. Have we fooled everyone? The evidence would suggest that jour-, nalists are capable of extraordinary feats. I had even fooled myself. When you think of it, it is rather incredible that events could not be covered at all and then appear on the pages of your favorite boot tray on Wednesday. I haven't figured that one either, - This entire mystery has the department baffled. If we don't work when we're work- ing, then is it safe to assume we're working when we're not. This paper has employed people who had difficulty making a determination between daylight and dark, but even a poor, un- suspecting reporter has surmised there is a difference between weekday and weekend assignments. Well, after a while, anyway. But this new revelation has the depart- ment wondering if we are even more effi- cient than we had imagined. If the public perceives our jobs as daytime they must simply be amazed at how we cover tour- naments, weekend events, parades, garden shows or sporting events. How about the crowning of the school queen. Do we use mirrors, fights or midgets. We're not about to give out the goods. THE NEWS PORT FOR GOOERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 the oaerich . SIGNAL4ETAB P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINS BT. INDUSTRIAL PARK OODERICH, ONT. N7A 4B6 a ESTAL . ROUND ND'COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN CANADA 'ompaporCoo,vt PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded'in 1848 and published every Wednesday at Ooderlch, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and 4CNA. Subscriptions payable In advance 822.00, [Senior Citizens 819.00 privilege card number equir ld]aInn Canada. 860.00 to U.B.A., 560.00 to all other countries, Single copies 60C. Dieplay, NationClassified advertising rates available on request. Rieman ask for Rate Card No. 16 effective October 1, 1985. Advertising is excepted on the condition that In the avant of a typographical error, the edvertleliig space occupied by the erroneous Item, together with the reasonable allowance for aignature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be plaid for at the applicable rate. In the event of e typographical error advertising goods or eervicae at a wrong price, geode or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The B1gna1-titer le not responsible for the loan or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photon or other materials used for reproducing. purpoese. Advertising Manager General Manager Editor DON HUBICK SHIRLEY J. KELLER DAVE SYKES FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone [519)524-2614 Second class mail registration number n716 Member:►CNA Census is important Over the last week, every household across the country recieved a 1986 Census Canada form., In some cases there might have been two forms; one for the regular census and another, the blue form, for the 1986 census of agriculture. The Listowel Banner says that those who keep track of such things will know there is something special about this year's census. It was the first comprehensive mid -decade cen- sus. Usually the big census is taken at the beginning of the decade, with a mini -census taken mid -decade. In Canada it is agains the law not to fill out the census and either mail it to the government in the stamped addressed envelope provided, or you could have had it ready for the census representative to pick up. It's been that way since the Fathers of Confederation made the enumeration of all Canadians a condition of the British North America Act. The Statistics Act of 1971 authorizes collection of census information and places a legal requirement on all Canadian residents to answer the census questions. All Canada census workers are sworn to an aath_of secrecy and take pride in the fact there has never been a breach of confidentiality in the history of Canada's census. The census data isn't cross-referenced and the census people guarantee nobody outside the department can get their hands on anything Statistics Canada doesn't release -not Revenue Canada, not the Royal Canadian Mounted Police -nobody. While new questions have been added .to this year's ceps , the census -taking will ,cost Canada less than it did in 1981.. The projected cost of the 1986 census is $150 million over a six-year cycle. That works out to $14.76 per household, compared to the 1981 cost per household of $18.01. Those who think the census is a lot of baloney, really haven't taken the time to think about it. We know from the Bible the census was well established at the time of the birth of Jesus. The famous Domesday Book, which has just been restored in England and dating from 1086, is nothing more than a' census of England at the time, ordered by William I. Today it is con- sidered an invaluable historical record. The purpose of the census is as simple as it is important. The census is more than just a count of every man, woman and child in Canada, taken on a single day which was Tuesday, June 3. The results of the census will reveal how many of us there are, how we are housed, what kinds of jobs we have, the languages we speak, our ethnic origins, whether we have a disability, the major field of study of post -secondary graduates, whether a farmer uses a computer etc., etc. Information from the census is used by governments in planning social programs, by businesses, by marketing agencies- by anyone needing information on people in Canada. The form, or forms you received in the mail last week should have taken from 10 to 30 minutes to complete. Hopefully, instead of cursing the exercise, you counted yourself Iuckly to be counted. Tariff tiffs begin Wet 'n Wild photo by Mike Ferguson Drama student should enter -- world Gtr. loan and the real get Dear Editor, Almost eight years have passed since we left Goderich and we have thoroughly en- joyed, from cover to cover, the Goderich Signal Star. Until recently, the only criticism I've had is that it usually takes two weeks for "our paper" to arrive in Deep River. One of the front page articles in the May 7 issue jumped right out and grabbed my at- tention - ,`Drama Student makes Financial Appeal". My first reaction was very positive, someone was going to do a summer program for kids or perhaps a production at The Livery! As I read on, my positive reaction quickly diminished. I take exception to the Goderich Signal Star soliciting funds for an individual no more deserving than thousands of other students in the same situation. Why does Jennifer or the Signal Star think that her choice of education in the Arts is any more important than the choice of other students going into Law, Medicine, Politics, Science, or Business Management? All of them are hoping to make a contribution to society and to the betterment of Canada. If Canada and the United the States are sarious about negotiating a free trade agreement, one wouldn't know it by the goings on of the past two weeks. While each country's representatives were attempting to educate the other on the historical significance of the deal, a rather hefty import duty was placed on Canadian shingles and shakes bound for the United States market. 1 The duty has rather significant ramifications for many British Columbians who work the mills. Owners claim the import could mean the closure of plants in that province and already, as many as 75 people are out of work. Canada retaliated in the tariff tiff by slapping new tariffs on American imports ranging from computer parts and books to tea. Finance Minister Michael Wilson estimated at least $80 million in new tariffs and duties would be imposed on US goods. Wilson was definite in his message to the United States; ,protectionism will not be tolerated. In slapping a 35 percent tariff on the Canadian cedar products, President Reagan cut off a potential $250 million in sales. Wilson was left with few options and, no doubt, Canadians feel the finance minister acted properly by countering with import duties against American products. The negotiations over the free trade issue will, obviously, be played out like a chess game with both sides manoevering for position and a decided edge or advantage. Prime minister t3rian Mulroney will have to face a barrage of criticism from opposition skeptics who believe the issue is going in the direction thy had predicted all along. The road to free trade may only get rougher. LETTERS It is a privilege to be "chosen" or ac- cepted into any university or college, Cana- dian or otherwise.. No one automatically goes on to obtain a higher education. , My daughter has just graduated from Humber College and my son has successful- ly completed three years at Mt. Allison University in New Brunswick. Already it has cost us, as a family, about $26,000 and we still have one son in high school. My son was accepted into Harvard to take his fourth year, as all his marks and qualifications met with their approval. They would be happy to have him - if he had $25,000. U.S. dollars for one year. Too bad he hadn't possessed the intestinal fortitude of some people and contacted Brian, Joe, John or Pierre! Needless to say, he's not going to Harvard. My children didn't exactly dine on "Phea- sant Under Glass" or wash it down with Chateau Neuf de Pape". The main ingre- dient in Canadian student diets is good old K,D. (Perhaps they have Kraft Dinner in England to supplement Jennifer's tea and crackers) . Most people are kind and generous with their time and money and support numerous good causes. Just read the "Thank-yous" each week. Please don't criticize or exploit these good people with your selfish ambitions. If Jennifer is handicapped or disabled in any way, please accept my most sincere apologies. The article did not mention anything in this regard. I'm sure my views are not mine alone, but are shared by a great many other people. I had to take pen in hand and make mine known. I'll give Jennifer an "A" for effort, but close the storybook, come out of the make- believe world into the real one and get a stu- dent loan! Sincerely, Eleanor Hotchkiss Deep River. Paying for school difficult for everyone, say struggling,unsympathetic. students A student does not usually ask the com- munity for financial aid. If every student felt their community owed them money, when would young people gain work ex- perience, self-esteem and independence? Jennifer is frustrated that the community does "not support her education when she hopes to return home and contribute to Canada's Cultural and artistic growth". Any student hopes that their education will allow them to contribute to society in their in- dividual fields of study. Maureen McTeer's money would have been well spent at a Canadian drama school. This would help the so-called "sad situation and lack of identity" of the arts in Canada. Susan Hundertmark is correct in writing "Jennifer's teaching us to go after our dreams no matter ho\v far out of reach they may first appear". To most students at university or college, that is a lesson they have already learned and everyday they strive to reach their dreams. Jennifer's situation is not as unique as she thinks, only' her way of raising her funds is unique. Unsympathetic Struggling Students. Dear Editor: cal for the Goderich Lioness Club, $5,000 from the This letter is in response to the app Sull Foundationand $7000 from Maureen funding by Jennifer Gowanlock, and her McTeer, with totals, $12,0,50. Jennifer stated "that will pay for my tuition and my plane fare, but I still have no money for living ex- penses for the next two years". The question must be raised: what has Jennifer herself contributed to her cause? The cost for her to attend RADA in a two year program is comparable to the cost of 3-5 year programs in°Canadian Universities and community colleges. For example, a student enrolled in a fine arts program at a Canadian university will spend in tuition, art supplies, and living expenses for an eight month school year, approximately $6,000. This student, likle Jennifer, has had the honour to be accepted into a limited enrolment progam and i§ given the oppor- tunity to contribute to the arts in Canada. How then, do Canadian students afford to go to post -secondary schools? There are several routes that students can take: sum - concern about this community's lack of sup- port. To be given the opportunity to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England, is indeed an honour. However, to be accepted into any limited enrolmerit institution is an honour. The limited enrolment into Canadian univer- sities and community colleges had made them, to a large extent, available only to those who are academically and financially able. be due to Perhaps the lack of supportmay the fact that students and parents in this community are themselves trying to raise the finances for an education, and therefore cannot be sympathetic to Jennifer's needs. •In addition, community organizations with a limited budget must scrutinize their re- quests for donations. It cannot be denied that obtaining an education is a financial strain. When one first starts dreaming about going to school, mer andpart-time jobs, government per - that one must also begin to plan how to achieve mer loans (wcare paid backmorrdream financially,.00oher twoifye nrued to soterest) pr deference of acceptance until the in - raise $11,000,00 far hal' year tuition, student Has earned enough money. within five months. She was given $50 from