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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-07-09, Page 4PAGE 4-•GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JUDY 9, 1986 Sometimes this business of covering the community news is psyeologically, as well as physically, demanding,. People oftentenclto ultimately categorize members of the fraternity as, cynical, malevolent types completely lacking m social graces and -sensitivity. A story is a story is a story and while that may apply to many of the mundane aspects of the job, the news doesn't always let us get away with a callous shrug or an indifferent attitude. While processing information is the basis for the job, I still encounter problems deal= ing with stories that' detail human suffering, accidental death or even events that will knowingly cause some pain and heartache. This week is a case in point. This week's paper presents somethingf a paradox in the lives of several young people and.tt:eir 'families in the community and surrounding area,. DAVE SYKES While we salute with great sincerity the academicachievements of our Ontario. scholars and high..schooh°award winners, we must also face the sudden and tragic deaths of two teenagers folio -wing a single -car acci- Qpinion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODEFLICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 the ,Goderich _ SIGNALST P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK OODERICH, ONT. N7A 4BB PUBLISHED BY'S,IGNAL-STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED = EBT ALL POUND COMMUNITY NEWBPAPEP IN CANADA (Granton Clew 3500 45001C C N.A Bauer Newspaper CampeUean 1984 dent near Bayfield Monday evening, Two other passengers in the vehicle were • stabilized in Alexandra Marine and General. Hospital before being flown from Sky Har- • bour Airport to Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital where they remain in critical condition. In cases like this week, the news can be an emotional rollercoaster and a simple, con- cise presentation of the facts of the matter don't seem to tell the story. Entire .com- munities are affected by accidents or events of such magnitude and create a sense and feeling of urgency and loss. community' has lost two of its young ,citizens, but it is the senselessnes of the deaths. and the accident that seems to defy alllogie: • We are quick to empathize with the friends, and families of the victims, people we may not even know. And yet, in some small way, we all feel connected. We feel like an integral part of the event because of that sense of community. • ,; Perhaps it is not so much the fact that the Unfortuna,tely, it .sometimes take an event like this for people to get an accurate focus br perspective on thea' lives. Suddenly, the fragility of 'life is boldly reaffironed and those seemingly insurmountable problems are trite, We tend to take ourselves too seriously, at times, and tend to get caught up in the negative aspects of our existen. a without thinking things through. While it of little consolation, there are •always lessons to be learned from these situations, lessons that only come with pain and sorrow. Such incidents at the Yeast reinforce the need to stress the positive aspects of our .3 PM -lives and not to take -what 'we• • have`far granted. Families, friends and relatives will have, to live and deal with the situation and facie' the publicity the incident will receive over , the next few weeks and even months. The events surrounding the deaths of these young people, regrettably, are considered • news to the community, not unlike the academic achievements of their peers and_ schoolmates. It's part of the reporting job that I will' never be comfortable with and hope only that something of value evolves from the whole incident. In the meantime, the families, friends and relatives of the. crash victims are left to mourn and hope and pray. And the thoughts of the community are with thein. Founded in 1848 end published every Wednesday et Ooderloh, Onterlo. Member of the CCNA end OCNA. t les, Bingle' 'Copies 90C. Display, required) end 9uceoriptione payable in advance 686.00, (Senior Citizens 019.00 privilege card number required In Canada, $90.00 to U.S.A.., !$90.00 to ell other the October I, Cleaelfled advertising rates available on request. Plewa ask for Rete Card No. 16 effective Ootober , apace occgpiedAdvertising t accepted on condition o together with the reesonabie allowance wance for signature, will not be apace d for but that theapplicable rate. In the event of s typographical charged for but trot Odle rti of the advertisement wt a paid for ds or services mey.not be sold. typographical error advertising goods or aervloee ate wrong price, is not responsible Advertising le merely en offer to sell, end may be withdrawnphotos or The eeeriels u sed for rep oducing for the love for damage of unsolicited mgnusaripta, p Q purpoeee. Editor Advertising Manager • General Manager SHIRLEY J: KELLER DAVE SYKES DON HUBICIC Publisher: Jocelyn A. Shrier FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone (519)564-8814 CCNA Second class mail registration Member: number 0716 eNA PAW Frolickin' at the Falls Your help is needed natomy of t,,.....,�..n.om.• extensive hsJ"e�4 JOB DESCRIPT •extensive tra ell - J GeorgeJohnston: "The publisher of the besty and ing regmred knowledge , P ___........b�� cn�ada. contains Chese� The Weeklies,'a book about the community newspaper business in weekly " "`of local provincial might by the author bc oublr s cial might properly be called The Compleat Angler after that book written by the great „and federal necessary, p P eak- famous Izaak Walton: he is fishing in th hope of gathering,in every family in the communi- ing federal issuesss necessary, work .constantly ty. His paper is his baited hook." with minimum of free time, and never make The Goderich Signal -Star is indeed out to attract readers lie more the better. The a mistake that be photographed,vquoted, Goderich Signal -Star wants to gather in among its subscribe very family in and around r std, taped can or otherwise kept ed,r . Goderich, and to do this we know we will need to publish the very best newspaper every printed, week it possible to give to this community. y. is. a tough profession. my That's where The come in. impressions anyway. The cynics say That'sa my liti- The staff at The,Goderich Signal -Star isaiming to muster a group of community -minded .clan's only duty into get himself (or herself ) volunteers who would wish to act as a sounding board for the men and women who produce • re-elected. But a retailer wants shoppers to.. return to his store;' a' tourist buread wants of a liberalized trade a"aI .13' ��,, =.i... 1., ter. By Paul Hartman �' (y ipterview � ' �-.°i .FY. �, < +r.� u6 ».✓ the newspaper each week So, the t This group of volunteers would be. drawn from the widest possible cross_se_c_t_►on of the -visitors-to come..back,to_the rlown<,, Y_--- • f going to their business to from community. municipal This advisory b sports would recreation persons (ups, servich clubs,, ram fromotheare and satisfy carryhe out their public-which isa only from municiealamines, from sports and recreation groups, from the churches, i'ss come please arts, from the farming community, from he _ enhancement agreement witTi llie'Unated-States-airaccept table route for Canada to follow, I would ask. But all this was for nought. I decided to present tape recorder to note he ask this former prime minister, who is runs- mployer's every syllable. A mismanaged ing for that nebulouseffice once again, some can spell doom for a politician. d questions right from the heart, those pierc- „ phrase A questions that command • spontaneity multitude of pressures challenges the politi- ing q cian's adrenalin everyday. and result in perfect.enlightenment for the When John Turner was growing up, he masses. believed the priesthood and politics were the John Turner was in Goderich Tuesday ° most virtuous professions. A lot has: chane- morning and afternoon, moving on to Lon- • ed in the last decade ions.warp and chang- don at night for another barbeque, Sarnia on alter a lastcitizdto of politicians, s, Wednesday, and then Calgary on Thursday , some of which is deserved - and' Friday.. It makes nae really appreciate But any person to lead a being able a noon up in front of the TV on public life to serve their nation, no matter Sunday afternoon and catch a Blue Jas political stripe, should be given a what the artisan the industrial community, from a usine - what politicians are doing. ids and from any other part of community life left off I had the opportunity to-intervievris too munity, from youth, from• the senior s this already extensive list. Several times each year, this whole group wod the r� together They would m The Goderich Signal -Star to talk about the newspaperywofferabout what heir opinions concerning what is good about their newspaper - and their suggestions ' could be added (or deleted) to make the newspaper even better. • They would. discuss with staff some of the reasons why things are done a certain way at the newspaper ... and they would learn first hand just how important decisions are made by the newspaper staff, and why. This advisory board would be a valuable source of information for the staff at The Goderich Signal -Star who are always seeking out public opinion and looking for the best ways to reflect the heart and soul of the community in and around Goderich. If you think you would be interested to serve as nal -Star na veruShirley J. Keller at 524-2nteer on The Goderich 614 during l h the genera ma g d Ly e• any business day. Talk .wi this fall; ask her any questions you may have concerning what a commitment to this think of free trade? and...�,v, you apple?" were included on ford, T strong a word -talk, with John Turner, Leader of the.Liberal Party of Canada yesterday. I must readily admit I jumped at the chance,to practise my instinctive repor- ting techniques so lovingly cultivated here at the Signal -Star. I live the life. of a politi al junkie who oows and awws at the probing uestions of a Sam Donaldson,' Mike Duffy. or Mike Wallace. Thus it was to be a very listless sleep the night before' the big •day when John Turner arrived. lViy hrain ruminated over question I and met his steel blue gaze, and the "inter- view" was under way. Mr. Turner suggested`a park bench near the .Courthouse would be the best spot to undergo this cub reporter's searching ques- tions, so we settled down. He seemed very relaxed, perfectly at ease, and indeed worthy of esteem. As a political animal who believes reading Han- sard is. educational, a chat with John Turner was just what the zookeeper ordered. ` , Politics is a business, where the most saleable commodity is the one which looks the -best, -on, televisian,...the_ one .that can be p„ sold to the voter, where perception is reality. Turner's Press Secretary carried an ever- community. � presentAdvisory Board, please toeponeth Shirley about plans for convening the first meeting of the board-nvght ask.`John, what do you REQ g After the breakfast meeting at the Bed-measrire of respect. Int-araveneers Press Secretary Brigitte For -terms, John Turner has, for me, increased avid mean in terms of your teme and esible f rather be playing t my level of regard and admiration for those visory Board w tier motioned for. me. to start the interview.The Gody. Th dothat, T wants r cdoh the bast job ptaffbleedr the people who reour deas, my cerebral list.t bre miGongrich Signa eStoi staff. needs y isour opinions, i John Turner isa Rhodes Scholar, so an in-. • .He's geted b I grape u e, to h• ou a iron e. Shegripin- wname to 'include the initials MP after their community. To ll the ,your help. Think abl it becoming a volunteer., on the new Adiaisory Board. Pick up the tellectual interrogating would be in order. Istelephone and call Shirley for answers to your questions, then submit your name for con- 'for as sideration as a volunteer member. out the roduction of ,your' d OCWe promise you afun-filled oou wilnh a toe, -chan nce toe u de it towards a brighterand On tWhat's more, you will have a cha g hometown paper.. more informative future for all of us.—SJK persecuted sufferers, reader. says The stats are staggering r' Dear editor, ditor universityofficials and students keep up their constant clamor for more funds from cad OHIP rates for services, became law on public coffers they may geta ass charitable cam ofy s chologists from the University of Western Ontario. � J There was no eason for the elicit -majors- surely five are not aisked.to ignore, the facts the recent report of a t P Y- it was the doctors who, in many, cases, dos - figuratively. Wigmore and Riley Hinson., studied the drinking habits of a group both literally and ty of: doctors to experience : any real dif- ed their offices and even walked awayfrom P eels disadvantage at all, in their . _. which ,_" not.,e.�..m medical do e , Bill 94 As coffers 1 d taxpayers w does permit medical doc- tors in Ontario to charge. higher than the ,. RS 1 response from be eagure 20.une Theskydid not fall female students at that institution and their findings are rather stag g,ference or the emergency departments. of public their freedoms of'a more figu wasfou. adrank alcohol at least three times weekly, 55 per- finances ne al nature, when they continued their hospitals. - ltfound that 37 pdrinks and 2 males The figures for the females patient care' calmly throughout,. the .. The edito ialstatements in question clear- s had more than 14 drinks and 27a percent had more than 35. g upheaval or when they :returned to their ly intended to :support: and favour the doc- can somewhat lower, but appeared extremely high. month without Practices after a number of disruptions, of tors and censure the public, but from where calling. I look theyalso stepped by accident on the were v tare oo ,► ' Onl three of the 125 students interviewed had managed to go an entire their choice or of their leaders' ca Y We were told that only five per cent of doe- • public's intelligence and on the doctors' . in - high ih Se tegrity. Speaking of post -strike doctors, booze.tors, e • .cents is obviously ;:.. he cost of the drinking habits of the students in.dollars and • errs and agents ors therels a financial diaadvantage need one really ask allow will they resp � d ,T x a 1? docs forward i l , ' P yocketbbokd have , an when those same patients come ^ some cases must reach pay part to $50 a week. It's difficult o suggests who have that aa'nount of while their patients-' p health raient? The insider is in most casts for students f relief. And Ontario h medical treat xtr"a-billed- their patients. ' 'o r the should be helping to of the education equal amount o re ie . benefit b the approdn►ately $'100 cases: "as always, with all •tlleit• knowledge ,f g y television or who read, with incredulity„ the elitist statements, contorted conclusions' and Wild predictions made with abandon, fury and inaccuracy • on behalf of the medical profession? The doctors have'notbeen served well by the militant top brass of the, Ontario Medical Association and by the colleagues who pro ducat the embarrassing excesses,* a "holy war" hysteria that would not impress a reasonable and well informed. public. It is always difficult to discuss a given" matter with someone who. does dot speak to the point and changes the subject all the time. The new law clearly addresses only` a point of money, to assure equal medical` ac= cess for the `nine million 'Ontario' citizens, rich,poor, and in-between. In our times and this basic social service is in our country, regarded as normal, unlike the private charity system favoured by the doctors. • per- , services .'ane i Y �. federal governrrient -..and ability, , ' ., • ,: .,' � : 'The law in question does not regulate d 40 under a Canada by the et M. doctor Has known from the beginning • under the Canada Health A , " r y ,., ,, ollowin in medical"practices and procedures, it, does freedoms. `yet we have been cash to squander, d' t tli psychologists. Thirty p Th cost in performance s also extremely `g drinking habits an d theyskipped classess d last week in the that,' support the hew law, The high according o e the •because of their can o arks. expressed ►I of destroy our _ war school m trust" admit that o1Nii ri ci les, reasoning social ems- blamed,booze forlo The sentiments P s the fact that 4b percent of the ori skate admitted ,theyedrove editorial "patient -doctor tr P. p . ow:a tante or bombarded kith about he governarn ment n- frightening h changed compared to cience a floes not sunt, flat wild predictions about 4he g While few of the students ex . , unacceptable . .. n wit . en• Desai s. Our lar- the.. Droll t f th indicate s app Even more i ' • ants. f m have ' i but It . If, 1 enter his office' with • x nt and private establiahtn ..,. of earlier. times, i? , . iJ sort tde' S , their binges at etude P .. .. . ', he"stall c icons and attitudes ..,,..: ,� °• , � ,tYne'f r' `tei'ference and about the doctors'needto vehicles -following over their dcin'king• habits, t Y tsto continue sur hi b blgod ressute�'he does•notxrea a d n concern t `t hemp g protect the ptlblhc. h I I presser any ' level at the same thine i s io h 0' "patient -doctor ,•u t sell . ass ingrown ., .... .. ,, attic Y a area yr rof, actors cal m. d P p di 'So experiencing e h m /i are dm , • • zed. o ► +v h • ..,.. number , , ,,,, • , vii , o e ci i that nsiderable ,. of us clone a ntinues,f b cnu(eht their, team found a co w, ..., �. ,;whfcb many, . holie is min.. d. ' hardly .._ . „ oto aim i ue P and if a area: specialists) have _ , iris.. , �,a; , . em !�,.-, 9 , • ,., *Yuen we : eleai' headed. urthermoref . � �. , . ,.�..._.. heir• Agfa.il' direr of alcohol related proble fists over those of >i e , ,f ,mortably and w holiest �. ,. � s elaolb of ubscribeco ,, itbreath, after saying that t t„gf a. . a ek the, inion of tliw p • . g . coni► , appear tw) ba P. - . , � �, . , . _ , _. ,: • , , S"'�beiia .pre�� d ante a pu, l►c thole•: f about money,. �'kien they. The ,st tistics would PP � .... , : , • , . do indeed have a p�rebl�r►t .. Imo ambo t rrassirig. pilling . cit acs ui .� r n • ,. :, .,,,.� „. • lye . ...e secorrection. , , •. that deserves imm is fair► � t t a veep a o Dub b t tl e h o it 'e io hen d t yrs a s e is � t► w five fac o � ew a �' tura y of s do ha � �+` � students and • the Indict q rte co>ivincingly t �V th a rw;iriarlKable i terpa`etattoiy I • does na h ,y . , , • .. � ., , . .;. . , �r ho d t1►at_ � eriences. Hi°e repeated in wither � have al dear farted to £ion to colleLit Mere it is fo be l>e . , sinulaa, . .1� : . , , . ,.,,.. , , • , legislation. oat di t the editorial w{o►Iclud f,e �_ .. •. ,, ... ° ... , �ise abo�►'e the,' �, ... ,� n ,r � _:. ��octor� , offices in' mos�� �t�ees� •. � � pias the e� extra fees to the, �'�ticirits • - ate , e doctors, of Ontario a peter "► acs Advocate . a ,, o a t,. hand; whatabout the hot ; money by adding � bhoods , � ..., . On the o , c... r , � � , , � - t ennui* to a ��>>~o'r� of hurt they have suffered hw� i" ividual Who in a Manner • the red at .t atie� � and �n�uw�►oir��•1�►+� aid of fheir'tiwn'`� � o" �eel�i��'�.,� tdgn�' 1rave ;'l�rgw� ir�en�glet thent �.► � grief! � saw his �r her. �wr� �o'�toiz raid elle � .�► '�oti , cod t.