HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-07-23, Page 5Opinion
Dr. Cieslar is respected
for what he tried t
Dear editor,
On July 22, Dr. Harry Cieslar's resigna-
tion from the position of Medical Officer of
Health for Huron County became effective.
We've worked with him during his five
year term as MOH and are sorry to see him
leave. He has been receptive to new ideas
and suggestions, approachable for advice,
and supportive of programs.
Dr. Cieslar cared about the Health Unit
staff he was responsible for and the people
of ilu, vu aunty he bel vtu as MOH. But
most importantly, he performed his duties
honestly and straightforwardly.
WP racne't him for that and for what hp
0
LETTE-.FR
tried to do for public health in Huron.
Respectfully,
Cathy Thomson, R.P.Dt.
Nutritionist
Huron County Health Unit,
Sheryl Gilbert, M.A.
Health Education Consultant,
Huron County Health Unit,
Postal workers here do
a food job , Miller says
Dear editor,
During a recent course I attended, my
outlook on the future of my employer was
rejuvenated. This new opportunity also
gave me cause to reflect on and compare the
present situation here in Goderich.
Under the leadership of Don Landers and
the board of directors, Canada Post Cor-
poration, who has in recent years been com-
piling and recording data and facts with
regard to problems within the post office,
seems ready to move in the direction of
resolving a lot of them. The isssues of con-
sistent service, financial self-sufficiency
and labor problems are being addressed.
My letter then is not about the corpora-
tio&s dir eetio» but rather the service pro-
vided in the Goderich Post Office and its
people.
Having met on the course a gentleman
who had under him 1,200 employees in
Toronto, my problems suddenly seemed
minor compared to his, yet we both agreed
that our greatest successes were achieved
by being able to deal with people.
The post office has always received
criticism — sore deserved, some not so
deserved – but in my 20 years with the post
office, I've been personally thanked as have
my fellow workers for a job well done by
many, many customers.
We all have faults, but by in large, the 2¢
employees working ip this post office do day
in, day out a pretty darn good job. •
They're loyal, conscientious, dependable,
pleasant and dedicated. Former postmaster
Mel Farnsworth told me when I first came
to Goderich, "We have a very good staff." I
agree! Getting people their mail has always
been important to me whether it be a thank -
you note, baby bonus or registered letter. It
shall remain so. This -staff gets- -C,-oderieh's-
mail in and out on a daily basis.
For all its faults, the post office has been a
very good employer to me and I'm truly
grateful. I think my workers would agree.
`Thank you.
T.D. Miller
Acting Postmaster
Goderich Post Office
The click of closing
minds at council
should be abolished
Dear Editor,
At a certain point at its July meeting, the
Goderich Town Council turned to the public
a profile that did not come across as attrac-
tive or wholesome. Our municipal represen-
tatives used what is known as the click
method. One. can almost clear a click when
elected. minds 'clamp shut sunddeniy and in
unison while lively expressions turn into
blank stares fixed at nothing in particular.
The incident was made noteworthy,
because, it was designed to close the ranks
against a fellow council member who excer•
-
cised the rights and responsibilities we had
',given him - and his colleagues - in the elec-
tion. Close observers know that it was not
'the first time Councillor Jim Searls has been
put down at the council table. As there is
-nothing positive or constructive about such
,practices, one hopes that they will be
eliminated from the chambers- where we
send -our -representatives to :deliberate and ,
make decisions fairly, decently, with
tolerance and in a businesslike manner,
among equals in their obligations to the
public.
In the course of his work as an elected
representative, Coun. Searls asks questions
about many aspects of municipal.spending
and, at times, expresses objections when he
regards specific expenses as either un-
necessary or too high., It is only a portion of
his participation. I am not sure I can follow
why this part of his work should unduly'ir-
ritate the rest of the council.
Coun. Searls has been known for these
concerns for years. In fact, this approach
was his platform when the (now defunct)
Ratepayers' Association put him forward as
a candidate for 'election. The people who
cast their votes for him at the polls expect
Jim Searls to do what he is doing - to remain
faithful to his mandate. The electors do not
go for a group of like-minded individuals,
but see advantages, and assurances in a
variety of personalities, interests and
talents among public office holders.
At the recent council meeting Coun.
Searls- asked for .details concerning a $100.
'lunch account .for a committee meeting in a
hotel dining room. He was given art exptana
tion for three accounts. No harm there - just
interesting to follow.
Coun. Searls then asked for a summary of
.all council and committee reated meal ac-
counts for '1985, to be preparedat the conve-
nience of the administration. He was told
that for this piece of information he must
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324-2118
GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986—PAGE 5,
ARE VALUE ThAN EVER
p ircUt....from oo & Blowdry or Set.........,..
Haircut, Shat1(tp shampoo....$7.
s6 Haircut with
Haircut only• • • • �® plus Shampoo & set
$
Tints 'Sep rate prices tor Josef Winter our team
Mary Lou Durnin has now joined
Prices effective July 23, 24, 25, 26. We reserve the right to limit quantities.
make a motion. He did. With the rest of the
council sitting in complete silence, Jim
Searls' motion died without a seconder.
What kind of signals is the council sending
to the public? That the rest of the members
would rather not have this information?
That Jim Searls should have public informa-
tion only upon approval by other council
members? That among equals, some are
more equal than others?
Everybody knows that, on behalf of the
municipal corporations, councils make deci-
sions collectively, within the powers
delegated by the provincial legislation.
Recently this point has been repeatedly em-
phasized in the council's circles. To what ,
end? Individual council members' status
surely has not been reduced to the point
where they are treated whimsically to bits
and pieces of the customary rights and
privileges of free men and women. .
I am frankly bothered by the spreading of
a less than attractive and generous spirit in
the chambers where free and easy attitudes
could more readily join forces in progress
and improvements. The aim of council rela-
tionships should be to broaden and enhance
individual interest and participation.
When the other members sat silently on
Coun. Searls' rights to obtain public infor-
mation at the council table (is there a better
place for a councillor? ), what was their
message? If it was to demonstrate impa-
tience and boredom with one member's pro-
nounced interest in municipal expenses, it
was considerably off the mark.' In private
lives one person's keen interest can mean
another person's boredom, but in public
business all areas of all interests areof
equal standing. One does not have to like the
questions to see the need for answers. It
does not matter what name marks a place at
a council table. s- .
It is not necessary for anybody to inter-
pret it as a personal insult and to get in a
mild huff as soon as questions are asked and
financial points are made. It is usually the
reaction to the frequently quite straight and
ordinary questions and comments that turns
these affairs into confrontations, with or
without words. Instead, it mightbe more in
order and to the point to revise some direc-
tions and to review certain meeting prac-
tices and expenses into which council
- related bodies might have drifted.
At any rate, the click of minds closing at
the town hall should be abolished as a
municipal environment hazard.
Elsa Haydon
Residents don't feel secure
• from page 4
action of the provincial police combed the
surrounding woods of our properties. We
were not harmed, except emotionally, but
the potential for even fatal injury was ap-
parent. One neighbor did require emergen-
cy hospital treatment as a result of his con-
frontation with the escapees:
Now what? We in this neighbourhood, who
once considered our homes as safe havens in
which to live, are now in jeopardy. We and
our neighbors suffered a horrendous ex-
, perience. We feel violated and are still
shaken, in spite of the recapture of the
escapees by the persistent efforts of the
police that night and the following morning.
Despite efforts to convince us of the ef-
ficacy of the treatment of these young of-
fenders, we feel efforts should be made to
restore our confidence in the security
system of the Bluewater Centre, such as
guard dogs or efficient patrols at night. We
also feel that firmer discipline is needed at
all hours of the day and night. If measures
could be taken, at least, to the people in this
immediate area, a modicum of peace of
mind and security could be restored.
Yours truly,
Margaret McHolrn
County share for
In the Huron County Council story (July
9) on the funding for the expansion and
5 renovation to ihironview, some informs -
sr tion was missed regarding the county's
,g„ funding situation. $240,000, not $750,000
r�
is $240,000
was put aside in the 1986 county budget for
the project, The $750,000 represents the
M inty's total financial•cornmitment to the
project whicji will be met over a three year
period - if the project is to proceed.
NEILSON 4 LITRE BAG
2% MiIk
Banaflas
Lbs.
BURNS CAMPFIRE 500 g.
Bacon
ONTARIO NO. 1
1.99 Celery
GRADE A BEEF
U.S. NO. 1 ,
Inside Rotnd &
Sirloin _Tip Roasts 2.89. . - . Nectarines....
.79
.i9"
Wieners 1.39
BURNS 450 g
BURNS 175 g. •.��
Lunch Meats
BURNS 175 g
Cooked Ham 1.59
GRADE A BEEF
Rump Roasts
3.39.
GRADE A BEEF TENDERIZED
Cube Steak * 2.99Lb
BURNS
Dinner Hams,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,2.79Lb.
CAf RLTON CLUB
24 x•280 ml. Cans �.��
Pop
SHIRRIFF•, A / ��
Jelly Powders...
MAXWELL HOUSE 369 g.
Reg., Auto or Filter �®��
Coffee
GROCERY
WESTON 12's
Hot Dog/Hamburg
Rolls .99
KLEENEX 200's .99
Facial Tissue
FOODLAND 3.6 Litre
Bleach .99
CLOVER LEAF 6.5 oz.
Oil or Water Chunk ■��
Light Tuna
WESTON'$ GRANNY 10's
Butter Tarts
BETTY CROCKER 510 g
Cake. Mixes
1.29
.99
Jim, Rose & staff would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their
support and friendship over the past 5 years 'and' %e looking forward to serving our
customers in the coming years. Watch for our weekly flyer for the complete list of specials.
A
aftd ‘40 ate
aetit 5d fipmetieutiwiv
SHANAHAN'S
104 THESQUARE t ODEI:ICR 524-9411