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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-08-27, Page 4PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1986 Goodbye Goderich,it' � , eefl a case in point. Commitment and dedication are two words to describe the many volunteers necessary to get a weekend of this magnitude off the ground. Port Albert also held very successful festivities. There are perhaps some in this town along .the banks of Lake Huron who purport Goderich is just like any other small town in Ontario, or Canada for that matter. But it isn't so by a longshot. From a diligent town council, to recrea- tion and sporting groups, to church groups to a neighborhood, the people, of Goderich somehow rise above the insularity of the small town stereotype. The common denominator is people, and it's something I got in great gushing surges this summer. Being able to converse with kids at camp, take pictures of folks just hav- ing fun, reminiscing with a 90 -year old, and gr "In youth we learn; 'in age we understand." The summer of 1986 has evaporated like a misty, morning fog moving along St. Christopher's Beach. A state of nebulous nirvana has been reached as a result of this experience -laden work effort here in Goderich. The quintessential job description for a reporter at the Signal -Star would likely be a simple and stark one. But the added bonus gained through weeks of sweat and toil is the opportunity to interview, question and just chat with the people involved in this community. For anything to be accomplished with any degree of success, a team spirit must prevail. Hockey players and politicians crave it, and a progressive town encourages it. While being in the employ of the best 011 b Mike Ferf uson community newspaper in Canada (well, ac- tually third in 1986), one is able to sense that the key factor in any community, club, sports group, church group or neighborhood is people. Observing people at the Colborne Ses- quicentennial Celebrations, for example, is at experience discussing the future of Canada with the Right Honorable John Turner on a park bench on a pleasant morning in July are in- cluded on my list of memorable moments. Where else but in Goderich can you get all that.. The challenging chores at the Signal -Star must certainly include editing the reams of news copy that filter daily into the offices. On top of completing interviews and shooting accompanying photographs, writing a column, ensuring the sports headlines aren't too nasty when one team defeats another, finishing obituaries, wed- ding summaries and answering the phone with a pleasant tone of voice, the paper must still come out on time with accurate, infor- mative and newsy substances contained within its pages. Whew. With the summer over, a return to school next week means the memories and ex- periences acquired will forever be ingrained in my mind. As parents see their offspring gallantly trudging off to their educational meccas, and as grandparents sit back and wisely contemplate the world and reflect on the `old days," I'm sure they will all come to the same conclusion. The common denominator in all facets of life is people. And as it's been said before, Goderichis future can be described as "sparkling." And it's mainly because of the people. The summer of '86 will be memorable for many reasons, not the least of which is the number and quality of the citizens I have met in my travels as a cub reporter here in Goderich, Ontario. Opinion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT' SINCE 1848 GodericIi} SIGNAL -STAR L POUND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN CANADA (Circuldon Coss 3500 45001 C C , 0 Better Newspoer Cornponnon 1984 P.O. BOX P.60 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK UODERICH, ONT. N7A.4B6 PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded In 1848 end published every Wednesday at Ooderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OCNA. Subscriptions payable in advance 988.00, (Senior Citlaane 819.00 privilege card number required) In Canada, 980.00 to U.S.A., 580.00 to ell other countries, Bingle capita 600. Display, National and Classified advertising retain available on request. Pleeeo ask for Rete Card No. 18 effective October 1, 1986. Advertising le accepted on the condition that in the event of o typographical error, the advertleing apace occupied by the erroneous Item, together with the bin allowance for signature, will not be oherged for but that balance of the edvertleament will be geld for at the applicable rate. In the avant of e typographical error advertising goods or services at wrong price, abode or services may not be sold. Advertising le merely an offer to sell, and may be wlthdrewn at any time. The Signal -Star la not responsible for the lose or damage of pneollclted manuscripts, photos or other meterlela used for reproducing purposes. General Manager SHIRLEY J. KELLER Editor DAVE SYKES Advertising Manager DON HUBICK FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone (519)524-2614 Second class mail registration number 0716 Member: Names released The Goderich Signal -Star this week is covering the news of,.a major drug investigation and subsequent charges in Huron County. The story currently involves 33 persons, 32 of them 18 years of age or older and one young offender. In most incidents involving the police and the courts, this newpaper-does not publish the names Of those who are charged. In this case The Goderich Signal -Star is following com- pany's editorial policy which includes provision for covering in detail those events which iri- volve serious illegal.nffences such as drug trafficking in our area. This newspaper will be following through to its conclusion the disposition of these charges, and any other charges that are made as a result of this particular investigation.-SJK Organ doning should be voluntary The Canadian medical community recently reached a decision to take it on themselves to attempt to increase the number of people who donate their organs for transplant or research after death. As medical technology advances, making the transplant of more and more organs possible, the need for organs is fast outstripping the supply available. In the future, the public can expect more approaches from physicians to consent to the donation of their own organs, or those of dying relatives. There is nothing wrong with this, provided physicians use the sensitive and tactful ap- proach expected of people in their position. Most people give only fleeting consideration to donating their organs at the time of their driver's licence renewal. If they do not sign the donor card immediately after receiving it with their licence, they are unlikely to ever think of it again. A reminder from a medical authority may be the only way to increase the number of badly -needed donors. However,one suggestion that is not yet receiving serious consideration but may in the future — should be strenuously objected to by all concerned. Some physicians are in favor of having the licence forms changed from consent forms, to objection forms, meaning that unless a person makes a point of signing the card declaring their objection, that person's organs would automatically become available for, medical purposes. Many people may have either religious, or personal convictions which are inconsistent with the donation of their organs. That is their right. They should not be entrapped into an enforced donation simply because they neglected to sign a card refusing to do so. Such a donation requires serious consideration for many people and everyone should re- tain the right to make the decision for themselves, not have it made for them by omission. Organ donors are making a worthwhile, yet painless donation to 'a good cause and everyone who can see fit to do so, should. However, let's make sure it remains voluntary, not mandatory. The Huron Expositor. Stanley Township celebrations supported b area. residents p� y Dear Editor: The Township of Stanley Sesquicentennial Steering comittee would like to- express sincere app,reciation to everyonewho helped make our celebrations so successful. A great many people were involved in planning and accomplishing our events. We thank each and everyone for their ideas, cheerful enthusiasm and hard work. Our committees operated very efficiently, their foresight and thoughtfulness resulted in smooth running events. No event can be successful without the support of people who attend and take part in the activities. We are grateful to the large numbers of people who came from near and far and made our celebrations so enjoyable. Our recent, extremely successful LETTERS Prelude To Fall By Paul Hartman Society susceptible to marketing • BY JOAN VAN DEN BROECK We are more susceptible' to marketing strategies than we would care to admit. As a result, industry, commerce, churches and charities have all come to the conclusion that it is no longer enough to providea good product or a good service. Now it is critical to ensure that, whatever the message, it is reinforced in the public mind through the media. Consequently, we are deluged by advertisements, some subtle, some pointed- ly direct - and all carefully designed to effec- tively'influence our opinion. For years, the schools never felt the necessity of entering into the fray. After all, there was a captive market and, as change was slow and predictable, there was no necessity. Parents assumed that their children's education would, in most respects, reflect their own experience. Public awareness was, for the most part, clear and supportive.: Over the past few years, several things have happened to change this picture. The most significant factor is that, now„the ma- jority of the adult population do not have young people in school and are not 'close enough to the action' to appreciate how their tax dollars are being spent. According to provincial statistics, fewer than one in five families have children in school. Therefore, homecoming weekend was the grand finale. This success was achieved because of hard work, good weather, good planning, and good attendance by township residents, their relatives, friends and neighbors. We thank everyone who contributed in any way. On behalf of the Township of Stanley Sesquicentennial Steering Committee, Gordon Hill, Phil Durand ANALYSIS for the majority, opinions are formed from. reports in the major dailies. Another factor effecting the public's perception'of education is the changing cur- riculum. Schools are not, and never will be, like the schools of yesteryear. That is not to say that the education of the last generation is more valid or less valid than today's. It is neither. It is, just different - responding to • the needs of a generation born in a different age. Also, in recent years, private schools have undertaken aggressive marketing cam- paigns to ciphon off students from the public system. These campaigns have been 'ex- tremely . successful even though, in most cases, they have only articulatedthe goals of the public system, making them appear as their own. By not responding in kind, the public schools have created a vacuum and left the feeling that if private schools offer high academic standards - the public schools do not: or, if private schools offer opportunities for personal growth - the public schools do not. Though this is not this is not true, by not reinforc- ing a positive image, the public school boards have unwittingly allowed other in- terest groups to undermine the merits of public education. The publicschools boards can no longer afford to take your support for granted. They can no longer assume doing a good job is enough..A greater effort must be made to. promote awareness of the directions and goals of public education and 'particularly the'strengths of the local boards. As more eductional choices become available, particularly in the urban areas, parents can not make informed choices unless the public boards make comprehen- sive program information and system goals and priorities more readily available to the public. Assuming the cost of extensive promotion or comprehensive information sharing schemes will not sit easy with the public boards for there is a natural reluctance to divert funds to projects which do not direct- ly enhance student programming or system needs. However, at some point, the boards must counter misinformation and restore con- fidence in the public system in a concerted effort to prevent the further fragmentation of an educational system which has served us well. Truckers should get more respect Dear editor, Everybody's beefing about truck drivers today. Everybody's going on strike these days, everybody wants a raise in pay. If folks don't like their working conditions, • they stage a walkout or a sit-in. The doctors, the nurses, the factory worker if they don't make or get more money they become a shirker. • Now folks, I wonder what life would be like if all of the Bee Line truckers went on strike? The truck driver just keeps on trucking away, up and down the highways day by day. Gassing up and changing routes getting no more respect, than a pair of old boots. He works from sun -up till sun down and only gets a rest if something breaks or Nn engine fails and then he only frowns? ow, I wonder folks what the world would like•, if all of the Boyes truckers went on strike? N� more pork and no more beans no more strawberries and cream, no more eggs, no more ham, no more beef and no more pork, that tastes so good on knife and fork. That's what the whole world would be like, if all the truckers went on strike. No more salt to clean your roads, LETTERS no more gravel to pave the road. I'll tell you people who write and complain about the men who drive these trucks you had better listen and listen good. They put their life on the line every day leave a wife and family alone all through the week, . just so you can be home after your day at the office all snug as a bug in a rug and feeling so meek. So sit up and get smart "Give these men some credit for all they do, and stop your beefing, or better still, try and drive a truck yourself if you can and just see if the life of a trucker is all peaches and cream.” I tell you folks herein lies the rub. When. Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled around and not a turkey could be found no more geese, no more ducks, I tell you folks, you'd be out of luck. That's what the world would be like if the Bee Line truckers went on strike. But have no fear, you complaining people, they won't do that! They'll just pull on their Bee Line cap and go on trucking day by, day getting older and getting gray, they'll feed the world and keep us living until the Good Lord calls them all to Heaven. This is how I feel about all the truckers and I fume when I read accounts in our newspapers knocking them. A Devoted mother-in-law of a trudker. Katie Boughton, Auburn Seeks information about steamer Dear editor, 1 would appreciate any information In 1877, the steamer "William Seymour" anyone could supply to me, about this ship was wrecked on the north east point of Lone- and I would especially like to obtain any ly Islam', Her. steam boiler, to this day, lies newspaper clippings (photostated) and one just off our lighthouse dock. good picture of the ship. L. Gibson I know the ship was built in Goderich, by Lonely Island Lighthouse Henry Marston, in 1870 and I have a very P.O.Box 5, scanty history of its seven years. Tobermory,Ont., 1