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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-19, Page 4PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL•STAR, WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 19, 1986 It's relatively easy, in this business, to develop a rather cynical and jaundiced outlook with respect to the dealings of government. In fact, people expect that sort of behaviour from the journalistic fraternity. We are, afterall, revered as the public's watchdog on government and general guardians of the principals of democracy and fair play. Just let a government try and overlook a load of rancid tuna and wham, the press is there to record athe deteriorating details for the unsuspecting public. Call cabinet ministers use their power and influence to augment their own af- fluence? Not with the probing press around, I would submit. And should government officials be more than extravagant with public funds in the area of entertaining, then I would suggest there is a trenchcoat behind every potted plant and in every sauna at Ottawa parties, recording the ordeal. And in the event that an uncharacteristic bon mot or two ever accidently spilled from Harold Ballard's mouth, I would in- timate that a plethora of microphones would be shoved in the vacinity of his pleasing visage. In short, the public would look to the press for all the sordid details. And even when this sedulous scribe is looking for information on matters of weighty importance to much of the free world, I too, turn to the offerings of the nor- mally sane and reliable press. And so it was, when 1 heard that the On- tario natural resources ministry was ac- ting as a match -maker for mate -less Michigan moose, I fully expected that the story would be given prominent air -time on major networks as well as adequate word space, complete with visual aids, in DAVE SYKES the p ovince's larger daily newspapers. To y horror, such was not the case. Oth r than a cryptic press release from the Ministry of Natural Resources detail- ing its program to help lonely Michigan -moose find mates, information was non- existant. How could the same press that uncovers major government scandals and coverups, miss a magnanimous match -making moose story I)o the people of this province not have the right to know why the govern- ment of Ontario would get involved in a lonely Moose match -making club. Have we neglected to occasionally pull our natural resource people from the wilderness and expose them to reality? The matter raises several pertinent questions. Are there not enough lonely moose in the province of Ontario to com- mand the attention of the natural !esources folks, thatthey have to scrounge around the marshes of Michigan's Upper Penninsula? How does one distinguish a lonely moose from a content or mated moose anyway? I'm certain the ministry people, with their training and expertise, can determine Opinion those things at a glance. But I'm also wondering why our' resource people are interfering with such a natural, and personal, process. Let Michigan's moose population follow the normal channels to get dates. Couldn't they go on Dating Game, join some exclusive dating service, do their shopping at a large grocery store on single's night, or cruise single's bars in search of a mate. That's the natural way and I'm off the belief that man shouldn't_in- terfere with that instinctive process. The province can't leave well enough alone and will airlift 15 bulls and 15 cows from Ontario's Algonquin Park. They will join 29 moose transferred in 1985. Frankly, I'm miffed the usually reliable press failed to follow up on this story. But if I may take responsibility for the frater- nity, I assure you I'll follow this one to the end. THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 the ,.o eric___ SIGAL-STAR P.O. BOX ° '20 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK OODERICN. ONT. N7A 4BB EST L'iia' 4cON9pI^1 G IT N E NEWSPAPER IN BCANA®A p.con C 3500 PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 1848 end published every Wednaedey at 0oderloh, Ontario. Member of the CCNA end OCNA. Subscriptions payable In advance 8e2.00, [Senior Citizens 819.00 privilege card number required] In Canada, 860.00 to U.S.A., 880:00 to all other countries, Bingle copies 80C. Display, National and Cleesifled advertising rates available on request. Plasmic ask for Rats Csrd No. 16 effective October 1, 1886. Advertising le excepted on the condition that In the event of s typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item, together with the ble allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for et the applicable rate. In the avant of a typographical error advertising goods or sarvIceS et a wrong price, goods or services msy not be said. Advertising Is merely en offer to sell, end may be withdrawn at any time. The Bignel-Star Is not responsible for the lou or damage of unsolicited menusoripte, photos or other materials used for reproducing General Manager Editor SHIRLEY J. KELLER DAVE SYKES purposes. Advertising Manager DON HUBICK FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone [519)524-2614 Second class mail registration number 0716 Member: GNA COALS Life near the Great Lakes Living on or near the Great Lakes never posed any serious threat to anyone, other than providing the odd serious snow squall which was always attributed to the "lake effect." But slowly, people living in the Great Lakes basin have been subjected to a number hazards. This year, record high water levels on most of the Great Lakes has caused serious and, in many cases, irrepairable damage to cottages, homes and valuable lakeshore properties. Locally, the high lake level has virtually destroyed what beach existed along the Huron County limits and has left cottage owners scrambling to rectify the situation. In Goderich, much of the work completed along the lakeshore park and beach areas has been literally eradicated by the constant pounding of wind -whipped waves. The dollar value of the damage continues to climb and forecasts suggest that the record high water levels are bound to get much worse next spring when the annual runoff adds to the lake level. In fact, a hydrological engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Detroit, David Schweiger, submits that lakes Huron and Erie will be between 17 and 20 centimetres (seven to eight inches) highecnext April than a year ago and Lake St. Clair will be six to seven in- ches higher. Those numbers are rather significant when trying to appreciate the gravity of the problem. Looking at the lake levels now, it is frightening to contemplate what damage the spring runoff will bring to the area. Flooding and certainly, shoreline erosion will plague the Lake Huron shoreline and municipalities and cottage and landowners may be looking for some relief from the water damage. .-•: It is argued that high water levels are cyclical and that Great Lakes levels will again recede. But an ample rainfall this fall has compounded the problem and a generous spring runoff could mean the worst is not over yet. Many municipalities, in co-operation with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) have taken active measures to combat the erosion and high level problem, but' damage along the shoreline will still be measurable. It will be interesting to see what can be done to alleviate some of the damage and if the provincial government will play any part in the funding of programs to combat the problem. The town of Goderich, for instance, has worked diligently of late to create something of substance along the lakeshore, only to have Lake Huron reclaim much of the work. It's too bad, really, that so many dreams are being washed away. But, while there has always been a certain ethereal quality about lifealong the shores of the Great Lakes, today there are many more isks involved. It was reported Monday that the acid rain level in the London area is a ng the worst in the country. Newspaper reports suggest that the level had risen to the point where the ram could almost be compared to vinegar. Rea Ings in this area of southwestern Ontario indicate the rain has been 250 more times acidic t an natural precipitation. Out of six sites monitored by Environment Canada, southwestern Ontario has the highest level of acid rain on record. It is suggested that much of the acid rain is generated south of the border; especially in the Ohio valley. The levels of acid rain are alarming and jointventures by all levels of govern- ment are required before anything will be done. It is a sad commentary on the state of things when living near a fresh water lake can be hazardous to your health and property. D.S. Growing with the community is Robertson Memorial Public School's theme and Grade 7 students were putting their school's theme into practice Tuesday afternoon when they helped clean up the courthouse yard. Helping out in the clean-up were Grade 7A students Jeremy Pearson, Jamie Riehl, Jody Berry, Connie Huber and Sheryl MacKenzie. The garbage collected filled about three boxes and one garbage bag. (photo by Lou -Ann Hope ) Family concerned with food supply Dear Prime Minister: We are no longer willing to play games with our food supply! We will not risk having our family go hungry because ofsome global condition or disaster over which you have no control. We cannot tolerate the danger of consum- ing food that has been treated .by- chemicals considered unsafe by Canadian health and safety standards. We will not allow the cost of our daily bread to be dic- tated by any corporate profit picture! We want and will support action that will guarantee the viability and profitability of our Canadian farmers such as, land set aside programer, production Management and two. price marketing systems that en- sure our farmers the opportunity for profit. We prefer that the necessary production quota does not accumulate value so young farmers can get started in business and protect consumers from paying for something that has no value. We prefer marketing board policies that are flexible enough to allow a producer to also be a pro- cessor, distributor and retailer, provided that we were assured of a quality food pro- duct. We prefer that the concept of the family farm be encouraged and upheld, to ensure a broad distribution of wealth. We recognize that this requires trade agreements that would prevent food pro- ducts from entering into Canada until they exceeded the Canadian cost of production. We will support° a food tax credit for disadvantaged Canadians as willingly as we now support the child tax and property tax credit system. Our family of four, two adults and two children, spends about $4,500 annually for LETTERS food. A 15 per cent increase in our grocery bill would cost us less than two weeks wages. We have received a report- from your agriculture minister John Wise that in- dicates Canadian Farmers ,produced over $20 billion worth of agricultural products last year and while doing so spent $15 billion. That $15 billion would have to return to the Canadian consumers' pocket in the form of employment, business and interest income. The way we look at the situation, a 15 per cent increase in food prices would result in 3/4 or 10 per cent of that increase comin$.back to us in the form of emplont income. That represents a net cost to our family of 2.8 days. pay, if the products were Canadian grown. Please don't be so short sighted that the health of our most vital industry and our secure food source is sacrificed for the sake of three days pay. Mr. Mulroney, you will hear from some people that our Canadian marketing board system is responsible for gouging us by two to three per cent. We do not consider ourselves gouged when a primary pro- ducer makes a profit, we all have to profit from our endeavours. We can only be gouged when we have sacrificed our freedom and security and become forced to rely on suppliers outside the protection. of our borders. We don't want you to gamble on world markets to provide us with "cheap" food and while we support your position on free trade, it must be recognized that to be free, trade must also be equal and .we prefer that the rest of the world aim for our stan- dards rather than us being reduced to world standards. So please act now Mr. Prime Minister because tomorrow for many good Cana- dian farmers is. one day too late! Respectfully yours, Jim and Pat Boak and family. To the reader: The reason that we have made this a public letter is to ask for your support of our opinion by writing to your local MP or MPP• or to the Prime Minister expressing your views. Our present and future food supply is very important, and we are sure that our governments recognize the fact. But they cannot be expected to take cor- rective action until we, the consumer and taxpayer make our desires known. Remember, right or wrong we elected these people to "represent our best in- terests. That makes it our responsibility to inform the elected what our interests are. If they do not respond, then we have the right to withdraw our support. This is Canada, we have guaranteed rights and freedoms that few other countries every dream of. Only by our own neglect will we sacrifice our right to freedom. Please support us with your letter. Jim and Pat Boak, Rondeau Park, Morpeth, Ontario, NOP 1XO. 674-0449. Winter back for another run despite opposition of critics tneir own Iocallzeu snow. we aon t need the stuff spread all over our highways just to get some to land on their silly old hill. The snowmobilers could simply ride motorcycles all year round. Or, better yet, they could darn well drive cars like the rest of us. Ask any member of the Los Angeles Kings if it is neccessary to drag your jock strap through a blizzard on the way to the rink in order to enjoy playing hockey? To a man, they will tell you this is a myth, perpetuated by the people who sell hot chocolate at arenas. This winter stuff has gone on long enough. However, since it's already here, there's not much we can do about it this year. That's why I'm starting my cam- paign early . l figure if the ratings are bad • be next winter will year, may enough this y be cancelled, due to lack of interest. In case anyone missed last week's early warning signs, the rumors appear to be true Winter, it seems is back. truely ready for it. Last week, for example, I was not overly -concerned to awaken one morning I'm not sure why it came back. From all and find the ground, not to mention my reports, no one seemed to like it much last car, covered with an unlikely amount of year. It got terrible reviews. cold white powder. So what, if yesterday "Too cold," said one critic. the ground was bare and everyone was in "Long and boring," complained shirtsleeves? It is, after all, November. another. Miserable, nasty, violent, barbaric and generally unpleasant — the critics were united in their_ disapproval of the whole wretched season. Yet, for some inex- plicable reason, Mother Nature has decid- ed to stage another episode in, her long- running frigid saga. . No matter how many winters one has liv- ed through and no Matter hots ibng one has to prepare for it, winter always seems to sneak up unarnitottrrockl,. No ,one IS ever I didn't become concerned, winter -wary Canuck that I, am, until I endeavored to remove the frosted flakes from my vehi- cle. Why is it, that a man who owned at least three pairs of gloves last year (okay, Maybenot pairs, but Fm sure I had at least six odd ones) cannot find even one battered Mitten, with ,which to combat the first snowfall of the seasort4' car,1 sat on one. Yet now, though 1 can't *id where, pray tell, is the blasted ices remember throwing any out, there is not a scraper? Last year, it seemed, like scaper to be. had for love, nor money. everyytime 1 lowered my backside Pato the 1 consider it a tribute, -to, my from this angle . Petrick Raft's resourcefulness that I was able to finally clear the windshield sufficiently, using a discarded coffee stir stick, to get under- way in less than a half-hour. The drawbacks to winter are legion: dangerous driving conditions, escalating heating bills, runny noses, relentless coughs, constant shovelling and of course, the infuriating tales of the oldtithers who always remember, "when winters were really tough". Thepositive aspects are Less abundant. The best even the most determined op- timist ever comes up with is to sigh, "Oh well, I guess the winter sports buffs have to have their fun", This is nonsense. The skiers, stieWittobllerS and -hockey players ofthe world: do not need'to have their fun" at the expense of the rest of us. Every decent ski hill nowadays has the facilities to make