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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-12-24, Page 51 Opinion Reader urqes drinkeirs to stop completely Dear Editor: This afternoon around 5:35 p.m., my Aunt Mary Blanchard became a statistic. On Dec. 3, Aunt Mary was walking home after a visit with her husband who is being cared for in a nursing home. About two blocks from her home in Exeter, she was struck by a car driven by someone who, according to the newspaper report, was charged by police with impaired driving. Aunt Mary survived the impact and "liv- ed" in a coma until this afternoon. The Aunt Mary, I remember was a gen- tle, warm, fun -loving lady. She had a special way with little children. We all lov- ed her dearly and are so grateful for the example she will always be in our family's life. Her kind hands performed many menial and other love -filled tasks which touched the lives of Many. Her brown eyes expressed the feelings of excitement and joy and, at times, concern and hurt, as LETTERS life's circumstances came her way. She loved the chance to have a good visit, yet throughout her conversation she was _ never negative, but always optimistic and encouraging. The Aunt May I saw in the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital was an unrecognizable form; a broken bruised unresponsive body. As I stared at what I found to be an almost nauseating sight, I was overwhelmed by feelings of hurt and anger. Hurt, because I hated to think of this precious lady suffering in any way. Hurt, because I knew how those who loved her most must be .agonizing over her condition. Reader opposes proposal Dear Editor: On Dec. 2, Jack Riddell voted in the Legislature to protect homosexuals from discrimination. Under this new law, neither a family with a self-contained apartment for rent, nor an employer with teenage workers, will be able to refuse an applica- tion because of homosexuality. The nub of the matter is this: Jack (bless him) apparently believes, as he says in a let- ter to me, that we should "let homosexuals live and work where they choose." I don't. Like 'many others, I believe they should be kept away from youngsters. Jack also speaks of a "long sentence" for "sexual advances to minors." RI web, +h' no good either, as the damage to the child will have been done. If timely discrimina- tion can protect some youngsters from be- ing molested (and maybe even catching A.I.D.S.), then we should discriminate. If you agree, then please phone Jack at 524-9444 and tell him you want the law changed, and soon. Yours sincerely, Peter Edisbury P.S. If Jack doesn't know it, then many of us can tell him from experience that a sizeable package of l° homosexuals have a craving for boys. Love homosexuals? Sure. Their practices? Never. Lights display appreciated Dear Editor: On behalf of Council and the Town of Goderich, I would like to express sincere appreciation to everyone involved in developing the Christmas lights display. This certainly is a community project, with individuals, clubs, committees, chur-, ches, organizations and businesses all helping by sponsoring Christmas displays and lighting over the years. There efforts are appreciated greatly. I have personally received many positive comments regarding the display. Thank you and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. Yours truly, Eileen J. Palmer Mayor of Goderich • I.r • We can sum l up our holiday - thoughts for you in. just two words. From Josef Alphea . Mary Lou HAIR DESI(N �i r 48 East St., Goderich 52 - 1 I was angry – not at the driver of that car, nor at the judicial system seemingly so protective of the guilty while the rights of the innocent are neglected. I was angry at the alcohol' that transformed a human being into a potential killer. I am aware of what alcohol can do. I've lived with the knowledge of those surviving in poverty conditions; the children who must live in constant terror; the wives who have to leave their homes to protect themselves. I've heard first-hand about visits to the emergency ward to see those who wanted to end it all – visits to the young man lying on his deathbed, yellowed by the liver disease cirrhosis. I know it can break down a marriage, a family, a physical body, but mostly a human spirit, thus reducing a person from a human being who con- tributes positively to our society, to a blub- bering, smelling, infant -like zombie. Aunt Mary was 73. You may say she liv- ed a full life. Yet there could have been so much more. She won't be with her children, grand- children and great-grandchildren to celebrate Christmas, which also happens to be her oldest son's birthday. She'll be missing on all those occasions when families and friends gather to spend time together and share their love. She won't be sitting in that familiar pew and worshipp- ing as she did so faithfully in her local church. Someone else will assume her role as treasurer of the Women's Ministries group, a position she held for about 20 years. When my own precious mother passed away two -and -a -half -years -ago, it was such a comfort to know Aunt Mary was there. I needed.her. We needed her. As I think of all the other statistics I have heard or read about, I realize they too were wanted, needed, loved – they too were robbed of a future. What we refer to as that "one too many," has killed one too many. I'm tired of listening to and seeing that old cliche, "If you drink, don't drive." I appeal to all of you on behalf of my Aunt Mary: Please, don't drink AT ALL! ! Yours sincerely, Kathy McMillan Goderich, Ont. LAST CHANCE BEFORE RISTMAS to have your favourite prints, pictures, nee ew , photographs, etc. framed by expert customer ramers for Christmas. 20% OFF FRAMING NOW TILL CHRISTMAS Come in and see our large selection of CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS YOU NAME IT ... WE FRAME IT: BUDNY STUDIO & FRAME SHOP 38A Victoria St. N., Goderich (Beside Worsell Bros.) 524-9021 GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1986—PAGE 5 wishing you ana yours a world of hap:mness and chee we're so glad to have been of service %Zig°� . CAROLE SUTHERLAND 7 RATTENBURY ST., EAST CLINTON 482-9300 IOLID1Y REETINGS from the staff at derich Community Credit -Union During the holiday season we will be open during these hours to serve you. Avoid the last minute rush by planning to do your holiday, banking now. CI Tuesday, December 23 - 9:30 am - 5:15 pm Wednesday, December 24 - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Thursday & Friday, December 25 & 26 - Closed Merry Christm s Saturday, December 27 a 9:30 am - 12 noon Monday, December 29 - 9:30 am - 5:15 pm Tuesday, December 30 - 9:30 am - 5:15 pm Wednesday, December 31 - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm • Thursday, January 1 - Closed. Happy New Year Back to Regular Hours Friday, January 2 - 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Saturday, January 3 - 9:30 am - 12 noon 'Or/fr _.._.__. ....e a s•a Best of the Season from Brian, Linda, Jason and the staff of Nakamura & Dunlop Pharm .cies. 6NAKAMURA PHARMACY 1O11COAS? MAIL, COIMAIOI,124.21 Is 424.0121 IOE Tho Square, OOOENICH We look forward to serving you during the holiday season and throughout the new year. Regular Office Hours: Mon. to Thurs. 9:30 am to 5:15 pm Friday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm Saturday 9:30 am -12 Noon People Helping People GODERICH COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION 39 ST. DAVID STREET GODERICH PHONE 524-8366