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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-09-09, Page 4PAGE 4—GODERICH SIGNAL-,STTAR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1987 This province has an enviable history of getting the most out of its minority governments the past few decades. If the popularity polls can be used as an accurate barometer, then we may be in for a majority government this time around. David Peterson and his Liberals are enjoying more than a modicum of success in the province right now and it may propel the party past the 66 seats now required to form a majority in the Legislature at Queen's Park. Minority government has worked for us and the decision this time around is a try- ing one. The governing Liberals agreed to a two-year coalition with Rae's NDPs and it was pretty much understood the government would then seek a clear mandate from the electorate when that pact expired in June. That the Liberal fortunes were soaring at the time helped ease the burden of that decision. DAVE SYKES Larry Grossman has argued that Peterson is leaning far to the right in the manner of his old boss, Bill Davis. Some believe that Peterson, at least, has the kind of blend in the caucus that will pre- vent the premier from leaning too far in that direction. It has been a difficult campaign for candidates in the province's 130 ridings, over the traditional vacation period of August. Typically, Ontarions are more concerned with a 'return to a more routinized style of life, which includes work, school and related activities, than they are with the heady issues of an elec- tion campaign. That may have been by design on the part of the Liberals; but the other parties were prepared in the spring when speculation on an election was running rampant. The issue of free trade has been a dominant concern in this campaign and it's difficult to speculate on the ultimate winner. Bob Rae has denounced the free trade deal between Canada and the U.S. while Larry Grossman has taken his stand in favor of the deal while coercing Peterson into taking a stand. If Peterson and the Liberals could be faulted in this campaign, their soft stand on free trade would ultimately stand out and Grossman tried to take advantage of that. Whether or not his tactics work remain to be seen but his campaign style seerans to have worn thin with many people. His style has leaned more towards attack than a productive and positive approach. The promises have tumbled out in record fashion as well during the cam- paign and estimates put the tally in the hundreds of millions while newspaper reports suggest Grossman's spending habits will be in the billions of dollars. Grossman has accused Peterson of be- ing nothing more than a participant in campaign frolic and attacked his low- key, participatory style of campaigning. It will be interesting to see if leader- ship plays a key role in the voting strategy and if federal politics impacts on the provincial scene. That would only help Rae who seemed to come out of the televised leadership debate on top of the heap. He projected a sensible and rational image and has been the consummate politician during the campaign. He has presented himself well and if Broadbent's popularity translates into any support, Rae may well form the opposition. But then, speculation is the stuff politics is made of. The speeches have been made, the promises are in and all that remains is the decision ,in the voting booth. f Don't forget to exercise your right to vote on Thursday. inion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 `�e • L -1 �T ALL WOUND COMMUNITY NEWIPAPES IN CANADA .the 1 y (Cvvlauon C ens 3500 45LXJ C C N A Bette Naw& peg Cm 4euom 7 984 o r SIGNAL -STAR P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH, ONT. N7 A 4B6 PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 1848 and published every Wednesday at Goderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OCNA. Subscrip- tions payable in advance $22.00, [Senior Citizens $19.00 privilege card number required) in Canada, $60.00 to U.S.A., 960.00 to all other countries, Single copies 60°. Display, National and Classified advertising rates available on re- quest. -Please ask for Rate Card No. 16 effective October 1, 1985. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with the reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal - Star is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduc- ing purposes. General Manager SLIPLL 1 U. (\ELLE° Editor DAVE S-YKES _ Advertising Manager D -ON I -n IBICV FOR BUSINESS DR EDITORIAL OFFICE...please phone (519)524-2614 Second claseii.s mail registration Member: number 0716 CCNA The legacy of Terry Fox "Terry Fox unified us as no politician could," attests Ontario Terry Fox Run Coordinator, Breeda McClew. "Thanks to him, thousands of Canadians will be united on September 13, by a common goal — to help find a cure for cancer." Terry Fox set out on April 12, 1980 "on an odyssey that took him from St. John's, New- foundland to Thunder Bay, Ontario running an average of 42 kilometres a day on his 'Marathon of Hope'. Although cancer was to claim his life in June of '81, his example con- tinues to inspire Canadians across the country to help raise funds for cancer research as best they can. In 1986 John Brooks, 87, of Langley, British Columbia, raised funds by traveling a mile with a walker. Grade five polio victim, David Peters raised $100 by walking the Terry Fox Run course in Fraser Lake. And a supporter of the Run since it's inception, Annie Burgess of Kamloops asked that donations be made to the Terry Fox Run in lieu of presents on her 90th birthday last year. –British Columbians are especially supportive of the Terry Fox Run," says Lynn Thom- son, Committee Chairman for the province's enthusiastic volunteer network. "Not only was Terry Fox an outstanding Canadian but a great inspiration for participants and volunteers alike." On the Prairies support for the Run includes: an annual square dance in Red Deer, Alber- ta, a horseback ride for Terry in North Battleford, Saskatchewan which raised $4,500 last year, and in Princess Harbour, Manitoba 100 per cent of the 18 residents participate on Run day. "We encourage people to use their imaginations to create new and exciting ways to sup- port the Terry Fox Run. If your favorite hobby is horseback riding or square dancing why not combine that with raising funds for cancer research?" invites Nancy Arsenault, Manitoba Provincial Coordinator. In Ontario, Mary Carley of Campbellville gathers friends for a more leisurely activity en- titled 'Tantcamar'. This walk followed by tea, scones and reflection raised $697 in 1986. The top individual fund-raiser in Ontario was Nancy Levy of Toronto who canvassed her friends and neighbors to raise $11,000. Her husband, Sigmund, brought the total to an incredible $20;000 with pledges for his participation in the Terry Fox Run. Imagination and fun are key elements of the annual fund-raising attempts of the Volunteer Fire Brigade from Roxboro, Quebec. Wearing their complete fire fighting ensem- ble including helmet, gas -mask, coat, air tank and boots, brigade members raised $500 by completing the 10 kilometre Terry Fox Run course. The relay team of eight volunteers also provided considerable entertainment for fellow participants. Stories of ordinary Canadians overcoming great physical barriers to participate in the Run abound in the Maritime provinces. Ken Jaillet, victim of an industrial accident in which' he lost a leg, raised over $4,000 by running the Terry Fox Run course in New Brunswick last year. In Nova Scotia, 80 -year-old Purney Kempton completed the 10 kilometre route in just one hour and 40 minutes. And Miller Sanderson, 87, of Warren Grove, Prince Edward Island has been the oldest islander to complete the entire Run for the past five years. Seniors in Newfoundland take a more laid,back approach to raising funds for the Terry Fox Run. Their annual rock-a-thon raises motley based on the length of time the individual can rock in his/her rocking chair. "I invite Canadians to run, walk, jog, ride or wheel this Sunday, September 13, in our seventh annual run," says Paula Clark, National Run Director. "Funds raised by the Terry Fox Run participants are key to the success of research efforts across the country." No understatement to say fame of Huron. County Museum is worldwide 25 YEARS AGO September 13, 1962 It is no understatement to say that the fame of the Huron County Pioneer's Museum is worldwide. Recent visitors to the museum included a man, his wife and two children of high school age from Kenya, Africa. He had heard about the Goderich museum in Kenya. One hundred visitors during Saturday afternoon helped swell this season's attendance to a record 20,000. United States visitors constantly mention the fact that they heard about the exhibits from previous tourists who have visited Goderich during the earlier months. Auspiciously blessed with a cool and sun- ny September afternoon, British Mortgage and Trust Company officially opened its unique new office building Friday, September 7. Present for the occasion were executives from the head office in Stratford, augmented by staff members from Listowel and Stratford organizations. Upwards of 500 citizens gathered for the opening ceremonies with many more ar- riving throughout the afternoon and even- ing. Threading their way through passageways marked by blue silk robes, the visitors evidenced keen interest in the unique design and appointments of the recently completed BM and T establishment. Canada's armed forces are better fed than the average husband, according to of of Canada's leading food experts. Speaking to a graduating class at the Royal Canadian Air Force School of Food LOOKING BACK Services in Clinton, Dorothy M. Shantz told flight cadets that very few housewives can compete with the dietary control, modern equipment and streamlined feeding methods used in armed forces kitchens. 50 YEARS AGO September 8, 1937 The curriculum of the Goderich Col- legiate Institute has undergone almost complete change in so far as the first form, now Grade 9, is concerned, Principal A.R. Scott told assembled students at the open- ing exercises at the Collegiate on Tuesday morning. Rooms at the Collegiate were well filled on this opening day. Among the changes mentioned by the principal were the dropping of Latin from first form studies and the addition of arithmetic. There is a new French text book this year; the . contents of agriculture study have undergone a complete change; music has been added and art periods reduced. Spelling and writing will be stressed in English courses. The addition of household science and manual training to the cur- riculum has been set over until next year, owing to the lack of qualified teachers and of workrooms. The town council had a field night on Fri- day last endeavoring to overtake areas of business which had accumulated since its last previous meeting on July 9th. All the members wre present except Councillors Craigie and Baker. Tax Collector MacKay reported collection of $37,789.71 in July and $24,978.74 in. August. The sexton of Maitland cemetery reported five interments in July and six in August. A request from Chief of Police Postelethwaite for a uniform suit and cap was sent to the special committee. 70 YEARS AGO September 13, 1917 All the members were present at the regular meeting of the town council held on Friday evening. In response to a re- quest from the Industrial Fair board, the public works committee was empowered to make needed repairs at the Agricultural grounds. A letter was received from the National Shipbuilding Company with regard to a siding to the former Paget fac- tory, and the following resolutions were passed. Moved by Reeve Nairn, seconded by councillor Cutt, that the Grand Trunk Railway be permitted to place their track across Maitland road and across Oxford Street near the corner of Maitland Road and Oxford Street for the purpose of put- ting in a siding to the plant of the National Shipbuilding Co., this permission to be at the pleasure of council or subject to the ruling of the Board of the Railway Com- missioners of Canada ; crossings to be planked and all work to be done under the supervision of the street inspector. For years, people have railed about the inequities of the legal system which, in democratic societies such as we have in North America, often seems to offer as many benefits to the perpetrator of a crime, as it does the victim. Therefore, it was with great interest that I followed the recent case of a Detroit slumlord who was sentenced, obviously by a judge with a more keenly -developed sense of humor than most, to serve his 30 -day sentence for building code violations in his own rat -infested tenament. That's right, they put this guy in his own lousy shack and used the latest in electronic surveilance equipment to keep him there. While I'm not necessarily in favor of this kind of "eye for eye, tooth for tooth," justice for all crimes, there are probably a lot of cases where it could serve to im- prove the deterrent aspect of a sentence Would a pickpocket or purse -snatcher, for example, be so quick to excercise his light -fingers if he knew he would, be com- pelled to get a real job, then stand on the streets for a three -months and give away his pay -check to shiffty-looking passerbys? Or, how about the habitual mugger, who likes to committ acts of assault against less powerful victims? Could we not arrange for him to spend 12 -rounds in a ring with some heroic figure like Sean O'Sullivan or Hulk Hogan pounding on his noggin. (Guys who like beating up women could be put in with Adrian Adonis to add insult to injury) A good punishment for those convicted of fraud or perjury would be to force them to watch the film footage of the en- tire Iran -Contra Affair hearings, and then submit to be graded a report on who they believe to be telling the truth. That would make them think twice about committing acts of misrepresentation in the future. This "You asked for it!" brand of justice could even be applied to traffic violators, whose excessive speed or dangerous roadway manoveurs cause responsible drivers to quake in fear on the highways. They could all be rounded up and brought to Goderich, where they would be forced to spend a Saturday night driv- ing around The Square with all the exit roads blocked and the parking spaces full. They would be so grateful to get back to roads with normal driving condi- tions they would have nothing but respect for the Highway Traffic Act forevermore. Litterers could have their apartments annexed as sites for the proposed new from this angle Patrick Raffia Seaforth-Tuckersmith landfill site, jay- walkers would be forced to drive an automobile through a field full of land mines and those brutish types who enjoy starting bar -room brawls every Friday night could be made to play with the minor league hockey team of their choice for two seasons. " If punishments were made to fit the crimes, it would make the criminal justice system a lot more satisfying (not to mention fun) for both the dispensers of justice and the victims of crime (not to mention the press, who had a field day with the Detroit slumlord noted earlier). Of course the criminals would not like- ly find it all so entertaining, but then, their idea of fun is usually kind of warped anyway. The one problem with the system would be what to do with the existing penal system and all those ugly jails, once judges and crown attorneys decided they'd much rather feed the criminal ele- ment a dose of their own medicine? Oh, well, it was just a thought.