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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-11-25, Page 4PAGE 4--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1987 It was a Monday morning early in November when a little girl, only six - years -old, was murdered. Beaten to death by her adoptive father. The horrific story of the New York City child Elizabeth (Lisa) Steinberg, was widely publicized throughout the United States and into Canada as well. Perhaps so much attention was paid to the murder because the victim was a young, innocent child who had no chance to defend herself against an attacker she knew best as her father. More likely, the case was put in the spotlight by the police and the media in an attempt to make the public aware of the seriousness and possible outcome of child abuse and what their role is when they suspect a child is being abused. In 1983 and again in 1984, neighbors of the Steinberg's suspected something was wrong and contacted police to investigate the possibility of child abuse. These com- plaints of child abuse were re jetted_ by investigators from the New York City's Lou -Ann ®eBruyn Human Resources Administration. Besides, who would suspect a criminal lawyer and a former editor of children's books of child abuse? When Lisa was officially declared, dead, her father, lawyer Joel Steinberg, was charged with murder. In spite of the fact that investigating officers felt Lisa's adoptive mother, Hedda Nussbaum, was not responsible for Lisa's injuries, she too was charged with murder for failing to intervene. Should it take the national advertise- ment of the death of a naive little girl for the issue of child abuse to hit home? The answer is definite and resounding no. Childhood is supposed to be on en- joyable time of life. A time for fun. A time to laugh. But, for many children, more than you can Imagine, this is not so. Child abuse Is best defined as any act which harms a child — whether the act be physical beatings or assaults, sexual or emotional abuse, or failure to protect the child from harm. Child abuse is a problem. that is ap- parent both in the urban and rural set - tinge of Canada and in all social classes. The statistics are frightening. One in 10 persons are victims of serious physical abuse. One in four girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused by the time they reach the age of 18. When questioned about child abuse, many people say, "That doesn't happen here." But, it does. To localize the problem, last year alone there were 34 cases of child abuse reported to Family and Children's Ser- vices of Huron County. Thirteen of these cases involved physical or emotional abuse. Twenty-one victims were sexually abused. Victims are often abused by people they know rather than strangers. About one in four assailants is a family member or a person in a position of trust; about half are friends or acquain- tances, and about one in six is a stranger. Child abuse is a community problem. It is a problem that cannot be ignored. In spite of the fact that services are available to help both the victim and the abuser, little can be done to combat the problem of child abuse.unless we, as members of the community, are willing to help battle this national tragedy. It is our responsibility, and even our duty, as friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses, teachers, and acquaintances to report cases of suspected child abuse. All cases of suspected child abuse, whether reported to the local Family and Children's Service or the police, are in- vestigated and your name as the reporter of the suspected abuse is kept strictly confidential. In light of this most publicized case, we must not shirk our duties as citizens of the community. We cannot wait to see or hear another tragic report of a young child's death due to abuse in the newspapers or in the broadcast media field before we do something. This time it was little Lisa Steinberg. Next time it could be a young child closer to home. THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH, ONT. N7A 466 the , A". O MM1,N19Y VYeOAA" av CANADA a ICYnleuw+Cvue 3506-0500] C.C.NA. Bauer New�papr Corrpent+m 1884 ()cleric SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 1848 and published every Wednesday at Ooderlch, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OCNA, Subscrip- tions payable in advance $23.00, (Senior Citizens 020.00 privilege card number required) In Canada, 080.00 to U.S.A., 180.00 to all other countries, Single copies 800. Display, National and Classified advertising rates available on re- quest. Please ask for Rate Cord No. 18 effective October 1, 1887, Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising apace occupied by the erroneous item, 'together with the ressoneble allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of th&advertlaement will be paid for et 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 le merely an offer to eell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal - Star le not responsible for the lose or damage of uneolicited manuscripts, photos or other materiels seed for reproduc- ing purposes. Advertising Manager General Manager SHIRLEY J. KELLER News Editor. PATRICK RAFTIS DON HUBICK Features Co-ordinator LOU -ANN DE BRUYN S arts TED SPOONER FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICE...please phone (519)524-2614 Second class ►CNA mail registration Member: number 0716 Aquatic Centre poll ballot Do the residents of Goderich and the surrounding area really want a municipally -run aquatic recreation complex here in town? Would they support such a venture financially, through contributions and tax dollars? That's what the Goderich Signal -Star has decided to find out. Here's your chance to voice your opinion on the question. The project, which has been studied intensively over the past couple of years, is currently in limbo. Should it be revived? The facts have been presented in previous issues of the Signal -Star. To build a complex, it's going to cost more than $3 million. Only about $700,000 is available through government grants. The remainder would have to be raised through municipal contributions (tax dollars) and through community fundraising. Can we do it? To register your opinion, simply check the appropriate box below and send your ballot to the Signal -Star, P.O Box 220, Huckins Street, Industrial Park, Goderich Ont., N7A 4B6. Ballots can also be dropped off at the Goderich Signal - Star or any of the following locations: Riecks Pharmacy, The Square; Athletes Foot, Suncoast Mall; or Donuts and More, Huron Road. Ballots must be received by noon, Monday, Dec. 7 to be eligible. Only this ballot form (no photo copies), or handwritten replies will be counted. Results will be published in the Signal -Star on Wednesday, Dec. 9. ❑ YES — I believe Goderich needs a municipal aquatic recreation centre and I would be willing to support such a facili- ty through tax dollars. ❑ NO — I do not believe Goderich needs a municipal aquatic recreation centre and I would not be willing to support such a facility through tax dollars. COMMENTS When all else falls — send in the clowns. It seems that famed hamburger clown Ronald McDonald may have achieved what famed political clown Ronald Reagan has been unable to accomplish during his two terms of office — namely get some co-operationautof the Soviet Union. McDonald's Canada recently announc- ed they are very close to striking a deal which would see the hamburger chain's trademark golden arches decorating the skyline in Moscow, the capital city of the Soviet Union. Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev's new policy of "glasnot," or openness, has apparently created an economic climate under which the Soviets have indicated a ass to step up Western invest- ment the country. If the plan goes through and the two proposed Soviet McDonald's are eventually opened, it could pave the way for all kinds of East- West co-operation. Political implications aside, a Moscow McDonald's would surely seem like a dream come true for the Russian people. Used to standing in long lines for hours to purchase food, Soviet citizens would be left speechless when their McNuggets are delivered to them after a watt of only minutes, or even seconds. It would be a great public relations boost for the entire western way of life In the eyes of the average Russian. McDonald's could use a little creativity in the marketing approach in the USSR as well. In order to assure the Soviet lto under- inin their authority, gMcDowere not R trying de's could add a pork -based patty (complete with special sauce of course) to the menu and call it the McCapitaliat Swlneburger. Such a sandwich would quickly become a `Mystery of the Lost Road has been nearly solved 25 YEARS AGO November 29, 1962 "The Mystery of the Lost Road," has nearly been solved. Disgruntled Goderich Township residents who claim to have been denied access to Bluewater Beach just south of Goderich by action of the Bluewater Beach Property Owner's Association, have made their unhappiness knewn to Reeve Walter Forbes and step by step, the mystery is being cleared away. It is hoped that this long-standing friction over access to the beach will be abated when the property rights of the cottagers at Bluewater Beach and the public's right of access are clearly defined. After an earlier flurry of rumours as to who will be running for what, horns have been pulled In and no definite statements made on the eve of the annual nomination meeting for the Town of Goderich. The meeting will take place this Thursday evening at MacKay Hall, Mayor E.C. Fisher will seek re-election as mayor and it is believed he will obtain an acclamation for same. While earlier rumours said there would be a contest for both the office of Reeve and Deputy Reeve these have died away this week and only Thursday night's meeting will tell the story. Several new aspirants for town councillors have been mentioned but once again, only Thursday evening will tell whether their intentions are serious or not. The terms of two members of the Public Utilities Commis- sion expire this year. They are Gerry Politburo luncheon favorite. Having a McDonald's in Moscow could also aid the political awns negotiations process, because the leadership of the -USSR and the USA could meet at the Moscow eatery as a sort of neutral ground, a bit of North America on Soviet soil. It might even make a good sight for a Reagan -Gorbachev summit meeting. Ronny and Mikey could get together and swap cold war rhetoric ove a fast-food lunch. "Sorry Mikhail, under no cir- cumstances will we consider scrappp- ing our Strategic Defence Initiative planet." "Go ahead then. What do we care? We are not afraid of our irnperialid Wars pipe dreams." "Oh yeah? Then how code you've hardly taut your McChickon?" One problem McDonald's Canada preai- LOOKING BACK Whaley and George Filsinger. Still with another term to serve are G.G. MacEwan and W.J. Mills. 50 YEARS AGO December 1, 1937 Eight members of the 1938 Huron County Council have already been elected. Nominations were held in nine municipalities of the county on Friday and Monday and as a result the following men of the 1937 council are confirmed in their seats for another year: Reeve R.E. Turner of Goderich, Reeve Richard Johnston and Deputy Reeve Gilbert Frayne of Ashfield, Reeve W.J. Stewart of West Wawanosh, Reeve Wilmot Haacke of Goderich Township, Reeve Roland Grain of Turn - berry and Reeve R.E. Shaddick of Hensall: Something quite new in Goderich— indeed only recently introduced in Toronto and some other large centres in Ontario—is the Book Fair, which is to be held here on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of next week under the auspices of the Association of Canadian Bookmen and Goderich Public Library. Eight or 10 book publishers of Toronto will have books on display, and Saturday of this week, under a topical nature by the library itself, books no doubt will be Christmas a feature, and orders will be taken for any books desired. Mr. A.L. Cole, local bookseller, who is a member of the Association will be on hand to receive orders. from this angle Patrick Raftis. dent George Cohan anticipates is the dif- ficulty of guaranteeing consistent quality of hamburgers in a country riddled with chronic shortages of meat. To combat this they plan to build a special com- 70 YEARS AGO November 29, 1917 A movement in the interest of the Navy League of Canada is being inaugurated in Goderich under the auspices of all the branches of the Daughters of the Empire. A public meeting will be held in the cour- thouse next Monday night to consider the formation of a branch of the League in Goderich and to make arrangements for a tag day to be held on Saturday, December 8th, in aid of the funds of the organization. Addresses are to be given by several pro- minent citizens at Monday night's meeting and it is hoped there will be a large gather- ing of the men and women of the town. The principal objects of the Navy League are to stimulate interest in matters pertaining to the navy and the mercantile marine; to raise funds for the relatives of British and Canadian sailors and their dependents and for the upkeep of sailors homes and similar institutions and to encourage volunteer navy brigades for boys and young men for instruction in seamanship. missary in Moscow, which would ensure the quality processing of meat and dairy products. Why go to all that trouble? Why not simply substitute for food items that are more easily -obtained in the Soviet food chain? Things like McBorscht,. or even McCaviar would probably become a big hit with the average Muscovite. All kidding aside, I really do think memeeld's move is a very progessive one. Any sign of mutual acceptance bet- ween the West and Eastern Bloc coun- tries has to be considered a massive step Toward. Who knows, in crossing the Iron Curtain with truckloads of burgers for purely capitalisticurpoees, the company may have contributed in some small way to improved global understanding. Besides, who "deserves a break to- day," more than the average man in the streets of Moscow? 1