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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1976-10-14, Page 5• •. GODERICH SIGNAL TAR., THURSDAY OCTOI3 4, .11117 RO SH Henri has has 'feet up, he's halfway through the Blue Knight and has -'just opened his third beer when the door bell rings. It's Gerry Montan, the union president down at the plant. Henri knows Gerry Montange well enough, but the relationship has always been pretty formal, .strictly business. 'Gerry has never visited the Tartiniere home before. "Comein, come in," Henri -fusses, "can I get you;.beer?" Without waiting for an answer he bustles out to the kit- chen and pops a cap. Returning with the brew he takes a final glance at the tube, a commercial is 'running, and turns it off. `Selfdonciotisly buttoning his, shirt he asks, "What brings you • here . ,.. , Gerry?" (he almost said Mr. Montang.) Gerry Montang takes out a pipe and thoughtfully begins to fill it. Henri watches,' he onee tr e to smoke a pipe but it burned n ue. his tongue. . After a long •silence Montang looked - up. "Well" I've come to ask your advice . I'd like your opinion on something." Henri answered wi th a blnk stare. It wasn't that he was short of opinions, God 'knows, but no-one had solicited one in years, and Gerry Montang seemed the, least likely to ever ask such a question. "But first," Montang went on, "let me ask you a straight question. What do you think of our Town Council?" ` That really stamped poor Henri. Finally: he stumbled; . Well I had never really thought about it much." If nothing else, you have to give Henri full marks J• for y NotinghonestI3enri's discomfort, .Montang- ppushed on; "Well let me tell .you the way councillor frequently . nods out during I see it at least, then tell me if you debate." agree. "Nods out?" Henri asked. "At least half of them are in the palm Practically fa1ls asleep; yeu know;" of some big maney in .this town. I don't , thinkhinkthaneee necessarilya 1y do what's s best for the majority of us in the community." Henri nodded dumbly. "I suspect that part of the remaining - half really have their owninterests at stake, which leaves the rest of us out in the cold again," Montang explained. Henri membled something non- committal. "There's one guy who stands up to argue every question, spends the first 10 minutes making a case for one side of the issue and speaks for another 10 minutes destroying his own argument. "Another .. one has a •tendency to wander in and out of the meetings at odd hours," he. told Henri, "and that doesn't ..give us the best representation. A third Montang explained. "Oh' yeah, him,"Henri said, no having a clue who, or what Montang was talking about. "Well, to get to the point," Montang said, what would you think if Z ran for -:,.. council. Would you support me' Finally understanding what was happening Henri burst out, "Sure, sure, you're just the guy we need,, anything I could do•to help." "Wonderful,"' Montang smiled, "I was going to ask if you'd help. I want you to place my name in nomination. I'd also like you to be my campaign manager: To me you've always represented. the average guy, and, your help could go a long way." Henri sunk back into the safe. He'd been had again: _ . . "Campaign manager eh? Well, like said, anything 1 could do `to .help," he mumbled. - INFORMATION, BACKGROUND AND OPINION • According to the fall editionof the Huron Tract, a Ministry of Natural Resources publication of the Wingham district, the Hullett Wildlife Management' Area can provide op- portunity for many hours of outdoor. recreation. ' Adult pheasants were released there this spring andsome natural reproduction has taken place. This has provided high quality birds for hunting. To,augment the naturalproduc'tion, young birds were released during the summer ,and full 'grown. birds will be released during the hunting season which opened leptember 25 and closes.. HERE December 11. The publication does note, howver, that anyone trying to hunt pheasant at the Hullett area should not expect too much succehs without,a well trainecl;dog. The ground cover in some areas.is ex- tensive and it is almost 'impossible to flush the birds without a dog. With some changes in land use in the area some of the sites now provide good hunting for `rabbits and hare as well. Also waterfowl are using the area and some hunters have reported excellent hunting along the river. ' In. addition to hunting, the area provides other recreational op- - IN ortunities. Four miles .of nature trails have been developed and brochures are available. These trails take hikers through Several biological communities and should " provide a rewarding ex- perience according to the Ministry. Although Point Farms Park has of- ficially closed for the season, the public may still enjoy it, free of charge, during the winter months. No facilities are provided. except • vault -type privies though. Over the summer development did not progress: as .quickly 'as the Ministry might have liked but the entrance road waspaved and another eorrifgrt station constructed. , Many people maynot realize that the shoreline provides a good vantage point for viewing: fall migration of various.. wildlife. During September ,scores " of Monarch butterflies were observed' moving south along with numerous song birds. Waterfowl are also readily visible and frequently provide some op- ' portunity forhuiiting, especially in times of foul weather. Grouse season opened on September 25 (and closes January ,15) and is .ex- ' pected to begood throughout the district this fall• • Once the leaves fall hunters. should be able to experience good grouse hunting in most good habitat areas. The birds. are •presently feeding on hawthorn and wild apple and may be flushed - from the ground or the trees. Good birddogs reduce bird lossin dense cover. It also appears that the snow -shoe hare and cotton tail rabbit population is good this year .and will provide many hours of hunting. The Ministry newsletter does urge hunters to -,.always . ask farmer's ' per- mission before hunting onprivate property. Your licence: they point out, does not give you . authority to hunt on. private property without permission. "You will find that your farmer friends will extend the same kind of courtesy to you that you.extend to them. ' Try it"'the newsletter suggests. . If you Would rather earn some money than spend it on ammunition the Ministrystill needs several different types of seed to fill their 1976 quota. At present they are paying well" for" White • Cedar, Tamerack, Basswood; Sugar Maple, Red Oak and White Ash. If you can deliver such seed, or know the location of such co"ntact the Ministry's district office at Wingham: Are you afraid your new dream home could turn into' a nightmare? Have you heard too many stories about new homes developing leaky roofs, sinking foun- dations, drafty. windowsand sloping •floors? Well if you put off that purchase until. "after 'December 31 this year you stand to have some .p'.rotection.. against such defects. • Warranty protection for buyers of new homes and condominiums comes into effect on- December 31, • 1976, Sidney. Handl-man, of Consum_er__and. -Commercial Relations has announced. Mr. Handleman has°said• the section of PROV the Ontario New Homes Warranty Act - requiring registration of all builders has been proclaimed, and builders of homes and condominiums must be registered with the program by Decemoer 31 if they, expect to carry on business in Ontario. The minister has also designated the HUDAC New -Home Warranty Program, a non-profit corporation, to administer the Act. This creates the first man- datory, an-dator•y, industry wide, self-regulating program in Canada One ministry,representative will sit on the corporationb board of directors. The other members will represent the Consumers Association of Canada,cthe building industry, municipalities, and associations of mortgage lenders, loans and insurance companies. The self-financing program provides a warranty that homes and condominiums started after, the end of this year are tree from defects for one. year and from major structural faults for an additional four years. Buyers' advance payments to the builder:are_-also __protected:.and__a..i P corn- pensation fund will pay damages if the warranty •is breached. - 1 The registration of builders who do not meet the standardsfor registration, or who default on thea warranty„ will be revoked.by the corporation. Complaints from home 'and condominium _buyers will also Pe handled by the corporation. Because the program ismandatory, the government will protect the rights of both-- the -buii'd•er—and the ---buyer by - allowing 'either party to appeal cor- poration decisions to the Commercial Registration Appeal Tribunal. The Commercial• Registration Appeal Tribunal is a semi-judicialbody which now hears appeals on administrative • decisions taken by the ministry. The responsibilities of the tribunal will be expanded with the, new Act. ' The Ministry of Transportation and - Communications have also recently announced new:policy. If you are aged 12., to 16, and wish to operate a• snowmobile en. -p• ' rails, -you can -now he licenced— to do so. ' Through the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and • the Ontario Safety League courses 'are now being offered which will -train `neva snowmobilers under expert instruction. o The first instructors' course was recently held at Barrie and graduates of this program . will now return to their local areas and train club instructors. From these club :ins•tructorsyoung, and new, snowmobilers will take in- struction __to gain . a certificate of proficiency which the driver must take to a dri-ver-exam-ina-tion centre where i4t---- will be validated as a licence for a $2.09 fee. The new program is designed to make snowmobiling "safer and --saner" ac- -Cording to Transportation -and Com miunications Minister James Snow. The persecution of Dr. H my-' Morgentaler continue's. Recently acquitted for the third'time of performing an illegal abortion; he has been ordered to appear' in court on November 2 to face eight more similar charges. If the Crown should decide at that time to proceed, it will mean another trial. Prosecutor Rene Dominque declined comment on whether he _ ,would be pressing the additional charges or ap: • 'peal the recent•not guilty -verdict. • Justice Minister Ron Basford has said ANADA IN SEVEN that he will not make any -recon=—Parliarrie,o amen ion a than $165,lie-jury was redueed-to---1-1 when Mr. mendations about the . remaining this country. Women legally have a right His licence to practice medicine has Justice Ducros_excused a woman juror charges. "That would be interference to abortions, but in practice, there are no with the administration of justice," he facilities for them. The Crown should said.' concentrate on 'quacksand allow con- scientious doctors to perform abortions Meanwhile Dr. Morgentaler is calling when necessary in good faith." thismost recent acquittal (all three by a jury) "a complete vindication." Following his most recent trial the The 56 year old doctor noted that "This Doctor told Canadian Press that he will is a personal victory, but ' it • also need about two 'weeks. "to recover my represents a victory for common sense health and emotions and to reassess my and justice.'' situation beforecoming up with any Ire also said that he hopes the acquittal plans for the future." •will finally : "convince members of ' • He estimates that he now owes his been suspended until next . January ., but did not disclose his reasons. which deprives hirci of his- means of making a living and •earning' the Justice Ducros.later revealed, that the necessary funds to •pay his bills. woman'h'ad' told him she was offered a bribe to vote a certain way:in the case but he did not reveal further details. On top of three court case already conducted and a possible eight more to There is no disputing the fact that the 'come, an anti abortion group, Alliance Crown is completelywithin the letter of for Life has called for a public, inquiry the law to continue bringing Dr. into an attempt to bribe one of the jurors Morgentaler to 'trial on each and every who sat- at D -r. Morgentaler's -most. • individual charge of an illegal abortion recent trial.. ' they can substantiate. No one should T°o understand the crisis brewing in South Africa, we must first understand the Afrikaner. Those people who date their history in .that country back to the early arrival of Dutch settlers -at. the Cape and later French and German' Huguenots fleeing religious persecution • in Europe. - In a ,recent -Financial Post article Patrick Bloomfield makes a reasonable attempt at it. Mr."Bloomfield quotes a black South African, Njabulo Ndebele, as saying, "Let "us hot be deceived; the Afrikaner is no longer as deeply religious as he was in • ,the -nineteenth century., Today, he has tasted of the material fruits -of modern society and is• determined to enjoy them - for as long as he can.• -" Mr. Bloomfield notes that this statiement sums up "the dead-end" that the Afrikaner people, w` ho run the South African administration, have reached. The craving,.he says, whi h blacks in South Africa now feel for' social and economic justice echoes the aspirations of the .Afrikaner in the first half of this century. This sense of dispossession in • their criticize the prosecutors too strongly, the antiabortion. ' lobby has ,proven itself a strong one and Mr. Dominque must be under strong pressure to come up with a conviction. But • does the letter of the law necessarily mean justice? Should we ' simply'` notadmit that ahy woman' wishing an -abortion can have one. 'The anti -abortionists need not - have abor- tions, but they would do well to stay out of the personal affairs of others. • - They would also do well to stop their senseless persecution of 'Dr. Henry Morgentaler. - RWS . own land, ht,says, warthe driving'lorce comers to .their country. It. wasn.t until : Ile.describes the Afrikaner ass person that` -motivated the A€rikaner . toward that' their language Was made a "with a very. high .sense of status and a today's'dothinance.l ' - . second official tongue forthe state. -particularly conformist, self '.limiting . • "They had lost their two independent Then the National Party came to andun-individualizedperson." • - , republics :of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. For many years, up to the second \, World Wair,.they had to share power ith English speaking settlers, whose . raditions and values - and.at.' titudes to - wereverydif- ferent the blacks ferent td theirs. t';' Between independence .in 1910 and 1.930; wheri the Afrikaner based National - Party came to power, they continued to feel dominated by English speaking late power on a two plank platform. They would restore the Afrikaner people . to their' own in South Africa and maintain white Civilization for the good, of all races. - That policy has not changed in the years since, nor has the mode of thought Which brought it aboiit. The Afrikaner is -stifled by conformity in what one maverick Afrikaner intellectual.calls a "culture of the straitjacket." • The Afrikaner now runs the country, he staffs the civil service, the army,the police and the, government itself.: The African - English speaking south Af r has only one cabinet minister in a country where he vastly outnumbers the Afrikaner. ' The Afrikaner has won supreme power but it has only increased his feeling of isolation in his own land. `.Yet, unlike his English speaking fellow South Africans, ,,,there is nowhere else in the world where. he can ,,Live among people of his own:: tradition and culture. Mt.t'_•; In' •everyway ,possible ,the Afrikaner; has, and continues to, shift himself off,; from the outside world in an. effort to- protect o protect his culture..Unfortunately fof the;'. Afrikaner he has been very successful in: doing n just that. gJu •A,$ the world continues to get smaller. and smaller the Afrikaner's place in it shrinks by similar proportions. In faiiirtg- to adapt, and tet. his culture grow, he hat stunted' it. to a point where it is crippled and has lost its ability to function. .t.