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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-11-22, Page 4PAGE 4—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979 Godericht SIGNAL-STAR The County Town Newspaper of Huron founded In 1641 and published every Thursday at Goderich, Ontario. Member o6she CCNA and OWNA. Advertising roles on request. Subscriptions payable In advance .16 00 in Conodo, '35.00 to U.S.A.. 75.00 to all other countries, single copies 35'. DIsploy odverilsing rotes available on request. Please ask for Rote Cord No. • effective S-pl. 1. 1170, Second doss moll Registration Number 0710. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the event of typographical error. Ihe-odvertising'spocooccupied by the erroneous 11•m, together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for al the applicable rate. In the event of a Iypographlcol error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or service may not be sold. Advertising Is merely on oiler to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. Th- Signol.Star Is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. Published by Signal -.Star Publishing Ltd. ROBERT G. SHRIER — president and publisher SHIR.LEY J. KELLER — editor DONALD M. HUBICK -advertising manager Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 220, Industrial Park, Goderich Second class mail registration number — 0716 Business and Editorial Office TELEPHORE .524.8331 area code 519 Good for all MacKay Hall is to be a senior citizens' centre. Hooray. Senior citizens need love too, Being a senior citizen these days can mean many things. It can mean retirement and relaxation or loneliness and frustration. It can mean card games and bus trips or it can mean meals for one and evenings alone by the television. It can mean time for family and friends or it can mean separation from children and rejection by acquaintances. Growing old can be exciting and fulfilling, or it can discouraging and empty. Much of it, depends on how the community views people in the golden years. If the needs of seniors are understood and met, many of the other not -so - pleasant problems of aging will seem less significant. A senior citizens' centre will be a welcome ad- dition to the municipality - and a nice complement. to the senior citizens' housing project which is already planned. Anyone who expects to be a senior citizen at some time in the future should get behind the project with whatever support he or she can muster. - SJK Emergency cover The recent derailment of a freight train hauling tank cars containing propane, chlorine,. caustic soda, butane and toluene which resulted in the evacuation of the entire city of Mississauga, has many thinking people shaking in their shoes. '- Did that train or one like it pass through Goderich — or Auburn? -Could that incident `or one like it -have happened right here in Huron County? What kind of.. emergency services are available 'in 'this area to handle that -kind of a crisis? While it is true that evacuating the town of Goderich and environs wouldn't pose near the problem it would to evacuate the population of Mississauga, there's no doubt there would be a need for some fast decisions and some quick_ emergency planning. Could we cope? Fortunately in Goderich, hospital officials here are' working now on an 'updated emergency measures scheme in case of a disaster. That's more than some communities can boast. It's. more than Woodstock had Vhen a devastating tornado struck there this summer. And Goderich hospital officials realize that to be useful, an emergency measures scheme must be kept up=to-date. It's easy for such things to grow useless if someone isn't constantly on top of the situation - keeping contacts fresh, keeping, telephone number current, keeping communication' open, keeping principals informed. This newspaper would urge all major industries in Goderich, all schools, all churches, all businessmen, all •politicians, all service clubs, all municipal employees, to be aware of the need for a constant interchange of information and ideas to keep the " people of this community as safe as possible in the face of a disa'sterr. This newspaper,alsourges the people of Goderich '75 YEARS AGO take it to pieces and ' Elmer Cranston and area to be ready and willing to serve in any way rebuild it in the township. Montreal Street. His many friends and Thanks Dear Editor, Just a brief note to publicly acknowldge the excellent manner in 'which the Goderich Fire Department responded to a fire at our home recently. These gantlemen used complete discretion in keeping damage to a minimum. Cleanup after the fire was an added plus by them and the overall manner in the way they performed under fire was commendable. Our sincere ap- preciation to all the fellows on the Goderich Fire Department. Ron and Gail Allin and boys A few facts Dear Editor, Your thought- provoking article "Dear Readers" of November 15, concluding with: "Let's be certain we're all talking about the same thing when we discuss SEAR EDITOR Christianity," brings to mind certain facts, as follows. You state: "Christianity is tied in to Jesus Christ -and, his_ teachings." First of all, Jesus Christ taught I that the Hebrew Scriptures were :the truth', (John ,17:17). Certain religious organizations labelling themselves "Christian" have published statements that the first eleven chapters -of the Hebrew Scriptures are 'folk -lore and myth'. Where 'does that place them? 1 6 : 3,16,1725,26,27,28; John 17:1) It is not about time that "Christians" began to face the facts? Even the Revised Standard version of the Bible reveals that "the faithful and true witness" was "the beginning of God's creation", the footnote at Revelation 3:14 referring to Proverbs 8:22 where it reads: "The LORD created me at the beginning of his way." These are only a few of the facts available to thinking people today that are causing the "exodus from traditional religion. Sincerely yours, 'C.F. Barney Nestle official retaliates. Dear Editor: Our records indicate that your publication has carried an article in the past dealing with the complex •issue of infant nutrition in the Third World. This subject was Another organization examined recently, by the labelling themselves World Health "Christian" has Organization at a special puhlished the statement, meeting in Geneva, and I "If Jesus Christ is not am pleased to advise you, God, then the Church is that my compnay's' guilty:: of 'substituting a current policies are creature in God's totally consistent with the place'." All this despite recommendations issued the fact that Jesus is by the World Health reported to have con- Organization_ at the sistently referred to his conclusion of this Father as God. (John meeting. 14:!;. 31: John 15:1, 21; Nestle has pledged its John immediate support in the OOKI necessary, to keep this communication network l public In general will be glad' to learn that alive and alert It isn't th' thatwill t k ' the pu �h whole lot of time on anyone's part, but it will require dedication to the cause and understanding of the system. As well, the people of Goderich and area should be pressing the provincial government to enact proper legislation governing the transportation of deadly chemicals and potentially dangerous sub- stances, either by rail, by highway, by air or by water. .. • And, perhaps community officials` should have" •some tog a a e a some knowledge of the materials which are passing through area . municipalities from time to time. Surely then some kind of specific planning could be done to cover the situations which could arise from. known hazards in the district. • Emergency measures planning is just that - planning measures in case of an emergency. If there is some indication of the kind of emergency to be faced, planning the measures:- in case of that emergency should be much simpler. - SJK Should you join? There has already been some snow in this community and there is little doubt that more will I fall on the area very soon now. Snow is synonymous with winter in this region, and with the snow comes all kinds of winter outdoor activities and new dangers for unwary people. One of the newest forms of outdoor activity in the winter is snowmobiling. The number of snowmobilers has increased dramatically over the years. What's more, the size and scopeof these snow machines has also increased. It's no wonder then, that in the winter of 1979-80 the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Com- munications is expecting increased hazards for snowmobilers and is warning early to "put safety first when they take to the snowdrifts this season". Last season, 38 Ontario residents were killed in snowmobiling accidents. That represents more than twice the number of persons killed in snowmobile mishaps the previous -season despite the fact that collisions involving snowmobiles were. down 4.1 percent from 803 in 1977-78 to 770 1astyear: An additional seven snowmobile drivers and one passenger drowned when they drove their vehicles into open water or broke through thin ice. The Ministry is now encouraging snowmobilers, particularly beginners and especially youngsters, to take a driver training course now beingoffered by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). If anyone in The Signal -Star readership is in- terested in locating snowmobile clubs which offer these driver training courses, simply contact the OFSC 'Driving Training Office, RR I, Jordan Station, Ontario. LOR ISO. It sounds like a sensible idea that -could save somebody's life and limb...maybe yours. - SJK • 25 YEARS AGO 5 YEARS AGO Jonathan, Miller, the Possibility of ' an genial Boniface and all election for a least one round ,good citizen,has post on town council reopened his livery on loomed this week with the East Street. announcement by Robert Elliott, the -Deputy-Reeve Joe Allaire area's Apple, king,. says . that, he Wciuld oppose he has -shipped 14,000 Reeve J. H. Graham for barrels this season, 10.000 the Reeveship. Mean- to Glasgow with ..the, -.while-no-.indication''-has balance . going to 'been given yet whether Liverpool. Aberdeen and there. Will he a fight ,for Hamburg. ;' the mayoralty and other The dance/given by the Harriiony ;' Club on 1lranskg1v,ing night was a decided _success, the at ten da n,ce,_.-being large and thio.' music - the Blackstone Orchestra) of the befit. Thyre wa i a largely attended sleeting of the recently organized Rifle As,'ociatiun in ,the town h.,ill Monday evening. ;Messrs. E':.C. Attrill and ;Fred Davis were absent 'during the past week and improvers of stock will be pleased to learn that, while away, ` the gen- tlenlen purchased a most valuable ($3,000) Per- cheron stallion. It will he shipped from Chicago Stock Yards to Goderich on December 3. • ,This time last year the skating rink was doing a big business and there had been a few days pretty fair sleighing. A great contrast to the November Weather of 190. Jno. F. Andrews has purchased the barn on - Lighthouse Street, on the one-time Grace property, from Robert Orr and will council posts. - 1'he new bridge over. the Maitland River at Auburn may he opened to traffic early next month, the Huron County Road Committee told 'County Council here Tuesday. The G.D,'C.I. team won the Huron County Secondary Schools rugby title this year. The leant. went through the year's schedule without a kiss. 1 verj. ti Ole Huron ('ounty had a regular ,t5 il)n this vear-, it was held in a different place. Its chambers in the court house were destroyed hy, fire in F=ebruary. County Council is ex- pected to give approval today ,to' a by-law which would increase the rates for inmates at the Huron County Home in Clinton from $35 per month to $60. Huron County Pioneer Museum had a record year in, 1954 with 10,706 visitors recorded up to last weekend. Mr. Edward J. Stiles of Toronto has purchased the funeral home and underti'king business of preparation of an in- ternational marketing code that will serve as a model for individual governments in the Third World. In the meantime, where there may be need for further clarification of the recent guidelines, Nestle intends to adopt the most stringent measures to avoid any practice that could be interpreted as in- consistent. Following is a statement by M.E. Hansen,' 'president of Nestle Canada Ltd., that covers the subject in greater detail: "I am pleased to an- nounce that the parent Nestle company in Switzerland has endorsed the statement issued October 12th by the World Health Organization and UNICEF' on the marketing and distribution of infant food products. "The statement was issued by WHO -UNICEF following a four day meeting in Geneva in -which 150 representatives from industry, govern- ments, the medical profession, and consumer groups participated: A major element of the Nestle terminated con- sumer advertising and direct consumer promotion of such products in July, 1978. "The WHO -UNICEF statement further an- nounced the organization of a process by which WHO -UNICEF will develop an international code of marketing which will also serve as a model for governments to adopt. Nestle has already en- couraged and co- •' operated in the formation of codes of conduct in several countries and will continue to do so. " In announcing Nestle's support of the WHO -UNICEF statement, I would like to point out that Nestle participated in the Geneva meeting together with other members of the International Council of Infant Food Industries (ICIFI), whose members account for 85 per cent of the sales of baby foods in the Third World. "ICLFI's, paresident, Ian Barter, described the Geneva meeting as "a constructive and im- portant landmark in the battle against malnu- trition'. He also pledged the industry's deter, on Plans for- future in- dustrial and residential development for Goderich were unveiled to town" council 'last Wednesday. Municipal Planning Consultants Company Limited presented four alter- native,- r°'co'ncepts ' for development south .of Blake Street where most of the undeveloped lands in the town are situated. One i,million dollars, recently made available to Dominion Roads Machinery- Co. Ltd., can be used only to assist foreign customers to purchase, DRMCO equipment. Bulldozers are at work on shopping plaza sites in and near Goderich. This week both Suncciast and Rockledge developing companies were busy with site preparations. Robert Welch, Attorney General for Ontario, said he'd made an extensive review of the ad- ministration of_justicc in Huron County ,and;" 'had decided, there was no justification, for the request for an inquiry into it. He was replying to questions from Murray Gaunt, Huron -.Bruce MPP and Jack R.iddcll, Huron MPP.., Canada may he sending white beans to needy countries in lieu of grain, fo!!owing a suggestion in the House of Commons by R.E. McKinley, MP for Huron -Middlesex. statement ` was 'a recommended ban of all sales promotion _and promotional advertising to the public of breast- milk' substitute"' and supplement products. mination to cooperate with' WHO in establishing the more detailed in- ternational ..code of conduct. "The Nestle parent Turn to page 18 • e the editor Everybody wants to be an editor. So here's your chance. ' Signal -Star Editor Shirley J.Keller invites you, the-r,ea.der, to have your say in the final edition for 1979 on December 27. Needed are editorials, columns, stories and feature. items about the year just past. Maybe it will be a review of your club in 1979. - Maybe it will he your impressions of Goderich town council, township council or county council for 1979. Maybe it will be a roundup of the baseball season or the new records set at the golf club. "Maybe it will be your impressions of provincial affair-s'or federal matters, Maybe it will a viewpoint on the energy crunch, the problems of inflation. the severe unemployment throughout the country, the national unity question. Maybe it will he something funny. Something sad. • Something warm. Something human. Something serious. Something wonderful. Whatever it is you would like to see in The Signal Star's final edition for 1979, write it down and send it along with your name and' address and telephone number before Wednesday. December 12 to: I Want To Be An Editor, The. Signal -Star, Box 22,0, Indus.trial Park, Goderich. N7A 4B6. All submissions must he identifiable by the editor although pen names may he used for publication. All submissions will he judged by the editorial staff • of The Signal -Star for their suitability for publication. All will become the property of The Signal -Star but not all will necessarily appear in print. Come on. readers. Get involved in this special wrap-up edition for 1979. Indulge your urge to tell it like it is. Be an editor and become a leader. DEAD REALE BY SHIRLEY J.KELLER I had to smile this week when a communication came in from Herbert A.Epp, MPP for Waterloo North about the equalization factors. Epp is the municipal affairs critic for the Ontario Liberal Caucus. The title of the communication was "The ABCs of Equalization Factors (or what everyone wants to know about equalization factors - but is afraid to ask). I said aloud,"Boy, I hope this is as simple as ABC. It would have to be for me to understand what the provincial government is trying to do to taxes through these equalization factors." So when all wasquiet, 1 sat down to read the five pages set out by Mr. Epp. I learned that equalization factors are -the numbers used to determine°how° much money municipalities, and school hoards obtain in grants ,from the province, and to calculate how costs are shared between municipalities for both county services and for education. The equalization factors become important, I also learned, in dcrfer- mining 'how much to give to each , miinicipal ilty. To do this, the worth of a municipality must he known to government - how rich or poor it is compared to all the other municipalities. According to Epp, each municipality can he said to be worth the total value of all its property, which is the assessment upon which property taxes are levied. And, in order to compare the assessment base of all municipalities - which currently varies from one to another - an equalized assessment' must he calculated for each. And, _wonders of wonders, the ratio of the municipality's 'local assessment to its equalized asessment 'is the equalization factor. Simple isn't it? You need an example you say? Well, if a municipality's current assessment were $1 million, and its market 'v'alue assessment were $4 million, then its. equalization factor would he 25 per- cent. The significance of the factor, Of course, is that the higher the factor, the Tess money that municipality or school board receives from the province since it is seen to he relatively wealthy. Similarly, the higher the factor; the greater the municipality's share' of costs for county or regional services, including education. Then there's this little footnote: "It should he noted that the actual use of., the factors for the calculation of grants and apportionment between municipalities in regions and counties, together with apportionment of the school levy, is more complicated than the above suggests." I learned that historically, individual assessments have varied a great deal - some being too high, some being too low. Generally speaking, commercial and industrial sectors were over - assessed; residential and farmland sectors were under -assessed. I also learned that inflation has hit real estate, making some property - such as in rural areas - escalate in price at a faster pace than in the cities. in many areas, to be, truthful, these values have been distorted by city folk paying "fancy prices" for farms or , cottages. The newest set of factors were puhlished on July 14,1979. In general, after figuring the impact on provincial properties, it showed that larger urban centres would gain while smaller township would lose. So on October 12, the province an- nounced that the new factors would be modified. The danger of drastic hikes in property taxes seems to have been removed for the immediate future. Epp criticises this "one-year stop- gap" solution. He claims that neither the government nor the taxpayers know how much the various promises designed to "cushion the blow will cost. What's more, Epp says, "The scheme, as modified, is so complex that less than a handful of people in this provinceare able to understand it. It makes a mockery of one of the original objectives of property tax reform, namely to make the system clearer to the public." So there you have it readers. The ABCs of equalizationl factors. Another example of goverment at work. tr-