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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-12-18, Page 40.0,9-,_41, ie ^ -'ing ant 213bance-tiCinteo Published at Wingham, Ontario, P.O. Box 390 - NOG 2W0 by Wenger Bros. Limited Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. Audrey Currie, Advertising Manager Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations Member—Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc. Subscriptions $21.00 per year $23.00 beyond 40 -mile zone Barry Wenger, President Henry Hess, Editor Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Sik months $12.50 Return postage guaranteed A right to speak... A couple of judgment calls during last week's inaugural meeting of the Wingham Town Council cast a shadow over what was otherwise an excessive- ly long but quite commendable opening session. Both involved decisions by the new mayor and both raise questions about the style of government we can expect during the next three years. The first was Mayor Kopas' refusal to allow the chairman of an advisory committee to address council. Al- though the ruling is technically correct in the sense that a member of the public has no absolute right to speak to council, without going through the proper miitioris and being placed on the agenda, his handling of the incident left a great deal to be desired. For a start, there was nothing wrong with Mr. Eaton politely asking to speak to council on a topic which falls within the scope of his expertise. Mr. Eaton has been a frequent visitor to council meetings and, as the mayor is well aware, has occasionally been permit- ted to comment and, provide informa- tion on relevant matters. In fact, it appears that in this instance council ...and to listen The second bad call was the mayor's decision to go behind closed doors to discuss, and eventually decide to pass, the bylaw providing an 'early-retire- ment benefit for the town police. The pretext for holding the discus- sion in -camera was a lawyer's letter offering an opinion on council's position ,with respect to the bylaw. This enabled the mayor to describe it as a legal mafter which should be handled in confidence. His rationale is unconvincing. Law- yer's letter or not, the issue was and is fundamentally a political one involving could have saved time and expense by hearing him out. Secondly, there was no justification for the manner in which the mayor responded to the request. There also was no excuse for his suggestion that Mr. Eaton could be removed from the room. A chairman has no right to order a member of the public to leave a public meeting unless he is creating a disturbance. By no stretch of the imagination was that occurring here. If the mayor's ill-mannered conduct stemmed from resentment of Mr. Eaton as a persistent rival in the recent mayoralty election and subsequent recount, that is bad enough. Private grudges have no place in public business. If, on the other hand, he was serving notice that this is the way he intends to treat any member of the public who dares to approach council without an invitation, . that is worse. Wingham Town Council is scarcely the House of Commons, after all, and the cause of good government is poorly served by a blind adherence to rules of procedure. anexpenditure of taxpayers' money. As such the public had every right to hear the basis on which council made its decision. It should also be noted that a council is not required to discuss all quasi -legal, matters in -camera. The key word is matters involving litigation. If that was an issue in this case, it certainly has not been made clear. With any new council, some allow- ances must be made 'for errors of inexperience. We trust that — and not a deliberate disregard for the public — is the explanation here. A step. backward Last week's edition of The Wing - ham .Advance -Times carried a letter from Paul Carroll of Seaforth which condemns the latest rule changes sanc- tioned by .the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, as well as the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. The new rule introduces ermissive body con- tact for players atthe PeeWee level. An earlier rule change sanctioned similar contact in the Bantam age group. As Mr. Carroll correctly points out, the rule change makes the requisites of brute strength a priority over skating skills, stick -handling and team work. "Wide differences in the physical size and development of this age group also create a „significant safety hazard. When the pre -pubescent four -footer collides with the gangling six-footer the results are not amusing," says the writer. We totally agree. One has only to read the accounts of hockey games be- tween teams of older players to note the number who are "injured each season. Physical injuries, many of which leave permanent damage or an invitation for problems in later life, are a.high price to pay for participation in what is supposed to be a "sport". Surely hockey is intended to be a healthful way of teaching our young- sters tt enjoy sportsmanlike competi- tion rather than sheer aggressiveness. Long forgotten is the old adage, "You can always win if you can ,lose with a smile." Hockey has been so generally ac- cepted as a "must" for young children that one wonders whether or not it is still a game. Changes are needed There are serious faults in Can- ada's new Young Offenders Act, the legislation designed to treat young people differently in the country's courts and penal system, according to The Glengarry News. I Facing pages of The Toronto Star recntly carried two murder stories with vastly different results. In the first, a 17 -year-old youth in London, Ontario, was sentenced to life im- prisonment for second degree murder. He had pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a taxi driver. This young man, though under the age, limit of 18, was tried in an adult court and sentenced accordingly. He will not be eligible for parole for at least 15 years. •The second story concerned an- other 17 -year-old, from Vancouver who was given a three-year sentence for manslaughter. This young man ad- mitted to beating and slashinga man to death. He repeatedly cut his victim with a straight razor and carved his initials in the man's chest. He beat the man severely. Why is one murderer tried as a adult and sentenced to life in prison, while a second and much more vicious killer, at the same age, is coddled as a child and given next to no penalty at all? The public will naturallybe asking if the Courts are adequately protecting the public by allowing a sadistic killer, a young man who obviously derived pleasure from torturing a man to death, to return to the community in a matter of months. Seventeen or 18, this young man is obviously dangerous. Too happy too soon Boy! Wasn't that a beautiful fall? A bit short on sunshine, but no snow to shovel until we were well into Decem- ber. Now it seems that fun weather is all over. Good old Ontario is once again proving worthy of its reputation as the land of snows. Is there any place you'd rather be? ES age of edit a opinion Items frrn- Old Files DECEMBER 1938 At a meeting of the Maitland Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Canada held recently in Melville Church, Brussels, 'Rev. William Young of the Kinloss and Kinlough Churches was chosen moderator. Miss Mary St. Marie was pleasantly surprised on Tuesday evening of last week when about 60 of her friends gathered at the home of Alf Lockridge to honor her approaching marriage. Little ,Ruth Lockridge, looking very sweet in a dainty frock of white, ushered the guests into. the house. The Wingham Lions Club will sponsor a Juvenile and Midget hockey team and itis expected the new team will compete in a league with •Goderich, Clinton, Seaforth, Stratford and Mitchell. The club members feel the local lads should gain plenty of hockey experience under this system and who knows, another Morenz may be developed. The Women's Missionary Society of the Wingham United Church held ,its December meeting recently in the Sunday School Room. Officers for 1939 are: honorary president, Mrs. J. Pattison; president, Mrs. W. J. Greer; first vice, Mrs. W. Field; second vice, Mrs. Griffin; third, Mrs. Wilson; recording secretary, Mrs. R. A. Coutts and treasurer, Mrs. VanWyck. A. Christmas Tree and Dance will • be held at Powell's School on Dec. 22. Admission for•the gentlemen is 25 cents and ladies are asked to bring lunch. DECEMBER 1951 A pleasant afternoon was spent last week in the council chambers when the Women's Institute held its Christmas meeting. Mrs. Joseph Schneider gave a demonstration on shortbread making and the Christmas story was read by Mrs: Kirby of the Salvation Army. A number of infants were baptized at the Sunday morning service at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Wingham. Those receiving the sacrament were: Kenneth Hartley Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hartley Smith; George Richard Welwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Welwood; Janna LynneEwing,, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Ewing; Gayle Louise Gannett, daughter •of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Gannett; Susan Jane Currie, daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. R. John Currie; Judith Elizabeth Reid, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Reid and Ellen Irene Cruickshank, daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Gerald W. Cruickshank. The masterpiece of Christmas decoration on the front door at the home of Mr. and Mrs: Roy Bennett of Wingham is worth seeing. It lends a festive air to the whole neighborhood. The congregational Christ- mas Party of St. James' Anglican Church, Wroxeter, was held last Friday eve- ning. It began with a sleigh- ing party for the children. with Bob Bennet lending his team and sleigh and David Draper being the trusty driver. The Wingham rink which won the trophy at , a recent five-day bonspiel at the local Thanks for help with Santa parade Dear Editor, On behalf of the Wingham Optimist Club I would like to express our sincere: thanks to the people of this community for the effort that went into the Santa Claus Parade. Thanks for a fine parade Dear Editor, This letter is to say thanks ever so much to all who organized and participated in the Wingham Santa Claus Parade held on Saturday, Dec. 14. Despite the very stormy weather, everyone enjoyed an excellent parade! Iso thanks ever so much to the Wingham Optimist- and Opti -Mrs. clubs and to all who participated in the family Christmas party held at the Wingham Legion on. Sunday, Dec. 15. Everyone had a fun afternoon. It takes a lot of time and effort to organize 'these events. Thanks again! Shirley French Bluevale Despite the blustery •weather, the parade went off without any major hitches and was an unqualified success from our point of view. There are dozens of "thank-yous" that need to be said: to the local industries which supported us, to the businessmen and merchants who did likewise, and to the utilities, hospital and the numerous individuals and organizations which con- tributed. Special thanks should also go to Optimists Dick Elliott and Bill Henderson Jr. for the superb job they did putting it all together over the past six months and on .parade day. I would also Hk fo Thank The Wingham Advance - Times for the advertising and coverage of the parade and Wenger Publishing for the use of the Crossroads van. You can count on seeing another Santa Claus Parade in Wingham next year, only maybe a few weeks earlier. John Chippa, President Wingham Optimist Club curling club was skipped by Ronald Rae. Other team members included D. A. "Ike" Rann in lead, Frank Hopper, as vice skip and Harold Thomas, second. DECEMBER 1961 Retiring Wingham Mayor R. E. McKinney was honored last Friday evening by town council at its inaugural meeting. Mr. McKinney was presented with an engraved silver tray and retiring Councillor William Burgman was presented With a set of 'cuff links. A presentation was held in the Fordwich Hall last Friday evening for Mr.' and Mrs. Jim Douglas (Mary Johnson) newlyweds. Phyllis Wilson read the address and the young couple was presented with a coffee table, step table,, lamp and an occasional chair. Jack Aitchison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Aitchison of St. Helens, had the misfortune to fracture•his right arm in a fall at their barn last Tuesday night. He had the fracture set at the Wingham hospital last Wednesday and was able to return home. DECEMBER 1971 Over 800 children met Santa Claus and his elves lastSaturday at the Wing- ham Armouries following this year's very successful Santa Claus parade. A large crowd lined the main street to watch bands, 20 floats and even horsemen on well- groomed mounts. Corrine Cranston and Verna Aitchison, both of RR c 2, ,Lucknow and Linda Mewhinney of RR .1, • Lucknow, were recently presented with provincial honors certificates for having completed 18 4-H homemaking clubs. Ken Crawford Jr. of Wingham recently stuffed and mounted a Chinook salmon for Carl Basnow, who caught the 45 -inch fish in the early fall in northern Michigan. Wedding vows were solemnized recently at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Wingham, when Brenda Jane Ellacott became the bride of Thomas Percy Deyell. The newlyweds are residing in Wingham.' 19 5 rip New Books in the Library THE FRATERNITY OF THE STONE by David Morrell This is a chilling, exciting tale by the author of The Brotherhood of the Rose. GOD BLESS US EVERY- ONE by Andrew Angus Dalrymple Christmas Eve 1843 is the setting for a delightful sequel to "A Christmas Carol" — seven years later. Find out what might have happened. to the C rachits and Scrooge. CHARLES AND DIANA by Ralph G. Martin This claims to be the first indepth social history of the future King and Queen of England. This is one -book no "royal watcher" will be able to resist. THE CITY OF JOY by Dom- inique Lapierre A French Catholic priest, a beautiful Assamese nurse, an Indian rickshaw puller and an American doctor meet in a monsoon deluge in one of the poorest, most over -populated areas of Calcutta. There they set about living with and caring for its people a this is their story. CARIBBEE b Thomas Hoover Set in the mid -17th Century and based upon real people and actual events of 'the islands of the Caribbean, this book is one of the first major works of fiction of this fascinating period. A PIECE OF MY MIND by Andrew Greeley This book Matures many issues and ideas, both secular and religious, that are.on Greeley's mind — and on the minds of his fans and foes. When Canada took over the Northwest Territories in 1869,,mail service wasestab- lished over 900 miles be- tween Winnipeg and Edmon- ton. Thank -you note hit nail on the head Dear Editor, It is so refreshing when someone "calls a spade a spade" -- and in print, too. So it was that I was some- what fascinated by John Gaunt's thank -you note to electors in your paper. That concluding phrase, "These who were too lazy to vile for either candidate de .lot value their franchise and therefore do not deserve thanks from anyone;" certainly hit' the nail on the head. Our system of democratic. government has many flaws, and the lack of interest in voting is possibly its greatest defect, A most difficult disease to deal with, too. Yet the right of all citizens to vote is a right for which our forefathers paid a hcrren- .dously high price. One won- der_:, why we seem to hold it in such low esteem. Mr. Gaunt's card of thanks formed part of "Report from the Country" in the late news presentation that was aired on Saturday, Dec. 7. • My thanks to you and your staff for keeping me posted on happenings in and around Wingham each week, and for this little story to spread John's feelings across south- western Ontario. Arthur Carr • Country Editor CKCO-TV TODAY'S CHILD BY JUDITH ADAMS Mandy is a very sociable lit- tle girl, 17 months old. She's with the Jewish Family and Child Services who are actively seeking an adoptive family for her. Mandy would rather be with people than play with toys by herself. She's a -1 -Ways ready for fun, and will often put out her hands and say "up" to be cud- dled. Although she was born with Down's Syndrome, which always means slow develop- ment both mentally and physically, Mandy is doing "pretty well with the help of a lot of one-to-one attention from her foster mother. She isn't walking but does pull herself up, cruises along the , furniture and then sits down. She's much faster creeping though, and covers long dis- tances this way. Mandy's short attention span interferes with her abil- ity to learn fast, but she is working with an infant worker and has some toys and activi- ties that promote the develop- ment of her motor skills. She can feed herself small pieces of food and will pick up and hold her bottle and drink from it. She's chewing fairly solid% food now, and learning to fol- low simple instructions. fret language consists of "baba" and "dada" and "up". When asked to play patacake, Mandy takes the hands of an adult and claps them together rather than using her own. Mandy is a friendly, relaxed little girLwho is a happy Tocus of attention for other children and adults. The family who adopts her should appreciate her sweet nature and be able to encourage her development with all .the resources that are available for her. If you think you may be the family for Mandy, please write to Jewish Family and Child Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto. f