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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-06-14, Page 4e W Winds= Snbba ue -Mimeo Published each Wednesday at: Box 390, 5 Diagonal Road, Wingham, Ontario Phone (519) 357-2320 Fax (519) 357-2900 J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd. Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 We are: Jim Beckett — Publisher Audrey Currie — Manager Cameron J. Wood — Editor Norma Golley — Ad. Sales Stephen Pritchard — Comp. Jim Brown — Reporter Margaret Stapleton—Reporter Eve Buchanan — Office Louise Welwood — Office .,•,�,yn:•S::.F�iGii:Yri.LX • Member of: OCNA CCNA Editorial Viewpoint The Wingham Advance -Times is a member of a family, gig , community newspapers providing news, advertising and information leadership, Letters Policy All letters to the editor must bear the writer's name, telephone num- ber and address. The Advance -Times wel- comes letters. We re- serve the right to edit, but will endeavor to preserve the author's intent. Deadline for letters is Monday before 10:00 a.m. Some exceptions may apply. Fax: 519-357-2900 Or mail to: P.O. Box 390, Wingham, Ontario NOG 2W0 ft brides ouncil's decision, to support the principle behind the Wingham Bridge Preservation Committee's plan to refurbish the old CN train bridge is a positive sign of renewed community attitude. The project, which has an extended demolition deadline of April 1996, is not so much about saving a bridge, but more about building bridges in our community. The committee is targeting private funds for the necessary repairs and renovations, leaving the town as a corporation with little more responsibility than emotional support. The project will also see a connection of the Wingham River Flats Ecological Park. Presently, the trial does not have a northern connection. The committee hopes that a complete loop will bolster the trail's use...and tourism. The Menesetung Bridge Association in Goderich completed a similar project. Last year, their portion of the trail along the harbour saw some 30,000 pairs of feet touch down. The boost to the tourism industry in that area led to a very successful visit of the Tall Ships, a Celtic Roots festival, and an overall increase in pedestrian traffic. All of which further translated into more prosperity for the retailers of Goderich. Walking is fast becoming the' most popular form of recreation in North America. As people become more and more busy in their professional lives, they are seeking more peaceful and less stressful ways to spend time with family, or simply away from the rat race. Not to mention the growing trend of physical stagnation in the workforce as workers become more tied to computer terminals, etc. We should feel blessed that we have this mental and physical health facility in our backyard that enables us to cope with stress in our lives. Certainly some members of council, and in the town as a whole, are unable to see the bigger picture of why the CN bridge should be preserved. Their idea of progress and community investment revolves more around speculating on a road straightening project that some have discussed since 1913. Even if it does come to fruition, it comes at the expense of the taxpayers. And then there are those who continue to believe the project is only for Wescast's benefit. Obviously they have never walked the beautiful trail during Autumn's glory. In fact, Wescast has seem the value in further developing this trail that they have told the committee they are willing to negotiate a third party agreement in dealing with the trail crossing their land. With such an agreement in place, the public will have unrestricted access to the total trail loop. Preserving the bridge and creating greater links in our community comes at no financial cost to the taxpayers. It comes at the cost of those who care about protecting a piece of our heritage...and those who see the value in creating peaceful havens for the residents. - CJW reason to smile 'Wingham Constable Lincoln Dinning, the OPP, the Wingham Police Services, and those who participated or donated to the police services efforts to raise money for the Special Olympics. with Margaret Stapleton JUNE 1948 A reception was held at the Royal T last Friday night to honor Mr. and Mrs. William Austin, ne- wylweds. The couple was present- ed with a purse of money. Frank Hopper is spending this week at Elgin House, Muskoka, where he is attending the conven- tion of the Canada Life Insurance Company. L. S. Palmer has been success- ful in graduating from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Many summer activities have been planned by the recreation de- partment this year, including classes in ballet to be taught by Pamela Richards, a fully qualified teacher. The Wingham United Church was filled to capacity for the an- nual Flower Sunday service. F. R. Howson, superintendent of the Sunday School, had charge of the service and was assisted by La- Vonne Rapp, Leslie Mae Wall, Barbara Foxton, Mary Ross, Mar- jorie Copeland and Jessie Currie. JUNE 1961 A merger has changed the name of a familiar bank. The Ca- nadian Bank of Commerce and the Imperial Bank of Canada have merged and will be known as the Canadian Imperial Bank of Com- merce. Andrew Casemore, victim of last week's fire in Wingham's downtown, died in hospital. Customers and friends of Harry Merkley, who operates the Red Front Grocery Store at the corner of Josephine and Victoria streets, .will be pleased to know he plans to put up a new building on Vic- toria Street past, not far from his present location. It is expected he will be associated in this venture with his son-in-law, Murray Ger- tie, The turning of the sod for the new Sacred Heart Separate School in Wingh. took place last Friday evening .y the Very Reverend P. Harrigan, dean of Stratford. Norman J. Welwood has taken an option on a tract of land imme- diately adjacent to the town for the purpose of erecting a modern, 12 -unit motel. JUNE 1971 The Wingham patrol won top honors at the Saugeen District Boy Scout Jamboree last week. Jim Ritter was named best Scout to bring further distinction to Wingham. A number of former pupils, fel- low teachers and friends were on hand to honor Miss Jean Sparling of Gorrie who has retired after a teaching career of 40 years. A scholarship in her honor has been set up to be awarded each year to the top pupil in Grade 8 at How - ick Central School. Tracey MacDonald and Kevin Adams won the top prizes in this year's bicycle rodeo held last Sat- urday in Wingham. Michael Masterson, 14 -year- old son of William Masterson, Wingham , was struck by light- ning during a fierce electrical storm here on Monday evening. JUNE 1981 It was a night for laughter and reminiscing last Thursday when nearly 1,300 people turned out to pay tribute to Murray Gaunt for his many years as MPP for Hu- ron -Bruce. Wingham Western Hoedown organizers expressed pleasure at how smoothly preparations for this summer's celebration are run- ning. John McInnes was installed as president of the Wingham Lions Club and Bill Crump is vice presi- dent. Todd Rlntoul of Wingham caught a I6 -pound, 40 -inch pike. Not censorship: it's just dignity Iis the biggest show in' Canada right now...and perhaps the most disgusting. The Paul Bernardo trial is some- thing we've all waited for; some on behalf of swift justice, others on be- half of morbid curiosity. It has taken some time for the accused to appear before a jury, and now we are all watching, intently.. I had to wait to write on this par- ticular angle primarily because I wanted to wait until all the videotape evidence had been entered into court. Despite a plea of not guilty by Bernardo, it certainly seems damn- ing when we heard what went on in that Port Dalhousie residence. I also wanted to gauge the public reaction before I Launched into my traditional drivel on human dignity. What I personally find most dis- gusting is the people who appear on our television screens nightly claim- ing the videotape evidence is the most disturbing thing they've ever heard. My question is: "Why, then, do you line up in the wee hours of the morning to get a seat in the courtroom?" Further to that, "Just what did you expect from the trial?" Unfortunately, the criminal justice system in Canada has to allow for public access to the trial. Bernardo must not only face a jury of his peers, but also the 'peers of the gener- al Canadian population. We argued when Bernardo's wife, Karla Homolka, was tried that the evidence must not be hidden from The Outer Edge Cameron J. WOOD the .public. The court disagreed, claiming that would taint the upcom- ing Bernardo trial. The court was right. Imagine if we had heard what we have prior to the accused appearing before the judge. I defended Justice F. Kovacs posi- tion on not releasing the evidence to the public. Media outlets across Can- ada challenged the court on the grounds of freedom of information and the public's right to know. American media violated the Cana- dian laws and broadcast and printed material from the Homolka trial. Yet, only Doug Bassett, principle „owner of the Baton Broadcasting System, took a stand for dignity, not censorship. The BBS coverage (including that of our own CKNX-TV) of the trial deserves credit. Even though some of the coverage remains extremely graphic (and BBS anchors preface the report's with disclaimers on the nature of the material), BBS has al- lowed the two victims in the trial to maintain some semblance of dignity. I'm ashamed to say that my own profession — the written media — have been, by far, the worst at cover- ing this trial. Anyone who read the June 4 edition of the Toronto Star was treated to the most intimate de- tails of what Bernardo did to Leslie Mahaffy...so much so that fictional material of the same nature is usual- ly stored on the top shelf of the mag- azine stand and covered with plain brown paper wrapping. It seems we have forgotten Kris- ten French and Leslie Mahaffy in this. Like Bernardo, the accused, the Master, the King, we have dehuman- ized the two teens. We have contrib- uted to their victimization with our deep fascination of the horrible fate. We care not that these two young girls were in the prime of their youth; of the innocent. No, we have detached ourselves from their pre- cious lives and joined the accused in raping them. The only exception in our own case is that we have raped their memory — their human dignity — by turning the videotape evidence into a daily record of, sexual"',bondage and Sado-masochism. We have perverted ourselves at the girls' expense. I can only hope that from this case comes justice. The two young vic- tims of the self professed "King" de- serve to regain their dignity in death. In our own bedrooms, our behav- ior is our own. As consenting adults, we can do as we like. The impact of what happened to Kristen and Leslie will rock the foundation of human decency, and no doubt leave each of wondering what it takes to relate to each other with dignity Harris: a TORONTO — Can anyone stop Mike Harris? Few dreamed the question would be asked in the last stages of the Ontario election. For three years the Liberals led by Lyn McLeod strolled comfortably ahead in polls, but Progressive Con- servative Harris suddenly has leaped frbnt as if on steroids. It is not hard to see why the Liber- als have fallen. Having a huge lead and seeming almost a government in waiting meant they have been more scrutinized and they have not stood up well. . McLeod started less known than opponents and has failed to build a personal stature that helps her party. She looked insecure because she dodged reporters and was so late to question, federal Liberal cuts in transfers for health and social pro- grams that doubt was created wheth- er she is tough enough to stand up to Ottawa. McLeod has failed to grab any of the handful of issues preoccupying voters and make them her own and instead chased after so many she has watered further her party's already fuzzy image. McLeod is for cutting spending and balancing the budget, but Harris promised these first, and she is just a mix of Liberal and right-wing radi- cal that voters are not sure what she stands for. The federal Liberals have hurt their provincial party l,again by the timing of gun controls and harsh shuffle to the right with Eric Dowd punishment of dissenters and helped breathe new life into an Ontario tra- dition of not voting for the same par- ty federally and provincially.s Even the ghost of Brian Mulroney seems fainter. Harris ' also deserves credit, first because he stuck to a few issues - reducing spending and taxes, forcing people to work for welfare benefits and getting tougher with criminals, with which many agree. Harris also conveys more a sense of change many want and sounds stronger and more decisive and some may like hind for these characteris- tics without being enthralled by his policies. Harris's momentum carne so late that opponents have little time to turn it around. If the Liberals warn that electing Harris would cause On- tario to fall apart, they May appear strident and desperate and it could backfire, as their former premier, David Peterson, found in 1990 when he predicted that if the New Demo- crats won, children would go hun- gry. NDP Premier Bob Rae may slow Harris's bandwagon a bit by his re- minders that dramatic tax cuts the Tories want would mean poorer ser- vices, although he may not get votes for it. Rae is out of the running and some worried about reduced services may see more of a chance of main- taining them by supporting McLeod. Harris also will be scrutinized more now that he has a better chance of becoming premier and this will show he is not always as steady as he sounds. He has ,been for and -against healthcare user fees, casinos and rent controls, which he once would scrap but now cautiously would abolish only on apartments yet to be built. Harris is vague on some of his ideas, including what jobs would be available for for welfare recipients he would force to work. He is much further to the right than, previous Tory leaders. William Davis, a party hero and premier from 1971-85, was urged by his right wing to make wel- fare recipients work but refused. Some also may feel wary of Har- ris' company. He boasts his support- ers include financier Peter Munk, in the news with his $2 million salary and 'half — a — dozen bush homes around the world,' and the toronto Sun, which worshipped the ground Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan walked oft. Many Ontariatis may not want to go that far to the right.