Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-08-16, Page 5• 'enter to be broadcast lion war recollections Dear Editor: A year ago you were kind ;enough to print an appeal for let- ters, diaries, and other personal recollections written atthe time of the Second World War to be used in the making of a television docu- mentary series, No Price Too High. The result was overwhelming and through your columns, I'd like to thank all those who responded and tell them that the six -part se- ries will be shown across Canada this fall on the Bravo! Channel, beginning Sunday, Sept. 10. The series has been produced by one of Canada's leading documentary film makers, Richard Nielson of Norflicks Productions Ltd. As I am sure you will appre- ciate, it was possible to include only some of the correspondence we received, but that does not mean the remainder was discard- ed. Far from it. Besides the televi- sion series, which will also be available on video cassettes, a book version of No Price Too High will be issued by McGraw Hill later in the year and a CD- ROM version is being prepared by Southam Interactive. The produc- ers of all versions have had access to the original material so gener- ously provided in response to our appeal. In addition, this bonanza of memories (the material was enough to fill almost 20 large car- tons) will continue to be available to future scholars because it is be- ing donated to Sir Wilfred Laurier University, where it will be inthe care of the History Department. No Price Too High portrays the war as it was experienced by Ca- nadians — men and women, both at home and overseas — in their own words. Their stories needed to be told and we appreciate the the help you have given us in mak- ing that possible. Hon. Barnett J. Danson Former Minister of National De- fence Chairman, No Price Too High Toronto' Harnick has to look hard at Legal Aid Dear Editor: Attorney General Charles Har - nick will have to find an effective way to ensure the survival of Legal Aid. We doull that the govern- , ment's current proposal to lower the financial eligibility requirement is the best way to reduce the cost. The purpose of Legal Aid, which was established by the PC govern - want of Premier John Robarts. in 1966, is to enable people who can- not afford urgently -needed legal servjces to obtain justice. Unfortu- nately, the Legal Aid Plan has suf- fered abuse by a few litigants and repeat offenders, who are indiffer- ent about the cost as long as they are not paying for it and a few law- yers (1.4 per cent of the 6,000 who provided Legal Aid), who have made Legal Aid the mainstay of their practices. The economy has also devastated the Plan by reduc- ing funding while increasing the need for legally -aided services. Typically, lawyers are helping Ontario's vulnerable and oppressed who require legal services. As a group, lawyers have made a very large contribution to Legal Aid, by reducing fees to a fraction of pri- vate market rates and by contribut- ing to the funding and administra- tion of the Plan. 1 The existing judicare system, un- der which a client who qualifies for Legal Aid can select the lawyer of choice, is desirable and the Attor- ney General's support for it is wel- come. We recognize that some ser-- viees Legal Aid now covers have to be adjusted and some users of Legal Aid could find the resources to obtain legal services without government assistance. However, in the interests of ac- cess to justice for all Ontarians, funding for Legal Aid must be maintained at reasonable levels and the government should "bite the bullet'on the current shortfall. If people of modest means cannot af- ford legal services, our most impor- tant democratic institutions suffer. Igor Ellyn, Q.C. President Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Sensational court case blown out ofproportion The past two weeks in Wingham have been filled with gatherings at the water cooler, dis- cussions over coffee and long- winded telephone conversations - all about the, same topic - the charges laid against Dr. Shubat, and two nurses, Marilyn Ashley and Margaret Hogg for failing to report a suspected child abuse case to the Children's Aid Socie- ty. The good news in this case is that the majority of discussions favour the actions of these three people charged. The outpouring of support from friends, col- leagues, patients and our commu- nity emphasizes the fact that the majority of people believe the charges were made in haste, with- out a moment's consideration. The only reason these charges have made this topic so "sensa- tional" is the fact that it has been blown way out of proportion. And the fact that the case involves child abuse effects us all to the, very core of our beings. To say that no one cares about the condi- tion of the child is incredible. The fact is that we do care - we care so very much -- and this is why we are outraged. I understand the law states that Children's Aid must be contacted immediately in cases such as this. But, shouldn't we as a society 'and a community be more concerned that the child involved is clear of immediate danger, rather than spending precious time worrying about the timing of a phone call? It seems to me that our priorities Bruce MORGAN in this matter are backwards. It also scares me that if'I bring either of my boys in for emergen- cy treatment that someone may think to call Children's Aid prior to discussing the accident with me and discovering what realty hap- pened. The doctors in Wingham and surrounding areas go out of their way for the people of our commu- nity. They spend countless hours in the office and on-call, as well as providing obstetrical service and volunteering for hospital committees. We should be com- mending them for their actions rather than condemning them for putting patients first - as hap- pened in this case. Finally, I would hope that if a situation arose in which I had to bringbne of my children, Michael or Connor, to the emergency room at the Wingham hospital, Dr. Shubat would handle my child exactly the same way - and that is to put their safety first. Bruce Morgan can be heard Saturday and Sunday mornings on CHYM.Radio FM 967 Cuts often harder than raising taxes Dear Editor,. When you're faced with inheri ing a $107 billiondeficit whic will push the province's accumula ed debt to a. frightening level $100 billion, the choices are rath limited'. You can bury your head in th sand- and pretend, as the forme NDP government did, that the prov ince can continue living beyond i means forever, or you can act t avoid Ontario's fiscal situation fro developing into. a full blown crisi In power for just a month, Premi Harris and his new govemment moved quickly in its quest to ste the flow of red ink at Queen's P by cutting $1.9 billion in spending. Spending cuts are always harde to carry out than the alternative o simply raising taxes. That's becaus the strong, organized lobbies of th tax spending industries know, from years of experience; how to pia _ the sympathy of the media and t --'outwit any government bent o stopping the gravy train.But a new .phenomenon is sweeping the coun uy., Taxpa ers are - finally flexing some muscle by letting their elect ed officials know by phone, lette and fax, and by speaking out a public meetings, in the 'media and at the ballot box that they better start paying attention to those who have been footing the bill for years of reckless government. Their message is both simple and clear. The days of quietly handing over more in' taxes, to' fund the insa- tiable appetites of ' every interest group that wants someone else, to pay for their every whim and de- sire, are over. Judging by the light- ning speed with which Harris made his first round of spending cuts, it's obvious he clearly recognizes the importance of rapid change if he's going to outrun- the special interests nipping at his heels. However, the real challenge fac- ing the Harris government, and its eventual success or failure as an agent of positive change, is not in achieving its planned spending cuts but in getting better value for the money it does spend.Cutting spend- ing, just like hiking taxes, is a sim- ple approach with enormous politi- cal risks. It only attacks the symptoms of the problem - high spending - with- out going after the causes of public sector over -spending. If the Harris government is going to nurse Onta- rio's finances back, to fiscal health and position the province to once again become the economic power- house of the country, it needs to deal with the structural problems of government that drive spending pressures. Government as it exists today at all levels, operates within a process -oriented, cost-plus monop- oly framework, without transparen- cy or accountability. Harris has the opportunity to run a government that is both bold and creative, by preserving or, in fact, even improving service levels while reducing controllable costs by as much as 40%. And he can do it by increasing accountability and rewarding competence in the civil service. Think for a moment of an Onta- rio where our public tax dollars are no longer wasted. A province where the broad public sector, in- cluding our municipal governments and school boards, is structured on a bottom-line basis, with services purchased competitively from in- house or external suppliers. One. where in-house monopolies are 1- gone, costs, are. fully transparent, h and operations are based on achiev- ing measured outputs. Where man - of agers and government employees er are rewarded for performance and held fully accountable for results. e It's a vision that most Ontarians r share in common when it comes to - dollars and cents. is Paul Pagnuelo o Ontario Taxpayers Federation m Ajax, Ontario erOne week Par only for. Tales ✓ This week only, the Blyth Festi- f val Young Company presents Hee e Hee: Tales from White Diamond e Mountain , delightful Korean tales and legends using music, story y mask and movement. o Directed by James Simon, this n wonderful adventure will be fun for the whole family! Hee Hee: Tales from White Dia- mond Mountain will be presented at the Blyth Festival Garage on - Dinsley Street. It will be presented ✓ at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 to 18 and t at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m on Aug. 19. For more information please call the Blyth Festival box office at 1- 519-523-9300. life with Doug Avery Last week we talked a bit about the home renovations at what I affectionately call Mort- gage Heights. Now, just on the off chance that you are planning or actually involved in renova- tions of your own, I have a tip for you: to a small child an open tub of drywall joint compound is a really fun toy. We found out the hard way - little hand prints everywhere! By the way, I have note here from the man who travels with sheep, The Swami. The answer is "A song instead of a kiss." • The question: How does Hugh Grant's girlfriend say goodnight to him these days?! Hear the Swami Friday after- noons at 4:20 on CKNX-Radio PM 102. Additions to music results Additions to the Royal Conserva- tory of Music results published in last week's edition of the newspa- per include: - Grade 1 rudiments, piano, first- class honors with distinction, Paul Vaudry of Wingham; Grade 7 violin, pass, Matthew Smith, Wingham; Grade 4 violin, honors, Sarah Doolittle, Wingham and; Grade 1 violin, pass, Ian. Was sink, Wroxeter. art of council The River Flats. Trail. Committee, also known as the CN Bridge Com- mittee, has been declared a commit- tee of Wingham Town Council. Acting on a recommendation from the bridge committee, council endorsed the resolution at its Au- gust meeting, but only after some discussion. In his report, Councillor Bill McGrath said that Canadian Na- tional has extended the deadline to Sept. 29 for the committee to come. up with a workable plan regarding the abandoned CN bridge. Last year, the town bought the CN railway lands with the under- standing that the bridge would be removed in 120 days. However, a group of local citizens petitioned CN to give them some time to come up with a way to save the bridge, if possible and they were given until the end of June to do so. Since then, the deadline has been extended to Sept. 29 and according. to McGrath, it will not be a prob- lem to have the deadline extended further yet if need be. , By making the bridge committee a committee of council, explained McGrath, council will receive monthly updates. As well, if it comes to the point where donations are solicited for the bridge, tax re- ceipts may be issued, "Haven't we got the cart ahead of the horse?" asked Reeve Bruce Machan. "Until the final verdict (on the bridge) has been determined, we can't seek donations." McGrath agreed, saying the com- mittee is not actively seeking dona- tions yet. But, he said, the commit- tee is in the process of finalizing its plan and he feels that everything should be in place for when that happens. The committee is scheduled to appear before council at its Septem- ber greeting. "I think everybody will be happy with what's coming," predicted McGrath. When asked `by Deputy Reeve Ron Beecroft if the bridge commit- tee would require a budget, meeting place and secretary, as other com- mittees of council do, McGrath re- plied, "No," Councillor Doug Layton spoke in favor of the proposal, saying town council would benefit from frequent updates on the bridge situ- ation, and it also would give council "some control" over the matter by directing the committee. The motion to declare the River Flats Trail Committee a committee of council passed. Dickie Creek Therapy Centre is accepting 14 new clients effective immediately. Therapies offered: • Couples/ Marital Counseling • Individual Counseling • Family Therapy • Phobic Disorder Therapy • Behaviour Modification • Aggression Therapy • Transactional Analysis (TA) • Developmental Disorders Phone/Fax • Group Therapy • Psychodrama • Reality Therapy • Relaxation Therapy • Animal (Pet) Therapy • Reflexology, •.Hydrotherapy 357-9949 R.R.#5 Lucknow NOG 2H0 Private and confidential counseling that makes a difference. J.J. McLELLAN & SON O -B Hap McLellan Ltd. Mount Forest, Ontario . Keep your LENNOX Equipment Running in Tip Top Shape with our New DUCT CLEANING SERVICES Before You Install Your New Gas Furnace (519) 323-2000 FREE ESTIMATES • Dust Mites • Excessive Dusting • Allergy Reactions • cold Spots In Your Heating System &iris& `4INN®X We Are A Union Gas Dealer ME M(!kP unwn GEIS HEATING .DEALER •Licensed For All Your Gas Needs • Rental Water Heaters • Fireplaces EST JUST BETTER: as