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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1979-08-22, Page 42 E W. THE ADV %InCIE""�TIMGS', A page of editorial opinion August 22, 1979 :.............:.,. ...,.. <...:.:.....,t y � y. -� ,',• ,:•:so-\ .,•.,, • \•. ` +. '\\ 4 .:.{:.,::•::.: •::..;.•�. `. ... •::..,•:;:,+•`.••ro-o-.•t•r:•:a•>::::::•:�.;:•:::.t::..�::::`::::.:...... , � .. The decision must be ours A letter to the editor this vMek accuses the news media of "having a field day" and perhaps even conspiring to undermine Canada's nuclear power Industry by report- ing on reactor failures and radioactive spills. The letter compares the nuclear Industry to auto or farm machinery Industries, claiming Its safety record has been very good by com- parison and suggesting critical attention should be removed from It and transferred to other areas. I It is true a horrifying number of people are killed or maimed on highways or In industrial or farming accidents, but to suggest the public should sit by and allow the experts to get on with the job of building and running nuclear power plants Is Irrespons- lble and dangerous. First, highway and Industrial safety is not being Ignored. Tougher regulations, new legislation and massive recall programs for defective vehicles bear witness to the affen- tion being focussed on this area. Second, unfortunately, as experience has demonstrated, simply designating cert- ain uses of nuclear power as 'peaceful' does not make them any less potentially lethal. Under some circumstances a serious accident such as a meltdown at a nuclear power plant could be more devastating in its long term effects than an atomic bomb. Events such as the recent Three Mile Island accident in the United States and other less dramatic accidents at Canadian reactors have shown that, despite safeguards, the possibility of such breakdowns is not far- fetched but terrifyingly real. Why is it so hard to accept the peaceful use of the atom? the writer asks. Precisely because ANY use of nuclear power has been found to be unpredictable and the potential consequences of a mishap are almost un- imaginable. A meltdown at any one of the dozens of nuclear power plants now scat- tered across North America could kill or poison tens of thousands of people and render a 11arge area uninhabitaNe for gen- erations. And some experts calculate that, given the number of reactors currently In service, such meltdowns are not only possible but inevitable. It is also true that we are only beginning Can you believe The following are the opening para- graphs of a release from the Ontario Public School Men Teachers' Federation, meeting last week at Toronto's Skyline Hotel: "By a substantial majority, delegates to the Annual Assembly of the Ontario Public School Men Teachers' Federation have approved an 18 -point policy statement on teacher redundancy and job protection. "In passing the policy, delegates have said that seniority, not merit or qualifica- tions, should be the major factor used to determine redundancy." Such a publicly -declared policy makes one glad if his children have graduated from the province's public schools. Given this a6itude, is it any wonder that universities and employers find a shocking lack of to understand the possible long term effects of low levels of radiation exposure. No one can say what will be the consequences of the radioactive leaks to date, since the effects may not become apparent for years or gen- erations. After all, it took doctors a long time to realize that exposure to asbestos fibres could cause lung cancer, but many have died from that cause just the same. Driving an automobile or operating ma- chinery Is a risk, but one can weight the odds by making sure the car Is well maintained, being alert and obeying rules. Also for most people climbing into a car is a personal decision; no one can force them to take the risk if they would rather walk. This is not the case presently with deci- sions about nuclear power. Rather thte public Is in the position of a child being placed In a car and driven off down the highway with no Idea whether the vehicle has any brakes or the wheels wlII fall off. We are urged to rely on the experts but even the experts are divided, with some passionately devoted to nuclear power and others as sincerely opposed. It may be true that we need nuclear power and the risks are acceptable. However this is a matter for the people to decide and in making that decision they have a right to ALL the information available, not just what the nuclear industry wants to re- lease. The news media, as representatives of the public, would be irresponsible if they neglected their task of seeking out and t information. "Where do I plug in the electric blanket?" publishing I Some on the other side argue that because the consequences of using nuclear power are so far-reaching — some fission, byproducts such as plutonium will remain intensely poisonous for thousands of years — we have no right to use it. However we are L t ers. t the the generation which has been entrusted facts to have gained a true perspective, human with the decision and it is up to us, using the asked to guarantee that a pipe duns, feel proud of the fact, for it to boast about. centennial has to be the highlight the town and seeing sc best information at our disposal and the intelligence God has given us, to make the Media too critical of nuclear power Congratulations, choice Eventually we have to trust the experts To the Editor: man's answer to the world's WIMIMMI to get us where we want to go, but we should The news media are having a energy crisis• Maybe the government should be h th t never relinquish the right to choose the field day regarding the safety of the Candu system. Every day one Why is it so hard to accept the peaceful use of the atom? Why Dear Editor, destination toward which we wish to travel the vehicle we want to carry us. reads or hears some news item don't the protestors and demon- Congratulations, Wingham! you did it! I have just returned to and regarding these power stations strators demand that the govern- the metropolis after spending standing characteristic. II d boards run by Ontario Hydro and it's usually on the negative side. ment speak out more firmly about the use of the atom to kill several fun -filled days at your On the rural highways of Huron Maybe Ontario Hydro's record of and destroy — the bomb is a centennial celebrations. To describe the event with 7 safety is too good to be accepted more immediate danger than our superlatives such .as "great" l t • by the public. We're so used to hearing our nuclear power stations. No,system on earth is 100 per "super" or "fantastic" would be highway slaughter with the zest government predict that $, -cent. safe. Man must strive fns'' an understatement. orientation to quality and sound craftsman- number of -'Canadians are goingIN per(Oction, but to do so, he must My hat is off to the various ship in young people today? to die on our roads due to acci- �be tiilowed to work and develop, committees, subcommittees and If the Federation members are so deeply dents or that X number of Cana- to eipand his knowledge and ex- volunteer helpers who teamed up concerned about the aging teachers' plight, dians will be killed or crippled perience, to explore the to make the celebrations such a by all means let them vote supporting funds operating farm machinery that when an industry like Ontario unknown. Our scientists, engineers and howling success. I know several to early retirement pensions out of the fed- eration dues they have already collected. Hydro fails to predict X number technicians are striving for per- of the individuals who worked on committees and know there was And pity the generation of youngsters who Of fatalities, something must be fection; improving techniques on the CANDU a tremendous amount of time and must receive their education under such a wrong. Compare the auto industries and methods reactor. Their record to date efforts t 1 on organizing the events. To name them would be care -not standard. Obviously many older teachers are stil I100 and their record of producing a per cent accident -proof car. shows that they are responsible people. They are not the careless, unfair because there were behind -the -scenes very capable in their profession. Indeed, How longhave Canadians been unfeeling, secretive persons g numerous people who contributed equally. quite a few younger teachers could well look driving motor vehicles? How some would lead us to believe. to their elders in the profession for guidance many lives have been lost due to If the commission is willing to Having been raised in — but a policy which totally disregards motor accidents? listen, to keep an open mind, Wingham and being a little merit and qualifications is all but unbeliev- How many lives have been lost compare Hydro's safety record prejudiced I always thought of able in an organization supposedly dedicated due to farm machinery opera- to those of other industries, the town as one of the greatest. to the finest concepts of education. tions? How many arms, legs, maybe the scientists and en- After seeing the show you put or have been ripped or cut off? gineers can return to work and it is the greatest. Ontario Hydro which has a put their experience and knowl- good safety record in its opera- edge to the task at hand. I have many fond memories of tion of Nuclear Power Stations The CANDU system was de- the years I spent in Wingham, but must defend its record It is veloped by Canadians for Cana- returning to the town for your Therest ch ch facts to have gained a true perspective, human weakness asked to guarantee that a pipe duns, feel proud of the fact, for it to boast about. centennial has to be the highlight the town and seeing sc tion. g as long as I live. The experience gance — that characteristic which tells a won't break, a valve won't leak, is something �ng can never be duplicated. that he or she is always right and the arrogant about his people and their needs. no failures of any kind; in fact, Maybe the government should be h th t many aid friends and school #41; I Al 'st Strange it is how few leaders of men ever facts to have gained a true perspective, produce a 100 per cent safe sta- inquiring as to w e er or no. U is some ing wi en learn from the textbooks of history. Arro- history will probably disclose that Pierre tion. conspiracy exists to undermine as long as I live. The experience gance — that characteristic which tells a Trudeau came acropper because he was too How many auto industries Canada's nuclear power pro- can never be duplicated. that he or she is always right and the arrogant about his people and their needs. guarantee that their product gram, not the safety of it. Smiley Again I say congratulation., person "little are usually wrong — has been Lack of arrogance and Interest in the won't rust, develop faulty steer- Gina and a big thank you! people" and continues to be the downfall of the common folk was John Diefenbaker's out- ing, brakes etc.? Do the indus- tries that produce farm RR 5 Kincardine W. A. Bill Crawl or( Mississauga, Ont mighty, and the less than mighty. standing characteristic. II d boards machinery guarantee that they public outcry demanding that Although its consequences are some- times delayed, it was the spirit of arrogance Nor are local count s an entirely free of this same tendency. It is won't roll over, rip off an arm, Accidents increase which ended the monarchies of a dozen difficult to believe that elected representa- cut off a leg, foot etc.? Where are their back-up systems for safety? p y y Dear Editor: nations: In France arrogance lost the King his their heads, as It did in the tives in small communities could ever forget the voices of those with whom they dally rub Where are the commissions investigating In concern for people's lives and queen case of Charles I In England and Czar shoulders, but they do. The consequences and white papers these accidents? Where are the and personal safety I would like to inform the people of Huron Nicholas In Russia. Arrogance cost Britain may take a few months, even a few years to protestors and demonstrators? on County just what is happening her American colonies. Kaiser William was materialize, but in the long run they These accidents are happening, ourhighways (which involveses the last arrogant monarch in Germany and invariably exact their price. have happened, are not just every road the public has access Adolf Hitler failed to get the point. possibilities, yet there is no big to including gravel roads). In our own times most of us can recall public outcry demanding that On the rural highways of Huron the arrogance of an otherwise gifted federal these vehicles be pulled off the County alone (not including town minister, C. D. Howe, who wrote finis to Liberal In 19SO. Then there was f irst roads and farms. Does our news media cover the streets) there have been 544 accidents investigated by the government Richard Nixon, who apparently still does not DoIIar highway slaughter with the zest Ontario Provincial Police for the understand the consequences of the word and determination that it covers seven-month period ending July arrogance. Despite the fact that several people have news out of the nuclear plants? 31, i979. Last year for the same In ancient times, when man's greatest been injured b exploding bottles, the j y p g PoP Of course not. These accidents area and the same seven-month need was leadership, the arrogant old president of one of the largest bottling happen every day; they expect period 481 accidents were in - despots could get away with lording it over companies last week said he could see no people to be killed onthe roads; vestigated by the OPP, which I their neighbors and subjects. But away back reason to stop using them or to recall those they give it as much importance believe should alarm any driver In 1215 Kln John of England found that he King already In dealers' hands. y You can bet, though, that If that presi- as the weather. Where are the crusading re- with common sense. Out of the total number of had to tuck In his dictatorial lip and start In fact dent and his family had to do their own when ssia or the lied accidents for the seven-month listening to what other people wanted. h in h Id be In his oun States testtheirnuclear rod ending July 31 1978 there they put a pen In his hand at Runnymede and s opp g e wou warn g Y g' bombs" How man underground Iii sters to stay away from those 1.5 (lire bottles ' y g were 12 persons killed in this made him sign the Magna a a. tests so far this year? Eight or Although we are still too close to the on the grocers' shelves. county. nine. Where is the concerned Out of the total number of - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _», -_ public? What about the neutron - accidents for the seven-month bomb? Germ warfare? Acid period ending July 31 this year THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES rain? These are no imaginary mere were 15 persons killed in happenings or possibilities this county. Publiahed at Wingham. Ontario. by Wenger Bros. limited they are happening today, not a Approximately half of the " ould ha theo Q� 73 i; �JE NiBBON A �'inRD 1979 I peen r5' accidents involve one car run - Barry Wenger President Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. "CANDU" is Canada's peace- ning off the road and turning over ful use of the ATOM: dedicated or striking something. There are Member Audit Bureau of Circulations men and women are working to- many reasons such as: speed too gather to harness this great fast, inexperience, inattention, Member - Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Weekly Newspaper Assoc. source of energy to serve man- alcohol, etc. In multi -car ac - kind, not destroy it. it may not be cide nts an of mese plus following Subscri tion $14.00 year Six months $7.50 100 per cent perfect, but, given too clay, improper turns and p per y the chance and the support of the failure to stop where required are aranteed Canadian people, it could be all responsible for se ddents. in Huron County Editor Howick council should reconsider dog tax stand Dear Editor, As one of the Howick Township taxpayers who initially refused to pay the $10 dog tax I protest against the said tax. This tax is unfair to all township taxpayers who care for their animals. A $10 tax across the board may be acceptable, but $10 for the first dog, $20 for the second and $30 for the third dog etc. is a good bit too .much. This excessive tax could lead to abandonment of animals which in turn could add to the already loaded wild dog problem. Members of Howick Township council who have been elected by the people to represent them and to make responsible decisions for the people should weigh their comments carefully before publicly stating such nonsense as quote: "The trouble is we haven't gotten tough enough. As a result these people have walked all over us for the last few years." Let us hope this was an unfortunate choice of words and not a dic- tatorial way of thinking by a man in public office. After all, the members of the Howick Township council and the taxpayers of Howick are not opponents, but ought to work together for the betterment of all Howick residents. We, the people, should stand up for our rights, either singly or collec- tively. In our society it is still possible to resist regimentation and autocratic decisions by protesting against what in our opinion is unfair or unjust. We all benefit from good, intelligent government at all levels, municipal as well as provincial To help reduce this dramatic and federal. Let us not lose faith. increase in accidents radar will Miracles are still possible. be used more extensively in Mary Bridge Huron County. RR 1, Wroxet The Huron County court, in its desire to curb accidents, has increased the speeding fines. Also, since liquor abuse plays such a role in Huron County the court has set no out-of-court settlement for minors charged with liquor offences and raised the fines from $54 to $104, in- cluding costs, for those of age. All OPP detachments in Huron County are experiencing in- creased liquor violations and some over 100 per cent increases from last year at this time. The Ontario Provincial Police are definitely thinking of your safety and are enforcing YOUR laws to PROTECT YOU. If you are the type of person who only thinks of the money angle, the new fine system should encourage you to abide by your laws. For example, if you are driving with open beer in your car and driving 120 km in an 80 km zone your fine would be $100 plus $4 costs for the liquor and $100 plus $3 costs for speeding, totalling $207 plus six demerit points against your licence. Driving is a full-time job. Drinking liquor is for relaxation. Drive and play safe. R. W. Wilson P.C. Community Services Officer Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Return postage gu Competition should have been divided Wingham Advance -Times Dear Editor, I think it was an utter disgrace in the nail hammering and the log sawing contests (during the Wingham centennial celebrations—editor's note) which were just two events where I actually watched the women go against the men. I asked one lady why she was not going in either of the events. She said we women don't have a chance. They had big, bright medals for the men to show off their masculine strength; why could they not have medals for the women? I asked the girl who was chairman at these two particular events why they didn't have separate competitions. She said, and I quote: "We didn't expect any women to show up." How do you like that for male chauvinism pigs? I asked some other women who were not in the competition and they said we were all ready until we heard that we were going against the men. I asked if there was a separate won an's com- petition would you enter and they said yes. I think and say a lot of people Would agree w,u me, that you give medals to those who com- peted. They had to have a lot of guts to compete against the men. And promise the rest that next time .they will have a separate women's competition. And another thing, use proper timing watches. Betty A. Christie Teeswater New i•• in the Librar WILD MOUNTAIN THYME by Rosamunde Pilcher One of the most highly praised romantic novelists of our time presents here her richest novel to date. It is at heart a simple story, but is told with Rosamunde Pilcher's uniquely satisfying instinct for the complexities of love and disappointment and the very human struggle of the mind's logic with the passions of the human heart. A PRIVATE BATTLE by Copnelius Ryan On Nov. 23; 1974, Cornelius Ryan, author of The Longest Day and A Bridge Too Far, died of cancer. For nearly four and a half years he had kept a meticulous and totally secret account of his private battle against the disease, an account that was discovered only after his death. This hidden work has enabled his wife, herself a distinguished novelist and a collaborator on his books, to join her words with his and produce an intimate, dramatic, moving and astonishing book. MACTAGGART'S WAR by Ralph Dennis June, 1940. France is about to fall to the German invaders. England prepares for what seems to be thehopeless defense against the expected invasion across the channel. The cruiser, His Majesty's Ship Emerald, seta sail for Canada, her task to deliver more than $W million in gold bullion and securities to the safety of North America. Guarding the British gold is Duncan MacTaggart, a dour Scotsman. DiSCO BASICS by Maxine Polle* This book introduces the techniques of disco dancing, along with carefully planned aerobic conditioning for children who are not quite old enough to go to dances or to participate in- dependently in aerobic sports programs. Blue rale Mr. and Mrs. Keith Moffatt, Sandra and Greg, returned Sunday from a week's holiday at Carson's Camp. Misses Laurie and Lee -Ann Douglas of Kincardine spent the weekend with Mise Marie Walker and visited Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wallkar and family.