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Zurich Citizens News, 1976-01-14, Page 4Page 4 -Citizens News, Jan. 14176, 0 G 6 0 v U G " 0 0 d r • ° 0 0 G a 0 0 0 d u ' 6 0 0 0e • 0 6' 0 G c o e • d 0 • 6 1 a 0 0 0 da d • I/ G' 0 b G O 6 0 a 0 , d G c u 6 U b D 0 0 0 G • o , `Okay, okay, I'll give a donation to the humane society!' -11BU Just want information The decision by Zurich village council not to support a motion by Stephen council, asking for a look into the effects of nearby nuclear station would have an agriculture, health and municipal economics, no doubt made with the best interests of the village in mind. In retrospect, however, perhaps a closer look at the motion proposed by Stephen and the implications of the Zurich council decision would be in order. Any major development, whether govern- ment sponsored or not, has some effect on the surrounding communities. The fact that the topic at hand is the construction of a nuclear powered generating station has little bearing on this fact. The motion, which Stephen asked to have endorsed, did not oppose the construction of a nuclear station, although many from Stephen have expressed such sentiment. The `motion simply asked that the matter be looked into a little more thoroughly and some facts be determined from what is now little more than a muddle of rumour and supposition. The construction of a nuclear generat- ing station, as endorsed by the Zurich council, may well be the greatest thing the village has ever seen in its history. But as with any major development, the changes will also present problems. These problems are what Stephen seems to be looking for in advance, perhaps to avoid them growing out of control in the future. Earns recognition Royal honors rarely draw much attention from we ordinary folk, but we haven't a doubt in the world Canadians from coast to coast were pleased with at least one of Her Majesty's bouquets this year. There isn't a single politician in this country, or probably any other, that is more loved and respected than is the Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker. To hear that he had been appointed as a Companion of Honor by the Queen seemed only fitting. Only two other Canadians are in this exclusive order which is limited to the sovereign and 65 members. They are Dr. Charles Best of Toronto, co -discoverer of insulin, and Toronto -born Prof. Arnold Smith of Carleton University, Ottawa, former Commonwealth secretary-general. The honor is the personal decision of the Queen, in consultation with the British and Canadian governments and is bestowed in recognition of conspicuous national service. Certainly John Diefenbaker has earned that recognition. Board to pay portion of Florida trip for band The Huron Board of Education will be paying a small portion of the expenses incurred by the Seaforth District High School girls trumpet band when they travel to Florida in February. Out of a total cost of $7,000 to send the band to Fort Meyers, Florida, the Board agreed un- animously to pay up to $800 of any deficit: Principal Bruce Shaw in a 1e'tter to the Board said the girls had raised $3,000 and will be providing another $2,205 them- selves. This left a balance of about $800 after an expected Wintario grant of $1,000 is received. Chairman Herb Turkheim said, "'We as a Board should be proud of the Seaforth girls. This is the first high school band from Canada invited to participate in the annual Edison Pageant of Light. In order to clean up certain problems being encountered particularly at bus loading time on a private driveway in front of F. E. Madill Secondary school at Wingham, The Huron Board of Education approved the erection of two double sided signs. In addition a resolution was passed restricting use of the driveway between Victoria and John street on the school property to vehicles authorized by the Board or its representative in the person of the principal. A seminar for principals and vice -principals will be held March 11 to 13• in Sanilac County in Michigan when schools in the Croswel-Lexington • district will be visited. In other business the Board: Referred the question of 1976 mileage allowances to the newly appointed management com- mittee for discussion and recom- mendation to the Board at the next regular meeting. Turned down a request from the Town of Clinton of financial consideration for costs incurred in the provision of the town's adult crossing guard program. Approved three applications for approval of plans for sub- divisions within the County of Huron. They are for J. P. Ducha- rme in Bayfield; R. Doig in the township of Tuckersmith and C. H. Thomas in Grey township. Director of Education D. J. Cochrane said the Board is asked only to consider the impact on present school facilities and to decide whether or not the sub- divider should be required to make provision for a school site in his plan. • Cochrane said all schools serving these three areas had present enrolments well below the effective capacities and school sites would not be necessary. Learned that Brian Haley, a grade 12 student at Seaforth District High School was the winner of a trip for two to Mexico The Last Word by Ted Rowcliffe What is the role of the community newspaper in municipal politics? Does the newspaper simply act as a reporting media, letting the people know what goes on at council meetings? Should the newspaper comment editorially stating an opinion on a particular issue? Does the newspaper have the right to criticize local politicians, not for misdeeds or local "Watergates," but for lack of dedication'or political skills? The answers to these questions have been searched for by newspaper editors and publishers in small communities for many years. Does the newspaper act as a watchdog, ready to pounce at the slighest misstep or laxity? Or should it close its eyes to some ineptitudes? Somewhere in the middle, the newspaper must strike a balande. As a reporter, I have witnessed the workings of probably fifteen to twenty municipal councils. Some were excellent, others terribly ineffective. Some were completely open and honest, others secretive and downright crooked. In each case, the reporter, editor or publisher must take an assessment and make a decision. It is an important one and deserves much deliberation. Recently Reeve Bob Sharen has made statements re- garding coverage and editorial comment the Grand Bend village council has received from one of the three newspapers (not this one) which cover its meetings. The reeve went so far as to state that "personal insults". in the newspaper were a contributing factor in his decision not to seek re-election this December. His reaction dismayed me personally. Although I am a journalist, I do not think it is the job of the journalist to single-handedly fell politicians. It is the newspaper's job to make people aware of what is happening. If Mr. Sharen feels the criticism is unjust, then he should stand on his record and invite public scrutiny and input and forget about the newspaper. As one politician, at the receiving end of a few editorial blasts which I penned, retorted effectively, "That was a good editorial, but it is only one person's opinion!" Mr. Sharen did not take office to please just one person and he still has a responsibility to the hundreds of voters who elected him. * And speaking of blasts, somebody should award the Minister of Health the annual award for lack of tact. Surely if it was necessary to close the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital, the unfortunate action could have been taken in a way lessrepulsive to the hundreds of employees and other concerned citizens of nearby communities. I won't comment here on whether or not the hospital should be closed at the end of March. That's up to the experts I guess. But the inept method of announcing the closing, giving the employees termination and raising and dashing hopes with a reconsideration must be the most insensitive step taken by the insensitive Ontario government. Would it not have been for better to have worked quietly behind the scenes to determine the exact future position of the employees at the hospital? Sure it's nice to know that the hospital will be utilized for some other purpose and perhaps some of the employees may be kept on, but why keep all of them worrying for months before they know for sure. Why announce the decision just a few days before Christ- mas? Why send out terminations a few days before Christ- mas? Why build up hope and then reconfirm the original decision? It's been awfully hard on the nerves of the employees and their families so far and they still don't know what the future holds for them. If the Ministry and other authorities' don't soon start being more considerate of their employees' situations, they might lose a number of them, either to other employers or to the nearest psychiatric hospital. Muni©P6) RIGRR7o Published Each Wednesday By Huron -Middlesex Publishers Ltd., HERB TURKHEIM, EDITOR Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385 Member: *CNA Canadian Weekly. Newspapers Association Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association Subscription Rates: $6.00 per year in advance in. Canada; $8.00 in United States and Foreign; single copies 204