Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-10-13, Page 66 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 was missing in action. He last heard that Andrew sailed out of England on the "SS Cingalese Prince." This ship was torpedoed and sank Saturday, Sept. 20, 1941. It was presumed that it sank in the South Atlantic Ocean. Arthur, now 25 years old, was never heard from after Sept. 20, 1941. It was then determined Arthur had lost his life at sea. Andrew Jordan Laing is remembered with honour on the Halifax Memorial, along with over 3,000 other Canadian men and women. This memorial in Nova Scotia's capital, is erected at Point Pleasant Park and is a reminder of the men and women who died at sea. Twenty-four ships were lost at sea by the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War. Nearly 2,000 members of the Royal Canadian Navy lost their lives. Andrew Jordan Laing was the son of Rev. A. and Mrs. M.B. Laing of Woodham. Next week: Alexander Dougall Strang An Irish Story: An Irish girl went to London to work as a secretary and began sending home money and gifts to her par- ents. After a few years they asked her to come home for a visit, as her father was getting frail and elderly. She pulled up to the family home in a Rolls Royce and stepped out wearing furs and diamonds. As she walked into the house her father said, "They seem to be paying secretaries awfully well in London." The girl took his hands and said, "Dad, I've been meaning to tell you something for years but I didn't want to put it in a letter. I can't hide it from you any longer. I've become a prosti- tute." Her father gasped, put his hand over his heart and keeled over. The doctor was called. But the old man had clearly lost his will to live. He was put to bed and the priest was called. As the priest began to administer last rites, with the mother and daughter weeping at his side, the old man muttered weakly, "I'm a goner, killed by me own daughter! Killed by the shame of what you've become!" "Please forgive me," his daughter sobbed. "I only wanted to have nice things. I wanted to be able to send you money and the only way I could do it was by becoming a prostitute." Brushing the priest aside, the old man bolted upright in bed, smiling. "Did ye say prostitute? I thought ye said Protestant!" Seniors Monthly Meeting: Forty-two members of the Exeter Senior Citizens enjoyed a bountiful pot luck supper Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. President Shirley Kirk opened the meeting with a reading entitled "Did You Find It?" Birthday celebrants were Pearl Kirk, Madeline Switzer and Lorna Stewart. Anniversary wishes went to Gerald and Jane Dearing. Business was conducted and the Nominating Committee reported on a couple of positions to be filled for the upcoming year. Christmas Banquet meal tickets will be $12 and tickets will be available in November. Memberships are also due and they are $5. Members were reminded of the rummage sale and of the up -coming Seniors Rally in Seaforth Oct. 14. Shirley Kirk is the Seniors' representative on the Strategy Planning Committee for the Hospital and a sur- vey was available for all to sign for Shirley to take to the meeting Wednesday. Program chairman was Harry Dougall. Tom and Rose Merrigan entertained with musical numbers that all the seniors enjoyed. They were thanked by Sam Skinner and presented with a gift of appreciation. Door prize winners were: Lee Thomas, June Hillen, Doris Sillery and Shirley Kirk. Share The Wealth win- ners were: Chris Phillips, Frank Cawthorpe, Shirley Kirk, Audrey McDonald, Lossy Fuller, June Hillen and Richard Hokansson. Sam Skinner read "Indian Summer" and "Why people over 50 should be dead." Harry read a few short stories and Shirley read a Thanksgiving poem. The meeting closed with the Seniors Prayer. Answer: Cats are called clowder or clutter. Hogs are called a drift or sounder. Exeter a beautiful and friendly town Dear Editor: I just returned from your beautiful town today. I took my parents to Exeter today to do some shopping and go out to lunch. Entering your town is a delight. The beau- tiful flowers hi the planters on your streets make enter- ing your town a delight and it provided us with a very welcoming feeling. Your streets are so very clean and the store fronts so neat in appearance. We entered the Purple Turtle and noticed I could not take my father into the store as it was not wheelchair accessible. This was a very short lived problem as the person in the store rushed out stating they had a ramp and would bring it out immediately. I told them it was not necessary as I would wait outside while my mother shopped. It is important that I thank the staff at the Purple Turtle for the care you showed to us by offering this service so promptly and in a very friendly manner. Another gentleman also offered to assist me with my father so he could enter the store. I again declined. I want to say the people in Exeter are very accommo- dating and extremely friendly. I found that in each store I entered, I received a won- derful greeting. We then went to the Ridge restaurant which was wheelchair accessible. The service was extremely friendly and they were very accommodating to my father. We had a wonderful, friendly waitress. I am writing this letter to let the people of Exeter know that we enjoyed our day in Exeter and look forward to returning very soon. HELEN PATE, St. Marys Bring back the PUC Dear Editor: I attended the Water and Sewage Systems Rate Study for 2005 on Sept. 29. While I understand the need to prepare for the future maintenance of the water and sewage systems in the municipality I must confess the presentation was very disappointing. It missed much in fact and real information and to be honest, if that is what we pay our tax dollars for, we should dispense with such meetings. A great solution would be to return to having a Public Utilities Commission where we got real value for our money. I don't recall the problems the meeting high- lighted were an issue when the PUC we once had was looking after our water and sewage systems. They were just every day events. The knowledgeable commission- ers and professional managers of that organization had their fingers on the pulse. They planned and executed the repair, maintenance and upgrades of our systems in an orderly and progressive manner such that they oper- ated within their budget. The problems were no differ- ent in their day than they are now. They just got on with the job but without them, here we are employing expen- sive consultants, armed with nothing but empirical data, to tell us what we need to do together with a shaky pro- posal on how they see us paying for it. The argument for establishing a reserve fund using qualitative data as the basis for establishing a rate of contribution without a discussion on the out year finan- cial influences of our present circumstance was not per- suasive. As presented, all we got was a best guess at what might happen. It would have been insightful had the presenters informed us of the actual state of repair of our specific water and sewage systems and then pre- sented us with an intelligent assessment of the need for repair and maintenance in terms of a cost and time scale. The announced expended one-third to one-half life of the present systems places the risk of major repairs some 50-65 years hence, assuming there is no progressive maintenance of the system between now and then. Plans for the future should be made with quantitative rather that qualitative information. A pre- sentation on the assembly of an appropriate reserve fund and the term of its contribution and disbursement based on qualitative data would have been meaningful to us. At least this would have explained the need to contribute now and what we need to contribute in future years. Not just a blank, we need $200,000 now and lord knows what in later years. We deserved better supporting information than was presented. We, the taxpayers, do need to understand how the numbers are derived if the council wishes us to be brought "on board" with their plans. In any event, the need to establish a reserve fund of huge proportions is not necessary. If the repair and maintenance of the water and sewage systems are prop- erly planned, there is no case for establishing more than a minimal reserve fund to accommodate contingencies. It is entirely possible with today's technologies, knowing the state of the present system and by using empirical data on the service life of buried pipes, that plans could be developed for the repair, maintenance and progres- sive replacement of the systems hi future years. The costs could be accurately predicted and budgeted for in the annual and out year plans by the municipality. The PUC we once had was able to do this and successfully provided us with both good and cost effective service. What is so different now that we need to establish a huge reserve fund for events so far in the future? The impression left with the meeting was that it is assumed that we, the present taxpayers, will be the ones to finance the cost of new and totally refurbished water and sewage systems for future generations. Given the arguments of the evening, theoretically, one could deduce that they would have a free ride for 70 years or so beyond the next 30, given that we contribute to a reserve fund that would provide for total system replacement. Not a bad deal, for them, but where in the equation do we factor out this unfair burden on we pre- sent day taxpayers? We should not be scared into adopting grandiose plans for the benefit of future generations but of keeping cur- rent system costs under control and hence our taxes down. Let the future generation pay for their system maintenance and repair just like we have had to do with the system we inherited. There is a limit to the tax increases, surcharges, flat rates and user pay schemes we can take. Councillors, take heed, you are not work- ing in our best interests on this issue. "NO" is an option you know. We got rid of a perfectly good system for managing our water and sewage with the departure of the PUC. The proceeds of its sale were frittered away on frivolous projects (cement sidewalks etc) when they would have been more wisely used by being invested to finance the future upgrades of water and sewage sys- tems the consultants you hired now warn us must be replaced (sometime). Public meetings, which are devoid of real substance, belay their real purpose, that of setting us up for anoth- er grab at our already hard pressed pockets. Don't do this to us. Please, let us see some leadership and intelli- gent judgement on this issue. Yours truly, RON HELM, Tax paying citizen of South Huron Volunteers deserve recognition Dear Editor: On Monday, Oct. 4 I had the honour of hosting the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards ceremony in Owen Sound. It is always a pleasure to be among people who have contributed so much to their community. The number of people who were recognized was impressive. Two -hundred -and -seventy-six people from our region were recognized for their work. More impressive to me is the contribution made by volunteers from rural Ontario. Huron and Bruce were first populated with people who had to work together for the common good. They frequently banded together to accomplish tasks, which were too daunting for individuals. Volunteers build communities. As your member of the Ontario Legislature I frequently attend events, which are organized and run by volun- teers. I see how they work and what they accomplish. The purpose of the volunteer awards ceremony was to bring as many together and to focus on them. An inter- esting statistic is that one person hi four over the age of 15 is a volunteer. From my experience the figure is higher in rural Ontario. The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration sponsors the awards ceremony and long serving volunteers are recognized. Throughout Huron and Bruce there are many volunteers who contribute their time and energy to their organizations and community. I wish to express my thanks to them as well as congratulate all those who make our communities a better place by volunteering. CAROL MITCHELL, MPP, Huron Bruce Hospital Happenings SOUTH HURON DIABETES EDUCATION CENTRE The diabetes education centre at South Huron Hospital is a one -day a week program where you may learn about diabetes and self-management of diabetes. To access this program you may be referred by your physi- cian or simply self refer by calling 235-2700 ext. 239. The program offers small group sessions or individual counseling. The following sessions will be offered this November. Please call to register. There are no fees to attend. Cholesterol Class: You will learn about heart healthy eating to lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Nov. 17, 10- 11 a.m., South Huron Hospital. Meter Class: You will learn how to effectively use your blood sugar meter to manage your diabetes and to inter- pret results. Don't just test — test smart. Nov. 17, 1:30-2:30 p.m., South Huron Hospital. Introductory Diabetes Program: You will learn about signs and symptoms of dia- betes, risk factors, the importance of blood sugar control and healthy life styles. Nov. 24, 7-9 p.m., South Huron Hospital. Please call to register at 519-235-2700 ext. 239. All classes are free. OUTH URON OSPITAL SSOCIATION