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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-12-14, Page 66 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 14, 2005 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 • Install deadbolt locks with keys on all exterior doors (with at least a 2.5 cm bolt) including entrances from the garage or basement. This way, even if the burglar breaks a window, he/she can't reach in and unlock the door. • Make sure sliding patio doors and windows have track pins or at least a bar to prevent them being opened. If your windows have locks, use them. • Use exterior lighting to illuminate your home. There is photosensitive lighting available that turns on and off automatically. Make sure your house num- bers are illuminated and easily visible for neighbors and emergency personal. • Don't display items that thieves can easily sell. Keep them away from windows so they are not visi- ble from the street. Put away lawn mowers, barbe- ques, snow blowers, etc. when not in use. Avoid leav- ing jewelry or large amounts of cash in your resi- dence. • Remember that burglars will use ladders, chairs, garbage cans and other such items around your resi- dence to help gain entry where one usually wouldn't enter the house (i.e. second floor window). • Keep your garage and sheds locked. Often these places provide criminals with tools to assist them to break into your home. • Never leave keys hidden near doors or under- neath mats. Also it is important to protect your car when you are Christmas shopping. Secure all pur- chases in the trunk of your car where they are out of sight. If you have a remote trunk opener, make sure it is disconnected or turned off. That way if someone gets into the interior of your car, they cannot access the trunk. Exeter Library News: Exeter Library Book Club met to discuss The Stone Carvers by Jane Urquhart. None of the members present had read anything by this author and all agreed that the book was a good read. The story, although a sad one at times, is a gripping one that all would recommend. The next club meeting is on January 6 at 12:30. We are read- ing new Canadian YA and Juvenile books over the holiday season. Please make your selection at the desk. New members are always welcome. The Library is now taking registrations for Story Hour and Toddler Time for January. Please call the library at 235-1890 to save a place for your little one. Stories crafts and games make this a fun time for preschoolers. Please keep in mind the holiday hours at the library. Closures will be December 24, 25, 26 as well as January 1st and 2nd. Remember, stock up on good books for your reading on cold blustery evenings. The library staff will make every effort to keep the branch open in winter conditions. If in doubt call the library at 235-1890. Legion News: NewYears Eve Dance; At the Legion, Sat., Dec. 31, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music by Don Harvey and you will be served a delicious late buffet. Tickets are $15 each or two for $25 a couple. Call the legion at 235-2962 or 235-1167. Seats will be reserved. For a great evening of fun and dancing, plan ahead and reserve your tickets. Seniors Christmas Meeting: Exeter Senior Citizens and friends held their annu- al Christmas dinner Dec. 6 at the legion. The Legion Auxiliary ladies catered and 104 enjoyed the bounti- ful meal. One lucky plate at each table received a poinsettia to take home. President Shirley Kirk wel- comed all and held a short business meeting. Happy Birthday was sung to all celebrating in December. Anniversary celebrants were Marshall and Marion Dearing. Secretary and treasurers report were given. Gerald Dearing was thanked for his past five years as treasurer. June Hodgson reported there are still tickets available for the New Years Eve evening at the Masonic Hall at 8 p.m. Helen Webber was chairperson for the program. She read of "Two Elderly Women Driving A Car" and Lorraine Alexander read "So How Did You Break Your Arm", Little Johnny's Christmas" and "A Christmas Parrot". Aldene Skinner introduced MacKenzie Skinner who danced for us. All enjoyed a skit: The Same Procedures Every year" Helen Webber and Jim Bearss very capably told us how Mrs. Sobie and her butler "James" entertain four imaginary men every year for supper. Helen Webber told us of "Grandma's Birth Control Pill" and" A Baked Stuffed Turkey" Our musical entertainment for the evening was "The Old Tyme Heritage Group". Members of the band are Bernice Cross, Albert Aitken, Bill Dougall, Stewart Lee, Bob Reid, Christine Welsh, Shirley Dann, Harold Stewart, Paul Van Der Doeg and Roger Van Der Doeg. All enjoyed listening to the great music and dancing. Stu McLelland thanked the band and gave them a gift of appreciation." Merry Christmas" to all and we'll see you January 3, 2006 for a 6 p.m. pot luck supper Regrets over store closure Dear Editor: The R.E. Pooley Branch 167 of the Royal Canadian Legion wishes to express its regrets at the closing of the Exeter Stedmans store owned and operated by Bob and Deb Gehan. Bob and Deb have been great supporters of our branch and have always been happy and willing to assist us in our many causes. Whether it was something as simple as responding to an urgent request for balloons for a party, putting together care packages for our veter- ans at Parkwood Hospital or just supplying our daily needs, Bob and Deb were there for us with a smile and a cheer- ful word. We shall miss them when they close their doors and our community will be less well served by rs their departure .00 Spokesperson Monica Walker -Bolton says they're putting a committee together to work on site selection. And she says the next step is setting a curriculum. She says they're looking for public input on that, but they want to tie into the marine and rural heritage of the Goderich area, as well as reflecting the training needs of local industry. Anyone with suggestions can contact Monica Walker -Bolton at the Huron County Planning Department." I feel it is a conflict of interest for a taxpayer -paid staff member of the Huron County Planning Department to be sitting on a committee pressing for a college in Goderich while the former college in Huron Park lies empty. As a county planner, why isn't Ms. Walker -Bolton (and other county officials) in conjunction with HBDC exploring the possibility of developing a college at Huron Park? I brought these concerns to the attention of Huron -Bruce MP/federal candidate Paul Steckle, as in 2005 the federal government apparently provided $2.3 million to fund HBDC operations. Mr. Steckle told me he does not have any influence over the way HBDC runs their operation. I find it strange that the federal government provides funding for HBDC yet, according to Mr. Steckle, an MP apparently has no influence over a non -publicly elected organization funded by the federal government. I would suggest voters ask the Huron -Bruce candidates their eco- nomic development vision/plan for Huron -Bruce beyond tossing cheques to HBDC, agriculture Band-Aids and Bruce Power. Lette to th itor Bob and Deb's Stedmans was a place where one could, e browse for a gift or a needed item without the pressure to buy. You always received a smile and a word of wel- come when entering the store and a cheery good bye when you left, with or without a purchase. You always knew that you would be welcome back. Over the years our community has seen many businesses come and go as it adapts to the constantly changing world we live in. The need to do things on a much bigger and grander scale at times seems to tear Ed at the very fabric of our society. The demise of Stedmans may be the result of our collective subconscious to be part of the bigger, better world but it is not without loss. We lose the personal service that Bob, Deb and their cheery staff dispense which is surely worth more than the pathetically insincere greeting dispensed at the door of at least one of their big city competitors. Thank you Bob and Deb for your much appreciated support of our Branch. RONALD HELM. Past President Branch 167 , The Royal Canadian Legion Voters need to ask questions Dear Editor: With an election before us, I feel it is a good time to discuss economic development for Huron -Bruce. If the steady appearance of empty storefronts in Exeter is any example, it is time for politicians/bureaucrats/community/businesses to work togeth- er to identify the problems and find solutions. In my view job retention/creation should be a key concern in the upcoming federal election. For example, Huron Industrial Park would be a welcome addition to any community. However, South Huron council together with federal funding through Huron Business Development Corporation (HBDC) hired a consultant to prepare a report (cost apparently $50,000) which Mayor Morley and CAO Larry Brown told me determined they should not acquire the Huron Park airport lands or former col- lege. When I asked before council for a copy of the study, Mr. Brown refused to provide one. I was able to acquire a copy of the study through HBDC and cannot find any indication in the study why the municipality should avoid investing in Huron Industrial Park. I find it interesting that other communities in Huron -Bruce support airport development, yet South Huron hires a consultant at taxpayers' expense to determine the opposite. From the Nov. 29 Kincardine News: Council is endorsing a project that could see the eventual construction of 28 airplane hangars at the Kincardine Municipal Airport. Council showed its support for the project by allocating $10,208 to pay for the design of the hangars and the tendering of the project, at its Nov. 16 meeting. "I believe a vibrant airport is the sign of a vibrant community," Deputy Mayor Sandy Donald said. Recently, a group in Goderich was awarded $40,000 in "seed money" through HBDC to hire a consultant to explore the possibility of a college for the community. From CKNX radio news: "Support is growing for a community college in Goderich. (WALLY) PETER FYDENCHUK CREDITON Christmas is coming Dear Editor: Christmas is coming, our Saviour's birthday Dec. 25. His name is Jesus! He came into this world to bring peace, love and forgiveness of our sins. Let us all look to Jesus for comfort and joy at Christmas time. Please don't let worldly things -even a federal election get in the way of such a wonderful celebration. May the Saviour Jesus be in our hearts, homes and church wherever we are this Christmas season. EARL KELT.FR Lighten up Dear Editor: At the last council meeting (after the Taylor subdivision public meeting) Mayor Morley told me that council meetings were not the place to protest (I was dressed up in a kangaroo costume), nor the place to raise questions about the issues I have with the manner in which this community is being run. I was told that it would be appropriate for me to take my concerns to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. This statement baffles me especially coming from an individual who has time and time again lamented on the provincial government's interference in municipal affairs. If the provincial government is the place to go if you have a problem then why do we need the added expense and bureaucracy of municipal government? I was also told that if I came to a meeting in costume again I would be removed. Lighten up Mr. Mayor! Council is complaining that they have been laughed at due to some of my comments. The last meeting was an opportunity for you to laugh with me! On the Huron Park industrial issue, I have heard that in fact Mayor Morley is not being kept out of the loop as he has stated, but that his attention to this matter would be appreciated. Maybe a simple phone call or letter to the appropriate par- ties would be in order to instill an appreciation of the importance of these employ- ers and their financial impact on this community. Yours Truly, DEAN DUCHARME, Huron Contractors Inc