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The Huron Expositor, 1984-08-22, Page 5DUBLIN. AND AREA SUMMER FUN—Dublin's summer fun day-, More than 40 focal children participated and games, crafts and singing. The program program ended last week With a backwards in the six week program which involved tun started July 9. (Hundertmark photo) Shelter helps 52 battered women BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE A woman has a gun pointed at her head while her children watch, unable to do anything because they -are bound by ropes. This incident took place in Perth County. The public didn't hear about it, because the person holding the gun is the woman's husband. This crime is labelled a domestic dispute and dealt with in Family Court. Battered women number one in 10 across Canada according to statistics, Perth County has the same ratio. The Perth County statistic was discovered in a study that resulted in the opening of a transition home for battered women • Optimism Place - in May of 1983. The home ]las been open for one year and has not sat empty. The first few months saw little activity, but there is now 100 per cent occupancy. In a year, 52 women have been sheltered from their spouses. Joining the women have been their 81 children. These women have an average age of just under 30 years. About half the women work. They also come from a wide background - rich, poor and in-between. About a third of the women come from the county as opposed to the City of Stratford. The women are allowed to stay up to six weeks, but the home's average length of stay is 16 days. Most of the women who come are referred by friends or family members. but police referred nine women. lawyers referred two and seven women came on their own initiative. Staff members at Optimism Place say the community has accepted the home and police in the area are showing interest in the home by coming to the home and seeing for themselves exactly what's offered for wo- men. "Our police are pretty, good and getting better," said one staff member. Once a woman arrives at Optimism Place, she can sort out her thoughts and make some decisions regarding her future. Of the 52 women that have been through Optimism Place about a third have gone back to their husbands, Five women have been at the home more than once. The rest of the women have struck out on their own, finding a place for their children and themselves to live. Whatever the woman's decision, the four staff members support that decision. There is no professional counselling within the home; rather, there is moFe crests and support counselling. However the women arrive, staff help her find legal help and professional counselling through Stratford Family Counselling. One of the first legal steps encouraged at Optimism Place is to have the woman gain intirim custody of her children. The interim order gives some legal leverage in case of attempted kidnapping. The children who come with their moms to Optimism Place are enrolled at a nearby public school. The home's staff say these short•term students are treated very well by the other students and staff. Although the children at the transition home probably "play havoc" with enrolment figures at the school, not one word of complaint has ever been heard from the school. There are some rules in the home for the women. A non-violent atmosphere is pro- moted and thefefore the mothers aren't allowed to hit their children. Alcohol and fire arms are prohibited and there is a 12 midnight curfew, There is also a housekeep• THE HURON EXPOSITOR, AUGUST 22, 1984 -- A5 Timbrell spends day in Perth ing schedule and each woman helps with the cooking and cleaning and each looks after her own children. The home itself is a large rambling place with four bedrooms on the second floor, The main floor consists of office space, a living room and a kitchen. Donations from individuals and service clubs have been generous, however staff say some donations are still needed. About $7,000 is being raised for a playroom. There is no actual space for the children to play and with the number of children coming through the place, the playroom is considered necessary. Staff say a child's table and chair set ate needed as are dressers and book shelves. As well, on-going donations of paper products and dry goods are appreciated. Recently a side of beef was donated to the home. The windows of the house are made of plexiglas, there is a telephone line linked directly to the Stratford police station, only staff members answer the phone and door and spouses aren't allowed in the home. The home is staffed 24 -hours a day, seven days a week. The four staff members are there from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. while 34 active volunteers take turns staying at nights and on weekends. in addition. there are 10 child care workers who work specifically with the children. So, while Perth County and society in general can be appreciative of the fact that there are facilities to enable a woman and her children to escape being battered, society has still not effectively dealt with the question "why does a man heat?" "That's the main question," said an Optimism Place staffer. Old cribs responsible for deaths in the past two years. five babies in Ontario have died because of unsafe cribs. With the exception of one case, the cribs responsible for the accidental deaths were old cribs. either passed on by grandparents or used by the babysitter. These old cribs were manufactured before 1973 and did not meet the present Hazardous Products Regulations of the Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Canada. Check for the following points if you have a crib or plan to obtain one. •at least 66 cm (26 inches) height of sides with mattress support at lowest position and drop side at highest position. •at least 22 cm (nine inches) height of sides between mattress support at highest position and drop side at lowest position. -no gap between lower edge of end panels and upper edge of mattress support. -crib slats no more than 60 mm (2'4 inches) apart. -no rough or sharp edges or corners -al] small parts firmly attached and able to withstand an 89N (20 pound) pull or push. -no split, cracked or broken parts: loose or Pork producer newsletter By LARRY OILLON YOUR PRESSURE SPRAYER CAN KILL A recent article in the "Toronto Star" reports that one brand of high pressure sprayer has been linked to the electrocutions of six people. This sprayer has been sold under several different model names and numbers. Check your sprayer, your life could depend on it. The units were manufactured by Britt Teck Corp. and are sold under the following names: Liquid Brush; Crown Electric; Crown Hydraulic; Regal Electric; Regal Manual; Super Sovereign; Ford; Massey Ferguson; John Deere and White Farm. If your sprayer has one of these brand names check with your dealer to determine if it is hazardous to use. The original manufacturer has agreed to supply a safety kit to modify these machines. These kits will be free in the U.S. In Canada they expect them to cost betwen $8.43 and 516.97 U.S. funds plus shipping charges. I don't think that the charge for Canadians only is fair, but f would rather pay it than end up being electrocuted. in this case you should pay if necessary and argue later. Your life may be at stake. OMMB wants interest rates cut The Ontario Milk Marketing Board is lender 01 last rea.,.. WWI nigher interest rates asking that recent increases in Farm Credit to match, and won't provide the kind of Corporation interest rates be reversed. stability the Board sees as necessary to in a letter to Ontario's 95 federal MP's, the agriculture. OMMB warns that the increases reflect In an earlier submission on farm credit changes In FCC policy that couldhelp destroy policy, the OMMB pointed to research that the family farm and raise consumer food showed high interest rates hit small business,, prices. Parm Credit rates jumped from a and farms hardest, while big business was uniform 13 per cent to between 14 and 15 per sheltered. The submission also noted that cent depending on the term of the loan. farmers had to invest more money than any In a release by Agriculture Minister other kind of business to generate the same Eugene Whelan, he said the increase was revenue. needed in part to offset. anticipated loan The OMMB's letter is in support of efforts losses resulting from the recession last year. by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture to The OMMB is concerned this means the bring about changes In Canada's farm credit Farm Credit Corporation will become a policy, missing slats, or broken or missing hardware Or screws •threaded holt ends either inaccessible or covered by acorn nuts. -textile components not hazardously flam• mable. •strength enough to withstand a bouncing child. •non-toxic finish -no more than 3.8 cm (1'/2 inches) gap between the mattress and the sides or ends when the mattress is pushed into a corner. -labelling on cribs, cradles and their containers should clearly identify the manufacturer, model and date of manufac- ture in bilingual format. The literature which must accompany the cradle or crib in ,bilingual format. should state and show clearly how to assemble the product; contain a warning that no child more than 88.9 cm (35 inches) tall should sleep in the product and state the correcf size of the mattress to be used safely. RON WASSINK is in the Big Apple! A provincial Progressive Conservative heavyweight,was in the Perth riding last week to lend a hand to PC candidate Dr. Harry Brightwell. The Hon. Dennis Timbrell, provincial agriculture minister, talked informally with party faithful in the St. Marys committee rooms on Aug. 14. He also spoke informally with representatives of the Perth agriculture community. Bill Galloway of St. Marys led both Dr. Brightwell and Mr. Timbrell down the-•rRain, street of the stone town visiting various business people. While mainstreeting, the two Tories heard ,businessman Ray Bennett explain that 70 per cent of his business comes from farmers. Mr. Bennett owns a clothing store in the town. Down the street, Pat Anstett made similar comments. In her jewelery store, she could tell how farmers are doing financially by their buying habits. The candidate and the provincial minister listened to other concerns of some of the town's local business people. Back at the committee•room, Dr. Bright- well introduced Mr. Timbrell who gave some words of advice to the party workers. "Always assume we are a little bit behind," said Mr. Timbrell because then the workers will work harder. He said a win for Dr. Brightwell would only come if "every known Tory or possible Brightwell supporter" is 'contacted, Mr. Timbrell said the 'polis showing the federal Tories in the lead only worry hint to the extent GOETI LER s -OF DUBLIN A STORE FULL OF BEAUTIFUL FURNITURE On the Main Street 'of Dublin 345-2250 Free Delivery auline's air Care �Ba�k to Style Cuts X199 (INCLUDES SHAMPOO) Pauline's Hair Care 5270470 SEAFORTH (Appointment not always necessary) that party workers might take the election for granted. With rumors in the offing of a provincial, election, Mr. Timbrell said any consideration of himself as a contender for Premier William Davis' position, is "all hypothetical." "The job isn't open yet," said Mr. Timbrell. Earlier in the day, the provincial agricul- ture minister spent the day in Guelph and Waterloo assisting federal PC candidates. Staffa bride -elect feted at community shower Correspondent MRS. JOHN TEMPLEMAN 345-2346 Friends and neighbours hosted a com- munity shower for Margaret Laing (bride - elect) in the church basement on Wednesday evening. Jean Carey was mistress of ceremony and the program consisted of toe tapping violin music played by Joyce Fell, accompanied by Eva Laing on the piano, two humorous readings read by Muriel Scott. Joanne Wallace sang accompanying herself on the piano and Betty Anne Miller gaye a reading. Contests conducted by Carol Ann Scott were enjoyed by all and Lisa and Leanne Gardiner looked after the guest book, A very fitting address was ready by Kathy Douglas and Margaret's sister Marilyn Zimmer and Kathy Douglas assisted the bride-to-be with her gifts. Margaret expressed her thanks to all. Sorry to report that Robert McCaughey is a patient in Seaforth Community Hospital. Mr, and Mrs. Arthur Smale are home after enjoying a holiday south of the border. Joanne Templeman, Milton spent the weekend with her family. Visiting this past week with Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Scott were Mr. and Mrs. Brian Dunsford, Winchester, England and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Roots, Essex, England. Mr. and Mrs. John Templeman, Barb, Ruth and Joanne, Mike and Mary Jane Parsons, Rob, Bev, Carrah and Cain Templeman, Hank and Nancy Bertens and ' children, Fay Martyn and girls, attended a shower and barbecue for Jean Cole and 'Rage Jacobe on Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cole and boys, Exeter.` INSTREIT-RAFORTH Store Cut MEDIUM CHEDDAR W Reg. $3.59 Ib. o 2.99 Ib. Product of Holland MILD GOUDA No Reg. $3.59 Ib. s° 2.99 Ib. 20% OFF ALL GROCERY.PRODUCTS (Except meat & cheese) 20% OFF ALL CANDY & BOXED CHOCOLATES MON. TUES. THURS — Open 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. FRI. — 9-9, SAT. 9-5 p.m. CLOSED WEDNESDAY Thueiee WEEKEND BUCKET SPECIAL 15 pieces of tender golden fried chicken. Plenty for a hungry family of 5-7. 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