Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1988-06-01, Page 2Huron F .xpositor SINCE 1060, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST Incorporating The Brussels Post Published In Seaforth, Ontario Every Wednesday Morning The Expositor Is brought to you each week by the efforts of: Pat Armes, Neil Corbett, Terri -Lynn Dale, Dianne McGrath and Bob McMmae. ED BYRSKI, General Manager HEATHER MCILWRAITH, Editor Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Community Newspaper Association -Ontario Press Council Commonwealth Press Union International Press Institute Subscription Rates: Canada '20.00 a year, in advance Senior Citizens - 97.00 a year in, advance Outside Canada '60.00 a year, in advance Single Copies - .50 cents each Second class mail registration Number 0696 Wednesday, June 1, 1988 Editorial and Business Offices - 10 Moire Street, Seaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1WO Welcome rogram Putting Nancy Drew traits to w • rk It was a weekend `of intrigue and suspense - a weekend any bona fide mystery lover would have flipped over - a weekend that could certainly have appeal- ed to one's spirit of adventure, had the 'in- triguing' incident not happened so close to home. Yes, this weekend, after years of wishful thinking and dutiful pretending, I finally had the opportunity to put my Nancy Drew knowledge to work and investigate a crime. The mystery? - The Case of the Missing Barbecue. Now, to coin a phrase, this case held an 'unusual fascination' for me. Not only had the apparent 'theft' occurred at my parent's home, but it occurred under mind boggling circumstances. THE SCENARIO The crime was discoveredon the morn- ing of May 28, when my mother ventured into the backyard and was struck by the feeling something was amiss. She soon discovered the gas barbecue, and one of its propane tanks, were missing. A quick search of the yard, the shed and the garage, followed by bar _ eying of the neighbors and a call to my brother, reveal- ed that indeed, the Mcllwraith family was now minus a barbecue. Since the barbecue in question is used on a daily basis, and had been sighted on the grounds on May 27, we quickly deduced the theft had occurred hi the early morning SWEATSOCKS by Heather Mcllwraith hours of the 28th. And since a family emergency kept the entire household out of bed until those early hours, we've further deduced the theft took place right under our noses. That makes me think those sounds I put down to the wind, were more than that. It also makes me suspicious of the phone call that came into the house at 3 a.m., and which we (the members of my family) had been content to blame on my, sister's friends. Obviously there was more to it. What really intigues me about this case, though, is not only that the thief, or more likely thieves, had the nerve to pluck the barbecue right out from under our noses (it is located inches away from our back door), but had to by-pass a swimming pool and a six-foot high fence that surrounds the property on all sideta(and bears a lock- ed gate) in the process. I, for one, would like to know how they did it. I can't imagine anyone could sneak a barbecue out of our yard unnoticed, simply because a double burner gas barbecue, with a full propane tank, is not an easy item to maneouver over a fence. And the lock on the gate was uniamaged. I also can't comprehend that a waiting vehi- cle could go undetected on a cul-de-sac. However my concerns, and those of my family, meant little to the city police. In fact I was a little surprised by their total lack of interest in this case. I didn't expect there to be a slew of fingerprinting experts clamboring to investigate our missing barbecue, but I did expect to be offered more than the statement, 'Call your in- surance company'. What an incentive to steal again. I mean, maybe this theft is only one of a series of similar thefts - it could be the result of a barbecue ring. Obviously the 'thief' (or thieves) had cased the joint, and who knows what they'll want next. Could be my family will be destined to have oven broiled food for life - and in the summer, that really would be a crime. At least there's some consolation in the fact that even if I'm not able to solve this mystery, I may someday, be able to draw my own conclusions, and write another book for the Nancy Drew series. Seniors in Huron County should welcome the coming One Stop Access program. If it works as planned, one phone call would set up a holistic assessment which puts clients. in touch with virtually every health and social service, available to them in Huron County. it would also clearly set out associated user fees for services not included ,under health and income -based funding criteria. One Stop Access should also continue the welcome trend in seniors care of helping people remain at home despite the inevitable disabilities which come with age: Residential care bed vacancies at Huronview in Clinton have already doubled in the past year, largely due to the Integrated Homemakers Pro- gram, a forerunner of One Stop Access. The newer program will build on that trend, meaning more empty residential beds and more seniors living happily at home years longer than they could have expected to only 10 years ago or less. In the long run this will save, or at least redirect health care dollars. Excessive negativity at this early stage of the planning for One Stop Ac- cess would be unfortunate. But some caregivers (those who actually provide such services as meals - on -wheels, housekeeping, shopping, transportation and so on) have legitimate concerns which must be addressed. Their hands-on role will be directly affected by administrative decisions made under One Stop Access. They will lose some responsibilities and are wondering to what extent. They worry about a potentially top-heavy, beaurocratic system which leaves little funding at the service level. Funding strategies will change drastically, with the county controlling the dollars and determining spending priorities. Agencies which have been funded provincially are concerned about that, and have yet to receive a dear picture of how the change Will be implemented. They also have concerns that an increasing proportion of the seniors care workload is shifting from professional caregivers to lowerpaid homemakers. As wages remain low, jobs are hard to fill and both the agen- cies and the seniors have justificed fears over continuity of care. While there is no reason at this point to suspect these concerns will not be addressed, the dialogue should begin quickly. The potential to enormously enhance the quality of seniors' lives in Huron County, and eventually all of Ontario, depends on the whole system of seniors care. As those providing the service remain unclear of their roles, doubts, fears and negativity could undermine One Stop Acess before it even begins. Goderich SSP. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Hensall history to fall victim Dear Editor: It seems that another part of the history of Hensall is going to fall victim to the wrecker's hammer, namely the small cot- tage recently owned by the Windovers. I would like to tell the readers a little about said dwelling. Long ago, before the railway was ever built through Hensall, people named Carr (Kerr) owned that property and much more. When the men were working on the railroad they stopped to have their lunch and drinks of good cold water. Mrs. Ger- trude Flear and Mrs. Irene Kennedy are two descendents of the above family and could tell you more than I about the family. I remember "Aunt Jean Carr" as she was called by many children and older people. In later years my grandfather David Robinson owned the property and then my mother Mrs. James Sengster became the next owner. Several people have since own- ed the property but "this old house" still ONE TABLET /VORN/NG AN' /L/iGN7- ? ,o u/NA7'%5 7//4- G/& /NBE7'a/5EN ? Our Puss//N'7-NE 37VFF? means a great deal to me. My husband and I spent the first six years of our married life there and our first three children began their lives there. I would suggest this house is more of a heritage building than the town hall on which we know not how many thousands have been spent. Where and when will it stop? Perhaps we shall see when the next election arrives. The cottage purchased by the town, I understand is to be demolished to make ac- cess to the existing "junk pile" - or, if one prefers to call it a storage place for tile and sundry, it is their privilege. In my opinion It is a disgrace for people to have to live so close to this site. Thank you for your indulgence. It will make no difference what our opinion is. "Progress" will conquer, for a little while. Respectfully, Minnie Noakes Home health care threatened Dear Editor: Home health care is one of the most humane and cost effective ways of pro- viding care to the sick and elderly. It allows individuals to be cared for in the comfort of their own homes and results in a positive im- pact on the total health care system. Unfortunately, the providers of this vital service are threatened by a critical shor- tage of staff to supply home health care and support. Essentially the problem is that the service is underfunded by the government, and the agencies supplying the service can- not offer high enough wages to attract staff. People are the backbone of the home health care delivery system. To ensure the integrity off home care service, there is a need for training programs and competitive wages and benefits. The issue is one of money, distributed in a fair and equitable manner. The challenge is one of laying the foundation to move from local and regional programs, equitably and thoughtfully to a co-ordinated provincial effort. The government has recognized the pro- blem and responded by requesting the Inter- ministerial Review Committee Report on Ontario Homemaking Services. Personnel from five provincial ministries in consulta- tion with interested groups produced a report last fall addressing the critical issues of wages, education, the rate setting process and rate structure. Tragically the government has not yet released this report or taken any action to address the issues. Surely a report which would focustatten- tion on the needs of this vital health care sector should not be delayed. Nor should a piecemeal approach to this province -wide challenge be accepted. A response which addresses these critical challenges within the scope of an equitable, provincial system is needed now. Michael Clayman President Ontario Home Health Care Providers' Association (The Ontario Home Health Care Pro- viders' Association has a mandate to repre- sent both non-profit and profit members, caregivers, and consumers through the devel :n ent and protection of Home Health Care ce Standards.) How to filter out the 'fluff' news I've been following the Stanley Cup playoffs in this column recently, but it looks like that source has finally run out. I knew it would by the time I had to write another col- umn, but I didn't think it would go in four games -or four and a half actually. Boston let a lot of people down and didn't even take a game, although they did tie most of one before the power went out in the Boston Gardens. The quick result was what everyone knew it would be and Edmonton has another notch in its belt. They'll pro- bably get about two more before someone decides their dynasty has gone on long enough. I got kind of a chuckle out of the footage of the Stanley Cup parade - all these big name hockey stars cruising the streets of Edmon- ton on top of their cars. When the camera shot turned to Gretzky with the Stanley cup on his lap, and his black -gloved hands wav- ing to the crowd with slow side to side rota- tions, it reminded one of the Queen's visit, and I laughed when someone almost out of the cameraman's audio range, hollered "nice hair!" I don't know what happened to Gretzky's head but either he lost a bet, the Oilers re- initiated him, or he stepped out of the arena into blistering 33 degree weather and MY TWO BITS by Neil Corbett ordered his head shaved to cut down the heat. The Kremlin Summit has a lot of people talking about peace initiatives, reducing nuclear arsenals and human rights in the Soviet Union. But it also has them talking about the side show that goes with it. Like when Ron and Nancy took a stroll through the Moscow's older district and came upon a friendly crowd of applauding Soviet citizens. But the crowd got a little too close - within three feet, and U.S. and Soviet security men kicked, punched and shoved them back to a safe distance. You'd think it would be hard to continue smiling and wav- ing to a crowd when someone was being beaten up only three feet away. Then there's the hot issue of Nancy and Raisa, the two first ladies, and how they are getting along. International news services are fast to report that the two, who general- ly won't give each other the time of day, were seen holding hands while touring a Boxing champion fights JUNE 1, 1888 The fall wheat will be almost a total failure in the vicinity of Lucknow this season, and many farmers have plowed up nearly the whole of their crop. The best fields will not produce more than one-third yield, even though everything proves favorable between now and harvest. Farmers will have to turn their attention to coarse grains or something else besides wheat in future. On the morning of the 24th of May the first match in the series for the championship of the Western district of the Canadian Lacrosse Association was played on the Recreation Grounds in this town between the Dauntless club, of Clinton, and the Seaforth Beavers. The Clinton boys proved to be no match for the Beavers, who put through four straights in short order. The boys showed good form though they did not seem to exhibit the map and finish of last season. However, this will no doubt come with practice and we hope to see the pennant make its home in Seaforth yet another year. FOOTBALL - The Aylmer club failed to show up last Friday, apparently preferring to scratch rather than to risk a walloping at the hands of our boys. Seaforth is now tied with Berlin, one of the strongest, if not the strongest team in America. The Collegiate. Institute team goes to Berlin today to play the High School team of that place for the Hough Cup and tomorrow the match bet- ween the Rangers and Seaforth takes place. Kremlin church. I guess that means they're pals now huh? I'd like to see Nancy's hand to check forfingernail impressions or scars. The press is also quick to report. that "Mrs. Gorbachev was dressed in a cream - colored spring wool suit with a gold brooch, While Mrs. Reagan wore and black -and - white checked suit with a soft bow at the neck." Hard -biting news isn't it? Maybe I'm not one to talk having just run down Gret- zky's hair cut, but do we have to see this? The British media is often criticized for the way it exploits the monarchy, revealing all the details about Chuck and Di's latest spat and how today's royalty can't cut it in the marines. And it now looks like the western media is getting just as bad with their leaders. I find the best way to filter out all this fluff news is to find something else to do the se- cond you see people like Nancy Reagan on your television, or turn the page when you see their name in the paper. No news is good news. in Seaforth IN THE YEARS ALONE from the Archives MAY 30, 1913 Mr. Dillon, of Chicago, the owner of the Brussels Electric -Lighting Plant has made a proposition hi -the council of that town, to dispose of the plant for $8,000. The council have had the matter under consideration. Thirty Huron County hotel -keepers met in the town hall in Clinton last week, and while they did not evince any great desire to talk about the object of the gathering, it is pretty well understood that it was to make ar- rangements to fight the Scott Act for which the temperance people are now campaigning. FIve carloads of exceptionally fine beef cattle were shipped from Seaforth station on Saturday last. Of these 24 head were from the stables of Mr. Thomas McMillan of Hallett and they weighed 34,250 pounds; 19 head from Mr. William Black, Tuckersmith which weighed 9,570, and others were from the area's farmers. Among the many Seaforth boys who are making their mark in their chosen profes- sions, special mention might be made at this time of Messrs. Ed. Whittaker, Charles Sills, and Bruce Waugh. All three have been entrusted with responsible and important work for the Dominion government this summer. Messrs. Waugh and Sills are in charge of a party which has already let Win- nipeg for the far north of the province of Manitoba to make surveys of that part of the Barren Lands. Mr. Ed Whittaker, who has just completed a year's duties as lecturer in Geology at Toronto University, leaves in a few days for the south-eastern part of British Columbia. He has been chosen chief of a party which will do paleontological work in that region during the coming summer. JUNE 3, 1933 Gordon Schmaltz, Kitchener, welterweight champion of Canada and the United States, will be the feature attraction at the big boxing and wrestling night ar- ranged for this Saturday at the Palace Rink. Smaltz will box Mickey Grebb at 147 pounds, in three five minute rounds. Local flyweights have a place on the card when Gordon Messenger meets Pearson Chesney at 90 pounds, and Henry Ainsborough meets Donald McLean at 75 pounds. Meeting in Goderich Tuesday, members Turn to page 20A IIIIMIMMIN lent