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The Huron Expositor, 1987-05-20, Page 2A2 -- THE HURON EXPOSITOR. MAY 20, 1987 W Huron O SINCE 1860, SERVING THE,GOMMUNITY FIRST Incorporating • The Brussels' Post • ED BYRSKi,. General Manager published in •HEATHER McILWRAITH,'Editor ' Seaforth, Ontario Every Wednesday Morning Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc; Ontario Community Newspaper Association • Ontario Press Council ' Commonwealth Press Union International Press Institute Subscription .rates; ' The.Exposltor is brought to you Canada '20,00 a year, In advance each week by tho 'efforts .of:' Senior Citizens •'17,00 a year In advance Pat Armes, Nellie Blake, Ou'tslde Canada '60.00 a year, in advance Bessie Broome, Karen Gor. Single Copies • .50 cents each dner, Joan Gulchelaar and Bob McMillan Second class mall registration Number 0696 • WEDNESDAY, .MAY .20, 1987. Editorial and Business Offices. 10. Main Street, Seaforth Telephone (9] 9) 517.0240 - . • ., Mailing Address . P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1WO FROM THIS ANGLE by Patrick Raftis We can't afford wars Not quite 2,000 years ago (Yes, even before Ronald Regan was born) a fellow • who lived in the general area of the globe we now call the Middle -East, a philosopher of sorts, made some statement's about "turning the other cheek," as a way of. handling potentially violent situations., Now, although this particular philosopher had (and still has) something of a following — pehaps outing to his knack for party tricks like turning water into wine and raising people from the•dead — it seems far more people in positions of power have choose to base their actions on the "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," 'position, which is outlined in a separate - chapter of the same book. In the years since then, a great many people and organizations have made' ap- peals for global peace based on a variety of sound principles, such as the value of human life, the horrors of combat and the depressing nature of nightly newscasts during wartime; Nobody much has listen- ed, hence we have had two World Wars and uncountable more localized armed con- flicts throughout history. Perhaps these appeals have failed to get through -to world leaders because they have not been put -toward in the form of rhetorical, incomprehensible logic which pervades most communiques which cir- culate at their level. -Allow me to remedy this situation.? Dear Mr. (Reagan, Gorbachev, Hussein, Khadafy; etc. Pick one): Due to continually advancing technology and accompanying inflationary fiscal con- siderations, war is no longer a cost- efficient method of settling our differences. For example, the single Exocet missile which was inadvertently (These things ap- parently happen?) fired upon the American frigate Stark over the holiday weekend, managed to kill only 28 people. The cost of this missile is reportedly • around $170,000. This converts to cost of $6,071 per individual death. As you well know, no country in the finacial position of (the USA, Soviet Union, Iraq, Iran, Libiya, etc. pick one) can much longer afford such a high' cost -per -kill ratio. - In light of these costs, it seems almost '--.ridiculous to continue to support the idea of using armed forces to ensure the safe delivery of a product (in -this case oil) which currently occupies such an unstable place on the world market. Our commission recommends an im- mediate end to the production of such ex- travangant anti-personnel devices as the Exocept missile, all Nuclear weapons, and most other forms of firearms. The Geneva Convention regulations should be rewritten to preclude the Ilse of most modern weaponry in favor less - costly, but still lethal, arms such as blunt objects and sharpened •table spoons. Weapons like these, have effectively been used, at greatly -reduced costs; by inmates of penal institutions for years, with favorable results. Under our 'proposal, -the only explosive devices allowable in "declared war" situa- tions would be 1971 to 1974 Pintos, and some types of L5 litre soft drink bottles. Implimentation of the above policy Turn to page 9A • SENSE AND NONSENSE ar by Ron Wassink It shouldn't be an issue Some people deserve to die. But should we have the right to make that decision? The issue of capital punishment is one that shouldn't be an issue at alt. I can't unders- tand why it's even being debated by federal politicians, or why they're having a free vote on the issue. The decision to abolish capital punishment was made several years ago and we should live by that decision. Though some people say murderers, especially cop killers, should be put to death, we have to ask ourselves whether we. should be allowedthat option. Study upon study has shown that capital punishment is not a deterrent. to fact, the murder rate in Canada has declined since capital punishment was abolished. If there's,a reason to reinstate the death penalty, it's only to satisfy the vengeful thirst of those whodemand revenge. And to say the penalty should be returned for first degree murder and the murder of police of- ficers is ludicrous. Since when does the life of a police officer rate higher than the life of a wino in Toronto, or a teenager killed for no apparent reason? Murder is murder, no matter how it's committed,or to whom the act is carried out. I can already hear a potential murderer muttering-, "You're lucky—I'm not going to kill you because the death penalty is back and it means I could'hang.' t'm sure the furthest thing from a criminal's mind is the death penalty should they be planning to commit murder, or already have killed. They're going to kill, death penalty or no death penalty. I'rn sure such a person would think twice about kill- ingif it means being,lncarcerated for 25 years (no partite) Murderers probably welcome the • death penalty. That's what they want—it will put them out of misery. They don't enjoy life anyway and it's an easy way out. They're not going to kill themselves, but welcome anyohe who will do it for them. Arguing that putting to death murders en- sures they won't kill again isn't an argu- ment, but a message. Statements like that are meant to tell goverrunerit that the penal system need's reviewing. Perhaps prisoners do have a holiday in jail. Maybe they should be on bread an'd water. But that's a separate issue that should he looked into, maybe after politicians' vete against capital punishment, again. Taking a life for a life will not bring the victim back. It's only a form of self= • satisfaction. that .justice has been Served. But it won't make the pain go away. . Worse still, how can we start to determine who dies and who doesn't. We just can't start by choosing police killers. What about the husband who kills his ailing wife in an act of mercy? That's murder. And should the wife, who bops her husband over the head in a lovers' quarrel, hang? It's not a simple matter of bringing back the noose, needle or firing squad.'But then who said taking a life was ever easy, There are better ways, like castration for the rapist -killer, or amputation of the hands of a convicted strangler. That way if the courts make a mistake, we can apologize to the person and tell them they're lucky to be alive --they only lost their hands—it could have been worse. I agree with K -W Record columnist, Frank Morgan, saying he opposes capital punishment because courts do make mistakes and innocent people do get hanged or electrocuted. "There are cases on record in England, in the States and in Canada' where this has happened." It would be too bad if a "murderer" was put to death in the name of justice only to find the person was innocent.. And in some cases, in the past, public emotion caused justice to miscarry. Morgan says, "I oppose John Reinter giv- ing me a choice of ways to kill a man, There is no nice way to put a man to death. I wonder if he knows these facts." When you hang a man you have to snap his neck, but not decapitiate him—this takes skill. Arid when the trap iS sprung his bowels and bladder let loose. It's net nice, writes Morgan. When you electrocute a. man you put a hood over his head so you. Won't see his eyes literally pop out of his head when the power is turned on. His blood boils, and his brain smokes as it cooks. In the gas chamber, he chokes, and in the neat injection method, some nice person has to stick the needle in his veins and shoot the poison through. I can already hear thecries; "but he killed and deserves the same." I suppose its like'drowning witches in the e Middle Ages, drawing. and quartering criminals around the same time period, or stoning people as was done before Christ's tine. We advanced past those barbaric stages in the history of capital punishinent., sure the same will Happen this time around. To bring back. the noose is not progress - surely we're more advanced than that. Greet way It was an idyllic weekend - .the kind — everyone dreams of having, but very rare- ly ever does. There was nothing going on - no wed- dings to attend, no dinners to go to, and no visits to return. And aside from some housecleaning, which didn't get done, there were no other pressing domestic duties, I couldn't ignore. For once there was time for lazing under the sun, and coincidentally a sun to laze under, It was a weekend made for sipping tall cool drinks out of plastic•glasses; quaffing ice cream treats by the dozens; playing. .awn mpiette,lo_the and making subtle darts through the lawn sprinkler. It was a weekend suited for,catching up with friends, making plans - then revealing secrets in the heat of moment and the day.. It was a weekend suited for taking conver- tible rides; to spend .aweeken SWEATSOCKS by Heather. Mcllwraith It was a weekend that allowed you time • to put your feet up, or to let your hair down, whatever your preference - then gave you a day at the end of it all to recuperate. It was perfectly planned, • • On the more practical side, it was a weekend that demanded. sun screen,' but probably never got it; hats, that probably point of exhaustion never saw the light, and shade trees, that were probably never used. Chances are there were more titan a few people who, if already immune to the ef- fects of the sun on their bodies, were over- come by a fit of daftness often associated with too much sun. Or maybe the daftness, was caused by too 'much drink taken to' •alleviate the warmth of the sun's rays. Who knows? ' •' Whatever, I'm sure most people, like myself, can honestly say it was a beautiful weekend; one that bears repeating. And in addition to being beautiful it also , gave .way to more inexpensive pursuits, Sunny weather more often than not leads us to matte better use of the facilities already at hand; I mean, had it- net been for a rather • ' dismal showing at the. race track on Fri— day night, this weekend might have fared pretty well in terms of my outflow of cash. However...there's always next weekend to aim 'for, 1' CAPITAL PUN//(ENr `: Small town offers Dear Editor, ' I am writing as a life-long resident of rural 'communities with an awareness of both the unique opportunities and the challenges presented within a small Town setting. In your April 29 issue, you ran an article on data gathered by a Heritage Canada Resource Team. This article began by poin- ting out the importance of the human care and concern which exists within Seaforth and will ensure that our Community re- mains intact. Just es the economic develop- ment of a Town is dependent on the en- thusiasm of its residents, so are Community facilities reliant on hometown support. In this same issue you ran art advertise- ment for a "Coping With Loss" Workshop to be presented at Seaforth Community Centre on May 27, 1987. As Is too often assumed, readers may be under the impression that the calibre of this presentation cannot com- pare to those offered by larger centres. Downtown merchants have faced the pro - opportunities LETTERS TO THE EDITOR biems of dissuading consumers of the illu- sion that larger facilitiesalways mean bet- ter and less costly merchandise. This same dilemma is present for those who seek sup- port and development 'of Community resources. The resource person, Shirley• Locke- Winsor, acquired to conduct a Workshop on a subject that is- gaining .increasing awareness among all sections of society, is a well known expert in her field. 1 would like to point out that this same Professional on an aspect of human care that touches everyone, will be conducting a similar Workshop in June at the O.H.A. Centre in Dori Mills, Ontario. Furthermore, I would like to point out, that the "walk in fee" for this. Workshop will be $185, while that re - memeneeli quied to attend the one held "here", this month, Is $45 per individual or $40 a piece for a group registration of three or more registrants received as a unit. There is still time to register and takead- vantage of a learning experience relevant to both Professionals and private citizens. You may help expand an important Community Resource arid add to your own knowledge, by contacting Seaforth Community Hospital. Registration forms remain available, but applicants are requested to act within the near future to ensure their in- clusion within the planning time necessary. Thank You. Yours Sincerely, A Seaforth Volunteer Rain means defeat to club MAY 20,1887 On Tuesday last the Brussels cricket club went to Listowel to play the opening games of the season, but the best teams were not able to be all there, three being absent. In the first innings Brussels went to bat and ran up a score of 61, of which M. McLennan made 28: Listowel in the first innings made a score of 47, of which W. J. Hay made 15. At the end of the games it started raining and Listowel had scored 52 runs, thus Winning by 1 run and 10 wickets. A meeting of the merchants of Seaforth was held on Monday evening last for the purpose of taking steps to secure the cooperation of the merchants and business men of other places in an effort to check the growing nuisance of hawking and peddling through the country. It was decided to in- vite the merchants of 'other towns and villages in the county to send delegates to a general meeting to be held at Clinton, , on Friday, the 27th at 11 o'clock a.m. At a meeting of the Seaforth council held on Thursday evening of last week, the Street Committee handed in their report as to the iniptovements retliiired in the town this year. For grading,.gravellnig, draining and side -walking, the committee recommended an expenditure of $2,929. This estimate was reduced about $600, the reductions being mainly on drainage works, and the report as amended was adopted, The tender of Mr. L. McDonald for lumber was accepted at the following figures: pine, $12.50 per thousand; rock'elii; $9;50; cedar, $1l and hemlock, $10. A little after seven o'clock on Tuesday morning the steam boiler in Mr: Samuel Trott's cooperage and pail factory in Seaforth, exploded, making a report which washeard all Over town. The front end of the boiler was MM. clean off, while the re- mainder of it Was hurled ten feet to the rear, smashing in its, oourse several of the large upright timbers or posts of the building. MAY 24,1912 Mr. T; J. Berry, of Hensel], the Well IN THE YEARS AGONE from the Archives J known horse importer last week received word from Mr. S. H. Edmonds, of Blenheim, the gentleman who this spring purchased from him the handsome Clyde stallion, Golden Key, saying that this horse had cap- tured first prize at both Blenheim and Chatham spring 'shows and that he has created so. good an impression that he has already booked a full season at a $20 service. Mr. E. A. Box, of Seaforth, who has been book-keeper for Mr. H. Edge for a long time has purchased Mr. Edge's coal business and the coal warehouses and will hereafter devote all his time to that business, MAY 21, 1927 The Huron -Perth Baseball League, dor- mant for two years, was revived here on Monday night at an enthusiastic meeting of representatives from clubs in seven towns in the district. Teams from seven towns; Seaforth, Mitchell, 'Clinton; Goderibh; Ex- eter, Zurich and Crediton Will play m the League. The League will also father a juvenile section, in which it is expected teams from Seaforth, Hensail, Clinton and Goderich will play. ' Past Noble Grand, Bro. M. RIcKella'r, Seaforth was elected district warden at the annual rneeting of District No.8 of I.O.O,F held in Exeter Thursday evening. The amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act permitting increased Speeds of 30 and 50 Miles per hour in municipalities and rural sections respectfully 'will go into effect en May 24th,' Hon. T. B Mc4luesten announced May 20. • MAY 24,1962_ - Representatives of the Department of Economics and Development are in Seaforth this Week conduetiag a survey to determine the requirement for a rental. housing project here, The survey coatinues until June 1. The first, and for forty years the only manager of the Province of Ontario Savings Office in Seaforth, Joseph M. McMillan will retire effective July 1 next. He will be suc- ceeded by Ronald 8, MacDonald, Who first joined the local staff in 1928, • SIMS Cadets paraded for their annual inv spection Wednesday afternoon, Inspecting Officer Major John D. Harvey, Seaforth and Lieut. D. J. Read, Area Cadet Officer, Lon- don, commended the members for the show- ing howing they made under Cadet Major Kenneth Bedard. A MVlcil;illop father and son combined Saturday in eapturing two top awards in the Huron County Livestock Judging competi- tion here. There were 151 entries in the c G Gordan Papple, R R 5, Seaforth leader of the Seaforth 441 Dairy Calf Club won the club leaders' trip to St. Louis, Missouri. His son, Kenneth ?apple was the Huron County competitor with the second highest ag- gregate score in the Seed and Livestock Judging competitions in 1961 and 1962; He was awarded -a trip to Eastern Ontario, The Huton Football League opened Tues- day night in Winthrop, when Winthrop defeated Clinton 2 to 0 -with George Love scoring both goals: A special Service of worship on Sunday will mark the 58th anniversary of the remodelling of First Presbyterian Church, Seaforth. The minister, Rev. Douglas 0. Fry will conduct and preach. Mr. Hugh Campbell celebrated his 100th birthday Thursday, May 17, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John McDonald afld Mr.McDonald, RR 2 Brussels, MFRS students selected for the London Students Leaders Club ere Catherine Elizabeth Eckert and Robert Elliott.