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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1987-09-02, Page 22A - - THE HURON EXPOSITOR, SEPTEMBER 21987 10 • . . „, E.. Fluron -XPOS1 Or • .. . SINCE 1860, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST , . . incorporating • . • , . . The Brussels Post ED BYRSKI, General • • HEATHER McILWRAITH, Editor' Published in Seafarth, .Ontario ' . .Every Wednesday Morning , Member CanadionCornMunity Newspaper Assoc. ' Ontario Community ,Newspaper Association Ontario Press Council 44. Commanwealth•Press Union ----- International PressInstitute, • Subscription rates:' Canada ,20.00 0 year, in advance The Expositor is brought to you Senior Citizens - '17.00 0 year in advance each week by theefforts of: Pat Outside Canada '60.00 a year, In advance " Armes, Nellie Blake, Karen Single Copies • .50. cents each ' Gordner, Joan Guichelaar and , . . . Bob McMillan. . , Second class mad registration Number 0696 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1987 Editorial and Busin'essbffices-'10 Main Street, Seaforth •' TeleFihone (S1915.27-0240 ' ' . ' . .. Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK MO' An informed decision With the September 10 provincial election .less than two weeks, away, the campaign is being -whipped1 into a frenzy with candidates extolling the virtures of their party's platform, policies and personal attributes. - There have been some negative and derogatory comments • emanating from voters with respect to the inundation of election news and promisies. From daily newscasts and- paper reports ,• chronicling the every move of the the three major party leaders to . the 90 -minute debate on the province's major networks, the average voter gets his fill of policy, debate and rhetoric. At the same time, however, voters should take more than a passive interest in the campaign so their vote will be an intelligent and reasonable one based on fact, policy and sound judgement. Leadership plays a vital role in any election and policy and plat- form announcements are issued through the leaders when the par* believes the timing is right. To make an informed decision, voters should listen to what the leaders are saying about the key issues of free trade, education, the environment, agriculture and health. If you have any serious doubts or questions, contact the can- didates or their supporters and workers at their respective cam- paign offices. Democracy guarantees the right to vote, and it is. therefore im- perative to exercise that right in a responsible manner. Since, speculation on the provincial election has been in the news for the past eight months, voters may have grown weary of the elec- tion even before it was finally called by Premier David Peterson. If anyone attaches any modicum of credence to election polls, then the Liberal party holds a sizable advantage over the Conservative and NDP parties, both of whom made gains at the expense of the Liberals following the recently televised debate. But when a party seems to hold that kind of margin in popularity, it can work against them. Voters may stay away from the polls, con- vinced the Liberals have a majority in the bag, or, they may vote for another candidate in defiance of the polls. That's why an informed and intelligent vote is the only logical alternative. Before voters can make their selection, they must certainly be sure they are eligible to vote on September 10. Shirley McCallister of the returning office in Clinton says that anyone who is not on the voters' list, should contact the riding office at 482-1700. People who have been on holidays during the enumeration period, which was completed by August 17, and who are not in possession of a form 301 stating they are eligible to vote, can contact the office in Clinton right up to the day of the election. In Seaforth, revisions to the list may also be made at Maple Leaf Villa (the Senior Citizens Apartments on John Street), September 3, 5 and 7 from fl a.m. to 8 p.m. The advance pall will be held there at theosame time. In the 1985 provincial election 38,881 voters were eligible to cast a ballot and this time, 39,304 voters will be able to vote at 137 polls in the Huron riding. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR eisommim Educate immigrants Immigrants coming to Canada should be educated in our form of government, and thus proud to swear allegiance to Her Ma- jesty the Queen. However, apparently Secretary of State David Crombie does not agree. In 'a recently-ieleased discussion paper ironically entitled "Proud to be Cana- dian", Mr. Crombie suggests downgrading or eliminating the Queen from the Citizen- ship Oath. I am writing to alert your readers to this insulting and untimely proposal, and to ask them to join in making certain that it does not become law. Canada is a constitutional monarchy. That principle is entrenched in our recently- proclaimedrConstitution, and the presence this year in Quebec of both the Queen and the Queen Mother shows how uncontrover- sial and widely accented is the role of the Crown. Recognition of this fact should be made by anyone who wants to become a Canadian. One of the discussion paper's proposed Oaths places the Queen in fourth place, and elimiriates the promise "to bear true allegiance" to the Sovereign. This is justified as follows: "Some believe the couri-• try itself ought to take precedence over the Crown", falsely suggesting that there is a conflict. Our way of expressing love of coun- try is through loyalty to the Crown, because the Queen is the neutral and non-political Head of State. The other proposed Oath justifies remov- ing any mention of the Queen with the ridiculous argument that immigrants hav- ing difficulty with English or French may prefer a ShOrter Oath. Come on, Mr. Crom- bie - which is more difficult to understand, "tieing faithful" to the most Widely -known and loved Woman in the world, or promising to "abide by" a COnstitution, a piece of paper most have never read? People matter most; that is what Monarchy reminds us. For such an insulting proposal to come from a Conservative Cabinet Minister in the 35th year of the Queen's reign, and of her unswerving service to Canada, can only disturb the average loyal citizen, Who:wants immigrants to share his proud loyalties, not reject them. I urge readers W write to their M.P., to Mr. Crombie and tO the Prime Minister expressing opposition to these sug- gestions: A detailed brief containing arguments against any change in the Oath and suggestions for individual action may be obtained free of charge by writing to: The Moriarehist League of Canada, 2 Wedgewood Cr., Ottawa, Ont. K11-3 484. Yours sincerely, Jelin Aimers, Dominion Chairman Voters to consider reduced'majority The election is almost here and now is the time to assess our politicians. You may recall that last December Jack Riddell voted and canvassed for Bill 7, the law that forces us to accept practising homosexuals into our schools, workplaces etc..If you agree that Bill 7 is a bad -law in this regard, then I would urge you to vote for someone else. Jack is perhaps the best Agricultural Minister we have had for some time, and because of this he will no doubt be re- elected. However, please consider voting kr someone else, as a reduced Majority would give Jack the message that a lot of us out here still treasure the Moral values we ia- herikd from out parents. Yours Sincerely, • Peter Edisbury, Lucknow. • As always, loyal Ric) the Jays My parents always told me there would be some things I'd have to do in my life that wouldn't thrill me. One of them is about to happen. You see, I finally gave in. Today I'm being forced to go against everything I believe in to take a trip to a place I've been hearing about all baseball season. Tiger Stadium, In truth I have nothing against taking the trip. I'rn actually kind of looking forward W --it, but not for the reason everyone might think. SWEATSOCKS by Heather Mcilwraith son, but the Tigers aren't that awesome, and certainly can be beat, I can't believe the gall of these guys in believing 1987 will be a repeat of the 1984 season. I guess time will tell, None -the -less I'm going to Detroit, And,. not overly thrilled with having to sit through a Tiger baseball game - unless of course - they lose, That's not to say I don't want to see a good ball game - I do. I just want the right teamto Reportedly Tiger Stadium has a reputa- win, and, right now Detroit is dOfinitely not Just because I'm making the often -talked- the right team. • tion as one of the finest baseball stadiums in about -trip doesn't mean I'm changing my _North.America.-Since.E.ve_never_been there_loyalties4111-always-be-a-Blue-Jays_fan_No In fact_I could honestly say I'm going to I can't support or dispute that fact. I can ex -press hope of casting a matkr how many Tiger games I'm forced to—Ditrolrwitiflhe however dispute the statement I've been watch and how many repeats of those jinx on those darned' Tigers. Once that's hearing lately - the pne Where I'm told.peo- games I see on TSN's Sports Desk and/or done I'm sure I'll be able to relax and enjoy pie who visit Tiger Stadium can't help but .myself, not only at today's game, but for the other channels I will not switch loyalties, I cheer .for the baseball team it houses, The • duration of the baseball season, can ignore the neivspaper articles that are Detroit Tigers, I've been told by my two sources (bothdie-hard Tiger fans), are as awesome as the stadium itself. Obviously the team has some merits or it wouldn't be as far as it is. And, it does have some. wiley characters, ie. Sparky Ander- shoved under my nd even tune out the • So if you hear the Tigers are losing tonight oose a regales of the Tiger team by broadcasters you can hold me at least partly responsible. Ernie Harwell and -Paul Carey. I have faith I don't mind: I'll do almost anything to fiir- in the Jays. ther the cause of the Jays - and if that means Oh, I admit I'd like to see the stadium travelling to Detroit well then—it must be which is purported to be•so amazing, but I'm done. This "big race" overlooked While Canadian runner Ben Johnson was flashing, at world record pace of 9.83 seconds, to victory in the 100 metre dash at the world track and field championships in Rome, Sunday, forty less-hearalded athletes took slightly longer to complete a run of considerably "larger" proportions in Terrebonne, Oregon. While Johnson's run was admittedly an amazing feat, I'm sure all the competitors in the first ever Short, Fat Guys' Road Race will undoubtably resent that Big Ben is getting more attention than any of them. After all, Johnston, at 54o0t-10, 172 pounds of lean running machine, would not even have made the more stringent weigh- in requirements at the short, fat guys' race. The, Terrebonne race was, after all, limited to men under seven feet tall, with waist'size at least 4.5 inches greater than their inseam measurements. Word has it contestants ranged in dimensions from 5 -foot -4 and 140 pounds to 4-2 and "somewhere between 430 and 460 pounds." The media is calling Johnson's race a close one because he finished only one- tenth of a second ahead of second place finisher Carl Lewis. The Short, Fat Guys' Race was even closer, as all the com- petitors sportingly. waited at a "stop -short line," 30 metres from the finish of the 1.2 mile downhill course, so they could all finish together. A 40 -way tie for first place. •FROM THIS ANGLE by Patrick Raftis (Considering the reported girth of the con- testants, that must have been one wide road). While all Johnson, as an amateur athlete, will receive for his accomplish- ment is world-wide acclaim (and perhaps a rich endorsement contract), the 40 "win- ners" of the "Big" race were handsomely rewarded with a beer and a twinkie. A fair enough exchange. Events such as the Short, Fat Guys' Road Race, and the proposed new basket- ball league for men under 6 -foot -4, are a welcome change in the world of sports as far as this armchair athlete IS concerned. For too long, we've been subjected to vi- sions of superbly -shaped sinew, with their balanced diets and impossible excersise regirnens. Why should we be confined by anatomical dimensions when selecting our - favorite forms of physical activity ? Perhaps now the way will open up for athletes of all shapes and sizes to par- ticipate in the activity of their choice. Size discrimination in sport has not been limited to holding back the short and the stout, it goes both ways. I'm sure there has been many a seven -foot teenager over the years, who has taken up basketball with a tear in his eye only after learning that he would never make it as a horse -racing jockey. Or, what about the many 250 pound specimens that have been forced to turn to football, or wrestling, after failing miserably to make it in the tiny mans' world of doubles table tennis ? They should be given another chance as well. How about an ice -hockey league for the terminally weak-ankled (I'll play!. ), or a game called Stationary Soccer, for those over 350 pounds 7. The possibilities for ex- citing new sports are endless. Personally, I'm already embarking on my body-building program for next year's Short, Fat Guys Road Race. That should give plenty of time to develop the addi- tional 2.5 inches of belly overhang I will re- quire. Unfortunately, I can't think of a completely painless way to get any shorter, so they'll just have to accept all 5 -foot -8 of me. Crowd of races smaller than usual IN THE YEARS AGONE from the Archives SEPTEMBER 2,1887 The races held at Fairview Park on Fri- day last in Seaforth were eminently suc- cessful, so far as the sport was concerned, but the crowd of spectators was not so large as on some fornfer oce-asions. Miss Hillen, daughter of Mr. James Hillen, of McKillop, has been engaged as principal of Walton Public school for next year in place of M. McIntosh, who goes to the Normal School. The Brussels Council is trying a sample stone street crossing between the Garfield block and D. Graham's block, by way of ex- periment. James Kelly has the job and is Assisted by John Meadows,. The trustees have made great exertion to get the alterations and additions to the High School completed. Everything will be pt in first class trim, and the school will re -open Monday, September 12, under the most favorable auspices for a new career of still greater usefulness than the past. The annual games under the auspices of the Seaforth Caledonian Society will be held in this town On Tuesday net, The Commit- tee of Management have made every ar- rangement possible for a successful demonstration, and if the weather proves favorable, we expect to see a large crowd in town on that day. SEPTEMBER 6,1912 Principal McKay, of the Hensall publit school, has returned home from London after spending six weeks taking the prescribed course in military instruction and physical culture, required of male teachers. Monday, Labor Day, was observed in Hensall as a holiday, but there was no celebration of any kind. A number of our villagers intended attending the sports at Zurich, but the rain spoiled the programme for our slater village, including the races, for which there was a large minter of entries. SEPTEMBER 3,1937 • Interest in football in this community is on the upward swing. Seaforth and St. Colum - ban played a two -game series to declare a winner for the southern section in the Buren League playoffs. Work on Seaforth's new sidewalks will continence on Tuesday morning, Town Clerk D. H. Wilson, has been advised. With the date of the Ontario general elee- tion set for Odder 6, the Election Beard of the County of Huron is busy Preparing the voters' lists and the sittings of the revising officers for the purpose of hearing com- plaints or appeals with regard to the voters' lista to be used at the eleellon, have already been arranged. Miss Mary flohnes; daughter of Mr. and Mts. Charles Holmes, was successful in win- ning the University of Western Ontario Scholarship based on the results of the re- cent Upper School examinatiOns. Mr. McKellar, genial Seaforth express agent, despite many years' experience in handling all manner of express on an or- dinary bieycle, found himself nearly stuck on Wednesday morning. SEPTEMBER 6,1962 The general tax rate in McKillop this year will be 11.4 tnills. Council set the rate at a meeting, here on Tuesday. Twenty-six Huron County 441 Junior Farmer members have entered in the Junior Live Stock Judging competitions, to he held at Western Fair, London on Ttiesday. Plans for Seaforth's welcome to Santa Claus will be set in motion next week, C of C president Len F. Ford has tailed a meeting for Tuesday night in the TOwn Hall, to discuss preliminary preparationa for what has become an outstanding event in the distriet.,