HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1987-11-11, Page 2. .
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SINCE 11160, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST
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• ., . . . . •
Incorporating - ED BYRSKI, General Manager
The' Brussels Post HEATHER McILWRAITH, Editor •
'Published In, •
Seaforth, Ontario Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc.
Every Wednesday_Morming Ontario Community Newspaper Association
Ontario Press Council • .
Commonwealth Press Union
International Press Institute
Subscription rates:
Canada '20.00 aiyear, in advance
The Expositor Is brought to you Senior Citizens • '17,00 a year in advance
each week by the efforts of: Pat Outside Canada e)o.op a year, In advance
Armes, Neil Corbett, Dianne . ' Single Copies • .50 cents each
McGrath and Bob McMillan. .
• Second class mail registration Number 0696
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1987
_. _EdItorial_andausIness-offices--1.0-main-stroet,-5eaforth 7 ----
Telephone (519) 37.0240
Mailing Address. P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK IWO •
Penalize urban sector
Rural Canadians are up in arms over the recent admission by Canada
Post that it plans to close or franchise' 5,221 rural post offices. Rural Dignity
of Canada, the support groups formed in lieu of this admission, is fighting to
ensure that doesn't happen. •
Rural Canadians are sending the.message to Canada Post that "they're
mad as hell" and "they aren't going to take it anymore". They no longer in-
tend to pay more for less and take the blame for Canada Post's ever spirall-
ing deficit. And, who can blame them for taking that attitude?
True to their argument rural Canadians are not the problem and it's time
Harvie Andre, the Minister responsible for the Post Office, had the guts to
put the blame where it belongs - in the laps of the urban masses who use
Canada Post. The least he could do would be to distribute the cost-cutting
measures more fairly between the urban and rural sectors.
Since time immemorial, rural Canadians have driven down to the local
post ofice to pick up their mail. There has never been 'door-to-door delivery
for them.'Finally however, with progress and technology, came the rented
post office box, where, for a reaosnable rental fee, rural Canada obtained
the luxury of picking up their mail at their own convenience rather than dur-
ing normal post office hours.
Now'Canada Post is threatening to close small rural post offices so rural
Canadians can drive even thrther to pick up the mail from a rented postal
box. What did the rural Canadian ever do to deserve such punishment?
For the same endangered 36 -cent stamp urban Canadians get door-to-
door delivery, and don't even pay a user fee for the service. And when they
are told they may lose that service to super mail boxes located at key street
corners, the thought of having to walk a few blocks to fetch the mail, pro-
mpts accusations that Canada Post is being unfair. What do they think rural
Canadians have been doing for all these years?
If Canada Post wants to eliminate its deficit, it had better think about do-
ing more than penalizing the rural communities. It's time the pampering
stopped and the urban community be given the same treatment as their
country cousins. Maybe they should be charged a monthly user fee for the
privilege of door-to-door mail delivery, or be charged rental on a super box
at the same rate paid by 'rural Canadians.
Canada Post needs to catch up with the times. Equality is no longer a
rare exception, it's the expected norm. • H.M.
Silly to censor Shakespeare
During a recent weighty discussion, my
high -school-age brother mentioned to me
he had enjoyed a segment of the play "The
Merchant of Venice," in one of his English
classes. f had enjoyed this particular work
of Shakespeare myself, and so, concurred
with his analysis. /
I .was, therefore; extremely upset when
he told me this was probably the last year
the play would be taught at my old high
school. It was being dropped from the
study list because of its negative depiction
of Jewish people.
While 1 realize a school board must have
some latitiTde uTehoosing readffitii
for its students, I can't agree with the
reasoning for dropping this particular
play.
I can't argue that the slippery Shylock
doesn't come off looking pretty sinister in
"Merchant of Venice," but it should be
noted that the play does present .a very
positive depiction of another . often-
stereotyaed group, women. I realize this is
simply trading one forinof discrimination
for another, but it also points out a redeem-
ing feature of the play. It's not all bad.
Also, I think Shakespeare can be at least
partially forgiven for not being informed
bout modern ethnic attitiideiTliediaTfv—e--
.in the 16th century.
Another great literary figure whose
work has come under fire from school
boards is Mark Twain, for his supposedly
negative portrayal of the American Black
in such books as "Tom Sawyer," and
FROM THIS ANGLE
by Patrick Raftis
• "Huckleberry Finn",
mean it was not an interesting and wor-
Neither Twain's books, nor thwilefilm.
Shakespeare's play, actually creates any ' If we stopped teaching school children
bad attitudes toward the aforementioned every novel which shows some group or
• groups. They are based on historically ac- ' , other in ananfaVorable light, the only book
curate attitudes of the_perinds_ili_vvhich_w.e_w.ould be left with is the original primer
they are set. In Shakespeare's time, • "Fun with Dick and Jane". Come to think
Jewish people were regarded as greedy of it, even this book has been blasted for
moneylenders. Likewise, Twain's Blacks it's antiquated analysis of. the family unit.
reflected a common perception for people In this case; I have to agree with the
of that period. critics. The only sensible character in this
To deny the authenticity of these par- series was the dog, Spot, of 'See Spot
flea* works is to deny history. The case Run" fame. Of course Spot was running. • -
differs little, except in degree, from the re- Who wouldn't want to get away from Dick;
cent one involving a Western Canadian Jane, Mom, Dad, Baby Sally and that in-
• teacher who was reprimanded for feeding fernal eat, Fluffy? The whole stereotypical
his classes misinformation about WW II bunch, of them would bore any
era treatment of. Jews by the Nazis. - sophisticated canine to tears.
The "Good Guy vs Bad Guy," theme is Back t� the point. If young people are not
one that forms the basis of almost all ex- ' exposed to fine literature during their
istingliteratureancifilms.l.o..takeitaway,.
for whatever reason, would leave us with develop an interest in it and society will
precious little left to read or watch. become that much less rounded.
For example, take last year's hit movie . Come ,on guys! You can't censor
Shakespeare!. If you do, -what's next? This
column? Surely, an informed public would
not stand for that?
Okay. Bad example!
Platoon, which received much critical
acclaim and commerical success. I saw it
— and I felt the North Vietnamese came off
looking very badly, This does not, however
• ,' /,;/,..„,,,,<, _.-%
-,-----%
Farmer annoyed by insensitive management remark.
It's with dismay and disappointment I
read the offending column written by the
Seaforth Huron Expositor editor, Heather
McIlwraith in the November 4 issue. It was
a limp attempt te hurriorouslysiecline an in-
vitation sent to her by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food and the Maitland Con-
servation Authority. The invitation was to a
"Tour of Manure Storages" located in the
Atwood area.
Being in a rural -ffie editor
shows poor judgement by trying to make
this a funny story. The impression `she
• makes is one of ridicule and she shows lack
of understanding for the Expositer'S farm-
ing community. She completely missed the
point of the invitation, and an opportunity to
become aware of a problem of many of her
readers, the livestock producers of this area
and that prohleiri, - how to handle livestock
manure, Every livestock producer in the
' world wrestles with this problem and is con-
tinually spending Money and energy to over-
come it.
Through the effortof the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food and the Maitland COn-
servation Authority, this tour is organized to
show off some operation a of farmers that
have effectively dealt with the manure pro-
blem. On promoting the tour and in an effort
to help educate the public to the problems of
rural Ontario, the logic would be through
key people in the media - hence the
invitation.
At a time in agriculture when great efforts
are being made to educate the public, name-
ly the urban people of rural problems, the
editor choose to make light, i.e. cow paddy
tables:Yr di cow paddy chairs, of a very
pressing concern with not only farmers but
the total ecological cycle.
The editor leads the reader to believe that
if she were invited to a fancy dining enviroh-
ment she would certainly attend, however
she would not in the least be any the wiser of
the work or prdblems that were associated
with the productiOn of that food that she was
eating. The editor must keep in mind this
was a business invitation, not a sodal
eating.
I feel the eldtor has really missed an op-
portunity to educate herslef and ultimately
her readers to some of the realities of life
and food production.
As for myself, I. -congratulate those who
organized the tour and made an effort to
Murderers should be locked up
To the Editor:
I feel murderers should be declared a
danger to Society and should therefere be
locked up away from Society forever,
without day passes or posSibility of parole
for the teat 61 their livea,
When the death penalty was in effect and
Was iingoSed on a convicted Murderer it net
Only set an example to other would-be
murderers but it removed Such a person
froth our Society forever and gave the
public some sense of security.
Since the death penalty bits been abolish-
ed the murderer has nothing to lose. He/She
Can rape, tob, torture and murder and the
only penalty that can be briposed on them is
a 'life sentence' - 25 years - with day passea
and time off for geed behavkir, Then he/she
iS'out in Society to do it 511 over again.
According to the news on a Wel radio stst-
tion 130 such murder's have occurred since
1975. That is far too many to be Classified aS
an isolated case. It's time some positive ad-
' deli was taken to'chalige the penal systern.
Where is our protection from these
iturdererS?
These. murderers have shown no reinersa,
but certainly proven by their actiOnS they
haVe no intention of changing their way of
life. He/She Will not hesitate to murder and
rob to take what they want from Society,.
It is the the penal System Was changed to
deal more harshly with these critainals and
put them away forever.
When a person commits murder he/she
automatically gives up his/her civil rights.
lie/She doesn't consider the Civil rights of
the person (s) murdered.
At the moment our judicial system does
not protect us from these known criMinals. I
demand a change to keep these convicted
murders off Our streets and out of our
society..Thiltter has bee Circulated as an appeal
to the public for their support and has been
sent to the following: Hee. Ray Ilnatyahrti,
The. Miniatet of Justice; Prfrne Minister
Mulroney ; MP Gordon Taylor;
Chairmen of the Justice Cointhittee DaVid
Daubtiey and JOe Clark MP; and The
Honorable James kellehere, • Solieitor
Genetal, ,•Honte of Coalitions, Ottawa, On-
tario, K1A 0A8.
If you agree With the views in this letter
arid would like to support this cause *age
Write et eall any or all of the above nierititni-
ned (etyma' respective MP or MLA).
Elsie V. Mackey
EDITOR'S NOTE: MS. liletkey'S niece was
kidnapped and murdered recently She has
Written *this letter in aid effoit tri get &Mit
support to have the penal system changed to
prevent convicted nitirdetert from haviiig
day passes Or early parole.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
contact key people who may help propel
their project. I look forward to attending the
"Thur of Manure Storages" on November
17. I will certainly learn from these farmer's
Ideas and hard efforts.
Sincerely,'
Tom Melady
RR 2 Dublin Ontario
EDITOR'S NOTE - Ws reassuring to know
not everyone Is apathetic to the writings of
this newspaper. I thank you for drawing
atention to the seriousness of waste
management. No offense was intended by
the column.
Bayfield constable run
NOVEMBER 11, 1887
Preparations are being made in the back
part of the Township of Stephen for a big
luMbering season during the corning svinter.
Shanties are being erected at various points
throughout the swanip.S.
Mr. W. M. Johnston, of the fourth conces-
sion of McKillop, has sold his farm contain-
ing fifty -acres to Mr. W. .1. Shannon for the
sunt of $3,740; Mr. Johnston intends remain-
ing on the farm another year.
It is stated that a number of young ladies
intend otganizing a society; to be known as
the N. R A. Society (whatever that mearis.)
As only ladies are allowed to belong we take
it for granted that it is not a secret society.
One day last week a Bayfield constable
went to Clinton to serve summonses on the
hotel keepers for infractions of the Scott
Act. On arrival at one of the hotels he
alighted from his'buggy and tied his horse,
when at once he was surrounded by a few
hoodlums who commenced jeering at and
jostling him. They ultimately succeeded in
so frightening the poor creature that he beg-
ged Of them that if they would leave him
Mime he Would get into his buggy and depart
in peace. After subjecting hirIl to a fewmore
indignitities they let hilt go.
We must be blessed with some very brave
constables in this county, If 18 this instenbee
the Oils -table had let,a few of the chaps who
molested him feel the weight of his baton, he
woiild soonhave rid hiinself 61 their
presence and could have proceeded with hiS
business in peace.. These such predeedifigs
have not the sympathy of the respectable
people of the village who are very largely in
the Majority.
NOVEMBER 8,1912
The people of Exeter and vicinity have got
nipped so often by bank failures that they
are naturally tirnorout. Some nervous pet -
seri, through mistake et riiithinderataildirig
stetted a tuandur respecting the aelveridy Of
the Bank of Cerrinlerce, which has ah agent -
111 the toWn. The report spread like wild
fire and there was a rush of depositorsto the
bank. The officers, however, had little dlf.
^ +
out of town
IN THE YEARS AGONE
from the Archives
fieulty in proving the fallacy of the rumour
and Confidence was soon restored.
A by-law authorizing the issue of deben-
tures to the =Mint of $8,800 to cover the
cost of re -constructing bridges swept away
by the flood last Spring Was carried in
Lucknow on Monday. There was no vote.
recorded against the by-law.
An escaped lunatic by the naive of Leary,
from the London Hospital for the insane;
was arrested at Winghath a fe* days ago
and taken back to London by one of the
guards from the asylum. This is the sixth
time the seine man has been caught at
'
W. J. Palmer of Brussels has purchased
the Hatilnitaul Bros. SaWiiiiii at Gerrie,and
Will take it down and remove it to Mewati
Parry Sound dis—tr'icti where he has secured
a big centred of cutting timber. Mr, and
Mrs, paltrier Will consequently be retrieving
froni thissels, •
istOVEMtElt, 12,1937
Mr. Con Eckert has received the Wolfing
letter fitni SaakatChetari thanking h1r for
produce Which he (leaded to the car sent
feral here.
Dear Sit I happened to be the one lucky
enough to receive your bag Of potatoes,
although Iamnotatptesefltfarmthgbetam
the peen -latter at this place.
Ivan Madre youthat what yon folks in the
east are doing for relief in the West it more
than appreciated, and I really don't know
what thiS country would do without your
help. I try to, raise some garden, but Have
rid been able to do So' fot. the last several
years.
If we ever gra* anything here again we
would Safely like to be able to help someone
elSe as you are doing, but 1 would net like tO
See your 'country get so that it needed help
„ .„... . , .....,,.
as bad as Saskatchewan does. We had
another dust storm last Thursday. At times
you Could not see over 50 yards and It is
worse in some places. Again I thank yeti and
ritir neighbors. •
The letter Was from H.C. McCure of
MediSon, Saskatchewan. .
WinghaM residents on Tuesday received
the official Word of the death of Roy Mc-
Quatrie, a former branbtook young man
who was killed 18 actionin Spain recently
when the Section of the loyalist troops which
he was commanding was bombed by a fleet
Of insurgent planes.
NOVRIOER1,5, 1962
Groundwork necessary te Increase the
size of the Public utility COMMIS:416ft, was
set in Makin Monday night by SeStririth
Oft council. Following the Suggestion of
Mayor Editiund Daly, a motion was passed
to put the question before the ratepayers.
At the present tiine the dOltititSidi OW -
Sid§ of two anointed members, serving
• two-year terms; and the mayor 61 the
municipality. The electors will be asked to
give pettiiiStiori to increase the size of the.
eorainisaion to five Men.
, SDHS Grads received *Lerma Friday
eVening. They are Bruce Miller, Jac1
Klitikharrier, Robert Sheep, Marie Strong,
Jean meNeughtott, Cathy Eckert, June
Maria arid Gail Finlayson. Marie Strong Was
the class Valedietetiari.
Ailianineetrierit WAS Made this week that
an Open ineeting for &pitting niftier
hockey. in Seaforth Will be held Sunday
aftetisciciii at 3 041., in the Seaforth arid
Diettiet Meitietitial Arena. Some have
already indicated that they will assist as
Ceadhea, and managers for the upcoming
SeaSen;. haWeVet, everyone is Weleotrie to
attend. •