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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-02-19, Page 2Huron xpositor SINCE 1860, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1985 Incorporating Brussels Post 10 Main Street 527-0240 Published in SEAFORTH, ONTARIO Every Wednesday morning ED BYRSKI, General Manager HEATHER McILWRAITH, Editor The Expositor Is brought to you each week by the efforts of: Pat Armes, Bessie Broome, Marlen Charters, Joan Gulchelaar, Anne Huff, Joanne Jewitt, Stephanie Levesque, Dianne McGrath, Lois McLlwain, Bob McMillan, Cathy Malady and Patrick Raftis. 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) Outside Canada $60.00 a year (In advance) Single Copies - 50 cents each SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY} FEBRUARY 19, 1986 Second 'class mall registration Number 0696 f n Advertising le accepted on the condition .that in the event of a typographical error the advertising apace occupied by the erroneous Bern, together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. While every effort will be made to Insure They ere handled with care, the publishers cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. OPINION Relax you're not poor If you are a part of that portion of the population who works hard all week, yet still finds only pocket change left after paying for food, Shelter and other necessities take heart, Even if your wallet has long since been relegated to carrying nothing more negoti- able than your drivels license, and your chequing account has become but a brief transfer point for cash enroute to your creditors, you are not poor. At least not according to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Yes, the man who brought you the 69 cent dollar has publicly stated it is impossible to be officially' poor" if you have a job, It is to be hoped this country's minimum wage earners are sufficiently appreciative of their affluent status. Mr. Mulroney's pronouncement came last week, in response to a query from opposition leader John Turner as to whether the upcoming federal reduce the "Growbudgetwould "Growing gapthis country inbetween the rich and the poor," Mr. Mulroney responded it was inappro- priate for Mr. Turner to use the term "poor." That term, said the prime minister, "ought to be used in reference to someone who does not have a job." This statement makes it obvious Mr. Muttoney does not pay much attention to information gathered by the government's own employees in Statistics Canada, which indicate one-sixth of Canadians live below the poverty line. Since less than one-sixth of the population is out of work, there is obviously a sienifieant number of people who are in FROM THIS ANGLE by Patrick Raftis outright defiance of he prime minister by working, but having the unmitigated gall to be poor anyway. Could this be reason? Since it is safe to assume the prime minister, former truck driver and all-around champion of the working class that he is, would never knowingly accuse hard-working Canadians of artificial indigence, there must be another explanation, 1 for one, am of the opinion Mr. Mulroney has been misunderstood, much as he was misunderstood on the matter of de -indexing senior citizens' pensions, on the tuna scandal, on the deficit and so on ad naus,eum. What Mr. Mulroney really meant was no one with a job: which pays $131,995 in salary and expense allowances, lives with his family rent free in a publicly -owned Ottawa mansion, has unlimited use of a chauffered limousine at no expense to himself and has money coming out his ears from private business ventures to begin with -- can be poor. The distinction. is slight, but easily noticeable to anyone with a keen analytical mind and a strong sense of the ridiculous. Having explained away, no doubt to everyone's satisfaction, Mr. Mulroney's ill -chosen comments, I must now warn the prime minister that I will not always be around to get him out of these jams. He's got to start taking a little more responsibility for his words and actions. Toward this end, perhaps it would be helpful to our head of state if he were provided with some bask information on just what constitutes poverty, according to the people apparently empowered to decide such things. • A family is assumed to be poor if it requires more than 58.5 percent of its salary to pay for food, clothing and shelter, If this is the case, then y6u would think only those earning an extremely low income could be considered poor. This is not always true. The poverty line varies according to the size of community and its location. In the City of London, for example, the poverty line for a family of four in 1984, was pegged at $19,778. [ have no, idea if that figure is gross, or take home pay, but it's surprising and kind of scary to think a salary of $20,000 -a -year, is considered poverty wages for what is really not a very Targe family. The prime minister's comments may be seen by some as a mere slip of the tongue, made in the heat of debate. However, the incident still points out a disturbing problem. How do you reduce the level of poverty, in a country where the man in power does not even understand the meaning of the word. Strike is combattable Variety is supposed to be the spice of life. But apparently the 22,000 members of the Letter Carriers Union of Canada don't think so. They've decided to follow in the footsteps of other Canada Post employees, and possibly stick it to us again, if their demands aren't met in current negotiations. Traditionally among the least militant of the post office's 60,000 employees, carriers across the country voted 66.9 per cent to walk off the job if necessary in their current round of talks with the $3 -billion agency - Canada Post. Unfortunately for them the practice is getting all too routine - and all too combattable. The union is assuring the public there Is no immediate threat to the national flow of mail since it will be at least flve to six weeks, or longer, before the mandatory bargaining step required under the Canada Labor Code, will earn them the right to strike. But the public Is getting a bit tired of being used as a pawn in the ongoing chess game between Canada Post, the corporation - and Its employees. As recently as Tuesday Canada Post president Donald Lander reassured Canadians his corporation is going to do what Is necessary to ensure Canadians have an efficient and effective postal service. When will that start? What Mr. Lander may not realize is Canadians have already guaranteed themselves efficient postal service, by developing and nurturing alternatives to the present system. The Canada public is fast tiring of the too -frequent problems encountered, and too many Inconveniences suffered, at the hands of Canada Post. Today strikes, although they occur as frequent ly,as ever, are no longer the threat they once were. Increased courier systems and expanded services in other Canadian Institutions have shown us it Is not always necessary, or quicker, to send things through the mail. Bills can now be paid at banks, and of course, there is always the telephone. Of course there are some areas where the postal service Is worse than others. Big metropolises, for example, seem to suffer more at the hands of our national postai service than small towns. The Huron distrct, on a daily basis, is supposedly the best postal division in Canada with a two -business -day delivery average. And in Seaforth, the frequently lamented over post office box, is probably a blessing in disguise since it ensures a strike by letter carriers, will have little, or no, effect in this town - and others like it. Except for mall _leaving this community, or mail coming in from an outside community, a lot of messages and necessary items, can be passed on by a simple visit to town. Sometimes it's not always necessary to spend that 34 cents it costs to mail a letter. There are other alternatives. — H.M. GRANDPARENT'S' DA Y — Michael Cooper, a Grade 2 student at Seatorth Public School played host to both his grandmothers Monday, when the school held a Grandparents' Day, to celebrate the unofficial Heritage Day holiday. The students presented a brief SWEAT SOCKS by Heather Mcllwraith Let's be fair guys For being the shortest month in the year February seems to be dragging by. Tm tired of he February blahs. What is it about February that sways even the most optimistic thinker into the doldrums? and will March be any better? it's unfair when you think about it. Superbowl is over and Sports illustrated has apparently compensated for the post -game letdown with its recently -released and highly publicized Swimsuit edition. What a pick-me- up for the guys. and what a letdown for the girls. I mean. what has the famed swimsuit edition have to offer a "gal" like me, except more reason for depression. What do 1 really care about a bunch of scantily dad temales, perfectly proportioned and flawlessly gt'oommd. porous/ed in the Most idyllic locations? Who could ever, without major surgery, hope to look like that? Certainly the odds against me are so great it's not even worth the thought, in all fairness Sports illustrated should release a similar issue. for the benefit of the females. We get the February blues too you know. Sonne of us even get the post -Super- bowl depression. 1, for one. was glued to the television for the entire game, even have it videotaped for posterity. But such a request, Tve been informed by one of the two male members of The Expositor staff, would certainly be nothing less than sexist! Can you imagine that. Women cheddng out the male populace is sexist? Maybe we're just more honest about it A, 'What are the seasons men use for viewing the current sMinsuft issue? I asked a few people abmit the swmrsuft issue, and got a nu)nber of varied reponses. First there's the Male, who insists li'e`s never really seen a copy of the swirnsitit 1 edition. although he's aware of its existence, strictly because it's a major topic of conversation at this particular time of year. Of coarse he thinks he might have seen the front cover of one issue. some time ago. and only on the newsstands. of course. Othersassure you that, as sports enthusi- asts. they like to keep up the latest vends in sporting apparel. and thus their interest in the swimsuit editionit is also difficult, they admit, once one is in the habit of "reading" Sports Illustrated every time it comes out. to break that habit. and skip an issue. The scantily dad girls in the February issue are never the reason behind the male's desire to obtain and study the Swimsuit edition. One male even managed to. in an effort to be sieeeie. tell me he looked through the entire 1986 issue with the express purpose of finding a picture of Wayne Gretzky, and when the Great One didn't transpire, was quite disappointed. and disillusioned with the whole issue. Personally. 1 have nothing against the swimsuit issue. How could I. in all the years it's been coming out. I've never managed to get more than a fleeting glance at a copy. Seems whenever I do get an issue into my hands it is quickly snatched away by some male or other. never to be returned. But no doubt if a female were to really relish a copy of the magazine they could check under the beds. and between he mattresses of any male friends. or relatives. and no doubt find the near -playboy fa<sirnile. And then, if you'd really like to look at it without having it again snatched from yoot hands, perhaps a closet and a ffa'shlight would be in order. Betterstill would be the use of male models in the photograph's. You know • just because Tm an advocate of equalrightsl program, then gave Melt: grandparents gutded toursotlhe school. With Michael are left, Theresa Cooper and right, Audrey Robson. Raf t Is photo Athletic clubs for everyone For many people taking a holiday means sleeping in every morning. eating out every night and spending the remainder of the time sunbathing. shopping, and sight seeing. After several vacations in Bermuda 1 had covered the sight seeing and shopping route quite well. and with my complexion here really is no point in heading to the beach every day. Sleeping in on vacation really seems to me to be a waste of valuable time. 1 was looking for something a little different in a holiday. Mind you 1 wasn't going to forfeit any golf time. After all Bermuda is a golfer's heaven with more golf courses per acre of land than any country in the world. Along with the golf courses there are hundreds of tennis courts and a variety of athletic dubs. The nice thing about 11 15any of there dubtour- ists offer temporary membership rates (decided to join the Bermuda Athletic Club and shortly after joining I received my Huron Expositor ed Seaforth fitness d read with tcentre. the artiAsea theeproposed membert.A� ggin Bermuda of the dub ddaalso asked a lot ful to observe 4ti�ern_an of questions about it. The Bermuda Athletic Club is located tight in downtown Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda. There is no real accommodation for cars since parking in Bermuda is at a premium. The club is located in an elderly four -storey building and uses portions of three floors. Upon entering you are greeted by friendly and courteous staff who ask you to sign in before you receive your warm and fluffy towel (which you will soon be glad you have). On that same level is asinall snack bar where health food snarls and !undies are served and one can relax after a workout. Heading down the ramp the big lower floor foie you are greeted by up-beatp HERE'S THE BEEF by Carolanne Doig piped into the gym where people are working out on the complete range of Nautilus equipment. 'there are free weights, a universal, and rowing machines, stationary bikes, treadmills, and a small trampoline. Supervisors are on the floor at all times to help beginners and encourage the advanced athletes. Fans cool you and the music keeps you going. On the same level there is a coed whirlpool and steam room as well as private saunas for men and women, locker rooms, change rooms and showers. The main office is also located here where the manager and assistant manager are available at all times. On the third floor. (elevators are available) there are several mirrored rooms with piped in music for aerobics and other exercise classes. There are Also moms where beauticians give facials, pedicures, mani- cures, and massages. Along the hall you will find a comfortable lounge and bar, a billiards room, games room, and a restaurant, all for dub members only. The decor is casual and relaxing and the staff and dub members make you feel welcome. The Bermuda Athletic Club is open seven -days -a -week from early in the morning until late at night. Aerobics, siunnastics, stretduing and other exercise dasses run at various times dining the day in order to accommodate regular office workers, shift- workeiss, and those who can set their own hours. The classes arc open to the general public for a 55 a class fee. but non members may not use any of the facilities. Membership fees are structured and can be bought on a six-month or yearly basis and a special discounted membership Ls available for people who will use the dub on off-peak hours, for example after 9 a.m. and before 5 p.m. and no weekends. There was no pool at this dub, nor was there tennis, raquetball or squash However there are many dubs where these facilities are also available. Since i played tennis at a different dub and swimming to me is staying alive while Tm n the water, 1 wasn't looking for these extras. Joining the Athletic Club was one of the best things 1 did on my vacation. R was the catalyst to get me up in the morning and get me going, R was the peec1 piaci to meet people and make new friends, and it helped keep holiday boredom from taking place. For those of you who think you have to be a super athlete or olympic hopeful to use a fitness (entre, you don't know what you're missing. The athletic dub was filled with people of all shapes and sizes. Some were housewives trying to lose 10 pounds., others were triathlete; getting ready for upcoming races. The common denominator was they 21] wanted to look and fee) better and have fun doing it. Whether we call it an Athletic Club, a fitness centre, a gym or whatever — count me in. Heritage often swallowed up _--.----.._. CORNUCOPIA — by Dave Broome Let's say you emigrate to another country like India, Pakistan or even Brazil. You manage to land a job on the police force of your new country and you then begin to demand you be allowed to wear your Canadian uniforrit. What do you think the reaction would be to your selfish request? Demotion? F'crmg? Deportation? You can also bet your pay cheque the cultural nationalists of those countries would be up in arms over your effort to undermine their heritage. Most Canadians are taught to respect the customs of other nations. Because of this fact we are looked upon favorably around the world. Last week, without asking for public comtiient, the Toronto Meth Police Commis- sion tubber stamped a decision to allow Sikh police officers to wear turbans, beards and small ceremonial daggDaggett? The Metro force has 15 Sit officers who abide bycun'ent dress regulations. And so it should be. Claire Wes- cott, a commission chairman. says his hands are tied because the Ontario Human Bights Commission doesn't allow discrimination on the basis of religion. The decision is a hypocritical one because a young officer was suspended because his hair was below his collar and another polieenran was told to shave a moaStadte that was a little too long. It Seems, when a poblein conies up ane that requires some guts to make the ultimately tough derision, the people that have to make that decision always have their hands tied. To allow a minority to force its religious dress code on our police facets shameful Hila destroys over a century of tradition in this nation. This is a Canadian police force, not a Pakistani, Americana or Swedish law enforce- ment organization. It !snot a United Nations peace keeping contirigent either. Over the years, we have opened the doors to hundreds of thousands of inunigrants and they have brought with them their customs. is it any wonder, what with a decision Ifie based on freedom of religion,, many Cana- dians feel the welcome mat should be yanked bads inside. Weare not going to argue about separating church and state, but to force our policemen into sweeping their proper traditional dress code into the dust bin, in the name of religious freedom, is stupid and wrong. Of (burse, many immigrants came from societies that were not nearly as open and freers ours is and in a sense, they have power es individuals they never had before itis too bad the few who abuse their adopted country make the rest look bad. Our heritage just gets slowly swallowed up by people that in many cases, have Shown little or no respect for our culture. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. 4