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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-10-01, Page 2OPINION �Huron ® ,t �[`Jxposuor 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 Acmes, Bessie Broome. Marlene Charters, Joan Gutchelear, Anne Hull, Joanne Jewitt, Dianne McGrath, Lois McLlwain, Bob McMillan, Cathy Melady and Patrick Rattle. 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, OCTOBER 1, 1986 Second class mail registration Number 0696 The easy way to taper off The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada must have heard that my recent attempts to quit, or at least cut back on, smoking have not been going well. This is obvious in light of the recent declaration by „® the medical organization, that Canadian farmers should stop growing tobacco by the year 2000. W hen I first read of this pronouncement, I assumed the college had overlooked the obvious difficulty which would be faced by tobacco product makers, in creating cigaret- tes without access to tobacco. Then I clued in. This was the desired effect. ly argue with thelogic en the of thsmokerowere t can to be implemented. The evidence of the relation between smoking and all manner of dehabili- tating and fatal diseases is well-documented. Still, even knowing the dangerous draw- backs, it's darn difficult to give up the weed. Reaching for the old coffin nails, either to alleviate moments of stress, or heighten the enjoyment of relaxing moments, easily becomes a habit as deeply ingrained as breathing -- a need as urgent as eating. Actually, in my case, the desire to smoke surpasses the need to eat. While I have no problem turning down cookies, cake, pie and other delicacies which crumble the resolve of the most determi ped weight -watcher, I can't seem to say no to a combination of dried plants and chemicals rolled up in a thin piece of paper. Smoking defies logic. Recently, after my tobacco intake had climbed for the.first time past the psycholog- ical pack-a-day mark, I resolved to cut down, 9 - FROM THIS ANGLE by Patrick Raftis with the ultimate aim of quitting altogether. This is not the first time I have tried. Former attempts had always ended, quite appropriately, in a puff of smoke. The longest stretch of cold turkey abstinance I have ever attained, was three months. This time would be different. I would try the taper -off method. I even had a plan for getting through that torturous first day. A plan, which admittedly would make sense to few people but myself. I would begin cutting down on a day when I was overcome by a hangover, caused by over -indulging in another of my less savory habits. As anyone who smokes and drinks is painfully aware, 'cigarettes after a night of overindulgence taste like burnt dirt. Getting the required hangover was no problem, as I had a party to go to anyway, Getting rid of it was more difficult, but that's the price you pay. Anyway, it seemed to work, I smoked only four or five weeds all through the first day and my lungs remained tobacco free until nearly noon the next day. By Wednesday (I started on Sunday) I had consumed only one pack of cigarettes, where I would normally have inhaled four. By Friday, still less than 50 cancer sticks had deposited their noxious contents in my relieved lungs. Unfortunately, my resolve weakened over the weekend and in the two weeks since than I have crept closer and 'closer to my former pack-a-day level. While my hopes of one -day being a welcome guest in the home of the Surgeon General, who has Beverly determined thatt "danger to health increases with the emognl., smoked," have diminished, I have not giver);, up entirely.' Instead, I have simply redefined my goals, to coincide with those of the College of., Physicians and Surgeons. When they create their tobacco -free society in the year 2000, ll, will be ready for. them. Their deadline gives me slightly more than 13 years, in which there will be more than 260 weeks. Since, at a pack day, i now consume, only 175 cigarettes each week, I need only cut down by one cigarette each week and I will have kicked the habit entirely, with more than 80 weeks to spare. Even if my arithmetic is wrong, which it almost always is, I should be able to taper ofe, at this rather reasonable rate without any trouble. Maybe I'll start planning now, to host my first meeting of the local Non-smokers'' Rights organization, in the year 1999. Rectify inequity The idea that death and taxes are the only two certainties in life, seems not to apply, for nearly 80,000 Canadian companies who reported total profits of $13.2 billion in 1983, according to a review of the federal corporate tax system released by NDP finance critic Michael Cassidy last week. Included among the non -taxpaying companies that year, were 64 with individual profits of more than $25 million, said Mr. Cassidy, whose party has callad for a complete overhaul of the corporate tax system. The figures, supplied by Statistics Canada, emphasize an inequity in our tax system that many have long suspected -- that those who can least afford it bear the heaviest load in the financial support of Canada's government. The most profitable tax exemptions exist only for the rich and powerful, while for the average wage-earner there is no respite from the relentless advances of the tax man. While the personal Incomes of lower and middle-class Canadians remain In a permanent state of garnishee, wealthy individuals and corporations can take advantage of numerous loopholes to keep their Incomes and profits tax free. A government as deeply in debt as ours, can ill -afford to renounce claim to what the NDP report estimates is about $3 billion worth of lost tax revenue. While tax breaks to corporations may In some ways, heighten the economic picture for corporations, allowing them to create employment, there cannot be a rational explanation for allowing them to go untaxed altogether. They take their profits out of the Canadian economy, and so, should be forced to put a reasonable amount back in. It Is not only justice, e It is economic logic. Hopefully, the Conservative government, which had little part In creating the current tax structure of this country, will take advantage of their majority position to take some real steps toward rectifying thls long-standing inequity. — P.R. Ebbing - not over FIREFIGHTERS SCHOOL — The Seatorth Area Fire Board hosted Inetr:etor demonstrates the 'ntrtcaetea of some llrofl itinphotg p, l a seminar for arer 1lghters on Thursday, September g,6, Fjgfq, an equipment. Members of the Seaforth-Tuckersmith Landfill cornmittee were relieved last week to learn the site chosen as the potential new landfill site was, according to engineers, geologically sound. The announcement answered the question that had been in the minds of the committee members since the day test drilling began an the site. While from an engineering and hydreological standpoint the prognosis of the site is good, committee members will be forced to go through a further month of anguish while they await the Ministry of the Environment's verdict on the site. Subject to that decision the battle Seaforth, Tuckersmith and initially McKillop Township, undertook in their search for a landfill site, could be only a year from subsiding. It will never cease. As landfill sites around the province grow scarce and land for new sites continues to be unsuitable, the role the Ministry plays In locating and maintaining the sites that do exist, Is likely to grow. So, even if in mid-October the ministry decides the Kootstra site is indeed suitable enough for this area to use for landfilling, there are still a lot of doors to get through before it actually does become one. And once that task is finally accomplished the Ministry will dictate Its method of operation for eternity. The battle may be ebbing, but it'll never be over. — H.M. TO THE EDITOR Crashers ruin party Dear Editor: Ranee print this letter in your publication. I consider this an experience I will never forget. Thank you. Last Friday night, September 26, 1986 there was a chaperoned birthday party at 140 Goderich St. West. Fourteen to sixteen Managers were invited. Rules were: no alcohol and keep the noise down. The party was going fairly well until around 9 p.m. That is when the uninvited started arriving. like most parents I feit i could handle a few teenagers by simply asking them to leave, but es I was out back with the fast five, 10 more were walking in the front door. For the next 31/2 hours I was totally involved in asking the uninvited to leave. They carne in vans, cars, trucks and they walked. The 14 teenagers turned into 30 to 40 teenagers, of which the original 14 were terribly upset and unaware of What was happening. To the teenagers that were asked to leave and did so, thank you. To the teenagers that were asked to leave Mid did not, thank you for ruining my dau'ghter's first and kart !Salty. You young people were nide, inconsiderate and had no respect for other peep" le s property. We, the Bettye, hive on rented property for which we are responsible The pool in the backyard cannot tolerate bndrs, beer caps and broken Otte. If Iwas to n'am'e most of you )for there were enough witnesses to verify who you were) could you or your parents )for they are responsible for your actions), pay for the damage, Next time you better think about that, Be a scout - Be Prepared SWEATSOCKS by Heather Mcfiwraitb The things we reporters will do for a story - I mean, the places we'll go. W hen I threw my rubber boots In the back of my car Thursday morning I realty had no intention of using them. After all, Ed always assumed the standard gear of any reporter was merely camera, notepad and pen. I should have known we reporters should be part scout at heart. and live by the matte, Be Prepared. My first clue that i would actually be in need of those same rubber boots carte when I hopped into a certain head of coundl's vaii and saw the attire of those inside. Suddenly I felt overdressed in my corduroy pants and deck shoes. i went and retrieved my rubber boots. I should have retrieved a whole let more. When we finally arrived at our destination and !saw where my feet would be treading t was wishing i had come equipped with hip waders neat just the conventional rubber boots. Or at least, t was thinking a pair of coveralls to accumulate the mud whldh kept steadily creeping about the rubber boots, would not have been an entirely bad idea. I experienced some relief when I was informed that a tractor drawn wagon, and not our feet, would transport us all to our actual point of persual - the back 15 acres of a 150 acre piece of land • the Kootstra site • the potential new landfill site for Seaforth . Tuckeratnith After a lot of yelling and mouthing off I finally got the party under control: Then the clean up started. Two bags of garbage, which included beer cans, beer bottles, (mostly broken) whiskey bottles, papers, etc. The fust thing that entered my mind was who would give these young teenagers alcohol. The age limit ran from age 13 to 18 and why would they go to an uninvited party. To any parent in this community with a child between the age of 13 to 18, hew do you deal with your child when they tee hr.n intoxicated or are you there when they do get home. Does it not bother you at all to realize that someone is ruining your ldd's life by addicting them to alcohol or whatever else at such a young age. Parents - ask your kids where they were. Friday night The Barry family would like to apologize to our neighbors for the noise Ghostly foul language). I are very grateful for your phone . police, meld have used calls to the hce, howeverI the help when tine calls Wete first :placed and not after this whole bizarre episode was finally over. To my daughter Brenda, your parents are very sorry that on the first time you were allowed to have your friends over for a good time that yet have to learn with such terrible force what spoiled, undisciplined youths turn into aftera few drinks and sincerely hope that all the invited ones t this party remember this incident when considering to crash on someone else's. Sincerely The Bettye My relief was short lived The wagon ride was no picnicl think I might even have rather walked. The carefree ride 1 had envisioned at the start was nowhere near that. tnstcad It was a study in coordination as those of us unable to secure a seat on the picnic table on board the contraption were forced instead 10 sit with our feet dangling over the edge, and ducking brush and whatever else carie too dose to the sides of the wagon Even et that, it wouldn't, t suppose, have been so bad had the ground wed been traversing been flat • or even smooth Needless to say we had a bumpy ride. In fact It was so bumpy t wasn't sure it at the and of it all Pd he visiting the chiropractor complain- ing of a ahmpressed spine • or be able to cancel my appointment after having all my knots and tensions bounced out. If not anything else this little outing gave me the opportunity to do some less than strenuous exercise, since it forced me to bounce off some necessary Indies on my pewterer, required maw muscle to heave my tired frame onto the wagon. and forced me to do knee bucks every time the wagon paned! too dimly to bordering brush llowerer. 1 came through the entire experience none the worse for wear albeit a trifle mud splattered and adhered 1e iyburrs, But there were some wino had forgotten even their ribber boots and ended up far worse aft than myself Instead of harin:g merely a few splatters above the boot line and a dusty rear end. they unfartunately had the caked on took, from tae on up. And strangely snout!, while the rest of us sympetl ited with, their plight, I think in all honesty, it gave some el us almost a proverse pleasure to see them, and not ourselves, caught in the cooing ian confines of the mud. a kfull'y they were good sports ralthough t haven't heard yet t the town has heard from their drycleaners 0s yeti So while this tittle outing proved to be newsworthy it also proved to be a lesson to humility And the splinters, well, they were almost worth the adventure. Nursing Home branch re -organized.,, As part of an overall strategy to improve the quality of care for nursing home residents. Health Minister Murray Elston has announced a re-urgent/ARM of the ministry's Nursing Homes Branch. These changes will streamline the ministry's inspediioti system to make legislation govern- ing nursing homes more enforceable and allow for greater consultation between the ministry anal nursling herr* owners. Health Minister Easton also announced that the Ministry of Health will provide additional funding of some $14.3 million to improve the quality of care for nursing home residents. The spedal funding will com- mence October 1 this year and Widen]] be used for more extensive staff training, the provision of better products for incontinent residents and organised activities, front exercise to cultural events, to meet the physic , ernolisnai and intellectual needs of nutsing home residents. These measures were recommended by the Nursing Horne Residents' Complaints Com- mittee, appointed by the Health Min]stry in March, 1985. Under the ministry re -organization, the Nursing Horne Branch will be divided into a compliance section and eitl'orcement section. "This division of responsibilities shoul4 promote a more positive relationship with the' majority of nursing homes and strengthen enforcement for the minority of poor performance homes," Mr. Elston said. "The ministry hopes to introduce proposed amendments to the legislation this fall that deal with ownership, financial disclosure and the quality of nursing home life," Mr. Elston said, NEW VENTUItI OPEN FOR BUSINESS The Waite Government recognizes the importance ()I small business to the grovith of the provincial economy and that they employ 50 per cent of the private Settee workforce. For this reason, the New Ventures program, JACK'S JOTTINGS by Jack Ridden, MPP designed to help smart breetnesses succeed in Ontario, has three goats: to promote success for new businesses; to provide access to funding through loan guarantees; and to ensure that entrepreneurs have fully re- searclted their ideas by means of a comprehensive business plan. ".New Ventures is a small business initiative that guarantees start-up loan of up to $15,000 to qualified entrepreneurs Premier David Peterson said. New Ventures was developed through the government's Ceremittee of Parliamentary Assistants for Small Business, chaired by MPP Rick Ferraro, in cooperation with the Ministry of industry, Trade and Technology. It allows people who are starting new businesses tie obtain a loan for start-up financing without putting any lat the The Pr'ovin'ce of O'ntarto Will loan. The banks and frust companies participating in the New Venturesm .Prngra include the Royal Bank, Toronto Dominion Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Montreal and V & G National Trust . TMENT IiYONTARid M0RE17V EdCUL'T IRE. Premier David Peterson recently an- nounced the extension of the Small Business Devel'opnlent 'Corporation Program (SEDC) to pernnt , investment in Canadian -owned Ontario -based film produdion and distribu- tion companies, sound recording companies, medium sized periodical publishing l atre eorriptal- les and certain sp pr'oductio'ns. The SBDC program gives illetttiVEA m both individuals and corporations to ire est small btrsafess. This interative is equal to 2;5 per cent of the armlet paid Dor new kasteess of equity shares in an SEM. The funds of the SEDC are then invested in Canadian businesses located in Ontario. PIA MUG GRANTS Community planning grants totalling $21,625 have been awarded to the County of Huron, Municipal Affairs Minster Bernard Gran'dmailre announced last week. Mr. Grandmaifre said the grants wilt help the County to papare a str'a'tegic plan for tfi Huron County Department of Planning aped Development, and to prepare a plan to guide the County planning departments use cif computer technology. Community planning grants are designed to encourage municipalities to resolve Iand use planning issues t0 reflect riwnicipal and economic priorities. The grants may also be used for enamel' studies to develop cosnmumty unprovement policies; to determine the feasibility of usn g data processing fechoology in the I Ball planning p rocess: and to assist in implement- ing the Planning Act. A community planning grant of $4,243 has also been awarded to the County -of Htrroni behalf of the Towns -hip of Usb�e. W ATERMA • Tuckersmith Township will be 'eddying $81291 grant my colleague, Jim arable', Ministerof the Faivineriment has announced. It will assist the township to update theft* supply for Egmon'dviile.