HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-10-15, Page 21
,xpositor ota
SINCE 1860, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
1985
Incorporating
Brussels Past
10 Main Street 527-0240
Published in
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO
Every Wednesday morning
ED BYRSKI, General Manager
HEATHER McILWRAITH, Editor
The Expositors brought to you each week by the efforts of:
root. Bi wane Marlene Charters Joan Guichelaar, Anne Hull, Joanne JeWdt.
t,ianne MAG,uIn Las McLiwan. Bob McMillan. Cathy malady and Patrick Paths
Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc.
Ontario Community Newspaper Association
Ontario Press Council
Commonwealth Press Unice
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 15, 1986
Sec,nd class mail registration Number 0696
VIM
OPINION
Politician'S return un' -warranted
FROM THIS ANGLE
Back in biblical times, people thought it
was a big deal when word got around that
Jesus Christ had performed the number one
miracle of the times, by bringing a fellow
named Lazarus back from the dead.
If one can put any stock in the latest
unconfirmed reports circulating around Ot-
tawa, a man we all thought we had seen the
last of, is planning to go the Messiah one
better by staging his second return from "the
dead," in less than 10 years. Only one man
would have the audacity to go toe -to -toe with
such a miracle -- namely the ageless sage of
the Liberal party, Pierre Elliot Trudeau,
'rrudeau's fust return from the political
graveyard occurred in 1980, when he came
out of retirement to lead the Liberals back to
power, after Joe Clark's ill-fated stint at
leading a Conservative minority government.
At that time, there could at least be some
justification for the Liberals reinstating their
own version of the Messiah. After all, Clark's
defeat and subsequent snap election had left
the leaderless Liberals in dire need of a
recognizable figurehead.
'L'his time, however, it would be doubtful
Trudeau's return could mean anything short
of doom, for the Grits.
by Patrick Raftis
them back to parity in the polls after a sound necessary for Trudeau to "promise" not to
defeat in the last ballot count, it would be stay so long this time, reveals the Liberals are
foolhardy to return to Trudeau,. aware that people want a fresh face at the
The party would be killing their own
chances in future elections by admitting that
they cannot hope to win an election with
anyone but the old master at the helm.
Trudeau's rumored return was made
public by MacL ean's magazine, which says it
has learned a circle of Liberals close to
Senator Keith Davey, who masterminded
much of the Liberal strategy during the
seemingly -endless Trudeau era, is "actively
considering a campaign to replace John
Turner with Trudeau."
The plan is made even more ludicrous by a
proposal that Trudeau would return as
leader, but promise Canadians he would
serve only two years as prime minister,
opening the door for a leadership campaign in
199(1.
W ho is going to vote a man into a four-year
term of office, after he has promised to serve
only half of it? The Liberals are clutching at
straws here. The very fact they believe it
Even if one succumbs to the theory that
John Turner, the current leader, cannot gain
enough popularity in time to win the next
election, even though he has already brought
party's helm.
Besides, given their past performance, can
they offer their supporters any assurance
they can find a leader we can all live with by
1990? I don't think so,
The whole thing sounds like more sour
grapes on the part of Davey and company. To
confuse matters more, Davey has said
publicly that the likelihood of Trudeau ever
returning to federal politics is "too much -to
hope for."
Unfortunately, given the man's penchant
for appearing on the scene when least
expected, and given the current opportunity
-- it appears that for the former prime
minister not to return to politics; is too much
for the rest of us to hope for.
The scariest pari of all this, is' that it's
starting to make Brian Mulroney look good
again -- and who needs that kind of
aggravation',
Rain could spell ruin
Local farmers are looking at the prospect of losing close to half their
white bean crop and receiving less than expected for the remainder. And
that's if the rain holds off and they can get Into the fields within the next
couple of weeks to harvest.
Record rainfalls have caused damage which could spell ruin for some
farmers and will undoubtedly leave others in a precarious situation. As
Ashfield Township farmer Ray Hogan put it, "If we had a profit for the
last five years, we could live with it," But as anyone who knows farming
understands, farmers have not had profits for the last five years and the
damage to this year's bean crop is a disaster.
'This year's wheat crop was mouldy so prices were low and the corn
while it is a good crop so far, will not bring much of a return because the
price is too low. The bumper bean crop was the only thing that looked like
a cash crop,- says OMAF representative Don Pullen. And it looked like a
beautiful bean harvest until it started to rain.
Farmers who toured the county with Jack Riddell, the provincial
agriculture minister on Friday, were waiting for their colleague to
promise relief. Riddell, a white bean farmer himself, understands the
crisis and he had come to assess the damage. But he told the farmers, the
type of emergency relief they are seeking is a federal Jurisdiction.
As the farmers suggested, there is something immediate, Riddell
could do. He could enhance the existing interest rate relief program
which would help ease the short term tension. He can also look at other
ways existing programs will help or he and the cabinet may have to
commit new money to a new program because of the crisis at hand.
But the responsibility lies with the federal government as well as their
provincial counterparts.
Ottawa is quick to responcLwhen.-the oil Industry looks for assistance
and the Mulroney government bailed out two banks which collapsed.
Federal minister John Wise should do as local farmers suggest, Come to
southern Ontario, assess the damage and then respond as the
government has to offset the damage caused by poor wheat prices for the
prairie farmers and the beleagured oil industry In Alberta.
Local farmers have been bruised and beaten by low commodity prices,
high input costs and high interest rates. Many cannot tolerate the loss of
this year's bean crop and crisis management at this point could
determine how many of them will still be on their farms to plant next
spring.
Everyone in the local community also has a responsibility to tell
government that some type of aid for the farmers is expected. The local
economy is very dependent on agriculture. If the farmers have a bad
year. local businesses and Industries are affected. Agriculture Is the
backbone of our economy.
Support the local farmers' efforts to persuade the provincial and
federal governments that immediate relief is essential for the viability of
our farming community and additional programs are necessary to bring
long term stability to the agricultural Industry. Phone your member Of the
legislature, who just happens to be the provincial agriculture minister,
Jack Riddell and phone Murray Cardiff, MP. It's time the farmers saw
action.
TO THE EDITOR
World Food Day
r rclnher 16 is World Food Day. an
uppnrnnnty for all to reflect on the
nnperl.nce of dealing with the issues of
global
e
nianohunger
World and
F000dfoproblems
DayCoordinating
nmm,ttee is a coalition of voluntary and
ornate sector organizations. government
,aeernnes, husinesses and individuals.
�\ orld Fond Day is commemorated in 147
countries and honours the founding of the
1 nuert Nation Food and Agriculture Organi-
,.,unn F A n in Quebec City in 1945.
19as being the international Year of Peace.
the nntario World Food Day Co-ordinating
('nmmdlee wishes to stress the importance of
nh,ng world food problems to achieving a
more peaceful international community. The
theme for this year's World Food Day is
}•Hurl. R' ater and Fisheries.
Each year t ire world's fresh water supply is
depleted due to increased usage and
de,crtificalmnl This has raised the issue of
hoz to create new supplies, including
research into desalination of ocean water and
more efficient ways to store and transport
fresh water As well. the continued depletion
of the earth's fisheries creates new problems
for the large proportion of the population
dependent on fishing for survival. It is
imperative that these problems be addressed
in the near future
There is no single simple solution to the
world hunger problem. 'However, through
increased awareness and efforts to address
the situation. it is still possible for the world
to feed itself We have the technology: the
capabilities are there. The developed world
needs to take a more active role in the
problem: our international survival depends
on it. World Food Day on October 16 will
bring these issues into focus: a solution to
world hunger can be found.
Sincerely yours,
Marilyn a, Sanders
Chairman. Ontario World Food Day
Coordinating Committee
Low alcohol beverages dangerous
Are the Inti alcohol beverages now on
commences store shelves a boon for the
.01111t looking fora low alcohol alternative or.
;me they an entry-level alcoholic beverage
wilt potentially harmful consequences for
children'
TO(' Al A. a youth organization repre-
senting 700 young people in the province of
rntarin. feels that these low alcohol bever-
age-. have both positive and negative
qualifies We acknowledge that there is a
markel for such products to provide an
adult" alternative to soft drinks, but there
may he serious health drawbacks for these
prnrlucts if left in the hands of children. We
have recently dispatched a letter to both MPs
and MPPs outlining our concerns. They
centre on the following areas: the intro'duc-
tine of alcohol to young children of low body
Autumn waterfall
by Patrick Raftis
Which way is 'up'?
W hen it comes to geography people from
Seaforth certainly know where they're going
and where they've been. However, if you're
not a local you might have a hard time
knowing whether they were north, south.
cast or west of town
lake most Canadians. Seaforthinns go
"up" north and "down" south That makes
sense up and down are opposites just as
north and south are Whenever we look at a
map. north is placed in the "up" position so
everyyone can get their bearings No one ever
went "up south" or "down north " Going
"out" west has long been a popular
destination for many of us whether it be in
search of adventure. a job. or just a change of
pace On the other hand we could go "down"
east This is a bit confusing If we go "out"
west why don't we go "in" east' How can you
go down south and down east.. ..hut then
again nobody ever just went east. It's a
national phenomenon.
Move to Seaforth and it gets worse.
Brussels is north of Seaforth. That makes 11
"up" right? Wrong! People don't go up to
Brussels, they go "back" to Brussels, just as
they go "hack" 10 Winthrop, Walton, or
Blyth. However. if you go farther north for
instance W alkerton, W iarton or Owen Sound,
well once again it's "up", (Why any one
would go hack to Brussels and not go back to
Owen Sound is beyond me).
',Neter is south and so is London. We may
go down to Landon but we go "over" to
Exeter. We also go "over" to Bayfield,
Grand Bend and Hensel]. Goderich m ay he
west but it sure isn't out west, so we go "up"
to Goderich just as we go "up" to Clinton.
Even if you're not going out of town
weight may impair motor functions and result
in injury The appearance of low alcohol
beverages is modelled after beer or wine
cnolers and may lead children to develop
accepting attitudes towards these products.
Marketing these beverages as adult drinks
coupled with easy acee_« may make these
products more attractive to children.
in light of these concerns, we urge
legislators to take appropriate action to limit
the availability of these products to children.
11 is TOC ALPHA's feeling that these
products should be in outlets where they are
accessible to adults only. of Alcohol
TOC ALPHA is a youth program
and Drug Concerns. inc. 19116 marks;our 3001
anniversary.
For further information: Michael DeGagne
Yndth Coordinator. (416) 293-3400.
HERE'S THE BEEF
by Carolanne Doig
directions can he funny W by do city people
an downtown and country people go uptown
w'e
always went "uptown" to shop 1n
Seaforth and "downtown" when in London or
Toronto We don't go to the Sunoco. or to Bob
and Betty's, or to the commercial we go
"up 10" them However. we go "down to"
the hospital or the lion's Park Egmondville
1
1' a -dim 11 but Ifnrpurhey being west is
".nut" and so therefore we go ' to the
Freeze King Ian
t'p, (limn. in. out. hack or over. Listen to
mill( and your friends when they descrihc
their travels These descriptions may not he
geographically accurate but people will raise
o\Omni s 1f you say you're heading "down"
In \':utastr; for a swim
TO THE EDITOR
Legion gears up for campaign
The Royal Canadian Legion, Seaforth The Poppy bust funds are reservoirs from
Branch No. 156, through the years have which emergency assistance can be given to
always received strong support for their needy veterans, their dependants and the
annual Poppy Campaign on Remembrance widows and children of deceased ex -service -
Day. The people of Seaforth and surrounding men
We trust that the citizens of Seaforth and
areas have been most helpful.
During the past year your conhibutionsr tt will
continue
to lend their
s usual
ng
have made possible a continuation of the support to the
1986Prop
work the Legion has been carrying on in the Campaign Your generous donation will be
area for more than fifty years. Last year most appreciated.
expenditures totalled 52,385.77. slightly
more than receipts of 52329.14.
Funds which the public contributes are
held in trust in a separate account. The funds
do not form any part of branch finances.
1
Yours truly.
Seaforth Branch 156
Royal Canadian Legion
Dave Cornish
Poppy Chairman
Tripped up by tender toe
Although, when it is given, a friend's
advice is usually well meant, sometimes
following that advice can be more trouble
than it's worth. Take last week for example.
T awoke one day with a tender toe,
something i figured to be - just one of those
things. 1 probably kicked the wall in my sleep
or something. Subsequently f ignored the
discomfort.
But as the days passed it became almost
impossible to continually ignore the discom-
fort. After all, every step 1 took was a lesson in
pain. So much so. in fact, that on the advice of
a "friend" 1 fotind myself at the hospital
awaiting a doctor's verdict.
1 fully expected to be laughed out of the
place, so stupid, l figured, was my complaint.
Unfortunately though. after 1 hobbled into
the examining room and bared my foot for the
doctor, l got no laughs. Instead 1 was asked to
return in an hour for the — "treattnent."
That hour was both the shortest and the
longest one I've ever had to live through.,
Long because 1 had to endure my phobia of
the impending pain of minor surgery and
short, because that pain came much too
quickly.
Much as T tried during that hour I was
unable to find a reason believable enough to
excmcancelled appearance the
et is usetal. And
y even though I engageda myself
SWEATSOCKS
by Heather Mcllwraith
•
4
in other activities in an effort to he "too late'
for my appointment. my tardiness just meant
1 spent less time in the waiting room. 1 was
ushered almost immediately to my impend-
ing doom.
"Would it hurt," i questioned, only -to be
told that needles don't hurt, and after the
needle i wouldn't feel a thing,
Don't hurt. Frequent blood tests have left
me relatively immune to the feel of metal
piercing the skin around my elbows. but i was
i11 prepared for the feel of it probing around
my toe. Previously untouched by sharp metal
objects f found out last week just why that
was.
Once the freezing took hold i watched
fascinated as the doctor performed a number
of tactical manoeuvres and gingerly pulled
the nail away from my skin. It Was a bit of a
bloody mess but educational to watch.
Ultimately the "toe" was bundled in
several yards of gauze, then my entire foot
encased in 0 green sponge slipper. Ironically
that same slipper here the' sy mhol of a happy
face
Five or six hours after all this i started to
resent that happy. face. Once the freezing
Wore out. and the pain pills proved
ineffective, it was a constant reminder of the
way f DIDN'T feel. So much in fact 1 was
tempted to remove it from the slipper -
forever
I didn't. I decided instead to borrow an
oversized running shoe and -was able to get
around quite easily that way. But I didn' I dare
he seen in public that way, so 1 perserver din
my own shoes. The result was a very painful
walk. taken at a very tedious pace.
Today the pain continues but the limp, is
slowly disappearing.
W hen and if it finally all disappears) I willn
only be assured of one thing
constantly question whether I might have
foregone this entire experience had I ignored
the "friend" whose advice was simply - "Co
to the hospital."