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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1980-11-05, Page 6P*11111 6—ladakeW Sentinel, Wednesdity,1November 1980 "The SepoyTewa'' Bstablished.1873 • On the Hurou4lruee Boundary Published Wednesday JOCEliAN SHRTBR,-, .Publisher SHARON DIETZ, = Editor .AdvertiSing General Manager PAT LIVINGSTON ,Offiee Manager MERLE ELLIOTT -.Typesetter, Business and Editorial Office Telephone 5282822 Mailing Address P.O. Bex 400, 'Alarm", Nog 2H0 Second Class Mail Registration Number -0847 Subscription rate, $13.50 per year in advance ' ''------- Senior citizetrritteiS11:50,per-yearin advante- 4., .0" t.j.s.A. and Foreign, S23.00 per year In advance Sr, Cit. U.Satc. and Foreign,321.00 per year in advance Eleven seats on the 16 member Bruce County. Board of Education are being contested in next Monday's election. While this represents a lively interest in the election for the Bruce board, it. is somewhat of an anomaly in this election. ' . This election has seen more than the usual number of acclamations which indicates citizen apathy rather than a satisfaction with the record of elected officials in the Indeed, in Culross Township, apathy is so lamnant that the position of reeve and one councillor's seat are still vacant. Another nomination will have to be held or the positions will have to be filled by appointment. This coMplacency may, also be evident on election day in a light turnout at the polls, .Many voters who are eligible to cast their vote for school trustee: in Teeswater, Kinloss, Cl111*()SSand .Lucknow may decide not to bother - with a trip to the polls because, with the exception of Kinloss, there is no municipal election. While both candidateS are worthy of the poSition on the school board; a light voter turnout could mean the person elected is not the representative the majority wants. Make no mistake about it, elections are important and'especially now, with the secondary school teachers' strike in Bruce County, the trustee who represents our area will have a very important responsibility in the coming--term-on-the-board. It is iinportantthat every person who is eligible to vote express their concern and make his choice. The right to vote is one of the most important rights a citizen has in our form of self-government and it is 'a right we should 'snot consider lightly. Every election is important whether it be federal, provincial or municipal. Make your choice for school trustee and vote, even if the School board election is the only election necessary in your municipality. It is an important choice. Use your vote on Monday. Energy Minister Robert Welch has announced that the Ontario Government will spend $165;' million over the next five, years to help make Canada self-suffiCient in energy by' 1990. , • It will spend $50 million to develop solar energy and another $75. million to develop alternative fuels .tor gasoline in transportaiton. Mr: Welch said it should reduce Ontario's oil consumption by 1995 to a level that is 23 million barrels below 'present consumption. The province will spent $12 million to help schools, hospitals and municipalities switch: from oil to gas for heating,. The government also plans to make grants for the reinsulation buildings that are not converted from oil heating, A background paper released by Mr. Welch estimated that'the spending`of $75 million in government money to develop • new , fuels for transportation, along with ' an equivalent amount in private funds, can crest' 6,000 man-years Of Work over the five-year period. The paper envisages government participation in developing Iternative_fuels_up ta_the stage where they _become commercially feasible. Mr. Welch said the government also plans to revise the Ontario Building Code to incorporate conservation standards for commercial and industrial buildings. In terms.,of solar energy, the Ontario Government his announced a five-year plan to promote the technology of solar power, Mr. Welch said that the $50 million 'effort will make financial and technical assistance and incentives available for residential and commercial water heating systems, municipal heating systems, municipal swimming pool heating *systems and agrieultural space The program, which will begin next April, will haVe a , budget of $3,5' million in its first year, but will spend more as the technOlogy improves, according to' the assistant Minister for renewable energy. A new Human Rights. Code for Ontatio will be introduced in the next. few weeks, Labour Minister Robert Elgie has announced. . Di. Eldie has indicated • that .the Code will be completely rewritten, with several new additions which' will include physical handicaps being a prohibited ground for discrimination. He said the Ontario' Human Rights Commission, • responsible for administering the code; will hire ten new field officers and further support staff to investigate complaints. Some of the new officers Twill, specialize in.. race relationS, and others will be assigned to general duties. Trucking and express firms in Ontario have launched an appeal to the Cabinet of an Ontario Highway Transport Board deciSion to grant an operating licence to United Parcel Service (Canada) Ltd. A committee representing several small parcel carriers has asked • Transportation Minister James Snow to delay giving the licence until the Cabinet can hear the appeal. The Highway Transport-Board-last week had reversed a 1978 decision limiting the operations of UPS. The ruling allowed the company to use trucks •on Ontario highways ..to carry parcels under 70 pounds (30 kilograms). Conditions set on the licence stipulate that UPS must remain an independent operation and must tender financial evidence with the Board. Redtrees By Don Campbell It was a warm calm day. The wind was only a soft, tantalizing breath. For a few brief moments it came to gently billow the sails of the Mavis and then just as quickly it disappeared to leave the canvas limp and lifeless, Even the sea was unusually calm. Under the late morning sun, it shimmered across to the skyline, the only movement it seemed, was a shallow swell 'which lifted and lowered the brig in a slow, gentle rhyme. The first officer, a man called Jamieson, looked constantly towards the tops of the tall masts for any flutter or sign which might indicate the best tack on which to steer the ship. With scarcely enough speed to hold course, there was little to do but wait. The Reverend Duncan MacLeod felt the presence of God. It was as if the Creator Himself was holding back the wind and saying to the sea: "Peace. Be still!" Some may have read' another meaning into that sudden „. tranquility of the Atlantic but not the' minister. It was a time chosen by the Master to call His flock to the fold. Upon the starboard side of the upper deck, the *migrants gathered around their self-appointed leader. Men held their caps in rough and calldrited hands and women stood with eyes looking down. Some shed tears. There was a plank secured and resting upon the rail. It was inclinded downwards towards the sea. • Four canvas encased bundles were arranged in line by the ship'eside. Two large and two small. Tucked into the fold of the very smallest bundle was a spring of dried and withered heather. The minute purple flowers were still visible and the little floral tribute had been pressed flat, as if it had once been a keepsake between the pages of a book. The Reverend MacLeod nodded to Neil MacCrimtnon and the young piper began to play a lament. The plaintive sounds drifted across the ship and , over the endless water beyond. MacLeod held the Bible in his hands but he did not read. It was as if the words were already formulated in his mind - a mind perhaps at that moment, which still lived in the Isle of Skye. "I shall 'turn mine eyes 'unto the hills from whence cometh my help." For each of the departed souls the minister had specially chosen words. Before the small bundles were slid down the board into the sea, he said: "Stiffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." These were the first of the immigrant tragedies but secretly, each of them knew they would not be the last. In spite of her loss, Flora Fraser bore her sorrow with a fortitude Which surprised Neil MacCrimmon. When the people .had dispersed to wrestle with their own thoughts, Neil walked with Flora on the deck. They were silent for liong periods. Young IviacCrimmon had never before been placed in the awkward role of a sympathizer to the bereaved. He .was a practical man, and when at last they paused by the ship's rail, he tried in his own rough way to comfort her.. "Dinna fash ye sel," he said quietly but firmly. "Twit all pass - all the grieving and sorrow. Life must go on Mrs. Fraser and ye must take the same road which Jamie would have ye go." She turned to look at him. He was 'but a stranger• really, she toldherself. Only a fellow traveler whom she may never see again after the long journey. How could he , possibly know her grief and the fears she had for herself and the small babe still within her belly? Neil read her thoughts and promised more than ever he had intended.' "I'll no see ye want, an' I'll bide wi' ye until ye babe is born, Alone as ye are, that's the least I ean r do - for Jamie's sake!" Flora was touched by the kindness of the young piper. The world had taught her to be skeptical about the idle promises of fair weather friends. Yet there was something about this MacCrimmon which was believable. She forced a smile to her tear stained face and Neil saw once again that she was beautiful "You're most kind—Mr. MacCrimnion," she said shyly, "and I'm beholdin' to ye." • It seemed as if 'the world bad stopped for a while to grieve, pause to recuperate and then having deeided it should be so', go on with the battle of life. As if in tune with the moment and the mood, the ship's bell sounded another passing of tithe: The wind too came back to life and filled the sails of the Mavis, From the wheel deck came the command: "Change course - ten degrees starboard - hold her steady as she goes!" .