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The Citizen, 1987-02-18, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1987. Letter to the editor Vote on beef check-off opposed by NFU THE EDITOR, An open letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Jack Riddell. In late Decemberyou announced that if delegates to the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association voted in favour of a non-refundable check­ off by at least a two thirds majority you would amend the Beef Cattle Marketing Act accordingly, (this could also include an increase in the amount of levy per animal) We are opposing a vote at this time and some of our reasons are: • 1. There are at least five organizations who represent beef producers in Ontario; the National Farmers Union, the newly formed Ont. Beef Producers for Change, the Christian Farmers Federation, the Ont. Cattlemen’s Association and the Federation of Agriculture. Therefore no one organization should be given the authority to collect a non-refundable check-off. Treat kids equally THE EDITOR, The other day I read an article posted up in the (Blyth) arena concerning the pressures parents and coaches put on children playing hockey. Psychologists say it is a form of abuse along with sexual or physical abuse. It is emotional abuse. I couldn’t agree more. Iamhopingnextseason when my son plays Novice that there will be no such thing as an A or B team, that it will be just one team. I cannot imagine my son having to compete with fellow classmates on the ice, only to be told he's not good enough for the A team. It makes me so angry knowing this is going on. Let’s all be realistic. There’s always one, maybe two that are going to stand out in a group and possibly make it to the Pro’s someday, butnot 12 or 14 boys who are that better than the rest. There may be one who can skate a little faster or stick handle the puck down the ice to the net with no problem, but basically they’re all average hockey players. Perhaps when they were being picked they were just having a good day. I find it appalling that this is going on and parents are letting it happen. I guess I wouldn’t make a very good coach as I feel a child’s feelings are much more important than winning. My son’s coach this year is super. If they could all have his attitude that would be great, but when a coach’s attitude is that he wants all the, quote “best players” and they have to win, win, win or ELSE, something is definitely wrong. Eight and nine year old children should not be expected to have to deal with that kind of pressure. What is it teaching these boys? It gives them swelled heads and the false conception that they are better than their peers. I want to bring up my son to know that thinking of other people and their feelings is much more important than going through life thinking that winning is every­ thing. It’s not! A concerned mother, •2. Your announcement of mid December was not published even in the O.M.A.F. news until the January issue and was received by many producers after their annual county meetings. •3. Any person who purchases a membership will be eligible to Children need a Christian atmosphere THE EDITOR, OnFebruary4, 1987Ireadan article in this paper entitled “school board against learning at home.” If I could title this letter it would read “Concerned parents against having children influenced by public school system.” Before I clarify that 1 would like tosay thatl feel the representa­ tives of the school board should not be insinuating that they, or the school board can or would set any better “social or cultural beliefs, or whatever” than the individual that has the insight and concern to keep their children out of the public school system. I believe that at one time our public school system was one of the greatest foundations of our society. The teachers had the great responsibility of not only teaching reading and writing and arithmetic but also setting forth a good moral example. They supported and followed through on the disciplin­ ing that the parents exercised at home. However over the past several years most parents have decided to neglect their duties as parents to discipline their children and it would appear the schools have done likewise. I believe that Bray & Copeland Lodges Retirement Homes for Senior Citizens Offering 24 - hour care Excellent home cooked meals Laundry services Companionship Support with personal “We’ll help create your own personal RRSP.” Call today 357-2283 327 Josephine St. P.O. Box 360 - WINGHAM PROFIT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE care Special Diets, if required CALL 357-2384 Copeland Lodge 357-2211 vote. You do not need to be a cattle producer or farmer. Lawyers, bankers, teachers, etc. are eligible with a membership. •4. Ontario cattlemen pay about two million dollars annually through the check-off but the any activity of a child’s life that consumes the hours in a day that school does needs to be conducted with a great deal of discipline and control. Further, the school sys­ tems have drifted a long way from their beginnings. At one time children were taught in a Christian atmosphere and were encouraged to recognize God as our creator, not just an option. Good morals were upheld as something to be proud of, not something that the schools were afraid to discuss. A great deal of emphasis was put on a job well done not a job well paid for. I hear all kinds of people say that there is no room in school for religion and that morals should be taught at home. If these people are correct then so be it, but do not expect me to send any child of mine into that kind of a setting during some of the most influential years of his life. As of right now I have no children of school age, but I have spent several years working with teen­ agers from all levels of our society not to mention the first hand experience in disciplining from my public school teachers at Blyth Public School a few years prior. I am more than convinced that the O.C.A. does not have a record of contributors. Because of this you must purchase a membership at your county annual meeting to be eligible to vote. •5. The December issue of the Breeder and Feeder (OCA maga­ zine) carried the President’s mess­ lack of discipline and moral direction are a good part of our teenagers problems today. I also believe it is parents’ responsibility tomake sure that their children are being taught in an atmosphere consistent with the way they are raising their children. So if the school board is truly interested in the end result and not just competing with this new way of education, they should be finding ways to support these parents, not criticizing them for taking their job as a parent very seriously. LESLIE COOK RR 3, HANOVER. GUARANTEED INVESTMEN CEKUHCATES RATE IN EFFECT FROM January 21, 1987 SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME Any term up to 5 years MINIMUM $500 5 Year R.R.S.P. 91/2 % INSTANT TAX RECEIPT age m which he stated that you had refused their request for a non-re­ fundable check-off. At about the same time the OCA sent a letter to some producers advising that there would be a vote at county annual meetings. Producers who received both of these above were asking, “Is there a vote?” By the time they received an answer the voting was over in most counties. In Summary: a) the OCA does not represent the majority of beef producers b) members who are not produc­ ers will be allowed to vote c) the time period after the announcement was not adequate to inform producers. It is unfortunate Mr. Minister that as a result of your irrational decision producers are caught in a tactic that diverts attention away from the real problem of pricing and marketing of beef. Ellard Powers, Chairman Region 3 [Ont.] Red Meat Comm. National Farmers Union R.R. #1, Beachburg, Ont. [613] 582-3466. thta Blyth.--------------------------------„-------------—HnnHMMMM■■■ I Mon.-Sat. 9-6 p.m. I Wingham Sales Arena | Buy-Trade-orSell 680 Josephine St. North end of Wingham L 357-1730 WALL TO WALL SAVINGS •BULK FOOD nn •YARNb •BAKED GOODS U" .GIFT ITEMS Fri. till 9 p.m. ’•BAKING SUPPLIES •SPORTING GOODS •T0¥S •FURNITURE [now & used]