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Times-Advocate, 1981-02-25, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, February 25, 1981 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111.111111111 Timet Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Imes - • dvocate r.ti rr r..�.rswr. •.r.�,.r.. . r, SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by .1. W. Eedy Publications Limited LORNE EEDY, PUBLISHER Editor — Bill Batten Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett Composition Manager — Harry DeVries Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Phone 235-1331 +CNA Amalgamated 1924 • Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Regestration Number 0386 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada 517.00 Per Year; USA $35.00 From the jungle The realistic attitude that should be shown the Ontario ministry of labour in their recent letter requesting an engineering study on the Exeter arena probably rests somewhere between the two positions the letter elicited last week. Councillor Jay Campbell expressed indignation over the letter and to a point that is understandable. It was clearly evident that the ministry of- ficials were unaware, for some unex- plained reason, that they had condemn- ed the Exeter arena referred to in the letter. Taking a different slant, Deputy - Reeve Alvin Epp suggested the ministry officials were correct in keep- ing municipalities on their toes and that the latter should be reminded of the dangers that are involved in structural- ly unsound public facilities. Clearly, the ministry should update their records on arenas across Ontario so they can send out letters requesting engineering studies based on the age of the facilties in question and the type of construction. There will come a day when an engineering study may be required on the South Huron rec centre, but surely the town does not have to go to that ex- pense (estimated at $2,000 this year) every four years. It should be expected that the ministry's requirements for the new facility were more foresighted than that. There may be some plausible ex- cuse for the poor record keeping which prompted the letter from the regional engineer and luckily there were enough tip-offs in the contents to lead local of- ficials to the conclusion he was talking about the old arena before they acceded to his wishes to undertake_ an un- warranted $2,000 study on the rec cen- tre. Let's just explain it away as another example of the problems in- herent in the bureaucratic jungle. Takes its toll The Canadian Ministry of the En- vironment and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) agree that acid rain will be the major environmen- tal issue of the next decade; but their sponsors can't agree on who should clean up the situation. The Canadian government with 7.6 tons of acid -causing pollutants billow- ing within its borders each year, readi- ly points an accusing finger at the U.S. total of nearly 53 million tons per an- num. However. Canada's bark seems worse than its might.... and lakes die. During the Carter administration, the two countries engaged in a childish "you go first" game. but under Ronald Regan it's doubtful the U.S. will want to play at all. It's no secret that Mr. Reagan looks upon environmentalists as bugs in the efficient machinery of American industry. His knowledge of the earth's complex. and sensitive, ecosystem was summed up when he asked a group of environmental lobbiests. "How many trees do you have to look at?" Mr. Reagan's policy has always been: Full speed ahead with coal-fired generating plants (sans pollution con- trols 1 and damn the bleeding hearts in EPA By SYD FLETCHER Some friends visited us recently. Their eight year old was sporting a 'gift' from the orthodontist, com- plete with an awkwar- looking head support that 'held the braces in position. He was finding it most dif- ficult to talk around all the machinery in his mouth but made a valiant effort to share his ideas. His mother and dad. perhaps because they were used to the sounds he was making, could un- derstand him much better than we could. It's hard for a little 1 .. Mr. Reagan's point that controlling acidrain would put a crimp in industry profits is well taken, but to suggest that government can't afford to help out is a sadly revealing excuse from a country gearing up for a multi -billion dollar in- fusion of cash into its military budget. While fish life slowly passes away in thousands of North American lakes - including many in Northern Ontario -big business and big government search only for a means of making acid rain control profitable. If the money lost through a waning sport and commer- cial fishing industry becomes greater than the cost of the cure, no doubt ac- tion will be swift. Even the environment ministry of Ontario says the cost of an abatement program must be weighed against the financial aloss likely to be incurred by continued pollution. To put such a monetary value on a lake and the life it, supports is the height of arrogance. Knowing we've done right by the ledger books will br- ing scant satisfaction while each silent lake remains as a monument to our ig- norance. What a price to pay for greed...and what shame. (Northern Times) Perspectives 'gaffer' to understand the necessity for such a contrap- tion. When new elastics are put in. the teeth all loosen up and really hurt for a couple of days. Then there's the problem of little friends who are not so kind about the new facial expression and decide to call you names like "Wire -Face" and "Monster - Head". Yet it all pays off in the end. One of my former students had severe problems with the shape of his teeth, to the extent that he was almost deformed. Over a period of five years the doctors have re -molded his face to the place where he is truly a handsome young man now. I can remember myself having to wear braces many years ago. For 1200 (which wouldn't get you the first two visits now) the dentist undertook to straighten out my 'buck teeth'. This par- ticular dentist was not of the most 'pleasant disposition. He was the character who rapped my brother'+ knuckles with the drill because he wouldn't open his mouth fast enough to suit the dentist. Whatever. I wore the wire for six months. not too patiently. I'm afraid. One March day we were playing football, tackle of course, and my brace got caught in somebody's sweater. Of course I didn't look for it right then and when it finally dawned on me that my 'hide' might be in jeopardy. it was too late. A light snow was falling and i never did find those braces. I can tell you i was truly broken up about the whole thing. "1 haven't given the constitution much thought — we've been too busy trying to decide whether to go cold or hungry this winter." Historic or hysterical? What has been described as "an historic debate" began last week In the House of Commons when the federal politicians commenced the final stage of the arguments on the government's constitutional plan. It may well be historical, but in- dications are that it may also border on the hysterical and the debate could last for more than a month. Spokesmen. for the parties suggest, that Canadians will be "bored stiff" if the debate ends up covering such a lengthy duration. That is probably an understatement. In fact. it is suspected that a majority of Canadians are already bored stiff with the constant verbal diarrhea that has surrounded the issue to date, let alone any move to carry it on over the next month or more. In fact. the writer is of the opinion that the average Canadian has little comprehension of why the politicians are creating so much fuss about the constitution in the first place. At the outset. the whole idea seemed so uncomplicated. Most Canadians were of the opinion that after 113 years the constitution should be brought home and they thought it would be a comparatively simple matter to do so. However, what has ensued may well be one of the most divisive issues this country has faced and those engaged in the debate have dug in their heels to create not only a national crisis, but one that has opened up some inter- national schisms as well. Most Canadians would be happy to endure the lengthy debate over the con- stitution if it resulted in a boost for the economy. more jobs ,for the un- employed, a lessening of the inflation spiral or the hundred and one other ills with which this country is being plagued at the present time. But unfortunately, regardless of who wins the debate, there will be few benefits accrue for Canadians in those terms. That there should even be winners or losers points up the fact that those in - hived are not thinking of this nation as a whole, but are fighting for some regional gains, or even more distur- bing, for some personal gains. The politicians in Ottawa and the provincial capitals, as well as some of the interest groups which have muddl- ed up the situation, appear to be play- ing some type of Russian roulette and there is some indication that when the bullet comes up the victim may well be national unity. When the smoke clears, the question may well be: was it worth it? Speaking of debates, it was rather surprising that the question of im- posing the death sentence on any per- son who shoots and kills a policeman while taking part in a crime passed with so little resistance at last week's Exeter council session. The police committee had even en- visioned some opposition when they presented their recommendation on what committee spokesman Gaylan Josephson described as an emotional issue. Only Deputy -Reeve Alvin Epp op- posed the death penalty, on moral grounds. Suaar and Spice Digpt Ised by Smiley Can't please 'em all It's extremely difficult, as any columnist knows. to please all of the people all of the time. In fact, if this column had done so, it would be ex- tinct. Half my readers get so mad at me that they can't wait to read the next column. so they can get madder. The other half sort of enjoys it, forgives my lapses and looks forward to what the silly twit is going to say next week. in the last couple of weeks, I've had some letters from both sides. A Manitoba editor is thinking of cancell- ing the column. Reason? "Too many columns dealing with personal matters." I quote bits from his letter: "While it is understandable that family members are dear to Bill Smiley... I feel our readers might tire of too much wife name-calling and how the grandboys are behaving. Once or twice a year would be sufficient." i should be so lucky. You are quite right. sir. Once or twice a year would be sufficient, for the grandboys' visit. But I have never called my wife a name. unless you consider The Old Battleaxe or The Old Lady to be pe- jorative. You should hear what some men call their wives. And from Vancouver, a young mother writes to say, "Keep on writing about your family and grandboys. I love these columns." The editor was fair. He added; "Columns, other than family -related, are good and have received favorable comment from our readers." Thanks. i get letters from religious people who accuse me of being the right-hand man of the Devil, when I jestingly remark that God must havebeen out to lunch when he was drawing up the menu for this year's winter. I get letters from other religious peo- Ple who send me dreary tracts and etters full of Biblical references, with the hope that I will print the lot. And I get letters from still other religious people, mostly clergy, who enjoy quibbling with me over a point but urge me to continue writing as I do, to make people think. i get letters from Tories who accuse me of being a Liberal because I don't think Joe Clark is the Second Coming (there I go again.) And I get letters from Liberals who swear that I'm a blatant Tory simply because I don't believe the Second Coming has already come, in the form of Petit Pierre. But on the whole, it is not exactly a dog's life. I remember receiving a fair- ly vicious editorial blow from a weekly editor who said I wrote too much about teenagers, because I am a school teacher. I retorted with a bit of tongue In cheek. In high dudgeon, he cancelled the column. It's still going. I wonder if he's still editor of that paper, de'ding what his readers can read. (liad a number of letters from his subscibers The resolution from the Regional Municipality of Hamilton -Wentworth suggested "the laws of this country should be working not only to protect the lives of the citizens, but should also protect those who are hired to protect the citizens from the acts of criminals. The writer fully agrees that there should be some readjustment in the constant concerns our courts are show- ing toward the welfare of the criminal at the expense of the community as a whole. However, why should policemen be singled out for special consideration? Why not extend the resolution to invoke the death penalty if a criminal shoots and kills anyone while taking part in a crime? There are others who often are in the front line when it comes to crime, such as bank tellers, night watchmen, those subjected to hijacking, etc., etc. Any criminal who shoots anyone during a crime should face the same penalty that would be imposed for killing a policeman. And why stop at shooting deaths? The results of being killed by a knife, a deadly gas, some explosive or the myriad other things to which criminals could resort in place of guns are just the same as being killed by a bullet. The resolution endorsed by council may be on the right track, but It is ob- viously an over -simplification that warranted more consideration before it was circulated and before it was en- dorsed. It is not only an emotional or moral issue, it is also a very complex one. supporting me, none supporting him.) I receive letters from places like Baker Lake, N.W.T., excoriating me for talking about the tough winter's down here, which to them is almost the deep south. And I get letters from my kid brother, retired and living in Florida, with pictures of the house, flowers, pool and an outline of his day: coffee and morning paper, walk down the beach with the dog, etc. The swine. Wait till the Florida flies get to him in Julyandlhewants tocome northand visit for a month. No room at the Smiley inn, little Smiley. On the whole, the letters I get are delightful. A typical example came in the other day from Bill Francis, Monc- ton, B.C. He says such nice things about the column that I blush even to read them, and would never put them in print. But more to the point, his letter is witty, informative, alive. He's no chicken, a W.W. 1 infantry private. I'll quote a bit. "Though obviously a man of sound common sense, I wonder how, in your youth, you got involved in flying a fighter plane, let alone risking combat in one. (Ed. note: me too!) I remember during those war years, watching a young fellow land his old Avro Anson like a wounded Pelican in the middle of Mainstream CanadA A Canadian Myth By W. Roger Worth It's a myth that Canadians are divided East vs West on the issue of higher oU prices. That's the indication from a questionnaire returned by 15,000 Canadians operating small and medium-sized enter- prises In every province and 'territory in the country. Almost 70% of respondents in the survey, conducted by the 57,000 -member Canadian Federation of Independent Business, favored more rapid movement of oil prices to about 75% of world levels. Roger Worth is Director, Public Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The Federation believes this is the first real down-to- earth glimpse of what a broad spectrum of the Canadian public thinks about the coun- try's energy policy. Most pollsters Interview 1,000 -2,000 people. The Federation results also indicated: • That 6307o of members believe the federal govern- ment, rather than provincial governments, should make greater compromises to break the logjam creating such dis- sention between politicians. • That increased Canadian ownership of the oll and n atural gas Industry is either important or a high priority. Only 20% of the independent business people believed It b not Important. • In addition, about 60% of respondents said greater Canadian ownership should be achieved either by the public sector alone (8.6%), or the public and private sectors working together (51,3%). • The members also believed the provinces" should receive the greatest share of increased energy revenues (43.7%), while 32,60/o favored Ottawa receiving the lion's share. Only 23.7% believed the in- dustry should get the highest proportion. What's intriguing about the results is that 70% favored higher prices, even though it will cost them more to operate their businesses. And a ma- jority of respondents run firms with fewer than five employees. While nobody really wants to pay more money for energy, it's apparent from the survey results that a majority of peo- ple running smaller firms understand Canadians are liv- ing in a fool's paradise with oil and gas prices that are among the cheapest in the world. TAX TALK... Q A Q. A. . How do I apply for the Child Tax Credit? . First you must file an income tax return. The "basic" steps in the Tax Guide ac- companying your return will probably provide al! the in- formation you will need to complete your income tax re- turn. Be sure to rarefully complete the Identification Area on page 1 and sign your return. Next, complete Schedule 10, "Child Tax Credit," and enter' all the information re- quested. Transfer the amount of your credit to your income tax return. When applying for the Child Tax Credit, include a copy of your TFA I information slip (Statement of Family Allo- wances) with your tax return and Schedule 10. For more information on claiming the Child Tax Credit, check your Guide. • I am married with a wife and two children, one 7 and the other 18. My wife and chil- dren did not earn any income last year. What exemptions am I entitled to claim? Everyone is entitled to the basic personal exemption of $2,890. You may also claim a married exemption of $2,530, a $990 exemption for your 18 -year-old and a $540 exemption for your 7 -year-old. When making your claim be sure 'to give all the informa- tion requested on your in- come tax return. For more details, check your 1980 Tax Guide. • Q. My wife has no income. Why can't I claim the Child Tax Credit for her? A. If your wife received the Family Allowance for your eligible child(ren), then she is the one who claims the Child Tax Credit. Under cer- tain circumstances the father may be entitled to receive the Family Allowance and There- fore he would claim the cre- dit. For more information, check your Guide. • Q. 1 earned $9,500 last year. What amount may I claim u my "employment expense deduction?" A. Your employment expense deduction is equal to 3 per cent of your wage and salary income up to a maximum of $500. in your case you may claim $285. • Q. My wife claims the Child Tax Credit; does she have to report the Family Allowance paid to her in the past year? A. The person who claims a personal exemption for the child is the one who must re- port the Family Allowance. Thus. your wife may claim the Child Tax Credit and you may claim a personal exemp- tion for your dependent child provided you report the Family Allowance. • Q. Can 1 claim my common-law wife and our children? A. Since your common-law wife is not considered a spouse for income tax purposes, you may not claim the married exemption for her. You may, however, claim your chil- dren as dependants provided that you and not your common-law wife supported them. our freight yard and walk away from the wreck looking a little sheepish. Soon after, and nearby, another boy flew his Harvard trainer at full speed into a grove of trees one foggy morning. He didn't walk away from that one." Speaking of education, he says he attended five different schools and doesn't think much of today's big schools. Of the new permissiveness: "Anti -social behaviour today may be blamed on everything from sun spots to Grandpa's weakness for women and hard liquor, which all agree is a vast improvement on the old concept." A strapping at school and another at home for being strapped at school. His last school was graded "superior" because it taught to Grade 11. Equipment consisted of a tray of mineral specimens, the remains of a cheap chemistry set, and a leather strap, but managed to turn out a number of people who went into the professions. Bill Francis says: "The school's rather good record was due not only to excellent instruction, but also to drawing, from a radius of five miles around, those whose eyes were fixed on distant goals and whose legs were equal to hoofing if back and forth. There was nothing wrong with my legs and I lived nearby. "Just a little light upstairs, they said;a handicap I've learned to live with. "Now, some seventy years later and a little wiser 1 have become Just an old fellow round whom the wind blows in the wind wwhhistles ofh so dreathe loon ry annd the of hilling disdain of ways that are old. But this feckless ofd fellow just putters around and heeds not the wind nor its desolate sound. Gres 1161 a whit for what the winds say; just listens for echoes of things far away." I think that is wise and honest and real, May I feel the same. I'll be in touch, Bill Francis. You're a literate man with some brains in your head. An unusual phenomenon. ,1,