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Times-Advocate, 1985-07-17, Page 4Times -Advocate, July 17, 1985 Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 imes dvocate Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1S0 Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386. Phone S19.235.1331 LORNE EEDY Publisher )IM BECKETT Advertising Manager *CNA cii4 i4 BILI BATTEN Editor HARRY DEVRIES Composition Manager ROSS HAUGH Assistant Editor DICK JONGKIND Business Manager SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada: $23.00 Per year; U.S.A. $60.00 C.W.N.A., O.C.N.A. CLASS 'A' Process of evolution There have been few issues in recent years to match the current storm over the proposal of the South Huron and District Association for the Mentally Handicapped to build a group home in the north end of Exeter. Residents of the neighborhood have been most vocal in their opposition to the plan, while Association members and those who have been involved with work- ing with the handicapped have• responded through letters to this newspaper with an impassioned plea for tolerance. While such controversies are new to Exeter on that topic, despite the fact the community has a number of group homes now in existence, many com- munities have experienced the same type of internal struggle over the establish- ment of group homes. Most of the arguments against residential sites for the mentally or physically handicapped, are based on fear of the unknown or unsubstantiated rumors of the type of persons who will be housed. That, however is not the case in Ex- eter. Group home residents have co- existed with local citizens for a number of years without any major problems or L7 incidents which could lead to the type of opposition being presented by the north - end residents. Certainly, there is always a chance that a problem could arise, but it is no more threatening than what could arise among "normal" people. Those on opposing sides of the debate have been blunt in their comments in general, although one letter written by a -mother of a mentally hpndicapped child showed a high degree of tolerance and wisdom that should be carefully con- sidered by all concerned. Through all the debate it should be remembered that few people are without prejudices and fears. The issue has not given Exeter a black name as has been suggested, nor shown its citizens in general to be less tolerant or understan- ding than others. We've come along way since the han- dicapped were hidden away from public view and the tolerant acid more understanding among the population must appreciate that it will always be a process of evolution as are many of the other facets of society in which certain citizens have difficulty becoming equal partners. It may not be right, but that's the way it is! Are awards realistic? d u put on personal beyond reason. There are other cases where people Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 Published by 1.W. Eedy Publications limited "Actually, I'm older than I look --I just can't AFFORD to be my age!" • rn all can tplease.eYov It's extremely difficult, as aay about teenagers, because I was a walk away from the wreck look - columnist knows, to please all of school teacher. ing a little sheepish. Soon after. the people all of the time. In fact, I retorted with a bit of tongue and nearby, another boy flew his if this column had done so, it in cheek. In high dudgeon. he Harvard trainer at full speed in - would be extinct. Half my cancelled the column. It's still go- to a grove of trees one foggy mor- ders et so mad at -me that ing. I wonder if he's still the ging. He didn't walk away from rea g they can't wait to read the next editor of that paper, deciding that one. , column, so they can get madder. what his readers can read..( Had Speaking of education, he says The other half sort of enjoys it, a number of letters from his he attended five different schools What price v you forgives my lapses and looks for- subscribers supporting me, none and doesn't think much of today's injury accidents that leave victims to h engaged in what once ward to what the silly twit is go supporting him mers fr ssiv schools. the t tial ingto saynext. a e, 'r., ex- behaviour today_may be blamed face a life of immobility and pain? were, considered misadvent fel, are the lst co eweeks�ve�Rlik� i " Well as insurance firms are in- beingco 'd ortating me for talking about the on everything from sun spots to 'n of tough winters down here, which Grandpa's weakness for women f compensated for their o a ers from both sides. c k b editor s thinking g d' out, most courts are the that doe- A Manitoba e r or , putting �at-et-recently cancelling the column. Reason? to them is almost the deep south. and hard liquor, which all agree fr m m kid is a vast improvement on the old ing price at several lion.- Lla t1d'—' tors in New York state now pay t dealing with And l get a letter o Y p ing in some stiff premium $101,000 peryearbits concept." pp f; tttatresu increases ..for -everyone. - -- Hensall council found out this week that their insurance protection has increased 40 percent over last year, and the same situation is facing other municipalities and private com- panies and individuals as well. Where negligence is proven, it is only reasonable that the injured par- ties be compensated for their pain and suffering, but some of the settlements do appear shockingly high and even "Too many columns t Astra in at school for mal -practice personal matters. '1 quote i s , ,.........:....................... . insurance. - fromhisletter: strapped d and another at home for being 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 year ......:. � •:::::::: .: ::.—::•: •:: professions. grandboys' visit. brother retired and living in Bill Francis says: "The And from Vancouver, a young mother writes to say, "Keep on Florida. with pictures of the school's rather good record was writing about your family and house, flowers, pool and an due tic my to excellent instruc- grandboys. I love these outline of his day: coffee and tion, bficalso to drawing, from a columns' • morning paper. walk down the radius of five miles around, those The editor ere fixed on distant "Columns. other than family- swine. Watt till the Florida flies goals and whose legs were equal related, are good and have get to him in July and he^G�•ants to hoofing it back and forth. received favorable comment to come north and visit for a There was nothing wrong with " Thanks. month. Nn room at the Smiley my legs and I lived nearby.' a er: Sugar "While it is understandable No one can afford to be withoutain- that family members are dear to surance, but it is quickly reaching the point where protection is also reaching a level beyond the financial capability of some people and is a hardship for many. Are the claims being awarded consistent with reality or are they based on a suggestion that everyone is a potential professional athlete? It's a real wooly place After saying sad farewells to our friends in Australia it was on to -a 747 and the 2,124 kilometre flight from Sydney • to Christchurch in New Zealand. We stayed at the Gateway Hotel in Christchurch for three days before leaving on an 11 day Newmans tour which covered both islands. This rest was very welcome after a vigorous stay in Manildra, Canberra. Sydney and Palm Beach. Right opposite our hotel in Christchurch was an United States army Kase. This is cur- rently a stopping off point for US personnel taking part in military exercises in the Antractic called Operation Deepfreeze. The only opportunity we had to talk to any of the Americans was for only a brief moment when a new group was checking in to the hotel. We only had time to find out a little about the major league baseball season which was just underway. Before we get into descriptions of our New Zealand tour we will talk about what that country is really famous for and that's sheep. The sheep population out- number the3.1 million human be- ings by almost 27 to one. The 81 million animal industry supplies prime lambs and high quality wool which account for one-third of the country's export income. An average flock numbers 1,500, but. there are exceptions. The huge sheep stations of the South island mountain regions in- cluding one we saw at Cecil Peak carry 10,000 or more animals and mixed farmers on both islands may carry as few as 500. The high country of the south consisting mostly of tossack grassland will only support one sheep per acre, but, that figure can rise to four or five on some of by Ross Haugh the flatter and fertilized lowland pastures. The Merino breed accounts for 70 percent of their owners income in the high hills of the south through wool. We saw many flocks of sheep grazing on hillsides and they ap- peared to be at almost impossible angles. The Merinos are popular because of their ability to survive and produce under hard conditions. In several instances farmers with the help of their trusty sheep dogs were moving, flocks of about 500 from one paddock to another area along country roads.. Our bus and other vehicles were forced to slow to a crawl as the sheep made their way by. It's quite common to see a farmer's truck orcar pulling a trailer with two dogs perched on the back. Bill Smiley...1 feel our readers . & Spice might tire of how the grandboys J are behaving. Once or twice a year would be sufficient." Dispensed i should be so lucky. You are by quite right, Sir. Once or twice a Smiley would be sufficient for the was fair. Ile added: beach with the dog, etc. , The whose eyes w In the North Island, the prefer- from our readers. red breed for low country land is i get letters from religious peo- inn, little Smiley. "Just a little light upstairs. the Romney. In the South Island, ple who accuse me of being the On the whole. the letters i get thay said: a handicap I've learn - .more Corriedales and halfbreeds right-hand man of the Devil, are delightful. A typical example ed to live `vith. are run. when 1 jestingly remark that God came in the other day from Bill "Now. some seventy years A feature of the sheep farming must have been out to lunch when Francis, Moncton, B.C. He says later and a little wiser, 1 have scene is the shearing by gangs of he was drawing up the menu for such i ice shthi even to read thethe m om becomethejust an old feifitthe laugh llow round • itinerant contractors working in this year's winter.of the loon and the caw of the the wool sheds which are part of get.. letters from other adwould never put them in crows and the wind whistles by so every farm. • religious people who send me print. dreary tracts and letters full of But more to the point, his let- dreary and cold, in chilling dis- A good shearer can fleece 260 to 350 sheep a day. Fleeces are Biblical references, with the hope ter is witty, informative, alive. dain of ways that are old. But this sorted, heepaclassified and pressed and that I will print the lot. He'S no chicken. a W.W.I intan- feckless old fellow just putters the bales put upfor auction due- And 1 get letters from still other try private. i'll quote a bit. around and heeds not the wind religious people, mostly clergy, "Though obviously a man of nor its desolate sound. Cares not ing the main selling season from - who enjoy quibbling with me over sound common sense, I wonder awhitfor what the winds say: just ttie end of September to May. a point but urge me to continue how, in your youth, you got in- listens for echoes of things far Buyers from more than 40 writing as f do. to make people volved in flying a fighter plane. away. countries vie for the wool which think. let alone risking combat in one. I think that is wise and honest will eventually appear as high But on the whole. it is not exact- ( Ed. note: me too!) 1 remember and real. May i feel the same. 1'11 quality woolen goods around .the Iva dog's life. i remember during those war years, watching l?e in touch, Bill Francis. You're world. receiving a fairly vicious a young fellow land his old Avro a literate man with some brains More than 300 million editorial blow from a weekly Anson like a wounded pelican in in your head. An unusual kilograms of wool are produced editor who said i wrote too much the middle of our freight yard and phenomenon. each year but, not all is exported. New Zealand has a flourishing local industry which makes quali- ty blankets, rugs and carpets and also a thriving cottage industry of spinning and weaving on tradi- tional wheels and looms. Of the 25 million lambs born from August oneach year, a large proportion goes to the United Kingdom for the Christmas trade. The interests of New Zealand sheep producers are served by two marketing boards. They are the Wool Board which promotes the wool industry in new or existing markets and the Meat Producers Board. A sign we saw in Arrowtown sums up this story. "New Zealand - Ewe'r amazing"! Telltale signs of 40 How do you know when you're over 40? Well, having passed that delightful age a while ago I've got a few little hints for you fellows that aren't quite sure whether your birth certificate is lying to you or not. You know you're over forty when: you go to a school reunion and everyone looks old. All your classmates are overweight. You can't believe they have co-ed dorms now. You start to observe speed By the Way by ................... Fletcher.. limits, Instead of combing your hair you start 'arranging' if. There is more hair on your chest than on your head. Some of your friends grow beards because it won't grow on their heads. You stop to think end sometimes forget to start again. You start entering `Veteran' sports events and still lose. You/ turn out the lights for economic reasons.