Loading...
Times-Advocate, 1985-01-09, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, January 9, 1985 Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 dvocate Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1SO Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386. \ Phone 519-235-1331 LORNE EEDY Publisher JIM BECKETT Advertising Manager *CNA eci‘ BILL 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' Beyond reason While the right to protest is an impor- tant freedom that must be defended --and even at times, encouraged --it must never be condoned *hen it is taken to a degree of breaking laws or infringing on the rights of others. The Animal Liberation Front clear- ly over -stepped the basic rules when it perpetrated the theft of four research animals from the University of Western Ontario and accompanied that with acts of vandalism. The group's actions are of even greater consequences in view of the health that the animals are said to pre- sent for humans with whom they may come in contact, either directly or indirectly. To have those health hazards self- imposed is one thing, to have them im- posed on an 'innocent segment of the population is quite another. The seriousness of the situation re- quires an all-out police investigation to catch the. perpetrators and then for the courts to clearly indicate through subse- quent punishment that such acts will be dealt with to the fullest extent of thelaw. It is disconcerting to note that the ac- tions of groups such as,/the Animal Liberation Front are becoming more frightening than some of the diseases for which the animals are being used to combat. Reconsider terms As Local Government Week ap- proaches, it is interesting to note that some council members in Middlesex municipalities are once again question- ing the provincially imposed three-year terms. The questioning arises from the situation where several have had to make appointments to fill vacancies created by members who have decided to retire after serving only two years. While the continuity that was the basis for the longer terms has some -validity, that ingredient is lost when members decide they've done their share after two years. The problem that arises is that the replacements are not chosen on the basis of support from the ratepayers. The three-year terms still carry the problem that was originally mentioned by most of the opponents, that being that elected officials who were found wanting in judgement or conscientiousness would be around for a considerable time before they could be replaced by the voters. If the trend continues whereby municipalities are being served by ap- pointed council members the length of terms should perhaps reconsidered to en- sure that those who serve do so through the true democratic process of the ballot. Another victim_ of apathy? The announcement this week that the Kirkton Garden Party will be cancelled for the coming year will be a shock to many area residents. particularly those in the Kirkton-Woodham area. The event has enjoyed a 40 -year tradition. making it one of the most venerable of this area's annual attractions. While few share Lee Paul's record of hav- ing.been in attendance at all the previous parties, there are many who no doubt can come close to duplicating that record. While it is well-known for its star-studded professional enter- tainment. the Garden Party has served as a show case for the area's amateur talent. Given that fact that many of the amateur entertainers were included in groups, there have been hundreds who have enjoyed the thrill of demonstrating their talent before the large audiences each year. So. the Garden Party has pro- vided a most valuable entertain- ment treat and an amateur show case through the years. hul that. of course. is only part of the story. Money raised through the an- nual extravaganza has been poured directly back in to the Kirkton-Woodham community and has provided funds for the facilities which make the small hamlet rather unique in the pro- vince. The community centre and pool are the envy of many com- nuuties. of larger size. Funds have also been turned over 10 special interest groups in the community to provide ac- tivities for all age levels. * * t * • - Based on the successful history of the event, it would appear strange to many people that it will be dropped for at least this year. The reason is simple and it's one that has plagued most volunteer groups. There just aren't enough people willing to pitch in each year to undertake the malty chores associated with a Targe event and those chores therefore fall to basically the same few willing individuals each year. Declining attendance has also been a factor, but that too is associated with the general lack of interest and support from the very people who through the years have benefitted from the endeavours of others. if the youngsters and their families who have been given the stage experience returned each year to form part of the audience for those following in their Batt'n Around ...with Illh.The Editor footsteps, the event would overflow the Kirkton grounds. That it hasn't enjoyed that suc- cess in recent years, is ample evidence that those who have been given the opportuniy to ap- pear have not returned the favor through their continued support. The grounds would also overflow if all the families who have enjoyed the financial benefits that have accrued would turn out as a sign of their thanks for that which they have receiv- ed through the years. • - * * * * * * That is not to suggest that the people who have benefitted from the Garden Party through the years are any less grateful than those who benefit through the work of other volunteers in the myriad of activities which take place in communities throughout this area. Many profitable ventures have dropped from the scene through the years as the work was left to too few people. The Exeter rodeo was a prime example that comes to mind. Other groups have had to threaten to drop their activities to spur people into action to assume some responsibility for the benefits they or their families were deriving. i can recall just a few years ago when the Exeter Minor Hockey Association voted to suspend operations for one season when only a handful of parents showed up at an annual meeting to keep the program going. That action fortunately never materialized as enough parents showed up at a subsequent meeting to ensure the continued operation of the minor hockey program. Still, the percentage of parents on hand was small indeed in comparison to the number who had kids in the system. Other groups have had to make similar threats to spur people in- to action. Some of those groups have had.to follow through on the threats and disband when the response they had hoped for fail- ed to materialize. * * * * * * While there is little difficulty in pointing out the problem and ramifications associated with the general apathy with which socie- ty is plagued, it is not as easy to offer any concrete suggestions on how that can be overcome. Generally speaking, we appear to be so concerned with our rights that many people fail to consider that those rights have to be ac- companied by an equal portion of responsibility. That responsibility includes do- ing a fair share to make our com- munities better places in which to live, work and play and also to support the efforts of those who do. fulfill that responsibility. Some times, that can be ac- complished by a sincere thanks to those who do more than their share. A haggered volunteer can usually be persuaded to continue in his/her efforts if there is am- ple indication that the effort is be- ing appreciated by those on whom it is being bestowed. When was the last time you thanked your kid's Scout leader or coach for his efforts? Chances are it's overdue. Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 Published by J.W. Eedy Publications Limited "... ten — nine — eight — seven.. . The ideal presents Wouldn't it be fun to have the power of Santa Claus just for a day and giveveryone the gifts they really, truly wanted, regardless of cost, instead of the junk they get?. What would you do if you had such a power thrust upon you suddenly? Would you heap your favorite people with mink coats, Cadillacs, automatic dishwashers, new $90,000 homes? If you did, of course, the magic power wouldn't last, and on Christmas morning, all the fabulous presents would vanish, just after they'd been unwrap- ped. And you'd be as popular as a socialist in the Senate. Because, you see, those aren't the things that people really, tru- ly want. And the Santa Claus magic would work only for real- ly, truly gifts, not just the things people want for the sake of vani- ty or prestige or comfort. I know some of the presents I'd hand out. To childless couples who wantedchildren terribly, I'd give, on Christmas morning, not one, but four of the fattest, pret- tiest, pinkest, wettest babies you ever saw. Two boys and two girls. And to even things out, I'd throw in a large bottle of tranquillizers and a pair of strait jackets. To all children, I'd grant a set of parents who would answer all questions partiently, read stories every night at bedtime, go sliding on the hill with them, not make them eat anything they didn't like, hug and kiss them when they were hurt, and whale the tar out of them when they needed it. On Christmas morning, I'd pre- sent to all old people a three- month reprieve from all their aches, pains and ailments. I'd give them a good appetite and a rare fine set of new choppers to go with it. I'd give them love and kisses in large measure from a veritable host of grandchildren. And I'd throw in a round-trip ticket to Miami, paid -in -advance reservations at a posh hotel Sugar & Spice Dispensed by Smiley there, and a sizeable cheque to let them play the races, get married again, or do whatever else they wanted to do. To all clergymen whatever the colour of their cloth, I'd give a special present. They'd get a church packed to the doors with people who sang lustily, listened attentively, prayed humbly, gave bounteously, and continued to do these unusual things throughout the following year. All mothers of large families would get something they really, truly wanted.for Christmas. I'd give them families who ap- preciated all the work they did. praised their cooking. told there once in a while that they looked pretty, wiped their feet when they came in. did the dishes frequent- ly. and paid attention to them on occasions other than Mother's Day. And 1'd throw in the ser- vices of a cracking good housekeeper. and pay her salary for a year. On Christmas Eve, I'd give all merchants a cash register stuff- ed with money, and, at the same time, an irresistible urge to go out and spend the bundle on retard- ed children, or unwed mothers, or ' somebody. What would I leave under the Christmas tree for the farmer? You guessed it. I'd grant them a whole year of exactly the kind of weather they wanted, regardless of the comfort or convenience of the rest of us. Of course, I'd have to find them something else to bellyache about, but they could probably fall back on -the com- plaint that those tremendous crops were taking a lot out of the land. All amateur golfers would be donated one season in which they sliced not, nor did they hook, but banged everyone down the cen- tre. All anglers would be given one year in which they were as smart as the fish. All weekly editors would be given one week in which there were no mistakes in the paper. All teachers would be, given a free 10 days in a sanatorium at Christmas. All wives would be given one year's absence from the boring, insensitive. callous. inattentive cretins they are married to. And all husbands would receive a similar parole from the nagging, complaining. spendthrift, over- hearing harridans they married. Serve them both right. There, I don't think i've left anybody out. But if 1 have. just drop me a line at the South Pole. I'm sort of a left-handed, or southpole Santa Claus. Gaining in popularity Recently a sign went up in front of a house in Forest, Ontario. 1t said "The Arlington, Bed and Breakfast". For my community 1 think that such a place is a new phenomonen yet i understand from friends who have travelled in Europe that going the "Bed and Breakfast"route across a country is the very best way to go. A local travel agent supplied me with a little brochure entitled "Toronto Bed and Breakfast'•. For anyone tired of paying up- wards of seventy-five dollars a night for a motel room in that ci- ty this may well be the answer. The organization started in 1980. It provides personal. inexpensive accomodation in the "friendly at- mosphere of a private home where your host will give advice about interesting places to visit. You will enjoy comfort. relaxa- tion, good conversation and a home -cooked breakfast." a direct_quote from the hook ►. i thought to myself. Sure, sure Probably some dingy little hack By the Way 1►, syd Fletcher room. a shared bathroom w•itl- five other hoarders. Not for me thank you: And i knew I'd newer talk my wife into it. But get a Toad of some of the places described: bed -sitting room. huge living room with fur- nished, carpeted terrace adjoin- ing. private,bath and shower. use of kitchen. all in a penthouse apartment. Located on the highest spot of Toronto. $30/night. single. $45 double. Another place offers Canadian hack bacon, Irish soda bread, muffins and scones for breakfast. It goes on to say "that additional meals are optional fora fee) by a gourmet cook specializing in borsch. home baked bread and other exotic delicious foods. Serv- ed out on an open, sunny patio in gond weather.'' The book gives complete. descriptions of almost 30 dif- ferent places. Many of them sound excellent. 'I have a fet'ling that next time we visit Toronto we'll try a little "Berl and Breakfast". It sounds like a great idea. ,1f you're interested in getting the booklet the address is: Toronto Bed and Breakfast, P.O. Box 74, Station M. Toronto, Ontario. M6S 4T2