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Times Advocate, 1993-08-25, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, August 25,1993 Publisher: Jim Beckett „News fpr: Adrian Harte IusMsss MilMager: Don Smith Composition Manager: Deb Lord CC„A PubiloritileatlieN Number 0986 WIdh i miles (05 len.) ad eased to son Better cams addresses *3000 plies 02.10 G.S.T. Outsider 40 mites (65 km.) Or any latter carder address $30.00 pins 611000 (total 00.00) + 4.20 GALT. Outside Canada 006.00 Opinion Roadsides aren't dumps he discovery that a Conserva- tion Authority forest laneway near Shipka had been turned into an im- promptu dump should really come as a surprise to no one. There can be a lot of finger pointing at Grand Bend's $2 per bag waste pro- gram, which certainly accounts for many misplaced garbage bags; but cot- -lagers don't really come to Grand Bend to throw away tires, fridges, or lawn mowers. Several councils this summer have ei- ther passed radical new restrictions on landfill use, or have them in the works. Council members have often shrugged off the possibility that people will try to avoid the new fees by dumping indis- criminately. Such abuses of the system, they say, will only be committed by a small mi- nority. That's quite true. But then again, only a small. percentage of the population are troublemakers, yet we need a police force on the streets 24 hours a day. Only a small percentage of homes can be expected to catch fire in a year, but a fire department has to be available at a moments notice. A small percentage of people dump- ing their trash where they think it anal be noticed - or imagining it will ter ' magically absorbed into the soil - is all it will take to spoil our roadsides and woodlots. This is a despicable act, but that doesn't mean it won't happen, and often. The Conservation Authority was left to pick up the tab for Friday morning's clean-up. As a "government" agency, most people won't think much of it. Af- ter all, it was local "governments" that introduced the new landfill rules. Au- thority staff are complaining that the $500 or so spent on cleaning up the woodlot is money that won't be spent cutting grass at conservation areas, up- grading trails, or spent on more worth- while enterprises than pitching garbage. They are already worried about what their other forest areas might be turning into elsewhere in the watershed.' The municipalities have washed their hands over the affair. It's not their gar- bage and they will charge full rates for accepting it at the landfilL Few will notice.or care. But when a farmer finds his own woodlot has been - made into a dump, he's going to com- plain long and loud. He's going to re- fuse to pay the tipping fees. He's going to demand someone else accept respon- sibility. Will anyot}e�be listening then? rtaR ;n..7,n, AD1/. Don't demolish, renovate "Part of what is io be demolished is quite sound" Dear Sir. I would like to see Huron County take other op- tions for the old Huronview, rather than demolish - Mg same. I realize the Health Unit is retaining part of the building, but I feet part of what is to be de- molished is quite sound. It is my understanding that there are over 200 names on the waiting list between Brussels and Clinton, plus the fact that the senior population of Huron County is 18 percent of the total. There is no retirement home in Clinton at this time, if the County can't afford to renovate, possibly they could lease to the public for this purpose. We need affordable housing in the area to serve our sen- iors. Our seniors should not have to leave the area, in some ca3c...; to Perth County for the care they need. Take a look at the Summethitl Wing, which hous- es the Huron Adult Day Care Centre, and see how nice it is. Renovations cost less than $400.000. In these trying times 1 would hope the county could sec that the building is put to good use. I urge people to write to County Council regard- ing this macer if you agree with the suggestions. Reta Kelland, Londesboro Peter's Point • By Peter Vessel I haven't yet recovered from the shock of • Alex becoming a teenager. That was a year and a half ago. Now he's ready to start high school. And as if that weren't enough, he is now grown over any head. rm not used to it yet. Let's say, Alex is stand- ing behind me and talking to me. I tum around and address my wo ' ceded downward direction, to w 's face to be not so long ago. Then I alize that in order to make eye contact with the boy, I have to raise my head and look up, way up. (as the Friendly Giant used to say). He's only 14 1/2 and already 180 cat tall, that's over six feet. And his shoes are a size larger than mine. He's been away at camp for 4 weeks. and I swear when he came home he had gown another inch. I'm very pyoid and very sad at the same time. I'm pod booms Alex is big and strong and healthy and smart. He's a good kid to have around the house. with his solid practicality and his helpful ntalure. He's not at *Mike the teen- agers who give their p 'ids heart attacks and ulcers. But I'm sad becausel miss Alex the little boy. The one I used to hug and comfort when he had fallen and hurt his knees. The one 1 used to take by the hand when we crossed the street. The one who always wanted me to read a bedtime story, only to fall asleep in the middle of it. The one 1 quietly kissed goodnight. That Alex now exists only in happy memo- ries and in stacks of photo albums. Now I'm looking up to a new Alex, the one taller than 1. He provides his parents with other reasons for happiness. His athletic achieve- ments. His language skills. His logic and rea- soning power (some would call it his argumen- tative spirit). His sense of fairness and justice. 4 "Men are never so likely to settle a question right as when they discuss it freely." . , , Thomas Macauley Published Each Wednesday Morning at 424 Main St., Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1S6 by J.W. Emily Publications Ltd. Tefsphone 1•5i9 -235-13S1 a.a.T..UO6210635 NIN 7 1. Not all Exeter teens bad " I personally feel you owe • our police force an apology" Dear editor. Re: Life Outside Exeter After reading the letter "There is life outside Exet- er" in the T -A edition of August 18, 1993, I was im- pressed: to a point. That person is definitely not a minority "illiterate" teen of this country, but a great fiction (?) writer. Our "colourful" town is not Mayberry style by any means, but you don't need to be afraid of these streets just because of one incident! Remember the old saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" - let alone ruin your life. Maybe as a child you never heard that saying, be- cause you were in an "angelic" group. Your father was right in saying the "teenagers re- spect the adults". You found this to be "untrue", which is a very unfair statement. Most teens do re- spect adults. If you feel the teens of "this" town are so disre- spectful and want to "comrpt your life" or anyone else's, maybe a change of scenery would be your best alternative for your "life outside Exeter". All or most small towns are the same: people's at- titudes, teenager's welfare, government cutbacks, etc, etc. From your lips (not children's) I personally feel you owe our police force an apology for saying "not enough patrol or caring". Police forces have budgets and do the best they can with what they have. And as for "not caring", totally untrue! Of course they case. Do you know of their off-duty time when they see and talk to the citizens of all ages, about the con- cerns in our town and try to help the younger gener- ation? They have children of their own. Of course they care. If you feel so strongly about our unsafe streets and have "given up believing this is a safe and beautiful town", there are other places to live (Mayberry) that may have all "angelic" children or teens. When you find that special town please write back to the T -A, as soon as possible, and let us all know where itis. Respectfully yours, Kathy Kirk, Exeter P.S.: Some adults aren't your best portrait of re- spect, understanding or caring. Grown over my head His concern for the underdog. His inquisitive nature. So he'll be off to high school soon. It's the dawn of a new era for all of us. For him: a new bus route, new friends, new teachers, new sub- jects, and a whole new world of exploration. For us: a widening of circles, a lengthening of distance, an apprehensive look into the future. As far as Alex is concerned, it is now good- bye, dear old McNab Public School (which someone very perceptive has called the "biggest little red schoolhouse in the world). Hello, Collegiate Institute, with your endless tiled and antiseptic corridors, your destreamed grade nine classes, and your highly specialized teaching staff. Please take good care of my boy! He may look big and tough, but... lata loot night, Alex fell asleep on the family isegus a. As he lay there. I looked at his face, and I thought: you may need a shave, but you're still my little boy. That big outer shell of yours doesn't fool me at all. You may be as tall as a man on the outside, but there is still a child hid- den on the inside. ' The trouble is, 1 can't simply pick you up the way I used to, carry you upstairs in my arms and put you to bed. You're far too heavy for that. So I have to wake yqu up and make you climb the stairs by yourse f - while I support you. Climb on, Alex! Growing taller than your old man was just the first step. The next trick youli have to accomplish is to grow even taller than yourself. To overcome your own feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty. And your fears. So climb on, kid, but keep leaning on me just a little! One of these days you won't need me at all. YOU'D be comp'etely on your own at last.