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Times Advocate, 1999-09-08, Page 66 AVa# a�• r Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, September 8, 1999 Editorial&Opinion 4Viivirr 1111.1111111 • TIMES -ADVOCATE PUBL1CATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Don Smith General Manager Published by J.W. Eedy Publications Limited 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 An. Deb Lord Production Manager Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Time to bring back photo radar, p o ntario politicians are finally plehdgin g to d o .something about a growing cri- sis on .our highways. Unfortunately, it took 13 deaths in less than six months on one stretch of the 401 in Chatham -Kent to bring about the current discussion. ).:At A number of possible solutions are offered up, including upgrades to that particular stretch of road such as paved shoulders and median barri- ers. • A." 1411.6;.:411"3 r�$�� No -doubt ,the readneeds Improvement, but any- - Q'edit to Sou Huron amaigamation conimittee one who travels the so-called 400 corridor knows there's. another huge problem - excessive speed. A few thoughts from a reporter, who couldn't even after the name change to South- Huron, Quite. simply, speed kills. That's a message that wait for the kids to return to school and still can't Exeterites can still call themselves Exeterites and police have °'been trying to get across for years wait for the snowbirds to return to hibernation in those from the townships ''don't have to start through: numerous public awareness campaigns - with little success. Apparently the only way to drivers wa: insist on ignoring the law their pocketbooks. • So the first aping the politicians in power should do is authorize an immediate reintroduction of _ photo radar. And they don't need to do any tee involved in drafting the proposal, get-� ting things done relatively smoothly and tedious investigations, studies or think tanks. As the commercial says - "Just D© It." As major controversy. • As has peen written in this space before, After all, the equipment needed has .already:' the South Hurongroup had the right been purchased and is probably sitting in a ware- •b kee in e idea y keeping it simple and involving only house somewhere. The NDP just nicely got the three municipalities in amalgamation program underway when Mike Harris' Tories first talks. On the other hand, the other amal- came into power in 1995. Part of the Common gamating group in the T -A coverage area, Sense Revolution that got them elected was a the Municipality of Bluewater, started out promise to scrap photo radar, yvhich they prompt- too big -- six members, which soon ly did. # R1 dropped to five --- and is still negotiating Photo radar has proven successful in other its draft proposal. provinces. In Calgary, statistics . show drivers have While the South Huron talks have for the slowed down significantly since the program was most part been friendly and co-operative,' the Blubwater committee ambers have frequently first implemented in 1988...and the numbers of been snippy with each other and many of the collisions and fatalities have dropped as well. members have only been concerned about what's Photo radar may be part of a short-term solu- best for their own municipality, not what's best for tion. Road upgrades will help as well. But what 41.. the good of all five municipalities. The Bluewater the politicians will, need to investigate fully is how group meets again p g p g tonight and should finish its to deal with the ever-increasing traffic on our proposal, but it hasn't been :a smooth ride. and it's four -lane highways. Thanks in part to NAFTA, surprising the group is still together. some estimates say truck traffic on the 400 series What's next for South Huron? Approval from the will double by the year 2010. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and then formation That's simply frightening. And politicians and of a transition board, which will deal with the citizens alike must accept that any solutions will major and potentially controversial amalgamation be expensive. issues such as personnel and property. If all goes But lives are worth more than tax 'cuts:.. aren't well, the new municipality will be formed on Jan. they? I, 2001, with a new seven -member council fol the Reprinted , from the St. Marys Journal gthree former nnuntcipalftfes. Argus And never fear those of you afraid of change: Florida for another winter: telling friends and relatives that all of a sudden Bring on the transition board they live in a town. News from county council came last week that. Here's wishing the transition board luck. the amalgamation proposal for the Municipality of No tears for Eato's South Huron has been accepted unanimously. • Whfie} icy Canadians are feeling{ nostalgic and I say congratulations to the organization commit- maudlin over last month's announcement of Eaton's closure, don't look to me for sym- pathy for Canada's so-called royal family. Some may see the closure as another sign of the Americanization of Canada and more proof Canadian bimpanies .can't compete with the larger, more profltable companies to the south. I disagree. Eaton's is closing for one rea- son and one reason only: arrogance on the scorr ; . part of its owners. NIXON All it takes to realize the reason for the AHo . closure is to take one quick walk through THING ,a any one of the company's massive, fashion - r, able stores and check out the prices — they're outrageous, so much so that even during:: this liquidation sale Eaton's prices are still more expensive than the everyday prices at other stores. There's no reason anyone should have. to take out a second mortgage - on their home to buy a pair of socks. - So, to Eaton's and those mourning the company's death, I ask: an inability to compete with other chains? No, an unwillingness to compete; Despite this, I must admit I do have a personal stake in Eaton's closing. That is, while overpriced, Eaton's is the only store I've been able to find where I can walk in and find Jeans in my size. While , I'm not exactly , a giant --maybe six foot two -: ft �nts my legs are irregularly long; moaning I need • eans with a 36 -inch leg. These are almost impossible to find and yet Eatdn's always had my size. What will I do now? What will I wear? About the Times -Advocate Address & ice Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, "P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales ....(519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for add s to Com: $354 -GST Two year rate r adder s in . ei salt rate drosses �r$63+GST $ O2 tall 9 35-1331 u ' Canada: C51mo era Classified Rates Word ads: $9.00 for 20 words, 1St for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $11.00 + GST for up to 30 words, 104 for each additional word. All ads must be pre -paid. 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