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Times Advocate, 1984-10-03, Page 4Times•Advocote, October 3, 1984 Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 dvocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 Published by I.W. Eedy Publications Limited IORNE EEDY Publisher JIM BFCKE TT Ad ertisin}; Manager Bit l BATTEN ROSS HAUGH Editor Assistant Editor HARRY DEVRIES Composition Manager DICK JONGKIND Business Manager Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mall Registration Number 0386. Phone 235-1331 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada: $22.00 Per year; U.S.A. $60.00 C.W.N.A., O.C.N.A. CLASS 'A' e -A,, -:R CCNA *CNA • ' •\ Realistic alternative At a time when many Canadians, and police authorities in particular, are calling for the restora- tion of capital punishment in this country, a citizens' advisory committee has come up with a suggestion that there be a reduced waiting period before first- degree murderers be paroled. That's an indication of the high degree of con- tradiction that exists on the subject of punishment for criminals in this country. The argument for a return to the noose can be quickly denounced by citing the case of Donald Mar- shall. The easterner was convicted of murder at the age of 17, and since there was no death penalty, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. After spending 11 years in jail for the crime, Mar- shall was freed because it was determined that he had not been the killer. Though such miscarriages of justice may indeed be rare, even one indicates that society can not take the risk of having a wrongful death placed on its conscience. In addition, there are many instances in which capital punishment would not be a deterrent and surely that must be the sole reason for calling for its return. Murders committed in the heat of passion or by those with mental disorders would still occur. The conse- quences of such an act would simply not be considered. The most plausible solution to the problem of violent crime is to impose realistic sentences upon con- victed criminals and then ensure that such sentences are carried out. In citing the case of Donald Marshall to back an argument against capital punishment, it must be noted that there are hundreds of criminals who have been returned to society after completing only small por- tions of their sentences and who have then been involv- ed in other violent acts. Clifford Olson, whose series of killings shock Id Canadians, is a prime example as he was on mandatory supervision at the time. One of those involved in the shooting death of an Ottawa policeman a few weeks ago had been convicted of carrying out 10 armed robberies for which he receiv- ed only a three-year sentence. While the national conscience should not be troubl- ed by erroneously ending the lives of people such as Donald Marshall, neither should it be troubled by court sentences and parole board decisions that erroneous- ly free people such as Clifford Olson. It is time to give less sympathy to the perpetrators of violent crimes than is given to their victims. It is time to be less concerned about criminals being return- ed to society and more concerned about the right of others, including the police, to walk the streets without fear of their lives. An absurd policy If George Maybury had commended Lambton county council for their decision to chop $180,000 from the budget of the nursing home he administers in Forest, he would probably be working this week. However, because Maybury questioned the cut and suggested it would have an adverse effect on the quali- ty and quantity of care for the 90 home residents, he was suspended without pay for one week. Lambton council has a policy that employees are not allowed to make comment on county policy. Maybury violated the terms of that policy, of course, but it was the negative response which undoubtedly prompted council action. It's an absurd policy. Employees should have the right to comment on policies, whether they agree with them or not, particularly when those opinions are the only vehicle by which the public can at times judge decisions made by elected officials. Certainly, employees have to show considerable discretion, given the fact they may have to answer to their employers for their comments and could face some ramifications if they over -step their proper bounds. That's a risk they should be allowed to take when they feel a wrong is being committed. The alternative for employees with any conscience is to resign and that hardly appears fair or in the public interest. Municipal employees are supposed to be the ex- perts guiding elected officials in their decisions. They have to be considered as the main source of informa- tion for the public and attempts to stifle their thoughts and opinions is extremely dangerous in a free society. Fair organizers on right track 'I'he majority opinion appears to ac- claim the 1984 version of the Exeter fall fair as one of the best ever. The weather. of course, received a unanimous vote in that regard. In recent years, aided by an en- thusiastic group of fair directors and sup- porters, the event has taken on additional attractions that provide interests for all age levels. The move to designate one important aspect of the area community has paid huge dividends and provides a new em- phasis that results in some interesting, and more importantly, new exhibits on which patrons can focus. Too often in the past, one had the feel- ing that each fair was more or less a repeat of the previous one. A cursory glance was all that was required to "take in" the fair. That has now been drastically changed and it is necessary to move along at a steady pace to ensure that one sees. hears and smells all the ingredients that make fall fairs such unique events for all ages and all interests. One aspect that could he improved is in providing some co-ordination of the events which take place during the Satur- day features and consideration for con- centrating some of the events into one particular area of the grounds so that peo- ple would not be disppointed by missing some of the competitions. A centralized seating area for the bleachers, with visual access to the various horse shows, calf shows and some of the outdoor demonstrations would not only allow spectators to take in more events but would provide exhibitors with the audiences they should expect as they parade some of the finest livestock available in this area of the province. That would make the show akin to the Philosophy of a three-ring circusat which 4 1 t spectators are always treated to at least one spectacle at all times. * * * * One of the most colorful displays at this year's fair was the native costume section of the Arabian horse show, the latter be- ing a new attraction this year. However, there was only a handful of BATT'N AROUND with the editor people in attendance when the spirited mounts entered the showring with their riders attired in full costume. The problem was that the event was held shortly after the noon hour when most fairgoers were waiting for the parade. in future it is a section of the show which should be scheduled for later in the afternoon when it can he witnessed by more people. If it was held in a centeralized viewing area where it could be seen by those on hand for the 4-1-1 calf club shows or the heavy horse show as well, that would be an added benefit for all concerned. A few of the sheep or goat classes that attract a variety of breeds could also be scheduled for the same area so they too would be given more significant viewing. A centralized public address system that could he used by all the shows ' would enable spectators to hear some of the judges' comments or to be given some details of what exactly is being displayed in the ring in front of them. R * * * * A great number of people follow the parade into the grounds and a slightly earlier start for that facet of the fair should be considered to enable everyone to see it. Some events are already underway before the parade reaches the grounds and is therefore missed by many ex- hibitors or those who are on hand to watch the earlier events. Several members of the 4-11 horse club participate in the parade and that delays the progress of their competition to the point where it is going on after most peo- ple have departed from the grounds. By co-ordinating the program and hav- ing a centralized public address system, people could be advised of the various events taking place at any specific time so they could make their way to them if they so desire. Often people who want to see something specific arrive too early and have to stand and wait or they come too late and are disappointed to find it is well underway or even concluded. Others, unfamiliar with the special attractions, may miss them'entirely. That's not only unfortunate for the spec- tators, but also for those who spent a great deal of time and energy in preparing the ' attractions. Certainly, people can't be in two places at once and may have to choose between events taking place at the same time, but some co-ordination would reduce that to a considerable degree and make the fair all the more entertaining. Those responsible for the im- provements in the past few years are to be commended and hopefully they will build upon the strengths and make further improvements to the extent where it will attract the response that the, work deserves. ,.:: i. : :• . T//g6 51;15g/if �4\ SEAS .� : ,� �..... ;Y nPfN5 A?. ' , flk .- ss�.o....� \ •. iii : f� \\\� The good old days I was going to say, "There's nothing more boring than old people talking about the 'good old days' when they were young." Then I realized that I was out in left field, with nobody at bat, the pitcher chewing tobacco and spit- ting juice, the catcher fumbling around trying to adjust his athletic protec- tor, as they now call a metal jockstrap. There are many more things more boring. Little children who want one more horsey ride when your spine feels fractured in eight places from the 10 previous jaunts. Teenagers babbling endlessly about rock stars, boyfriends, girlfriends, and the money they need to keep up with their friends. "How come we only have a 21 inch TV? I'm 16; why can't I stay out till 3 a.m. if I want to? I'm the only girl in the class who doesn't have construction workers boots t " University students, perhaps the most boring creatures in our society. After the initial chirps of recognition: "Oh, Mr. Smiley, how are you? How's it going?" And then 40 minutes of straight, self-centred description of their university courses or their jobs, their pro- fessors, their disenchant- ment with their courses, their unspoken admission that they can't hack it. as you knew they couldn't in the first place. I manage to brush them off after about eight minutes with a cheery, "So long, Sam, great to hear you're doing so well. and best of luck. I have to go to an orgy for seniors that starts in four minutes, with the pornographic movie." It's great to leave them their with their mouths hanging open. Next worse, in the bor- ing department, are young couples who have produc- ed one or two infants, and talk as though they'd swum the Atlantic, or climbed Mount Everest. "Let me tell you what Timmy (or Kimmy) said the other day. He was sawing wood in the Sugar and Spice Dispensed By Smiley nursery school, and his saw slipped, and he pointed at his saw, and he said, `Don't you dare do that', and the teacher told me, and she said it was the most hilarious thing she'd ever seen, and blah blah blah, and..."' Boring. B -o -r -i -n -g. We can all top that type of story. My daughter, age 7, Grade 2, just getting over the Santa Claus bit, came home one day and told my wife she know what a cer- tain farmiliar four-letter word that she'd seen scrawled on the sidewalk meant. At the time, rather absentmindedly, with Dr. Spock lurking in the background, she enquired, "And what does it mean, dear?" The response was, "When men and ladies lie down on top of each other and go to the bathroom." That was the end of any birds and bees instruction. Next in a descending line of boring conversa- tionalists are middle-aged grandparents. The women, young enough to still elicit as whistle on a dark night, the men old enough to suck in their paunches when a bikini walks by, they act as though they had invented grandchildren. They whine expchanged whimpers about the baby- sitting they have to do. They brag that their grandchildren are the worst little devils in the world. Boring. And finally, we get to the elderly. Certainly some of them are boring, but they are the ones who have been bores all their lives. But the others, the salty ones, even though slowed by the body's increasing fraility, retain their saltiness, and even im- prove on it, because they don't give a god damn anymore. They can say what they like and do what they like. And they do. I've met or talked to three men in their late 80s recently. My father-in- law, 89, seemed rather frail when we arrived for a visit, at 3 p.m. At 11 that night we were still arguing religion and politics, at top form. I've told you about old Campbell, the 85-er who dowses wells and is set to go to Paraguay. Talked to my great-uncle, riddled with arthritis, and his voice and welcome were as warm and crackling as a fireplace freshly lit. This whole column was inspired by a clipping my sister sent me about 88 year old Lawrence Consitt of Perth, Ontario. Lawrence was present when the last man was hanged in Perth. His com- ment: "It was strange". The man had turned to the crowd and smiled just before his death. He had murdered his wife. Today he'd be given a manslaughter and six years. Lawrence started playing piano 79 years. ago, at dances, at the silent pictures theatre. He got five dollars a night for a dance. The talkies knocked him out of a job in 1930. But he kept on play- ing ragtime and jazz wherever there was an opening. I listened to him im- provise for the silent movies. I danced to his piano at country dances, with his nieces and great- nieces. He always had a crock. Took the pledge in 1925. It lasted 13 months. Got sick on a ship to France in 1918, and was too late to be killed. He never married; "But I drank a lot of whiskey." He's in one of those Sunset Havens now, but when they ask him when he'll be hack from a day in Perth, he says, "It depends on who I meet." That's boring? Ilang on, Lawrence. You gave great pleasure to many people. I hope I can stay as salty as you. Catching Americans Two of the things that i used to notice when we took a trip across the border t'► the United States were the amount of trash along the roadside and the hundreds of signs dotting every bit of available space along the way. Some of the latter were amusing like the four or five part Burma Shave ones but most just served to ruin the view. Through stringent laws about distance from the centre of the highway we have managed to make roadside advertising too expensive to be profitable for most companies, thus they have stuck with the more traditional methods in magazines, TV, and radio. As kids we used to make believe that we were pro- viding a service to the community, although not antor Perspectives By Syd Fletcher quite a bit of spare change, even at two cents per small bottle and a nickel for the big ones, by walking along the road- side and picking up the bottles that were thrown out by motorists. I really intentionally. Unfortunately things have changed. Pop now comes in the unwanted tin - steel -aluminum cans. Because they are made out of a combination of metals it is too hard to economically recycle them, unlike the 100 per- cent aluminum cans now used in Michigan which are valuable enough for the companies to offer a 10 -cent rebate on when they are returned. The other day 1 was travelling along a county paved road and counted over a dozen discarded cans, not to mention some beer and liquor bottles. The sad part is that we will have to pay somebody to pick all that mess. it seems the Americans may end up with the cleaner countryside in the long run unless some thought is put into legislation regarding practical ways to control the litter.