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Clinton News-Record, 1977-06-02, Page 5Huron -Bruce riding Candidates debate their stands Huron -Bruce riding is not letting the June 9 Ontario election campaign pass with a yawn. A capacity crowd of about 300 people packed the Kin- cardine town hall auditorium Monday night to hear the riding's three candidates state their positions on various issues and answer questions from the audience. The all -candidate forum was sponsored by the Kin- cardine Chamber of Com- merce and the Kincardine Rotary club. Moderators were chamber president Dwight Gattinger and Rotary president Bill Wakefield. Liberal incumbent Murray eGaunt, Progressive Con- servative Sam MacGregor and New Democratic Party candidate David Zyiluk fielded questions relating to energy, agriculture and education. The forum opened with each candidate making brief remarks about policies and positions. Mr. Gaunt said the guestion he is asked most is why the province is having an elec- tion. He said the only reason is that Premier William Davis called the election because he believed he would regain a majority government. But the minority govern- ment elected in 1975 was "responsive and effective", • p" he said. As an example, Mr. Gaunt pointed to the farm income stabilization bill which was changed because of the op- position to include the kind of policies farmers wanted. Mr. MacGregor said most • of the time minority gover- nments work effectively but at this time in Ontario M government must make important decisions to keep the economy going. He said he set his business interests aside to seek office because he is concerned that the energy supplies for the province must be insured, The premier was wise to Stake advantage of the am- mendment which brought ` down the government in order to call an election to gain that majority, he said. Mr. Zyluk said he wanted to clarify two points about the NDP commonly misin- terpreted by the public. Contrary to popular belief, he said, an NDP government would ,not shut down the Bruce Nuclear Power Wheat you... (continued from page 4) in our interests to keep the Hospital. He arranged and was present at a number of meetings with Ministry of Health officials, members of the cabinet and others. . He made speeches in the ilouse and was in com- munication with us regularly - giving assistance and keeping on top of the situation. We were most appreciative of the great efforts he put . forward on our behalf. D.S. Coventry, Clinton development at Douglas Point. But he said he agrees with Mr. Gaunt that the province can't put all its energy eggs in a nuclear basket. The province needs research into alternative energy sources and Ontario Hydro's guarantee that it will monitor its nuclear in- stallations to protect workers and, surrounding com- munities. om- munities. His second point was that some farmers believe an NDP government would freeze agricultural land which is not true. Chester' Emmerton, of Huron Township, asked Mr. MacGregor if he would have time to do a good job as an MPP because of Mr. MacGregor's development business. Mr. MacGregor said he would be willing to put his business interests in a blind trust or even sell them in order to be an MPP. Dan Milne asked about the memorandum of agreement between the provincial government and the Reed Paper Company for a timber lease in Northern Ontario. He said that the company has a terrible record for pollution and asked what Mr. MacGregor would do to protect the environment and the native people in the ef- fected area. Mr. MacGregor said the memorandum of agreement doesn't mean a contract has been signed. ' He would make sure the environment is respected and the rights of native peoples in the affected area would be protected. He agreed that the watersheds in the Northern Ontario are in trouble because of mercury pollution and they must be cleaned up. Mr. Zyluk said the NDP has been. concerned about mercury pollution for a long time and has pressed for corrective measures. An NDP government, he said would impose "very heavy fines" on companies polluting the environment to make sure they .use anti- pollution devices. Mr. Gaunt said the royal commission is now looking into the Reed Paper deal and it will be about two years before anything is done. He added the company has one of the worst records for pollution. Mr. MacGregor said that development- of natural resources is _needed, however, for the good of the province as a whole but he wouldn't . 'support the devastation of the nation. Ann Bell, of Kincardine Township, asked about the problem of mentally han' dicapped students having to travel to Walkerton and Southampton to go to school since the Pine River School serving this area was closed. She said Mr. Gaunt had been approached about the problem. Mr. Gaunt said some parents had asked him about the problem but no formal approach had been made by OUT 'r POTTED ROSEBUSHES Regular up to *3.50 Sale price *3.50 We still have an excellent variety of flower and vegetable plants Pay a visit to HURON -RIDGE ACRES David Steckle & Family RR2 ZURICH 565-2122 • Highway 21 South of Bayfield to Stanley Rd. 15, left to First Concession, turn right 1 mile • 11/2 miles West, then 31/2 miles north of Zurich ,. OPEN EyENINGS 'TIL 9 p.m. CLOSED SUNDAYS the area association for the mentally retarded. He said he agreed with Mrs. Bell about integrating mentally handicapped students into the community. This is an area where the government should commit, more funds. He said he would do anything possible to resolve the problem and asked Mrs. Bell to _write him a letter about it. Mrs. Bell said taxpayers money is being wasted as it would be cheaper to add a room to an existing school rather than provide tran- sportation for area students. Mr. Zyluk said attention must be paid to handicapped and advanced students as well as average students. The province has let a lot of ability to go to waste because of present education policies he said. Janet Bannerman, of Huron Township, said there is no special education school now in the province and these students must now go to other provinces or the United States. She asked for the candidates' views on the matter and their policies on education. Mr. Zyluk said that the province must have more education for students to learn trades and start more apprenticeship training and not push students through for "a paper diploma". He said large companies must also take more interest in their employees' education. About special education, he said the province has put the matter into the hands of county school boards but grants for special education Must be improved. Mr. Gaunt said there must be a return to, core curriculum while leaving room for option courses. Basic courses must include Canadian history and geography and there should be standard evaluation throughout the province, he said. He said special education has been neglected and more funds are needed for it. Mr. MacGregor said the province has just come through the post-war baby boom and it was the dream of many parents to have their - children "degreed". He said the province has made "plenty of mistakes" in education but is returning to core curriculum. He said he also favors a return to departmental exams. He said the province can learn from the mistakes it has made. Chester Emmerton saked Mr. Gaunt why the Liberals and NDP defeated the government if the election wasn't necessary. Mr. Gaunt said that the opposition defeated one section of the rent review legislation because it felt that rent increases should be tied to AIB guidelines. He said opposition am- endments were pa ;sed "dozens ' of times" during CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1977 -..PAGE 5 District WI officers The Huron -West WI saw the installation of its new officers on Monday, in Clinton. Mrs. Harold Biasing, left, the provincial Convener of Family and Consumer Affairs, from Ne�stadt, spoke to the ladies at the day long conference. The officers for 1977 are, second, frau left to right: secretary -treasurer, Mrs. Richard Buchanan, RR 6, Goderich; past president, Mrs, Ivan Wightn:an, Belgrave; second vice president, Mrs. Peter Chandler, Wingham, president, Mrs. Graham McNee, Dungannon; public relations officer, Mrs. Norman Coultes, Wingham; first vice president, Mrs. William Porter, Goderich (News - Record photo) minority government but the premier chose that particular time to call an election. Marlene Black, of Kin- cardine Township, asked what kind of industry could be brought to the area to provide jobs for youngpeople. Mr. MacGregor said jobs can come from ' industry related to the Bruce Nuclear Power development in in- dustry and commercial en- terprise. Mr. Gaunt said he would support any new industry in the area but these industries should be related primarily to agriculture and tourism to capitalize on assets the area already has. Mr. Zyluk agreed that new, industry should be related to tourism and agriculture. A Huron Township farmer asked how the candidates would convince consumers about the problems of far- mers. Mr. MacGregor said food prices today are artificially low and urban consumers are being spoiled. People have to be shown that 20 years ago they spent 20 percent of their incomes on food while today it is .only 16 percent, he said. Mr. Gaunt said marketing boards have to be supported to get the message across to consumers. He said . their must be a bigger com- mitment to farmers. Mr. Zyluk said the provincial government must convince the federal government to protect far- mers with tariffs. As well marketing boards must be given more power to set prices and run their own affairs. He said the OFA and the NFU both support NDP agricultural policies. Later in the meeting Janet Shewfelt said the Ontario Milk Marketing Board already sets prices and runs its own affairs. On page 8 Cool, Casual Sportswear for Carefree Days Great new looks in cool, easy - care sportswear. Choose from our wide selection of Sport Shirts Walking Shorts Swire Suits Levi's "Painter Pants" Levi's wide -legged White Jeans Make Campbell's Men's Wear your store for fun -in -the -sun casual wear. Don't Forget Fiither's Day, June 19 MAIN CORNER CLINTON 482.9732 Come in and browse SEAFORTH SHOPPE. 35 MAIN ST. SOUTH SEAFORTH 527-1335 OPEN: MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; THURSDAY AND D FRIDAY NIGHTS 'TIL 9:00 p.m. This Week's Specials Dolly Parton - "Join the Country Club" . LP *3.99 TAPE '5.99 "The Outlaws" - by Various Artists a•. L.P. *5.99 TAPE *6.99 Country Hits -Volume 1 L.P. ONLY '1.69 Heart - "Little Queen" L.P. •5.49 TAPE `7.49 Steve Miller Band - "Book of Dreams" L.P. *5.49 TAPE '7.49 Barry Manilow - "Live" 2 L.P. SET *9.99 TAPES *12.99 Plus Many other In -Store Specials VOTE FOR e Man Who Warks For You! Jack Riddell is a graduate of the University of Guelph, with a B.Sc. in Agriculture. He is a former high school teacher, having taught at Clinton and Exeter. He owns and operates a 200 acre beef farm in Stephen Twp. Married to the former Leone Bryan of Bidulph• Twp. They have a family of four girls and one boy. A Liberal member of the Legislature since 1973, he was the Agriculture critic for the Liberal party in the last session of the Provincial Parliament. RE-ELECT A -Jack.._. Riddell IN HURON -MIDDLESEX As your member in the Legislature for the past 4 years: Jack Riddell's forceful presentations stopped the Government attack on local hospitals Jock Riddell's background as a teacher qualified him to formulate the policy ,of a "Core Curriculum" in our schools --- (now accepted by the government). Jack Riddell's voice from Huron -Middlesex stopped the Davis plan for Regional Government in this area. Jack "Riddell, Agricultural Critic at Queen's Park, forced Agriculture Minister Newman to re -vamp his "Farm Income Stabilization Bill". Jack Riddell has effectively handled hundreds of constituency problems and has sensitively and accurately reflected the best interests of Huron - Middlesex. Jack Riddell has reported faithfully to the people of this riding through his column in the Weekly Press. RIDDELL iS GOOD FOR HURON -MIDDLESEX JUNE 9th