Loading...
Clinton News-Record, 1985-1-9, Page 4Page 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985 The CUnton News -Record Is published each Wednesday as P.D. Boa 39, Clinton. Ontario. Canada, NOM 10,0. Tel.: 482.3443. Subscription Rate: Canada - tt 19.79 Sr. Citizen • 510.73 per year U.S.A. foreign - S55.00 per year of Is registered as second class mall bythe. post office under the permit number 0817. Tho News.Record Incorporated in 1924 the Huron News.Record, founded in 1881. and The Clinton News Era. founded In 1865. Total press runs 3.700. incorporating THE DLYTH STANDARD J. HOWARD AITKEN - Publisher SHELLEY MgPHEE - Editor GARY HAIST - Advertising Manager MARY ANN H©LLENBECK - Office Manager A MEMBER MEMBER Display advertising rates available on request. Ask for Rate Cord No. 15 effective October 1, 1984. Welcome to 1985 By HelenOwen One thing about a new year is that traditionally it offers a fresh start, an oppor- tunity to re -assess and make commitments, usuall0 of an improving nature. However, human frailty being what it is, the enthusiasm with which such resolu- tions are embraced is rarely long lasting! Even so, tile initial phases are steps in the right direction, and however old we grow there is something very significant about the new year. According to one authority, new year celebrations were introduced by a legen; dary King of Rome called Numa circa 713 BC, in honor of the God, Janus. How ap- propriate that this two faced deity is associated with the year change - the old year receding, and the new stepping forth to take his place. One cycle ,of the calendar is accomplished and the next invites fresh endeavour. For the young the new year is full of 'promise - ,the year school, or university starts, the year in which one achieves adulthood, takes a spouse, or starts a fami- ly. It is a time of looking forward, anticipation, or maybe fulfillment of a par- ticular dream. But although logically, the passing of the•years might indicate that the future has less to offer because the hour glass is running down, this is rarely the case. There is still so much to look forward to - maybe a new grandchild, an addition to the home, a home of one's own, a special holiday, the delights.of retirement - all exist across the threshold of the incoming year. ' The first of. January is the feast day of St. Almachius, - monk; who is revealed as a pioneer in the protest business. Round about the. year 400 AD, horrified by gladiatoral contests, he demonstrated his objections, and was promptly martyred by both spectators and gladiators who resented his interference. Some .500 years later, St. Odilo, who also celebrates his feast day on 1st January, a renowned abbot of Cluny, endeavoured to ernphasize two Christian • concepts, just as appropriate today as they were in his own time. Poverty and disease, exacerbated by severe famine, cost many lives and severe suffering, especially amongst the poor, and this was an urea in which Odilo extended his energies and influence. Contemporary society faced with the sameproblems, particularly in the last months of -1984, has made similar efforts to alleviate the problems. His world too, .wastorn by strife,. aggression and seekers after material gains for economic reasons. His attempts to lessen the horrors resulted in what was known as the Truce of -God, anarrangement whereby military activities might be suspended at certain times, such as Sundays and special times in the church calendar. There we have it - war, violence, poverty, famine - all part of today's scene, all 'part of the balance being carried forward into the New Year, not just from 1984, but stretching back over the years. These legacies,- which never expire, are challenged afresh. by each generation according to its beliefs and, morals, and like the evils, are perpetually encountered and relieved. A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!, Behind The Scenes I(ieidoscopQ Mr® Miller? No thanks Clintonians may disagree, but according to the most recent delegate polls, Frank Miller is leading the way in the Conservative Party leadership race. If the decision was left up to a public vote, there'd be no doubt that Clintonians would boot -Mr. `Miller out. Residents here have not forgotten,Mr. Miller, the former minister of health, and his 1976 campaign to close the Clinton Public Hospital. Perhaps Mr. Miller -still too remembers his reception in Clinton in January of that year. About 150 people picketed in front of the hospital when the health minister arrived on the morning of February 19, 1976. Two hours later when he left, he was lustily booed and several in the crowd hurled snowballs and eggs at his car. At any rate, the Clinton Public Hospital survived Mr. Miller's attempted budget cuts, and too the former health minister also survived the controversy that surrounded his tenure as health minister. Since 1976 Mr. Miller has steadily advanced his career in provincial government, at least in the eyes of fellow Conservative delegates. A most recent delegate poll shows that Industry Minister Mr Miller has a comfortable lead over his By Reith Roulhton Dangerous ideals One of the' most interesting of the flood of novels that came out in time to hit the boom market at Christmas sales has a theme that is timely in any age, but particularly right now with the extremes in public opinion. • Sylvia Fraser in Berlin Solstice goes back to look at the era of the birth of the Nazi movement and freely admits that if she had been a German at the time, she too would likely have been a Nazi. Fraser is honest and . brave in admitting something few would and yet she is right in that there is in many of us a tendency to want to go along with the fashion,whether, it be in clothes, cars or ideas. While Germany of the 1930s is a horrific extreme, we need to realize that the seeds of intolerance of indifference to the weak, of persecution are there in every country.. In general, the people of Germany were no worse or no better than anyone else. They were well educated, they were advanced technologically. and culturally. But, they were full of discontent, felling abused It, the settlement forced on them at the end of the World War "I. Their, pride was hurt. They ..were ready for someone who offered a rebirth of their pride and simple solutions to their problems. In the classic movie Judgement at Nuremberg, the American judge played by Spencer Tracy after hearing a string of witnesses at a war crimes trial all say they didn't know 'the horible things the Nazis were doing says: "As near as 1 can tell, nobody in Germany knew what was going on." People didn't know because they didn't want to know. " The ordinary people, the upper and mid- dle, classes, pretended they didn't see . anything because after all, Hitler's exter- mination policies didn't affect them..Hitler was riding the country of the homosexuals, of the mentally retarded, of Jews. If the greater good, of the country was at stake, what did.it matter about a few minorities. We hear a lot about the "greater good" e days. Yes, the politicians say, some wi suffer under government policies but the country must pay this price for the , greater good. At least, however, we're hear- ing voices of dissent. Dissent is important because even if the dissenters are wrong, they' force us to stop and think about what we are doing. By Shelley McPhee three rivals. The Dec. 29-31 poll indicates that 27.7 per cent of the Tory delegates will back Mr. Miller on the first ballot, compared to 17.9 per cent for Agriculture Minister Dennis Timbrell, 14.8 per cent, for Treasurer Larry Grossman and 7 pe lent for Attorney - General Roy McMurtry. Mr. Miller may be the first choice of the delegates, but according to another survey conducted for the Toronto Star, he is not the general public's favoured candidate. The November Gallup poll conducted for The Star ranked- Mr. Miller third, behind Mr. Grossman and Mr. McMurtry. Another public opinion survey , conc'ucted for Mr. Timbrell's campaign, indicates that the Tories would again capture a majority of the seats in a general election if Mr. Timbrell were leader and that the voters prefer a so-called middle-of-the-road politician to one on the right or left. Timbrell is seen as that MOR politician type. Mr. Miller is too far right, and Mr. Grossman too far left. An editorial in The North Kent Leader expounds on this, "The real contest is between the three - Frank Miller, Dennis Timbrell and T,arry Grnscman Mr. Timbrell is most similar to Mr, Davis, although Mr. Miller has a kind • grandfatherly image, ,And he's the only)- candidate from outside of Toronto. Ontario: has never had a premier from Toronto. Mr. Grossman? He's the brightest, the best organized, and probably would make the best premier. But he won't be elected. He has the capacity to rock the boat, to order too many changes. Mr. Grossman doesn't fit the bland, the uncontroversial image a premier of this province has had for the pa four decades." The real contest in the Progressive Leadership race may not be between the four candidates, but a choice between public opinion and delegate decision. Before the January 26 voting day, Tory delegates will have to give serious consideration to the two alternatives, their personal choice or the opinion of the general public. It is afterall, the public who will make the final decision when the leaders go to the polls for the election. It may be suicide for the Tories if they make the wrong choice at their leadership convention. But be wary of politicians who play to our sense of injustice and our pride. The Ger- mans rallied to Hitler because in their feel- ings of disgrace after a lost war he told them "lift your heads, be proud to be Germans." It is a ploy that has worked for many leaders. Margaret Thatcher was on her way to electoral defeat until the Falklands war. Ronald Reagan became unbeatable after the "great victory" on tiny Grenada. Americans have rallied to his call that America is back on top where it should be. In Canada, it is natural that the present government should seek to make the pst government look bad but the current talk by Mr. Mulroney as if the Trudeau government was, to borrow a phrase from Mr. Reagan, "an evil empire" are the kind of words that do little good, that drive people apart; not , bring people together as Mr. Mulroney pro- fesses to ro- fessesto want. They are words that aren't needed when the Prime -Minister already has one of the biggest majorities in history. They are the kind of words that can justify injustice to 'minorities in the name of righting past wrongs. Each of us has ,to re- mind ourselves that righting wrongs, either real or perceived, by turning our backs on the plight of the weak of our society is wrong. If we don't learn this, then we lose the one good thing to be learned from the horror of the Second World War. We must resist climbing or(TAand wagons of public opinion and continue to think for ourselves. II Miter f4SKS' WERE lob' ORE4T IDEA Reeler --- IF THESE 9APP KNEW ME PD/CE PER GALL ON %rHEY'DE . A'NC/I ug FOR SORE „ Legion celebrates 60 years of service By Al Welch CLINTON - The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1926 to help veterans of the Boer War and World War I re -adjust to civilian life. From these humble beginnings, the Legion has grown during the -last 60 years to become an organization of over 600,000 menib"ers, including 170,000 sons and daughters. The Legion's prime purpose is to help veterans and their dependents receive fair pensions, disability allowances and ade- quate medical or rehabilitation treatment. The focal point of Legion activities is perpetuating, the . memory of our fallen sold,jers. But the Legion is also one of the most active Canadian Community Service Organizations - helping the old and yi)ung in more than 1,600 communities through sports programs, medical - research, bursaries, care for the elderly and low rental housing for the needy.. Last year the Legion contributed approx- imately $30 million in its various com- munities not to mention many thousands of hours of volunteer labour to the running of its various service programs and activities. The Legion's role in society today is a proud record of continuing commitment to the community and to Canada. "Diamond Jubilee Tulips" - to celebrate its 60th Anniversary, and as a special sign of remembrance, a beautiful blood, red tulip has been selected from Holland. It is the • Legion's goal to sell many millions of these tulip bulbs to corporations, institutions, service clubs and individuals in Canada. As a special project, many school children in Canada will be given some bulbs to do their own planting. These fiery Darwin hybrid tulips, which grow to 24 inches, produce- large flowers with lasting and sturdy qualities. Flowering immediately after early tulips, their size and brilliance will be eye-catching. The bulbs are hardy and easy to grow' and will last for many years if left in the. ground. There will be further information available on Diamond Jubilee Tulips. Chairman of this committee will be comrade Harold Black. Sport Results Results from euchre play on January 1 in- cluded: high score H. Black with 85, lone hands J. Corey and G. Carter with 5 each, low score J. Spearin with.45. There were 12 tables present. At mixed euchre on January 4, mens high score G. Rumball 66, lone hands V. Col- quhoun with 3, low score Dorothy O'Connell. Ladies - high score Lois Turner with 73, lone , hands M. Rumball 3, low score Hilda Sem- ple. Coming Events "Ladies Appreciation Night" January 12th, happy hours 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner at 7::00 p.m. Music and entertainment to follow:' "Robbie Burns Ceilidh", Clinton Legion Pipes and Drums Saturday, January 19th. Entertainment Tony Nother Dancing 9:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. Lunch will be served. Veterans and Seniors community pro- grams seminar will be held - Saturday, January 26, 10:00 a.m. at Durham. Provin- cial chairman Derek Pite will preside. Anyone wishing to attend please contact comrade Steve Maguire. The general meeting of Branch 140 will be held Monday, Janua,y 28th. The Diamond Jubilee Seminar for Branch Diamond Jubilee Chairman and Branch Presidents will be held Sunday, February 10th at Branch•140 Clinton, Time 2:00 p.m. The Zone C Spring Convention is Sunday, March 30, at Branch 140 Clinton, at 2:00 p.m. Government is with you every day 6 By Helen Owen' A province wide local government pro- gram designates January 14 - 19 as "Local Government Week". To the average citizen local government issomething you take for granted, get disgruntled about anti criticize, or regard in its most practical terms as the administrative body which always seems to be increasing the amount of taxes which you have to pay! So, what is this local government all about? First and foremost it is the link in the chain of federal, provincial and municipal administration, and because it is a link and not an individual unit, it functions within the confines of the legislative and procedural. Pockets not bottomless Dear Editor; Many of you know USC Canada which was founded by t)r. Lotta Hitschmanova, C.C., in 1945. The USC is trusted, not only by the people of Canada, but by the people in the third - world countries.in which we work. Weare still short of our campaign target by $2.7 million, which 'is needed for the financing of projects to help men, women, and children out of their immense poverty and ease the pain of their hunger and hopelessness. We at the USC are aware that pockets are not bottomless, and there is even a limit to the heart's capacity to feel. •Each has its own limitations, but we are appealing to you to please look deep into your hearts and • pocketbooks and send your donation today. We promise that, no matter how small, it will accomplish a great deal of good. Raymond ven der Buhsll Managing Director, USC Canada, 56 Sparks, Ottawa KIP 5B1 Be alert 2 If you or a member of your family has a chronic illness, drug allergy or other health problem, the Industrial Accident Preven- tion Association recommends a Medic Alert bracelet be worn. In an emergency, a life could, be saved. requirements of the whole. Familiarity often makes us unaware of what is happening around us, and thus we take for granted the facilities afforded by the lifestyle of the time in which we live. .,Pioneers, on the other hand, had to combat fire hazards, health problems, transit defi- ciencies, environmental disasters and so forth, as individuals. Not for long, however, for communities quickly learned the advan- tages to be derived from proper and systematic administration and control. This did not preclude personal responsibility for it was the men, and women, who offered themselves for election, who undertook the tasks of operating measures for the benefit of the community' as a whole. Common factors accepted in today's democratic society relate to education, planning, social services, transport, public health, waste disposal, road maintenance, safety codes and fire protection, and over - the years standards have been upgraded and legislation introduced for the im- plementation of "the rules." In Ontario Municipal Acts govern these rules and some 156 sets of laws are in place the impact of which impinges every ; day in the com- munities in which we live. The most important of the Municipal Acts is that which decrees the Composition of a "Council," who may serve, and the duties of those who do so. It defines the procedures `and regulations to which they must adhere in order to perforin their role of representa1 tion as well as the functions of the clerk, treasurer and other employees. Apart from these principal guidelines the administra- tion must also take into account details of numerous other Acts. As an example the municipal budget is the prime tool for planning, co-ordinating and controlling local spending and translates in- to priorities and public policies in terms of dollars and cents. Derived from three sources a substantial portion of revenue is generated by local property taxes, and it must be noted that at the present time near- ly 50 per cent of this money goes directly to the local school board. User fees and provin- cial grants or transfer payments are the other two producers of revenue. There are many demands on revenue which must be met relative to municipal departments and local agencies so that overall municipal spending is made up of operating expen- ditures (about 80 per cent and capital costs (about 20 per cent). In large communities professional exper- tise is employed in the areas of accountan- cy, engineering, law, education etc. However, in smaller areas the duties of the council are more often undertaken by citizens, willing to endeavour to handle these aspects from a sense of civic duty rather than experience. It is a formidable task. Immediate cut and dried answers are not always available, no precedents exist, advice and information is often .a long time arriving so that delays are inevitable. Local Government Week offers an oppor- tunity for the community to pause for a mo- • • -ment and reflect. As a Cotten each in- dividual has a part to play - IT IS YOUR GOVERNMENT!