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Clinton News-Record, 1986-08-06, Page 15CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1986—Page 15 Diminishing interest After living in Clinton for approximately two months without cable television I decid- ed it was time to get it hooked up. The main reason I wanted cable was because there were three good football games coming up on a weekend I had to work, and as 1 wouldn't be going back to Mississauga', I thought I would have time to watch the games. When the cable man arrived I explained this to him, and his reply was something along the lines of, "Football? The CFL? I didn't know there were any of you left." Here lies the problem I would like to discuss, the diminishing interest of the public in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Believe it or not, the game of football has been around in Canada as long as it has in the home of the Super Bowl, the United States. Although both countries have been play- ing football for over 100 years (not, however in the same capacity as they currently play), the CFL has been suffering from a low -attendance malady, while the league south of the border is still carrying on strong. One team that was badly damaged last year through lack of attendance was the Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders had a $1.5 million emergency fund to cover theniin times of trouble, but they managed0to use it all up. Only a large season ticket drive for this season saved the team from extinction. This year a number of teams are facing this same fate, and I, for one, would hate to see the game of Canadian football wiped out. The Montreal Alouettes, once a big draw for fans, drew only 10,000 fans for their home opener against Toronto. With this lack of attendance, Montreal can hardly afford to A Stanley Township'tug-of-war championship was held at the complex on August 3. Brian Triebner is seen here trying to anchor his team, Number Four Highway, to a win. (David Emslie photo ) • Resident fish licences introduced . Ontario will introduce a resident licence for sport fishing in 1987, Ontario Natural Resources Minister Vincent Kerrio has an- nounced on July 31.. Mr. Kerrio said the licence will be re- quired of most Ontario residents aged 18 to 64. Senior citizens and the disabled will be exempt, as will Status Indians fishing on their reserves or treaty areas. The annual licence will cost $10 while a short-term licence to fish for four con- secutive days will cost $5. "In public meetings held across the pro- vince, and through angler surveys, we have received strong support for this licence!" said Mr. Kerrio. "People have indicated strong approval for plans to put funding equivalent to revenues generated from this licence (pro- jected to 'be 9 -to -$10 -million a year) into fisheries improvement programs. This sup- port indicates that the time is ripe to adopt the 'user -pay' principle in •fisheries management." "As a result of comments expressed in public meetings, we decided to exempt senior citizens from the licence and to incor- porate the,short-term licence for occasional anglers," Mr.'Kerrio said. The licence will be widely available through the Ministry of Natural Resources' (MNR) network of private licence issuers,which includes sporting goods stores and tackle and bait shops. The network will be • expanded as required to meet the de- mand for the licence. MNR district offices will also distribute the licences. Mr. Kerrio said Ontario is among the last of the provinces to introduce a resident angl- ing licence. keep their team going. Another team under stress, the Edmonton Eskimos, may lose up to $600,000 for the 1986 season. This would follow their loss of the same amountlast year. Fortunately for the Eskimos, they were able to cut their losses to $200,000 last year through a stabilization fund (like that of Calgary's), and fund raising, but as demonstrated through, Calgary, the stabilization fund can only last so long: I find it ridiculous that Edmonton, a team who were one of the best financial per- formers in the league *hen they were a win- ning team is suffering a financial set back. Even their winning streak this year, that left them the only undefeated team up to last Friday, did not help attendance. So far their attendance has been 32,757 and 33,922 spectators for two home games. To break even they will need an average of over 40,000 fans per game. One reason being given for the decline in interest iS the lack of colorful players in the league. In fact, their is such a shortage the CFL has brought in the retired Angela Mosca for their advertisements. Montreal has found one method to combat this player malady in the form of Brett Williams. They have started bringing defen- sive tackle Williams in on offensive short yardage plays to help bull through the line. He has even labelled himself the Toaster because he burns them on both sides of the line. Hopefully this will add to their attendance. Another positive step being taken by the league to bring in the much needed cash is research into broadcasting games in Europe, South America•,and the Far East. Negotiations to broadcast CFL highlights in Britain, Holland and Italy are near com- pletion, and they are also considering holding training camps and pre -season games in Europe. Perhaps if the CFL goes international with their coverage the league will be saved from extinction. The instigation of mandatory overtime play for tied games this year was again a move to promote interest and make the game more interesting. As yet, no overtime has had to be played, so its effects are, as yet, unknown. Finally, the slow collapse of the United States Football League (USFL) is being viewed as a plus for the EFL. CFI_ „Commissioner Doug Mitchell said this proves there is only room for two pro- fessional football teams in North America. Whether or not this is true is not my con- cern, but the collapse of the USFL will bring more players to the CFL, and hopefully brighten up its future. I just hope that somehow the CFL is sav- ed. I was born and raised as "one of them", and will always remain so. Anyways, who needs four downs to travel only 10 yards? In January, Cabinet gave approval in principle to the proposed licence. Since then, the Ministry of Natural Resources has held more than 30 meetings across the pro- vince to hear public views. Questionnaires, angler surveys and let- ters to the ministry indicated that most peo- ple favored a licence, providing that funding equivalent to revenues generated is used in fisheries management. "The additional funding will be used to improve the quality of sport fishing in On- tario," Mr. Kerrio said. "It will go toward programs to protect, rehabilitate and enhance Ontario's fisheries, both in nor- thern and southern Ontario. "For example, we can consider such pro- jects as fish culture stations, the construc- tion of fish ladders to aid naturally - reproducing species, improved enforcement capability and restoring fish habitat in ur- ban areas to provide more fishing oppor- tunities nearer people's homes." Mr. Kerrio said the resident angling licence will also give ministry staff impor- tant information about how the resource is being used: "It will tell us who is fishing, where and for what. With this jnfou atLon, we'll be better -able b–gearcittefithtiffer" management programs to the needs of resource users." A Fisheries Advisory Council, to be made of members of the public, will advise the minister of fisheries management priorities and fisheries -related expenditures. "The investment which anglers make in our fisheries resources will have far- reaching benefits in increased employment, and tourism and recreational oppor- tunities," Mr. Kerrio said. Latest fastball standings... • from page 14 All rained out games are being played on . August 10 in Goderich Township. August 10: 9 a.m. Dynamos vs Norholme; 10:30 a.m. Vikings vs Merners; 12 p.m. Dynamos vs Lawries. Last Week's Scores July 30: Lawries 11, Norholme 6; Lawries 5, Norholme 15. Playoffs start on August 11. CLINTON%Id HOSPITAL PAY SUNDAY, AUGUST '10: POST TIME 1:30 PM It's all happening t his Sunday at the A twelve race card with proceeds to the Clinton Hospital Building Fund FEATURING THE 4TH ANNUAL CLINTON RACEWAY DRIVERS CONTEST BETWEEN ONTARIO'S TOP HARNESS DRIVERS •Norm McKnight • Kevin Wallis *Ken Hardy •Tom Strauss • Pat Crowe •Ross Battin WINNING ©RIVER GETS A TRIP FOR 2 TO LAS VEGAS *Bill Lambertus •Jerry Duford ALSO FEATURING s2 500. SWEEPSTAKES FINAL BEEF BARBECUE FREE ADMISSION to the racers wish your advance earbeeue Ticket ADVANCE TICKETS FOR BARBECUE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE GATE after 9t,. racer, Adel)) $7.. Children (92 1. under) $4. TICKETS AVAILA'tiLil Al *Raceway Office •4l 7729 •Clinton Public Hospl$ai 4124447 •Shirai s •Selndy's CWd Shopper or where. ydu busy your proliaet 2 LITRE MAGNUM OF HOURS: Open 7 days a week 11 am -12 midnight Except Friday and Saturday Open till 2 am