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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-08-25, Page 4a PAGE 4—GODERICH SIGNAL STAR, WEDNESDAY, AU4UST 25,1982 DAVE SYKES CNA BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1979 Second: class mail registration. - -.number-071.6-= _._ A J My son has just discovered that knobs and buttons will introduce him to a whole new world of sounds and sensations. While he has regaled his senses with this new discovery, my own ears and patience have been taxed to the limit over the past week. I fear I will simply have to endure this phase of knob turning and hope its duration is limited. - The discovery is subsequent to a natural development of motor skills, manual dex- terity, co-ordination and I suppose, strength. °In short, the little guy is learning to handle himself and put his pudgy hands to work where they don't belong. Withall the strength he can muster, Bradley has overcome the obstacle of turning knobs and filled the house with music from his miniature Fisher-Price radio and crib mobile. Previously, the wee one would plead with parents to turn said knobs and activate the repetitive and monotonous versus. It at least served to elevate.dad to a useful SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT founded In 1/N end published every Wednesday at Oderkh, Ontario. Manor of the CCNA and OWN*. *draw. fling rater on request. Suluctiptlons payable In advance 99.11 In Croda, *WAS `to U.S.A., °9WAS to dl other coon- trlaL 46010 Rep's* Sr. Display advertlnleg rates available an request. Plane as for Rate Card No. 11 affective Oc. "toiler 1 ':IIS1.: Stieaed'deti min I*sh.tlon Number 07111. Advertising 1.s accepted en the condition that In the event oyld f typeerwl error. the eaTerdWfgac space aauyld by the erroneous Items, togetherA with reasonable ' allowance for slenature. will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the op- ' plkable rate. In the event of • type rephical error advorfldng scrods or services et • wrong prke, woods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely en offer to sell. end may be withdrawn et any tlma. The Slpnal.Ster is not responsible far the loss or dame.* of unsolld9ed manuwlpte, photos or other meterlals used for raprodudng our. PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK=Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES-Editor P.O. BOX 220. HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH NIA 4B6 and sought after commodity in the household. If ever I served purposeful function in life, in my son's eyes, it was to turn the•knob on his play radio. Now, however, this dul dad is rendered somewhat useless as the little guy masterfully activates the music with his own resources and elatedly holds the radio above his head in a triumphant gesture. It's difficult, as a parent, not to burst a few buttons when the wee guy can turn on his Fisher -Price -radio with the flick of a wrist, with a style and flair similar to that exhibited by the old man. It kinda makes a guy .Proud. However, his adroitness and emerging manual dexterity, have also been cause for numerous father -son talks recently. Sample the following. Pressing company business kept this derelict dad out quite late last Friday evening (the missus didn't buy that one either) and a bit of extra sleep Saturday morning would have gone a long way to assist in correcting maladies contracted as a result of said business. Bradley greeted the world .at his usual hour and , as is his priviedge on weekends, joined the little lady and I in bed. A devious tactic on our part employed to capture a few more minutes sleep, but to date it hasn't worked well. So the little guy joined us complete with his entourage of one Mr. T Bear and his portable, plastic radio. I was unaware of the dangers lurking as Bradley assumed his normal spread-eagle position in the middle of the bed, leaving the misses- and I desperately clinging to the sides and trying to sleep at the same time. The vagaries -of youth jolted me from a deep sleep as the little guy proudly woundup his radio and placed it on the side of dad's head, right over my left ear. He continued with this tactic until I acnowledged the fact that I was proud of his knob -turning ac- complishments. But, if I ever hear the strain of twinkle, twinkle, little star again at 7 am., I'm liable to write a few nasty notes to Mr. Fisher- Price. Perhaps another tune would be more appropriate. Gleeful at the propsect of mastering the complexities of an automated world, my son focused his knob -turning prowess on the television, an objeet that has long been a source of fascination. There is certain ethereal quality about cold, rainy Sundays and last Sunday was no exception. While cold winds whipped rain against the modest Sykes boueehold, dad entertained visions of an afternoon watching 14 football games, three golf tournaments, a tennis tournament, a tricycle race and perhaps a ball game. All while lustily munchinga fresh bowl of popcorn, of course. Little guy abandoned his radio for the afternoon and exercised hie wrist muscles on the television, channel selector. I watched all the above mentioned programs, catching fleeting glimpses of each show as Bradley turned the knob with much glee. We had a little talk but I think it's going to be a long football season. FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 ome consolation While the economic conditions have, not been the most comfortable in recent memory, many Canadians would have to admit that they enjoy reasonable lifestyle and standard of living. Most of us would not prer to live anywhere else. Not that we haven't had our problems over the years, and recently the economy, provincial bickering and a marked suspicion of the policies of the federal government have led to obvious frustrations. Regardless, on a global scale, Canadaranked as the 12th best country in the world in which to live. Simply, perhaps out of nationalistic pride, any Canadian would suggest that our country should rank much higher. But, experts don't see it that way. The study researched the overall quality of life in 107 nations around the world, and Canada was ranked 12th along with Switzerland while Denmark was first. It is surprising to note that the Americans could only manage to place 41st in the nation race. The study was based on comparisons between the years 1967-69 and 1977-79 and the growth that occured in that time frame relative to other nations. Canada was able to secure a relatively high placement in the study for several reasons. The country scored high in educational standards, the small amount spent on defending our borders, a low number of natural disasters, political participation and (could this be true) political stability. So, we may not beall too keen on the conditions that exist within our borders but, by comparison, conditions are much more appealing or stable in Canada in other's eyes. The economy and the stagnant state that it's in, affects all countries without exception. But, even the economy and politics can vary greatly within regions of a country. Our country is battered by a recession that some would unhesitatingly label as a depression. Yet, with all that —"-ecbithiiiuc chaos around us, the city of Ottawa appears to be immune from the trembles that plague the rest of the nation. Ottawa has the highest average family incomes in the country at $2$,290 (a two-year old figure) while the average in other Canadian cities is at least $4,000 lower. The capital has the greatest percentage of urban tax- payers earning in excess of $30,000 a year and the food, prices are the lowest to be found in the country. There are other indicators that substantiate claims that the bureaucratic city is immune from the economic disparity experienced in many • regions of Canada. The inflation rate is below' that of other major urban centres and the unemployment rate is running below the national average. While many Canadians may accusingly cite the federal government as a major source of our troubles, it is the same government that provides some sense of stability to the capital, city. Civil servants command a respectable salary and the government injects considerable amounts of money into the area. Wage restraints imposed by the federal government may bring the salaries in line with other urban centres over the next few *years. But the statistics may at least serve to indicate that while our country is 12th on a global scale, living under the friendly umbrella of the federal government has definite advantages that not everyone shares. Less money for food It should certainly come as no surprise that Canadians have reduced the proportion of their disposable income spent on food from 17.2 per cent in 1980 to 16.8 per cent in 1981. And that reduction comes while consumers face increases in the cost of food. Figures released from' Statistics Canada indicate that Canadians are spending less of their income on food than ever before. That decline in spending has been noticeable over the past decade, considering that Canadiaps spent 18 per cent of their disposable income on food in 1971. Americans, by comparison, have been spending more on food over the past few years. But there is, a great discrepancy in disposable income and Canadians now pay more in taxes than we spend on food, shelter and clothing combined. That shocking statistic was the result of a recent study showing that the average Canadian family in 1980 spent $10,306 on direct and indirect taxes. In the same year the average family spent $4,329 on shelter and $4,631 on food. The figures shouldn't produce much of a shock con- sidering that in the last decade, federal and provincial income taxes increased by 281 per cent, while government expenditures increased by 260 per cent in the same period. Statistics for the same decade show that before tax profits ftom the 'food industry went up 181 per cent and farm prices rose by 188 per cent in the same period. It's no wonder Canadians are forced to spend a smaller percentage of income on food and necessities when government spending and taxes increase at such an alarming rate. It is also frightening if one were to project the statistics of the past decade over the next decade. There would be little left in the way of disposable in- come. Farm wives are a rare breed The farm woman is truly a rare breed. She juggles every ball thrown her wagon a daily basis..bearing and rearing -the children, resident Torikkeeper of the farm -records, working alongside her husband at the farm chores, cooking good down-home style meals and housekeeping, attending the Women's Institute and other community group meetings, as well as being a supportive wife, companion and true love to her man. Naturally, after years of this kind of giving, her dedication Domes to be taken for granted, not necessarily for lack of sensitivity by her family, but due to that closeness that often hampers due appreciation, except on Mother's Day each year. Well, farm women are finally taking up the flag and marching for some rights. Not only have they been taken for granted by their loved ones, but the government has allowed the system to continue running without ever taking into consideration that it is the hours of hard work done by farm women that keep the cost of Canadian 'food down. The only way farm• wornen liavebeen able To claim a salary from farm income and pay into the Canada Pen- sion Plan has been through a legal partnership withtheir husbands. And statistics show that most farm women are not .partners_in.the farm ownership, so compensation only comes from a "generous hubby, although this probably does not occur often, as the men know better than anyone how much work their wives perform on the farm on a daily basis. " The survey being conducted by the National Farmer's Union at the present time is going to be both controversial and enlightening for government officials. And it Looks as if the farm women are not going to let the flag fall. They are certainly ready for some rights, and. anyone who has seen their capabilities will be rooting on the sidelines. A day at the fair By Kris Svela DEAR READERS SHIRLEY KELLER At first I thought I had•misunderstood. I check- ed my date book Yes, 2 p.m. At Goderich Municipal Airport. Meet Frank Miller. At the in- vitation of his office. But now it was 2:45 p.m. Well, I'll give him un- til 3:30 p.m. Then I'll have to go. Other people besides poiticians have busy schedules. Wait. That looks like an official cavalcade - two big limos in somber grey and black. The Treasurer of Ontario climbed out of one car and headed my way, smiling ear to ear and hand outstretched. "Oh boy," I thought. "What will I say to him? What do I know about his business?" I shouldn't have been worried. Talking to Frank Miller, one to one, was a real treat. He'd just returned from Kincardine where he'd spent some time with Sam McGregor and the boys discussing Agripark and the future of the waste steam from Bruce Nuclear Power Development. Miller obviously believes in Sam's dream, although he admits it may not reach its full potential during his lifetime. Assuming I would want to quiz him about his latest provincial budget, Miller moved headlong into that topic. He talked about his unpopular decision to extend the base products now subject to provincial sales tax. I jibed him gently about the tax on feminine hygiene products. Miller grinned. I suspect that if he had it to do over again, he might not have in- cluded such supplies in his list of taxables. Too much flack for so little revenue. But he did remind me that his critics didn't seem to remember that there was sales tax on those items until 1974. In fact, Miller confided, nearly everything that was added to the taxable list had been taxed at one time. The only exception was the tax on labour, he said. I couldn't argue with him. I'm like everyone else. I couldn't remember. The Treasurer said there was one message, loud and clear, from merchandisers around On- terio.-That was to simplify the "terrible mess" of sales tax legislation. (Even I could tell it was a nightmare.) And according to 1Vliller, many merchandisers are satisfied now there appears to be more sense to the system. . But I didn't want to spend all our time review- ing the whys and wherefors of the budget. I wanted to get down to the truth about Frank Miller, the man. I told him I remember him best for his time as Minister of Health. Did he visibly cringe? "Seven years later I still think I was right," claimed Miller. , I couldn't disagree. lhad supported his stand at that time to close selected hospitals in an ef- fort to provide adequate health care at a reduced rate. "Thirty percent of the provjncial budget is spent on health," Miller noted 'lour -tunes as much as highways." And Miller, the philosopher, substantiated one of my favourite beefs. He suggested there was no limit on the amount of money that could be spent on health care - and even if the health care budget were doubled or tripled, ,there would always be those who would feel it was lacking. Like me, Miller isn't sure we can afford the level of health care we now have. He confessed that while he is enjoying the Treasury appointment more than the Health Ministry, he is proudest of his achievements while he was Minister of Health. It was a period in his political life when he felt he was able to take sortie non-political actions because he was charged tVith the responsibility to bring some control back to health spending. Anil he feels he did that. Frank Miller He admits he didn't get many hospitals closed, but he did make the public and the health care professionals aware of the need to pare expenses to the bone. At least for a while. But again, people have short memories. He talked about the residents of Chesley and area who at that time would have done almost anything to save their hospital. Today those same folks are lobbying for a new hospital. According fo Miller, the capital expenses for ' building new plants is rather incidental to the cost of staffing them and keeping them operating. He estimates it takes $4.5 million per annum on average to operate a 100 -bed, hospital. "And that's taxpayers' money," Miller reminded me, who said some people still believe hospital funding comes from some mythical and never -empty pot of gold located in Queen's Park. "But rational, good business answers don't always sell," Miller,claimed with a sigh. That brought up the subject of the govern- ment's jet. "It's a tangible, visible thingto fight," Miller stated. I wasn't altogether convinced that Frank Muller supported the purchase of this multi- million dollar flying hospitality ,suite cum hospital. e • . But he was dead right when he said, "We often hnveToirlove peopleaToddlimes to odd places.'- ' I glanced at my watch: Time was running out. I had overheard his pilot- saying Miller was due to depart Goderich at 3:15 p.m. "I got here late," Miller told me. "Do you have anymore questions?" What's ahead? Well, Miller mused, he's noticed that people are really angry about the cost of education. He thinks the reason is people actually feel thee, money being extracted from their pockets to pay a portion of the education bill. And boards of education are responding . to this militant pressure with the result that -education dollars these days are being more carefully scrutinized now than in a long, long time. That makes him wonder if changing the system of delivering taxpayers' dollars back to the people of the province would have some benefits. How? • Well, suppose, for instance, that the $4.5 million it took to run a 100 -bed hospital was not given directly to the hospital as is presently the case. Suppose $2.25 million went to the hospital and $2.25 million to the municipality in which the hospital was located. And suppose the hospital was made responsi- ble to the municipality ... and therefore more directly responsible to the people .... for the re- mainder of its funding. Would then the people more readily understand that the cost of the hospital's opera- tion comes directly fr,Qm public funding? Would local pressures change direction? And people's expectations adjust? It's an interesting concept, I offered ... but ... well, are there people at the municipal level who are ready, willing and able to devote the kind of time and energy it would take to administer that kind of a system? Of course; thereweren't any easy answers to that one ... and I really didn't think Miller would have those solutions at hand., And the treasurer cautioned me riot to treat this idea as written policy ... for it isn't anything more than a germ of an idea in his mind, born of the knowledge that people must be able to feel the tax drain before they can really become responsible when it pertains to demanding government services and funding. I was pleasantly reminded that Miller believes that all persons earning more than $30,000 per annum from any and all government sources, should have those facts made public. He wouldn't advocate making a spectacle of such statistics, but he does support making them accessible to those who would take the time to in- quire into it. - Maybe if it was made known that good old Charlie who is a maintenance man at Ontario Hydro made $40,000 last year, 'Charlie's neighbours and friendsin non-government jobs making much less than that for comparable work might just convince good old Charlie that he's darn well paid and should be more than satisfied with his lot in life. Maybe then the six and five program proposed by the federal government would look mighty at- tractive to Charlie who would get a glimpse of the real world.because of the piercing probe of a` disgruntled taxpayer who is also his next door neighbour. It's designed to take some of the heat off politi- cians like Frank Miller, and put it squarely on the shoulders of the ordinary men and women who really ARE the government. It's now 3:26 p.m. ... and Frank Miller is need- - ed in Toronto. I can't believe the time has gone by so quickly . and that_ I'm so relaxed chatting. with one oT the most influential men in Ontario today. With a big smile and a warm handshake, he's off to his next appointment. What a life? How many people do I know who would like to follow him around? Take his In ps? Wear alitshoes? And I couldn't help thinking: I wonder what goes through his mind as he listens to the morn- ing news broadcast as he shaves ... or as he reads the columnists' impressions of him during coffee break - As I drove back to the offier decided I liked Frank Miller, the man. And as a politician, he had earned my respect; Sure hope he's not sorry he agreed to our infor- mal chat about nothing in particular. For me, it was the highlight of an otherwise normal week.