Loading...
The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-05-29, Page 41?AGE 4 - pDERI SIGN TAR, DAVE SYKES Y, MAY 29,195 averriisTam a:J You'll have to excuse me if thin piece wreaks of political naivete, Was it not just a few short weeks ago that our televisions and newspapers were inun- dated with faces of smiling politicians ex- tolling the virtuous, and incredibly revealing platforms of their respective parties prior to the May 2 election. And after spending millions of public dollars to initiate the rights of democracy, was not a political party elected to office? Despite my limited understanding and grasp of the democratic process, I have it on goad authority that these kinds of contests generally produce aivinn . In° ore ways than one. However, after a rather non-descript 37 - day election campaign, followed by an elec- tion, it is still difficult to determine if the great Ontari-ari-ario has a government of any kind. We are leaderless, shall we say. Along with thousands of other Ontarians, I cast a ballot Mpy 2 in the provincial elec- tion. Later, a Yneticulous calculation of those ballots suggested the Conservatives held a majority in the Legislature. So one could assume that the voters of On - tarso made a decbdon. Theyweren't that decisive, but one party did hod a majority. Now, however, the evidence would sug- gest that we went to a lot of troublee for nothing. The three parties are holding elaborate meetings amongst themselves to determine who will govern. And it seemsrather incongruous that the democratic system would allow the party that ran third, to be calling some rather portant shots. In sporting circles, and others I would suggest, finishing third doesn't even rank with kissing one's sister. In politics, finishing third has its obvious advantages at times. Just ask Bob Rae. After playing the middle man between Frank Miller and David Peterson, Rae was expected to sip an agreement with the Liberals Tuesday, a pact between the par- ties to bring down the government of Frank Miller. Both Rae and Peterson are expected to defeat the Miller government on a non- confidence motion June 18. At that point, the Lieutenant -Governor would then ask the Liberals, who enjoyed a greater percentage of the popular vote in the election, to form a government. The Peterson government would be hi a position to propose and enact legislation with the aid and support of the New, Democrats. It's a coalition or government by co-operation scenario. The ultimate problem is that this historical agreement'which in effect ends 42 years of Tory rule n Ontario, is basically a gentleman's agreement between Peterson and Rae. It is not binding in any sense and is bound solely on the integrity of the authors. If either party defaults on the terms of the agreement it would result in another elec- tion and Miller claims that that is exactly what Peterson has in mind. In another elec- tion, political pundits predict, the New Democrats would fail miserably. When the coalition defeats the Tories on a non -confidence motion, it is likely Aird will be asked to call another election. The Lieutenant -Governor will likely ask Peter- son to form the government rather than call an election. Ontario politics has never been this good. Or confusing. THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT IUCE1SOS Founded In 1848 and pubilshsd every Wednesday at Ooderich, Ontario. Member of the CCM and OCNA. 8ubscrlptibnspayabls In advance '80.95, [Mentor Minns '17.05 privilege card number required) In Canada, '66. to U.S.A., '66. to all other countries, Single copies 60¢. Display, Netlonol and Classified advertising rates evellable on request. Please ask for taste Card No. 16 effective October 1, 1584. Advertising li accepted on the condition that hi the went of e typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erronsout Item, together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for Et the applicable rite. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services et a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely en offer to sell, anti may be withdrawn at any time. The 81gnel-Star is not responsible for the lose or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materiels used for reproducing purposes. PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER - President and Publisher DON HUBICK - Advertising Manager DAVE SYKES - Editor the l" P` P.O. Box leo HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH, ONT. N7A 4BSP./ 8 ` Member: Second class mail registration number 0716 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone [5181684-EEI4 Wilson's tough budget Finance Minister Michael Wilson left Canadians with a tough but clear message in his first budget last Thursday and that is that Canadians will have to start paying for goods and servicek. - Ultimately, Wilson is asking that middle and high-income Canadians do theirshare to reduce the budget marginally over the next year by making sacrifices. Others have argued that the budget unfairly asks low income Canadians to carry part of the deficit burden. The traditional revenue-producing taxes on beer and liquor, cigarettes and gasoline in- creased substantially again as Wilson attempts to recoup concessions to small businesses. The budget is a mixture of increased tax and spending measures that are designed to help the ecbnomy. The measures are tough on lower income families while upper-income Canadians with capital gains will be saving money in years to come. Wilson said the budget would be tough.and he was right. But it may be slightly unfair to the wrong people at the wrong time. D.S. Follow opportunity policy Close to two weeks after approving an equal opportunity policy, the Huron -Perth Roman Catholic School Board is reneging on that policy. After agreeing toprovide equality of opportunity in its hiring and promotion practices at a May 13 meeting, the board appears to be disallowing women as candidates for the position of principal of its newly -approved Catholic high school after its May 21 meeting. During.a discussion concerninga potential principal, trustees used or implied the word "man". They also made it clear they would welcome a Basilian priest for the position. Any potential 'female candidate was left out in the cold despite the fact there are orders of nuns who are in the education field and have very capably run schools. It is interesting to note that of its 19 principals, the Catholic school board has only two female principals. This coming school year, there will be only one. Let's face it, discrimination is a state of mind. Are the trustees automatically slipping into the old habit of assuming that all administrative positions -director, superintendent or principal -should be filled by men? If so, IS public officials; he trustees twee a , espor,,ibilu_ty to- re educes th:-'r^ lves. They must learn that sex, religion, color or nationality do not affect a person's ability to do a lob. We hope- the-tn stees_d d_n.ot just _pay.lip service to equal opportunity by passing the policy. The board should read over its two-week old policy instead of ruling out women applicants before applications are even accepted for the job. Catchin' some rays By Patrick Raftis POSTSCRIPT SUSAN HUNDERTMARK The recent question of whether women should be allowed combat roles in Canada's armed forces puts me into a bit of a quandary. While I'm a strong advocate for peace and would never engage in any combat willingly, I find myself defending the right of women to participate in combat if they want to. A Canadian Forces' policy paper recently leaked to the press citing body build and possible romance as reasons to keep women out of combat is ludicrous. In this age of advanced technology, it appears there'll be little need for hand-to- hand combat so the lesser upper body strength and endurance of the average woman will be of little consequence. Experts predict that any attempt at conventional warfare will last less than a week before one side decides to use its nuclear arsenal. And, whether the finger that pushes the button has fingernail polish on it or not, the results will be the same. The argument that possible romance will erode discipline is overworked. The same argument was used while women were entering the_ workforce'but wonder upon wonder, it vv wonder, women tees d` work alongside men and actually get - something accomplished besides making eyes at each other. While office romances do occur just as friendships between members of the same gender do, they are not the direct result of men and women working together. Another argument that the public would be disgusted about women being exposed to "an unprecedented. scale of violent death, mutiliating injury and capture as prisoners of war" is equally absurb. Why should the public feel more revulsion when women participate in combat than when men participate. War shows humanity at its worst; it's revolting that any human being regardless of gender be exposed to it. In an insightful column by Gary Lautens of the Toronto Star, the point is clearly made that no one is suitable for combat whether they are men or women. No one is suitable for "shooting at, blowing up, turning into atomic cinder, clubbing, spearing, spraying with poison gas, impaling, stabbing, throwing hand grenades at," frying with napalm, wounding, hurting or killing." He sums up by saying, "When departments of national defence all over the world realize both men and women are 'unsuitable' for combats we'll all be better off." And, he's right. Obviously, instead of arguing about which gender is more suitable —Fos^ being killed and killing fellow 1lurnair beings, both men and women would be more productive, putting their efforts into working for peace. Women, I`1 particular, have ti edit on�rlip prided themselves in their advocacy of peace. Examples can be found as far back as Ancient Greece when the women of Athens put an end to 25 years of war by refusing sex until the war ended. And, while they use other methods, many women are actively involved in the peace movement today. As those who give birth to new life, women urge society to place greater value on human life and end of possibility of nuclear holocaust. Therefore, women find themselves in an awkward position defending their suitability for combat. There is no question, however, that women employed by the Canaaian Forces should not be barred from any job opportunities solely because they're women. Of the 6,900 women in the forces, there are women trained as pilots, air navigators, flight engineers, loadmasters and other trades personnel. Those who've succeeded at their skills during peacetime want to be involved in the event of a war. As one female navigator of a Hercules transport aircraft says, "I'd be angry as hell r if she- was- taken orf operations during- a - warl. I've worked hard. I'm qualified. I want to be part of the squadron in peace, or war." lies comments- pretty well sum-up--tho- situation for me. Whether it be combat or any other role in life, women should be equal participants if they so choose. They .-shouldn't---be judged -for suitability -for any- -- task by their gender but instead by their capability dnd willingnesrto contribute. For several weeks each spring hordes of urban residents of all ages succumb to an ir- resistible urge to dig, plant, seed, prune, divide, feed - to perform all the rituals out of which gardens grow. To touch the rich damp earth satisfies. some intimate old need. There is an accord with growing, an easy joy shared with busy birds with bright songs who rush on their own errands, landing neat us now and then to take a look at what is available. When we feel a twinge of backache, it is easily forgotten in the soothing surge of anticipation of beauty, and plenty. This is a good time to toss some small spr- ing bouquets and to have an encouraging look at a couple of projects promising enjoy- ment for many people, young and old. .One of such enterprises is the "blooming contest" initiated by the Goderich Garden Club and sponsored by the town's Parka Department. The project was announced in the ArborDay notices. At the tail end of the spring plant season, let us not overlook to include it in our gardening plans. In the hope that this undertaking will become an annual event, with continued municipal sponsorship, the project is called the "Mayor's Blooming Contest". The pre- sent mayor, Eileen Palmer, and parks chairman, deputy reeve John Doherty, are very supportive of the idea and help with turning it into reality, for the benefit of the community. The thought behind the blooming contest is to acknowledge the important contribu- tion of private gardens and industrial land- scaping to the total picture of our town and to encourage wider and continued participa- tion in our claim of being the prettiest town. The contest is intended to be a friendly af- fair in which all participants will be acknowledged with a suitable gift, privately donated for the purpose, while the top win- ners receive prizes in the different categories which include not only gardens, but also window boxes (apartment dwellers, how about it?) and patios, a child's flowerb- ed, and commercial -industrial landscaping. Special effect garden settings may be added on request. Whether you have an elaborate- ly designed garden or a modest plot, effort is rewarded. • There are contest details elsewhere in the paper. It is to be hoped that you find something suitable for your "green thumb". This invitation is inspired by the sight of the parks workers busily planting flowers that promise a new wealth of summer beauty in our public places. This is a lovely town. While we are on the subject of life's en- joyable sides and growing events, another small bouquet should be quickly tossed to Chief King for doing so much, in order to br- ing us bigger and better Canada Day fireworks. I love fireworks; most people do, as we know from the crowds covering the hillsides during the past celebrations. Canada Day festivities ought to be for the people, aryl parades and fireworks are easily the moat popular "people events". That is where the emphasis should be, with much less of it on some selected and separate gatherings f:,r the officials who, call themselves dignitaries. (A horrid thought has just struck me. When I was on the town council, was I a "dignitary"? What a depressing idea. ) Many' people will find it even more fun to watch the fireworks this year. Are we going to detect a difference that our donations have made? When a new and particularly eyecatching design bursts beautifully against the darkening sky, it would be rather satisfying to think privately that perhaps it was our contribution that had bought it for everyone to enjoy. ELSA HAYDON 4111411111/110