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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-06-04, Page 4• iAWE 4, 1980 Shuossauscurevessisesocissess SINCE 184.8 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERKN & DISTRICT • Snungl9.4in-'A 4111 god:MOO every •W.ednesday of GederlC.h,.Qntario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Advor- R4419 WISP rega4a4. Suburdptlons payable In advance.'111.00 In concede, '35.00 to U.S.A., 15.00 to oil other coup- ' tries, single copies 3v. Display advertising rates avatipble on request. pieoso ask for Rate Cord No. 10 effective Sap,. 1,197% Second Hasa mall Registration Number 0710. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the event Of typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with reasonable allowance far signature, will not bo charged fpr but the balance of tho advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error advertising, goods or services at a wrong price, goods or service may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal -Star Is not responsible for the lose or damage of unsolicited manuscripts• photos or other materials used for reproducing purposes. PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER - President and Publisher SHIRLEY J. KELLER - Editor DONALD M. HUBICK - Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES - Assistant Editor Second doss mail registration number -0716 P.O. BOX 220, HUCKINS ST, �= INDUSTRIAL PARK G®DERICH N7A 4B6 11 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL, OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Good work Shriners There's no disputing the fact the Shriners put on one of the finest parades -Saturday, that anyone has witnessed in a long time here. At least not since the mamoth Jubilee 3 parade of three years ago, - Thousands of people lined the one mile parade route and The Square was alive early on a Saturday morning. Shriner parades maintain a high standard and that standard was evident in the hour-long show. The- clowns, bands, colourful uniforms and the assortment of patented Shriner mini -vehicles and H motorcycles held the young and old alike, captive for the entire show. The Bluewater Shrine Club deserves a few plaudits for their untiring efforts in organizing the Spring Ceremonial and the efficacious manner in which they reeledoffthe weekend events. The communities of Clinton and Goderich hosted over 2,000 Shriners and their wives from as far away as Toledo, Ohio in the South and Saulte Ste. Marie in the north. Hotels and motels, in the regipn were booked. solid and Saturday Goderich was dotted with the distinguishable fez of the Shriners. The Shriners put on a good show for the com- munities, at their own expense, but their good deeds are directed towards the 18 Shriner's Hospitals they support in Canada and the United States. Helping kids enjoy a better life. But those deeds are camouflaged by the parade and exterior of the club that the public sees. This past weekend, the Shriners deposited a great deal of money in the area and although that may be secondary it is definitely worthy of note. And with that in mind, perhaps Goderich can take a lesson from the neighbouring community of Clinton, That town was 'decorated with banners and posters and even storefronts offered a warm welcome to all Shriners and their wives. There was little, if any, of that kind of spirit generated in Goderich. It was but a small gesture and yet, many Shriners will likely. remember Clinton for it. D.S. Why Lizzie Tomlinson Why Lizzie Tomlinson? The pert and bubbly six-year old Toronto girl held no fear in her enthusiasm for life and her trusting ways led to a tortured grave in the overgrown weeds beside a railway track. Lured by the promise of an ice cream treat she met with sexual molestation and strangulation. •She met with a world frotn,which society protects itself through ignorance. Yet, there is a sad and valuable lesson in the twisted fate of thisyoung girl. It could have happened to any carefree youngster whose knowledge of life doesn't often go beyond the perimetres of the playground, sandbox or backyard. • Despite warnings and protests from parents, children are often more curious of others than suspicious. Theirs is a trusting world decidedly free • of racial intolerance, violence and the seemy side of life. Anyparent should not pass off the incident as a Just for kids by Dave Sykes demented, seedy and disgusting production of life • in a jaundiced city. Lizzie could have been any child anywhere. It is a shame that 'children can't trust—the 'grownups they look to for guidance, like they can with their own kind. Maybe we have failed them in, that respect. Our nation views the incident with contempt and demands proper compensation for this blatant and flagrant injustice through steamy eyes. And yet we fight to have straps banned from schools. Discipline has no place there and children must be free to express themselves and maintain their individuality and rights.. Police tactics are sometimes labelle as high- handed, authoritarian brutality and yet, when another one is shot we screamfor justice. But, there is no death penalty. Lizzie was just another innocent victim of an accomodating society. But what a price to pay. The joke is on Hellyer Where is Paul Hellyer now that the joke's on him? Remember back in the early 60s? The hottest item in this country was not the price of a gallon of gas, or freedom for Quebec, or Alberta or whatever province -state. The cause for great wailing and gnashing of teeth back then was something called the unification of the forces. Defence Minister Paul Hellyer in the Pearson government thought it would he a great idea to scrap the army's khaki, the airforce and -navy -blues -- and dress all military personnel in garbage bag green. , He went further than that. He felt: It would be great to let soldiers have a go at sea, give the navy a taste of the air and ground the airforce from time to time. Everybody but everybody told Hellyer it wouldn't work: that the various segments of the military had their distinctive pride and that the result would be demoralization- But Hellyer got his way. Garbage bag green was in. Now gues what? After nearly 20 years of unification, a study of our armed forces reveals - you guessed it - unification hasn't worked. It tu'rns out - surprise, surprise - that army people still like the looks of khaki and tokeep their ._feet -on terra firma, the airforce types like gray -blue and the clouds and the navy really digs that dark blue and the ocean. And the government? The government still hasn't gotten the message. As far as Ottawa is concerned, garbage bag green is still in. - The Listowel Banner I Thanks Dear Editor, Our class would like to thank you and your staff for the excellent news coverage which you have given ,our .school thloughout the year. Your reporters and photographers deserve for their fine ef: forts. We attempted to list all of the activities •which were covered, but ran out of.space! Gratefully yours, Students cif room 108, Robertson Memorial. • Public School. Concerned SEAR EDITOR I cast a shadow over every field of labour, t I am relentless, in- sidious, unpredictable and inconsiderate. I am .everywhere - in the home, on the street, in the factory, in the office, on the sea, and in the air. I bring ••' -sickness, poverty and death. 1 give..noth.i.ng and take all. Lam your worst enemy. I AM ALCOHOL!" A very citizen Wawanosh, concerned of East Lloyd Barth Picnic Dear Editor, In another 'Letter to the Editor', Ann Landers was asked her opinion on a very crucial matter lately. Her answer is surely very appropriate considering the vote- in East Wawanosh on June This is what she had to. say: - "I am more powerful than the combined ar-• mies of the world. I have destroyed more men tha:n all the wars of the nations combined. I have caused millions of accidents and wrecked more homes than all the floods, tornadoes, and. hurricanes and ear- thquakes put together. I am the world's slickest thief. 'I steal billions of dollars every year from the un- suspecting pockets of those who use me. I find my victims among the rich and poor alike, the young and old, the strong and weak. • Dear Editor: May - I use your. riew'spaper to contact a ;dumber of old friends who may be in your area? In conjunction with the City of London's 125th Anniversary, there will be a Mary Hastings' Reunion Picnic -at the Springbank Park on Saturday, July 19. Bring your lunch and your voices for a sing- song! If you play an' in- strument, bring it too, and be part of the en- tertainment. -- So, fill a car, or take a bus and meet your old friends, (including me: Limey Liz). Contact Mrs. J. O. Blake, 1413 Wonderland Road, London N6K 1L5 so we will know how many old friends to expect. Sincerely, Grace Hussey Bouq-uet Dear Editor: Hurrah for CBC Access *ho have produced an excellent documentary on the advantages of breastfeeding to baby, mother, and family. Shown on Channel 8 at 2:30 p.m. on- Monday, May12.6, -this program documented the work of the La ',eche League in encouraging and helping those women who choose to feed their children the natural way. The program.- dispelled :n many. mythsthat have -discouraged women from breastfeeding, suggesting the few dif- ficulties that may be overcome and physical emotional support from other nursing mothers. The women of the La Leche League Belgrave appreciate this excellent presentation and hope that anyone who wishes help in breastfeeding or in deciding how to feed their infant will contact our group. Sincerely Leader, Barbara Kerr - Mothers of LLL Belgrave Valerie Bolton _ Joyce Casemore Terri Korstanje Wendy Myra Stuart Leslie Martin Jeanette Harris Congrats Dear Editor: Now that the election is over and faded from most Memories, I'd like to congratulate you and our other weekly newspapers for .the excellent coverage _of_ the local campaign. As a par- ticipant I was impressed with the quantity and quality of reporting on all three candidates and local events during the election. While we often take them for granted, the election reporting illustrates how our local papers provide less sensational, more detailed information of 'local interest than we can expect from larger urban papers. I feel we are fortunate to have this service. L would also like to "spar-ti-_wi-the---you- sem-e•--of my• perceptions as a result of the election campaign. During the campaign the economy, inflation and government spending -.were issues. I believe these are problems which we must face as a nation and which will plague the whole world in the 1980s. The problem is that, while governments can print money, they cannot make oil. Government deficits are a symptom other deficits which we are incurring. Money, after all, is simply a medium of exchange. It is food, oil, copper, labour, timber and other real materials and services that have value. While my illustration will be in the area of energy, it can apply to any non- renewable resource and the over- consumption of renewable ones (such as food, fisheries • and forestry). Oil, coal, gas and uranium are a fixed savings account that does not earn interest. When we withdraw from this account we must invest this value wisely. The more we use the less we have. Our "econom.Le have recently felt the impact of this classic example of "supply and demand". ,Today our society is heavily dependent on this energy savings account. Someday -it will be empty S r If that . day finds us bankrupt, itwill be our own failure. As we see - this account being drained, now is the time to develop alternatives which will allow us to live on ."energy income". On the global scale, this is the vast account which the sun replenishes each —year ..L`oc-a1Ty it can ••if•_ ---- volve sun, wind, water, wood, crops, wastes and conservation. To live on our "energy income" will involve some changes in our assumptions about economic "goals". In a world of limited resources and fixed energy income, ever- increasing consumption (growth) is dangerous, not beneficial. A "dynamic equilibrium" and recycling of resources will need to 'replace growth •' and consumption as our • goals. This also raises a sticky social , question because as governments, individuals and nations 'learn to "live within their means",' there will not automatically -be more material goods for everyone. The questions of who gets what? - how should our limited resource's get distributed? become more pressing. If as individuals, as provinces and nations we try to get and hold the most for ourselves, we may well end up with nothing. Equity, justice in short, a fair distribution of eso-urces mus_+ be— OW-- long-term •u—long-term goals. Greed and selfishness are dangerous principles by which to guide our lives and countries. This brings me to a Turn to page 5 • DEAR READERS BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER Bob Dempsey is one of those fearless sorts of fellows who recognizes his duty ... and sets out to do it. As a member of the board of directors at Alexandra .,Marine and Qteneral Hospital, Bob Dempsey says what he thinks and lets the chips fall where they will, Take for example the last meeting of the hoard. Bob tackled a very dicey matter .... the one about a policy which disallows board members who are over 70 years of age. As far as Bob Dempsey is concerned, there are lots of men ,and women who are 70 years of age and older who have a great deal of ability for the work that hospital board members have to do, and far more spare time in which to do it. That makes good sense. All too often society shelves useful citizens because of their age or their sex or their langt age or something. Of course there are problems. All things are not always equal. There are people who at 70 years of age simply are not able to function properly in a business sense a•-•, but then, as Dr. Michael Conlon points out, some people much younger than 70 aren't exactly able to set the world on fire either. And there's no way to restrict that sort of - thing on any .public board or com- mittee. Generally, board members are Rerfectly capable of knowing their own . limitations. In by far the majority of cases, persons who. were delaying or detracting from board business, would remove themselves from the scene. For others, a gentle suggestion that they might find it less wearing to resign from the board, and to allow someone else to carry their load, would be enough encouragement. In a very few cases, perhaps, board members would be required to suffer through the dotage of someone who was past his or her prime. Bob Dempsey calls that "biting the bullet". It's an apt definition. Perhap•st when the constitution committee looks at this portion of the r bylaws, itt might consider that a tremendous resource of experience, knowledge and leisure time rests among the over 65 group. And while a good deal of expertise is present among the current board members, it is plain to see by the attendance records that sufficient free hours to attend to all board business is lacking. Perhaps a full board at every meeting is not important ... or even an attainable goal. But surely directors with the community hospital's good at heart should expend a greater effort toward that objective than seems the case. • And while Bob Dempsey is grabbing tigers by the tail, he might also like to tackle the board's attendance record. Granted, hospital board directors are not paid. Their's is a voluntary service. But one wonders sometimes if it is considered a kind of social ap- pointment by some board members. It has a nice ring to it doesn't it? A member of the board of directors at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital. It looks good on a list of. personal achievements doesn't it? At the last few meetings -though, it has become increasingly apparent that there are some mighty weight decisions to be made around the board- room table at AM&G. Right now, a million dollar building contract is out . far tenders, in- the works is a possible new. addition for acritical care area. , Down the road, who knows what. ex,- citing things could be on the drawing board for AM&G. The past should be witness to the fact that without proper scrutiny, hospital board business can get out of whack. Serious consequences can result from inattention to details. It is questionable if regularly absent board members can fully comprehend the broad scope of hospital affairs from. meeting minutes and printed reports. Surely the best hospital board member is the one who contributes time and energy at board meetings from month to month, Now that it is time to elect new directors, it is the ideal opportunity to remind present and future hospital board members 6f' their obligations. And while there may be no pressure on board members to be regular par- ticipants at monthly board meetings, it does seem right arid proper tb note that the best board is a full board. -4' It's the Bob bempseys of Goderich and area who after all, set the tone at AM&G Hospital which serves you and me.