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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-03-15, Page 4PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979 *CNA Goderic.` EIONAL; STAR The County Town,Newspaper of Huron Founded In 1060 and published everyrThur,day at Goderich, Ontario. Member of the CWHA and OWNA. Advertising rates on request. Subscriptions payable In advance '10.30 In Canada, '33.00 to U.S.A., '33.00 to all othor countries, single copies 35'. Display advertising rates available on request. Please ask for Rate Card No. 15effective Oct. 1, 1770. Second class mall Registration Number 0716- Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the event of typographical error, the advertising space etcuplod by the erroneous Item. together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not bo charged for but the balances of the 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 bo sold. Advertising It merely on offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal -Star 1s not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. Business and Editorial Office TELEPHONE 524-8331 area code 519 Published by Signal -Star Publishing Ltd. ROBERT G. SHRIER — president and publisher SHIRLEY J. KELLER — editor DONALD M. HUBICK = advertising manager Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 220, Industrial Park, Goderich Second class mail registration number — 0716 We need a plan "We've got to have a great deal of foresight when making financial decisions and we have , to concentrate on communications and work as a unit." Former chairman of the Huron County Board of Education Herb Turkheim when he turned the gavel over to John Elliott in January of 1978. "We have to work hard to communicate with each other, with parents, with teachers and with the community as a whole. I hope to visit as many schools as possible and attend all the public functions I can to explain board decisions." John Elliott when he assumed chairmanship of the board from Turkheim. Both trustees meant well when they spoke. Both were referring to problems the board of education would face in 1.978. Both were war- ning trustees that reduced provincial spending in education combined with declining ' enrolment would make it very tough for the board to balance the books in the coming years, Both were right but it appears there foresight - was an exercise in futility. Last week the board of education calmly passed a motion to reduce its teaching staff by 11. There seemed • tobe no concern amongst trustees that the reduction of teachers was caused by declining enrolment. Trustees seemed to be content with the thought that the board would save money from those teachers' wages and gave little thought to the fact that declining enrolment also meant less money from the province. Without that money from the ministry of education the Huron board will have no recourse except to go to taxpayers in the county to balance the budget. That fact will hit home in March when the board sets out to strike its budget. That's probably when trustees will become frustrated and in a moment of enlightenment tell fellow board members that if the board is going to weather its financial storm trustees will have to work together, develop a `plan and com- municate with one another, teachers, parents and the community to ensure that children in Huron County have an opportunity to achieve the best education possible. Let's hope more trustees are paying attention this time around. It won't be too long before "we've got to have a plan" will change to "we should have had a plan". JGS Buck stops at referee. The Ontario Government feels it necessary to once again involve itself in minor hockey in the province. That involvement will likely take the form of a committee of the Legislature that will conduct an investigation into allegations of violence in the hockey system. The Legislature was previously involved in the operations of minor hockey when it commissioned a study by William McMurtry on hockey violence. The., latest study was given- impetus_ by NDP member,. Elie Martel. Officials are\ concerned with the increased fighting and stick swinging .and claim that the violence in hockey has reached such a level that it requires urgent attention. Youngsters have given up the game because of the rough play and the beat 'em in the alley tactics that eclipse the fundamental philosophy behind the gatrie, Violence in the minor hockey system is disturbing in itself. But it is more disturbing that the Gover- nment feels it has to blow the whistle and step in. Hockey associations and leagues should be able to police themselve's without attracting the at- tention and intervention of the courts and''gover- nment. The root behind the problem can lie in many different sources parents, children, coaches - but the buck eventually stops with referees who control the game. And the key word is control, from the start of the game. In this area, the hockey is relatively free of blatant violent acts or aggression and it speaks highly of the system and those involved down to the players. But where has our game gone when the gover- nment must step in andl.egislate against violence? Kids playing in the streets or on frozen ponds seem to enjoy themselves with relatively few hassles. Except when it's a vital question of whether the puck went over the snow goal post or just inside it. - DS Are you listening? This year again, as is custom in Ontario, the Lieutenant Governor of the province, the Hon. Pauline M.McGibbon, presented her address on the opening of the third session of the 31st parliament of the province. One of the remarks made by Mrs. McGibbon was striking to hear and to read ... and it Is hoped the people of the province take heed. The Lieutenant Governor was talking about implementing a comprehensive business and in- dustrial training program, involving secondary schools, colleges, organized labor and the business community. She said it will mean a "realignment of seconday school technical programs with post- secondary programs" as well as "innovative trades study courses and an expansion of apprenticed trades as well as the new employer -sponsored -on- the-job training initiatives". And •then Mrs. McGibbon made this important statement: "At the same time, efforts will be made to develop a more positive attitude among young people, and their parents, toward careers in the skilled trades." There is little doubt that in years past, there was a marked change in the attitude of students toward the trades. Many bright young people were left the impression that unless they enrolled in university following high school, there was not much future for them. Indeed, that idea may have been planted by parents who wanted their offspring to go to university or by teachers who thought it was their purpose to guide intelligent youngsters into the university scene. Community colleges did eventually provide some young people with a sensible alternative to university, but even so there was a certain stigma attached to anything but university after secondary school. Universities were for a time crowded to overflowing with hundreds of students who in retrospect,should not have been there. Now of course, the province is experiencing a shortage of workers in some of the more necessary trades. There are scores of young adults carrying meaningless university degrees but without the qualifications to land them a job in the fields where specialized training is a must. The province is importing trades people from other countries while Ontario youth goes without jobs. It is good to see that the Ontario government will now again begin to encourage people to consider the skilled trades when they are choosing a career. It makes good sense. Are you listening Ontario?-SJK Ice jam 11111111111.1111111111111111, Congratulation Dear Editor. Hearty congratulations upon the multiple awards won by the Signal -Star at OWNA this year. As tangible evidence of my agreement with the judges' assessment, I am discontinuing - my sub- scription to the Free Press, confident that all important news of Goderich and district will be found in the -Signal- Star. Glad you were able to cover Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen. Bishop Garnsworthy's sermon on Sunday would have been worth reporting also if only because a Bishop of Toronto is not in St. George's pulpit any more By Dave Sykes i DEAR EDITDR than about once in a lifetime, but also because Bishop Garnsworthy has been giving interviews on a highly controversial subject and probably got around to it in his ser- mon. (I was not present). W. E. Elliott Appalled Dear Editor, Enclosed find two attempts for your contest by my six and eight year olds. Also you will find my attempt to color your illustration. My daughters colored tracings I did of your illustration. Last week my eight year old tried the newspaper illustration and made a hell of a mess. When I examined the drawing closely I became disgusted at your choice of picture. When I at- tempted to color it I became- very, very angry: I am almost 30 and am an amateur artist. Your picture is a ridiculous choice for young children to color. It is obviously a comic book illustration. Half the drawing is areas for shading. If you are going to ask pre - thirteen year olds to color in a contest you should choose a coloring book picture or have a staff artist draw Superman so that his arms, legs, head, body, features and clothes are well -defined. I am absolutely ap- palled at the paper. One• would expect a little.more consid'etation on the part of the paper when dealing with children. Yours truly, Ruth Juergens Editor's Note: The response to the Superman coloring contest was indeed "super". Judges made the final decision from 97 entries, sent from children • between the ages of four and 13. Most were exceptionally well done. Signal -Star thanks the children who -took the .time to enter this contest. The names of the winners appear on Captain Comet's page this week. Workshop - Dear Editor: As you may know. the Huron County Council is sponsoring a one -day workshop to discuss the future industrial growth of your county. Our Ministry of Industry and Tourism will conduct the workshop and act as a catylist for discussion by introducing some expert speakers on the subject. The conclusions reached at the end of the day will be a summary of the opinions expressed by the fence. We will try to o' cliestrate these thoughts and desires into meaningful practical suggestions for action. This is' an important workshop in that it could alter the"future.of Huron County. Should only a few citizens care enough to participate, your elected Turn to page 5 75 YEARS AGO The Goderich Planing Mill Company expects its new machinery to reach Goderich within two weeks and manager, Jas. Buchanan Jr. expects to commence moving into the brick factory on Nelson and Cambria streets within a month. Mr. M.W. Howell has bought out the interest of Mr. R.W. McKenzie in the well-known hardware business and will conduct it at the old stand for the future. The surveying party in connection with the railroad that is to connect Goderich with the C.P.R. line at Guelph were busily engaged the past few days surveying ill Colborne between Goderich and the eastern division of the township. On Wednesday evening the Saltford brewery and the '"Colborne House hockey sevens played the LOOKING deciding game on • the West Street rink, the result being a win for th Colborne team by 2 to 1. Once more the railways had to wrestle with snow storms, a mild blizzard of several hours on Monday filling up the narrow cuts again. The snow blockade caused coal to be scarce in Goderich. 25 YEARS AGO Goderich will be the site of the new County Court House and con- struction will start this year, probably sometime in September, County. Council decided . at a ,. special session here yesterday. Council decided also to move the Huron County Health Unit from', Clinton to quarters in the old collegiate building where county offices have been located since -fire destroyed the old Court House three weeks ago. A committee to in- vestigate the possibility of renovating the war memorial in Court House Park to include the names 'of servicemen from, the district who lost their lives in World War II has been formed by Legion Branch 109. Possibility that Goderich's tax rate may remain at 57 mills --the same rate as 1953 and 1952 --was expressed this week by town clerk S.H. Blake. , Goderich Public School Board, in estimates to be submitted to town council tomorrow night, is asking a town levy of $75,963 to cover estimated ex= penditures for 1954. Final tribute was .paid Wednesday afternoon to Hugh Carfrae Dunlop, 73, who for nearly half a century conducted a drug store business on the Square. Court House Park presents a strangely BACK different appearance these days with the walls of the burned out Court House now razed to ground level. Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich will receive $17,400 in a special Provincial grant for retirement of capital debt and rehabilitation of facilities and equipment. The hospital has 58 beds. The old bridge over the Maitland River at Auburn which has seen over 40 years of service is slated to end its active days sometime this year. 5 YEARS AGO „ With departure only a few days away, the G.D.C.I. student drama group headed by teacher Warren Robinson, still needs financial support. The group has been in- vited to perform in Britain. Goderich has witnessed 'a dramatic rise in the number and value of building permits in February compared to the same month last year. Thirteen permits totalling $244,500 were issued in February this year as compared to six worth $55,000 in the same month last year. George Gould of Goderich is heading for Regina this weekend to compete in the Canadian Open Wrestling Cham- pionships. He will be wrestling in the 125 pound division. against the best in the country. This' year, o the Signal - Star Young Canada Week Daily News welcomes three new faces. They are Gary Loewen, Jim MacDonald and Dave. Sykes who will be covering the 25th an- niversary tournament" for the Daily News. DEAR REA:ER BY SHIRLEY J.KELLER I made a trip into London last week to see the Ice' Capades. I hadn't seen the show for a few years and decided that I would treat myself and my mother-in- law to a night out. Not a big thing but nice. 'Figure skating is one of my favorite spectator sports. I've never been much a "gayblade" myself. My ankles were always too weak for ice skating. Either they or my second-hand skates were unsatisfactory for the job. But I always have been a bit envious of the fellows- and the girls who float around the ice at a terrific speed, leaping and spinning in time to the music, smiling and at ease in the bargain. It all looks so glamorous. The last time I'went to Ice Capades, I was in the front row seats ... and I remember that some of the shine went off the performance because I could see the flaws in the costuming. You know. The split seams, the heavy knee bandages under the stockings, the gobs of makeup. So I was thankful that this year I was seated further away from the ice. And my oh my. It was pretty. Such color and sparkle. The lighting! The music! The scenery! But still I was disappointed. The Ice Capades just didn't hold the excitement for me that it should have. It was ho- hum to tell the truth. There were several reasons I suspect, but the biggest reason is that I'm spoiled by television and the championship skating contests. Roh Shaver and Lynn Nightingale were the Canadian stars in Ice Capades this trip and what a letdown that was. Ron Shaver, one of Canada's most exciting male skaters since Toiler Cranston improvised himself into the hearts of figure skating enthusiasts around the world, gave a smooth but lack -lustre performance. Once or twice in his two numbers I thought I saw what I had expected ... a touch of genus. But for -the most part, Shaver was, skating without- the kind of agg1'essivenesis and sharpness that made him a champion. And I was disappointed. But Shaver was a standout compared to Lynn Nightingale. The girl was dressed to the teeth in, gorgeous clothes, she smiled like an angel and she played to the audience like a pro. But she skated like a novice and she left me thinking,"So what." I've been trying to assess what may have caused this definite low calibre performance on the part of Shaver and Nightingale. I have decided it is a result of turning pro ... doing the same thing over and over without any real incentive except a pay cheque. t don't want to be unfair and unduly harsh in my comments, but I sensed neither Nightingale or Shaver Were in form. At times, When the tempo picked up and the audience began to clap in time, the two Canadlfans seemed to pick up a little more momentum. For a brief moment or two, they appeared to be caught up by the old feeling and they gave a glimmer of tlieir former championship styles. But it was soon lost and forgotten. It was soon back to a good' performance, a careful leap, a half-hearted spin, much skate stroking and arm acting. To be honest, there was still a tremendous pride in seeing the two of them on ice, in person. After all, they are Canadian champions. World championship stuff. Tops in their field. I fought off a little catch in my throat as Shaver and, Nightingale shook hands with the folks in those front row seats ,,, and •. I found myself wishing I could change places with those fans. But that didn't change the fact that I was disappointed. Ice Capades was fun and relaxing, it was coldrful and musical, but it -really wouldn't attract me again for a long, long time. As for Shaver and Nightingale, I prefer to remember them from a couple of years ago when they set the country nil its ear with heart -stopping new and complicated skating programs that brought skating buffs from all over the world to their feet and invited showers of flowers to the ice.