The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-04-19, Page 41
11
PAGE 4—GODERIG,H•SIGNAL-STAR, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1979
e
Go4eric`hh
SIGNAL -STAR
The County Town Newspaper of Huron
Founded In 1040 and published every Thursday at Goderich. Ontario. Member of the CWNA
and OWNA. Advertising rotes on request. Subscriptions payable In advance 94.30 In
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class mall Rogistrotlon Number 0716. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the
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together with reasonable allowance for signature. will not be charged for but tho balance
of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event pf o
typographical error advertising goods or services at o wrong price, goods or service may
not bo sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell. and may be withdrawn at any time. The
Slgnol.Stor Is not responsible for the Toss or damage ofunsolicitedmanuscripts' 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
Apathy or ignorance?
When all the hoopla surrounding the May 22 on television, front pages of daily newspapers and
federal election dies down those politicians elected advertising time on radio and television ends up
to seats in Canada's parliament may want to take giving voters the feeling that the country is in dire
notice of the number of Canadians that stayed home straits. Eventually all the campaigning leaves
electior night. voters with the feeling that all is lost and the
For the next six weeks federal representatives
that'have been on the hill for the past five years will
be a common sight in their ridings. Joined by
candidates hoping to unseat incumbents the
politicians will be on the streets, at front doors, at
shopping malls, factories and offices seeking votes.
They will be encouraging Canadians to get out
and vote while at the same time they try to earn a
vote for themselves.
The politicians will be sincere when they urge
Canadians to exercise their right May 22. But can
they be surprised when half of the country ignores
the election?
Voter apathy has almost become a tradition in
Canada. Fifty' percent turnout at the polls is con-
sidered excellent.. When half the country votes
political analysts try to figure out why. Rarely do
they try to figure out whay the other half didn't
vote.
Elected representatives may be missing a
message in that apathy. Voters are inundated with
A
promises, complaints and accusations when federal
party leaders hit the campaign trail. News shows
situation is hopeless.
Part of that problem may be due to the fact that
much of the material that flows out of the mouths of
politicians is pointless. Rarely do any of them say
anything substantial but their mannerisms give the
impression that they have made what historians
will call a monumental speech.
The policiticians tell voters this election will be
fought at the grass roots level. Issues, affecting the
government of this country have to be settled by
Canadians from all walks of life and in all parts of
the country.
That stirring suggestion is usually followed by
capsule comments detailing just what the issues
are. It is then that political analysts, who make
their living figuring out what politicians say and
mean, try to unravel the puzzle for the voters.
If the issues are as simple as they're made out to
be then the solutions are simple. Maybe if a
politician came up with a solution instead of
blaming his opponent 'for all the problems the
voters would turn off the television and go out and
vote.
B.I.A. project cut
Goderich town council may have set a record for
recorde votes in striking t-lie—TriFGudget 1VIonday
evening:
The recorded votes were the result of what one
council member termed 'game playing' among
councillors in reaching a final decision on budget
cuts.
The culprit behind the game playing was $60,000
set aside for completion of the Square sidewalk
project this summer.
On the bottom line $22,000 was. cut from .the
project to bring the 1979 budget down to a 4.6 per
cent increase and delaying completion of the work
until 1980.
Councillors were divided on the issue, some in-
sisting their was a committment to the
businessmen, who also contributed, to complete the
work. Others felt a stronger committment to
provide taxpayers with .,thelowest possible in-
crease.
Deleting. the $22,000 from the -budget delays the
project and saves the taxpayers approximately one
per cent on his bill or an average of $6 to $10 dollars.
This year, due to an unusually large surplus of
$190,000 the town was able to undertake many large
expenditures such as NIP, Highway 21 widening
and the BIA project and still offer taxpayers one of
the lowest increases in Goderich in the past 10
years. } .
But they chose to delay the Square project to
make the increase more attractive. Next year or
for years after, council may never have such a
surplus to work with and unexpected expenditures
may push the tax increase much higher than it is
this year.
The right to sell wine
In Quebec, St. Lambert businessman Luc St.
Germain was elated last September when the
provincial government allowed his relatively small
grocery store to sell wine.
"The new policy has been a real success," says
St. Germain, who stocks about 20 varieties of
Canadian and imported wines. "Aside from being
profitable, it's a drawing card for our small
business."
Quebec has long fostered the independent
business sector by allowing smaller outlets, rather
than major supermarkets', to sell beer. For the
government, extending the policy to include wines
was simply another step designed to insure the
survival of locally owned-; independent -stores.
In addition, it 'appears to be a politically astute
move, with the government receiving applause
rather than complaints.
The Ontario government, on the other hand, ha
taken a completely different tack, allowing the
province's wineries to sell their wares in sections of
supermarkets designed for the purpose. More than
100 of these mini -wine stores are now in place and
the number escalates every month.
Again, the new units have.been enthusiastically
accepted by consumers, saving them an extra trip
to the government operated liquor and wine outlets.
The problem in Ontario, of course, is that small
businessmen are up in arms, pointing out that the
new policy leaves them out in the cold..
_
-'`The Ontario policy is having a detrimental ef-
fect on independent businesses,and it's going to get
worse," says an irate -proprietor of.a smaller store.
"In addition to extra profits, the change provides
yet another incentive for consumers to shop at
supermarkets rather than smaller stores," he says.
"It's sad that the government doesn't understand
our plight."
The Ontario government argues that wine sales
in smaller units would be difficult to control.
"The object of the policy change was to promote
the sale of Ontario produced wines," says a
government official. "The simplest way to achieve
that result is through the major chain stores.
Meanwhile, other Canadian provinces are taking
a long look at the political implications of changes
in wine marketing strategy. Most provinces now
sell the product through government operated
outlets or, in some cases, a few selected stores
connected with wineries.
Traditionally, sale of liquor, wine and beer in
Canada has always been a ticklish political issue.
Elections have been won and lost on appeals to the
teetotalling voters.
Now, though, the issue has changed. The situation
in Ontario indicates smaller businessmen will fight
hard for the right to sell wine, now that the
government has given the green light to super-
markets on a selected basis.
"We simply want to be able to compete with the
chain stores on an equal footing," says the Ontario
shopkeeper.—By W. Roger Worth.
r�.
Arrival of Spring
by Dave Sykes
Gratitude
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Huron
County Unit of the
Canadian Cancer Society,
-1 would like tv--e-xpres,
our gratitude to you for
publishing the cancer
supplement in the March
29, 1979, edition of your
newspaper.
In my opinion this is an
exceptionally well
prepared publication and
it conveys.... 'most im-
portant mese to your
readers about the
programs of the
CanadianCancer Society.
Previous editions have
been presented at the
annual campaign con-
ference in Toronto, where
DEAR EDITOR
the tabloid was received
with very favourable
comments.
Efforts such as yours
continue to make it
possible for us to say,
"cancer can be beaten"
Again, our sincere ap-
preciation.
Yours truly,
Ross McDaniel,
Campaign Chairman,
Huron County Unit,
Canadian Cancer Society.
Bottoms
Dear Editor,
I would like to take this
opportunity to express
my appreciation for
David Sykes' recent
article on bottdms,
posteriors, or whatever
euphemism you prefer
for this part of the human
anatomy.
I for one, have always
felt that observation of a
female's -_behind to be
most interesting and
"fascinating; and cer-
tainly undeserving of the
adverse public reaction
connected with this
hobby.
I am relieved to learn
that certain intellectuals
from 'the fields of social
science and psychology
have confirmed 'my
opinions. This is truly a
great advance i n the fine
art of girl -watching.
It is most reassuring to
know that these pioneers
in the academic com-
munity, have left behind
such tedious issues as the
disintegration of the
family unit in modern
society, for the perusal of
hum research.
Perhaps with the help
of our own 'National.
Research Council,
Canada will be able to
move to the forefront of
development in these
Nstudies. Using the latest
of computers and ad-
vanced electro -scanners,
we could create a
machine which could
analytically calculate the
attributes of any derriere
in an instant. Knowing
the predilection of federal
agencies, we could call it
the BUTT program,
(Buttocks Universal
Type Testing). Dating
services could use this
device in their com-
putability research. The ---
possibilities are .
unlimited!
Hail to the march of
progress and the wonders
of mode-r-n---te-.c-h-n.ology
May they never cease.
Benjamin Stadelmann.
Thanks
Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Cancer
Society and the Salvation
Army, we wish to sin-
cerely thank afitthe ladle's'
who donated sandwiches,
dainties, relishes, tea,
Sugar and milk for the
Daffodil Tea.
We would also like to
thank the ladies from the
Turn to page 5
75YEARSAGO
Milk man Samuel
Bissett brought to town
last week a car load of
cows from Picton and
neighbourhood.
James Hays of East
Street has retired from
the livery business and
sold roost of his stock by
private sale, Thomas
Gundry being a pur-
chaser to an amount over
$500.
The lumber mill got up
steam on Wednesday and
commenced putting the
machinery in order and
the management expects
to be cutting logs in ten
days.
W.S. Shankland of
Toronto is introducing
cement work that will
take place of bricks and
stone, as the durability of
LOOKING BACK
the building materials he
makes, he declares, will
last as long as either of
them. Our new
businessman, who is one
of a 'company in which
four or five of our citizens
are interested, will in the
near future start making
bricks by a. patent
machine that is being
manufactured by the
Goderich Engine Com-
pany and which, it is
claimed will turn out
20,000 bricks each day. At
present a building on
Kingston Street is being
used by the firm but whin
the brick making
machine is in use, a very
large building will be
needed.
25 YEARS AGO
Lake Huron's shores
these nights are dotted
with hundreds of lights
like so many fireflies as
fishermen take part in
the annual smelt run.
Goderich Public School
hired three new teachers
to start their duties next
fall. Engaged at a
meeting of the board last
week were Mrs. Barbara
McKee. of Goderich, Miss
Joan Courtney of
Amberley and Miss
Marlene Lowry of Huron
Township.
A high honor in
Canadian journalism
came to a Goderich old
boy, J.. Alex Hume,
parliamentary
correspondent for The
Ottawa Citizen, when the
Toronto Men's Press Club
last week announced its
fifth annual- National.
Newspaper awards.
Goderich's first drive-
in theatre is scheduled to
open on Friday night.
5 YEARS AGO
Fire swept through a
barn owned by Jim
McLeod, R.R. 2
'Goderich, during` the
afternoon on Good
Friday. The barn was a
complete loss.
Decorating has begun
for G.D.C.I.'s At Home.
This year's theme is
"'When We Were Yo11ng".
Social Convener, Jane
Smith, is directing the
decoration of the gym.
Goderich Kinsmen
honored club member,
Doug Cruickshank,
Monday night for his
outstanding work, with a
special life membership
in the organization.
This year's .Board of
Directors for the
Goderich and .District
Association for the
Mentally Retarded held
their first meeting last
Monday night. The new
board members are
Eileen Palmer, Maxine
Pollock, Betty Reid, Eric
Moore, Bill Cameron,
Elsa Haydon and
Maurice van der Meer.
A meeting was held at
Hully Gully Recr1ation
Centre on Wednesday,
April 10 of persons in-
terested in promoting
tourism within Huron
County. A motion was
passed approving the
formation of a Tourist.
and Business
Association.
l
DEAR
READE
BY
JIM HAGARTY
The days are getting longer and
already people are beginning to lift
their faces to- the sometimes sunny
skies and the welcome warmth that's
eminating from them. The woes of
winter are being quietly forgotten as
the invigorating spirit of spring is
bringing smiles back again to people
young and old.
Farmers will soon be taking to their
still -soggy fields, with their tractors,
plows and cultivators to prepare the
soil for the 1979 crops. That distinctive
smell of newly -worked ground will
permeate the countryside in a few
weeks' time. Overnight, Perth Coun-
ty's farms will spring to life.
It won't be long until we'll be able to
leave the inside door to the house open,
with nothing but the aluminum screen
to separate us from the world outside.
The television will soon be left off most
of the time with children too busy
outside playing road hockey riding
bicycles, and following Dad around as
he prepares his machinery for the
spring planting.
Housewives will soon be assessing
the damage the long winter has done to
the inside of their homes as they try to
marshal the energy to start with the
mops and the cleaners on the top storey
and work their way to the basement.
People will be spending Saturday
afternoons clearing all the junk put of
their woodsheds and garages, trying to
decide whether the kids' tricycle,
almost a family heirloom by this time,
should go to the dump with the rest of
the things that aren't needed anymore.
Dad will be petitioned by a sad -eyed
little six-year-old to hang on to the
tricycle just one more year and just
like in years past, it'll be hung on the
wall again with the solemn promise
that "Next year, it goes!"
Along about this time, everybody's
cars and trucks will get the once-over.
Tires will be kicked, fenders checked
for rust and engines tested. Out will
come the Windex and the paper towels
and the good intentions to clean the car
once a week this summer.
On almost every farm, there'll be a
small fire out back behind the house
when the wind is rieht, with evervthine
from tattered clothes, to worn-out boots
to cardboard cartons that packaged
Christmas gifts going quietly up in
flames. The kids will stand around and
watch in fascination.
On every farm, there'll soon be a cat
or two waddling up the driveway, a bit
overweight, looking for more than her
share of food come suppertime.
Youngster's questions about why
Molly's getting so big will be carefully
answered and a few weeks from now,
the evidence to back up Dad's ex-
planation will lie in a shivering,
meowing bundle on the edge of what's
left of the straw mow upstairs in the
barn. The kitties will be named seconds
after they're first spied.
Baler twine and wooden skates will
be carted out to the freshly -worked
garden where decisions will be made as
to how many beets, how many radishes
and how many potatoes should be
planted this year. A decision to go with
only one small row of carrots will be
made after discussing how none of the
kids eat many carrots over the past
ye�r. r. The kids will offer the suggestion,
potitely ignored, that five rows of
watermelon should be planted.
From God -knows -where. will come a
hundred convertible cars , which are
never seen during the winter but which
make their mysterious appearance
with the first full week of sunshine.
Motorcycles, too, will make their
reappearance, as will cut-off shorts,
sunglasses, halter tops, tee-shirts,
muscle• shirts, running shoes and
sandals.
Around town, rusty barbecues will be
lit up for the first time since the fall and
families will sit down to their first feed
of barbecued pork chops and they'll
taste so much better than the fried
chops they ate all winter. •
The several ball parks in the area
will soon be cleaned up for the up-
coming ball season as will the golf
course. Decisions will be made as to
whether or not the old golf cart and bag
can last another year. Junior's request
for a new ball glove will give the old
golf equipment a one-year reprieve.
Best of all, of course, if you're 17
years old is the fact that the drive-ins
will soon be back in business, as well as
the beaches.
Spring is - like being reborn. _
•