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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-09-05, Page 4as tije ingbam 'bbance-trfr.eo Published at Wingham, Ontario, P.O. Box 390. NOG 2W0 by Wenger Bros. Limited Barry Wenge , President Henry Hess, Editor IL Robelt O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. Audrey Currie, Advertising Manager Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Member—Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Subscriptions $20.00 per year Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc. Six months $11.50 Return postage guaranteed Voting patterns hive changed Although political parties and their election campaign organizers still count their "safe seats" across the na- tion, the number of reliably predictable ridings continues to shrink. Fifty years ago the keener party workers could run' through a voters' list and tell you, with- in a few percentage points, just how the final election results would read. Over the years all that has changed. Instead of the two old-line parties we now have three, plus some fringe groups, seeking votes. In other words, the old die-hard Grits and Tories no longer dominate the population. Many voters are no longer committed to a given party, but reserve the option to support whichever leader or local can- didate they find most credible. The high numbers of "undecideds" dis- closed by the various polis is evidence of this fluid state of party support. Since this column is written three days before the election we refuse, even in the face of mounting evidence, to announce that Brian Mulroney will be Canada's,next prime minister — but it certainly looks like that from where we stand. It play well be that the Progressive Conservatives have been swept into power by a big majority. If so, Canadi- ans will have voted for a decided change in federal government attitudes — and change is precisely what most Canadians have wanted for the past few years. Despite the fact that John Turner appealed to the electorate on a platform of change, few of us were con- vinced that any realistic differences could be expected under his leadership. If, indeed, Mr. Mulroney is to be our new national leader, it is to be hoped he will not proceed with the arrogance which a sweeping majority usually engenders. He, of all people should re- member that voting habits can and do change — that he will be as vulnerable to public opinion as the liberals have been. • Too many at the trough If any single action could be pin -pointed as a contributor to John Turner's political misfortunes, it would be his confirmation of the long list of political patronage appointments hand- ed to him by Pierre Trudeau. Turner claimed that he had no alternative, but his acquiescense to such an outrageous and costly handout convinced many voters that Liberal promises of change were not to be trusted. A letter in last Thursday's Globe & Mail from a former PC minister of finance cites a few examples of the goodies handed out. Donald Fleming, who served as a member of Parliament from 1945 to 1963, and was minister of justice as well as finance, writes about the bloated pensions today's retirees • will enjoy. Fleming saythat the pensions for members of parliament were original- ly quite reasonable at $6,000 per an- num, conditional on a minimum of 16 years of service in the House of Com- mons. Appointment to any salaried position in the public service resulted in forfeiture of the pension. Today former members may draw pensions of up to $53,000 a year, after -only comparatively short -periods of service, and are not required to give up their pensions when appointed to luc- rative government jobs such as am- bassadorships or judgeships — jobs which carry salaries of from $50,000 to $100,000. The National Citizens' Coalition has done a study on the total indexed pen- sions which some of the recent ap- pointees may receive, in addition to the high salaries their new posts will bring: John Munro will receive slightly more than $5 million (in pension alone); Mark McGuigan, almost $5 million; Eugene Whelan, $3.5 million and Bud Cullen, $2.5 million. Nice work if you can get it! Who .creates inflation? Thegeneral rate of inflation across Canada (and the United States) has been sharply reduced as a consequence of the recent recession. Even the more militant labor unions have reduced their demands, recognizing the ob- vious fact that a job which brings in enough money to feed the family is bet- ter than no job at all. The spiral of rising prices for many retail commodities has flattened con- siderably as consumers have been forced to turn their backs on over- priced purchases. The law of retail competition has forced sellers to price their goods at levels which will still at- tract buyers. There are, however, some goods and services which are not responsive to the level of public demand, chiefly those which are protected by govern- ment control or by monopoly. Ontario Hydro is asking for an increase of over nine per cent in its wholesale rates; the Post 'Office has stated that rate in- creases will take effect next year; oil and gas prices remain sky high despite a world-wide glut and those prices are set by the federal government. In each of these cases the consumer is unable to go elsewhere for his or her purchases and In each case rising prieet are highly inflationary. The cost of energy and postal services is an in- tegral part of the price we must pay for everything else we buy. Governments have long trumpeted their intention to fight and Fick Infla- tion. One would think the. fight should start at the top. A sensible idea The Bowmanv,ille Statesman recent- ly carried a story which originated in the municipality of Newcastle. In that community the mayor has strongly urged that courses In local government should become part of the regular school curriculum. He will be asking town council to help the school system develop a program which will let stu- dents find out what makes local gov- ernment tick. He sald the town council could ap- , proach school principals to see if there's any way that assistance can be provided. One suggestion would be to have school classes visit council meet- ings or to have representatives of the town address classes on the subject of local government. The mayor sees classes on local gov- ernment as one way in which the public could become better informed about municipal affairs. He pointed out that local council Is the level of politics which Is most accessible to the public. And yet, the Newcastle maybr has found that there is often a lack of understanding between local govern- ment and Its citizens. The mayor added that criticism of Items from 01 SEPTEMBER 1937 Dwight M. Reid was awarded a scholarship by the University of Western Ontario for highest standing on nine papers. The scholarship is free tuition up to $125 a year for two years. Hunters in Ontario must wear a badge when theygo shooting this fall. The Department of Game and Fisheries has made a ruling to this effect and with each gun license issued, a metal badge is to be worn by the hunter. Miss Cora Phair was successful in passing her teacher's vocal course W h she'atteirdedirr,Tarontdh' summer. This course entitles her to teach music' Lift the public and secdndary schools. A new record has been set for flying across the United States, nine hours, 36 minutes. There appears to be no end to speed in the air. Last week our neighbors at Lucknow voted $7,000 to build a community hall and arena. Lucknow will have two new fine buildings in the near future, the community hall and a new post office. School did not open in Wroxeter due to the precautionary measures being taken to prevent the spread of infantile paralysis. Sunday School in both churches are also remaining closed. Those who signed to have hydro installed in their homes in Whitechurch have received notice to have their houses wired as the linemen will commence to put up the poles during the next two weeks. municipal government is often not very constructive. "The criticism that we get often comes from people with a blas or a chip on their shoulder," he said. Mayor Rickard noted that concern over communications between council and the electorate was ane of 'the sub- jects discussed at the recent annual meeting. of the Association of Munici- palities of Ontario held in Toronto. We agree with the mayor of New- castle. When the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 we questioned the wisdom of granting the vote to young people, many of whom have never given a single serious thought to how democratic government operates. A course In the practical application of civics might be One way to engender some thought on the part of the young people who are allowed an important role In the selection of our elected rep- resentatives. Since the future of our communities, our provinces and our nation will soon rest In the hands of those who are not yet of voting age, it would be wise to prepare them for such a tremendous responsibility. departure to enter training as a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener: Tuesday morning ',saw 50 local youngsters go to school for the first time when they enrolled in kindergarten. The total enrolment at the Public School hit a record high of 325 pupils. Campbell Brown of Corrie has been engaged as teacher at SS No. 6, Turnberry Township. SEPTEMBER 1949 Dr. Edward C. Wilford, a Blyth native, is back in his native province -after 44 years in China where he helped organize hospitals and a medical school that gave many native Chinese doctors their start. War finally drove Dr. Wilford out, although he had figured in many previous conflicts, tending long queues of wounded in the . war-torn fields. The members of the Wing- ha111 United Church choir looked very smart in their new wine gowns on Sunday. The bright color harmonizes with the church's general color scheme. A choir of 40 turned out Sunday. SEPTEMBER 1960 William A. Galbraith, who served the Town of Wingham as its clerk and treasurer for 37 years, died after a long illness at the Wingham General Hospital. • Les Armstrong, who came toWingham about five years ago as reporter -photograph- er for the Advance -Times and has worked more re- cently for the CKNX news department, left for Cali- fornia where he has a posi- tion with the National Broadcasting Company at San Diego. Christine Runstedtler and Irene "Saint, both of whom were Grade 13 students at the Wingham District High School last year, have been awarded Dominion - Provincial student aid A special dedication service - was held at Ford with United Church when a baptismal, font was presented in memory of the late Mr. and Mrs. Adam C. Hutchison by their im- mediate family. A pleasant evening was spent at the hone of 'Margaret and Patricia Brophy when the members Of the junior girls' choir of Sacred Heart Church 'net to honor Miss Vivien Ernest, organist, prior to her bursaries. Christine is enrolled at Brescia Hall and Irene will) attend Stratford Teachers' tiCollege. The Golden Circle School for Retarded Children in Wingham and District is now holding classes half days for the 1960-61 term. Marion McGee, Milton Purdon, Ruth Elliott, Paul and Jane Laidlaw, Cheryl Hill and Carol Webster started to Fordyce School. Mrs. George Kennedy is the new teacher. Three candidates from the Wingham:. Salvation Army Corps are entering Officers' Training College.. Mr. and Mrs.. Alan leelon and ,,Ti$s Barbara Byer'are the cavets and their many friends wish them well. SEPTEMBER 1970 The Wingham Police Department is continuing an investigation into the theft off eleven television sets from the new Firestone Store on Josephine Street south. The store is located in the former McClure Motors building and had not yet been open for business. Representing Huron County, 19 -year-old Phyllis McKague of RR 2, Wingham, gained the right to compete Councils should consider effect on local jobs Dear Editor, Regarding the Turnberry grader purchase, we at Western Foundry have been a long-time supplier of gray iron castings to Champion Road Machinery. - - Both our companies pay substantial taxes that go toward local councils, as well as those taxes paid by 3tir employees residing in Wingham and Turnberry Township and other areas in Huron and surrounding counties. It is unfortunate that consideration was ap- parently not given to the impact on jobs at the local level. If our elected local councilmen cannot, support resident industry and em- ployment, who will? Donald P. Kennedy Vice President, Sales Western Foundry Company Ltd. TODAY'S Files CHILD in the semi-finals of the Ontario Dairy Princess competition at the Canadian National Exhibition. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ross McKague of Belmore. Wingham's Western Foundry opened its remodelled facilities last week. New equipment has been installed which will double the capacity of the foundry operation. BY JUDITH ADAMS This little boy is Billy, a blue-eyed blonde imp whose lov- able disposition wins him many friends. Billy is seven, but as he's developmentally handicapped, he seems much younger. He's a mischievous little soul, and enjoys nothing more than making peo- Whitechurch residents ple ,laugh. Billy's congratulate Donald Gaunt teacher at 'school for and Mary Purdon, who were mentally --handicapped° married Saturday in children says he's a Chalmers Presbyterian very happy, well- , adjusted child despite O° .day'? his,hdellays, He eivesN Church. ( inlgnxrm,r not too dif er year. The F. E. Madill Secondary School reported an enrolment of 1329 and a total enrolment of 448 was reported by the Wingham Public School, a slight in- crease over last year. Wingham's Sacred Heartn: School reported a enrolment of 111, slightly lower than that of last year. Whitechurch welcomes Mr. and Mrs. S. Wardrop who have purchased the property of James Mcllrath. They have moved in and Mr. Wardrop will teach at F. E. Madill Secondary School. k'. n,- t 40400 wht. his, t ffreot as$ sR c rd;l isntt Mat itl should; be, it has improved greatly .dy1r- ing the past two Years with the help of his, special program. Although he has a tendency toward hyperactive behaviour, The only alternative All three political parties represent- ed in the Ontario Legislature have agreed that a strike of Toronto's trans- port workers during the visit of Pope John Paul 11 would be totally unaccept- able. Unanimous agreement at a one -day sitting last week approved a bill to outlaw the strike until the ques- tion can be referred to a board of arbi- tration- The right to strike is strongly upheld by law in this land, but the threat by TTC workers amounted to blackmail of the most blatant sort. Legislative action was the only alternative. Thank goodness, religious bigotry has declined to such a degree that we have seen little or no comment from non-Catholics about the visit of the Pontiff. Catholics and Protestants alike recognize the dignity of the papal office and the high esteem in which Pope John Paul is held. The affront which would have been presented by a dis- ruptive strike was not acceptable. SUPER.X OPENING—Te new Buper-X drug store at the Zehrs plaza In Wingham opened its doors to 60 -odd Cabbage Patch customers up for grabs niagfBut hbiggest first-come, first-served attraction was the -sered b sis. Billy is learning to sit quietly in school, long enough to listen to a story or a record, and he enjoys concentrating on puzzles and building blocks by himself. He understands everything that is said to him, and though his speech has been slow to develophe is improving his vocab- ulary and speaking in sentences occasionally. Billy can feed and dress himself, wash his own face when he takes time out from playing with the water, and is startingto brush is teeth by himself. Billy is a loving, cud- dly little boy who needs caring adoptive fam- ily. They will need to be warm and patient people who are good at managing his often challenging behaviour. He would probably do best as the youngest child in the family. To inquire about adopting Billy, please write to Today's .Child, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto. Describe your family and your way of life as fully as possible, and include any other experience you hve working with children. u