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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-11-21, Page 4ingiatn cabbance-Mimteg Published at Wingham, Ontario, P.O. Box 390 - NOG ZWO by Wenger Bros. Limited Barry Wenger, President Henry Hess, Editor Robert 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. Slit months $11.50 Return postage guaranteed Worth waiting for A 10 -month wait paid off for mem- bers of the Wingham Police Associa- tion last week as their patience was re- warded with a 6.7 per cent salary in- crease in place of the five per cent they probably would have had to settle for last spring. For the police, the settle- ment was worth waiting for. However the other town employees who had to take what they were offered, as well as the ratepayers who will have to foot the bill, may perhaps be forgiven if they are slightly less enthusiastic. In all fairness, there is no doubt the new board of police commissioners was thrust into a difficult position, having to pick up the thread of contract negotia- tions begun by its predecessor and then stalled during the transition period. It also is understandable that the com- missioners should want to get off on the right foot with the police and thus be disinclined to appear harsh or unyield- ing. One might wish, however, that the reasons given for sweetening the pot were a bit more persuasive. Low morale and raw nerves within the police department were most fre- quently mentioned as the reasons why the committee did not take a harder line during its negotiations, but these are hardly the factorts on which to judge a demand for more money. Not that the treatment is ineffective. It must on occasion produce a ripple of Africa in agony The dramatic world-wide response to the sad plight of millions of starving Africans has provided one of the very few examples of Soviets and Western bloc countrie working in co-operation. As food pour in from the West the So- viets are providing trucks, planes and fuel to aid in the distribution of sup- plies. The Russian people, above all others, should understand the horrible pangs of starvation, having undergone many famines in their own and. Canada has taken a leading role in the effort to bring food to the starving in Ethiopia Antril is encouraging to learn that the American government has earmarked $60 million for the same purpose, despite the fact that the gov- ernment of Ethiopia is a Marxist regime. The food which is now reaching northern Ethiopia is but a drop in the vast bucket of horror in which much of the African continent is now engulfed.. A major portion of Africa has been suf- fering from drought conditions for sev- eral years. The prospect for the next awe within the medical profession to see just how quickly jangled nerves will respond to the generous applica- tion of a "green poultice" — of some- one else's money. It is not as though police here had been doing badly, after all. A compre- hensive comparison among towns of similar size prepared by the previous police comrnitfee — which the new negotiating team, according to its chairman, did not trouble to consult —' shows that Wingham officers already ranked at or near the top in terms of salaries and benefits. We are prepared to give the new police commissioners the benefit of the doubt. They, after all, were the ones around the negotiating table and it Is upon their perceptions and conclusions that we must rely. Certainly they; as all of us, have a strong interest in main- taining a harmonious relationship be- tween this community and its police department. At the same time, we trust that during future negotiations they will give equal consideration to the morale of those who must foot the bill for their decisions. Already saddled with high taxes and facing the prospect of a $20,000 deficit for the current year, some of us are feeling a trifle" raw around the edges too. few years is so bleak that experts pre- dict millions more will die for lack of food. Providing food in the present crisis is, of course, the first priority, but for- ward planning is essential if central Africa is to become anything more than a depopulated wasteland. Although the cost will be tremendous, plans must be made at once to provide irrigation and agricultural instruction for the people who normally inhabit these lands. We in the West may believe the problems are insurmountable. How- ever, we might do well to consider the expenditure of great sums in African aid as an investment rather than a give-away. We already are capable of producing much more food than we need. Recession in our part of the world has been largely due to our ability to produce more manufactured goods than we can sell. Our future markets lie in those Third World countries, which, with our assistance, may become our customers of tomorrow. The sensible approach The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture recently named Jim Pow- ers of the Village of Chepstow "Farmer of the Year" for 1984. Since Jim is no longer an active farmer, it is interest- ing to learn how he earned this presti- gious title. According to Wayne Robertson of Southampton, president of the Bruce Federation, quite a number of farmers in that county would not have a farm today had it not been for Jim Powers. The Ontario Federation of Agricul- ture has set up county services known as -the Farm Financial Advisory Pro- gram, Through this organization nego- tiations with bankers, Farm Credit and private creditors as well as the Minis- try of Agriculture and Food, settle- ments are often reached by interest re- ductions, deferred mortgage payments and even write-downs of loans. According to Jim Powers, "Every- body is a loser if an efficient farmer is forced into liquidation. It makes more sense to accept a moderate loss initial- ly and give the farmer a second chance to bring the business back to a viable position." Jim has been associated with the Federation since 1948 when he was field man for seven years. He then joined Co-operators Insurance which he es- tablished in Bruce and continued to serve until, his retirement in 1982. This man's approach to farm financial problems makes a great deal more sense than the buccaneering methods of the Farm Survival organ- ization which attempts to use force rather than reason to achieve Its ends. No secrets, please At least three Ontario Progressive Conservatives have announced they will be leadership candidates in the up- coming leadership convention, says The Huron, Expositor. And It's probable that more will join the race for the premler's job. President of the Conservative party, David McFadden, recently. an- nounced that leadership candidates will be required to reveal total contri- butions, names of contributors and total amount spent on the campaign. But the amount contributed by each person will be kept secret. That's fine, but no limits have been imposed as to how much a candidate will be allowed to spend. And because there are no restrictions, such cam- paigns could disadvantage some can- didates. A candidate with unlimited funds could, in a sense, buy his way to the leadership position. For example, Agriculture Minister Dennis Timbrell has more than $230,000 in his campaign war chest. Attorney - General Roy McMurty, by comparison, had only about $28,000 in his riding as- sociation at the end of last year. A blind man can see which one has the advantage. A ceiling should be placed on campaign expenditures. After all, we want every man and woman to have a fair chance at the lob. MES A page of editorial opinion November 21 see page 2A Immo ews Items from Old Files NOVEMBER 1937 A. D. MacWilliam of Woodstock has taken over the Hanna garage and will carry on the Ford . agency under the name of Huron Motors. Mr. and Mrs. MacWilliam and daughter Sally Lou arrived in town on Monday. Wingham had one representative in the Pelee Island pheasant `hunt last week. H. L. Sherbondy en- joyed the ,two-day outing with a London party and they got their quota of birds. The opening exercises of the Lucknow Bible Institute were held in the Presbyterian Church at Lucknow. Regular. classes will be. held each Friday evening, led by Rev. John K. MacGillivray of Ashfie4 Presbyterian Church,` ttew.' E. M. Loney of Wingham Baptist Church, Mrs. Margaret Turner and Miss Pearl B. Henderson. The Institute is interdenomina- tional. At a Hallowe'en party in St. Helens United Church, the prize for fancy dress went to Mrs. James Falconer of Whitechurch who came as Queen Victoria. Garnet Farrier of White- church was the best comic - dressed and Shirley Buchan- an won the prize for chil- dren's fancy dress. Lloyd Weir of Salem has gone to Toronto where he will attend college. NOVEMBER 1949 Evidence of the mild weather we have been en- joying are the beautiful pink roses which are blooming in the garden at the home of Rev. and Mrs. A. Nimmo, Centre Street. W. B. Cruikshank of Turnberry Township, whose hobby is short wave trans- mitting, a very, kindly ar- ranged a 15 -minute con- versation for Mr. and Mrs. Alex Reid of Edward Street with their son-in-law and daughter, Rev. John and Mrs. Thompson, who are on missionary work in Trini- dad. The reception was won- derfully clear and uninter- rupted by static. The officers of Maitland Lodge No. 119, . I.O.O.F., Wingham, were installed. Noble Grand is Stewart Cow- an and vice grand is Willis Hall. Other officers include W. S. Haney,E. S. Lewis and Joseph Clark. Howick Township Library Board elected Miss Mary Gibson of Wroxeter president for the coming year. Mrs. Abe Sanderson of Wroxeter is vice president; Mrs. Tom Vittie of Gorrie secretary -treasurer and Mrs. George King of Gorrie librarian. Lorne Jdhnston has sold his store in Whitechurch to Mr. and Mrs. Chapman of Aurora who get possession the end of November. continue to hold cenotaph services Dear Editor, Recently I was reading The Kitchener -Waterloo Record where under reader opinions I read a headline, "Don't let rain cancel Nov. llth service". In some communities the service has been held in halls or church- es. In my own church of Exeter there is a picture All should pull together Dear Editor, We are rather disturbed that you have taken such a negative attitude re: the Wingham and District Hospital Board, particularly as it affects the present building project. Most of us in the surrounding communities involved in the support of the hospital would dearly like to have Wingham's position — a fine hospital in one's own community. We might also add that we are not par- ticularly interested in personality feuds but would like to see all pulling together in a responsible way to complete a worthy project. I agree with Mr. Kopas (letter, Nov. 14) when he says, "the timing ... cannot but be damaging to a most worthy and deserving cause." George C. King Teeswater showing the participants passing the local cenotaph. I agree heartily with the opinions of The Record, having stood in all kinds of weather at the cenotaph. "The service is not a side- show. The people who fought in dreadful wars had no choice in the weather. "Are we now so soft that the prospect of getting a little damp stops us at- tending a service at its right- ful place, the cenotaph? I realize there are some elderly people at this ser- vice, but I cannot believe they were the ones who chose to honor their fallen comrades in a hall, etc. I do not mind if there is a parade or not, but I do think we can put up with a personal discomfort for a short time to give thanks to those who died to allow us the privilege of going back to a com- fortable, warm home." As a boy, I remember standing in the snow at the unveiling of the town cenotaph. I realize there are prac- tical reasons for services held in more comfortable conditions, but I felt the foregoing should be con- sidered when Remembrance se?Vtces are planned. I would like, to commend those icommunities that continue to hold cenotaph services regardless. Rev. 11. L. Jennings Wroxeter NOVEMBER 1960 Again the youngsters turned out to decorate the windows at McKibbon's Drug Store and Marg's Book Store. This Hallowe'en contest proved popular with the children. Winners were Frances Ducharme, Judy' Irwin and Jackie Stone. Dr. J. C. McKim, a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, arrived in Wingham and will. join Dr. W. A. Crawford in the - operation of his medical ' practice. The new doctor and his wife have taken up residence. in the Blake home on Frances Street. Archie Peebles, who has been postmaster at Wingham for the past 20 years, was honored at a ban- quet on his retirement. He was presented with an easy chair. Work will commence shortly "on the new bank building which will replace the old Mason Block which has housed the Toronto - Dominion Bank for many years. Wilfred White, local contractor, has been given the job of erecting the new building. Christine Runstedtler was valedictorian at com- mencement exercises at Wingham District High School. Proficiency awards went to Wayne Caslick, Elizabeth McKinney, Frances Henry, Margaret Hastie, Thelma 'Gowing, Miss Runstedtler, David Kennedy, Bruce Grainger, Irene Saint, Karen Groskorth, Murray Coultes and Mary Hamilton. W. I. Miller has sold his general store in St. Helens to Robert Krogman of Brussels. This store has been in the Miller name for 76 years. NOV EMBER,1970 Three Huron County councillors will be can- didates for the wardership in 1971. They are reeves Jack Alexander of Wingham, Hugh Flynn of Hullett and Elmer Hayter, Stanley. Rev. J. G. Mooney, who has been parish priest at Wingham and Brussels for more than six years, will go to Mt. Carmel. Rev. M. S. Kaminski comes from Tillsonburg to take over Father Mooney's dutieshere in Wingham. Mr. and Mrs: Harold Vincent moved recently into their new home in Belgrave. Lynda M. Reavie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reavie of Wingham, graduated " from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She is presently attending Althouse College of Education. C000Q'400000a 000O.iNY040000000 z6etteAd Ea* Dear Editor: , It was brought to my, at- tention this morning that there is a question regarding the ownership of some office equipment which I have purchased recently, with the assistance of a personal loan from my bank. As secretary of the Howick-Turnberry Fall Fair, it is my responsibility to look after any printing required for the operation of the Fair. This involves a lot of time and trips. Having the equipment in my own home has proven to be a great time-saver for me. Besides work I have done for the Fair, the photocopier has come in handy for repro- ducing material for other or- ganizations and individuals in ,the community. The 1983 Financial State- ment for the Howick Agri- cultural Society showed a balance of $7.16. If I had sub- mitted a bill for long distance telephone calls, small stationery purchases, etc., this balance would have shown a deficit of approxi- mately $70. The Fair Board certainly is not in a position to purchase office equip- ment. I just want to make it clear to those concerned that the equipment belongs to me, and not to the Howick-Turn- berry Fall Fair Board. Yours Truly, Marion Feldskov. Senior citizens sponsor euchre in Fordwich hall FOR.DWICH — There were seven tables in play at the progressive euchre party Friday night in the Fordwich hall, sponsored by the senior citizens. Winners were: high, Mrs. George Bartman and Mrs. Eva Harris, playing as a gent;. low, Mrs. Margaret -Hawksbee and Mrs. Bill Wilson, also playing a gent's card. Special prizes went to Mrs. George Richards and Mrs. Jim Stevenson. Democracy should work the same way in Wingham Dear Editor, In the Nov. 14 issue of your paper, a letter signed Jen- nifer Cummings ends Sec- tion D with a question: "Why should democracy work any differently in Wingham?" The implied comparison is between procedures followed by our federal government and our local hospital board. Mr. Murray Cardiff, our federal member, confirmed the following: A. Cabinet meetings are private. B. Parliamentary com- mittee meetings are usually open meetings — his estimate was 90 per cent (are) open. C. All sessions of Christmas Bureau needs contributions Dear Editor, The Huron County Christ- mas Bureau, sponsored and operated by Family and Children's Services, provid- es special assistance to fami- lies in need at Christmas. Last year Huron County citi- zens generously assisted us in providing a cheerier Christmas for 496 children in 256 families. The Christmas Bureau operates in five different towns, allowing us to serve people in all parts of the county. Volunteers at the local bureaus in Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth and Wingham help parents choose a new game or toy for their child, along with a new article of basic clothing and hand-knit mitts. We have learned over the years that when a family has limited funds, the children may go without underwear and socks in order to save money. The general public also may not be aware that extra gifts like shampoo and soap are most welcome. It is with this in mind that we ask for your financial assistance this season and remind you that it is tax deductible. Family and Children's Services offers many ser- vices in the county which are essential to the well-being of the family. The Summer Camp program, partially subsidized by a federal grant, is an example of one area which we have offered to particular children in the community. In an attempt to solidify our fund-raising, it is now our intention that our Christmas request be our annual fund-raising en- deavor. Thank you for your con- tinued support of the referred families through our vast network of volun- teers at the Huron County Christmas Bureau. Please do-nothesitate to call should you have any questions. Sheila McCaffery Acting Local Director, Suzanne Symes Volunteer Coordinator Parliament are conducted by the Speaker of the House according to strick Parlia- mentary procedure. D. All sessions ' of Parliament are open to the general public and the press, with press and public galleries provided. E. A word by word record of all House debate and discussion is recorded and published in Hansard and available to the public. F. The House of Commons debate is available on most cable TV and the "Question Period" is regularly televis- ed and available to all TV viewers. G. Recently a Freedom of Information Act has been passed to allow the public greater access to informa- tion classified "Restricted" by the government in power. ment in power. H. Salaries and expenses of all members of Parlia- ment are public knowledge. Back to the question, why should democracy work any differently in Wingham? My answer is it should not. So except for matters of a legitimately confidential nature, which can be dealt with in camera as is common with most municipal councils, let's get on with these open, accountable procedures at the Wingham Hospital Board. Ross S. Procter RR 5, Brussels PRESS COUNCIL The Advance -Times is a member of the Ontario Press Council which will consider written com- plaints about the publica- tion of news, opinions and advertising. if a com- plaint can't be resolved with the newspaper, it should be sent to the On- tario Press Council, 151 Slater St., Suite 708, Ot- tawa, Ont. K1P 5H3. f