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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-05-01, Page 4ttlf THE ROVARCE TIITIEJ A► page of editorial opinion May 1, 1985 tbe 2bbanc.e-QCimeg. Published at Wingham, Ontario, P.O. Box 390 - NOG 2W0 'by Wenger Bros. Limited Robert 0. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. Audrey Currie, Advertising Manager Barry Wenger, President Henry Hess, Editor Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations Member—Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc.). Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc. Subseriptions $21.00 per year $23.00 beyond 40 -mile zone Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 • Six months $12.50 Return postage guaranteed War is notia game Citizens of Turnberry , Township deserve everyone's support in their ef- forts to keep the National Survival Game from Locating in their municip- ality. This so-called sport, irf which grown men and women run around the woods with guns trying to shoot their opponents with paint pellets while avoiding being shot themselves, is scarcely a game and has nothing to do with national survival At a time when hundreds of people in Nicaragua, Lebanon, Afghanistan and elsewhere are being killed and mutilated in real shooting wars, with no . choice in the matter, this sort of "bang, bang, you're dead" play war is an obscenity and a blot in our society, the sort of thing which could appeal only to a thrill -seeker with little con- science and no knowledge of the hor- rors of true battle. Undoubtedly it is popular in some • quarters and there is money to be Made from it, but so much the worse. The same could be said of pornography and the drug trade, two of the great cancers of our age. With family and social violence increasing alarmingly and the chilling threat of superpower conflict posing real questions of survival, we can well do without such desensitizing "games". For those who must have thrills, we would suggest volunteering for. a tour of duty with Canadian peacekeep- ing forces in some corner of the world where real bullets are flying, or offer= ing their services to some of the mil- lions of people dying in countries where survival is much more than a cheap catch -word. A short dose should be suf- ficient for most. Plain .brown.. wrapper In an election in which the choice is purported to be between the tried-and- true government which has ruled On- tario for the past 40 years and the les- ser-known quantities in opposition, voters are being left in something of a quandry: barring a dramatic change in the last few days of the campaign, they will go to the polls. knowing far more about what the opposition leaders pro- pose than about the man who is their current premier. Since the beginning of cam- paign, Frank Miller has played hard - to -get, refusing to debate his chal- lengers face-to-face and.dodging invi- tations to appear on radio or television interviews where he world be ques- tioned on his platform or policies. Even before the election was called the, premier did little that would let us know what his vision of Ontario looks like or where our place in it might be. The attempt has been to sell the premier in a plain, brown wrapper (a kinder phrase than the better-known pig in a poke), in the apparent hope that by not offending anyone the voters will through sheer force of habit con- tinue to mark the slot. opposite Pro- gressive Conservative on their ballots. Whether this technique of cam- paigning on the basis of "more of the. same" will work remains to be seen. In the absence of any new image, many voters mayremember the old Mr. .Mil ler who slapped faxes on candy bars and toiletries and tried to lower the axe on community hospitals. There already have been indications that In some quarters the leader is being seen as a liability rather than an asset to the campaign. Check infant cribs The Walkerton Herald -Times com- ments that a number of infant deaths in Ontario 'have been linked to mechan- ical and design defects in older and. second=hand cribs. Parents are -urged to be aware of such defects for the simple reason that the life of their child may be at stake. The problem with .many cribs manufactured by Stork Craftprior to 1982 is that hangers that hold the mat- tress in place can release. The mat- tress tilts and results' in the baby be- coming lodged between the mattress and the wooden frame of the crib. Death can result.' Parents should make sure that any crib, regardless of make or model, is assembled in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. They should ensure that each and every component is checked regularly. to make sure everything is securely . in place. Stork Craft cribs manufactured before 1982 can be made safe at no cost by using "hanger' locking plugs", available at any Sears outlet or .by writing to Stork Crafct Ltd., 11511 No.'5 Road, Richmond, B.C. V7A 4E8 or by phoning 1-800-268-5708. - Further information or instruc- tions are available from county health units, which have checklists for par- ents to follow in making sure cribs con- form to onform:to safety requirements. The over- all construction of a crib should be sturdy. Avoid soft mattresses which create "gap traps". There should be no more. than six centimetres between slats. Cribs should have a double lock on the drops side. The side height from mattress support to the top of the rail should be at least 66 cemtimetres. Parents should remove decorative parts small enough to be swallowed or which could trap a child or clothing and lead to strangulation. Babies spend much of their time sleeping and playing in their cribs. Make sure the cribs are safe — it's a matter of life ,and death,' Court reaches out When one thins' of the Supreme ---Court of Canada, the mind "almost' automatically'flips'to a scenario of old men, black -robed, their perukes either on straight or slightly askew, their miens stern as they deliberate the law and hand down decisions. It's rather fascinating, to say the least, that the. Supreme Court is ex- ploring ways, it can be attuned to the times of electonic wizardry. Reviewing an appeal from an Al- berta attorney faces possibly an hour in an Edmonton Television studio, beam- ing his message to receivers in the Su- preme Court room, while the justices in turn direct their questions to him by the same -medium. To preserve the inherent dignity of the court it is to be hoped the justices wirrnot doff wigs or robes, the outward and visible signs of an inward and in- visible fount of learning. It is experimental, to`.be sure, but could lead to a far more efficient use of both time and money. It can develop the opportunity for the Supreme Court to become more meaningful and more relevant to many remote areas of the. country, especially in the far reaches of the northwest. By this attempt to take the court- room to the people, rather than vice versa, the Supreme Court seems to be making an attempt to reach out by us- ing technol$gy: Its -members and their objectives are deserving of salute and accolade. —North Kent Leader NOW...or....tI1e heavy dollar: Official plans seem to be hardening in regard to Canadian currency. Word is that the paper one -dollar bill is soon to be replaced by an eleven -sided, gold -colored nickel coin. Reason? Treasury people say that the nation could be saved an expenditure of about $9 million annually by substituting metal for paper. Those one -dollar bills change hands and pockets very fre- quently and they do wear out. Metal dollars would last for years instead of months. Well, what the heck! Never mind the fact that The material in today's pants pockets is pretty flimsy. If the load gets too heavy the men can look around for some used sporrans. They haven't been in style for some years, but who knows, they might be all the rage by this time next year. f 7,{Y/NG 7"O F/ND THE O// OF .9NOT//ER L/�E'LE5 S,97-ELL/JE New Books in the Library ENGLAND by Edmund Swinglehurst A book of superb color photographs capturing the vast mosaic of scenery that makes up "this green and pleasant land"..It will en- chant the armchair traveller, entice the would- be tourist and tug, at the heartstrings of Englishmen the world over. VERY OLD MONEY by Stanley Ellin Impecunious ''circum- stances force Michael and Amy Lloyd, once teachers, to,_ - become chauffeur and assistant housekeeper respectively to the very wealthy New York Durie family. Slowly they realize that blind Margaret Durie, doyenne of the family, is involving them in a series of events leading to scandal and death. HOT WIRE by James Brown A simple, heartwarming story of theresilience of love and the endurance of loyalty as one family struggles to stay together amid the end- less freeways and honky- tonks of Los Angeles. qa Items from Our OId Files MAY 1938 Members of the Business- men's Association and the Chamber -of Commerce held an infotinal gathering in honor of H. Garlick who has resigned as manager of the Walker Store. They present- ed him with a gift on behalf of these two organizations, with which he has been actively associated during his seven years here. W.-. A. Miller and Mrs. Frank Sturdy wereelected presidents of the men's and ladies' divisions of the Bowling Club. E. R. Harrison and J. A. Wilson are supporting, officers . for, the men, Mrs. Joe;Kerr„Mpi.. G. Williams, Miss Marion Simpson and Mrs: William Currie for the ladies. The congregation of Teeswater United Church chose as their pastor Rev. R. N. Stewart of Centralia, who will take charge•of his new duties in June. Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Snell of Toronto moved into their home on John Street on Thursday and are extended a, hearty welcome by the town. At a meeting held in Wroxeter, Mrs. R. Rae was elected president of that village's Women's Institute, succeeding Mrs. N. T. McLaughlin. Vice presidents are Miss K. Goodfellow and Mrs. D. S. MacNaughton. Mrs. • L. VanVelsor is secretary -treasurer. A public meeting of all who are interested in organizing a community playground Is being held in Belgrave this week. It is hoped that some form of organization may be established that will make provision for appropriate recreation activities for both males and females of all ages. The main feature will be a softball league. MAY 1951 The village of Wroxeter narrowly escaped a big fire. Harvey Reidt and Phil Durst noticed smoke coming out of the walls at the rear of the Masonic: Block and at once called the Witagham fire reels. Their prompt response saved the block as the fire evidently was in the wall and thought to have been caused by faulty wiring. The block includes the Bank of Com- merce and MacLean's barber shop,: besides the lodge room and club room. George Henderson, who has been the local representative for the Singer Sewing Machine Company for the past year, has been appointed manager of the company's store at Goder- ich. The Wingham Lions Club is holding a Family Night. Each member is to bring a girl or boy as a guest. Guests of honor will be the Midget hockey team, . WOAA group winners, and'speaker will be Howie Meeker of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mr. and Mrs. Robert McClenaghan moved from the Whitechurch district to Hastings where they will reside with Mrs. McClena- ghan's sister. They will be missed as he has lived at Whitechurch for over 80 years and always took an active interest in church and community life. • A good performance was given by students of . Turn - berry Township schools competing in the Huron County 'Music Festival at. Goderich. Kenneth G•ilkinson placed first, Verlie Metcalfe placed second, Eleanor Smith placed third, Leslie Showers and Kenneth St. Marie each . placed fourth. \,Miss Marian MacDonald of Bluevale is music supervisor for the township. Harold Hamilton, teacher in Bluevale Public School for the past year, has been engaged as principal of the public school at Wyoming. MAY 1961 The' town shed at the rear of the Canada Packers mill has been enclosed by adding a metal wall at the north end. The building remained open at this point .for several weeks after wrecking opera Public hearings essential on new .Hydro corridors Dear Editor, When the issue is the preservation of the most productive agricultural land for feeding the -people of Ontario, public hearings are an essential way of voicing people's concerns. The proposed M1 hydro corridor from the Bruce Nuclear Development to London particularly needs provision for adequate public input. Film serifs is • worth attending Dear Editor, I have been attending a series of six films on Monday evenings at the Wingham United Church. Each film features Joyce Landorf, who talks on various down-to- earth topics related to real life. She as a marvellous speaker --,humorous, enlightening and en- tertaining. The one-hour film comes to an end far too quickly. My point is that we don't • often get to hear a speaker like Joyce Landorf right here in Wingli_%► and it is too bad more pe le are not coming to hear her. I cannot think of anyone — teens, young married couples, seniors, people with problems — who would not benefit from hearing her ideas on living. There are three more films and they start at eight o'clock on Monday evenings. Everyone is welcome. Beverley Brown Bluevale Much media coverage has been given to statements by some public utility com- missions criticizing public hearings as being costly and time-consuming. But Foodland-Hydro members are taxpayers and electric power users and they, like all Ontarians, are very con- scious of the expense associated with public hearings. Concerned land- owners have' -incurred even more expense as they dip into their own pockets to ensure an effective voice in defence of prime agricultur- al land and the present and future food supply for the people of Ontario. In 1982 the Consolidated Hearing Board recom- mended the modified M3. system from Bruce to Barrie, The Ontario Supreme - Court quashed these hearings en a technicality. Had Ontario Hydro appealed this decision, this second round of public plan stage hearings could quite possibly have been averted. With the staggering-$2CPbillion- 'debt,"" can • Ontario Hydro justify the considerable expense of re-evaluation of the Bruce to London (M1) segment? Bill Muchan, PR Chairman Foodland-Hydro Committee London Minor hockey needs volunteers Dear Editor, Wingham Minor Hockey wrapped up the year Saturday, April 27, with awards day. All teams were given lunch, followed by the awards presentation. Each coach took a few moments to wrap up the highlights of the season, giving special mention and trophies to the top scorer, most improved and most valuable players. Daye Lowry from the London Knights took time from his schedule to come and talk to the players too. All in all it was a good wind- up for the '84-85 season. In looking ahead to '85-86 season we need volunteers. That's you! An interested parent to help in planning and organizing. It. takes committed, dedicated, in- terested people' who care to make any organization successful. We need you. The new executive will be decided May 27. If you have time and are willing to get involved, please contact Bill Brown at 357-1310 or Al Harrison at 357-2646. Louise Bloemberg- Wingham tions removed the northerly section of the building. The Wingham Business and Professional Women's Club wasorganized and officers were elected for the new organization. Miss Yvonne McPherson is president,, Mrs. W. M. Connell and Mrs. J. E. Ostrom are vice presidents, Miss Leah Robertson and Miss Mildred McClenaghan are secretaries. Robert McKenzie, Edward. Street, has purchased a variety store in Ailsa Craig. He has beenemployed at C. Lloyd and Son Ltd. for about 10 years. "He has sold his house to Mr. and Mrs.. Jack --McKague of"Wingham. Friends gathered in Lower Wingham to bid farewell to Jim Roberts who left Wingham for England where he will make his home with his sister. Jack McDonald of Brussels announced that a new retail lumber firm will be started at the northerly outskirts of Wingham. Jack Hodgins, who is living in Montreal, will move to Wingham and manage the new firm. MAY 1971 ' Dr. Bruce Green com- menced work this week with Dr. S. G.• Leedham and Dr. A. E. Strong of the Wingham Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Green comes from the St. Thomas district. Vern Redman was elected” president of the Wingharn Kinsmen Club. He succeeds Doug Layton. Alex Strong and Paul Rintoul are the new vice presidents. A committee set tap to make plans for a suitable memorial for the late W. .T. Cruickshank announced a plan .to .landscape the. Hor- ticultural Park at the south- west corner of Josephine and Alfred Streets. Combining the objects of town beautifi- cation and usefulness to the public, it was felt this would be a fitting memorial to a man who was always deeply interested in his community and its people. By,the first of next year a stamp for your letters will cost you eight cents instead of six. Remember facts about Frank Miller Dear Editor, As we head to the polls this week I hope that the people of this province will remember three facts about Frank Miller. The first and best-known fact is that he wanted to close many hospitals in small communities about the province. The second factis that as treasurer of Ontio he in- troduced us to "tax trans- fer". For example he im- posed the seven per cent sales tax. on supplies and equipment purchased by school boards. This move cut our 'budgets -by seven- per cent and returned some of our tax dollars to the province. This is money going ,around in circles, producing nothing but frustration for our school boards who are trying to make ends meet and keep taxes down. The third is that on the front page of the Toronto Star, Friday, March 29, 1985; it was reported that after receiving a $10 parking ticket he was quoted as saying, "We usually don't pay them anyway." Is Frank Miller above the law? If all our citizens had this attitude our province would be in chaos. -Tim R: Willis.. - Wingham Remember someone on Shut-in's Day Dear Editor, Once again may we remind you that the first Sunday of June is Shut-In's Day. We hope you will mark this day on your calendar and give a thought to the large segment of our society who, because of disabilities or advanced age, are not privileged to come and go as we do. Most of us are able, one way or another, to follow up the .thoughtwith pos-itive action. The late founder iif National Shut-In's Day Asso- ciation, Ernest Barker of Goderich, Ontario, a semi - invalid himself, chose the first Sunday of June in the hope that many shut-ins could enjoy a drive supplied by a caring friend at the loveliest time of year, Where this was not feasible a personal visit, a small gift, a letter or a card, a service of some kind, even a telephone call, would show our handicapped friends they are not forgotten and, although they are not able to go out into the world alone, a little of the world would come to •them on their own special day. With your help June 2 will be a happy day for someone who spends endless days, months, years, within four walls. One day out of 365 will pay dividends- satisfaction of knowing you have done a kindness for someone who is unable to do for themselves. Their appre- ciation will far outweigh the small amount of time and effort you put forth. You may even find you want to do it again and again — not just on the first Sunday of June. Dell Daykin, President Sparkles of Happiness Club Kingsville, Ont.