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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-05-15, Page 9THE AWOKE TIIflES A page of editorial opinion May15 1 5 P - ingIjanY Zibbance- hues Published at Wingham, Ontario, P.O. Box 390 - NOG 2W0 by Wenger Bros. Limited , Barry Wenger, President Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. Henry Hess, Editor Audrey Currie, Advertising. Manager Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations Member—Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc. Subscriptions $21.00 per year $23.00 beyond 40 -mile zone Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Six months $12.50 Return postage guaranteed A time dor leadership With the provincial election now over and done — at least for the mom- ent — it is time we all turned our atten- Bon to another important matter: the municipal 9eneral elections which are scheduled for this fall. There is an unfortunate tendency these days to regard the arena of local politics as a minor league for second- rate players, a necessary but tiresome business with little appeal for anyone with anything better to do. It is true the job is low -paid and frequently thank- less, but we scorn it at our peril. For despite their limitations, it is in local council chambers that decisions are made which set the tone for our com- munities. Although it is true there are towns which have forged ahead in spite of lacklustre councils and others with strong councils which have lagged be- hind, vigorous leadership can help a community to make the most of its po- tential. When towns have flourished, It is frequently because they have been able to tap the energy and abilities of their most fable citizens. Careful planning, skillful manage- ment and foresight are just as vital to the well-being of'a town like Wingham — itself a two -million -dollar -a -year en- terprise — as to any private industry, and the skills which enable a business to flourish can do -likewise for a com- munity. We in Wingham have such leaders among usand we cannot afford to overlook their talents. During the com- ing months we should consider careful- ly which men and women are best qualified to give our town the kind of leadership it requires. We should ap- proach them, urge them to make them- selves available and give them our support. It is not something we can take for granted. With the prospect of costs mounting daily to replace our dams, rebuild our streets and sewers and up- grade our sewage treatment plant,, it is clear we cannot stand pat. Unless we are moving ahead, we will inevitably., slip backward. There is no reason whyVingham should not flourish. We have strong in- dustries and room fpr • more. We have housing developments already plan- ned, approved and ready to build. We have find people who are eager to work and, in our beautiful parks, quiet neighborhoods; plentiful water and „electricity, good schools and hospital, we have the means •to attract and ac- commodate more. What we must have is the vigorous and able leadership and the strong public commitment which will enable us to take advantage of our strengths and overcome our weaknesses; to shake 'off the doldrums and start grow- ing again. Otherwise it is nothing more than an idle pipe dream to contemplate building a costly sewage plant with a capacity for 4,100 persons. There is little chance we would ever need it. New threat emerges It seems more than a bit ironic that as medical science conquers such age- old scourge as tuberculosis and polio, human beings are suddenly threatened by even more deadly infections. One strain ofhepatitis, for ex- ample, is so deadly that even the tiniest exposure to infection is a virtual sen- tence of death. The latest of the killer infections is shown as AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and it is spreading across North America at an alarming rate. Like the hepatitis infec- tion, there is still no known way to stop its progress, except to avoid any chance of infection. I'f its victims were confined only to •the ranks of the homosexual people ,,where it is a known threat to health, the problem might be, easier to solve. How- ever, the disease is much more prev- alent among Haitians, where there is little evidence of any predominant sex- ual preference. • In Vancouver two men recently died of AIDS infections after receiving blood transfusions. Now,authorities are desperately seeking the blood donors who, unknowingly, passed the infection to totally innocent recipients. Nor is it yet known how many other recipients of blood transfusions may have been exposed to this fearsome danger. The mere fact that blood donors maybe the source of the deadly infec- tion poses a desperate threat to the en- tire Red Cross blood donors' program. It may. well be necessary to do exten- sive tests on each donor before ,blood can be accepted .= which would cer- tainly mean time-consuming delays in a program which is vital to the health of many in the nation. Charter versus cabinet A new milestone in the process of self-government was set put last week when the Supreme Court of Canada handed down a decision which, in effect established the court's power to over- rule the tradition of cabinet secrecy. The decision was based on the regula- tions set out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There are many compelling rea- sons for the observance of secrecy where cabinet discussions are con- cerned. Some of the subjects, which come under cabinet consideration could, if made public, jeopardize the security of the nation; proposals for the control of gime might become known to criminals themselves; proposed government policy in regard to forth- coming tax programs could affect the -value of investments. Many other sound reasons could be put forward in defence of the secrecy policy. If such important considerations were the only reasons for cabinet se- crecy no one could argue their validity. But in alltoo many cases the same veil is used to hide what are nothing more than polical maneuverings and in some cases constitute the plans for 'policies which may not be in the•best interests of the people of Canada. The Supreme Court -judgment opens the door through which civil lib- erties • may step into the cabinet chamber with a demand for open dis- closure, should the cabinet fail; to have due regard for the rights of the average man and woman of the land. Limits recommended The Law Reform Commission of Canada recommends the placing of new limitations on the powers of fed- eraltax collectors. Some of the recom- mendations contained in a recent study would demand increased consideration for the average taxpayer. Among its recommendations is one which says that only one tax audit per year be allowed and that it be limited to three previous years unless judicial approval Is granted. A further recom- mendation says that taxpayers and third,partles should be reimbursed for audit -related expenses where exces- sive demands for Information are made. An important point is made in the conclusion that search and seizure powers under the Income Tax Act ex- ceed those granted police, even when Investigating a murder. Tax officials, says the study, should not/ be em- powered to enterhomes or offices to in- spect documents, but should merely have the power to compel taxpayers to produce such' documenfs. It was also recommended that the. investigative search powers of Rev- enue Canada be subject to the same limits as those set out in the Criminal Code. Other aspects of the power wielded by Revenue Canada have come under sharp criticism, and in this case there is every likelihood that Parliament will approve some extensive changes. Hon. Perrin Beatty, who is now the federal minister of revenue, began these in- vestigations nvestigations while he was the Opposi- tion critic of Revenue Canada. It is therefore very likely that he will be ac- tive in revising tax regulations for his own department. 1B Goll9 , I hate to say bit accordi% to the pa per your Lord Day Act i5 ILLEGAL 2f - sl:iiiEli..- lin.I •diFliiiniila PI hinitt !" r ews Items From Old Files MAY 1938 Mrs. A. E. Lloyd was elected president of the Women's Christian Tem- perance Union at the annual meeting held at the United Church. Vice presidents are Mrs. Tiffin, Mrs. Raymer and Mrs. A. Cosens. A transient visited Lakelet, causing much concern among the residents there. Unmindful fof in- vitations to move .on, he decided to sleep in the church but his slumber„, were interrupted before midnight and he was taken into custody by Constables George Westlake and Oliver Galloway and escorted to Goderich jail. Crows have been bothering the chickens of• James Elliott, Concession Four, Turnberry, so his son Harold decided to set a spring trap on the top of a pole. On Thursday morning he found a large grey owl caught in it. Its wing spread measured over four feet. Mr. Elliott later released the bird. The Saskatchewan provincial election will be held June 8. The leader of the Conservatives is 41 -year-old J. G. Diefenbaker who was born in Neustadt, Ontario, and lived in Port Elgin and New Toronto until 1903. Robert Weir, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Weir, has been successful in obtaining his.Master of Science degree from the University of Alberta. He will continue his research work for the university during the summer. Workmen are ' busy on Minnie Street, lowering the road and ditching it, in preparation for putting on a permanent surface. MAY 1951 The new fire truck which has been purchased jointly by the town of Wingham and the surrounding rural municipalities, is due to arrive here this week. The cadet corps of the Wingham District High School put on a fine show for their inspection parade at the town park. John Lan- caster is company com- mander and Shirley Lock - ridge is second in command. Crests were presented to Stanley Hiseler, George Porter, John Lancaster, Arnold McIntyre, Jim Ca;A:gt, Irving Elliott; Robert Feagan, Joseph Brown," Wil- lard Platt, Bodie Craig and Glen_ Showers. Lois Hamilton was elected president of the Wingham Kinettes, succeeding Joyce Heal. Her supporting of- ficers are Peg Bateson, Shirley Cunninghatt and Edythe Johnson. A unique tree-pl nting ceremony was held in Culross Township when over 160 pupils from 10 township schools in Culross • and students from Teeswater Public School gathered for a planting bee. They planted 6000 red and white pine and one lone maple in the centre of the whole area. Foster Moffatt, who will soon be 80, was the oldest man present and the youngest was Gary Falconer, not quite three. Mrs. G. A. Ross and J. A. Wilson were the winners of. the Bridge Club• trophies after playoffs. At a meeting of Wingham Town Council, la lot im- mediately south of the built- up area on Josephine Street was sold to Hartley Smith on condition that a building be erected within one year. No gasoline is to he sold from the property. MAY 1961 Kinloss road men have been busy during the . past week cutting downthe hill at Carman Whytock's and Mr. Brown's on the second concession, and trying to fill the swale that is a source of continuous trouble. Cars were being hauled out of the swale by tractors this weekend. Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Williams, formerly of Toronto, moved their household belongings to the home they purchased in the village of ' Fordwich, which was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Bouillon. Miss Marykae Newman of London Teachers' College has been hired by the Riverside Separate School Board in the Windsor district. Miss Ruth Fryfogle has accepted a position as teacher at Komoka. Danny. Lee of Toronto arrived in Wingham to take up duties as a chef at Lee's Restaurant. He is an -expert on Chinese dishes which the local restaurant will feature shortly. Fred Carbert of Wingham has been engaged by the Riverside Park's Devel- opment Board as park supervisor. Work has begun on the play area and picnic grounds and playground equipment is being painted. Three Whitechurch -area girls have secured positions as teachers for next term. Miss Elaine Conn and Miss Claire Chamney were hired to teach at Scarborough, Miss Karen Groskorth in To- ronto. MAY 19711 Highland dancers Lori Goodall, Heather Currie and Janet McGee of Wingham successfully passed their dance tests at Chesley. The girls are pupils of Amy Johnston. Winning trophies for the playoff high doubles at the bowling lanes were Kevin Hickey, Larry Simmons and Robert Wharton, rep- resenting junior, senior and bantam divisionsrespective- ly. _ • ,• Among those rebving their junior piloting cer- tificates from the Goderich Power Squadron were Peter Keil of Gorrie and Charles Procter of Brussels.. A pet show was sponsored by neighborhood children. Winners were Princess, best behaved dog, shown by David Penny; Kelly, the largest dog, by Christy Lewis, and Taffy, smallest dog, by Cindy Beard. Mrs. Ruth Alton, RR 7, Lucknow, has again been granted the privilege of teaching private music lessons at Brookside Public School during regular school hours. Mrs. Alton conducted the lessons at Brookside this year on a trial basis and received, the approval of the principal to continue if the school board agreed. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Espensen of Palmerston have moved to Gorrie with their new trailer home, to the corner of Maitland and Mill Streets. Just kidding around Dear Editor, Your picture and story about the quintuplet goats born at the farm of Bob and Mary Lou Sittler near Gorrie caught my eye. That little nanny goat was certainly "kidding around" in the true sense of the word. What fascinated me was your recording that the kids weighed in at an average of six pounds each. Gosh! Thirty pounds of kids. Now I know very little about goats and how much they weigh, but that little .family must have weighed in at about half the weight of their mother! Then Mary Lou was posed with the five kids, plus one of her' own. Wonder what the name of the Sittler kid was? Wonder what fanciful names they may have bestowed on the quintuplets? Just "kidding" you a bit.. But I was taught many years ago that a weekly newspaper must leave no questions unanswered, And my sincerest thanks to you and yours for this help and for keeping me "hep to the gen" on everything in and around Wingham. Your item will form part of the segment in the late Saturday night news on May 18. Arthur Carr "Country Editor" CKCO-TV Will study technical -programs The needs of technical pro- grams in Huron County se- condary schools will be re- viewed, with the possibility of getting more provincial dollars also being invest- igated. At the Huron County Board of Education's May meeting, trustees heard and approved ... a request from director of education Bob Allan for the technical study. Mr. Allan's request calls for ,one staff member to study the current situation in Huron secondary schools and determine how pro- grams can be brought within Ministry of Education guide- lines. There will also be an evaluation of family studies and industrial arts in" ele- mentary schools. "We've studied technical education quite a few times, is this another exercise in futility?" questioned trustee John Elliott. Mr. Allan said the idea is to propose to the province . how technical studies can be updated. The director was basing his request on Pre- mier Frank Miller's election proposal "Enterprise Ontar- io". LODGE INSTALLATION --The 1985-86 executive officers of the Wingham Masonic Lodge were installed last Tuesday evening. They are: back, Ray Lewis, senior steward; Reg O'Hagan, organist; Pete Hollinger, ty/er; Scott Reid, historian; Lee Grove, secretary; Gary Mc- Cormick, Junior deacon; Denis Langridge, inner guard; Gard Baxter, chaplain; Doug Gerson, steward; GorctCowman, D of C: frpnt, Fred Lewis, senior warden; Tom Miller, immediate past master; Dave Hynes, worshipful master; Doug McBurney, junior warden and George Prue, senior deacon.