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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-06-26, Page 4THE MIDI/A11 E TIfllES A page of editorial opinion June 26 1985 VtnIjam hence -Mimeo Published at gham, Ontario, P.O. Box 390 - NOG 2W0 Barry Wenger; President y Wenger Bros. Limited Robert er 0. 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 Road To Recovery If the true test of an organization Is the quality of the people Involved In it — and we believe that itis — then the Wingham and District Hospital Is in- deed, In the words of its outgoing board chairman, "In a very enviable posi- tion". At last Week's annual meeting of the hospital corporation, the people of this area showed once again that they care very deeply about their hospital. It was not ,so much th s ze of the. turnout althou an estimated 70 people at a time hen it is Increasingly difficult to get an .ne out for anything is not to be sneezed : t -- as the obvious interest shown in the . roceedings of the meeting. People c -me not rust to ob- serve but to part! ipate, and partici- pate they did. 6,1;k1 times the meeting was an exercise in frustration as uncertainties over rules of procedure produced confusion in voting on bylaw changes and amendments. It was not that people did not know what they wanted to accom- plish. It was rather a case of "you can't get there from here" as they found themselves mired from time to time in awkwardly -worded amendments or motions which went further than in- tended. They persevered, however, and in the end they succeeded. It was democracy at its most basic: not al- ways pretty, but effective and just. This kind of interest and concern, even more than donations, will help to ensure the hospital remains alive and well, particularly when the public in- terest appears to be mirrored In the members of the hospital board. In quite a few years of monitoring the board we cannot recall having seen so large a group more willing to devote time and effort to making sure the hospital Is in touch with and responsive to the needs of its community. The relationship between hospital and community has been through some rocky times. Perhaps it is still too early for an accurate prediction, but we would hazard the forecast, based on re- cent events, tha-the patient is on the road to a strong recovery. And that will be good for all of us. The African Enigma The people of Europe and the west- ern world have responded with open- hearted generosity to the plight of the millions of starving men, women and children in Ethiopia and other African lands. Monetary apd food aid hes been pouring into that continent ever since it •became known just how desperate con- ditions really are. It comes, therefore, as a shock to learn that while the people inmore prosperous countries are digging deep- ly into .their resources, the Ethiopian government is finding the situation highly profitable. David Lamb, in an article published by The Los Angeles Times, says Ethiopia will realize about $20 million in hard currency this year because of its port fees charged to un- load relief supplies. Most of the revenue will come from the $12.60 a ton charged to permit un- loading of grain. The United States has paid more than $5 million since De- cember to unload 'the 400,000 tons of , grain it has sent to Ethiopia. World Vi- sion International, a Christian relief agency, recently had to hand over $750,000 in port fees before officials would allow a ship carrying 40,000 tons of grain to dock. It had been'kept wait- ing for eight days. Conce"r"n, an Irish aid organization, paid $282,000 to offload 2,000 tons in the port of Assab and transport it ,to the famine region. Ethiopia is also charg- ing steep duties- for non=food-refief� Several four-wheel-drive Land Rovers paid for with money raised by rock star Bob Feldorf have been on the dock for weeks because of import fees demand- ed by customs officials. Nor is the government the only bene- ficiary of the famine. Business has never been better for hotels and hous- ing owners. The influx of relief workers from the more affluent countries has brought in more spending in hard cash than Added Ababa and other countries have ever known. Seven years ago the occupancy rate at the Addis Ababa Hilton was 18 per cent. Today that rate has climbed to 80 per cent and the own- ers have plans afoot to build a 205 -room addition. It is indeed a mark of human generosity that aid continues to pour into African territories when such gross rip-offs must be borne if the dying are to be helped. Different In Canada . In sharp contrast to the enigma in Africa is the outpouring of assistance for tornado victims here .In Ontario. Last week this writer spent two days at meetings of the Ontario Pres Council in Barrie and found time to tour the devastated areas of that city. As many others have said, one simply cannot believe the magnitude of the calamity without seeing it first hand. Even more awesome than/ the evidence of the tornado's vast power, is the hit-and- miss pattern of destruction — a single house standing unscathed, with homes all around it shattered. Mayor Archer of Barrie, along with his wife, was a guest at our Thursday night dinner and we were deeply im- pressed by his quiet but strong air of leadership. His brief address described the reactions of a peaceful community suddenly faced with a disaster of un- precedented proportions and how its citizens responded to the needs of those who were victims of the tornado. Help for those who suffered loss, not only in Barrie, but TnGrand Valley and other places, has been pouring into the disaster fund. Already the total has reached more than $6 million and is still growing. Rather than profiting from the situation, as is the case in Africa, both provincial and federal governments have been liberal in their promises of assistance. Will The Leaders Listen? James McGrath, the New Brunswick MP who heads a committee which has been studying parliamentary reform, has written a report to which our gov- ernment should pay close attention. Basic to the report is the conclusion that the effective power of therifederal government has fallen too much into the hands of the cabinet. It igti-me to return that power to the elected mem- bers of Parliament, who reflect not so much the ambitions of a particular party, but the wishes of the Canadian people. The report also recommends more "free" votes In the House, where the „ members of Parliament are permitted to vote as their own intelligence and their perception of the public good may be the guide. Another, recommendation is that committees entrusted with spe- cial duties should be smaller so they can act with greater speed. Less power should be accorded to government commissions such as the CRTC and to the many crown corporations, such as Canada Post. The McGrath report strikes at the root of many of the problems which have developed in federal government, where a strong leader — a Trudeau or a Mulroney — finds it all too easy to im- pose his personal will on an entire na- tion. 111111181111111111111111111111111111111111110111. • Items from Old Files JUNE 1938 Odit. Rumford and Capt. Barwick, who have been in charge of the Salvation Army here for the past few years, have been moved to Dundas. They will be suc- ceeded by Capt. Viola Terry of Hamilton and Lieut. Enid Speller, Toronto. The W. T. Rawleigh Co. announces the appointment of C. D. Payne as dealer for the townships of Morris, Grey and Howick for the full line of Rawleigh products. Mr. Payne is residing at Brussels. The community was saddened on learningofthe_ tragic death of Helen Louise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Hammond. Helen was seriously burned when the automobile in which they were riding took fire in front of the creamery at Bluevale. She was in her 17th year. A quiet wedding was solemnized in the United Church manse, Arthur, when Annie Jean, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest McCullough, RR 2, Teeswater; was united in marriage "to James Colin McNeil, youngest son of Mr. and .Mrs. Neil McNeil, Belmore. John Montgomery, who for the past few years has operated the township power , grader, was named road superintendent of Howick Township, filling a position left vacant by the death of Robert F. Edgar: Nelson Gowdy of Wroxeter received the appointment left vacant by Mr. Montgomery. - Dr. J. T. Phair, chief medical officer of health for Ontario, said the province is well equipped with iron lungs and infantile paralysis serum, although an outbreak similar to the one which swept the province last summer is not expected. There are 22 iron lungs placed at different points in - ..the province. JUNE 1951 Don Nasmith was installed as president of the Wingham Lions Club. Vice presidents are Bob - Hetherington, Stewart Beattie and Mike McPhail. Bill Conron is secretary and Howard Sherbondy treasurer. - Playing with Duncan Kennedy of Wingham in the International Bridge Games at Goderich, Mrs. A. R. DuVal of Wingham secured her master points. As far as is known she is the first Wingham woman, to attain this distinction. The official .opening of the Huron Pioneer Museum will take place at Goderich next week. Thomas Pryde, How can anyone justify fire budgets? Dear Editor: Re the article, "Purchas- ing a tank truck for Howick", in the report on the Wingham Area Fire Board meeting, I see many of the issues that we (the concern- ed taxpayers of Howick) have been discussing with our council are starting to come out into the open. "Spending spree" spells out exactly what we have been trying to impress on our council. How anyone can Democracy in action Dear Editor, The annual meeting of the Wingham and District Hospital last Thursday, although a bit tedious at times, was an example of democracy in action. The active participation of those present in debating and discussing changes to the bylaws clearly shows that this community cares about our hospital and how it is operated. The observers who at- tended the board meeting that followed the annual meeting were warmly welcomed by the new chairman, thereby signal- ling a refreshing new openness in hospital affairs Congratulations to our board! Ross S. Procter RR 5, Brussels justify the fire budgets that we see and have (Howick, $26,000 in 1983 to well over $100,000 in 1984 and again in 1985; Wingham, $40,000 to $115,000) is very hard to un- derstand. Maybe they are figuring in metric. The complete lack of plan- ning by both the fire board and Howick is now present- ing itself to all the taxpayers involved 'under the agree- ment. It's like the farmer who buys a 150 hp tractor only to find out he doesn't have the machinery to go with it. When Howick contributed $80,000 plus $14,000 plus ? nothing was spelled out as to what exactly Howick was going to get. It appears an open-ended agreement was signed by all involved. Now we the taxpayers are being asked to pick Up the pieces and pay the price. For example, fire calls go up from $400 to nearly $700. Do we in Howick pay double for a call when our future fire department is called out ander, Wingham arrives to back then -alp? I could go on with the argu- ment and concerns we have presented to our council in the past year regarding fire protection and the additional costs, and costs, and costs— but you have already read about it. Our only hope is that good old Comon Sense will win out. Jim Robinson Fordwich M.L.A., will cut the ribbon to open the museurmwhich is located in the former North Street Public School. Softball supporters and other friends in the com- munity have arranged a Foodland fog bran Dear Editor, I applaud CFPL televi- sion's "Inquiry" program entitled , "Power for the People" aired on May 26, 1985. _However though--the- broadcast was an hour in length, the surface of the issue — using foodland for a transmission corridor — was barely scratched. Ontario's foodland is extremely vital and totally irreplaceable and therefore should not be used to support an electrical transmission line. The citizens of Ontario are already paying high prices for their electricity supply and taxpayers are also supporting Ontario Hydro's inconceivable $23 billion (debt with tax dollars. Now they are being pressured to sacrifice food - land. Ontario Hydro MUST be forced to use less produc- tive land for transmission lines; our future depends on it. During the last decade the Ontario government has given Ontario Hydro an unfettered leash and' it has run out of control. This has spurred the formation of groups of concerned citizens such as Foodland Hydro to try and enforce some logical planning to save already de- pleted prime agricultural land for our future generations. OntarWHydro is cleverly manipulating these con- cerned citizens' groups, pitting them against each h "Tommy Jardine Night" at the town park. Plans are to make a presentation to Tommy Jardin, veteran Wingham pitcher, who leaves shortly to take charge of the store he has purchased should not be used at Clarksburg. A large crowd witnessed the Wingham Lions' Mutt Show. Billie Rintoul had the smallest, dog and Dick McCutcheon and Marie James the largest. Gregory Brent had the best -dressed dog and Donald Gurney and Joan Armitage the best trick dog. JUNE 1961 An interesting operation is in progress at present as Levis Construction of Clinton applies a new surface to sidewalks along the main drag between . Patrick and John Streets. A layer of black paving material is being placed over the old - walks, then a covering of concrete is brushed onto the surface. JUNE 1971 Work on the construction of the new area headgilar- ters for the Department of Lands and Forests on High- way 4, adjacent to the Department of , Highways building, is moving ahead. Drawings for proposed extensions and alterations to the Wingham and District Hospital are to be presented to the board of governors at the July meeting. The proposal includes extension of one wing of the hospital to the east to allow for enlargement of laboratory space in the basement; larger quarters for the emergency' department on first floor; more efficient obstetrical facilities on second floor and a second operating room on third floor. The 20 -year-old bandstand at Wingham's Horticultural Park was moved to the park area near the river. least e "string of lines". tems, obstr ction "to aerial The p .o ' 'sed M7 system spraying a d compaction of consists 'rie 500kV single the Ian re a few of the circuit fro-'-tire4:- uoe Joan uisances to be toler- Nuclear Power Development ated. (BNPDY to Barrie, one 500kV • A responsible government double circuit from, the should ensure the protection BNPD to London and one of prime agricultural land by 500kV single circuit from effective legislative plan - Nanticoke to London. This ning, to which Ontario Hydro will certainly not quell the must comply. These resistance put forward by repeated malpractices of opposition groups, but Hydro should never be greatly increase their allowed to occur again. momentum. At present if Hydro feels Frequently we hear of the its interests are threatened it NIMBY syndrome — Not in will use any power at its My Back Yard. No, of course disposal which it deems not; nobody wants$it in their necessary to protect itself. back yard, but there is far Ontario Hydro has to con - more at stake here than a vine no one, and so acts in transmission tower being an its own interests regardless eyesore. It is the damage to of the consequences to the land, frequently others. It obeys ' no irreparable, that is the regulatory bodies, holds no concern to agriculturalists. shareholders' meetings and These lands may never is subject to no elections. again be able to support the The new Ontario govern - present crop yields. ment must take the reins of It is not only the area of the Ontario Hydro and bring it base of the tower that would under control. Citizens' be erased from production. groups must continue to The affected land would fight, at their own cost, for encompass the entire trans- the preservation of Ontario's mission line right-of-way. foodland for the future That is approximately 300 generations of this province. ' acres of prime agricultural Foodland Hydro is fighting land south from the BNPD to for all people in Ontario, to London, plus 250 more acres help retain their foodland. If for a transformer station. nothing is done, future Yet Ontario Hydro em- generations will rightly ' phatically states only - 25 condemn our generation for acres are lost to a trans- selfish misuse of Ontario's mission line on this route. mot important resource: The inconveniences of prime agricultural land. working around towers, Jane Rose damage to drainage sys- - "' RR 1, Ailsa Craig ot er by proposing a scenario of various trans- mission systems from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development. Hydro now recognizes the resistance of these groups is greater than anticipated, so recently it quietly put for- ward yet another system, the M7, which treats all areas of agricultural opposition "fairly" — they all get at Thanks 10 all for book sale support Dear Editor, I am writing as coor- dinator of the Blyth Centre for the Arts recent book sale to thank the people of Huron Close loopholes in Young Offenders Act Dear Editor, Are your loved ones safe today? Currently our Canadian court,system is backlogged, a problem that has been compounded by the implementation of the Young Offenders Act. Under the YOA even the most violent criminals could sriend less than three years in a detention centre only to be unleashed upon society once again, Similar to most legislation, there are many grey areas left to the judge to interpret. Acts of violence have no age limits! A crime is still a crime. Close the loopholes and bring safety and justice back into our society. A petition has been started by concerned citizens to have this legislation changed. If you care and are willing to help, contact Barbara Campbell and Sheila San- some at Box 47, Lombardy, Ontario KOG 1L0. Barbara Campbell, Sheila Sansome Lombardy County for their generous support of our event. ° We were particularly heartened by the number of people who donated all sorts of books of very good quality to the sale and who took the time to deliver them to us as well. We had more such donations this year than ever before! A big thank -you as well to the many who came June 1 and 2 to buy books and attend the readings given by Micki McClear and Gisele Ireland. We were very happy with the attendance and are happy to report that the event raised over $1,600 for the Blyth Centre for the Arts, : We certainly appreciate the enthusiastic response of the public to this annual event. Marian Doucette Board of Directors Blyth Centre for the Arts P