Loading...
The Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-06-20, Page 4a • 0. -4. BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1983 baafCe-itnefi (11lir,llu(i tty Val. hllllt Outvrttl..PM iia. Oyu • ♦Ott 211 11 h� 11 t•llgrr liras. 1.hutted t ne V oleo. Pre.itli."tit .flonie Ile••. Ldu rr -Member S)th.rrgnwIney-21).t)U'per )cal Secant)(' l;i..:llull Itcost ltatlul, IK 21 Rohm t ) 11 clig l SW I rear., \ut)rrt ( \1JRrrlt.nll: Manage' Aleniher ,\u►lit Bureau et l uculauuu� Canadian( emmunii% \ce.rueie ,\wk.. C CT) a ()maw l verve na ) 4R1 t Rcllu Il 17u.1,lrrc LYI.11.11ltcetl otsixtper veectl SI. mouth,. tiJ 1 5tl A new prime minister After living through the 16 years of the Trudeau reign not one of us could deny the power which rests in the hands of the man who becomes prime minister of Canada. Although, In theory, the members of the Cabinet, as well as the other members of parlia- ment who make up the government in power, rule the nation, there is no denying the control which is exercised by Me one person who becomes "the boss". John Turner was elected leader of the Liberal party last Saturday and thus became, automatically, our na- tion's next prime minister. The process by which he reached that all-powerful position is a strange one indeed, and has few of the characteristics of democracy. The choice was left in the hands of 3436 delegates to the conven- tion — a tiny percentage of the Can- adian people who will be directly af- fected by the new leader for years to come. Among those delegates were some who are not yet old enough to vote in a general election. Seventeen is the min- imum age for p rty membership. Still other delegate were last-minute party members ho ere dragooned into the ranks at rids g association level at the last minute and told how to vote when they got to the convention. The delegates cast their ballots after two or three days of non-stop ex- citement; those who wanted to give serious consideration to their choice of leader had to do so amid the pan- demonium and heat of the convention centre— a climate hardly conducive to calm deliberation. We do not contend that the choice of John Turner was a mistake. He may well prove to be an able and con- scientious leader. What we do question. is the political process by which he was selected. A somewhat similar political system is used in the United States e— with one important difference. In that country "primary" elections are held, by which the delegates who will even- tually select a party leader are re- quired to be registered members of the party in good standing who have time to give serious consideration to their choice well in advance of the final vote at convention level. The youth wing of Canadian poli- tical parties now wields 'considerable, influence and these young people ap- parently love the present system. It is not likely to be changed in the near fu- ture. Since Mr. Trudeau's resignation takes effect within a couple of weeks John Turner will automatically suc- ceed to the prime ministership at this time. He will be top man in the nation without a mandate from the voters. Thus it is his obligation to call a general election immediately. The election would take place in late Augus'F or early September. 1,051 you GARDEN What aboutthe future? Now that we have a new hand at the helm, what changes will he make in government policy? How will his de- cisions affect you and your family, your neighbors? Unquestionably Pierre Trudeau was persolally to, blame for many of thee#Sfin s jils oyer the past few years.' At leas that is t1ie opinion'of a g"r"eat number of Canadians who were de- manding his resignation. Will John Turner be able to lead us, out of the wilderness? During the weeks which led up to the convention none of the candidates, with the possible exception of Donald Johnston, made any .clear statements of policy. Speeches at the convention did contain promises of wotiaertul new directions in government policy, but they were patently those goodiesr4vhich would attract ,the most votes.— slashes in the -.deficit, reduction of unemploy- ment, a betterdeal for women, etc. None of the candidates said how these wonders were to be achieved. Since the Liberal government did little to provide more jobs or to reduce heavy taxation over the past five years, Canadians would be foolish to believe that a simple change in leadership would, make miracles come to pass. There are no short-cufs to econ- omic growth and stability. No single goveriiimeht• can enact' legislation which will defeat inflation or create a million jobs- 'But a government can foster the atmosphere in which Can- adians will be enabled to solve more problems for themselves. With proper encouragement, management and labor may at last realize that they, have to work out their problems by co-operation and mutual understand- ing. Government must come to a clear- er realization of the place small busi- ness and farming occupy in the econ- omic well-being of the nation. Good government, no matter which party isat the helm, will demand lead- ers who know how to listen to what the people of the country are saying rather than laying down dictates about what those people must do. Farmers' safety clinic, The haying and harvesting season is a hazardous one for farm people. Each year we hear of many farm oper- ators and their helpers who suffer seri- ous injuries as they work with ma- chinery which industrial technology has provided as their tools. In Huron County the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has recognized the problem of farm safety and has done something practical to minimize the risks involved. On Monday, June 25 a Farm Equipment Safety Clinic will be held at Vincent Farm Equipment, a mile north of Seaforth. The clinic will feature a number of presentations on machinery safety, including an OPP officer speaking on safe road travel, a film on safe operation of equipment and a speaker on experiences in safety. To quote the press release from the Clinton OMAF office, "You owe it to yourself and family members and hired help to learn how to operate equipment safely. Short-cuts don't pay. The cost through damage, down time and lost time through injury can be ex- tremely high." Not a minor force Small business is not a minor force in the Canadian economy, says The Exeter Times -Advocate. That's a point John Bulloch, presi- dent of the 64,000 -member Canadian Federation of Independent Business has been making for years, and now many of the country's policymakers and business leaders have accepted this view. - Governments at all levels have started to develop policies that deal with small business problems, and more of the financial institutions and 'major companies are tapping the small business resource. Indeed, smaller firms are finally being accepted as equals. The reason: research conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business indicates that all of the nation's net new jobs are being created by smaller com- panies. What's More, the U.S. govern- ment indicates that the same thing is happening south of the border. Here are a few of the startling facts included in a recent U.S. report. • —During the period from 1980 to 1982, 1.7 million jobs were lost in U.S. firms with over 100 employees, but 2.6 million new e in firms with fewer than 100 employees. —New small businesses accounted for 43 per cent of the net increas jobs during the same.period. —The rate of growth of new busi- ness formations is accelerating in the U.S. New business birth between 1980 and 1982 added two million more jobs than in the period between 1978 and 1980. —In the most recent period, from November 1982 to November 1983, the number of self-employed workers in- creased 6.6 per cent, compared to a 3.7 per cent rise in wage and salaried em- ployees. —During the period from Septem- ber 1982 to September 1983, in the six major industries for which small and large -business dominated subsectors can be identified, small business -dom- inated subsectors registered net em- ployment growth of more than double the r ate of the larger corporations. The point to all this? Small and medium-sized businesses are not only important job creators, but the success or failure of these firms will dramatic- ally affect the health of our economy and our standard of living. Little response to museum query The future of the Huron County Pioneer Museum lies in the hands of Huron County residents, but to date only five people have responded to a museum questionnaire. The museum has been un- dergoing a feasibility study and agriculture and property committee chairman, Dave Johnston, said the feasibility study team recently publish- ed a questionnaire in county newspapers. "The results of the news- paper survey are not very good. We've had a total of five responses from every newspaper across Huron County,"' Bayfield Reeve Johnston told the June see, sion of Huron County Coun- cil. The small response has led Reeve Johnston to question Huron County's need to have a museum if there isso little' interest. The questionnaire is also available at the museum and covers'such topics as what the visitor liked about the museum and how can the museum be made better. The questionnaire also wel- comes ideas. Museum Curator Ray Scotchmer said if Huron County residentsare inter- ested in their museum, now 'is the time to let the study team know. t The Study -r teas:6.0li' be holding a public •meeting.at the Goderich Township Corn- munity Hall.in Holmesville, on Thursday, Juiy 5 at 8 p,m. nuuannnnuunnunnnnnnmluumlquluuuuwnuuuunnnunuuiununuuunnuounutlnununnnnl Brookhaven Events 11111111111IIIIIIIIII IIIIII I IIIIII ItilIIIIIIII IIIIII!IIIIIIIIIIIII 111111 IIII1II11III I11I IIILII II Illlllllllllilll IIIII IIIIIIIIII I II II I I IIIII We welcome back Wildon Jean Kelly, Caroline Robertson after a long stay Missiere, Erie Ward, Sam in hospital following an Vanstone, Gus Renzetti, operation. A warm welcome Morley Petteplace, Ernest also is extended to Mrs. Eva Uhler, Bob Coultes and Jacklin who has taken up Minnie Linklater. residency at Brookhaven. The residents and staff extend' sincere sympathy to the families of Gordon Gannett and Mary Settle on their recent passing. They will be missed by everyone. Last Thursday, the following residents gathered for the monthly Friendship Tea; Viola Campbell, Margaret Carter, Margaret Curtis, Isabel Kerr, Pearl Hogg, Ellen Walker, Muriel Dawson, Kay McNaughton, Annie Moffatt, Annie Baker, The blessing was asked by Sybil Straker ,and the refreshments served. Prizes were won by Mr. Renzetti and Mr. Uhler, fruit trays, Miss Curtis, candy, and Mrs. Moffatt, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Hogg, flowers. Mr. and Mrs. Tony Straker were the hosts of the tea. The residents and staff were sorry to learn that Mrs. Jean Kelly had a fall and fractured her hip. She now is in hospital in Stratford. oyo " mwrif4yereger 14; a �r + 40r4447 Imh't Wet' at the Wingham Public School Editors: Jason Ducharme Kevin -Smith The weather is nice, the water is fine, so everybody is going swimming. Grades 6 to 8 have reserved the Wing - ham pool to have a thorough water safety presentation. After reviewing all the water safety basics, the pupils will be allowed to have.a swim in .the pool. A person from the Huron County Health Unit gave an excellent presentation about rabies. He showed some of the students films and warned them about rabid animals. At the end of his presentation, pupils asked questions concerning rabies. I'tn sure all the students learned a lot about rabies. —Ria Linardatos The Grade 2-3 class of Mrs. MacRae's is making scenery and costumes for its "Ugly Duckling" play. It will be put on at the assembly June21. The children are excited about going to the pool for the safety course. They have finished their pioneer booklets. Almost all the children agreed that they would not want to, live 'in. pioneer times. After their trip to the' greenhouse, they planted aster seeds and chry'san- themurns. —Heather McLennan The Quebec -Ottawa trip unfortunately came to 'an end. We had a fantastic time. In Quebec we went to such places as the Legis'ature, the board walk and on a caleche ride. In Ottawa, we saw the Parliament Buildings, Sparks Street and Rideau Hall which were all ADAM KNIGHT, the son of Pon and Kim Knight Minnie Street in Wingham, partook of a donut at last Saturday's official opening ceremonies of the new Scout house on Movie Street. The building ,was donated to the Wingham Scouts by the Winghaand District Associa- tion for the Mentally Retarded after the association built new headquarters last year. spectacular. Thank you to all our chaperones and the ones who helped to make it; a success. —Kira Stuckey Mr. Sakasov's Grade 4-5 class is very busy writing tests in social studies and mathematics. Mr. Morton is working with this class on its flight study in science. Everyone. felt that the demonstrations of styrofoarh planes were great. Also, Mr.. Sakasov's class is practicing hard for upcoming track and field meets. —Leianne Johnson Last week Mrs. Hunter's class went to the Chidren's Museum in London. The__ students saw two plays, "My Neighbor" and "A Chin Long Ago". After tote show. they enjoyed a picnic in the shade. The fun part was dressing up for the show., Some dressed as firemen and some dressed up' like policemen. *—Allan Bailie Kindergarten is celebrat- ing Ontario's 200th birth- day with many exciting activities. The end -of -the-' year assembly is June 21 and it starts at 9 a.m. Kin- dergarten will be per- forming. —Kira Stuckey Mrs. Schedler's class is working on science projects. The Grade 3s are doing a project on animals as a follow-up to their trip to the zoo. The Grade 4s are doing a project on water. —Christa Curzon 06eited t,-tice/Edirat/ • • • 1 • 1 • 1 1 1 • • • • • • • • • • •,• • • • • • • D -Day celebration memorable event Dear Editor, Re: -your editorial June 13, "Frustrated veterans", I personally don't share your views on the Normandy celebrations. Asa veteran of D -Day, I appreciated the presence of so many dignitaries and the press and video coverage. It was a very proud moment to have the Allies highest of- ficials present and to speak and mingle with the veterans. We enjoyed the very best treatment, considering the tremendous crowds and the tight security necessary at such a memorable event. It made me proud to be a Canadian and participate in such an occasion. Joe King RR 2, Teeswater 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 Stater St., Suite 708, Ot- tawa, Ont. K1 P 5H3. MARY SCOTT has been a shut-in for almost 50 years, ever since a bout with polio in Septem- ber of 1934. Miss Scott lives on Diagonal Road with her brother Lloyd and is a member of several organizations for the physically dis- abled. Sunday was Shut-ins' Day across Can- ada and the United States. Mary Scott has been a shut-in for 50 years 1 By Margaret Arbuckle Those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to get up and go whenever we please, rarely give it a second thought. But for Mary Scott of Wingham, and thousands of shut-ins .like her, even being able to go for a car ride would because for celebration. Sunday was Shut-ins Day across Canada and the • United States. Even though she had nothing special planned to mark the day, Miss Scott: said she hoped - someone would drop by just to let her know they were thinking about her. A native of the second concession off Morris Town- ship, she attended Stone School. As the eldest daughter, young Mary had to stay home and help look after the household when her mother died. It was 1934 and everyone was feeling the effects of the Great Depression. But every bit as devastating to many families during those years was the dreaded disease polio. One day in .September of that year, she awoke with a terrible headache. She got dressed and went to the barn to do her chores, but as soon as her father saw her, he sent her back to bed. 'Meyer set in that evening and the family sent for the doctor who said Miss Scott had polio. He went to Ethel for a serum and sent to Wingham for another antidote. In all, he was at her bedside every day for eight days, giving her medications to try and halt the progress of the disease. A nurse came in and bathed her to try and bring down the fever and finally after eight days it sub- sided, but she was left without the use of her legs. To this day Miss Scott has no idea how she ever got polio, but said a neighbor boy had it at the same time. She convalesced in bed all winter and the next June the Seaforth Lions Club sponsored a stay for her in Victoria Hospital, London, for therapy. She spent three months_ in London. An ,intern at the hospital coaxed the physiotherapist into letting her use the pool. So Miss Scott . learned to swim, something she really enjoyed, but site said she suffered a let down every time she got out of the water because un- derwater she felt so buoyant and strong and yet on land, she could barely move her legs. Her hard work and determination paid off though and soon she was home and walking with the use of braces. Her father also made her practise walking at home between the bars he had set up. Those years were happy ones for Miss Scott: Her father remarried a wonderful woman and she lived on the farm until 1959 when she and her brother Lloyd moved to the house on Diagonal Road where they still live today. An intelligent and witty woman, Miss Scott belongs to several organizations which promote causes of the disabled. The ALPHA Club (Awareness League for Physically Handicapped Adults) has been instrumental in getting ramps on local streets and Miss Scott is proud to have helped the cause in Wingham by writing the mayor at the time the new main street was going in back in 1978. She also is -a member of the the National Shut -In Society, an organization which has headquarters in the United States. That group also is quite involved in advancing the lot of the handicapped by pressuring governments into legislation which would make things a little easier for the disabled. Life is better today for the handicapped than when Miss Scott was a girl, but there is so much left to be done. For example, very few local stores are equipped for disabled shoppers and there is a very • poor transportation network for the handicapped in Huron County. Miss Scott has arthritis now and therefore can't get into a car, but she keeps up on current events by watching television, reading and taking an interest in the world around her. She is an independent woman and wants to remain in her home as long ase possible. She has a homemaker whu comes in and helps her exercise and with the household chores and she has several close friends who drop in regularly to visit. She also enjoys knitting and writing letters and hos worked as a volunteer telephone contact for "Meals On Wheels". t