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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1979-03-14, Page 41.1 amu, t. "Tlmss A page of editorial opinion, Wedn*sclay, March 14 "` .:.aK:a»`:ve2.:;a;�cta�La'�R:.n+LttiahvL'a.a�lati-;eco'ed�fti:�vaeArti,X44+:\K\��...Svc\�4\i+u.'iAYv'K':..:.vh::•a�i:.�.:... :•:�..1w:.b- - - Swamped in Governments have a multitude of methods for getting themselves out of tight corners. One of the handiest of these devices is what has become known as a "study". The people who make up the study groups have taken the place of royal commissioners to some degree — but call the gimmick by whatever name you will. By the time a study has been completed public attention has waned and some new problem has seized the spotlight. Then government can safely shelve the issue which, given immediate decision, would have cost votes. One of the more useless exercises of this kind came to light a few weeks ago when the University of Western Ontario carried out a study for Transport Canada on the value of seat belts in school buses. The UWO group's conclusion was that seat belts on school chil- dren in buses would probably do more harm than good. Their report was based on a first-lineP remise that only lap belts could be installed in school buses and that serious Injuries could result from use of the single belt. In the first place, why can buses not be equipped with both lap and chest belts as are studies -Crack down on At last�eek's meeting of the Huron County Boar of Education there was con- siderable discussion of the problem of vandalism within the schools by students. Upshot was that principals have been instructed to report acts of vandalism to the board. Among the problems reviewed were urinal drains cemented shut, toilets plugged with paper, windows broken, screens slash- ed, writing on walls, etc. It is high time that vandalism, in our schools or elsewhere, be recognized for what it is — an outright crime which should be eradicated with the same vigor 'that is applied by law enforcement people to rob- bery. The high cost of repairing the damage passenger cars? If bus seats are not made in a shape which will accommodate proper safety belts, why did the report not recom- mend Immediate change to seats which will do so? John Bates, editor and publisher of the magazine Bus and Truck Transport said re- cently in an interview that "anybody who ,ors ria,. hc!ts aren't cafe obviously doesn't know what they're talking about." Bates, who is president of the Metropoli- tan Toronto borough of Etobicoke's home and school council, was instrumental In get- ting school buses in that borough equipped with seat belts and high-backed padded seats — the only board in Canada to take such action. So much for studies and their highly educated participants. While on the subject of school bus safety we might mention that the last time the same subject was mentioned in this column a school bus driver commented in our office that seat belts would be great, but that a much more drastic need is formor string- ent trip -ent examination of school bus drivers. He believes that quite a few drivers would fall to meet safety standards because of poor physical health or other handicaps. vandals created by these idiots is, in fact, robbery and the loss has to be made up from the tax- payers' pockets. The vandal has to be one of this world's stupidest individuals. A thief at least has the intelligence to steal for personal gain. A vandal has no intelligence in the ordinary sense of the word. Not only does he or she gain nothing of any value from the act, but his destructiveness is usually directed toward facilities placed at his disposal for the betterment of his own existence. If a school student was convicted of stealing he would have to. pay the penalty, usually a steep one. The vandal is entitled to no more lenient treatment. Sickening behaviour t • legitimate news, but most `editors and ) hgkre_ is.. somethlnq.,�gally sick about Margaret Trudeau's insistence on dragging broadcasters seemed to feel that the honor out all the murky details of her past for pub- not only of the prime minister, but to some lication. Enough that she proved unable to extent that of the nation deserved consid- meet the responsibilities of her married life eration. and her obligations as a wife and mother. What a waste of opportunity! They She continues to hang out all the dirty linen might as well have told all that was known, for the whole world to see. since Margaret was going to tell even more. When news of her separation and her Her husband, by contrast, has never publicly escape with the Rolling Stones first broke, said one derogatory word about a wife who the press of this country proved remarkably has obviously tried his patience to the limit. restrained in its reporting. There was no What a beautiful heritage she is leaving obligation to do so. The events were for her three young sons. They're at it again A certain sign of spring in Canada is the she had ever visited a slaughter house when opening of the seal hunt in the Gulf of St. a steer was in transition from animal to Lawrence and the immediate appearance of beefsteak. She hadn't thought of that and the protesters. Last week they were all back gulped a bit on the tasty lunch she was eating in action. at the time. Personally we don't like the idea,of baby Certainly the federal authorities should seals being clubbed to death by the thous- insist on the most humane ways possible of ands, but at least we have enough sense to killing the animals which are required for know that the chief reason for all the protest our incomes and personal sustenance. is the entirely irrelevant one that the seals However it will probably always be neces- are cute to look at. sary to take animal lives if the human race is At a meeting we attended not long ago to survive. the question of the seal hunt came up and the The seal hunt is but one facet of the fur one woman in attendance expressed her dis- harvest and those furs provide the liveli- gust about killing the baby seals. We asked hoods for many thousands of families who her what she thought about. killing Persian are in dire need of the income. But don't be Iambs, and found she was unaware that fooled. A muskrat dies a pretty rough death those Iambs are taken unborn from their in a trap. A mink or a coon doesn't die peace - mothers' bodies, thus killing two animals for fully in bed if he is to become part of a lady's one small pelt. Another person asked her if coat. This is a cruel world. y` Program protects businesimcc property :� a?,. a•s:,<<;?: p ~:><}»> hard to i ,,�,; � �� • a ,a�• >�/.�J►. ,mss ` :::� It is often deaft but E 46"1 •::< vao� wide program : _ silt e1'eli ' ' Cana � police forces will give businesatei and schools v>•:. 'A.,'��..••.';:<�.,,;,•,,., • and institutions like churchs r •: :<':: schools a better' chance of doing „Q ::.�:<;:•:>..:::: that. i Operation Provident, a free property identification program avails cases and in available to businesses is now in operation ,•s�� ', ,;� :.. <:>`�� >.;��> stitutiona, ;O �*>r though no one in Wingham has used it. %�� ' `: :; t is similar :•+z:� ?> • � .; � Operation Provider Open A. :..: °°f :: •.`:$> Identification .,° qe :.:...1. • :' to the Operation r t ma rk iQ residential pr p y g '>'': >'programbut is just for businesses and ins +. �:.. tituti OIns. a :.:.: .�•:. •. .:. . Valuables like ewriters , .::. •. Em. �i.<. 88h machines, desks ?3h'''''•fic:. adding m8 , + %e• ... .C..: '> :�.. �..• . and other ma y,.,�'eters ��'Y --�' :•�:..:,:h::<;•.;.:+....;:::.;: ;:.:<...•:;�:;:,::>::>:�>;: and goods can be marked with an X : »:' :: 1 or other method �.:;.�`;.:>•�>:::�:�::;::::::.:::....... raving too :x:. w<' number marked on them ..1 v:�and the . with the police lice r is ter ed wi .................. . - and the Canadian Police In _` formation Centre in Ottawa. �- Wingham Police Chief Robert Wittig says the new program is designed to deter thefts and, if thefts occur, to help recover the stolen goods. "Next time find out if your barber is a Conservative before you begin badmouthing Though people could identify Joe Clark. their personal goods with engraving machines or invisible ink in Operation Identification by using their social insurance number or licence numbers, Operation Provident numbers are assigned by police. An item marked under Operation Provident and stolen etters t t e, in Wingham could be identified as originating here even if found in Vancouver. Protests bed cuts Drainage Problems For easy processing each region of Canada is assigned a numerical prefix, with another Dear Editor, method is heavy handed. The Wingham Advance -Times In the case of the rural block of numbers identifying the The following is a copy of a hospital was established by local Dear Sir: municipality with a residential area of the province or district letter sent to Dennis TimbreII, initiative and sa� tx. Our tax One cannot help becoming area we have the sort of horse where the article was marked. minister of >�iealth and welfare, iti dollars (and OE IP)• finance thi th�Y aware situatidn of tote people Local detachments of the �. 1�� ��� '• Ontario Provincial Police and protest against the cutting of operation of our hospital. We fortunate situation as it invoIv ving•to work through municipal lice forces will have hospital beds. have a democratic right to share to a residential area in a rural the system of the municipal P� Po Dear Mr. Timbrell: in the decision-making process municipality. drainage petition. 7dsrnumber assigned As a concerned citizen I am about its future. You are denying In a town or incorporated t ach usiness or institution. writing -to protest the way in -us this right. village where there is a drainage Now many times people in �' ittig expects that when which hospital beds are being We expect your integrity will problem, or where a drainage these situations never can seem earn of the program many cut, not only in our local hospital force you to postpone the April 1 works is needed, the municipality to agree—too often it ends up that businesses will _ Participate to but all across rural Ontario. cutbacks so that we can move can and does (if my information some people might have to protect their property. Because If the concern is health costs together to provide better health is correct) go ahead and get the contend with flooded basements of the high value of equipment at then it would seem to me that less care at an affordabst. job done without the necessity of or septic tanks till hell froze over, businesses like garages or large efficient hospitals should bear sTmpectfully, a, drainage petition from a so to speak, and be unable to get offices, he expects response will the brunt of budget restraint. The K. B. Passmore majority of the people affected. any redress. We have that be higher than the 25 per cent way your department is handling situation right here in the response to the Operation the situation the well-run Bluevale area of Morris Town- Identification program. hospitals are being punished for ship. EASIER TO RECOVER their frugality. This is unfair and There has to be a better way of STOLEN GOODS in the long run ver counter- dealing with these conditions in a Under Operation Provident productive. y Service not necessary residential rural area. Maybe goods should be much easier to Also, before you cut beds, have other rural municipalities have recover and identify. Presently you not a responsibility to have in Dear Edi Advance -Times can get everything they need in the answer. I believe in a town stolen goods can be recovered Derr Editor, Wingham and all have telephones residents are charged a frontage place an alternative form of g g before they are reported missing service of equal benefit? In reference to `Call a Ride' for delivery if necessary. fee in the area where the services if found while a business is closed Huron County we have a from the Outreach Program, I As a ratepayer of two town- ,, are provided, which would seem for a weekend or overnight. disproportionate number of feel `Call a Ride' in this rural ships (Howick and Turnberry) I a reasonable approach to the "At the present time what senior citizens (double the area isn't necessary and would feel it is only an added expense problem. would you do with an object you national average, see RDOP be just another added expense to and a council member from M. Ross Smith find that hasn't been reported study, University of Guelph). the taxpayers- Senior citizens Turnberry has been appointed to Nursinghome capacity is totally and other people without their the committee. Every time there Bluevale missing?" er Wittig asked. p y 't own transportation have always are meetings or mileage involved Under Operation Provident, r inadequate. Therefore, wouldn't po a car were stopped and four it be reasonable to at least managed to get from place to we the taxpayers are liable for typewrite•: identified as coming reclassify the apparent surplus place for the last 100 years and in the bill. I certainly am against from Wingham were in it, police active treatment beds to chronic this day a/nd age of modern this type of program and feel e care9 transportation there is certainly there are a lot better places for d1 would phone the business owner You are makinga big mistake. no problem getting rides if they the taxpayer's dollar. and report that some of his g I typewriters were found and he Whether right or wrong• your wish to pay. The senior citizens Mrs. George Merkley New Books should check for more missing in the Library goods. Operation Provident is free to B Murray Gaunt MPP for Huron -Bruce GOSSIP by Andrew Barrow the business owner and though Y This is the story of hundreds of Police aren't obligated to provide famous and well known people marking tools, the town police Reuee n's Park who have excited envy, curiosity, can lend an engraving tool to tom � love or hatred over 50 years of businesses which want to be English history. The book tells of Protected under the program. the society scandals, triumphs Mr. Wittig doesn't recommend Da v s speaks ( UT Last week's throne speech be looking at companies with sex) and I, along with others in and tragedies, controversial love the use of invisible inks because opened the third session of the long term growth potential, the House, have asked the minis- affairs, dazzling social occasions items marked with them are parliament. arliament. particularly in areas of sophisti- ter of health about the difficult and other incidents, minor and harder to identify in court, Ontario's Premier Bill Davis has how it is explained, means separation from sated technology and in areas situation encountered by area major, which have set the gossip Business owners may not like obviously had enough of the sort of props- the rest of Canada, according to the Ontario The speech, read by Lieuten- where there is potential for ex- hospitals in regard to bed cuts. writers scribbling during this to admit it, but one of the main garde which the premier of Quebec is premier. ant -Governor Pauline McGibbon port sales. The minister indicated that there historic action packed era 1920- sources of pilferage in some directing at the United States. Speaking to a He is to be commended for laying it right before a packed legislature, Industry and Tourism Minister will be adjustments made in the 70, bsiginesses is borrowing by group of businessmen in Washington, Davis on the line for the Americans. Levesque has promised everything from more Larry Grossman said the fund is program, and that additional employees. If articles can be said the statements which Premier Leves- been telling our neighbors about the glorious handouts to industry, stepped-up "an attempt to speed up the pro- chronic beds will be allowed in SECRETS by Franets Lee Bailey traced to their place of business, que made not long ago before an American and prosperous future which awaits his apprenticeship training, buses cess" of assisting medium sized areas of the province that have When F. Lee Bailey tries a case employees would be more likely audience were "mischievous and unfair". province after separation, based on the for the disabled, commitments to Canadian firms to change their aged populations above the pro- the headlines and news stories to return items they borrow from premise that the other Canadian provinces national unity, a substantiall in- product lines, modernize plants, vincial average of 8.6 per cent. In are read by millions. What' their places of business. Mr. Davis informed his American will have to do business on the same old crease in tourist promotion, to a get into export business or more Bruce County 13.3 per cent of the everyone wants to know is what Businesses protected under listeners that they need not count on Quebec terms. Mr. Davis has remained remarkably better program of food price research and development. population is 65 years of age and really goes on behind the scenes, Operation Provident will be remaining on good economic terms with the polite in the three years since the PQ was monitoring. Other highlights of the speech over, and 12.9 per cent of the the manoeuvres, the trading and supplied with a door or window rest of Canada should that province decide to elected in Quebec, but it is time to take off Free drugs for senior citizens include: legislation to protect in custody ; amend- population in Huron County is in that category. Hopefully, adjust- the secret deals. All of it comes together in one New England sticker warning potential thieves that valuables can be identified separate. Sovereignty association, no matter the gloves" will be continued. In addition, the children ments to the Labour Relations ments can be made to account for courthouse where proseeirtion in court. _ _ _ ' promised government promised that sere- Act. to cut the costs of arbi- that. l and defense confront each other. '-"'-"- ices forgovernment ill chronically patients who want to live at home will be tration; lumber companies will The minister has indicated that THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES extended, and a ''significant be responsible for forest management, while government he will be working through the health councils, where appli- CURES AND REMEDIES; Tiles COUNTRY WAY by Roblin Pate Members of the St. John q Published at Wingham. Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited number of beds will be added to the system for persons needing maintains responsibility for pro- cable, or, where there is no Despite the advances of Ambulance uniformed Brigade long term nursing home ductive forest lands; a Sm million health council, he will deal with modern medicine there are many are thoroughly trained in First Wenger. President Robert n Wenger, Sec.-Treas. or chronic hospital care" five-year cost-sharing areement hospitals on an area basis where minor ailments which are still Aid and must requalify every Barry with the federal government will there is a request for considera- treated in country homes by year. They volunteer their time Member Audit Bureau of Circulations A special board of pec provincial demonstrate new technology in tion for additional chronic beds. usingthe well tried cures and to provide First Aid services to cabinet ministers will administer energy conservation and re- In a lot of cases in Huron -Bruce remedies which have been their communities. For more Member --Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc Ontario Weekly Newspaper Assoc- an employment. development generation; the August 6 civic the problem would be greatly re- handed down from generation to information, get in touch with fund to give incentives to in- holiday will be designated Chil lieved if a switch from active to generation. in this book the your local St. John Ambulance Six months $7.50 dustry to create jobs The pro- dren's Day, with special events in chronic beds were approved, author, himself a countryman, branch or writs to St. John Subscription $14.00 per year gram is expected to cost about provincial parks. rather than closing out the beds has brought together numerous Ambulance, 45 Wellesley St. Return guaranteed t" million. The government will Jack Riddell (Huron -Middle- entirely. country cures and remedies. East, Toronto, M4Y 1G5. Second Class Mail Registration No. MI postage