The Wingham Advance-Times, 1979-04-25, Page 132
t.
1:•
kIDVil(IC
11�TIMIS .. A page of editorial opinion Wednesday, April 25
/,...,:;
.�� /�'• `/001/00
, ..: �i/,/�/'�'�.:..•><�!�ii�ri/'/....,�/y.•f::///�//.•'�,'.•`,`�/•.�,::/%.�/��r�%%.:;,...%i��.�.'%���/�/1/i��/�l%�%i�,G/.�%///�%%����i.. %%.�
Shopping mall --yes or no?
Faced with a thorny decision, the local
planning board has opted for a public meet-
ing to make up Its collective mind about, the
development of a shopping mall at the high-
way Intersection south of town. Those who
have given careful thought to the question
are caught on the traditional horns of a
dilemma. Will a new shopping mall be
Injurious to those merchants who presently
conduct their businesses on main streets?
On the other hand, would a shopping
mall add more variety to the mercantile life
of the Wingham area and thus attract shop-
pers from other centres as has certainly
been the case In Goderich, Listowel, Kin-
cardine and Hanover? Would the customer -
oriented facilities of a mall arrest the out -
flow of shoppers from our own community?
Although few are ready to say so pub-
licly, many of the main street merchants be-
lieve that a mall would be generally bene-
ficial to the prosperity of the community,
basing their thinking on the premise that
when more shoppers come to town the added
business will be spread along main street as
well as the mall.
The two existing food stores would be the
most likely outlets to suffer from additional
competition and none of us want to see them
Injured, but with an increased Inflow of
shoppers both might well find themselves
profiting from the new development.
The public will be asked to assist the
planning board in Its decision. It Is a subject
which deserves careful thought.
It's hard to believe
The goings-on In the Canadian post office
boggle the imagination. We are all too well
aware of the horrendous national crises
which unionized post office workers have
created. Perhaps their activities have
directed our attention away from. the dire
shortcomings of which post office manage-
ment is guilty. Take the case of the Easter
Sunday robbery at the Ottawa post office.
During the early hours of the morning
thieves unhurriedly broke the glass In a rear
entry, walked upstairs to the third floor,
slashed open dozens of mall bags andVme
hours later made off with some $4 million in
American Express travellers' cheques.
First response to hit the public print was
a shout of glee from the P.O. that the thieves
had failed to take an additional $50 million In
cash and other valuables on the second floor.
How comforting!
The most amazing angle in the entire
scenario was that the post office building had
no electronic alarm system and only one
guard was on duty, seated at his desk near
the front door. Can you believe it?
There has been no comment on the
liability of the post office to the American
Express Company. Amex will certainly be
stuck for cash payment on most of the $4
million in cheques as they filter Into the
legitimate market all over the world. And
since the shipment was accepted for transfer
by the post office one would assume that
American Express would have every right to
demand payment from the post office. And
that, of course, means we, the taxpayers wil I
do the paying.
Michael, you're late
Ontario NDP leader Michael Cassidy is
horrified that Ontario Industries are bring-
ing in skilled labor from abroad while
several hundred thousand workers In On-
tario are on the unemployment rolls. If
Michael thinks this is a new phenomenon he
is mistaken.
This column has pointed out several
times over the past few years that something
Is radically wrong with our training system
when we cannot provide skilled labor at
home. The shortfall in skilled labor runs Into
the thousands and industrialists have been
scouring western Europe for a long time in a
vain effort to meet their needs.
Mr. Cassidy Is'right, of course, in his
statement that the Ontario government
should long since have established an ef-
ficient apprenticeship system to meet the
need for skilled labor. What he failed to add
is that employers can no longer afford
on-the-job training at the present minimum
wage levels. If the minimum wage is to be
continued and, indeed, increased, appren-
ticeship training will have to be heavily
subsidized by government, as It already is in
some trades.
Former labor minister Betty Stephenson
has also put her finger on another reason for
the shortage of skilled workers — and that is
the over -emphasis on university education.
During the prosperous years since the war
parents and teachers have fostered the myth
that university education is the only
acceptable symbol of real status. Young
people have thus been discouraged from
training in manual skills. As a consequence
we have a sizeable group of unemployed
people with BAs, MAs and PhDs who might
now be building their own .prosperity and
that of the province had they sought a more
useful form of training.
Industrialists are well aware of the
superior grade of skills possessed by immi-
grants from England, Germany and Scandi-
navia. They have carefully studied the
methods of training which produce such ex-
cellent workmen. If the Ontario government
wants to correct this imbalance it would do
well to consult the firms which have hired
the newcomers. Government might then
learn the practical side of education as well
as the theoretical.
Some bowlers are sick
Can you imagine the embarrassment of
some bowlers who recently were thrown out
of the East Toronto Holiday Inn because a
few of their number ran amock? Four
hundred bowlers who had gone to the city to
take part in a province -wide tournament
were ordered out of the hotel in the middle of
the night because some idiotic vandals who
were members of their party had gone
crazy. Television sets were smashed, furni-
ture broken up, ceiling tiles torn loose and
light fixtures destroyed.
Obviously only a small percentage of the
bowlers would have been party to actions so
utterly insane. However, we will probably
wait in vain to hear of any convictions re-
sulting from the fracas. Most hotels include
the costs of property damage as a part of
their overall expenses and, of course must
tack that cost onto the charges they levy on
all guests, even the well-behaved.
Some of the large Toronto hotels, we
understand, keep a warehouse full of used
furniture on hand, from which they replace
regular furnishings in time for the Grey Cup
game. Not long ago we were staying in
another Toronto hotel when the fire alarm
sounded in the early morning hours. Guests
were hustled out of their rooms and one man
was injured when his bare foot was caught
under a fire door. Security people in the hotel
eventually decided that the alarm had been
triggered by some fool who held a cigarette
lighter under the heat sensor switch on the
ceiling of his room.
Vandals get away too easily. They
should be treated with the same harshness
as thieves.
We face newp roblems
As a ever-increasing portion of our lives
purse will pay for only the worst illnesses
Is controlled by high technology the prob-
and the rest of us can sweat it out?
lems of the average citizen are multiplying.
segment of the provincial budget. policy of all public hospitals is
campaign to protest the closure Over the past -four years, tie that, H a patient has tq;bn
Although we ordinary folk are supposed to be
Many of our problems stem from our
the masters of our own destiny through the
own willingness to turn over control of our
processes of democratic government, we are
affairs to strangers — those people in cen-
more and more at the mercy of the "ex-
tralized control who then make our decisions
perts" who can so easily confuse every Issue
for us. Instead of administering the funds we
with miles of technical double-talk.
provide, as servants of the people, the roles
How much do we really know about
become reversed and the shareholders in
energy Shortage versus nuclear safety? Who
this great corporation of freedom find them -
among us is actually capable of properly
selves hat -in -hand, begging for justice from
measuring need against risk? Is It true that
their own staff of administrators.
we really don't need so many hospital beds
Coming generations will need to be
or is government simply saying the public
very
careful In the selection of political leaders.
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
1978
THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES
Published at Wingham. Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited
Barry Wenger, President Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas.
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member — Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Weekly Newspaper Assoc.
Subscription $14.00 per year
Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821
Six months 97 %
Return postage guaranteed
"I sent the postmaster -general a letter protesting the postal rate increase
it came back marked `insufficient postage. ' "
a `
New Books
in the Library
THE PIGEON PROJECT by
Irving Wailace
What would happen if every
human being presently on earth
could live to the age of 150 — or
more?
In the remote region of
Abkhazia in Soviet Georgia, a
distinguished British scientist, a
figure of worldwide renown, has
triumphantly completed 12 years
of ceaseless research and ex-
perimentation with the discovery
of a substance that will extend
the longevity of every human
being on earth from an average
age of 72 to at least 150. That's
how the new novel by Irving
Wallace begins.
THE RUNNER'S BOOK by
Raymond Bridge
Whether you run for fitness or
pleasure, on country roads or in
and around city parks, wearing
cutoffs and a sweatshirt or a Bill
Blass warmup suit, Raymond
Bridge can help you get the most
from the sport that has America
off and running.
FIRST FAMILY by Patrick
Anderson
This is the suspenseful and
intensely human story of a
husband and wife who are also
America's president and first
lady. Tom Painter, struggling
with the 'demands of the
presidency, is for too long blind to
the problems that beset his wife
Joanelle in their first months in
the White House.
Letters to the Ed,or
Town commissioner replacing council?
Committee receive s letters
Dear Editor, council should take a cut in Dear Editor:
The statement by Councillor salary considering the fact that As part of the letter writing
account for the largest individual. sonnel, I can assure you that the
Cameron in The Wingham Ad
r. Chappell has been
segment of the provincial budget. policy of all public hospitals is
campaign to protest the closure Over the past -four years, tie that, H a patient has tq;bn
ad-
vance -Times regarding the town designated most of their duties. of hospital beds at the Wingham proportion of the budget ac- mitted on the orders of a physi-
commissioner's duties looks very Reading Councillor Cameron's and District Hospital, copies of corded the ministry of health has cian, the admission will be ef-
impressive, but the taxpayers. the letters to Mr.
statement, Mr. Chappell has not sent Timbrell remained stable' — at about 28 fected, even if temporary in -
I've talked to over the past week only been assigned most duties of Fere forwarded to the leaders of cents out of every dollar. patient accommodation has to be
are not in the least bit taken in by town council, it's also obvious he all the provincial parties, our It is not the intention of the utilized for emergency cases.
it. In fact, the most prevalent has been handed the duties of the elected representatives at the ministry of health to decrease the Thank you for writing. I trust
quote is: "Who does he think he's town solicitor and clerk-
provincial and federal level and level of patient care being my comments have helped to
kidding?" To quote the old cliche,
treasurer as well.
to the executive director of the provided to Ontario residents,
allay some of your _ ..., ; ...,.
"You can fool some of the people
Ontario Hospital Association. but to provide this care in a more
As I read thoroughlythe 40 To date I have received replies
William G. Davis
all the time and you can fool all
the people some of the time, but
itemized jobs of the town com-
P efficient way through the
from: Murray Gaunt, MPP rationalization of existing health
0-0-0
you can't fool ALL the people all
missioner I am beginning to Huron Bruce; R. E. McKinley,
wonder whether we need a MP Huron Middlesex; R. A Hay,
services. Utmost consideration is
Dear John:
the time."
council at all, as it's apparent our
executive director Ontario
being given to both the users and
providers of these health services
Thank you for sending me a
According to Councillor
town is being run by one man!
The only
Hospital Assoc.; S. Smith, leader
the
as attempts are made to find the
copy of your letter to the Ontario
Ministry
Cameron's resume of the various
positions he has not
filled are those of police chief and
of opposition. Copies of their
letters are attached.
best manner in which to provide
of Health regarding
your concern for the
duties of the town commissioner,
fire chief.
May I take this opportunity to
the present high quality of health
care within limited financial re-
mainten-
ante of adequate health care for
it's obvious Mr. Chappell is being
underpaid. Perhaps the town
Explain to me, please, why we
thank the Wingham Advance-
sources. This is not an easy task
Wingham and area. I can advise
need six councillors, a mayor, a
Times for their coverage of this
and a great deal of work must
You that I have previously
reeve and a deputy reeve to
issue. Your support and assis-
still be done.
Witten to the Honourable Dennis
administer the police and fire
tante is very much appreciated.
I appreciate your concerns in
Timbrell expressing my concern
Centre
departments.
John H. Mann, Chairman
regard to the constraints placed
on behalf of the constituents
Street
Citizen's Action Committee
on hospitals and, in fact, all
being affected with these bed
is going downhill
I have heard a quote by a
certain member of council:
0-0-0
health care facilities. I would ad-
cuts.
When a recent health bill was
"Some of the old council seem to
Dear John:
vise that it is essential to arrest
the escalating costs of health
being debated in the House of
Dear Mr. Editor,
think that they know more than
This acknowledges your letter
care in_Ontario. The funds avail-
Commons I took the opportunity
Just a word of appreciation for
the present council." Perhaps it
to Mr. Timbrell in regard to
able for the health care system
of making some remarks on
your editorials, which are
may helpp
y if that present council
hospital bed cuts, a co of which
p copy
have been distributed as
health care. Many people are not
splendid. I usually read that page
member stops to consider that
-experience
was sent to me.
equitably as possible to all hospi-
aware that the Federal Govern -
first, as well as letters written bI
is the best teacher".
Thank you for writing and ex
tals and related facilities across
ment passed a bill three years
I served eight years on town
pressing your interest and con
the province. For quite a number
ago that put a limit on the 50 per
interested citizens. A letter bN
council and throughout that
cern in this important matter.
years, hospitals have been
cent payment that they would
Mr. Congram echoes the opinions
period I always tried to keep an
Murray Gaunt, MPP
financed by the government on
make to the provinces for health
of many other citi, ens, especialk
orn mind regarding advice and
Huron = Bruce
what is called a g
lobAl budget
care. This bill, that I spoke on,
his reference to Mr. Whitby. W,,
a perience from experts in
0-0-0
basis. That is, each hospital is
was phasing out a program of
homeowners on Centre Street
various fields.
provided with a total annual
federal assistance to health pro -
owe a debt of gratitude to Mr
There's a lot to be learned, i
Dear Mr. Mann:
financial allocation and it is the
grams to the provinces before the
Whitby for his prompt attention
can assure him, and it's im-
This will acknowledge your
hsopital's responsibility to utilize
previously agreed term had ex -
to our appeals. We are sorry he
possible to absorb it all in two
letter of March 17, in which you
the funds for the operation of the
p ired I am enclosing a co
ng copy of
the remarks 1 made on this
has retired and wish him and
Years. If he would be willingto
took issue with health care "cut-
various departments of the
Dees
Mrs. Whitby much happiness m
take advice instead of adopting
backs" in Ontario via the re-
hospital as it deems appropriate,
sion.
the future. attitude
the p g
that he is the
duction of patient capacity
and according o t the goals and
Please be assured that i will be
saving
grace of the town of Wingham it
through the curtailment of exist-
•
priorities which the hospital itself
doing everything possible to
comply with wishes.
Centre Street used to be one of
might be for the better. He may
ing hospital beds. You enclosed
must define. Of course, the
your
the choice residential streets in
learn something if he talks to the
copies of 121 letters from people
ministry of health is kept in-
R. E. McKinley, MP,
town. its shady maples, fine old
electors of Wingham.
in the Wingham area who had
formed of major changes in pro-
Huron -Middlesex.
homes and quiet surroundings
written to the Honourable Dennis
gram activities
0_0_0
made it especially attractive—so
Finally, I am still not con-
R. Timbrell, minister of health,
Hospitals are the most expen-
Dear Mr. Mann,
attractive some homeowners
vinced (neither is anyone else)
that
expressing their concern over
sive part of our health system.
Thank you for sending me
waited along time for the op
we need a town com-
missioner at $19,000 a
these bed cuts.
As Mr. Timbrell
They are, of course, essential for
the treatment
copies of the letters to the Minis-
portunity of settling there. They
took pride in their manicured
year plus.
In point of fact, if town council
and i have re-
ceived many letters dealing with
g t
of acute, short
term illnesses and injuries but
ter of Health b the members of
y
the Citizens' Action Committee.
lawns, clean surroundings and
members are taking their jobs
seriously and
this same matter. we have taken
sometimes other levels of care
They certainly indicate most
sidewalks and beautiful gArdens
administering their
duties efficiently, in the
the liberty of sending substan
can be provided more economi
clearly the concern felt in your
Alas times have changed
same
conscientious way as some of the
tially the same reply to many of
the correspondents. in any event,
tally by use of lower cost alter-
natives. Examples are the estab-
community over the threatened
Traffic has increased anti
ex -council members over the
many
I would appreciate it if you would
lishment of chronic and extended
closure of the 14 beds at Wing -
ham and District Hospital.
sometimes Centre Street seems
like Highway 401. Business
years, it would be more to
their credit.
please relay �y comments here
care facilities throughout the
We share your concern about
people park their
to the many citizens of the Wing-
province and the encouragement
whether the degree of constraint
cars there all
day—sometimes
Our town has survived for 100
ham area who joined you in
of day surgery and home care
which the government is im-
across en
trances which is a hardship in
years without a commissioner, so
what has changed so much in the
writing.
The Ontario government has
programs
Based on the provincial bed
posing on hospitals in the pro -
vince is fully justified, and also
winter when the resident has to
wade through deep snow to to
Past two years warrant this
been implementing an exdi
pen -
formula for 1979-80, the Wingham
about the manner in which that
get
the road. Trucks too
expenditure? Surely
y the primary
turf restraint program for the
and District Hospital's
pitals active bed
constraint is being imposed.
seem at
home there despite our bylaw's
concern of town council should be
past four years. Annual growth in
has been
entitlement is 58 beds. This
hospital
Statistics we have developed
Parking on the
to save the taxpavers' money
expenditure reduced
currently operates 82
indicate that not only does On -
new town
sidewalks is
whereverpossible
from 15.1 per cent in 1975-76 to 6.9
beds. An allowance of 10 beds in
tario have probably the lowest
common. The
pedestrian just has to take to the
Last but
per cent in 1978-79 Naturally, all
excess of its entitlement is number of beds per thousand
road to pass. Now with all these
not least the old
council never received $40 for
services funded by the province
have had to share in this re-
provided and this hospital's 1979-
F10 budget has been adjusted to
population of any province in
new "chiefs" (as Mr. Congram
describes) in our works depart
every special meeting they at-
tended,
straint, including health.
reflect the excess 14 beds. This
Canada, but also that the average
budget increase of 4.5 per cegt
ment hopefully we can look for
which is one of the first
things the
However, it is not correct to
adjustment has left the hospital
may be the lowest being granted
some improvement, especiall.%
new council voted
themselves when they took office
imply that health has been more
severely affected by this re-
with a 1979-80 net ministry
liability M $3,1 t 1,013, which is the
by any provincial government to
for our centennial. in
'
January, 1977.
straint policy than other serv-
same as the 197A-79 allocation,
its hospitals. We have raised
these points with the government
0 Norma Parker
W. R. (Bill) Harris
lees. Health expenditures alone
Despite the constraints on per-
Continued on next pa"