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Zurich Citizens News, 1978-09-07, Page 4Page 4 Citizens News, September 7, 1978 lltlUll1.111111IIII111111111...„ 1111111111111111111111111111111111.11111111111{11111111111111111111111111111t111t1lttlillllllllllllllll9lI�II,{11....1111911111116I1fl{IIII1111i11{111i!11111111111111. .:-..- Viewpoint 75- ®a 0 - A 1t1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111i11111111111111111111111111111111111111i111i; ini{1111111161191111111111111111111(11111111111111111111111111110 Automobile safety Car safety is something which every citizen of this country should be concerned about and there is some indication that the long, hard fight by con- sumer advocate groups is beginning to have its desired effect. Recently we've seen accusations that certain models of Ford Pintos manufactured from 1971 to 1976 had a design defect in the location of the gas tank. In another instance, the new Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon have been accused of having un- predictable handling characteristics under certain - conditions. What could present itself as the biggest recall in the automotive parts industry would be the recall of all models of the Firestone 500 steel belted radial which a United States government committee says is unsafe. While it may be true that the above examples cited may be exonerated, it is the increased awareness which is the important result. • One area which legislators seem to have ig- nored with regard to automotive safety is that of the driver, the single most important factor in any accident. Why after all these years is some form of driver education not mandatory before a licence is issued? It only makes sense that if you can prepare a driver for most of the situations which he may face, it could save lives. A frustrating job Ontario Liberal Leader Stuart Smith might be getting impatient with his role as Leader of the Op- position. And if he doesn't become premier pretty soon, he could well be looking elsewhere for employ- ment. "I am in this business to form a government," he said in a recent interview. "If that doesn't happen soon, I'll be doing something else...I have no desire to sit around as Leader of the opposition for very long." The Liberal Party, he contended, will consider introducing a nonconfidence motion over en- vironmental issues when• the Legislature resumes sitting in October. A non -confidence motion by the Liberals, if backed by the NDP, would defeat the Conservative government of Premier Bill Davis and plunge the province into an election. We doubt if it would be welcome. It would appear that Prime Minister Trudeau will be calling us to the polls in late October or early November, and shortly after that, we'll be going to the polls again in our municipal elections. A third election obviously isn't wanted, and Mr. Smith had better do some pretty serious thinking before he plunges us into one. We can understand his frustrations, however. The Davis government appears to have lost the will to govern. Despite all the problems facing our coun- try, and the apparent ineptness of the federal government, Davis hasn't jumped into leading the way. Ontario, as our most populousandindustrialized province, should be bringing in plans to create employment, revise the constitution, stem the im- pact of inflation and cut more government spen- ding. In short, Davis should offer the country a good, sound package and then get to work to implement what he can provincially. If he doesn't come through with this kind of leadership during the winter, Smith would indeed be justified in toppling the government come Spr- ing. He could well end up as premier. Niagara Falls Review eNA FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS Published Each Wednesday 8y J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd. Member: Canadian. Weekly Newspapers Association Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association News Editor - Tom Creech Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385 Subscription Rates: $7.00 per year in advance in Canada $1$.00 per year outside Canada Single copies 20a w111111111111111111111111111111611111t111UlUllllle.IIIIIIU11nu°i1LlIlILLlIl111111o1i1llUlq)l RltitrilblingS 8y TOM CREECH Miscellaneous "Dear teacher,. you wouldn't believe." Contrary to what our friends at the weather department might say, you know that fall is here when the kids return for another ten and a half months to the educational institutions of this country. For those returning to those hallowed halls of learning, it's a time when there is more to life than "foolin around" or spending a few dollars made from that summer job on frivolous entities. It's a time for concentrating on material that at the time might seem insignificant but as the years wear on, could be very important. On the other hand, for those of us removed from the educational scene, the return to school has some other connotations such as; "The kids are out of my hair for another ten months." or how about talking over old school days with some friends and you try to remember the year in which you entered a specific grade and you can't. One of the items that any satyrist or comedian (two bit or otherwise) will usually make reference to at this time of year is the "What Johnny did on summer vacation" letter. Add this writer to the list of people who have used this rather tired item. The following is a list of individuals, local and otherwise, who have had something happen to them over the summer that any grade four teacher would love to read. For further clarification see the in - d ividuals mentioned. Isidore Laporte: "Dear teacher, one Saturday after- noon while watching a bunch of big boys and men play softball, I. suddenly developed a serious speech im- pediment whenever I noticed, this certain person. For some reason whenever I saw this person, I started to say "screeeeeeech ! " I think I'm okay now." Terry Metcalf (Argonaut's running back) "Dear teacher; I thought I was going to have a really good time in the north country making lots of money run- ning over second rate Americans and first rate Canucks all the while playing for a good football team. So far, I'm still making lots of money, the second rate Yanks aren't that second rate, the Canucks are pretty good and I keep hearing this` `goodbye Leo" song on the Toronto radio stations. I'm confused." Ron Heimrich: "Dear teacher; I had a pretty normal summer with only one thing sticking out. One time when I was over in the festival kitchen helping a bunch of people to make a lot of beans, this big bully from a newspaper or something -started to make fun of me when I started to work. I was mad." Jean Chretien: "Dear teacher; Wow what a summer! Being a minister of finance for a country sure isn't like building a sandcastle although sometimes the air is as heavy with sand as it is with criticisms of my policies. Oh well, that mini budget of mine was a real knocker even though the price of gas has gone up in- stead of down and the fact I'll be getting some flack from Judd Buchanan because it looks like his London penitentiary is going to get the axe. Ah well, the mayor there is only an NDP." Glen Thiel: "Dear teacher; As far as I'm concerned it was a pretty normal summer with the normal farm activities and the getting ready for the bean festival. On second thought, the bean festival was a little bit un- usual this year as I picked up a personal souvenir. If nothing else, it was the best bean festival ever." Bob McKinley: "Dear teacher; This was an excellent summer what with the warm weather and warm reception which I received from the people of the area. One thing that was slightly maddening was being followed by this guy who is in the same line of business as I am. It's hard to find a distinctive line of work these days." Jack Riddell: "Dear teacher; This was an excellent summer what with the warm reception which I receiv- ed from. the people of the area. One thing that was slightly maddening, was being followed by this guy who is in the same line of business as I am. It's hard to find a distinctive line of work these days." There you have it; eight ghost written "How I spent my summer vacation" blurbs. Aren't you glad you're not in school anymore?