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The Huron Expositor, 1985-10-23, Page 2BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1985 eHuron xpositor " SINCE 1860, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST ,vx oRaiNt'w�iMryfNy .. p LN,i +C A o .."VsnapoisCOMRf Incorporating BrtiSsela Post 10 Main Street 527-0240 Published in SEAFORTH, ONTARIO Every Wednesday morning ED BYRSKI, General Manager HEATHER MCILWRAITH, Editor The Expositor is brought to you each week by the efforts of: Pat Armes, Bessie Broome, Marlene Charters, Joan Guich°tear, Anne Hull, Joanne Jewitt, Stephanie Levesque, Dianne McGrath, Lola McLlwaln, Bob McMillan, Cathy Melady and Patrick Raftle. Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Community Newspaper Association OntarioomPrweal Council ss Commonwealth Press Union International Press Institute Subscription rates: Canada $20.00 a year (In advance) Outside Canada $60.00 a year (in advance) Single Copies - 50 cents each SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1985 Second 'class mail registration Number 0696 Open meetings The Ontario Public Libraries Act states that library board meetings should be open to the public. Passed in 1984 the Act accomplished something that had been. previously lacking in Huron County, it gave the public the right to attend board meetings. Board of Health meetings are also open to the public. It took Huron County Council several years to admit these meetings were not closed -door simple committees of council, but corporate bodies created under special provincial acts, to make decisions openly within their budgets and territories.,• Now, after county council has finally recognized the right f the public to attend the meetings, they want to revoke it. At a recent meeting of council a motion appeared that read, "A resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Citizenship and Culture requesting permissive legislation be passed to allow Council the option of appointing a Committee responsible to Council or a Board to operate the Health Unit and the Library respectively." The intent is clear. Board meetings are open. Huron County keeps its committee meetings closed. According to Elsa Haydon, who attended the recent county council meeting the chairmen of the boards, Reeve Bill Elston (Board of Health) and Reeve Grant Stirling (Library Board) made it clear they could hardly wait to see the boards destroyed. According to the Administrator Bill Hanly, "it was felt that council, the elected people, should be responsible, not boards." Is no one on council aware that the Library Board, for one, is made up of four elected people and three others appointed from an interested public? Does that not make it responsible'? For the record it would seem more likely the volunteer board member, not the council member would be the one more responsible to the county needs. They obviously would have a genuine interest in the library, or would not have agreed to their appointment to the board. But more than the rights of the county residents will suffer if indeed county council proceeds with its plans to do away with the boards. Financially the Library and the Health unit will suffer. Boards receive government funding, committees do not. About 80 per cent of the Health Board's more than a million dollar budget comes from the provincial coffers. The Huron County libraries too, 30 in total, receive another $156,000 in provincial grants. Can County council ensure this money will continue to flow into the appropriate veins, if in fact, the province decides to ebb the financial flow? There is a great deal to be considered here. Elected representatives are constantly stressing the need for more accountability, yet in this case, they are prepared to do what they can to ignore their own pleas for more accountability. Boards are for the most part independent. Council has no real decision making authority although it has in the past assumed it did. By the recent actions of Huron County Council it appears they have realized their perception that they could dictate their wishes to these boards, and have them followed, was wrong. It is apparent County Council wants nothing more than to have autonomous rule. And that, is something county residents should do their utmost to ensure never happens. — H.M. E__n_VEAT SOCKS by Heather Mcllwraith Blue Jays evoke pride Well the World Series is well on its way and although Canadians are upset their Blue Jays failed in their attempt to qualify for the final - they can't deny they were given an exciting season of baseball. Virtually every Canadian, whether they enjoyed baseball or not, was aware of the progress of the Jays over the season - from their jump into first place in the American League East before the midpoint of the season to the win of the division pennant. And that awareness seemed to breed a nationalistic spirit. The neighbors of the United States, Canadians have long been content to side withAmerican teams - caught up in the wave of Americanism that seems to permeate the sports world. For ages the Americans have been very vocal and loyal supporters of their sports teams and Canadians for the most part have been caught up in their neighbor's enthusiasm to the point of favoring American teams over their own Canadian teams•. This year however, it was satisfying to finally see Canadians jump on the Blue Jay band wagon. Blue Jay fever was long overdue. Although the Jays harbor no Canadian players the respect they, the American, Mexican and Puerto Rican players, seeming- ly generated from Canadians was heart- F.nally there was a pride in Canada - a feeling that it too, could produce a winner. And that feeling or fever swept across the country. Where no thought had been previously given to it suddenly the Blue Jays became a predominant part of the daily Canadian conversation, and the symbol became a predominant part of the people's attire and -or decorated a large proportion of the homes around the country? There are not many things in sports that are as representative off America as baseball - and even the fact none of the Blue Jays is a Canadian shows that. Some people use that as an excuse not to be pleased about the success of the team this season. But - the fact remains that for a Canadian -owned team to successfully challenge its American counterparts is - well - thrilling to say the least. After nine years as a team, to see the Jays go so far as to clinch the American League Fast title, was to see the first step towards World Series win. It will eventually come so Canadians ought to be prepared for it. Their performance this year was outstand- ing and as even Harold Ballard put it, "You gotta hand it to them. They did it and it's not only good for Toronto, it's good for all Ontario." I'll take it a step further. It's good for all Canada. The Jays might not have won the big title, but they won the hearts and support of Canadians. In addition to the thrills on the ball diamond they gave us even more - they revived a patriotic spirit in Canadians that has been dormant since Team Canada's victory over the Soviet Union in 1972. Never have Canadians seemed to be more supportive of their sports teams than at this moment. And with the enthusiasm they've aroused in their fans the Blue Jays are destined to go further. Knowing Canada can produce a winner will go a long way in maintaining Canadian support for their products. And if it just so happened it was a bunch of non -Canadians on a Canadian team that fostered that Canadian pride - all the power to them. It was high time someone was able to do it. And for the 1985-B6 season all I've got to say is - let's go! Blue Jays! Let's play ball! Because win or not - they are certainly capable of doing that. -OPINION NATURE HIKE—An invitation for a walk .in the woods at the Bannockburn Wildlife area' near Brucefield was a popular outing for many on Sunday afternoon. Sponsored by the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority the trail measured 2.4 kilometres through the 25 hectare (62 acre) park. While the leaves were past their peak, they were still beautiful whether on the trees or carpeting the pathways. Leading a large group of hikers along the winding trail were Darryn McAsh, 13, of Varna and his friend Mark Walker, 13 of Clinton. (Oke photo) Censorship a growing evil We can rest easy folks because the supreme court of Canada has galloped to our rescue once again. These guardians of all that is morally correct and just have ruled inflatable dolls and vibrators are obscene. Obscene? I always thought they were funny. In 1977 the aging gents on the Supreme Court ruled such aids were publications. Publications?? I understood the London Free Press is a publication. I didn't know you could get the football scores on a vibrator, Boy, where the heck have I been? I think the average age of these boredom plagued law makers must be 150 years. I was under the impression each indivi- dual had the freedom of mind to decide what was obscene and what wasn't. It was a personal decision and not one legislated by a few persons who should not be allowed to hoist their antiquated ideas on the public. Each day, small freedoms we take for granted are chipped and hacked away by politicians and others who claim it is good for the people. Didn't Stalin and Lenin say the same thing once? Across the border, a rather loud group of Washington Senators' wives have taken time off from their rigorous schedule of tea parties and polo matches to lead a vociferous attack against the evils of rock and roll. They would like the record industry to label each CORNUCOPIA by David Broome disc to warn potential buyers of the contents. You know. Swear words and such. Why not country and other types of popular music? Obviously the dainty dames haven't heard a truckstop album. Talk about raunchy. Most of these talentless morons should be ignored not censored. Instead of using all their energy to ban books, paintings, sculptures, records, sex aids and bringing the Jim Keegstras of the world to trial the right-wing, sanctimonious types should convert some of that misguided zeal into helping clean up crime, pollution, child abuse and a host of far more important issues. 'guess they want us all to be morally proper before tackling the big game. A historian had an intriguing theory on the evolution of Communist and democratic societies. He suggested in a democratic country the people have a wide range of choices and freedoms. Something we all know. During time a few individuals will abuse those basic freedoms and governments will enact legislation to shackle those few. But the new laws will be for the good of all. Over the course of a few years all the freedoms will be legislated out of existence and all this without a shot being fired from the red menace. We will awake some morning to find our nation has become a totalitarian prison ruled by a few very powerful elitists. In contrast, the Communist states people will clamor for the easing of their rigid laws and, again over a period of time, will gain basic freedoms and evolve into democratic societies - again without war. It is a thought-provoking theory when one looks at China today. The Chinese have opened their bamboo curtain to private enterprise and foreign investment. Commu- nists were always lousy economists. The Chinese are conducting a daring experiment with capitalism. Can democracy be far behind? Censorship is an evil we should all fight. If not, Canada s tint of pink becomes a little darker each day. Readers have their say Time some of my readers had a go at me: good, bad, or indifferent. To tell the truth, most of them are indifferent, but I still have hopes of building my fan mail from three or four a week to maybe ten. Fl] just take them as I pick them off the pile. Way back, a chap called Jeff Elliott wrote to the Belle River North Essex News. It goes away back to a Father's Day column, written with tongue in cheek. I guess it was too far in for Mr. Elliott. Anyway, I'll quote bits: "..,obviously he is a chauvinistic fool." He goes on to say that without women in the labour force Toronto would' financially collapse. So? Let it collapse. It wouldn't be the end of civilization, as we know it. He also accuses me of attacking the Queen and the family. I have never attacked the Queen in my life. Here's a cute little note from Mary Shantz (i think), but i've lost the address: "As a rile, man's a fool When it's hot, he wants it cool. When it's cool, he wants it hot. Always wanting what is not." i don't know what triggered that one, but i agree, wholeheartedly. A loverly letter from Lilian Bumford of Sheffield, England, who reads me in the Georgetown independent, a senior citizen: "When I come at Christmas, come to dinner and I'll get Pat to make you a Yorkshire Pudd." Bless you, Lilian, I presume Pat is your daughter. Maybe I should check with her. Can we have Brussell Sprouts? Here's another lady so mad she didn't even sign her name, just "I am an insulted reader." Apparently I had made some remarks about today's loose morals. Her letter is long and indignant, but I'll quote just a bit: "Maybe there were a few who indulged in pre -marital sex. But the girls in those days had the strength of character to say no to the boyfriends and mean it." You're right lady. They not only had strength of character, but SUGAR AND SPICE by Bill Smiley they could almost breaR your wrist before dropping it back in your lap. Here's a nice change. It's signed: "Gentle reader," Stonewall, Manitoba. He (or she) wants me to stir things up. Again, it's a long letter, but thoughtful and intelligent: "Why aren't young children still taught at an early age the precepts and homilies we were taught.... if good, like evil, grows with a small first step shouldn 't our children be presented with small and gentle choices early in their schooling? Is there any reason why this is avoided in our schools? And a little further on: "is there some reason why this is so carefully avoided in our schools?" No wonder you didn't sign the letter, Jack. You sound like that idiot in Alberta. in the first place, it is not the job of the teacher to teach morals. He -she teaches a subject and at the same time tries to pass along a certain standard of ethics, decent manners and how to avoid stinking in public. Morals are for parents. And they, being what they are, are noticeably lacking in training. Don't lay it on the teachers. And whose morals are we discussing? Maybe mine aren't so great, but they re mine, not somebody else's. And the kids know it. i never tried to impose some "morals" belonging to someone else. Enough, !could go on about that for hours. Here's a sweet letter from Ingrid Bassett of Georgetown who assures me that they have none of that new-fangled stuff (videos, microwaves, etc.) and has asked me for dinner or breakfast or lunch: "Your thoughts are echoes. Life is so simple, yet so complicated. I used to work for Peter Newman, but your philosophy is simple." Well, thanks a lot, Ingrid. Here's another one from Bob Love, Clive, Alta. He lost his wife, too, and urges me to marry again, as he had, and have a happy life. Bless you, Bob, and may you be happy. I couldn't. You've earned it, with all those tough years farming. And another from Bill Baird, Petersfield, Man. He's 78. "A good column is next to a good editorial. Sure, there's lots of news columns. We read, or let them go by. Facts have an uncanny way of being wrung a couple of years later.... At 78 I feel I've been through it all...from bush clearing, the horse age, hundreds of good beef cattle, then dairy cattle." Good health, Bill. Sweetest letter of all came from the Amhertsburg Echo, signed by Andrea 0' Angelo (reporter 27 years old) and Anne Eldracher (secretary, 19 years old). It was so nice that I can't quote it or I'd go all red. In short, it accused me of having morals and principles. Such an accusation makes me break out in bumps. Thanks, kids. And the most frightening missive of the past few months has been one from my daughter. Get this; "Nikov said he necked with a girl before leaving Bracebridge. Not just a goodnight kiss, but an actual necking session. If he's doing that at t1...." Well, it's better than dope, I guess. The only reason i didn't do it was that I didn't have the nerve. New Lieutenant -Governor soon Ontario will be getting a new lieutenant Governor. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced that Lincoln Alexander will become the next Queen's representative in Ontario. Mr. Alexander, a lawyer and former MR from Hamilton, will leave his present post as Chairman of the Workers Compensation Board. Premier David Peter- son said he was delighted at Mr. Alexan- der's appointment and that he was looking forward to working with him. Premier Peterson also praised the out- going Lieutenant Governor, John Black Aird. He said the disappointment in seeing Mr. Aird leave will be offset by the magnificent way he used his position to raise the needs of so many forgotten people, especially disabled children, to a place on the agenda. In a speech to the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild, Premier Peterson stressed the need to remove cynicism from the political process. He said one way to accomplish this is to open up the process and make it more accessible to people in the province. The Pander pointed to freedom - of -information legislation, televising the legislature to bring it into the living rooms of the province and replacing the patronage system with the merit system as steps the new Liberal government has taken towards a more open form of government. In an effort to save consumers and taxpayers millions of dollars in unnecessary payments to drug manufacturers and pharmacists, Health Minister Murray Elston JACK'S JOTTINGS by Jack Riddell, MPP announced changes to the pricing schedule of the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan. Beginning it September, the Ontario Drug Benefit formulary, which lists wholesale prices for 2,300 drugs, will have prices set by the Ministry of Health, based on the best market information available to the government. In the past, prices published in the formulary were based on manufacturers price quotations which Mr. Elston said were often inflated above what pharmacists actually paid. Drug companies found this helped them increase their share of the market. Mr. Elston said this move could save the plan up to 50 million dollars a year in reduced drug prices and lead to lower prices for consumers outside the plan who pay for prescription drugs over the counter. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Jim Bradley presided at the opening of the upgraded and expanded sewage treatment plant in Niagara Falls. This new facility represents the first significafnt clean-up of any of the eight sources of pollution identified in the Niagara River Toxics report. Mr. Bradley said he was pleased the Ministry of the Environment was able to contribute 3.3 million dollars along with an increase in staff in the Niagara district office will help ensure that Ontario is doing its part in cleaning up the Niagara River. The river, along with Lake Ontario is the major source of drinking water for nearly 4 million people in Ontario and parts of the United States. Finally, the loyal Commission on the Northern Environment, otherwise known as the Fahlgren Commission, has published and released its report. Started under the Davis government in 1977, the 450 page report containing 129 recommendations, was 8 years in the making and cost the province nearly 11 million dollars. Commissioner Edwin Fahlgren said the backbone of his report is the establishment of a Northern Development Authority which would be able to regulate development in Northern Ontario and ensure that the rights of residents are protected. As well, the report recommends that Indian communities in the North should be given more land and complete control over their education. Premier Peterson said his government is already taking a serious look at the recommendations of the report. 1