The Huron Expositor, 1979-11-22, Page 27:77 17777R
47.
Nem 1800. Senting the CgmnItinitY, First
i'llhl,4-‘44$,RAFORTIt ONTARIO everyllt004,0 Mgrning,
Met,f-AN BROS- l'OBLISHERS,.,10TO. •
ANDREW' Y. McLEAN ruhlisheil
SUSAN WHITE, Editor
ALICE GIBB, News Editor
Member Canadian Community Newspaper AsSocialori
Ontario Weekly Newspaper Associaten
and Audit Bureau of Circiliatinn
Subscription Rates:
Canada adVance) $13.00 aYear
.94#15tecana4a t s4Yasee) MAI Teg
30 CENTS EACH:
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Telephone 527-0240,
4
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, NOVEMBER 22, 1979
No gags rteeded
Lqc-al town councils have a very difficult job.
On the one hand a council must speak with a reasonably United
voice. Citizens can get pretty confused if nine different councillors
have nine different stories on what happens at meetings and why. But
on the other hand councils should be careful about trying te gag
dissenting members. Especially when a large number of meetings are
held in private, a council has a duty to make sure that opposing points
of view are heard. And to make sure the public knows there were
opposing points of view before a decision was reached.
Apparently all members of Seaforth council were totally in
agreement with the police committee's decision to take Reeve John
Flannery off the 1980 negotiating committee, and with its edict that
future statements "on behalf of council" be checked out first with the
mayor, committee chairman and or council. There was no discussion in
open session last Monday night to suggest otherwise.
But, without passing judgement on the necessity for or wisdom of
the reeve's recent public statements on the FAB, we think council
Should have had a lot more public discussion on a motion that could
turn into a "gag -law." It's a motion that could discourage councillors,
. - ever, from speaking out publically when they feel strongly about a
council decision.
That, in a democracy, in a council that's responsible to the public
with its many shades of opinion, is something that decision makers
should be on ,guard against.
The motion specifies that councillors are not to speak "on behalf of
council" without prior approval. Council ought to make it clear that it
doesn't apply to councillors who want to express their own opinions; to
dissent from the majority and to criticize coOncil decisions in public.
We don't need vicious back biting and grandstanding. But Seaforth
council ought to trust its duly elected, members to be above that.
And Seaforth council should make sure it still has lots of room for a
member who simplY wants.. to tell the public "I disagree and here's
why."
Quiet Canadians
•Journalists from around the world were amazed at the quiet
efficiency with which a quarter of a million people were evacuated from
Canada's ninth largest city, Mississauga, last week.
Credit for the fact that all went smoothly and people left and were
housed and fed should go to the hardworking police, firemen and
municipal officials.
But a bow should also go in the direction of those individual
Canadians who didn't panic or rant and rave when faced With the
emergency. Instead, the residents of the city left their homes. and
settled in for what turned into a long wait with a minimum of grouching
and complaining.
That wait was made a lot easier by the efforts of volunteers, some
part of existing groups like SCQUtS, some not, who organized for the
"refugees" comfort and helped them find and communicate with each
other,
The Mississauga evacuation is a valuable reminder that we
Canadians can still come, to the aid of each other in an emergency.
We've seen other evidence of that locally with the tremendous
response of area township Federations of Agriculture in spearheading
fund drives and rebuilding help for the farm victimsof the summer's
Oxford County tornado.
One area federation in McKillop, raised over $4000 for tornado
victims by going door to door. And in the north part of Huron another
local federation worked for monthS on a fund raising dance:held last
weekend. • '
The world is a Small place now and we have to be concerned about
global tragedies like Cambodia, and the boat people too.
But in the midst of global gloom and doom it's extremely heartening
to see Canadians are also. concerned about each other too,
•
Expositor asks.
• Did you Utatch council on tv? •
BY DEBBIE RANNEY
Seaforth residents got a chance to vie*
council in action without leaving home as
Mitchell-Seaforth Cable TV televised a
-meeting of council and presented it to
viewers on Thursday of last week. Expos-
itor Asks this week, thought it would be
interesting to find out if any local people
had watched the program. Although our
survey only indicated one that had seen it,
most of the people we talked to indicated
that they would be interested in seeing a
televised meeting.
Mrs. Mary Eckert of 1-105 Goderich St. •
E. in Seaforth said she didn't have cable
but that if she did, she guessed she would
watch a televised . council Meeting, She
thought council meetings shoUld be tele.
wised sometimes.
Mr*. Lavina Kelly of 201-50 Market St.,
In Seaforth said she waiin't home when the
program WAS on, but if she had been, she
would hive watched it.
Another Seaforth resident who wished to
rentals anonymous And who hadn't watch-
ed the provam said she thought it might
be at good ides to televise the council
mutiny once in
s• •
Mrs. Mary Coleman of John St. in
Seaforth, said she and her husband
watched part of the program. They weren't
home when the program first started.
**I think it's interesting to see things like
that on television," she said, adding that
she had never attended a meeting and it
was interesting to see what council does
and the procedures it goes through,
Sandra Lee of 76 Goderich St. W. in
Seaforth said they had cable TV but she
hadn't watched because she didn't know it
was on. She thought something could be
learned from watehing a council meeting
on television,
Mrs. Dave Netzke of 42 West William St.
in Seaforth said she didn't watch the
program because she wasn't home. She
thought televising cotnicili "just might be
a good idea."
Irvin Trewartha of 108 Main St. in
Seaforth hadn't seen the program either
and when asked what he thought of the
idea of televising council he said, "Oh I
guess it's all right as fir its tiara
toncerned."
He added that he didn't watch television
much,
In the years agone
Chic e S9
NOVEMBER 21,1879
Messrs. John Govenlpck and Peter Mc-
Ewen of McKillop, John Gorton left' here
early this week for Muskoka on a deer
hunting expedition.
Mr. Alex Davidson last week sold a fine
team of working horses to an American
buyer for $300.
The contract for the erection of the
foundation for the new water works building
has been awarded to John Adams. -
Farmers have all got their roots housed in
good time before the cold spell .Carne on.
The town butchers having left the market
stalls are now located on Main Street.
D.D. Wilson of town has purchased a lot
adjoining his residence on Main S. from Alex
McKay for $300.00
We noticed last w eek that Robert Calder
of McKillop had met with a painful accident.
It was scarcely thought then, however, that
the accident would prove fatal. He continued
to sink until Friday whenshe died,
•
NOVEMBER 25.1904
A number fromliensall and vicinity are
attending the Royal Convention in Toronto
this week.
On Tuesdav evening last Mr. and Mrs
•
•
•
Twilight at Seaforth's dump,
Robert Bullard celebrated their china wed-
ding or 20th anniversary of their wedding.
There were 250 present.
John Oldtield of Tuckersmith has had
recently taken from his place a number of
turkeys and chickens by some person who'
has a greater desire of other peoples
property than they have regard for their
honour. Peter McGrath of Hibbert also had a
lot of grain stolen from his barn.
Mr. Joseph McCulley on the 3rd conces-
sion Stanley, has said his farm to John
Pepper of Tuckersmith for $4,500.
On Tuesday. as Mr. Layton WaS taking. his
-tractor engine from Mr. Waldrons to Thos.
Tmnsends it broke, through a culvert on the
road behind Wrii. Elcosts farm. ,
Mr. Henry Edge of ' tiwn has nearly
completed his contract on he Presbyterian
church. A
Congregational singing was introduced in
Si. James church in this town and it passed
off most satisfactory.
The fowl supper under the auspices of the
Methodist church in Varna was a most
gratifying success.
NOVEMBER 22,1929
• . . .
Mrand MrsGeoDale of Constance
by Keith Roulston
Why did they ever decide to make 1979
the International Yearof the Child?
This "celebration" has come at a time in
history when children have never before
been so worthless in the eyes of society.
Sure we treat our children better today
than in the past, , We don't make children
goto work in the mines or the factories for
„ I4 -hour days to be sure. We don't Condone
parents taking :children to the woodshed
and flailing away with anything handy
when they feet discipline is required. 0 ur
schools stress understanding, not intimid-
ationthese days. So thinking back to the
distant days of our childhood past we may
envy the kids of today's generation.
Yet children growing up in the 1970's
must be able to gather an uneasy feeling
after a while that they are the excess
baggage of our western society. Treatment
of children in the old days may not have
been kind but at least children were a
desired commodity. Even if for only
economic terms parents wanted children
because they could work on the farm, could
earn a few pennies extra working . those
horrible hours in factories under conditions
children shouldn't havebeen exposed to.
In contrast children today are looked at
as something that stands in the way of
economic prosperity. For a young couple
getting married the decision is often
between having a new gadget -filled house
and a new gadget,filled car and having
children. Children are a problem. Having
children means certain time will be lost
from work while the wife is in the advanced
stages of pregnancy. The decision must
either be made then whether one of the
partners is going to stay home to look after
the children or if both will continue to work
and look for someone else to look after the
child. If the former course is chosen then a
large portion of the family income is lost. If
daycare is chosen then there is still a high
expense of paying for it.
But above all that there's just the bother
of it all I meat) it's pretty ard to go out to
the disco three times a week if you've got
kids at home. It cramps your style as
World traveller if you have to worry about
•
ys stolen in 1904
• moved to Seaforth. Last Thursday the Ladies
Aid presented Mrs., Dale with a beautiful
, wicker reeking chair.
R.L. Thompson, operator at the •Seaforth
Station has purchased from F.G. Melen the
residence on John. St. occupied by Mr.
Andrew Doig, Wroxeter has taken a
position with W.M. Dols on the farm.
The weatherman has 'been dealing out
some wet days lately at Kippen, but we are
all hoping for a few nice days before winter
sets in for good.
The heavy snow storm of Tuesday ,last
made autoing at HenSall very difficult.
'Gordon Hulley of Manley has erected a
fine steel barn to replace the one destroyed
• by fire about two months ago.
Miss Anona Dale and W. McKay were
successful in winning the laurels at the
public speaking contest of the young peoples
society of the Huron Presbytery, held in
Northside United Church. Miss Reid and S.
Beattie of Londesboro were the opposing
contestants.
The many friends here of R.N. Hays of
New York will regret to learn that he is
seriously ill from Sleeping slickness,
1 Dr. J. A. Munn of tOwn has pUrchased the
beautiful residence of James Cowan on
Church St. and moved his family there this
NOVEMBER 26,1954
weReevk, • Douglas H. Stewart of Victoria
Presbyterian Church, Toronto was among
these who have been selected in Canada and
United States to participate in world tour of
:religious leaders which leave early in the
.‘livoewridY. visitear to countries tbioughbut the
Mr. and Mrs. John H. McEwan, Stanley
• Tsp. residents observed the 50th anniver-
,„sary of their marriage at the home of their
son and daughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Stuart.
McEwan.
Marking the 39th anniversary of their
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jake Broome
entertained some 25 of their family and
friends. The occasion was also the birthday
of John Pullman. Music for -dancing was
furnished by John H. Storey on the violin,
Mrs. Ed. Fisher on the piano and Mrs.
Broome on the guitar.
.mr, and Mrs. Mac Wilson of Brucefield
have returned from their wedding trip to
Florida.
Mr? and Mrs. Geo. Brightrall , Seaforth
left ,1by? plane from Detroit for a months
holiday in Florida..
We don't care about kids in this year of the child
either travelling with the kids or -finding
some relatives to dump them on.
And so in our hedonistic lifestyle of the
1970's children are definitely unfaSItion-
able. There is no room for children in the
world of the young swinging professional
couple. This group has turned an economic
and social decision into a moral one as Well.
. Isn't the world alteady overcrowded? they
ask. Mustn't we de our part to Control the
population explosion? Isn't it thoughtless
to bring a child into this world where they
could be killed by atomic, Warfare, poisoned
by acid rain or die from breathing too much
leaked chlorine gas?
Surely as they grow older the children of
the 70's must sense the low priority t hey '
and their friends have in this hedonistic
society. Those who argue for abortion and
other birth control measures say it is wrong
to bring an unwanted child into this tvOrld
and yet it seems we have a whole
generation of itiwvanted children in the
world: unwanted not by their parents, ,but
society in general:society.
Take a lot* at children's favourite
society. It seems like giving a party to
which nobody comes. While the year may
emphasize the plight of children in other
parts of the world where food, clothing,
shelter are the problems, it has done
nothing for the situation here m North
America, Instead we deal with the
problems of enrollment declines in schools
and the Other headaches that our lack of
importance of children has brought And
the question must be asked: who will feed •
the hungry mouths of the third world in
another generation when we have such a
small working population in the prosperous
west? And who will look after today's .
swingers! in their old age?
the•
o editor:
Foundations says thanks
The Van Egmond Foundation would like to
acknowledge the assistance of all the willing
helpers for. last week's rummage sale. Public
support of this venture raised just over $400.
for the restoration project. Many of the.
leftover items have been donated to a
convalescent home and the Saivation Army.
Special gratitude goes out to Dawn & Tom
Papple, for their support. Without their
cooperation the success of this event would
not have been possible. Sincerely,
Paul Carroll,
Chairman
learning tool for instance: television. After
Sugar and spice
By Bill Smiley
- watching hours of television featuring
young, unattached swingers from Mork
and Mind y to Charlie's Angels the kids
must begin to wonder about their own
place in society. Why are there no children
there? •
To those Old enough to knew' that
television is designed for MaXinuirn expo.
sure to the audience that spends the most
money,, the current trend in television is
easily understood. Demographic research
shows that the people with the most money
to spend are the young people without
families. They're not interested in children
either in their home or on television and
thus the kids disappear. Gone are the days
When the family with 2,3 kids Was the most
lucrative market for television advertisers
the days when Father Knows Best, Leave it
to Beaver and My Three Sons were the
ultimate Itt prograrfirtilrig. •
And S6 we have International Year Of the
Child declared in this era whenthe 'child is
anYthinfr but something to celebrate in our
Remembering againi
Two or three years ago, 1 swore I'd never
write another column ' aboat Remembrance
Day. I'd milked every emotion, flattened
every clithe, and I thought perhaps it was
time to let it fade away, as Old soldiers never
do.
HoWever, 1 reckoned without Ont. vice
principal. Each yeitr, for the past three or
four, as Remembrance Day approaches, he
sidles up and wonders "if I could haVe a
tnintite of your titne?" That means he wants
something.
If he wanted to bawl me out, he'd
probably shy, "Mr. Smiley, I'd like to see
you in my office at 3:45." When I reported
at that time, he'd likely give me the blast, in
trent of witnesses, and I'd tell him to go to
hell, or shove it *here the Sim never shittei
or something equally vivacious and vulgar.
• Vide -principals do not easily upset old
fighter pilots.
But when Dave give me the old soft soap'
and asks if I could do Something about 46
Remembrance Day programme for the
school, I set all soft and gooey and limp& .
agree.,
When 1 joined the high school staff, there
were plenty of veteraps of World War IL A
bomber pilot or two, a navigator, a Mir
man, seme air force ex -technicians, and A'
rabble of former navy and army types,
Nowadays, I'm just about the oldest veteran
On the staff, so l'm stuck with the
Remembrance Day hokum. 'The oldest
veteran is a Gprman. who fought iti the,.
(Cbntinued on Ariel)
•