Halton Hills Newspapers

Georgetown Herald (Georgetown, ON), March 25, 1981, p. 4

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Home of Hills SECTION A THE HERALD March mi A Division of Canadian Newspapers Company Limited Guelph Street Georgetown L7G Ontario WILLIAM EVDOKIMOPF Publisher PAUL DORSEY Editor DAVID BEATTIE Advertising Manager PHONE 8772201 Second Clan Mail Registered Number The moral crime of Junior Miss Six months ago after the an nouncement that a Junior Miss Halton Hills competition would join the Georgetown Fall Fair agenda and after a tidal wave of pro and con letters to the editor had Illustrated a distinct rift In the community It was suggested In these pages that the fair board should drop the event after Its initial run That suggestion which seems far too diplomatic In hindsight was prompted by genuine appreciation for the enthusiasm and vigor of Jim and Rita Barrett whod moved to town not long before but quickly accepted and became accepted In their new community They approached the fair board with an Idea already tested and successful In their own hometown and in hundreds of other communities kids say the darnedest things style competition for three to five year old girls and a beauty contest for babies up to one year old In the months since these events transpired with only modest success a substantial amount of documented evidence has been brought to our attention Indicating that the last thing parents should involve their children In Is competition More and more bodies of authority are accepting this evidence and now Ontarios ministry of education Is studying a recommendation to end all school competition involving children nine and under Opponents of the Jnnlor Miss pageant and the baby contest have challenged the former for Its sexism since only little girls are Involved Its promotion of role stereotypes since despite what organizers now Insist initial publicity about the contest suggested that ap pearance had a great deal to do with the judging and Its exploitation of youngsters The pageants defenders for the most part have seized upon these less significant aspects and have Interpreted any criticism In the narrowest fashion Many still believe that opponents of the contest simply abhor competition at all ages It just isnt true of course but to compound the unfortunate circumstances that anchor this whole episode like a ball and chain Toronto Star columnist Mlchele last week railed against the fab- boards Inability and to some extent unwillingness to understand and accept what has already been endorsed by the United Nations and other agencies worthy of our emulation As accurate as Ms attack was her column March failed to acknowledge some positive traits which the fair board maintains and that disturbs us Like the controversy Itself her column lacked the perspective necessary to promote understanding The fair Doard is a longstanding group or volunteers worthy of our respect and admiration and our concern In view of the financial troubles dogging the rail fair Those troubles were no doubt foremost In the board members minds when they recruited the Barretts to run two new events at the fair little miss com petitions have run successfully for years both In the Barretts New Brunswick hometown and closer to home In Burlington But as Innocent and as the fair board was In launching the event even In renewing It for the 1961 fair Its members must now the moral crime they are committing by having youngsters regardless of their and their willingness to participate against each other All argument about sexism and exploitation aside It Is Indeed morally Indefensible to select one child from among her peers on the basis of her superior showing under any criteria We hope the Little Miss episode will evolve Into a lesson In community awareness If the fair board changes Its plans For now however no one in town stands in a favorable light We condemn the board and par ticularly Its entertainment committee for refusing to read through the scholarly material documenting the dangers of pre school competition Columnist was quite- correct In noting board mem bers reluctance to hear the evidence and what little argument they did hear during a recent meeting was largely misunderstood We condemn the board for virtually refusing to consider alternative childrens events suggested by the pageants op ponents A wide range of noncompetitive events would allow preschoolers to display their talents and Interests for adult Judges whose responsibility would be to encourage such selfexpression through positive praise for each specific un dertaking rather than to demonstrate distinctions between youngsters of such a tender Impressionable age We question the mutual un willingness to compromise and cooperate displayed by the fair board and the con tests opponents The latter group says It will help run the alternative activities It suggested but only If Little Miss Halton Hills says goodbye forever we can only take heart In the groups tentative hopes of running such In conjunction with one of the other annual community celebrations But frankly we hope theyll reconsider Joining the board before next fall as voting members and at least try out the boards homespun style of democracy In their bid to the contests The operative word throughout this controversy has been unfortunate It would be discouraging for board members and disconcerting for Idbe par ticipants If Junior Miss 81 Is cancelled but If the feelings of some adults In town are all that is damaged we feel the Issue will have been adequately resolved Letter from the Editor Paul To inherit the earth American Secretary of State Alexander a Hawks Hawk tells us lhat IJie Imminent Soviet invasion Is now close as Latin America And we thought we only had Poland to worry The situation In El Salvador Is indeed critical but It is also far loo complex for General to forecast a stepby step Communist march into Mexico and Arizona Surely most North Americans are aware that the political situation throughout much of Latin America closely and dangerously resembles that of Iran before the revolution American imperial lam at its most decadent and disruptive Totalitarian rulers rely on American trained and equipped national guards to maintain some travesty of democratic order amid the near chaos of day today under tragic economic and social repression This Is not the rhetoric of the student militants it is reality In the land of puppet governments set up and knocked down according to the stock market whims of such poll tics- and big- business consortiums as the Trilateral Commission which counts among Its confidantes Henry Kissinger Jimmy Carter and current vice- president George Bush These are financial not ideological forays into the Third World by corporatebacked government agents It is not only reasonable but unavoidable for me to believe that Soviet military aggression open and bearish where American offensives have been covert and subversive of is prompted by Identical ambitions from Afghani stan to Cuba Thus we are led to the premise lhat all war and related military are sparked by hopes for financial gain and fiscal solidarity shared by a handful of influential businessmen and politicians who are privy to the real secret of the world As Aldaus Huxley warned Yu shall know the train and the truth shall make thee mad If you accept this premise as do it seems ludicrous to imagine yourself taking anything more than an individualistic mercenary role In military As I said two weeks ago Poland freedom fighters represent a different sort of situation Poland can perhaps be repressed by Soviet might North America certainly There may be Russians running Queens Park someday down the line Russians running Ottawa even Russians running Edmonton I contend they will not be able to curtail our basic freedoms although we in the media may have a rough time of To be extremely optimistic about it I might even surmise that the public discipline intrinsic to limes of military rule would help gel the economy steaming again If you have accepted this worlds transient nalure you should have no problem accepting pacifism as a necessary lifestyle in this all too- violent world Once again space limitations prevent my elaborating further More on this again a fulure I would like to publicly apologize to Fran Balnea and her Progressive Conservative support ers for some editorial Indiscretion this past week Two largely anilConservative letters to the editor ran In last Wednesdays Herald only one day before the election The fact that no one would have a chance rebut simply occur me As hollow as our apology must sound now lhal the election ts over I Mrs Balnea to whom I have also understands was Just and was not a deli berate move Effects of the Gallup polls would Clark sleep easier Ottawa By Stewart MacLeod Ottawa Bureau of The Herald Since timing Is so crucial in polities its tempting to speculate on what might have happened to Joe Clark leadership at the recent Tory convention If the latest Gallup Poll had been available at that time I suspect he would be much safer In his job today As things stand Clark future as parly loader is clouded In doubt after one third of the delegates voted lo hold a leadership convention While two- thirds support would represent an overwhelming victory in an election it is not a clear cut vote of confidence In an internal survey of party leadership There appeared lo be general consensus prior to the convention thai If Ihe leadership review was supported by than per cent of the delegates Clark could survive easily Bui anything over per cent would obvious difficulties The year old former prime minister now faces those difficulties and in order to clear the air he will probably find It necessary to call for a leadership convention within the next The only thing thai could possibly save leader say many parly members dramatic turnaround In hi public opinion polls Clark certainly get much help from Gallup prior to the convention While he was trying to convince the party faithful that his diligent campaign against the governments constitutional proposal wos beginning to gather steam the pre convention Gallup Poll showed the Coram a lives were standing still in the publics esteem The poll taken in January and released In I showed that in a one month period Liberal popularity had dipped sharply to per cent from a December figure of per cent But in the same period the level remain unchanged per cent However New Democrats the constitutional soared up to percent from percent Regardless ho one tried to interpret the results II was difficult to use them in conjunction with Clarks argument he was winning wide support for his stance And while I am nut sure just how much influence these polls lo bear on a political convention one certainly help Clark At a time like that standing still isnt good enough TOO LATE Bui if the convention were being held this week the polls might be just good enough to save Clark from the agony he now faces The latest survey showed that in a poll conducted during February the Tory standing jumped sharply to per cent from And the New Democrats fell back lo only per cent from the monthearlier level of 23 per cent Since the Liberals rose to 42 per cent from the January level of per cent it obvious that constitution is not the only Issue in the minds of voters If It were the Liberals and New Democrats could be expected and fall in tandem Instead was the Liberals and Tones who rose together although the Tory increase was greater Regardless of the reasons the respondents had for giving Clark a boost this month instead of last month there is no doubt lhat he was hurt by the timing Had he been able to enter that convention with his partys up percentage points on Gallups scale he might very well have kept the leadership review votes below per cent And if that had happened he would have nothing on his mind now except the next general election Premiers election techniques suggest hes not so true blue Queens Park Derek Nelson Queens Park Bureau of The Herald A story Is told of why we just had an election in March Instead of a decent month like May of June Premier William Davis has two family commitments those monlhs a son and a daughter gelling married and he didnl the weddings taking place during the hothouse atmosphere of a campaign The story mayor may not be true but docs hi with the Image of Davis lhal one acquires while covering Queens Park as a reporter He actually seems to believe In the old virtues symbolized by family the Queen he Lords Prayer public service Bui those personal beliefs are only half his political truth Davis Is often labelled a red Tory which is another of saying he Is a Conservative political principles or perhaps wilh the single principle of staying In power This past election with its huge doses of vote buying dollars pumped Into every town In Ontario and the promises of massive public sector expansion was a perfect example MOKE CASH That the government was billion of cash already election doesnt mailer much there Is on election be won Two legislative strike me as having Illustrated twin factors of Davis political nature When ihe Toronlo Board of Educa tion tried to make optional Lords Prayer in schools because it is Incom patible with multicultural society which It Is he bluntly ordered them In dcsisl when propagandists smeared useful chemical as unsafe and Ihe environment ministry fought back Davis ordered it lo surrender solely relieve he political heal DAVIS CLONKS There was another factor in this election lhal hurl he opposition The Tories call It leadership which is why heir candidates were all running i like ihcy did In as Davis clones rather than Conservatives Bui would be more accurate lo suggest thai Davis looks like an Ontario premier In style personality and speech Liberal Leader Sluarl Smilh or NDP Leader Michael The technique was remarkably simple once again and Included refer hometown Brampton few joking Jibes at local personality addre ssed by his or her first name and perhaps a Utile toying with the press The audience relates relaxes and feels good while around ihe oneliners Davis wraps the body of message The punishing hours hes pulling in on he campaign trail this election indicates the Tories think he sells In person Theyre probably right This isnl 1075 when he was perceived as arrogant and distant The general opinion is Davis is bland which puzzles me since Ive more often found him He never answers questions straight Ask about homosexuality and he lectures on that great Institution of he family Provoked on being a Pierre lapdog he lalks Queen Halton s History From our files TIHIITY YEARS AGO- The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland headlined this weeks films at ihe Boxy Other films to appear this week include Two weeks In Love starring Jane Powell and Montalban and Destination Moon in technicolor Leslie Clark was elected president of ihe legion this week in their annual executive meeting He replaces past president David Bowman Georgetown may be In the running for a Senior hockey club It was revealed this week Ken McMillan and Bob Lane presented their case to the OHA on behalf of the Raiders They claim the Raiders arc In the hole financially because of the request that they play their home games earlier than usual The early season games attracted few fans and wore the learn down quickly As a result they were ousted from the playoffs three straight by Milton Georgetown officials are confident that the Raiders could be competitive in Ihe higher calibre league TWENTY YEARS North Halton Build ers Association last week passed a resolution urging the federal government to make a maximum of home mortgages available to all qualified builders The objective of the mortgage plan is to reduce unemployment and to stimulate winter works at a more productive level Georgetown Golf Clubs second nine holes will be playable by June The wooded back nine will make the course one of the most scenic and difficult courses in the province Danny and the Juniors played to a capacity crowd at the Club Mid town last week The popular recording group song their greatest hits Including At the Hop USA and Rock and Roll is Here to Stay The group performed for two hours and were welcomed by Mayor Em Hyde and Reeve Doug Sargent From our classified ads TV offers a 17 inch television set for If you wanted logo In with a it cost you an outlandish TEN YEARS AGOThe provincial government has awarded county schools a million increase in ihcir budget is only one of two areas that will receive aid white five other counties In Ontario will have cuts In Iheir allowances OHA Jr A scoring star Marcel will be attending this year Bantam tournament Dionne will perform ihe task of dropping the puck for the start of the championship game The young St Catharines star played in the tournament In He Is expected lo be drafted early In next years junior draft It II cost motorists more park their cars on Main Street starting this week The old penny meters have been replaced by new nickel and dime meters Councillor Em Hyde opposed the fee increase saying it was too high county secondary school teachers are per cent opposed to the introduction of a new unemployment Insurance plan Georgetown High School teacher Tom called the proposed plan deceitful Mr said that he proposal I tell people that will be taxed an additional amount for plan Time left to help our Red Cross There Is probably no citizen of Ontario whose life hasnt been touched in some beneficial way by the services of the Red Cross Society Red Cross helps people of all ages in all walks of life The Red Cross Blood Donor and Transfusion services maintain the most efficient free donor system In he world Red Cross teaches kids to swim and trains instructors who show them how They re there providing help In emergencies from hotel fires to floods earth and other natural and man made disasters Red Cross helps seniors live happier lives traces and locates people to reunite them with their families They teach first aid and water safety and have ongoing programs in Ontario schools Because it s an organization with International links Red Cross aids citizens of other countries The Red Cross does all this with the help of a dedicated body of volunteers who gladly give time and to benefit others March is Red Cross Month Take a moment to reflect on how the Red Cross has had a positive effect on your life or on the lives of people close to you You can help the Red Cross to continue their services and programs In your community Your local branch will be delighted to show you haw you can help There always a need for volunteers volunteers the Red Cross trains to help in many areas The Red Cross funds to carry on its work Red Cross Month is a fund raising campaign month for many Ontario branches They need to collect a lot of money this year to provide their Donations can be made to a canvasser or to your local branch All donations are tax deductible and receipts will be Letter to the editor A voters dilemma To the editor of The Herald ItlJoriNotMottrrForWho As long As You Vote Dilemma Of A Voter On March I attended the all candidates meeting at Georgetown High School I came home at and went to bed Then a replay look place First Fran local C candidate All I heard was programs here programs there programs everywhere We jo more not less I naked myself at whose expense The consumers and taxpayers of course Tax being guous political jargon for the plain English word theft put Fran and her leader Bill Davis into my menial filing cabinet as possibly vole for Bonnie for she Is out to destroy me But all Is not lost 1 still have Julian Reed local Liberal Ail heard was programs here programs there programs every where at whose expense I know what chairman Pierre and commissar LnLondc are doing on a federal scale So I put Julian Reed into my menial filing cabinet as Machine Gun Kelly Pardon me I broke the law Regardless of talent we have to have Canadian content Make It A I could not possibly vote for Karpis as he is out to destroy- But there Is my last and only savior Chris Culler years old Young full of energy Very effective speaker An array of creden tials Director here director there director everywhere I heard concrete proposals here concrete proposals there proposals everywhere At whoso expense I will be drowning in taxes and soon be wearing concrete boots So 1 put him Into my mental filing cabinet as Baby Face Nelson I could not possibly vote for Baby Face Nelson for he is out to destroy me I turned for spiritual guidance Dear God please help me make the right choice gas chamber electric choir or rope IlhendriftedlntosIeepat2 am for I have to rise at 20 am to pay taxes and taxes and taxes Mackenzie Drive Georgetown

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