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the HERALD Question of merit multifaceted Home Newspaper of Halton Hills Established A Division of Canadian Newspapers Company Limited Guelph Street Georgetown 3Z6 Ontario DON BRANDER Publisher and General Manager PAUL LEISHM AN Advertising Manager Phone 8172201 nation Pge- SECTION A THE HERALD Wednesday April HOT Buying votes Can money buy you a political post The answer is no although figures sometimes dont support that theory It takes a harder look at a campaign to realize that politi cians win or lose at the polls based on their organization Campaign expenses are just a means to an end Last week figures showed that Walt Elliot had spent more than twice what his other two opponents spent in the last provincial election Mr Elliots Liberals paid out while the PCs led by candidate Dave Whiting spent about Fern Wolf for the NDP raised On the surface one might suspect that our provincial member of parliament bought his way into power But that is far from the truth Although Walt Elliots campaign spent to its limit money didnt provide the difference What the Elliot campaign team did do was organize themselves early and host a number of successful fun draisers in the community Of course it helps to be in the riding where the incumbent is a Liberal Its much easier to raise money when the party is on top But the point is the Liberals were organized and ready for a campaign while the Progressive Conservatives started very late and never really came up with a viable plan We suspect the NDP Halton North did better than other years with its based in part from the strong showing of their candidate Fern Wolf and the backing of an experienced organization behind her An extra given to the other candidates couldnt have prevented the Liberal sweep in Halton North Mr Elliot kept to his plan and promoted his leader David Peterson who at the time was riding high in the popularity polls He made no major blunders and that left bis worthy opponents little room to gain ground More than contributing to the win the war chest raised by the Liberals symbolizes a superior organization Getting better Halton Hills is maturing as a community and although it may be getting older there are signs it is getting better too Case in point Arts Alive 88 is coming to town for a weeklong stay May featuring the excitement of local and nationally acclaimed talent Arts is alive in Hills and theres a renewed enthusiasm in the air In business circles there is the B I G celebration plann ed for June 35 which features exhibits demonstrations and events highlighting the expertise of local firms and retailers In the field of heritage the recently formed group called the Local Architectural Advisory Committee plans to restore an early Norval burial site with proposals for more worthwhile projects And there is compassion A benefit is being held for coma patient Paul Franks April when Elizabeths Fashions hosts a fashion show Get the picture Were a growing community that refuses to stand still The last hurrah Sometimes governments do the right thing for the wrong reason And that Is exactly what the Liberals did when they rejected a proposal to have a legislative com mlttee approve Ihcir patronage ap pointments Conservative Bob mov ed a resolution here calling on the Grits to Implement the recommen dations of a IBM all party report on government appointments for a legislative committee review of the or so government appointments made each year Runciraans motion debated last week lost 3427 Conservatives and New Democrats voted In favor the Liberals reversing themselves from their 1966 position voted against Both and New Democrats such as Ed Philip argued in favor of committee review because they saw it as making the appointments process fairer Merit based Is the phrase used to describe the type of appointments they want BENEFIT OF ALL It is for the benefit of all tax Editors notebook The Herald will soon be losing the worst third baseman that ever played for an Angels baseball team me Well thats a reputation Ive deserved over the years But don t say my fielding and hitting was bet ter than my efforts as an tor After nearly eight years as a sports and news editor with The Herald III be leaving to join Clarkson Cordon In Toronto as a public relations coordinator Mon day sports editor Mike Turner becomes news editor Mike Turner Rather than say a lot of thank yous and good byes Id rather use this last soapbox to talk about the field of Journalism III be leaving behind and so dearly love Most people dont understand newspapers and those who write for them But that okay because Jour are often accused of not knowing about Iheir readers The door swings both ways But readers who generalize about newspaper staff members who work so hard under intense pressure can depress an editor A caller once said you can only believe about half of what you read in a newspaper Ouch I That hurts when you say it to someone who takes pride in hu pro fession A year ago listened to a bespcc accountant argue nonstop about making a newspaper with lit tie or no news in the pages Reporters only cost money and con tribute virtually nothing to the paper he said That hurts Whats more hes wrong In a small community such as Halton Hills a newspaper plays an Important role If the townsfolk will give It a chance Newspapers unite people reporters challenge readers remind them of conscience praise the worthy and criticize the wrong Papers inform residents and record history But that doesnt mean The Herald can be compared to the Toronto Star or Globe It doesnt have the resources In staff or size of newspaper What It does have fa earing professional staff equal to any found any other newspaper across Canada Community newspapers are a dif ferent breed The Herald doesnt have an attack mentality of the Toronto papers but weve never shied away from a controversial story we thought was important to our readers To be a good newspaper you have to be above all consistent and ob jective in how you cover the news each week At The Herald weve tried to show the community our Jobs dont stop at 5 Friday A sense of duty Isnt taken lightly by anyone In our newsroom Still there are readers who feel we ve let them down Ive been threatened by a man who hed bum our building down If we didnt retract a story A lawyer once gleefully wrote saying I was a snotty nosed kid who was out of my mind Ive also been called arrogant and a weasel Discovering I would be leaving one prominent politician said he always felt I was someone he could talk to and I think Ill just leave it at that he added Editors cant be liked by 100 per cent of the ly If they were they wouldnt be do ing their Jobs because not everyone Is shed In a good light when a story is reported As my Ottawa landlady was fond of reminding me the truth hurts A newspaper can only be respected if It uses all Its resources and energy to search out the truth within the time restrictions imposed on ft There have been tremendous highs while working at The Herald An editors most cherished moment comes after reading a reporters story knowing that it has been carefully nurtured into a memorable piece that will reach readers In a meaningful way Ill miss the friendships and team work in the newsroom Ill miss Maries generosity and the hard working composing room staff the calls from the public and going out to meet people to write and discover How will I be remembered Not like a Lou Grant Anyone with a Snoopy ruler and a Mallard duck tape dispenser doesnt deserve the comparison Like WKRPs NesmanT Im about the right height but I havent ever worn a bow tie and my voice Isnt Like Peter Im not that conservative wont be at tempting a run at politics Just remember me a good lour nallst Queens Park By Derek Nelson payers and all citizens of the pro vince If we open up the system to en sure that appointees have qualities that are useful to those boards and commissions and are not there Just because of a history of service to the party man suggested The Liberal response was to throw up a double defence tine On one level they challenged the workability of a committee actually reviewing 1 appointments an nually Yet the Grits know full well that the key to such committees is that It would pick and which ap pointments to scrutinize Intently MostpassaulomatLcally But the core of the Liberal defence of the existing patronage appoint ment system Is simply that they are in charge of It and because they are as open and as fair and partisan about this process one could ask to quote Toronto Liberal Joe no changes are needed But have the Grits been open and fair and nonpart san analyzed the ap pointments to the Social Assistance Review Board appointments that were advertised ana for which there were 500 applications He noted the Interviews were done In the presence of a political assis tant and eight of those chosen have clear ties to the Liberal Parly He warn t arguing the quality of the final picks he said because he didnt know bow good they were It was the Liberals hypocrisy that bothered him Even as they said qualified people without Liberal ties were basically ignored TOKENS Philip said the few Tories and New Democrats the Liberals did appoint were tokens Besides he added ap pointing some good people excuse other Jobs being given to in just because they are party faithful Citizens forum MD doesnt have privileges Dear Sir In response to your March so cover story ford Has so Days to Appeal there ore a tew points that I would like to clarify for your readers Contrary to a quotation attributed to Mr Joshua Dr Jack Ford does not have courtesy at Peel Memorial and Is unable to use the hospital facilities under guidance and Immediate supervision In the past Ford has provided operating room assistance to other doctors on a casebycaae basis from time to time In other words Ford has simply assisted another doctor who has responsibility for the patients care If such assistance would appear to be in the patients best interest It must be emphasized that our hospital is dedicated to the delivery of exemplary patient care as reflected In our motto Care Is our Commitment Sincerely Joanne Rider Media Relations and Events CoOrdinator Ped Memorial Hospital Hypocrisy is alive and well Dear Sir 1 read with Interest your Progress Edition last week and saw that hypocrisy is alive and wdl In Georgetown One story featured Interfab Steel on Armstrong Avenue The office has a smoking policy but owner Wayne Lister is quoted as saying that customers who have a big order can smoke Does that mean now that if you ve got money you can smoke you can tsmokc If that la not hypocrisy I don know what Is Annie sen Proper course to reach Acton Dear Sir The open letter to Mayor Mel Lostman of North York was very amusing but also misleading If indeed the gentlemen truly wish his honour to visit our fair own then they should make sure they have their directions on how to get here by bus correct It is not possibly to get to Acton from Toronto by Grey Coach Bus Lines If coming by Grey Coach one would have to go from Toronto to Guelph and then get the Go Bus to Acton If one wanted to come direct ly to Acton you would have to take the subway to York Mills and then take a Go Bus to Acton Of course none of this would have been necessary If our Otto had come through and got the Via Train to stop In Acton as promised Yours sincerely Pat Patterson Red Cross thanks to volunteers Dear Sir The Georgetown and District Red Cross would like to thank all our volunteers who have worked together In providing essential com unity services Some of our volunteers have been with us for many years and have developed our Branch to the of success we all now enjoy Other volunteers arc new lo our team and have given us that added benefit of new ideas and fresh enthusiasm It Is surprising lo realize how many people In our town and nearby areas have at one lime or another volunteered their time and talents to the Red Cross No matter what your particular contribution as a volunteer to our Branch is I would like to let you know that we have all counted on your support and ap preciate it very much Wo are proud to have so many friends and supporters In our organization Sincerely Nell President Georgetown and District Red Cross raised for playground Dear Supporters I would like to thank each of you for your generous time donations and support in helping to raise money for the purchase of childrens equipment In the Glen Park We have raised just under for Project Playground from our Tupperware Party and the sale of Hot Dogs April Thats a great start I am very happy to see some of the members of the community pulling together for a very worthwhile cause My thanks to Angela Czerwirtski Fowler and friend Andrea Vi Haines Peter Cathy MacDonald and Kris ten Theresa Manas and Nicole Preston Kdly Gillian Scott Carta Van Veghel Denise Ed wards Steve Gemesi Michelle Jar vie Liz Koraack Jan Laflamme Mary Main Gail McGourty Jennifer Reynolds Alison Schuhe Karen Setlx Jennifer and Bob Weber Our next fundraiser will be the Lingerie Extravaganza to be held at the Copper Kettle on Wednesday May at m Tell all your friends and neighbors It will be a fun night Wine will be provided at a minimal charge Coffee tea and dessert free We also are looking into Bingo a Garage Sale and of course our food booth and raffle on Canada Day Food donations and volunteers to man the booth arc needed for Canada Day If you or your friends have any Ideas for or want to volunteer please contact me at It would be great o hear from you Again thank you all for your support Yours very truly Gail LaBranche In your opinion Is hockey too violent KAREN HAR RISON I think if the refereelng was consistent It might overcome some of the problem The kids tend to idolize what they see on TV and they tee them away with getting TREVOR HOY Since the masks came out theres more violence In the game Itself When I minor a kid wouldnt think of put ting his stick up JUDY PRIES Not MARTIN re a I think No definitely not they ve got it pretty There have been a lot well under control II of Improvements Sl ne the quality of right body contact coaches na certification shoulders the HOMER Sometimes yes Most of the time It s not so bad I dont believe in slashing In the face I think thats violence and players should be punished for it But that s unfair Governments always argue their appointments are made on merit Why would they appoint some dum my to a position and themselves Besides one mans incompetence could be another mans genius And that frankly is what Is wrong with Runcinuns resolution Committee hearings are Just another form of witch hunting Whatever is politically unpopular or perceived to be because of political demagoguer tion tribunals There is no fair examination of merit Look what has happened In the S I call the late Senator Joe McCarthy and Robert a can didate for the Supreme Court to the stand McCarthy as a witch hunter Bork as someone treated as a witch Committee bearings In Ontario would follow the same pattern For that reason and ignoring the ab surdity of the Liberals sanc timonious denials about the patronage game the Grits did the 30 years ago The United Church parsonage In Norval was the scene of the wedding of Mary Elizabeth to Robert Wesley both of Glen Williams Rev W Edgar GUI officiated Tom Forgrave of Georgetown along with 57 other Queens Scouts was presented with his Queens Scout certificate by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario J Kelller A couple of strange looking beetles discovered at the BA Service tion oh No proved on Investigation to be known as giant The beetles some two inches long with a large were noticed by Morgan McFarlane when he stopped for gas at the service tion years ago Georgetown Red Cross officer Elaine Sales was regional vicepresident for the Hamilton- Niagara Region of the Canadian Red Cross Sod Harrison Public School Eric Balklnd and a member of the teaching staff Ray Shier are honored with a trophy presentation by Grade student Graham Hill In recognition of their negotiating the Credit River Crazy Boat Race Knights of Columbus past Grand Knight presented Holy Cross Grade student Catherine DeHuek with a trophy for her winning speech on Trials and Tribulations of a Year 10 years ago Halton MP Frank Phtlbraofc presented a flag to the womens Institute and to the Eat Llntehouse Scouts The members raised a Rag pete theUmehousehalL Outgoing president Jess Mac- donald presented the to Marlon Booth who was the new president of the Georgetown sad District Memorial Aux iliary John McDenrud was as the Progressive Conservative party candidate for the UTS federal elec tion Mr McDeroud was the official PC standard bearer for the new federal riding of Brampton- Georgetown Fire Chief Mick Holmes and Acton District 1 volunteer firefighters were applauded as Acton Citizens of the Year A special from prime minister Pierre was among gifts and best wishes bestow ed upon the firefighters 5 years ago Parent volunteer Lynn Storey cut toe ribbon opening the new playground at the St Frauds of Assist Separate School The students of St raised selling spices while service dubs donated tagged with Education Week pins by St Francis of student Stephen Curry and George Kennedy student Paul Gardiner the mayor Education Week Diviner Michael prefer red to use on iron bar when sear ching for water and on occasion gas or oil Mr Kostiuk gave a demonstration on divining at the dowsing at the Georgetown Public Library A 17th century art technique developed by Italian painter Costigllone was revived by Georgetown artist Jo Waltcrson Poets Corner TO YOU FROM ME Ill love you thru the nlte darkness nils our live I II share pressing en new lite when new Mi surely arrives I II till four days wllh thoughts tickle when need be when that helps Mostly Ill be me By MARLOWE