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Homer Newspaper of Halton Hitls A Till llhR Wednesday WHO A Division of Canadian Newspapers Company Limited Street Georgetown 1Z6 Ontario WILLIAM Publisher Editor DAVID Manager PHONE Second Mail Register Spot check ends dont justify seasonal means The Christmas season Is also ironically the spot check season its somehow paradoxical that the time for holiday cheer is also supposed to be a time for self restraint And while no one would fault the police across North America for im plementing programs ostensibly designed to reduce the number of drunk drivers on he roads we readily criticize the rationale behind such moves these are at beat band- aid pseudocures for a social problem that in fact has little if anything to do with the majority of highway accidents and fatalities and injuries At worst these forms of regulation constitute narrowminded confrontation politics and an affront to the basic human right to privacy witness current court actions challenging the legality of police spot checks Yes Virginia there are those who maintain that a true democracy precludes giving police the authority to stop vehicles on simple suspicion of driver intoxication To be sure motorists everywhere must be cautioned again and again to act as their own police force while partying during the Christmas season and throughout the year Driving Instructors and schools must demonstrate to young people and other new drivers how alcohol can have a devastating and often im perceptible effect on some individuals ability to handle a car Government at the federal and provincial levels should develop incentive schemes to get more holiday celebrants into cabs and streetcars when theyre out on the town right now its just too convenient to hop behind the wheel of your own car But in our view the police them selves have a simple dual role in the scenario of drunk driving accident prevention in the case of clearly in toxicated drivers and grim as it sounds accident care and cleanup after the fact The average cop on the beat can accurately say that If even one life Is saved by Christmas spotchecks the program Is worthwhile But mis is emotive rhetoric and not logic A recent ministry of tran sportation survey found that roughly per cent of highway mishaps are the result of drivers not paying attention to their responsibility behind the wheel alcohol had nothing to do with their shortcoming Does it not follow then that driving instruction itself must be reassessed and poor driving habits either headed off or corrected How many times a week do you follow a motorist who fails to signal for turns Not only required by strict law proper signalling is a matter of both common sense and courtesy but many people ignore these basics as they rofj along clearly preoccupied by something other than their driving It is terribly unfortunate to us that modern societys first response to such problems legal prohibition Everyday motorists thus end up with something akin to a criminal record for failing to police themselves and their own driving habits Police forces In and elsewhere begin their annual spot check programs this week Given the legal cir cumstances motorists simply have no choice but to obey the current code of authority it you drink dont drive But lets keep in mind that the true picture is not as black and white those seasonal advertising reminders from the ministry of transportation Letter from the Editor Paul Dorsey Filed under Misc Were rim en tabling at The Herald new items this weefc In Ihe Quirks of History Department home of Rex Blueprint tor Decentralization and other misplaced musings a September letter found the bottom of yesteryears mallbag no doubl addressed to the laic Mary wife and business partner of former Herald editor Walter who was then at war overseas To the Lady Editor Dear Madam I wish to call to your attention a little discrepancy which has happened recently in your valued paper Why is It when a Canadian born soldier has an honorary award of distinction given him it is crammed in the smallest space and typed in the very sic available while a student in the neat column in large blocked headlines Wat because he was not a town boy I This getting undesirable publicity and even disgust In the community How many distinctions have been awarded In this district to date Toronto people wouldnt stand for such a thing Fortunately his mother does not worry over the slight done but when asked her opinion simply Stated Well it might mean a lot right now to have he approbation of the lown and community where he has been brought up besides being a member of the local Lome Scots regiment Why ever was Ihe citation even printed We all feel there is something not quite right about the whole mailer and we want lo know the reason It has been suggested by members of community that we send copies of weeks Herald to Toronto papers and military organizations just to get public opinion on matter and settle the matter properly and see If our own hometown paper has really given a gallant soldier his proper recognition to which he surely Is entitled Signed for All Sadly I dont know the outcome of this odd wartime tale letter I have In its original form whether it was published nod whether Mrs responded I do tot know No doubt her editorial expertise prompted gentle acknowledgement of this terrible slight ami generous coverage for the heroics of the young man In question Unless Walter has an answer well likely never know illness gave a chance to show personal courage p Ottawa Report By Stewart MacLeod million leaving million lodo the work federal government employees leave million lo do work Another in the armed forces leave workers Deduct provincial and municipal workers which leaves 1250000 to do the work There are people in hospitals asylums etc leaving one million to do the work But of these are unemployed and are on welfare or wont work so that leaves 100000 lodo the work Now it may Interest you to know that there are people out of the country at any one time and people in Jail so that leaves Just two people to do all the work And that Is you and me brother and Im getting tired of doing everything by myself And In our Fun if Games at The Office Department another semi humorous prose piece suggesting the refcl truth behind the workforce Its from the same source that gave us You Know Its know who you are weve located your Gesteuier were coming to get you Now gel out calculators pardon the artistic licence ami follow along The population of Canada Is 22 million but there arc 7 million over Si years of age leaving is million to do work People under total As a Governor General Jules didnt have the noble aloofness of Vincent Massey the profound presence of Viscount Alexander the athletic flair of Roland Mlchencr but when he came to serene courage he was In a class by himself It a pity thai 111 health prevented him from leating an even larger Imprint on the country he loved so much illhealth did do was provide him with an to demonstrate a personal courage hat had never before been on public display in Canada Neve had a Governor General or any other Canadian public figure had relcam to speak two languages while being watched by an entire nation These long months have brought me close to those who suffer the quiet Governor general said slowly and carefully two years after he suffered his first stroke 1974 They should not despair At the lime he was spending minutes a day with speech therapist battling once again to English a language that he first learned as a schoolboy Few of us will ever comprehend the deeply discoura ging daily struggle he faced as he wrestled with Just those simple words he would once again utter in public royal wife at his side read complete each sentence Gaby she is known is equally remarkable a quiet small town Quebec mother who shunned the spotlight but when the need arose stepped In without a slammer She even read speeches to open Parliament When Jules was appointed Governor general he was best known by many Canadians a brother of Paul Cardinal Its rue he had been a distinguished diplomat but so had hundreds of others The world diplomacy tends to be off by itself hiding lis performers under a grey blanket of harmless niceties With few exceptions career diplomats arc not regarded as high impact personalities University teachers perhaps but potential Governor- General And make matters worse worse Legcr was suffer that debilitating stroke which robbed him of his speech Just a few months after assuming office He could quit but that not his style Instead he struggled gamely to regain his strength and his speech while opening the doors of Ridenu Hall to thousands of Canadians who had never before ventured inside its mass gales I think if one can furlher position that is what I should like to do he said in And that he did GREAT DEBT Quite apart from overseeing the transfer of royal authority from the Queen to the Governor General Lcger Ins office in countless other was The walls of Midcau Hall were seen adorned with the works of Canadian painters replacing those starchy portraits of former Governors General The old buildings of then rocked with parties particular ly childrens parties and two years after that first massive stroke and his wife were off touring every province and territory always telling Canadians to have faith In the future of their country And most of us didnt realize just how often he fought lhal message Into Quebec at a key time In our history If he appeared aloof in his striped diplomatic he certainly was The place was an oasis of relaxed serenity under his stewardship And while many thought he should be using a wheelchair Lcger could be seen on the dance floor urging his bum leg back into full activity Its a slow learner he would say Its a shame that illness prevented the easy flow of wise words frpm this great Canadian but perhaps there is even greater inspiration In his long silent struggle In any event we owe him a great debt byelection victory favors leadership strategy Queens Park Park Bureau The Herald If easy Progressive Conserva- live in the byclecdon is any indication the question dominat ing the next provincial election Is not whether the Tories regain their majority but by how much mats not a prediction but a hunch based on a close look ridings voting history in the 1970s Conservative Bob Mitchell won votes Liberal Al and New Democrat Judy out of eligible voters That a low 42 per cent turnout The Tories attribute their triumph to the leadership of Premier William Davis and it is clear from their literature that Davis was the focal point of their campaign The party name Is barely mention cdil Is Bill Davis working for Ontario On the other hand he Liberals believe Conservatives were play ing the French bilingual Ism and a subtle but effective way in a riding where that issue is a OTHER SIDE Still balancing that there was some thought that Conservatives upset by Ihe overexuberance of Davis bear hug of federal constitutional proposals might protest by staying home voting day After all if youre a loyal party supporter you can send a signal to government during a byel eel Ion thai you wouldnt risk In a general election In fact neither issue appears to have played a big role although the turnout was lower than the average of the last three by elections and to the degree events were influenced the French aspect may have been cancelled by the Tory betrayal Just for interest lets assume local mailers did not dominate in the ionics but rather broader provincial These could impact lo Ihe Mine degree in other ridings during a general election If turnout were the normal to per cent and same split holds the the opposition Is in trouble LOOK HACK Its worthwhile lo compare past elections the strongly lory 1071 gener al election anti Davis tide in 1975 and the proincumbent general the Carleton results The raw votes to be translated Into relative percentages On those grounds it appears the Conservatives have regained their 1971 popularity In Carleton with the Liber als Improving slightly while the sank somewhat TORIES Across province that would mean a Conservative majority and the question lo be answered Is why Obviously Ihe Tories are leaning heavily on the leadership angle since every poll seems to show Davis has a better recognition level and confi dence quotient In peoples eyes than Liberal Leader Stuart Smith or NDP Leader Michael It is reminiscent of the 1967 provincial election when the Conser vatives ran as the John Party since the then premier led his party In popularity by long strides The Tories lost scats but still won the election A second element that seems lo work in the Conservatives favor Is paradoxically the economic situation the belief that In troubled limes one stays with he tried and true helmsmen rather lhan gambling on the unknown So far the time for a change sentiment does not appear to be working History From our files THIRTY PARS We didnt allow enough for expansion Georgetown had the greatest growth in history lost year said Mayor Harold Cleave Monday nomination meeting in the public library Mayor Cleave was explaining to the eightyodd ratepayers present the reason for on estimated deficit on the years operations which is forecast by an Interim statement of finances as of November IMll An estimated children attended Brills Christmas parly on Sunday afternoon at the The crowd was so unexpectedly large that who had planned give a coloring book and a candy cane to each child present had to cut the gift in half to make everyone happy Seven men the six council seals at next Mondays municipal elections It will be the first time that council will be elected by general vote in place of the former three ward system All present council members are seeking retlectlon Fred McNally who served len yean as a member of the Public School Board Including a term as chairman several years ago is making his first bid for a scat in council YEARS ACO- have an optimistic view 19fil and if there is any increase in tax rate it should be only minor said Mayor Hyde he addressed a meeting Tuesday night In Wriggles worth auditorium Ho qualified his by tax rise would not occur unless a major not presently foreseen should enter the Teenagers with nothing better lo do have blamed by Police Chief Roy Haley for on outbreak of malicious damage which has plagued Ins department for the past two weeks Chief Haley said unguarded windows seem lo be the targets for vandals Glass at hydro substation on Mountain view Road and numerous other buildings through the has been shattered in he senseless attacks Georgetown has a new band the Georgetown Citizens Pipe- Band The new aggregation which includes men and women in its playing ranks had its inaugural meeting on Thursday boasting a membership of 10 pipers and six drummers Suggesting that be given to legislation which would force owners of vacant property to keep the properly in shape or have it torn down Mayor Hyde found council in agreement with him Monday night A tenth term which will make his total service twenty years will be started by Graham on Georgetown Commission in January Mr a Main Street merchant was the only candidate unopposed for elected office this year in Georgetown TEN YEARS A GO George town has a new Industry which plans to employ 100 people Gage Stationery Ltd began operations last week in the former Manufacturing plant Todd Road Machinery is still being moved in for production of stationery and school products such as exercise books scribblers foolscap and writing Forty four years township politics is the impressive record racked up by George Curric retiring reeve of Esnuesing The Senator as he is affectionately known around the township has only of office four years since 1M0 when he first ran for Council Fourteen of the 44 years he served as reeve and the remainder of the time he was either reeve A draft of official plan will be presented to the public at a public meeting early in the New Year Their comments will be invited and perhaps amendments made before the plan is sent to the Ontario Municipal Board for approval Janet Laird a pupil at Moore Park School won a bank account in a province wide draw sponsored by Wood Each of the winners will not only receive the bank deposit but will receive an additional K deposit on each birthday October 16 for the next five years provided Ihe original deposit together with annual incre ments and interest is left Piclrtand Regal Maud a heifer owned by Claude Picket of Georgetown brought to top the Sale of Stars at Royal Winter Fair Toronto This is one of the highest prices ever paid for a heifer calf in Canada ONE 1 EAR McLaughlin president of Focal Properties Ltd is tired of fighting the community and has asked the people of Hills to suspend their disbelief and seek on air of operation Referring to the controversy surrounding his proposed 1740home development south of Georgetown Mr McLaughlin lold the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce last week that it is time or us all lo have the humility to back down from strong positionsand commit ourselves to coopera Douglas a well known member of the North Scout movement has received the medal of merit for his outstanding contribution to the movement during the past 17 years Mr Douglas was presented with a letter Nov telling him he had received but the actual medal will be presented at a later date In a letter to Ontario minister of energy Mayor Pete has again supported Ihe request for an independent study of Ihe controversi al hydro corridor The letter in which Mayor explained that town council passed ihe official plan amendment allowing the construction of the corridor only the direction of Ontario Municipal Board and the Cabinet went berore the cabinet last week along a petition from the Interested Citizens Group PANASONIC DREAM How would you tike to go home with worth of home lament equipment Jut Saturday after her key opened the special lock to the McDouaMa Pa no ionic Dream the restaurants Georgetown outlet Pictured with Mrs an her sod Kent and restaurant manager Flnlay Arnold Mrs prise package Included a remote control color television and video tape with five feature fUtni and six blank cartridges