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A i eg Er a " of | - Ler Over 5 - x er rr Pe Se Cr a eB ma op md wt - eT ow NS 2 Br R ct te Co ANI 7 FO Sil Sm Ss SHR is Se A A et es he a A en "Dont Y ef oad: Sadie A a SOS: A Af il 4 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday October 26, 1982 editorial comments chatterbox by J. Peter Hvidsten I know that the World Series has been over for about a week now, but I just can't let the baseball season come to a close without a brief comment. The criticism of the series if valid. It really lacked something -- a kind of intensity, and when there are 17 errors committed in seven games, that leaves a bit to be desired. Maybe it was a case of bad nerves in a world series, but that many errors is a bit much. Two of the games were total blow-outs, hardly worth watching. The other five were passable, with a few good moments of baseball. I hate to say it, but maybe it's true that a guy like Reggie Jackson really does add a special touch of magic to the game each October. He didn't get his famous nick-name for nothing. But enough about baseball. The season has run its course. The boys of summer are home now waiting for that first day of spring training. I thought this was to be the year of the Expos. Back a couple of decades ago when life seemed less complicated, the old Brooklin Dodgers were the "Wait until next year team." I hope that mantle doesn't fall each year on the Expos, but don't bet against it. And don't bet against those Blue Jays, either. I saw their final game of the year and was impressed with the intensity and a little thing called team spirit. 3 Now that alone is not enough to win a World Championship (or even a Division title) but I agree with the assessment that if the Jays can hang on to their starting pitchers, and get some hitting power in the line-up, watch out. They could be the Cinderella team next season. Watching that final game, I couldn't help but think what it would be like if the Jays made it to the Series, and had to play in Exhibition Stadium. It's a real dog-house. Can you imagine Howard Cossell broadcasing a Blue Jays World Series from the press box in Exhibition Stadium? It just might happen sooner than we think. MOVING DAY Don't talk to me this coming Saturday. I may not be in the best of moods. Come to think don't talk to me on Thursday or Friday of this week, because I'll be thinking about how rotten a mood I'm going to be in on Saturday. Saturday, you see is moving day for the McClelland family. We've been working at it in bits and pieces for the past three weeks, but the crunch comes on Saturday. The mere thought of dragging that freezer up one flight of stairs and down another leaves me weak. Same goes for the fridge and stove, the washer and dryer. Thank goodness I don't own a piano. It is not the actual physical work of a move that is so upsetting. It is the mass confusion leading up to it -- boxes, cartons everywhere; rooting through the base- ment; lamps on the floor because the end tables are in the new house. How do you read the paper with the lamps on the floor? Unlike adults, young children love a move. During packing, they get a great kick out of peeking into every box and carton. If they see something that strikes their fancy, they haul things out of the box to get at it. And they love to help carry things out of the house to the truck and into the new house. My two year old daughter was very disappointed when I told her not to try to lift one end of the bedroom dresser. She settled for one of the drawers. The four year old is the same way. He wants to be in on all the action. But the seven year old is detached from it all. He doesn't seem to want to take part. Probably he understands all too well that a move to a new neighbour- hood means saying goodbye to friends on the street. We are only moving a few short blocks in Port Perry, but to a seven year old it might as well be to another town. I feel sorry for him. Even though the move has left me feeling a little fractured, in all honesty, I must say I'm more than pleased with the amount of progress we've made over the past couple of weeks. By the time the crew arrives Saturday morning to help with the heavy stuff, that's just about all that will be left. And a good thing, too. We've promised the kids -Hallowe'en on Saturday evening, moving day or not. The fridge and stove may be in transit, but the kids are going out to trick or treat, no matter what. I read once where a move by a family ranks pretty high on the stress scale. I'm starting to believe it. However, by this time next week, things should be back to normal. But as I said at the outset, if I seem a little ratty on Friday and Saturday, you'll know why. Be nice to me. LETTERS As pointed out in the note on the letters page this week, the policy of this paper during election campaigns has been to take a totally neutral stance towards all candidates. That applies to letters to the editor as well. This week, we received a letter that was particularly critical of certain individuals who are seeking office. We simply cannot allow letters to be published which attack individuals two weeks before an election, We haven't allowed them in the past, and we don't intend to start now. It could open the way for all kinds of personal letters attacking candidates publicly for any number of reasons. It is not an easy decision to have to make judgements on letters to the editor, but we strongly feel that this is the wisest policy to follow. There is a letter is this paper which deals with a particular issue of municipal concern. It does not single out individuals for particular attack, but deals with an issue in a general sense. Hallowe'en 1982 There are some very sick people walking the streets these days. They have a sickness which can't be cured in a hospital. South of the border, the Tylenol murders have sent shock waves across the entire continent. There have also been documented cases recently of some sickie putting acid in eye drops on drug store shelves. Authorities fear a rash of "copy-act" indicidents in the wake of the Tylenol and eye drop cases. In one small community in a New England state, the town council decided to suspend all trick or treating this Hallowe'en because of fears that goodies might be "'spiked" with something. A few years ago, Hallowe'en took a very nasty "turn when apples were found with razor blades and hat pins in them. Parents everywhere, in big cities and small towns, are aware of the potential danger on Hall- owe'en. To our knowledge, there has not been any incident in this community in recent years. But it goes without saying that in light of the wide spread publicity recent cases have received, parents must be extra cautious. You just never know . . It is better for parents to "expect the worst," and take that little extra time to carefully examineall the goodies their children bring home in the trick or treat bag. As for general safety, costumes should be bright. Adding strips of reflective tape is a good idea. And the very young fry should be accompanied by an adult as they make their rounds. We would urge motorists in the Township to travel with extreme caution this Saturday evening, keeping in mind that youngsters filled with the excitement of Hallowe'en may forget to 'look when crossing a street. Hallowe'en is a time for the youngsters to enjoy themselves, if parents use a little caution and common sense. God forbid that there will be any unfortunate incidents in Scugog Township. But you just don't know about these things . . . . Chit-Chat You can say what you like about Pierre Trudeau, but if there is one thing the man knows how to do, it is how to get the attention of a country. He did just that last week with his three prime time TV chats with the nation, and everyone, from the Opposition, to labour leaders, to the guy .on the street, even CBC journalists, had something nasty to say about the broadcasts. We have to agree with Mr. Trudeau's major critics that the substance of what he said left much to be desired. He appealed for co-operation and trust; yet as a political leader he is anything but co- operative and there is little doubt that he personally has lost the trust of a great majority of average Canadians. He told us that Canada faces a perilous winter ahead. So, what else is new? We havent had a 'good winter" economically speaking, in living memory. And Mr. Trudeau has been the Prime Minister for the last 14 years. - But.if the message of the chats left a lot to be desired, Mr. Trudeau's physical appearance was shocking. He looked ashen, drawn, his face drained of colour and vitality; the background props were sombre, totally lacking in any warmth. It was not a pretty picture.-Possibly he wanted to create that effect through lighting, make-up and use of props. The image Mr. Trudeau presented to the nation three nights in 'a row last week was one of fatigue, bordering on mental and physical exhaustion. It was not very inspiring. . We can't quibble with Mr. Trudeau's right to ask for prime time TV for three nights in a row. He is, after all, the Prime Minister. 1 But if he wants to talk to people face to face, why can't he get out of his Ottawa office for a change? If he wants to deliver a message to this country in difficult economic times, why can't he travel across the country for a few weeks and actually meet average Canadians and talk to them where they live. Why does he never go into small cities, towns and hamlets of Canada? Why does he isolate himself in front of a TV camera in his Ottawa office? . Is he afraid of the reception he might get if he actually went to the land to talk to Canadians?' Probably. So what did it all mean, those three nights of TV chit-chat. In substance, very little. In appearance, a man who looked very tired making a pitch for trust and co-operation that had a hollow ring.