The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Editorials Information-honestly, openly and freely shared- is the hallmark of democracy Big challenge MERCHANTS in every town are often troubled when they hear _ of residents of their town travelling to larger centres in their region to do their shopping. It rankles when they hear of their neighbours in town going to, say, Barrie or Toronto, to shop for a new car, or to do their Christmas shopping. It is understandable. When local people shop outside town for goods and services, the shopping dollars never filter through the community. Get enough people shopping outside town and it has a snowball effect. This comes to mind at a time when Penetanguishene merchants appear set to defeat the latest attempt to establish a Business Improvement Area in downtown Penetang. The numbers don't look good for those who want to see a BIA established here. We heard one merchant say the other day that she heard another merchant complain when he / she saw a third merchant shopping in one of the big malls in Barrie 40 miles from Penetang. Merchant number one pointed out that if merchant number two saw merchant number three shopping in one of the Barrie malls, then, presumably, merchant number two was probably doing the same thing and had no reason to be complaining! Whether a BIA would help invigorate downtown Penetang and eventually make it a more attractive place to shop is an arguable point. We have heard forceful arguments in favour of a BIA and forceful arguments against. Whether or not to establish one is in the collective hands of the merchants. What is clear is that BIA or no BIA, merchants who are concerned when shopping dollars leave the community will have to get together if they want to do something to stem it. The problem is not unique to Penetang. And, it is a big challenge. It is possibly premature to say that the BIA proposal will be defeated in Penetang. We will know soon, though. It will be known next Monday night when a petition signed by merchants opposed to a BIA is tabled at the Penetanguishene town council meeting. Next Monday is the last day merchants in the designated BIA area who signed their names to the petition can ask the municipal clerk to strike their names from it. Several weeks ago, one long-time Penetang merchant (who is in favour of a BIA) stated at a BIA information meeting that in the last 20 years or so Penetanguishene has, on more than one occasion, overcome economic adversity very successfully. BIA or no BIA, the next big challenge facing the community may well be a campaign to preserve, and build on, the local shopping market. History in space JUST WHEN space travel started to become passe, U.S. shuttle astronauts last week rescued two satellites in space. Both satellites will be refurbished and re-launched into space next summer. The two failed satellites, launched last February were insured through Lloyds of London for $180 million. By claiming both from space, the underwriter can save the buyer over two years of waiting and $10 million on the cost of launching. Watching the pair of communications satellites being stuffed back into the shuttle's cargo bay last week proved the old saying to be true: what goes up must come down! Wait until next year THE LAST TIME Winnipeg Blub Bombers sipped champagne from the Grey Cup was in 1962 after winning Earl Gray's dented goblet in the famed fog bow] in the Big Smoke. So the taste of the bubbly on Sunday was very sweet after Winnipeg bombed the Steel City Tabbies by a score of 47-17. Before more than 60,000 fans, Winnipeg dominated three of four quarters in Edmonton and walked away with all the marbles. Tiger Cats showed lots of class in the first quarter but botched it in the last three. Harold Ballard's Tiger Cats managed to end Argo's one-year reign as champions in the Eastern Division so that should make Pal Hal a bit happy...but it sure would have been nice to see Tiger Cats go all the way. Oh well, maybe next year. es ZW FOR THE FIRST Bic. a0 4 «NO NOTHER , JOHN CAN'T COME TO THE PHONE-- HE'S WAITING SNOWFALL! AN } Puy T] Huronia Happenings? Tell us Dear Editor: Greetings: The year 1984 will be remembered as one of opportunity for Huronia. Two major events--the Molson's Canadian Hot Air Balloon Championship and the Papal Visit to MHuronia attracted thousands of visitors to the area. The news media coverage alone exposed Huronia to thousands of viewers. These memorable events will attract them to experience Huronia personally. Huronia Hospitality Hotline played a major role in these events. The toll free 1-800-461-4343 line was the link between the events and the visitor. Five days prior to the Papal Visit over 1500 phone inquiries were handled. In order to have the current information of the acitivites and schedules, Huronia Hospitality worked closely with the organizers of these events. Now that Huronia Hospitality Hotline in- formation service has been established, we must maintain our degree of effectiveness. In order to be able to advertise our ability to inform callers of events in Huronia we require your co-operation. Please inform us of any HAPPENINGS, EVENTS, BAZAARS, CARNIVALS, LAUN- Deep appreciation Dear Editor: We have all been working quite hard at wrap- ping up the final details covering the now historic Visit of Pope John Paul II to Canada, and in particular to our region. So much has been said that I fear to rework ground which has already been covered. But I do' want to send you a final word of deep appreciation for all you have done since the far reaches of the beginning of this operation. We can certainly say that the Visit was success bul it was a success engineered and produced by a lot of hard work and CHINGS, organized tourist attractions, etc. If you inform us of the acitivty, the dates, times, locations, as well as a contact name and ad- dresses, we will be in the position to forward the information to callers and potential visitors. The Huronia Hospitality Hotline information service can be of invaluable service to you and your organization. Please take advantage of this service and keep us informed. Please call us on these toll free local numbers or mail us your information to the above address. In Barrie call 726-9300, in Orillia 326-8397, in Midland 526-2261, in Collingwood and Wasaga Beach 428- 3143 and Huronia South call 729-2295. Outside of Huronia, in Ontario, call toll free 1-800-461-4343 and ask for Huronia Hospitality. We will be advertising our ability to offer in- formation on the "'Huronia Happenings" as well as promoting "Hurry-Up for the Fun'"'. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours in Huronia Hospitality HURONIA TOURIST ASSOCIATION Doug Little Manager dedication. You are one of those who represent a contribution which was simply essential. Once again, many thanks. Before he left the Holy Father entrusted a few mementoes to me. You will find in the enclosed a souvenir of a great happening. Warmest regards. Devotedly yours, - G. Emmett Cardinal Carter Archbishop of Toronto Christmas cheer fund Dear Editor: Once again the Christmas Season is fast ap- proaching. It is the time when the whole family looks forward to getting together fo enjoy a good meal, and also a time when friendships are renewed. As we hear the old familiar Carols being played and sung, we are reminded that this is a blessed season, and everyone greets one another with a cheery '"'Merry Christmas"'. Due to this country's continued economic dif- A song in their hearts Dear Fditor: Georgian Bay Belles wish to extend hearty congratulations to Black Magic, as they became International Champions at competition on Nov. 9. Seven Members of the Belles joined with most of the Mello Blends, from Barrie, in Providence, Rhode Island, to witness the triumph of "our" quartette. We would also like to congratulate the Capital Chordettes from Ottawa, Ontario who won the chorus competition. As you can see, Canada was well represented at the contest in Rhode Island. We are now looking ahead to the festive Christmas season, and will be happy to sing for your club or organization party, Call Marilyn Henry 549-3066 for information. Georgian Bay Belles Publicity director Marilyn Henry ficulties however, this Christmas will un- fortunately be another one of great hardship for many. Over the past 99 years, The Salvation Army in Midland, with the generous support of the people of this area, has tried to alleviate this situation, and bring some joy into these homes. Last year 375 families were assisted by the means of a food hamper and toys, in the value of approximately $60.00 per hamper. We anticipate as many again this year. We are approaching you, to ask for your donation, which will go a long way to making this a more joyful Christmas for these less fortunate families. God bless you, and may we also take this op- portunity to wish you and your family the happiest of Christmas greetings. ' Yours sincerely, -Raymond Braddock, Lieutenant. Letters The Penetanguishene Citizen welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be legible, signed (by hand), and carry the writer's address and telephone number for verification. Pen names are not allowed and anonymous letters will not be published. Letters published by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper, its publisher or editor. Publisher: Andiew Markle Editor: Peter Spohn Editorial Staff: Douglas Reed Murray Moore Paul Sanderson Rudolf Fleischmann Penetanquishene Citizen Published by Bayweb Limited every Wednesday at 75 Main Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario / 549-2012 Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 Production Foreman: Jim Robb Production Staff Jessie Crowe Angie Grasic Elizabeth Clark Advertising Manager:Bob Finch Advertising Staff: % Joe Harpell, Linda Ladd Circulation Manager: Arnold Burgher Administration: June Robbins, Diane Moore Page 6, Wednesday, November 21, 1984