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

Takes issue with alderman's letter Dear Editor: If is of necessity that I respond through this medium to the written comments of Mr. Herbert, Alderman Ward 1. In his letter to the Editor, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1983--Midland Times, Mr. Herbert has made some statements that cry out for comment. Mr. Herbert is to be commended for his civic pride, his sense of family and fellowship, and his willingness 10 inake personal sacrifiees for the betterment of this town, It is not an easy task fo assume leadership as an alderman. This is very time consuming. Not only are our elected representatives on view during council meetings but there are other numerous committee meetings they must attend. However.] am motivated to make comment on Mr. Herbert's letter for other reasons. Mr. Her- bert, in spite of his sincerity, does not seein to recognize the role of the 'Fourth Estate" in a democratic society It has always been the role of dedicated newspaper people 10 keep governments on their toes, Their responsibility has been to keep the public informed as to what our -- elected representatives are doing to make life better for us all, Through this process our politicians receive "bouquets" and-"'barbs"'. 301h newspapers in this town recognize their role and responsibility. In my opinion they are faithful 10 their part and generally present a balanced picture. In most eases our civic leaders recognize this, and often listen to their advice, communicate 'with their peers, and make decisions based upon consensus and wisdom. This is a wisdom that is derived from many sources--including newspaper editorials which are written with the same kind of concern Mr. Herbert has for our community, Mr. Herbert's letter was written to one newspaper, The Times, and seemingly directed at one editor, and his staff, Mr. Jj. Douglas Reed. I was first introduced to Mr, Reed by Mrs. Nancy Keefe, who recommended Doug as a person who had demonstrated tremendous concern for his community and who had a desire to make this !own a better place for everyone. Mr. Reed las proved to be just that to The Salvation Army, as he has to many other organizations and individuals of this area. It was in the fall of 1982 that The Salvation Army in Canada presented both Mrs. Keefe and Mr. Reed with "Outstanding Service Awards". These recognition awards are presented after a lotof thought and = discussion in regards to the recipients They are awards that not only recognize valuable service 10 The Salvation Army, but also how that service was of benefit to the community at large. I know for a fact that there are other organizations that have been moved to make similar presentations to the editor of The Midland Times in their own way and their own fashion. I sincerely believe that the editor, in good Journalistic tradition, has shown his true mettle by publishing Mr. Herbert's letter intact. The Midland Times as well as The Free Press, provide an excellent forum for all our citizens to express their opinions. Mr. Herbert has been given that Opportunity and the editor has graciously printed his opinion. Although T have attempted to write this letter of response in a very Objective manner, I feel that I ust take personal exception to a couple of statements Mr. Herbert made about my friend. CNIB thanks canvassers, community Dear Editor: Once again, the residents of Elmvale and the surrounding area have generously responded to the recent canvass for the C.N.I.B. Donations totalled $1,300, for which the C.N.I.B. expresses its erateful appreciation. Special mention is due these willing canvassers: P. Kirton, L. Sibbald, G. Robertson, B. Davidson, I. Doan, V. French, EF. McAuley, M. O'Halloran, B. Marley, P. Clute, B. Spring, J. Ritchie, H. Greenai, A. Archer, E. Frankeom, L. Scott, R. Archer, E. Deviney, E. White, I. O'Halloran. Respectfully yours, Emily G. Finlay, Canvass Chairman Fridays will never be the same after 18th After Noy. 18, Fridays will never be the same in North Simcoe. Don't forget, this Friday, The Friday Citizen and The Friday Times are joining forces to bring you the all-new Citizen Times Weekender. It will be delivered free to thousands of homes and as well will be on sale at selected locations. Page 6, Wednesday, November 16, 1983 In my Opinion these statements were almost slanderous. Surely Mr. Herbert- was perhaps reacting irrationally and perhaps even jn anger when he states: "It is you, Mr. Editor knowingly stretching your black fingers into the homes and minds of Midlanders"'. And then again, '"'You are the cancer' I must be very careful not to respond in anger and irrationally myself. However, I must respond. To say those things about a man whose greatest pleasure at Christmas is to see the smile of joy and anticipation on the face of children--a man who very practically gives himself to parades and Christmas parties fe accomplish this--is not to know the man, To call a man "a cancer" who willingly goes out on Christmas Eve to visit and deliver that "last haiiper"' and stands there with tears in his eyes hecause of the situation--is to be insensitive to a caring, and loving person. To say that a man who is looked upon by his peers and the people he serves through his Newspaper as a caring concerned Midlander, is, "knowingly stretching his black fingers into the homes and minds of Midlanders" to manipulate them, is to not know the man behind the ac- cusations. That is the main fault I find with Mr. Herbert's le(ter--il is written in ignorance of the man and the medium he so blatantly slams. I too must be careful in this matter. Ido not know Mr. Herbert. He is an alderman in the ward, I work and live in, but I do not know him. Perhaps this is my fault--perhaps it is not. I salute the media of this town. I do not always agree with then, but I recognize that they are luman and they are not always right. Then, after all, neither an T. _ I salute the politicians of this town. Well do I remember how tew of our citizens were willing to offer themselves for election last year. The Dan Herberts of this town are to be thanked and congratulated for their willingness to offer themselves in this very meaningful and important function. We need more concerned people, who are willing to sacrifice for the good of the community and our families. However, we also need good journalists and editors who attempt to keep us informed of how and by whom things are being accomplished, or, of how and by whom things are not being ac- complished. Editors need "Letters to the Editor'? to keep them on their toes and in touch with public opinion. However, personal, unfounded and unknowledgeable attacks are only counter productive. We do not need to be forced to take sides in controversies based on personal opinions about personalities. As Jack Webb on Dragnet used to say, "I want the facts, Mam, only the facts." This present council has two more years of service left. May they soon find the secret of agreeing to disagree, and still remain civil to each other, if not friends. Name calling and mud slinging does not get results. This approach just results in hurt. This hurt is felt not only by the person(s) in- volved but also by their families. Surely in this beautiful part of God's Creation, we can become 1 Ore sensitive to our neighbour's needs. We need each other to survive. Am | my brother's keeper? You bet I am! Sincerely yours, Raymond Braddock Mayor explains his policy on his mail My mail is my mail, Midland's mayor in- sisted on Monday. Mayor Al Roach was reacting to Alerman Ian Ross question about the mayor's instruction that mail addressed to him be opened only by him. The alderman, who has in the past called for the Mm a y Ozer 2s resignation, denied the mayor's statement that Ross was trying to belittle him with his question. f The mayor repeated his position that mail addressed to A.B. Roach is his mail and not to be opened by anyone else. 'I don't have to give any other reason."' The municipal let- terhead belongs to the town, Alderman Ross said. Mail addressed to the mayor is_ public information. The mail of the other members of with the letter's subject. Most of the town's mail is addressed to the mayor, the alderman said. Town staff have his permission to open his mail when he is away, the mayor said. Alderman Ross knew the content of a con- fidential letter ad- dressed to him before he did, the mayor said. The alderman said he knew the letter's content from a source other than town staff. council is Opened by a secretary. Copies are made and distributed to other persons involved P.D. Day termed a success, SCBE release indicates Elementary school teachers of the Simcoe County Board of ' Education and of Base Borden participated in a Professional Develop- ment Day on Friday, Nov. 4. This day was _ spon- sored by the Federation Atfiliates-Simcoe County Women Teachers' Association and Ontarie Public School Men Teachers' Association, Simcoe District-and the Simcoe County Board of Education. The main purpose was to offer a full day of speakers, workshops and activities for teachers to become better informed and confident of the changes in education not only in theory and law but in practice. Subject areas offered varied from Computers, Lanquage Arts:, Discipline, Mathem- atics and Music, to Special Education and Visual Arts. The morning program was on '"'Discipline: Kids are Worth It" by Barbara Coloroso, - an educational consultant who resides in Boulder, Colorado. She has been involved in' many areas. of education, as a classroom teacher, a workshop leader and a lecturer at the classroom climate and County with additional workshop leaders coming from _ the Ministry of Education or from other Boards of Education. The main location for this day's activity was Barrie Central Collegiate with some afternoon sessions in neighbouring schools. University of Northern Colorado. Mrs. Coloroso has authored numerous articles on such topics as 'Strategies for Working with Troubled Stiuden Us, and 'Responsibility-Orie- nted Classrooms'. She stressed a_ positive an ability stress. In the afternoon sessions, teachers were offered a wide range of to manage SHOOTERS Look for it! topics from which to choose. AS It was a_ credit to aa Simeoe County that most of the workshops were Offered by per- sonnel within Simcoe We're glad you asked! Jim Lynn Funeral Director HOW DOI PRE-PLAN A FUNERAL? First, discuss your wishes with us or any of the other funeral homes in the area. We will talk about your preferences as to religious services, the minister, selection of music, readings from scripture, and flowers. Costs for caskets, fixed and optional funeral services, and cemetery fees will also be covered. Second, a completed pre-arrangements document will be provided. In it, all of your wishes and costs will be recorded. Your copy should be kept in a safe place and / or given to your executor, friend or relative. There are no costs or obligations for preparing this. Third may be pre-financing. This is optional and at your discretion. After we record your wishes, it can be arranged in several ways: (1) pre-payment in full; (2) partial payment and provision made for installment payments; and (3) partial pay with balance to be paid by life insurance, Canada Pension Plan, or Veterans Affairs allowances. Pre-planning is sensible and realistic. It can be done without stress or grief.-It provides great "peace of mind"' in knowing that an unpleasant, yet necessary, task has been completed in advance, thereby sparing your survivors a difficult task later on. Yames H. Lynn |} Funeral Homes Midland Elmvale 526-6551 322-2732