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

Page 6, Terrace Bay-Schreiber News, Wednesday, February 8, 1984 [ethers Food for thought by K.L. POGUE It is my opinion that - too many people are needlessly harassed by inconsiderate individu- als. Have you ever had this happen to you? Q. How do you like my new car? A. I would rather walk that drive that thing. Consequences: End of a perfectly good relation- ship. People should never ask another's opinion unless they are prepared to deal with criticism. Another example: You have worked hard all day. You leave your place of employment at 5 p.m. hoping for a re- laxing evening with your family. No such luck! Too many inconsiderate individuals. You get calls at home that truly could have waited until the following morning after 9 a.m. Worse yet - even your weekend can- not be called your own. You need this time to collect yourself so you can be as productive in your future endeavours as you (hopefully) have been in the past. One more example: We can all complain endlessly about one thing or another but when a handful of hard working people organi- ze a meeting to discuss solutions to these prob- lems of utmost import- ance, where are the complainers? Certainly not at the meeting. Some may make it to the meeting only to sit there and listen. This in my opinion is only eaves- dropping openly. Get out to these meet- ings! Stand up! Be heard! If someone ob- jects, so what! They are entitled to speak also. This is only one of the many terrific claims to being a Canadian. We are all guilty of being selfish or incon- siderate, even lacka- daisical at one time or another so perhaps we should all have a piece of this "food for thought!"' Bon Appetite. 3 minute rule needs clarification Dear. Ms. Park: The "Opinion'"' column in last week's paper, referring to the two and three minute rule, needs to be clari- fied. The Pee Wees, last year, did not play the 3 minute rule. The League games were straight time. The only occa- sion where the 3 minute rule came in, was during two or three exhibition games with the Schreib- er Pee Wees, at their insistence. This prac- tice was dropped after numerous complaints from the players, who did not appreciate the tule, and the parents and coaches who felt it took away from. the game. I will point out that a couple of parents wanted the rule but last year the majority did not, and the practice was dropped. If the "winning" causes problems, then we should not attend any playoffs or tourna- ments, or keep scores. Last year the losing teams didn't receive awards or recognition as such. -- All of the tournaments last year were played straight time as laid out by the rules of the governing hockey body. The balance of the ex- hibition games were alsc straight time. Sincerely, Russ Phillips Will 3 minute play destroy the league? Dear Karen: I am upset and con- fused. A collection of adults who constitute the North Shore Minor Hockey Executive have recently made a decision of far- teaching and disturbing implications. The deci- sion to eliminate the 3 minute playing rule from regular season Pee Wee and Atom North Shore Hockey games will in due time destroy the very thing these ad- ults represent and gov- ern; the North Shore Minor Hockey League. 'How is it possible for any Minor Hockey Ex- ecutive to even contem- plate eliminating a rule which advocates the basic fibre of Minor Hockey, "participa- tion"? The North Shore League is merely a House League within a large geographical area. In larger municipalities, Minor Hockey Associa- tions have been enforc- ing 3 minute playing rules (and with un- questionable success) Devenez for all divisions. Con- sequently their pro- grams continue to at- tract young players and their parents because everyone has an equal chance to participate. But North Shore Executive is blinded by competition. Without the 3 minute rule a number of young hockey players will sit disgrun- tled, cold and rightfully upset on the player bench. These adults have the opportunity of winning at any Invita- continued on page 8 Dear Editor: This is partially a response to Lynne Bad- ger's "Opinion" pub- lished in the Terrace Bay - Schreiber News, February 1, 1984. How- ever, I expect to exceed the boundaries of her comments, and present a perspective on recent events in local. Minor Hockey which I hope will be useful to concerned parents. My letter will consist of considered op- inions as well as facts. The latter will be clearly identified. While it may certainly be advantageous for hockey spectators to have warmer seating areas, what is not need- ed in Minor Hockey in Terrace Bay at this time is the further promo- tion of a "Hot Seat'. Since I have lived in Terrace Bay, I have be- come increasingly aware that the greater arena of Minor Hockey has been one of ferocious dis- putes, sundered friend- ships and_ political maneuvering which would be more worthy of such serious issues as nuclear disarmament and: the preservation of the ecological balance. All this turmoil is justi- fied on the grounds that "It's for the kids." Each side in an issue firmly, and probably genuine- ly, believes it is labour- ing on behalf of the children, and more often than not, accuses oppo- nents of proposing poli- cies which will be detri- mental to the majority of the players while favour- ing only a few children (usually their own). This is a no-win situation for everyone - the issue is not. really the policy under discussion, but rather becomes a bat- tle between "those who are for the children' and "those who are 'not.'"? Not policy deci- sion, but personality clashes are at the hart of dissension in Minor Hockey in Terrace Bay. Let's call a spade a spade! Whatever hap- pened to consensus and the democratic process? I see no benefit to players in the constant "'warfare" which feeds Become - some adults; they wit- -haviours,.however well- . Hockey as coach, con- conseiller régional! TVOntario recherche des personnes pour siéger au Conseil régional du Nord-Ouest. Les cing conseils régionaux de TVOntario --un pour chaque grande région de l'Ontario-- sont composés de 15 membres bénévoles qui se réunissent a intervalles réguliers. Dans le cadre de leur mandat, les conseillers réegionaux représentent les intéréts de leur région aupres de TVOntario et tiennent leurs communautés au courant des activités, émissions et services du réseau.-lls font des recommandations au Conseil d'administration et assurent une liaison essentielle entre la télévision éducative et son public. Les candidatures, accompagnées d'un cur- riculum vitae, pour une nomination au Conseil régional du Nord-Ouest doivent étre regues avant le 20 février 1984. Si vous désirez servir votre communauté, ou connaissez quelqu'un que cela intéresserait, veuillez entrer en contact avec nous. Dr Larry Korteweg Directeur, Comité de nomination Conseil régional du Nord-Ouest de TVOntario 94 Pine Street Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 5X2 (807) 345-2121, poste 682 ae TVOntario a Regional Councillor . The Northwestern Regional Council of TVOntario is looking for applicants for nomination toa council seat. TVOntario has five regional councils, each composed of 15 members who meet regularly to advise the network on policy relating to the educational television service in their region. The regional councillors, all volunteers, are also active in creating awareness in their own communities of the many services available from TVOntario. In addition, they help organize community workshops and meetings on utiliza- _tion of the educational television service. Members of the regional councils are appointed for terms of up to three years, renewable once. Applications for nomination to the North- western Regional Council, along with résumés, should be received by 20 February 1984. If you wish to volunteer, or would like to nominate someone, please contact: Dr. Larry Korteweg Chairman, Nominating Committee TVOntario Northwestern Regional Council 94 Pine Street Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 5X2 (807) 345-2121 (Ext. 682 ) @ | VOntario greedily on one "hot seat" issue after an- other. We expect our children to learn good sportsmanship, to en- gage in team play, to be good winners and _los- ers - and indeed, we chastise coaches if we do not perceive them to be working towards these goals. (The coaches do have these goals in mind, and are to be com- mended for their ef- forts). Unfortunately, the players are present- ed with some inappro- priate role models: they see individuals (adults and players) being mali- ciously criticized and undercut instead of a display of good sports- manship on the part of "the enemy". In view of the constant criticism and infighting, it is small wonder that many talented individuals on the community, \indivi- duals who would be more than willing to share their talents, avoid Minor Hockey as if it were a disease. Fair play and justice have not been prevailing. What are we going to do about it? (There is absolutely no use in pointing fin- gers at everyone else!) Let me use the cor- rect "hot seat" issue, the two and three min- ute rules, as an example of how misunderstand- ings mushroom in Minor Hockey. A survey-ballot asking parents whether they wanted their child- ren to "play or warm the bench" appeared in the Terrace Bay - Schreiber News a short while ago. This rhetorical question presumably referred to games, since players generally do get a lot of ice time during prac- tices. Parents were then asked to indicate whe- ther or not they were in favour of the two min- ute rule for Atoms and the three minute rule for Pee Wees. The message was, if you wanted your child on the ice and not warming the bench, you would of. course favour the two and three min- utes rules. Evidently, those individuals not favouring the two and three minute rules want to see their' children warming the bench. This idea is obviously absurd and not really what was intended. What then was intend- ed? The supposed is- sue, the avowed purpose of the two: and. three 'minute. rules, is equal ice time for all child- ren. The subtle meaning of the survey was really that people who voted against the two and three minute rules are against equal time for all children, and more spe- cifically, want to see ness bickering and divi- sion instead of "team play" among adults who govern Minor Hockey, and in some cases they observe irreconcilable differences instead of graceful winning or los- ing among '"'factions."' It shoyld be understood that; adults involved in Minor Hockey engage in inappropriate be- intentioned, but it only takes a few to create and promote the "hot seat" issues. Most adults act sen- sibly on behalf of their own children and the teams. I sometimes wonder how the child- ren manage to main- tain such amicable rela- tionships in the face of such great obstacles. The worst of it is that it has become difficult for adults to escape from this "vicious circle" -- either they are drawn into the fracas, or they remain aloof, abdicat- ing responsibility. for: events. It is not pos- sible to become actively involved with Minor venor, manager, etc, without being drawn in- to the political fray. Neutrality is not an option. You are either c for a certain faction or their own children get- against it and therefore ting more ice time. 1 will continued from page 2 11 - 12 and Longlac Feb. this rule earlier in the season. The ad _ how- 18-19 ; Midgets - Hornepayne ever, was also placed in Feb. 11-12 response to a decision Other Minor Hockey ™2de by five people in News attendance at a N.S.M.H.L. meeting in Marathon on Jan. 7, to drop the 2 and 3 min- ute rules for the balance of the season. Neither the Terrace Bay nor the Schreiber Minor Hockey Association (who also favour the rule) were represented at this meeting due to lack of information about the meeting date. It is the feeling of the T.B.M.H.A. - that this ruling made by_ three people from Marathon and one each from Manitouwadge and Ter- race Bay will have an adverse effect on the de- velopment of minor hockey in this area. A protest based on the illegality of this decision was filed by the T.B.M.H.A. It was re- fused at a special meet- araoaruacr3rrer Readers recently may have noticed an ad (bal- lot) re: the Atoms and Pee Wees ' playing games using the 2 min- ute (Atoms) and the 3 minute (Pee Wees) rule system. To avoid any confusion, this ad was not sponsored by either the Terrace Bay or Schreiber Minor Hockey Associations. It was placed by two concerned hockey parents to see how other parents feel about this rule being used in N.S.M.H.L. games. The underlying principle of this rule is that it guarantees play- ing time for all players, regardless of ability, in this house league or- ganization. The Terrace Bay Minor Hockey As- sociation unanimously adonted. a motion Bickering and Dissention vs. 'Team Play" be discussing this con- clusion later on. In addition, as a result of the ballot, there is a danger that parents who have not been to many hockey games will infer that there are children who actually warm a bench for a whole game. This has not been hap- pening at the Pee Wee level, and I would sus- pect this to be the case for all our teams. Pee Wee players are all play- ed up to the maximum allowed by the rules of the Tournament or ~ League in which the team is participating. This is fact. In a desire to be vic- torious on this issue, the factions seem to have _given little thought to the consequences of a serious rift between pa- rents and players who support either "for" or "'against". Such a rift could cause a serious -- setback to Minor Hockey in Terrace Bay. Giving each player a fair opportunity for de- velopment is a real and important issue. By all means, let the various arguments be present- ed, and based on the evidence and an open airing of views, let a rational decision be made. This decision should not, however, be made on faulty premis- es. The whole argument for the two and three minute rules as present- ed in the ballot rests on three assumptions: 1) that the two and three minute rules per se guarantee equal time; 2) that equal time is im- possible without the two and three minute rules and, 3) that equal time is always possible and al- ways the best proced- ure. Since this letter is lengthy, I would like to continue this discus- sion next week, at which time I will include some facts about the North Shore and the actual implementation of the two and three minute rules. Yours truly. Betty Hanley eld two weeks ago. The T.B.M.H.A. sup- ports the concern being expressed by these two parents and it is hoped that all Atom and Pee Wee parents will res- pond to this ballot or that they will inform their respective Associa- tions of their feelings. Minor hockey, remem- ber, is for the kids. Note to Mite Parents: Due to the loss of a number of Sunday ice times the Mites will have an extra hour on the following Tuesdays courtesy of the Atoms and Pee Wees: Tues- day Feb. 14 from 6 to 7, Feb. 21 from 5 to 6 and Feb. 28 from 6 to 7. The Atoms and Pee Wees will not be practising at these times. The regu- lar ice schedule will resume in March. Lastly, a reminder of the regular monthly executive meeting of the T.B.M.H.A. to be held on Wednesday Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Multi- nurnace room at the Rec