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age 4, Terrace Bay-Schreiber News, Wednesday, April 25, 1984 Guest Editorial The Terrace Bay-Schreiber News is published every Wednesday by: Laurentian Publishing Co. Ltd., Box 579, Terrace Bay, Ontario. POT 2W0. Telephone: (807) 825-3747. EDITOR AND MANAGER...................-- 2. cece eens Karen E. Park EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ....................0 0. cece eee Lynne Badger ADVERTISING SALES............................0.. "....Sharon Mark PRODUCTION MANAGER..................... 0.0 e eee eee Mary Melo DEADLINE: Friday NOON Subscription rates: $12.00 per annum (local); $18.00. SONA per annum (out-of-town). Second Class Mail Registration No. 0867. J Home Sweet Home by DOUG BRYDGES The following editorial is reprinted from the Geraldton-Longlac Tim Star with the permission of it's Publisher, Doug Brydges. Not long ago, there was a local merchant in a small Northern Ontario town that got into a small argument with his next door neighbour and friend of many years. - "Gee, Bill," said his friend Jim. 'You wouldn't believe the deal I got on .-My new lawn mower in Thunder Bay last weekend. I saved over $31.00 on the thing instead of buying it in town." » Now Bill, being a local service station operator that sold some lawn "mowers every spring, didn't really like what he was hearing. A bit upset, he ~ almost started to say his piece on the subject, but he used his better senses and didn't bother. Then, his old friend let go with another remark. "You know what else, Bill? I got me an old oil drum and bought 40 gallons sof gas there too, to take advantage of the gas wars." That did it. Bill just had to-say something. Bill was well aware of commerce and economic values - sand how they relate to the life of a small town. And he knew that this was the attitude that made small town merchants suffer in the already recessive economy. ~ ==*Why was Bill so mad? Let's take a look at Bill for a moment. He came to "town about 30 years ago when everything was bustling. He didn't have much "money to sink into a big business, but he could see that there was a need for "another service station in town, and he went to work in the woodlands in- "dustry for a while, to get ahead enough so that he could set up his own shop. _He knew he wasn't going to get rich but he really liked living here, and he en- red his after hours, working in the community helping others. had served on the local Chamber of Commerce for 7 years, had worked - "with Boy Scouts organizations for 6 years, had served on Council for 8 years ~ and also served on the local school board for 6 years. Bill was also a Kinsmen _ Member in long standing and had recently received an award for achieving _pAiigh level of community service. Recently Bill was chairman of his com- -samiunity's Recreation Committee and just helped form the local Economic "Development Committee. Truly a record of giving beyond himself for the 'benefit of others, Bill was and still is what we call a 'Real Giver" of a guy. But,:never once in all those years did Bill ever get extra money for his time after work, or did he get rich being a Councillor. In fact, when he thought about it, the only payment he ever got was the experience he picked up. Bill's neighbour Jim, was the exact opposite. Although he always made himself available at public meetings to complain about the lack of this and the lack of that, he never once would get involved to solve a local problem or offer constructive solutions. Jim also spent most of his time at the local Legion after work, and seldom got home until well after dark. When asked to get involved in his community he always had the same answer. "'Hey man, there are doers and watchers. - You are a good doer and I am a good watcher. I like to enjoy my time. After all, you don't live forever."' Nevertheless, Bill and Jim were good friends for such a long time. Perhaps it was for the fishing they did together, or maybe it was because they just enjoyed each other's company once a month, politics and business aside. Bill then asked his now ex-friend a few questions. "Jim, what do you think happens to a small town like ours when everybody starts thinking like you?"' "Do you know what a dollar means to a small town like ours?" But Jim couldn't answer that. After all, he wasn't a doer. ? Let's answer that for Jim and Bill, because Bill is too upset to speak ra- tionally now. If a dollar is paid to the taxi driver, he will buy a half gallon of gas with it. From that, the service station operator will clear about 3 to 4 cents. So there isn't a heck of a lot left. That's why a gas station has to sell about 300,000 gallons of gas per year to make it worth doing at all. If a clothing merchant sells a pair of jeans, he will make about $8.00 on the sale. He may need a new paint job on his pickup but to afford it, he will have to sell about 100 pairs of jeans. If he doesn't, then he won't get a paint job at the local body shop. This could keep the local body shop operator from affor- ding that new body grinder that will cost him $200, which is about all he may clear on the paint job. The local hardware man then won't be able to go to the bar this weekend because he didn't make the $40.00 on the sale of the grinder on his shelf. And so on... In most cases, a dollar will get spent by about 7 different peoplé before it finally stops moving around town. If that dollar gets spent out of town, it has taken $7.00 worth of trade out of town. If $200,000 worth of business leaves a small northern town and gets spent in the big city, chances are, $1.4 million worth of commerce has left the town. But the average person does not know what that means. He just looks for the best deal he can find. Even if it costs him more than he saves. : Small town businessmen deserve the support of each other and all who live in the community. There are some that don't, but those are few. Most local merchants have given a lot more than they have made over the years because they have had a strong interest in the growth and life of the com- munity. They usually have a lot more at stake than the average 8-hour-a-day man. Besides, they're always there when you need them. opinion Residents of Terrace Bay had better mark the dates of June 29th to July 7th down on their calendars and be prepared to start fill- them in day by day. 25th Anniversary Celebrations Com- mittee has been working long and hard in order to provide the residents of Terrace Bay with some pretty fantastic celebration events. In a meeting held last Thursday, more was finalized on these plans and preparations are beginning on others. The people of Terrace Bay, along with many individuals and organizations are supporting us every step of the way in our endeavours. The Committee would like to thank those who submitted their suggestions and designs for the Logo Contest. Seven logos in all, were received by the Committee and it certainly made the judges' decision a tough one. The lucky winner was Steve Badger of Terrace Bay. His logo can be found on the front page of this week's paper; right where it belongs, for all to see. It says a lot for the history of Ter- race Bay, and we thank him for his interest in this project. Watch for your logo Steve ... it will adorn hundreds of hats, buttons, T-shirts, etc. which will be available during the An- niversary Week celebrations. Things taking place during this special week will include the following: a dance with the Carlton Showband; Citizen of the Year Award and Bicentennial Medal presenta- tions; one heck of a fine parade on the main street that will include (hopefully) the Shriners, definitely the Fraser Girls Pipe Band, various floats from individuals, businesses, and organizations, as well as anyone else who wishes to participate; a Lumber Jack Competition supplied by the On- tario Loggers Federation (more on this will follow next week); an Open Street Dance with music provided by the Dorion Band; a Golf Tournament; canoe races; an immense town bar-b-a at the Golf Course; a fine disnlav of fireworks and a giant bonfire at the beach; a soap-box derby; 10-speed bike race; an Open House for one and all to "meet and mingle"; an Arts and Crafts Show; a Kid's Day; a bowl- ing tournament; bingos; a talent show; the Official Taiwan Twinning Ceremonies which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 5th; a town Levee; a slow pitch tournament; a birthday reunion dinner for those people born in Terrace Bay in 1959; a Mid-way; a closing dance with the 12 piece band called "The Dublin Corporation"; as well as various other events and displays that have yet to be confirmed. It looks like it's going to be one heck of a bir- It's all coming together for June 29th thday party. The Ontario Loggers Competi- tions will bring in competitors from as far away as Kenora and possibly the Soo. This is quite an event to watch for those of you who have never witnessed one before. Local businesses will be solicited for their support and one area of support we hope to engage them in, is entering a float in the parade. There will be three categories and winners will be chosen for each. They will in- clude (1) Commercial entries, (2) Private en- tries and (3) Clubs, groups and organizational entries. So get your thinking caps on and try to outdo your neighbour. | We will also be asking ee Terrace Bay for their support in the theme of, the 25th Anniversary Week. It is hoped that' the local businesses will set up various, displays in their store windows depicting Ter- | race Bay's birthday, as well as setting up | sidewalk sales, etc. for the many visitors who | will be present during that special week. The town of Terrace Bay will be bustling with ac- | tivity and the merchants should be prepared | to handle the influx of people and welcome them to our town. The Committee will keep you informed of further progress on the events. Keep posted in future issues of the "NEWS". ;