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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2016-02-10, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Nuron Expositor PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 P.O. Box 69, 8 Main Street Seaforth Ontario NOK 1 WO phone: 519-527-0240 fax: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor �] POSTMEDIA NEIL CLIFFORD Advertising Director neil.clifford@sunmedia.ca SHAUN GREGORY Multimedia Journalist shaun.garrity@sunmedia.ca DIANNE MCGRATH Front Office seaforth.classifieds@sunmedia.ca NANCY DEGANS Advertising Rep. nancy.degans@sunmedia.ca MARIE DAVID Group Advertising Director Grey Bruce Huron Division 519 376-2250 ext. 514301 or 510 364-2001 ext. 531024 SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 2 YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) SENIORS 60 WEEKS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120 WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 69 Seaforth ON NOK 1 WO For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519-527-0240 Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Seaforth Huron Expositor is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For more information or to file a complaint go to www. mediacouncil.ca or call toll free 1-844-877-1163. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. Canada www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com editorial An $8M message that the rink is not law -free The awarding of $8 million to a minor- league hockey player who was left quadriplegic by a dirty hit sends a powerful message to players and leagues at all levels: One's responsibilities do not end where the ice begins. Hockey is a contact sport, but that doesn't mean anything goes. The rink should not be exempt from rule of law - or a "zone de non -droit," in the words of Superior Court Justice Daniel Payette. On Monday, the judge handed down what is believed to be the highest amount awarded for a sports -related injury in Canadian history when he ordered Ludovic Gauvreau-Beaupre and his insurer to pay damages to Andrew Zaccardo and his family for the hit -from - behind that severely injured the then -16 -year- old during a 2010 midget AA game. The decision cited two similar cases in British Columbia in which plaintiffs were awarded about $4 million each. The courts made clear stepping onto the ice does not mean a player has given others carte blanche. That message seems particularly pertinent in pro hockey, where violent acts continue to be toler- ated, if not accepted or even encouraged. In the NHL, fighting is penalized, but not banned. So-called enforcers are expected to mete out their own form of justice to protect team- mates against opponents. The NHL's official video - simulation game enables fighting. The NHL has, at least, taken serious steps in recent years to reduce risks of injury due to ille- gal hits. The league's department of player safety is responsible for reviewing incidents and handing out suspensions and fines where war- ranted. In January alone, six players were sus- pended a total of 12 games for various offences, including boarding and cross-checking. On Wednesday, Dennis Wide- man of the Calgary Flames was suspended 20 games for knocking a linesman to the ice in what the league determined was a deliber- ate act. Minor league associa- tions, too, have taken steps to mitigate against inju- ries. The original lawsuit against Gauvreau-Beaupre also named Hockey Que- bec and Hockey Canada as defendants, but they were dropped once evidence was presented on meas- ures already taken. These include campaigns and training manuals for play- ers, coaches and referees that strictly forbid such acts as checking from behind -- a spinal injury risk. The court has sent a strong message that hockey players, like every- one else, can be held legally responsible for their actions. It's also a reminder to hockey asso- ciations, professional and amateur, to make it clear to players - by word and deed - dirty hits will not be tolerated. - Postmedia Network Still standing in Vanastra Lynda Hillman-Rapley Postmedia Network K udos to the hundreds of people who embraced the crew of CBC to showcase rural Ontario, more specifically Vanastra last week. "This place jumped out of the page," said comedian actor Jonny Harris, who head- lined the comedy show held at the Vanastra Community Christian Reformed Church Friday night. We are not surprised. We live here. Maybe not in Vanastra, but we know what small-town living is all about. "These big city guys, they don't have a clue how com- munities survive. Glad they got to see it first hand," said one man after the show. Harris said we can laugh at ourselves in Canada. Fri- day night that was evident as the filled -to -the -raft- ers church rocked with laugh- ter. The premise of the show involves a community that may be struggling but shows adversity and is still standing. Harris made a point to commend Jan Hawley for her efforts to keep this hamlet on the map. She is the economic development officer for Cen- tral Huron and that is her job. But, having said that, she goes above and beyond to promote what they have and what they can be. Yes, Harris made us laugh but he also made us think about what makes small- town Ontario tick and why Vanastra is rich in history with a flare for survival. The factory workers, the diner, the chicken farmer and the contractors. The moms, the dads, the kids and the veter- ans. That what makes up this community he referred to as unique. We asked some of those being entertained Friday if they considered their home- town nique. They pondered the question for a moment or two and then said: "Nah, we are not unique, this is the place we call home. We look after each other and we just keep on going." if it's local, it's here seaforthhuronexpositor.com SEAFORTH HURON EXPOSITOR - HOURS OF OPERATION MONDAY: 9:00 - 5:00 • TUESDAY: - CLOSED • WEDNESDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • THURSDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • FRIDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • SATURDAY & SUNDAY: - CLOSED ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 2:00 • PHONE 519-527-0240 • FAX: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com