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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-06-29, Page 4PAGE 4.THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2017. Editorials Opinions Publisher: Keith Roulston • Associate Publisher: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld • Heather Fraser The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $36.00/year ($34.29 + $1.71 G.S.T.) in Canada; $160.00/year in U.S.A. and $205/year in other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Mon. 2 p.m. - Brussels; Mon. 4 p.m. - Blyth. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 Canada RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1H0 email: info@northhuron.on.ca We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. • The Citizen P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM 1 HO NOG 1 HO Ph. 519-523-4792 Phone Fax 519-523-9140 519-887-9114 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.northhuron.on.ca AOCnaMember CCNA Member of the Ontario Press Council CMCA AUDITED We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are m Copyright Leading rural debate It's still early in the game but the potential value of the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC) was demonstrated during its Rural Talks session last week which looked at the challenges and opportunities facing Canada's rural communities. The first of what the centre hopes will be an ongoing series of sessions to examine rural issues brought together University of Guelph professors Ryan Gibson and Al Lauzon, who have spent their lives studying rural development issues. Each stimulated the imaginations of those present by outlining challenges and opportunities facing communities. While they dealt with many issues a few stand out. Gibson looked at the outflow of money that's been made in rural communities but doesn't stay there to help build the future. When parents die, if their children have moved away from their home community, the money in the estate will go off to enrich other cities or towns even though it was earned in the home community. Gibson didn't mention it, but there are also millions of dollars in retirement savings that are invested yearly outside our local communities and help grow cities and urban businesses that take even more of our young people away from rural life. Imagine if a good part of this money could be invested in our communities to help grow them. He also mentioned that we need to change the thinking that young people who stay in rural communities or who return there after getting an education are somehow regarded as failures compared to those who go on to urban careers. Instead, these people should be celebrated and we need to do everything we can to help them find jobs that let them return and contribute to the future of their community. Lauzon, meanwhile, pointed out that rural communities must put aside their old competitiveness with their neighbours. We can't afford to battle each other as we tackle the social, political and economic forces that are challenging our rural future. Events such as this show how the CCRC can help accomplish that goal, bringing rural people together to discuss our common interests and spark the kind of creativity we need to build strong communities. — KR Thanks, grandkids While the 25 per cent reduction in electricity bills that kicks in July 1 will be welcomed by most homeowners, it comes with the guilty feeling that our children and grandchildren will be paying the cost for decades. Does Premier Kathleen Wynne and her colleagues in the provincial Liberal government feel any guilt? After examining the rate cut, Ontario's Financial Accountability Office did some hard math. Over the next 29 years the cut will cost Hydro ratepayers $45 billion. Meanwhile, the cut will save electricity users $24 billion. If we were investing our own money, most of us wouldn't invest even $45 to save $24. It doesn't make sense. But of course the Premier is far more worried about saving her government than she is with saving ratepayers money. As consumers watched their electricity bills continuously increase, the government was watching its popularity continuously fall. Easing that anger is essential if the Premier hopes to win next year's election. This government has developed a habit of buying approval with other people's money. The Premier also hopes to win popularity by hiking the minimum wage 35 per cent. She gets the credit while small business owners are left to figure out how to stay in business when their wage costs soar. The philosophy of saving themselves at other people's expense seems to be in this government's DNA — after all Wynne's predecessor Dalton McGuinty handed electricity users a bill for $1 billion for cancelling unpopular gas plants so he could win two Toronto ridings. These moves probably won't save the government anyway, but in the meantime, enjoy smaller electricity bills and thank your grandchildren for picking up the tab. — KR Is the old way better? There was angst in Ottawa last week when the Senate amended part of the Liberal government's budget with cries once again that the appointed Senators should not be meddling in the decisions of the government of the elected House of Commons. It wouldn't have happened in the days before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began reforming the Senate by appointing independent Senators. Until then, the government appointed party hacks who could be trusted to support the government right down the line. Given the alternative of Senators who toe the party line and collect a big salary from doing nothing, and Senators who try to do too much, the latter seems preferable. It will take some time for the new independent Senators to find the right balance but we may be heading for a useful Senate. Imagine that! — KR 1•16;q5 dztiiiAre‘i/ Looking Back Through the Years June 28, 1944 The Morning Star Lodge was set to sponsor the Navy League of Canada and its tag day on July 8. The Brussels Post reported that Nazi forces in Germany had begun using pilotless planes which "exploded with terrific force" when they landed in World War II. Favoured with ideal weather, the Brussels Legion's annual carnival was said to be a huge success that was attended by hundreds of people. The Brussels Post reported that over $425 was raised through the event, which would now be used to provide comfort for overseas members of the armed forces. The annual memorial service at Elma Centre Cemetery was held on June 25. A large crowd was present as Rev. R. D. Trask conducted the special service. W. J. Carroll of Mitchell was the guest speaker. June 29, 1967 As part of Come Home Week and centennial celebrations throughout the community, Brussels Public School was set to be opened to the public on July 1 with everyone welcome. In addition, an "old-time Methodist service" was set to be held at Brussels United Church that morning to help mark the occasion. Parson Johnston, his wife and another couple from the village were scheduled to arrive at the church in a horse-drawn carriage. In addition, the Senior Tigerette Baton Twirlers of Hamilton were going to be part of the village's centennial parade. The 40 young women were said to be accomplished baton artists and would be an excellent addition to the local parade. Elliott's Grocery, which had been in business in Brussels for 30 years, had changed hands. It would be known as Jarvis Grocery going forward. Evelyn Jarvis, the former Evelyn Elliott, was a Brussels native and would be taking over the shop. As one of the actions of the Brussels Centennial Committee, the senior citizens of the village were honoured for their hard work and commitment in the name of the village over the years. Each resident over the age of 80 received a citation and a gift, while those over 90 received a copy of a letter, in the form of a scroll, from Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. As part of Come Home Week, Melville Presbyterian Church would also celebrate with a special centennial service on Sunday, July 2. The service would include Rev. C. A. McCarroll as the special guest speaker and special music performed by the church's choir. July 1, 1981 The Mitchell Squirts were the winners of the grand championship at the second annual Sparling's Propane Ltd. softball tournament. Mitchell captured the title after the team pulled off a close 8-7 victory over fellow finalists from Teeswater. The PeeWee boys teams were next as the Bainton's Old Mill PeeWee softball tournament was set for the coming weekend. Tournament action was set to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, with the championship games to be played the following Sunday afternoon. Teams from Bluevale, Ripley, Mildmay, Walton, Chepstow, Cargill and Teeswater, as well as the locals from Blyth, were all making the trip to Blyth to play in the tournament. Through its development committee, Huron County Council committed to planting a minimum of 1,000 trees. The motion came as a result of concern at the Huron County Council level for some time about the number of exceptions being applied for to the county's tree - cutting bylaw. Stanley Reeve Paul Steckle said that if trees were planted six feet apart, 1,800 trees could be planted in an acre and he didn't find that to be an unreasonable goal. July 2, 1997 A meeting of North Huron representatives discussed the area's options and the Huron County's strategic planning intentions and what many felt was a push towards a single tier of government. Murray Scott, an East Wawanosh councillor, chaired the restructuring meeting at the East Wawanosh Township office on June 25. Elected officials from Blyth, Brussels, East Wawanosh, West Wawanosh, Turnberry, Morris, Grey, Wingham, Ashfield, Howick and Hullett Townships were all present at the meeting. The Bluewater Kennel Club was set to bring its all breeds dog show to the Blyth campgrounds for its 15th year. The event historically would bring well over 1,000 dogs (and their owners and families) to the community for the show. The Blyth and District Fire Department was lucky to respond in such a timely manner as a fire broke out in the RR4, Walton farm of Ernst Gubelmann amongst his recently stored bales of hay. Blyth Fire Chief Paul Josling said that hay bale fires are usually fatal for the barns, but Gubelmann was lucky he responded so quickly and firefighters were able to save the structure as a result.