HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-11-09, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017. Editorials Opinions President: Keith Roulston • 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 AOC11a � ber Member CMCA CCNA AUDITED Member of the Ontario Press Council We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are m Copyright What do we remember? With the annual Remembrance Day observance this Saturday, the question arises again: what do we remember? Certainly we must remember the self-sacrifice of those who risked their lives, and in some cases lost their lives, on behalf of their fellow citizens. It's hard to imagine, in these days of self -involvement and self- fulfillment, how millions of people could have volunteered in two World Wars to join the armed forces going overseas to fight enemies that were not a direct threat to their own homes and families. Certainly some were naive and idealistic and thought going to war would be an adventure, but still, they were setting aside years of their own lives for a greater cause. That kind of self-sacrifice is all too rare. But if you had asked those veterans when they came home from the war most would tell you that while they were proud of what they had done, they were also sure that war was not an answer to solving political conflict. Many would probably admit they had been caught up in the glamour of being a soldier, airman or sailor when they joined up. That's the delicate balance we need to negotiate each Remembrance Day. We need to remember and celebrate the people who were willing to risk their lives on behalf of their families, neighbours and country but we must not glamorize war. There are those who say all war is wrong but when there's enormous evil, such as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany were perpetrating in World War 11, what alternative is there but to resist with force? Again, though, if war hadn't been glorified in Germany would it have been as easy for Hitler to persuade his country to embark on its self- destructive course? As we remember on Saturday, we must celebrate the valour of those who fought, but not romanticize the act of war. — KR This could end ugly CBC Radio reported, early this week, that the Ontario government is planning to reorganize the home care system, setting up a new agency that will make the workers who go into patients' homes government employees instead of working for local private sector agencies. Here we go again on the mania for centralization. The very idea of the private sector involved in any aspect of health care seems to drive some purists crazy. What's overlooked, however, is that many of these so-called private sector agencies were not-for-profit organizations that saw the need for assisting patients in their homes long before the government did. These agencies also act at a local level, able to see the particular needs of clients in their own area. In Huron County where there is no public transportation system, for instance, home care agencies also organize volunteer drivers to help people get to doctors' appointments, etc. Sue VanderBent, CEO of Home Care Ontario which represents 40 agencies that deliver nursing and PSW services, warns patients could lose out in the move. "We are really concerned that every dollar goes into better front-line home care for patients, and it should not go into directly funding the creation of another bureaucracy," she said. Here's one bet if the government insists on going ahead with this plan: costs will rise as workers get provincial government salaries, expensive bureaucracy will increase, but service to clients will decline because centralization creates a one -size -fits -all model run from a big city. Soon, services will be cut to make up for the higher costs of running the top- down system. By the time we realize it was all a horrible mistake, it will be too late to revert to a locally -based system. — KR Making the case for machines Days after the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police called on truckers to pay closer attention when they're driving to prevent deadly accidents, there was a fiery crash on Hwy. 400 last week that took the lives of three people. It was caused, apparently, by a trucker who crashed into 13 vehicles that were already slowed down because of an earlier accident that had occurred a little farther up the road. This crash was particularly horrific because there were two fuel trucks caught in the collision which spilled their loads which then ignited, causing rivers of fire. The nature of the collision, however, has become all too familiar since there have been several similar incidences of truckers plowing into traffic that has been backed up on busy highways. OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes had made a special point of reminding truck drivers that they cannot afford to be distracted when they are driving such large, potentially -deadly vehicles. Much has been made in the last year or so about the future of trucking involving computer -controlled, driverless trucks. Most of us are nervous about the idea of these monsters hurtling down roads with no human in control but if drivers continue to make such deadly, easily -avoided mistakes, driverless machines may look good by comparison. — KR Just in time for legalization... irr "NSW CMAI1A RICH RILL!" Looking Back Through the Years November 8, 1944 Harry Bowler wrote to the Brussels Legion thanking the gentlemen from the club for sending him 300 "cigs". He apologized for the delay in his response, having received the gift on Sept. 10, but explained that he couldn't write at "just any old time". He said the cigarettes were appreciated even though soldiers did receive their weekly ration which includes "fifty smokes" Bowler said he thought things were going well in the war effort but couldn't elaborate due to the "Censor". He said he thought he might make it home for Christmas, though he said he wouldn't guess which Christmas. St. John's Anglican Church hosted a Halloween Social on Oct. 31 that saw nearly 100 people attend. Costume winners were Mrs. Archie Engel (women), Rev. M.F. Oldhand (men) Charlie Workman (boys) and Esme Tucker (girls). November 9, 1967 Brussels Public School elected its first student council in 1967. The council saw members of the senior groups chosen to represent the student body. Those elected were: Greg Huether and Connie McWhirter of Grade 8; John Elliott and Cathy Bone of Grade 7 and Huey Nichol, Ann Stratychuk and Anita Brigham of Grade 5. The Huron Junior Farmers decided to host a curling competition in January, 1968, as well as a hockey competition. The group also announced it was having a banquet in Belgrave later in November which included a ticket draw to raise money for the World Literacy Fund of Canada. The Walton WI hosted a Halloween meeting which included guests from Brussels, Ethel, Cranbrook, Moncrieff, Seaforth and Londesborough. Members of the Institute who failed to dress in a costume for the occasion were levied a 25 cent fine at the roll call. November 4, 1981 Blyth United Church welcomed Rev. Charlie Scott who had ministered at the church three decades prior. Scott delivered a sermon outlining his activity with a group called Alcohol and Drug Concerns (A.D.C.) that helps provide therapy sessions for adults on how to deal with youth problems. The A.D.C. would visit classrooms to show students how to enjoy themselves "without chemical crutches". Local youth were preparing to participate in the 25th annual Queen's Guineas Steer Competition at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. The event represented months of work for 4-H members and, of the 373 contenders from 25 counties for the top spot in the competition, 25 nominees were named from Huron County including members of the Alton, Armstrong, Bishop, Chambers, Coates, Hoggarth, Procter, Robertson, Thompson and Townsend families. The competitors had a tough competition ahead of them, as it had been more than 25 years since Murray Gaunt of Wingham had brought the trophy to Huron County. November 12, 1997 Students were returning to school in November of 1997 as a teachers' strike ended that saw three of the five teachers' federations decide they could not gain anything more through the job action. The remaining two were shortly back to work as well. The strike was in response to Bill 160, and, according to teachers at a special public meeting in Brussels, problems with class sizes, centralization, funding and whether the bill would improve education were cited as reasons behind the strike. While the teachers were back at work, the sentiment behind the strike continued with 10 Huron County parents protesting in front of MPP Helen Johns' office on Nov. 10 spokesman Tony McQuail said. Leona Armstrong was named the Brussels Citizen of the Year for 1997. In announcing Armstrong, it was noted she is well-known both in her home of Brussels and across the county. A former reeve, Armstrong received several comments as to the effort she put into making her community shine, including numerous volunteer positions, her part in recent homecoming celebrations and school reunion projects and work with Melville Presbyterian Church. The municipal elections of 1997 brought significant change to the region's governance as several incumbent reeves were replaced by challengers across the area. In Brussels, Ralph Watson ousted incumbent Reeve Gordon Workman 340 votes to 140 while West Wawanosh incumbent Bob Hallam was replaced by Doug Miller, 166 to 306 votes. Hullett Township saw incumbent Robert Szusz fall to Tom Cunningham, 267 votes to 293. Blyth incumbent Reeve Mason Bailey remained at the head of his council. Morris Township saw Reeve Bert Elliott and Deputy - Reeve Keith Johnston acclaimed.