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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-01-01, Page 44 News Record • Wednesday, January 1, 2014 News Record VOL. 152 — ISSUE 52 PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 53 Albert St. P.O. Box 39 Clinton ON NOM 1 LO (519) 482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher nei I.cl ifford@sunmedia.ca GERARD CRECES Editorial clinton. reporter@su nmedia.ca MAX BICKFORD Advertising Manager max.bickford@sunmedia.ca DAWN JOHNSTON Sales Representative clinton.ads@sunmedia.ca CHRISTY MAIR Front Office clinton.classifieds@sunmedia.ca Advertising is accepted on the 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 that balance of advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographic 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 Advertising is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time.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 Clinton News -Record is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproducing purposes. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 53 Albert St, Clinton ON NOM 1L0 (519) 482-3443 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. Canada 1 dna Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association editorial Looking back, looking ahead By the time you read this, 2013 will be gone. Okay, maybe not if you get your paper on Tuesday, but the few hours left of 2013 will not last long. It's been an interesting year, with victories, challenges, triumphs and tragedies. We've tried to sum it all up for you in this edi- tion, month by month, to give some reflection on the past events, and introspection as we head into 2014. Not everything can make it in when trying to review an entire year, but space is limited and sometimes some things get put aside to make room for others. Ultimately, eve- rything we print is important to someone. That is the essence of community news, and the thing that keeps us going when so many other media outlets are facing cutbacks in this age of austerity. I took over in Clinton in July, immediately fol- lowing the Canada Day weekend and the past six months have gone by very quickly. Clinton is a nice change of pace and scenery from Goderich, where I had spent the last six years before that. I have gotten to know many of you, and am richer for the experience. Those whom I haven't met yet, it's only a matter of time until our paths cross. A community paper thrives on getting to know people. The advertising department gets to know the business community, what their needs are and how they can best get their mes- sage out to potential customers. Our classified and subscription department focuses on peo- ple's day-to-day and week -to -week needs - whether it be renewing a subscription or putting in a help wanted ad. Our editorial department gets to know the community's sto- ries, histories and goals. And, let's not forget the contributions from you folks. Letters, write ups of community events, the goings on of our hamlets - they all have their place in this weekly picture we paint of the community. Thank you for being a part of that. The News -Record is a wonderful little micro- cosm, and we always strive for fairness, accu- racy and value. We remain dedicated to our service to the community and while it is not a resolution per -se, we continue to strive to make sure your needs are first and foremost. So, here's to a bright and bold 2014, and thank you for making 2013 as great as it was. GC www.clintonnewsrecord.com letters to the editor YMCA brings more to town than exercise To the Editor: In response to the article in the Clinton News Record on December 18, 2013 regard- ing the future of the YMCA in Clinton. Three options were given to consider- renewing the contract with the "Y" and keeping it in the arena, requesting private proposals to operate it or having it run internally by Cen- tral Huron. Following are a few points of interest that perhaps the council of Central Huron should consider before making any decision regarding the "Y" in Clinton. 1 -Why is the YMCA so successful? Most members join the YMCA because it gives them access to gyms in many other centers. A very huge selling point for "Y" membership. 2 -For those who want to be a member of the YMCA, if there is not one in Clinton, they will go to the next closest one, in this case Goderich. On a personal note, we were registered at the YMCA in Goderich until Clinton opened their own. If the Clinton YMCA no longer exists, we will go back to the "Y" in Goderich because we will have access to gyms in other centers. No offence to anyone who may end up operating the Clinton gym. You just cannot not offer the benefits that we are interested in- i.e. multi- ple gym locations. 3 -Possibly a number of people transferred their "Y" membership from Goderich to Clinton as we did, if so, they may transfer their membership back to Goderich for the same reason that we will. 4 -Supposing that the membership at the Clinton "Y" decreased from the present 420 members, as it is no longer part of the YMCA network, this would reduce the incoming revenue. To keep the same incoming revenue, the membership fees would have to increase, probably resulting in more people quitting. Now the proverbial ball has started. Increase dues, decrease membership. 5-I believe most workers at the "Y" work on a part time bases and at minimum pay. Would this be able to continue under a new structure? 6 -Concerning the figure that Central Huron is "giving away" $200,000 in revenue. Is that a net figure or a figure before expenses are subtracted? Under a new structure, how would Central Huron get any of the "net" revenue? 7 -The most important reason to keep the YMCA in Clinton. For every former member that may go to the "Y" at Goderich, Clinton loses a potential shopper. If you are already there, why not shop there? There is more selection. If I were a business person in Clinton, I would be very concerned about this. Consider three trips a week, 52 weeks of the year, for your customer to be in another town. The above is just something to think about. Sincerely yours, Gary Walden A job well done To the Editor: Imagine my surprise when I drove out to the cemetery this morning Dec. 21 and found that it was open and that the roadways had been plowed. Kudos to the people looking after the cemetery. What a great job! Yours truly, Peggy Strong Clinton HAPPY NEW 41I www.clintonnewsrecord.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The News Record welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include a daytime phone number for verification purposes. Letters can be sent care of the Internet at clinton.news@sunmedia.ca, sent via fax at 519-482-7341 or through Canada Post care of The Editor, P.O. Box 39, Clinton, ON NOL ILO. CLINTON NEWS RECORD • 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 519-482-3443 • FAX: 519-482-7341 www.clintonnewsrecord.com