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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2014-03-05, Page 44 News Record • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 NewsCl Record VOL. 153 - ISSUE 00 PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 53 Albert St. P.O. Box 39 Clinton ON NOM 1L0 (519) 482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher neil.cl ifford@sunmedia.ca GERARD CRECES Editorial clinton. reporter@sunmedia.ca MAX BICKFORD Advertising Manager max.bickford@sunmedia.ca DAWN JOHNSTON Sales Representative cl inton.ads@sunmedia.ca CHRISTY MAIR Front Office clinton.Gassifieds@sunmedia.ca SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 2YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52GST) SENIORS 60 WEEKS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120 WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) 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 Advertising is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time.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 Aocna Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association editoria Unanswered questions about the Fair Elections Act Imagine my surprise Sunday when I read the headlines and found that none other than conservative guru Preston Man- ning was criticizing the proposed Fair Elections Act for weakening the powers of Elections Canada. As most of you know, Manning was the leader of the Reform Party, and his Manning Institute contin- ues to set the standard for conserv- ative policy in Canada today. Conservatives are far different from conservatives though, and when someone like Manning thinks this is going too far, it's encouraging to all the small -c folks out there. I tried a few times last week to reach our MP and ask a few ques- tions about the act, but to no avail. So, I may as well share my ques- tions with you folks so you know what information I'm after. First and foremost, I want to see why he thinks this is a good idea and as an add-on why he twice voted in favour of this moving this bill through first and second read- ing and whether or not it was a whipped vote. I also want to know how having no debate on such a weighty mat- ter is in yours and my best interest and why getting community input on this matter is considered a cir- cus to be avoided rather than an opportunity for citizens to take part in shaping democracy. While we're on that subject, I'd like to hear in our MP's own words about the dangers involved in educating students about democracy and the importance of voting, and why that would be eliminated. I also want to know why he thinks a government that has obstructed investigations into electoral fraud deserves the opportunity to overhaul electoral law. It would be nice to have an explanation as to why vouching for someone at the polling station is something that should be abol- ished rather than refined with something as simple as a signature. I also want to know what our MP would say to his constituents right here in Huron -Bruce that have joined thousands in online peti- tions to get this bill stopped. And, in an age where campaign spending has engorged to ridicu- lous proportions, why up the con- tribution limits while saying the new act will take big money out of politics? There are so many things wrong with this picture and who knows? Maybe I will get a call back before press time. If so, you can bet the above questions and more will be asked. In the meantime, I take heart in knowing that if someone like Man- ning is saying Elections Canada should be supported rather than fragmented, this is purely a Con- servative thing and not a conserv- ative thing. — (G.C.) www.clintonnewsrecord.com Winter's gotta go there I said it This may well be a very cliche column, but I can't stands it no more - winter has to go. I hate being cold all the time. I hate runny noses. I hate how my hands are cracked from the dryness and the cold. My car coughs and sput- ters in defiance when I try to start it in -25 weather and if I walk, I have to suffer through cold pants - the worst of all cold pieces of cloth- ing - rubbing against my legs. And my poor old pair of reporting shoes is now more salt than leather. Of course, I have it relatively easy in that I live a few blocks from work. You folks who have to drive through the whipping snow are the ones who really have it rough. There is nothing worse than following a long line of cars and having a semi -truck stir up a thick cloud of snow that completely enshrouds your vehicle and leaves you blind for a few nerve-wracking seconds. Will you rear -end the car in front of you? Will you go off the road? Who knows? With the drifts as high as they are (and me with a very small car), the snow blows over the top and directly over my windshield. Yes, it's worth saying again - winter has to go. On Wednesday, the roads were clear despite the cold. By Thursday they were impassable. While it was business as usual Friday, everyone was a little wary of worse things to come. The good news is it is now March. The lion is roaring and the lamb is hopefully laying in wait, getting ready to make an early entrance. We've had constant snow since November - that's more than one-third of the year. Nature is ripping us off. But, other than gripe about it and stocking up on Nyquil, there is little I can do. One month ago, I was thinking that golf season would be less than two months away. Now, it seems like it will be next winter before this win- ter goes away. Folks, I'm not trying to be a downer here, though I real- ize I totally am so I'll end by saying stay warm, stay hope- ful, and spring will be here before you know it. Column Gerard Creces 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 1LO. 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