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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2013-12-11, Page 44 News Record • Wednesday, December 11, 2013 opinion www.clintonnewsrecord.com NewsCl Record VOL. 152 - ISSUE 49 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 fro NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher neil.clifford@sunmedia.ca GERARD CRECES Editorial cli nton. reporter@sunmedia.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 Advertising is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time.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 Aocna Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association editorial Reform Act a chance for rural voice in Ottawa Michael Chong? The Wellington - Halton Hills MP has certainly given Canadians food for thought with his Reform Act, seeking to fix or at least put into words, some safeguards to pro- tect individual MPs role in cau- cus and remove the power of party leaders in candidate selection. Further still, it gives the house a chance to review and replace leaders, should the need arise. Imagine having MPs that were able to think, vote and speak on their own. It seems like a rarity in this day and age, where no real debate is given on any legislation the PM decides should pass and speaking points take the place of real discussion with the media. We've gotten used to a Parliament that follows the leader with such effectiveness that even we as voters punish otherwise good candidates because of it - whether it be negative results for the party like the Liberal fallout across Canada in 2011 or positive for the party like the NDP's Orange Crush in Quebec. While parliament is infatu- ated and infuriated with its leadership, so too are Canadi- ans. Around election time, how many people will say they are/ aren't voting for Stephen Harper? How many say they are/aren't voting for Mulcair? In a riding this large, it is hard to get to know a candidate on a close level, but everybody knows the party leader from television and newspapers. What is unique about this Reform Act is our local riding associations will have the final say on which candidates they want to field. This should mean that these associations will take the time to find the person who best understands and reflects the values of the riding, with- out having to seek the approval of a leader who is many miles away and would only visit if it meant saving or gaining a seat. Imagine being an MP and not being able to speak on behalf of your constituents because your message doesn't line up with that of leadership. It must be frustrating, espe- cially when you see comrades being bumped from caucus positions or have their pro- posed legislation rewritten without their consent. We've seen examples of how this plays out in majority gov- ernments, both under Chretien and Harper. It's undemocratic and suggests that an MP owes allegiance to the leader for their paycheque and not the voters who gave them the job in the first place. That said, Chong faces an uphill battle for the same rea- sons. If Harper says no, how many MPs will actually vote for this? Regardless, the Reform Act has managed to spark nation- wide discussion on the subject and as the public grows increasingly jaded with the effectiveness of their individual members, provide a way of empowering the local guys and girls. Let's hope this too isn't taken lightly or given the thumbs down by leadership. And if it does, it only proves that the system is indeed failing and in need of the changes proposed. GC A parade as sweet as Christmas candy Well Clinton, things couldn't get more Christmassy this week in the News -Record without printing it on wrapping paper. Everybody is getting into the spirit, with caroling, food and kind words for friend and stranger alike. Year after year, I attend parades, concerts, pageants, and Santa visits galore. I am some- thing of an expert on the subject. I've seen nearly every variation on the Christmas theme one could imagine, and got more face time with Santa than most ldds get in their lives. Which is why I have to commend this town on its Santa Claus Parade. You folks nailed it. More than that, you raised the bar for me. P1i Column Gerard Creces Truthfully, there were so many people involved in the parade itself, I was surprised there were many left over to line the street. And just when you thought you had seen it all, another group of family or friends was just a few flatbeds down the line. It doesn't matter that it's cold outside, or that Christmas is still a few weeks away (sorry, kids, it's the truth). Everyone was happy to be out together, cheering on their loved ones or waving proudly from a float. From this old reporter's standpoint, it was also a bit of a victory. For all the years I have been covering parades, this year has been kind to me. You see folks, being an adult I am almost never on the receiving end of candy during these things. I understand - save it for the ldds. It's really about them, after all. Still, I love candy. Like, more than a friend. For years this has haunted me. How can a guy like me get his hands on the chocolate or candy canes handed out during a parade? The answer was ridiculous as it was easy - I just stuck my hand out. I covered the Goderich blizzard parade a few weeks back and put my theory to test. Sure enough, I left with a full pocket. This past Saturday, however, I was at a vantage point on the town hall steps. It was a sweet spot that I did not want to give up. Lucky for me a little guy was going around handing out candy canes to the kids on the steps. I took full advantage and CONTINUED > PAGE 5 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