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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-04-16, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, April 16, 2014 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com Seaforth mn Expositor PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 P.O. Box 69, 8 Main Street Seaforth Ontario NOK phone: 519-527-0240 fax: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher neil.clifford@sunmedia.ca MAXWELL BICKFORD Advertising Rep. max.bickford@sunmedia.ca DIANNE MCGRATH Front Office seaforth.classifieds@sunmedia.ca WHITNEY SOUTH Multimedia Journalist seaforth.news@sunmedia.ca SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 2 YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) SENIORS 60 WEEKS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120 WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT RO. Box 69 Seaforth ON NOK For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519-527-0240 Advertising is accepted on 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 the balance of the advertisement wit be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical 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 Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time.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 Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. Canada' editorial Flaherty brought decency to politics Jim Flaherty was the kind of politician we need more of in Canada, which makes his sudden and untimely passing Thursday at age 64, reportedly due to a mas- sive heart attack, all the more shocking and profound. He was hard-working and good at his job. One of the longest -serving finance ministers in Cana- dian history, he helped Prime Minister Stephen Harper steer us through the devastating impact of the 2008 glo- bal recession. He was calm in the crisis. He steadied the nation. He spoke plainly about what needed to be done. He reassured us and his presence was reassuring. In large part, as a result of his efforts, Canada came through that unprecedented period of international tur- moil with one of the best economic records in the world. That's a legacy of which any politician can be proud. We hope it will be a comfort to his wife, Ontario Pro- gressive Conservative MPP Christine Elliott, and to his triplet sons John, Galen and Quinn. To them we extend our sincere condolences on behalf of our readers. Finally, there was something else about Flaherty we need more of in politics these days. He wasn't a hyper -partisan. He was pragmatic. He didn't hate the opposition parties. He was respected on all sides of the House of Com- mons, as could be seen in the moving comments and tears shed for him in Ottawa, not just by Conservatives. Flaherty could give as good as he got in Question Period. He was no shrinking violet. But he knew how to disagree without being disagreea- ble and how to compromise when it was in the national interest. That's what our politics needs more of today. At a time when it's becoming meaner and more partisan, Flaherty brought a sense of common cause and decency to it. Life isn't always fair. After long and successful careers in both Ontario and federal Conservative politics, and on the road to recovery from a painful skin -blistering condition he had spoken publicly about in recent months, Flaherty announced his retirement just three weeks ago. He was looking forward to spending more time with his family and returning to the private sector. He should have had more time. But the time he did have, he used well.Galen, I offer my heartfelt condo- lences, from my family to yours. Shoo fly, don't bother me As the weather gets warmer and buds begin to bloom, we have all started looking forward to the wonder that is spring. Like most people, I've longed for the long -truant sun- shine and warm breezes. Unlike most people, I just moved to Huron County in November. I'll let that sink in. November. Just in time for the first snow actually. .but, I digress. Spring is here, the birds are singing, life is good. Or, sol thought. As April began, I started look- ing ahead to beach trips, bonfires and long bike rides. Nope, noth- ing was going to bring me down. And then I heard it. It started off as a quiet buzz, faintly caught here and there, hid- den behind the blinds in my apartment. Almost like when you see something out of the corner of your eye, but lose it when you concentrate on its discovery... Anyway, on one particularly sunny day I came home from the office for lunch. Popping into my bedroom to shed by unwanted winter coat, I noticed several tiny shadows bouncing around behind the closed shutters of my window. Thinking nothing of it, I pulled back the slats, my euphoric smile quickly turning to a grimace of Column Whitney South terror, as I saw the scene of horror before me. And that's when I met the cluster fly. Or rather, over two dozen of the little guys. For those of you who are not familiar, cluster flies are the annoying winged jerks who gather in sunny windows, buzz around lights and fall spinning to the floor in a slow- witted, ridiculous display of stupidity. To most people I've talked to, cluster flies are an annoyance, for me, they're a nightmare. Since my houseguests arrived, I've become a little obsessed. You can probably tell, afterall I'm writing a column about flies for goodness' sake. I honestly believe my neigh- bours have begun to worry about me. How could they not with all the random swatting, squishing and howls of frustration coming from my apartment at any given hour of the day? As much as I'd like to say this column was written to put forth some deeply profound point or moral, I just can't. All I can really hope for is that I perhaps made someone smile, or maybe even chuckle a little, at my unfortunate and silly circumstances. But honestly, if anyone knows how to get rid of these guys, I'd really love to know. Have an opinion? The Huron Expositor welcomes letters to the editor. They must be signed and accompanied by a phone number for information clarification. It is important to note, letters will not be able to be printed without the author's name attached. All letters are subject to editing due to possible space restriction. Letters can be dropped off at the office, mailed or emailed: The Huron Expositor 8 Main St. P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ont. NOK 1W0 seaforth.news@sunmedia.ca SEAFORTH HURON EXPOSITOR — 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 519-527-0240 • FAX: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositorcom