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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-01-01, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 1, 2014 Seaforth Expositor PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 P.O. Box 69, 8 Main Street Seaforth Ontario NOK 1 WO 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 Joumalist seaforth.news@sunnnedia.ca Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT RO. Box 69 Seaforth ON NOK 1 WO 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 will 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 Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time.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. Canacri editorial Give United Way a break OW Agency Adecision by wind giant NextEra Energy has placed the United Way of Canada into a difficult spot. Florida -based NextEra is suing wind activist Esther Wrightman over altered Nex- tEra logos that were posted online. The energy company says if it wins the lawsuit, any damages it collects from the Middlesex County woman will be donated to the United Way. United Way Canada - which is in the business of accepting and raising money that is sub- sequently given to various social agencies - has agreed to accept the donation, but that decision has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Some people are repulsed that the fund-rais- ing agency would accept money from a large corpora- tion that is taking one of its most vocal opponents to court. And there are others who are suggesting that the United Way is just another member of the corporate elite. Whatever the case, there are two things to remember here. Firstly, the United Way's pri- mary goal is to raise money, and it accepts donations from all types of people, all types of businesses, and all types of corporations. Those people, those businesses and those corporations make their money doing all kinds of things, and those activities might not meet with the approval of everyone in the communities served by United Way. Secondly, what NextEra is doing is hardly unique. Wind energy companies in South- western Ontario are working to improve the perception the public may hold of their operations and how they make a profit, and have agreed to fund various projects and activities. In Chatham, for example, it was a wind energy company that sponsored the most recent Chatham Santa Claus parade. And earlier this year, the same company agreed to help with some of the cost of improvements to the Chatham municipal airport. What stings is NextEra's deci- sion to donate its possible court winnings to the United Way. They've placed the fund- raising agency into a difficult spot, and in doing so, have over -reached in their public relations zeal. The predicament is hardly new. John D. Rockefeller, reviled in his day for assem- bling the largest and most prof- itable corporation in human history, responded in 1905 to a missionary group's plea of $100,000, but the money was rejected by the group because it was "tainted" by the business practices of Standard Oil. When the San Francisco earthquake devastated that city in 1906, Rockefeller sent large sums of money to his manag- ers in San Francisco to be used at their discretion in providing aid. One of the managers gave a number of church pastors bank orders of $150 each, but coyly reminded each pastor that the Rockefeller money was "tainted?' One pastor reportedly said: "The taint wears off the moment it passes from your hands into ours." Another said: "It's the motive that makes money tainted or not?' A third: 'All money is tainted." And a fourth: "Tain't enough?' www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com One more trip around the sun Another year has come and gone, and with it memories and experi- ences that have shaped who we all have grown to become in 2013. For me, a lot of things have changed over the past year. I graduated from college, scored by first job as a reporter - finally being able to leave the won- derful world of coffee retail after eight years - and moved to Huron County. I've met a lot of wonderful people and seen a lot of wonderful things. I truly believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the past year has taught me a lot. I learned change isn't such a scary thing afterall. I learned people can sur- prise you, if you give them the chance. And I learned there is more generocity and love in the world then I had once given it credit for. Outside of my own per- sonal bubble, the world has gone through a lot of changes this year as well. Terrorism rocked the Bos- ton Marathon and a typhoon ravaged the Phillipines; a royal baby was born and the Pope even resigned. Not to mention, Seaforth got its gro- cery store back. Column Whitney South Huron Expositor We lost great people, and we learned to carry on. Though not everyday was a great one, they were each just that - a day. And each day, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is a gift. A few years ago, feeling time was flying by too fast and need- ing to find a way to look back and what I had accomplished throughout the year, I was inspired to keep a daily photo journal. I take one photo, everyday and post it online with the date and a little caption describing what I was upto. It doesn't have to be clever and it doesn't have to be ironic, it just has to repre- sent my day. After two years, there's nothing I love more than looking back at my photos and remember- ing each and every day - each and every stolen moment. As we head into the new year, we should all take the time to look back back on the good times and the bad. At what has shaped and inspired us. Remember what made this year special, as we all get ready to enjoy one more trip around the sun. MAKE ISH® Canada Because some wishes can't wait for someday. www.makeawish.ca 1-888-822-9474 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.seaforthhuronexpositor.com