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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-01-29, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Ilion 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 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 P.O. Box 69 Seaforth ON NOK IWO For any non -deliveries or defivery 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 Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time.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. Canacra editorial Butt out of selective ban The latest nannystate campaign is against flavoured tobacco and e -cigarettes. Last November the Alberta legislature passed a bill completely banning the sale of flavoured tobacco products. In 2010 Ontario banned the sale of similar products to minors but now plans to broaden it to a total ban. Just this week the Canadian Cancer Society, B.C. and Yukon, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan and the Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco all argued for flavoured tobacco bans for their respective provinces. Public health officials in B.C. are also lobbying for a ban on e -cigarettes. Don't get us wrong - smoking is bad for you, and luck- ily more and more Canadians are figuring that out for themselves every year. But that doesn't mean we should ban selected tobacco products. One of the big rationales behind the flavoured tobacco ban is that the flavours and fancy packaging are meant to attract kids or at least make smoking appealing for them once they come of age. Perhaps they do. So should we ban lemonade -fla- voured alcohol and other booze that kids might find appealing? Of course not. The Tobacco Act already prohibits the sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 19. If this isn't happening, then further enforcement of existing laws or closing of loopholes is the answer. Outright bans just tell adults how to live. "We're required to age test so tobacco doesn't get into the hands of youth," says Alex Scholten, president of the Canadian Convenience Store Association. He suggests Canada focus more on going after contra- band tobacco - which costs government $1.1 billion in lost taxes in Ontario alone, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. "It's being sold without taxation. There is no control of youth access. They'll sell to anyone"; This is organized crime across the control selling contraband tobacco to our youth in our communities," Scholten says. Back in November, Abacus Data did a poll for the CCSA. One thing they found was "that a large majority of Canadians (80 per cent) support reducing regulations and red tape that make it more difficult for small busi- nesses, like convenience stores, to operate." This is a pointless ban that harms small businesses and creates opportunities for organized crime. — QMI Agency www.seaforthhuronexpositorconn_ Your opinion matters A couple weeks ago we received a Letter to the Editor, mailed here to the office. This letter was so well written, I actu- ally got excited read- ing it. The author had made some excel- lent arguments, included all the facts, and made an amazing case for the opinion they were obviously so passionate about. There was, however, one problem. No one had signed the letter. Unfortuantely, Sun Media pol- icy states the Huron Expositor cannot print any letters without also releasing the name of the person who wrote it. That is to say, as well, no pseudonyms of aliases can be accepted as an alternative. Inspired to find this phantom scribe, I took to Facebook and other forms of social media, shouting to whoever would hear me to please - please - contact the office. Whether is was their mother, or their neighbour, let us know! I even examined the envelope in which it was delivered, hoping to find a return address or some clue that would lead me in the right direction. Sufficed to say, the secret lives on. As I attempted to curb my intense disappointment, I couldn't help but wonder why the send would omit his or her name. Column Whitney South Was it purely an oversight? Or a calculated decision? Regardless of many residents' insistence Seaforth is a sleepy town with not a lot going on, that couldn't be far- ther from the truth. I can't count the number of times folks have come up to me and expressed their opinion on issues and decisions surround- ing this community. From turbines to taxes, every- one has something to say, but very few are finding the courage to say it. One of the best things about living in a free country is the ability to express our thoughts and opinions without fear of repercussion to anyone who will listen. If we choose not to take that opportunity, or if we judge others harshly for doing so, we are wasting this freedom. My wish is the people of Sea - forth not be afraid to share their opinion and to listen to the opinions of others with patience and understanding in their hearts. After all, if we can't express how we feel about things that really matter, how can make sure those in charge are making informed decisions? Stand up and make yourself heard. It's your opinion and no one has the right to take that away from you. Robbie Burns Supper rescheduled The annual Robbie Burns potluck at the First Presbyterian Church has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1 due to inclement weather. Supper will take place at 5:30 p.m. and guests are encouraged to sport their finest Scottish clothes. Turnip, potatoes and haggis will be provided. 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.seaforthhuronexpositoncom