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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-03-12, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, March 12, 2014 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com Huron Expositor PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 P.O. Box 69, 8 Main Street Seaforth Ontario NOK phone: 519-527-0240 fax: 519-527-2858 wwwseaforthhuronexpositor 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 6S1) 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 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 typographicaI error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to set and may be withdrawn at any time.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 Fimd (CPF) for our publishing activities. Canaca editorial Veterans deserve more than shuttered offices Cameras are everywhere these days and the red light was on when Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino was cor- nered by a group of Veterans in an office in Ottawa. Fantino, a retired police chief, wan- dered in 70 minutes late to the meeting and was cornered, and surprised, by the angry group. A testy exchange made the evening news but Fantino and the feds went ahead with plans to close eight Veterans Affairs Offices. Fantino has stated that the services will remain in effect at Service Canada loca- tions and home visits are an option. Haven't we heard that line before at multiple levels of government? The over -merged, one-stop shopping available at Service Canada locales will not come close to meeting the individual needs of veterans and their families. To suggest that an office far away from home, sometimes in a major centre, is equipped with staff and resources to properly handle Veterans affairs is a stretch. Canada's commitment to the war effort, or to peacekeeping - a term used by government that shouldn't exist, an Afghan War Vet once said aloud - has earned respect the World over. Many have fought valiantly to keep alive the memory of the First and Second World Wars. The years have faded the events and many have passed on, but everyone should still hold the sacrifices made near and dear to their hearts. Past and current commitments are remem- bered at services held throughout our country, including Seaforth. Our local Legion is active in the local community, its membership fine ambas- sadors and supporters of the people who have served our country or continue to do so. It's unfortunate that time, it seems, and indifference has faded the importance of our Veterans' commitments to those who hold office. Showing up late for a meeting shows disrespect. Shuttering offices that help those who served us with distinction is a slap in the face. The Olympics As the Olympic Games came to an end, the world's focus - as it tends to do each and every time - shifted to other things. It seems what little spirit there was, went out with the flame the evening of Feb. 23. After celebrating our gold medal in hockey, of course. But the fact is, we haven't run out of world-class ath- letes to cheer for, not by a long shot. The Paralympic games kicked off in Sochi, March 7, and run until the March 16. Athletes from 45 countries will be partici- pating in 72 medal events in five sports: Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country ski- ing, ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling. Traditionally receiving far less attention than its Olympic equivalent, the Paralym- pics are often overlooked by many Canadi- ans, despite TV coverage provided by CBC. And to be fair, before Vancouver 2010, I was one of them. With the adrenaline rush over and Cana- da's hockey teams polishing their new gold hardware, the streets of Vancouver seemed to empty overnight. Staring out my window, I wouldn't have been a bit surprised to see an old western aren't over yet tumbleweed roll by. Then came the Paralympics, and not much changed. Sure, there was a little fan- fare, but hardly what you would've expected from an intemational competition. The Torch Relay took place up and down Robson Street, but without the lines of fans, blowing horns and cheering Colu mn Whitney Huron Ex South positor crowds. It just wasn't right. Opening the store each morning at 5 a.m., my co- worker Alain and I couldn't help but notice we were right on the relay path. Running outside at the faintest flicker of light bob- bing up the street, we would jump and yell and holler our support, happy to see big smiles come across the faces of those ath- letes during an otherwise boring jog. After that, my friends and I attended a sledge hockey game, and I can tell you it was amazing, easily as gripping and high- energy as anything even the NHL could dish out. So why aren't people watching? The truth is, Paralympic athletes deserve your respect, as well as your support. Over the next week, I encourage everyone to take an hour and watch just one event. Trust me when I say, it'll be time well spent. letter to the editor Government lacks business sense To the Editor, In Bluewater our roads this winter are busy with construction traffic. A fleet of trucks carry gravel, concrete, steel and other construction materials. Many acres of farmland at the corner of Babylon and Centennial roads have become a storage and staging area. This area is now lighted, guarded 24 hours per day and covered with construction equipment, bulldoz- ers, excavators, cranes and covered trail- ers to carry tools and other construction equipment from site to site. Many, many miles of new road, comparable to gravel covered side roads covering acres and acres of productive farmland have been built to enable construction and contin- ued maintenance of wind turbines. Usually, seeing a construction project for a large commercial facility gives me a good feeling. Construction activity uses a broad range of products creating jobs and economic activity for lots of people. Then when the facility gets going it makes product or services that continue to create jobs and profitable economic activity as well as contributing tax reve- nue to help pay the cost of running our country. This time however, the profitable eco- nomic activity will be during construc- tion period only. After construction the only financial benefits will be to the own- ers of the turbines, the workers who serv- ice the turbines and the owners of the land leased for new roads and base for the turbines. The product of the turbines, electric power, rather than create economic pros- perity will create economic disaster for the people of Ontario. The owners of the turbines will receive about 22 cents per kilowatt hour for the power produced. Some of that power will be sold to hydro customers for about 10 cents per kilowatt hour, some will be sold for two or three cents per kilowatt hour to the U.S. and some we will pay the U.S. to take it, as we have been doing in recent years. The bal- ance will be paid by additional charges on our hydro bill or our increased taxes. CONTINUED > PAGE 18 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.seaforthhuronexpositoccom