HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-11-19, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, November 19, 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 Journalist
seaforth.news@sunmedia.ca
MARIE DAVID
Sun Media Group Publisher Grey Bruce
Huron Division 519-364-2001 or
519-372-4301
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 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an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time.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.
Canada.
editorial
High hydro costs due
to provincial bungling
Hydro One has issued 10 suggestions on how
homeowners and others who use electricity to
heat their homes can reduce their monthly bill. But not
one of those tips mention the major reason electricity
bills have risen the past year.
Hydro One's first tip is to ensure trim on windows,
between the frame and the house, are filled and secure.
"As much as 13 per cent of your home's heat loss could
be escaping through the gaps," Hydro One says.
Other tips suggest closing off air registers in unused
parts of the house, moving furniture away from vents,
and installing a programmable thermostat.
Some tips are ridiculously obvious.
"On sunny winter days, trap warm air inside by open-
ing window coverings to let the warmth of the sun in,"
Hydro One advises. "Once the sun goes down, close win-
dow coverings to help keep the warmth in." All of this is
wonderful, and perhaps necessary for some homeown-
ers, but you have to wonder if these tips will make any
appreciable difference in electricity bills that are rising
not because of leaky windows or unfortunately -placed
sofas, but because of the government's bungling in what
was once one of the best -managed public utilities
anywhere.
As QMI Agency's Lorrie Goldstein noted this week, in
October the provincial government paid $1 billion more
for electricity than market value.
Of course, someone has to pay for that billion -dollar
misadventure. According to energy analyst Scott Luft, it
could mean an extra charge on November utility bills
equaling about $30.
The charge is described by the government as a Global
Adjustment, "to cover the cost of building new electricity
infrastructure." In plain speak, it's to cover the cost of
Ontario's Green Energy program — and right now, the
program is financially not sustainable.
You can seal a lot of windows, and move a lot of furni-
ture, and you're not likely to save $30 on your electricity
bills.
Indeed, a great many Ontario homeowners have been
washing and drying their laundry between 7 p.m. and 7
a.m., all for the promise of saving a few bucks a month in
electricity costs.
But there's little satisfaction in that exercise if you get
slapped with an extra $30 charge for something that's out
of your control.
www.seaforthhuronexpositorcom
Let it snow
somewhere else
Well it was inevita-
ble; the snow has
arrived.
And honestly, it looks like
it's here to stay.
On the plus side, the com-
ing of snow signals the begin-
ning of the holiday season.
And though many folks cringe
at the thought of Christmas
arriving in just over a month,
I couldn't be happier.
Setting up the tree and
enjoying the aroma of a gin-
gerbread candle, all while
basking the glory of Irving
Berlin's White Christmas.
I honestly can't wait.
That being said, who
ordered all this snow?
The misconception that one
actually needs to physically
have a white Christmas in
order to fully appreciate the
holiday is a little frustrating.
Sure, it's pretty - but really,
it's just cold.
And wet.
And did I mention cold?
And it makes my face hurt.
Why do I live somewhere
where it's cold enough to
make my face hurt?
So for me, the lead up to the
Christmas Season is exciting.
It's a way to get my mind off
the aforementioned negativity
and concentrate on the
positives.
I mean, you have your
church bazaars, Egmondville
United and St. Thomas
already held theirs this past
weekend, not to mention your
craft shows and other festive
celebrations.
Did I mention grocery
stores start bringing in
eggnog?
That fact alone should get
anyone excited.
This past weekend, I
Column
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
bundled up with my friend
Stephanie and headed to the
Cambridge Santa Claus
parade, which like Seaforth's
is held at night. Hundreds of
people gathered on both sides
of Hespeler Road, coffees and
hot chocolates in hand, ready
to wave at the jolly old elf
himself.
I'm sad to say, Steph and I
didn't quite make it that far.
Instead, we retreated to the
welcoming warmth of a local
coffee shop - basically, it was
ridiculous.
I layered.
But, by about the first half
hour mark, the feeling had
gone from my hands and
unfortunately my holiday
spirit went with it.
Shameful.
I couldn't help but wonder
if I would've gotten more
enjoyment out of a parade
flanked by palm trees instead
of evergreens and flamingos
instead of reindeer. Maybe the
elves could be handing out
leis instead of candy canes.
So even when the subzero
temperatures and ice -covered
streets get me down, I just
need to remember - 'tis the
season of wonder and light -
of joy and giving - peace and
love.
Those thoughts will surely
keep me warm.
Or at least I'd like to think
SO.
seaforthhuronexpositorscom
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