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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-05-05, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016. Editorials Opinions Publisher: Keith Roulston Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Lori Patterson & Brenda Nyveld The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $36.00/year ($34.29 + $1.71 G.S.T.) in Canada; $160.00/year in U.S.A. and $205/year in other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Mon. 2 p.m. - Brussels; Mon. 4 p.m. - Blyth. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1H0 email: info@northhuron.on.ca The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Ph. 519-523-4792 Fax 519-523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 519-887-9114 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.northhuron.on.ca Canada ..ocna CCNA Member of the Ontario Press Council We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or Department of Canadian Heritage. photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright CMCA AUDITED Some remedial math needed May 1 brought higher electricity rates for Ontario residents even though electricity consumption has dropped. At the same time, after Ontario's electrical generation jumped 19 per cent since 2006, the Liberal government continues to award new contracts for generating more green energy, sometimes even in municipalities that have clearly said they don't want any more wind farms. The increase in electricity prices has come, to some extent, because of higher prices awarded to the producers of electricity from green projects like wind turbines and solar panels. Now, as we continue to produce more and more green energy at a time when use is going down, we're selling this surplus power at a loss to neighbouring provinces and states. It just doesn't add up. It's timely that the provincial government is pressing to help increase math scores from Ontario's students. We can only hope for a future generation that's smarter at math than the current decision -makers in Queen's Park. — KR Moderation needed, both ways There were two extremes about the need to care for children in the news last week — both of which went too far. The most publicized case was the conviction of Alberta parents David and Collet Stephan for "failure to provide the necessaries of life" after their 19 -month-old son Ezekiel died from bacterial meningitis and lung infection when they tried to treat him with home remedies instead of taking him to a hospital. At the other extreme, a Winnipeg mother was questioned by child welfare officials after she was reported by a neighbour for letting her children, aged 10, five and two, play alone in their fenced back yard. Ironically, the Stephans are raising the cry of too much government interference in the lives of parents, just as the Winnipeg mother is. With the Stephans, however, the problem was a case of parents with a dangerous little bit of knowledge, too much faith in their religion and a near -religious belief in herbal medicine, refusing to give their child the medical care he needed over several weeks of treatment with home remedies because they were sure they knew more than doctors. The Winnipeg mother on the other hand, was questioned by authorities about how she disciplined her children, had her cupboards searched to see if there was enough food to feed them and had the children's bedrooms inspected. After all that, the Children and Family Services still opened a file on her, even though the children were safe in her back yard, being watched from the kitchen window. Sadly, the neglect that the Stephans showed for little Ezekiel will put more pressure on child protection agencies to do more of the kind of officious interfering they did in the Winnipeg case. Officials tend to be blamed whenever something goes wrong with a child. Government, however, can't prevent the kind of stupidity exhibited by the Stephans. Unless parents are actually endangering their children, we don't need the kind of heavy-handedness seen in Winnipeg — KR It's all but certain now What seemed ridiculous is almost certain to happen as the U.S. presidential primary season winds down with Donald Trump needing to win a relative few delegates to sew up the Republican nomination. From the beginning, the "experts" said it couldn't be done. Now many of the same experts claim Trump will be beaten in the general election by Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Party nominee, but given their track record, who would believe them, comforting as it may be? In fact, it's anger against the "experts" and the political insiders that seems to be attracting many to support Trump. When he's running against Clinton, the ultimate insider as the wife of a former president and a former secretary of state herself, those angry at the system may choose to rally behind the rich, celebrity outsider who promises to give America back its greatness. As each day passes, those of us who felt we'd wake up from this nightmare of a Trump presidency of the world's most powerful nation must gradually accept the possibility it's going to happen. — KR Letters Policy The Citizen welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and should include a daytime telephone number for the purpose of verification only. Letters that are not signed will not be printed. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content, using fair comment as our guideline. The Citizen reserves the right to refuse any letter on the basis of unfair bias, prejudice or inaccurate information. As well, letters can only be printed as space allows. Please keep your letters brief and concise. Looking Back Through the Years May 6, 1959 The annual Belgrave Music Festival was held in the community's Foresters Hall. Students from all over the community made the trip to Belgrave to compete in the two-day competition. Eighteen schools competed in the festival, seven of which were classified as big schools, while the remaining 11 fell into the smaller school category. The Blyth Fire Department was successful in saving one of the village's houses from fire. The department was called in just after 1 a.m. the morning of the fire and responded to a fire at the home of the Alexanders on the 10th concession of Hullett Township. The family was awakened when they heard sounds in the attic, thinking it was a mouse. It turned out to be fire and they called the fire department immediately. Three teams from the Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary took part in a bowling tournament held in Walkerton. The ladies from Blyth were among 67 teams from throughout the area all competing for gold. One Blyth team finished fourth in its division and the members received necklaces and matching earrings for their efforts. May 7, 1970 George Mutter, a member of the Brussels Lions Club, was elected District Deputy -Governor of Zone 3 at the zone rally, which was held in Zurich the previous week. Mutter won the election over George Oke of the Seaforth Lions Club. The Brussels Post reported that Mutter had a 100 per cent attendance record in his nine years as a Lion. He was a past -president of the club and had just finished his tenure as Zone Chairman Brussels Public School held its annual School Queen Contest, which saw nine girls participating, performing pianos solos, duets, skits and songs. It was reported to be a close race that was eventually won by Joyce Pearson, followed by Julie Hanna and Barbara Muilwyk. April 30, 1986 Robert Brak of Blyth came out on top of the Maitland Valley Anglers' annual fishing derby, which was held in Goderich. The event attracted sportsmen from all over southwestern Ontario to Huron County, competing for prizes and bragging rights in the local rivers and streams. Brak took home top honours in the trout category, when he caught a rainbow trout that weighed in at just over 12 pounds. Another Blyth man, Paul Yanchus, placed seventh in the event's trout category, catching a silver 6.8 -pound rainbow trout. Hugh Hanly of Goderich began his work as the clerk of Brussels. Hanly, who was just 26 at the time, was the son of Bill Hanly, clerk - treasurer and administrator for Huron County. The Brussels Lions Club was in the midst of preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary. A special anniversary banquet was planned for Monday, May 12. The club's first president, Roy B. Cousins and secretary, Robert E. Johnson, were both expected to attend the celebration. Cal Krauter, former reeve of Brussels and warden of Huron County, was chosen as the 1986 Citizen of the Year for the Brussels community for his work throughout. Krauter was chosen for his numerous commitments throughout the community, both politically and through his volunteer and professional work. Dozens of Huron County businesses were in the midst of preparing to attend the seventh annual Brussels TradeFest, set for Friday, May 2. The previous year, over 4,000 people made their way through the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre for the event and in 1986 even bigger crowds were expected. May 8, 2002 North Huron Council wanted members of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority to explore all available options before shutting down Wawanosh Conservation Park — a suggestion that had been making the rounds. The park had been sold to the Authority by the township in 1980 for $1, but had proven to be a "losing proposition" in the years that would follow. The Blyth Heart and Soul campaign, which was working towards a new arena and community centre in Blyth, received a boost from the Auburn Lions Club, which donated $1,000 to the group's ongoing efforts. As part of the launch of the Blyth Festival's 2002 season, a special reading was held at Memorial Hall. Emily Boutet, Artistic Director Eric Coates and Ted Johns read from Barnboozled, which was also written by Johns. The play was a sequel to Johns' successful He Won't Come In From The Barn, which had been featured at the Blyth Festival during several seasons.