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The Citizen, 2016-05-12, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 12, 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, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM 1H0 NOG 1 HO Ph. 519-523-4792 Phone Fax 519-523-9140 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 It's all relative With all the angst over the cost of recreation of late, there were some interesting figures given to Huron East councillors last week by Brad Knight, the municipality's chief administrative officer. While councillors had been appalled at the soaring cost of running arenas in recent years, Knight showed figures that Huron East's costs, on a per capita basis, were actually well down the line compared to other Huron County municipalities. Of course that's only good news for Huron East residents. The figures revealed may make ratepayers in other county municipalities look with renewed concern at their own costs. While Huron East's recreation costs may not be as out of whack compared to the municipality's neighbours as some councillors felt, the reality remains these rising costs make it difficult to balance budgets, given declining funding from the provincial government and uncontrollable rising costs such as policing. Many of the same people who worried about the future of their recreation centres after councillors' comments also get upset if they see double-digit tax increases. Communities must decide how highly they value recreation services. If we want them, we must be prepared to pay the cost through higher taxes, by greater use of the facilities to generate more revenue, or through creative community fundraising. One way or another there's a price to pay for everything. – KR The `upside' of tragedy Faced with the unspeakable natural tragedy of the wildfire that burned large parts of Fort McMurray last week, Canadians from coast to coast have reached out to help the only way they could, raising money to help those affected by the catastrophe. By early this week tens of millions had been donated to the Canadian Red Cross by Canadians in large and small amounts (to be matched by the federal government). From children running lemonade stands to a Nova Scotia lottery winner who donated part of her winnings to musicians giving benefit concerts, the efforts have spread to every corner of the nation. Perhaps the tragedy will foster a greater sense of national unity. At times people in one part of the country get the feeling they're not getting a fair shake from the rest of Canada. The overwhelming response to the Fort McMurray fire should demonstrate that when needed, Canadians are there for each other. For the people who have been displaced by the fire, for those who will finally return to find their homes or businesses have been destroyed, the amount of the money raised, while impressive, is small consolation. Here's hoping though that as they struggle to put their lives back together they will find strength during the hard times from the knowledge that so many people cared about their grief and tried to do whatever they could to help. – KR They can run, and hide money The release of the latest installment of the Panama Papers showing 200,000 people from around the world who set up offshore bank accounts offers the opposite view of humanity to the generosity demonstrated in response to the Fort McMurray tragedy last week. While some of the bank accounts will have innocent origins, many are an attempt by people who have been most blessed by prosperity to hide income from the taxman and avoid supporting the nations they live in. Already some famous people and political leaders have been tied to attempts to illegally avoid taxes. Hopefully the release of this massive database will mark the beginning of the end for the most affluent being able to hide their money so they can avoid taxes. When ordinary people see the super -rich going to extraordinary, even illegal, lengths to keep from paying to support the society by which they have been so rewarded, they may wonder why they, who have tax deducted from their paycheques, don't find ways to cheat too. Sadly, even if these super -rich paid their full tax bill, they'd still have more money than they could spend. Under the circumstances, let's call their behaviour what it is — just plain greedy. – 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 13, 1959 George Carter of East Wawanosh set about opening his own business, striking out on his own with a new plumbing and heating venture in Blyth. Carter purchased the house and work shop formerly owned by Mads Christensen after operating his own business out of his home for four years. The Blyth P.U.C. was busy around the village installing five new streetlights along the village's main street. With the installation of the new lights, that would make a total of 10 lights along Blyth's business section. Just after 11 p.m. the previous Friday night, two cars were involved in a collision on Queen Street. One car attempted to make a left turn when a car following attempted to pass the car making the turn and the two collided. Neither driver was hurt as a result of the collision and damage to each car was estimated to be between $40 and $50. May 14, 1970 On Sunday, May 10, the newly - renovated and enlarged Callander Nursing Home received the royal treatment with a special ribbon - cutting event. Brussels Reeve Roy Cousins cut the ribbon and addressed those in attendance, discussing the growth of the home in recent years and how great it all was for the Brussels community. The annual Brussels Bowling League banquet and dance was held on May 9 and a number of awards were handed out. Doris Matheson was honoured for having the ladies' high average score of 202, while Gord Matheson had the men's high average score for the season with 209. The winner of the season was Al's Aces, a team consisting of Al Harvey, Doris Matheson, Karen Hastings, Elaine Nichol, Gord Smith and Doug Huether. The team was awarded the year's Labatt's Trophies as the season's top team. May 7, 1986 After a lengthy closed -to -the - public session, Brussels Village Council approved the construction of a new wading pool in the village, courtesy of the Brussels Lions Club. The vote was tied when council came out of closed session, which had to be broken by Reeve Hank Ten Pas, who voted in favour of the new pool. In The Citizen's coverage of the meeting, however, the vote was said to have taken place in closed session and was never ratified in open session, which raised a question of the legality of the vote. Under the proposal from the Lions Club, council would provide $1,500 towards the pool and the club would match the funds. Inez MacDonald of Blyth welcomed friends and family members to her home to help celebrate her 101st birthday. She even received a bouquet of flowers from her daughter, who was in the hospital in Victoria, British Columbia. Residents of Brussels received good news, as it was reported that the village had finished the 1985 financial year with a surplus of $23,000. This was a welcome sight for councillors compared to a deficit of $14,000 that the village carried into the year. Nancy Exel said the surplus would be used to help provide relief for village ratepayers when it came time to sell a mill rate for the coming year. The Brussels Bulls hockey teams handed out their year-end awards at a special gala event hosted by the association's president, Joe Steffler. The league's top performer and point -scorer was Kevin McArter, while Kevin Ruttan was named the league's best forward and Tom Newbigging was named the top playoff performer. Tim Fritz was named Brussels' best defenceman and the league's most valuable player. May 15, 2002 Sandra Lawson, Huron County Engineer, tendered her resignation from the county. This came one week after the resignation of Clerk Lynn Murray. Lawson was said to be leaving Huron County for a position with the City of Brantford, where she would become the Deputy - Commissioner of Engineering, Public Works and Parks and Recreation. The North Huron District Museum was in the midst of expansion and revitalization and those involved were hoping that North Huron Council would see fit to grant $20,000 to the project. Janice Becker of the Walton area had her photography featured at the Black Sheep Studio in Varna. The exhibit, which featured the work of the former Citizen photographer, was called "Glimpses of Huron County." The Huron East Women's Institute marked a special occasion as it was set to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The special anniversary would be marked with a special display at the Ethel Community Centre.