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The Citizen, 2016-11-24, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016. Editorials Opinions Publisher: Keith Roulston Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld & Nicole Gillespie 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 1HO 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 Times, needs change Huron County, for 40 years a leader in protecting productive farmland by preventing small holdings in rural areas, is now facing a new problem, and exploring new solutions. In the 1970s when Huron led the province by creating restrictions against the creation of small lots in farming areas, the concern was the preservation of farmland. Later, when large livestock barns became an economic necessity for farmers but unpopular with non -farming rural residents, Huron's restrictions seemed wise in reducing the amount of conflict as farmers increased the size of their operations. Now the problem has been turned on its head and the problem is that farms are so large that young farmers can't afford to get started in their chosen profession. At more than $20,000 an acre, even an original 100 - acre farm is beyond the reach of young farmers — and with farm amalgamation over the years and the erasure of property lines between former separate farms if they have the same owner, there are fewer and fewer 100 -acre farms. So now Huron County Councillors are exploring going in the opposite direction — allowing the creation of lots as small as 25 acres to allow new farmers to get a start in the business. It's a tricky balance. We must keep our key agricultural sector vital by adding new blood, yet we also must remember the original intent of the current regulations — to protect farmers and keep farmers from conflict with non-farm neighbours. Huron County Councillors are right to explore ways to stop depopulation of rural areas because of larger and larger farms and to encourage a new generation of farmers. Finding the right balance is going to be their challenge. — KR Don't listen to the echo When he spoke to the annual meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture recently, former CKNX Radio Farm Director Ray Baynton warned of the perils of the "echo chamber" of only listening to people who agree with you. That danger has been illustrated by both sides in the U.S. Presidential Election. With the proliferation of media, from the internet to more radio stations than ever, consumers these days have the ability to get only the news and opinion they want, Baynton said. It allows people to never hear a discouraging word toward whatever viewpoint they hold. And so supporters of Hillary Clinton, listening to their channels, couldn't imagine that there could possibly be enough supporters of the outrageous Donald Trump to get him elected and they were shocked when he won. Many Trump supporters managed to ignore harsh criticism of their candidate by turning to alternative sources such as Breitbart.com which printed nothing but praise for Trump and criticism of his opponent. Listening only to the things you want to hear doesn't change the real world — it just allows you to fool yourself. Wise leaders, for instance, know better than to surround themselves with sycophants who tell them only what they think they want to hear. Only by listening to those with differing, even opposite, opinion, can we test the truth of our own perceptions. Despite the temptation to seek only the news and views we'd like to hear, we cannot serve our country and democracy unless we seek out opposing views.— KR A recipe for terrorism A disturbingly large portion of Americans seems prepared to take drastic action against their country's Muslim population which they see as containing potential terrorists. The irony of their proposed solutions is that it might create more potential terrorists. Most terrorist attacks in Western countries in recent years have been homegrown, carried out by disturbed individuals who feel estranged from the country where they live, where they may have been born. If the hardliners in Trump's entourage get their way and ban Muslims from immigrating to the U.S. or require all Muslims to register with security officials, let alone deporting Muslims as some would wish, aren't these actions likely to cause even more disturbed, alienated people, the exact candidates to be recruited to terrorism? — 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. Energy and food costs a growing concern for many Canadians... • r • Looking Back Through the Years November 25, 1959 A dessert meeting of the Ladies Committee of the Blyth Agricultural Society was in the process of being planned. The meeting was set to be held at the home of Mrs. Lorne Scrimgeour on Dec. 1. The reason for the meeting was to revise the prize list in the needlework, arts and crafts categories. The Londesborough 4-H club held its regular meeting at which the eight members present worked on their garment covers and laundry bags. A Huron County Missionary Rally, sponsored by the Huron Presbyterial W.M.S. of the United Church was held in Blyth, despite what was said to be some very slippery road conditions. November 26, 1970 Grey Township was set to host its election on Dec. 7. Charles Thomas, Lawson Ward, Melville Lamont and Kenneth Bray were running for the position of reeve, while Clifford Bray, Melville Lamont, Roy Williamson, George Wesenberg, Donald Martin and Lawson Ward had all put their names forward to serve as councillors. The Brussels Lions Club welcomed three new members at its meeting, Jack Knight, Jack Bryans and Wayne Lowe. The three were sworn in and made members under the watchful eye of President James Armstrong and District Governor George Mutter. Also at the meeting, the Lions decided they would buy a new fan to improve ventilation in the basement of the Brussels Library. November 26, 1986 Recycling week in Ontario had a strong presence in Brussels, as a paper drive swept through the community by way of the Brussels Mennonite Fellowship. Don Baan, Marie Perrie and Gerald Miller were all hard at work collecting paper from Brussels residents' homes in the name of improving the planet through recycling. The Citizen, in an unusual move, ran an editorial on the front page in an attempt to mobilize members of the community to help their neighbours. First, there was the case of Murray Houston and his family who Lost their home to fire and then there was Ron Nesbitt and the Londesborough Lions' Back the Biter day that attempted to raise tens of thousands of dollars to buy Nesbitt an accessible van after a swimming accident. Many local farmers were honoured at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, including Bodmin Farms, Huronia Farms, Loreldo Farms, Jan Van Vliet, Hugh and Jo -Anne Todd, Brent Robinson and the Rintoul girls of West Wawanosh. Jennifer Procter of Bodmin Farms at RR5, Brussels won the Ontario Junior Barrow Show winning Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion rosettes with two of her animals, while her sister Kate also took home a third place medal. Sandra Hunt of RR4, Walton was named Queen of the Furrow in a special ceremony held in Walton. Denise Nethery of RR4, Walton, a former Huron County Dairy Princess, finished a close second to Hunt. Back the Biter day in Londesborough to benefit member Ron Nesbitt was scheduled for the upcoming Saturday. The 19 members of the Londesborough Lions Club had already raised half of its $30,000 goal, but planned to raise all of the money by the end of Saturday night. November 27, 2002 North Huron Clerk -Administrator John Stewart hoped that after months of waiting, the $780,000 that came to the village by way of the Superbuild fund, would be on its way to the village. The money would aid the Blyth arena renovation project. Stewart said that after some inquiries, there seemed to be a mix-up where the federal government was under the impression that the funds had been sent weeks earlier. The Londesborough Lions Club was busy celebrating an anniversary as it was 25 years ago that the club had first received its official Lions Club charter. To help mark the occasion, a number of charter members of the club were on hand for a special celebration. The Blyth Midget Bulldogs won the B-2 division at the annual Wingham Silver Stick tournament. The Bulldogs had been having a great regular season, posting 10 wins against their opponents compared to just two losses. Ernst and Stefan Gubelmann of Walton were both big winners at the year's Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, winning in a number of beef categories. Hugh and Jo -Anne Todd of RR2, Lucknow were also winners at the fair once again, placing on the podium in a number of categories. Kathryn Alton of the Lucknow Beef Club was named the winner of the Murray Cardiff Citizenship Trophy. The award goes annually to the 4-H member who best exemplifies the goals and aims of 4- H.