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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-12-22, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016. Editorials Opinions Publisher: Keith Roulston Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: 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 Blyth's the centre of attention While other parts of Huron County might feel ignored, Blyth -area residents find themselves in the unusual position of being the centre of attention for the Regional Tourism Organization (RTO 4) and the county's Economic Development Department. Last week at Huron County Council, Natasha Fritzley, the county's Economic Development Manager, said both her department and RTO 4 were both focusing the county's tourism and marketing strategy on three projects, two of which involve Blyth. Fritzley pointed to the Blyth Festival, Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company and the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity as three reasons Blyth is "booming" right now, making the village one of the focuses of the strategy. A second focus is the Goderich-to-Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail through the centre of the county including Auburn, Blyth and Walton. If this trail achieves the volume of hikers and bikers that's expected, Blyth will again be a major beneficiary. It adds up to being an exciting time for the village as it prepares to celebrate the 140th anniversary of its incorporation in 2017. Hopefully that excitement will translate into even more optimism and economic activity in the next year or two. — KR Mr. PM, don't sell your soul Given that Justin Trudeau has done so much right in the eyes of most Canadians in his first year in office, it's mystifying that he is too deaf and blind to the long-term damage caused to his reputation and that of his party by stubbornly sticking with the Liberals' fundraising dinners where rich people spend thousands for a chance to meet the Prime Minister. Yes, on one hand, these dinners make sense, because it costs a lot of money to fight an election. On the other hand, Trudeau doesn't seem to grasp the reality that no amount of money will help an unpopular leader or party get elected. He is Prime Minister today because Canadians turned against his predecessor. Whether it was the drive to welcome thousands of Syrian refugees or the delicate balancing of concerns over climate change at the same time as realizing the economic realities getting Alberta's oil to market, the Prime Minister has hit the right notes for many in the past year. He risks undermining all that goodwill by appearing to trade donations from the wealthy for a chance to talk to him. That's exactly the kind of thing he promised not to do when he was running for office. Here's hoping one of the Prime Minister's New Year's resolutions will be to stop these fundraisers and live up to the hope he gave Canadians that he could do things differently. — KR So much for peace on earth It's tragically ironic that as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, including the celestial visit to the shepherds by the angel who promised "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men", right next door to Christ's birthplace one of the most hellish wars in history is taking place. The civil war in Syria has been going on since the first uprising against the dictatorship of President Bashar al -Assad in March 2011 — nearly as long as World War II. Recently, particularly in the city of Aleppo, it's been getting worse as al -Assad, backed by troops and bomber aircraft from Russia, ruthlessly bombs the city, both civilians and rebels, as he tries to re -impose his control. The United Nations estimates more than 220,000 have died and the toll won't stop when the fighting does because those knowledgeable about Syria predict al -Assad will kill anyone he considers a traitor or a danger to his rule. Sadly, despite the self-flagellation some critics of western governments, including many in the media, have been administering, there's very little we can do to help. Canadians have generously taken in 35,000 refugees but that's a drop in the bucket among the millions who have been driven from their homes. It remains, however, the one option we have in trying to make a difference. Every family we can give shelter to is one that won't face death in Aleppo or misery in a temporary refugee camp. This can be our small attempt to fulfill the angel's promise of peace on earth and goodwill to men. — 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. Kathleen Wynne Canada least popular Premier - POLL Looking Back Through the Years December 23, 1959 Santa Claus made his annual Christmas visit to Blyth, but due to the lack of snow, his sleigh was not an option, so he arrived on top of the village's fire engine. He handed out approximately 300 gift bags to area children to help get them in the Christmas spirit. The children of the Blyth United Church Sunday School presented their annual Christmas pageant. Their presentation, "The First Christmas" received some help from Sheila Henry and Sandra Berthot, who narrated for the class. Anne Caldwell took on the starring role, playing Mary in the much -anticipated production. December 24, 1970 President Orval Bauer was named the president as the first Brussels snowmobile club held its first meeting at the Brussels Legion. Over 30 snowmobilers were in attendance, which was also attended by Wingham OPP Constable Ron Bell, who was the guest speaker for the evening. As part of his program, Bell laid out a number of rules for snowmobiling in Huron County, including the minimum age for riders and the curfew for being on the trails. The auditorium of Brussels Public School was packed for the students' annual Christmas concert. Bob Cunningham of Ethel was the master of ceremonies for the evening. The concert began with two choruses from the junior choir and then the Kindergarten classes decorated a Christmas tree while also singing. The performance wrapped up with the school's senior students displaying their skill and organization in gymnastics. December 23, 1986 After a successful campaign called Back the Biter undertaken by the Londesborough Lions Club to raise money for member Ron Nesbitt to buy an accessible van, Nesbitt wrote a letter to the editor thanking members of the community for their generosity and hard work. "Hopefully I will soon really be on the road again," Nesbitt concluded his letter. Helen Grubb of Culross Township was appointed as the new clerk - treasurer for Blyth. Grubb was chosen from among 24 candidates. Grubb had been working part- time at the Culross Township office before accepting the position in Blyth. Melanie Knox of Hullett Central Public School won third place in a special Ministry of Natural Resources essay contest, receiving a signed Glen Loates print as a prize, presented to her by Vincent Kerrio, Minister of Natural Resources. Fred Meier of RR4, Brussels was named first vice-chairman of the Gay Lea Foods Co-operative board of directors. The company had 3,600 shareholders at the time, many of them from Huron, Perth, Grey, Bruce and Middlesex Counties. December 24, 2002 Huron East Economic Development Officer Bonnie Lafontaine and website creator Glen Hall proudly showed off the new website created for the Municipality of Huron East at a special launch party. Hall told those in attendance that visitors to the website would be provided with immediate access to documents and information thanks to the website. The website also featured a comprehensive list of nearly 150 bylaws for residents to consult as needed. While the Blyth Communities in Bloom committee had decided to forego the competition for the year, those involved still felt there was work to be done to beautify the community to the tune of just over $12,000. Among the items Bev Elliott, Nancy Snell and Eleanor Babcock felt were needed were Christmas lights for the village Christmas tree, new benches for the Memorial Hall courtyard and new garbage receptacles. Blyth Clerk -Administrator John Stewart assured councillors that the large Blyth Community Centre renovation project was on budget or that it might even come in slightly under budget. North Huron Publishing Board of Director member Diane Radford was on hand to present Blyth's Lavern Clark with his Citizen of the Year award for 2002. The Huron County Junior Farmer Club made donations of over $8,500 to local charities and organizations at a special wine and cheese fundraising dinner, which was held in Clinton at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs office. Morris-Turnberry Council was perhaps going to see some changes in the future as councillors discussed the size of council going forward. Councillor Kevin Pletch made a motion that called for council to be reduced by two representatives and that the mayor would be elected at - large. Councillors, however, content with the composition of council, voted against the motion with only Pletch and Mayor Keith Johnston supporting the move.