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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-12-06, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012.Editorials Opinions Publisher: Keith Roulston Acting Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny ScottAdvertising Sales: Ken Warwick & Lori Patterson The CitizenP.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Ph. 519-523-4792 Fax 519-523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. N0G 1H0 Phone 519-887-9114 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.northhuron.on.ca Looking Back Through the Years CCNA Member Member of the Ontario Press Council 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; $115.00/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: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON N0G 1H0 email: info@northhuron.on.ca December 9, 1965 The erection of a burial chapel at the Brussels Cemetery was nearing completion. Funds had been contributed to the project by Brussels, Morris and Grey. The total cost of the project was said to have been $6,700. The Brussels Lions Club held its annual farmers’ night at St. John’s Anglican Church with over 50 members and guests in attendance. Lawrie Cousins, holder of the Buttermaker’s Certificate at Cousins Dairy and Creamery in Brussels was awarded fifth place in all of Ontario for butter manufactured in the province over the previous 12 months. Cousins was presented with his award at the 50th anniversary of the Ontario Creamerymen’s Association, which was held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. For the judging, a sample of each manufacturer’s butter was sent to the federal government where it was judged on its flavour, workmanship and sanitation. December 2, 1987 Figure skaters Kerrie Shepherd of RR1, Blyth and Peter MacDonald of RR2, Brussels placed first in their division at the Western Ontario Sectional Figure Skating Championships, bringing home yet another gold medal back to the community. Skating in the novice dance pairs category, Shepherd and MacDonald placed first in the compulsory dance program and the variation dance program to clinch the overall championship. The pair faced some stiff competition from 11 other couples competing in the division. A Wintario draw was coming to Blyth’s Memorial Hall on Dec. 10 so lotto players could see how the process works, and if they won the grand prize, live and in person. The full-night event was to feature local music and dancers with tickets for admission to the event being sold with funds going to benefit the Blyth Festival’s recently announced $1.6 million expansion project. The hearing on the closing of the Canadian National railway line from Listowel to Wingham, running through Brussels, was postponed indefinitely. The hearing was originally postponed from November to December 1, however it was postponed again and no new date was set. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Technology, as well as the County of Huron, invited area residents to take part in an investment tour that was scheduled throughout the fall of 1998 through the Counties of Huron, Perth, Grey, Bruce and Middlesex. The tour was said to bring between 30 and 35 investors from the northern United States to the area. All of the investors had shown an interest in relocating to Canada and were willing to invest a minimum of $250,000. December 14, 1994 The new warden of Huron County for 1995 was Wingham Reeve Bruce Machan. Machan’s nomination for the position went uncontested at the inaugural session of Huron County Council on Dec. 6. Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle was told that the face of the Social Security system needed to change or it would face an “uprising” from the working class. Steckle heard from the public as he hit the road to make several stops where he would hear from residents of the riding on issues they felt needed to be worked on. The issue of Social Security was the hot topic at the meeting held at F.E Madill Secondary School in Wingham. Wingham OPP officers were looking for those responsible for damage that had been caused to two basketball nets at Blyth Public School. Police estimated that the damage was approximately $300. Helen Johns of Exeter was nominated by the Progressive Conservatives as Huron-Bruce’s provincial candidate for the upcoming election. Johns was chosen at the party’s annual meeting on Nov. 30 in Exeter. December 6, 2007 Anthony Peters, who was 17 at the time, suffered a compound fracture in his left leg after being hit by a van in Windsor. Peters, who was playing goalie for the Kingston Frontenacs at the time, was crossing a busy street when he, another player and the team’s assistant trainer were struck by the vehicle. Peters was run over and pushed for a short distance, according to an eyewitness. At a Nov. 20 Committee of the Whole meeting, Huron County Council decided that it would not be hiring its own meeting investigator. The recommendation to hire an investigator came as a result of the province’s new legislation regarding the public’s right to request investigations of closed meetings. The purpose of the investigations would be to increase transparency and accountability. Huron County’s reeves and mayors were on the hot seat as they were roasted by their peers for a United Way fundraiser. The event was spearheaded by Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt and United Way Director Kim Payne. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Rebels and the rules Even many people who aren’t fans of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford couldn’t help feeling that the punishment for his breach of conflict of interest rules was too harsh for the offense. A judge last week ruled that Ford had to resign from office because he had broken the rules. First of all, back when he was just a city councillor, he had used city letterhead to solicit funds to support a private football foundation which he headed. When this was reported to the Integrity Commissioner, it was recommended he pay back the $3,150 he’d raised. He refused. Toronto city council voted to make him give the money back, but then held a second vote last February. At that session, Ford spoke in his own defence and voted on the issue. Conflict of interest rules for all councils, are that councillors cannot take part in any council deliberations in which they had a personal financial issue. Since winning the vote meant Ford did not have to repay the money, he had a financial issue. Ford sees himself as a victim in this. After all, he argues, he was just trying to raise money to help underprivileged kids. He had nothing to gain in that original fundraising issue. There’s also no doubt that many people detest Ford so much they are delighted to see him turfed from office. There’s the sense sometimes that these people are a pack of hounds who won’t be satisfied until he’s caught and torn limb from limb. Anyone who follows municipal politics anywhere has encountered a Rob Ford-type. They’re almost always men, almost always angry and sure that they can see things as they really are while other councillors, and particularly staff, are blind – or even maybe dishonest. These people see themselves as straight-shooting rebels battling bureaucratic rules that make no sense from their point of view. But society and governments must have rules. You can be an outspoken rebel councillor, but if you rise to the level of head of council, you have to demonstrate you honour the rules. A prime minister, premier or mayor who thinks the rules don’t apply to him is a dangerous person. If one rule can be ignored, where does it stop? With the kind of corruption seen recently in Quebec? Rob Ford had lots of opportunities to extract himself from the mess but thought the rules were stupid and shouldn’t apply to him. Though the punishment seems extreme it’s the only one that can apply to someone in a powerful position who thinks he’s beyond the rules. –KR Is this you as a Canadian? Canadians who have always been proud of their international image as moderate, peace-loving people need to wake up to the new reputation Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is creating of Canada. Last week 138 countries voted at the United Nations to extend non- member observer state status to the Palestinian Authority. Forty-one other countries abstained from voting, including many allies who didn’t agree with the move, but didn’t want to cut themselves off from either Arab states or Israel. Canada was one of only nine countries voting against the symbolic move. The Harper government was outspoken in its condemnation and opinion that this was an assault on Israel. Most Canadians support Israel and in a black-or-white choice would support the Jewish state over the Palestinians. But most Canadians don’t see things so black and white as Harper and his ministers. While they support Israel, they also know it’s part of the problem to finding a lasting peace because it keeps expanding Jewish settlements on land that would need to be the homeland for a Palestinian state. Canadians also sympathize with the constant danger Israelis find themselves in from rocket attacks or terrorist bombing, but they also realize that Israel often unjustly hurts or kills innocent Palestinians in trying to protect itself, creating even more enemies. Our government sees only one side putting us on the opposite side from the people of 138 other countries. We have also become the bad guys on the environmental front as our government adopts policies many Canadians don’t agree with. The Harper government is redefining what the world thinks a Canadian is. Is that the person you want to be? –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.