HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-10-21, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010.
Writer encourages public to get out and vote
Vodden wants better return from Threshers
North Huron Blyth Ward
Councillor Brock Vodden was
surprised at how little the township
receives from the Huron Pioneer
Thresher and Hobby Association’s
annual Reunion held at the Blyth
Campgrounds.
Vodden stated that $2,400 is very
little to pay for the time they use the
park at a special meeting of North
Huron’s commitee of the whole held
in Blyth on Oct. 12.
Recreation and Facilities Director
Pat Newson explained that, during
the time they are using the arena and
campground privately, the two
weeks before and after the event,
they aren’t charged except for their
electrical and oil usage. The group is
only charged for the weekend when
the Reunion is open to the public.
“I support the Threshers,” Vodden
said. “But we should look for a
better deal.”
Newson explained that the
campground was donated to the
township by the Threshers and that
any finances generated by them is a
bonus. She also said that the$2,439.27 that they received in
rental probably balances out the cost
of the Recreational and Roads
Department helping at the event.
The Threshers also handle many
of the financial investments for the
campground, including repairs and
upgrades, according to Newson, but
Vodden still thought the amount waslow.
“[The fact that they maintain and
upgrade the facilities] is great, but
they count on us to have that
facility,” Vodden said. “We
shouldn’t gouge them, but $2,400
doesn’t seem like a good return.”
Councillor James Campbell
warned council that this wasn’t anissue that should be considered.
“This is a road we simply don’t
want to go down,” he said. “We
don’t want to open this can of
worms, the Threshers donate a lot to
this community, and bring a lot of
people in.”
Other councillors agreed,
including Councillor ArchieMacGowan and Deputy Reeve
Murray Scott.
“We can have this discussion 10 or
20 years from now,” MacGowan
said.
“This isn’t an issue we want to
look at at this time,” Scott stated.
The issue wasn’t pursued.
THE EDITOR,
Recently editorials in The Citizen
should have caused multiple letters
or comments to the editor. They
spoke to the upcoming municipal
elections in “Time to Pay Attention”
on Sept. 23, which stated that
“municipalities and school boards
probably do more to affect our daily
lives than any other form of
government”. It can be a costly
mistake to elect the wrong person to
represent you. Now is the time to
find out as much as possible about
the candidates and “then...vote come
election day”.
That's true, but we, as voters have
a responsibility also to be engaged in
this process. In my estimation, local
community government is the best
example, when implemented and
administered properly, of the
intended democratic process. It is
certainly the closest to the electorate
(and apparently not influenced by
outside party/leader politics).
Beyond the municipal level, the
political position seems to be, “I’m
answerable to you”, before elected,
but the political reality and
mechanisms of political interest,
leave the completion of the phrase
“...that is, until I’m elected,”
unsaid.
At the all-candidates meeting held
in Wingham last week, candidates
got a chance to share their insights
on the issues, and what they intended
to do about them. Questions were
raised and some interesting
responses were provided. I think we
also saw the democratic process at
work. Candidates got an opportunity
to expound on their own “bona
fides”, their past accomplishments
and contributions, and the reasons
for the legitimacy of their
candidacy.
Simply asking for our vote, quite
frankly isn’t good enough anymore.
Why? Because those seeking
election should be presenting a
case for my vote. Too often in
municipal elections, too few of
us take the time to understand
the issues – there are many more
than we think. I was particularly
keen to be a part of this process
along with those of us who actually
attended.
Municipal elections should not be
popularity contests and the most
capable candidate should be elected.
Don’t get me wrong, popularity
helps, but it shouldn’t trump
capability. Quite simply we need
capable people at every level who
understand what is going on and can
offer creative solutions. This is
particularly true in rural Ontario,
where I think provincial interests
preclude a rural strategy. We need
people with greater vision; the
ability to act creatively; and to
effectively engage the people around
them- most importantly us, the
electorate.
I’m of the opinion that rural
municipal governments need to be
even more active than their city
counterparts; to look at the bigger
picture and collectively develop a
strategy of multi-community
inclusion. Provincial and federal
politicians who direct much of the
power structure respond to vote
numbers, or voting blocks. In and of
themselves, rural communities have
too few to get the attention of the
politicians who decide our collective
futures, and they're too distant to
hear our voices. To encourage
increased economic and cultural
development (which all candidates
espoused), rural community
government needs to develop a more
broadly-based perspective – it can’t
be singularly focused. The people
we elect should have that capability,
and still be answerable to their
constituents.
The municipal election is a scant
few days away, Monday, Oct. 25. I
hope my neighbours take the few
minutes it’s going to take, and vote.
This is a four-year decision on our
part as well as a four-year
commitment on the candidates’ part.
If we are to expect their best when
elected, they should expect no less of
us during election Monday.
Greg Sarachman, Blyth.
Continued from page 3
everyone that went to Sunday
School and sent them an invitation,
but if you didn’t get one, come along
anyway.
He also reminded everyone that
pastoral emergencies from Oct. 18 to
24 are to be directed to Rev. Kathy
Douglas at 519-523-4380.
The Call to Worship was repeated
in unison. The Prayer of Approach
“This is the Day” was sung. Lorna
Fraser had the children’s story. She
asked the kids if they remembered
what Rev. Clark’s story was last
week. It was the story of the two fish
and five loaves of bread that were
shared with the crowd. She had a
bag of pumpkin seeds and told the
children that if she grew all the seeds
she would have enough so everyone
in the congregation could have
pumpkin pie next year. The Sunday
School went downstairs for their
time of fellowship.
The scripture reading was from
Jeremiah 31:31-37 read by Brenda
Brooks. The next hymn “All Things
Bright and Beautiful” was sung. Lori
Brooks read the message to the
adults. Lori read a poem by Robert
Frost about the changing of the
seasons. According to the scriptures,
God loves us and our future is in
God’s hands.
She referred to the garden that was
being dedicated later. Last year there
was only a flag pole, an old sign and
a tree that had broken and had
twisted. We replanted the tree and
gave it new life. It is like our church
for many years we were just able to
pay the bills. Now we have a
beautiful garden and a stronger
church. We shall step forward with
God at our side. Our past is part of
us but we can move on and be
stronger and be a part of the
community.
The choir sang the anthem “I
Come to the Garden Alone.” The
offering was received followed by
the offering hymn and the offertory
prayer. The next hymn, “This is
God’s Wondrous World” was sung.
The Prayers for the World was led by
Steven Sparling followed by the
singing of The Lord’s Prayer. The
last hymn was “God Who Touches
the Earth”.
Grant Sparling from the Sunday
School read names of those who had
birthdays in October and invited
everyone for cupcakes and coffee
after the service. David Onn gave the
commissioning and benediction
followed by the singing of the choral
response “Go Now In Peace.”
Letters to the Editor
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Blyth United dedicates new garden