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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-02-14, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2008.Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie GroppAdvertising, Ken Warwick & Lori Patterson The CitizenP.O. Box 429,BLYTH, Ont.N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152,BRUSSELS, Ont.N0G 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca Looking Back Through the Years 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 $32.00/year ($30.48 + $1.52 G.S.T.) in Canada;$101.00/year in U.S.A.and $175.00/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 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 09244 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON N0G 1H0 email: norhuron@scsinternet.com Feb. 14, 1962 Murray MacDonald gave an important talk to the Blyth Lions Club which included a warning to all residents. “Nuclear war and weapons are now facts of life and we cannot ignore them”, reported MacDonald, civil defence co- ordinator for Huron County. His job was to advise the county on emergency measures. He conveyed to the council that he felt that due to the present world situation civil defence was most necessary. Residents who felt responsible for their safety and that of others were advised to consider the construction of a bomb shelter. Though Huron was not considered a target area for nuclear warfare, it could still be affected by fall-out and radiation. Warning systems had been installed, and precise plans had already been made to ensure swift action in emergency situations, including monitoring stations, as well as accommodation, food, and clothing for those left in need. Though there were still skeptics who doubted such an occurrence would ever affect Huron, most of the Lions Club and county committees took MacDonald’s words to heart, taking into account his thorough experience. MacDonald had served in the army since 1936, and had graduated Army Staff College, Kingston; RCAF Staff College, Toronto and Civil Defence College, Arnprior. In addition, he had been awarded such prestigious titles as a membership of the British Empire (MBE); Coronation Medal; and the Canadian Forces Decoration and Clasp (CD). In the help wanted section, an ad was featured for airplane stewardesses. The requirements were: age 20-26, height of 62-67 inches, weight 105-130 lbs. (in proportion), secondary school graduation diploma, single relationship status, and no glasses or contact lenses. Those interested could apply at the Trans-Canada Airlines office in Toronto. Feb. 14, 1973 Despite worries about extensive repairs, it was found, following an thorough inspection, that only minor repairs would have to be made to get the Blyth Memorial Hall back up to standards. Final estimates of cost for the improvements were not expected to top $200. Concern was raised by local Ontario Provincial Police about the increase in snowmobile-related deaths. More than 30 deaths involving drivers and passengers of snowmobiles had been recorded during the 1972-73 winter season in the province of Ontario. The most serious event which caused fatalities seemed to be careless drivers going over thin ice. Despite constant warnings, snowmobile operators failed to recognize the inevitable dangers of driving over ice. The shock of being plunged into ice cold water, and the rapid paralyzing effect on the body were quick to render the victim helpless, not to mention the weight of heavy, water-soaked winter clothing. As the season was entering another of its most dangerous periods of mild weather, O.P.P. emphasized the need for drivers of snow-vehicles to exercise the utmost caution when driving on ice. Feb. 11, 1981 A Belgrave family was left homeless after a devastating fire. They were all taken to hospital and treated for their injuries which ranged in severity. One family member escaped injury as he was spending the night at a friend’s. As for his siblings and parents, they were treated for bruises, burns, and lacerations. The mother had to be transferred to London Hospital as she had suffered extensive burns to 40 per cent of her body, and was listed in serious condition. Damages were estimated at $60,000, and the house was partially covered by insurance. Donations of food, clothing, and money had been made by various members of the community, and the family was trying to recover from the loss and support those who were still dealing with injury. Garth Wittich won first prize in the Ministry of Natural Resources essay contest. He was awarded two plaques, one to keep and one which would be displayed at his school, Blyth Public. Ministry official Blake Evans and principal Bill Black were on hand to make the presentations. Second-place winner was Mark Hoba, also a Blyth student. Feb. 15, 1995 Wingham OPP were investigating the theft of a snowmobile from Blyth. A Lucknow man had parked his 1989 Skidoo Safari Scout in the downtown core, and when he returned an hour later it was gone. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Wingham OPP. Smoke detectors helped save a Morris family from an early- morning fire in their home. The family was able to escape without injury and call firefighters, who arrived quickly. Damages were estimated at $20,000. Playing at the Park Theatre in Goderich was Jodie Foster and Liam Neeson in Nell. Also playing at the Lyceum Theatre in Wingham was Little Women, the “Best loved and best reviewed movie of the season”. DEAR EDITOR The beef sector is one of the most important primary industries, economically speaking, to the rural economy in general. Simply put, the beef industry as a whole (including cow-calf, feedlot etc.), is an essential component to the Canadian economy; to the economy in Ontario; and to the economies of Huron and Bruce. While working to put BSE behind them, the industry suffered another devastating blow. A soaring Canadian dollar, loss of processing capacity, new regulatory demands and rising input costs combined to undermine the industry. As a result, Canadian beef producers need and expect leadership from their federal and provincial governments. In 2007 and early 2008, the government of Ontario launched certain actions aimed at assisting the beleaguered industry. Unfortunately, the federal government did not follow the example set out by the province and, in doing so, the current Conservative administration seemed to indicate a total lack of interest in helping beef farmers. That kind of cavalier and off-handed attitude will not fool beef farmers and it will not pass for leadership during this crisis. By contrast, in January of 2008, Huron and Bruce County cattlemen came together and, in conjunction with others from the industry, crafted 44 resolutions for presentation to the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association. While some of the said resolutions may not come into being, the exercise demonstrated clearly that there is a grassroots appetite for out-of-the-box thinking. This type of determination is routine within the beef sector and they have every right to expect similar behaviour from their elected representatives in Ottawa. Elected representative in Ottawa would do well to explore the Business Risk Management related recommendations suggested by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. The said recommendations range from the elimination of the negative margin viability test for CAIS, to the increasing of Interim Advances, and a decoupling of the Advance Payments Program from the CAIS reference margins. The industry knows what it needs to survive - step one is a government that will listen. Sincerely, Greg McClinchey, Huron-Bruce (Federal) Liberal Candidate We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright More knowledge, not less The Toronto District School Board recently voted to open a controversial Afro-centred school, with the aim to help more black students find school meaningful enough to graduate. Supporters argue the current curriculum in Ontario schools is so centred on European culture that students of African ancestry feel alienated. They point out that not only isn’t black history taught, but even in mathematics and science, the early developments that took place in Africa, before Europeans caught up, is also ignored. While the points are valid, the solution proposed is backwards. In an increasingly global world the solution is not to isolate groups more. Under this scheme, black students will learn more about black history, but other students continue with Euro-centred learning. Black students will know more about their history but won’t learn about the history of Asia or North and South America prior to European settlement. In a highly diverse country, in a global world, it’s time to increase our knowledge of all parts of the world. All Canadians should know more about Africa. The emerging importance of China means Canadians could benefit from better knowledge of Chinese history. We would be better world citizens if we knew more about India and Pakistan and their traditions. Certainly our knowledge of North America should not begin with Jacques Cartier and John Cabot. It’s time to make Canadians world leaders in knowledge of the world. Let’s broaden the scope of our curriculum, not narrow the focus of our students by segregating them with people only like themselves. — KR What a choice! Our political leaders in Ottawa seem bent on having an election this spring. Prime Minister Stephen Harper keeps drawing a line in the sand and daring the opposition parties to cross it by voting against one of the many matters he claims will be motions of confidence in his government. One of these issues is the continuation of Canada’s participation in Afghanistan. The government wants to extend the mission beyond 2009 under more or less the same terms. The NDP and Bloc Quebecois want immediate termination. Liberal leader Stephane Dion wants to have it both ways: we should stay but not be in a combat role. Nice work if you can get it. Sort of like saying we would have participated in the Second World War only if nobody got killed. Dion’s position is so silly it undermines his credibility in other areas as well. But if Canadians are forced to the polls over this, or one of the other issues, their choices of who to vote for are not enviable. More and more the Harper Conservatives are looking like mean- spirited bullies, the latest example coming last week with house leader Peter van Loan accusing the Liberals of being agents for the Taliban. Do we want these guys with a majority? If there’s an election, maybe we need a “none of the above” box. — KR & Letter to the editor