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The Citizen, 2008-04-03, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008. Looking Back Through the Years April 4, 1962 Disappointment was expressed by Commissioner James Phelan over the poor attendance at the annual meeting of the Blyth Municipal Telephone System. A tentative date was being set for the conversion of Blyth’s systems to a dialing system, and it was hoped that there would be a larger turnout to encourage more discussion. After taking a hiatus from her day job for marriage and family, Princess Grace of Monaco returned to Hollywood to begin work on a new film role. She would play the lead in a thriller based on the suspense novel Marnie, by Winston Graham. She would once again be directed by Alfred Hitchcock, an old friend responsible for three of her most successful films: Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, and To Catch A Thief. Prince Rainier was expected to make occasional appearances on set to support his wife. Heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson shook hands with Sonny Liston after they both signed a contract detailing their upcoming title fight. April 4, 1973 Huron Tractor confirmed that they would be locating a new dealership on the outskirts of Blyth. Although it would be a large building, the company promised that the business would be nicely landscaped and attractive with no run-down equipment lying around to take away from the neighbourhood’s cleanly appearance. The new location for Huron Tractor would be built on a site which was then occupied by Sparling Propane Company. Owner Grant Sparling informed, however, that his business was being moved to a new location on Hwy 4, just south of its former spot on the intersection of Hwy. 4 and County Road 25. The move would allow Sparlings the expansion it needed, with lots of room for new larger storage tanks and carrier trucks. It was confirmed that Charles MacNaughton, former Member of Parliament for Huron, would indeed be taking on a new occupation. Mr. MacNaughton was appointed chairman of the Ontario Racing Commission, succeeding former chairman Brigadier Frederick C. Wallace. In addition, it was announced that Mr. MacNaughton had also been appointed to the board of directors of Consumers’Gas Company. It was readily accepted that Mr. MacNaughton was more that capable of handling both positions. April 1, 1981 A Family Fun Night held at the Memorial Hall in Blyth succeeded in raising $105 to go towards the purchase of a new piano. Over 150 people were in attendance for the event, which included several musicians, singers and dancers. Reeves and deputy-reeves attending Huron County council were allowed to continue puffing on cigarettes, cigars and pipes during meetings. The executive committee had proposed a ban on smoking at meetings, but the recommendation was met with much argument, and sparked a heated debate. Many of those who smoked on council threatened to leave the council all together if this legislation was passed. No decision had been made, and in a last ditch attempt to solve the situation, it was proposed that the smokers sit in one corner of the chamber and non-smokers in an opposite corner, though it was the common opinion that this would not be the end of the issue. Wingham and District Hospital received a number of grants to go towards renovation and construction. Bruce County donated $15,000; Turnberry Twp. contributed $8,000; Teeswater, $5,000; Ashfield, $5,000; Kinloss, $7,000; and Morris Twp., $8,000. All these grants would aid significantly in the fundraising for new improvements to the hospital. Playing at the Park Theatre in Goderich was the Walt Disney classic The Aristocats. Also playing was Tribute, starring Jack Lemmon, Robby Benson, and Lee Remick. Over 170 pigs were lost in a fire that destroyed a barn near Brussels. The Grey Twp. Fire Department was called out to the blaze, and did what they could to save the other barn on the property, but the one that was already aflame when they arrived was already unsalvageable. The cause of the fire was not known, and there was partial insurance coverage for the damages and loss. April 5, 1995 The Ontario Provincial Police were investigating several accounts of theft from elderly women in the area. The most consistent story was that a man carrying a black leather bag approaches senior citizens in senior complexes, asking them if they want various door and window repairs. The suspect was known to distract the victim, and steal their purse while fleeing the building. Incidents like this had been reported in Guelph, Fergus, St. Mary’s, St. Thomas, Aylmer, London, Exeter and Lucan areas. A suspect description had been released to the public in hopes of catching those responsible, and preventing this scenario happening to any other senior residents from falling prey. OPEN LETTER TO: Mr. Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada I am very concerned about the inadequate labelling of food in Canada. As a consumer and as a healthcare provider, (I feel) it is imperative for health and other reasons that Canadians are honestly informed about the sources of their food. As you are aware, current Canadian labelling standards allow “Product of Canada” labels to be attached to any food, provided that 51 per cent of the total cost of the food is Canadian. This situation is both deceptive and dangerous. How such a policy was ever formulated and allowed to be put into practice is beyond the understanding of a reasonable mind. Canadian consumers are well aware that standards within the agricultural, food and manufacturing industries vary enormously throughout the world. Canadians should have the right to know the country of origin of all that they purchase and consumer. The most recent recalls of tainted pet food and hazardous toys manufactured in China are examples of the concerns of Canadians. The ongoing practice of importing apple juice concentrate from China is most worrisome to parents and health professionals. Official statistics show that Canada imported $28 million of apple juice concentrate from China in 2006. Conventional apple growers often use intensive serial applications of pesticides to their crops. Do Canadian health officials ensure that apples used in the manufacture of apple juice concentrate made in China and subsequently exported to Canada are only exposed to pesticides that are legal in Canada? Apple juice is a staple for many infants and toddlers. How many Canadian parents have unwittingly given “Made in China” apple juice to their immunologically immature and vulnerable infants and toddlers? In the interest of human health and honesty, I call upon your government to urgently review and change the current labelling regulations for food. The present system is dangerous, misleading and unnecessary. Yours sincerely, Jim Hollingworth, M.D., F.C.F.P. A delicate balance Typically, when the provincial government’s 75-cent-per-hour minimum wage increase went into effect Monday, many of those who earn a wage thought it was too little while many of those who pay the wage, worried how they could afford to pay it. There are usually at least two realities in play on any given issue. In a global world where more and more employers are seeking the cheapest labour no matter where it is in the world, it’s going to be hard for Ontario to compete if labour costs keep rising (there will be equally large increases the next two years). It’s not just people earning the minimum wage involved: everyone who was earning above the minimum wage will expect more money to maintain their gap over the minimum. On the other hand, many critics rightly point out that those earning minimum wage would be below the poverty line. But the more money people have, the more costs for things like housing increase. In Toronto well-off people actually bid up many houses from the asking price. It requires the wisdom of Solomon to find the right level of minimum wage. Hopefully there’s a Solomon somewhere in the government. — KR Missing the boat In Canada, reacting to climate change is seen by government as something that will cost business and jobs and drag down the economy. Germany, meanwhile is making the creation of sustainable energy a new industry to rival its famed automotive industry. With government support both in financial help and energy incentives, Germany has already created 240,000 jobs, 140,000 of them since 2001. The Germans have gone all over the world recruiting companies with leading-edge technology in the fields of wind power, solar-electric generation, solar thermal panels, biofuels and biomass and geothermal energy to come and set up shop in their country. Some Canadian companies have made the move. Germany doesn’t have significant petroleum resources like Canada and so has become the world leader in exploring renewable energy. The country already generates 7.4 per cent of its electricity needs from wind farms. It has 56 per cent of the world’s capacity in generating electricity through solar panels. By 2020 it hopes to create 20 per cent of its electricity (not to mention 500,000 jobs) from renewable energy. Canadian governments are still dealing with climate change as a problem. With a prime minister from Alberta, protection of the petroleum economy is a top priority. Meanwhile the provincial government of Dalton McGuinty, though it has made more progress in renewable energy than any previous Ontario government, didn’t give much attention in last week’s provincial budget to promotion of renewable technology. Every day that goes by means an opportunity is being lost to make Canada a world leader in developing renewable energy technology and reaping the jobs that go with it. In Germany, they see the potential. In Canada, we only see the problem. — KR Opinion 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. 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