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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-04-10, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008. Looking Back Through the Years April 11, 1962 Sketches were revealed of future plans for the new headquarters of England’s Rambert Ballet. The octagonally-shaped building, with windowed walls, would be a beacon of light at night in London, and would seat 1,100. The Hullett Cemetery was added to the growing list of countryside cemeteries to be closed for good. The evangelical cemetery on the 14th concession between Blyth and Auburn would be accepting no more interments. The property on which the cemetery stood had been owned by the church since 1870, and had a long history, as the burial sites of several of the first settlers to the area. April 11, 1973 The 8th Liners hockey team won the WOBA championship held in Blyth. They also won the Blyth Rural League trophy for the second year in a row. Members of the team were: Ray McNichol, Fred Meier, John Gibbings, Murray McNichol, Murray Gordon, Glen McLean, Ken Bird, Joe Pereira, Jim Johnston, Jim Phelan, Glen McLachlan, Arnold Pease, Bob Blake, Elgin Pease, Bill Blake, Bill Phalen, Harvey Stewart and Charlie Johnston. Conflict between farmers of northern Huron County and Ontario Hydro continued to escalate. Farmers were now putting their own money behind claims protesting the prices being offered for land on the route of a proposed Ontario Hydro power transmission line. Morris Twp. ended up with a deficit of $11,257 after 1972. There was no explanation given for the money lost, but many were not happy about it and hoped more would be done to improve upon finances for the following year. April 8, 1981 A photo of a skunk eating a carcass on the side of Hwy. 4 was shown on the front page of the newspaper, warning pet-owners of a possible rabies outbreak. Those with pets who had not had rabies shots were strongly advised to get them vaccinated as soon as possible. The Auburn Lions held their annual Maple Syrup Festival. Events included a pancake breakfast, a sugar bush tour, and woodworking demonstrations. The Wingham Fire Department had their hands full with a barn blaze in Wawanosh Twp. Fire destroyed the barn at the home of James A. Ross. Firefighters were working for five hours to try and extinguish the flames, but eventually the barn collapsed. No estimate on damages or losses was known at the time. April 11, 1990 Blyth Public School student Jodee Medd was enjoying more success for her science fair project. Her experiment, on the effects of fruit tree insecticide on yellow jacket wasps, impressed judges at the Huron County Science Fair in Clinton. She went on to win the Grade 7 biological division to go on to the Canadian Science Fair competition in Windsor. Jack Riddell, former Ontario Agriculture Minister, told the Members of Parliament Dinner of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture that he sensed ‘a kind of quiet despair’ on the farm. He said that farmers were usually loud in expressing their concerns, but at the moment he didn’t hear any of those complaints, which worried him. He also mentioned there seemed to be a sense of helplessness and hopelessness among the farming community. In order to solve this problem, Riddell advised the Canadian government to be prepared to give Canadian farmers the kind of support that the United States and European Common Market countries do. If not, “then our industry is going to fall through the cracks”. John Bell had officially opened his new business in Blyth. Bell’s Discount Centre and Variety Store was to offer “a little bit of everything from health and beauty aids to clothing and housewares.” Despite a downfall of rain, there was still a long line-up of people outside the Blyth Festival Box Office. Tickets for the theatre season were going on sale, and people in line wanted to get their hands on the best seats. April 12, 1995 Calls to the Blyth Fire Department would now be answered at a new central dispatch. Fire chief Paul Josling explained that a new system was put in place at Seaforth Hospital that would answer calls for the Blyth, Clinton, Exeter, and Seaforth fire departments. The former method, which involved a phone chain among firefighter’s wives, often resulted in tying people to the phone 24 hours a day. Now, when a call was received, it would be immediately forwarded to Seaforth Hospital dispatch, who would get the information and activate the alarm system at any of the fire departments available. Nature lovers gathered at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area to catch a glimpse of migrating water fowl, an event which happened only once a year. Playing at the Park Theatre in Goderich was Outbreak, a thriller starring Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and Morgan Freeman. Also playing was Man of the House. THE EDITOR, “Grab your hat and coat – we’re going out!” For many people, getting in the car and driving is something we take for granted – the ability to move about freely and to come and go as we please. Consider those who don’t have that independence and freedom. Those seniors who are no longer comfortable – or able – to drive. The disabled person who cannot operate a vehicle, the person who doesn’t have the financial means to afford a car, the elderly couple who lives way out in the country. Together, volunteers and staff at Town and Country Support Services work to ensure that seniors, disabled children and adults are provided with transportation services. These transportation services are the key to independent living for many people in Huron County and last year we provided 13,000 rides in Huron County and other locations. In order to meet the needs and requests for transportation, we have an urgent need for drivers throughout Huron County. Our drivers use their own vehicles, volunteer their time and are reimbursed for their mileage. Volunteer drivers may choose how often they can help. We live in one of the most rural areas in all of Ontario. In fact, our largest urban centre is Goderich – a small town with the population of less than 8,000. Town and Country transportation services are available to improve the quality of life for seniors and people with special needs. When seniors and other eligible clients are able to get to medical appointments, enjoy social outings, get groceries and other necessities of daily life, they are able to actively care for themselves and participate in their communities. This promotes wellness and healthy living and enables individuals to live with dignity. Please join us in helping to build stronger families and stronger communities. For information on becoming a volunteer driver for Town and Country Support Services contact: North Huron – Betty or Dianne at 519-357-3222; Central Huron – Grace or Kara Lee at 519-482-9264 or South Huron – Faye or Marg at 519-235-0258. Shelley McPhee Haist Regional Manager of Community Support Programs Town and Country Support Services A right to know Two weeks ago,The Citizen received information regarding the dismissal of two county senior management personnel. Calls were subsequently made to the chief administrative officer and to warden John Bezaire for verification. The latter returned the call but when asked the question offered first a no comment. While he eventually did admit that two people were no longer under the county’s employ, he would not confirm the identities. Attempts were then made to find individuals who would confirm that the names we had were accurate. These too dead ended and what was left was a story that was all bones, no meat. However, as department heads attend county council meetings suspicions would be confirmed whether anyone wanted it or not. After all, even the media would be wise enough to put two and two together when the chairs usually occupied by public health director Penny Nelligan and county engineer Don Pletch were filled by other individuals. Someone must have recognized the futility of trying to keep things quiet and a decision was made to go public on radio the evening before the April 2 meeting. Obviously an employer must tread cautiously with regards to personnel issues. And one must also consider the feelings and reputations of the individuals involved when making their situation public. But there is a significant factor often overlooked, or perhaps ignored. The salaries of government staff are paid by taxpayers. The officials are elected by taxpayers. And as such the taxpayers deserve to know what is happening within their administration and their government. They should know when someone who used to work for them, is no longer. There have been other times over the years when staff have come and gone without comment. The people who pay their salaries have a right to an explanation each and every time. Otherwise people will almost assuredly think there’s something to hide, even when most times that’s probably not the case. The media’s role is to get the word out, to keep people informed. Yet, there is a tendency in these situtations to handle the media, rather than attempt to work with them. In doing so the ‘handlers’ are unfortunately not seeing the real power behind the press. Certainly the national media has on occasion been guilty of titillation over truth. But any with integrity, hopefully the majority, deal with facts over sensation and as such are the perfect vehicle to deliver an accurate story. Providing a few details generally arouses speculation. Conversely being open and honest by providing the media with information should silence the rumours and share the reality. A change in county personnel is something the public has a right to hear, and the media has the right to tell. — BLG Letter to the editor EditorialsOpinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie GroppAdvertising, Ken Warwick & Lori Patterson The CitizenP.O. Box 429,BLYTH, Ont.N0M 1H0Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. 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