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The Citizen, 2007-03-29, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007.Editorials Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie GroppAdvertising, Ken Warwick & Kelly Quesenberry 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 ($30.19 + $1.81 G.S.T.) in Canada; $92.00/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 March 29, 1950 The province of Alberta was reported to be in the midst of the greatest oil and natural gas developments in its history, with an oil reserve of 1.1 million barrels and a natural gas reserve of six billion. Edmonton was noted as the oil capital of northwestern North America. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was on a world-wide tour. At a stop in Tel-Aviv, Israel, the orchestra was joined by screen star Edward G. Robinson, who made quick friends with the famous conductor Serge Koussevitzky. Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. H. J. Muller was trying to warn the world of the long-term effects of the overuse of x-ray radiation machines. He pointed out that many patients currently underwent x-rays on a weekly basis and that this could cause sterility, mutated genes or even death. He compared the passing on of mutated, radiated genes caused by radiation from x- rays to the passing on of genes in the communities which experienced radiation from the bombing of Hiroshima. March 29, 1961 The new bridge being built over the Maitland River at Saltford was now being expected to finish construction several months ahead of schedule. The bridge, which cost the county approximately $1 million, was much ahead of schedule, with concrete and steel span projects already three months ahead of schedule, in combination with excellent weather conditions. Mother of two, Mrs. Grace Butcher broke the world indoor record for the women's half-mile run. She completed the run in a hasty two minutes, 21.1 seconds. Nineteen-year-old Suzane Vayda was becoming well known and acclaimed as Toronto's only all-night disc jockey. Listeners, who described her appeal as "her soothing husky voice", would often call in to the show just to talk. Edward Duke of Kent, 25, was to be wed to Kathleen Worsley, 28, in the 950-year-old St. Peter's Cathedral in York. Edward was a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and eighth in line to the throne. His fiancee, Ms Worsley was the daughter of Sir William and Lady Worsley. A heated debate was going on between two well known and successful television hosts. Ed Sullivan and Jack Paar were at arms with each other over the amounts being paid to performers on each show. Paar's show, which had the performer seated on a panel with sometimes unscripted performances, paid the guests a flat rate of $320, whereas Ed Sullivan's show, which had guests perform in a regular stage setting, paid amounts nearer to $1,000. Voted The Man On The Hottest Spot and the man responsible for booking both feuding shows was agent Marty Kummer. Publicists behind both television personalities were upset with the large amount of negative publicity that the argument was causing, but still no agreement or reconciliation had taken place between these stars. Swiss deep-sea explorer Jacques Piccard had reached the top, or in this case the bottom, of his expertise and his career. Piccard broke records when he descended 35,800 feet to the floor of the Pacific Ocean, making him the first person in history to reach both the ocean's deepest location and the most remote place on Earth. March 29, 1972 The Brussels Tykes hockey team made a new record for the league when they won their third trophy of the year after defeating Milverton in the Blyth Lions Tyke Tournament. Members of the successful team were : Ken Cousins, Terry McCutcheon, Brian TenPas, Lyle Campbell, Mike Watson, Stewart Cardiff, Rick Guest, Terry Glanville, Cary McArter, Brian McGavin, Jim Scott, Bruce Godkin, Bradley Wright, Paul Johnson, Kenny Higgins, and John Stroop. Coaches were Jim Prior and Ralph Watson. March 30, 1988 The Brussels Figure Skating Club's carnival showcase night had two very special guests. Local figure skating pair Peter MacDonald of Brussels and Kerrie Sheppard of Blyth had an amazing performance at the annual event, bringing the hometown crowd to its feet in a well-deserved standing ovation. Peter and Kerrie had been having a very successful year, placing first in the Novice pairs division at the Canadian National Figure Skating Championships in Victoria, B.C. The talented pair also shared the spotlight at the carnival with fellow local pair Kevin Wheeler, also of Brussels, and his senior pairs partner Michelle Menzies. Kevin and Michelle had just returned from performing in the closing ceremonies of the Calgary Olympics 1988. Winners of the Ministry of Natural Resources essay contest were: Randy Sheppard, Sara Lyons, Christy Bricker, and Melanie Knox. Presenting the awards was renowned wildlife artist Glen Loates, George Tough, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, and Lloyd Bridge, Chairman of the Ontario Provincial Parks Council. THE EDITOR, Now that politicians of all stripes are singing the ‘green’tune, our task is to make sure that they understand the lyrics. It needs to be made clear that the growth phase of the human story is drawing to a close, that collectively, we are overwhelming the Earth’s ability, both to provide natural resources, and to absorb our waste. Continuing efforts to expand the material economy are self-defeating. Is it proper, now that our biggest problems result from our size, to hold growth as a goal? Would it be better to focus on securing necessities for everyone within the carrying capacity of the Earth? It is a question of direction. We do not have to grow until we drop! The first step toward resolving climate change is to question the present goal. Broad public discussion about goals is essential if we are to meet the challenge of our times. As a species, the human family has grown up. We have reached a mature size capable of seriously damaging our planet. It is critical that we take responsibility for our strength and set our sights on living well, within planetary limits. For more detail see The Challenge and the Goa at http://www.SustainWellBeing.net Mike Nickerson, Lanark, ON Author of Life, Money & Illusion: Living On Earth As If We Want to Stay 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 $600 million cost of waste The news Hydro One plans to invest $600 million in a new transmission line between the Bruce Nuclear site and the switching station in Milton is good for the region’s economy, but it also illustrates the value of energy conservation. The new transmission line will open the door for expansion of the Bruce Power nuclear site, makes room on the transmission line for electricity from new wind farms and makes local investment possible in energy projects ranging from wind power to on-farm methane digesters. If we can find ways to invest in capturing the profits from this potential ourselves, rather than see money exported to companies in Alberta or Toronto, there’s the possibility for new prosperity for the region. At the same time, the project proves what environmentalists have been saying all along: the cheapest power is the power you save. If, 10 years ago, we had put a concerted electrical energy effort in place, perhaps we wouldn’t need to be spending $600 million on new transmission lines, plus millions or billions more on new generation facilities. Belatedly, with concern over climate change, we are becoming concerned about reducing our electrical needs. Compact fluorescent bulbs, that use a fraction of the electricity to produce the same amount of light as incandescent lighting, are now available everywhere you turn, and people are accepting them. Once again, as it was in the energy crisis of the 1970s, the value of insulating hot water tanks and pipes is being emphasized. All this is good, but it’s too late to save us all this massive investment in new power lines. Maybe if we realize that an energy penny saved is an energy penny earned, at least we can reduce the need for further expansion down the line. — KR A sign for hope Seeing hardline Irish opponents Ian Paisley of the Unionist Party and Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein seated at the same table pledging to work together in a new Northern Ireland government should give hope to everyone who thinks other situations in the world are beyond hope. For three decades the two sides took turns in perpetuating the insanity that was the Protestant/Catholic civil war in this province of Great Britain. Any small step toward healing the rift between the two sides would be countered by hardliners who didn’t want peace unless it was a total victory for their side. People were slaughtered on both sides. The viciousness made it hard to believe that either side could claim to be representing a Christian faith. But little by little, more moderate voices gained strength. It began many years ago with a few brave women on both sides who came together to argue that peace meant more than the petty grievances nursed by each side. Nine years ago there was a breakthrough with the “Good Friday Agreement”, though the hardliners managed to scuttle the opportunity for a Northern Irish parliament by refusing to co-operate. Now the public pressure finally forced them to work together for peace. Strife-torn nations like Iraq and Afghanistan tempt us to throw up our hands. Northern Ireland proves we must keep trying. — KR & Letter to the editor 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. 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.