Loading...
The Citizen, 2007-10-25, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2007.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. Box 152,BRUSSELS, Ont.N0G 1H0Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.comWebsite 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 thecondition that in the event of a typographical error,only that portion of the advertisement will becredited.Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth.PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141PAP REGISTRATION NO. 09244RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON N0G 1H0 email: norhuron@scsinternet.com Oct. 25, 1950 A four-year-old girl fell 100 feet from her ninth-storey apartment window, and was rushed to hospital. After examination, it was discovered that young Karen Weller had miraculously escaped any injury whatsoever, and was released from hospital that day. Prisoners at a United Nations prison camp in South Korea were being sprayed with DDT powder in order to rid them of any lice or parasites. A photo was shown of an African-American man, identified as a captured communist, standing patiently as two guards sprayed him with the harmful powder. There were many objections being raised about the Canadian laws regarding mandatory retirement. As it stood, law made retirement compulsory for civic employees of 65 to 70 years of age. National businessman William Mercer called the laws expensive and cruel, and stated that they should be discontinued immediately. This seemed to echo with the entire country, and many argued that people of older ages should most definitely be given the choice of when they retire, and that no person should be judged by their age. Oct. 25, 1961 In what must have been a strange sight for many Blyth residents, a total of 2,213 sheep were herded down Mill Street and beyond. The sheep were being herded from the CPR Station along Mill Street to Dinsley, down Dinsley to Morris Street, along Morris to the Boundary line and from there to the Bainton farm in Hullett Twp. The sheep were purchased out west, then shipped here. The herding was done with three dogs only, and despite the large size of the flock, there were no problems. Auburn was finally going to have its own town hall. The construction on the new Auburn Community Memorial Hall was being completed, even though the fees still were not fully paid off. It was estimated that the community still had another $16,000 to raise, and $12,000 had already been paid. Wife of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, Nina, met with leaders of a large group of ‘peace marchers’ who were finishing one of their biggest campaigns. The peace marchers had finally arrive in Moscow following their San Francisco-to-Moscow march cam- paign. Mrs. Khrushchev shook hands with Bea Herrick of New York as the group of marchers rested at the House of Friendship building located at the centre of Moscow. A legendary East Indian musician was to make several appearances overseas on a North American tour. Sitar player Ravi Shankar was to appear at several dates in different locations across America, in an attempt to bring his native music to new listeners. Oct. 25, 1972 Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau made an appearance in Huron County. Mr. Trudeau was taking part in a television program to be shown on CKNX TV, and was visiting Wingham while he was in the area. He was met by Huron Liberal candidates Charlie Thomas, Allan Ross, and Ross Wicher. The OPP made their weekly report of accidents and charges laid in the area. Among these incidents was one taking place in Brussels. A tank truck owned by George Mutter was parked on County Road 12, when it began rolling north, crossing the east side of the roadway and struck the front of a house in town. The house, owned by Ella McIntosh of Brussels, had $200 worth of damage. Oct. 26, 1988 An outpouring of local support was seen for the Brussels Legion, after the Legion Hall was destroyed as a victim of arson. The Legion was left with very few options for rebuilding because of lack of funds. Luckily, a benefit dance held at the Brussels, Morris, and Grey Community Centre drew many kind-hearted residents from around the area and over $10,000 was raised to help the cause. The money would go towards getting a head start on the additional $28,000 the Legion would have to raise, which when added to the amount given in the insurance settlement, could be used for rebuilding. It was announced at the get- together that the new Brussels Legion was far ahead of schedule. The building was expected to be back in business by mid-December, and a gala Grand Opening was to be held on Jan. 7, 1989. Playing at the Park Theatre in Goderich was Sigourney Weaver in Gorillas in the Mist: The Adventures of Dian Fossey, with the tagline “She left everything she knew and entered a world few have ever seen. Some say she went too far.” Oct. 10, 1990 A fire was responsible for the loss of an Ethel-area home. By the time Grey firefighters arrived at the home of Howard Stratton, RR1, Ethel, the blaze was well underway. Thankfully no one was home at the time, but the log house was completely destroyed, leaving Mr. Stratton and his large family homeless. THE EDITOR, Do you know a family who is looking for an amazing experience next summer? Huron County for Children of Chernobyl is looking for loving families to host a child from Belarus in the summer of 2008. Our charitable group was forming in 1998 for the purpose of bringing children here to Canada for a respite visit. They are still suffering from the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. Their homeland is affected by the toxic pollution, found in the soil, plants, food, air and water. Our fresh air and nutritious food helps to improve their immune systems and reverse the ill effects of radioactive contaminants they are exposed to on a daily basis. Our tender loving care gives them reason to smile and a fighting chance. We fundraise as a group to cover all travel expenses to bring the children to Canada. There are many benefits and rewards to be gained form hosting a child and a wonderful learning experience for our own children. Host families may request a child, boy or girl, who they think would be best suited to fit in easily with family lfe. They are invited to attend an information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Central Huron Secondary School library, Clinton to learn more about the program. For more information call me at 519-527-2060. Sincerely, Lynn Dawe, Chairperson, Huron County for Children of Chernoby. 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 & Letter to the editor The sticky issue of ATV trails One of the thorniest issues for local municipalities these days is the proper way to deal with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). There are thousands of them out there and if there isn’t a legal place for them to play, at least some owners will find an illegal one. Responsible ATV owners who are members of clubs, would like to see trails set up for their use, as they were for snowmobilers nearly four decades ago. The problem with that is that landowners are hesitant to agree to the use of their land because, unlike snowmobile trails, there isn’t a covering of two or three feet of snow to protect their soil or crops. The resulting damage can be seen in fragile areas such as some Huron County forests. Even though ATVs are banned from these areas, numerous people have been using them anyway, causing rutting and erosion that make it virtually impossible for walkers, who are encouraged by county officials, to use the trails. The damage will continue for years. The erosion is also to the credibility of the ATV movement. While many in our area own these machines for very practical reasons like farm use, and some recreationists are conscientious in their use, part of the image of the machines is being wild and rebellious. ATVs are marketed as thrill-giving machines (one Saturday this past summer a youngster managed to travel a half-block down Blyth’s main street on only the back two wheels). All-terrain means it can go anywhere and some drivers seem to think this provides them with a licence to enter other’s property as they desire. Snowmobilers also once had a mixed reputation because of the bad actions of a few, but the development of trails and self-policing by snowmobile clubs brought rebellious users in-line. The problem for ATV advocates is that the damage done by ATV rebels makes it unlikely they’ll get the trails they want, and until they do, the possibility of self- policing is remote. — KR Some ‘new’ government One of the interesting things about the old Reform Party of Preston Manning, of which Prime Minister Stephen Harper was a member, was its interest in changing the way politicians performed. Reformers looked at the way the Liberals and even the Progressive Conservatives functioned when in power and felt it was time for MPs to become individuals again, not mere foot-soldiers for the prime minister’s office. There should be more independent votes where MPs could represent the wishes of their constituents or their own conscience, without fear that the government would fall is the vote was lost. Along the way as he went from Reform to Alliance to Conservative Party, Stephen Harper learned it’s easier to be idealistic and hold irreversible views when you’re on the fringe, not at the centre of politics. Not only has he learned to modify some of his strong conservative views to win enough voter support to form a minority government, but all views of decentralizing political power have been tossed out. In fact Harper has taken everything a step further than his pred- ecessors in terms of his control. He talks to the media only under his conditions, and forbids most cabinet ministers to speak in public. And now, sensing he has the Liberals on the run, he declares every one of his bills will be treated as a vote of confidence with no amendments allowed. Is this the “new” government Canadians wanted? — KR