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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-01-15, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15,1992. Editorials Hitting where it hurts They say most people don't take notice of something until it hits them where it hurts- in their pocketsbooks. If so, Huron county’s residential property owners got a lesson last week on just how important farming and other business is, even if the lesson may not sink in fully until tax time. Drops in the value of farmland, and to a lesser extent the value of businesses and industries, will throw a whole new burden on homeowners when the new tax bills come out this year. With a shift in the tax burden away from farm and commercial and toward residential properties homeowners in Brussels will pay an average of $146 more this year ($82 in Blyth) just to meet the same requirements as last year. The bill is likely to get even higher when municipalities have to increase taxes to pay the bigger portion of many costs the province is dumping on them. The increase to the residential taxpayer is directly attributable to the problems in agriculture that has seen more farmers getting out of the business than wanting to get in. In the 1970's, when times were relatively good on the farm, the price of farmland soared. With market-value assessment that increase in farm values was reflected in a larger share of the tax burden being apportioned to farms. Urban dwellers got a real break when the county chose to go to market-value assessment in 1988. But during the 1980's, the trend has been reversed. Given the double-whammy of high costs and low prices, many farmer have given up and those left haven't been in any mood to pay too much for land. Land prices have been falling and now with the new 1988 values used instead of 1984 figures that were used for last year's tax base, it's the homeowner who will pick up a bigger share of the taxes. Four years from now, when 1992's even more depressed farm prices are the basis for the assessment for the next four years, homeowners can expect another jolt We all stand to gain if farmers do well. Not only do prosperous farmers help support our main street stores and businesses, but they help pay for churches, schools, arenas and other facilities urban people take for granted. The fewer (and the poorer) farmers, are the more burden there is on the rest of us. The same goes for business and industry. We may, may, save a few dollars by shopping in the city or across the border, but every time a store closes, it means more tax revenue that has to be provided by homeowners. If an industry closes or moves to the U.S. or Mexico, it isn't just the unemployed workers who suffer, it’s everybody who has to pick up the additional share of the tax bill that the industry used to pay. We're all in this together. The more business we have, the more industry, the more farmers, the smaller the share of the tax burden homeowners have to pay. It's in our best interests to make sure the entire community stays healthy. Loose lips sink countries Our political leaders seemed to take turns this past week, saying things that can do a lot more harm than good in the country. Last week it was Alberta Premier Don Getty who suggested bilingualism in this country should be abolished, or at least made voluntary, thereby'stirring the fires of old battles long since over. This week it was Premier Bob Rae's turn, saying Ontario is opposed to a Triple E senate, which has become a tenant of faith for western Canadians. Both men seemed to go out of their way to confirm the old stereotypes of the bigotted westerner and the insensitive Ontario economic bully. Where is the leadership in Canada? At a time when the future of the country is so tenuous that any silly utterance can be used by the enemies of unity and tolerance, we have political leaders who seem to go off half-cocked. At a time when we need new solutions, we have politicians who keep returning to the tried-and-failed prejudices of the past. Canadians deserve better. We deserve real leaders who can find ways of making this country work the way it can, rather than retreating to petty regional bickering. Will the country survive the current sad crew and livelong enough to get some real nation builders instead of nation wreckers? We can only hope that somehow these people can keep the country together despite themselves. Heaps of winter beauty The Short of It By Bonnie Gropp CitizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Giving for a good cause brings rewards After this past weekend I am feeling kind of good about myself. Knowing that you have given of yourself, made some small sacrifice for a worthy cause, it's not bad to feel a little proud. On Saturday, I was delegat­ ed to make enough batches of chili to feed 200 hungry snowmo- bilers after the Bruce Regional Snowarama which was held in Brussels on Sunday. As well, I participated in the event, which may seem like fun to some, but for a person who’s freezing in June, it was believe me, a small sacrifice. But, at the end of the week­ end, I was glad to have been part of something that would help oth­ ers, in this case, physically dis­ abled children. The trustees of the Huron County Board of Education deserve a hearty pat on the back for their move at Monday's board meeting. Following a request from the Minister of Education, asking for administration to freeze salaries, the trustees decid­ ed to take a personal stand. A rec­ ommendation passed that they not only freeze their salaries at the 1991 amount, but give back the four percent increase they had received automatically at the first of December. The dollar figure would come to a relatively insignificant number of 18 per trustees, but when multiplied by 16 trustees it becomes more impressive. Even then, when one con­ siders the amount of money the board spends on day to day busi­ ness, the pay back is not so impressive, however the state­ ment their move makes is. In holding back for them­ selves during these difficult eco­ nomic times, they have displayed compassion and concern. Many times in the past, the board has given itself a well-deserved pat on the back for what they have accomplished, yet, today proves that they believe in and care about the people of Huron and education. They have proven that they are willing to give of them­ selves if the job requires. With six contract negotiations up for review in 1992 let's hope others in the education field can be so responsible and do the same. If we all pull together and take a lit­ tle less, someday there may be more for everyone. The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $19.16 + $1.66 for each month after March 31/92 + G.S.T. for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. 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. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copywright. Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston Sales Representatives, Sue Wilson and Jeannette McNeil Assistant Editor, Bonnie Gropp Publications Mall Registration No. 6968 Serving Blyth, Brussels, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and the surrounding townships.