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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-08-11, Page 4'For the sun of it Photo by Janice Becker PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11,1993. The North Huron = C itizen eNA 1,410 One thing leads to another Howard Hampton, Minister of Natural Resources, learned a lesson in how tough it is to govern, last week. He learned that one simple decision can have repercussions far beyond what can be foreseen by the people making that decision. Mr. Hampton was in the area talking to various groups E ditorial including the local conservation authorities as well as a group of nursery growers. It was from those growers that he learned how much damage one little decision can have. Back in 1992 government budget cuts suddenly left the MNR with millions of trees that had been grown but there was suddenly no money to plant. Someone at the Ministry came up with the brilliant idea that rather than waste the trees, they should be given away to any landowner with a few acres to plant them on. But as John Drummond, a nursery owner across the border in Perth County pointed out to Mr. Hampton, the repercussions were that suddenly there were millions of free trees on the market, destroying a part of the living of people who grow trees. But the situation is worse, Mr. Drummond explained. The free tree give away has ended but for tree growers, it may take years to recover from the blow it meant to the industry. For one thing, when people see trees being given away, they then think trees should be cheap and refuse to pay the prices nursery owners must have to pay the bills. They forget that they've already paid for those trees in their taxes. But the problem goes further. Mr. Drummond told Mr. Hampton that when he was at garden shows this spring, publicizing his nursery and its stock, he had people coming up to him wanting to sell him trees. Many of those free trees have been planted on land in the country and allowed to mature and now are finding their way back into the city as landscaping trees, Mr. Drummond claims. The giveaway will have repercussions even further down the line when many of those millions of free trees are mature enough to sell as Christmas trees. Suddenly, he said, the bottom will drop out of the market for all those people who regularly make a living from planting and growing Christmas trees. It seemed like a good idea back in 1992 when someone didn't want to waste those trees. That good idea will haunt the tree industry for years, however. It shows that governing is a lot more complicated than many people would like it to be. — KR A leader's more than an actor Strange things are showing up in the polls these days as Canadians head up toward a federal election in the fall. Polls show that the federal Liberals are still heading the pack but that Prime Minister Kim Campbell, head of the Progressive Conservatives, is way out front when it comes to who people would choose as their leader. Strange, and not so strange. Many Canadians might be attracted to Liberal policies but they're not sure they want Jean Chretien as their Prime Minister. In Quebec, there is downright hatred for Mr. Chretien on the part of nationalists who see him as selling out Quebec. Many are embarrassed by his "pea soup" accent when he speaks English. That same embarrassment is felt by many outside Quebec who don't see him as "prime ministerial". Outside Quebec many voters also aren't enthusiastic about voting for yet another Quebecer. On the other hand, Canadians tend to like the bubbly personality of Ms Campbell. She speaks well, seems to have a sense of humour, and as a woman, provides a distinctly different face as our leader. It's just a matter of the people she has associated with....as in Brian Mulroney, Michael Wilson et al. Ms Campbell is playing the waiting game well these days. She's trying to put as much distance between herself and the old guard as possible. She's being seen having fun in all different corners of the country letting us get used to the idea of a smiling new face. She's not talking policy. (Neither, for the most part is Mr. Chretien.) If she was, perhaps Canadians who aren't happy with her past association with Mr. Mulroney, and Wilson and the gang, wouldn't be quite so ready to give her the Prime Minister's office for a longer stay. The fact is that while she talks about relatively minor, but highly symbolic, changes like preventing MPs from collecting their pensions until they're older, she still stands by many of the policies brought in by her predecessor. Do Canadians want a PM for looks, or for policies? If Canadians really like Ms Campbell's ideas, they should support her. If they care about appearance, perhaps we should just hire an actor. — KR Letters THE EDITOR, On Friday, July 20, Heather Hiscox presented a news story on Global Television which examined the smuggling of the corn herbicide "Accent" into Canada. This report provoked questions around why other countries receive safer and more economical herbicides long before Canada does. Art Olsen, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, stated "We are concerned about potential health and safety impacts of a product that would be used on Canadian crops and that might show up in our food chain." This statement is an example of irresponsibility and disrespect for Canadian Agriculture. It is common knowledge that food products from other countries are sold in all our grocery stores. The Canadian Pesticide Act does not regulate imported food and grain. Does this mean then that it is acceptable for other countries to place restricted pesticides on our breakfast table? The Canadian Agriculture industry should demand accounta- bility from such bureaucrats. The farm community pays Canadian retail prices for tractors, fuel, labour, electricity and supplies while Canadian farm products are sold for the global wholesale price. In order to survive in this global marketplace, Canada's family farms have changed dramatically. Higher education and global communi- cations have contributed to the development of an aggressive attitude that demands results. There is simply no room for those who are inadequate. People, who are truly involved in agriculture, work for farmers. The future is bleak for those who cannot comprehend this fact. Art Olsen is an ambassador of Canadian Agriculture. He missed the chance to create the political will needed to revise our Pesticide Act. There was opportunity for him not only to acknowledge the obvious short falls of this archaic Writer slams Dep. Minister legislation but also to project process of streamlining the farmers in a positive light. Instead, pesticide regulatory system. It he chose to discredit the efforts of would be interesting to know what people who have the common sense to protect our environment. Art Olsen has done to ensure that The next statement Art Olsen this new system is working for makes should be addressed to his Canadian Agriculture. employers, Canadian farmers. Michael Hunter Agriculture Canada is in the Independent Crop Advisor. Brussels girl attends 1976 Olympics Through the Years as moto cross racers from around From the files of the Brussels Post, Blyth Standard and The Citizen 17 YEARS AGO the province invaded for two days of hard, dirty riding. Two Kincardine men were sen- tenced to 12 months in reformatory August 12, 1976 for conspiring to rob the CIBC Maxine Watts of Brussels attend- branch in Auburn. A third man ed the Montreal Olympics as the received eight months for the same Young Olympians Co-ordinator. charge. She was presented with a maple Between 1,300 and 1,400 people tree from Queen Elizabeth, during registered for the Morris Township the opening ceremonies. 125th celebrations. Grey Township Council appoint- SIX YEARS AGO ed Harold Bolger as fenceviewer August 12, 1987 for the township. Brussels council agreed to a cen- Leni's Restaurant offered a tral starting point to number hous- turkey dinner for $2.99 and break- es. fast for $1.15. Gypsy Lane Apartments held its On the shopping list for the grand opening tour. The eight-unit week is: 8 oz. Kraft Singles, $.68; building, owned by Robbie and 160 oz. vinegar, $1.07; 4 bars of Carole Lawrie, was opened by Ivory soap, $.59 and a King size Reeve Albert Wasson. Cheer, $2.19. Several Blyth residents were on 12 YEARS AGO hand to meet Premier David Peter- August 12, 1981 son when he attended the annual The five week long drought suf- barbecue of Jack Riddell at Dash-fered by most areas of the county wood. did some good for the corn crop. Brussels newest councillor was The corn roots had to grow Ruth Sauvd. much deeper than usual to reach the water table. This made the plant Norman Alexander of Londes- more stable and less likely to be boro was the first recipient of the affected by lodging. It occurs when Maitland Valley Conservation the roots are week and the plant Authority Conservation Award. falls over. Murray Scott, RR1, Belgrave Lucknow beat out two Blyth received a certificate for his conser- teams to win the A and B divisions vation work on his property. of the invitational slo-pitch tourna- Bruce McCall of Brussels was ment. named MVCA chairman. The peace and calm of Chris The Brussels Mite girls won the Lee's Walton-area farm was broken Tri-County consolation crown. P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Publisher, Keith Roulston BLYTH, Ont BRUSSELS, Ont. Editor, Bonnie Gropp NOM 1H0 NOG 1H0 Phone 623-4792 Phone 807-9114 Sales Representatives, FAX 523.9140 FAX 887.9021 Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell 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; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 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. 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