Loading...
The Citizen, 1994-03-30, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994. I Spring break Photo by Janice Becker HuronCitizen & P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 The North CNA P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, 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. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 E ditorial A good start Sometimes a major problem can become a major opportunity and the business community of Blyth seems to turning problem into opportunity this spring. With reconstruction of Highway 4 set to disrupt normal business along Blyth's main street this summer, Blyth merchants faced the prospect that inconvenienced customers might avoid shopping amid the confusion. On top of that, the declining attendance of the past couple of years at the Blyth Festival had reduced the number of people normally on the main street during the summer months. But rather than becoming depressed by these potential problems, the business community has taken an active role in trying to change things. The first step is the "Theatre Bucks" program which begins next week. Under the program, the brainchild of Don Scrimgeour, local shoppers can keep their cash register tapes from the nearly two dozen participating businesses, and use them for discounts on buying tickets to the Blyth Festival this summer. The innovative plan rewards local shoppers and helps the theatre, a key part of the local economy. But this program is apparently just the beginning. The enthusiasm in the business community may lead to a business association in Blyth for the first time in more than 15 years. This is an important happening for more than just the main street merchants themselves. The main street of a town has a huge effect on the town, far beyond the actual jobs that are provided. Think of towns you have driven through recently. Those with bright, progressive­ looking main streets leave the impression of a town that has a future. Those that have gaping holes and dreary exteriors do not create a sense of optimism. Travel through towns that are near cities and you may see that the population as marked on the sign at the edge of the town, is increasing, but the main street looks dead because these new residents do little but sleep in the town they call home. It is essential that the business community of each town be aggressive and progressive. Business leaders must demonstrate that they want Lhe business of residents of their area. There's a responsibility, too, on the part of local residents to support those businesses if you want to keep them. City shops of giants like Wal-mart don't pay taxes to help keep up streets, arenas and schools. There is more and more reluctance by those in cities to help pay for services in rural areas. We can only count on ourselves, and by taking our shopping dollars elsewhere, we're selling ourselves short. We're in this together in small towns. We must work together to to keep our community strong. Blyth business people must be congratulated on beginning that process by working enthusiastically together to meet their challenges. — KR Keep an eye on the employees During an official appearance recently Huron MPP Paul Klopp remarked on the job of a politician. What exactly does a politician do? Mr. Klopp summed it up as taking the taxpayers' money and using it the best way they could, noting that not everyone would agree with every move. However while federal and provincial government spending is always grist for controversy, there does not seem to be the same interest shown in what happens at the muncipal level. Often the local newspaper reporter is the only non-councillor present at municipal council and as such becomes the voice and ears of the people. Our role is to report what happens in council chambers, but often and unfortunately the intimacy of local government interferes with the ability of a reporter to provide the facts. No one can fully blame municipal councillors for lapsing into familiarities; for the most part they have known each other their entire lives, attend church together and share memberships in local organizations. Also, if ratepayers aren't concerned, or curious, enough to attend and see how their local government wheels turn, a council meeting can easily become a social, rather than political encounter. But when entire meetings become little more than coffee shop gossip it is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Il's also a difficult position for a reporter, whose job it is to inform people of what goes on al a council meeting, but must also deal with facts, not innuendo and heresay. The best way to keep local politicians on track is to attend the meetings. Constituents should come to see their council in action. It's like having the boss keep an eye on things; it reminds the employee that how the job is 3one is as important as doing lhe job. — BG Letters THE EDITOR, Thank God for the rural newspapers, for they still publish letters in defence of spirituality, God and morality. But even we are influenced by society as a whole. We are too cowardly to speak out when prayers in school were banned just to appease a minority. Over 70 per cent, according to a survey, still believe in God and have, as their highest priority in life, inner peace. Proof of it again came to me in the span of three hours when I was selling tickets for the Arthritis Society. Several people urged me to keep on writing on moral and ethical issues. It was clear to me that the love, compassion and the wish for a better world was on their minds and in their hearts. One lady talked to me about her little daughter slowly regaining health with the hope of a full recovery. Another lady remarked that she should thank God for her healthy one and stop complaining about her liveliness. A gentleman suggested we stop complaining and thank God for the ability to think and move about. The kindness and the willingness of lhe people to support a good cause touched my heart. We are very fortunate to have so many volunteers giving freely of their lime. Another example of love and dedication, was the luncheon the Palliative Care organization gave the kindness by which they served at Huronlca. t| Writer gives thanks I would like to thank lhe gentleman, I did not even know, for getting my car started, my good neighbour who helps me out time and again, my granddaughter for a heart warming letter, "Mike" who lifts my sagging spirit and so many more people where the spirit of God shines through. We all have talents and we all have a task on earth. Let us employ it for God's sake. Thus contribute our little stone for the betterment of society and the love for God. Do the best you can with what you have got. Adrian Keet Bluevale. Paul’s Perspective MPP explains transfers By Paul Klopp, MPP Huron The Minister of Finance announced that transfer payments to municipalities, and hospitals will remain at the same level as last year. One of the key messages which was repeated at the pre­ budget consultations held in Goderich and Clinton was that hospitals could not get by on anything less than, the amount they received in 1993. The message was the same from the municipalities, even though many of lhe townships are in better financial shape. By freezing the level of transfers many of the towns and villages will be able to proceed with the infrastructure program. Municipalities and school boards have one source of revenue which is the property tax. They rely on the provincial contribution which allows them to provide a level of service which is fairly uniform throughout the province. The government's big problem has been that the recession has dropped tax revenues drastically. This is coupled with the federal government's refusal to treat Ontario the same way it treats other provinces. Quebec gets 50 cents for every dollar spent on social assist­ ance from Ottawa. Ontario gets less than 30 cents for every dollar. Ontario has not passed the increased cost of Social Assistance onto the municipalities. The municipal share has remained and will remain at 20 per cent of the general social assistance costs. By releasing the level of payments now, the municipalities and boards will be able to finalize their budgets. Ontario and the federal government operate on a fiscal year which is April to April. The municipalities operate on a calendar year budget. The differ­ ence has not been a problem when revenues were running at record levels. Now that everyone is operating under budget constraints the decisions made by one government level impacts more severely on the other levels of government. The announcement of the grant freeze was made this week. It was done prior to the Ontario budget. This was to reassure the hospitals and municipalities that the government will honour its pledge not to lower the level of transfer payments.