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The Citizen, 1994-04-06, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY. APRIL 6.1994. The North Huron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont NOM1HO Phone 523-47S FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 CNA Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell r<«0 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; $3l.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for focal tetter 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 Mall Registration No. 6968 E ditorial I • ....- I Good work Everybody likes to jump on politicians and public servants but fewer are willing to give them praise when they deserve it. For county councillors and county employees, that praise is warranted for bringing in a budget that will mean there will be no tax increase to cover county costs. What's more, in some areas the county has even been getting more work done for the same money. Thanks to cheaper asphalt prices, for instance, the county roads department managed to pave more road last year than the previous year, despite grant cutbacks from the provincial government. The Library Board in 1993 circulated more books than anytime in history, with less money to do it. Councillors themselves cut costs last year by starting meetings earlier so they could cut out the cost of the taxpayer funded luncheon, and cut the work day to a half-day from a full day. Department heads were given a target of a zero lax increase this year when they began to set their budget. They met the challenge. What's more, they were able to put the additional $360,000 the county could expect from a one per cent assessment increase into a contingency fund in case some of those cost-cutting plans don't work as planned. For everyone, it’s been a job well done. —KR How about common sense? The provincial government is going to get tough on welfare cheaters, according to an announcement last week. The government is apparently worried about a ballooning welfare bill and determined to do something about it. Announcing the hiring of investigators to root out welfare cheaters makes nice headlines and wins points with all those who think most people on welfare are lazy cheaters. The government conveniently forgot a major reason why welfare costs soared was because of welfare reforms the NDP brought in during its idealistic first year when it felt it had reached the promised land. Back then, before the tough realities of the 1990’s recession hit, the NDP tried to practice what it had been preaching for years, things like being much more generous about who could get welfare and how much they could get How much will the government save by hiring welfare cops to catch cheaters? Nothing near as much as they could by chucking whole misbegotten welfare categories. Take, for instance, the student welfare category. There is no doubt there are some people who actually need this program. There is also no doubt that about 90 per cent of those collecting student welfare don’t need it Welfare is meant to help those in need, to help keep society together. The student welfare provisions, however, have helped tug society apart. Many young people use welfare as a way of not facing up to responsibility. They see it as a way of not having to get along with members of their families. Even more families are disrupted because of the threat of teenagers being able to defy family authority by walking out the door and getting student welfare. Sure it looks good to crack down on cheaters but it makes a lot more sense to examine the welfare system to see which programs are helping us build the society we want and which are a waste of money. — KR No democratic control Once again the fate of many Canadians is being decided by people over whom we have no control. Currency buyers, staring into computer screens around the world, are deciding how much you'll pay for your mortgage and whether you can afford to take a foreign vacation. The Canadian dollar has taken a beating in recent weeks. Who knows why? There have been theories that currency speculators are worried the government hasn't done enough about the deficit or that they're worried about the upcoming provincial election in Quebec. Then there's the fact that the U.S. economy is heating up and interest rates are being raised to head off inflation so more people want to take their money there to take advantage of the higher interest. That in turn means interest rates go up here, even though our inflation rate is at a near-record low. Canadians paid a high cost to get inflation so low, as former Bank of Canada Governor John Crowe raised interest rates and hundreds of thousands lost their jobs. Our reward was supposed to be stability. Some stability. Unelected bank governors and foreign speculators are making a mockery of the idea we control our lives by electing governments. — KR On the straight and narrow Photo by Jill Cooper Looking Back Through the Years FOUR YEARS AGO April 4,1990 The Huronview North project took one step closer to reality, as county councillors gave final approval to the plans. Brussels ended the year with a small surplus of $3,960. Brussels Public School principal, Jim Axtmann announced his plans to retire. Ross Procter of Belgrave who was named Ontario Cattleman of the Year, presented his $500 award to the Canadian Cancer Society. The Brussels Crusaders defeated Kincardine to claim the A division title. George Underwood of the Wing­ ham area was named president of the Farm Safety Association. ONE YEAR AGO April 7,1993 The Blyth Bantams celebrated capturing the All-Ontario Bantam E championship. The team swept the final series and became Blyth's first All-Ontario champs in 21 years. Howard Bernard retired after 11 years as chief of the Brussels Fire Department. Melville Presbyterian Church auction raised $4,000. The Blyth Brook was slated to undergo rehabilitation work thanks to the efforts of several groups. Neil Hemingway was elected president of Brussels Minor Hock­ ey. Brussels Bulls Assistant Captain Steve Fritz won the Most Valuable Player Award at the team's annual banquet. Jason Kieffer of the Brussels Midgets was the recipient of the Don Higgins Memorial Trophy, which was presented at the Minor Hockey banquet. The top chess students following a Hullett tournament were: Kris Hiuser, Graham Worsell, Benjamin Bolinger, Thomas Bolinger, Mail Anderson and Jeff Carter. Bermuda students visited on exchange program with CHSS band students. Erica Clark received her Canada Cord, the top award in Pathfinders. Blyth Public School principal Al Harrison was elected president of the Ontario Amateur Softball Asso­ ciation. Twenty people turned out to the first BIG (Blyth Idea Group) meet­ ing. Letters Reunion planned THE EDITOR, To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Centre Dufferin District High School in Shelburne, Ontario, an open house will be conducted on the weekend of June 4 and 5. There will also be several other functions taking place over the course of the weekend, including a dance and barbecue. The reunion committee invites anyone who attended or taught at CDDHS over the past 40 years to come and help celebrate this special event. This will be an opportunity to renew old friendships and reminisce with former classmates and staff. For further information and tickets for this event, please contact: CDDHS 40th Reunion PO Box 1110 Shelburne, Ontario LON ISO or Phone 519-925-5560 Fax 519-925-3553 GOT A BEEF? Write a letter to the editor.