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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-05-04, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY. MAY 4. 1994. P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M1H0 Phone 523-47! FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 807-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell r«iO 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, Llstowel, 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 Photo by Paul Martellacci Looking Back Through the Years Start the rebellion There were chuckles around Huron County council chambers Thursday when West Wawanosh Reeve Bob Hallam virtually declared sovereignty for Huron County and declared war on the provincial government. "I do not intend to be dictated to by some foreign country south of the 401," he said. But while some council­ lors smiled at the bluster of the rough-spoken Mr. Hallam, others saw his point when he said "I think Huron County has come to the age of being able to run its own affairs the way we should." It was time, he said, Huron County brought home its charter, referring to Canada's move to finally control its own fate by bringing home its constitution from Great Britain in the early 1980s. The comparison was interesting. In the past two decades of constitutional wrangling the government closest to the people, the municipal government, has been conspicuous by its absence. The federal government wanted to bring home the constitution to at last let Canadians control their fate. The provincial governments blocked constitutional change because they wanted more power decentralized from Ottawa. But at the same time as the provinces have been grabbing I for more power from the top, they have also become more and more invasive of the municipal realm. The debate at Huron County Council over voting structure was carried on under the constant feeling of threat that if the provincial government didn't like what councillors decided, they would force them to do something different, as they have in other counties that were restructuring. Can you imagine what would happen if the federal government tried to interfere in provincial affairs that way? But the province swashbuckles its way into local affairs as if municipal governments don't matter at all. The Sewell Commission proposals would virtually freeze development in rural municipalities. The provincial government twists the arms of municipal officials to approve the idea of a district health council for Huron, then informs them they can't have just a Huron County health council but must join Perth. There is a patriarchal feeling at the provincial level that people must be protected from their own municipal government. The government that is closest to them, the one where people are apt to know their politicians personally and to know who they can trust, is not to be trusted. Instead, faceless bureaucrats know better. Municipal governments must get more bargaining power if the balance of power is ever to be shifted. Until that shift happens, Ontario residents will not get the wise government they deserve. — KR Nailing the coffin shut Lucien Bouchard, head of the Bloc Quebecois, headed west this week to explain his plans for a separate Quebec to westerners. Last week the mostly western Reform Party called for an end to bilingualism in Canada. Seldom were there two more strange allies. Because that's what the Reform and the Bloc Quebecois are. Both are obstinate in their view that there is only one way for the country to work. The Bloc sees an independent Quebec because they feel this is the only way Quebecers will control their own affairs. The Reform Party sees a Canada in which Quebec docs it their way or leaves. They hope Quebec will do it their way, the way things were 40 years ago, but if Quebecers decide to leave, so be it. There arc no doubt many Canadians who agree with Reform that bilingualism is an expensive failure. It's tough to prove such policies do work. It's easier to see that bilingualism hasn't been an easy answer. There's still a separatist movement in Quebec. The country hasn't become truly bilingual. And surely, they think, it must cost a lot to put French on all those government signs, on all those cereal boxes. And while Canada is trying to be bilingual, Quebec has been enforcing a unilingual French world on its citizens. But if bilingualism was scrapped what would be the consequences? It may be the reality that most people in the rest of Canada will always speak English and most in Quebec will speak French, but it we make that official policy it will encourage building walls between the cultures. If Quebecois feel they can't even communicate with their federal government while travelling in Canada, how much will they travel? If they stay in Quebec then they effectively separate. They must feel that all Canada is part of them to stay in Canada. Kill bilingualism and you can nail the coffin shut on Canada as a united nation. The Reform is Mr. Bouchard's greatest ally.The more Reform talks, the sooner he can convince Quebecers to give up on Canada. — KR From the files of The Blyth Stan­ dard, The Brussels Post and The North Huron Citizen 29 YEARS AGO May 6,1965 The front page of The Brussels Post carried the engagement announcement of Edith Anna Mae Shaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Shaw of Bluevale and John Wesley Pipe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Pipe of Brussels. The wedding was to take place at Knox Presbyterian Church in Blue­ vale on May 15. Also on front page was the wed­ ding account of Mildred Marlene Jacklin and Brian Edward Rut­ ledge. Rev. Allan Johnston per­ formed the double ring ceremony. Maid-of-honour was Ruth McTaggart and best man was Dave McCutcheon. Grant's Shoe Store was the scene of a crime. Thieves broke in and stole a number of shoes and men's pants. Five pair of the stolen shoes were recovered when a car stolen from the driveway of the home of Gor­ don Stiles that same evening was found near Brucefield. The following night the Brussels Creamery and Topnotch Feed were both forcibly entered but little of value was taken. The Brussels 4-H Beef Calf Club was formed. The executive was: Jean Roe, president; Neil Gowing, vice president; Betty Roe, secretary and David Gowing, treasurer. The Three Stooges were starring in the featured movie at The Lyceum Theatre in Wingham. ONE YEAR AGO May 5,1993 Wingham OPP investigated a theft from Belgrave Co-op. Missing were seven push mowers and a shredder. Blyth councillors voted to hold a by-election to fill two vacant coun­ cil seats following the resignations of Doug Scrimgeour and Robbie Lawrie. Blyth Memorial Hall Board voted to increase the rental fees. The Huron County Planning Department was the recipient of the first annual Blyth Festival Tourism Letters THE EDITOR, Dr. Ralph Smedley, founder of Toastmasters International stated that "Toastmasters is the only organization that I know of that is dedicated to the individual. We work together to bring out the best in each other, and then we apply our skills to help others." A Toastmaster is a person who is committed to personal growth and development, both for himself/ herself and for the greater community. Man's destiny is not to walk aimlessly across the earth pursuing selfless gain. The greatest joy a person can receive is helping and watching another person grow in personality and maturity, thereby achieving their heart's desires. People by their very nature resist change. Change, however, is the buzz word of the future. In order to compete in the years ahead in our changing global environment, people will need a solid, firm foundation on which to plant their feet and recharge their batteries so to speak. Toastmasters platform will provide this support. Based on a proven, solid, educationally structured program, Toastmasters will provide direction and Development Award. Mr. and Mrs. Ross Duncan cele­ brated their 50th anniversary. Several area people were among 23 Huron County residents who were honoured for their contribu­ tion to the community. They are: Don McCaffrey, June Robinson, Robert Hunking, Mary Hunter, Bev Brown and Keith Roulston. leadership, positive support and encouragement, friendship, evalua­ tion, training and development and a healthy dose of self esteem to those who reach out for personal growth. In the years ahead Toastmasters International will provide direction to millions of people as they pursue their own destinies. By conducting youth leadership, speechcraft, success leadership modules, with our speakers bureau, officer training programs, our communication and leadership manuals to name just a few of the avenues available, Toastmasters will continue to grow as a world leader in training in the personal growth arena. "People helping People". Let Toastmasters help you achieve your destiny. Les Cook Maitland Motivators. THE EDITOR, Early in 1993, the Saugeen Trading Community was established to foster the exchange of local goods and services in the Durham area. Based on the LET System (Local Employment and Trading), the STC maintains a listing of items for sale, professional and laypersons' services, tools for rent, and wanted goods or services for their members. Not that unusual? The medium of exchange, Continued on page 11