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The Citizen, 1994-05-25, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY. MAY 25.1994. CitizensTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NQM1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 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 CCNA 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 I ................. What’s a spouse? The debate over same sex benefits for gay and lesbian partners shows how the world just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser. Many people are steadfastly against the extension of such benefits on moral grounds. They believe homosexuality is wrong and shouldn’t be encouraged. Despite the fact that homosexuality has been strongly disapproved of, both on an individual basis and as a society, for thousands of years we've still got, it so whether or not the laws are changed probably doesn't make much difference. What does make a difference is the practicality of such a move. What constitutes a spouse in these days of transitory relationships, both heterosexual and homosexual? Today people can meet at a bar, go home and have sex and never see each other again (although they may profoundly affect the rest of their lives by sexually transmitted diseases). The relationship may last a little longer. The couple may go out for a while, then move in with each other for a few days, a few weeks, a few months. So when do they become spouses? The problem with the law is probably not the immense decision that must be now about whether to extend the same rights to homosexual couples that has already been given to heterosexuals, but those simpler decisions, made years ago which made the same rights available to common law relationships that were available to legally married couples. We're trying to stop now on a very slippery slope. Having accepted that a couple who lives together (for a year, for now) are spouses, how long will it be before someone takes a case to court to say the time should be six months? Three months? One month? If two people of the same sex can constitute spouses, how about two people who just live together. What if two senior citizens move in together for convenience in sharing housing? Just because they live together for several years could they qualify as spouses? Could one get survival benefits from the other's pension plan? Or do they have to prove they're having sex with each other to qualify? Whatever happened to the state having no place in the bedrooms of the nation? Perhaps instead of being more modem and extending more rights, we should be going to a more solid, practical base. Perhaps only legally married couples should have the rights originally designed for married couples. — KR Who will set the laws? The gauntlet has been thrown down by the president of a huge multi-national company: either the Canadian government abandon a proposal that would hurt that company's business, or this company will take reprisals. The question arises, who will govern the country, elected representatives or unelected executives in a foreign boardroom? William Webb is president of Philip Morris International, a conglomerate that not only makes cigarettes, but now also owns such giants as Kraft Foods. He's upset by a proposal that would force tobacco companies to sell cigarettes in plain packaging to reduce their attractiveness to new smokers. Mr. Webb wrote a threatening letter to the House of Commons committee examining the proposal, threatening that his company would withdraw future investment from Canada and suggesting other companies might follow suit. It is exactly the kind of showdown that those who worried about the globalization of trade have feared. One of the attractions of global trade and reduced trade barriers for multi-national businesses has been to get away from government regulations. Mr. Webb may be right in one thing: this may be stupid legislation. People keep thinking that more regulation is the answer to a problem of personal choice. But do the people of a country have the right to create laws to govern their own country, whether those laws may be misguided or not? Proponents of loosing the regulator bindings on big business have been willing to look at the problems with government and think that business can do things better. They don't have the vision of business as the evil ogre that promoted much of the regulatory legislation in the first place. They see business leaders as having higher morality and ethics than the Victorian businessmen who used children in mines and factories. They don't see Mr. Webb and his fellow tobacco industry leaders standing up before a U.S. congressional committee and swearing, under oath, that they don't think nicotine is addictive. Turning control of our lives over to business leaders is a nice simple solution, like turning to dictatorship instead of messy democracy. It will work only if we have wise, ethical business leaders. Mr. Webb isn't a good example of that kind of leadership. — KR Sky lights Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years From the files of the Brussels Post, Blyth Standard and The North Huron Citizen 52 YEARS AGO MAY 27,1942 Approximately 400 residents were listed on the front page for their contribution to the Red Cross. Donations ranged from 25 cents to $25. The village 'Smithy' retired after 42 years. Thomas Kelly sold his blacksmith shop to Harold Phillips. Members of the local Red Cross and the Girls' War Auxiliary staged a softball game at the school yard. Players included Ethel Tay­ lor, Mrs. Ben Walsh, Miss Grieve, Mrs. N.P. Garrett, Betty Fairser­ vice, Mrs. H.C. Johnston, Mrs. Frank Bainton, Mary Lockhart, Mrs. Bert Grey, Miss George, Vio­ let Thuell, Mrs. Freeman Tunney, Mrs. Bill White, Mrs. Jamie Sims, Mrs. Earl Bentley, Mrs. V.M. Bray, Mrs. Harold Vodden, Mrs. Garfield Doherty and Mrs. Jack Cowan. The sugar ration was reduced from 3/4 lb. to 1/2 lb. per week. Extra could be purchased only for the purpose of preserving and can­ ning fiuit. An accurate record of the amount used for that purpose had to be kept and any remains were put towards the weekly ration. The Donnybrook WMS hosted the societies from Auburn, West­ field, Belgrave, Crewe and Brick. Harry Sturdy of Auburn reported that a duck on his farm laid an egg with a circumference of 11 inches by 10 inches. When the soft shell was broken a normal egg was found inside. Errol Flynn, Olivia de Haviland and Gene Lockhart starred in They Died With Their Boots On at the Capital Theatre in Goderich. 18 YEARS AGO MAY 26,1976 Huron County Council announced the vaccination of 25- 28,000 residents against the swine flu. County council discussed the possibility of reducing the number of representatives on council. Construction of the seniors apart­ ments on Queen Street came to a halt as drainage problems arose. Blyth council had been working on the project for three years and it was uncertain when work would resume. The Grand View Lunch offered several choices for a take-out meal at a reasonable price. Three pieces of chicken with fries a roll and coleslaw were $2.15, a rib dinner with fries and coleslaw was $3.40. Letters THE EDITOR, With regards to the ruling on PUC deposits, we, being recent home-buyers in your community, feel this ruling is totally unfair and unconstitutional. When someone purchases a home, a mortgage is usually required. A full credit check is performed at that time. No other proof of credibility should be required. When, then, does the village of Blyth deem it necessary to still doubt the credibility of its new residents? We know of no other community that requires this deposit. I grew up in this community and was always under the impression that Blyth was a place where people were friendly and trusting of each other. Obviously, I was misled. This ruling does not make us feel welcome or trusted. On the contrary we have been made to feel that we're not trusted when there has been no reason to doubt us. We have not paid this deposit as the hydro had not been disconnected prior to our taking possession of our home. We have Writers obj’ect to PUC rule paid our utility bill. However, the money we paid was deducted from the deposit. We are also being charged interest on our "unpaid utility bill". We do not feel we have been treated fairly. We have written this letter to let the residents of Blyth know how newcomers are being treated. We ask you, do you think it's fair? Bonnie and Roger Riley P.S. We also feel that anyone who has purchased a home in Blyth and paid this PUC deposit should receive a full refund as well as an apology. THE EDITOR, On Tuesday, May 17 the volunteers of the Meals on Wheels, had a delicious meal prepared at the arena, for the participants of the Meals on Wheels and guests. The highlight of the day was the entertainment afterwards. Children from Brussels Public School, kindergarten and Grades 2, 3 and 4 under the leadership of Mrs. Cousins, presented part of Old MacDonald had a Farm. It was a joy to watch those children. The McD. family knew their lines so well and gave the audience a wonderful time. All of them deserve a hearty thanks, as well as the ladies in the kitchen, who have been supplying those great meals throughout the year. Brussels is a wonderful place to live. Jane Devries THE EDITOR, On May 2, the Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) Parents' Liaison Committee made a presen­ tation to the Huron County Board of Education at the regular meeting, asking for the consideration of an alternate solution to the CHSS/ shared Catholic high school dilemma. The presentation was entitled "Unified School Concept - the Madawaska Solution". This proposal outlines a common-sense, affordable solution that has been implemented success­ fully by the Madawaska Valley District High School in Barry's Bay, Ontario, addressing both the need for Catholic education and the economic realities of the day. The unified school described is surely a modem, state-of-the-art secondary school, educating in a climate that promotes unity among students and staff of all religions. The oppor­ tunity for all students to participate in religious education courses is an excellent addition to the curriculum and should produce a student with an appreciation of all faiths and religious backgrounds. Continued on page 7