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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-08-02, Page 4Photo by Janice Becker Letters THE EDITOR, I want to applaud the focus Bonnie Gropp chose in her column "A few too many". As front line workers with youth, the staff at the Ark Community Youth Centre are very aware of the challenging behaviour that typifies adolescence, and how much one act of mischief can overshadow numerous other good deeds. Sometimes it is hard to remember that adolescence is a stage during the transition to adulthood. The community as a whole has a responsibility to give second chances, allow for change and growth and mentor behaviour. Our young people in Brussels are a direct result of what they have learned in the community and at home. Role modeling is the name of the game. The Citizen is more than doing its part in helping our young people believe in themselves through positive press. They are indeed excellent role models for other papers and journalists! THE EDITOR, The Canada Employment Centre for Students held an Employer Appreciation Draw on July 27. The draw was designed to thank area employers who hired . students through the Centre this summer. For every student that was hired, the employer's name was entered into a draw on their behalf. Three names were then drawn and awarded prizes. The prizes were generously donated from employers in the Centre's service area. The Student Employment Centre assists students from Wingham to Arthur and all of the areas in between. The third prize awarded in the Employer Appreciation Draw was presented to David Hicks from Gemini Jewellers in Listowel. Hicks hired a summer student for By Sallianne Patch, Manager of the Ark Community Youth Centre, Brussels. counter help during the busy summer months. The second prize went to George Adams of Wroxeter who hired a student this summer to help with general farm labour. The first prize of the Canada Employment Centre for Students' Employer Appreciation Draw was won by Robert Galbraith of Atwood who hired several students to help pick stones in his fields this summer. The Canada Employment Centre for Students would like to thank all those who participated in the draw and all those employers who hired students to help them out with a variety of tasks. Only community support can keep our area's students working this summer. Leanne Hoyles Student Employment Officer. Writer applauds community CEC appreciates customers C The North Huron itizen P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Publisher, Keith Roulston BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont Editor, Bonnie Gropp NOM IHO NOG 1H0 Phone 523.4792 Phone 687-9114 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 $23.00/year ($21.50 plus $1.50 G.S.T.) for local; $33.00/year ($30.85 plus $2.15 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $62.00/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. - Blylh. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 eNA BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1995 PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1995. Paying extra for junk mail Looking at the bottom line, you'd have to agree that Canada Post required the two-cent-a-letter increase in postal rates that went into effect yesterday. Looking at the way the company conducts its business, one senses the public is being asked to pay for the mismanagement of the corporation. Canada Post lost $68.8 million in its operations last year, the third year in the last five the company has lost money (with losses totalling $427 million more than profits in that period). The corporation's managers blame the loss in part on the government's refusal to allow a postal increase last year. Since the inflation rate is about two per cent, one might expect this two cent increase, which amounts to 4.6 per cent, to cover cost increases for the two years. But looking at the whole company, one has to wonder. While Canada Post increases first class postage, it has actually been decreasing the price it charges large corporations to deliver admail — flyers, or junk mail to you. Figures provided by the Canadian Community Newspaper Association show that in 1983-84, the average flyer brought 6.8 cents in revenue to Canada Post. But in 1994-95, despite the fact the country has undergone severe, inflation in the intervening 11 years, Canada Post was receiving an average of 5.1 cents for each flyer, an average drop of 25 per cent. Although the rate to the general customer who goes into a post office and buys flyers has gone up, the rate for large corporations delivering millions of flyers a year, has plunged. When people complain about the amount of junk mail they get, Canada Post officials piously proclaim that they have an obligation to deliver any piece of mail brought to them. But statistics show that Canada Post has worked hard to get those flyers. While Canada Post's volumes have increased 70.6 per cent since 1983-84, the volume of flyers has increased 200 per cent, a total of 4.8 billion pieces. But though flyers make up 41 per cent of the total volume of mail, they produce only 4.6 per cent of the revenue, down from 5.2 in 1983-84. It seems the more flyer business Canada Post solicits, the more money it loses. It's nice to know, then, that whenever the company needs more money, it can charge you more for first class letters. — KR Life is tough! One of Canada's sports heroes has been acting like a spoiled child of late, illustrating once again that no matter how rich you are you can still wallow in self pity. Roberto Alomar, the best second baseman in baseball, is crying the blues because the team isn't in a hurry to renegotiate his contract. He's also unhappy because the team traded its premier pitcher and he feels the management isn't dedicated to winning any more. He's hinting that come this winter when he becomes a free agent, he may move to another city where the management is nicer and the team wants to win. Hey Robbie, if you're upset, think about management. Toronto Blue Jays management is generally regarded as the class of baseball. They've rewarded young stars with handsome contracts when they show signs of being good. As a result they have rich young players like John Olerud, Juan Guzman and Pat Hentgen who are drawing superstar millions while delivering minor league production. They're stuck with one of the highest payrolls in baseball delivering last-place performance. Nobody has offered to give back his salary last we heard. And what about the fans? They pay inflated major league prices to see these under-achieving millionaires. They have to look at their own shrinking pay cheques and then listen to the griping of players who earn more in one year than they'll earn in a lifetime. The message delivered by the fans who, angered by the greed of the players strike, have stayed away from the parks, doesn't seem to have sunk in for the players yet. Players still see themselves as abused employees, manipulated by greedy owners. Robbie Alomar, one of the most unselfish players on the field, feels aggrieved by team managers who most players would love to have because of their generosity. It's interesting to hear the reaction to Alomar's complaints. Those who once held him as near god are willing to see him gone. People are fed up with spoiled athletes. One wonders when the message will finally sink in. — KR E ditorial