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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-09-27, Page 4C The North Huron itizen P.o. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Publisher, Keith Roulston BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. Editor, Bonnie Gropp NOM 1H0 NOG 1H0 Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 Advertising Manager, FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 Jeannette McNeil 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, Llstowel, 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. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are CO Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 CNA BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1995 PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1995. Promises vs. promises When she spoke to Huron County council at its September meeting, Helen Johns, MPP for Huron, told councillors to expect tough cuts. Premier Mike Harris, she said, wanted to set an example to the people that he would keep his promises, during June's election campaign, to cut the deficit. At the International Plowing Match last week, a coalition of agricultural groups started a campaign to remind Harris of other promises he had made during the election campaign. Both in his Common Sense Revolution and in campaign speeches, Harris said agriculture had already borne too heavy a share of past government cuts and would not be touched in the next rounds of deficit fighting. Johns repeated that pledge at an all- candidates meeting on agriculture held in Holmesville, much to the skepticism of the audience. Now that skepticism seems justified as persistent rumours and the comments of Noble Villeneuve, minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, suggest more cuts are coming. During the election campaign Harris said education, health care and law enforcement would be exempted from cuts. Now he is making strong hints that he may include a means test for drug coverage for senior citizens and that those over a certain income would not get free drugs. He still says the overall health care budget will not be cut, just re-allocated. Critics, like Liberal leader Lyn McLeod say no one voted for the idea of co-payments of user fees. It seems for Harris there are promises, and then there are promises. All politicians know that they aren't going to be able to keep everyone happy. The test of a government is on who it feels is most important to keep happy. Harris wants to keep the business community happy by keeping his promise to cut the deficit. He wants to keep the well-to-do happy by keeping his promise to cut provincial taxes. These are clearly his priorities. If promises to groups like farmers or seniors have to be broken to realize these priorities then those are the breaks. — KR Time to promote Canada E ditorial As the referendum drags on both the separatists and the federalists seem to be putting all their emphasis on the fears of the voters. The separatists tell people they'll be stuck forever in a marriage in which they are abused. The federalists tell people they'll suffer if they move out and live on their own. Isn't it time for something more positive? Certainly one can understand the federalist forces pointing out that it makes no economic sense for Quebecois to separate. Every fluctuation in the Canadian dollar and interest rates shows such a move would be economically foolhardy. The whole idea of separation goes against the trend in the global economy toward larger groups (such as Europe moving toward one currency). Fear may help Canada win the referendum but in the long run, pride and love will be needed to keep the country together. A husband who keeps his wife by fear that she'll suffer if she leaves hasn't succeeded in having a long-term, healthy marriage. For Canada to work, Quebecers, must feel that they are part of something much bigger than their little corner of the country. They must feel a sense of ownership of the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, of the waving fields of golden wheat on the prairies, of the stillness of Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. For too long, federalists have fallen into the trap of separatists that Quebec is a distinct society, set apart from the rest of Canada. Federalists, for long-term victory, must convince Quebecers that, yes they have a distinct language and history, but they also belong to the whole country and it belongs to them. The sad thing about the last 10 years of constitutional wrangling (piled on top of 20 years of unease before that) is that goodwill in the rest of Canada is fading. Lucien .Bouchard and Jacques Parizeau may lose their referendum, but they may have done irreparable harm to relations between Quebecers and other Canadians. People who, for most of the time since the Quiet Revolution began in the 1960s, have sympathized with Quebecers' dreams of protecting their language and customs, have grown tired of the ridiculous posturing of the nationalists in the province. Just as Quebecers feel rejected by others, many outside Quebec feel rejected and disliked by Quebecers Only love and mutual respect will heal these viounds in the long run. Canadians must feel they belong anywhere in the country. —KR Letters THE EDITOR, I would like to respond to the letter written by Shane Wilson, Scott Clarkson and other Brussels teens. Did you ask Mrs. Clarke- what prompted her to write the letter to the editor? Perhaps she has seen something that you haven't. Can you also assume that she has not been involved in youth activities? • It is unfortunate that all teens get a bad rap for the few who are disrespectful, but please don't make the mistake of thinking that because you have not done any mischief or bullying in this town that there aren't any problems. For the last three years or so we have seen an increase in what you may consider an unfounded problem on Halloween. There has been approx. $1,500 to $2,000 damage to stop signs,- hydro wires were being snapped together to create power outages, obstacles have been placed on the streets and set afire, not to mention the cost to the taxpayers for the village employees and firemen who patrol the streets. Most of the damage was seen being done by youths. On July 19 of this year the BFD was called to a car fire at Maple Villa, on the way to this the Masons Chapel was also seen on fire. The car was completely damaged, the chapel windows were smashed and the Bible had been used to kindle a fire. There were youths seen running from this malicious damage. Not long after, some youths were knocking over a flower box on main street for no apparent reason. They were identified and the police were informed. Recently a youth was seen twisting the end off one of the new gas line pipes until it ruptured. Fortunately for the teen as well as the town, it was 100 lbs. of air pressure that escaped and not natural gas. On Sept. 19 the washrooms at the conservation area were set on fire and were destroyed. Two years ago when this happened Maitland Valley said a new one cost $5,000 to replace. Now there is no money to replace it. There were youths seen running from this mischief also. Since July 19 your very safe town has experienced over $10,000 in malicious damage. These Photo by Janice Becker instances can appear to make a town unsafe and scary to those who live here. We are afraid the damage might move on to bigger things. I too am proud to be a resident of Brussels, but I do feel I have a right to feel safe here. The neighbourhood watch program is an attempt to help curb this mischief. Perhaps you and your friends can do your part by discouraging other youths to attempt mischief. For any of us there is the Crime Stoppers to call. Don Crawford. Former chief applauds new hall THE EDITOR, Congratulations to the Brussels Fire Department on the opening of the new fire hall. It is a facility that was long overdue. It will make meetings, practices, storing equipment, parking trucks and cleaning up after fires a much easier job. Congratulations again guys. Howard Bernard.