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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-10-04, Page 4e in the slow lane Letters THE EDITOR, I have been reluctant to get into a debate in the local papers concerning our decision to cancel the Sunday evening Church Service on CKNX-AM. However, I feel recent comments made in letters-to- the-editor in your publication need clarification. CKNX Radio has answered every letter and phone call we have received from area listeners on this issue. We are pleased to answer any and all questions, if interested parties will do us the courtesy of writing or phoning. Comments by Reverend Bradley Morrison that he cannot get a straight answer for the cancellation are difficult to understand, considering that early in August he had a lengthy phone conversation with Dan Gall, our program director, to discuss the matter. Perhaps, it might be more accurate to say that Rev. Morrison did not receive an answer that he was prepared to accept. We have not only responded to all enquiries, but also, have given serious consideration to any proposals that were made. For example, on Sept. 7 a delegation of people assembled outside the station. Both Dan Gall and I talked to them personally for quite some time, and extended to them the same courtesies that we do to all visitors. We explained then that we were willing to meet with the local clergy if asked. This week we received such a request from the Wingham Ministerial Association, and the meeting is to be held early in October. Contrary to recent statements by Rev. Morrison, CKNX Radio is vitally committed to local programming and the communities we serve. Our news department and our level of local service is maintained at a time when many stations in larger markets are reducing local news dramatically, due to spiralling costs. CKNX, on the other hand, also adds extra hours and manpower when the situation arises - such as the recent storm this summer in Goderich, or the weekend blizzards last winter - in an effort to keep our listeners informed. Likewise, many stations in smaller markets now rely on satellite programming to fill most of their daily schedule. Except for after midnight on CKNX-AM, both our stations run locally originated programming throughout the day, with items of interest and participants from across the region. We are now the only station in Ontario with a full-time farm director, and though we have made programming changes on CKNX- AM, the agricultural and local information remains intact. Far from reducing our commitment to the local farm community, we are in the process of setting up a Farm Photo by Janice Becker Advisory Board to get advice on farm programming from area operators. This group will meet on a quarterly basis with Murray Gaunt and CKNX management. When it comes to community service CKNX Radio donates thousands of dollars worth of free advertising each year to local non- profit organizations throughout Mid-Western Ontario. In addition, the CKNX staff participates voluntarily in hundreds of fund raising events to raise money for worthwhile local projects. It is a record of community involvement we are quite proud of, and quite frankly, I do not see any other organization or company involved in the local community to that extent. I have a file of thank-you letters from all over Mid-Western Ontario to prove it. The comment regarding "out of tune choirs" is not a view shared by CKNX. Each November and December, for many years, we have taped area choirs in concert, singing hymns and carols, and presented them on both CKNX-AM and FM over the Christmas season. It is a tradition that is well received by both our listeners, and the families and friends of those participating, and is one of the many contributions to the community in which we take pride. Attention was drawn to CKNX's long history of serving the community.We intend to continue that tradition, and to build on it, contrary to the recent "tongue-in- cheek" assumptions stated by Rev. Continued on page 6 PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1995. C The North Huron itizen • C N A BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1995 P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Publisher, Keith Roulston BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. Editor, Bonnie Gropp NOM 1HO 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 (530.85 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. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mall Registration No. 6968 A fragile existence "Mankind, despite all its accomplishments, owes its existence to six inches of topsoil, and the fact it rains." That's a message the local county Federations of Agriculture are trying to get across in a series of television ads. As we approach Thanksgiving it serves to remind us how fragile our existence is, and how thankful we should be for the bounty of our land. Human beings, as they struggled for a better life, have long tried to distance themselves from the vagaries of nature. From the first cave fire to modern cities has been a long progression of trying to overcome nature, to not feel hunger, to not feel cold, to not feel in danger of imminent demise from wild beast or starvation brought on by natural disaster. We have been so successful in shielding ourselves from nature that many urbanites now have no idea how vulnerable we still are. No matter how much money you earn in a year, no matter how good your pension plan, no matter how fine your home and your car, your very life could end if not for that six inches of topsoil on which our food grows, and the rains that make life possible. And the farmers who toil to grow the food. Food has become an afterthought in western society. We take it for granted it will always be there in supermarkets that sprawl over larger and larger tracts of land. Statistics show we spend just 13 per cent of our income feeding ourselves, then turn the rest of our income to providing housing, clothes and the non-essentials which we now consider essential to our lifestyles. Most urbanites never come closer to the soil than the little bit of dirt that might be left on the roots of produce in their supermarket. Society, including the urban media, tends to value movie stars, baseball players, doctors, lawyers and computer programmers more highly than the people who grow their food. In the long run, all those professionals can't work if they can't eat. A society that undervalues the land sees it as raw material for urban development. Its isolation from the reality of nature and food production could eventually lead to its own starvation. Six inches of topsoil. Rain. People who till the soil. Remember this Thanksgiving that all we have would be worthless without these. —KR A province of extremes Watching the riots outside Queen's Park at the opening of the provincial legislature last week makes one wonder: is there no middle ground anymore? Are we to be stuck between the zealots of the left and the zealots of the right? Do the thousands who stormed the legislature really think the province can continue to spend $10 billion more than it brings in year after year? Do they think we can defy reality and do things as they think they should be rather than do what we can afford? On the other hand, do Mike Harris and his cabinet need to appear to be enjoying their slashing quite so much? Do we really need Community and Social Services Minister David Tsubouchi saying that if mothers can't support their children on reduced welfare rates then Children's Aid will just have to step in and take the kids away? We may have to be lean, but do we have to be so mean? Ontario is seeing the kind of shift that Britain and British Columbia have gone through for years. First we suffered from the NDP, who had dreamed of power for 40 years, saying "now our time has come". Ironically, Bob Rae lost power with his own followers because he didn't move quickly enough in a time of recession to institute long-held dreams of many party members. Now we have the right wing at last in power. This is not just a return of the Progressive Conservatives, this is the right of that party. Though Mike Harris misses no opportunity to make it seem that all the troubles have come along during the last 10 years under the Liberals and NDP, he's battling the ghosts of Bill Davis and John Robarts as much as Bob Rae and David Peterson. Many of the programs that have grown unwieldy were instituted by those "red" Tories. Harris and his right-wing supporters, after decades in the wilderness, are saying, like the NDP before them, "now it's our turn!". But just as the NDP lost support, so extreme right wing politicians will lose support. Ontarians may know there have tiq be cuts, but they are caring people. Unless this government shows some compassion they will be turned out. Who then? Back to the zealots of the left? —KR E ditorial