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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-02-07, Page 4Cool waters Photo by Janice Becker C The North Huron itizen Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1995 The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable In advance at a rate of $25.00/year ($23.37 + $1.63 G.S.T.) for local; $33.00/year ($30.85 • $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 $75.00/year for other foreign countries. 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 P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1996 We're mean alright The '90s are the time of being lean and mean: we've got the mean part down right anyway. With fewer dollars available the battle for who gets what is getting more strident day by day. Taxpayers resent paying for those needing government services, the Ontario gov- ernment and its unions are at loggerheads, and from the looks of things at Huron County council last week, municipalities may start squabbling among themselves in trying to deal with the effects of government cutbacks. While county councillors seemed to work out compromises this time around, the signs were that the pressures put on municipal governments could mean an everyone-for-himself attitude could become part of county politics. Cuts in library service caused one of the touchy issues. Reeves of those townships where libraries were to be closed were unhappy with the situation while reeves of unaffected municipalities didn't seem to care. Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney said his township was refusing to grant permission for the closing of Bluevale library. Bob Hallam of West Wawanosh said efforts by the local community to find alternative solutions to keep the Auburn library open were receiving no support. Rural communities were taking the blows for library closings when the urban areas should share the pain, he said. Then there was the urban road rebate issue and the feeling of urban municipalities that killing the 40 per cent rebate makes urban residents pay a much larger share of the provincial government cutbacks. Not only must the towns and villages bear their own road subsidy cuts from the province, but with the elimination of the urban road rebate, they'd pick up a disproportionate share to the county cut too. Some rural reeves were sympathetic enough to reconsider phasing in part of the rebate reduction, but only a small portion may remain for this year. Looking at the powers the provincial government has given itself under Bill 26, it appears part of its strategy for cutting costs involved municipal restructuring (regional government under a nicer name). When government policies set leaders of one municipality against those of its neighbour, however, the possibility of real co-operation seems dim. The problem with becoming lean through a starvation diet is that it also tends to make people grumpy and, yes, even mean. If the provincial government wants to see municipalities work together for greater efficiency, it needs policies that won't turn neighbour against neighbour. — KR Ask the questions There are so many topics that seem to be sacred cows these days that someone needs to force politicians to stop and answer some questions of whether proposed changes make sense or are just part of the dogma of today's politics. From constitutional experts to provincial politicians, the cry across the land is that the federal government must relinquish power to the provinces. Why? The cry is that we must get power to the governments closest to the people. So okay, why not more power to the municipalities? But the provincial government in Ontario appears ready to encourage, even force if necessary, local municipalities to amalgamate? This will, for sure, take government further from the people, not closer. It may be acceptable if it means more efficient use of tax dollars, but will it? Nearly every amalgamation in the past has led to more bureaucracy and greater costs. What will be different this time? The provincial government seems hell-bent-for-leather to sell off some of its crown corporations. If these were money losing corporations one could understand the desire to cut them loose but some are earning dollars for the treasury. Both the LCBO and Ontario Hydro are profitable. Okay then, would private enterprise mean lower prices for consumers? In the U.S., where many electrical utilities are privately owned, hydro rates are higher than in Ontario, though the margin has been narrowing. Ontario once had private electrical suppliers but decided a public utility was more efficient. We mustn't be afraid to change when change is nkessary but change for the sake of change is foolish. We must make politicians ask the question, do these changes really make sense? — KR Letters .. . OMAFRA absence angers writer THE EDITOR, I am writing this letter concern- ing OMAFRA support of 4-H in Huron County. It was very disappointing not to have any OMAFRA staff at our recent 4-H annual meeting. In the past the rural community advisors have worked well with the local 4-H association, but it appears they now want to sever all ties to 4-H. I feel their absence at our annual meeting has nothing to do with upcoming cutbacks and shows an apparent lack of interest for 4-H in Huron County. Barry Elliott Steckle salutes National Citizen Week, Feb. 12-19 "We are pleased to advise you of pride we share in being citizens of an initiative designed to enable Canada," said Steckle. "Our active Canadians, in all regions of the participation as citizens during country, to express their pride in NCW and throughout the year, Canada and in being Canadian," renews and strengthens our says Paul Steckle, Member of common bonds as Canadians." Parliament for Huron-Bruce. During this week, Canadians can Between Feb. 12 and 19, people reflect on how citizenship enriches throughout this country will have a their lives and makes them proud of chance to show how they "take the great nation they share," Canada to heart." It's all part of Steckle says. Canadians coming together to "I encourage everyone in Huron- recognize and celebrate National Bruce to find a way to show what Citizenship Week (NCW), the being Canadian means to them and anniversary of the Canadian Flag take their citizenship to heart (Feb. 15) and Heritage Day (Feb. during this week," he said. "There 19). is no better time to celebrate being "Communities from coast to Canadian and to consider how each coast will take part in activities and of us can contribute to the future of events organized to celebrate the our country." We welcome your letters E ditorial