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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-02-28, Page 4Back to basics Letters THE EDITOR, The experience of Ashfield fighting the dump issue is a microcosm of the world of Canadian politics - at all levels of government. Government does not deal with its citizens as responsible people, but rather they deal with us more like children than adults, and act more like our bosses than our servants. This in reality translates into the reversal of democratic roles; who is sovereign and who is the servant. Our problem in a nutshell is that we, as citizens, do not have a say in how we are governed, rather the systems of government in place on all levels allow politicians to jealously hold to the power given to them on election day and abuse us until a year or so before the next election. It is at that time, they butter us up with gifts so we will forget the abuse we suffered under them and re-elect them for another term — another term of doing what they want to I might add. I realize that I mentioned our experience in Ashfield but on the provincial scene the Omnibus legislation proves to be abuse, and the federal Liberal renegue on the election promise of creating jobs, jobs, jobs has played Canadians as fools. I have decided that rather than spending the rest of my life fighting government on all levels and getting nowhere, I would start an organization to inform Ontarian/ Canadians about a form of Direct Democracy, so that we, as citizens of Ontario and Canada can pressure THE EDITOR, I felt I needed to write in regards to your newspaper article of Feb. 14, 1996. I was involved in the accident that occurred in Grey Twp. I mistakenly assumed that newspapers printed facts in regards to stories — obviously you can't believe everything you read. I was surprised to read that the fact about the last 50 feet or so of the road that I was travelling on was all ice, wasn't even mentioned. I didn't deliberately fail to yield, I was unable to stop my vehicle due to the icy conditions of the corner. Photo by Janice Becker governments to listen. You and I can grumble and complain about what government is doing or we can do something about it. If you are a person who believes you can make a difference in the world, I would like to send to you, some information on Direct Democracy. If we don't have a say now, perhaps it is because we have not yet found a constructive and effective voice. Rob McQueen RR 1, Dungannon, Ont. NOM 1R0 529-3307 To read your news report I had nothing better to do Friday, Feb. 9 at 9:30 (instead of Thursday, Feb. 8 at 8:30 p.m.) as was reported, then to intentionally drive my van into the path of a large truck and place my life and that of another human being in danger. Your paper was negligent in reporting this incident and should get all the facts straight before printing a story. I would very much like to see this letter appear in your newspaper if you believe in printing the facts. Constanze Ruttan. Coverage angers writer PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1996 C The North Huron itizen BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1995 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 $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 Power to the people With governments in a financial crisis, services people have depended on for years are threatened. We know that we're going to have to find new ways of providing these services if we want them to continue, but how do we get from where we are to where we're going? There have been a couple of answers in Huron County recently where, somewhat reluctantly, the county government has allowed people to find solutions to these problems. In an effort to cut costs in the library system, the county library board proposed closing a number of libraries including local ones in Walton, Auburn, Cranbrook and Bluevale. The first reaction of the library board was a simple one: we can't afford it therefore we will close the libraries; if we can't run the libraries no one can. But some municipal councils, which have the ultimate control over whether their libraries will close or not, have refused to go along. These councils may have earned the enmity of county officials for complicating the situation, but they have created alternatives to taking service away from people altogether. Now proposals are developing in various communities to keep at least some library service in the community while meeting the county's goal of cutting costs. Given the financial state the county library finds itself in, it would be unfair to say libraries must remain open with full county funding no matter what. There must be ways found, however, where responsibility is brought back to the community, where people can have the service if they want to work hard enough to keep it. Something similar has been happening in the case of the Morris Tract near Goderich. The county was looking at harvesting hardwood lumber to help offset the cost of maintenance work at other county forests. Naturalists and users of the hiking trails in the tract were appalled, worried about damage to the unique ecosystem in the area. After much loud debate the county agreed to sell the tract to the Nature Conservancy of Canada which will preserve the forest intact, but local volunteers must raise the money for the Conservancy to buy the forest Power and responsibility have been placed in the hands of the people and it's up to them to prove they have an alternative. These processes are not easy. The debate can be loud and, at times, mean. We must, however, look for ways to build a transition from dependence on government to community-based support for projects people care about. The trend to letting the government do things for us has taken many activities that used to be provided at the community level by volunteers and made them government services. Returning to local solutions will take time. It won't always work out. But governments as they look to cut expenses, must take the time to look beyond a simple decision to cut a service. They must be willing to look at the alternatives and let people take control. It may be hard, but it's a situation in which everyone can win. — KR In the other guy's shoes A letter to the editor in the Toronto Star the other day provided an excellent suggestion to build greater understanding in an increasingly fractious world. The letter was one of an entire page of letters from teachers and their supporters responding to a Star editorial saying cuts in education should be made in "perks" such as teacher preparation time where the effect wouldn't be felt in the classroom. The letter's author suggested a reporter "Walk a week in the shoes of a teacher" to understand that these people do not work five hour days and they need preparation time to be able to teach properly and do all those things like coach basketball teams or lead choirs that take up so much time outside the classroom. Would that more people could walk in the shoes of a teacher. From Mike Harris to the grouch at the coffee shop, if people spent a week as a teacher they might realize that this isn't as big a piece of cake as they think. Performing (and a good teacher must be something of a performer to keep kids' attention) several houry day is exhausting. But perhaps this could go both ways. Teachers could spend a week in the show of a salt mine worker, a garage mechanic or a truck driver. Teachers too might learn something about others' jobs and realize their own jobs have some advantages. — KR E ditorial