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The Citizen, 1997-04-09, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9,1997 itizen The North Huron P.O Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 (jCJJA P.O Box 152, Publisher, Keith Roulston nws Editor, Bonnie Gropp Phone 887-9114 Advertising Manager, 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 $27.00/year ($25.24 + $1.76 G.S.T.) in Canada; $62.00/year in U.S.A, and $75.00/year in 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 E ditorial I ..............•.........................I An opportunity missed For staff at The Citizen, researching a book on the history of Brussels has been an enlightening experience. One thing that's come to light is the long-term effect on the village of the excitement created by the Canada's centennial in 1967 and the village's centennial celebrations in 1972. Those events were the spur for an enthusiasm that helped transform the village. Unfortunately, this summer's Brussels' 125th homecoming celebration so far has not generated that kind of excitement and activity in the community. This has nothing to do with the hard working committee planning the homecoming celebration. It has perhaps more to do with the malaise that has overtaken the whole country: a sense of being overwhelmed by events in the global economic revolution. Still, if we can learn from what happened in Brussels in the 1970s, there would be much to gain by using the excitement of Homecoming to generate a new sense of purpose in the village. From the building of the Mcdical/Dental Centre in 1967 through the village's encouragement for senior citizens apartments to the community's fantastic response in building a new arena complex, local people created a sense that Brussels was where it was happening in the 1970s. That enthusiasm was evident in the business community which undertook a program to spruce up main street, started community activities to create interest and raise money, and helped bring a pharmacy and a new bank to town. That kind of excitement is sorely needed in the village right now. It seems like towns and villages like Brussels (and Blyth) are at a crossroads in their existence: they can sit back and let events happen to them, or they can try to take control of their futures. The right kind of excitement building around the Homecoming can help Brussels grab control of the future. It's not too late to get excited and involved. — KR Late delivery? Photo by Janice Becker Letters to the Editor Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! If Doug Young, Minister of National Defence, ever goes to war the only war wound he's likely to suffer will be in his foot — self-inflicted. It's hard to believe how badly the Chrdtien government has been able to botch the Somalia Inquiry. Last week Young decided that the inquiry could investigate only part of the wrongdoings by our troops in Somalia (the the brass back home). By cutting down the mandate of the inquiry, Young has managed to make it look like the government has something to hide, just before an election campaign. How the government could go so wrong is beyond belief. They have taken an incident that took place in the time of Brian Mulroney's ill- fated government, and managed to turn it into a ticking time bomb of their own. There is no way they should have looked bad on this one, but the government defended generals who seemed to have things to hide, and thus made "cover-up" a key word in the events. A government elected because it appeared to have integrity, suddenly has its own integrity questioned over something it initially wasn’t involved in. Certainly one can understand Young's frustration with the pace of the inquiry — the commissioners seem ready to drag it out long enough to get a pension. Still, the government must be seen to have securing of the truth as its major goal. That's not how it looks. — KR Both sides look bad Nobody is winning as the endless list of amendments to the provincial government's "mega-city" bill bog down the Ontario legislature 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is little public sympathy for opposition parties in this kind of approach to harassing governments. Voters cynicism of government only gets deeper when they see members of parliament intentionally paralyzing a legislature through filibuster tactics. On the other hand, when democracy is in danger, strong measures are called for. The provincial government is trying to force through legislation which isn't supported by the majority of people it will affect. The referendum held in Toronto showed strong opposition. The provincial government was not elected to force people into situations they don't want to be in. Respect for democracy works both ways. — KR THE EDITOR, This is a letter to the members of the Board of Governors of Wingham and District Hospital, addressing concerns regarding the decision at the March 1997 board meeting to move the chronic care patients to second floor. Some of our concerns are outlined below: • MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staff Aureus) Infection is on the rise and is known to be spread when patients are transferred from area to area, e.g. whirlpool tubs, transferring from Second Floor to Terrace Room. • Location - the proposed area on second floor for the Chronic Patients is unacceptable as patients will have to be transported by ambulifts through OBS to the public elevator, down the main corridor on first floor to the whirlpool and/or Terrace Room. Would you like your family member transported in this manner? • Chronic/Long Term patients need an environment conducive to their age level, away from the hustle and bustle of active care. • Geriatric/Rehab Programs are conducted in the Terrace Room, therefore more time will be spent transporting patients. Will there be enough manpower to accommodate these programs? A second concern of ours involves the elimination of the night switchboard operator due to budgetary cuts. What happens when the night supervisor is assisting with a delivery in the caseroom and someone comes to the Emergency Room Doot? We challenge you, the board, to reconsider your decision. A written reply would be appreciated to address the above issues. Yours truly, Lorna Cook, Belgrave Mary Procter, RR 5, Brussels Marg Black, Lucknow. Looking Back Through the Years From the files of The Blyth Stan­ dard, The Brussels Post and The North Huron Citizen 11 YEARS AGO APRIL 9,1986 Controversy over the building of a new swimming pool for Brussels continued. The subject was reopened when council was asked at its meeting to formally approve the recommendation of the Lions Club pool committee for tenders. Discussion became heated when some councillors questioned the original agreement, under which the village agreed to provide inter­ im financing for the pool. East Wawanosh residents were told by the Ministry of the Environ­ ment that open burning of house­ hold waste at the landfill site was not acceptable. Sixteen youths participated in the Blyth Lions Club District A9 effec­ tive speaking contest. John Stewart was chairman of the district con­ test. Blyth science fair winners were: Rich Howson, Tammi Medd, Kim Medd and Sarah Allan. Sharron Dobson of Ethel won a trip to Expo. Ralph Scott was elected as the new president of the East Wawanosh Federation of Agricul­ ture. The Blyth Festival Singers received a $669 grant from the Ministry of Citizenship and Cul­ ture. The funds were to be used towards music repertoire. ONE YEAR AGO APRIL 10,1996 Grey Twp. was gearing up for its 140th anniversary celebration to be held in June. • The board of governors at Wing­ ham hospital gave approval in prin­ ciple to a proposal which would see 12 of 25 chronic care beds convert­ ed to a rehabilitation unit. With a reduction in operating expenditures by some $2 million, the Huron County Board of Educa­ tion reduced its expenditures by $5 million from 1993. Irene Richmond accepted the office of District Deputy President of Huron District No. 23 for the Rebekahs. Helen Dobson was the Brussels Legion Ladies' Auxiliary president. Andy Lubbers "was president of Blyth Lions. Brussels Lions contributed $2,000 and Brussels Optimists gave $1,000 to the new Ethel Ball Park.