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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-05-21, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 21,1997 C itizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phono 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, 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 False economy in action Last week the provincial government's little-publicized spending estimates showed another example of how spending cuts can be counter productive. The government thought so little of its 16.5 per cent cut to the Ontari0 Arts Council Ul IO* ><xl. (OAC) that it didn't include it | ..............................................I as part of the provincial budget of the week before. Local MPP Helen Johns didn't even know there were to be cuts when she spoke to The Citizen following the budget. But this cut brings to 40 per cent the slashing of the OAC budget since this government took office. For governments, the arts seem an easy place to cut They seem less necessary than hospitals or schools. But in a small place like Blyth the economic value of the arts becomes abundantly clear. This year the Blyth Festival already suffered a $38,000 cut in OAC funding because of the government's earlier 31 per cent cut to the arts council. With last week’s announcement it seems likely the Festival will lose at least another $10,000 in funding next year. The federal government’s cuts to the Canada council still haven't kicked in yet but will next year and could be another blow to an organization that barely survived bad times early in the 1990s. The provincial cuts add more than $1 to the ticket price of every ticket sold. Experience has shown, however, that $1 more for a ticket means a significant reduction in total attendance. Add another $1 or more for federal funds, and local people, already feeling the pinch of hard economic times, may not go to the Festival in sufficient numbers to pay the bills. So what's in it for the Ontario government to keep the Blyth Festival alive? What is it risking by saving $40,000 a year? Start off with the part that's easy to calculate. The Blyth Festival and its staff pay $75,000 in income taxes to the federal and provincial governments. (Another $344,000 is paid to self-employed artists.) It pays Employer Health Tax of $3,478. The Festival paid provincial sales tax of nearly $12,000 in 1996. (It also pays $11,476 to the federal government in GST). Then there's die part that's more difficult to calculate. Take a look at Blyth’s main street these days. With the changing rural economy, with the birth of "big box" stores in neighbouring towns, how many empty stores would there be on Blyth’s main street if it wasn't for the people the Blyth Festival brings to town? How much income tax do the people working in those stores pay? How much sales tax does the province get on goods sold in those stores? This isn't just an indictment of the provincial government. The federal Liberals have cut funding for the arts. The federal Conservatives and Reform parties are promising to slash even more if they’re elected in the June 2 federal election. Governments must begin to look at their spending, not as an expenditure, but as an investment. If a little bit of seed money will create a great deal of economic activity and generate tax dollars, then obviously that’s a good investment. Contrast the short-sightedness of the senior governments with the wisdom of Blyth village council. Councillors, close to the scene, know that although they give a grant of $1,700 a year, they are getting $10,200 in property taxes each year (municipal share, about $4,000). They also see that local churches and service groups have reaped thousands of dollars over the years serving country suppers to tourists. They know bed and breakfast guests put dollars into local pockets. They know that empty stores don’t pay taxes. In the big picture, these cuts won’t make much difference to the provincial deficit (the 40 per cent cut to the OAC adds up to only $17.3 million across the entire province). The ripple effect in the economy, however, can be devastating in places like Blyth. — KR Opposite sides What a difference in television fare Sunday night Masochists could watch the finish of the French language debate by the party leaders in the June 2 federal election. People wanting something more uplifting could watch the nationally-televised benefit concert for the victims of Manitoba’s flooding. In the first case, you could watch people trying to increase differences. In the latter, you could watch people pulling together to help people in need. Some of Canada’s greatest entertainers donated services. People watching donated millions to help. Which Canada do you want to be part of? — KR Photo by Bonnie Gropp Letters THE EDITOR, Many people continue to view acts of violence against women as small, isolated incidents. Yet there is nothing small or isolated about the estimated $4.2 billion Canadians pay annually in hospital costs, treatments, costs, missed work hours and lost wages as a result of the high incidence of domestic assault, sexual assault, and harassment of women. In order to raise public awareness in this issue, May is designated as Sexual Assault Prevention Month in Ontario. Women represent more than half of this province's population, are significant contributors to Ontario’s economy and continue to carry the primary responsibility for the car of our children and elders. If we are to provide this and future generations with a community that ensures safety in their homes and workplaces, where individuals are honoured, where an unwanted thought or degrading comment is no longer acceptable, we must condemn sexual assault. Women who are victims of sexual assault or long-term abuse too often suffer irreparable emotional damage - a part of themselves is lost. In addition children who view sexual assault against women, also lose; we as a society lose. The government, in an effort to draw attention to this issue, has provided funds to link 34 rape­ crisis and sexual assault centres via the internet. This technology will provide shared information in an effort to consolidate educational initiatives, thereby enhancing service delivery across the Province. The Ontario Women's Directorate will launch a website to keep the public informed of important women’s issues. Dianne Cunningham, Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, will be visiting secondary schools in May to speak with students about these issues. She will also launch the new CD ROM version of The Joke's Over, a guide to the prevention of student-to-student harassment. It is important that all Ontarians work toward the prevention of sexual assault and violence against women, and that we refuse to condone assault as an acceptable part of society. In this way, we will all work toward the day when Ontario no longer needs to designate a month in the name of Sexual Assault Prevention. Helen Johns, MPP Huron. THE EDITOR, The Kidney Foundation of Canada - Western Ontario Region would like to express our sincere gratitude to each member of the community who contributed so freely to the March Drive Campaign. The goal for this year was $305,000. As of this date returns are over the top with $305,500. Your caring dollars will be used for kidney research, patient services and public education. Through your support, the Kidney Foundation will be able to make another step toward eliminating kidney disease. The Kidney Foundation would also like to recognize with gratitude, the dedication, hard work and sincere team effort of each volunteer who contributed to the campaign. Only through the collective efforts of each one of you, was reaching the goal made possible. We at the Kidney Foundation have enjoyed working with all of you, and sincerely appreciate your support, enthusiasm and caring. Together you have improved the odds for people with kidney disease in Canada. Vickie Robinson Western Ont. Region. THE EDITOR, As part of a committee involved with planning a special event this summer, we would like to inform everyone of the 150th Celebration of Massey-Harris-Ferguson. The Tri-County Heritage Club in Ilderton is featuring Massey-Harris at their show July 12 and 13 in Continued on page 8