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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-06-11, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1997 C itizenTheNorthHuron (♦CNA 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 E-mail norhuron@huron.net 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 E ditorial I "....... —J Brute force gets attention It's amazing what brute force will do to get attention. Take a look at the adjustment of attitude Huron County councillors have had since a provincial commissioner imposed a single government on all municipalities in the County of Kent and the City of Chatham. Proponents of amalgamation might feel the the Chatham- Kent move is a little like the old advice on working with a mule — first you hit it between the eyes with a two-by-four to get its attention. It certainly has had that effect on Huron County's politicians who haven't been convinced there would be any real gain by amalgamation, no matter what the province wanted. Look at the position of Blyth Reeve Mason Bailey, a stubborn proponent of amalgamation. After talking to the mayor of Chatham, he told county council last week, he was advised that it was better to get some kind of amalgamation in place to fend off the possibility of a provincial commissioner being appointed. That way, Bailey said, there is some opportunity to design a system that gives people a chance to participate in their government — something that people in Chatham- Kent don't feel they have these days. But in Ontario, the thrust of the Mike Harris government seems to be that it's dangerous to let people have too much say in government, except every four or five years when an election comes around. Premier Harris's favourite tool to making sure public interest doesn't hold too much sway (he'd call it "special interests") is the appointed commission. Appointed commissions have the final say on which hospitals will remain open. Appointed commissions rule on what municipalities will be merged. A new public commission last week was given the right to step in and settle contracts for workers who are affected by the merger of school boards, hospitals and municipalities. Asked, last week, about that commission and the accusation it was taking away the right to strike for union workers, the premier argued that the unions wanted to take away his right to govern. The premier seems to think that democracy involves one vote every four or five years and the party elected has the right to do anything it wants in between elections. His government has been efficient in getting things done all right, but it's a little bit like the praise for Mussolini in Italy before World War II when he was commended for making the trains run on time. Democracy is not the most efficient system. Democracy is downright messy. In the long run, however, properly run democracy gives the most benefit for the most people most of the time. In Ontario, however, most of our elected officials are running scared before the brute force this government has given itself under the Omnibus Bill. Thai's not how to get the most good for the most people. — KR Stuck in the middle In a country where everyone seems to have a grievance, residents of Ontario now have their own frustrations when it comes to national unity — we are stuck between two stubborn extremes whose solution to national problems is irreconcilable and we have the most to lose. Preston Manning was no doubt disappointed that he didn't win more support in Ontario for his belief that there should be no special status for Quebec and that all provinces are equal. Ironically, many people, maybe most, agree with Manning. The problem here is that we're close enough to Quebec to know that wishing doesn't make it so. Ontarians, whose economy is intricately intertwined with Quebec's, have the most to lose by the breakup of Canada, whether through the secession of of Quebec or the loss of the west But we sit helplessly as the two sides refuse to see there must be a compromise. Quebec, after a century of interpreting Canada as a federation of two cultures, not a union of several provinces, cannot abide by the sense Alberta, in particular has, that all provinces should be equal. Supporters of each view only egg the other side on, making it harder and harder to hold things together. Manning has one solution: give all 10 provinces what Quebec wants, but that is no solution at all. It means that we won't split into two countries, but into 10. Ontario is in an impossible situation — and unlike everybody else, we have no protest party to turn to. There seems no way to make unreasonable people on both sides realize they must change. — KR Photo by Janice Becker Looking back through the years Letters THE EDITOR, MADD Huron/Bruce applauds Transportation Minister . A) Palladini and his government for taking a tough stand against drink­ ing and driving with their proposed road safety bill for Ontario. After 15 years of campaigning for this kind of legislation, we are very pleased to see a leap taken in the right direction. Each day four Canadians are killed and over 300 injuries as a result of alcohol-related crashes. Drunk drivers killed 544 people in Ontario in 1994, two of whom were our son Patrick Magee, 17, from Wingham and Barb Rintoul's son, Kevin, 16, from the Lucknow area. To quote Tony Cawalho, MADD Canada Chair, "Licence suspension and vehicle confiscation, rehabilita­ tion of alcoholics and life-time suspensions for repeat offenders are elements of the solution to more effectively deal with drunk drivers. It is a serious crime and our laws must inflict this reality and provide the necessary deterrent." Lynne Magee President MADD Huron/Bruce. From the files of the Blyth Stan­ dard, Brussels Post and the North Huron Citizen 1 YEAR AGO JUNE 12,1996 Huron County councillors heard for the first time that local taxpay­ ers may have to foot the bill for the upkeep of provincial highways which run through the county. Unseasonable spring conditions added stress to the winter wheat crop, resulting in losses across the region. Hamm's in Blyth was hit by thieves. Several school board employees and parent volunteers received recognition for their contribution to local schools. Receiving honours at Walton Public School were Randy Banks, parent advisor and teachers Laura Scott, Della Bennett and Susan Elston; Brussels PS - Isabelle Prior, secretary and teacher Karen Uhler and at Blyth PS - teacher Pat Hulley. Ken Scott retired as principal of East Wawanosh Public School after 33 years in education. The Brussels Tigers stood atop the fastball league standing with 11 points. Maegan Reinhart and Kim Veen- stra of Hullett Central Public School were recognized for their achievement in a regional spelling bee. The Blyth Public School Grade 4/5 class earned first prize in the Morris Twp. 140th anniversary logo contest. Wingham and District Hospital board gave go ahead to new medi­ cal clinic. 5 YEARS AGO JUNE 10,1992 The Puff 'n' Blow Boys by Val- oreyne Brandt Jenkins opened the 18th season of the Blyth Festival. The site selection process for a county dump site began again as the final six candidate sites of the original 41, were rejected. While Brussels geared by for Funfest, July 3-5, Blyth was mak­ ing preparations for the Rutabaga Festival, June 26-28. Carol's Candies and Collectables opened in Blyth. Kara Lee Potter of Londesboro earned a Most Valuable Person medal at the Central Huron Sec­ ondary School track meet. Sherry Taylor of RR5, Wingham took WOSSA bronze for shot put. The new East Wawanosh town­ ship office was officially opened. 10 YEARS AGO JUNE 10,1987 Vivienne Stephens of Blyth, a Central Huron Secondary School student, marked the end of a very successful track and field season with a fourth and fifth place finish at the all-Ontario meet in Hamilton.