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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-08-06, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6,1997 C itizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@huron.net Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil PAIO 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 They should be proud Organizers of Brussels Homecoming '97 have to be very proud. Though the numbers aren't all in, the 125th anniversary celebration was undoubtedly a tremendous success. Well over a thousand were in attendance at each of the dances, there were 200 entries in the car show and 95 cars cruised to Wingham and back on the Friday night. Breakfasts were well attended, dinners were sold out, and the entertainment tents were jumping. But it wasn't just the numbers that told the story. From Thursday's talent show to the family dance on Sunday, the celebration was run smoothly and efficiently. There was nothing smalltown about this well run, organized function. Security was tight, but not intrusive. Committee members and village council wisely opted to spend a little to guarantee control. The hired guards and ever-visible OPP did an excellent job of maintaining law and order, though for the most part it wasn't a problem as the majority of revelers weren't in the mood for trouble. And that was perhaps the biggest success of this weekend party — the feeling of goodwill, camaraderie and pride that was evident at every decorated door and on every smiling face. The idea that small communities don't care, that they have less to boast about than their cosmopolitan neighbours is a fallacy. As a family at Christmas dinner, the people of this village of just over 1,000 offered their many talents to create a party that will be remembered for a long, long time by the thousands who were there. Its success can be attributed to the fact that everyone participated with unbridled enthusiasm. As a committee member noted at the Thursday night ceremony, volunteers had to speak up quickly or someone else would take the job from them. And from their tireless efforts in pulling together an event of monumental proportions, to the residents, friends and neighbours who got into the festive mood, to the former residents who came back in droves to support the home they still hold in their hearts, the sense of community spirit was boundless. Way to go!—BLG Let’s stop being smug When it comes to the environment, Canadians often have a holier- than-thou attitude, particularly when comparing ourselves to our neighbours to the south. Perhaps we'll have an attitude adjustment after hearing, with the release of a study last week, that Ontario is the third worst jurisdiction for pollution in North America. But then again, perhaps not. Our politicians were quick to come out with the excuses after the report was released. The study was based on two-year-old data, some said. Things would be different today. Really? Ontario has an economy heavily dependent on resources like mining and pulp and paper so pollution is more understandable. Oh? The report should be a wake-up call for smug Ontarians. We've been pretty blas6 about the environment in recent years, concerned instead about jobs and the deficit The mantra of politicians in the '90s is that we mustn't pass on debt to future generations. We must also cut regulations to free the hands of industry to create jobs. As a result of these two moves, the provincial government has actually cut the number of government employees enforcing environmental regulations. Premier Harris says his government is finding other ways to improve the environment, which may be true. Certainly the signals sent by these cuts are not encouraging, however. The problem is that bookkeeping done, both for industry and government, takes no account of the depreciation of our precious resources like the environment Ontario's prosperity has been built on spending our capital, on digging our metals out of the earth and selling them, on polluting our water to create pulp and paper. Companies that make money by doing this, count the expense of protecting the environment as a non-productive cost. They object to the taxes that governments must levy to try to solve the problems they create. And in the new global economy, it is virtually impossible for an enlightened government to change the accounting system to take into account the depletion of our limited resources. Companies now threaten to take their investment elsewhere if they are expected to pick up clean up costs. As a result, we may have our finances in order but our children and grandchildren may inherit a province not fit to live in. — KR Photo by Bonnie Gropp Looking back Burglary at Blyth business From the files of the Blyth Stan­ dard, Brussels Post and the North Huron Citizen 2 YEARS AGO . AUG. 2,1995 Frank Thompson was named Brussels Citizen of the Year. After a burglary at Bainton's Old Mill in Blyth the week before, jack­ ets worth $13,000 were recovered from a Kitchener-Waterloo home. BJ's Cafe in Blyth hosts grand opening. Brent Wheeler discovered a mes­ sage in a bottle along the shore at Bayfield. The message had been sent by a Michigan youngster. The Dougherty and MacGregor families of the Londesboro area and Proctors from Belgrave hosts exchange students from Ireland, Brazil and Spain. Newfoundland 4-Hers visit Huron County. 6 YEARS AGO AUG. 7,1991 Walton recalls one year without a post office. Canada Post closed the postal outlet at Humphries General Store and replaced it with a retail outlet at the Walton Tea Room. Farmers from across the province united to pressure the federal and provincial governments into pro­ viding emergency aid to off set low cash crop prices. Former Brussels resident Greg Haasnoot prepared to compete in the Special Olympics held in Brant­ ford. The congregation of Brussels Mennonite Fellowship welcomed Pastor Tom Warner. Gerrit and Maria Van Kuelen of RR2, Bluevale hosts exchange stu­ dent Maarten VanEembergan. The Blyth Festival Art Gallery put out a call for George Reid paintings for the Bring Home George Reid exhibit. Reid, bom in Continued on page 5 Letters Saying thanks THE EDITOR, On behalf of my family and myself, and I am sure many others, I would like to commend the Brussels Homecoming Committee and all the other volunteers who planned and co-ordinated such a wonderful weekend of activities for all of us. It was just great, and such a credit to our community. Thanks a million for making it such a memorable weekend. A grateful and proud Brussels resident