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The Citizen, 1999-01-13, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1999. C itizenTheNorthHuron >cna ^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@scsinternet.com Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil Member Ontario The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Press Council 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 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 1374990 Governments must move faster Il looks more and more as if hard-pressed Ontario pork producers must wail until spring to get help to'pay their bills. That’s just loo long! There seems a total lack of reality on the part of the bureaucrats designing the relief program for both pork farmers and hard-hit western wheat producers. They’ve got to get an agreement between the provinces and the federal government. Then they’ve got to get the application forms ready and the information manuals and then . . . and then . . . and by then deciding who gel help and who doesn’t will be so much easier because many, many producers will already have quit because they can't pay their bills. The government's approach is like seeing someone drowning in a raging river and forming a committee to sec how best to rescue him. These people need help now! Certainly the paperwork must be in place to make sure the program isn't abused but al least some kind of loan program could be instituted in the interim to help farmers make it through until the disaster relief program kicks in. Such a program would save untold misery for farm families and perhaps for farm animals which may suffer if farmers can’t afford to buy feed. Now that January is here the seriousness of the situation seems to be hitting the families of many pork producers. Calls to help lines have increased dramatically. There is concern that some people may not be able to withstand the pressure and may choose a violent end to their problems. And the issue goes beyond the families directly involved. Pork production is a huge part of the local economy here in the centre of Ontario's pork industry. Those pork farms now in trouble support many off-farm jobs in feed mills, trucking companies and veterinarians' offices, to name just a few. When the farmers can't pay their bills, those businesses suffer too. This pork crisis is both a personal and a community crisis. It requires swift action on the part of governments, not endless bureaucratic wrangling. Somebody, the provincial government or the federal government or both, must realize that spring will be loo late for action. Il's time to act now! — KR Living on less There were two more bits of evidence this week show that slowly but surely the living standards of Canadians are being reduced by international competition. First, workers al Quality Packers in Toronto were offered a new contract with a $3 per hour reduction in their wages. Those who complained were told they should be grateful — if they'd been working for their competition at Maple Leaf Meals, they would have had a $6 per hour decrease. The companies, workers were told, had to be internationally competitive. On Monday, 2,400 operators for Bell Canada were told their jobs would be switched to a new company set up by Bell in a joint venture with an American firm. If they kept their jobs they would be facing a 40 per cent reduction in pay Bell Canada says that despite the fact it made a $477 million profit in the first nine months of the year, it must reduce costs to remain competitive. These moves, and many more like them, come at the end of 10 years of stagnant income for working Canadians. The recession, government cutbacks and pressure from globalization has left workers with little bargaining power to demand more money for their services. Ironically, all this is hurting business. Consumers have been reluctant to spend and sales of many products are down. The reaction from business has not been to pay their employees more but to demand that the government cut taxes so people will have a few more dollars to spend. As government cuts back, of course, it forces people to spend more money with private business to get the same services they once got from government. Canadians have sacrificed in the turmoil that followed the Free Trade Agreement. They have sacrificed to help beat the deficit problem. Is their reward to be asked to live on less and less? Apparently if big business has its way. — KR E ditorial Photo by Mark Nonkes Looking Back Through the Years From the files of the Blyth Standard, Brussels Post and North Huron Citizen Jan. 12,1972 The Huron Federation of Agricul­ ture requested that ihe free calling area for Blyth be increased to include Clinton, Goderich and Wingham, as well as Auburn and Brussels. It meant an increase rate of about 40 cents to the two-party line subscriber. Salaries in West Wawanosh were set for the year at: clerk, $1,500; treasurer, $1,000; reeve, $375/ councillors, $325; fenceviewers,' $10 per day; livestock evaluators, $7 per inspection; grader operators, $2.50 per hour; wingman, $2.15 per hour; casual labour, $1.90 per hour. The jackpot at the Blyth Lion's bingo had increased to $135. Jan. 11,1989 The obstructing Topnotch build­ ing that blocked the way to the Brussels Industrial Park was to be destroyed. The decision was made by Brussels council after months of fighting. The newly-renovated Brussels Legion was officially opened with almost every speaker paying tribute to the enormous community spirit that made it possible. Brussels council found a space in the Brussels Library for an extend­ ed service office for the Wingham OPP. Of the 17 landfill sites listed from Huron County, 10 were expected to be full by 1995. Seaforth's was full, and only Blyth's was expected to last until the year 2008. Among the major award winners at the Huron County Junior Farm­ ers' annual awards night and ban­ quet was Lisa Rammeloo of Blyth who was the recipient of the Presi­ dent's Award as the Most Enthusi­ astic First Year member. Rob Hunking, of the Auburn area was named Huron County's Most Out­ standing Junior Farmer of 1988. Beryl and John Davies took over Jo-Jo's Variety in Aubum, renaming it Ye Olde Village Store. Skaters Kevin Wheeler and Michelle Menzies and juniors Peter MacDonald and Kerrie Shepherd were to perform at the Central Divi­ sional Championships in Sauli Stc. Marie. Jan. 15,1992 The Bruce Regional Snowarama was held in the Brussels and Wal­ ton area with only 65 snowmobilers taking part. Due to warm weather and poor snow cover just $4120 in pledges was raised. The Brussels Bulls defeated Mount Forest for the first time in the season to clinch at least second place in the Western Junior C league. Jane Thompson of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority was the guest speaker at a Majestic Women's Institute meeting. She mentioned that every year, 6,000 students went through Wawanosh Nature Centre. Steven Spielberg's An American Tail—Fievel Goes West was play­ ing at the Park Theatre in Goderich. Also playing there was Cape Fear starring Nick Nolte, Robert DeNiro and Jessica Lange. Letter to the editor Volunteer says thanks THE EDITOR, On behalf of the board of directors of The Lung Association, Huron-Perth Counties I would like to thank all those who so generously donated to our 1998 Christmas Seal Campaign. Their support will truly make a difference in the lives of the one in five Canadians who suffer some type of breathing problem. Funds raised from the Christmas Seal Campaign support vital medical research across the province as well as the many health education programs offered right here in Huron and Perth Counties, Continued on page 6