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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-06-09, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1999. C itizen I The North Huron (♦£NA P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil Member Ontario Press Council P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com The Citizen is published 50 times a year 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 $100/year in other foreign coun­ tries. 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 newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 1374990 E ditorial One size fits all Huron County council has gotten itself into the strange position of appealing a decision of one of its own committees to the Ontario Municipal Board. While county council debate centred on the problems caused when its land division committee overrules the recommendation of local municipalities, there’s a greater problem of trying to come up with one set of planning rules that fits all situations. The case being appealed concerns the committee’s decision to allow a Mennonite farmer to sever 50 acres from his 150-acre parcel (originally two farms of 50 and 100 acres joined together when the same owner bought both) to sell to his son. The county committee, feeling the farmer had a special case, voted to overrule Howick Twp.’s Secondary plan which only allows severances of 75 acres or larger. With farms getting larger and larger, the thinking behind the Howick Twp. secondary plan is that parcels of land less than 75 acres are not viable farms . But Ed Bennett, a professor from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University who often speaks for the Old Order Amish community near his home in Milverton, says the economics of Old Order families are totally different than those of modern farm families. In his area, 30 per cent of Old Order Amish family farms have less than 75 acres and are successful, Bennett says. Because of their way of life many of these people can do well on 50 acres or less, he says, telling the story of one family that is self- sufficient on 14 acres because of a vegetable operation and some playing hens. What’s more, the Older Order communities are expanding taking up more of southern Bruce and northern Huron Counties. Howick Twp. Reeve Norm Fairies is worried the county’s land division committee is setting a precedent in allowing a 50-acre severance. When looking around at modern farm operations and the growing number of urban people who want a place in the country this may be true. The problem is how to design a rule that allows Mennonite families to expand while promoting orderly development.— KR Many wounds to be healed Following last week’s election victory Premier Mike Harris promised to heal wounds in the province which has been increasingly divided by the decisions made by his government in its first term. This is a post­ election promise it’s to be hoped he can keep. Anti-Harris protests during the election campaign at times went well beyond the description of “peaceful”. Police had violent confrontations with protesters at some of the premier’s campaign stops. Things reached their lowest point when some poll workers apparently were frightened from going to work on Thursday by telephoned threats. No matter how much you might disagree with someone this kind of behaviour is inexcusable. But the premier played his part in setting the tone with his belligerent attitude during his last term of office. He was always ready to attack public employees, teachers, local school trustees, municipal councillors — anyone who disagreed with the direction his government was taking. Talking and conciliation were not large parts of government strategy. This tough talking may actually have played a part in his re-election as many voters admired his willingness to “tell it like it is”. Many voters, agreeing you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, probably felt the only way the premier could cut government costs and get the province back on track was to knock a few heads together. But compare the tactics of the Harris government to Paul Martin. When he took the job of federal finance minister, Martin faced an equally daunting job in trying to shave dowm a huge deficit, just as Harris’s government did. In many ways he adopted some of the same solutions. Government programs were cut. Transfers to provinces were reduced (as the province in turn cut transfers to municipalities). Government agencies were privatized. Martin balanced his budget but there was pain and dislocation because of these changes. What there wasn’t, for the most part, was the kind of anger and violence that we have seen in Ontario. The difference seems to be in the attitudes of the two men. All the time he was cutting, Martin seemed to be regretful. Harris seems to delight in every cut, and every confrontation that resulted. Hopefully this term he’ll c^re more jatpou^ people; an<j enjoy fights less. — KR Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years From the files of the Blyth Standard, Brussels Post and North Huron Citizen June 13, 1979 A group of Dutch Mennonites arrived at the farm of Keith Richard to tear down his bam. They had come to help John Gingerich who bought the bam standing and was going to rebuild it near Mount Forest from the old material. Mr. Richards planned to put a new roof on the old foundation to house about 400 feeder pigs. Colourful pennants were put up across the streets by the decorating committee and Ontario Hydro employees as the first step to get Auburn ready for the four day cele­ bration of its 125th birthday. Foreign ownership of farmland was an issue at the Huron- Federation of Agriculture meeting. Merle Gunby, president of the Huron Federation told members that OFA had checked into several of the farms involved in the foreign ownership issue. The California Cuties ball team- played Walton Intermediates team. June 14, 1989 The Blyth Festival planned a gala opening for its 15th season with a production of The Perils of Persephone at Blyth Memorial Hall. At the meeting of Brussels vil­ lage councillors, it was decided to get the firm that carried out animal control to make a more concerted effort to solve the problem of dogs running at large. A parade led by the Legion Pipe Band began the service for the annual Brusssels Cemetery Decoration Day. Ratepayers in West Wawanosh could expect a total increase of 10.63 per cent on their 1989 mill rate. Brussels council adopted a fine of $10 per day for those who failed to comply with the willage’s prop­ erty standards bylaw. The lifeguarding staff at the Brussels Morris and Grey Pool for the summer was: Kim Fritz, pool supervisor; Karla King, assistant pool supervisor; Judy TenPas, life­ guard instructor; Corinna Stephenson, lifeguard instructor; Shannon Rice, lifeguard instructor; and Lori Willie, lifeguard. June 8,1994 Several Brussels residents were Letters THE EDITOR, If the citizens of Central and South Huron are interested in the care of the frail elderly, including those with disabilities such as dementia, and stroke, or who are socially isolated because of lack of supports such as transportation or family close by, and believe that community support services are an important factor in helping those vulnerable members of our communities live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, they may be interested in serving as a member of the board of directors for the Huron Adult Day Centre. Board members are responsible for the governance and financial upset at having to pay a late fee for not buying their dog licences. Parents and teens from Vanastra and Goderich visited The Ark in Brussels to gather input on how to start a youth drop-in centre in their communities. The second annual Spring Fish Out at Cook’s Pond near Belgrave attracted many people, due in part to sunny skies and balmy tempera­ tures. The event raised money for Big Brothers. Moxy Fruvous was scheduled to perform another concert at Blyth Memorial Hall. viability of the Adult Day Program. If you have an interest in and/or expertise in these areas, or in fund raising, human resource issues, policy making, marketing/ publicity, etc. you may be just the person for this very important opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our senior citizens who most need our support. You will also be involved in ensuring that Community Support Services such as Day Programs, Meals on Wheels, Dining Programs, Homemaking and Home Help will continue to receive the funding promised by the Province. The Huron Adult Day Centre has been in existence since 1977, operating from the old Huronview Building south of Clinton. A satellite program in Exeter has just expanded to two days, and on June 21 a day will be added in Grand Bend which will also serve clients from North Lambton. Board members are most needed from the Seaforth, Bayfield, Continued on page 6